Magic On Strike
Nobody understood, and it was a given as to why. Severus Snape got a letter from Sirius Black, and all Severus said about the letter to Harry when asked, was that Severus was Harry's father. It wasn't difficult to process what was said, but the fact was how was it possible? Severus wouldn't just say something like that unless he believed it, so Sirius must have provided hard proof that Severus couldn't ignore or deny. However, the news, while shocking to all affected Harry the most and it caused the teenager to just lose consciousness. Thankfully, Tom and Draco were the closest to catch him and Harry was placed on the couch until he woke up. Remus was the first to find his voice, and demand Severus to explain in a protective tone of what the hell he meant.
"Explain, Severus." Remus said again.
"Remus…Maybe we should give him a minute. I think he's just as shocked as Harry." Narcissa suggested.
"And you think the rest of us aren't shocked, Narcissa?" Andromeda asked. "It's not what any of us know to have been the truth."
"Severus…" Lucius put his hand on the potion master's shoulder to shake him from his surprise.
"Harry is…My son?..." Severus managed to say.
"According to the letter, yes." Lucius stated. "But Narcissa and I didn't read the whole thing, just up to Sirius saying you are Harry's father, not James Potter." He added.
"What does it say, Severus?" Tom inquired. "Short summary will do."
"I think we should wait for Harry to wake up," Hermione interjected. "He has a right to know, above anyone else."
"And the others have arrived." Draco pointed out. "Are we really going to do this with everyone?"
"I can't say there will be much partying going on with this looming over." Ron informed.
"And there's no telling how long Harry is unconscious." Neville added.
"It won't be long, probably just shock." Narcissa said.
"Uh…Hi?" Blaise greeted, standing with Pansy, Theodore, Gregory, and Vincent.
"Hey. Sorry, it's usually a little more lively at Harry's parties…But there seems to be a large reveal that's left my godfather and Harry speechless." Draco mentioned.
"Ouch." Theodore shrugged.
"Harry's starting to wake up," Luna informed gently.
The teenager was shifting a bit and his eyes opened. "Oh, wow…Did I sleep through until the party started? Had this crazy dream Severus told me he was my father…"
"You passed out when you heard, it wasn't a dream though," Tonks told the sixteen-year-old.
"Harry is awake. Out with it, Severus…" Remus ordered.
"Don't tell me what to do, Lupin. It's none of your business." Severus stated firmly.
"Sirius was my best friend, so was James. And Harry is my cub, unofficial nephew. It's my business…" Remus argued.
"You don't-," Severus began.
"Enough!" Harry got them quiet. "Enough, from both of you." He took a breath. "Uncle Remus…" Harry started as he got to his feet. "Tomorrow."
"B-But Harry!" Remus tried.
"What did I say?" Harry looked at him now, pleading eyes that he just let it go.
"Tomorrow, but Harry this is-," Remus attempted.
"I said tomorrow, and what I say goes in my home. Any of these guys will tell you the rule…" Harry informed.
"Harry's house. Harry's rules." Tom, Bellatrix, Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco recited.
"It's supposed to be a party, I won't have this take away from that. We can discuss it tomorrow. We've gone this many years without ever knowing…It can wait one more day." Harry remarked calmly.
"As you wish, cub," Remus nodded.
"That goes for everyone. No more about it tonight…Including you, Severus." Harry informed.
"We can't just ignore this, Harry." Severus told him.
Harry went over and folded the paper down, so Severus would stop staring at it. Harry didn't even know what it said, but it's clear Severus couldn't pull himself away. "We're not ignoring it. We're just pulling a me and putting it off until another time to be lazy and have fun." Harry said. "Just for tonight, Severus. Whatever Sirius said in that letter to you about the situation revealed will still be there tomorrow. Please?"
"Fine. First thing tomorrow then…" Severus agreed as he folded the letter back up and put it away in his pocket.
"First thing tomorrow." Harry nodded as he picked up the remote to the music system and pressed a button to get it turned on and playing whatever came on. "Then we party on."
. . .
