A Chance at Normal

Disclaimer: Not mine






Disclaimer:
Not mine. Too bad thought huh.

A/N: Thanks to all those who reviewed. Keep reviewing and I'll keep writing.
Now on with the story.

Chapter 3: Worries and the Truth

Albus Dumbledore walked slowly back to his office his thoughts were on

the young man that was lying on a bed in a coma and the silent man that was

kingking his dungeons. Albus looked down at the vile of dark red liquid in

his hand and sighed heavily. They needed to know the truth. When Harry

first came to Hogwarts he looked so much like James and at that time it

didn't seem possible that James wasn't Harry's father. At that time he

pushed Lily's conversation away. He remembered that day when a sobbing

Lily had came running into his office and told him that she had ended her

and Severus's engagement and instead was going to marry James. When he

asked her why she said that she had made a mistake and she loved James.

But Albus had seen through her lies and figured that she had seen Severus's

mark and ran before she gave him a chance to explain. While taking to her

Albus realized that she was keeping a major factor secret. He knew that she

was pregnant. He had just hoped that she would see reason and let Severus

see his child. Albus sighed. But she had fooled everyone and said that she

was pregnant by James. He remembered a certain dark haired man's

reaction to this news. Severus after hearing this and jumped to the

conclusion that Lily had been cheating on him went on a 3 week drinking

spree. So deep in his thoughts he didn't realize that he had reached the

gargoyle statue until he smacked into it. Shaking his head he looked at the

statue. Turning around he started the long walk to Severus's chambers.

This needed to be done tonight.

Meanwhile in the dungeons Severus was pacing the floor in front of the

fireplace wearing a groove in the carpet. But his thoughts weren't on the

carpet but on the past. The first time that he had seen Harry it was like

seeing a ghost. He was a spitting image of James except the eyes; he had

Lily's eyes. Just saying her name brought tears to his eyes. God how he

missed her. Over and over again their last fight played in his head. If only

he had made her listen, but he let her walk out the door and straight into

James's arms. If only he had stood up to his father when he was told that he

was to become a Deatheater, but he had been to afraid of what would happen

to Lily. His father had forced him to become a Deatheater. He told Severus

that if he didn't go through with it then he would personally turn his beloved

Lily over to Voldemort. So he did it. But as soon as he could he ran to

Dumbledore and explained what had happened. Albus was very

understanding and told him that he had a choice. He could continue

following his father around or he could become a spy for the light. He chose

the latter of the two. Unfortunately for him Lily had seen the Mark on his

arm and assumed the worst. She ran, not giving Severus the chance to

explain. That was the end of their relationship. He would remember that

night for the rest of his life. Severus was so lost in the past that he failed
to

hear Albus come into his room.

Albus stood in the doorway and watched the young man pace back and forth

in front of the fireplace. He would have laughed if the reason that he was

here hadn't been so serious. "Severus," Albus said quietly, "I
need you to

tell me what happened when you retrieved Harry from the Dursley's."

Severus stopped abruptly looking up sharply at the old wizard. "In all my

years of being a Deatheater I had thought that I had seen it all. But nothing

could have prepared me for what I saw and smelled when I opened that door

to Harry's room. If I had not been told that we were getting Harry, I would

never have realized that it was him." He said his voice wavering with

emotion and there was also an uncharacteristic watery glaze in his eyes.

Albus watched Severus continue ranting and pacing. When he saw that

Severus was wearing down he took that opportunity to ask for his favor.

"Severus, do you think that you could possibly make up a potion for
me?"

He asked gently.

Severus looked into the Headmaster's eyes and saw that annoying twinkle.

He was starting to feel a little suspicious toward the old wizard. "Yes, I

could. What potion do you need?" He asked warily watching.

"I need the Paternity Potion. And before you ask who it is for I will only
tell

you after it is done." He said feeling proud of himself. He hoped that he
was

right in his assumptions.

"I can do it. Do you want me to do it now?" Severus asked wondering
what

the old man was up to.

"Yes, I need you to do it tonight." Albus watched Severus start
gathering up

the items that was needed and followed him into his private lab.
ot;Aot;Alright, now all I need it the two blood samples." Severus said
watching

Albus pull a vile out from an inside pocket in his robes. Severus took it from

Albus and let two drops fall into the murky black liquid.

"Ok now where is the other sample." Severus looked at Albus
expectantly

wondering where the other vile was.

Albus turned to look at Severus, " You are the other sample."

Severus had heard what Albus had said but the reality of the statement had

no sunk in. A few seconds later it did however. " What are you playing at,

why would I be the other sample. Who is trying to say that I am the father

of their child? My God I haven't been with another woman for. for.

Bloody Hell! I haven't been with anyone in almost sixteen years!" Actually

it was a little closer to fifteen years but he was not going to say anything

about Lily, it still hurt him to think about how Lily had betrayed him. He

didn't want to believe that she had cheated on him with James but the proof

was laying in a coma in the infirmary. Harry should have been my son. MY

SON, not Potters. Albus clearing his throat made Severus snap back to the

present.

"Hold out your hand Severus." Albus gently commanded.

Severus sighed. He might as well get this over with; he had other things to

do. Like finish brooding over his past mistakes. He held out his hand and

watched as Albus painlessly took a sample of his blood. He watched with

morbid fascination as Albus added two drops of his own blood to the

mixture.

Nothing happened at first and Severus started to turn away but then the

liquid started swirling around until the two blood samples became one. He

just stood with his mouth hanging open. He was a father!

"Who?" Was all that Severus managed to squeak out.

Albus smiled "I think that you already know who he is, deep down you have

known all along. It really is amazing how a simple little charm can make

someone look totally different." He stood there and waited until it sunk
in to

Severus's thoughts.

"Harry." And with that Severus collapsed onto his knees, his face
buried in

his hands trying to hold back the strangled sobs that were threatening to

break through. He felt Albus hand rest on his shoulder, "It's ok to let it
out."

And with that Albus walked out of the dungeons leaving Severus alone to

come to grips with this revelation.