Chapter Six:

Protecting Harry

A/N: Six-years-old, on this very day, I cowered under my school desk and listened to the teachers in the hallway - many were crying, some were even screaming. I didn't understand what was going on. I didn't understand that you can say goodbye to a loved one, expecting to see them when you return, but they never come back. I thought death was only for the sick - not for someone who is just going to work. I was innocent. I didn't understand hatred. I didn't understand murder. I was six-years old and my life was abruptly changed.

I will never forget.

Severus sighed sadly and gave a small shake of his head. Harry is a fighter; he wouldn't let me take him away. This is all he knows - war. Severus watched the small, even breaths his son took, He looks so young right now. He looks innocent.

With his thumb, Severus lightly traced the lightning bolt and let out a shuddering breath, I should have been there for your family. I should have protected you. I could have saved your innocence. Severus forced himself to stop thinking in that pattern, it wouldn't help Harry if he started to blame himself and fell into a deep hatred again. He finally just came out of it - Harry tore down his barrier. I couldn't save your innocence then but maybe I can keep reminding you that you are but a child. I am going to hold on to any sliver of innocence you have left and I won't let it go. If it is the last thing I do, I will protect you. You may hate me for it or throw a temper tantrum but I am going to protect you from this war as long as I can. You want to take it all into your own small hands - you can't do that. I won't let you do that. I will find every single horcrux and I will destroy them. Even if it kills me, I'll do it - for you.

Severus didn't bother to wipe away the couple tears that gently rolled down his pale cheeks. He watched his son sleep and finally an idea came to his mind. He stood from the edge of the bed and quietly left the room. He didn't say a word to Minerva as he left the house and returned to Albus' office.

He strode into the office, he didn't even bother to knock.

Albus looked up from a formal parchment he was writing and quickly hid the parchment under a book - not wanting Severus to see what he was doing.

Severus frowned as he saw the parchment but didn't comment. He had more important things on his mind than what Albus was writing. "I need your help."

Albus eyed him closely, he could tell the younger man was distressed. "Anything, Severus."

Severus gave a firm nod of his head, "I need to take an Unbreakable Vow."

Severus has been gone for hours. Minerva tried not to show her worry as she sat with Harry at the kitchen table, helping him with his summer homework. School will be starting back up in four weeks and they hadn't made him work on any of his homework since he had summer school.

Harry felt himself growing frustrated as he stared at his History of Magic essay, "This is rubbish! I'm not smart enough to be taking this class, mum. I want to be an Auror, not a historian. Why are you making me take this class?"

Minerva forced herself to remain patient. Her patience was wearing thin though; Harry has been whining since he woke up. "Because your father and I believe it in important that you broaden your mind in every topic, Harry. Hermione will be taking the class with you."

Harry clenched his jaw and glared at his essay, "I can't do this."

Minerva reached over and grabbed his chin in a firm grip. She leveled him with a stern look, "Stop it, Harry. You can do this."

Harry pulled his face out of his mother's grasp, "No, I can't! I'm not smart enough! This is complete crap and you know it! Why am I even going back to school? I should be out looking for horcruxes! I should be physically training to kill Voldemort! But nooooo, instead, I'm stuck here learning shit about the past! I hate this!"

Without thinking first, Minerva landed a stinging slap against Harry's cheek. She forced herself to not show her own surprise at her actions, "I told you to stop, Harry James."

All Harry could do was blink, he felt frozen from surprise. He hadn't expected that reaction from her. He dropped his eyes in shame and tried not to think about the tingling sensation and heat in his cheek, "I'm sorry, mum."

Minerva kept her tone firm, "I never want to hear you say that you're not smart enough for something, Harry James." Once she noticed a small nod from him, she continued, "I don't care if you think you should be helping with the horcruxes - the fact in the matter is that you are not going to do so! How many times do people have to have this conversation with you, Harry James? You are going back to school. You are continuing with broadening your knowledge. If we have to have this conversation again, Harry James, you will be in trouble. Am I quite understood?"

Harry silently seethed. "Crystal."

She closed her eyes and took in a calming breath, "Then return to your essay." She leaned back and silently watched on as Harry returned to his essay - he was barely holding in his attitude.

Albus stared at the man before him, his blue eyes dull and filled with regret. "I can't allow you do that, Severus."

