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.

38. Christmas

Chapter 38-Christmas

Late that Christmas Eve when Draco and Severus were snuggled into their beds and Percy hadn't come into the room yet. Draco was thinking that Molly Weasley really was an excellent a cook, and a kind, fun-loving person. An important fact that he would have never realized if he hadn't decided to change his lifestyle. He glanced over at the twerp who looked so defenceless and vulnerable while sleeping, curled up under a thick warm blanket. It was still hard for him to believe this child had once been the most feared teacher at Hogwarts and a Death eater.

Percy came in and noticed the blond boy who was lying there on his side watching the twerp as he slept.

"Draco, can't you sleep? It is very late and knowing this crew, it will be an early morning." He said as he tucked the blankets around the twerp then pulling the blanket down on his bed and crawled into it."

"I was just thinking how much different this Christmas Eve, was from others I've experienced and how much different it must be for the twerp. He is lucky to have a second chance at having a Christmas like I suspect he never had as a child the first time around."

I think you are right about that." Percy replied softly. " I suppose this year you will notice a difference in the way Christmas is celebrated, we aren't all that well off."

"That's all right Percy, I got my Christmas wish all ready." Draco answered seriously as he curled up under the blanket on his bed. "So what if I don't get a whole lot of stuff that I don't really need? I am not a kid any longer."

Downstairs Molly was sitting with Arthur and watching the fire reflecting off the tree ornaments, with Sirius, Bill and the adult Snape. Sirius was still dying to know who he was but respected the reasons why no one was to know.

Molly had finally completely finished the sweater she made for Draco. It was wrapped and set down with Severus's and Harry's. The gifts from Albus, Minerva, Poppy and Filius for the twerp came after he had gone to bed. Unlike her children when they were his age, he obviously never expected any gift.

Malfoy Manor

It had been a miserable nightmare for Lucius when he had been summoned to the side of the Dark Lord. He knew his master despised him He could see the contempt clearly in the blazing red eyes, irregardless of his protestations of loyalty. He had been punished severely for the failure to turn over his only son. When he finally arrived back home in the early morning hours of Christmas Day he found Narcissa sleeping in one of the chairs near the tree. He threw himself into the other chair and stared moodily at the tree and the merrily burning fireplace

There was silence in the manor come Christmas morning. House Elves were moving around carefully doing their chores without disturbing the witch and wizard who where sitting in separate chairs staring without seeing the large decorated tree which was sitting forlornly in the sitting room with gifts unopened. There was nothing to look forward to but the faint hope that Draco would be found and returned. Lucius refused to talk to Narcissa about Draco and dismissed any thoughts that crept around in his mind that even hinted that he was responsible for the boys' disappearance.

Narcissa chose to think that Draco had decided to stay at Hogwarts for the holidays, even though she knew he hadn't. She stood up and went out of the room to the owlery, then opened up the cage which Draco's personal Owl occupied, She slipped a little sack that contained a very tiny gold key and a small note with 'Ravenclaw' printed on it onto the Owl's leg and then told the small creature to go and stay with Draco. It occurred to her, after it left that she could have sent a personal note, but it was too late then. She hoped Draco would clue in as to what she meant. She stood motionless, watching the bird fly away till it was nothing but a speck on the horizon, then turned around and walked silently back into the sitting room.

12 Grimmauld Place

Two boy's woke up early and looked across Severus's bed at each other, then they both looked at the small curled up figure that was still sound asleep. Draco and Percy grinned and Percy dared Draco to wake the twerp up.

Percy grinned as he watched Draco slip over and bounce onto the bed and yell, "Hey Sleepyhead, get up, its Christmas morning." Severus was jolted awake and he groaned and tried to pull the covers up over his head. He wanted to sleep the whole miserable day away. He felt himself being lifted bodily off the bed, blanket and all. The pillow he had been clutching fell back down onto the mattress and he struggled. "Hey cut that out." he snapped. "Lemme sleep."

