Betrayals, Truths and Family

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/13907169.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Underage
Category: F/F, F/M, M/M
Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Relationship: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter, Lily Evans Potter/Severus Snape, Harry
Potter & Tom Riddle & Severus Snape, Harry Potter & Severus Snape,
Harry Potter & Tom Riddle, Sirius Black/Remus Lupin, Sirius Black &
Remus Lupin & Harry Potter, Sirius Black & Harry Potter, Remus Lupin
& Harry Potter
Character: Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter, Severus Snape, Tom Riddle, Albus
Dumbledore, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Black
Malfoy, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Bill Weasley, Charlie Weasley,
Hogwarts Staff
Additional Tags: Dumbledore Bashing, Evil Dumbledore, Ron Weasley Bashing, Molly
Weasley Bashing, Arthur Weasley Bashing, Ginny Weasley Bashing,
Hermione Granger Bashing, Mpreg, Creature Inheritance, Slash, Pre-
Slash, Good Severus Snape, Good Tom Riddle, Good Malfoy Family,
Severitus, Hufflepuff Harry Potter, Severitus | Severus Snape is Harry
Potter's Parent
Language: English
Series: Part 1 of Betrayals, Truths and Family
Stats: Published: 2018-03-08 Updated: 2023-07-06 Words: 41,537 Chapters:
16/?

Betrayals, Truths and Family

by Maraudering_Paige

Summary

Severus Snape receives a time-delayed letter from his lost love Lily Evans which gives him
his true memories back and reveals that Harry Potter is his son. When Severus goes to the
Dursleys to retrieve his son he finds him bloodied and bruised in Dudley's second bedroom.
He takes him home, heals him, and does what he must to protect his son from the man who
split their family apart, Albus Dumbledore, who is the real Dark Lord. Severus helps Harry
through the trials of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, helps those that Dumbledore is
controlling through mind magics, and prepares Harry for his upcoming creature inheritance.
But will everything go smoothly? Will Dumbledore realise too soon that they know the
truth? Will Harry be okay knowing that his friends weren't his friends?
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Notes
This fanfic is also on my Fanfiction.net account of PMakepeace98. I don't own Harry
Potter, unfortunately. Will have selective Weasley bashing, Dumbledore bashing, selective
Order Member bashing, Hermione bashing, Severitus, Tom Riddle as Severus' adoptive
father, Drarry eventually, and more. Don't like, don't read. This is the first in a series of
fanfictions.
 A Father Saves His Son

Severus Snape sat in his favourite armchair in his house at Spinner’s End, nursing a small glass of
Firewhiskey as he read the potions journal in his hand, the only light in the room being the
flickering fire in the fireplace in front of the armchair, and the light of a lamp that was sitting on
the small coffee table next to the armchair. It was late in the evening of the 30th of July 1994, soon
it would be morning. He did not know why he could not sleep this night, as he sat there wearing
the black Muggle jeans and dark grey t-shirt he had been wearing all day. He wasn’t tired, he didn’t
know why, but he figured he would only get changed into pyjamas if he felt like he could sleep. It
was as if something was keeping him awake on purpose. He just didn’t know what.
As the clock struck midnight a white light lit up the coffee table next to his armchair and he looked
at it, both confused and alarmed. But soon the white light was gone, and a cream coloured
envelope held close by a deep green wax stood in its place. He looked at it sceptically, putting
down the journal and glass before picking up his wand from the table, next to the letter, and
scanning it to see if there were any spells or hexes on it. It was clear of all things he scanned it for,
so he put down his wand and picked up the letter, hesitantly. He opened it and pulled out the letter
made of three pieces of parchment inside. Unfolding it he recognised the writing on the page
almost instantly.
It was Lily’s. Her beautiful, elegant writing on the page.
But she was dead.
She had been for thirteen years, roughly.
So, how had she sent him a letter?
Part of him knew he would find the answers he needed in the letter, so he started reading it. Not
knowing that it would change his life.

My dearest Sev,
I know you’re probably wondering a lot of things right now; including how on earth you are
reading a letter written by me when I’m supposed to be dead, and why it is you’re not tired. Now
you’re probably wondering how I know what you’re thinking. I knew I was going to die alongside
James, hoping that my son would survive with the protection I cast on him, and I knew my wishes
on how to have him raised, in the event of my death, would not be met, despite me leaving a will.
So, I am writing this letter to explain some things to you, things that you need to know, as I know
that you would not be told the truth. As to why you’re not tired right now; the last time I saw you in
person I put a delayed spell on you to make sure you would not be tired at this time, on the 31st of
July 1994, my son’s fourteenth birthday. I put the spell on you, so you would read this and know
the truth as soon as possible, then you could save him. I could have made sure this letter reached
you before now, but there are people that cannot know that you know what I am about to reveal to
you in this letter, at least, not right away. In order for them to not know, I had to give you a few
years to establish how you are going to treat Harry in public, at least, before you are allowed to
reveal the truth, because throughout this year you are going to have to treat him the same in the
public eye, despite what I am going to tell you.
I know you’re probably really confused right now, Sev. Confused as to why I am writing to you
about my son. But before you read on I need you to close your eyes, and while holding onto this
letter with both hands you need to say revelare verum memorias out loud. When you have done
this, and your true memories are returned to you, the rest of the letter will reveal itself and you can
read on.

There was no more written, and Severus was confused. But he knew Lily would never lie to him,
so if she had told him to do this then it was genuine, and he should do it.
He held the parchment rather tightly in his hands, closed his eyes and took a deep breath before
speaking the three Latin words Lily told him to say.
Instantly his mind was filled with images, his true memories. His and Lily’s wedding day when
they had only been out of Hogwarts for a month. Their friendship, from the beginning to the day
she left him, after obliviating him with a look in her eyes that could only mean that she was being
controlled. The day they took the Dark Mark and started properly working for his adoptive father
who he only now remembered being as such. He also now remembered that his adoptive father
isn’t the Dark Lord people thought him to be.
That was Albus Dumbledore.
He remembered everything.
He opened his eyes, taking deep breaths to control the anger and confusion crawling throughout
him. He looked down at the letter in his hands and saw that more writing had appeared. So, he
started to read it.

Sev, before I start telling you everything, I am so sorry. I didn’t want to leave you. I didn’t want to
obliviate you, Dumbledore was controlling me, but I managed to break through the controls the
day I gave birth to Harry, the pain, both the physical and emotional pain, broke it, also the fact that
I had just given birth and was no longer pregnant. The pregnancy weakened my defences and I
wasn’t able to break through the curse. I would have left James and gone straight back to you, but I
couldn’t because I knew you didn’t have your true memories, and I knew Dumbledore would do
something worse if I did. I love you, Sev. Always.
I had to stay with James to protect my son. Our son. Sev, Harry is your son. Our son. He’s not
James’. The day I obliviated you, that was the day I found out I was pregnant. I was so happy, and I
knew you would be as well. I was coming home to tell you, from St Mungo’s. But Dumbledore
captured me and took me to his office. I tried to escape, really, I did. But I couldn’t. When I refused
to co-operate, he put me under the imperius curse, and since I was pregnant I couldn’t fight it like I
usually could, not until I gave birth, but by then I knew I couldn’t show him that it had broken, he
would have made it so much worse. He got me to obliviate you and change your old memories into
ones that you wouldn’t be happy with. Ones that would hurt you. I am so sorry.
Anyway, when the curse was gone my seer powers came back, as the imperius curse blocked my
powers. When I got them back I saw a lot of what would happen. That was how I knew I was going
to die, Dumbledore did it, not your father. But I saw past that as well. I knew I had to wait until this
time to give you the letter because this would be the year Harry, our son, is in the most danger.
You know that Hogwarts is hosting the Tri-wizard tournament. Dumbledore is going to make it, so
Harry is a fourth champion so that he will die in one of the tasks. I need you to help him. I need
you to help our son, make sure he doesn’t die. I also saw how to bring your father back from what
Dumbledore did to him. He took parts of his soul and left them in the objects I have listed. He
destroyed your fathers’ soul so much that he turned into a spirit, but I saw how to help him. The
information is in the other page, but finish reading this first.
I am writing this on Harry’s first birthday, James and Sirius are off doing something for
Dumbledore’s Order, Remus is here, though. Remus and Sirius are being controlled by
Dumbledore as well, you need to help them, Sev. They are on our side. Use the counter for the
imperius on them, the one we invented together. Harry is having a nap right now, lying on Remus’
chest cuddling his plush wolf to his side. Harry has a glamour on him, to make him look like James
with my eyes. That is why he doesn’t look like you, it will break when he gets his creature
inheritance. Yes, he is a Dark Veela like you, he will be a submissive, though. And, yes, I know
who his mate is, but I’m not going to tell you. I think you will like who it is, though.
I would have made sure this letter reached you sooner than this if I could have Sev, believe me, I
would have. I know how much you wanted a family, wanted children. But it would have been
suspicious before now if you were to take him, it still will be, but now is the time Harry needs you
the most. And I needed you to show people that you didn’t like him, so that Dumbledore wouldn’t
be suspicious. That is how you need to act towards him, in public, all this year. When he gains his
creature inheritance, then you can tell everyone. But right now, I need you to save our son from my
sister’s house. That is where Dumbledore has been keeping him all these years. He hasn’t been
spoiled or loved. He’s being abused, Sev. I did write a will, stating who Harry could go to after I
die, but Dumbledore ignored it. But this summer it is worse, he is in a bad shape right now, a very
bad shape. I need you to save him and heal him as soon as you are done reading this. Her address is
4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey. Save him.
That is the truth about Harry out of the way. Now, Dumbledore has all of the staff at Hogwarts,
except you, under the imperius curse so they only teach what he wants students to learn and he can
control them. You need to save them. They know how bad he really is, they know more than I do,
they try to fight it, but they can’t. If they manage to break it, he puts it on them twice as strong as
the last. There is a recipe for a potion that will save them from ever being put under that spell
again, give it to Remus and Sirius too, after using the counter spell on them all, the potion is only
to make sure they won’t ever be under the effects of the spell again, you should probably give
yourself, everyone on our side, and our son some too. You can’t trust anyone in the Order who isn’t
an Auror, Remus, Sirius, or a staff member at Hogwarts. Moody, Shacklebolt, and Nymphadora
Tonks (a metamorphmagus, who doesn’t like her first name, and who has joined the Order which
is still running just in case your father comes back) are all under the imperius curse. Save them and
give them the potion, too.
Harry can’t trust his friends. When I say that I mean Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ginny
Weasley, Percy Weasley, Seamus Finnegan, Lavender Brown, the Patil twins, Oliver Wood,
Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Molly and Arthur Weasley. The other Weasley’s are true friends to
Harry and will leave their family when they find out everything they are doing to Harry, this
includes stealing money from the trust vault I made for Harry to get him through his Hogwarts
years, as well as the Potter vaults, trying to get Harry to fall in love with Ginny, marry her and get
her pregnant before killing him, feeding him a number of potions which you have all the antidotes
to but you will need to run a full diagnostic to see which ones you will need, and more. Neville
Longbottom and Dean Thomas are true friends to Harry, and Harry will make friends with others
as well, from all of the houses.
Sev, that is all I can tell you now. Save our son, look after him, love him. I am sorry for everything
that has happened. I am sorry I couldn’t tell you the truth sooner. Bring your father back. Prepare
Harry for his inheritance, and for the tournament, and everything else. I will be sending you
another letter on his next birthday to explain some more. Harry needs to try and remain friends with
Ron, Hermione and the others, only for another year, though. He just has to pretend. But he can
become friends with others, in secret. Tell him he can use the Room of Requirement for meeting
his true friends, tell him where it is. Tell him to form an organisation, one like your fathers’ group,
filled with these friends, the ones loyal to him. This way you have more people working with you
and your father within the school. Help the teachers, the Aurors, Remus and Sirius. Help our son,
love our son.
I love you Sev.
Always.
Lily.

Severus stared at the parchment in shock. He had a son. A son who he had been horrible to for the
last three years. A son that was being abused.
That thought was enough to make Severus jump out of the chair and apparate to the address Lily
wrote in the letter, his wand in his hand. He soon stood outside the house, all the lights were off
inside, so he could tell they were all asleep.
He knocked on the door of the house rather loudly, not caring if he annoyed them since they had
been hurting his son. The protective instincts a Dark Veela has for their children were filling him
with rage at the thought of his son being hurt.
He saw a light turn on inside the house and heard someone stomping down the stairs, complaining
the whole way about someone knocking on the door at this time of the night. He could have let
himself in, but he wanted to torment the people that had hurt his son. He knew Lily was a seer, so
he knew what she saw was correct.
The door was wrenched open by a man who was so overweight he looked like a walrus.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing knocking on our door at this time of the night?” The man
almost yelled.
Severus growled at him. “Where is my son?”
“I don’t know who your son is, but he is not here.” The man spat out.
“So, Harry Potter is not your nephew who happens to be living under this roof?”
“You’re one of those… freaks? How dare you come here?”
“I dare because my son is here, and I know what you’ve been doing to him. So, I suggest you let
me in before your neighbours find out exactly what has been going on inside this home and I do
something I won’t regret.” Severus snarled, pointing his wand at the man.
“Vernon, who is it?” Petunia asked, wandering down the stairs. She paused when she saw Severus
at the door with a wand pointed at her husband. “YOU!” She exclaimed.
“Hello Tuney, have you missed me?” Severus greeted sarcastically, causing Petunia to sputter from
shock and fear. Vernon looked shocked that his wife knew a wizard. “Now will you let me in and
tell me where my son is?”
“He isn’t here, he is with friends.” Vernon lied.
“Don’t lie! Now tell me where he really is, and I will leave with him, you won’t ever have to see
him again. In fact, when my father finds out how you have been treating his grandson I am sure he
will delight in helping me punish you both, and your son, for everything you have done to my son,
maybe I will get you both sent to Azkaban after we have had our fun torturing you. In fact, I am
sure there will be a lot of other witches and wizards who would delight in joining us on the task as
well. Tell me where he is!” Severus said, getting ready to cast some kind of hex on the man in
front of him.
“He’s u-upstairs.” Vernon stuttered, scared at the thought of what angry wizards could do to him
and his normal family.
Severus pushed past the man and made his way up the stairs, sneering at Petunia as he passed her.
He knew that the door with seven locks on was the one his son was in, it had to be, they wouldn’t
lock their own son in a room. His heightened senses, due to him being a Veela, also told him that
his son was in there, he could smell his son, and his blood, sweat, vomit and urine. That just made
him angrier.
“Alohomora.” He whispered, pointing his wand at the door. The locks all unlocked, and he slowly
opened the door, not wanting to scare his son. He turned the light on.
The sight in the room made him angrier than anything he had ever seen before. His son was laying
on his stomach, on the floor in the middle of the small room. He was lying in a pool of his own
blood, sweat, vomit and urine. The smell was horrible. He noticed that the oversized t-shirt his son
was wearing had rips in it and was soaked in blood. He saw that his son’s owl was locked in her
cage, she was skinny, and her feathers weren’t the same brilliant white that they used to be. He fed
her some water using the aguamenti spell before he unlocked her cage. She flew out, landing next
to Harry, who was unconscious, and nipping his ear affectionately.
“Go to Riddle Manor, we will meet you there.” Severus said as he opened the window for the bird.
She flew to him, nipped his ear and left, soaring out of view.
He rushed to his sons’ side and knelt next to him, running a hand through the black, messy hair
causing his son to groan and open his eyes.
When Harry saw Severus, he looked shocked.
“P’fessor, what you doing here?” He groaned through the pain he was feeling.
“I’m here to save you. I will explain more later, I promise. I need to pick you up, so I can take you
home. It will hurt but I will be able to fix you up soon. Your owl has already left to where we are
going to. I gave her some water, so she should be okay for a little while. I will feed her when she
arrives at the Manor.”
Harry, who was still shocked that his potions professor would actually save him, nodded once
before groaning.
Snape, as gently as he could, turned Harry over so that he was on his back. The movement caused
Harry to cry out in pain as tears finally leaked from his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. You’ll be out of here soon and I will start fixing you up as soon as we get
home. I promise.” Harry was shocked at the gentleness in Snape’s voice. “I’m going to pick you up
now, Harry. It’s going to hurt but I promise you will be okay soon.”
He picked Harry up, like he would a baby, as gently as he could. It caused Harry to cry out again,
the sound of his son in pain broke his heart and increased the anger in him towards the Dursley’s.
He was also shocked at how light his son was, at how little he weighed and how small he was in
size. How had he never noticed these things?
“It’s okay, Harry. It’s all going to be okay. Now, I’m going to apparate you to the Manor, okay? It
may hurt but you have to stay as still as possible or it will cause even more injuries. You may feel
sick afterwards, but I will get you an anti-nausea potion as soon as possible, okay?” Severus
informed his son so that Harry knew what was going to happen.
Harry nodded once, clinging to Snape’s top, feeling an odd sense of safety in the man’s arms. Harry
closed his eyes and Severus apparated them to the entrance hall of Riddle Manor, knowing only
him and his father would have been able to apparate inside of the home and that no one was there.
No one had been there since ‘Voldemort’ died.
Severus could tell that his son was feeling sick so he accioed an anti-nausea potion and fed it to his
son.
“Thanks.” Harry whispered as he felt the effects of the potion, his throat hoarse.
Severus nodded and carried his son up the stairs, slow enough to not jostle him too much, but fast
enough so he could help his son as soon as possible.
“Why are you being so kind to me? You hate me?” Harry questioned quietly.
Severus felt a pang of pain as he heard the question. “I’ll explain later, when you’re not in so much
pain and I have had the chance to heal some of your injuries.”
Harry just nodded his head once and fell asleep again. Severus carried him to the room that was
next to the one that used to be his and Lily’s, wanting his son close by. He flicked his wand,
causing the covers on the large bed to be drawn back and he gently laid Harry in the bed. He
accioed his healing kit and got to work. The more he saw of his sons’ injuries the more he wanted
to kill the Dursley’s. And Dumbledore for sending him there in the first place, as well as
everything else he had done, including taking Lily away from him and then killing her.
The diagnostic report that showed Harry’s full medical history, as well as who his parents are
(Severus and Lily’s names came up in that section) made him want to murder the people that had
hurt his son even more. He was severely underweight. Dehydrated. He had been whipped since he
was three. He had suffered multiple broken bones, some of which hadn’t mended properly. They
had tried to drown him multiple times. His illnesses had never been treated properly. He has had
multiple concussions. He has been burnt multiple times. He had been… raped… multiple times
since he was twelve. And that is all without the injuries he had sustained at Hogwarts. And that is
without all of the compulsion potions, loyalty potions, intelligence hindering potions which meant
he was only about half as intelligent as he was meant to be, magical core blocking potions which
meant he only had 50% of the magical power he is meant to have at this stage of life, which would
be due to rise when he receives his inheritance. If he was so powerful already with only 50% of his
magic then his son was incredibly powerful, and he will be even more powerful this time next
year. Thankfully Severus had the antidotes to each of the potions, even the magical core blocking
one, and he administered them all. He was excited to see how powerful his son really was.
It took all he had to not leave the Manor and go kill the muggles who had done this to his child.
And Dumbledore. And the Weasley’s. And Granger. And whoever else had ever hurt him. He
wished he could go back in time and stop Dumbledore cursing Lily, then they could have raised
their son together. She wouldn’t have died. He would have known he was a father.
When he was done, he conjured a comfortable, black, leather armchair next to the bed and sat on it,
watching his son sleep and hoping that he would be okay. Hoping that they would be okay. Hoping
that the people that hurt him would pay for what they did. And hoping that the world would be a
better place to live in soon, and that the true Dark Lord would lose.
 A Son Finds Out the Truth
Chapter Summary

Harry wakes up and finds out that he has been lied to all these years. How will he cope
with that revelation?

Chapter Notes

This chapter includes a lot of Severitus, with hints towards future MPreg.

Harry blinked his eyes a few times to adjust to the sunlight seeping into the room from the gap in
the dark grey curtains. When he finally awoke, he looked around to find himself lying in a large,
comfortable bed made of mahogany wood, with a soft mattress covered with a grey sheet. His head
was on a deep green pillow and there was another green pillow next to his. He was covered in a
deep green blanket that was thin so he wasn’t too warm in the summers’ heat. The furniture was
mostly mahogany; the bookshelf which was empty, the wardrobe, the desk, the two bedside
cabinets (one on either side of the bed) and the chest of drawers. The was a dark green, high-
backed, leather chair by the desk, and a black-leather armchair next to his bed which Professor
Snape was sleeping in. Harry was confused.

He tried to sit up but ended up falling back down, groaning in pain. This caused Snape to wake up
and rush to Harry’s side.

“Are you okay? Are you in pain?” Severus asked his son, worried.

Harry just nodded, confused still.

Severus helped Harry sit up, placing some pillows between his back and the wooden headboard of
the bed to support him comfortably, before he took a pain-relieving potion out of his bag and
uncorked it, helping his son to drink it. He smiled as Harry gave a sigh of relief a few seconds after
drinking it.

“Are you feeling better now? Is anything else bothering you?” Severus asked, concerned.

“No, I’m fine. Thank you, sir. Where am I? Why am I here? Why did you save me?” Harry replied,
confused.

“I think, before I answer any of your questions, I should show you something.” Severus said before
wandlessly and wordlessly summoning Lily’s letter. It flew into his hands a few seconds later and
he took a deep breath to calm himself before giving it to Harry, who looked confused before taking
it, unfolding it and looking at it, reading it through.

Harry gasped a few times in shock whilst reading. But by the end his eyes were filled with tears.

“Is this real?” Harry asked, he never really trusted anything.

“Yes. I have my memories back. Lily and I were married. Albus is the true Dark Lord. Voldemort
is something made up by Albus, my father still goes by Tom Riddle. Lily was a seer, if she saw
something, the thing she saw was always true. The Tri-wizard Tournament is happening this year
at Hogwarts. I am a Dark Veela, you will become one next year, on your next birthday. You will
be a submissive, I will tell you what that means later. If Lily saw that you couldn’t trust the people
she listed then you can’t trust them, and I’m sorry your friends aren’t people you can trust. I will be
able to save my father, and the teachers, Remus, Sirius, and the Aurors. I will tell you everything
you need to know, well, everything that I know. If you want, you can ask me questions and I’ll
answer them as best as I can.”

A tear slipped out of Harry’s eye as he nodded in response.

“Do you want to ask me questions now? Or do you want something to eat first? I have given you
some potions to help with the malnourishment and dehydration, but they will take a while to get
you to a healthy weight, they work better with food. I can call a house elf to bring you something if
you want.”

“Can I have some toast, please, and some pumpkin juice?” Harry pondered shyly, not knowing
how his new-found father would react to him asking for food.

“Of course. Pinky!” Severus called.

A house elf with large blue eyes popped into the room looking happy that one of her masters had
finally come home.

“Master Severus, you came back! I am so happy to see you. Who is this?” Pinky asked excitedly.

“This, Pinky, is my son, Harry. We will be living here from now on. I am happy to see you, too.
Could you get us some breakfast please? Some toast with butter and jam on the side and a bowl of
fruit each. I will have a cup of tea, how I usually take it, and Harry would like some pumpkin
juice.”

“Of course, Master Severus. Your breakfast will be with you shortly.” She popped away again with
a smile on her face.

“Do you want to start with the questions now? Or do you want to wait until we’re done eating?”
Severus asked his son kindly.

“I, er… Why did you hate me? Do you still hate me?”

“No, Harry, I don’t hate you. And I never hated you, more the image of you. You see, James
bullied me at school, that hasn’t changed. Although, when your mother was forced to change my
memories she made it seem worse than it really was. He still bullied me, and quite harshly, too. But
she made it seem like the pranks were worse than they were, and she added a few horrible ones. Of
course, it’s not her fault, she was forced to do it. But you look so much like James that every time I
looked at you I couldn’t help but see him and remember what I remembered him doing. I couldn’t
see past that. And I’m sorry for how I have treated you in the past. I know you probably don’t trust
me, but Harry, I love you, my son. And I will do everything I can to make it right, to get back at
everyone that has hurt you, to prove that I love you and want you. I will do everything I can to help
you, always. You are my life now, the only important thing there is. I will keep you safe, I will
love you, I will look after you the way you should have been looked after all these years. I will
always be here for you, Harry.” Severus said so sincerely that Harry started crying harder, knowing
he wasn’t lying, knowing that somebody actually cared for him.
Severus reached out, slowly, not wanting to scare his son, and he wrapped his arms around him,
holding his son to his chest and running his fingers through the black, messy hair.

