Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Snape raced to Harry's bedroom wondering what on earth could make him scream like that. He stopped in the doorway shocked by the sight that met him. Harry was thrashing around on the bed and screaming. Snape ran to the bed and grabbed Harry by the shoulders, trying to wake him.

"Harry," Snape yelled as he shook Harry gently. "Harry, please wake up."

Harry's eyes popped open wide with fear as he flinched violently away from Snape.

''Harry, it's alright. You're safe." Snape awkwardly pulled Harry into his arms. Harry stiffened slightly, but relaxed as Snape started rubbing his back. Harry clung tightly to him, trembling slightly and Snape felt the last of the walls he had built up around his heart crumbling as he comforted his child. Snape held him for a few minutes until he pulled back out of the embrace. Snape was oddly reluctant to release him. It had been a long time since he had such close physical contact with someone and he had forgotten how good it felt to be needed.

"What happened, Harry?" Snape asked gently.

Harry shuddered. "It was a vision," he said. He then repeated exactly what he had witnessed.

Snape listened closely as Harry described his vision. He had no knowledge of these plans. Of course, that might not mean anything. Voldemort was very suspicious and kept many of his plans a secret to all except those who needed to know. What could this item he was searching for be? Who had Wormtail found? He would have to speak with Dumbledore about this tomorrow.

"Sir?''

Harry's voice brought him back to the present. "Sorry, Harry, I was just thinking. I will have to speak with Albus tomorrow morning about your vision. Right now I think you need to get back to sleep. Do you want some Dreamless Sleep potion?"

Harry nodded.

Snape searched through his pockets and pulled out a vial which he handed to Harry. Harry drank the potion and lay back against the pillows. Snape covered him with the blankets and brushed a lock of hair off his forehead.

"Thank you," Harry whispered sleepily.

"You're welcome. Goodnight, son." Snape said as he left the room. He smiled when he just barely heard Harry's reply.

"Night, Father.''

The next day Harry woke up wondering why his whole body was aching. He lay in bed for several minutes before he remembered his vision. Harry smiled as he of how his father had held him like he really cared. He had never thought of Severus as the comforting type, but he was actually rather good at it.

Harry sat up as Severus walked in and set the tray he was carrying on the table next to the bed.

"Good morning, I brought you breakfast. I thought you might be too sore to get up right away." Severus gave Harry a vial off of the tray. "This will help with the pain. You should stay in bed until lunchtime at least." Harry frowned slightly and started to speak, but Severus interrupted him. "Don't argue with me, Harry. You were in a great deal of pain last night and your body needs to recover."

Harry realized Severus was worried about him. "I will if you want me to, but it doesn't hurt that bad anymore,'' Harry said as Severus placed the tray in his lap.

Severus placed a book on the table as he stood. "Thank you. Here is something for you to read. I will be in my study for most of the morning if you need me."

After he finished his breakfast Harry tried to read for a while, but his thoughts kept straying to his father. It was hard to believe he was the same person who ridiculed and taunted Harry for the past five years. This Severus Snape was still rather sarcastic and blunt, but he was also kind and caring and genuinely concerned about Harry's welfare. Harry fell asleep feeling, for the first time he could remember, that he really belonged.

Harry woke up later that afternoon hearing voices coming from the other room. As he was passing the fireplace in his room he caught sight of himself in the mirror above the mantel. He hadn't looked in a mirror in about a week, and the changes were startling. He had high cheekbones and chin length black hair. His facial structure and mouth were just like his father. It looked like he got his mother's nose (thankfully) and he still had her eyes. It was very disconcerting to see a stranger's face in the mirror. He wondered how long it would be before he would get used to his new look. Oh well, nothing I can do about it, he quickly dressed and went into the sitting room. His father and Dumbledore were seated by the fire drinking tea. Severus looked up as he entered.

"Good, you're awake." He waved his wand and a plate of sandwiches appeared. "You missed lunch, you can eat while we talk. We have a few things to discuss."

Harry sat and grabbed a sandwich from the plate. ''What do we need to talk about?''

