Severus pulled Harry close to him as he apparated them to the cottage where they had once lived as a family. He could have used the floo but wanted to check on the condition of the cottage first as no one had been in there in ten years.
Harry opened his eyes once the wave of nausea passed. "Ugh, does that get any better?"
Severus suppressed a chuckle. "It can take time to get used to it. Next time we will be able to floo here instead."
They both stood on the path, facing the two story cottage. Harry had wondered if it would look abandoned as no one had been here in so long but what he saw was a delightful white two story cottage surrounded by trees and a garden blooming with flowers. The cottage had green rolling hills behind it and Harry could hear the sounds of a stream nearby. He glanced up at his Dad who had a slightly sad smile as he stared at the front door.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked softly.
Severus looked down at his son and squeezed his shoulder. "Sorry Harry. I got lost in some memories. Are you ready to go in? From the looks of the outside our home has remained in good shape due to the protection spell Lily and I placed on it."
Harry nodded eagerly and Severus opened the door and they stepped inside. The place looked as if no one had ever left it, clean and bright as ever. The living room looked cozy and Harry couldn't help but smile as he saw the kitchen he had seen from his dad's memories. Severus also showed his son the dining room and study and a small lab.
"Upstairs there are three bedrooms and two lavatories." Severus informed Harry as he led him up the stairs. He stopped suddenly as he viewed Harry's old room, still set up for a toddler. He was quiet for a moment as memories flooded his mind of playing with Harry, putting him to bed, watching Lily sing to him in the rocking chair that sat in the corner. He cleared his throat. "Obviously we will need to redecorate your room. I doubt you would want to sleep in a crib."
Harry laughed as he walked around the room, looking at the toys, crib and rocking chair. He wished he could remember living here. He picked up a framed photo of him as a baby being held by his parents. His Mum was beaming in the picture and while his dad wasn't exactly smiling he looked very proud.
"That was taken when we brought you home from the hospital." Severus said, looking over Harry's shoulder and gazing at the picture.
Harry stared at it for a moment. "Can-may I keep it here? In my room?"
Severus nodded and gave him a brief smile. "Of course you may." He left Harry to explore his old room while he made his way across the hall to the bedroom he and his wife had shared. It was exactly how he remembered it, the décor done in pale peach and blues, pictures set around and still some of Lily's things left that she hadn't had moved to Godric's Hollow before the charm was cast. The grief Severus felt was almost staggering and he had to take several deep breaths to calm down. He could still smell the perfume she would wear and he was certain he could still feel her. He would give anything to have her in his arms again. At least he was not alone anymore. He had their son. He could see Lily in Harry, more than just the fact they had the same eyes. Harry also had her smile and many characteristics were similar to hers. He was also kind and compassionate just like she had been.
After a few more minutes Severus went back into Harry's room and saw him looking through the clothes he had worn as a baby. Harry noticed him and grinned. "Look how small I was! It's hard to believe."
Severus's lips quirked with amusement as he inclined his head in response. "Yes, you were. I remember being afraid I would drop you, you were so little and fragile." Actually, Harry was still small compared to the other children his age. The muggles malnourishment had stunted his growth which was why he was having him take nourishment potions.
