Family Ties

Harry looked up from his book where he was studying in his flat he shared with Draco when a pop sounded and he saw his dad in front of him. "Dad?"

"Harry son. I want you to leave and choose something else, come work at the ministry with me, this is dangerous work."

Draco, who was sitting opposite Harry, snorted. "Sorry Mr Potter, but the only danger Harry has in this job is passing out from lack of sleep."

"Your godfather used those exact same words."

Harry frowned, "how woul-"  he started but stopped and stood up. "You've been to see Severus, told him to drop me."

"I am only looking out for you." James answered.

"No you're not! If that were true you'd leave me to do what I know I'll be great at!"

"Harry-" 

"No dad! Ugh I really don't know what your problem is with Severus! Just because you didn't get along in school and he was best friends with mum! It can't be jealousy, she picked and married you didn't she! Dad I have had my life planned out for me for years, I finally kill the bastard and end the war so we are all free. I can finally be free to do what I want, say what I want, go where I want and be whoever I want to be! And what do you do? Try and get me doing what you want me to do, it doesn't matter what I want to do."

"That's not true Harry. I'm just looking out for you."

"Liar! I'm nearly eighteen dad! When have I ever asked you or told you to quit your job as it's dangerous being an auror?"

"Never."

"Exactly dad because I trust you know what you are doing and trust you know to be careful and look after yourself. Why can't you show me the same consideration!?" Harry snapped before walking into his bedroom and slamming the door behind him.

James looked at Draco. "I suppose you agree with him."

"Yes I do. Even my father supports me wanting to do this instead of following his footsteps in being lord of the manor. I don't want to sign papers all day and go to functions and give orders to elf's. I want to work for what I get in this life."

James just sighed and nodded before leaving.

Draco walked over to the bedroom and opened it after knocking on the door twice and saw Harry sitting at his desk, tapping his fingers on the desk. "He's gone Harry, come and get this reading done. It needs to be done by morning and ignore your dad, you do what's best for you, not him." 

Harry nodded and followed Draco into the living area. "I need to speak to Severus."

Draco frowned. "Why?"

"I ask dad what his problem with Severus is, he just sprouts the usual rubbish. And Sirius would back him up and Remus goes all round the house explaining without even answering the question. Please Draco."

Draco sighed and nodded. "I'll ask if he can pop over."

A few days later Harry was sorting out the bookshelf when the door opened. 

"Harry, I've brought bac- Potter! What are you doing?"

"Oh calm down Draco. I'm sorting your bookcase out so it looks how it should. Just like mine." Harry stepped back. "See how mine are in alphabetical order? So when I need a book I don't waste time searching, I just go straight to it."

"But I know where everything is. Just like my desk. It's organised chaos, I know exactly what's on my desk and where."

"You call it organised chaos, it looked more like-"

"Organised crap." Came a voice that had Harry turning around and he gave a small smile. "Severus, thank you for coming." 

"You're welcome. Draco tells me you want to talk to me? Have questions?" Severus answered as he took a seat in the chair by the fire. 

Harry sat down and looked closely at the older man. "Every time I have seen you, talked to you. Apart from Draco, you are the only one who tells me straight, treats me as a normal person, just Harry, which is who I've always wanted to be. Even dad treats me as a hero. Killing someone doesn't make me a hero."

"It doesn't make you a murderer either as it happened in a war. It's kill or be killed, he singled you out." Severus said.

"Thank you Severus. I wanted to ask you as you have never lied to me. I have asked my dad and I know he is lying as well as Sirius, even Remus."

"What's your question Harry?"

"Why doesn't my father like you? This is not just enemies at school when kids yourself, this is something else. Dad has gotten worse since he found out I will be working under you. He's becoming obsessed."

Severus cleared his throat. "It is true Harry, Sirius and Remus will say it's school enemies as I don't think they even know. When James found out what you were doing he came to me, threatened me and told me to drop you. Don't worry. I won't be. You have the highest scores of everyone I have taken on. I let James know something that day, I shouldn't have done but how he was going on, wanting you to leave what you love doing."

Draco sat down next to Harry. "What did you tell him uncle Severus?" 

"Something he doesn't want anyone knowing and before you ask Harry, I won't tell you, it is your father's job to do that. But. If you start to find things out and wonder and you come back and ask me the right question, I will tell you. I promise."

Harry looked closely at Severus. "Father is scared you'll tell me." He stated.

"Yes. And if your father doesn't tell you soon then I will Harry, but only if you start to work things out."

