Harry Potter And The Father

Chapter 29

Christmas Time is Upon Us Once Again


It was Harry's second Christmas with Severus as his father, and it was Severus' first proper family Christmas. Sure he had parents, but he hadn't truly ever felt the real spirit of Christmas. The first Christmas with his son, he had felt it for the first time, especially with the hand made gingerbread men his son had made, with the help of Poppy. All of them were related to potions making them even more appreciated. A cauldron, a stirrer, potion vial, spoon, scales and something that was supposed to be a potion recipe. All iced with the appropriate colours. It had made Severus' heart swell with pride and happiness, with the likes he hadn't known before.

Harry finally settled down in February, he no longer had nightmares, or worried about anything. He always told Severus when he was sore, which by the way wasn't very often anymore. The longer he was with Severus the more 'normal' he became; he no longer flinched at loud noises. He wasn't afraid of the students, although there was one thing that hadn't changed - he still loved animals. He had been to five different zoos since going to live with Severus. One of those times he had gone with Sirius Black, one Sunday afternoon. On those days Severus would brew experimental potions, the only time he was able to brew to his hearts content.

Severus and Sirius mostly got on for Harry's sake in the beginning, Sirius was Harry's godfather something even Severus couldn't change. Now though it wasn't something he would change if he could. With Sirius he was able to have a loveable uncle who could make him laugh. It was better to have Sirius there, than a house elf all the time. He didn't have to worry so much when Black looked after Harry. It was himself he was worried about, since he couldn't go back to being a spy, he didn't know what Dumbledore would attempt. Harry's staying with him, had been made too public to ever consider going back. It had taken Harry a while to warm up to him though; he had been scared he would be taken away from his new daddy. In the end he realized no matter what Severus would always be his daddy, and would always be there for him at the end of the day.

Sirius, Minerva, Filius and Poppy was the one teaching Harry his ABC's and 123's, Severus did not want to teach his son, just in case he was anything like how he was with students in his class. He didn't have patience when teaching children things; he wasn't taking the chances with his son. Although he did like sitting reading at night with his son in his lap. He was doing very well and Severus could only hope he continued on learning that way.

Next year he would also learn Latin and a few basic magic spells and potions. His son wasn't going to attend Hogwarts unawares; he would know the basic things all purebloods knew. It was the only thing Eileen (his mother) and Severus agreed upon.

"Daddy! Daddy!" shrieked Harry suddenly barrelling through from where he had been in his room. Almost giving his poor father a heart attack in the process, Severus with his hawk eyes observed his son and calmed, instantly as he saw he was fine and well.

"What's the matter son?" asked Severus picking his now five year old boy up.

"My tooth is wobbly!" said Harry jumping up and down on Severus' hip looking ecstatic.

"Let me see," said Severus gently lifting his son's chin up, looking into the open mouth. Severus could see one of the big teeth was indeed coming in; it was almost through in fact. There was also a loose one right next to it, which meant the new tooth was coming in there too. "It looks like the tooth fairy will be visiting soon." stated Severus proudly. At last his son's teeth were coming in, and these ones would be looked after. Kept whole and clean, Severus had always made sure Harry cleaned them, and how important it was to do so.

"Really?" asked Harry his dark green eyes twinkling brightly, no trouble seemed evident in the happy five year old.

"Of course," said Severus in mock seriousness. "Are you sore?"

Harry simply shook his head, no he wasn't sore.

"Good, if they get sore you know what to do?" stated Severus smoothly.

"Uh-huh I'll come tell you," said Harry solemnly.

"Good boy," said Severus putting him back down, "Everyone will be coming soon, so remember to be dressed." he had spilt his lunch down his clothes, and so Severus had asked him to change. They were having company for dinner after all; he must have rushed right through when he realized he had a wobbly tooth.

"Who?" asked Harry, even though he already knew. Severus had told him just this morning who was coming.

"Granny Eileen, Granny Minerva, Uncle Sirius, Auntie Poppy and Uncle Filius," said Severus patiently.

"Will they stay for dinner?" asked Harry inquisitively.

"They will be indeed," said Severus, they both had just had lunch; presents had been opened after breakfast hours ago. So Harry had been though his room, placing his presents in appropriate places. Severus liked Harry to keep his things a little orderly, and always made sure his room was tidy.

Harry had asked for a kitten, but Severus felt Harry was still too young. He was glad to observe that Harry didn't seem to terribly upset about it. A kitten remained a baby a lot longer than an owl. So it truly wasn't an ideal thing to give to a small boy, maybe next year he would get him one. It certainly wouldn't be a kitten, though Severus would get him an older cat if it came to it.

"Dad!" shouted Harry once more.

"What is it son?" asked Severus feeling exasperated.

"The drawer is stuck again!" said Harry scowling at the chest of drawers in petulance.

