George and Fred Weasley were a playing game of exploding snap in the sitting room when the fireplace roared to life and out stepped Severus Snape.

"Mum, we have company," yelled George, who stared at the tall man before him dressed in black.

"Well, George, who is it?" came the reply from the Weasley matriarch, who was preparing the evening meal.

Charlie Weasley came around the corner to see who had come for a visit and dropped the plate he had been drying for his mother.

"Mum! It's Professor Snape from Hogwarts," he said, staring at the dreaded potions professor, the very one that made his life miserable during each class.

"Severus, such a surprise for you to come. Won't you join us for dinner?" Molly Weasley said, drying her hands, and ushering the solemn man towards the kitchen. "Arthur should be home any minute now."

Sure enough, the tall, red-haired father of the Weasley household stepped through the kitchen door, as Severus Snape was being pushed into a chair. Severus could see the absolute wonder that, he, Severus, was in his house, but his face was a mask of smiles as they sat down to dinner.

The other children were called to dinner and everyone sat down to eat, but Severus was not eating, he was staring at the many red-haired children. Here were seven children, and yet all seemed happy and talked nonstop throughout the entire meal. Severus wondered how Molly and Arthur kept their sanity.

Soon the meal was over and Severus realized he had barely touched his food. He had spent most of the meal watching the interaction between the children and their parents. Molly and Arthur stood up and ushered him into the sitting room, while the children played in the corner. After he was seated on the sofa, Molly spoke.

"Now, Severus, what brings you to The Burrow?"

Severus Snape was not one to ever ask for help, and he couldn't quite bring himself to do it now, so he covered up his embarrasment with a question.

"I did not know your house was so plentiful with children. How many do you have now?"

Molly stood up and called all the children into the room, and, to Severus, they looked like little stair steps standing before him. None of them would look at him directly, except for the biggest one, who glared at Severus as if asking why he had dared to enter their house. Severus looked away from him as Molly started her introduction with the tallest of the bunch, the one who had stared down Severus.

"This is Bill; I believe you have him in your fourth year potions class."

Severus indeed knew he had the boy in his class. He ridiculed him nonstop, but secretly he thought the boy had a knack for potions, as he was always one of the first to complete his.

"Now we have Charlie here who just started Hogwarts last year. He is a Gryffindor, of course. Percy here is two years away from starting school, I am afraid, although last week he did try to sneak past us to go with his brothers. Always wanting to be the leader of sorts, he is."

Severus' head was already whirling with the three faces he had seen and there were more.

"Now we have the twins here. This is Fred, and this is George," she said, pointing to two identical faces. They looked eager for trouble and Severus knew he would have his hands full in a few years with these two.

Severus watched the twins snicker at him, plotting it almost seemed. His attention was brought back as Molly continued on with her introductions.

"This is Ronald and Ginny. Ron is five and Ginny is four."

Molly was finally finished with the children and all of them went back to what they were doing before she had called them over. Severus was at a loss, but finally his lips started to move, and out fell his earlier question.

"How do you keep seven children and have them all seem so happy?"

"It doesn't take much," Molly beamed. "You just have to let them be themselves and love each of them despite their flaws," she said, pointingly staring at the twins as she said it.

Severus brought his voice down to a whisper and told Arthur and Molly about Harry. Both were shocked, and Molly had even started to cry at one point.

"I thought the poor child had died that night in Godric's Hollow. Now I know that he is alive and well and it warms my heart to know Lily and James' memory will live on."

Severus twitched at remembering back to that faithful night, but he then dived into the story, after placing a silencing charm around them. He told them both how it was he, in fact, that was Harry's father and how Lily and James had told him only the night before the Dark Lord had them killed. Molly had fainted after the information and had to be ennervated by Arthur. Once she was back in the waking world, Severus finished telling them about Harry and his refusal to speak. He did not tell them about taking the boy to see the Dark Lord, that he knew would have caused Molly Weasley to hex him to death.

"I see your problem, Severus, and we would be delighted to let Ron come over for the night, or have Harry here."

Severus didn't know if he could leave Harry alone anywhere for the night, but decided if it were best for Harry, he could allow it. Plans were made to drop Harry off the following night for a sleepover. Severus departed and soon stepped out into his own sitting room and was met by the face of Lucy.

