Authors note: This is a part of a one-shot series but can be read as a stand-alone! See the end of the story for more info about previous parts of the series.

"Sevy?"

Severus let out a big sigh. He really tried to get Harry to stop calling him that. He'd tried everything. But, alas, the boy had chosen to continue calling him by the stupid nickname.

"Haven't I told you not to call me that?" he asked Harry, looking up from his potion magazine.

"Yes," Harry answered.

"So?" Severus said. "What did you want?"

"Sevy," he sighed again as Harry repeated the nickname, "do we have any chocolate cookies left?"

"You've already had two today," Severus answered.

"So?" Harry answered, not unlike how Severus himself had said it seconds before.

"I swear you have worse of a sweet tooth than your mum used to have," Severus muttered under his breath. He remembered her buying way too many chocolate frogs at the Hogwarts express each year.

"Did my mum also like sweets?" Harry asked, gasping.

Severus hadn't expected the boy to hear him, but he guessed that was a stupid assumption seeing as the boy was standing only a few feet away.

"Yes," Severus said slowly. "She was fond of chocolate, much like you."

Harry gasped again, "You knew her?"

Now, Severus had planned on telling the boy about his mum. He just… hadn't so far. But no time like the present. Harry didn't seem mad to know first now, only more curious. He was almost buzzing in place, waiting for Severus' answer.

"Yes, I knew her. We were quite good friends as children."

Harry smiled brightly at the news and made his way to the couch to sit next to Severus.

After thinking for a few seconds, he asked, "Is that why you're taking care of me?"

"Partly," Severus answered.

"Can you tell me about her?" Harry asked uncertainly.

Severus had a suspicion Petunia hadn't told the boy much about his parents. If they had, he could guess none of it was nice things. Not that he could help Harry get a better view of his father, but he could clear out some things about Lily.

"What do you want to know?" He asked the boy, uncertain where to start.

Harry thought long and hard for a moment. Clearly, he wanted to come up with something good.

"What was her favourite colour?" He finally asked.

"I think it changed over the years. I remember her often being fond of dark green," Severus said, remembering a green knitted sweater she used to wear during their fourth year.

"I like green too!" Harry exclaimed. "But I like purple more."

Severus only nodded. He doubted Harry's favourite green was the same as Lily's. Lily had—despite being a Gryffindor—liked more of an emerald green tone. Not too far from the Slytherin green. When Severus and Harry had been out shopping for clothes, Harry had pointed at anything lime green or rich purple. Even one striped shirt with both lime green and purple. It was a horrible mixture of colours, but Severus had bought it nevertheless. It was definitely one of Harry's favourites. He also seemed to like blue and red, but he guessed the boy just prefered bright colours in general. Harry was quite the contrast to Severus in his dark robes most days.

"Can you tell me a story about her?" Harry asked, bringing Severus out of his musings.

Severus had to think for a while. Trying to remember a story with Lily that didn't end with the Marauders bullying Severus, Severus getting back at them, or Petunia pestering him and Lily. Something that would just give Harry an idea of the person Lily had been. He settled for telling the boy about the time he and Lily had been practising a new charm and filled a whole aisle in the library with feathers by mistake. They'd been trying to only multiply five feathers to make ten. Obviously, something went wrong. Harry giggled at the end of the story. He was probably trying to envision Severus covered head to toe in white feathers as Lily tried to charm them away.

Harry managed to convince Severus to tell him another story. This one was about the time he and Lily tried to make scones at the Evans residence. He even managed to tell Harry a bit about his grandparents. Then Harry convinced Severus to tell another. When Severus got to the end of the story about how he and Lily got drenched by the giant squid. He realized too late that he'd mentioned Harry's father in passing, since James had also been drenched in similarly a couple years prior (from trying to wrestle with it).

"You knew my dad too?" Harry had asked excitedly.

Severus is just about to sniff at the thought of him knowing Potter in any friendly way, but he pauses. It's not Harry's fault Potter was an idiot in school. The boy had barely even grown up with his father. Much less had any memories of him. No matter how much Severus despised Potter…. he shouldn't let that go out over Harry. He could tell the boy what an arrogant, spoiled brat his father had been. But that wouldn't hurt Potter Sr, and only hurt Harry. He could tell the boy—but he wouldn't.

"Your father and I…" he paused, thinking about how to word it. "We didn't see eye to eye on most things when we were younger. I didn't know him very well. I couldn't tell you much about him of value."

