I'm back! Sorry it took so long, I had my health to worry about and then a family reunion on the other end of the country. It was fun, though. I needed the time away. Just to let you know, I know children don't develop that quickly and Harry and Draco behave like they're two instead of one, but I'll just chock it up to them being strong magical, and therefore advanced, children. They do both carry powerful blood after all. I do intend to make their ages more clear through their behaviour this chapter. Sorry for any misunderstandings that may have caused. Also, I switched from first person to third. If anyone thinks I should go back to it being Snape's POV, I'll consider it, but it's much harder to write and would take me longer to figure out. Also, I made Narcissa OOC in this story, but I enjoy writing her like this. Prepare yourselves for cuteness.

Also, for those of you who were worried over my health, I'm feeling much better now, thank you. I just have an annoying cough and tiredness to overcome.

Disclaimer in previous chapters.

Enjoy.

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The sun rose on a cold winter morning. Dew on what little foliage the area had froze in the chill wind that blew through Spinners End. In a few hours time, the inhabitants would wake to start their day. In one house, which looked far shabbier than the others to most human eyes, three people were warm and toasty in bed. The rising sun crept in through an opening in the curtains, landing on the eyes of a scruffy-faced man. Said man groaned and pulled a warm object nearby close to him. "Mmm.." the object moaned groggily. Wait...what? The man's eyes fluttered open and he blanked at what he was seeing. A sleeping, peaceful looking Snape snuggled up to his chest. ".......AAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!"

Severus shot up at the noise. "Black! What on earth are you screaming about?!" he snarled nastily, not keen about his sleep being disturbed.

"Why were you cuddling me?!" Sirius retorted.

"Cuddling?" He took in their close proximity and moved away in distaste. "What are you even doing in my bed?"

At this Sirius stopped his disgusted shivering and stared at the other man. "Your bed?" He looked around. No, this was not his room, he decided. "Damn, how did I get in here?"

"The Hell if I know, but you're not welcome. Get out."

"It's my house too!"

"No it is not. You are simply a guest here until Dumbledore can find another place to stuff you."

"Don't talk to me as if I'm something dirty that needs to be hidden!"

"Well considering-"

His sentence was cut off by crying coming from the next room.

"Great, you've woken Harry," Severus stated exasperatedly, rising from his bed and making his way to the door.

"Me?! You were the one who was pressing up against me and caused me to cry out!"

"It wasn't your initial scream that woke him, you imbecile, it was the quarrel that took place afterward."

"Whatever! You just want someone to blame, you old snake," Sirius pouted.

Severus rolled his eyes and made his way into the hall, Sirius close behind. He opened the door to Harry's room, walked in, and removed Harry from his crib. The sniffling boy snuggled into his surrogate parent's warmth and continued to whimper softly. Snape frowned. Advanced or not, he was still only one. "Good morning, little one. Did we wake you?" he asked softly.

Harry rubbed his eyes and stared up at Severus. "Nn..."

"I'm sorry," he said, stroking the boy's hair. "We'll try to be quieter, okay?"

Harry nodded in understanding and hugged the man.

"Come on, my little snake, time for breakfast."

"Oh no you don't!," shouted Sirius. "There's no way you're calling my godson a snake! He's obviously a lion."

Severus sighed impatiently. "It's a term of endearment, you simpleton. It has nothing to do with school houses."

"Still, I refuse to call him that."

"Do whatever you please," he stated, annoyed with the man in front of him. He walked out into the hall and down the stairs towards the kitchen.

The house really was beautiful now. Everything had been redone. The structure of the house was magicked larger, all of his possessions had been cleaned, his appliances were replaced by upgraded versions, and his furniture had been refurbished. There was much more space for Harry to grow up in and there were new rooms for the young boy to explore and use as he grew. There was no way he would ever be able to repay Lucius for what he had done for them. He was truly grateful.

"Now, my little snake, what would you like for breakfast?" he asked, placing Harry in his highchair.

The child scrunched his face up in thought. "Mmm...'eerios."

Severus smiled. "Cheerios? Coming right up."

He grabbed a small bowl from the cupboard and proceeded to pour Cheerios into it, no milk. 'Far too messy,' he thought as he placed the bowl on Harry's tray.

Soon after, Sirius strutted in. "Hey, kiddo," he said, ruffling Harry's already messy hair. He grabbed the cereal box and made his own bowl, sitting on Harry's right side.

Snape watched as Black made funny faces at the boy, causing the child to laugh adorably.

'Maybe this won't be so bad... For Harry's happiness, at least.'

