A/N: Thanks to those who review this story. It means a lot to me that you take the time. This chapter is about Harry with a little Jackson thrown in. Please let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Chapter 7

Earlier that same day…

"Harry"

Nothing.

"Harry, sweetheart."

"Hmm"

"Harry James Potter-Snape!"

"Wha..I'm up! I'm up Lizzy!" Sitting up Harry looks around at the surroundings and he can't remember how he got here. Rubbing his eyes, he moves to get up. The memories of his dreams are slowly trickling back into his consciousnesses. Severus!?

"Potter-Snape? Did someone just call me Potter-Snape?"

"Yes, sweetheart. That is your name, is it not?" a female voice that sounds full of love and happiness. To Harry it sounded like an Angel from Heaven the way it caressed his soul and makes him feel safe.

Looking around for the owner of said voice and finding no one, he tries again, "Uh…hello? Who's there?" Sitting with his feet on the floor, he rubs at his chest, not because it hurt, but because there's a tingling sensation and when he touches his skin it immediately goes away, and he's left feeling calmer and refreshed. Not fully aware of what just happened he looks up to see tiny little lights flutter around and eventually a form of a body. Starting from the feet and moving up to reveal a slender torso, then a head with long flowing golden hair. Her face is soft porcelain white with just a touch of blush on her cheeks and her crystal blue eyes hold tenderness, love, and knowledge. She is breathtaking and Harry inhales a sharp breath. "Wow, who are you?" not taking his eyes from hers.

Smiling lovingly at Harry she says, "Harry. How are you feeling? It's been quite a couple of days for you, my son." She said, reaching out to touch his arm and coming to sit on the bed next to him. "Don't fear Harry. Everything is all right, I just need to talk to you and this is the only way I could make it possible. I'm Lady Magic but you can call me Tate if you need a name. You and Severus have inadvertently triggered a magic hailstorm within yourselves, giving me a quite a scare, but I was able to step in and guide the two of you through it."

Licking his lips and swallowing Harry kept his hand on his chest and thought back to the dreams he could remember. Seeing Conner and Albus together was certainly unexpected, meeting some guy in a black suit…led him to a memory…a memory…a memory of him and Severus making love in their clearing in the Forrest. A memory he viewed with another person…why? Suddenly Harry's eyebrows shot up, "Ohmygod!" and his heart fluttered.

With a slight laugh, "Yes, I see you have remembered and I have a great deal to tell you my son."

"Why…why do you keep saying that? Calling me that? And did I just witness Severus and I bonding? Have we been bonded this whole time?!" He asked and shifts around to face his visitor better. Bonded…Bloody hell. The urge to leave and seek out Severus is over whelming and he has to reign in the emotions that are flowing through his body. I just need to touch him, smell him…please. He looks back to Tate, "Severus" he breathes out, "I need him…where?" closing his eyes "What's happening?" He opens them and looks at her pleadingly.

"Oh Child. You are my Champion, my Heir of Magic and that makes you my son. I have been watching you for practically your whole life, since you started learning about magic. I was drawn to you for some unknown reason, like a moth to a flame, and at first I didn't understand it. So, I just observed you and watched your magic grow, watched how you controlled it not knowing that your magic was much more powerful than any other magical child. You just controlled it with such ease and finesse that I was in such awe of you. I kept my eye on you while I moved about my realm, but I always found myself back at your side. Not because you called me, or I went willingly but for reasons I couldn't fathom at the time. You see Harry, you are Magic reborn. You are the most powerful wizard to come along in a Millenia." She softly squeezed his arm and when she smiled at him, his insides felt warm and fuzzy. He shifted in his seat and his face became flush.

"You feel it don't you? The magic. It flows through you, so strong and powerful and you don't even realize it. Do you?" He shook his head no. "When I realized what I was witnessing and what my own magic was telling me, you had already found your mate. And a good choice of mate at that, by the way. Severus is a strong magical being, his core large and steady and his hold on his magic is exceptional. When the two of you would mate I would feel it" she patted her own chest. "here, in my heart. I could feel the emotion, the thrum of magic as it vibrated between the two of you. So powerful, so full of emotion." She closed her eyes at the memory. "Sometimes I would double over with all the sensations the two of you sent my way, and then it happened." Opening her eyes and fixing her stare firmly at Harry's large green eyes. "I heard your declarations to each other and felt the intention to be true and pure. I accepted the oath, the vow of love you both gave unknowingly to each other and I joined your cores, your souls together. I connected you together magically not for the war Harry, but because together you are my salvation. Magic's redemption. Do you understand what I'm saying to you, son?" She smiled at him softening her eyes and Harry felt comfortable enough with her to say, "No?" Rubbing at his chest absently.

