A/N: Here we go. Saturday night, er, Sunday morning and I am updating.
Hope you all enjoy! ~Sylvia
Liam had been taking notes when his headache came back with a fury. He had taken a pain reliever, a common occurrence with Liam these days. Mr. Davidson took note of it, reminding himself to make sure that Liam went to a doctor soon. Something was wrong with the boy. His skin had gone paler in the last few months, and he had grown thinner. His hair had calmed down, and turned a little darker. Davidson couldn't understand the change in the boy. Not at all. When questioned, Liam had said that he was fine. When Liam had raised his hand and massaged his head again, Davidson spoke up.
"Everything all right, Liam?" he asked. The boy nodded.
"Just a headache, sir. It's nothing." He answered. "You left off at 'under section.'." He told the solicitor. Davidson looked at his employee for a minute, then continued with his letter. A gasp from Liam stopped him again. Liam was holding his head in obvious pain.
"Liam." Liam waved him off. "What is wrong?" The secretary shook his head and clenched his eyes shut. He tried to stand but ended on the floor of the office. Davidson leapt to his feet and rushed over to the boy. "Liam. Liam, can you hear me?" Davidson shook the young man lightly, trying to get a response from him. "Liam!" Davidson watched as Liam's face seemed to rearrange itself and his hair grow another shade darker. One of his scars, or part of it anyway, was glowing just a bit. "Liam!"
A noise erupted behind Davidson. He whirled and saw three people climb out of his fireplace. "Professor Snape?" he asked.
"Yes, and a nurse as well as Albus. We're here to help Liam." Davidson nodded and helped Snape pick up Liam and put him on the couch. "Hold him, Albus." Snape said, pulling out several vials from his robes. Dumbledore held Liam down into the cushions while the younger man writhed in pain. Pomfrey began running her wand over him.
"Please lock the door, Mr. Davidson. Some poor Muggle would think that we were torturing him." Davidson nodded and did as he was asked.
"Anything else I can do?" he wanted to know.
"We'll let you know." Snape said as he poured a vial down Liam's throat. "Swallow, don't spit it out." He said in his most commanding voice. A hand over the boy's mouth persuaded him to do as he was told. He coughed as the hand was removed. Snape poured some more liquid into the boy's mouth. Snape had to put his hand back over the mouth. "Swallow!" Liam tried to fight off Snape's hand until Dumbledore's hands stopped him. "Damn it, Harry! Swallow!" Another cough, and another potion. Pomfrey started a Binding Charm to avoid physical harm to either Snape.
"Have you ever seen him like this, Headmaster?" Pomfrey asked as she set a Binding Charm on the boy.
"No, Poppy, I haven't. His scar is obviously paining him. He might think that we are enemies of some kind, perhaps even Voldemort, in his current state." Dumbledore speculated as he waited for the charms to take effect. Snape fought three more potions into Liam's mouth before he stopped.
"That should do it. Painkillers, muscle relaxant, and Dreamless Sleep. He should go out any moment." All four watched as Liam slowly stopped fighting and appeared to drift into sleep.
"May I ask what that was all about?" Davidson asked. Dumbledore turned towards him with a smile.
"You may, Mr. Davidson. I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Supreme Mugwump, etc. I have far too many titles to list them here and now. Severus and I figured out that your secretary was in fact, the boy we were looking for. The parchment that Harry's mother sent showed a picture of him, with his scar as prominent as it is now." Davidson looked over at him and nodded. The lightening shape had become prominent, bright red and swollen. "Harry there has fooled us all very well. I did not even think that he was Harry Potter until I saw the parchment, and now he almost looks like Severus. Davidson looked over to where his employee was resting, the Potions master hovering near him, stroking his son's head slowly. Dumbledore smiled and lifted a small contraption to his face. "A picture for the pair of them." He whispered. Davidson nodded. If he didn't know any better, he would say that this man was the grandfather.
"What will happen now?" Davidson asked. Dumbledore smiled.
"Would it be possible for you to get a replacement for Liam until further notice? He will be going through some rough changes in the next two months. It is best if he does not do it here, in front of some of your clients." Davidson nodded.
"Yes. I was looking for one anyway. I was going to make Liam take some vacation time. These changes had me convinced he was ill." Snape looked up at that statement.
"He's been ill?" he asked.
"I thought so, but I'm guessing that it was the changing you and the headmaster here was talking about. He's been getting frequent headaches and pain in his joints. I was about to bully him into going and seeing a doctor." Dumbledore chuckled while Snape smiled.
"It's good to know that you were there for him, Mr. Davidson. I guess this case is closed." Davidson nodded. He looked down at Liam, no Harry, he corrected himself.
"Where are you going to take, uh, Harry?" he asked. Snape smiled as he heard his son's real name spoken.
"Harry and I are going to my family's home, up in Scotland. You are welcome to come and visit him, of course. It might make his transition a little easier to see that the life he has built for himself does not disappear." Davidson nodded.
"I'll place that call for a replacement then. Please, let me know how he's coming along soon." Dumbledore nodded and pulled out his wand.
"Mobilius corpus." He said. Harry's body lifted off the couch and floated there. Snape gathered him into his arms and stepped towards the fireplace.
"I take it that that is the way you got in." Snape nodded as he pulled out some Floo powder from his pocket.
"Thank you, Mr. Davidson. I'll be in touch." He took a deep breath and threw the dust into the fireplace. "Snape Manor!" he shouted. He spun off, Poppy and Dumbledore following him.
