Chapter 29- Dad?

The next day the whole school seemed to be alive with excitement over the big dance tomorrow. The teachers had a hard time keeping the students on task as they couldn't stop talking about what they were wearing and whom they were going with.

Harry tried not to think about whom he was taking but it became the center of topic during Transfiguration. McGonagall was called out of class for a few moments and Seamus begun talking about his Beauxbaton date. Seamus announced to the whole class that Harry was also bringing a Beauxbaton girl.

Seamus had received an owl that morning from Gabrielle detailing the portkey arrival and who the secret stow away would be. Apparently Gabrielle did not describe Charlet in glowing terms because Seamus kept referring to her as the stuck up snob from Beauxbatons. It didn't really bother Harry because he actually felt the same way but if he was going to make this look real he thought he better stand up for Charlet.

"Seamus, stop calling her a snob," Harry said half heartedly. "She's my date."

"I'm only repeating what Gabrielle wrote. Rumor has it that your date has a closet filled with furs and her own house elf at school," Seamus said loud enough for everyone to hear.

Oh, Harry figured that was probably true, how could you argue with the truth. He gave it a try for appearances sake, "Well, I'm sure half the girls at that school have the same."

Draco seemed to be very interested in the conversation but he remained quiet as he listened. Harry could see him shush Goyle and lean towards the Gryffindors.

Seamus started in on Charlet again, "Gabrielle said that your date is wearing a dress with real diamonds and a crown to match Harry."

Harry rolled his eyes at his friend and shook his head. She could wear a rubbish sack for all he cared.

He was saved from having to say anything further on the matter as Parvati spoke up, "Seamus a whole lot of girls are wearing tiaras, there's nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact I am wearing one."

Lavender spoke up next, "I'm wearing one too."

Soon the discussion turned to tiaras and who was wearing what kind with what color dress and shoes.

Harry tuned out the conversation and concentrated on his Transfiguration book. He hadn't any time to do his homework last night and didn't want to get caught unprepared.

The classroom door opened and a house elf walked in. He walked directly over to Harry and handed him a note, then disappeared with a 'Pop'.

Harry opened the note and saw that it was from Severus. Ron leaned in to look and asked who it was from.

"It's from Severus; he wants me to meet him in Dumbledore's office right now." Harry gathered his books and started stuffing them in his bag.

"Oh, you mean it's from your Dad," Ron said with a smirk.

Oh no, Harry did not want to bring up that conversation again. He still didn't think he could bring himself to call Severus 'Dad'.

"What do you mean from Harry's dad?" Seamus asked loud enough to get the attention of the students sitting by them, including Draco and Goyle.

"Harry, didn't you tell everyone?" Ron asked thinking he might have just blown a secret.

"Not yet, but you can tell them if you want," Harry stood up and picked up his book bag. He was headed for the classroom door. He heard Ron make the announcement that Snape had adopted him and heard the gasps of horror from the Gryffindor's.

He didn't care what anyone else thought but it was nice to hear Ron assure them that Snape had changed and was actually a good dad. Just as he stepped out the door he heard Ron giving a run down of all the new things Severus had bought him. Harry didn't care if the professor ever bought him another thing again as long as Severus would remain his father.

Harry walked up to the Headmaster's office thinking about how nice it was to say he had a dad now. It made him feel less … different. He just wanted to be normal and Severus helped him to feel that way.

He had been trying not to think about the poison running through his system but it was getting harder not to. His stomach had been starting to hurt dreadfully after every meal. Severus had given him vials of stomach relaxer to keep in his robe pocket but even those were not helping quite as much anymore. But he still thought he would be able to make it through the Friday night dance as well as the big Quidditch game on Saturday. He didn't care how bad he felt, he wasn't going to miss playing against Slytherin. A thought occurred to him; who would Severus root for now in Quidditch?

After giving the secret password and going up the winding staircase, Harry knocked on the Headmaster's door. The door opened on its own and Harry saw Severus sitting across from Dumbledore.

"Come in, come in my boy! I hear congratulations are in order. You have both made me very happy; it is everything I had hoped for the two of you!" Dumbledore gave Harry a big hug, then went to sit back behind his desk.

Severus remained seated and indicated the chair next to him for Harry to sit in, "Take a seat. You look ill."

