Harry had never celebrated Christmas in the way the Dursleys had. Oh, they had allowed him to eat some of the food, but none of the desserts. He'd never received presents, not even bad ones like needles. And, of course, the Christmas crackers were always for Dudley, never for him.

This year, Severus had promised, all of that would change.

They were sitting by the fireplace in the sitting room, an hour or so before Harry's bedtime. His dad had wrapped his favorite blanket wrapped around him, while Harry nestled against him. Severus carded his hair with one hand, holding Harry close with the other. It being a lovely Friday evening, Harry felt the warmth and contentment not simply from the fire or his dad, but from the knowledge that they would spend most of the next two days together. Severus still brewed and marked papers on the weekends, but not nearly as much. This time was, mostly, for the two of them.

Harry soaked it in.

In two weeks, lessons would end for the term, and most of the students would go home for two weeks. Not all of them, though. So, as Harry's guardian explained, they would remain at school for the duration.

"We'll remain at school, as I am the head of house and need to be available for my snakes. Ten of them plan to remain at school this year for the holidays," he explained. "There's a feast at the Great Hall, and it's even better than the ones you attended. Christmas crackers, too."

"Can I go to the feast?" Harry murmured, eyes closed. "Please?"

"Certainly, as we'll both be there." His dad's fingers moved to scratch Harry's scalp, and he murmured happily. The older man chuckled. "Is that in response to my scratching your head like a cat, or presents at Christmas?"

"The scratching," Harry answered, honestly. "I didn't expect presents."

The fingers stopped scratching, and Harry felt himself being pulled, although gently, into a sitting position. Partly disappointed that it was already over, and also worried that he had done something wrong, Severus was quick to reassure him.

"I'll continue to treat you like a cat in a bit," he promised, smiling, wrapping an arm around Harry's side. "I only...why would you assume you wouldn't get presents, Harry?"

"Honestly is extremely important. Essential, in fact," the Mind Healer had told them. "You both have a great deal of trauma, but Harry's the child. He must feel free to communicate his thoughts and his needs without the immediate fear of punishment."

It was hard, though. Harry never thought he didn't deserve what other kids had--he knew he wasn't a freak, and that the reason he wasn't loved or given the same things as Dudley because it had been his rotten luck that his parents had died in a car crash. Having a home with the Dursleys was, probably, better than being homeless. Still, they hated him, and wasted no time telling him so.

Severus didn't hate him, and had even chosen him to be his son. That had to mean more than if he'd been Harry's biological father, because parents were stuck with whatever baby came from the mommy's belly. Some were good, and others were brats like Dudley. Severus had liked him enough, had loved him enough, to want to be his dad permanently.

"I never got gifts before, and you already gave me a lot for my birthday," Harry began, slowly. "You gave me new clothes, too, and a cat. And we go to Hogsmeade every month for candy!" He shrugged. "It's already so much, and I don't want to hope for things like presents, because I think it would be greedy, and besides, hoping for things that don't happen is worse th-than when you don't hope at all."

Harry took a deep breath, then waited, and his dad held him a bit closer, a reminder that Harry had done nothing wrong. Which was good, because he didn't say anything immediately, and Harry would have worried about that.

"Harry, for nearly all of your life, your relatives did not provide for you," he began, slowly, "and while birthday and Christmas presents aren't needs, per se, your aunt and uncle were reasonably well off, and could have given you everything they gave to your cousin. That's not to say you should expect fifty presents every week--" Harry giggled at the preposterousness of this idea. "--But you can be assured of some for Christmas and your birthday, at a minimum. I understand that it's better not to hope, sometimes." He squeezed Harry's shoulders. "This is a promise, though. Moreover, owlet, if there is something you would like for Christmas, I can see if I can get it for you."

"Maybe another puzzle?" Harry asked, cautiously.

Severus smiled. "I already put in an order for a few."

He beamed, and his dad settled Harry against him once more. After adjusting the blanket to cover Harry properly, Severus began to scratch his scalp once more, this time with both hands.

Harry let out a sigh of contentment. It was not just because of how good it felt.

"Dad? Can we have a fire and popcorn on Christmas?" he whispered.

"Certainly, owlet," he promised.

When he opened them the next morning, he was in his own bed, tucked securely under the covers. Calla was curled up against him, and his bear on his other side.

