Looking for Love

Chapter 4

Toddlers and Class

Getting toddler Snape to sleep in a crib was a disaster so Hermione had to make a small bed instead. On top of that, he had acted up whenever she picked him up or touched him in any way, further adding to her frustration. Now that he had finally started using his vocal chords properly, he was able to express how he felt and he made sure he expressed ever bit of it. Hermione didn't know a thing about children of any of age so this was all completely new and not pleasant. She would have thought that Professor Snape would have at least acted a little more mature despite his predicament, but she was obviously wrong. He was acting every bit like the petulant child that he was.

Now it was six in the morning and Hermione was forced to get out of bed because Snape was complaining. It was obvious that he was used to waking early in the morning even more so than her. She usually didn't get out of bed until around seven. Grumpily, she got up and went to the bathroom, ignoring Snape the entire time.

"Hurry up! I'm hungry!" he snapped in a very childish tone. She ignored him.

Hermione turned the shower on, making sure the water was cold to help her wake up, and stepped it. As soon as the icy water touched her skin, she felt awake and irritated. She glared at the tiled wall as she soaped herself, thinking of how much she wanted Snape to be normal again so she wouldn't have to worry about taking care of a child anymore.

What the hell is taking that girl so long?

Severus looked through the clothes that Miss Granger had transformed for him and sneered. He was sure he looked ridiculous sneering now that it was on the face of a child, but he didn't care. He found the dark green outfit she had made and changed his own clothes, fumbling with the buttons. He couldn't believe that he had no black to wear, couldn't use his wand, couldn't fend for himself, and he couldn't tower over anyone because he was only about three feet tall. It was infuriating.

"Granger! Hurry up! I'm hungry!" he yelled, wincing at the way he sounded. There was no reply so obviously she was ignoring him. 'Ignoring me are you? Let's see about that…'

Severus reached up and turned the knob to the bathroom door, heard it click, and then pushed it open. Hermione was just stepping out of the shower and stared at him in anger and embarrassment.

Holy mother of Merlin! I am starting to enjoy this little adventure…

"SNAPE!"

Maybe not…

Severus didn't wait to hear what she had to say. He took off running out the door and to her sitting room where he jumped on the couch and sat down, waiting in silence. The image of her nude body floated through his mind. It was certainly nice seeing her dripping wet. He turned and felt his eyes widen when he saw her storming into the room, fully dressed and extremely pissed.

"SEVERUS SNAPE!" she snapped.

I didn't give her permission to use my-

"How dare you come into the bathroom while I am showering! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

I'm in the body of a child for starters…

"You have given me nothing but grief! I haven't even had you for twenty-four hours and you are driving me insane!" she ranted.

'How do you think I feel?' "I'm tired of you," he growled.

"YOU'RE TIRED OF ME?!" she screamed causing Severus to involuntarily shrink back.

"I don't like this either! I can't even wipe my own ass!" he yelled back at her, standing on the couch so he was level to her face.

"Do you think I enjoy doing it for you? The least you can do is try to make this easier for the both of us. That means BEHAVING!" she yelled the last part in his face.

"I hate you," he said flatly after a moment of shocked silence. She opened her mouth to say something, but shut it immediately. It took a few second before she said anything.

"Fine, then hate me, but Dumbledore put me in charge of you until you are back to normal so you are just going to have to get used to it," she said softly and went to the table, stuffing books and parchments in her bag.

"You can tell me you hate me too," he mumbled, trying to hide the guilt he was feeling because the hurt had been evident in her voice.

"This may come as a shock to you, but I don't hate you. I never have. I told you once that I do not think ill of you and that includes hating you," she replied without looking at him.

"Whatever!" he mumbled.

"Don't you 'whatever' me, young man! You're a royal pain in my ass!" she growled.

Pain in your ass, huh? Let's see how Gryffindor you are now…

Severus sat on the couch and gave her a sad and sorrowful look. His dark eyes widened and he forced his lower lip to tremble as tears came to his eyes. He almost lost his act, wanting to laugh hysterically when he saw the stricken expression on Miss Granger face. He felt a world of triumph when he felt tears stream down his face and he let out a childish cry.

How do you like that, Miss Granger?

"Oh no, don't cry! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" she said quickly, coming over and smoothing out his hair. Inwardly, Severus was laughing madly. "It's ok, it's ok." Hermione wrapped her arms around him and held him to her breast, feeling guilt take over. She didn't see Severus's even little smile even as he sniffled and looked down at her breasts.

Oh yeah…

Hermione carried Snape in her arms toward the Great Hall while carrying her book bag over her other shoulder. She was glad to finally sit down when she saw Harry and Ron come in looking disgruntled and holding Neville and Seamus. She looked at the Slytherin table to see little Pansy running across the table with Millicent chasing her angrily. The sight made her snort and she glanced to see a little smirk on Snape's face.

Better her taking care of the brat than me…

"Hermione, I swear to Merlin I hope this potion wears off soon. Seamus is worse as a child than he is as a teenager! He's been driving me insane!" Harry exclaimed, plopping unceremoniously down next to her. He looked up and raised a brow when he noticed Snape peaking around Hermione to glare at him.

"I know how you feel," she said tiredly.

"So how's the spawn of Satan?" Harry asked, looking at Snape with a glare of his own.

