The sequel to "Where We Both Belong" taking place directly after Severus takes Harry back. This retcons the ending scene in WWBB. Doesn't follow much of the canon. Character deaths mentioned.

Severus stared down at the pile of paperwork in front of him, stifling a yawn. After he had shown up at the Weasley's demanding to take Harry, Molly kept her promise and called Albus. Now, Severus was Harry's temporary foster parent.

It had almost been too easy, and Severus was bracing himself for the other shoe to drop. He yawned again and leaned over, straining his neck from his sitting position in the study to glance through the open door of Harry's bedroom. The child was still sound asleep, so Severus returned to the paperwork.

'No known blood relatives other than the Dursleys… Obviously, blood means nothing…' He rubbed his tired eyes; they were sore from fatigue, but he needed to read and understand everything.

Harry had only been back with him for three days before Albus had arrived with the paperwork, a twinkle in his eye as if he had been plotting this outcome all along.

'Damn crackpot…' He refocused on the paperwork. 'If the fucking Dursleys are found unsuitable…' He smirked. The paperwork didn't state it in those words, but where was the harm in editing the text in his mind as he read? 'He is to be placed with one of his godfathers, Remus Lupin or Sirius Black…'

"As if Black would be suitable…" Severus said, though he felt a pang of guilt for saying that. No matter their history, both Black and Lupin loved Harry. Unfortunately, Black was now dead, and Lupin hadn't yet been contacted by the officials handling Harry's case.

He heard shuffling and then a whimper. Looking up, Severus frowned. Harry, with his thumb in his mouth and dragging his blanket behind him, was tentatively moving toward him.

"Harry?" Severus called softly.

"D-daddy," Harry sniffled, a small blush creeping onto his cheeks. He was still getting used to the word and worried he might get in trouble for using it. "Bad man… head hurt…"

Setting aside the paperwork, Severus opened his arms. Harry's eyes brightened at the invitation. Hugs were new to him, and he really liked them, even if sometimes his new daddy didn't seem to understand them very well. They were figuring it out together.

Pulling his thumb out of his mouth, Harry wiped it on his pajama bottoms and rushed into Severus's arms, still dragging his blanket.

It felt a bit awkward for Severus to hold anyone, especially a child, but he settled Harry onto his lap and gently patted him on the shoulder. Harry buried his face into Severus's chest, knocking the wind out of him.

Despite being malnourished and smaller than he should be for his age, Harry, at six, possessed all the strength of an excitable young child.

"It's just a dream," Severus tried to soothe. He wasn't accustomed to using that tone of voice, but even if it came off harsher than he intended, Harry seemed to warm to it regardless.

"Green light," Harry mumbled against his chest.

Severus felt his heart tighten. He feared this. Harry was dreaming about the death of his parents. It was only natural that he would.

"Shh…" Severus patted Harry's back rhythmically and sighed with relief when he felt Harry relaxing. Soon, his breathing evened out, and the child fell back asleep.

Severus picked up the paperwork again and continued reading. There was a brief letter from the lawyers handling the case.

Severus Snape,

Dumbledore made sure to inform me that you would feel singled out if I did not let you know that a letter of the same nature was sent to the Weasley's when they wanted to adopt Harry.

In the case of Harry Potter, he cannot be officially adopted until we receive the consent of his last living caregiver, the godfather appointed by Harry's birth parents: Remus Lupin. We have reason to believe that you might have better luck contacting him than we did. After all, Dumbledore tells me that you still send him his wolfsbane potion, and he has substituted at Hogwarts several times. It's funny that Dumbledore couldn't give his address, but he'd think you'd have it...

The letter went on with a lot of official jargon. Severus found it rude when the caseworker stated that it would be in Harry's best interest to grow up in a two-parent household as if Severus alone wouldn't be enough for Harry. Deep down, Severus had to agree, which is why he thought the Weasley's would be better for Harry.

'Is he seriously suggesting I co-parent with Lupin?' Severus thought. He did have a way to get in contact with Lupin; he didn't know where Lupin lived, but the owls always found him whenever he sent the wolfsbane. He had never sent a letter along with the potion, but now he was considering it.

