Disclaimer: All Harry Potter references belong to JK Rowling and company. I simply write to fill the gaps between the books and movies for all! If you sue me, you get nothing because that is what I now have in abundance.

Where Applicable:

Bold areas mean someone remembering the past.

Bold Italic is handwriting (i.e. letters).

Italic are thoughts or mind-to-mind communication.

Magic Simply Is:

By: Bonnie S.

Chapter Five:

Ties That Bind Harry

Once the pair arrived in the Headmaster's office, Harry began to panic and struggle. All of the portraits watched on in horror at the condition of the boy in the arms of the School's Potions Master. In no way did any of the former Headmasters or Headmistresses feign sleep, but remained silent witnessed fully ignored. For the life of him, Severus Snape couldn't understand what was wrong with his son.

Harry fought and screamed as tears ran freely. Then Severus understood thanks to a single whimpered word, name really. "Cedric!"

Severus took only two heartbeats to understand what was wrong—Harry's horrendous fourth year and his terrible second experience with a Portkey. Merlin, he hated having stirred that shit up for his son.

Before Harry's struggles harmed either of them, Severus sat in a nearby chair and set Harry in his lap the way that he would have held the boy as a young child. Taking out his wand, Severus hoped that—like the suckling reflex shown at the house in Surry—Harry still had many of his infant characteristics still active subconsciously as he set the tip of his wand to his own chest and called out, "SONORUS!"

The air filled with the sound of his heartbeat and Severus desperately rubbed his son's back while rocking the boy just slightly. "Harry, you are safe now. It was the fastest and safest way to bring you home, son. There is no danger here. We are in the Headmaster's office. No threats are here, son."

Severus continued to mutter calming pleas, statements, and vows to his once lost son. Though calming of his boy took some time and an outside intercession, Harry slowly calmed and settled into his father's arms without any further damage.

The sound of the heartbeat and warmth of his father's attentions nearly sent Harry into a slumber. After a time, Severus reversed the spell that amplified his heartbeat. Yet, he was enjoying the feel of his son in his arms that he transfigured the chair into a rocking chair. Then Severus put away his wand before relaxing back into the chair as he gently tucked Harry's head under his chin while continuing to rock his child.

Severus still couldn't believe how well all was going for him so suddenly. After years of refusing to hope, he finally held his only child. He had a son in whom he was deeply proud of and that boy seemingly loved him despite their dark past. Looking down on his battered child, Severus smiled at how the boy's breath was regular and there was the slightest hint of a smile on Harry's bruised face.

For quite a few minutes, they sat there enjoying the feeling of being a family again. Neither spoke nor were spoken to, they simply began to learn that each would be there for the other so long as either of them had strength in their body. Yet, Severus knew that his son needed both rest and medicine. Besides, Granger deserved recognition for saving his only child's life.

As the pair left the Headmaster's office, neither of them paid any heed to the dumbfounded portraits still watching man and boy walk away. Several portraits left to see what they could glean from others or just to follow and see what would happen. Phineas Nigellus was content simply to wait for Dumbledore, sure that if the boy was who he suspected that McGonagall was going to have at it out with the Headmaster shortly. As usual, patience proved the last School Head from Slytherin House correct a little over an hour later.

Severus watched his son for any signs of greater pain than normal as he walked. His son had suffered enough in his short life and the man did not want to add to that agony. Severus was grateful that his child loved him despite their dark past. Unseen by his father, Harry was awake and enjoying that he was home early and that someone who loved him held him close.

Then he heard two sets of footfalls running towards them just before the accompanying voices Harry knew that he wouldn't ever want to be without no matter what cried out.

"Oh, Harry!"

"Harry!"

Hermione and Ron were there.

Ron stopped short of Snape in shock. "That's not Harry! Where is Harry?"

Harry loved the way his father's voice reverberated through his body, even if the man had at the least his verbal mask on, "I assure you that this is Harry, Mr. Weasley. His mother hid him beneath a dissimulatus charm that Harry instinctively added onto with every attack from his Muggle relations over the years. We all owe you for your tenacious drive, Miss. Granger. Your nightmare very nearly became reality."

