Authors Notes: Yes, it has been a long time I know. But I had exams, some babysitting jobs, guests, WorkCamp, social activities with friends, and now I'm doing something called the Institute for the Arts where I have art classes every weekday of July. But yes I know that as I drone on with this authors note I'm taking time up in which I could be writing the chapter so I'll stop. But I did make this one long just for you guys. Enjoy…

Chapter 19

"Because… he's my father."

A look appeared on Ron's face that would have made Harry fall over laughing if had not been under the circumstances. The pallet of expressions Ron called his face finally settled down in a sort of mockingly outrageous fashion.

"Harry stop trying to make a joke. Snape your father?!? That's not even a funny joke and you should know it! Come on Harry why is it really?"

Harry swallowed nervously. He had not expected this. What would Ron finally think when he figured out it wasn't just a joke.

"I wasn't joking Ron."

At least Hermione was looking serious.

"Harry, this isn't funny. I know that your kidding, so why don't you stop now and we go on with what we were seriously talking about?"

Hermione glared at Ron and elbowed him in the side but Ron didn't take the hint, and what he said next hurt.

"Harry, don't you trust me enough to tell me the real reason. That's it isn't it. Well I have news for you; its not like I'm going to go off with everything you tell me and tell bloody Voldemort! Tell me the truth Harry, we're friends aren't we?

"Ron! Why would I joke about something like that? You think I'm just trying to trick you and that to do so I got Snape to play along? You think I would change my appearance to look like the man I've hated for the past four years? You think that I don't trust you? How could you think that Ron? You're like a brother to me! I would trust you with my life, and you turn around and say that?!?"

Ron looked astonished and his ears turned the brightest shade of red Harry had ever noticed but that wasn't really what he was paying attention to. His friend's reaction had been worse than he had imagined. Not wanting to feel even worse Harry stood up silently and walked out onto the balcony, not even glancing at Ron.

On the balcony he could here his two friends. Hermione was now yelling at Ron.

"How could you even think that Ron! You have such a thick head, or maybe you have nothing up there at all, just a few dust balls! Harry just trusted you with the biggest secret he has and you slam him down saying that he doesn't trust you enough! You are lucky he's even your friend after all you've done to him. This isn't even the first time either! Remember last year? You didn't believe that he had not put his name in the goblet! You know what Ron? You don't even deserve to have Harry as a friend! Not after what you just did to him! Now you will either go talk to him now or just go home after I obliviate you!"

Ron didn't say anything back. After about five minutes he came out on the balcony and sat on the stone floor next to his friend and only after another few minutes in silence did he begin to speak quietly.

"You know what Harry," he whispered, "she's right."

He paused for a moment and continued. "I don't deserve to have you as a friend… I'm a selfish git who refuses to be grateful. I've failed as a friend to you Harry. I'm sorry for what I said back inside. I'm sorry for not being a trusting friend. Harry, I'm sorry and regret everything that I have ever done wrong to you. I don't blame you if you don't want to be my friend anymore after all I've done for you. You've gone through so much and I'm just a horribly thick-sculled tagalong."

He got up quietly and left the balcony and went into the room ready to go back home. But Harry got up and spoke before he could open the door.

"You're a little wrong Ron. Without you as my friend I wouldn't be living today. You haven't failed, your just human and make mistakes just like me. I don't blame you that you didn't believe me, I wouldn't have believed you if you have said you were Professor Trelawney's son. So lets start over. Ron, I'm Professor Snape's son."

Ron looked like he would burst of tears of relief.

"Thank you Harry. I don't deserve it but thank you for giving me another chance. Now I agree to the start over. Harry, how the bloody hell did this happen?"

Harry let out a sigh of relief and plopped back down into his favorite chair and began to explain. Hermione had looked ready to cry with relief as Ron sat down in the chair next to Harry and looked at him with sincerity.

