Disclaimer: All belongs to JKR.

A/N: A little different than my usual. The story starts out with Harry involved with a (yipes) girl, but will be a HP/SS pairing.

Summary: Harry's muggle girlfriend from the previous summer wants to give their baby up for adoption. Instead, Harry takes the baby back to Hogwarts, and finds Snape to be unexpectedly helpful.

Harry Potter was spending yet another summer at Privet Drive. Sixth year was over, and Harry tried not to think too much about what would happen once his final year at Hogwarts was finished. It wasn't the prospect of finding a job, or a place to live that had him worried, but the fact that he would truly be alone. 

Ron and Hermione were already full of plans, and Harry knew that after this year their friendship would never again be the same. The Dark Lord had been defeated only months before, yet Dumbledore had insisted that Harry needed to spend the summer with his aunt, citing the remaining Death Eaters as the reason he still needed to be protected.

Harry returned to Privet Drive, but he refused to be a prisoner this summer. He typically left the house in the morning and did not return until after dinner. Vernon and Petunia never questioned where he was going. 

Since the end of his fifth year, when a group of members of the Order had seen him off at the train station, they rarely spoke to him or acknowledged his presence. Harry liked to wander around the small shopping area of Little Whinging, watching people as he sat at a small outdoor caf.

His favorite place was a tiny bookstore, packed floor to ceiling with used books. Harry found that he could spend hours there, poring over dusty books. It was in this store that Harry made his first real muggle friend. Harry had attended Muggle primary school, but Dudley and his friends had always made it clear that no one was to be friends with Harry, and their threats worked quite well to keep Harry isolated.

Harry was back in the bookstore one Thursday morning in early July when he looked up to see a girl enter the store. She looked to be a few years older than Harry, with silky shoulder length black hair and dark eyes. She wore washed out jeans and a t-shirt that might have once been black but was now faded with age. She was slender, almost boyish, and seemed to be about Harry's height. 

Harry realized he was staring, and pulled his eyes away from the girl and tried to return to his book. If Snape had a daughter, Harry swore she would have had this girl's exact coloring. Of course, this girl had a very cute little nose, so Harry snorted softy to himself. He doubted that any child of Snape's could avoid having his patrician nose. 

He was startled from his reverie when a soft voice said, "Excuse me, but do you have any idea if this store carries any books about the history of this area?" Harry looked up to find the girl directly in front of him, large brown eyes focused on him, waiting for a reply. 

"Oh, um, well, there are lots, but, um, not exactly organized." Harry swallowed, and then plunged on ahead. "Um, I could, you know, um, help you out a bit if you like. I know the store pretty well." She regarded him warily for a minute, and then smiled. 

Holding out her hand, she introduced herself. "Caitlin Davies, pleased to meet you. And if you wouldn't mind, I'd love some help." Harry realized he had been holding his breath, and relaxed. "Harry, Harry Potter. Let me show you a few books I've seen." 

Harry and Caitlin met almost daily in the store after that. Harry got up his courage after a few days to ask her out for lunch, and was a bit surprised when she asked him exactly how old he was. 

"I'll be seventeen this month. Is that a problem? You're what, eighteen?"

"Actually I'm almost twenty. It's kind of funny, because you look younger than you are, but you sound much older, more mature than most seventeen year olds."

"Well, I haven't exactly had a sheltered life. My parents died before I was even two, and I've had to look out for myself for most of my life. I've been at boarding school for six years, and a few of my, ah, adventures have given me a different perspective on life than others my own age. I know I'll only be here until the end of the summer, but I'd like to get to know you better, spend some time with you."

"I'd like that too. My classes don't start until early September, so I'm pretty free until then. Maybe you could show me around a bit?"

They started to spend most of their days together, sometimes going for a walk, sometimes going back to Caitlin's small flat. Harry learned that she was an exchange student, living in England for the year. She would return to the States for one more year of college, and then she hoped to be accepted into graduate school.

Their friendship moved from friends to lovers, Harry shyly responding to her overtures, happy to be with someone who didn't know that he was famous, who only judged him for himself. Harry was actually sad to see the summer draw to a close. He had always hated being at Privet Drive for the summer, but the thought of returning to school this year was bittersweet, knowing that he would not be able to see Caitlin again.

He wasn't ready to completely say good-bye to her even though it was time to return to Hogwarts. He gave her the address for Hermione's parents, telling her that she could reach him through his schoolmate's parents. He wasn't sure if she believed his explanation that his boarding school only allowed students to receive calls from parents, but he felt better knowing that at least if she wanted to write to him that her letters would be forwarded by Mrs. Granger.

Harry left for Hogwart's with a heavy heart. He had cared for Caitlin, and it would be strange to be alone again, even with Ron and Hermione for company. He was also confused because as much he cared for Caitlin, he could not completely get rid of the strange thoughts he had been having regarding Professor Snape. He would show up in Harry's dreams, his voice sending shivers down Harry's back as his long fingers would reach out to touch Harry.

He had found several books that seemed to say that many people were attracted to people of both sexes, but he still had a hard time reconciling how he could be attracted to both Caitlin and Snape at the same time.

School work and Quidditch soon consumed Harry's life. Harry made an all out effort to improve his relationship with Professor Snape. He forced himself to spend inordinate amounts of time on his potions homework. He had even gone so far as to ask the potions master for extra help. 

He could tell that Snape was surprised that Harry seemed to genuinely want to do well in his class. He had agreed to tutor Harry in exchange for his help chopping, grinding, and dicing ingredients. He tried not to dwell on the fact that Caitlin had not written to him at all, despite his frequent notes to her. 

At Christmas, Harry sent Hermione home with a small box to be mailed to Caitlin, containing a card and delicate necklace Harry had found at a shop in Hogsmeade. Hermione returned after break and reassured him that she had indeed sent his package, but no mail had come for him at her house.