Harry felt like one of the professor's potions by the way he kept examining him. It was getting progressively harder to hide his pain but he tried. "I'm good." was all he said, quickly taking a seat and hopefully ending the inspection.

Professor Dumbledore spoke up, "We have called this meeting so we can fill you in on the plan Harry. Severus has agreed to have Charlet attend the dance with you tomorrow evening. However we have decided the risk is too great to apprehend Miss Charlet during the festivities. We both do not want to have the ministry suspect you in the slightest."

"So, how are you going to kidnap her then?" Harry asked.

Severus spoke up first, "At the conclusion of the ball, you are to give Charlet this necklace." Snape held up a magnificent blue heart shaped diamond with tiny white diamonds surrounding it. "This is a portkey that will be activated the following day. That way she will return to her school unharmed and no one will suspect you in the least."

Harry held the diamond necklace in his hands with care. "This must have cost a fortune Severus?"

"Harry, I know Charlet and if you present her with a small diamond it would end up in the bottom of her trunk." Severus carefully put the diamond necklace back in the box and stuck it in his robe pocket. He patted it as he said, "This is a small price to pay for the health of my son."

Harry looked at him with a small smile and said, "Thanks Severus. Yeah, you're probably right; she'll wear a big diamond for sure. But what if she takes it off before it's been activated?"

"The portkey will go off the minute she is no longer in the palace walls and wearing this necklace. I've added a magical lock on the necklace clasp so she will not be able to remove it after you place it around her neck. I've no idea what time it will transport Charlet to the cave. That will depend on whatever time she chooses to go outside, even on the balcony it should work. But I do have an alarm that will go off the minute she is transported." Severus began to feel uncomfortable about revealing any more of the plan. From that point forward, the plan might take a turn that he did not want his son to know about.

"What's going to happen after that?" Harry did not want his new father to risk going to Azkaban because of him.

"That my boy is none of your business," said Dumbledore with a patronizing smile. "But we must be sure not to let anyone else know anything about the poison. I have had to obliterate the Aurors I had searching for Vespa. I have not alerted any order members nor any staff members. I have a feeling Ministry Aurors will be involved along with the use of Veritaserum. We can not take any chances that your friends or any staff member reveal any information. Without the knowledge of the poison they have nothing else to link Severus to the kidnapping."

"Yeah but Vespa will say something!" Harry said with force. This plan was getting too risky.

"What could she say Harry? She is not about to reveal her hand in poisoning you. Even if they do interrogate me I will be immune to the Veritaserum. I have been taking the antidote for the past week to let it build up in my system, they will get no information from me." Severus was at ease with the plan.

Harry wasn't so sure about the whole thing. Severus continued to study him and knew that he was in considerable pain by the way he was guarding his stomach and perspiring on his brow.

"Harry, may I ask if you have been eating three full meals a day?" Severus already knew the answer.

Harry shrugged his shoulders, not wanting to lie to his new father.

"That brings me to a rather difficult topic. I hope you accept this as fact and do not fight me on this decision." Severus watched the boy tense up.

"After due consideration I regret to say that you will not be playing in the Quidditch match this Saturday," Severus braced himself for the worse.

"No! You can't do that!" Harry couldn't believe that Severus would ban him from playing, knowing how much this game meant to him.

"Oh but I can and my decision stands. You failed to let me know how much pain you were in yesterday after practice and how much pain you are in at the present time. I have come to the conclusion that the more exercise you exert the more pain you are in. The antidote I gave you is but a copy of the true antidote and does not have the same strength," Severus replied in a stern tone of voice that he hoped would deter the teen from further argument.

Harry couldn't contain his anger and yelled, "Well what the hell is in that antidote to make it stronger?" He noticed the look on the potion master's face become less serious and more troubled. "What Severus? What are you not telling me?"

Severus took a deep breath and said, "The antidote is rather complicated Harry. I was able to figure out what the missing ingredient is, but … I am not sure that you wish to hear it." Severus looked away.

Dumbledore quickly spoke up, "Nor am I. Let's end this meeting …"

Harry quickly cut him off, "What the hell is in it Severus!" Harry reached over and grabbed the professor's arm until the man turned to face him again.

Severus squirmed a little before straightening his robe. Harry felt his stomach twist with anxiety over what horrible ingredient was running through his body.