After Harry had explained Ron cursed some more in surprise and furrowed his brow in thought. Hermione the ever thinking spoke excitedly and positively as always.

"Well Harry, look at it this way: You've always wanted parents right? That's what you wanted the most isn't it. Remember the Mirror of Erised? Your deepest desire came true, in somewhat of a fashion. You can have the chance to a father. You can see what Professor Snape is really like; he can't be all that bad. He just might put up a front like that. And you don't even have to ever live with the Dursleys again! No more secretly writing us! Also, now that your appearance has changed with a few adjustments you can walk around like a normal person. You won't have paparazzi following you around because to them your just another random teenager on the street who may jest have a few similar characteristics to the boy-who-lived!"

Harry smiled wider. He hadn't thought of that. It would mean more freedom and less attention that he didn't even want in the first place. Hermione had cheered him up greatly and all he needed right now was the assurance of his "brother".

Ron turned and looked at him. "While I may still hate Snape," he began, "that won't change our friendship. I was stupid enough before, and I won't let anything ruin it. I may not trust that slimy haired git and talk bad about him, but some of what Hermione said was true and at least he might be better than the Dursleys. What do you do here all day anyway?"

Harry grinned madly; he was feeling as if a huge burden had been lifted off him. Yes, there was still Sirius and other things to deal with but for right now it was all okay, and he still had his friends.

He told his two friends about his days of Quidditch, shopping, and potion making. Hermione looked jealous, and Ron gave him his condolences of having to spend more time with the evil professor in his poison-making lab.

The couple of hours he had with his friends went by quickly, joking and talking about Harry's situation. He and Ron had taken turns flying around the grounds on Harry's Firebolt while Hermione watched from Harry's balcony. They would fly around her doing tricks. Harry had shown Hermione the library and she was looking at some thick tome of a book. Harry had even gotten to try out his new snitch and had fun catching it. But all to soon the afternoon had ended. Hermione was leaving for vacation the next morning with her parents for much of August, and Ron was staying home with Ginny that evening since his parents had to go away somewhere until late, though Ron admitted he didn't know what. They agreed to write all their letters in a kind of code so in case they were intercepted Voldemort wouldn't find out anything, and endanger anyone's life.

The house elf appeared and told them to come down to Master Snape's study. Hermione frowned at the thought of having a hose elf, but Harry assured her they treated them nicely.

Ron frowned at his potions professor as they entered the study but Harry knew Ron was still his friend. His two best friends said their goodbyes and after a hug from Hermione they left through the fireplace and Harry nearly fell with relief and emotional tiredness into the nearest chair. The afternoon had been extremely enjoyable later on, but it had been emotionally exhausting.

Sev asked him if he was feeling all right and Harry nodded, not really even thinking about it. Sev handed him a vial of an unknown potion that Harry swallowed without asking and then drained it down with a goblet of juice his father handed him. He began to feel dizzy and his last thoughts were that potion must have been a mild sleeping potion.

He woke up a little later on the sofa near the far wall of the room. He pushed off the blanket that had been laid over him and sat up slowly. Sev was sitting in a chair reading a potions journal. He looked up as Harry did.

"You made me take a nap!" Harry said accusingly.

"You needed it and do not tell me otherwise. You obviously are feeling more refreshed and it was only for an hour. Also, since you weren't able immediately able to tell that it was a sleeping draught I will be teaching you to recognize such things."

Harry was taken aback. He didn't know what to say, and part of the reason for this was because everything the man had said was true. He had been exhausted and now he felt much better.

"Well I didn't expect you to give me that…" Harry tried to reason, knowing it wouldn't work but still trying anyway.

"Well you must always be aware of your surroundings."

"What, your going to be like Mad-Eye Moody now? 'Constant Vigilance!'" He retorted doing an almost perfect impression.

Sev smirked in amusement. "I don't like to think of myself as that bad. And you may laugh but constant vigilance is needed in most places."

"Most places…" Harry thought aloud. "But what about here?"

