Severus carefully climbed down the play structure with Harry in his arms. The little boy was still crying which was fine for the moment. He knew he would have a lot more time to comfort him once they were inside the lavatory. He walked towards Lupin, who he noticed had a particular expression on his face but as he was still giving the man the cold shoulder he could care less. He was grabbing the bag when he felt eyes on him, his head turning to look at the child who had alerted him that something was wrong in the first place.

"Is Harry gonna be okay now?" Neville asked worriedly as he chewed his lip anxiously. He was still getting to know how Sebbus ran things. And he didn't know if the man punished for accidents or not.

"He is, I am just taking him to the washroom to get cleaned up," Severus told him soothingly.

Neville nodded silently as he looked up at the man with a neutral expression on his young face. He didn't want to take away from Harry but couldn't he just catch a break? He turned his head to the floor not wanting the man to read something in his gaze.

Severus eyes flashed very much aware that something was bothering the Longbottom heir; however he knew he needed to change Harry. The last thing he wanted was this sickly little boy getting ill from his wet clothes.

"I will be right back, you stay with Lupin," Severus told the little boy kindly.

Neville shook his head tiredly before he gave a sigh at the man's words. "Alright,"

Severus gave a nod to the wolf before he turned and started walking briskly to the washroom where he had seen Albus and Draco go through a few minutes before. He opened the door to find to his amusement, his godson and mentor in the middle of a toilet paper fight. He had to swallow the laughter that tried to bubble out of his throat as he looked at them.

"And just what is going on in here?" Severus stated in his best teaching voice. Just like he figured it had the desired effect when Draco and Albus both froze at once.

Albus had the good sense to look a bit abashed at being caught out, but the old man couldn't help the grin on his face. They had been having a lot of fun if he was being honest.

"Just a bit of fun my dear boy, nothing that we can't clean up," Albus said in a cheerful tone.

"We was just pwaying Uncle Sebbus," Draco added softly. He didn't want his godfather mad at him; he just wanted to play with his grandfather. "What's wrong wiff Harry?" He asked quickly wanting the spotlight off of him.

"He's just had a small accident, and I need to get him change," Severus told him as he gave the blonde tot a look to let him know he wasn't fooled.

Albus took that moment to pick up the little Slytherin and wave his wand around the bathroom in a quick motion. Good as new was the lavatory and with a grin he headed out the toilet leaving Severus and Harry alone.

Harry stiffened when he realized that they were alone. He carefully lifted his face from where he had it pressed into the man's shoulder. He knew if this had happened at the Durselys household he would be receiving the spanking of his life. He wasn't sure what his new daddy had in store for him.

"Is Hawwy in twouble?" He asked softly, even if it frightened him he preferred to know just what was in store for him.

"Not at all," Severus told him softly as he headed into the handicap stall to clean up the child. He realized halfway through cleaning up that he could have used magic a bit, but he shook his head. He really didn't want any investigating a magical occurrence in a muggle neighborhood.

"But Hawwy pottied on his self," Harry hiccupped tearfully at the man.

"It was an accident, I do not think one should be in trouble for something they could not control Harry. It is fine," Severus assured him firmly as he ruffled the soft messy locks on the child's head. Well aware now that the child was gazing at him with an emotion that he felt uncomfortable being directed at him the Potion's Master focused on his task.

Harry was silent for a moment as he allowed the man to finish changing him in peace before he pushed his hair out of his eyes. "So dis means what? When we go back home does Hawwy get in twouble thewe?" He asked still slightly confused at what the heck was happening.

"It means when we go back home, you're going to go play with Draco and Neville. This changes nothing Harry, I will not punish you for something you couldn't control," Severus said plainly, trying to make himself as plain as possible. He felt like he was repeating himself but he knew that Harry needed this constant reassurance.

"Oh," Harry breathed out with a frown, this was truly unknown territory to him. He wasn't sure what he was missing here, but he didn't understand. "What does it mean weally?" He mumbled out softly.

"It means that even if you soiled yourself everyday for the rest of your life, nothing will stop me from loving you," Severus stated calmly.

Harry gasped softly as he stared at the man, his emerald eyes wide. "Daddy love Hawwy," he repeated softly to himself. "Hawwy love daddy," he said just as quietly.

