The Forgotten Child by watercrystals

Harry never expected to be standing in the headmaster's office on Friday afternoon, after being seemingly singled out to have a conversation with the wizard.

Dumbledore was an important person, Harry knew. Not just to the school, but the Wizarding community as a whole – he even had his own chocolate frog card! It was his first time to meet Dumbledore in person, which was as incredible as it was intimidating to the eleven-year-old boy. Harry felt rather nervous to be facing the headmaster in that moment, but tried to calm himself as he tentatively took a step further into the room.

'Are you enjoying Hogwarts, Mr Summers?' Dumbledore asked with a smile, watching the boy with twinkling blue eyes.

He was rather interested in Harry's own eyes and partially concealed forehead. It made Harry further uncomfortable, but only because he really didn't know what to expect, or what was so interesting about himself that the headmaster wanted to talk to him about if he was enjoying school or not.

'Yes, sir.' Harry nodded anxiously.

He glanced at the nearby chair when it was offered to him, and quickly moved to sit in it so he didn't seem rude. It also prevented him from fidgeting and squirming in his worry about not knowing how he was supposed to behave in front of the great Albus Dumbledore.

'I like it a lot.' Harry made an effort not to appear as awkward as he felt, which only worsened when he remembered what had led him to find himself in the headmaster's office.

'I'm sorry I flew on the broom without permission, Sir. I just really like flying.'

'I think we can excuse this one-time incident, as long as you ensure it doesn't happen again.' Dumbledore said without an air of concern or sternness. 'Madam Hooch was quite impressed with your skills on the broom, and that is saying something.'

'Thanks.' Harry blushed. 'And yes, Sir. It won't happen again.'

'Then no harm done.' Dumbledore nodded. 'By now you're probably wondering why we're having this conversation, Mr Summers? I have to say, I have heard some rather interesting rumours spreading through the school this week. I find the school gossip to be quite surprising at times, though sometimes they are based on a rather unexpected truth. Is it true that your father is Severus Snape?'

'Yes, Sir.' Harry wriggled a little in his seat. 'He's a really good person!' He insisted, thinking Dumbledore might be one of those who people didn't like his dad very much.

The boy found his bravery as he gripped the edge of the desk and fixed Dumbledore with a firm stare to make sure the great wizard knew he was serious.

'He loves me a whole lot, and he always keeps me safe'

'As any father should.' Dumbledore smiled, hiding a chuckle at the child's loyal defensiveness. 'And I believe your mother is Erin Summers, am I correct?'

'Yes, Sir.' Harry repeated, trying his best to be polite. Though he was starting to feel very unsettled by the questions. 'Why do you want to know about my parents?'

'Curiosity is both a gift and a curse.' Dumbledore sighed. 'I have known your father for many years, and yet your arrival at Hogwarts is the first I have heard of his son. You do not share his surname? I found that to be quite interesting.'

'Dad's a very private person.' Harry justified. 'He didn't want me to be a Snape by name because not a lot of people like him. Do you like my dad?'

'I most certainly do.' Dumbledore nodded, trying to withhold a considerable portion of his amusement towards the boy's unnecessary protectiveness. 'I am surprised I missed the announcement of your birth, as such a momentous occasion surely ought to have been celebrated? I wonder, when is your birthday?' He continued, looking at Harry's green eyes again.

'The twenty-fourth of June.' Harry answered, frowning slightly. 'Sir, I still don't understand. Why do you want to know?'

'Curiosity.' Dumbledore said again. 'Only curiosity. You remind me of a boy I have been searching for for a very long time. You have, perhaps, heard of Harry Potter?'

'Yes.' Harry quickly looked away.

He realised what the questions were about now, and was scared the headmaster might discover the truth. Neither of his parents had coached him on how to avoid those sort of questioning, but his father had dropped careful hints on how to end discussions about his past if Harry didn't want to talk about it.

'I know who Harry Potter is, since he is famous and everything.' Harry shrugged.

He averted his gaze again, and straightened his posture to look more confident yet aloof. He had spent a long time watching his dad when he was younger, and the boy had therefore learned some useful techniques from him. Harry could never lie to his parents, but it helped for moments like this.

'It's a really sad story and all, but I don't see what it's got to do with me even if I remind you a bit of him.' Harry said to Dumbledore. 'I think my dad would be able to help you better. He knows a whole lot about everything! If you wait a few days, I reckon he'd be able to help you. I can't; I'm just a kid, and I don't know much magic at all.'

'Your father has many skills indeed.' Dumbledore said, rather cryptically. 'Though you should never underestimate your own ability, Mr Summers.'

'Yes, Sir. I won't.' Harry nodded. 'I'm getting a bit hungry, and I think dinner just started. May I go now?'