He leaped out of the fireplace with practiced ease and headed for the stairs. A house elf appeared next to him on the stairs, taking them just as fast as Snape. "Welcome home, Master Severus! How may Lucky serve you?" he asked, bowing and managing to run at the same time.
"This is my son, Harry. He'll need a bedroom." Lucky nodded and disappeared. Up ahead, a door was thrown open. Snape smiled. It was his old room. He entered it and found Lucky just finishing the windows. "Thank you, Lucky. I will be having two guests for dinner tonight, the headmaster and Madame Pomfrey. They may spend the night. I am not sure." Lucky nodded and disappeared, off to prepare a meal.
Snape laid Harry down on the bed and removed the body bindings. He transfigured the boy's suit into pajamas and managed to get him under the covers. He stood at the bedside, staring down at his son. It seemed that the boy was sleeping peacefully. Snape mumbled a quick spell for his wand to give off an alert in case the boy woke up and went to receive the headmaster and the nurse from the fireplace.
He found them in the sitting room, enjoying drinks that Lucky had somehow managed to find the time to fix. A glass of wine was waiting on Snape next to his favorite chair. "Ah, hello Severus." Dumbledore said as he raised his glass of lemonade. "How is Harry?" he asked as Severus fell into his seat.
"Resting comfortably, I hope. I put him to bed. He should be awake in the morning." Dumbledore and Poppy nodded.
"Lucky has invited us to dinner, and we accepted." Poppy said. "May I go upstairs and see to Harry?" she asked. Snape looked up at her.
"He's asleep. What are you hoping to do?" Snape asked, wondering what the nurse intended to do. She looked uncomfortable for a moment, then sighed as though she made a decision.
"In his sixth year, he did not like to be alone in the dark. Remember that time, when he had to sleep in the hospital wing because his dreams had been so bad?" They both nodded. "Well, I started lighting a candle next to his bed. As long as the candle was burning, he knew that someone was there he could trust. Seeing as how this is a strange place."
"Go ahead, Poppy. I think that he will feel reassured, seeing something so familiar near him." She nodded and went up the stairs. "A nightlight." Severus said quietly. He shook his head. "If he hadn't already killed Voldemort, I would gladly take that wizard's neck between my hands and shake it until something rattled." Dumbledore smiled. It was good to see such protective feelings from the man.
"You and I have wished the same thing, my friend." Snape watched the time.
"What else can she be doing up there?" At that question, Poppy came back down the stairs.
"I was just watching him. Four years, no word, and now he's back." She said, smiling.
"That is the kind of attention I am sure he was avoiding." Snape said, looking up as Lucky reappeared to announce dinner. The three adults entered the dining room, debating Harry's actions.
Lucky sat on the edge of the bed the next morning, watching the newest addition to the Snape family. There was no denying the passing on of the traits. He definitely looked as Master Severus had at this age. Why had he never been home, then? Lucky shook his head and looked at the face. A battle. Could this be the Harry Potter, now Harry Snape, that Dobby and Winky spoke of? He smiled as the young man rolled over. He was waking up. Lucky watched as the eyes fluttered open. He moved out of the way of the candle. He had been told that that would reassure the young master in a strange place. He moved to the foot of the bed and waited.
Harry sat up and found himself staring at a house elf. He jumped in spite of himself. "Good morning, Master Harry!" It greeted brightly. Harry's face must have shown his surprise, because the face of the house elf grew distressed. "Don't worry, Master Harry! You are safe. Madame Pomfrey left your candle, and Headmaster Dumbledore and Master Snape are right down the hall. Would you like me to wake them?" He asked, getting up. Harry put out a hand to stop him.
"Thank you, but no." he said, trying to stand.
"Master Harry should stay in bed." Lucky said. Harry sat back down to pacify the elf and looked at him.
"Who are you?" he asked. The elf smiled a wide smile, even wider than Dobby's.
"My name is Lucky, Master Harry. I have served the Snape family since Master Severus was a little baby. Are you hungry?" Harry shook his head. Lucky's information told him where he was. Snape's home. His father's home. Harry shoved that thought to the back of his head and decided that first things were first. He looked around the room.
He was in a large bed, four-poster, and needed stairs to enter and get out of. He was happy that he had hit those stairs. He would have fallen a bit if he hadn't. There was a window seat with drapes around it. Closet, chest of drawers, nightstand with a candle. He rubbed his eyes and saw a door open. "Bathroom." Lucky said. "I've drawn you one. After your bath, breakfast will be ready. You have two hours before Master Severus and his guests wake up." Harry wandered over to the bathroom and saw that a bath had indeed been drawn for him. Towels were laid out, shampoo and soap evident, bubbles in the water. "The bubbles won't hinder washing your hair, Master Harry. Master Severus made them after he realized that he needed to wash his hair everyday." With that comment, Lucky vanished to the kitchen. Harry stared at the bath for a moment. He had no idea what to do. If he knew what was good for him, he would Apparate right now and leave, and then move. After telling off Mr. Davidson for even letting all of them in the office in the first place. But not before asking for letters of reference. He shook his head again. Why him?
"The water's not getting any warmer, dearie!" Harry jumped and whirled. "The mirror honey!" The voice answered to his eyes. "Haven't you ever seen a talking mirror before?" It asked.
"Not in the last four years." He answered, shutting the door to the bathroom. He removed his pajamas and got into the tub.
