A/N: I'm happy for every feedback and constructive criticism but I will not respect straight out hate or trolls in the comments.

DON'T LIKE DON'T READ! This is an M/M story with mentions of infidelity, violence and abuse (all of which I don't condone).

Thank you for all the reviews, follows and faves!

randomplotbunny: If you want to put it that way...YES! She can also be thankful that he was in this weird baby form when Severus told him about the letter otherwise he probably would have resurrected her just to turture and kill her again...

mizzrazz72: Yes that will be a really interesting reaction ;)

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling - I just played a bit in her universe.

Thanks to miu-sama95 for prereading, betaing and helping with the storyline ;)

Chapter 9: Medical Exams and a Stepfather?

Words: 2788

Severus was still in shock. His son and Ronald Weasley. In a relationship. That was not something he would have expected. But the more he thought about it, the more sense it made. Harry wanted to be seen as just Harry and Ron had been - as far as Snape knew - the first person his own age to really see just Harry. At the same time Ronald needed someone to see him as special. Standing in the shadows of five older brothers cannot have been easy and Harry gave him the feeling of being special. He could understand and accept that.

Severus wished for some alone time to think this through but they had so much they needed to discuss. Looking up at the clock on the fireplace mantle, he saw that is was only 10 AM. What a draining morning it had been already.

'Harry, why don't you go and take a nice long bath while I get you something for breakfast?' the older wizard suggested.

'Alright. But I don't have any fresh clothes here.'

'I'll have the elves get some from your dorms. They will be in your room when you get out of the bath.'

With a nod and a muttered thank you Harry left for his room while Severus dropped his head into his hands. He was surprised at the ease with which Harry had taken it all in. He didn't throw a tantrum or cry or yell or even question Sev's paternity. How very curious. Too curious. He would get to the bottom of this particular puzzle as soon as possible.

After another few minutes of contemplating his son's feelings he got up to get breakfast ready. Although there were elves in the castle, Severus preferred to make at least a few meals per week himself. Usually he made breakfast and lunch himself on weekends. At least if he wasn't caught up in brewing some potion.

'Dobby!' he called for the overly happy elf to come to him.

'What can Dobby be doings for Master Snape, sir?' the little creature asked after popping right in front of the professor and bowing deeply.

'I need you to get Harry some of his clothes from his dormitory and put them on his bed here in my quarters.'

'Harry Potter, sir?' Dobby asked with awe and glee. Severus knew how enamoured the elf was with his son, so he was sure the creature wouldn't tell anyone of his whereabouts.

'Yes, Harry Potter, my son. For his own safety, no one is to know where Harry is, do you understand?'

'Dobby will not be sees. Dobby will get clothes for Master Harry Potter, sir.' the elf popped away after seeing the Potions Master nod at him.

With that taken care of, Severus turned to his small kitchenette to get started on breakfast.

When Harry came out of his room, all clean with his hair still dripping wet, he found his father humming in the kitchen while flipping pancakes in a pan. It was rather comical to see the usually so sour Professor humming and smiling, while doing something as mundane as pouring batter into a pan. Trying not to burst out laughing he didn't make his presence know right away and lost control anyway when Severus turned around and jumped about a foot in the air in surprise at seeing his son right behind him.

'Merlin! Harry! Don't sneak up on me like that! I'm too young for gray hair yet!' Severus tried to cover his surprise, only to send his son into peals of laughter again. Usually he would have been scowling by now but it made him smile to see his son so carefree and happy, even if it was just for a moment.

'You…. You should have seen your face!' Harry got out between laughs. 'Priceless! And to think you are a spy and I wasn't even trying to sneak up on you!'

'Yeah, yeah. I was lost in thought, you caught me.' Severus conceded. 'Now come and eat your breakfast. Do you want tea or juice?'

'Tea, please.' Harry said before plopping down in a chair and starting on the pancakes on his plate. He loved pancakes, especially if they were slathered with strawberries and whipped cream like these were.

'How do you know how I like my pancakes, Dad?' Harry asked surprised.

'I have been watching you closely since the beginning of the year. I knew I could not yet blow my cover but that didn't mean I could change my behavior at least a tiny little bit.' Severus explained and after taking a sip of his coffee he continued. 'You protect that plate of pancakes with your life every time there are any. It is very amusing to watch while Ronald tries to steal some off of your plate and you protecting them even subconsciously while being distracted. It is even more amusing if one knows that you usually don't mind sharing what is on your plate.' Harry was sure there was a smirk hidden behind that coffee mug.