'Of course.' Dumbledore chortled quietly. 'I should be heading to the Great Hall myself. I hear the house-elves made a rather exceptional roast tonight.'

'Thanks.' Harry exhaled with relief, and rose from his seat. He didn't notice that Dumbledore hadn't moved until Harry had walked to the door, and paused to look back at the headmaster with a contemplative expression.

'Do you think you'll ever find him?' Harry wondered. 'Harry Potter, I mean.'

'Perhaps.' Dumbledore answered in a soft, thoughtful tone. 'Or perhaps he is closer than I originally believed.'

Early Saturday morning, the residences of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade were met with a chilly downpour of rain. While Harry and his friends faced an entire day of free time playing chess and doing small amounts of homework, Severus and Erin stood in the living room of the house they'd been staying in.

A kind, aged witch had lent them a room each to sleep in during the week, which she had been more than willing to do as she knew Severus from when he'd been younger. They had intended to stay with a couple Severus had met during his days of studying for his Potions Mastery, but they were swamped with preparations for a baby shower and consequently didn't have the room.

The aged witch spent most of the time outdoors, tending to her garden or visiting friends. It demonstrated her trust in Severus and Eric, with how easily she left them alone inside her home for hours at a time.

Severus had lived with Erin for years now and she was always a room-mate that helped raise his son. Then there were times he was reminded that the woman was also his friend. Erin kept asking him how the woman knew Severus, but he did not want to resurface the story of how he's scraped his knee in second year while running from James and Sirius. Erin was a strong-willed and stubbornly persistent woman at times, yet she realised the discomfort in his dismissal of her questions, and stopped bothering him for answers.

At the moment the house was quiet.

The curtains were drawn to hide the fact it was raining, even as the pair listened to the water hitting the roof above and ground outside. Neither spoke; Severus paced, and Erin stood near a wall contemplating to herself. They were waiting for Minerva to stop by, as she'd promised to lend them a pensieve.

Tomorrow they would be going to Hogwarts, and in preparation for that they'd decided to spend the day in tribute to their son. Erin was going to show Severus some of her memories involving Harry when he'd been quite small. In exchange, he intended to allow her to view several of the incidences when Harry had been seven - before she'd returned to become a strong part of Harry's life again.

'I wonder why he hasn't answered our letter.' Erin broke the silence. 'We sent it by owl early Thursday morning.'

'It has only been three days.' Severus reasoned. 'The boy is probably preoccupied.' He frowned.

Erin rolled her eyes at his grumpiness, as she knew what had him so riled up about Cody's letter to them. It seemed the boy was doing well, and was pleased with his sorting, though Harry had neglected to tell them which house he had actually been placed in. Erin thought it was cute, as her son likely didn't even realise it. Severus, however, was not at all amused. Erin didn't realise it wasn't the only part of Harry's letter that kept replaying on his mind, and Severus made no efforts to inform of her such. Above all, not knowing which house his beloved son was in caused Severus to become considerably more irritable than usual.

Not that he would admit it, of course.

There was a knock at the door. Erin went to answer it and greeted Minerva with a smile. The older witch entered the room, hovering the pensieve alongside her. She placed it in the center of the living room and glanced at Severus, wondering what his foul mood was about this time.

'Thank you, Minerva.' Erin smiled. 'I know it's a lot of trouble to go to, but we really appreciate it.'

'Oh, it was hardly any trouble at all.' Minerva dismissed. 'I shall return to collect it later this afternoon, if that is to your convenience?'

'Absolutely.' Erin nodded. 'We'll be finished with it by then, I'm sure.'

'Very well.' Minerva nodded. 'I'll leave you to it.'

'Wait.' Severus said suddenly, as she almost made it to the door. 'My son has neglected to inform me of the results of his sorting. Perhaps you could enlighten us?'

'You don't know which house the boys were placed in?' Minerva was quite amused when she saw Erin roll her eyes, while Severus looked especially sour as though she had offended him by making a mockery of his lack of information.

'It was quite surprising.' Minerva glanced away, trying to hide her pleasure. 'Both Cody and Jack were sorted into my house almost right away. They are indeed quite the pair of Gryffindors. I even had to give them, and two of their friends, a detention for knocking over a suit of armour and riling up Filch.'

Severus, for thirty seconds, seemed to have gone into shock.

His face paled and his eyes stared to the distance, before he looked sharply at Minerva and realised she was only teasing him. For a moment, he'd thought his worst nightmare involving the boy's at Hogwarts had happened. Glaring at the Gryffindor Head of House, he did not trust himself to say anything while Minerva cheerfully bid them farewell and left.

