Harry felt fuzzy-headed and disoriented for a few seconds when he woke the next morning.  He yawned as he fumbled for his glasses on the night table beside the bed, but then sat up straight as his memories of yesterday flooded back...the attack on the Grangers, and finally sharing his grief and guilt over Sirius' death.

His father had said that it wasn't his fault.  Harry wished he could believe that, but it was so hard.  Sirius had only gone to the Department of Mysteries because Harry had been in danger there.  Even if Bellatrix Lestrange had been the one who had actually killed him, surely Harry was to blame too.

Images of Sirius flashed through Harry's mind...his godfather teasing him and throwing an affectionate arm about his shoulders, sharing last Christmas together at Grimmauld Place, the overwhelming relief when Sirius had rescued him from Death Eaters at the Department, and then the final terrible memory of his beloved godfather disappearing through the veil.

A painful lump clogged Harry's throat, but he swallowed hard against it.  He wasn't going to dissolve in tears again.  He couldn't right now.  Hermione needed her friends and they would be going back to Hogwarts this morning.

Although if the dark grey sky outside his windows was an indication, it was still much too early to think of going over to the school yet.  Harry glanced at his clock for confirmation and sighed.  Not even a quarter til seven.  There was still over an hour before breakfast.  He considered trying to go back to sleep for a bit, but decided that he was too awake now.  Well, he could get up and take a shower.  With all the excitement last night, he hadn't taken one then.  In fact, he didn't remember coming to bed at all.  He must have fallen asleep while his father comforted him. 

Despite his sorrow, Harry had to smile.  Who would have ever thought that he and Severus Snape would become so close, would even consider themselves father and son?  Even just one year ago, it would have seemed impossible.  But just look at them now.            

There was a small fire glowing in the fireplace to help ward off the winter's chill, but his room was cold anyway in these early hours.  Harry quickly grabbed some clothes from his wardrobe and hurried into the bath.  

A short time later he was dressed in a blue plaid shirt, a light blue jumper, and jeans, plus thick woolen socks and dark brown loafers.  He brushed his hair and performed a dental charm and then hurried downstairs.  It was still too soon for breakfast, but he could visit with Norie and Zan and give them a hand, if they would let him.

Unlike the rooms upstairs, the kitchen was warm and cozy.  The fireplace was enormous and a bright fire blazed high.  Norie and Zan bustled around, cheerfully frying up eggs, tomatoes, bacon, and bread. 

"Good morning, Master Harry.  Breakfast will be ready soon," Zan greeted him as he came in.

"Can I do anything to help?"  Harry asked.  

"Oh, no, Master Harry," Norie waved at a chair.  "Just have a seat and talk with us.  I don't suppose you've heard any more news from Miss Hermione?"

"No.  It's too early.  We'll probably go back to Hogwarts after breakfast.  I guess Dad told you about what happened to her parents?" 

Harry felt funny just sitting while Norie and Zan did all the work so he started for the cabinets to take down some plates and cups, but Norie made shooing motions at him.

"Don't you worry about that, dear.  Zan and I will take care of this."

It still seemed wrong to Harry for him not to help, but he did know that, like all house elves, Norie and Zan took great pride in caring for their home and their wizards.  So he finally sighed and gave in as he followed Norie's instructions and perched on a chair at the long table.

Norie continued to chatter as she worked.  "Yes, Master Severus told us what had happened when he called to let us know you wouldn't be back for dinner last night.  But he said that poor Mr. and Mrs. Granger would be all right?"

Harry nodded, "Yeah.  That's what Madame Pomfrey said.  But she did say that Mr. Granger might have some wolf-ish tendencies now, even though Greyback wasn't a werewolf when he attacked them.  I'm not exactly sure what she means though."

"Well, at least that awful Greyback is captured now, and the other Death Eater."  Norie shuddered. 

"Yeah, thank goodness for that," Harry agreed. 

"Are all of the Death Eaters in custody now then?"  Zan wondered aloud.

"Just about," Harry replied.  "Dumbledore and Dad said last night that there are only a few still loose now, and that they aren't very powerful.  Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy and Dolohov were the strongest ones.  And Greyback was awful too, I guess, even though he didn't really use magic."

"Well, I hope they'll all be locked away in Azkaban now," Norie said firmly.  She turned from the stove.  "Master Harry, breakfast is ready.  Do you want to see if Master Severus is awake?"

Severus was indeed awake and seated at the dining room table, though he rose as Harry came in and walked over to place his hand on his son's shoulder.

"Good morning, son.  Are you all right?"

Harry smiled at him, "Yeah.  Thanks, Dad, for everything."

