Chapter 1

After the rain clouds and showers of the previous few days Bella was enjoying the pleasant warm sunshine that shone through the open windows brightening her impressive but homely farmhouse style kitchen. A large pot of rich Bolognese sauce bubbled away on the stove filling the kitchen with inviting smells while Bella sang along to the music playing in the back ground. Today was a good day, the weather reflected her mood and she had just perfected her latest recipe, mini garlic baguettes, in plenty of time to fill the order placed by the most popular Italian restaurant in the nearby muggle town. As she kneaded the fragrant dough she heard the telltale crackle behind her that indicated someone had just stepped out of her lounge fireplace. But as the only person allowed to floo directly in without fire calling first was her husband she didn't turn from the rhythmic massaging. She allowed herself a small smile as she heard him appreciatively sniff the mixture of smells coming from her various cooking projects.

With the signature billowing of his robes that generally struck the fear of Merlin into his students Snape exited the fireplace into his family home. Being away at Hogwarts for most of the year it still struck him on returning to the house how different and inviting it was compared to the homecoming of his childhood. Thanks to his wifes insistence when they'd married three years ago they'd moved into his magical inheritance and she had painstakingly refurbished every room swapping the imposing dark furniture, dated and depressing decoration and wholly magical appearance for something cosy, a mixture of magical and muggle while remaining in keeping with the grandeur of the exterior. Snape had never imagined himself with a wife. He'd been quite happy being miserable alone at his other house in Spinners End, the tiny cramped terrace in the industrial town where his muggle father and witch mother had moved to when they married and much to his pure blood Grandfathers disgust produced Severus. Neither his grandfathers ancestral home or the little terrace in Spinners End had ever been a happy home for the lonely Severus, the only place that had ever felt like home was Hogwarts, granted it wouldn't have been what most people considered happy but nevertheless it was his definition of home which was why it only seemed fitting that he remained there to become a teacher.

Apart from Lily no other woman had looked at him like Bella, despite his resistance they became friends and then more when he discovered he could no longer imagine his life without her. She'd somehow wormed her way past his defences, sarcasm and dark outlook on life. Her determination to wed him not only came as a shock to him but also to the small handful of witches and wizards that knew of thier relationship. Bella was a popular, well liked, vivacious witch and no-one in their wildest dreams could possibly imagine the two being compatible let alone happy and in love. But Bella had her way and after they became Mr and Mrs Snape she insisted the only place to raise their children was the Prince Family Manor, not that Severus had ever agreed to children, and they'd taken up residence in his maternal grandfathers house. Never before had he been swept up in someone elses plans without more than a token feeble argument but here they were in the sprawling three storey four bedroomed house, unfortunately the family Bella longed for wasn't to be but she'd occupied herself well enough first with the house and then with her catering business and then Harry had come along into their lives at the beginning of the year creating the sort of family life Bella craved. And now Snape was here to possibly add to it.

He stood between the glazed doors separating the lounge from the kitchen for a second to admire the view. He knew that she knew he was there but unlike his students, whose undivided attention he demanded the instant he entered the room, he loved the fact that she'd make him come to her. She was a good head shorter than this 6ft frame and had a lovely hour glass figure with long auburn hair which fell in ringlets down her back. As always when she was at home she stood bare foot wearing her usual fashion of long tiered skirts, embroided cotton pheasant blouses which teamed with large hoopd earrings and a chunky anklet adorned with tiny charms reminded him of the typical image of a romany gypsy. It was a look which suited her free spirit and seemed to fit with both the magical and muggle worlds which she was always so keen to traverse. Walking silently across the room he slipped his arms around her waist and in a uncharacteristic show of affection dropped a kiss on her neck.

Leaning slightly back into his embrace Bella commented "you smell of exploding potions and .." she turned slightly to look at him" Ugh you have frog guts on your robes." As he stepped back to remove the offendinng robes she asked "Not that I'm not pleased to see you but unless i've completely lost track of my days there's still two more days of term left, what's brought you home?"

With a slight sigh he pulled a chair out from the breakfast table and sat down. It slowly registered that apart from Bellas music the house was very quiet, something that had become a little unusual now that Harry lived there. He could usually be found chattering incesently in the kitchen at this time of evening pretending to do his homework at the table or watching the TV in the lounge, a contraption Snape never thought would grace his house but as usual he'd been overruled by Bella, or screaming and shouting outside in the garden with his friends.

"Where's the boy?"

Setting a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee in front of her husband she joined him at the table with her own glass of iced tea.

"Upstairs in his room until dinner."

"What did he do?"

"Harry made mud pies with worm toppings and then decided it would be a good idea to cook them in my oven."

