Harry Potter's Real Dad

He led Harry back to the living room. He gently woke Iris and took both kids upstairs to the small library and playroom between Harry's and Iris's rooms. Iris jumped in the large armchair and waited patiently while Severus scanned the bookshelf. He grabbed a Dr. Suess book, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, and walked over to the armchair. He lifted Iris and set her on his lap when he sat down in the armchair. Harry lingered at the side, watching his fingers as he intertwined them together.

"Come on, Harry," Severus encouraged, waving to Harry to come closer. When Harry did so, Severus pulled him on his other lap. "On the weekends, Iris and I try to read together to practice her words. You're welcome to join in if you recognize any of the words."

Harry shrugged as he looked down at the book.

"Iris, would you like to start?"

Iris pulled the book closer to her side of the chair and read the first couple pages proudly.

"One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish . . ." she began.

Severus watched closely, but this was one of the easier books he knew Iris could read most of the book with few stumbles. He glanced at Harry, who seemed interested in the pictures, but he stayed quiet while Iris continued flipping the pages.

"Harry," Severus interrupted. "Do you want to read any pages?"

Harry shrugged.

"Do you want to try a page or so?" Severus said, adjusting the book so Harry could see both pages clearly. When all Harry did was stare at the page for a minute, Severus tried to engage with him a bit more. He pointed at the sentence that read, "Some are fast. Some are slow."

"Let start here," Severus said. "Do you know what this says?"

Harry stretched his arms up then shook his head.

"No? Can you sound it out? What letter is this?"

Harry shrugged, turning his head away from the pages and looking around the room instead.

"Harry, you have to look at the words. Can you at least try? Can you tell me what letters these are?"

"No." Harry finally said.

"No, you don't want to try? Or no, you don't know?"

"No." Harry repeated.

Severus tried not to grow frustrated. While he raised Iris with a love of reading, he knew not all children cared to read, or read at the same level as the next child. But Harry's lack of attempt, especially for someone who was so eager to please and obey, was concerning for Severus. Harry had seemed interested in the book before he pushed him to try to read it. A thought struck him: did Harry even know how to read?

"Some are fast," Iris read, breaking the silence. "Some are slow."

"Iris," Severus scolded lightly.

"What?" she asked. "He wasn't reading it."

Harry said nothing, only stared at the pages once more.

"Okay," Severus said, patting Harry's back reassuringly. "Go on, Iris."

Iris kept reading the rest of the book without interruption, only stumbling, and needing help twice. Harry remained quiet, though he watched the pages turn and smiled at the silly pictures. Iris finished the book, then smiled up at her father as she closed the book.

"Very good, Iris," he praised, running a hand through her hair. "Would you like to read another one?"

"No. Can we go to the park?" Iris asked.

"That sounds like a nice idea. Go get your shoes on and wait for me downstairs."

Iris slid off her father's lap and ran for her room. Harry copied her, but before he could run off as well, Severus gently grabbed his upper arm.

"Hold up, son," Severus said. He pulled Harry back to him, standing him in between his knees. "I think you and I are overdue for a talk."

"About what?" Harry asked.

"A couple things," Severus said. "First, I'd like you to be honest with me. Do you know your alphabet?"

"Abcdefg," Harry started.

"Good, good," Severus said. He summoned a pack of old cards he had used with Iris when she was a toddler. He held up a card that had a large letter R on it. "Do you know what letter this is?"

"R?" Harry asked.

"Yes, good." Severus flipped through the cards. He held up a J. "How about this one?"

Harry shrugged. Severus shuffled through them again until he landed on S. Harry shrugged again. Severus set the cards aside and summoned a quill and parchment. He scribbled something down before showing Harry.

"Do you know what this says?"

"That's my name!" Harry said. "Harry."

....

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