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Harry Potter And The Father

Chapter 25

Christmas is coming and so is Eileen Snape

"Morning little one how are you?" asked Severus, who had been watching his son sleep for the past hour. A nightmare had woken Harry up last night and he had to take Harry to his bed. Nothing had been able to calm him down; he was terrified of being on his own. Again Severus had wanted nothing more than to go hunt down Lupin and kill him, so his son would never have to fear again. However, he knew it wasn't that simple, Lupin could have been killed in front of him and he'd still have nightmares. He woke early regardless of it being the holidays; most children had gone home for Christmas. All his Slytherin's had anyway, so he wasn't needed in the Great Hall nor needed to patrol the castle at night. He had just lay there for an hour gazing at Harry, wondering once more how someone from his family could look so gorgeous. Harry was gorgeous and his eyes were unique almost like the Malfoy eyes. Lucius and Draco had blue/grey eyes it suited them with their light hair. Harry suited his even more, it might have been slightly biased but he didn't think so. Harry's eyes were dark green like dark emeralds or Russian diopside with onyx or obsidian swirling around. He didn't have a chubby face by any means; his face was very skinny and mature if it was possible. When he gazed at his daddy solemnly that's when Severus could see it even more. He had the Snape high pronounced cheeks, the thin lips yet it all suited him blended him and made him look like an angel.

"Daddy," breathed Harry sleepily, his arms already outstretched and curling around him.

Severus had never felt so blessed before in his life, once again it creped upon him that Harry was his. To bring up, to love, to cherish and nobody else could take it away from him. Harry loved him, a snarky bastard, a side he didn't see, but regardless he wasn't the world's happiest man. He might be smiling more often if you could call twitching your lips smiling. However, he supposed Harry didn't know any better, he was used to snarling, sneering, and growling men it's probably all he knew. Perhaps he liked it better that Severus wasn't overly emotions he couldn't say. Pulling Harry close he inhaled the scent of his sons shampoo and counted his lucky stars. He knew he didn't deserve Harry, not after all the things he had done in his life. He didn't care about what he did and didn't deserve, for the first time in his life he was going to be selfish. Who was he kidding he had always been a selfish man, mostly although there was nothing selfish about spying that much was true.

"Did you have any more bad dreams?" asked Severus carding his hand though Harry's silky black tresses. Yes Harry's hair had gone darker, after the glamour came off before he had James' messy brown mop. Now it was straight and midnight black, and longer than it had been when he first rescued Harry.

"No daddy, no more bad dreams," said Harry shaking his head to emphasis his answer. He snuggled into his dad some more, feeling very giddy with happiness. Vernon would never have done this for him, but he had done it for Dudley, Vernon had done it for his son. Did that mean that Severus, his daddy actually loved him as much as Vernon loved Dudley? Or more? It had to be more, or his dad would have been angry with the magic. He knew if Dudley had done it Vernon would have gone crazy and maybe hurt Dudley. He knew his daddy was magic, and knew his dad wasn't angry that he could do it. That might not have made sense to an adult but it did to a little boy whose circumstances that had changed. Harry was still unsure, still in-between the Dursley's rules and his daddy's rules not that there were many here.

"Can you tell me what your last one was about little one?" asked Severus softly; knowing speaking about it then discussing it could help.

"I was in that place again…then in my cupboard they were all telling me you weren't my daddy." shuddered Harry his face very pale his eyes alight with fear.

"I see," was all Severus said as he continued to sooth the distraught child. Yesterday had been odd to say the least. Minerva, Poppy and Filius had been down at different times making sure Harry and of course Severus were alright. Black had left with Minerva to get a wand and new clothes, also to get his accounts sorted out. He was now in the Black house at Grimmauld Place, not that Severus particularly cared about that. However, Black was Harry's godfather at the end of the day. Despite being saved by the animagus Harry hadn't warmed up to him any. It filled Severus with a small amount of glee, but Harry had been scared of him at first too so he couldn't say anything. Harry had barely let him go, apart from to go to the toilet and he would run right back. He had even insisted on eating in Severus' lap something Severus normally wouldn't allow. Considering the scare Harry had he decided to let him. He emphatically denied even to himself that he clung just as tightly in return. He didn't want to let Harry out of his sight for even a minute, after the scare he had had.

