As the adults came out of the bowl, Harry could see the different type’s emotions on each face.  Everyone besides Snape had levels of unease on their face and in their eyes. But what really surprised him was the level of fierceness he saw in both of his godfathers, not even mentioning Remus. He smirked before turning to Draco.

“Be prepared to give me a galleon,” he whispered mischievously.

“No way,” Draco replied in disbelief as he waited for the loss of points. Everyone knew you couldn’t even touch Snape without at least getting a detention.

And it was well known throughout the entire school how much Snape hated the Gryffindor Golden Boy, never mind that Harry wasn’t a Gryffindor this time around. It pissed Draco off how unfair the man could be to Harry at times, but his friend just took it all in stride.

“Yes way,” Harry replied smugly.

“Harry don’t; you’ll get a detention as soon as you’re out of here,” Draco warned worriedly, as Ron looked on curiously.

Harry grinned as Snape came towards Draco’s side, and chose in that moment to throw himself at the man. He was of course caught and he hugged him tight, feeling the man’s arms come protectively around him.

“Harry, why are you hugging Snape?” Ron asked in a horrified tone.

“That’s Professor Snape, Ronald,” Albus correctly automatically.

Draco for his position was floored as he watched his best friend, hug his head of house. Why wasn’t the man throwing him off, was Snape confounded or something? This wasn’t right, Snape was a death eater. Was this some type of trick? What was Harry thinking?

“Because I can,” Harry replied his voice suddenly thick with obvious emotion. His feelings got away from him in that moment and he felt his shields shuddered. He could hear identical gasps of horror and shock from behind him.

He sighed, but he knew with this connection they were bound to find out sooner or later. At least he had a firm grasp on the things that he couldn’t tell anyone. In a way he wanted them to find out, because he was tired of hearing how ‘unfair’ Ron and Draco always said Snape was to him.

“He can’t be your godfather,” Draco choked out, as he shook his head in denial.

“There’s just no way,” Ron replied agreeing with the blonde, running a hand through his hair in disbelief.

“He is my godfather,” Harry replied feeling the man stiffen.

Harry chanced a look up at Snape to find his dark eyes somber and guarded.

“I thought Sirius Black was your godfather?” Ron asked in confusion, trying to sort through this as this didn’t make any sense to him.

“He is,” Harry replied simply.

“So you have two then?” Draco asked as he sized his cousin up. He smirked as he took in the Gryffindor also giving him a look.

“Yup a Slytherin and Gryffindor,” Harry replied proudly.

“You know that actually explains why you didn’t want to go to either of those houses,” Ron murmured oblivious to the sheepish looks the two men were now sporting.

“What are you looking at?” Sirius asked dryly as he stared at the blonde boy. He knew who without even asking for his name. That shade of blonde hair was trademark of the Malfoy family. At the moment he would make Severus proud if he knew as he was trying to think of the risks of Harry having his cousin as a friend.

“You,” Draco replied with a mischievous grin.

“Why you cheeky brat?” Sirius said playfully, deeming the Malfoy spawn safe.

Draco’s eyes widen as he took in the man’s words. He knew his mother had made him aware of the man across from him. His mother had loved his cousin and had been hurt when he had apparently been disowned. His father had deemed him a disgrace to the house of Black and he was supposed to hate him.

How could he hate his best friend’s godfather? And why in the world was the man calling him a brat? He scowled at the man, he had been nice just then.

“He didn’t mean brat that way, Uncle Severus calls me a brat all the time,” Harry replied with a smile.“It’s a term of endearment.”

“You should not know that word,” Sirius replied with a shake of his head as he turned to Draco.

“But yes Harry is right.”

“I’m in Ravenclaw for a reason,” Harry retorted before reaching over for Sirius.

“Only because you outsmarted the hat to not put you in Slytherin,” Severus said as he handed Harry off to Sirius before turning to the boys on the bed.

“I’m still trying to figure that one out,” he said thoughtfully.

“So am I Severus,” Remus said with a look of amusement on his face.

“I don’t need to warn you boys that everything you heard here, mustn’t leave this room,” Albus said in a grave voice.

“I understand sir, we don’t want to endanger Harry,” Ron said quietly before looking towards Severus.

“Is this why you’ve been so mean to Harry?”He asked finally.

“Pretending to be mean to Harry,” Severus corrected. “And yes that is why.”

“Why would you do that?” Ron asked curiously.

