Severus sighed tiredly as the grandfather clock rang out eight o'clock from downstairs and carefully took the teacup from Draco's lax hands, the teen finally falling back to sleep. Placing the cup on the coffee table next to him and the chess board-the boys having played for much of the previous evening-he gently helped Draco stretch across the sofa. The boy murmured in his sleep at the movement, but settled quickly and Severus pulled the knitted blanket up to the rising and falling chest. He rested his hand on Draco's chest, avoiding the still-healing sternum wound; it was struggling to heal as severe as it was.

Ensuring the fire was still burning steadily behind him to keep the room and the child warm, he left the library. As he stepped into the hall, he was met by Alexei who was also heading downstairs. Alexei glanced at the library's double doors before they started down the stairs.

"Did he sleep at all?" Alexei asked.

Severus shook his head. "Nightmares woke him at around four, then they and his chest kept him awake."

He heard the vampire sigh next to him, but neither of them said anything. It had been two days since he'd woken after his ordeal, and the physical healing of him and the boys had progressed mostly smoothly. Harry was free of injury, Draco's seizures had ended to leave him with just his sternum wound as his back had almost healed completely, and Severus was studiously ignoring his throbbing Mark, keeping the hope in the back of his mind that Voldemort would remain incapacitated for some time to allow him to find a treatment. Physically, they were all mostly fine. Emotionally, however...

While there was certainly a comfort and a peace filling the manor, the emotional trauma and guilt Harry and Draco held continued to permeate the house. Small improvements could be seen during the day, but, at night, the boys remained haunted, leaving Severus, Leif, and Alexei to simply do what they could. As desperately as Severus wished there was, there was no instant fix to what Harry and Draco were suffering through.

Entering the kitchen, they found Leif and Harry sitting at the table next to each other. Harry, still in his pajamas, had his head on folded arms on the table and turned to Leif. Harry looked exhausted, but laughed quietly at whatever Leif was saying.

"Does anyone in this house sleep?" Severus quipped lightly, walking behind the two and letting his fingers card through Harry's hair as he passed, both of them ignoring the Gryffindor's small flinch at the touch. He was getting better.

"It's eight," Harry replied, turning his head to look at Severus. "You always had us up at eight in the summer."

"I suppose I did," Severus conceded. "How long have you been up?"

Harry shrugged awkwardly in his position. "Couple hours."

"A letter came for you a few moments ago," Leif interjected and gestured to the envelope at Severus' seat.

Severus sighed, recognizing the headmaster's hand. He ignored it, having no interest in dealing with the man so early after such a sleepless night the day before Christmas, and moved around the dividing counter into the kitchen.

"Any breakfast preferences?" he asked as he set the coffee maker to boil and poured the peach juice he'd noticed Harry had come to enjoy during the summer.

"I'm fine with just an apple," Harry said, making to grab said fruit from the bowl.

"Apple cinnamon oatmeal it is," Severus said with a pointed look at Harry when the Gryffindor was clearly about to argue. Harry turned a light pink and nodded with a small smile, receiving a gentle rub on his back from Leif. Between what the Dursleys had done to him and now feeling at fault for what had happened with Voldemort, Harry had reverted to feeling undeserving of basic things and like a burden for wanting, needing, or asking. Another thing they were slowly working on once again.

Levitating the coffee and juice he'd poured over to his friends and Harry, he began to make breakfast.

Once done, he settled each plate in front of the others and joined them with his own. Ensuring Harry started eating, he reluctantly turned to Dumbledore's letter as he took a bite of his own breakfast, and tore into the envelope.

Severus,

I must ask for your time today. We have several things to discuss. I would also request you send Harry to Headquarters for the day so he can spend the time with Sirius and his friends for the holidays. I will be there around ten a.m.

Albus

Scowling, Severus immediately incinerated the letter, drawing the eyes of the others around the table.

"The headmaster is visiting in a few hours," Severus told them, "and, Harry, you are going to spend the day at Headquarters."

"What? No," Harry protested with a frown.

"Your friends and godfather want to see you," Severus told him. Despite refusing to do a thing Dumbledore told him, particularly in regards to the boys, Severus had to admit that allowing Harry to go to Grimmauld Place was a good idea. Given what happened, he was sure the Weasleys and Black were worried, no matter the issues Harry seemed to be having with his friends and godfather.

Harry looked down at his oatmeal. "No, they don't."