When Harry heard Hermione sob in agony, he gave a small groan as he slowly 'woke' and noticed that someone had fixed and set his glasses on his face. The world was an utter blur through the lenses, meaning he had his Dad's eyes not his Da's. At least it made Hermione happier given the sound of her shaky voice, "he's waking up. Oh, Harry. How are you feeling?"

"Sore. My glasses ..." Harry groaned, surprised by how raw his voice still was from his hours of pain induced cries.

Hermione instantly took them off and inspected them. "They look alright."

Harry smiled up at his father. "But, I don't need them anymore. Moreover, this is really me, Ron. How I was born to look. This is my Dad by blood ... if that is a problem I cannot and will not change it."

"I don't understand, Harry. Oh, of course ... that was why your Mum needed to hide your features! So you didn't look like your birth Dad," Hermione reasoned.

Ron couldn't believe his best bud was in reality a Snape and actually proud of that fact! Then again, Snape did seem a little different holding Harry in his arms. Well, at the least, maybe the git would ease up on them next school year. "That was a little obvious, 'Mione. Anybody has a problem with that they will have a problem with me, Harry."

Harry fought off his urge to weep. Ron was still his best friend. Hermione he doubted would turn on him, but in the case of Ron Harry couldn't really be sure about one way or another. The pair escorted father and son to the hospital wing, but Hermione insisted (physically holding Ron back) on waiting for Professor Snape to have time setting Harry in bed. Severus was grateful for the time alone with his son again. Harry had stunned the man with his determination of not hiding the truth of his parentage from his friends. The Weasleys seemed to know his child better than Severus himself did. At least the one Weasley brat learned about turning his back on a friend from that fiasco of a fourth year.

Gingerly, Severus rested his battered child on the bed that had been obvious set up for Harry by the house-elves. The bed was softened, warmed, and had several pillows along with the spelled blankets that were warmed and silkened to not aggravate Harry's still healing wounds. At the end of the bed lay a set of pajamas. None could say that Harry was not at the least respected by the house-elves.

This was proven when one snapped into their presence. It stood there whimpering and had great tears in his eyes. "Oh, Dobby heard that you was hurt, Mr. Harry Potter sir. But, never dared dreaded this."

"I'm going to be okay, Dobby, but my name isn't Potter anymore." Harry decided then he was taking his blood father's name as his way of showing just how proud of his Dad he was.

The house-elf looked worriedly at the teen. "Dobby is not understanding, sir."

"Harry is seemingly taking on my name now that he knows I am his father by blood. Or am I incorrect?" Severus asked his little boy. So many years lost and his son was merely a year away from his manhood, but he could still see a child deep in those green eyes—one who wanted to be loved and wanted for who and what he was.

"You're right, Dad. Now and always I am Harry James Snape," Harry said with a smile that caused him pain as usual.

Severus saw this and knew that his son needed to be cared for. "Dobby is it? I need two nutritive potions and a bowl of beef broth brought for Harry. Along with this, the two guests in the hall will need a dinner each brought here."

Dobby looked as if the requests had sent the creature straight to Heaven. "Yes sir, Professor Snape, sir. Will young Mr. Snape be wanting Pumpkin juice too?"

Harry's eyes filled with tears. Dobby didn't disregard Harry's feelings about his father. "Yeah, thanks Dobby."

A snap later, the little House-elf was gone. Severus flicked his wand twice and replaced the rags that Harry had been forced to wear with the waiting pajamas. Then the man enjoyed tucking his son in for the night. A sheet and charmed blanket to ward off any drafts since Harry's body was more interested in healing rather than maintaining his temperature at that moment. For the first time, Severus took care of his son. He smiled softly as he burned this moment into his memory never knowing his son was doing the same himself.

"Do I have to go back to the Dursleys, Dad?" Harry whispered softly in fear.

Severus could see the underlying fear in the boy's eyes mixed with hope. This drove him harder than before. Sitting on the edge of the hospital bed he made a vow to his son and himself, "never again, son. No matter what it takes, I refuse to watch you return to those creatures."

