Severus was enjoying the nice, soft bed he was in. He snuggled into the mattress further, content and happy. Before he remembered that the dorm beds were not soft at all. Before his eyes could shoot open from the sudden panic, he was interrupted by a sudden warm, heavy presence on his chest, that was actually making it hard to breathe.

He separated his eyelids only to see the extremely hot mass on his chest, namely Harry. Harry's face was barely an inch away from his papa, and once he saw that his papa was awake, he grinned broadly.

"Papa!" he cried in excitement, before moving forward and placing a sloppy wet kiss on what was supposed to be his cheek- he missed, spreading saliva over the corner of Severus' lips instead.

Severus promptly sat up, jostling Harry off his chest and onto his lap, as he wiped off the saliva with his hand. He groaned on the inside when he took in his surroundings. He had hoped all the stuff from yesterday had been a dream. Guess not.

The Slytherin was going to make his way to the bathroom, but before he could fully get off the bed, he felt a tug on his cloak (which he forgot to change out of), and he looked back to see the child holding the cloak in his fists, kneeling and grinning.

"Papa! You are up!" he cried again, excitement still not wavering. He held his arms out, wanting to be carried. Severus was about to deny him in favor of the bathroom, but then he stopped, debating. If he took Harry into the bathroom with him, he could get both of them ready quicker, and then he can relax for a bit before having to face the inevitable: breakfast in the Great Hall. With Harry.

Relenting, Severus picked Harry up, who started wriggling in excitement. He grabbed the handle to the bathroom and opened it, once again in awe at how large the bathroom was. He saw it last night when he tiredly brushed his teeth, but he didn't really acknowledge it at the time.

The bathroom did not follow a green theme, like the room, but rather a very soft, pastel purple and white. There was a large sink that could easily fit Harry inside if he wanted, with a stool underneath it, clearly for Harry to reach. The sink was surrounded by marble countertop, stretching a few feet in both directions. Several feet from it to the left was the toilet, already equipped with the child's potty training seat on top. Severus furrowed his brow, annoyed; He'd have to remove the seat everytime he needed to use it and place it back after he was finished. To the left of the toilet was the real masterpiece: both a shower and a large bathtub were ready to use, pristine, with different soaps and shampoos lining the inside of both.

Severus placed Harry on the countertop, then leaned down. "Harry, tell me honestly, because I will be very upset if you lie to me, and I have to deal with it later. Do you need to use the bathroom?"

Harry, still grinning up with joy at his papa, shook his head. "No potty!"

"Are you sure?" Harry nodded, wiggling on the counter. Severus sighed.

"Alright then." And then Severus stepped away from the boy, grabbing his toothbrush and swiftly brushing his teeth. He then place the stool in front of him, picking up Harry and placing him on it. The child's chin just barely reached over the edge of the countertop. Severus first handed the toothbrush to Harry, but after a few moments where it was clear that Harry had no clue what to do, the raven snatched it back, opening the child's mouth and brushing it himself.

God, what is my future self doing? He thought to himself as Harry was rinsing his mouth. The ramifications of what he had just said didn't register until a moment later, where he took a step back in shock, gasping softly and covering his mouth.

Severus couldn't believe what he had just admitted. Does he now think that Harry is his child? That's what everyone has told him so far, but he never truly accepted it. Until now apparently. Is it true? Does he feel parental responsibility and, daresay, love for this child? As Severus glanced at the child, who was hopping off the stool, face wet as he rubbed his hands on his face in a clear imitation of his papa, he felt a warm, deep feeling start in his chest, spreading throughout his body to the very tips of his fingers. He could feel himself involuntarily smiling at the child. And that scared him.

Severus absentmindedly continued his tasks, mind focused on that one realization. He stripped Harry of his clothes, bathing him as the child giggled and squealed at him, slapping the surface of the water and getting them both sopping wet. He dried Harry off with a large, fuzzy green towel, before placing the child in a Slytherin green sweater top with black trousers and shoes.

Previously he had been surprised when he found this article of clothing in the wardrobe, but now, as he draped the child-size black robe on Harry, he admitted that the child looked adorable in it. The boy's hands barely poked out of the sleeves, and the robe went all the way down to the floor, swarming him.

Severus then took a bath himself, after leaving Harry in the playpen with all the toys. After he came out fully clean, he approached Harry, kneeling down and watching him introduce a ragdoll that looked strangely similar to Arthur Weasely to his phoenix, making them out to be best friends.

Severus just wanted to let Harry play, but he knew that if the two of them arrived late to breakfast, everyone would stop and stare at them. Severus would get the least stares (at least all at once) if he was one of the first people there. Cemented in his decision, he picked Harry up out of the pen, ready to head out to breakfast. Harry, content to just be with his papa, snuggled into the Slytherin's chest.

