Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
Harry accepted the mug of hot chocolate that Narcissa handed him, watching as she then gave one to Draco. They were both sitting on the sofa in Snape's quarters, each with a blanket over them.
Severus was running a diagnostic on them, making sure they weren't hurt or sick in some way. Relieved that they were fine, he pulled up a chair so he could sit in front of them. "We have a lot to discuss, boys." He said seriously.
Narcissa sat next to him.
"First, neither of you is to go into that Chamber again. Ever!" Severus gritted his teeth as he thought of what could have happened to them. And if Harry's friends hadn't realized where he was, he would still be looking for his son! "And you are not to just take off without anyone knowing where you are. Even if you are upset," He gave Harry a pointed look. "Draco, I know you had Hermione and Ron get an adult but you shouldn't have gone into the Chamber. You should have waited for us."
"I wanted to help," Draco said softly. "I needed to apologize to him."
"That is very commendable of you, Dragon," Narcissa spoke up. "But you had no idea what was down there. If that Basilisk had intended harm..." She trailed off.
Draco stared at his mug. "I wanted to fix everything. I've been horrible lately."
"I haven't been great, I didn't think about how you were feeling about everything," Harry said softly.
"Then let's discuss it," Severus said. "But first, I need to talk to Harry."
Harry's eyes widened.
Narcissa stood up. "Draco, let's go into kitchen and get some biscuits to go with the hot chocolate."
Once they were alone, Severus pulled Harry to stand in front of him. "Don't ever disappear like that on me again. Do you have any idea what you put me through?"
"You don't have to pretend to care," Harry said, tears filling his eyes. "Just tell me the truth. You don't want me anymore. You never did." He said brokenly.
"How can you believe that?" Severus asked, taking Harry's chin in his hand so he could make eye contact. "How can you even think that?"
"The way you called me Potter," Harry said brokenly. "It was like you didn't even like me anymore. You hated my parents. I'm not as smart or good in potions like Draco..."
"Oh, son," Severus gripped his shoulders. "No. You have that all wrong."
"I don't want to go back to the Dursley's," Harry said, not hearing him. "Maybe the Weasley's would let me -"
"Harry James," Severus said firmly. "You are my son. I love you more than life itself. Don't you know that? Have I failed you that badly?"
"You haven't failed me," Harry whispered. "I thought I failed you and that you regretted -"
"Never," Severus said, pulling him into a hug. "I don't care what gossip you hear, never would I regret adopting you. You are mine."
"Did you hate my parents?" Harry asked after a moment.
Severus sighed. "Your father and I did not get along. I have actually been thinking about those days lately which is why I reacted the way I did when I saw you and Draco fighting. I'm very sorry for what I said and how I said it. I didn't mean it and I was very wrong to respond that way."
"Did you and my dad fight like that?" Harry asked curiously.
"James and his friends didn't like me and the feeling was completely mutual," Severus said carefully. "Believe me, the fault was on both sides."
"And my mum?"
"I cared very much for your mother," Severus said fondly. "She was incredibly kind and forgiving. You are a lot like her."
"Really?" Harry beamed.
Severus felt horrible. He had allowed other people to tell Harry about his parents, especially Lily, like Minerva, Hagrid and Albus. At the time, it had still been too painful for him to talk about. Harry had never really pressed him for details as he had other people to ask. "I should have told you this a long time ago. I'm very sorry, Harry."
"It's okay," Harry said. "So, you and my father didn't get along but you and my mum did?"
"Yes," Severus said, not thinking it was time to get into what had happened his fifth year. Lily had forgiven him, that was what was important. "But Harry, I do not hate James Potter."
"You don't?"
"I did," Severus admitted. "For a long time, I did. But all I feel for him now is appreciation. He died protecting you, how can I not be thankful to him?"
Harry's eyes filled with tears and he flung himself at his dad. "I love you, Dad."
"Ah, Harry," Severus held his boy tight. "I love you too and I always will. Always."
"Even when I've been a dunderhead?" Harry asked sheepishly.
"Even then," Severus smirked.
"I'm sorry I ran away," Harry said.
"Just promise me you will not do it again," Severus said.
"I promise."
"Good," Severus said, tightening his hold. "Twenty points to Gryffindor for a good answer."
Harry laughed. "Wait, you took thirty." He reminded his dad.
"Yes but even though you didn't start the fight, you did participate in it," Snape told him gently. "Using your wand or fists are not the answer in a situation like that. Walking away and getting an adult is."
"I was just really upset and reacted."
Severus nodded. "I do understand, Harry. And we will talk about all together, as a family."
