Lily Rose.

A/N. For those of you reading this for the first time, you have my many thanks for you time. For those of you reading once again, you may notice that I have rewritten many parts, and have added to the story. Which of course made me redo where the chapters ended. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your patience. Vbollman.
Disclaimer- don't own them, don't want them (except for Snape) Just like playing with them.
Thanks to Kei and Sandra for their Betaing job. Much luv to both of you.


Chapter Four.

Petunia Dursley paced the hallway between the room that her and Vernon had been given and the library. She was torn in what to do next. The past day had opened her eyes in more ways then one when it came to her nephew, and she wasn't really sure what she should do, or if she should do anything. She finally made up her mind and spun on her heel to go to the library, and took from her pocket a small wooden box carved with a mirage of flowers.

Carefully opening the door, she walked inside and then stopped in her tracks. She had expected to find Harry and his friends. What she did not expect to see was Harry wrapped up in the arms of an older man, sound asleep. Now she had another problem to solve, stay or leave.

The choice was taken from her when dark eyes opened and pinned her to the floor. “Come and sit. At the moment I won't bite, to do so I would have to wake Harry, and that's just not an option.” Severus said in a quiet voice, and waited for her to do as she was told. When she finally did he gave her an almost smile. “You look confused about something. How may I help?”

Petunia returned the almost smile with one of her own. “In order for you to understand, I'll need to start at the beginning.” she sighed.

"I cannot help you without understanding so go ahead. Do you mind if I lock and silence the door?”

"No, that would probably be best.” she said, and Severus waved his hand at the door, making sure that no one else could enter the room or hear what was being said. “Is Harry really asleep?” she asked.

"Sort of. He'll be asleep for a while but will hear almost everything going on. Will that bother you?”

"No, it will probably make it easier for him to understand everything.” she sighed before continuing, “I was 4 years older then Lily, and I was not happy when she received her first Hogwarts letter. In fact I called her a freak. It didn't really take me long to change my mind, and realize that maybe I was wrong with my first impression. It finally hit me the summer after her fifth year, when she came to me for advice, that your world was really no different then mine, you were just able to do more.”

"What advice did she come to you for?” He asked already knowing the answer.

"There was a boy in a different House then the one she was in, that was always being teased, or bullied. She had found out that his family were worse than the kids at school and abused him. She needed to know what to do. I told her to tell a teacher, and she told me she promised she wouldn't. And then explained the difference to me between a Wizards promise and a Muggles. She found a loophole in being able to tell me because I was something she called a squib. I told her to always be his friend, and to let him know that she was always there for him. I don't know if she ever did take my advice because that year I meet Vernon, and Lily started going out with James. All I know is that I made a promise to never treat a child that way. It wasn't until this summer that I realized that I had been doing the same thing to Harry, just in a non-physical way. I have never to my knowledge hit him. I've grabbed his arm and dragged him around but I have never hit him. It wasn't until Vernon hit him that I found out the difference between verbal abuse and physical abuse.”

"You don't know what happened last summer do you?”

"Other then Harry found himself a girlfriend and made her pregnant. No.”

"Harry didn't have a girlfriend. He was dragged to a party with your son, and given some kind of drug. There he was sexually assaulted by a young woman. The twins are the result. He told us yesterday that it wasn't only the girl who assaulted him. She had help in the form of you son.”

Petunia stared at him in horror. “That explains so much. His jumpiness before he left for school, and how he never wants to be in the same room as Dudley.” she whispered.

"Yes it does explain a lot.” Severus said. “Finding out he was a father yesterday overloaded him. Then everything else happened. I'm surprised he didn't break yesterday, after he went to bed.”

"Do you know who the boy was that Lily asked me about?” she said, not really expecting an answer, but hoping any way.

"Yes.”

"Do you know what happened to him. And if everything turned out right for him.”

Severus wasn't given the chance to response as Harry twisted around in his arms to face his Aunt. “He ran into the wrong crowd. He made a big mistake and a lot of little ones because of the first one. It took him a few years to see the error of his ways and then he tried to make things right. It's taken him years to be able to start to forgive himself, but now he's on the way to true healing.” Harry told her softly.

Petunia watched the two of them throughout Harry's explanation, or mostly, she watched Severus. When his head bowed low as if he was hiding from something she knew that the person Lily told her about all those years ago was in front of her. “Did Lily remain friends with you?” she asked.