'So what's the next step? I mean since Voldemort is kinda your husband and you are my Dad that would make him at least my stepfather? How does that fit in with him trying to kill me regularly? And why keep it all from Dumbledore?' Harry asked between bites.

'Before we get to that I would really like to ask one question of my own.. ' Severus began but waited for his son'S not before actually asking 'How can you be so calm after finding out I am your biological father? You even call me Dad although I can't even begin to guess what I did to earn this title.'

'Oh...well you see…' the teen began, only to blush and look down at his food. The blush itself peaked the Potions Master's curiosity.

'Yes?'

'Some time ago you and I kind of had a standoff in a hallway or something. Hermione was there and she was able to observe us quite closely because we both had forgotten she was there. Back in the common room she told me and Ron that if she didn't know better she would have thought us to be father and son. She said that we wore the exact same facial expression down to your trademark sneer. Ron gagged at the thought and I agreed with him but something in my mind told me that it would be rather nice to have you as a father.' Harry explained as best as he could while staring intently into his empty teacup, too afraid of his Dad's reaction. His head shot up when he head a quiet chuckle coming from the other man.

'Leave it to Miss Granger to find out even the best hidden secrets.' Severus commentedwhile a smile crept up onto his face. He was doing that a lot lately. 'But that still does not explain how you can be so accepting after all I have done to you in the last four years.'

'Yeah, not really right? I just… This is kind of hard to explain…' Harry tried again. 'You know my life at the Dursley's has never been all that great and through all those years my only wish was to have a family of my own. I… Dou you know what the Mirror of Erised is?' Harry suddenly asked, changing tactics and catching his Dad off guard.

'Yes. It shows you your heart's deepest desire. How do YOU know about it?'

'I found it. My first Christmas here at Hogwarts I went exploring and found it in an old classroom.' Harry didn't think it was important that it had been well after curfew and he'd been running from Filch. 'I didn't know what it was but when I looked in the Mirror I saw Mum and James standing there with me. Although it took me some time to figure out that they were actually my parents and not anybody. I had never seen any pictures of them. I guess I finally got my biggest wish and now I'm just basking in the afterglow of happiness.'

Severus was shocked - again - that his son's deepest desire was having parents who cared. Harry didn't have to say that part, but Severus had heard it quite clearly and swore to himself to never betray his son's trust in any way if he could help it.

Before Severus could suggest moving their talk to the living room (since Harry was done eating), one of his alarms went off, telling him he was needed in the Slytherin common room. Swearing under his breath he got up and donned his teaching robes.

'I have to go to the common room. Something has happened and I have to see to it. Make yourself comfortable and don't fear - only people with permission can enter while I am gone. I will be back as soon as possible.' Severus explained to his son.

'Okay. Can I borrow some parchment and a quill to write down some questions?' Harry thought it would help him sort this whole mess in his head if he wrote it down.

'Of course. There should be some supplies on the desk in your room.'

While Severus left to see to his snakes, Harry made his way back to his very own room to get the stuff he needed. Just as he was about to go back he heard the chime of the floo going off. Thinking Madame Pomfrey was early for his check-up he hurried into the living room to greet her only to freeze in place when he saw who had stepped out of the flames. The bottle of ink slipped from his fingers, shattering on the stone floor and drawing the attention of the newcomer to Harry.

'Hello Harry. How are you today? You look a lot better than yesterday.'

'YOU! What do you think you are doing here!? Harry attacked 'And how DARE you? Talking to me as if nothing had ever happened!?'

'Now, now Harry. Calm down, alright? I'm not here to hurt you in any way. I just - '

'Calm down? Calm down!? I'll tell you when I'll calm down! I'll calm down when you leave me the heck alone or when hell has frozen over!' Harry's voice had gotten louder with every word he said.

'Harry, please. Stop screaming. I am not deaf yet and I can hear you just fine. As I was trying to say I am just here to see my husband and get some potions.' Voldemort stated while doing his best so remain calm. He knew the boy had been through a lot in the past 24 hours.

'Severus? He is not here, so you can take your calming presence and get. The. Hell. Out. Of. Here. Before I make you go!' Harry was so angry at the man standing opposite him. He automatically went for his wand, but he had left it in his room, thinking he was safe here.