Once Harry was out of the tub, he found himself standing in the middle of his bedroom wondering what to do now. Lucky winked into the room and smiled. "You need to go shopping for clothes, Master Harry. Foreseeing Master Severus's problem, I went shopping last night before the shops were closed down. I did not think that you would want to wear his old robes." Harry smiled as he found some Muggle clothing available as well as wizard robes. He thanked Lucky several times and pulled together a presentable Muggle outfit. He wondered what Snape would say about it, and then decided that he didn't care. He was twenty-one years old, on his own for four years. He would do as he pleased. He found a button down blue shirt, black jeans, a black belt, and black shoes. The blue made up for all of the black. He couldn't decide whether or not to let his hair go loose or tied back. Lucky handing him a brush and a tie decided for him. "A robe over that, Master Harry?" Lucky said, holding up one. Harry regarded the black robe for just a minute.
"I'll carry it with me." Harry told the house elf, who looked as though he hadn't expected Harry to say that much about it. He handed it over to Harry, motioning for Harry to try it on. Harry smiled and shrugged it on for the house elf.
"Oh, Master Harry! It's perfect! No alterations needed! I was right about your sizes." The small elf did a little dance out of happiness. Harry turned and looked at himself in the mirror. Who was that? Certainly not the savior of the wizarding world, and definitely not Liam. He shook his head and sighed. Why always him? Lucky reached up and did the three catches that would hold the robe on. "Now, time for breakfast. The dining room is too formal for breakfast, so I thought that breakfast in the sunroom would be best. You need some sun. You are pale." Lucky herded Harry towards the stairs, not reminding the boy that he was wearing the garment he wanted to carry.
"Master." Snape heard. "Master Severus." Lucky reached out and poked a finger into Snape's shoulder. Snape's eyes popped open. "Master Harry is awake, sir." Lucky told him. "He's having breakfast in the sun room. He didn't like the dining room. I also took the liberty of finding Master Harry some clothes, last night. I hope Master Severus doesn't mind." It took Snape a full minute to realize what the elf was talking about. He sat up and rushed towards the door. "Master!" Snape whirled on the elf.
"What!" he demanded.
"If you would excuse Lucky for saying so, Master, but Master Harry seems a bit skittish, as though he didn't know that he was supposed to be here. Take your time getting ready. Give him a few minutes by himself. Master Harry will need to become comfortable here before anything else can happen." Snape sighed.
"It's been almost twenty-one years, Lucky. Since I've had hope that I could become a father. Now I am." Lucky nodded.
"I understand that, Master, Lucky does. It's just that Master Harry, if you don't mind me saying so, has never really had a father." Snape stared at him, relenting by sitting down in a chair.
"I know, Lucky." He sighed. He went over to the cabinet and pulled out two vials. "Take these to Harry, please. Tell him that they are painkillers. He doesn't need to take them unless he is in pain. Also tell him that I'll be down in ten minutes." He told the elf. Lucky looked as though he was going to object. "I can't wait any longer, Lucky." The elf nodded and disappeared.
Harry found himself bustled to a room off of the dining room, where a table was set for breakfast for several people. "You may go ahead and start, Master Harry." Lucky said as food appeared on the table. Harry nodded and took a piece of toast. Lucky came back a few minutes later, while Harry was still on his first piece of toast. "Master Severus sends these." Lucky said, placing them next to Harry's plate. "He says they are for pain if you need them. Is Master Harry in pain?" The elf asked. Harry shook his head. "Good! Also, he said that he would be down in about ten minutes to join you for breakfast." Harry nodded. He couldn't stop the man. Lucky smiled brightly, bowed, and vanished.
Harry contemplated the three different pitchers in front of him, debating drinking apple, orange, or pumpkin juice. It had been four years since he had had any pumpkin juice, but in a way, it was almost like saying he was back. He shook his head at the childish thought and poured some pumpkin, downed it quickly, and followed with apple. There, no one saw him. He smiled at himself and took another piece of toast. At least the food was good. Better than the corner shop that Mr. Davidson favored. He pulled some fruit salad on his plate and started.
Footsteps in the hallway alerted Harry to someone approaching. He looked up and saw Snape come through a different door than the one he had used. Snape smiled at him as he came in and over to his place. "Good morning." He said pleasantly. "How are you feeling?" Snape saw the full vials. "No pain?" There was a question Harry could answer. He shook his head. "Good!" The man said truthfully. And with that, Snape dug into his breakfast, almost ignoring the youth beside him.
Harry stared for a few minutes, and then shrugged. If the man didn't want to lecture, well, that was fine with Harry. He reached for another piece of toast when Snape's hand stopped him. "Eat some eggs. You need protein." Harry glared at Snape for a full ten seconds. In those ten seconds, Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey came into the room.
"My goodness!" Dumbledore said when he saw Harry's glare. He looks just like you did at that age, Severus. Just like you." Dumbledore picked a spot and started in on his own breakfast, some kind of wizarding children's cereal. Harry's glare transferred from Snape to Dumbledore. Snape used that opportunity to spoon some scrambled eggs onto Harry's plate, and compromised by giving him another piece of toast. Harry chose Snape for the new target when he saw what had happened. Lucky popped in and jumped at the sight of Harry glaring.
"Master Severus!" Snape looked over at the elf. "Oh, I thought Master Harry was you. The mail, sir." He handed two envelopes and the Daily Prophet to Snape. Snape thanked him and turned back to his breakfast, motioning for Harry to eat his eggs. Lucky took in Harry's face, disappeared, and then reappeared with a cheese grater and a block of cheese. A few strokes fixed Harry's problem, who thanked Lucky and then started eating his eggs.
