Healer Sandrilas came by in the early morning on rounds and declared that Harry was finally able to get up and walk about on his own. He gave him a regimen of Strengthening Solution and some Muscle Builder and said that by twelve noon he could be released from the hospital. But he wished to see Harry as a follow-up visit the next week, on Friday, in his office, which was on Gargoyle Street, two sreets up from St. Mungos.  "If you have any questions before then, don't hesitate to Floo me, I'm usually in my office between eight and seven. If I'm with a patient, just leave a message with Brenda, my secretary." He clapped Harry on the shoulder in a friendly fashion. "Take care, Mr. Potter, and don't fight any more dark wizards in the near future. Oh, and try not to drive Severus crazy."

Harry laughed. "I will, sir. And thank you for everything.  You were an amazing doctor."

Sandrilas looked pleased.  "Thank you, Harry. I shall see you in a week, at ten-thirty AM."

After the Mind Healer had left, Severus suggested that Harry take a shower and then he would order breakfast.

Harry hopped off the bed and into the bathroom, now that he was well the aid charms didn't react to him and he was able to shower and dress himself without the feeling of being watched or ghostly fingers helping him. 

Once breakfast was over, Harry felt oddly tired, and Severus told him to take a nap. Severus was dozing in the comfy chair next to the window as well when an owl tapped at the screen. Snape woke at once, wand out, then relaxed when he saw where he was and what had awoken him. He slipped the wand back in his pocket and chided himself for still running on battle reactions. Then he opened the window.

The owl flew in and came directly to him.  Warrior, I have a message for you.

"Thank you, Aventurine," Severus said in passable bird language. Some Animagi developed the ability to speak the language of their forms even while in human shape.  Severus had discovered this when Freedom became Harry and from the month and a half of using his own goshawk form, he was now able to comprehend and speak avian. He also had more than a passing acquaintance with the owls of Hogwarts, all of whom now considered him and Freedom heroes and spun their own tales of their adventures and told the stories to their fledglings. Hedwig had told him that, and Severus found it sort of odd and humbling.

He took the envelope the owl held out to him and conjured a live shrew for a reward, since owls love live prey best, like hawks. Aventurine took the treat and departed.  Severus opened the message, finding it was from Albus.

Dear Severus,

I am going through my office and cleaning  out my personal effects, since as you know, I shall not be returning to Hogwarts next year.  I have found a few things you might be interested in and also have a favor to ask you. Please come by with Harry as soon as you are able. I hope he is doing well.

Regards,

Albus

Severus tucked the note in his pocket and wondered just what the old man wanted from him. In the past, when Albus had said he needed a favor, it usually meant some kind of dangerous mission. But now that Voldemort was dead and nearly all the Death Eaters also, there were no more missions for him to send his master spy on.  He probably wishes for me to show him how to use some Muggle appliance or ask me about Muggle customs or some such thing. Severus didn't really mind, he rather suspected he would get a laugh or two out of the pureblood Gryffindor trying to "go Muggle" and become like every other Tom, Dick, and Harry.

But first, there was the adoption to legalize and an appointment with the Minister of Magic to make.  And the news-hungry press to avoid, because ever since Voldemort's demise, reporters had been after him to do exclusive interviews for this and that paper and poking their noses into his private affairs and trying to do the same to Harry as well. Only Harry had been in a coma for the first two weeks and so unable to be questioned. Now however . . .they be on him like fleas upon a stray dog.

Severus was surprised they hadn't attempted to invade the hospital room, but suspected that Sandrilas had a good deal to do with that, he seemed no fonder of reporters than Severus was. A fact that the professor was grateful for, because it gave him some much needed peace and quiet and time to bond with his child. Since Harry had agreed to the adoption, Severus found that he was even more protective and affectionate towards Harry than before. Now that he felt secure that Harry wouldn't reject or abandon him, he was able to express his deepest feelings towards the boy and truly embrace him as a son.

He glanced over to where Harry slept and then drifted off himself, reassured that all was well.