“Because Ron he was a death eater, obviously this won’t go over well when the Dark Lord comes back,” Draco murmured softly.

“When the Dark Lord returns both Harry and Snape will be in a lot of trouble if this were to get out,” he explained quietly though not quite enough for Remus’s ears.

“And how did you know about that young man?” Remus asked as his eyes narrowed. Due to his condition and after what they went through in the last war, he was naturally suspicious. No child should know what Draco had just said, never mind that he was a Slytherin.

Draco stared at the brown haired man with wide eyes, before turning his gaze to Ron. He thought hard about what he wanted to say but didn’t speak, struggling to make his thoughts do it for him. He ended up shouting in his head and made both Harry and Ron flinch, before rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.

“Not so loud Draco,” Harry replied as his ears were now ringing, from the inside out if that was possible.

“Tell me about it, I think I’ve gone deaf,” Ron replied with a frown, tugging on his ears.

“Sorry, but how did he do that?” Draco repeated his question before turning to look at Harry.

“It’s not my secret,” Harry said with a sigh. He knew it would come to this one day, only he hadn’t been expecting it to come so soon. He didn’t want to keep secrets from his friends, but they were young and couldn’t be trusted to have them just yet.

“What are you talking about? Who did what?” Sirius said in confusion as he gave Harry to Remus. They weren’t fully aware of what they were doing as they passed him along; but each of them needed to make sure that their boy was fine.

“I believe they were speaking out of their bond, and Draco asked something he didn’t want us to hear.” Severus replied with a wryly smile. He too was curious to know what Draco had said, and it was a little disconcerting to know that he probably wouldn’t get an answer.

“I’m betting all my galleons in my meager vault that it had to do with me,” Remus spoke up softly as he looked down at the child in his arms.

“What makes you say that Moony?” Sirius asked turning to look at his friend with a frown.

“Draco won’t even look at me, and Harry’s brow is furrowed as if he concentrating on keeping his mind blank.” Remus pointed out with a sigh, as said blonde boy was now staring down at his blanket.

“Besides you didn’t hear what he said,”

“What did he say?” Sirius asked turning to look at his friend.

“It’s not important,” Remus said frowning.

“Draco what is you want to know?” Severus asked quietly.

“I just wanted to know how he heard me is all, when none of you all did.” Draco said carefully, knowing his head of house would not be happy to hear what he said. He wasn’t sure where the man stood, and he didn’t want this getting back to his father.

“What did you say?” Sirius asked curiously.

“That’s irrelevant; he shouldn’t have heard either way.” Draco replied defensively. Something wasn’t adding up, how could the man have heard him when it was apparent no one else did? And another thing was nudging him in the back of his mind, would Snape turn Harry into the Dark Lord, or him for that matter?

He was starting to freak himself out, as Snape knew who his father was and what he was capable of. If the man got wind of this, he didn’t know what would happened to him.

“Uncle Severus wouldn’t do that Draco, and he hasn’t got me under Imperio or anything,” Harry blurted out absently.

“Then how do you explain that Harry? I’m grasping at straws here,” Draco replied in annoyance.

“Again, not my secret,” Harry said apologetically.

“Fine, have it your way. You can keep your secrets, just don’t expect me to be so free with mine,” Draco said before his face completely closed off, and he donned his Malfoy mask.

Harry frowned as he all but glared at Draco. It wasn’t like he could go around telling other people’s secrets whenever he felt like it.

Ron was currently staring at Snape with a horrified expression. He knew what a death eater was obviously but if his teacher was one, what did that mean for Harry.

“Don’t bother trying to ask Ron, he won’t answer it.” Draco replied coldly.

“But it doesn’t make sense,” he replied softly.

“The way I see it, if anything happens to him it’s his own fault. He trusted him, as long as he keeps me out of it I don’t care what Potter does,” Draco replied calmly.

“My name is Harry,” Harry said with a frown. The way Draco had said his last name made him remember the time before they were friends. He didn’t like it; calling him by his last name actually hurt him.

“I only call my friends by their first names,” Draco sneered before looking to Poppy. “Can I switch beds?”

Harry’s frown deepened as he looked at the boy silently.

“Whatever for?” Poppy asked curiously. Hadn’t they just been fine a few minutes ago, what changed? She had been going over some of the specifics of the bond with Albus.

“My father won’t be happy when he gets here to see me lying next to the boy who wouldn’t die, and a blood traitor. No offence Ron,” Draco replied quickly not wanting to offend the red-headed boy.

