Tobias walked through the back door, setting all the camping supplies down on the kitchen table. Entering the living room, he was pleased to see both of his sons playing a calm game of cards on the living room floor in front of the TV, that was turned on mute as various cartoon characters ran across the screen. Clearing his throat, Tobias got their attention. "Severus, go get the gear out of the linen closet. We'll go ahead and pack up tonight so we'll be ready to head out first thing tomorrow."

"Yes, sir!" Severus ran out of the living room, obviously excited.

"Come on Harry, you can take a look at your sleeping bag and backpack." Tobias gestured for Harry to follow him back into the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Harry cautiously approached the table laden with supplies.

"Severus and I already have sleeping bags and backpacks, so these are all yours," said Tobias, handing a rolled up Navy Blue sleeping bag to his son as well as a backpack that was almost as large as him. Tobias didn't see the point in buying a child size backpack for the boy since he would soon be fifteen.

Harry held the items cautiously, as though afraid he'd break them if he held to tight. "They're mine . . . all mine? You bought them for me?"

"Yes, I just said that, didn't I?" Tobias said with an amused smile. Not for the first time, and certainly not for the last, Tobias wanted more then anything to watch as the Dursley's were slaughtered mercilessly or better yet: to slaughter them mercilessly with his own two hands.

"Thank you," whispered Harry in awe as he ran a hand over the soft material.

"It's okay. I don't need any help or anything just because the backpacks are bigger than I am, but that's alright," Severus complained as he dragged two big backpacks with sleeping bags attached into the kitchen. Tobias couldn't help but chuckle as he walked over to Severus to help him with the backpacks.

"Alright, boys," began Tobias, "let's get started." Tobias patiently, with much ‘help' from Severus, showed Harry what they would need to bring and how to pack it properly.

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The next morning, Tobias woke Severus and Harry early and they ate breakfast before setting out, locking the doors securely behind them. It quickly became clear to Harry that Severus was not a morning person. Any attempt to speak to him was met with incommunicable grunts as he rubbed his eyes sleepily.

There was a small place just over half a mile into the woods that Tobias had been taking Severus to camp since the boy could walk, and it was there that the father-sons trio was headed. The stream that flowed not too far from their house flowed through the woods and ended in a small lake. It was the perfect spot for camping.

Once they reached the clearing just off the lake's shore, they set up camp. Tobias showed Harry how to set up the tent, then had the boys put their stuff inside and roll the sleeping bags out. That done, Tobias showed them (mostly Harry since Severus had done it before) how to build a fire. Though it was mid-day by the time everything was set up for their three day camping excursion, Severus still looked as though he just woke up, whereas Harry was nearly bouncing off the trees.

After a quick lunch consisting of the few items of fruit they brought, Tobias took them to the lake and after fashioning some fishing poles out of strings and sticks (the old fashion way was the best according to Tobias) they went about catching their supper. By the time they had caught their dinner and cleaned the fish, it was time to cook and eat their catch.

That night, after making s'mores, they crawled into the tent where Tobias entertained them with stories. He didn't get very far though before Severus's light snoring was heard. Once Harry was asleep, Tobias made sure both his boys were tucked in well before lying down himself. All in all it had been a rather typical first camping day. Going over the day's events in his mind Tobias was slightly concerned about Severus's lethargy, but chalked it up to being unable to sleep the previous night due to excitement. Harry had been much more outgoing today then he had been since they returned from headquarters, something for which Tobias was grateful; not that the boy was completely over his fears and anxieties, but it was a definite improvement. Tobias eventually drifted off, just happy to be able to spend time with his sons.

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The next day found Harry and Severus swimming, while Tobias looked on from the shoreline. He had gotten into the water with his sons at first, but after a while had gotten out in favor of just laying out in the warm summer sun. When he first heard the shouts he had ignored them, assuming his sons, like most boys, were just fooling around a bit and after they had sufficiently dunked and splashed one another the shouts would stop. Tobias was right; after a moment the shouts and splashing stopped and everything seemed to be okay again between the two brothers until he heard Harry's voice laced with pain and fear.

"Severus, stop! That hurts!"

That immediately caught Tobias's attention and he sat up searching out his boys. They were out pretty far in the water, definitely over their heads anyway, and Severus had his hand in Harry's hair pulling hard. Tobias stood up and walked to the water's edge. "Severus! That's enough, come here! Now!"

