A B C, 1 2 3

Dark Depths

Last Time:

"It's simple ... I was the unwanted squib of the Potters." Harry said while thinking, (A different continent a they're still managing to mess with me.) He mentally cursed and prayed he didn't just lose Severus because of an unfortunate blood relation. Mixed colored eyes looked down at the beautiful black orbs hoping to not get a rejection, but his heart sank when he saw anger ...

XXXXXXXXXX

"Your parents ... are James and Lily Potter?" Severus said calmly though it was clear he was furious. The guests were stuck between feeling shocked and confused.

Harry winced, "Yes."

Maybe he could've just never told Severus and prayed no one would find out ... no ... he already shared enough of his past and he told Severus about Bitsy. With only one elf death it would've been easy to narrow things down. Severus would've discovered it and hiding things only makes things worse ...

"The people who went to Hogwarts and had a werewolf help deliver you ..." Severus said as if he was confirming that it was the same Potters... not that there were any others.

"I never knew about anyone called Black or Remus or ... you. I do recall them mentioning a werewolf, but considering how they referred to him I thought he was a servant or something. I understand if this is too much to accept." Harry said not displaying how much it hurt to have lost Severus.

Severus's eyes widened as he felt Harry pull away and realized what Harry must've thought. He jumped up and caught the director by the arm before he got to the door, "I'm not angry at you, Harry. How could I blame or hate you when they were the ones who hurt me? Besides they hurt you far worse than me. That's why I'm angry! Those monsters tortured you-" Severus was silenced when the strong director pulled him into a bone melting kiss. Harry couldn't help kissing Severus senseless ... he was just so happy this chance wasn't shattered ...

Lucius coughed slightly to bring the pair back to their senses though he got scolding look from Albus for ruining a sweet moment, "Could you clarify? What's going on here?"

"umm ... sure." Severus said sheepishly as he reluctantly let go of Harry, who didn't look embarrassed at all and they both sat back down in their original seats. "The night Harry and I discussed the Squib Bylines he felt it was necessary to tell- ... warn, me that his parents might get involved once the Bylines circulated the UK." Severus explained, but glanced at Harry ... he wasn't sure how much Harry wanted to say on such a personal subject.

Harry sighed and leaned back in his chair, but still seemed tense, "My parents ... Lily and James Potter." All the wizards present could hear the venom when Harry spoke those names, "had me too early in life and outside of wedlock, which as you know is looked down upon by purebloods like the Potters. After my birth I was handed over to, Bitsy, a kind and energetic house elf. I spent four years with Bitsy until one day my caretaker told me my parents were coming to take the both of them home ... you know, I was excited ... at first, they seemed nice." Harry was doing a remarkable job at keeping his emotions in check, but Severus could tell this was by no means an easy subject to discuss and instinctively held the blonde's hand. "The first thing my parents did was take me to St. Mungo's to get me checked out. I was diagnosed as a squib. My father obliviated the healer and I was taken to the Potter Manor, but not as a child or son ... I was the freak with no name who was made into their personal slave and punching bag."

Albus felt his heart ache for the young wizard and allowed a small silence to linger for the director before asking, "When did Bitsy pass? Did he die helping you get here?"

"Yes and no, I would not have lived through the harsh treatment if not for Bitsy, but ... when I was eight they got bored of me." Harry's eyes seemed to become distant for a second as if recalling a horrendous event. "They killed Bitsy in front of me and abandoned me on the streets of Knockturn Alley where I lived with a homeless man for three years." The mismatched eyes glanced at Lucius, "His name was Harry and he dove in front of the curse to save me. I took his name ... I was badly hurt in that raid and Doc took me to America." He explained surprising nearly everyone there. It was a good thing Draco was out playing in the sand. The boy was too young to hear this, though, Lucius promised to explain to his wife later ...