A/N: Here's the next chapter and it is largely Severus centered. So for all my readers who wanted to know when he would appear and how I was going to tie him into things...here you are. grin Enjoy!
A New Beginning
A gentle hand smoothed the dark hair off the young face before him and the patient stirred slightly only to have a small moan escape involuntarily.
"Lie still, my boy," Albus spoke quietly.
Dark eyes looked up and Snape whispered, "Hurts, Albus."
The blue eyes for a brief moment registered pain at what the younger man was going through and then it was gone. "I know, child. I am so sorry."
"Not. . .not your fault," the younger wizard managed to get out. "Casualty of war."
"If only we could find a strong enough pain draught. . ." the Headmaster began.
Snape's voice gained strength and he looked up at the older man. "Don't you dare try to. And I forbid any of you to use the ones we DO have on me. I'll not have them wasted like that!"
"Severus, they would not be a waste."
"No, Albus. I mean it," the Potions Master stated in a firmer voice, more like his normal one. "I've already spoken to Poppy about it."
Dumbledore looked slightly defeated. "Then you know."
"Know what?" Snape attempted to sneer but the image was ruined by a thin trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth. He wiped it away and continued. "That there is nothing left to be done for me? That the healing potions, even coupled with your powerful magic, are not enough?" The younger wizard looked up at the older one. "That I'm dying?"
Albus closed his eyes a moment. Hearing it put that way, by the young man who had served the Order so faithfully, he felt a tightening in his chest. He nodded.
"I've known it since the battle, Albus. It was meant to be," Snape stated with calmness that he didn't truly feel. Inside he was scared, terrified even. He had faced tortures uncountable for years, had stared death in the face before, but this time. . . this time was different. This time there would be no wily maneuvers, no last minute escapes. No, this was the end of Severus Snape. He had to accept that and others did as well.
"Oh Severus, my dear child." Dumbledore again stroked the dark hair. "With all my heart I wish that things could have been different."
Any other time Snape would have pulled away from the touch, would have scorned the blatant show of affection, would have disdained the emotions and sentimentality. But not now. Now, at the end, it helped. The touch was comforting. And to know that he had at least been cared about by this one old man. . .well it helped it seem worthwhile. "I wish a lot of things, Albus," Severus whispered.
Dumbledore looked down at the younger wizard and was heartbroken to see a single tear slowly slide down the pale face. "You deserved more, Severus, so much more. You deserved a chance at a more normal life. You deserved to be cared about, to be loved. All the things that made life worthwhile were ever denied you, my poor boy. If I could have just one wish, I wish I could change all that for you. Reshape the past. Give you the life that you should have had. The one that you so richly deserved."
Severus gazed up at the loving old face and heard the quiet words. With a faintest hint of a smile, the Potions Master closed his eyes and breathed, "I wish that too, sir."
oooooooooo
The morning sunlight filtered through the windows of the infirmary and a shaft fell on a chair that had not been vacant for days, yet now it was. The bed beside the empty chair no longer held the former Potions Master. That man was gone. The figure that now occupied the bed was much smaller, that of a child.
As if the sun had managed to tease the boy awake, he stretched and yawned, dark eyes opening and looking around him in confusion. Where was he? He tried hard to remember and was just beginning to somewhat sort out a few very fuzzy memories when a woman appeared by his bed, gave a gasp and fled. Looking down at himself, the boy tried to figure out why she had reacted that way. He had on his nightshirt after all and he didn't guess his hair was any more of a mess than usual. Shrugging at the oddity, the child was about to swing his legs over the edge and leave the bed when an old man arrived.
"Good morning, young man," the silver haired man smiled at the boy. "And how are you feeling?"
"Good morning, sir. I feel lots better," the dark haired boy answered and then cocked his head. "I remember you! You're the Professor!"
Dumbledore chuckled, "Indeed I am, Severus. And I am very very glad to see that you are feeling better. I was quite worried about you." He took his place in the chair where he had held vigil over the older Snape until last night.
"Well. . ." Severus looked around and then leaned forward and confided quietly, "my arm still hurts, but I don't want any nasty potions. Please?"
The blue eyes twinkled at the request from the little boy and Albus nodded. "I will do my best to convince Madam Pomfrey that none are necessary, but we will have to see when she examines you."