Not for the sake of the werewolf, but for Harry's.

'I'm positively mental…' There was a small part of him that taunted him, suggesting he might be considering it for his own sake as well because no matter how much he tried to suppress those stupid teenage hormones, he couldn't. That damned Remus Lupin had to be the first male he ever admitted to having feelings for. He, a Slytherin, getting mushy feelings for a Gryffindor, one who, might he add, nearly killed him.

Not that it had been Lupin's fault. They had even...

"No, not those memories," Severus told himself. Not while he was cradling a child. Contacting Lupin was for Harry's sake, not Lupin's, and certainly not for his own sake.

'Dear Lupin, Hello. I've recently become a Hufflepuff and would like to cordially invite you to revisit our past flirtations, which we should never have had in the first place! Oh, and by the way, would you like to co-parent the child of your best mate?'

Severus snorted at the very thought. He stood up and walked Harry back to his bed, tucking him in and brushing dark hair away from the child's face. He was so small, so innocent. It was so unfair that he got caught up in this situation, only to end up in an abusive household.

"I'll take care of you, Harry, always."

Yes, he should have been sorted into Hufflepuff.

He knew he had to contact Lupin for the adoption to go through, but the idea was also terrifying. There was no way Lupin would want Severus to be Harry's new father, not given their history.

Though it was true that toward the end of their Hogwarts days, he and Lupin had somehow formed a friendship, the flirtatious type that had been concealed from Lupin's friends at Severus's request; he hadn't wanted Lupin's idiotic friends to be upset with Lupin, so it wasn't for Severus's benefit that it was a secret, but rather for Lupin's, although Lupin had wanted to be open about it.

Severus hated to admit that he still cared about Lupin, but he did. This was evidenced by the fact that he still ensured Lupin had what he needed for the full moon. There were other places Lupin could get the potion from, but Severus had insisted on being the one to provide it.

He couldn't delay any longer. He had to send Lupin a letter. For Harry, of course.

Dear…

Severus grimaced and crushed the parchment up. He threw it at the fireplace and tried again.

Lupin,

This will come as a shock to you, so please hold off on reacting until you read the entire letter.

Ten days ago, Albus asked me to conduct a welfare check on Harry Potter. There were reports from a neighbor that suggested Harry might not be in a safe environment.

I've done many things in my life, as you know, but what I found at that house was far worse than anything I've ever done.

I found him home alone, locked in a closet. He was nearly blind, and I had to conjure some glasses for him. He was forbidden to talk and would only speak when I ordered him to do so. Although he is six, his physical condition suggests he's severely stunted and looks more like a four-year-old.

That isn't even the worst part, Lupin. If I didn't know better, I would believe those Muggles were Death Eaters, given how mentally and physically abused he was.

He is terrified of magic. The Muggles called all his accidental magic abnormal and punished him for it, calling him a freak. The same term they used for anyone like him.

As you can imagine, he is traumatized. He stayed with me for six days, and I did my best to reverse some of the damage, though I'm not sure how much a man like me could actually help. It seemed to be making a difference, at least. I even had Draco over to visit. They seemed to bond, though Draco was his usual cheeky self. I feared that he would grow up to be like his father, but I worry less about that now that Lucius is dead. I genuinely believe that Draco and Harry could be good influences on one another.

Albus originally arranged for Harry to live with the Weasley's. They agreed to adopt him, but the adoption could not be finalized until you were contacted. As you are rightfully the next person eligible to be his legal guardian, your approval is necessary.

You might find this hard to believe, but I have grown fond of Harry. I can relate to his home life. It was agonizing to know I couldn't keep him. Foolishly, I had almost hoped he would be able to stay with me.

I've gotten too sentimental. The point is, I thought Harry would be better off with a big family, so I buried my feelings, even though it killed me to see him leave.

Remarkably, Harry became attached to me as well. I have no idea how that happened. When I couldn't handle it anymore, I selfishly attempted to take him back.

Please don't laugh. I know it sounds absurd for a former Death Eater to basically kidnap The Famous Harry Potter.

He called me Daddy, Lupin. He said he wanted to come home with me.

