Chapter 15

Harry woke up in a place he didn't recognise with a cover keeping him warm and a fire crackling merrily in the hearth. Harry had never been so snug before and wondered what was going on, it's wasn't everyday that he awoke in a strange room in a strange house. Harry didn't dare move, meanwhile all he could think was 'did someone rescue me? Does someone really want to save me?' A million more thoughts were running around side his head all jumbling up together.

He didn't know how long he lay there but he ended up dosing off again, something he could not help. He had never been warm before; his cupboard was always cold and his clothes threadbare. Even when his aunt and uncle used the warm water and he lay near the pipes, his cupboard didn't lose its chill. Harry had never been this well rested in his life.

When he awoke for the second time someone was there, a man dressed in a pair of black trousers and a green top. His hair was black and it hid his face, he didn't look that scary to Harry; his uncle was much scarier than this man could ever be.

"How are you feeling Harry?" asked the man.

Harry flinched, how did the man know his name? His uncle must have gotten rid of him, other wise how did the man know who he was? He was in so much trouble. He began shaking in the covers, shrinking backwards. He was petrified.

"I'm not going to hurt you, are you ok? Please answer me," pleaded the man. He seemed on the verge of tears, he didn't want his son to be scared of him and right now he was, more than ever.

"I'm fine," squeaked Harry, huddling into the blanket hoping to disappear, no one had ever asked him how he was before. Perhaps this person would love him? Should he take the chance? No! They would only betray him.

Severus sat there looking right through Harry and he knew he was lying; he was not good at reading minds for nothing. So he got up and walked over to Harry before bending his knees so he could look Harry right in his scared eyes. He could tell it was not him that Harry was afraid of, but wondered what he could do to put Harry at his ease. Taking Harry's shaking hands into his he kept them there until Harry stopped shaking.

"Harry, I have something to tell you and I need you to listen carefully. You probably think your mother and father are dead, am I right?" asked the man.

Harry nodded his head, his big green eyes were confused, but still the main emotion that he showed was contentment. This surprised Severus and he probed Harry's mind lightly to try to understand why this should be. When he realised it was due to the comfort that Harry was experiencing for the first time he struggled to keep his rage under control. How dare those beasts keep his son cold? How dare they starve him? And how dare they hit him! He had been too shocked to think clearly when he had got out of the pensive but now seeing the effects first hand that the abuse had had on Harry was a revelation. But he had a chance to change it all, change everything. Closing his eyes he smiled slightly. It was going to be so great.

"Well that's not completely true." Severus continued, "Your mummy did die but your daddy lived but he couldn't look after you properly. So he gave you to a family he thought would love you, but when he came to see you he saw that you were not getting treated right. He couldn't leave you there so he took you with him." He watched as Harry began to understand what he had said.

"You're my daddy?" asked Harry breathlessly.

"That's right. I'm your daddy!" said Severus choking up; something he thought would never happen had come to pass. His son had called him Daddy. He would get to nurture his son and he would raise him properly, he would do everything Fate had told him to.

Harry moved a bit, wanting nothing more than to jump up and hug his dad. His daddy had come for him and saved him from his uncle, his wish had come true! A small smile found its way on Harry's face. But Severus just took Harry gently into his arms and hugged him. He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of his son, even with dirt and disgusting clothes he smelled unique. Harry wrapped his small arms around Severus and he whispered "Daddy!" as he laid his head on his dad's shoulder.

Severus felt tears run down his face. He began rocking back and fourth with his child on his lap. He had not even had Harry a day and already he could feel his heart clenching with pain and love. His son would want for nothing. He was exhausted, he felt like he had not slept in days. He lay down on the couch expanding it with his wand, leaving his son lying on top of him. He covered them both with a blanket before dosing off, aware his house elves knew he was back and would light the fire before it turned to ash and went out.

Harry woke up feeling comfortable and safe. Probably for the first time in his small life he woke up not to see his cupboard but to the sight of his daddy sleeping; the man had rescued him! He always knew his daddy would come and get him. He didn't dare wake him up because he didn't want his daddy to get mad at him, he would be a good boy for him. He didn't think he wanted to move yet anyway, he was comfortable just the way he was thank you, snuggled in tightly using his father as a pillow, there was no place he would rather be than here.

He was not even aware when he fell back asleep. Not getting food for so long was not a good thing, and it had been especially hard for the two weeks he had just gone without anything. He had also peed himself in his cupboard he had had to use the floorboards as a toilet, not wanting to wet his clothes. He only had a few sets and he was forced to wash them himself.

Severus woke up a short while after Harry fell asleep. He immediately began thinking about all the things that needed to be attended to. Looking down at his son he remembered that he had the Potter vaults and the money people were stealing from it. He knew he was going to have to change Harry's name, Harry was his. He though to himself 'I will get control over the vaults and get James and Lily's wills read, as far as I know they were never read. I need to buy Harry new clothes, and other necessary items as well as something for him to play with. I wonder what my son would like, perhaps a cat? I will let him choose.'

