CHAPTER I: THE PERCEPTIVE WEREWOLF

Remus had had enough. He could not quell the need to see his cub anymore. It had been four months since three of his best friends were dead and the fourth was in prison for causing their deaths, directly or indirectly; four months since his cub was taken away from him. He had tried to convince Dumbledore to give him the location but he was not allowed that privilege as he was a werewolf. They did not understand that the same wolf was howling inside of him to find his cub, to know if his cub was well and cared for. Failing that, he had spent the last three months in agony but not anymore. He had decided, if they were not going to help him, he will help himself. He will sniff out his cub. After all, the smell of his cub was still very fresh in his mind. He just needed something to keep his mind during the full moon; otherwise it will be of no use.

He spent another three months talking to various Potions Masters for ideas, in England and abroad. At last, his answer came in the form of Severus Snape. He was sure Snape would never ever help him. The greater fear was he would go and tell Dumbledore and he would be restrained again, maybe for ever this time. But it was worth a try. It had to work. Too much was at stake; his loyalty, his promise to Lily and James and above all his own sanity. He would make it work.

So, during the summer of 1982, when Severus was not at Hogwarts, Remus found his house and visited him. It did take much convincing and apologies and reasoning and begging, but Severus relented, on one condition; he will go with Remus to himself witness the boy was alright. If he was fine, which he believed was the case, Remus will take an oath to leave the boy alone. Remus knew the reasons. He was a werewolf and Snape did not trust him even with his enemy's son. He did not mind. He himself had decided that he would interfere only when Harry was not well and happy. If he was being taken care of and loved, he will request only for a few visits a year. The boy did not need the shadow of a werewolf at such a tender age. But the wolf inside him said otherwise. Nonetheless, the wolf will be shut out if his cub was safe.

The next moon was in three days, on the 2nd of July, but Severus could not brew the potion in such a short time. So, the next full moon, 1st of August, was decided for the task. The month was the longest for Remus. Never had he felt so restless before. He wanted the month to pass as fast as possible.

Finally, the day arrived. After the potion, the transformation was not less painful. In fact, Remus felt it even more acutely as he experienced it through his human mind. Yes! It had worked. And it had worked wonderfully. He lightly scratched at the door of the room Severus had warded for the transformation. After making sure that the werewolf understood him and had kept his human mind, Severus unwarded the door and led the werewolf into the open, not once looking towards him. They had shortlisted a few places to begin with, in the one month they had. If they did not find any trace of the boy in any of the places, they would research and try next month. That wasn't necessary. On their fifth location, Remus smelled a whiff of the old scent which was of his cub. He quickly followed it to a muggle neighbourhood, keeping to the shadows of the nearby bushes and trees. Severus too moved with expert stealth.

They reached a place called Privet Drive. The strongest smell was coming from one particular garden, looking exactly like the ones on the right and the left of it. Understanding what the wolf had sniffed out, Severus instructed him to stay hidden and cast a notice-me-not on himself. He peeped through the kitchen window to just catch the tail end of a yell and someone being placed into a boot cupboard and being locked in. The beefy man handling a very small looking boy was saying, "I will not have a freak such as him hog the resources that belong to my son." while a horse-faced woman stood aside, not objecting to the unfair treatment of a mere two-year old child.

That was it. Severus went back to Lupin. Unlike the Gryffindor, he did not have the tendency to run into situations headlong. They needed a plan. He led the werewolf back to his house, no longer bothered of the fact that the creature scared him. He had seen enough abuse in his life and he was not going to let another child face it, even if it was the son of his enemy.

Though the werewolf grumbled and growled, but he followed the dour man anyways. The next morning, he received a pain relief and muscle relaxant which he drank without question. Only after that Severus narrated what he had seen and what were his suspicions. As expected, Lupin stood and began to walk towards the door, murder written on his face. He was blocked by Severus who pulled him back to the kitchen by his wrists.

"We need a plan. Walking right into the house and kidnapping the boy is not an option. Do you think Dumbledore would not have placed hundreds of charms on him? The whole order will be searching for him in no time. We need a plan which will not lead to us and we will be able to help the boy too."

"Why Severus, I did not know you cared."

"Well, now you know. I will not allow another child to be abused. I see enough of that in school."

"But why do you not want to let Dumbledore know?"

