Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter 5

He floated weightlessly in a sea of black free of pain, guilt, and sorrow. He wanted nothing more that to let go and stay there forever, but there was something holding him back. There was a tenuous connection that simply would not let him go. It was pulling him, calling him, begging him to come back. He didn't want to go back. If he went back his uncle would only hurt him again and again. He was safe here. You deserved it, a small voice said. You lead your own godfather to his death. You deserve that and more.

The darkness was fading and he could hear distant voices. Please, he thought, I just want to rest. He tried to speak, to tell the voices to be quiet so he could sleep, but his mouth was too dry. He opened his eyes, but the light was too bright so he closed them again and groaned.

"Harry," someone said softly. "Come on. Wake up, Harry."

He shook his head slightly and managed to whisper, "light."

He saw the light behind his eyes dim. "Try again, Harry."

Harry opened his eyes and blinked to clear them. He automatically reached for his glasses, but froze with his hand halfway to the table. He could see perfectly without his glasses.

"What is it, Harry?" Madame Pomfrey asked.

"I can see without my glasses," he said, confused.

She frowned. "That is strange." She looked to someone standing on the other side of the bed. "Is this because the potion is starting to wear off?"

Harry looked over as well, and was startled to see Snape standing beside the bed.

"Yes, it is. James was the one with the bad eyesight," Snape said. He turned to Harry. "How are you feeling, Mr. Potter?"

Harry stared at him eyes wide with shock at his concern until Madame Pomfrey cleared her throat. "I....um....I'm fine, thank you," he said. "What was that about a potion, and my dad? What's going on?" He glanced at the nurse then back to Snape.

"Poppy, please ask Albus to join us and tell him to bring the letter." Harry started to speak, but Snape held up a hand for him to stop. "Everything will be explained when Albus gets here."

Harry lay in bed as they waited, occasionally glancing curiously at Snape who was pacing nervously by the bed. What had happened? Harry had always thought Snape hated him, and yet, he was acting so concerned and almost nice. Harry looked over as the door to the infirmary opened and the headmaster walked in.

"It's good to see you awake, Harry," Albus said. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes, sir," he said as he sat up. Snape came over and place several pillows behind Harry's back to help support him. "Thank you," Harry said, surprised.

Snape nodded before speaking to Albus. "I believe we need to tell him now. His eyesight has improved and his appearance has already started changing."

Harry frowned. "I look different? Why?" At Snape's sharp look he added, "sir."

"Everything should be explained in this letter," Albus said and handed a letter to Harry as he sat in a chair next to the bed.

The letter was obviously very old and was addressed to him. He hesitated for a moment before opening it. It was from his mother.

Dear Harry,

There is something very important you need to know so I am giving this letter to Albus. He has promised to give it to you soon after your sixteenth birthday if James and I are gone. Up until now you have probably believed that James was your father. This is not true. We wanted a child very much, but James was unable to father children so we convinced one of my old school friends to help us using a Muggle procedure. We told Albus, but, with his permission, placed him under a memory charm that ended on your birthday. Your real father also asked for a memory charm because it would have put both of you in danger if certain people found out. If Albus has done as I asked your father's memory charm has already been removed.

As for your appearance, we used a potion to make you look like James's son. It should start to wear off around your birthday. I'm sorry you were lied to, but it was to protect you and my friend. We both love you very much and I hope you can forgive us.

I suppose you are now intensely curious about who your real father is. Before I tell you, I ask that you give him a chance. He has made mistakes in the past which I know he is not proud of, but he is doing his best to make up for them. He was a wonderful friend and I believe he can be an even better father. His name is Severus Snape.

Our Love Always,

Mum and James

Harry was in shock when he finished the letter. He looked over at Albus who nodded. Snape was standing at the end of the bed with his back to Harry. Snape is my father? It can't be true. It's a joke. His father can't be the man who has made his life miserable for the last five years. "No," Harry whispered.

"Harry...." Albus started.

"NO! It . . .it can't be. . . "

Albus laid his hand on Harry's shoulder. "It's true."

"But he hates me," Harry said, gesturing toward Snape.

