Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

The next week the professors were busy getting ready for classes so Harry didn't get to see much of his father. He was a bit worried about Severus' reaction to Harry calling him 'dad'. It had just slipped out because Severus had acted so fatherly toward him. Harry wasn't sure how he had felt about it especially since Severus had yet to mention it. Harry decided not to bring it up unless his father did and tried not to think about it.

Meanwhile, he had written back to Ron and Hermione and had told them he was okay. He had explained to them that, for reasons he didn't want to discuss, he was staying at Hogwarts. Harry knew he wasn't going to tell his friends about what happened with his uncle. He was still very reluctant to talk about it. Every time his Severus tried to bring it up, Harry changed the subject. He just wanted to forget it ever happened and get on with his life.

Harry, Severus, and Dumbledore had met with Tonks and decided that she would ride the train as Harry Potter and remain at Hogwarts for a couple of days. This way 'Harry Potter' and Derek Snape could be seen together so no one would suspect they are the same person. She also decided to spend two days before September 1st getting to know Harry so she could impersonate him better.

Of course, they had to tell Tonks about Severus being Harry's father. To say she was surprised would be a gross understatement, but after Harry assured her that he was okay with it, she was happy for him. He had a lot of fun spending time with her and Sam. Sam was nervous and a bit quiet around 'Harry Potter', but Harry supposed it was because he was famous. Harry talked with Tonks in private quite a bit, giving her some background on the last five years and tips on acting like him. By the time they boarded the Hogwarts Express Harry himself would have had a hard time telling she was not him.

Tonks, Harry, and Sam had arrived at the train early and were playing a game of exploding snap when the door slid open, and Ron and Hermione walked in.

"Harry," Hermione squealed as she threw herself into Tonks arms. We were so worried about you."

"Yeah, I know," said Tonks apologetically. "I'm sorry it took so long to reply to your letters. I've been really busy this summer."

"Yeah, what happened, mate?" Ron asked. "Fred and George even went to the Dursley's to see if they had you locked up again, but you weren't there. You said something in your letter about having to stay at Hogwarts."

"Professor Dumbledore thought I would be safer at Hogwarts," Tonks said.

Hermione frowned in confusion, "Why wouldn't you be safe at home?"

"Didn't you read my letter, Hermione? I don't want to talk about it," Tonks said, acting irritated.

Hermione looked like she was about to press for more information, but Ron spoke first. "So what are you doing here with them," Ron said. "Don't you know who his father is?"

Tonks frowned. "Yes, but he's not his father. Derek wasn't even raised by Snape, and he isn't anything like him. You would know that if you actually talked to him rather than hating him just because of his last name."

"But, Harry-"

"Ron, just give him a chance. Hating him because of his father is just like Malfoy hating Hermione for being muggleborn."

Ron frowned in thought. "I guess you're right, but, Snape, I'm going to be watching you."

Harry smiled slightly. "I'll keep that in mind. Truce?" He said holding out his hand.

Ron shook his hand briefly.

Everything went more smoothly after that and they started playing games and talking. Harry could see Ron loosening up towards him, especially when Ron found out he liked quiditch. Hermione and Sam were discussing the movies they each had seen over the summer, and Harry, Ron, and Tonks were playing exploding snap when Malfoy showed up.

The door to their compartment banged opened, almost breaking the glass.

"Well, what do we have-," he stopped and stared at Harry, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "Who are you?" He asked imperiously.

Harry looked at him coldly. Not that it's any of your business, but my name is Derek Snape."

"Are you related to Professor Snape?"

Harry nodded. "He's my father."

"I didn't know Snape had a son."

Harry smirked. "I imagine there are a lot of things you don't know."

Malfoy's faced flushed with anger. "Well, I do know your father would not be pleased with the company you're keeping. A Snape hanging out with mudbloods and blood traitors, what is this world coming to?"

Hermione and Tonks grabbed Ron to keep him from lunging at Malfoy.

"I think it is time for you to leave," Sam said, frowning.

Malfoy sneered at her. "And you are?"

"Samantha Turner. I'm the daughter of the new Muggle Studies professor." She laughed derisively. "You must not be too smart if you're harassing with the children of two professors."

Malfoy started to speak, but saw four wands pointed at him. Harry smirked, "Even you can't be stupid enough to go up against these odds. I suggest you turn around and run as fast as you can."

Malfoy's lips tightened and his face flushed with anger. "You'll regret this, all of you." He stalked out of the compartment, slamming the door as he went.

