A/N: Welcome to the second to last chapter and guess what? It's fluff, yaaaay fluff.
Will be posting a beta'd version of this chapter sometime by the end of the week.
Harry woke up alone and to silence. For most, this would seem like a normal occurrence, one that would need no further investigation. Harry's reaction to this realization was not that of the average person, which would have been to fall right back to sleep again and pretend he hadn't just spent a night alone. No, he did not let the bed's siren call affect him, and it wasn't only because his feet were hanging off the edge and he was still in yesterday's clothes. He sat up and stretched, wincing as his knees popped.
Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, Harry felt all the color drain from his face. It was well past 8 in the morning, which meant Geoffrey had been up for over an hour and hadn't woken him up. This struck Harry as odd since he was currently sitting on the edge of said five-year-old's bed. He grabbed the leg of the abandoned stuffed dragon and yanked the toy out from beneath Geoffrey's pillow. Harry played with the stuffed animals wings before setting it on the bed beside him.
Geoffrey could be anywhere in the house doing anything he wanted. Harry had come to anticipate the fact that Geoffrey only ever wanted to be with his "Uncle Sev'rus" and the only way Harry had been able to eliminate a potential disaster every morning was to wake up before Geoffrey did, but he hadn't this morning. Actually, he was fairly amazed that Snape hadn't stormed into Geoff's room and forcibly dragged Harry out of bed. There was something strange going on and Harry couldn't tell if it was good or bad.
There was no noise in the house at all and that disturbed Harry. For a brief moment the image of Snape's uncle tying Geoffrey to a chair then dropping him into the stream that ran behind their home flashed through his mind, but he banished it quickly. Snape would never allow that to happen. No matter how much of a prick he had been yesterday, he still loved the little boy.
He wandered into the parlor tiredly, having not even bothered going to look in his and Snape's bedroom. If Geoffrey was awake it was almost guaranteed Snape would be as well. There was no way the little blonde would have left both him and Snape alone for that long a period of time. Blearily, he rubbed his eyes beneath his glasses. He blinked as he entered the dimly lit parlor, none of the curtains had been drawn back and the only source of light was currently coming from the fire.
"But why didn't she go back for the shoe, Uncle Sev'rus?" Harry heard Geoffrey's ask somewhere near the fireplace.
His eyes widened in surprise. Geoffrey's nose was practically pressed against the page of an old tome, but that wasn't what had Harry's mind spinning. The little boy was firmly ensconced on Snape's lap, one of the man's arms wrapped around Geoffrey's waist to keep him still, but Harry suspected Geoffrey would have stayed even if not restrained. He was practically vibrating from Snape's desperately craved attention. If either of them had noticed his presence they weren't saying anything about it.
"I suspect she meant to leave it there," Snape said in low tones as he turned the page.
Geoffrey nodded thoughtfully. "Still seems kinda funny that she'd go runnin' round without a shoe on one foot. Wouldn' that hurt Cinnerella's foot?"
"Perhaps." Snape glanced over at Harry with an indescribable expression before returning his attention to the curious child. Harry stood still, his gaze traveling between the chattering boy and the Snape imposter.
Geoffrey couldn't seem to help himself. Questions poured from his mouth like a broken faucet without even pausing to get an answer. "But then why did she leave it? It's pretty and now she's gonna get hurt and why did she run away? If the prince liked her enough it shouldn't matter if she dressed pretty, right Uncle Sev'rus?"
Harry listened as Snape patiently answered Geoffrey's questions (something Harry had previously thought impossible) to the best of his abilities. The entire situation was so odd Harry thought he would laugh. He sat down on the sofa quietly as he attempted to figure out Snape's game. It was so illogical. Without thinking too hard on it, he picked up the teacup from beside him and sipped the warm liquid. He let out a contented sigh before he could stop himself.
Geoffrey's head shot up and he let out an excited cheer. "Look Uncle Sev'rus, look! Uncle Harry's awake!"
"I can see that," Snape said, but there was no sting to it. He released the giddy five-year-old and observed Geoffrey as he flung himself onto Harry. Potter, for his part, clearly had not anticipated being tackled, his attention having been solely focused on him. Snape could see the confusion morph into surprise then settled on cheerfulness as Harry hugged Geoffrey.
"Morning Geoff," Harry said, ruffling the blonde hair and laughing as Geoffrey once again went about flattening it down. Snape refused to admit how relieved he was to hear that laugh.
