Most Evil Plan
Chapter 10
A Last Meal
(goes back in time a bit-Harry's POV, meets up AD's announcement)
The minute Snape dismissed them Harry ran out the door, Hermione quickly trailing after him.
"Harry," she panted as she caught up with him under a tree by the lake. "Are you okay?"
"Just peachy," Harry replied flippantly, not looking up. "After all, according to that potion, my father is still alive."
"It doesn't change anything," Hermione said consolingly.
"Ha!" Harry laughed mockingly. "This from the girl who was debating how this effects my house assignment…with Malfoy of all people."
"Well, Malfoy did have an interesting poin-," Hermione started to argue, trailing off at the glare she received from Harry. "Sorry, I'm sure that didn't help."
"No, it didn't," Harry agreed.
"This probably won't help either, but you know, when you glared like that, you really do resemble Professor Snape."
That just earned her another glare and an inquiring lift of an eyebrow.
"So does that," she mumbled quietly.
"And let me guess," Harry drawled sarcastically, "when I leave a room, my robes billow out behind me, adding to the resemblance?"
Of course, this further connection to Snape just caused Hermione to stifle a laugh.
"And Merlin forbid that I wear black, that would totally clinch it," Harry continued, ignoring Hermione's latest outburst. "After all, we know how uncommon black robes are to wizards."
"Merlin," Harry mumbled, a few moments later after Hermione stopped laughing, "Are you going to look for things we have in common in everything that happens now? Because if you do, you will probably find it, even if we aren't related."
"Harry, surely you still can't believe that it isn't true?"
"Why should I believe it?"
"Harry," Hermione sighed, "What more proof do you need?"
"More than the fact that I resemble him when I glare in anger, lift an eyebrow in bewilderment, sound like him when I use sarcasm, wear black and have dark!"
"Well what about the fact that you tested the Amevi potion seven times. Once using my potion," Hermione argued. "Then there's the fact that we just spent the afternoon brewing the Consanguinitas potion. All of these potions showed the same results: Severus Snape is your father."
"I'm gonna go see Dumbledore," Harry said, as he jumped up and raced off towards the castle before Hermione could say another word.
Harry raced down the corridor away from the headmaster's office, hoping to outrun the words he just heard.
"Harry," Hermione called as he ran by her. "What happened?"
Harry just continued to run, ignoring his friend's call. With a sigh, Hermione chased after him.
"Harry, slow down," she called.
As if hitting an invisible wall, Harry came to an abrupt stop.
"Harry, what happened?" Hermione asked after she caught her breath. "What did Professor Dumbledore say?"
Harry remained silent as he just stared at the rippling lake.
"Surely it isn't that bad," she comforted. "Now tell me what the headmaster said."
"I didn't get a chance to talk to him," Harry said quietly.
"Why not? I'm sure he would've found the time for you, especially after you told him how important this was."
"Sna- er, somebody was already in there with him," Harry answered, looking around the lake for something to use as a distraction.
"Who?" Hermione asked suspiciously, repeating the question when Harry refused to meet her eyes. "Who was in his office?"
"Snape," Harry quietly admitted.
"Harry!" Hermione hissed, "You should've gone in there anyways. That would have been the perfect time to discuss the situation."
"What situation?" Harry asked trying to sound innocent.
"Gee, maybe the situation that Professor Snape is your father. You also could have used the opportunity to express your doubts or to get some answers."
"After what I heard, I don't think I have any more doubts, or that I'll be able to ask any questions," Harry mumbled.
"Why not?" Hermione asked. "And what do you mean 'what you heard?'" Hermione accused, "Were you listening in on their conversation?"
"No!" Harry denied emphatically, "At least, not on purpose. I guessed Dumbledore's password and walked up the stairs. As I got closer I heard them talking. Apparently, Snape was telling Dumbledore what happened in class and the identity of his child."
"Well, if Professor Snape is admitting it, then what's the problem?"
"He's not really admitting it," Harry explained.
"But you just said that he was telling the headmaster about you," Hermione responded in confusion. "If that's not admitting it, what is?"
"He wouldn't say it. Snape must've dropped hints to Dumbledore about the identity of his son, because he was quite positive that Dumbledore knew, but apparently Dumbledore wouldn't let him leave until he said it out loud.