Harry tried to move, but found his limbs to be heavier and thicker. Before his child could ask, Severus deduced the situation. "Your body was in such poor shape that Madame Pomfrey and I lost you several times before we stabilized you enough for her to call in a healer from St. Mungo's that she trusts. He put all of your bones in internal cast spells to help in their healing. That means you will have to have things done for you until your body learns to work with the cast spells in place or they are removed."

Sighing, Harry just knew that noxed any idea about trying to get him out from under that lifetime ban Umbridge had set on him the year before. "Still no chance of my playing Quidditch then."

"That all depends on how quickly you heal," Severus said with more than a bit of pride bubbling in his chest at the shinning gleam of joy and hope in his child's eyes at that. His son was a seeker like him, and the finest he had seen play in far too long. "That can be discussed another time. I have a present for you, but I have to go get it."

"Sorry that I ruined your summer like I usually ruin your school years, Dad." Harry believed that his father didn't want him. After all, the man couldn't simply be told—Harry Potter is your son—and be expected to fall in love with a brat he hates. At least, that was Harry's thought process.

Carefully, Severus gathered his child into his arms and embraced the boy with all the love he felt finally burning in his heart once more—his heart had been cold for far too long. "You have never ruined a day that you have been my student, son. Moreover, you have not ruined my summer. All you have done is postponed my visit to your Grandmother ..."

This caused Harry's eyes to widen. "I have a Grandmother?"

Severus chuckled as he rested his son back on the pillows. Then he inflated the pillows until his boy was nearly sat up. "Yes, you have a Grandmother who by now is anxious to come here in order to assess her Grandson for herself. Can you three be trusted to eat while I am gone?"

"Yeah, thanks for taking me back after everything last year, Dad," Harry whispered. He had been a ripe piece of work towards his dad that last year.

Severus understood what his son was referring to without asking. "While I do not condone what you did, Harry, I understand. You realize that we have to work on your Occlumency as soon as you are physically well enough."

"I don't know how to clear my mind," Harry at last admitted the truth.

Frustrated with himself for not noting that obvious difficultly before, Severus sighed. "I will tell you how tomorrow. I doubt the Dark Lord will discover your situation until then."

"Okay, Dad. Do you really have to go? Promise me that it isn't your arm." Harry was terrified what would become of his only surviving parent if Severus Snape returned to the Death Eaters as a spy.

This Severus understood. For some reason, Harry did not want to lose him. "My Mark is not activated, son. I'm going to retrieve your Grandmother and come back. Get your friends to eat; I doubt that those two have done much since raising the alarm. And you take your doses and broth."

Harry painfully nodded before relaxing into the pillows. He was home early and had a family who wanted him. This was the worse and finally the best summer of his life. His Dad kissed Harry's forehead and smiled with such pride burning in his eyes on the teen. Though he trusted his Father, Harry still felt terrified as the man left the room.

Severus Snape had never felt so free or alive than he did as he walked out of the hospital wing. He was a father. At last, he had family outside of his precious mother, and the woman had the grandchild she had badgered him for since just before Lily died. Finally, a part of the love he once had was his and not Potter's. A grin broke out on his face when Severus thought about the heart attack Minerva was to have when she heard of Harry's name change. Looking back on his child, Severus saw the blatant fear and panic in his son's eyes. Harry was showing a brave Gryffindor front, but he was terrified to let Severus go. It was time to put the rest of that damn Trio to work.

"I am coming back, Harry. Give me one hour before you threaten the Headmaster into sending out a search party. For now, do as I asked with yourself and these two dunderheads in the hall."

Harry smirked, but nothing it seemed would divest the boy's fears except for the safe return of his father. When Severus finally entered the hallway, both teens that had come together to rescue his child stood with concerned expressions on their faces. When they spotted Severus' actual smile, each had a different reaction. Weasley paled and looked to be near a faint. Granger was a different matter. She showed an expression of pride and pure attitude that said clearly that she expected the change in him. The damned Know-It-All ... so much like his precious Lily.

Why else would he have used that 'put down' with the girl from the start? The title that he first gave to one Gryffindor who still held his heart, and only this generation had another who was worthy of it. He chuckled at the girl's attitude and his thought.