"Have you lost your mind finally Lupin? How many times have YOU gone to him to get the custody? You are a Werewolf so you think it reasonable of him to deny you. What about Minerva? Why was SHE denied? I may be working in the order now Lupin but I am not delusional and neither forgetful. You all may have thought he was doing you great deal of good by covering your mistakes but what good did it do to you exactly? For me, it sent me tumbling down into the Dark Lord's lap. Yes I recovered after my first ever raid in the Dark Lord's service but you cannot deny that you four were the only reason I preferred the Dark Lord over Dumbledore. You were children but he was the adult responsible for my well-being too. The only one who punished you was Minerva. The only other who admonished you was Poppy. And those two women hold a much higher place for me than Dumbledore. He was not the first one I went to but Minerva. I know there is nothing stopping you from going to Dumbledore right now and tattle on his little puppet and I don't care."

The last statement was yelled at Remus' face and Severus was breathing rather heavy. He did not even realize he had revealed more than he had ever shared with any living soul whose name was not Minerva or Poppy. Remus knew there was more to it but did not pry. He knew how to accept what was being offered.

"Believe it or not Snape, there is no love lost between me and the Headmaster either. I may have looked like I don't understand but I have noticed how he frames his 'requests' as a repayment for letting me into Hogwarts despite being a Werewolf. The price for keeping my secret is quiet high, I see it. That is why I have taken it upon myself to find my cub. Now that I know he is not safe, I want him here with me, and probably you if you would like to… keep an eye on me maybe."

"Of course you need to be monitored. And who pray tell will give a registered Werewolf the guardianship of a child? You will need someone for the legalities."

Remus could clearly see now that the seemingly unbendable Potions Master would bend on his knees for an abused child. It was most fascinating to see, though, Remus would never say that aloud. Severus would never agree to it anyway.

So, for a week they planned the perfect way to abduct the child, because abduction it would be seen as. Remus went and met the Potter Account manager at Gringotts and secured his help in getting a new identity for the kid and how to hide him. He brought home a list of unplottable properties of the Potters which not even Dumbledore knew about. He found Minerva and Poppy there. After he was assured that they were allies in their endeavour, all four sat and discussed plans. An Uninhabited Island in the middle of the Pacific, the Phoenix Islands, said to be a group of 8 atolls and 2 submerged coral reefs, was decided upon. It was untouched by humans and quiet self-sustained for the quiet wildlife found there. Unknown to mankind, on the shore of one of the atolls islands, facing another over about half a kilometre stretch of water, both islands connected through a strong wooden bridge, slightly submerged in water, [so that if you walked on it, it would look like you are walking on water] there was a big Manor house, belonging to the Potters. The only way to reach there was through a portkey which would only work if a drop of a Potter's blood is added to it. This ensured that nobody could reach the place without the consent of the Potter Heir. The said Portkey can also work more than once.

Remus was sceptical at first, not wanting Harry to grow in isolation from mankind, but was assured by the two women that they will take him on trips, educational as well as holiday. The next obstacle was how will Severus resign from his work without making Dumbledore suspicious? After much deliberation it was decided that Severus will fall ill and Poppy will force him to take a sabbatical. She will also tell Dumbledore that her sister, who is also a medi-witch, will be taking care of Severus while he is ill. And it was true. Poppy's older sister, Elix, was rather fond of Severus. She had married a French man who left her in just two years of marriage as she was infertile. This had put Poppy off of marriage forever. Both the ladies loved children though, and Severus received both the ladies' affections in abundance since he was eleven. Severus did not say how exactly he was going to fall sick but they assumed potions will be involved.

The next thing was how to get Harry out without disturbing the wards. As Minerva was there when Harry was left at his relatives' house, she knew that there was a blood ward on the premise as well as monitoring charms on the baby himself. Poppy was expert in any sort of monitoring charms, so she would be going along with them. It was decided that Poppy and Severus will go to get the boy after midnight. While Poppy will transfer the charms from Harry to an appropriate alternative, Severus will collect his things which they were sure would not be found anywhere near the boy.

