Disclaimer: Harry Potter and everything related is the property of J.K. Rowling and anyone else who has claim to a piece of Harry's fame

Disclaimer 2: I own the plot, Saerry Snape, and Aeyr's.  Nothing more, nothing less.

MercS – Yes, evil, evil little children.  *glares at them all*  Ah!  But the family moments have not ended!  There is yet another 'Kodak Moment'  (I find that phrase hilarious  *laugh*) in this chapter.  ^_^

Hippy Flower – A shrine?  For me?  I'm touched.  : )

Chapter 48 **Waking**

Harry awoke the next morning to find himself extremely warm.  He seemed to be nestled between two pillows thought he didn't know why that would be.  Seeking more sleep he burrowed into the closest pillow and heard someone laughing.  Opening his eyes to a slit he saw that his 'pillow' actually was his father.  He blinked and opened his eyes completely.  It turned out he was lying in what appeared to be his father's bedroom in his father's arms with Saerry (who turned out to be the second 'pillow') laughing at him from behind him.

And it seemed that he and Saerry were the only one's awake.

Saerry chuckled and whispered in his hear, "Relax Harry.  Go back to sleep.  Its only around two."  With that she lay down again, curling up against his back.

Harry found himself suddenly appreciating the closeness and the warmth.  The last time he had been held as close as he was now had probably been when he was a baby as the Dursley's traded love for hate and gifts for punishment.  Sighing, Harry curled up between his father and aunt and slipped back into sleep.

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"He's still asleep?"

"Yes Severus.  I already said that.  Five times."

"Sorry Saer.  But . . . I've been worried about him."

"We all have Sev."

Harry blinked blearily and lifted his head.  He was still in his father's bedroom, tucked under the dark green blankets in the bed.  The door was halfway open and he could hear his father and aunt's voices coming from the main room.

Suddenly Saeln flew into the room, gave what Harry discerned to be a 'Yay!' then flew out again.  A second later Severus and Saerry appeared.

Severus smiled and said, "Ah, so it is awake.  We thought Saeln was seeing things."

Saerry punched her brother's arm then smiled at Harry.  "Good morning Harry.  Ready for some breakfast?"

Harry sat up and ran one hand back through his hair.  He muttered, "Yea, I guess so."

"Well then c'mon sleepyhead.  We'll dash up to Gryffindor Tower to get your things then back down to breakfast."  Saerry stomach growled and she smiled sheepishly.  "Which sounds very good right now."

Severus arched an eyebrow and chuckled.  "Yes, we heard didn't we Harry?"

Harry nodded and both of them had to dodge Saerry's playful punch at their heads.  She hissed, "Oh, be quiet you two."

They all laughed quietly at each other then left the rooms, heading out the portrait hole and down to Gryffindor Tower.

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As soon as they arrived at the tower Harry was jumped by a worried Ron and Hermione who looked like they hadn't slept.  Hermione cried, "Harry!  What happened?"

Harry shrugged. "Nothing happened."

Ron said, "We waited for you but you never showed up."

"I um . . . . kinda fell asleep."

"FELL ASLEEP?"  Both Ron and Hermione were staring at him, making Harry want to sink into the floor.  Saerry placed her hands on his shoulders and said, "Nothing to worry about you two.  Harry's fine.  He just spent the night with Sev and me, that's all."

Ron grumbled something but Hermione looked relieved.

Severus suddenly said, "Shouldn't you two be getting to breakfast?"

Hermione said, "We wanted to wait for Harry, Professor."

"Harry will join you shortly.  I suggest you get to the hall before everything is gone."

The two nodded and started off, Hermione looking back every one in a while.

Harry watched his friends walk off then said, "Chesterfield," to the Fat Lady.  The portrait swung open and he went inside, Saerry and Severus waiting outside for him.  Several Gryffindors glared at him at he walked past but the first year girl he had talked to just before Christmas holidays smiled and waved at him.  He smiled in return and nodded then went up to the fifth year dorm.

Once inside he shucked off his robes, revealing the jeans and t-shirt under it.  He pulled them off too and dug around in his trunk for clean clothes.  Finding them, he pulled them on then grabbed his bag from where it was sitting beside his trunk.  Running back downstairs he shot out of the portrait hole and slid to a stop.

Saerry smiled at him and said, "Maybe you should brush your hair."

Harry reached up and felt his hair, which was staticy from changing so quickly.  He tried to press it down but that didn't work.

Severus chuckled and pulled out his wand, performing a simple charm on the renegade hair.  It instantly settled into place.

"There."

Harry smiled and said, "Thanks dad."

Severus blinked and Harry went wide-eyed.  He'd said it again without realizing it until after he said it.  After the initial shock wore off Severus asked, "Is that what I am now?"

Harry nodded slowly and said, "Yea."

Severus gave a half-smile and said, "So be it.  Now, let's get down to the hall before breakfast is completely gone."  The other two nodding in agreement they went down the hall to do just that.