***31 October, 1986-9:04 p.m. ***

Harry was lying on the Severus' sofa asleep, with his head in Lucy's lap. He was clutching the photograph album that contained pictures of Lily and James.

Lucy was looked down at Harry's angelic face and noticed that his glasses were in danger of being bent and a little spot of drool marred the photo album. She gently lifted Harry's head and carefully removed his glasses and the photo album, then set them on the side table. Taking her wand, she summoned Harry's blanket from his room and tucked it around the sleeping boy.

It had been a very long day for Harry and Severus. Today had been Severus' last day of leave until he received word from his attorneys about the court date for Harry's adoption hearing.

Severus took advantage of the rare free day and spent it entirely with Harry. Once again, they had gone to Godric's Hollow to pay respect to Harry's parents. They had visited the church and the memorial statue in the town square, but Severus had purposely avoided the remains of the Potter home.

Harry had fallen asleep not long ago, listening to Remus Lupin tell his memories of James and Lily Potter. After Harry had fallen asleep, Severus escorted Alf to his private lab to ensure that he had his necessary potions for the coming full moon, leaving Lucy to watch over the sleeping child.

After she tucked the blanket around Harry, Lucy bent over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Harry shifted, wrapped his arms the best he could around Lucy's expanding waist, and settled back into his slumber.

Unbeknownst to Lucy, she had been the subject of a very intense conversation that afternoon.

***2:30 p.m. ***

Severus watched Harry as the little boy stood pensively over the grave of his parents. Severus and Harry had each laid a single peace lily on the graves of each of the Potter's.

There were roses already setting on the grave in front of the tombstone when they had both arrived. Severus was fairly certain that Lupin had already come and gone.

Severus was concerned for Harry. This time last year, the child had been overly gregarious at his parent's graveside. Harry couldn't stop asking questions, many of which Severus had been unable to answer because he either did not know the answer or thought Harry was too young to fully understand the details.

But this year, Harry was quiet… he had been over the last couple of days. Harry's mood was a bleak as the cold, damp day had been.

This was more than sombreness over his parent's graves. Severus had seen this look on Harry before. The child had a question to ask and did not know how to do so.

There was a stone memorial bench nearby. Severus cast a warming spell upon it and bid Harry to sit. Harry shuffled over and sat next to his daddy, his face was forlorn.

Severus thought that perhaps he had made a mistake by bringing Harry. He had discussed the matter of how to spend this Halloween with Molly and Arthur. They had told Severus to let Harry decide how to commemorate the day.

When Severus had asked Harry how he wanted to spend the day, Harry had expressed his wish to spend it as they had done the previous year. However, now Severus was wondering if he had made the right decision.

Severus took Harry's chin and gently turned the boy's face towards him "Harry…Do you wish to go home? We don't have to be here if you do not wish to be."

Harry cast down his eyes in a deliberate effort not to look at his daddy. "No…it's not that. I wanted to come."

"Harry…Look at me," Severus instructed him. "What is troubling you? Have I not told you that you can talk to me about anything?"

"Yes, Sir," Harry nodded as he reluctantly turned his eyes towards Severus.

Now Severus was really concerned. Harry had called him 'Sir' rather than 'Daddy'. Something was seriously troubling Harry.

"Harry…I want you to tell me why you are so uneasy." Severus handed Harry a clean handkerchief from his pocket. From the way the boy was beginning to sniffle, he would need it soon.

Harry took the handkerchief from Severus, but once again had focused his eyes elsewhere. This time Harry was staring at his dangling feet. "If I tell you…you might think I'm bad."

That was the last statement he thought he would hear from the boy. Severus looked at Harry. He was slightly taken aback. "Harry…what have you done to make me think you were bad?" Severus did not believe for a moment that Harry had done something he would construe as 'bad'.

Harry shrugged. "Nothing, I guess," he said quietly as his eyes slowly turned back to his parent's grave.

Severus followed Harry's gaze. Whatever was bothering Harry, it definitely concerned the boy's parents. He could tell that Harry was trying to keep from crying.

"Harry…," Severus said as he took the forgotten handkerchief from Harry's hand and wiped the child's runny nose. "Please tell me what is wrong."

Harry's chest began to heave as if he were about to panic, then his fears rushed out of him. "Do you think Mummy and Daddy would be sad if I asked for a new mummy?"

Severus' face paled slightly as he knew what Harry was thinking. It wasn't as if Severus hadn't been wondering the same things himself, but he did not want to bring up names or make promises he may not be able to keep, so Severus decided it would be best to approach the subject with generalities.

"Harry…do you think that it makes your parents sad that I am your new daddy? Did you not ask them for me?"

