Chapter 9: Talking and Decisions

The next day was okay –not great, but okay. The headmaster contacted them to let them know that they could go to Diagon Alley to get Dudley a wand. Severus escorted all three of them and that was it. After the eventful trip to Ollivander's things became routine. Everyone woke up in the morning at 7, then dressed and at breakfast, in the class room ready to work on the days lessons until lunch, after was two to three hours of free time.

Usually during that time Harry and Luna would talk or take a walk. Dudley would continue to practice, and go for a run. He was determined to lose most of his weight before leaving for Hogwarts (Dudley found out that most wizarding children were on the thinner size). Severus used the time to work on his more intensive experiments that he could not be interrupted while doing.

It was days later while Harry and Luna were on their walk together that he brought up what had been plaguing his thoughts. "Luna, can I ask your opinion about something?"

"Sure, Harry…anything."

"You know that biologically I have two fathers because of the gene therapy spell. Well now that my seventeenth birthday is arriving I have to make the decision on whether to become a permanent Potter look alike or what I truly should look like without any spell interference. Severus and I talked when he woke up after the Dark Mark change. He gave me two options that I am considering. Actually he gave me more than two choices, but I have narrowed it down to two. Now I would like your help in deciding on what I should do.

First, I have decided against becoming a Potter look alike. I want to be me, and I don't think that I am betraying my parents. This may bring me some relief and a break from the spot light going with the option of just being my true self. Now I am kind of stuck on what I should do though. Should I just turn into a complete Snape? Harry Potter would completely disappear, and never return. We would somehow explain his disappearance by some sort of dangerous undertaking.

My second option is to keep some Potter and Snape qualities. There is a sort of DNA stasis spell that would allow my body to mature, but keep the mix of all three parents. Either one I choose I will still keep a genetic mix of all three parents, but my appearance would lean to which ever ever spell's more dominant DNA."

Luna listened intently not surprised that he did not make this decision lightly. There was probably still more weighing in with each option, but Harry was trying to be fair and not sway her in either direction. An honest opinion was needed here. "Harry I am honored that you in fact asked me for my opinion. Now about no finishing the gene therapy spell. I support your decision 100 percent. It is said that without the proper familial support of the dominant DNA suppliers the child in question has many problems adjusting.

Out of the two choices I would have to say that I am leaning towards the last option for quite a few reasons. Severus, Dudley, and you have already started in what is more likely to be a building towards a family. Also, it would help you and the wizarding world. The changes are subtle, but noticeable and if Severus claims you publicly it would not lead to the negativity of some saying that you were turning your back on your deceased parents. Plus if it means anything I am quite fond of the current look that you are sporting."

Harry and Luna stopped and shared a hug after this statement. It was so comforting to both of them that they had the other there. Harry because Luna would listen, and always truthfully give him her answer. Luna on the other hand found comfort in Harry treating her as a person. Many people tend to either not see her or see her but see her as a non important person because of her unusual outlook on life.

The two continued their walk. Luna thoughts preoccupied by the other option that was flipping over in her friends head. She decided that maybe a devil's advocate approach would help his decision so she studied what he might face if he did go all Snape. "You know it may not go completely bad if you went all Snape." Harry's head cocked to look at her. He did not expect that. Luna tended to be stuck on her decisions, and not change her mind. "It doesn't mean that I have changed my mind at all. I can see you thinking it; don't be so shocked.

Any way as I was saying it may not be all bad. You would still be able to build the family relationship with Snape, and Dudley could still be added. You would have the anonymity that you crave, but a different fame also. It is not everyday that a long lost pure blooded son comes out of the wood work. You would also have to deal with the Death Eater reputation of your father. If word ever leaked out about your back ground you will be thought of to turn your back on your Potter heritage. Though unless someone did some super heavy duty snooping, and even then they might not find the evidence to expose you. Though I do like the look you have right now, Snape does have that tall, dark, and mysterious look that all girls are drawn towards."

Silence once again reigned while they turned back towards the house. Harry stayed silent, and Luna feeling that silence is what he needed tried to guess what Harry would decide. Either way she would stand by whatever he chose. Before they turned back onto Privet Drive Harry stopped her, "Luna, you have confused me, and at the same time cleared my thinking tonight. I know what I am going to do, and though I would love to tell just what that is I think Severus deserves to know first. So thank you, and remember if you ever need anything of me I am deeply in your debt." Harry gave a deep bow from the waist, and then he placed a kiss on her hand. Luna blushed, and sighed then grasped the arm offered to escort her up the street.