"You are my daddy aren't you?" asked that vulnerable little voice. He could tell Harry was scared of the answer being a negative one and that prompted him to reply right away.

"Yes I am, and nobody has any right to tell you otherwise." said Severus adamantly.

Harry smiled sweetly up at him, relived that his daddy really was his daddy and Lupin had lied to him. He loved this man with all that he had; nobody had ever treated him as kindly at this one. His dark man, his savior and he never wanted Severus to not be his daddy. He had clothes, food, toys and all things he had been denied at the Dursley's. He was happy here and never wanted to be sent away. Which was why he was going to make sure he was a good boy and do everything he was told.

"How would you like to go with me and Hagrid to get a Christmas tree?" asked Severus softly.

"A tree?" asked Harry in wonderment. He knew what it was, he had seen Christmas time at the Dursley's. Bringing down the boxes and setting it up, Dudley would sit there eating ice cream or chocolate while they did it up. He would then be lifted up pudgy as he was causing Vernon to sweat like a pig. He would put the star on and sit beaming as if he had done everything himself. Then Petunia would sit and coo over him as if he was something special and spectacular they had ever seen. When he was neither.

"Yes," said Severus softly, running his fingers once more through Harry's silky tresses something he couldn't get enough off. His heart always hitched when Harry leaned into the caress as if he had been starved for affection. Which of course he had, Harry always seemed shocked that someone would want to touch him. Severus vowed there and then to get Harry out of those thoughts and habits before next Christmas.

"Could I help decorate it please?" begged Harry his dark emerald eyes beseeching his dads. He so wanted to show his daddy how good he could be, and he selfishly wanted to decorate the tree. He had never been allowed to at the Dursley's, there was different rules here perhaps he would be allowed.

"Of course you can," smirked Severus it was their first Christmas together as father and son. Like he was going to allow a House elf to decorate the tree in their quarters, oh no it would be done between them. Some more father and son bonding, help get Harry back to normal or rather get him over what Lupin had done. Maybe ten years down the line they would let the house elf's do it but until then he and Harry would do it.

"Really?" asked a shocked Harry his eyes wider than Severus had ever seen them.

Severus felt desperately saddened then, what had the Dursley's done to his son that he was so shocked about decorating a tree? Oh yeah abused him, kept him in a cupboard and left him to die. Well Severus was determined for Harry to enjoy Christmas this year even if he had to invite everyone to dinner. By everyone he meant Filius, Poppy and Minerva…maybe even the mutt too.

"Of course." said Severus smoothly. "Now why don't we go and get dressed, have breakfast and go see Hagrid?"

Harry nodded eagerly his eyes wide he practically jumped from the bed and ran through to his room. He had to wait for his dad by the cupboard; he wasn't tall enough to get the clothes off the rail. Severus came through a few seconds later, already dressed in his usual black clothes.

"What do you want to wear today then?" asked Severus hoisting his son up in his arms so he could look at the clothes properly.

"Panther top daddy!" grinned Harry, squirming eagerly to be dressed and to get the tree.

Severus smirked in amusement, picking up the white top with a panther prowling around it. Harry had a thing for all things panther or owl come to that, they were his favourite animals. Hedwig wasn't a baby anymore, she was able to fly and hunt for herself already. Harry had been devastated; he had wanted to continue feeding the baby owl unfortunately they were too independent for that. So the most Harry could do now was feed her treats and be happy with that.

He picked up a pair of jeans as well, and quickly got his son dressed putting on a pair of his dragonhide boots on. A jacket, hat, gloves and scarf was next, it was cold out now and he didn't want his son getting sick. The jacket, scarf, gloves and hat were all blue royal blue.

"Ready to go?" asked Severus wondering if Harry wanted to go without his panther. He had barely let it go since he had summoned it to himself, Severus had been so proud of that. Being able to do magic when there was wards stopping accidental magic, which indicated it wasn't so accidental after all.

"Yes, yes, yes!" jumped Harry hyperly.

