Disclaimer: ALL HP characters belong to the lovely J.K. Rowling.
Harry couldn't believe his eyes and ears when he heard Holly say the name of the most despised professor at Hogwarts, Severus Snape. How could Snape even have a wife and kids? Harry thought, as he stared openmouthed at his Potions professor sitting on his aunt and uncle's couch as if nothing out of the blue had happened.
"Mr. Potter." Snape said, arching his eyebrow, and frowning slightly. "I see you are rather interested into getting to know my wife." Snape added dryly, glancing at Harry's lap. Holly laughed, rubbing Snape's shoulder as she reached for a goblet of wine. "Ahem. So.. They're your aunt and uncle, I take it?"
"Err.. Yes." Harry said, nervously trying to think of what Snape would do to him if Snape caught him thinking about Holly in a compromising way ever again. "Yes, I live here." Harry added, blinking his eyes hard, trying to convince himself that he was stuck in a nightmare.
"Mr. Dursley, Mrs. Dursley. I would be interested into having your nephew and son work for us over the summer-you know, babysitting." Snape said in monotone, arching his eyebrow yet again, as he put his arm around Holly. "We've been in dire need of a babysitter for six years, since our Hermione was born. We'd be willing to pay them five dollars an hour." Snape added, as Holly nodded. Harry sat there, staring at Holly and Snape openmouthed.
"Err. well, I don't see why not-Dudley does need to earn some pocket money for the school term coming in September." Petunia Dursley said, trying to hint that they hoped Dudley would be enrolled into what-his- name's private school come September. It would be wonderful; perhaps Dudley even had a chance to go into Oxford when the time came.
"That is wonderful-why don't Mr. Potter and Dudley stop by our house tomorrow morning at nine? The children all will be ready for your boys by then." Holly said, smiling softly as she quickly elbowed Snape in the ribs, Snape had muttered something under his breath which sounded quite like a sarcastic comment about Dudley and Harry babysitting his children.
"It is settled, then. Dudley and Harry will be at your home at nine o'clock sharp." Vernon said, smiling like the cat that just ate the canary. "Well, it's getting a bit late-you don't want to tucker out your babysitters."
"They're quite tuckered out by now, probably." Snape muttered partially to himself and to Holly. "Let's hope we haven't run out of chocolate syrup and whipped cream-"
"Severus!" Holly snapped sharply at Snape, jabbing him sharply in the ribs as she got up. "It was wonderful meeting you; I really do hope we become good friends." Holly added, as she shook Vernon's hand and hugged Petunia goodbye.
"Goodbye." Snape said, as he opened the door, ushering Holly out and shooting a murderous glare at Harry. As soon as Snape and his wife left, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon high-fived each other.
"An ace in the hole! Dudders will certainly go to his school, if he becomes their regular babysitter-but isn't it odd they also asked for Harry?" Petunia said, suddenly frowning. Vernon just shrugged, and shot Harry a deadly glare, as he gestured for Harry to go upstairs.
That night, Harry had several pleasant dreams about Holly. In one dream, he and she had gone on a picnic on the Hogwarts Quidditch field. In another, he had rescued her from Voldemort's clutches, and she had wanted to pay him back in a very pleasant way. Unfortunately, all the dreams ended with Snape killing him with the same curse that killed his parents.
"GET UP!" Aunt Petunia yelled, pounding on Harry's door. Harry groaned as he got up, and put on his glasses. Today was the day he was to baby-sit the Snape kids. Not a big deal, a piece of cake, Harry thought as he pulled on a T- shirt and jeans and ran downstairs to make breakfast for the Dursleys.
When it was nine o'clock, he found himself standing in front of the Snape's house with Dudley at his side. Dudley had his chest puffed out, somehow under the delusion that Holly secretly liked him. Harry knew in his heart that Holly maybe liked him. Maybe, Harry thought hopefully, as Holly opened the door, her baby at her hip, wearing a T-shirt and Slytherin green pajama bottoms with an untied black robe slung around her shoulders. Her brown hair was slung in a messy, lopsided ponytail. Even like that, she looked beautiful to Harry.