Harry sat back down. "He could show a two year old how to throw tantrums. Do you guys get that a lot?" he asked dryly.

Ron laughed. "Malfoy visits us at least once every train ride and he usually come off the worse for it. You would think he'd learn not to do it by now. I guess he doesn't have anything better to do."

Harry laughed and they went back to their game.

When they arrived, Ron, Hermione, and Tonks headed to the carriages and Harry and Sam went with Hagrid. Harry felt a bit embarrassed to be with the little kids, but he was glad he wasn't the only one. He was very nervous about the sorting. What if the sorting hat refused to resort him? What if the hat insisted on putting him back in Griffindor? Harry knew that would cause Voldemort to torture his father and perhaps question his loyalties. I just need to get into Slytherin, he thought. All too soon they were waiting outside the Great Hall. He smiled nervously at Sam as the doors opened and they entered.

Harry heard whispers break out among the other students as they made their way to the front of the hall. The first years sorting went by in a blur and before he knew it he heard his name being called.

"Snape, Derek Alexander."

Harry walked to the stool amid a flurry of whispers. Most of them were variations of 'I didn't know the greasy git had any relatives' and 'Oh no, not another one.' By the time he reached his (former?) head of house he was clenching his fists to keep from hexing the lot of them. McGonagall gave him an encouraging smile as he sat on the stool. She placed the hat on his head and Harry heard the hat's familiar voice.

"Mr. Potter, I didn't think I'd see you again." Yeah, me neither. Please just sort me into Slytherin, Harry thought. "Ahhh you've change your mine, eh?" I just need to be in Slytherin. You said I could do well there my first year, so just put me there already. "If you're sure. All right then . . ."

"SLYTHERIN!"

Harry made his way to the Slytherin table and sat down. He looked at Ron and Hermione and noticed Ron looking at him suspiciously. Hermione looked over too and Harry gave an apologetic shrug, as if he didn't know what the hat was thinking.

"Turner, Samantha Rose."

Harry watched, half hoping she would be placed in Slytherin so he wouldn't be by himself, but of course he couldn't be so lucky. Sam sat there for a couple of minutes before the hat yelled out "GRYFFINDOR!"

Sam went to the Gryffindor table and sat with Ron and Hermione. She looked over at Harry and waved before turning to speak with Hermione. Harry was feeling very depressed and was trying to remember all the reasons why he agreed to go along with this plan, and, therefore, he didn't hear most of Dumbledore's speech. He came out of his thoughts when he heard thunderous applause and cheering. Remus was standing up so apparently Dumbledore had just announced that he was the DADA professor this year.

"…and I'd also like to introduce Professor Turner. She will be the new Muggle Studies professor this year. Now I know you have noticed that we had some older students among the first years. They are both starting their sixth year. Samantha Turner is Professor Turner's daughter, and Derek Snape is Professor Snape's son. I hope everyone will make them both very welcome here. Welcome back, everyone!" Dumbledore clapped his hands twice and the food appeared.

Harry picked listlessly at his food as he looked around at his new housemates. There were a couple of fifth years on his left and Blaise Zabini and a seventh year he didn't know on the right. Blaise noticed him looking over and spoke up.

"So you're Snape's kid?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "So I wasn't the only one who wasn't paying attention to Dumbledore's speech, or do you make it a habit to state the obvious?"

"I'm just making conversation. My name is Blaise Zabini, and I'm in sixth year, too. You'll be staying in the same dorm as me." He held his hand out to Harry.

Harry shook his hand and gave a sheepish smile. "Sorry about that. Getting stared at and talked about by a roomful of people puts me on the defensive. Derek Snape."

"It's okay." Blaise glanced around and saw quite a few people were still staring at Harry. "Hey, are you ready to get out of here? I could show you to the common room. I already got the password from Jeremy over there," he said nodding at the seventh year.

Harry sighed and stood up. "Thanks, I really just want to go to bed." He followed Blaise out of the Great Hall. As they headed toward the dungeons Harry listened as Blaise told him about the other boys in the sixth year dorm. From what he said Harry got the idea that Blaise didn't really care for Malfoy and his goons. Harry didn't talk much and was grateful when they finally reached the dorms. He changed into his pajamas, and fell into the bed Blaise indicated was his. He managed to find enough energy to cast a proximity charm to alert him if someone opened his bed hangings before falling asleep.

A/N: Sorry it's been so long since my last update. I have been really busy with work, school and kids. The good news is school is over for me until fall, so I'm hoping to get quite a few chapters out. I hope you enjoy this one.