“None taken, I know you didn’t mean it.” Ron replied before frowning. “Why are you so mad at Harry?”

Draco shrugged before standing up and walking a few beds down before picking one. He was hurt; he had thought that this new bond would finally allow him to have the kind of friendships he always wanted. A friendship; where you weren’t afraid of the other person betraying you because they didn’t trust you enough to share their secrets.

That was how his friendships in Slytherin were. He had thought that he had finally found friends where they could become close like brothers. As he was an only child, he didn’t have that luxury, guess his wish was nothing more than an idle thought.

Just once he wanted to know what it felt like to be friends with people who wanted to get to know him and not just because of whom his father was.  He had thought this could be it, but Harry had just proved just then that it wasn’t so. Potter obviously didn’t trust him; it was obvious to Draco that getting closer would only end up hurting him further.

“Uncle Remy, can I get down?” Harry asked softly.

“What just happened? Why did Draco move?” Sirius asked frowning, as Remus set Harry on his feet.

“Harry is keeping secrets, and Draco is a Slytherin,” Severus replied with a sigh. He knew how Slytherins thought, he was one after all.

“What does that even mean?” Ron asked, as he wasn’t a Slytherin and Gryffindors didn’t do subtle.

“He believes that Harry doesn’t trust him,” Sirius replied with a shake of his head.

“How do you know that? I thought you were a Gryffindor?” Ron asked suspiciously.

“Yes but I was raised in a Slytherin household, I was destined for Slytherin because of my name, but I didn’t want to be a dark wizard. I’m not saying all Slytherins are dark wizards this was just my personal experience,” Sirius said with a sigh, pushing back memories that threatened to overwhelm him.

“Don’t think about it Padfoot,” Remus said softly, as he gently squeezed his shoulder to give him comfort.

“But Harry does trust him, right?” Ron asked in confusion, as Harry was mentally urging him to get off the current topic of Sirius’s history.

“Of course I do,” Harry said sighing. “Draco?”

“Madame Pomprey, is it ok if I shower?” Draco asked quietly doing his best to ignore Harry.

“It is, if you need help just call me,” she said gently, finally deducing that they were all a bit out of sorts at the moment.

“I will,” he replied as he grabbed some clean clothes.

He ignored the stinging in the back of his eyes, trying to convince himself that it didn’t matter. So what if he almost had real friends, that never mattered before? They would only hold you back. He was a Malfoy, a rich pureblood with power. Maybe his father was right, friends were for the weak.

“No he wasn’t Draco,” Harry replied hurriedly as he walked over to the blonde boy.

“Get away from me Potter, and stay the hell out of my head,” Draco said angrily.

“Language Mr. Malfoy,” Severus admonished gently.

“They’re not my secrets Draco, I want to tell you but I can’t,” Harry pleaded quickly.

“Whatever Harry, you’ve made yourself perfectly clear,” Draco said pushing pass Harry and walking into the bathroom, shutting the door loudly.

Harry flinched as the door slam, glaring at the wall. Why couldn’t the prat understand that it wasn’t his secret to tell? He couldn’t just go around blurting things around that wasn’t his business. He balled his fists angrily, hearing the air crackle around him with his magic.

“Relax kiddo, just give him some time is all,” Sirius said quietly after sharing a look with Severus.

Harry turned around and glared at his godfather, his emerald eyes blazing. He could feel his magic around them and could see everyone turn to look at him. He narrowed his eyes, why wasn’t he allowed to get angry? Couldn’t they see how childish Draco was acting?

“Calm yourself Harry,” Severus said sternly when the windows in the infirmary started to rattle.“I’ve got it under control,” Harry grounded out quietly.

Sirius opened his mouth to refute that but an elbow from Remus shut him up. He knew it wasn’t a good idea to rile Harry up anymore then he already was. He just couldn’t believe the level of power his godson was throwing out.

He watched him close his eyes and literally pull his power in; his eyes took on a look when they opened again as he took a deep breath. Sirius couldn’t believe what he was seeing, and he nudged the Slytherin next to him; hoping the man could provide the answer.

“Snape, is he occluding?” Sirius asked in disbelief.

“Yes he is,” Severus said hiding his shock, by the frown now on his face. This shouldn’t be possible, who had taught the boy? When had he had time to learn? There was no way he could have done this himself; he was only 11 years old!