It wasn't a lie. Sugarcoated truth, yes. But Severus really couldn't tell much of value to Harry about James Potter. Harry seemed slightly disappointed when Severus said he couldn't tell him about his father. Severus could see Harry trying to mask the disappointment, but he was only four and didn't have the skills to hide much from Severus. Nevertheless…

"If you really do want to know more about your father, I suppose we could perhaps go talk to Minerva about him. I know she was closer to him," Severus slowly said.

Harry's head snapped up, and he stared at Severus.

"Really?" he asked.

Well, no going back now. "Yes."

Harry almost jumped from excitement as he scrambled off the couch.

"Can we go now? Can we?" he asked.

Severus sighed. Now he'd gone and gotten the boy excited. He looked at the clock, it was still early afternoon. Minerva would probably be in her quarters or her office. He guessed now was as good a time as any to go see her.

"I suppose..." he said.

Harry let out a small excited shout before running into his bedroom. He came back only a few seconds later with a stuffed green snake in his arms. Severus had to fight not to smirk at the sight. He hadn't even tried to persuade the boy to pick a snake plush. The boy had chosen it all by himself. (Okay, Severus might've added the snake to the cart without comment after Harry had smiled while petting it, but at least Harry had approached it all by himself).

"Can I bring Mr Snuggles?" Harry asked, reaching out the snake towards Severus.

So… Maybe the name wasn't the best he'd heard. But at least the boy hadn't picked a bright red or gold lion.

"What if you lose it," Severus asked.

He knew he couldn't convince Harry not to bring it. The few times he wanted Mr Snuggles to come with them, there was no convincing the boy otherwise. Thankfully Harry usually only brought the snake (no, Severus would not call it Mr Snuggles) on special occasions. So not too many students had seen him walking around with both a four-year-old and a snake plushie.

"I won't!" Harry insisted.

Severus sighed. "Well, then bring it if you must."

"Do you want to pet him?" Harry asked, still holding out the stuffed animal.

"No."

"Do you want to pet him?" Harry asked Minerva, reaching out his snake.

Minerva—who usually was a very collected and strict person—smiled wide as she petted the snakehead. Severus was torn between amusement and shock when Minerva willingly patted a stuffed animal resembling the rivalry house's mascot.

"He's very nice Harry," she told him.

Harry smiled proudly before wordlessly turning the snake and reaching it up towards Severus.

"I've already told you that I won't pet it," he only answered.

Harry didn't seem sad at his dismissal and kept stubbornly holding the snake out towards him. After several moments of Severus glaring at the boy, trying to get him to stop, and Harry just smiling timidly back, Minerva had enough.

"Oh, Severus, just pet the snake," she said.

Severus looked up at her, seeing her glare, and reluctantly sighed before reluctantly reaching out a hand and patting the snake on the head twice. It seemed to satisfy Harry enough since he smiled and lowered the snake again.

"Now, was that so hard?" Minerva asked, and Severus only glared back at her.

She didn't seem to care. Instead, she turned her attention back to Harry.

"So, what has brought you two here today?"

"Did you know my dad?" Harry asked happily.

Minerva's smile tightened just a bit. Harry wouldn't notice it, but Severus did. Her eyes flickered towards him. He tried to keep his face stoic and unemotional. Whatever she saw must've been what she was looking for.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I did," she answered, turning back to Harry.

"Can you tell me about him?" Harry.

This time Minerva looked at Severus just a moment longer. He gave her a curt nod. She turned back to Harry and smiled.

"I'm sure I have a few good stories to tell you," she said. "Though I think we should have some tea first, or maybe you'd prefer some cocoa, Harry?"

The boy nodded hastily, as they moved into the room so they could sit at the little sofa group.

Severus sat down on the two-seater sofa. Harry chose to sit as close to Severus as he could. There was lots of space left, and the boy didn't need much considering his size, but Harry chose to sit plastered to Severus' side. Severus sighed but didn't do anything about it. Minerva took the armchair opposite the both of them.

After Minerva had a house-elf bring tea and hot chocolate, she asked Harry what he wanted to know. Harry thankfully didn't ask for his father's favourite colour this time but asked for a story. So Minerva told one. Only ones where James pulled harmless pranks or where he acted heroically. Harry's eyes grew big every time he heard about his father's skills as a chaser. Harry's fascination with brooms hadn't weakened the slightest. Severus was sure it grew with every day. He always stares when students pass in the halls with brooms and quidditch gear. Severus had once suggested they go look at the Slytherin team's practice. He'd mainly suggested it because Harry hadn't been outside a lot and needed some fresh air. The boy had been speechless as they looked at the students zooming around in the air. No wonder he liked the thought of his father flying around in a similar way (head in the sky).