"I mean, I do but I don't understand how you can bind us together and we not know? How could we not know? And Severus broke up with me, pushed me away and I didn't feel any strain from a bond. How is that possible?" Harry just can't wrap his mind around all this new information. He's been married to Severus this whole time? Why didn't he know this earlier when he could have used Severus during his pregnancy! Standing up Harry tries but fails to hide his anger. "We are bonded, and I went through my pregnancy without my partner! I needed him! We need him!" Merlin, this is so fucked up! Running a hand through his hair, he glares hard at her. "How could you allow that to happen? How can you sit there and say you did this to us to save magic but allow my baby to die!" His voice rising as he speaks, and tears gather at the corner of his eyes, "I lost my Conner, my baby. Do you have any idea what that did to me in here?" Slapping his fist into his chest hard. "Do you?" he whispered. It's all too much and as much as he's happy about being bonded to Severus, he's just as sad at losing his son when he didn't have to.

"I'm sorry Harry, I knew this part of the conversation would be difficult for you, but please hear me out. Everything happened for a reason. Maybe not exactly the way I wanted it to happen, but the end result is what needed to be. Conner, your sweet child, is meant to be here with me."

Harry snorted. "Why? Give me one good reason my child had to suffer the way he did and why is he meant to be with you and not me, his own flesh and blood! Tell me!" His temper is holding for now, but he better start getting some concrete answers quick. Harry took in a long deep breath and let it out slowly. "Tell me why." He said deflated. Sitting back down on the bed and hanging his head to hide the tears. "Just tell me why I had to lose my baby." He sobbed.

Tate stood from the bed and knelt in front of Harry, putting her hands on his knees, and looking up onto his face. "Honey, I'm sorry I hurt you. It surely wasn't my intention to cause you any pain, but the choices people make are out of my control. I could have let the bond act like any normal bond, but your bond is anything but normal. Your bond was created by magic herself, me. I'm magic, Harry, I'm the keeper of spells, the beginning and end of all things magical. You might know me better by my given name, Hecate." At this Harry looked up into her eyes surprised at the name. She laughed at his surprise but kept going. "Magic is dying Harry, the future of the wizarding world is becoming nonexistent with each passing year, and I just couldn't let that happen. Then you came into being and I felt something stir inside me. Your magic sung to me and I clung to you. When you and Severus became lovers, my soul sang with glory and I knew I found my deliverance, the answer to my prayers and it all became clear. All of it. What I had to do, what would happen, and when to step in. This is me stepping in, Harry. This is me righting the wrongs, please let me." she pleaded.

Harry nodded for her to continue wiping his face and giving her his full attention. "First, my baby then you can tell me how to fix this with my husband." The love he's always felt for the man are flooding him now, consuming him, intensifying his nerve endings, and trying to over shadow the hurt and despair he's feeling over losing his baby. Merlin, he wants to feel him again.

"Of course. You having children is part of the magical bond. There are few bonds that have this aspect for two bonded men, but I had to make sure you could procreate, and you can only produce children with your bonded and no one else. I wove it into the fabric of the bond by using your magic to do so. You have become the keeper of magic for all future generations, Harry, therefore you needed to be able to bare children." Talking so softly "Your first pregnancy was always going to be twins, no matter what happens with future pregnancies. I needed you to produce two fairly identical children of Magic, one for the living and one for the dead."

Harry blanched at the sound of that last statement. "That sounds an awful lot like Conner was destined to die whether Severus was here or not. How can that not be considered cruel? How can you think that that statement would make me feel any better?" Shaking his head and wiping his nose, Harry just didn't understand. "That's my baby, Tate. It is never okay to lose your baby."

"Conner is an exceptional child, Harry. He has grown so much in power and in knowledge of Magic itself in just the few years he's been here. Don't let his size fool you, he knows exactly what he is and what his job is here. I love that child, Harry, love him like he was my own. Don't you for one second worry over him, this is his home and it was always meant to be his home. And he has the love of me and his family surrounding him here to guide him along the way." At the word 'family' Harry lifted his eyebrows as if to say, 'mum and dad?' and she smiled and nodded her head. "He is a very happy little boy and he will always be this child; so full of love, innocence, and power because he will never grow up, Harry, he will always be the Child of Magic and you should be so proud of him.

