A/N: Another Severus chapter. Don't worry, Harry will return to narrate soon, probably in the next one!

Mere days after Harry recovered completely, as well as most of the student body, the next Quidditch match was posted for the upcoming Saturday. Gryffindor against Hufflepuff. Severus recognized that, while probable that Gryffindor would win, such was hardly a given. Both teams had played only against Slytherin for the past few years, never advancing further. Slytherin, on the other hand, had plenty of experience playing against each house team. If Gryffindor lost against Hufflepuff, Hufflepuff would compete against Ravenclaw, and if they somehow scraped out a win, they would play Slytherin. If Ravenclaw trounced Hufflepuff, they would play against Slytherin.

"Can I go to the game with you? Please, Dad?" Harry pleaded.

Severus studied his child. While he hadn't regained all of his vitality, his face had its normal color. Harry's appetite had also returned.

"Yes," he determined. "We shall bundle you up extra well, mind. It's very cold, and neither of us wish you to become ill again."

"Thank you!" Harry said, hugging him.

On the actual day of the match, however, Harry was a mix of excitement and nerves. Severus knew that the memory of the Slytherin students cornering him afterwards still scared him. Severus would not leave him alone. Not that such precautions would be necessary. The bullies had served their last detention with Filch the Monday before the Christmas holidays, and besides, they were as likely as not to skip the match.

They traveled to the stands, holding hands until reaching their destination. Severus surveyed the turnout, noting that while the Slytherin population was far lower than the first game of the season. Gryffindor's area looked nearly fit to bursting, as well as Hufflepuff. Ravenclaw was, Severus expected, half to two thirds full.

Speaking of Hufflepuff, Nymphadora Tonks strode over to the teachers' stand, then greeted them cheerfully.

"Excited about the match, Harry?" she asked, as her ordinary brown hair turning yellow, then black, and then back to brown.

"Yes!" Harry returned, with a grin.

"As you know," the Hufflepuff added, rather cheekily, "I'm rooting for my house. But Charlie is excellent, and most of us think he'll catch the snitch before we can get enough points to earn us a win."

"Oh...well..." Harry stammered.

"Don't worry! We'll still be friends no matter who wins!" Miss Tonks, added, quickly. "Enjoy the game!"

Severus rolled his eyes, but observed that his child was visibly reassured by this remark. After another hug from the presumptive Hufflepuff, she departed to join her house.

Her prediction was correct, not that anyone except Hufflepuff could have expected them to scrape by a win.

The match was the shortest Severus could remember, lasting not even a half-hour. Hufflepuff did not score once before the second oldest Weasley boy caught the Snitch, so Gryffindor won at 200 to 0. There was sure to be another raucous party in the common room that night. Well, that was for Minerva to deal with-and she might well join in. The expression on her face was one of pure victory. With their current lead, Ravenclaw would need to win by a very generous amount in order to secure the Cup. No doubt, his fellow teacher was already imagining seeing the trophy in her office before it joined those in the case.

Yes, Severus had to admit that Slytherin had officially lost all hopes of the Cup for this year. Well, a four year streak had been a good run, and Severus would meet with the Captain next year to work on their strategies. He refused to believe that their team was not destined to lose without borderline cheating.

"Enjoy the match?" Severus asked, as they strolled back to the castle.

It was hard to hear Harry's reply amidst the raucous chatter, but when Severus turned towards his child, he could see a smile on his face.

"We'll have lunch, and then, it's time for a rest," he went on.

Harry seemed no worse for their excursion, but afternoon naps had been quite the norm, and Harry had been sick fairly recently. All the same, lunch would have to come first. Severus helped the child out of his cloak before they sat down to eat. The excitement was beginning to fade from his face, and by the time they had finished eating, Harry was unsuccessfully hiding yawns.

"Time for a rest," he determined, taking his hand and leading Harry to the couch.

Harry made no complaints, not that Severus had expected such. Indeed, only a small sigh let the child's lips when Severus warmed up his two blankets and tucked him in. Severus joined Harry on the couch, Summoned one of his books, and began to run his fingers through Harry's messy hair as he read.

"Mmm. That feels good," Harry murmured, sleepily, eyes closing slowly. "Night, Dad."

"Sleep well, owlet," Severus replied, smiling down at him.

"Mmm," the child murmured, eyes still closed.

