Severus sat in the Headmaster’s office, perched stiffly on the edge of what would otherwise have been a comfortable chintz chair.  He couldn’t bring himself to relax enough to sink into the soft folds of the furniture beneath him, and he certainly couldn’t relax enough to properly focus on the Headmaster’s words.   Especially since the conversation dealt with one of the more distasteful skeletons that lurked in his closet.  Indeed, this particular skeleton had haunted him for years, and most emphatically in the last four or so years.  Severus closed his eyes and sent a silent prayer up to whatever gods there may be that it wasn’t really happening.  Not now, not after all the time and the bad feelings that had taken hold.

"This has to be a dream," Severus consoled himself quietly.  "A horrible, awful, painful dream."  Surely this was the most logical explanation.  It was, after all, a Tuesday. And Tuesdays were barely tolerable in their own right, mainly because he had Potions with the Gryffindors, and thus by extension, with Longbottom.

"That’s it," Severus mused. "This is all Longbottom’s fault."  It must have been an accident with the Dreamless Sleep antidote they were working on - the particular formulation being studied was known for causing horrible nightmares.  Damned Longbottom, the insufferable twit must have done something to cause an accident in the brewing process....

"Severus?" Dumbledore prompted.  The Potions Master, however, didn’t hear the query.  Instead, he continued to silently curse Neville Longbottom while staring vacantly out of the large window overlooking the Quidditch pitch.  From his seat, Severus could see Potter flying over the pitch in manic circles. If it were up to him, there’s no way Potter would be allowed to fly like that...

Severus shook himself quickly.  Best to stop that train of thought...

"Severus," Dumbledore’s second query manage to break through the fog surrounding his brain, bringing the Severus' attention back into the Headmaster’s office and back to the situation at hand.

"He has nowhere to go, Severus," Dumbledore implored.  "Sirius is dead, and the Dursley’s have flat out refused to take him back."

"Yes, I know, but why is that my problem?" Severus barked.  Even as he said it, he knew it sounded foolish.  The Headmaster’s slightly raised eyebrows did nothing to make him feel better.  Obviously, Severus knew why and how he was involved - it’s not like he could have forgotten that night - but still, it didn’t make sense to drag him into Potter’s life any further than was necessary.  Why not send the brat to the Weasleys?  They would want him.  There was no reason to bring this up now, not after so many years.

"Surely, Albus, there is somewhere more appropriate for him?  The Weasleys, for instance?" Severus couldn’t quite keep the slightly plaintive note out of his voice, but he was past caring.  "There is no reason to do this now."

Dumbledore rose from his seat, walked silently toward Severus, and seated himself lightly on the desk.  He was quiet, but Severus didn’t think for one minute that the old man was done talking.  Dumbledore was just biding his time... letting the notion sink further into Severus’ head before the old coot once again tried to cram the idea down his throat.

"Severus, the events of the past few months have frightened the Dursleys significantly.  They are convinced Harry is a danger to their family, and they have said as much to the Ministry.  There is no one else who has legal authority to assume custody over Harry."

Severus knew this was true.  Shortly after the fiasco at the Ministry of Magic, Dumbledore sent a letter to the Dursleys explaining Harry’s involvement.  The muggles had promptly responded by contacting the Ministry and demanding that someone else assume custody of the brat.  That had been two weeks ago, and Dumbledore had successfully managed to stall the guardianship proceedings that had ensued.  But time was running out, and with no other legal options, Cornelius Fudge was banking on getting control of Potter.

"The possibility that you might have to claim him has always existed.  I know that it is not ideal for you, but the alternative would be disastrous.  Voldemort would find him and kill him within a matter of days," Dumbledore stated quietly.

Severus closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, letting the familiar scents of the Headmaster’s office consume his senses for a moment.  He knew Dumbledore was right, of course.  Damn the man.  He was always right.  There had always been a chance that he would have to acknowledge Potter.  Indeed, they had planned for it - kept the option as a last resort, so to speak - but Severus never really believed it would come to pass.  And now, here they sat, discussing the details of Potter becoming an active member of his family.  What was once a distant possibility had suddenly become a full fledged (and thoroughly sickening) probability, and there was no way around it.  Standing abruptly, Severus made his way to the large window just in time to witness a horrifying scene.  Potter was tumbling, head over broom stick, towards the ground in a sickening free-fall.

