Ch. 3: A Curious Letter
Severus Snape was glad it was summer. 'Don't have to deal with any dunderheads and their teenage drama. A few Potter free months is perfect. How none of the other professors see how much of an insolent brat Potter is baffles me.' Snape was in his lab brewing potions for St. Mungo's. There was a knock on his door and then in waltzed Dumbeldore in the brightest, most outrageous orange and yellow robes Severus had ever seen. 'This man must be color blond. Why does this twinkly eyed fool insist on entering my lab when he knows I'm busy.'
"Severus, come join us for lunch. We missed you at breakfast and you know Minnie will come drag you up to the Great Hall herself if you skip another meal."
"Albus you know some of these potions couldn't be left alone so I had to skip breakfast. I am just wrapping up now so let me put this order together and I'll meet you up there." Severus huffed. Albus' eyes were twinkling in delight as he exited the room. Severus accioed 7 unbreakable vials and a small wooden box to place the potions in. Once done with his potions, Snape stalked out of the dungeons with his black robes billowing behind him.
During the summer the Great Hall transformed into a cozier setting. Gone were the 4 house tables and head table. Instead a lone rectangular table was in the center and long comfy chairs with small end tables were all around the walls so the professors could have a different space to work or to relax. When Snape entered the hall he sat between Minerva and Filius with Dumbledore sitting across from him. It seemed Hagrid was busy tending to his creatures, Poppy and Sprout had left this morning to see their families, and he didn't care to find out where everyone else was. Snape was enjoying a full English breakfast when a gray, serious looking owl landed in front of him. He relieved the owl of the letter and gave it some of his bacon. Snape noticed the Gringotts seal and opened the letter right away.
Dear Mr Snape-
Please come to Gringotts at your earliest convenience. There seems to be an issue with your accounts that needs to be dealt with quickly.
Sincerely-
Griphook
'I wonder what the issue can be?' Snape frowned as he read the letter. As he got up to leave Albus asked, "Severus leaving so soon? Your potions can wait."
"Albus, I have to go to Gringotts. There seems to be an issue with my account. I shall be back soon." Snape said and he swept out of the Great Hall. As he was walking on the grounds to leave the Hogwarts wards, he couldn't help but feel like this meeting was more than just something with his accounts. Once outside of the wards he apparated silently (a skill he learned as a spy) right outside of Gringotts.
Snape walked up to the nearest goblin."Excuse me sir but I received a letter from Griphook to meet with him." The goblin looked at Snape and then wordlessly hit a button on his desk. Less than 30 seconds later Agnar came up to Snape. "Follow me Mr. Snape, I will take you to Griphook." When Snape opened the ornate doors he was surprised to see 2 goblins and even more shocked when he realized the taller goblin was King Ragunk.
"Ah Mr Snape. Please come sit. I'm just going to get right into it. Please save all your questions and comments until I am finished", Griphook said and Snape just nodded, "Now what I am about to tell you is quite shocking and seems unbelievable but I promise everything I tell you is the truth. Someone has been manipulating not only your life but Harry Potter's as well. When Harry came to withdraw money earlier today I became aware he didn't know anything about his family's wealth. I then gave him a test to see his genealogy, magical abilities, and if he had any blocks or compulsions. His genealogy was most unexpected and he has a few blocks and compulsions. It turns out Harry is not a Potter by birth, James only blood adopted him. His real father is you."
Snape just stared at the goblin in shock. 'Pot…Harry my son?! This is some kind of joke!' He shook his head, "Griphook there is no way Potter is my son. I mean I loved Lily and we even dated until she broke up with me in 7th year. She quickly jumped into the arms of James and they got married after we left Hogwarts." Griphook handed the Harrys' results to Snape. He read the parchment a few times to make sure his eyes weren't deceiving him. King Ragunk studied the shocked wizard and gently said, "Mr. Snape I know this is hard for you to hear. I believe our conversation would go smoother if you did the same test as Harry." Snape nodded and repeated the same ritual Harry had done. He looked down at his parchment and exclaimed, "Oh you have got to be kidding me!"