Epilogue:
The rest of summer seemed to fly by for Harry. It had been the best summer he had ever had and he was sorry to see it end. Keeping his word, Severus had taken him back to the cottage and Harry had been able to decorate his room anyway he wanted and helped his dad restock the lab that was there. They had also bounced stones on the stream and talked. Harry had been curious to know how his dad would handle his slytherins.
"They probably won't be very happy." Harry had told him.
Severus had smirked. "There may be some that have issues with it. I have earned most of the students in my house respect so I actually do not anticipate too many problems. There will be a few that may act out which I will swiftly deal with, of course."
"Even Malfoy?" Harry had asked, trying to sound casual.
"Yes, even Mr. Malfoy. I have known him since he was very young, though unfortunately the older he gets the more spoiled and selfish he gets. I had to appear to favor certain students when I thought I would spy but now I can treat them as any other student." Severus had favored his son with a mock stern look. "Including you, Mr. Snape."
"You mean I won't be able to get out of homework or tests?" Harry had put on a sad face.
"Absolutely not." Severus had smirked. "In fact, I will be keeping in contact with all your professors on how your work and behavior is in class so consider yourself warned."
Harry had gulped a bit at that, causing his dad to laugh. The thing was Harry knew his dad meant every word.
A week before school began they went to Diagon Alley to get Harry's schoolbooks. This time, people did approach them including a few reporters who were tipped off that they were there. Severus did a lot of scowling and snarling when they kept getting interrupted from their shopping. Finally he had had enough and banished one of the reporters camera's with a fierce scowl on his face and they had finally been left alone. Mostly. They had still been stared at and some of Harry's fellow classmates who were buying their own books had openly stared.
Harry spotted Neville Longbottom a few stores down and waved and was happy when Neville waved back, though Neville looked nervously at Severus before following his grandmother into Madam Malkin's shop. When Harry and his dad queued for his books, Severus glared at the man who was talking to reporters and had a crowd of people surrounding him, signing books and taking pictures with the customers.
"Who is that?" Harry asked, nodding to the man who didn't appear to stop smiling once.
"That," Severus said distastefully. "Is Gilderoy Lockhart. Your new defense against the Dark Arts teacher."
Harry looked at the grinning man warily. "Oh. Do you think he will be any good?"
Severus snorted. "No. He is nothing but a smile and a fraud."
"Then why did Dumbledore hire him?" Harry asked as they paid for his books.
"Professor Dumbledore." Severus automatically corrected. "To answer your question, I have no idea. My guess is that were no other applicants for the job."
Well, there goes having a good defense class Harry thought glumly. He liked learning about defense and had hoped for a competent teacher this year. As well as one who was not trying to kill him. They started to leave the store when Harry heard his name called.
"Harry Potter, correct? Look everyone! Harry Potter, my soon to be student at Hogwarts!" Lockhart announced, looking smugly around the room. "Of course, he is here to buy my books and learn all about defense against the dark arts. Little did he know that I would be giving him a free set!" He gave a brilliant smile as everyone applauded.
"That will not be necessary. I have already bought his books." Severus said stiffly, pushing the books Lockhart was trying to hand Harry away. "And his name is Harry Snape."
Lockhart's face fell slightly but he seemed to regain himself. "Well, that's wonderful! You must be eager to start reading my work Harry. And Professor Snape, it will be a great pleasure to work with you. Any advice or knowledge you need just let me know!"
Severus's face turned murderous and caused Lockhart to fall back a step. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind, especially when I need a good laugh." He hissed.
Lockhart flushed and turned away from them, going back to his table to sign autographs.
Harry bit his lip to keep from laughing although his Dad noticed and gave him a mild glare. "Is there something amusing son?"
"Yes, that was funny." Harry answered honestly.
"How did I end up with such a cheeky son?" Severus grumbled as they made their way down the path.
"Luck, I guess." Harry shrugged. He grinned. "Aw, come on Dad. You wouldn't have me any other way right?"
Severus glanced down and noticed that even though his son was joking, there was still a slightly anxious look in his green eyes. He knew, even without his son voicing it, that Harry was worried about being rejected. A fear that was courtesy of his disgusting relatives no doubt.
"Believe it or not, I would indeed not have you any other way." Severus assured him, putting an arm around his shoulders as they made their way to the floo network.
Once they got home, Harry deposited his books into his room and then came out holding his broom. "Can-may I go flying Dad?"
"Don't you want to look through your new books?" Severus asked with a smirk. Seeing Harry's face fall he relented. "Yes, you may. Actually, while you are flying I will be leaving to go on an errand. I should not be more than an hour. Hagrid should be out there and can keep an eye on you and I will let the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall know that I am out in case you need anything."
Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes. "I can handle being on my own for an hour. I'm just going to be flying anyway." His eyes widened a bit when his Dad stared hard at him. "I mean, yes sir."
This time it was Severus's turn to roll his eyes. "Just behave while I am gone. And remember, no dangerous flying stunts or your broom will be mine. Understood?"
"Yes Dad." Harry said obediently. As he opened the door to leave their quarters he looked back at his dad questionably. "What errand?"
"It is nothing of concern. Simply a task I have been meaning to get to for several weeks." Severus said smoothly. He shooed his son away and shut the door. After sending a patronus to Albus and Minerva about keeping an eye on Harry, he gathered a few vials from his lab and then proceeded to leave the castle, walking to the outside gates so he could apparate.
Petunia Dursley was humming to herself as she cleaned the kitchen counter. She was happy that her horrible nephew was gone for good although she did miss having him around to do all the chores. She turned around just as Severus Snape popped into the room.