Severus told him more about what the castle would look like over the next week or so, and how they would spend their holidays. If there was more snow, Harry would play outside with the students (and maybe, maybe his dad!), and of course, he could fly on a school broom under his dad's supervision. Severus also hinted strongly that they might visit the kitchens under the cloak. But he hoped to spend a good deal of time in their quarters, reading and playing together, and enjoying the time off. Severus would even do brewing only every other day, because the shelves were very well stocked.

He could feel the excitement in the air over the two weeks that followed. Sometimes, after a lesson filled with particularly excited students, Severus would return in a sour mood until he had a cup of tea. Harry knew why without needing to be told. Potions was very dangerous, even for first year students, and a simple mistake could cause injuries. Kids looking forward to seeing their parents and receive gifts and eat good food were not ones who would pay close attention in class. As a result, more potions were bad than not.

"I ought to save everyone the trouble and just issue zero's," he complained, after one lesson.

"I'm sorry," Harry replied.

His lesson with Professor Flitwick had gone very well, but it didn't seem to make up for Severus's bad one.

Softening, he wrapped his arms around Harry. "I don't mean to take my frustrations out on you, owlet."

Professor Flitwick, still in their quarters, just smiled.

Harry did feel as excited as the other students, or so he imagined. He didn't see them very often, of course, except for Dora Tonks. They had begun to meet on Friday afternoons at 3, after her lessons finished, so that they (well, he, really) could explore the castle closest to his dad's quarters. She would be among those returning home. He was only a little disappointed, and not at all surprised. While slightly more students remained at school for the Easter holidays, especially those in their OWL and NEWT years, very few remained for Christmas.

He hoped that his older friend--as he had begun to think of her--would get the grades she needed to become an Auror.

"We're going to our beach house," she explained, enthusiastically. "For Christmas holidays, that is. And we spend a month there each summer. Have you ever been to the beach, Harry?"

He hadn't. They'd gone with Dudley, a few times, and Harry had been stuck with Mrs. Figg. She wasn't mean or anything, but she had a ton of cats, and her food tasted awful. Which was a shame, because she was always urging Harry to eat more.

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?" Harry asked, as they navigated a new corridor.

"Just me," she sighed. "I know Mum wanted more. She had two sisters, but they stopped talking to her after she married my dad. Because he's Muggle Born, like your mum was? Well, Aunt Bellatrix is in Azkaban, so it's not like she can send letters. But Aunt Narcissa has a son your age, Draco Malfoy."

"I met him last summer," Harry recalled.

"Oh, yeah? Is he...what's he like?" Dora asked.

Harry shrugged. In truth, he'd thought that Draco was a bit like the wizard version of Dudley. Not enormously fat--or fat at all--but the same blonde hair and rather bossy manner. He had bragged a lot, too. About his parents' manor, their house elves, his toys, his broomstick. Perhaps it was because he was an only child (the "Malfoy heir"), or because his family was extremely rich. Was this how most really rich kids acted? If so, he didn't want to be rich.

"He's okay," Harry answered. "I only saw him once."

Dora's eyes twinkled. "Odd name, eh? Not that I can talk."

"I like your name," Harry countered.

"Dora is a nickname. You'll never guess what my real name is. You probably won't be able to say it. Took me ages to learn how to spell it," Dora groused. "Go on, guess."

Harry had no clue. "Um...Dorothy?"

"I wish. It's Nymphadora." She shuddered. "Nymphadora Tonks. I'm glad the teachers call us by our surname."

Harry tried to repeat the name, but was pretty sure he got it wrong. Giving up, he said, "Dora is definitely easier to say."

"For sure," Dora agreed, rolling her eyes. "My mum only uses it when she's being really serious or when I'm in trouble."

"Is that often?"

She grinned. "Well, she's yet to send a Howler."

"What's that?"

Dora told her, and Harry shuddered. That sounded almost as bad as getting hit.

"Your dad wouldn't do that to you, though. You live in the castle, for one thing. For another, Snape--Professor Snape--almost never raises his voice. When he gets really angry, he gets super quiet. He did that last week when Sarah Carson wasn't paying attention to her potion and nearly blew up the classroom." Dora shuddered. "Good thing he Vanished it before it could hurt anyone too badly."

"Is she one of your roommates?"

"No, she's in Ravenclaw. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw have Potions together. Gryffindor and Slytherin have the other lesson. Except for NEWT lessons. They're usually much smaller, and are all houses," Dora explained. "Okay, think we can find our way back?"

"You're quiet tonight, Harry. Is there anything troubling you?" Severus asked, during dinner.