Severus smiled, “She wouldn't take no for an answer. She even faced down James and his friends for me. She's the one that actually convinced me to turn from The Dark Lord, and become a spy.”

Harry also smiled. “It wasn't until my third year, that I truly saw behind the mask. He stepped between Ron, Hermione and myself and a transformed Werewolf. It took me another three years to figure out why he did it.”

Severus broke Harry's train of thought and distracted Petunia. “Now that the Brat is awake, maybe he can also help you with your problem.” he said.

"Harry, can you ever forgive me? I know that I have treated you badly, and don't deserve it, but I would like a chance to earn your forgiveness.”

"You already have, Aunt Petunia. I forgave you at breakfast when you answered my question about Family Tradition.” Harry said with a smile.

"I have something for you. It's been handed down for years. I know that Dudley would not treat it with the care needed, but that you will.” she said softly, and watched as the two of them rearranged themselves so that Harry could accept the box.

Harry looked the box over and smoothed his fingers over the carvings, he could feel the magic surrounding the box and whatever was inside. With shaking hands he gently lifted the lid and gasped in surprise. Inside, lay two Celtic bonding rings. “Aunt Petunia, do you know what these are?”

"Just a pair of family rings.” she said in puzzlement.

"Mrs. Dursley, these are more then just a pair of rings. These are bonding rings for Soul Mates.” Severus told her.

"And they have many protective spells woven around them.” Harry added.

"But that's just a myth, soul mates don't really exist.” she scoffed.

"Werewolves, unicorns, dragons and magic don't really exist either. At least in the muggle world” Harry pointed out to her softly.

"I guess that's true. Will you keep them Harry?” she asked.

"Yes Aunt Petunia. Thank you.”

"If you don't find your Soul Mate, then hand them down to your daughters.”

"It doesn't work that way Mrs. Dursley. Harry would never have been allowed to accept those rings unless he had a Soul Mate that he already knew about or that he would find out about soon. Rings like these only go to a person who will use them in the near future.”

"How do you know if you found your Soul Mate?”

Harry sighed and leaned his head back against Severus's shoulder. “Many different things. Sometimes it seems like Soul Mates hate each other, as either one or both fight the bond. When they do acknowledge each other, it's like coming home.” He said softly.

"Soul mates complete each other. They share thoughts even when they are not in the same room. If the bond is deep enough, they may be able to mind speak, and share magic.” Severus continued.

"It's safety, and love, and comfort, all rolled into one. A single touch from your mate can calm you down, even when you are in a blind fury, or so deep in despair that you don't know anyone else is around.” Harry added.

Petunia watched the two of them answer her question as if they were the same person, and in a small flash of insperation,asked one more question that she thought she already knew the answer to. “In other words it's like two bodies with one soul shared between them? Like the two of you?”

Harry buried his head in the side of Severus's neck. He wasn't sure how to answer that question or if he even should. So he waited for Severus to answer.

Severus felt Harry tense against him, and try to hide from his aunt. But still Harry's whole body seemed to wait for his answer. It was then that He knew that Harry would never acknowledge their bond first. Smiling he looked up on Petunia. “Yes. Just like the two of us. It just took us a little longer then normal to see it.” he said, and felt Harry relax once again.

Petunia smiled back at him, and then stood from the chair she had been sitting on. Kneeling on the floor next to the sofa Harry and Severus where sitting, she took the carved box away from Harry, and took out one of the rings. She held it in her hand for a moment and placed it on Harry's ring finger on his left hand, then she repeated the motions for Severus. When both rings sat where they were supposed to be, golden light surrounded them, and Petunia could see the magic of the rings binding the two men together. Smiling she said, “Then let me be the first to congratulate the two of you.”

"Thank you Aunt Petunia, you don't know what this means to me.” Harry whispered, and felt Severus nod his head in thanks also.

"Now I think it's time for me to find my husband and get out of here. I'm not sure how long you will be able to hold the others back from hurting him.” she said, tears starting to run down her cheek.

Severus helped Harry stand, and the reached into one of his many pockets, and pulled out a delicate silver chain with a piece of round jade attached to it. “Take this. It will show you recent pictures of the twins whenever you want to see them, all you have to do is tap it with your finger and say photo. Make sure you don't use it in the open, as they will be Wizarding pictures. It will also let you contact us if you are in trouble. If for some reason you need to get away from your husband, hold it in your hand and say sanctuary. It will bring you to Hogwarts.” he said.

