Chapter 7: Daddy

Harry had not woken in two days. Severus had begun to lose his mind, while Tom had simply stated that the child was likely having to recover from such powerful magic that had transformed his body again. On an average wizard, the magic would have taken its toll. On someone whom already had been changed, it would take longer.

It had taken some convincing, but Severus had finally been pulled from the child's bedside and put onto his own transfigured bed. The man had protested the entire time, unable to hide his fear that something would happen to his chance at redeeming himself to a child he had once lost.

Hermione and Draco had taken permanent residence downstairs. They had decided to help, plus it gave the brilliant witch an excuse to rake through the library resources in hopes of finding a way to keep Harry completely away from Dumbledore's influence.

With Hermione and Tom settled in the library, both quietly reading, Draco had taken watch of the sleeping child. The two had settled their difference (more specifically, Tom) when they had realized that with her help, the dark lord could get a majority of the wizarding world to follow him. In fact, she had been a huge reason as to why people had realized that Dumbledore wasn't as innocent as he had claimed.

Leaning slightly over the sleeping child, Draco cast a quiet glance towards his godfather before running a hand over the boy's forehead. The scar was present, although it had faded drastically with time and the amount of magic that had been forced on Harry.

It would never really go away. But it would be a reminder of what they had endured.

"I'm going to be the best older brother you'll ever have Harry," he murmured gently to the child. "The git is going to have a cow when he finds out you're alive, and I'm going to make sure you prefer me over him." He stated confidently.

Draco had already decided that he would get the child to favor him. It would irk a lot of Harry's former friends when they discovered that he wanted to constantly be around his former childhood enemy.

He ran another hand through the boy's hair, freezing when a little yawn broke through and two hands moved up to rub at closed eyes. Draco immediately tensed, eyes wide and mouth frozen as green clashed with silver blue. "Harry," his face broke out into a wide smile. "Good morning kiddo."

The little boy sat up, his brows furrowed in confusion as he stared at the man that was leaning above him. "Do you remember me, kiddo? I'm Draco," the blond continued.

Harry frowned, but it quickly turned into a smile as he clumsily reached forward to the blond. "Dwayco!" He replied joyously. "Pick up!" He commanded in the same tone of voice.

The blond laughed, reaching forward and lifting little Harry into his lap. He didn't care of the noise woke Severus, in fact, he hoped it did. The man had been extremely worried. "And who's that over there?" Draco pointed to Severus, who had somehow continued to sleep. The man must have really exhausted himself.

"That's your daddy, can you say daddy?" He wasn't going to give the child enough time to change his mind. They would teach him the right terms for the right people immediately.

"Daddy!" Harry grinned as he pointed at Severus, then turned to face Draco. "I'm hungwy!"

"Of course you are," Draco stood, Harry settled firmly in his arms. "Why don't we take you to get some food while your daddy naps, okay?" He didn't wait for a response from the exuberant child, instead carrying him into the hall.

The little boy didn't seem at all upset about leaving his father behind. Instead, those beautiful emerald eyes that had been unclear the day before were now focused and intent. Despite being young, it appeared as if the child hadn't forgotten that he had been blind for some time, as he carefully took in the details of the area.

It wasn't until they passed a painting of old Azkaban that Harry had any reaction at all. With a yelp the child buried his face in Draco's shoulder, head shaking back and forth as if he remembered exactly what the dark figures in the painting represented.

"It's okay Harry," Draco rubbed the child's back, making a mental note to hide the painting the moment he had the opportunity to do so.

"You're alright," he continued gently. "Breathe for me sweety."

When the little boy finally seemed to calm, the blond continued on his way. He took them directly into the kitchen, glad to see that despite Hermione's presence the house elves had returned. She was a force to be reckoned with, and while some of her ideas had been taken to heart, the creatures still loved to serve.

"Can we have some milk?" He sat Harry down in a high chair, sitting himself right next to the boy. "And maybe some… how about something healthy?" He realized he didn't quite know what to feed the little boy next to him.

A sippy cup filled with milk appeared in front of Harry, the child instantly grabbing the drink. Draco was never gladder for the sippy cup lid, as he knew instantly that the little boy would have made a huge mess if he had been given the chance.

A simple plate of fruit and toast appeared in front of the toddler. Instantly, Harry put the cup down (although it was now on its side) and stuck a grape into his mouth. The clothing he'd worn covered in food.