Snape smirked slightly at this and then schooled his features back into his usual dead pan expression "Do you want me to talk to him?"

"Severus I am perfectly capable of disciplining our child thank you. Now are you going to let me know what's going on."

He pinched the bridge of his nose slightly with his thumb and forefinger while organising his thoughts. "OK Albus summonded me earlier and after the usual lemon drop conversation he asked if we would be prepared to become parents again. It'd be different to Harry there's no family connection, she's muggle born but has magic and has been identified for Hogwarts. She's only a few months older than Harry so I suppose it'll be abit like having twins which is why Albus suggested it. I said I would talk to you first as you'll be the one dealing with most of it even though I'll be here for the summer. Its just we need to make a decision quickly as the ministry need to arrange for the paperwork to be altered and then get her out before the muggle authorities get too involved." He steepled his fingers under his chin and watched the play of emotions flash across his wife's face. He'd known the instant Dumbledore started his narrative that he'd soon become Guardian to not one but two eight year olds before the week was out.

He hadn't really adjusted to Harry yet but Bella had taken to parenthood like a duck to water. She was a natural which was more than could be said for him. He didn't believe he had a paternal bone in his body, the cuddly emotional thing was alien to him so he decided to leave that to his wife and continue ion the role he felt most comfortable with. He'd perfected the strict disciplinarian personna who was only concerned about acadamia when he'd first started teaching in a two fold attempt to maintain order in his classroom so to limit the explosions and also to prevent anyone getting close as he had no intention of ever feeling the pain of loosing someone again especially as a result of his own stupid decisions. And in general it had worked, his colleagues were just that. Well apart from the headmaster, the old man had insisted in worming his way into his life despite the barriers he'd constantly put in his way. And then there was his former teacher Minervra McGonagall, the annoying feline seemed to like sharpening her claws on him and while the rivalry between their two houses was very much genuine the verbal sparring between its two heads of houses was civil if not stimulating and even though he would only admit this under the influence of very strong veratissium it was enjoyable and made him feel like he belonged. In all fairrness he must add Madame Pomfrey to the list, the medi-witch had seen him at his worst, when he'd first arrived at Hogwarts after receiving a farewell beating from his father and Lily had blackmailed him into going to the imfirmary and after his death eater meetings once he'd turned double agent and spy to bring the Dark Lord down. Even now she fussed over him as much as he would allow anyway. His only true friend had been murdered by his Master, and then there was Bella ...maybe he hadn't been quite as successful as he thought. A sharp prod to his shoulder brought him out of his musings.

"And what was that in aid of?" He asked defensively while rubbing the spot where her finger had connected.

"Off somewhere nice were we!" She pulled a fine imitation of his own sarcastic eyebrow raise at him. Returning to the matter in hand she asked "Where's the childs family?"

"They were both killed in a car accident this morning on their way to work, they'd just dropped Hermione off at school. She doesn't have anyone else, her parents were in there mid forties when they had her, they had no siblings and the last of her Grandparents died a few years ago.

Snape shifed uncomfortably when he noticed his wifes eyes start to shimmer with tears and a compassionate expression spread across her face. Tears were not his forte.

"So she really is all alone. Of course we'll take her it'll be just like Harry all over again. She'll have to learn all about magic but at last they'll be no abuse to work through. We'll need to talk to Harry about this and ..." But before she could say anymore she saw her husband roll his dark eyes and sigh.

"Of course we'll need to tell Harry what do you think I was going to do woman, turn up with a young girl and move her in hoping he woudn't notice."

But it was if he'd never spoken, Bella continued "... We'll need to make plans, there's a bedroom to sort out, I pressume Albus has a cover story sorted out?" But before Snape had time to construct an answer she'd already risen from the table and was answering her own question "Of course he will have he never leaves anything to chance. Now we'll have supper and discuss everything with Harry then you can finalise the plan with the headmaster while I sort the bedroom out. I'll just replicate Harrys bedroom furniture for now and she can decide what decorations she wants when she settles in. It'll be nice having another female in the house, don't you think especially now that you'll be back for the summer it'll balance everything out."

Snape watched his wife chatter to herself knowing he wasn't really expected to answer or offer an opinion while she simultaniously set about completing the evenings meal and dictating a list of jobs to a hovering piece of parchment and self writing quill. Then she abruptly stopped what she was doing and turned to face Snape.

"Harry will be ok with this won't he?"

