━─━────༺༻────━─━

4 October 1998,

Sunday.

Waking up in the morning was always a glum task for Severus Snape. Another day of dealing with all too stuck up brats. But this particular morning when he found a warm little body pressed on top of his chest cuddled up under his fur blanket, it was a pleasant experience for him.

He opened his eyes to see mop of raven hair poking out under his blanket. He kissed it gently with a small smile on his face. The scent of wood, cinnamon and broomstick polish was all too familiar to him now.

He caresed the head of little now almost seven years old Harry and whispered "Good morning my baby" lightly in his ears. "Five more minutes Papa." Was the only muffled reply he got.

Though now-a-days Harry seemed to be an early riser, but 6:30 A.M was still a bit early for him. But yet the word 'Papa' made him feel satisfied and elated. This is going to be the best day of his life. He cuddled Harry close to his body and took him to kitchen with him.

With Harry sleeping on the side of his hip with his head resting on his shoulder, he started making breakfast. A French toast with apple juice and black coffee was not at all difficult to make. Once it was made, he took Harry with him to the bathroom and made him and himself ready for the day.

"Papa match?" Harry asked. Severus smiled and nodded. They both wore simple white silk shirts and black trousers. After eating breakfast they were ready for the day.

It was Sunday and they both had decided to take a nice walk in Hogsmeade. Severus's outfit sure made heads turn today. That nerdy professor with greasy hair looked like a residential bad boy with a stylish man bun. And Harry was an aww-adorable site indeed.

Both matched with each other. Severus sure bought Harry a generous amount of sweets from Honeydukes which he normally would have never approved. But what can he say when his son gave him that puppy-dog look with his adorable big green eyes.

After a hearty lunch at Leaky Cauldrons and chocolate flavored ice-creams from Florean Fortescue's it was time to return to Hogwarts. But not before giving Hagrid a late afternoon visit with some sweets for him before dinner.

༺═──────────────═༻

The great hall was as always full with loud chatters from students and professors within. The ghosts were flying lazily over their heads. Harry was sitting on Snape's lap eating some mashed potatoes.

When the door of the great hall opened with a thud.There they saw one and only Draco Malfoy. Surprisingly with Remus Lupin in tow. Whereas Lupin was looking quite shabby with his brown robe over some shirt and pants, Draco looked like an image of perfection.

His blonde hair gelled back, his face blank with seriousness, eyes stormy and cold. He was wearing a perfectly tailored three piece suit with diamond brooches and trails attached to his coat. The addition of a traditional Malfoy family crest, identifying him as Lord Malfoy now, added an aura of cold regalness to him.

He carried the darkness of his family name with grace. People shivered whenever he passed through them. But now, they literally trembled.

His finger adorned with heritage platinum Malfoy crested rings glittered in the candle-lit hall. He stood before the staff table whereas Lupin sat on his chair.

"Dray!" Harry squealed with joy. And that made Draco's cold grayish-blue eyes soften in affection. "Ry." He muttered softly and took Harry in his arms. Hugging him tightly and relishing his warmth.

"Was visiting the ministry for personal matters before coming here and saw the new Lord of the Malfoy clan about to head here. So tagged along." Remus answered Snape's silent question towards himself.

"Indeed a great company he is, albeit a bit cold." Remus added grinning. Snape and Draco both rolled their eyes out of his dramatic answer.

Draco kissed Harry's forehead and asked the little seven year old, "What did you do these two days baby lion?" he asked. "You didn't trouble Uncle Sev, right?" He further asked. "Nah." Harry replied. "Had fun with Papa." He said. Draco froze mid step and an eerie silence descended over the great hall.

Even Bloody Baron paused and looked at the staff table's direction astonished. "What did you say little one?" Draco asked again. "Uh- had fun?" Harry asked, confused.

Draco shook his head urgently and asked in his deep smooth no-nonsense voice again, "No. After that, what did you addressed Uncle Sev as?"

"Papa." Harry replied confidently looking straight in Draco's eye. Gasps of astonishment filled the hall. Ron, Hermoine, Luna and Neville ran and surrounded them. "Did you just address Professor Snape as 'Papa' Harry?" Ron asked incredulously. "Blimey mate." He added.