Severus smothered a smirk; it looks like he was going to have to get rid of the chest of drawers. That was the fifth time the drawers had gotten stuck, perhaps it was time to re-decorate. Harry had become fiercely independent, and he knew without even seeing his son that he was scowling petulantly at it. As he walked through he actually had to force himself not to laugh, he certainly had his looks down. He truly was a Snape, and it filled Severus with pride and a huge amount of smugness.

With a flick of his wand the drawer was forced open, Harry then grabbed his long sleeved t-shirt. All of them were long sleeved since he lived in the dungeons and it got cold. Without a word Severus walked right back out, leaving his son to it. He went to the fire and put an extra log onto the fire, so it would heat the rooms quicker. Ever since Harry had gotten the flu last year, he had made sure the rooms were always warm. He wasn't taking any chances like last time; even though he had his jabs it was still possible to get ill.

"Dad can I get a biscuit?" asked Harry coming back through after dumping his dirty top into the hamper in his room. The house elves would see to it, that they got cleaned.

"You just had lunch, if you have anything you won't have enough for your pudding," said Severus sternly.

"Fine," pouted Harry, shrugging it off he went back through to his room and got his colouring book and pencils before going back through. He knew he wouldn't get a biscuit, not when he spoke like that. He would have if it had been a normal day, but since it was Christmas he didn't have a chance. Plus Harry wanted his Christmas log, it was delicious. When it had been made earlier, he had gotten a small piece of it.


"Sirius!" shrieked Harry hyperly getting off the couch and jumping into his arms.

"Hey Harry, how's my favourite godson doing?" said Sirius cheerfully.

Harry giggled happily "I'm your only godson!" he replied to that, he always did ever since he had heard his dad say it to him.

"Spoil sport!" sighed Sirius dramatically, before tickling Harry, causing the small boy shriek with laughter.

"Stop stop!" panted Harry trying to get down.

"Look what Santa left with me for you?" said Sirius after putting Harry down waving a toy in front of him.

"What is it?" asked Harry wide eyed, hyper.

"I'm not sure, why don't you have a look?" suggested Sirius handing it over.

Harry took it, remembering his manners he said "Thank you," before quickly running over to the couch and sitting down. He opened the present and grinned with glee, it was a snitch for juniors. It didn't go above five feet in the air and wasn't as fast as the real snitch.

"Look daddy! Look I got a snitch!" cheered Harry holding it up obviously very happy with his new present.

"I see," said Severus smiling slightly, he hated Quidditch; he also didn't like the thought of his son playing the game. Unfortunately there wasn't anything else for children to do, not in the wizarding world anyway. Thankfully he wasn't obsessed with the sport, although Harry liked playing on his broomstick a few times a week.

"Merry Christmas," said Sirius gruffly, handing over a square shaped present. There was no doubt what it was, a book. Severus was surprised; nevertheless he accepted it and opened it up. If he was surprised at receiving a gift, it was nothing on the book. It was very rare, and a book he didn't have.

"It was in my family home," said Sirius "I don't care for potions so it was pretty much useless to me." he stated.

"Thank you," said Severus swallowing thickly. He had never expected this from Black, even if they were getting on better.

"Here! Here!" said Harry handing over Black's gift.

"Is this for me?" asked Sirius in pretend awe.

"Yup me and daddy bought it!" said Harry hyperly.

"That's awfully nice," said Sirius opening the gift, inside he found a chain with the Black crest on it. He could feel the magic imbedded in it, and was curious about it. The Black chain Sirius had never seen before. The last person to own it had been his uncle, the one that had given him money to get his own place, after being disowned. His uncle had been the only one Sirius cared about. Unfortunately the old man had been disowned for helping him, and he was very touched by the thoughtfulness of the gift.

"It stops most potions working," stated Severus smoothly.

"Thank you," said Sirius hugging Harry tightly, he didn't try that with Severus thought. He just shook his hand and nodded his head curtly, stopping the tears from falling. He truly had loved his uncle, and it was a shame he couldn't give this gift back to him. He was dead.

Just then the floo flared once more "Granny!" Harry shrieked in Sirius' ear. Climbing down he hugged her in the legs. He was unfortunately too big and heavy now for Eileen to be able to lift him.

"Hello Harry was Santa good to you this year?" she asked dusting herself off and sitting down gratefully.

"Uh-huh I've been a good boy!" said Harry "He ate the pies I left out for him! And gave Rudolf carrots!"

"That's nice isn't it?" said Eileen smiling at her grandson. The more time she spent with Harry, the more she regretted not meeting her beautiful daughter while she was alive. Even if she had met her in secret, without anyone having to know. It would have been so much better than not at all. Unfortunately it was something she was always going to have to regret, just like a lot of other things she'd have to regret to the day she died.

"Here you go son, happy Christmas," she said giving both boys their gifts.

Severus opened his first, inside there was rare potion ingredients, bending down he kissed her and thanked her. He then went through to his potions lab and placed them in the dark where they belonged. He didn't want any accidents happening; he never left ingredients lying around just in case Harry did anything to them or worse still ate them.