HP
Narcissa put a plate of fresh biscuits on the table. "Draco, I meant what I said about not running into danger, even for a good reason. But I want you to know that I am very proud of you."
"You are?"
"Yes. You were very brave," Narcissa smiled. "If impulsive."
"I'm not impulsive, Mother," Draco protested. He gave a sheepish smile at his mother's knowing look. "Not usually, anyway." He fidgeted with a napkin. "Can I call you Mum instead of Mother?"
Narcissa looked at him in surprise. "Of course you can. I never knew you wanted to." Lucius had been the one who insisted on Draco calling them Mother and Father.
"I like it better," Draco said shyly.
Narcissa smiled. "Me too."
"Do you think...will Severus want me to call him Father? Can I call him Dad instead? Like Harry does?" Draco asked anxiously. "Will Harry mind?"
"I don't mind," Harry said as he and Severus entered the kitchen. He gave Narcissa a shy smile. "If I can call you Mum?"
Narcissa eyes filled with tears. She cleared her throat. "Yes. I would love that."
"And I definitely prefer Dad to Father," Severus said, snagging a biscuit. "Now let's sit down and talk."
HP
The four of them spent hours talking, with the boys admitting their fears and hopes and insecurities.
"I still can't believe you were jealous of me," Draco shook his head.
"You're really smart," Harry said with a sigh. "You're a natural at Potions."
"You catch on faster than I do in Defence," Draco countered. He gave a pout. "And you get to play Quidditch."
"That's because Minerva is Quidditch crazy," Harry giggled.
"But you play against Slytherin and you're a honorary member of the House," Draco complained.
"Draco, even though he is an honorary Slytherin, he is officially a Gryffindor," Narcissa said gently. "Therefore it shouldn't be a problem that he plays against Slytherin. It's just a game that is supposed to be fun and he shouldn't feel he can't play against your house."
"Unless, of course, you want him to share the points system too?" Severus ruffled Harry's hair.
"With all the trouble a Gryffindor gets into? No thanks," Draco said, grinning when Harry scowled.
"As to Potions," Severus sat back in his chair. "Yes, Draco has a natural affinity for the subject but you are in no way inept, Harry. You have been doing very well and I am proud of both of you." He suddenly smirked. "Besides, Draco isn't the top student in the class."
"What? Who is?" Draco demanded.
"Miss Granger is," Severus said.
"She's the top of every class," Draco grumbled.
"Obviously she works hard," Narcissa said with a smile. "Neither of you have to be the best. We just want you to do your best. That's all we ask of you."
"You two do not need to fight for our affection or attention," Severus said. "We love you both. I know there will be sibling rivalry, that's normal but we don't want it to turn into real fighting or hate. Again, there is no competition. You are both loved and both special. You will each have your own strengths."
"We don't hate each other," Draco and Harry said at the same time.
"But," Harry paused.
"Go on."
"Well, if you two end up having a baby someday, all three of you will be related to it except me," Harry said glumly. "I won't even have the same last name as all of you, if Draco decides to take dad's name."
Draco sighed. "I shouldn't have said any of that."
"Draco," Narcissa frowned.
"If we have one day have a baby, you will be just as much of a brother to it as Draco," Severus said firmly. "Blood isn't everything, Harry. My own father couldn't stand me, it didn't matter that I was his biological son."
"Like the Dursley's with me," Harry said. He relaxed.
"If you want the same last name, it can be changed to Snape," Severus said. "I didn't want to make that decision for you when you were younger."
"I want to honor my parents," Harry said. "But I want to be a Snape too."
"Well, that's easy." Narcissa said. "Harry James Potter Snape."
Harry brightened. "Can we do that, Dad?" He asked eagerly.
"Yes." Severus gave Harry a warm smile. "I would like that very much."
HP
The boys spent the night in Snape's quarters since it was so late when they finished talking and the next morning, were eating breakfast when the Headmaster stopped by to see how they were doing. He then brought up the subject of the Basilisk.
"So how will we get rid of the it?" Severus asked.
"No! Can't we keep her?" Harry pleaded.
Severus gave his son an exasperated look. "Where in Merlin's name would we keep her?"
"Actually, I think she would make a very fine pet for the boys," Dumbledore beamed.
Harry and Draco shared a grin.
"Excuse me?" Severus asked in a low voice. "Never mind her size, one look into her eyes and you're dead. She is not staying near my boys."
"Well, Minerva, Hagrid and I had an idea," Dumbledore said.
"Oh, do enlighten me," Severus said sarcastically.
"A shrinking solution," Dumbledore said. "She would be too small for her eyes to be lethal. The worst she could probably do in that state is a mild headache." He chuckled.
