Potions and Snitches
Snape and Harry Gen Fanfiction Archive

Chapter 14
Painting a portrait turned out to be a long complicated process which involved a mixture of complex charms and potions to bring the subject to life. Harry and Severus both watched mesmerised as Professor Flitwick meticulously prepared the canvas for painting while Professor Slughorn brewed the potions that would make the paint react with Snape's memories and animate the painting.

The resulting solution was mixed with the memories to create a strange gloopy translucent substance that Professor Flitwick would dip his paintbrush into before applying the paint to the canvas. Slowly the portrait took shape, and they had decided that since his final year as headmaster was undoubtedly an unpleasant and deeply stressful time that he should be portrayed instead relaxing in his own dungeon quarters. He was pictured relaxing in his quarters in a comfy-looking recliner with a book in his hand and a warm fire blazing behind him, the stone walls giving the space a cool but cosy feeling of home.

Professor Flitwick, it turned out, was quite a talented artist as he successfully managed to bring his subject to life. He somehow managed to capture the stern and foreboding character of the man as well as the grace and elegance of his poise and movements. It was hard to describe but he somehow managed to portray him in a more attractive light so that he looked realistic but not ugly. He captured the profile of his long face and hooked nose and made them prominent features, he replicated his pale skin tone without making it appear sallow and ill-looking and added just enough of a hint of colour to give his complexion a healthy glow, and he made his long hair shine without looking greasy and hanging lank around his face like curtains and of course, he captured his intense dark stare with eyes that were so deep brown that they appeared almost black like smooth pieces of onyx.

Harry and Severus both watched mesmerised as the tiny Professor slowly brought his subject to life, they both for their own reasons felt a deep connection to the man who was taking shape on the canvas. Severus was anxious to speak again to the man who he shared such a deep connection with, while Harry was nervous to see how the memories they'd extracted affected this Snape and whether he was at all like the Snape he'd seen inside Severus's mind.

Finally, the painting was done now the only thing left to do was to animate it. The assembled audience of Harry, Severus, acting headmistress Professor McGonagall and the other heads of house waited with bated breath as Professor Flitwick completed the complicated incantation "animata effigies" with a final flourish he tapped his wand against the portrait before levitating the painting into its final position on the wall next to Dumbledore's portrait.

It seemed as though no one dared breathe as they waited this was it the moment of truth when they would find out whether it would work or not. Slowly almost imperceptibly he stirred blinking as he lifted his head, looking around in confusion as he absorbed his surroundings, apparently surprised to find himself in such familiar and peaceful surroundings.

"Ah Severus, my boy, it is good to see you restored to your former self and both of you in such good health again" a voice announced in its usual jubilant tone startling everyone including the occupant of the painting, as he spun around to detect the source of the voice and his eyes settled on his former employer.

"Headmaster" he greeted stiffly, ignoring his confusing statement, he clearly had not having forgotten the many arduous and morally questionable tasks he had been forced to perform whilst carrying out his instructions.

"Severus I must beg your forgiveness for my treatment of you I asked too much of you I am truly sorry for what I asked you to do, I could see no other way"

He grunted dismissively, waving him away but eventually broke the tense silence as his curiosity seemed to get the better of him "where am I? What happened?" He asked, looking around before suddenly looking down his hands going immediately to his neck which had been painted smooth and flawless. He seemed surprised and more than a little relieved to find his trademark black robes clean and his neck once more intact.

"Do not worry you are safe child, you are among friends" he replied causing him to visibly sag in relief, "speaking of which I think there are people here far better equipped to answer your questions."

Severus watched this exchange warily, he still remembered his first encounter with the elderly wizard a few days past.

He had been exploring the headmaster's office, he had walked around gazing in awe at the floor-to-ceiling shelves full of old tome of books, puzzling over what kind of bird could possibly use such a magnificent perch and staring in wonder at all the strange and bizarre gadgets and gizmos that still decorated the headmaster's desk when he was startled by a voice from above him.

"Ah you must be Severus, it is good to see you looking so well, my child, I have been very much looking forward to meeting you"

He looked up at him in shock and confusion, it was the first time he'd encountered a talking portrait "who are you?"

