AN: This is the first chapter of what I Have written. I would like to thank End Transmission for allowing me to take over the story. Thanks for the opportunity! All thoughts are in Italics. The flashback will be bolded.

A/N 2: I am continuing this story basically from where End Transmission left off. I am setting this chapter around Christmas. This story is going to be an eventual adoption fic, but I will develop the relationship first. The characters do not belong to me. They belong to J.K. Rowling.

Previously in Little Green Eyes

"Yes, I know what I believe you should do. But you need to figure it out for yourself. I highly doubt you would appreciate what I would have to say." Dumbledore stood from his chair, and began to pace softly around the room. He stopped by Fawkes' perch, and stood there, running a hand through the phoenix's soft feathers.

"I shouldn't have even offered to teach him. My life was so much simpler before." Snape groaned softly, putting his head in his hands. What had he been thinking?

"No, Severus." Dumbledore said suddenly, turning to face the younger man. "Quite the contrary. I believe this decision was probably the best one you have ever made in the course of your life. Now, it is quite late, and you should get some rest. Think about what we've spoken of, Severus."

Snape got up to leave, his mind more befuddled then it had been before he had walked into the office.

"Oh, and Severus." Dumbledore said, even as the other left. "Do not shut the boy out of your life because of your confusion. He needs you just as much as you need him."

Christmas at Hogwarts

Severus took the Headmaster's words to heart, or at least as close to heart that he would allow. He was not a man to wallow in emotion, but he did allow himself a moment to ponder his future with Harry. When did Potter become Harry? Severus thought startled. He paced back and forth across the living room in his quarters at Hogwarts, his robes billowing around him as he went. He paused every so often to gaze into the fire. When you saw his eyes you idiot. He silently cursed the headmaster for being right once again. His life had been simpler before he began to teach Harry, right? Yes, He reasoned, but what kind of a life was it? He was an angry, bitter man, hardened by his experiences with the Dark Lord, but most of all he was lonely. He stopped in front of the fire, as if coming to a startling realization. He didn't have to be alone. What a sobering thought. Severus thought. A slight smile played at his lips as he whirled around and went out the door.

An hour later he stood in front of the Muggle Orphanage in a pair of muggle jeans and a soft black sweater, under is black wool coat. He had spoken to Marie an hour ago and it had been arranged that Harry would spend Christmas Day with Severus at Hogwarts. It hadn't taken much to convince Albus to let Harry spent Christmas at Hogwarts Severus thought dryly. A small smile played at his lips as he thought back on his conversation with the Headmaster.

Flashback

He rapped on the door of the Headmaster's office and waited to be admitted. It had been three years since he threw himself at the Headmaster's mercy, and he had settled in nicely as Hogwarts resident greasy git. Still trips to see the Headmaster made his nerves stand on end. What if he said no? Severus shook his head with determination. He would not, could not, say no. Harry deserved a Christmas.

"Enter," Dumbledore called cheerily. He looked up over his half moon spectacles to see Severus entering his office with a very determined look on his face. He smiled inwardly at the sight of his Potions Master.

"Severus, my boy," Dumbledore said as Snape took the seat opposite him and leaned forward. "What can I do for you?" He already suspected the answer, but he needed to hear it from Severus himself.

"I would like to bring the boy to Hogwarts to celebrate Christmas." Severus stated.

Albus positively beamed at that revelation. "What boy would that be Professor Snape," Albus teased.

"You know very well which boy I am referring to Headmaster," Snape snarled. "I would like to bring Harry here for a nice Christmas."

"Do you think that's wise," Dumbledore prodded.

"The Dark Lord is dead Albus," Snape replied, as if stating the obvious.

"His followers, however, are not all dead," Albus pointed out.

"Aside from me, do you employee any ex Death Eaters?" Snape questioned. He was growing impatient. "I do not plan to parade the boy around Diagon Alley, Albus." He took a calming breath and cleared his mind. "I just think Harry deserves a Happy Christmas after everything that he has been through."

Dumbledore looked thoughtfully at Severus for a moment. "You plan to give him this Happy Christmas?"

"Yes, I do," Severus replied tightly. "I could use a little help, though."

Albus' eyes twinkled madly at Severus as a grin overtook his face. "I think it is a brilliant idea. I shall arrange it right now." He picked up a quill to write…

End Flashback

Dumbledore and that infernal twinkle. Severus thought. He knocked on the door to the orphanage and was greeted by the caretaker Marie, the woman that Harry was so fond of.