Several hours had gone by, it was already 9:30 pm. Despite earlier, everyone was getting along and having a good time. Of course, it was still on Harry and Severus's minds; that wasn't easily pushed aside as no big deal. It was huge. Harry and Severus being father and son? Definitely not something anyone expected. It had to be true, Severus wouldn't just say something like that if he didn't have proof to believe in such an idea. Severus was the only one with all the information, but…At Harry's personal request; everyone dropped it for tonight. It was clear Harry didn't want to get into everything because it wasn't anything small. Just knowing Sirius wrote letters to Remus and Severus was enough to get him upset, not because he didn't get a letter, but the fact it had been hard to lose Sirius last June, and the holidays didn't help any. It was no secret to anyone that Harry missed Sirius, and it had to be harder with the fact he was hosting the man's killer in his home. He was hosting his parents' killer too and in some kind of odd mix; both those killers were having a baby soon.
Harry would never forget what happened, and he was trying to stay strong. And now this was just going to add to the madness, him being Severus's son? How could that be a thing? Harry looked dead on like James, and everyone said it. Even Snape! Dear Merlin, Severus never let him forget he was James Potter's son. Regardless, Harry couldn't swear it off and pretend like it was improbable because this wasn't something random Severus said; it came after he read a letter that Sirius had written and it was a letter Severus got from Bill, who worked at the bank who handled all that kind of stuff. The letter was very likely not a fake or someone's idea of a sick joke. And tomorrow, there would be a discussion about it. Harry tried not to think about it, but how did you just take your mind off something like that? You couldn't, and Harry was certain that Severus hadn't either.
"You okay, mate?" Ron asked, pulling Harry from his thoughts.
The green-eyed teenager looked over to see Ron and Hermione standing with him. "Thinking."
"Can't imagine that your mind wouldn't be wracking to figure out earlier." Hermione gave a weak smile.
"I know what I said, but it's not like I can just push it out of my head." Harry stated.
"What are you gonna do if it's true?" Ron inquired.
"Hell if I know." Harry admitted. "There won't be much I can do, will there be?"
"You could choose not to acknowledge or accept it." Hermione offered. "Just because it might be true doesn't mean you have to like it, suddenly change everything you've ever known."
"Harry's still sixteen, Hermione. If Snape is his father; legally…" Ron trailed off.
"Okay, yes…That can't be ignored, but it doesn't change what I said. People swear off their biological parents all the time, Harry, for various reasons." Hermione stated.
"Yeah, mate. People can prefer their step parent over their real one…Even if this is true. James Potter married your mum, and accepted you as his own son or you wouldn't have been given the Potter name. I mean, hell, you look just like him from pictures." Ron motioned to the one above the fireplace.
"And he died to protect us…" Harry added.
"Remember that Snape joined Voldemort, Harry. Your mum broke their friendship in their fifth year because he called her that nasty word…Why would your mum ever be unfaithful to your dad?" Ron mentioned.
"That's not fair, Ron." Hermione interjected again. "Harry also told us that his mum never stopped seeing Snape as a friend, that she kept all those ornaments and memories over the years. Maybe…There was something that happened between her and James?"
"That's the only way this would ever be possible." Harry muttered. "Snape wouldn't just say something like this if he didn't believe whatever Sirius told him. You know Snape has hated my father and Sirius for all the bullying in the past."
"Maybe Snape knew when your mum got pregnant with you that you might be his and walked away." Ron offered.
"I don't think that's the case. From the looks of it, Professor Snape never knew either. I've never seen that man lose his composure, or struggle for words, but he did after that letter. Maybe your mum never told him that you were his." Hermione said. "Everything will come out tomorrow, and you can decide what you want to do then." She put a hand on his shoulder. "Legally, you probably have to do what Snape says. But after seventeen, if you don't want to accept him as your father…You don't have to."
"If Snape didn't know he was my father, was never told until now…I guess I can't swear him off. That wouldn't be fair to him. I know Severus doesn't hate me, we've talked it out, put the past behind us now. If he's my dad, it might take a little to get closer, I guess. But at the same time; he would have to accept that I will always see James as a father. Even if he's not my real one. James still raised me with my mum, and he died to protect us." Harry decided.