On the 14th of August, Severus and Poppy apparated to the park near Privet Drive at 01:00 a.m. In the dead of the night, both the matron and the potions master moved towards the house. They entered through the backdoor and Severus led Poppy to the boot cupboard he had seen the boy being placed last time. Contrary to Severus' prayers, the boy was there, crying silently in a moth eaten mattress. He saw her with wide fearful eyes when Poppy brought him out. She hugged the small child to her bosom to alleviate his fears. Severus knew the child will soon calm down as he had calmed down on so many occasions in his childhood in the warm embrace of this same woman. He spotted a teether on the hallway floor and gave it to Poppy to transfer the spell. Seeing its condition, it was most probably being used so it will give the impression of the abuse the headmaster possibly already knows about. It will help them keep the cover as long as the blood wards hold without being recharged; probably only a couple years.

Severus had to search a bit for the trunk Minerva had insisted on leaving with Harry, much to the annoyance of Dumbledore back then. It was found in the far corner of the attic. It was not opened or robbed only because it was magically locked by Minerva, based on the intention of the care-giver. The fact that it was still locked and untouched made Severus growl with rage, but now was not the time for revenge. The day would come though, and at that time the Dursleys would sorely regret the 9 months they abused the child very much, he promised himself. He shrunk the trunk and tucked it into his pocket. Down below, Poppy was also ready, with a sleeping Harry in her arms. The child looked calm and content.

After putting the child in a cot in Severus' house, Poppy told them about her diagnosis of the child's health. The child had rashes on his backside as well as nether regions due to being left in a wet nappy for too long. His nappy was being changed in may be once a week or less. He was undernourished, underweight and fearful of sudden movements which they did not want to think was due to physical abuse but was evident enough. To raise a hand on a two year old? What monsters had they left him to? The scar on his forehead was not healing and had to be examined. Nevertheless, Harry was with them now and they would work hard to undo the damage. Severus gave Poppy a salve for the rashes and brought out a basket that Lupin and Minerva had prepared for the child. He took out a soft cloth nappy as the rashes were fresh and irritable, a rubber changing mat to be put below the bedsheet, soft baby clothes and a soft blanket, while Lupin heated water in the kitchen to give the child a sponge bath and Minerva helped Poppy to clean the mess and remove the dirty clothes. After the sponge bath, Severus led them to his own bedroom as it was the only bed soft enough for a child and laid down first the rubber mat and then a clean bedsheet, upon which the clothed baby was placed and then was covered in the soft blanket. Minerva transfigured some more pillows and surrounded the baby with them. Poppy cast a monitoring charm to alert them if the baby woke up and they all left the room.

There was only one more room which Severus insisted Minerva and Poppy take. In the sitting room, Remus had already transfigured the sofa into a large bed for two.

"Why do you think I will sleep with you wolf?"

"Well there is no other place so…"

"You take the bed. I will manage."

"Oh come on Severus. I promise I don't bite."

"I never gave you leave to use my given name you know."

Remus blushed at that. "Ah… Well… Sorry."

"You can call me Severus, seeing that we will be working in close proximity from now on."

"Okay."

Remus slept on the transfigured bed while Severus took a pillow and cover and lay in front of the fire. Remus felt guilty but could not object.

The next day, Remus went to Gringotts to arrange the meeting. He came back with a portkey which would take then directly to the Account Manager's office in half an hour. Remus had already talked to the Goblin so there was no trouble. They had also arranged Goblin healers to look at the scar on the child's head when Severus had discovered it to be a curse scar embedded with dark magic, most probably from the night of Lily's and James' deaths. While Poppy went with the healers to the examination chambers, Minerva, Remus and Severus sat with the Account Manager Rubober to discuss their future plans. Poppy joined them after half an hour, looking rather ill at ease.

"What is it Poppy?" Minerva asked.

"That monster. Our little Harry has a piece of his soul in his scar Minerva. And it cannot be removed right now, not until his first bout of magic or when he turns eight, whichever comes first."

"What do you mean by he has his soul piece?" Severus asked.

Just then, the head Goblin healer entered the chamber. "It is our theory that it is not the first soul piece of Voldemort that he detached from himself. one of it, or rather the last broken piece is attached to the child's scar. Breaking the soul, as vile as the process is, requires elaborate rituals. Hence we believe that he had performed the ritual so many times that his soul got unstable. When his body was obliterated, a piece broke and attached itself to the child, to save itself. We also believe that due to this, Voldemort is not really gone forever. We just have to determine and destroy his soul pieces before he finds a way to come back."