Sev looked thoughtful for a moment. "Here you may relax unless I tell you to be on your guard. This manor has protections and I will be able to know when it is unsafe. Though you need to be more aware and we should work on that skill it is better not to take it to the extreme at the moment."

"Is taking it extreme like you are at school when you teach us…"

"That would be a prime example. In front of the other Slytherins what do you think they would do if I treated them the same as everyone else?"

"They would report back to their parents if their family was loyal to Voldemort."

"Exactly. Now as for this topic we will continue to discuss it a time later in the future, but as for right now you have other things to do. Before we move onto other activities, how are you feeling?"

Harry was about to answer but Sev interrupted, "Use your brain this time and think before you answer.'

Harry paused and answered, "Better." That was all he was going to say but the man got up and gave him a look that demanded more of a proper answer. "Fine, I get it. I feel better, but I'm overall a little sore, but it's really nothing."

"Hm." Sev muttered. "And?"

"And I feel a little dizzy but that's probably because I jut woke up. And there's nothing else wrong with me, I swear." Harry finished.

"Your answer was better this time; I expect a complete answer as such, every time I ask. Not here." He handed Harry a small vile, and the boy downed it. Severus inwardly sighed, the boy hadn't even thought about what he was drinking.

"It was a muscle soothing draft." Harry spoke interrupting his thoughts though surprising him. "I've had them enough to know. Besides the horrible taste gives it away. Why do you always make potions that taste horrible anyway? Maybe I wouldn't mind saying what was wrong with me if I didn't have to down your horrible-tasting potions." Harry said sarcastically.

"Because if I made the hospital wing's potions taste better more rebellious students such as yourself might end up in the hospital wing sick and not in their classes."

Harry grinned. It was probably true. Having to drink disgusting potions was one of the worst parts of being in the hospital wing. But he still replied, "Hey, I'd rather go to class then be in the hospital wing, even if the potions taste good. Its not my fault I always end up there, I just seem to attract injuries."

"That certainly is true."

They sat on the couch in silence but after a few moments Reva appeared by popping in front of them. The house elf bowed and she spoke in her squeaky voice. "Your guests have arrived master."

"Thank you Reva, please show them in and make sure dinner is ready."

The house elf bowed and disappeared with another small pop.

"Who's here?" Harry asked.

"Our dinner guests."

"Dinner guests?" Harry asked wondering whom. Ron and Hermione just left, so who could have come? It wasn't like it was Voldemort or the Malfoys.

As he sat their waiting the door to the study opened and he saw who had come. It was Remus and Dumbledore. They both smiled as they entered, and Harry got up quickly to greet them. Remus enfolded him with a caring hug and then looked him over.

"Wow…" he spoke in amazement. "You too look so much alike…"

"Indeed." Spoke the headmaster his eye's twinkling merrily.

Harry looked down but felt better when Remus commented, "it suits you better Harry. You look a lot better then you did earlier this summer." Harry muttered thanks.

Severus noticed how Harry was feeling uncomfortable so he distracted the group from their current topic of conversation by leading them to the dining room that the house elves had been working on. He saw watched Harry's face light up when he saw the room that made him pleased though he didn't show it.

Harry grinned happily. The day had been all he had ever dreamed of but now it was even getting better. The dining room had been decorated. The house elves had put up streamers around the room and balloons that changed shape and color. There were four chairs set up in the middle of the table. The plates and glasses stood to mark the places. There were many platters of food, all of which were kinds Harry liked and wondered how they had known.

Harry sat next to Sev and Remus and the headmaster sat across from him. Dumbledore conjured party hats for them. Harry grinned as he put one on. Remus and Dumbledore did too, which looked pretty funny. Sev just stared at his. "Come on, are you to scared to wear a hat?" Harry said sarcastically, smirking. Sev smirked and begrudgingly put his on. Remus began to laugh and Harry could admit that it was an amusing sight. Snape in a party hat, Ron would have died to see it. Harry laughed along to, but didn't keep bother his father.

