The next week flew by. Ron and Hermione came to visit Harry once more before the new school year began. The weather was nice this time so they spent much of the day outside. Harry showed them around the grounds at Prince Hall and then he and Ron, who had indeed remembered to bring his Cleansweep, practiced feints and dives from the Wronski Quidditch book.

They managed to round up an extra broom for Hermione, but she never had enjoyed flying as much as the boys. After a little while, she borrowed a novel from the library and settled down on a blanket under an oak tree to read while Ron and Harry swooped through the air above her.

Late in the afternoon, just before Ron and Hermione left, the three of them went by the library to return the book. Severus was sitting at his desk, writing on some parchment. He laid it aside as they came in and nodded at them.

"Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley."

"Good afternoon, sir," Hermione said.

Ron looked a little uncomfortable still, but he spoke politely enough. "Hello, Professor."

Severus glanced at the thick book in Hermione's hand. "Is that the same one you were reading the last time you were here, Miss Granger?"

She looked uncertain, as if worried that she'd done something wrong. "Yes, sir."

Severus seemed to have an internal struggle with himself before finally offering, "You may take it with you to finish, if you'd like. You can return it once we're all back at Hogwarts."

Hermione seemed stunned into speechlessness. She just gazed at him in amazement for a moment before slowly smiling and nodding. "Thank you, Professor Snape. I'll take good care of it."

"If I'd had any doubts about that, I wouldn't have offered," Severus responded dryly. He placed the parchment carefully in a drawer and stood. "If you're ready then, Miss Granger..."

They Apparated away to the Granger residence in London, and Ron turned to Harry. "I guess you're right, mate. He can act decent, huh. You're going to ask about riding with us on the Hogwarts Express, aren't you?"

Harry nodded. "Yes. I'll let you know, but I don't see why Severus would mind."

"Well, we'll see you at King's Cross in a few days then." Ron and Harry clasped hands before Ron Flooed home to the Burrow.

***

And then, all of a sudden, it was the last evening at Prince Hall. There were still a few days before the term began, but the professors had to return earlier than the students so Severus and Harry had to go ahead and report to the castle.

"Do you have everything packed?" Severus asked as they were eating dinner.

Harry nodded. "Yes, sir. I finished this afternoon."

"Good." Severus considered him thoughtfully. "The weather will be turning cooler soon. How large is your winter wardrobe, Harry?"

"Umm, I have a few more winter things," he replied. "I always bought myself some clothes at Diagon Alley. The only reason I never bought much stuff for summer was cause I knew I'd be back at the Dursleys by then."

Severus looked slightly puzzled. "Why wouldn't you need summer clothes while staying with your relatives?"

Harry looked down at his plate, piled high with a serving of chicken casserole and vegetables, and mumbled. "I always wore Dudley's castoffs then."

"Hmm." Severus arched an eyebrow, seeming to consider the mental picture of Harry, who had always been small for his age, and Dudley Dursley, who had always been large for his, wearing the same clothes. He didn't comment directly on it though, to Harry's relief.

Relief that was short-lived, as it turned out, since Severus' next words were, "It has not escaped my notice that we have yet to discuss your relatives and the ways they mistreated you, Harry. We do need to talk about it, I think, and decide how they should be punished."

Harry was already shaking his head. "No, Severus, please..."

The professor sighed and reached for his hand, holding it gently between his own. "I understand that it is a difficult topic, but I think it might help you to talk about it, and I assure you that I can empathise."

"I just want to forget about it, and them," Harry said, scarcely louder than a whisper.

Severus gave his hand a light squeeze. "Harry, if I thought that simply forgetting about it all was the best thing for you, then I wouldn't mention it again. But I can't help but feel that keeping those memories and emotions bottled up inside could be harmful to you in the long run."

Harry looked at him pleadingly. "But couldn't we talk about it another time? Please? I don't want to spoil my last night here talking about the Dursleys."

Severus considered him thoughtfully before nodding. "Very well, then. But we do need to discuss them soon, Harry."

Harry just looked down at their clasped hands in silence. After a moment, Severus spoke more briskly.

"As a matter of fact, I have something else planned for this evening."

Harry looked back up, his expression a mixture of curiousity and trepidation. "You do?"

Severus nodded. "It's all right. I think you'll enjoy it."

"What is it?" Harry asked more eagerly.

But Severus just shook his head, smiling a little. "You have to finish dinner first."

