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Harry Potter And The Father

Chapter 23

The News Gets Out

"Remus kidnapped Harry," explained Sirius when it was apparent that Severus Snape was still too furious to speak. Minerva looked like she was either going to laugh or suffer an apoplexy of maddened anger. Harry was like a grandson/nephew to her, hell she saw him more than she saw her own family for goodness sakes. She saw him every day, and was un-doubtfully proud of him and also very humbled to be in his presence. Everything she did from showing him her animagus form to letting him draw pleased him to no end. It was a very humbling experience for her to see this, not many children acted like that. Harry realised how lucky he was and that was rare itself indeed. Especially for a three year old normally it was after the teenage adolescent that people realized how lucky they were. If they did at all come to that. However there were spoiled people who didn't care or even think like that in today's worked. The majority of those spoiled children were of course purebloods with money coming out of their backsides. "I did not betray Lily and James - we switched secret keepers at the last minute I was to play decoy."

"Not Remus!" gasped Minerva wide eyed, her form shaking in suppressed rage. James and Lily had been favourites of hers; she had gotten to know them very well during their last year at Hogwarts. They had been head boy and head girl, which meant she met up with them regularly to ensure they were doing their duties properly.

"No Peter Pettigrew" snarled Sirius viciously.

Minerva closed her eyes and breathed deeply, of course it all made sense now. She nodded grimly believing him without a doubt or without any proof. Severus wasn't a stupid man, it must mean Harry was safe, Severus wasn't easily duped. She might not know Legillemency but she knew how to clear her mind. She also knew that Severus knew how to read others minds, and Black probably didn't have any mental defences after all those years in Azkaban - even if he had them to begin with. Which she very much doubted, Sirius Black wasn't a patient man and did not have the restraint necessary to clear ones mind.

"Let's get back up to the castle," sighed Minerva, "Wingardium Leviosa!" she chanted loudly and Remus Lupin was lifted from the Shrieking shack floor. She walked by not even making sure Remus didn't get back up unscratched. His head did hit quite a few gagged rocks by the time Severus froze the damnable moving tree. It was an eyesore, and dangerous to have around children. All that trouble for a werewolf who by the way seemed to be utterly mad.

"Call Madam Bones and Minister Fudge before Dumbledore." Severus demanded he was distracted from her answer by his son whimpering in his sleep. Even being carried by his daddy he was trying to curl into a ball. Make himself less a target as possible, it broke Severus' heart. He had never seen his son like that, not for a very long time. Never as bad as this, not in his sleep anyway. He quickened his pace and they went to the Dungeons instead of Minerva's office as Harry needed to be somewhere safe and familiar. He had to keep a tight rein on his magic, forcefully stopping himself attacking the wolf. If he thought he'd get away with it he would have killed him, unfortunate one wrong move and he would play right into Dumbledore's hands.

Muttering the password uncaring that they two animagus' heard he strode right in. He left Minerva to do what was needed as he stripped Harry and put his snitch pyjamas on. He liked them the best, and they were extremely soft. Harry woke up as he was put softly onto his bed, his fingers already grasping his favourite fluffy blanket. His eyes were extremely large and frightened, so much so Severus ended up picking him up again. Bringing his son to his chest he crooned softly at him, telling him that Remus was gone and he wouldn't be able to hurt him again. Harry clutched at his daddy tears running down his face, and Severus just about broke down himself.

"Accio Dreamless sleeping potion" murmured Severus, grabbing it with years of experience. Uncorking it he put it to Harry's lips and told him to drink it, which he did his fearful green eyes never leaving his daddies. They soon glazed over as a wave of exhaustion not all brought on with the potion had him snoozing away. Severus just sat there for what felt like hours gazing at his son in sorrow.

"They are here" said Sirius Black quietly, if he had any reservations about Severus being a good father they were all gone. He didn't think anyone other than a parent could look at a child that way. Severus might not show it in his face but his eyes gave him away, they were so haunted and pained that Sirius couldn't even stare at them. Years ago he would have laughed in this mans face if he had seen him this vulnerable. That was years ago now and everything was different, changed nothing was carefree anymore.

"I'll be out in a minute" said Severus coolly. He gently put his son back under the covers; he had to stop himself from casting a permanent sticking charm on his son. To keep him safe from harm, but he knew his quarters were safe. It was only for that reason he was able to push the covers up, tuck his son in and leave the room. He kept the door open; he wanted to be able to see his son from his living room/quarters.

