Chapter 4: Best Christmas Gift

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Severus was worried. Harry Potter, the boy who drove him crazy had come to him for comfort and because of guilt that he had hurt Severus, the man who had hurt him various times before. The feelings that had been coursing through his body lately have been worrying. He hadn't cared for someone this way since Lily, and even then it wasn't to this level.

He had woken up this morning and prepared breakfast himself, letting Harry sleep in a little more. Once finished he woke him up and they ate in peace, Harry carrying on the chatter. He definitely wasn't up to his normal self but he was at least more comfortable and at ease.

As they were leaving to Grimmauld place he took another look around his quarters and took a deep breath. He wasn't sure about how he was going to be received but he knew that he would lose the boy's trust if he didn't go and spend this important time with him.

"Come on. Let's go." He pulled Harry with him into the floo and walked out together. Molly Weasley was there waiting for them. She looked a little tired but happy to see them walk out together. She reached over and gave Harry a hug, smiling sweetly at Severus. "Merry Christmas my boys. The rest are just about finished with their breakfast, after which we'll open up gifts."

Severus watched as Harry made himself comfortable on the sofa. He took out the miniature gifts out of his pocket and enlarged them. He gave them to Molly who placed them under the tree which seemed to be overflowing.

No one made much of a fuss at seeing them. Although he noticed the deep breath Black took as he settled down. The gifts were passed out to the children first who moved to the floor. Harry sat down in front of him, his back resting on his legs. When Harry received his gifts he set them down and waited patiently for the rest to receive theirs. Ron was allowed to open his first and he seemed to enjoy his loot. The others were excited and laughed and showed each other their gifts. Harry opened his last. Severus waited in anticipation as he opened gifts given to him by his friends, the Weasley's, Lupin and Black's and finally his. He hadn't been sure what to give the boy but finally thought to give him a leather-bound journal. He felt that he could benefit from exploring his feelings and writing down his thoughts that he wasn't comfortable enough to share. He watched as he opened it slowly and trailed a finger on the spine. He looked up at Severus and gave him a warm smile. "Thank you." Without thought he reached down and ruffled the boy's hair.

It was then time for the adults to open up their gifts. He had brought two gifts with him. One had been for Harry, which he had opened, and the other was for Molly and Arthur.

He wanted to give them something of substance but didn't want to insult their low income status. He decided on giving them a medicinal package. You just had to tap the package and say what the illness or injury was and it was produce the medicine or products that can be used in each circumstances. It was almost like an upgraded first aid kit. He figured with all the children with her and especially the difficult times ahead that it can definitely help them if needed. What was better was it could help a child even if they don't know aid, because it would also give step by step directions on how to use it properly.

They were very grateful and Molly gave him a tearful hug which he endured. Arthur gave him a pat on the shoulder and thanked him, "We hope neither us nor our children will need it but we are comforted that it is here should we need it."

He nodded. He then received two gifts. He was very much surprised at receiving a gift let alone two. He opened one and found himself pulling out a hand-knitted scarf. It was black with small green woven serpents. It was both ghastly and adorable. He clutched it and felt some emotion behind his eyes. "Thank you, Molly, Arthur. It's a very kind and thoughtful gift." He placed it aside and saw how Harry was looking at him while worrying his lips. He took his scarf and placed it on Harry, pulling it tight and giving him a warm smile. He then took his time to carefully open his second gift. It was a small box and when he pushed it open he found a small glass potions bottle with a paper inside. He examined it, noting that others were watching him closely. He pulled the stopper and plucked the paper out. He unraveled it and read it silently. "You are my protector. My life is safe in your hands."

He heard murmurs spreading. He hadn't realized he had started to cry. He looked up to faces ranging from concern to astonishment. He put the small piece of paper back it the bottle, capped it and placed it back in the box. He placed it next to him and took out a handkerchief wiping his eyes. He put it away and took a deep breath. He looked down and saw Harry anxiously examining him, he opened his arms and had the breath knocked out of him as the boy's body rammed into him. "Harry James Potter" he whispered.

A small voice, somewhere at his chest asked, "Did you like it?"

"You silly Gryffindor, I did not like it…" He tightened his embrace. "I loved it. It's true. I will do everything in my power to always do right by that message."

He knew that he never wanted to disappoint his boy. This young boy depended on him and he would not let him down. After drying Harry's eyes the children went off upstairs to hang out, or to interrogate Harry most likely. He stayed in the living room and had some tea with Arthur as they discussed simple things. After some time the rest had moved on to do their own things and Arthur had left to join his wife. He was just about to go up to his room to do some reading when Harry came down carrying a wizard's chess set. He raised an eyebrow but smiled when he brought it over and started placing the pieces as though sure that Severus would have no problem in playing with him. He avoided his eyes however, and that wouldn't do.

"Harry?"

"I thought we could play a game or two. I'm not that good at it. It's more of Ron's game, but he's been teaching me and I heard Dumbledore say you like to play so…"

"So you'd rather play with me than with your best friend?"

Harry shifted…"Yes?"

Severus just stared.

"I mean you promised you'd spend some time with me."

"I did promised that, yes." He nodded seriously. He clasped his hands. "Well let's begin shall we."

He had an enjoyable time with Harry despite his abysmal gaming. The boy was too rash, didn't think a head. He played like a Gryffindor not a Slytherin. He could imagine playing with him in the afternoons, showing him some moves. It was soothing. Just the two of them playing a game.

After the third round of him winning however Harry seemed a little put out. But just as he thought that Harry would do what all teenagers do when frustrated, and through a fit, he laughed and shrugged. "Guess I need more practice Professor Snape."

He thought, this is what makes this boy special. His huge heart and ability to get back up and persevere. He had a nagging feeling however of unease as Harry called him Professor Snape. It felt wrong somehow. But what else was he to call him. He couldn't well tell the boy to call him Severus. And he wasn't the boy's guardian or parent. He couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt.

After the fourth failed attempt to beat him, Harry started to open up conversation and tried to pick his brain for advice and funny stories. He had just finished telling him about the time when he had charmed a small spider to dance, just at the peripheral vision of James Potter, so he'd see it but no one else would, leaving him looking as though he was losing his mind, when he noticed Harry's head nodding off, his eyes closing and opening as he valiantly tried to stay awake. It was early in the afternoon, still a couple hours before dinner would be ready but he knew that Harry's body demanded more rest now than before in compensation. "Harry, let's get you up to bed." He almost smiled at the small shake of the head and at the hand that rubbed at his eyes.

Adorable.

"If you do not wish to go upstairs to sleep then lay down. He maneuvered him so that his legs pillowed his head and summoned a throw blanket for him to use. He also summoned a book from his bag. As he read he ran his right hand through the boy's hair, gently tugging it at times, soothing him until he was fast asleep. He knew he could have sent the boy upstairs but he felt better knowing he was nearby. He'd be able to wake him up if he became anxious or caught in the throes of a nightmare.

He knew that this wasn't normal behavior for him, and while he spent time with Harry and that can account to some of his affection for the little brat he knew that the overwhelming care he had for the boy, especially this quickly was unsettling. He had planned to speak with the Headmaster soon but he had no idea how to even broach the topic with Albus.

He'd probably agree that it was a great change. He just wanted to know why.

Why did he care for Harry as a father would his child? Why did he feel that the greatest gift given to him this day was not the bottled paper but the unruly brat himself?

What was happening to him?