Silently Snape cursed the old man for putting them in this position, He knew the moment he'd told his wife about the little girl she'd instantly adjust her mind to having a daughter as well as a son and now the idea that the child they already had may be a stumbling block to building on and increasing their family would be a bitter pill. Not that either of them would dream of hurting Harry or risk damaging the immense progress they'd made since removing him from his relatives guardianship. But Snape knew deep down that he was the reason they couldn't have the family Bella yearned for, not that they'd ever discussed it but all those years in the Dark Lords service suffering curses, punishment and self testing potions had ravaged his body and he knew from his own tests that the scars and damage weren't just limited to his flesh. Which was why, along with his duty as Godfather and even though the boy was the spitting image of the man who'd been his main tormentor as a child he'd not hesitated to open his home and allow Bella to have her family. Just as there had been no hesitation today at the thought of introducing another child. But not being one to coddle another human he answered in his usual straight forward no nonsense way, "Not that I have spent that much time with him since he arrived but he strikes me as a very compassionate little boy. Despite or maybe because of the cruelty that he's suffered throughout his life I would hope that he'd give someone else the same chance at a new life that he was given. But unless we ask him we'll never know. You finish whatever magic you're creating for dinner while I go and liberate the little brat from his bedroom." And with a swift but understanding squeeze of her arm he swept up the open staircase in the corner of the kitchen to the first floor.

Following a quick knock on the door displaying a brightly coloured wooden plaque declaring the room beyond to belong to Harry, Snape walked in and covertly scanned the room scowling at the clutter. There were untidy piles of toys on the floor, clean clothes attempting to escape from dresser drawers and hapazardly slung across the desk that sat under his cabin bed was a discarded school uniform which belonged in the bathroom hamper. One of Harrys few chores was to keep his room tidy in an attempt to give him some normal childhood responsibility while stopping the ingrained conditioning to work like a house elf as he'd been expected to do at his relatives. Bella seemed very pleased that Harry now generally only picked up after himself when she gently nagged. Aparently it meant he was improving and he finally felt comfortable enough with them and could call Prince Manor home. But Snape liked order so with a quick swish of his wand he confined the clean clothes back to their drawers, the laundry to the adjoining bathroom and packed the toys away in the rightful places. Satisfied at the state of the room he turned his attention to the bed where a slight dark haired boy with a unique lightening shaped scar on his forehead sat hunched at the pillow end with his back pressed into the corner of the room. Despite what most people thought Snape wasn't completely heartless, out of the corner of his eye he'd seen the child shoot back into the corner when he'd opened the door, so he'd used the few moments to tidy the room to allow Harry the chance to calm down and get used to his presense. It would appear his knock was different to Bella's alerting the skittish boy to someone elses presence and he'd instinctively cringed away. Not wanting to cause him any more agitation Snape leaned casually against the wall at the end of Harrys bed crossed his arms and let his black eyes connect with the familiar green ones. He was pleased to see the panic had faded but he could almost hear the thought process in Harrys mind as his eyes widened and a beathless "uh oh" escaped his lips. It didn't take a genious to know that Harry was concerned that his early return co-incided with the afternoon he'd decided to be naughty. Snape knew from the short trips into Harrys mind when trying to assess how much abuse he'd suffered at the hands of is relatives that it was a regular. accurance for Harry to be locked away in his cupboard by his Aunt Pertunia after some minor or even imagined infraction with a promise of a 'proper' punishment when his Uncle Vernon returned home from work. These punishments were poorly disgused beatings and had ultimately led to Harrys hospitalisation, the fall of the protective blood wards creating by his mothers own life blood sacrifice and finally Harrys removal from the guardianship of the Dursleys. But in the mind of a small boy Snape could fully understand the parrells that could be drawn between the past and todays events.

Snape grimaced slightly as the boy used his sleeve to scrub at his slightly red rimmed eyes, sniffed and tried to wipe his runny nose on the same sleeve. Snape silently stepped forward and offered his own hankerchief before re-propping himself against the wall in his non threatening pose.

After accepting the hanky Harry regarded the man with the careful consideration of an abused child , he'd learnt along time ago to read adults moods through their expressions and body language. His Godfather didn't seem angry, and Harry had seen him really angry at school when students had blown something up in his class. The tiny part of Harrys heart that desperately wanted to believe Aunty Bella and Uncle Severus when they said he was a good boy and while he may sometimes do naughty things they would never beat him like his relatives had gave him the courage to put on a woeful expression and express his thoughts out loud.

"You didn't need to come back early Uncle Sev, I know I was naughty but Aunty Bella already yelled at me, smacked my bum and sent me to my room to think bout things and I really have been thinking." He let his eyes drop and started worrying the quilt between his fingers before quickly glancing up again just in time to see the mans lips quirk up slightly in what Harry had come to recognise as the nearest thing to a smile he'd seen on his strict guardians face.

