Title: Errors In Judgment

Author: P'al Kwai
E-Mail: isisbaast@aol.com

Ratings: R for violence, and suggested m/f rape. If this offends you, PLEASE do not read.
Fandom: Harry PotterPairings: None. Based on the Severitus Challenge (Snape is Harry's father). Although I consider myself essentially a slash writer, I find slash to (usually) be out of place in a Severitus Challenge piece. I also didn't want other pairing to be involved, since I wanted to concentrate on the Severus, Harry, father/son relationship.
Spoilers: SS/PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OoTP

Disclaimer: Characters owned by JK Rowling, various publishers. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement intended by this amateur effort.
Feedback: Welcomed and adored.
Author's Notes: I'm a newcomer to this fandom, so I am now one of hundreds of people who answered Severitus' challenge; thus, this fic is not terribly original, but I loved the challenge so much, I had to write one.

Thanks to Elisabeth my lovely beta reader who has followed me from the Buffy/Angel fandom to my new obsessions.

November, 1979

"Severus," she spoke in barely a whisper. "Is this really who you are?"

Standing before the woman he had known in his school days, he found he could not look her in the eyes. Those beautiful green eyes, staring at him as if they could read his soul. "You are not to speak, Mudblood," he snarled out the insult, partly to remind himself that that was exactly what the woman was, a muggle born, inferior to himself, who was of a pure bloodline. He didn't want to think of her as Lily Evans, the woman he had known for more than eight years because that would bring out the human side of him; a side he was trying to erase from himself.

Grabbing the woman roughly by the shoulders, he pushed her hard against the wall, making sure his body rubbed up against hers. "It is the Dark Lord's wish that all Mudbloods be eliminated, but he has also instructed us that we have the option to play with our captives before we kill them."

"For God's sake, Severus." Lily tried to keep the panic out of her voice. "We were at Hogwarts together, shared classes, meals, study time." Her voice once again dropped to a whisper. She remembered Severus Snape well. Despite his sometimes-grubby appearance and superior attitude toward anyone who was less that pure, there had been something in him that had attracted her, like the opposite poles of a magnet.

"Oh, yes our time at Hogwarts," Snape spoke softly in Lily's ear. "I do remember you, a Gryffindor who enjoyed the company of Potter and his merry band of friends." He sneered out the name Potter, his hatred for his school hood nemesis welling up in him. This hatred made it easier to forget Lily the person and the former classmate and to think of his mission.

A hand touched her breast. Instinct told Lily that struggling would only inflame the situation. "I won't fight you, Severus." She fought to keep her voice calm. "But you will remember what you've done here." Her eyes stared accusingly at him. "For the rest of your days."

**

Ministry of Magic Headquarters, July 1996

Lying on a small bed, Harry Potter stared up at the ceiling. He was bored out of his mind. Taken by the Ministry of Magic after the Dursleys had thrown him out, he had been in their custody for almost a month. And the definition of custody, according to Cornelius Fudge, was being locked in a room without access to his owl, books, or any other possessions.

Sighing, Harry considered his future. It looked bleaker than it ever had been at his aunt and uncle's. They, at least, had allowed him to attend Hogwarts. Fudge had already hinted that he was to be sent to another school. Still insecure and jealous of Dumbledore, he would make sure that the powerful wizard would have no contact; thus, no influence over The-Boy-Who-Lived.

Harry had requested several times that he would like to go and live with the Weasleys as Arthur and Molly Weasley had made it quite clear that he was welcome in their home. But his request had been quickly dismissed, not even considered. The Ministry was ecstatic that he was in their charge now and was quite determined to keep him there.

Staring at the muggle magazine in his hands, one of the few things he was permitted, Harry wondered if the Weasleys or Dumbledore were even aware of his circumstances. It was quite possible that Fudge was keeping his situation quiet, lessening the possibility of interference from anyone in the wizarding community. The magazine was a blur in front of his eyes. His brain was too busy conjuring up different ways of breaking out of the Ministry, but without any of his wizarding possessions, escape seemed an impossibility.

A knock on his door had him sitting up with surprise. Neither Fudge nor his assistants bothered to knock, and it was too early for lunch. The door opened and a rather nervous Arthur Weasley entered.

"Mr. Weasley!" Harry couldn't help the grin that spread over his face. Help had arrived. "The Ministry has taken custody of me because my aunt and uncle. . . ."

"I know what happened," Arthur Weasley interrupted. He knew he would only have a few minutes, since he had come to see Harry against Fudge's orders. "Molly and I had wanted to petition the Ministry to take charge of you, but Dumbledore says he has a better, more fail safe plan to fight Fudge over guardianship. So have faith. As you know, Albus Dumbledore usually has a few good tricks up his sleeve." Stepping over, he gave Harry a quick hug and shoved some papers in his hands. "Here, letters from Ron, George, Fred, and your friend Hermione. Don't tell Fudge that I gave them to you." A quick pat on the shoulder and he was gone, leaving Harry feeling much more optimistic about his future.

**

The Ministry of Magic, Courtroom Ten

Being led into the dungeon courtroom by two of Fudge's assistants, Harry did a quick survey of the people present. Arthur and Molly Weasley, who gave him a discreet finger wave, sat in the back. Dumbledore and Professor Snape were seated at a front bench.

Seeing his always dour potions professor, Harry wondered what he was doing there. He would have thought if a professor needed to accompany Dumbledore to his hearing, it would have been Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Head of Gryffindor House.

Once again his footsteps echoed loudly as he walked across the stone floor to the same chair he had sat in before at his disciplinary hearing last year. Sitting gingerly on the edge, he looked over at Dumbledore, who gave him a sly wink. Snape didn't bother to look his way, continuing to stare straight ahead, a scowl on his face.

Sitting up in front, Cornelius Fudge watched Harry take his seat and then spoke. "With everyone present we can begin the guardianship hearing of the minor, Harry James Potter. With the return of," he paused to clear his throat, "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, the Ministry has decided that in the best interests of. . . ."

"Doesn't the Ministry want to see the evidence I have before rendering a decision?" Albus Dumbledore stood up. The powerful wizard had a presence that could not be ignored.

"Albus." Fudge deliberately used Dumbledore's first name in an effort to defuse some of the influential wizard's authority. "We already discussed this. Not you nor anyone else has any kind of legal claim for Potter, so there's no point in. . . ."

"Not even a blood relative?" Dumbledore interrupted Fudge again.

Dumbledore's words immediately caused a buzzing in the courtroom as the Ministry's officials began whispering to each other. Body jerking in surprise, Harry turned to look at Dumbledore, trying to catch his eye. Was the elderly wizard telling the truth, or was he telling an elaborate lie, in hopes to manipulate the Ministry?

"Blood relative?" Fudge frowned, anger beginning to rise in him. It was obvious that he believed the latter. "Records show that the only blood relative Potter has is a muggle aunt on his mother's side."