'Severus?'

'The nerve of the woman!' He growled.

'Severus!' Erin caught his attention. 'I do not feel too comfortable with this memory-sharing thing, so can we please get it over with? Besides, we told Cody it doesn't matter to us which house he was sorted to. Why is it bothering you so much?'

Severus chose not to answer.

He hated not knowing, but he didn't want to let her realise it was a potential weakness of his. Exhaling a not-so-calming breath, he stepped forward and reminded her how the pensive worked.

For the first few hours, things inside the living room with the pensieve were tense and serious. Severus showed Erin various incidences where he had witnessed a few of the terrible moments in Harry's life when the boy had been seven. It had been at her request, as Erin really wanted to know what her son had been through so she could have a greater understanding of it.

She emerged angry and tearful after seeing her son's terrified face, as his nose bled and he begged Severus to save him, while Simon raged in the background. It was the worse one for her to see, but none of the others were at all easy for Erin to endure. When she'd witnessed Harry being stranded outside in the cold, with Severus basically leaving him there even if he had somewhat helped, Erin could not handle it.

She had to leave the room to cool down, and didn't return for over an hour.

Erin was still pale and emotional as the pair took a silent break for lunch. Severus watched her carefully, worried she was either going to break down, or break something. She was too still and quiet, and for a while he was afraid to say anything.

Finally, she lifted her head and exhaled a long breath of air. Severus thought she almost looked calm, except her eyes held more sternness than he had ever seen on her usually optimistic and teasing face.

'Thank you.' Erin said in a low voice. 'For showing me these, as horrible as they were, and for being there for him. I should have been there. I should have never let that happen.' Her voice broke, but she was too stubborn to cry.

Severus wasn't sure what to say.

He wanted to tell her it wasn't her fault, and the blame rested with her vile mother and the monster that was Simon Gale, but he could tell she already knew those facts. For years they had been raising Harry together, and on countless occasions they'd bickered about one thing or another. It was usually harmless disagreements that only annoyed them and they overcame it easily enough, even if the pair were still unfamiliar friends at best. In the last year or so, an unexplainable sense of understanding had passed through them regarding their son. As they discussed how to finish sharing the memories, and have a tribute to how far their boy had come, the adults realised something quite substantial.

They weren't only family to Harry, but to each other as well.

The pair had lived together for nearly four years, and yet there had never been any romantic attraction between them. If anything, they a relationship similar to a brother and sister. There was that specific sort of sibling love they shared, and their arguing was only a part of it as they wanted what was best for their adopted child. The boy who had suffered so much before he brought his new parents together, to form a close family who now could not imagine ever being without each other.

The rain continued to fall outside, and Erin and Severus decided to share some of the moments they were more fond of - from when Erin had only been Harry's mother when he was smaller, to Severus protecting and caring for Harry until Erin returned, and finishing with some treasured moments with their son up until now.

With a clever bit of magic, Severus sorted the memories they had placed into the pensieve so they could view them in the desired order. It was almost like prying into someone's head through legilimency, only it was simply interchanging memories the pair wanted to show the other or recall with love for their child.

Sharing a final glance, the two adults lowered their faces towards the surface and remained quiet as they each viewed the memories within...

Harry was two-years-old. His wild hair was a mess, and his bright green eyes looked wondrously around the flowerly backyard of his home. Erin was seen in the distance seated on a chair where she read a magazine, though she kept a watchful eye on her small boy.

Harry giggled when a butterfly touched his nose then flew away. He wanted to chase it, but flopped down on the fresh green grass instead. He sat there, watching the birds flying and chirping nearby or the flowers blowing gently in the wind. He looked to his mother and rose onto his feet, making his way towards a section of the yard where the butterfly had gone.

Crouching, the little boy grabbed a flower stem and pulled as hard as he could. Tugging it free, he wandered over to Erin with the flow clutched carefully in his chubby hands. He offered her a slightly toothless smile, as he raised the purple flower towards her.

'Oh, Harry!' Erin gasped. 'It's beautiful. Thank you.'

'Love you, Mummy.' He told her.

The little boy was so proud and happy that his mother liked the flower he had given her.

Harry was three, and sat on a blue picnic blanket spread over a patch of grass in a large, stunning meadow. Erin sat across from him, placing food on paper plates, and smiled at her son. He grinned back, and reached for a triangle-cut slice of ham sandwich.

'This is nice.' Harry said. His interest kept interchanging between the area around them and his mother.

'It really is.' Erin agreed. 'I thought we should just enjoy the outdoors for a while. It's such a lovely day, I wouldn't want to waste it.'

Harry chewed his food and played with a coloured wooden train, which he had brought with him to occupy himself. He drove it over the blanket and made noises for it while Erin chuckled with amusement.

