Ch. 6: Letters and Wills:The Potter's wills are read and both Harry and Snape receive letters from the Potters
"Now that you have both been healed and flushed, let us discuss what we have discovered. Before we get into the wills, I think you two should read each other's parchment to understand what happened to the other." Griphook stated as he handed their parchments to the other person. Snape's eyes widened as he read Harry's results. 'I will strangle Albus with his beard!'. Severus was also handed the results of the scan Harry performed by Isis and he felt his anger rise, 'How dare those muggles treat my son like a house elf! Maybe mother, father, and I can pay them a visit soon.', he smirked as he thought of plans for revenge. While Snape was plotting to hurt those who hurt his family, Harry was staring at his father's results with tears in his eyes.
Results
Birth Name: Severus Thomas Salazar Riddle
Mother: Minerva McGonagall, Eileen Snape nee Prince (muggle adoption)
Fathers: Thomas Riddle, Tobias Snape (muggle adoption
Sworn Godmothers: Poppy Pomfrey
Sworn Godfathers: Abraxas Malfoy
Grandparents: Thomas Riddle and Merope Gaunt(paternal), Robert and Isobel McGonagall (maternal)
Heir to:
McGonall Family (adopted father)
Gaunt Family (adopted father)
Prince Family (adopted maternal side)
Slytherin (paternal)
Abilities:
Parseltongue (100% blocked)
Magical Core (45% blocked)
Compulsions and Potions:
Loyalty to Albus Dumbledore (last given June 1993)
Loyalty to the Weasley Family (last given June 1993)
Hostility towards James Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin (last given June 1993)
Hostility towards Harry Potter (last given June 1993)
Liquid Imperio (last given June 1993)
Memory blocked and altered
Harry couldn't believe everything that was done to his family. Tears silently rolled down the raven haired teen's face. "Who did this to us?" Harry whispered. Isis put a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder and said , "While doing your rituals I felt the signature of one Albus Dumbeldore."
Harry couldn't believe Dumbledore would do this. He is supposed to be the leader of the light. He trusted Dumbeldore. Harry felt as if his world was crumbling all around him. That grandfatherly facade that Dumbledore used was just an act. "We will make Dumbeldore pay for what he has done to our family." Harry said in a determined voice. Snape looked at Harry- his son!- and gazed proudly at him. "Of course, son." Snape smirked.
Griphook watched the two wizards before him and he was grateful to be on their side. 'Those two together are powerful but once they are reunited with Minerva and Tom they will be unstoppable' he thought. Griphook cleared his throat, "I'm sorry to interrupt you before you can plot your revenge but we found the wills of Lily and James. Lily also left each of you a letter. You can read the letters in private if you want but we can listen to the wills now."
Harry glanced at his father with questioning eyes. Snape said, "Griphook, I think we would like to watch the wills and read the letters aloud." Griphook put a pensive on the conference table. He pressed a run on the side of the pensive so it would project the wills of Lily and James. A young James Potter and Lily Snape stood before them.
"Harry and hopefully Severus is with you. There is so much I have to say to both of you." memory Lily said sadly," Severus, I am so sorry I forgot you. It wasn't until we came to Gringotts to do our wills that we uncovered the truth. We will get to our wills in a minute but we both have things we need to say to the both of you. After a lot of discussion James and I believe that the safety of Harry is too important. We are afraid if we change things Albus will find out and do much worse. Sev, I love you with my whole heart but our son's safety is my top priority." Griphook paused the memory to give Snape a minute to compose himself before they moved on. Severus had tears streaming down his face and he soaked in the face of the only woman he had loved. "I love you Lily flower." Severus whispered. Harry hugged his father and asked Griphook to continue the memory.
"Harry, I love you so much! You are the light in the darkness of this war. Your father will love you so much once his memories are restored. He loves fiercely and will do everything in his powers to protect the ones he loves. I hope you are just like him. You need to know, James is one of our closest friends and he loves you so much. I am so grateful he has stuck by us during this difficult time. I know learning he isn't your real father is hard but know he would do anything to protect you." memory Lily said.
Griphook paused the pensive once again. Harry and Snape were crying and hugging each other. Snape pulled Harry closer and started stroking his back, "Harry, Lily would be so proud of the young man you have become. You remind me so much of her, you know. You are kind, smart, and you're willing to stand up for what you believe in even if you get into a little trouble." Snape smiled. Snape nodded at Griphook to continue with the memory.
This time memory Lily stood in the background as memory James stepped forward. " Severus, I know you would love to raise Harry alongside Lily but there is a bigger risk if we don't play along with Albus. I promise to protect Lily and Harry with my life. Lily and I have stored memories of all Harry's first moments and many other moments we know you would love to see. Now that the sappy stuff is out of the way, let's get down to business" James said as he tried to sound serious but failed due to his smile.
"I James Charlus Potter leave the Potter fortune to my blood adopted son, Harry James Snape. Harry will have a trust to be refilled every July 31st with 1500 galleons. The rest of the Potter fortune will be monitored by the Potter family goblins and Harry's biological father Severeus Snape. In the case Lily and I both die, Harry is to placed with the following guardians
Severus Snape, his biological father
Minerva Mcgonagall, his paternal grandmother
Sirius Black, his sworn godfather
Alice Longbotton, a close family friend
Andromeda Tonks, a close family friend
In no uncertain terms is Harry to be left with or have any contact with the Dursleys. I leave 100,000 a year to whoever takes care of Harry to explore the world with him so he can be a better wizard than I. I want it noted that Peter Pettigrew was our secret keeper and it was never Sirius Black. Lily will leave gifts to our friends." and with that memory James took a step back and memory Lily stepped forward. Griphook paused the memory to let Harry and Severus process what James said.
