Rating: PG
Words: ~1,000
Warnings: Strong language; mentions of violence; gen with some hints; a bit of angst; AR.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended – Standard disclaimer.

Notes: Part of Harry's Two Daddies series, sequel to The Last Will of James and Lily Potter, Vulnerable and A New Life. ;)

"Black!" shouted Severus from the next room. Harry giggled and gurgled, "Uh-oh."

Sirius glowered at him, and Harry had the decency of looking bashful. Sirius really, really hadn't wanted to annoy Snape again, since the ex-Slytherin was already under a lot of stress thus being meaner than usual, and Sirius was tired of fighting. Unfortunately, he hadn't thought about that before taking the cookie jar he found on the kitchen table and sharing it with Harry.

They had been living together for about two months and, while they still clashed a lot, Sirius liked living with Snape and Harry well enough to feel guilty about it – and he did feel guilty, because he wasn't supposed to be enjoying himself so much after James and Lily died in that horrible way. He felt like he had stolen James's life and – well, he had certainly stolen James's son.

Snape loomed in the doorway. "I knew it," he snapped, snatching the cookie jar from Sirius's hand. "Hadn't we agreed on not giving him such amounts of sugar? Do you enjoy sleep deprivation?" Sirius opened his mouth to answer, but Snape's eyes narrowed dangerously, so he closed it again. "You wouldn't know, would you, because I'm the one who's been taking care of the brat every damn night!" His words were punctuated by the loud bang of the door behind him.

Harry sighed, "Si'eh'ush mad." Sirius hummed in agreement while patting Harry's head. It didn't happen often, but sometimes even Sirius Black had to listen to his conscience. He supposed it hadn't helped that he had found Snape asleep on his First Year essays two nights ago.

It had hit him particularly hard that Snape must still be suffering with Lily's death, and yet he took care of Harry most nights when the boy cried for his parents or nightmares – or both – even after a whole day teaching the Potions class, to which he must be adapting himself, as well.

It was just that Sirius didn't think himself the most reassuring of people, or even parent material. Even if it meant Harry would have to be comforted by Severus Snape, Sirius just didn't think he would be of any use to his godson when he himself felt so awful. Conversely, Snape seemed to be doing a great job all by himself. Still, it must be hard on him, even if he were feeling only a small part of Sirius's pain.

"We should do something for Christmas," Sirius told Harry, who looked at him attentively. "What do you say, little man?"

Harry grinned and clapped. "Gif'!"

***hp***hp***

"Severus, a word if you would," asked Dumbledore a few days before the start of the Yule break, at the end of the staff meeting. Discreetly annoyed, Severus re-took his seat. "Tea, my boy?"

Severus bit back a short refusal, but took the offered cup and sipped the drink, barely refraining from grimacing at the sweet taste. He looked expectantly at the Headmaster. "To the point as usual," Dumbledore chuckled fondly, before getting serious. "Very well: Sirius asked me if I could excuse you from Christmas dinner with the students."

Severus prayed for patience. "I apologise, sir. Black is getting these weird views of our arrangement. I'll speak with him."

Dumbledore outright laughed, eyes twinkling wickedly. "I daresay that said conversation will not be pacific." Severus gave the Headmaster a look, which only made Dumbledore chuckle some more. "I believe it to be a great feat that you both let go of such petty hatred and began get along. I'm very proud of both of you."

Severus hated that he flushed at the appraisal, but nodded in appreciation. It wasn't enough to make up for the troublesome conversation. "Is there a point, sir?"

Dumbledore took a sip of drink, before saying, "I acquiesced with Sirius's request. Christmas is a time to spend with the family, and I understand that it's still a bit early to subject young Harry to unwanted attention."

"I understand."

Dumbledore then got a very sly look on his face, one that only a Slytherin would recognise. Severus felt his back straighten of its own accord, as if waiting for the blow. "However, my boy, I got this feeling that Sirius was perhaps somewhat concerned about you." Severus saw no reason for his heartbeat increase as it had, or his cheeks heat up. "He asked for my help regarding the choice of a gift. I wonder why . . ."

"I'm sure you're mistaken, Headmaster. There's no lost love between Black and I."

"And yet you remain under the same roof when I have dozens of rooms next to yours." Dumbledore paused dramatically – to let the thought sink in, surely – before smiling. "But let us leave that for now, my boy, the important is that you might want to be prepared and get him a little something, too. Just a token of appreciation, you see. Just in case."

Severus hummed noncommittally, but his mind was reeling. Why would Black get him something? Just the very notion was ludicrous. It was best not to expect too much . . . although he supposed it wouldn't hurt to get something. Just in case. Harry needed to learn the proper ways to treat one's family, after all, and Severus would make sure the boy grew up to be a man who would make his mother – and himself – proud.

Perhaps a trip to Hogsmeade was in order. "Do you think Quidditch or Transfiguration, Headmaster?"

"I'm sure Sirius would rather have something coming from the heart, Severus."

Severus snorted; that was not likely, was it? It was very appealing, nonetheless, but that thought was quickly squashed.