Spring was finally in the air, and Harry was finding that actually understood Snape's sense of humor, and could finally discern when the man was teasing him rather than being truly aggravated by him. Harry's competence in Potions was steadily improving, and Snape had begun to allow Harry to help him prepare more advanced potions. 

Hermione was pleased that Harry was working so hard to improve his grades, and was now focusing more on Ron when it came to nagging about homework and studying. Ron was at a loss to understand why Harry would willingly spend any time with Snape outside of the required classroom time.

It was the end of April when Hermione came running into the common room to grab Harry by the arm, dragging him up to his room to talk to him. Fortunately, girls were allowed access to the boy's dorm room, even though boys were prevented from entering the girls' dorm.

"Harry, I was just in the Headmaster's office. You know how the headmaster has a warded floo connection solely for muggle born students and their parents to use for making fire calls? Well, I just talked to my mother. Your friend Caitlin called; she needs you, some emergency. Here, she left an address for you, she needs you immediately."

Harry looked at the paper, stunned. There was a London address on the paper. 

"Does Dumbledore know about this? I mean, does he know about Caitlin, and that the message was for me?"

"No, he left the room while I talked to Mum. He thinks it's an emergency with my family. Harry, what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to see her. I'll take my broom to Hogsmeade; I can sneak into Rosmerta's and floo to Grimmauld Place from there. There's an underground station close to the house. I should be able to get to this address pretty quickly that way."

"Harry, be careful. Make sure you take enough money for the underground."

Harry put on his winter cloak, and threw his invisibility cloak over that. He grabbed his Firebolt and dashed out of the common room, and was racing out of the castle within minutes. His cloak allowed him to slip into Rosmerta's, and he used the floo connection in the back room of the pub to go to Grimmauld Place. Harry left his broom and invisibility cloak there, and took off running for the underground to find the address Caitlin had left for him.

Twenty minutes later, Harry was staring in some confusion at a small building with a plaque on the front which read `Louise B. Rainsford Birthing Center.' He approached the building with some trepidation, sure the address was wrong.

Inside, a young woman was seated at a desk in the small lobby. "Good evening, may I help you?"

"Um, I'm not sure. I'm looking for Caitlin Davies. She told me to find her here, but I think I may be at the wrong place?"

She looked down at some papers in front of her. "Your name, please?"

"Harry, Harry Potter."

"Yes, here's your name on her list. Caitlin is in the blue room. Follow me, right this way."

Harry followed her down a hallway, until they reached a blue door. She opened it slightly, saying, "Go right in. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."

Harry pushed the door open, and was surprised to see Caitlin lying in a bed, apparently asleep.

"Caitlin? Caitlin, it's me, Harry."

Caitlin opened her eyes at Harry's voice, relief evident in her gaze. "Harry, you came. I wasn't sure if you'd get my message, or if you'd want to come." She put out her hand for him, and Harry reached out to clutch her hand, leaning down to press his face into the warmth of her neck. 

"Why are you here? What's going on?" Harry looked at her in confusion, trying to put the pieces together. 

"Harry, look behind you." Harry turned and could not contain his gasp of surprise when he saw the bassinet and the tiny baby lying inside. He was drawn forward, his hand reaching out to touch the tiny face. 

The baby was swaddled in a pink blanket, only her small face showing. A small knit cap was on her head, thin black wisps of hair escaping from under the front edge. At Harry's touch, the baby opened her eyes for a moment, just long enough for Harry to see how dark they were.

Harry turned and looked at Caitlin, unaware of the tears running down his face. "She's mine, isn't she? Why didn't you tell me before? How could you keep this from me?"

Caitlin shook her head, saying, "Harry, I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I'm still not sure. Once I found out I was pregnant, I wasn't sure whether or not to even tell you. It was only today, when I was in labor, that I knew I had to tell you." 

She took a deep breath, and looked at Harry as she continued. "Harry, I can't keep her. I can barely support myself. I have another year left of school, and I'm already looking into graduate school. Harry, I grew up poor. I have no-one to help me with a baby. I won't have her growing up the same way. I just thought you should know about her. I'll need your consent to put her up for adoption."

Harry thought for a moment that his heart had stopped when he heard her words. He had to swallow back tears and anger before he could speak. "Caitlin, this is my child. How could you think I would be willing to give her away?"

"Harry, you're too young to be able to take care of her. At least this way, she can have a good home, with people who will love her and be able to provide for her. It's for the best, Harry."

"Never. I'll take her with me, Caitlin. My parents both died when I was a baby. I grew up with relatives who never loved me, and I would never let any one else raise my child. I know you think I'm too young, but I'm almost eighteen. My parents were wealthy, and this baby will never want for anything. Please, Caitlin, sign her over to me. It would kill me to know that I have a child out there, but not be able to see her, or love her."

Caitlin looked at Harry closely. During the summer, he seemed to dress as though he were destitute, wearing old, worn clothes that were much too big for him. "Harry, take off your coat."

Harry unclasped his cloak and draped it over a chair. He was wearing his school uniform, pressed trousers, white shirt, Gryffindor tie, and v-neck sweater. Caitlin noticed that all his clothes fit him well, and they all seemed to be new and of good quality. Harry looked like he had put on weight over the winter, no longer the almost gaunt boy she had been with the previous summer.

"Are you sure, Harry? You're still in school, right? Will you be able to care for her? Who would watch her while you are in classes?"

"I have lots of friends to help me. If I really need help, my friend's mum will be there. Ron has five brothers and a sister, and his mom would love to help take care of her, at least until school is over. Caitlin, I can take care of her, really."

Caitlin saw the earnestness and determination in his eyes. "If you`re sure, Harry. It will be a lot of work. And money. Decide if you can really provide for her, physically and emotionally."

