Chapter 5-A Poltergeist's Prank
The next morning, straight after breakfast, Lily Evans and Remus Lupin arrived at the headmaster's office.
"Come in, come in!" called Dumbledore cheerfully. He directed them to the comfortable chairs in front of his desk.
"Thank you for coming this morning children. I am leaving you with a great responsibility but I believe that you are ready for it." He looked at them seriously.
"Don't worry Professor Dumbledore. We'll take good care of Severus." Lily assured him. Remus nodded in agreement.
"I have no doubt that you will," the headmaster smiled, "However there are a couple of rules I want you to follow while I am gone. Firstly, you are not to leave my office and rooms with Severus and secondly, I want only the two of you here with him. Sevurus is a shy child and doesn't do well in large crowds of people."
"Yes sir." they agreed.
"Thank you." Dumbledore's face brightened again, "Now if you have any problems, go to the fire and send for Professor McGonegall straight away. I should only be gone for two hours at most."
Severus was sitting in Dumbledore's lap looking at the Quidditch book he loved so much. Lily went over to them and began talking to the little boy about the pictures. Her warm gentle presence drew him to her and soon he had moved onto her lap.
Albus was very pleased and left Severus alone with the students for a minute while he went to get a warmer robe to wear to the meeting. The weather had changed for the worse the previous night. Returning, he found Severus sitting happily with Remus who had joined them and was explaining the rules of Quidditch to him.
"Well I had better go." He crossed over to them and ruffled Severus's silky hair. "I have to go away for a little while child. Remus and Lily are going to stay with you. All right?"
Severus reached his arms up to Dumbledore who picked him up and beckoned for Lily to follow them to the fireplace.
"Severus I have to leave you for a little while." he reiterated, hugging the little boy and giving him back to Lily. Severus finally realised what was happening and his lower lip trembled.
"It's all right love," Dumbledore soothed him as a few tears fell, "I'll be back soon. I promise. Here."
He reached into his robes and pulled out a purple silk handkerchief. He used it to wipe the little one's eyes and gave it to him. "Why don't you look after this for me until I come back Ok?"
Severus took it and put it to his cheek.
"As I said children, let professor McGonegall know if there are any problems." He waved to Severus, stepped into the fire and was gone.
Lily and Remus thought it best to find something to occupy Severus quickly before he could get upset again. Remus spotted the toy broom Minerva had given the child the night before.
"Hey Severus. Do you want to play Quidditch?"
"Kiddich!" Severus laughed, forgetting his worries.
Remus and Lily looked astounded.
"I didn't realise he could talk." Remus exclaimed.
"He's very clever, aren't you Severus?" Lily cooed at the child who regarded her with a very smug rather Slytherin expression.
"I talk." he said proudly.
Remus helped him onto the broom and charmed it so he could not fall off. For the next hour or so they played Quidditch (or rather, they helped Severus to fly around the room). They heard a 'pop' and Sparkle the house- elf appeared carrying a tray of biscuits (cookies) and juice. Lily brought Severus to the table and Remus put him into his high chair to have his snack.
"My biscuit." Severus announced holding it up.
"Yes that is yours. Eat it up like a good boy." Lily replied and Severus ate.
"What can we do with him now?" asked Remus.
"What about some drawing and colouring?" Lily suggested spotting some crayons and parchment, "I think he'd like that."
Severus did indeed like colouring and made a point of scribbling in every colour while Lily told them what each one was. Remus drew him some pictures. Soon Severus began to grow tired and Lily picked him up.
"Abus?" Severus looked around.
"He'll be back later pet." Lily said soothingly.
"No Abus!" Severus was becoming frustrated and pointing to the chair where he'd been sitting earlier.
"Oh I see." Remus went to the chair and picked up the purple handkerchief. He brought it to Severus.
"Abus blankie" said Severus happily as he took it. Remus and Lily tried to control their laughter at thoughts of their esteemed headmaster with a blankie.
Now that he was calm again Lily brought him to the bathroom where she found all the things she needed to change him. Bringing him to the bedroom she was just getting the cot ready for him as Remus cleared things away when they heard an all-too-familiar cackle coming from the headmaster's office.
