A/N: Another chapter from Severus's POV.

"Harry, Professor McGonagall raised an interesting point with me yesterday," Severus began, as they were eating breakfast on a warm Friday morning, "and I would like your opinion."

Lessons had been in session for just over a month, and he thought that the two of them had established a comfortable routine. During the morning, one or more teachers would come by to teach Harry, although the word "teach" varied a bit, depending on who was present. Sometimes, it took the form of a formal lesson-other times, it was considerably less so.

Not that Severus could be particular. They were doing him a favor by giving up their free periods to spend time with his ward, and in any event, Harry would be far more prepared than most boys his age when he officially started school.

Half of the afternoons were when Severus was free, although he had to allocate a fair amount of time to brewing or grading. Just like before, Harry helped when possible, or simply kept himself occupied with a book. The other half, a house elf came by to mind the child.

Now, Harry looked up from his porridge, his eyebrows slightly furrowed in curiosity. A trait he'd inherited from Lily, no doubt.

"Um, okay?"

Severus smiled. "She thought that you could benefit from an animal companion." At the deepening confusion on his child's face, he specified, "A pet."

Harry brightened. "Really? You'd let me get an animal?"

Severus chuckled. "I wouldn't mention it if I would forbid it," he pointed out, then took a sip of tea, allowing his child to take this in.

"I think I'd like having a pet," Harry said, slowly. "What kind of pets do--do our kind usually have?"

"There's quite an assortment among magical families," he explained. "First year students are permitted to have an owl, a toad, or a cat. You are not a matriculating student at the moment, of course, but I thought we could use those parameters. If you are interested?" he asked, in a teasing manner.

Harry grinned, and nodded.

"Of the three, do you have any preference?" Severus prodded. "At the moment, that is. I won't hold you to it."

"Well, owls don't really live with the students, do they?" Harry began. "They live in the owlery, 'cept when they're sending letters or delivering them." He looked around the room. Severus gave a slight nod. "And I expect it would prefer being with other owls, so it wouldn't be right to make it live here, all alone."

Severus nodded. "They also enjoy traveling, and are mostly used for sending and receiving letters."

Fan letters, and the occasional hate letter asking Harry to leave Severus's guardianship, hardly counted as mail for his ward. The latter of which Severus kept from the child, given that he had burst into tears the first time he had received such a missive. Severus blamed himself for this.

"Right. It would be caged up most of the time, which wouldn't feel right," Harry concluded.

"Then, no owl," Severus said, tentatively.

Harry nodded. "That leaves a cat or a toad." Harry took a bite of porridge. "Toads in our world...are they mostly the same as in the muggle world?"

"Are they rather dull, you mean?" Severus chuckled. "Yes. They were considered to be old fashioned even when I was a boy, but you do see the occasional student with one."

Harry nodded again, seeming to dismiss this option without further comment. Severus could hardly blame him. He'd only known two students with toads during his time as a student, and rather suspected they were simply relieved to own anything.

Severus had owned nothing--pets were expensive, and his father would probably have killed any--and often felt a distinct loss because of it. But he rarely needed to send letters when away from school, now, preferring to use his Patronus. On the rare occasion he needed to mail a letter, he visited the post office in Hogsmeade.

"I like cats, or I think I do. Aunt Petunia hated them," he added, with a grin. At Severus's chuckle, he went on. "They can be cuddly, can't they?"

"It depends on the cat. Some are, others rather more aloof. They have minds of their own. Your mother had one while at school. A bright ginger cat, whose coat matched her hair. They had similar fierce, yet loyal, personalities. And yes, her sister hated the cat, and the feeling was rather mutual," Severus recalled.

"Do you remember the cat's name?" Harry asked, leaning in, the way he always did when Severus spoke about his mother.

"Ginger." He rolled his eyes. "Not the most original of names, but she was a loyal companion."

"I'm glad," Harry said, softly.

Severus wished he had a picture of the two of them. He'd made copies of every photo he had of Lily, and given the originals to Harry. Unfortunately, he hadn't owned a camera as a child, and had been reliant on the good will of friendly students willing to take a picture for him. As a result, he only had a handful over their time together.

