Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

"Harry, I have a new vegetable for you to try." Severus told his toddler who was sitting in his high chair. Harry looked curiously at the jar of food. He watched his father dip a spoon into the jar and then hold out a spoonful. "Green beans," Severus told him.

Harry frowned as he sniffed at the green offering and shook his head. "No!" He pouted.

"Now, Harry. Just try a bite," Severus coaxed softly.

Lily grinned as Harry clamped his mouth shut and shook his head again. "Maybe you should try some Sev, to show him how good it tastes." She suggested as she stifled back a laugh.

Severus narrowed his eyes at his mischievous looking wife. "All right," He put the spoon in his mouth and made a show of how delicious it was. "Yum!"

Lily and Harry giggled. "See Harry, Daddy likes it." She said, her emerald eyes bright with mirth.

Harry grabbed the next spoonful from his daddy and held it up.

"Good boy." Severus said in satisfaction. His pleased look was short lived as a moment later his face and hair was covered in baby green bean food.

Lily held the side of the counter so that she wouldn't fall as she broke into laughter. "Oh Sev!" She gasped from laughing. "At least it's Slytherin green!"

Harry was giggling as Severus reached up to wipe away some of the food from his face. He eyed his little boy and tried for a stern look but couldn't stop his lips from twitching slightly. He reached for his wand and cleaned the mess.

Harry's eyes had brightened as he watched and he clapped his pudgy hands together. "Again!" He squealed.

"I do not think so." Severus said with a rueful shake of his head as he pulled the jar of green beans out of Harry's reach. He stood up and smirked at Lily. "This is obviously your fault." He said lightly to his wife.

Lily raised an eyebrow as she went so stand in front of her husband. "Is that so? How?"

"Our son obviously gets his impertinence from you." Severus informed her.

"He is not impertinent." Lily smiled innocently. "He just thinks you look good in green."

Severus's scowl was interrupted as Lily stood on her tip toes and kissed him softly on the lips. His eyes brightened and he softly ran his finger down the side of her face. "I suppose we should try another jar of food for Harry. Those green beans really did not taste very good." This time he joined Lily in her laughter as their son's giggles also filled the room.

Harry withdrew from the pensive with a big smile on his face. He had come back from the detention he had served with McGonagall, along with Hermione, and must have had a dejected look on his face because his dad quickly offered him the pensive to look in. The detention had been served right after breakfast and had consisted of a sound lecture from McGonagall and finished with him and Hermione writing lines in silence. It wasn't that the detention was bad, as detentions go anyway. Yeah, it was boring writing lines but Harry had felt so bad when he had seen the downcast expression on Hermione's face. He had a feeling that she had already been told off by their Head of House for misusing the time turner and he couldn't help but feel guilty as she had only been helping him. Ron had already been released from the infirmary and had given them sympathetic looks when McGonagall had led them away from the Gryffindor table.

Harry went and found his dad doing paperwork in his office. He plopped in the seat in front of his dad's desk. "Thank you for the pensive."

Severus looked up and smiled softly. "You are very welcome."

"So am I allowed to go back to the Tower now that we know Sirius isn't after me and Pettigrew's been caught?"

Severus nodded. "Yes, after your grounding you may move back. Which reminds me…" He held out a book.

Harry took it and glanced at the cover. The laws and Regulations of Time Twisting. "I could easily study this in the Tower." He remarked casually. It wasn't that he disliked being with his dad in their quarters but he also liked being in the Tower with his friends. He liked alternating his time between both places.

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Would you study it in the Tower?" He asked pointedly.

"Um," Harry hesitated. He would probably get distracted with his friends. He noticed his dad giving him a knowing look.

Harry sighed. "Guess I should start reading it huh?"

Severus held back a grin. "The sooner you do, the sooner you can pass my quiz and rejoin your friends in the Tower."

"Can I read it in here?" Harry asked.

"Yes, you may."

Harry opened the book to the first chapter. "Hey Dad?" He said as he began reading.

"Hmm?"

"Mum was right. You do look good in green."

Severus raised his eyes to meet sparkling green ones. "Read your book, you cheeky brat." He chuckled.

Twenty minutes later Severus heard the floo flare to life and he left Harry in the office to see who it was. Only a few people had access to his floo. "Headmaster, how may I help you today?"

"I have heard from Lucius." Dumbledore said quietly. "He is ready to go to Voldemort. He believes he knows where he is hiding. Is the potion ready?"

"It will be ready to use by tomorrow." Severus told him. "Lucius will need back-up. Despite being weak we do not know what Voldemort is still capable of. I will be there of course."

"I will be there, as well as Kingsley, Tonks and Alastor Moody." Dumbledore said. "Fudge will be aware that we are planning to bring Voldemort in tomorrow night, the cell will be ready."