Harry nodded and held his hand out. "Thank you Severus."

Severus looked at the hand before taking it and shaking it. "You're welcome." He let go and looked at Draco. "And clean your area up. Organised crap is not an excuse." He stood up and left.

Draco nudged Harry. "Wonder what daddy is keeping from you."

"I don't know. But I will find out." Harry vowed.

It was a week before Harry's birthday when Sirius went to see his friend, he sat down at the table in James' house and looked at his friend. "So. What will you be getting Harry for his birthday?"

"Well he's so determined to carry on with his apprenticeship and loves potions. There is a book that is coming out but not in time for his birthday, I've tried all sorts to get a copy early and no luck so I will be taking him to get whatever books he wants." James sighed. "Eighteen years old and he is happy with books as a present."

Sirius chuckled. "He is more like dear Lily every day."

"He is. Even likes Snape."

"Does he?" Sirius frowned.

"He must do. He sticks up for him."

"James…. Snape has done nothing to us since we were at school and then he only did to us what we did to him as he fought back, since Harry started this apprenticeship you have gotten worse with Snape. Why?"

"I still don't trust him. I mean he said he helped us win the war. I don't see how."

Sirius looked shocked at James. "I thought you knew."

James looked at his friend and frowned. "Knew what?"

"Only dark magic could destroy the horcruxes but Snape didn't want Harry using dark magic so he created the potion Harry used to destroy all of them. He invented it, James. He saved your son from using dark magic."

James stood up. "I still don't like and trust him!"

Just then a patronus snake appeared and spoke in Harry's voice. "I've invited Master Snape to my party at the weekend and he's replied that he's coming, best behaviour dad, I mean it."

Sirius jumped when James swung his arm out, knocking the cup off the table and smashed when it hit the floor.

"Unbelievable!" James snapped and stormed into the kitchen.

Sirius watched his friend go with a look of concern on his face before pointing his wand at the broken cup. "Reparo." He whispered.

On the night of Harry's party James looked around at all the guests and felt relief, the party had started an hour ago and Severus was the only one missing, perhaps he changed his mind. Or a cauldron blew up in his face.

"Severus! You came!"

James turned at Harry's voice and saw Severus step from the fireplace and dust his robes down.

"I apologise for my lateness." Severus said as he handed Harry two presents.

Harry gently took them from Severus and smiled. "Two? Thank you."

"You are welcome to open them now if you so wish."

Harry opened the small one first and saw a small vial with a memory floating in it. He looked up at Severus and frowned.

“You need to watch it, Harry.” Severus said.

Harry summoned his pensieve and poured the memory inside.

“Harry no!” James said, jumping forward but was too late, Harry had gone in the memory.

Draco frowned at James and looked sideways at his cousin Sirius to see he was frowning also at James’ reaction.

Harry emerged minutes later with tears in his eyes looking at James. “He showed me mum. Why didn't you tell me?”

“Harry I can explain -”

“I'd like to hear it as well, but not today, this is my party.” Harry glared at his dad before looking at Severus. “Thank you.” He whispered.

Draco stepped forwards. “What did you see, Harry?”

“My mum. It was what she was studying and wanting to become after she left school. It's what I'm doing now. I'm following in mum's steps. Her dream job is mine.”

Severus picked up and handed Harry the other present. “Now this one.”

Harry opened it and saw a potion book like his but looking through it he saw it full of loose parchments and writing through the pages. He looked up at Severus in askance.

“Her own potion book and notes and theories.”

Harry gently handed the book to Draco and surprised Severus by hugging him close. “Thank you.” He whispered, his lips brushing the shell of Severus’ ear.

A few minutes later, Sirius walked over to Severus who just helped himself to a drink. "I heard Harry telling baby dragon you will tell Harry everything if he asks the right questions... James' face when Harry emerged in tears asking why James didn't tell him about his mum. I saw James looking panicked."

"Black -"

"So I'm asking you. James' hatred of you these last few weeks has nothing to do with being old school rivals is it?"

"No."

"Now James, looking panicked about Harry finding something out about Lily, it has to be something to do between all three of you, and I know you have zero interest in women that way so it isn't that."

"Black -"

"Now if it was something you did, James would have told Harry already to get him away from you... No.. I reckon James has done something and you let him know you know and that was the panic in his face. Whatever it is, he was scared you told Harry. Am I right?"

Severus slammed his drink down and turned to look at the auror. "Look Black-"

"Come on, Severus. Am. I. Right?"

Severus looked closely at Sirius before sighing. "Yes." He whispered.