Pinky popped in and left the tray of food and drink on the bed, smiling sadly at the scene, before
popping away silently, not wanting to disturb the moment.

“You’re the first person to ever tell me they love me, from what I remember anyway. You’re the
first person to care about me.” Harry cried.

“Oh, Harry, I’m not the only one who cares about you, and I am certainly not the only one who
loves you. Four of the Weasley’s care about you and love you. You still have friends and you can
make more. Remus and Sirius both love you and care for you, and I will save them from the
Headmaster. The staff love and care for you, too, and I will save them as well. And when the time
comes your mate will love you. My father will love you. My friends will love you. You aren’t
alone, Harry. And you never will be. I promise. I love you, Harry.” Severus told his son sincerely
as he held him close, wishing that he had been able to raise him, with Lily, and that none of what
had happened in the last fourteen years had happened. That way his son, his family would have
been happy.

It took Harry about ten minutes to stop crying. When he did he pulled back and smiled at his father
sadly. They started eating breakfast in silence, Harry trying to think about what he wanted to ask
his father next, Severus watching in concern as his son was only able to eat half of a slice of toast,
and a few bites of fruit. He did, however, drink all of his pumpkin juice.

“What do you…?” Harry broke off.

“What do I, what, Harry? You can ask me anything.” Severus encouraged gently.

“What do you want me to call you?” Harry whispered, looking down at the tray in his lap. His
father moved the tray and sat next to him on the bed, facing him. He gently placed a long finger
under his sons’ chin and lifted his head slowly, trying not to scare him.

“You are allowed to ask me questions, Harry. I’m not going to hurt you, ever. My Dark Veela
wouldn’t allow me to hurt my child for starters, they are very protective of their young, but I
wouldn’t hurt you even if I wasn’t a creature. I don’t condone hurting children. Yes, I may have to
say mean things at school, but that is because of Dumbledore. I can’t make him suspicious of
anything. I would never hurt a child physically, though, especially not you. As for the answer to
your question; you may call me whatever you feel comfortable with calling me.”

“Don’t you want me to call you ‘dad’?” Harry wondered aloud.

“I would love for you to call me ‘dad’, or ‘papa’, or ‘father’, or something like that. But I know
that you have been through a lot and might not be ready for that yet, and I am okay with that. Of
course, I hope that one day you will refer to me as a father figure, but even if you can’t bring
yourself to call me any of those terms, I will always love you, and you being here, with me, will be
enough for me. So, if you aren’t ready to call me any of those words then you may call me
Severus, or Sev, which is what your mother used to call me. I don’t mind. I just want you to be
comfortable, healthy and happy. Although, whilst in school, you will have to call me Professor
Snape, or Sir, or Professor. However, you may come to see me in private, at any time you need me,
and you can call me what you wish to then. Though, that should only be for this year, after you
come into your inheritance your glamour will drop and people will be able to tell you are my son
anyway, so then you can call me what you wish to around the school as well.”

“Okay, Sev.” His father smiled at him encouragingly. “Why did Tom adopt you, if you don’t mind
me asking?”

“He found me in the park near where I lived, the one Lily and I always hung out in together. She
and her family were on holiday in France. It was the summer holidays after our first year at
Hogwarts, and my father had just beaten me, but I managed to escape for a while after he passed
out from the alcohol he had been drinking. He beat me and my mother, you see, for being magical.
My mother died when I was nine and he got worse after that. But Tom found me, I was bleeding
and bruised. He took me to his home and healed me up before asking what happened. I didn’t tell
him straight away. But he let me stay with him and he looked after me, like a parent is supposed to
look after their child. I told him after one of the nightmares I used to have, and he adopted me. I
was happy after that point. Before that, the only person who could make me happy was Lily, but
after he adopted me it was like I had a real family, eventually I met all of Tom’s friends and
followers, no they aren’t called Death Eaters, nor do they wear a Dark Mark, and they all treated
me well, too. Lucius Malfoy was in the same year as your mother and I, he was the only other
friend I had, well, him and Narcissa when she started during our second year. But after he adopted
me I had a family, and I had three friends, all of whom cared for me. It was the happiest time of my
life. Well, other than the day I married your mother of course. I wish I could have been there when
you were born, though. That would have beat everything by far.” Severus smiled brightly and even
Harry let out a small smile.

“I’m sorry your old father beat you.”

“It’s not your fault. You don’t have to apologise for everything.”

Harry nodded, but he knew it would take himself a while to break the habit.

“What is a Dark Veela?”

“A Dark Veela is a magical creature, similar to a Light Veela, which is what the Malfoys are,
Draco will come into his inheritance on his birthday. Veela are beautiful semi-human creatures,
very similar to wizards in the sense that they look like them and can do everything a wizard can do,
but they also have their own magics which the wizards can’t do. It is thought that Veela are only
women and there are only one type, but that is not the truth. There are many male Veela, but they
don’t have the same effects as the women do. Women Veela can make men do strange things in
order to get closer to them with only their dance because of how seductive it is and how beautiful
they are. Male Veela, although beautiful and being very able to dance, don’t have that power over
women. Instead, they are fiercely protective over women and submissive Veela, and of children,
whether they are their own children, another Veela’s child, even if the children are not of their
species. Submissive male Veela are also very protective of women, other submissives, and of any
child they come across.

“There are two types of Veela; Light and Dark. Light Veela are characterised by white, or platinum
blonde hair, like the Malfoys, as well as their abilities to control air and water. Dark Veela are
characterised by black hair, like us, and our abilities to control fire and earth. There are other things
as well but those are the main differences in our kind. Although, not everyone with those hair
colours are Veela, but all Veela have those hair colours depending on what type they are. Then
there are dominants and submissives, in both kinds of Veela. Dominants are always male, but not
all male Veela are dominant, like yourself. A dominant Veela is someone who has a submissive
mate, my mate was Lily, and they are the main protector of the family. Their mate doesn’t have to
be a Veela. Dominants won’t let anyone hurt their family, if anyone they love is hurt they hurt the
person who caused the pain. Which is why, when you’re healed, I am going to pay a visit to the
Dursleys, and why I’m going to hurt Dumbledore when I can. As well as everyone else who has
ever hurt you or anyone else I consider family. Dominants are also the ones that do all of the
political things for the family, such as voting on their family’s seats in the Wizengamot, on behalf
of their family. They also do other things, which you can learn more about at a later point. But you
need to learn more about submissives since that is what you are.

“All female Veela are submissives, but there are male submissives as well, as you know. This may
come as a shock, but the submissives are the ones that bear the children. I know you grew up in the
Muggle world and think that men can’t get pregnant. In the Wizarding World, they can, with the
right charms and potions, although it is more dangerous than a female pregnancy. However, if you
are a male submissive creature, like a Veela, you are fully able to get pregnant and birth children
without the added danger, as well as without the potions and charms. So yes, you will become
pregnant someday, maybe more than once. But I will be there for you every step of the way, so
will your mate. Submissives are also fiercely protective of their family, however, the dominant
won’t allow them to put themselves in any more danger than necessary, and if they are pregnant
then the dominants won’t allow them to put themselves in danger at all. Your primary job will be
to look after the family, but you can get a job if you so wish, so long as it isn’t too dangerous
because your dominant mate won’t like it. There are plenty of books on Veela in the library which
you can look through for more information, that is just the gist of it.” Severus explained as best as
he could.

“So, I’m able to get pregnant? As in… have babies?” Harry asked, placing his hand on his
stomach; shocked, and scared that he may have gotten pregnant by his uncle’s friend.

“Yes, but you won’t have that ability until you come into your inheritance, so even if you and your
mate had sex before your next birthday you won’t get pregnant. The womb and birth canal won’t
form until your inheritance comes, and it will be painful, but I will be with you the entire time, so
will your grandfather once he is back in his body.” He hurried to reassure his son after seeing the
scared look in his eyes as his small hand went to his flat stomach, it was obvious what was going
through his sons’ mind. “You will find out who your mate is when you come into your inheritance
on your next birthday. And, since you’re a submissive, your mate will definitely be male.”

“It’s okay, then… To be gay?” Harry questioned, shyly.

“Yes. I know that in the muggle world there are a lot of prejudices against gay people. But in the
Wizarding world it is completely okay to be gay, has been since the potions and charms that allow
a male pregnancy were invented over a thousand years ago. And it’s always been okay with many
magical creatures as the male submissives are able to get pregnant naturally. Also, with lesbians it
is also okay as there are charms and potions that allow the DNA of both women to mix and form
an embryo inside one of the women, that, in turn, becomes a baby. That was invented at the same
time as the potions and charms that allow a male pregnancy to occur. So, although we may be
behind the muggles in many things, we aren’t in the sense that being gay is allowed, accepted, and
fully supported by everybody.” Severus explained.

Harry sighed in relief, he had known he was gay for a few years but didn’t want to tell anyone in
fear of being hated and ridiculed.

“Are there any other questions you want to ask me right now?” Severus asked.

“I… This is a lot to take in.”

“I know, Harry, and I wish I would have known the truth sooner, but your mother had her reasons. I
just want you to know that I am here for you, and I always will be, I promise. No matter what you
need, just come to me and I will help you as best as I can. Now, you need to rest. Would you like
some dreamless sleep potion, to help you get some sleep?”
“Yes, please.” Harry admitted.

Severus took the potion out of his bag, uncorked the vial and held it out to his son. Harry took it
and downed it straight away, grimacing at the foul taste.

“Do all potions have to taste so bad?” Harry moaned tiredly.

“With some potions, if you try to make it taste better, it messes with the effectiveness of the potion.
So, most potion masters don’t try. But this is something we can discuss some other time, when
you’re feeling better. Now, lay down and get some sleep. If you need me then call Pinky and ask
her to get me, okay?” Harry nodded as he laid down in his bed.

“Okay, sweet dreams, Harry. I love you.”

Harry fell into a peaceful sleep that wasn’t riddled with nightmares for the first time in weeks.
Severus placed a charm on the boy to let him know if he wakes or has a nightmare, or if he gets ill,
and he kissed his sons’ forehead, smiling gently at the sleeping boy before leaving the room.

When he entered his fathers’ study he sat on the armchair in front of the fire and called Pinky.

“What can I do for you Master Severus?” She asked happily as she popped into the room.

“Can you make sure something special is made for dinner? And make Harry a birthday cake,
please. Could you also go to my vault at Gringott’s and find all of the photos of Lily and I there
and bring them back here, give them to me. But before you do those things could you find my
father and bring him here no matter what form he is in, I am sure you can sense him.”

“Of course, Master Severus.”

“Thank you, Pinky.”

She bowed and popped out again, leaving Severus to summon a small glass of Firewhiskey.
 A Father Saves His Father
Chapter Summary

Severus completes the ritual to bring Tom, his adoptive father, back to his body. Harry
receives mail because it is his birthday. The three men start getting to know each other
again.

Chapter Notes

If you don't like good Tom Riddle then you probably won't like this chapter.

It took half an hour for Pinky to return to the office with the spirit of his father. He was very much
like a ghost, but thicker. Tom smiled at his son and his son smiled back. Pinky popped away to
prepare what Severus asked for Harry.

“Pinky told me you were back here, and that you had a lot to tell me. I had come back once a
month to see if there were any signs of you being here. But after what Dumbledore did to me you
hadn’t come back.” Tom said, happy to see his son again.

“Sorry father. I didn’t have my true memories. I was made to believe I was a spy for Dumbledore
because you wanted to go after the Potter’s and kill them, including Lily. I thought you had been
the one to kill Lily and James. I know the truth now. I… I have a son.” Severus whispered the last
part, still shocked by the letter and the state he had found his son in.

“Lily’s son?”

“Yes. She sent me a letter, before she died, it was timed to appear to me at midnight of the thirty
thirst of July nineteen ninety-four. Our son’s fourteenth birthday. I got my memories back and she
explained everything. How Dumbledore put her under the imperius curse the day she found out she
was pregnant and made her change my memories of everything, how she couldn’t resist because
she was pregnant, but it broke after she gave birth. But she couldn’t come back to me because I
didn’t have my memories, and she didn’t want to make Dumbledore suspicious. Dumbledore is
controlling Remus and Sirius as well, and the staff at Hogwarts, and the Aurors who are part of the
Order. But Lily has given me information on how to save them and keep them out of his control, as
well as how to save you. She was a Seer so she saw a lot of things when the imperius broke. She
couldn’t see anything before then. She told me how Dumbledore is planning on having the Tri-
wizard Tournament held at the school this year and he’s going to put Harry’s name in it, to make
him compete as a fourth champion. Hoping that Harry will die in one of the tasks. She told me how
Harry couldn’t trust the friends he has made, not all of them anyway. She told me Harry is a
submissive Dark Veela and I apparently will like who his mate is, but she didn’t tell me who it
was. She told me a lot of things, most of which I didn’t like reading.” Severus explained as a tear
slipped out of his eye.

“Where’s Harry? Does he know the truth? Does he know what happened?”
“Yes, he knows. He’s in the bedroom next to mine, resting. He was with Petunia of all people.
Dumbledore put him there, hoping they would abuse him probably. And they did. He was so badly
abused, and someone has been raping him since he was twelve. I managed to heal him, physically,
but I don’t know about the mental damage. He cried because I told him I loved him, because no
one else had told him that before, not from what he remembers. I showed him Lily’s letter to me,
he asked if it was true and I saw a flash of hope in his eyes before it disappeared. I explained to him
about some things, like what Veela were, when I told him he could get pregnant he looked scared,
terrified even, like he thought he could already be pregnant. But when I told him he could only get
pregnant by his mate he looked so relieved. I don’t know how to help him, I don’t know how to be
a dad.” More tears slipped out of Severus’ eyes and Tom wanted nothing more than to hold his son
in his arms and comfort him.

“Just love him, be there for him, teach him things he doesn’t know, give him the childhood he
deserves, or at least provide him with a good childhood from now on. I will be here to help. And I
can help better when my body is back. We can be a family. And we can make Albus Dumbledore
pay for what he has done. As well as everyone else that has ever hurt or betrayed Harry in some
way.”

“That’s a long list of people. Albus Dumbledore, Petunia Dursley, Vernon Dursley, Dudley
Dursley, Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Percy Weasley, Seamus Finnegan,
Lavender Brown, Padma and Parvati Patil, Oliver Wood, Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Molly and
Arthur Weasley, everyone else in the Order who isn’t a staff member at Hogwarts, an Auror, Sirius
or Remus. And that’s just the ones I know, there may be more. We could probably get the rest of
the Weasley’s on our side since they are Harry’s true friends, and when they find out what their
family has been doing I am sure they will want to help Harry. So that is Fred, George, Bill and
Charlie Weasley. Neville Longbottom, and Dean Thomas will also probably be on our side.
Possibly Lee Jordan as well since he is best friends with the twins and is also a friend of Harry’s.
We have to help you, the teachers at Hogwarts, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin and they will be on
our side. There’s also the Aurors Dumbledore has under his control who will probably be on our
side once we save them; Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Nymphadora Tonks. Tonks’
parents might join our cause as well since they were friends with Lily and I, Andromeda and Ted
are their names. Then, of course, there are the people that were on our side anyway, the ones that
aren’t in Azkaban anyway. I just don’t understand how people can hurt an innocent child. My
child.”

“Everything will be okay in the end, Severus. How exactly did Lily say you have to bring me back
to my body?”

Severus held the letter that held the details on how to save his father in his hands and read it
carefully.

“She invented a ritual, one that will counteract the curse Dumbledore used on you and give you
your soul and body back, even without all of the items he hid bits of your soul in. We’ll have to go
to the ritual room to do it.”

“Well then, let’s go. I want to meet my grandson properly and explain to him that I didn’t kill Lily
and James.”

“He knows.”

“I know he knows, but I think he needs an explanation from me. Also, he will need all the help and
support he can get right now, it must be tough for him to find out that his whole life is a lie. I want
to be there for him physically.”
Severus just nodded and lead his father to the ritual room in the basement of the Manor.

“You need to be in the centre circle of runes in the room.” Severus told his father who glided over
to the circle of runes in the centre of the room, standing in the middle of it as Severus read how to
do the spell over and over again until it stuck in his head.

Severus placed a candle in the centre of each of the five runes that surrounded his father and lit
them with a flick of his wand. He then walked back 10 steps away from his father and pointed his
wand at the spirit, looking into the eyes of the man.

“Dat illi corpus, animam suam det illi, det illi cor ejus, dabo illi animam suam, det illi magia eius.”
Severus chanted three times, his wand moving in a figure eight but it still pointed directly at his
father.

At the end of the third chant a golden magic surrounded the spirit of his father and Severus could
see the magic at work, changing his father’s appearance so that he started to look human again. It
took about ten minutes for it to be successful, the magic dissipated and Tom crumpled to the floor,
weak as his body was still new. Severus rushed over to him and held his father in his arms for the
first time in fourteen years. Tom held him back.

They stayed in each other’s arms for a few more minutes before Tom pulled back and truly
examined his son.

“Let’s go see my grandson.” Tom said, smiling at his son.

Severus smiled back and nodded in agreement. Severus stood and helped his father stand, leading
him from the room and to his sons’ room with his arm around his father’s waist for support.

Harry was still sleeping when they entered the room. Severus helped his father into the chair he
had slept in a few hours before, before going to the window where Hedwig was waiting for them.
He opened it and she flew into the room, perching next to Harry on the bed and nudging his hair
off his forehead affectionately with her small beak. Severus sat on the edge of the bed, he
summoned some owl treats for the bird and put a handful of them on the bed before he looked
down at his sleeping son. The bird hooted gratefully and started pecking away at the food.

“He’s beautiful, even if he does look slightly like James right now. I see bits of you in him, though,
if you look closely enough you can see he has your cheekbones, and your ears. He also has Lily’s
nose and lips. I’m guessing the glamour will wear off when he comes into his creature
inheritance?”

“Yes.”

“I wonder who his mate is going to be. Lily did say it is someone you will like. That doesn’t really
leave many options as you don’t like many people.” Tom joked, stifling a laugh so as not to wake
his grandson up.

“I’ll have you know, I like a lot of people, but some of the people I like I’m not allowed to show
them I like them or Dumbledore will get suspicious. And I had plenty of friends when I was
younger, still do.” Severus replied, feigning hurt.

“Has anyone you know, that is going to come into a creature inheritance soon, reported feeling
anything for him that might be slightly romantic? I am guessing it is someone who hasn’t yet come
into their inheritance as they would have saved Harry, knowing he would have been in pain, if they
had come into their inheritance, but the romantic feelings, and feelings of wanting to protect their
mate, can start from the first meeting, they just don’t know when their mate is in danger until they
have come into their inheritance, so it could be someone he knows.” Tom questioned.

“Well, Draco talks to me a lot, with me being his godfather and all, he told me he has a crush on a
boy, but I could tell it was more than a crush. And he said that he couldn’t be with him because
certain people wouldn’t like it if they were together. Harry fits into that category with him being in
Gryffindor, and being The-Boy-Who-Lived. I also think I might have seen him glancing at Harry a
few times. And I have seen Harry glance at him a few times as well…”

Severus stopped speaking when a moan from his son alerted him that the boy was waking. Hedwig
turned to the boy and started nipping his ear affectionately, the men looked at him as well.

Harry giggled as Hedwig’s feathers tickled his skin, and he blinked his green eyes open.

“Harry, how are you feeling?” Severus asked, concerned for his son.

“Better, although, I am feeling slightly sore.” Harry replied as he lifted his arm to stroke his owl.

“Do you want some help sitting up so you can have some more pain reliever potion? It must be
wearing off.” Harry nodded in response and Severus helped him sit up, with the pillows behind his
back, before giving him another dose of the pain reliever potion, not wanting his son to be in pain.

It was when Hedwig jumped onto his lap that Harry noticed the other man in the room, sitting in
the chair Severus had slept in previously. A man with short brown hair that had a few grey streaks
in it, deep blue eyes shone bright with happiness, he had a few wrinkles but not too many, he
looked weak, but happy at the same time. Harry realised it was Tom Riddle, the man he thought
was Voldemort. Harry looked at him, both curious and slightly scared.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Harry. The person that did all those things to you wasn’t me. I didn’t
kill your mother and James. I never wanted to kill you. I would never kill a child, especially not a
magical one. Especially not the child of my daughter in law, even if I thought you were James’.”
Tom spoke in a gentle, calming voice.

“I know, but it’s still hard…”

“I know. But I will make it up to you, we both will. We will be the family we were meant to be all
along, just, without Lily. But she will always be with us. Just as we will always be with you. Also,
happy birthday.”

“Thank you.”

There was a patting on the window and they looked there to find an owl that Harry recognised. Pig.
The owl that Sirius gave to Ron. There were a bunch of parcels and notes hanging off the small
birds’ legs. Severus waved his wand at the window, causing it to open and the bird to fly in,
landing next to Harry on the bed.

Harry looked hesitant to touch any of the letters and parcels though.

“Harry, what’s wrong?” Severus asked his son.

“That’s Pigwidgeon, the owl that Sirius gave to Ron at the end of last year. Meaning those are
from the Weasley’s, and possibly Hermione too.”

Severus used his wand to check for any charms or potions. There were a few but he was able to
counter the effects with some spells, and they weren’t on everything. The gift and letter from the
twins was free of spells and potions.

“They’re safe to open now. I managed to counter all spells and potions on the ones from everyone
but the twins, the ones from Fred and George weren’t affected by anything.” Severus informed his
son sadly.

Harry just nodded and started unburdening Pig of the things tied to his small body. When he was
done Pig left and Harry started opening everything, first opening the present and letter from his
true friends, the twins.

The twins gave him some joke products of their own invention, some chocolate frogs, a small,
handheld mirror, and a book about pranks. Their letter was clearly written by both of them. It said:

Harrykins,

Here is Gred , here is Feorge. Happy birthday little brother! Hope you enjoyed your presents
from us. Use them well. Harrykins, we need to speak to you. About something important. We
can’t tell you what in this letter. The mirror is a two-way mirror. Say one or both of our names
into it, just our first names though, but our first names as we call us. We have the other mirror.
You can speak to us at any time with it. When you are alone say our names into it and we can
arrange a time and place to meet and talk in private.

We hope the muggles are treating you okay.

See you soon little brother.

Love Gred and Feorge.

Harry smiled slightly as he finished the letter, placing it down on top of the box the twins’ presents
were in.

He then turned to the other presents, not wanting to open them but knowing he probably should.

He opened the presents first. He had homemade fudge and a cake from Molly. Some chocolate
frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans from Ron. A book about Quidditch from Ginny.
Some Muggle sweets and a book on Animagi from Hermione. And a ticket to join them at the
Quidditch World Cup from Arthur.

He then looked at the letters, not wanting to read them, but doing so anyway.

Hermione’s said:

Harry,

Have you done your summer homework yet? I have, it’s all quite easy really. You should get it
done soon so you can have fun for the rest of the summer. You are coming to the Quidditch World
Cup with us, right? I am at The Burrow right now, and Mrs Weasley says they’re coming to collect
you in a weeks’ time.

Happy birthday.

Hermione.

Anger flashed in Harry’s eyes for a second before he put the letter down and picked up the next
one. Ron’s read:
Hey Harry,

How are you? Have you done your homework yet? Since she got here Hermione hasn’t stopped
moaning at me to do mine. I’ve done it, though, so now I can just relax for the rest of the summer.
You coming to the Quidditch World Cup with us? Mum said that dad would be picking you up from
your aunt’s and uncle’s in a week.

See you soon.

Happy birthday.

Ron.

He picked up the next letter to find it was from Ginny, who wrote:

Harry,

Happy birthday. How has your summer been? Hope you like my present. Hope you can make it to
the Quidditch World Cup, dad will be picking you up in a week, can’t wait to see you. Have you
done your homework yet? I have. That means that when you do come back we can have fun.

See you soon.

Ginny.

Harry groaned in annoyance before picking up the last letter, which was from Molly:

Harry dear,

How are you? Happy birthday, and I hope you like the fudge and cake, as well as the other
presents. Have you done your homework yet? If not, you should probably get started on it. Hope
you are able to come to the Quidditch World Cup with us, it will be great to have you. Arthur will
be picking you up in a week, but if you can’t make it then be sure to tell us before then.

See you soon.

Molly.

“They said that Arthur will be picking me up from my Petunia’s and Vernon’s in a week. They
want to take me to the Quidditch World Cup. And they’re telling me to do my homework even
though they know that I can’t when I’m at the Dursley’s because they don’t let me use anything
that is anything to do with magic. The twins need to talk to me, they gave me a two-way mirror so
we can discuss a meeting time and place. Do you know when I will be able to meet them?” Harry
said.