"Forgive me I didn't introduce myself, I am Albus Dumbledore"

Severus gawped in amazement, this man dressed in light blue robes with a long flowing silver beard and hair and bright blue eyes was Albus Dumbledore, he'd heard a lot about him from his mother, he was meant to be a very powerful wizard, he'd defeated Grindelwald and even worked with one of the world's most famous alchemists Nicholas Flamel and now Severus was talking to him "you're Albus Dumbledore? You worked with Nicholas Flamel"

The old man's blue eyes seemed to positively twinkle in amusement as he smiled fondly at him "yes I am and I did. You probably don't remember me but I knew you quite well, I considered you a good friend but I made a lot of mistakes. I regret that I did not recognise your talent and I would like to start again and make it up to you if you're amenable" he nodded his agreement and was soon engaged in a fascinating conversation with the old headmaster.

That had been one of his most surreal experiences so far, although he thought this might top it though talking to his older former self as a portrait.

"Severus" the voice startled him out of his musings and apparently it startled his painted self as well as he looked around before looking down at the assembled crowd below his portrait and at Minerva who had stepped forward and was looking up at him tearfully.

"Minerva" he gasped, looking shocked to see her and looking so upset, this was not at all what he expected after his last encounter with the formidable Scottish witch.

"Severus I'm so sorry, I feel so awful the way we treated you, I can't believe we misjudged you, can you ever forgive me?" she said through her tears.

He looked shocked and speechless, unsure how to react to her emotional breakdown.

The other Professor's moved forward comforting her "we all did, you are a far braver, stronger man than we ever gave you credit, I would have been proud to have you in my house, I'm sorry I accused you of murder" added Professor Flitwick.

"I'm sorry to dear we shouldn't have doubted you, you did all you could to protect our students and get us through a difficult time and none of us realised that shows true loyalty and determination" Professor Sprout added.

Professor Slughorn cleared his throat awkwardly "I'm sorry for the way I treated you, I overlooked you as a student and did not do enough to acknowledge your talent, that was a mistake, I realise that now. You are a credit to Slytherin house, my boy."

He was clearly still feeling awkward and unsure how to deal with all their praise and kind words "I ... I don't know what to say, I don't deserve this, you had every right to hate me, that was my role."

"But you thought we hated you, I felt so guilty knowing that your final moments would be spent that way, abandoned and hated by those who were meant to be your family and colleagues. What you had to do wasn't right, he asked too much of you" she said glaring at Dumbledore's portrait, who seemed unfazed by the sudden attention.

He choked up, "I did what I had to so we could come out the other end, we all made sacrifices."

"You would have died as a traitor if it wasn't for Harry defending you you would have been buried as a Death Eater! You would have been alright with that?!" she continued growing increasingly frustrated.

"I knew what I was getting into, I anticipated I may not survive, it was necessary for you to hate me to maintain my cover, I don't hold it against you" he replied flatly although it was clear that he was becoming more uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation and the emotions it brought up, he never had been much good at handling emotions or people giving him praise.

"Damn you Severus why must you always be so" she wrung her hands flinging them in the air in exasperation as she tried to find the right words "so shut off and emotionless and self-deprecating, always believing so little of yourself, you allowed us all to believe the worst of you to think you were a traitor for a year only to find that you were really on our side. I feel so guilty, so awful about the way we treated you and you're just so matter of fact and dismissive about it as though it was nothing"

The painted Snape looked uneasy "I think it's the only way he knows how to deal with it, with his emotions" Harry who was still half-hidden behind everyone, whispered to her, putting a hand reassuringly on her shoulder, she nodded, dabbing her eyes with a hanky.

After a moment Snape cleared his throat and spoke uncomfortably "as interesting as this conversation has been it still doesn't answer my original question of what happened and where am I?" He asked, looking at all of them.

"Professor" Harry stepped forward.

"Potter?" he stared at him in disbelief as though he was a ghost "you survived, how?"

