DISCLAIMERS: I don't own anthing other than the plot. J.K. owns the characters and I just borrowed them to play with.

A/n: Re-posted 08/17/2013

italics = Thoughts

Chapter 14 – Malfoys and Weasleys

"Severus, sit down," Lucius said, preoccupied. He momentarily forgot that Harry Potter was standing there. "You MUST be sick! Why else would you be claiming Harry Potter… HARRY POTTER!... as your SON?"

"Stop this nonsense, Lucius!" growled Severus when the older blond tried to pull him to the couch. "I'm not sick! Harry IS my son!"

"It's worse than I thought..." mumbled Lucius, looking with pity at his long-time friend.

Whilst the adults talked, Draco looked at the brunette boy, his rival, who was just standing still by the kitchen's door, looking at them all with wide eyes.

Draco knew much more about Harry then people believed. The fact that they were rivals gave him the chance to get to know the other boy. After all, he had to know which buttons to push to get a reaction from the famous boy. So he observed Harry at every chance he got. And by observing him, Draco was proud to say he knew everything there was to know about the Boy-Who-Lived. At least, that was what he believed until he heard from his godfather's mouth that the Boy-Who-Lived was actually... almost a relative of his?

It was mostly the shock of seeing Potter at Severus's house, and then hearing the man call him his son that distracted Draco from seeing what was happening to the boy in front of him. When the brunette started hyperventilating, Draco realized that his and his father's presence had brought it on. Impulsively, Draco put on his most sarcastic smile and said, "So, you've finally learned how to dress appropriately, huh, Potter?"

Draco's smug voice was enough to bring Harry out of his almost-panic attack. The green-eyed boy looked at the blond and realized that the sarcastic smile didn't quite match the worry he could see in those grey eyes. But before Harry could get a grip on himself and give the blond an answer, Severus and Lucius looked up at the boys, Draco's voice reminding them both that their sons were in the room with them.

"Draco, don't talk like that to Harry!" Severus lashed out. Looking at his son, he asked, "Are you alright, Harry?"

Severus's voice brought Harry out of his stupor. He looked at Draco, then at Lucius, and lastly at Severus. He nodded his head in answer and went to the bookshelf that would lead him to the second floor.

"I... I'll let you talk," Harry stammered as he rushed up the stairs.

"Harry!" Severus tried to call, but the boy pretended to not hear him.

"You need to discipline that boy," said Lucius disdainfully "Such poor manners."

"Actually, Lucius," Severus's voice got more and more venomous, "For the kind of life he has had so far, he is actually very well mannered."

"So, you found out about his relatives then..." Draco mumbled quietly under his breath, but not quietly enough.

"WHAT?" Severus was more than angry. "How do YOU know about his relatives, Draco?"

"Er..." Draco didn't know what to say, the adults looking at him with speculative and accusative glares, making him feel ashamed.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy!" exclaimed Lucius. "What exactly do you know about Potter's situation?"

"He hates living with his relatives… or hated living with his relatives, since he now lives with you Uncle Sev. He's the second smallest boy at Hogwarts... and I'm counting the ones that were firsties last year too! He always seems scared at how much food there is at the welcoming feast, and the only time he's ever comfortable is when he is flying his broom," Draco answered after a moment "Oh! And he only has two friends, because every time he talks to the other students, they look at him like he was Merlin... or Salazar, according to what's happening at Hogwarts."

Lucius was impressed. How Draco managed to get his hands on all of that information was beyond him, but at that moment, all he felt was pride for his son.

Severus, on the other hand, was analysing his godson's speech and all of the details that it had. He couldn't find anything wrong with what Draco had said. And whilst he was impressed – because it did show how perceptive Draco was – it also left Severus with a bad taste in his mouth. After all, he had always judged himself more perceptive then a fourteen-year-old teen.

"What I don't understand, though," continued Draco, cutting the silence that fell heavy around them, "Is how Harry Potter could be your son, Uncle Sev."

"Oh, I would love to know how that happened as well," agreed Lucius.

"It happened the same way all children are conceived," was Severus's answer.

"You mean..?" Lucius said maliciously.

"Exactly what your perverted mind is thinking Lucius. I had an affair with Lily Potter. Well, I suppose I shouldn't call it an affair..." Severus voice was full of suppressed emotions "It was one night, only one night. But it was enough for Harry to be conceived. James Potter knew the child wasn't his and adopted him magically."

"And how did you reached this conclusion?" Lucius wanted all the dirty details from that story. After all, finding out you had a thirteen-year-old son added to the fact that Severus had resented the boy for the last three years because the boy was Potter's son with the woman Severus had loved all these years, couldn't be sitting well for the Potion's Master.

"You should remember, Draco, that a few weeks after the last quidditch match Harry got sick?"

"Dragon Pox, wasn't it?" asked the boy. "I still don't know how he managed to get Dragon Pox at Hogwarts!"

"Yes. Anyway, I had to make the elixir he needed..."

"And how did an illness lead you to the knowledge of him being your son, Severus?" Lucius was acting very out of character, but he was so curious he couldn't help himself.

"As I was saying..." Severus continued, looking strangely at his friend. "Harry is allergic to the root of the Mimbulus mimbletonia," he said with a finality in his voice, like the fact that Harry was allergic to the root should answer all their questions.

"I don't follow..." said Draco.

"This is a rare allergy, found only in magical families. The Potters have never had it," completed Snape.

"But the Princes do," finished Lucius. "I remember your mother had to let the nurse know about it."

"Exactly."

"And combining that with your relationship with Evans..." Lucius kept pushing.

"You understand Lucius, bravo! And all I had to do was give you all the tiny details!" Severus couldn't stop the bite in his voice.

WHOSSON###WHOSSON

Whilst that conversation was taking place in the sitting room, Harry was pacing in his room, his mind creating the most preposterous scenarios as to what would happen next. He was sure that the Malfoys would make Severus send him away. The fact that Harry wanted to stay with Snape hadn't quite sunk in yet, only the fear that he would be sent back to the Dursleys.

As he panicked, Hedwig arrived with a letter tied to her claw. The poor owl had to almost crash into Harry to get his attention, which made Harry jump, that's how lost he was in his thoughts.

"Sorry girl," said Harry after Hedwig landed on the back of a chair, leg stretched out so he could untie the letter. "I didn't see you there."

Carefully, Harry untied the letter and sat on the bed. He recognized the handwriting as Ron's.

Dear Harry,

Where have you been? Why weren't you on the Hogwarts Express with us going back to London? Did something happen? Dumbledore said you had to stay at Hogwarts a few more hours...

Mom is worried sick! She wanted to talk to you, after all that happened this year... with Sirius escaping and all that... By the way, have you heard from him yet? He and Buckbeak escaped without problems?

Dad said there are rumours that you went to Diagon Alley today! With Snape! Can you believe it? You walking around with Snape? What are these people going to say next?

Write soon, we're worrying here!

Ron.

Harry felt his heart clench. Ron and the Weasleys were worrying about him. But at the same time it made him feel good. It showed him that someone actually cared for him. He also felt devastated. HOW was he going to tell Ron and Hermione about all that had happened in the last few days? HOW could he tell them that yes, he did go to Diagon Alley with Snape. And even worse, that Severus Snape was his FATHER! Oh... Harry was absolutely lost.

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