Minerva avoided stories that'd include Severus. Only a few had Lily in them, which Severus appreciated.

After a significant number of stories, Severus suggested he and Harry should go back to their quarters. Their cups of tea (or, in Harry's case, cocoa) had been emptied long ago. They'd bothered Minerva long enough and needed to get something to eat soon if Harry ought to go to sleep at a reasonable time later. Harry had also somehow slowly moved more and more into Severus' lap during the last couple of hours. Now he had Harry sitting fully in his lap. Severus had an arm around him so he wouldn't fall down. Severus did not hug or cuddle.

Harry's smile fell when Severus told him they should go back. He obviously wanted to hear more stories. Severus kept his face stoic as he thanked Minerva for the tea. Harry thankfully didn't fuss too much when they got up to leave. He clutched his plush snake closer and skipped towards the door, Severus following not far behind. He helped Harry open the door. Harry said (or more like shouted) his excited goodbye to Minerva before making his way out into the corridor, playing hopscotch on the big stones on the floor.

Severus was just about to say his own goodbye when Minerva stopped him by the door. She had a look in her eyes that he couldn't quite read. Perplexion, somber, pride? He couldn't be sure.

"I appreciate that you brought Harry here to learn more about his father," she said in a lower voice so Harry wouldn't hear. "Despite the issues you and James had. I'm glad you let him hear about him from someone closer to him."

"That's hardly the boy's fault Potter was like he was," he simply said.

"Nonetheless," Minerva said. "You could've done otherwise. Not let the boy know about his father or…"

She didn't need to tell him his other option. He was already aware of it.

"The boy doesn't deserve to be blamed for his father's actions. Despite this, Potter is dead. There's not much reason to try and get back at him," Severus said.

Well, he would love to get back at Potter. Though not by doing it through Harry. Don't get him wrong. If Potter was still alive, he'd love to see the man humiliated. That was a matter between him and James, not Harry. Somehow get one over the man. But getting back at him through Harry wouldn't hurt the man. Seeing as James Potter wasn't alive anymore, he saw no point. You couldn't punish a ghost. It was too late for that.

Minerva gave him a tight smile back and patted him on the shoulder. "Now go before Harry wanders off."

He turned around as she closed the door. Harry stood at the end of the corridor, looking up at a painting. The man in the portrait was waving to Harry. Harry giggled before waving back.

As Severus approached him, Harry turned around.

"Ready to go?" he asked.

Harry nodded, and Severus looked over the boy. Something was off. The bright green snake he'd had only a minute ago was nowhere to be seen. He looked around the corridor but couldn't see it anywhere. Nope, no snake in sight.

"Where has your stuffed snake gone?" Severus asked.

Harry looked around before shrugging.

"Use your words," Severus said.

"I don't know," Harry said.

Severus sighed. "You had him here only a second ago. How did you lose him so fast?"

Harry became more distressed as he realized he didn't know where the snake was. His forehead scrunched as he thought. Seeing the boy's emotions changing fast, Severus had to act quickly. He didn't necessarily want a crying little boy to deal with. Severus had no idea how Harry could lose something so fast only to immediatley forget where he put it. Severus thanked the skies for magic, an easy solution to the problem.

"Accio stuffed animal snake," Severus stated and waited.

No snake came into sight.

"His name is Mr Snuggles," Harry clarified.

Severus was sure that wasn't how the spell was supposed to work. At the same time, they didn't have all day.

"Accio… Mr Snuggles," he drawled. The snake came flying into his hand only a second later.

He quickly handed it over to Harry, who hugged Mr Snu- the snake tight. Then they walked back towards the quarters. Severus reluctantly held Harry's hand the whole way. He didn't want to have to 'Accio' the boy too after he wandered off somewhere. Thankfully Harry didn't lose the snake anywhere on the way back to their quarters. Thank god for small wonders.

Authors note:

Ok, so I couldn't help myself and made a little snake fanart/sketch. It's uploaded on my Tumblr (I have the same name there as here 'Flumet') so you can check it out there if you want to. This story is also cross-posted on AO3 (same user name as here and the fic has the same title) where the illustration is at the end of the story.

I'd love to know what you all think of this one-shot!

Also, I have two other parts to the one-shot series if you're interested in those. ^^ The first part is named "The Beginning of Something (called family)" and the second part is titled "Family Portrait".

Btw, I think it's slightly out of character for Severus to 'accidentally' slip up about stuff. I'm referring to him mentioning Lily and James in front of Harry by accident. So my own headcanon (to my own fanfiction?... I guess) is that it wasn't that unintentional even if he tells himself that x)