It's My Life

Christmas had been going pretty smoothly since Harry and Severus had another heart to heart. Severus openly revealed to Harry that he was the reason Voldemort heard about a prophecy where a boy born at the end of July would have the power to vanquish Voldemort from the world, marked as an equal and having a power the dark lord knew not of. Severus told Harry it was him revealing such to Voldemort that made the man go after Harry, which resulted in Lily and James Potter being murdered that fateful Halloween night.

However, while Severus was prepared for Harry to hate him entirely; Harry forgave him, to everyone's surprise. And then Harry told Severus he needed to forgive himself and Severus said that he did. Severus somehow felt lighter after saying aloud, and to Harry, that it wasn't his fault and he forgave himself. Harry even informed him that he just knew his mother and father had forgiven Severus too, definitely after he took Harry in over the summer. Lunch with the Malfoy's was nice and then Severus remained there as Sirius and Remus took Harry to Grimmauld Place for Christmas dinner with the Weasley's.

Harry greeted Hermione and Ron first, as they were his best friends. Molly gave Harry a big old hug, kissing both his cheeks and then Harry shook hands with Arthur. Fred and George high fived Harry. Ginny hugged Harry lightly. From there, the group opened more presents as Harry gave his to his friends. Everyone had a great time and the time passed quickly to reach 5:00 pm. Dinner went by without much problem, enjoyable for everyone. Now, everyone was relaxing. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were upstairs talking to one another as Harry was debating on telling them that he was saved by the Malfoy's over the summer.

And that Severus was now his guardian, and they were living in Potter Manor. Harry just didn't think it was safe to reveal everything yet; he'd never get them to believe that Albus Dumbledore was a manipulative old fool who had been trying to control him all these years. Harry would tell them eventually, just not quite yet. The friends went on about whatever, but Harry ended up falling asleep on his bed in Grimmauld Place. It was a room on the first floor, the adults had all been in the lounge just across the hallway.

"What do you think, Har-," Hermione stopped as she realized Harry was laying down now and asleep.

"He's sleeping?" Ron asked.

"It's not even 9:30 yet." Hermione mentioned.

"Well, we should leave him. You know he has trouble sleeping sometimes," Ron reminded.

"Of course. Come on, we'll leave the room so he can rest peacefully." Hermione got up and pulled Ron with her to leave Harry's bedroom, also closing his door when they were out.

"Where's Harry?" Sirius asked. "We have to get him back to the Dursley's…"

"He's sleeping," Hermione informed.

"Yeah, we were just talking and he laid down on his own." Ron added.

Sirius looked at Remus, who nodded. "I'll inform Severus."

"Who is Severus?" Ginny wondered curiously.

"Professor Snape to you kids," Sirius said.

"Why does Professor Snape need to be told about Harry sleeping here?" Ron inquired.

Remus and Sirius stopped, looking at one another. "He's…Basically Harry's guard when he leaves his relatives house and Severus is the one who brought Harry here to Grimmauld. We have to let him know that Harry is sleeping and will stay here tonight. I don't want to wake him." Remus informed as he shot Sirius a look not to say anything. Remus got close to the fire and tossed some powder in. "Malfoy Manor Main." Remus spoke clearly.

"Ah, there you are, Lupin. I believe we agreed 9:00 as the time to return Potter." Severus's voice was heard and his face appeared in the fire.

"There's going to be a problem with that," Remus informed.

"Why? Is he ill or injured?"

"He's sleeping, Severus." Sirius commented. "He fell asleep in his room here talking to his friends. We don't want to wake him, so we're letting you know that he's staying here tonight."

"You run this by Dumbledore? You know how he feels about Harry being out of his muggle relatives' home for too long."

"It's fine. It's only one night…You can come grab him from us in the morning, after breakfast." Remus stated.

"Very well." Severus responded.

The call ended as the fire returned to normal. The rest of the night was pretty quiet, Harry was already sleeping and it was nearing 10:00 pm. Safe to say, the night had come to an end. Sirius allowed the Weasley's to stay over, and that was it for the evening. It was quiet and uneventful.

. . .

Over at the Malfoy's place, the small group just sat around chatting lightly. Or had been until Remus called through to inform Severus that Harry was staying there for the night because he'd already fallen asleep.

"Harry asleep before 10:00 pm? Odd." Draco was first to comment when the call had ended.

"Why is that odd?" Narcissa inquired.

"I've never seen Harry just lay down and fall asleep so easily, that's why. He lays awake for hours, unless Uncle Sev gives him a sleeping draft." Draco remarked.

"He's obviously tired; it's been a busy day." Lucius mentioned. "Speaking of almost bed, shouldn't you be moving along to yours?"

"Father, it's barely 10:00 pm and I'm on holiday…" Draco said quickly.

"We agreed that he could stay up during holidays, Lucius." Narcissa reminded.

"We never said how late," Lucius remarked.

"I feel 11:00 is suitable for a boy his age." Severus informed. "That's what time I send Harry to bed, unless he chooses to go earlier. During school, he has the curfew to abide by and knows to let me know if he's unable to sleep on his own ability."