"Oh no, Peeves! How did he get in here?" Remus groaned.
The noise frightened Severus and he started to cry. Lily lifted him and started to comfort him. Remus went out to the office and they heard a loud crash as Peeves knocked one of the portraits over.
"Ouch!" exclaimed the angry headmistress in the frame.
"Stop it Peeves!" shouted Remus.
"Can't make me!" the cheeky poltergeist blew a raspberry at him and started to throw books around the room. He chased Fawkes around the room trying to grab his tail. Luckily the phoenix was too fast for him.
"Lily! Get out here, quick!" Lily ran out and together they tried to clean up the mess.
Peeves spotted little Severus trying to run back into the bedroom and chased him.
"Ickle baby. I can see you!" he whispered.
Severus was afraid of the nasty voice and ran into Dumbledore's open wardrobe. Peeves shut the door behind him.
"Ha ha. Caught you!" he called.
Remus and Lily were too busy dealing with the devastated office to notice the disappearance of their little charge. Peeves kept undoing any tidying they did. Frustrated, Remus went to the fire to call McGonegall but instead there was a flash of green flame and Dumbledore appeared.
"The meeting ended a little earlier than expected, " Dumbledore began, "What in Merlin's name is going on here?" he looked at his ransacked office.
"Peeves sir. He's been throwing things about and we can't get rid of him." Lily started to explain.
Peeves was trying unsuccessfully to hide behind a bookshelf. Albus strode over to him.
"What is the meaning of this?" Dumbledore was very angry and Peeves was naturally afraid.
"It was just a joke Professorhead sir." he stammered.
"I am NOT laughing Peeves," snapped Dumbledore, "I hope for your sake you didn't upset little Severus."
Peeves realised now he was in serious trouble and tried his best to look innocent. Too late. It was very difficult to fool Albus Dumbledore.
"Where is Severus Peeves?" he asked in low dangerous tones.
"Don't know." lied the poltergeist. Dumbledore took out his wand.
"I know spells that will work on you Peeves," the Headmaster's blue eyes blazed, "Answer my question truthfully."
"In the bedroom." Peeves said quivering.
Dumbledore was already running across the room giving Peeves his opportunity to escape. Remus and Lily followed Dumbledore, looking shocked.
"He probably tried to hide sir. Peeves frightened him." Lily said worriedly.
"Severus? Where are you child?" called Dumbledore looking around the room. He spotted the previously open wardrobe.
"Oh Merlin!" he exclaimed flinging the door open. "Lumos" he said and peered around until he saw a tiny figure huddled in the corner, a purple handkerchief clutched in his tiny fist.
"Severus!" he breathed, "Oh my poor little child!" he picked him up and carried him to the bed where he wrapped a warm blanket around him. Severus was rigid, his eyes tightly shut and his breathing shallow. He was panicking.
"Go to the fire and call for Dr. Winter Remus" ordered Dumbledore. He tightened his arms a little around the toddler and began taking to him gently.
"Come on my little one. Albus is here. Take a deep breath for me. It's all right. I've got you. Come on child breathe.
Remus ran back into the room. "The doctor says she'll be here in five minutes. She said for you to give him energy."
Readjusting Severus in his arms Dumbledore began rubbing gentle circles on his back and continued to talk softly. Severus took several deep breaths, opened his eyes and then began to cry.
"Shhhh, shhhh my precious little baby." Albus rocked the child telling him he was a good boy and that he was safe. The doctor ran into the room minutes later and quickly took the toddler from him. She frowned at the results of her scan.
"He's in shock," she told the headmaster gravely, "He has taken a very bad reaction for one so young."
Remus and Lily walked silently into the room and the two adults looked up at them.
"We're really sorry Professor Dumbledore," Lily looked ready to cry, "We should have kept a better eye on Severus when Peeves was there. He completely distracted us."
"I know," answered Dumbledore gently, seeing how upset and ashamed they looked, "It wasn't really your fault. Why don't you go down to lunch now? Severus will be fine." They left quickly.
Dumbledore turned his attention back to the doctor and his child.
"What can we do for him?" he asked with worry returning to his voice.
"I'm going to give him a calming potion for his breathing mainly." She handed Severus back to Dumbledore and opened her bag, "It is very mild but it should be enough to help the shock."
She poured some into a cup and held it to the little boy's lips.
"Drink little one." she encouraged softly and Severus complied.
"He is going to be very tired for the rest of today Albus. Also he is likely to be too weak to walk much."
She handed Dumbledore a child's energy potion.
"Give him this with his meals and try to make sure he eats.
The calming potion had begun to take effect. Severus became drowsy and Albus rocked him, humming gently until he fell asleep. Only then did he let his calm façade drop.
"I've never seen a child in this state before, " he said looking older than he was, "He was just frozen. Beyond frightened it seemed to me."
"Obviously it triggered a childhood memory," Sara answered softly, "The poor little thing. Someone treated him very badly when he was growing up."
"His parents," sighed Dumbledore, "I met them yesterday when they heard the news. They were very angry. His mother made her distaste for young children clear."
"Why do people have children if they don't want them? I have never understood that." Sara asked.
"The Snapes had their reasons. More to do with carrying on the family name and traditions than the love of children I suspect." Albus looked down at the little boy sleeping in his arms clutching his robe.
"They never deserved you my little Severus." he whispered.
"He will be all right Albus," Sara put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "Just keep him quiet for the evening and give him plenty of TLC as they say."
"Thank you for your help Sara." said Dumbledore as the doctor turned to leave.
Severus slept deeply for over an hour. At half past one Sparkle appeared with lunch. The noises and pleasant smells caused the child to open his eyes. Albus carried him to the table and held him on his lap offering soup and bread. Too drowsy to feed himself Severus let Albus look after him.
After his energy potion he slept again for most of the afternoon while Dumbledore answered his letters. After dinner Minerva came up to the headmaster's office.
"Albus I am so sorry, " she said looking distraught, "I should have checked on them. If I had known that wretched poltergeist was anywhere near your office I.."
Dumbledore held up a hand to silence her.
"Calm yourself Minerva. It was no one's fault except Peeves's. Sparkle informed me that Remus and Lily did a wonderful job looking after Severus until he arrived."
"How is he now?" McGonegall looked at the sleeping toddler in the headmaster's arms.
"Very tired. He had quite a shock." Albus informed her.
"Oh my poor dear," she brushed hair out of the child's face and he opened his eyes, "Did that bad Peeves chase you?"
"Ba Peeves." murmured the drowsy child. Albus hugged him tighter.
"Speaking of Peeves, " said Minerva, "I've had the Bloody Baron deal with him. He'll be very reluctant to enter your office again I should think."
"Very good," answered Dumbledore, "I hadn't even thought about how I'd deal with that problem yet."
"Let me hold him Albus. You must be tired." Minerva reached out to take the little one. Severus started to whimper, feeling himself shifted out of Albus's arms.
"Oh there there my wee darling," she cooed, "It's all right. You know Minerva don't you?"
"Nerva" Severus said as he began to calm down again. He still kept a close eye on Dumbledore.
"He's been very clingy all day. He hasn't let me out of his sight." Albus told her.
"Understandable I suppose." Minerva sat down cradling Severus close.
They talked for a while and Severus drifted into sleep again, feeling safe. When Minerva left Albus took Severus for his bath. He added some calming oils to the warm water and some bath toys. Severus seemed to enjoy the soothing experience and smiled a little as Albus washed him.
Going to the bedroom Dumbledore dressed Severus and himself for sleep. He didn't even think of putting the child in his cot but arranged him carefully in his arms as he had done on the first night. He sang him a lullaby and Severus quickly dozed off. Holding his little child closer, Dumbledore wondered what he was going to do about the Snapes. There could now be no doubt that they had abused and probably neglected their son. He decided that he would have to talk to Severus as soon as the potion wore off.
TBC
AN- I know. I know. It was very angsty.
