A/N: How lucky are you guys? Two updates in one day.
Disclaimer: Don't own Harry, Snape, Dumbledore, etc. Wish I did. Davidson and Company is mine. That's about it.
Snape transfigured his Muggle clothing back to his robes and Apparated back to the gates of Hogwarts. He hurried to his dungeons and paced the length of the room. Dumbledore had said that he would meet him here. He stared into space. His son was out there somewhere, doing who knew what, surviving as a Muggle. Snape gritted his teeth. If he had only known about him when he was younger. Hell, even if he knew about it before the battle, he felt that he would have been a lot better off. Instead of receiving Muggle care and the like, he could have been taken care of by the best mediwizards and witches available, Snape would have seen to that. Where the devil was the boy? Snape checked his thoughts. His son was a young man now, able to make his own decisions. A sharp rap on the door alerted him to the Headmaster's presence outside the door. He went to the door and opened it.
"Hello, Severus. Good evening. How did it go?" Dumbledore asked, settling himself into a chair. The battle had aged the spry headmaster, who had been considering retirement within the next few years. He had promised Snape, however, that they would find Harry before that would come to pass.
"It went well. He accepted my case and my explanation. He and his secretary think that I was a spy or something in the Muggle world." Dumbledore laughed.
"So, Davidson has a secretary now. Tell me about her." Dumbledore asked, knowing Davidson well.
"It is not a female, but a young man. He was quiet, well mannered and seemed to anticipate his employer's needs and mine quite well. He walks with a limp and is scarred on one hand, as well as on his face. From the way he carries himself, I'd like to think that he was in the Muggle army and was wounded in battle. He keeps his hair long and dresses well for Muggle standards." Snape finished his summary. "He also knows everything, as Davidson trusts him implicitly with client information." Dumbledore nodded.
"So they have the Muggle photographs of Harry, then? I hope that they are good enough for him to be recognized." Snape nodded in agreement. Dumbledore jumped slightly, as just remembering something. "I have something for you, Severus. I hope you don't mind that I took the liberty." Dumbledore removed something from his robes and handed it to the Potions Master. Snape reached out and took it. "Go ahead, open it." Snape opened the small leather bound book and found himself staring at Harry Potter. He flipped a few pages and saw several photographs of Harry's first year. Harry at his Sorting, Harry in his first class, Harry in his Quidditch robes, and Harry playing wizard's chess with Weasley. The next page started his second year.
"The castle happily took pictures of Harry for me. It was a way of checking up on the boy. Now, I am glad that you have something of his childhood." Snape smiled at Dumbledore, a genuine smile that only Dumbledore, and now, the thought of his son, could bring. Snape held the book tightly in his hands, almost afraid to lose the one link that he had to his child's past. "We will find Harry, Severus. The boy needs the truth, if nothing else, but I am sure that he will be thrilled to find family." Severus snorted. "That was a most unbecoming noise for someone of your intelligence, Severus."
"I'm sorry, Albus. It's just that Harry hates me, and I made him." Dumbledore shook his head.
"I don't think he hates you, Severus. Wary of your past, yes. Wary of you in general, yes. One of the traits that I most love about Harry is his ability to accept both sides to every thing. He has definite views on good and evil, and you definitely rank in the good category, even if you are just over the line." Dumbledore reached over and took Snape's hand. "Don't worry, Severus. I will be with you when you bring him home, and every step of the way."
The next day, Liam and Mr. Davidson talked about their new client. "What was your impression of him, Liam? You're an excellent reader of people." Mr. Davidson said as he signaled his turn in the car.
Liam furrowed his brow and thought for a moment. "Well, he was honest when he was talking to us, but he is also very intimidating, as though used to scaring people or having his way, I haven't decided which. He is also very polite and patient, although I suspect that they can run out when his tolerance is low. He is extremely intelligent and must work in some chemical field. He is right-handed, but also favors his left leg from time to time, as though he might have injured it. He is used to high quality materials and knows how to shop for them. He has been aged by some trial in his past." Liam fell silent. Davidson looked over at him.
"Good afternoon, Holmes. Care for pistol practice in the parlor?" Davidson's joke got a small chuckle from Liam. "Explain the intimidation part."
"When I was alone with him, he was inspecting me, as though he were searching for a weakness of mine he could use against me. That is common in many intimidating or powerful people." Davidson nodded.
"The chemical field?" He asked, steering the car into another turn.
"He has chemical burns and scars on his hands." Liam answered simply. "I saw them when I shook his hand." Davidson smiled.
"The high-quality materials?"
"His suit was from a tailor, not off the rack. He can afford the best and usually indulges." Davidson nodded and smiled at Liam.
"What would I do without you, Liam?" Liam shrugged.
"Ask one of the other lawyers to spy on your clients?" Liam's simple comment caused a burst of laughter from the older man.
"Come on, Liam. Let's go get some lunch and you can meet my niece." A good-natured groan and roll of eyes came from Liam as he followed Davidson into the house. Davidson opened the door and yelled to the residents of the house that they were home.
"Daddy!" a blond streak said as she careened around a corner and straight into her father.
"Hello, little one!" he said, lifting the three year old above his head. A squeal followed her up and back down. Once again firmly on the floor, she rushed up to Liam, stopped, and threw her arms around him.
"Hi, Liam!" she said, smiling up at the man who had become like her big brother.
"Hello, Ashley." He said, returning her small hug. "How have you been?" the child shrugged and took hold of his hand.
"Fine. Mommy's in the kitchen. If you distract her, I might be able to snatch something." Liam allowed himself to be pulled along to the kitchen, where Gloria Davidson was making preparations for lunch. Ashley was constantly hungry these days, and often used Liam as a distraction for getting food while her mother was talking to the young man she was determined to see happily married to some nice girl and have a few children. Liam actually liked her because she reminded him of someone from his past, someone he missed terribly those nights he was alone in the hospital and in such pain that he wanted to use his wand to summon help. He shook off those feelings and greeted his hostess.
"Oh, Liam." She said, coming around the counter and hugging him, instead of shaking hands. "I'm so glad that you agreed to come." She stepped back and placed a hand on either shoulder. "You look thin. Have you been eating?" Liam chuckled.
"Yes, Mrs. Davidson. Three square meals a day." She tsked.
"You could have fooled me. What I wouldn't give for some pictures of you when you were younger." She said.
"What would you want something like that?" he asked, curious.
"Then I would have something to compare. Instead, you look almost exactly like you did the first time my husband brought you home for dinner. Tall, skinny, and pale." She said, sighing. "Honestly, Liam, there must have been sweets in your diet at some point." Liam shrugged.
"I have always been thin, Mrs. Davidson. In fact, thinner when I was in school. No muscle." She tsked again and started tossing salad.
"Well, I hope that you will do this meal justice, Liam. I've made lasagna, and I have it on good authority that you love lasagna." Liam smiled.
"I will do my best." He told her. She shooed him out of the kitchen, convinced she had done her duty for the day in regards to Liam. He went to the sitting room, where Davidson was talking to the Ashley about her sneaking about in the kitchen. Liam winked at her. All three looked up when a door slammed somewhere and thundering footsteps could be heard overhead. Liam readied himself for what he knew was coming, He tracked the footsteps down the hallway, the stairwell, and to the door. The door opened to reveal a fifteen-year-old boy, face in an enthusiastic smile.
"Liam!" In the next second, Liam found himself tackled to the floor, causing him to laugh. No matter how many times Leonard was warned of Liam's old injuries and obviously weak leg, Liam was still tackled to the floor.
"Hello, Leo." He said, wrestling the youth off him. "Nice to see you, too. Now let me up before you wrinkle my suit." Leo, as called by family and friends, jumped to his feet and helped Liam up. Liam smiled down at the boy and mussed his hair.
"Ah, Liam. You're messing up my hair!" The youth said, dodging away from Liam's hand. Mrs. Davidson came in and called everyone to the table. Liam sat next to Leonard, all the while talking to the boy about school, which had recently let out for Easter break.