'No!' Harry suddenly yelled with anguish and violently tossed his train aside. He bent down and carefully picked up a beetle with his hands. 'Mummy, I hurt bug.' He showed her the evidentially run-over beetle, his eyes filling with fears of sadness and guilt.

'Oh.' Erin wasn't sure what to do. It was just a beetle to her, but Harry was devastated. 'I'm sure it understands you didn't meant to.'

'Sorry, bug.' Harry stared at it, tears leaking down his cheeks.

With a sudden motion, the bug twitched then flew away without any signs of being crushed by a toy train. Erin gasped, while Harry cheered happily. He returned to his meal to eat his fill, then wandered around the grass and under trees in search of more bugs to befriend.

Four-year-old Harry did his best to pick up his toys and put them into his treasure-chest inspired toybox, but he kept stopping to play with them. He frowned every time Erin reminded him he was supposed to be cleaning his room, not adding to the mess.

Harry was dressed in blue pajamas with rockets printed on them - it was dark outside and he should be getting ready for bed. Erin leaned against the door-frame, watching her son with a smile. Harry wasn't happy about having to pick up his toys, but he did it anyway until he was finally finished. It hadn't been much to put away, but the four-year-old believed it was quite a considerable amount for him to tidy up.

'Come on, time for bed.' Erin said.

'I don't wanna go to bed.' Harry pouted. 'I wanna play with my toys.'

'It's time for sleep now.' Erin told him. 'You can play with your toys tomorrow.'

'But I wanna play now!' Harry stopped his foot.

'Harry.' Erin warned. 'You have to go to bed now. Come on, I'll read you a story.'

She picked up her squirming boy and placed him on his dark blue, golden star-printed covers. He wriggled under the covers, not to get ready for bed, but to hide from his mother.

'Harry.' Erin sighed. 'That's enough. It's time for bed.'

'No!' Came the muffled response.

'Alright.' Erin decided. 'But only good boys who go to bed when their mummys tell them to get a story. If you don't want to be that boy, then I'll just have to tuck you in and leave the room.' She said.

'No, Mummy!' Harry quickly emerged from under the blankets. 'Don't go. I want a story!'

'Okay.' Erin smiled with success. 'Which one would you like to hear?'

'That one.' Harry pointed to a book about dragons, while settling in his bed to hear a story. He snuggled against her side, and his eyes were already beginning to close with sleepiness.

The small, vibrantly happy boy changed into a seven-year-old with a quieter nature and dull clothes.

He was in the dark house at Spinner's End, glancing at the time when he saw Severus walking towards the kitchen.

'Can I help with dinner?' Harry asked shyly from where he stood by an armchair. 'Please?'

'Very well.' Severus allowed.

He watched the boy drag a stool towards the kitchen counter and step onto it. Harry hesitantly smiled, as he really wanted to help and spend time with his hero. He didn't realise Severus barely gave him much to do, as the boy dedicated himself to slicing carrots with a butter knife, washing potatoes in the warm water at the sink, and setting the oven timer to place it on the table.

'That was fun.' Harry said. 'Can I help more often?'

Seven-year-old Harry followed Severus around the house, looking rather fearful of being separated from him. He wasn't as clingy, but whenever Severus moved to another room or another part of a room, Harry hurried after him.

Severus was annoyed by the child's actions, yet decided to ignore him the best he could and barely noticed the extent of what the child was doing. Harry had gone to his room to grab a dark coat, which was rather long and nearly reached his ankles.

Severus didn't realise at the time that Harry was trying to look like him.

When Severus got a book from a shelf to read, Harry did the same with one of the few selections he was allowed to touch. Unlike Severus, the boy made no attempt to read the material. He sat nearby and flipped a page of his book whenever Severus did. Harry even tried to sit the same way his hero did, and mimicked any facial expression he saw. S

everus never paid much notice at the time, but Harry was doing rather well at copying him.

'Can I light the candles?' Jack asked. He stared eagerly at the chocolate frosted cake sitting in the middle of the table, which Harry faced with a bright smile on his eight-year-old face.

'I was going to light them magically.' Erin replied. 'But I think we can find a lighter around here somewhere.' She headed to the kitchen to check the drawers.

'I'm eight today.' Harry reminded himself gleefully, sitting straighter in his seat. 'Thanks for coming over.' He added to Jack. 'And I loved the presents.' He made sure to thank everyone, as it was his first ever real birthday celebration.

'You're my best friend, of course I was going to be here.' Jack said , reaching to accept the silver lighter from Erin.

'Admit it, you just came for the cake.' Harry joked.

'Oh, absolutely.' Jack winked as he played along.