"Believe it or not you little brat punishing you is not the reason for me coming home. And as your Aunty had already pointed out to me she is more thann capable of telling you off, smacking your bum and sending you to your room without my help. But while we are on the subject what possessed you to put mud and worms in Bella's cooker?"

Harry dropped his gaze again and squirmed abit before shrugging his shoulders.

"Use your words please Harry, I want a proper answer:"

Harry shrugged again "I don't know ... Guess I didn't think, it seemed like a good idea at the time."

Snape frowned "No you didn't think and we've been here before haven't we." Harry nodded knowing Uncle Severus was talking about the time at Hogwarts when he'd gone running into the greenhouse to get his ball back after being told how dangerous the plants in there were.

"You know how important that cooker is to your Auntys cookery business what would have happened if it didn't work anymore because you put mud and worms in there. And as for turning it on, you could of really hurt yourself."

Harry was on the verge of tears again at the disappointed tone in his Godfathers voice, it was even worse than Aunty Bellas telling off and it made his tummy hurt with shame. He knew he had to explain, "But I knew what I was doing, I cooked all the time at my other house."

"And how many times did you burn yourself, remember I've seen the scars on your hands. I know its hard for you to understand but just because you did things in that house it doesn't mean they were right or good for a little boy. Your Auntys cooker isn't like the one at your relatives, like alot of things in our home its a mix of magic and muggle, even I don't know how to use it properly." While Harry remained quiet he pushed his point home. "Do you remember why you came home with us from the hospital instead of going back to your relatives?" He asked in what he hoped was a gentle voice.

He watched as Harry sucked his bottom lip through his teeth before nodding causing the unshed tears in his eyes to fall silently down his cheeks.

"Words Harry." Snape verbally nudged.

"Cause they hurt me and didn't look after me and its an adults job to look after a kid and they didn't keep me safe." It all came out in a big long sentance with a heavy heartfelt sigh at the end of it but Snape got the idea.

"And do you remember how Headmaster Dumbledore said the most important thing in the world was to keep you safe, loved and protected."

This time Harry raised his eyes to meet his Godfathers before letting out a whispered 'Yes"

He still found it almost impossible to believe he could ever be that important.

"So when you came to live with Bella and I it became our lifes work to be and do all those things for you. So can you imagine how Aunty Bella would have felt if you'd have been hurt this afternoon."

The ache in his tummy got even worse he loved his Aunty Bella more than anything, she was liked what he imagined a Mum to be and the thought that he'd worried her was more than he could bear. Because the child looked like his world was collapsing Snape eased up as he knew his reprimand had hit home, probably a little more than he'd planned after all he was used to dealing with ansty teenagers not small damaged boys.

"You can make this right you know." He watched his words sink in and a small spark of hope flashed within the green eyes. "All you need to do is say sorry."

Harry had his doubts, he'd said sorry countless times to his relatives but it didn't change anything. "Harry, a apology can mend most things as long as it is sincere and the person you are apologising to is not a cruel idiot like Vernon Dursley." Harrys eyes widened at the description of his Uncle and chief tormentor.

"But what if she's still mad?" Came the whispered question, the fearful look back in his eyes again. Snape felt his heart give an uncharacteristic twist and cursed the Dursleys for the thousandth time.

"I would imagine if you went downstairs now, said sorry and gave Bella a really big hug it'd all be over. Now wipe your eyes, blow your nose... on your hankerchief not your sleeve ... and lets give it a go. I was only supposed to come and tell you dinner is ready and if we're much longer you won't be the only one that'll be told off today." Harry giggled at the idea of his imposing Godfather being yelled at and quickly climbed down from his bed.

Satisfied that Harry was following Snape pushed himself off the wall and headed to the stairs. With a gentle hand he nudged Harry down the stairs before him and after a quick squeeze of encouragement watched Harry launch himself at his Aunty and bury his face into her stomach giving her a bone crushing hug. After flashing Severus a curious smile she untangled Harrys arms and crouched down to down to his level and using her finger raised his chin so their eyes met. "Is there something you want to tell me Harry?" After a quick glance at Uncle Severus for reassurance he offered his honest apology and flung himself in for another cuddle when it was accepted.

The smell of food reminded Harry how hungry he was and his stomach growled loudly.

"I guess I'm not the only on thats hungry then." Said Snape sitting himself at the table. "Take a seat Harry." Snape was very surprised to find himself on the receiving end of a quick hug before Harry joined him at the table. Over a messy plate of spaghetti bolognse they talked about day to day stuff or more accurately Snape listened while Bella and Harry talked, the young boys earlier distress banished as things returned to normal.