"Do you think that I am in danger from Vernon?”

"No Aunt Petunia. We don't think you are in danger from him. We just want to make sure nothing happens to you.” Harry said, not really lying to his aunt. He knew that Vernon Dursley was a danger to his Aunt. Holding out his arm for his Aunt to take, he escorted her out the door, almost running directly into Vernon.

"What have you done with my wife Freak.”

"I have done nothing more then talk to her Uncle Vernon. She is blood of my blood after all.” Harry said coldly.

"Come along Pet, it's time to leave.” Vernon said, glaring at Harry.

"Of course Vernon.”

Harry followed the Dursleys down to the front hall, and then took Petunia through to the kitchen so she could say goodbye to the twins. Everyone followed them back to the door to see the Dursleys off, and where surprised when both Harry and Severus gave Petunia a hug, and whispered words were exchanged.

Harry finally stood back and gave his Uncle a hard look. “There is a cab station two blocks away, I've already contacted them and they have a car waiting to take you to the airport. I suggest you get on the first flight out of here. If Riddle or his followers find you, I can guarantee that you won't survive.” Harry told him.

"I don't have to do anything you say. You have no say in what should happen in this family.” Vernon snarled.

"Fine. Aunt Petunia, take care of yourself. Dudley, I hope you actually find away to grow up over the next few years. Life is never fair, and you will not find everything you want handed to you. I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to look at you with out disgust at what you did last summer but I hope that you get the help you need, and that you and your mother be, if not happy, then at least content with your lives. Mr. Dursley, I don't want to ever see you again. Goodbye.”

Harry said and turned his back on his Uncle, watching from the corner of his eye as the three of them left the house. As the door closed behind them, Harry felt himself sinking to the ground only to be caught and carried into the kitchen, and found a cup of tea pressed into his hands.

"Drink Harry. Before I go for the potions you so love to take.” Severus told him, while rubbing small circles on Harry's back.

Harry for his part ignored everything but the warmth of the tea cup in his hands, and the hand on his back. He stayed that way until the cry of one of his daughters came to his attention. Giving himself a good shake he stood and walked towards Mrs. Malfoy. “Here I'll take Crystal, Mrs. Malfoy. I think the two of them could use a nap.” he said.

"It looks that way. Will you be able to handle the two of them on your own?”

"If I need help I'll call, but I'm sure we'll be fine.” Harry replied, and waited for Molly to hand him Summer also, before walking out of the room.

Albus watched him leave and the sat down with a sigh. “How far did he break Severus?”

"Not nearly far enough. There is still a lot left to say and do, but he'll get through it.”

Molly was already making mental lists on everything she would need, to handle the twins for Harry, and made an off hand comment on it. “Well when ever he's ready to drop them off in the morning for me, I'll be home. Just have him give me a call first.”

"What do you mean Molly?” Severus asked in a low voice.

"Well it's obvious that he won't be able to raise them, and as the closest thing to a mother he has, I'll be taking them.” she explained.

"Explain to me why he won't be able to raise the girls?” Severus continued,

"He's a teenage boy, on his own. He made a mistake and now he stuck with two children. He's not raising those children on his own.”

"He's a teenage boy, who has a lot of different responsibilities. He didn't make the mistake, in fact he's the victim. The mother of the twins went so far into depression because of her actions against Harry, that she's barely able to function. And whatever gave you the notion that he was going to raise the girls alone? And who exactly gave you the right to make that decision for him?” His tone had reached the level where most sane witches and wizards ran for cover, yet it seemed that Molly Weasley wasn't taking the warning for what it was.

"I have more of a right to make that call then you do Severus Snape. I'm using my own judgement, and it's telling me that Harry will not be able to raise the girls.”

Only one adult noticed when Harry returned to the kitchen, although all of the students did, Harry stood watching the scene unfold before him, and knew that Severus was about to reach his boiling point. Making a quick decision he handed Hermione and Ginny the bottles he brought down to fill and sent them upstairs to get the girls. A word in Draco's ear had him off packing up the stuff that Harry had for the twins, and with Ron going to stand beside his mother ready for whatever had been planned, Harry walked towards Severus and slipped on arm around the Potion Masters waist, and gave Molly a very Snape like glare.