"Er...can I ask you a question?"

"You may, yes," he answered.

"D-do most kids get Howlers?"

"Where did you--oh, Miss Tonks, I assume." At Harry's nod, Severus smiled slightly. "It's incredibly rare. In my seven years as a teacher, it's only happened twice. As a student, a few more times, and nearly all from the Black family."

"The same one as Sirius Black?"

His guardian chuckled. "The very same. The Howlers in question were all directed towards him, usually from his mother. The first was because he had been sorted into Gryffindor. The entire house consisted of Slytherin students until then. To say Sirius disappointed them would be a gross understatement."

Harry looked down, unsmiling. Sometimes, his thoughts would venture ahead to when he would be a student instead of...whatever he was. "Teacher's ward" was the official term, but this just meant that Severus was in charge of his care. In a little under three years, which sometimes felt like forever and other times like not long at all, he would have his own wand and be going to real lessons. Harry would keep his room with Severus, but he would rarely sleep there. Instead, he'd sleep with several other boys his year in a large dormitory. All of the students shared rooms, but had some privacy in that their bed was a four poster. Professor McGonagall often said that he would likely end up in Gryffindor, just like his parents, but Severus would counter and claim that she was the head of that house, and biased.

"Harry."

His voice was gentle, so Harry looked up.

"Such a reaction by a parent is, to put it mildly, atrocious. I...Sirius Black and I hated each other as much as your father and I. For this reason, I was rather happy at his public embarrassment." He placed both hands on his shoulders. "I would never send you a Howler, and certainly not for a house placement."

Harry took a deep breath. "Thank you, Dad."

Holidays began on Saturday, and with them, the absence of most of the students. It rather felt like the first days before term began. Harry didn't know precisely how many students had remained behind, since few chose to roam the drafty corridors. Like him, they were in their common rooms, or perhaps in the library.

Severus bundled them up in warm cloaks to visit Hogsheads.

"We need a Christmas tree, I am rather overdue for a haircut, and you need more sweets," he explained, briskly, but kindly.

"Do you usually have a Christmas tree in your quarters?" Harry asked, as they strolled through the castle.

"No. There didn't seem to be a reason, as there was one in the Great Hall," Severus answered, "but I dare say we'll have one every year, provided we don't manage to destroy it in the process. I admit, child, that I have very little experience setting one up."

"Perhaps, we can ask Hagrid?" Harry suggested, tentatively.

His guardian made a sound Harry couldn't comprehend. "Let's see how we manage on our own, first."

Hogsmeade looked beautiful. Harry stared for several moments at the beautiful, magical decorations. His dad allowed it, not rushing him along. In fact, Harry thought he might be enjoying it as well, by the way he wrapped his arms around Harry's shoulders as they watched.

Eventually, Harry forced himself to tear his eyes away, and they walked at a leisurely pace to the hairdresser's. He'd had his hair cut for a second time the previous month, so he'd sit down with a book while Severus had his hair shampooed and cut.

"Harry, I know you aren't due for a trim, but would you like them to shampoo your hair?" Severus asked, softly, as they waited.

"Really?"

"Yes, if you like." A smile played at the corners of his mouth.

"I would. Thank you, Dad."

Severus squeezed his shoulders. "You're most welcome, owlet."

Several minutes later, they sat beside each other, their heads in the sinks, immersed in hot water. Harry closed his eyes, relishing in the feel of Melinda working the children's shampoo over his hair. This being the third time she'd shampooed Harry, he knew that he could trust her not to hurt him. The shampoo was charmed not to get in his eyes, of course, but Harry knew from years of Aunt Petunia's rough treatment that this wasn't the only way it could hurt. It didn't, now--far from it. Harry let out a small sigh as her fingers now kneaded the back of his scalp, just below his neck. This continued for several minutes, until she held the adjustable spray to his head, and rinsed it all out.

Harry and his dad finished at the same time, even though his guardian had longer hair. As Melinda vigorously dried his hair, Harry caught a look on his dad's face. He looked peaceful, much like he did on the mornings of weekends. Harry was glad.

"You can stay by me, if you like," Severus offered, as the hairdresser pulled a cape over his robes. "If you'd like to watch?"

"Okay!"

His dad was quite particular, Harry saw. He was very intent on his hair reaching his shoulders, but no longer. He also didn't want any angling at the back. As the woman trimmed, Severus kept his eyes fixed on the scissors, never taking his eyes from them. After she finished, he studied his hair carefully before allowing his face to relax, and thanked her for her "satisfactory work." She gave him a small smile before removing the cape.