“Did you teach him that?” Remus asked quietly, as there really couldn’t be any other explanation.

“No I did not,” Severus said with a shake of his head. They all needed to sit down and have a talk with Harry; some of the things weren’t adding up anymore.

“Then how can he know it?” Sirius voiced. “Could he be a natural Occulemens?”

“I do not know, but we will find out. Rest assured we are all due for another talk anyway,” Severus replied inaudibly, knowing the men could hear him.

“Harry, can you answer me one thing?” Ron asked softly, when it seemed like Harry was under control again. He kept quiet on his wonders about the magic his friend had just controlled, he was in awe. He couldn’t believe how powerful his mate already was, and he was glad that Harry was on his side. He would hate to get on Harry’s bad side.

“What is it Ron?” Harry asked wearily.

“Is your godfather really a death eater?” Ron asked. He knew what a death eater was, but he knew Snape wouldn’t turn Harry in having seen the way the man had been holding his friend. Maybe they were all mistaken?

“Who told you that?” Remus hissed out before glancing to Severus.“Well Draco just said it, and it’s common knowledge or at least in our house that the Headmaster testified and said he was a spy for the light.” Ron replied with a shrug.

“Then if you know that why are you asking?” Sirius asked as Severus was oddly quiet.

“Well I wasn’t sure for one, but I do understand why Draco is angry,” Ron replied thoughtfully.

“It’s because of the secrets Ron,” Harry sighed loudly.

It was so obvious to him, Draco was acting like a spoiled brat because he wouldn’t give away Remus’s or Severus’s secret. He couldn’t believe how immature the blonde was acting right now.

“No stupid, he cares for you. And he was actually worried that Sna—Professor Snape would turn you into you-know-who when he comes back,” Ron said proudly.

“Mr. Weasely you are correct for once,” Severus said in a voice that barely concealed his shock at such a thing.

“But you won’t turn Harry in will you?” Ron asked to clarify it once more.

“Why do you all insist on asking things you know to the answer too?” Severus drawled a quirk of his eyebrow the only answer he gave the red-headed boy.

“I didn’t think you would, but I wanted to be sure,” Ron said defensively. “You can never be too sure.”

“Right you are my boy,” Albus chirped in popping a sweet into his mouth.

“Naw he wouldn’t Ron, he would rather die them let Voldemort have me,” Harry replied proudly before wincing as Snape flinched.

“Harry, what did I say about that name?” Severus grounded out tersely.

“Sorry, I got a bit carried away,” Harry said sheepishly.

“Severus, he needn’t fear the name,” Albus interjected.

“I’m not afraid of saying the name, but when you speak it, it hurts Uncle Severus,” Harry said his brow furrowing.

“How does it hurt him?” Ron asked innocently.

Harry shook his head, before scrunching up his eyes. Did this work Ron?Ron could only nod as he stared wide eyed at Harry.You know how death eaters have a dark mark on their arm? Well whenever someone says his name around them the mark burns him slightly; he’s very sensitive about it. So it’s not really a good idea to talk about it. Harry thought hard, it was getting easier every time he did it.

“I want to do that,” Ron grumbled as he stared at Harry jealously.

“Then think,” Harry replied cheekily, before turning towards the bathroom with a frown.

“What’s the matter?” Ron asked curiously.

“Don’t you feel it?” Harry asked softly, as the only adult who was now paying attention to them was Sirius as the others were no doubt discussing them.

“Feel what?” Ron asked curiously.

“The sadness,” Harry answered softly.

“It’s Drac

o,” Ron murmured with a frown, as neither him nor Harry were sad at the moment.“I know,” Harry mumbled before he exhaled noisily as he started walking towards the bathroom.  

He could hear the shower running, and idly wondered if his friend was really in it. Not even bothering to knock, he flicked his wand and the door opened to reveal a half-dressed Draco leaning over the sink, one hand covering his face. He didn’t think the boy was crying as his shoulders weren’t shaking, but even if he was he wasn’t going to draw attention to it.

“Draco, are you ok?” Harry asked softly, breaking the silence.Draco stilled, not that he was moving before. He took a breath before standing up straight, pulling his hand away from his face. His eyes were unusually shiny, but there were no tears on his cheek.

“It’s Malfoy to you Potter,” Draco sneered, swallowing the lump of tears in his throat. Harry really had hurt him, and he trying to get himself under control. His father always said tears where for the weak, he ignored that part where his mother told him otherwise.