As they ate dinner Remus asked Harry what he had been doing. Harry told him about flying around the manor, and his lunch at the fancy restaurant and how he had gotten a golden snitch so he now could practice and definitely beat the Slytherins in the upcoming year. At this thought Sev smirked and muttered sarcastically about how he would maybe sabotage him so his 'precious' Slytherins could win at which Harry laughed some more.

Harry was again surprised when a cake appeared as the dinner plates disappeared. Another cake! This was an extremely large cake. It had two layers and was frosted. It had vanilla frosting all over it and then a Quidditch game decorated it. On the top was a scene of him catching a snitch and there were fifteen candles around him. On the sides of the cake had little Harry's diving and flying around Quidditch hoops. The last side had a picture of him in the potions dungeon making healing drafts. Harry laughed at this one since it also depicted an extremely funny-looking Snape walking around. Snape muttered on how he hadn't known that was going to be on the cake.

Dumbledore started, though extremely off tune, singing Happy Birthday along with Remus, though Sev only muttered the words, refusing to sing. Harry blew out the candles and they disappeared. Sev cut the cake asking Harry which piece he wanted. Harry, quite amusingly, asked for part of the potions scene, replying that it would feel too odd eating himself on a piece of cake.

As Harry finished eating his cake Remus reached over and handed him a present.

He opened the parcel and found a book entitled 'How to Write an Essay'. It was well worn on the edges and was quite lengthy.

"Thanks Remus", he said politely. Was his writing that bad?

He was surprised when Dumbledore handed him a long box wrapped in bright yellow paper with a red bow. When Harry took the box it was extremely heavy. He put it down on the table and opened it. After he had taken the lid off the box he found a sword in a sheath. The sheath was made of black leather. Harry picked it up in his left hand and pulled the silver jeweled handle out. He gasped in surprise. He recognized the sword. It was the same sword he had fought with at the end of his second year. The sword he had killed the Basilisk with. It was the sword of Godric Gryffindor. But as he held it, it widened and lengthened and became considerably heavier.

"Wow! Are you sure? Why is it changing?"

Dumbledore looked at him calmly. "The sword is yours Harry. It has been ever since you pulled it out in your second year. It just wasn't the exactly appropriate time to give it to you. But now I decided to give it to you this summer because you are staying with someone who can teach you. As for its changing, it is changing to suit your physical capabilities and need. You no longer need a sword that an inexperienced second-year could wield."

Harry put the sword back away and set it down with the wand holder. Sev was looking at him curiously but said nothing. Dumbledore spoke again. "I need to talk with Severus Harry. Don't worry; it doesn't have to do with you. We will be talking about Hogwarts matters, and I don't want to bore you."

"We can talk in my study Albus. Harry will you be okay with Remus?"

Harry nodded happily. The headmaster and Sev left the dining room. Harry turned to Remus. "Would you like to come see my room?" He asked excitedly. Remus smiled and nodded.

Harry led Remus up to his room and showed him balcony and how he had his own bathroom. Remus looked pleased as he looked around. He touched the wall as the sticker of a golden snitch flew around the section of wall nearest the door.

He spotted the small wolf stuffed animal slightly hidden under the pillows. Harry saw how he noticed it and tried to unobtrusively hide it completely under the pillow. "You know your mother had a stuffed animal all throughout the time she was at Hogwarts. It was a panther. One day in the train we saw it when she opened her trunk for something. James didn't say anything though. But I think it was because he had a stuffed animal too but he had left his at home so no one would see." Remus spoke smiling at his childhood memories. This story made Harry feel much better. He was glad Remus wasn't fazed at all about the idea of Harry having a childish thing such as that.

They sat and relaxed on Harry's two favorite chairs, both just enjoying the peaceful company. "So how have you been getting along with Severus?" Remus asked.