It all seemed rather odd to Harry, but then, he'd only ever been at a haircut for himself. His aunt and uncle went on their own. He turned his thoughts towards what sort of treats he'd choose as Severus paid.

His dad gave him two more sickles than usual, a full nine! Harry beamed as he thanked and hugged the older man, who simply chuckled.

"Use them well," he advised, gently tousling Harry's still damp hair.

He did. The shop wasn't very crowded, so Harry and Severus could take their time as they selected their treats. Harry chose more of the Whizbees than usual, as well as the peppermints. Before long, they were in line to pay.

They walked to the tree lot, which wasn't far from the sweet shop. Harry could see a great number of gaps, likely where people had chosen their tree, but a good deal remained. A part of him wanted to choose a huge tree, but as the ceiling in Severus's quarters wasn't nearly as large as the one in the Great Hall, he knew some of the larger ones would not fit. Besides, even if Severus used a Levitation Charm, a large one would be tricky to maneuver. Thoughts of Calla came to mind. Would she get herself entangled within the branches? Maybe, Harry's dad could use a similar charm to the one he'd used to prevent her from jumping upon the table with the puzzle.

"Take your time, owlet," Severus said softly, placing a hand on Harry's shoulders. "But not, perhaps, all day."

He said the last bit with a laugh.

Nodding, Harry walked around the lot, studying the trees. Severus trailed him from a few feet away. Other kids and parents joined the lot, but they were far off. Harry was glad for this. His guardian hadn't used any charms to change his appearance, and apparently every child and adult could recognize him by his scar.

He settled on a tree that was of middle height, but filled with thick branches. Would they decorate it, the way Muggles did? Well, just having a tree would be lovely.

"I like this one," Harry said, standing beside it.

Severus studied it, then nodded, a smile slowly forming. "Yes, I believe that will do quite nicely."

He levitated it to the cashier, who asked if they wished to buy a box of ornaments.

"Yes, please," Severus agreed.

The total came to fifteen galleons, with the tree costing five. It seemed like a great deal of money to spend, but Severus didn't blink, merely handed over the coins.

"An extra galleon for delivery, if you like," the blonde man offered.

But Severus shook his head. "We can manage."

Without magic, perhaps, it might have been difficult. But the tree simply followed them over their heads making Harry grin. When they reached the castle, Severus waved his wand to change its direction, but even that didn't look so tricky. Of course, his dad was a very skilled wizard.

Harry's only task was to carry the box of ornaments. And his bag of sweets.

"I don't suppose," Severus teased, with a smile, "that you wish to decorate the tree after lunch?"

Harry grinned. "Please?"

He tousled the child's hair. "Very well."

Harry set aside the box of ornaments, resisting the temptation to open it and peer inside. His dad heated a pot of vegetable soup, and they ate with relish. Harry, hungry from the morning's activities, helped himself to a second serving, and his guardian actually had a third helping.

After Severus sent their bowls and utensils to the kitchens, they began to decorate the tree.

"For the time being, you can take one side, and I shall take another?" Harry's dad offered. "Afterwards, we can make any changes you wish."

Harry agreed. Soon, they had the ornaments were all over the floor in a very disorganized manner, but his dad didn't mind. Severus did cast a spell to prevent his cat from getting at the ornaments or the tree, so Calla watched from her place on the couch, looking almost as though she was supervising their progress. Harry peered at the tree, and thought he had chosen well. The tree almost came to the ceiling, but not quite. It didn't take up a great deal of room, either. There was a wall next to the fireplace in the center of the room, and the width of the tree spanned not quite half of it.

There was a very large selection of ornaments, too. Not all would fit, but this was all right, because they could switch off next year, and the following ones.

"Well, I believe that is a very good Christmas tree," Harry's dad said, wrapping an arm around Harry. "What do you say we celebrate a job well done with some hot chocolate and biscuits?"

Harry was quick to agree. As they ate their snack, he found himself very much looking forward to the holiday.

Author's note: I was going to make this the Christmas chapter, but there was too much to cover. So...next up: Harry's first Christmas with his new dad, and something from the first book appears here. Mysterious enough? (No, it's not the Mirror of Erised.)

I have another very long work week ahead of me, so if you could leave constructive feedback, I would appreciate it!