Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the world of HP. That honor goes to JKR.

Chapter 1

Severus Snape was not particularly enamoured by the idea of yet another Sorting Ceremony. It meant more dunderhead children he had to teach. Granted, he was curious as to what the Hat's message would be this year, and he was mildly curious to see which Death Eater children would be arriving this year. He had also heard rumours that a certain Potter boy would be arriving. But the ceremony had never really been a source of excitement for him, unlike his colleagues who were eager to see who would be in their house this year.

It was not long before the group of tiny first years entered the Hall. He was amused somewhat at the looks of amazement on their faces as they entered the Great Hall for the first time and saw the Enchanted Ceiling. He found that it never ceased to amaze even the pureblood children. He watched as the children stood facing their peers, and watched as Professor McGonagall placed the Hat on the stool. All waited with baited breath for the hat to deliver its message.

Following its song, he watched McGonagall unroll the list of names. He saw 'Abbott, Hannah' sorted into Hufflepuff, along with 'Bones, Susan'. Severus couldn't help but wonder if Bones was related to the Bones family that had been murdered during the War. He didn't pay much attention to 'Boot, Terry' and 'Brocklehurst, Mandy' that were sorted into Ravenclaw, nor 'Brown, Lavender' that went to Gryffindor. He was now scanning the backs of the children's heads.

When 'Longbottom, Neville' was called out, Severus looked up. The boy looked nothing like his parents. Alice and Frank had both been brave and powerful wizards: it looked as though this boy was nothing like it. He even ran off with the hat and had to bring it back amidst laughter of everyone around him. Severus hadn't known the Longbottoms well, but had heard of them.

Draco Malfoy, the brat child of Lucius Malfoy, was sorted into Slytherin, to nobody's surprise. Severus thought the boy was as arrogant as his father. He did not like Malfoy senior one bit, but kept up the facade of friendship with the man as part of his cover. He saw that Malfoy was accompanied by Crabbe and Goyle junior who both looked as stupid as their fathers.

Several other names were called too, and then the name he had been waiting for. "'Potter, Harry'," called McGonagall. A very thin, rather fragile looking boy stepped up to the stool. The boy had pitch black hair, which was very untidy. Severus watched this boy like a hawk as he sat on the stool and had the hat placed on his head. After a long moment, the Hat called out 'GRYFFINDOR'. Severus was not surprised, as both his parents had been in Gryffindor. Potter hurried over to join the rest of the Gryffindors at their table. He watched Potter out of the corner of his eye until the sorting ended.

Once Dumbledore had spoken and the meal began, Quirrell seemed to want to engage in conversation. Severus didn't particularly have any interest in talking to Quirrell – they had not been anything more than acquaintances before Quirrell left. The large purple turban around Quirrell's head looked ridiculous and smelled terrible.

He was pretending to listen to what the man was saying, when he glanced past Quirrell's head to the Gryffindor table. The Potter boy met his eye for a moment. His world stood still for that second. He saw the eyes of Lily Evans looking back at him, and his heart constricted. He looked away quickly.

That night, when he was well and truly alone in his quarters, Severus allowed himself to feel once more. Lily's son was now a student at Hogwarts. He would see the boy everyday now, see the constant reminder of his past, and his past mistakes. The boy was a clone of his father, Severus' bully, and he didn't know how he was going to manage to not hate the boy as much he had hated his father.

-XXX-

It was the first Friday of the new term, and Severus was not looking forward to lessons that day. It would be the first time that he would have the first year Gryffindors, and that meant Potter. He had decided that he would try and make Potter's life miserable. Call it getting his own back for what James did to him. He was aware that it was irrational to treat the boy like this because of his father, but Severus figured the boy was a spoilt brat anyway.

He stood in the front of the class, arms folded, as the Slytherins and Gryffindors filed into his class and took their seats. He pulled out the register and began taking names. When he reached Potter's name, he paused. He couldn't help but say something.

"Ah, yes, Harry Potter. Our new – celebrity." He sneered, and finished taking register.

When he was done, he looked at each of the faces in the class. Most of them looked terrified, which pleased him. Malfoy merely looked smug. Crabbe and Goyle just looked stupid. He didn't have high hopes for them. He began by reciting the speech he gave every year to the first years. This speech had always worked.

The first years were hanging on his every word as he spoke of the softly simmering cauldrons and shimmering fumes. The Slytherins especially looked interested when he described the kinds of potions that could be made. He was satisfied: the first years knew their place now, and he wouldn't be bothered much by them.