"That's a long story, Dumbledore thought it was because I gave my life willingly so the curse targeted the Horcrux in my scar" he said pointing to it.

"I should have guessed the old meddling fool would only tell me half the story always withholding things" he muttered to himself before looking back at him "Potter, uh I mean Harry, I'm sorry the way I treated you it ..." he rubbed the back of his neck looking awkward "I regret it"

"It's ok, I forgave you a long time ago, we both could have tried harder" he said shrugging it off.

"You remind me of your mother" he added quietly shocking Harry, "you have her kind and forgiving personality, everyone always told me but I refused to see it until the end" he clarified.

"And her eyes?" Harry added.

He froze for a moment "yes, her eyes, it was very hard for me, seeing her in you as well as so much of Potter" he said softly, voice barely above a whisper, his eyes closed as if in pain.

"Thank you" Harry told him, grateful for this acknowledgement, which was neither praise nor an apology but somehow meant so much more. After a moment he spoke again "Professor what is the last thing you remember?" He asked, watching his reaction intently.

He stared at him "I" he started before freezing as his mind went back to that night "I was dying, you were there. I'd been searching for you. The last thing I remember is your eyes"

"I wanted you to be honoured the same as the other headmasters" he told him.

"I ... I don't deserve that, not after all the things I've done"

"You do. You made a mistake, you have more than made up for your past. Besides you were the only one who could do what you did, no one else would have been able to run the school and protect the students while appearing loyal, I, we owe you a great debt" Harry insisted "I managed to gather enough memories to animate you, Professor Flitwick painted your portrait and Professor Slughorn brewed the potions to bring you to life"

"We thought you would be more comfortable painted in your own quarters" the tiny Professor chipped in kindly.

"I don't know what to say, you were correct thank you, this place brings back unpleasant memories" he said, Harry and the others nodded sympathetically, they could only imagine what kind of memories this place would bring back. "But how surely I did not leave you enough memories?" he said sounding truly confused.

"Ah well, you see we had some help. I'd like to introduce you to someone" he encouraged Severus, who had been hidden watching the exchange with a mixture of horror and fascination forward "it's alright" he whispered before putting his hands on his shoulders, "Professor, this is Severus."

He stared down in shock from his portrait leaning forward out of his chair as though to get a closer look before blinking and looking at Harry in disbelief "you named a child after me? How long have I been out?" he wondered.

Harry laughed as he realised what he was thinking "only a few weeks. No, I didn't name him after you, his name actually is Severus"

It took a moment for Snape to comprehend "you mean he is me?" He asked, stunned.

"In a sense. He was you but now he is his own person" he corrected "I found him when I came to retrieve your body, he was scared and alone, I vowed to look after him and I am going to give him a better life and a family. He gave us his memories when we removed his nightmares" he explained looking at him meaningfully.

"I see and you're looking after him?"

"I am, I intend to adopt him and provide him with the family he deserves" he said sincerely.

"Incredible after all I've done to you and you want to take care of him. Are you sure that I have not woken up in some parallel reality?"

Harry laughed again "quite sure Sir and I told you I forgave you, you spent all those years protecting me now I guess it's time to return the favour besides I like looking after him"

Harry nudged Severus forward, encouraging him "hi, I'm Severus" he introduced himself awkwardly, realising this wasn't quite the same relaxed man he'd met inside his mind.

The man looked down at him in wonder and disbelief as though unable to believe the child was real and not some illusion "yes I gathered. Well let me get a better look at you child" he said sharply, but without his usual malice.

Severus nervously stepped further forward so he was in a good position for the man to see him and looked up from behind his long hair at his older self.

Professor Snape at the same time scrutinised the child closely, he barely remembered being so young and small and had never cared to look back through the few photos his parents had taken to remind himself of his miserable childhood but he could tell that there was a definite resemblance, the boy certainly had his distinctive long dark hair and eyes and his pale skin. It felt decidedly odd being face to face with his younger self, he had never expected that he would be brought back as a painting let alone as a small child as well.

He nodded approvingly unsure what to say "yes well I suppose there is a certain resemblance. Tell me is Potter looking after you well?"

