It was early when something woke him. There were no sounds, crashes, voices, or anything. If it wasn't for the nagging feeling that something was wrong he could have just fallen back to sleep. His attention went straight towards the hot, tense child. The lights came on with a flick of his wand and he was horrified by what he say.

The infant, now around 7 months old had bright red cheeks filled with fever. A heavy, almost smokers cough vibrated his chest every once in a while and an uncomfortable wine escaped the sickly child's lips. These were no teething symptoms. Absolute and utter fear began to slap him in the face. What had he done wrong? How could he have been so stupid and missed this? He should have been watching the child closer.

Despite the tightness in his throat and nausea causing ruckus in his insides, the professor gathered the child in his arms and dashed for medical wing. He ignored any probable students breaking curfew, the paintings seeing his newfound state of vulnerability. Despite his reputation being at stake, he couldn't care less than an ounce.

There was no one in the beds when he burst into the large room. The only light in the entire place was that off moonlight and distant candle in the back room. Severus didn't stop until he caught the attention of who ever was inside.

Madame Pomfrey came barreling out, no doubt surprised by the sudden sound of urgent footsteps.

" What has happened?!" She asked, already scanning the child to find anything wrong. There were steady cries now escaping the child; Pain filled and desperate.

" Give here, give him to me,"

The professor was hesitant to give up the child. It broke his outwardly cold heart more than he expected it to, more than he would admit.

" Severus, I'm only here to help," She said, sensing his discomfort.

He slowly gave the child up and watched as the medi-witch placed him on one of the cots. Several diagnostic charms were cast, all of which were supervised by Severus himself.

" Well, what is it?"

" It's unclear, its an ordinary sickness but it seems to be affecting him rather negatively."

" I knew it, I knew that fever was more than teething. I should have know," It hurt Poppy to see Snape this way, to see how badly he felt he had screwed up.

" No. Now you listen to me right now. There are many explanations to what may have caused this. None of which include you being at fault,"

" But we shared a spoon, could I have transferred something to him?"

" I highly doubt it. A cold has been going around, some of the children have already shown symptoms of it. Or, this could be something that has happened in his previous childhood. You couldn't have predicted this, and it is in no way your fault. Do you understand me?"

A nod was the only response she got.

" Now you watch over him while I get some potions and a bottle." and he did just that. While he waited, he searched the pale face and rosy cheeks. Sweat laced the smooth forehead, and he wiped it away with his sleeve. Any other day and he could find this rather nasty. Not now. Not ever again. He took the chance and connected eyes with the boy. To his utter astonishment, he found the bright green eyes of someone familiar. He took in the eyes, hair, jawline, and nose. How could he have been so foolish? Maybe he didn't want to see it because he wanted him to be his. But that was far from reality. This sting worse than the realization that he had been raising James Potter's son. Lilly's son. Her eyes stared up at him, in pain and desperate. They were so familiar yet like they belonged to a stranger. This child was anything but what he had seen in James. James was a whiner, a bully, social. This child had Slytherin qualities. He was quiet not pompous. He was sweet and giggly at this interactive age, not rude and snotty. Severus had been able to spot some children that already showed their true colors, stealing bottles and toys from others. Harry had not done that.

" Severus, I need you to go to your store and pick up a mild pepper up potion an stomach soother, I'm afraid my stores have depleted due to the outbreak this morning,"

Conflicted emotion arose, but he settled on helping rather than waiting for someone else to get it. He was off in record speed, black robes billowing behind him with great urgency to keep up. He reached his closet and searched out what he needed.

On his way back, he caught sight of his reflection. One of the doors lining the corridor that was usually locked was wide open to reveal the Mirror of Erised glistening before him. His urgency was great, but so was his curiosity. Before him stood himself, his cold appearance, greasy hair, and black ropes reflected back at him. There was hardly a difference, only that of his facial expression. It was softer, still just as worn, but lighter. His robes started to move and behind him stood a tiny child, clinging to the fabric holding himself up. It was a certain green-eyed child he has learned to care for in the past two days, even though it felt like months. He was only a year old at most, healthy, and curious as ever. Lilly was not in the picture first thing. He thought he spotted her in the background, but his real attention was focused on the child. Speaking of the child, Severus rushed out of the room and back to where the sickly baby coughed.

