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 Six:

Hopes and Possibilities

Severus landed in the foyer of the place that was his second and least often visited home during holidays. Knowing his mother, she would be in her tearoom upstairs waiting on him.

He smiled as he called up the stairs as his foot took ownership of the first step, "I'm finally here, Mother. No need for you to call the Ministry demanding a search party!"

Feeling such joy was strange. His intonation was light and filled with a new joy that Severus could not recognize as his voice. The happiness within his soul and heart he hoped never to lose even if his mind knew nothing remained eternal.

"We have been waiting long enough for your report about my grandson, Severus. And not too patiently either."

That her voice snapped from the downstairs sitting room made Severus turn in alarm, drawing his wand at the ready. Her own power was out of the question. The strain of using that much magic was too much for the elderly woman to handle. How had she moved to the ground floor alone?

Storming into the room on the right of the front doorway, he was again surprised. Fate was having an enjoyable time playing with him this night. Sitting next to his mother with her packed bags set next to him was his protégé.

"I take that the safe house is suspected."

The younger man smirked. "You would have been better off stating the safe house is known actually. I have been trying for the past hour and a half to move Aunty Eileen, but she insists that she must go to the school once you arrive."

"How is my grandson, Severus?" His mother growled in frustration. No, she held no tolerance for waiting whatsoever when looking for answers about her family.

Clearly, fate refused to be clear with the woman's gift. In critical visions, where many paths could become their realty, the woman could not feel any certainty period. As close as the situation with Harry had been, Severus was not surprised with his mother's aggravation.

Severus sighed. "Mother, he is fine. Harry is home at the school and waiting to meet his Grandmother for the first time."

"Okay, I need more information." The younger man interrupted. "Since when have you been interested in any woman at all, much less had a kid. Moreover, what does Potter have to do with this?"

Severus laughed loudly and with his heart in each bellow of joy. His mind was still trying not to accept what was true. Nevertheless, his heart and voice spoke the truth, "Potter is my son."

"Today is not the day for pranks, Uncle Sev."

A single look at Eileen told the younger man that not only was the news not a prank, but that the woman was growing annoyed. "So, I guess I have a new friend to meet. I take it the Gryffindor Golden Boy is at the school then?"

"He is, along with his two friends."

This fact was all his protégé needed to make the younger man drool mentally. The deepest of Slytherin smirks grew on the teen's features. "Might I infer that you mean a certain Miss. Granger is with him?"

"She is. The girl is directly responsible for saving my son's life."

"Boys, we are dangerously close to capture and I have a grandson to begin spoiling ... If your two's act of playing good little double meaning chatting Slytherins bars me from spending any of the remaining life I have with my grandson I will make sure that they two of you have time to regret my loss."

Both men chuckled before younger clapped his mentor on the back. "Well, I see one thing. Your being a father is good for your mother. If you don't mind, I would like to go with you two. After all, I would like to make sure Aunty Eileen makes it to her new home and introduce myself to your son and his friends. Not to mention thank Miss. Granger personally for protecting my dear cousin."

Severus laughed. "I think that last is the whole of your reasoning if one were an honest and brave Gryffindor."

Eileen smiled her unnerving grins of wisdom beyond knowledge. "Reasoning that is fully reciprocated I believe."

The younger man's eyes lit with new joy and deep hope. "Then we should leave now."

Nodding, Eileen pointed out, "yes, and leave the trail cold."

The three of them Portkeyed out of the house to arrive in Severus' rooms only to move on up to the hospital wing of the school. An hour later, the execution squad arrived to a cold and empty house. This failure the Dark Lord would not appreciate.

Harry had relaxed after telling the truth to his friends and they became lost in talking more than eating. The young man was so happy to be at the place he would always call his home with his best friends.

Mostly quiet, Hermione was grateful that the adults listened to her warning for a change. A world without Harry she never wanted to experience. Still, how hurt her best friend had became tore at her heart. If only they had gotten to Harry sooner.

Though he showed a happy mask, Ron was a stir of emotions. He hated himself for not acting on the charm of his necklace faster. Had he spoken up before, maybe Harry would not have needed so much medical care. Ron didn't care that most of Harry's injuries were a compilation of years upon years of abuse. He refused to turn from Harry this time and would fight to his last breath to take care of the guy. As for the Dursleys, Ron knew that his brothers would love to inflict family justice on those three and they would not leave him out if the lot did act on their rages. In the meantime, he satisfied himself that his friend was alive and had the chance to heal.

At the door of the infirmary, Severus took in the happiness on his son's face. In part, a mask to hide the agony the man knew his boy had to feel but mostly true. His son was happy and Severus was grateful to have had a hand in that. Then he saw the plates and bowl.

Clearly, Granger was in charge of feeding Harry since her dinner was covered. However little was missing from his son's bowl and there was a large amount still on Weasley's plate. How had Severus half-expect such?

"Harry James Potter-Snape," Severus was stunned internally with how the slid so easily out of his heart and mouth. "Why do I see such an abundance of food?"

