Harry breathed deeply, taking in the familiar back yard. The playground stood in full view, no worse for wear having not been used since late August. The swings seemed to smile at him, the monkey bars wink as the sunlight bounced off of them, and the slide looked especially bright and shiny. Harry watched them for a few moments, then cast his gaze towards their home. The house sat not far off from the yard, and Harry noted that while it was-perhaps-a bit smaller in appearance than the Dursleys' on Privet Drive, and tiny by contrast to the Hogwarts castle, it was even more welcome than his playground.

They were home.

Yes, he'd loved the castle, especially the thrill of exploring its many rooms and corridors. For all their hours together, Harry reckoned he and Dora hadn't covered a third of it, judging by the way she spoke of wings and corridors they'd yet to traverse. Not to mention, the house towers remained utter mysteries to him, but Dora had promised to show Harry the Hufflepuff one, and her own dormitory, once she'd settled in the following year. Instead of feeling dread at leaving his home with Severus, Harry knew he would be happy to return to Hogwarts next year, and every year that followed.

Still. Spinner's End had been where Severus had become his guardian. Severus was still his dad at Hogwarts, but this house had been where it had started.

Besides, he mused, you couldn't really see a school as your home. You didn't stay there past being a student, unless you became a teacher, and no student could spend their summer holidays there.

Severus let go of Harry's hand, then wrapped an arm his back, pulling him close. "Happy, owlet?" he asked, softly.

Harry nodded. "I'm glad to be back home."

His dad turned so Harry could see his face, and he was smiling. "Home," he repeated. "Yes."

Severus had showed him a calendar last night of the next couple of months. They had exactly eight weeks before they had to return to school. For the first week, they would remain at Spinner's End. Severus thought it best to have a week there, to acclimate and prepare for their first holiday together. He'd already mailed in the paperwork for their rental house at the beach, but the Portkey, as he'd called it, might not arrive until a day or so before their stay began. In the meantime, there was plenty to do at home.

After two weeks at the beach, they would return home. In a bit over a week from then, Harry would turn nine. Severus had suggested delaying the holiday so that they could spend part of it on his birthday, but had cautioned against it.

"You'll likely want to have friends over, and we can't do that at the cottage," he'd explained.

They went inside shortly afterwards. They spent the morning unpacking. Harry realized this would take some time, as his trunk now contained far more than he'd brought with him, thanks to his dad's Christmas and Easter presents, and his new robes. Why, it was far more than he'd ever owned at the Dursleys, and everything that had belonged to Harry had been Dudley's cast-offs. It was all the more reason to take good care of everything. While Calla napped on his bed, Harry hung up his clothes, and arranged his toys and books and stuffed animals around his room. It might be a bit smaller than his one at Hogwarts, and without a fireplace, but he didn't mind in the least. Harry moved his stuffed animals around his bed several times before deciding on the best arrangement. Calla opened her eyes from time to time, generally staying in one place. Once Harry was finished, she yawned, then rolled over on her stomach and meowed.

Harry grinned. Cats did not generally like having their stomachs touched, but Calla loved it. He carefully rubbed her belly, and she began to purr loudly. Harry navigated himself so that he was sitting beside her on the bed, glad that he'd already removed his shoes. When she grew tired of belly rubs, she rolled back over, and Harry pet her from her head to just above her tail. Calla had just fallen asleep when Harry heard a light chuckle.

Severus had been unpacking his clothes and potions ingredients that morning, and now, he stood at Harry's bedroom entrance.

"Someone's enjoying herself," he murmured, stepping inside. Then, he smiled at Harry. "Perhaps, two someone's."

Harry smiled. "She liked to watch me unpack, I reckon."

"Supervising her human, I expect," Severus laughed. When Harry giggled, he added, "Interactive stuffed animals are no replacement for the real thing."

"I love them both," Harry said, sitting up and giving his dad a hug.

Severus returned the hug, long enough for Harry to burrow himself into his dad, and thoroughly enjoy his warmth, the feel of his arms around him, and his scent. Harry only let go when his stomach growled.

"Ah. It's past time for lunch," his dad noted, putting an arm around Harry's shoulders. "Do you have any preferences?"

Afterwards, Severus planned to brew in his lab, and Harry asked-and was granted permission-to join him. He remained there for a couple of hours, finding comfort in its familiarity. It was much like the one at school, but larger, with far more shelves and cupboards. There were also things in glass jars, mostly insects, that would have looked downright terrifying to someone who had come across the room without knowing any better. Harry smiled to himself. He'd never been to a haunted house, but Dudley had gone once, with Piers, and he'd talked for ages afterwards about the terrors there. He'd probably wet himself if he came across Severus's lab-or Severus, himself.

But Harry wasn't scared. Especially since he could help his dad, like he was doing now, cutting up various ingredients, and watching as they transformed in the cauldron. It was fascinating, really. Harry was happy to stay there until it was time for dinner, listening to his guardian explain how everything worked together in that soft, gentle way of his. Perhaps, some kids would find it too much like school, but Harry savored this time with his dad.