"I have a bank account that my parents left for me with more money than I could ever spend. She`ll have everything she ever needs." Harry turned and softly stroked the swaddled baby. "She`ll be surrounded by people who will love her. I can`t wait for Hagrid to see her, he loves babies. Caitlin, I need to be with her. I promise she will never be less than fully loved and cared for."

"All right, then. Someone will be in soon to give us both a final check. This is a birthing center, so they only keep people here for a number of hours. The baby has looked good since she was born, nice and pink and active. There's a small clip on her umbilical cord that can come off in the morning. It might be a week or two before the rest of the cord dries up and falls off."

Harry picked up the baby from the bassinet, and settled her in his arms before coming to sit on the edge of the bed near Caitlin. "Do you have a name in mind for her?"

"No, she's your daughter, Harry. You can name her."

"Then her name is Iris. My mother was Lily, and her sister was Petunia. I think it's only fitting that she be named after a flower. What do you think of Iris Davies Potter?"

Caitlin smiled sadly, saying "As long as Davies is only her middle name. I want her to have your last name, Harry."

"You could come with us, you know. I can support us all."

"No, Harry. I think it's best if you just take her."

She rang for the nurse, and soon they had signed all the necessary paperwork. Harry was still in shock, looking down at his tiny daughter. 

"Harry, there's a bag on floor that you can take with you. It has a few bottles, some formula, diapers, and a few gowns. It should get you through a few days, but you'll need to get more things for her soon. I think it's best if you leave now, while she's asleep. Just let me see her for a moment."

She took the sleeping baby in her arms, and kissed her gently on both cheeks. She wiped at the traitorous tears running down her cheeks, and passed the baby back to Harry. "Keep her safe, Harry. I know you'll love her. Please, go."

Harry leaned down and kissed her softly. "Thank you, Caitlin. She's a miracle. I won't ever forget you. You can always reach me through Hermione`s parents. If you change your mind, or want to see her - "

"Go, Harry. She'll be better off with you."

He put the baby down in the bassinet while he put his cloak on and slid the straps of the baby bag over his arm. He picked up the baby, and with a final look at Caitlin, he left.

Rather than taking the baby on the Underground, Harry had the woman at the front desk call a taxi. He had muggle money in his pocket, enough to get him back to Grimmauld Place. The taxi dropped him down the street from number twelve, and Harry was relieved once they were inside the old house. Rather than going to Hogsmeade and walking with the baby, he decided to floo directly into Dumbledore's office. It wasn't as though he would be able to keep her a secret, and he didn't want her out in the cold evening air.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the fireplace, threw the floo powder, and said, "Dumbledore's office, Hogwarts."

Harry stumbled out of the fireplace, almost laughing at the shocked faces of Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape as they gaped at him in surprise. The baby was tucked in his arms under his cloak, still quiet.

Snape was the first to recover. "Where in blazes have you been? We have been looking for you for hours. Do you ever think, boy? So typical of you to think only of yourself, without regard for the worry you put others through."

Harry did feel a bit guilty, but he stood up to Snape, saying quietly, "I had a family emergency. I had to leave, Sir. I'm sorry if I worried anyone, but I had to go."

"I'm surprised you would put yourself out for those muggles you are related to. I would think that after their treatment of you that you would consider yourself well rid of them." Snape had seen enough of Harry's memories of his childhood to know that his relatives treated him poorly to say the least. 

"You misunderstood, Sir. I didn't mean that family. I meant this family. He let the bag drop to the ground, and drew the baby out from under his cloak.

"Mr. Potter. What is the meaning of this? Whose baby is this?" Harry had never heard his head of house quite so agitated. 

"Professors, meet Iris Potter, my daughter."

Dumbledore came over and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, one finger gently stroking the baby's cheek. "Congratulations, Harry. You have a beautiful child. Will she be staying with you, then?"

Harry smiled at Dumbledore's unconditional acceptance of the baby. "Yes, Sir. Her mother was going to give her away. I couldn't let her do that. She is mine, biologically and legally. I have all the paperwork that I need, especially if we ever live in the muggle world. I couldn't give her up, Sir."

"No, no, of course not, my boy. Of course not."

Iris chose that moment to open her eyes. Her small mouth began to tremble, then it opened and she began to cry in earnest. Harry looked around for a place to put the baby down. Surprisingly, Severus reached out and took the baby from Harry, sliding her into the crook of his arm.

"I assume you have some nappies and milk for her, Mr. Potter?"

"Oh, yeah, um, right here in the bag." He removed his cloak, and fumbled in the bag, rifling through small clothes until he found the tiny nappies, a bottle, and jars of liquid formula. Harry poured some of the liquid into a bottle, and Professor McGonagall spelled the bottle with a warming charm.

Harry found a small blanket, and the headmaster cleared space on his desk for Harry to change the baby. With help from Severus, Harry got the baby unwrapped, staring in awe at her tiny hands and feet, watching her kick her tiny legs now that the confining blanket was gone. 

"What is this device, Potter?"

"Um, it's a plastic clamp, to keep the cord from bleeding. It can come off in the morning, but I think it takes a few weeks for the rest to come off."

"Muggles are so barbaric." Severus waved his wand over the baby's abdomen, saying, "Sanesco." Iris now had a fully healed belly button, and the small piece of cord and clamp were dispatched with a quiet "Evanesco."

Harry removed the wet nappy, and handed it to Severus as he put a clean one on the baby. Her cries were shaking her small body, her face red and wet with tears. Harry tried to swaddle her the way she had been, but found it impossible to do. 

Severus pushed his hands away, and swiftly had the baby swaddled, leaving one small arm free. "Sit down, Mr. Potter." 

Harry sat, and Severus handed him his daughter while Professor McGonagall handed him the warm bottle. As soon as the nipple touched her mouth, she latched on ferociously, and began to suck down the milk with loud gulping noises. Soon her eyes began to droop, her mouth working the nipple slowly, before letting go and snoring quietly.

Severus came to stand next to him. "Sit her on your leg, and support her chin with your hand. Lean her forward and pat her back, gently." Harry did as Severus told him, until a loud burp erupted from the small body. He laid her back in his arms, his fingers stroking the tiny hand.

"Would you like a job as a nanny? You seem to have a knack for it." Harry smiled at Severus as he said this. How had Snape come to know so much about babies?

"Thank you, but no. I am quite happy terrorizing students, Mr. Potter. Draco's mother trained me well when Draco was a newborn. I'm afraid that my practical knowledge of babies only covers infants."

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Well, Harry, it seems that you will be in need of a new room, perhaps one with a private bath. Let me summon a house elf, and we will get a room prepared for you. We can fire call Molly tomorrow, to see if she would be willing to help out a bit, until school ends."

"Headmaster, Harry and the baby can stay with me tonight. Harry would have direct access to Poppy or yourself if need be. I have a bunk in the workshop that I can use. I expect to be up a good deal of the night taking care of an experimental potion."

Harry looked at Severus in surprise. They had become friends of sorts, but Harry had never expected such generosity from the man who so strongly guarded his privacy.

"Would that be acceptable, Harry?" The headmaster was watching Harry, an overly innocent expression on his face.

"Um, yes, that would be fine. As long as you don't think we'll be in your way, Sir."

"I rarely make offers unless I am certain that I wish to do so. Follow me, Potter. I will take the bag and your cloak for you."

Harry shifted the baby onto his chest, one hand behind her head while the other supported her bottom. He followed Severus down into the dungeons, and then into the potion master's private quarters.

The private quarters of the snarky professor were surprisingly warm and inviting. The furniture was all upholstered in soft, sage velvet, with dark mahogany wood. Harry admired the carved claw feet of the couch and armchairs, the furniture all seeming to be well maintained antiques.

The stone floors were covered in places by thick wool rugs, and several large tapestries on the walls reduced the overall feeling of being in the dungeons.

Severus showed Harry the bedroom and bathroom, and transfigured a chair into a small cradle for the baby. Harry tucked a blanket into the cradle, and lay the sleeping infant on her back, loosening the blanket around her to free her arms.

The bedroom contained a large bed and a free standing wardrobe, with small tables on either side of the bed. He went back to the main room, but Severus was nowhere in sight. Harry then noticed another door, and went through it to find a large workroom, with a narrow bed and a table and chair tucked into one corner.

"Thank you for letting us stay with you tonight. I was a little nervous about being alone with the baby tonight. I feel much better knowing that you're here, especially since you know what to do with her."

He yawned widely, and said, "I hope you don't mind if I go to bed. I'm sure the baby will be up again soon. Maybe I can sleep for a few hours before she needs me again. `Night."

Harry surprised Severus by reaching up and kissing his cheek, too tired to even think about what he was doing. Severus watched him leave with a stunned expression on his face. What did that kiss mean? Was Potter merely grateful for his help? Did Potter see him as some sort of father figure?

Severus had thought that Harry was quietly flirting with him during the past few months, but decided he had been mistaken when Harry had arrived with the baby. Maybe he hadn't been mistaken. Perhaps Harry played for both teams. Severus pondered that as he stirred his potions, wondering about the baby's mother and Harry's relationship with her. And what was that kiss all about?

Harry toed off his shoes and settled into the softness of his professor's bed. The pillows smelled of Severus, and he wrapped himself into the blankets and let sleep take him under.

Severus checked on Harry and Iris several hours later. Harry was asleep on his side, his head barely visible. Iris was beginning to stir, one small arm waving about, her mouth offering silent protests. Severus picked her up and brought her into the other room. He quietly prepared a bottle for her, and sat with her on the couch, content to watch her as she consumed the formula.

He burped her gently, and then laid her on the couch to change her wet and dirty diaper. He would have to ask Molly for a charm to clean cloth nappies, as they would soon be out of them if he continued to banish them. He spent the better part of the next hour watching the baby sleep in his arms. He placed her back in the cradle only when he knew he had to return to the final step of the potion he was in the process of finishing.

Severus smiled when he saw that Harry had not moved at all, and was still fast asleep. He returned to the workroom, finished his work, and crawled into the narrow bunk. 

Harry awoke when he heard his daughter cry loudly. He felt as though he had slept for a long time, but that couldn't be right since he was sure that new babies only slept for a few hours between feeding.

"Hey, beautiful, let's get you cleaned up and fed. It's okay, daddy's here."

Harry changed her into a clean nappy and a new little outfit, and then set about warming a bottle for her. Rather than stay in the bedroom, he took her into the living area. He settled her into his arms, watching her suck as her eyes stayed fixed on his.

Soon the baby was again asleep, and Harry laid her into the cradle. He quietly went into the workroom, surprised to find Severus asleep on the bunk. It seemed that Severus had not been entirely truthful when he said he would be up all night working. Harry felt guilty for putting him out of his bed, even if it was just for an evening.

"Professor, wake up. Go to bed, Professor. It's too cold in here."

Severus sat up groggily, saying, "Harry? What is it?"

"Go to bed, Sir. It's too cold in here. Let me help you."

Snape let himself be led into the bedroom. He seemed to forget that Harry was even there as he disrobed and climbed into bed in his boxers. Harry could hear his soft, even breathing almost as soon as he lay down.

Now he was in a bit of a quandary. He hadn't expected Snape to strip down to his smalls, but maybe the man had been too tired to realize Harry had still been there. He didn't want to sleep in the workroom. It was too far from the baby, and too cold. The bed looked too inviting and warm for Harry to resist. He stepped out of his trousers, and stripped off his jumper, shirt, and tie. He slid into the soft bed, his back to his professor, trying to stay near the edge of the bed. 