"Come on, everyone's waiting to open gifts." Percy said as he scooped the Twerp off the bed encased in the blanket. The little boy struggled to get freed and Percy stepped backward and sat down on his own bed. "You have a couple to open yourself." He said. Draco slipped off the bed and grabbed his robe as the Twins, Harry and Ron came into the room when they heard the Ruckus.

"I do?" Severus stopped struggling and gazed up at Percy with wide unbelieving eyes.

"Of course you do. Its Christmas." exclaimed Draco . "Did you think you were going to be left out?"

"It wouldn't be right to have the only little kid in the house to go without gifts on Christmas" Ron told him.

Severus just didn't know what to think, as he had never had a real Christmas before. Percy made sure the blanket was wrapped around the small frame and holding him close, carried him out of the room.

"What did you want for Christmas Twerp, you never did say." Percy asked as they went down the stairs. Severus didn't answer, as he had never expected anything. They walked down into the drawing room where Sirius, Molly and Arthur were relaxing with Bill and Adult Snape who had stayed overnight. There was a Christmas broadcast coming softly over a large wooden wireless that Molly had switched on earlier. Kretcher was not in evidence as he had hidden himself; Sirius assumed that it was probably because he objected as per usual to the company.

Percy set Severus down on a nice warm spot of the carpet still wrapped in his blanket. The little boy gazed around at everyone as Arthur placed some gifts and a stocking full of candy near the little boy. The adult Snape smirked while he held a steaming hot mug filled with a delicious aroma of spiced hot cider. The child looked scared as he hesitantly touched the gaily-wrapped packages that were laid out in front of him. He gazed at them as he couldn't help but wonder if something was wrong, some of these packages must belong to somebody else. Arthur spoke as he noted the boys hesitancy "It's fine Twerp, go ahead and open them, they are yours."

Severus looked a little bit overwhelmed with the idea that there were such things as gifts for him on Christmas. Sirius loved watching the little boy opening his gifts. He was so slow and cautiously. Among the gifts there were a couple of books with all kinds of ideas for pranks from Dumbledore which made Molly wonder if she was blaming the wrong ones for encouraging Severus. He got some beautifully made robes from Minerva and Poppy. Poppy had also picked up Sirius's gift for him; She gathered some rare potion ingredients that Sirius thought the twerp might like to have. He also received a charm joke book from Filius Flitwick that contained every funny charm known to wizards.

Hermione had sent study planner books to Ginny and the boys. She sent Severus another sack of marbles that had different patterns than the ones he got before. (Sirius groaned at seeing them) along with a stuffed dog that resembled Sirius's animagi form, only smaller.

To Draco's surprise he had some been given some rare volumes that dealt with famous Slytherins, starting with Salazar Slytherin from Dumbledore besides a bulky parcel which obviously came from Molly.

Molly had made each of them what was commonly known as Weasley sweaters, for once Draco didn't make fun of the homemade gift as he did when he was younger and under his fathers rule. He ran his hand over the soft Green knitted sweater with an interlocking D and M in silver on it. Severus's sweater was a dark green with a silver S over a mortar and Pestle on it. Molly was pleased to see how the two boys obviously appreciated their gifts.

The twins opened up their Weasley Sweaters and got a surprise, instead of the usual F or G on them the fronts displayed the following message. 'Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes' on the front. The words flashed different colours as they faded in and faded out. The boys were stunned and looked quizzically at their Mother who was pretending not to notice that there was anything unusual.

"Thanks Mom!" the twins exclaimed, and then they glanced quickly over at the Twerp who was trying on his new sweater and pretended to not understand why they were looking at him.

Harry turned towards the twins and noticing the sweaters said, "Looks like a good investment opportunity."

"Hey, does that mean what I think it does?" asked Ginny

"Cool, hey Mom I thought you were set against the twins joke shop." said Ron.

Molly's eyes looked moist as she said, "I had a change of heart, I can do that if I want." she said with her jaw jutting out as if she was defying anybody to question her decision.