“Well, I assume you really only have a week to meet them in private.” Severus looked at his father
who nodded to him, as if knowing what he was thinking. “I think you should use your two-way
mirror and tell them everything when they’re in private, or at least, about me and whatever else you
want to tell them. Then they can meet me somewhere in a few days and I will bring them here so
you can talk with them. If that is what you want. You will need to rest this week. And we have to
decide whether or not you will go to The Burrow, you probably should so as to not arouse
suspicion, but it’s deciding how to get you there now that you aren’t at the Dursley’s. But, for now,
we can leave you if you want to talk to the twins.”

“Yes please.”
Severus nodded before standing and helping his father stand.

“Call me when you’re ready so we can have dinner.” Severus instructed gently before leading his
father out of the room and closing the door gently.

Harry took the mirror out of the box of gifts the twins had given him. He says Fred’s name and
looks into it, waiting for the twins to show themselves.

They do after a few minutes, both smiling at him.

“Harrykins, sorry…” George.

“We took so long…” Fred.

“Had to get somewhere more private.” George.

“Hey guys, thank you for the presents. I love them.”

“You’re welcome…” Fred.

“Little brother.” George.

Harry smiled at them sadly.

“Are you okay, Harry?” They said at the same time.

“I will be. There are some things I need to explain. I am no longer at the Dursley’s. You see, some
truths were revealed, and I am now somewhere else, the person I am with saved me from them.”

“What truths?” Fred.

“Who saved you?” George.

“Why’d you need saving?” Fred.

“Where are you?” George.

“A lot of truths. James Potter isn’t my father. My father is Professor Snape, I am with him. He
saved me from the Dursley’s because I was… being a-abused by them. Hence the reason I am in a
bed now and will probably have to remain here most of this week. I think I know what you wanted
to talk to me about. I think you wanted to tell me how most of your family is working with
Dumbledore to control me, how Ginny is wanting to marry me and have a child with me before
they kill me so they can have my money. Dumbledore is the true Dark Lord. Voldemort is
someone created by him, there is someone called Tom Riddle, he is my grandfather, he adopted
Severus as a child, and he isn’t evil, he is good. Dumbledore killed my mum and James.
Dumbledore killed all of those people. There’s more, too. But I can’t tell you too much yet.
Severus said he can meet you two in a few days and bring you here so we can talk. When are you
two available?”

The twins looked beyond shocked, and angry.

“Wow. I didn’t think there’d be that much. We knew about what our family was doing, other than
Bill and Charlie of course. We can meet Professor Snape in the Leaky Cauldron in two days’ time,
at about twelve, if he is okay with that time. Can we bring Bill and Charlie, too? They are at home
for the summer and wanted to meet you, and tell you that they are on your side, not the family’s.”
“I’m sure that will be fine. And Bill and Charlie can come, too. I would like to meet them. My
mum wanted me to form a group of people that will help me and work with me to change the
Wizarding World. And I think that the four of you would be perfect additions. The only reason I
know all of the things I do is because mum left a letter for Severus to be sent to him at midnight
last night, then he saved me, healed me, and told me some things I needed to know. He didn’t have
his memories before this morning. His true memories anyway. I will explain more when I see you,
though. I promise.”

The twins nodded.

“We can hear the others, we should go. Call us at any time, but we will see you in a couple of days.
We’re glad you got out of there mate.” Fred said.

“Thanks. See you soon.”

Then the twins disappear from the frame and Harry puts the mirror in the box, calling for his
father, although he calls him by his given name.

Severus enters the room within a few minutes and helps Harry out of the bed and down to the
dining room. On the way Harry tells his father what the twins said about meeting him in The
Leaky Cauldron with Bill and Charlie. Severus agrees to it just as they enter, Tom was already
sitting at the table.

Harry is shocked to find a present next to his plate and a birthday cake in the middle of the small
table of the informal dining area.

“Happy birthday, Harry. I’m sorry it isn’t a lot, but there wasn’t much I could do with such little
time. When you are better though I will take you shopping so we can get you some clothes, and
things for your bedroom as well as whatever else you want.” Severus said sincerely.

“It’s fine. Thank you.” Harry replied as he opened his present to find a box filled with photos of his
parents and other people too.

“That’s not all the things I have of your mother, but I figured that will do for now, we can go
through them together if you want, and I can tell you about her and the days the photos were taken
on. I will find everything else I have and you can have those as well.” Severus told his son, not
knowing what else to say as Harry looked through the pictures with tears shining in his eyes.

“It’s great, thank you. One of my favourite presents ever.”

Severus smiled slightly at his son before clapping his hands twice which caused food to appear on
the large empty silver plates that surrounded the birthday cake.

They all helped themselves to the fine food, and although Harry couldn’t eat much he still enjoyed
it, he ate with a bright smile on his face. When they were all done with the main meal the leftover
food disappeared leaving clean plates and the cake still in the middle of the table. Harry was
surprised when they lit the candles on the cake (fourteen of them) and sang ‘happy birthday’ to
him, the first persons whom he could remember ever singing the song to him. He blew out the
candles and they all had a slice of the beautiful, moist vanilla cake which was covered in chocolate
butter cream and read the words ‘Happy Birthday Harry!’ on top in vanilla butter cream.

All in all, despite all the betrayal he found out about, and the pain he had been in, it was one of the
best birthdays of his short life.
 A Son Meets With Friends
Chapter Summary

Harry opens up to his father more. And he meets with Fred, George, Bill and Charlie to
discuss what is going on in the Weasley family and Order, as well as starting to plan
what is going to happen at school.

Chapter Notes

If you don't like Weasley bashing, Dumbledore bashing, or Order bashing, you
probably won't like this chapter.

Two days passed by rather quickly at Riddle Manor. Harry got to know his father and grandfather,
although he wasn’t comfortable with calling them by those terms out loud yet, and he found that he
really liked them. They actually cared about him, they actually loved him. They spent most of their
time with him, except when he was sleeping because he ended up doing a lot of that since he was
still healing, and still in pain when he wasn’t on pain relieving potions. They helped and comforted
him when he had nightmares as well, which was a lot considering his past. His father also gave
him a book about Veela and he read it eagerly, wanting to know everything he could learn about
his kind, and what would occur during his life with his mate.

He was shocked to find out that if your mate dies then you will die a slow and painful death due to
the loneliness you feel after. When he confronted his father on that, and how he wasn’t dead yet
since his mate had died, his father explained that if a Veela has a child when it’s mate had died
then that would keep them alive, the need to protect the child would keep them alive. When Harry
said that he didn’t know he had a child though he added that his inner Veela must have known that
he had a child out there and so he didn’t die. He also said that it would have been a long death, that
it could take years to eventually die, it depended on how powerful you were. Though, he did say
that unless murdered Veela tend to have rather long lives, that their average age of death was a lot
higher than that of a wizards’, and that they tend to remain fertile until the day they die as well.

Harry read quite a few books in those two days, when he wasn’t sleeping he was found curled up in
the library with his family and a book in his hands. He read a book on potions, transfiguration,
charms, and the book of pranks the twins gave him, as well as the Veela one. He also started
looking through the photos given to him by his father with both of the men and he loved the stories
he was told.

It was a few hours before Severus was to go and meet the twins, Bill and Charlie when his father
found him, in the library, curled up on one of the dark green, leather sofas, a book on potions in his
hands, reading it intently, obviously interested in what the book was telling him, when Severus
decided to ask his son why he was suddenly interested in books.

“Harry, I’ve known you for the past three years and I have never seen you being interested in
books, or your studies. Why are you so interested in them now?” Severus asked curiously as he sat
next to his son on the sofa.

“I’ve always loved books. I was punished whenever I did well at school, well, when I did better
than Dudley and he was stupid and didn’t care about his studies, so I had to pretend to be stupid as
well. But I went to the library in school a lot because I didn’t have any friends, Dudley chased
everyone away and they were too scared of him to be bothered to become friends with me. So, I
spent a lot of lunch times and break times in the library, either there or the music room anyway. I
either spent my time reading books or learning how to play musical instruments because the
librarian and the music teacher were the only ones that were nice to me. The only ones willing to
help me. Then on the train to Hogwarts I met Ron and he was the first person to be nice to me, to
become my friend. I didn’t want to lose my first ever friend. He never took any interest in his
studies and I figured that if I did too much better than him then he wouldn’t like me anymore. And
Hermione is the other best friend I had ever made, I feared that if I did better than her then she
wouldn’t like me either. She also didn’t think that I was that clever, so I didn’t want her to change
her mind on that and hate me. I was scared, last year, when I got full marks on my Defence Against
the Dark Arts exam and she didn’t because she couldn’t get past the boggart at the end. I could tell
that she was shocked but she didn’t say anything. Though, sometimes I would go to the library, I
found a part of it that I could be alone in, and I would use the invisibility cloak to be alone and read
where no one could see me. I also read all of my books before first year. I guess I was just scared
of being rejected by the only friends I ever had, so I didn’t want to do too much better than them.
But now that I know the truth about them, I don’t know what to do. I also think that maybe I feared
that if my relatives found out about me doing well at Hogwarts the abuse would be worse as they
would be more scared of me if I was doing magic well. And, you did say that I had blocks on my
intelligence, which is probably why I struggled to remember things for exams, but now I remember
everything I have learnt in the last three years. And if I retook the exams I am sure I could ace
them. Also, now that I think about it, the two of them were always hindering my ability to do my
school work, Hermione moaning about one thing or another and Ron trying to distract me from it.”
Harry explained, Severus was saddened by his sons’ response, and Harry could tell. He looked
back at the book in his hands so as to not see the sad look in his fathers’ eyes.

“Well, from now on I expect you to do your best in school, no matter what. I want you to do your
best in all of your lessons, show Granger who really is at the top of the class. Now that we know
the truth about them I think it would be a subtle start to revenge. But, I need to know, are you
really that bad at potions?”

Harry laughed and shook his head. “No, ever since the events of second year I have been sneaking
into Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom, going into the Chamber of Secrets, where I have found Salazar
Slytherin’s private potions lab, and I make every potion we learn about, and more, I am able to
make them perfectly as well. You can test me if you want. I also turned the dead Basilisk into
useable potions and wand ingredients, waiting to be used. I sold some of it to Ollivander so he
could make wands with it. And I sold some to the Apothecaries in Diagon Alley, Knockturn Alley
and Hogsmeade. I have the money from it hidden in the Chamber, ready to be put into my
Gringotts account when I have the time, although, I did spend some of it on potions ingredients, but
the Apothecaries gave me some potions ingredients for free as thanks for the rare Basilisk parts. I
also have spent some of it on books, on potions and a lot of other things. The rest, of both the
money and the ingredients, are in the potions lab down there, waiting to be used.”

Severus looked shocked, but also proud of his son. Harry was happy to know that someone was
proud of him. He could see that Remus was proud of him when he got 100% in his DADA exam,
but this was his father who was proud of him, that was different, better.

“Do you know what you want to do, after Hogwarts?” Severus questioned, intrigued.
“I don’t know. I mean, people expect me to become an Auror, you know, since I got rid of
Voldemort, and keep doing so. But that’s not what I want to do. I don’t like fighting, and I don’t
want to spend my life doing that. Especially now that I know I will be able to have a family despite
my sexual preferences. I don’t want a job that is too dangerous. I think that the intelligence block
really only worked around exams, as I didn’t struggle before exams, only during them, I just didn’t
want to prove that I was intelligent. But now that it is gone and I am able to do well in exams I
think I want to get some masteries. I will work to my full abilities from now on. I want to get a
mastery in Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Ancient
Runes, and Arithmancy. I have studied books on Ancient Runes and Arithmancy all year and I find
them intriguing. Much better than Care of Magical Creatures and Divination anyway. I was hoping
I could change subjects, but with the teachers being controlled I wasn’t allowed to, I realise that
now. I did ask McGonagall at the beginning of the year but she said I couldn’t. Once you have
saved her I should be able to, though, right?”

“Yes, once they are out from Dumbledore’s control then she should be able to change your courses.
Dumbledore obviously doesn’t want you to be doing anything that requires too much intelligence.
The subjects you chose are simple and easy to pass, especially with the people that are teaching
them. Ancient Runes and Arithmancy are much harder and require more work, they aren’t easy
passes. Who do you want to do the masteries under?”

“Well, I was hoping that the Hogwarts professors, such as yourself, would be able to take me on as
I also wanted to study healing under Madam Pomfrey. You see, before I knew the truth, I was
planning on playing dumb until it was time to take my OWLs then actually do my best in them, and
my NEWTs, then hope that they would take me on as an apprentice. But now I know the truth I am
going to start doing my best now, and hopefully impress them enough to want to take me on, and
express my interest in healing to Madam Pomfrey this year so maybe she could start teaching me
the basics straight away, and maybe take my Healing exams along with my NEWTs. Then stay at
Hogwarts as a part-time Healer whilst I gain my masteries. Supposing, of course, that Dumbledore
and everyone who supports him is gone by then and my life can be simple without the worries of
someone trying to kill me. Then, once I have my masteries I’m thinking of maybe teaching at
Hogwarts as well as helping Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing when my help is needed. Or
working at St Mungos for a number of years before starting to teach. I don’t know yet.”

“You’ve put a lot of thought into this. I’m impressed.” Severus chimed proudly.

“Thank you. Where’s Tom?” Harry asked, happy that someone was impressed with him and that
that someone was his father.

“In bed, he’s still trying to gather his strength after the ritual to bring his body back to him. Now, I
should probably floo to The Leaky Cauldron, I have to meet the Weasley’s soon. Do you want to
meet them in here or in another room?”

“In here, please.”

“Okay, I will bring them through. I’ll be back soon.” Severus said as he stood up, leaning forward
to place a gentle kiss on his sons’ forehead before leaving the room.

Harry smiled at the feel of being kissed by a parent, he had never received kisses like that before,
none that he could remember anyway. It was nice to know that he was loved and cared for. That
someone wanted him in their lives.

It was half an hour later that the four Weasley boys and Severus entered the library to find Harry
reading his potions book. Harry smiled at them and put the book down on the coffee table next to
the sofa before he stood to greet them. The twins hugged him and he hugged them back. The other
two boys introduced themselves and shook his hands. Severus called Pinky to ask for some drinks
and snacks for the five boys before leaving the room and allowing them to converse on their own.

The five boys sat down, the twins on either side of Harry, on the same sofa he had been sitting on
before, and the other two in the two armchairs opposite the sofa.

“Harry, we’re sorry about how our family are treating you. We heard them talking in the kitchen,
about taking money from your vaults at Gringotts, Hermione’s taking books from your family
vaults as well. Then Ginny and mum were talking about getting you to marry Ginny, and getting
her pregnant then killing you so they can have all of your money. We heard them talking about
how they were feeding you various potions and casting various spells on you. And how the Tri-
wizard Tournament will be happening at school this year and the Headmaster is going to put your
name in and make sure it came out so you would have to compete. He has been testing you, every
year except for last year. He also has the teachers, Remus and Sirius under the imperius curse,
controlling them, making sure that they treat you how he wants them to treat you. It was a set-up,
you meeting us before your first year, he wanted to make you hate Slytherin so you wouldn’t want
to go there. That’s all we know, but we told Bill and Charlie straight away and we all hate our
family for what they are doing to you. And we are all with you every step of the way.” George
said, no one else knowing what to say. It was the most Harry had heard one of the twins speak
without the other finishing their sentences.

“I knew most of that already. Here is my mothers’ letter to Severus, you should probably all read it
so you can understand what’s been going on better. Don’t worry, Severus gave me permission to
show it to you all.” Harry said as he picked up the letter from the table where he had placed his
book and gave it to Fred, who read it before giving it to George, and he passed it to his two other
brothers after reading it himself.

They were all shocked and angry at what they read.

“So, you’re a submissive Dark Veela?” Bill asked, curious yet amazed.

“Yes, or I will be on my next birthday, that is when I will gain my inheritance. So, no matter how
much your parents and Dumbledore try to get me to marry Ginny, I wouldn’t be able to, I also
wouldn’t be able to get her pregnant as it is my job to get pregnant, I can’t physically get anyone
pregnant, I am only allowed to mate with my mate. So that part of their plan isn’t going to work
out.” Harry explained with a smile on his face.

“Do you know who your mate is yet?” Fred pondered.

“No. I just know it is either someone I have already met, or will meet this year, and they are a
Veela themselves. They also have to be a dominant Veela. I will find out on my birthday who it is.”

“Has your father started saving the people that need saving?” Charlie asked.

“Yes. He has saved Tom, who is upstairs resting as he needs to gain his strength back after the
ritual. He is also working on the potion so he can give it to the other professors, the Aurors, Remus
and Sirius after using the counter charm. He is also going to give it to whoever is on our side so
Dumbledore can’t control any of us. Which means he has to make a lot of it.”

“And Dumbledore really is the true Dark Lord?” George said in a tone that made the others sense
he didn’t want to fully believe it, but with all of the proof there wasn’t really much else that
Dumbledore could be.

“Yes. He has been playing everyone.”

“Are you going to make that group your mother mentioned?” Fred asked, sounding very interested
in being a member.

“Of course. And you four are the first members, if you want to be anyway. Severus told me where
the Room of Requirement is, and how it works. I can make it so that Bill and Charlie are able to
floo there when we have meetings. And I figured I would meet with more people during the
summer to really start to build numbers. We need people that are going to be my true friends,
people that can help me. People that will work beside me in bringing down Dumbledore and his
followers.”

“Of course, we’ll join. Who else are you going to try and get in it?” Bill replied.

“Well, I was thinking of asking Neville and Dean, as well as Lee, Colin, Dennis, and Alicia from
Gryffindor. Then Susan, Hannah, Ernie, Justin, and Cedric from Hufflepuff. Also, Anthony, Isobel,
Lisa, Terry and Luna from Ravenclaw. And Blaise, Daphne, Draco, Theodore, and Tracey for
Slytherin. I think that it would be good to have people from all houses in order to see what is
occurring in each of them and how Dumbledore is messing with everybody. We also need to stop
the house rivalry which Dumbledore is only making worse and this is a good way of doing so. I
also think it would be a good idea for the staff to be involved once Severus has had the chance to
save them, as well as the Aurors, Sirius and Remus. And I think the ghosts and Peeves should join
since they seem to know things even the teachers don’t. And, if we can get the Room of
Requirement to add some blank canvases we can speak to some of the people from the paintings
around school as well to see if they know anything extra, we can speak to some of the past heads
and see if they know any of what Dumbledore is planning, which is highly likely since they are in
the same room as him. We can find others to help as well, but that is who I am thinking of so far.
And we can train together as well, see if the teachers, etcetera, will teach us extra things and
whatnot. I’m guessing that Dumbledore will want a war, and we need to be trained for it. We need
to be readier than what Dumbledore thinks we’re going to be, which obviously isn’t very ready
considering the fact that we’re not really learning anything useful, especially in Defence as Remus
is the only decent teacher we have had in that subject. I have found out that he has cut out a lot of
important subjects since becoming headmaster. We can also use the Marauders Map to see where
people are at which time, keep an eye on the people we know to be working alongside
Dumbledore. Do you guys know of anyone else who may be willing to join?” Harry said and they
all nodded in agreement to his choices.

“We don’t know anyone else, but we can try and find people.” George replied, the other three
brothers nodding in acceptance.

“Good. Thank you, for sticking by me instead of your family. It must be hard.”

“Harry, we love you…” Fred.

“You’re our little brother…” George.

“To find out what our family…” Fred.

“Is doing to you…” George.

“It hurts us to know that they want to cause you so much pain…” Fred.

“When we thought they loved you…” George.

“We will always stick with you…” Fred.

“You’re our family…” George.

“And we don’t like dark wizards…” Fred.

“We also don’t like Dumbledore…” George.

“So, we are with you…” Fred.

“Every step of the way.” Both of them finished.

“Harry, what our family are doing is wrong. We won’t stick by them and watch them mess with a
child. Especially not our brother.” Charlie added, and Bill nodded to show that he agreed with his
brothers.

“Thank you. What did you say when you told them you were going out for the afternoon?”

“We said we were meeting with Lee. They said they had to grab some things from Diagon Alley.
How do you feel about having babies?” Fred asked, curious.

“Well, I feel great about it actually. I mean, I have known that I was gay for a while, but in the
Muggle world it is frowned upon by most people to be gay, I also resigned myself to not having a
family because of it. But now that I know that I can have a family, of my own, with my own
biological children. It’s great. And I don’t even mind the thought of being pregnant, it sounds like a
wonderful experience, painful for sure, but to feel your own child growing inside of you… it
sounds amazing. Even more amazing considering I didn’t even know that wizards could get
pregnant.” Harry answered truthfully, in awe of the fact that he could have children despite his
sexual preferences, as well as the fact that he could actually carry and birth the children.

“We’ll be sure to protect you and your family, Harry. We’ll be there for you every step of the way.
We solemnly swear on it.” The twins spoke in perfect synchronisation.

“I know you will.”

They talked for another hour, not about Dumbledore or anything, just about themselves, and life,
the twins and Harry catching up and Harry getting to know the oldest two Weasley children. Harry
asked the twins to tell their parents that he wrote to them saying he couldn’t make it to the World
Cup or The Burrow as he would be ‘away with his family’. They were gutted but they knew he still
needed time to heal, and he needed time to speak with others he wanted in his group, so they
agreed.

When they had left Harry picked up his unfinished book, but he didn’t start reading straight away,
he was too busy smiling at the fact that he still had friends, and that he would have more soon. He
thought about everything that had happened and will happen, and although he knew that there were
going to be tough times, he knew he had a family, that will get larger with the new friends and
people he added to it, and that that family would always stick with him. Not because he was the
supposed ‘Boy-Who-Lived’, but because he was Harry. Just Harry.
 A Son Makes a New Friend
Chapter Summary

Harry talks with Draco, and they become the friends that they were meant to be from
year one.

Chapter Notes

If you don't like Harry and Draco friendship then you probably won't like this chapter.

A week had passed since the twins came to visit, it was now the 9 th of August, and Harry was
feeling a lot better than he was when he arrived at the Manor he now called home, but he still
hadn’t worked up the courage to call his father and grandfather by similar names out loud. Tom
was also feeling a lot better; his old energy having been renewed.

Harry continued to read books in the library, and he had finished his summer homework to the best
of his abilities. He also continued getting to know the men that were the beginnings of his true
family. They all spent a lot of time together, other than when Severus was making the potion to
make people not feel the effects of the imperius curse anymore, and others which he needed to
make to stock up the stores at Hogwarts, or when Tom and Harry were resting, or Harry was
studying. Harry was coming to love the men he lived with, but he couldn’t say that to them yet.
Part of him feared the response since he had never told anyone he loved them before.

Well, that was a lie, he had told Aunt Petunia those three words before and he was punished for it.
She whacked him around the head with a hot frying pan. Although the men were getting to know
one another, Harry hadn’t opened up too much about the abuse he had received the past thirteen
years. He hadn’t mentioned much that his family did to him, only talking about how he wasn’t
allowed to do certain things but never telling them about his ‘punishments’. He didn’t have it in
him to talk about that yet.

Harry found his father in the library, reading his favourite potions journal, he was in one of the
black wing-back armchairs that sat in front of the large fireplace. Harry sat in the one next to it and
Severus looked at him.

“Where’s your grandfather?” Severus asked.

“In the garden, he wanted to check on the thestrals that are in the forest, and since I can’t see them I
figured I would come and find you. I was also wondering if you could maybe see if Draco was
available to come here at any point?” Harry replied.

Severus looked shocked at the request.

“Why do you want to see Draco? I thought you didn’t like him.”

“Well, I don’t really hate him, I thought he hated me, you see. He was rather rude to me and my
supposed friends after all. And I would have shaken his hand in friendship in first year, had he not
been rude, and had Ron and Hagrid said bad things about Slytherin. I mean, I was meant to be
sorted into Slytherin, but because of what I learned about the house, and because of Draco being
rude and subsequently being sorted into the house, I begged the Sorting Hat to put me anywhere
but Slytherin. But that is beside the point, I want to apologise to him, and see if the friendship offer
is still open, of course we will have to keep our friendship a secret this year, until my inheritance. I
also would like him and some of the other Slytherins to join my group, but I figured that if I talked
to him first it would be easier, especially since I have a bigger history with him. And I honestly
don’t hate him.” Harry explained, looking at his lap as a blush lined his cheeks, a blush that caused
Severus to smile although Harry couldn’t see it.

“Okay. I will floo them now, when would you like to see my godson?”

“As soon as possible please.” Harry beamed at his father.