"You again!" Petunia gasped. She narrowed her hateful eyes. "We don't want the boy back. If you are tired of him, take him to an orphanage or something."
Severus stared at her in disgust. "You truly are the vilest of creatures, muggle and wizard alike. I had hoped to see some remorse in how you treated my son but I suppose that was wishful thinking on my part."
"I never wanted him." Petunia said stubbornly. She refused to acknowledge that she had been wrong in how she had treated her nephew.
"So that excuses the abuse you and your family put him through? He's an innocent child!" Severus yelled.
"Petunia? Is someone here-"Vernon eyes widened when he saw Severus. "Not you again! And don't you dare stick me to a wall! I was stuck there for hours last time!"
Severus smirked. "That must have been quite unpleasant. And speaking of unpleasant, I have decided to enact a little justice for my son."
"Justice for what? Putting a roof over his head?" Vernon spat out. He faltered when he saw the wizard's wand being drawn. He really did not want to be stuck to a wall again so he decided to keep his mouth shut.
"Mum, you said you would take me for ice cream." Dudley waddled in as he complained. He saw Severus and gulped. "Oh no, is the freak coming back?"
Severus snarled at him and Dudley let out a squeak and went to hide behind his father.
Severus took out the three vials he had in his robe pocket and they floated in front of the Dursley's. Petunia gave a startled yelp and Vernon sputtered at the magic being done.
"Each of you will take the vial in front of you and swallow it." Severus said calmly.
"Are you insane? We most certainly will not!" Petunia screeched, trying to push the vial dangling in front of her away.
Severus shrugged. "Have it your own way." He waved his wand and spelled the contents of the vials into each of them. "Now you have taken them and I will be on my way."
The Dursley's looked terrified. "What did you do? What was in those?" Petunia whimpered.
"If you must know," Severus began with a twisted grin. "Your vial Petunia contained a potion to make you see a dirty house no matter how hard you clean it as well as believe that neighbors are talking about you constantly, calling you a freak. Maybe you will realize how it felt for Harry to be called that by you as well as regret the excessive chores you foisted on the boy. As for you Mr. Dursley, your potion will make you feel hungry no matter how much you eat. You will as well feel like you are in a confined space no matter how open the area you are in. Perhaps one day you will understand how it felt for Harry to be hungry and locked in that cupboard. As for young Mr. Dursley." Severus turned to Dudley and raised an eyebrow.
"How could you hurt a child?" Petunia whimpered, pulling her son towards her.
"Exactly the point I am trying to make!" Severus growled. "And I have not hurt him. He will simply have dreams of the torment he put Harry through; only in the dreams he will feel everything that Harry felt."
"For how long?" Vernon asked in fear.
"It will last until you feel true remorse. Only then will the potion fade." Severus inclined his head. "Good day to you all." He apparated away and left the horrified family for the final time.
Severus stood on the pitch and watched his son fly with ease with pure enjoyment on his face. This is how it should have always been, he thought wistfully. Harry getting to just be a child, happy and carefree. He was determined that Harry would have a happy, safe and loving childhood from now on. He noticed some of the moves his son was doing bordered on being risky so when Harry looked his way and waved, he gave him a warning look as he waved back. Harry took the hint and moderated his flying, throwing his dad a cheeky grin. Severus couldn't help but smile himself as he shook his head and continued on to the castle.
"Ah Severus. How was your outing?" Albus greeted the potions master as he entered the headmaster's office.
"Fulfilling." Severus answered, sitting down across from Albus.
"Hmm, was it now?" Albus mused. "I hope the uh, reasons, for your errand are still among the living."
Severus narrowed his eyes at his employer. How does the old coot always know? He wondered not for the first time. "They are." He drawled.
Albus nodded, his eyes twinkling. "It has been quite the summer, has it not my boy?"
"It has been the most rewarding and enjoyable summer since Lily was alive." Severus said, his tone softening. "I am actually looking forward to the school year and getting to watch my son learn and grow."
"And win all the Quidditch matches?" Albus teased.
"My son is amazingly talented, what can I say?" Severus responded with a proud look in his eyes.
Albus's eyes twinkled even more, enjoying seeing Severus happy as well as Harry. He cared very much for both of them. "Will Harry be riding the train with the other students?"
Severus nodded. "Yes. I talked to him about it and could tell he wanted to but was nervous about it. The Weasley's have asked about having him over so he will spend the last night of summer with them and they will take him to the train. He will have the Weasley children looking out for him, save for one, and I have talked to the professors who will be on the train and they promised to make sure no one bothered him."
Albus nodded in approval. "It sounds like everything is in order then. I must admit to being deeply disappointed in Percy's attitude. I hope that will have changed once school starts."
"It had better." Severus muttered.
"Has Harry seen the house elf again?" Albus asked. They had been trying to figure out why a house elf would warn Harry against coming to school but without knowing who the elf belonged to, they could only guess.
"No, he hasn't mentioned that he has. I'm thinking it could have been a prank set up, though I will be keeping an eye out." Severus said seriously.
"It should be a busy year for you. Not only being a professor and head of house but a parent now as well." Albus remarked, leaning back in his chair. "With the trouble the children seem to find, you should be quite busy indeed."
Severus crossed his arms. "I have spoken to Harry about the escapades he got into last year. I do believe he will be more careful from now on. Besides, what are the chances of those types of incidents happening again? I'm sure Harry's second year will go quite smoothly." After all, what could possibly go wrong?