A/N: I do not own Harry Potter or any character thereof. I just like to play with them. =)

Chapter 64

Remus,

I need to borrow your presence as soon as possible.

Padfoot

Remus sighed. Sirius was obviously upset about something judging from the terseness of the letter. After locking his house up, he apparated to the front step of Grimmauld Place. (Albus had informed him of the address a couple of days after the charm had been put in place.)

"Traitor! Filth! Scum of the Earth! Half-Breed!"

Remus scowled. Evidently Sirius hadn't found out a way to shut the portrait up yet. He closed the curtains around her and headed to the kitchen.

"Wow Sirius. The first floor looks incredible. I certainly don't remember you being this good with house hold spells when we all lived together," he said blandly.

"Read this," Sirius said handing over a letter, ignoring the jest that Remus had just sent towards him.

Remus sat down at the table and opened the letter.

Padfoot,

My classes are okay. The teachers are really piling on the work this year. Between homework and detention, I stay pretty busy.

I'm taking all of the normal classes plus Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, and Ancient Runes. I have two free periods so I imagine I'm somewhere in between my mom and dad.

I was disappointed that they canceled Quidditch. I was looking forward to practicing those moves in the book you gave me and showing off some but that will have to wait until next year. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the tournament. I've read up on it. It sounds like it will be a blast to watch.

Professor Moody is weird. I get all kinds of strange vibes from him but he really knows his stuff. I can proudly report that I can throw off the imperious curse. I was the only one able to do so. Of course, this probably makes me even more of a freak than I already am but I can see how throwing that curse off can come in handy.

I've not had anymore dreams, at least any that make my scar hurt.

Something you said in your letter bothers me but I'm afraid to make you upset. I don't want you to be mad at me. I don't want to lose you, so please don't be upset.

You told me to watch myself around the Slytherins but not all Slytherins are bad. My mom must not have thought so with her being friends with Snape for so long. Remus said that you included that picture of mom and Snape because you wanted to show me that she was open minded. Don't you want me to be like her?

I love you Padfoot and I don't want you to be mad at me. You're really the only family I have left.

I hope that where ever you are, you're safe. I miss you.

Love,

Harry

Remus rubbed his temples. This looked to be an interesting conversation. Now he knew what Albus meant by being in between a rock and a hard place in regards to Severus and Sirius.

"I didn't get him any book or photo album and I certainly wouldn't have put a picture of Snape and Lily in it if I had," said Sirius as he paced around the room once he was sure Remus had read the letter.

"Calm down Sirius. Albus gave me the book and album to give to Harry (which technically was true - Albus did hand it to him). He can't be seen giving presents to students because it shows favoritism. I just let Harry think you sent them."

"Why in the hell would Albus include a picture of Snivellus with Lily though? That man can't be trusted. He was a Death Eater for crying out loud!"

"Sirius, while you were imprisoned, you missed the trial of Severus. He was a spy for our side for a couple of years before Voldemort was defeated. I've told you this before."

"I still say that the man can't be trusted. Harry should be warned."

"NO!"

Sirius looked up - shocked by the sudden outburst.

"No." Remus repeated in a quieter tone. "You will not say anything to him of Snape's past. Let Harry form his own opinion of people."

"But the Slytherins can't be trusted."

Remus sighed. "Sirius, not all Slytherins are evil. You're biased because of how you were raised."

Seeing that Sirius only got more upset, Remus realized that he needed a different approach to explain things.

"Severus, it's been a month. The longer you wait to tell him, the harder it's going to be."

"I've tried Albus. I've been putting him in detention so that I can tell him, but when it comes time to do so, I can't."

"So Minerva tells me. She was complaining about how many detentions you seem to be giving him."

Severus glared at the Headmaster. "How do you propose I tell him then? Just out right blurt it? I'm not a rash Gryffindor."

"Telling the truth has nothing to do with being a Gryffindor. Just sit him down and tell him."

Severus sighed, but nodded. "Is there any way to get Moody to back off of lurking down in the dungeons? He's scaring my students half to death."

Harry and Susan Bones (a Hufflepuff) were currently laughing at the Siren plant and the fact that each of them were covered in soil, although Harry more so than Susan.

Professor Sprout had assigned their class a project after she had paired them up. Each pair had a different plant to learn about and make a presentation to the class in two weeks time.

It hadn't taken them long to realize that it was a Siren plant but then the plant became mad when it realized that Harry was unaffected by its singing (if it could be called that) and tossed soil at him and Susan.

"Why isn't it mad at you?" asked Harry as he brushed dirt off of himself again.

Susan grinned. "The book says that females aren't affected by its singing. Professor Sprout probably wanted me to work on this with you so that I could snap you out of your trance. Evidently neither her, nor the plant, counted on you being immune to it."

Harry looked at the plant. "It's not my fault you know."

Susan laughed even more.

"What type of soil does the book say it likes?" asked Harry as he wiped some dirt off of his glasses.

