The feeling of excitement for the Christmas holidays to commence on Thursday throughout the castle was so tangible, that Harry could almost reach out and touch it; the air simply sizzled with it. And it was not just the student population either, that were bewitched with the Christmas spirit. The entire staff was brimming with excitement and anticipation. It was as if the past year of triumph, pain and loss, had culminated in this one moment of finally being able to exult in the pleasure of living without the threat of retaliation from Voldemort's wrath.

Severus was quite shocked with his own new attitude towards the holiday. In the past, he'd always been the only staff member to hibernate in his quarters at the mere mention of the holiday. Of course, the Headmaster always insisted that the full staff be present to celebrate Christmas dinner, as there was always a straggle of students who remained behind for whatever reasons their families could not have them home for the holidays.

Severus was always the ultimate Ebenezer Scrooge, and held firm to the man's credo of Bah Humbug, as his personal motto. But now, Severus found that he was actually looking forward to the holiday, and it was all because of Harry; all because of his new-found son.

-------------

"So am I officially released from my sentence?" Harry asked with a cheeky grin.

Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes, you are a free man," he said dryly.

"Great!" Harry said, flinging his book bag onto the couch. "I'm going to the Tower."

"Are you sleeping in the Tower this evening?"

Harry hesitated with his hand on the door handle. He'd enjoyed spending time with Severus these past couple of weeks; both at Spinner's End, and strangely enough in Severus' quarters. He wouldn't admit it to Severus, but it hadn't been the worse punishment that he'd ever received; in fact, there were many moments where he'd forgotten that he was even being punished at all, because he'd enjoyed special moments with his father, getting to know each other, and enjoying the feeling of having a real home, for the first time in his life. But, of course he was going to spend the next couple of weeks in that new home, and getting to know his new father even better, and he wanted one last night with his friends, after not seeing too much of them for the past couple of weeks. And then there was Ginny...

Harry looked up through his long lashes, at his father.

Severus could see the uncertainty in Harry's expression. "Harry, we have two weeks together. Spend the evening with your friends, and your girlfriend."

At Harry's hesitation, Severus pointed his finger at the closed door. "Go," he commanded.

Harry grinned. "Yes sir."

"Just make sure that you're packed and ready to leave, directly after breakfast."

Harry nodded.

"Oh, and Harry-"

Harry whipped his head around, and lifted a questioning eyebrow at his father, in true Snape fashion.

"Yeah?"

Snape smirked. "Behave."

"I'll do my best, oh father dear."

Severus shook his head. He couldn't stop a small smile from touching his thin lips. Father? When the hell had he slipped into the role so easily? It boggled the mind. Severus Snape, Greasy Git of the Dungeons, father to the Boy-Who-Lived! Who would have ever thought? And who would ever have thought that he'd actually feel this fierce, possessive feeling towards the boy that he'd thought he'd hated, barely two months ago. The same boy, that he'd convinced himself was arrogant and spoilt, and though he'd known since Harry's fifth year, that they shared the same blood, Severus hadn't really believed it psychologically. It had been too easy to fool himself into believing that the boy, who was the spitting image of James Potter, was really his enemy's son. How far they'd come in such a short time.

------

"Hey Harry," Ron greeted him with a big smile, when he entered the Gryffindor Common Room.

Harry threw himself down on the couch, and crossed his trainer-clad feet on the coffee table, emulating Ron. "Hi mate."

Harry noticed that the Common Room was uncommonly devoid of students; normally after classes and before dinner, the Common Room was brimming with students, dumping their school supplies, book bags, and exchanging their school uniforms for more comfortable attire.

"Where is everyone?" Harry asked curiously.

Ron shrugged. "Well, I guess since the Hogwarts Express is leaving early tomorrow morning, everyone's saying last minute goodbyes, exchanging gifts and all."

Harry nodded. "So how about you? Are you looking forward to the holidays? Do you think that your mum is still mad at you?"

