By Blood

Chapter 7: Uncover The Truth

One day, while exploring Snape's study, Harry stumbled upon a hidden drawer tucked away behind a worn-out bookshelf. Curiosity piqued, he pulled at the drawer, revealing a trove of old, weathered photographs and letters from the past. Among the mementos was a letter, its yellowed pages seemingly untouched by time. With trembling hands, Harry unfolded the paper, revealing his mother's elegant handwriting scrawled across it.

"Severus,

I am writing this letter with a heavy heart, burdened by the weight of our circumstances. As you may already suspect, I am pregnant, and the child within me is yours. I beg of you, should anything happen to James and me, I implore you to protect our son. Keep him safe from the dark forces that seek to harm him.

I know that our paths have diverged, and that the choices we have made have driven us apart. But I cannot deny the love that once existed between us, even as we were torn apart by circumstances beyond our control.

Severus, you have always possessed a deep capacity for love. I have seen it in the way you protected me, even when it meant risking your own safety. I believe, with all my heart, that you will find it within you to be the protector our son deserves.

Please, Severus, do not let our past grievances hinder you from fulfilling this duty. I have seen the man you can be, the man who is capable of great love and sacrifice. Our son will need that love to thrive in this world.

With love and hope,

Lily"

Harry's heart pounded in his chest as he read and reread the words on the page. The truth, long buried and shielded from him, revealed itself in the faded ink. The love Snape had shown him, the sacrifices he had made, suddenly made sense. Snape had loved Lily, not just as a childhood friend, but with a depth that few could comprehend. The connection between them had been forged long ago, their destinies intertwined.

Tears welled in Harry's eyes as he looked up from the letter, his gaze settling on the photograph of his parents on Snape's desk. They stood side by side, their smiles radiant and carefree, unburdened by the looming darkness that would soon consume them. Harry saw the pain etched on Snape's face, the love tightly held within his eyes.

The realization hit Harry with a force he couldn't ignore; Snape had fought against Voldemort not only for Lily, but also for Harry, his son. The sacrifices, the harsh words, the frosty demeanor—all had been rooted in Snape's unwavering determination to keep Harry safe. Snape had carried the burden of his love for Lily and his duty to protect her child, all in silence and solitude.

As the weight of this truth settled within him, Harry understood that he had misjudged the complex man standing before him. Snape's aloofness and harsh demeanor were a defense mechanism, a way to shield himself from the pain of his past and the constant reminders of his unrequited love for Lily.

With a mix of gratitude and remorse, Harry realized that the connection he had forged with Snape went beyond friendship. They were bound by the blood that flowed through their veins, by the legacy left behind by Lily's sacrifice. Snape had done everything in his power to honor that legacy, to protect Harry from the darkness that had consumed his mother.

Feeling a newfound sense of understanding, Harry sought out Snape that evening, his heart heavy with the weight of the truth he had uncovered. Snape was in his study, poring over ancient texts, his face etched with lines of weariness. The fire danced in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the room.

"Professor Snape," Harry said softly, his voice filled with a mixture of reverence and sorrow.

Snape looked up, his eyes meeting Harry's, his expression guarded but curious. "Yes, Potter? What is it?"

"I found something today," Harry began, his voice trembling slightly. "I found a letter. It was from my mum, to you."

Recognition flickered across Snape's face, his eyes widening slightly. He remained silent, waiting for Harry to continue.

"It was a plea, a request for you to protect me if anything were to happen to my parents," Harry explained, his voice tinged with emotion. "She entrusted me to you, Snape. And you...you fulfilled that duty, even when it meant sacrificing so much."

The room fell silent as Snape absorbed Harry's words. The burden that had weighed heavily on his heart for so long seemed to lift slightly, replaced by a fragile flicker of hope.

"I loved your mother, Potter," Snape said in a voice filled with both pain and tenderness. "With a love so profound, it scared me. It scares me still."

Harry nodded, tears brimming in his eyes. "I understand now, Professor. I understand the sacrifices you made, the choices you were forced to make. You loved her, and you loved me, in your own way."

Snape's gaze softened, and a flicker of something akin to gratitude passed through his eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Potter. It means more than you will ever know."

In that moment, the weight of their shared past, the pain of their misunderstandings, seemed to dissipate. With the truth laid bare, Snape and Harry found a common ground rooted in love and sacrifice. The wounds of the past began to heal, nurturing a bond that had always existed, waiting to be acknowledged.

As they sat in the quiet study, shrouded by the warmth of the fire, they understood that their journey had only just begun. Together, they would face the challenges ahead, armed with the knowledge that love had the power to transform even the darkest of pasts. And as they continued to navigate the intricacies of life, they would find solace in the common ground they had uncovered, their shared history finally offering the possibility of a brighter future.