Severus wrinkled his nose and sighed.
"For now though, she is busy with other patients so you and I have a chance to talk." Dumbledore regarded Severus. "Can you tell me what you remember, child? Why you are here."
"It's all fuzzy," Severus responded as he tried to concentrate. "But. . .there was a. . .a battle. With magic. I was there. And lots of other people. And there were spells flying around." The boy could recall the yells of incantations, the screams of victims, and the different colored spells, though green seemed a prominent color. He shivered slightly at the memory. "I saw. . .some of them. . .they. . .they were killed."
The Headmaster rose from his chair and went to the bed, putting an arm around the slim child. "Yes, yes they were, Severus. A great many were either lost or hurt, like you were."
"You," the dark eyes looked up at Dumbledore. "You were there. I got hurt and you brought me here."
The silver head nodded. "You were hurt very badly and I was worried. Madam Pomfrey did all she could for you. But time seemed to be the only thing that could change things." The old wizard smiled as he spoke. All the words were true and time had been the only thing that could help Severus; a change in time. And thanks to the medallion he had given the younger wizard long ago, and that was still in place around Severus' neck, it had been possible.
"I'm going to be all right now?" the boy inquired.
"I do believe so. But as I said, Madam Pomfrey will need to check things out," Dumbledore responded.
As if on cue the mediwitch appeared and this time did not run away, though she still looked rather in shock as she asked Severus if he remembered his name.
"Of course I do. I'm seven after all," the boy replied as if his 'mature' age should tell the woman something. "I'm Severus Snape."
Dumbledore chuckled at the answer and when Pomfrey looked over at him, he nodded. "We can talk more once you've examined the patient, Poppy."
"We certainly can, Headmaster," the woman agreed, giving Albus a look. She then ran her wand over Severus and once the general scans were done, she felt the arm which had registered still a bit sprained during the scan.
Severus flinched slightly, though he tried not to, when his arm was examined.
"Mmhmm, just as I thought. We will need to keep that in a sling for two or three more days," Madam Pomfrey commented as she started to pull up the boy's night shirt.
"What are you doing?!" Severus asked, struggling to keep the night shirt pulled down and the covers pulled up. No way was he undressing in front of this woman!
"I need to check your ribs. Several of them were broken and though they seem to be healed, I want to make sure there is no residual pain," the mediwitch explained.
"There's not!" the boy hastily assured her. "I'm fine." His hands clutched at the night shirt.
Poppy tried not to laugh. "Oh for Merlin's sake, Severus, it's not as though I haven't seen boys without their shirt on before. Now stop being silly and let me pull it up and make certain you are alright."
Frowning, Severus reluctantly allowed Madam Pomfrey to complete the check up.
"It appears that your arm is the only concern now," she announced.
"I told you that!" Severus declared, tugging his shirt down.
"Now, Severus, we just have to be certain," Dumbledore smiled. "We all want you to be completely well."
The little boy still didn't appear too appeased, but when the Headmaster told him he needed to lay back down and rest for a while and allow Albus and Pomfrey time to talk, Severus obligingly obeyed.
oooooooooo
"And what happened?" Madame Pomfrey demanded once she and Dumbledore were safely ensconced in the mediwitch's office.
"Severus has been deaged."
"I can see that, Albus!"
Chuckling, the Headmaster took a seat calmly. "Perhaps we should alert Minerva as well. I would just as soon tell both of you at once."
Poppy glared at the man but went to the fireplace and within a short while Professor McGonagall was stepping into the office. "What is so urgent?" she questioned, looking at each of her colleagues in turn.
"Somehow, for some reason, Albus has deaged Severus," Madame Pomfrey responded.
"I would think the reason is obvious, Poppy," Albus commented. "You examined the child after all."
"Well, that's true," the mediwitch acknowledged and then spoke to the slightly confused Minerva once more. "He's fine, Minerva. A sprained shoulder. Other than that, Severus Snape appears to be a normal little boy."
"You mean. . ." Minerva tried to take it all in. She, as well as the other two occupants of the room had been aware of the critical condition of the Potions Master.
"He is in no danger now and will be able to have a proper childhood," Dumbledore informed them.
"But I thought deaging potions had been ruled out as a way to help?" Minerva commented.
