What a Change

Chapter #3:



Harry thought about this past summer as he sat in his new common room. He had moved down to live with Severus at his and Dumbledore’s request. It was no big deal really, he was now able to get more work done, but he had not been able to spend much time with Ron or Hermione this year.

Harry was so deep in thought that he didn’t hear Severus come in. He took a seat next to Harry and stared into the fire.

“so, when are you going to tell your friends? I suspect that they have been worried about you.” Severus questioned.

“ummm, I don’t know, I haven’t really thought about it. Do you want me to tell them?”

“why wouldn’t I want you to tell them? In case you haven’t noticed, I have been nicer to them.”

“in fact I have noticed, thank you. And they haven’t started asking questions yet, but then again they’ve only been back here for about two weeks and they’re still getting settled.”

“well the sooner you tell them, the better. Why not invite them down later?”

“ok, I’ll do that. Are you going to be here?”

“well as it is, I have plans, so no. I’m sorry but there are a few things that I must take care of. But no worries, I’ll be back around ten o’clock.”

“alright, I’ll see you later tonight then.”

And with that Harry picked up his books and left his common room. He was worried about telling Ron and Hermione about they’re potions master being his father. They wouldn’t believe him, this he knew was a given.

As Harry walked, he thought about how he was going to break the news to them, of course they’ve caught on to Snape acting nicer to them, they even told Harry about it earlier at lunch. Harry just brushed it off and acted like he didn’t know what was going on with Snape. But he knew. He was glad that his father didn’t disapprove of his friends and he was glad that he wasn’t trying to force him into becoming more like a slytherin, let alone get along with any of them. After all Snape was the head of the slytherin house.



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Harry spotted Ron and Hermione in the corridor getting ready to enter they’re own common room.

“hey guys! Wait up” Harry yelled to them. They stopped in their tracks to give him time to catch up.

“hey what’s up mate?” asked Ron.

“not much I just wanted to see if you two wanted to join me in my common room for a game of chess or a drink. We haven’t spent nearly enough time together since we’ve been back.” asked Harry.

“sure we’d love to, Harry” said Hermione excitedly.

“lead the way” added Ron.

As Harry and his friends walked to the dungeons Harry couldn’t help but get nervous, after all this wasn’t exactly small news. On the contrary, it was life changing news, not only for Harry but for his friends as well.

Harry led his friends in through his own passage way straight to his common room, so that they wouldn’t see the other additions to his living arrangement. (Snape’s bedroom, the extra bath and sitting room and the kitchen)

“so why are you down here instead of being with us upstairs?” asked Hermione.

“yeah, does Dumbledore think that since you-know-who is back that he has to keep you isolated?” added Ron.

“umm, no.” answered Harry not meeting either of his friends eyes.

“then what is it mate?” asked Ron a little worried for his friend.

“come one Harry, you know you can tell us anything, after all we are your best friends. And I know that you didn’t invite us down here for a drink, so spill it.” finished Hermione.

“well your right, I didn’t ask you down here for a drink or to play chess. I have something very important to tell you and you can’t get mad because I have no control over the matter.” said Harry noticing the looks of fear on both of they’re faces. “you see I was brought here a few weeks into summer vacation, they day of my birthday to be exact.”

“but why?” asked Ron.

“I’m getting to that…you see Dumbledore, Sirius and Professor Snape…umm…told me some very shocking information.” Harry took a breather looking at his friends for permission to continue. When he saw that neither of them were going to interrupt he went on. “I’m going to cut straight to the point, I don’t see anyway around it. James wasn’t my biological father. He adopted me when Voldemort came back to full power to protect me.” Harry took a deep breath and hoped to the heavens that his friends would stay calm.

“god Harry, if…then who?” asked Hermione in a bit of shock.

Harry didn’t need her to fill in the blanks for him to understand what she was asking. Ron seemed at a loss for words and just sat waiting for his best friend answer.

“Professor Severus Snape…” Harry said sitting on the edge of his seat almost ready to run for cover form the hex’s and jinx’s that he expected to be thrown at him for not telling them sooner. But nothing happened. As he looked from Hermione to Ron then down to the decorative carpet, nothing happened for a long time. Then finally Ron spoke.