"Happy Christmas, Professor," Marie said. "Harry is waiting for you in the parlor."

Snape nodded at the kind matron and continued into the room. He quickly scanned the room and found Harry sitting in front of the Christmas tree gazing at the twinkling lights. Harry sat stick still, his eyes transfixed on the lights. Snape strode over to the boy and gently touched his shoulder, as to not startle the boy. It didn't work. Harry was startled by the touch and jumped away from Severus' touch.

Severus felt instantly guilty for scaring the boy. I should know better than to sneak up on a three year old child that has survived the killing curse. Harry looked around wildly, until his green eyes settled on Severus. His face broke out into a smile, the likes of which Severus had never seen before. That smile made him feel better instantly. He has Lily's smile too. Severus thought.

"I'm sorry for scaring you, Harry," Severus said, as he fisted his right hand and moved it counter clockwise over his heart. He figured he might as well put their lessons to good use.

Harry's eyes widened in surprise. Severus was apologizing to him? He simply shook his head and mimicked his teacher's movements. Snape smiled softly at him, pleased with the progress he was making.

"Are you ready to go, Harry?" Severus asked picking up his blanket, Lilly, and Star. He reached down and grabbed the little boy's hand. Harry nodded and placed his hand in Severus' without hesitation. Snape smiled down at the little boys as they made their way to the door.

"We shall see you tomorrow, Marie," Severus said politely. "I trust the Headmaster has explained everything?"

Marie nodded and leaned down to give Harry a kiss on the cheek. "Yes he did, Professor. We shall expect Harry back late tomorrow"

Snape nodded. "Happy Christmas, Madam."

"Happy Christmas to you both," Marie replied.

Severus and Harry stood in the Muggle train station twenty minutes later. Severus turned to look at Harry. He was unsure of how much to tell him of the wizzarding world.

He knelt down so he was eye level with the questioning boy. Snape took a moment to observe the boy. He was wearing a worn out pair of tan corduroy pants, paired with a worn out green sweater that matched his eyes. I will have to do something about his wardrobe. Severus thought.

"Harry," He began. "We are going someplace very special, a magical place." Harry's eyes brightened at this. Severus continued speaking. "We will be taking a train to get there, a very special train. I am going to have to carry you in order to board the train. Is that all right?"

Harry nodded and lifted his arms to be picked up. Severus gently lifted Harry into his arms and the boy snuggled into his cloak, gently clutching the front of his cloak in his tiny fist. The gesture sent a jolt through Snape that he hadn't felt in three years. He looked down at the boy and smiled.

"Close your eyes, Harry," Severus said as he moved toward the pillar that would take them to platform 9 ¾. Once safely through the pillar, he told Harry to open his eyes. Kings Cross station is usually a bustle of activity, but the students had been dropped off for the holiday, so the station was nearly empty.

Harry opened his eyes and glanced wondrously around the station. Severus carried him onto the train and quickly got them settled in a compartment. The ride to Hogwarts went by relatively quickly. Harry spent much of the ride looking out the window from his perch on Snape's lap. They looked at the signs on the picture book that Severus had given to him, and Harry finally fell asleep on his lap. Snape smiled gently at the child as he carded his fingers through his raven locks. We are almost there child. I will give you a Christmas you will never forget.

Harry woke up groggily as Snape was carrying through the gates; he lifted his head as Green eyes met Onyx in question.

"We are at Hogwarts, Harry," Severus whispered. "The magic place. There is nothing for you to fear here, child." Snape anticipated the look of fear that crossed Harry's features and it was easily displaced by a large grin. Severus set him down and opens the doors to the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was unlike anything Harry had ever seen. As they walked into the hall, Harry was holding Severus' hand tightly. He tried to watch where he was walking, but he couldn't help but notice the floating candles and the trees that adorned the room. All of the trees had twinkling white lights and glass ornaments on them. There were four trees; each of them was decorated with a different color theme. Harry noticed that there were presents piled under each tree. Harry's hand tightened reflexively in Severus'. He was nervous to meet all of these new people, but he was excited as well. I wonder if any of those presents are for me.He thought.

Severus and Harry stopped in front of the circular table where all of the professors sat.

"Harry, this is Albus Dumbledore," Severus said looking down at Harry. "He is the headmaster at this school, and a very trustworthy man. He will not harm you, child" Severus paused thoughtfully. "In fact, no one in this room will harm you." Harry nodded and turned his eyes toward the table. The man Severus introduced as Dumbledore seemed nice. His eyes kept twinkling, which Harry thought was fascinating. The older wizard bent down so he was eye level with Harry.