“Okay. Are you going to explain everything to him?” Harry nodded. “Do you want to show him the
letter, too?” Harry nodded again. “Okay, I will floo them from this fireplace and see if he can come
through right away. If not I will tell him he can come when he’s available.” Severus said as he
stood up and walked to the fireplace, taking a handful of the floo powder from the pot on top of it,
throwing it in and stepping in, calling out ‘Malfoy Manor’, disappearing in the green flames.

It was half an hour later that Severus stepped back through the fireplace, Draco coming through a
minute after him. Draco looked at Harry, shocked to see him there.

“Uncle Sev, why is Potter here?” Draco asked curiously.

“So, you haven’t told him anything?” Harry questioned Severus.

“No, I figured I would leave the explaining to you since you’re the one that wanted him here. I just
told him that someone wanted to speak to him about something. Draco, he will explain why he is
here and what is going on to you, take a seat, I will ask Pinky to bring you some drinks and snacks.
I will also leave you both alone. Please don’t hex each other. I will be in my potions lab if either of
you need me.” Severus replied before grabbing a potions book and leaving the room.

Draco sat in the chair that Severus was sat in when Harry had found him in the library. They sat in
silence until Pinky popped in with a tray of snacks and drinks which she placed on the coffee table
in front of the chairs.

When she popped back out again Draco gathered the courage to ask a question. “So, why are you
here, Potter?”

“To begin explaining that I should probably let you read this first…” Harry trailed off as he took
his mothers’ letter to his father out of his pocket and gave it to the boy next to him to read.

Draco took the letter in his hand sceptically and read through it, both shocked and somewhat angry
and what he read about the Headmaster of his school doing.

“So… You’re Severus’ son?”

“Yes, he received that at midnight on my birthday and he came to save me from the Dursleys. I
have been in the process of healing all week. And getting to know Severus, and Tom, who we have
managed to bring back to his body. Severus is working on the potion so he can help the teachers,
the Aurors, Sirius and Remus, he’s also trying to make enough so that everyone on our side can
take it and we won’t have to worry about being under the effects of the imperius curse.”
“And, you’re a submissive Dark Veela?”

“Yes, though, like you, I won’t gain my inheritance until my next birthday.”

“And your mum was a seer?”

“Yes. And everything that she saw became the truth. So, obviously she can’t divulge everything
she saw, only the important parts, or parts that don’t really make any difference in anything. Like
Dumbledore putting my name in the Goblet of Fire. That way I can prepare. Or the fact that I am a
submissive Veela because I will know that by this time next year anyway when I will be trying to
figure out who my mate is.”

“And Dumbledore is evil… not Voldemort… or who we thought was Voldemort anyway?”

“Yes. He is Severus’ adoptive father, he’s really nice. He’s in the forest tending to the thestrals
currently. And I believe your parents were on his side in the war, along with Severus, and whoever
else that were claimed to be Death Eaters.”

“This is a lot to take in.” Draco breathed, still in shock.

“I know.”

“Why did you want to speak to me?”

“Well, I wanted to apologise, for not accepting your friendship and for everything I have done to
you in the past few years. I was also hoping we could be friends, or at least lead up to that. But
we’ll have to keep it secret for this year, once I have my inheritance though, and the charm breaks,
we can reveal our friendship as everything, or a lot of the truth will be revealed then. I was also
hoping that you would be part of my group. It will be a group of friends, or at least people I hope
will become friends eventually, and we will help each other train since I assume Dumbledore will
want a war eventually. There will be people from each house in it, that way we can keep an eye on
what is going on in each house, and figure out how to help if help is needed. I also think that it’s
time for some house unity, especially with Dumbledore still in charge and trying to take on the
world. The staff at Hogwarts, Severus, Tom, hopefully the ghosts and some of the portraits, as well
as some others from outside the school will be part of the group as well. We need to find out as
much as we can about Dumbledore and what he’s planning, as well as what he is already doing.
So, er, do you agree?”

“I agree.” Draco said with a small smile on his face, he could tell Harry was nervous. “Have you
got anyone to be in it yet?”

“Yes. Fred, George, Bill and Charlie Weasley. They’re the only Weasley’s on my side, the only
ones I can trust. I spoke to them the other day. They are keeping an eye on their family and
Hermione for me because their family are working for Dumbledore.”

“Okay, do you know who else you want to get in the group?”

“Neville, Dean, Alicia, Lee, Colin, Dennis, Susan, Hannah, Ernie, Justin, Cedric, Anthony, Isobel,
Lisa, Terry, Luna, Blaise, Daphne, Theodore, and Tracey. Do you reckon the other Slytherins I
mentioned would want to join? Do you know anyone else that would want to join?”

“Yes, those Slytherins would want to join. Our parents worked together with your father and
grandfather, and they all distrust Dumbledore. I could speak to them if you want, and try and get
them to come over here at some point so you can explain to them. They love Uncle Sev, so once
they find out you’re his son they would treat you like they would any Slytherin. I don’t know of
anyone else who would want to join currently, but I can ask around, discretely of course, and see if
anyone wants to join. We can’t trust Crabbe, Goyle or Pansy though. I believe their families are all
under Dumbledore’s thumb. None of our parents have ever seen their parents around your father
and grandfather, or mentioned them, so I think they are what people claim our parents to be, Death
Eaters, and that they are working for Dumbledore since it seems that he is actually the leader of the
Death Eaters.”

“Okay, thank you. I probably wouldn’t have chosen them anyway, they seem a bit rough compared
to the rest of you.”

“Oh, they are. So, how are you coping with all of the chages?” Draco asked hesitantly, not
knowing if he overstepped his boundaries.

Harry smiled sadly, “Better than I was. It’s hard, knowing that I’ve been lied to and manipulated all
of my life. And I still have nightmares about my life with my aunt and uncle. I don’t really talk
about it, but Severus and Tom help me through them, they comfort me the way that no one else
has comforted me before. And It’s nice, I feel loved for the first time ever. And I love them, I’m
just scared of admitting that to them. I’m also scared of calling them ‘dad’ and ‘grandpa’, even
though that is what I think of them as. I haven’t had a family before, not a proper one anyway, and
I don’t want to mess it up. I pretend that I’m okay, but on the inside I don’t know what to do. I love
living here, I love them, I just don’t know how to admit it. I’m so scared, terrified even. I have the
one thing I have always wanted, and I am terrified of losing it. And of everything else. So I revert
back to my coping mechanism of pretending that I’m okay on the outside, because I am scared of
showing what’s on the inside. Which really is just one big mess of fear, confusion, betrayal, anger
and a lot of other things. I don’t really know how to cope, but I’m getting there, I think. I’m getting
better now that I have people who actually love me and aren’t using me.” Harry spoke all of that
whilst staring into the fire in the fireplace, not noticing the sadness in Draco’s eyes as the blonde
boy stared at his new friend sadly.

“You should speak to them, you know. Talking helps. And I’m sure you won’t lose them by telling
them you love them, or by calling them by what you want to call them. When Severus arrived at
the Manor today I had never seen him so happy. Before there was always something holding him
back from being truly happy, but now he is, and I know it is because of you. I don’t think anything
you do could make him any less happy. Especially if you tell him you love him, or call him ‘dad’.”
Draco said softly. Harry looked at him, smiling a small smile.

“I know that. I know all of that. But I… I just can’t.”

“Okay. But, if you want to talk to someone, you can talk to me. Until you’re ready to talk to them
that is.”

“So, how has your holidays been so far?” Harry asked Draco, smiling brightly as he changed the
subject.

They spent a good few hours discussing school, Quidditch, and other things. None of them
mentioning Harry’s past, or their old rivalry. Severus found them just before dinner was due to
start, laughing and joking with each other. He smiled at them from the doorway before walking
over to them.

“Draco, you are welcome to join us for dinner if you wish. Your parents gave their permission for
you to be here. But you have to go home straight after.” Severus told his godson gently, smiling at
both boys.

“Okay, Uncle Sev.” Draco replied, smiling brightly at him.

The three headed to the family dining room where Tom was waiting for them. As they ate they
talked about a lot of different things, and laughed a fair few times as well. After the meal Draco
said goodbye to Harry, surprising the boy by hugging him and promising to write, then Severus
lead him back to the fireplace.

That night Harry had a particularly bad nightmare about one of his uncle’s most viscious beatings,
mixed with Dumbledore torturing the four Weasley’s that still cared as well as Draco.

When he was woken by his father and grandfather he couldn’t help but calling them what he had
desperately wanted to call them for the last few days.

“Daddy, grandpa!” He whimpered before the sobs tore through his body.

He was soon wrapped in the arms of both men, hearing their comforting words in his ears as they
rubbed his back or ran their fingers through his hair. They told him over and over that they loved
him, that is was all going to be okay, that they were there for him and always would be. And it just
made him cry harder, because someone actually cared about him, loved him.

For once in his life he had a true family. And he didn’t want them to go away.
 A Father Takes His Son Shopping
Chapter Summary

They go shopping.

Chapter Notes

Contains some bashing of Molly Weasley and Albus Dumbledore. Also contains some
emotional stuff, but not too much. Enjoy!

After his nightmare Harry panicked about not having his invisibility cloak, broom, and the
Marauders map. His father sent a House Elf to collect all of his belongings from the Dursleys,
kicking himself internally for not getting any of it before, before going back to comforting his
scared son.

“It’s okay, child, I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. I promise. I love you, Harry.” He repeats
similar things over and over again, as does his father.

Soon Harry calms down and falls asleep, still clinging to both of them. The two men decided to
stay with him for the rest of the night, knowing that Harry wouldn’t let go of them until the
morning, and wanting to make sure that he was okay, and that he didn’t have any more nightmares
like the one he had just had.

Tom falls asleep relatively easily, Severus, however, stays awake for a while longer. He watches
his son sleep next to him and thinks about how things could have been had Lily not been taken. He
would have been able to raise his son; hear his first word, watch him take his first step, teach him
about the world, spoil him, love him. Him and Lily could have had more children.

Eventually Severus fell asleep, dreaming of the life that could have been but was stolen from them
by the man who was going to pay for all of the pain he had put them and more people through.

When Harry woke up the next morning he realised that his father and grandfather were sleeping on
either side of him. He smiled slightly as he remembered last night. He wasn’t smiling about the
nightmare. He was smiling because he had finally been able to call these two men what he had
wanted to call them for the last week. And they comforted him and loved him in a way that no one
had before.

He felt the men start to move beside him and started getting nervous.

“Good morning, Harry. How are you feeling this morning?” His father asked him.

“Better. Sorry about last night. I didn’t mean to wake you both up.” He apologised.

“Harry, we don’t mind. We are here to help you, and if that means waking up in the middle of the
night to care for you and comfort you when you have a nightmare, we are more than happy to do
so.” Tom told his grandson, Severus nodded in agreement, smiling gently at the fourteen year old.

“Let’s go downstairs, have some breakfast, and then we can get readdy and go shopping. You need
some clothes, and things to entertain you, whatever you want. We can also get your school things,
since I know what you’ll need.” Severus said with a smile on his face.

“O-Okay.” Harry stuttered, smiling slightly.

The three of them got out of the bed and walked together towards the family dining room. As they
ate their breakfasts they talked about school, what Harry’s favourite subjects were, what he
enjoyed learning about and what he wanted to learn. When they were done they all headed to their
separate bedrooms to get ready for the day.

Harry was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans and a black long-sleeved top, with a dark grey hooded
jacket and some black trainers that his father transfigured for him when he met his father and
grandfather in the front hall of the Manor, both of whom were wearing muggle clothes; Severus
wearing black jeans, a black t-shirt and a black leather jacket, and Tom in black jeans and a dark
grey sweatshirt. Severus and Tom also wore glamour charms so that they weren’t too recognisable;
instead of black, Severus’ hair was now dark brown, Tom’s was also dark brown, but his eyes were
green.

“I just have to place a glamour charm on you, then we can go.” Severus told his son, who nodded
in agreement.

Soon Harry’s hair was flat, dark brown in colour, his eyes were black and his scar was gone.
Severus transfigured his glasses so that they were square, not round, and they used the floo to get
to The Leaky Cauldron.

They went to the muggle part of London first to buy Harry some muggle clothes, shoes, books, etc.
using the card that Severus had linked to his Gringotts vaults. A few times Harry was worried
about the amount of money they were spending on him, especially since they brought a lot of
clothes and quite a few pairs of expensive shoes, but Severus informed him that he had plenty of
money saved up from his wages as a teacher, as well as the other things he had done, such as create
and sell potions, and he got paid to help out at St Mungo’s when they needed him to. He told Harry
that he also inherited the Prince estate from his mothers’ father and that also came with a lot of
money, and kept making more money from the companies he was investing in, and the family
vaults were also connected to the card he used.

Harry still worried, but he let them spoil him, especially after they mentioned not being able to
spoil him for fourteen years and wanting to make up for it. He thanked them more than necessary,
though. Tom used his card linked to his own, the Gaunt family, the Slytherin family, and the
Peverell family vaults to buy him things. Tom explained to Harry that before he took over the
Gaunt family Lordship the vaults barely had enough money to get him through his remaining years
at Hogwarts in it, but due to some careful investing on Tom’s part they now held a fair amount of
money in them and continued to grow. The other family vaults had a lot in, though, so he survived
whilst making the investments.

The two grown men told Harry they would help him when it came time to receive his own
Lordships since he would be the Lord to the Potter family, and the Black family if Sirius didn’t
have an heir of his own as he was currently listed as heir until Sirius had a child. He would also
take over their Lordships eventually, and they believed his mother wasn’t a muggle-born since she
had Seer blood in her, so there may be more Lordships for him.
Harry was overwhelmed with information by the time that they reached The Leaky Cauldron again
for a lunch break. Severus called Pinky to take their bags home once they sat in a booth at the back
of the Pub.

“What would you like to eat, Harry?” Severus asked after they had spent a minute looking over the
menu.

“Could I have the chicken salad sandwich with chips, please?” He asked timidly.

Severus smiled at him, “Of course. Would you like a Butterbeer with it?”

“Yes, please.” Harry smiled back.

Severus nodded to him and asked Tom what he wanted. When he had everyone’s orders Severus
headed to the bar to place them and get their drinks.

“So, are you having a good day, Harry?” Tom asked.

“Yes, thank you. But you don’t have to spend that much money on me.”

“We know we don’t have to, but we want to. We have missed out on fourteen years of your life
during which we could have spoiled you, so we are going to spoil you now, to make up for the
times we missed. And everyone who has ever hurt you will pay for hurting you, and Dumbledore
is going to pay for taking your mother and yourself away from us. I know you don’t like the
thought of having to pretend to be someone you’re not this year, and pretend to be friends with
those that betrayed you, but it is only for another year. When you come into your inheritance you
can be your self. However, your father and I still expect you to try your hardest in your lessons this
year. I want you to defy them in the best way possible, by showing them who is really the top of
the class. This last week you have really shown how intelligent you are, I want you to show them
that as well.”

“I will.” That was when Severus returned with their drinks. Harry savoured his first sip of the
Butterbeer before thanking his father. Harry looked around at the people in the pub.

In one corner there was a male couple, one of whom looked to be heavily pregnant. They were
curled together in the booth, both had a hand each on the bump of the pregnant man, both smiling
and laughing, talking and joking. Obviously they were very in love.

He found himself excited for the time where that would be him and his mate, sitting together in an
embrace, their intertwined on his pregnant belly as they felt their unborn child move and kick.
Happy.

“Harry.” Severus called to his son, startling the boy out of his thoughts. Harry turned to look at his
father, blushing slightly as he apologised. “It’s fine. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I was just thinking.”

“What about? You were very deep in thought. We called you a few times to tell you that the food
was here.” Tom asked curiously.

“Just the future.” He replied before eating a chip from his plate. “I… I don’t know what job I want
yet, but I do know that I want a family. That is all I ever wanted. And now I have received some of
that family in the two of you, and the four Weasleys I can trust, and with Sirius and Remus. But
knowing that I am able to have kids, despite my sexuality, is possibly the best news I have ever
received. I mean, as a kid I kind of gave up on the idea of a parent or some other relative coming to
save me, and I love you both more than anything, and I can’t thank you enough for all that you
have done for me in the time we’ve been together. And it’s amazing having a parent and
grandparent that loves you and cares for you. But, at the same time, I’ve always been so alone, so
independent, that despite the fact that I love you both and I don’t want to lose either of you, I gave
up on the dream of having a parent out there who would love me and care for me a long time ago,
part of me didn’t need them because I could do everything for myself. And now that I have you I
realise that I do need you, I always will need you. But after giving up on that dream the thing I
wanted the most in the World was a family of my own; a husband and a small army of kids,
although I figured they would be adopted and that didn’t really bother me despite the fact that I
would have loved some biological children. But I wanted a husband and kids who would love me
unconditionally more than anything, I still do. And knowing that I will be able to bear my own
children is the best news I will probably ever receive because it is the one thing I wanted more
than anything in the world, children who were actually related to me and would love me no matter
what. That way I would know that someone related to me actually cared if I lived or died, or cared
about what was going on in my life. And I had already given up my dream of a parent coming and
doing that for me, a child of my own was the next best thing. But I love you both so much, and I
don’t want to lose you.” Harry said, looking down at his plate the entire time as tears filled his eyes
and one, lone tear escaped.

Severus stood from his seat opposite Harry and moved to sit next to his son, wrapping his arms
around the small boy and pulling him close.

“I’m here now, Harry, and I’m not going anywhere. I am here for you, and I will love you. Always.
We both love you so much, and we are both going to care for you until the day we die, which will
hopefully be a long time in the future. And one day you will have a mate, who will become your
husband. You will have whatever you want for your wedding. Then you will have your small army
of children. You will have the family you always wanted. I promise.” Severus whispered to him
comfortingly.

“Thank you.” Harry muttered in reply as he wiped the few tears off his face.

“Now, let’s eat and finish our shopping so we can go home.” Severus suggested.

Harry nodded and started eating his food again. They all ate, talking about small things as they did
so.

When they were finished they went into Diagon Alley. First they went to Madam Malkins to get
Harry’s uniform for the year, some casual robes, and some dress robes for the Yule Ball that
would be taking place at Hogwarts that year. They then went to Flourish and Blotts to get Harry’s
school books for the year, along with the Arithmancy and Ancient Runes ones for the year, and
some extras as well. Then they got him a new trunk that used a password so only himself could
enter it, it also had five compartments so that he could store books in one, clothes in another, and
so on. They then got him a wand holster for his forearm, some parchment, quills and ink, his
potions ingredients, and some extras. Severus got him a potions journal as well so that he could
write his ideas for new potions, or for adaptations of others, wanting to encourage his sons’ potion
making. They took Harry to Quality Quidditch Supplies to get a new broom maintenance kit and
some more Quidditch gloves. They also brought some more owl treats for Hedwig.

When they had finished their shopping they headed back to the Leaky Cauldron so that they could
floo back to the Manor. However, when they entered the Pub they saw Dumbledore sitting at a
table talking to Molly Weasley.

They looked at each other and nodded, deciding to sit at a table near the couple and Tom put up a
charm so that the three of them could eavesdrop on the conversation without anyone else hearing it
or the two talking noticing that they are listening.

“What do you mean, Albus? Harry can’t be missing. The twins told us that he told them that he
was going on holiday with the Dursleys and couldn’t make it to the World Cup.” Molly said.

“Well, he obviously lied to the twins. Because the Dursleys are still at Privet Drive, and Harry isn’t
with them. All of his things have gone too. We have to find him. We can’t have him finding out the
truth. And he will find out the truth if he is able to go to Gringotts on his own and one of the
Goblins decide to speak to him about why he hasn’t been answering his mail from them. We also
can’t have him learning too much. He needs to remain as ignorant as possible so that I can get the
fake Voldemort to kill him so that I can be seen as the hero after killing the fake Voldemort, then
everyone will listen to me because I will be the hero. We also need to make sure he marries Ginny
and gets her pregnant so your family can get his money when I kill him. But also so that I can use
his child against him if all else fails.” Albus said eagerly.

“I know, Albus. But how are we supposed to find him? He could be anywhere.”

“I’m thinking we could send him a letter asking him to come to the Burrow, and put a compulsion
charm on it so he will come. Then we can dose him with some potions, but most particularly the
love potion keyes to Ginny. The sooner they marry the better. I know they are both young but we
need this marriage to happen before he finds someone else or becomes more independent. I was
thinking the week before Harry’s fifth year of school would be a good time for the wedding.”

“Yes, it would be a good time. Is everything set for the Tournament?”

“Yes. I will put Harry’s name in the Goblet and he will have to compete, and because I keep him
away from all books he won’t know that there are ways out of the Tournament. The first task will
involve getting a golden egg from a nesting mother dragons’ clutch. I will have it rigged so that
Harry will get the Hungarian Horntail. The second task is to collect the person they would miss
most from the bottom of the Black Lake where there are merpeople and grindylows. The third task
is the maze which will have various obstacles in it. When Harry gets to the cup first he will be
transported to a graveyard and the fake Voldemort will be ressurected, they will fight, but Harry
will escape after some torturing. It should be good fun. Let’s hope Harry asks Ginny to the Ball.”
Albus looks at his pocketwatch and grins. “The attack at the World Cup should be happening now,
so your family should be back soon. You should get home and prepare for them.”

“Yes. Good evening, Albus.”

“Good evening, my dear.”

The couple parts ways and Tom drops the eavesdropping charm.

“Let’s go home.” Tom suggested.

The other two nodded and the stood, heading to the floo and travelling home.
 A Family Makes a Plan
Chapter Summary

Severus, Tom and Harry make a plan after hearing the conversation between Albus
and Molly.

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

The three men were sat in the library of the Manor, trying to think of a plan, although they were
currently just sitting in silence as they thought to themselves about what they had overheard and
how they could get around it.

“Harry, it’s up to you whether or not you want to be a Champion or not. We will train you if you
decide you want to, if not we can find a way to get you out. It’s up to you.” Severus said.

“Well, we can’t have Dumbles know that I know everything. However, we should probably go to
Gringotts and sort out my accounts, get my money back etcetera. So, as much as I don’t want to be
in the Tournament, I probably should so that he isn’t too suspicious. We could ask the Goblins to
recall the money and objects, with interest, and when Dumbles goes asking why he no longer has
the money, to tell him that there were discrepencies with another account so they decided to do an
audit on all of the other accounts, so as to make him not suspicious. And when they saw that the
Goblin in charge of my accounts gave him money despite him not legally being my magical
guardian, or any guardian considering I lived with the Dursleys and not him, they changed the
Goblin in charge of my accounts and recalled all money and objects taken, with interest. You can
train me for the Tournament, I can spend my spare time building a following, I’m not going to
pretend to be friends with Granger and the two youngest Weasleys, I will ignore them. I can’t
spend a year pretending to be friends with people who have betrayed me. If they ask why I am
ignoring them, I will just tell them that I overheard them talking about not actually wanting to be
my friend and I want to be myself without them holding me back.

“During the final task dad can change where the cup will take me so it can bring me to you,
grandpa. Then we can send a golem back, one that looks like a dead version of me, or give me the
draught of living death and send me back, perhaps with a note pinned to me telling everyone that
Voldemort is back to bring fear to people, and Dumbles will make it worse by sending his Death
Eaters out for raids and torturing people. We can collect evidence that it is Dumbles doing these
things. Grandpa, if you haven’t already you can take on the Lordships of the Slytherin, Gaunt and
Peverell Houses. Then join the Wizengamot and Board of Governors, get people to like you and
join your cause. Dad could take up the Lordship for the House of Prince and any other House he
might be Heir to, and also join the Wizengamot and Board of Governors, or proxy his seats to you.
I could also proxy my seats to you, then you could have enough seats to become Chief Warlock. If
we all give our seats to the Dark faction then the Dark would have more allies and, we could
change people’s opinions. Since Dumbles has been using my seats illegally we can say that any
vote he cast whilst holding those seats are null and void, meaning going back over those laws
passed and not passed and voting again, hopefully we can change some, like the anti-werewolf
legislation. Take Dumbles’ power from him, slowly make people see that he was wrong. When I
come into my inheritance I will be able to go back to Hogwarts under a different name, get re-
sorted, etcetera. But my friends will know it is me. Dad can say I’m his godson, whom he blood
adopted after my parents died recently. And we can continue taking Dumbles’ power from him,
and eventually, when we’re ready, we will reveal the truth, just as he and his followers are going to
be punished. That way they will find out the hard way what their actions have caused.” Harry
explained with a grin on his face.

“That’s a good plan.” Tom started, “However, what happens if it goes wrong?”