"Ah, Master Snape it's nice to meet you properly!" said Fudge coming forward looking grave but pleased nonetheless.

"You also Minister Fudge." said Severus using his appropriate title since Fudge had done him the courteous of using his.

"Can you tell us what happened?" asked Madam Bones, her glasses perched on her nose giving her a more severe look.

"I don't even know how he managed it, but he took Harry from right under my nose," snarled Severus viciously, standing in front of the fire feeling cold even if the fire warmed his skin. "He took him straight to the Shrieking shack and began making a potion that would render him permanently changed into James Potter's doppelganger."

"Do you have proof?" asked Minister Fudge his hands coming up immediately at Severus' scorching fearsome look "I did not mean I don't believe you, but as you know to arrest someone there has to be proof so we can question them with Veritaserum."

"It's lying in the shrieking shack." said Severus through gritted teeth.

"Amelia?" asked Fudge.

"I'll get it." she said nodding curtly.

"He would not have succeeded anyway" said Minister Fudge shaking his head completely flummoxed by what had happened.

"That's where you're wrong…I can smell James' blood on him…or rather I was able to in my dog form." admitted Sirius realizing he would have to tell the truth.

"Dog form Mr. Black?" asked Fudge frowning darkly.

"I am an Animagus." admitted the blue eyed man guiltily.

"I trust when you are proven innocent the first thing you do is register?" asked Fudge it was a demand not a question but Sirius nodded gravely in understanding.

"Where do we go from here?" asked Minerva gravely.

"We must get both men to the Ministry…which is very quiet now they should have trials before the night's end." said Minister Fudge. When it concerned Harry Potter it wouldn't have mattered if it was busy or quiet. Exceptions would have been made, Harry Potter or should he say Snape was an important child to their world. He had been ecstatic to see the adoption form; he along with everyone else didn't think it right for a magically powerful boy such as Harry to be placed with Muggles.

"I have the evidence" said Madam Bones quietly as she slipped back in.

"Will Severus be needed?" asked Minerva.

"You all will." said Fudge grimly.

"Not Harry!" said Severus adamantly; he refused to put his son through anymore than he had already been through.

"Oh no, just you, Minerva and of course Sirius Black and Lupin." said Fudge his face going dark at the mere mention of the man. He had been briefed by Minerva and Sirius about what happened and what the man was. So he was going to have to make sure he was in Azkaban before the full moon. No early night tonight for him, but it was worth it to keep the Wizards and witches of the wizarding world safe. Or rather it was worth it to repay at least a bit of the debt they owed Harry Potter, er Snape.

"I'm going to have to bring him with me," sighed Severus "I am not leaving him again. Contact me when its time for me to testify, I'll do my bit then I'm leaving." he finished adamantly.

"No problem," said Fudge smoothly "I shall send you a Patronus message, this will get you straight to the ministry from here." he pulled out a dark detector from his robes. It was a Portkey to the Ministry he always went everywhere prepared.

Severus nodded curtly and accepted the Portkey.

It was five hours later Severus was sitting drinking a fire whisky, Minerva, Poppy and Filius were joining him. Black unfortunately was in his bath at the moment, he had been in there for an hour. He would have been concerned but right now he couldn't really care about that.

"Will Harry be alright?" asked Poppy, she was probably the third person to ask that within five minutes.

"He will be…eventually." sighed Severus once more. Everyone here cared very deeply about Harry, and would risk their lives for him. He couldn't have gotten better protectors for Harry if he tried. They were also powerful politically anything Dumbledore tried would be counteracted with these Wizards and Witches.

"I think you should get some sleep Severus, Harry's going to need you more than ever right now." said Minerva eventually, as she finished of her own drink and put it on the table. She stood up and sighed sadly, of all the things that had to happen it was this. She had of course given her own statement and sat in front of the Wizengamont and told her bit. It wasn't her they wanted to hear it had been Sirius Black and Severus Snape's account of things. Now Remus Lupin was indeed on his way to Azkaban the things he had said made her shudder in revulsion. She hadn't realized he was such a…disgusting man thinking of a three year old child that way. He was indeed safe where he was, in a cell in the worst part of Azkaban.

Sirius Black had also been exonerated, given a hefty sum of money for his wrongful imprisonment. Cornelius Fudge had advised him to avoid going into the public at least until tomorrow night so everyone had the chance to actually read the newspapers. They didn't want to have to arrest someone for killing Sirius Black after them thinking they were doing their duty as a wizard or Witch in the wizarding world. Dumbledore had been furious, he had found out when the Wizengamont had been summoned. He hadn't even had the chance to try and get Lupin out of it.

