A/N: In the books, the Easter holidays generally reflect a time when an enormous amount of homework is given, as the students must prepare for their end of term exams. It's not until the fourth and fifth book that Mrs. Weasley either thinks to send over Easter goodies, or it's mentioned in canon. Given that canon!Harry is so unused to presents that his hands practically shake when he receives his first ever birthday card, I'm inclined to think it's the former. As this series is meant to give Harry a happier childhood, he'll receive the Easter treats many of us grew up looking forward to much earlier. Additionally, I'm not British, so I'm relying on my knowledge from canon as to what treats he would receive.
On Easter morning, Harry froze when he saw an enormous basket on the table in the sitting room.
"Happy Easter, owlet," Severus greeted, smiling. "Surprised at what the Easter Bunny left you?"
"It's huge!" Harry managed, staring. The now somewhat familiar sensation of being presents, real presents, fell over him. He wasn't sure how to describe it, exactly. Happiness, of course, and disbelief, and longing-because they might go away at any second. This might all just be a dream, and he'd wake up in his cupboard at the Dursleys.
Then, his dad hugged him, picked Harry up, and just held him close. "We've been so busy with your swimming I forgot to take you to Hogsmeade to choose sweets for this day," he explained, softly. Harry could hear the note of apology in his voice, which was silly, because he'd just given him a basket half his size, nearly bursting with sweets. "Fortunately, they have overnight delivery owls for such occasions. Not that we won't return soon. You still have a toy to pick out, my little owl, and you're in dire need of a haircut. Why, your hair is nearly as long as mine!" he added, giving it a playful tousle. "Are you happy, owlet?"
Harry found himself smiling, nodding. "Thank you, Daddy!" he whispered, resting his head on his guardian's shoulders. "It's wonderful."
"I'm glad." Severus's voice was nearly as quiet as Harry's. He set them down on the couch, then sent the basket flying until it landed in the spot next to them. Calla suddenly noticed the basket, or rather the top of it, which was covered by a lovely bow. Harry giggled when she began to bat her paws at it.
"Calla!" he chided, still giggling.
She turned her face towards Harry long enough to give him what felt like a reproachful stare. As though Harry was in the wrong for not sharing this delightful toy with her.
"Ah. We'd best give your kitten her Easter present, or she might topple over the whole thing," Severus said, wryly.
Or trying to sound wry. Harry could hear the amusement in his voice.
Harry reluctantly got down from his dad's lap, although the older man remained close enough that Harry could return if he wish, and then began the delightful process of opening his massive gift. Harry undid the bow, first, which he handed to Calla. She meowed in thanks (or what Harry took to be thanks), took it in her mouth, and went off to play with her newest toy. Harry then went to work opening the rest of his gift.
Dudley, upon seeing it, would have had a massive tantrum. While he'd received large Easter baskets before, this rather made them look tiny. There were surely enough sweets inside to last Harry until the start of term feast! All his favorites, too. But the basket itself was made of various kinds of chocolate, too pretty to eat. There weren't just sweets, inside. To Harry's delight, the bottom of the basket sat several books, and other types of toys he'd never seen or even imagined. Were those ones that wizards his age usually played with? Harry set those aside with care, determining to study them later, but hoping to begin reading one of the books immediately. Then, with his dad beside him, Harry examined the variety of treats. Most were quite familiar, but the chocolate eggs felt very heavy.
"Ah. Those contain toffee inside," his dad explained. "It's very tasty."
"What's toffee?" Harry asked, holding a smaller one in his hand.
"I'd forgotten you'd likely never had it..." Severus frowned, slightly. "I suppose-it's rather like caramel. Go ahead, try it," he urged.
Harry stared. "Before breakfast?"
His dad chuckled as he tousled his hair. "Good point. After breakfast, then."
Severus prompted Harry to select a few treats to enjoy that day, then floated the basket to on top of one of the cupboards. "We'll need to protect the basket from Calla's claws and her teeth," he explained. He placed a charm to keep Calla-and only Calla-away from it.
They ate pancakes doused in strawberry jam for breakfast. Harry thought he liked that even more than syrup. It felt more like a dessert than a proper meal!
"Why don't you try one of your toffee eggs, owlet?" Severus suggested.
"Will you have one as well?" Harry replied, a bit shyly.
"Well...all right, then," Severus agreed, and selected one of the eggs.
It was quite tasty! Harry liked the texture as much as the flavor, and instead of chewing it, let it stay on his tongue until it was all gone.
"That was delicious," Harry's dad said, his face taking on a soft look. "Thank you for sharing, Harry."
Harry grinned, hugging his guardian. "There's plenty for both of us! And they will still last for ages!"
He chuckled. "I should have known that selecting the 'large' basket would be enough to keep us in treats for quite some time. Not that I will choose differently in the future," he added, tousling Harry's hair. "Now, how would you like to spend the morning?"
Harry glanced at his new books. "I would like to read a bit, I think."
"Fancy some company? And a fire?" Severus suggested.
At Harry's enthusiastic nod, he grinned, then got them settled on the couch. Wrapped up in both of his favorite blankets, nestled against his dad, and feeling the quiet warmth of the fire-not to mention Calla, who had ceased playing with her bow toy to curl up against his side, Harry set to the lovely task of beginning a new story. Hours passed in this manner, and Harry thought it had been a nearly perfect morning.
