When Pigs Fly

Crying Over Spilled Wormwood Essence

Thank you so much for everyone who has read this and who has waited patiently for this chapter. I hope you all enjoy it. 

Severus's day started with a light but somewhat inconsiderate patting on his face. As he scrunched up his face in mild irritation, he opened his eyes, squinting at the bright light coming in from the window. Once his eyes focused to the light, a little bit away from him lay a small boy that was doing a really bad job of hiding from his papa in the blankets.

Severus felt himself smiling uncontrollably at the sight. "Hey Harry, you know I can hear you giggling right?" The boy merely giggled harder, at which Severus picked him up from under the blankets and brought him close for a hug.

As Severus hugged his child, a realization passed through his mind that made the grin fall off his face.

"Oh no, it's Monday isn't it" he sighed, remembering what was going to happen that day. The next big hurdle: taking Harry to his classes for the first time. A bunch of teenagers experimenting with dangerous spells and hazardous materials. Surely nothing could go wrong.

After all the events from the previous Saturday- the memories of which Severus is attempting to not remember, thank you very much- Severus spent the next day huddled up in his room with Harry, having the house-elves bring them their meals. It was nice not having to see anyone else that day, except for Lily of course, who spent several hours with Severus in an attempt at a study session that was interrupted quite frequently by an adorable nuisance.

Sadly Severus can't escape the imbecilic Gryffindors any longer. Especially today.

"Papa, potty!" Harry called, hands outstretched. Severus responded by swiftly ferrying them both off to the bathroom, and made the wise decision to get the both of them ready at the same time. So after brushing their teeth and having a nice bath, both were dressed and ready for the day.

At least on the outside in Severus's case.

Severus dragged on when putting his school materials in his bag. He didn't want to have to go outside. He wanted to stay in his little bubble with Harry and occasionally Lily. But, he reasoned, doing well in academics was his thing.

And as he turned back and looked at his child, who was attempting to carry at least five stuffed toys with him and not making any progress because he kept dropping one and dropping another when trying to pick up the first, he resolved that he couldn't change that aspect of himself. He knew he needed to have that for himself at least.

Smiling, Severus placed the bag strap on his shoulder and turned to the boy. "Harry, you won't need those toys."

"But papa! I need!" And he widened his eyes and pushed his lips out in an exaggerated pout, knowing from experience that his papa would give in. And while this action should have given Severus a huge dopey grin (and absolutely giving in to the spoiled child), the love he felt was dampened by a pool of fear and rage. Because he had seen that same pout on the face of a certain pompous Gryffindor during his many inconsiderate interactions with Lily.

One more thing that ignorant Potter has ruined for me, he thought bitterly. But as he looked back at his child, he could see that the boy was shocked and disappointed that the raven didn't respond as he expected. Now his eyes were wide with worry and his lips were getting legitimately pouty and were starting to shake.

Severus felt himself panic, and before it became too much, he strolled over, picked up the child, and found himself saying, "Fine. Bring one toy." He reached his hand over and plucked out a certain familiar plushie that was only hanging on by a wing in Harry's arms. "I'm assuming you want Hawky?"