"Why, boys, you're both on time. Come on in." Holly said, smiling softly as she opened the door wider, inviting Dudley and Harry in her house. Harry came in behind Dudley, and took a look around the hall they were in. There was a flight of stairs at Harry's left, and a living room at Harry's right. In front of Harry was a small hall leading to a kitchen. "Sevi is just getting dressed-I need to get dressed me self, so do you mind watching Jeremiah for a moment?" Holly said, handing the baby boy to Dudley. "It'll just be a moment, dear-there you go, Miah..." Holly said as she rushed upstairs, pulling her hair out of her messy ponytail.
"What a babe." Dudley whispered to Harry as he handed baby Jeremiah to Harry. "What a cushy job we have, babysitting a few kids all day." Dudley said, eyeing the television with greed. "Monty Python will be on in a few minutes, you know." Dudley whispered, as he took a step towards the Television. Harry ignored Dudley, as he studied the pictures hung on the wall with care. There was a wizard photograph of Holly, a few years younger, standing in a doorway eating a cake, laughing. Suddenly, Snape came behind her and glared at Harry from the photograph. Harry quickly looked away to another one. It was of three children, very young. They were all standing at the base of a great staircase. The children were all tugging at their formal clothes, and fidgeting.
"Harry?" A soft voice caressed his name, snapping Harry back to reality. Holly was standing at the base of the staircase, brushing her hair into a ponytail. "The three oldest children are gone at the State School for the Deaf, they have summer school there. So, you'll be stuck with the younger kids. I hope you don't mind?"
"Not at all."
"Thank you so much, Harry. You don't know how much this means to Severus and me. We've been eager to get out of the house." Holly said, rolling her eyes and chuckling as she took Jeremiah out of Harry's arms. "Hullo, Miah-Mummy loves you."
"Potter!" Snape's voice thundered from behind, startling Harry. Harry turned around to face the dark and stormy eyes of Severus Snape. "Now, you and Dudley come with me-I need to introduce you to the children, and then we will be off. Holly, hand me Jeremiah. I'll see you in the car."
"Yes, dear. Have fun, boys. Listen to Sevi." Holly said, kissing Jeremiah and Snape on their cheeks before she sauntered out of the door. Harry's eyes couldn't help but follow the sashay of Holly's hips as she left the room.
"POTTER!"
"Sorry, sir." Harry muttered, as Snape stalked down the hall, Jeremiah in his arms. "Ahem. So, where are our charges?" Harry asked, turning businesslike as they entered the kitchen. Snape put Jeremiah in a high-chair and poured a bowl of cereal for Hermione.
"Dudley, Harry, here are the children. This is our daughter, Hermione. She is six years old. Our four year old, Remus. Of course, you know Miah. He's just turned two years old, so watch out for him. Now, Remus and Miah are deaf. Hermione can hear, so she'll be a big help." Snape said chuckling quietly, as a sleepy little boy walked in the kitchen, dragging a blanket after him.
"P'pa?" The little boy, apparently Remus, whined to Snape, tugging at his black jeans. "P'pa..."
"Remus, Your mama and I have to go today. You have new babysitters today-Potter and Dudley. I'll see you later tonight, Remus." Snape said, his hands moving rapidly. Remus whined loudly, and began crying. Snape knelt down to the little boy's level, and took him in his arms.
"Remus always does this every time Mama and Papa leave. He's so attached to them. Miah, too. They're such babies." Hermione whispered loudly to Harry, taking his hand into hers, standing at Harry's side and glaring at her little brother.
"Keep all of the kids away from the Floo Powder. Heaven knows where they will end up." Snape said, as he cocked his head to a jar on top of the counter, marked "FLOO POWDER". "We'll call occasionally. We'll be back around four o'clock or five o'clock-it depends on how things go. The rest is by the telephone." Snape added, with a deep chuckle, as he walked out of the kitchen, leaving Harry and Dudley standing there. Dudley immediately headed to the television, leaving Harry with the kids.
An hour later, Harry now realized why it took two babysitters to watch Hermione, Remus, and Jeremiah. All three of them were absolute monsters, Harry thought, as he sat down for a second in Snape's large leather recliner, mulling over the day's events, which was an absolute nightmare...