"At least I don't feel so bad now," Harry continued, "After all, I haven't-and won't- say it out loud either. And don't you dare even think about how that's another 'resemblance' between us."
"Harry, you'll have to face this sooner or later."
"Why?" Harry asked. "Obviously he's not happy about it and I know that I'm not, so why can't we just pretend it didn't happen?"
"Perhaps you might be able to," Hermione admitted, "Although it wouldn't have been beneficial for your mental health."
"I think denying it or pretending that it never happened at all would be more beneficial for my mental health," Harry said with a sneer, "then allowing Snape to be a father to me."
"It doesn't matter now, anyways," Hermione said, continuing after an inquiring glance from Harry, "Too many people. Professor Snape already told the headmaster. Everyone in our potions class was there for the original results, and they know about the second potion we were testing this afternoon. I wouldn't be surprised if Malfoy said something, or at least found a way to reveal the results to his friends, even if Professor Snape told us not to speak of the results.
"Plus, there's what happened at lunch. I'm sure that rumors are circulating like crazy. And I wouldn't be surprised if someone included this information in an owl to their parents. Too many people are already involved; pretending it didn't happen will be futile."
Harry sighed as he realized the truth of her words, still, just once, he would have liked to have some control over his own life.
"Hermione, all I've ever wanted was a normal life. I'm sixteen years old and just found out that almost everything I believed about myself was a lie.
"If Snape is my father, do you know how much more difficult my life will become? I will not only be the boy-who-lived, but the Gryffindor son of Slytherin's head of house and an ex-death eater. Rumors about me being the heir of Slytherin will probably start up again, as well as questions about my loyalty. And we can't forget the fact that after fifteen years, I will suddenly have a father. And not just any father, but one that I will be in contact with everyday. I can't even be normal in that way. While everyone else is at boarding school away from their parents, mine will be in the dungeons watching my every move, and probably still trying to find a way to get me expelled.
"So I hope you understand why I say that I just want to forget about all of this, at least for a few days. Surely that isn't too much to ask?"
"No, Harry, it isn't," Hermione admitted in understanding. "Come on, let's go to the feast. I promise not to say another word about this for a few days unless you do, okay?"
"Thanks," Harry said as the two headed towards the castle.
"Harry, where have you been?" Ron asked as Harry and Hermione took their seats at the Gryffindor table. "How did it go this afternoon? Were you right?"
Harry gave a pleading look to Hermione, hoping that she would intervene. He didn't want to lie to his friend, but he knew that the minute he revealed the results Ron would make a scene.
"Harry, you wouldn't believe the rumors that are flying around the school," Dean interrupted.
Harry sighed and looked around the table, while he was grateful that he was prevented from answering Ron's question, he really wasn't sure if he wanted to hear the rumors, especially if they were about Snape's child.
"Don't worry," Seamus grinned, when his eyes met Harry's. "I learned my lesson. I won't believe anything I hear or read about you unless you tell me."
"Thanks," Harry said returning the grin. He was grateful for his roommate's support; he just hoped it was still there when they discovered that he was Snape's son.
"They're saying that you are Snape's son!" Parvati complained in disgust, "Like I would attend the Yule Ball with Snape's son."
Harry rolled his eyes as he tried to ignore his housemates and eat his dinner. He was right about one thing, he didn't want to know the rumors.
"Oh, but the best rumor," Lavender gushed, pausing to make sure she had everyone's attention, "Is the one that said that Snape doesn't have one child, but three!"
"Ack," Harry coughed and choked in surprise. He never even thought about the fact that he might have siblings.
"I know," Lavender agreed. "Can you imagine Snape with three kids?"
"What's so great about that rumor?" Hermione asked after she made sure that Harry had recovered from his choking fit.
"Oh!" Lavender blushed. "I haven't told you the best part yet. According to the latest rumor, Snape's kids are triplets, and all of them attend Hogwarts."
"Three more Snapes at Hogwart's," A Gryffindor seventh year moaned. "Merlin, I can't wait until June."
"As if one wasn't hard enough to deal with," another complained.
