I don't know what to say, I'm not even sure how to address you.
Of course I would like to meet with you and discuss this further, there are so many things that make no sense. You look like James you always have looked like James and why did Lily never tell me?
I will make myself available to see you whenever it fits your schedule.
Signed,
Severus Snape.
Mercedes returned late that night with Snape's response clutched in her beak. Harry had read it quietly trying not to wake Draco who was curled snugly against his side. After reading the letter he had let out a deep sigh, he didn't know what to say to his potions professor, his father.
How could they possibly hit it off? How could they go about being anything other than enemies as they always had been?
Just as that thought crossed through Harry's mind Draco sighed and snuggled closer to him and Harry had to smile. If he and Draco could go from what they had been to what they were now, maybe just maybe he would be able to have a Father Son relationship with Snape.
Harry lay there thinking for several hours envisioning every scenario he could think of. Without realizing it he began to get restless and began to fidget.
"Harry love?" Draco murmured peering up at him.
"I'm sorry Dray, I didn't mean to wake you." Harry replied. "I'll go over to the couch until I'm ready to go to sleep."
"You will do no such thing." Draco wrapped his arms around Harry's waist to prevent him from moving. "You will stay right here and tell me what is wrong and why you are still awake at four in the morning."
"Can I at least have a cigarette now that you're awake and I don't have to worry about disturbing you?" Harry pouted until Draco released him enough to get his cigarettes.
"Now what's wrong?" Draco yawned.
"Snape responded to my letter." Harry sighed.
"And?" Draco asked quirking up an eyebrow.
Harry responded by turning on the lamp and handing the letter to the blond. Draco read through it then laid it to the side with a surprised expression.
"Wow, Uncle Sev has never been this wound up about anything before. I can even tell through his writing."
"Uncle Sev?" Harry questioned his boyfriend.
"He is my godfather you know." Draco defended.
"No actually, I didn't know that. No wonder he favors you in class." Harry smirked.
"That has nothing to do with it." Draco crossed his arms. "He favors me because I'm good in potions and because I'm a Slytherin."
"I'm not bad at potions. That's just part of my act." Harry shrugged. "But back on topic. What do I say to him? How do I reply?"
"Well first of all you need to decide when you want him to come by. Secondly calm down and breath, he's really not that bad. He puts on an act too you know." Draco replied cuddling up close again after Harry put out his cigarette.
"Okay so what do I say to him once he gets here? Hey dad good to know I'm not an orphan after all?" Harry banged his head off of the headboard.
"Don't do that!" Draco chastised. "You've got enough brain damage already. Just do whatever comes naturally I guess. Talk it out, he's probably going to be just as nervous as you are and this is a new development for him too."
"I guess you're right." Harry let out a deep breath.
"Of course I am." Draco smirked. "What happened to that bad ass attitude of yours?"
"It's hiding behind my nerves." Harry scoffed turning off the light. "I'll send him a reply in the morning."
The sun was beginning to rise by the time Harry fell into a fitful sleep and he was up again after only a few hours. Draco dreamed on while Harry wriggled his way out of the blonds grasp and went to write his letter of response.
It's as weird for me as it is for you I assure you. As for why I look like James and not you there is an explanation for that but I would prefer to talk about it in person. If you are available I would like to meet with you before lunch today. If everything goes well perhaps you could stay.
Fred and George Weasley will meet you at the Leaky Cauldron at eleven.
Harry,
There was so much more Harry wanted to say, he just didn't know how to express it. His entire childhood at the Dursley's he had wished his parents were alive. He wished there was someone out there who would take him in care for him like a son and be a father or mother to him.
He didn't know if he would get that from Snape or not but if there was a chance he could have something resembling a family he was going to take it.
After sending his letter with Mercedes and greeting Hedwig who had just returned from a nightly hunt Harry kissed Draco on the forehead and went to take a shower.
When he had completed that task he put on a pair of shorts and went to the twins room. The red heads were still sleeping mouths open snoring away.
With a wave of his hand Harry conjured two buckets of ice cold water and simultaneously dumped them on their heads.
Screaming the two shot up out of bed sending murdering glares in his direction spluttering. With another wave of his hand Harry had them both dried off.
"Good Morning." He chirped.
"Oh we will get you for that one Potter." George grinned.
"Better believe it." Fred agreed.
"I would expect nothing less." Harry retorted with a smile. "I need you guys to meet someone at the Leaky Cauldron around eleven and bring him back here. Don't give him to hard of a time okay?"
"Sure thing Harry but who are we meeting?" Fred asked curiously.