Dumbledore leaned forward fixed his eyes on Harry. ''The first item we need to discuss is what we are going to do about your new appearance. Obviously, we cannot let people know that Severus is Harry Potter's father. At least if he continues to spy on Voldemort.''

''Albus-'' Severus started.

''I know you do not want to stop spying, but the risk to you will be even greater if you continue.'' Albus said, his concern for the younger man showing in his eyes.

Severus stood and paced in front of the fireplace. ''We've discussed this. I can't stop spying, we need the information I can get.''

''I know, Severus, I just don't want to lose you to get that information, but, like I told you earlier, it is your decision.'' Dumbledore poured himself more tea before continuing. ''So that leaves us with two options. We could cast a charm on you, Harry, to make you look like you did before. It would not be permanent and it can be dispelled. For that reason this would be the most dangerous option, and your contact with Severus would have to be limited. He would not be able to change his behavior." Dumbledore sighed. "There would also be the matter of your living situation. We would have to let you go back to the Dursleys." Severus growled. "With an Order member there to ensure you are not harmed, of course."

"Why couldn't I get a new guardian?" Harry asked, his eyes filled with fear at the possibility of returning to his relatives' home.

"I'm sorry, Harry. In order to do that we would have to press charges against your aunt and uncle. This would mean that you would have to testify in court about what they did, but anything we did to change your appearance would be dispelled when you entered the courtroom. We would have to explain why you look different, and we couldn't do that unless Severus stopped spying."

Harry felt panic rising in his chest. I can't go back there. I just can't. I don't care if there is someone there with me. He'll find a way to get to me. I know it. He was gasping for breath, and the room was spinning. He'll kill me this time. He won't waste time beating me. He'll kill me the moment he gets a chance. Harry didn't see or hear Severus in front of him. All he could see was his uncle's enraged face. Suddenly he felt a splash of ice cold water in his face. He looked up at his father in shock.

Severus knelt in front of Harry and placed his hands on either side of Harry's face. "Focus on me. Take a deep breath, Harry. And another." Harry felt himself calm as he listened to his father's voice. "That's good, Harry. It's okay. No one is going to make you go back to the Dursleys."

"Are you alright?" Severus asked. Harry nodded and he flushed with embarrassment at his reaction. Severus sat on the couch next to Harry.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to upset you." Dumbledore said.

"It's okay, sir." Harry whispered. "What was the other option?"

Dumbledore glanced at Severus before continuing. "Well, you could be enrolled here under a different name as Severus' son. We could use muggle make up to cover your scar, and there is a charm I could teach you to make sure it doesn't come off easily. Also, your hair covers now, so even if it did come off it wouldn't be noticeable. We would have to devise a reason for 'Harry Potter's' disappearance, but I believe I could think of something."

Harry frowned. "I wouldn't be able to tell Ron and Hermione, would I?"

Severus looked at him sadly. "I'm afraid not, Harry, we would have to keep it a secret."

Harry thought about that for a few minutes. What should I do? I know Ron will hate me if he doesn't know who I really am, but I don't want to put my father in any more danger. It seems like the second option would be safer for him. And there is no way I am going to choose to go back to the Dursleys. I guess there's only one choice. "Well I...I think we should do the second one. I hate not being able to tell Ron and Hermione, but it sounds like that would be safest."

"Well, that's settled." Dumbledore said. "Now it might be a good idea to have Tonks pretend to be you a couple of times so that you and Harry Potter are seen together."

"Good idea, Albus. I trust you will take care of the paperwork for him." Severus said.

Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, I'll just need to know what his name will be."

Severus thought about it and then grabbed a quill, ink, and parchment from a table. He spent a few moments writing and crossing words out until Harry started to get impatient. Finally he looked up at Harry. "What do you think of Derek Alexander Snape?"

Harry met his eyes and smiled. "I like it."

Dumbledore stood. "I'll get that paperwork taken care of. I suggest the two of you join us for dinner, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor will be arriving tonight. Oh, and it might be best to address Harry as Derek at all times from now on. He will need to get used to the new name"

Severus nodded. "That would be best. We will be at dinner, Albus."

