Never Too Late
DISCLAIMER: JKR owns all
A/N Sorry for the delay. Life gets hectic sometimes. What can I say :)
Thanks to my beta reader excessivelyperky
Chapter 28 - Babysitting (Barnes Style)
Over the next few days the healers visited Harry and Severus frequently, even taking time on their own with the children for short periods of time. They watched them play and took note of any significant behaviour. The main aim, however, was to let Harry and Severus feel comfortable and safe in their presence.
When the night of the concert arrived Albus and Minerva bathed the children and dressed them for bed. They then sat down with them in the living room. Harry and Severus could see that they had "outside" clothes on and regarded them with curiosity.
"We are going out for a little while, children," Albus explained, "Jeffrey and James are going to look after you until we get back. Won't that be fun?"
Severus was the first to understand what that meant. He covered his face with his hands. He didn't like being left alone. Mother and Father always left him alone.
"Severus," said Minerva softly, "It will only be for a wee while. We will be back very soon. You'll see".
Severus showed no indication of having heard her.
Dumbledore had no success in getting through to the child either. Harry was now becoming agitated in the stressful situation.
Just then Jeffrey and James arrived. The healers were prepared for any upset and they radiated warmth and calm.
"Hello Harry. Hello Severus." Jeffrey smiled. "We brought you some nice new story books. Do you like stories?"
Harry nodded but Severus did not respond. Dumbledore quietly explained what had happened.
"His parents left him on his own frequently from a very young age," said Jeffrey, "He probably latched on to the fact that you were going rather than the fact that, in your absence, we would care for him. It will be very helpful to his recovery to understand that he will not be left to fend for himself and that when you go away, you will return."
Dumbledore carefully picked the trembling child up in his arms. He began to slowly rock him as he made soothing noises.
"Severus, darling," he whispered, "It will be all right. I promise you we will be back. Jeffrey and James are going to care for you while we are away. We love you so very much little one. We would never leave you alone, and when we go away, we will always come back."
He held the toddler for long minutes, letting his words sink in. When the shaking had subsided, he pulled out a garish purple and orange handkerchief and handed it to Severus.
"Why don't you look after this for me until I come back. Could you do that for me?"
Severus slowly reached out and took it. Albus saw Minerva hand a tartan scarf to Harry.
"Now, what about a cuddle for us before we go, hmm?" Severus reacted by clinging tightly to the old wizard. Harry was doing the same to Minerva. With a little persuasion, however, they both swapped places and received cuddles and soft reassurances from both witch and wizard.
Severus reached out to Albus again and the old wizard gave Harry one last kiss on the forehead before allowing James to take him. He repeated the process with Severus and carefully placed him into Jeffrey's arms.
"Bye bye children," he smiled, "Be good for Jeffrey and James, won't you?"
"Bye bye," said Harry who was now nestled comfortably in James's arms.
They heard Severus begin to cry as they left the room and Albus almost turned back. Minerva put a hand on his arm to stop him.
"Albus, he will be fine," she reassured him, "Jeffrey will calm him down."
"It is a bit ironic," said the Headmaster bitterly, "I have sent the poor boy back to Voldemort and his evil followers with less concern. Now I find it hard to leave him in the care of two of our most trusted friends."
He grabbed Minerva's hands and looked at her with a panicked expression.
"He's never going back, Minerva. Never!"
McGonagall was a bit perturbed by her friend's behaviour but gave him a reassuring pat on the arm.
"I understand that you feel that way, Albus. Let's talk about this in a couple of weeks when we have to re-age them. You must remember that Severus needs to make that choice himself. It cannot be forced upon him. You can show him that you love him no matter what he does. That will be more than enough."
"As always, Minerva, you are right," sighed Albus.
"Of course I am," she said, returning to her brisk manner. "Now do hurry up, Professor Dumbledore, or we will miss the start of the concert."
He chuckled and let her pull him out of the castle and onto the Knight Bus.
Back in the Headmaster's rooms, it was taking Jeffrey a long time to calm Severus. The healer fed him soothing energy and spoke softly to him. Luckily, Harry's presence seemed to calm the dark eyed child and soon they were both cuddled together, listening to a story.
"We play hide and seek now?" Harry looked up at the healers with bright green eyes.
"I think it's time for bed, Harry," said James gently.
"Oh, Dad. Don't be such a spoilsport," said Jeffrey.