"My Father." Harry replied simply before turning and leaving the room. In the hall he was met by a put out Draco.
"Why were you in there half naked?" He pouted.
"I just got out of the shower and I was asking them to meet up with Snape for me why? Don't tell me you're the possessive type." Harry raised an eyebrow in question.
"Well of course I am but I'm not worried about what you were doing, I want to know why you weren't half naked with me instead." The Slytherin smirked.
"Because the last time I tried to be half naked around you, you complained about it." Harry replied sticking his tongue out childishly.
"No, I simply asked you if you owned a shirt." Draco retorted.
"Same difference," Harry rolled his eyes. "Come on you can help me get dressed."
Draco grabbed Harry's hand basically dragging him back to the bedroom. After going through everything in the wardrobe Draco finally pulled out an outfit and handed it to the raven haired teen.
"Go put this on." He commanded.
"Go where? This is my room I'll change right here if I damn well please." Harry replied taking the offered clothes. "If you don't like it you can go wait in the hall." He waited a moment and when Draco didn't make a move to leave the room Harry shrugged his shoulders and dropped his shorts baring all.
Draco just stood staring gobsmacked while Harry wriggled into his boxers and the black pinstripe slacks Draco had picked out for him.
"You okay Draco?" Harry asked putting the long sleeve button up shirt on. Draco nodded stepping up to him.
"I can't believe you've been hiding this gorgeous body all this time." The blond murmured running his fingers lightly down Harry's exposed chest.
"And now it's all yours." Harry replied kissing the shorter boys forehead. "All the girls and boys will be so jealous of you back at Hogwarts." He chuckled.
"Harry, you know I can't go back to school now right? I'm a traitor the Slytherin's parents are mostly all death eaters." Draco's voice was sad and Harry swore he saw tears in the teens eyes as he buttoned up his shirt.
"You think I don't have a plan Draco?" Harry asked. "I'm hurt that you would underestimate me so much."
Draco looked up at him. "What's your plan?"
"All in good time love," Harry smiled looking at the clock. "For now I need to go have breakfast and I have a few things to do before Snape arrives. How do I look?"
"Not even Lucius would be able to tell you aren't a pure blood." Draco smirked. The green silk shirt he had picked out complimented Harry's eyes nicely and the slacks hugged him in all the right places.
The only thing Draco had to chuckle at was Harry's choice of shoes. Instead of a nice pair of dress shoes Harry had chosen a pair of Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers.
They headed down to breakfast together and Draco chose to ignore the cat calls from the twins and the whistle from Remus.
"My don't you look nice today Harry, What's the occasion?" Narcissa asked when everyone else had finally settled down.
"Snape is coming today if everything goes well he will be staying for lunch." Harry replied simply giving no room for argument.
"Oh Severus will be here? Wonderful!" Narcissa clapped her hands together joyously the potions professor had become one of her closest friends over the years, he was like a brother to her.
Remus just rolled his eyes but kept his mouth shut. He wouldn't let his long standing rivalry with Snape get in the way of Harry's happiness.
After breakfast Harry entered the study he had discovered down the hall from his bedroom it contained a few books shelves, a fireplace, a couch and most importantly a desk. A great oak desk with a high backed chair that Harry could sit behind to feel important. To feel like he was more than just a kid and he could truly make a difference somehow.
He sat down behind the desk and began to compile a list of everyone he could think of who would be willing to join his side.
Neville Longbottom was the first person on his list Luna Lovegood was second. Time seemed to fly by while he sat there thinking about who he trusted and who he knew that was against Dumbledore and Voldemort. Before Harry knew it Draco peeked his head in.
"It's almost time are you ready? The twins will be back any second."
"I'm about as ready as I'll ever be I suppose." Harry sighed walking around to the front of the desk tugging at his shirt sleeves and trying to flatten his hair.
"That birds nest is a lost cause Harry just give up." Draco teased before reaching up to give the brunette a peck on the lips. "I'll be in my room if you need anything good luck."
Harry offered up a weak smile and nodded his goodbye. As soon as the door clicked shut Harry began to pace back and forth in front of the desk the minutes ticking by with a painful slowness.
Finally a soft knock made Harry jump a foot in the air. Briskly he went to his seat behind the desk it made him feel safer in a strange way to have the desk in between him and the potions professor.
"Come in." He called out just barely able to keep his voice steady.
The door opened and Snape entered for once his robes weren't billowing behind him menacingly they just trailed along behind him like a dog that had been kicked. Harry chose that moment to wonder if Snape actually spelled his robes to billow or if they just went along with however he was feeling on any given day.