The next morning, straight after breakfast, Lily Evans and Remus Lupin arrived at the headmaster's office.
"Come in, come in!" called Dumbledore cheerfully. He directed them to the comfortable chairs in front of his desk.
"Thank you for coming this morning children. I am leaving you with a great responsibility but I believe that you are ready for it." He looked at them seriously.
"Don't worry Professor Dumbledore. We'll take good care of Severus." Lily assured him. Remus nodded in agreement.
"I have no doubt that you will," the headmaster smiled, "However there are a couple of rules I want you to follow while I am gone. Firstly, you are not to leave my office and rooms with Severus and secondly, I want only the two of you here with him. Sevurus is a shy child and doesn't do well in large crowds of people."
"Yes sir." they agreed.
"Thank you." Dumbledore's face brightened again, "Now if you have any problems, go to the fire and send for Professor McGonegall straight away. I should only be gone for two hours at most."
Severus was sitting in Dumbledore's lap looking at the Quidditch book he loved so much. Lily went over to them and began talking to the little boy about the pictures. Her warm gentle presence drew him to her and soon he had moved onto her lap.
Albus was very pleased and left Severus alone with the students for a minute while he went to get a warmer robe to wear to the meeting. The weather had changed for the worse the previous night. Returning, he found Severus sitting happily with Remus who had joined them and was explaining the rules of Quidditch to him.
"Well I had better go." He crossed over to them and ruffled Severus's silky hair. "I have to go away for a little while child. Remus and Lily are going to stay with you. All right?"
Severus reached his arms up to Dumbledore who picked him up and beckoned for Lily to follow them to the fireplace.
"Severus I have to leave you for a little while." he reiterated, hugging the little boy and giving him back to Lily. Severus finally realised what was happening and his lower lip trembled.
"It's all right love," Dumbledore soothed him as a few tears fell, "I'll be back soon. I promise. Here."
He reached into his robes and pulled out a purple silk handkerchief. He used it to wipe the little one's eyes and gave it to him. "Why don't you look after this for me until I come back Ok?"
Severus took it and put it to his cheek.
"As I said children, let professor McGonegall know if there are any problems." He waved to Severus, stepped into the fire and was gone.
Lily and Remus thought it best to find something to occupy Severus quickly before he could get upset again. Remus spotted the toy broom Minerva had given the child the night before.
"Hey Severus. Do you want to play Quidditch?"
"Kiddich!" Severus laughed, forgetting his worries.
Remus and Lily looked astounded.
"I didn't realise he could talk." Remus exclaimed.
"He's very clever, aren't you Severus?" Lily cooed at the child who regarded her with a very smug rather Slytherin expression.
"I talk." he said proudly.
Remus helped him onto the broom and charmed it so he could not fall off. For the next hour or so they played Quidditch (or rather, they helped Severus to fly around the room). They heard a 'pop' and Sparkle the house- elf appeared carrying a tray of biscuits (cookies) and juice. Lily brought Severus to the table and Remus put him into his high chair to have his snack.
"My biscuit." Severus announced holding it up.
"Yes that is yours. Eat it up like a good boy." Lily replied and Severus ate.
"What can we do with him now?" asked Remus.
"What about some drawing and colouring?" Lily suggested spotting some crayons and parchment, "I think he'd like that."
Severus did indeed like colouring and made a point of scribbling in every colour while Lily told them what each one was. Remus drew him some pictures. Soon Severus began to grow tired and Lily picked him up.
"Abus?" Severus looked around.
"He'll be back later pet." Lily said soothingly.
"No Abus!" Severus was becoming frustrated and pointing to the chair where he'd been sitting earlier.
"Oh I see." Remus went to the chair and picked up the purple handkerchief. He brought it to Severus.
"Abus blankie" said Severus happily as he took it. Remus and Lily tried to control their laughter at thoughts of their esteemed headmaster with a blankie.
Now that he was calm again Lily brought him to the bathroom where she found all the things she needed to change him. Bringing him to the bedroom she was just getting the cot ready for him as Remus cleared things away when they heard an all-too-familiar cackle coming from the headmaster's office.