* * * * * *

"You are certain you have read and understood all the terms and agree to this of your own free will, Mr. Potter?" asked the friendly witch at Children's Services for the third time.

Harry fought against the urge to snap impatiently and said, "Yes, I have," respectfully.  "I wish for Sev to be my adopted father and for me to be legally his son."

"And there are no relatives that would protest this occurring?"

"None," Harry told her. The Dursleys were well rid of him and he of them.

"Very well then. Sign here," she indicated the bottom of the last page of the adoption agreement.

Harry took the red quill and signed his name-Harry James Potter-with a flourish. It would be the last time he would ever do so, since now he was going to take Snape's name as well, and be known forever after as Harry James Potter-Snape.

"Now you, Mr. Snape." The witch handed Severus the quill and he signed next to Harry.

Then she signed her own name Amanda Deirdre Hawkins on the line labeled "witness" and the parchment glowed and all present felt the tingle of a binding magical contract being locked into place.

"One last thing before you're official." Amanda removed a small penknife from a drawer and said, "Hold out your hands, palms up."

They did so and she pricked each of their fingers until a small drop of blood appeared. "Now clasp hands and press your fingers together."

Severus enfolded Harry's smaller palm in his own and pressed his thumb to the boy's. He felt a sudden tingle shoot through his arm, a sign that the spell was active.

"Now, repeat after me-By blood I adopt you and make you my kin, for all the days of our lives. My home is your home, and I welcome you with open arms, forever and ever. We are one-blood, bone, and flesh."

Both repeated the chant in clear ringing tones and felt something like fire sweep through their arms and fill them with a warmth and peace they had never felt before.  And it was done.

When Severus released Harry's hand, Harry looked at his thumb and saw no trace of the small cut upon it. Somehow the magic invoked with the Blood Adoption had healed the tiny cut.  He smiled at Severus, who drew him into a brief embrace.

"Congratulations, Mr. Snape, on your new son. And you as well, Mr. Potter, on your new father."

"Actually, I want to be known as Mr. Potter-Snape from now on," Harry corrected.

Amanda gave him a broad smile. "Congratulations, Mr. Potter-Snape. I wish you joy and may Merlin watch over you."

She handed Severus a copy of the adoption papers and the certificate and then he left with Harry.

Severus was relieved the adoption had gone so smoothly, he had expected some reporter to come busting in with a camera and start snapping pictures but thankfully none of them had managed to find them. 

When Harry had finally been released from the hospital, as soon as he stepped out onto the pavement he had been mobbed by reporters, thrusting cameras and quills and pads into his face, wanting to get interveiews and exclusives. Severus had gripped his arm tightly and Apparated away as quickly as he could, leaving the press stymied as to where he and the Slayer of Voldemort had gone.

But Severus knew they would be found again soon and he wished to conclude their business at the Ministry and return to Hogwarts. Once he had seen what Albus wished, he could then take his son home to Spinner's End.

"Come along, Harry. We shall see if the Minister is free and when to make an appointment with him." Severus said, hustling the teen along.

"Why are we running, Sev?"

"We're not . . .running, simply walking briskly. The sooner we conclude our business here, the sooner we can go and see Albus and then go home."

"And the easier it will be to avoid all those pesky news casters," Harry said sagely.

"Just so, fledgling."

They took the lift down to the sixtieth level and then made their way along a lightly paneled hallway to the offices of the Minister. Severus knocked once and waited for the secretary to admit them.

They entered an office that was done in tones of lavender and gold, the traditional colors of the monarchy, and each wall bore a picture of a famous event. Severus saw, to his chagrin, himself and Harry battling Voldemort. Wonderful. Now we're famous.  Bloody hell!

 The secretary, a slender witch in her mid-thrities, looked up from her desk and gasped.  "Great Merlin! Severus Snape and Harry Potter!" she warbled as if they were angels from on high. "How may I be of service?"

"We wish to make an appointment with Minister Fudge," explained Severus.