Harry swore he had just fallen asleep when his daughter's strident cries woke him up. He had to unwrap the long arm which was around his chest before he could get up out of the middle of the bed. He scooped the baby out of her cradle, and took her into the other room to prepare a bottle. 

Harry was shivering in his boxers, so he took the baby back to the bedroom and climbed into the bed with her, trying not to disturb Severus. He lay on his side, the baby's head propped on his arm as he watched her drink. The bottle was soon empty, and the baby again asleep. Harry sat up and burped her before kissing her softly and returning her to her cradle.

He had just gotten comfortable in the bed when Snape's soft voice startled him. "You seem to have a natural touch with her."

"I'm glad you think so. I think I'll need a lot of help with her, at least for now. I don't know anything about babies. I've never even been around babies before. She's so small and needy."

"She just needs the basics. Food, sleep, and comfort. I think you'll do fine, Potter."

"My name is Harry. Could you at least call me Harry while I'm here?"

"Perhaps I could. I must admit to some surprise to finding you here. I mistakenly thought when you urged me in here that you would be sleeping in the workroom, or perhaps on the couch. Whatever possessed you to join me here? You must realize that it is quite inappropriate."

"Your workroom is too cold, and too far from the baby."

"You do realize that this was not what the headmaster had in mind when he agreed to you spending the night here."

"I no longer make any assumptions where the headmaster is concerned. I think he sees all possible outcomes of any given situation. I do know that if he had any objections that I would not be here right now."

Harry rolled over to face Snape. "Thank you for letting us stay with you. I'm still trying to get around the fact that I have a child."

"Did you give any thought to preventing this? The spells are completely effective, for either partner."

"She's a muggle. It's not as though I could whip out my wand and cast a spell over myself. I only know the spell Sterilitas Temporaras. That spell is short lived, so I couldn't exactly do it beforehand. She had muggle condoms. Nasty, actually, and obviously not as effective as spells. But I look at that baby and I can't believe she was a mistake."

"What of her mother? Did she really plan on giving your child away?"

"She did. She already had the papers filled out and just wanted my signature. She said she wasn't even going to tell me about the baby, and only decided to yesterday."

"Do you love her? Did you love her?"

"I cared for her. We were both lonely, and we seemed to have gone through some of the same things. She's a muggle, two years older than me. She was easy to talk to, and I enjoyed being with her. I'm not sure if that's love, but it must not have been much of anything for her because she never contacted me for nine months. She only contacted me at all so I would agree to give away our child."

Severus could hear the pain in his voice, and reached out a hand touch Harry's shoulder. The boy seemed to take that as permission for more. He moved forward and pressed himself against Severus, resting his forehead against the taller man's chest. Severus put his arm around him rolled onto his back, drawing Harry onto his chest. His other hand came up to gently stroke Harry's head, murmuring soft soothing words.

Severus could feel warm, wet tears on his chest as Harry silently cried. He wanted to go shake that idiot girl for hurting Harry. Severus rubbed Harry's back, wishing he could find the words to make him feel better.

"It was a brave thing you did. You took responsibility for your child, something many young men in your position would not have done. She is lucky to have you for a father."

"Thank you." The whispered reply was shaky and tears laden. 

"Your daughter will be up again in a few hours. Try to get some sleep. You can fire call Molly in the morning and find out if she would be willing to take care of your daughter during the day until the term ends. The headmaster will have new rooms for you tomorrow. Everything will look better in the daytime."

When Harry woke up, Severus was gone and the baby was sleeping. He quickly used the shower, and found his clothes laid out over the end of the bed. There were clean boxers made of black silk, looking suspiciously similar to the type Severus had been wearing the previous night. 

A clean white shirt had been placed with his trousers. Harry realized it must be one of Severus' when he put it on and found it to be a little large, especially in the length of the sleeves. Still, it was clean and pressed, and nowhere near as ill fitting as Dudley's clothes. 

Harry finished dressing and rifled through the baby bag, finding a small gown of soft white material with tiny ducks stitched across the chest. He took Iris out of the cradle, and laid her on the bed to change her outfit and diaper, waking her in the process. Rather than crying, she watched him intently as he talked softly to her while he got her dressed and wrapped in a blanket.

Harry stuffed his jumper and tie into the bag. He checked around the room before taking the bag and the baby, grabbing his cloak and leaving. There was still a short time before breakfast, so Harry made his way up to Gryffindor tower to see Ron and Hermione and put on clean robes for the day. The common room had been bustling with noise and activity, but it all ceased as Harry entered with the baby.

Hermione came rushing over to Harry. She looked down at the baby in his arms. "Harry, is this why she called? Is she yours?"

Harry smiled at the bewilderment in her voice. He had told his friends about Caitlin, but had never confided just how intimate they had been. 

"Yes, she's mine. She was born yesterday." Harry adjusted the blanket so Hermione could see the baby better.

"Oh, Harry. She's beautiful. But why is she here, with you? Where is her mother?"

"Caitlin said she couldn't take care of her. She was planning on putting her up for adoption. Instead, she'll be living with me, so the headmaster is having a different room prepared for us. I'm really going to need help, Hermione, so please don't be pissed at me. I just wasn't comfortable sharing everything that led to this baby being here. And no, I did not know about her until yesterday."

"Oh Harry, of course we'll help. I'm sure I can find some books on baby development, and if we ask Madam Pince I'm sure she could get some other books on parenting and feeding and such."

"Thanks, Hermione. I can always count on you, can't I?" Harry felt better knowing he had support from Hermione, even if it was doing research regarding his daughter's well-being.

Ron came down from the dorm and stood there, mouth agape, when he saw the baby Harry held in his arms. 

"Harry, who's the little nipper?" 

Harry just smiled at him, holding the baby up so her cheek was pressed against his own.