When he went back through to see Harry already opening his present, and he groaned. Sweets- the last thing Harry needed right now, to give the little boy credit he didn't eat them. He past them to his dad, who in turn put them in the kitchen, before giving in and taking a chocolate frog through for him to eat. Then there were clothes and a play ship with all the bits and pieces attached to it. Men, barrels, anchors, cannons, and a pirate costume.

"Thanks daddy!" chirped Harry eating his frog, saving his picture before putting on his pirate costume and playing quite happily with his new Christmas gift. The adults had a conversation, with coffee and tea. Minerva, Filius and Poppy appeared not long later.


"That was beautiful Severus," said Eileen placing down her cutlery utterly stuffed. It was better than the food she got at Snape manor that was for sure.

"You best thank Blinky for it, she has certainly outdone herself," said Severus.

"Indeed," said Minerva.

"Daddy my tummy hurts," moaned Harry, he had definitely ate too much and not left any room for afters.

"Come on," said Severus lifting his son up and put him on the couch. He gave him a stomach soothing potion, before everyone else joined them.

"I'm surprised Dumbledore hasn't been down," said Poppy, he had come down and disturbed their Christmas last year. He had then tried to give Harry a Christmas present, a packet of lemon drops if you would believe it. Harry had never received them; they had gone straight in the bin.

"I'd like to see him try," said Eileen angrily, it had been before she came last year. Otherwise Dumbledore would have had a mouthful from Eileen, and she was a formidable woman when she wanted to be. All those years of being a passive wife, had made her quite the lethal woman when angry.

"He's being watched very closely, Cornelius has had his hand in recruiting the teachers," said Minerva smugly. "I think we might have a teacher that lasts two years, and one that can actually teach."

"He is very good," conceded Severus reluctantly.

"Does he still sleep during the day Severus?" asked Poppy alarmed, when she saw Harry asleep curled up on his father's side.

"No, he's had me up since six o'clock he's probably exhausted," smirked Severus wryly.

"Did he like his presents?" asked Minerva, shaking her head when she saw Poppy relaxing once more. The woman was a worse mother hen than Severus and that was saying something.

"He loved them, I was rather worried he would be disappointed he didn't get his kitten." stated Severus.

"He's much too young for one," said Sirius.

"I don't know, he was very careful with Hedwig," said Poppy, who couldn't help but defend Harry.

"He was, surprisingly so," said Minerva.

"He knew what it was like to be hurt then, he doesn't remember very much now," said Severus softly, brushing his sons growing hair away from his face. Even to this day his heart clenched in love, seeing that angelic face trusting him. Sometimes he wondered if he truly deserved Harry, especially staring at the ugly black repulsive ghastly filthy mark upon his forearm. Which Harry had never seen, he kept it covered at all times, he did not want Harry seeing it. It was Glamoured which wasn't hard to do, as it was very faint now that the Dark Lord was de-bodied.

"That's a good thing, as much as I want them punished I don't want to end up back in Azkaban," said Sirius.

"I'm surprised they weren't arrested when the news got out," said Eileen.

"I didn't press charges," said Severus "I didn't want Harry going through a trial, as accommodating as Cornelius is I doubt he could keep Harry from having to testify."

"That's true enough, they could just say they had no idea what happened," said Eileen nodding her head in understanding. "Veritaserum isn't allowed to be used on Muggles, just in case anything happens to them criminals or not." she sniffed in distain.

"It's time they changed that rule," said Minerva unhappily.

"Vernon Dursley deserves Azkaban," growled Sirius furiously.

"It doesn't really matter now, as long as Harry is well that's all I care about," said Severus, he had felt like Black when he first got Harry. Now he didn't, he wouldn't risk Harry even for revenge. It was a shame Black hadn't had the same restraint, but then again he might not have Harry if he had. Black might have had Harry since day one, and he might never have gotten custody of him.

"I agree with that," said Poppy, "Do you think that Dudley boy is okay?"

"Apart from probably getting fatter I'm sure he is," said Severus snorting in disgust.

Sirius stifled his laughter Severus could be funny when he wanted to be.

"Would you like some wine?" asked Severus.

"You stay there, I'll get it!" said Minerva getting up and going to the kitchen. There were a few bottles of wine and a bottle of fire whisky lying unopened at the top of the cupboard. She also grabbed a few wine glasses, the rest floated behind her; she only had two hands after all.

"Do you want one Severus?" asked Minerva aware that Severus did not drink a lot anymore. He had when it was just him, but now he had a child to raise he wanted to set an example. There was also the point that he did not want to become like his father, or remind Harry of the Dursley's.

"Just the one," said Severus, and he did indeed only have the one. The rest of the guests ended up drinking the two bottles he had. By that time Harry was safely in his bed, his piece of chocolate log safely under a preservation spell. The rest had been eaten by the guests.


what did you think? will dumbledore ever try summat? how will dumbledore get removed from his place of power? need ideas folks please! R&R PLEASE