Harry couldn't believe his eyes and ears when he heard Holly say the name of the most despised professor at Hogwarts, Severus Snape. How could Snape even have a wife and kids? Harry thought, as he stared openmouthed at his Potions professor sitting on his aunt and uncle's couch as if nothing out of the blue had happened.
"Mr. Potter." Snape said, arching his eyebrow, and frowning slightly. "I see you are rather interested into getting to know my wife." Snape added dryly, glancing at Harry's lap. Holly laughed, rubbing Snape's shoulder as she reached for a goblet of wine. "Ahem. So.. They're your aunt and uncle, I take it?"
"Err.. Yes." Harry said, nervously trying to think of what Snape would do to him if Snape caught him thinking about Holly in a compromising way ever again. "Yes, I live here." Harry added, blinking his eyes hard, trying to convince himself that he was stuck in a nightmare.
"Mr. Dursley, Mrs. Dursley. I would be interested into having your nephew and son work for us over the summer-you know, babysitting." Snape said in monotone, arching his eyebrow yet again, as he put his arm around Holly. "We've been in dire need of a babysitter for six years, since our Hermione was born. We'd be willing to pay them five dollars an hour." Snape added, as Holly nodded. Harry sat there, staring at Holly and Snape openmouthed.
"Err. well, I don't see why not-Dudley does need to earn some pocket money for the school term coming in September." Petunia Dursley said, trying to hint that they hoped Dudley would be enrolled into what-his- name's private school come September. It would be wonderful; perhaps Dudley even had a chance to go into Oxford when the time came.
"That is wonderful-why don't Mr. Potter and Dudley stop by our house tomorrow morning at nine? The children all will be ready for your boys by then." Holly said, smiling softly as she quickly elbowed Snape in the ribs, Snape had muttered something under his breath which sounded quite like a sarcastic comment about Dudley and Harry babysitting his children.
"It is settled, then. Dudley and Harry will be at your home at nine o'clock sharp." Vernon said, smiling like the cat that just ate the canary. "Well, it's getting a bit late-you don't want to tucker out your babysitters."
"They're quite tuckered out by now, probably." Snape muttered partially to himself and to Holly. "Let's hope we haven't run out of chocolate syrup and whipped cream-"
"Severus!" Holly snapped sharply at Snape, jabbing him sharply in the ribs as she got up. "It was wonderful meeting you; I really do hope we become good friends." Holly added, as she shook Vernon's hand and hugged Petunia goodbye.
"Goodbye." Snape said, as he opened the door, ushering Holly out and shooting a murderous glare at Harry. As soon as Snape and his wife left, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon high-fived each other.
"An ace in the hole! Dudders will certainly go to his school, if he becomes their regular babysitter-but isn't it odd they also asked for Harry?" Petunia said, suddenly frowning. Vernon just shrugged, and shot Harry a deadly glare, as he gestured for Harry to go upstairs.
That night, Harry had several pleasant dreams about Holly. In one dream, he and she had gone on a picnic on the Hogwarts Quidditch field. In another, he had rescued her from Voldemort's clutches, and she had wanted to pay him back in a very pleasant way. Unfortunately, all the dreams ended with Snape killing him with the same curse that killed his parents.
"GET UP!" Aunt Petunia yelled, pounding on Harry's door. Harry groaned as he got up, and put on his glasses. Today was the day he was to baby-sit the Snape kids. Not a big deal, a piece of cake, Harry thought as he pulled on a T- shirt and jeans and ran downstairs to make breakfast for the Dursleys.
When it was nine o'clock, he found himself standing in front of the Snape's house with Dudley at his side. Dudley had his chest puffed out, somehow under the delusion that Holly secretly liked him. Harry knew in his heart that Holly maybe liked him. Maybe, Harry thought hopefully, as Holly opened the door, her baby at her hip, wearing a T-shirt and Slytherin green pajama bottoms with an untied black robe slung around her shoulders. Her brown hair was slung in a messy, lopsided ponytail. Even like that, she looked beautiful to Harry.