Still, he knew that Harry treasured every one, just as he did.

"I suppose we ought to visit Hogsmeade tomorrow, to see if there's any cat-or owl or toad-that you would like," he said, gently. "We can go immediately after breakfast, and perhaps, make a stop at Honeydukes." Severus smiled slyly at Harry. "Despite your attempts at rationing your sweets, your chocolate supply is nearly half gone. I will, of course, give you some money to spend there."

Harry jumped up and hugged him. "Thank you, Dad! For both!"

Severus squeezed back, then ran a hand through his messy hair. "Perhaps a haircut, too? You're beginning to look like a ragamuffin."

"Won't it just grow back?" Harry countered. "It always did before."

"Only because your magic interferes, as your aunt instructed them to take too much off," Severus explained. "A trim ought not trigger your accidental magic. And if it does," he added, seeing Harry's still skeptical expression, "I will admit to defeat."

Harry gnawed on his lip again. "Can we do that first?"

"Get the unpleasant part out of the way?" At Harry's nod, he smiled. "Very well. I don't expect it to be unpleasant, though. I've had my hair washed and cut there for several years. They're very, very careful when washing, and it's quite relaxing."

Harry looked less than convinced, but didn't press the subject, choosing instead to return to his breakfast.

The following morning, they rose rather earlier than they would on a Saturday morning, but Severus did not object, as they had a full morning ahead of them. It was a rather windy day, judging from the student body wearing cloaks outside, so they donned theirs as well. Despite his accurate comments the previous day about Harry's bedraggled hair, he otherwise looked quite nice. His wizarding robes, not that you could see them under the cloak, were light blue, fit very nicely, and Severus could see that the boy was starting to grow as well as fill out. He was certainly still too small for his age, but, now, he looked closer to seven years of age than six. Before long, his child would be too large to sit on Severus's lap-but this would be a small price to pay for his health.

"All ready?" he asked, after they both donned their cloaks.

"All ready!" Harry echoed, taking his hand.

They walked to the edge of the grounds before Severus Apparated into the magical village. It wasn't a long walk, but children only had so much energy, and there was no need to tire the child out. After a few deep breaths, Harry recovered, then smiled up at Severus.

"I'm all right, now," he said, his voice steady.

Severus gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "It's just a short walk to the hairdresser."

"How far is the pet shop from the hairdresser?" Harry asked, still holding his hand.

"Not very far. A few streets over. It's roughly the same size as the one in Diagon Alley, but the owners are different," Severus recalled. "If you change your mind and wish to purchase an owl, it's possible to find one at the post office."

Harry nodded, intent to look around. He had only been there once before, for his new glasses, and it must be fascinating for a child who had grown up without magic. The streets were not terribly crowded, as it wasn't a Hogsmeade weekend, but it was a fully wizarding village, after all, with a healthy population of people who lived there year round. That included families with children of all ages.

Severus gently steered Harry towards the shop. "Here we are. Now, don't worry-they're experts, and will be gentle. But if you like, I shall remain in front of you to be sure that nothing is amiss."

"Please." Harry's voice took on a pleading note, which made Severus angry at Petunia all over again.

"I promise," Severus reassured him, keeping a hand around his shoulders.

The shop was open, but there were more people working than there were clients. He could tell they were employees by their bright blue robes, long white aprons, and hair pulled back. As Severus had placed a charm to disguise Harry's features, there were no squeals of excitement or any such commotion. Rather, they simply saw a teacher at Hogwarts who was a relatively recurring client, and a small boy with very untidy hair.

"Hello, there, lads!" Amanda Flint, who typically saw to Severus's hair, greeted them with her usual smile. "Professor Snape, has it been four months already? Or am I to work with this handsome boy today?"

Severus smiled. "It's only been three months, so you shall see me next one for my untidy mane. Today, you'll be giving my ward's mane a trim. Nothing too short, just to tidy it up."

"Is that so, dear?" she asked, turning to Harry.

"Yes, ma'am," he said, softly.