"Seems fair." Lucius agreed. "Very well, Draco. You may stay up until 11:00,"

"Thank you." Draco replied.

"How is Harry doing, Severus?" Narcissa asked. "I know we saw him earlier, but I'm sure you know what I'm referring to?"

"Indeed," Severus nodded. "He's…Managing. We'll leave it at that. Not bad, but not good either." He added. "I believe we've started to make headway in his recovery."

"That's wonderful to hear. Has he…Begun to trust you enough to come to you with problems, aside from inability to sleep?" Narcissa inquired.

"Some, but I believe he's still feeling reserved to divulge deeper than what is known." Severus replied.

"Does…He still desire for things to just end?" Narcissa wondered, but with hope in her voice that the answer was no.

"Yes, and no." Severus admitted. "We spoke of the matter towards the end of October after a situation with Dumbledore, bloody bastard wasted no time trying to get Harry to fall under his control."

"What has he done? I'll take it to the board of governors. Add it to the investigation on him…" Lucius pushed.

"Calm yourself, Lucius. I've already submitted both a report and Harry's memories to the event." Severus assured. "Albus asked to speak to Harry in his office, and insisted he return to his muggle relatives and also tried to force him back to Gryffindor. Harry refused and Albus locked him in the office and told him he would obey, with his wand drawn on Harry."

"Good heavens!" Narcissa put a hand over her heart. "Were you able to reach Harry in time before Albus did anything to him?"

"Harry broke away on his own." Severus reported. "I didn't know he was in trouble, not until he sent a warning through our two-way communication line."

"Two-way communication line? Are you guys using mirrors or journals?" Draco wondered.

"No," Severus pulled up his sleeve to reveal the bracelet from earlier. "They're old friendship bracelets that Lily and I shared before the falling out. When she died, I took hers from her…Surprised that she'd never taken it off." He informed. "I turned hers into a necklace when Harry went under my guardianship, I charmed them to act as a line of silent communication, and told Harry that if he was ever in danger and couldn't get away to touch the gem on the necklace and say my name in his head. Naturally, when he does that; it sends a signal to my bracelet." He explained.

"Was…This the night you came to the common room to ask where Harry was, then just rushed off?" Draco inquired.

"Yes. The bracelet got hot and tightened. That's the warning signal from Harry that he's in trouble. By the time I arrived, Harry managed to get out of the office with Albus chasing him. I got him to back off, but he's not gonna give in. Harry told me later on what happened as well as the reveal he still felt like ending his life." Severus remarked.

"He actually admitted that to you?" Lucius questioned.

"Yes, I was surprised myself. I didn't think he'd openly confess such to me given we're not that close." Severus responded.

"Oh, I think you are." Narcissa smiled. "Earlier was proof of that, Severus."

"What about earlier? I told him the truth and-," Severus began.

"And he didn't think twice about forgiving you." Narcissa cut him off as Severus stared at her. "No hesitation, Severus. He didn't get mad, upset, or scared at your own confession to the role played in why his parents died that night. That you are the one who told the dark lord about the prophecy you heard. The one that set the dark lord targeting Harry over."

"He just forgave you, and told you that all you had to do was forgive yourself after explaining to you that it wasn't your fault and he didn't blame you. Severus, that's what most of us normal folk not in denial call a heart to heart, and you get those when you connect to other person on a sympathetic and understanding level." Lucius added to what his wife said.

"I never claimed I was in denial," Severus stated. "I said I was surprised. I didn't think we were close enough that he'd reveal such to me. If earlier is what you claim a heart to heart Narcissa, then Harry and I have had two…The night he told me he still felt like dying to escape everything, I…Comforted him and informed that too many people loved and cared for him."

"What exactly did you say…" Lucius questioned calmly.

"What he needed to hear to not give up." Severus informed calmly.

"You've taken over the role." Narcissa smiled.

"What role would that be?" Severus looked at her.

"You're more to Harry than his head of house, teacher, and guardian…" Lucius added.

"Uncle Sev…You've take over the role of being Harry's father." Draco rolled his eyes.

"I have not. I'm just someone he can turn to." Severus remarked.

"Someone he turned to, Severus. You. He opened up to you. Not his friends at school. No other teachers. Not even his unofficial uncle or godfather. Harry turned to you, as someone he trusts fully, to know his true mental state. To fully admit where he stands in his depression. And you were there for him, comforted him…Gave him a reason not to give up because he knows someone knows. Someone sees his pain." Narcissa explained.

"You weren't just a guardian, teacher, or his head of house that night. You went running when you got his warning signal. And when he admitted his depression, you comforted him. You were a father to him. You are a father to him, Severus. Accept that because it's what Harry needs in his life. I know he has Sirius and Remus as family, but Remus can't always be around Harry and Sirius..." The woman paused. "Well, he's more of an uncle than a father to Harry. I don't know if he's trying to not step on James's toes, but Harry needs an active parent in his life and I think he's more than chosen who he sees that as."

