Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and places belong to JK Rowling. The title comes from the movie "Toyland."

Chapter 8

Toyland! Toyland!

Dumbledore's gots me Toys!!

"Professor Snape," Arthur Weasley has never sounded so somber as he sat down across from Snape. Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked in wonder at the mini tornado their grandbaby was hell bent on driving her daddy insane with.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley," Professor Snape drawled. Raising an eyebrow at the strange sight before him:

The unknown witch and wizard, without asking permission, was setting little disk shaped objects around the outside of the group.

For some reason, Mrs.Weasley, Mrs. Granger, and Hermione were walking around bent over and waving their arms at the stone flooring like some poor muggle dope who has lost a contact.   

And to top it all off, Headmaster Dumbledore's head could not be seen as he had dove head first into a large bag decorated with dozens of laughing teddy bears that he had brought with him into Severus's office. He was apparently in hot pursuit of something way at the bottom of the charmed bag. (His efforts were tickling the bears into fits of breathless laughter.)

"It has been brought to our attention that your baby has been gifted with prenatal telekinesis along with the ability to astrally project her image." Mr. Weasley drew a deep breath as if preparing to mount his soapbox.

"I already knew that." Growled Snape. "Who are they?" He nodded to the couple who had just finished setting up disks along the perimeter of his office.

"Allow me to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. LillyWater," Professor Dumbledore paused in digging through his bag. "They are experts in the field of prenatal telekinesis and are going to help us understand and accommodate the newest little addition to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." His head disappeared back into the bag.

Mr. LillyWater grinned and offered his hand, "Your case is especially intriguing. Your pregnancy alone would make a wonderful case study, but the nature of your child's gifts…You must be so proud!"

Professor Snape ignored the offered hand and glared at the disks laid about his sanctuary.

"And what are these--" Quickly he ducked a flying book aimed with careful precision at the top of his head.  "These objects supposed to do?" Pointly ignoring the tiny hand shooting out of the tornado to snatch up his pen.

"With the right incantation," Mrs. LillyWater's elegant voice carried from where she stood by Mrs. Granger, Mrs. Weasley, and Hermione, "these objects, as you called them, should project the child's thoughts magically to the rest of the people within the boundary of the Pyscomagic Orbs."

"Theoretically," Mr. LillyWater butts in, going to hold the hand of Mr. Granger and Mrs. LillyWater. "Now we just have to give it a go."

"Albus, if you will," Mrs. Weasley held out her free hand.

Jumping up, the headmaster took her hand and that of Mrs. LillyWater to complete the circle the group had formed. "Serverus, would you—"

"No!" Professor Snape growled. He was in the middle of a fight to the death with the mini tornado for his pen. "I've been put through enough nonsense today."

Hermione shot him a filthy look that he countered with a pointly raised eyebrow.

"We don't need him," Mrs. LillyWater exclaimed. "His bond with the child could interfere with the process."

"Yes, indeed," Mr. LillyWater agreed. "Let's begin! Just like we practiced in Professor Dumbledore's office." The last bit was aimed at a nervous looking Mr. and Mrs. Granger.

As one their voices lended themselves to the chant.

Well you can tell they practiced, thought a tried Snape as he watched his naked offspring dance her way across his desk, shooting silly grins at him as she shook his ink well with all her might

Suddenly the disks glowed a bright blue that washed over the whole room before disappearing. Then, as one, Professor Dumbledore and company noticed the dancing naked baby.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Oh, she's so darling!" Mrs. Granger exclaimed. "Looks just like you did as a toddler, Hermione."

Hermione, Mrs. Granger, Mrs. LillyWater, and Mrs. Weasley surrounded Little One, oohing and aahing at her tiny perfect features and amusing facial expressions.

"She's so ornery!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed as Little One stuck her tongue out at them. "She reminds me of Fred and George at that age."

"Too bad I can't hold her." Hermione was right, even though everyone could see Little One no one could touch her.

"Just as well," Snape drawled from his bent over position. He was busy trying to pick up all the pieces of wreckage that was once the contents of his desk. "She'd probably bite you." 

"Na, na!" Little One exclaimed and flew over to her Daddy disappearing into his side.

"Se seems to be enthralled with you, Severus," Mr. LillyWater observed.

"Albus," Mrs. LillyWater produced a black silk bag. "Would you like Jimmy (Mr. LillyWater) and I to secure more areas around Hogwarts?"

"Yes!" Professor Dumbledore still hadn't found what he was looking for in the bag. "In all the classrooms, including Hargrid's Hut, the Great Hall, the stairs, and the main corridors," his head disappeared back into the bag only to pop back out, "Oh! And my office."

"Hopefully, the little monster will spread her reign of terror to include someone else." Snape had put his desk to rights, including the rolls of graded parchments.

Out of his side poked a little curly top, "Na, na?"

