"I don' wanna go!" Harry whined, tightening his hold on his dad. "NO!"

"Harry, it's just a check-up. They won't hurt you, and at the end, you get a sweet!" Severus tried to bargain, to no avail. Harry just cried harder.

"Harry, it's required by the Ministry that you have a check-up once a year. For whatever, stupid, reason, Madame Pomfrey doesn't count. But whoever you'll see will be just as nice, just as gentle, okay? I promise, honey."

"NO!"

Remus took Harry from Severus. "Harry, cub, take a deep breath, okay? You know that me and Daddy would never do anything to hurt you, ever, right?" Harry nodded and wiped his nose on his sleeve. "Right. So, can you tell us why you don't want to see a Healer?"

"Be-Because... Because D-Dudley says they're mean an-an' scary an' they gives you shots in the bum!" Harry exclaimed. "Wi' a big needle!"

"Oh, honey, they do not," Remus replied. "They make sure you're healthy. They check your temperature, check your weight, how tall you are, that sort of stuff. And they might look at your eyes, too, since you have glasses, but that'll pretty much be it."

The boy sniffled and wiped his eyes on his other sleeve. "'Eally? No shots i-in the bum?"

"None. And afterwards, just like Daddy said, you can pick out a sweet."

"Still don' wanna."

"I know, bambi. I know." Severus sighed. "You know what else I know? It's time for a nap."

"Noooooo." Harry whined. "Don' wanna."

"Yes, but you have to. You had a really hard time sleepy, you don't want to be all grumpy the rest of the day, right?"

"I'll take him. You can finish grading," Remus offered. "C'mon, cub."

"Nigh' nigh', Daddy," Harry mumbled, muffled by Remus' jumper. "Pappy, stay dis time?"

"Hmm... Yes, I'll stay the whole time this time. Unless I have to use the loo, which I have to do now."

"'Kay, Pappy." Remus let Severus take the boy (again) so he could go to the bathroom. "Daddy, 'm scared of the doct'r."

"There's no need to be scared, bambi. You'll be okay. Come on, honey, lets go get you into some jammies."

"The d'agons, Daddy. Can you nap with us?"

"No, bambi. I have some work to do, sweetie." The two went to Harry's bedroom and started to get his in his pajamas. "But tomorrow, it's just you, me, and Pappy. How's that sound? Maybe we'll go swimming again? Or go to the pet store, see some animals?"

"Can we gets a doggie?"

"No yet, Hare, but maybe when you're older."

"Like six?"

Severus laughed. "How about seven?"

"Deals!"

"I'm back!" Remus exclaimed. "Time to go night-night."

"Daddy stay!" Harry clung to him. "Pretty please? Please, please, please, please!?"

"Hon-"

"Please!?"

"Oh, alright," Severus caved. "But only ten minutes, I really do have work to do."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Remus, let's just go, he isn't going to calm down any time soon!" Severus grumbled. "We're going to be late!"

"Five more minutes!"

"No, come on. He's screaming, we can't walk into the clinic-"

"It. Happens. All. The. Time. We're going to be late."

"Please?"

"I am not missing this appointment, Remus. I am not giving the Ministry a reason to take him away from me again." Severus rested Harry on his hip and tried to ignore the wails. "You wouldn't understand."

"Bu-"

"No. We're leaving, come on." He gave Harry Lily and walked to the Floo. "Come on, Remus."

"Ugh, fine."

They Floo'd to the pediatric clinic, which thankfully was not inside St. Mungos, and went to the front desk. "Appointment for Harry Potter," Severus said.

"Yes, of course. Has he been ill in the past week or been out of the country within the past month?"

"No, of course not."

"Has he gotten any infections within the past week?"

"No."

"Then you may sit and wait, the doctor will be out to see you shortly. There is a bit of paperwork you need to fill out. If you need a quill, they're in that jar, along with ink."

"Thank you. Remus, can you take him?"

"No! Only Daddy!!" Harry clung tighter to the man. "Wan' Daddy!! No, no, NO!"

"Harry Potter, you go with Remus right now," Severus snapped. "That is not how we behave."