Severus made his way down to the Great Hall, pointedly looking down at the ground as he walked, avoiding the few people lining the halls. He could see, however, the slight glances of people towards him that transformed into full on double takes as they registered the situation he was in. He could feel the people staring at him in shock as he walked past them.

Once he got to the doors of the Great Halls, he swung them open as quietly as he could, entering and making a beeline to the Slytherin table. There were roughly 15 to 20 people there, spread out across the tables, with only a few professors present at the head table. Severus somewhat regretting coming so early, because then any smaller noises would be louder and more noticeable. There was a steady stream of chatter within the Hall, but once people heard the door open and swerved to look, the noise suddenly quieted, the room becoming completely silent. Everyone stared at the two.

Severus quickly sat down at the edge of the Slytherin table, ignoring all the stares from around him. He propped up Harry in his lap, before getting both himself and Harry a plate of food.

People started feeding into the room as breakfast continued, and Severus was correct: While there were a good many people that noticed him and Harry (mostly other Slytherins that had to pass by him to sit at the table), the majority of others didn't. He knew that the people who had seen him would spread the word, but it wouldn't be the big whiplash that would have occurred if he had arrived late.

Severus and Harry had continued to eat throughout the entrance of people, finishing before everyone had made an appearance. Despite Severus' desperate desire to dash out of the hall with Harry, he knew that he had to be there for Dumbledore's announcement. He just stared at the table, occasionally paying attention to Harry's whims while he waited for the headmaster.

Regulus, someone Severus would consider an acquaintance but not a friend, was one of the last people to enter. He spotted Severus, but clearly seeing the other person in the Slytherin's lap, he had the most bewildered expression on his face, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He sat across from Severus, and opened his mouth to ask about it before he was interrupted by the Headmaster's clapping.

Once everyone had entered the Great Hall, sitting at their respective tables, the Headmaster stood up and clapped three times, quieting the students and bringing the attention to himself. Once everyone was looking at him, he smiled, lowering his hands and bringing them together.

"Students of Hogwarts," he began. "I am aware that about a week ago a rumor began that a child was present at Hogwarts." The crowd tittered, unaware of why Albus was bringing it up. "Well, I am here to inform you that the rumor is indeed true." Many students gasped, surprised. "We have determined that the child hails from the future," and here even more students gasped, before turning and attempting to chatter quietly with their friends about this revelation.

"...And while the staff and I attempt to find him safe passage back home, he will be taken care of by Severus Snape." Here was the biggest reaction from any part of the speech. More than the knowledge that the rumor was true or that the child is from the future. No, everyone was most shocked that, out of anyone that could take care of the child, it was Severus Snape that was selected to. Everyone, even the people who saw that Severus had the child with him veered their heads to observe the pair, eyes nearly bulging out of their heads when they could see it with their eyes. Severus did not see the initial reaction of everyone, attention being drawn to one of Harry's antics, but after feeling the uncomfortable sensation of everyone's eyes on him, he glanced up, eyes widening before he pointedly looked at the table, avoiding everyone's stares.

"For those in Mr. Snape's year, please understand that the child will be brought to all of Mr. Snape's classes for an indefinite amount of time. That will be all for now. The other staff and I will be having a meeting currently to discuss this. I leave the Head Boy and Girl in charge." The headmaster concluded, sitting down and peacefully placing food on his plate, before standing up and leaving with the other professors in tow, like he didn't just unleash a bomb on the students.

The chatter was replaced by hushed murmurs, as everyone continued to glance every other second at Severus and the child. As everyone watched, the other Slytherins attempted to get some more information out of Severus or the child.

"Why in Merlin's pants do you have to take care of the child, Severus?" Regulus asked, pointing at the child with the prongs of his fork, disturbed by this turn of events. Harry attempted to grab it, but his chubby hand fell short.

"There is a reason, but-" Severus didn't complete the response, instead moving to stop Harry from climbing onto the table in chase of the fork, pulling him back against his chest.

"Why is the child with you, for Merlin's sake!" Bellatrix screeched from down the table. "Surely any other person could take care of the brat! Why was he pawned off on you!"

"Well, Madam Pomprey did try to take him away from me, but-" Severus retaliated coolly, but was interrupted by the child in his lap.

"No!" the child cried, clearly upset by what the raven was saying, his cry bouncing off the walls and drawing the attention of everyone in the room. Before Severus had a chance to calm him down, Harry finished his thought.

"I wanna stay wiff Papa!" the child yelled. The sentence echoed around the Great Hall, leaving everyone in shocked silence, mouth hanging open. The silence gave way to loud whispers, as people moved to discuss what they had just learned.

"Papa?" Regulus asked, appalled. Severus just shrugged, not making eye contact.