Unfortunately the relaxed and happy atmosphere didn't last long, while Harry and Snape cleared the table and Bella brought a large chocolate cake to the table for dessert a large silvery ghost bird flew through the open top half of the stable door into the kitchen. While Harry had gotten used to seeing everyday household magic around the house like the dishes washing themselves or a duster flicking around the house a patronus was defeniately a new experience. Harry instinctively reached out his hand to touch the ghostly bird but quickly drew his hand back as it hovered in between Bella and Snape and started to talk in a voice that he recognised as Headmaster Dumbledore. "Severous my dear boy have you reached a decision regarding the child." At the mention of the word child Harry started to pay close attention to the what the bird was saying as he was the only child in the house it made sense that they were talking about him. "I appreciate it is not an easy option and not one to be undertaken lightly but with muggles being involved we must move quickly and make arrangements to have the child moved. Please fire call me at your earliest convenience."

But the headmasters last words were drowned out by a ferral sounding scream, in a desperate attempt to stop the flow of words Harry launched himself at the bird knocking the chocolate cake off the table but he was oblivious to the cake falling and the plate smashing on the floor. Having already delivered the last of its message the bird disappeared before Harry could scatter it, with a further howl of frustration Harry tried to run from the room but was stopped by Snape who had finally reacted to Harrys bizarre behaviour by flicking his wand, shutting and locking the back door and the doors to the lounge and hallway effectively cutting off all the escape routes from the kitchen apart from the stairs to the first floor bedrooms. While Harry desperately circled the room trying the doors Snape manouvered himself onto the stairs blocking the final escape route. When Harry realised there was no where he could run to he sunk down in the corner of the room with his head buried in his hands noisy angry tears falling while still shouting "No." Over and over again with an occasional wimper of "You promised." thrown in confusing both the adults in the room.

Bellas crouched down in front of the destraught Harry and tried to ply his hands from his face all the while talking nonsense in soft soothing tones. But Harry refused to allow Bella to comfort him and her attempts only seemed to exsasperate his emotions. Bella looked over at her husband in desperation, while Harry had easily got emotional especially when he first arrived he'd always let her comfort him.

Despite his years as a teacher Snape could not abide the noise of children and even though nobody would describe Snape as a patient man what little he had had been exhausted by his earlier exchange with Harry. Seeing the helpless expression on his wifes face combined with the continual racket coming from his Godson caused Snape to revert back to his classroom personna. "Harry James Potter. Stop that noise this instant." Without shouting or even raising his voice the shock of Snape's icy stern words broke through Harrys hysteria and had the desired effect of silencing him. "Now look at me." The command was instantly obeyed. "I don't know what this is all about but unless you can tell us in a quiet calm manner we can't help." At the word calm he gave his wife a pointed look at which she stood to her feet and collected a small vial of lightly coloured liquid from a cupboard and returned to Harry. She uncorked the vial and silently offered it to him. Harrys eyes were still firmly fixed on his Godfather in amongst all the jumbled thoughts circling his mind Snapes no nonsense words and tone was like an anchor in the storm which he'd latched onto.

"I would like you to drink the potion as it will make you feel calmer and then we will all return to the table and discuss the matter in a civilised quiet way." And with an uncanny insight he added, "The child the Headmaster was talking about was not you!" For a second their eyes met, black on green, and a glimpse of understanding passed between them. Snape gave a pointed look at the potion still outstretched in Bellas hand and then stepped past Harry, banished the chocolate cake mess and resumed his place at the table. He had no doubt that his instructions would be followed and sure enough after a couple of seconds he heard the calming draught being drunk and then Bella guided Harry back to the table. Once they were all sat he used his wand to summon a jug of pumpkin juice, 3 glasses and a plate of buscuits. Bella threw her husband a grateful look and made herself busy pouring them each a glass while Snape talked.

"Harry the reason I came home today was to talk with Bella and then you about something the Headmaster had asked of us which was the reason for the meassage you heard. As I said it was not about you but we will come to that in a moment. You need to tell us what you were thinking, take a moment, collect your thoughts and we'll listen when your ready." With what passed for a small reassuring smile at his wife he snagged a biscuit from the plate and thoughtfully chewed a mouthful as if he had all the time in the world. He knew at this moment that Harry would be having an internal struggle between what they had repeadedly told him about this now being his forever home and the fear that he woud be returned to the Dursleys, something in the last five minutes had made that fear surface and Snape was not going to rest until the matter was resolved and they could move onto the subject of the little girl.

After a few minutes of silence during which Harry had half risen from his seat twice before sighing and sitting back down he reached for his pumpkin juice downed half, organised his thoughts and tried to explain himself.

"When the bird started talking I heard the words child, muggles and moving me. You promised I'd stay here, I don't want to go back." His voice became agitated again as he looked between his Aunty and his Godfather desperate for them to understand and this time he was lucid enough, mainly thanks to the calming draught, to allow Bellas words to reassure him.

