Return to childhood

by wingnutdawn

School is out for the holidays. Severus has a slight problem,he is now little and his guardian Albus wants to send him to the Burrow to learn how to be a child. Severus meets up with people he should know but doesn't remember, later goes back to Hogwarts- The sequel called Twerps Summer Hoiliday is up and finished.

26. Time To Leave For Hogwarts

Chapter 26- Time To Leave. For Hogwarts

Hogwarts

It was early morning and in the Great Hall Albus had gathered a few of his trusted members of staff. "Now before Miss. Umbridge gets here I wish to have a quick discussion about Severus."

Albus sat back as the small group of teachers gathered around him. "As you know we cannot call Severus by his own name while he is at the school. I have thought long and hard on the name he will be known by, and I have come up with the name Perseus Evans."

"Perseus Evans? I have the feeling he isn't going to like that." exclaimed Minerva.

"None the less, I have instructed Mr. Weasley to inform Severus that for now, he cannot use his own name, and he is to go by Perseus Evans."

"All I can say is, I'm glad I'm not the one to tell him." said Filius.

Sir Nicholas." Dumbledore called out to the ghost who was floating by. "May I count of the ghosts to help with the deception and look after him?'

Sir Nicholas floated closer and said, "We will be happy to oblige sir."

12 Grimmauld Place

When morning came, everyone got dressed into their muggle traveling clothes to go to the station. Severus opened his eyes and groaned, today was the day everybody was going to leave 12 Gimmauld Place, and he packed up his stuff into a little trunk as Molly expected him to do. He figured that she was planning for him to go back to the Burrow with her and Arthur once the teens were on the Hogwarts Express. He reached into the tank and patted his frog who stuck its long tongue out and caught a fly. Percy had his trunk already packed, and left the room before Severus woke up.

Severus decided he better stay in his room to keep out of everyone's way, as they prepared to head back to Hogwarts. He was not sure what was going to happen to him once the teens had left. He remembered that Albus had said he was to stay with the Weasley family and learn how to play, and then he was to come home to Hogwarts. Severus wondered if that was still going to happen, he knew from experience that plans often went awry and maybe Albus didn't want him to come back.

From all the noise It seemed like everyone in the house had gone mad as trunks belonging to the teens were brought down and piled in the hall ready to be taken to Kings Cross. Hedwig and Pig were flying around excitedly waiting to be put into their cages and Crookshanks was sitting on top of Hermiones trunk, patiently waiting for her. The portrait of Mrs. Black was complaining about everyone but was ignored, as she was unable to scream like she used to. Sirius was feeding Buckbeak his morning meal and feeling a little lonely already. He was going to miss everyone once they where gone.

"Hey Twerp, you coming?" called George as he poked his head into the room. He noticed Severus was sitting with his arms wrapped around his drawn up legs on the bed. Fred came up behind him and both of them came into the room. Severus turned his head and looked at them. "I don't want to get in the way of everyone while they get ready to return to school." he said simply.

"What are you talking about? You may be the tiniest person here."

" But we're sure you're not in the way."

"Anyway your stuff has to go downstairs too."

"Mine too, why?" asked Severus's. "I'm too young to go to school now, and I can't teach."

"Never the less, Mom said you have to be ready also."

"Did you think you weren't wanted or that you would be left behind?"

Severus asked the boys if they had remembered to clear their room of all the experiments. The twins told him he didn't need to worry as they made sure everything was packed.

The twins knew he was deliberately changing the subject, as he was wont to do if he didn't want to answer a question, but figured he just didn't like being around all the commotion involved in getting things ready for school. They talked with him about all the things they had finished making over the summer. If Molly had heard the three of them, she may have gotten angry with the twins for encouraging Severus to follow them in their madcap schemes. Little did she know that Severus had given them some of the more volatile ingredients.

"We do have some decoy detonators"

" Made up that we wanted you to have,"

" Just in case you need a distraction."

Fred gave Severus some of the small horn-type objects and told him how to set them off. They packed them away in a small box with some packing so they wouldn't accidentally get set off. The three of them looked up guiltily when they heard someone come into the room and looked relieved when they found it was Ron who had come in. "Hey guys, Mom is wondering if you are coming down for breakfast before we go."

"All right, we're coming, come on Twerp, you too or Mom will be wondering what is going on." said the twins as they stood up.

Ron looked around at all three of them. "I hope you haven't made up any more of the potion balls guys, It's going to be hard enough to dispose of the ones we still have without getting into trouble." he whispered.

Severus asked, "Is that the stuff that made me grow small?"

Ron face paled and the freckles covering his face stood out all the more, as he forgot that Severus didn't know there was any of those balls left. "Please don't tell Mom I still have some Twerp." pleaded Ron.

Severus grinned and said, "I wont, so long as you don't tell on us." as he packed the box of detonators carefully with some other jokes he had acquired over the last month.

"Deal! We better get downstairs before Mom starts." Ron said as he backed out of the room. "Harry has already gone down with Hermione and Ginny."

There was a pile of bacon sandwiches and buttered toast on the table, with hot tea and chocolate by the time everyone gathered around the table. The food and beverages was devoured quickly. After breakfast Arthur and Molly said they needed to talk to everybody before they headed out to the station.

Arthur cleared his throat as he looked over at Severus who was starting to get a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"As you know we have been looking after Severus all summer for Headmaster Dumbledore and there has been a few attempts to find him by the Ministry and Voldemort."

"Yeah dad we know, it certainly made an interesting vacation." drawled Ron.

Arthur smirked and then said " Since he was seen by many people with Harry and Molly in Diagon Alley there have been a few questions as to who he is and the Headmaster has requested me to inform you to call him by his new name...Perseus Evans." Arthur waited for the blast he knew would be forthcoming.

Severus stared in horror at the group around the table, who winced as he gathered his wits and glared as he said,

"Perseus Evans? Are you joking?"

"No Twerp, the Headmaster insisted that for the safety of us all we were to call you Perseus Evans."

"Evans! That is my mothers Maiden name." exclaimed Harry "Why Evans? Is Severus supposed to be related to me or something?"

"Can't we just call him Twerp?" asked the twins as Severus stared at the wooden surface of the table and frowned.

"Yes that is fine boys, but if you are asked for his real name do not say Severus Snape, and no Harry, it is just a coincidence that Lily's last name is the same as Severus's new name."

"Dumb question Dad, but who thought that new name up?" asked Ron.

Arthur sighed as he noticed Seveus had sat back and looked thunderous. "The Headmaster has been busy anagramming Severus's name and this one was the one he thought would best suit him."

"Like an ill fitting jacket." muttered Severus under his breath.

Sirius grinned and said "It could be worse Twerp."

"I like it." said Hermione. "It is both unusual and simple."

"You would!" said Severus as he looked at her with crossed eyes. "Evans is all right I guess; but PERSEUS?"

"Now come on Perseus, you'll get used to it."

"In a pigs eye I will." Severus snapped. " Given a choice, I think I prefer to be called Twerp!"

"We will keep calling you Twerp if that is what you wish, but remember your new name is Perseus Evans if you find yourself in a predicament where you must say your name." ordered Arthur in a no nonsense voice. "That goes for the rest of you too."

Severus sighed and replied. "Yes sir." as did the teens.

Hogwarts

" Shhh, she is coming down the corridor." said Poppy who was keeping an eye out for Dolores Umbridge.

"The others started to talk as if they were discussing normal school activities as Umbridge came walking in and in a very girlish voice enquired how everyone was.

A few polite but formal replies of fine were spoken.

"I noticed when I came from the Ministry, that there was a request to accept a younger child here at Hogwarts but not as a formal student." She said in what she thought was a sweet voice.

"Yes there was." Albus said politely and calmly.

"My dear Dumbledore." she spoke, "Isn't this young lad who is to be coming a little too small to be here?"

Filius who was sitting nearby bristled at her remark. "He is short for his age madame, but it does not affect his intelligence "

"My dear sir." Umbridge said in that awful syrupy voice. "I did not mean that he was stupid, I was just wondering why professor Dumbledore agreed to have such a young child come to Hogwarts."

'Madame, I accepted a request to raise an orphan in an extended family atmosphere. Perseus Evans is considered to be a very advanced child magically but needs to learn interaction with other children who can match his abilities. I will be his foster parent." Albus explained carefully. "He will also be allowed to attend a few classes if he wishes."

"How very interesting. She commented with a slight frown.

12 Grimmauld Place

The trunks were taken outside and placed into the boots of the three muggle taxi's that were taking them to the station. Arthur whispered a charm to temporarily make extra room so they could fit the trunks in.

Sirius changed himself into Snuffles, came out of the house and sat down beside Severus who was sitting on a small patch of grass in front of the house.

Arthur and Percy had apologized to the teens for the inconvenience but Fudge was in no mood to give them the use of ministry vehicles.