Harry woke up, cuddling deeper into his daddy. He stilled when he felt a hand run through his hair, realising it was only his daddy he relaxed into the caress. Severus felt the hesitation and vowed then and there that he would make sure his son wasn't starved for affection or attention before he went to Hogwarts. He understood now why Harry got himself into trouble and helped people, it helped him see he was a person and not invisible.

"Hey Harry, are you ok?" asked Severus quietly.

Harry remembered his dad to a certain extent, which was why he trusted him. He knew his Uncle James and his mummy were dead and his magic helped him kill a bad man who had killed his mummy. He could recall his first couple of years with his dad, but had repressed all the other memories because it only hurt him more when he knew what he was missing.

"M' fine" said Harry rubbing his eyes.

"Well then, I'm going to give you some potions get you something to eat then we are going out, ok?" asked Severus.

"Ok daddy," said Harry looking up at him.

"All right then let's get up, eh?" said Severus. As he stood up his son still clung onto him, scared if he let go he would disappear and he would end up in his cupboard again.

Severus gathered together all the potions he needed and brought them over. He would be surprised is his son drank them, they tasted disgusting but he knew that they would make his son better so he was going to make sure he drank them.

"Drink these Harry and be a good boy for daddy," said Severus. Remembering the first time Harry had been ill, he had spat the potions back out so they had to put them in his milk, which thankfully didn't cause any reaction with the potions. When it was time for his jabs it had been worse. The vaccinations stopped illnesses like Dragon pox, and many other wizarding world diseases. At first Harry looked at him as if he had two heads, but then he was reminded what his uncle did if he disobeyed him so he took them. Severus had seen the fearful look on his son's face and knew what was going on behind those green eyes.

Kneeling down he said to his son, making him look into his daddy's eyes "I would never hurt you, do you hear me? Never. The potions will help you feel better and make you well. Do you feel better yet?" asked Severus looking at his sons green wide eyes.

"Yes, much better daddy," said Harry.

Severus noticed that he didn't say anything about his daddy not hitting him and realised it would probably take his son a lot longer to trust him. If it were the last thing he did he would win his son's trust. With a sigh he got Harry dressed in Draco's old clothes that Lucius had given him. He would use them until they got too small because he knew within a couple of weeks Harry would get bigger and taller and should end up the same size as Draco.

"Now what do you want for Breakfast Harry?" asked Severus looking at his son with pride. He looked amazing in the clothes, even better than Draco. He wondered if he should have told Narcissa what would happen and given her the pensive to look in.

"Porridge?" replied Harry looking wide-eyed and fearful.

"Ok then. Let's get on with it then son," said Severus. As he went into the kitchen, he realised he could not change anything, the chamber of Secrets had to happen other wise that would be changing time. With a regretful sigh he knew that whether the woman had said so or not he would not change anything, apart from having a 60-foot basilisk to keep! He smirked at the thought.

They sat in comfortable silence eating their breakfast. Severus had his usual full English breakfast and Harry managed nearly a whole bowl of porridge, it surprised even Harry that he was able to eat it so much.

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Meanwhile Dumbledore was looking for them both but he couldn't find their whereabouts. They also didn't call on Poppy's talents that week, Dumbledore had placed eavesdropping charms in her office hoping to get something, but he was not in luck. He hated not being in control for even a day, he needed a new potions master and had a child he needed to get back under his thumb.

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"Right, we're off to the bank then," said Severus once breakfast was over. Realising that Harry didn't have a hat or scarf he placed a heating charm and shook his head, it would have do until he got the vaults and wills sorted out.

Harry took his daddy's hand and didn't let go, holding him real tight especially when they floo'd and he came flying out of the fireplace. Severus grabbed Harry about his waist, not wanting to pull his arm from its socket; his bones were still very delicate due to the neglect. He hated the fact he could see all the bones though his son's skin. They walked to Gringotts where he thought Lily had her will, if she didn't he was done for. Anyone named in the will could activate it so he was going to do just that. As he approached one of the goblins he lifted his son up and cuddled him close, he was going to see a goblin for the first time and it would be scary for him.

"I would like for the wills of James and Lily Potter to be read please," said Severus.

"Very well. State your name and hand over the key please," said the goblin.

"Severus Snape," he said handing over his key. He felt a tingle of magic as the goblin confirmed his identity. Once satisfied the goblin nodded and ushered them into another room where a second goblin oversaw the reading of wills.

Sitting in the chair, Severus listened to the contents of the wills. The first will began to read itself.

"This is the last Will and testament of I, Lily Snape-Potter, nee Evans. If you are hearing this then both James and I are dead. I would have died with you all believing that I loved James Potter and bore his child. Well you are wrong, I love the spy Severus Snape and my child is his. Unfortunately Dumbledore convinced me to marry James for our protection.

