At the end of OotP, when Harry seems like he's giving up after Sirius' death, Dumbledore gives him hope. He gives Harry a letter written by his Mum, in which she tells him that Severus Snape is his biological father.

Challenge

• Harry can't tell Snape that they're father and son. Though Harry tries to build a friendship or pseudo-paternal relationship with Snape during his sixth year.
• When Harry gets the memories from Snape, during the final battle, he sees a memory where Snape and portrait-Dumbledore are arguing. In it, Dumbledore tells Snape that he lied to Harry, making him think that Snape was his biological father.
• Snape survives the battle, and now he and Harry must figure out how to deal with Dumbledore's lie.

Suggestions

• Harry can tell Hermione and Ron.
• Harry could tell his Aunt, for some comic relief reaction.
• Harry could tell Remus, as well. Though that would be messy.

Restrictions

• Snape cannot be a jerk, or instantly nice. Remember, he knows NOTHING (until it is too late).
• Dumbledore is not evil, he genuinely thought he was doing something good for Harry.

We always read stories about Harry becoming a magical creature. But what if it was the sour Potions Master who is one?

Challenge

• Snape should have creature physical features, but still be able to use hands with opposed thumbs. (Pointed ears, tail, wings, fur, fangs, claws, or anything you can think of. - At least one, but not more than three features!)
• Aside from physical features, he should have one or two (but no more) abilities. (Superhuman strength, heightened senses, speaking with animals, breathing underwater, mind-control, etc.)
• Whatever species or half-species he is, must not have some complex society or anything that deviates too much from canon (think Remus and the werewolves, and Rowling didn't make them too complex).
• People, with the exception of Dumbledore and - in the past - Lily, are very hateful towards Snape.
• Voldemort finds Snape to be a disgusting, but useful addition to his ranks.

Suggestions

Snape's Hogwarts years can be different from canon.

Snape and Remus can be friends or allies.

How does Snape's status as a "half-breed" affect the story? How does it affect him and Harry?

If this is Severitus/Sevitus, does Harry inherit Snape's creature-ness? (Yes, it can be a Father fic!)

Restrictions

• Snape's parents are still Tobias and Eileen.
• No Snape in a slash relationship.
• No Snape with a student relationship.
• No overly nice Snape.
• No overly timid Harry. (Especially if this takes place in OotP.)

Snape has a female Muggle cousin of about the same age he is. They were once quite close but in his teens they started to grow apart and Severus is now trying to repair some of the damage. The cousin is unable to have children, so she decides to adopt a 7-10 years old boy from an orphanage. What a surprise it will be for Severus when he discovers that his new "nephew" is in fact the Boy-Who-lived Harry Potter!

It is up to you to decide whether the cousin has a husband or a boyfriend, and whether Harry has a past as an abused child (he was put with the Dursleys at first).