Snape smiled at Dumbledore's face. "Picky children?" Dumbledore's face seemed to say. "Fix it with cheese!" Snape chuckled at the expression and went back to his breakfast. Pomfrey made idle chatter about the number of potions that would be needed this year, because children were getting clumsier every year, and heaven help them William Weasley's little boy was starting school this year, and with uncles like the ones he had, well, they were all in for a wild seven years, mark her words. Also, it seemed a cousin of Neville Longbottom's was going to start this year. At that comment, Snape groaned and bashed his head on the table. Both teachers looked over at him.
"Do you know how many times he has blown up my lab?" Snape groaned to them. Having never heard Snape make such a noise, Harry snorted. Snape proceeded to pound his head on the table. Dumbledore laughed, while Pomfrey made noises about men and their silly emotions. She then continued to comment on the likelihood that the castle would be blown sky high before the end of term, considering two of the new students' family histories. Snape continued to bang his head until even Harry grew alarmed. He reached out a hand and tapped Snape's shoulder. Harry saw a large bump forming.
"Don't expect me to fix that!" Pomfrey told him. "It was self- inflicted. I don't fix self-inflicted wounds." Harry fidgeted at her comment and fixed his sleeves lower. She smiled at him and winked. It appeared that his secret was still safe.
"Albus, would you kindly?" Snape said, pointing towards his head. Albus smiled and produced his wand. Harry tensed until he heard the familiar healing spell.
"It won't do a thing for the pain, I'm afraid." Snape smiled and pulled out a vial of painkillers. He downed it and made a face. Dumbledore chuckled and Pomfrey smiled.
"Serves you right, Severus." She told him, going back to her likelihood of having a school left at the end of term. Harry smiled as he saw Snape gingerly touch his forehead and then move his hand away. Snape looked up and caught Harry's smile. Severus gave a wry grin before throwing his two cents into the conversation that everyone else was having. Harry listened politely, wondering if this was what they sounded like when they discussed him going to school. Harry imagined it.
"We won't have a school left with young Harry Potter running around here!" Came Pomfrey's voice in his head.
"I'm sure he will be well-behaved, Poppy." Came Dumbledore's voice.
"If he's anything like his father, my lab will be gone before his first year is out." Snape's voice said. Harry's smile faded away, realizing what he had just thought. He still didn't believe that James Potter was not his real father. Not even with all the evidence staring him in the face.
Snape caught the smile fading from his son's face, but didn't say anything. The boy would open up in his own time. Snape knew that. He just needed time. He sighed and watched as Harry tried another forkful of eggs. Harry catching his breath made everyone look up. "Take your potion, Harry." Snape said quietly. "Or I will force it into you. You don't need to feel the pain, so don't do it." Harry glared, again reminding everyone of Snape, but he downed the potion without complaint.
After breakfast, Dumbledoe and Pomfrey stood up and went over to the fireplace. "Thank you for having us, Severus. I, however, have some paperwork to attend to. And Pomfrey needs to stock those shelves she's so worried about." With those words, Dumbledore left, Madame Pomfrey in tow. Leaving Harry and his father alone.
"Let's go." Snape said. Harry looked up at him. "You need clothes." Snape said in explanation. "We're going shopping." Harry glared.
"I have clothes. They're all at home. Where I should be right now." Snape sighed.
"You do not have wizards' robes, and you need them. The black one will do for now, but not for long." Harry stared at Snape.
"Exactly how long do you think I am going to be here?" he asked. Snape smiled.
"Until all of the physical changes are complete, Harry. You can't tell me that you haven't noticed them." Snape told him.
"No." Harry said.
"No?" Snape said, sitting down and motioning for Harry to do so. Harry remained standing. "According to your mother, the changes will continue to happen until your twenty first birthday. How do you think you are going to function without some kind of help? You took painkillers for that headache, but it still managed to make you fall on the ground in pain. Do you plan to keep working for the next two months, hoping that nothing like that will happen while you are at work?" Snape demanded of Harry. Harry glared again, not knowing what else to do.
"You are staying here, Harry, until your changes are complete. I do not mind you wearing Muggle clothes, but you also need some wizarding ones, and that is what we are going to get." Snape stood up. "No more argument." He went over to the fireplace. "Now let's go." Harry gritted his teeth and followed Snape to Diagon Alley.
Harry tumbled out of the fireplace, bringing a smile to his father's face. "Twenty years old and you still can't manage to step out of the fireplace?" Snape questioned.
"It has been four years, and I never did like traveling by Floo Powder." Harry muttered to him. Snape helped him up and steadied him on his feet. "I'm all right. Let's just get this over with." Snape nodded and led Harry off through the streets. Harry's steps lagged further and further behind until Snape was out of sight. Harry ducked into a side alley and Apparated to his home just outside of London.
Reviews:
?: Is that really your name? It's cute. Here's your update. Thanks. I never knew my stories were addicting. Thanks for reviewing.
Kaelindarkstar: Thank you! Here it is!
Twindemonicangels: Hey, this story is up to twenty-eight typed pages! No way is it short. Don't worry. It'll keep going. And there is good stuff. The photograph gave him away. Lily was smart and knew what she was doing. Was that a threat? (Puts up fists and bounces) Thanks for reviewing!
Lady Lightening: Thank you! He isn't. Just, uh, well just wait and see. (feel like a broken record. I've been saying that a lot.)
