Disclaimer: I don't Own Harry Potter, but at least I own Elizabeth

HP

The smell of cloves, ginger and a vast array of other spices filled Harry's nose as he buried his face into the crook of Snape's neck. The Potions' Master's arms were still wrapped around him tightly, and he loved it. He had never felt so loved in his life.

In the fourteen years he had lived with his relatives, they had never embraced him like his father was at that moment. They had never shown him much affection, and the miniscule amounts they did give him were no match for the love he felt from the embrace he was currently enveloped in.

Time stood still as Harry burrowed deeper into his father's arms. After what seemed like an eternity, Harry felt Snape's arms shift and before he knew it the warmth had left him.

Now he found himself gently being held from above the elbow a foot from his father's body. A strange feeling overcame Harry as he noticed Snape's eyes drifting over him. The Gryffindor waited patiently for the criticism that he was sure would follow the inspection, but nothing came. Instead, Snape offered him a small smile before looking over to Elizabeth, who looked like someone told her Christmas was coming early this year.

"Everything from this moment on will change, Harry." Severus finally stated as his eyes fell back on him. "I hope you know that."

Harry shook his head vigorously. He wanted things to change. He never wanted to go back to his uncle's house. He wanted what Elizabeth and everyone else had, and he was so close to getting it. In fact it was standing right in front of him.

"I know sir." Harry said quietly, struggling with the fact that he actually believed it. "But I don't think I would have it any other way."

"I will begin filling everything out tomorrow morning then." Severus's smile widened by a fraction. "I want it to be legally known that you are my son."

It seemed unreal to Harry as he walked beside Elizabeth on their way to lunch. It was hard to believe that only a few hours prior he had wanted nothing more than to escape. But now, now everything was different. He was wanted. He would have a family, a sister who loved him, and a father that would care for and protect him from harm.

"I don't think I have ever seen you so happy." Elizabeth murmured in satisfaction as they ascended the stairs.

"That's because I've never been this happy." Harry replied as he looked at Elizabeth. "My aunt and uncle never really care if I was happy as long as Dudley was."

Elizabeth frowned at the reminder. "They should have treated you the same, even if you are different. In fact, it really should not have mattered at all. You're their blood and that's all that should have counted." Harry nodded. He knew that, but it felt strange to hear someone else say it.

EB

Elizabeth was partially infuriated by what Harry had just told her. His family seemed so different from hers. Her grandparents on her mother's side really didn't like her dad, and she knew it. But their dislike for him did not affect the way they treated her. They loved her for herself, not because of who she was or who her father was.

"Things will be different" Elizabeth promised as they stopped just before the Great Hall "It may not seem like it at first, but it will be." A small smile played across her lips as she tried to hide her slight upset from Harry over what he'd just told her.

"Elizabeth?" Harry asked as they walked past the Great Hall and towards the grand staircase

"Yes Harry?"

"What made you decide to do this in the first place?"

Elizabeth stopped in mid step. She was shocked by the question. She hadn't really thought that part over. She wasn't really sure what had finally motivated her to do it. Perhaps it was because she secretly knew what was going on, or maybe it was because of the connection she and Harry had shared over the summer as their friendship blossomed into what it was now. She wasn't certain, but she did know one thing.

"I did it because I love you." Elizabeth replied as she turned to face Harry. "If I didn't love you, then I would not have invested practically all of myself into ensuring that you got away from those people."

"Would you have done it even if I wasn't your brother?" Harry's voice had dropped, all of the joy he had felt earlier was obviously gone, but she didn't blame him for that.

"Yes Harry, I would have done it even if you were not my brother, because that wouldn't have mattered. I still would have loved you anyway. Not because of what you are to the Wizarding World, but because of the person you are on the inside."

Harry gave her one of his weak smiles but remained silent. Well, it was good enough. . . For now.

HP

Harry wasn't sure if he believed her but oh how he so wanted to. No one had ever told him that they loved him for himself, they had merely pretended to like him for what he had to, and was so far failing, to do. And if they didn't idolize him for being the Boy-Who-Lived, they hated him for it. No one had ever fallen in between until that moment, when he had been accepted by not only Elizabeth, but by Severus as well. Everything that had just happened was so overwhelming for him, and he knew he needed time to absorb it all.

"Elizabeth?" Harry heard himself ask as they started to move again.

"Yes Harry?" Elizabeth responded as they waited for the stairs.

"Do you mean that?" His voice was quiet, the shame he had for his uncertainty thinly hidden.

"Mean what? That I love you?" Elizabeth's tone was curious, but not incredulous. Harry nodded his head and appeared to find his shoes quite fascinating.

"Of course I mean it Harry. I would never say something like that if it wasn't true."