"Here she is!" Mrs. Davidson said as a young woman came into the room. Liam glanced up. Long brown hair, brown eyes, flawless skin, right- handed, and a confident stride. "Nicole, this is Liam. He works with your uncle." Liam rose and took her hand. He felt her take in his scars, long hair, and clothing. She obviously knew what to look for when exploring a character.
"It's nice to meet you." She said politely. She sat at her place, right across from Liam, and smiled at the rest of the family.
"Likewise." Liam said, resuming his seat. Lunch started easily, with Nicole speaking of her University and her experiences there. She talked about her flat mates, her classes, and her favorite professors. Liam listened politely. After lunch, she and Liam set out for the local village, with a day in London promised the next day.
Snape was in the middle of teaching first year Potions to a group of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs when an owl flew into the classroom and dropped a letter on his desk. "Keep to your work." He told the class roughly. The students all stared back down at their cauldrons, stirring with a one- mindedness that could unnerve the stoutest Death Eater. Snape picked up the letter and opened it. It was in her handwriting. Lily. He put the envelope in a pocket and turned back to the class. After supervising the students' bottling their potions for evaluation, he dismissed them early. He wanted to be alone. He locked the door to the classroom and sat down at the desk.
The letter was addressed to Severus Snape. That was all. He opened it and saw a full page of her handwriting.
My dear Severus,
I just wanted to send another note to you concerning our son. He should be almost twenty-one now, and with that will come changes for him. You see, James and I took steps to ensure that no one would doubt that he was James' son. We used ancient charms from his family, ones that would act like a Polyjuice potion for twenty-one years.
As time draws near his twenty-first birthday, every trait that comes from his father will change to what it should be. I'd like to think that he would look like you, with my eyes. I know he has green eyes now. I can't help but wonder what he will look like when he grows up.
I have enclosed a charmed picture to reveal what he should look like, to help give each of you an idea of what he will look like in the near future. I pray that you and he have a good relationship, so that these changes are not traumatic for Harry. Help our son through this, Severus. He will need you, and your skills as time passes and the transformation continues.
Severus dear, make sure that Harry knows that James and I both loved him as a son, and did what we did to protect both him and you from Voldemort. Make sure that he knows that you love him. I can feel it in my heart that you do. I remember you talking fondly of children you wanted to have. Now you have one. Make sure that he knows you love him.
All my love to both of my Snapes,
Lily
Severus sat there for almost a full hour before taking action. He rushed to his rooms and called the headmaster through the fireplace. "Yes, Severus?" Dumbledore asked, stepping through the flames.
"I just received another letter from Lily." He said.
"Well, this is certainly a surprise. May I ask what she had to say?" Snape held out the letter to Dumbledore. The man read the letter several times before handing it back. "What does the picture look like?" Snape held it up. "My, that does look like you at twenty-one." The aged wizard said. "Now, we have something more to go on." Snape nodded. "What is it, Severus?"
"What will happen if we don't find him in time and he starts changing on his own? How scared will he be?" Severus asked, shaking his head in bewilderment.
"We will find him, Severus, and it will become easier as time goes on. Don't worry. We will find him. I suggest you take that picture to Davidson as Harry's birthday draws near. That should help." Severus nodded and tried to think what he would say to a confused and possibly angry Harry Potter when he found him again.
Reviews:
Suzanne of Dragon's Breath: Thanks for telling me about that. I'll go back and fix some time later.
Marina: I will work on the longer chapters. Your English is very good. About Hermione being Davidson's niece, well, I think you just read it. Don't worry. Hermione will be in later, along with Ron. Thanks for the wonderful compliments.
Lady Lightening: Thank you!
Athenakitty: Okay, your review was just a bit confusing. What did you mean by "set up"? Clarification would be greatly appreciated, but thank you for reviewing!
Lillinfields: Here you go! Thank you for the kind words. I will be continuing.