“Draco, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it seem like I didn’t trust you,” Harry explained quickly.

“Yeah right,” Draco scoffed he wasn’t about to be tricked once more.

“If I tell you about them, would you believe me then?” Harry asked with bated breath.Draco gave Harry a long look before finally nodding.

“I guess so.” A part of him was screaming that this was really all a trick, but he was ignoring it. He didn’t want to lose the boy’s friendship, with Harry he didn’t feel like his father had total control over his life.

“Then you already know Occulmency, once you build thicker walls, I will tell you everything,” Harry replied firmly.

“Promise,” Draco prompted with a frown. Gryffindors were notoriously known for keeping their secrets, and he couldn’t help that he needed a bit of reassurance.

“I promise,” Harry answered softly.

“Alright,” Draco replied with a half smile.

“After your shower, will you come back and lay near us?” Harry asked, after a moment.

“I can’t, my father is going to come. There’s no way that he hasn’t heard about this and I cannot be seen near either of you,” Draco said frowning.

“Oh yeah,” Harry replied with a grimace as he remembered just how dangerous Lucius Malfoy was.

“Sorry,” Draco said shrugging. He didn’t choose the rules, he just followed them.

“Not your fault,” Harry murmured before shutting the door after him as he walked out the bathroom.“Everything alright kiddo?” Sirius asked carefully.

“Yup, it’s perfect,” Harry grinned he walked back to his bed and laid back down.

Harry didn’t bother saying anything else; he was too busy thinking about how the year had gone by. At the moment he had two Horcruxes in his trunk, waiting for him to destroy. He didn’t want to destroy them yet until he had all of them. He frowned as he realized that Nagini was going to pose as a problem.

At the moment she wasn’t technically a Horcrux, but since he didn’t know where Tom found her he couldn’t do a thing about it.He sighed weighing his other options; he had to wonder if everything was going to happen like it did before. So far it had, but what if he deviated from the original timeline so much that things started to happen that didn’t before? It was too devastating to think about, and he shook his head to clear it.

“What’s the matter Harry? Do you have a headache?” Sirius asked in concern, attracting the attention of the rest of the adults, more importantly Madame Pomprey and Severus.

Harry winced as the images of those who died once more came forth and he shook his head again.

“I’m fine,” He replied quickly.

“You don’t look it,” Severus said as his dark gaze stared at him unblinkingly.

Harry found that he couldn’t turn away from those piercing dark eyes, shivering a bit as he could see his godfather quite literally try to figure him out. His mind shields came up without thinking, as he stared back. Before he could think anymore his godfather shifted, and Harry held his breath.

“Please don’t legimise me,” he breathed out in a barely heard whisper.

“I wasn’t, I would never do that without your permission,” Severus said with a shake of his head before gasping softly as he realized something.

“How do you know about that?” Severus asked in a tight voice. He was frustrated; he couldn’t see the thoughts swirling in Harry’s eyes. He could literally see the wall he had built around his mind. The fact that the boy seem to know so much put him on edge, he didn’t know what to do.

“I don’t know,” Harry said weakly as he finally looked down. “

I don’t believe you,” Severus murmured as he turned away. “If that is all, I have to check on my Slytherins,” he said to no one in particular before walking out of the infirmary.

Harry sighed sadly feeling wretched for what just occurred; he didn’t look up knowing that Sirius was giving him a pensive look of his own. When he’d first heard the idea about coming back, he never thought of having to hide it from the people he loved and who cared for him? Severus Snape was a mysterious man by nature and if he felt something off with Harry he would dig until he found out the truth.

 Harry couldn’t let that happen, but at the same time he didn’t want to distance the man. He frowned, not sure how to go about this. He shrugged hoping his godfather would let it go, knowing already it was a lost cause. Especially if the fact that the man could hold a grudge for the longest time, if his treatment of Harry last time was enough proof.

“We’re gonna have a talk,” Sirius muttered quietly.

“Right now?” Harry asked with dread in his stomach.

“No, when we have it, you’ll know,” Remus reassured him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next couple of weeks found Harry preparing for his final exams. He was currently sitting at the kitchen table in his godfather’s quarters. The man himself had been avoiding him since that day in the hospital. He would always feel a dark gaze on him but when he turned around to look, the man would be looking elsewhere and not at him.