"Yes...,"Harry said with alarm, "…I mean…no…I mean…I asked them for you…but they chose you for my new daddy a long, long time ago."

Severus couldn't help but to feel a little scepticism. He knew that Lily had wanted him as Harry's guardian, but Severus was certain it must have taken Lily quite a bit of arm twisting to get Potter to sign on the dotted line for the final will.

"I mean…" Harry continued quietly. "They didn't choose a new mummy for me. What if they don't want me to have one?"

The epiphany hit Severus like a rogue Bludger. Harry was in the middle of an internal struggle. On one hand, was his loyalty to the parents that had loved him as an infant and had given their lives to save his, yet Harry had none of his own memories of them. On the other, was Harry's very real need and desire to have a 'real' mother and father who would be there to love him and guide him every day.

As far as Harry was concerned, he had a daddy. But Harry had seen how Mrs. Weasley was with her own children. Although Molly has always been there to lavish her maternal affections on Harry… to Harry, it was not the same. He wanted his own mummy every bit as much as he wanted his own daddy. But Harry had become afraid that wanting a new mummy made him disloyal Lily.

At first, Harry had thought a helper for his daddy would be enough, but the more he thought about it, Harry wanted a mummy too.

It was apparent, that just as Severus' feelings for Lucy had developed beyond the bounds of friendship…so had Harry's.

Severus picked Harry up and placed his son on his lap. "Harry…I want you to listen to me very closely." Harry wrapped his arms around his daddy's neck and laid his head on his daddy's chest, as if he were literally following Severus' instructions. "I cannot make any promises that you will have a new mummy," Severus said as he pressed his cheek to the top of Harry's head. "But I can assure you, that your parents will be very happy should you find one…as long as she loves you as much as we do."

When Severus and Harry arrived back at Hogwarts latter that afternoon, they had run across Charlie Weasley and his friends practicing their flying. The Weasley boy asked Severus if Harry could join them and promised that they would watch the little boy carefully. Charlie agreed that if Harry wanted to go inside, that he would personally escort Harry to Severus.

Harry had seemed keen to join the older children. Seeing that Harry's melancholic mood was somewhat lifted at the thought of flying…Severus agreed. Typical Potter, thought Severus. However, it would be a welcome diversion for Harry and Severus had needed to debrief Lucy on the progress of his students this past week.

Severus summoned Harry's broom and as Harry eagerly ran to the Pitch, Charlie admitted to Severus, "Mum owled us and said it might be nice to help keep Harry from dwelling too much on…you know."

Upon arriving in his office, Lucy had mentioned to Severus that this was the first time he had let Harry play without adult supervision since the incident with Mitzy back in August. Severus had almost turned back around to retrieve Harry, but Lucy stopped him, reminding Severus that they were in a magically secure school and that Harry would be alright playing in the company of older children, not to mention, Madam Hooch was close at hand to the Quidditch Pitch where the children would be flying.

That was not what had made Severus rethink his decision to let Harry play. Severus felt conflicted. He did not want Harry wallowing in depression, but he did not want to make light of the significance of this day in Harry's life either.

Severus suddenly felt as if he had pawned Harry off for the sake of getting a little work done.

"But should I let him play…today of all days?"

"Severus…Molly is right…let Harry play if he wants to. You've done so much to ensure that Harry does not forget Lily and James…and he hasn't. You have even invited a childhood nemesis into your home this evening so Harry can learn more about his father," Lucy reminded him.

Lucy walked over to Severus and wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned against him, "I know this is a hard day for the both of you, Severus…but I don't think Lily and James Potter would object to Harry having a little fun today. I know if it were me in Lily's place…all that would matter is Harry's happiness."

Severus embraced Lucy and rested his chin atop her head. He couldn't help but wonder if Lily and Potter were trying to tell him something.

***9:06 p.m. ***

Lucy turned her head in surprise when she heard the outer chamber door open.

"Why didn't you simply Floo from the lab?" she asked Severus as he began to unbutton his frock coat.

"Harry was asleep before we left…the door is much quieter," Severus said quietly hanging his coat on peg in the foyer.

"I take it Alf has what he needs?" Lucy asked in reference to the Wolfsbane potion and pain relievers Severus had brewed for her friend.

"Yes…He will begin to feel affects of approaching full moon tomorrow." It would be Sunday night before Remus would begin to transform, but he would feel the ill effects as early as the day before and as late as the day after the full moon waned. Aberforth would Ward Remus into isolation at night and see to it that his needs were attended to during the day.