"Yes, he makes a good Dad, he looks after me and comforts me when I have a bad dream, he tells me stories and he bought me loads of clothes and books and more toys than I've ever seen!"

He had to admit he was surprised by the boy's enthusiastic response "I hope you're not spoiling him, Potter?"

"Well maybe we did go a little overboard but since it was his first time being bought new clothes and toys we figured it would be alright this once but don't worry we don't intend for him to grow up being spoiled rotten" Harry explained, not like my cousin he thought.

"Hmm good"

"He's teaching me how to fly but he's not very good at potions" Severus added.

"We hoped you'd be able to guide Sev" Harry suggested trying to direct the conversation in a different direction.

"He said to think of you like an Uncle" Severus piped in.

"I don't know what to say, I don't deserve this" he said looking away.

"You do" Harry told him.

"I'm not a good man, nor am I a good role model" he insisted.

"No!" the voice that responded startled them as they looked down at Severus "you are a good man. I've seen it" at the Professor's confused look he clarified "in my mind" he said pointing to his head "you were surrounded by darkness, it consumed you but something chased it away. I saw you as you really are, you are good inside" he insisted "you are a good man, a good guardian to me" trying to make him understand through his frustration.

He shook his head in denial, Harry came forward, putting his hand on his shoulder "he is right. You allowed yourself to be knawed away by your guilt and grief until the darkness and hate consumed you, please no more Severus do not cling to it, he needs you, I need you, we all do" "

"I don't know, I still don't think ..."

"You don't need to be a role model dictating how he should live his life, but you can guide him to make better decisions, if not for me do it in memory of Lily and the happy times you spent together as children." Harry suggested appealing to the one thing he knew he would not be able to refuse.

"I like you, you have a funny way of talking and you're really smart, I was hoping you'd teach me potions" Severus chipped in.

He gaped at him "my mother taught me" he said before realisation hit him that his boy had no mother to help him, to teach him to brew as he had "she's gone isn't she?" Severus ducked his head in uncomfortable acknowledgement.

"Harry said you taught potions"

"Yes, although I don't know how much I can teach you from in here" he said gesturing to the confines of his painted environment, Severus looked disappointed, "but I can try to instruct you, I can pass on my knowledge and oversee you brewing."

Severus looked up hopefully "really?" he said excitedly.

"Yes" he promised "I just hope you're a better brewer than your adoptive father although if you really are me then I'm sure that you will have no problems"

"Was he really that bad?" Severus asked.

"Atrocious" he answered without hesitation "how you ever managed to get into NEWT potions is beyond me"

"Well personally I blame the teacher" Harry retaliated cheekily "if I had had a far teacher who didn't hate me I reckon I would have passed with flying colours."

"I treated you harshly in class because you didn't put in the effort" he pointed out.

"No, you had already decided you hated me before I stepped in the classroom and bombarded me with 20 questions. That had nothing to do with my performance and everything to do with who I was"

"Perhaps, but I had a role to play. It was important that I was seen to hate you and favour my own students. You also gave me no reason not to dislike you, you did not pay attention and acted as arrogantly as I expected when I asked you simple questions which you should have known as part of your reading"

"I was taking notes on your speech Sir and my relatives hardly gave me much chance to study before term started" before he could retaliate he held up his hand as he remembered Severus was listening to their conversation "look we both misjudged each other, if I could go back I would like to do a lot of things differently, agreed?"

He looked at him speechless for a moment before he sighed and replied somewhat reluctantly "agreed"

He felt a tug on his sleeve and looked down to see Severus looking up at him, he knelt down and Severus spoke quietly to him "was he really like this before?" "uh" he started hesitantly, wondering what he could tell him without ruining his impression of his older self.

"Potter" he looked back up at the portrait in surprise, grateful for the interruption "there was something else I wanted to talk to you about since I'm here."

"Yes"

"Well, you see, when I died I didn't have time to make a will. I have no family to speak of with the exception of Draco who is my godson, or so I thought" he paused clearly finding this a difficult topic, Harry prompted him to continue, "I doubt Draco would have much interest in my belongings except perhaps the odd personal effect. I was uh considering leaving everything to you"

"To me?" he said in surprise, whonwould have thought his most hated teacher would consider leaving anything to him.