"They were. This was not a potion, Minerva." The blue eyes twinkled. "It was a wish."
"A wish?" Both witches voiced their amazement and looked at each other and then the old wizard.
Dumbledore chuckled and nodded. "Indeed, yes. A simple but heart felt wish. Aided of course by the Desiderium Medallion."
Understanding registered and Minerva smiled. "How old is he then, Albus?"
"Seven. As you know the medallion chooses the best age for the wearer, should a choice like this be made. But it can never be over thirty years regression," the silver haired wizard explained.
"Then he will be too young to attend school here." McGonagall frowned slightly. "Not to mention classes are now over for the summer. What will we do with him, Albus?"
"Leave that to me, my dear," the wily Headmaster smiled.
"You are doing nothing with him for the moment," Poppy interjected. "That child needs to stay here another two days for me to keep him under observation. If the younger version is anything like the Severus Snape we all knew from age eleven onward, he will be trying to use that arm before he should, regardless of my orders!"
The comment brought laughter and nodding from the other two occupants of the room and it was agreed that Dumbledore would look into his 'idea' and that Severus would remain in the hospital wing under Poppy's care for a few more days.
oooooooooo
Fiona entered the hospital wing, Harry beside her, and both wearing a puzzled look as to why the Headmaster had requested that they meet him here and not in his office. It had been almost a week since the Dark Lord had met his match, thanks to the young man by her side and Fiona had to fight back the urge to pull Harry into a hug once again. He had risked so much and Fiona had been so relieved to have him safe that Harry had been in more danger of being smothered and spoiled in the past few days than ever before.
At first the teen had enjoyed the attention and soaked it up like a sponge, but then like a typical youth Harry had begun to wrinkle his nose or roll his eyes at the petting. Finally yesterday he had flat out told Fiona to stop fussing over him and treat him like normal. Of course the boy had rethought his decision a bit when Fiona had declared it was his bedtime and refused to be swayed by the fact he wanted to stay up. Harry knew deep down that he did need the extra rest, but to be sent off to bed at only ten o'clock at his age was downright wrong if you asked the teen.
Now as they entered the infirmary, Harry wondered what Dumbledore wanted them for. The message they had received by owl was rather cryptic. Then again when weren't the old wizard's words, written or spoken, a bit of a puzzle. Surely the Headmaster hadn't requested the hospital wing because he wanted Madam Pomfrey to look over Harry again! No, the boy drew the line there. He was fine and refused to be prodded anymore.
Almost all of those injured in the last battle were now back with their families and friends. Empty beds lined the walls, but further down, near Madame Pomfrey's office, a screen was still pulled near a bed, indicating that there was still at least one patient remaining.
"Ah, Harry, Fiona," Dumbledore appeared from Pomfrey's office. "I thought I heard you enter."
"Hello, sir," Harry answered politely.
"Hello, Albus," Fiona smiled.
The Headmaster smiled back. "I'm glad that you came. No doubt you are wondering why I need your help and why I chose here to meet." At the looks the younger two exchanged and the nods he received, Dumbledore chuckled and directed their attention to a table near the back of the wing. "There is your answer."
A small boy was seated at the table, dark head bent over whatever it was that he was diligently working on. His left arm was in a sling, but the youngster seemed to be making do with his right. Fiona thought she saw the child sneak a glance in their direction before dropping his head down even further.
"Who is that?" she inquired quietly.
"Severus Snape," Dumbledore answered calmly.
"Sever. . .? THAT's Professor Snape??" Harry blinked in amazement. "What happened??"
"Not Professor any longer, Harry," Dumbledore corrected. "Merely Severus now. Just a seven year old boy."
"But how??" Harry was still in shock.
With a quick flick of his wand, Dumbledore created a privacy shield around himself and his two companions and then the silver haired wizard explained. "As you know, Severus was gravely wounded in the last battle. There was nothing that could be done for him and he was on the verge of leaving this world."
"So you deaged him to save him?" Harry guessed.
"No," Albus shook his head. "Deaging him with a potion would not have remedied everything. It took a far older and greater magic. The Desiderium Medallion."