"I guess I'm his...father...in the future," he uttered slowly, tone of incredulity and disgust in his voice.

But anyone watching the two (which was basically everyone) saw how, after answering, the Slytherin's face softened as he looked at the child, and how he tightened his hold on Harry, who clutched onto his papa's arms. They saw the Slytherin place his chin in the child's hair, clearly seeking comfort, and the child reciprocating and smiling, and they were all astonished. Severus had always been the sallow, brooding wallflower, but now people saw him taking care of a child. It was like whiplash for all of them. However, a lot of students were disbelieving of the friendliness of the duo, leading to nasty remarks and gossip.

Severus, feeling awkward and uncomfortable, decided to leave for the room to get ready for classes. He was used to being constantly ignored or, when he was bullied, being constantly laughed and jeered at. Having people curiously stare at him so openly was new, and it made him self-conscious in a way he had never been before.

He picked up Harry, holding the child across his middle as he started hastening towards the door. He was interrupted, however, when he heard a taunting voice from across the hall.

"Hey, Snivellus!" Sirius called, strutting towards the pair, broad smirk present on his face. On his right was Peter, twitchy yet seemingly very eager. To his left was James, then Remus. James seemed disinterested, but the smirk on his face told Severus very clearly how he truly felt. Remus, on the other hand, was actually disinterested, holding a book in front of him and ignoring his friends.

He pretends he doesn't see anything happen while he walks around with that shiny prefects badge, Severus thought bitterly. He scowled, wanting to turn around and leave, but he knew that it'd be less of a hassle to let them verbally abuse him. They wouldn't try to physically bully him and put the child at risk, so only words would be thrown, which Severus could deal with.

Despite his thought process, however, Severus unconsciously turned Harry so he was completely facing his torso, holding his waist securely with one arm while using his other hand to protectively press the child's head into his chest. Harry, having been toying with his papa's cloak, did not see the four people provoking the raven before being held against his papa's chest.

"Oh, lookie there, a little lad!" Sirius taunted, cruel smirk on his face as he saw the child Severus was carrying. "Where did you get him from, Snivellius? Make a horrid potion to make some poor woman hand hers over? Because I can't believe any broad would ever let your slimy *ss f*ck her!"

Severus sneered at the Gryffindor, disgusted. He moved his hand slightly, attempting to cover Harry's ears while still shielding him from the marauders. "I know you don't have a shred of human decency, Black, but I would have thought even a gormless b*stard like you would know not to use such foul language in front of a child."

"If that child is yours, then it must already be used to everything foul that exist in the world." Sirius retaliated. "He has to smell and feel that disgusting hair of yours. Tell me, boy, how does it feel being that close to the filthiest man on earth? Must be pure torture." Harry nearly turned, thinking that he was being addressed, but Severus stopped him with his hand.

Sirius, not noticing the child's action, continued his barrage. "And I still can't believe any self respecting broad let you be on top of them. Even with a love potion, which would work for any other person, any woman would fight off the effects once they even saw you, let alone letting you bed them! It definitely wouldn't last long enough for anything that would lead to a child."

Severus stood up straight, raising an eyebrow towards the group. "Didn't you hear the headmaster? I am simply taking care of this child until he is returned to the future. But I understand that your miniscule brain couldn't register that piece of information, Black. I really pity you."

Black's smirk was wiped off his face, and he gritted his teeth. "You must be deaf then, because I clearly heard the child calling you papa just a while back. Despite my disgust, he must be a Gryffindor. It takes a lot of courage to admit that he's your spawn. I wouldn't be able to."

"Well I always did think you'd been misplaced, Black. Perhaps a new house meant for students that never matured past toddler age? Who knows? Maybe you'd actually be considered to be a prefect there!"

Sirius clenched his fist, wanting desperately to reach for his wand. This is how it always worked. The group would taunt the Slytherin, who instead of acknowledging his imminent defeat would retaliate and insult the Gryffindors, who were clearly better than the slimy git, so they'd hex the Slytherin and put him in his place. It was the plan that always worked.

But the child threw everything out of whack. Sirius couldn't hex the Slytherin despite his maddening unruly insults because the Gryffindor would never risk hurting a child. He wasn't a Death Eater.

While Sirius was bathing in his rage, a twitchy voice came from next to him, restless. "T-that child would have a much b-better life in the future if he was taken away from you and given to a family that had the emotional capacity to care." Peter said, wide grin on his face at having delivered the insult.

"I could say the same to you, Pettigrew." Severus spat out, unaffected. "And if we're done here, I'd like to leave, so that I can actually prepare for my classes instead of winging it like you lot. Wouldn't want even the slightest similarity to imbecilic trolls."