Severus stared at him. It could work but... "How are you going to get enough solution into her? What if she will not willingly drink it?"
"I'll ask her to," Harry offered.
"No." Severus said firmly.
Harry frowned. "But Dad -"
"It would just take one second of her accidentally looking into your eyes and you would be dead!" Severus snapped. "The answer is no."
"But Harry is the only one who can speak with her," Draco chimed in. He bit his lip as Severus directed his glare onto him.
"I. Said. No."
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Truthfully, she won't really have a choice boys. I can't let her live here, even if she promised not to hurt anyone. So it is either the shrinking solution or..."
"You'd kill her?" Harry gasped.
"Harry - "
"Do the shrinking solution then," Draco spoke up. "Harry can explain everything to her when she is small."
Dumbledore smiled. "Exactly my idea, Draco. I'm sure she won't mind, considering the alternative. Plus she will be better taken care of by you two, so I'm sure she will be much happier."
Harry couldn't help but sulk a little, thinking it wasn't fair that he couldn't let Salina know what was going to happen but there was no arguing with his dad, who looked ready to lose his patience.
"If you are going to have an attitude, we will find her a different home," Severus said quietly to his son, noticing the pout on his face. "I will not apologize for trying to keep you safe. And I never want you in that Chamber again. Albus will seal it up once we get your snake out."
Harry sighed. It had been kind of cool to have a place only he could go but he wasn't surprised. "Fine."
"Harry," Severus said warningly.
"You don't think the Chamber would make a good clubhouse?" Harry gave him a lopsided grin.
"Absolutely not."
HP
That evening, Dumbledore brought Salina down, now small, to Snape's quarters. Harry and Draco had been waiting all day, hoping there were no complications to the spell.
"Is she okay?" Draco asked anxiously as Dumbledore put the box that held her down on the table. He and Harry peered in eagerly.
"Aww, she's so cute," Harry said as he looked at the still sleeping Basilisk.
"She is. She should wake within the hour," Dumbledore said. "Severus, may I speak to you for a moment?"
"Of course," Severus and Dumbledore went into the kitchen. "Would you like some tea?"
"No, I have some paperwork I need to get back to," Dumbledore said, his normally twinkling eyes serious. "Severus, Quirrell died last night."
"What? How?"
"When given Veritaserum, so they could question him, he grew sick and died a moment later. It was poison. Somebody switched the vials."
"Who?" Severus demanded. He didn't care that Quirrell was dead, good riddance in his opinion, but he had wanted answers at who else was after his son.
"No one knows. An investigation is being done," Dumbledore said.
Severus ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "Now how will we know who else wants to hurt Harry?"
HP
"Did you see the terrarium Severus and Hagrid made for her? It's pretty brilliant," Draco said.
"I hope she likes it, it even has a little river of water in there, plus rocks and trees for her to climb through," Harry said.
"I wish I could understand her," Draco said wistfully. "You're so lucky."
"I don't know," Harry sighed. "Some people think I'm a freak because of it."
"You're not a freak!" Draco said indignantly.
Harry shrugged. "I've heard them whisper to it each other. It's no big deal, really. I've been called it before." He paused. He hadn't meant to share that. Hopefully Draco wouldn't catch it.
"Who called you it before? Before what? Before we started Hogwarts?"
Drat, Harry thought. "Well, my relatives weren't a fan of magic." He gave another shrug, hoping to seem like he wasn't bothered by it.
"They called you a freak?" Draco asked incredulously. "But..."
"But what?"
"I was going to say but they're your family but then my dad, well, he could be mean," Draco said. "I think...I think he hated me. The last time I saw him, he said he would kill me."
Harry had heard a little about that, he remembered when Draco and Narcissa had come to the castle, shaky and upset. His dad hadn't spoke too much about it to him, just that Mr. Malfoy had treated them very poorly and they were better off without him. Soon after, the news had broken that Mr. Malfoy had been killed. "I'm really sorry, Draco," Harry said sincerely. "I know what it feels like to be hated by your own family."
"Maybe we have more in common than I thought."
HP
Nott's Manor
"Where are you? I know you're here," Bellatrix called in a singsong voice as she entered the dark sitting room. She was finally free from that horrible prison! She whirled around on her companion. "Where is he? You said he was here!"
Pettigrew cowered slightly. "He's supposed to be."
"I'm here."
Bellatrix turned and her pale, gaunt face broke into a gleeful smile. "There you are!"
Lucius Malfoy stepped out from the shadows, with visible deep scars along one side of his face from his battle with Yaxley all those years ago. "Hello, Bellatrix."
"So it is true," Bellatrix said with a satisfied smile. "You are alive."
TBC: