I would like to apologize for how long it has been since I last updated. As I have been spending the past six months in first boot camp and then combat training, I was unable to reply, and then after being sent to MOS school, I have been entirely too distracted by my freedom to work on any writing, but I have finally found the words to get back to writing. It should not be so long next time I write, but if it is, it is because of my new classes. For those who have waited patiently with bated breath, I apologize sincerely for this because I know how it is to wait so long for a story you enjoy. Thank you for the reviews and the favorites and follows. I appreciate them a lot, and they made my coming back to civilization that much better. Enjoy. Since I could not reply to you, thanks goes out to the guest reviewer Lordmoldyshorts. Great name by the way and thank you again. A special thanks to my friend mandacie for the help.

Disclaimer: Don't own it.

Chapter Eleven

Severus and Harry arrived late in Monday evening in Northern Cornwall for holiday. Severus had wanted to get Harry away for at least a few days where he could at least experience a real family vacation. Severus had a lot planned for them from an amusement park to biking to just regular beach days in the sun. It would be a true challenge for both of their fair skinned bodies out in the sun all day, but they made sun shielding charms for that reason.

They arrived at the Watergate Bay Hotel, perfect for the family holiday, and checked into their suite. Severus carried the boys bag and his own on the way up to their room. Harry was looking greatly surprised and awestruck at everything in the halls and on the elevator up to their room. Severus chuckled as the boy happily walked off the elevator and headed toward their room.

"Harry, would you like to use the key to let us in?" he asked once they reached the door.

Harry's eyes went wide, and Severus hid another chuckle as the boy grabbed the key eagerly and stuck it in the door. They were inside finally and his little boy was acting just as he was called: a little boy. The child ran from room to room calling out to Severus about everything that he saw while he ran through the rooms. Severus chuckled as he finally walked into the suite.

It held three separate rooms, one made specifically for a child and the other two for himself and his father, a sitting room, a small kitchenette, and one bathroom. Severus had not spared any expense for this trip, and he could not wait to see even more of his son's innocent surprise from everything.

He finally settled their things in their prospective rooms and calmed the boy from his sugar high. His father had unluckily came to wish them a see you soon as in tomorrow with some sweets for the child just that morning, and due to 'grandfather's prerogative' he could say nothing according to the old codger. He was sure to die from the old man since he would be coming to stay with them once his last meeting was finished tomorrow morning.

He grabbed the child on his twentieth run around the room and spun him around in his arms, causing the child to squeal in surprise, before settling into one of the chairs in front of the telly with his child in his lap. "Daaaaaaaaadddddd, please. I just wanna look around some more."

Severus chuckled before turning a stern frown onto the over exuberant gryffindor. "Harry, this is all there is to the room. You have run around up here enough. Now, I think we should change into suitable holiday attire and adjourn to the beach where you may expel your grandfather's gift," he said with distaste.

The child looked down with a blush. "I'm acting like a real brat, huh? I'm sorry, Daddy. I didn't mean to, I swear. I was just so excited cos Dudley always got to go with his parents to places like this while I was stuck with Mrs. Figg who smells like gingersnaps and cats."

Severus sighed at the way he had handled this. Yes, his son was acting slightly peevishly, but it was from his excitement and he was only a child, not that any child of his would ever act like a brat in public or private. Severus knew this, but his usual snark was slightly higher after the drive here. He needed to settle back into his Harry calming personality, but it was nice to know his previous personality still existed. "Yes, Harry, I know. How about you go get changed while I do as well, and then we shall head to the beach for a few moments?"

The boy literally bounced off his lap and landed on the run. "I can't believe I'll finally get to see the ocean!"

Severus shook his head at his child with a smile on his face and walked to his own room at a much more dignified pace. He changed into holiday clothes, which for him were khaki shorts and a thin white short sleeved button-up shirt with the hideous things people called sandals. Harry had insisted when they went shopping that he had to wear them. He was just happy he did not have tan lines to make this experience even more undignified. He shook away the thought and went back into the heart of the room where Harry was bouncing on the couch to wait for him.