BREAKBREAKBREAK

" Well my my Severus, what a shocking sight,"

The potions professor groaned from the disturbance and sun trying to get through his eye lids. He was about to ignore the presents before he remembered the events of last night.

He looked down at the child still nestled in the nook of his arm, half drunk bottle leaking into his robes. He remembered trying to get the child to eat. They had put the potions in the milk in hopes of getting some into the child. It only partially worked and by then they were all so exhausted sleep swarmed them like mosquitos on a hot summer night.

Severus looked up to see Minerva gazing upon him, though not mockingly like he had thought he would see based on her statement.

" What has happened Severus?"

" He became ill through the night,"

" Is he alright?"

" Harry is a fighter I have no doubt he will make a full recovery," came a different voice. Minerva's eyebrows raise at the identity of the child and how was talking care of him.

Snape gave Dumbledore a look. " How long have you know this was Mr. Potter?"

" Since yesterday afternoon. In that moment, he looked so much like Lilly, there was no doubt in my mind that he was who you were caring for Severus."

" Why didn't you tell me if you knew?"

" Because my boy, it was important that you figured it out on your own,"

Oh god, that man and his sentimental tendencies!

" Now that his identity is confirmed, I will look into childhood medical conditions and other injuries we should be on the lookout for," McGonagal said walking away and scribbling something on a piece of parchment. Her own two little ones were sitting up wobbly together. They were much more recognizable now that they lost the newborn puffiness.

" You'll want to stay here again," Madame Pomfry said walking up to him. It was more of a statement than a question.

" I would find it most comfortable," He responded and stood up." I would like get a change of clothes, and the same for Harry. I'll return shortly,"

" That's alright now, go on ahead,"

If anyone noticed they did not say anything about his frazzled air and milk stained robes.

Repositioning the child on his hip, Severus quickly made his way to his chambers where he called for Maisa.

POP!

" Master Snape has called for Maisa?"

" Would you mind drawing a bath for Harry and gathering some clothing for him?"

" Of course sir," And she was off. While she did that, Snape changed his own clothes and tossed the rest into a dirty laundry bin. Not a second after they hit the rim, they disappeared to be cleaned by the working house elves.

" Bath is ready Master,"

" Thank you, you may return to your previous duties."

The bath was warm and bubbly, and most curious of all, this was technically the child's first. Many thoughts came to mind now than he had the true identity of the child. How would this Gryffindor act? Did it even matter because he is so young?

Either way, he was going to find out.

" Bababa," Came the familiar babbles erupting from the squirmy, energetic tiny human. He chewed on his hands rather than help strip himself, and shivered against the cold. The babe's expression changed from pleasure, to shock, to fear, to hesitance, then to curiously calm once hitting the water.

" Hush," Whispered the man soothingly. He grabbed one of the soft clothes provided from Maisa and wet it by placing it in the mini tub. He rubbed the cloth over Harry's little, chubby arms and legs, his neck was particularly nasty so he made sure to get there pretty good. The soft scented shampoo was next, and the boy took the water on his head surprising well. Though, that does not mean he enjoyed it. He defiantly did not and Snape made a mental note to keep that in mind for the future.

Later that day things had settled down. The children were much more independent now, although that doesn't mean a lot considering they still needed to be changed, fed, and bathed. But, they played together in a way.

The professor watched, intrigued by their mindless actions. Another boy, rather light haired made a bold move to grasp something out of Harry's hand. Being in the play pen, the children were left to be alone together though still supervised. This let them to be seen in their natural actions.

Severus tilted his head to the side when he noticed Harry pull back the toy and picked up another one he had no previous interest in. The blonde haired babe he could recognized as Draco Malfoy snatched the new toy, not even considering it was a different one. It was a very amusing encounter. They didn't even really play, but the quick manipulation Potter had done, even if it may have been without thinking, was the most slytherin thing the potions master has seen in a while. It gave him hope that maybe he had been more wrong than he thought about Harry. He surly hoped so.

" Severus, may we speak in my office," The headmaster said, poking his head into the infirmary.

"If you wish,"

Once seated in his office, Dumbledore offered the other man the usual, a lemon drop.

" No thank you," The dark haired man sneered.

" Fine, lets get right to business then. This is nothing necessarily bad Severus," The headmaster said, not acknowledging the way Snape rubbed his fingers together anxiously.