"Oh no. No, no, no. Tell me I'm wrong. That child is not yours, because I know you would have told me if you had been shagging that muggle."

"That muggle was my girlfriend, and is Iris' mother. You're my best friend, Ron, but that doesn't mean I have to tell you every detail about any relationship I am in."

"But I would have told you, Harry!"

"Ron, you grew up with five brothers. You guys tell each other everything. This was personal, between Caitlin and me. I didn't want to lessen it by sharing it so it could be talked about in the showers."

"Fine, fine. I'm sorry. Just a bit of a shock is all. Why is she here with you?"

"She'll be living with me, Ron. Believe me, I had no choice but to bring her back here with me. I'm moving out of the tower today because we'll need a quieter place with a few more things for the baby."

"So what are you going to do with her? We still have weeks of school left. Do you even know if Dumbledore will let her be here? I don't think the professors will be too keen to have her in class, not to mention that it wouldn't be too safe for her."

"We were back here last night, and Dumbledore had no objections to Iris staying here. He suggested that I call your mum, and ask if she'll come over and watch her during the day until the end of term." Harry watched Ron apprehensively, not sure how that bit of information would be received. Harry knew Ron could be a bit irrational at times, and he didn't want Ron to be upset that his mother was being asked to care for Harry's daughter.

"Brilliant, Mum would love that. She hates it that we're all away now. She keeps hoping Bill or Charlie will settle down with a nice witch and give her grandchildren to coddle."

"Hermione, could you sit with her for a minute? I just need to finish dressing, and then we can go down to breakfast."

Hermione took the baby gingerly and sat down on one of the couches. "Um, Harry, I think the house elves might have given you the wrong shirt. It looks a bit large for you." Harry just smiled and loped up the stairs to his dorm. Soon Hermione was surrounded, everyone wanting to get a close look at Harry's daughter.

Harry returned, fully dressed for the day, and Hermione reluctantly returned the baby. Together they made their way down to the great hall for breakfast. Harry did his best to ignore the whispering that flowed around him as he made his way to a seat at the Gryffindor table. He left the bag on the floor behind him when he saw a bottle appear on his plate. 

Iris was just beginning to fuss, her small mouth frowning as short, plaintive cries escaped. Harry quickly put the nipple in her mouth, grateful that she was hungry rather than wet. Of course, it wouldn't be long before that would be a problem too, at least not at the rate she was quaffing down her milk. Harry slipped the small cap from her head to stroke the soft black hair.

"Harry, I'm sorry if I got you in trouble. I was worried about you, and nobody knew where you went. I was the one who told Dumbledore that you were missing." Neville spoke quietly from across the table, looking extremely remorseful.

"It's okay, Neville. I appreciate that you were worried about me. I didn't know about Iris when I left yesterday. I only knew that Caitlin had called and said she needed me, and no one would have let me leave the school to visit a muggle that I was dating last summer. The headmaster was very supportive, and didn't even lecture me for taking off."

Iris had finished her milk, so Harry propped her up on his shoulder and patted her back until she burped. He put her knit hat back on her head, tucked her into one arm and did his best to eat one handed. Most of the Gryffindors were enthralled by the baby, but Harry disappointed them all by not allowing anyone else to hold her.

"She's less than a day old. I'm not ready for her to be passed around just so everyone can coo at her."

"H-h-harry. " Harry looked over his shoulder when he saw Neville go pale and begin to stutter. Professor Snape was standing behind him, imposing in his black teaching robes.

"Mr. Potter, the headmaster would like to see you in his office. You may retrieve Miss Potter from my office when you are finished." Severus' voice was cold and stern, but Harry's ears only heard the warm tones the man had used the night before.

Harry shocked everyone except Severus when he turned and placed the infant in his arms. "She just ate, so she should be all set for a while. Do you want her bag?"

"I think not. We'll be in my office." He swept out of the hall at less than his usual speed, the baby tucked securely into his arms.

"Harry, I can't believe you just let that bastard go off with your daughter. Why would you let him take her, when you wouldn't even let us hold her?"

"Ron, he knows how to take care of her. He's always been there to protect me, even if he spent years berating me and taking out his hate for my father and Sirius on me. He'll take care of her. I trust him completely. Iris and I were with him last night. He actually took care of both of us."

Harry grabbed his bag and got up from the table, leaving his shell shocked friends to wonder if he had lost his mind. Since when did Harry trust Snape more than he trusted his friends?

Harry met Professor McGonagall at the entrance to Dumbledore's office. "You may go right up, Mr. Potter. The headmaster is waiting for you."

"Yes, Ma'am." Harry hurried up the stairs and into the office. Dumbledore was standing near his fireplace, talking to Molly Weasley. 

"Harry, I just told Molly that you need to speak to her. I`ll give you a few moments, shall I?" Harry swallowed the lump in his throat, his heart pounding madly. He had been hoping Dumbledore would tell her about Iris, but apparently he was not so lucky.

"Hello, dear. Is everything all right?"

"Um, hello Mrs. Weasley. Ah, I just found out last night that, um, well, I have a daughter."

"Harry!" He winced slightly at the loud screech. "Wait right there. Just let me drop my apron, and then I'm coming right through."

A moment later Molly Weasley stepped out of the fireplace. She smelled like fresh scones and oranges, as though she had just been having breakfast.

"Did I hear you correctly, Harry? You have a daughter? How can this be? Where is she?"

"She's being watched by one of the professors at the moment. Um, I was dating a muggle girl last summer. I didn't know she was pregnant; she only got in touch with me yesterday. We have a daughter who was born yesterday, but I'll be raising her. She wanted to put her up for adoption, and I couldn't let her do that. I was hoping you might be willing to help take care of her, just until the term ends."

"Oh, Harry, of course. Arthur would be so pleased to have a little one at home again. She can live with us at the burrow, and you can spend the weekends with us."