Severus shook his head, taking that moment to swallow the sudden lump that had appeared in his throat before he finished cleaning up the child.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Back outside Draco and Albus had returned to the playground, the latter aware that they would probably be leaving as soon as Severus and Harry returned. The old man let out a laugh as he chased after his small charge.

Neville was staring at the pair with a peculiar expression on his young face, his head turning back around to look at his Uncle Remus. The man didn't need to say anything, and though he couldn't help how he felt Neville couldn't help but hate to be around him at the moment. He had felt the longing from the man every time that Harry cuddled Sebbus. It was hard to form a bond with someone whose heart was obviously with someone else. He couldn't blame Harry of course that would just be wrong. But oh Merlin, it hurt, didn't they all see that? Why were all the adults so emotionally blind?

Remus turned away from the washroom door as Severus and Harry both came out of it. He knew that he had taken this experience to get to know his cub, but he wasn't able to get more then 10 minutes alone with him so far. He knew that tomorrow would be better and he couldn't wait for it. Remus turned his head quickly to look at Neville as he heard a small gasp come from the boy below.

"What's the matter?" He asked immediately, bending down to his level to see if anything was wrong with him.

"Nothing you can fix," Neville stated in a resigned tone as he turned away from Harry and Severus with another shake of his head.

Remus wasn't convinced and continued to check the child for injuries. "Does anything hurt?"

"I want to go home," Neville said quietly.

"I think we're about to leave in a moment," Remus told him in confusion.

"Not the Professor's home, my home wiff my Gwan," Neville told him with a sigh.

"Why do you want to go back there?" Remus asked quietly.

"Because...they're my family, they love me there," he told him quietly.

Remus frowned unsure how he was supposed to reply to that.  "I will talk to Severus," he promised quietly.

Neville just shook his head at that before he turned to sit on the bench. The man wasn't supposed to agree on him wanting to go. He knew logically the man was supposed to try to make him stay. Did Remus just not want him here? He couldn't feel the coldness of the seat beneath him thanks to his layers but that still didn't stop him from letting out a small shiver.

He wanted what Harry and Draco were getting, but he didn't want to demand it. He contemplated his options he would honestly have to think more on this. But if he didn't get to go back to his grandmother by the way of the grownups, he would find some way how to on his own. He did after all know how to use the floo.

Severus turned to check the playground making sure all of the boys were within distance, amused once more to note that Albus was playing with Draco on the playground equipment.

"Albus, are you and Draco ready to go? We still need to decorate the tree and they still need a nap," Severus told him as he looked at his watch. He liked being on time.

"No Uncle Sebbus, I don't like naps," Draco pouted out stubbornly before ducking out of view of the man. He figured if his godfather couldn't see him then the man couldn't make him leave.

"Doesn't matter if you don't like them, you all need them regardless or you'll be overtired by dinner time. As it stands if you don't take a nap, you will be excluded from decorating the tree with us," Severus told him pointedly.

Neville casually pulled away from Remus and started making his way over to the Potion's Master.  "Professor, what if I don't want to decorate the tree anyway?" He asked curiously.

Severus gave the child a careful look. "Then you don't have to if you don't want too, but we would really like it if you did," he told him honestly.

Neville gave a shrug before he sighed. "I wanna go home to my gwan, can that happen Professor?" He asked quietly.

"Why do you want to go Neville?" Severus asked in response his eyes flashing to the werewolf for a moment before they were back down to the child in front of him.

"Because I can feel when I am unwanted sir, and it's not fine the first few times. But constantly feeling like second best, well it makes me wish for home. At least there I have my greenhouses to where I can escape the feelings. Here I cannot do that," Neville explained softly. He needed to keep his emotions in check, he could do this.

"I want you here Neville," Severus was quick to say wondering just what in the world the child was indeed feeling and from whom. He patted Harry's back for a moment; they would need to finish this discussion once they got back to the manor.

"It's not enough Professor," Neville told him softly before he hunched into himself as he felt Remus making his way over towards them.

Severus wasn't stupid and he caught the way the boy drew into himself, he didn't like the position the child was currently in. He frowned before he held out the bag that held the boy's things.