“Then we figure something out. I don’t want to be in the Tournament, but we can’t have
Dumbledore know that I know the truth, like mum said in her letter. When I get my inheritance we
can start releasing the truth about Dumbles, slowly, get more people on our side. Ruin his
reputation. We can go to Gringotts tomorrow, I will make up a will, as Harry Potter, when I come
into my inheritance we can have a different name for me. I can leave everything to my new name,
and dad, I want you to name me. If things go wrong then we’ll think of something, but either way,
Dumbledore is going to appear to people as the bad guy. We will have a lot of people behind us,
including my friends, and your friends, the teachers, Sirius, Remus, the Aurors. We just need to
increase our power and decrease his, subtly of course, that way things are less likely to go wrong. I
have just had enough of my life being dictated for me, of Dumbledore and those traitors using me.
I hate my fame, I don’t want it anymore, so I will ‘die’ at the end of this year, and I will hide here
until after my inheritance. Then I will probably look a lot different, no one will recognise me. And
I can be myself whilst helping to bring down Dumbledore. And I know mum said I should, but I
can’t go on pretending to be friends with those that I thought cared about me. I can’t pretend that
they haven’t hurt me.” Harry said as tears welled in his eyes.

Severus moved to sit next to his son and wrapped his arms around the small boy who was hurting.
Harry started sobbing into Severus’ shirt, clinging to it in his desperate need for comfort. Comfort
which was still relatively new to him.

“It’s okay, Harry, you don’t have to pretend if you don’t want to. Just stick with your real friends.
And I’ll make sure that Ronald, Hermione and everyone else in on the plan stay away from you. If
they even think about hurting you then they’ll have me to answer to. In private of course, because
no one will believe them if they told the truth anyway. And if that is the plan that you want to stick
to then we will stick to it as best as we can. I will send a copy of my memory of the conversation to
Amelia Bones, Rita Skeeter, and the Goblins, but I will ask them not to use it yet, not until we need
them, too. That way we have something ready for next year, or for if the plan fails. We will be
here for you, every step of the way, to help you with whatever you need help with. If you need
somewhere to hide from those that are pretending to be your friends, come to our quarters, or go to
the Room of Requirement. I am nearly done with the potions to free everyone from the Imperius
Curse, then we’ll have them helping us as well. And we can help you find people for your group,
and all of them will help you also. You have a lot of people that are and will be on your side,
Harry. You aren’t alone anymore, and all of us are going to be here for you whenever you need us,
whatever you need us for. And we aren’t going to leave you for a long, long time. I promise. I love
you, my son, and I always will.” Severus whispered to his son in a calm, comforting voice.

“I love you, too, Daddy.” Harry whispered childishly, but he didn’t care. He had missed out on
fourteen years with this man, he could call him ‘Daddy’ if he wanted to.

Severus smiled slightly and placed a gentle kiss on his sons’ head, running his fingers through the
black, messy locks of hair.

“Everything will be alright in the end, child.” Tom said as he walked over to the pair and started
rubbing Harry’s back in gentle circles. “I love you, Harry. Always. And I will always be here for
you, whenever you need me, no matter what you need me for.”
 “I love you, too, Grandpa.” Harry replied quietly as he grabbed hold of Tom’s spare hand and
clutched it to his chest, relishing in the comfort that he was receiving from the men.

The three of them sat in silence for a while, the two men comforting Harry, and Harry relishing in
this concept that only recently became a part of his life. But it would be a part that he would always
cherish, especially after spending thirteen years without comfort, and with those years being the
majority of his childhood he wanted to take some time to feel like the child he still was, and he
wanted to cherish the things that he had never had before; the love, the comfort, the happiness.

Harry just hoped that his plan worked, then they would all be safe again. They could all be happy
without the fear of Dumbledore tearing them apart again, without the fear of Dumbledore ruining
the Wizarding World that had become home to all of them with all of his schemes.

He hoped that everything really would be alright in the end.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I am sorry for the wait but I
have been real busy with work and family things; haven't had much time to write. I
would also like to thank all of you that commented ideas, they were all really good and
I thought I would incorporate some of those to thank you for taking the time to read
my work. But, whether the plan will work out or not will be seen in a later chapter, so
if you want to know how it goes then keep reading :) hope you are all well!
 A Son Thinks About Life
Chapter Summary

Hi, I hope you are all well. Sorry for the very long wait but I have been ill, and busy,
and had a lot of stuff going on. I hope you enjoy the chapter though. It is Harry
thinking about life.

It was later in the evening and Harry was exhausted from all the emotion of recent times, but he
couldn’t sleep. There was simply too much on his mind.

He had been betrayed by people he used to think of as family. As friends.

He found out he had a father. And a grandfather.

He found out he had been lied to about everything.

He found out he was due a creature inheritance in a years’ time.

He found out he would have a mate who would love him always.

He found out he could get pregnant with his own children.

That thought always managed to bring a smile to his lips. He placed a hand on his flat, too thin
stomach and imagined what it would be like to carry his child within him. To birth him or her. To
hold them in his arms. To raise them. To love them.

Merlin did he want a child. That might be weird considering he was only fourteen years old. But he
wasn’t a normal fourteen-year-old. Mentally he was an adult. He had been through too much in his
short life to be considered a child anymore. The last time he was ever allowed to be a child was the
first fifteen months of his life. After that his life consisted of abuse, manual labour, and a lot of
other horrors that normal fourteen-year-old children don’t have to experience.

In fact, he had been through more than most adults had been through.

He thought about how nice it would be to feel his child move within him. How nice it would be to
be lying in bed with his mate, wrapped in each other’s arms, fingers intertwined on his distended
stomach, feeling their child kick, and squirm. Both of them talking to the baby about nothing and
everything. Discussing names, how to decorate the nursery, what they needed to buy, what they
would all do together.

He didn’t fail to see that he was imagining all of this with the person he had had a crush on for,
well, for a long time. Although, he wouldn’t really call it a crush since he was pretty sure he was in
love with him. He didn’t fail to imagine children with platinum blonde hair and green eyes, or with
black hair and blue eyes. Or children who looked just like Draco Malfoy, but with maybe a few of
his own features.

He thought about how his father had told him that Draco was a Light Veela. Merlin did he wish
they were mates.
Harry thought about what would happen when school started up again. The Tournament. He
shuddered at the thought. He didn’t want to compete in the blasted thing, but he knew he had to.
He couldn’t let Dumbledore know that he knew the truth yet or there would be trouble.

Harry didn’t know how he would be able to get through this year. He knew it was going to be one
of the hardest years of his life. He felt so alone. So lost. So confused. Like the whole world was
going to swallow him whole. Like everything was going to go wrong. Like he was going to break.
Like he was going to drown in a sea of tears. And he didn’t know what to do.

He knew that he wasn’t alone. That he had his father. His grandfather. His few remaining friends.
The ones that didn’t betray him. He knew he could go to any one of them. But he didn’t know how.
He was so used to being alone. But he didn’t want to be alone. He knew he wasn’t. But being alone
was all he knew, and he didn’t know how to go asking for help. Help that he knew he would need.
Because this was going to be a difficult year.

He knew that he would break down multiple times this year. And he knew that he had people he
could go to, people who would help him through them. But he didn’t know how to go to them
because he had never had anyone to go to before.

He wished everything would just end. That he didn’t have the weight of the world on his shoulders.
That he didn’t live such a horrible life. That he didn’t have people trying to ruin his life even more
than it already was. That he didn’t have a mad man trying to control him. That he didn’t have
people betray him. That he didn’t have this life. That he was just a normal fourteen-year-old boy
with normal teenage issues.

But he was so thankful that he wasn’t alone anymore. That he had a father who loved him and
would look after him. That he had a grandfather who loved him. That he had some friends who
didn’t betray him. That he had a creature inheritance that would allow him to have everything that
he ever wanted.

But he wanted his mum. Needed his mum.

But she wasn’t there because a mad man killed her. One that wanted to kill him. After betraying
and using him, of course.

His father had been amazing, but he needed his mum. Nothing could beat a mothers’ love and
comfort. The few times that Molly Weasley had hugged him over the years he thought he had
found someone who could love him the way only a mother could. But now he realises that all of it
was a lie. A very good lie. But he needed his mum. He needed her there to comfort him, to help
him with having children when he got around to that. To help him be a good mother, because that
is what he wanted to be. A mother.

He knew his father would help him, through everything. And for that he was grateful. But he
wanted his mother there too. Needed her there.

Merlin, he was confused. And Tired. And emotional. And distraught. And so many other things.
He didn’t know what to do. He wanted nothing more than for life to be simple. For his life to just
get easier.

But he knew that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.

Not with Dumbledore still around. Or his ex-friends. As long as they were around, they would just
keep making life difficult for him. They would just keep hurting him. They would keep betraying
him.
He was scared.

Scared of what the next year would bring.

Scared of what other pain they could cause him.

Scared of what they could do to him and his true family.

Scared of losing everything he has recently gained.

Scared of being found out too soon.

Scared that this has all been one massive trick.

Scared of everything.

Literally everything.

But he had no choice but to pretend to be strong. Like he always had. And he hated that. Hated all
the masks he had to wear. Hated being ‘Harry Potter’.

He knew he was going to break down multiple times this year. The pressure had been building too
much. Too fast. He was just going to break at some point. And he would keep doing so. He had
spent too long ‘being strong’. He had spent too long hiding what he was feeling, and it was all
getting to be too much for him. He couldn’t take it anymore. He needed a break. He couldn’t deal
with the rubbish in his life anymore. He just couldn’t.

But it was an ongoing battle and he knew it was going to last years. He wouldn’t be free of this
pain for years.

He wouldn’t be free.

That was the thought that finally sent him to sleep. He didn’t even notice that he had been crying
and that his eyes were red, and his cheeks sore. He just fell asleep. Too tired and pained to do
anything else.
 A Son Needs a Friend
Chapter Summary

So, Harry is really feeling some stuff in this chapter. I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Harry woke groggily to the sound of someone knocking on his door. His eyes and cheeks felt sore
and he realised that he had cried himself to sleep the night before.

“Harry, are you okay? Is it alright if I come in?” Severus said from the other side of the door,
sounding worried.

Harry sat up in his bed, rubbing his eyes, “You can come in,” he said, although his voice came out
rather scratchy.

The door opened and Severus looked at him, his concern showing especially as he saw the
evidence of tears on his sons’ face. Severus hurried to the bed and sat next to Harry, placing a
gentle hand on his knee and rubbing gently with his thumb.

“Are you okay?” Severus said.

“I… I don’t know. No. I… It hurts,”

“What hurts? Are you injured? Are any of your injuries flaring up?” he hurried out, his eyes
showing a hint of fear.

“My body is fine,” Harry whispered, looking down at the long fingers stroking his knee in
comfort.

“You know you can talk to me and your grandfather, right?” Severus said as understanding
dawned on his face.

“I know… I just don’t know how,” a tear slipped out of Harry’s eye, stinging slightly against the
redness of his cheeks but he didn't pay it any mind.

“I understand. And when you’re ready to talk we are here with open ears and arms. Even if it is
just something small you want to talk about,”

Harry just nodded, not really sure what to say. He knew that they would be there for him, that he
could talk to them about anything. But it was all so new. All so terrifying. He wasn’t used to this
good attention. He wasn’t used to having people who cared. And he didn’t know what to do with
it. Or how to accept it.

He accepted it, but he didn’t know how to accept all that came with it. He didn’t know how to ask
for help. He didn’t know how to talk about himself or his feelings. Not really.

It was all so confusing. So scary. Letting those parts of himself out. Letting people in like that.
“Come on, it’s time for breakfast. The Malfoys will be coming for dinner tonight as they want a
proper introduction to you. Is that okay with you? If not, I can rearrange for a time where you feel
ready,”

“No, it’s okay. I will be fine. I would like to properly meet Draco’s parents,” Harry said as he
shook Severus’ hand off his knee and stood up from the bed, “I’m going to get ready, I will be
down for breakfast soon,” he walked slowly towards his bathroom.

“Okay,” Severus said, a sad look in his eyes as he watched his son close the bathroom door behind
him. He sighed deeply and left, hoping that Harry would talk to someone, even if not himself,
about what he has and is continuing to go through. And yet, he understood how difficult it was to
do so. It had taken him a long time to open up.

Severus entered the dining room to find his worried father practically gnawing at his fingernails.

“Is he okay?” Tom said, a hitch to his voice.

Severus sighed as he sat down, “I don’t think so. But all we can do is keep telling him we love him
and that we are here for him,”

Tom nodded, “Is he okay with the Malfoys coming over?”

“He says he is. But we’ll see, I suppose. If worse comes to worse we can just send them home
early. They will understand, I have told them little bits of his home life, and about Dumbledore and
the other’s betrayal. They understand that he is still adjusting and is going through a lot,” Severus
stopped as he saw his son enter the room dressed in black skinny jeans and a baggy, deep green t-
shirt.

Harry was, looking at the floor as he walked, his mind whirling, “Good morning,” he whispered to
his family as he sat at the table and they all started eating, Harry not taking all that much food.

“Good morning, Harry. Did you have a good sleep?” Tom asked, trying to start a conversation, and
also trying to hide the worry he was feeling.

“It was alright, I guess,” Harry said, keeping his head bowed, trying not to think of the things his
mind was throwing around his head, or anything at all really. He just wanted to forget, “How did
you sleep?”

“I slept fine, thank you. Is there anything you would like to do before the Malfoys arrive?” Tom
said.

“Um… could Draco come over and his parents join us in time for dinner? I would like to get to
know him better,” Harry said, finally looking up, a hopeful look in his haunted eyes.

“I can certainly ask for you. I don’t believe they have any other plans for the day,” Severus said, a
sad smile on his face as he hoped that Harry would be able to open up to Draco.

“Thank you,”

They continued the meal in silence. Neither man knew what to say to Harry and Harry did not want
to talk about anything. When they were finished and the table cleared Severus went to the fireplace
to floo to Malfoy Manor. Harry sat, looking at his hands in his lap, his fingers twisting together. He
didn’t notice the long look of concern that his grandfather was giving him.

It didn’t take long for Severus to floo back, with Draco coming out of the fireplace shortly after
him. Harry glanced up and smiled when he saw Draco, who smiled in return.

“Dad, can I take Draco to my room, please?” Harry asked his father with pleading eyes.

“Of course, so long as you both come back down in time for lunch,”

Harry nodded and grabbed Draco’s hand, practically dragging him out of the room and back
towards his bedroom.

As soon as the two boys collapsed onto Harry’s bed Harry sighed, falling onto his back, his legs
hanging over the side of the bed, Draco looked down at him from his spot next to him with
worried eyes.

“Harry, are you okay? Sev looked really worried when he floo’d over,”

Harry sighed again, turning his head to meet Draco’s stunning eyes.

“No. I don’t know. I… Last night, I just… I laid here, trying to sleep, but all I could do was think
about… everything. It all just… hurts,” he whispered, so quietly he thought Draco might not have
heard him, he didn’t know if he was relieved or not that Draco actually did hear him.

“I understand. I mean… I haven’t experienced any of the things you have. Any of the things that
you are still going to experience. But I know how I would feel if I was in your situation. And I
know that you haven’t had anyone to rely on, not truly anyway. I also know that it is going to take
some time for you to really trust anyone enough to open up to them… but, just know that you aren’t
alone anymore. I know that is a new thing for you, and it will take some time to get used to it. But
we are all here for you, to support you, to listen, to help you. And we will keep telling you until
you believe us enough to let us help you,”

“I know. I guess, before last night I was just too shocked to really be anything but happy-ish with
my new family, despite everything. I was okay. Not really thinking about anything other than the
love I was feeling from them, for them. But then everything just kind of came crashing back last
night, and… I guess I’m a tad lost,” Harry admitted, looking at the ceiling again.

Draco laid next to Harry, turning his head to look at his new friend, “What do you want, Harry?
What do you need?”

“I don’t know,” and he really didn’t. He didn’t know what he needed because he had never thought
about himself before, not really.

Harry gasped in shock as Draco’s hand slid into his, their fingers twining together as warmth and
comfort ran through Harry’s body, flutters erupting in his heart and stomach.

“Well, until you figure out what you need, we will just continue to show you that we are here for
you. That we care,”

Harry’s throat bobbed, “Thank you,”

“So, what do you want to do for the rest of the summer? Do you have any plans with your father
and grandfather?” Draco changed the subject, somehow sensing that Harry was uncomfortable and
needed his mind to be taken off their thoughts. He smiled, blushing slightly at the feelings that
surged through his body, though, not that Harry noticed, he was still looking at the ceiling.

Harry smiled slightly, “I don’t know if there are any plans. I don’t really know what I want to do as
I have never really done anything over the summer, or just ever really. So I don’t know what I like
to do, or anything,”

“Well, we’re going to have to change that. I will speak to my parents and Sev and see if we can’t
make some plans or something for the next few weeks. Have you ever been to a beach before? The
theatre?”

“The only time I was ever allowed to go anywhere, even if they were very reluctant to take me,
was the one time I was able to go to London Zoo, and that ended rather badly,” Harry shivered as
the memory of what happened when they got home flashed to the forefront of his mind.

Draco squeezed Harry’s hand in hopes to comfort the other boy. His heart hurt at the thought of all
that he knew Harry had gone through, and all that he could only assume based on his new friends’
actions and the few things he had been told.

“Well, we’ll make sure you get to go everywhere. We’ll help you make new, happy memories. I
promise,”

Harry smiled and turned his head to look at Draco, who smiled at him in turn.

“Thank you,” Harry said softly.

“You don’t need to thank any of us, Harry. Least of all me. You deserve to be happy, more than
anyone I know. I am sorry that none of us realised what was happening to you sooner. And I know
that things are going to be hard for a while longer, but you won’t be alone, through any of it. No
matter what happens, you won’t be alone,”

“I know. It is just hard to remember when you’ve been alone for your whole life,” he muttered, “It
is hard to… how do I… I was doing okay here. I was happy. I felt loved and safe - I still feel loved
and safe. I am happy that I have family, and some friends still, who care about me. I just…
everything is so different. Everything hurts. I mean, why? Why would they want to hurt me, use
me? Why? What did I do wrong? I’m scared. And I don’t know how to… what I… I don’t know,”

“Harry, you didn’t do anything wrong. You don’t deserve any of the pain that you have
experienced. You are kind, and caring, and smart, and talented, and beautiful, and so much more.
You are the best person I know. You deserve the world, and more. And you will find happiness,
because we will do everything we can - I will do everything I can - to make sure you find what you
need and want,” Harry’s eyes glistened with tears as he listened to Draco.

“You can’t mean that. I’m not any of those things,” Draco’s heart broke at Harry’s words and the
tears in his eyes.

“Harry, you accepted me as a friend despite all the horrid things I have done to you and your
friends these past few years. You have befriended all the house elves at Hogwarts, and Dobby. If
that doesn’t show how kind and caring you are then I don’t know what does. I have seen, many
times over the years, how smart you really are. I have seen you reading on your own in the library,
books in all the classes that are above the level we are being taught. Books on healing. I have seen
you create perfect potions then destroy them without causing danger to anyone in order to hide
your smarts. You are probably the best Seeker I have ever seen, and I have been to my share of
professional games. And I heard you sing once when you thought no one was near, and you sound
loads better than any singer I have ever heard. And you are beautiful. Your eyes are the most
mesmerising things I have ever seen, and that is just the first thing I could say about you. You are
beautiful, inside and out,” Draco was breathless as he finished his impassioned speech, but with the
way he said it, with such brutal honesty and conviction, Harry had to believe he meant every word.
 Harry felt his body shaking and tears pouring down his cheeks as he rolled onto his side so that his
back was facing Draco and his knees tucked to his chest. He didn’t want Draco to see his tears. He
gasped as he felt Draco move closer to him, his Quidditch toned chest against his back as he
wrapped a protective arm over his waist.

“Is this okay?” Draco asked hesitantly as he felt Harry tense slightly in his arms.

“Y-yeah,” Harry whispered, slowly relaxing in the arms of the boy he secretly loved. He entwined
his fingers with Draco’s and pulled the blonde’s hand to his chest. He sniffled as tears continued to
pour down his cheeks.

He felt safe.

They laid there, mostly in silence, although sometimes talking about inane things. Things they
liked. Things they didn’t. Things they’ve learned. Their favourite colours.

When lunch came around they went downstairs and joined Tom and Severus at the table, where
they all talked quietly about more inane things. Draco also tried to cajole them into plans for the
rest of the summer.

The two of them went flying after lunch, just enjoying the freedom of the open air around the
manor as they explored the gardens from the sky, talking about what they found and anything else
they wanted to.

It was fun, despite Harry’s whirling thoughts and memories that kept plaguing his mind. He
enjoyed spending time with Draco. And, not for the first time, he found himself hoping that the
blonde was his mate.

Chapter End Notes

Hiya, I hope you are well!

So, I am back. I mean, life is still knocking me down a lot, and a lot of shit is
happening but I believe I am at the point where I can get back into writing. Where I
need to get back into writing. I do have a one shot that could be turned into more if
people want it to be which I uploaded recently. And I am hoping to update my other
stories asap. I am working on a schedule of sorts to fit everything around my job and
such, I am also working on other Harry Potter fanfics which I hoping to publish the
first chapters of soon so keep an eye out.
I have just created a Facebook page also where I will be updating you all on when I am
going to be uploading, where we can talk about Harry Potter, fanfiction, share memes,
and such. If you would like to join then it is called Maraudering_Paige so feel free to
join. I welcome you all. I also think it would just be a great place where we can
support each other with other things, life is tough and it is nice to have people we can
talk to and go to for support should we need it.
I hope you are all having a lovely day, and that you all enjoyed this chapter, it took me
all day to write, but I think I am happy with it. Next chapter will be Harry being
introduced formally to Narcissa and Lucius and the dinner they have.
 A Dinner with the Malfoys
Chapter Summary

Hiya, I hope you are all well!

Sorry for the delay but life has been messy lately. There's a lot going on and I... well, I
needed some time I guess. I swear that eventually I will update regularly. Anyhow
here is the dinner with the Malfoys, I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Harry and Draco made it back to Harry’s bedroom about an hour before dinner was due to start.
They freshened up and sat on Harry’s bed to play a game of chess. Draco was clearly shocked at
Harry’s ability and he could see Harry tensing up at the look on his face.

“Harry, it’s okay. I just have heard a number of times that you aren’t good at the game and am
shocked. It is a good shock though. I’m not upset or anything that you are beating me. I’m proud of
you. I promise,” Draco said, worry in his eyes.

“No, I should let you win, I have to let you win,” Harry mumbled quietly, so quietly that Draco
almost missed it.

“No, Harry. It’s okay. You are allowed to win. I don’t mind. Honestly,”

“But-”

“No but’s, Harry. It’s a game, I don’t mind who wins so long as we are having fun. I promise. I am
happy that you are winning,”

“Why?” Harry looked genuinely confused, which upset Draco though he didn’t show it. He didn’t
want Harry thinking the wrong things.

“Because it means that I finally have someone who can challenge me at this game. Everyone else
is too easy to play against. It is boring winning all the time. And because you are allowed to win,
you are allowed to succeed. You are allowed to be happy,”

“I don’t understand,” Harry whispered, pain in his eyes.

Draco’s heart hurt at the hurt in his new friend.

“That’s okay. I will just keep telling you until you do understand,”

There was a knock on the door, “Boys, Draco’s parents will be here shortly. Meet us in the living
room in five minutes, please,” Severus said through the door.

“Do you want to go now or wait a couple of minutes?” Draco asked.

“Go now,” Harry said nervously as he stood, his hands wringing in front of him.
“Okay,” Draco grabbed Harry’s hand gently, twining their fingers together and led him to the
living room, slowly.

They arrived just as Draco’s parents were stepping out of the floo and Draco felt Harry’s grip
tighten in nervousness.

“It’s okay,” Draco whispered to Harry before leading him over to the adults who were conversing
amongst themselves.

“Mother, father, I would like you to meet my friend, Harry. Harry, these are my parents, Narcissa
and Lucius Malfoy,” Draco said proudly, a beaming smile on his face.

Harry smiled shyly at the two. Narcissa was smiling at him gently, and Lucius was almost
smiling.

“Hello, it is nice to meet you,” Harry said quietly.

“Hello, Harry. It is nice to meet you also. Draco has told us lots about you,” Narcissa said kindly, a
motherly look on her face.

“Hello, Harry. I personally would like to apologise for what happened the first times we met
during your second year. I wasn’t in my right mind at the time. But it's good to meet you properly,”
Lucius said.

“That’s okay, sir,” Harry said.

“Shall we go through to the dining room?” Severus said, a small smile on his face as he looked at
his son.