"Albus!" Severus hissed.  Albus was beside him in an instant, wand drawn, but there was nothing they could do.  They were simply too far away.  Both men watch in horror as the ground rushed up to meet the small figure clinging desperately to the broom.  But at the last minute, Potter regained control of the broom.  Pulling up sharply, Potter pulled out of the dive and brought himself parallel with the ground. Close enough, in fact, that Severus though he saw the boy’s feet kick up a dusting of snow.  Severus exhaled forcefully.  He hadn’t realized it at the time, but he had been holding his breath.  Apparently the Headmaster had been, too, because the man looked a bit paler than he did just a minute ago.

"What in the name of Merlin was that?" Severus bit out. But before the Headmaster could come up with an answer, both men watched as, once again, Harry pushed his broom to a terrifying height, only to once again enter a dizzying free-fall.

"What the hell is he doing?"  Severus watched, thunderstruck, as the boy once again courted death, escaping its clutches only by sheer dumb luck.  The slightest error in his calculations would have sent Potter headfirst into the snow covered ground, and into an early grave.  What the boy was thinking, if anything, was beyond Severus’ comprehension.

"What is wrong with that child?"  Severus shook his head and turned his back on the window.  He had no desire to watch that kind of insanity.  If Potter wanted to kill himself, so be it.  But Severus didn’t want to watch. Dumbledore, however, seemed determined to end Harry’s antics.  He snapped his fingers sharply.  An instant later, a small, odd looking creature with bright eyes, big ears, and multiple pairs of socks appeared.

"Good afternoon Dobby,"  Dumbledore greeted the house elf.  "Would you be so kind as to tell our young Mr. Potter that the Quidditch pitch is now closed?  I believe Hagrid has obtained a brood of amphiptere for next semester’s enjoyment, and he would like to exercise them over the pitch.  It would, of course, be unwise for anyone or anything else to be flying at the same time."

Dobby nodded enthusiastically, "Oh yes, Master Dumbledore, sir, Dobby is most happy to help, sir.  Dobby is going right away, sir."  And the little elf disappeared with loud crack.

Severus had no idea if Hagrid was needed to fly his hideous creatures or not, but it was clear that Dumbledore wanted Potter out of the skies.  Severus couldn’t blame him, though... the child was a menace in the air.  There had to be something wrong with him...

Dumbledore returned his attention to the Potions Master.  "In answer to you question, Severus, he is hurting."  The Headmaster didn’t elaborate on the source of the brat’s pain, but both men knew that Black’s death had hit the child hard.

"He is without guidance, Severus, and he is desperately lost.  Not unlike a young man I once knew, I might add."  The Headmaster looking knowingly at the younger wizard before him.

Severus reluctantly made his way back to his chair, slumping half heartedly into the seat.  It was true, though.  He had also once been "desperately lost", as the Headmaster so dramatically phrased it, but to Severus, it seemed like comparing apples to oranges.  Potter’s situation was nothing like his.  At the time, he had been adrift in life, on the rocks with his family, and no friends in whom to confide.  And so he had turned to the only thing he knew well, dark magic, and submitted himself to the Dark Lord’s rule.  It hadn’t however, taken him long to realize his mistake.  He had gone quickly, with great remorse, and begged Dumbledore’s forgiveness and protection.  The Headmaster had been willing to helping him, but there was, of course, a price - that he spy for the Order.