"Of course."  Severus studied him.  "You do understand that your godfather's death was not your fault?"

Harry swallowed and looked away, unable to meet his father's concerned gaze.  "I don't know," he mumbled.  "I still feel like it was my fault, but I'll try to think about what you said."

Severus gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze.  "Harry, Black would not want you to blame yourself."

"I guess not, but it's just hard," Harry said in a low voice.  He really didn't want to talk about Sirius right now, but he didn't want to hurt his father either.  When their breakfast plates appeared a second later, Harry seized on the excuse to change the subject.

"Dad, can we go back to Hogwarts after breakfast?  I'd like to be with Hermione and see how her parents are doing."

Severus looked as if he wanted to continue talking about Sirius' death, but after a moment he nodded and said, "Yes, we'll need to, in any case.  Nymphadora Tonks is supposed to interview us all, remember?"

Harry actually had forgotten that detail, or at least it hadn't been on his mind.  "Oh, yeah.  Well, at least we won't have to go to the trial.  And I can ask her how Draco is.  I hope they had a good Christmas."   

"I'm sure they did.  I have to admit that, for all his faults, Lupin has been very good to Draco, and Nymphadora Tonks is an irritating chatterbox, but she does have a kind heart.  I have no doubts that they have welcomed Draco whole-heartedly," Severus replied. 

He reached to touch Harry's wrist.  "As I should have done with you when you first came.  I will always regret our past, Harry."

"It's all right, Dad.  You've made up for it all, many times," Harry told him.

"Thank you, Harry," his father said quietly.

Harry smiled at him and they began to eat their breakfast.

***

Ron was already at the Hogwarts infirmary, sitting next to Hermione in chairs at the foot of the Grangers' beds, when Harry and Severus arrived.  The Granger parents were still asleep, both of them wearing pale blue pyjamas, and in Harry's opinion, they looked better than their daughter, who had dark circles under her eyes and was visibly exhausted.

"They're all right," Hermione said softly in reply to their whispered queries.  "Mum had a terrible nightmare, but Madame Pomfrey gave her a dreamless sleep potion and she's been sleeping peacefully ever since.  Dad woke up very early and we talked a bit.  He's holding up well, all things considered, I think."

"Perhaps you should try to rest now, too," Severus suggested.

Hermione smiled a tired, sad smile.  "Maybe later.  Every time I close my eyes, I can see them lying there, and the blood..." Her voice trailed off unsteadily and Ron gripped her hand in support.

Hermione squeezed his hand back and continued more firmly, "And I think Tonks is coming soon to speak with us and I need to be awake for that.  Maybe afterwards I'll try to sleep."

Severus nodded.  "You could have a dose of dreamless sleep potion as well.  I'll speak with Poppy about it."

"Thank you, sir." 

Severus moved off to Madame Pomfrey's office and Harry pulled another chair over to sit with his friends.  They didn't talk much, but sat there quietly, taking comfort in each other's presence, until Mr. Granger stirred and managed to sit up, wincing as he moved his arms.

"Hermione?

She moved to her father's side, bending to kiss his cheek.  "Hi, Dad.  How are you feeling?"

"A bit sore, but I'll manage.  I didn't mean to go back to sleep on you.  I suppose I was still tired."

"No wonder."  Hermione agreed.

Mr. Granger noticed Ron and Harry, who had clambered to their feet, and forced himself to smile at them.  "Hermione told me that you two helped to save us.  Thank you, both of you, very much."

"You're welcome," Harry said.

"We just wish we'd been there sooner," Ron added.

"Yes," Mr. Granger agreed, his smile fading.  His dark eyes turned to his wife sleeping in the next bed.  "Mione, how is your mother?"

"She's fine now, just tired, too," Hermione reassured him.

"Mr. Granger, how are you feeling?"  Madame Pomfrey came hurrying from her office and Harry had to smile at the way she always seemed to know exactly when one of her patients had awoken.  Hmm, it really was uncanny, now that he thought about it.  Perhaps she had some charm set to alert her.

Severus followed her and he came to stand beside Harry and Ron as Madame Pomfrey checked her patient.  A few minutes later Mrs. Granger woke too, and Madame Pomfrey declared that they were both doing well.  She shooed Hermione back and set up privacy screens around the beds so she could cast some refreshing charms, transfigure clothing, and help the Granger parents get ready for the day.

It wasn't long afterwards, a few minutes after ten o'clock, when the infirmary doors opened and Dumbledore swept in, followed not only by Dora Tonks but also by Remus and Draco.