"Yes, I mean you!" Snape mumbled at his side, preoccupied with the fourth year class's homework he had begun to grade. (He wisely hid them in a secret compartment in his desk.)

He missed the looks the women shot his way.

"You can't talk to a baby that way," Mrs. Weasley admonished. "She'll think that's the way you're supposed to talk to people."

"So?" Snape didn't even bother to look up from grading his papers.

"You see, Mr. Weasley!" Hermione growled. "He unfit to carry my baby."

"What's that supposed to mean!?" Professor Snape was finally paying attention to his unwanted guests.

"Miss Granger petitioned the Ministry of Magic for full custody of her child." Mr. Weasley looked very somber.

"You've done what!?" Snape's voice was very low, anger apparent in his taut facial features.

"You don't want her or care for her like I do!" Hermione shouted with pent up rage. "To you her life is disposable!"

"You little— "

"Now, now!" Professor Dumbledore interjected. "Let's not say or do anything to aggravate this already difficult situation."

He came around to stand beside Snape, laying a hand on his shoulder. "I think I know of a way to settle this. Has either of you considered marriage?" 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Albus, remove your hand from my shoulder! And step away from me!" Snape's pale complexion went a soft gray color.

"Professor Dumbledore!" Mrs. Granger squealed. "You don't honestly believe the solution to this problem is to marry a 17 year old to a man almost three times her senior! And her professor to boot!"

"Now, now!" Mr. Weasley interrupted. "This could be the best thing for all three of them."

"How do you mean?" Hermione asked, moving closer to her father.

"Miss Granger," Professor Dumbledore piped up. "Do you plan to go on to Stonehenge Institute for further education?"

"Yes.." Hermione whispered.

"And you, Mr. and Mrs. Granger," Professor Dumbledore continued, "Do you plan to raise Hermione's baby while she's away at college?"

"Oh, Hermione," Mrs. Granger turned to her daughter, "We can't afford to send you to college and take time off work to take care of the baby."

"We couldn't afford daycare," said her father, patting her back, "not in the area we live, on our paychecks." He winced at the thought.

"Daycare?" Professor Snape was stroking his right side.

  "Its like school," Mr. Weasley piped up. "For newborns to five year olds."

"You plan to send a newborn witch to muggle strangers to be educated?" Professor Snape took a step back, looking at Hermione and her parents as if they had watermelon for brains. "And you claim I'm unfit!"

"Settle down!" Headmaster Dumbledore stepped closer to Snape. "Just consider the idea of marriage."

"It could be a marriage in name only," Mrs. Weasley added.

"You could wait a year before going back to school," the headmaster continued. "Working for me and around the school will get you good credentials for when you finally graduate from college."

Professor Snape huffed. Headmaster Dumbledore turned to him.

"And how do you plan to take care of the baby and teach potion classes? Hmm?"

Professor Snape looked at the back wall, not meeting anyone's eyes.

"It can be annulled," Mrs. Weasley added. "No one would think anything of it."

"Lets stop for now and let everyone give this some thought," Mr. Granger gathered up his wife and daughter before continuing, "Nothing needs to be done tonight."

"I agree," Mrs. Weasley huffed. "Hermione should be allowed to give this matter some serious thought. Marriage of any kind shouldn't be rushed into."

They were all in agreement, and, along with the LillyWaters, began to file out. Only Dumbledore and his giant teddy bear bag remained.

"Severus," Dumbledore looked at him sympathetically, "I know things aren't easy for you."

"That's an understatement," Snape sat down on the edge of his desk.

"I've given you're predicament (Snape huffs) a lot of thought," Professor Dumbledore sat down on the edge of one of the student's desks. "This is the best thing that could've happened to you."

"What!"

"A child is a blessing," Albus looked him right in the eye. "You need this child. She will bring you back into the world of the living and give you the happiness you deserve." Dumbledore's voice grew soft with concern. "You've paid for all you mistakes. Close the door to that part of you life, and move on."

"..Albus.." Snape stared at the floor.

"Give it a chance." Albus implored. "Give them a chance, for all three of you."

Snape's chest tightened as he met Albus's eyes.

After a long moment, Professor Snape nodded.

Releasing the breath he'd been holding, Headmaster Dumbledore's face melted into smile.

"Thank Merlin!" He exclaimed. "Now I bet you're wondering what I have in this bag…hmm." Dumbledore looked up at Snape expectantly.

Professor Snape, resigned and slightly amused said, "What's in the bag, Albus."

"Things to make your life easier, my friend."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC

A/n: I hope this eases the confusion a bit. Prenatal telekinesis along with the ability to astrally project is something used in comic books a lot. It is also known as "Spirit Walking" where the spirit of someone in a coma, or in this case: not born yet, leaves their mind and goes wandering about and can effect the environment around them. As always, please review! It makes my day!