" In recent events, I couldn't help but notice your sudden fondness for Mr. Potter,"

"Is there a reason you are bringing this up?"

" Because it is relevant. Because of recent events, I think it would be best if Mr. Potter was placed into someone else's care, specifically his relatives in Surrey." Said the headmaster outright. It was clear he felt strongly about this, and the hint of remorse in his voice didn't go unnoticed.

" And why is that?! Is my care not adequate enough for the boy who lived?"

" Not in the slightest Severus. You have a cover to maintain, and not to mention if the Dark Lord were to find out Harry Potter was in this vulnerable state, he may go to greater lengths to get to him. Black is still out there as well,"

" Your pride is too high! I haven't felt the Dark Lord for months. Hogwarts is the safest placed for him in the first place, and have you forgotten his first encounter with the Dark Lord? He was just an infant then too. As for black, I'm sure I can handle him," the spite in his voice was as loud as ever.

" Don't let your emotions cloud you judgment. Don't tell me now you care for the boy. Or have you forgotten Lilly and her sacrifice? That could very well be the reason he survived in the first place. She is no longer here to do so again," Anger. Pure hot, raging anger wanting to blow up his brain. Never once had Snape felt so angry at the man than he did now. He wanted to scream and call him inappropriate names.

" Don't talk about Lilly! I warned you and you did nothing!"

Now it was the headmaster's turn to get angry. The twinkle in his eye diminished and face reddened.

" I did what I could given the circuman-"

" It was not enough!" There was a deep pause, and then Snape said quietly. Eerily so." It was not enough."

BREAKBREAKBREAK

Trudging back to the infirmary, anyone who even stepped in his way had a death wish. Had the man have to be do blunt? His reasons were the stupidest he had ever heard, in fact, he could go and shoved when up his a-

" Severus, it is almost time for the children to make their way back to our chambers." Minerva said, not seeing the painful and furious look on his face.

" Ubaubauba," Came a child's babble, and a shaky finger pointed at him. His fiery melted away and his hands automatically reached for his child. The child he told himself he would never let go of again.

That night Severus watched Harry lazily crawl around on the green, spiral patterned rug before him. After a near burning incident with the fireplace a charm had been put in place for optimal safety. It's shield could slightly be seen protruding around it.

The man scuffed. He was the only person here that could really take care of the boy. No one else understood his routine, though only two days old. They all had connections to the ones they have been raising. It goes deeper than two days. He couldn't hep but wish this would last a bit longer.

BREAKBREAKBREAK

The next morning had much the same results as the day previous. Harry had aged a reasonable amount, and gained some kind of new skill. This one being climbing out of cribs. There was a thump early that morning that nearly gave Snape a heart attack. His eyes popped open when a scream pierced the air. He was out of bed faster than the flash ever could. He picked up Harry and winced as the cries continued.

" That was a foolish idea child,"

He hushed and rubbed the boy's head until nothing but whimpers and stuffed nose puffs were emitted from him. Once he was sure the boy did not have a concussion, he put Harry on the floor and started to prepare their meal. It was nice. His chambers no longer felt so empty. They felt warmer, and the frost on his heart started to meld like Winter going into Spring. His whole body felt warmer. This time to himself gave him a chance to think about the now found identity of Harry, the conflict ions he had with the headmaster. Dumbledore had made an effort to reach out several times since then, but Severus knew better than to accept the invitations. The older man had a way with things, making people do things they didn't want to. It wasn't mind control, no perhaps severe manipulation. Everyone cherished him so much they didn't see how he liked to persuade people into thinking his way was the only way. Severus didn't even care that the headmaster didn't tell him he knew it was Harry. It was the audacity he had to tell him he wasn't suitable because of this status with the Dark Lord. Severus itched his fading mark unconsciously. It was still there for sure, but it wasn't active as it had been the two previous years. It was simply just there.

Severus peered at the 13 month old child with great curiosity. More lately had he and the others started to stand around and bounce endlessly. Their energy amazed him. He was so getting too old for this already. He smirked and patiently waited for the boy to let go of the sofa a try to take a step, but, it never happened. Several of the other kids had taken their first steps or tried to. He knew it was selfish to be envious of them because he wanted Harry to do the same. This was still very young and expecting him to do something that required hard work and concentration was too much to ask for right now.