"Good morning," Dumbledore called.  "Mr. and Mrs. Granger, it's so good to see you awake.  You both look much better."

The Grangers did look better, Harry thought, now that they were rested and looked stronger.  Like their daughter, they both had dark hair and eyes.  Mr. Granger was tall, thin, and clean-shaven.  Mrs. Granger was petite with medium-length hair that framed her face in soft waves.  They greeted Dumbledore warmly and thanked him for caring for them and allowing them to stay at Hogwarts.

"Not at all," Dumbledore beamed as he shook their hands.  "I'm afraid I did very little, actually."

He motioned to Tonks.  "May I introduce Dora Tonks?"

"It's nice to meet you, though I'm sorry for the circumstances."  She came forward and shook hands with the Grangers, too.  "I'm an Auror, which is like a police officer and investigator.  I'm afraid I'll need to talk with you about what happened yesterday."

The Grangers nodded. 

"Yes.  Hermione told us you would need to," Mrs. Granger said. 

"And this is Remus Lupin."  Dumbledore gestured to Remus.  "He's...our lycanthropy expert."

"Actually I am a werewolf," Remus told them.  "Though I assure you that many of us are nothing like Greyback.  I can talk with you about possible effects you might experience."

Both Grangers looked worried and Remus hurried to reassure them.  "It's not so terrible.  Greyback was not a werewolf when he attacked, so any consequences should be minimal."  

He turned to Draco.  "And this is our ward, Draco Malfoy."

Ron and Hermione both watched him sharply, but Draco simply held out his hand to the Grangers and said politely, "I'm sorry you were hurt."

"Thank you, dear," Mrs. Granger answered.  "It's always nice to meet some of Hermione's friends.  We've heard so much about Ron and Harry, but I'm afraid she hasn't said much about you."       

Hermione, Ron, and Draco all looked startled at the assumption that Draco was a friend.  After a second, Draco cleared his throat awkwardly.  "Well, we're in different Houses so we don't see one another that often." 

He glanced at Hermione and Ron.  "We've only recently begun to get to know one another."

Tonks stepped closer.  "Why don't we get started on the interviews?  We can do them here, but I'll need to set up privacy screens and silencing charms.  I have to speak with everyone separately, of course."

In a few minutes everything was set up.  Madame Pomfrey and Tonks moved the screens back around the Grangers' beds while Severus conjured some stuffed armchairs before the infirmary's fireplace. 

"We might as well be comfortable while we wait," he remarked.

"Indeed," Dumbledore agreed.  "I'll send for some refreshments as well.  Coffee and sandwiches perhaps?"

Tonks began talking with Mr. Granger first.  Mrs. Granger remained in her own bed, and the others made themselves comfortable sitting by the fire, drinking coffee and butterbeer and nibbling on the watercress sandwiches that Dumbledore had ordered.

Hermione at first stayed with her mother but after a moment she came out to join the rest of them, murmuring, "Mum said she was fine and told me to come out and visit with all of you," as she slid into a chair beside Ron.

She and Ron were sitting a little ways off from the adults and Draco was even further.  Harry looked uncertainly between his friends.  He wanted to sit with Ron and Hermione, but he didn't want to leave Draco out.  Before he had to choose between them, though, Draco caught his eye.  The blond boy took a deep breath, stood, and slowly walked over to Ron and Hermione.

"Gra...Hermione, that is, I really am sorry that your parents were hurt."  Draco swallowed hard and continued in a low voice.  "I'm sorry for a lot of things."

There was a long silence while Hermione studied him.  Draco's pale cheeks flushed and he started to turn and move away, but then Hermione reached out and took his hand.

"Thank you, Draco."

Ron gestured towards Draco's chair.  "You might as well pull your chair over.  No reason to sit by yourself."

Draco looked at both of them carefully; then suddenly smiled one of his rare smiles.  "All right.  I will."

As he went to get his chair, Harry smiled at Ron and Hermione, too.  "Thanks, guys."

It was a little awkward for a few minutes, with all of them sitting together, but then Ron leaned towards Harry and commented, "Only five more days til we're back here for good.  Thank Merlin you're coming back, Harry.  It hasn't been the same without you."

"Yeah."  Harry was excited about returning to Hogwarts but a little nervous too, though he knew that was ridiculous.  People were on his side.  The Yule Ball had proven that.  He turned to Draco.  "Are you ready to come back?"

Draco gave a small shrug.  "I don't know.  It'll be different."

Ron snorted.  "Yeah, that's for sure.  All of us being mates now...people are gonna think we've been imperiused."    

Draco rolled his eyes, but Harry thought he seemed pleased at Ron's calling them ‘mates'.