Although the new potions Remus Lupin was taking eased the effects of his lycanthropy, the approaching lunar phase would always be distressing to him. And even though Dr. O'Conner's potion allowed Remus to keep his human faculties, Remus insisted upon being isolated as a precautionary measure during his transformation.

Severus walked around to the front of the sofa and knelt down before Lucy and Harry. Lucy was lovingly stroking Harry's hair. "He's had a long day," she whispered softly.

"Yes…he has," Severus agreed with a weary nod.

Lucy noticed the fatigued etched on Severus' face. With her free hand , she reached across and placed her hand on Severus' cheek. "It looks like Harry isn't the only one who's had a long day." She knew it had been a long, emotionally charged week for Severus.

Severus held her hand to him. He turned his face into her hand and kissed her palm lightly as he closed his eyes.

"Come on…let's put your son to bed." Lucy reluctantly withdrew her hand from Severus and positioned herself so she could set Harry upright.

Severus arose and tenderly took Harry from Lucy, bundle of blanket and all.

Harry raised his sleepy head when he felt something had changed, "Where's Miss Lucy?" he asked so quietly, he could barely be heard.

"She's right here," Severus reassured him gently. "Go back to sleep, Harry."

Harry lifted is head a little more in search of Lucy, his eyes half-lidded and heavy. Only when Harry saw that Lucy was indeed, standing just beside his daddy and smiling at him, did he snuggle back down into his blanket.

Severus looked over his shoulder at Lucy and raised an eyebrow. Lucy shook her head in wonderment. "Well if that doesn't make a gal feel loved…I don't know what does."

Lucy preceded Severus into Harry's room. She went over to his bureau and pulled out a pair of pyjamas while Severus situated Harry in his bed.

Lucy approached the bed and handed Severus Harry's pyjamas. She sat on the edge of the bed and removed Harry's shoes while Severus began to expertly change Harry into his pyjama top. Harry was like a rag doll in his hands.

"You're a fair hand at this," Lucy commented as she arose from the bed so Severus could continue to change Harry.

"I'm well practiced by now," Severus said as he removed Harry's trousers.

When Harry was finally changed, Severus tucked the boy in and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.

As Lucy leaned over with her hand on her belly, to give Harry her kiss 'good night', Severus could not help but notice the faint glow coming from the orb on Harry's night stand. Severus conceded that he was near exhaustion. For a moment, it looked as if Lily's smile had been that much brighter.

When Lucy had said her 'good night' to Harry, Severus put an arm around her waist and escorted out of the room. He left the door open a crack.

They continued to talk outside of Harry's door. "That's a wonderful thing you did by inviting Alf over this evening," Lucy said. "I know it wasn't easy for you."

"At least he had the good grace to exclude Potter's more…nefarious exploits," Severus said uneasily. It was for selfish reasons why Severus did not want Harry to be privy to Potter's more notorious pranks. Severus did not care if Harry learned that his father was a prankster. But Severus did not wish for Harry to learn that he, Severus, had been the target of some of James Potter's cruellest acts.

James Potter would always be a bullying toe rag to Severus. But Severus did not wish to see Harry disappointed in his father, or even worse, wonder what had been so wrong with Severus that his father had found him contemptible. No…Severus believed that revealing Potter's darker side would open up questions from Harry that Severus was either unable or unwilling to answer.

Lucy stood on her toes and gave Severus a kiss. "I have to go…Wodworth will be here tomorrow morning with the manuscript," she said sadly. Although her home was only one step away through the Floo, Lucy felt as if she were ripping herself away from where she belonged.

Lucy made towards the Floo, but stopped when she felt Severus' hand on her arm.

"Don't go," he said faintly.

"Severus? Do you think it wise when Harry is…"

"No…It's not that," Severus interrupted. "I just…want you to stay." Severus could not articulate his need, but it was beyond anything physical. It simply did not feel right for Lucy to leave.

Severus leaned over and kissed Lucy again. When he pulled away his heart was gladdened at Lucy's smile. "Come…I think I have a pyjama top you can lay claim to." he said, holding her hand and leading her to his room.

"Ah…start bestowing me with gifts and you'll never be rid of me," Lucy teased as they entered Severus' bedchamber.

Severus turned and drew Lucy close to him. As he closed the door, he whispered silkily into her ear, "I don't intend to ever be rid of you."

***31 October, 1986-6:26 p.m.-Azkaban Prison***

Sirius Black sat on the floor with his back against the cold stone wall. He could hear the scratching of talon to rock in the neighbouring cell. He had never seen Musgrave's Animagus form, but Sirius was sure it was some sort of large bird.

Sirius had been in near isolation for as long as he had been in Azkaban. His closest neighbour had been across the corridor until he died some years back. Crouch was his name. The only reason Sirius remembered the name, because the man was the son of the bastard who threw Sirius into this hellhole.