"Carry this for me Lupin, my arms are full," he stated tightly as he dropped the bag. He didn't care if the man dropped it or not. He sighed as he bent down to grab the other toddler that was on the ground. He could feel the child trembling and he didn't know if it was from the cold or from whatever pain he was feeling inside. Though Severus was inclined to believe it was stemming from the latter.

To say he was surprised was a whole thing entirely, Neville wasn't totally sure why the dour man had picked him up but he couldn't stop himself from holding tightly to the man. He squeezed his eyes shut as tears tried to fight their way past his closed eyelids.

"It'll be otay Neville," Harry whispered out softly. "Daddy will make it so," the little boy promised his friend seriously.

Neville had to give it to the other boy; he did believe the good in everyone. And he knew that alone would stop him for the moment from trying to escape to his Gran's house. He didn't want to leave Harry vulnerable here; he would protect his friend until Harry figured out how to do it himself.

Severus wasn't oblivious to their conversation considering it took place near his ears. He sighed as he nodded to Albus who was looking at him with a worried look. "We'll discuss it when we get back to the Manor," he told him as he headed out the park and towards the empty alley way

"We're still making the small stop to the Leaky Cauldron and then flooing?" Albus asked him curiously.

"Yes, I think it would be best, I don't want to see their treats making their way all up over my shirt," Severus said as he gave each head on his shoulders a kiss so they would know he wasn't being serious.

The trip home while smoother, not necessarily quick but Severus supposed that was the trade off so he wasn't complaining. Besides the last thing he wanted was the boys to pick up on it, and assume that his annoyance was directed at them. As it was, he could tell from the steady breathing on his shoulder that Harry was asleep, and Neville was on his way there. 

Once they were in the manor he headed up the stairs with his charges, knowing Albus was coming up behind him with Draco. He laid each boy into their respected beds, before flicking his wand watching as their outerwear disappeared only to reappear in their closets before taking off their shoes and tucking them both in. Severus pressed a kiss to the top of each of the boy's foreheads, coming to sit on Neville's bed. He could see the child fighting sleep.

"What is it Neville?" He asked the child quietly.

"I don't wanna be grouped with Remus again," the toddler told the man softly.

"How come? Has he done something to you?" Severus asked, a tight feeling appearing in his chest. It hadn't been his intention to group the child with the werewolf, but he could see plain as day that they never traded around their charges. What must the young child be thinking?

"He doesn't want to be with me, he pretends but he really only wants Harry. He doesn't understand that Harry would do a lot better wiff you. Because you know what Harry needs, you been where Harry has been," Neville sniffled out sadly.

"I see, I will...Albus and I will be speaking with him while you boys sleep alright. I will make this right," Severus promised.

"And if he doesn't go for it, can I go back to my Gwan?" Neville asked hopefully as he swiped his arm across his face.

"He will go for it, and he doesn't well then he'll leave my Manor. Again I do not think his intention was to make you feel like second best. Harry was just the son of one of his best friends. I think he just wants to reconnect. Though it doesn't excuse his actions, I don't want you to feel like you are being neglected here," Severus told him seriously.

"I get it," Neville said softly as he finally closed his with a tearful sigh.

"Trust me okay, I will make everything right," Severus told him as he tucked the child in his bed before going to check on his godson. Draco was already asleep and so the Potion's Master just followed Albus out of the room and downstairs.

There he could see the werewolf sitting in a chair with a teacup, having asked the house elves to bring a tray for them. He felt like he could use something a bit stronger then tea. Severus took a breath as he sat down in his chair, ignoring the questioning look Albus was currently giving him.

"What's the matter Severus?" Albus asked bluntly when it became apparent the man was lost in his thoughts.

"Neville is feeling unwelcomed here, it seems we've been neglecting his needs," Severus replied slowly.

Albus frowned as he thought that over. "I don't understand, we've given each of then their own attention. They each have an adult at their disposal," he pointed out.

"Correction Albus, you and I have been giving Draco and Harry the attention they need. Lupin was supposed to do that for Neville; however he has let his feelings get in the way. The child feels what the man feels and he hurts from being second best. His words not mine, I won't stand for this," Severus bit out. That was the last thing he ever wanted to do to these abused boys.