"Well, we've been getting on lately with Daphne and Pansy and Blaise Zabini," Hermione remarked.  "At least we've all been civil."

"They've never been into the pureblood supremacy thing," Draco said.  He hesitated before asking, "What about Crabbe and Goyle?"

Ron made a face as Hermione answered, "They're the same as always."

Draco sighed.  "I wish they could change like I have, but I don't know.  Their families were strong Voldemort supporters."

"You changed," Harry pointed out.

"Yes, that's true," Draco agreed slowly, looking thoughtful.  "But you know, I had Severus to influence me too.  He couldn't do much of course, but when I look back on it, I can see little things he did to try to counteract all the rubbish I was taught, to try to teach me to think of others.  It took long enough, but maybe all that did have some effect on me after all."

He shrugged.  "I'll see what I can do, but I don't think Crabbe and Goyle will be very open to change."

"They might not be at Hogwarts much longer anyway," Ron told him.  "They've been caught bullying younger kids several times since you left.  I heard Dumbledore had threatened to expel them if they did it again."

Draco grimaced.  "I guess I can't say I'm surprised.  They've always had a violent streak."

They were all looking a bit morose and Harry decided to change the subject to a hopefully lighter topic.  "So, Draco, how was your Christmas?  Is everything all right with Remus and Tonks?"

It worked.  Draco relaxed and nodded, his eyes brighter.  "Yes.  They're fantastic.  Dora used to play Quidditch, did you know?  She was a chaser for Hufflepuff for three years.  We've played some pick-up games.  Remus tried to be keeper." 

He lowered his voice.  "To be honest, he's not very good.  But it was fun.  And we went to the museum, Harry, and stayed all day.  You've got to go.  It's amazing.  We saw the Rosetta Stone and papyrus scrolls and ancient jewelry and weapons.  I want to go to Eygpt one day, maybe after we're out of school."

"We went to Egypt one summer on holiday," Ron remarked.  "My brother Bill used to be a curse-breaker for Gringotts and he worked there for a while."

"Really?"  Draco leaned forward in interest.  "Did you get to go inside any pyramids?"

"Oh, yeah, and there were these mutant skeletons with two heads and..."

Harry grinned and leaned back in his chair, helping himself to a second cup of butterbeer.

***     

The morning passed by quickly.  Harry took his turn telling Tonks about the attack while a machine resembling an old-fashioned victrola recorded his words.  When she had finished questioning everyone, Tonks returned to the Ministry, and Remus and Draco left soon afterwards too. 

Once Dumbledore had reassured them that protective wards were now set around their townhouse, Mr. and Mrs. Granger insisted that they were strong enough to return home.  Hermione and Ron left with them, each taking one of the Grangers along through the Floo.

Severus and Harry stayed to chat with Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey a little longer.  They talked about Severus and Harry returning to Hogwarts and everyone's holidays, and at some point Severus mentioned that he and Harry were going to make their adoption legal.

"Wonderful!"  Dumbledore beamed at them. "That is the best news I've heard in a long time."

"I'm so happy for the both of you," Madame Pomfrey smiled warmly.

"As Head of the Wizengamot, I could perform the ceremony for you," Dumbledore offered.  "Have you made an appointment yet?"

"Not yet," Severus replied.  "We've only just discussed it between ourselves on Christmas Day."

"Why not schedule it for the thirty-first and afterwards we could celebrate, a combination of an adoption party and a New Year's festivity?"  The headmaster suggested, his bright eyes twinkling more than ever. 

"That would be up to Harry."  Severus looked at his son.

Dumbledore seemed so excited at the prospect of another party that Harry had to say, "Sure, that would be great." 

Not that he had any objections anyway.  He couldn't wait to officially become Severus' son.

"We could have the party here at Hogwarts," the headmaster continued happily.  "Unless of course you want to have at your own home, but I know you don't like bringing a lot of people through the Fidelius Charm, Severus."

In no time at all, Dumbledore had the whole thing planned, including the guest list.  Despite Severus' protests that they wanted to keep it small and private, the list was an impressive length.  But they had to invite the Weasleys and the Grangers, and then Harry wanted Neville and Luna to be included, and Draco.  And if Draco were invited, they had to invite Remus and Tonks. 

"And we really ought to invite the Hogwarts staff," Dumbledore added.  "If the party is going to be here, it's almost rude not to, don't you think?  And Hagrid and Minerva and the others have known you both for so long.  I know they would wish to come."

"Very well," Severus agreed with a long-suffering sigh.  "But then that is enough, Albus.  This small party has grown into quite the ordeal."