The child had put on his jean shorts and his snake shirt, which Severus was happy to see the child enjoyed so much. He smiled to his child and held out his hand. "Ready?"

Harry whooped and ran to take his hand. Severus rolled his eyes to the sky, hiding his amusement at the boy. He walked them down to the back of the hotel where it opened to the boardwalk entrance to the beach. The little boy was barely holding back from running, so Severus finally let go of his hand and nodded his head toward the beach. Harry grinned like a manic loon and ran for the beach, kicking up sand as he went toward the blue ocean.

Severus sat back on a bench close enough where he could grab his son if he were to get pulled too far into the water by the tide, and he did not see it as unlikely when the boy was so small. He almost believed the crabs could carry the boy away. He had a laugh at his son's expense and enjoyed one of the only days he would have alone with the boy. His father was coming tomorrow with Draco to enjoy the amusement park. Draco was not staying, but Harry had agreed that he would like to try again with his arch nemesis. Severus at that point had questioned paternity until the truth that Lily's eternal loving spirit lived on in her son.

Lucius and Narcissa were going to pick the child up after having dinner with them, and Severus was only hoping to make it that far with a fistfight or a battle of wits between the two preteens. One could hope all they liked but the other hand would always weigh more than his wants. He had discussed his expectations with Harry, and though not opposed to being nice, his son was adamant on, 'knocking that smug prat's smirk off his git face' were said child to act like his parent's had unfortunately raised him. They had had another lesson with soap last night from that pronouncement after coming to a shaky agreement.

Severus pushed off his nightmarish thoughts and looked to watch the boy experience a beach for the first time. It was almost sad to know he had not seen the ocean rather than the channel before now, and even worse he had never touched the salty ocean water, but the pure innocence on his son's face as he splashed about was something Severus was almost happy to have not missed. There was something to this giving his son a childhood that made what the Dursley's did almost a blessing for their relationship, but then Harry would have a nightmare or an asthma attack, and Severus was right back to planning his sweet revenge. He'd have to talk to Lucius about the dark curses that provided eye for an eye revenge when he came by tomorrow. The two old slytherins and an old doddering gryffindor were sure to create some likely vengeance on behalf of Harry and Severus too if he were honest with himself.

It was turning dark when Severus called Harry to him. He looked around him before spelling the child's clothes dry. The boy grinned up at him with almost all his teeth showing and gave him a hug. He chuckled and rested a hand on the back of the boy's head. "Child, I do not know why you persist on hugging me like an octopus."

The boy looked up at him with a guarded expression. "Do you wish I would stop hugging you, c-cos I can."

Severus cursed himself internally for what he had brought up in front of the boy. He knew the child was getting more comfortable and becoming more trusting of Severus and his love for the boy, but he was still an abused child who could easily have set-backs if pushed too far by emotions that reminded him of the past or statements that made the insecure little boy question his worth. Merlin, he hated himself sometimes for being the heartless bastard he had been for so long and losing something innate about comforting a person, especially his own child.

Severus rolled his eyes playfully, trying to get back to the lighthearted moment, and swung the boy up onto his hip. "Feel free to latch on at any time, snakelet."

He gave the child a sincere smile, and the boy grinned before squirming to be let down. Severus was surprised until he saw the boy pounce and wrap his arms around his neck and hang on his back like a monkey. Severus rolled his eyes again but kept walking forward toward the city proper where they could find a nice hot meal. He hefted the boy all the way to a seafood restaurant where the boy finally detached and grabbed his hand. Severus smiled and gave the boy's hand a squeeze before letting it go to sling his arm over the child's shoulders and pulling him against him. He leaned down and pecked a kiss to the child's locks. "Much better."

The boy giggled as they were led to their seats and handed menus. It seemed this place did not have a coloring menu, and Severus could almost see the disappointment in the boy's eyes. Since they had gone out, the child had always got a coloring menu for his entertainment before his meal, and Severus was almost as displeased to miss his bonding games of tic tac toe. He scrubbed the entirely hufflepuffish sentimental thought and decided conversation could be just as cohesive to their budding relationship.