"Don't fool yourself into seeing things that aren't there. I'm just his guardian because Albus will end up getting him killed before the dark lord tries to finish what he started years ago. That is all. To Harry, I'm just the person who hates his father, was best friends with his mother and taking care of him because of an old promise." Severus stood up. "It's late and as I do not have to be on Harry guard this evening; I'll be returning home now." He turned and left the manor without another word via the floo.

"He really is stubborn," Narcissa giggled.

"He'll come around eventually." Lucius assured. "He loves that boy as his own, he just won't admit to it because he still feels guilty about giving the dark lord that prophecy and getting Lily killed. He feels his own duty to Harry is protecting him for getting his parents murdered."

"He hasn't actually forgiven himself like Harry asked him to, has he?" Draco frowned.

"He will eventually. I put my money on the first time Harry calls him dad." Narcissa grinned.

"I'll match that bet," Lucius chuckled. "I say it's when Harry figures out that he hasn't and scolds him."

"You're on." Narcissa shook her husband's hand. Draco only shook his head and ignored his parents betting on when Severus would come around and realize that he loved Harry as his own son. Severus knew the truth, he just wasn't ready to accept it yet because of the guilt he felt over causing the Potter's to be killed.

. . .

The days passed bringing everyone to New Year's Eve. Harry spent everything from the 26th to the 31st of December just relaxing at Potter Manor. Harry kept on his reading, but occasionally went to help Severus with potions as the man would give him small lessons to make up from previous years of them butting heads. True to what was agreed, if Severus hadn't been an ass to him all those years; Harry thrived in potions.

Harry spent the other half of his time reading and keeping in contact with his godfather and unofficial uncle, also his friends, like now when he was chatting with Ron and Hermione via the floo at Burrow. Not that his friends knew he was at Potter Manor, but he felt it was time to tell them the truth of the situation.

"So…I've got to tell you something and I'm sure you'll end up telling the others too, but I need your word you will not reveal it to anyone outside the family. Certain parties can't know about this…" Harry stated.

"I swear I'll never reveal it to anyone, Harry. On my word…" Hermione promised.

"Of course, mate. You're our best friend, you know we'd never give away your secrets. I promise." Ron added. "We'll get the others to promise too before we say anything."

Harry sighed and began to tell them about what happened over the summer before fifth year began, how the Malfoy's were at a dinner with his muggle relatives and Narcissa is the one who found Harry upstairs in his room. Harry went on how they took him to their house and called on Severus to heal him and then the plan to make sure Harry never went back there, which was having Severus take over guardianship of Harry while Albus was being investigated and a request to remove him as Harry's magical guardian permanently.

Harry explained how Albus was purposely leaving him with abusive relatives that made him do all the work and starved him. Harry revealed that he had taken over the lordship position for Potter, and Slytherin. Harry informed them about Potter Manor, which is where he and Severus were currently living. Harry also spoke of how Dumbledore had access to his accounts, never handed over the key to him, and the situation not too long ago about Dumbledore trying to force him back to Gryffindor. Harry also remarked on being friends with Draco, plus Pansy, Blaise, Theodore, Vincent, and Gregory.

"So yeah…That all happened. I'm sorry I haven't told you before now, but there's a lot at stake…" Harry revealed.

"We totally get it, Harry…" Hermione said gently.

"Wow…I've always looked up to Dumbledore, but…I can't believe he'd do this." Ron agreed. "It's okay, mate. We got your back and the rest of the family will too."

"I appreciate it, guys." Harry said with relief. "That being said…I want to invite you here, maybe a New Year's Party?"

"That would be so much fun!" Hermione beamed.

"Hell yeah. That would be a good time. Hang on, let me ask mum and dad." Ron informed.

"They're invited too, and if you can reach out to Dean, Seamus, Luna, and Neville too, they're welcome." Harry mentioned.

"Right then. I'll go do that while Ron asks his family. We'll call you back," Hermione stated.

"Looking forward to it. I gotta let Sirius and Remus know, as well as the Malfoy's and a couple friends from Slytherin." Harry left the call and gave it a moment.

Harry went on calling Grimmauld to invite his godfather and Remus to the party and then, of course, Harry did let Severus know he was planning a party and had told his friends about things. Harry got Severus's okay for the celebration, then Harry went to invite the Malfoy's and asked Draco to inform the others in their little friend group. Harry did inform Dobby about the party, and the elf was more than happy to get everyone else in gear to prepare. Harry informed that it'd be held in the ballroom, only made the most sense. Tonight was going to be great! Harry couldn't wait.

As the time passed, soon it was 6:00 pm and Harry was waiting by the doors in the foyer for everyone to arrive as Harry couldn't risk the location being known with him giving it away as secret keeper, so he just had Dobby and a few other elves collect everyone. Though the Malfoy's, Sirius, and Remus were able to apparate over as they'd been there before.

Severus was handling something down in the lab. Harry felt the wards be approached as he opened the doors and walked down the path to open the gate as he saw Dobby had returned with two other elves and the Weasley family. Then the other elves appeared with the rest of his friends, and finally, the Malfoy's. Harry brought up his Potter ring and the gate opened.

"Welcome to Potter Manor," Harry smiled.