Severus sat up in his crib and yawned, finally waking from the nap Albus insisted on making him take every bloody afternoon after lunch. Not that it was as annoying as it had first been the first few days of being deaged to a ten-month old (thanks to Longbottom), but still. Severus liked to be in charge in of his own schedule, and Albus kept finding ways to lull him into sleeping or eating despite Severus's valiant attempts to circumvent the headmaster's will.
"Aba- out!" Severus demanded, standing and leaning against the bars. "Aba- out!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming." Albus's voice called out, sounding closer and closer.
Severus relaxed, deciding that crying wouldn't be necessary this time in order to get Albus to hurry. Sitting back down, he sunk into the warm blankets and mattress and stared at the door as he waited for it to open. He'd give Albus a few more seconds before he started screeching. Grabbing one of his favorite toys, a plush wand that looked very similar to his adult one (currently stowed away by Albus) he stuck it in his mouth and chewed on the soft fabric.
"Is my little Prince awake now?" Albus asked, finally appearing as he peered down at Severus with twinkling eyes. "How'd we sleep?"
"Aba." Severus said simply, clutching his plushie as he held his arms up. "Aba- out." He requested, awarding Albus with a big grin when he obeyed the command. "Good Aba."
"Why thank you," Albus smiled, "That means a lot coming from you."
"Aba." Severus nodded, grabbing hold of a lock of Albus's beard as he carried him out of his rooms and into his office.
"Yes, yes," Albus nodded, paying full-attention to Severus despite the fact that the conversation being held had little or no substance. Severus was deeply appreciative of that and he smiled at Albus again, earning himself a big hug from the wizard.
"Aba!" Severus pointed down at the dozens of toys littered across the headmasters carpet. They were mostly muggle, as Severus preferred them over anything else, but there were quite a few magical toys to be played with as well. "Aba- down."
"As you wish, my little Prince." Albus lowered Severus to the ground, atop a very warm blanket, and made to turn back to his desk.
"Aba! Aba!" Severus whined. "Aba play!"
The mugwump gave in easily as sat beside Severus, pulling him into this lap. "And what should we play, hmmm?"
Severus stretched as far as he could and grabbed his favorite book, biting it's edged before Albus gently pulled it away. Frowning, Severus stuck his wand plushie in his mouth as Albus opened the pages of 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas.'
"I must say, Severus," Albus smiled, "That I'm ever so grateful you introduced me to this mastermind called Seuss." Albus adjusted his glasses.
Severus nodded, wondering why he had never informed Albus on the muggle author's work. It was exactly Albus's cup of tea. Snuggling closer to his boss, Severus was appreciative that Albus seemed to love the book just as much as he did. Not many people would willingly, and with a smile, read the same book eleven times in a three day period- especially when it was not even December.
"Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot..." Albus read, "But the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville, did NOT!" Albus made sure to use voices, and Severus grinned widely and laughed, staring down at the pictures on the pages.
"Aba!" Severus applauded, clapping clumsily.
"The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason. It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that his heart was two sizes too small."
"Voli Grinch!" Severus realized, finally making the comparison between the Grinch and Voldemort after having spent a great amount of time reading and re-reading the book every year. The only difference was that the Grinch redeemed himself. Severus didn't much think that Voldemort would suddenly realize the error of his ways.
Albus doubled over in laughter, tears streaming down his face at Severus's wise declaration. Even the portraits, who had all but been forced to listen to the story daily, were chuckling. Not even Phineus could hide his smirk at the analogy, and Severus smiled along waiting patiently for everyone to contain themselves.
"I do think I shall have to tuck that away and inform the other professors and Order members of such sage wisdom, Severus." Albus chuckled.
"Aba do." Severus gave permission for him to share such knowledge before lighting hitting the next page of the book with a hand, his way of telling Albus it was time to continue.
"Whatever the reason, his heart or his shoes, he stood there on Christmas Eve, hating the Whos. Staring down from his cave with a sour, Grinchy frown, at the warm lighted windows below in their town."
"Good who." Severus insisted. "Bad Grinch." He smacked the book.
"Indeed." Albus nodded. "Perhaps Tom needs some new shoes, do you know what size he happens to wear?"
Severus giggled, earning himself a kiss atop his head. "Aba." He said warmly.
"For he knew every Who down in Whoville beneath, was busy now, hanging a mistletoe wreath." Albus continued, ruffling Severus's hair with a free hand. "And they're hanging their stockings!" He snarled with a sneer, "Tomorrow is Christmas! It's practically here!"
"Aba! Aba." Severus tugged on Albus's beard when a knock sounded on the door. "Aba- I do?" He pleaded, turning big puppy-dog eyes on the headmaster. Severus may have had very few rules as a baby, but Albus was still firmly set on now allowing Severus to answer the door by himself.
"You've been such a sweet boy, today." Albus agreed, standing. "Why not? Do you want to walk?"
Severus nodded, standing in front of Albus and grabbing hold of the older man's pro-offered arms. Carefully, he took a wobbly step, moving slowly until he worked up his confidence.
"Aba- I go." He said proudly, walking quicker than he ever had.
"Yes, you're my speedy little Prince, aren't you?" Albus crooned, lifting Severus to the door knob when they arrive at the door.
Severus eagerly yanked the door open, as Albus had already twisted the knob, and came face to face with the Weasley's. He squealed excitedly and wriggled in Albus's grasp, eager for Arthur to scoop him up as Molly placed a kiss on his cheek.
"Hello there!" Arthur smiled, obligingly taking him from Albus's arms. "How is Severus doing?"
"Arr, play!?" Severus asked excitedly, loving when Arthur played as he wasn't afraid of accidentally hurting Severus like Albus always was. "Arr, play?"
"My, he's just a talkative thing isn't he?" Molly praised. "Quite the vocabulary for his age."
"Oh yes!" Albus agreed, as he and Molly took seats on either side of the desk. "It seems he's learning new words almost every day."
"Do you have a new word for me to hear?" Arthur asked Severus, sinking down on the quilt by Severus's toys.
Severus nodded excitedly and pointed to the phoenix on her stand. "Fuck!" He yelled, looking at Fawkes. "Fuck!"
"Severus- no!" Albus scolded, having not been amused with Severus's new word for some reason. "We don't use that word."
Severus frowned. That was Fawkes's name! Why did Albus always get cross with him for calling the phoenix its proper name? He pointed, trying to get his point across. "Fucks!" He insisted.
"Severus Tobias!" Albus scolded, not looking proud like he usually was when Severus picked up a new word.
"Albus, he's trying to say Fawkes." Molly defended kindly. "It just sounds like a dirty word, is all." She smiled fondly.
"I know, but I don't want him running around with a dirty mouth like that." Albus frowned.
Severus felt tears poke his eyes, he didn't like Albus feeling sad. "No Fucks, Albus." He promised. "Phe-phe." He pointed at the phoenix, showing Albus he was willing to compromise on the manner.
"There's a good boy." Albus smiled, the twinkle coming back to his eyes.
Severus calmed instantly, turning back to Arthur. "Arr- up. Fwy!" He begged, referring to the game where Arthur would lift him above his head and walk around. "Arr, pwease?" He added, having recently learned the word for Molly.
"We might just have to kidnap him, Albus." Molly gushed as Arthur obliged Severus and walked around with Severus above his head.
"Oh, I could never allow that." Albus insisted, eyes twinkling madly as Severus's giggles filled the entire room. "You are, however, free to visit whenever you'd like."