Ron scowled. "Ugh, don't remind me. I'm hoping that she's had time to cool down a bit."

"Yeah, at least your mum had a chance to cool down before you have to face her wrath. I got the full force of it with Severus."

Ron sighed. "Yeah, I suppose, but it's still hard not knowing what to expect, you know."

"Yeah, that is the hardest part, isn't it?" Harry agreed. "Well, if you're not grounded or anything, Severus said you're welcome to come for a visit during the hols,"

A shadow crossed over Ron's freckled face. "Yeah, well...I don't imagine mum and dad are going to be too much in the Christmas spirit--what with Fred's death and all."

"No, I don't suppose not," Harry said quietly.

As excited as Harry was for the holidays, he knew that for the Weasleys, this was going to be a very painful time of year. Harry knew that Severus had extended an open invitation to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and the rest of the family, to visit over the holidays, but Harry didn't hold out much hope that they would accept the invitation. But as awkward as Ron felt with Severus, Harry knew that if he was allowed to visit, that he and Ginny would jump at the chance. Harry felt his excitement mount again, despite the sad subject matter.

"Hey, you two," Ginny's lilting voice broke through the somber atmosphere.

Harry's heart skipped a beat. He wondered if it would always be this way with Ginny. If he would always feel that thrill of excitement, every time she walked through the door, no matter how long they'd been together.

Harry smiled softly at her. "Hi yourself."

Hermione came in just behind her, and smiled shyly at Ron.

Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione settled on the couch, until Ron's stomach growled, at which time the four headed to the Great Hall for dinner.

--------

Harry's stomach fluttered, when he walked into the Great Hall Friday morning, with his arm draped over Ginny's slender shoulders. Hundreds of flickering candles floated in the air, and large snowflakes fell from the ceiling, dropping on the tip of his nose. There was a Christmas tree at the head of each House table, sparkling in the colour of that particular house. And to the right of the staff table, was a large Christmas tree, decorated in the colours of all the Houses.

Harry was, in a way, sad to leave Hogwarts for Christmas, as it had been his tradition to always spend the holiday at his first home, but since this was the first Christmas that not only would he be able to enjoy the holiday, without worrying about what Voldemort would do next--who he'd target next.

Harry smirked at his father's bored expression, when he stared up at the Head Table. Severus caught Harry's smug grin, and he scowled at his insolent son. Yes...his colleagues were boring him out of his mind, with their mindless chatter about the upcoming holidays, but the boy didn't have to mock his obvious discomfort. Although his interest in the holidays had risen because of Harry, that didn't mean that he wanted to listen to Hagrid, the big lug, blather on about how he loved Christmas, or about how big Grawp was getting and their plans to celebrate the holidays. And of course, he had to put up with Minerva's knowing looks and praising words about how proud she was of him for the way that he had risen to the challenge and was doing a fine job of being a father to Harry.

Severus devoured his breakfast quickly to escape his overly-enthusiastic colleagues, and made his exit with haste. As he swept past the Gryffindor table, his robes flapping in the air behind him, he snapped his fingers at Harry, and barked out a gruff, "Time to leave."

Harry quirked a smile at Ginny, who looked at him curiously.

"Too much Christmas spirit," Harry explained, pulling the surprised girl, up from her seat and into his arms.

After planting a sound kiss firmly on her parted lips, Harry whispered in her ear. "I'll see you in a couple of days?" he asked in a throaty voice.

"Of course," she said breathlessly. "But how are we going to contact each other?"

"Severus said that he hooked up Spinners End to the Floo network, so I'll contact you."

Ginny nodded.

Harry glanced over at Hermione and Ron, who thankfully, were on much better terms these days, and were cuddling up. "You both are coming too, right?" Harry asked hopefully.

Ron's freckled face, lit up in a big grin. "Of course mate. Even if I have to sneak away from my mum to do it."

Harry chuckled.