If the fidelus charm was breached then Peter Pettigrew is the spy we have been searching for because he is our secret keeper. This also means that my suspicions about Dumbledore are also right because with Peter's lack of occlumency and Dumbledore's habit of raiding people's minds, he must already know this information.

Severus, I am sorry to have died and left you. If our son is still alive, love him and look after him, he belongs to us whatever Dumbledore says. Under no circumstance let him into the clutches of my sister. She is bitter and jealous and I think little of that husband of hers either. I love you Severus and hope you realise this. I ask you to move on and not dwell on the past for I am gone. I wish for you to be happy not alone, please do not turn back into the person you were before we met."

Severus closed his eyes as the voice of his love washed over him, he heard his son mutter "Mummy!" He felt satisfaction that his son was starting to remember. He would be happy, he would do as Lily asked and not be the cynical man that everyone knew. But he felt anger towards Dumbledore; he had known that Lily wanted Harry with him and had stopped the will being read.

"If Alice survived the threat, I give you one of the vaults I own, I have nothing else to give you. I'm sorry I was not a better friend. I send my love to you and your family.

I inherited many vaults from the Evan's family. I come from a long line of squibs, all Slytherins of course! However, we are descended from the Rowena Ravenclaw. You may not know but I was a seer. I had little talent but did know that I would die and that insane Wizard would be vanquished also. I leave all the money to you Severus; pass them onto my son when he is of age. Give him as kiss from me; tell him how much I love him and you both. Yours forever, Lily."

Severus sat in contemplative silence as the keys for the Evans vaults were dropped in front of him. The goblin put all the keys into a bag before he continued onto James Potter's will.

"If you are reading this then Peter Pettigrew has betrayed us, we changed secret keepers a few weeks ago.

I leave all the Potter vaults to Harrison Alexander Snape, the son I never had. He will always be Severus Snape's son, he never called me daddy it was always Uncle James or Prongs.

To Sirius I give two vaults, if you don't survive the war then they are to go to Remus.

Remus, I am sorry I suspected you of being a Death Eater, all I can say is I must be a spoiled brat. I leave you two vaults for you get some decent clothes; remember marauders look after their own.

Harry, whom I loved as my own no matter how much I tried not to, I love you and am proud to have been your surrogate father. I have no other friends or family so I guess that this is the end of the Potter line, which is tragic because it is an old and respected family. I hope we won't be forgotten. Goodbye to you all."

Severus' eyes were as round as the goblin's as he was handed the second set of keys. Not only was he now the richest man alive but also he had three Pureblood names to back him, Potter, Evans and Snape. At last Severus spoke "I wish to relive Albus Dumbledore of rights to be executor of these estates." He would stop Dumbledore getting his mitts on Harry's money. He couldn't wait to see the Weasley's faces when their money tree dried up, perhaps they should not have has so many children!

"Very Well" said the goblin, writing something down on a paper that appeared on the desk, before it disappeared after the goblin signed it. That paper would immediately make its way to Albus Dumbledore's office.

Harry had fallen asleep soon after hearing his mother's voice with all the good memories of his time with his mother and father coming back to him. He slept with a smile, enjoying all the best dreams in the world.

"Harry, wake up son," whispered Severus gently into his sons ear. He had looked down to tell his son something when he had realised he was asleep and it stayed on the tip of his tongue.

"Daddy?" asked Harry looking at his dad confused. Why had he woken him up? Had he been bad?

"It's ok son, let's get going. I can't get out of this seat without crushing you," said Severus seeing his sons growing fear.

"Ok," said Harry as he got up. Severus took his hand as they walked out into the sunshine; he had never had so much fresh air in his life. Seeing how tired the child was from all the walking, Severus took out a portkey and transported them straight back to their hide out. Settling his son down on the couch, Severus covered him with a blanket and Harry felt his eyelids droop closed.

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'Where could they be?' thought Dumbledore. He had been searching everywhere but it was all proving in vain. He just could not find them; he knew that Severus did not have any money or a place to stay, so the question was, where the hell was he? Sitting down he sucked on his lemon drop and gazed out onto the Quidditch pitch. In order to win the war it was essential to have Harry on his side and dependant on him. He knew that Harry had a connection with the Dark Lord and wondered how deep that connection went. He looked up as an owl flew towards him; this was nothing unusual as he got letters at all times of the day and night. Opening the letter he gasped out loud.

It read:

"Professor Dumbledore,

Your services are no longer required as executor of the Potter estate.

James Potter has named Severus Snape until the time that his son comes of age.

The vaults you opened in the name of Weasley have not been closed yet but we are sure they will be when Severus Snape has had time to read through the papers.

Thank you for your cooperation. We wish you good luck.

May the gods grant you gold?

Gripfork

Senior Goblin of the Department of the Departed"

Dumbledore's eyes were wide; he no longer had the Potter money! This was not going the way things were meant to go. He could not cross Severus when he was that rich and powerful. Perhaps it was best to let Harry grow up with Severus, after all he could still kill Harry and find a way to make sure that Severus never found out it was him.