"Vespa has her own … shall we say… signature, to her poisons. She has put her own blood into the poison making it impossible for me to duplicate the antidote. The antidote I gave you was made with my blood which has a slight trace of her DNA in it but not enough to counteract her poison."

Harry felt tainted, he felt like taking a hot shower and getting any vestige of Vespa out of him. The thought of her blood running through his veins repulsed him.

"That's disgusting! I hate that bitch!" Harry quickly stood up and started pacing as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Severus that's vile! She's ruining my whole life! I don't care about the fucking poison anymore; I'm playing Quidditch on Saturday! I don't care what happens to me after that!" Harry grabbed his book bag and headed for the door.

"Potter, you are not excused!" Severus used a rather harsh voice making the Headmaster look up with alarm. Severus could not allow that sort of language and direct disobedience. What sort of father would he be to let his son get away with that?

Harry froze at those words. Those were the exact same words Vernon had used usually followed by a slap. He turned towards the professor and stepped back when the professor lunged at him grabbing his arm in a vice like grip.

"That sort of language is beneath you Mr. Potter. Furthermore you must accept my decision on Quidditch," Severus said in a dangerously severe tone, while holding the boy's arm.

Harry apologized to the Headmaster but defiantly ripped his arm out of the professor's grip and stalked out of the office.

Severus watched him stalk away but didn't try to stop him again. He felt bad for what the boy must be feeling right now. He just didn't know how to proceed with Harry's anger over being banned from playing Quidditch this weekend. He dropped his face into his hand and shook his head over the whole situation.

"Albus, what do I do now? How am I to make Harry understand that it is for his own good?"

"Severus, you must do what is best for the boy regardless of how he feels. That is the hardest part about being a parent. There will be times when he does not agree with your decisions but he will soon realize it is for his own good."

"Albus I certainly hope you are right," But Severus knew he would have a fight on his hands over this decision.

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Harry got through the rest of the day with great effort. He had wanted to grab his broom and head out to the Quidditch pitch but knew Snape would hear about it. He decided to skip supper in the Great Hall. His stomach wasn't feeling too good anyways. He didn't care if Severus got mad at him for skipping a meal. As he paced in the Gryffindor common room he thought about the way Severus had treated him like such a child earlier.

Severus hadn't even discussed missing out on the Quidditch game with him but had taken the liberty to just inform him that he would not be playing. The nerve of the man! He hadn't even been his father for twenty four hours and already he was punishing him by taking away the thing he loved most. He should have been able to make that decision for himself!

Harry sat by the fire feeling sorry for himself. The portrait hole opened and Severus stalked in looking like he was ready to kill somebody. Harry had a pretty good idea who that was. He stood up and faced the angry professor.

"Mr. Potter, why are you up here? You should be down in the Great Hall eating supper. Harry, I am trying very hard to be patient with you but you are making it exceedingly difficult. When I told you to eat three full meals a day I meant it for your own good. That antidote will not last as long if you do not eat with it." Severus looked as if he was calming down a bit but his eyes were still piercing into Harry.

"I'll eat when I want Severus. Stop treating me like a child and stop telling me what to do all the time." Harry remembered the last time he had spoken those words to Severus at Snape manor. Back then Snape had been under the curse and had physically attacked him. So Harry stood with trepidation as he waited for the professor's reaction.

"Mr. Potter I will not tolerate your insolence again. Now get down to the Great Hall this instant," Severus hoped the boy would obey, because he wasn't sure what he should do if Harry didn't.

"Why couldn't you have just talked with me about missing out on Quidditch? You know, as if I actually have a brain and could think for myself!" Harry pushed pass the professor and headed down to the Great Hall.

They didn't say anything to each other all the way down the many stairs. Just as they reached the doors to the Great Hall Severus reached out and took hold of Harry's arm.

"Harry, I am trying."

Harry didn't know what to say to that, he still felt like he was being ordered about.

"Just leave me alone," Harry pulled his arm away and stalked into the Great Hall to find his friends. He watched Severus take a seat next to Dumbledore and begun to feel a little guilty over his reaction. After all Severus was just looking out for his best interest. Wasn't that what he had been craving his whole life, someone to care?