"Thank you very much for your kind help. Please tell us how we can finish this task?" asked Remus

"You don't have to do anything Mr. Lupin. When we extract this soul piece from Master Potter, we will be able to ascertain how many more there are and a vague location to search from. You can always commission us. We have the methods."

"Of course. That will be the logical course of action. So, when Harry shows the first signs of accidental magic, we bring him to you?" asked Severus.

"Yes. That will be enough."

The rest of the time was spent in setting up five portkeys with Harry's blood, one each for Remus, Severus, Minerva, Poppy and Elix. For now, all five of them will go there for atleast a week, when they will return to Hogwarts. Within a week, Severus will fake his illness and Elix will take him away, back to Phoenix Island. House-Elves were called and claimed, Estates and Vaults blocked and secured, Guardianships denied to the others except the five named, secrets sealed and only then were this uncommon family relieved and ready.

The trunk that Minerva had packed for Harry to take to the Dursleys had all his necessities; clothes, toys, children's books and everything that a child would need. Elix arrived that evening with her own trunk full of medicines as well as her supplies and necessities. Severus packed his Potions lab and clothes along with some books. Remus did not have much to pack. His belongings all came in one duffle bag. Minerva and Poppy also did not pack much as they had to return in a week's time. The Potter House elves came and took away their belongings, while the elders activated their portkeys, with Harry not willing to be carried by anyone other than Severus. It had been astonishing how after coming from the healers, Harry had not left Severus for a moment. Though Severus grumbled about clingy children in front of the others, they could see that he himself was unwilling to let the others try to take him forcefully. While he was packing, they even noticed him sometimes telling the child about the potions ingredients he was packing at the moment. And Harry! The child looked content and somewhat safe in the arms of the man whom children feared like their childhood demons.

When they reached the island, landing on the foyer of the Mansion, or rather a mini castle, Severus stretched Harry's hand to touch the massive door, which instantly opened to the touch of the Potter heir. They had instructed how they wanted the rooms. The child's room was on the first floor, tastefully decorated and spacious. In the room were four doors; one led to a bathroom which will be used in his later years. The other three led to the bedrooms of Remus, Severus on the first floor and Elix on the second. There were two more guest rooms on the second floor which were prepared for Minerva and Poppy. On the ground floor was a living room, a dining area, a library and a play room. The library was massive and had many books. Severus decided to put his books on an empty shelf on the right wall of the room.

It did not take much time for them to settle down. On the second day, they went out to explore the area. There was a reason why this Island was named the Phoenix Island. Severus could swear that he saw at least two Phoenixes and Minerva agreed. They also heard rustling in the woods that they did not want to explore, so they went to the beach area. When they found the bridge, they decided to explore the other island too. On the other side of the bridge, which was quiet a walk, they discovered an extended beach and a cave and more forest cover. It was a rather nice place to relax. All through the tour, Harry was carried by Severus, who was also explaining to him what they saw, connecting words to things they saw, while Harry tried to pronounce it back. What came out were childish gurgles, but Severus did not mind. Remus' heightened hearing also caught on the name Severus was using, which was not Harry. Caerwyn. That is what Severus called the child. The name was not of English origin and was not being used as a word of endearment but a name. Though, Severus used the name only in privacy. Remus decided to ask Minerva later.

Life in the wilderness of Phoenix Island settled well. They woke up every morning, had their breakfast, relaxed in the beach while watching Harry play with Severus nearby, had lunch, took a nap, went for an evening stroll where they felt the presence of magical animals but never saw them, came back, had dinner, sat in the living room or library where Remus read Harry a book while the others watched, went to bed with always Severus tucking Harry in. The child did not even lie down if it was anyone other than Severus. Though Harry played with everyone, he was clearly most attached to Severus and then Remus. Remus could not find in himself to be envious. He too felt quiet secure in the dour man's presence after all. He had a definite aura of protectiveness which Remus had never experienced ever before. To everyone's excitement, Harry uttered his first clear word after the traumatizing experience of his parents' death and the treatment by the Dursleys just the day before Severus and others had to leave for Hogwarts. What he said was not a surprise for anyone other than Severus. He said, "Da'da… Bird".