Sirius had not found this troubling at first….the isolation that is. In fact, it had been welcome. At least he did not have to contend with the likes of his insane cousin, Bellatrix. She was on a separate corridor and Sirius could still hear her maniacal screaming on occasion. On the once monthly visits from Narcissa, those screams would die down.

The first time Sirius, sitting in a dark corner of his cell, saw Narcissa Malfoy walk down the halls of Azkaban to visit her deranged sister, the irony had not escaped him how a murderous psychopath like Bellatrix Lestrange had the support of her family, but he…Sirius Black, an innocent man… had not warranted a single visit from any of his friends or colleagues. After all of these years no one had come to his defence, not even Remus.

Sirius had come to the conclusion that the Death Eaters had still managed to take over the Ministry after Voldemort's downfall.

Perhaps Bellatrix was still here because she was too unstable. Sirius had no way of knowing. No news filtered into his cell. Even those prisoners who were within talking range never spoke to Sirius.

It made sense to Sirius. How else could Sirius' own imprisonment be justified? He had never even been given a trial. Perhaps that was why he never had any visitors. Maybe he was made to disappear and nobody knew where he was.

And how else could the likes of Severus Snape be teaching children as Musgrave had told him? For whatever reason, Lily had always defended the prat, but Sirius was convinced that Snivellus Snape had turned Death Eater.

Sirius sympathised with his new neighbour… poor blighter.

Not only had his woman had been Confunded by the greasy bastard, Snape had managed to plant evidence on Musgrave, framing the man for attempting to kill his own child.

Sirius had always thought that Snape was capable of depravity …but really…How sick could a man get?

There was another point that Sirius could relate with Musgrave, being powerless to care for your own child.

Harry would have been his had Sirius had not ended up in Azkaban. He wondered about the child every day. Had Harry been successfully hidden from Wormtail and his cohorts? Was Harry even alive?

Of all Sirius' regrets in life, his greatest one was his failure to James and Lily. He had failed to look after their son, the only task they had ever charged him with.

Sirius desperately wished that wherever Harry may be, the boy was well taken care of and happy. From his position, that was all Sirius could do for the boy. It was a point of which he was so ashamed, he had not even broached the subject of Harry with his new friend.

Sirius' ruminations were interrupted when he heard the unmistakable sound of bone being transfigured and then the obligatory moan of pain that always followed an inexperienced Animagus transformation.

"I think you managed more than five minutes that time, Musgrave."

"I still cannot fly yet," Sirius heard the man pant.

"Don't waste your magic on trying to fly right now," Sirius advised. "Just concentrate on keeping your form as long as you can. That way when the Dementors come about, you'll have less exposure to them."

Sirius heard Musgrave sigh in acquiescence, then the sound of approaching footsteps caught his attention. "Heads up, Musgrave. Someone's coming…human."

Sirius slipped back into the dark corner of his cell…unwilling to be seen. Kenneth was sitting on the opposite side of the wall from Black. He could now hear footsteps coming towards the cell. Kenneth pushed himself up from the floor and gingerly brought himself to his feet.

Standing in front of his was an old family friend he had not seen in nearly a year. "Lucius," Kenneth said with as much dignity as he could muster. He knew he was crusted with filth and smelled twice as bad as he looked, but there was nothing to be done for it.

"I would say it is good to see you, old chap," Lucius began haughtily. "But under the circumstances…"

"Lucius," Kenneth said again, this time with more urgency. "How did you know I was here?"

"Narcissa said she saw you during her last visit with Bella," Lucius informed him. "Had I known, I would have been by sooner. Do you need a Solicitor?"

It had not left Kenneth's notice that Lucius had not even asked why he was incarcerated. Lucius and Kenneth had grown up together. Had their situations been reversed, Kenneth would have offered Lucius the same.

Their father's had been best friends. Although Kenneth had never attended Hogwarts… as he was educated by private tutors, the two had spent many summer vacations together as children. They had intended to take their grand tours together but that idea had been squelched when Lucius had decided to join his Dark Lord when he became of age.

Lucius had spoken highly of The Dark Lord and Kenneth had been intrigued. He had even intended upon taking the Dark Mark himself when he finished university in the States.

Like Kenneth, his father had been a diplomat. The elder Mr. Musgrave had insisted that Kenneth have an international education. However, by the time Kenneth had finished his graduate degree, the Dark Lord had been vanquished and Kenneth had never taken the Mark.