Severus made a face. Kingsley he approved of but Tonks was new as an Auror and she was known for being quite clumsy. And Moody used to be one of the best but was now a paranoid man who once tried to cut off his own wooden leg as he was convinced it had been hexed. "Tonks and Moody?"

"I trust them and they are very skillful, Severus." Dumbledore said in amusement. He cleared his throat. "I was thinking we could also have Remus and Sirius there. They are capable wizards too."

Severus's face darkened. "Lupin may be somewhat capable but the mutt? He is crazy Headmaster."

Dumbledore sighed. "He spent twelve years locked up for a crime he did not commit. Of course he is not…completely himself."

"Do you really think he would be able to show restraint and only fight if needed?" Severus asked seriously. "We need people we can trust not to rush into throwing hexes as soon as they see Voldemort."

Dumbledore nodded slowly. They did have to tread cautiously when dealing with Voldemort as they did not want him to have a chance to disappear again.

"Also, I do not trust Lupin either." Severus said, anger filling his voice. "He knew that Black was an Animagus and did not say anything!"

"I know that Severus." Dumbledore sighed. "I was upset too. I spoke with Remus this morning. He apologized for his lapse in judgment. He was afraid I would be disappointed that he had helped his friends become Animagi during their fifth year. They did it so that Remus wouldn't be alone during his transformations."

"How noble." Severus muttered. "If he had told us I would have been more suspicious of a stray dog on the grounds." To think he had been going to let Snuffles come to the cottage. He shuddered at the thought.

"Perhaps," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "Remus and Sirius could stay with Harry while we are going after Voldemort."

Severus stared at his mentor. "Do you need a sanity potion Headmaster?"

Dumbledore looked affronted though his eyes were twinkling. "Why am I always asked that?"

"Because you are clearly insane!" Severus said exasperatedly. "I perhaps will allow Lupin to stay with Harry if my son agrees but Black? He still doesn't believe Harry is my son! Unless…you have showed him the pensive?"

"No, not yet. He has been in the infirmary since Fudge pardoned him and Poppy has been fussing over him. Remus is there too, recovering from his transformation last night. He is most upset that he almost hurt you and the children. They are both insistent to see Harry."

"No. Not Black, not until he accepts the truth that Harry is mine and Lily's son." Severus said shortly. "After he does, he will probably not care to see Harry at all." He added somewhat snidely.

"He was friends with Lily as well." Dumbledore reminded him. "Remus still cares for Harry after all and he is the same child that Sirius knew as a baby, of course he will care. He just has a lot of changes to adjust to."

"Albus, I don't care about the mutt or how difficult things are for him. If he accepts, as Lupin as done, that Harry is not James's child then he may visit my son occasionally if Harry wants him to." Severus said with a note of finality in his voice. "He is not Harry's godfather and I do not want him upsetting my son with his hatred of me."

"I understand Severus." Dumbledore said. "So, how is Harry faring since his adventure with the time-turner?"

"He is reading a book about them right now." Severus answered. "I will be giving him a quiz that he is expected to pass and when he does he will be lifted from restriction."

Dumbledore smiled. "That sounds fair." He adjusted his moon shaped glasses. "He and Miss. Granger were awfully brave to do what they did, despite it being dangerous." He quickly added as he saw Severus's face darken.

"No points." Severus said shortly. "Do not even think about it."

"Of course not," Dumbledore smiled sweetly and then went to the fireplace and threw down the floo powder. "We will continue to discuss Remus and Sirius watching Harry tomorrow a little later."

"I do not-"Severus sighed as Dumbledore disappeared into the green flames. "Old coot." He muttered. He went back into his office and was pleased to see Harry was still concentrating on his reading.

"Who was at the floo?"

"The Headmaster," Severus answered as he sat back down at his desk.

"How are Professor Lupin and Sirius doing?" Harry asked, looking up from his book. "Did Professor Lupin recover from his, er, transformation?"

"Yes, he and Black are in the infirmary right now." Severus said. He met his son's eyes. "Black still refuses to believe you are my son." He told him. "I am not comfortable with him being around you until he accepts the truth."

Harry nodded his understanding.

"As the situation with a crazed murderer being after you is over, I thought you might like to have a little party for a few of your friends here tomorrow evening." He preferred Harry to be in the safety of their quarters while the Voldemort was dealt with. He assumed Lucius would be comfortable with that as well for Draco.

"But I'm grounded." Harry pointed out.

Severus bit back a sigh. Where was this child's sense of self- preservation? "I am making an exception." He said smoothly. "You get one night off of your restrictions as long as you do not leave these quarters tomorrow."