She gave them a knowing smile. "I know who your ward is, Severus, as I read the papers. Rest assured, I'll keep it quiet so everyone leaves you two in peace. But I extend my congratulations, and best hopes that you two are very happy."

"You're very kind, Amanda," he returned. "You'll tell Melinda to be extra careful, all right? Harry's aunt was unnecessarily rough with him."

She winced. "Of course I will. Not to worry, Harry! Melinda is always gentle with children, but I will see to it that she is especially so with you."

"And I shall remain with him," Severus added, feeling Harry's gaze on him.

"I would hardly prevent you! Follow me, please," Amanda said, her smile returning.

Severus, nor Harry needn't have worried. A few minutes later, Melinda was working shampoo through his scalp with extra care. Harry's eyes were closed, but he had a small smile on his face. Every so often, he let out a contented sigh. When his hair was free of suds, he looked relaxed enough to fall asleep. Severus allowed a small smile to cross his face.

Melinda then towel dried his hair, although not completely. It needed to stay wet for the trim, just not enough for it to drip on the floor. Harry gave Severus a small smile, and then, the two moved to the station where his unruly mane would be partially tamed.

After a brief exchange regarding the exact amount to be removed, the cutting began. Harry's hair had nearly reached his shoulders when they had arrived, but when it was finished, it was a few inches shorter. Not shorn by any stretch, and still rather unruly (it was commonly known that the Potter locks could hardly be anything but, at least on the male side), but both Harry and Severus smiled at the end result.

"Happy?" Amanda asked, as she gave his hair one last comb through.

"Yes, ma'am," Harry answered. "Thank you."

Severus paid the required two sickles, and then they left, still holding hands.

"You do look quite nice, Harry," Severus told him. "Thank you for trusting me."

Harry grinned. "It was the nicest haircut I ever had."

They walked in silence until they reached the pet shop. A separate, yet small, building, it read "Martin's Magical Menagerie" in flashing letters. Clearly, Martin made more than enough from sales to pay for his own shop. Severus had to admit he was rather impressed, and hope it spoke well of the selection of animals inside.

Rather like some muggle shops, there was a musical chime when Severus opened the door, but he knew that the door was charmed to do this. Nevertheless, it likely served the same purpose of letting employees know that there was a new visitor.

Several other witches and wizards were already inside, all but one with children in tow. Severus and Harry took a few moments to look around, taking in the shop, and the myriad of animals. They were all separated by species, with at least thirty owls in cages, in varying colors. A red owl caught his attention, as it was nearly the same shade of Lily's cat. The owl, unlike the cat, stared back in his general direction with a look of almost annoyance. No doubt, he or she was eager to be purchased and begin the important task of delivering mail. Severus hid a smirk. Smaller animals, rats and mice and guinea pigs, were in smaller cages in groups, and all trained to do things no ordinary version of the pet could do. The cluster of toads just stared at them, occasionally opening and closing their mouths, but generally looking as unappealing as was possible for a toad to be. If a parent or guardian wished to give their child a truly unappealing pet, a toad certainly fit that description.

Other animals, small in nature, sat in the center. They were likely bred from other animals in order to be exotic. They were cute and fluffy, and Severus wondered how large they'd end up becoming. He hoped Harry would not be intrigued by one of them.

Fortunately, his ward's attention was on the cats. The cats generally roamed freely within a large section of the shop no doubt set aside for them. A new mother, tabby in color, was nursing her five kittens, each of which could easily fit into Severus's hand. Larger kittens slept or played with one another. A small girl shook a type of string cat toy at a black one, who was clawing it with rigor. Other full grown cats napped, ate from the bowls of food, cleaned themselves, and otherwise acted as full-grown cats tended to do.

"Ohh," Harry breathed, taking in the scene. "They're all so adorable, aren't they?"

Severus could hardly deny this fact. It was rather heartwarming, really, and he had never considered himself to be a great lover of felines-even if Ginger had granted him the honor of occasionally sitting on his lap.

"They are. Why don't you go up to them, see if you take to any?" Severus asked, giving Harry an encouraging smile.