When they had eaten their fill and the elves had cleared the table, Harry glanced expectantly at Severus, but the professor just kept sitting there. After a moment, Harry understood why. Norie and Zan came back from the kitchen, levitating an enormous chocolate cake lit with brightly glowing candles.

Harry stared in amazement as Norie set the cake before him with a flourish and she and Zan chorused. "Happy Birthday, Master Harry!"

"But...my birthday was a month ago, and we already celebrated," Harry said, looking from the elves to Severus in bewilderment.

"Yes, but we were not able to complete the celebration," Severus explained. "We were supposed to have cake and ice cream that evening, but then you and I ended up in St. Mungo's instead." He looked slightly embarrassed. "I realise it's a bit late, but what is the saying, ‘Better late than never'?

Harry swallowed the lump in his throat. "You didn't have to do all this," he said thickly.

Severus rolled his eyes. "Foolish child. Of course we didn't have to do it. We wanted to do it. Now, blow out the candles before the icing melts all over the antique tablecloth."

Harry turned his attention to the flaming candles. But first he had to make a wish. He started to wish for a way to be freed from the slavery spell, but then, for some reason, he glanced around at the others in the room: Severus who had given Harry his heart and allowed him to see the carefully concealed emotions hidden behind a cool façade, whose dark eyes were soft and gentle as they watched him; Norie who had a feisty spirit and a loving heart; and Zan who was always quiet and dignified, but kind and welcoming, too.

I hope we'll always be a family. The thought sprang unbidden into Harry's mind, and as much as he longed for his freedom, he knew that it was his true deepest desire. And suddenly, somehow, he felt free again, even if only for a moment.

But still...And I hope Severus and Dumbledore can find a way to free me, too.

There, that was two wishes, but surely after all the birthday wishes he'd been denied in the past, he was entitled to two now. Harry took a deep breath and for the first time in his life, blew out the candles on his birthday cake.

Of course the cake was delicious, and so was the strawberry ice cream that Zan brought to go along with it. The elves even joined them at the dining room table to eat, something they'd never done before, Severus commented.

"I'm impressed, Harry. I've been trying to get them to eat in here for seventeen years, to no avail. You've accomplished that feat in two months," the professor said dryly.

"Well, you've never had a birthday party, Master Severus," Norie retorted. "We might make an exception for that, too."

So Severus had never had a birthday party...Harry filed that information away in the back of his mind. They'd have to change that. Of course, he would need to learn the date first, though. He just hoped he hadn't already missed it.

Harry thought that his postponed birthday party was all that Severus had planned, but when they'd finally had enough cake and ice cream and the elves had Vanished the mess away and retired for the night, the professor asked him to come to the library for a few moments.

Harry curled up in an armchair while Severus went to his desk, opened a drawer, and took out a stack of parchment.

"I wanted to give this to you before we went back to Hogwarts," the professor said quietly as he came to sit in a chair beside Harry. He almost sounded a little hesitant and as Harry took the proffered scrolls, he thought Severus seemed tense.

Curiously, Harry glanced down at the papers in his hand, and then caught his breath as he read as he read the fancy script.

Certificate of Adoption

This document certifies that on the twenty-eighth of August in the Year of our Lord Nineteen Hundred Ninety-Six, Severus Tobias Snape did formally adopt one Harry James Potter, a minor child legally eligible for adoption.

From this time forth, Harry James Potter is the son of Severus Tobias Snape and is his legal heir. Harry James Potter is henceforth entitled to all rights and benefits of a child from his parents and will in every respect be considered the natural-born son of Severus Tobias Snape.

There was more, page after page describing in detail all the rights and benefits that Harry was entitled to, but those first two paragraphs said it all, as far as he was concerned. But they hadn't been to the Ministry and performed any type of ceremony. They couldn't, no matter how much Harry wanted to, because it would lead to everyone discovering the slavery spell.

He looked up at Severus, puzzled. "But how...?"

"It is not a true legal document, not in the eyes of the law at least," Severus told him. "I cannot legally adopt you without involving the Ministry. But in my heart you are already my son and I wanted to do something to acknowledge that fact. These papers may be only for us, Harry, but if we ever should go to the Ministry and perform the adoption ceremony, it would not make our relationship any more valid or real to me than it is now."

The writing on the parchment blurred as Harry's eyes filled with tears. He blinked them away fiercely and managed to say. "Or to me."