Dudley's head popped up from the floor of the living room when the door opened. He watched as his cousin ushered in his other teacher. Unknown to everyone else in the house Harry was continuing his reading lessons after Severus and Luna retired. He still struggled on larger words, and unfortunately for him most spells were more than two syllables. Luna was a great teacher she never pointed out his mispronunciations of words. Maybe he should take his cousins' advice and let her in on his little secret. It may help her teach him better.

Continuing to do his exercise regiment he still was over weight, but not morbidly obese like his doctor's had stated from Smeltings. It was amazing what a little work did to his body. Now he truly appeared to be stocky, and it was not flab either. "Hey Harry—Luna, Severus is making dinner. He said he could not concentrate on potions tonight. So it should be a treat. Harry your owl showed up with two letters, and I put them one the table. Luna I want to know if you have time for a small chat about something." She nodded and gave Harry a hug before he left for the kitchen.

"Severus, need some help with dinner?"

"You can cook? I have my doubts, since you can't make a simple potion."

"Well when I cook I do not have a deranged potion's master standing over my shoulder making an arse of him self." While the bantering was going on Harry had managed to take the vegetables off the counter, and wash them. He grabbed his favorite paring and cutting knife. "Do you want these chopped, julianned, or diced?"

Severus was definitely not expecting this, but caught on quickly. "Stir-fry ready please."

Harry didn't even hesitate as he started. He went about quickly his movements precise. Confident in his son's abilities he turned back to the wok he was heating. It was a quiet moment one he enjoyed immensely. The two worked together harmoniously and soon the food was cooking and they had a moment of nothing to do. Harry broke the silence, "Severus…I have made my decision regarding what I want to do about my future. I want a stasis spell on my DNA for this appearance. I have a nix mix of all three of my parents, and this could work out for the best of us."

Severus was apprehensive about what Harry was going to decide. He worried that when Harry earlier that week had completely thrown out continuing his persona of being a Potter he would change his mind. Apparently, he had found another option that would allow him to have the best of all three. Looking at the young man he acknowledged his announcement with a nod. Emotions running high he gave a few more nods more reassuring to him self than Harry.

Once his voice was under control he spoke, "I think that I like this plan—anything else?"

"Well, I want you to become my legal guardian. Let the wizarding world know that I am willingly becoming your son. Then we can let them think that I have taken on some of your attributes or whatever. Luna and I talked about this. She also thinks that it would be our best option. These way misconceptions are made by the public, and you and I do not have to keep up appearances."

"I whole heartedly agree."

"Good. I am glad that this is over. Can you handle everything else…I promised Luna that she would be the second to know of my decision."

"Absolutely, I am glad that you have found a confident and friend in the young lady. She is one hell of a potion's student."

Harry stuck out his tongue and excited the kitchen. He entered the living room just in time to hear Dudley confess his problems with reading. Luna did not look surprised by his announcement at all. "Well, Dudley I am not surprised there are some things that can be done to help us in your situation. Let me do some research and we will probably change it up next week. Now, I believe that Harry and I have something to talk about. Excuse us, please."

"Luna, you are amazing. You did not make him feel stupid, and also did something that I have been trying to figure a way around. Never once did you agree to keep his problem to yourself therefore you can get a teacher's help."

"I know that Harry. I figured that is what held you back from saying something to me, or the professor's when they come to visit. Now stop procrastinating and tell me of what you told Severus."

I decided that I liked the second option most. What you said early set me to thinking, and I felt that it would be best not only for my relationship with Severus, but the wizarding world as well."

"I am proud of you Harry." Luna stepped up to him and placed a kiss on his cheek.

A/N: Hope that you enjoyed this chapter. I liked writing it. Thank you to all who review it really keeps me going. I need some feed back about the Harry/Luna relationship. Is it going too slow or too fast? I want it to seem natural. Things really start to pick up the next chapter. Please review.

Ch. 10 S.B. Snape

S.B. Snape

Dursley trial

Legal problems

P.S. Should Dudley get a name change too?