001 | Dad

It was nearing the end of the day as dinner was served and Sev was nervous was an understatement of the year. He was moving around his chambers making sure everything was in place as it was the first time Harry would be staying with him for the night and he had no words to explain the bubble of nervousness he was feeling in the pit of his stomach.

The slight screech of the front door had him standing from where he was sitting on the couch. He greeted Harry with a smile who returned it with a small shy one of his own as he came into view, walking over to him and swiftly covering his eyes with his palm.

"Dadd..." Harry whined and the nervousness he was feeling earlier was replaced by a warm yet fuzzy feeling. It was the first time Harry called him that in person and Sev couldn't explain the rush of a ton of emotions throughout his body. Harry had been referring to him as dad in his personal journal judging from a few times he got a sneak peek at it but him hearing it from Harry was a whole different thing. Harry seemed stiff under his touch for a moment as if waiting for a reaction and when Severus back hugged him, he relaxed a bit, releasing a shaky breath.

Severus led him through the hallway to the array of rooms and opened the door to the very last one. He uncovered Harry's eyes, stepping back a bit in anticipation, waiting for Harry to react.

Harry couldn't believe his eyes. The plaque on the door proudly stated the room as his.

He walked in when Sev nudged him from the back looking at everything in amazement. The room was elegant and comfortable with a 3D ceiling that showcased the night sky, illuminating the room slightly and a four-poster bed in the middle, a nightstand with a lamp resting on it alongside a few books. The room was painted in light shades of brown with the furniture in wooden colors. It sported a television unit opposite the bed with bookshelves surrounding it, books neatly arranged on them, and a study table on its side with what he figured out was a laptop on top of it. The wardrobe was placed on one side of the bed with a bathroom door and the other side of it was a window that gave a clear view of the quidditch pitch. A couple of footstools and a bean bag were tossed in front of the bed.

The walls showcased a few of Harry's paintings and a few posters of quidditch and cartoons he loved. By the look of it, his belongings have been bought down from the manor as his Hagrid bear as he called it was resting on the side of the bed with his few others resting above the bookshelves with Hedwig's cage, the few trophies he had won throughout the year and a few plants placed on the windowsill. His pin board was also there on his table. Everything was there and judging by the chill in the air, the room was centrally air-conditioned. The room was just perfect.

Severus was still standing at the doorstep too nervous to pay attention as a small body collided with his legs, almost toppling the both of them to the ground. Harry hugged his legs thanking him over and over.

"Do you like it?"
"It's perfect Dad, even better than Draco's and Theo's room."
"I am glad." Severus smiled.

He had seen the look on Harry's face when they had visited Malfoy Manor earlier this year and Draco had shown off his room to Harry who was amazed yet sad when Draco proudly stated his father was the best and always listened to him. Severus swore he would give Harry only the best. Till now Harry was staying at his dormitory, coming down only to spend a few hours with him.

Severus was afraid of being rejected so he never mentioned Harry moving in with him until a couple of days before. He had been busy preparing the room since then as Draco insisted, he wanted Harry with him for something and he would only come down after today's dinner. Harry had giggled at his face and Sev was unsure that they were up to any good but didn't pay any attention to it.

"Now go brush your teeth and get ready for bed," Sev commanded playfully swatting Harry's bottom, earning giggles from the small boy who happily skipped to the bathroom to do his nightly routine. He opened his wardrobe to find it filled with black from top to bottom and sighed. That's the iconic Severus Snape for you.

"Anything wrong with the clothes?" A voice behind him asked. Harry turned around with a pout facing his father and looking him up and down. Sev was himself dressed in white pajamas and a black tee-shirt. The look suited him much better than those sweeping robes as Harry called them, he wore in class.

"I don't like black." He commented crossing his arms over his chest. Sev was happy to note that Harry was acting comfortable around him. He gasped dramatically as if hurt and looked at Harry who had a conflicting look on his face.

"And why is that?" Sev questioned, taking a seat on the bed, pretending to look hurt. Harry walked over to him and stood between his knees.
"I hate black." He stated.
"Then which may I ask Mr. Snape is your favorite color?" Severus questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Black," Harry replied cheekily and tried to escape but Severus was faster and got him before he could even move an inch. Father and Son had a tickling fight for what seemed like hours both their laughter filling up the chambers. Harry's small giggles and pleas were music to Sev's ears and he wanted time to pause so he could have just a few more seconds with his son. They plopped down on the bed together, trying to catch their breath.

Severus helped Harry with his nightclothes, slipping a pull-up on him which Harry didn't complain about too happy to be with his dad. Sev had consulted Poppy a while ago on Harry's condition and she had suggested the muggle pull-ups for the boy. They would not only help him with a good night's sleep but also boost up his confidence during the daytime as he wouldn't have to worry about having an accident.

Severus read Harry a bedtime story. He knew it was something only toddlers did yet judging from the past experience he knew for the fact that Harry never had the privilege. He wanted to give Harry all he had missed upon until now. He tucked his son in and with a good night kiss he was about to walk out to retire for the night as well when he felt a hand grab his wrist. He turned around to look at the messy head poking out of the cocoon of blankets, Harry's pleading eyes which told a very different story and Sev could see what his son was asking from him.

"Do you want me to stay?" he questioned knowing for sure that was exactly what his little prince wanted. He was awarded a nod from Harry. "Move over," He responded more than happy that Harry was comfortable with Sev sleeping by his side. Well, Sev can't bring himself to blame his little bundle for being scared to be alone as he had been alone for a good part of his life, hiding his fears, and Sev was determined on changing that.

Severus could see a smile tugging at his son's lips as he made room for his father to climb in and a warm feeling spread out throughout Sev's body as Harry cuddled into him as soon as he laid down beside him and he rubbed Harry's back trying to lull him to sleep. He too was asleep within mere minutes as his exhaustion took over.

The next morning, Sev was the first one to wake up with his little bundle still pressed to his side. A small smile overtook his features as he cradled Harry and ran his fingers through the soft locks of his son, relishing the moment, slipping from under Harry careful to not wake him up, he did his usual routine of shower and dress before starting with breakfast happy that it was Saturday and he needn't stress about classes and schedules. He decided to check on Harry as the pasta took its time to boil up. Sev figured out he was in the bathroom when he walked into his bare bedroom and sure enough, he heard the shower running. A few minutes passed, Harry emerged from the bathroom fully dressed in a black jean-short, a black tee-shirt, and black flip-flops with a printed smiley on its side, his hair dripping wet with a towel hung around his neck.

Sev helped Harry dry his hair with the hairdryer he had gotten, trying to style his son's hair, giving up when they plopped down as messy soft curls on his head, a few strands falling on his forehead. Harry's hair was a trait he inherited from his mother as they never seemed to be decent, very unlike his own which were straight and needed minimal brushing to style them.

Sev prepared breakfast or rather brunch as it was close to noon. After preparing a light meal consisting of some red sauce pasta, a light vegetable soup, some fruit salad, and an apple pie with sugar syrup for dessert, they ate chitchatting a bit between bites. Harry was devouring his meal as Sev observed his son with adoration in his eyes. He had his son by his side and he couldn't wish for anything better.