Your magic couldn't sustain both the fetus', my son, because Conner's fetus was empowered by my own magic. You and Severus created him and while both children were in their infancy, my magic visited them, held court over them and conversed with their magical core quite frequently. I told them of Magic's destiny and the love of their two fathers and how, with my help, this family will ensure the prosperity of Magic for another Millenia. I explained what was needed and Conner's magic reached out to me, embraced me and I knew he was the one. When he was born, he was already in heaven with me, so he felt no pain, Harry, no pain at all. I'm sorry that his body held on for so long and that you felt that he suffered. He did not, of that I can assure you" She implored Harry to understand.

"Why do you need him? What exactly is his purpose?" he asked quietly.

"His purpose is simple, Harry. He is the keeper of Magic for the dead. His job is to ensure that there are magical children born. Without him, witches and wizards would stop being born and eventually all magic would die. On the other hand, Jackson will be the Healer of Magic. He will be able heal broken and depleted cores by a simple touch. This is a rare and special gift that he will come into when the time is right. And before you ask, all your children will be like you and Severus; strong, powerful, and able to bare children."

Standing up and pulling Harry to his feet, she lovingly moved his bangs from his scar and kissed his forehead. "My son. Conner is with his family; your family and Severus' family and he is thriving under their tutelage. Please try to understand, if not for me then for him."

Harry nodded and cleared his throat, "I get it, but that doesn't change what I went through…" looking into her eyes, Harry lost his train of thought for a second, "I just miss him so much, but I feel better knowing he's with family and that he's loved."

"Of course, honey. But I want you to be happy too and so does Conner. Hence all the dreams you've been having." She chuckled lightly and patted his chest with both her hands before backing up a step.

Looking to the other side of the room she simply said, "Conner, come child."

After a few silent minutes, "Comin'!, Tate! Guess where I just was?!" came a tiny voice from somewhere.

Harry looked around just as the child came through the far wall waving a parchment over his head and flush with adrenaline. Conner. He drew in a breath.

"I drew him a picture of my family and, OH!, I forget to give it to him! Tate! I hav'ta go back!" the look of despair all over his little face and his big black eyes going wide at the realization.

"Conner calm down honey. He's not going anywhere where you can't visit. When we are done here you may go back, ok? Come here." She motioned him forward and around the room to stand in front of Harry. "Conner, do you have anything you want to say to your dad? Remember what we talked about."

"Daddy" shuffling his feet and looking up, "Dad!" bounding into Harry, almost knocking him over, tiny arms try to wrap themselves around Harry's thighs, "Daddy! Don't be sad!"

Harry almost fell back when the child bounded into him, catching himself by wrapping his arms around the tiny boy. He kneels down to properly hold him and the child wraps his arms around his neck. Harry closes his eyes and buries his nose in his black hair. Inhaling him. Savoring him. Memorizing him… his son. The tears come unbidden. He never in a million years thought he would ever hold Conner again, feel him again, embrace him again. This is a dream come true. "Merlin Conner, I've missed you so much, so much. And I love you, God how I love you."

"I wuv you daddy!" pulling away and looking straight into his daddy's eyes, "So you know ever'ting now, will you ands papa will be togeder now? Tate said it is time for you guys to…" turning to look at Tate, "what did you say again?"

"I said, 'it's time to stop this nonsense and get you two back in touch with each other' and that's why I put a bug in Minerva's ear about needing supplies and to send Severus to the Alley where he ran into you. When he touched your arm, it started the bond up and this time I let the bond show how unhappy it is that you are separated. I allowed it to put you in this state, so I may show you things and talk to you." She looked down to Conner and nodded.

"Daddy, I want you to be happy but how can you be happy if papa is at Hogwarts and you're here? My brodder should know papa, he's a great papa!"

"Conner, you know who your other father is?" Harry asked surprised. Touching his chest absent mindedly.

The child nods his head enthusiastically and giggles, "I drew him a picture of my family! See!" Thrusting the picture at Harry. "I was 'splaining who everyone is when Tate called me. See, here's you and papa and Gampa and…."

"Conner, don't you have something else you need to tell your daddy." Tate's stern voice broke into his rant and he looked to her before turning back to Harry. His features steady and serious.

"Daddy, Magic needs you to be happy. We need you to be happy, so you needs to wake up. You need to tell my brodder and Wizzy what you learned here today and then you have'ta go to Hogwarts and find papa. He is missing you vewy much and he needs to meet my brodder and so you can have more kids…"

"Uhm, Conner" Tate chided. "What did we talk about?"