"You've got your work cut out for you mate."

"Harry," a stern voice beckoned from in back of him, where Severus was standing with his arms folded across his chest, and glaring impatiently at his son. "It's time to leave."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm coming."

"He's just really anxious to get to Spinner's End, so he can decorate the Christmas tree."

"Harry!"

Harry figured that he'd better go put the impatient man out of his misery.

Harry waved, and reluctantly let go of Ginny, with a small, regretful small.

"Bye guys. See you soon."

------

Harry and Severus Apparated to a secluded alleyway in a seedy part of downtown London. It would seem that Severus felt just as uncomfortable as he did, Harry thought, if the speed with which the man was stalking down the streets was any indication. Past the homeless men, who eyed them suspiciously, as they warmed their hands over the rusted rubbish bins; flames licking the garbage and old tires. The smell of unwashed bodies, and alcohol was pungent, and Harry felt a pang of pity. He wanted to throw out a few pounds of his Muggle money, but Severus, correctly interpreted his gesture, and grabbed him firmly by the upper arm, dragging him to a quiet middle-class neighbourhood, lined with neat little houses that looked exactly alike--reminding Harry of Privet Drive.

"Have you no sense of self preservation boy?" Severus snapped.

Harry scowled at his father. "What?"

Severus shook his long lanky hair, and pinched the bridge of his nose. He stared down into his son's youthful green eyes, and thought how, after all that the boy had been through, the boy was still so naive and determined to save the world. What Harry didn't understand, was that sometimes, there were those who either, couldn't be saved, or didn't wish to be. When, along the way, had he become so hard and embittered?

Although Severus was grateful that Harry hadn't become jaded, like he was, he still thought that the boy needed to toughen up, and guard himself against heartache. Harry was the most selfless, thoughtful person, aside from Lily that he'd ever met, and he was loath to change that, but he also wanted to protect his son.

"Harry," Severus said with as much patience as he could drum up. "I know that you feel badly for those men, but some have been on the streets for many years, and many are mentally ill. It would be inadvisable to approach them."

"I know. It's just, as you know Hermione, Ron and I, spent the summer looking for Horcruxes, and," he said, raking his fingers through his hair, "I just know what it's like to be cold, and hungry."

"I understand that Harry. The plight of the homeless is truly tragic, but perhaps there is a safer way that you can help those less fortunate then yourself."

Harry scrunched up his eyebrows. "How?"

Severus couldn't help but think that his son was so very different from himself, and he hoped fervently that his son never lost that hopeful look in his eyes, and thought how very young Harry looked at this moment.

"Perhaps volunteering at a homeless shelter; serving up Christmas dinner, that sort of thing. At least you'd be in a controlled environment, with professionals who could protect you, should any of them become aggressive."

Harry looked sceptical. "You really think that they would have hurt me, if I'd tried to give them money?

Severus narrowed his eyes. "Harry, many homeless people have been living on the streets for years, and out here, it's every man for himself. They have to be like that to survive. Perhaps you could donate money through an organization or homeless shelter, but to approach any of them on the streets...out here--" he motioned in back of him, "would be foolhardy and dangerous, and I want your word, that you'll not do something so reckless."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Fine."

Severus' lips thinned. "Despite everything that you've been through Harry, you still are too trusting, and it's through sheer luck, that you've managed not to get yourself killed."

A brief flash of emotion shone in Severus' eyes, and he spun around quickly, and began walking again briskly, and Harry's shorter legs strode to keep up.

"Severus? Slow down."

Severus continued his hurried walk until they reached downtown London; walking towards the nearest tube, Severus finally stopped, and reached into his trousers' pocket, handing Harry some Muggle change.

Harry studied Severus' pale features; the way his lips thinned, and the lines were drawn taught across his face. But his eyes were clouded with an emotion that Harry couldn't pinpoint.

He wondered if he'd pissed his father off somehow, and a twinge of disappointment twisted at his gut. This Christmas was supposed to be perfect.