"Peeese," begged Harry.
"Oh, all right children," James said, counting his son in the description. Off you go. I will count."
Harry and Severus had a wonderful time hiding from the healers. At one point James found Harry on top of Dumbledore's wardrobe.
"Magic," he told James happily as he was lifted down.
"You mustn't do that, Harry," admonished the elder healer, "You could fall and hurt yourself."
Jeffrey also had a go at "hiding" with the children looking for him.
"He's behind the sofa," laughed Harry as he and Severus proceeded to climb over the younger healer.
"Yes, you really should try harder, son," smirked James. Jeffrey hmphed, causing the others to laugh.
Eventually both children were rubbing their eyes. Severus buried himself into James's arms.
"I think it is time for bed, little one," James smiled as he cuddled the boy and fed him soothing energy. Harry allowed Jeffrey to pull him up close and put his thumb in his mouth. Soon, they were both asleep.
Jeffrey and James amused themselves by playing cards and talking quietly.
Just as they began a game of wizard's chess the door to the boy's bedroom burst open and a terrified Harry came running out.
"What's wrong, Harry?" James asked, going to him.
"Seberus is all shaky and he's crying."
Jeffrey was in the bedroom in a trice. Severus was twitching in the bed, his small hands gripping the blankets. He was whimpering with tears running down his face though he appeared to be asleep.
"Severus," Jeffrey breathed. He reached out and touched the small shoulder. The toddler flinched violently.
Jeffrey sent small pulses of energy into the child and the tearful dark eyes flew open.
"Aba?" he asked.
"Severus, it's Jeffrey," Barnes soothed, "It's all right. Did you have a bad dream, little one?"
Severus shook his head violently as if to clear it. Where was Albus? He wanted Albus! Why had he gone away? Severus curled up into a ball and began to cry in earnest.
"Here, let me," whispered James. He gently picked up the crying child and cradled him close. His warm soothing energy soon drew the boy out of the tight ball but the crying continued.
"Shhh," James murmured, "Shhh, my darling. You are safe. I've got you. Did you have a nightmare, child? Yes, I know. I know. It was very frightening but I promise no one will hurt you here."
Severus was not easily calmed, and both healers took turns pacing the floors with him, soothing him as best they could.
"He won't really calm until A L B U S comes back," whispered James.
"No," agreed Jeffrey. He had put Harry back to bed, gently assuring him that Severus would be well looked after.
Suddenly the door to Dumbledore's office opened and two merry voices were heard.
"Honestly, Albus," Minerva was saying, "Why you had to bring me up to dance in front of all those people I will never know."
"But you dance wonderfully, Minerva," Albus beamed," Those people were most envious of your talent."
McGonagall snorted but did blush a little.
"Jeffrey? James?" Albus called softly as he reached the door to his rooms.
"What's the matter?" he asked as he spotted James at the window, swaying from side to side with a small, dark haired bundle in his arms.
"Is that Severus?" asked Minerva.
"Yes it is," answered James quietly, "He had a very bad nightmare and has not really settled since, though he appears to be sleeping now. He wanted you, Albus, as we expected."
Dumbledore looked worried as he examined the toddler in Barnes's embrace.
"Did he speak? Did he tell you about it?" he asked.
"He only spoke when he woke up," said Jeffrey, "He said your name but when he saw that you weren't here he clammed up."
"Oh dear," sighed Dumbledore. "My poor child."
Severus opened his eyes blearily and looked around. Upon seeing Albus he whimpered and reached out. Dumbledore took him gently into his arms.
"Hello, sweetheart," he cooed, "Did you have a bad dream?"
Severus nodded into his chest.
"Do you want to tell me about it?" Dumbledore gently carded his fingers through the raven locks. He felt the child tense against him and shake his head. He rubbed the small back and murmured gentle words until he felt him relax again. Gradually, Severus fell asleep, feeling safe in the Headmaster's arms.
"Well, thank you both so much for looking after them," smiled McGonagall, "Apart from the nightmare, how were they?"
"Wonderful," said James warmly, "Kept us on our toes. Didn't they, son?"
"Certainly like hide and seek," Jeffrey chuckled. Albus and Minerva smiled.
"Well we had an excellent evening and I feel much refreshed," declared Dumbledore, "I am very grateful to you both. There are few people we would trust with our little ones."
The healers smiled and said their goodbyes, patting Severus as they left.
TBC