"Great! I didn't think I would but I really have. It's so nice. I've never been happier. I really like the Weasley's house and staying there over the holidays but somehow this feels different. Is that odd?"

Harry thought about that. If he had to choose between the two he found it odd thinking that he would choose here. He loved the Weasleys like family, but this felt different, in a good way.

Remus smiled happily. "That's not odd at all Harry. I'm happy you like it here."

"Well at first I didn't think I would like it here, or Sev at all. I didn't ever think it possible. I thought Sev was just some overgrown bat. But I was wrong, and I'm kind of glad I was."

"Did things go well with your friends today?"

"Yeah, we worked it all out."

"They accepted it then. That's great Harry."

"Yes, but the thing I've really been worried about is Sirius. How will I ever be able to tell him? He hates Sev."

"I wouldn't worry about it Harry. Sirius loves you and even though Severus is your dad, he won't love you any less. He might be angry with Severus but he'll love you all the same. But don't think about that. I know it's hard but it will all work out and if it will make you feel any better I'll ask Albus what he thinks."

Harry nodded. "Thanks Rem, I knew you would understand."

"Actually, speaking of Padfoot, I have a present from him. I wanted to give it to you in private just in case you wanted to open it later when you were alone." Remus handed him a box with some parchment attached to it.

"Thank you, that means a lot." Harry took the box. "Do you mind if I open it right now. I don't mind opening it in front of you."

"Feel free."

Harry carefully opened the box and found what looked like a long thin container of some sorts. It had two straps on one side, and a latch to open and close on the bottom. It was made of soft black leather. He looked up at Remus in confusion.

"Ah he got you something useful. It's a wand holder. You see the straps on the bottom? It's for wearing on your arm. They part at the bottom that opens and closes goes closest to your hand. That way when you open it your wand pops into your hand. They are extremely useful."

"Awesome!"

"I have one as well. I bought one when I got the idea from Moody, he said if everyone kept keeping their wands in their pockets they would either loose them or blast their butts off. Actually I mostly got one because he kept telling me that."

Harry laughed. He could imagine him saying that. Remus then seemed to remember something.

"Oh, before I forget. That book I gave you has an inscription from the authors on the inside of the cover. Read the note first." He said with a smile. Wow, maybe his writing was horrible. But the only class his essays got terrible grades in was Potions.

"I'll make sure to do so. Thanks again."

"No problem Harry. I used it quite a lot at school and I thought you might find it useful. Oh, I hear Severus and Albus coming out of the study. We should go down now."

"You could hear that?" Harry said awed.

"I just have well developed senses." He said kind of sadly.

"Lets go down then." Harry said.

When they got back down to the entryway Dumbledore and Remus said their goodbyes. The headmaster was about to go out the door but turned towards Harry. He reached into one of his pockets and took out an envelope and handed it to Harry. "The answer to your question you asked in the letter." He chuckled as Harry realized they were the pictures he has asked for. Harry thanked him and quickly put them in his pocket.

Harry and Severus went back into the study, where the house elves had brought out some tea.

Severus and Harry sat next to the fire drinking tea. Severus looked down at his son who sat contently in the large chair. He was glad that Harry could a good birthday. On the other hand it made him mad that this had been his first real birthday.

"Did you enjoy the day?" He asked.

Harry looked up happily. "Yes. It has been the best birthday I've ever had. Thank you for everything. For the parties with my friends and tonight."

"I'm glad your day went well, but there is still one more thing."

Harry looked up surprised.

Severus waved his hand and a pile of presents appeared in front of Harry. Harry looked so surprised. It bothered him to see Harry surprised. He hadn't really given him anything yet except for the set of robes that morning and that wasn't really a gift but an essential. It was all the fault of those damn Dursleys again too, and he knew it. He felt the need to go do something to them for neglecting the boy, no, his son. They neglected his son and it was their fault.