 In potions the man ignored him as well, and Harry could admit that it hurt him to his core. Harry was pretty sure the man was treating him like his did the first time around. He found himself with real detentions for no particular reason. Harry wouldn’t mind only they were never with the man himself, always with Filch.

He shoved the feeling in the back of his mind as he processed all that had happened this year. His first year had flown on by, and he was eager to start the summer. Dumbledore had given him his invisibility cloak and as soon as he set it near his original one, they shimmered together and became one.

He shrugged at that, but he didn’t really need two to be honest. With the map he just let Fred and George keep it, after all he had his copy. He just needed to remember to make sure that they never got near one another with the maps.As for the Elder wand, he hadn’t had a chance to ask Dumbledore how it was working for him, but he planned too before they left school for the summer. He was a bit excited to see how they would spend the summer, since he didn’t have to worry about the Durselys.

He vaguely wondered when he would be seeing Dobby; he really missed that talkative elf. He took out the list of things he planned on changing, and crossed off the few that he had gotten done. Harry was in the process of figuring out if there was another way to get rid of the Horcrux in his head.

He had no intention of letting Voldemort ‘kill’ him again. It hurt like hell the first time, and he didn’t want to go through it again.  He idly wondered if the Goblins knew anything about it and made a note on the parchment to ask them about it the next time he went to the bank.He knew how he was getting the Horcrux in Bellatrix’s vault; it was fairly simple compared to last time around. Sirius was still Lord Black, and as a result was Head of her house.

 He could disown her or reinstate anyone he chose, which meant he had access to her vault whenever he chose to. He frowned, wondering how he was going to get Sirius to allow him into that woman’s vault. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that she had mostly dark artifacts in there.Harry closed his eyes tiredly knowing that this summer; he still had a lot of work to do especially if he wanted to rid the world of Voldemort once and more. He startled when he heard the door slam shut, and before he knew it his wand was out and pointed at his Godfather; who was staring at him with a thoughtful expression on his face.

“Sorry Uncle Severus,” Harry said sheepishly as he put his wand away.

“It’s fine Harry, however very good reflexes,” Severus praised him, his dark gaze unrelenting.

“Thanks,” Harry replied quickly as he hurriedly gathered up his stuff.

He couldn’t be in the same room with the man when he started looking at him with his piercing gaze. It made Harry uneasy, especially when it seemed the eyes could see straight to your soul.

“You’re welcome, though I’m curious about a few things child,” Severus stated casually.

What kind of things?” Harry asked cautiously, trying to keep the dread out of his tone.

“We’ll talk about it this summer,” Severus said trying to gauge his reaction.

“Am I in trouble then?” Harry asked quietly.

“No,” Severus reassured him.

“I feel like I am,” Harry said frowning.“And what makes you think that?” Severus asked softly.

“You’re ignoring, you won’t even talk to me anymore.” Harry stated accusingly. He was a bit shock to realize how hurt his voice actually sounded. He could see his godfather have the same reaction and he found himself looking down. He could imagine Snape shaking his head and walking away as if he hadn’t spoken.

“I hadn’t realized I was doing that,” Severus said apologetically.

“I don’t believe you,” Harry said with a shake of his head, unconsciously mimicking the man’s words from before.

“Why don’t you believe me Harry?” Severus questioned.

“Because in potions you keep glaring at me as if I’m the Dark Lord himself. I hate how you’ve treated me these past few weeks, especially in potions. I haven’t done anything to deserve those gross detentions with Filch,” Harry said allowing his anger to come forth instead of his hurt.He didn’t want to give the man the satisfaction of knowing how much he had upset him.

Severus stared at the boy in shock, but he really shouldn’t have been that surprised. He knew when he had first met the boy how sensitive he was to ones mood, and he idly wondered if Harry was empathetic. Resolving to talk on it later, he looked at the child who was now staring at his lap rather than at him. He had been ignoring the boy, and distancing himself away from them. He had convinced himself that on the night where he became the boy who lived the Dark Lord had done something.

“I don’t feel as if you want me as your godson anymore,” Harry answered truthfully, unable to keep the obvious hurt a secret any longer.

“That’s ridiculous,” Severus replied frowning. He didn’t like the tone, he had actually hurt the child, and he could hear it in his voice.Severus shook his head, not knowing what to say. He was serious when he said many things didn’t make sense anymore.