Suddenly the occupants of the room were interrupted by a light tapping on the kitchen window. Severus turned to see a very familiar hawk owl staring back at him. He opened the now rather spacious windows and stood to the side as the large creature swooped in and landed on his chair, sticking its leg out and lifting its head regally.

"Hello, Lux," he said, petting the owl's head as he detached the letter from its leg. He gave the bird an owl treat and it was on its way.

Looking over the letter, he looked down at his ward. "Well, Harry, looks like you'll be getting some visitors today."

Harry looked up at him. "'Aco?"

"Yes, Draco. And Uncle and Aunty Malfoy," he said in a slightly babyish tone.

Harry smiled excitedly, seemingly unable to wait for his friend's arrival. Sirius on the other hand looked horrified.

"Harry likes the Malfoys?!"

"Of course. Who do you think got me the adoption papers and redid my house?"

The look on Sirius' face was comical, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. He snapped out of it though when he felt a tiny hand grab onto his arm. Harry stared up at him inquisitively and the man couldn't help but smile down at his godson. "It's okay."

Harry smiled.

Deciding the two had a long enough moment, Severus slowly removed Harry from his highchair. "Come on, little one. We need to get you cleaned up for our guests."

As they made their way towards the stairs, Harry looked over Severus' shoulder to wave at his godfather.

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That afternoon there came a soft wrap at the door. Harry looked up excitedly as Severus rose from his chair and walked to the door. As soon as it was open, the small boy was bombarded by an exuberant Draco.

"Hawwy!"

"'Aco!"

Harry hugged his blonde friend and Draco hugged him back possessively.

The adults in the room all smiled.

"That's sweet," Narcissa said in an equally sweet tone.

The men nodded in agreement.

Severus herded his guests into the library/drawing room and one of his new house elves offered them tea and sweets. When everyone was served, he took the two boys to Harry's room to play under the supervision of another elf. With everyone settled, he took his seat and chatted with his old schoolmates, taking pleasure in the knowledge that his Gryffindor companion was visibly uncomfortable in a room full of snakes.

"So, Severus, how have you and Harry been fairing?" Lucius asked politely.

"Fine, thank you. He is adjusting well. Though he misses Draco very much," Severus replied.

"That's not surprising," said Narcissa, quietly sipping her tea. "Draco misses Harry dreadfully as well. He keeps asking where Harry went, 'where my Hawwy?' I'd find it adorable if I weren't so sad for him. They've really gotten close this past month."

Lucius nodded. "We should frequent visits more often and invite you over in turn."

"That sounds like a lovely idea," said Severus.

They continued to chat about visits and various other topics, all the while Sirius keeping his mouth shut.

Upstairs, the boys played nicely with each other, sharing Harry's toys and babbling on in a language only they seemed to understand. After a few hours of running around, though, the boys tired and decided to sit on one of Harry's blankets to get more comfortable. This is where the adults found them, snuggled up to each other, fast asleep. It was all Narcissa could do not to squeal in a rather girlish, unladylike fashion. "My goodness, how adorable!" she whispered.

Even Sirius had to smile at the sight. 'They are quite adorable together...'

Lucius went over to gather up his son, finding it somewhat difficult with him grasping at Harry for dear life. When he finally separated them, Draco whimpered discontentedly.

"Don't worry, my little dragon, you'll see him again soon," he spoke quietly, kissing Draco's forehead softly.

Narcissa smiled and gently took her son from her husbands arms, leading the way downstairs while Severus tucked Harry into his crib.

At the door, the adults said their goodbyes; shaking hands and bowing heads courteously. When Severus finally shut the door and turned around to go check on Harry, he was met with a begrudged-looking Sirius.

"What is it?" he asked in a semi-irritated tone.

"I think...." Sirius looked up from his shoes to stare at his snarky counterpart. "I think they're good for Harry."

Snape nearly let his jaw fall in surprise at Black's words.

"I-I mean at first I was against my godson having anything to do with... their type," Sirius continued. "But after seeing the way they interact with them, I think it's a good idea that they see each other more often."

Finally concealing his shock with his indifferent mask, Snape cleared his throat before responding, "That's very mature of you."

Sirius looked at him, this time him being the one surprised. "It is?"

Severeus nodded. "Yes. To put the needs of the child before your own is what a responsible and caring guardian is meant to do. I am amazed and pleased to find you have at least a smidge of intellect."

Sirius smiled, not able to take Severus' insult at him seriously. "Thank you."

Severus nodded his head in response. Perhaps these next few months wouldn't be so bad.

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I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Sorry it took me so long, I did try to make it longer.

Next chapter, Christmas with the Malfoys and a visit from Santa. Happy reading!