Harry nodded, then took a deep breath, as though approaching a lion's den. But, perhaps, he was aware that cats as often as not picked their caretaker, and he wanted to be worthy of such an honor.

Severus watched with interest as, for the next several minutes, Harry interacted with some of the kittens who were old enough not to be nursing. A black cat took to his toy offering with interest, and a ginger rubbed at his legs, but it was a pure white kitten with piercing blue eyes that "claimed" him-jumping right onto his shoulders and meowing loudly.

Harry gasped, first, then giggled at the small creature began to lick at his cheek.

"I thought only dogs did that!" he said, trying to extract the kitten from his face, and placing the furry menace in his arms. This tactic worked, and the monstrosity began to purr very loudly.

"Cats do as well," Severus answered, holding back a laugh. "It's called grooming."

"I just had a bath last night!" Harry protested, running a hand over the kitten's back.

"Apparently, you're not cat clean!" one of the adults said, a stout male, with a chuckle. "Your guardian's mostly right, lad. Grooming's also a way of the cat marking its scent on you, claiming you for their own, you see? It's rather them saying that they love you, and have chosen you as their mum or dad."

"Ohh." Harry looked up. "I didn't know any of that. Thank you, sir."

"You're most welcome. I'm here with my daughter, the one over there, playing with all of the kittens?" He nodded towards a small girl in red robes with red hair past her waist, who Severus now recognized as Ginny Weasley. "Ginny's been begging me and her mummy for a kitten for nearly a month. I've warned my twins that if we come back with a cat or a kitten, they'd not to do any mischief, or you can be sure their bums will feel their mother's broomstick." He shook his head. "Anyway, it looks like your cat has already chosen you."

"Yes, sir," Harry answered, although a bit more reserved.

Severus decided to intervene. "Good day, Mr. Weasley," he said, placing a hand on Harry's shoulders. "You were at work, I believe, when my son had the pleasure of meeting your father."

Rather comically, the man's eyes widened. "Professor Snape! I hadn't expected to see you here. Then this...this is your new boy, Harry Potter? My congratulations!" he stammered.

"Thank you," Severus responded, a bit cooly.

He couldn't help it. Severus had grown up being beaten regularly by his Muggle father, and after what Harry's childhood had already been like, he didn't fancy Harry hearing about Mrs. Weasley's questionable disciplinary methods. Particularly after he and Ron had gotten along. Not that the matriarch would dare use her broomstick on his boy...she'd find herself without her fingers for at least an hour if she tried...

"Owlet, have you made your choice?" he asked, forcing himself to speak gently.

Harry's eyes twinkled. "I can't very well choose any other pet, now!"

Severus chuckled. "No, indeed. Well, she's certainly attached herself to you," he said, tousling Harry's hair. "Come, let's pay for the little monster."

The kitten remained physically attached to Harry, purring loudly, and Severus was glad that, unlike in muggle grocery shops, there was no need to separate the two in order to scan the kitten. A very helpful employee included enough food to last at least a year, a cloth carrier, numerous toys, and a self-cleaning litter box.

"We've taken to calling her Cloudy," she admitted, as she rang up the purchases, sighing a bit. "Just became old enough to be sold last Monday, and she's a real favorite around here ever since her eyes opened. I hope you two enjoy her, as she's both a character and one of the most affectionate kittens I've seen. I've been here since last year."

"It must be difficult when favorites get sold," Severus acknowledged, paying for the cat and supplies with three galleons, then carefully placing her into the carrier.

Harry's frame relaxed considerably, now that the feline was not wrapped around his neck.

"To be sure, but there are always new ones being born!" she laughed. "Have a lovely day."

They left, and Harry glanced at the pet supplies. "Shall I hold them, Dad?"

"Thank you, but no. Your hands will soon be filled with candy." Severus ruffled the boy's hair. Harry giggled, causing Severus to chuckle. "Speaking of which, here are seven sickles."

"Thank you!" Harry exclaimed, then eagerly hugged Severus, who was quick to return the embrace.