Severus sighed quietly, glancing at Leif and Alexei who also watched the child with concern. They knew of the troubles that had existed between Harry and his friends all year, but what had happened with Black was still mostly a mystery. It was one of the few memories Harry had managed to keep hidden during Occlumency and he had not willingly divulged anything to them.

As Harry finished his breakfast, Severus sent the reluctant boy upstairs to ready himself for the last-minute plans. He half expected the teen to lock himself in his room and refuse to go, but was pleasantly surprised when Harry joined him again downstairs, if more dejected than Severus would like to see.

They were in the downstairs study when Dumbledore arrived, stepping out of the fireplace.

"Good morning," Dumbledore greeted, "and happy Christmas."

"Professor," Harry replied quietly.

"Excuse us, Headmaster," Severus said stiffly, ignoring the greeting. "I was just about to bring Harry to Headquarters."

"Of course. Have fun, my boy," Dumbledore said to Harry with a smile Harry did not return. "Sirius and your friends are excited to see you."

Severus saw the Gryffindor's face tighten as he mumbled, "Right."

"I will return shortly," Severus said and guided Harry through the Floo. Exiting into the sitting room of Grimmauld Place, Severus could hear the muffled voices of the temporary-permanent, in Black's case-residents and saw the way Harry hunched in on himself.

"I don't want to be here," Harry mumbled despondently.

"Harry."

The child turned around and looked up at him pleadingly. "Please, can I just come home?"

"It's only for a few hours," Severus told him, becoming confused at Harry's extreme reluctance. "Black and the Weasleys and Granger will want to see you after what happened."

"I don't care," Harry grumbled.

Severus narrowed his eyes and pushed Harry to the sofa. "Sit," he ordered and settled on the coffee table as the boy obeyed. "Tell me what the problem is."

"I don't want to see them and they don't want to see me," Harry replied bitterly.

"I think you will be surprised by your friends," Severus countered, thinking about the changes in looks the other Gryffindors had been sending Harry the last few weeks. "As for Black, what happened? I find it difficult to believe he wouldn't want to see you."

Harry sat back with a huff, crossing his arms. "Well, he doesn't."

"Why?"

"Because I chose you and Draco over him," Harry snapped and dropped his eyes. "Over my parents."

Severus frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"That's what he said," Harry muttered. "He said they'd be ashamed of me. He said I wasn't a Potter because I was choosing to associate with you and Draco. He doesn't want to know me."

Severus sighed silently, cursing Black and counting to rein in his anger. "Harry, if he cares for you, and I know he does, he will come around. If he hasn't already, he likely just needs you to explain it all so he can understand."

Harry shook his head. "He wouldn't listen."

"Then. He wouldn't listen then," Severus said firmly. "He has had time and I am sure his worry over what happened has erased that anger. If not, just tell him the truth."

Harry looked up at him. "Why are you defending him? You hate him."

"Yes, but I love you," Severus replied easily, making a split decision.

He was done hiding and running.

He watched Harry's eyes widen.

"What?"

Severus just gave the boy a gentle smile and held him tight when Harry wrapped himself around Severus' neck.

"Give Black the second chance you gave me," Severus murmured and felt the nod on his shoulder. Harry pulled back after a few seconds and Severus brushed back the messy fringe. "Try to enjoy yourself. I will come get you after dinner barring any emergency."

Harry nodded again and they stood, Severus lightly pushing him towards the door. Harry hesitated and looked back at him, but Severus just gave him a look, silently telling the teen to find his friends and godfather. He quirked an amused smile when Harry huffed, but did as he was silently told. Once Harry had left the sitting room, Severus stepped back through the fireplace and returned home.

He let out a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose, mentally preparing himself for the coming conversation. Leaving the study, he took a detour upstairs and peered into the library as quietly as possible. Draco was still asleep, now curled up on his side facing the back of the sofa. Severus waved his wand to draw the curtains and dim the fire, providing more darkness to keep the boy asleep.

Content the child was sleeping peacefully, Severus closed the library door and returned downstairs to the kitchen. Entering, he found Leif, Alexei, and Dumbledore sitting at the table, each with a cup of tea or coffee and completely silent. Though, he did notice odd looks being cast back and forth. Something had clearly been discussed while he was gone, something that did not impress Dumbledore, but had Leif and Alexei hiding satisfaction.