Severus paused, before saying awkwardly, "Perhaps I should have spoken with you again before giving you this, but I did think your only objection was concern over the magical contracts, and not to the adoption itself."

Harry laid the papers aside and went to him. "I've always wanted my own family. You've given it to me. Thank you, Severus."

But Severus shook his head. "Thank you, child. You've made me happier than I've ever been before in my life."

Harry felt a little awkward himself, just standing there, but Severus quickly solved that problem. The professor took his wand and expanded the chair so that they could sit together. Then he held out his arm and Harry immediately snuggled close beside him. He leaned against Severus...his father.

He had a father now, a real living father who could be with him and protect him and help him. For a moment he thought of Lily and James Potter, and Sirius and felt vague stirrings of guilt, but then he reminded himself that they couldn't be here with him, and surely they all loved him enough to want him to have someone here too. He hoped so because he loved Severus and he didn't want anything to ruin this wonderful gift, his dream that had finally come true.

It was as if Severus could read his mind because he glanced down at Harry and said softly, "I know I'm not the same as your parents or your godfather, Harry, but I do love you with all my heart, and I will do my very best for you, to help you and guide you and to make certain you have a rich, fulfilling life."

Harry smiled at him, but there was something about Severus' statement that concerned him, just a little...the way Severus seemed to feel that he was second-best, or even third-best behind Harry's parents and Sirius. That wasn't really true. Harry loved his parents and Sirius, of course, and missed them. But he loved Severus with all his heart, too. He wasn't exactly sure how to reassure the professor...no, his father...but he had to try.

"Severus," he said slowly. "I really love my parents and Sirius, and I miss them. But I love you just as much, maybe even more because I know you better than I ever knew them. I'm really, really happy that you're my father now."

Severus' face twisted and his black eyes filled with tears, but Harry only got a brief glimpse of that, because then his father was holding him close and his face was pressed to Severus' chest. But he could feel the tremors that shook Severus' body and he wrapped his own arms around his father and held him close too, gently patting Severus' back to try to comfort him.

It was a long time before they left the library and went upstairs to bed.

***

Grey clouds blew in overnight and covered the sky the next morning. A gentle but steady rain began to fall during breakfast and Harry thought that the gloomy weather was an appropriate backdrop for the mood at Prince Hall. He himself was almost surprised to discover that he had mixed feelings about returning to Hogwarts. He had always been eager for school to start before, and even at the beginning of the summer he had hated the idea of having to leave Hogwarts and go live at Prince Hall. Harry had to smile wryly at himself when he remembered how vehemently he'd vowed that Prince Hall would never be his home.

Of course everything had been different then. Now he and Severus were a family, and Prince Hall had become his home after all, the first real home he had ever had. And for the first time, Harry found himself wishing that summer didn't have to end and feeling reluctant to return to school.

He didn't think he was the only one who felt that way, either. Norie was sniffling and Zan looked unusually somber as they served the porridge and toast, and Severus seemed quiet as well. After breakfast they all went upstairs to Severus' sitting room, where his trunk and Harry's sat by the fireplace.

"We will miss you both, Master Severus, Master Harry." Zan gave them a formal little bow. It was all he said, but the sorrow in his face and voice were genuine.

Harry stepped over and shook his hand. "I'll miss you and Norie, too. Thank you, Zan, for everything."

Norie sniffled again as she came over to pat his arm. "You take care of yourself, Master Harry."

Harry knelt to hug her and she whispered in his ear. "And take care of Master Severus, too."

"I will," Harry whispered back.

The elves said a solemn farewell to Severus too, and he glanced around at them all and said, "There's no reason for everyone to look as if it were the end of the world. The Christmas holidays will come soon and we'll be back then."

"Of course, Master Severus," Norie said with an air of determined cheerfulness.

Severus cast featherlight and shrinking charms on their trunks and he and Harry picked them up easily. Harry gave the elves one last little wave, and then his father was guiding him into the fireplace.

Severus threw down some Floo powder and called, "Our quarters at Hogwarts!"

***

Harry had never seen Severus' private rooms at Hogwarts before and he looked about curiously when they stepped from the fireplace there. They entered a large parlour with pale stone walls, a couple of small mahogany tables, and a sofa and armchairs upholstered in brown and gold. A matching rug covered much of the floor. A heavy bookcase stood along one wall, and a dining alcove was carved out of another. The fireplace itself was tall and wide and took up much of its wall. It had a high carved mantel with a clock and a jar, presumably for Floo powder, set on it and a landscape painting above.