She touched his face gently with her hand and was grateful to feel him lean into the touch.

"Harry we would never go back on our promise, this will always be your home, even when your grown with a family of your own you can always call this home and Severus and I will always be your guardians. But you must have thought deep down that it wasn't true or the message wouldn't have frightened you so much. We need you to tell us why."

Snape pushed the plate of biscuits in Harrys direction again providing him with the chance to marshall his thoughts before talking.

"When I was in the hospital, I think you all thought I was still asleep, the three of you were talking and Aunty Bella said I was coming to live with you and even though I didn't know you I was glad not to have to go back so I think I started to go to sleep again but just as I did I heard Uncle Sev say that I'd never have to go back and then the Headmaster said some stuff about blood and to keep me safe I may still need to go back to them Aunty Bella started crying and you..." He turned to look at Severus "Got really mad and pushed the Headmaster out the door. I think I forgot about it until I heard his voice again tonight, it was the way he said child, he said it that night to." Harry desperately wanted them to understand why he'd paniced so much.

Snape remembered that night all to well, what he hadn't known was that Harry had heard part of their conversation.

"Harry this is a good lesson in why you shouldn't listen to adults conversations especially when you only hear a small part of it. Your memory of that night is correct..." He saw Harry about to interupt and held up his hand to stop the inevitable outburst. "But you didn't hear what I said to the Headmaster after I got angry and pushed him out of the room. If you had you would know that I would never let you go back there. I was hoping to wait until you were older to tell you this but I see the time has come to tell you some basic facts." Now it was Bellas turn to try and interupt and she received the same treatment so instead she pulled the young boy from his chair and settled him on her knee.

"How much do you know about your parents death Harry?"

He shrugged, "They were killed in a car accident 'caus Daddy was drunk, I survived but got this scar.." Harry moved his fringe out of the way to show the lighteninng shaped scar that was famous within the wizarding world but of whom its wearer had no real knowledge. "...and then I was left with Aunt Pertunia and Uncle Vernon where I became a burden 'caus i'm a freak." It was repeated parot fashion as if he'd heard the same thing may times.

Bella gave a small gasp at the narrative and drew Harry in nearer while Snape bit down on his anger it wouldn't do to show it now it would be misconstewed by Harry and he would think it was directed at him.

"Like most things the Dursleys told you this is incorrect. A number of years ago there was a dark wizard who tried to take over not just wizards but muggles as well, a group of wizards including your parents tried to stop him. One night he came to your home and killed your parents, he tried to kill you too but for some reason the curse rebounded off you and hit him instead and no one has seen him since that day. That scar on your forehead is the only mark the curse left. The Headmaster and I believe the reason he couldn't kill you was because your mum stepped in front of you when he tried to kill you. She died protecting you and that leaves a protective layer over you which is passed on through blood. Thats why the Headmaster decided to leave you with your mums sister because they come from the same parents they have the same blood which means that when your Aunt took you in she carried on the protection your mum gave you. No one knew that they would treat you badly and if we had you would never have been left there. When they beat you as they did that day it was the first time they'd caused you to bleed and that broke the protection, the blood wards, that kept you safe. The Headmaster was concerned that you couldn't be protected anymore but thought if you were to return to the Dursleys for just a short time each year with someone to stay with you that they may rebuild. This is what you heard, what you didn't hear was the conversation that followed when I told him that I would never let that happen and we had to find another way, which we did. As the sacrifice was your mothers and I was her choice as Godfather, by agreeing to be your guardian the protect continues through me."

All things considered Harry had taken the truth about his parents deaths very bravely and with only a few silent tears. Snape had promised that if he had any questions they would always allow him to ask and if they felt he was old enough they would always answer honestly.

Harry had listened quietly still anchored in Bella's arms while his Godfather explained about Hermione and the Headmasters suggestion that they become her new family and after only a few reservations, that she wouldn't boss him around, have to share a room with him or be allowed to 'Harry Hunt', he announced he would be "OK" with a foster sister. He seemed to take the assurances that their feelings for him wouldn't change and that both children would be treated equally and fairly, something they knew he would fear after living in his cousins shadow both literally and figuratively for the first six years of his life, to heart. In a calm state he never questioned the Snapes promise of a forever home it was only when his emotions ran high that the doubts of the past crept in.

While Bella persuaded Harry to take a bath after promises of hot chocolate and another of chapter of his bedtime story Snape took the opportunity to floo to Dumbledores quarters to discuss the events of the day, which he found to be a rather tiresome conversation, and make arrangements for the little girls arrival the following afternoon.