After dinner, and biscuits for dessert, he flew on his old broomstick, which felt too slow compared to a school broom, but was far better than not flying at all. Then, he had a bath and brushed his teeth before his dad read to him, curled up together, and they cuddled a bit more before Harry drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, shortly after they began to eat their breakfast, a flurry of owls arrived. Severus took one look at the envelopes, which included several red ones, and inhaled sharply.

"Harry, go outside. Immediately." He took another breath. "I'll come get you shortly, and explain then."

"O-okay, Dad," Harry stammered, immediately rising from his chair.

He was pretty sure he wasn't in trouble, that it wasn't anything he had done...whatever made his dad send him from the house, it was because of the owl post. But why? They'd received letters before. Not any red ones, though. Perhaps, there was something about the red ones?

Harry headed to the swing set, grateful that Professor McGonagall had set it up for him. Once in the air, he still felt confused, but a little better. If there had been any real danger, Severus would have gone with him. But why not just burn the letters? Well, he would ask his dad. Unlike the Dursleys, his dad never minded Harry's questions...

It didn't feel like a long wait. Harry could see his dad leave the house, then walk towards him. Harry slowed the swings before jumping down. Severus was smiling when he came to his side.

Impulsively, Harry hugged Severus, who chuckled and then squeezed him back. As always, Harry let go first, but not before nestling into his dad's warmth.

"Is it safe to return inside?" Harry asked.

Severus chuckled again. "It is, now. Come, I'll explain."

As it turned out, many teachers received rude letters from parents after the end of term exam results came out. Those were safe enough, as their letters were just rude. But there were, sometimes, parents or guardians who were so angry that they sent Howlers.

That's what the red envelopes had been.

"I couldn't subject your ears to them," Severus explained, running a hand through Harry's hair. "Ordinary yelling is bad enough, but Howlers are magnified so that your ears feel like they're about to fall off. Particularly when you have to listen to four in one morning."

"But, Dad, what about your ears?" Harry protested.

Severus tousled Harry's hair before returning to carding it. "In the event that they expected a response, I had to listen. A job hazard, unfortunately."

Well, that explained everything. It seemed mean, though, to go beyond simply sending a rude letter to a teacher. An idea came to Harry.

"Can you send Howlers back?" Harry asked, with a grin.

"Unfortunately, no. Not because the headmaster forbids it, but due to a Ministry regulation. Mind you, most people burn them or leave the room as soon as they open the envelope," Severus mused. "It's only children and teachers who are rather required to stay put and listen."

Harry had heard of Howlers before, but never seen one. As though his dad had read his mind, he pointed to the pile of ashes on the table.

"That's what happens to the letter afterwards." Severus swished his wand at the ashes, and they disappeared.

"How are your ears?"

"They'll recover in a few hours." He pressed a kiss into Harry's hair. "Shall we finish breakfast? After I reheat it, that is."

"Okay." Harry chanced another question. "Do you expect there will be more of them?"

His dad sighed. "I expect by the week's end, this round will be complete."

"This round?" Harry echoed.

"These parents received the results for the end of term exams. The OWL and NEWT results are sent out in mid-July," Severus explained, softly, "and while I have nothing to do with their marking, many parents believe if their son or daughter did not perform well enough, I am partially to blame."

"But-we'll be away in the middle of the month," Harry reminded him.

"The post will hold until we return, owlet," his dad answered.

Harry thought that would be a dreadful way to end a holiday, but didn't think he ought to say so. Even if his dad might be thinking the same thing.

The next few days were fun ones, if rather busy. They packed their clothes for the beach holiday-Harry had grown an inch or so since the Easter holidays, but not enough for his swim robes to feel too short or too tight-and shopped for supplies. Harry's dad wasn't certain if there would be any food at the cottage, and he didn't want to go shopping immediately, so they would come with plenty of dry and canned food. Fruits and vegetables, too, although they wouldn't last very long, even with magic. Severus also made sure to purchase snacks and sweets for them to enjoy.

Severus also made plans for Harry to meet more of his future classmates. After all, as he pointed out, Harry would be spending seven years with these kids, and he ought to get to know as many of them as possible beforehand. So, they visited two boys whose families Severus knew from his time at school. Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott seemed very nice, certainly more down to Earth than Draco Malfoy had been. Of the two, Blaise was the quieter, preferring Wizard's Chess (which he was very good at) to Exploding Snap. But he also liked to fly, and Severus allowed Harry to borrow one of the family's old broomsticks for a short time.

He always remained close by. Harry realized, by the time they had visited Theodore, that the visits took on a familiar pattern. At first, they would meet the child and the parents, or guardians. Usually, there would be a form of tea. Harry would sit next to his dad, almost close enough to be touching, and certainly near enough that Severus could put an arm around hus shoulders. (Somehow, the man always seemed to know when Harry wanted this, in these settings.) The adults would engage in talk, sometimes about their families or their careers, and always bringing the topic around to the child Harry would be meeting that day. Harry and the child would sit across from each other, watching the other, until the adults came to some sort of agreement that it was time for them to play separately.