"Severus, is something wrong?"

Severus's dark eyes studied Harry intensely for a few moments, and then he placed his long fingers on Harry's slender shoulder, and squeezed it lightly.

"No Harry," he said gruffly. "Nothing at all. I'm just learning that fatherhood is much more complicated then I'd ever fathomed."

Harry looked at his father quizzically. "What do you mean?"

Severus shook his head. "Nothing son. Let's go, shall we?" he said, guiding Harry gently, but firmly forward, towards the stairs that descended underground.

-------------

Harry's stomach swooped as the bottom of the telephone booth dropped and they landed with a thud in the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic Building. Harry looked around; nothing much had changed since he'd last been here. His gut twisted painfully; he'd never be able to step a foot here, without envisioning the last time he'd seen Sirius--the look of disbelief and horror, as he fell through the veil.

"Harry! Severus!"

Harry looked up in surprise to see a familiar face making his over to where he and Severus were standing.

"Hi Mr. Weasley," Harry greeted the older man.

Mr. Weasley's eyes crinkled when he smiled. Harry couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy, as he noticed how the lines around his eyes had deepened, and how the life seemed to have gone out of his pale eyes. Gone was the jovial, easy-going man, who seemed as though he hadn't a care in the world. Mr. Weasley seemed to have aged overnight, and the pain of grief clung to him, like an old blanket.

Severus nodded stiffly. "Good day Arthur."

"You too Severus... Harry."

He furrowed his brow. "What brings you two to the Ministry?"

"I have some business with the Patent Office, and Harry is here for the Auror Training information session."

"Oh yes of course. So you're still planning on becoming an Auror then?"

Harry nodded. "Yes sir."

"I would have thought that you'd had quite enough of Dark Wizard hunting Harry."

Harry shifted uncomfortably.

How could Harry find the words to say to Mr. Weasley that he never wanted to lose anyone else he cared about, ever again, and if he could make a difference, and use the knowledge that he'd gained by fighting Voldemort, to ensure that never again would such a Dark Wizard terrorize innocent people, then Harry would do everything in his power to keep those he loved...those he had left, safe.

"Harry feels that he can put his knowledge and experience to use, to make the world safer," Severus explained, while clenching his fists, till his knuckles were white.

Harry's throat clogged with emotion. "I'm sorry that I couldn't save Fred," Harry whispered.

Mr. Weasley put a hand on Harry's shoulder, and squeezed it lightly.

"Harry, you have nothing to apologise for. You've done more to keep my family safe, than any man twice your age, and-" he said in a strangled voice. "Fred was an adult, who made the choice to fight for what he believed in, as did you and I'm proud of my son." He looked over at Severus, and said quietly," And any father would be proud to have you as their son as well Harry."

"I am," Severus said gruffly.

He was extremely proud of Harry for his bravery, but if truth be told, Severus would have preferred that Harry find a nice, safe career, like what Arthur was doing. Yes...Harry had lots of experience with Muggle Artefacts. Perhaps he could become Arthur's apprentice, and teach him the mysteries of how a toaster works!

Harry blushed.

"Thank you Mr. Weasley."

"Well, we must be going Arthur, but I hope that you will take me up on my invitation to join us for Christmas Dinner."

Arthur sighed.

"I will try to convince Molly, Severus. I think that it would do her good to get out of the house. Unfortunately, she's taking Fred's death particularly hard, and she stubbornly refuses to snap out of it."

He traced his pale lips with his finger. "Perhaps I should force the issue-- if only for the other children's' sake. Fred would not want this-- he would want us to get on with our lives."

Severus simply inclined his head. What did one say to a man who had just lost his son? That strange feeling in his stomach returned, and as he looked down at Harry, he felt a strong desire to beg the boy not to do anything else that would foolishly endanger his life. Hell...he wanted to lock him away in his room, until he gave up this ridiculous notion to become an Auror. What the hell was the boy thinking? How could he do this him? The thought of losing Harry now, was just too painful to bear; not when they'd just found each other.