Severus stopped his pacing to spin and stare at his mentor, "What? Why not?"

Albus took in a deep, shuddering breath, "I. . . I didn't want to tell you this."

Severus clenched his jaw, his patience on the brink of snapping. "Tell me what, Albus?!"

Albus tried to look away from the anger-filled, onyx eyes. "I can't let you take an Unbreakable Vow on killing every single horcrux. I just can't, Severus."

Infuriated with the man's lack of an answer, Severus felt his anger radiating off him. If he didn't calm down soon then his magic was going to start causing mayhem. "Tell me WHY! Why the bloody hell can't I?! I won't let my son do it! I won't! He is a child! Dammit Albus!"

Albus felt his regret double-fold as he tried to think of a way that he wouldn't have to tell Severus what he knew. "You don't want to know, Severus."

Severus felt like smashing something. "I don't want to know?! Are you kidding me? Albus Dumbledore if you don't tell me this instant I swear to Merlin I will force it out of you!"

Albus knew he wasn't kidding. Taking in a deep breath, Albus braved himself to look in Severus' eyes, "I am not positive yet, Severus."

Breathing heavy, Severus clenched his fists, "Positive of what?"

"I can't let you kill your own son, Severus," Albus told him softly.

Severus felt like he got slapped in the face, "W-what?"

Albus sighed deeply, "I have a deep feeling that Harry might be a horcrux. Like I said, I am not positive."

Severus fell into the seat in front of Albus' desk, "H-how long have you-" Severus felt his heart break and he couldn't help but leave out a sudden sob, "What does that mean?"

Deep regret filled Albus' blue eyes as he watched the man before him slowly begin to fall apart, "If my assumptions are correct, Severus, he. . . Harry will have to die for Voldemort to die." Albus wanted to look away as he witnessed the man, whom he thought of as his own son, fall apart. Since the loss of Lily, Albus never thought he would ever see Severus Snape's heart break again. Yet, here he was.

Minerva felt as if her nerves were going to explode at any second if Severus didn't walk in through that front door. Where did he go? Why isn't he back yet?

Harry huffed from where he was laying on the couch, reading his Charms textbook so he could write the essay. "Where's dad? I'm hungry."

Minerva glanced at the grandfather clock and let out a sigh, "I'll start supper soon. Keep working, please."

Harry grumbled about the unfairness of homework under his breath and angrily flipped the page so hard it ripped.

Minerva shot the boy a dangerous look. Before she did or said something she might regret, Minerva closed her eyes and silently counted to ten.

Minerva was saved from having to deal with Harry's teenage angst by the door being flung open and Severus stumbled into the house. Minerva jumped to her feet, worried that he was hurt.

Minerva halted as she got a whiff of his stench. She glared daggers of her "husband", "Have you been drinking?! That's where you have been all day?!"

Harry immediately sat up, homework forgotten. Oh so he can drink but I can't? He knowingly kept that comment to himself.

Severus mumbled something unintelligent and haphazardly removed his shoes, almost toppling over as he did so.

Minerva seethed. She spun to look at Harry, "Go to your room!"

Harry's eyes went wide in outrage, "What?! I didn't do anything! He's the one drunk!"

Minerva's face contorted in outrage at his disrespect. She could feel her face turning red in anger, "Do what I say!" It took all of her self-restraint to not punish him.

Harry stayed silent, he had never seen his mother that angry before.

When he didn't move to do as he was told, Minerva felt as if she was going to let out a scream of outrage. "Harry James Potter-McGonagall-Snape!" Minerva yelled at him, furious.

Harry hurried to leave the room. He took the stairs two at a time and slammed his bedroom door shut behind him. He paced in his bedroom, infuriated with the injustice of everything.

Downstairs, Minerva paced in front of the seated Severus. "I cannot believe your actions, Severus Tobius Snape. We are supposed to be role models to him! You can't be coming home drunk!" She shoved a potion in his hand, "Drink it. Now!"

Severus groaned, he wished she would shut up. He did what was said though and quickly drank the potion. Immediately the fog in his mind cleared up and he was able to think straight again. The thought of his actions made him groan. I thought I had control over my drinking.

Seeing that he was back to his normal self, Minerva breathed heavily and paced back and forth in front of him, "I have half a mind to punish you for your foolishness! What on earth is your problem?! Is this because of Albus?"