PxW: Thanks for reviewing!
Disclaimer: Don't own Harry, Snape, Dumbledore, etc. Wish I did. Davidson and Company is mine. That's about it.
Snape transfigured his Muggle clothing back to his robes and Apparated back to the gates of Hogwarts. He hurried to his dungeons and paced the length of the room. Dumbledore had said that he would meet him here. He stared into space. His son was out there somewhere, doing who knew what, surviving as a Muggle. Snape gritted his teeth. If he had only known about him when he was younger. Hell, even if he knew about it before the battle, he felt that he would have been a lot better off. Instead of receiving Muggle care and the like, he could have been taken care of by the best mediwizards and witches available, Snape would have seen to that. Where the devil was the boy? Snape checked his thoughts. His son was a young man now, able to make his own decisions. A sharp rap on the door alerted him to the Headmaster's presence outside the door. He went to the door and opened it.
"Hello, Severus. Good evening. How did it go?" Dumbledore asked, settling himself into a chair. The battle had aged the spry headmaster, who had been considering retirement within the next few years. He had promised Snape, however, that they would find Harry before that would come to pass.
"It went well. He accepted my case and my explanation. He and his secretary think that I was a spy or something in the Muggle world." Dumbledore laughed.
"So, Davidson has a secretary now. Tell me about her." Dumbledore asked, knowing Davidson well.
"It is not a female, but a young man. He was quiet, well mannered and seemed to anticipate his employer's needs and mine quite well. He walks with a limp and is scarred on one hand, as well as on his face. From the way he carries himself, I'd like to think that he was in the Muggle army and was wounded in battle. He keeps his hair long and dresses well for Muggle standards." Snape finished his summary. "He also knows everything, as Davidson trusts him implicitly with client information." Dumbledore nodded.
"So they have the Muggle photographs of Harry, then? I hope that they are good enough for him to be recognized." Snape nodded in agreement. Dumbledore jumped slightly, as just remembering something. "I have something for you, Severus. I hope you don't mind that I took the liberty." Dumbledore removed something from his robes and handed it to the Potions Master. Snape reached out and took it. "Go ahead, open it." Snape opened the small leather bound book and found himself staring at Harry Potter. He flipped a few pages and saw several photographs of Harry's first year. Harry at his Sorting, Harry in his first class, Harry in his Quidditch robes, and Harry playing wizard's chess with Weasley. The next page started his second year.
"The castle happily took pictures of Harry for me. It was a way of checking up on the boy. Now, I am glad that you have something of his childhood." Snape smiled at Dumbledore, a genuine smile that only Dumbledore, and now, the thought of his son, could bring. Snape held the book tightly in his hands, almost afraid to lose the one link that he had to his child's past. "We will find Harry, Severus. The boy needs the truth, if nothing else, but I am sure that he will be thrilled to find family." Severus snorted. "That was a most unbecoming noise for someone of your intelligence, Severus."
"I'm sorry, Albus. It's just that Harry hates me, and I made him." Dumbledore shook his head.
"I don't think he hates you, Severus. Wary of your past, yes. Wary of you in general, yes. One of the traits that I most love about Harry is his ability to accept both sides to every thing. He has definite views on good and evil, and you definitely rank in the good category, even if you are just over the line." Dumbledore reached over and took Snape's hand. "Don't worry, Severus. I will be with you when you bring him home, and every step of the way."
The next day, Liam and Mr. Davidson talked about their new client. "What was your impression of him, Liam? You're an excellent reader of people." Mr. Davidson said as he signaled his turn in the car.
Liam furrowed his brow and thought for a moment. "Well, he was honest when he was talking to us, but he is also very intimidating, as though used to scaring people or having his way, I haven't decided which. He is also very polite and patient, although I suspect that they can run out when his tolerance is low. He is extremely intelligent and must work in some chemical field. He is right-handed, but also favors his left leg from time to time, as though he might have injured it. He is used to high quality materials and knows how to shop for them. He has been aged by some trial in his past." Liam fell silent. Davidson looked over at him.