He caught sight of Potter. Now was the perfect opportunity to humiliate the boy in front of everyone.

"Potter!" he said suddenly, and the boy jumped. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Granger's hand shot into the air at once. He sighed inside. This was one of those know-it-alls. He ignored her hand.

"I don't know sir," said the boy quietly. Severus sneered.

"Tut, tut – fame clearly isn't everything. Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" Granger's hand shot up once more, but Potter looked stumped. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Malfoy and his cronies shaking with silent laughter.

"I don't know sir," said the boy again.

"Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?" Severus taunted. This was just too easy. The boy merely glared back at him. He couldn't resist. "What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

This time the Granger girl stood up to raise her hand further. "I don't know. I think Hermione does, though, why don't you try her?" said Potter quietly. A few people laughed, but Severus was not going to take that cheek in his class.

"Sit down," he growled at Granger. "For your information, Potter, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by name of aconite." By now he and Potter were having a glaring competition. Everyone else was sitting there staring at them. "Well, why aren't you all writing that down?" he said to the class at large. While everyone was pulling out parchment to write it down, he added, "And a point will be taken from Gryffindor house for your cheek, Potter." He couldn't resist.

-XXX-

It was now Friday evening and Severus had gone to see the Headmaster. The lesson with the first years had been dismal. Granted, they were no worse – or better – than any other group of first years he had had in his years teaching previously. But he wanted to vent his annoyance to someone and the only person he could think of was Dumbledore. The Headmaster was the only one who knew his secret anyway.

He knocked on the door and entered without waiting for a reply. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk reading a copy of Transfiguration Today. He looked up as Severus entered the room.

"Ah Severus. How are you?" asked Dumbledore pleasantly. Severus sat down in a chair opposite Dumbledore. "Lemon drop?" offered Dumbledore, holding out a bowl of them.

"No thank you," said Severus stiffly. Dumbledore stood up.

"Would you like a drink, Severus?" asked the Headmaster. Severus declined that too, and waited as Dumbledore poured out a measure of Firewhiskey. "So, what is it that is troubling you Severus?" asked Dumbledore as he sat down, drink in hand.

"It is that Potter boy," said Severus. He stood up and began pacing. "I had him in my class today for the first time. He has little respect for authority, he is mediocre, arrogant as his father, a determined rule-breaker, delighted to find himself famous, attention-seeking and impertinent –"

"You see what you expect to see, Severus," said Dumbledore, cutting him off. "Other teachers report that the boy is modest, likable and reasonably talented. Personally, I find him an engaging child."

"Of course you would, wouldn't you? You only see the best in people," snapped Severus. He was still pacing, his irritation keeping him from sitting still.

"And you only see the worst."

"How could I not? He is James Potter's son! I could never see the good in any spawn of his – even if this boy defeated the You-Know-Who." Severus could feel himself getting slowly angry.

"Severus, go easy on the boy. He has done nothing to you. He didn't even know James," said Dumbledore quietly.

"Go easy on him? Go easy on him? I don't care what you say about him never having known his father, he is Potter's son and that is enough for me."

"He is Lily's son, Severus, is that not enough for you?"

Severus stopped dead and faced the Headmaster. "Don't you dare use that one on me!" he growled. He could feel the heat rising in his face. "Don't you dare bring Lily into this!"

The Headmaster did not seem fazed at Severus' rude outburst. "You were quite happy to bring James into this," he countered, still speaking calmly.

"That is another story altogether. James was a bully, a spoilt, pampered, childish bully. He didn't care about anyone but himself. His son is exactly the same as him. Like father, like son," spat Severus angrily.

Dumbledore was thoughtful for a moment. "Severus, I have something to tell you. I think you may need to sit down."

"Just spit it out Albus," said Severus. Dumbledore pretended that Severus had not spoken to him like that.

"Severus, Harry is Lily's son, but he is not James' son. Not by blood in any case." Severus stopped dead and stared at Dumbledore.

"Not... not James' son?" asked Severus faintly.

"No Severus, he is your son."

A/N: The 'prologue' to this story is a separate one shot called 'A Stolen Moment' that doesn't necessarily have to be read for this story to make sense, but it'll make a tiny bit more sense if you do.

Please read and review :)

(There are parts of this chapter that I have taken from PS and DH)