Harry Potter

chapter 8

Harry’s heart pounded in his chest as Snape handed him the envelope. His fingers trembled as he opened it and unfolded the parchment inside. At first, he struggled to make sense of the words, but as his eyes scanned the text, they widened in disbelief.

Hadrian Lucius Snape
Father: Severus Snape
Mother: Unknown
Godparents: Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy

Harry looked up at Snape, his voice barely a whisper. “This...this can’t be real.”

“It is,” Snape said quietly, his usual cold tone replaced with something softer, almost...vulnerable. “I didn’t know either, not until recently. I was told you had died at birth. Dumbledore lied to both of us, Harry.”

Harry shook his head, his emotions swirling in a storm of confusion, anger, and disbelief. “But why? Why would he lie about something like this?”

Snape’s expression darkened. “To control you. To keep you under his thumb. By placing you with the Potters and their friends, he ensured you would grow up idolizing them and hating those he deemed unworthy—people like me.”

Harry felt his stomach twist. He thought of all the times Dumbledore had been cryptic, the secrets he’d kept. And now this?

“I don’t...I don’t even know who I am anymore,” Harry admitted, his voice breaking.

“You are still the same person,” Snape said firmly. “But now you know the truth. And you deserve to know it all.”

Snape leaned forward, his dark eyes locking onto Harry’s. “The potions and spells that were placed on you—they were designed to manipulate your thoughts, your emotions, your very identity. They made you trust certain people, hate others, even love where there was no true affection.”

Harry’s eyes widened. “You mean...Ginny? That wasn’t real?”

Snape nodded grimly. “A love potion. Dumbledore allowed it, perhaps even encouraged it, to tie you closer to the Weasleys and keep you under control. But it’s been removed now. You’re free from all of it.”

Harry clenched his fists, a surge of anger bubbling within him. “How could he do this to me? How could they all do this?”

Snape’s voice softened again. “I don’t have all the answers, Harry. But I promise you this—I will not let anyone manipulate you again. You are my son, and I will protect you.”

Harry looked at Snape, his emotions a tangled mess. Part of him wanted to lash out, to deny everything, but another part—the part that had always felt out of place, that had always longed for a real family—wanted to believe him.

“What happens now?” Harry asked quietly.

Snape leaned back, his expression unreadable. “That’s up to you. I won’t force a relationship on you, Harry. But I hope...I hope you’ll give me a chance to be the father you deserve.”

Over the next few days, Harry wrestled with the revelations. He confided in Hermione, unable to keep the burden to himself.

Hermione listened intently as Harry recounted everything Snape had told him. When he finished, she reached out and took his hand.

“I don’t know what to say, Harry,” she admitted. “But...I think Snape’s telling the truth. And if he is, you should give him a chance. He seems to care about you.”

Harry nodded slowly. “I just...I don’t know how to feel about any of this. My whole life feels like a lie.”

Hermione squeezed his hand gently. “You’re still you, Harry. And no matter what happens, you’re not alone. I’m here for you.”

Her words brought a sense of comfort Harry hadn’t felt in days. For the first time since learning the truth, he allowed himself a small smile.

Meanwhile, Snape was doing his own soul-searching. He had spent years building walls around himself, burying his emotions beneath a mask of indifference and coldness. But now that he knew Harry was his son, those walls were crumbling.

He found himself watching Harry more closely during classes, noticing the way he interacted with Hermione and Draco, the way he excelled at potions without even realizing it. Every little detail reinforced the truth: this boy was his.

One evening, Harry returned to Snape’s quarters, his resolve firm.

“I’ve thought about what you said,” Harry began, meeting Snape’s gaze. “And...I want to try. I want to get to know you—not as Professor Snape, but as my father.”

Snape’s breath hitched, but he quickly masked his emotions. He gave a curt nod. “Very well. We’ll take it one step at a time.”

For the first time in years, Severus Snape allowed himself to hope.

As the days turned into weeks, the bond between Harry and Snape slowly began to grow. Snape opened up about his past, sharing stories about his childhood and his time with Lily. Harry, in turn, shared his own experiences, including the hardships he’d endured with the Dursleys.

Hermione and Draco became Harry’s greatest supports during this time. Hermione, in particular, seemed to understand Harry’s struggles better than anyone else. Her constant presence, her unwavering loyalty, and her quiet strength became a source of comfort for Harry.

Unbeknownst to him, the bond between them was beginning to deepen into something more.