The sandy-haired boy carefully lit each of the eight blue and gold striped candles, while Erin switched off the lights, and Severus moved to sit across the table from his son. The three of them sang Happy Birthday for Harry, who beamed at them all and prepared to take a huge breath. Blowing all the candles out at once, Harry kept his eyes closed as he made his wish. No one asked him what it was, and nor did he tell.

Even so, while Erin began to cut the cake and Jack hurried to turn to lights back on, Harry looked to Severus.

The two shared a discreetly knowing look.

'It's not working.' Eight-year-old Harry complained. He gave the string a tug, and moodily dragged the kite across the grass.

They were at a large muggle park, with long stretches of grass and a few trees to provide plenty of shade. Severus was seated at a wooden picnic table with a book, looking rather bored, while Erin arranged plates of food on the table in front of him.

'Did you try running with it?' Erin looked over at her son. 'Maybe there's not enough wind?'

'I ran around and nothing happened.' Harry sulked, dropping onto the space beside his dad. 'The kite is useless. There's a lot of wind over there, so why won't it work?'

'Perhaps it is because the kite rests on the ground. It requires additional lift to take flight.' Severus said, soundly closing his book.

He abandoned the reading material on the table, and gestured for Harry to follow him as he walked towards the sloped hill nearby. Severus retrieved the rejected kite and held it up, instructing Harry to try again.

'Okay!' The boy agreed and took off at a run.

Severus released the kite at the last second and watched as it rose into the air, higher and higher. He smirked when Harry cheered and grinned at the accomplishment. After a few minutes, his interest in the flying object faded and Severus returned to the table.

'He's growing up so fast.' Erin uttered quietly. She looked over at Harry, then returned to her task of preparing the food for their picnic lunch. 'He's already grow over an inch taller in the last few months.'

'Indeed.' Severus answered without glancing up from his book, which he'd brought in attempt to discourage her from involving him in conversation.

'Thank you for coming with us today.' Erin said. 'It means a lot to him. And I know you're allergic to family outings.'

'I am hardly-' Severus looked sharply in her direction, seeing the sarcastic expression on her face, which caused a frown of dislike to form on his face. 'Hm.' He grunted and lowered his gaze back to his open book.

Erin sat across from him and sighed, just staring at the table without really looking at the plates and containers of food. She sat in silence for a moment, until she realised how quiet the surrounding area had become.

'Cody?' She glanced up, worrying. 'Where did he go?'

Severus turned to look over his shoulder in the direction of where the child had been playing. He saw the hill was empty, and the kite had vanished from the sky. Rather than feel on edge, like Erin was, Severus scanned the nearby area and indicated to a tall oak tree.

The rainbow-coloured kite was seen suck in one the branches, and the eight-year-old was ascending to reach it.

'Cody!' Erin jumped up and hurried towards the tree. 'What are you doing?'

'I'm trying to get my kite!' Harry called down from where he had already climbed halfway up the tree. 'It's stuck. Don't worry, I'll be okay!'

'Oh, I do worry.' Erin stressed. 'Come back down. Your father can get it.'

'No, I can do it!' Harry insisted. 'Just a bit further...'

The boy was almost at the top of the very large tree. He stretched his arm towards the kite, while Erin watched nervously from the ground. Harry's fingers were still quite a distance from the lodged object, but he kept inching closer to the edge in attempt to grasp the hanging piece of string.

'Come back down this instance!' Severus demanded, joining Erin's side as he stared anxiously upwards at their son. He moved his arm in an odd way, indicating he was using the wand he had concealed inside his sleeve.

'Got it!' Harry called out victoriously.

He was entirely unaware Severus had not only assisted in him being able to reclaim the kite, but also prevented the determined child from falling from the branch he had been recklessly sitting on.

It was a frosty winter night, as the family of three sat on a sofa by a warm, flickering fire.

Severus sat with his arm draped over the back of the sofa, glancing at his nine-year-old son seated to his left. Erin sat beside Harry, barely on the seat at all, as she laughed at the story the boy had finished telling them. Towards his feet sat Frogabook, who was happily slumbering in the warmth he had become accustomed to over the years.

'This is nice.' Harry sighed. He leaned back, being only just too short to touch his father's arm by a few inches, and smiled at his mother.

'It is.' Erin nodded in agreement and snuggled close to her son. She leaned back too, and Severus quickly withdrew his arm.

He didn't comment, though he was clearly quite relaxed as well.

'There's no better way to spend a cold night than to cuddle up by the fire with the ones we love.' Erin whispered, closing her eyes for a moment as she savoured the moment.