"Then lets go get some breakfast." stated Severus, and their rooms were quickly left behind as they made their way to the great hall. Harry knew how to get there without his daddy as he proved today as he was the one walking quickly - quicker than Severus anyway. Severus had gotten so used to walking slow for his son - and now he was being beaten. Not wanting to be outdone by his son he started walking faster, his robes billowing out behind him. Harry stopped his jaw on the floor stunned how did his daddy do that? It made him look like a bat and it was so cool. It was a shame he had a jacket on or he would have tried to do it too. He easily caught up with his dad and entered the Great Hall.

Severus had expected Harry to eat quicker than normal, but to his delight and amusement Harry hadn't. It seemed not even a Christmas tree could make Harry want to rush a meal. He still savoured everything he got, not in a way that an abused child would but someone who knew he was lucky to have such foods.

"All done dad can we go?" said Harry five minutes later.

"Where are you both going?" asked Minerva softly, her stern mask nowhere to be seen causing a ripple at the Gryffindor table. Quite a few Gryffindor's had stayed for the holidays, usually they were the ones to go home. It was usually the Huffelpuff's and Slytherins who stayed.

"We are going with Hagrid to get a Christmas tree for our rooms." declared Severus.

"And I'm going to get to decorate it!" squealed Harry unable to sit still at all.

"Really?" asked Minerva sounding surprised and shocked all at once as she winked at Severus playfully.

"Yep!" chirped Harry the smile on his face was large and infectious.

"Do ya want me ti give ya a hand Severus?" asked Hagrid mindful of his tone, remembering the last time he had seen Harry. He was devastated Harry didn't like him but after the horrible way the Muggles had treated him Hagrid didn't blame him. He realized it might take time but Harry would like him eventually just like the first years.

"Well it's up to Harry…what do you think son?" asked Severus conspiring with Harry.

"I guess," said Harry looking at the half giant again "So long as he doesn't take me back to the Dursley's." he finished adamantly.

"That wont be a problem Harry, you know I wouldn't let anyone put you back there." said Severus but he wasn't looking at Harry as he spoke. He was looking at Dumbledore a vicious gleam in his obsidian eyes. Dumbledore just continued eating his breakfast; he wasn't very popular these days and spent the majority of his day in his office now. The staff had all found out about his actions and they were furious. It seemed despite the fact they hadn't seen much of Harry they all adored him.

"I widnie dae that to ya Harry" promised Hagrid.

Harry beamed at him obviously going to give this half giant a chance, even if he was very tall. He knew his daddy would keep him safe, even if this Giant did something, so he nodded. That done the three of them left the Great Hall together, ready to hack up a tree for Severus' room. It would be the first time he had a tree in his room, he had always felt there was enough in the Great Hall. However, he had a son now and he had to change his ways. He couldn't keep himself a solitary man anymore, not with a son now so a tree it was.

Severus put Harry's coat, gloves, hat and scarf back on before they went outside. Took a tight grip of Harry's hand and they walked. It was a long walk indeed towards the forest but Harry didn't seem to mind. He loved all the chances he got to be outside, which was regrettably not as often as he wished. It was a lot more than the Dursley's anyway; he had always been in his cupboard the majority of the time. The air was cold and crisp; the weather was getting cold enough to actually snow now.

"So what di ya want for Christmas Harry?" asked Hagrid, walking along with them a great big axe over his shoulder. It looked like he was about to cut the tree down the Muggle way not that it bothered Severus.

"I don't know." admitted Harry "I don't think Santa will bring me anything anyway." he shrugged still clutching his daddy tightly.

"Why do you think that?" asked Severus staring down at his little boy shocked.

"I've never gotten anything before…they said bad boys didn't get presents I wasn't bad so Santa mustn't know about Me." said Harry wistfully.

"I'm sure that's not true, perhaps Santa just didn't know where you lived" placated Severus softly.

"I don't think so" said Harry solemnly.

"Yeh were born at Hogwarts Harry, maybe that's where he's been trying to reach yeh…you might get loadsa presents this year." said Hagrid.

