You're My Father

Chapter 2

Severus Snape walked down the corridor leading up to the Headmaster's office. Something didn't seem right, like something big was happening but he wasn't sure what. He needed to talk to Albus. Find out if he knew anything.

He stopped in his tracks when he realized the feeling he was getting was the same feeling he got the night that Voldemort attacked the Potter's house and the night of the third task just a few weeks ago. Something was wrong with Harry. Something was wrong with his son. He quickened his pace to a jog but was stopped short by the shadowy figure huddled up in the corner of the hall.

As quick as lightening Severus had his wand in his hand and pointing at the person. "Who's there?"

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Harry's head shot up at the sound of the voice. He hadn't expected to be found so soon. But when he saw who it was that found him he buried his head in his arms again. This was not who he wanted to see right now.

*Come on Harry he did it for your protection. Think about what would have happened had Voldemort found out that Snape had a son. Not too mention with a Muggleborn witch! You would be a junior Death Eater by now had he gotten his way.*

'Yeah I guess that's true. But still once Voldemort was gone for awhile he could have taken me then. But he didn't, he let Dumbledore send me to the Dursleys!'

*I'm sure that if he knew you were being mistreated he would have gotten you out of there.*

'I'm not so sure of that,' he sniffed.

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Severus came closer to the shadow, "I said, who is there!"

He took a step back in shock when the figure finally lifted it's head enough for him to see its face. It was Harry. He was even more shocked by the obvious tears streaming down his cheeks.

'What is he doing here? He should be at his Aunt and Uncle's being spoiled rotten! And why is he crying? I don't think I have ever seen him cry, not even after the third task did he cry. Or at least not when I was there.' he thought to himself.

*Why don't you ask him then?* His inner voice asked.

'I guess that makes sense,' he thought sheepishly.

"Potter! What are you doing here?" he asked gruffly.

*Oh yeah good going you git!* The voice said as Harry's head shot up in fear.

Severus sighed and sat down next to the boy, "Potter...Harry...what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at home?" He asked in a more caring manner.

Harry looked up confused, his potions professor was never that nice. He sniffed a little before answering, "Professor Dumbledore wanted to talk to me about something he discovered about my family. So he sent me a port key that went directly to his office."

Severus went pale and his while body went numb. ''Merlin, what if Albus found out about what James, Lily and I tried so hard to hide. If Harry knows, there is no way he will ever forgive me.'

"What did he tell you Harry?" he asked in a hushed voice.

Harry looked over at the man and was surprised to see a bit of fear. "H...He told me that the Dursley's weren't my only family. That it turns out that I have other living relatives. That...that you were my father. He...had a note from James saying what had happened before and after I was born."

Severus's hand shook a little as he reached a hand for the letter, "Can I see that for a minute Harry?"

Harry nodded and handed it over.

Severus read for a few minutes and then closed his eyes in a deep sigh. No one could really know how much he missed his brother and wife. Especially when the one person who reminded him of them so much was in his presence every day.

"Harry," his voice cracked slightly and he stopped to collect himself again. "Harry I know that having your greasy potions professor suddenly be your father is revolting at best to you," he chuckled when he noticed his son's shocked face. "Don't think that I don't hear the names you students' call me."

His face went serious again, "As I was saying, I assure you that no one has to know if you don't want."

Harry shook his head violently," No, that's not why I'm upset."

Severus looked confused, "It's not?"

"No, I was upset because....well its because the Headmaster was the first adult I felt like I could trust. The first who actually seemed to care about me. Yet, he lied to me this whole time, like it didn't matter that I was unhappy where I was. He knew I didn't like going back there but he always said I had to go because they were all I had. He never said there was anyone else."

Severus was surprised when Harry's eyes began to fill with tears again. He watched as Harry rubbed his already sore eyes with his baggy sleeve.

"He never said he could have taken me as my grandfather. Well one with several 'great' in front of it but still."