'Yeah.' Harry closed his eyes as well, though it had more to do with the late hour and his emerging sleepiness. 'I wish we could stay like this forever.'

'Cody.' Severus warned.

'Dad.' Harry whined back. 'What's the big deal?'

'It is irritating.' Severus objected. 'Take off the coat, you look ridiculous.'

'So?' Nine-year-old Harry rolled his eyes. 'It's a lot like a robe. I think it looks cool.'

'I do too.' Erin giggled from the kitchen, where she was busy baking chocolate-chip cookies. 'Severus, chill. He just wants to be like his dad.'

Severus held back several comments he wanted to make, and headed to the living room. He sat down and sorted through some papers, while Harry walked up and down the hallway, trying to stand taller and look important.

'Maybe I should grow my hair long too.' Harry said. Severus struggled to ignore him.

'Don't even think about it.' Erin frowned, pointing a chocolate-coated spoon in his direction 'Your hair is long enough as it is.' She looked at his dark strands, which were already starting to pass his ears.

Harry wasn't listening. He was preoccupied with sorting through the cupboards for something that resembled a potion vial, so he could fill it with juice and see how it looked in his hand, still attempting to mimic his father.

'Of, for goodness sake!' Erin flustered when Harry moved around her a third time and nearly knocked a jug of milk onto the floor. 'Do watch where you're going.'

'Sorry.' Harry said quickly, without even looking in her direction. 'Can I have another quill lesson today? I want to write a neatly as Dad does.' His expression creased at those words. 'I mean, do you think it would be prudent for myself to be furthermore educated in the ways of writing with a quill?' He tried to sound formal without finding his words funny.

'Cody.' Erin sighed. 'You are your father's son, even without trying to copy everything he does.'

'Really?' Harry smiled. 'How can you tell? Oh, but I'm adopted.' He looked downcast, dropping his arms to his side with a sigh.

'It doesn't matter.' Erin brushed some hair from his face.

Meanwhile, Severus pretended he couldn't hear them from the living room. '

I promise, anyone passing you two on the street could easily see you're father and son. You do look like him, in your own way.' Erin continued. 'I think you're both very similar.'

'Thanks, Mum.' Harry blushed and moved to sit in a seat to watch her bake the cookies. 'Can I help?'

'Sure.' Erin nodded. 'Hand me the milk, would you?'

'Here.' Harry offered the jug to her. 'I think I'm a lot like you too, Mum.'

'So do I.' Erin smiled. 'You're our son, Cody. That's what matters, not how you came to us.'

The final memory showed ten-year-old Harry standing in a shadowy corridor at his school.

He was dressed in black pair of pants and long-sleeved shirt. He held a beanie on his hand, which was decorated with bright orange paper for a fake mane. His face was painted with black whiskers, and a blackened nose. Despite his decorative appearance, the boy stared crestfallen at the floor with dread.

'There you are!' Erin gasped as she spotted him.

Severus was right behind her, looking irritated as always, yet worried about why his son had seemingly vanished.

'Sorry.' Harry mumbled. 'But I don't think I can do it.'

'Why not?' Erin crouched in front of him 'You have the leading role, Cody. Your entire class is counting on you. Your father and I have full confidence in your ability to do this.'

'I'm not a very good lion.' Harry confessed. 'Lions are brave and loud, but I just want to hide. I wish Jack could be the lion, but he really wanted to be an elephant. He'd be a much better lion than me.'

'Cody.' Erin sighed, placing a hand on his shoulder. 'There are many different types of bravery. I think you're courageous.'

'What's the difference?' Harry tentatively looked at her.

'Being courageous means you do something brave even when you're scared.' Erin told him. 'Mr Westen saw you would make a great lion, and that's why he picked you for the role. You were nervous about it, but you decided to do your best. You have practised so hard - you make a wonderfully loud and brave lion.'

'But what if I don't?' Harry worried. 'What if I get on stage and forget everything? What if they all laugh at me?' He sniffled miserably, fidgeting on his feet.

'No one will laugh at you.' Erin assured him. 'You're not the only one who's nervous, but you've worked too hard not to get up there and show everyone what a great lion you can be.'

'Your mother and I shall be proud of you either way.' Severus added. 'The only thing holding you back in this moment, is yourself. Your own doubt and fears are clouding your confidence, son.'

Harry looked at both his parents and sighed, fiddling with his fake mane and remained unsure about what they told him. He was quiet for a moment, until the boy finally looked up and pulled the beanie over his head with increasing determination.

'Okay.' Harry decided. 'I'm really scared I'll mess it up, but I can't let my class down. They can't put on the show without me. I'll do it.'

'And that, Cody, is courage.' Severus told him.

