I should have known not to wait too long to post again: too many ideas and too little time. This is going to be story, probably moderately long. My goal is around 20-30 chapters, could be less or could be more. Like usual, Hermione tends to be sassier and more assertive in my stories. She doesn't have the same level of snark as Hermione Stark in this, but there's still a major difference from the original. Enjoy this new tale with our favorite Hogwarts friends! This is more of a prologue than a chapter.
*Read the Authors note at the end. I need your help with a plot choice!*
Chapter One: Defiantly not Snape's fault
Granted, they should have known something was very, very, wrong when Severus Snape came running into the room saying, "It wasn't my fault!" After all, everyone's favorite potions professor (by default, of course), never appeared anything less than cold and regal.
Maybe someone from the Order would have noticed if they all weren't too wrapped up in their own thoughts. Harry was too busy growling at everyone, being in a right foul mood for Dumbledore not telling him about the Order. Molly and Arthur were trying to keep Fred and George from blowing up the house. Hermione and Ron were fighting yet again ("Honestly Ronald, I thought you were past this childish hatred of Crookshanks when we were 13." "Hermione, for Merlin's sake, your cat pissed on my robes.") Ginny was currently beating Sirius at a game of wizard's chess and the other Order members were huddled around the couch, discussing plans that should have been discussed privately.
It was Hermione that froze when she saw her potions professor put his head into his hands. Severus being venerable was not a great sign. She had screamed at everyone, ("Shut it! There is an emergency! Follow Professor Snape.") and the group quickly stood and made their way to a quiet room down the hall.
("It wasn't my fault!") Severus had repeated and slowly opened the door.
That was how The Order of the Phoenix and company found Remus Lupin: on the ground, in robes slightly too large, looking 20 years too young.
Sirius had pushed everyone else to the side and slid on the floor to each Remus. He gently grabbed Remus's hand and froze. He seemed to be in shock.
"Bloody hell," Ron gasped. The silence being broken opened the damn to everyone else.
"Is he alright?!" Harry gasped, his anger at Dumbledore momentarily forgotten. He came behind Sirius and gripped his shoulder. His little family was hurting and Harry was already having a rough summer. After the Dementor attack, he shouldn't have been surprised.
"Why is he unconscious?" Tonks asked, looking increasingly worried. Her bubblegum pink hair had faded to a mousy brown.
"Was this your doing?" Molly questioned, rounding on Fred and George. For Harry's sake, she wanted this to be an elaborate prank.
"Honestly woman-" Fred said.
"- you always jump to us!" George concluded.
"SHUT UP!" Hermione yelled, once again bringing silence. "Thank you! Now Professor Snape, please kindly explain what happened."
Severus took a deep breath, conjured a chair, and sat down wearily, "Remus was helping me make a new weapon to fight the Dark Lord. I told him not to add Ashwinder eggs until the end, but your beloved wolf friend cannot follow the simplest directions. The cauldron exploded and showered him with its contents. I- unfortunately- was also hit," Severus concluded.
During his abridged version of the tale, Author had sent a Patronus message to Dumbledore. He could only hope Dumbledore would have the answers they did not.
" What was it supposed to do?" Hermione asked quietly, too afraid to hear the worst in an already bad situation.
"The potion was intended to be a permanent play on an ageing potion. If you could be bothered to pay attention in class, you would know a typical ageing potion can at most last for several weeks. De-ageing the Death Eaters was obviously Dumbledore's idea. He believed if they were children again, we could raise them on the right side. It's a ridiculous thought, but Lupin and I wanted to amuse him," Severus said, clutching his head again.
"So it worked properly? That must mean you have some sort of cure!" Ginny exclaimed, looking hopeful.
"The potion was supposed to turn Death Eaters into infants- they had already chosen their paths as teens. I would hardly call this "working properly." Without the real potion completed, I can't think of a way to counteract the affects," Severus said. He was looking rather pale and there was a slight sheen to his skin.
" You mentioned you were hit too, professor. Why aren't you in the same boat as Professor Lupin?" Hermione asked.
"I wasn't entirely spared," Severus replied, looking pained to admit, "It seems as if all my most- unpleasant- past memories have been dredged up. I also feel my 15-year-old self fighting for control. It is most irksome. I can't say for sure if it's going to pass or not."
Sirius perked up, looking like he had finally found his voice. His face was glistening with tears. "Snevilous- if you've harmed one hair on his head, I will fucking kill you? Do you understand?"
Instead of Severus's usual snide reply, he moved further back in his chair. He looked afraid of Sirius. Hermione was extremely worried that this serious problem was just getting worse.
"I will never forgive you if you hurt him," Sirius growled. Severus now couldn't control the fear showing on his face. Although his body was still in his mid-thirties, his eyes held the look of someone much younger.
"That's quite enough Sirius. Did you not pay attention to what he just said," Hermione said, her voice taking on a deadly calm.
"You don't understand-" Sirius pleaded
"-No you don't understand! This clearly sounds like an accident and he's already suffering enough," Hermione interrupted, glaring at Sirius.
"Snivioulus just doesn't want to show his precious feelings," Sirius seethed. Even Harry looked uncomfortably at his godfather.
"You're kicking Professor Snape when he's already down. Be honest with your feelings, instead of harassing someone that admitted their 15-year-old self is trying to take control. You're bullying a child," Hermione said, her voice getting softer.
Sirius's face lost the little color he had left. He swallowed thickly and nodded. "Merlin, I didn't think of it like that. Remus and Harry are the only family I have left, Severus. I can't lose him. I shouldn't have taken all this out on you," Sirius muttered, looking very apologetic.