At the puzzled looks, he went on to explain about the ancient medallion that he had gifted Severus with years before. The younger wizard had thought nothing of it at the time when Dumbledore had given him the token of his full forgiveness and acceptance when Severus returned from the service of the Dark Lord and joined the Light. In actuality however, the medallion had powers its wearer had never known. The small pendant could alter things to grant the deepest desires of the heart. But only if another had the same wish for the person. And the medallion's magic worked on love alone; it would not harm the wearer. As an added precaution, the magic could only be activated once. Once used the medallion was nothing more than an intricately made ornament.
"So this medallion's magic changed Harry's Potions professor to a child?" Fiona asked, still rather confused.
Albus nodded. "Yes. It was a way to change things totally for Severus."
"I can see wishing to live, Albus, but why a child?" the young woman questioned.
"Severus had a life that no one should have to go through, Fiona," the Headmaster answered. "Rather like Harry here."
Fiona looked at her young charge and then back at Dumbledore. "You mean he was an unwanted orphan?"
"It would have been easier if he had been an orphan," the older man said quietly. "Severus' father was cruel to the boy, his mother a bit cool and indifferent. The lad retreated to his studies and had no friends. He was shunned and harassed all through his time here at Hogwart's."
"And you did nothing?" Fiona questioned with a hint of accusation. "I thought as Headmaster you cared about the students." Fiona gave him a look and then gazed back over at the little boy. "Poor dear."
The words only served to confirm what Dumbledore had been hoping. This young woman had a mothering heart. He had seen it already with Harry. Now all he had to do was ease her into the idea and things would work out as planned.
"I deeply regret my choices, my dear, I assure you," Dumbledore responded, all the while feeling the familiar guilt and sadness that he had indeed done nothing. "This is why one of my deepest wishes has always been that Severus could have a different life, a better one. When he and I both voiced that wish. . .the medallion did the rest. Severus now has the chance for a happy life that he so richly deserves."
Harry had listened quietly to the entire exchange and now spoke up. "And where do we fit in? Why do you need our help?"
Dumbledore turned to the teen with a smile. "Severus needs a home," he stated simply.
Fiona blinked as the implications of the words hit her. "You mean. . .but. . .I already have Harry."
"Exactly," the silver head nodded. "Another boy shouldn't be a problem."
"Shouldn't be a problem?" Fiona laughed. For a man who was around children all the time, the old wizard could be thick at times. "A half grown teen is one thing, Albus. But a seven year old? I'm not sure I'm ready for that."
"You are a natural with children, my dear. I've seen that in the short time I've known you," Dumbledore stated.
"But, we are complete strangers. Wouldn't it be better if you took Severus in? You obviously care about him," Fiona questioned.
The Headmaster sighed. "Even with Voldermort defeated, I still have much work to do. I would not have time to spend with Severus and give him the loving attention he needs. He needs a family to be with." Holding up his hand to forestall any protests from the young woman, Albus went on, "And before you start telling me any drivel that you and Harry are not a family, I have a different opinion. The sort of environment you could offer Severus would be ideal. Love, attention, a big brother," he ignored Harry as the boy choked in shock, "a house large enough for another child, plenty of room to run and play and just be a little boy. . ."
"Alright, alright," Fiona threw up her hands. "I'll talk to him at least."
"Thank you, my dear." The blue eyes twinkled. The wizard had no doubt that this young woman would soon have another boy staying with her.
Canceling the privacy bubble around them, Dumbledore lead them over to the table. "Severus, these are the people I told you about."
Black hair framed a young face, the silky waves curling gently on the ends as they brushed the skinny shoulders. Dark eyes looked up and studied both woman and teenager and Severus nodded. "Hello. Did you talk about me the whole time over there?"
The trio exchanged looks and after a moment Harry answered, "Professor Dumbledore had to tell us who you were and things like that."
"You could have just asked me my name, you know," the younger boy stated. Then turning his gaze to Fiona, he questioned bluntly, "So do you want me?"
The suddenness of this entire situation had taken Fiona by surprise. She had only gotten use to the idea of having Harry as a ward and now to be asked to take in another had sent her reeling. However, the fact that Albus had said this child had had a less than desirable life made Fiona feel sorry for Severus. It was the little boy's question though that tore at her heart. It might have been made with all the bravado the child could muster, but the eyes told another story. The dark orbs held a longing hope mingled with fear of rejection. Looking into those eyes, Fiona had but one answer. "Yes, Severus, I do want you."
