The Joy of the Father

A/N: As always, I want to thank RobisonRocket for being the best beta EVER. I also want to thank my very loyal reviewers. I can't seem to write fast enough for you guys. But I love it. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

The Joy of the Father

Chapter 13

Harry had been released by Madam Pomfrey and given a clean bill of health. He was in the process of tying his shoelaces when his wife, carrying their daughter, made her way into the room. "I hear you're a free man," Ginny said, handing the baby to Harry. Harry pressed his fingers to his mouth and gestured to a sleeping Hermione.

Harry held the baby close to him, taking in her scent. "She's so beautiful, Gin. You know, you were right about the final battle. All I could think about was her and you. You guys pulled me through."

"We are so happy to have you home, Harry. But we have a very pressing issue to deal with now that you are up and about. Our daughter still doesn't have a name."

"Ah, you're right. We need to think of something that's just perfect for her. If it were up to me, I'd call her 'Daddy's Girl,' but I guess that's not really a name."

"No, you can't really get away with calling her that. We've already agreed on Lily for her middle name. So let's think for a moment."

Silence.

This seemed to be much harder than they thought it would be. Finally, the silence was broken by Hermione. "Will you two just name the poor child already?"

Ginny and Harry grinned. "Sorry, Hermione," said Harry. "We didn't mean to wake you up."

"You didn't wake me, Harry. I've been awake for a while. But, really, my poor goddaughter has gone over a month without a name. Quit putting her off and name her."

Ginny looked quizzically at Hermione. "Do you have any suggestions? You're her godmother after all; you can have some input."

Hermione thought for moment, and then a light hit her face, which Harry recognized as I got it! Harry smiled. "Alright, Hermione, I've seen that look before. What have you come up with?"

"Abigail."

Ginny grinned. "Abigail. I like it. Do you know someone with that name?"

"I know," Harry interjected. "What heroine from Hogwarts: A History was named Abigail?"

"Ha, ha, ha, you are so funny. Actually, the name has a specific meaning. I only know this because..." Hermione blushed, "I've been looking at baby naming books."

Ginny beamed. "Hermione, are you saying that you are having a girl?"

"I don't know yet, but I've got to keep myself occupied. Anyway, the name means something like 'joy of the father.' And she, apart from Ginny, is your greatest joy, Harry. So why not call her Abigail?" A flash of sadness crossed Hermione's face. "It's not like I'll be able to use it."

Harry felt his heart in his throat. "Hermione, you are a genius." Hermione flushed, but smiled shyly at the compliment.

Harry was suddenly struck with an idea. He whispered something in Ginny's ear that made her nod in acceptance. Smiling at Hermione, he said, "Hermione, I'd like for you to meet Abigail Lily-Jane Potter."

Harry's happiness wilted quite a bit when Hermione burst into tears. Ginny promptly started to shed a few tears and ran around the bed to share an embrace with her friend. Harry was bewildered. "Er... Hermione, we can call her something else if you'd like? I didn't mean to upset you."

Hermione waved off Harry's apology. "No, Harry. I think it's beautiful. It just caught me off guard. I'm very proud to have my middle name attached to... to... your mum's. It's a great honor. And to give it to such a beautiful baby is the icing on the cake. I don't know what to say, Harry. Thank you so much for thinking that I deserve such praise."

Harry blushed. "It's nothing... really. You're one of my best mates, Hermione. You've always been there for me and Ron. You deserve much more than that. Besides, you heard what Snape said. You remind him of my mother, so why not extend her name just a bit and give it to her granddaughter."

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and Madam Pomfrey entered the room. "Well, Potter, you are free to leave. Off you go. Severus is in his office, needing to speak with you for a moment."

Harry was surprised by this, but stood and handed the baby back to Ginny. "Do you want to wait here for me, or are you going home?"

"I'll stay here with Hermione. Come get me later, and we'll go home together. When I get you there, however, I'm going to snog you properly."

Harry wagged his eyebrows. "Can't wait."

Harry knocked on the door leading to Snape's office. He waited until he heard, "Enter," then walked cautiously into the room. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Yes, sit down. I want to show you something."

Harry sat in the chair indicated and waited. Snape opened his drawer and withdrew a roll of parchment. Handing it to Harry, he said, "I think you will find this worthy of your attention."

