Harry Potter as a Baby

To The Moon And Back

Severus walked into Harry's room one morning to find Harry silently crying in his crib. Severus immediately ran over and pulled Harry out of his crib into a large hug.

"What's wrong?" Daddy asked. Harry shrugged and buried his tear stained face into his daddy's black robes. Severus sat himself down into the his rocking chair and gently rocked back and forth as Harry's body shook with sadness. 

"Are you hungry?" Daddy questioned Harry. Harry shrugged again and gave a tiny hiccup. Severus was beginning to become concerned. 

"Harry, speak to me. I need you to tell me what is wrong," Daddy said firmly. Harry briefly paused in his crying and looked up into Daddy's face before more tears streamed down his face and Harry shoved his face back into Daddy's cloak. Severus raised in eyebrow. Was it possible, even for one so small and little to be...depressed? Even if only for a brief moment? Severus sat Harry back down in his crib and hurried out of the room to a locked cupboard where he stored an assortment of potions. He spotted the cheerup potion, which he almost grabbed, except he remembered it was not meant for those younger than thirteen. Of course, Harry was "older", but not really. 

"Maybe I should call for Poppy," Severus muttered to himself. He immediately cast that idea out. How would it reflect on him if his own son was to be seen as more than sad. He was not sure if what Harry was experiencing was indeed depression, but if it was, he did not want to be accused by others as the reason for the depression. Severus hurried back to the nursery to see Harry lying with his face turned away from the door. 

"Harry, baby, what is wrong. You're starting to scare Daddy." Harry gave a small whine and pulled his blankie up above his head.

"No, don't do that, you could suffocate," Daddy said. Harry remained under his blanket. Daddy suddenly had an idea. He silently crept over to the crib and began tickling Harry. Instead of receiving the sound of giggles and laughter, he was met with the sound of whimpering. Severus was taken back. Was it possible that Harry didn't love him anymore? No, it couldn't be. They had just watched a move together the night before in which they laughed and sang along to Pepper, the squirrel. Severus gently pulled the blanket off of Harry and slowly rubbed Harry's back. Harry's shakes and sobs subsided as he did this. 

"That's much better. How about a change now?" Daddy whispered gently as he pulled Harry up and set him on his hips. Harry didn't say a word as his Daddy changed his nappy. Daddy then dressed Harry in a cute little outfit and placed a kiss on his forehead. All the while, Harry avoided his eyes. Daddy pulled out a story book from Harry's shelf and read it. It was, "I love you to the moon and back." At one point Daddy looked up to find himself looking into Harry's green eyes. Harry held his gaze for a moment before looking down. Daddy continued, pretending it didn't happen. When he finished the book he looked at Harry. Harry met his gaze again, more tears in his eyes. 

"Harry, please tell me what's wrong," Daddy murmured. Harry swallowed and proceeded to speak.

"I had a nightmare. I had gotten in a accident and I was so ugly and I couldn't walk and you didn't love me no more," Harry said, his last few words turning into loud sobs. Severus stared, heartbroken. He put his hand on Harry's shoulder and waited until Harry looked into his eyes. 

"You listen to me, Harry. Just like in the book I just read you, I love you so much more than you could ever imagine and don't you ever think otherwise. Even if you were the most horrible looking creature in the world, I would still love you."

"I know dat. But what if one day I can't do anything but eat, sleep, and breade? What is left after dat?" Harry asked, once again avoiding Daddy's gaze. Severus sighed and picked Harry up and rocked him once more.

"Harry, you are so much more than what you are thinking you are. Even if you lost all physical ability except for eating, sleeping, and breathing, you would still be my son. And you would still be the most loving, caring, most adorable boy there was. If I hadn't met you, despite how I felt just a few years ago about you, I would not be the man I am today. You are here for a reason and even if you don't recognize it, I do."

"Dank you. I love you daddy, I really do," Harry whispered, a smile forming on his face, the tears gone.

"And I love you. To the moon, and back."