"Yes, you are Lily's son, I thought some of the things I saved might be of interest, I hoped she would approve. Now, of course, there is him" he said jerking his head towards Severus, "if he is truly me then my things are rightfully his, it is only fitting to pass them onto both of you."

"I don't what to say, uh thanks, it means a lot that you would consider me in such a way and Severus of course"

"Please don't go all sentimental on me" he said dismissively, "there is one thing though."

"Yes anything"

"Promise me that you will go through my things and remove anything that is inappropriate for someone his age, it would not do for him to get his hands on some of my uh more dubious belongings at least not until he is older"

Harry felt relieved that that was all he had asked of him, he thought of the Prince's textbook which had been at once so useful and yet so dangerous and wondered what else they may find in his belongings "you are right of course I will"

"Good I am trusting your judgement. Most of my things are in my private quarters or at my old home at Spinner's End, I will give you the password"

"Or I could hang a blank painting in your quarters so you can oversee things and advise me on anything 'dark'" he suggested smiling.

He looked surprised for a minute "that would be agreeable" he conceded.

Suddenly their conversation was interrupted they heard a strange trilling song that caught everyone's attention as they looked up for the source of the calming song when a great shadow passed over before swooping through the open window. Everyone watched as the shape materialised into a red and gold blur that circled around the high room before descending and landing on the old bird perch.

"Fawkes" Harry gasped in recognition as the magnificent Phoenix settled and locked eyes on him before his intelligent black eyes settled on Severus, he cocked his head curiously to one side as though determining who he was.

"It is good to see you old friend"

"Ah Fawkes you have returned at last, Hogwarts ahs not been the same without you" Dumbledore greeted fondly from his portrait, Fawkes cocked his head before trilling at him and turning his atention to Snape who was gazing down in astonishment looking more than little guilty but apparently Fawkes did not hold a grudge.

Severus stared fascinated at the beautiful bird whose colourful plumage practically appeared to glisten as their black eyes locked, it was strange he almost felt as though he somehow knew the bird. The Phoenix trilled at him and motioned as though inviting him to come closer. Severus looked up astonished at Harry as if seeking confirmation, he looked equally surprised but slowly nodded. Severus approached, stopping just short of the impressive bird.

Harry followed, coming round to the side of his adoptive son "hey Fawkes" he said softly, causing the Phoenix to switch his gaze to him "it's good to see you old friend" he said slowly extending a hand watching to see how he reacted to him. Slowly, when he was certain that Fawkes recognised him and was comfortable around him, he lowered his hand and gently stroked him, showing Severus not to be afraid.

He looked to where he was watching before stepping back and giving him space. "This is Fawkes, he was Dumbledore's familiar and one of his feathers ended up forming the core of my wand"

His mouth dropped forming a wide o "wow" he breathed. Slowly he approached, lifting up his hand "hi" he greeted nervously, keeping his eyes focused on the bird's black ones "can I stroke you?" he asked. In response, Fawkes lowered his head so that his neck was at a better height for him to reach.

Carefully he lowered his hand and ran it through the soft feathers, he was surprised to find that the feathers felt warm to the touch and he almost pulled his hand back but Fawkes trilled softly in his ear after a moment he got used to the warmth when he realised that he wouldn't be burnt. He noticed that the brilliant red and gold feathers felt incredibly soft to the touch and Fawkes immediately seemed to relax into his touch, rubbing his neck against his hand.

He was shocked to find a feather in his hand when he lifted it and stared in wonder at Fawkes. It was warm to the touch and a beautiful rainbow of bright red, fiery orange, and glistening gold that made it look like it was on fire "Severus, you ok what's wrong?" Harry asked, he turned round still in a daze and showed him the feather "a phoenix feather?"