To Draco's surprise, his own personal owl found its way into the house, it's hooting echoed by that of Pig and Hedwig . The little owl looked around the room then stretched its wings out and flew over to snuggle against Draco who cradled his arms around it automatically as he said "Salazar." He retrieved the little sack from the Owl's leg and held it carefully as he wondered what it contained. He looked around at the startled faces of everyone and felt confused as to why they were looking so strangely at him and the owl.

"I hope he isn't being traced" Molly explained anxiously. "I don't think any of us want to go through another exodus like the last time.

Draco's eyes widened. "Traced? You mean he is being used to find me?" He looked down at his little owl and the sack with a mixture of sadness and horror.

Sirius pulled out his wand and checked the softly hooting owl and sack for any tracing spells that Lucius might have placed on it but he still didn't take any chances as he cast 'Finite Incantatem' He put his wand away and said " There doesn't seem to be anything to worry about, but I am terribly curious as to what you got Draco."

"So are we." chorused the twins., Harry and Ron.

Everyone watched Draco with interest as he opened the sack; He had a peculiar look as he retrieved the tiny gold key and the note with Ravenclaw on it. He stared at the two items and then said. "It would not be my father who sent this, that is for certain. It has to be my Mother." His thoughts were elsewhere for a few seconds and then he said firmly, "I think I better not say anything about this for now, it has nothing to do with Christmas and I think the Headmaster should be present."

This statement made everyone very curious as they watched Draco place the little key and note back into the sack. He then smiled as he petted his owl and let it fly up to the top of a cabinet where Hedwig and Pig were enjoying some owl treats.

There was a moment of silence before Molly spoke up, "Sounds ominous, but we will respect your decision to wait till another time." she gave her children the look that they knew well that said no prying.

After everyone had unwrapped his or her Christmas Gifts, Molly went to the kitchen to start breakfast. Ginny and Ron followed and quickly set the table for her. Draco and Severus helped the others to tidy up the drawing room and place the opened gifts into their individual piles around the tree.

The breakfast pancakes and sausages tasted a little bit different to everyone that morning, Molly said she didn't do anything out of the ordinary but the meal just seemed to have a special additive as if the spirit of Christmas had sprinkled his magic over the happy group.

After the breakfast was consumed, they discussed what they would like to do for the rest of the day. Molly of course said she had some baking to finish and the Christmas dinner to make. Severus and the twins glanced at each other as they had decided to test some of the drink mixtures.

During the afternoon Sirius spent his time with the hippogriff Buckbeak content with his world at the moment. He convinced Draco to come along for a little while at least and meet the hippogriff. After all there would be only the three of them living in the house after the holidays. Draco was a little nervous about the idea but this time he followed instructions and bowed to the creature before approaching it. Sirius smirked as he watched the two get reacquainted, the proper way this time.

Charlie finally made it home, at least to 12 Grimmauld Place to celebrate Christmas with his family.

He looked forward to the break, as he was extremely curious as to how they were making out with Severus Snape the child. It was one thing to read the letters he was owled, it is another to actually see what was going on.

He walked into the house once it materialized for him. He could smell the wonderful scents of Christmas baking and supper cooking. He looked down the shabby hallway and wondered whether he should follow his nose or follow the faint sounds of his brothers' voices as they drifted faintly down the hall. He decided to follow the sounds first, before his stomach forced him into following the delicious scents.

"Don't know, it seems we can't get unstuck."

"Ahhh, now what do we do?"

"Dunno, the Twerp created the stuff ask him."

"Oh yeah as if he is gonna tell."

"Bet he will get a laugh out of it as much as we are."

"I bet he will, now get me back to normal."

"How? This isn't canary creams we are dealing with."

This mixture is different from the swirly mixture he brought from school."

"No kidding, I don't see dragons swimming or mermaids flying.

Charlie wondered what were the boys talking about. Obviously, it had to do with some prank that they had made up.

