"Tom, do you have a moment to spare?" Severus asked cautiously as he approached his old friend after having instructed Harry to wait in the library while he handled the initial revelation.
"What is it Severus?" the man asked glumly.
"Tom, some information has come to my attention that I know you'll want to hear," Severus answered.
"Well get on with it," Tom instructed as he sat up and spelled the lights on.
"Your son is alive," Severus decided the direct approach was the only way to proceed.
Tom's eyes narrowed dangerously in their hollow holes surrounded by dark circles. "I'm not sure what makes you think this is a funny joke. I am not at all amused," Tom growled. The man's frail form was trembling in both anger and sadness.
"I would never joke about such things, Tom," Severus assured as he sat on the bed across from his old friend. "I overheard Harry Potter discussing the historical inconsistencies with Ms. Granger and when I pulled him aside to address the suspicions, he revealed that he'd discovered a few things which gave him reason to believe he was not the biological son of James and Lily Potter and instead believes you are his father. I did a biology potion with him. The results confirmed that he is your son Hadrian," Severus stated as he passed over the parchment.
Tom was instantly sobbing clutching the parchment to his chest.
"Tom, your son is alive, and he wishes to meet you," Severus prompted after a long moment.
"Where is he now?" Tom asked wiping his tears and pulling himself to his feet.
"I asked him to wait in the library," Severus replied.
Tom's eyes widened. "I'll get dressed and be down in just a moment."
"Tom there's something you should be aware of before you meet your son. He was severely abused by the people trusted with his wellbeing after the deaths of James and Lily Potter," Severus informed the man.
Tom's eyes squeezed shut in pain for a moment before he nodded and motioned for his friend to leave him.
Severus entered the library and Harry was startled into standing, but when he noticed Severus came alone and his face became one of despair. "He doesn't want to see me, does he?" the boy whispered as tears welled in his eyes.
"Oh, Hadrian, your father loves you. He is coming down shortly. He just needs time to make himself presentable," Severus assured the boy moving to embrace him gently.
"Are you sure?" Harry croaked.
"I am sure. When I informed him of his son being alive, let's just say I haven't seen him so happy since the day of your birth. You have nothing to fear," Severus assured, motioning the child to take his seat before Severus moved to sit across from him.
"But does he know th-that...well...that it's me," Harry asked averting his eyes to the floor in shame.
"I know who you are, Hadrian. You are my son. Nothing can change that, and nothing can lessen my love for you."