After Dumbledore left, Severus looked at Harry intensely. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes," he said. "I...I want to be your son."

Severus smiled slightly. It was the first real smile Harry had seen from him. "Thank you, Derek."

They spent the rest of the afternoon playing chess and reading by the fire. It was the most relaxing afternoon Harry had spent in a long time. At the Dursley's he was always working or trying to avoid his uncle, and even during the school year there was always something he needed to do. Here he could just relax and be himself. When it was time for dinner Severus helped Harry conceal his scar before they headed to the Great Hall. Severus stopped when they reached the doors.

"Are you ready?"

Harry nodded nervously and his father opened the doors. As they walked toward the head table, Harry noticed most of the professors were watching them curiously. Just about everyone was there, the only professors missing were the DADA professor and the Muggle Studies professor. He saw several people looking between him and his father, noticing the similarities in their appearances. When they reached the table, Harry took a seat between Severus and McGonagall.

Dumbledore stood. "I'm sure all of you have noticed our young guest. I'd like to introduce Severus' son, Derek Snape. He will be starting school here in this year."

There was a shocked silence for a moment after Dumbledore sat down. Then McGonagall spoke up.

"Well, Severus, I was unaware you had a son."

Severus snorted. "So was I," he said and went back to eating.

"I beg your pardon?" she said, frowning in confusion.

Severus sighed in exasperation and set his fork down very carefully as if he was exerting a great deal of willpower not to throw it down. "I didn't know about him until just recently. His mother and I had a very brief relationship and she neglected to tell me she was pregnant. She passed away this summer and she stated in her will that I am his father. After I confirmed I am his father, I brought Derek back here." He said, following the story he and Harry agreed to. He pointedly turned away from her.

McGonagall touched Harry's arm in sympathy. "I'm very sorry to hear about your mother, Mr. Snape."

Harry bit his lip and nodded. "Thank you, Professor." He hated having to lie to his head of house, especially since she was being so kind to him. Thankfully, she didn't mention it again, instead, as they ate, she told him about Hogwarts and the classes he would be taking.

They were halfway through with dinner when the doors to the hall were opened and Remus Lupin walked. Harry caught himself about to smile and settled for a mildly interested expression instead. Please let him be the new DADA professor, he thought. As Remus approached, Harry noticed he looked thinner and wearier than Harry remembered and he felt a stab of worry for his friend.

Remus took a seat on the other side of Severus. "Sorry I'm late, Albus. I was busy unpacking."

"That's quite alright, Remus."

Severus looked at Remus with disdain. "Let me guess," he sneered. "You are teaching Defence this year."

"Yes," he said, smiling slightly. "It's good to see you, too, Severus." The Potions Master just scowled at him in reply.

Severus, noticing that Harry was finished eating stood and touched his shoulder to get his attention. "Are you to go, Derek?"

Harry turned from his conversation with McGonagall and Flitwick. "Yes, Sir."

Remus, who hadn't noticed Harry when he came in, looked at him curiously. "Who is this?"

"My son, Derek. Derek, this is Remus Lupin."

"Hello, sir," Harry said, standing up and holding out his hand.

Remus shook his hand, still in shock over Severus' revelation. His eyes met Harry's and he stiffened slightly. He recovered quickly, however and smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Derek. You will be starting school here this year?"

"Yes, I-"

"Derek," Severus interrupted. "We need to get back. I have some work to do and you need to start on your summer homework."

"Okay, Father." Harry said. He bid everyone good night and followed his father back down to the dungeons.

They had been back in their rooms for only fifteen minutes when there was a knock on the door. Severus opened the door and Remus strode in and cast a silencing charm before turning back toward Severus, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"I want to know why Harry is posing as your son."

A/N Sorry about the wait. RL has been crazy. I've been working full-time, going to college part-time, and taking care of my two girls. I am going to try to update more often. Anyway, thanks to everyone who reviewed and I hope you enjoy it!