'We'll be watching and supporting you the whole time.' Erin added. 'So get out there and roar like the mighty lion king you are!' She said enthusiastically.

Harry grinned and hurried back into the room, leaving his parents behind in the corridor he had previously sought refuge in. They felt proud of their son, who hadn't been in a play before where he had to stand in front of a huge crowd of audience.

At ten-years-old, he'd come a long way and every day made his parents proud of him...

Erin and Severus emerged from the pensieve.

Erin was smiling, though somehow looked a little sad as well. Severus avoided her gaze and went to sit in a nearby armchair. They'd been viewing memories for a while, and the rain had since stopped. The two adults remain quiet as they thought upon what they had seen.

After a while, Severus wanted to say how surprised he was by the earlier memories. Not the sweet toddler Harry, but of Erin.

She looked so different back then. Not just younger, but more alive and joyous. Her hair had been wavy gold strands, and her eyes bright with life. Her cheeks were sun-kissed and smeared with freckles, showing how much time she spent enjoying the outdoors. She'd looked like someone who laughed often and was always warm, but now she appeared very differently.

It wasn't age that showed, but the grief of losing her son for years and the drawn-out stress of trying to find him - with the fear of never seeing her precious little boy again overtaking her every thought. Severus had never thought about it before, because he'd never realised how strong the two comparisons were between Erin then and Erin now. He felt sad she had lost a lot of the light in herself, and vowed to appreciate her unique view on things and the way she was always trying to brighten the world around her.

Even if she did so in ways that annoyed him or interrupted his peace.

Erin, however, was more concerned with something she could not believe she hadn't realised before. She doubted Severus had either, as neither of them had ever mentioned it before. Looking over at his contemplative expression, she wondered if he noticed it now too. She wouldn't have put such focus on it if they hadn't compiled memories of each year of Harry's life they were present for.

'I adopted him when he was barely two-years-old.' Erin whispered.

She walked to sit across from Severus, who watched her intently.

'I never thought about it before, but there is a gap in time.' She frowned. 'I lost him when he was four, and you found him when it was seven. That's three years of his life unaccounted for.'

'He had been adopted by another family.' Severus said. 'I was later informed of their death, which was what led Cody to reside in Spinner's End. I was under the impression those three years had not been particularly enjoyable.'

'No.' Erin agreed with his words, which increased her worry. 'He never talks about it. Not once. Should we have pried? Should we ask him about it? The fact we do not know what experiences he faced in that three year period...'

'Perhaps.' Severus was quiet for a moment. 'Or perhaps we ought to trust in the boy. He may come to us when he is ready, if the matters truly require a discussion. It may be unwise to reopen old wounds if they are not festering. Cody may simply wish to forget his past involving those three years.'

'Yeah.' Erin sighed, though she remained doubtful. 'Maybe.'

She rose from the seat and paced near the window, avoiding looking towards the pensieve.

'He's growing up. Our little boy isn't a little kid anymore.' She said. 'Does it really matter, which house he's in?' Erin looked towards Severus, who narrowed his eyes at the subject.

'It is of high importance, though neither house is necessarily an insult.' Severus still despised Gryffindor, but after remembering the time when Harry had to play a lion for his school play, Severus was more at ease with the possibility. If his son was noble and courageous, then Harry being in Gryffindor wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Besides, Severus still assumed Jack was placed there, as the boy had a lot of strong traits associated with the house of lions.

The pair said nothing else on the topic for the rest of the day. In fact, for many hours, they hardly spoke at all. Each was focused on their own thoughts and contemplations, as they continued to remember various situations with their child.

They went to bed early that night, each looking forward to seeing their son the following day. Severus was focused primarily on finding out which house the boy was in, while Erin wondered what life at Hogwarts was going to be like.

Those thoughts stayed with them when they woke the following day, and packed up their belongings, before thanking the kind elderly witch for letting them stay with her.

With well-cast featherlight charms to ease the carrying of their luggage, the pair made their way through Hogsmeade and approached the gates of Hogwarts. When McGonagall stopped by to inform them of many business matters and to retrieve the pensive the night before, she informed them they had been officially declared as staff members.

Therefore, they had little trouble entering the school grounds.

Severus strode purposefully forward, recalling the exact path to the castle without an ounce of thought, while Erin looked around nervously in search of her son. She took in the appearance of every hark-haired boy she saw, but none of them were him. When she caught sight of the expansive castle, Erin momentarily forgot about her child as she gasped at the stunning view towering over her.

They were greeted in the Entrance Hall by McGonagall and Filch.