"No talking of the future…okay." Looking like a lost puppy, Conner turned back to his dad, "Daddy, pwease. I want you and papa to be togeder and to be loving each oder. The past is in the past and dere's nofing you can do to change that now, but you can change what's happening in your life at dis time. You need him, and he needs you. Go to him." Conner smiles up at Harry and Harry melts. Smiling back down at his son, he ruffles his hair and said, "Yes, I do believe it is time for all this to end. It's time for us to become a family. Ok Conner, I will do what I can to make this happen."

"Yeah!" hugging his dad tight. "Thank you daddy. If you want, I can draw you a picture too!"

"I would love that son. I would really love that." Looking to Tate he asked, "What now?"

"Now, my son, if you have no more questions, you wake up and do as your son has requested. Go to Hogwarts and fix things with your husband, though I feel it won't take much to gain his attention again. He's pretty wound up over all of this and upset in the role that his friend and mentor took in it." She came to stand next to him and leaned in close, "I'm very proud of you, Harry. You make me so happy and now all I want is for you to be just as happy. Go honey and be happy."

Lizzy was pulling her hair out. Jackson wouldn't leave Harry's side since he's been unconscious, and she couldn't find any information on what was happening to her best friend. Feeling defeated she got up from the table to pour herself a cuppa when something caught the corner of her eye. Turning back to her pile of books, she spots a small book that she hasn't seen before. Curiosity getting the better of her and forgetting everything else, she apprehensively reaches for the book. When her fingers close around the binding a ting of magic travels up he arm. What the fuck?!

Jackson stirs next to his father. It's been two days and his dad hasn't moved not even a twitch. He's scared that he will never wake up. Wrapping his small arms around his dad's torso, he buries his face in his dad's shoulder and whimpers.

"It's gonna be okay, Jackson." Came a reassuring voice to his left.

Jackson only moved his head to look at who ever just spoke to him, but there wasn't anyone there. Moving away from the comfort of his father, Jackson made his way to the edge of the bed and froze. On the floor, sitting with his legs spread out playing with a stuffed dragon is a boy that looked almost like him. "Who are you?" he asked very slowly. His dad taught him about stranger danger and even though this kid looks like him, he wasn't taking any chances and reached back with one hand and intertwined his fingers with Harry's. "And does Liz know you're in here? Cause she'll tan your hide no matter who you are if you're not s'posed to be in here." Jackson stated as a matter of fact. Still not brave enough to leave the bed.

"Yup, but I haven't met Wiz yet, and now I'm kinda scared to. Will she really beat me?" the little boy actually looked scared and Jackson started to feel bad for lying to him. Although Lizzy would be very mad she would never lay a hand on a child.

"Who are you first. This is my dad's room and I'm pwetty sure he doesn't know you 'casue I would know you and I don't." feeling a bit more confident in the situation, Jackson moved to put his feet on the floor.

Conner stood up with his stuffed dragon and he noticed that he was the same height as Jackson, he smiled. " Sorry, I hav'ta go be somewhere right now but I pwomice I'll be back, and I'll tell you evrythin'! okay?" Looking to Jackson with his big black eyes.

Before Jackson could say another word the boy vanishes, toy and all. Jackson just stood there and watched the spot he was just in for a couple of minutes before yelling at the top of his lungs for Lizzy.

Bloody Hell! Lizzy took off for the safe room at a sprint, the book all but forgotten. Hopefully Harry woke up, that could be the only reason Jackson would be yelling like a banshee. Merlin, how she hoped that's the case. This week has been one she would like to get through and then forget. Life was so much simpler when they were only concerned about the move to the States. Now, she fears, that might be in question because whatever this is, is not going away. It started when Harry saw Severus the other day and that has to mean something. In fact, she knows it does. Her gut is telling her so and she always did have good intuition.

Opening the door to the room, the first thing she notices is Jackson sitting on the floor, hollering like there's no tomorrow. "Jackson! What's going on buddy?" as she kneels down beside him, moving his hair away from his face.

"Lizzy! There was a boy here. He was just sitting here on the floor and when I asked him who he was, he didn't answer me. But when I got off the bed he just disappeared! Like a magic trick!" Looking to the only sane adult in the room for answers, 'cause he is totally freaked out, he felt relieved when her face soften, and she sat on the floor and pulled him into her lap wrapping him in her arms.

"A boy? Hmm, are you sure you weren't dreaming?" she inquired, rubbing her hand through his hair lovingly.

Shaking his head, "Not dreaming. I was…I was crying again holding daddy and I heard someone tell me it would be okay. I looked around 'cause I didn't know who said it and I seen the boy right here on the floor, playing with a stuffed dragon." Looking up into her eyes, "It is just like mine only mine is red and his was green."