Harry was shocked. He hadn't really thought about Sev giving him a present. He guessed he hadn't really thought of this because the Dursleys had never given him anything or even acknowledged his birthday. And now, not just anyone but his father, Sev had done more than acknowledged it, but celebrated it. In his mind that alone had been the biggest present possible.

Harry picked up the top box. In it was a pair of soft black leather gloves. Harry immediately put them on and found they were lined with something that made his hands extremely warm. He would definitely enjoy them later on in the school year when it got cold.

The next, and smallest present turned out to be a small star shaped picture frame with a picture of his mother in it. Harry thanked Sev many times and put it safely on top of his gloves in a box so it wouldn't break.

There were two presents left. Harry picked up the largest one that turned out to be extremely light. He ripped off the paper covering it and found that it was a new trunk. The trunk was a little smaller than his current school trunk, but this one was much more intriguing. It was beautiful as well. It was made of a dark wood, which smelled nicely. There weren't many designs on it, except for what looked like Celtic knots and ruins, and underneath the latch was a small lily. Harry looked up at Sev who motioned for him to open the trunk. Harry lifted up with silver latch opening up the trunk. Inside it was a compartment divided into two section. They were both filled with what looked like a whole new wardrobe. There was everything he could imagine. There were jeans, pants, shorts, different types of shirts from t-shirts to dress shirts. There was even a new pair of shoes and many pairs of socks.

"Wow, thank you so much. There's so much! I don't know how I can ever wear all this."

"I'm sure you will find a way. Now there are other compartments besides that particular one. Notice the different designs across there, touch one."

Severus watched as Harry looked like a child eating his favorite candy. He pushed the design farthest left. The new apartment was then shown as the previous one disappeared. This particular compartment held robes of various colors and designs. There was also another cloak. He watched as the boy, no, his son, goggled at everything, said thanks again and touched the next pattern.

Severus continued to watch as Harry went through the next few compartments. He had set up one with school supplies and some reference books, and another with a small potions supply that had his sleep potion and other often needed emergency potions. Once the boy had finished looking through the trunk and he had told his son to stop thanking him, he explained about the trunk.

"The trunk has many protection spells on it. It will default to opening to that first compartment, but if you want to change that I can show you how. The outside itself will only open to you, or someone else only if you wish them to be able to. You can protect the compartments if you wish by putting a password on them. You can do this by putting your wand tip on the pattern and saying the desired word. The trunk itself also serves as a type of Portkey. To activate it you must touch it, think of the destination, and say 'Lily Evans'. There are two destinations you can choose. The first is our rooms at Hogwarts. The other destination is here, the manor."

Harry looked at the trunk in awe. It really was a complicated trunk and had taken many hours of work for it to work properly. But it was worth it. He personally had such a trunk as that, but his had vaguely different patterns and contained different things.

Now there was his most thoughtful present left. "Be careful picking up this one" he said motioning to the present.

Harry lifted it up with care and opened the lid of the box. He saw swirling silver mist above silvery liquid. It was in a medium sized black basin. He had seen something like this only once before the previous year. "A Pensive!" Harry said surprised.

"You've seen one before."

Harry nodded, though Sev thankfully didn't ask where. He didn't really feel like telling how he had entered through the headmaster's thoughts.

"Do you know how to work one?" Sev asked.

"No." He had seen Dumbledore but he didn't really understand how to use the thing. Though it would be extremely useful to have one. It was definitely the best birthday gift. Harry was extremely excited.

"Put your wand to your head, think of what you want to put into the Pensive, and then put your want to the Pensive and it will go in. The thought will no longer be quite as vivid in your head. You still will know its there and what its about but not necessarily everything about it. Would you like to try now or later?"

"Later. But thank you, this was the best gift of all today."

"Think nothing of it Harry. It was your birthday, I as your father couldn't not give you anything. That and the fact that you needed what I gave you."

"No, listen. Thank you." Harry said stubbornly.

Sev sighed. "Fine then, your welcome Harry."