"So, Harry, are you excited for tomorrow?"

The boy bounced in his chair. It was obviously a yes but words could give more detail than simple actions. "Yeah, it'll be so wicked! Papa is going to have to ride the dragon roller coaster with me."

Severus rolled his eyes. "I am sure we'll all be able to be your partner once for the ride as you will want to go more than once."

Harry grinned slyly. "True, Dad, but Papa can make it breathe real fire."

Severus scowled sternly. "None of that, young man, or I am taking your broom."

"But, Dad, there's a flying park here too, and Draco is bringing his broom."

Severus drew his eyebrow up imperiously, and the child conceded. "Fine, but if Papa does it on his own, I don't wanna be his partner anymore."

Severus nodded but added, "And no giving him any ideas, Harry Snape."

Harry looked in mock shock at his father. "Me, Daddy?"

Severus grinned and shook his head to get back his famous glare. "Yes, you, brat. I am almost proud at how Slytherin you are, but entirely displeased as a responsible parent. That is who you would deal with tomorrow were you to disobey me on this, Harry."

Harry nodded. "Okay, Dad, no trouble tomorrow. Got it."

Severus rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Like your inane ability to annoy me to death."

Harry shrugged, detectably less secure than before and looking at the table as if he were to have just lost his first birthday present and first pet Hedwig. He had asked about the bird a few days after seeing the boy's actions with the bird and discovered it was the boy's first present he could remember, and as sad as that was, he could not help but feel slightly indebted to the half-giant for being so kind to his son. He may even have to provide the man a potion to help along his pumpkins or some of those animals the fool loved to drivel over.

A hesitant look up was all he got from the child. "I could…"

Severus raised a hand. "No more, Harry. I will never mean any of these things I say when we are teasing each other. I love you, and would never want you to change. Understood?"

Harry nodded. "A verbal response, Mr. Snape."

Harry blushed and looked down at his hands in his lap. "Yes, sir. I understand."

Severus gave a firm nod and was saved from conversation when the waiter appeared. Severus was almost thankful not to receive a female as Harry would become his usual shy self. They ordered what they would have and watched as the waiter left. Though Severus had cleared the air, he could tell there was almost a perceptible tinge in the air that was not there before. He needed some way to put the boy back at ease, so he flicked his wrist, and automatically a sheet of paper and two crayons appeared in front of him from his wandless wordless magic. The boy gaped at him and back to the paper, obviously trying to determine what question he should ask first. Severus decided to put him out of his misery. "Harry, I used wandless and wordless magic to conjure us something to do, and no, I will not teach you."

"But, why?"

Severus levelled his stern look on the boy and was pleased to see him squirm under the attention. "Because as your father I have that right, and if that were not enough, which it is, it is also entirely too dangerous at this moment because your magical core is premature and untamed. That level of power and discipline for that magic is very hard for even fully grown wizards, and you are only a child. I will not risk magical exhaustion for you. Is that understood, Mr. Snape?"

Harry nodded hastily. Severus knew the boy never wanted to be in trouble and that even though he was aware Severus would never hit him, that he was still completely skittish of that punishment even now. "Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. I shouldn't have asked."

Severus frowned. "I am aware why you did, and while I am very pleased with your want to learn, I also will never allow you to come to harm, even by your own ignorance. I am sorry to have gotten so snappish, Harry."

The boy smiled. "I'm never going to get used to you doing that."

"Doing what?"

"Saying sorry." The boy giggled. "Imagine the students' faces when it happens in September."

Severus allowed a small smirk to pull at him. "Yes, well, that will never happen. I may be a father, but the greasy git bat of the dungeons will live on this coming term."

Harry nodded. "I figured it would, Dad. I just really don't wanna…"

The boy trailed off, and Severus found himself concerned with the child's unspoken request. "What, Harry, do you not want? You know you may tell me whatever is on your mind at any time and for whatever reason and that I will work to fix it. You may rely on me, trust me to be the adult, your father, Harry."