They sit at the table, Harry in between Severus and Draco, Tom at the head, and the two adult
Malfoys opposite the three of them.

Harry thought it odd when the food and drinks arrived that Mrs Malfoy had water instead of wine
like the other adults. But he didn’t comment on it.

He stayed quiet for the majority of the meal, only speaking when spoken to. He was glad that
Draco hadn’t let go of his hand, even if it made it harder to eat.

Not that he was particularly hungry anyway.

“So, Harry, have you given much thought as to what you would like to do after Hogwarts?”
Narcissa asked kindly.

Harry blinked, a little overwhelmed.

“Erm… well, I was thinking maybe training to be a healer. But I… I don’t think I will be good
enough. It seems quite difficult and I…” He trailed off, not knowing what to say or how to feel.

“I am sure you will be a wonderful healer, Harry,” his dad said and Harry looked at him, shocked.

“But I… I’m not good enough for it-”

“Harry, you forget that I have seen the books you read in the library, especially the healing ones.
You are more than capable of getting the grades required for healer training, and you will be an
amazing healer,” Draco said, a small, sad smile on his face.
“But-”

“No but’s, Harry. You will be amazing and we will all be there to support you every step of the
way,”

Harry couldn’t help the blush that bloomed on his cheeks at Draco’s words. He looked at his lap,
shocked that people could think such good things about him. Draco squeezed his hand
comfortingly.

It was all too much. He had never had anyone believe in him before, not really. They believed in
‘Harry Potter’ but never ‘Harry’. But here he was surrounded by people who believed in him. Who
believed in his ability to do things. To be good at something.

It hurt.

It hurt that he hadn’t had anyone to truly believe in him before now. He had his Quidditch team,
but that was really it. No one else.

He faintly heard someone calling his name, perhaps telling him to breathe, the words were all
jumbled. But he became distinctly aware that it hurt.

It hurt to breathe.

It hurt to think.

It hurt to feel.

His vision was spotting, but he didn’t care.

He could feel people holding him, but he didn’t care.

He wanted a different life.

He wanted peace.

He wanted freedom.

He wanted to not feel lost.

He wanted to breathe.

But he couldn’t.

It hurt.

Everything hurt.

He was tired.

Tired of pain.

Tired of life.

Tired of hurting.

Tired of everything.
 He just wanted it all to end.

He welcomed the blackness that surrounded him as if it were an old friend.

Chapter End Notes

Hiya, I hope you are all well!

Sorry again for taking a while to update, I swear that I will one day be able to post
regularly but life is messy at the moment and things are just tough. But I hope you
enjoyed the chapter, even though it is rather short.
I have a Facebook group called Maraudering_Paige where we talk about Harry Potter,
fanfiction, life, share memes and more. You are all welcome to join if you want to, I
will accept you all. I will also, when I get around to it, be posting an update schedule
of sorts on there. And that is where I will be letting you all know when I will be
posting, what I will be posting, etc.
I hope you are all having an amazing day.
Kind regards,
Paige xx
 A Son Needs a Hug... Or Many
Chapter Summary

Hiya, how are you all?

I hope you enjoy the chapter, sorry for the slight delay in uploading again.
Also, I am doing crystal/spiritual advent calendars on my crystal shop so if you are
interested in one (I have a 7 day, 12 day, 25 day and 31 day one) then you have a week
or two to place your orders before I remove the listings. They are personalised
somewhat as well. Let me know if you are interested and I will tell you where you can
find them.
I hope you are all having an amazing day.

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Harry woke tiredly, groggily to find that he was in his bed and someone was next to him, holding
his hand. He turned to the side to find Draco lying next to him, his platinum hair radiating the
sunlight seeping through the cracks in the curtains. He was sleeping peacefully, a small smile on
his face even though he had worry lines around his eyes.

Harry’s heart fluttered as he brought their intertwined hands to his chest and held them, cherishing
them.

Merlin, if Draco wasn’t his mate he didn’t know what he would do. He needed this. Needed him.

There was a soft knock on the door and his dad entered the room, looking at him worriedly as he
crossed over to the bed and sat next to Harry, running his fingers through Harry’s hair.

“How are you feeling?” Severus said quietly, not wanting to wake Draco.

“Tired. I-I’m sorry for ruining dinner,” Harry said, looking at the hands on his chest, not wanting
to see the anger that was sure to be in his dad’s eyes.

A gentle finger lifted his chin, however, forcing him to look at his dad. He was shocked to see only
worry and love in the eyes however.

“Harry, you did nothing wrong. None of us are angry with you. We are just worried. But know that
we are all here for you, to support you, with whatever you need. I love you, Harry, and nothing is
ever going to change that,”

“But-”

“No buts, Harry. We care about you, we are worried. But we aren’t angry. You did nothing wrong.
And I will keep saying that until you believe me. I will keep telling you I love you, until you
understand. I know how difficult it is, believe me, I do. But I do love you, we all do, and we all
believe in you. And we will keep showing you that until you believe us, and we will still keep
showing you that long afterwards,”

Harry’s throat bobbed with the emotions welling up in him and he felt Draco moving beside him.
He turned his head and found Draco slowly waking up, his eyes red with what he assumed was
sleep.

“Harry, you’re awake,” Draco said, relieved, as he sat next to his friend and squeezed his hand
comfortingly, “How are you feeling?” the worry in his eyes and voice made Harry’s stomach
flutter with happiness.

“Tired. I’m sorry for ruining dinner with your parents,”

“You didn’t ruin anything, we all understand and care for you. You worried us, but that is all. It
isn’t your fault,” Draco said, a smile on his face even though the worry was still clear in his eyes.

“Why? Why do you all care about me? I’m nothing,” Harry asked, tears welling in his eyes.

“Harry, you are everything. You are my friend. Sev’s son. You are amazing. Kind, caring, loving,
selfless, intelligent, beautiful inside and out. You are the most amazing person in the world and
you deserve love, and care, and kindness. You do not deserve the pain you have been through, and
are still going through. You do not deserve pain at all. We all wish we could take your pain away
from you. And we will do everything we can to help you, love you, care for you, and do whatever
you need us to do to help you believe that you are worth it. Because you are worth it, Harry. You
are amazing,” Draco said and Harry’s heart felt like it was going to burst.

Draco pulled Harry gently into his arms and Harry practically melted in their safety and warmth.

“I love you, Harry,” Draco whispered so quietly that Harry almost missed it.

But he didn’t miss it.

Harry’s heart was beating fast, but not so fast it hurt.

Draco loved him.

“I love you, too,” he whispered back, his voice shaky, but the smile on his face was brighter than
any star in the sky.

Draco loved him.

He felt his dad wrap his arms around them and a kiss on the top of his head, “I love you, Harry.
And I am here for you, always. But I will leave you two to it for now, breakfast will be in an hour,”

“I love you, dad,” Harry said before his dad kissed his head again and left the room.

His dad loved him.

Draco loved him.

It was hard to believe.

Hard to believe that he deserved that love.

No one had ever loved him before.

Not that he could remember anyway.

Why did everything have to hurt so much?

Harry felt himself shaking with tears. Everything hurt. Why? Why did they love him? He was
nothing. He was a freak.

Even more of a freak now.

He could just imagine what the Dursleys would do if they found out he could get pregnant. That he
was part creature. That he was gay.

“Harry, what is the matter? How can I help you?” Draco asked, clearly worried, and the care in his
voice just made Harry cry harder.

“I don’t deserve this. Any of this. I am a freak. I can’t… I don’t deserve love. I don’t deserve care.
I don’t…”

“Harry, you are not a freak. I don’t care how many times we have to say it to make you believe us.
But you aren’t a freak. You are the most amazing person I know. And you deserve all the love in
the world. All of it. I love you. We all love you. And we always will. No matter what. You are not
a freak. The freaks are the people that have hurt someone as special as you,”

“No… freak. I’m a freak. You shouldn’t be hugging me. Freaks don’t deserve hugs,”

“Harry, please. Why do you think you are a freak?”

“I… I can get pregnant. I am part creature. I am gay,”

Draco squeezed him gently in comfort.

“Harry, you are not a freak. I am gay, does that make me a freak?”

“No, of course not,”

“I am part creature, so is your dad, my dad, does that make us freaks?”

“No,”

“And my dad’s mum was a man, does that make him a freak? Because he birthed my dad?”

“No,”

“Then why does all this make you a freak, Harry? If it doesn’t make us freaks, then why are you a
freak? Harry, you are so amazing. And personally, I think the fact that you will be able to carry and
birth children when you come into your inheritance makes you so much more magical and special.
You will be the most amazing mum, Harry. You will love your children so much and they will
love you more than anything else. You aren’t a freak, Harry. You are more precious than all the
stars in the sky,” Draco said, his voice both firm and soft.

“But,”

“No buts, Harry. If one of your sons was a submissive, if he was able to birth children, would you
think him a freak?”

“No,” Harry practically shouted, his hand going to his stomach at the thought of his future children
even thinking that sort of thing about themselves, trying to protect them from that pain before they
are even here.

“Just because the people who were supposed to look after you, raise you, love you, whilst your
 father couldn’t, thought you were a freak and would think you a freak for all these amazing things
you can do, it doesn’t mean you are. None of us, the people that truly matter, the people that truly
care for you, think you are a freak, Harry. And you don’t think people with the same abilities as
you are freaks, so why are you a freak if they are not? I know it will take you a while to believe
me, to believe us, but we will tell you all these things until you believe us and even after then.
Because they are the truth, Harry. You are amazing. You are special. You are not a freak,”

Draco’s hand joined Harry’s on his stomach, and the way that Draco looked at Harry as he spoke
made Harry’s heart stutter.

“Please believe me, Harry,” Draco whispered as he rested his forehead against Harry’s and held
him closer, never removing his hand from Harry’s stomach.

“I will try,” Harry whispered back.

Draco smiled sadly, “How about we get ready for breakfast?” he said after a few minutes of
silence where they just looked into each other's eyes, Draco holding Harry and both of their hands
on Harry’s stomach.

“O-okay,” Harry said, not wanting to move, but knowing he should probably do so before he did
something stupid.

He couldn’t lose Draco.

Merlin, did he wish that Draco was his mate.

They got ready in a comfortable silence and Draco held his hand as they walked to breakfast.

When they arrived in the dining room he was shocked to find Draco’s parents sitting there, and
clearly worried about him.

“Harry,” Tom said softly as he entered the room behind them. Harry turned to look at his
grandfather, smiling at him sadly as Tom moved to wrap him in his arms, Draco’s hand never
letting go of his, “Are you alright?”

“No, but I think I will be,” Harry whispered, hope filled his voice, “Eventually, anyway,”

“We are all here to support you and love you along the way,” Tom said.

“I know, but it is hard to remember, or to know why,”

“I know, but we are here anyway,”

Harry nodded, not wanting to say anything more.

They sat down for breakfast and Harry was grateful that Draco still didn’t let go of his hand.

Chapter End Notes

Hiya, how are you all?

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I would love to know what you think, what you think
will or want to happen. I would love to know where you think this story is going to go.
I also have a Facebook group called Maraudering_Paige which each and every one of
you are welcome to join. It is where we can talk about Harry Potter, fanfics, life, share
memes and more. It is also where I will, when I have the opportunity and sort things
out, be sharing an update schedule of sorts and will be keeping you up to date on what
I am working on and when. I have recently posted a post about some of the fanfic
ideas I have and am letting you decide which ones you are more excited about or
which ones you would like to see the first chapters of first. So if you are interested in
taking a look and have Facebook then feel free to go and join, I will accept everyone
who wants to join.
I hope you are all having an amazing day.
Kind regards,
Paige xx
 A Mother Talks to a Son
Chapter Summary

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas, even if you don't celebrate. I also hope you
all enjoy the chapter. It is a little more light hearted than previous ones, thankfully.
Enjoy xx

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Harry was sitting in the garden, his back leaning against a tree, and his knees pulled close to his
chest. After breakfast he decided he needed some time alone. He didn’t know why, a large part of
him really didn’t want to be alone. He needed his dad, he needed Draco. But at the same time he
needed to be alone. For a little while anyway.

It felt like he didn’t even know himself anymore.

Not that he really knew himself anyway.

He had never had the chance to figure himself out. And it stung. But everything was more
confusing now. Everything he knew had been a lie. Well, almost everything. He was still related to
his relatives. But he didn’t have to live with them all those years.

He could have been… should have been loved.

He should have been cared for.

He should have had a normal childhood.

Not that he knew what a normal childhood was. In the muggle world, or in the magical one.

It worried him.

How could he give his future children a normal, loving childhood, if he didn’t know how to?

It terrified him.

But then, he didn’t know anything, did he?

Everything he did know had been a lie.

He wasn’t completely human. He could get pregnant. He was going to be a mother one day. He
was going to have a mate.

Dumbledore hated him.

Molly hated him.

He was going to be forced to compete in a death tournament.

He didn’t know if he could do this anymore to be completely honest with himself.

He didn’t know if he wanted to.

Someone sat next to him quietly and he couldn’t stop the flinch that emitted from his body.

He looked to his side to find Narcissa sitting next to him, looking at him with worried and
apologetic eyes.

“Sorry for scaring you, Harry,” she said gently.

“No worries,” Harry said.

“How are you feeling, Harry?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged, looking back at the garden before him. It really was beautiful, and
certainly the largest garden that he had ever seen.

“That is completely understandable,” she said, “A lot has changed for you lately,”

“Too much,”

“Indeed. But you aren’t alone now, Harry. You have your father, your grandfather, your friends.
Plus Draco, Lucius and I are all going to be staying here for the rest of the summer,”

“Really? Why?” Harry said, not stopping the smile from lighting up his face as his head spun to
her.

“Yes. Draco doesn’t want to leave you. And, well, neither do Lucius or I. Severus and Tom have
caught us up on what’s happened, and I don’t want to leave you to deal with it on your own. Not
that you are on your own, but the more people you have around you, helping you, the better,”

Harry blushed, “I’m fine,”

“No, you’re not,” Harry wanted to protest but she cut him off, “Harry, your whole life has just been
turned on its head. You just found out you have a living father. That the man you thought was the
Dark Lord is your grandfather and that he doesn’t want you dead. That you are a Veela. That you
can get pregnant. That you will have a mate. That you didn’t have to spend your childhood with
abusive relatives. That the people you used to love and thought loved you are actually using you.
You are not okay. But that is okay. We are all here to help you, we aren’t going anywhere,”

“I… What is it like? Being pregnant?” he asked, not sure what else to say, and he truly did want to
know.

She smiled at him, knowingly, “It is the most amazing thing in the world,” she said, her eyes
beaming, “Yes, there are some aches, pains, and sickness, as well as labour. But all those things
mean nothing compared to everything else. There is nothing that can be compared to feeling your
child’s magic within you, to be able to feel them grow, move, kick, hiccough. And then they are
born and everything just fades away when they are placed on your chest and you get to hold them
for the first time. Having a child is the most magical thing in the world. Lucius and I wanted to
have more than Draco, but, well, there have been some complications since. He is amazing,
though. The most precious gift in the world is your child,”

Harry smiled, his hand finding its way to his stomach. Though the worry still ate at his mind he
honestly couldn’t wait for the day where he would become a mum.
“Erm… how… How do I give my children a normal childhood? How do I not become… them?”
Harry asked, his head looking down at his stomach, there was a slight quiver in his voice.

“Harry, I don’t think there is really a ‘normal’ childhood. Everyone raises their children differently.
What works for one family might not work for another. Yes, there are some things that a lot of
families do, but there are also a lot of differences out there in the way children are raised. But, so
long as you love your children, so long as you show them you care, that you are there for them.
That is all that matters. That is a normal childhood. Being loved, cared for, looked after. Knowing
that no matter what, your parents will love you. That is normal. And I have no doubts that you will
love your children, Harry. Despite everything you have been through, and continue to go through,
you still love people, care about people, look after people. You are amazing, strong, brave. And I
know that you will be an amazing mother. You also need to know that you won’t be alone. You
will have your mate, your family, your friends all with you to support you,”

“I know… I just… I’m scared. I don’t want to hurt them,”

“I understand that, Harry. But just the fact that you are scared of doing to your children what your
relatives did to you, the fact that you love your children enough already to be scared… that is what
shows me you are going to be a wonderful mother, Harry,”

“How can you be so sure, though? I… I’m not good. I… I’m a freak. I make bad things happen.
I…”

“You are not a freak, Harry. You are not a bad person. You are a good person. Draco told me a
little snippet of your conversation earlier, he told me that you wouldn’t think your son was a freak
if he was a submissive veela. He told me how defensive you got of your stomach, of your children,
even though they aren’t even here yet. That… That is what shows me how wonderful you are,
Harry. How wonderful you will be. And I know it is going to take you a long time to believe any of
us when we tell you these things. But we aren’t ever going to stop telling you we love you, that we
care, that you aren’t a freak, that you are a good person. Even when you eventually do believe us,”

“It’s hard,”

“I know, Harry. But you have time. You are only fourteen after all. No matter how old you get,
though, we will continue to tell you all those things and more,”

“How do I believe you when I’ve been taught, well, everything else my whole life?” Harry asked,
because he wanted desperately to believe them all when they told him they loved him, that he
wasn’t a freak. Draco was right when he said that if Harry didn’t consider anyone else with his
abilities a freak, then why was he? But how could he believe that? How could he believe them? He
didn’t know.

Everything was so confusing.

“I don’t know, Harry. I wish I did, but you need to figure things out for yourself sometimes. We
will be here to help you, though. No matter what. Just know that, one day, you will believe us. We
won’t give up, and we hope that you won’t either,”

“I… I’ll try not to,”

“That is all any of us can do,”

“Do… Do you think my mum would… Would she love me? Would she be proud of me?”

“Oh, Harry. I am sure that Lily loves you more than anything else in the world. And I am sure that
she is so incredibly proud of you, of everything you have already accomplished, and everything
you will continue to accomplish,”

“But I haven’t done anything,” Harry said, confused.

“Harry, I know about all the things you have experienced at school so far, and I am proud of the
way you have gotten through them. I am proud of the way you have handled the current events.
And I am proud that you are such an amazing person despite all the pain that has been inflicted on
you so far in your short life,”

“I’m a mess,”

“It may seem like that right now, when you are still figuring everything out. But one day, things
won’t seem as messy. I promise,”

Harry nodded, not sure what else to say as he looked back at the garden.

“Would you like to hear some stories about Draco’s childhood? I can tell you the funny ones?”
Narcissa asked after a few minutes of silence between the two.

Harry looked at her and saw that she had a glint of mischief in her eyes and just knew he had to
know what she was thinking about. He also just needed to know more about Draco.

“Yes, please,” he said, nodding eagerly, turning slightly so that he could look at her better.

And she dove in with stories about Draco as a child. Harry hadn’t laughed so hard in, well, ever
really. Some of those stories left Harry’s stomach hurting with how much he laughed at them. He
was excited to know more about his friend.

He had to admit, though, that it left him longing for Draco to be his mate even more, and for their
children if they were mates. He could just imagine a mini Draco with his eyes running around the
house doing those things and Draco’s face beaming as he watched.

Harry would be beaming, too.

When they went in for lunch and Draco came up to them to see if he was okay, he couldn’t stop the
bright smile from lighting up his face as he leaned in and whispered, “How was it being King of
Nappyville? Was it fun?” into his ear.

He chuckled slightly when he pulled back and saw the angry blush on Draco’s cheeks as the
blonde glared at his mother, who just smiled cheekily at him.

“Mother, what lies have you been telling him?” Draco practically growled.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Little Dragon. I wouldn’t tell Harry any lies about you,”
she said, an almost evil grin on her face, “Just all the little things you did as a child,”

“All of them?” he groaned.

“All of them,” she nodded.

“Even…”

“Even that, yes,” she said, “But Harry doesn’t seem to mind, dear. In fact, he found them about as
amusing as your father and I did,”
 “So hilarious, then,” Draco cried.

“Yep. You were such a funny child, Draco. What happened?” Harry chuckled as Draco stepped
forwards, growling, and wrapped his arms around Harry, who held him, too.

“Promise me you won’t tell anyone, Harry,”

“Oh, I don’t know, Dray, I think this is some pretty good material. Who knew you were such a
comedian?”

“Harry,” Draco breathed into his ear, “This is serious. It will completely ruin my reputation if you
tell anyone about this,”

“Well, maybe I think you need a different reputation. People can’t be hating you all the time, it
isn’t right. You are a good person, who is very funny, and people deserve to see that side of you.
You deserve to not have to hide behind masks,”

“Harry, please, don’t tell anyone,” Draco practically begged.

“And what will you do for me to not tell anyone? Because I think my dearest friends Fred and
George would love some new ideas…”

“Anything,” Draco interrupted, “I will do anything you want me to. Just please, don’t tell anyone,”

Harry pulled back, “You will do anything,” Draco nodded desperately, “Hmm…” Harry said,
stepping back and looking deep in thought as he started walking towards the dining room. He
noticed that Narcissa was trying to hold in her chuckles as Draco followed him, desperately.

“I will have to think about it, Draco. I don’t really know what I want from you, yet,” Harry said as
he entered the dining room.

“Harry,” Draco cried desperately.

“Dragon,” Harry said back as he sat down next to his dad, who looked at them questioningly as
Draco and Narcissa sat down.

“Please,” Draco said.

“I said I would think about it,” Harry said, smiling slightly at him.

“Fine,” Draco huffed, “But you better be quick,”

“We’ll see,” Harry said, grinning at Draco’s half hearted glare.

Chapter End Notes

Hiya, how are you all?

I hope you all had an amazing weekend and got everything you desired, you all
deserve it for being the amazing human beings you are. I also hope you enjoyed this
chapter. I would be very interested in knowing what you think is going to happen in
future chapters, or what kinds of things you would like to see.
Also, I am somewhat bored and am for some reason intrigued to learn what your
assumptions of me are. Don't ask me why. I am just intrigued to know what you think
about me. So I am going to ask random questions with each chapter and if you feel like
leaving a comment with what you think then I will happily read them. So, first
question, how old do you think I am? I don't know why this is the first question I want
to ask, but hey ho, we'll go with it. My answer will be in the next chapter. But I am
intrigued to know how old people think I am based on my writing and such. I think I
might have mentioned it in some of my other fanfics but I honestly can't remember, so,
we'll see if people know. I think this might be a nice little game to play.
I also have a Facebook group called Maraudering_Paige which you are all welcome to
join if you would like to and are able to. It is where we can talk about Harry Potter,
fanfics, life, share memes and more. It is also where I have somewhat of an update
schedule and will be keeping you up to date on what I am working on, both fanfics and
original works. So if you are interested I will accept you into the group.
I hope you are having an amazing day!
Kind regards,
Paige xx
 A Friend Meets the Twins
Chapter Summary

Draco meets the twins.

Harry has a good day.
In answer to the question I posed about my age in the last chapter, I am... 24 years old
(though I will be turning 25 on the 3rd of July (I feel so old, though :( haha))
Enjoy xx

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

It was the following morning and Harry had managed to sleep somewhat peacefully, thankfully.
There was a knock on the door and he called them in, both surprised and extraordinarily happy to
see Draco entering his room. They smiled at each other as Draco sat on the edge of Harry’s bed.

“How did you sleep?” Draco asked.

“Okay, thanks. And yourself?”

“Good, thank you. The beds in this place are very comfortable,” Draco said.

“And the beds in your own home aren’t?” Harry said, smirking slightly.

“Oh, they are. Don’t you worry about that. But the beds here are just a tad more so, in my opinion.
Though be sure not to tell my parents that,” Draco looked at Harry pleadingly.

“And what will you give me in exchange for not telling your parents that you think our beds are
more comfortable than theirs?” Harry smirked more at Draco’s wide eyes.

“Why are you such a Slytherin now?” he whined, and Harry chuckled.

“I have always been a Slytherin, Draco, just in Lion’s clothing. The hat wanted to place me in the
House of snakes, I just begged it not to,” Harry said, finally pulling himself up so that he was
sitting against the headboard.

He chuckled again at the look of shock on Draco’s face.

“You were meant to be in Slytherin?” Harry nodded and giggled slightly as Draco looked at him,
eyes burning with a furious curiosity, “Then why didn’t you get sorted into Slytherin?”

