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Thanks to my faithful reviewer: Sarahamanda.

Thanks to my precious reviewers:

EmOkUrUmI

Enigmus

Minoki

xXX Bishiman Sephiroth XXx

And special thanks to DanuMarie for (I'm really sorry I don't know your gender) his/her good advice. I got his name fixed and I tried to clear up any problems. Thank You!!!

I'm really trying to write longer chappies, I really am! Please, please, please bear with me. I won't be updating as often now because I haven't written the rest. You must all inspire me. Otherwise this story will be put on hold. And you don't want that . . . Do YOU!!!

Any ways . . . on to the story!

Last chapter:

Severus and Lucius were frozen in shock (though they would never admit it) but Draco hadn't been fazed quite so dramatically.

"Soooooo . . . Lunch, you said?" Draco piped up.

Lucius nodded and the three headed towards the kitchens.

Chapter 3

In the kitchens, Severus didn't eat much. He just picked at it and pushed it around his plate. He seemed to be in deep thought the entire time. He didn't seem to notice when Draco left to find something to do. He didn't even seem to notice Lucius staring at him in amusement the entire time.

"So the brat really got you thinking, hmmm? I can almost see your hair turning gray by the second." Lucius drawled effectively snapping the other out of his thoughts.

Severus scowled at Lucius who was chuckling. "It's just . . . what if he was right? What if I notice him for what he is? Luc, it's so painful to look at both Lily and James."

"You should go talk to him, Sev. Smooth things over. You two can have a fresh start now that the war is over. I know the other side of you. Show Pot-Harry that side. I'll be there for you afterwards in your quarters. I know it's hard, but it may not have to be." Lucius said soothingly.

Stormy, blue eyes met endless pools of black. "Thanks for the pep talk, Luc. I'm older now. It's not like when we were first years on the train to Hogwarts." Severus replied sarcastically.

"Funny. I was beginning to feel like it was an awful lot like that time." Lucius chuckled.

Severus rolled his eyes and put his hand on his old friends shoulder. "Will you really be there afterwards? This talk won't be easy . . ."

Lucius nodded and Severus left the kitchen to find Harry. As promised, Lucius headed towards the potions master's quarters to await Severus' arrival.

Harry was in a small grove of trees staring off over the lake. That is until he heard a sigh so soft he thought he was hearing things.

Severus was walking along the outside of the lake trying to think things over before his talk with Potter. No Harry. NO! What the heck am I supposed to call the brat? I mean boy. Brat works well enough but . . .

Silently, Severus passed into the forest and leaned against one of the pine trees. Memories of the past replayed in his mind. He sighed as some of the more painful memories played.

Harry started and looked around. He was surprised to see Snape leaning against a nearby tree. "What are you doing here?"

Severus tensed in surprise and his eyes widened as he realized just who had whitnessed his mask fall. "I could ask the same of you." He replied coolly.

"Just thinking . . . You?"

"The same." Came the icy reply.

"What about?" Harry inquired, genuinely curious.

Severus smirked, "Why aren't you the nosy, little brat?"

"You're evading the question."

Darn. Severus thought before hesitantly, "The past . . . Including what you said earlier."

Harry blushed sheepishly at this. "Sorry . . . It just sort of slipped out."

"And this slips out only now after five years because . . ."

Now it was Harry's turn to hesitate. "You know I live with my relatives over the summer?"

Severus grimaced in disgust, "You mean the horse-faced one? What was it . . . Petunia?"

Harry laughed softly at his remark about his aunt who, in fact, did have horse-face. "Yeah . . . They don't like me well . . ."

Severus noted with concern how Harry's eyes glazed slightly and how he rubbed his chest absentmindedly. Severus decided he would investigate this later when he go to know the boy well. "What do you know of my relationship with your parents?"

"Well, you hated James and always got into fights with him. I think you were good friends with Lily but broke it off so you wouldn't hurt her when you became a Death Eater."

"Yes, that is correct. I hated your father but loved your mother. Two polar opposites. Do you understand why I don't look you in the eye often?" His piercing stare seemed to be searching Harry's soul.

Harry ponders this for a moment and his eyes widen in understanding, "Because you would see my father and my mother at the same time. The two emotions would clash horribly."

Severus looked Harry directly in the eyes and whispered, "Yes."

Harry in all of his Gryffindor impulsiveness leaped up and hugged Severus who stood there in shock before he very, very tentatively put his arms around the small boy.

"I'm sorry for looking like both Lily and James . . ." Harry mumbled.

Severus tensed slightly and whispered hesitantly, "It's not your fault." He paused to let in an unsteady breath. "Just . . . Just show me . . . that you are a different person, your own person . . . Then I may see you . . . differently. Not James . . . or Lily. Just Harry . . ."

There was silence as Harry finally pulled back. He smiled at Severus, "Thanks."

Severus raised a thin eyebrow, "What for?"

"For a chance."

Severus replied with the faintest of smiles.

Fin

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