But Harry's dad remained in the sitting room throughout, ready in case, as he said, "If you should have need of me." Harry expected the adult conversation continued while he played with his eventual classmate, and after some time, they would leave. Harry generally had a good time, but he already knew he liked some kids more than others.

The portkey arrived the day before they would leave, in a parcel with an accompanying piece of parchment. Harry peered at the object, which looked like a large seashell, except it was painted blue, with sparkles along the front.

His dad began to read over the parchment, and even though Harry wanted to study the Portkey, he reckoned it was better not to pick up magical objects without permission. So, he continued eating his porridge, which was particularly tasty that morning, and waited for his dad to look up from his reading.

"The Portkey activates this evening, but we won't use it until tomorrow morning. You may touch it now without being transported to the cottage, but you mustn't after tonight without my express permission," Severus began. At Harry's nod, he went on. "Portkeys are objects enchanted to take the user, or users, to a specific location. They can be enchanted to work at certain times, or any time someone puts a hand on it. While I generally prefer Apparation, that's not possible in this case."

Harry frowned. "Why's that?"

"Because the Huntzberger family owns the property, even though they are renting it to us-and others, I would expect. It's considered extremely rude to Apparate directly into another person's house, and besides, they likely have anti-Apparition wards. Were they residing at the house, we could, presumably, Apparate outside and be allowed in. However, they likely don't wish to have the hassle, which is why they have sent us this Portkey," Harry's dad explained. "Once we use it, though, the residence will recognize us as temporary owners for the duration-I can freely Apparate, and you with me, should the need arise. After we return home, I shall send the Portkey back to the Huntzbergers, and they will likely provide the necessary charms for the next renter," he went on, then placed a hand on Harry's. "Do you have any questions, Harry?"

"What does this-feel like? Traveling this way?" Harry asked, softly.

Severus sighed. "It's as unpleasant as Apparation was, at first. I believe your body will adjust, over time, so it might not seem as unpleasant if we return next year...but I won't lie, owlet. It's best to skip breakfast before we go."

"Oh."

Harry remembered how he'd burst into tears the first time he'd experienced Apparation. Of course, his dad and the headmaster had been strangers, then, and all magic equally so. Now, he hardly thought about it. The idea of having to go through THAT again was enough to make Harry shudder...but there was no other way. He'd just have to endure it, and if it was anything like Apparation, it would be over in seconds.

"Does-does it take very long?"

Severus squeezed his hand. "About the same amount of time as it would to Apparate. And it's only once-we won't return by Portkey, child."

Harry nodded. "Okay, Dad. I guess I can be brave."

"Thank you," Severus answered, beaming.

They spent the last day packing and going over the house, nearly from top to bottom. While they could return for something, neither wanted to. It would be their first beach holiday in a very long time (for Severus) and at all (for Harry). Two weeks felt like a very long time, but so had ten months of school, and that had gone by in a flash. In fact, so had the year since Harry had begun to live with his dad, even though it wasn't quite that long since Severus had become his guardian.

Finally, it was time for bed. Harry expected he'd be too excited to sleep, but the activity of the day caught up with him. His dad had hardly closed the book before he felt his eyes close.

When he opened them next, it was morning.

Author's note:

I went longer than I meant to without updating. I experienced some writer's block, as well as my muse pushing me to work on other fics. (For those who follow "The Unlikely Gryffindor," there's a new chapter added.)

If you read the last chapter before I changed the note, you were probably expecting the beach holiday to take place during this chapter. While that was my initial plan, I ended up having to much to write about the time beforehand. So, the beach holiday will take place in the next chapter.

Even though this is the late 1980's and in Europe, I do believe that there would be a handful of parents who would take an interest in their children's marks to the extent of communicating their displeasure to the teacher if their child failed to perform well enough. Let's not forget that Snape is the most unpopular teacher at the school, and known for favoring Slytherin. While none of the parents would have encountered him as a teacher, those with multiple children would hear the same stories enough to believe that he is a horrible teacher. After seven years of teaching, Snape would have quite a reputation, and the Howlers to prove it. That's my take, anyway.

For those who are curious, I see Harry receiving excellent marks in Potions when he's a student, thanks in part to Severus's good teaching ability. I believe he has the capacity to teach well, especially when working with students he doesn't dislike one on one. The fact that just his notes made Harry a top student demonstrate this. However, that's not to say Harry will become a male version of Hermione in all of his lessons. Without giving too much away, he will know where he should focus his efforts with respect to the lessons that matter long-term. He will also nurture (and be nurtured) his personal academic interests.

I'm still having some trouble with the next chapter, so please bear with me-and provide constructive feedback on this chapter. :)