"Harry- are you sure?" Hermoine asked again for confirmation. "Yes.Papa." Harry answered firmly with stubbornness. "Harry mate-" Neville started but was cut-off by a shriek from the staff table.

"Harry James Potter! Did you just refer to Snivellus as 'Papa'? I mean Lily would be proud ; but I can feel James turning in his grave from miles away!" And that was none other than Remus Lupin.

"Don't call papa names uncle Moony." was Harry's only indigent reply. "Well this is remarkable." Dumbledore muttered amusedly. With a full blown smile.

Minevra, Hagrid and Flitwick were still not out of shock. Madam Sprout didn't know what to say. Students and ghosts were gobsmacked. And after a moment loud chatter broke out in the hall which made Harry anxious.

He couldn't understand what was the problem if he referred his Uncle Sev as papa? Probably not knowing bad blood between his Dad and Papa or even his grudges towards Snape.

But Snape perfectly knew and remembered, this would be just a pleasant dream once Harry would remember all the happenings of the past seven years. So he intended to savor each and every moment he had when things were different. Just as aware of the situation Draco himself was.

"Enough." Deep voice of Professor Snape cut through the hall like in his classroom making every corner of the great hall silent. He walked down the staff table with slytherin grace and took Harry from Draco's arms. "Papa." Harry mumbled and snuggled closer to his chest.

Though he was now seven and much bigger, Severus not at all minded carrying him. "Mr. Potter is feeling quite overwhelmed by your judgments. What he should refer to, unless it is something bad or degrading, is of none of your concern. For the time being, he is under my wing. And I would appreciate it if my ward had some privacy. ", he announced. Looking deeply in each and everyone's eye. Even Dumbledore's.

Daring them to oppose him. "Ry would be sent to your room at his bedtime Dragon. Excuse us Headmaster." Snape's deep cold voice fleeted through the air. At the single nod of Dumbledore, they were off to Snape's quarters leaving behind a gaping great hall and pleased Draco. Maybe he can heal his godfather too like he did to him. Draco though.

༺═──────────────═༻

"Papa, did I do something wrong by saying Papa to you infront of everyone?" Harry asked Snape softly who was feeding him a sandwich. Snape sighed and decided to tell Harry the history from the time he was a student at Hogwarts and even before from when he met his mother.

"Baby, I am going to tell you my story. And after that, I want you to decide if it was right of you or not to call me Papa. Because I wouldn't mind either way." He said.

• - - - - - - ☆- - - - - - •

Year 1968

I saw the beautiful girl with red hair again, playing with the flowers. Making them bloom from behind the tree. Smiling and giggling to herself. I see her everyday from here. But today was different. She saw me hiding there and asked about myself. "You're a witch." I told her. "You're with magic, like me." I said after I introduced myself.

Severus Tobias Snape. "Lily." She replied. "Lily Evans." From that day she was my only and best friend. I didn't knew where that would land me. I was only eight afterall.

.
.
.

Year 1971

Today I and Lily started our journey to Hogwarts. The best school of witchcraft and wizardry in England. She was still a bit upset that her horse-faced sister 'Tuney' didn't make it here. But nonetheless, we were excited for our new beginning. I was sure I would be in Slytherin.

While she was not sure of which house she would be in. And then our compartment door opened. In came four boys. One with shaggy black hair and round glasses, next with long black hair and pale complexion, another a bit roughed up brunette. Last was a small pudgy boy who looked like a tag along.

"Hey there. I am James Fleamont Potter. My friends, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Thought to introduce us, the best kids of the year to you." He said. His aura screamed of pure blood brat. Lily scoffed.

I answered immediately, "We are better here, without knowing anything about you. Thank you." His long haired friend Sirius Black looked at me and smirked. "And you're?" He asked with an air of pure blood superiority. "Snape. Severus Snape." I replied firmly. "Okay, Snivellus. I was just here for the pretty lady. Now out of my way." James Potter sneered.

"Hey don't call him that. Severus is my best friend here. And I would appreciate it if you kindly get out." Lily Evans said with smoothness in her voice that radiated the strength of her character. Giving me a stink eye, both of them moved out with the other two boys in tow. I didn't know this single encounter would change my life for the worse in the upcoming years.

.
.
.