“Well, I was told by everyone I knew from the Wizarding World at that point, which was about
two people, that all Slytherins were evil, and that the man who killed my parents was from
Slytherin. I also had the pleasure of meeting a little blonde boy who wanted to be placed in that
House, and was then placed in that House, who was very mean to me and the one friend I had
made that was the same age as me, and when we encountered each other in Diagon Alley, he was
mean to the first friend I ever made, so I decided Slytherin was out of the question for me. I do
now, however, wish that I was sorted into Slytherin anyway, maybe things would have been
different, better. But I can get re-sorted, maybe. We’ll see. I definitely don’t want to be around
my… well, them anymore,” Harry explained.

Draco looked at him rather apologetically, “I-”

“No, Draco. It’s not your fault. Most of my decision was really based on what others had told me,
and well, everything else. Not you. It wasn’t your fault. Never your fault. I should have realised
that children, especially all of the children in your House, weren’t evil. You’re children, and whilst
I know that children can do bad things, I have never seen any of you do anything that can remotely
be classed as evil. It is all just ridiculous, in my opinion, now that I’ve had some time to think
about everything,

“I mean, it is stupid because the Light claim that the Dark are all prejudiced monsters, but don’t
realise that they are being prejudiced themselves. Or they do but they don’t care because they
believe they are the ones in the ‘right’, so it doesn’t matter,” Harry shrugged.

It really was all ridiculous when he thought about everything.

“Hm, well, I am sure that with time, and effort, on all of our parts, we can make the Wizarding
World safer, and happier, and more prosperous. But we’ll see, I suppose,” Draco agreed.

“We can certainly try,” Harry said, climbing out of bed and walking over to the door to his en-suite
to get ready for the day ahead. He didn’t even completely close the door behind him so that he and
Draco could keep talking.

Harry couldn’t stop the smile from spreading on his face as Draco led him to the dining room for
breakfast.

“So, have you thought of what you want yet, for both things?” Draco asked.

Harry thought he sounded almost desperate, no matter how much he tried to hide it.

“Nope,” Harry grinned as Draco turned to look at him with a pleading look, “There’s nothing I
need at the moment,”

“Then what do you want?” Draco practically whined, though he tried to act as if he wasn’t.

Harry thought it was hilarious.

“Nothing,” Harry said, although it wasn’t entirely true.

There were things that he wanted but Draco wasn’t able to give them to him. He was still just a
child himself, along with Harry. They had no power to do the things Harry needed, or wanted done
so that he, and everyone else he cared about, could be safe, and happy.

But they would get there, eventually… he hoped so anyway.

“Surely you must want something, Harry,” Draco said gently, a small smile on his face.

“Nothing that you can give me, Draco. No matter how hard you try. But I will keep thinking of
something I want or need, and let you know. Or I could just…”

“No, not happening. You are not telling a single soul any of what my mother told you, or my
parents what I said this morning about your beds,” Draco said fiercely, and Harry just grinned at
him.

“Find something to give me on your own then, and you will have my silence,” Harry said cheekily
before striding into the dining room, trying not to laugh as he heard Draco whine again.

His dad, granddad, and the older Malfoys were already there and he smiled at all of them, greeting
them as he sat in his usual chair next to his dad and Draco slumped next to him.

“Good morning, Harry. How did you sleep?” Severus asked, smiling at his son.

“Okay, thank you. You?” Harry beamed at his dad.

“I slept well, thank you,” Severus said.

They eat breakfast whilst making small talk, and it is nice for Harry who was trying not to think
about anything too much really.

“Harry, Fred and George have written and asked if they could come round for a few hours to get
away from their family for a while. Are you okay with having them over?” Severus asked.

Harry looked at him, a smile on his face, “Yeah, that would be great, thank you,”

“Okay, I will send a house elf to them when we are done eating,”

Harry couldn’t help but grin at Draco who was paling rapidly at the thought of the twins coming to
the home.

“No. Harry, please, no, don’t tell them,” Draco begged.

“I won’t tell them… yet,” Harry said, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

Draco, who was in the process of sighing in relief, sucked in a breath, “I really need to find you
some treats,” he muttered.

Harry laughed, not noticing how everyone was smiling proudly at him.

“What is this all about anyway?” Tom asked curiously.

“Well, you see-” Harry was cut off by an annoyed Draco.

“No. You will say nothing, to anyone, ever,” Draco said, almost fiercely, but Harry could sense his
embarrassment also, and it made him chuckle.

“I was joking, Draco. I’m not going to tell anyone, for now. I promise,”

“No, you won’t ever, because I will find you the best presents you could ever ask for, and you will
never tell any embarrassing stories about me,”

“Well, sure, but it might be nice for your kids to know what a hilarious child you were Draco,”

Draco just glared at him, and he chuckled some more.

“No, they won’t know either,”

“Draco, honey, I don’t think anything will stop myself or your father from telling our
grandchildren stories about you when you were a child. You might be able to stop Harry, but never
us,” Narcissa said, a smirk on her face.

“Nor me,” Severus said, grinning, “You have never made the three of us promise not to tell
anyone, Draco, I don’t think you should make my son promise not to either,”

“Oh my God, are you all going to tell everyone?” Draco looked genuinely scared and Harry was
worried they had gone too far.

“Draco, are you okay? I promise I won’t tell anyone, ever. I’m sorry,” Harry said, worried that he
had ruined everything.

Draco looked at him, concerned, “Harry, no, you’re okay. I’m just being over-dramatic. You’ve
done nothing wrong, okay? We’re fine. You’re fine,”

“Are you sure?” Harry asked quietly.

“More than sure,” Draco said, and Harry took a shaky breath of relief.

The twins arrived about half an hour later, each holding the hand of a house elf, and Harry
proceeded to drag them both, and Draco out of the dining room and into the garden. They sat on
the ground under the tree that Narcissa had found him at the day before.

“So, how are things at home?” Harry asked the twins as he settled back against the trunk of the
tree.

“Wonderful,” Fred groaned.

“Really extraordinary,” George sighed.

“What’s occurring?” Harry asked, though he wasn’t completely sure that he wanted to know.

“Not much to be honest. It is rather boring. Mum, Ginny, Ron and Hermione keep sneaking off or
having secret conversations, dad joins them sometimes also. But we haven’t been able to catch any
of it,” Fred said.

“We have really just been hiding in our room and working on some of our pranks,” George said.

“And doing our homework,” Fred groaned again.

“Bill and Charlie are home, though, so that is good,” George said.

“Yeah, they actually spend time with us,” Fred nodded.

Harry smiled at them knowingly.

“How are you doing, Harry?” George asked.

“I’m… okay, thanks. Getting there anyway,” Harry said.

They both nodded but looked at him with eyes that told him they understood.

“And, young Malfoy, how are you?” Fred asked the blonde, who looked shocked at being included
in the conversation.

“I’m okay, thank you,” Draco said, his voice polite.

“Marvellous,” Fred beamed, “So, do you two want to help us with some pranks? We need ideas,
and potion recipes, and everything,”
Harry nodded, grinning, Draco’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“What’s in it for me?” Draco asked.

George smirked, “Well, first of all, you will be recognised as someone who helped us with this
prank product. And, when we have successfully been able to open our shop, or when we have
gotten to the point where we can sell these items, we will let you have royalties for any products
we create with your input,”

“Percentage?” Draco said.

“Ten percent,” Fred said.

“Twenty five,” Draco argued.

“Twelve,” George said.

“Twenty,” Draco.

“Fifteen,” Fred.

“Eighteen,” Draco.

“Sixteen,” George.

They all fell silent for a couple of minutes in which Harry was rather amused at the looked being
passed between the three.

“Deal,” the three of them said at the same time, shaking hands.

“Honestly Draco, they would have done it for twenty,” Harry laughed.

“And I would have done it for ten,” Draco said.

They all laughed together for a moment before Fred and George took parchment notebooks, quills,
and ink bottles out of their jacket pockets and they all got to work planning some pranks.

It was fun. And Harry was glad to see that Draco was enjoying himself also.

Honestly he had never seen Draco laugh that much and his laugh was magical, musical in its
sound. And Harry didn’t think he had laughed so much before either. But that was the way of the
twins. They brought laughter, happiness, and joy wherever they went. Their pranks weren’t mean,
they were fun for all involved.

And he was grateful for them. He was grateful that he had people in his lives who could make him
laugh despite the fact that all he wanted to do was scream, or break down.

He was grateful that they included Draco, despite their pasts. And that Draco was getting on with
them.

It was definitely one of the best days of his life, but he could also see it pave a way for more
wonderful days of true friendships and laughter.

He hoped so anyway.
Chapter End Notes

Hiya, I hope you are all well!

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, I know it isn't much interaction between Draco and
the twins, but fear not, you will get to see more of them together as the story
progresses. As well as some of the pranks they came up with ;) though, if you would
like to suggest some prank ideas then feel free to give me some, I am more than happy
to hear some ideas and such.
So yeah, in answer to the question I posed last update, I am 24, though I feel a lot older
most of the time with my health issues, and mentally and emotionally. But that is life I
suppose, haha. I really am curious as to what you assume about me based on my work,
but I have no clue what to ask next to be honest. So just... what are your random
assumptions about me, I guess? I don't know. You don't have to play along if you don't
want to, this is just a little fun I want to have because I am bored out of my mind.
I have a Facebook group called Maraudering_Paige which you are all welcome to join
if you would like to and are able to. It is where we can talk about Harry Potter, fanfics,
life, share memes, and more. It is also where I have an update schedule and where I
will be keeping you up to date on what I am working on, both original works and
fanfics. So if you are interested then I am more than happy to accept anyone into the
group.
I hope you are all having an amazing day!
Kind regards,
Paige xx
 A Son Goes Back to School
Chapter Summary

Just a hop, skip and a time jump and Harry is ready to go back to school. Except that
he isn't really ready for anything, he doesn't want to go back, but he has his dad and
Draco. Will that be enough, though, with a new House, and new challenges told to
come for them.
Enjoy xx

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Harry was panicking.

He was meant to go back to Hogwarts tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

But he didn’t want to.

He wanted to be anywhere but there.

He didn’t want to see the ones that pretended to be his friends.

He didn’t want to see the Headmaster.

He didn’t want to see anyone.

He didn’t want to pretend to not be friends with Draco.

He didn’t want to pretend his dad wasn’t his dad.

He needed his dad.

He needed his dad.

He needed his dad.

His dad hurried into his bedroom, concern on his face as he looked for Harry and found him
huddled on the floor in the corner of the room, his knees pulled to his chest, and tears streaming
down his cheeks.

His dad knelt in front of him, “Harry, what’s happening? What do you need? Can you breathe for
me? In… and out… In… and out… That’s it, well done. Keep doing that for me, please… In… and
out,” Severus said gently, worry in his eyes as he looked at his son.

“Daddy,” Harry whimpered as his breathing got more under control, he shuffled forwards and
collapsed into his dad’s arms in a puddle of tears.

“I felt you through our bond, Harry. What’s the matter? What do you need?” Severus said.
Their parent/child Veela bond had been steadily growing over the last few weeks, though his dad
said it would be stronger than it was now when his glamour was removed, and when he came into
his inheritance.

“I can’t-can’t do this. I can’t go back. I don’t… I can’t pretend. I can’t be their friend. I can’t hide
the fact that you are my dad. I need you, daddy. I need you. I can’t be with them. I’m scared. I
don’t want to do this. I know we have to save everyone from him. But I can’t… I can’t do this. I
don’t want to do this. I just want to be me. I just want to be here. I don’t want to go there. It hurts
too much,” Harry said, his voice panicky.

“Harry, baby, breathe for me… In… and out… In… and out… That’s it. That’s it, well done,”
Severus said, kissing Harry’s hair and rubbing his back gently, “It’s okay, baby. I know your mum
said you should pretend. But you don’t have to if you don’t want to. I know it hurts. And if you
can’t pretend to be their friend, then that is okay. I will be there to protect you, and so will Draco
and the twins, and Neville, and Luna, and anyone else you become friends with. You aren’t alone.
And we don’t have to pretend to be who we aren’t either if you don’t want to. Damn everyone else
to hell, if you want to openly be my son, then you can. I will protect you from everyone who dares
to try something. I promise. I will petition to have you re-sorted if you want me to. And the castle
has built a bedroom in my quarters for you which you can live in if you want to. Who cares what
anyone else thinks? You are my baby boy, and you will be with me if that is what you need,

“I’m not going to let anyone take you from me ever again, Harry. If you want to stay with me, you
will stay with me, end of story. But you also need an education, and as much as I wish I could
remove you from Hogwarts, I am not currently able to do so. However, if things get bad then I will
pull you straight out and take you to the other side of the world if I have to, to keep you safe. I
know the Tournament will be dangerous, and I will be training you for it to make sure you are
prepared. If they won’t let me take you out of the Tournament, then I will do everything I can to
make sure you are as safe and prepared as possible. I promise,”

“When will it end? I just want everything to end. I can’t do this anymore, daddy. I can’t,” Harry
muttered, choking on tears that caught in his throat.

It was all too much for him.

“Your grandpa, Lucius and I have been working with some friends of ours to gather everything we
need to take him down. We are speaking to people he knew, and doing everything we can. And as
soon as we have everything we will work on taking him down. We are hoping it won’t take too
long, but no matter how long it takes, baby, you aren’t alone. And you don’t have to do anything.
Just let us adults deal with it all for you. All you need to focus on is your education, your friends,
and whatever else you want. If we can’t get you out of the Tournament it is another nail in his
coffin, and we will help you every step of the way. No matter what,”

“Nothing is ever that simple,” Harry said quietly.

“Hm, but we will try and make it as simple as possible for you. You shouldn’t have been dragged
into anything in the first place. But we will do whatever we can to make sure you aren’t dragged
into it too much,” Severus said, “I wish I could take you away from there, but by the time I found
out the truth about you it was too late for me to change your school, or for me to leave Hogwarts.
I’m sorry, Harry. But I promise, if anything major happens I am taking you out of there at the first
opportunity. The Heads of two other schools are coming this year, in October. Maybe they will
invite us to their school? But no matter what, you aren’t alone, Harry. I’m not going anywhere. You
can live with me all year if you want to. You can just leave our quarters for classes, some meals,
and whatever else you want to leave them for. I’m not letting anyone take you from me ever again.
Never,”

He held Harry close to him, sitting on the floor and rocking his baby boy, rubbing his back,
whispering to him that everything would be okay, eventually, that he wasn’t going anywhere, that
he wasn’t alone anymore.

“Daddy, I’m scared,” Harry whispered, his tears had subsided mostly by that point, and his
breathing was better, just a little shaky now.

“I know, baby. I know. But I’ve got you now. And I’m going to protect you from everyone and
everything as much as I can, I promise. Do you want to take the train?” Harry shook his head
adamantly, “Okay, we’ll just floo right to the school then, and Draco can come, too. Then we can
inform the rest of the staff of the joyous news that father and son have been reunited,” Severus
grinned as Harry pulled back slightly and gave him the tiniest of smirks.

“Even Dumbledore?” Harry asked.

“Especially Dumbledore,” Severus chuckled, “I think his reaction will be rather funny, don’t you?”
Harry nodded again and Severus smiled at him, kissing his forehead, “Everything will be okay
eventually, Harry, I promise. The sooner the better, and we are working as hard as we can to get
everything and everyone in place. Everyone who has hurt you will be severely punished. And if
anyone dares to hurt you from this moment, they will also be severely punished,” Severus growled
protectively and Harry let out a little chuckle.

Severus kissed Harry’s forehead again, and smiled as Harry leant into him, “I’ll keep you as safe as
I possibly can, Harry,” he whispered.

Severus stood by the floo watching Harry and Draco say goodbye to his father, Lucius and
Narcissa. He couldn’t deny that he had a smirk on his face, and his family had them on their faces
also. What was to come would be spectacular, he hoped, and he would be pensieving the memories
for his family to see them, too.

Harry had offered them the use of his invisibility cloak so they could watch it in real time, but
Severus had said that Dumbledore can sometimes see through the cloaks so it wasn’t the best thing
to do, unfortunately.

They were floo’ing to the entrance hall of Hogwarts just in time for lunch to start, and all the staff
would be in attendance for this lunch to go over a few last minute things before the term officially
kicks off. Things that weren’t mentioned in the staff meetings, for whatever inane reason, but this
seemed like a wonderful time to introduce them all to his son, and his godson, properly.

He led the two quietly chatting boys into the Great Hall and smiled slightly as none of the other
staff noticed them just yet, all immersed in their own conversations. In fact, the three of them
managed to sit down at the head table in the three empty seats between Filius and Pomona before
anyone noticed them.

“Severus, good to see you,” Filius said joyously before his eyes widened at the sight of the boys
who were helping themselves to some food, “Afternoon, boys,”
“Good afternoon, Professor,” the boys said together, smiling as the rest of the staff finally noticed
them and the shock on their faces.

“Harry, my boy, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be on the train?” Dumbledore said and
Severus hated how Harry stiffened at being spoken to by the man.

“It’s rather strange that you are just asking Harry that question when there is another student here
already also,” Severus said, raising his eyebrow at the old coot.

He loved the look of surprise on the old face at the use of Harry’s first name.

“Yes, Severus, however young Mr Malfoy is your godson, so I just assumed that he had spent the
summer with you and decided to skip the ride. Harry however is of no relation to you and therefore
has no reason to be here already when his friends are probably worried about him as he should be
on the train,” Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling away and his voice soft, but Severus could
sense a hardness to it, too, especially with the slight tension in the man’s jaw.

“Hm, funny you should say that. We found out over the summer via a time-delayed letter from Lily
that Harry is actually my son,”

The looks from everyone were hilarious and he was alongside Harry and Draco trying not to laugh,
especially at the coot trying desperately to hide his anger in a look of shock.

“I also learned that I had been obliviated, by Lily herself, of our entire relationship, but I have my
memories back now, and I have my son now. I took legal custody of him, so he is officially mine,
in all ways. The castle has also added a room for Harry in my quarters and he will be staying there
as often as he wants to so we can continue getting to know each other properly, and, well, after
fourteen years without my son, I want to keep him close,” Severus said, smirking at the old man.

“Completely understandable, Severus,” Pomona said with a kind smile on her face as she accepted
everything that was going on.

“Harry would also like to get re-sorted,” Severus said, grinning when the next round of shock
passed through the staff.

Albus looked like he was going to burst a few veins trying to contain his anger, and, well,
everything else.

“Why would he like to get re-sorted, Severus?” Minerva said, almost choking on her words.

“Well, it has come to light that certain friends of his aren’t who they have pretended to be and he
doesn’t feel safe, nor comfortable around a number of the Gryffindors,” Severus said, and again
the shock in the room was palpable.

Merlin, he wanted to laugh.

But he wouldn’t. Not until they were safely in their quarters and away from prying eyes.

He had never seen such an array of shock. So many eyes bugging out of heads.

“Whatever are you talking about, Severus, my boy?” Albus said breathing deeply to try and repress
his feelings.

Severus couldn’t resist an eyebrow.

“I mean that certain Gryffindors are being paid with Harry’s own money to be his friends, against
Harry’s will. Or, they were, We went to Gringotts and have sorted it out by now so that the
payments will stop. Others are just hoping to use him for where his fame can get them if they were
friends. And Harry doesn’t want people using him like that, and he would rather not be close to the
people who would steal from him,”

Again, the shock, confusion, and, well, everything that was going on in the faces of his colleagues
was something that Severus would probably keep with him forever. Especially since Harry and
Draco were snickering at them behind their hands, though Harry was rather hunched over and there
was a little fear in his eyes that made Severus want to pounce on the old coot and tear him to
shreds.

Oh well, he would do that, eventually. Hopefully anyway, if the sentence he receives is too light
then the Veela council would more than happily get Severus off for the crime of killing the old
fool. Although, depending on what happened throughout the year he may just have to resort to it
anyway.

Not that he particularly minded.

“Severus, I am sure it is just a misunderstanding,” Dumbledore said, trying to smooth everything

over as if it were nothing.

“I’m pretty sure goblin documents are unable to be falsified due to the magic they use. It was also
the King of the goblins himself who spoke to us and sorted out the so-called ‘misunderstanding’,”
Severus said bitingly.

“In any case, Severus,” Dumbledore said, just as bitingly, “That is no reason for Harry to be re-
sorted,”

Severus’ lips twitched in anger as Harry hunched over more, “I would have to disagree. If Harry
doesn’t feel safe or comfortable in his own House then he has every right to demand a re-sort, just
like every student of this school does. Especially if their magical guardian is happy with the
demand, and as his magical guardian, I am more than happy to allow my son to change Houses if
that is what will make him feel safe and comfortable,” he grinned at the look of anger, that wasn’t
quite as well hidden as the rest of them may have seemed to the others, on the man’s face.

He couldn’t help it really. This man had hurt his son and he wanted revenge. And he would get it,
in due time. But they were still arranging things and that would take a little bit longer.

Then they could begin, and it would be beautiful.

“As the Headmaster of this school, I have the final say on whether a student can be re-sorted, and
Harry will be fine in Gryffindor,” Dumbledore bit out.

“Actually,” Pomona said, looking both nervous and like a mother-hen who wanted to protect her
student, “If three of the four Heads of Houses agree with the child and magical guardian that the
child should be re-sorted for their own safety and comfort then we can override the Headteacher.
And I for one think that if there are students in Harry’s current House stealing from him and trying
to use him and his fame to get them to higher places in the world instead of using their own skills,
then he deserves somewhere where students aren’t doing that. I think that Harry should be allowed
to be re-sorted,”

That was when Fawkes burst into the room carrying the Sorting Hat and Dumbledore’s eyes burst
out in shock, anger, and what Severus thought was a little bit of fear.
“I agree that Harry should be re-sorted if he wants to be. And the students involved in the stealing
should be punished accordingly,” Filius said, smiling kindly at Harry who smiled nervously back
at him, though he was still hunched over.

“As his father, his magical guardian, and a Head of House, I believe I can give him the last
approval to be re-sorted,” the Sorting Hat nodded, “And so we have over-ruled you,”

Some kind of magic seemed to snap into place and Fawkes gently lowered the Hat onto Harry’s
head.

“It’s nice to speak to you, again, young one,” the Sorting Hat said kindly, and Harry smiled to
himself, and to the inside of the Hat which still went all the way down his head.

“You, too,” Harry muttered.

“So, where would you like to be sorted? You can fit into any of the Houses, you are actually one of
the few that can fit into all of them. Do you want to be with your father and your new friend? Or do
you want to be somewhere else? Maybe Hufflepuff will help you find some friends who will be
loyal to you? It will also allow you to show the softer side of yourself, rather than the tough
exterior you have had to put up throughout your time here. And Ravenclaw will help you shine like
you’re meant to academically? I know you will be spending a lot of time with your father, because
you aren’t safe, and don’t want to leave him too much, which is completely understandable. You
could, of course, choose Slytherin, and be with Draco, but then you will also have most of your
classes with those who have betrayed you, and I don’t think you want that, do you?”

Harry shook his head and thought seriously about his choices.

He couldn’t go back to Gryffindor. And he really didn’t want to be with them in all his classes, or
even most of them. He couldn’t handle that.

He wanted to be with Draco, he really did. But he couldn’t handle being in the same class as Ron
and Hermione. It was too late for Dumbledore to change the timetables so if he chose Ravenclaw
or Hufflepuff he wouldn’t have to deal with them too much. If he chose Ravenclaw he could be
smart and studious, like he wanted to be.

But if he chose Hufflepuff he could be himself. All of himself. He wouldn’t have to fake anything
in Hufflepuff. He could be smart. He could be creative. He could be everything he truly was.

Everyone underestimated Hufflepuffs. And Professor Sprout was rather kind, too, he had to
imagine that she was a good Head of House.

Yes, he would still spend a lot of time with his dad, and with Draco, but he would be safe in
Hufflepuff.

He hoped so anyway.

“Good choice, Harry,” the Hat said gently before going rather serious, “I know that your father and
others have plans, I talked to your father the other day, but I can’t tell him a lot of what I know, or
you for that matter. The joys of sitting in the Headmasters’ office all year is that I know almost
everything that the man does. He is rather loud when he plots. I can’t say anything though due to
how many spells he has placed on me. But Harry, I need to warn you that more revelations are to
come for you both. Painful ones. Especially for your father. He will need you to support him, and
help him through it when the time comes, can you do that for me, Harry? Can you help your father
through the pain he is going to endure?”
 Harry was terrified. And yet he was grateful for the warning.

“Y-yes, I can try,” he whispered, his mind thinking on what could possibly be so painful that his
usually strong father would need his support.

