Severus Finds A Baby
Chapter one -the finding of Jenny
It was barely 1 A.M in the morning and the Headmasterwas out of his precious muggle lemon sherbets AKA lemon drops. Deciding to take a jaunt into London to a Muggle convenience store that he frequented often because they stocked several different varieties of his favourite candy—He thought about His Deputy Headmistress who watched over him as if he was an elderly wizard who needed help... and he suspected she was watching his intake of sweets for Madame Pomfrey. Okay so he would admit that he did have a few moments of forgetfulness. He was a busy wizard after all.
But he mentally cringed as he remembered Minerva McGonagalls shocked reaction and intense scolding the last time he had left Hogwarts late at night alone. He knew that to escape further admonishments that he had better take along some one who she would trust to look after him. Hoping that the resident Potions Master was currently still up after finishing up a batch of potions for the Medi-witch Madame Pomfrey , he floo called and 'requested' Severus to go along to keep him company.
"You have floo called me to what?" Severus asked stiffly, He had looked forward to having a weekend without putting up with dunderheaded students or addlepatted Headmasters annoying him but that obviously was not going to happen.
"I just thought you would like to accompany a doddering old geezer to my favourite Muggle store to pick up some more lemon drops. Albus responded with twinkling eyes. "We can floo to the Leakey Cauldron from my office and then go into muggle London from there. "
"Are you insane... never mind don't answer that." The image of Albus popping the yellow confectioneries into his mouth before during and after meals flashed through his mind. Severus looked back longingly toward his bedroom where he had thought he would be heading to have a few precious hours worth of sleep and sighed. He swore that Albus Dumbledore's exuberant personality and constant energy was fueled strictly by sugar-namely those lemon drops he always had on hand. "All right, far be it from me to refuse and have you to go out this time of night on your own. " He muttered softly to himself "Otherwise you might get mugged for your precious bag of Sherbet lemons and somehow if I said no, I would get the blame."
"Thank you Severus, I am pleased you understand. Floo on thorough as soon as soon as you are ready to go." Albus grinned.
"Why he wouldn't ask Minerva or Filius to go with him... No of course not! To pick up candy.. not likely. They probably blocked their fireplaces from receiving his floo calls after midnight." Severus grumbled to himself but quickly transfigured his robes and with a few extra grumbles he flooed into the Headmasters office.
"There you are my boy let us proceed then." Albus gathered up some floo powder and sprinkled it on the fire which turned green and stepped in calling out '' Leakey Cauldron'' in a very excited cheerful voice. Severus followed but without the cheerfullness that the Headmaster displayed.
There were few patrons at this ungodly hour which didn't surprise Severus as he landed gracefully and stepped out into the pub. Tom had already called happy hour and was cleaning up while waiting patiently for the last few wizards to finish their drinks, leave and wend their way home.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor Snape." Tom glanced out the windows of his pub. "Isn't it a bit late for you to be traipsing about Diagon Alley? There won't be anyone open at this hour.. besides me that is. Would you like a brew?"
"Thanks Tom but no." answered Albus. "Professor Snape and I are just going to go into Muggle London to pick up a few items at a store I know of that is still open."
"Aw yes I know the one. It is run by a squib by the name of Chandleron" Tom nodded with a knowing smile, "I will see you both shortly then?"
"Within the hour." promised Albus as he strode toward the London entrance with anticipation of attaining his favourite stock of muggle lemon drops.
Severus kept silent as he followed the Headmaster out of the pub into the streets of Muggle London.
The clammy foggy air surrounded them but Albus didn't care as he headed unerringly toward the street where the store was. Severus trudged along beside Albus, huddled inside his heavy long coat, wishing he was back at the castle inside his own rooms asleep.
A very odd muffled sound coming from the alley way drew Severus' attention as Albus entered the well stocked convenience store. He paused a moment then thinking it was just an alley cat meowing he went to follow the Headmaster when the mewling sound emanating from the back of the alley became a little louder.
"Are you coming inside Severus, or would you prefer to wait for me outside?" Albus quirked a white eyebrow, "I know you don't like standing around waiting while I shop, but I promise that I'll not be long."
"Um..." Severus hesitated as he felt strangely drawn to investigate the soft mewing sounds, which was becoming even more frantic and insistent. "Yes, I will gladly wait out here rather." he growled as he thought there might possibly be a small kitten in distress and he didn't want the Headmaster to know that his heart had a soft spot that cared enough to investigate.
"Perfect! Then you won't have to cover for me if I happen to overspend." Albus grinned as his eyes eyes twinkled merrily. He let the glass door close and walked up one of the isles.
Severus watched him through the glass for a moment then swiftly turned and carefully walked down the dark alley way towards what appeared to be some objects hovering over a bundle of what appeared to be a bundle of rags from whence the soft whimpering sounds where emanating from. A feeling he couldn't describe came over him as he approached with wand in hand which he raised higher and said.