That evening, once it was clear Harry was no worse off than before for their excursion, Severus decided to bring out the invisibility cloak the following day. He could see the way Harry had asked to touch the cloak after the morning wake-up tickle sessions. How he sighed, just a bit, after Severus took it back to put away.

After some contemplation, he finally decided on a game of "Hide and Seek."

Severus made no mention of this plan as they went about their usual Saturday evening routine. Dinner, a small treat for dessert for both of them, quiet recreation (tonight, working on one of the puzzles Severus had purchased for Harry for Christmas), Harry's bath (Severus waited outside in case he needed assistance or fell) and brushing his teeth, and then, a chapter from "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," with the child tucked in and his frame tucked against Severus's side. Finally, he gave the child a goodnight hug and kiss on top of his forehead, secured the blankets around him more securely, and added a heightened Warming Charm. Harry was drifting off before Severus's loving ministrations were complete, and he had to chuckle to himself.

After two hours of marking papers and another hour of brewing, it was time for Severus to prepare for bed. While he did not fall asleep as quickly as his son, sound sleep came far faster than it used to, and his sleep was mercifully dreamless.

The next morning, Harry was fast asleep when Severus came to tickle him awake. Predictably, he giggled and squirmed and, finally, managed a plea for Severus to cease. Once the cloak was back on the desk chair and Harry was properly settled in his guardian's arms, relaxed but still quite awake, Severus chose then to divulge the news.

"We'll use the cloak again today," he murmured, almost absentmindedly, as though informing his son that it would be windy that afternoon.

Harry squealed, then rolled over to face Severus. "Really? Really?"

"Yes, really," Severus replied, rolling his eyes, but reaching up to run his fingers over the child's messy hair. "Would you like to know what we'll do with it?"

Harry nodded vigorously, all sleepiness gone. Well, a good hair carding would fix that.

"Hide and seek. Inside our quarters, of course," Severus added, quickly. "Have you ever played before?"

Harry shook his head. "But I know how!" he added, quickly, enthusiastically. "Someone hides, and the other person tries to find them. It can also be played with several people."

"Very good, owlet," Severus praised. "We'll take turns hiding, and the person hiding will use the cloak. Presents a bit more of a challenge," Severus added, with a laugh.

"Ohhh," Harry breathed, nodding. "I reckon you'd be nearly impossible to find, Dad."

Yes, that was true. Severus was tempted to reconsider this plan, but decided to add a stipulation, instead.

"We'll include a time limit. If the hider cannot be found in fifteen minutes, he has won. Otherwise, the seeker has won," Severus determined. "How does that sound, owlet?"

Harry's face relaxed in relief. "Yeah, I like that idea."

"Then, it's settled. Come, let's rest up. I plan to use my hiding and seeking abilities to the best of my ability, little Fox, so you shall need all the energy and skill a good rest can give you," Severus cautioned, carefully turning Harry on his side and beginning to run his fingers through Harry's bedraggled hair.

"Dad?" Harry asked, tentatively.

"Yes, owlet?"

"C-could you-I mean, if you don't mind-would you rub my back, instead?" Harry asked, all at once, in a rather tremulous tone.

"Of course I don't mind." Severus lifted Harry up so that he was eye to eye with him. "And even if I did, I wouldn't scold you."

Harry nodded, then smiled a bit. "Thank you, Dad."

"You're welcome. Now, let's lay you down properly..."

A moment later, Severus had his hands on Harry's bare back, gently kneading his shoulders. The small murmurs that escaped the boy were all the further praise and thanks Severus needed. He moved slowly, carefully. His attention to detail was not limited to Potions, although he'd never had much of an opportunity to utilize this particular skill. Until recently, anyway.

Harry was fast asleep before Severus had reached the middle of his back. Well, he could finish it later. With a wave of his wand, he set his son's night shirt to rights, then pulled Harry close with one hand, and resettled the blankets around them in the other. Before long, they both slept soundly.

"You've never worn the cloak on your own before," Severus said, a few hours later, "and I want to give you a fair chance. So, we'll have you practice moving around in it before commencing with the game."

With this, he handed the cloak over to Harry, who treated it like the treasure it was.

Pride filled Severus.

Harry stumbled around in it, at first, mostly due to his height. The cloak was meant to cover a full-grown man, likely as tall as six feet, and Harry had only just recently reached four feet. This was well below average for his age, but not (as Madam Pomfrey was quick to point out at the last checkup) enough for cause for concern. A tall eight year old could stand six inches above Harry, very nearly a half a head. Harry was short, certainly, but he was young.