"I guess he is a little peeved at you for not accepting his job offer, 'eh' Percy?" said Harry who was putting his trunk into the back of one of the waiting taxis with Percy's help.

"You could say that." Percy admitted. "He said I disappointed him as he thought I was a bright boy with a future."

"You are, just not in the way he sees you." said Molly who had overheard the conversation. She reached over to her third born and gave him a hug. Molly then turned around and looked at Severus and Snuffles sitting side by side on the small patch of grass in front of the house. She stood for a short time watching them. Snuffles perked his ears up hopefully and wagged his tail, which kept thumping Severus on the back. The little boy laid his arm across the dogs back; the dog turned his head and slurped at Severus 's face with his tongue

"Eeeyuch, dog drool." He yelped as he wiped his face dry with his coat sleeve.

Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other with amusement, and Harry asked, "What would it really hurt if he came along?"

Molly hissed a little as she whispered, "You know the danger Harry, Sirius is still considered a criminal by the Ministry."

"Tell him to be a good doggy and I don't think anybody will notice anything other than a little boy and a big black dog who are seeing us off." Hermione said as she also looked back at Severus and Snuffles.

Snuffles whined and turning his head gave Severus's face another good slurp with his tongue. Severus glared at the dog and once again wiped his face dry. Snuffles ran over to Harry and started bouncing around as he barked up at him.

"Snuffles, behave yourself." ordered Molly, "Now act like a good dog and maybe you can come with us."

Severus stood up and dusted himself off, he was still a little peeved, but also understood why he was told not to reveal his real name. He thought Albus had a wicked sense of humour though.

"All right, then lets get going." Arthur said as everyone gathered to get into the taxis. It was a tight squeeze but they managed to fit everyone in. Severus was squeezed in with Ginny and the twins. Hermione, Harry and Ron went together, with Snuffles lying across Harry and Ron's laps and Crookshanks sitting on Hermiones lap. Percy went with Arthur and Molly in the third taxi with the Owl cages.

Once at the station and everybody had gotten out of the taxis along with all the trunks and cages. The trunks and cages were loaded up onto the carts as Harry dealt with paying the cabbies when Arthur gave him the muggle money. Severus was a little nervous when he saw how hectic the station was with all the people walking along the platforms and the sounds of trains coming and going. He wondered if there was going to be some excitement like there was in Diagon Alley.

They took their time getting through to platform 9¾'s, while trying not to attract the muggles attention. The twins went first, then Harry, Hermione and Ron. Ginny and Percy went next. Severus looked around then made his dash through to the platform with Snuffles, followed by Molly and Arthur. Snuffles was running around the station platform between Harry and Severus whining and barking with excitement. There were amused looks cast their way as the dog slurped Severus's face, then Harry's. Molly shook her head and warned Snuffles to settle down before he knocked the Twerp over.

Severus looked up at the big red and black steam engine with Hogwarts Express printed on it with wonder. He noticed groups of people hugging and saying goodbyes as the departing students climbed into the bright red coaches attached to the big locomotive. He noticed a tall thin blond boy staring at him and whispering to a tall blond woman who looked to be his mother. Severus moved and stood a little closer to Arthur and Percy who glanced down at the little boy and grinned at him.

There was a sound of someone grumbling behind them and when Severus looked back he saw Mad-eye Moody in disguise, leaning on his staff and muttering to himself as he observed the clusters of people. Severus turned round, went over to the grumpy looking man and looked up at him. Arthur and Percy noticed Severus go over to the old man and grinned.

"Hi Alastor." Severus said, "Are you seeing someone off?"

"Hey Twerp." growled Mad-eye as his magical eye kept moving around watching everyone. "I really don't like being in such a crowd but I wanted to see you before you leave on the train."

Severus looked up at him bewildered, "I'm not going to Hogwarts, I'm too little."

The old man glared down at the little boy who gazed up at him. "Hmmmmf, of course you will be, they are expecting you to come."

Severus looked at him in confusion. "I wasn't told anything about my going to Hogwarts, I thought I was going to return to the Burrow with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley."

"I see your small trunk being loaded into the train. Look for yourself." Mad-eye nodded towards the train."I believe that means you will be boarding soon."

Severus looked over at the baggage handler who was loading the trunks for the school and saw his trunk being floated through the air and into the baggage car.

"You are going to have quite a large family looking after you, I believe Albus has endeavoured to set everything up at the school to ensure your safety." Mad-eye told him. "Here comes your escort Twerp. I expect to hear good things of you. Remember to be careful what you say and be careful what you write in any letters. All right?"