Harry jumped up and started to pace. He was seething with rage, "I never should have gone to the Dursleys!". His magic was causing things in the room to rattle. Severus jumped up and put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Harry. I need you to listen to the sound of my voice and calm down before your magic hurts you. Now take some deep breaths….good, good just like that." Severus said in a calm, steady voice, "Now that you are calm let's sit down. Once we hear what Lily has to say and we read the letters, we can go home and plot revenge on both Albus and the Dursleys." Snape guided Harry back to their seat. Isis watched the scene unfold and felt her break a little because these two missed out on some of their life together due to the manipulations of a deranged old goat. Severus looked at Griphook to continue on with the memories.
"I Lily Rose Snape leave the following possessions to the following people,
To Severus Snape, I leave you my potion journals in the hopes you continue my projects
To Sirius Black, I leave you the advice to grow up a little and to gather up that Gryffindor courage and ask out our furry friend
To Remus Lupin, I leave you Potter flat in Diagon Alley and a trust vault to refill at 250,000 every September 1st
To Filius Flitwick, I leave you my charms journals
To Minerva McGonagall, I leave you James' transfiguration notebooks
To Alice Longbottom, I leave you the Potter greenhouse. Please enjoy all the rare plants
And finally to my son Harry, I leave all our other possessions.
The memory faded and Griphook handed envelopes to both wizards. Harry carefully took his letter and looked to Severus, "Uh d-d-dad, can we read our letters out loud?" Harry asked shyly. "Of course, son." Snape smiled as he put his arm around Harry. They decided to open Harry's letter first.
"To my darling son-
Harry, know that I love you so much. Writing this letter is one of the hardest things I've ever done even though I believe it is necessary. I don't think James and I will make it to the end of the war.
I want to give you some advice. Be careful around Albus Dumbledore. He pretends to be the grandfatherly figure of the light but he is a monster. When James and I came to Gringotts we discovered how deep his manipulations run. One of the most shocking things we learned was that your paternal grandfather is a man named Thomas Riddle who we know as Lord Voldemort. When we left Gringotts I decided to research the Dumbledore issue further and what I uncovered is unbelievable. Dumbledore manipulated Riddle like did James, myself and many others. Be careful who you share this information with because it is dangerous. You can trust your father, Severus Snape, the Malfoys, Sirius, Remus. Minerva, Filius, the Tonks, and the Longbottoms.
Even though I just gave you dangerous information I want you to live your life to the fullest. Be a kid, laugh with your friends, fall in love, make mistakes, and try new things. Now ,I don't care what house you are sorted into, even though James thinks you belong in Gryffindor like us! I love you forever baby boy!
Love,
Mum"
Harry just looked at the letter studying his mum's neat handwriting. "She loved me." he whispered. Snape hugged Harry, "Of course she loved you. Lily was the most caring person I met with so much love in her heart. I just found out you are my son and I love you so much.I can imagine Lily was bursting with love during her time with you." Snape said softly. Harry just snuggled into his father and smiled. "Harry, we don't have to read my letter now if you need a break. It has been an emotional day and we could just go home." Snape told him. Harry took a deep breath "Can we read the letter now and then go home to rest?" Harry asked. Severus nodded and his long, thin fingers carefully unsealed his envelope.
To my loving husband-
Severus, I wish we had more years of marriage and many more crazy kids running around. Unfortunately you reading this letter means my biggest nightmare came true. Dumbledore had James and I murdered. In my potions journals I left you are my notes about Dumbledore since it was the only safe space I could leave them to you. Please be careful around Albus but I also hope you continue my work on bringing him down.
Oh, how I wish you could be here with Harry and I. As I sit in the kitchen writing this letter, our son is using his magic to turn his uncles (James, Sirius, and Remus) hair Slytherin green with Gryffindor red and gold stripes. Harry loves to make me smile and laugh, just like you. He also loves his baby potions toy set James got him so we may have another potions master in the family! He is just amazing Sev! And no, I am not biased!
I know Albus made you believe that I left you for James. James struggles with his guilt everyday but he also does his best to take care of us. I wish I could undo everything Albus has done but it is too risky. I
want you to love our son with all your heart, protect him fiercely but Sev don't be overbearing! Know that I love you so much Sev. Mourn the loss of what could have been but don't let your grief close up your heart. Sev, I want you to find love again. I know you don't want to hear that but I love you too much to watch from heaven as you become a snarky dungeon bat.
Love always,
Lily
Severus laughed lightly, 'My Lily flower, even in the beyond you are still stubborn and bossy.' Harry looked up at his father and smirked, "Mum must have been a seer because you are Hogwarts' resident snarky dungeon bat." Severus looked at his son and chuckled, "Cheeky brat! Just like your uncles! But yes Lily knew me, a little too well apparently." When the two wizards calmed down and Severus turned to Griphook and asked, "What properties are well warded and habitable for my son and I to live in?" Griphook shuffled through some documents. "Hmmm. There seems to be two properties that are perfect for you two. Peverell Manor which sits on 50 acres, has a quidditch pitch, an extensive greenhouse, 8 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, a formal dining room, an informal dining room, a family lounge, and a massive kitchen. Your second option is Slytherin manor. This manor sits on 150 acres, has a small forest, a stable, a quidditch pitch, a pool, 20 bedrooms, 18 bathrooms, a ballroom, a formal dining room, an informal dining room, a family lounge, a dueling room, a giant kitchen, state of the art potions lab, and a massive library."Snape turned to Harry," Well son, what do you think?"
Harry smirked, "I think it is time I embrace my Slytherin heritage."