It had been silently decided to wait a week or so to celebrate Harry's birthday, for even if he was not confined to bed, he would not be ready to celebrate. Remus had known his son had never had a proper birthday, and he had hoped this year he could, and failed. He didn't really have the money to do something over the top for his son, Harry would always be his son in his heart even with the truth, but he had tried. He had planned for them to go for his apparition test, and he got some tickets through Oliver for the pre-season game, and hoped at least a day away was good.
He watched Harry as he opened the letter from school and one from the bank with the Black and Potter rings. He explained when Harry asked, that Harry had been adopted, and James had made Harry his heir, whether they shared blood or not. James had loved Harry, anyone who saw him with Harry, could not doubt that.
Remus handed him his own two gifts and an apology. "It's not much. I was going to take you to quidditch today to........."
Harry cut him off. "You don't need to apologize Moony; just having you here for me means so much."
Sometimes he forgot though Harry was now richer then most wizards in Europe, he had basically grown up poor, because of his relatives. He had never had much to eat, or ever been given a gift, other then tissue. Harry simply having him here, was special for him, even if dinner in bed.
Harry found the Black pocket watch in one. "I remember Siri wearing this."
Remus kissed his head."Your.....James' watch is gone, and I had none. I know Sirius would have wanted you to have this."
He had been told they would celebrate when he was stronger, and there were gifts and cards from his friends on the desk. Remus knew Harry was over whelmed; he had been out most of the afternoon, though Remus had his suspicions, doubting Harry may not have slept the entire time. Harry had not wanted to face his father, who knowing Harry wanted to be alone with Remus, made an excuse of having to take Draco on an errand or two and would be back later.
Remus nodded when Harry asked if he could open the other one later. "I know this has been a lot for you to handle. Take any time you need cub."
Harry looked towards the door. "You can send an elf to tell him he can come home. Dinner is over."
Remus heard the tone, and he knew that Harry believed his dad was already showing his true colors, and was avoiding him like the plague. Remus had told Severus to stay for inner, it was his son's birthday and he was the one who had said he had missed so much, but it seemed father and son were as stubborn as each other. He had told Remus he knew Harry would just ask him to leave the room, and he did not want Harry to feel any guilt.
Harry was not convinced when Remus tried to explain, but some time after dinner, the other two returned. Remus went for some air, as he had been with Harry all day, but Harry heard someone come into the room, but it was neither man.
Harry glared at Draco. "Come in here to take a good laugh at what a pathetic freak I am? You had your look, get out."
Draco did not move. "Merlin sake Harry, you're as bad as the weasel, we're not all slime balls in my house. Besides I am here for my Uncle."
That made Harry almost laugh, of course Severus would think to send his nephew in, he knew how well they got along. The man was really desperate to keep his distance, and thought by sending his nephew, he could pretend he cared about Harry, which they all knew he didn't. He had got a letter from the bank, and had felt like he was obligated to take Harry, and Harry knew it. And he told Draco so.
Draco stopped him. "My Uncle was a bastard, he'll admit it, but he does love you. Do you think he would have attacked your Uncle, and Albus if he didn't care?"
Harry looked at him in absolute shock."He attacked them?"
Remus and Severus had left out most of the detail when they told him, he knew Severus had confronted the headmaster, but not that he nearly attacked him. He had thrown the old man against the wall, and likely would have one more, if the other staff was not there. Moody kept him in control with the relatives.
Harry could not deny he was actually impressed the man went so far for him. "If he didn't send you, why did you come?"
Draco had to think quickly to cover his tracks and summoned Harry's potion text book. "I thought I could help your homework since it is a late start for you."
Though Harry knew what he was doing, he could not deny he needed to get his work done, and assumed help from Draco could not be too bad. Remus and Severus came later, and seeing the boys, they decided to leave them. Doing homework seemed an odd birthday, but they were reminded they would celebrate later, and for now it might be good if the two of them could become friends, or make peace.
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The days following were hard, Harry refused to be alone with his dad, and barely remained civil, when he was around. Harry was trying, but he was battling with their history, and with the abuse of the summer, and loss of his owl. Harry had not cried, or even lost his temper, except when Severus mentioned a new owl. They would do shopping a week earlier, for teachers went back a week before kids, and Harry obviously would come. Remus had calmed Harry, assuring him he could wait till ready for a new owl, and they would take him when he was ready. Harry slowly did get to his gifts, and they planned a small dinner, two weeks later.
Unfortunately they had an uninvited guest in the form of Albus. "Harry, how good to see you my boy. I heard we were celebrating today, and have a gift."
Harry saw the voucher for the owl emporium. "Thanks I guess."
The old man was oblivious to the pain he had caused to Harry, or he simply did not care, and with the man, it could easily be either one. Severus was not happy, the old man used a password only for emergencies, to enter. He reminded himself to change them.
Severus looked at the old man. "What are you doing here Albus?"
Albus looked at Harry. "After this summer I thought Harry course use space. Since Hermione will be in the head's rooms, I thought Harry could use hers."
The prefect rooms were not sectioned off by gender, and senior ones had their own bathrooms, but both Severus and Harry knew why the man offered. Severus had informed Albus his son would be living with him, which was allowed. Harry had not been thrilled by the idea, but Remus would be living with them.
The coot tried to argue when Severus reminded him but Harry stepped in. "I am not a bone for either of you, so stop fighting over me like rabid dogs."
Remus turned to go after Harry. "I will see if I can calm him."
Severus turned back to the old man, and whether he came to his senses, or he had succeeded, Albus took his leave from the house. Severus changed the passwords, livid at the continued audacity of the man, and he was thinking he should take Harry to Beauxbautons. But there was no way that Harry would, and he shouldn't have to.
Harry looked up when he came into the bedroom. "Is that why you want me? You want to stick it to him for making you spy?"
Severus sunk down. "Harry, I want you, I want my son. Yes I am angry, he kept you from me. He is the reason you were in that home. But this is about you."
He had thought he had done his best not telling Harry it all, by not telling him how Albus obliviated Sirius, but he was wrong. Harry believed it was simply for Sirius was in prison, for he had not wanted to make Harry hate the man if he could avoid it, but he told Harry.
Harry was white as a sheet and turned away, as he always did, trying to hide tears. "He knew? He did this to me? Why did he do this to me?"
Severus managed to take his son into his arms. "I don't know Harry, but I will never let him hurt you again. Harry I am so sorry what he put you through."
The hold only lasted a minute or two before Harry pulled away, and it was far from accepting his dad, but Severus was willing to accept any start. Harry was worth fighting for, and he would do anything for his son, and he would prove that to his son one day.