Harry Potter's Real Dad

With a little magic and imagination, Severus managed to transfigure a green blanket into a dragon costume for Harry. And like that, Iris and Harry were chasing each other around the house, Iris screaming playfully as she tried to escape the evil dragon. Severus returned to his desk to finish his grading, casting a muffling charm around his study to help him focus on his work. He managed to finish a few more essays before Iris and Harry ran into his study, laughing, roaring, and running around his desk as Iris tried to avoid Harry.

"Hey, not the place, you two," Severus scolded after canceling the muffling charm.

The owl hooted in alarm, ruffling his feathers as he stepped out of his cage and on to the bird stand, hopping along it toward Severus.

Harry stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of the large bird, the hood of his dragon costume falling off. Iris paused on the other side of Severus's desk, smiling and waiting. Severus noticed Harry's wide eyes and held his arm out to the owl, who jumped from the perch to Severus's arm. Harry backed up several steps away from the sharp beak and talons.

"I've told you before." Severus stroked the bird gently. "He won't hurt you."

"Mr. Cuddlywuddlytums?" Iris asked. She ran around the desk and wrapped her arms around the large bird. She pulled him off her father's arm and squeezed lovingly, earning several cries of protest. "He wouldn't hurt a fly. He's the cutest, cuddliest bird ever!"

Severus sighed and shook his head as Iris tortured the familiar, who begrudgingly accepted his fate.

"Unfortunately," Severus began, turning his attention back to Harry, "this is what happens when you let the kid name the pet."

"You said it was a good name," Iris said, glaring at her father, still clinging to the bird.

"You were three," Severus defended himself. "He was as big as you were, and you still strangled him."

"I don't," Iris said, finally letting the bird go. He flapped up to his perch and shook himself out indignantly. "He loves me."

"Mmhmm," Severus agreed. "I should have brought home a kitten." Severus held his hand out to Harry. "I call him Tum. You're more than welcome to do the same."

Harry was shocked that Iris had grabbed and hugged the bird as if it were one of her stuffed animals. The noises it made were intimidating but now it was grooming itself on the stand. Harry put his dragon hood back up and accepted Severus's hand, allowing himself to be pulled closer. With Iris at one side and Severus at his other, Harry reached a hand out to the owl and waited.

Tum tilted his head at Harry and narrowed his eyes at the boy's hand. With a huff, Tum lowered his head and pushed his beak into Harry's hand. Harry's face lit up as he smiled big and gently stroked the beak. Severus pulled Harry's hood down and ruffled his hair.

"See?" Severus smiled. "He won't hurt you. Now, let's get you two settled into a quieter game. I still need to finish these essays, you know."

"Finish them, tomorrow," Iris said. She grabbed her father's arm and jumped up and down. "Come play with us. You can rescue me from the dragon."

"Like you need rescuing," Severus said. "I think we need to have lunch and then some quiet time."

Severus brought the kids to the kitchen. They resumed their game—Harry chasing Iris—while Severus pulled out the left-over fish and chips from last evening. He warmed the food up for Harry, and when iris showed interest in eating leftovers, he warmed up more for her. Although Harry only nibbled at the food, Severus wasn't too concerned since Harry was drinking the nutrition potion with little argument. At least he drank all the orange juice.

The warm meal made two kids very sleepy, and Severus took advantage of the moment to read them a story. He set up on the couch with Harry and Iris either side of him and he read the tale of Babbitty Rabbitty from The Tales of Beedle the Bard. It did not take long until both kids were asleep at his side. With practiced ease, Severus slithered his way out from between them and carefully lowered their heads down on pillows he summoned from their bedrooms. He draped small blankets over each kid then stepped back to smile at them.

A huge wave of guilt drowned him as he watched Harry's chest rise and fall. Seeing his kids together playing and laughing made him think of what could have been if he had simply taken Harry in as his son all those years ago.

He was figuring out how to manage with two kids, he could have done the same when they were toddlers. Yes, Iris had had her moments in her terrible twos and terrorizing threes, but there were more great and wonderful days with her than bad. He could have added Harry into the mix of it all. Maybe it would have helped his grief over Lily's loss that much sooner.

Instead, he had been so afraid of losing both kids he willingly gave one up at Albus's advice. And here he was now. He had allowed his child to enter an abusive home, and not once did he think to check up on him or start the visits up again. He had been so sure it would have been easier if Harry never knew of their relationship.

And Albus had been so reassuring every time he dropped off a new picture of Harry that Petunia would collect for Albus, as per their deal. He should have done more. He should have done so much more for his son. At the very least, he should have been there.

There was no changing the past. All he could do now was give Harry the best future he could. Severus turned away from the couch and headed back to his study to finish as much grading as he could before they woke up. He had never seen Iris so happy to have a playmate. Harry was so relaxed around Iris, and she helped him open up more. With time, he was sure Harry would find his spirit again and feel more comfortable to take control of the world around him like Princess Iris did. He smiled softly at the thought.

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