"Midnight soil but in order for it to be really happy, it likes to have mermaid scales grinded up and mixed in with it."

"Where are we going to get mermaid scales?"

"Not a clue."

"Well I definitely want this plant happy because it's going to get annoying if I get dirt thrown at me every time I get near it."

"I think it's funny."

'Oh, you do huh?" Harry grinned slyly as he picked up a clump of the soil that had fallen off of him and threw it at her.

"ACK!"

Unfortunately, Professor Sprout rounded the corner at that moment and saw what he had done.

"Mister Potter!"

As Harry got a lecture about proper behavior he could have sworn that the plant was laughing at him.

Harry wandered through the tunnel, letting his wand light fill up the surrounding darkness.

Left.

Right.

Straight.

Left.

A noise behind him made him turn around. Not seeing anything, he kept walking.

"Harry!"

Harry looked around again.

"Harry, wake up!"

Wake up? He wasn't asleep.

Suddenly a bucket of cold water hit him. He jumped out of the bed. He glared when he saw that his dorm mates plus Hermione were laughing at him.

"Come on. It's a Hogsmeade weekend."

Harry scowled. After he discreetly removed the silencing charm from himself, he headed off towards the showers.

On his way out of the door, he sent two ticking hexes at Ron and Hermione. If he had his way, he'd get them again later when neither were expecting it.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were chatting quietly in the Three Broomsticks when Ron left to go to the loo.

"Did you ever figure out your problem?"

Knowing that she was talking about the glowy things, he shook his head.

"Didn't you go to Madam Pomphrey?"

"Nope."

"Harry, you said that you would."

"I've been trying to figure it out on my own. I don't want to bother her with something like this."

"What if it's serious?"

"It's not hurting me or anyone else. It's just something that's there. I've actually learned to ignore it."

They saw Ron coming back to the table. "Go see her Harry or I will."

Unfortunately Harry couldn't reply because Ron sat back down at the table.

Harry was serving what felt like his thousandth detention with Snape - though this one he deserved.

While Snape had been yelling at Neville and Lavender, Malfoy had thrown a scarab beetle in Harry's potion, which ruined it. Harry had retaliated successfully, in turn ruining Malfoy's potion as well.

But Snape had caught him.

"Potter ... Harry."

Startled by the use of his first name, Harry looked up. Snape had never called him by his first name before.

"Have a seat. I need to talk to you about something important."

Completely bewildered, he sat down. Snape looked nervous. He had never seen the man look nervous either.

About two minutes of uncomfortable silence had passed when he spoke again. "I am aware that you know your mother and I were very good friends during our time here at Hogwarts. In fact, I knew her before both of us came to Hogwarts. We grew up about 4 houses apart."

Harry's eyes widened in surprise.

"When we were six, I saw your mother make a flower bloom using magic on the neighborhood playground. That's how I knew that she was a witch, that she was like me."

"She could control things like that when she was six?" asked Harry shocked.

Severus smiled faintly. "Oh yes. She was very talented and quite powerful too. I told her all about what would happen when she turned eleven, and we were both very excited because of it." He paused briefly, as if he was remembering. "We were practically inseparable as we grew -"

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"-up."

Harry started and turned towards the door. He heard the door knob twist but saw that the door didn't open. Snape muttered a curse. "Get back to the cauldrons. Quickly."

He done as he was told.

Snape then flicked his wand at the door, which allowed it to open. Malfoy burst into the room.

"Sir! Goyle had to go to the infirmary. Madam Pomphrey sent me to get you. She said she's not sure how to reverse the curse."

Snape turned towards Harry. "Potter, those cauldrons had better be clean when I return or I'll put you with Filch for a week."

Harry was utterly confused but muttered, "yes sir".

'What in the name of Merlin had Snape been about to tell me?' he wondered. Frowning, he reached for the dragon hide gloves to put back on. 'Maybe the man would try again.' He hoped that he would because now he was seriously curious, and he wanted to know more about his mother. Everyone always talked about his father. No one ever really talked to him about his mother.

Severus walked into the infirmary to see Goyle with a pair of Fairy Wings and a set of horns. He raised an eyebrow at him.

"Gryffindors," he spat.

As he helped Madam Pomphrey reverse the hex, he just shook his head. He had finally gotten enough courage up to tell Potter the truth and then this happened.

"Which Gryffindor done this Mr. Goyle?"

"The Creevey brothers."

Severus just shook his head in disgust.

October 26, 1994

Snape has turned weird. He actually started to tell me something about him and my mom tonight during detention.

It makes me wonder what he would have said if Malfoy hadn't come banging on the door.

I wonder if that was an open invitation to talk to him about her.

The other schools that are competing in the Tri-Wizard Tournament are coming on Friday. I'm really excited to see what all the contestants are going to have to do.

And I'm eternally grateful that I can't participate. For once I am just going to enjoy things from the side lines.

-Harry

On October 25th, classes were cut short because the other schools were about to arrive.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione ran back down to the entrance hall after having deposited their books in the dorm.