"The records are wrong," Dumbledore retorted mildly. "May I present to the court a piece of correspondence." Pulling out a letter from his robes' pocket, he held it up briefly so everyone could see it and then handed it to Fudge. "This letter was written by Lily Evans Potter and sent to me October 31, 1981 shortly before she was murdered by the Dark Lord."

"We will have to authenticate the handwriting," Fudge said as he began perusing the letter.

"But of course." Dumbledore turned and gave Harry a long look before taking his seat again. "I expected nothing less."

Squirming in his chair, the moments seemed like hours as Harry watched Amelia Bones, head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, tap her wand sharply on the letter, muttering a verification spell. "The handwriting checks out as Lily Potter's," she announced as she passed the letter to the next person. Staring sharply at Snape, she asked, "do you concur with the information in this letter?"

Standing up, Snape addressed the Ministry. "It is consistent with what. . .what I remember," he stated softly.

'WHAT?' Harry shouted this to himself. They were talking in riddles, and it was driving him crazy that he didn't know what was going on. And how was Snape involved with anything?

"A paternus test must be done before any decision will be made." Fudge needed irrefutable proof. He wasn't about to give up Harry Potter so easily.

"But of course," Dumbledore agreed with a smile."I want there to be no doubt left in anyone's mind after this hearing."

Waving an assistant away with orders to bring a paternus test, Fudge frowned at Dumbledore with suspicion. He didn't like the other man's cheerful acquiescence. "At the time of conception you were in service to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, were you not?" Since he always seemed to be at a disadvantage with Dumbledore, the Minister of Magic turned his attention to Severus Snape.

"I was," Snape acknowledged.

"But as we all know," Dumbledore spoke up again quickly. He knew that Fudge was trying to discredit Snape for his past crimes. "Severus, here, turned against You-Know-Who, and in fact became a spy for our side in the years before the Dark Lord's downfall. His work saved many lives. And currently Severus has been. . . ."

Tell me, what does he. . . ." Not being able to stand it anymore, Harry stood up and pointed a finger at Snape. "Have to do with my custody hearing?"

"Mr. Potter!" Fudge snapped angrily at Harry. "You will sit down and remain quiet, until you are asked to speak."

"But this whole hearing is about me and my future, and all of you are talking like I'm not even here. I demand to know. . . ."

"The boy should know," Amelia Bones intervened. She looked as forbidding as she had at his first hearing, but Harry knew her to be fair, despite her appearance. Handing a court assistant Lily's letter, she looked over at him. "You may read your late mother's letter while we set up for the paternus test."

"Yes, ma'am." Appeased, Harry took the letter and sat back down. On the outside it was written, 'To be read in case of my death. Lily Potter.' Hands shaking slightly, he unfolded the letter and began to read.

October 31, 1981,

Dear Albus,

Although we are still here, supposedly safe in Godric Hollow, I've been feeling more and more depressed. Something is wrong; I know it. James says it just nerves, but deep down, I know I'm right. I pray for my little Harry, who also seems to sense something amiss as he has been very cranky lately. Odd for my usually sweet tempered angel.

Anyway, I'm writing you because I want someone to know the truth if the worst should happen. James is not Harry's father. I know this is shocking news, but I need to tell you. Two years ago, I was taken hostage by a group of Death Eaters and forcible taken by one of them. I learned I was pregnant a few months later, and that's when James and I decided to marry and raise the child as ours. I used a combination of Protean and Concealing charms, so that Harry took on James' appearance. The effect of these charms will begin to dissipate around his sixteenth birthday, unless they are recast.

I also know the identity of the Death Eater, or should I say former Death Eater, who fathered Harry. Severus Snape. I am very much aware that Severus has since turned to our side and has been doing some very dangerous spy work for us. I not surprised by his change of heart.

If I should die, I want Harry to be placed in Severus' custody. As Harry's blood father, he is the best person to protect my son, and despite his history, I believe he will not fail Harry.

James knows my wishes and will abide by them, but if he too falls to You-Know-Who, then I leave it in your hands to carry out my last request.

I hope and pray that you need never to read this letter.

Yours,

Lily Evans Potter

Heart pounding, Harry had to read the letter several times to make sure he had read it right the first time. It was a nightmare come true. Snape his father, the potion professor who hated him! And his own mother requesting that he be placed in his custody. The letter had to be a fake.

"This is a lie!" Harry yelled out without thinking, earning disapproving frowns from Fudge, Madam Bones, and even Dumbledore. Looking up he noticed that two large beakers of clear liquid had been brought into the courtroom on two metal stands.

"Harry," Dumbledore spoke softly; his intention to placate.

"NO." Too emotional, Harry didn't want to listen. "I WON'T . . . ."

"We're ready to administer the test." Madam Bones broke in, glaring severely at Harry. "And that will give us conclusive proof. Come up here, young man. Blood will be taken from you and. . ." She looked over at Severus. "Professor Snape. Your blood will go in one of the beakers; the alleged father's in the other. If they change to the same color, then the blood is that of a father and son. If they change to different colors, then the blood is not of the same bloodline. We will begin."

"NO!" Harry protested strongly. He was not about to submit to any kind of blood test. "This is a lie, and I. . ."

"Be silent and do what you're told!" Stepping over to Harry, Snape whispered in an authoritarian voice. "This is a court of law, and you're behaving inappropriately."

"I don't believe this letter," Harry continued to stubbornly argue. "It's a trick that you and. . ." He looked around Snape at Dumbledore. "He invented to take custody of me. Well, I'd rather stay here at the Ministry than be in your care."

"Don't be a fool!" Snape's dark eyes flickered angrily. "There is no way we could concoct all of this. Now stop acting like the brat prince you think you are, and DO WHAT YOU'RE TOLD."

Five years of obeying his intimidating Potions Professor kicked in, and Harry stopped arguing and stood up. Walking up to where the beakers were, he still stomped his feet a bit to show his displeasure.

A sharp needle was poked in his index finger, and he stood, hand hanging over the beaker, watching drops of blood drip down into the fluid. Looking up, he saw Snape on the other side, bleeding into the other beaker.

A nod from Madam Bones and their hands were released. Time seemed to stand still as Harry's eyes never left the two beakers. It seemed like forever before anything began to happen, but slowly the liquids in both beakers turned to a black color.

There was a roaring in Harry's ears as he stumbled backward to sit down before he fell down. Dizzy, he kept staring at the beakers, hoping that at any moment one would suddenly change its color. Dimly he could still hear voices in the background.

"A new birth certificate must be drawn up," Amelia Bones stated matter-of-factly as Fudge was, at the moment, too angry to speak. Somehow Dumbledore had got the better of him again. "The parents' names will be listed as such, mother, Lily Evans Potter, father, Severus Snape. And the child's name will be changed from Harry James Potter to. . . ?" Madam Bones looked questioningly at Snape.

