Severus could most certainly relate to the fearful prospect of being incapable of being with Lily- and by extension, being with Harry. The little boy often evaded him simply because Lily elected to distance the two males who shared her household. The Slytherin needed to wake up particularly early in the morning. He would make his way to the child's crib and gaze at him with curiosity plainly transcribed across his overemphasized features. Severus was an intellectual man with intelligence vast and irrefutable. At first, he ignored the nagging thought that Harry resembled James Potter; the denial could be explained by the rudimentary need for ignorant bliss. But as the boy grew, seemingly by the day, the shape of his nose, the color of his eyes and his hair, and the prominence of his features outlined the putrid and overzealous, arrogant Gryffindor. Severus spewed with dislike for the man which never faded from his teenage years. Harry resembled Lily too- he had almost-shaped green eyes. Vibrant hues. Lily's eyes. The eyes that shaped both his dreams and his nightmares. Severus pursed his lips at the inquiry and mentioned blandly, "I can relate." There was truth to his words, but little emotion. If he displayed intense feeling, his cover would be blown. Rumor travelled quickly, and if even mention of Severus' kind relatedness to conversation slipped Ted's lips, Severus' loyalties would be questioned. He could not make such high risks- Lily could be targeted. Little Harry too. Severus inhaled and attempted to mask the contempt at a statement rendering him foolish. "I shall not comply to the suggestion that I am naïve or dim-witted," he defended and looked down at his empty glass. "I am cunningly ambitious and fate does not concern me." The biggest lie. Fate frightened Severus. Compelled him by the Soul Mark but frightened him that it might not be enough to keep Lily in his home and in his heart and before his eyes; fearful that James Potter might entice her enough to leave him...