Albus gasped at the explanation and couldn't help but turning into Remus's direction. The man had bolted up straight in his chair at Severus's words. From the expression on the Gryffindor's face, he could clearly see that everything was true.

"I didn't mean to treat him like that, I just wanted to spend some time with Harry," Remus replied quietly.

"Nonetheless your feelings state otherwise, these boys don't need any more heartbreak Lupin. You knew what you signed up for, if you want to leave Albus and I won't stop you this time. I will not allow you to hurt my boys any longer," Severus told him sternly.

Remus took a deep breath and shook his head. He could hear the possessiveness in the man's tone, which his wolf didn't seem to mind. After all he had inadvertently hurt a cub, with his carelessness. "I will do better, I just if it's possible can we allow the boys to switch between adults?" He asked.

"It's not my decision it's theirs, but we can try to point them in that direction. I know you feel as if I'm hogging Harry from you, but he feels safer in my arms and I'm not going to jeopardize his feelings for yours. You are a grown man Lupin, start acting like it," Severus stated harshly.

Remus's hackles rose at that statement but he didn't reply knowing he was in the wrong at the moment. He would be better, he promised. He sighed before he turned to look at Albus who hadn't said much this conversation. "Is Sirius allowed visitors Headmaster?"

"Yes he is, were you planning on visiting him?" Albus asked curiously, aware of the conversation change.

"Yes, I think it'll be good morale for both of us," Remus replied truthfully.

"Tell him nothing of what has happened, I will be appraising him of the situation once the mind healer gives me the all clear," Albus told him calmly.

Remus gave a curt nod as he stood up and made his way to the fireplace. "If that is all?"

"Don't leave us to do your dirty work Lupin, if you're leaving then you will tell each little boy yourself," Severus stated as he gave the man a dirty look.

"I'll be back by the time their nap is over with. I just want to check on an old friend," Remus told him honestly before he disappeared into the floo.

Severus turned back to Albus. "What are we going to do? I don't want them to fight for my affection, or yours,"

"They won't, your heart has enough room for all of them Severus," Albus replied kindly as he stood up and grabbed the bag. He reached inside for the shrunken Christmas tree and prepared to set it up.

"What if Harry and Draco have felt like this?" Severus asked softly.

"I don't think they have; Neville has made sure of it," Albus replied truthfully.

"I will not fail them," Severus promised.

"I know you won't," Albus told him honestly.

"While you do that, I'm going up to the attic to grab the Christmas decorations. If you can make them a small snack once you're done that would be great Albus," Severus told the man.

"I will," the old man replied as he set the tree up towards the side of the room but where there was enough room for them to decorate the back and sides of it without it being too close to the wall.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was 2 hours when the boys woke up, with Harry being the first one out of the bed. The little boy yawned tiredly as he grabbed his stuffed deer and heled it tightly to his chest, before he made his way over to Draco's bed. There he stood in front of where the boy was sleeping and gently reached a hand out to shake the other boy's arm.

"Dwaco, wake up," Harry whispered out softly to the blonde boy.

"M'sweeping real good Harry," Draco mumbled out tiredly.

"It's  m'potant," Harry told him seriously.

"What's da matter? Did you have an askident again?" Draco asked sleepily even as he opened one eye so he could look at his friend.

"No, my bed is dwy," Harry told him proudly as he looked at his friend.

"Den what is it?" Draco wanted to know.

"Neville is weally sad," Harry confessed to the boy.

"Why?" Draco asked softly, sitting up to look at the other boy who was still sleeping across the room before he turned his gaze back to Harry.

"Cause Uncle Wemus isn't tweating him like Daddy and Gwanpa Albus awe tweating us," Harry replied smartly.

"How do you know this?" Draco asked suspiciously.

"Hawwy know awotta fings, gwown ups forget Hawwy sometimes. And I know how to be quiet," he admitted proudly.

"Okay, what can we do?" Draco asked with a frown. Neville was the one will all of the ideas not him.

"C'n you share Gwanpa Albus wiff him? And I can share daddy too," Harry suggested.

Draco gave a loud sigh at that, he didn't really want to do that plan. He didn't like sharing what he had claimed was his. He picked at the cover on his bed before he gave a reluctant nod. "I can do dat," he promised him.