Now everyone knew that Albus Dumbledore let a rabid wolf into Hogwarts, they weren't best pleased in fact they were going to be discussing that. Dumbledore was actually right now furiously pacing his office wondering what on earth was happening. All his grand plans were going down the toilet; Harry was supposed to be with his Muggles getting abused. Coming to Hogwarts aged eleven humble and beaten so he would follow him like a pig to the slaughter. Snape was supposed to never know and treat the boy like a James Potter reincarnate. Yet save his life as the vow predicted, but nothing like that was happening. Minerva his friend and finest supporter in all he had done had also gone against him. Filius or Poppy he hadn't been particularly close with, yet they hadn't been close to Snape either yet they were going against him.

He was their Headmaster and employer they had no right he was without a doubt furious.

Severus looked up and realized everyone had already left, startled he called for his house elf to get everything cleaned up. "Bright something to eat for Black if he's not already dead in there." smirked Severus feeling more himself.

"Yes sir" said Blinky before he was gone with a pop.

"Talking about me?" asked Sirius.

"I suppose you might as well stay for the night Black, but tomorrow morning your slinging your hook." said Severus arching his eyebrow as if daring Sirius Black to argue with him.

"You will let me see him though right?" asked Sirius looking worried.

Severus sighed in agitation "Fine, but tell him one thing about what you done to me and you wont come within five feet of him ever again."

"Why would I want to tell him his father and godfather were arseholes?" snorted Sirius in distain knowing good and well that's what he was or had been. Oh no, he knew better than that he would never even think about telling Harry the things they had done in their youth. In fact he was probably best not to mention James much at all, better play safe and know he would always have a place in Harry's life. If Snape gave him permission then he would perhaps tell him a few things about James.

"Good point." Muttered Severus pointedly.

"Here is your food sir," said Blinky setting it down before popping away again.

"I appreciate this Snape" said Sirius.

"Don't mention it Black, really." said Severus seriously, he didn't want that getting out - he'd loose his image.

Sirius just shrugged in response as he wolfed down his food.

Severus grimaced in disgust, before walking out of his sitting room and entering his son's room. He magically made the bed bigger, he would restore it at some point right now he just wanted to be with his son. He wasn't about to try and sleep on a toddlers bed thank you very much. Ducking under the covers he leaned himself on his elbow on his side and started at his son.

So much had changed; he wasn't alone secluded in the dungeons all the time anymore. He got on with his co-workers better than he had ever imagined, well now he did since Harry had come into his life. His dream of having a family was true, real, and it was in front of him. He had a son to raise as his own, and he would be damned if he screwed up, this little bundle who had already been through too much, was his reason for living now. He didn't want to go back to being alone every night; he wouldn't give it up for the rarest potion ingredient in the world.

Severus trailed his fingers softly down his sons face, marvelling that someone who looked like him could be so gorgeous, cute; beautiful anything he could think up Harry was it. He wasn't the nicest looking man in the world, sure it could be worse he guessed. He wondered again what Lily had looked like under her glamour, had she looked like him? Had she had his nose or been lucky in that area? Had her hair been Black? Had her eyes truly been green? Looking at Harry he suspected so. Lily must have gotten her eyes from their great grandmother, from the Snape side. The Princes had all had dark eyes; he had gotten his eyes from his mother.

Eventually Severus' eyes began drooping closed, exhaustion catching up on him like a freight train from hell. Removing his hand from his son's face he curled himself around his son, his arm laying over him like a security blanket.

Harry woke up cocooned in warmth, but he shivered feeling cold despite the fact he was under his covers. He couldn't smell very well at all, his nose was all stuffy and blocked he was ill. He shuddered anew remembering the last time he had been ill, he had, had a fever and screamed. His Uncle had come stomping into his cupboard and walloped him with a crutch rendering him unconscious. He could barely breathe; he could feel his lungs rattling around in his chest.

"Daddy?" whispered Harry, shivering even more his eyes glazing over slightly. He might as well have not said anything, as Severus continued to sleep on. Remembering what happened last night just made him hyperventilate even more.

"DADDY!" gasped Harry wide eyed, he really couldn't breath. No matter what he did it seemed as if his lungs weren't getting enough air. He yanked at his daddy's hand which was under the covers with him.

Oooo what's gonna happen? will harry be unconsious and not breathing when Severus wakes up? or will he wake up before any damange is done? will Harry Potter die and prove Dumbledore right? and the world end? R&R please