Harry Potter's Real Dad

Standing up, Harry realized this chimney was a tighter fit than Aunt Petunia's, but he could still crawl his way out if he kept himself as straight as possible. He began pulling himself forward, crawling slowly and meticulously. The flue was very clean by chimney standards, informing Harry that someone did the cleaning. The small amounts of soot there was did sprinkle over him, and halfway up the flue he paused to cough harshly.

Finally, he made it to the top and crawled his way out of the chimney, his entire body covered in soot. He brushed himself off with little effect before looking at the ground below. It was a long way down, and he did not have a ladder waiting for him.

Harry sat on the roof as he thought about the times he let himself fall in the chimney. Each time, he landed on his feet. He wondered if the same would happen if he jumped off the roof. The idea frightened him, and he stayed sitting on the roof for several minutes. If he didn't get off the roof soon, he was sure he would be caught and he needed to get as far away from this house as possible. He would free Aunt Petunia from jail somehow and they would be a family again.

Harry stood up, hesitated, then leaped off the roof.

He slowed down just before hitting the ground and landed on his feet. He smiled, then ran down the driveway. He stopped at the end and looked right, then left, then right again. He didn't know which way he was supposed to go, but he decided right seemed like the best choice. He began walking down the road, keeping close to the grass in case any cars drove by.

There were about seven houses he passed before acres of crop fields took over, and Harry wrapped his arms around himself as he kept moving, an icy feeling consuming his stomach. He had never been somewhere so secluded before. Even when he had been made to walk home there was at least a building or house in sight.

He wasn't sure how long he had been walking, but it was getting cold and noises from the tall grasses startled him. He coughed into his sleeve, then paused when the wind rustled the trees in the distance, and he shivered. He had no clue where Aunt Petunia was or even how to get back home and now, he was in the middle of nowhere. It wasn't fair.

Harry glanced back, but with no houses in sight, he sighed and resigned himself to keep moving. There was a loud crack and Harry jumped when he saw Severus standing in front of him, his arms crossed.

"Taking a little trip?" Severus asked.

"How did you get here?" Harry swung his head back and forth.

"Apparition," Severus said. "And looking at you, I'm assuming you got here by climbing out the chimney. I suppose I should have seen that coming."

"I'm going home," Harry declared, walking past Severus, and continuing down the road.

"And how do you plan on doing that?" Severus asked, following Harry.

"I don't know. I'll take a bus or a train or something."

"Hmm. With what money?"

"I don't need money. I'll sneak on."

"I see. And where do you plan on finding a bus or train?"

"In the city."

"You mean the one twenty miles away from here?" Severus questioned. "You'll be walking well into the night . . . in the dark . . . and the cold."

Harry wanted to keep going, but he was quite frightened about walking in the dark alone. His eyes watered just thinking about it and his heart picked up speed. Maybe Severus would walk with him until they found a bus or train. He had to keep going if he ever wanted to see Aunt Petunia again, but he really didn't want a monster to jump out and attack him.

"Besides," Severus added, "you're walking the wrong way."

At that, Harry plopped down on the ground and the tears escaped his eyes. He cried softly into his hands. He was already tired from his long escape and now he had to walk back the other way and he just wanted to go home. Severus sighed and kneeled in front of him, using a thumb to wipe a tear trailing down Harry's cheek.

"I'm sorry, honey," Severus said softly, "but you know I can't leave you out here. I know you miss Aunt Petunia, but what she did wasn't very nice."

"She's always nice to me." Harry sniffled.

"I know you see it that way, and I'm trying to help you understand why what she did was wrong, but you have to stop and listen to me first."

"She's all I have."

"Not anymore. You have me now. And Iris."

"I don't want you. I don't know you."

"I know. I'd like you to get to know me. And I you. Come, let's go back. It's getting late. And you need another bath again."

"I'm tired," Harry said. He coughed and shivered. "And cold."

"Do you want me to carry you?"

"I'm all dirty."

"That's nothing to be concerned about." Severus picked Harry up and carried him on his hip. Harry rested his head against Severus's shoulder, trapping his hands between himself and Severus's chest.

"Aunt Petunia won't let me near her if I'm dirty."

"No? But I'd bet she'd hug and hold her own son even if he were dirty."

"Yeah, but Dudley's her son. I'm not."

"That should not matter. Now, hold on to me. This might feel weird."

Severus disapparated and reappeared in front of his house. He walked up the driveway, Harry still in his arms coughing slightly. Severus patted his back.

"What if someone had stopped you on the way, hmm? Or tried to take you?"

"I'd tell them you kidnapped me."

Severus chuckled at that as he opened the front door.

"Looking at us, they might just believe it."

"You found him!" Iris cheered as she ran up to her father.

Addie was there as well, and she let out a relieved breath. She frowned at the soot covering Harry and shook her head softly.

"He's okay," Severus said, "but very tired. I think an early bedtime would be agreeable, don't you?"

Harry nodded, his eyes blinking repeatedly. Severus smiled and brushed some hair out of Harry's face.

"After a quick bath."

Harry nodded again.

"I'm glad he's okay," Addie said. "I'm going to get dinner ready so he can have a little something before bed."