Harry unrolled the parchment. It was a letter addressed to both him and Snape. Harry met Snape's gaze for a moment, then read.

To Severus Snape and Harry Potter,

Lucius Malfoy

Harry looked up at Snape. "Who on earth could he be talking about? We got all the Death Eaters."

Snape rubbed his eyes. Harry could not recall ever seeing Snape look so exhausted. In that moment, Harry was hit with the realization of all this man had done. He gave up a life of happiness and love so he could spy for the Order. Harry realized that this man – not Snape, but Severus – was not the enemy that Harry always thought him to be. No matter what kind to interaction they had, Severus' number one priority had always been the Order.

Severus, Harry now thought of him, was his mum's friend. He was cruel to her in order to save her life. Even though she eventually was killed, it was Severus who preserved her life so that she could marry Harry's father and give birth to him. Harry swallowed his pride and spoke with the most courage his could summon. "Severus?"

Severus was jerked out of his thoughts by the sound of his name on Harry Potter's lips. He stared at Harry, who was noticeably flustered, and waited a beat. He enjoyed watching the emotions play out on Harry's features and, feeling satisfied with the bit of fear he could still invoke on the boy, he grinned.

Feeling much more confident, Harry grinned back. "Well, I guess it's time I let you call me by my given name, Harry. You are an adult now, and no longer my student. I'll have to get used to it, however difficult it is to have James Potter's look-alike on my side for a change."

Harry gave Severus a solemn look, which Severus didn't misunderstand. "Harry, I'm fully aware that you are not him. I've been aware of it for a long time. I would see him in you until I saw your eyes. That's when I saw her. It's been... hard all these years. I reckon that's one of the reasons I've had so much animosity toward you for so many years. I look at you, and I see her accusations, and I see the mess I've made of my life."

Remembering what Ginny had said about Aunt Petunia, Harry said, "My eyes seem to have that effect on people. But, it's not your fault. The things you did when you were a child are in the past. The things my father did, and the things Sirius did, are all in the past. The things I thought you did, and the reasons I hated you, are all in the past. I want to start anew."

Severus stood and motioned for Harry to follow him. They adjourned to a room behind a bookshelf, which Harry could see right away was Severus' private office. Once inside, Severus sat down in a large leather chair. Harry took the one opposite him. Harry waited for Snape to make the first move, still a little intimidated by his newfound admiration for the greasy-haired bat of the dungeons.

Snape summoned two glasses and a bottle of Firewhiskey. Pouring a generous amount in both glasses, he handed one to Harry and sat back in his chair. He took a sip of the amber liquid and gave a contented sigh. "I want to say something to you, Harry. I wish to apologize for the hell I've put you through all the time I've known you. Lily was a wonderful woman. Though I didn't have romantic feelings for her, I was most displeased when she took up with James. I felt like she was making the biggest mistake of her life. Unfortunately, by that time, I was no longer in her good graces, so I couldn't convey my feelings on the subject."

"What I'm trying to say is that I let a playground hatred take over when I shouldn't have. It is not your fault that you had to bear a grown man's cross. You were only a child, and your entire world was ripped from you. When I saw you, I blamed you for James marrying Lily, which eventually led to her demise. I was a fool."

Harry didn't know what to say, so he decided to deal with the matter at hand. "So, what do you think we should do about Lucius? Should we go to the Manor?"

Severus took another sip of his Firewhiskey and nodded. "Yes, I think we should. However, I don't think we will need reinforcement." Snape waited for Harry's response and raised an eyebrow when Harry nodded in agreement.

"I think you're right. For some reason I don't think he's a threat. When would you like to go?"

"I believe we should go straight away. Is there anything you need to square away? Have you named your child yet?"

Harry couldn't hide his grin. "Yes, sir, we've decided to call her Abigail Lily-Jane Potter."

"Well, that's a fitting name. However, I'm surprised you didn't give her the first name Lily. Surely she's deserving of the moniker."

"Yes, of course she's deserving of my mother's name. However, we thought it best to give her something of her own. My daughter will go down in history as it is. The daughter of The Boy-Who-Lived, and the granddaughter of the woman who sacrificed herself; she needed to be her own person."

Snape nodded slowly in understanding. "And Jane, where did that come from?"