An hour later, and the pair were looking around their new quarters on the first floor. It had a grand living room with tall windows, showing the castle grounds and the Quidditch Pitch in the distance. As they stood in the doorway, there was a fireplace to their left surrounded by comfortable-looking leather armchairs and a wide sofa. To the right was a polished dining table with a chair at either end and two on each side. The floor was wooden and pristine, while the walls were lightly pattered with veins of medium green tones, and accompanied by various shelves or bookcases.

Erin was in awe to it all, while Severus thought it was rather unnecessarily extravagant. He checked the two doors on the left, to see one led to a decent-seized Potions laboratory, and the other a large bathroom with marble and shining surfaces. There were three doors on the opposite wall, which Erin saw led to her room (with its own study), the other to Severus' room (which also had a study), and the final was a smaller room for Harry.

'Wow.' Erin was in disbelief. She had not been expecting such a wonderful place to live.

Severus chose not to comment, and immediately proceeded began to unpack in his room. Erin explored their quarters a bit further, then mirrored his actions in her own room.

By the time they were finished, the bell had rung for lunch.

Deciding they would make their first official entrance at the school by attending lunch in the Great Hall, the pair left their quarters, which was concealed behind a portrait of an empty meadow with wild flowers moving gently to an assumed breeze. They both paused at the image for a moment, thinking on their shared memories, and wondered who had chosen that particular scenery for them.

'I hope I don't get too lost.' Erin worried, fiddling with the clasp of her deep violet cloak. She wore a warm gold robe ,and black witch shoes, which she had carefully selected to be her usual attire at Hogwarts. She glanced once at Severus, and rolled her eye at his customary almost-all-black attire.

Severus said nothing, his eyes alert in search of their son and observing the other students at the castle.

They passed by the Weasley twins, just as they turned a corner and prepared to enter the Great Hall. They stepped inside the grand candlelit room, and whispers spread through the hall immediately. Erin walked towards the staff table with blushing cheeks, a bit embarrassed by all the attention. She was eager to sit down as quickly as possible, and chose a seat beside an empty one and Professor Sprout, who gave her a very warm welcome.

Severus had lingered by the doorway, ignoring the wildfire of whispers and stares all around him.

His dark gaze searched the tables for his son. He started with Gryffindor, thinking he would at least spot Jack. He was surprised to notice the sandy-haired boy standing on a seat at the Hufflepuff table, waving broadly to Severus. His son wasn't there, so Severus continued with his observatory search. In all the scenarioes he had imaged in preparation for his return to Hogwarts, Severus had not thought such humiliation was about to befall to him, until a voice called out in the crowd.

'Dad!'

Surely enough, his dark-haired and grinning son came running towards him. The eleven-year-old had moved too fast for Severus to make out his house colours, and the boy was soon pressed against his father for a tight hug.

'You're here.' Harry sounded tearful. 'You're finally here.'

Severus made a sound of annoyance and grasped the boy's shoulders, inching his son away so he could face the child. Harry's bright green eyes shone up at him, which effortlessly matched the green and silver tie he wore.

'Slytherin?' Severus barely spoke.

'Yeah.' Harry nodded proudly. 'The hat said he knew where to put me right away. He didn't even have to think about it.' He shared. 'I'm in Slytherin just like you!'

Severus was stunned, which was only overcome by his intense pride. Not only had his son been placed into his former house, but the hat had done so rather quickly.

Harry was in Slytherin.

'Return to your seat.' Severus said, now acutely aware of the collective attention aimed their way. 'We shall regroup afterwards.'

'Okay.' Harry smiled, and turned to hurry back to the Slytherin table.

Severus watched him for a moment longer, trying to ignore his own embarrassment towards having his son run over to hug him in the middle of the Great Hall. His reputation was in tatters before he had even begun tutoring. It was going to be difficult to get the students in line after his son's public display of affection for his dad, though Severus couldn't even be mad at the child for it.

The boy who had been sorted into Slytherin.

Severus walked the rest of the distance to the staff table. He sat between McGonagall and Erin, giving them both a loathsome glare for their laughter. His attention was rarely on his meal, as Severus kept glancing towards his son, who was chatting happily with two other boys his age. If he had noticed anything else, Severus might have found it strange that Erin seemed rather disturbed by something unseen.

Very few others took much notice, as she hid it rather well, but her confusion would have been obvious if their gazes had lingered. A few memories came to mind that didn't relate to her son or anything she could make much sense of. If Erin had decided to voice these concerns to Severus, maybe they'd have realised some of her own memories were starting to resurface. But he didn't glance her way once during the meal, and Erin remained quiet.

His mind was occupied only with their son.

There had been countless times over the years when Severus had been proud of his boy, but nothing could ever compare to that moment, when he found out his brave and loving child was coping well with Hogwarts, and had been sorted into Slytherin house...

Just like his father.