"Incredible" he looked up to see the Professor had been watching the encounter seemingly as amazed as they were "Phoenix's rarely give up their feathers willingly"

"Professor Snape is right" he looked up again, this time to find it was the old headmaster Dumbledore speaking " it is said that a Phoenix will only give up its feathers to those that they trust implicitly. I would say Fawkes likes you"

"He likes me?" he said stunned by this revelation.

"Yes, he always did have a soft spot for you" he said smiling at Snape's portrait "it is an incredible honour to be given such a rare gift and I hope that you will treasure it forever and keep it safe"

"I will Sir" he promised solemnly, feeling now even more lucky to be honoured with such a gift.

"It is also an extremely rare and valuable item" he looked back up at the Professor's portrait "phoenixes are quite incredibly powerful magical creatures, their tears have powerful healing properties and can be used in a variety of different potions" he said going into lecture mode. Severus nodded he could feel the magic that it was giving off now that he was aware.

"He's right Fawkes has used his tears to heal me on more than one occasion, first to counter the basilisk's venom and then to counter the acromantula's venom, they are quite incredible and very fast acting" Harry confirmed stroking his head in thanks.

Fawkes nudged Severus meaningfully until he took the hint and resumed stroking him, he fixed his gaze on Harry before spreading his wings wide and straightening up. Harry stared at him in astonishment for a moment before realising what was happening and rushing to grab hold of Severus as the magnificent Phoenix rose and disappeared in a golden flash, taking an astonished Severus and Harry with him and leaving the teachers gaping at where they had been standing.

The journey was over in a flash Harry realised as he cautiously opened his eyes and stood up looking around, the place where Fawkes had brought them felt cosy and decidedly familiar he thought "you alright there?" he asked as he looked down at the boy who had wrapped his arms around him whilst still clinging to Fawkes, he looked up and nodded.

"Well ello there Fawkes, Harry, Severus? Wasn't expecting to be seeing you so soon" he looked up to find himself greeted by the surprised but familiar bushy face of Hagrid and on the table in front of him were not one but two phoenixes. The second phoenix who was sat near the fire appeared slightly smaller and more delicate, as though younger, and greeted Fawkes warmly rubbing up against him, giving Harry the distinct impression they were a pair.

"Well, I guess that explains where you've been all this time" Harry teased, Severus looked up in confusion.

"Aye they returned just a few days ago, proper pair they are been meaning to tell you I was. Gues they like it here since they know I keep the place so warm" Hagrid announced.

Fawkes looked at his mate who examined Severus before moving, revealing something beneath her that was round and glistened like molten lava.

"Is that?" Harry gasped in wonder.

"A phoenix egg" Severus completed sounding equally amazed, and Harry nodded his agreement.

"Aye reckon it is" Hagrid agreed.

Fawkes nudged Severus, butting his head against his hand as though directing it towards the egg.

"Reckon he likes yer" Hagrid commented startling him "wouldn't let just anyone touch their egg."

He looked at Fawkes in question "is that true do you want me to touch it? Are you sure that's alright?" Fawkes nudged his hand again, letting out a soft noise in answer.

Cautiously he placed a hand on the egg. It was hot and almost seemed to be pulsating and it almost seemed to be getting hotter as though in response to his touch till it felt like it was burning him. He let out a slight yelp and tried to remove his hand but it wouldn't budge as though it was stuck. Then suddenly without warning, it got so hot it that it burst into flames. Severus put his free hand in front of his face to shield it from the heat but in a moment the whoosh of flame had died down to embers, Severus examined his hands and was surprised to find they were not at all burnt or painful. He looked down into the embers, there was something in there and he delicately pushed some away, revealing a tiny pink bird resembling a miniature version of the plucked turkeys he'd seen in shop windows at Christmas, although he could already see signs of powerful claws and a magnificent dark beak and soulful black eyes in the baby bird.

"Well aint that someat, a real life Phoenix. I've never heard of one doing that before" Hagrid said sounding stunned, Harry gave him a puzzled look "seems to me like Fawkes has decided to bond yer with his hatchling" he stated proudly as the two adult Phoenix's started preening the hatchling.

"What?" Harry exclaimed in surprise at the same time that Severus looked up.