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The evening didn't get any better for Harry. After supper he had been sitting in front of the fire doing his homework with Hermione and Ron when Ginny walked in with Dean. They were laughing as they fell into a chair together. Harry couldn't take the sight of seeing the two together anymore and gathered his stuff to head up to bed.

Just as he stood up he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and saw Ginny with a tense look on her face.

"Harry could I have a word with you?"

Harry followed her out the portrait hole as they were being observed by everyone in the common room. When the portrait closed Ginny rounded on him with a look of irritation.

"I thought you said you were busy with Professor Snape tomorrow night! You didn't have to lie to me Harry. If you didn't want to go to the dance with me you should have just said so!" Ginny looked hurt and angry.

Harry was taken aback. He hadn't even been aware that Ginny had wanted to go to the dance with him.

"Um well, I thought I was busy but then found out I wasn't. But … what do you mean about me not wanting to go to the dance with you? You never said anything." Harry really had no idea what she was so angry about nor any idea she would even consider going with him.

"Oh Harry, don't you even remember our conversation right before you flew on that hover board? Bloody hell Harry, I thought we were better friends then that! But I don't care anymore anyways. You have fun with your Beauxbaton rich girl with the diamond tiara!" Ginny turned to go back into the common room.

"Wait! Ginny, please don't walk away," Harry pleaded as the portrait opened and everyone inside stared at him.

Ginny felt like she just might start crying and had to get up to her room before she humiliated herself further.

Harry was left standing in the common room with every eye on him. Ron had a look of confusion that turned to anger when Ginny broke out into a sob on the way up the staircase to her dorm.

Harry was thoroughly confused. He had no idea Ginny had wanted to ask him to the dance that day. He felt like such an idiot for not catching onto that. Damn it, he had no one to talk to about this either. Ron looked as if he wanted to rip his head off and he had totally blown it with Snape earlier. Bloody hell, he felt awful!

He grabbed his book bag and headed up to his room. Thankfully no one was in there. He sat on his bed and went over the entire conversation he had with Ginny on the day he flew on the hover board. He honestly didn't know she was even interested in going to the dance with him. He felt so stupid for blowing it with her.

He lay back against the pillows thinking about the dance tomorrow. The thought of going with Charlet made his stomach feel even worse. He hated the fact that he was going to have to make the date look real. How else could he end the date with a large diamond if he didn't treat her as if he liked her? She was so vain that she would just think he was head over heels in love with her. He closed his eyes, trying to think of something else.

Before he knew it he had drifted off into a very fitful sleep with terrible dreams with Vernon and Vespa in them. Just as he was in the middle of his dream Voldemort broke through with fury.

Harry suddenly felt a sharp pain in his scar, he was watching Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest. Voldemort was attacking one of his own Death Eaters with various curses as sparks and fire was set off. Harry could feel Voldemort's anger emanating from his scar. It hurt worse than any pain he had ever felt. His head felt like it was going to explode. Finally he couldn't hold back any longer, a scream escaped from his mouth. It brought Harry out of the vision and woke him up with a start. His scar continued burning with such intense pain that Harry screamed loud enough to bring up Ron, Neville, Hermione and Seamus.

They rushed into the room with their wands out, thinking that Harry must have been attacked. But when they saw him huddled on his bed holding his head, they knew exactly what was causing the pain.

"Quick, go get professor Snape!" Ron yelled at Hermione.

Ron panicked at the sight of a trickle of blood coming from the scar.

Hermione ran out the door and headed down to the dungeons. Her heart was racing at seeing Harry in so much pain. She passed by the door to the Potion Masters quarters three times before realizing where it was. She started panicking at the thought of the professor not being there to help. She knocked on the half hidden door and waited two seconds before knocking again, this time with more gusto. The door flew open and a very scary potions instructor stood before her with a glare.

"Um Professor please come quickly! It's Harry!"

The professor quickly lost the glare as it was replaced with a look of fear. He grabbed his black bag and ran. If anything happened to Harry he would never forgive himself. Was it the poison taking over already? Snape slowed down enough to ask the Gryffindor a question.

"What has happened?"

"I don't know. We were all down in the common room and Harry was in his room by himself when he just started screaming. When we got there he was holding his scar and it was bleeding!" She explained as she ran along side the professor.