"But we have to have Norie and Zan, too," Harry said.  "And maybe Dobby."

Severus just rolled his eyes.  "I think we'd best be going now before you've invited every witch, wizard, and house elf in Britain."

But he didn't really mind.  Harry could tell because once they were back home, Severus patted his shoulder and said dryly, "I'll leave it to you to invite Norie and Zan.  They're more likely to agree if you ask them."

Harry grinned at him before he took off downstairs in search of the elves.

***   

December 31st was a clear, cold day.  A few wispy clouds scurried across the light sky and the pale wintry sun gave little warmth.  When Harry woke that morning he saw a small gold and silver wrapped box on his night table.  Inside was a silver pin shaped like a ‘P' and encrusted with tiny rubies.  He lifted it out and admired it for a few moments before getting dressed in a white dress shirt, grey trousers, and the charcoal robes his father had given him for the press conference after Voldemort's death.  He tugged on his socks and black shoes, and then carefully fastened the pin to his chest.  Finally, with a grin, he opened the top wardrobe drawer and pulled out his scarlet Gryffindor tie.    

He had just tied it with a flourish when a knock sounded on his door and he turned to see his father standing there, wearing his own best robes, jet-black with silver trim, and a similar brooch, though his was shaped like an ‘S' and decorated with emeralds rather than rubies.

"May I come in?"  He called.

"Sure, Dad."  Harry went to meet him and touched Severus' pin.  "So Hedwig's bringing you gifts now too?"

"I thought she was growing rather fond of me."  Severus' lips quirked upwards in a smile.  He gave Harry's tie a gentle tug and said in mock depreciation.  "Well, I suppose it does go well with the rubies."

"You knew I was a Gryffindor when you asked to adopt me," Harry answered lightly.  "Besides you don't hate Gryffindors anymore.  I think you actually like us.  Admit it."

"I admit nothing, certainly not to any liking for reckless, impetuous Gryffindors," Severus responded loftily.  Then his face softened and he laid his hand on Harry's shoulder.  "Except for my son, of course."

Harry leaned against him and Severus' arms slipped around him. 

"Thank you, Harry," Severus murmured softly, bowing his lips to touch the top of Harry's head.  "I love you and I am very proud to have you as my son."

Harry hugged him hard.  "I love you too, Dad.  And I'm really proud that you're my father."

They held one another for a moment before stepping back.

"Come on, then," Severus motioned towards the door.  "It's past time for breakfast and then we have an appointment at the Ministry." 

They flooed to an office at the Ministry that Harry had never seen before.  It was a large room, beautifully furnished in shades of blue, with heavy dark furniture and velvet drapes at the windows.  Though there would be a crowd at the party that evening, Severus and Harry had agreed that the ceremony itself would be private, with only themselves and Dumbledore present.  He was already waiting for them, looking very impressive himself in golden shimmering robes. 

"You know, Dad, we could have done this a long time ago, if I'd realized that Professor Dumbledore could have done it.  I mean, he's known about the slavery spell from the beginning," Harry said softly to his father as they came through.  He felt a little silly, and guilty, that he had been so adamant about not making the adoption legal.  But then again, he had thought they would have to involve Ministry officials and that everyone would find out that he was a slave.  And at the time, that had seemed unbearable.

"Yes," Severus agreed wryly.  "I should have realized that Albus could have performed the ceremony for us."  He shook his head, looking faintly annoyed at himself.  "Ah, well, the ceremony is a mere technicality.  You have been my son for some time now."

"Severus, Harry, good morning," Dumbledore opened his arms wide as he greeted them.  "Come, this shouldn't take long."

Harry wasn't sure what he had expected the adoption ceremony to be like.  Dumbledore read from a sheet of parchment, mostly things that sounded very similar to what Severus had written informally months ago, asking if Severus were prepared to assume parental responsibilities, that Harry would be entitled to the rights and privileges as his legal son and heir, and so on.

"I am prepared," Severus replied when Dumbledore paused and looked inquiringly at him.

"Harry James Potter, are you willing for Severus Tobias Snape to adopt you as his legal son and heir?"  Dumbledore turned to Harry.

"I am willing," Harry said solemnly.

Dumbledore waved his wand over Severus and then Harry.

"This is the time when any other binding vows will become apparent," Severus told Harry quietly.

As much as he hated the slavery spell, Harry was a little curious about what would happen.  Would a magical cord bind them?  Would there be flaming letters in the air, similar to how Tom Riddle had written in the Chamber of Secrets? 

One minute passed and then another. 

But nothing happened at all.