They had been speculating about the Tournament for weeks now and the excitement was at an all time high.

"Flatten your hair Potter," McGonagall snapped.

Harry whispered to Ron as he tried to flatten it. "Of all the things to get from my dad, it had to be the messy hair."

"At least you got your Quidditch skills from him ... unless your mom could fly too?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know much about her other than she was good in charms and potions. No one ever mentioned her flying."

"Potions?" asked Ron. He looked like he would be sick.

"Silence!" yelled Dumbledore, which saved Harry from responding.

Everyone turned to look at the Headmaster.

"Now, I expect you all to be on your best behavior and no matter who wins in the end, I want everyone to show true sportsmanship. I also want everyone to be very welcoming to our guests."

Snape had heard Potters comment about his messy hair then the comment about his flying.

It did raise the question. Where did his flying talent come from? Lily had been an okay flyer and Severus was good on a broom but had not had Potters talent in school.

Was it possible that the potion and the blood adoption affected more than his appearance genes? The blood adoption in general would have given him some of James traits but still ... to be as good as he is on a broom ...

He would have to do even more research on the subject. Maybe Lupin had figured out which blood adoption spell was used. Only he could forget something that important.

Severus was brought out of his musings by the youngest Creevey yelling, "It's a flying house!"

Harry watched Ron with amusement during dinner. He was staring - blatantly staring - at the girls from Beauxbatons Academy (even Victor Krum didn't keep his attention). Harry, himself, found them attractive but didn't seem to be as possessed as most of his classmates.

"She's a veela," hissed Ron suddenly.

"Don't be ridiculous Ronald. No one else is acting like an idiot," said Hermione scathingly.

'Clearly she's not looked around the room," thought Harry with amusement.

"Severus."

"Igor," sneered Snape.

"How are you my old friend?"

"Well. I see you are doing alright with yourself," spat out the potions master.

Dumbledore stood up which interrupted Karkaroff's response.

"Welcome! Welcome guests to Hogwarts! Let's discuss this tournament before we eat our marvelous feast. First of all, the judge for the entries will be placed in the hall on October 30th at 6pm and will be removed on October 31st at 6pm. The participants will be chosen at that time.

"For safety reasons, as I have mentioned before, no one under 17 will be allowed to enter."

Boos could, once again, be heard on this reminder.

"Eternal glory, eternal fame, and 1000 galleons in prize money is what awaits the winner of this tournament but we're all here for another reason as well.

"To make new friends and allies. To form new bonds. I encourage all the schools to mingle in the evenings during their free time. Get to know one another. Now, before my staff strangles me for rambling, enjoy your meal."

The food appeared on everyone's table.

Severus watched from across the room as Karkaroff and Potter collided in the doorway.

He couldn't hear what was said but couldn't help but chuckle when Karkaroff fled at having saw Moody. (After all, during the first war, Moody had been the one to catch him.)

That reminded him. Where had Moody been during dinner? The man was acting even more paranoid than normal.

He told himself that he would keep a discreet eye on him.

"This should be good," said Harry to Ron and Hermione.

"Yeah," agreed Ron.

"And for once, I'm going to have a quiet year," he muttered.

Hermione grinned at him.

Severus had managed to avoid Karkaroff until dinner on the day the champions were to be chosen.

The man had then put himself in the chair beside of his. Moody then sat on Karkaroff's other side.

"It's time now for the Goblet of Fire to choose this years Tri-Wizard Champions!" announced Albus clearly.

Severus watched along with the rest of the students as the fire in the goblet went from red to green then shot out a piece of paper.

He watched Albus catch it easily.

"The Champion from Beauxbaton Academy is Fleur Delacour."

Severus watched as the girl got up from the Ravenclaw table and headed off to a side room. He clapped along with everyone else.

"The Champion from Durmstrang is Victor Krum."

"Yeah Victor! I knew you had it in you!" shouted Karkaroff like some school girl.

Severus resisted the eye roll he wanted to do.

"The Hogwarts Champion is Cedric Diggory."

Severus raised an eyebrow. 'A Hufflepuff?' he wondered.

"Now. I want everyone to show support for their champions and ..."

Severus saw why Albus had stopped speaking. The Goblets flame had changed from red to green again, indicating that it was going to throw out another name. When it did, it suddenly became very hard for him to breathe because his gut told him what was going to be on that paper, but should have been impossible.

"Harry Potter."

Severus' eyes automatically went to where his son was sitting with his friends and the look on the boys face reflected how he felt himself.

Absolute shock and horror.

A/N: As you can see, Snape got closer in telling Harry the truth. That's worth something ... right? Right? *hides behind something to avoid things being thrown at me* Anyway, at the end of the last chapter I said that I might break up the chapter because of the length. I didn't need to. There had been something that didn't sit well with me in it so I moved it to a future chapter and it worked out great. It just cut this one shorter but not by much. Anywho, up next, a shocking revelation comes to light. ;-) I should have it up in a day or so. =)