"Mrs. Weasley, I never asked for your help. I appriciate the fact that you are willing to help me in raising the girls, but you must understand that I'm not alone in this, and I don't need or want you making my decisions and the decisions for my daughters.” he said softly, slipping into the formal titles once again

"Harry Dear, you don't understand, I'm just trying to make the right choices for everyone.”

"No Ma'am, you are taking away my choices, and I resent that fact. I resent it to the point that I refuse to spend one more minute in your presence. When you figure out just what you did wrong come and find us.”

"Harry, My boy, where do you think you are going?” Albus said.

"Harry and I will be taking the girls shopping, in both Diagon Alley and Muggle London. Albus, do you have a problem with that?” Severus demanded.

"No, I was just wondering where the two of you plan on going after that. We do need to know in order to protect you all properly.” Albus said mildly.

"In that case, I do believe that we may go back to Hogwarts. We haven't discussed that as of yet.”

"Very well, I see that Misses Granger and Weasley have brought the twins down, while young Mr. Malfoy has their bag. How do you plan on travelling?”

"On foot Headmaster. You know I despise the floo system almost as much as I hate portkeys. From there, I might just decide to call Fawkes to give us a ride to where ever we are going. We'll let you know.” Harry told him bluntly.

"Harry James Potter, you will not talk to your elders in that way.” Molly started to rant.

"Molly Weasley, I am not in school at the moment, therefore, if I feel like calling the Headmaster, by his given name, I will, in fact I already have his permission to call him by his first name while in private even in school. I am giving him the same respect I would anyone else in my family. I gave him the truth, no lies. Deal with it.”

"Harry, we should go, before the twins start getting upset.” Severus said, gently touching Harry on the arm.

"You're right of course. We will see you all later.” Harry said with a short bow, before he and Severus both took the handle of a child carrier, and leaving Grimmald place. Harry only stopped once to introduce the twins to Mrs. Black and letting her know that she could stay on the wall until he came back, but that he wasn't sure when that would be exactly.

When the door finally closed on the two, Hermione and Ginny exchanged looks.

"Did you see the rings?” Ginny asked

" I wonder where they got them?” Hermione questioned right after.

"Who cares about the rings at the moment, I wondering how long it will take Harry to convince Professor Snape to move out of the Dungeon?” Ron stated.

"Uncle Sev will not move out of the Dungeons. That's just wrong.” Draco pointed out.

"ENOUGH!” shouted Lucius Malfoy.

"Just what are you four talking about?” Narcissa asked.

The four teens looked at each other in shock before turning as one to the Headmaster. “Tell us that you saw what we saw?” Hermione asked.

"If you mean the Celtic bonding rings that Severus and Harry were wearing then yes I did. And I don't think that Harry will convince Severus to leave the Dungeons. I belive that Severus will move out of them on his own. Though I'm not sure if Harry will allow him” Albus said calmly, though the bright twinkle in his eye gave him away.

"You may have a point there Sir. I guess we won't know until we see them again.” Ginny said. “Any chance of allowing the rest of us to stay at Hogwarts?” she added with a grin.

"Not at this moment. I think we should give those two some time to themselves. Or at least time to adjust to them being a family.”

"He has a point.” Draco said and then grinned at Ron, “Up for a game of chess, Weasel?”

"Any time Ferret. Anytime.”

"How long have the three of you known they were soul mates anyway?” he asked them all.

"Since Halloween. Harry's wand was knocked out of his hand when the dementors attacked, and he grabbed Snapes wand instead of his by mistake. He called one of his largest patroni with it, if I recall.” Ron explained.

"And it took them this long to get together?” Draco's voice faded off into the distance.

Molly was still looking shell shocked by what Harry said to her, and what the others said about Harry and Severus. “Are you telling me that those two are Soul Mates?” she said in disbelif.

"Yes dear, and you just insulted them both. Just be thankful that Harry has a large heart. It's Severus you need to worry about never forgiving you again.” Arthur told her as she dropped into a chair.

"I'm just surprised that no one else noticed the rings. I know that I missed them.” Lucius said.

"They never really gave us a chance to see them.” Narcissa pointed out.

"That's true I suppose." Lucius said. "Now, Albus, where are we going to be staying?" Lucius asked, getting everyone's attention off the two that just left, and back to the matters on hand.