There were no windows, but the walls were adorned with several landscape portraits and a gilt-framed mirror. There were two arched doorways on opposite sides of the room. One was closed and Harry supposed it led to the outside corridor. The other was open and Harry could see through it to the bedroom beyond. A tall wardrobe and part of a spacious four-poster bed with a plaid comforter in shades of brown were visible.

After a moment Harry realised that Severus was watching him. The professor's lips quirked upwards. "Welcome to our home away from home."

"It's nice," Harry told him.

"It's a bit smaller than Prince Hall, but it's nice enough," Severus agreed.

It was noticeably cooler here and Harry shivered slightly.

Severus frowned. "Do you have a jacket, Harry?"

He nodded. "Packed in my trunk."

Severus drew his wand from his sleeve. "Well, I'll just cast a warming spell for now. It is always cool down here in the dungeons though. You'll need to unpack your jacket and long-sleeved shirts, and we might go ahead and owl-order some new winter clothes for you, too."

"I don't really need..." Harry began.

His father shook his head. "Harry, the correct response is ‘thank you.' And I know I don't have to, but I would like to buy at least a few things for you, whether you really need them or not. I want to be certain that you stay warm enough, especially since you will be prone to catching cold now. I don't want you to become ill."

Harry gave him a bemused look, but then just smiled. "Thank you."

Severus cast the warming spell and then led the way back to his bedroom where he set his trunk down in the corner and restored it to its original size.

He glanced at Harry. "Go ahead and set your trunk down here, too, while we make your room."

"Make my room?" Harry questioned.

"Well, you do need one here, don't you?" Severus began walking around his quarters, studying the space thoughtfully while Harry followed him in bewilderment.

"Hmm, we could probably have your room here, next to mine, and have your doorway open to the parlour here," Severus remarked, indicating a section of the parlour wall. He turned to Harry. "What do you think?"

"It sounds fine to me." Harry responded. "How do you make a room?"

‘With a rather complex set of spells," Severus answered. "Watch."

He began a series of long incantations and elaborate twirls and flourishes of his wand. Harry realised right away that he himself would not be ready to attempt any construction spells in the near future. But he quickly forgot to worry about following the technique anyway, he was so entranced by the sight of the room that suddenly appeared before them.

It was a spacious room, not as vast as his suite at Prince Hall, but still large. The walls were of the same light stone and Severus also conjured mahogany furniture to match the rest of their furnishings. There was a wide bed with a handsome carved headboard, a wardrobe, and a desk and chair.

Severus glanced at Harry. "How would you like it decorated? In Gryffindor colours, I presume?"

Harry shrugged. "It's all right if you want to do it in brown and gold to match the other rooms."

"It's your room, Harry. I don't care which colours you choose," Severus told him.

"Well, if you don't mind..." Harry's voice trailed off.

Severus nodded, flicked his wand, and an instant later a soft, thick scarlet comforter covered the bed, with fluffy pillows in scarlet and gold striped shams piled at the headboard. Another flick of Severus' wand and a golden rug with scarlet flour-de-lis covered the floor. Next the professor conjured a small scarlet sofa with golden cushions to sit at the foot of Harry's bed and a matching armchair in one corner. An enchanted window with golden drapes completed the room.

Severus turned to Harry. "Is this satisfactory?"

"It's brilliant," Harry whispered in awe. "Thank you."

"Well, you had to have a place to sleep. Or did you think I would simply stick you in my potions cabinet at night?" Severus said lightly.

Harry knew Severus couldn't have known about the cupboard under the stairs, but he felt as if someone had just punched him in the stomach. He quickly turned away so his father wouldn't see his face.

He wasn't quite quick enough though.

"Harry? What is it?" Severus stepped close and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Harry was quiet for a moment. But even though it was hard to say aloud, he suddenly felt that it would be all right to tell. His father deserved to know.

"That's what my aunt and uncle did," he said softly. "I mean, they didn't have a potions cabinet, of course, but they did stick me in the cupboard under the stairs. I lived there until I came to Hogwarts."

He had been staring at the floor while he spoke. Severus' hand squeezed his shoulder, but the professor didn't speak for a long time. Finally Harry had to raise his eyes and turn to see his father's reaction.

Severus actually looked ill. "Those monsters," he rasped in a pained voice.

Then he grabbed Harry and held him close in a fierce, protective embrace.