Once they were in the Gryffindor common room they made their way up to the boy's dorm. When Snape strode in, the Gryffindor students stepped aside to make a path to Harry.

Snape's heart dropped when he saw his son rolled up, holding his head, obviously trying to hold back screams. Snape rushed to him and took hold of the boy's shoulders to see his face. Harry's hands were now covered in blood, his scar an angry slash. Oh Merlin, what was Voldemort doing to him!

"Be strong son, Occlude," Snape grabbed a numbing potion out of his bag and quickly poured it on the scar. Harry arched his back and screamed in agony, clawing at the scar. Snape grabbed Harry's hands before he could do any more damage to himself, and then held him in a tight hug. Harry fought against him, screaming and trying to push away. Snape held tighter, not even feeling his son's fists pounding his back.

At first the Gryffindor watching were terrified for their friend, not knowing if Snape was helping or actually causing more damage. Then they heard him whispering something to Harry and saw their friend begin to relax.

"Calm down son, breathe slowly," Snape repeated over and over again in a calm voice.

The sight of their most hated professor being so protective of their friend made them all alter their opinion of the man.

After a minute or two Harry finally settled down, breathing hard as he collapsed against the potion professor. The burning sensation was ebbing away and he could finally see again. He saw the looks of terror on the students watching. He felt Severus loosen his hold and Harry pushed back wearily but still held onto Snape's robes.

"Breathe Harry," came the stern but caring voice. "May I look?" Snape asked as he lifted the boy's chin and pushed back the hair off his son's forehead.

Harry heard several gasps and quickly brought his hand up to his forehead. He could feel the scar split wide open but the pain was more bearable. He was exceedingly grateful for Snape's numbing potion.

Severus pulled Harry's hand away from the wound, "You will recover. I'll take care of you now."

"What the bloody hell happened? Voldemort's never attacked me like that before. I-I think he's close Severus."

Snape got a chill at hearing those words, "Explain?"

It suddenly came back to Harry in a rush, "He's close Severus! He's in the Forbidden Forest with two or maybe three Death Eaters. He was really angry at one of them and cast all sorts of unforgivables on him. I think he started a fire," Harry sat up straighter, wiping the blood off his face with his shirt sleeve.

"Harry you will recover in my quarters while I speak with the Headmaster. Dobby!" Severus called out.

Dobby popped into the Gryffindor room with a look of fright at the sight of Harry's bloody forehead. "Master Harry Potter!"

Severus cut him off before he could say anything else, "Take Harry down to my quarters and stay with him."

Dobby held onto Harry's arm and they disappeared with a 'pop'.

"Whoa, I thought you couldn't apparate in the castle?" Ron asked.

"The Headmaster decided to make an exception for Mr. Potter," Snape said as he gathered a few items to bring down to Harry.

Ron stepped forward and handed the Professor Harry's wand that had fallen to the ground, "Professor, you're a really good dad. Harry's lucky to have you."

Severus was touched, "Thank you Mr. Weasley." That meant a lot coming from his son's best friend.

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Severus quickly alerted Dumbledore and a team was sent out to search the Forbidden Forest. Severus asked the Headmaster to let him know what was found as soon as possible. He normally would have been part of the search team but opted to stay with his son instead. He was beginning to know what parenting was all about.

As he rushed into the living room he found Dobby nervously wringing his hands.

"Where is Mr. Potter?"

Dobby didn't say anything but pointed to Harry's closed bedroom door.

Severus tried the door but it was locked. He took his wand out and said, "Alohamora." The lock clicked open, Severus threw the door open to find his son lying on his stomach on the bed. His forehead was dripping fresh blood onto the Gryffindor bedcovers and down to the floor.

Severus grabbed Harry and turned him over inspecting the scar. Harry's eyelids fluttered open and he began to moan in pain. "He's back Severus, he's mad at someone."

"Harry listen to me! You must occlude your mind. You must push him out, immediately!" Severus said with force as he shook Harry by the shoulders.

"I'm trying professor, I swear I'm trying!" Harry screamed back. There was no escaping the pain of Voldemort inside your head.

Severus pulled his wand out, pointing it at Harry's head, "Legilimens!"