'You will do no such thing, son.' came the deadly voice of the Potions Professor from the entrance. Neither his husband nor his son had noticed his return during their argument and he was not amused by their childishness.

'But he -...'

'No buts. Both of you go to your rooms! I don't want to hear a word from either of you for the next ten minutes! Harry, he IS my husband, so he is allowed to be here whenever he wants.' Severus admonished while pinching the bridge of his nose. Hearing a snicker he shot his husband a glare before continuing. 'Marvolo, you should have called first. You know that! And you ARE an adult so you shouldn't goad Harry! Now both of you go to your rooms I need a moment.'

Harry and Marvolo both knew that voice left no room for arguments, so while shooting glares at each other Harry went into his room while Marvolo went into his and Severus' bedroom. And not a second too soon. Right as Severus sat in his favorite chair after the doors had shut with a click, the floo chimed again.

Was there not even a minute of quiet for him today? With a groan he got up to open the connection and saw Poppy's face in the hearth.

'Yes, Poppy?' he asked tiredly, hoping by Merlin she didn't need his help.

'Severus, I was wondering if I could come through now to check Harry. I have time now and will not be missed since the headmaster has just been by.'

'We have time as well. Do step through, please.' Severus invited her. The faster they had results, the sooner he could get his revenge on the Dursley's.

After the Medi-witch stepped out of the fireplace he led her to his son's room, hoping against all odds that he would have reigned in his temper by now. He knocked and after getting permission to enter he opened the door and allowed Poppy to enter first.

'Hello Mister Potter. I can see you are feeling a lot better today. How about you lay down on your bed while I check you over and then we'll do the full medical exam, alright?'

With a small sigh and a glare sent at his father, the teen got up from his armchair in front of the fireplace and stretched out on his bed. Poppy started to check his already healed wounds and ran diagnostics right away.

'What happens during a full medical exam, Dad?' the teen looked rather uncomfortable at the thought of being checked over completely. But at least the fear of the exam got him over being angry at Severus much to the older wizard's amusement. He knew how much his son hated anything medical so it was obvious the need for comfort had won over the need to sulk.

'It will not only give us a report of your current health but also lists every malady or injury you have ever had. Before you ask, it should be done on all students that failed to procure a record of their health at the beginning of their first year. The exam can only be forbidden by the magical guardian of the student.' Severus explained, trying to soothe his son from afar. Seeing his son's distress only rise, he sat down on the edge of the bed and took his hand in his own, while watching the Medi-witch work.

'Alright, Harry. You seem to be as good as new!' Poppy declared. 'Only a bit of soreness left and even that should be gone by tomorrow. You still need rest, so listen to your body. Now for the full medical…'

Harry watched with equal amounts of fascination and dread when a piece of parchment popped up next to his bed and a quill started writing down all the results of all the diagnostics Madame Pomfrey was running on him. When she was finished she took hold of the record and started reading; her face turning more ashen the further she got.

'Oh, my!' Poppy exclaimed while her hand shot to her mouth in shock. 'I am so sorry I was not able to overrule the headmaster when he forbid me to check you, Mister Potter. You had to suffer so much needlessly. With that she handed the parchment to Severus, knowing he would want to read it for himself.

'So what's the verdict?' Harry asked.

'You are severely malnourished which stopped your growth and have a few broken bones that have never been set right. We will need to reset them at some point but not today. What we should do today is adjust your glasses. They are not the right prescription for you. We will also get you started on nutrition potions until you are a healthy weight.'

'Ugh….resetting bones? That already sounds painful.'

'We will make sure you are asleep when we do it.' Poppy reassured him while keeping an eye on Severus who had trouble keeping his anger at bay. Holding out her hand she said 'Give me your glasses Mister Potter and I can set the lenses right.'

After a quick charm to adjust the prescription she handed them back to the teen.

'WOW! This is awesome! I never noticed how bad my glasses were. Thank you, Madame Pomfrey!' Harry exclaimed with a big grin on his face.

Knowing that Father and Son needed some time to talk about the level of abuse Harry had to endure, she said a quick goodbye and showed herself out. Poppy hoped that these two could find happiness with each other. If only the headmaster would stop meddling in things that don't concern him...

TBC

First posted on: 30. April 2017

Next update planned: 07. May 2017