"Mornin' Uncle Harry, you sleep good?" Geoffrey asked as he finished fixing his appearance.
Harry reached out and untangled a kink the blonde hair that Geoffrey had missed on his own. "Yes, very well. What have you been up to?"
"Uncle Sev'rus was readin' me fairy tales," Geoffrey chirped informatively. Harry nodded and smiled. Snape closed the heavy book with a soft thump and set it on the ground beside him. With a flick of his wrists, he rolled up his shirtsleeves. He could feel Potter's curious gaze settle on him again as Geoffrey prattled on about he had been read.
"I think I liked Snow White the most," Geoffrey declared thoughtfully.
Harry's attention went back to the eager blonde and he gave him an intrigued smile. "Oh? Why's that?"
Geoffrey bit his lip and struggled to look more thoughtful. "Cause its gots dwarfses."
"Which was your favorite?" Harry asked, trying not to laugh.
"I like the unhappy one."
Harry choked on his own laughter. He doubted Geoff knew why he liked that one the most. He certainly wasn't most children's favorite. He glanced across the room at Snape who was still lounging on the floor beside the hearth.
"He reminds me of Uncle Sev'rus," Geoffrey told him in a stage whisper.
Snape snorted and the sound reached across the room. Geoffrey flushed with embarrassment then buried his face against Harry's shirtfront.
Harry rubbed Geoffrey's back reassuringly. "He reminds me of your Uncle Severus as well."
"He does?"
"Yup, especially before he drinks his morning cup of coffee."
Geoffrey giggled and pulled away from Harry. Quick as a flash he was hurtling towards Snape and pounced on the older man before he could expect it. He exhaled sharply in surprise and found himself on his back staring up at a very excited five-year-old.
"Did ya hear what Uncle Harry said? Did ya? Did ya!"
"Yes," he wheezed.
Geoffrey stared down at him with a perplexed expression. "You okay, Uncle Sev'rus? You sound all funny."
Snape lifted the boy off his stomach and sat up stiffly. He massaged his lower back before sending a glare over at Harry.
"I assure you, I'm fine," he snapped.
Geoffrey seemed to be searching for something and whatever it was he found it. "Kay!"
Snape groaned softly as he made to stand up. He really had gotten up far too early this morning and all for Potter's sake. There was suddenly a hand at his elbow helping him stand and he brushed it aside distractedly.
"Glad to see you're back to normal then," Harry said with false cheerfulness. Snape could see the guarded distrust shining in Potter's green eyes. It seemed he still had a long way to go before he was truly forgiven.
"As normal as can be expected seeing that he's living in the woods with you, Potter."
Harry let go of Snape's arm like it burned and turned to face the newcomer. Max stood in the doorframe with a dark scowl, which had Geoffrey hiding between him and Snape. Harry stole a quick glance up at Snape's expressionless face before looking down at Geoffrey.
The little boy looked up at him with pleading blue eyes and Harry felt helpless. Their conversation the night before was echoing painfully clear in his head as he saw the "make him go away" look in Geoffrey's eyes.
"There is no such thing as normal, Uncle, and I never assumed there was such a state."
Max's eyebrows shot upwards in surprise, or what Harry assumed was surprise, because that certainly was what he was feeling. He didn't even dare look up at Snape and instead fussed a bit over Geoffrey.
Even with Snape suddenly back sassing his uncle it didn't quite clear away his and Geoffrey's conversation from the night before.
"Uncle Harry?"
"Yes, Geoff?"
"What's wrong with Uncle Sev'rus?"
"What do you mean?"
"Dunno. He just don't seem norman is all."
"Come here, Geoff. I'm sure Uncle Severus means well."
"He made you cry."
Max hit his cane against the ground violently. "You invited me here under the pretense that we would spend time together. Alone."
"I did no such thing," Snape thundered. Geoffrey shifted further behind his Uncle but his begging blue eyes never once left Harry and even if Harry weren't watching him closely, he would have felt them like a brand. "As a matter of fact, I don't remember inviting you here either. You invited yourself and I agreed to let you come visit."
"Then you admit to wanting my presence."
"Yes, otherwise I would have told you in the politest terms where you could stick your head and that would be-"
Harry laid a hand carefully on Snape's upper arm. "Geoff's in the room," he reminded him in a hushed tone. As much as he was appreciating this anger being aimed at someone else, he'd rather not explain on Christmas to Draco Malfoy of all people, where his son learned some colorful new phrases.