"Actually, I just need someone to watch her during the day. She's my daughter, and I want to be the one to take care of her. I want to be with her as much as possible. If you could take care of her while I'm in classes, I'll be able to take care of her the rest of the time."

"Well, I suppose I could do that, dear. You can bring her to the burrow in the morning, and I'll bring her back when you've finished with classes in the afternoon. You can't stay in the tower, of course. The baby will need peace and quiet, and she would keep the boys up at night."

"Yes, the headmaster had prepared some rooms for us. I haven't seen them yet, but we could go have a look at them, and then you could meet Iris."

"Iris, what a lovely name, dear. Yes, let's find Albus, and we can see your new rooms."

As if on cue, the headmaster reappeared. "Harry, Dobby will show you to your room. Molly, lovely to see you." Dobby appeared with a pop, chatting excitedly about Harry's new rooms. Harry and Molly followed him down the hall and up a short flight of stairs. 

Dobby stopped in front of a portrait of Sir Pendleton, and told Harry the password was `Dancing Pixies'. Harry entered to find himself in a moderate sized room. A large bed, a small cradle, and a wardrobe were tucked against one side of the room. The other side held a desk, a small settee and a rocking chair. There was a fireplace with arched windows on either side, letting in the morning sun. 

Harry's trunk was already sitting at the foot of the bed, and a peek in the wardrobe revealed his meager array of clothing already on hangers. An arch on one side of the room led to a small kitchen with an eating area, while a door on the other side of the room led to a large bathroom with both a shower and a small tub.

"Yes, these should do quite nicely for you, Harry. Now, I'm sure you must need some supplies for your daughter. Would you like for me to get those for you? She'll need clothing, blankets, a carrier, nappies, bottles, soap and powder, toys, books-" Harry interrupted her softly. "Yes, Mrs. Weasley. Whatever you think she needs. I'll give you the key to my vault. Take out however much you think it will cost."

"All right, dear. I'll take her out today and we'll just have everything sent here. Now, I think it's time I met your daughter."

Harry led the way down to the dungeons, and through the open door of the Potion Master's office. Severus had transfigured his chair into a large, deep armchair. He was sitting in the chair with the baby in his lap, watching her sleep. One long finger gently stroked her cheek, and his expression was one Harry had never seen before, a mixture of longing and sadness. 

Harry cleared his throat softly, wincing as the man startled. "Ah, Mr. Potter. I take it, Molly, that you have agreed to help watch young Miss Potter?" He moved the baby into his arms, and slowly got up from the chair. Harry took her with a whispered, "Thank you, Professor."

Harry turned to Molly and said, "This is Iris." He removed the small cap, showing her the baby's wispy black hair. Iris chose that moment to wake up and look around with her large, dark eyes. Harry handed her to Ron's mother, noticing how confident and practiced she was holding babies.

"Harry, she's lovely. And just look at those eyes. My, my, I think Severus is the only person I know with eyes quite that dark. She does seem to have your hair, though."

"Um, her mother has dark eyes, and um, straight black hair. But very fair skin, sort of like, um..." Harry stopped talking as he realized guiltily that Caitlin really did have the same coloring as Severus. He saw the potion master arch an eyebrow at him inquiringly as he took in what Harry was implying.

Harry turned back to talk to Mrs. Weasley. "Um, I have classes until four today. Are you sure you don't mind caring for her?"

"Not at all, Harry. It will be a nice change, and we'll have such fun today. Now, we'll just be off, dear. I'll just meet you back in your room this afternoon, shall I?"

Harry nodded, and leaned down to kiss his daughter before they left. Molly left with the baby, humming softly to her. Harry found that Severus was still watching him, puzzling over the description of Caitlin.

"So, tell me again about her mother. I believe you were saying something about dark hair and eyes, and fair skin?"

"Um, well, you see, she did sort of remind me, well, not really remind me, but it did maybe cross my mind that she had the same coloring as you. But obviously, she's a girl. Although, she is pretty slim, sort of my height, but she has a very cute little nose. Um, she does like to wear black quite a bit, too."

Severus took a step toward Harry. "You do seem to have an inclination toward witches with black hair and dark eyes, Mr. Potter. I believe you went to the Yule Ball during your fourth year with Miss Patil. And there was some mention of you seeing Miss Chang during your fifth year. I find it interesting that they both have black hair and dark eyes, much like your description of the baby's mother."

Harry realized that he had never really seen things quite so clearly before. He had been fascinated by Snape for years. Snape was such an enigma at times. He had spent so much time and energy humiliating Harry during his first five years at school, yet at the same time he had put himself at risk to protect Harry.

Snape had even defended Harry in front of Fudge at the end of his fourth year, going so far as to show his dark mark to validate Harry`s claim that the Dark Lord had returned. Harry had been privy to many of the man's private thoughts and memories during his fifth year while Snape tried to teach him to shield his mind.

Yet somehow it had all changed during his sixth year. He had spent many evenings with Snape, working on defensive lessons, and when it had all paid off, Snape had been right there at his back. Harry knew he never would have had a chance at defeating Voldemort had it not been for Snape. 

The man had been on his mind a great deal when he had left for summer holidays. Had he looked at Caitlin and seen Snape? Certainly, they did have a few superficial characteristics, but they were completely different people. Caitlin was quiet with a peacefulness that Harry had found calming. When Snape was quiet Harry was even more aware of him than usual.

While Caitlin was calming to Harry, Snape had always made his heart beat erratically, and his palms sweat. Of course, that had been mainly from either fear or anger. At least, it had been until this past year. Once Harry had returned for seventh year, he found himself watching those elegant hands, and his palms would sweat from an entirely different reason. 

