Ignorance Isn't Bliss
Chapter 5 - Conniving Headmasters
Severus Snape forced himself to calm down as he Apparated to Hogsmeade, walking up to Hogwarts. He strode quickly to the headmaster's office, robes billowing behind. "Fizzing Whizbies," he muttered and then rode the stairs to the office. The door opened just as he was about to knock on it.
"Lemon drop, Severus?"
Snape sneered and shook his head. "I saw your golden boy, but he got away. It was a crowded street and he ran into a group of Muggles."
Albus sighed and lowered his glasses. "We need to get him back Severus. If he falls into the wrong hands who knows what will happen. He mustn't use magic. I need him to remain in school. I need him where I can keep an eye on him Severus."
Nodding, Severus tried to bite back all of the curses he was desperate to use on the old man. "Albus, we have another problem. The charms you placed on him when he was born are wearing off. I'm sure he's noticed something by now. I would say he's a good four inches taller then when he left school. His face is narrower as well. We are going to have to do something."
Albus' face turned grim and the twinkle left his eye. "This is most disturbing news Severus. Without James alive I cannot replace the charms. I had hoped they'd last at least until Harry killed Voldemort."
Severus forced his hands to clench the rails of the chair to keep from grabbing his wand.
Albus continued, "I suppose we will have to tell him something, something that will keep him on my side. Ah! I could tell him that Voldemort forced you to rape Lily when she was married to James. It's brilliant."
Severus faked a smirk for the headmaster's sake, "I suppose Albus. That will certainly keep him from joining Voldemort and if he is convinced that I was forced by Voldemort maybe he won't hate me any more than he already does."
Albus shook his head, no twinkle in his eye, "That is not promising Severus. There is too much animosity between the two of you for Harry to overcome. That also wouldn't be good for your position as a spy. You mustn't try to befriend him. That could prove dangerous for the Order and for you, my boy."
Severus tried his hardest to keep his mask in place. "I agree Albus. But first we have to get the infuriating boy back here. I think that if we find him, he should remain in the safety of the school so he can't run away again."
"I agree Severus. Just go back to London and find him. Get him back here and we will deal with everything else later. I want to be there when you tell him our story of his parentage. Don't disobey me Severus. My previous threat is still valid. I can't afford to loose control of Harry."
Severus nodded and stormed from the oppressive room to head for his satisfyingly, calming dungeons. He soaked in the tub and tried to melt the stress from his body. He was always careful to not speak bad about the headmaster in the castle. He was very conflicted about how he felt about Harry. For sixteen years now he'd hoped for the day that he could be a father to his child, but he and Harry had built up so much animosity now. It was amazing that Harry hadn't immediately tried to throw him out. His son must really be feeling alone to have accepted this so easily. Severus counted his blessings. He didn't deserve such easy acceptance.
After he finished soaking he headed back out to find and bring back his son.
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After walking around in circles for an hour, to lose any followers, Severus went to the hotel to get Harry. Severus let himself in and found Harry asleep on the sofa where he had apparently been waiting for him to come back. The book that had dropped to the floor was advanced potions. 'So he really does want to be my son.' Severus mused. He gently shook Harry and backed away when he saw Harry begin to stir.
"Profes ... Father?" He said, rubbing his eyes.
Snape started at the title, but guessed that the boy was just tired. "Yes, Harry, I'm here to take you back to Hogwarts. The headmaster said that he wants to keep you there to keep an eye on you anyway."
He began telling Harry all about the conversation he had with the headmaster. The range of emotions evident in Harry's eyes were amazing, they really should work harder on Occlumency.
"That meddling fool! Playing with my mind like that. If anyone is pushing me away from him it's himself. He underestimates my intelligence if he thinks I would have gone for that lie. I know his game now."
Severus squeezed his shoulder, "I know Harry. But for now you will have to play along. You must not let on that you know anything. You will just have to pretend that you hate me. If it will help I'll make you scrub some cauldrons."
Harry smirked and started packing up his things. "I think I can manage. I've had five years of practice."
Severus helped his son pack up his things. "We should wait a couple more hours before we leave. I don't want him to think that I found you too quickly. I also think I should tear your robes some to make it look like we struggled. I can buy you more later."
"Sure, but let me put on one of my older robes." Harry went to the bathroom to slip off his good robes and throw on a school robe, minus the badge. Then, he made a couple of tears in his robes and even scratched the skin underneath. "I think that will do nicely. What do you think?" Harry's eyes blazed fiercely.
"Harry! You're bleeding. I didn't mean you had to go that far." Was the boy daft, or just that Slytherin?
"I know. But it's all for a good cause. We need Dumbledore to be convinced of your loyalty."
Severus now realized just how much his son was like him. Severus had created his own wounds on numerous occasions after a meeting with the Dark Lord. Lord Voldemort never wanted to willing hurt him, and Severus wanted to be sure that Albus didn't question him about his meetings too much. Coming back from a meeting with new scars and barely able to stand was a sure to get him a rather brief inquisition.
"I suppose. Let's head out. It's raining pretty hard now so we should walk around in the rain for a bit before we head back. We will floo from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade and walk to the castle from there. Are you ready?"
"Yea, I'm ready."