Raising an eyebrow at the uncomfortable atmosphere, he took his seat and stared hard at Dumbledore. He saw the old man begin to speak, but quickly interrupted. Dumbledore did not get to control this conversation.

"While I certainly do not appreciate your continued attempts at ordering me around, particularly in regards to the boys, and I do not appreciate you disturbing our well-deserved quiet holiday, this meeting is beneficial for me," Severus said casually. "We have learned something and it requires an explanation from you."

"Oh?" Dumbledore queried lightly, sounding innocently curious which made Severus' eyes narrow.

"You see, after Harry and Draco were attacked at the beginning of the month, they became unable to use their Elemental and Aether magic inexplicably. We believed they were unconsciously suppressing their magic out of fear of what had happened," Severus explained. "Yet, when the boys were being kidnapped, the Death Eater children told them something interesting. They said Harry and Draco's magic had been blocked and apparently blocked purposely...by you."

He let his stare turn hard as Dumbledore met his eyes steadily. They stared at each other for several quiet moments during which time Severus could see the headmaster debating how to respond, wondering what he should keep secret.

Severus was done with secrets.

"I did what I had to do," Dumbledore finally said.

Severus' expression morphed into a glare that was mirrored in Leif and Alexei, though, he also noticed a strange glint in Leif's eyes as they darted beyond Dumbledore minutely.

"I did what I thought was right," Dumbledore added.

Severus slammed his hand down, enraged. "What you thought was right nearly killed them! They couldn't fight back, couldn't defend themselves, and that was after the pain it was causing them!"

"I had to stop the three of you from connecting," Dumbledore justified. "I was trying to protect all of you from Voldemort."

"Except you didn't!" Severus shouted. "You made it easier for him because we couldn't connect and they couldn't fight back!"

"Yet, they did," Dumbledore said, sounding almost suspicious.

"Their Life Bond overpowered your blocks and Voldemort's draining," Alexei jumped in. "Had they been anyone else, those blocks would have killed Harry and Draco. Blocking a bond and compatible magic once established causes the victims' cores to extinguish themselves. However, their bond and power are stronger than you. Voldemort tried using their magic to hurt them which can't be done-their bond is about protection-so it turned on Voldemort and their connection reached its final stage."

Dumbledore looked at Alexei when the vampire leaned forward on the table, blue eyes flashing.

"Purity, Albus," Alexei said in a low voice. "They've created Pure Magic."

"As her prophecy predicted," Leif added, eyes hard as they continued dancing around the headmaster curiously.

"That's not possible," Dumbledore muttered.

"Oh, it's possible," Leif argued, "and here. Pure Magic exists once again and they wield it."

"Accept it, Albus," Alexei said. "Lady Magic's Prophecy is coming to pass, not Trelawney's. It's time you let it before you kill them."

When Dumbledore made to reply, Severus interrupted again.

"You have crossed the final line. You deliberately harmed them, nearly killed them, and I cannot excuse that," Severus told the old man. "I should take them as far from you as possible, but their lives have been turmoil enough. I will not take them from their friends or the lives they have created. However, you are no longer anything to them beyond headmaster. You will not approach them or speak to them unless required by your nature as their headmaster. If you must speak with them, it is only with me, Alexei, or Leif present. You have done enough."

"Severus-"

"Do not go against me, Albus," Severus ground out. "Do so and I tell the Ministry you used an illegal magic binding spell on students. You wouldn't see Hogwarts for long after that."

"Except Fudge is missing," Dumbledore said, sounding like he was challenging Severus' threat.

Severus was stunned and confused by the revelation, but forced himself not to show it, remaining steely.

"I would need the DMLE, not the Minister, and I happen to know one Auror very willing to help undo yourfailures," Severus replied.

Dumbledore sat back in his chair with a small, clearly disapproving sigh. "So I have seen."

Severus frowned just slightly, puzzled again.

"Before I leave, might you tell me what occurred to aid in your and the boys' escape?" Dumbledore asked.

"I can tell you little when the boys came for me given I was mostly unconscious, but Voldemort was injured. When Harry and Draco escaped, they hurt him, and when he tried to torture me, as Alexei said, the magic turned on him. It burned his wand and arm, and rendered him unconscious," Severus explained.

"Thank you for telling me," Dumbledore said, getting to his feet. "I will take my leave."

"Albus," Severus said and the headmaster turned to look at him. "I mean what I said. Stay the hell away from my boys or you will never see them, me, or Hogwarts again."