After breakfast was ready and eaten, the two made their way down the corridors like a machine. He had the child in one arm, little head held high curiously making nonsense words to the paintings. All of which absolutely adored little Harry. Many didn't realize that was who he was though, he still looked very much like a young infant. His body looked much more proportionate too, he really looked like a little human now.

" Hey, little child!" One of the paintings said and Snape stopped dead in his tracks. It was a older man, sitting on a sofa relaxing with a clinking glass of scotch in hand.

" Do you mind? We have somewhere to be." Stated the greasy git firmly, clearly upset with the fake interest the portrait had. This particular one was notorious for being rude, probably due to the fact he was always drunk. It was greatly inappropriate. Why he was aloud to stay in a hall where children roam was absurd.

Severus was about to farther criticize the older man's dingy clothes and ridiculous face, but he realized Harry was sneering as well. They look in each other's eyes innocently and Severus gave him a hidden smirk. He hadn't noticed the boy copying him until now. It was quite amusing to say the least.

Going on with the trek to the medical wing, he was once again admire the bright eyed child clinging to his robes.

An audible SNAP was emitted and a flash temporarily blinded his eyes. Not a second later when he recovered, the man turned to his side to see a short kid, most likely a first or second year with a big camera in his hands. They were shaking, face looking terrified at the realization of what he had done.

" Where should you be?"

" I-I was on m-my way to the great h-hall sir," He stuttered. The terrified child was like all the other brats that roamed the place. He was about to tell him off before he realized what Harry had done just moments ago. Looking back at his previous actions, Snape realized that he has to be a better role model. Regardless of how this child will turn out anyway, it will not be because of his own ignorance.

" Get there then," He said and the child ran off, dropping the picture behind. Snape picked it up and shoved it into his pocket.

BREAKBREAK

" It's your turn Severus," Madame Pomfrey said, hands on her hips. She gave him a look, deep and soul grasping.

" Not today," Snape said and ignored her protests as she trailed behind him farther into the room.

" Tomorrow,"

" Yes tomorrow." He placed his stuff down and settled Harry with the other children. Professor McGonagall was eagerly asking them mindless questions and making them laugh," Where is your nose?"

Harry watched the other kids point to something on their face so he did the same. although he touched more of his eyes than nose. That occupied them for a while, but eventually they parted ways and played with blocks. Some stacked them, others tasted them, and a few tossed them. Very badly, but tossed none the less. More of it was innocent, though Harry randomly threw one hitting another kid on the chin. No mark was left or blood drawn but she still cried.

" No Harry," Severus said in a very scolding tone. The young boy looked up and shook his head seriously and said,"No."

The child acted as though he understood, but didn't want Severus to be mad. It's like he knew his cuteness was so unbearably flattering the potion's master couldn't stay mad for long. Speaking of cuteness, that was his first word! This black haired, dark-eyed, cold hearted man couldn't have been more happy and he stood up abruptly to toss the child in the air playfully. He made sure no one was paying attention of course. Harry giggled through his slimy fingers and gave a big belly laugh. Now if only he would start walking. Many others had gotten the concept of letting go of whatever they used to push themselves with and take a step. Some were even over achievers and started to stubbly walk around. Not Harry though, not yet.

Taking a break from affection, Severus made sure the other young girl was okay and Madame Pomfrey came over to scope out the situation.

" Is everything alright Severus?" Poppy asked, forehead wrinkled.

" Yes, just a simple flying block is all,"

The medi-witch hummed and nodded at the man." Children will do whatever they can to push and prod boundaries. Their brains are wired to do so, and often times we have to reprehend them." She said sharing some interesting knowledge. It made sense, how else would they learn?

The potion master's mask slipped and he let out a small, deep chuckle," No wonder his first word was no. I don't know how often I have to say it."

She took giggled and tickled Harry's neck with a few fingers which sent him into a laughing fit. He leaned over Severus's arms, hair a mess upside down.

" Severus! Would you mind taking my shift for an hour or too? I must do something," Asked professor Lupin who looked rather urgently towards the hallway. He was tense, and Snape knew why. Tonight was a full moon, and the man needed to prepare.

Grudgingly, he said yes.

Next Chapter should be when Harry gets his scar, plus some more reactions of the other parents.