Becoming very curious Charlie walked down the hall past the grumbling portrait of Sirius's mother and found the twins staring at each other. A bottle of blue and green swirling liquid sat between them and two cups that had obviously been filled and drained of said liquid. Another vial of red and yellow liquid sat nearby that was obviously not used yet with another set of cups.

"Hi guys," he greeted them cautiously. "Just what is going on?"

"Hey, Charlie good to see you."

"Yeah, could you yell for the Twerp?"

"We can't seem to get unstuck."

"New line of drinks, this one makes you sticky."

"Or is it just our minds that think we are stuck."

"Anyway, could you get the twerp?"

Charlie felt someone slip in behind him. He looked down at a very small boy who was smirking from ear to ear.

"I warned you guys the drinks would give you different kinds of illusions." He held two vials of clear fluid, that didn't quite look like water, it seemed thicker somehow. "Here is the antidote, Of course you could wait till next week for it to wear off if you like." he smirked.

"Give it here you little brat."

"Can't bleeding well get up."

Severus smirked as he watched the twins struggling to rise up from their sitting positions. He glanced up curiously at the red haired man, who like the twins was short and stocky like their mother. He remembered them mentioning another brother that he hadn't seen, then walked over and gave the boys the antidote vials, which they drank half each.

Charlie chuckled. "Well, what is this new prank for."

"It's a line of drinks to go with the Candy Kits. The twins are the test subjects." the small boy replied as he watched the twins open the red and yellow drink and pour it into the fresh cups. He had a particularly mischievous look as he waited for them to drink it.

"We tested the candy kit on the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"She kinda lost her mind, and gained a little weight before."

"The aurors were sent to take her to Saint Mungos."

"Mom wrote me about that incident, It is a wonder she didn't send double howlers to you both over that stunt."

"She would have had to send three actually, the Twerp was also responsible."

"But She was talked out of doing it, for which we are most thankful."

"Yeah three howlers at once from mom would have deafened everybody in the school."

Charlie chuckled and asked if it was safe to enter the kitchen, or was Mom in too much of a cooking frenzy to have anybody underfoot. The twins grinned and said, "For us it would be suicide, but you could probably get away with it, seeing that you aren't around much anymore."

Charlie smiled and left the room as the twins tried the third drink. He was curious as to what the result of that drink would be but he thought he better go see his Mother before she blew up at him for not letting her know he had arrived.

Malfoy Manor

Lucius was fuming, it was bad enough that Draco had vanished and now his wife was not on speaking terms with him at all. She blamed him for her boy's disappearance. He glared at the empty glass in his hand and threw it at the fireplace where it caught the edge of the mantle and then fell to the hearth shattering into fine shards.

The images of him, Narcissia and Draco cowered in their picture frames.

He grabbed his silver snake headed cane and stalked over to that tree that Narcissa had insisted on putting up, his face was twisted with the rage and hatred that was building up inside of him. He aimed the cane towards some particularly fine ornaments that had been passed to Narcissa from her family and smashed them with crushing blows that mangled the tree along with the delicate icicles and baubles that seemed to scream in terrible agony as they fell broken and useless to the floor. The Holly branches and mistletoe was ripped off the mantle, the family pictures where yanked down and strewn across the floor then trod upon as Lucius continued his rampage. The house elves hid in fear as their master raged till he could do nothing more and collapsed back onto the chair he had occupied earlier and passed out from exhaustion. Narcissa came into the room and surveyed the damage then looked at her unconscious husband with loathing. She reached down and picked up a picture of Draco that was quivering in terror. She held the picture close to her heart as a tear ran down her face then picking up the remaining photos of her son left the room.

12 Grimmauld Place

"Hey, what the..." yelled George as he felt himself start to float after drinking the red and yellow drink. Fred started to laugh at him when suddenly he did the same thing only upside down. They both started to laugh.

"Whoops, I think we have a problem."

"What problem? Fred asked as he did a back flip and stood upside-down, on the ceiling

"The antidote is down there, with both of our wands and we're up here." George said as he bounced against a cabinet.

