Harry looked at the oddly, radish red potion in the pewter cauldron in front of him. "So, this potion should reduce the age of the person who consumes it?"

"That's the plan." Hermione sighed. "I question why people haven't used it much before."

"Probably because they can't remember anything!" Ron said dryly.

"There has to be a way to remember!" Hermione shot back. "They just haven't figured it out yet! Maybe it wouldn't be such a restricted potion if a person kept their memories." She began to put the potion in a slim vial, frowning at the liquidy texture. It was like red water.

"So how are we going to give this to Umbridge?" Harry asked. "And shouldn't we test it?"

Ron thought and gasped at his conclusion. "Let's test it on Snape. We can slip it to the house elves in the kitchen! He is super thin- we could say it's a vitamin supplement!"

"That's brilliant!" Harry grinned at the thought. "We can hit two birds with one stone."

Hermione felt slightly nervous. The plan was to make sure Umbridge was too young to teach at Hogwarts. Snape was not included in this deal. It would be best if they did. He was a Death Eater after all.

Hermione stood and followed the boys to the kitchen. While she felt bad, it would be for the greater good.


Severus sat at the staff table bitterly. Dumbledore had given him a twenty-minute scolding about poison checking his food. It apparently made the pink toad nervous and untrusting. It wasn't truly his fault. A student or six had poisoned him before. Severus decided it would be wise to not really eat until he made it back to his quarters.

He internally nodded to himself. Severus would shuffle the food around and take a drink or two.

Dumbledore sat down and gestured outward, food filling the tables. Snape scanned the crowd and took a sip of his own drink.

It was bitter. He peered in the cup at the slightly red-stained water. He felt himself grow warm and his stomach clench. McGonagall peered over in worry, and then sharply stood when the younger male dashed from the room.

He turned toward the dungeon in hopes he could reach his room. His clothes seemed to gain it weight and length. Severus's long legs seemed to fail him. He was pushing twice as hard, but it felt as if he was barely moving. The castle seemed to expand and the hallway seemed to grow.

The professor tripped on his own feet and hit the ground, tears filling his eyes. He swiftly steadied himself and attempted to keep going. Once again he fell, his pants sliding off as he tried to crawl in the humongous smock. His eyes burned and he felt his body give. Severus did not want to keep going. He wanted to rest and wished for maybe a snack. The man pushed on, standing to waddle forward. The hem of the smock caught under his foot, his other pushing the fabric that forced the collar to shove into his neck. He fell one more, drained.

Severus looked at his hands and hiccuped. He felt lost and lonely, his body stung, and he was sure father would be mad.

A scolding voice filled the hall. It had to be his mother, angry that he did something he shouldn't have. Severus scooted toward a pillar and covered his eyes with his hands and he sobbed. His emotions felt stronger than they ever had been.

McGonagall rounded the corner, eyeing his fallen cloak. "Severus!"

Severus felt the tension swiftly rise, and could not control his sobbing. He gave a soft wail and pushed into the wall.

She poked her head around the pillar and gasped. There was a sobbing toddler that was undoubtedly Severus Snape. He would soon have a black eye and his nose bled a bit. What made her uncomfortable was the fear in his obsidian-colored eyes. McGonagall shook her head and went to pick up the boy.

Severus gave a blood-curdling shriek. He spat out apologies and shook his head in denial. His hair sat in dirty, greasy clumps, and his hands were dirty. McGonagall frowned and picked him up anyway. He shivered and attempted to push away. His screams filled the hall.

"Severus, hush Severus!" McGonagall quickly began to dash to the Hospital Wing. The whole time, Severus apologised and tried to run away.

His squirming caused the old witch pain, and he kept attempting to hit joints. Severus would not calm, only struggle and spit more apologies.


"Madam Pomfrey!" McGonagall called out, attempting to be louder than Severus's cries to be released. The woman bustled out and gasped.

"What happened to Severus?" She pulled the boy into her arms, and she too was rejected. A frustrated frowned crossed her face.

Madam Pomfrey quickly set the boy on and the empty bed. She pulled the covers and lay him down. Severus panicked more, complaining about the sheet being too... clean?

"Come now, Severus! Surely a nap won't hurt?"

"No!" Severus hauled himself off the bed, then retreated under it. "'M not supposed to!"

Poppy frowned and cleared her throat. "Severus Snape, you will take a nap!"

The boy paled and whipped the pillow and sheet off the bed. He quickly curled up and sobbed softly.

"Severus-"

"'M trying! 'M Sorry!" The child curled up tighter and gripped his hair. Pomfrey sighed but stepped out and closed the curtain.

"I can't remotely fathom why he refuses to sleep on the bed," McGonagall said, exasperated. "Was he a bed-wetter?"

"Not once in his entire time as a Hogwarts student, did he wet the bed, and I am certain there is something he won't..." Her words died and she frowned. "I believe I know."

"Care to share?"

"I promised I wouldn't," Pomfrey said. "Now then, I am going to floo the Headmaster."