One of the things I've noted concerning Sevitus and Severitus fanfiction is that Harry's original parents - Lily and James - are often marginalized, ignored, or even demonized in order to make Snape look better. In fact, the same applies to other living authority figures in Harry's life. Look at all of the stories where Dumbledore is made evil seemingly without any reasoning except to toss him in Severus's care.

My challenge is to write a fic where James (or James AND Lily) wanted Harry in Severus's care if he/they died. Somehow this information was lost, garbled, misunderstood... or suppressed.

The fact that Harry's parents wanted this might ease a lot of the Gryffindor's initial objections to being cared for by his hated Potions professor.

Additional parameters (optional):

1) The story should take place when Harry is school-age or older, not before he ever realizes he's even a wizard, or hears about his parents for the first time.

2) The Dursleys are really quite abusive enough in canon!

3) The reason the Potters wanted to give Harry to Severus should not involve his feelings for Lily... or at least that's not the primary reasoning. It might be one of the reasons the Potters would ever think he'd agree to it.

4) Please don't solely involve Lily in the decision. I think it reads as much more interesting if James suggests it or pushes for it. If this isn't possible with your version of James, then he should at least agree wholeheartedly that it's the right thing to do.

5) Lupin should be involved. Perhaps he's fighting Harry staying with Snape; perhaps he's the one who holds the key to the Potters' message.