"Professor." Harry greeted unsure of how else to address the man.
"Call me Severus for now Harry." Snape replied quietly. "Because if you are as confused about this as I am that will be the easiest route.
"I think you're right Severus." Harry agreed waving his hand to motion for Snape to have a seat.
"I think my first question would have to be, If you are my son why do you look so much like James?" Snape asked.
"Well let me start from the beginning things might make more sense that way." Harry began taking a deep breath he continued. " Sirius was my mum's confidante. Apparently the two of you met up at a bar one night after she and James got into a fight?"
Snape nodded his head.
"Well she found out she was pregnant after that and she asked Sirius to help her she didn't want James to find out. So she asked him to perform a spell that couldn't be performed by a blood relation. It changed my appearance to make me look like James."
"I know of the spell but it should have only worked until you were seven at the latest if done properly." Snape leaned forward in his seat. "Sirius was imprisoned at that time."
"That is true however someone else found out about the secret. Someone who has been secretly training me since I was seven years old." Harry leaned forward his voice getting lower.
Snape's eyes went wide. "Dumbledore?"
Harry nodded solemnly "Dumbledore."
"Why didn't he ever tell me!" Snape admonished. "He knew how broken hearted I was when Lily died! That's why I agreed to join his side!"
Harry remained silent for a moment. "The spell will wear off on my birthday." He finally spoke. "I don't know what changes will occur but it's possible that the world will be able to tell I'm your son."
"Why wait that long?" Snape's head shot up. "Never mind," He then sighed. "I can understand why you wouldn't want me for a father. I've treated you like hell since I met you because you looked like James. The man I've blamed all these years for taking Lily away from me. When really I'm the one who took her away from me." Snape dropped his head to his hands.
"That's why?" Harry raised his eyebrow.
"I've seen you as James since I met you I blamed you as much as I blamed James for the only woman I've ever cared for leaving me. I'm so sorry for that Harry. I'm sorry I've never been there for you if I had known... If I could have taken you in..." Snape stopped and looked like he was about to cry. Harry had never seen this man so emotional.
"There is one person responsible for the hell we've both gone through. He lied to me making me think I didn't have a family and he lied to you." Harry's voice was low and menacing. "But the cat is out of the bag and he can't keep us apart anymore. What do you say, Father?" Harry held out his hand.
Snape looked up at him tears apparent in his eyes. The potions master stood and walked around the desk grabbing Harry pulling him into a hug.
"I was never there for you and I've treated you horribly, but if you'll let me I want to be there for you now. I want to make up for lost time. Unfortunately a Potions teacher doesn't make much money."
Harry pulled away from the man stopping him.
"Now don't get all sappy on me now. I need some one to help me win this war not someone who is going to turn into a HufflePuff. And don't worry I've got more than enough money for the both of us." Harry smiled.
"What do you mean by help you win this war?" Snape asked standing up straight going back into severe teacher mode.
"I've started my own faction and plan to take down both manipulative bastards who have made my life hell." Harry grinned mischievously.
"Well how can I be of service Lord Black?" Snape allowed a brief grin to grace his face making him look ten years younger.
"I need someone on the inside." Harry clasped his hands together. "The twins and myself are in on a lot of Dumbledorks secrets but he tells you almost everything and I don't have anyone in on Voldemort's doings."
"Are you going to mark your followers too?"Snape asked. "I don't have a lot of room left."
Harry chuckled Snape really did have a sense of humor it was just slightly off beat.
The two spent the time remaining before lunch discussing their different options and ideas like a general to a captain.
A knock on the door interrupted them and Harry smelled the air causing Snape to look at him funny.
"Come on in Draco."
Draco opened the door peaking inside before entering. "Remus wanted me to let you guys know that lunch is ready. Hi, Uncle Sev."
"Draco, I see you are safe and happy?" Snape added quirking an eyebrow when Draco walked around the desk to sit in Harry's lap.
"Extremely." Draco laughed getting up and pulling Harry to his feet.
"Are you staying for lunch?" Harry questioned.
Severus nodded his head waving for the two teens to lead the way and followed them.
Harry observed his father all through lunch watching how he interacted with Remus and the twins. He wasn't quite as cold and heartless as Harry had always seen him. The raven haired teen smiled softly as Snape passed the mashed potatoes to Fred.
They still had a lot to work through but this was a good start on things. A very good start.
AN- thanks for reading, you know what to do read and review. Also check out my new story "You Tell Me." I've given you the first chapter now I want you to tell me how it should go from there.