Dumbledore inclined his head and left.

"I don't think you'll have anything to worry about from him anymore," Leif said once the headmaster was gone.

Severus looked at him curiously, but Leif wasn't looking at him. Instead, he was still looking around the room's empty air, eyes alight with something as they watched.

"You have gained the greatest protector this world has to offer," Leif added just as vaguely and, glancing at Alexei who just smiled knowingly, Severus followed Leif's gaze, wondering what he couldn't see.

Harry desperately wanted to run back through the fireplace and return to Prince Manor. He'd found somewhere to call ‘home' and he so badly wanted to be there rather than Grimmauld Place. He was wanted at Prince Manor. At Number Twelve...

He paused in his admittedly slow journey to the kitchen at the strange, quiet sound that came from higher up to his right. Was that a squeak? He turned, finding Ron and Hermione standing about halfway up the stairs, and staring at him. Hermione's eyes were large and glimmering, hands over her mouth to possibly cover anymore noises. Ron's eyes were slightly scrunched and his jaw tight, both things Harry had had aimed at him numerous times since September. This time, though, Harry wasn't sure the same reasons were causing the clenching. Something seemed different.

He hardly had time to take even half a step back before Hermione was wrapping her arms around his neck with a quiet sob. He stumbled at the impact and immediately put his hands on her back to keep them steady as she squeezed him tightly. He looked beyond her at Ron, startled, only to find an odd expression on Ron's face. He frowned when he heard and felt Hermione mumble into his shoulder.

"What?"

Hermione shifted. "We are so sorry and we are so glad you're okay." She pulled back and he saw the tears in her eyes. "We are so sorry."

"For what?" Harry asked. Not because they had nothing to apologize for, but because he needed to know whatexactly they were sorry for. It had been a long five months.

"For everything," she said. "For prying, for not trusting you, for not accepting you, for getting so angry, for not being there for you."

"For being bloody awful friends," Ron spoke up, descending the stairs to join them. "And, let's face it, bloody awful people in general."

Harry's lips twitched, wanting to give into his amusement.

"When you and Malfoy were taken from Hogsmeade, we were so scared for you," Hermione said. "We went to tell Dumbledore, but he already knew."

"We saw Snape basically running through the castle," Ron said. "Dumbledore said he was going after you. That's true then? Snape saved you?"

Harry nodded. "Nearly died doing it."

"Bloody hell," Ron muttered.

"He really does care about you, doesn't he?" Hermione asked and Harry nodded again. "I'm so sorry we didn't listen to you."

"We were stupid," Ron said.

"You kind of were," Harry agreed.

Ron rubbed his neck awkwardly and Harry had to hold back a grin. "I...I...look, I'm not gonna say I'll ever like Snape or Malfoy, but...but you do and...I'll try."

"We're happy for you," Hermione said. "Really. You were right."

"About what?" Harry asked.

"You haven't had family like we have, and we had no right to dismiss anyone you say has taken care of you and given you that," Hermione said. "We're happy you found someone and somewhere. We're happy you have a home now."

Harry smiled and held Hermione tight when she hugged him again. His eyes burned in his happy relief, he held back the tears. When Ron cleared his throat awkwardly, Harry and Hermione parted, looking at him, Harry with a raised eyebrow.

"Bloody hell, you even look like him," Ron grumbled, nearly making Harry laugh, before clearing his throat again. "Do...do you wanna...tell us about them?"

Harry bit back laughter. "Do you really want to know?"

Ron's face twisted, clearly about to take back his offer, when Hermione swatted his arm.

"Yes!" she said excitedly. Perhaps a bit too excitedly, but Harry appreciated the effort. "You know them in ways we don't and they're your family and you say they saved you. We want to know what you see, who they really are."

Harry looked between them and, unlike the last several months, he saw nothing but sincerity, if with a hint of uncertainty. Again, he just appreciated the effort. So, he nodded and followed them upstairs into Ron's room where they stayed for hours, talking. Despite any hesitancies, Ron and Hermione had been serious and they let him explain the entire journey he, Draco, and Severus had taken since summer, even asking questions and making comments that didn't disparage the Slytherins in anyway. Now Severus had been discovered, Harry was able to explain absolutely everything. 

He knew the two sides of his life, his friends, his family would probably never mix seamlessly, but the fact that both were willing to accept the other's existence and accept they were important to Harry meant more than he could've imagined.