"Why, boys, you're both on time. Come on in." Holly said, smiling softly as she opened the door wider, inviting Dudley and Harry in her house. Harry came in behind Dudley, and took a look around the hall they were in. There was a flight of stairs at Harry's left, and a living room at Harry's right. In front of Harry was a small hall leading to a kitchen. "Sevi is just getting dressed-I need to get dressed me self, so do you mind watching Jeremiah for a moment?" Holly said, handing the baby boy to Dudley. "It'll just be a moment, dear-there you go, Miah..." Holly said as she rushed upstairs, pulling her hair out of her messy ponytail.
"What a babe." Dudley whispered to Harry as he handed baby Jeremiah to Harry. "What a cushy job we have, babysitting a few kids all day." Dudley said, eyeing the television with greed. "Monty Python will be on in a few minutes, you know." Dudley whispered, as he took a step towards the Television. Harry ignored Dudley, as he studied the pictures hung on the wall with care. There was a wizard photograph of Holly, a few years younger, standing in a doorway eating a cake, laughing. Suddenly, Snape came behind her and glared at Harry from the photograph. Harry quickly looked away to another one. It was of three children, very young. They were all standing at the base of a great staircase. The children were all tugging at their formal clothes, and fidgeting.
"Harry?" A soft voice caressed his name, snapping Harry back to reality. Holly was standing at the base of the staircase, brushing her hair into a ponytail. "The three oldest children are gone at the State School for the Deaf, they have summer school there. So, you'll be stuck with the younger kids. I hope you don't mind?"
"Not at all."
"Thank you so much, Harry. You don't know how much this means to Severus and me. We've been eager to get out of the house." Holly said, rolling her eyes and chuckling as she took Jeremiah out of Harry's arms. "Hullo, Miah-Mummy loves you."
"Potter!" Snape's voice thundered from behind, startling Harry. Harry turned around to face the dark and stormy eyes of Severus Snape. "Now, you and Dudley come with me-I need to introduce you to the children, and then we will be off. Holly, hand me Jeremiah. I'll see you in the car."
"Yes, dear. Have fun, boys. Listen to Sevi." Holly said, kissing Jeremiah and Snape on their cheeks before she sauntered out of the door. Harry's eyes couldn't help but follow the sashay of Holly's hips as she left the room.
"POTTER!"
"Sorry, sir." Harry muttered, as Snape stalked down the hall, Jeremiah in his arms. "Ahem. So, where are our charges?" Harry asked, turning businesslike as they entered the kitchen. Snape put Jeremiah in a high-chair and poured a bowl of cereal for Hermione.
"Dudley, Harry, here are the children. This is our daughter, Hermione. She is six years old. Our four year old, Remus. Of course, you know Miah. He's just turned two years old, so watch out for him. Now, Remus and Miah are deaf. Hermione can hear, so she'll be a big help." Snape said chuckling quietly, as a sleepy little boy walked in the kitchen, dragging a blanket after him.
"P'pa?" The little boy, apparently Remus, whined to Snape, tugging at his black jeans. "P'pa..."
"Remus, Your mama and I have to go today. You have new babysitters today-Potter and Dudley. I'll see you later tonight, Remus." Snape said, his hands moving rapidly. Remus whined loudly, and began crying. Snape knelt down to the little boy's level, and took him in his arms.
"Remus always does this every time Mama and Papa leave. He's so attached to them. Miah, too. They're such babies." Hermione whispered loudly to Harry, taking his hand into hers, standing at Harry's side and glaring at her little brother.
"Keep all of the kids away from the Floo Powder. Heaven knows where they will end up." Snape said, as he cocked his head to a jar on top of the counter, marked "FLOO POWDER". "We'll call occasionally. We'll be back around four o'clock or five o'clock-it depends on how things go. The rest is by the telephone." Snape added, with a deep chuckle, as he walked out of the kitchen, leaving Harry and Dudley standing there. Dudley immediately headed to the television, leaving Harry with the kids.
An hour later, Harry now realized why it took two babysitters to watch Hermione, Remus, and Jeremiah. All three of them were absolute monsters, Harry thought, as he sat down for a second in Snape's large leather recliner, mulling over the day's events, which was an absolute nightmare...