“That’s all you need to do. Try, stay with him, love him. I’m sorry I can’t tell you myself, but,
well, manipulations beyond what anyone could imagine in this day and age are at play. I will stop
by for a chat when I can, also, you and your father are two of the rare souls who actually talk to me
during the year and it is rather lonely. Anyhow, I shall allow the others to breathe again,” was the
last thing the Hat said just for Harry, “Better be, Hufflepuff,”

Harry smiled nervously as Fawkes lifted the Hat off his head. His dad was smiling at him, so was
Draco. Professor Sprout was beaming in happiness and excitement, already welcoming him to her
House with kind words and praise. Most everyone else was smiling too.

Except Dumbledore, and McGonagall. Dumbledore looked angry, though he was trying to hide it,
and Harry tried not to hunch further into himself than he already was, he really did. McGonagall
just looked subdued.

He took a shaky breath and focussed on his dad.

He needed to focus on his dad.

Then maybe they could get through whatever was to come.

Chapter End Notes

Hiya, how are you all?

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, it was a challenging write for, well, reasons. I was
originally going to have Harry go into Slytherin, but then I was like, nah, he should go
to Hufflepuff instead because Hufflepuff is cool, and I feel like he needs a place where
he won't be constantly surrounded by those who have hurt him. The next chapter will
be the opening feast as well as a few extras potentially, we shall see.
Also, if I were to set up a Spotify and make playlists for all of my stories would
anyone be interested? They would include songs that remind me of the story in some
way, give away little easter eggs for what is to come in the story with some of their
lyrics, or songs that just fit. It will be a very eclectic mix of songs because I listen to a
variety of music. But I have so many songs that make me think of my stories and I
want to share them, if people are interested anyway.
I also have a Facebook group called Maraudering_Paige which you are all welcome to
join if you would like to and are able to. It is where we can talk about Harry Potter,
fanfics, life, share memes, and more. It is also where I have an update schedule of sorts
and will be keeping you up to date on what I am working on, both with original
stories, fanfics, and everything else that I am doing/want to do. So if you are interested
in joining then I am more than happy to accept you into the group.
I hope you are all having an amazing day!
Kind regards,
Paige xx
 A Not So Welcoming Welcoming Feast
Chapter Summary

The welcoming feast isn't all that welcoming, and Harry tells his dad about what the
Hat said.
Enjoy xx
Also, I wrote a petition/essay where I (un)officially explain why I think I should be
cast as my favourite character, Severus Snape, in the new HBO series, despite being a
woman, so if you want to check it out and maybe help it go viral ;) then feel free to go
and read it.

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

It was time for the welcoming feast, and Harry was sitting in his newly edited robes at the
Hufflepuff table, directly facing Draco as he sat at the Slytherin one. The staff, minus McGonagall,
were all up at the head table, chatting amongst themselves. And Harry was trying exceptionally
hard not to fidget too much. Also to try and calm the fine, nervous tremors in his hands.

He could hear the students starting to gather outside the hall and the doors opened just as he went
to take a gulp of his drink.

He could hear some of the students stalling, and cutting off conversations as they looked at him.
But it usually only lasted a second before they went to their own tables. Some Hufflepuffs started
to sit at the table and smiled at him kindly, although there were plenty of questions in their eyes,
too.

He just attempted to smile back.

And then a rather large group of Gryffindors entered the room and stopped in their tracks as they
gazed at him. Not that he could see them. He was focussing most of his attention on Draco, who
was smiling a small smile at him that somewhat reassured him.

“Harry,” Hermione squealed, causing him to flinch, “Where have you been? We’ve been so
worried. And why are you sitting at the Hufflepuff table, wearing their robes?” she huffed as she
stomped over to him, the group of Gryffindors following close behind her.

“I got re-sorted,” Harry said, a tremble in his voice as he focussed on Draco still.

He could feel her stop behind him and he tried not to hunch in on himself.

“Why would you get re-sorted?” she screeched.

“I don’t believe that’s any of your business,” he whispered.

“Of course it’s my business, Harry. We’re your friends,”

He couldn’t stop himself from scoffing, which caused a number of raised eyebrows but he didn’t
care.
“Answer me right now, Harry,” she demanded, grabbing his shoulder and yanking him around to
face her so hard that he fell off the bench.

Fred and George helped him to stand shakily and he could see Draco and his dad making their
ways over, out of the corners of his eyes, scowls on their faces as they looked at the group of
Gryffindors in front of him.

“Harry, why have you been re-sorted?” she said again, hands on her hips.

Harry, for his part, was trying to focus on breathing as he tried to relax in the twin’s arms.

“I don’t think it’s any of your business, Hermione,” Fred said as he rubbed Harry’s back gently.

“If Harry wants to be re-sorted, he can be re-sorted,” George added.

“If you were his friend, then you would support him in his decision,” Fred said, a slight snarl in his
voice.

“He can’t just abandon us like this without an explanation,” Hermione said.

Harry snapped.

“And you can’t just steal from me, and pretend to be my friend, without an explanation,” he
shouted as he looked at nearly all of the people that were listed in his mother’s letter, the ones that
were still in school.

The ones who were using him.

The ones who were staring at him in shock and betrayal as his father and Draco finally arrived at
his side.

“What’s going on here?” his dad glowered at the group, who paled nervously.

“Nothing, sir,” Hermione said.

“Hm, I rather doubt that considering I saw you yanking my son off his seat. Are you alright,
Harry?” his dad focussed on him as the rest of the hall stared at them in shock.

“Erm… Not really, can we leave?” Harry said shakily, really just wanting to get the hell out of
there.

“Of course,” his dad said gently.

“I should think not, Severus. The sorting will start soon-” Dumbledore said from the head table.

“And I do not need to be here for that,” his dad said, “I will do my customary greeting of the new
Slytherins after the meal, but right now my son is my main priority. And someone who he had
thought was his friend until this summer, has just yanked him rather hard off his seat. I need to
make sure he is okay. And I will do so, where there isn’t such a large audience,”

Severus thanked the twins for comforting Harry and gently took his son’s shaking arm, leading
him and Draco towards the door.

“Harry, you can’t just leave. You need to explain yourself. Snape isn’t your father. What is going
on?” Hermione screeched again, and he flinched.
“Fifty points from Gryffindor for hurting and upsetting my son, Miss Granger,” his dad ground out,
“Harry needs not to explain himself to someone who feels it’s okay to steal and lie to him. I am his
father, his mother left me a letter explaining what happened. It was given to me over the summer.
And I went and got custody of my son. Harry is a Hufflepuff now, and there is nothing you can do
about it. He doesn’t need to explain his reasoning, although maybe all of you in that group who are
glaring at my son’s back should take a good look in the mirror, because then you will have your
reason. He didn’t abandon you. You are the ones who were using him for his fame and money.
You know, the fame he doesn’t want and got because the parents he had were murdered and he
wasn’t. The money he would have given to you all willingly if you had just asked because you
were supposed to be his family. His friends. And he would rather have had none of it if it meant he
could have a family. But I suppose none of that matters anymore, because we will get all of the
money, books, and other things back no matter what it takes, payments have stopped, and we have
enough evidence to take you all to court… Which we might just do, one day,” he grinned at the
rapidly paling faces of the group of Gryffindors before he turned back to the door and led his son
and godson out of the room, towards the dungeons.

When they arrived in their quarters Harry collapsed onto the sofa, Draco next to him and his dad
kneeling in front of him.

“Are you hurt, Harry?” his dad said gently, looking him up and down with worried eyes.

“I don’t think so,” Harry whispered, but that didn’t stop his dad from running his wand over him to
check for injury.

Harry almost smiled.

“Okay, but if you start hurting, tell me,”

Harry nodded.

“Well, that was a rather welcoming feast, wasn’t it?” Draco said, and Harry snorted.

His dad also snorted and stood to walk over to the dining table, tapping it a few times with his
wand. Soon there was an array of food and drinks ready for them to tuck into.

Which they did. And Harry allowed himself to relax in the presence of his family. His dad and…
well, he hoped, his mate.

But only time would tell, he supposed.

When they were done eating they went back to the sofa, Harry curled against his dad and laid his
feet in Draco’s lap. He was somewhat surprised that neither of them minded. But also not. And it
bloomed warmth in him. The comfort, love, and hope he felt in their arms.

The safety.

“Are you okay, Harry?” his dad asked, concerned.

“No,” he whispered, “But I will be, eventually, right?”

His dad smiled sadly down at him, “I will do everything I can to ensure that you will be,”

“I know,” Harry smiled up at him, resting his ear against his dad’s heartbeat, and wondering for
what felt like the hundredth time since he was re-sorted, what could possibly be so painful for his
dad that Harry would need to help him through it.
Harry would do whatever he could to attempt to help his dad through it, though. He was just
worried he wouldn’t be able to. He didn’t know how to comfort people. Let alone someone so
usually strong like his dad was.

A part of him wanted to tell his dad what the Hat had told him. And perhaps he should. But how
was he supposed to tell him that something was going to be revealed to him that would be so very
painful? How?

He didn’t think he had ever been so conflicted before.

“Harry, are you okay? What’s going through your mind?” his dad asked worriedly.

Harry sighed, “I…”

Maybe he should tell his dad. Then they could prepare themselves, right?

Maybe it won’t be as painful if he is already expecting something?

Or maybe they can figure it out sooner?

He was so confused.

“The Hat said something before it announced my House,” he sighed again.

“What did he say?” Draco said curiously.

“He… He said that he knew a lot of stuff about what Dumbles has been planning, and doing, and
he wants to help us, tell us everything, but he can’t because Dumbledore had charmed him not to be
able to, and other manipulations. But he also said that… He also said that something was going to
be revealed, he didn’t say when, or how, that would…” how was he supposed to do this?

“Harry, it’s okay, you can tell us,” his dad said.

“I know. I just… He said that there were a number of things that would be revealed to us both that
would be painful. But that is going to be especially painful for you, dad. He didn’t say when or
how it was going to be revealed, but then I guess nothing is really planned yet, so… But he said
that I would need to help you through it. Through the pain,” he said, looking up into his father’s
worried eyes with a worry of his own, “What could be so painful for you, dad, that I would need to
help you through it? I can’t even help myself,” he whispered.

His dad sighed and kissed Harry’s forehead, “Oh, I’m sure a great number of things could be
revealed. But we can figure it out, and when the time comes we will work through it, together. I’m
sure just being there, at my side, will help me immensely, Harry. You don’t need to worry yourself
so much about not being able to help me, I know you will do just fine, because you are my son.
My little boy. And you being there, no matter what may be revealed, will be more than enough to
help me through it, I am sure,” his dad said gently, running his fingers through Harry’s hair.

“But what if that isn’t enough?” Harry worried his bottom lip between his teeth.

“Then… Then we’ll figure it out when the time comes. Together. Always,” his dad kissed his
forehead again and Draco massaged his feet in comfort.

“I hope so,” Harry said, “I don’t want to see you in pain, dad,”

“And I don’t want to see you in pain, either, Harry. But we will work everything out, I am sure.
 Eventually,” his dad said, holding Harry a bit closer and Harry sunk into the embrace gladly, trying
to focus on his dad’s heartbeat.

And it was to the comforting sound of his dad’s heart beat, the warmth of his dad’s arms around
him, and the relaxing feel of his feet being massaged by the boy he hoped was his mate, that he fell
into a peaceful sleep.

Chapter End Notes

Hiya, how are you all?

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. So... what do you think is gonna happen next?
What is going to be revealed? How is the school going to react? Will Harry like being
in Hufflepuff? Where do you think the story is going?
Also, I posted an essay/petition where I (un)officially explain why I think I should be
cast as my favourite character, Severus Snape, in the new HBO series, despite the fact
that I am a woman. It would mean a lot if you went and read it, but no pressure. It isn't
going to lead to anything, unless, by some miracle, it goes viral, but it was fun to write.
Feel free to go and check it out.
Anywho, I am working on some Spotify playlists for my fanfics, so if you can think of
any songs you think work with the stories as they are so far, or where you think they
are going, or songs that give you the vibes you get from the stories, then please do let
me know and I will give them a listen, then potentially add them to the playlists. I will
let you know as soon as they are ready, though it may take a few weeks because life.
I have a Facebook group called Maraudering_Paige which you are all welcome to join
if you would like to and are able to. It is where we can talk about Harry Potter, fanfics,
life, share memes and more. It is also where I have somewhat of an update schedule
for my fics and will be keeping you up to date on what I am working on, in regards to
fanfics, original works, and more things. So if you are interested in joining then I am
more than happy to accept you all.
I hope you are having an amazing day!
Kind regards,
Paige xx
 A Day Full of Classes and Confrontations
Chapter Summary

The first day of classes is both good and bad for Harry. And Draco gets a treat, too ;)
Enjoy xx

Also, I wrote a petition/essay where I (un)officially explain why I think I should be

cast as my favourite character, Severus Snape, in the new HBO series, despite being a
woman, so if you want to check it out and maybe help it go viral ;) then feel free to go
and read it.

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

The first day of classes was… okay. They were rather peaceful actually, Harry had thought, after
the first round of questions from his new Housemates had died down. They really knew how to
make him feel welcome, and they included him in the group nicely. And despite the fact that he
knew they were still curious, they never asked him anything else. They just let him go with the
motions of a packed school day.

It also helped that all of their classes were with the Ravenclaws. So there was no Hermione trying
to get the Professor’s attention in whatever annoying/loud way she could. No Ron moaning about
everything. No arguing or tension between the Houses. Everyone just got on, both with each other,
and with the work.

It was nice. He felt like he would actually be able to study and do his best in this kind of
environment.

He might actually be able to make his dad proud.

And the thought of being able to do that made him feel better than he had in a while.

At least it did when he was actually in his classes. In between the classes, however, it seemed that
the Gryffindors, minus the twins and Neville, were doing whatever they could to find him and
either glare him to death, or attempt to confront him.

Then, of course, there was meal times, where they would attempt to come over and start something
else with him.

It was rather overwhelming, and he really, truly didn’t want to get into it. So he tried, really tried to
just sit there and eat as the Hufflepuffs stood up for him. He really wasn’t feeling very brave at the
moment after all. It was all too much.

“You really think you can just have everything don’t you?” Ron snarled, “It’s not enough that
you’re rich, and famous. You just have to have all the bloody attention, don’t you? And you will
do anything you can to get it, including pretending the bat is your father, and abandoning your
friends to be one of the losers,”

Harry jumped up and glared at Ron, “I have everything, do I? I want everything? I want attention?
Are you forgetting that until a recently I believed that both of my parents were fucking dead? I was
famous because my parents died and I didn’t. Am I supposed to be happy about that, Ron? Being
famous for having dead parents? Having attention because I am a fucking orphan? I would have
given everything up; the money, the fame, the attention, all of it; I would have given it all up to
have what you have, Ron. A loving fucking family who gives a shit about me. And I, of course,
found a loving parent who gives a shit about me, at the same time I find out that you and a large
chunk of the other Gryffindors have either been stealing from me, and/or pretending to be my
friend so that my fame, the fame I don’t fucking want, can get you to wherever you want to go in
life,

“I don’t… I don’t want any of this crap, Ron. I never did. All I wanted was a family. And I finally
have it. I finally have the one thing I always wanted, because you know how my aunt and uncle
treated me Ron, I told you everything. Everything. And yet you never once understood. You never
once actually tried to get someone to help me. You just continued to complain about being poor, or
the few chores you had to do at home, or about not being given enough attention. As if you
weren’t loved by everyone in your family, as if you weren’t clothed in clothes that fit you, and
were comfortable, and in good condition, as if you weren’t fed three large meals a day, and more if
you wanted it. As if all you cared about was being rich and famous,

“If you were my friend, Ronald, you would be happy that I found my dad. You wouldn’t be
standing there telling me I’m lying as if you know anything that happened over the summer.
Because you don’t. You don’t know. You never asked. You barely even wrote to me. And when
you did it was to complain about your family, even when they took you to the Quidditch World
Cup. And then it was to complain that I didn’t come with you and that your mum had to use my
ticket. You didn’t even ask if I wanted to go. You didn’t ask why I didn’t. I could have been
injured for all you know, or recovering from a major illness. But you didn’t care about that. You
don’t care about me. Only my money and my fame. And that’s… That’s okay, Ron. But I can’t be
friends with someone who doesn’t care about the real me. Or who doesn’t even really know the
real me. And I’m sorry. But I can’t keep pretending to be someone I’m not. I can’t keep doing all
this crap. I am a child, and I shouldn’t be fighting bad guys all the bloody time. I don’t want to. I
just want to be me. And I can’t be me when I am with all of you. So if you could all just piss off
and leave me the hell alone that would be wonderful,

“And, for the record, Hufflepuffs aren’t losers. None of the Houses are less than another.
Gryffindor is not the best. We are all equals in this bloody school. Or that is what we are meant to
be anyway. We all have traits of all the Houses, but we are sorted into the one that fits us most at
that given time. And all the Houses have valuable traits. Hufflepuffs are loyal, and hard working,
and patient, and have a strong sense of justice. Those are all good things. We aren’t just leftovers.
We aren’t losers. We are good people. You are just too thick-headed to see anything good about
any House that isn’t Gryffindor. Have you ever considered that once we leave this hell hole, our
Houses do not matter? Once we are out in the world, working and having families, or whatever we
are doing, the House we were sorted into won’t mean anything. You will have to work with people
from all the Houses, Ronald, and you will have to get on with them if you want to get anywhere in
life. So how about you stop being a prejudiced little prick and grow the fuck up,”

Harry hated to admit that he had tears in his eyes by the end of that, but he stormed out of the Hall
ignoring the gapes and angry looks that were being given to him by almost everyone, and he made
his way as quickly as he could to his dad’s quarters, wanting nothing more than to hide away.

Perhaps for the rest of his life.

That would be nice.

Peaceful.

He was rather thankful that the outburst had happened at dinner time. Classes were over and he
could just spend his time trying to calm down, and not break down.

He sunk to the floor in front of the sofa, leaning back against it and pulling his knees to his chest.

“Harry,” his dad said gently from the other side of the room, “Are you okay?” he said as he moved
slowly over to Harry and knelt next to him on the floor.

“N-no,” Harry whispered, “Were you not at dinner?”

“No. I’m sorry I wasn’t there, but I had something to do for Albus. What happened? What do you
need?” his dad said.

“The Gryffindors… Well, Ron really, confronted me. He basically said that I have everything. That
my money, and fame, and the attention I get wasn’t enough. I had to get more attention by
pretending that you were my father and by joining the ‘losers’. And I snapped. I may have sworn, a
lot. I just… I couldn’t… Why?” Harry breathed shakily and leaned against his dad, who wrapped
his arms around Harry gently, holding him close.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there. And I will be sure to punish him for such callous words. You don’t
deserve it. But you are here now, with me. You are safe for the minute, and you can release your
emotions if you want to,” his dad said, his voice soft as he rubbed his arms comfortingly.

Harry chuckled darkly, trying to not break down because he had been doing that enough lately,
“I’m not in trouble for swearing?”

“No. It was justified,” Severus grinned, “And I’m sure many of the students have heard worse than
what you came up with. The staff, too,”

Harry chuckled again.

The flames went green and Harry flinched as they both turned to look at it to find Minerva’s head
looking at them worriedly.

“Minerva, I’m a little busy at the moment comforting my son, so if-”

“Your godson punched Ronald Weasley,” she cut his dad off briskly.

His dad raised an eyebrow at her and Harry tried not to chuckle again at the image of Draco
punching Ron, and Ron’s reaction.

“And I’m supposed to be mad about that after everything Ronald has done to my son, including
what he had the gall to say to him not too long ago?” his dad said smoothly.

“You are supposed to punish your student, Severus,” she snapped, “I know you like to deal with
your Slytherins punishments on your own, but if you do not punish him for hurting another student
then I will have to do so myself considering it is my student he hurt,”

“And is Ronald going to be punished for anything he did to my son?” his dad said dangerously,
“Because if you aren’t going to punish him accordingly then I will have to do so. Not that I won’t
anyway. Nobody hurts my son and gets away with it,”

“Is your son going to be punished for the amount of swear words he said in front of the majority of
the school?” she raised her eyebrow.

“I don’t see why he should be, considering he did nothing but defend himself from the person who
has stolen from him, pretended to be his friend, and hurt him by throwing everything back into his
face. But if I must I shall take some points from Hufflepuff just for you,” he snarled at her.

“It is against school conduct to swear, Severus, you know that,” she huffed.

“Yes, however Ronald committed an actual crime, against my son. I do believe that my son was
very justified in his swearing. Anyhow, if you could send my godson to me then I will sort out a
punishment for him,”

She huffed again and disappeared, only for Draco to step through the flames, the green
disappearing as he vanished the ashes from his clothes, a grin on his face, even as he looked at
Harry in concern.

“That felt good,” Draco said as he walked over to the pair, sitting on the other side of Harry and
gripping his hand gently.

“I know you’re not okay, but are you okay?” Draco asked.

“I will be,” Harry said, smiling at Draco, “You didn’t have to punch him for me. He’s not worth
it,”

“But you are worth it. And he hurt you,” Draco said.

Harry grinned at him, his heart fluttering.

“So, because I have to,” his dad sighed, “Harry, three points from Hufflepuff for swearing. Draco,
ten points from Slytherin for punching a student, and detention with me tomorrow, Harry, you can
join us if you want to,”

“Yes, sir,” Harry and Draco said at the same time, grinning at each other.

“How were your classes, Harry?” his dad asked, concerned.

“They were good, actually. Peaceful. There was no tension in the air, and everyone was really nice,
and we all just kinda got on with it, you know? I feel like I can actually focus on my work, but also
be friends with them, maybe,” Harry said, smiling as he leaned his head back against the seat of the
sofa, looking up at two of his favourite people.

“That’s good,” Severus smiled.

“Maybe I should be re-sorted into Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw,” Draco pouted, “Classes were
unbearable for me. After I left with you the Gryffindors are hounding me for tricking you, or
controlling you, or taking you away from them. It is bloody ridiculous,” he shook his head.

“I’m sorry,” Harry whispered.

“No, Harry, it’s not your fault. Nothing is your fault. I am happy to spend time with you, you are
my best friend. And you deserve all the best things in the world. You especially deserve to have
people looking out for you, and I am going to do that. No matter what happens. I will look after
you, and protect you, and do everything you want me to do, no matter what. I can handle a few
annoying Gryffindors. I can handle anything, for you,” Draco said sweetly, again making Harry’s
heart and stomach flutter away.
 And Harry blushed when he noticed the smile and cheeky glint in his dad’s eyes as he looked
between them. He tried not to, though.

“Were you able to finish your dinner, Harry?” Severus asked, concern in his voice.

“No,” Harry shook his head.

“Okay, let’s get you something to eat, and then we can relax for the night. It is the weekend so we
can spend the next two days here if you want to, other than when Draco is in his detention
anyway,” Severus smirked.

“That sounds amazing,” Harry nodded, letting his dad help him to stand and lead him to the table.

It was a good night after that.

Chapter End Notes

Hiya, how are you all?

I am finally here with a new chapter, I hope you enjoyed it! Soooooo, what is going to
happen next? Where is this story going? What do you think is going to come up?
What do you think is going to hurt Severus so much that Harry will need to help him
through it? What things would you like to see, even if it is just something small? I
would love to know your thoughts if you would like to share them.
Anywho, I posted an essay/petition where I (un)officially explain why I think I should
be cast as my favourite character, Severus Snape, in the new HBO series, despite the
fact that I am a woman. It would mean a lot if you went and read it, but no pressure. It
isn't going to lead to anything, unless, by some miracle, it goes viral, but it was fun to
write. Feel free to go and check it out.
Also, I am working on some Spotify playlists for my fanfics, so if you can think of any
songs you think work with the stories as they are so far, or where you think they are
going, or songs that give you the vibes you get from the stories, then please do let me
know and I will give them a listen, then potentially add them to the playlists. I will let
you know as soon as they are ready, though it may take a few weeks because life.
I have a Facebook group called Maraudering_Paige which you are all welcome to join
if you would like to and are able to. It is where we can talk about Harry Potter, fanfics,
life, share memes and more. It is also where I have somewhat of an update schedule
for my fics and will be keeping you up to date on what I am working on, in regards to
fanfics, original works, and more things. So if you are interested in joining then I am
more than happy to accept you all.
I also now have a TikTok and an Instagram for my fanfic writing escapades. The
username is maraudering_paige on both of them so feel free to follow me, and we shall
see how often and what kinds of content I can post when I can. But it is another way
for me to keep you all up to date if you don't have Facebook and such, and for me to
spread the word about other things I am working on and things I want to do and such.
So yeah, feel free to join me on those if you are able.
If there are any other platforms you think I should join you all on then let me know
and I will have a think.
I hope you are having an amazing day!
Kind regards,
Paige xx
Please drop by the archive and comment to let the author know if you enjoyed their work!