Eventually, the conversation turned as Harry and Ron began a game of chess. When Ron expressed his surprise at Harry's improvement and Harry credited Draco, the redhead was clearly shocked, even more so when he clearly began to contemplate Draco Malfoy as a potential opponent. As they played, they began talking about the mundane topic of Hogwarts for as mundane as Hogwarts could be considered.

"It was crazy," Ron was saying. "We were all heading to the station, and then Aurors just appeared and stormed up to the castle. Led by Kingsley."

"Because of me and Draco and Severus?" Harry asked, moving a pawn.

"You said all of that happened the Saturday," Hermione said from where she was sat in the chair in the corner. "This was the Sunday."

"Besides, Dumbledore only told the Order about you guys," Ron said, studying the board closely.

"Kingsley is in the Order," Harry pointed out. "Why would Aurors be at the school, then, if not because of what happened?"

Ron just shrugged, moving a knight.

"There was a rumour on the train that it had to do with a professor," Hermione told them.

"Kids, dinner!" Mrs. Weasley yelled from downstairs, interrupting anymore conversation.

They headed downstairs, the twins and Ginny excitedly greeting Harry as they all nearly collided on the stairs. He was listening to Hermione go on about her Ancient Runes project-she'd, naturally, started day one-while laughing quietly as Fred and George needled Ron mostly good-naturedly for being a thick arse to Harry for months.

"Oh, my absolute darling-!"

"Harry! When did you get here?"

Harry heard both Mrs. Weasley and Sirius, but didn't get a chance to find either before being engulfed in the woman's hug. When she pulled back, she cupped his face and examined him warmly.

"You look alright. Are you?" she asked gently.

Harry smiled at her and nodded in her hands. "I am, Mrs. Weasley, promise."

He was pulled out of her grasp, then, and pulled roughly against the harder, broader chest of Sirius who he instantly clutched onto.

"When did you get here?" Sirius repeated.

"Sev-I mean, Professor Snape dropped me off this morning. Sorry. I was with Ron and Hermione," Harry replied, realizing he should have told the rest of the house that he had been there. Before he even finished talking, Sirius was pushing him back, hands wrapped around his upper arms. Harry tensed at the flashing in the grey eyes.

"Dumbledore let that bastard near you after what he did?" Sirius growled and Harry frowned.

"What he did?"

"See what happens when you trust Slytherins, when you trust Death Eaters?" Sirius snapped and Harry felt the man's hands begin to tighten around his arms. "What did they do to you?"

"Sirius, Draco was taken too," Harry argued, growing uncomfortable with his godfather's clear anger. "Professor Snape saved us."

"I don't believe that. This happened because of them," Sirius retorted, shaking his head. "I will make sure they never get near you again, trust me."

"No, don't," Harry protested, wincing at Sirius' grip and quickly becoming desperate. "Sirius, please, just listen."

"Sirius, give Harry a-" Mrs. Weasley tried to interrupt, but Sirius ignored her. Harry could see the Weasleys and Hermione watching him and Sirius with concern and shock at Sirius' behaviour.

"They're monsters, Harry, and I won't let you near them anymore," Sirius said harshly. "James should've let Snape die that night."

Having no idea what Sirius was talking about, Harry began to struggle. "Sirius, don't hurt them, they saved me."

"You have no idea what Snape's capable of. You know the things he did while in school to us? You know what he did to Lily?"

"Yes!" Harry said loudly. "He...he told me, he showed me." He remembered that particular Occlumency lesson. It had been rough for the both of them.

"Showed...what are you talking about?"

"He's taken care of me. He cares about me," Harry impressed. "Sirius, he's my guardian."

The silence that fell over the kitchen was heavy and Harry stared at his godfather in terror, the man's grip tightening more and more. He could already feel the bruises forming. Sirius' eyes started flashing and his face twisted.

"What has he done to you?"

"Nothing," Harry said, pleadingly. "He cares about me, that's all. He's helped me."

"Then explain what just happened! What just happened to you because of them!"

"It wasn't their fault! Severus saved us! He nearly died saving us!"

"He should have! you can't believe him. You can't trust him!"

"I do! I care about him!" Harry cried. "Please, Sirius, I love them."

A hushed gasp disturbed the thick tension that had been filling the kitchen from the Weasleys and Hermione, but Harry couldn't see past Sirius anymore. The darkness that filled Sirius' eyes terrified him.