There was no way that Lily and James left a pouch of full of memories for the child. How would they know something was going to happen to them? They couldn’t fathom the thought of one of their closest friends betraying them. He knew James Potter was a Gryffindor through and through and Severus couldn’t see the man sitting down and preparing a ‘what if’ bag for his child. He hadn’t realized that he had yet to explain himself and his thoughts were interrupted by the child’s voice.

“Why are you pushing me away Uncle Severus?” Harry asked fearfully. Was this his godfather’s subtle way of saying that he was done with him? He glared angrily as he pushed back the childish emotions, forcing himself to stare into those dark eyes.

“I’m just trying to figure you out Harry,” Severus said honestly.

“There’s nothing for figure out, I’m just Harry, this ordinary boy,” Harry replied with a half of a smile.

“You will never be just Harry, and there is nothing ordinary about you. You don’t know it yet, but you are indeed destined to be great. You are a special child Harry, don’t you ever forget that,” Severus said with conviction.

“I won’t,” Harry replied softly as he reached out a hand towards the man.

“You can trust me Harry,” Severus replied, his larger hand coming to rest on the child’s.“I know I can,” Harry answered kindly.

“Then why haven’t you let me in?” Severus asked tenderly.

The boy was as closed off as they came; he knew the child harbored many secrets. He would never go into his mind, unless the boy was hurt or gave him his permission. He didn’t want to lose the trust the boy had for him.

 Because of Harry, he felt like he might actually survive this upcoming war, knowing that he had a child to protect. He was however frustrated that the boy didn’t seem to trust him like he did. Harry pulled back, it wasn’t that simple. What if he told Snape and the man didn’t believe him?

What if he decided it was too much and he pushed him away? He would still have Sirius who was there to tell him about his father but he wouldn’t have anyone to explain the kind of woman his mother was. He couldn’t help being a bit selfish, and he shook his head in disgust at himself. Did they deserve to know the truth? Would they accept it?

“you wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Harry replied softly, he wasn’t sure the man had.

“I would child,” Severus replied firmly.

"you'll hate me,” Harry answered frowning.

“No, I could never hate you,” Severus responded with a firm shake of the head.

“Yes you would, I know you would,” Harry said sighing before shaking his head.

“You’ll never know until you tell me,” Severus pointed out.

Harry stared at him pensively for a moment before frowning. He could not make himself say it, maybe after this summer. He only spent a month with the man last time, and he had a blast. He knew Snape deserved to know so the man could help him, but he was too selfish at the moment. He wanted to get to the know the man his mother had once called her best friend, so far he had only seen glimpses of it.

“Will you tell me about my mother this summer?” Harry said instead.

“Of course, finish your homework child,” Severus murmured as he stood up. He knew he wouldn’t be getting any answers today. He reached out and ruffled the boy’s hair as he walked passed him.

“Yes sir,” Harry replied with a sigh of relief. Though inwardly he knew he wasn’t off the hook. He knew that during that meeting that his guardians wanted to have with him, the man would demand answers to his questions and Harry wasn’t sure what he was going to do.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The last day of school before summer holidays found Harry excited about going home. He was still very curious about what the founders wanted to do with them. Ever since that incident with Voldemort and Quirrel, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. He needed all the help he could get, but the first years exams had turned out to be a bit more challenging then he remembered. He groaned, they hadn’t had a chance to visit the founder’s room, though they hadn’t forgotten about it.

 At the moment he was loading up on the Hogwarts express with his friends. His godfather had some things to tie up at Hogwarts and Sirius and Remus wanted him to experience the trip back. Harry didn’t mind, and at the moment he was in the process of securing a compartment for them. He hadn’t had a chance to get closer to Neville this year, and it was bugging him. He idly wondered if he would be allowed to invite friends over this summer.

Their birthdays were right next to each other; maybe they could have a type of joint party or something? Would Neville even want to come? Harry shook the thoughts away, occluding everything that had to do with his tasks or the upcoming war. He relaxed in his seat as the train pulled out of Hogsmead and started their journey home. He looked out the window with a wide grin on his face, he was going to enjoy this summer like the kid he should have the first time around.  As his friends came into his compartment Harry smiled, wanting to remember their faces like this, knowing that they’re happy smiles wouldn’t last.

He knew the upcoming war would be brutal, but at the moment he wanted to be a bit selfish. He teasingly pushed Draco into Hermione laughing with Ron as the blonde blushed and stammered out a string of apologies. Harry quickly got into talk about Quidditch with Ron and he lost himself in the conversation, just the way he wanted too.