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!
Lady Lily3: thank you!
mb: yes Harry is sweet,lol and will Draco find out who he is
athenakitty: nope he won't get around to giving him one
Lady Luna-Potter: thanks!
Purple Raveness: thankies
Arica Princess of Rivendell: thankies
kears: good luck, and thanks!
Chapter 31
Harry was enjoying his time out, but he missed spending it with his Dad. Ron had noticed the change in him and had tried to cheer Harry up by taking him into the Quidditch shop. They had basically drooled all over the brooms and the windows now held their fingerprints. Ms. Weasley had hurried them out of the shop and sent them into Flourish and Blotts to buy their books, while she took Percy to get a new owl. Once they had books in hand, Harry started to walk away when he heard Ron's stomach rumble. Acting as if he didn't hear a thing, Harry walked on towards the shop to get new quills. When he and Ron came out he turned to the red head. "Come on follow me," he said walking so fast Ron had to run to catch up.
Harry sat down at one of the small tables outside the ice cream shop. "I could sure go for a sandwich and a drink, how about you Ron?"
Ron's face turned a shade of red as he politely told Harry he was not hungry. Harry knew different, as he had never seen Ron not hungry. "Well, I'm going to have a sandwich and I'm getting you one too. You don't want me to eat alone do you?"
Ron smiled, and agreed that Harry's idea was a good one and when he scarfed down the first sandwich and half of Harry's both boys knew without saying that indeed Ron had been hungry. After finishing up their drinks, Harry and Ron walked around Diagon Alley for a few hours until just at four thirty they met back up with Ms. Weasley and Percy who was holding a brand new owl.
Harry wished them all good bye and he headed back towards The Leaky Cauldron. Sure enough, there sat Severus in one of the booth sipping a butterbeer and waiting for him. "I got all my things, are you ready to go?"
Severus smiled at Harry. "We must wait here for Hagrid, for he says he has a late birthday gift for you."
"I told Hagrid he didn't have to get me anything. He lets me play with his animals when I come over to his house." Severus was about to ask Harry which animals, as Hagrid was known for having very violent animals in his keep at any one time or another. His question was halted as the half giant walked into the Leaky Cauldron carryig a snow white owl in a cage.
"Happy belated Birthday Harry!" Hagrid said, placing the cage on the table.
"Hagrid, she's lovely! It is a she isn't it, or is it a he? Dad, how can you tell if it is a boy or a girl owl?"
Severus' face paled at the question, and he started stuttering out an incoherent reply when Hagrid spoke up. "It is a she, Harry, and that is all you need to know."
Harry seem satisfied for now with that answer and Severus color seemed to return to his face.
"Hagrid, I wonder if you would mind taking the owl to my home and giving it to Lotty for me?" Severus asked. Hagrid agreed, and Severus pulled Harry into the floo shouting something in another language. It seemed like they had been traveling forever in the floo. Harry would have looked down at his watch, but when he did it made his stomach lurch. If his father had not been holding onto his arm Harry was sure he would just fall down.
When the swirling stopped, Harry opened his eyes to find himself standing outside the fireplace, Severus holding him up until his stomach settled. "Where are we?" asked Harry but then it dawned on him and he hugged his father. "I thought this place was special and we only came here for my birthday?" Harry said.
"We did not get to come here on your birthday as our guests did not leave till well after midnight, and it is not everyday my son goes to get his Hogwarts supplies now is it?" Severus saw the love in Harry's eyes and knew his heart was about to burst. "Come, I have set something special up on the mountain. As they walked, Harry and Severus talked about his day and what he and Ron had done. Harry even thought to mention about how Ron's family had little money.
"A wizard's honor is not measured by his bank account. The Weasleys, although at times annoying beyond belief, are good wizards and witches and you have made a fine choice in your friends."
Harry was about to comment on that, when he stopped dead in his tracks. There, on top of the mountain where he and his dad usually sat on the rock, was a beautiful glass tent and inside was a roaring fire and a big blanket set on the ground. "Dad, how did you manage all this?"
"Well, I had to do something while you were out wandering Diagon Alley didn't I? Come on now, before you catch your death in this weather, for it is nice and warm inside." Severus was right, as the inside of the little tent was warm enough that Harry had to pull his robe off. The blanket had also been charmed to stay warm, but as Harry went to sit down he saw that the rock they always sat on was still uncovered.
Harry and Severus had a wonderful picnic in the little tent and marvelled at the wondrous view as they ate. All too soon it was time to go, and Harry sat on the rock staring out at the sky and watching the clouds float so close a couple of times he reached out to touch them. When Severus laid his hand on his shoulder to go, Harry turned around. "Dad, one day I am going to bring my son here and show him how wonderful this place is, but I promise never to bring anyone else because this is our special place."
"That is a wonderful idea, and I am glad you shall keep this place only between us. Come now, someone has to be sorted into his house tomorrow." They walked back down the mountain and flooed home, Harry still was reeling from it when he stepped out of the fireplace.
"Did Master Harry have a good time today?" Lotty asked, taking his cloak from him.
"Lotty, I had the best time ever! Were you the one who sent the food to the tent?"
"Yes, It was me Master Harry. Lotty has been knowing about the mountain since Master Severus was a boy."
Harry snickered at that reply and was cuffed on the shoulder by Severus.
" I was once a boy, just like you." Do not think your father went from babe to the towering Potion Master overnight. Now, off to bed with you, I shall be dropping you off at King's Cross to catch the train with the other students in the morning."
Harry feel asleep that night after many hours of tossing and turning only to dream about his father walking around the house drinking a bottle and with his wand flickering back and forth to a rattle.
A/N: The next chapter is the last one BUT do not fear I have another Severitus fic completed and betaed, and ready to post.