Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Harry Potter wanted to be anywhere but the bookstore. Not because it was boring, far from it. But because of the photographers in the room. One of them was surely going to spot him.
“Excuse me?” He turned and found a girl with raven hair that reached her waist standing behind him. What struck him about her was her eyes. They were nearly as green as his. “I know you don't know me but you don't look like you really want to be in here.”
“I really don't.” He sighed as Gildoroy Lockhart was announced.
“Quick! Before he spots you!” She said taking his hand and pulling him outside.
“Was that Harry Potter? Was it???” Harry sighed in relief as they moved around the building out of sight. Normally he wouldn't go anywhere with someone he'd just met (Hagrid was obviously different) but she got him away from the cameras.
“Thanks for that.” He sighed in relief.
“Well it wasn't entirely selfless.” She said slowly.
“Do I know you? You seem strangely familiar to me.” He said with a frown.
“Um, we have met. A LONG time ago. You were about 6 months old I think.” She said not meeting his eyes. “I think it would be best if we went to Gringots.”
“Gringots? Why?” Harry was confused. It really didn't take much to confuse him. He'd only been part of the wizarding world for a year.
“The Goblins will be able to explain. Please. I promise I have nothing nefarious in mind.”
“You can't be much older than me. How could you have anything nefarious planned?” He asked.
“You really need to read more.” She told him before she turned and headed toward the bank. “Are you coming?” Harry stood still for a moment contemplating. His curiosity won and he hurried after her.
“I never got your name.” He said as he fell into step beside her and she stopped and hesitated. “Is it hard to pronounce?” The girl cringed.
“Not in the slightest.” She answered and then sighed. “Pax.”
“What?” Harry had no idea what she was talking about.
“Pax. That's my name.” She said looking at the ground.
“It's...different.” He managed to say.
“It means 'peace' apparently.” Pax sighed and then headed off again.
“I like it.” Harry said before jogging to catch up. “So what is it we're going to Gringots for?”
“Now that is hard to say. Well more hard to explain really. And you won't believe me if I told you myself so I need the Goblins to tell you. They use blood to prove things.” Harry tried not to feel more confused than he already was but with what she was saying, it was hard not to.
“Blood?” He asked as they reached the bank.
“Blood.” Pax answered grimly before leading him inside. “I'd like to see a goblin about inheritance tests please.” She told a Goblin at one of the desks.
“Wait here.” He said and walked away and Pax tapped her foot on the marble floor impatiently. Harry knew by her profile that she looked strangely familiar but he couldn't place why. Another goblin walked up.
“Griphook.” Harry said and both humans could see the goblin looked shocked at being recognized.
“You remember me?” He asked.
“Of course. How could I forget the first goblin I really met?” Harry asked and Pax smirked.
“No one ever recognizes us.” Griphook said. “Follow me please.” Harry nodded and followed him and Pax paused and sighed. Every bit of her was at war about what she was about to do. But, she supposed, better now than later. “Inheritance tests?”
“If you please sir. There are some things that need to be brought to light.” Pax said and Griphook seemed to catch her meaning.
“I will do a full test then.” Harry frowned at the reserved tone as the goblin moved around collecting what he would need.
“What does that mean?” He asked.
“I promise you'll soon find out.” Pax assured him and he eyed her for a moment. He saw not only honesty there but reluctance and trepidation as well.
“Why do I feel like I'm not going to like this outcome?” He sighed.
“Because you're smart.” Pax smirked and Griphook moved back to the table.
“You each must prick one finger and allow 3 drops of blood to drop onto the parchment.” He told them as he set 2 sheets of parchment and 2 very sharp looking daggers in front of them. Harry cringed but followed Pax's lead and pricked his finger. He let 3 drops of blood drip onto his parchment and watched it soak into the sheet and disappear.
“Whoa.” He whispered and saw Pax's sheet had done the same. “I love magic.” Pax grinned and Griphook pulled the sheets away.