Year 1975

"I don't need any favors from a Mudblood like you!" Was what I said in the fit of rage to my best friend, my one and only friend Lily Evans after she tried to help me from a horrendous prank done by the so called Marauders. Which resulted with me hanged on the tree upside down with my underpants on display.

The mortification of mine was worse than death. Even more terrible thing was, my Lily was offended enough to sever our friendship of years in just a second over just a word.

Agreed the word was not less than anything but degradation. I waited outside the portrait of the fat lady for hours and through the night to apologize for my stupidity. But she refused to even talk to me or see my face.

And that day, I knew it was the worst day of my life. Not because of the embarrassment. No. But because I lost the one person that I held dear to me, more than my life. The person that I realized at that moment I was in love with for ever and ever.

.
.
.

Year 1978

"Ah Severusss- do you pledge your loyalty to me? The Dark Lord?" Asked the chalk white skin man. Lord Voldemort famously known to the Wizarding World. "Yes my lord." I answered. I knew I was making a huge mistake. But there was no-one to stop me. No one for whom I can be a better man. For whom I need to be a better man.

And the burn of the dark mark on my forearm was my moment of guilty pleasure.

.
.
.

Year 1980

I was standing with the inner circle of Lord Voldemort in the chilly evening after I handed over the prophecy to him. "Good job Severus. You will be rewarded handsomely. " he said. "Thank you my lord." I said, proudly.

"Born at the end of July, parent...defied me thrice..." he was musing upon himself. "Ah- there are two boys according to it, Neville Longbottom and...and- Harry James Potter." He declared. And my heart stopped beating. Lily's son! What had I done?

The moment was like an ice bucket on me. Waking me up from years of sleep. Seemingly since 1975. I have to rectify it before it's too late. I need to. But who can help me? Dumbledore. Albus Dumbledore.

• - - - - - - ☆- - - - - - •

"How can I trust you, Severus?" The man asked. "Headmaster please!! Just this once. Trust me. Please. I will do anything." I found myself saying. "Anything?" He asked. "Yes. Anything." I said without missing a beat. "Then be my spy in Voldemort's close circle." He stated. And if this is what it will take to save Lily, I would do so. "I agree." I said.

.
.
.

Year 1981

Numb. I can't feel anything at all. I have cried my heart out holding onto Lily's cold body in my arms. The house was in rubles. I saw Hagrid taking baby Harry on the giant motorcycle of Sirius Black.

After that I entered the house. I needed to see it myself. I found James lying dead near the stairs. And Lily in the nursery before the crib. Lily's love saved her son.

I remember begging for the life of Lily in front of the Dark Lord. Who said who will consider it. And at that moment, my decision was made. I will protect the boy for whom Lily sacrificed her life, with my own. I will protect Harry Potter even if it means hell would fight heaven.

༺═──────────────═༻

"And that's how I became a spy for Dumbledore over all these years. And the rest is history. That you will recall in some months." He finished. "So tell me my baby snake, was your decision of calling your father's enemy, an ex-death eater 'Papa' was a good one?" Severus Snape asked. But Harry was another thought altogether.

"Was my father a bully? Was Dad a bad guy Papa?" He asked. That made Severus jerked out of the trance. James Potter, though an ignorant, overconfident, snobbish brat of a boy, was a wonderful father and a responsible brave man. He can't let Harry hate his father just because of some past stupidity of his. Though he suffered greatly.

"No. He was sure a snobbish brat when we were at Hogwarts, but he changed. Your mother helped him to be mature and he turned out to be a very responsible and brave wizard Harry. Moreover he was an amazing father to you and a dutiful and lovely husband to your mother. So no, James Fleamont Potter was not a bad person, but rather a very good man." Severus explained.

"I am sorry. I understand how going through bullying feels. I understand your pain and suffering. And so I ask your forgiveness on behalf of my late father. And I am sure he would have done the same if he were alive and had a chance, if he is that great man you say he is." Said Harry.

Snape was taken aback. He felt his eyes brimming. "I forgive your father. Today, I forgive him whole-heartedly." He whispered, hugging Harry tightly. He felt like James and Lily were smiling at them from somewhere up there. He felt happiness and content after many years. Like when he met lily for the first time.

"Papa, I consider calling you 'papa' as one of the best decisions of my disastrous life." was what Harry said that made Snape shed a lone tear of happiness for the first time in forever

━─━────༺༻────━─━