Draco didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the child's appearance. Instead, he chose to sip on a cup of tea and allow Harry to eat. There was no fuss over what he ate, and that meant to the male that at least the boy wouldn't make too much trouble where most children might.

It wasn't until about fifteen minutes into the meal that Draco realized his mistake. A huge bang sounded from the hall before panicked voices and running feet echoed through the room. He hadn't told anyone where he was going.

With a wince he hoped that Tom wouldn't send a crucio his way. Even Harry had stopped eating, his little hands now playing with the left over grapes so that they looked more like mush. His eyes had turned towards the door, however, focusing on the sounds coming their way.

When the door banged up, Draco used his very Slytherin nonchalant looks to peer at the group. Hermione stood behind a panicked looking Severus, while Tom seemed like he was ready to commit murder.

"Draco," Severus growled out. However, his attention didn't stay on the blond long when the toddler on the chair spoke.

"Daddy!" he cried happily. His hands, which were still covered in the mashed grapes, flew into the air. It took all of Draco's will power to hide his smirk as the content of the meal flew right on Tom's face.

"Daddy!" Harry cried again, reaching towards Severus as if the man had been in his life the whole time. "Pick up!" He commanded of the stunned potions master.

"He woke up only a little bit ago," Draco explained, grabbing a napkin off the table and proceeding to wipe the hands that had not relented in reaching out for the professor. "We didn't want to wake you, so I got him some foo-"

Draco was cut off as a hand came forward and slapped over the back of his head. He yelped, glaring at his fiancée who seemed just as glad to glare back at him. "We need to make sure his system is okay before you put food into him, git!" She growled.

Draco paled, watching as Severus lifted Harry without carrying that there would be half the breakfast smeared on his robes.

"Daddy!" Harry cooed, his hands wrapping firmly into the man's robes as he curled into his hold. In fact, the potions professor seemed to have forgotten they were in the room at all, his focus on the little child in his arms.

"That's right Harry," Severus murmured. "I'm your Daddy. I won't let anything harm you."

"Tom is your papa, can you say papa?" He turned and pointed towards the seething brunette. It seemed that Harry's presence was what was keeping Draco from getting hexed as they didn't want to frighten the small child. "Say, Papa."

Harry glanced at the dark lord, his cheek still rested softly on Snape's chest. He didn't seem like he'd do as asked, until finally he spoke gently. "Papa?"

It appeared that the deathly aura Tom was giving to Draco had been felt by the child, who seemed afraid of what he would do if the man turned his attention on the toddler.

Forcing himself to calm down, Tom turned towards the child though he didn't bother to mask his red eyes. With a small smile he nodded, "good boy, Harry."

The child, seemingly loving the praise, grinned and repeated the phrase a few times. It threw everyone off, however, when he glanced at Hermione and spoke without being prompted. "Mione!"

He knew her name.

Everyone stood frozen for a moment before Tom spoke. "Do you know Hermione, Harry?"

The little boy seemed confused why everyone looked so shocked, before he once more glanced at Hermione's frozen form.

"Best fwiend!" He laughed when Hermione's jaw dropped open. "Mione!" He shrieked in delight, loving the strange reaction he was receiving from the group.

"He… research." Hermione started a thought and then changed it quickly, shaking her head. "Come on Draco," she grabbed the frozen blond's hand. "Let's go the library, they'll take care of Harry and join us there."

She waved at Harry, who waved back, before all but dragging her fiancé from the room. She was also glad the Slytherin had known to keep his mouth shut, no longer within targeting range for any major spells.

It didn't surprise her, however, when Draco yelped and small green circles covered his skin. Apparently they weren't far away that he didn't get at least one hex. And by the looks of things, Tom hadn't been the one to cast the hex.

With a roll of her eyes, Hermione continued down the hall. Only stopping once when Draco insisted they take down a painting and hide it. He had instantly begun to complain about the skin blemishes, which only earned a fond eye roll. He was a prat, but she loved the stupid git. She was only glad that Ron hadn't held it against her for as long as she had thought. In fact, it had come as a shock to most that the redhead was going to be Draco's best man. But then again, a lot had changed since Hogwarts.

Ideas are welcome, and I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I'm literally writing this by the seat of my pants whenever I have a chance. It's short, but hopefully we'll have more Harry interaction now that he's awake. :)