“oh. My. God. Do you know what this means? Harry your dad is our potions teacher… this explains so much.”

Harry was surprised that Ron beat Hermione to that conclusion. On further observation Hermione looked like she was going to cry, but why? Harry nor Ron understood.

“Hermione are you alright?” asked Harry in a soft yet worried voice.

Hermione looked up at her friends, then ran out of the room as fast as she could. Ron ran after her and Harry could tell that this was not a good thing.



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Harry didn’t go after Ron or Hermione, instead he changed into his night robes and laid on his leather couch to read and wait for his father to return form his meeting; or so that’s what Harry thought it was since it included business.

Thankfully it didn’t take Severus long to return home to his son. Upon entering he made no noise, afraid to wake Harry if he was sleeping. As he entered Harry’s common room he saw his son on the couch deep in a book.

“are you going to say something or are you just going to stand there and watch me read?” asked Harry as he continued reading.

“wow, I’ve rubbed off on you…amusing.” Severus made his way over and sat on the arm of the couch next to Harry’s head. “so did you tell them?”

“indeed I did.” Harry answered still deep in his book.

“and how did it go? And what are you reading?” questioned Severus.

“well I’m reading a potions book and it could have gone better.” answered Harry once again closing the book he was reading and sitting up so that he could have a long chat with his dad.

“a potions book” Severus said in a surprised tone as he took the book from his son’s hands. “wow I really am rubbing off on you!” he sat the book down on the black table in front of the couch. “so what happened? How did the two take the news?”

Harry explained everything to his father. He told him how they were speechless, then shocked, then how Hermione ran crying out of the room only to be chased down by Ron.

“oh, well maybe I should have a talk with Granger.” Severus said after hearing the news.

“and what good is that going to do?” inquired Harry.

“well maybe she’ll listen to me, after all I am older.”

“ok, then you do that and if she’s mad at me I can blame you.” said Harry in a defense tone.

“what’s up with you? You’ve been a bit rude and hostile lately. Is everything ok?”

“no everything’s not ok…I’m fucking bored down here. Don’t you ever wonder why I sit and read all damn day?”

“watch your mouth, and I thought that you liked reading. that’s why I’ve never bothered you.”

“well news bullion, my friends hate me and I’m isolated from everyone here. I feel like I don’t have friends.”

“well you don’t have to stay, you can go back to the Gryffindor dorm if you want, I’m not stopping you.”

“I don’t want to, not now. I really want to get to know my father and if that means staying here, then so be it.” said Harry a little more comer and a lot more sadder.

“tell you what, you can bring any of your friends here when ever you want, just keep them out of my business and all will be alright.” agreed Severus at last.

“are you sure?” said Harry.

“yeah, but I think maybe we should talk about some rules first.”

“ok, what did you have in mind.” agreed Harry.

“well maybe I should start with you dating…” Severus said a bit afraid of what his son’s comment was going to be. After all they have only been living together for the past few months, they were still getting to know each other.

“well what do you want to know?” questioned Harry, completely fine with the conversation. Harry didn’t do a lot of dating, and didn’t think about it much either.

“umm, what’s your type first off?”

“well I haven’t really thought about it, I’ve never really dated, umm, the sporty type, willing to have fun, but excepts who I am and doesn’t treat me like the famous boy-who-lived.” Harry answered, a bit puzzled by why it would matter.

“that’s not what I meant, I wanted to know if you preferred male or female.”

Harry hadn’t thought about this, he’d never thought of himself with a girl, in fact he seemed to like it better when he was around guys. He wasn’t attracted to any girls really, he thought he had liked Cho, until he realized that he liked hanging out with Cedric better. And Ginny well he was never attracted to her.

Harry hesitated then replied, “umm, I think I like guys better.”

“ok then that’s not a bad thing. So no boys are allowed to stay without my permission first. Is that clear?” Severus was delighted that Harry was gay, at least he wouldn’t have to worry about his son getting him self into a bad situation unless he found his soul mate. And Severus didn’t see that happening anytime soon.

“yeah, it’s clear. What else?”

“just keep them out of my room and my personal bath. And I think that’s all.”

And with that Severus left Harry alone to read once again.



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AN: I'm glad that you all liked my beginning and I hope that you liked this chapter. Review please!