Harry finally saw through the smirks and sneers to the loneliness and vulnerability beneath. He wanted to be friends with Snape, or Severus, as he had taken to thinking of him. The man's sense of humor was so dry and delivered with so little emotion that it had taken Harry months to be able to enjoy it, and begin to pay the man back in kind.

"Fine, now you know that I seem to be attracted to people of a certain coloring. Not really a secret, I guess. What is it you saw when you were looking at Iris? You seemed, I don't know, maybe unhappy?"

Snape was silent for so long that Harry thought he had decided not to answer. "I see many things when I look at her. Beauty, innocence, potential, need. I see you in her eyes, not in the color, but in how they watch me. You frequently have that same quiet watchfulness about you." He moved around the room, his robe wrapped about himself. 

"I look at your child, and I can't help but wonder what a child of mine would have looked like. Would he or she have had such delicate skin, such mysterious eyes? I'll never know, because I'll never be a father."

"Severus, you're still a young wizard, you're not even forty yet. You have time to find someone you're compatible with, to have children with." Harry didn't want to think about Severus with anyone, his long fingers stroking someone's skin, his sexy voice whispering seductively in their ear.

"I may find someone, but since I prefer wizards to witches, I'll never have children. There are those people, like Draco`s father, who has no compunction about marrying a witch simply to beget an heir. I could never do that, despite my desire for an heir." 

"Do you hate teaching? I mean, because you have to spend all your time with other people's children."

"By the time students arrive here, they are well on their way to becoming their own person. Young, yes, but already with opinions and ideas about the world. Somehow, a brand new life is so different. You have a chance to influence them, to be a part of them."

Harry touched Severus gently on the arm, wishing he could say something, but not wanting to make things more uncomfortable for the man.

"I'm becoming maudlin in my old age. Enjoy your daughter, Potter. Protect her, love her, and listen to her. She has incredible potential."

"Despite the fact that her mother is a muggle?"

"Really, Harry. She's your daughter. Look how powerful you are, how pivotal you have been to our world, yet your mother was born of muggles. Magic manifests itself as it will, despite what we spout about the superiority of Purebloods."

Harry gave the firm arm under his hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you again for taking care of us, both of us, last night. I also appreciated the clean clothes."

"I think it is time for you to go to class, Harry. You know where to find me if you have need of anything."

"Thank you, Sir."

Harry went through the day in a bit of a daze. He tried to concentrate on his classes, but it was hard. His thoughts kept returning to Severus, and students were constantly asking questions about Iris. Finally, it was four o'clock. Harry said a hasty Good-Bye to Ron and Hermione, and left for his room. He hadn't seen Iris since breakfast, and he had to keep reminding himself that Molly Weasley had raised seven children and lived through much darker times than these. Iris would be safe with her.

He went through the portrait of Sir Pendleton, and for a moment he was sure he was in the wrong room. Then Molly appeared in the archway to the kitchen, baby Iris in her arms. "Harry, dear, how was your day?"

"Oh, fine, yeah, fine. Um, how was yours? How did Iris do?"

"The little mite slept most of the day. I think she's ready to see you."

Harry threw down his books, and tossed off his robe before taking his child in his arms. He tucked her against his shoulder, breathing in the clean, powdery smell of her. Harry covered her cheek with kisses before moving her a bit so he could look into her bottomless eyes. 

"Harry, I've written out some useful spells for you. There's a list on your desk. Let me show you a few of the things I picked up for the baby."

Harry followed her into the kitchen, and found it reminded him of Ron's home. Molly had put a checked curtain over the top of the window, and a matching tablecloth over the small table. She opened a cupboard to reveal rows of baby bottles and nipples. 

"Harry, the bottles are charmed to keep whatever liquid is added to them at just the right temperature. Just leave the used bottles in the sink, and the house elves will return them to the cupboard clean. This cupboard is full of formula." 

She showed him the drawer full of small bibs and cloths for Harry to use when he burped the baby. "These will save your clothes from getting wet, dear."

The area between the desk and the settee now was covered in a thick, soft rug. Colorful pillows and a throw blanket adorned the settee. The serviceable brown wooden cradle was gone, and in its place was a delicate one made of white wood, with a long apron of frilly fabric around the sides. Harry ran his hand over the soft blanket lying in the cradle.

Molly led Harry to the bathroom to show him the new items there. Instead of the industrial white walls that Harry had seen that morning, this afternoon the bathroom was a soft yellow with pastel blue towels and a matching shower curtain.

"Harry, dirty diapers can be put here. The bin is charmed to scourgify them, and then the house elves will send them back clean. I've put the bottles of baby wash and shampoo on this shelf, and here is her brush. There are some salves here for diaper rash. You can use a spell occasionally to clear that up, but not too often." 

Harry followed her back to the main room. A small armoire, reaching only to Harry's chest, now sat near Harry's bed. Molly opened it to show Harry the drawers full of cloth nappies, booties, and blankets. Tiny gowns were hanging on small hangers. 

"Thank you so much for getting all this. I never would have known what to buy, or where to get it."

"You're very welcome, Harry. Just floo over in the morning. You don't need to send anything with her as I've left clothing and supplies for her at the Burrow. Well, now, I'd best be getting home. Arthur will be along soon." She kissed Iris, and gave Harry a warm hug before leaving.

Harry barely made it through the next two days, and finally it was the weekend. Harry hadn't realized how exhausted he would be after just three nights of getting up frequently to feed Iris. He planned on sleeping every moment that Iris slept. Hermione had offered to study in his room Saturday afternoon. Harry was hoping to get five uninterrupted hours of sleep while Hermione took over one feeding.

Harry felt refreshed enough on Sunday to spend part of the day in the Gryffindor common room studying with Ron and Hermione. He was happy to see Ginny and Neville tucked together on one of the couches studying. Ron and Hermione were so obviously a couple, but Harry felt much less left out and alone now that he had Iris. He just had to make it through to the end of the term, and then they would make some plans for their future.