----------

After Mr. Weasley left, there was an awkward silence, and with sudden clarity, Harry realised that his father had grown paler, if that was possible, during the conversation with Mr. Weasley. It all made sense suddenly.

"You won't lose me Severus," Harry said quietly.

"What are you on about?" he snapped.

Harry picked at a loose thread on his jumper. "I won't get myself killed like Fred. I promise that I'll be more careful."

Severus' dark eyes narrowed. "Do you even know how?"

Harry squashed down a stab of resentment. He was beginning to understand that when Severus was faced with unfamiliar emotions, that it often manifested itself as anger; the only emotion that he was comfortable with.

"I'm trying to change, and think before I do things." Harry raked his hand through his dark hair, "but it's hard to change. I promise I'll do my best though."

Severus nodded.

"I appreciate that," he said stiffly. "Now, I've got much to do, so off you go then."

"Okay," Harry agreed. "I'll see you later."

Harry turned to leave.

"Harry," Severus' deep voice called after him. "I'll meet you here in two hours," he said, taking out his pocket watch.

Harry rolled his eyes. Did the man have to plan every hour of the day? Didn't he know the meaning of spontaneity? Oh right! This was Severus, anal-retentive, Snape, we were talking about!

"Yeah, two hours," he said aloud.

"Very well then," Severus said, shoving his watch back into his trousers' pocket, looking like he wanted nothing more than to wrap his robes around himself protectively, as was his custom.

Harry fought to hide a grin. The man was lost without his long black robes to hide in.

----------

"I'll light a fire in the grate, and put some tea on," Severus said, pointing at Harry's bags. "Why don't you go put your things away?"

"Yeah, a cup of tea sounds great," Harry said wearily.

After taking care of their respective errands at the Ministry, and then hopping from one store to the next, in search of Christmas presents, Harry was happy to finally be home. Home...how he loved that word, and for once in his life, it really meant something.

Harry threw himself down on his large, four-poster bed; not bothering to take his trainers off. He closed his eyes for only a moment.

"Harry?"

Severus quirked his lips, as he watched Harry's chest rise and fall, in a slow, rhythmic pattern. He stood in the doorway for several moments, just watching the sleeping boy, and thinking to himself that Harry looked like he was about thirteen-years-old--all curled up in a ball. He shook his head; it wasn't possible that his son was now an adult; and he was powerless to protect him against life.

For the thousandth time, Severus swallowed his regret that he'd missed all the important milestones in Harry's life. His only consolation was that, judging by the contented look on Harry's face, that he had given Harry some happiness, albeit a little late.

---------

Splat!

Severus scowled at his son, and rubbed the back of his head.

"Are you quite finished?" he asked sourly.

Harry grinned maliciously. "Not quite, and whirled another snowball in the direction of his father's overly-large nose."

His grin turned to a scowl, however, when his father smirked, inconspicuously retrieved his wand from his trousers' pocket, and the snowball suddenly froze in mid-air, and as fast as he had hurled it at his father, the snowball had now changed course and was spinning in his direction now.

Two minutes later, Harry was the one rubbing his head, and glaring at his father.

This was war!

By the time, they had returned to the house, dragging a seven-foot Christmas tree behind them, Harry and Severus' clothes were sopping wet. They deposited the Christmas tree in the front porch, and went to change into dry clothes.

An hour later, both men were warming up before a crackling fire; Harry sipping hot chocolate with marshmallows, much to Severus' disgust, and Severus sipping on a glass of fine brandy.

Harry stared at the large, undecorated tree with awe. Even bare, the tree was majestic; its branches, lush and deep green, and the smell of tangy pine filled the air. Harry looked curiously at the boxes of decorations that Severus had retrieved from the attic.