Lizzy started at that. No. Thinking back, she knew what her and Harry had done, but…how can that be? "A stuffed dragon you say? A green one, huh?"

Jackson nodded, and Lizzy turned white. What the fuck is going on here! Looking to the bed for anything and wishing that her friend would wake, she was surprised to see movement and she jumped up startling the child in the process. "Harry!" "Daddy!" They exclaimed at the same time and both bounding for the same side of the bed. Jackson climbed up and started toward his dad when Liz stopped him. "Hold on sweetie, you don't want to hurt him, do you?"

Shaking his head, no, he looked back at his dad and watched as he opened his eyes. He wanted to hug him, to crawl on his dad's stomach and just lay there enjoying the feel of his daddy's breathing and warmth from the arms he knew would wrap around him. "Daddy" he whispered.

Lizzy grabbed Harry's hand and squeezed gently. She wants him to know that everything is ok, and she's here and her efforts are rewarded when he squeezes back. Relief flooding her, "Harry, Merlin Harry, it's ok. You had some kind of magical attack, worse than you've ever had but Healer Morgan said you should be fine with some rest. How do you feel?"

Smacking his lips a few times and blinking away the sleep, he manages a "K" before he felt Jackson on his chest crying into his neck. Bringing his arms around his boy, "Oh buddy…hey…it's okay buddy, it's okay." Looking to Lizzy "How long was I out?"

"Two days, the longest two days of my life, Harry Potter, and if you ever do that to me again I'll strangle you!" she laughed but the relief she feels is very evident on her face.

"What happened, exactly?" he asked her, while still rubbing his son's back. Guessing that Jackson wasn't leaving anytime soon and hearing Jackson snoring just confirmed it. Both adults chuckled at the sound.

"He's been very worried about you, you know. He hasn't left this room since the first day." Running a hand through her hair and sighing, "We have a lot to talk about, Harry. I don't know how much you remember, but things have been happening here while you've been sleeping, and I haven't been able to find anything in all our notes." Looking at her best friend's face and smiling, "Do you need to use the loo? Are you hungry? Thirsty?"

Harry nodded his head and scooted Jackson to the right side of the bed, settling him on the pillows and covering him with the blanket. He got off the bed from the other side and stretched, feeling and hearing his bones crack…loudly. "Loo first then maybe something to eat?" He smirked toward his friend and started for the loo stumbling a little on the way. "I'm ok, Liz, just a little wobbly. How about we fill each other in on what's been going on the past few days while I'm eating. I know, right?" at her confused look. "But, believe it or not, I have some new information that came to me in my dreams." And with that he entered the bathroom and closed the door.

Harry took a deep breath once the door was closed. His heart beating faster than it should. Turning to the sink and turning the water on, he bends down to cup the water and splash his face when he happens to glance at himself in the mirror and stops. Standing back up he takes in his appearance. He looks awful. His face has lost some color, his eyes are swollen and have black puffy bags under them and his hair, which always looks a mess, is even sticking up in all direction except the back which is totally flat. Trying to flatten his hair he laughs at himself, who would have thought that his hair could get any worse. Deciding to take a quick shower instead, he undresses and looks one last time at himself in the mirror. He freezes when he spots the new tattoo in the middle of his chest. What the hell? When did…? Touching it softly, he reverently pets the black jaguar and it meows at him and arches his back at his touch. Wow. While he's touching the furry animal, he feels calm and complete. Like all the weight he's been carrying just vanishes and he smiles because he knows. "I will find you, Love." He whispers to himself in the mirror and hops in the shower.

When Harry entered the bathroom, Lizzy didn't leave right away. She stood there looking at the bathroom door, new information? How can he have new information? What the bloody hell is going on here that he can wake up after two days with information on what is going on here! Shaking her head to clear whatever is floating in there, she turns to leave when she sees something out of the corner of her eye. She turns her head to catch sight of it but there's nothing there. Damn, I must need to sleep, I'm starting to see things and she left.

No time later Harry was back in bed sitting with his back against the headboard. Running his fingers through Jackson's hair and thinking about how he was going to tell Liz everything without her freaking out. Hell, he's a little freaked out by it all but he wouldn't be Harry Potter if the unusual didn't happen. He's going to have to tell Jackson about Severus and Conner. Sighing out a deep breath, this is going to be difficult.