Molly was shocked when I showed up. It was chaos, everyone was screaming. Did you know they have a whole litter of kids? Harry accidentally blew the door off with his magic, and, well, I took him. Not like that. Molly consented to it and contacted Albus.

It's legal; I'm now his foster father, but I can't adopt him as I wish without your approval. I've opened my wards to you. Please come through the fireplace; we have much to discuss.

Severus Snape

Lupin stumbled out of the fireplace into Severus's living room. Severus looked up from his position on the couch. He had to admit that the werewolf hadn't wasted any time coming over; he had only sent the letter three hours ago.

Lupin looked good, and Severus turned his head to hide a scowl. Why did he still have to look so attractive? It was almost as if the six years that had passed hadn't affected him at all. In contrast, even though they were both twenty-six, Severus felt he looked older and more worn out. Lupin appeared just as he had at graduation.

"Lupin," Severus said, forcing his tone to remain neutral.

"Severus," Lupin replied.

The sudden heat that came to his cheeks angered him. Severus glared at the werewolf. Lupin always insisted on using his first name, and it still made Severus feel as flustered as it did when he was seventeen.

"Are you well?" Severus asked. Since it wasn't close to a full moon, Lupin shouldn't be experiencing any effects from that. Not that Severus cared; he was merely trying to make conversation.

"Yes," Lupin answered softly. "Although, I am…" He held up Severus's letter, a frown knitting his brow.

Severus nodded. "Indeed. Same."

"Was it…" Lupin walked over to the couch and hesitated before sitting next to him.

"As bad as I made it seem?"

Lupin nodded, biting his lower lip. Severus had to look away, of course, to check on Harry through his open door; the boy was still asleep.

"Worse," Severus finally said.

Lupin's breath caught in the back of his throat. Severus could feel the werewolf trembling beside him.

"I wanted to stay in his life, but I wasn't privy to his whereabouts," Lupin said, lowering his gaze. "I can only imagine Albus thought it was for the best."

"That fool wouldn't know what's best if it hit him in the face," Severus said through gritted teeth, struggling to maintain his composure. He was furious; he didn't know what he would do if he discovered Harry had been left with the Muggles, knowing they were abusive.

"I'm seeing that," Lupin replied sadly. "Is he… can I see him?"

Honestly, Severus was surprised Lupin was even asking for permission instead of simply demanding to see Harry and taking him. "Over there," Severus said, nodding toward Harry's bedroom.

They stood and walked into Harry's room. Severus watched as tears fell down Lupin's cheeks and fought the urge to reach out and comfort him. This wasn't Hogwarts; they weren't seventeen anymore.

"He's so tiny," Lupin sniffed.

"I've been giving him nutritional potions and ensuring he eats well, but he's so slow to gain weight." To be fair, Severus only did that for the first six days Harry was with him and for the three days since Harry returned to live with him.

"Harry, I'm so sorry," Lupin whispered. "I wanted to be there. Sirius would have, too."

Severus did not want to think about Black at all, but it was still a shame that someone who could have loved Harry was murdered by one of his best mates. Now, that so-called friend was only Merlin knows where.

This time, Severus reached out, placing his hand on Lupin's shoulder. He was taken aback when Lupin turned and pressed his face against his shoulder, crying.

"We need to talk about the..." Severus started as his traitorous arms went around Lupin's back. This was Harry's influence; he was turning Severus into a Hufflepuff.

Though, hadn't Severus promised he would change for Harry?

"About the adoption stuff?" Lupin mumbled against his neck, sending a shiver down Severus's spine.

"Yes, I know you want to take him, but Lupin..."

Lupin pulled back, his eyes wide. "No, Severus. No."

Confused, Severus just blinked.

"You said he called you Daddy. How could I ever imagine taking him away from you when he thinks of you that way? He's already had one dad and mum taken from him."

That was such a Lupin thing to say. Was it just his grief over Harry's treatment making him say that, or did he mean it? Severus's heart raced, and his cheeks flushed, but only because he was overwhelmed by the thought that Lupin would let him keep Harry.

It had nothing to do with the earnest look in Lupin's eyes or how close they were standing.

"I'm not a good man," Severus whispered.