"Bloody hell." the twins said in unison.

"SEVERUS."

The little boy was smirking like mad as he came in with the other teens in tow and watched the twins as they sommersaulted and twisted around trying to get down close enough to grab the antidote.

"It is nice to know that you haven't forgotten my real name. Too bad it is only here that you can say it."

"Yeah well , could you please pass us up the antidote, we seem to have a problem."

"Yeah our wands are sitting beside the antidote."

"So I see." answered Severus. "

"Hey, that looks like fun." exclaimed Harry. "Got any more of that?"

"Ask the twerp, Harry, he invented the stuff." Fred said as he shoved against the ceiling with his feet and shot towards the floor then stopped and floated back up. "OOOPs, almost made it."

Ron looked apprehensive. "I don't think I want to try it, I might float away and never come back."

Severus's smirk was getting larger as he watched the twins. "Burp a couple of times guys and you will lose some of the height." He picked up the antidote. "You want this now, or would you rather wait till the stuff wears off?"

"Draco asked with curiosity, "How long till it does wear off?"

"About an hour, I think.

"You think?"

"Well, the twins are the first humans to try it." Severus said. "The mouse took an hour before it came down."

"You three are toast, Mom will probably have kittens when she finds out about your new experiments." Ginny said as both Fred and George burped and dropped close enough to be caught by the teens below.

Harry and Draco grabbed Fred while Ginny and Ron grabbed George and pulled them down to the ground.

"Twerp give them the antidote" Harry said as he chuckled. "This is one wacky way to celebrate Christmas Day."

"Whotcha mean Harry?" asked Fred and George innocently, "It seems to be quite normal for the likes of us."

Remus and Tonks dropped by shortly after Charlie's arrival, Sirius had invited them to join them for Christmas dinner that was proving to become a memorable meal, Sirius looked around at all the people who crowded around his long wooden table. Fifteen People plus himself were celebrating the holiday. He was feeling so good that he even took the time to make sure even Kreacher had a plateful of goodies in his den that was opposite the pantry. He rapped on the door then opened it and looked around, He sighed as he noticed that the house- elf had managed to scavenge some photos, small objects and coins from when the house was cleaned up over the summer. He saw the heavy gold locket with the Slytherin S nestled among the pile of junk. Sirius shrugged his shoulders as heset the plate on an overturned crate near the pile of rags and old blankets that Kreacher had piled under the boiler pipes for his bed. He re-entered the kitchen and sat down with his company

The meal was superb; everyone agreed that Molly had outdone herself in creating the meal. The table was heavily laden with roast turkey, well filled gravy boats and bowls of stuffing, to the different varieties of vegetables and heaping mounds of Mashed Potatoes both sweet and white was perfect. The deserts of pumpkin and mincemeat pies, trifle, cookies, plum pudding finished off the meal. Eggnog, hot punch, tea and chocolate were available throughout the meal to wash the food down.

That night after the guests had headed back to their homes and an exhausted Twerp had been carried up to his bed and tucked in with his new stuffed dog, and the teens had gone up stairs , Sirius, Molly, Arthur, Percy, Bill, and Charlie talked a little before they retired for the night.

Charlie had been bursting with curiosity as to why Draco Malfoy was present. It was one of the few things that he hadn't been Owled about before he arrived. Sirius explained the circumstances and how Dumbledore convinced him to give the boy a chance. Everyone was curious also about the sack with the little gold key and the note that said Ravenclaw.

"Draco did have a peculiar look on his face when he opened it." said Percy. "But it must mean something very important if he wishes Dumbledore to be present when he explains it."

"But Ravenclaw? I don't understand." said Molly who was looking over the pretty handmade lap quilt draped over her legs that Hermione sent her.

"Never mind worrying about it Mother, I am sure we will find out when the Headmaster does get here." said Arthur as he examined his gift from Harry and Hermione who had gone together and got him some wiring and a two hundred piece muggle toolset complete in its own metal box.