"That's insane," Neville stated, shaking at the thought of four Snapes at Hogwarts. "How could you hide three Snapes?"
"With magic, of course," one of the seventh years answered with a laugh.
"Anyways," Lavender interrupted impatiently, "the absolute best part is who they say Snape's kids are."
"Who?" A curious Gryffindor asked, while others echoed the sentiment. After all, if there were three Snapes at the school, they needed to know who to avoid.
"Draco Malfoy," Lavender answered to the unsurprised crowd. After all, if bets had been placed about the student most likely to be the Head of Slytherin's son, Draco wasn't exactly a long shot.
"Harry Potter," Lavender continued, again with little response from the crowd as most had already heard-and dismissed-the rumor that he was Snape's child.
"And our own Hermione Granger."
"I wish," Harry mumbled. At least if Hermione was his sister he could be assured a friendly face at the family dinner table.
"What!" Hermione exclaimed in response to Lavender's latest revelation. "That's preposterous."
"She even sounds like him," a third year grumbled. "Next thing you know she'll be calling all of us dunderheads."
Hermione just glared in the third year's direction and said, "Well, you are acting like one."
"Gee, Hermione," Harry said with a smirk, "When you glare like that, you do resemble him a bit."
"Ha, ha, Harry," Hermione joked, now understanding why he was so upset when she pointed out the superficial comparisons to Professor Snape.
"Merlin, I hope it's true," a second year prayed.
"What?" Harry and Hermione exclaimed in unison.
"I-I-I" the second year stuttered after he realized that they heard him. "I just meant that if Snape had two kids in Gryffindor, he might be nicer to all of us."
"I wouldn't count on that," Harry said as he pushed his plate away from him, only to have it disappear. "I'm going to head back to the tower. I'll seearrHH
you later," he addressed Ron and Hermione as he made a move to stand up.
"Now?" Ron responded, "It's still early."
"Harry wait," Hermione said, placing a hand on his arm to keep him seated. "Do you want company?"
"No," Harry answered.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked, checking to make sure he wasn't upset.
"Yeah, I just want to be alone while I think about all of this."
"Okay, then," Hermione agreed, before adding, "We'll be up in a bit to distract you so that you can forget about it all afterwards."
"Thanks, sis," Harry said with a grin as he stood up.
"Harry?" Ron asked as he noticed Harry groan and sit back down a second later. "Is everything okay?"
"Is it your scar?" Hermione whispered as Harry began to clutch his head and chant 'No, no, please don't'.
"I wish," Harry said as he pointed to the head table, where Albus Dumbledore had stood to address the students and faculty.
"Attention…Attention please," Albus said as he held his hand up for silence.
"He wouldn't," Harry mumbled, before he started to bang his head against the table in defeat.
Glancing around the Great Hall, Albus finally spoke. "I'd like to put all these rumors to rest."
At those words, students and professors once more started to talk, ignoring the headmaster as he once again tried to gain everyone's attention. Most of the occupants in the Great Hall interpreted his words to mean that the rumors were in fact, just that. Rumors.
"To rest?" A Hufflepuff asked, "does that mean that it isn't true?"
"It really was too good to be true," a first year Gryffindor commented to his friend.
"Yeah, I know. I guess that means that Snape won't be nice to Gryffindors. I was hoping that the second year was right. He didn't even have to be nice, but it would've been nice if he was at least he would be more tolerable."
"Malfoy," Nott asked, "What happened this afternoon? What did that other potion say?"
"Nott, you should know by now that potions don't talk. Therefore the potion didn't say anything," Malfoy drawled. Much as he would like to share this news with his classmates, he would like even more to stay in the good graces of his Head of House, who commanded his three students to remain quiet about the results.
"I didn't think it was true," a Ravenclaw confided to his friends. "After all, who would want to be with Snape."
"Harry," Ron asked in a whisper, "Does that mean you were right? That it isn't true?"
"Of course, it's not true!" Dean defended, "Snape and Harry have nothing in common."
"I don't know," Seamus speculated, looking at Hermione as she tried to stifle a laugh and Harry glaring at the headmaster. "He looks a bit like Snape, right now."
"Must be the black robes," Harry drawled sarcastically, as he turned his glare to Seamus and Hermione.
