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Severus was an immovable force when he refused to budge under any circumstances. Then came a green-eyed boy running into his arms, begging him to take him away from his abusive family. In that instance, Severus changed his trajectory, taking in the boy against Dumbledore’s advice.
It had now been around nine months since he became Harry Potter's legal guardian. Lily and Potter had named him Harry’s second godfather without Severus’ knowledge. Harry learned he could change his guardian at Gringotts when a goblin told him so. He asked who his next guardian could be, and they mentioned that he had a godfather who wasn’t in Azkaban.
Severus had been summoned to Gringotts the summer before Harry’s first year. He was told that the boy was his godson and needed a new guardian. Severus had no intention of taking in the boy until he was told of his physical condition. It reminded him of himself when he was a child.
There were many surprises to come as Harry’s guardian for Severus. He learned that Harry was nothing like James Potter. He was a kind child, wounded, and craving love. He was diligent about waking up early and not dawdling around, offering to clean the dishes and help out in the garden.
Severus taught him about the different herbs and magical plants in his garden. Severus disliked teaching snot-nosed children, but Harry was easy to teach. He listened, asked questions at the right moments, and learned from his mistakes. Harry reminded him of Lily and, oddly, of Petunia too.
He spoke like Petunia and there was a glimmer of her jealousy in him. Severus had to break the bad habits that Petunia taught Harry. It was difficult to teach Harry not to eat so fast or too little food. There was also an issue with Harry’s handwriting and reading skills. He would trip up while reading and Severus suspected that he was dyslexic.
When they went shopping for clothes, Harry cried, telling him that he’d never had his own new clothes. He always wore Dudley’s old clothes. Sometimes Severus wanted to kill Petunia. Lily would be so ashamed of her and he was sure she would hex her if she were alive.
Life with a child was indeed different for Severus, but he didn’t mind it. He had grown to care for the boy.