Lupin scoffed. "Your letter would suggest otherwise, Severus. Your desire to keep him says otherwise. The fact that he feels safe enough to call you Daddy says otherwise."

Now it was Severus who shook. "How could someone with my past care for a troubled child, Remus?"

Lupin smiled at the slip of his first name.

"Who said you had to do it alone? Lots of people love him, you know? The Weasley's were friends with Lily and James, and so were the Longbottom's. Many families would have gladly taken him in and will still be willing to support both him and you."

"I'm a former Death Eater..."

"Yet you were vouched for by Albus and given a position at Hogwarts. They entrusted you with The Boy Who Lived, Severus. What does that tell you?"

"What?"

"People with their wits about them know that He grooms children to join him. Not many find the strength to pull away from that."

"I don't want to make Harry worse. I'm snarky and rude, and children hate me..."

Lupin looked down at Harry. "That one doesn't."

"No, indeed, he doesn't. He forgave me." Severus flushed, wondering why he had said that.

"What do you mean?"

"You have to know... don't you?"

Lupin nodded. "You gave the information about the prophecy without knowing who it involved... Yes, I know. Not many people do, though, but I overheard you and Albus talking."

"I admit that I broke down when I found him, Remus," Severus said, avoiding Lupin's gaze. "It all rushed out, and I told him... well, the child-friendly version, and I said I was sorry."

Finally, he looked at Lupin. "Do you know what he said?"

"What?"

"I forgive you, Sevvy. You're sorry, so it's okay."

Lupin placed a hand on Severus's cheek. "If he can forgive you, then you can forgive yourself, Severus."

Severus humorlessly laughed. "He's six, Remus."

Lupin grinned. This was not the right time to be smiling, and Severus scowled. "What's with that grin, Remus?"

"Oh, nothing," Lupin replied.

"No, really?"

"You've been calling me Remus the last few times you said my name."

Severus flushed. "No, I haven't!" He said that louder than he intended and cringed when he heard Harry whimpering.

They backed away from each other and looked at the child. Harry's eyes were wide, and he was trembling. He looked from Severus to Lupin and scrambled as far back on the bed as he could, holding his hands out as if to defend himself.

"No!" Harry yelled. "No! Don't take me!" Tears spilled down his cheeks, and he started to hiccup.

"Oh..." Lupin backed further away from the bed, understanding the reason for Harry's distress.

"Nobody is taking you, Harry," Severus said softly. He glanced behind him at Lupin. "This is my... friend, Remus."

"Hello, Harry. I'm sorry we scared you," Lupin said gently.

"Not taking me?" Harry whimpered, rubbing his eyes.

"No," Lupin assured him. "I'm not here to take you from your new Daddy."

Harry and Severus both flushed.

A grown-up had called Sevvy Daddy, so that had to mean it was true, didn't it? Harry looked at Severus with wide, hopeful eyes.

"You like that, Harry?" Severus asked, sitting on the edge of Harry's bed. "I mean, do you really want me to be..."

"Yes!" Harry yelled, scrambling over and flinging his arms around Severus's neck. He was sobbing again, but it sounded different this time.

Lupin smiled wildly at the heartwarming pair in front of him. Severus really did have a fond spot for Harry. He wiped tears from his eyes. "We have some paperwork to sign, Severus."

Severus glanced at him over Harry's head. "Remus, I can't do it alone..."

"I told you that you wouldn't have to..."

"No, I mean..."

'I need to redecorate in Hufflepuff colors...might as well since I'm evolving into one.' Severus shook his head at the thought and bit his lip.'Just go for it. This is for Harry, and I know Remus won't refuse...'

"You love Harry, don't you, Remus?" Severus asked softly.

"Yes, of course I do," Remus chuckled, "and you're still calling me Remus, by the way."

Severus rolled his eyes. "I can't very well call Harry's other dad by his last name."

"W-what?" Remus stuttered, heat flooding his face.

"Other dad?" Harry pulled back and looked at Remus with wide eyes. "I get two! You love me? What's that?"

Remus and Severus's hearts broke, but they tried not to show their sadness.

"You'll learn about that, Harry," Severus whispered. "Remus, I know this is awkward, but would you consider..."

"What, Severus?"

"Co-parenting?"