Christmas at ages 2 and 3:

“Does your bottom need a smack, little boy?” Severus asked, staring down imperiously at his naughty son.

Harry clamped his hands over his little bottom and shook his head emphatically. “No, Daddy.” Severus glanced toward Remus who was trying not to laugh and placed his hand over his mouth, pretending to yawn, so that Harry wouldn’t see him snicker. The little boy was just so cute in his Christmas pajamas.

After gaining control over his desire to laugh, Snape pointed down the hall and answered, “Then go to your room, get in bed, and stay there.”

Harry turned and rushed down the hall, but he paused at his door and looked back at Severus, “You wouldn’t really smack me on Christmas. Would you?”

“I sincerely hope I won’t have to. Let’s hope that Santa doesn’t leave you with a stocking full of coal and switches.” Harry had the audacity to giggle as he turned and ran into his room. Severus turned to see a smiling Remus patting the sofa to encourage him to sit down. “That was the fourth time. It’s your turn if he gets up again.”

“That’s not fair Sev. You can’t threaten him with a smacking and then leave me to carry it out.”

“I don’t recall threatening him. I simply asked if he wanted one,” Snape snickered and added silkily, “You wouldn’t smack him on Christmas, would you?”

“Good point. Have some cocoa. He should be asleep in another hour or so and then we can fill his stocking and get some rest.”

Severus sipped his cocoa and admired the nine beautifully wrapped presents under the tree.  Last Christmas Harry had unwittingly started a Christmas tradition. Severus and Remus had both bought the little boy too many presents. Perhaps it was because they felt sorry about Voldemort’s attack and Harry’s Christmas that was spent with Petunia, perhaps they were trying to buy his affection, or perhaps they both just loved to shop. It didn’t really matter.  Harry had stared at his huge pile of gifts on Christmas morning. “This too many,” he said as he distributed three gifts to Severus, three to Remus, and three to himself. “Three each. That fair,” he added.

“What about the rest?” questioned Severus.

“For Daddy’s snakes.” Remus and Severus had eyed each other.

“Well if that’s what you want, but I’d like you to have this.” Severus quickly switched a gift with one of the three that Harry had in his pile.          

“This one, too,” Remus made another change.

Remus and Severus had watched as Harry opened his three gifts. The first was a Toddler Broom from Remus. It had several charms to keep Harry safe, including a sticking charm to keep the child on the broom and a fly low and slow charm. The second was a Potions Kit for Early Beginners from Severus. It had a cauldron, a stirring stick, and several plastic ingredients including newt’s eyes and frog guts. The third gift was a plush deer with a lily embroidered on its hip. “Where did you find that?” Severus had asked Remus.

“I didn’t get that for him. I thought you did.”

“I did; I got it for me,” laughed Harry. Severus and Remus eyed each other. Harry was very powerful for a toddler.

That’s when Severus and Remus decided that each year they would each get Harry one gift and he would choose one for himself. They would do the same for each other. That way each person would receive a gift from the other two. The Slytherins would also receive a small, but more appropriate gift each year. (What would his Slytherins think when they received children’s books, blocks, and tub toys?)

As Snape considered the past year, he realized that he was really starting to feel comfortable with his life. He had been nervous about being a father, but he enjoyed Harry who was precocious and delightfully cheeky. Severus was also growing used to having Remus around. Remus was fantastic with Harry and always respected the father - son relationship that continued to grow between Harry and Severus. The best thing about the last year had been finally ridding himself of his Dark Mark. It had taken over a year of research, but he had finally created a potion which made the tattoo disappear with no trace. It was quite painful, but it was worth it to Severus and many other ex-death eaters.  He hadn’t had much luck with finding the Horcruxes, and Dumbledore, who was searching for them, still insisted that Harry would have to destroy Voldemort, but Severus was sure that was years away. For now he would be content with his new life.

Just then, Remus turned to Severus, “What are you thinking about?”

“Hmmm, oh, I was just wondering if he’s asleep yet. I’ll check.” Severus got up and walked softly to Harry’s room. Although his covers were askew and his left leg was hanging over the edge of the bed, Harry was sound asleep. Severus gently tucked the child in, kissed him on the forehead, and placed a one-way silencing spell on Harry’s room. That way he and Lupin could hear Harry, but Harry couldn’t hear them.

When Severus came back to the living room Remus headed to the cupboard to get out the gifts they had purchased for Harry’s stocking. They made quick work of filling the stocking, which had been charmed to be “wizard space.” (Perhaps they hadn’t cut down on the gifts as much as they meant to.) The two men said goodnight and headed for bed. Tomorrow would be an early morning.

Christmas at age 4:

It was Christmas Day and four-year-old Harry Potter was standing with his nose in the corner, mumbling something about it not being fair. It had been a yucky winter so far with ice and sleet, but no snow that one could actually play in, but when Harry awoke very early on Christmas morning, he looked out his charmed window and saw snow.  Deep, fluffy, snow. He jumped up and donned his warmest cloak over his pajamas. Then he pulled on his little boots and rushed to the living room.