Liam had been taking notes when his headache came back with a fury. He had taken a pain reliever, a common occurrence with Liam these days. Mr. Davidson took note of it, reminding himself to make sure that Liam went to a doctor soon. Something was wrong with the boy. His skin had gone paler in the last few months, and he had grown thinner. His hair had calmed down, and turned a little darker. Davidson couldn't understand the change in the boy. Not at all. When questioned, Liam had said that he was fine. When Liam had raised his hand and massaged his head again, Davidson spoke up.
"Everything all right, Liam?" he asked. The boy nodded.
"Just a headache, sir. It's nothing." He answered. "You left off at 'under section.'." He told the solicitor. Davidson looked at his employee for a minute, then continued with his letter. A gasp from Liam stopped him again. Liam was holding his head in obvious pain.
"Liam." Liam waved him off. "What is wrong?" The secretary shook his head and clenched his eyes shut. He tried to stand but ended on the floor of the office. Davidson leapt to his feet and rushed over to the boy. "Liam. Liam, can you hear me?" Davidson shook the young man lightly, trying to get a response from him. "Liam!" Davidson watched as Liam's face seemed to rearrange itself and his hair grow another shade darker. One of his scars, or part of it anyway, was glowing just a bit. "Liam!"
A noise erupted behind Davidson. He whirled and saw three people climb out of his fireplace. "Professor Snape?" he asked.
"Yes, and a nurse as well as Albus. We're here to help Liam." Davidson nodded and helped Snape pick up Liam and put him on the couch. "Hold him, Albus." Snape said, pulling out several vials from his robes. Dumbledore held Liam down into the cushions while the younger man writhed in pain. Pomfrey began running her wand over him.
"Please lock the door, Mr. Davidson. Some poor Muggle would think that we were torturing him." Davidson nodded and did as he was asked.
"Anything else I can do?" he wanted to know.
"We'll let you know." Snape said as he poured a vial down Liam's throat. "Swallow, don't spit it out." He said in his most commanding voice. A hand over the boy's mouth persuaded him to do as he was told. He coughed as the hand was removed. Snape poured some more liquid into the boy's mouth. Snape had to put his hand back over the mouth. "Swallow!" Liam tried to fight off Snape's hand until Dumbledore's hands stopped him. "Damn it, Harry! Swallow!" Another cough, and another potion. Pomfrey started a Binding Charm to avoid physical harm to either Snape.
"Have you ever seen him like this, Headmaster?" Pomfrey asked as she set a Binding Charm on the boy.
"No, Poppy, I haven't. His scar is obviously paining him. He might think that we are enemies of some kind, perhaps even Voldemort, in his current state." Dumbledore speculated as he waited for the charms to take effect. Snape fought three more potions into Liam's mouth before he stopped.
"That should do it. Painkillers, muscle relaxant, and Dreamless Sleep. He should go out any moment." All four watched as Liam slowly stopped fighting and appeared to drift into sleep.
"May I ask what that was all about?" Davidson asked. Dumbledore turned towards him with a smile.
"You may, Mr. Davidson. I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Supreme Mugwump, etc. I have far too many titles to list them here and now. Severus and I figured out that your secretary was in fact, the boy we were looking for. The parchment that Harry's mother sent showed a picture of him, with his scar as prominent as it is now." Davidson looked over at him and nodded. The lightening shape had become prominent, bright red and swollen. "Harry there has fooled us all very well. I did not even think that he was Harry Potter until I saw the parchment, and now he almost looks like Severus. Davidson looked over to where his employee was resting, the Potions master hovering near him, stroking his son's head slowly. Dumbledore smiled and lifted a small contraption to his face. "A picture for the pair of them." He whispered. Davidson nodded. If he didn't know any better, he would say that this man was the grandfather.
"What will happen now?" Davidson asked. Dumbledore smiled.
"Would it be possible for you to get a replacement for Liam until further notice? He will be going through some rough changes in the next two months. It is best if he does not do it here, in front of some of your clients." Davidson nodded.
"Yes. I was looking for one anyway. I was going to make Liam take some vacation time. These changes had me convinced he was ill." Snape looked up at that statement.
"He's been ill?" he asked.
"I thought so, but I'm guessing that it was the changing you and the headmaster here was talking about. He's been getting frequent headaches and pain in his joints. I was about to bully him into going and seeing a doctor." Dumbledore chuckled while Snape smiled.
"It's good to know that you were there for him, Mr. Davidson. I guess this case is closed." Davidson nodded. He looked down at Liam, no Harry, he corrected himself.
"Where are you going to take, uh, Harry?" he asked. Snape smiled as he heard his son's real name spoken.
"Harry and I are going to my family's home, up in Scotland. You are welcome to come and visit him, of course. It might make his transition a little easier to see that the life he has built for himself does not disappear." Davidson nodded.
"I'll place that call for a replacement then. Please, let me know how he's coming along soon." Dumbledore nodded and pulled out his wand.
"Mobilius corpus." He said. Harry's body lifted off the couch and floated there. Snape gathered him into his arms and stepped towards the fireplace.
"I take it that that is the way you got in." Snape nodded as he pulled out some Floo powder from his pocket.
"Thank you, Mr. Davidson. I'll be in touch." He took a deep breath and threw the dust into the fireplace. "Snape Manor!" he shouted. He spun off, Poppy and Dumbledore following him.