The boy nodded and looked down. "I don't wanna have you hate me again, but with your reputation, I guess you kinda have to, and I'm sure I'll be fine with it."

The boy's unspoken 'if I have to' did not need to be said in that moment at the dejection on the face he was coming to see resembled his own as a child. The boy was spouting annoying words that Severus was slowly understanding was his son again sacrificing his own well-being for something as inane as Severus's reputation. He scoffed and stopped the boy mid reassurance of his false happy acceptance at an obviously displeasing arrangement. "Please, Harry, stop. I shall not be treating you as I had in the past. I may still be a git to every other student, but when it comes to my son, I shall never put on my facade. You are my son and my life. I would never hurt you so unduly. Do you not understand that, Harry?"

The boy blushed and shrugged. "I just forget sometimes, I guess."

Severus rolled his eyes and motioned for the boy to come to him. The boy stood hesitantly. Severus had been using his gentle comforting of a wounded animal voice the entire time, and still the skittish child was wary of him. He hated the Dursleys. Once the boy shuffled to him, he grabbed him, ignoring the surprised squeak from the boy and placing him in his lap. He petted down the boy's feathery hair and kissed him on the locks. "How's that? Assured yet?"

The boy relaxed back against his chest and looked up at him with a guarded expression. Severus smiled in understanding and made himself comfortable with the weight in his lap. No matter how long it took. "I can wait."

That's how the entire meal was spent, and Severus found he did not care one bit even when only two weeks ago public displays of any affection made him highly uncomfortable. Now, he was only happy to see his son so secure and trusting in his love.

HPSSHPSS

Harry was surprised to see he was waking up in his bed in the hotel room. He was sure that the last thing he remembered was leaning his head on his dad's shoulder while they walked on the beach. He had wanted to be picked up when he felt tired, so he must have went to sleep. He was grateful to realize his dad had even had the thoughtfulness to put him into pajamas. They were even his star ones that he had gotten from his Papa to match the man's robes. The stars even shot through the garments like shooting stars. The man had been the best thing to happen to him since Hogwarts and was infinitely better than that as well.

He got out of bed and his feet let out pitter patters on the hardwood floor as he went over to the loo where he relieved himself and brushed his teeth before his dad had to tell him to before heading toward the main area of the room. He was happily surprised to see his Papa sitting at the kitchen table while his daddy made breakfast. He felt the flux of emotions for both men hit him hard. His dad had been so great this past week, and he loved his papa just as much. He let the emotions spread through him and ran from where he had stood frozen in the doorway.

"Papa," he squealed as he threw himself at the man.

His papa just laughed and caught him easily, bringing him onto the man's lap with ease. "Well, hello and good morning, my phoenix. Did you sleep well?"

Harry grinned at the nickname and nodded his head excitedly. "Yeah, it was so cool. We went to the beach, and I got to play in the ocean, and," he stopped motioning for the man to lean down to him where he could whisper in his ear. "Daddy used his wand to spell me dry right there."

The old man's eyes twinkled as he pulled back up from Harry. Harry watched amused as the man grinned over at his father. His father must have felt the gaze because he turned his head to see the look he was receiving. "What is it, Father?"

His papa's grin widened. "Magic in the open? Severus Snape, I should shove your nose in the corner for that."

Harry chuckled at the image that produced. His father, glowering bat of the dungeons standing in a corner in the Headmaster's office and looking guilty just like Harry. Harry chuckled harder as he saw his father's blushing face before he received a glare. His father obviously knew what he was imaging and why he was laughing so hard too. "Maybe I should do the same for snitching little imps."

Harry hid his face in his papa's flowery shirt when his daddy left the stove to come at him with a mocking glare on his face. Harry squealed in surprise as he felt the long, potion stained fingers begin to tickle him. He looked up pleadingly at his papa. "H-e-l-p!" he tried to get out between the uncontrollable giggles.

The old man smiled and moved the boy away from his father and stood up. Harry watched his father look at his papa and shake his head adamantly. There was only fear and nervousness in his father's eyes now. "No, Albus. Just no. I am not a child, and you did not take me in when I was one either."