Severus returned home to find Bella in the kitchen preparing the promised hot chocolate. As he sank wearily into a dining chair she brought him a steaming mug over and gently squeezed his shoulder, "All sorted?"

"They'll be bringing her here after lunch, I need to go over the official story with you. We thought it made more sense to have the muggles out of the way before Harry comes home, he is at school tomorrow isn't he?"

"Yes muggle schools continues on for a few weeks after Hogwarts finishs.I'll be picking him up about 3.30 as usual . You look tired love:" She continued to massage his shoulders.

"It's been a long day. Dumbledore wasn't happy that I told Harry about his parents I tried to tell him I didn't have much choice after what Harry heard but you know how he is, everything has to be done his way!"

"Well whats done is done we can't take it back now. Are you staying the night or going back, I know they'll be alot to do before you finish on Friday:"

"I'll need to go back at some point to collect my things but the Headmaster is going to cover my classes Merlin help us all he'll probably have them brewing lemon drops and Madame Hooch says she'll watch over the Slytherins until the end of term."

"Well if you're staying you better prepare yourself for a rough night, I would expect his nightmares to come back with avengance after todays revelations. We could give him some dreamless sleep but I prefer not to the books I've read say that dreams are the way we try to sort through things to understand them and if he doesn't have them we could be storing up more trouble down the line."

Snape felt guilty, he was the childs Godfather yet he didn't know half of what he was going through or what Bella had to deal with on a daily basis.

"Is todays melt down normal?"

"When he first arrived he was too scared to say or do anything, I had to give him permission to do everything and even then he was scared I'd change my mind and punish him someway. I don"t know if you've noticed but he still waits until you start eating before he will. I found him hiding scraps in his room he said it was for when I realised that freaks don't deserve food, I'm betting tonight he managed to sneak a couple of biscuits into his pocket before he went upstairs. Sometimes we can go for weeks where he's just a normal little boy, then something small will trigger a memory, fear or feeling and he gets upset. Tonight was the worst he's been for a long time though." She stopped the gentle rubbing of his shoulders and came to sit next to him. "How are you doing?"

Snape had been busy processing the information Bella had just given him and he found it difficult to bite down on his anger now that Harry was out of the room. He knew his response showed the vast differences between him and his wife, while Bellas just felt an overwhelming sympathy and hearthache for the life Harry had had to endure before he came into their care he was angry at the level of abuse the child had suffered. All Bella wanted to do was make it better for Harry to give him everything he had missed in his short life, the little things that any child should take for granted, while he wanted to make the abusers suffer three fold for everything they had done to his Godson. He knew out of the two who was the better person and it made him doubly glad that he'd met such an amazing woman and that it was she and not himself that was responisble for the day to day care of Harry. It was only her love combined with Dumbledores irritating logic that had stopped Snape doing something that would have landed him life sentance in Azkaban or worse yet the Dementors kiss. He felt his wife's hazel eyes searching his face as she waited for an answer.

" My peace of mind is incidental." He finally answered simply.

"Don't you dare dismiss yourself so easily." Bellas eyes flashed dangerously for a second before melting into compassion. "Its not just Harry thats been through the mill tonight, it must of been hard for you talking about Lily and how she died." Snape felt a twinge of guilt it couldn't be easy for his wife to live with a daily reminder of the first and only woman her husband had ever loved before her, not that Bella ever said anything she didn't have a jealous bone in her body.

"There isn't a day that goes by without me thinking about what I did, how I was responsible for their deaths but I've learnt to live with the guilt but yes as usual you are right I would imagine that Harry won't be the only one with disturbing dreams tonight. "

"You act as if you fired the curse that killed them, any number of people were involved in the events that led to that night but only one evil, power hungry wizard chose to take their lives. He alone is responsible for the deaths of James and Lily Potter, he turned Harry into an orphan, not you." The conversation had a ring of familiararity between the two adults, it was one they'd had several times when Severus felt the heavy weight of guilt too much to bear on his own.

Knowing it was best to leave him alone with his thoughts Bella went to call Harry out of the bath, pressing a light kiss on the top of her husbands head as she walked passed. "Why don't you give me a few minutes to get Harry to bed and then come up and read him a story, I think he'd like the attention from you and it'll do you good as well."

Snape looked at his wife in surprise, "I know his schooling wasn't great but surely he can read?"

Bella gave him a gentle smile "I said the same the first time he asked me to read to him, he was quite offended that I thought that, he took himself off to bed in a huff and wouldn't talk to me but the following night he asked again telling me that Petunia used to do it for his cousin at bedtime. It seemed important to him so now we read a chapter a night."