"Oh no, Peeves! How did he get in here?" Remus groaned.
The noise frightened Severus and he started to cry. Lily lifted him and started to comfort him. Remus went out to the office and they heard a loud crash as Peeves knocked one of the portraits over.
"Ouch!" exclaimed the angry headmistress in the frame.
"Stop it Peeves!" shouted Remus.
"Can't make me!" the cheeky poltergeist blew a raspberry at him and started to throw books around the room. He chased Fawkes around the room trying to grab his tail. Luckily the phoenix was too fast for him.
"Lily! Get out here, quick!" Lily ran out and together they tried to clean up the mess.
Peeves spotted little Severus trying to run back into the bedroom and chased him.
"Ickle baby. I can see you!" he whispered.
Severus was afraid of the nasty voice and ran into Dumbledore's open wardrobe. Peeves shut the door behind him.
"Ha ha. Caught you!" he called.
Remus and Lily were too busy dealing with the devastated office to notice the disappearance of their little charge. Peeves kept undoing any tidying they did. Frustrated, Remus went to the fire to call McGonegall but instead there was a flash of green flame and Dumbledore appeared.
"The meeting ended a little earlier than expected, " Dumbledore began, "What in Merlin's name is going on here?" he looked at his ransacked office.
"Peeves sir. He's been throwing things about and we can't get rid of him." Lily started to explain.
Peeves was trying unsuccessfully to hide behind a bookshelf. Albus strode over to him.
"What is the meaning of this?" Dumbledore was very angry and Peeves was naturally afraid.
"It was just a joke Professorhead sir." he stammered.
"I am NOT laughing Peeves," snapped Dumbledore, "I hope for your sake you didn't upset little Severus."
Peeves realised now he was in serious trouble and tried his best to look innocent. Too late. It was very difficult to fool Albus Dumbledore.
"Where is Severus Peeves?" he asked in low dangerous tones.
"Don't know." lied the poltergeist. Dumbledore took out his wand.
"I know spells that will work on you Peeves," the Headmaster's blue eyes blazed, "Answer my question truthfully."
"In the bedroom." Peeves said quivering.
Dumbledore was already running across the room giving Peeves his opportunity to escape. Remus and Lily followed Dumbledore, looking shocked.
"He probably tried to hide sir. Peeves frightened him." Lily said worriedly.
"Severus? Where are you child?" called Dumbledore looking around the room. He spotted the previously open wardrobe.
"Oh Merlin!" he exclaimed flinging the door open. "Lumos" he said and peered around until he saw a tiny figure huddled in the corner, a purple handkerchief clutched in his tiny fist.
"Severus!" he breathed, "Oh my poor little child!" he picked him up and carried him to the bed where he wrapped a warm blanket around him. Severus was rigid, his eyes tightly shut and his breathing shallow. He was panicking.
"Go to the fire and call for Dr. Winter Remus" ordered Dumbledore. He tightened his arms a little around the toddler and began taking to him gently.
"Come on my little one. Albus is here. Take a deep breath for me. It's all right. I've got you. Come on child breathe.
Remus ran back into the room. "The doctor says she'll be here in five minutes. She said for you to give him energy."
Readjusting Severus in his arms Dumbledore began rubbing gentle circles on his back and continued to talk softly. Severus took several deep breaths, opened his eyes and then began to cry.
"Shhhh, shhhh my precious little baby." Albus rocked the child telling him he was a good boy and that he was safe. The doctor ran into the room minutes later and quickly took the toddler from him. She frowned at the results of her scan.
"He's in shock," she told the headmaster gravely, "He has taken a very bad reaction for one so young."
Remus and Lily walked silently into the room and the two adults looked up at them.
"We're really sorry Professor Dumbledore," Lily looked ready to cry, "We should have kept a better eye on Severus when Peeves was there. He completely distracted us."
"I know," answered Dumbledore gently, seeing how upset and ashamed they looked, "It wasn't really your fault. Why don't you go down to lunch now? Severus will be fine." They left quickly.