"Since the child as been known all his life as Harry Potter, I don't want to change that. It would be too confusing. His legal name, henceforth, will be Harry Potter Snape."

**

Hogwarts, September 1996

Standing impatiently at the main entrance, Harry waited with mixed feelings for Hogwarts' student body to arrive. The new term was starting, and he was most anxious to see his friends, or anyone else in his age group for that matter. He had spent his entire summer hanging out with Hagrid and some of the other professors. On the other hand, he was also dreading the arrival of his classmates.

The-Boy-Who-Lived, No Longer An Orphan.

Former Death Eater And Current Professor of Potions at Hogwarts found to be Harry Potter's Father!

The-Boy-Who-Lived Reunited With Long Lost Father.

There had been headlines about him and Snape for weeks in the Daily Prophet. Everyone in the wizarding world knew his situation, and Harry felt uncertain about how he would be treated as the son of the dreaded Potions Master.

The lake to the south of the castle suddenly lit up with lights, and Harry could hear the coming of the horseless carriages. The students were arriving. Stepping outside, he stood ready to greet them.

**

"So, Harry." Ronald Weasley leaned over to whisper to his friend. The Sorting Ceremony was in progress, but he was bored and needed something to distract him from his rumbling stomach. "What's Snape like as a father? And by the way, where is he?" He looked up at the front of the room, where Dumbledore and the professors sat.

"I don't know." Harry shrugged, as he too eyed the High Table. "I haven't seen him since we were at court. But look who's back. Professor Lupin!" Professor Lupin had been their third Defense of the Dark Arts teacher, and out of the five they had had in their five years at Hogwarts, he had been the only one who had taught them anything worthwhile.

"I hope he stays this time," Hermione said as she cranked her head around to take a look. "But Harry, how is it that you haven't seen Sna. . .your father since you were at court? That was in July. He's not on," Hermione leaned closer to Harry and lowered her voice, "some secret mission for the Order?"

"Not that I know of," Harry said, trying to appear indifferent. He had seen glimpses of Snape in the corridors, and heard other professors referring to him in conversations, but his new father had not spoken a word to him since July. Harry tried to tell himself that he was glad because Snape was a nasty git anyway, but a part of him felt rejected.

Hermione and Ron exchanged looks but tactfully said nothing more.

The first year students had finally been sorted, and Professor Dumbledore stood, arms opened wide. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. Before we begin the banquet, I need to introduce you to two new, or should I say one new and one returning teacher to our school this year. First, Professor Remus Lupin, who is returning to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

A loud murmuring arose in the great hall, before the sound of a small number of students applauding. Professor Lupin had been a popular teacher three years ago, but unfortunately the fact that he was a werewolf (although he regularly took a potion called Wolfsbane to control his condition), was disquieting to many of the students and their parents.

"Our second new appointment is Professor Miriam Skead." Dumbledore motioned to an attractive woman. "She will be filling the post of Potions teacher and also Head of Slytherin House."

At this announcement the murmuring was louder, and many of the students turned to look at Harry.

"I know all of you are wondering about Professor Snape, who had been our Potions teacher and Head of Slytherin House." Dumbledore said quickly. "He is still here at Hogwarts and will be teaching both Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Well, I think that's everything of importance, so let the feast being."

Food and drink appeared suddenly, and the ravenous children began eating like it was their last meal. No one spoke for a couple of moments, as everyone was too busy chewing.

Between mouthfuls, Ron was the first to speak. "I wonder if we'll be lucky enough to not get Snape for either Potions or DADA. Wot?" He asked as Hermione gave him a kick under the table. Frowning, she gave him a telling glare, while subtly motioning her head at Harry.

"Oh." Ron finally got it. "No offense, Harry, being that he's your dad now and all."

"No offense taken," Harry answered, wondering hard about Snape's change of position. He didn't quite believe Dumbledore. He was sure that he and Snape's new relationship did have something to do with it all.

**

Hogwarts, October 25, 1996

It was Friday and an excited hum could be heard throughout the Great Hall. Being excited on a Friday wasn't that unusual, but the student body of Hogwarts was unusually wound up because it was their first Hogsmeade weekend.

"Who you searching for, Harry?" Ron asked as he noticed his friend looking around.

"For the post to come." Harry gave up for a moment to take a bite of breakfast. "I sent a withdrawal note and my key to Gringotts the other day, and I haven't received word back yet, which is odd since they're usually very prompt. It's important because I need money for Hogsmeade tomorrow."

"Mail should be here any moment." Ron felt a tinge of jealously shoot through him. His parents barely had any money in their account at Gringotts, let alone separate accounts for their children. "Hermione, can't you give it a rest?" He looked across the table at his bushy haired friend, who had her nose in one of her textbooks.

"I'm getting ahead in my studies, so when we're at Hogsmeade tomorrow I don't have to worry." She peered out from her book.

Shrugging, Ron looked slightly baffled. "I'm not ahead in any of my classes, and I certainly won't be worrying about them tomorrow. That's what Sunday is for." At that moment hundreds of owls came swooping into the Great Hall. "Here's your mail, Harry."

Parcels and letters were dropped by the owls, and the students eagerly played catch with their mail, anxious to see if there was news or better yet, treats from home.

Taking a break from her studies, Hermione perused the front page of the Daily Prophet. She subscribed to the wizarding newspaper and usually read the daily paper cover to cover. Born to muggle parents, the Daily Prophet was one way she kept contact with the wizarding world.

"Looks like you're not front-page news anymore." She held the paper up so Harry could see. "You-Know-Who is back making the headlines."

"Thank God." Harry breathed a sigh of relief, then quickly corrected himself. "Well not thank God that Voldemort is back, but thank God they're not talking about me anymore."

Looking suspiciously at a letter addressed from his older, twin brothers, Fred and George, Ron startled at the sound of the Dark Lord's name. "Must you say His name? Gives me the willies."

"Look at this!" Harry exclaimed in a loud, angry voice, as he held up a note written on Gringott's letterhead. "The bank froze my account! They apologize for the inconvenience but further investigation is needed before I can have access to my money!"

"Froze your account!" Ron grabbed the note out of Harry's hand to read it. "Bloody goblins! Must have made some kind of clerical error."

"Perhaps," Hermione broke in with her know-it-all tone, "it has something to do with you having a father now."

"What would. . . ?" Ron started to ask, and then an idea struck him. "Snape! That mean old git froze your bank account."

"Ron!" Hermione admonished. "You don't know that for sure. Anyway as I was saying, the money in your account was basically yours through James Potter, right?"

"Yeah, and some of it I inherited from my Godfather, Sirius Black."

"Well, James Potter is no longer your legal father, and Sirius was your Godfather, mostly through being James' friend. So. . . ." She broke off as she saw that Harry was mulling over her theory.