"He's poisoned you," Sirius spat

"Sirius-"

When one hand left Harry's arm and rose into the air, he immediately flinched and heard the rest of the kitchen erupt into protestations and defence attempts. His eyes closed as he waited for the hit only to feel something brush his side and settle in front of him. He opened his eyes and found Severus partially blocking him, hand around Sirius' wrist.

"Don't. You. Dare," Severus said in a low, dangerous voice.

Sirius yanked out of Severus' grasp, removing his other hand from Harry and lined himself up with Severus. "You think you can take my godson? You think he'll choose you? Lily didn't and he won't."

"But it is his choice to make," Severus replied.

Sirius sneered. "How can he make the choice when you're poisoning him against who he is?"

"As opposed to what you are doing?" Severus retorted. "How can I possibly be poisoning him against you and his father when I'm that one that encouraged him to stay here, to see you, and to give you another chance despite the awful things you said to him?"

Sirius glowered.

"You should listen to him, you might learn something," Severus said.

Despite Severus' words that morning convincing him to give Sirius another chance, Harry still found himself surprised at how calmly Severus was dealing with his godfather. Though the situation was tense, it brought a warmth to Harry, seeing Severus was willing to tolerate Sirius for him even in the face of horrible insults and accusations.

"I will not allow you to bring him down with you. He's better than you," Sirius spat.

"Yes, he is, but what do you think you can do that Dumbledore has been unable to?" Severus replied. "I have no intention on keeping Harry from you, but I will if you continue to harm him."

"And what are you doing to him?" Sirius growled.

"What no one else has," Severus said and Harry watched pained rage fill Sirius' face.

A pang hit Harry's heart, seeing the betrayal his godfather felt and guilt for hurting Sirius bubbled painfully in his gut. He hadn't meant to choose anyone over Sirius, hadn't realized that's what he was doing. He had never intended for his choices to drive Sirius away. He didn't want to lose Sirius for Severus and Draco, but he couldn't lose Severus and Draco for Sirius either. He was quickly feeling lost all over again, just like back in October.

Harry watched as Sirius stormed from the kitchen without another word. He dropped his head, staring at the floor as his arms throbbed and his heart ached. He flinched slightly when Severus' hand landed lightly on his back between his shoulder blades, instantly beginning to rub gently.

"Do you want to stay for dinner?" Severus asked quietly and Harry shook his head. He'd fixed things with his friends, but he was sure he'd just made things worse with Sirius.

"Sorry," he muttered to his friends and Mrs. Weasley.

"Not to worry, dear. Go and have a lovely holiday with your family," Mrs. Weasley said kindly. "Severus, we will all talk to Sirius, try and get him to see reason."

"Mutts are rarely reasonable."

Despite his hurt, Harry still poked Severus in the side to protest the insult. Severus just rolled his eyes at him which made Harry's lips twitch and he leaned into Severus' side, the man's hand still on his back.

"If you are comfortable and Harry would like, we would very much like to have him over again during the break," Mrs. Weasley offered.

"Can I?" Harry asked, looking up at Severus. Despite the situation with Sirius, he found himself still wanting to come back and spend time with the Weasleys and Hermione now he had them back. 

Severus nodded. "I don't see why not in a few days."

"And, if Draco would like, he can come as well. We would be more than happy to have him," Mrs. Weasley added with a smile, making Harry look at her in surprise. He spotted the uncertainty in his friends' faces at the suggestion, but none of them protested or looked angry at the idea, just unsure. 

"Thank you, Molly. I will extend him the offer," Severus said. 

"Have a happy Christmas, Harry, dear," Mrs. Weasley said and pulled Harry into a hug again, everyone else following suit.

When he was finally released, Severus led him to the sitting room. Before they stepped into the fireplace, the man stopped them and leaned down to meet his eyes. Harry could see the concern in the dark eyes, the question that had yet to actually be asked. In just that look, Harry felt some of the pain Sirius had caused ease, seeing the life he'd never thought he could have. He never could have anticipated this care, this love would come from Severus and not Sirius, but, now he had it, he wouldn't have it any other way. 

He just hoped Sirius could understand some day.

Harry didn't say anything in response to Severus' silent worry and question. Instead, he just wrapped himself around the man he knew was quickly becoming far more than just a guardian and let himself be brought home for Christmas.