Snape knew he had alot of ground to make up with his Godson and tonight seemed a good a place to start as any. "I'll be up shortly." While he waited he concentrated on clearing his mind and occulating his thoughts and memories of the days events into the warded areas of his brain preventing them from surfacing without a concious effort.

Snapes curiosity was peaked when he heard Harrys high pitched giggles coming from upstairs, grabbing his cooling drink he followed the sound and found Bella settling Harry in bed. Not wanting to intrude, he casually leaned against the open doorway into Harrys room sipping the sweet chocolate spiked with a little firewhiskey watching as they performed some alien nightly ritual that both seemed to enjoy. Bella dropped a noisy kiss on Harrys forehead before wishing him "Goodnight". As she left the room she gave her husband an encouraging smile and passed him an adventure novel. Snape grimaced at the battered edges and turned down corner marking the starting place but when he caught the look of expectation on Harrys face he schooled his features into a more neutral expression and looked around for somewhere to sit, he didn't fancy climbing the ladder to sit on the cabin bed with Harry but pulling the desk chair out would mean he had to raise his voice for Harry to hear him which didn't seem conducive to getting him to sleep. Harry spotted his Godfathers dilema and gestured to the high windowsill by the side of the bed "Aunty Bella sometimes sits there."

Passing his half empty cup of chocolate to Harry with a dire warning not to drink any Snape pulled himelf onto the wide window ledge and settled himself against the frame. Using his wand he lowered the lights to create an atmosphere and started to read aloud in what he hoped was a soothing relaxing tone about prirates, dragons and sea monsters. Surprisingly Snape found himself caught up in the tale and carried on reading long passed the agreed chapter much to Harrys silent delight. It was only when he could nolonger see the pages of the book by the natural light from the window that he realised the sun had dropped in the sky and he'd been sat on the window ledge for alomst two hours. Harry was fast asleep his body wrapped cocoon style in his bedding while a much loved bear was held tightly in one hand and the other arm was draped over the side of the bed towards Snape. Jumping down from the ledge as lightly as possible he stretched his back and tried to rub feeling back into his numb rear. After an internal arguement he pulled his wand, transfigured Harrys desk chair into a comfortable leather armchair, dropped the lights completely, "lumosed' his wand and settled into the armchair opening the book at the first chapter and began to read. If Bella was correct then Harrys nightmares would surface soon, there was a part of him that felt it was his duty to be there for his Godson and another part of him which had felt a little left out as he observed them during the day so comfortable in each others presence and wanted to take his turn in comforting Harry.

He wasn't surre how long he'd read before sleep crept up on him but he was jolted awake by a low anguished moaning. Harry was thrashing around his bed, his fist clasped against the lightening shaped scar. Snape gently touched Harrys shoulder and called his name but there was no response, he tried shaking him and demanding he wake in the same abrupt tone which had worked earlier in the evening but he was too deep within his own nightmare. Grabbing his wand Snape levitated Harry down from the bed into his waiting arms. He carried him to the transformed armchair, settled the squirming child on his knee and held tightly speaking the same soothing nonsense words he'd seen his wife say earlier until he felt him relax into his embrance. Harrys head was pressed heavily into Snapes chest and after a short time he felt the little boys shoulders start to shake and then gradually a damp sensation spread across the front of his tunic as he cried. Not knowing what else to do Snape continued to hold him, using one hand to rub reassuring circles on the childs back, he felt Harrys body grown heavy again as he eventually drifted back to sleep. Leaning back on the chair Snape readjusted Harry so he was held in the crook of his arm and watched as a more peaceful sleep claimed him. Snape had only meant to stay awhile until he fellt safe enough to transfer the sleeping boy back to bed without waking him but the emotional upheavel of the day took its hold on the man as well as the boy and he found he could no longer keep his own eyes open.

It was several hours before Bella went looking for her missing husband, they were polar opposites in their approaches to night and day, Snape was a night owl content to go to bed in the early hours of the morning but woke like a bear with a sore head while Bella enjoyed early sleep filled nights and crack of dawn wake up calls. She expected to find Severus in their study or his potions lab in the garden level of the hours but before heading down she went to check on Harry as was her usual custom only to find her men cuddled up together in what was clearly a magical chair as it matched nothing in their home. The sight warmed her heart and made her feel much more at ease about the coming summer holiday, if she was completely honest with herself she had wondered how her sarcastic, droll, grumpy husband would take to living full time with a noisey, energetic, emotional little boy and that was before they'd agreed to add a grieving little girl into the mix. Pulling the quilt and blanket off Harrys bed she covered them both, kissed each forhead and made a mental note to add a measure of muscle reliever into her husbands morning coffee before taking herself back to bed.