"Where did you get these decorations?"

"Some of them were passed down to my father, from my grandmother, but-" he paused, a pained expression lining his harsh features, "however--my father refused to celebrate Christmas, and for the most part they remained in the attic. One year, when I was about ten, my mother decided that enough was enough, and put up a small tree and began to decorate it-"

Severus turned away, to stare at the flames licking the logs in the grate.

"-needless to say, my father was not pleased."

"What did he do?" asked Harry in a croaky voice.

Severus traced the rim of his glass. "He knocked the tree down, destroying many of the decorations. My mother managed to gather up some of the broken pieces, and unbeknownst to my father, repaired them with magic."

They've remained in the attic ever since.

"I'm sorry," Harry whispered.

Severus turned around to look at his son.

"That box over there, contains decorations from your grandmother: Lily's mother," he said softly.

Harry's eyes widened. "My grandmother?"

"Every year, your mother's parents invited me into their home to celebrate Christmas. They were every bit as kind as your mother."

"Hmph, so what happened with Aunt Petunia then?" Harry scoffed.

Severus smirked. "I always thought that Petunia was genetically mutated from an ass. The resemblance is certainly remarkable"

Harry's hot chocolate splattered everywhere.

Who knew Severus had a sense of humour?

--------

Harry felt like a little kid.

He glanced at the clock, and groaned. It was still only four-thirty in the morning. Shadows from the moonlight danced on the walls of Harry's maroon and beige coloured walls. He couldn't help it. He just couldn't sleep any more. Harry hadn't been this excited for Christmas since he'd been a first year at Hogwarts. He felt as though a thousand butterflies were fluttering around inside his stomach.

Finally, admitting defeat, he flipped the covers back and swung his legs around into a sitting position. The fire in the grate had gone out, and Harry's toes were chilled. He slipped his feet into his slippers, and grabbed his bathrobe off the floor where he'd flung it the night before. He chuckled to himself, when he thought of what Severus would say to him; the man was positively obsessive compulsive when it came to neatness.

Harry kneeled on the floor, and fumbled under the bed, until he found what he was looking for. He straightened up, clutching his presents to his chest. A grin spread across his face, when he thought about his father opening his present. He hoped that it wasn't too soon in their relationship for this, but Harry hoped that his present would mean as much to Severus as it did to him.

Harry plugged in the Christmas tree lights, wrapped his blanket snugly around himself; and settled himself on the couch; staring up at the plethora of brightly-coloured lights and glass-spun Christmas ornaments.

Harry and Severus had spent several hours decorating the tree and Harry had hung garland around the mantelpiece; Severus had looked at him incredulously, when Harry had insisted that he hang two large, wool socks as well. Harry had stuffed them with some little goodies that he had picked up in London for his father. Some were rare potions ingredients, and small bottles of expensive liqueur that he knew that his father favored, as well as some dark chocolates (the only kind that his father would eat). Harry had, much to Severus' dismay, also insisted on wrapping garland, and large, Poinsettias around the polished, wooden banister of the staircase.

Severus groaned about silly Gryffindors who dreamt about Sugar Plum fairies, and Father Christmas, but Harry caught a small look of approval on his father's sallow features, when the man thought that he wasn't looking.

"Harry."

Harry looked up at his father through bleary eyes. Severus was dressed already in dark grey pants, and a deep green turtleneck. He looked positively bizarre, Harry thought--very Muggle-ish

"What are you doing out here?"

Harry rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and grinned up at his father.

"I was too excited. I couldn't sleep."

Severus quirked an eyebrow. "I see. Well, let's have breakfast and-"

"What?" Harry shrieked. "I can't possibly eat! It's Christmas!"

"Oh really," Severus drawled--looking around at the Christmas decorations, adorning every nook and cranny of Spinner's End, "I hadn't noticed," he said dryly.