"But some of that money was from his mother, so what you're saying doesn't make sense," Ron stated proudly. It wasn't often that he could outwit Hermione. "I still think it has to be Snape."

"Ron!" It didn't matter that the two had been friends for more than five years, they still argued like cats and dogs. "You're being unfair. You're just saying that because you don't like Professor Snape."

"Me being unfair." Ron pointed to himself. "Our esteemed Potions and DADA professor still hasn't spoken to Harry."

"Still?" Hermione was taken aback by that. "It's been three months since he was named your legal father, and he hasn't talked to you at all?"

Harry shook his head no, appearing calm on the outside, but seething on the inside. Like Ron, he too believed that Snape had something to do with his bank accout being frozen.

**

The first class that morning for the trio of Gryffindors was double potions. Despite not having Snape as their potions professor, it was still not a favorite. Professor Skead, although not as mean and nasty as Snape, was annoying in her own way. They were now sixth year students, yet she talked to them like they were small children. Her patronizing manner set all their teeth on edge.

At the beginning of every class, she did a role call, requiring that when their name was called, each student would stand and answer present. The first week or so it was understandable as she was new and did not know them like their old professors, but it was now almost the ninth week in the new year, and she was still doing role call.

Sitting in his seat, Harry's simmering anger was now at a boiling point. When Professor Skead called his name, Harry Snape, he didn't answer. His old teachers still called him Harry Potter, but Skead, who never knew him by that name, went by the book and used his legal name, Harry Snape.

"Harry Snape," she repeated again, looking right at him.

"The name is Harry Potter," he finally answered softly.

"Excuse me," Professor Skead said. She sensed insolence in the young man.

"I said," Harry spoke louder, "that my name is Harry Potter, and I won't answer to anything else."

"Harry!" Hermione, who was sitting next to him, exclaimed in a whisper. "Stop it! You're being ridiculous."

But Harry was beyond caring. At this moment, the last thing he wanted to be called was Snape.

"Harry Potter you say." Professor Skead stood up. "Yet my record book says Harry P Snape, and that is what I've been calling you all this time, and yet today is the first time you make an objection?"

A small part of Harry understood that Professor Skead's reasoning was sound, and that he was being a prat by defying her. But a hot temper (inherited from his father) and teenage hormones (which cause irrationality) overcame good sense.

"My name is not Harry Snape, and I won't answer you if you call me by that name!"

Professor Skead had enough. "Ten points from Gryffindor, and if you continue this behavior, I will be having a conference with your father, Professor Snape."

Professor Skead's mention of his father was the last straw for Harry. Grabbing his books and wand, he stormed out of the classroom, ignoring his teacher and classmates.

**

Hiding out in the second floor girls' bathroom, Harry sat on the floor with a textbook open in his lap. He had been staring at the book for nearly an hour. Staring, but not seeing. With no plans to return to potions class, go to lunch, or attend his afternoon class of Defense Against the Dark Arts, he felt angry and depressed. His plan was to hole up until he felt better, which the way things were going in his life, would be when Moaning Myrtle stopped moaning.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Moaning Myrtle whooshed around the bathroom.

"Nothing." He didn't want to talk to anyone, not even Myrtle. Eyes feeling heavy, he wrapped himself in his robes, covered his head and fell asleep.

**

"Harry!" Someone was poking him with a foot. "Harry, wake up!" Groaning, he reluctantly opened his eyes. A second or two to focus and then he immediately regretted opening them.

"Hermione," he said with a sigh. "What are you doing here, and why is he with you?" He gave Draco Malfoy a dirty look.

"Professor Snape told me to find you. He wants to talk to you." The smirk on Draco's face made Harry want to stand up and hex his classmate into oblivion.

"You better go, Harry," Hermione admonished, "before things get worse."

"Traitor." Standing up, Harry hissed out. "Telling Malfoy where I was."

"Just go and see your fath. . .him." Hermione wasn't intimidated at all by Harry's accusation. "Get it over with before you dig a deeper hole for yourself."

"You are just a bloody busybody, like Ron always says," Harry told her maliciously, but as soon as the words were out of his mouth, he regretted them. The hurt on Hermione's face pained him, adding to his mounting guilt.

**

"So, Potter," Draco looked at Harry with both curiosity and hatred, as they made their way to the dungeons,"do you realize that the two of us have a similar background? Except, of course, that I'm a pure-blood, and you're just a half-blood." He couldn't help but point out his blood superiority.

"We are nothing alike," Harry spat out. His mood hadn't improved, and Malfoy was only maker it worse.

"Beg to differ, both sons of Death Eaters." It wasn't so much that Draco was in love with the idea that he and Harry had something in common, but he could see that talking about it bothered his rival.

"Snape is a former Death Eater, and by the way," Harry replied, malice evident in his voice, "how is your father enjoying Azkaban?"

Malfoy could only growl back, as he stopped walking and went for his wand. "Get ready to die, Potter."

Dropping his books, Harry quickly went for his wand. "I may die, but it's not going to be by your han. . . ."

"Gentlemen!" The voice spoke softly, but it still held a menace that had both boys immediately lowering their wands. "Dueling is forbidden in the corridors without supervision. I know both of you are fully aware of that."

"Professor Snape." Draco immediately pasted a I'm-innocent smile on his face but was not entirely successful. "We were just fooling around."

Snape said nothing for a moment as his dark eyes bored into Malfoy. Five years of being the boy's teacher and Head of House, and the stupid child still didn't realize he couldn't be fooled or lied to. "I was planning to award Slytherin ten points for the current task you just completed for me, but your behavior now just negated that. Good evening, Mr. Malfoy."

"Bu. . ." Draco started to protest, but was immediately cut off by Snape.

"Don't try my patience, or you'll find yourself losing points for your house."

Muttering curses under his breath, Draco gave Harry one last look that said, this is your fault as he took his leave.

Harry gave Malfoy his own dirty look as he watched the Slytherin walk away. Bracing himself, he turned back to Snape waiting to hear the familiar words, 'ten points from Gryffindor.' But instead all he heard was a 'come with me' as his father spun around and headed toward his office.

Harry had to semi trot to keep up with Snape's long stride. Reaching their destination quickly, too quickly for Harry who part wanted, part dreaded this confrontation.

Sweeping into his office, Snape moved smoothly as he sat himself behind his desk. Motioning Harry into a chair, he got straight to the point. "Professor Skead spoke with me over lunch, so I know what transpired this morning. Please enlighten me as to why you were disrespectful to a professor, and also why you decided to just walk out of her class."

Taking a deep breath, Harry gathered in his anger. Anger helped when one was about to be defiant in front of man he had feared for more than five years. "Before I explain," he pulled out the note from Gringott's, "why don't you explain this?"