Not knowing what else to do, Severus stood, gently grabbed Minerva's hand and led her to the couch, "I need to tell you something."

Minerva felt like groaning, This can't be good. This morning when he said this, I found out Albus is dying. "What is it?"

Severus took a deep breath and then began. When he finished, he held her close and tried his best to comfort her. "We will figure this out, Min. I'm sorry for how I handled this," his voice was filled with regret. He should have handled everything differently. "I'm not giving up, Min. We will save him from this. I don't know how yet, but we will do it. If it is the last thing I do, I will protect him."

Minerva nodded into his chest. She sniffled and tried to get her crying under control. "This isn't positive yet, right?" At Severus murmur to confirm her question, she let out a shuddering breath and sat up. "Alright. Let's do this, Sev."

Severus stared into her eyes and was immediately taken back by how fierce they were.

"We will find a way to end this for him. You're right, we can do this. Everything is going to be alright in the end," Minerva said, almost as if to remind herself as well.

Severus nodded, "We can't let him find out, Min. You know how he is. You know how he will react to this. He would probably. . . " Severus didn't want to say it.

Minerva nodded, knowing what he was referring to. "He would kill himself. You're right, we can't let him find out. At least, not until there is no other option."

At this very moment, Severus couldn't be more proud to be co-parenting with such a strong person. "We can't treat him any differently, Min. We will figure out how to stop this chain of events. If we treat him differently, you know he will grow suspicious."

Minerva nodded, "I agree. We won't lose him, not if we protect him."

They sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes before Severus spoke up, "I do, however, want to make sure he experiences as many happy moments as he can. In war, to survive, you need something to hold on to - hope." He eyed her closely, "Harry's birthday is coming up in two days. I think we should throw him a birthday party- let him off his grounding for a day."

Minerva smiled, this is the first birthday they get to experience with Harry as their child. "That sounds perfect, Sev."

Severus nodded, he knew he didn't sound like himself but he didn't care, "We will go all out - a huge celebration." He didn't say the words that he was thinking, This very well could be his last birthday if we don't protect him well enough. He quickly shoved that thought away and replaced it with a more positive thought, Harry is going to have many, many birthdays after this one. We are only going to go all out because it is his first birthday with us. Harry is going to live for many years and will only die of old age. Harry will get married someday and have children. I am going to be a grandfather someday. Voldemort can't stop that - I won't let Him.

Minerva smiled as she thought about the birthday party. "We better start planning then. Two days is going to come fast! Should we make it a surprise? Make him think that because he is grounded there is no party?"

Severus smirked, "That is evil. Let's just not mention anything about a party. I like the idea of it being a surprise. We will tell him that he is not going to be grounded on his birthday though." Severus sighed as he remembered his actions earlier. "I should go talk to Harry."

"What are you going to tell him?" Minerva asked, "You could always say that Albus' sickness got to you? Good luck though, he has been in a mood since he woke up from his nap."

Severus nodded, "That is a good idea." It's not as if it was a complete lie either, everything about today has been awful - one tragedy after another. He stood and left Minerva to her party planning.

Hearing a soft knock on his bedroom door, Harry stopped glaring at the ceiling so he could glare at the door. Everything about today has been unfair. Everything sucks!

Severus entered, knowing Harry wouldn't invite him in. He sighed at the look that was thrown at him and sat down on Harry's couch. He patted the spot beside him, waiting for Harry to come over to him.

Harry rolled his eyes and rolled on his side, ignoring him.

Severus rose an eyebrow at Harry's actions. He tried to remain patient though. "Harry, come here, please."

Harry continued to ignore him. He was pissed! Angry at everything - at the world. Everything is always taken from him. Nothing is ever fair. His father can get drunk to forget his sorrows but he can't?

Severus sighed softly and stood from the couch. He moved and sat on Harry's bed. He could tell Harry was trying to ignore him. "Look at me."

Harry glared over his shoulder at his father before looking back at the wall and leaving out a huff of annoyance, "Just go away."

"I can't do that, Harry," Severus said. He tried again, "Look at me."

Harry clenched his jaw and jumped up into a sitting position. He leveled his father with a furious look, "What the hell do you want?! I said to go away! I don't want to talk to you! I don't want to talk to anyone!"

