Harry breathed deeply, his hand on the door handle. How many times have he walked through that door? And, yet, here he was sweating and clammy over the mere thought of walking through the threshold.

"This is stupid," He muttered to himself and pushed the door open. Almost as if fate was on Harry's side, he found his former professor digging around in the kitchen. "Hey, Professor, I'm sorry to bother you," he paused, hesitating a little when Professor glanced up with greasy black hair covering his dark eyes, "but I really need to talk to someone about this. And you're my only option. Wow, I must be desperate."

"Molly's out back, Potter."

"This isn't something I can take to her. Trust me, if it was, I would already be out there." Harry said. "You're a man."

"You're as astute as your father, Potter."

"Oh forget it!" Harry said, turning on his heels to leave. He stopped though, his chest tightening up. Groaning inwardly, he turned back to Severus. "That's what I need to talk to you about."

"About what? Your father," Severus asked, surprise flickering on his face. "You do remember that your father and I were not friends, right? He bullied me, had no regard for the rules. If you wish to have a warm talk about your dear old dad, talk to Professor McGonagall. She liked him, not me." He remembered, all too well, the many times Minerva will rave how similar the boy was to his father in the professors' lounge. Half the time, Severus wanted to vomit or storm out with his robes billowing dramatically.

"Not about my father. About being a father."

"Oh," was all Severus said as he let the shocking confession sink in. "You don't want my advice." As if his legs acted on their own accord, Severus resigned to a chair and spoke after a brief hesitation. "I never had much patience for children. They're loud, messy, and I prefer my solitude. But sit and ask whatever." He looked at Harry, unsure of why he was doing this. He had no father experience or even had a good father. He supposed he was giving Harry his time for the same reason he always does, because he is Lily's son.

Harry's knees gave out, dropping to the seat next to Severus'. The words immediately spilled out, "Well, I'm terrified I'm going to mess this up. The only example I had was Vernon. What if I don't know what to do? What if he's crying and I lose it and start shouting at him? Or, or what if I just have nothing to say to him, once he's older? What if I don't like being a dad?"

Harry's tangent left the elder of the two in silence. He was unsure of what to say. He thought about what Molly will say in this situations, then he thought about what Dumbledore will say. He even thought about Lupin and Black's hypothetical words of encouragement.

"Your fears have never stopped you before," Severus spoke slowly and deliberately. "You were in the Triwizard Tournament, you face Voldemort how many times? You confronted me after Dumbledore died," Snape winced, reminding himself to clear his mind before going to bed as not to have nightmares of Dumbledore's death. "And, Potter, I am an excellent duelist. You tend to come up good in the end. Whether it's dumb luck or you deserve it."

Harry started to feel calmer. Strangely enough, Snape was actually reassuring. Maybe it was because he knew Snape wouldn't say good things about him unless it was absolutely true. "I guess, but I've never had anyone counting on me like James will."

"You've got to be serious."

Harry grinned, a grin worthy of a Marauder's son. "No, he'll be Sirius. Did I mention we've chosen a name? James Sirius Potter. Has a good ring to it, you know?"

Severus groaned audibly. He did not care if Harry could hear his displeasure. "You're going to be the death of me, Potter - you and your spawn. And you have had people who counted on you like James," he made a face, "will do for you."

"Thanks, Professor. This helped... surprisingly."

"Just don't tell anyone I helped or that I said what I am about to say. Because I will deny every word and you will pay for a long time." He looked at Harry, specifically at Lily's eyes. He realized during the entire conversation, he was looking at Harry's face and not just his eyes. Severus usually just look at the young man's eyes or just avoid him altogether. Yet today, Severus saw Harry as just Harry, as just an anxious father-to-be, not Lily's baby boy. "You'll be a good father. Your mother had a gentle spirit and your father was dependable." He paused, lingering silently on his next sentence. "You are your... your mother's… your parents' son." He left it at that, unable to utter the words "father's son." He stood up, pushed his chair in, and headed to his lab to sort out the recently unearthed memories.

"Thanks, Professor. Next one would be for you."