Severus' first thought, when Harry jumped up from the couch, and grinning broadly, made a beeline for the presents piled up under the tree, was that the boy's cheeks would surely be ache by the end of the day, from the way that his mouth was stretched so widely in a permanent smile. But Severus had to admit that being inundated with Christmas spirit was well worth it, to see the utterly content look on his son's face. The boy had faced so much heartache in his short life; he deserved this happiness, and he had given so freely of his devotion and affection and asked so little in return.

"Very well then," he said, tugging up his trousers, as he sat down on the couch.

"Happy Christmas," Harry said, handing Severus a present- wrapped in dark green wrapping paper, and tied with silver ribbon.

Severus smirked. "Slytherin colours Harry?"

"Yeah well, don't get used to it!"

Harry tapped his foot impatiently, as Severus meticulously untied the ribbon, peeled back the paper, and seriously irritated Harry. For Merlin's sake, wrapping paper was meant to be ripped apart in joyous abandonment, not in tortuous fashion; as the man delicately pulled back the paper, with his long, potion-stained finger, so bloody slowly that it would try the patience of a saint.

Severus Snape was a man that prided himself on always being in control; of never showing emotion, and never revealing his true feelings, but how one green-eyed, dark-haired boy of merely seventeen-years-old, managed to slowly unravel the tightly-controlled, disciplined emotions that he thought he'd buried long ago, Severus wasn't sure, but he felt as though his breath had been stolen from, as he stared down into the antique wooden-framed parchment that read:

By order of the Ministry of Magic,

Department of Magical Monikers,

We Hereby declare,

That the wizard borne:

Harry James Potter,

Shall henceforth, from this day forward, be known by the legal moniker of:

Harry James Potter Snape

"Harry," Severus said huskily, "I don't know what to say. I'm truly at a loss for words."

Harry bit his bottom lip. "You don't like it?"

"On the contrary Harry. I'm-I'm honoured that you would wish to carry my name."

"I hope that you don't mind that I still kept James' name too. I mean, he was my father too," he explained awkwardly, "and, I-"

"Harry, you don't have to explain. I understand completely. Of course you would want to honour the man that sacrificed his life for you."

"Also," Harry said uncomfortably, "it would be a little strange and, not to mention confusing, for me to start using another name at seventeen, and-"

"Harry," Severus said firmly, "You have given me great pleasure today, so please stop this incessant apologising. It is a very annoying habit," he snapped.

"Sor-, uh, I mean, okay, yeah." he said sheepishly.

"If you're quite finished your babbling," Severus said dryly, "then I too have something for you."

Harry snorted when Severus, rose and retrieved a present from under the Christmas tree; it was wrapped in maroon paper, with a gold ribbon.

"Like father--like son?" he smirked.

Severus rolled his eyes. "Open the present," he commanded softly.

Harry, despite his impatience earlier with Severus' methodical unwrapping of his present, found that his fingers also slowly peeled back the wrapping paper; he wanted to savour every moment; it was the first time in his seventeen years, that he was able to open a Christmas present from a living parent, and he wanted to remember every detail.

Harry gasped.

It looked as though Harry wasn't the only one who had used misdirection that day at the Ministry.

A similar wooden frame held an official document, also from the Ministry of Magic, which read:

Acknowledgement of Paternity

This document, by decree of the Ministry of Magic,

Bears witness to the fact, that Severus, Tobias Snape acknowledges his paternity of the child,

Harry James Potter, borne to Lily Anne Potter (nee Evans),

And is recognised as the sole legal heir of Severus Tobias Snape,

Thus inheriting all assets and properties, in the event of his death.

"I think that I'm the one who's at a loss for words now," Harry said, emotion overwhelming him.

Harry couldn't stop staring at the words. Harry couldn't believe that Severus had actually made it official; acknowledged him not only publicly--but legally? That was a big step for someone like Severus Snape.

"This really is the happiest Christmas that I've ever had. Thanks....Dad," Harry said huskily.