"That's not really helping you much, mate," Ron pointed out, falling into silence when Harry turned his glare full force on him.
"At least we can continue with our Potter-bashing parties," a Slytherin exclaimed excitedly.
"I'm sorry, Severus," Minerva comforted, leaning across Albus's vacant seat to whisper to her comrade. "I was really hoping that it was true…for your sake."
"And the child's?" Snape retorted.
"I still think any child would be fortunate to have you as a father," Minerva defended her earlier stance. "You would've been a great father."
"To any child but a Gryffindor, though, correct?" Snape spontaneously commented, hoping the hurt he felt earlier would be misinterpreted as sarcasm or feelings of disgust.
Minerva gave him a calculated look before continuing, "I stand by what I said. You would've been a terrific father, to any student. I'm serious," she continued as Snape gave her a look of disbelief. "All of the professors believe it, why do you think we have acted like 'first-time grandmothers' at this news. We only have to look at you to know how much you care for your students."
Snape turned away and took a sip from his goblet as Albus once more tried to gain the attention of the students. "I think you've been playing with the catnip a little too long."
"Don't try that on me, Severus Snape. I know what I know. You wouldn't do what you've been doing for the last sixteen years if you didn't care," she hissed. "And you do care, even if you rarely show it, and even then, it is only your Slytherins that see it."
"And you say this…why?" Severus asked curiously.
"Because I have eyes that see and ears that hear. Why else would your Slytherins be so loyal and supportive of you?"
"Threats and bribery," Severus drawled coldly.
"Plus," Minerva added with Gryffindor honesty and a Slytherin-like smirk ignoring Severus's defense, "I've overheard you a few times when you talked to them."
Severus sighed; he should have known a curious Gryffindor would spy on him.
"I didn't mean to, it just happened," she admitted apologetically.
Definitely, a Gryffindor, Snape thought, no Slytherin would apologize for overhearing a conversation.
"That's how I know that you would've been a terrific father. I've already witnessed you in that role to your students."
At least she knew better not to confront him at the time and in front of the students, Severus thought as he turned his attention back to the headmaster.
"Quiet please," Albus demanded, once the sound of voices had lessened. "As many of you know, there have been numerous rumors speculating that one of your professors has recently discovered that he is a father. I am here to inform you that you should not always believe what you hear."
Oh, thank you, Severus thought in relief. Why did he doubt the headmaster?
"However, in this case, there is truth to these rumors."
That's why, Severus remembered, as he turned to glare at the headmaster, willing him to take his seat and resume his meal without saying anything else.
"It is my pleasure to announce that Severus Snape has indeed discovered that he is a father," the headmaster continued, pausing when applause broke out at the head table, which increased as many students took this as a cue and joined in.
"Yes, yes," Albus stated, once more gaining control of the room. "Congratulations, Professor Snape.
"As I'm sure many of you realize this has been quite a shock to both Professor Snape and his child. The truth was revealed during a NEWT potion lesson where students were assigned the task of brewing the Amevi potion. After being tested numerous times, the results were confirmed earlier today with the brewing of an additional potion. Professor Snape then joined me in my office where he confirmed the truth of the rumors that most of you have been feasting on, as well as the identity of his child.
"Now, I would like all of you to join me in a toast as we congratulate Professor Snape and his son, Harry Potter on finding one another."
As the professors at the head table started to cough and choke on their pumpkin juice, when the identity of his 'son' was revealed, only Severus and Hermione noticed Potter storming out of the Great Hall as Ronald Weasley bellowed, "Why didn't you tell me!" behind him.
"Merlin," Neville whispered, "I'm sharing a dorm room with Snape's son!"
END CHAPTER 10
What do YOU think of Dumbledore? If you were Harry (or Snape), how would you react to what he just did? (I really need to know)
How will the school (and the world) react to the news?
Thanks to juliedecarson for beta'ing this chapter.
I apologize for the delay in posting it...between the holidays & moving & job searching, things have been hectic...
UPCOMING:
CHAPTER 11 CONGRATULATIONS, IT'S A…
-Harry reacts to Dumbledore's announcement
-Snape communicates with Voldemort again
12/19/05