"Have you decided on a name?" Severus queried, as they walked in the direction of Honeydukes.

"Not yet. I'll need to think on it, I expect," he said, seriously.

For Harry, it was easier to choose among the selection of sweets this time around. He knew to steer clear of the Every Flavored Beans, as well as acid pops, cockroach clusters, and all other sweets not fit for human consumption. That was not to say that choosing among sweets was an entirely easy decision. Severus remembered his trips there with Lily, making do on a single sickle per Hogsmeade weekend, and having to choose between the sweets he really enjoyed as opposed to the ones he somewhat enjoyed, but would be able to afford more of.

Lily always knew his favorites, and bought extras for herself, and for Christmas and his birthday, Severus would be the recipient of-among other gifts-bars of his favorite flavor of chocolate. It was a shame that now that he could afford whatever he liked, that particular one was no longer being made. Harry's seven sickles went much further, but even he had to choose between sweets. Severus waited patiently as Harry picked up one bar of a particular type of chocolate, studied it, and then either placed it in his basket, or put it back on the shelf. Severus, too, added treats to his own basket. Some were for him, as he still enjoyed sweets as an adult, but most were to supplement Harry's supply.

In the end, Harry spent his seven sickles to the Knut, and Severus added ten sickles' worth of sweets to the shop's cash register.

It was not quite noon, and Severus was about to suggest an additional trip to Three Broomsticks for lunch, but, then, he noticed that Harry was holding back a yawn. It had been a busy morning, after all. Best to eat at home, and then tuck the boy in for a long nap. If the cat had any choice in the matter, and Severus knew better than to disobey the orders of a feline, she would be joining Harry.

Clutching Harry's hand tightly, he Apparated back just outside the bounds of the castle, and then, they concluded the short walk to Severus's quarters.

"You're getting much better at that," Severus noted. "You haven't gotten sick in quite some time."

"Yeah, and I didn't feel very dizzy this time," Harry added, with a yawn. "I suppose I'm finally getting used to it."

"You'll be an expert before you turn nine, I expect," Severus promised. "Now, I can see you're tired, but would you like to have a quick lunch, first?"

"Yes, please."

So, after a couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches apiece, Harry lay down on the couch, after removing his glasses and carefully placed them on top of the small table next to the couch. Severus Summoned a few blankets, including the animal one, and carefully tucked Harry in underneath them. The child smiled as the warmth no doubt filled his body. The kitten, of course, lay beside him, and began to knead the blanket. Severus considered chiding the cat, but knew it would do no good. He'd just have to add a charm to keep the blanket from being reduced to holes.

On a whim, he added a fire to the fireplace-it was becoming rather chilly-and was pleased to hear Harry's murmur of appreciation when warmth filled the room.

"Shall I stay with you?" he asked, softly.

"Yes, please." Harry yawned, then repositioned his head over the couch cushions.

Just enough so that Severus could card it or knead it, which, of course, he did.

Soon, soft snores and loud purrs filled the room.

Author's note:

Ginny and Mr. Weasley's appearance rather came out of nowhere. But Ginny does love cats, so it seemed fitting. As for what happened to the cat after it went to The Burrow? Your guess is as good as mine, but judging by the twins' care of pets and toys, I'm guessing it either didn't last until Ginny became a student, or perhaps, it ran away to escape the chaos of the house.

Okay, so Harry doesn't get a snowy white owl, but he does get a snowy white cat! In the context of the Harry Potter books, Hedwig makes sense as a pet. As Hagrid pointed out, toads are old fashioned, even if Neville adored Trevor. (He ought to have given Harry the option of getting a cat-just because HE didn't like them didn't mean he ought to deny Harry having a purring, cuddly friend!) Later on, of course, Hedwig proves her resourcefulness in being able to send letters to Sirius, and is a very good and loyal companion to Harry. In the context of this story, though, I wanted to go in the direction of a pet who can live with Harry and who can provide love and companionship, instead of just delivering mail. Besides, I'm a crazy cat lady myself, so if I want Harry to have a cat, he'll have a cat.