Severus looked over where Mad-eye was pointing and there was Bill Weasley walking swiftly towards them his hair tied back in a very long ponytail. He was dressed very conservatively in a teachers Robe that covered a long sleeve shirt and black jeans.

Snuffles looked up at Mad-eye who growled at him. "I take it you wanted to see the children off eh?" Snuffles grinned and wagged his tail frantically, knocking Severus over. The dog then looked abashed and started to lick the little boy's face in apology. Severus closed his eyes and pushed the dog away. "CU-cut it out Snuffles, I don't need my face washed." Snuffles stopped licking him then went over to sit beside Harry.

Arthur and Percy came over to greet Mad-eye. "It will soon be time for you to go onto the train Twerp. Bill will look after you." Arthur said.

Molly was hugging and telling her children to write ... be good ...if you have forgotten anything not to worry as it would be sent on to them. Snuffles was nuzzling Harry who knelt down and hugged the big black dog. A warning whistle from the train blasted in the cool crisp air and the students who were still on the platform hurried onto the train.

After another quick round of hugs the teens then dragged their trunks onto the train, along with their caged owls and Crookshanks to find themselves compartments.

"We better get a move on and board the train Twerp." said Bill who extended his hand to Severus. "Better say goodbye for now, It's time to head for Hogwarts."

Severus's eyes shone as he received quick hugs from Arthur, Percy and Molly, then he hugged Snuffles whose tail waved about a little more gently than before. Mad-eye growled affectionately as he received a boyish hug also and then Bill took Severus to board the train.

After they got on board and went into a compartment Severus scrambled up on his knees and looked out the window as the train started to leave the station. He saw Snuffles running after the train, barking his fool head off, and the three adults left behind waving goodbye. The train sped up till everything was a blur and then they were gone.

Hogwarts Express

Draco Malfoy was mulling over what his father had said about the Weasleys looking after some little kid who acted older than he looked. Draco wondered why he was so interested in the brat, though not so much now, since he found and lost Professor Snape in Diagon Alley. Draco looked out of the window of his compartment not really seeing the scenery as it flashed by. That was another thing, what was going on with the Professor; He hadn't been seen all summer, except for that time in Diagon Alley. Lucius told Draco that Snape wasn't teaching this term either.

In a compartment nearer the front of the train, Bill was trying to get over the nervous sensation in his stomach as he found himself getting closer to the school.

He looked at Severus who was sitting quietly on the seat across from him, The little boys feet were barely sticking over the edge, he was tiny for someone who was going to be nine in a little more than four months.

Severus was being very quiet and had a book from which he was reading the history of Hogwarts and thinking. He wondered what Albus wanted him to do while he was at Hogwarts, besides trying to get Harry trained in the art of Occlumency.

The treat trolley came by and the lady in charge asked them if they would like anything. "Perseus... Perseus," Bill sighed, and then said "Twerp, do you want anything off the trolley?"

Severus looked up and said "No thanks, I'm not hungry.' he then went back to his book.

Bill shook his head and got some cauldron cakes, ice mice and peppermint toads, just in case the little boy changed his mind.

Harry, Hermione and Ron were talking over the events of the summer and how much fun they had with the twerp. They wondered what Neville Longbottom would think when he found out that Snape was not going to be teaching Potions. He was terrified of Snape and Ron grinned, as he imagined what Neville would say if he found out Snape was no longer a terrifying man, but a very young child, too bad they were not allowed to reveal the secret.

A girl came in the compartment, which they knew by the name of Luna Lovegood. She was an odd sort of girl who lived near the Weasleys and normally kept pretty much to herself. She talked to them and asked how the little boy was doing that had been staying with their family all summer. She admitted to seeing him on occasion running around the yard and climbing the large tree when she was out walking the fields between their homes.

It hadn't occurred to the teens that the neighbors would have noticed Severus playing and they wondered if she had heard them calling out his name. Luna smiled in her dreamy way and said "Don't worry I won't tell anybody who he really is. What name is he going by,"

"His name is Perseus Evans, He doesn't like the name much so we call him Twerp." said Harry.

"Good name." she said calmly, "I like it."

Hermione looked at the boys smugly "See I'm not the only one who likes it."

Harry and Ron glanced at each other and rolled their eyes.

Nearly six hours later the train chugged into the station at Hogsmeade. Bill looked over at the little boy who had fallen asleep after the long ride. He reached over and gently shook his shoulder. Severus woke with a start, not sure where he was, then he remembered, he was on the train to Hogwarts...and he was to remember his name was now Perseus Evans.

