Severus and Lucius walked in silence to Dumbledore's office. Lucius found it amusing that his friend was so worked up. He kept feeling the need to randomly touch him as well, much to Severus' annoyance. Lucius claimed he couldn't help himself and that Severus was too cute.

"I'll show you cute," Severus growled after Lucius had said that. The blonde only chuckled some more as he told the gargoyle the password and they headed up the stairs.

When they entered the room, they saw Albus sitting with his hands folded in his lap, as if expecting the two. He actually was, as he'd sent a portrait of a healer to check on Severus occasionally, telling him to notify him when the man woke up.

"Ah, Lucius…Severus," Albus nodded as they entered. His eyes lingered on Snape for a bit. The healer had told him that Severus had de-aged quite a bit, but not so extraordinarily. Looking at the "young man" in front of him was a bit astonishing as he looked exactly how he did when he was attending many years ago. "Have a seat."

"Handsome, isn't he?" Lucius smiled as he sat in front of the old man's desk. Severus took a seat next to him, his arms folded. He honestly looked as if he was pouting, the way his face was screwed up.

"Very…dashing," Albus agreed.

"I'm glad everyone is so impressed with my looks," Severus muttered. "It seems I'm the only one unhappy with this…"

"On the contrary, my boy," Albus said. Severus didn't much like being called "boy," but tried to remember that Albus meant nothing by it. "You are quite a valuable asset to this school, and we have quite great conversations at the staff table." Severus gave a small smile, acknowledging the old man for trying to lighten the mood. "We'll have to try and find a solution to this as soon as possible…"

"So, you don't have anything for a quick fix then?" Lucius mused. He seemed quite cheerful about this, which was something Severus, again, didn't like. "I mean, not even anything slightly temporary?"

"I'm afraid not," Albus said, stroking his beard, looking thoughtful.

Severus' heart sunk. "We have to figure out something, Albus. I can't do anything like-like this!" Severus said, pointing at himself. "How am I to teach!?"

"I understand, my boy—" Severus flinched "—but there really isn't much we can do at the moment. I know you've been a bit creative lately, but a de-aging potion Severus? This is something most other wizards have only ever dreamed of! You've practically accomplished the impossible! I doubt anyone has ever really had the thought of aging themselves, so at the moment, I'm afraid that we're, as they say it, at square one."

Severus slumped down in his chair, face in hands. This was worse than horrible... "How did this happen?"

"That's something I can maybe answer," Albus said, picking up a little book with a plain white cover. Severus immediately recognized it as his potion notes. "I hope you don't mind, but I decided to head down into the dungeons to investigate. That was when I stumbled upon this clever book filled with some very interesting potions." Severus took some pride in knowing that Dumbledore approved of his work. "Well, I flipped through until I came across the last one you wrote down, which I assume is what you were working on. The problem, you see, was a bit of carelessness. So very unlike you Severus." Snape looked at the man blankly. "You see, you made a bit of a clash between some potions ingredients…blood, animal blood, to be precise."

Severus' eyes met with the Headmaster's only to see disappointment. "I found it in a shop in Asia, Albus. I swear to you that I didn't harm any unicorns for the sake of my potion..."

Dumbledore only nodded. "Nevertheless, the unicorn and re'em's blood clashed, causing the explosion and your situation."

Lucius looked at his friend to see him looking defeated in this chair. Attempting to change the mood in the room, he asked, "What do you intend Severus to do while we await a solution? He's always welcome at the Malfoy Manor if housing is an issue."

"Housing…" Albus murmured. His eyes lit up. "Housing! A splendid idea Lucius!"

Severus and Lucius exchanged glances. What was the old man thinking?

"What do you think about redoing a year at Hogwarts?" Dumbledore smiled at Severus whose mouth dropped a little.

"No disrespect sir, but I think you've gone barking mad!" Severus sputtered. That sent Lucius into a fit of silent giggles. Severus stared from one man to the other, wondering what kind of laughing charm had been placed over his friend and if age was finally catching up to his Headmaster.

"I know it sounds quite odd, but it's better than being cooped up in the dungeon all the time until we can fix this," Dumbledore said gently.

"I could spend my free time working on it Albus!" Severus protested.

"I was actually thinking of sending this to a friend of mine," Dumbledore replied. "He recently retired, but just as great of a potions master as you in my opinion, leaving him much free time to work. He'd enjoy trying to make an antidote. In turn, this also gives you some free time, which you can use here."

"Albus, I don't need free time," Severus said through gritted teeth.

"Everyone needs free time, Severus," Albus smiled. "Especially you, of all people. You work hard teaching, and not to mention how hard you fought last school year. You need a break, Severus, and I suppose you should consider this as being one."

"I'm just fine without a break, Albus…" Severus murmured, but no one paid him any attention.

"This is quite…interesting," Lucius said, clearing his throat.

"It is indeed," Albus agreed. "Severus, you are quite lucky to have this experience. Many a men would do anything to have a chance at what you're doing. We'll have you sorted and situated at the feast. You should be excited. We'll discuss the details later, however."

Severus kept quiet.

"Lucius, I'd hate to ask you of this, but would you take Severus and…"

"I understand," Lucius nodded, seeming a bit amused. "School items, robes, new clothes… It'll be my treat if it makes you feel any better?" The question was directed at Severus who just glared at the floor. "We'll come back here when we're done, Albus."

Dumbledore nodded, handing him a paper. "Here is a list of all the supplies. I'm not sure if you still have Draco's or not. Once you're done—"

"Come back here," Lucius finished for him. He turned to look at Severus, but he'd already fled the room. He then looked back at Dumbledore. "You will be able to fix him, won't you?"

Albus sighed. "I can only hope. I can tell this will be difficult to fix, but there should be a solution. Severus may be like this for a while, but I'll be urging my friend to work as fast and carefully as he can."

Lucius nodded, turning towards the door. "We'll be back soon."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Revised on 7.29.09.

Author's Note: Yes, I know Lucius would never "giggle," but I found it appropriate. Chuckling didn't seem right, as Lucius finds this whole situation very amusing. So I decided to use the word giggle. And the touching thing is just Lucius' liking of Severus' young form. It's just something I'd thought I'd throw in there for my amusement. Lucius is very OOC this chapter, but he's back to "normal" in the next.