Snape stiffened under his touch but Harry only reluctantly let go of the man when Snape ran a hand over his own face in clear agitation. The thought that it was way to early for this crossed his mind once again.
"I'm not crying, Geoff. I just have some dust in my eyes, that's all."
"You're still cryin', Uncle Harry."
"So I am. Come on, it's bath time anyways."
"Do you think Uncle Sev'rus will make the bad man leave?"
"I hope so, Geoffrey, but you must understand that this is Snape's uncle and even if you don't like him, Uncle Snape probably does and that means we have to try to be nice to him. Okay?"
"Even if he makes you cry again?"
"Yes, even if he makes me cry again."
"Okay, Uncle Harry. Does that mean I have to like him?"
"No, it doesn't. You can go on not liking him all you want."
"Kay!"
"Could you pwease stop yellin?" Geoffrey asked quietly, peering out from behind Snape's legs.
Snape's lips thinned and he turned around to look down at the youngest Malfoy. "Sorry," he grit out and stepped backwards when Geoffrey looked ready to tackle him.
"You shouldn't have to apologize, Severus. He is just a child and it's not like Potter's complaining here and even if he was you could just as easily kick him out. I bet the boy hasn't paid rent in months."
Harry met Snape's eyes for a brief minute and Harry couldn't quite figure out what the older man was trying to convey to him. Something was swirling dangerously close to the surface in the other man's eyes.
He gripped Geoffrey's hand tightly and took a hesitant step closer to Snape. A gasp of shock escaped his lips when Snape's arm wrapped around his waist and pulled him closer, forcing Harry to release Geoffrey's hand. Max's eyebrows flew up his forehead and seemed dangerously close to flying off his face entirely at the demonstration. Harry was having the hardest time deciding on what expression to settle on, but he got the feeling that shock or surprise would not be the best one. So, he finally settled on neutrally glaring down at the floor. Yes, that would work. He leaned heavily into Snape's side letting Snape do all the talking. It was, after all, what Snape was good at. Plus, he doubted most highly that Max would appreciate him speaking. He'd probably think he had corrupted his nephew and that it was his fault entirely that Snape hadn't settled down with some nice woman of good standing.
Max's face was flushed and blotchy as if he were having an allergic reaction and for all Harry knew he could be. It would certainly make things more exciting anyway. Perhaps he was allergic to men touching one another, perhaps if he just reached out and tapped Max on the arm the man would dissolve into a puddle of pain. That would be fun, but probably not children friendly so he didn't do it. "What's this?"
"This," Snape sneered, holding Harry just a bit tighter, "is Harry Potter." Harry looked up at Snape speculatively. It wasn't that odd to hear his name from the surly man's lips but it was becoming increasingly rare this month. The holidays weren't Snape's favorite time of year; they fell right behind the first day of school each year. Things got rocky at those points but they always pulled through, always had and always will. He caressed Snape's back gently, almost unnoticeably but enough. "And he, my dear uncle," Harry watched with triumph when Max flinched at the nasty tone Snape had uttered the word "uncle" in. Although he was reveling in this suddenly possessive side of his lover, he didn't want the man to completely isolate himself from his family. It pained him to do it; he didn't want Snape to stop defending him. He certainly didn't get to do so as often as Harry did for the man himself, but he had to stop it... once Snape had his say, "has been my partner for 6 years now next month."
"Very diplomatic," Harry muttered, not quite looking at anyone. He heard Snape snort softly and Geoffrey smothering a giggle, really that child knew too much for his own good.
"Your p-partner?"
"I didn't know you had developed a stutter in your old age, Uncle Max, surely your brain isn't that addled."
"You can stop now," Harry whispered nervously, locking eyes with Snape and holding. Too soon Snape broke away and stared at his uncle who looked ready to fly into a fury if someone so much as breathed in the wrong direction.
"Stop what?" It surprised Harry to hear the almost confused quality of Snape's question as if he truly didn't know what he was doing.
"You're one of them," Max spat, gathering his mental capabilities and preparing himself for another verbal volley. Too bad he wasn't going to get one.
"'One of them'," Snape mocked, arching a single brow in derision. It filled Harry with glee, even though he'd never admit it.