"Good afternoon, Holmes. Care for pistol practice in the parlor?" Davidson's joke got a small chuckle from Liam. "Explain the intimidation part."
"When I was alone with him, he was inspecting me, as though he were searching for a weakness of mine he could use against me. That is common in many intimidating or powerful people." Davidson nodded.
"The chemical field?" He asked, steering the car into another turn.
"He has chemical burns and scars on his hands." Liam answered simply. "I saw them when I shook his hand." Davidson smiled.
"The high-quality materials?"
"His suit was from a tailor, not off the rack. He can afford the best and usually indulges." Davidson nodded and smiled at Liam.
"What would I do without you, Liam?" Liam shrugged.
"Ask one of the other lawyers to spy on your clients?" Liam's simple comment caused a burst of laughter from the older man.
"Come on, Liam. Let's go get some lunch and you can meet my niece." A good-natured groan and roll of eyes came from Liam as he followed Davidson into the house. Davidson opened the door and yelled to the residents of the house that they were home.
"Daddy!" a blond streak said as she careened around a corner and straight into her father.
"Hello, little one!" he said, lifting the three year old above his head. A squeal followed her up and back down. Once again firmly on the floor, she rushed up to Liam, stopped, and threw her arms around him.
"Hi, Liam!" she said, smiling up at the man who had become like her big brother.
"Hello, Ashley." He said, returning her small hug. "How have you been?" the child shrugged and took hold of his hand.
"Fine. Mommy's in the kitchen. If you distract her, I might be able to snatch something." Liam allowed himself to be pulled along to the kitchen, where Gloria Davidson was making preparations for lunch. Ashley was constantly hungry these days, and often used Liam as a distraction for getting food while her mother was talking to the young man she was determined to see happily married to some nice girl and have a few children. Liam actually liked her because she reminded him of someone from his past, someone he missed terribly those nights he was alone in the hospital and in such pain that he wanted to use his wand to summon help. He shook off those feelings and greeted his hostess.
"Oh, Liam." She said, coming around the counter and hugging him, instead of shaking hands. "I'm so glad that you agreed to come." She stepped back and placed a hand on either shoulder. "You look thin. Have you been eating?" Liam chuckled.
"Yes, Mrs. Davidson. Three square meals a day." She tsked.
"You could have fooled me. What I wouldn't give for some pictures of you when you were younger." She said.
"What would you want something like that?" he asked, curious.
"Then I would have something to compare. Instead, you look almost exactly like you did the first time my husband brought you home for dinner. Tall, skinny, and pale." She said, sighing. "Honestly, Liam, there must have been sweets in your diet at some point." Liam shrugged.
"I have always been thin, Mrs. Davidson. In fact, thinner when I was in school. No muscle." She tsked again and started tossing salad.
"Well, I hope that you will do this meal justice, Liam. I've made lasagna, and I have it on good authority that you love lasagna." Liam smiled.
"I will do my best." He told her. She shooed him out of the kitchen, convinced she had done her duty for the day in regards to Liam. He went to the sitting room, where Davidson was talking to the Ashley about her sneaking about in the kitchen. Liam winked at her. All three looked up when a door slammed somewhere and thundering footsteps could be heard overhead. Liam readied himself for what he knew was coming, He tracked the footsteps down the hallway, the stairwell, and to the door. The door opened to reveal a fifteen-year-old boy, face in an enthusiastic smile.
"Liam!" In the next second, Liam found himself tackled to the floor, causing him to laugh. No matter how many times Leonard was warned of Liam's old injuries and obviously weak leg, Liam was still tackled to the floor.
"Hello, Leo." He said, wrestling the youth off him. "Nice to see you, too. Now let me up before you wrinkle my suit." Leo, as called by family and friends, jumped to his feet and helped Liam up. Liam smiled down at the boy and mussed his hair.
"Ah, Liam. You're messing up my hair!" The youth said, dodging away from Liam's hand. Mrs. Davidson came in and called everyone to the table. Liam sat next to Leonard, all the while talking to the boy about school, which had recently let out for Easter break.