They didn't go to the lake that afternoon-Severus thought they both needed a rest from swim practice. Harry did feel rather restless after lunch, try as he might to hide it, but his dad's eyes missed nothing.
"Would you like to fly outside, Harry?" he asked, amused. "Or use your playground?"
"Could I do both?" Harry cast a hopeful look at his dad. "Please?"
"Certainly," Severus said, chuckling. "Come, let's put on our cloaks."
It was chilly outside, but that accounted for only part of the reason for its deserted air. Harry could spot a few students in the distance, but even they were too far away to make out more than their basic outlines. More students stayed at school for the Easter holidays than the Christmas ones, according to his dad, but the number was still small compared to the entire population.
Sometimes, Harry looked forward to the time he'd be a real student, learning magic and casting spells. Making friends with kids his own age. Dora was great, but she was seven years older than him, and would no longer be a student when he entered his first year. Other times, like today, Harry was happy to be free from end of term tests, of mountains of homework, and (even if he tried not to think about it) living away from his guardian.
Thoughts of Dudley entered his head again. His cousin would be at a new school, away from Piers, but likely the head of another group of bullies. In a couple of years, perhaps, he would likely go to Smeltings, just like his father. It wouldn't matter that Dudley had horrible marks. The fact that his father had gone, and probably that his parents were now dead, would make them have to let him in.
Harry used to feel very jealous of his cousin. He had two bedrooms and the love of his parents. If the school complained that he caused trouble, his parents would defend him until their voices were hoarse. And this was no small feat for Uncle Vernon! Dudley could do whatever he liked. Harry, on the other hand, knew that everyone he lived with hated him. School was even worse, because of Dudley's gang.
But the sound of his dad's voice interrupted his reflections.
"Would you prefer to fly, first, or use your playground?"
Harry grinned. "The playground!"
He'd been able to use it before then, but usually, there were other students there, too. Even the first years were far larger than Harry, and despite it was because of him the playground existed, he felt uncomfortable going on any of the equipment with them nearby.
"Very well," Severus replied, smiling fondly at Harry, then wrapping a hand around his shoulders. "Are you warm enough? Would you like me to apply a Heating Charm to your cloak?"
"I'm fine, thanks!" Harry nestled into his dad's side, more to feel close to him than to feel the extra warmth.
Although, that was nice, too.
The playground was deserted, so Harry could use the swings without any issue. He separated himself from his guardian, then selected his favorite in the middle. When his dad took the swing next to him, Harry felt even warmer inside.
Harry's legs must have become stronger from the swimming lessons, because he got himself high in the air faster than usual. His dad quickly caught up to him, and they established a peaceful rhythm where they passed each other every few seconds. Harry's dad didn't look quite as odd on the swings as the headmaster had. It had been strange for a very old man to want to play on them. But Severus was far younger, and besides, Harry remembered seeing fathers on the swings with their kids at the park. (That was when it was the safest to be at the playground. Few kids would bully Harry when their dad was with them.)
The wind felt nice, too, against Harry's face. The day might be rather chilly, but he was quite warm in his cloak, and the breeze was welcome. Not that Harry felt too warm, but it was nice to feel a bit of a chill.
When Harry had first begun to play on the swings, it had felt rather like flying. Sure, he couldn't move around freely in the air, but he was above the ground, and moving back and forth in a gentle manner. Even though he could fly now-well, on a broomstick, not on his own-he didn't find the swings to be a letdown. They were both fun, after all, in their own way.
"Can witches and wizards fly on their own?" he blurted out, suddenly. "Without using a broomstick, I mean."
His dad's expression changed, just a bit, as they next crossed paths. "Y-yes," he managed, actually stammering a bit. "It's very rare, but there are those who can use their own magic to fly."
"Cool!" Harry returned, grinning. After a few moments, he spoke again. "Could you fly with me? On one of the school broomsticks?"
Severus made a face. "I'm afraid I suffer somewhat from airsickness, owlet. You would not wish me to undertake that endeavor, I assure you."
"Oh." Harry turned his face. "I'm sorry."
"You needn't apologize for asking, owlet," he answered, immediately.
"N-no, I mean, that you get airsick. That you can't enjoy flying," Harry explained, quickly.
"Ah." His dad opened his mouth as though to say more, then seemed to change his mind. After a moment, he spoke again. "I'm very glad it's not the same for you, Harry. I know how much you love to fly."
Harry grinned again. "I do love to fly, Dad!"
They stayed outside for some time, until it began to grow dark, and Harry's stomach began to growl. At that point, they returned to the castle, and had dinner. Afterwards, Harry was allowed a few more of his Easter treats, as well as a generous helping of ice cream.
A/N: I decided to make the next chapter the last one of Harry's first year at Hogwarts as an unofficial student. After the year ends, he and Severus will go on their beach holiday, and enjoy the two months before they have to return.
Severus will tell Harry he can fly on his own, but not yet.
Up next: The final Quidditch game of the year, and Harry has to pass his examinations in all of the lessons he's been studying.