"Good," Harry said happily as he awarded the blonde boy with a bright smile. "Now wets go make up Neville. We're gonna decowate da twee," he said excitedly.

"Maybe you shouwd let him sweep," Draco pointed out.

Harry gave a small shrug. "Daddy said we can only decowate it if evewyone is dere," Harry pointed out.

Draco grinned before he nodded. "Let's go wake him up," he said as he climbed out of his bed quickly.

Harry giggled happily as he ran across the room and gently shook his other friend up. "Neville, time to waked up," he told the smart boy.

"We gotsa decorate," Draco added excitedly.

Neville woke immediately, giving a small yawn as he looked at his companions tiredly. "I think I'm gonna sit this one out," he told them.

"Nope not awowed, daddy say so," Harry chirped.

"Really? Since when?" Neville questioned.

"Since Hawwy asked," Draco added slyly. "So you gotta come," he added.

"Okay," Neville sighed out before he climbed off of his bed and followed his friends out the room.

"Daddy! We waked up!" Harry yelled out excitedly once they got to the top of the stairs. He frowned as he tried to make his way down the steps to no avail. "What is dis?" He asked in confusion at the invisible barrier that wouldn't allow them to access the stairs.

"It's magic, its childpwoof," Neville stated as he stuck his hand out to feel the barrier.

"Why is it here?" Harry asked softly.

"They don't want us falling down the steps, my gwan has a lot of dese in place at her house," Neville replied truthfully.

"It's not cause we're babies, cause we're not. It's just to keep us safe," Draco added before he frowned. "Uncle Sebbus, we stuck!" He yelled out when it became apparent no one was making their too them.

Severus glanced up in amusement as he heard his name, looking back at his Albus with a smile. "I will get them," he told the old man before he headed up the steps. He grinned as he climbed the steps and saw the boy's impatient faces.

"Did you boys all have a nice nap?" He asked as he bent down to pick up Neville, he was after all trying to make this right. He inwardly flinched as he caught the eyes of Harry emerald's eyes which seemed to pierce his soul once the child realized he hadn't reached for him. Severus sighed before hugged Neville to his chest before addressing the other two.

"Ready?" He asked them cheerfully as he flicked his wand and they started floating in the air. He led them all into the kitchen, setting Neville in his chair first before getting Draco and Harry down.

"Where's Uncle Wemus?" Harry asked as he looked around the kitchen in confusion. If their plan was going to work out he was going to need someone to cuddle if Neville was with his daddy now.

"He went to visit an old friend of his," Severus replied honestly.

"Is he coming back?" Draco wanted to know.

"Do you want him to come back?" Albus blurted in.

"Depends, if he going to be nice to Neville now?" The little boy pointed out.

"Yes he will," Severus stated slowly as he turned towards his godson. "What makes you think he hasn't been?"

"I'm fwive Uncle Sebbus not stupid, I see da way he looks at Harry," Draco said with a frown.

Severus turned to look at Albus, seeing he old man's lip twitching as he forced his own self not to laugh in response at the indignant tone of his godson's. He cleared his throat before turning to face the counter as a smile broke across his face.

"Of course you're not stupid honey, Severus was just asking," Albus replied fondly unable to resist as he bent down to kiss the little blonde head.

"Gwanpa Albus kiss Hawwy's head too?" Harry asked hopefully as he looked over at the man.

"Of course," Albus said as he made his way to Harry and then to Neville just to be on the safe side.

"Once you boys have finished your snack we will start decorating the tree," Severus told them, watching as their little eyes widened. "But no stuffing yourselves, I don't want anyone sick," he warned them.

"We won't Uncle Sev'rus, we're big boys," Neville promised softly as he awarded the man with a shy smile.

Severus for his part was floored, as the Longbottom heir had never called him that. He hadn't told the boy he couldn't say it, but child just tended to call him Professor or sir. He was happy for the change nonetheless and gave a fond nod in the child's direction.

"Once you're done, come meet us in the sitting room," Severus told them easily before he and Albus left the kitchen and headed to the floo room. "Where is he? He said he would be back," he hissed out once they were alone.

"Give him some time Severus, he will come back," Albus replied kindly.