While the others turned around to see a rather beautiful Phoenix just taking its flight to probably go back into the depths of the forest cover, Severus kept looking at the child in his arms. Seeing his Dadda not reacting, Harry's demeanour changed to be subdued and he asked as if in fear, "Da'da? Bird No?" and he shook his head to emphasize that he is asking if he said it wrong.

"Yes it is indeed a bird Caerwyn. A very beautiful bird indeed."

At his dadda's approval, Harry's face lit up and he clapped his hand. Severus was confused yet had a warm feeling that the first words out of the child's mouth were to proclaim HIM his dadda. He was delirious with pleasure, but he won't confess it to anyone. He did not need to. His happiness was clear for all to see. Knowing his pride, no one mentioned what they noticed.

The next day, when Severus was packed and ready to leave, Harry was not ready to let go of him, as if sensing that his daddy was going to leave. Severus hugged the child and whispered near his ears, "Caerwyn, listen to dadda. I will be gone for only two days, I promise. Then I will come back to you okay?"

"No…." said Caerwyn and clinged to his dadda even tighter. It took Severus an hour to convince the child to let him go so that he could come back even faster. Harry was not happy, but ultimately let him go. He used the delay to his advantage. When asked why he was late, he sniffed and said he was feeling a bit under the weather. The next night, Poppy called Albus to say that Severus had collapsed when he had come to restock the infirmary and that his condition was not good enough to teach. He needed a sabbatical. After facing the wrath of a nurse protecting her patient, Albus had to give in. The very night, after taking the antidote to whatever potion he had taken to cause the sudden bout of fever and vomiting, Severus was shipped back to Phoenix Island with Elix. As soon as he stepped foot into the Manor, he heard a squeal and a yell, "Da'da home…" and a 28 pound weight crashed into his legs and held him. He barely managed to stay upright. After balancing himself, he picked up the child and proceeded to the library, from where the child had run out from, to find Remus holding a picture book, sporting a huge grin.

Slowly, life settled into a routine. Now that Harry could speak, Severus started on his phonetic drills and speech practice. Harry loved his lessons with his dadda. Minerva even had suggested Severus adopt him but Severus refused, saying that when he was old enough, Harry would decide that himself after knowing all the facts. Remus had also asked Minerva what Caerwyn meant. She had told him that it was a name of Welsh origin and meant love, fair and blessed. Who would have known that the man known by many as a cruel dungeon bat could be such a softy inside? Nevertheless, Remus valued his life and did not want to end up in a cauldron, so he wisely kept his gob shut.

They kept correspondence with Minerva and Poppy. For the Christmas, they decided to visit Germany. Harry was showing rather huge interest in potions and potion ingredients, much to the glee of Severus. So, Severus wanted to show Harry the world's greatest market for potions ingredients which was situated on the magical town of Bremen in Germany. Of course they will also go for sight-seeing and other fun activities.

The months rolled by quiet fast for the three care-takers of one Harry Potter. The Christmas Holiday was a hit, at least for Severus. Caerwyn wasn't satisfied with one single visit, so he made his dadda take him to the huge ingredient market at least two more times before their vacation was up. During those visits, Severus picked some harmless basic ingredients which Caerwyn could use. Remus and Minerva rolled their eyes while the Pomfrey sisters just smiled at the antiques of the small and the big baby, for Severus looked as gleeful as Harry.

Harry soon started making his potions. Severus eagerly started him on the children potions, which did not need precise preparation or heat. Soon, once Harry's hands were steady, he will teach him more. The earlier he starts the better. His Caerwyn was a very gifted child, and intelligent beyond his years. Meanwhile, Remus continued the advanced phonetics Severus had started and started him on reading small stories on his own. Soon, summer rolled in and they got ready for their next trip, this time France. Severus made sure that all of them were properly glamoured so that no one could identify them. This was a popular place for wizarding tourism and also people like Malfoy had their roots here. They did not want to be spotted.

Harry's third birthday was celebrated in Italy, were he received a Potions set from his dadda, which made him ecstatic, and a charmed stuffed Dragon from Remus which he loved to hold while going to sleep. Immediately after returning, he convinced his father to start on his education. So the morning started with some physical exercises like running and hopping and stretches, guided by Remus, who was the more athletic of the two men. After breakfast he was taught theory of spell casting and History of both magical and muggle world, followed by maths, literature and science by Remus. After lunch and nap, Caerwyn spent the rest of the evening till dinner on learning to prepare ingredients and later brewing, with the necessary precautions of course.