Dumbledore turned his attention back to the doctor and his child.
"What can we do for him?" he asked with worry returning to his voice.
"I'm going to give him a calming potion for his breathing mainly." She handed Severus back to Dumbledore and opened her bag, "It is very mild but it should be enough to help the shock."
She poured some into a cup and held it to the little boy's lips.
"Drink little one." she encouraged softly and Severus complied.
"He is going to be very tired for the rest of today Albus. Also he is likely to be too weak to walk much."
She handed Dumbledore a child's energy potion.
"Give him this with his meals and try to make sure he eats.
The calming potion had begun to take effect. Severus became drowsy and Albus rocked him, humming gently until he fell asleep. Only then did he let his calm façade drop.
"I've never seen a child in this state before, " he said looking older than he was, "He was just frozen. Beyond frightened it seemed to me."
"Obviously it triggered a childhood memory," Sara answered softly, "The poor little thing. Someone treated him very badly when he was growing up."
"His parents," sighed Dumbledore, "I met them yesterday when they heard the news. They were very angry. His mother made her distaste for young children clear."
"Why do people have children if they don't want them? I have never understood that." Sara asked.
"The Snapes had their reasons. More to do with carrying on the family name and traditions than the love of children I suspect." Albus looked down at the little boy sleeping in his arms clutching his robe.
"They never deserved you my little Severus." he whispered.
"He will be all right Albus," Sara put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "Just keep him quiet for the evening and give him plenty of TLC as they say."
"Thank you for your help Sara." said Dumbledore as the doctor turned to leave.
Severus slept deeply for over an hour. At half past one Sparkle appeared with lunch. The noises and pleasant smells caused the child to open his eyes. Albus carried him to the table and held him on his lap offering soup and bread. Too drowsy to feed himself Severus let Albus look after him.
After his energy potion he slept again for most of the afternoon while Dumbledore answered his letters. After dinner Minerva came up to the headmaster's office.
"Albus I am so sorry, " she said looking distraught, "I should have checked on them. If I had known that wretched poltergeist was anywhere near your office I.."
Dumbledore held up a hand to silence her.
"Calm yourself Minerva. It was no one's fault except Peeves's. Sparkle informed me that Remus and Lily did a wonderful job looking after Severus until he arrived."
"How is he now?" McGonegall looked at the sleeping toddler in the headmaster's arms.
"Very tired. He had quite a shock." Albus informed her.
"Oh my poor dear," she brushed hair out of the child's face and he opened his eyes, "Did that bad Peeves chase you?"
"Ba Peeves." murmured the drowsy child. Albus hugged him tighter.
"Speaking of Peeves, " said Minerva, "I've had the Bloody Baron deal with him. He'll be very reluctant to enter your office again I should think."
"Very good," answered Dumbledore, "I hadn't even thought about how I'd deal with that problem yet."
"Let me hold him Albus. You must be tired." Minerva reached out to take the little one. Severus started to whimper, feeling himself shifted out of Albus's arms.
"Oh there there my wee darling," she cooed, "It's all right. You know Minerva don't you?"
"Nerva" Severus said as he began to calm down again. He still kept a close eye on Dumbledore.
"He's been very clingy all day. He hasn't let me out of his sight." Albus told her.
"Understandable I suppose." Minerva sat down cradling Severus close.
They talked for a while and Severus drifted into sleep again, feeling safe. When Minerva left Albus took Severus for his bath. He added some calming oils to the warm water and some bath toys. Severus seemed to enjoy the soothing experience and smiled a little as Albus washed him.
Going to the bedroom Dumbledore dressed Severus and himself for sleep. He didn't even think of putting the child in his cot but arranged him carefully in his arms as he had done on the first night. He sang him a lullaby and Severus quickly dozed off. Holding his little child closer, Dumbledore wondered what he was going to do about the Snapes. There could now be no doubt that they had abused and probably neglected their son. He decided that he would have to talk to Severus as soon as the potion wore off.
TBC
AN- I know. I know. It was very angsty.