"Master Harry did not waken while you were gone; Lucy watched him just like you asked."

Severus thanked Lucy and went to sit beside Harry. He was lost in thought, wondering how he could possibly let Harry out of his sight, when Harry's eyes fluttered open. He didn't speak to Severus, but the smile on his face made Severus envelope him in a hug.

"Harry, why don't you go and get ready for dinner. I have something to tell you after we eat."

Harry shuffled out of the room, and Severus began pacing the floor. He knew he couldn't possibly let Harry leave his sight; he would worry nonstop. He was racking his brain when he stopped, bumping into Lucy.

"Is something troubling sir? Is it something Lucy can help with?"

Severus waved Lucy off, muttering as he did, "There is nothing you can do, unless you have a way for me to keep tabs on Harry in case of danger when he is not here." Severus was now muttering outloud his concerns and he didn't care.

"How could I have been such a fool, telling the Weasleys I would bring him over. I can't do it; I simply refuse to let him go unguarded."

He didn't see Lucy apparate out, nor did he hear the pop as she returned. He only noticed the house elf when she tugged on his robes incessantly. Finally irritated, not with her but with himself, he yelled down at the two huge eyes staring up at him.

What? Why are you tugging on me?"

"Lucy is sorry for bothering Master Snape, but Lucy is wanting to know if Master wishes to use these," she said, handing Severus what looked like two lockets.

"Why would I want these?" he spat, his anger escapig him.

Lucy cowered beneath his stare, but she spoke up, "These were Master Snape's mother's and father's. It was a way for Master Snape to keep an eye on Mrs. Snape when he was out with the Dark Lord."

Severus snatched the lockets, loathing the items. He remembered how his mother was forbidden to take it off. His father had made her wear it so he could see if she tried to escape the house when he was gone. He was about to throw them into the trash, when something occurred to him. As much as he loathed them for what they stood for, he knew he could watch Harry and make sure he was all right while at the Weasley's.

Looking down he saw Lucy cowering at his feet and shook his head. "Forgive me for my earlier anger, it was not directed towards you."

This seemed to brighten Lucy's face and she got up and happily went back to making dinner. When Harry came out of his room, he took his seat at the table and started eating, without so much as a sound. Severus, too, finished up his meal and then ushered Harry to the sofa by the fire.

"Tomorrow you shall be going to the Weasley's for a sleepover."

Harry's eyes grew wide with fear, and the clawlike grasp on Severus' robes was immediate.

"Do not worry, Harry, I will only be a floo away. You remember how to use the floo, right?"

Harry nodded his head yes, but his grip on Severus' sleeve was still as tight as ever, and now he had his head buried in the folds.

"I have something for you, Harry, a gift."

Harry lifted his head out of his father's robes and saw the lockets in his hands. He did not back away as one was placed over his head; something about it made him feel safer when Severus placed the second over his own head.

"This is a family heirloom," Severus did not tell Harry what the locket was for, he only made him promise not to take it off. He and Harry then sat by the fire as Severus told Harry about all the Weasley children, and how they seemed to have fun and that he hoped Harry would as well.

"They have a son your age, too. His name is Ronald, but I think I heard his brothers calling him Ron. Perhaps you two can play together."

Harry nodded his head yes, but he was scared to meet anyone else new. He had met Draco, and they had become friends very quickly, cowering in fear near the Dark Lord, but would Ron like him? Harry fell asleep laying there next to Severus.

Severus picked up Harry and started walking towards his bed, but at the last minute turned and walked down the hall to his own room. He didn't have the heart to leave Harry right now, so he gently placed him on the bed and pulled off his shoes. Climbing in beside Harry, he pulled the covers up and watched as Harry curled into a ball.

How was it that this five year old boy, soon to be six, had complete control over him? He would do anything for Harry -- kill, maim, and even be the father that his own never was. Running his hands through Harry's hair, he vowed he would be there for him. He didn't think he would ever be the doting father Arthur Weasley was, but Harry would know he was loved. Tomorrow he would send Harry into the Weasley home and pray for the best, but he knew he would be home pacing the floors until his son's return. Curling up and pulling Harry to his chest, he wrapped an arm around him; the boy's whimpers faded, and Severus Snape fell asleep, content.