Reaching for the note that Harry threw on his desk, Severus also had to take a deep breath to rein in his temper. Son or no son, he wasn't used to being spoken to in such a tone. "Ah yes." He scanned the Gringott's note. "I, too received an owl from them this morning. Your inheritance of Sirius Black's estate has been contested by his cousin, Narcissa Black Malfoy."

"To get back at me for her husband," Harry muttered more to himself.

Severus heard the mutter. "Perhaps, but I believe that no matter what would have or would not have happened, she would have contested your inheritance, since you are not a blood relation to Black. Now as far as your inheritance from Potter, the Ministry has decided to step in with all their wisdom," he couldn't help but add with a sneer, "and file a court action stating that since you are now not the legal son of James Potter, you have no entitlement to his estate."

"Fudge." Harry knew who was responsible. Heaving a sigh, he slumped down in his chair. It felt like the whole world was against him.

"Correct," Severus said. "My first thought was to let them keep their money. I certainly am not broke and can easily afford to support you through school and any apprenticeship you decide to take up."

At this statement, Harry perked up slightly. It was the first time that he had heard anything remotely parent like from Snape.

"But as one or two colleagues pointed out, my opinion is not exactly in your best interests, so I plan to hire a solicitor to protect your. . .birthrights."

It was starting to dawn on Harry that he had been hasty in blaming Snape. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, looking down at his hands, so he could avoid his father's piercing gaze.

Snape continued to stare at the nervous boy in front of him. "I looked for you at lunch, but you were nowhere to be found, and then I was distracted by the complaints of Professor Skead."

"Sorry about that," Harry mumbled an apology, now truly ashamed of his earlier behavior.

"I don't need an apology, but Professor Skead deserves one." Severus leaned back in his chair, still staring intently at Harry. "You will write a formal apology and explanation to her and serve any detentions she assigns."

"Yes, sir," Harry said humbly. He knew that Hogsmeade the next day was out of the question because of his behavior. A moment of uncomfortable silence passed before he spoke up again. "May I go now?"

For just a split second, a look of indecision passed over Severus' face. He opened his mouth, as though he wanted to say something more, but instead just said, "yes, you may."

**

"This is your bloody fault, you know." Ron told Hermione accusingly as the three friends made their way to Professor Skead's office. "Telling Malfoy where Harry was hiding."

"I. . ." Hermione opened her mouth to defend herself but was cut off by Harry.

"Don't blame her," Harry said. "I messed up and now have to pay the consequences. It's no one's fault but my own."

"But you didn't know about the Ministry and Mrs. Malfoy!" Ron continued his rant but the stubborn glint in Harry's eye stopped him. He knew his friend well. "Stupid Fudge. Freezing your money with his stupid legal suit. You're gonna miss the first Hogsmeade weekend."

Harry shrugged with resignation as they arrived at Skead's office. "There are worse things that could happen." Stopping a moment, he held up the written apology he had just finished. "Wait for me, and we can walk down to dinner together."

Hermione and Ron nodded their consent, laying their books against the wall. They'd stay in the corridor while Harry made things right with the Professor.

Taking a deep breath, Harry rapped on the door lightly, and then stepped in. "Professor Skead."

"Yes, Harry," she looked up from the pile of exams she was grading.

"I want to apologize for my behavior today," Harry said dutifully as he approached his potions teacher. "I was disrespectful and disobedient. It won't happen again." Reaching Skead's desk, he handed her the rolled up parchment

"Your father did clarify the situation for me." Miriam Skead began as she unrolled Harry's apology and perused it.

"Clarify?" Harry asked, not having any idea what Snape would have said to her.

"Very nice." Lying down the parchment, Skead gave Harry an understanding smile. "But still, I will have to assign you detention. No matter what the excuse, a student just can't walk out of class without permission."

"Of course, ma'am," Harry agreed, still wondering what Snape said to have made her have such a forgiving attitude.

"So starting on Monday after classes, you will clean the potions' classroom. No magic, of course. If you don't finish this task on Monday, then you will return on Tuesday to finish." Miriam Skead raised an eyebrow, waiting to see if Harry protested.

But in reality, Harry was relieved. It was a light punishment, considering what he had done. He half expected being assigned to Filch, who always tried to make detention as miserable as possible, "Yes, ma'am," he agreed straight away.

"Okay, then," Skead said with a bit of uncertainty in her voice, "I'll see you on Monday."

"Ma'am." Harry nodded his head and turned to leave.

"Oh, Harry," She added. "I almost forgot. Your father told me to give this to you after you turned in an acceptable written apology." Standing up, so she could reach over her desk, she handed him an envelope. "Have fun at Hogsmeade tomorrow."

Giving the professor a puzzled look, Harry opened the envelope. Inside was his permission form to Hogsmeade signed with Snape's illegible scrawl and a handful of Galleons.

**

Hogsmeade, October 26, 1996

Sitting in The Three Broomsticks, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were enjoying a couple of butterbeers after an enjoyable day of shopping and stuffing themselves with treats from Honeydukes.

"Thanks again, Harry." As usual Ron had enjoyed the treats and butterbeers compliments of Harry.

"Not a problem." Harry waved off his friend's thanks. "Snape gave me more than enough. . .money." He trailed off, as he was still having trouble believing it.

"Maybe he's not such a big git after all." Ron said, taking a large swig of his butterbeer. It took a moment for Ron to realize what he just said. "Omigod! Did I just say that?"

Harry and Hermione grinned at each other.

"Better be careful, Ron," Hermione warned. "The next thing you'll be saying is something nice about him."

"Bloody hell," Ron muttered. "I can't believe that I almost complimented that slimy, hook nosed. . ." He broke off as he received a kick in the shin from Hermione.

"You don't have to say wonderful things about him but at least be respectful," she admonished. "After all he is Harry's father, which by the way, Harry." She looked at Harry closely, studying his face. "Didn't you say something about your mother casting Protean and Concealing charms to make you look like James Potter?"

"Yeah." Harry felt uncomfortable under Hermione's scrutiny. Was his nose beginning to hook? "Her letter said that they would begin to dissipate around my sixteenth birthday."

A moment of silence as the three exchanged looks.

"What?" Harry couldn't stand it. "Don't tell me I'm starting to look like Snape?"

"No-o," Hermione said slowly as she continued to study Harry. "But you are looking a little different than before."

"No he isn't," Ron argued as he too stared at Harry. "He looks like Harry."

"Phew." Harry wiped pretend sweat off his brow. "That's a relief." He then turned serious. "I just don't know what to think about him. He barely acknowledges me, yet. . ." He broke off, wincing, as his scar began to pulse with pain. "Agh." He put up a hand to massage his throbbing scar. "Someone's here," he whispered. "Someone. . ."

A large crash interrupted him as pandemonium broke out in the streets. Eyes widening in shock, the three teenagers watched in horror as Death Eaters and the village wizards of Hogsmeade exchanged spell fire in the streets. Well-trained, the three dropped to the floor, pulling out their wands.