Harry started sobbing, but let Remus hold him instead. Severus frowned, realizing he had been too harsh, much to harsh, and had made a big mistake. They went to one of the empty corners to sit down.

"Harry, honey, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean it."

"Yo-You 'ate me!"

"No, bambi, I love you so much. I'm not mad."

While Severus did the paperwork, Harry's sobs turned into soft cries.

"Mr. Potter?" a nurse called. The family followed them into a corridor, where there was a scale and a height ruler. "We're going to do height and weight first, then the doctor can see you."

Harry refused to be let down. "No, Pappy. P'ease no."

"Okay, cub," Remus said gently. "You don't have to." He turned to the nurse. "Maybe a bit later?"

"Of course. Right this way. Now, Harry, do you like dragons or puppies better?"

"...Dragons?"

"Alrighty then, you can have the dragon room!" they said excitedly. They let them into one of the rooms.

Harry smiled slightly. "Dragons, Pappy. Lotsa dragons." There was a dragon-themed mural on three of the walls, toys dragons hanging from the ceiling, and green carpet to go with the theme. "Nice."

"Very nice, cub."

"The doctor will join the three of you in a few minutes."

They left, closing the door as they did. Remus and Severus sat down, Harry on Remus' lap still clinging to him.

"Harry, bambi, I'm sorry I was mean," Severus said softly. "I'm tired and I got annoyed easily. It wasn't fair to you. I didn't mean it."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Harry thought for a moment before saying, "I forgives you, Daddy." Severus kissed Harry's forehead.

Someone knocked on the door before entering. "Hello! I'm Dr. Wilson, but please call me Jay. What's your name?" He held out his hand to Harry, who shyly shook it once.

"'M Harry. Like your hair..." Harry mumbled, glancing at the pink buzzcut.

"Aw, thanks."

"Did it hurt!?"

"No, of course not! Anyway, Harry, my friend told me your a tad bit frightened? Is this your first appointment" The boy nodded. "I understand it can be scary, but I promise nothing that we do today is going to hurt. If you don't want to do anything, what if one of your dad's does it?"

"Mmm... okay... Ca' I keep Lily?"

"Of course!"

The rest of the appointment went smoothly, thank Merlin. Harry never let Remus or Severus let go of his hand, and Severus did have to do most before Harry would, but there were no more tears or tantrums.

"Sweet?"

"Yes, bambi, we can go get you a sweet now. Where do you want to go? Candy shop or ice cream?"

"Uh... Ice cream! Ooh! Can we meet Draco and Lucy! Please please please please please-"

"Yes, yes, yes. I'll call Lucius and see if he's doing anything. Are you okay with waiting until tomorrow?"

"Uh-huh!!"

As they were leaving, they bumped into another family. Harry dropped Lily on accident. "Daddy!"

"It's fine, bambi."

"Uh... mister, you dropped this!" a little redheaded boy held Lily up to Severus. "You have weird hair."

"Ronald! That is not what we say." his mother scolded. "Sorry about him."

"Not a problem," Severus mumbled.

"You look like Billy!" Harry realised, taking Lily. "An' Charlie!"

The little boy, Ronald, gasped. "Those are my brothers! How d'you know my brothers!? Mummy, he knows-"

"Yes, Ron, I heard," his mother sighed. "Molly Weasley." She held out her hand. Severus shook it once.

"Snape."

Molly glared at Severus' arm for a moment before saying, "Ah, yes. Bill just loves your class."

"That's lovely. We have things we need to get to."

"Of course-"

"Molly?" Remus asked before they could leave. "Merlin, it's been years!"

"...Oh my lord, Remus? I haven't seen you since- Well, you know when. Have you been eating!? You look just like you did five years ago, stick thin!"

"Pappy, who's 'at?"

"That's Molly, cub. We worked together for a while five or so years ago," Remus explained. "She was your father and mother's friend as well. And Sirius."

"Oh, poor dear. I never should've believed what they said about him. I do hope he's doing alright..." She looked at their hands, and let out a small "Oh..."