"Now, Severus, you should remember well how I came to know you were ticklish, so none of your pleas are warranting a reprieve for their logic."

Harry found himself getting confused at this before his grandfather attacked with speed of a man younger than himself. His father was soon on the ground growling at first before being reduced to chuckles as he was tickled by Harry's papa. Harry giggled at the sight before being decidedly Slytherin and turning on the old man who no way could win against his scary father.

He jumped onto the old man's back and surprised the old wizard enough that his dad was able to get out from under the old man and attack on his own. They both pinned the old wizard to the ground who held his hands up in surrender. "I am no match for the Snape men. I concede to your greater powers at the torturous art of tickling."

Harry giggled at the man while his dad scoffed, but Harry knew he was laughing too. It was at that moment that Harry realized that Draco Malfoy was also sitting in the kitchen on the other side of the table and watching them in bewilderment. Harry became even more aware of what he had just done in front of the Slytherin boy who had hated him for so long. He had acted like that in front of Malfoy! He hadn't been so embarrassed since he had hid in his father's robes.

He blushed and got up from the floor. He looked down at his pajamas and felt another feeling of embarrassed blush hit his face. He hated how he was feeling when if he was alone with his family, he would have never cared, but Malfoy could tell everyone what a little kid he acted like, and even if he loved doing that, he never wanted the whole school to know.

Malfoy's impression of a fish was soon replaced with a cool smirk. "Wow, Snape, and I thought only toddlers played in tickle wars."

Harry flinched at the jeer when he was just thinking the same thing. He felt heat in his face now, so he must have turned even more red from the added anger he had at the boy making fun of him. He loved the way he could act with his daddy and papa, and he hated how ashamed he was from it when the other boy was there to see it. His father looked ready to burst at the comment, but Harry could never imagine that either. Imagine Malfoy telling all of Hogwarts that the Gryffindor Golden Boy had to have his daddy take up for him.

"Well, I don't know about my dad or papa, but I am quite certain I am not a toddler. Are you suggesting they are, Draco?"

The higher ground in wit and with the use of the boy's name. His father would be proud of him for his Slytherin response and his ability to be the mature one. Malfoy gaped and floundered for a moment. "I would never… Uncle Sev, I didn't…"

Harry watched his father give the boy a cool look. "No, I suppose not. Maybe next time you shall give thought to what you say, hm?"

Draco nodded his head vigorously, and at the sight of approval from Harry's dad, smirked over at Harry. Harry bristled at the boy even thinking he had more approval with his daddy than him. He shook it off and took a seat at the table beside where his papa had been sitting. Sure, he would have liked to continue his conversation with his papa in the man's lap, but this would be suitable enough.

His papa sat down beside him and mused his already bed-mussed hair. "Well, Harry, are you ready to go to the amusement park for the first time?"

"Yes, and we haveta ride the dragon roller coaster together, and you and dad both have to fly in the flying park and we haveta have cotton candy and popcorn and soda too and hot dogs. Have you had those before, Papa? Doesn't matter, we're going to have them even if you have, and we'll have all sorts of fun and…"

He felt arms on his shoulders and looked up into the amused face of his father. "Breathe, Harry. You can pause and allow commentary between pronouncements, you know?"

His father chuckled and ruffled his hair with Harry batting his hand away. "What is it with all of you messing up my hair? I just got it to straighten out and be controlled."

His father smiled. "It's as soft as a feather, child, and it is how we show our affection."

Harry glared. "No one ever touched my hair like that before. They only pul…"

Harry trailed off when he realized what he was about to say. He couldn't just tell them about how his uncle would yank him around by his hair or how his aunt had screeched about it and chopped it off, barely missing him and at times not missing him at all. He hated haircuts for that reason and could not imagine getting one even by a specialist.

His father kneeled by his chair and pulled his face to his searching gaze by his chin. Harry flinched at the look in his eyes. The pity was the worst. He hated that even when he knew his father didn't mean it to be rude. "Harry, I know what they must have done, and if it truly bothers you, we will not touch your hair. Does it bother you, snakelet?"