**

Down in the dungeon, Severus Snape was busy brewing potions for the school nurse, Poppy Pomfrey. This was still his duty as Skead, being young and new, had her hands full with teaching and learning the ropes of being the new Head of Slytherin House.

Checking the list of potions that Madam Pomfrey had drawn up for him, he checked off Pepperup and Sleeping Draft. Two done. Now he could start on the Wound Cleaning potion.

Meticulously setting out the ingredients needed for the potion, he was glad he had something to keep his mind and his hands occupied. It kept him from thinking too much, thinking about his sinful past, his crimes, his attempts at redemption, and. . .and Lily.

Snape had pondered long and hard but still had no idea why she had wanted him, of all people to have Harry. But she left the letter, and then Albus had kept the information from him until now.

Grabbing a knife Severus began chopping daisy root with hard, sharp strokes. It helped vent his anger, although he wasn't sure just whom he was angry at. That fateful night a few months ago when Dumbledore had called him into his office and showed him Lily's letter. Snape had ranted and raved while Albus had appeased and reasoned; would he, Severus have been a fit father back in 1981, especially to an infant?

"As if I can be a proper father now," he muttered to himself as he looked down at the mess he had made with the daisy root. Hacked to shreds they were no use to him. Taking a calming breath, he willed himself to focus on the task at hand. Sweeping the destroyed roots in the bin, he reached for more, when Minerva McGonagall came rushing in the room.

"Severus! You must come now!"

Sighing with annoyance, Snape turned to face the deputy headmistress. "I'm busy, Minerva," He snapped. "If there's some kind of dire emergency, get Flitwick or Sprout to help you."

"I already have." McGonagall was not intimidated in the least by Snape's rudeness. "Hogsmeade is under attack by Death Eaters. We must get the children back to the castle now."

"Attack!" Snape immediately dropped his knife and hurried after McGonagall. Although he wasn't unfeeling about the other children, his first thought had been for Harry.

**

With the arrival of Dumbledore and the Hogswart staff, the Death Eaters had lost their initial advantage. Taking cover, they found themselves having to take a defensive stance.

Chaos and panic were still the emotions that ran through the villagers, who were trying to rescue injured and dying family and friends from the streets. The Hogswarts' children who were racing over each other, trying to get to the safety of the school.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the other older students were busy organizing the panicked younger children into an orderly fashion, while ducking from the hexes and curses that were blasting around them.

Throwing another Shield Charm around the students, Professor Flitwick urged them to hurry as he and Professor Sprout were frantically loading the children on the horseless carriages.

Standing at the end of the line, Harry had to turn and view the bedlam again, when a tall, aristocratic, shape caught Harry's eye. The figure quickly ducked back behind the building, but that one glimpse was all he needed. That person was forever etched in his memory, the killer of his Godfather, Sirius Black, Bellatrix Black Lestrange.

**

Casting hex-deflection so he would be less obstructed, Severus ran as fast as his long legs would carry him through the main gates of Hogswarts to Hogsmeade station. Arriving there well ahead of McGonagall, he found Flitwick and Sprout already there.

"We've just about got this group loaded and on its way to the castle," Flitwick told him. " Now someone needs to go and find. . ."

Spying Ron and Hermione, who were whispering to themselves and looking frantically around them, Snape turned away from Flitwick. "Where's Harry?"

"He was with us just a moment ago, Professor," Hermione answered. "But then he just. . .just. . ." She stopped her explanation as Snape took off, racing toward the wizarding village.

"Maybe we should follow him." Ron spoke in a soft voice. "If he finds Harry, then he might need backup."

"Don't even think about it, Mr. Weasley!" Arriving on the scene, Professor McGonagall had seen Snape take off and had heard Ron's comment. "Professor Snape can take care of himself. And you, two," she ordered snappily, "can help out by staying out of trouble. Now get in the carriage."

"But Professor, Harry!" Ron and Hermione protested in unison.

"Professor Snape is looking for Harry," Minerva McGonagall spoke sharply. "And if you two would do what you're told, then perhaps I could go and assist him."

**

"Well, if it isn't little Potter, oh excuse me, little Snape now, isn't it?" Bellatrix greeted Harry with the same mock-baby voice she had used at the Ministry of Magic. "Has your daddy, Severus the traitor Snape, been giving you lessons on the Unforgivable Curses? He, at one time was quite the expert on them."

Facing down the pure-blood witch, Harry trembled with anger as he thought of his dead Godfather, Sirius. "You murdered him! You murdered my Godfather!" Raising his wand, he shot a blasting curse at her, forgetting that she had easily gotten the best of him last May.

Bellatrix blocked Harry's curse effortlessly while giving him a wide smile. "You dim-witted, boy. Come running after me alone, with no one else? You're just as stupid and reckless as my idiot cousin. The first rule of combat little Harry; never jump into a fight without backup." The words were no sooner out of her mouth, when a tall, skeletal figure with his contingent of followers, appeared behind her. Voldemort!

**

Screams of pain and anger had Severus changing his path from The Three Broomsticks to the Shrieking Shack. Experiencing an adrenaline rush from recognizing the screams as Harry's, he ran even faster. Arriving at the haunted house, a part of his brain whispered, 'how apropos of the Dark Lord to pick the Shrieking Shack.' Rounding the corner, he skidded to a stop, as before his eyes there lay Harry, writhing on the ground in pain as Voldemort and his minions stood around him laughing.

Raising his wand, he yelled, "expelliarmus," causing wands and some of the weaker Death Eaters to go flying in the air. Racing toward Harry, Snape's hope was that he had bought them enough time, so he could apparate the two of them away. Reaching Harry, he bent down to pick up his son, when more than one Cruciatus Curse hit him throwing him to the ground. Pain flowing through every part of his body, Severus still managed to inch his way toward Harry. He was determined to save the boy.

With Voldemort and his Death Eaters hurling curses at Snape, Harry had a moment of reprieve. Voice hoarse from screaming, he still was able to shout out, "stupefy," in hopes of knocking out one or two of them. A hand holding a wand covered his own, as Severus had crawled his way over to him. Another 'stupefy' was yelled out as Snape added his voice to Harry's.

Two separate bolts of red light shot out from two wands, then suddenly combined to form a huge, red mass of light that exploded, knocking everyone, including Voldemort down. A window of opportunity opened, and Snape, always the survivor, quickly took it.

Wrapping Harry in his cape, he apparated them just outside the main gates of Hogwarts where he collapsed in the arms of Lupin and Hagrid.

**

October 27, 1996

Waking up in the hospital wing of Hogwarts the first thought that registered with Harry was pain. Every part of his body hurt, including his eyeballs and hair follicles. Groaning he turned his head, trying to look for Snape.

