Disclaimer: It is all mine! Harry, Draco, Ron, Hermione, and Hogwarts! Oh, sorry, I must've been dreaming. Nope, none of it's mine except for, well the stuff that isn't actually in the books.

Chapter 8

Snape was using the cover of night to complete this mission. He had two objectives: steal the book, which was the key to combating that pain/trigger potion, and to make sure Delaney was protected.

He apparated to Privet Drive and located the Dursley's home. He snuck in through the back door and was on high alert for any sounds of people in the residence. It sounded like there was a person playing video games in an upstairs bedroom (Snape assumed it was the blubber cousin), there was someone in the shower, and someone watching television in the living room.

Snape quietly made his way to the living room, where he saw the aunt lying on the couch.

"Confundus"

Petunia continued watching the television, but now with a slightly blank look in her eyes. Snape knew he would not need to worry about her for the rest of the night.

But now, the question was where Dursley would hide a magical book. Granted, he wasn't very bright, so Snape decided to go for the obvious places first.

He made his way up the stairs and into the master bedroom. The video games never stopped being played, and the shower was still running. Snape went to the side of the bed that sagged a bit more than the other side and opened the night table. There, with no attempt at concealment, was the book.

What an idiot.

Snape grabbed the book and walked out of the master bedroom. To the right he saw a bedroom with turtles on the wallpaper. He entered the room and approached the crib. Delaney, who was playing with her own foot, looked up and Snape and Snape felt his breath leave his body.

Gone were the blue eyes that most babies are born with. Instead, Snape locked eyes with the woman he loved and the boy he hated. The brilliant green color was an exact replica of the green he has cherished for his entire life.

So entranced was he with Delaney that he forgot to stay alert. Suddenly he heard the door open and realized the shower had stopped running. He quickly rushed into a nearby closet and cracked the door.

Vernon entered the room and smiled when he saw Delaney up and about. "Who is my precious Delaney-kims! Are you ready for your medicine, my sweet? Here you go!"

Vernon took a bottle from his pocket and gave it to Delaney. Delaney wasted no time in sucking down the little bit of liquid that was in the bottle. What concerned Snape was that the contents of the bottle were not white, as would be the case for milk, but instead was a neon green.

Snape immediately lit his wand and flipped through the book.

It did not take long for him to find a green potion that would taste good (Delaney seemed perfectly happy with the bottle and so Snape assumed it didn't taste like overcooked cabbage) and would suit the Dursley's needs.

They are trying to destroy Delaney's magical core!

Snape felt his entire body break out in a sweat. The Dursley's don't realize that this book is outdated. Snape remembered reading that everyone who got their magical core removed had a dramatically reduced lifespan in one study that was done on prisoners during Grindelwald's time.

Probably wouldn't even care about that, though, disgusting parents.

Snape didn't know what to do now. He had thought that Delaney would be safe at the Dursley's since Potter had depleted her magical core, but obviously the Dursley's were not satisfied with this short term plan.

He heard the door close as Vernon left the room. He came out of the closet and approached Delaney once more. She smiled and gurgled when she saw him, and it made his heart melt.

Potter's emotions are clouding my own, surely.

Snape knew he had only one option. Well, two, but he didn't think Dumbledore would like to hear that Snape mortally wounded the entire Dursley family. So, one it was.

He scooped Delaney into his arms and the entire world felt a bit calmer. He inhaled and smelled baby powder. He put a hand on her head and felt the soft warmth, as well as the immense fragility of what he was holding.

There was never a point in his life that wished he believed in God than right at this moment. If he did, he would let the gratitude in his heart spill out into verbal praise. Not only would this be counterproductive to his plans to sneak out of the house unnoticed, but it also made him very uncomfortable.

Potter is too emotional for his, or my, own good.

Snape left the house the way he came and disapparated from Privet Drive with precious cargo.

BREAKBREAKBREAK

Harry woke to a large brown owl tapping the glass of his room in Gryffindor Tower. Everyone else was at dinner, but Harry had excused himself because he felt ill. Ever since Snape found out about Delaney, his headache was increasing and he briefly wondered if it would be this way for the rest of his life.

Harry got up, opened the window, and took the letter from the owl.

Potter, I need your assistance with a delicate matter. Bring your invisibility cloak to my quarters. Professor Snape.

Harry immediately felt more alert than he had in hours. The message was just vague enough to worry him and it seemed urgent. He grabbed his cloak and made his way to Snape's office. The letter said 'quarters' but that couldn't be right. The only time Harry had been in Snape's chambers was when he had passed out. Snape was a fiercely personal man, and so Harry knew that 'office' was what Snape meant.

Harry was rethinking that when Snape's office was empty. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't get into Snape's quarters because he didn't know the password. After 15 minutes had gone by, Harry heard footsteps approach the office.