Harry felt tears pool in his eyes unwillingly. He shook his head hard and gasped to breathe. "No. S'nice."

His father smiled and brought him against the man's chest. Harry let the tears fall for a few moments in the shield created by his father. It was like being wrapped in a warm peaceful blanket with the smells of herbs and potions and the man's deodorant. It smelled like… Dad. "M'sorry. Shouldn't cry. Jus' sad."

His father grabbed him up in his arms and walked away with him. Harry didn't leave the safety brought by the darkness of the man's chest until he felt his father sit and begin to arrange him on the man's lap. He peeked up at the looming figure and felt nothing but trust and love from the gaze he was receiving. Weird how the cool looks had seemed so cold before when now he could see the slight concern in the gaze and the love too.

"Harry, I am not mad, nor do I blame you for your reaction. I only wanted to see if you would rather we talk about this now in private."

Harry nodded and felt his whole body trembling from what he was about to admit to his father. He had never really told his father much. The man had seen some of his memories after all, so he saw no reason to, but he also realized it hadn't helped just knowing the man knew. Maybe he'd have to talk about it for it to go away.

"I was just talking about the way Vernon usedta pull me by my hair or how aunt Petunia would chop off my hair and cut me so much. It hurt so much most of the time, and I-I just… back then I didn't understand sometimes. I didn't know what I did wrong. I tried to be good, really tried. I thought if I did that they'd… well, you know, love me."

He watched his father nod solemnly. "Yes, I do know, Harry. I know I never talk about my father even now when I have such a great one in Albus, but I do know what it is like to try so hard to get someone to love you, but it was not us who were the problem it was those who were supposed to love us unconditionally. We were not the broken trash, they were, and if it is the only thing I do, I will make you see that, Harry."

Harry fet himself choke on his thanks and nod his head. He understood. He did, and maybe he could even believe it because if he didn't believe he wasn't trash than he was calling his dad trash, and he knew for sure that was not true. He nodded his head again, trying to explain he was believing it if only because of the implications to his father. His father smiled and brushed his hair from his forehead before kissing it.

His dad set him on his feet and looked down on his as he stood. "Good. Now, shall we go eat our pancakes and bacon before heading to the park?"

Harry nodded and ran from the room as his father followed at a more sedate pace. He reached the table and sat where he had before and looking at where his papa was coming over with plates of pancakes and bacon for them all. He smiled up at the man as he set it on the table and ruffled his hair as he took a seat.

Harry placed food on his plate at the nod from his father. Everyone else did the same, and Harry was just beginning to sprinkle on strawberries when he noticed Malfoy looking at him. He was surprised to not see the usual cool smirk from the boy or the obvious hatred but an actual searching look. He was slightly uncomfortable with it and decided to ignore it as he applied whip cream to his pancakes at the urging of his grandfather. Luckily his dad was on the other side of the old man and could not stop their escapades.

Harry snickered as he saw the look he was getting from his father because his grandfather sent a returning glare to the man. Harry smirked as he began to eat his entirely too sweet pancakes that looked just like his papa's. The old man really was a bad influence when it came to sweets, but he would just call grandfather's per-og-ative again with his daddy.

"Smirk all you like, snakelet, but I am the one with the stomach soothing draughts, not the doddering old fool you call papa."

"Doddering am I now, Severus Tobias? Well, I will have you know finding the twelve uses of dragon's blood means I am more than capable of creating a simple stomach soothing potion. So please, do continue your diatribe as I am most certain I want to hear more of what you have to say."

Harry snickered. He loved when they were like this, passing back and forth with their words. Their banter had become a constant when around each other that Harry found completely amusing. "I will, old man, as I can threaten my son however I so choose."

His father's smirk was present, but the old man just grinned. "I am sure I understand as I am about to threaten my own with a mouth washing for such disrespect to his elders."

Harry watched his father glare. "You wouldn't dare."

His papa just grinned wider. "Oh, yes, I am sure I would not."