"Aye that's right seems like his touch was the final thing this little un needed to hatch was contact with the one who it were bonded with" .

"But why me?" he asked.

Well, tis a special thing, a Phoenix only bonds with those who are pure of heart. Guess you two are kind of like a phoenix, coming back from the brink of death and all' kind of like a sort of rebirth"

Harry noticed Severus backing away slightly from Hagrid looking slightly creeped out "uh Hagrid"

He looked down and noticed Severus's reaction, he looked suitably sheepish "uh right sorry, forget I said that. Well it's like I always said he were a good man Professor Snape, Dumbledore always said to trust him and Fawkes here's a very wise bird he sensed that before anyone else, even when other people said he'd turned he always greeted him like an old friend, he wouldn't do that if he were truly dark, used to baffle Dumbledore to no end when he were a boy"

"But I thought that is that everyone said he immersed himself in the dark arts?" Harry questioned, puzzled.

"Aye that's right but that in itself doesn't make someone dark, it's what's in your heart that counts and a phoenix can see inside, goes to show that even after everything he were still good where it counts"

"So is he going to be like his familiar?"

"Near as I can figure or at least he will be. He or she'll be dependent on its parents for quite a while till it's grown big enough to fend for itself and fly the nest. Still, there's no reason why he can't bond with the little un, they seem happy enough to have him near their baby" he observed watching as Severus alternated between petting the adults and gently stroking the newly hatched baby.

While he was distracted, Harry sidled up to Hagrid "uh Hagrid when we asked you to get a pet for him please tell me this wasn't what you had in mind?" he said quietly enough so Severus wouldn't hear them as he offered them a handful of the seeds Hagrid had left out for them on the table.

"Nah course not" he said waving it off before lifting his hand as though to whisper to him "I've got it in hand, but the bloke says it'll be another few weeks before he can bring em up" he said mysteriously.

"Uh Hagrid, I hope you don't mind me asking but what exactly are you getting him?" Harry asked worriedly.

"You'll just have to wait and see, it's a surprise" he said conspiratorially.
To be continued...
Chapter End Notes:
So this is one of the hardest chapters I've wrote and one of those examples of it sounds better in your head than when you get to writing it and then I remembered last minute I wanted dhim to leave his things to Harry and Severus and added that in. I have mild autism and it makes communication difficult in all forms and talking to people and making small talk is awkward, I always think that comes across in my writing even though people often say they didn't realise that I have autism.

It is partially for that reason that I am taking a quick break from this to work on some one-shot ideas I've got. I've an idea of what I want to write next but not how to make it into a chapter so this'll give me a bit more time to think things out and next week is going to be hot (between 25 -29 degrees all week) so I may struggle with writing anyway.

So I figured it would be good to show a different side of Snape, he's taken from a different point and different memories so naturally it will affect his personality some as one reviewer pointed out at least until he's gotten settled and used to his situation then he'll probably adopt some of his old snarky character but also be a better mentor.

As for the Phoenix, I thought it was kind of appropriate considering Harry and Severus have both come back from the edge of death and in Sev's case experienced a kind of rebirth like a Phoenix. And we don't actually know what happened to Fawkes, it'd make sense that he disappeared whne the one he bonded with died and dark times were coming to Hogwarts and perhaps found a mate to settle down with. I debated whether to have Fawkes bond with Severus or a young hatched Phoenix and decided on the latter for several reasons, one being that it leaves the option of Fawkes bonding with Harry as well at some point although I'm not sure ow if he will since he has a mate.

Apparently Phoenix's nest on mountains but I didn't much want Fawkes having to apparate them to a remote mountain each time since Severus is bonded with their hatchling and Hagrid's hut seemed likea good substitute with his knowledge of creatures and how warm he keeps it. I willa dd that I know nothing about baby Phoenix's except they're meant to be herbivores and how the y appear after their burning day so I'm aking it up as I go.

I did have a look to see if I could find any good names or translations for Phoenix to use as a name for the hatchling but must admit that I'm coming up short so if anyone has any thoughts otherwise it'll probably just be some fire-related name.

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