Of Shield and Sheath

Title: Of Shield and sheath

Pairing: future DracoxHarry

Summary: A foolhardy Dumbledore attempts to change fate, he gains more and less then he bargained for. Creature fic. Future Mpreg.

Author's Note: For Jannafrancine who has guessed a small portion of this story's plot. Sequel to Cadmus and the Phoenix.

Chapter 9- A parental figure?

After classes and eating dinner Harry slipped away from his friends and followed Professor Snape from the Great Hall.

The professor paused to glance back as if to check who was following him and then nodded. He continued on deeper into the dungeons before opening a door near his classroom.

Harry followed him in.

“She speaks with you every night does she?” Severus Snape frowned.

Harry nodded, “She’s pretty and she sings me to sleep. I bring whatever text I fall asleep with into my dreams. She’s talked to me about brewing and plants. Mum had green eyes like mine and red hair. She said she was given a potion that turned her love from you to my father. She died still loving you, for the potion broke at my father’s death. She was confused and tried to escape to come to you. She didn’t remember she could Apparate until it was too late. She was going to jump out a window with me.”

“I loved her…it was always her. It hurt so much when she ended up with one of my tormentors. I would have gladly died for her. She was as kind as she was beautiful and that is rare. She had a gentle heart but the courage of a lioness. I have made many mistakes but if Lily sent you to me then she wishes for me to look after you as if you were ours. If she could have come to me I would have protected you…if only because you were her son.” Snape said quietly.

“I wish I could stay here. I never want to go back to the Dursleys. They hate me.” Harry said in a soft whisper.

“I told him that Petunia was a nasty piece of work. I wouldn’t trust her with my dog…if I had one of course. I’m a cat person.” Severus snorted.

There were two meows that answered him.

Entwined at the hearth were two cats, one had a lavender cast to their fur and one crème chocolate.

“I don’t know what to call you…” Harry whispered.

“I am your godfather, one of them anyway. It’s not widely known of course. I would have taken you in with or without your mother had I been allowed. You can call me Uncle Sev if you like. It’s what Draco calls me.” Severus offered stiffly.

Harry hugged him impulsively, “Really? Thank you!”

Severus coughed, unsettled by the spontaneous show of emotion. “You’re…welcome.”

“I really think potions are interesting. I like charms best so far but I think I could come to like potions just as well.”

Severus tousled his hair, “That is so much like Lily…”

Harry beamed at him, “I want to know everything about her!”

Severus began to tell him about their first meeting and then how they were school mates at the parish attached school.

What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds Expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?

delia cerrano - I like that I've engaged you enough in the story that much. You are emotionally invested in it...I hope that you continue to enjoy this story.