Severus removed his hand from his brother's hair and Tobias was almost sure he took some hair with him. Angrily, Severus swam toward his father and slowly made his way out of the water. Harry was watching from the water.

Once within reach Tobias grabbed his son's arm and pulled Severus toward him, then drapped a towel around his shoulders. He then pulled the boy toward the dullest tree there ever was; it was so dull it wasn't even unusual in its dullness. Positioning Severus so his nose was inches from the tree he started lecturing and scolding his boy for a good five minutes about not fighting. With a final warning to remain in timeout until he was told to move, Tobias was about to walk away from his son when he noticed Severus shivering. Now, the water was cold, and Severus had just gotten out, but with sun shining brightly, it was hardly cold out. Reaching out a hand, Tobias felt his son's forehead and immediately noticed a fever.

"Great, just perfect," mumbled Tobias looking up at the sky. Severus was leaning his warm head into what felt like a cool hand, closing his eyes. "How long have you been feeling bad, Sev?"

Severus pulled the towel around him tighter and shrugged.

Tobias knelt down so he had to look up slightly to look his boy in the eyes. "When did it start?"

"Yesterday," was Severus's mumbled reply. He really wished his dad would put his hand back on his forehead.

Tobias sighed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Cause you wouldn't have taken us camping," Severus whined, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"You're right, I wouldn't have, because you don't need to be out here while sick." Tobias's tone was the just the slightest bit harsh with a twinge of disappointment in it.

"Not that sick," mumbled Severus indignantly, not meeting his father's eyes.

"You have a fever, Sev," Tobias ran his hand along his child's face, his voice was now soft and silky, "that's sick enough."

Severus shrugged, once again pulling the towel tighter around him.

Tobias took the towel and stared drying Severus off briskly, before wrapping the towel around the boy's shoulders once again, then wrapping his arms securely around the small ten year old, he picked him up off the ground.

Instinctively, Severus wrapped his arms and legs around his dad and buried his head in his father's neck, before mumbling, "Daddy... I don't feel good."

"I know, son, I know," soothed Tobias, rubbing Severus's back comfortingly. Going back to the edge of the lake, Tobias called Harry out of the water.

Once Harry was close enough to hear him without shouting Tobias said, "First, Harry, Severus has something he'd like to say to you. Don't you?"

Severus turned his head enough to look at his brother before saying, "I'm sorry I pulled your hair."

Harry shrugged, noticing immediately something was wrong with his brother, "It's okay. What's wrong? Did I hurt you when we were playing?" Harry didn't really think that was possible, but decided to ask anyway. After all what else could it be?

"Sev, is sick Harry," Tobias answered, "I'm sorry, but we're going to have to cut our trip a bit short this time."

"Oh," was all Harry said looking at the ground. He didn't want to leave. They were having fun and Harry really liked camping. It just wasn't fair. But his brother was sick and if his dad said they had to go home then he didn't have much of a choice.

"We'll go camping again soon, I promise." Tobias reached out with one hand to ruffle Harry's hair and give him a gentle push towards their campsite.

At the campsite, while Harry was getting dressed, Tobias first went to the tent and, after putting Severus down, pulled the boy's sleeping bag from the tent, placing it out of the way. Going back to Severus, Tobias placed a hand on the back of his head, and gently guided the small boy over to his sleeping bag. "Lay down, Sev. Try to go to sleep."

Severus clumsily crawled into the sleeping bag, too tired to complain about having to take a nap. "Do we have to go? I'm not that sick."

Tobias sat down next to his son and ran a hand through his hair. "Yes, we have to go. End of discussion. Now, close your eyes and rest for a bit." Tobias stayed next to Severus until he was asleep. It worried him that it didn't take long for the boy to drift off. Severus must be very sick to just go to sleep so easily after a full night's sleep.

Sighing heavily, Tobias got up and turned to find Harry watching him intently. Offering the boy a small smile he walked over to him and knelt down in front of him and keeping his voice low so as not to disturb Severus. "I promise we'll go camping again soon, Harry, but Sev's sick so we need to get him home, okay?"

Harry nodded, not breaking eye contact with his dad.