Severus willingly agreed to a clandestine existence.  It was a small price to pay for the acts he had committed, and for the protection Dumbledore offered.  The result, however, was that most people disliked and distrusted him - only a select few knew the truth.  And his relationships with those select few were kept relatively quiet.  Of course, on some level he wanted to truth to come out - wanted to be vindicated and watch as though who doubted him squirmed in discomfort - but, he also knew that he had played an important role in the fight against Voldemort.  He was, after all, partly responsible for the end of the Dark Lord’s first rule, even though it didn’t turn out quite the way they had planned.  When he and Dumbledore crafted the plot to tell the Dark Lord of the prophecy, neither expected him to act on it immediately.  They thought he would wait to see which child it would pose the biggest threat.  But they had been wrong.  And the Potters had paid the price.  It was a mistake that gave Severus nightmares for a long time.  And it would seem the blasted error was still giving Severus nightmares, because here he stood.  In the Headmaster’s office.  Talking about how Potter had no family to care for him. Damn it.  Damn it all to hell.  Severus sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"If I do this, Albus, I want complete control.  You cannot step in and override me on anything," Severus warned.  Privately, Severus was banking on Albus refusing to hand over complete control of the Golden Boy.  Then, they would just have to figure out some other alternative.  One that didn’t involve him... But to Severus’ great surprise, and greater disappointment, Dumbledore only nodded.

"Harry is your son, Severus.  As such, decisions regarding parenting are yours to make. I will not interfere."  Severus didn’t say a word.  He was simply too stunned. Dumbledore rounded the desk and once again took his seat, seemingly oblivious to the shocked look on the Potions Master’s face.

"But Severus," continued Dumbledore gently, "If you will forgive me for saying so, I fear your treatment of Harry will be harsher than might be warranted, partly due to your history with James, and partly due to Harry’s own transgressions against you.  I would respectfully ask that you not allow anger to dictate the manner in which you treat him."  Dumbledore didn’t move.  He simply sat quietly and stared at Severus, as if actually expecting him to answer.

"Really, Albus, what do you think I’m going to do to him" Severus scoffed.  Dumbledore just tipped his head down and stared at the Potions Master over his half-moon glasses.  It was a penetrating gaze, and Severus shifted a bit under the weight of the Headmaster’s stare.  He suddenly felt a hot, uncomfortable feeling wash over him, and Severus found himself hoping that the Headmaster wouldn’t answer the question.  Thankfully, Dumbledore chose instead to focus on the necessary details of the situation.

"You will reveal your relationship to Harry," he stated sharply and with clear authority.  Dumbledore had suddenly turned business, and the crispness of his tone let Severus know there was no going back.  He nodded once, but said nothing. Severus was sure the Headmaster had more to add, and he did.

"You will agree to undergo any reasonable Ministry procedures, including but not limited to a paternity test, to help establish your claim to him.  You agree to refrain from relinquishing custody of Harry for any reason, and you will assume full responsibility for him, both during the school year and during holidays and breaks."  Dumbledore paused and eyed Severus appraisingly, as if to see whether the man would still agree to the plan once he realized that he had to actually take Harry home with him.  Sensing no objections, the Headmaster continued.

"I will file the appropriate paperwork at the Ministry.  The Minister will be furious, but he can do nothing to thwart the plan.  Of course, once this becomes public, which is bound to happen quickly, your spying will be discontinued."

Severus winced.  He knew it, of course.  But still, the younger wizard couldn’t help but feel a sharp pang in his chest.  Despite the danger, he found a sense of purpose in his work as a spy.  Not many people could do his job, yet he had done it well.  Ah, well, what could he say?  With Voldemort’s return, his days of spying were numbered anyway, regardless of whether his relationship to Potter came out.  No more hiding in the shadows, it seemed....

"What about the illusion?" Severus had almost forgotten about it.  It had been so long, and it hadn’t occurred to him that it might be an issue.

"There is no need to keep it any longer.  It must be removed," Dumbledore stated casually.  "It is draining his power, and he will need every bit of stamina he has available to him as Voldemort gains strength."

Severus leaned his head back, closed his eyes, and groaned.  No more hiding for him or for Potter, it seemed.  This was getting worse and worse by the minute.  How was he supposed to deal with this?  If it were just him, it might be easier.  But there were others to consider...

"Severus," Dumbledore’s voice was soft, but carried a hint of urgency that wasn’t lost on the Potions Master.  Severus reluctantly opened his eyes and looked at the Headmaster.

"You must keep him alive.  He is our only hope.  Obviously, Voldemort is the primary external threat; however, you will need to be prepared for internal threats as well."

"What exactly to you mean, Albus?" Severus asked warily.  Watching the older wizard out of the corner of his eye, Severus had the rather disturbing feeling that he had just stumbled into a large pit of quicksand hidden smack in the middle of the Headmaster’s office.  It was like he stuck one toe out to test the ground in this quagmire and all of a sudden, he was up to his neck in it, wondering how the hell he was going to get out...