"Lumos'
Before him was a sight to shock any decent person. A child... no even more horrifying – a helpless Baby was lying partly wrapped up in what had been semi clean blankets which had been partially kicked off by the babies exuberant kicks and flailing arms. It then struck Severus that the clammy fog, which had steadily gotten thicker was being kept at bay by a magical shield. This baby was an abandoned magical child! Whether muggleborn or pureblood...he couldn't tell but it didn't matter.
His eyes met the curious gaze of the youngster who had gone silent upon his approach and he found himself transfixed by the innocent trusting look which was accompanied by the tiny hands reaching up in a plea to be picked up. Despite himself he couldn't resist the urgent look from the pleading green eyes which threatened to let a new cascade of tears fall and knelt down to gather up the tiny urchin.
"Now child, don't cry." he whispered as he wrapped his cloak around the child and promised, "I'll take you to a place of safety." He slowly retraced his steps to the front of the convenience store where he waited for Dumbledore to come out.
He studied the baby's features in the light that cascaded out of the store and hummed an old tune which seemed to be very calming. The few items that had been floating above the child followed them.
'SEVERUS SNAPE ' Dumbledore said as he looked at the bundle in Severus's Arms, 'what are we going to do, l go in to get my sherbet lemons and come out to find you with a tiny baby in your arms, wrapped up in your cloak, Where did it come from?"
Despite the gravity of the situation the sight of the dour Potions Master cuddling the tiny baby amused Albus
Severus felt a little uncomfortable as he watched the Headmaster study him and the baby.
'Honestly Albus it is after one in the morning, it wasn't my idea to come to the all nighter to get your overly sweet intoxicating sherbet lemons. l would have been happy to head back to our world and the comfort of my own bed at Hogwarts . Neither did l expect to find what is obviously an abandoned child. For your information l do like kids when they aren't deliberately being dunderheads.'
'There seems to be a card floating near the cloak ' Albus said as he noticed it among the other objects floating nearby, 'Lets see. It says Jenny Wren, Girl 5 pounds 1 oz, born in …. " He leaned a little closer to see the rest of the writing on the card. "Charity Hospital. Can't be more than a few months old, and by the way, where did you find this little scrap of life?'
"l heard what l thought was a kitten in distress in that can in the alley beside your all nighter and as l got closer l thought l saw some junk floating in the air which is definitely odd here in London, so l looked down and there was this tiny child, what do you think l was gonna do? Leave a child who is obviously magical to the mercy of the elements, in the world of Muggles? SHEEEESH."
Dumbledore knew they couldn't just leave the child behind either. What to do though. He then smiled and said. 'I think we better check with Martin our liaison with the muggle child authority.' Albus said as he tickled the child under the chin. But first we better take her back with us to Hogwarts.
'Good l think we better get the house elves to find us a few diapers and a bottle of milk, something tells me this little one definitely needs a change.' Severus growled in a slightly strangled tone as he felt a damp spot spreading across his chest along with an odour that wasn't quite something he wished to breathe.
Back at Hogwarts the pair sneaked into the castle, but despite the lateness of the hour Minerva McGonagall who was obviously looking for Dumbledore caught them out.
" Good morning Albus, Severus, Don't tell me we are all suffering from a bit of insomnia?" she asked lightly, "A good cuppa hot choco..." her voice trailed away as she suddenly realised that there was something a bit odd about the Potions Masters posture. Then once her eyes focused properly, she stared in amazement at Severus who was cuddling what appeared to be a baby.
Albus looked over at her and said, " Your eyesight doesn't deceive you my dear, It is too late in the night or rather too early in the morning now- but could you send an owl to Martin, later this morning and ask him to meet with us in my office. But first we had better get Madame Pomfrey up to check the child out."
"Yes I will do so Albus." Minerva's eyes were wide as she reached out with one of her fingers and stroked the soft strands of red hair that barely covered the babies skull, She withdrew her wand from the wand pocket concealed in her robe and decided to send a message ahead to appraise Madame Pomfrey of the situation.
"Expecto Patronum." Minerva then spoke to the lion patronus that had appeared and it shot away
Madame Pomfrey squealed with wonder when she saw the three adults and baby come in and after being appraised of the situation took the little baby from Severus and checked her over very quickly as little Jenny started to scream when taken from the warmth of Severus's Cloak.
'Severus please give me your cloak' Madame Pomfrey said ' the little mite seems to find comfort from it' the baby calmed down as soon as she was swaddled in the cloak.
Albus, Minerva and Severus looked astonished and Madame Pomfrey explained 'Severus was the first person to find and give her needed comfort when he wrapped her up in his cloak and now she equates him with being her safety blanket or parent.'
'Hold on there' Severus said a little stunned. ' l haven't had her that long and that is one of my favorite cloaks too, which l have a sneaking suspicion l am not gonna get back for a while.'
Madame Pomfrey grinned 'You got it Severus, how are the House Elves doing with that order, Oh there they are, Bottle and fresh diaper, leave her with me, with the cloak and you 3 go get some sleep it is obviously going to be a busy day for you, honestly the sun will be up in an hour or so … the child will be all right till then. Go Now'
The Hospital wing being Madame Pomfreys domain and therefore making her the boss- Albus Minerva and Severus left to get a couple of hours rest if they could before they had to deal with the situation any further.