“It will be a moment.” He said and they sat in silence for what seemed like eternity before Harry saw writing start to form on the parchments. “I assume you do not know what this is all about?” Griphook asked Harry.
“She basically kidnapped me.” He shrugged and Pax giggled.
“This test tells us your parentage. What was left to you. If there are enchantments on you. Who put them there. And other such things.” Griphook lifted Harry's parchment and examined it. “Very concerning.” He muttered and frowned.
“I'm sorry?” Harry said.
“It appears there are many things none of us know about you.” Griphook said grimly. “Namely you.” Harry frowned and glanced at Pax who was chewing on her lip looking uncomfortable. “You also have quite a number charms placed on you and potions given by one Albus Dumbledore.” Harry's eyebrows shot up.
“Dumbledore?” Now he was really confused.
“Let me get a healer and see what can be done.” Griphook hurried out the door.
“What is going on?” Harry asked Pax. She didn't answer. She simply turned his parchment to face him.
Name (given): Harrison James Potter
Name (birth, paternal): Harrison Snape
Father (nonbirth): James Potter (deceased)
Father (birth): Severus Snape Prince (living)
Mother: Lilly Evans-Potter (deceased)
Charms placed (simplified):
To look like James Potter (applied at birth by Albus Dumbledore)
To be submissive (applied at 15 months of age by Albus Dumbledore)
A disregard of the rules (applied at age 11 by Albus Dumbledore)
Distrust of Slytherins (applied at age 11 by Albus Dumbledore )
Distrust of Severus Snape (applied at age 11 by Albus Dumbledore)
Potions given:
Loyalty keyed to Albus Dumbledore (given at age 11 by Albus Dumbledore)
Loyalty keyed to Ronald Weasley (given at age 11 by Albus Dumbledore)
Loyalty keyed to Weasley Family (given at age 11 by Albus Dumbledore)
Loyalty keyed to Hermione Granger (given at age 11 by Albus Dumbledore)
Loyalty keyed to Gryffindor house (given at age 11 by Albus Dumbledore)
Inheritance (maternal):
All items in vault #647
Inheritance (paternal nonbirth):
All items in vault #687
Inheritance (paternal birth):
Unknown
Harry was flabbergasted. He didn't know how even half of what he was reading was possible. How could his parents not be his parents? Or at least how could James not be his father? He'd seen pictures of him. And Snape! How could Snape be his real father??? The potions master hated him.
“What?” He managed to say.
“There's a bit more.” Pax said pointing to the bottom.
Living relatives: Petunia Dursley (aunt maternal)
Vernon Dursley (uncle maternal married)
Dudley Dursley (cousin)
Pax Persephone Snape (sister)
Harry's jaw dropped like a stone in the black lake. He looked up at Pax slowly and saw her fidgeting in her seat not making eye contact.
“What?” It seemed like the thing to say. “How?” That too. “I mean—what?”
“Mr. Potter.” Harry blinked and found Griphook back with another goblin behind him. “This is Loosewhip. She will remove the charms and the potions.”
“How much?” Pax asked quickly. “Nothing is free. How much?”
“We believe that debt was paid the night Young Harry stopped You-Know-Who.” Griphook said and Pax eyed him for a moment before nodded.
“Very well.” She agreed.
“Follow me young sir.” Loosewhip said taking him by the wrist and leading him out of the room into a smaller room. “This will not hurt. Lay there. Don't move.” Harry looked around and found a stone table and laid down on it. “Don't move.” She repeated. He watched her hands move around and heard her begin to chant. He felt an itch begin to rise inside of him and then it felt like a bucket of ice water was being poured on him very slowly, starting from the top of his head right down to the bottom of his feet. “You'll want to look in the mirror.” Loosewhip said and Harry blinked.
“That's it?” Harry asked sitting up.
“Removing enchantments is not as hard as the humans say it is.” Loosewhip said and then gestured him to a mirror that hung to his left and he turned.