Kenneth may have been intrigued by the Dark Lord, but he had not been loyal as Lucius had been. Kenneth was more interested in power and influence than blood lines. And Kenneth was keenly aware of the power and influence the Dark Lord was amassing amongst the purebloods of England, the only wizards who truly mattered in the powered and moneyed elite.

Of course Kenneth had no real misgivings about Severus Snape being a former Death Eater. He had only been using that argument to dissuade Lucy from associating with the bastard.

"My Solicitor has been in contact…thank you Lucius."

"I ran into your pretty Dr. O'Conner in Diagon Alley the other week," Lucius said with a casual sneer.

Kenneth felt sick in his stomach. Whether it came from his lustrous fervent desire to see her to finally submit to him or from intense hatred of her traitorous defection to Snape, he was not sure.

Kenneth walked over and sat on his thin cot. He told Lucius his version of the events that landed him in Azkaban.

"How is she?" Kenneth finally asked.

"Obviously with child," Lucius admitted. "Is it truly yours?"

"Of course it is!" Kenneth spat out.

Lucius brushed off his sleeve with the back of his hand. The dirt was not imaginary. Even the very air in Azkaban seemed to be saturated with filth.

Lucius sighed, "Well…what you have told me does explain some things."

"Explain things…explains what?" Kenneth demanded.

"Simply the fact that your Lucy seems to be quite happy despite your unfortunate circumstances, and why she left my presence on the arm of one, Severus Snape."

Kenneth's face contorted with rage. "NNNO!" he bellowed as he slammed his fists against the unforgiving wall. He did not even feel the outer metacarpal bone in his right hand break.

"I am truly sorry to be the bearer of such distressing news," Lucius said with affected boredom, though his eyes glinted with some deeper emotion at Kenneth's outburst.

Kenneth's face was tight with a rage he could barely contain. "Don't be," he said through his gritted teeth. "Thank you for telling me the truth, my friend." His voice was shaking as his surge of adrenalin ebbed away.

"Sincerely, Kenneth…I am sorry," Lucius said, this time his sympathy was apparent. "It's not enough that Snape has laid his hands on the Potter child…now he is laying claim to yours."

"WHAT! I'LL KILL HIM! HARRY IS MINE!" The voice from the next cell was so enraged, it was almost feral.

Lucius jumped away from the bars as if drawing back in fear and Kenneth had snapped out of his reverie. He had never heard Black like this. This was the voice of a man capable of murder.

When Lucius Malfoy had shown up at Musgrave's cell, Sirius had originally wondered if he had misjudged Musgrave. Sirius did not know for certain if Malfoy had been a Death Eater, but the man had for certain been sympathetic to You-Know-Who's cause and the family connection through Bellatrix was undeniable, however, the conversation between the men had not indicated anything suspicious and with the mention of Snape having custody of Harry, Sirius forgot all else.

Kenneth had not purposefully intended to keep Sirius Black in the dark about Harry. To Kenneth, Harry Potter was nothing more than an insufferable brat. Kenneth had no qualms about using the child if it meant having his revenge against Snape, but otherwise he was an insignificant kid. Kenneth's overpowering obsession with Lucy had made him blind to how important a person Harry Potter really was.

Over the past month or so Kenneth had been in prison, Black had told him about how it was really some chap named Peter Pettigrew who had betrayed the Potters. Kenneth did not actually believe the story-after all, all of the inmates in Azkaban were innocent. However, it was obvious that Black had come to believe his own fabrication.

But Kenneth was aware of one incontrovertible fact; Sirius Black was indeed a close friend of the Potter's. It was entirely possible he was the child's godfather as Black had just now confided in him.

Oh…what fruit that could bear if word ever leaked out.

Kenneth wouldn't lose sleep if something had happened to Harry. He wanted Snape dead and Lucy punished. If the child had to suffer to meet those ends…so be it.

Sirius Black had not yet realised the potential his skill had. To be undetected by the Dementors…If it had been Kenneth, he would have escaped long ago.

Kenneth was ecstatic when he discovered he had taken the form of a rook. Not only could he fly out of his prison when he became strong enough, the bloody birds were so common he could hide indefinitely.

But now Kenneth was nursing his newly broken hand. A broken bone in the hand meant a broken bone somewhere in his wing. It would take time for it to heal without the benefit of magic and the Ministry would not waist the expense of Skele-grow on prisoners.

Kenneth listened to the incessant pacing in the next cell. Black was still in a murderous rage. Perhaps if Kenneth played his cards right…he could use that excessive emotion to his advantage.

Kenneth went over to the front of his cell at the location closest to Black's. He held a bar with his good hand while trying to wave his rapidly swelling hand in a bid for Black's attention. It had not worked, so he tried for Sirius' attention again without being too loud. "Black! Black…We need to talk."