"Old fool I sw…"

His father's next words were broken off as the old man had shot a hex at his father. Harry snickered as he saw his father's disgusted face as he rushed to the sink spitting out soap suds in the sink. Harry outright laughed as the man used the tap without a glass to washout the taste. Harry now felt very satisfied with himself because even his daddy couldn't take the taste of the nasty soap.

His father pulled away finally, glaring at his papa. His papa held up his hands in surrender and grinned at his father. "Now, Severus, I hate to do that to you, but displaying such horrid manners in front of your own child. I would have looked like a terrible parent had I not corrected you how you would have corrected Harry."

Harry giggled at the gape his father had taken. "Old…" the glare his father received from his papa stopped him short. "Father, I am no longer a child. Such displays now seem entirely inappropriate."

"Ah, but, Severus, you are still my child, and I am entirely too old as you helpfully have pointed out to notice the difference sometimes. My poor doddering mind, you must realize."

His papa's smirk made Harry break off into chuckles. His papa always seemed to be able to handle his father. "Imp, I am about to use your tongue for potions ingredients. We shall see who laughs then."

Harry stopped laughing glaring up at the man, but then he came across another idea. He broke into a pout and put on his most wounded expression. He sniffled convincingly as he had practiced this enough times and looked up with wide eyes at his papa, who seemed to melt in front of him. "Papa, why does Daddy not want me to be happy?"

His father spluttered at his question while his grandfather looked at the man with an arched brow. He turned back to him with a pitying expression. "I do not know, child. How about we take his happiness from him, hm? We can keep him from riding the rides today or maybe I can even not allow him dessert if you feel that would make him feel the same unhappiness he made you feel?"

His father groaned. "Father, this trip is for the children, so I will not care to not ride any rides, and as for taking away my dessert, I am no longer a child. You cannot take it away from me."

His papa gave his father a stern look. "Is that a challenge, Severus Tobias."

His daddy smirked. "A truthful fact. Take it as you will."

His papa grinned. "I do so love your challenges, Severus. They never fail to surprise you when you lose."

His father grumbled about old men and their senile behaviour as he took his seat again. "Is that another wish for the mouth washing charm, Severus, or just your good mood bleeding through?"

His father narrowed his eyes at the man before looking back to his breakfast. "The latter, Father."

The old man smiled and looked over at Harry. "How is your mood now, my phoenix?"

Harry grinned. "Better, Papa."

His grandfather chuckled and kissed his forehead before they continued back to their meal. Harry looked up again and realized he had forgotten about Draco again. The boy was looking at him like he had never seen him before, and Harry was having a hard time deciding if that was from his family's odd way of bantering or from him being very Slytherin. It could be either really, but he cared about neither. The boy could think what he liked about them, because that was just too fun to discontinue for the sake of Draco Malfoy.

They finished breakfast, and Harry was sent to get dressed for the day. He ran from the room, too excited to care if he was acting like a little kid in front of Malfoy. He took off his pajamas and put them in a drawer before grabbing some khaki shorts and his dragon shirt since his dad could make it stop moving when they were in the muggle world. He pulled on a star and phoenix sock and his converses before he ran back to the living room where the other three were sitting, trying to explain the telly to Draco. His grandfather was no help as they had told him the exact same things only this past week, so he was no help but his comments were amusing.

Harry stood in front of his father who looked him over before whipping out his wand to still the dragon on his shirt. Harry grinned. "I figured you could do that for me until we go to the wizard part of the park."

His father nodded. "Yes, I had assumed so. Well, does this mean you are ready to go?"

Harry felt an impish grin overtake him as he said, "Is that even a question?"

His father chuckled and gathered him onto his lap. His father kissed his hair, which just made Harry sigh contentedly and snuggle into the man. "You have been around me too much. I am rubbing off on you."

Harry smiled. "S'not a bad thing."

His father smiled down at him. "I suppose. You do make my day more amused this way."

Harry grinned up at the man. "Then I have done my duty. Papa says you need to laugh more."