Fear lit the green eyes he loved as Harry said softly, "I can wait for morning."

More hatred towards those filthy Muggles filled Severus' heart. His son shouldn't have ever missed a meal in his life. "No, you are going to finish your dinner. You cannot heal if you do not eat."

Severus stalked into the room and walked over to Miss. Granger's side. A pop and there was another chair, this one before her covered dinner. "I can take over now, Mia Jean."

"Just waiting on you, Uncle Sev," Hermione said smoothly as she handed Harry's bowl over to the man. With her behavior, one would think that they were always family rather than only establishing ties that night.

Hermione pointed out a problem she was certain would rip their happiness apart, but the facts needed faced. "Uncle Sev, how can you keep Harry with you spying for the Light?"

"I'll be okay," Harry whimpered. Stupid! He hadn't thought of that, but Hermione was right. His dad had important work. A son was nothing compared to protecting the world. "Maybe they'll leave me alone now?"

"Harry James, I promised you already. You are never going back to that house again." Severus said firmly as he looked into the broken and terrified eyes of his little boy. Then he answered his new pseudo-niece, "As for my side work, I was uncovered a few nights ago."

Deep fear flooded Harry's eyes. "Dad!"

"I did not go as I received warning of the truth in time," Severus explained. "Now I can devote my time to healing and finishing raising my precious son."

As they settled in for their first meal together as a family, Ron's curiosity got to him. "So, what took so long, Uncle Sev?"

"I found an unexpected visitor with my mother, Ronald," Severus said with a genuine smile on his face. "In fact, he was the one who not only warned me, but has taken my place as lead spy for the Light."

"Really?" Hermione gasped in awe.

Severus smirked, fully enjoying the moment. "Yes, he came to alert my mother that the safe house was known and move her here in the hopes of protecting her for me."

Hermione smiled gently. "He sounds very brave."

Nodding, Severus allowed his inner snake move him. "I believe so, though he has an ulterior motive for taking my position. He is protecting his ladylove from the Dark Lord, since she is Muggle-born."

"Uncle Sev, You didn't have to tell them it's Mia!" his protégé growled at the door.

"I didn't, I only said why you chose your new life."

The younger man rolled his eyes. "As if anyone would think of any person other than Mia when you mention my lady is Muggle-born!"

Hermione's eyes grew wide and filled with tears. Her sweetest dreams came true before her eyes! "Draco? You're the new spy for the Light?"

"Who has a better reason to fight?" He answered while wearing his best Slytherin smirk.

In a scene reminiscent of their second year, Hermione stood as a smile grew on her face and tears flooded her eyes. Then a few beats later, she ran down the length of the wing to leap into Draco's arms. The difference being the couple locked into a deep kiss.

Severus was thankful his godson was lucky enough to find and have an angel too. The elder man prayed that fate did not force Draco to follow his past footsteps completely. Seeing the shocked face on Ron's face, Severus shook his head and interceded. "Eat Ronald."

"Eat? Eat? Look, Uncle Sev, I am first for eating. I adore Mia. Moreover, I will even grant that Draco is hot. But how can I eat after watching the two of them snogging?"

Harry snorted in amusement while Severus confirmed previous suspicions. Ronald would always be strictly a guy man.

In answer, Hermione twisted to glare at her friends, "and watching you go at it with Dean was helpful to my appetite? Sod off, Ron!"

"Can we not mention him?" Ron growled.

Rolling his eyes, Harry grumbled. "Are you ever going to forgive him, Ron?"

"Hell no," Ron spat before a raised eyebrow on Severus's face caused the younger man to edit his answer. "He doesn't deserve forgiving."

Draco looked at his godfather then at his new cousin, "um am I missing some detail?"

Hermione sighed in a huff, "Ron caught Dean with a seventh year Ravenclaw in one of the broom closets a week before the end of term."

As Draco still looked clueless, Harry added on, "Shall we say less than dressed?"

"Just say it, the prat and his latest boy-toy were in full blown breed mode!" Ron looked embarrassed and deeply hurt.

Draco nodded, and then smirked. "We could always show him up by getting you the hottest Slytherin around."

Groaning, Hermione shook her head and grumbled, "Boys."

His only answer to that was to pull his lioness closer to him as Draco clamped his claim on Gryffindor's latest Know-It-All. Her smile and melting in his embrace gave the young man the deepest joy and pride. Happiness was no longer a mere dream for him to hunger for every night to visit his sleep.

"They get no better with age," an elderly voice complained.

Severus growled to himself as his mother magically moved her wheelchair to enter the room. There went the surprise as well as some of her magic. "Mother."

"Had you not forced me to wait so long, I would not have been forced to move myself," Eileen pointed out. "Now before any further discussions about my condition, come move me closer so I can finally see my grandson."

A glance at his son showed Severus that Harry was entranced. Here was a family member demanding to visit the boy for the first time in the child's memory. Severus was pleased to see there was longing and hope in that face for once.