"Brilliant! Thanks Dad!" Harry beamed.

"I assume you will invite Mr. Weasley and Miss. Granger but I was thinking you could invite Draco as well." Severus said casually.

Harry nodded. "Sure. I need to thank him for getting help when Hermione and I followed Ron into the Whomping Willow." He paused and narrowed his eyes. Something was up. He thought for a minute. "Are you going after Voldemort tomorrow?"

Severus widened his eyes in surprise. "Why do you think that?" He asked curiously.

"You are letting me have friends over even though I'm grounded and you specifically want Draco here as well." Harry said thoughtfully. "You said there was someone who was going to act as a spy to help trap Voldemort and Draco's been nicer this year and mentioned that his parents don't want Voldemort to return…" Now Harry was the one who looked surprised. "Mr. Malfoy is helping the Order?"

"Yes." Severus admitted. "But do not mention it to Draco as I do not know if he is aware of what is going to happen tomorrow. It would only worry him."

"But I'll be worried." Harry protested. "About you!"

"You need not be." Severus assured Harry. "Lucius is actually taking the more dangerous role in this plan. I am merely there to provide aid if needed and to administer the potion to Voldemort. The Headmaster and several Aurors will be there as well."

Harry looked less anxious. "I won't say anything to Draco." Harry said finally. His face brightened. "So we get to have a party without any adult supervision?"

"That would be very nice of me but no." Severus smirked. "Someone will be here to make sure our quarters are not torn apart."

Harry rolled his eyes playfully. "All right. Who?"

"I am not sure yet." Severus admitted. "Perhaps Lupin if you are comfortable with that. However, it would be best not to let anyone else know that he is a werewolf. He could lose his job if parents found out and protested."

"Oh, okay." Harry said. "I don't mind him supervising." Seeing his Professor turn into a wolf had been frightening but he knew the man was kind and cared about him.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door and Harry offered to get it. He opened the door to reveal none other than Sirius Black. "Harry!" Sirius said in relief. "You're okay!"

"Of course I'm okay." Harry said with a small smile. "How are you feeling?"

Sirius returned the smile. "I am much better now that I have clean clothes, food in my stomach and had a decent night sleep. So, are you ready?"

"Ready for what?"

"To get out of here!" Sirius said as though it should have been obvious. "I am a free man now Harry. I can take care of you like I was supposed to. I will also get rid of that glamour." He pulled out his new wand that the Headmaster had given him. "Finite Incantatem!" He frowned when it did not work.

"Get away from my son and if you pull your wand on him again I will turn you into a chew toy for Lupin the next time he transforms!" Severus hissed as he pulled Harry behind him. "What part of he is my son do you not understand?"

"I remember him as a baby Snivellus!" Sirius shot back. "He is James and Lily's son. I am his godfather and I demand that you stay away from him!"

"He. Is. My. Son." Severus said slowly and menacingly. "Albus has the proof if you take the time to see it. I personally do not care if you accept the fact or not but if it stop your bouts of idiocy than I will also do a paternity potion."

Sirius stared at him in confusion. How come everyone seemed so sure? Even Snape appeared to really believe it. He looked past him at Harry. "I don't understand." He said quietly.

Severus struggled to keep his temper. "Go to Albus's office. There is a pensive that will show you the truth."

Sirius shook his head. Part of him did not want to know the truth that was becoming so obvious. The whole time in Azkaban all he could think about was one day getting out and caring for his best friend's son. How could it all be a lie? "You hated James." He said finally. "The ultimate revenge would be to steal his son. No, Harry comes with me. I will look in the pensive but Harry comes with me." He made to step around Severus to Harry.

"Pullus!" A purple light came from Severus's wand and where once had stood Sirius Black now stood a chicken.

"Dad!" Harry exclaimed as he stared down at the confused looking bird.

"Bock!" The chicken flapped its wings indignantly.

"What do you think? Fried? Roasted?" Severus smirked as he went to the fireplace and threw down some floo powder. "Albus!"

Harry couldn't help but laugh as he bent down to pat Sirius on the head. "He's kidding." Harry assured him. I think, he mentally added.

"Bock!"

"What is it Severus?" Dumbledore stepped through and frowned when he saw the chicken flapping its wings. "Did you get a new pet?"

"Merlin, no." Severus gestured to the bird. "Could you take Black to your office and show him the pensive once and for all?"

"Yes I will-"Dumbledore paused and frowned. "Severus, did you turn Sirius Black into a chicken?"

"I did." Severus answered with no hint of regret. "He came here to take Harry with him. He is fortunate that turning him into a chicken is all I did."

"Begowwwwk!"

TBC: Hope you enjoyed!