"Hermione's middle name. She is the one who came up with Abigail, so Ginny and I decided it was the right thing to do."

"Well, then, shall we go?"

"I need to go to the hospital wing, first. Ginny's waiting for me."

"I'll meet you outside the gates. We can Apparate."

"Won't Mr. Malfoy have wards up to block us?"

"He's expecting us. He will have taken them down."

Harry left Severus' office and rushed down up to the hospital wing. He found Ginny, Hermione, and now Draco cooing over Abigail.

"Hey, love. Are you ready to go?" Ginny made to stand.

Harry smiled wistfully at her. "Actually, Gin, something's come up. I'll meet you back at the house." He rubbed Ginny's cheek and planted a kiss on her lips.

Ginny frowned. "Is everything alright, Harry?"

"I think everything will be fine. Don't worry." He looked at Draco and Hermione hesitantly and added, "We're going after Lucius."

Draco and Hermione exchanged worried glances. Harry started to leave when Hermione stopped him. "Harry, I need you to do something for me."

Harry waited for her to continue. "Harry, I want my memories back."

Horrified, Harry shook his head. "Why would you want to remember the things he did to you? I think it would be best for you not to remember."

Hermione huffed in anger. "I'm not a child, Harry. I want those memories back. Please, if you can get them back – I need those memories."

"Why, Hermione? Why do you need them?"

Hermione looked at her hands and answered, "Because they're mine. Harry, you know what he did. He RAPED my body, Harry! I'm not going to let him rape my mind. I want my memories."

Hermione was mere inches from Harry with her fists clenched in fury. Harry hung his head. "Alright, Hermione, I'll try to get your memories back." Harry turned on his heel and left the room. Hermione turned, where she found Draco right behind her. She grabbed onto him, seeking comfort, which he gladly gave.

When Harry finally made it to the gate, he stood in front of Severus and pulled out his wand.

Severus looked pointedly at Harry. "Are you ready for this?"

"Yes, sir, I am ready."

With a pop, they Disapparated.

They landed on the doorstep of Malfoy Manor. Severus took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. When there was no answer, Severus frowned. "I was at least expecting a house-elf."

Harry grabbed the knocker and banged on the door, which opened upon impact. They both drew their wands in front of them and walked in. The house looked empty, but they proceeded with caution anyway.

"Let's go to the library. Lucius would usually take care of his business dealings in the library."

When the entered the seemingly empty library, they looked around for any sign of Lucius. Finally, they heard a voice. "I knew you would find me here."

Lucius spun around in the large armchair behind his desk. Harry and Severus raised their wands.

"Are you going to hex me, gentlemen?" Lucius asked as he opened his arms, indicating that he was unarmed. "I have no intention of trying to harm either of you." At Severus' nod, Harry lowered his wand, but did not pocket it.

"Lucius, we know what you did during the battle. However, you have yet to answer for what you did to your son and Miss Granger."

Lucius seemed not to hear him. "I have something for you to give to my son, Severus." Lucius indicated a Pensieve. "I would like for Draco to have it." Lucius withdrew two phials from the inside pocket of his robes. "These phials are marked with Draco's and Miss Granger's names. They each contain memories that I took."

Realizing that Lucius didn't want to talk about the assault, Severus tried a different approach. "Who is this traitor that you say you have?"

Those words brought a smile to Lucius' face. "He is dead, Severus. He has been dead for a while now."

Lucius reached into his drawer and withdrew his wand. Severus and Harry raised theirs. "I told you, I would not harm you, and I meant it. This wand is to bring forth the traitor."

Severus and Harry looked feverishly around them, looking for a dead body to float in at any moment. Severus narrowed his eyes at Lucius. "Did this man betray the Dark Lord, Lucius?"

"No, Severus. This man never betrayed his Lord. He committed a much worse sin than that. This man betrayed his son, his greatest joy."

Harry felt a pang at those words, bringing Abigail to the forefront of his mind.

Lucius raised his wand to his heart and whispered, "Avada..."

Harry and Severus both yelled, "NO!"

Lucius closed his eyes and ended the incantation, thus ending his own life.

"Kedavra." Lucius slumped over his desk. He was gone.

A/N: Don't worry, you haven't seen the last of Lucius. The events of this chapter will really affect chapters to come.