Nobody else was awake yet. So he did what any little boy would do, he headed outside.  His father’s quarters had a special portal that led directly to an enclosed courtyard where Harry could play. However, he wasn’t allowed to use it without an adult, but that was the last thing on his mind. All he could think about was snow, snow, snow. When he arrived outside he immediately began to build a snowman, not even noticing how cold his hands were.

Meanwhile, Severus heard the portal alarm. He jumped out of his bed and rushed to Harry’s room, no Harry. What could have happened? Did someone come in to kidnap his precious boy? (It did seem unlikely that anyone would be able to use the portal from the courtyard to access his home, especially since it was keyed to only Harry, Remus, and Severus.) Perhaps Remus had taken the boy out to play. That’s when a rumpled Remus appeared in the doorway of his suite. “Did I hear the portal alarm?” he asked Severus.

“Yes, and Harry is missing.” Severus immediately transformed his clothes into winter wear and headed for the portal. Upon his arrival in the courtyard, he saw Harry happily building a snowman. “Harry, get over here, now.” He used his harshest voice, well, not exactly his harshest, but the harshest one he ever used with his son.

Harry turned to see him and seemed shocked. “But I want to finish my snowman.”

“Now, young man.” Harry ran as fast as he could in the deep snow. Severus immediately grabbed him and gave him a swat on the rear end. It didn’t actually hurt through his winter cloak, but Harry was mortified. He had gotten smacked on Christmas for building a snowman. That was completely unfair. He burst into tears.

Severus picked him up and rushed back inside where he noticed that Harry wasn’t wearing gloves. He stood Harry next to the fireplace and began to gently massage the boys freezing fingers. Harry continued to weep. “I wanted to build a snowman.”

Remus poked his head in to see Severus gently scolding Harry, reminding him that he wasn’t allowed out without an adult and that he wasn’t dressed appropriately. Assured that Harry was fine, Remus started cooking breakfast. When Harry was sufficiently warm, Severus removed the boy’s cloak and boots and sent him to the corner where he’d been sniffling for the last three minutes. Of course Harry was sure he’d been there for at least an hour.

At the end of four minutes, Severus called Harry out of the corner. “Harry, come here please.”

Harry turned around slowly. “Are you gonna smack my bottom?”

“No, but we do need to have a bit more of a talk.” Harry glanced at Remus, whose arms were crossed, and walked slowly over to his father. Severus pulled his son onto his lap. “Harry, please tell me why you had to stand in the corner.”

“Because you didn’t want me to make a snowman.” Remus grinned at Severus. Harry was pretty funny when he was pouting.

Severus wasn’t laughing. “No, Harry, think again. What rule did you break?”

As Harry thought for a minute his lips pooched out in a pout. “I went out alone?”

Severus nodded. “That’s right. You are not allowed out of our quarters without an adult. Do you know why?”

“Umm, ‘cause it’s dangerous?” Severus nodded. “But Daddy, nobody can get into our courtyard.”

“That’s true, Harry, but animals can. It’s also very cold. If you would have been with Remus or me, we would have dressed you appropriately. Without gloves, you could have gotten frostbite.”

“Oh.”

“Oh, indeed. Because you went out without permission, we will have to wait until tomorrow to finish your snowman.”

“But it’s Christmas and I wanna build it now,” Harry whined.

“Yes, it is Christmas and you will be very busy today playing with your new toys and enjoying the breakfast that Remus just cooked.”

“And Christmas cookies?” Harry asked eagerly.

Severus nodded, “Later.”

“Can I look in my stocking now?”

“No, we’re going to eat breakfast first, but right now I want you to go apologize to your Uncle Mooney. He was very worried about you.”  Harry nodded and Severus set him gently on the floor. Harry turned to look at Remus, but stood silently until his Dad gave him a slight nudge on the back and said, “Go on.”

Remus nodded at the boy and reached out his arms. Harry walked across the room to the waiting arms, but before he was lifted onto his nanny’s lap, he received a sound smack on his bottom. “Ouch,” Harry glared at Remus and reached around to rub his bottom. “Daddy said no smacks.”

Remus lifted the small boy onto his lap, “No, your father said that he wasn’t going to smack you. Besides, that was just a little swat to show you that I was very scared when you were missing.”

Harry nodded, “I’m sorry Uncle Mooney.”

“I forgive you. Just never do that again.”

“I won’t.”

“Good. I’m sure that if you do, you’ll get more than a couple of smacks on your bottom.” Harry looked over at his Dad, who nodded.

“I’ll be good. I promise.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Shall we have some breakfast?”

“Yes, please. Building snowmen makes me hungry.” With that the three gentleman settled in for a day of delicious food and thoughtful gifts.