Thinking about Severus and the bond, Harry smiles. He can't wait to see Severus. To hold him, to be in his space and feel the magic between them. Merlin, the thought of feeling him again is making him hard. Shit, leaning his head back on the headboard, he groans and shifts trying to will it down. Okay, I'm definitely not going to last long, if at all, when we make love for the first time.

Lizzy came back into the room carrying a large tray with croissants, a bowl of fruit, juice, water, and a bowl of oatmeal for Harry. Placing in on the night table, she motioned for Harry to wake Jackson, so he can eat too. Harry hurriedly obliged if only to cover up his 'problem'.

"Jackson." Harry stated firmly. Jackson groaned and rolled over to look at his dad. "Wake up son. Let's get something to eat ok? Plus, I want to talk to you and Liz about something important." Harry said while looking into his son's eyes, willing him to understand.

"Ok, daddy." He said groggily and sat up.

They ate in silence, all three of them and Harry hoped that they would understand what he was about to tell them. It probably would be better to start with telling Jackson about Severus and his brother first, so when they were finished, and the plates put back on the tray, Harry turned to Jackson. Taking a deep breath and praying to Merlin he does this right he started. "Jack, you know I love you very much. You are my whole world and I would do anything to protect you. I'm sure you've wondered about your mum, why we aren't together or how come you haven't met her yet or does she love you. The truth is that you don't have a mum, Jackson, you have another daddy." Here he paused to take in his son's facial expressions trying to gauge his reaction.

Jackson didn't know what his daddy was waiting for. He already figured out that his daddy liked boys and not girls. "Ok" he said with a face that asked, 'so go on'.

Chuckling, Harry ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. He should have realized his son was smart enough to figure out what he didn't like. "So, you understand what I'm saying to you, Jack? I'm the one who carried you in my belly and I'm the one who gave birth to you?"

Jackson nodded his head and planted a large smile across his face. "Yeah, daddy. I kinda figured it out a while ago." Placing his small hand on top of his dad's larger hand, "Is my other daddy dead? Is that why you haven't told me about him? Are you going to tell me about him now?" he said with his face so serious, and Harry couldn't get over how beautiful his son is.

"No buddy, he's not dead. But before we talk about your father I need you to know something else first. You have a brother, a twin but he didn't live past two days old." Harry took Jacksons hands and squeezed them softly, "I had twins and I love you both very much. When Conner died a part of me went with him, but while I was 'sleeping', he came to me in my dreams. He's so beautiful, so loving and he told me I needed to be happy and that I need to make my family whole again." Turning to look at Liz, who was turning white with this new knowledge, he said "He really is beautiful. He looks just like Jackson here except he has Severus' eyes. We talked, and I talked to Albus too. I'll tell you about all that later." And she nodded with understanding.

"Daddy, I have a brother? Wow! That's really cool! But how come you never told me before?"

"I just didn't think. I guess I figured since he passed away so young that you didn't need to know. But I was wrong, Jack, and I'm sorry. He not only visited me in my 'dreams' but he's visited your papa as well. He told me, quite seriously, that I needed to find your papa and make things right again." Harry smiled at Jack then to Lizzy before asking if he had any questions.

"His name is Conner? That's a nice name. Will I ever meet him, daddy?" he said with wide eyes and seriousness that only a six-year-old could muster.

"Possibly, but I don't know." Harry said. Looking to Lizzy for help but she just smiled as if to say, 'you're on your own with this one'.

"Daddy, where is papa? What happened to him?" Jackson asked.

"Our story is complicated and long, but the short version is that we broke up long before I knew about you and Conner. And when I found out I was pregnant, it was too late. I love your dad very much and he loved me very much too, otherwise you would never have been created. But things changed, and he said he fell out of love with me. I was very sad for a long time before I found out I was pregnant, after that I decided to leave and start a new life for me and my babies. I worked very hard for everything we have, tried to give you all the things I never had growing up and I'd like to think I've done a pretty good job of it so far. But you're becoming such a big boy now, and it's time I told you who your other daddy is." Harry paused, readying himself for this next part. He was going to be open and honest with his son.

Jackson just stared at his daddy with big green eyes, did his dad just say he still loved his other daddy? Getting up on his knees and climbing onto Harry's lap, Jack placed both hands on his daddy's face and with the most serious look he could muster he asked, "That man we saw the other day, is he my other daddy?"

Harry nodded his head, "His name is Severus Snape and we fell in love my final year at Hogwarts while he was training me to defeat the Dark Lord. I surely wasn't expecting to fall in love. We didn't exactly like each other prior to that and I was only training with him as a favor to Albus Dumbledore." Harry stopped to breathe, and Jackson just looked on, soaking in every word his daddy was saying about his other dad. "I'm much younger than Severus and falling in love was surprising for the both of us, but we did, we fell fast and hard. Well, at least I did." Harry ran his hand over his face and looked at his son. He is so beautiful, a complete mix of himself and Severus.

