Prologue: Your Choice, Severus
Albus Dumbledore sat behind his desk in the Headmaster's office and pondered, he did not know if he should tell Harry or not, well have Severus tell him anyways. Maybe he would give the decision to Severus, yes that was what he would do.
He stood up and tossed some floo powder into his fireplace, the flames turned green "Severus Snape!" The head of the grouchy Professor appeared in the flames he looked slightly curious, he was not often called for during the summer. Albus would usually come to him.
"Yes Headmaster?" Albus' eyes twinkled every time someone called him Headmaster even though he had been for many years. "Severus please come to my office, it may be urgent."
Severus was gone in a flash of green and minutes later Albus heard a knock on the door. "Come in Severus!" called Albus.
Fawkes gave a trill when Severus entered and surprisingly landed on his shoulder. "Ahh it seems Fawkes has taken almost as much of a shine to you as he has Harry."
"Is this about Potter Headmaster, because if it is, it is none of my concern he is just an arrogant br.. ouch!" Fawkes had bitten his ear rather hard and blood ran down his neck slowly.
Albus did not seem surprised by the bite, in fact he totally ignored it "Yes it is about Harry, you see there is a secret about him and I am quite sure I am the only one who knows, but it is your job to tell him."
"What could be my job to tell that br….I mean Harry?" Albus' eyes twinkled with mirth as Severus had come close to losing his ear, but when he spoke he became serious. "You see Severus, you and Tom are not the only ones of your Ancestry."
"WHAT! You mean Potter is an heir?" Albus chuckled slightly at his reaction "Yes Severus, now it is you who must tell him, but it is your choice as to when." Severus looked slightly sick "I will go to see him tomorrow, even if I despise him this is important!"
"Thank you Severus, it is indeed important." Albus sat back with a sigh, "I just hope he can handle finding out he is related to his most hated enemy even distantly…."
"From which relative does he come?" Severus had calmed himself now and looked like his old stern and grouchy self. "Harold."
That one name made Severus fall back from his chair a stunned expression on his face. He righted himself quickly but still looked amazed. "He is even more direct than myself!" Albus chuckled once again "Yes, even more direct than Tom"
Just wait until the daily prophet gets a hold of this thought Severus, Harry Potter the Most Direct Heir of Salazar Slytherin!