Summary: Can one person and fate make the difference in Severus' life?
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot, sue me and become poor.
A/N: This fic is AU, not canon. and thanks! to my beta Karri
Now to my reviewers! Do not kill me for taking so long to update.
kears: yes, Lotty is very protective of Harry
ChildOfDarkness1988: np, thanks for the review!
Lady Lily3: some yes
Proops: thanks! glad you enjoy it!
viva rose: yes! they do
Arica Princess of Rivendell: It was not Lucius who died, it was his cousin
simplyme89: hhehehe
Debs: Lotty killed him
nibbled: ok will try to explain, The Dark Lord hasn't seen Harry since he was one, many kids have dark hair, and as far as he knows Harry is Sev's son, not HP. Hopefully it will fall into place soon for you.
athenakitty: The attack? Severus brought Lucius' cousin to the manor, and he isn't telling anyone because he is dead.
Purple Raveness: Thanks!
sparkling silver angel wings: thanks!
mb: we can only hope
Thanks to all who reviewed, you made me day!
Chpater 28
Lucius Malfoy idly wondered why his cousin had not returned from Diagon Alley. "The simpering fool. I send him on one measly task and yet he cannot perform even that. Why our Lord retains his service is beyond me, as the family does not wish to even acknowledge him as our own." Lucius was startled from his thoughts as his son walked into the room.
"Father, who are you talking to?" he asked peering around the corner in case someone was hiding from him.
"No one Draco. Come and sit, I have something I wish to tell you." Draco did as his father asked, for to refuse was unheard of. After he was comfortable Lucius began. "You shall enter Hogwarts in a few months. I wish for you to follow in my footsteps someday, but to do this you must let nothing taint our way of thinking is that clear?" The small blond head nodded in agreement, and Lucius was back to muttering about simpletons. That was how it was in pure blood families, no room for small talk, your only goal was to gain enough knowledge to be useful in the Dark Lord's service.
This was not the case, however, in one small house next to a meadow.
Harry sat on the couch in stunned silence, the tears gone and now only a look of terror in his eyes. Severus and Dumbledore gathered up the body of the man, and had it flooed away. Dumbledore had wanted answers, but Severus had none for him.
"I will find out why Lucius has sent someone to find me. For now I am just glad he did not escape to tell of Harry's whereabouts."
Albus looked at his former student and wondered how he had changed so much in the last few years. The man who once was without remorse, without fear of reprimand for his actions, was only concerned with the child he was trying to push Albus into the floo to get to. Seeing it would do more harm than good to question the boy now, Albus bid them good night and flooed away.
Harry did not notice as Lotty got up from the couch, and he did not seem to notice when Severus sat down beside him. As Severus pulled him into his lap though, the torrent of tears rained down from his eyes again. Harry lay curled up in his father's robes for hours until the sobs no longer could come out. Severus thought Harry asleep, until he heard the whispered word escape his lips.
"Why?" Harry asked, as he looked upon his father with pleading eyes.
Severus did not wish to tell his son of any more evils of the world. He wanted to shelter him, for the child had already seen far too much in his short life. He nestled Harry in his arms, noticing for the first time that he did not quite fit the way he had two years ago. Perhaps Harry was old enough to know, but to tell him now would mar his innocent soul. Would he still be able to see the world as he did now, untainted by Voldemort? Severus had no answers, but he knew he could hold off no longer. Looking Harry in the eyes, he explained to him all there was he knew of Voldemort, and how Harry had defied him once. Now Severus watched as the information sank into his mind.
Harry sat there, knowing his silence was driving his father quite insane, but he was thinking of all he had said. Severus was stunned when a smile flittered across his son's face for a split second, but then it was gone and Harry's brow wrinkled in thought.
"Harry, is there anything you wish to ask?"
Harry stretched his legs out, and then rubbed his head tousling the already messy hair. "Does this mean I can't go to Hogwarts?"
"On the contrary young man, it means you most definitely need to go and learn all you can while you are there."
Harry again had a small smile sneak across his face, and then he asked, "Will you be there Dad at Hogwarts when I am there this autumn?"
"Yes, Harry I will still be the same nasty potions' master. Why do you ask?"
"It's not important," Harry muttered in between yawns. All the day's events were catching up to him now, and Harry found he could not keep his eyes open.
"I think it is time for little boys to be in bed," Severus said, carrying Harry to his room. Severus wondered where Lotty had gotten off to, as he could not find Harry's pillow and the house elf always turned down to covers on Harry's bed for him. Severus reminded himself that this was the same house elf that had today saved Harry's life and probably his own. He was about to cover Harry up and leave the room when he noticed Harry's hand would not let go of his robes. "Harry, it is time for bed. Aren't you tired?"
"Can't I sleep with you just for tonight?"
Severus wanted to say no, but his heart could not resist those big pleading eyes. Certainly, Harry was really too old for this, but the boy had been traumatized, seeing death first hand. "Come on then," Severus said, ushering Harry from the bedroom.
Harry jumped up, much to Severus' amusement and raced for his father's room. Severus was only two steps behind, for he too was turning in for the night, tomorrow had to be a better day than this. As he walked in, Harry was already in the bed snuggled underneath the covers. "See Dad, my pillow was in here the whole time."
Severus caught Lotty by the back of her tea towel as she tried to sneak out unnoticed from the room. "How did you know Harry would be sleeping in here tonight?" When Lotty smiled back in reply, Severus chuckled. "It would seem I owe you my thanks for saving my son, and for knowing my thoughts before I think them."
"Master Snape does not need to thank Lotty. Master Snape is a good wizard, and a good father. Lotty knew he would not leave Master Harry alone to chase away the demons of dreams tonight."
"Regardless, you have my thanks and my trust. I know Harry is safe when I am not here. Why do you not get some sleep yourself?"
Lotty looked appalled. "Lotty has much cleaning to do Master Snape. She will not sleep and leave any foul trace of the bad wizard behind. She shall scrub the floor wherever his feet have trod upon the floor."
Severus was amazed at Lotty's dedication. Why was it house elves loved to clean so much he would never know, but he looked at her all the same. "Lotty, tomorrow you may cook till your hearts content for I wish to have some guests. Can you make enough to feed perhaps twenty or so people?"
"It would be Lotty's pleasure Master Snape." Severus shook his head as he closed the door to Lotty talking to herself about the many things she could make for dinner. Walking over to the bed, he collapsed down on it flicking his shoes off as he fell. Exhaustion crept up on him in seconds, and he wished to be lulled into a blissful dreamless sleep, but something was eating away at him still. Turning on his side he pulled the covers up on Harry and caught the boy again smiling ever so slightly. Not being able to take the wonder anymore he asked.
"Harry, what could bring a smile to your face on a day like today?"
Harry looked dead at his father, seriousness written across his face. "I was scared at first, but you told me I could still go to Hogwarts. If I can go there that means you will be there, and that one day I will be as good as you Dad."
Severus was dumbstruck. "Harry?" he said to his son, but Harry was rolling over digging himself into the covers. Just as Severus thought he was asleep Harry rolled to face him. "I want to grow up to be just like you, Dad."
Severus kissed him on the head and covered him back up. He watched Harry until he saw the soft rise and fall of his chest telling Severus he was asleep. Severus was glad, for then he would not have to explain the tears of happiness rolling down his face. He thought he could be no happier than this very moment.