Snape turned quickly to face him and Harry saw pain and confusion in his eyes. "I don't. . ." He shook his head and looked down. "I don't hate you, Harry."

"You sure fooled me." Harry stated sarcastically.

Snape's eyes blazed with anger and Harry shrank back against the bed in fear. "Of course I fooled you. You know who else I fooled? All the Death Eater children in my class. How long do you think I would have lasted as a spy if those children had told their parents that I treated you or any of the Gryffindors well in class? Yes, I hated James Potter. I thought you were just as spoiled and arrogant as he was and that was part of the reason I treated you the way I did, but I am willing to admit I might have been wrong about you. I am willing to try, but apparently you don't want to." With that he stormed out of the infirmary.

They watched him leave in silence Harry's face was flushed with anger and shame. He had never even considered the possibility that the way Snape treated everyone might be an act. Harry ran a hand through his hair. "I didn't handle that very well, did I?"

Albus leaned back in his seat. "Considering the situation, that wasn't too bad. Please just give Severus a chance. I believe he truly regrets the way he treated you."

Harry sighed. "Would you tell him I want to talk to him?"

Albus nodded. "Well, it's time for me to go. Get some rest." He said, standing.

Harry watched him leave, lost in thought. Snape was his father. It was just too strange to believe. Could he get past their former enmity and accept Snape as his father? Harry thought over the past five years. He remembered all the insults and snide comments in Potions and the attempts to get him in trouble. He remembered all the undeserved detentions and Snape's brutal way of trying to teach him occlumency.

Then he remembered how Snape had saved his life in first year and how he had sent the Order to save them last year. He vaguely remembered Snape rescuing him for the Dursleys and how carefully and gently Snape had carried him. Okay, he thought doubtfully, I'll give him a chance.

The next time he woke the sun was just starting to set. He stretched and realized he was a lot less sore than he had been. Deciding he wanted a bath, he started to get out of bed, but scrambled back into it as Madame Pomfrey entered.

"I saw that," she said as she came over to Harry's bed. "You need to stay in bed for the next few days." She gestured for him to lie back as she examined him. After a couple of minutes she finished and put her wand away. "You're recovering nicely. Was there anything you needed?"

"I would like to take a bath," he admitted.

"Alright, I'll get you some clean clothes."

Harry sat back up and waited. When she returned she had a pair of hospital pajamas. She helped Harry to the bathroom and left after making him promise to yell if he needed help. Harry took a long bath, letting the hot water soothe his aching body. After he had gotten out and dressed he caught sight of himself in the mirror and froze in shock. His hair was a bit longer, silkier, and much tamer than before. It also looked like there were red highlights where the light hit it. His face was a thinner and he had grown a couple of inches. I wonder how I'll look when the potion completely wears off. I just hope I don't get his nose. He took one last look in the mirror before heading back to bed.

He was only in bed for about five minutes when Sna– his father came in with a tray of food. He set the tray on the table and sat in a chair by the bed. They sat in silence for a minute before Harry spoke.

"I'm sorry, sir, about. . . ."

Snape frowned. "You're sorry? I'm the one who blew up at you this afternoon. I should not have reacted like that toward you, especially considering what you've been though."

"But. . . "

"No, Harry. You did not know about the reason I had for treating you the way I did. You're reaction was normal considering the situation."

Harry lowered his eyes to his hands. "I guess . . . I did need to apologize for one thing. I 'm really sorry for looking in your penseive last year."

Snape sighed. "I know, Harry. Don't worry about it."

"So what happens now?"

"When you leave the infirmary in a few days you will be staying in my quarters until school starts. We will have to have a meeting with Albus to discuss how we are going to handle this. "

Harry yawned. "Okay"

Snape stood up. "I'll let you get some rest." He pointed to the tray of food. "Try to eat something before you fall asleep. You are much too thin." He didn't notice the small smile on Harry's face as he left.

A/N thanks to everyone who reviewed. I don't have time to thank everyone individually because it is about two in the morning and I need some sleep. Someone did ask about the Dursleys. I am not sure yet if they will be getting a visit from Sev or not. I hope you all enjoy the chapter and I will try to get the next one out in about a week.