"Hello, my boy," He said. "It is wonderful to finally see you again." Harry put two fingers to his forward and gave Dumbledore a mini salute. Snape looked between Harry and Albus in surprise.

"He said hello," Snape said in awe. He was extremely pleased that Harry had learned some words without him. He almost smiled.

Dumbledore beamed at Snape. "Well done, Severus. Harry seems eager to learn."

"Harry," Dumbledore continued. "This is Minerva, but you can call her Min."

Harry repeated the sign to Minerva and sat down at the table next to Severus.

The meal passed by with relative ease. He had his fill of Macaroni and Cheese and Jell-O. There was Strawberry Jell-O for dessert. He loved strawberry Jell-O. Severus kept an eye on him all through dinner, and that filled him with a peace and security that he had never felt before.

Dinner was finished and cleared away and Severus and Harry sat by a Christmas tree. There were present in front of Harry, who just looked at the stack with awe. He looked over at Severus, worried.

Severus took in Harry's worried expression and put a hand on his arm comfortingly. "It's all right, Harry. These presents are for you."

Harry's face lit up and he spent the next hour opening the trinkets from his new found friends. He mostly received clothes, but when he opened Severus' gifts his grin got even bigger.

Severus had given him a stuffed owl and another sign language picture book. Harry looked at the owl in amazement. It was snowy white and had beautiful blue eyes. Harry clutched the owl tighter to himself and smiled brilliantly at Severus.

"I take it you like the owl, Harry," Severus asked. Harry just nodded in response. "Do you know what you will name him?"

Harry nodded and signed out the letters 'Sev'. Snape's eyes widened in surprise. He had not expected Harry to name the owl after him. His chest tightened slightly at that and he found he did not find the feeling unpleasant.

"We must go now, Harry," Severus said. He took Harry's hand and led him from the Great Hall after bidding Albus and Minerva goodnight. He was happy at the contented look on Harry's face. He had managed to give him a lovely Christmas after all. Harry fell asleep on the train on the way back from Hogwarts. Severus took that moment to observe Harry. He was peaceful when he slept. I wonder if he dreams of what happened. Severus thought. He hoped not, but he was afraid that as he got older his memories would begin to resurface. Harry's brilliant green eyes fluttered open as the train pulled into the station. Severus picked Harry up, who once again closed his eyes, and moved through the barrier from platform 9 3/4.

Severus was not paying attention when he crossed through the barrier, and ran into a woman with her child, knocking them all to the ground. He had managed to keep Harry from hitting the ground, but he somehow ended up sprawled on top of the woman.

"I am so sorry, Madam," Snape said horrified, as he moved to take Harry from her stomach and help her up. "Are you hurt?"

"Of course not, Mr. ah…"

"Snape," He provided. "Severus Snape."

"Jane Granger," The woman replied, as she helped the little girl up. "This is my daughter Hermione."

Severus shook the hands of both women. "It is a pleasure to meet both of you. This little boy is Harry Potter." He paused, unsure of what to say. "Harry can't speak. His parents were in a fatal accident and he has been rendered mute. I am teaching him to sign, but he only knows how to say hello."

Jane Granger took the little boy's hand in her own and locked eyes with him. "It is a pleasure to meet you sweetheart. You are very handsome."

Harry smiled brilliantly at Jane Granger and Hermione. I could like them. He thought.

"Well, we better go," Severus interrupted. "I have to get him back to the orphanage."

"Orphanage?" Jane asked.

"Yes," Severus said. "That's where the boy lives. He has for the last three years."

"Oh my," Jane breathed out. "My husband and I were trying to adopt last year, but he was killed." Harry and Hermione looked at Jane and squeezed her hands in comfort.

Severus watched the scene with interest. Maybe running into the Grangers would be a good thing. "He would love some visitors. I could take you with me tomorrow."

Jane looked at her daughter and Harry and nodded in agreement. She scribbled her address on a piece of paper and gave it to Severus. "Would three o'clock work for you, Mr. Snape?" She asked.

"Severus, please," He replied. "That would be fine." They all parted ways and Severus returned Harry to Marie. The boy did not want to let him go, but after a promise of a visit tomorrow, Harry reluctantly allowed him to leave.

Severus thought that Harry's situation might be looking up as he apparated to Hogwarts.

TBC….

A/N: Thanks for hanging in there for my first chapter. Thank you again to End Transmission for the rights to the story and to all of you that added my pen name to your alerts. I love you all :D. Please review. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Please no flames.