He leaped out of the fireplace with practiced ease and headed for the stairs. A house elf appeared next to him on the stairs, taking them just as fast as Snape. "Welcome home, Master Severus! How may Lucky serve you?" he asked, bowing and managing to run at the same time.
"This is my son, Harry. He'll need a bedroom." Lucky nodded and disappeared. Up ahead, a door was thrown open. Snape smiled. It was his old room. He entered it and found Lucky just finishing the windows. "Thank you, Lucky. I will be having two guests for dinner tonight, the headmaster and Madame Pomfrey. They may spend the night. I am not sure." Lucky nodded and disappeared, off to prepare a meal.
Snape laid Harry down on the bed and removed the body bindings. He transfigured the boy's suit into pajamas and managed to get him under the covers. He stood at the bedside, staring down at his son. It seemed that the boy was sleeping peacefully. Snape mumbled a quick spell for his wand to give off an alert in case the boy woke up and went to receive the headmaster and the nurse from the fireplace.
He found them in the sitting room, enjoying drinks that Lucky had somehow managed to find the time to fix. A glass of wine was waiting on Snape next to his favorite chair. "Ah, hello Severus." Dumbledore said as he raised his glass of lemonade. "How is Harry?" he asked as Severus fell into his seat.
"Resting comfortably, I hope. I put him to bed. He should be awake in the morning." Dumbledore and Poppy nodded.
"Lucky has invited us to dinner, and we accepted." Poppy said. "May I go upstairs and see to Harry?" she asked. Snape looked up at her.
"He's asleep. What are you hoping to do?" Snape asked, wondering what the nurse intended to do. She looked uncomfortable for a moment, then sighed as though she made a decision.
"In his sixth year, he did not like to be alone in the dark. Remember that time, when he had to sleep in the hospital wing because his dreams had been so bad?" They both nodded. "Well, I started lighting a candle next to his bed. As long as the candle was burning, he knew that someone was there he could trust. Seeing as how this is a strange place."
"Go ahead, Poppy. I think that he will feel reassured, seeing something so familiar near him." She nodded and went up the stairs. "A nightlight." Severus said quietly. He shook his head. "If he hadn't already killed Voldemort, I would gladly take that wizard's neck between my hands and shake it until something rattled." Dumbledore smiled. It was good to see such protective feelings from the man.
"You and I have wished the same thing, my friend." Snape watched the time.
"What else can she be doing up there?" At that question, Poppy came back down the stairs.
"I was just watching him. Four years, no word, and now he's back." She said, smiling.
"That is the kind of attention I am sure he was avoiding." Snape said, looking up as Lucky reappeared to announce dinner. The three adults entered the dining room, debating Harry's actions.
Lucky sat on the edge of the bed the next morning, watching the newest addition to the Snape family. There was no denying the passing on of the traits. He definitely looked as Master Severus had at this age. Why had he never been home, then? Lucky shook his head and looked at the face. A battle. Could this be the Harry Potter, now Harry Snape, that Dobby and Winky spoke of? He smiled as the young man rolled over. He was waking up. Lucky watched as the eyes fluttered open. He moved out of the way of the candle. He had been told that that would reassure the young master in a strange place. He moved to the foot of the bed and waited.
Harry sat up and found himself staring at a house elf. He jumped in spite of himself. "Good morning, Master Harry!" It greeted brightly. Harry's face must have shown his surprise, because the face of the house elf grew distressed. "Don't worry, Master Harry! You are safe. Madame Pomfrey left your candle, and Headmaster Dumbledore and Master Snape are right down the hall. Would you like me to wake them?" He asked, getting up. Harry put out a hand to stop him.
"Thank you, but no." he said, trying to stand.
"Master Harry should stay in bed." Lucky said. Harry sat back down to pacify the elf and looked at him.
"Who are you?" he asked. The elf smiled a wide smile, even wider than Dobby's.
"My name is Lucky, Master Harry. I have served the Snape family since Master Severus was a little baby. Are you hungry?" Harry shook his head. Lucky's information told him where he was. Snape's home. His father's home. Harry shoved that thought to the back of his head and decided that first things were first. He looked around the room.
He was in a large bed, four-poster, and needed stairs to enter and get out of. He was happy that he had hit those stairs. He would have fallen a bit if he hadn't. There was a window seat with drapes around it. Closet, chest of drawers, nightstand with a candle. He rubbed his eyes and saw a door open. "Bathroom." Lucky said. "I've drawn you one. After your bath, breakfast will be ready. You have two hours before Master Severus and his guests wake up." Harry wandered over to the bathroom and saw that a bath had indeed been drawn for him. Towels were laid out, shampoo and soap evident, bubbles in the water. "The bubbles won't hinder washing your hair, Master Harry. Master Severus made them after he realized that he needed to wash his hair everyday." With that comment, Lucky vanished to the kitchen. Harry stared at the bath for a moment. He had no idea what to do. If he knew what was good for him, he would Apparate right now and leave, and then move. After telling off Mr. Davidson for even letting all of them in the office in the first place. But not before asking for letters of reference. He shook his head again. Why him?
"The water's not getting any warmer, dearie!" Harry jumped and whirled. "The mirror honey!" The voice answered to his eyes. "Haven't you ever seen a talking mirror before?" It asked.
"Not in the last four years." He answered, shutting the door to the bathroom. He removed his pajamas and got into the tub.
