Whelp

from the shower, and his face was that fresh-scrubbed pink instead of sunburned.

Hands gripping the fronts of his robes, Harry offered Severus the briefest of smiles, which Severus returned from where he leaned against the doorway to the dining room. His own robes were also blue, though several shades darker, and with gold trim instead, denoting his role as head of household. By the end of the day, Harry would be his heir.

'You look rather dashing, young man,' Albus said from a chair before the fire.

Harry jumped and took a step back. Then he glanced at Severus, as if asking if the new person was safe. Severus' heart lifted with the expression of trust, and he gave the boy a small nod. Harry seemed to relax a bit, then faced Albus and said, in a voice aimed toward his shoes, 'Thank you, sir.'

Albus smiled at Severus, then said, 'Let me see your eyes, child. I heard they are quite like your mother's.'

The boy's head came up, and his mouth formed an O. He shot another look at Severus, who gave him another nod. They would need to get over his request for permission before speaking, and soon. 'Really? Like my mum's?'

'Just like,' Albus said quietly. His robes were the green of summer meadow, with bright yellow flowers embroidered on the sleeves.

A knock sounded at the door, making Harry jump again. Albus watched the boy over his half-moon spectacles, but spoke to Severus. 'That will be Enid Collin, my contact at the Ministry Department of Children's Welfare. She'll have some questions for young Harry, and for you.'

'Very well,' Severus said, and went to answer the door. Enid Collin was a witch in her mid to late 60s, as far as Severus could tell, in dark brown work robes with a pattern of beige swirls on them that teased the eye. Her hair was done in a bun that sat at the nape of her neck, and she had an easy smile. He asked her to enter, and then introduced her to the boy.

Harry had edged closer to Severus when he re-entered the room, and was almost hidden now, behind Severus' robes. He gently touched the boy's arm in an effort to nudge him forward. 'Come, Harry, Madam Collin won't bite.'

The thin face looked up at him with such concern, it made his chest hurt.

'I'll be right here,' he promised. 'No one will harm you.'

The boy bit his lip a moment longer, then nodded and moved in front of Severus' legs, though he still stayed close enough for Severus to feel Harry's body tremble, even through his own robes. Cautiously, he put a hand on Harry's shoulder, and was surprised when the boy straightened under his touch, even as his trembles eased. The boy gave him another look, this one with that tiny smile, and Severus squeezed his shoulder gently.

'Usually, I like to question the participants for a ritual like this separately,' said Collin. 'So each person feels they can say anything they want, without fear of repercussion. In order to make a decision about whether it's the best placement for the child.'

Severus opened his mouth to protest, but Albus beat him to it. 'We already discussed this, Enid,' the Headmaster said quietly.

The witch glanced at him. 'Yes, of course. I am to understand that this is the only possible placement, but I would still like to know,' and she moved closer to where Severus stood, with Harry leaning against his legs, and crouched in front of the boy, 'if this is where he wants to be.'

Harry nodded. 'Yes, ma'am.'

'You realize that Severus Snape will be your father, once the ceremony is complete. That you will be his heir, and that he will have right of guardianship over you until you come of age.'

'Yes, ma'am.'

'Why do you want to perform the ritual, Harry?'

'I . . . ' He looked at Severus again, and bit his lip, then turned back to the woman. 'I like it here. And he treats me nice. I want him to be my father.'

'Very well. And you, Mister Snape?'

'Professor Snape,' Albus corrected lightly.

'Professor, then. Why do you want to perform the ritual?'

His fingers tightened on Harry's shoulder. 'I enjoy having the child here. He will be my heir. I want to raise him as my own son.'

Madam Collin nodded. 'Very good, then. If you would both come to stand before the fireplace. . . .' She spent the next few minutes setting up what they needed for the ritual, then motioned for Severus to face the boy. They did, and she stood to one side, closest to the fire, and opened a small book in front of her. Albus rose from his seat, to face the woman and act as witness.

'Severus Tobias Snape. Do you accept the honor and duty of parent for this child, bound by your love and by your blood? Do you swear to educate him and guide him and treasure him for all your days, child of your heart to now be child of your blood?'

Severus peered at the little boy, who barely came to his waist, and saw hope shining in Lily's green eyes. A sudden lump formed in his throat, and he swallowed it down. 'Yes. I do so swear.'

'Harry James Potter. Do you accept the honor and duty of being child to this man, bound by your love and by your blood? Do you swear to be guided by him, honor him and treasure him for all your days, father of your heart to now be father of your blood?'

The little head jerked up and down, and at a look from Severus, his thin voice rose, 'Yes, ma'am. I swear it.'

Madam Collin smiled. From the low table beside her, she took a long, sharp pin, and held out her hand, between them. Severus put his hand in hers, palm up, and Harry followed suit a moment later. Albus picked up a goblet half-filled with dark, red wine and held it, just under their joined hands. Madam Collin pricked Harry's index