"Well maybe we should take that child away from you before he becomes a Death Eater! We can't have the constant spawning of new Death Eaters. But, if he is truly your blood, that child is clearly predisposed to evil. Evil spawns evil after all. Well then, he's hopeless! He'd be better off if we make him a squib." Sirius pushed past the line with this insult, which he was aware of. He just wanted to cut into Severus, make him hurt.

Severus' nostrils flared, alerted. "Do not say anything about the child, Black! As can be clearly seen from your lot, apples don't fall far from the tree! I hear that your mother is horrendous. You must be so proud to be following in her footsteps. But despite my Slytherin background, at least I have the decency to-?" But Severus was cut off by wriggling in his arms, his attention moving down to Harry.

What Severus didn't realize was, as he became more and more immersed in the fight, he had let his focus move off of the child in his arms. His hand on Harry's head had become looser, not holding as tight, giving the boy the chance to move his head.

The child had turned around and looked at the attackers.

Once he saw the quartet, Harry twisted his torso so he faced the front, alarming Severus who had to adjust his grip to not drop him. Harry enthusiastically thrust his arms out, grinning, and he said that one word that left everyone in the room in shocked silence.

"Daddy!" the boy cried.

Severus' jaw dropped in horror. As everyone watched, the child leaned out towards the four, arms reaching out in search of his other father. Severus blanched.

No, it can't be, he thought, before he moved his head to see who Harry was addressing. He felt like he was moving in slow motion, as his line of vision left the child and moved up, pinpointing onto a certain bespeckled Gryffindor, who looked extremely alarmed at the attention from the child. Sirius was just staring back and forth from the child to James. Remus had taken his attention off the book, staring wide eyed at the Slytherin. And Peter just looked aghast at James, staring in disgust.

Severus couldn't handle it. There was no way James was the other father. No way!

Severus abruptly turned the child back around, picking him up and placing him on the ground. Severus kneeled, before grabbing Harry firmly on both shoulders. "Harry, listen to me," he said, voice serious and unwavering. "I need you to answer me, and I need you to answer me truthfully."

He paused for a second, getting his bearings for a second before spitting out the demand. "Now tell me, what is your full name?"

Harry just stared at his father for a moment, before grinning widely, excited at knowing the answer to the question his papa was asking. With a big flourish of his hands, Harry answered.

"Hawwy James Sevewus Potter!" the child exclaimed. The declaration echoed around the Great Hall, having been deadly silent previously.

Severus couldn't breathe. He just stared in shock at the child, hands limp on the boy's shoulders. As he looked at the child, he could see a whole bunch of realizations open up in his view.

Severus had noticed the dark eyes and dark hair that would originate from himself, but now he could see how much of a perfect mess the hair was arranged in, akin to a certain Gryffindor. And the skin, though slightly lighter than the seekers (most likely due to how pale Severus was), resembled the other sixth year so much. And even slightly the structure of the face, despite the child being a toddler, was visible. It was almost a wonder how no one had seen it so far.

The raven could feel his throat dry, mouth hanging open. He could feel his body tremble uncontrollably, hands trembling as he loosely held onto the child. He could feel the way it felt like his heart had fallen into his stomach. He felt immensely sick. His stomach was rolling, and he felt nauseous. He couldn't handle anything. He couldn't see, or hear, anything. He couldn't move in the slightest. He was both mentally and physically stuck.

Severus didn't notice any of the other stares around him. Nor did he notice James Potter approaching him. It wasn't until James reached a hand out for the child did Severus notice him in his peripheral view, snapping back into action.

Severus jumped away, grabbing Harry and shielding him from James with his body. He had his side to James, head tilted towards the Gryffindor. Harry was pushed into his papa's chest once again, but he could see this time, eyes peering curiously over his papa's shoulder.

"Don't touch him!" Severus cried, panicked. James halted, expression of irritation on his face.

"Well, according to him, I am his father too! And I should have a right to my son!" James demanded, eyebrows furrowed. He was still in disbelief that he'd ever have a child with Severus of all people, but if the child was his… he wanted to see him.

Severus flared his nostrils, gritting his teeth, eyes wide as he stared at James. The Gryffindor, confused at the hostility radiating from the Slytherin, took a preservative step back. Severus took a deep breath in, filling his lungs with air in preparation.

"He is my son, and you will STAY AWAY FROM HIM, POTTER!" Severus hollered, the sentence raising in volume until he was screaming at James at the end. With a whip of his cloak, Severus swerved around and ran out of the room, leaving everyone else in shocked silence.

"What the?" Sirius uttered, walking forward and placing a hand on James' shoulder. He chuckled. "Who would have thought he'd be the broad?" he glanced over at James, expecting a reaction, but with no response, his hand fell off the other's shoulder and Sirius' smile changed into concern. "James?"

James hadn't moved, still staring at the place that the Slytherin had stood moments ago.