"About an important ecological matter," said Harry.

"Oh, I see! Normally I wouldn't have a problem getting you an appointment, but next week is all filled. I'm so sorry, maybe we could try another week, like maybe Tuesday?" She looked crestfallen.

Harry felt bad and said, "Don't worry, it's all right. The Minister's a busy man. Tuesday next sounds good. Yes, Severus?"

"Fine with me. What time?"

She consulted her calendar. "How does Tuesday morning sound? Around ten thirty or eleven?"

"Good," Harry said.  He was a bit disappointed that the Minister couldn' t spare a moment even for the heroes of the wizarding world. But at least he had an appointment.

"I will see you then. Oh, and could you sign this for me?" she shyly held out an autograph book.

Both of them signed their names with a flourish and then they left and Apparated just outside the gates of the school.

They then traded flesh for feathers and flew the rest of the way to the castle and into the Headmaster's office using the big bay window Fawkes always used and that was always kept open for him to come and go. 

Harry relished the short flight and the chance to stretch his wings again, and when he flew into the window and landed right in front of the Headmaster's desk before transforming back into Harry, Dumbledore looked up from the box he was packing and smiled. Warrior flew in and performed the same maneuver an instant later.

"Hello, my hawks!" the old wizard greeted them, the old twinkle restored to his eyes despite his changed status.  "Harry, my boy, how are you feeling? Clean bill of health from Healer Sandrilas?"

"Yes, sir." Harry said, smiling. He thought the former Headmaster looked good given what he had endured and what he had given up.  "You look good too.  And I have some good news to tell you," he paused and looked at Severus, who smiled slightly and nodded.

"Good news? Let's have it then."

"I've been adopted. By Severus. And now I'm his son, Harry Potter-Snape." Harry declared proudly.

Albus fairly beamed sunshine from his eyes and his smile. "Congratulations, Harry! And Severus too! You both should be proud and delighted, as am I! We should go out to lunch to celebrate.  At the Three Broomsticks!"

Severus cleared his throat. "Albus, while I wouldn't mind doing so, you did send me a note to show me something and to ask me a favor, didn't you? Suppose we settle that first?" He put an arm lightly around Harry's shoulders, giving him a gentle squeeze.

"Oh yes, yes of course.  Now let me see . . .what did I do with the folder . . .?" The old wizard began hunting through various boxes scattered about the floor behind his desk.  "Ah yes! Here we go! Severus, this is an old potions text of yours that has several notes handwritten by you in the margin. I figured you might like it back, perhaps as a keepsake."  He handed Severus an old, much-used, rather battered potions text called Advanced Potions.

Severus took it and gently thumbed through it, the text brought bvack some fond and not so fond memories. "Thank you, Albus." He then turned to Harry.  "Here. I think you might benefit from a head start in next year's class and this will help you, son.  Read it carefully, and don't try any of the spells in the margin unless you talk to me first."

Harry took the book and flipped through it. It was worn, but Harry could tell that it had many useful tips and tricks for making better potions just by looking at the small notes Severus had made on one formula. It would help him immensely. He smiled up at his father. "Thanks, Sev."  He still found it easier to address the professor by his name than calling him some form of the word ‘father'. But perhaps someday that would change.

Albus rummaged in another box and came up with an envelope with the name Lily Evans written across it. "Harry, this is for you. I meant to give this to you long ago, I found it in the ruins of Godric's Hollow, but misplaced it and only found it after cleaning out my desk."

Harry took it.  Inside were several pictures of Lily as a child and a young woman, most of them with Petunia and Severus as a child and several with Severus walking next to her and one with the two of them holding a gold cauldron between them and smiling.  Also inside the envelope was a gold cauldron medallion strung on a green ribbon. It was dated 1974.  Then there was a folded piece of parchment with a potion formula written upon it.  The formula was for a potion called The Draught of Endless Sleep. 