"Here she is!" Mrs. Davidson said as a young woman came into the room. Liam glanced up. Long brown hair, brown eyes, flawless skin, right- handed, and a confident stride. "Nicole, this is Liam. He works with your uncle." Liam rose and took her hand. He felt her take in his scars, long hair, and clothing. She obviously knew what to look for when exploring a character.
"It's nice to meet you." She said politely. She sat at her place, right across from Liam, and smiled at the rest of the family.
"Likewise." Liam said, resuming his seat. Lunch started easily, with Nicole speaking of her University and her experiences there. She talked about her flat mates, her classes, and her favorite professors. Liam listened politely. After lunch, she and Liam set out for the local village, with a day in London promised the next day.
Snape was in the middle of teaching first year Potions to a group of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs when an owl flew into the classroom and dropped a letter on his desk. "Keep to your work." He told the class roughly. The students all stared back down at their cauldrons, stirring with a one- mindedness that could unnerve the stoutest Death Eater. Snape picked up the letter and opened it. It was in her handwriting. Lily. He put the envelope in a pocket and turned back to the class. After supervising the students' bottling their potions for evaluation, he dismissed them early. He wanted to be alone. He locked the door to the classroom and sat down at the desk.
The letter was addressed to Severus Snape. That was all. He opened it and saw a full page of her handwriting.
My dear Severus,
I just wanted to send another note to you concerning our son. He should be almost twenty-one now, and with that will come changes for him. You see, James and I took steps to ensure that no one would doubt that he was James' son. We used ancient charms from his family, ones that would act like a Polyjuice potion for twenty-one years.
As time draws near his twenty-first birthday, every trait that comes from his father will change to what it should be. I'd like to think that he would look like you, with my eyes. I know he has green eyes now. I can't help but wonder what he will look like when he grows up.
I have enclosed a charmed picture to reveal what he should look like, to help give each of you an idea of what he will look like in the near future. I pray that you and he have a good relationship, so that these changes are not traumatic for Harry. Help our son through this, Severus. He will need you, and your skills as time passes and the transformation continues.
Severus dear, make sure that Harry knows that James and I both loved him as a son, and did what we did to protect both him and you from Voldemort. Make sure that he knows that you love him. I can feel it in my heart that you do. I remember you talking fondly of children you wanted to have. Now you have one. Make sure that he knows you love him.
All my love to both of my Snapes,
Lily
Severus sat there for almost a full hour before taking action. He rushed to his rooms and called the headmaster through the fireplace. "Yes, Severus?" Dumbledore asked, stepping through the flames.
"I just received another letter from Lily." He said.
"Well, this is certainly a surprise. May I ask what she had to say?" Snape held out the letter to Dumbledore. The man read the letter several times before handing it back. "What does the picture look like?" Snape held it up. "My, that does look like you at twenty-one." The aged wizard said. "Now, we have something more to go on." Snape nodded. "What is it, Severus?"
"What will happen if we don't find him in time and he starts changing on his own? How scared will he be?" Severus asked, shaking his head in bewilderment.
"We will find him, Severus, and it will become easier as time goes on. Don't worry. We will find him. I suggest you take that picture to Davidson as Harry's birthday draws near. That should help." Severus nodded and tried to think what he would say to a confused and possibly angry Harry Potter when he found him again.
Reviews:
Suzanne of Dragon's Breath: Thanks for telling me about that. I'll go back and fix some time later.
Marina: I will work on the longer chapters. Your English is very good. About Hermione being Davidson's niece, well, I think you just read it. Don't worry. Hermione will be in later, along with Ron. Thanks for the wonderful compliments.
Lady Lightening: Thank you!
Athenakitty: Okay, your review was just a bit confusing. What did you mean by "set up"? Clarification would be greatly appreciated, but thank you for reviewing!
Lillinfields: Here you go! Thank you for the kind words. I will be continuing.
PxW: Thanks for reviewing!