"One of those freaks. I cannot believe your father raised you to beco-"
"My father," Snape hissed. Harry gripped the back of Snape's shirt and tugged hard before things got too far out of hand. It was bad enough Geoffrey had heard the first bit of this conversation, if he let Snape continue he had no idea what sort of vocabulary he'd pick up.
"Yes?" Max gripped the cane with both his hands and leaned forward on it expectantly with an evil smile.
"Would you like some breakfast, Mr. Snape," Harry offered politely, changing the subject so abruptly even Snape startled slightly. Stepping away from Snape, he took Geoffrey's hand once again. "We'd be happy to make you some."
"What?"
"Breakfast, the most important meal of the day," Harry recited, pulling Geoffrey in front of him and hugging him playfully. Geoffrey giggled and looked up at Harry with a huge grin. "I wondered if you would like any."
"I wants some, Uncle Harry."
"Of course you do, Geoff. I bet Uncle Severus didn't even give you toast did he?"
Geoffrey shook his head and frowned sullenly. "No, but that's ok."
"Harry, it's Friday, I left the flour on the counter."
Harry looked over at Snape and smiled. "Pancakes then?"
Snape nodded a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "Of course. Uncle Max, will you be joining us for breakfast?"
Max was sputtering in rage and Harry could only snort. The man would be gone before noon and Harry felt no remorse about it whatsoever. He swung Geoffrey's arm earning a smile from the five-year-old.
"I'll pass," Max bit out. "Severus, follow me to my room please."
"What for?"
"Severus," Max snapped.
"If you two will excuse us." Snape grabbed his uncle's arm roughly and proceeded to drag the man protesting out of the room.
Harry watched them go with a touch of concern but he wasn't allowed to dwell on it too long, for Geoffrey was tugging on his hand impatiently, dragging him towards the kitchen. Snape taking his uncle from the room had been an act of charity and he'd make sure to let Severus know his feelings on it later.
"I'm hungry, Uncle Harry."
"All right, buddy. Let's go make some pancakes."
Geoffrey cheered and let go of Harry's hand and rushed into the kitchen allowing Harry to follow at his own pace. He heard the clattering of pans from the hall and smiled to himself. This was shaping up to be a good day.
The Eighth Thing at Christmas That's Such a Pain to me: I WANNA TRANSFORMER FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!
"Geoffrey, for the thousandth time. NO! Christmas is just a few days away. I don't want to risk getting you something your parents might."
"But Uncle Harry, I want it," he whined, holding out the toy with a pleading expression. It was whirring and clicking and was damn annoying. He couldn't believe Snape had convinced him to take Geoffrey to Diagon Alley to do some last minute shopping.
Harry bowed his head and grit his teeth. He wouldn't snap, he wouldn't snap, he wouldn't-
"UNCLE HAAAAARRRRRRRRYYYY!"
"GEOFFREY LIAM MALFOY, YOU WILL STOP WHINING AT ONCE!"
Geoffrey's eyes widened and his lower lip started trembling. Harry swore in his head. This was going to be a long day.
The Ninth Thing at Christmas That's Such a Pain to me: Finding Parking Spaces
"I have to do what?" Harry asked, his mouth hanging open slightly in shock.
Snape pinched his nose and waved off Geoffrey who was watching them worriedly from the floor. Puzzle pieces were strewn at the little boys feet forgotten for the moment. Geoffrey continued to stare for a few more moments before going back to his puzzle. The half finished dragon was already breathing fire and Harry vaguely wondered if he'd ever get used to the wizarding world.
"I need you to pick up something in muggle London. You may take the car if you so desire."
"Muggle Lon-we have a car?"
Snape sighed heavily. "Yes, Potter, we have a car."
"When did we get a car?"
"Last month. You were at work playing with the children."
"You don't have to make it sound like such a bad thing. I like my job."
"I'll never understand why you subject yourself to such a mundane job as babysitting someone else's brat all day."
"It's only the morning and its not babysitting, Severus. It's a preschool."
"Nevertheless."
"Well, why did you buy a car then?"
Snape looked at him pointedly and Harry flushed. "Oh."
"Oh indeed."
They sat in silence, watching Geoffrey piece together the rest of the puzzle, before Harry spoke again, "I'm not going into muggle London, Severus, not to shop."
Snape didn't even turn to face him and Harry didn't mind. "Why not?"
"There won't be any parking."