Severus had begun to sell his potions under the name of Caerwyn Prince to earn some money. His major clientele was St. Mungo's. Apart from that, almost all small and big apothecaries clamoured to buy his super quality potions. He conducted this business through Gringotts and Rubober helped him to his fullest ability. Nonetheless, when he was called back to Hogwarts just after Caerwyn's fourth birthday, he was very unwilling to go. When he informed the others of the missive, Caerwyn immediately became stiff and upset but did not say anything. He was not in the habit of living without his Dadda. Severus understood his distress. "Caerwyn, come here child."

When Caerwyn came near him, Severus pulled him into his lap and carded his fingers into his hairs soothingly. "I said I have got the missive. I did not say I will be going." That lit the small child up like bulbs lighting up when switched on. "Does that mean you are not going dadda?"

"Well I will have to go for a day or two. They just need to see that my health is no better than two years ago. And Elix can be quiet persuasive when it comes to her patients you know."

True to the prediction, Severus reached Hogwarts two days later, coughing and wheezing, eyes dark and bags appearing below them. There was no man alive who would not pity the very sight. It turned out the wards at Privet Drive had finally fallen, alerting the Headmaster, who was now gathering the old crowd to search for the child. Seeing Severus' condition and the enraged Matron, Albus immediately asked him to go back to his sabbatical and rest. They could conduct the search without him. Seeing his condition after two years of treatment, Albus probably thought he would never recover and the sabbatical would never end. Oh how easy it was to deceive the old fool who deceived the entire world!

The next few years, Harry progressed in leaps and bounds. Just a few months after his fourth birthday, Harry showed his first bouts of accidental magic. He could not reach a book he wanted to read. One moment the book was on the shelf, the next moment he had it in his hands. After that, his training with Remus increased when Minerva sent for him a toy wand. The Goblin healers advised it was too soon and they should wait for him to at least turn six. During the same time, they also discovered that Caerwyn was a Parselmouth, when Severus heard him talking to a snake at the windowsill in hisses. When he accidentally disturbed the serious conversation, he realized that it was not a normal snake at the window but a beautiful occamy. The beautiful creature was later introduced as Cecile. After that incidence, the magical animals often came out in the presence of Caerwyn and his dadda. They discovered that there was a small colony of Peruvian Vipertooth Dragons in the heart of the woods. The occamy also came from a colony containing at least twelve creatures of the species. There were Phoenixes; Fire, ice and shadow, and Caerwyn could talk to all of them. He explained to his dadda that the language of the snakes, occamies and dragons were not much different. It was rather like the difference between British, American and Australian English. The language of the Phoenix though is gifted by them and only them, if they feel the human worthy enough.

With the help from the animals and their folk lore that they told Harry, who listened attentively, Harry developed in more ways than one.

While searching the library one time, Remus had come across a book in a strange language. Harry was there in the room then. Seeing the puzzled look on Uncle Remi's face, he had gotten up to investigate. He found a fairly good book on healing but could not understand why Uncle Remi was frowning. So he asked. To his astonishment, uncle Remi could not read a thing. To him, everything was just squiggles. When Severus had a look and heard both of them, he came to the conclusion that Caerwyn could understand it and Remus could not because the language was something only Caerwyn knew in the house, Parseltongue. And a whole shelf was full of books written in the language. So, a whole new branch of magic was opened to Harry now; Parselmagic, parselhealing, parselwards etc.

By the time Harry turned six, he was quiet adapt at potions. He could brew most potions in the Hogwarts curriculum and was promised to start on advanced after the healer's appointment at Gringotts. His spell casting, charms as well as basic transfiguration, whatever possible with a kids' wand that he had, was perfect. There was nothing left that he could learn with this wand now. He needed an upgrade and Severus promised him one when he turned eight, much to the protest of Remus. A week before his birthday, Harry was sat down by Severus in the living room to have a talk. Both of them were nervous, Severus fearing rejection and Caerwyn sensing the tension in the room. Severus finally gathered his courage and began.

