Wow! Just... wow. Thanks for that review.  It really was one of the best and kindest I've ever had.  No, I haven't written my own fiction yet.  I'm working on it, but nothing so far. 

You're right, Albus always struck me as very Slytherin.  He had to be.  Snape also struck me as very Gryffindor in many of the things he did, but I also feel that the sorting thing is over-rated for the most part anyway.  What eleven year old can tell what they are?  None.  They are too silly and childish to determine what they want to be, aside from the few of us who decided we wanted to join the circus or get in Starfleet Academy, or go to Hogwarts.   

Severus is trying to convince himself that he's unworthy of caring for Harry, but apparently he's not a great debater.  He keeps losing.

Again, thanks for the wonderful review.  I'm going to email it to my mom. She's gets all proud and silly on me when I do.

T

Yes!  I always thought Severus Snape as a dad would be such a push over.  Oh, there would be grumbling and grousing, but he would be so squishy on the inside.  I always see him as a man who has had little love in his life. Even though Eileen loves him, her way of showing it is his way also, with harsh words that mask tender feelings.  A young Harry, with his great capacity to love and his real need to give an receive it would be the best thing for such a man. 

As for the dragon plushie, I decided that with all that happened to him that day, he really needed something to confide to and to hug.  That's why police officers (at least in this state) carry stuffed animals in the trunks of their cars. They hand them out in emergency situations to children who need it.  The toys do seem to calm them down, and give them something to hug when they are frightened.

Petunia.  Don't get me started on that woman.  She's as bad as Umbridge and dealt more damage to both Harry and Dudley than Umbridge ever could.  

Thanks for the thoughtful and kind review.  I really appreciate it.

Well, of course Snape would grouse and moan about buying Harry toys, and of course he would be a complete jerk about it, but he is a softy. 

I'm purposely writing a younger Severus for the reason that he hasn't built the entire scenario about Harry being James. He's not quite as bitter becaue life, while it hasn't often been fair to him, hasn't completely beaten him down.  He still has hope for his future.

Thanks for the kind words.  I'm already working on chapter 4, not too far into it, but I do have some words down.  Oh, and next week?  I have the whole week off.  Woot!  More time for story!