Chapter 2

Severus Snape sat in his chair, rocking in it gently as he held a firm hardback book in hand. The lamps on the hallways glowed softly against the plain walls while a fire crackled serenely nearby. Outside, the stars twinkled on a cloudless night, a warm breeze brushing through the the neighborhood of Spinner's End. All was silent in this Muggle neighborhood. There was no one about, not at this hour. Nothing disturbed the serene peace that swept over the resting Muggles.

Except, of course, for Albus Dumbledore.

The man Apparated with a silent crack, holding a small bundle in his arms, swaddled in soft blue blankets. The little wrap of blankets gave a soft murmur, causing Dumbledore to rock it gently, putting the babe to a comfortable silence. The tall wizard walked calmly to the house. Reaching up a tired hand, the aged wizard knocked on the door.

Severus looked up from his book silently before standing up tiredly and walking over to the door. He opened it slightly with one hand, the other reaching in to his sleeve for his wand. Very slowly, he opened the door a crack. His eyes widened and the hand reaching for his wand relaxed, "Headmaster?" he asked in confused shock.

"Severus," Dumbledore addressed quietly, his voice slightly hoarse. "I'm sorry to intrude upon you at this late hour. May I come in?"

Snape stared for a moment before backing up, holding open the door. "Of course. Come in."

Dumbledore stepped in to the house and looked around. Books that lined the walls, usually in perfect position and order, were strewn and flung about, as if roughly thrown from their places. The entire home looked a mess. Dumbledore glanced up at his friend, gazing in the former Death Eater's eyes. They were bloodshot, and there was a peculiar pain behind them that made Dumbledore's heart twist slightly.

He knew his friend had been crying.

Snape cleared his throat. "Um, excuse the mess." With a wave of his wand all of the books flew back to their proper spots. He returned his wand back in to his sleeve and addressed Dumbledore. "What brings you here, sir?"

Dumbledore met Snape's eyes solemnly. "You know it was my duty to you to protect Lily Potter with her family, and how I failed." Snape flinched at the name, the memories flashing in his mind like a flip book. He cast his eyes downward, holding back the tears that were brimming at the edge of his eyes. He could still remember the last conversation he had with Dumbledore when he first learned of Lily's death, how he had cried and nearly collapsed at hearing the news.

"What is your point, Headmaster?" Snape asked, his cold voice quiet, pained.

"I brought someone for you to meet, Severus."

Snape looked up, only now noticing the bundle which Dumbledore held. His face paled even more, if it was possible, and took a few staggering steps back. He shook his head slightly, his mouth open and his lips trembling carefully. "No. No. No," he protested, hurt lacing his voice.

"Severus, just hold him," Dumbledore murmured, blue eyes gentle.

Snape glared at him venomously. "No," he refused.

Dumbledore sighed. "Well do you have a place I can place the poor babe? I need to sit. My arms are tired."

Snape looked angry. He glanced around at the room, and sighed in defeat. "Fine. Give it to me." He held out his arms and Dumbledore handed the child over to him. Snape took the baby and held him comfortably in his arms as Snape stared in to his only love's son for the first time.

Tears burst from barriers and flowed down his face. The eyes were a bright green, the same exact color and shape as Lily's once were. A jagged scar cut across his forehead like a lightning shape, and ebony hair rested on his head already showed the similarity of his father's. It already appeared messy. At seeing Snape's sallow face, now streaked with tears, the babe cooed and smiled, reaching up a small hand to gently touch the tip of Snape's nose.

A pained smile sneaked up Snape's face and he bowed his head to touch his forehead to the babe's. He looked at it, him, ever so gently and then pressed his lips to the child's head.

"Harry," his lips whispered.

Like an invisible ribbon, the soul of this adult and this child now entwined together, wrapping and curving so one soul could not be told from the other. A strange emotion that was peaceful and grieving formed in Snape's chest as he released a long and contented sigh.

He looked up at hearing Dumbledore standing back to his feet. A short rest, Snape speculated. There was a gentle gleam in the old wizard's eyes which gleamed with joy, and Dumbledore approached Snape, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Severus," he whispered. "Do you, think you could . . .?"

Understanding, Snape couldn't hide the shock that covered his place. "But Headmaster, would he really be-"

Understanding, Dumbledore answered before the question could be completed. "The other Death Eaters are either cowering in hiding from fear or are residing in Azkaban. None of them will come here to bother you. I can put protection around your home and keep both of you safe."

Snape held Harry more closely, "The child has no family?"

Dumbledore looked angry for a moment as the emotion flashed behind his eyes. "He does, but I know they would not be a suitable family to live with."

"So why-" Snape began to ask.

"I know if he stays here with you, Severus, then I know he will be raised and loved as much as if you were his own father," Dumbledore murmured, gentle as ever.

Snape stared blankly at him. He suddenly grew hard and cold. "O-Only for a year. I can't have this brat taking up all of my time. I have important things to do."

"Of course, Severus. Thank you." Dumbledore sounded amused. "Only for a year, until I can find a respectable substitute for the parents."

Snape nodded curtly and a hope gleamed in his eyes brightly, though he pretended to hide it. "Good."

Dumbledore chuckled and approached carefully to gently pat his the child's head. "Well then, I wish you well, Severus. Good night."

"Good night."

Severus started to relax as Dumbledore made his way to the door, but froze when the elder turned to face him. "Oh, and Severus, one more thing."

Snape blinked. "Yes?"

Dumbledore smiled tenderly once more. "I hope to see you next week at Hogwarts. I know it's short notice, but we are in dire need of a Potions teacher. Would you be interested?"

Snape seemed uncertain, remembering the dark days of Hogwarts, constantly being bullied by that fool James Potter. He recalled having the same class in Potions as that idiot, how he would constantly be tortured, mocked and teased for having the best marks in the class. "Yes. Yes I will be there. There's no opening for Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

"No," Dumbledore smiled apologetically. "Just Potions."

With a sigh, Snape concurred, "Very well."

Triumphant, Dumbledore lifted his face in a smile. "Good."

For a moment, Snape felt uncertainty, "What am I supposed to do with the child while working there?"

Dumbledore looked at him again blankly, a confused light behind his eyes. "Well what else? You're to bring him with, of course."

hello, everyone! :D this is Lion. Right now there are 4 chapters up, but i'm reuploading them because i plan to continue and finish this story and right now the previous writing SUCKED. so before i work on the new chapters, i'm reuploading what i have no so the writing isn't completely lame. :D thanks for sticking with. :D