Harry Potter's Real Dad

Severus whispered something to Addie so softly that Harry could not hear it despite having his head on Severus's shoulder. Addie agreed to whatever he said and led Iris to the kitchen to be her little helper. Severus carried Harry up the stairs and to the bathroom, where he set Harry down on the toilet seat. A bath was quickly drawn, and Severus helped Harry soak and scrub since the poor child was falling asleep against the rim.

Once Harry was clean again, Severus helped the child into pajamas and then carried Harry to his bedroom, forcing the child to sit up and lean against him.

"I'm really tired," Harry said.

"As running away will do to young children," Severus said, summoning a vial and Harry's inhaler. "I would appreciate it if you refrained from doing so in the future. It's a lot of hills and empty roads out here, you could get lost very easily. Then how would I ever find you?"

"I just want Aunt Petunia."

"How about this? We can arrange some visits with Aunt Petunia and then you won't have to run away. Can we agree on that?"

"Really?" Harry's eyes widened.

"Against my better judgement," Severus said, "yes, really."

"Okay." Harry rested his head against Severus once more. "I would like that."

"And no more chimney sweeping," Severus said. "It's not good for you, especially with your asthma. I do not want to worry about you getting trapped in there either."

"I wouldn't. I'm very good at it."

"Harry." Severus gently held Harry's chin and tilted the boy's head up until their eyes locked. "I am very serious about that. Do not climb up my chimney again."

"Okay," Harry said. "I promise."

"Thank you." Severus held out the vial to Harry. "This is your nutrition potion that you will need to start taking at every meal until we get you back on track. Don't worry, it tastes just like strawberries. You like strawberries, right?"

Harry nodded and accepted the potion and taking a tiny sip to make sure Severus was telling the truth. It did taste like strawberries and he finished the small vial. He handed it back to Severus, who then took the inhaler and helped Harry hold it correctly as the doctor had shown them. Harry sucked in a puff, coughing and pulling his head away.

Severus helped Harry under the covers and kissed Harry's temple before killing the lights and shutting the door. Harry was asleep before he even got out of the room. Severus sighed and leaned against the door briefly. It was going to be a long, few weeks trying to get Harry to adjust. And now he had to throw in visits. He had spoken to his lawyer about the problems Harry was struggling with and the lawyer had managed to grant Harry permission to visit Petunia with the hope that Petunia might unleash her true inner feelings and Harry would get a harsh reality check.

Severus opposed of the idea, but after this bout of escapade, he wondered if it might be worth trying. He didn't want Harry to send the jurors the wrong message by going on the stand and speaking highly of Petunia and avoiding questions. He still had yet to even explain to Harry what was going to happen. But the child did not make anything easy.

Rubbing a hand down his face, he made his way back downstairs and found Iris and Addie working together to make the fish and chips. Addie spotted him.

"I thought something easy tonight would do everyone good," she said.

"Harry's asleep," Severus said. "I doubt he'll wake up until morning."

"The poor dear," Addie said. "I charmed the fireplace for you. I can't put a barricade on it as it might interfere with smoke ad carbon monoxide release, but there's a spell that will alert you should he ever enter the fireplace again. For now, I would just try to keep him away from it."

"I'll do my best," Severus said. He leaned against the counter and shook his head. "I should have kept an eye on him. I should have known he would try that."

"Don't beat yourself up over it."

Addie gave Iris dishes to set the table.

"Why did he run away?" Iris asked.

"He wants to see his relatives," Severus answered, sitting at the head of the table.

"Why?" Iris asked, climbing on her dad's lap. "They weren't nice to him."

"They pretended to be," Severus said, wrapping his arms around her.

"That's mean." Iris crossed her arms and glared at the food set on the table.

"Thank you for coming over on such short notice," Severus said to Addie.

"Of course, Severus." Addie waved him off. "I'll always be there if you need me. Now that you are all set, I'll head back home. I'll see you on Monday, missy."

"Bye, Addie Bell!" Iris smiled, waving to her.

"Bye, Iris Snape," Addie smirked at her teasingly. "Goodnight."

"Daddy," Iris asked when Addie floo'd away. "Is Harry going to be happy here?"

"I hope so," Severus said. "But it might take some time. He's had a pretty rough life so far. He doesn't know what a real family should be like."

"We have to show him."

"Exactly. Now, go eat your dinner. I think an early night will do us all some good."

Iris slid over to her own chair and began eating her dinner, Severus doing the same. He spotted the picture of James and Lily he had given Harry earlier, and his thoughts strayed. He wondered if Harry would ever be able to see through Petunia's lies. Sometimes, he wanted Harry to see the truth, but for the most part, he didn't want to see Harry break from such an emotional trauma. He couldn't have it both ways, and if he was to convince Harry that he was going to stay, something had to be done about Petunia.

Fate really was against him lately.