Tobias sighed; he would get verbal answers from this child. "Verbal answer, Harry," and even though his voice was soft, it was firm and commanding, also.

"Yes, sir," said Harry. "Is he going to be okay?" Harry nodded towards the sleeping form of Severus.

Tobias gave a sort of half smile, "He'll be fine, now go roll up our sleeping bags, while I start packing up the other things."

Harry then stood up straight and raised his right hand to his forehead attempting to imitate Severus in a salute. "Aye, aye, captain." As Harry was about to bring his hand down from the salute and go do what he was told, Tobias stopped him.

Tobias stopped his son's arm as it was coming down from the ‘salute' and shook his head, "Not like that." Tobias stood up and demonstrated the correct way to stand, "put your feet closer together." Harry imitated his father's moves, "raise your right hand up like this...very good. Now you never lower your hand until the ranking officer has saluted you, so after you raise your hand you wait until I raise and lower mine before you lower yours, okay?"

Harry nodded, "Yes, sir." This was amazing! No one had ever shown him how to do something like this. Harry had always wanted a dad to show him how to do things, and now he had it. He couldn't help but smile as his dad showed him the proper way to salute.

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Once everything was packed up, with the exception of Severus's sleeping bag, Tobias woke the sick child up.

"Come on Severus, it's time to go." Tobias gently shook the boy's shoulder and eventually Severus eyes opened.

His head hurt, was Severus first thought and he didn't want to move. He pushed his father's hand away and curled up as much as possible.

"Come on little one," Tobias willed himself to have patience. "You can go back to bed when we get home."

"Dad," Severus sat up stretching his arms toward his father. Tobias immediately pulled his boy to him in a hug. "My head hurts."

Tobias held his son for a moment, soothing him, "It'll be okay soon, I promise." Pushing his son away, Tobias rolled up the last sleeping bag and attached it to Severus's backpack, which he slung over his shoulder. With two backpacks Tobias took Severus's hand and they began making their way out of the woods, with Harry staying close to Severus.

About a quarter of the way home, Severus was too tired to go any further. "Dad, can we stop and rest for a while, please?" His voice was cracking slightly, with a tired note to it.

Tobias stopped and looked down at Severus who was rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand looking like a very small child. They hadn't been walking long and if they had to keep stopping to rest they would never make it home. Sighing, Tobias set both backpacks on the ground; Severus and Harry were looking on curiously. "Put this on," said Tobias handing Severus his backpack.

"But, dad, I'm tired," complained Severus as he put the backpack on.

"I know," was all Tobias said as he positioned his own backpack so it hung in the front instead of the back. He then knelt down with his back towards Severus.

Though this action confused Harry slightly, Severus immediately wrapped his arms around Tobias's neck. Tobias reached back and grabbed Severus's legs before standing up. Once Tobias was standing Severus wrapped his legs securely around his dad.

"All set?" Tobias asked wondering if they would be moving any faster with him carrying a ten year old boy and two backpacks. Feeling Severus nod he started walking again.

It was late evening by the time they reached the edge of the woods and minutes from the back door of the house. Tobias knelt down allowing Severus to get off his back then rearranged the backpack he was carrying while mumbling about being ‘too old for this sort of thing.'

As the three made their way to the house, Harry was looking almost as tired as Severus. Unlocking the door, Severus and Tobias immediately discarded their backpacks against the wall, the three walked in on an unexpected sight. Sitting at the kitchen table was a woman with long black hair with a few grey highlights that were so perfectly positioned one would think they were placed there on purpose, and brown eyes. Seeing the three enter the kitchen she put down the cup of tea she was holding and stood up, advancing towards the three shocked occupants of the kitchen. She was tall, almost the same height as Tobias, and she wore tight black pants with a green button up shirt that was too big. Not surprising, since it came from Tobias's closet. A slightly confused look crossed her features when her eyes rested on Severus.

"Hello, Toby, surprised?" asked the woman; her voice held a distinct, velvety quality.

Tobias couldn't say anything as he stared at her and Harry looked back and forth between the two adults in confusion before looking questioningly at his brother.

Severus was standing still, barely across the house's threshold, with his mouth hanging open slightly and his eyes wide with shock. He whispered a single word, but it reverberated around Harry's mind like an explosion: "Mum."