"He better, Harry needs his company. Albus you didn't see the look the boy gave to me when I picked up Neville instead of him," he told him with a shake of his head.

"Was it a look of betrayal?" The old man asked softly.

"No, but it was resignation like he had expected it to come down to this. I don't mind splitting my time between the two of them but Lupin was supposed to make this easier on all of the boys. Now he's making it worse all because he can't take his foot out of his ass," Severus bit angrily.

"Now Severus, the man just needs a moment to assess himself and he's had a rough time as it was with all of this," Albus said gently.

"You always defend him and others like him, the Gryffindors I mean. This is surprising to me that you even take to Draco like you do, you hate us Slytherins," he muttered out sadly.

"Severus, is that what you think?" Albus asked aghast as he looked at the man across from him.

"It's not what I think, it's what I know. And I've known this since I was 14 years old, you officially cemented it the day Black attempted to murder me and you allowed him to stay in Hogwarts," he stated bitterly as he got up and paced. "I don't know why I thought this was different,"

Albus shook his head, he knew that he had truly failed Severus but he had thought that he had managed to fix it apparently not. It was rooted deep, just where the man's heart lay.

"That's not true," he told the potion's master firmly.

"It is true," Severus said tightly, turning suddenly as the floo flared to life and Lupin appeared. "It's about time you showed up, Harry was asking about you," he informed him.

"He has?" Remus said in surprise a grin coming to his face.

"Yes he has, I also want you to know that the boys are very much of aware of the way you've been treating Neville and have requested that you fix it. Believe me, if you cannot get a handle on your feelings, I don't care how hard I will struggle. You are out," Severus warned him seriously.

"Trust I know, I've given it a lot of thought and I want to get the time to know all of them," Remus told him truthfully.

"Good, you'll get the chance too; we're going to try something today. When they're decorating the tree, you will be making sure that Harry is okay and I will have Neville and Severus will have Draco," Albus told him softly. His heart was still on that previous conversation that Remus had interrupted with his arrival.

"I'll be in the sitting room," Severus stated quickly before he left the room suddenly.

"What's with him?" Remus wanted to know.

Albus shook his head sadly. "It's not my place to say, come along Remus," he told the werewolf as he too made his way into the sitting room.

The Potion's master was making sure everything was set up for the boys. He had charmed each of the ornaments child proof as some of them were breakable and he didn't want any of the little boys getting hurt. He took a sip of his tea, his eyes flickering dismissively when Albus and the wolf entered into the room. He ignored the look that the old man was currently giving him he had no wish to continue the conversation. Severus was more than grateful when the boys ran into the room.

"We awe weady daddy," Harry informed the man shyly as he caught a glimpse of the other man he had been looking for.

"I wanna put the star on top Uncle Sebbus," Draco informed the man before he turned in a circle unsure of who he was supposed to go too. He knew that they had talked about sharing the adults with Neville as Remus wasn't doing much and he didn't know who he was supposed to be with.

"Whats the matter dragon?" Severus asked softly.

"I confused," the little blonde boy admitted.

"Confused about what?" His godfather pressed.

"Who I ‘posed to be wiff?" He wanted to know.

Severus quirked an eyebrow at that as he gave a nod to the elder man. "With Albus for now," he answered quietly unsure of where his godson was going with this.

"Awe you suwe? Didn't you say that we ‘posed to twade gwown ups?" Draco pointed out in confusion.

"I did, but something came up," Severus said with a frown. Too be honest he knew that both of the little Gryffindor boys needed both his and Remus's attention. He only hoped Draco kept up with his complacent attitude.

"Now it's time to decorate the tree," Albus said quickly before the little boys could ask anymore questions. He picked up his blonde toddler and kissed his soft locks. "Are you ready Draco?"

"I am," the little boy replied happily as the old man carried him over to the tree.

Severus picked up Neville knowing that Remus would be doing the same to Harry and headed over to the tree. "You can put any ornament wherever you want," he told him.

"Anywhere?" Neville asked to confirm it.

"Yes anywhere, I want to see a tree decorated by all of you boys," he assured him. He set the child on the stool in front of the tree and stepped back a bit. He was watching and waiting until the child would need him again. Because when Neville did he would be here.