"And you!" Hermione suddenly stated, rounding on Severus. Her hands were on her hips in a very Molly Weasley-ish manner. "No matter how this plays out, no more animosity between yourself, Sirius, and Professor Lupin. Professor Lupin is going to need a familiar face and we have no idea what this did to him. If his worst memories are brought back, you're going to need to relate to him. Do I make myself clear?"
"Was she always this terrifying?" Severus asked, dryly. Still, Hermione was pleased to note he was still cowering.
"More so," Harry and Ron deadpanned.
"I said, do I make myself clear?" Hermione asked.
Severus and Sirius nodded, looking at Hermione much like beaten puppies.
"What a wonderful thing, forgiveness!" Dumbledore chuckled, smiling merrily at everyone surrounding him. On the outside he didn't seem too concerned, but his usual twinkle was missing from his blue eyes.
"Nice of you to finally join us," Hermione mumbled.
"Blimey, Hermione," Ron said, weakly, "you really scare me sometimes."
"Now, Professor Snape, I believe the rest of us would be rather put-out if you happen to pass out. I for one, would prefer you to get some rest and see if it helps solve your predicament," Hermione demanded.
"Albus, I'll take Severus to his room. Hopefully, he'll be up for a hot meal later," Molly fussed. She helped Severus to his feet and Author helped support him on the other side.
"Wait," Harry called, "I think you'll need this." He took a small bottle out of his pants pocket. The bright purple color was easily identifiable to first year students: dreamless sleep potion. Hermione took a mental note to ask him why he was carrying that particular potion around.
"Thank you," Severus said, sounding sincerely grateful. Dumbledore waved his wand, making the burden of carrying a mostly-limp Snape much more bearable.
The Order awkwardly stood around until Molly, Author, and Severus had disappeared from view. Harry and Sirius were still with Remus, who looked almost peaceful. Hermione, Ginny, and Ron also joined; they wanted to lend as much support to Harry and Sirius as they could.
"How are you, Harry?" Ron whispered. Hermione may have been the trio's emotional confidant, but Ron was a loyal friend. He knew how much this was affecting Harry and that Harry needed as many friends as possible with him.
"Quite honestly, I'm more worried about Sirius than myself. Besides wishing I could have a normal, quiet life- for once, I'm mostly just in shock. Remus has been there for me-for everyone- and it's time we repaid the favor," Harry said, giving a crocked grin. His smile didn't quite reach his eyes, but he truly wasn't in a dark place.
"I do have some good news," Dumbledore said, "Remus appears in excellent health. Besides the issue with the potion, he may as well be sleeping. I cannot say for how long he will remain like this, after all time is such a fickle thing. It would do well though, to give Mr. Lupin here some space and give him time to adjust.
Hermione wondered when exactly he arrived and when he possibly could have had time to come up with a diagnosis. She didn't want to look too hard into it, preferring to feel relief that Professor Lupin would most-likely be okay. The other members of the Order seemed to be thinking along the same lines.
"I do not think Mr. Lupin would be opposed to Mr. Potter and Mr. Black keeping vigil. I don't believe I could ask you to leave anyway," Dumbledore chuckled.
"I don't believe so either," Sirius laughed, though still sounding rather strained.
Dumbledore nodded, the twinkle in his eyes had returned. He levitated Remus off the ground and the other Order members helped create a bed and two squishy chairs on either side. Remus floated back onto the bed and let out a soft sigh. Harry and Sirius bolted to his side. Hermione wasn't sure if they were relieved or more terrified. The rest of the Order started filling out of the room, casting worried glances at Remus.
"Harry, Sirius, I'm sure he's going to be okay. We're all here for you," Hermione said, kindly. She was the last one left in the room. "We'll be right outside if you need anything."
With one last glace, Hermione had closed the door. She only hoped she sounded more sincere than she felt.
Hope you enjoyed this new tale! I've been wanting to write this for 4 years! I do need a VOTE though because I am very torn between how this story can go. Originally, this was going to be a story about Remus really getting a second chance at young adulthood. However, I could not resist messing with Severus and now I'm stuck. You have three options:
1. The potion leaves Severus's system and he becomes a father figure to Harry and Remus (who becomes friends with the trio). He still shows tough love, but is left a changed man. He shares guardianship with Sirius. Now father figure Severus would be interesting. It would be nice if he became a decent person. It doesn't matter if he was "good the whole time," Severus was still a complete prick to students, especially poor Neville and Harry.
2. Severus wakes up in the same state as Remus and has kept most of his memories. He feels more like an onlooker in the ones where he's older and becomes friends with the golden trio. McGonagall insists on caring for Remus and Severus. Mom-Gonagall is something I'll defiantly explore in the future. I love that woman. The fear of displeasing her would be hilarious.
3. Remus ends up okay, eventually returning to his adult self. However, for some reason (one I will not disclose yet) Severus ends up stuck at 15. In this scenario Remus becomes like a parent with Sirius and Severus becomes friends with the trio. Imagine the chaos of two marauders raising someone they (mostly Sirius) used to bully? It would become adorably sincere.
Pick your favorite, because all will be hilarious and heartwarming. I'm literally split all three ways and won't be able to continue until you VOTE. No matter how you vote, Draco is also going to become involved. You could also mix up aspects of the choices- like a mom-gonagall and a mentor Severus. I'm all ears.
Next update will be for Lightning Strikes! Harry Potter and The Avengers will require more planning! Till next time!