Once Harry was out of the tub, he found himself standing in the middle of his bedroom wondering what to do now. Lucky winked into the room and smiled. "You need to go shopping for clothes, Master Harry. Foreseeing Master Severus's problem, I went shopping last night before the shops were closed down. I did not think that you would want to wear his old robes." Harry smiled as he found some Muggle clothing available as well as wizard robes. He thanked Lucky several times and pulled together a presentable Muggle outfit. He wondered what Snape would say about it, and then decided that he didn't care. He was twenty-one years old, on his own for four years. He would do as he pleased. He found a button down blue shirt, black jeans, a black belt, and black shoes. The blue made up for all of the black. He couldn't decide whether or not to let his hair go loose or tied back. Lucky handing him a brush and a tie decided for him. "A robe over that, Master Harry?" Lucky said, holding up one. Harry regarded the black robe for just a minute.
"I'll carry it with me." Harry told the house elf, who looked as though he hadn't expected Harry to say that much about it. He handed it over to Harry, motioning for Harry to try it on. Harry smiled and shrugged it on for the house elf.
"Oh, Master Harry! It's perfect! No alterations needed! I was right about your sizes." The small elf did a little dance out of happiness. Harry turned and looked at himself in the mirror. Who was that? Certainly not the savior of the wizarding world, and definitely not Liam. He shook his head and sighed. Why always him? Lucky reached up and did the three catches that would hold the robe on. "Now, time for breakfast. The dining room is too formal for breakfast, so I thought that breakfast in the sunroom would be best. You need some sun. You are pale." Lucky herded Harry towards the stairs, not reminding the boy that he was wearing the garment he wanted to carry.
"Master." Snape heard. "Master Severus." Lucky reached out and poked a finger into Snape's shoulder. Snape's eyes popped open. "Master Harry is awake, sir." Lucky told him. "He's having breakfast in the sun room. He didn't like the dining room. I also took the liberty of finding Master Harry some clothes, last night. I hope Master Severus doesn't mind." It took Snape a full minute to realize what the elf was talking about. He sat up and rushed towards the door. "Master!" Snape whirled on the elf.
"What!" he demanded.
"If you would excuse Lucky for saying so, Master, but Master Harry seems a bit skittish, as though he didn't know that he was supposed to be here. Take your time getting ready. Give him a few minutes by himself. Master Harry will need to become comfortable here before anything else can happen." Snape sighed.
"It's been almost twenty-one years, Lucky. Since I've had hope that I could become a father. Now I am." Lucky nodded.
"I understand that, Master, Lucky does. It's just that Master Harry, if you don't mind me saying so, has never really had a father." Snape stared at him, relenting by sitting down in a chair.
"I know, Lucky." He sighed. He went over to the cabinet and pulled out two vials. "Take these to Harry, please. Tell him that they are painkillers. He doesn't need to take them unless he is in pain. Also tell him that I'll be down in ten minutes." He told the elf. Lucky looked as though he was going to object. "I can't wait any longer, Lucky." The elf nodded and disappeared.
Harry found himself bustled to a room off of the dining room, where a table was set for breakfast for several people. "You may go ahead and start, Master Harry." Lucky said as food appeared on the table. Harry nodded and took a piece of toast. Lucky came back a few minutes later, while Harry was still on his first piece of toast. "Master Severus sends these." Lucky said, placing them next to Harry's plate. "He says they are for pain if you need them. Is Master Harry in pain?" The elf asked. Harry shook his head. "Good! Also, he said that he would be down in about ten minutes to join you for breakfast." Harry nodded. He couldn't stop the man. Lucky smiled brightly, bowed, and vanished.
Harry contemplated the three different pitchers in front of him, debating drinking apple, orange, or pumpkin juice. It had been four years since he had had any pumpkin juice, but in a way, it was almost like saying he was back. He shook his head at the childish thought and poured some pumpkin, downed it quickly, and followed with apple. There, no one saw him. He smiled at himself and took another piece of toast. At least the food was good. Better than the corner shop that Mr. Davidson favored. He pulled some fruit salad on his plate and started.
Footsteps in the hallway alerted Harry to someone approaching. He looked up and saw Snape come through a different door than the one he had used. Snape smiled at him as he came in and over to his place. "Good morning." He said pleasantly. "How are you feeling?" Snape saw the full vials. "No pain?" There was a question Harry could answer. He shook his head. "Good!" The man said truthfully. And with that, Snape dug into his breakfast, almost ignoring the youth beside him.
Harry stared for a few minutes, and then shrugged. If the man didn't want to lecture, well, that was fine with Harry. He reached for another piece of toast when Snape's hand stopped him. "Eat some eggs. You need protein." Harry glared at Snape for a full ten seconds. In those ten seconds, Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey came into the room.
"My goodness!" Dumbledore said when he saw Harry's glare. He looks just like you did at that age, Severus. Just like you." Dumbledore picked a spot and started in on his own breakfast, some kind of wizarding children's cereal. Harry's glare transferred from Snape to Dumbledore. Snape used that opportunity to spoon some scrambled eggs onto Harry's plate, and compromised by giving him another piece of toast. Harry chose Snape for the new target when he saw what had happened. Lucky popped in and jumped at the sight of Harry glaring.
"Master Severus!" Snape looked over at the elf. "Oh, I thought Master Harry was you. The mail, sir." He handed two envelopes and the Daily Prophet to Snape. Snape thanked him and turned back to his breakfast, motioning for Harry to eat his eggs. Lucky took in Harry's face, disappeared, and then reappeared with a cheese grater and a block of cheese. A few strokes fixed Harry's problem, who thanked Lucky and then started eating his eggs.