"He is, don't worry. We really do have to get going."

"Of course, we won't stop you. I'll owl you, maybe Harry could come to the Burrow. The younger ones would love another Wizard friend."

"I'll be sure to do that."

They shared goodbyes before Apparating. Severus frowned at the idea of Harry meeting all the Weasley's. What would happen next!? Meeting the entire bloody Order!?

"I have to go pick up some Potion's supplies," the Slytherin said when they landed in Diagon Alley, "and Knockturn Alley isn't a place for Harry. D'you two want to go to a toy store or something, and then we can meet at Flourish and Blotts?"

"Sure. Let's get lunch afterwards," Remus suggested. "Maybe that new Greek place?"

"Yeah, that sounds fine."

"Where's Daddy goin'?" Harry asked.

"I need some things, bambi. I'll be back soon, okay? You get to go look at toys with Pappy."

Harry pouted, but nodded. Severus kissed his forehead and gave him to Remus before walking towards Knockturn Alley.

"Which toy shop today, cub?" Harry shrugged. "Hey, are you alright?"

"Daddy's still mad at me..." Harry whispered. "Don' like it when he mad."

The werewolf sighed, and walked towards the closest toy shop. "He isn't mad at you, honey. I think he's upset with me. Not you."

"Why's he mad a' you!?"

"He... He doesn't really like the Weasley's. The people we just met. They don't like him much, either."

"But Daddy's the best!!" Harry exclaimed. "Why don't they like 'im!?"

"Just... Some adult things. Let's go look at toys, yeah?"

Remus had a feeling an argument was coming up, and he was not looking forward to it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Severus, can we talk?" Remus asked quietly, walking into their - Severus' - room.

"About what, Remus?"

"You've seemed upset since we ran into Molly and Ronald. I-"

Severus groaned. "Yeah, I'm upset, Remus. You- What if HArry doesn't even doesn't want to go to the Burrow!? And I mean, honestly, the Weasley's!? She cut Bill's hair so short it was practically buzzed when he grew it out!"

"Severus-"

"Oh, and maybe the fact that I want nothing to do with them! Remember when she threw a vase at my bloody head when she found out about the Mark! 'Oh, Bill just loves your class'!" Severus mocked. "More like loves to blow shit up and talk about caves and runes and dead things and metal rock bands."

"I understand that you don't like the Weasley's, Sev. And you don't have to talk to them if you don't want to," Remus said, sitting next to his boyfriend on their bed. "I just think it... might be good for Harry. To have more friends. There aren't any kids his age here, y'know?"

"I know that!" Severus pulled his sleeve up. "Did you see how she glared at me in that stupid office!? For this!? The only reason I still have this is so Dumbledore gives me protection. I be his good little spy, he makes sure Harry and I don't get killed!!!"

"I- What?"

"That- That was the deal. At first, I'd be a spy if he protected Lily and her son. He failed on that, so now, it's I keep this bloody Mark if he protects me."

"Sev, look at me." Remus raised a hand to cup Severus' face, but it was slapped away. "Look at me, baby." Severus glared at him out of the corner of his eye. "I didn't know she threw a vase at you. I didn't know that about Bill. I didn't know you kept that to protect yourself. I'm sorry, baby. I'm sorry."

"It isn't your fault..." he grumbled after a few moments of awkward silence. "I got to angry again."

"No, you didn't."

"I want to get rid of it..." Severus mumbled. "But I don't know how... besides carving it out, but-"

"Yeah, not happening."

"Duh... And I'm scared if I get rid of it, Dumbledore'll stop protecting me. I hate him, but I need him at this point. No one else can stop Dumbledore, and if the Dark Lord changes his mind, decides to kill us, to kill Harry... we're done for."

"We'll be okay. We will be. I swear." He looked at the clock. "Also, it's midnight. We need to get to bed."

Since they were already in their pyjamas, the both lie down, Remus choosing to be the 'little spoon'.

"I love you," Remus whispered into darkness.

"I love you, too," Severus replied. He placed soft kisses on Remus' neck, hoping the man was right, hoping they would be okay.