"Dinner is waiting. Harry needs help eating, but I am sure you will learn why from my son. I expect the Gryffindor Trio to be fed by the time that I return. Otherwise my good mood will be gone as will Gryffindor house points–early." To make his point clear, Severus shot another smile–this time one of his normal malicious sneers–right at the pair, only gaining the expected reaction from Weasley.

As fast as his feet could carry him, Severus raced down into the dungeons and into his rooms. He was a father! This statement continued to leave him in a state of shock and elation. For a moment he remembered the feeling of holding his precious son, how Harry wanted him as a father. The numb feeling of loss and isolation were gone replaced by love and joy.

Silently he went to his things and drew out the box. His son was not well enough to go through it by himself, but Severus was determined to share the precious box with his beautiful boy. It slid noiselessly into his pocket and gave him a feeling of almost having his precious flower back and a sense of her pride in him. Lily had left a part of herself behind in their child.

Severus quietly focused all his thoughts onto her. 'My flower, thank you for sending our son back to me. This time I will not give him up nor will I reject him. Still, I will need your help to keep our boy for always. You know there are those who would steal our son from me despite all who are behind my retaining full custody and that letter Potter left behind. Moreover, our baby needs your help to heal and grow strong once more. Tell Potter not to feel bad that Harry has taken on my name—after all, if life had been different, Harry would not have been the only one carrying my family's name. My heart is yours forever, my Know-It-All.'

For a moment, it was as if he simply knew that she heard him and agreed. Severus couldn't help but smirk at his mental image of Potter's reactions. Oh, how that would have been a beautiful sight to watch had Potter and Lily lived. Then his mind wandered onto his precious son, and of how Harry wanted him back fast. There was no more time or need to dream, because one of his sweetest dreams at last had come true.

He was proud to activate his secret portkey to his mother's hide-away.

Ron was pale and seemingly in shock as he and Hermione entered the wing. "Harry, your dad smiled at me! He said that if the three of us didn't eat his good mood would be gone along with Gryffindor House Points! He can't do that in summer, can he?"

"Oh honestly Ronald, what better way to make sure the three of us eat? Harry, what did your Dad mean by you needing help?" Hermione sat on the left side of the cot her friend rested on with a worried expression on her face.

Harry hated that he had to tell them, but his body was not used to the cast spells and weak. "Madame Pomfrey and my Dad barely saved my life. They had to call in a Healer from St. Mungo's I was so bad off. He set all of my bones in internal cast spells, so I can't really move on my own right now."

Tears came to Hermione's eyes. "Oh Harry."

"Hey, the two of you saved me! No guilt or self-hate needed," Harry said with conviction.

Ron sat on the right and sighed. "How close did we come to losing you, mate?"

Harry was tempted to sugar coat the situation—ease their combined guilt. Yet, he was not about to lie to the two people who moved heaven to save him. "I did die, Ron. The two of you wouldn't believe it all."

Dobby arrived with their meals. Without being asked, Hermione properly mixed the potions into the broth. Ron was worried, "uh, are you sure that you should add both 'Mione?"

"Yes, Ron. Adding this potion to another liquid dilutes its potency, which is why Professor Snape requested two. Thanks for the dinners, Dobby. I'll eat mine after Harry is finished."

The little House-Elf nodded before flicking his finger at the meal and snapped himself back to the kitchens. When Ron and Harry gave her a curious look, Hermione smiled genuinely for the first time that day. "He set a warming charm on my dinner so it doesn't go cold. This way you can take your time, Harry. Now go on with what you were saying."

Harry explained whom he had met as well as the secrets he learned on the other side. For several minutes both of his friends sat still and silent with shock. While Harry was sure had he learned the details with them, some of the facts his visit to the other side revealed did not surprise him.

After shaking off his shock, Ron decided to leave the obvious in more than one way alone. Instead, he focused on the beginning. "So, Sirius is really dead then. I kinda hoped we could have just tossed a rope in with a note or something of the sort to pull him out again. Like the guy was just lost instead of dead."

Hermione smiled in gratitude for the change of subjects. The truth was too much for her mind to cope with now.

The trio went on talking about any point outside of the extreme amazing.

The major losses on this chapter annoy me to high heaven. I will be re-writing the best I can remember. Next chapter for all newbies we meet Harry's Grandma and the new spy for the light.