I own nothing.

Secundo Fore

Chapter 1

Severus Snape stood in front of Albus Dumbledore his head lowered his hands hidden trembling in the pockets of his robes. The normal stoic appearance gone from the young twenty one year old. No one could know what he had done his life would be forfeited by a kiss from the dementors in Azkaban. Not that he was afraid of death for surely he deserved no less for his stupidity. However the headmaster seem to think otherwise. He had hoped that the boy would have not fallen for the promises that Voldemort, had promised him, for he had a great future before him. The world was his oyster, yet anger lead him down the wrong path.

There was a knock on the door before Minerva McGonagall stepped in, behind her an elderly man who looked confused at being called to see the headmaster. It had been twenty five years since his only daughter Eileen step through the doors for the last time.

"Ah Sidley do come in." Severus' head snapped up looking at the man who he had never met.

The man frowned as he stared at Severus wondering who he was until his eyes finally met the young man's. Taking a step back he shook his head. There was no mistaking who he was.

"What is the meaning of this Headmaster. Why bring me here this evening? For I am sure I have no wish to hear if it has anything to do with this…" he waved his hand up and down in front of Severus.

"Now, Sidley really? Severus is in need of your assistance and since you are the only living family he has left."

"He is no family of mine." Sidley Prince made to leave, only to be stopped by the door slamming before he could reach it.

"Grandfather." Severus whispered.

Sidley closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had loved his only child, his darling Eileen who showed promise of being a fine potions mistress, only for her to fall for the idiotic muggle Tobias Snape. No matter the threats he had made to her she chose the muggle leaving him alone and depressed. Her decision was final, she was no longer welcomed in his home nor was her heirs. He had regretted that day ever since, but his stubborn pride refused to allow him to seek his daughter out.

Now here standing before him was the man who was his only family. He wasn't the most pleasant of looking men but he was none the less a man who was his blood.

"Again Dumbledore, why have you called me?"

"You have been offered a chance to be a grandfather." Albus held up his hand before the wizard could speak out again. "Young Severus has seen the error of his ways at which I will not go into detail tonight. However I believe you both could gain so much from this chance I am offering you and your grandson."

The headmaster went to his desk opened a drawer and pulled out a small bottle in which contained a blue-green swirling potion. Severus of course knew what it was immediately and fear ran through his entire body that no one could miss. His grandfather however looked none the wiser.

"Albus you can't be serious?" Minerva gasped her hand clasped over her heart.

"Indeed I am. I feel the only way to protect him from what would to become of him."

"I would rather take the kiss." Severus hissed.

"Can someone kindly explain what in Merlin's name is going on!?" Sidley Prince shouted.

"A new start. This is a potion your grandson prepared some years ago. Eileen's talent it would seem was passed down to her son. Severus would you care to explain to your grandfather exactly what it is?" Dumbledore asked looking at the young man.

Severus looked anywhere but at the three people in the room. "The taker of this potion will take them back to their infancy. Giving that person a second chance in life. Or it could be seen as a punishment." Severus turned to face the Headmaster. "Sir, please no. I can't go through with my childhood again."

"Are you telling me that he would become a baby? Sidley was trying to get his head around all of this. Even a full blooded wizard was shocked at such a thing.

"Depending on the amount he drinks depends on how old he would deage if you like to call it. I think perhaps two would be a good age for him." Albus smiled.

"What would happen if I refuse to take him?" Sidley asked.

"Then I would have no choice but, hand him over to the fate of the ministry who would no doubt give him the kiss."

Mr Prince looked between his grandson and the headmaster waiting for one of them to tell him it was all a big joke and hoped he had enjoyed the laugh. Yet he saw that they were deadly serious.

How he missed his daughter, what he would do to see her again and beg her to stay with him. However he had been advised some years ago that she died from failed liver believed to be from her server drinking. Severus was only a slip of a boy at the time.

Sidley had hidden in the back of the church as he watched the few people listen to the minister say kind words about her. He knew straight away that the man knew nothing of her. He saw Tobias Snape sitting in the front in what looked like second hand clothes not even black. Beside him he saw black haired boy no older than fourteen sitting beside him. He wished he would turn so he could see his face however it never happened though. He slipped away before the service had finished and made his way home to his large empty house and mourned a second time the loss of his daughter.

Here now stood his grandson the young boy he had only seen from behind once. Albus was right they both could be given a second chance. He looked at his grandson and saw so much more of his mother in him than he cared to admit. The long elegant fingers, the slim build the ink black hair. But the most prominent thing about Severus was his nose. Unconsciously Sidley Prince rubbed his own large Roman nose.

Once again he looked into the eyes of his grandson and saw many emotions. The most obvious was fear.

"You say two, may I ask why that age?"

"You may. However I won't say. Now Sidley I must have your answer as I can't hold off the aurors much longer. They have entered the grounds." Albus said.

Taking one last look at his grandson Sidley Prince gave a small nod.

"Very well perhaps we should go to the infirmary so that he can be laying down. Albus looked at Severus. "I know you will be happier my boy. I very much look forward to seeing you again soon."

Albus lead them all down to the infirmary where Poppy seemed to be expecting them. She asked that Severus remove all his clothes before she gave him the potion. Severus didn't miss the small clothes sitting on the end of the bed and shuddered. He refused to let the others see the fear and tears in his eyes and quickly stripped before Poppy pulled the screen away.

"It shouldn't hurt." Poppy said handing him the potion.

"I know I made it." the young wizard snapped taking the potion from the mediwitch and knocking it back before he could think any more about it.

Laying down he closed his eyes as the now four people watched him. It seemed to happen so fast, one minute there lay a young man just in his twenties and now lay a toddler no more than two crying, his arms failing looking confused as to why all the strange people was staring at him.

Poppy quickly picked up the distraught child and began to dress him. Dumbledore smiled at the boy. Minerva had to admit to herself that he was an adorable child having already seen him as a student growing up. She hoped that Albus knew what he was doing. He would be attending Hogwarts once again. The same year as Harry Potter if nothing else in less than a decade things were going to become interesting in the walls of the school.

"I have taken the liberty of sending a few elves with things you will be needing to begin with Sidley. I wish you both well." Albus watched as the elderly wizard took his now calm grandson from Poppy's arms and and bounced him in his arms in comfort. The young Severus pulled on the old man's beard before sticking his thumb in his mouth and resting his head on his shoulder.