His father looked away, and Harry swore he saw the man blush before scowling in the direction of the man still talking animatedly with Draco. "Your grandfather needs to stop bothering me. I am no longer a child like you are, Harry."

Harry knew his father acted like he didn't like that his papa gave him so much attention, but if the man had grown up how he did, he knew that was just an act. It wasn't that he liked the man treating him like a child but the fact that he tried to showed how much he cared. Harry just wished his dad would stop acting like he didn't like it so much. He might hurt his papa's feelings.

He motioned the man to him where he could whisper in his ear properly. "I know you like how much Papa cares, Daddy, and maybe you should stop acting like you don't cos you might hurt Papa's feelings and make him stop. It's okay to when you all are playing like usual, but you can stop acting now. We won't tell anybody."

His father gave him a surprised look and then smiled. "Harry, I swear you are your mother's child."

He kissed his hair and then put him on his feet in front of him. The man brought him between his knees and the air seemed to become serious. There was a 'muffliato' cast over them before his father looked down at him. "Unlike you, Harry, I was not saved from a bad childhood while I was still so sweet and innocent. By the time Albus took me in, I was already quite bitter and guarded against adults. I do not trust easily even today, but by the time I could trust Albus I was too old to call him Dad or to ask him to tuck me like I had never had done to me since my mother's depression had set in when I was eight. I was too old I thought to show him such love existed in me, and I had never become comfortable showing emotions. The way I am with you truly is a miracle that I am sure Albus has taken note of, but I still cannot do the same with Albus."

Harry looked at his father and shook his head. "No, it isn't that you can't. It is that you're too scared to show him how much you love him and that you like the way he treats you. Why are you so scared, Daddy?"

His father at first looked angry and closed off, and Harry took an involuntary step back. That expression had not been seen since the school year, and he forgot how scary it was. His father soon shed the expression and looked at him with that same sad look. "Harry, I was not treated well at school either. I was bullied for years, and subsequently have been very closed off with everyone hardly showing emotion for the insecurities that treatment caused me. Anything I have perceived as weakness was not allowed to be shown, and so I have been I suppose afraid someone would ridicule me for my feelings."

"We wouldn't, you know? We would never hurt you, Daddy, and if someone else did, I'd have to hex them. Papa could too. We won't let anyone hurt you anymore."

His father gave a half-smile. "Like your mother you are trying to protect me, but, Harry, I am sorry to say many have made your promise, including Albus, and all have failed. There is no way to protect me from everything."

Harry shook his head. "No, now, you are just being difficult. We'll protect you. Promise. You can let Papa know how much you love him, and if anybody tries to hurt you, I'll make them be covered in boogers like Ron taught me last year."

His father seemed to deflate before him. "Harry, this is not your problem to worry about. You are the child in this relationship. I am the one to protect you and talk to you about your problems. I will not have you doing so for me. I have been and always will be a very closed-off man with everyone except you and your mother. You cannot change that fact."

Harry was about to retort in anger because really the man was just being difficult now. So what if he was just a kid, he was going to protect his dad, and he wouldn't fail like everybody else. He knew his papa wouldn't fail again either, and he was trying to make his dad see that but he was being stubborn and not listening.

He was going to make the man see until he heard the throat being cleared behind him. He looked back tilting his head up as he saw his papa standing over him and his daddy. The old man smiled, but it seemed strained. Harry figured he'd heard their conversation, so he stepped away from his daddy and smiled up at his papa. His papa smiled back and looked to his dad. "Well, he may be the child in your relationship, but I am the father in ours, so please, continue your conversation with me so that I may be the one to fix your problems."

His father gaped like a fish and worked on opening and closing his mouth several times. Harry smirked and patted his father on the shoulder before turning to his papa. "You can finish with him, Papa. He won't listen to me."

His papa smiled at him appreciatively. "Go on and play with Draco for a few moments, Harry. I shall pick up where you left off with my wayward son."

Harry giggled before trotting off, leaving his poor emotion guarded father at the hands of the headmaster for a conversation on feelings. 'Yuck!'

HPSSHPSS