Chapter 6 : Connections

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It was a book meant for children his age so they would be able to recognize the basic spells; it consisted of nothing more than moving pictures but it helped familiarize the child with magic at a young age. Severus had just never heard of a child looking at one voluntarily. And since when did a Potter pick up a book that didn't concern quidditch out of school? The boy -who had realized Severus was still looking at him- turned his eyes back from the book to the young man's.

"Hello?" He asked this time, his brows frowning adorably. Wait, what? Did I just think James Potter's son adorable? Half shocked and half confused with himself, Severus sat opposite the boy and considered him with caution. Harry seemed to do the same.

"Hello Harry, I'm Severus." He stated. What am I doing? The boy nodded and pointed at himself.

"'Arry." He said softly and waited expectantly.

"And what are you looking at Harry?" Severus asked in a voice he barely recognized as his. Since when do I speak softly? And since when do I talk to babies? Briefly entertaining the thought he was hit with one too many Cruciatus curses during the war, he focused back on the baby.

"Magic!" The boy exclaimed with a smile and glittering eyes. Will you look at that? Severus thought and found himself… smiling? I must be losing it, he figured as the boy turned a page of his book.

"Wed." he started proudly, pointing at a picture of a stupefy curse. Wed? Severus considered puzzled. Then it hit him; baby talk. He looked at the spell once again; wed… wed meant… Red! Satisfied with his deduction, he nodded positively.

"This is called Stupefy." He said to Harry.

"Stupefy." He repeated, pointing at the spell. The boy's eyes widened.

"'tupefy?" Harry pronounced and pointed at the spell too. Severus chuckled and, ignoring his surprise that he could still produce such a sound, nodded at Harry.

"Yes, well done Harry. Stupefy." Severus took the liberty and turned a page on the book. The bright white beam of the Lumos spell was next.

"This is called Lumos. It's used to see in the dark." He pointed at the picture again and repeated the name of the spell.

"Lumos!" Harry said with glee, giggling slightly, causing Severus to smile along.

"Correct. Now this one…" He said turning yet another page as Harry's eyes sparkled with happiness. The young man had no idea how long he stayed in that room with Harry. But somewhere along the way, he had forgotten he was talking to James's child and just kept on teaching the boy, feeling lighter than he had in years. It was only when a soft cough from the door broke their concentration that he realized they had almost finished the book. He turned around swiftly and met yet another set of sparkling eyes. Although, when Headmaster Dumbledore's blue eyes were concerned, twinkling would have been more appropriate a word.

"I see I have found both our missing persons at once." The Headmaster chuckled happily as he entered the study. Severus rose to greet him and Harry simply looked between the two of them with wide eyes.

"Yes. I felt like walking around the house a little bit and I found young Harry here so…" The young professor trailed off as he felt a soft pull at his cape. He looked down and found Harry looking at him with his arms open in the universally acknowledged sign for babies to state "pick me up." Severus's eyes widened at the prospect and, ignoring the chuckling coming from the Headmaster, he focused on the longing in Harry's eyes instead as he picked him up from the floor. The boy, who was still clutching the book in his hand, placed his head on Severus's shoulder and closed his eyes, sighing contently. Severus almost chocked on his breath.

"I believe you have made a new friend Severus." The old wizard offered joyfully as he petted the boy's unruly hair.

"I…" Severus Snape found himself in a situation he rarely did; unable of coherent speech. Harry was very light for a boy his age and had that distinctive scent that only babies could attain. And suddenly, Severus felt a connection with the boy; he felt that Harry was somehow his responsibility now, that he was supposed to protect him and love him and help him grow up to be the man he was supposed to be. Suddenly, Severus Snape felt like a father.

"Quite interesting. Babies are very good at judging characters you know." The Headmaster continued as he walked out of the study, leaving Severus with no other option but to follow him. After passing the dining room that was now empty, Severus realized that, if he went forward, he would have to enter a room filled with people -where Lily was waiting next to her husband- holding her child in his arms. He froze at his tracks and Dumbledore followed suit, concerned at how distraught his youngest professor looked all of a sudden.

"Here Albus, take Harry." He said as he softly removed the slumbering baby from his shoulder, trying to ignore the pang of loss that had -unexpectedly- stricken him. Harry woke up and regarded him with wide eyes as he was passed to the Headmaster of Hogwarts. "I have to go. Give my regards to Lily." He said and stepped backwards towards the main hall.

"Sev?" A small voice sounded and the potions' master looked startled at Harry who had apparently remembered his name.

"Good bye Harry." He said trying to ignore the pleading tone in which his name was uttered. "I will see you soon." He added, not knowing if the boy could understand or if he would keep his promise, and left the room and the Potter manor in a whirlwind of black cloth and green flames.

"Quite interesting young Harry." Albus Dumbledore stated regarding the young boy who was still staring at the now empty corridor clutching his book tight. "Maybe you can help him, little one." He said sifting Harry so he could hold him better in his arms. "Maybe you already have." He added and walked towards the room where a great birthday cake was about to be brought in.

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