"Caerwyn! There are things that you do not know or rather don't remember, that you must know. I... That is... We feel that you are old enough to know the truth now. Before I begin, know that I really love you and always will, whatever your decision. Caerwyn I am not your father, at least not by blood. You were born Harry James Potter to Lily and James Potter. Lily and James were murdered by an evil man named Voldemort. Then you were sent to your mother's sister. Remus came to me with concerns. I did not believe him at first. You see, your father and I were in the same year at school but did not see eye to eye. We were rather at odds, arch rivals. But when I saw that your relatives were abusing you, I could not leave you there. With the help of Poppy, and Minerva, I and Remus... Kidnapped... You, from your relatives' house. Two years back, when Dumbledore called me? That was when the wards surrounding your aunt's house fell, without you being there to keep it charged. He called me to search for you but seeing my condition, he sent me to rest and get medical aid. When the first time you called me dadda, I could not believe my ears. Each day I fell more in love with you and the idea of being a father but I could not take the choice away from you. So, even when Minerva said to make the guardianship into adoption, I waited for you to be old enough to understand."

Severus fell silent after pouring out his heart to the child who could now break him in a heartbeat. He did not even dare to look up and see the rejection. To his utter astonishment, he felt Caerwyn climb into his lap and hug him tight before saying, "I read in a book in the library that a blood adoption is more permanent than the normal parchment and quill method. Can we do that?"

Such an innocent question, yet so meaningful. "Yes... Yes we can." Said Severus, and hugged his soon to be son tighter. From the other side of the door, hidden, Remus smiled through his tears. Maybe, Maybe he too will someday be a part of this family, if only Severus would look his way.

The process of extricating a soul shard from a body, one which was unwilling to leave the host body, was a painful experience. All through the ordeal, Severus sat beside his soon to be son, taking the small hands in his own, keeping his son grounded and assuring himself that he was still alive and will be alright soon. Several times he wanted to murder the Goblin healers to put his son into such agony. Finally, after a little more than half an hour of painful struggle, it came to an end. The soul piece was transferred to a container and taken away to be destroyed. Harry was asked to rest for some time. He ended up sleeping for two hours straight.

After he woke up, he still felt tired and dizzy. That was going to last a day or two and he will have to sleep it off. Severus told him that the papers for adoption were ready. The blood adoption potion was a regulated item and given out only by Gringotts after the papers were signed. The only thing left before the signing was the name. He proudly said, "I will be Caerwyn Snape." Severus thought for a few moments, then turned to Rubober and asked for some family papers. After examining them, he turned to Caerwyn, "Caerwyn, my mother was disowned by my grandparents after she ran away with a muggle. As she was their only child, and they did not want to give her the heirship, they gave the heirship to me. If I claim it now, I will be Lord Prince and I would like you to be my heir. What do you say?"

"I say it's a great idea. Will it make you happy?"

"Yes"

"Then let's do it."

So they did it. First Severus went through an inheritance test and claimed the Prince lordship, making him Lord Severus Prince, and then naming his son Caerwyn Prince the future heir of house Prince. Severus asked the Goblins to keep his Lordship a secret for now, as he did not want Dumbledore to get suspicious. Once the Goblin Masters finished off the task of eliminating the soul pieces of Voldemort, there will be nothing else to fear.

While they were there and the soul piece was gone, Severus insisted on an Inheritance test for Caerwyn too. So, they had an inheritance test. It turned out Caerwyn was heir to not only Potter but also the Blacks and Peverells. He will be able to claim the heirships at the minimum age of 13.

After getting back, Caerwyn was strictly monitored till he nursed back to health. It took three days. Severus did not go ahead with the adoption for another week. When Caerwyn was ready, Severus added the required seven drops of his blood and gave it to Caerwyn to drink. He drank it eagerly. Magic shot through his body, making him fall to his knees. When he could think straight again, he found his dadda sitting in front of him, looking worried. He felt weak but happy. He was confined to bed for another week by Severus. During this one week, Caerwyn changed. He grew taller by about 2 inches, was still thin but had wiry muscles now, was losing his baby fat as his dadda had always been gaunt and thin, and had midnight black hair, longer than before but curvy unlike his father's straight ones.

