A Hate of the Truth by ChibiK

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Summary: Harry’s parents have decided to go into a deep form of hiding when they find out that Voldemort is after them. The problem? They can’t take Harry with them. And because Sirius, Remus, and Peter are going with them, they don’t know who to have Harry stay with. Then Dumbledore suggests Snape, and everything slowly falls into place…

Severus couldn’t believe it. He refused to allow this issue to be thrown into the ever-growing pile known solely as the believable. Albus Dumbledore had truly flipped his lid this time. No doubt about that.

Surely he wasn’t expected to…no, Albus wouldn’t. He knew that it would be murder to force Severus into doing as he asked.

He wasn’t good with kids. He had never liked them at all. Especially not babies. The boy was not even a year old. The child needed his parents, people who would love him, not Severus Snape the greasy, hated Potions Master.

This was not right. Was the Headmaster just forcing him to do this as some type of cruel and unusual punishment? Or was this supposed to be a learning experience of some sort?

Whatever is was, or was supposed to be, didn’t make Severus like it anymore than he did, and ever would.

He slammed the door to his private chambers and threw himself down upon his couch. Severus couldn’t help but scowl as his memories took him back to only a few moments ago when Albus had asked him to do the unthinkable…

*~*~*~*~*~*

“Severus” The elder wizard had began wearily. That was never a good thing. Whenever the Headmaster’s voice went weary it could never be a good thing. “Severus, as you know Lily and James have become targets of Voldemort.”

Yes. Severus knew this very well, as it was he himself that had informed Dumbledore, who had informed the Potters, of the Dark Lords interest in their destruction.

He nodded curtly, and then waited for the Headmaster to continue on whatever path he was treading.

“Severus, I have told them of a temporary place where they would be able to continue their work against Voldemort under the safest possible conditions. Safer even than that of the Fiddilus charm.”

Severus didn’t understand how any of this affected him. He remained silent, however, knowing that the elder wizard would soon reach his point, and that his point would somehow affect Severus.

“However, there is a problem to this seemingly perfect solution.” Ah, Severus thought, so this is where I come in I suppose. It must have had something to do with a potion or something of the like. “They cannot take Harry with them, and they want you to watch over him.”

Severus froze. “What?”

“I said that they cannot take Harry with them, and they want you to watch him while they are away.” Severus simply stared at the man, utterly flabbergasted.

Being Severus he quickly regained his voice and was even quicker to protest.

“Headmaster, honestly! I cannot take care of a child, let alone a baby! He has a Godfather, let him take the burden of responsibility.”

“Sirius Black, as well as Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew are going along with Lily and James.” Severus’ face fell, straight to the floor.

“Why me?” He asked, trying anything and everything to avoid this situation. “None of the formerly mentioned people are fond of me at all.” And the understatement of the year award goes to…

“Yes, I understand this, Severus. And it took quite a bit of convincing on my part to make them understand that you are the best person to look after Harry’s well-being.”

So all of this was Albus’ idea? Didn’t he realize that Severus couldn’t, and he definitely meant couldn’t, take care of a baby? He could do many things, but this was certainly not one of them.

“How long would he be staying with me?” I ask, knowing that Albus would not let me out of this one.

“At the minimum two years, and the maximum about seventeen.” Seventeen? So the Headmaster was telling him that he could be taking care of this brat until he reached adulthood. Oh, how wonderful.

“So I’m going to be taking care of Harry Potter for quite awhile, then.”

“That reminds me…” Oh, so there was more. “While Harry is living with you, he will need to assume the identity of your son.” That was very possibly the last straw for Severus.

“What!” He shouted, but not another word passed his lips, as Albus had smiled, and ushered him out, saying that he was glad that he was taking this so well, and he would see him later to discuss the details.

And Severus was shooed off to his rooms to contemplate his horrible fate.