Even Severus, few inches short six feet, found it reasonably roomy, without swallowing him up. Nearly two feet smaller than him, Harry had just that problem. But they could hardly shorten the outer garment, nor pin it up, for such would show on the outside. Harry ended up gathering parts of the inside around him, and could walk around the sitting room with relative ease and, most importantly, not fall down.

At least, there was little chance of Harry stealing the cloak for some kind of adventure. In all likelihood, in fact, the cloak would still be too large on him by the time he turned eleven.

This made Severus wonder about James. His childhood bully had always been taller and broader than him, but not terribly so. The man undoubtedly passed six feet by the time he died, but even before, he only stood a few inches higher than Severus. Perhaps, his father had given him lessons with navigating the cloak in a way not to fall down. Because, surely, no Potter male reached their full height during their eleventh year.

"You've made considerable progress," Severus praised, watching a partially invisible Harry. The sight was an odd one, to be sure. "Have you picked a hiding spot? Do not forget that my office and laboratory are off limits."

Harry nodded, happiness written all over his face. "Yes!"

"Very well. I shall count to thirty, aloud, while you cover yourself with your cloak and choose your hiding spot. If, after fifteen minutes, I cannot find you, you have won the first round. If I do locate you within that time, I have won," Severus explained. "There will be a prize for you if you win."

"Oh?" Harry asked, clearly interested.

"Indeed. Now, off you go. One...two..."

Immediately, the child disappeared under the cloak, giggling a bit. Severus chuckled. He would find Harry without any difficulty, that was certain.

After five minutes of searching, Severus realized he had underestimated Harry. In this time, he had carefully perused each of their bedrooms and adjoining bathrooms, but his hands touched only air. Surely, Harry hadn't left their quarters? No, he would have heard the door open. In fact, he hadn't heard any doors open or close while he'd counted. Frowning slightly, Severus moved to the kitchen, then back to the bedrooms. Finally, he ran his fingers along every part of the hallway. Nothing.

A glance at his watch told him the fifteen minutes were up, so he returned to the sitting room once more. He considered checking under the tables, but rules were rules.

"You have won this round, my fox," he called. "Reveal yourself."

Slowly, the cloak came off to reveal a smiling Harry standing directly in front of the front door.

Severus chuckled as he lifted Harry into his arms. "Hiding in plain sight, were you? Well done!"

Harry flushed at the praise. "I reckon I've had some practice."

Severus sat them on the couch, setting Harry in his lap. "You told me you hadn't played before?" he said, softly.

"Not as such," Harry explained, quickly. "But when Dudley and his gang would try to get me, hiding was often better than outrunning them. Dudley and Piers were a lot slower than I was, but others in their gang were lots faster. And when they came at me from opposite directions..." Harry shrugged. "I couldn't always find a good spot to hide, but if I did, I knew I was safe."

"Where did you hide?" Severus asked, using his Occlumency shields to keep control.

Yes, Potter and Black had targeted him, but at least Severus had his wand on hand. He'd always had a fighting shot. Big, perhaps muscular boys against a skinny and underfed one-even Potter and Black would have left a child like that alone.

Probably.

"Mostly in closets, on the top shelf. I always managed to get that high, even though it was above what they can see." Harry frowned. "More magic?"

Severus managed not to shudder at the mental image of his child, his sweet little owl, having to resort to this. "I would expect so," he got out.

"And if they opened the door, I held my breath as long as I could so they didn't hear me. That was how Piers found me the first time. Used a mop to poke at me until the end of lunch, but that was better than getting my head in a toilet," Harry recalled, with a shudder. "I reckon I got good at hiding and keeping quiet."

Keep calm, Severus commanded himself.

He ran a hand over Harry's hair, as much to console himself as his son. "Such are useful skills to develop, although I hate that you had to do so to avoid bullies."

"Yeah." Harry went quiet for a minute, then brightened. "I won, then, didn't I? I get a prize?"

"You do. The next time we visit Hogsmeade, you pick out a toy from the shop. There are some lovely ones to choose from," Severus promised, forcing a smile.

Harry hugged him. "Ohh! Thank you, Dad!"

"You're welcome," Severus replied, feeling a bit of his good mood return. "Now, if you hand over the cloak, it will be my turn to hide."

"Okay! And do you get a prize if you win?" Harry asked.