Snape smiled at Dumbledore's face. "Picky children?" Dumbledore's face seemed to say. "Fix it with cheese!" Snape chuckled at the expression and went back to his breakfast. Pomfrey made idle chatter about the number of potions that would be needed this year, because children were getting clumsier every year, and heaven help them William Weasley's little boy was starting school this year, and with uncles like the ones he had, well, they were all in for a wild seven years, mark her words. Also, it seemed a cousin of Neville Longbottom's was going to start this year. At that comment, Snape groaned and bashed his head on the table. Both teachers looked over at him.
"Do you know how many times he has blown up my lab?" Snape groaned to them. Having never heard Snape make such a noise, Harry snorted. Snape proceeded to pound his head on the table. Dumbledore laughed, while Pomfrey made noises about men and their silly emotions. She then continued to comment on the likelihood that the castle would be blown sky high before the end of term, considering two of the new students' family histories. Snape continued to bang his head until even Harry grew alarmed. He reached out a hand and tapped Snape's shoulder. Harry saw a large bump forming.
"Don't expect me to fix that!" Pomfrey told him. "It was self- inflicted. I don't fix self-inflicted wounds." Harry fidgeted at her comment and fixed his sleeves lower. She smiled at him and winked. It appeared that his secret was still safe.
"Albus, would you kindly?" Snape said, pointing towards his head. Albus smiled and produced his wand. Harry tensed until he heard the familiar healing spell.
"It won't do a thing for the pain, I'm afraid." Snape smiled and pulled out a vial of painkillers. He downed it and made a face. Dumbledore chuckled and Pomfrey smiled.
"Serves you right, Severus." She told him, going back to her likelihood of having a school left at the end of term. Harry smiled as he saw Snape gingerly touch his forehead and then move his hand away. Snape looked up and caught Harry's smile. Severus gave a wry grin before throwing his two cents into the conversation that everyone else was having. Harry listened politely, wondering if this was what they sounded like when they discussed him going to school. Harry imagined it.
"We won't have a school left with young Harry Potter running around here!" Came Pomfrey's voice in his head.
"I'm sure he will be well-behaved, Poppy." Came Dumbledore's voice.
"If he's anything like his father, my lab will be gone before his first year is out." Snape's voice said. Harry's smile faded away, realizing what he had just thought. He still didn't believe that James Potter was not his real father. Not even with all the evidence staring him in the face.
Snape caught the smile fading from his son's face, but didn't say anything. The boy would open up in his own time. Snape knew that. He just needed time. He sighed and watched as Harry tried another forkful of eggs. Harry catching his breath made everyone look up. "Take your potion, Harry." Snape said quietly. "Or I will force it into you. You don't need to feel the pain, so don't do it." Harry glared, again reminding everyone of Snape, but he downed the potion without complaint.
After breakfast, Dumbledoe and Pomfrey stood up and went over to the fireplace. "Thank you for having us, Severus. I, however, have some paperwork to attend to. And Pomfrey needs to stock those shelves she's so worried about." With those words, Dumbledore left, Madame Pomfrey in tow. Leaving Harry and his father alone.
"Let's go." Snape said. Harry looked up at him. "You need clothes." Snape said in explanation. "We're going shopping." Harry glared.
"I have clothes. They're all at home. Where I should be right now." Snape sighed.
"You do not have wizards' robes, and you need them. The black one will do for now, but not for long." Harry stared at Snape.
"Exactly how long do you think I am going to be here?" he asked. Snape smiled.
"Until all of the physical changes are complete, Harry. You can't tell me that you haven't noticed them." Snape told him.
"No." Harry said.
"No?" Snape said, sitting down and motioning for Harry to do so. Harry remained standing. "According to your mother, the changes will continue to happen until your twenty first birthday. How do you think you are going to function without some kind of help? You took painkillers for that headache, but it still managed to make you fall on the ground in pain. Do you plan to keep working for the next two months, hoping that nothing like that will happen while you are at work?" Snape demanded of Harry. Harry glared again, not knowing what else to do.
"You are staying here, Harry, until your changes are complete. I do not mind you wearing Muggle clothes, but you also need some wizarding ones, and that is what we are going to get." Snape stood up. "No more argument." He went over to the fireplace. "Now let's go." Harry gritted his teeth and followed Snape to Diagon Alley.
Harry tumbled out of the fireplace, bringing a smile to his father's face. "Twenty years old and you still can't manage to step out of the fireplace?" Snape questioned.
"It has been four years, and I never did like traveling by Floo Powder." Harry muttered to him. Snape helped him up and steadied him on his feet. "I'm all right. Let's just get this over with." Snape nodded and led Harry off through the streets. Harry's steps lagged further and further behind until Snape was out of sight. Harry ducked into a side alley and Apparated to his home just outside of London.
Reviews:
?: Is that really your name? It's cute. Here's your update. Thanks. I never knew my stories were addicting. Thanks for reviewing.
Kaelindarkstar: Thank you! Here it is!
Twindemonicangels: Hey, this story is up to twenty-eight typed pages! No way is it short. Don't worry. It'll keep going. And there is good stuff. The photograph gave him away. Lily was smart and knew what she was doing. Was that a threat? (Puts up fists and bounces) Thanks for reviewing!
Lady Lightening: Thank you! He isn't. Just, uh, well just wait and see. (feel like a broken record. I've been saying that a lot.)