“Is that me?” He whispered. “I—I look—I look like him.” Harry did indeed look different and he looked like him. Like Snape. His hair was still black but it fell in waves instead of looking like he'd just woken up and didn't care to deal with it. His features sharpened and his nose was a bit pointier.
“Your sister will be wanting to see you.” Loosewhip told him and he hurried out of the room.
“Why didn't anyone tell me?” He demanded and Pax drew a breath.
“Oh Harry.” She whispered. “You need to talk to my—well our father.” Harry huffed and sat.
“Mr. P—Snape.” Griphook said and Harry glanced up. “Would you like to see what your mother left for you in her vault?”
“Yes.” Harry agreed immediately. “Will you come?” He asked Pax.
“Of course.” She said and they followed Griphook out and to the carts.
“Mrs. Weasley is probably going out of her mind.” Harry sighed as they loaded onto the cart.
“She'll live.” Pax said and then they said no more as the cart sped off.
“Vault 647.” Griphook announced and the cart jerked to a stop. He produced a key from seemingly thin air and opened the door. Harry peered in.
“Whoa.” He breathed. Inside were books upon books. There was also a large stack of muggle money. But it was a worn looking satchel hanging over a chair that grabbed his attention.
“What is it?” Pax asked from outside the vault.
“It's got mum's initials.” He answered before opening it. “It looks like a photo album. Come here.” Pax moved inside as Harry sat on the floor and opened the book. “Is that you?” He asked gesturing to a wizard picture of Lilly holding a baby girl.
“It is.” Pax said with awe. “Dad doesn't have any pictures of me and mum. He thought James destroyed them all.”
“We'll have to show him.” Harry said looking back at the picture.
“Are you ok with all this?” Pax asked.
“I guess. I mean I just want to know why your—our dad hates me.” Harry sighed.
“He thinks you're James's son, Harry.” Pax answered.
“How old are you?” Harry decided to change the subject.
“I'm 13.” She told him with a giggle.
“You don't go to Hogwarts.” Pax rolled her eyes.
“The amount you don't know.” She sighed. “There are other wizarding schools.”
“Really?” He frowned.
“Yes really.” She shoved him. “Where do you think the American wizards go?” Harry had to admit. He hadn't thought of that. “I was attending Beauxbatons in France. But I convinced father to let me come to Hogwarts.”
“How'd you manage that?”
“By telling him I'd get you to take an inheritance test to prove who's son you are.” Harry blinked. “I am quite persuasive.” Harry chuckled.
“No doubt there.” He said and stood, slipping the book back into the satchel and pulled the strap onto his shoulder. “Come on. Let's go meet this father who hates me.” Pax snorted.
“He'll be thrilled. Not only that you're his son, but that we've uncovered something else.” She said and Harry frowned as they exited the vault.
“What's that?” He asked.
“That Albus Dumbledore is not who everyone thinks he is.” Griphook answered for her. “We will be submitting a copy of your test to Madam Amelia Bones in the Ministry of Magic. She will look into it.” Harry couldn't ask how as the cart sped away from the vault. When it stopped Harry realized he hadn't looked at the books.
“Don't worry. We'll come back.” Pax assured him. “Father said he would be in the Leaky Cauldron.” They thanked Griphook, who handed them a copy of Harry's test, and headed out.
“Don't I look too much the same? I mean, the Weasley's. They'll recognize me.” Harry said.
“Trust me Harry. You don't look the same.” Pax said before taking his hand and leading him off. “Hood up all the same.” She said pulling her hood up and Harry, albeit confused, pulled his up as well. Just in time for the Weasley's to rush by them.
“..can't think where he got to.” Mrs. Weasley was saying. “When was the last time anyone saw him?”
“I told you. When we got to Florish and Blotts.” Ron said and their voices faded away. They entered the Leaky Cauldron and Pax pushed her hood back and looked around.
“There he is. In the corner.” Pax said with a grin and a nod to the darkest corner of the pub and she nearly dragged Harry behind her. “Father.” She said happily.