"Indeed," Severus answered, although he knew he would pick something they would both enjoy. Perhaps, an extra chapter to read out loud. Or a double portion of ice cream for dessert.

Merlin knew Harry could use the extra calories.

This time, Severus was correct in his assessment. He chose his closet, pressing himself against the right wall. But while Harry did check the bedroom and opened the door, he went inside only briefly. By the look on his face, the child seemed uncertain if he should be there. Or, perhaps, it was a look of focus. In any event, he shut the door behind him, and Severus remained in the dark with his own thoughts. When he heard Harry's voice declaring that the time was up, Severus emerged, removed his-Harry's-cloak, and walked briskly into the living area.

"I looked everywhere!" Harry declared, after hugging Severus fiercely. As though it had been weeks instead of a quarter hour since they'd last seen each other. "Where did you hide?"

"Allow me to show you," Severus answered, not bothering to hide a grin.

Harry followed him into the closet, and then watched as Severus donned the cloak once again. The child's eyes widened, and he grinned, then carefully removed the cloak.

"You're really good, too!" he declared, hugging Severus.

Chuckling, Severus hugged his child back, then lifted him into his arms. Harry sighed happily as he rested his head on Severus's shoulders. Impulsively, Severus ran a hand over Harry's back with one hand, making small circles. Harry murmured his appreciation.

Once back on the sofa, curled up together under a couple of blankets, Harry asked what prize Severus would choose.

"A second helping of ice cream for dessert. For both of us," he specified.

"But you won!"

"Ah, but it's my choice of prize." Severus secured the blankets around them. "Therefore, it's my choice to give you an extra portion of ice cream as well."

Harry giggled, then yawned. "I liked the game, Dad. Even if we didn't play for prizes, I'd still like it."

"We shall play again," he promised. "Now, get some rest, owlet."

Harry curled himself into Severus, and shortly, the white cat joined them. After he had fallen into a sound sleep, Severus wordlessly Summoned the latest stack of papers to be graded, and set himself upon the less desirable task.

Several hours later, Severus found himself unable to sleep. The image of Harry hidden in his cupboard, his first encounter with his child, would not leave his head. Severus had known that his aunt and uncle had been abysmal in their care, and that his cousin had been a bully. Harry had been locked in the blasted cupboard because of a display of accidental magic, after all, which was generally proof that his fear had turned into terror at the time.

Yet, it was the confession that bullying had been a regular, perhaps daily, occurrence that filled Severus with fury. Petunia and her husband had done nothing about it, perhaps even encouraged their son to torment his cousin.

Severus thought back, as objectively as he could, to his own childhood. His father had been a brute, there'd been no doubt about it. Why his mother, a skilled witch in all respects, had not defended herself and Severus against the man remained a mystery to Severus to this day. A part of Severus wondered if it had been gratitude towards Tobias Snape. Severus had seen the records of their marriage, and knew his birth had occurred less than nine months afterwards. The man who was his father had soiled his mother's honor-that was the way they thought about it during his childhood, and many pure blood families still to this day-but he'd married her, at least. Granted, Eileen Prince had been forced to renounce her place in the wizarding world, but at least, she didn't bear the shame of being an unwed mother. Many pure blood families would Vanish the unborn child if they could not arrange a suitable match before people began to talk. So, Severus had known that his father had seen both himself and his mother as freakish, perhaps even evil, and his mother had likely promised never to use her magic against him. Severus hadn't had an easy childhood-food hadn't been abundant, though they'd managed to survive-and his father beat him regularly. His mother loved him, though, made it clear every day just how much. Even after Tobias Snape yelled at her, hurt her, she'd be dry-eyed when she checked on Severus, and held him tightly. Besides, for a time, Lily had been Severus's friend, his only friend, and were it not for her wretched sister, those hours together would have been wonderful. Even her parents liked him, invited him for meals, and showed him what a marriage between two equals could look like.