Severus wanted to scream, he could feel the pain Harry was suffering making him feel sick to his stomach. He focused on guiding Harry through the nightmare he was living. It took everything he had to begin to guide the tormented boy into shutting out Voldemort. He helped Harry erect a wall of stone around his mind, thus keeping Voldemort locked out. It felt like a lifetime but was only minutes until Harry could breathe again without screaming. Severus had a new found respect for Harry's pain tolerance and gratefully pulled himself out of the boy's thoughts, breathing with great effort.

Harry continued to occlude his mind even after the professor left. He could feel Voldemort trying to push his way back in. Harry strengthened the wall, leaving his memories safely hidden behind the stone wall. He finally understood what it was he should have learned last year. A year too late. If only he could have done this when Sirius was still alive, if only he could have tried harder. You're still not trying hard enough you worthless freak! Harry pushed Vernon's cruel words from his mind and focused on the man who was taking care of him.

Harry felt the professor wipe away the blood off the scar with a cold wash cloth and also wipe the blood and tears from his face. Harry didn't protest or try to stop him. He closed his eyes and let the professor take care of him as promised.

Severus looked down at his son and felt his heart tighten at the trust the boy now had in him. He watched Harry relax and close his eyes letting his guard down for the first time. He wished he could have helped Harry like that last year instead of ridiculing the boy during his Occlumency lessons. It was hard to think about the way he had treated Harry in the past. He waved his wand again and the blood on the bed covers and floor disappeared. Severus looked towards Harry and was surprised to see his son looking back at him with clarity.

"Did he leave Harry? Were you able to block him?" Severus watched as the boy looked on the verge of breaking down.

Harry nodded, and the thought of Sirius was suddenly fresh in his memory. He was afraid if he spoke he would start to cry with the sorrow over losing Sirius.

Severus sensed Harry's deep pain and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Harry felt as if he would be betraying Sirius if he was comforted by Severus. Hadn't they always hated each other? Hadn't Severus been part of the reason Sirius felt the need to come to the ministry in the first place?

Severus watched Harry and waited for the boy to open up to him. He already knew what Harry was struggling with as he had just been in the boy's mind and could see the images of Sirius. The damned mutt would always be a regret the boy felt.

"Severus why couldn't I do this last year? I hate myself for not trying hard enough!" He felt exhaustion take over and lay back against his pillows. Occlumency took so much out of him, making him shaky and cold.

"Harry, I was a poor teacher to you last year so I am just as much to blame."

Harry kind of agreed with that but didn't think anything less of the professor now. "Professor please don't be mad but…" Harry stopped talking and looked up at the professor. He wanted to tell him how afraid he felt but thought maybe the professor would think less of him.

"Harry, I'm your father now. Nothing you say will change that … nothing."

"I'm scared professor. I know I'm not very strong right now with all this poison in me. What if Voldemort comes back again tonight?"

"Then we will face it together. I will be right beside you if you need help. Harry I would never get angry over you feeling frightened. Anybody would be frightened in your circumstance."

They heard a knock on the door and Severus gave Harry a pat on the shoulder before he went into the front room to answer it. Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Tonks walked in with serious expressions. They gave him the run down of what they found in the Forbidden Forest.

Everything Harry had witnessed had indeed been happening on the edge of the forest. They found signs of blood along with bits of skin and hair. The fire had taken all six Aurors to put out. Tonks had just sat down on the sofa to have a spot of tea when Harry walked in looking worse for wear with blood still on his white school shirt and his scar a raw open wound.

"Harry, you probably saved half the creatures living in the forest tonight. Thanks for the tip!" Tonks tried to lighten the dark mood in the room.

"Hi Tonks, good to see you. So you guys put the fire out then?" Harry felt shaky and made his way over to the sofa with the help of Severus.

Tonks nodded her head still examining Harry closely. "Harry you don't look so good. I think the professor needs to feed you a little more." Tonks missed the glare that came from Severus but caught the look of guilt on Harry's face. She wondered what was going on to make him look that way.

"I supply my son with food, I have no control over whether he actually decides to eat it," Severus raised an eyebrow at Harry then placed a cup of steaming tea in front of him. He opened up a vial and added a nutrient potion to the tea. "Drink," was all he said to his wary son.

Harry gave him a small smile and picked up the cup of tea. His head was throbbing and he felt so weak, almost lethargic. He wanted to go to sleep but was too frightened of Voldemort attacking him to even consider it. So he sat sipping the tea whilst listening to the Order members.