"Don't move for a moment," Madam Pomfrey ordered as she bustled over to the side of his bed. "You've been through a lot." Supporting the back of his head with one hand, she held a potion to his mouth with the other.

The smell was ghastly, but Harry was too weak to protest as he gulped it down quickly. "And my fathe. . .Professor Snape?" He needed to know that his father was all right.

"Recuperating in his quarters," Professor Dumbledore answered as he entered the room. "In the best interests of. . .err. . .everyone involved, he was confined to his rooms. When Severus. . .err. . .Professor Snape is not feeling well, he has a tendency to take it out on everyone around him."

"Especially me," Poppy Pomfrey sniffed.

"He has been asking about you, Harry." Dumbledore sat on the edge of the bed next to Harry's. "I shall send him word that you've awakened."

"I want to be with him," Harry said as Dumbledore got up and turned toward the fireplace. "Ask him if I can stay with him, while we recover."

"You were injured quite severely," Pomfrey told Harry with a disapproving look. "You need to stay here in the infirmary. After you've. . . ."

"Exam him thoroughly, Poppy," Dumbledore interrupted in a don't argue tone. "Do what needs to be done, and after that he can go and rest with his father. You can do periodic checks on the both of them in Snape's chambers."

"Yes, Headmaster," Pomfrey reluctantly acquiesced, turning to Harry. "Before you leave here, I want to see you go to the bathroom and then eat something."

"Yes, ma'am," Harry agreed hurriedly. The faster he did what she wanted, the faster he would be allowed to go to Snape. There was an instinctive need to see his father and rescuer.

**

The walk from the hospital wing to the dungeon was more than Harry was capable of, although he gave it his best shot. He didn't want the other students to see him being moved on a stretcher, so he had started out walking, but only managed to make it to the ground floor before weakness overcame him. Tsking a bit, Madam Promfrey conjured a stretcher, and Harry rode the rest of the way to the dungeon. Reaching Snape's private quarters, Harry was surprised to see his father waiting for him outside in the dungeon corridor.

"You shouldn't be up, Professor Snape." Pomfrey frowned in disapproval. "I ordered you to rest."

"And I shall, Poppy." Snape's tone lacked the usual sharpness, as he took a couple of steps to meet the stretcher.

To Harry's complete surprise, the man he knew and had hated at times, picked him up and cradled him in his arms.

"Severus!" Madam Pomfrey scolded. "You shouldn't be exerting yourself like that. I can move Harry into your rooms much easier with the. . . ."

"I'm fine, Poppy," Snape answered, a bit of exasperation in his expression. "Stop fussing. I'm fine," he repeated, as he looked down at Harry. "We're fine now." His voice dropped to a whisper.

**

Nestled in Snape's large bed, Harry enjoyed a few hours of a complete, restful sleep. Waking up, he wasn't surprised to find his father sitting next to the bed, watching him.

"How are you feeling?"

Harry considered a moment, as he evaluated his pain. "Better, and you?"

Snape's mouth curved into a small smirk. "If the Dark Lord thinks he can take me out with a few Cruciatus Curses, then he's forgotten just who I am."

"Voldemort," Harry hissed out the name, as the images of what had happened at Hogsmeade flashed before his eyes. Putting his hand up, he immediately felt his scar. There was no burning or pain there. "He's gone from the area," he stated with certainty.

If Severus was surprised by Harry's knowledge, he only showed it by a raise of an eyebrow. "What happened at the Shrieking Shack even took the Dark Lord by surprise. I believe he and his followers have gone into hiding until they can figure things out."

"And what did happen at the Shrieking Shack?"

"You were there." Severus rested his chin on steepled fingers, as his dark eyes bored into Harry's. "You tell me."

"I'm not sure." Harry looked down at his hands, which were now entwined in the duvet. "I had cast stupefy, and I felt your hand on mine. And then you cast stupefy too, and I felt something."

"What did you feel?"

"I. . ." Harry looked up into Snape's black eyes. "Power."

"I, too felt something." Snape sat back in his chair. "But I have never heard of forces combining like that. McGonagall arrived just in time to see," he paused, not sure what to call it, "what happened, so now, not only does Dumbledore know about it, but I'm sure by now, the entire school."

"Oh, great!" Harry said with annoyance. "Now everyone will be staring at me even more. The freak with the scar who has freaky powers."

Snape gave Harry a curious look. "I suppose so, and I will have to endure countless hours of people expounding on what happened and how. Everyone is sure to have his own theory, and I will have to listen to every last one of them."

Harry could help but smirk. He realized that what everyone thought was just pure nastiness on Snape's part was actually, at times a bit of ironic humor.

"Keep laughing, boy." Snape pretended to threaten. "And I'll make you come to the meetings and listen to their drivel."

"I'll pass, thank you." Harry quickly made his face serious, as he sat up. He so wanted a drink of water.

Reading his mind, Snape stood up with a cup of water. "Drink it slow and. . ." He broke off as Harry grabbed the cup and began to slurp nosily, ignoring his instruction. Frowning, he couldn't help but stare at the boy with disapproval.

Finishing the water, Harry handed the cup back, and then looked around. "I need to use the loo."

"I'm not surprised," Snape said dryly. "The door to your right, and slowly," he commanded, as Harry forgetting himself began to bound out of bed.

"Oh, yeah." A wave of dizziness forced Harry to stop and rest of the edge of the bed. "You're right about doing it slow."

"Of course I'm right," Snape retorted, as he put an arm around Harry to help him to the toilet. "And perhaps one of these days you'll understand that and listen to me."

Entering the bathroom, Harry had no chance to protest Snape's statement, as his father leaned him up against the bathroom sink and took his leave.

"I'll be right outside the door. Call me if you need anything."

Using the wall to support himself, Harry managed to empty his bladder and wash his face and hands. He splashed water on the back of his neck and a bit on his hair, making him feel slightly refreshed. Drying his hands on a towel, he noticed another door, opposite the one he entered.

How odd, he thought. Two doors in a bathroom. And being Harry, he had to open the door and see what was on the other side. Stepping into the room, he saw that it was another bedroom, slightly smaller than Snape's, but nicely furnished with a bed, nightstand, desk, and wardrobe. A photograph on the nightstand caught his eye. It was him as a baby being held by his mother with James Potter standing next to them. Walking over to the nightstand, he picked up the photo and watched as Lily and James Potter waved at the camera.

"This was a supply room, but we converted it to a bedroom." After Harry had not come out of the bathroom, Snape had come to check on him and had seen the open door. "Unfortunately to get to it, you'll have to go through my bedroom, but it was the best that could be done."

"This is my bedroom?" Harry was delightfully astounded. "Why didn't you tell me about this before?"

Standing in the doorway, Snape said nothing for a moment, looking down at the floor. "I-I meant to, but, " he hesitated again, "I didn't know how."