Dumbledore reached for a lemon drop and began absently ripping open the wrapper.  He didn’t answer Severus’ question right away, and in fact, Severus thought he looked rather reluctant to answer the question at all.  But eventually, the Headmaster spoke.

"Harry can be immature, obstinate, and arrogant. He is almost always combative, angry and guilt-ridden." Severus nodded.  He knew Potter felt responsible for Black’s death.

"More concerning though is the fact that he does not value himself.  Accordingly, he has a very pronounced ... and if I daresay, deliberate... self-destructive streak." Severus snorted.  That Potter had a destructive streak was an understatement if he ever heard one.  Dumbledore ignored Severus’ reaction and leaned forward intently, apparently oblivious to the melting lemon drop clenched tightly in his fingers.  "You will need to reign him in, Severus. Control him so that he is less of a danger to himself and to others.  Our future depend upon it."

"Charming," Severus hissed.  "Tell me again why I am doing this?"

"Because there is no other option," the Headmaster stated simply.  Severus barely nodded. He knew they were at the end of the rope, so to speak, and it had to be done.  But still, that knowledge did nothing to make the circumstance more palatable.  Severus, in a rare display of surrender, slumped forward, dejectedly thumping his head a few times on the Headmaster’s desk.  Dumbledore chuckled and reached out to pat the Potions Master on the head.

"Severus, it is true, Harry is everything I have just stated.  But if you allow yourself to look beyond these qualities, you will see that he is also much, much more.  He has his father’s wit and cunning, for example."  Severus looked up to find that the twinkle had returned to the Headmaster’s eyes.  Sitting up properly, he was also mildly annoyed to find the man smiling mischievously at him.  He found nothing amusing in the situation, notwithstanding the Headmaster’s foolish grin.  Dumbledore just kept smiling.

"Harry is also kind, generous, unfailingly faithful, and remarkably selfless.  Notable qualities in any person, but even more remarkable in Harry, especially given his upbringing."

Severus snorted.  "What about his upbringing?  Didn’t they cater to him enough?"

Dumbledore just shook his head.  "No, they did not. But it was better not to delve too deeply into the details of his childhood."

"Why?" Severus asked.  He was at a loss to understand the Headmaster’s point.

"Because,"  Dumbledore answered sadly.  "Knowing the truth may have required me to remove him from the protections of Privy Drive.  And that would have been catastrophic."

Severus remained quiet for a moment.  He never really gave much thought to Potter’s upbringing.  Frankly, he tried to avoid thinking about the damned Boy-Who-Would-Not-Die.  Dwelling on his life at the muggles’ house seemed like a supreme waste of time and brain cells.  Dumbledore, however, took his silence for acquiescence.

"I will contact the Ministry and begin the paperwork," Dumbledore stated briskly. "Our dear Minister will most certainly demand proof, so be prepared for a trip to the Ministry for testing relatively shortly.  Harry will not be pleased, but he must be made to understand that this is the best possible outcome, given the circumstances."

"Somehow, I doubt he will be easily convinced," Severus muttered, rubbing his eyes.  He could feel the beginnings of a headache coming on.

"No, I’m afraid he will not."  Dumbledore popped the nearly forgotten lemon drop into his mouth and sighed heavily.  "And it will be even more difficult for him to hear the news about the illusion.  But I think, for now, that can wait."

Severus nodded.  That was a conversation he wanted to postpone as long as possible.  Dumbledore rose gracefully from his chair, prompting Severus to do the same.  The elderly wizard put a hand on the Potions Master’s shoulder and gently guided him toward to door.

"Well Severus, that’s enough talk for today, I think," Dumbledore said happily. "May I suggest you use this time to introduce yourself to your son?  I’m sure it promises to be an exciting and spirited discussion."

Severus allowed the Headmaster to show him into the hallway, but he waited patiently for the office door to close behind him before he groaned aloud.  Despite the Headmaster’s attempt to put a positive spin on the situation, Severus couldn’t bring himself to believe it would be anything other than an excruciatingly painful experience.