"And I'm sure that if it comes out Snape is your dad, you can explain all this to him and he'll understand." Hermione smiled.
"Yeah…" Harry nodded. "Can…I ask that you're both here tomorrow? When it's all discussed. I know I've got Draco as my boyfriend, but I'd really like a couple friends present and you two are my best friends in the world."
"Harry, of course we'll be here for you." Hermione promised.
"Yeah, you got it, mate." Ron nodded.
"Thanks. I don't know where I'd be without you two." Harry smiled a little. "I'll have Dobby take you back to the Burrow when it's over, but I'd feel better if while everything is coming to light, that if I walk away or need air…I know you'll have my back. Draco, while we're dating, he's still Severus's godson and he'd end up in a place to have to choose a side. I don't want to put him there."
"We get it, Harry. Don't worry." Ron stated.
"I appreciate it." Harry told them.
. . .
The rest of the night, Harry tried not to think about the possibility that he was Severus Snape's biological son. But he couldn't get it out of his head. Who would? It was left unresolved at Harry's insistence because he just wanted to have a good night with everyone to ring in the new year. It would be a miracle if magic returned to them, but Harry knew they weren't that lucky. Magic wouldn't come back until whoever pissed off Lady Magic righted their wrong, and no one knew who had made her upset. Harry was leaning towards it being something from the Dark side. Either way, this was going to bother Harry all night. It was hard to have fun with it weighing on him. It wasn't possible. Harry couldn't be Severus's son, right? Sirius had to be playing a trick, from beyond the grave. Harry knew that his mom and Severus stopped being friends during their fifth year of Hogwarts because Severus called her a filthy mudblood after being tormented by James and Sirius, probably Pettigrew too. Even when Snape tried to apologize, Lily refused because Severus was too far into the dark arts and wouldn't give it up. After losing Lily as a friend, potentially a lover later down the line, Severus went on to follow Lucius or whoever else into Voldemort's circle as a death eater. Lily got with James, and they married, had Harry.
That was the story Harry knew, by anyone who had known his parents. Everyone said Harry looked like James, with Lily's eyes. God, it was frustrating to not know and he knew they could have had the answers tonight, but Harry didn't feel it was something that everyone needed to be part of. And that was the truth. All of Harry's friends, except Ron and Hermione, didn't need to be present for the reveal. Maybe Neville and Luna, Harry was close to them too. But everyone else, Harry would have preferred it to stay a small reveal. Obviously, Severus was shocked and who wouldn't be with what he read. Still, Draco's friends didn't need to hear it all. Dean, Seamus, Hannah, Alicia, Angelina, all the Weasley's. Except Ron. Not even Tonks, Andromeda, and Edward. Remus was okay, Harry saw him as an uncle. And Harry couldn't exactly kick out Bella, Tom, and the Malfoy parents. No, the truth could come out tomorrow, after everyone was gone. Harry just had to be patient, it wasn't too much longer. Right now, it was 11:45 pm. Fifteen minutes until midnight. Once the initial cheering and celebration was over, everyone would be going home who was not living in Harry's house.
Of course, Harry was not the only one pondering things. Severus was too, and with good reason. Both of them wanted to know, even being that Severus had all the information. The man had to believe it, a little, to seem so shocked and reveal it aloud. Harry, didn't know anything. Narcissa and Lucius apparently only read a little, but enough to know that Severus didn't want to ignore the information. Harry knew he'd talked to his friends, but still, this wasn't easy to just accept and what happened if it was proven true? Did that mean he saw Severus as a father? What was the point? Harry turned seventeen in seven months. Harry said he wouldn't axe the idea, if Severus truly had no idea; it wasn't fair. It means they both went all this time not knowing and should probably try to have a relationship. It wouldn't be too late, would it? This was pending if Severus even wanted the same.
"Ten minutes until midnight!" A few announced as Harry looked at the clock. Indeed there was just ten minutes left until midnight.