Funny, Potter. Funny how I think the same of you…

"He's fine and don't call him that," Hermione said, fixing a plate of eggs and bacon for Snape. He greedily began to ate, ignoring the stares from the other students.

"I'm sorry for this, Professor Snape," a little voice said shakily and Snape looked up to see Neville Longbottom sitting across from him. The boy looked scared out of his mind. Mr. and Miss Weasley were sitting on either side of him and looking at Snape curiously. The rest of the table were also casting glances at the two toddlers. Snape narrowed his eyes and gave Longbottom the coldest look her could muster up. He didn't even need to say anything. His livid expressions spoke volumes and the deafening silence was quickly filled with the sound of spilling water. Neville began to cry.

"HE PEED!" Miss Weasley exclaimed, jumping out of her seat. The rest of the students burst into fits of laughter and Snape held a smug expression on his face.

Hermione glared and at him. Neville had always been terrified of Professor Snape and it obviously made no difference that Snape was at least thirty some odd years younger.

"Don't do that, Snape! You don't have to scare him anymore than he already is!" she snapped.

"It's his fault we're like this!" he argued like a petulant child.

"That may be true, but he did apologize," she hissed.

"I don't care!" the little boy snapped back.

"Well you should! Stop being so cruel," she replied.

"I'll be whatever I damn well want to be!" Severus retorted angrily. I can't believe she is telling me how to act. Who the hell does she think she is? My mother?

Ginny cleaned the mess with her wand and sat Neville a few seats down from them so he and Snape weren't facing each other. She glared at Snape who looked at her lazily as if he didn't have a care in the world.

"Hey Hermione, how is your scrap book coming along?" Ginny asked, finally looking away from her miniature Professor.

"It's good. I got my parents pages done as well as yours, Ron's, and Harry's," she replied.

"Did som' one say my name?" Ron asked with a mouthful of eggs. Hermione grimaced and looked back at Ginny.

"At least now you'll have some new pages to add," Ginny said, motioning to Snape who was looking from her to Hermione with a look of total loss.

What the fuck is a scrapbook?

"You're right. Some of those pictures Harry took would be nice in there," Hermione said.

Oh hell no!

"Yeah, I heard about the one you took during the spaghetti fight," Ginny laughed.

YOU WILL NOT KEEP THOSE!

"Harry, make sure I get a copy of those pictures!" Hermione said excitedly.

NO! NO BLOODY COPIES!

Ginny saw the expression on Snape's face and snorted pumpkin juice through her nose by accident. Hermione, Ron, and Harry burst into laughter while Snape sat there with a distasteful look on his face.

"We better get to class," Hermione said and stood up. She picked up Snape, much to his embarrassment, and headed to class.

"I want the pictures you and Potter took!" he growled.

"Hah! Yeah right! You'll have a hell of time getting those from me!" she laughed. The look he gave her would have terrified Voldemort.

"No! You can't keep them!" he snapped.

"For all the grief you have put me through, I am keeping them and if you continue to act like a spoiled brat, I will not be returning your wand to you for quite a while!" she replied hotly and walked into her Transfiguration class.

"You can't do that!" he yelled, his voice annoyingly high pitch.

"Watch me," she said all too sweetly.

Hermione went to her seat and conjured another chair for Snape who looked around the classroom in boredom. It was obvious that he had no interest in being there since he had graduated years ago.

"Good morning, Miss Granger. I see you have our Potions Master with you," Professor McGonagall stated, coming over and looking at Severus with glittering eyes.

"Yes, Professor, I hope you don't mind," Hermione said uncertainly.

"Oh not at all. It's nice to have Severus in my class again," she said, trying to stifle a laugh when Severus glared at her.

Laugh Minerva, laugh… Go ahead! Ha, Ha, let's laugh at my expense!

"He's quite adorable," McGonagall said in amusement.

"He is, isn't he?" Hermione said, looking at him.

Don't start this cutesy shit…

"How is he behaving?" Minerva asked.

"Like a petulant child," Hermione replied without thinking and then covered her mouth in shock. Minerva burst out laughing while Snape glowered.

You annoying little wench. I do not behave like a petulant child!

"He's making sure to make your life miserable," she told Hermione.

"Yes, he's doing quite a good job of it. Hopefully he doesn't do anything to ruin my day," Hermione mumbled remembering the eventful morning with him.

Really? I have something that will make your day just grand…

Minerva was about to say something when a loud noise reverberated from Severus. His face was red as he push all the air in his stomach out as well as his dinner. Minerva stared at him in disbelief while Hermione had a complete look of horror.

Not laughing anymore are you?! Oh, that stinks…

"Um…can…can I be excused for a moment," Hermione said uncomfortably.

"Yes, of course. Please take him with you," Minerva said as she fanned her hand in front of her face while walking back to the desk. Toddler Snape burst out laughing and did so hysterically. Hermione quickly picked him up, being careful as to how she held him and headed for the door.

"I'll be right back, Professor," she said quickly.

"Don't worry, Miss Granger. After what he just did, I can understand if you are late. Oh and twenty-points to Gryffindor for having the patience to deal with him," she said, eyeing him with pursed lips. Hermione quickly took him from the room, embarrassed by what he had just done. He was still laughing madly despite the fact that he was sitting soiled pants. Hermione was almost tempted to leave him in those clothes, but she didn't want to be cruel.

"Professor, that was just gross," she said, entering the bathroom.

Yes, but it was worth the look on both your faces!