Disclaimer: All I own is this taco that I'm eating. o.o

Chapter 105

"Are you alright Harry?" asked Dumbledore.

"Yeah. I'm going to go someplace to read this alone. Thanks for taking me to get it."

"If you need me, you'll know where to find me."

Harry nodded and headed to the far side of the lake. Despite the fact that it was cold enough to snow, he never even noticed.

After placing himself on a rock, he slowly opened the letter his mother had written him.

My dear sweet baby boy,

I'm sitting here imagining you as a grown man, yet its hard to do because you're still my baby. You will always be my baby.

I hope you have had a good life thus far. If you are reading this letter then that means I was killed along side of your father. I am sorry for leaving you.

I'm sure you're wondering why I would be writing you a letter.

I have some very important things to tell you, son. I realize this will most likely turn your world upside down, but I cannot, in good conscious, never inform you of this.

When I was a little girl, I met a boy in the neighborhood. He told me that I was a witch. I was slow to warm up to him, especially since my sister didn't trust him, but we eventually became friends.

Before I went to Hogwarts, he had helped me harness what magic I could, and thanks to him, I entered the Wizarding World knowing more than most muggleborns. I am thankful that you too will enter the Wizarding World knowing of it. I have seen some of the friends that I've made struggle because they learned on their 11th birthday of their heritage. I am glad that will never happen to you.

All during school, this boy and I remained friends - and that friendship eventually turned into love, despite us being placed in separate houses.

In our 7th year, we had a huge fight in which he slipped and called me a nasty name. I had barely tolerated his friends and it appeared they had been rubbing off on him. I was slowly losing him, and it scared me.

He begged me that night to forgive him but my stubborn nature didn't allow me to do so. That night, I think I felt a part of me die.

By the end of the year, I had started dating another man, James Potter. I grew to love him, but never the same as my childhood friend. I ended up marrying him, anyway. He is a great man, never doubt that. Sometimes I believe I don't even deserve him.

Before James and I were married, however, I saw my childhood friend one more time.

I am sorry for you having to learn the truth this way. James Potter is not your biological father. His name is Severus Tobias Snape.

Severus was my long term best friend. He is an honorable man, and one that I am still very much in love with. He is, however, marked as a Death Eater. I hope that when you're reading this, that term is just a foot note in a book.

Please know that this did not make him a bad person. He told me that he joined against his will.

Before I was married, I met with him to talk to him. That night, through our love, you were conceived.

When I gave birth to you, I took one look at you and knew beyond any doubt you belonged to Severus. So I done something that I will have to live with forever.

I hid the truth from everyone.

I had prepared a potion and gave it to you seconds after you were born. It only altered your appearance. Any of Severus' features changed into James'.

I done this for many reasons.

The first and fore most reason was to protect you.

I cannot let the Death Eaters or Voldemort discover you. Most children, even the illegitimate ones, are anointed into his service at a young age. While they are not Marked, the ritual is His way of keeping tabs on them.

I hid it from Severus because this would, without any doubt, cause him to leave Voldemort's side. All this would accomplish is his guaranteed death. I do not want to be responsible for that.

I hid the truth from James because I knew that it would devastate him. I don't doubt for a second that he would never stop loving you. He loves you very much. You are his life.

After this war is over, I have every intention on setting James and Severus down and telling them the truth. They would just have to get along. If you are reading this, then I never got the chance.

I am sorry for leaving you, my sweet child. I know that Sirius will take good care of you. You will grow up loved, and that eases my conscious some.

Severus will have learned the truth on your 14th birthday (unless he performs a paternity test before then). It is my hope that after he got over the shock of the truth, that you will become a family. If this is so, you are reading this letter before your 17th birthday.

If it is not the case, then this is your 17th birthday. For you to not be told of this before then, something horrible must have happened to Severus. I encourage you to seek him out if he still lives.

He is ... a stubborn man, Harry. He may not feel as if he deserves a family, but he does. Be patient with him and give him time. This will be a very big thing for him.

I love you, very deeply, my baby boy. I can already see that you are going to be a powerful wizard when you grow up. Remember, with power comes great responsibility. Embrace it.

Live your life, my son. Know that I will always be with you, as will your dad.

Give Sirius a swift smack to the back of the head for me, too. He will know what it's for.

I wish you nothing but happiness, Harry. I will rest peacefully knowing that you are happy.

My one request of you is that you give Severus a chance.

I love you, Harry. Grow up happy and loved.

Love,

Mom

Harry looked up and out over the Black Lake. He reached up and rubbed his face, fighting back some strong emotions.

This letter meant a lot to him, but it also served as a reminder of what his life would have been like had Sirius not gone to Azkaban.

Harry sat there until darkness fell and the snow started falling. He probably would have stayed longer had he not looked up to see Ron and Hermione's face, telling him that he needed to come inside.

A/N: Yep, it's late again. I deserve a humongous flogging, but I have a reason. It's the final week before my mom marries number 3, so I've been a little busy the past few weeks. However, most of it is done. I have to put together a few more flower set's tomorrow, but otherwise, over the next week and a half, I'll have time to work on the story. In fact, the next chapter is almost done. I have another POV problem that I've been correcting, but otherwise, it should be up in a couple of days. :)

Edit in: Oh, and Thanks to PadyandMoony about the major mistake. I looked back over my notes and in my notes I caught the mistake when I proofread, but when I went over the typed version, I didn't see the 'n' in my typed out version b/c I had it written in pencil. Anywho, I updated it. *sends a big ice cream to PadyandMoony* :D