Touching his sons face, Harry continued "He's a Potion Master. The youngest ever in Britain. And he's a very smart man, loves to read, and he was a spy for our side in the war. He was instrumental in winning the war, he's no doubt the bravest man I have ever known or will ever know." Harry whispered to his son. "But, he broke it off and that was devastating to me. It took me some time to pull myself together and that's when I found out about you both." Green eyes to green eyes, they stared at each other, then Jackson breathed "Wicked! I like the same things as he does, daddy! Do you think he would want to meet me?"

"I never told him about you or your brother." At this Jackson stuck out his bottom lip and scrunched his eyebrows together. "Why not?" he asked. Sounding so hurt Harry wanted to hug him. "Because, so much was happening at the time, and I needed to prepare for fighting and for my future if I survived the war. So, I did what I needed to do to ensure that after the battle, I could raise my babies and keep us safe. Honestly, I thought of telling him, but it was just too painful at the time, and I didn't want him back solely for the reason that I was having his babies. I wanted him back because he loved me and couldn't live without me. And since he never gave me any indication of that, I left and never told him about the pregnancy."

Jackson threw his arms around his daddy's neck and squeezed with all his might. "I love you daddy!" he whispered, and Harry could only hug him back with gusto. His baby understood! Closing his eyes and praying to Merlin that all would work out, he rubbed his son's back and assured him that he was ok. Chuckling to himself that his son was comforting him in return.

Lizzy watched the two with tears in her eyes. Jackson really is a special child. He took this news with a grain of salt and he looks to be happy about meeting Severus. Wow. Something extraordinary must have happened in Harry's mind for him to tell Jack about his brother and Severus. She didn't want to tell Jackson that is was Conner in the room earlier, it wasn't her place to. But there is no doubt that it was him. When they buried Conner, Harry put a green stuffed dragon in with him for comfort and to keep him company. It was heartbreaking to watch Harry go through that so for him relive those memories now, it's just….wow.

"Jackson" He pulled his son away enough to look into his eyes, "I need to talk to Lizzy now, can you go play in your room for a while? Then afterwards we can go out back and play for a bit. How does that sound?"

"Yeah! Okay daddy." Jackson put his hands on each side of his father's face and smiles brightly before kissing him on the lips, jumping off the bed and running out the bedroom door.

When Harry heard the sound of Jack's door close he turned to Liz, "I have so much to tell you and you'll want a drink when I'm done."

Jackson is sitting on his bed thinking over everything his daddy just told him. He has a brother. Wow. A brother that died before he can remember anything. How sad, it would have been nice to have someone to play with and to talk to when he's left to fend for himself. Hopping off the bed and grabbing his stuffed dragon, he went to the closet looking for some toys to play with but realized that they're already packed for their move to the states. Feeling dejected he heads back to the bed.

"You wanna play e'sploding snap? I'm not vewy good but it's a fun game." Came a voice Jackson recognized from earlier.

Looking to the boy, Jackson smiles and settles down next to new boy. "I think I know who you are now. Are you my brother? Conner? Dad just told me about my brother, Conner, that died when he was a baby. And you look kinda like me, so are you?" He tried for cool and collected but what came out was excitement and hope. This will be so cool if this is my brother coming to play wit me!

"Yup, dats me! I'm Conner" extending his hand out to Jack. Jackson didn't hesitate and shook the offered hand. "I'm Jackson!" Both laughing at their antics.

"So, daddy told you about me? Did he tell you about papa?" Conner asked.

"Yeah, it's sad though. Daddy must have really loved our papa but they not together." Jackson scooted closer to Conner and put his dragon in his lap.

"Yeah, papa lied to daddy a long time ago, he taut he was helping daddy, but he wasn't. He really wuv's daddy and now they have to get back togeder. They just have ta." Connor says with a pout on his face.

"Yeah, I want my daddy to be happy and I wanna meet him too. Have you talked to papa?" Jackson asked.

"Yea, he's great! But I think Tate is helping daddy get back wit papa and she's real good wit dat stuff. She will help dem because she wuv's dem vewy much!" Conner said, excitedly.

"Who's Tate?" Jackson inquired. All the while thinking that his brother is so cool!