"Bloody hell, Potter. Where have you been!"

Harry just stared. Not only had Snape just cursed, but Harry had never seen the man so frazzled in his entire life. Snape's hair was flying all over the place and his robes were covered in white stains.

"Professor, I was confused. What's going on?"

"No surprise that you were confused, Potter. That's your modus operandi, is it not? Now come, follow me."

Harry got up and almost had to run to keep up with Snape. They reached the entrance to Snape's quarters were he whispered the password and the wall seemed to take on a liquid state. It still looked exactly the same, but Harry felt as though a person could slide through it.

Which is exactly what Snape did. Harry gulped and flung himself at the wall, briefly thinking of Platform 9 ¾.

Harry opened his eyes and saw the living room that he had woken up to in the past. However, much of the floor was covered in the same white material that Snape was covered in. Harry saw movement out of the corner of his eye and turned. In the corner next to the fireplace sat Delaney, his magical cousin, covered in white and playing with an empty bowl.

"…..Professor I am so confused right now"

"Well, Potter it seems obvious that your cousin found the floo powder."

Harry growled at his Professor's words. "You know that is not what I am talking about. What is she doing here!? Why do you need my invisibility cloak?" At this, he held up his cloak to Snape.

Snape grabbed it and examined it. "I knew about this, but to see it up close, is magnificent."

He seemed to snap out of his reverie and looked at Harry again.

"Potter, we have a lot to discuss later, but right now this summary will have to suffice. Your cousin was not safe at the Dursley's. I have to run out to buy items and you need to watch your cousin. Do not let anyone in here until I return. Do not communicate with anyone. Understand?"

Harry was burning with curiosity but realized what he needed to do.

"Ok, sir. See you soon."

At this obedient reply, Snape narrowed his eyes skeptically. But nevertheless he donned the cloak and left his quarters.

BREAKBREAKBREAK

"Hi, Delaney. Remember your cousin Harry? Hairrrr-eeee?"

Harry had immediately approached the child once Snape had left and was now playing on the floor with her. He smelled a dirty diaper but had no idea how to change one without supplies. Was there a spell that could change one? Harry did not know. He hoped that Snape would buy diapers while he was out, but there was no way of knowing what Snape was doing.

Delaney giggled and looked up at Harry. This was the first time Harry had seen her eyes since the summer and was shocked and delighted at their color. Since it was passed down through Aunt Petunia and well as his mother, Harry realized that probably one of his grandparents also had his eyes. This thought filled him with joy.

I am connected to my family even if they are not here, even if I've never met them.

Harry heard movement from the other side of the wall and Snape reappeared, carrying bags and bags in each hand.

Snape's eyes immediately scanned his quarters. Probably thought I'd trash them, the jerk.

"Well, Potter, the first matter is getting your cousin more comfortable." He reached into a bag and pulled out diapers and wipes. "I'll let you do the honors."

"Gee, thanks," Harry said. However, he didn't mind. He had done this task many times at the Dursley's.

While he was changing Delaney, he said over his shoulder, "So Professor, will you tell me what's going on now?"

"I should have known your curiosity couldn't handle even a few minutes of delayed gratification. Long story short, I went to the Dursley's, found the potions book, and took Delaney. Your relatives were attempting to destroy her magical core."

"What do you mean, attempt? Is she ok?"

"Only time will tell, Potter. The potion they were giving her needed eight doses to become effective, and I think she only had five. I have scanned her magical core myself and it seems like it will recover with time."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief and then noticed the other bags Snape had brought in.

"Sir, what is in those bags?"

"I said I found the book, did I not? I needed to buy more potions supplies if I'm going to create an antidote for your pain potion. The added trigger is going to make it more complicated."

Harry felt his heart swell with gratitude. He had almost forgotten about his own problems, focusing so much on Delaney. He had never felt more liking toward Snape than he did in that moment.

And Snape seemed to know. Oops.

"Potter, cease your revolting Gryffindor love fest. The feelings I'm getting from you may make me vomit."

But Harry knew there was no venom to these words. He said, "Sorry, sir," with a smile on his face.

"And that is another reason why I have you here. You will need to watch your cousin while I work on this antidote. It is imperative that the Headmaster is informed…"

He was stopped when Harry growled.

"Yes, Potter, I will be telling the Headmaster. But not before this is done. I will not have you in any more pain than is needed to provide me with entertainment."

Ha. ha. Snape thinks he is so funny.

"So, in summary, do not bother me for the next few hours. I am sure I have picked up everything you need to take care of a baby. Do not let anyone in here."

Snape stalked off to what Harry assumed was a private lab with the bags of potions ingredients. He then turned to Delaney and felt happier than he had in a long time. Snape had helped shoulder some of the burden that Harry's secret had become, and Harry was immensely grateful.