Harry stared at his father with confusion, but wisely said nothing more. "It's nice," he said as he glanced around the room. "Thank you. May I ask you one question?" He looked back at Snape, who had regained his composure, his face a stoic mask. "Why the photograph?"

Snape glanced at the picture before answering. "I wanted to put something special in here for you. I thought a photograph of your. . .mother and her husband would help make you feel more at home here. Fortunately, Miner-Proferssor McGonagall had this photo."

"Yes." Harry couldn't help but be touched by Snape's gesture. "But you hate. . .him."

"I did," Snape admitted freely. "But now after learning about you, my feelings toward him have softened a bit. After all he must have known the truth, and yet he still protected you, gave his life for you." He heaved a large sigh as he thought of the man he had despised for some many years. "I give him credit for that because if the situation would have been reversed, I doubt that I would have been so. . .noble."

"And me?" Harry finally found a chance to ask the question that had been bothering him since he had read his mother's letter. "What are your feelings toward me?"

"You are my son." Snape stated softly. "That makes you my responsibility. I am aware of the prophecy about you, so it is even more important that I do my duty and protect you. For your sake, and perhaps for the sake of many other people."

At Snape's words, Harry felt a heavy coldness settle in his chest. That's what he was to his father, a duty, a responsibility.

**

After eating lightly, they had settled in Snape's sitting room. Snape had pulled out a new potions book by Arsenius Jigger and was snorting in contempt at the author's potion theories. Harry was paging through Beating the Bludgers-- A Study of Defensive Strategies in Quidditch,'but the words in the book were just a blur. He was still weak, tired, and now he felt like a rock was sitting on his chest.

Responsibility. Duty.

Harry was regretting that he had asked to be with Snape. He wished he was back with Madam Pomfrey, lying on an uncomfortable hospital bed, away from this cold man who was his father. Yawning widely, he decided to make his excuses and go to bed. Tomorrow he could try and think of way to move himself back to the hospital wing.

"I think I'll go to bed now."

Looking up from his book, Snape nodded his head slightly at Harry. "Of course. Sleep well. Would you like a pain potion before you go to bed?"

Heading to the bedrooms, Harry answered without looking back at Snape. "Nah, my pain isn't too bad, and I'm tired of taking potions. See you in the morning."

**

They circled him, a wounded prey ready for the killing. Shouting taunts and insults, they began to remove their hoods, one by one. Bellatrix and Rabustan Lestrange. Crabbe. Jugson. Goyle. Dolohov. And Vernon Dursley!

Harry tried to stand up but his limbs refused to move. Writhing and twisting, he watched helplessly as the Death Eaters pointed their wands at him.

"NO-O!" He screamed, as the bolts of color flew toward him. Bracing himself against the pain, he tried to move again, but a strong arm held him back.

"Harry! Harry!" Holding the thrashing boy down, Snape tried to wake him. "Harry, wake up. You're having a nightmare."

Eyes finally opening, Harry stared up at Snape. "Professor." He sighed with relief.

Snape, to his surprise, was not happy at being addressed as professor by his son. "In private I would prefer father."

Sitting up Harry was trying to shake off his nightmare. Immediately he felt his scar, but like earlier, there was no pain or burning. He had suffered a bad dream, nothing more. Gathering his wits, he mumbled out a, "yes sir-father."

Glaring at Harry, Snape tried to detect if the boy was mocking him or not, but he sensed only confusion and fading fear.

"Death Eaters," Harry explained. "And one of them was my Uncle Vernon."

"I see," was the only answer Snape could give. "Can I get you anything?" he asked awkwardly. He wasn't sure what more he could do in this situation.

"No." Harry shook his head, as he lay back down.

"Well, then." Snape cleared his throat as he got to his feet. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to come and ask. . . ."

"I know why my mother wanted you to have me," Harry broke in abruptly.

"I. . .you. . ." Snape was taken aback by the sudden change of subject.

"You are the best person to protect and train me to defeat Voldemort. She knew, and that's why she left that letter, even though. . ." Harry trailed off, not sure how to finish what he was saying in a tactful manner.

"Most women wouldn't give their child up to their rapist." Snape had no problem saying the words Harry could not. "And you know this how?"

"I'm not sure." Harry frowned in concentration. "But it's something that just came to me." Seeing the skepticism on Snape's face, he quickly added, "you can't deny it. You are the best person to protect me from Voldemort and teach me how I can fulfill the prophecy."

"I believe I stated that very fact earlier, but you took little notice."

"That's because you reduced me to a responsibility." The volume of Harry's voice had risen. "A bloody duty."

Snape had to bite his tongue as a sharp reprimand automatically began to come out. Taking a deep breath, he told himself to ignore Harry's tone and language and keep to the subject at hand. "You want me to be a perfect, caring, loving father, don't you? One that you've dreamed about all your life. One that you never had. But I can't be that for you, Harry." He kept his voice soft and low. "It's not in me. I was a Death Eater. I knew more dark magic as a child than most wizards and witches will ever know. I've committed unspeakable crimes that you, despite the things you've seen, can't even begin to imagine. These traits are what make me the best man to train you, but they also make me a man incapable of being what you want in a father. Don't expect more than I can give."

Staring up at Snape, Harry felt a burning in his eyes and a lump in his throat. The words were harsh but true; he couldn't deny any of them. "Yes, sir," he managed to croak out as he turned to face the wall, away from his father. "I understand."

**

Epilogue

Dawn broke to find Harry still awake and wondering if he could return to his bed in Gryffindor tower. That bed had a window by it, and the times when he couldn't sleep, he liked to sit and look out over the grounds of Hogwarts and think. Here in the dungeons there were no windows to look out, and he needed one so that he could contemplate what had happened and what had been said between him and Snape.

Slipping out of bed, he looked around for his robe, but it was nowhere in sight. Deciding against looking for it, he opened his bedroom door quietly, tiptoeing through the bathroom. Carefully opening the second door, he held his breath, relieved to see that Snape was turned away from him. He had made it half way across the room, when a gentle voice startled him.

"And just where do you think you're going?"

Swearing to himself, Harry resisted the urge to stomp his feet. "Err," he tried to think up a plausible lie.

Turning over, Snape stared at the shivering boy in front of him. "You're cold," he stated, as he lifted up the duvet. "Come get into bed here before you make yourself ill. I'd never hear the end of it from Poppy."

Harry hesitated. The bed looked inviting, but he wasn't sure about being in such close proximity to Snape.

"Come in, child." Snape still held the duvet open. "You can at least be warm while you think up a good lie to tell me, as to why you were trying to sneak out."

Giving in, Harry climbed into the bed. It was warm, and made him feel safe, protected, and all of the sudden sleepy.

"Well?" Snape tucked the duvet around Harry. "What kind of fairy tale have you come up with?"

"Later." Harry closed his eyes, letting himself drift off. "I'll think up a good fib for you later."

****

Finis

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