Disclaimer: I don't own Harry potter.
Chapter two: What to do
Professor McGonagall, headmistress of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry, was exhausted. She had just returned from a meeting at the ministry. And once again they did not see eye to eye.
It had only been five months since Harry Potter had destroyed Voldemort and there was still much to be figured out in the wake of the mad man. Deatheater's where being caught and tried every day. Clean up of destroyed houses was still being undergone. And publicity of one of her seventh year students was running rampant.
She took a sip of her water and tried to apply her mind to the incredibly dry document in front of her. The ministry was coming out with new policies almost every week and as a member of the council it was one of her jobs to know exactly what that policy entailed. She just wished they didn't make the policy about as boring as watching a flubberworm.
There was a knock on her door and she couldn't help feeling pleased that she now had a valid reason to stop reading.
"Come in!" She called and almost jumped when the door flung violently open to admit Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley.
She was slightly surprised to see them, but not overly. She had after all been the one to give them the password to her office. It had become clear at the beginning of the year after a death eater had broken into the school that it was a matter of safety for all three. Not to mention, what had now become known as the famous trio, had earned the right to her office password. Many of the teachers in fact regarded them as in a different league as the rest, which in a way was true.
"What could you possibly need to visit me with at this time of day? Are you not supposed to be in class?" Minerva enquired sharply, she didn't care what league they were in she did not approve of skipping class. Miss. Granger shifted what seemed to be a pile of laundry in her arms…but wait was that…
Minerva narrowed her eyes at them. "Explain."
"Well it's like this professor," Ronald Weasley began "we were in potions when Malfoy spilt his de-aging potion all over Harry! He blamed it on an unstable cauldron, but that's a lie! He's a really good liar, he is a stinking Slytherin after all! And I don't trust after last year! I don't' care what the ministry says-"
"That's enough Mr. Weasley." McGonagall snapped. She could feel herself losing touch with reality. This could not be happening! First that mad death eater breaks into the school and now they turn Harry potter into a toddler! The press would have a field day when they found out, which they were sure to…they always seemed to somehow gain inside information. Without a doubt the story would be out by the end of the week.
Honestly the longer she had this job the more respect she gained for Albus.
"Where is professor Snape?"
"He was down in the dungeons making sure everything was cleaned up properly. He said he would come up later." Hermione explained
"Well don't just stand there! Sit down!" Minerva watched the teens scramble to sit and smiled to herself in satisfaction. She may be dealing with kids much less now that she was headmistress but she had not lost her touch.
Ron and Hermione sat silently waiting to be asked a question or given their next instructions. McGonagall admitted herself impressed by young Harry silence however. By the looks of him the boy was only 3 or four and in her experience of kids at that age they where whiny, noisy and asked a lot of questions. The younger Mr. Potter must have been utterly lost and confused, given the nature of the potion and yet he sat there as quiet as a mouse without one question.
Thankfully within a short period of time Severus arrived to answer the many remaining questions and break the awkward silence.
"Minerva." He greeted with a barely perceptible bow of the head.
"Severus I should very much like to know exactly how old Mr. Potter now is?"
"Would you not like to be informed first of the events that placed Potter in his current state?" Severus asked smoothly
"It is not necessary. already informed me that Mr. Malfoy spilled his potion on Mr. Potter, no doubt in a fit of revenge. I would like a word with him later."
Snapes eyes narrowed and Minerva couldn't help but notice Ronald Weasley gulp. "You were miss informed. Mr. Malfoy's cauldron was unsteady. There is no reason to talk to him."
"Forgive me Severus if Mr. Weasleys version of events sounds much more likely."
Snapes eyes turned Fiery. "It is just more blatant Gryffindor favouritism!" He spat "As the new headmistress it is your duty to treat all you're students equally!"
Minerva felt herself stand in anger. "I believe it is you who does not treat your students equally, Severus. But I would keep your opinions on how I run this school to yourself, seeing as you are still on probation. After that little stunt you pulled at the end of last year, be lucky you have even that! It's lucky for you that Albus wrote that letter stating that you had murdered him upon his own request! I do not forgive so easily however! And as for Mr. Malfoy that boy was indeed a junior Death eater!"
"Mr. Malfoy never took the mark." Snape replied with a barely controlled growl "and he was pardoned for his action by the ministry due to being a minor and the blackmail that the dark lord was threatening him with. The threat of having his family killed."
"Which is the only reason he is now even allowed to set foot in this school." Minerva said in exasperation. " Now Severus answer my question, how old is Mr. Potter at the moment?"
"I set the instructions to make someone five years of age." He responded stiffly.
McGonagall nodded. "And how long will it take for the potion to wear off?"
"Approximately two to three weeks."
"Very well." Minerva said feeling drained. "I believe the best course of action would be perhaps to allow the Weasley's and Mr. Potter to leave early for Christmas break. When he returns to school he should be back to his former self."
Snape nodded curtly and Ronald Weasley let out a little whoop of joy.
"I am afraid Miss. Granger I am not inclined to allow you to leave early for vacation when you are in fact spending Christmas at your house and not the Weasleys."
Hermione looked relieved. "That's fine Professor."
Minerva studied her for a moment. Not that she wasn't happy that the girl had such an amazing study ethic, but Merlin did she need to loosen up.
"Well if we are all in agreement I should like to go fire call Molly Weasley to inform her that you will be arriving home early, Severus if you would tell Mr. Malfoy to meet me in my office after class today."