"Forgive mother, children. I fear she is where I get my patience from." Severus joked as he rose and set the bowl on the table.

Hermione and Draco sat together after a pop revealed a new chair as well as a dinner for him. The couple both saw the hunger in Harry's eyes that had nothing to do with food. Hermione prayed the woman would help to make Harry whole with acceptance and love. Draco hoped that she would live to see Harry fully healed. Ron had no experience with Slytherin families, but he hoped the woman would be like a Gryffindor grandparent. His grandma made bad days better with only a hug and losing her devastated Ron when he was four. The young man hoped Harry would have years with the woman as well as that this lady would make a good grandmother.

Merlin! Harry wanted to yell at his father to hurry up. His fingers ached to touch this woman to be certain she was real. Could someone outside of his friends and Dad want him? He doubted his looks would count for much and physically Harry knew he was weak. Still he would do anything at all to be loved some more. After a too long few moments, Severus pushed his mother close to his son's bed before carefully lifting up his beloved boy.

"Harry here is my surprise for you that refuses to wait till you ask. This very stubborn and impatient lady is my mother and your very happy at last grandmother, Eileen Prince-Snape. Mother this is all my pride and joy, my son Harry James Potter-Snape."

Carefully, Eileen held her battered grandchild and doted on the boy. He was more than she dared hoped for and harmed worse than her deepest fears. Yes, they had much to do in order to rebuild this shaken young man. Severus smiled at how the two cuddled silently for a few moments while he thought to himself. Potter-Snape—the combination felt right … moreover, Potter would be the first name anyone would associate with his son.

Harry had tears in his eyes when Eileen finally got past her agony and joy to speak, "my precious grandson. How long I have waited to hold you this close. Now you are safe and home. As for your dinner, you will finish that bowl young man. There will be no more using food as a behavior modifier."

With the lightest of kisses between the boy's eyebrows, the tears fell silent. Harry understood that in spite of his disgusting appearance and freaky powers this woman accepted him as family gladly with pride. Even better, he had something that Dudley could never have again–a grandmother.

Then Eileen looked at Harry's friends. "As for the lot of you, I am either Nana or Auntie Eileen. Mrs. Snape was my mother-in-law."

"Nana," everyone laughed in agreement while Harry smiled up at the wondrous woman. Still Harry had to finish his dinner.

The second that his dad again picked him up, Harry missed her touch. However, he was happy to have family for once who loved him.

As his dad fed him for the first time, Harry and his friends new and old told Eileen all about their first five years at Hogwarts.

Severus pretended to show shock at that he was the prime suspect for the Golden Trio as the culprit behind the troubles of that year. However, he was amused to discover the lucky firebug who set his cloak on fire during Harry's first match.

"Accusing a teacher of evil without proof, arson, and destruction of personal property – all of this will earn you two weeks of detention, Mia Jean."

Ron did not take kindly to that. "Hey that was years ago! And besides it isn't school time!"

A deep laugh interrupted. "I will support Severus in this, Mr. Weasley. After all it does not due for one of our prefects to get away with breaking rules."

Eileen smirked. "Besides, I doubt that you will hear my little granddaughter complaining … much."

Harry refused to look at the Headmaster after the fiasco of the previous year. Instead, his eyes traveled to the figure behind him. "Hey Hagrid!"

"Harry!" Great tears were still flowing down the half-giant's face. "Wished …"

"I'm home and safe," Harry assured his large friend. Then he saw a flash of white. Could it be? "Hagrid, what's in your hands?"

That cheered Hagrid up fast. "Somebody didn't wanna rest till she'd seen yer safe and all."

Tears welled in Harry's green eyes as Hagrid revealed a bird nearly as wounded as her Master. "Hedwig!"

Severus disliked how his son treated the Headmaster, even if the man agreed with his little boy. Still, it was wonderful that his child still could show his emotions rather than shut himself away from the world after all that the poor child had lived through.

Carefully as he could, Hagrid tucked the wounded owl under the blankets on Harry's chest. This calmed and soothed both bird and Master. Hedwig knew her boy was hurt. Forever to her she could not escape to defend her little Harry or go off for help. After a time, she gave up calling for help and was ready to perish, until the giant came to bring Hedwig back into the light. Hedwig could not believe the damage to her Master when she caught sight of her poor little boy. The owl didn't dare to hope. Now she was over her boy's heart and calm. His heart still beat strong and she could feel her boy breathing. Satisfied she dozed off to heal herself to be of use to Harry again when her boy was fully well.

Happily, Harry joined in the chatter and ate well for his father. This Eileen was grateful she had lived to see the greatest hopes for her son become reality. Her precious grandson had a special destiny that, were the young man to do correctly, could once again enact the impossible. Then again, she knew too that were Harry to think like the combination he was and go outside of what the world saw as possible, then miracles could happen for all concerned.

Cutting off here to move on to the next chapter. I fixed the grammar and punctuation. Please let me know if I am missing something.