"Hey, Potter," Pansy got the teen's attention. "Great party."
"Glad you approve." Harry replied.
"Seriously. Awesome music." Blaise said as Theodore nodded.
"Food was fantastic too." Vincent informed with Gregory agreeing.
"Happy you enjoyed it." Harry responded.
Draco walked up next to Harry, linking their hands. "Hi," The blond greeted.
"Hi, Dray," Harry said. "Tired already?" He asked seeing his boyfriend yawn.
"Hey, this is later than I normally stay up." Draco stated. "I need a fair amount of sleep to look this good all the time."
"Aw, babe…You look amazing all the time to me." Harry kissed his cheek before checking the clock. Five minutes to go. "Say, want to see something amazing for the new year?"
"Sure." Draco nodded.
"Come with me." Harry pulled the teenager along with him as they got through the guests and finally getting outside to the backyard.
"Where they going?" Blaise wondered.
"Harry! Draco. Where are you going? It's freezing outside." Narcissa asked quickly.
"Harry said he's gonna show me something amazing…" Draco replied.
"What's so amazing?" Tonks inquired.
"If I said it, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore. If ya wanna come out and see, do so. And it's not that cold." Harry mentioned as he carefully pulled Draco with him. "Come on, babe."
The others, curiosity mostly winning, all got up from where they were and went outside as Harry was already out of sight with Draco. The group stood in the backyard, as bundled as they could be, but it was as Harry said; not that cold. Harry and Draco were making their way up a small spiral staircase and onto the roof of the house. Harry checked his watch.
"How long now?" Draco asked.
"One minute!" Harry announced, which got the others to look up and see where they were.
"Get down from there. It's dangerous." Lucius said.
"It's fine. We're on a flat roof." Harry remarked. "Just stay down there, it won't hold everyone."
"So what are you showing him?" Hermione asked.
"You'll see in about thirty seconds." Harry remarked.
"I know this year has been rough with the magic ban, and you got stuck with all of us…But I'm kind'a really glad it happened, Harry. We ended up friends, now a couple and I don't think I could get happier." Draco said as Harry smiled.
"I feel the same. I mean, I got a lot on my mind about…Earlier. But I'm happy." Harry said.
"Hey, all that will work out." Draco assured.
"I know, but it's still a shocker…If it's true." Harry told him.
"I don't think your godfather would lie about something like this." Draco reminded.
"That's the shocker, why I couldn't deny that it's probably true." Harry informed. "Either way, we'll figure it out tomorrow morning. Tonight, I just want this."
"Ten. Nine. Eight…" Hermione started the countdown.
"Seven. Six. Five…" The other teenagers joined in.
"Four. Three. Two…" The adults were saying too now.
"One…" Draco and Harry said together.
In that instant blasts went off around them and suddenly, the sky lit up with fireworks.
"Happy New Year!" Everyone cheered out.
Harry saw how entranced Draco was by the fireworks, such a look of amazement on his face. Harry chuckled a little as Draco finally looked at Harry. The two leaned in and shared a passionate kiss under the lights. After the kiss, the two looked down to see that other couples had shared kisses too. Hannah Abbot and Neville. Fred and Angelina Johnson. George and Alicia Spinnet. Despite Hermione and Ron not being a couple, they shared a quick kiss to each other's cheeks while in a hug. Remus and Tonks kissed, so did Andromeda and Edward. Surprisingly, Lucius and Narcissa then the shocker; Tom and Bellatrix. Harry wished he could seem surprised about that, actually, but he couldn't. The two started to get close when it came out Bella was pregnant with his kid. A child that was due in a couple months.
Harry and Draco looked back to the fireworks above, and the two stood next to one another but eventually shifted to Harry behind Draco, arms wrapped around his shoulders and Draco brought his hands up to hold Harry's arms. Despite the reveal earlier, which would get worked out later on this morning now, it was a great night with friends. Harry was glad he threw this party. Maybe the new year would bring good things after the mess that last year was. Harry could only hope.