They talked about how they would strengthen the wards at Hogwarts. Dumbledore decided to call an emergency meeting with all the Order members in his office right away.

Severus sat down next to Harry, assessing his son carefully. Harry leaned back into the pillows and looked the other way. Severus turned towards the Headmaster and said, "Albus, I think I will stay down here with Harry. The boy has been through quite an ordeal tonight."

Harry sat up to protest but the professor pushed him back onto the pillows leaving his hand on Harry's chest. "I am the parent. You are the child. You will do as I say."

Harry really didn't want to argue because he didn't want to be left alone. The thought of Voldemort on school grounds, when he felt so weak did alarm him.

McGonagal and Tonks raised their eyebrows at each other. Snape acting so paternal was a rather rare sight to witness. It warmed Minerva's heart to see it though.

After the Order members flooed up to Dumbledore's office, Harry laid down on the sofa.

Severus skillfully rubbed more cream into the bloody scar, hardly even hurting the open wound. He then pulled his wand out and Harry found himself wearing pajamas with a warm quilt on top of him.

"Okay, Mr. Potter it is time for you to get some much needed rest," Severus said as he rubbed small circles along Harry's temple with his fingers.

Harry felt more relaxed and safer then he had ever felt in his whole life. "Hmm okay," Harry closed his eyes and let himself feel cared for. Half asleep he whispered, "But, wake me up if something happens, Dad." Harry drifted off to sleep in a matter of seconds.

Severus wasn't sure if he had heard Harry right. Did the boy just call him Dad? Severus realized his heart was racing for some odd reason. He thought about last evening when Weasley had suggested Harry call him Dad or Father. He had thought it sounded rather nice, but Harry seemed to be very uncomfortable with the name change.

Severus continued running his fingers through his son's hair and thought about the way he had always wanted a son of his own. A son he could shower with everything he had always been denied as a child. This special boy was giving him that opportunity. He knew he would not take this child for granted or deny him the affection that had been withheld from his own childhood. Severus felt himself choke up at the thought of his son calling him Dad. He had never been allowed to call his father that but had always yearned for a relationship with his father that would have allowed it. Severus pushed his head back onto the sofa and let himself drift off to a very contented sleep, hoping that he had indeed heard his son correctly.

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Early the next morning Harry woke up to find himself lying on the sofa with the professor asleep in the dark leather chair. The thought of having a parent watch over him while he slept gave him a feeling of security he had never felt before.

Today was the big day, the day that would determine whether or not the plan would actually begin. He didn't care what his friends thought of him dating Charlet. Now he was more determined than ever to make this date tonight look real. His father's life depended on it. Harry pushed thoughts of Ginny from his mind. He closed his eye's not wanting to get up and end this feeling of warmth and security.

"How do you feel?" Severus asked in a quiet voice.

Harry kept his eye's closed but said, "I don't know, I guess I just couldn't take it if anything happened to you."

Severus stretched and sat up straighter, "That is exactly how I feel towards you. I think I have put you through enough with my blasted family. I do not suppose you ever imagined being adopted by me would cause so much agony?'

"It's okay, I mean it isn't your fault. You can't help it if you have a family filled with idiots."

The professor chuckled, " I know I should reprimand you but how can I when I know it is indeed the truth. Harry, I wish I could take your place."

"No way! Then I'd miss out on my big date with Charlet tonight!" Harry joked as he tried to lighten the mood a bit. "I'm sure she's going to looove my friends! A guy with no money, a Muggle born, and poor Neville."

"Ah yes, Charlet will be quite relentless with her opinions, I am sure. Just let them go in one ear and out the other. That is an old Muggle saying that I say to myself when I am dealing with students." Severus stood up and looked down at his son. "I have a special project that I am working on today so I will not see in class."

Harry sat up running his fingers though his unruly hair, "What are you working on?"

"Never you mind, but if it turns out the way I hope then I know it will make you very happy."

Now Harry really wanted to know what the professor was up to. He followed him down the hall begging for more information. Severus silenced him as he went into his bedroom and shut the door. Harry went into his own room to get ready for big day ahead of him.

XXXXXX

Coming up Chapter30 - The Dance