All in all, Caerwyn loved his new appearance. After making sure that his son (oh how good it felt to call him that) was well and truly alright, Severus started his promised training in advanced potions. For others, it might be cruel to teach such advanced potions to a six year old but Caerwyn was not a regular six year old, was he? He was intelligent and inquisitive and needed the , while Remus taught him to use his wand, Severus started him on the advanced potions and Elix finally started him on some basic healing. Both Severus and Remus insisted on meditation for at least an hour each day and at least half an hour before going to bed; both for different reasons. While Severus wanted him to master Occlumency before going to school, at least the basic shields, Remus wanted him to attempt the animagus transformation someday.

His training continued on as did their by-yearly excursions. When he turned eight, Severus took Caerwyn to Knockturn Alley for his wand. There was a famous shop in Diagon Alley but to get a wand there meant presenting Caerwyn to the Ministry in a silver platter. They did not want that. There was a shop in Knockturn Alley which made custom made wands without the trace. For core, Caerwyn's friends had given him their scales, feathers and blood. From his occamy friend Cecile he had got her scales, from an elder dragon his blood and from the shadow Phoenix that often visited, his crown feather, much more potent than his tail feather. Now Caerwyn just needed to find a perfect wood to bind these cores together or include any other that may call to him.

At the end of the trip, Caerwyn walked away with rosewood engraved with poison ivy submerged in elder dragon blood as well as Basilisk venom, and occamy scales and Phoenix crown feather as the wand maker was astonished by what he was privileged to make.

By the time Caerwyn was ten, they had visited almost all the countries in Europe, magical and muggle parts alike, and a few out of Europe Christmas before Caerwyn's eleventh birthday, the five elders sat down to discuss where he would go for his schooling. Severus was adamant that it should be Caerwyn's decision. After all, he is the one to actually go there. When the boy was asked, he simply said, "Hogwarts is your alma mater dad. Of course I will go there. And nobody will relate me to the past with my present appearance. What do you think?"

"You are right of course. So, time for Hogwarts?"

"Yes. But people are registered at birth. How will I go?"

"Leave that to me love." Minerva winked at him.

Severus also sent a letter along with Minerva, stating that he was fit enough to resume duties, if not potions master then maybe a help for the hospital wing?

Of course it got selected. Poor Slughorn was working himself ragged taking classes as well as brewing potions for the Infirmary. When summer came, Caerwyn received his letter of acceptance. Both father and son prepared for their new journey to Hogwarts while Remus prepared for his own journey to the muggle world. Over the years, Severus with the help of Caerwyn had improved the Wolfsbane potion manifolds. Now, Remus needed just a day's rest after the transformation. Also, the muggles did not believe in werewolves and thus did not discriminate against them, Remus had a better chance at getting work in the muggle world. So, now that both Severus and Caerwyn would be gone and Elix also decided to go back to her own clinic after nine years of absence, Remus decided to try his luck in muggle London. He would return to the Island for his transformation, as the forest cover gave him space and freedom and the animals did not fear or disturb him due to their connection with Caerwyn.

Before leaving, Remus and Elix had gifts for little Caerwyn. Remus gave him two books, one the Marauders' Prank Journal which also consisted of the charms they had used to make the Marauders' Map and another on animagus transformation. After the extrication of the Soul shard from his scar, the ever present scar had healed and vanished and it had opened the child's core to its full strength. That is why it was easier for Caerwyn to master spells that not even grown wizards easily could. From Elix he got a huge book on Healing magic, which included advanced healing. Over the last five years, Caerwyn had come a long way in healing. He could already brew the necessary potions and had learnt how to diagnose ailments. Elix often took him on field trips to the clinics of her friends for hands-on experience. This was the next step; How to magically heal a major injury. Poppy will continue his training in Hogwarts where he can help her and his dad treat the students.

Caerwyn Prince wanted to be introduced as the son of Severus Prince but knew the risks. For now, he will be introduced as the last living family member of a distant cousin of Severus Snape who used to live in France. After the death of both the parents, Caerwyn had come under the care of Severus. That was the story they were to stick to. So, Minerva had told Albus about the cousin and the child Severus had to take in. As the child is magical, he wants to send him to his alma mater for his schooling. That fit well. Albus easily bought the story. So, in a few days, the Wizarding World will finally meet Caerwyn Prince. Were they ready for it? Who really knows.