"Oh, she's Mother Magic and my guardian on the other side. She's great, Jack, she teaches me all about magic and plays wit me and she wuv's me so much and I wuv her too. She tinks of daddy and papa as her own children and she has come to help daddy, so he will be happy, and papa too. She will do it too, she neber fails." At this declaration Conner starts to fade away, "Bye! Don't worry! Tate is family, she will help us!"

Lizzy and Harry have left the safe room for the kitchen. Feeling like some tea might help with the lingering aches and pains Harry's been feeling. "That's about everything I've learned so far. I need to find Severus and make sure he's ok, and we need to talk." Harry sighs and rubs at his chest, finding comfort in the tattoo.

Lizzy notices his action and asks, "What about this tattoo on your chest, the one you keep rubbing. I mean, you have to admit, it's kind of strange that it would appear like it did. And it moves! How could you not ask about that?" she questions concerned.

"I didn't even realize I had the tattoo until I went to shower. Though I think I've been touching it even in my dreams. It makes me feel calm and serene. I can't explain it, but I like touching it. I hope I get the chance to ask her about it someday." He continues to rub at the jaguar, "I wonder if Severus has one too."

"He might. So, is that our plan now? You're going to go find Severus and see what will happen?" She looked to her best friend, but she knew what the answer would be. She knows how much he loves the older man and she hopes that he won't break his heart again. For his safety, he better not hurt Harry again.

"Yes, I want to head over there this morning if possible. Would you mind if I went? I know you're probably tired from worry and taking care of Jackson, but I feel I have to do this now." His magic is dancing on his skin and he feels giddy, like a teenager again. Severus. Severus…It seems to be vibrating his name up and down his body and, of course, his body is reacting. Crossing his legs under the table, he looks to his best friend for confirmation she's ok with everything and she nods her head.

"Ok, let me just check on Jackson and I'll be on my way." They stand together, and Harry hugs her. "Thank you for understanding" he says in her ear.

"Harry, you daft prick. You don't have to thank me, we're family and you had better tell that husband of yours that I'm not going anywhere, and he'll just have to live with the fact that I will be living here with you. Now go on. Go get your man."

Harry chuckles and heads out to his son's room.

Apparating to an alley in Hogsmeade, Harry starts his trek to Hogwarts. This is the first time since he left that he's been out in public without his glamour, it's nerve racking and his nerves are a complete mess for this reason and thinking about what's to come. Rubbing his palms on his thighs, he looks around at the small village he hasn't seen in what seems like eternity. The bakery smells of fresh bread just made, and the shop owners are getting ready for the day. Overhead the sky is slightly cloudy but still a baby blue and the sun is playing peek-a-boo with the clouds. Harry makes his way to the path that leads to Hogwarts. He wonders if Severus is still here, or has he left looking for him, or worse just left. Doubt becoming the most prominent emotion overriding his nervousness and fear. How is he going to react when he sees me? I don't know if I can do this.

"Don't worry honey, everything will work out how it's supposed to. I'll ease your mind and tell you that He is here. He is thinking of leaving" Harry turns to her surprised "only to look for you! He's been gathering information on Ethan to better find you, so he hasn't left yet. Come child." Tate loops her arm in his and they walk side by side down the path through the wood toward the school. The same path all the students take on their trips to Hogsmeade.

After a few minutes of silence, Harry turns to her and asks "Tate, I noticed I have a tattoo of Severus' Animagus, can you tell me what the significance of this means? And does Severus have one too? I find myself touching it quite often, it makes me feel good, like a good bar of chocolate." He chuckles but his eyes are serious.

Tate stopped walking and turned to face Harry, "Child, the tattoo is a magical signature of your bonded. And yes, Severus has one also, of your Animagus as well. The bond, and I, put the signature there for you both to remember what you mean to each other, how you felt being with each other and what you have to look forward to when you are finally with each other. Your jaguar is infused with his magic and his mother bear is infused with your magic." She put both hands on his chest and looked him straight in the eyes. "It will never go away, and when the two of you are finally reunited and properly" she smirked "the animals will be able to roam both your bodies, sometimes on their own body and sometimes on the other. Always together. Always a family."

At this Harry looked at her confused, "Both bodies? To what end?"

"They will only be able to jump bodies when the two of you are touching. You'll understand when the time is right. It's my little gift to the both of you for finally becoming what you should have been long ago. A family." She smiled up at him.

They start their walk again and Harry realizes they are not heading to the castle, but to the other side and to a path that he remembers. Oh Merlin. He stops and stares at the Forrest, can he do this? Is he ready? Tate laughs softly and pushes him toward the path, "Go my child, he is waiting."

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