The students gathered their belongings, left their compartments, and slowly moved towards the doors of the coaches to step outside onto the platform where they left their trunks and cages to be sent up to the school.

There was a cry of "firs' years over 'ere." and the bulky body of the loveable half giant Hagrid appeared lantern in hand to take the new students across the lake to the castle.

"Hey Hagrid." Harry greeted the giant who was pleased as punch to see him, along with Hermione and Ron.

"Arry, Mione, Ron. Good to see yer'." he called out as he gathered the first years together. "I expect to see you three later."

Bill came up with Severus and the teens were surprised to see him. Bill said, "Hey guys, Perseus is going to be coming with us in the stagecoaches."

"I didn't know he was going to be coming here, I thought he was going to be going home with Mum and Dad." exclaimed Ron.

Severus looked a little perturbed at the use of his new name and said, "I didn't know either, till Mad-eye told me. I wish Snuffles could have come though."

Harry smiled and said, "I wish he could have come too but it's better he didn't."

"Lets get moving then." said Bill, "The coaches await." They moved further off down the road where the hundred or so coaches waited.

Harry was startled, as he saw the coach's where no longer horseless. There were black fleshless creatures with bat like leathery wings spouting from their withers. Dragon like heads with white pupil-less eyes completed the image. He turned to Hermone and Ron and asked, "What are those things?"

Ron looked bewildered as he turned and looked at the horseless vehicles. "What am I supposed to be looking at?"

"The creatures pulling the carriages." exclaimed Harry who was beginning to doubt his vision.

Ron shook his head as he thought Harry had lost it already. He climbed into the coach behind Hermione. The creature that stood in between the shafts of the coach looked very solid to Harry as its breath created a vapour in the chill air.

Severus said softly, "I see them Harry, you are not imagining things."

A dreamy voice from behind them said "Your not going mad or anything. I can see them too." Harry turned and there was Luna Lovegood standing quietly waiting to climb into the musty interior of one of the coaches.

Bill told Harry to get into the coach and he would explain things to him. Bill lifted Severus into the coach after Harry got in and climbed in after them.

Bill cleared his throat and said. "Harry, what you saw is a rare winged horse known as Thestrals. They possess the power of invisibility and can only be seen by those who have witnessed death. Over the age they have acquired the reputation of being unlucky."

"That explains a lot," said a relieved Harry. "I thought I was hallucinating since Ron didn't see what I saw. Se- Perseus could though."

"Harry, please be careful, yes he can because he too has witnessed death, just as Mom and Dad have." he said in a whisper which was barely audible.

The coaches traveled in a line up the road and passing the pillars, which marked the beginning of the school grounds, went by Hagrid's hut and soon arrived at the castle. Everyone climbed out of the stagecoaches and went up the stone stairs through the large oak doors, then went down the well-lit entrance hall to the double doors that opened into the Great Hall.

Silvery ghosts were floating around the hall while students were talking to each other about their summers and checking out each other's new hairstyles and robes. Hagrid came walking in the door behind the staff table and made his way down to his own chair. The first years had crossed the lake and were now in the caring hands of Professor McGonagall. It wasn't too long before the door was opened and Professor McGonagall came in, carrying a Stool with the sorting hat on it. Behind her there came a line of first year students gazing around at the ghosts and up at the ceiling where the candles floated and stars flickered in a night sky.

She set the stool and hat down in front of the staff table and the sorting began.

Severus and Bill stood near the end of the hall till the sorting was completed. Severus felt nervous when he saw all these people around him staring in wonder. They walked up to the staff table where he was obviously expected by the Headmaster, who after picking the little boy up introduced him as Perseus Evans who was going to stay for a term or two with him.

The students and teachers understood then that the Headmaster had become a foster parent for his own personal reasons, and showed approval with a show of loud clapping. Severus whispered to Albus, "Just call me Twerp, from now on, okay." Albus chuckled and his eyes twinkled as he set the little fellow down and told him to go sit with his friends at the Griffindor table. Severus went down to sit in between the twins and Harry. Hermione and Ron were opposite him along with Ginny. George leaned over and said, "Good- luck Twerp."

Draco Malfoy turned around to look carefully at the little boy who was being teased by his friends and then shrugging his shoulders, turned back around to wait for the feast to begin..

Albus looked very pleased and happy as he called for everyone's attention and said 'Let the Feast begin."