Severus peered over Harry's shoulder at the pictures and the medallion and felt his heart contract. He remembered very well that year, the year Slughorn had nominated them for the prestigious Young Potioneer's Gold Cauldron Contest. And how, despite being the youngest students competing, they had won the contest. She kept it, even after she married Potter. And those pictures . . .I remember when we took the one in the park, and the one in her backyard, and this one was taken down by the lake on a June day . . .

"Sev, look!" Harry showed him the contents of the envelope.  "What was this award for?"

Severus explained. "It was the Golden Cauldron Award for the Best Potion Makers of School Age.  Lily and I were the youngest to compete in that year and no one expected us to win, since you had to brew an advanced level potion of your own creation and we were only fourth-years.  But we managed to brew a Draught of Endless Sleep-a potion designed to put someone in a kind of coma for several days, not as potent or risky as a Draught of Living Death, but good for those who were in terrible pain from wounds and spells like the Cruciatus.  It won us the contest and that picture was taken right after the results were announced," he indicated the picture of himself and Lily holding the golden cauldron.  "I still have the cauldron and the certificate, she opted to keep the medallion instead." He still recalled how shocked and pleased he had been, and how Lily had thrown her arms about him and kissed him delightedly. It had been their first kiss, all innocent and happy and flush with a victory that he had never forgotten.

"Dear sweet Lily . . .I remember . . ." he murmured and blinked away tears.

Harry put his arm about him. "I wish I did."

Severus looked down at his new son.  "Someday I shall share the memories I have of her and then perhaps you may know her better."

"A capital idea!" Albus approved.

"Thanks for giving me these, Headmaster. I'll put them inside my photo album." Harry promised.

Albus nodded genially.  Then he sat down and shuffled some official looking documents on his desk and gestured for both the other wizards to be seated.  He was no longer beaming. He now wore a serious expression on his bearded face. "And now to the reason I have called you here, Severus.  As you know, I must resign my post as Headmaster, because of my . . .err . . .condition." He cleared his throat.  "I have been thinking long and hard about assigning a replacement, since that is traditionally the duty of the current resigning Headmaster. Minerva is ineligible since she is retiring and has expressed a wish to visit the Highlands of her birth and spend time with her family.  I then considered Filius, but Filius informed me that while he enjoys teaching, he would make a poor administrator. I have to agree."

"So who will you choose? Surely not Sybill or Pomona?" Severus queried, feeling a sinking suspicion growing in his chest.  Old coot, don't you dare!

Albus shook his head, chuckling. "No, no. I love them dearly, but they couldn't run the school and intercede with the Minister. In the end there really was only one choice I could make, only one wizard who knows this school like I do, from top to bottom, and who has shown by dedication and knowledge that he values the institution of learning, and also loves this school as a second home, and has the capability to organize and maintain order with both students, parents, and the Board of Governors.  One man who also happens to have the reputation of being a hero. You, Severus. You are my choice as the next Headmaster of Hogwarts."

Severus did not speak for several moments.  He had figured this might be the case.  But he did not feel himself as quite. . .right for the post.  He did not trust himself the way Dumbledore seemed to.  "Albus, I . . .I am honored that you would choose me for such . . .a position.  But I don't know that I am ready to accept it. I need time . . .time to think on it. Have you told anyone else of your decision?"

"No, Severus. For now, this is just between us. But I do have to submit my choice by the end of the week. So please, Severus, don't wait too long to decide. I truly meant what I said. You are the best man for the job. I think you will do well, perhaps even better than I have done."

"Nonsense, Albus!"

Harry spoke up then. "I agree with Professor Dumbledore, Sev. You know how to make people listen. Even stubborn wizards and impudent brats like me.  That's what a Headmaster needs to do. Make people listen and obey and feel safe."

"Harry is right."

"I will think on it," Severus said firmly. "Shall we go out to lunch now?"

"Yes. I am famished," said Dumbledore.  "Though I'm afraid we shall have to walk, as I can no longer fly."

"That's fine. We could all use the exercise," the Potions Master said, and then he held open the door for his former employer.