Severus could tell this was really upsetting Harry so he thought they should continue their talk in his private rooms.

"Harry, I know that Albus had his reasons for doing things the way he did. I'm not sure what they are but I'm sure he has them. He always has reasons for things. As a matter of fact he told me something pretty shocking like this when I was a student here. It may help you understand some things better. Especially about why I couldn't take you myself, even though I would have liked nothing more."

Severus chuckled inwardly at his son's expression. "Come on, follow me. I think it will be best if we continue this in my rooms."

Severus got up and started to walk back to the dungeons. Harry got up and quickly followed.

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Harry was shocked at everything his Professor was telling him. And he was being nice to him! This was certainly unheard of. Especially for Snape.

'He probably wants to get on my good side so I will go over to the dark side with him.' He thought to himself.

*Why would Dumbledore trust him if he thought Snape was still on the other side?*

'I don't know. But he was blind-sided before! Remember what happened last year? A heavy supporter of Voldemort got a teaching job here and had access to me all year!'

*I still think you can trust your father Harry.*

'I guess so. But what if he doesn't want me? No one else seems to.' He thought sadly.

His inner voice sighed, *Harry...*

But Harry didn't get to hear what his conscience wanted since he was brought out of his thoughts by Snape's voice.

"Come on, follow me. I think it will be best if we continue this in my private rooms."

Harry watched as the man got up and started to walk toward the dungeons. After a few seconds Harry got up and followed. He walked quickly to the older wizard's side until they were even with each other.

Harry kept his head down but he could feel the other's gaze on him so he looked up and right away noticed his father's worried looked. He was confused by that...why was he worried about him?

*Maybe its because he's your father, Potter!*

'But he's never seemed concerned about me before! Well except that time in first year doing the Quidditch matches.'

*Well, ever think that maybe he acted that way because he had to? That it was all a cover up for how he really felt?*

Harry thought about this some and then nodded. 'I suppose you're right.'

Harry jumped slightly when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and noticed that they had stopped in front of a portrait of Godric Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw. Harry turned to his father confused, he would have thought if he had any of the founders as his portrait guard it would have been Slytherin.

Severus chuckled, "What is wrong Harry?"

"Why do you have Gryffindor and Ravenclaw as your portrait?"

"Because we are his great great times ten grandparents." Said Godric. Causing Harry to jump away surprised.

Severus busted up laughing surprising his son further, he hadn't seen the man laugh so much in the now 5 years he had been going to Hogwarts. "Hello Godric, Rowena. This is Harry. You'll be seeing him down here a lot."

Both Godric and Rowena stared at Harry and then broke into smiles. "So you finally told him? I told you he should have been told a long time ago. But I guess better late than never, hey Harry?"

Harry nodded dumbly. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, even the paintings knew more about his family then he did! Sighing, he leaned against the stone wall of the dungeons. His head snapped up when he heard a gentle voice speaking to him.

"Harry dear? Are you ok? It looks like you've been crying. I know this must be hard for you."

Harry smiled shyly for the first time since arriving at the castle. "It is kind of hard. I'm not exactly sure what happened. No one has really told me much," he replied honestly.

Severus blushed slightly at Rowena's glare, "Well, that's what we are heading to my rooms for. So I can explain everything."

"Give us the password and then you can go have your talk," Rowena said.

Severus nodded, "Marauder's brother"

Harry once again stared up at his father in shock. Before he could say anything Severus ushered him through the hole the portrait opened to.

"I'll explain everything once we get inside."

Once inside the main room he stood there staring at everything. The main room of his father's suit was everything he hadn't expected. Instead of cold and dreary it was warm and inviting and where he thought he would see greens and silvers he saw reds and golds. It looked more like the Gryffindor common room.

Severus laughed at his expression, "Not what you expected was it?"

Harry shook his head. "So you said you were going to tell me everything?"

Severus nodded. He directed Harry to sit on the over stuffed couch. Once they were both seated he began to tell the tale that really started way back before Severus himself was born.