'If James had been alive…' Sirius stopped there and looked at Remus.
That was the point. James would not have accepted this at all. Both friends knew that. Sirius and Remus knew was that, James was terribly jealous of Snape, who in his opinion, was still protected by Lily. That was something he could not stand, and his hate jealousy of Snape, had never diminished. This was something Harry had not known, because James and Sirius had never discussed Snape in any capacity except to degrade him in front of Harry in the other life.
Now Sirius felt that he was letting his friend's and his brother in every way's memory by even thinking of Snape as Harry's relation. He knew how devastated James would be, if he, Sirius was feeling this way. Along with his anger was also a deep disappointment that ripped his gut. Harry was not related to the Blacks. He would be only Sirius's Godson and not his blood relative. Sirius felt like changing into Padfoot and howling loud and long and then rushing off to bite Snape's nose off his face. For a moment, Sirius pictured Snape without a nose and grinned, alarming Remus who was watching the emotions fly across his friend's face.
Sirius looked at Remus and shook his head. 'Come on. We have to go.' And looking down at the note, he finally registered something that had been written. 'Sirius, Hermione is related to you. Did you read that at all?'
'What? Where? Has Harry written that as well?' Sirius held out his hand for the note and Remus rolled his eyes and handed it over. Sirius re-read the letter and smiled slightly before he frowned again. But he was more or less calm now.
Remus was apprehensive now and he looked at Sirius, who had apparently calmed down and sighed. He wondered what would happen at the School. He only hoped Sirius would not say the wrong words and push Harry away. He turned to Sirius as they walked to the fireplace, intending to floo to The Three Broomsticks and walk from there. He did not say a word, knowing his friend well; it would only make him more stubborn.
Remus was shocked himself; but he could deal with it. If Snape was really Harry's blood relative and Harry was happy as he had said so in the letter, Remus could and would accept it. He only hoped Sirius would see sense. This was not something Harry or even Snape chose and to snarl and smash things would not help; it would only make Harry move away. Remus sincerely hoped that would not be the case. That would break Sirius and he would not want it either. He sighed as he threw the floo powder and stepped into it.
They stepped out of the floo and joined a large number of parents walking to the School, talking excitedly among themselves. Sirius and Remus walked fast in grim silence and soon reached the gates of the School and jostled along with the others and entered the Great Hall, Sirius sweeping his eyes over to the Head Table and snarling, startling a couple who looked at him in fear and tried to move away.
Remus placed a calming hand on Sirius, warning him by pressing his hand slightly and Sirius reluctantly subsided, and contended himself with simply glaring at Snape, who was talking to Dumbledore.
At the appointed time Dumbledore straightened and turned a beaming face towards the eager, anxious and angry parents and expectant news reporters and disbelieving Ministry representatives. 'Welcome parents. Yesterday was truly a remarkable day in our world. We have with the assistance of the Potions Master Severus Snape who is also the Head of Slytherin House; prepared the Ancestry potion that has revealed the magical relation of every muggle born student. The Ancestry Potion which is extremely expensive to brew was made possible by the contributions our students and teachers. Harry Potter contributed the most and it was his idea that has come to fruition today. He had some time last year read an article about this and acting upon it, requested Professor Snape to brew the potion for him and the rest as they say is history.' Dumbledore beamed as he looked around, and his twinkle increased as he saw the two glowering faces in the crowd.
'Yesterday the potion was administered to all out muggleborn and half blood students all of them had a wizarding family in their ancestors who for one reason or other had moved to the muggle world and made it their home, completely forgetting the world that they had once been a part of. All the students have been provided with a copy of their ancestry and we will hand over another copy to the Ministry of Magic. Here in the Great Hall, the Professors have also posted lists for everyone to see the names of the students tested and the wizarding families to which they have been found to have belonged to at one time. Lists are posted all over the Great Hall and all of you may take your time to peruse it. Thank you.'
Dumbledore beamed as the parents moved to the lists which were posted all around the Great Hall, except two of them who were determinedly moving towards the Head Table. Sirius and Remus were pushing through the crowds and walking as swiftly as they could towards Dumbledore who was beaming at them, inwardly laughing at their expressions. Sirius looked so fierce and Remus looked very worried. Dumbledore turned to his side to see Snape smirking at them and noticing Dumbledore watching him, he raised his eyebrow, and 'I would like to sit in on this Dumbledore, when they would speak to you about my relative.' He said softly.
Dumbledore stared at Snape. Snape wanted to see Sirius and Remus livid, furious and helpless, he could understand that; but was he just acknowledging Harry as his relative? Lily as his relative? Dumbledore was absolutely stunned and it was with great effort that he refrained from saying anything and nodded his head. All the others in the Great Hall were now looking eagerly at the lists and talking hard. Certain pure bloods like the Malfoys, Parkinsons and others looked disdainfully at the rest, and Lucius Malfoy looked at the Head Table and caught Snape's eye and nodded.
'Lucius is calling me Dumbledore. I will meet him and come to your office later and I will bring Potter with me.' Snape murmured softly and started walking down, waiting only for Dumbledore to slightly incline his head in agreement, before he stepped down to meet the parents and talk to them. All the Professors were there moving around and Dumbledore met with the Ministry officials and the reporters who caught on to him and answered questions with his own inimitable style. Meanwhile Snape had just stepped out of the crowded hall and met Lucius who was standing there.
'Severus.' Lucius said softly, 'How are you?' He asked with a mild sneer and his lips curled in disdain. 'I am fine Lucius. How are you and Narcissa? Is she well? You did not bring her?' he asked. Lucius shook his head in silence and walked a little further away, leading Snape away from the Great Hall.
Snape smiled as he followed Lucius, his eyes slightly amused as he thought of just who was related to Lucius Malfoy. Snape himself was very much confused about his being related to Lily. He had wanted to be related of course but not like this! Still, Snape thought a tad morosely, it was probably better than nothing else. He wondered what Harry was not telling him. Something to do with him and Lily, he knew. What had Lily actually said when she had known? If Snape knew, then he would feel so much better, even if she did not like it very much, because it would only show that she was still angry with him for not choosing her and instead going out with the death eaters.
'Severus? You are miles away?' Lucius's voice brought him down to earth. He mentally shook himself and smiled at Lucius. 'Yes, I was. What a mess inside the Great Hall, isn't there?'
Lucius Malfoy snarled. 'Whatever made you do this Severus? Did you make it right my friend?' at Snape's face turning indignant, Lucius smiled humourlessly, his eyes very frustrated, 'Severus, do you know whom I am related to? If you do, then surely you will not look at me so.'
'And do you know whom I am related to Lucius? Harry Potter of all people in the whole wide world, when I knew, I almost fainted.' Snape let bitterness glaze his tone. 'Harry bloody Potter, that's who, and I was wondering if I had made the potion properly myself, but I did Lucius, very much so.'
Lucius Malfoy sighed at the bitterness in Snape's voice. He would have loved to be related to Harry Potter. That would have worked for him, if the Dark Lord would return or if he did not, but Snape was probably thinking about only James Potter and was already hating Harry Potter and being related to him, even when he had a crush on Lily. But Snape was perfectly capable of accepting Lily and discarding Harry as a good Slytherin would, Lucius knew. A small smile found its way out for the first time after he received Draco's note today morning.