Shocked, Severus quickly tried to hide his emotions. He forced himself to remain patient, he knew Harry needed to get something off his chest. "Tell me everything that you are thinking."

Harry gave him a nasty look, "Why, so you can yell at me and punish me? No. Go away!"

Severus sighed and tried to reach out to him but found himself roughly pushed away. Severus frowned, "Harry, stop. What has gotten into you?"

Fury flashed over Harry's face, "What has gotten into me?! Are you serious?!" Harry jumped off his bed and started pacing back and forth, "Where the bloody hell do I even freakin' start?" He didn't pause for an answer, he just continued to rant, "Nothing ever goes right! Everyone I love dies in the end! It's all my fault! I am the reason everyone is dying! I am the bloody Chosen One and I can't even do what I was chosen for because no one is freakin' letting me! I can't kill the horcruxes! I can't kill Voldemort! I can't kill Bellatrix! I can't do shit! I am a worthless savior!"

Severus stood and tried to stop Harry from pacing but was once again pushed away by his angry son, "You are not worthless, Harry."

Harry felt like screaming. He felt like smoking. That thought scared him and immediately his anger started to simmer away. I can't do that anymore. I can't think about that anymore! Where did this come from?

Severus saw the panic flutter over Harry's face and quickly pulled him into his arms, "Take a deep breath, son. You can do this, it's okay."

Harry shook his head, tears starting to leak out from his clenched eyes, "Why am I so screwed up?"

Severus forced Harry to look at him by grabbing his chin, "You are not a screw up, Harry. Please don't say that."

I want to smoke. Harry shook his head and clenched his eyes closed, "I am!"

As a response, Severus pulled Harry against him and held him close. He rubbed his son's back and laid his head on the top of Harry's, "Do you need me to contact Charles?"

Harry jerked away and shook his head, "NO! See?! You say I'm not a screw up but you want a doctor to come!"

Severus sighed, "Then tell me, Harry. Tell me what you are thinking. Tell me everything! I can't help you if I am left in the dark." He could tell something was eating his son.

"I want. . . I want to sm-smoke. I want to forget! Why do you get to get drunk and forget but I can't?! It's not fair!" Harry suddenly screamed out.

Shocked, Severus quickly masked his emotions, "What I did was stupid, Harry. It was irresponsible of me and pathetic. I should have handled my stress better - do better than I, Harry. And believe me, your mother chewed me out for my actions. I am sorry you saw me like that. I should have reacted better. Everyone makes mistakes."

Harry felt like his emotions were on a roller coaster. One minute he is infuriated and now he just wants his father to hold him as he sobbed. "This is all my fault. I am the Chosen One. . ."

Severus held Harry close and tried to keep wiping the tears off his son's cheeks, "None of this is your fault."

Harry choked on a sob and kept his eyes closed, "Everyone that loves me dies. Why do you and mum stay? Why do you love me if you see everyone else die?"

Severus' arms tightened around his child, "Why do we love you?" He tapped Harry's chin and waited until Harry opened his bright emerald eyes and looked at him, "You are our son." He let out a soft sigh, "You don't see it, Harry, but we won't let you destroy the horcruxes because we are trying to keep that child in you alive. You lost your innocence a long time ago, we are trying to hold on to what little innocence you have left. I won't let you kill Lestrange because I fear that once you commit such a dark act, all your innocence will be gone. You are fifteen-years old, Harry. Normal fifteen-year olds don't have to worry about the things you do. We want to give you the most normal life we can. We are trying our best, Harry."

Harry finally let his stiff shoulder sag and he leaned against his father. His tears fell one after another and he clung to his father. He clung to him, fearing that one day he will lose him. "I don't want you to die because you love me," he managed to say through his heart-wrenching sobs.

Severus held him tight, trying to give him all the comfort he needed, "I am not going anywhere, son. I will fight for you until I have to fight beside you. I will protect you with every bit of my being. I may not be your father by blood but my love for you is impenetrable - nothing will ever scare me away from you. Nothing will ever make me stop fighting for you. Nothing will ever make me stop protecting you. Do you understand, son?"

Harry nodded into Severus' chest, his tears soaking the man's robe.

Severus continued to hold him tight, refusing to let him go.

A/N: I know, this is kind of short. I hope you liked it though. This is a very important chapter - it may be short but it is "huge".

Savoren.