Then, there had been his Hogwarts years. Severus had thrived under the challenging schoolwork, even though he'd been at a third year level when it came to Potions, and higher at Defense Against the Dark Arts. He'd formed his own friendships in Slytherin, while holding onto Lily's for more years than anyone had expected. Yes, Potter had been a thorn in his side, and looking back, he ought to have either learnt to cast nonverbal spells much earlier, or forge some truce after their initial meeting on the train. But you could not go that far back in time, and anyway, his younger self wouldn't have taken his advice. Most of the time, Potter and Black had fought dirty-but then, so had he. Had he not had friends in Slytherin who would gladly throw hexes at those in Gryffindor? At least, when they happened to be near him. Besides, on his own, Severus could manage with relative ease against the two-he'd outright won against the two of them at least half the time, and reaching a draw nearly every other time. He could count on one hand the number of times he'd been required to seek the aid of Madam Pomfrey for the aftermath of hexes-far less than his rivals. Yes, Severus had loathed Potter and Black, and did not regret their death and imprisonment. Yet, he could clearly see that his school days with them had been far easier than Harry's experience at primary school.

Harry had had no such friends. His magic, as was all magic for children under eleven, had been unstable, prone to show up only when he'd been in danger, or at least, perceived danger. Unable to fight against bullies more than twice his size, he'd been forced to hide in broom closets. Severus could see the scenes as though watching him. His son, hiding on the top shelf, a shelf that only an underfed child could fit on, made to fear breathing too deeply, lest Dudley or his cronies find him and pummel him. Regularly. And while Harry recognized that this behavior was wrong, his instinct to hide were so engrained that he could win his first game of hide and seek with Severus. Whose instincts at finding students who broke curfew were second to none of the other teachers, save perhaps Filch.

This was Severus's fault. The Dark Lord would not have targeted the Potters directly had he not delivered him the prophecy. Oh, he might have gotten around to it, at some point, because they had fought against him, and James Potter had betrayed the values of Death Eaters by marrying a Muggle Born. But targeting pure bloods who were blood traitors hadn't been an immediate priority. (Severus had known, back then, that Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy had another sister who'd married a Muggle Born. They said nothing about her, and later, Severus had learnt that the entire family had survived, including their child, Nymphadora Tonks.) Had Severus kept his mouth shut, someone else might have heard and delivered the prophecy to the Dark Lord. But he had done it. He had taken the steps to make Harry Potter an orphan, and not the kind of orphan who had been taken in by loving family members, like Susan Bones. Harry's childhood made Severus's look nearly cheery, and it had been entirely Severus's fault.

There were two candles of light that Severus could cling to. The first was that he'd confessed his sin to Harry, and been forgiven. The second was that his child was in his care, and now loved.

It was the minimum he could do.

Severus sighed, then rose, abandoning his room to check on his son. The outline of the hallway light revealed his sleeping form, curled up against his stuffed bear, Calla nestled against his chest. Harry was sleeping peacefully, and Severus had intended simply to check on Harry, so he ought to leave, now. If he could not sleep, he could do some brewing, or reading Potions journals. Instead, he found himself approaching the bed, and placing a hand on Harry's shoulders.

Harry's eyes opened, but with the haze of someone who had just been awoken from a sound sleep. Severus felt a twinge of guilt. "Hello, child," he murmured, carding his hair.

Harry smiled, as he always did when Severus performed this ministration. "Hi, Daddy."

"M-might I join you, owlet?" Severus asked, softly. "You look so peaceful."

Harry's smile broadened, and he nodded.

"Thank you." Severus removed the blankets long enough to fit his frame underneath, giving thanks to the magical castle for providing Harry with a bed the same size as his at home. There was more than enough room for both of them.

Harry's cat made a noise of protest at the momentary disturbance, but resettled herself by the child's side. Harry, meanwhile, curled himself into his guardian, sighing when Severus wrapped his arms around him, holding him close.

Perhaps it was Harry's breathing, their shared body warmth, or the lateness of the hour. But Severus soon found himself falling into a deep, sound sleep.

Author's note:

I wanted to include the next Quidditch match without making it an entire chapter. I will likely do the same with the final match.

I could write pages about the guilt Severus should experience, not only for his part in making Harry an orphan, but how he treated Harry throughout his time at school. But this is a Severitis by adoption fic, but a paper. So, I'll simply say that the hide and seek game likely taught Severus more than it did Harry. But at least Harry enjoyed the game!

So far, we've used the cloak officially for: Waking up Harry in the morning with tickles, a trip to the Hogwarts kitchens, a trip to the Forbidden Forest and a game of hide and seek.

A reader gave me an idea for an unintentional use for the cloak, which I can't delve into without ruining the surprise (and humor aspect), but I will say it will take place when Harry is nine. If you have other ideas, when you review the chapter, feel free to let me know.

Next up: The beginning of Easter holidays present an opportunity for an important practical lesson. Vague enough for you? Hint: think of the fourth book!