Severus blinked at that information; he hadn't realized Poppy had brought Harry into the world. He had left Hogwarts and gained his mastery, it was only after Harry was born that he came to work at Hogwarts. Shaking his wayward thoughts off he looked down once more at his son he see him looking deep in thought or as deep in thought as a child could get anyway.

"I think we are in far enough now, which one would yeh like Harry?" asked Hagrid.

"Any one!" beamed Harry.

"Alright then, back away a bit!" grunted Hagrid, and he began hacking away being a half giant he was stronger. So it didn't take long for the tree to begin swaying as more wood was hacked away. Severus had his wand in hand just in case, but he trusted Hagrid he did it year after year he knew what he was doing. No doubt he would be able to grab it anyway if the worst should happen. When it came to his son though he took no chances trusting someone or not.

"There we go!" beamed Hagrid happily once the tree was free of its root. He would be back later on in afternoon for the other trees'. All the teachers helped decorate the trees in the Great Hall along with the house elves. With magic, it took an hour and a half if they were lucky and that was with eight trees.

"Daddy can I play on my broom please?" asked Harry grinning happily.

That surprised Severus; Harry had two child's brooms and had only been on them a few times. Regardless he pointed his wand and summoned the one he had bought Harry. The one Lucius had got him remained unused, perhaps in time it would get used when Harry finally made friends. The broom came whistling through the air before they knew it, he handed the broom to the child and told him not to go near the water or he would get it taken off him. Harry shuddered when he mentioned the water, which peaked Severus' curiosity. What had caused that? Harry loved baths perhaps it was because he couldn't swim.

The broom didn't let Harry go two feet above the ground; the magic was incapable of it. It was the only reason Severus even thought about letting Harry near a broom. It didn't go faster than ten miles per hour; Harry never went that fast anyway. Or at least he hadn't in their quarters this was the first time outside the castle with it.

Hagrid and Severus took their time, gave Harry time to ride his broom properly for a while. He deserved it really after all the shit he had been though the past couple of days. It took Hagrid time to get the bloody tree to Hogwarts anyway. Severus offered to do it magically but he just declined. Hagrid hated magic being performed in front of him like that; it was like rubbing it in. Nobody knew how he felt and that's the way he liked it really.

Severus didn't bother going to lunch in the Great Hall, he much preferred quietness. He put up with it because he didn't like keeping Harry stuck in their rooms all the time. Even if it was just to go to the Great Hall for food come to that. He realized he had to get Harry out there and playing with children his own age. He was fearful that if he did that too soon Harry would think he was being abandoned. Then Harry wouldn't enjoy going out and making friends he would be just a terrified bundle of nerves wondering when he would come back. It was different when he was teaching, because Harry remained in their rooms most of the time with Blinky or in Filius', Minerva or in the Hospital wing.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" asked Severus after their lunch was finished, and Harry had finished drinking his orange juice. Harry didn't seem particularly fond of the pumpkin juice so Severus always asked for Orange.

"It was fun! When can we decorate the tree?" grinned Harry a lot calmer now that he had expended energy flying around having fun. He warmed Severus' heart to see Harry so carefree and happy his little face flushed with excitement.

"How's tomorrow?" asked Severus.

He didn't need to hear Harry's reply his ecstatic face was enough for him.

"YES!" crowed Harry happily.

Suddenly a Patronus tabby cat, that Severus knew belong to Minerva opened its mouth and began talking.

"Severus your mothers' standing at the entrance hall of Hogwarts…I'm afraid Dumbledore has told her where to find you." said Minerva's voice before the tabby cat disappeared into mist.

"What was that daddy?" asked Harry wide eyed.

"That son was a Patronus message from Aunt Min telling us that Gran will be here in a minute." said Severus trying to keep the anger out of his voice. He was furious with Dumbledore's interference in his life yet again. He didn't know what Dumbledore hoped to accomplish, did the old fool seriously think his mother would ever listen to him? Become one of his pawns. She may have put up with Severus' father but that didn't make her a fool.

Just then a knock surrounded the chambers - Eileen Snape had finally come.

ooo will Severus forgive her or will she get her marching orders? will she ever get to be a part of her son and grandsons life? will she apologize or will she be too proud of that like severus is? R&R please