BY MELISSA (email me at cosmic_quest@yahoo.com)
CHAPTER SIX- In The Lion's Den
When I was One, I'd
just begun
When I was Two, I was nearly new
When I was Three, I was hardly me
When I was Four, I was not much more
When I was Five, I was just alive
But now I am Six and as clever and clever,
So I think I'll be Six now for ever and ever
~ A. A. Milne, Winnie The Pooh
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It had been a tearful farewell for Severus as he was wrenched from all that he knew and loved to be plunged into another world. He had cried softly as he waved to an equally tearful Miss Roscoe before allowing Dumbledore to lead him to a clearing where they Port-keyed back to the Hogwarts railway station. Apparation was not an option considering they did not have the potion on hand which would enable them to Apparate such a distance.
Rather than then Apparate
to the borders of the Forbidden
Forest, Dumbledore had decided
to take the boat across to the school as a little adventure for young Severus
to divert his melancholy mind from thoughts of his home in America.
It hadn't been one of his better ideas. By First Year, the eleven-year-old
students were excited to be attending the school but old enough to be trusted
to sit still on the boat. Unfortunately, Dumbledore was still having problems
reconciling his reserved Potions Master as a child of just six who lacked
the maturity of even the youngest students.
Minerva had managed to haul Severus back onto the boat when he had once
nearly toppled into the water as he dangerously leaned over to check for fish.
Then the boy persistently dragged a hand through the water, taking great
delight when he splashed Sirius, before repeatedly asking the dreaded 'are
we there yet?' question. It drove home the point that the boy was *not*
their Potions Master and he would have to be supervised every second when
he was let loose in Hogwarts.
The past few days had treated them to quite an insight into Severus' personality during his early years. None of them had ever known him this young, this playful and boisterous and by the time he entered Hogwarts, he was such a sullen child who spoke with more reserve and astuteness than any eleven-year-old child had the right to. The fact he spent a good portion of his time with the then Sixth Year Lucius Malfoy despite the five years separating them and that Severus was one of the smallest and youngest children in his year attested to this.
"Well, young man, what do you think?" Albus asked, bestowing Severus a smile when they docked and the boy gazed up to take properly take in the vast, awe-inspiring castle that was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
As Sirius lifted Severus out of the boat and set him on the grassy bank, the boy tilted his head thoughtfully. "It's big, bigger than even the high school and the older kids say I'd probably get lost in there."
Minerva's usually stern countenance relaxed as she shared in Albus' humour. "Don't worry, child, we haven't lost a student yet."
"And if they have, no-one's confessing to anything," grinned Sirius. He had the grace to look sheepish under the double glare of Albus and Minerva. "Just kidding, Sev, you're going to have a great time."
"I think you'll benefit from some classes to refresh your memory of all magic subjects," Albus said, "so you'll soon be familiar with all that goes on in Hogwarts."
Dressed in clothes designed
for the warm Californian summer, it wasn't long before Severus began shivering
in the biting evening winds of Scotland.
Minerva, ever prepared, wrapped a set of school robes she had been carrying
to which his only comments were he looked like a 'dork' while never once
mentioning the robes were lined with the red and gold of Gryffindor.
However, the robes were sized for a first year and were far too long for
Severus. It was all the child could do not to keep tripping until, with
a put-upon sigh that was more a gesture of habit than any real animosity,
Sirius swept him up to carry in his arms.
Albus watched the man and boy stroll ahead of the Headmaster and his deputy, Sirius telling the boy some ridiculous story about the giant squid in the river from his own boyhood. But he couldn't see past Severus wearing the Gryffindor robes giving the facade that he was just another of Minerva's children; the adult Severus would have balked at such an accusation. Merlin, even Severus in his First Year would found being labelled as a Gryffindor the ultimate insult when House loyalty was honed quickly especially among the Slytherins.
Yet, the mighty red and gold were fetching on the young Severus and Albus had the fleeting urge to prove Darien Storm's theory and Re-Sort the boy with the First Years. Without Cassius Snape's foul influence tainting his son, was Severus truly destined for House other than Slytherin?
"He's Slytherin, Albus," Minerva murmured softly, "he may be a child again but even Voldemort cannot change the past. Nor do we have any right to do so."
And they said he was the omnipotent one.
"And if this is permanent?" Albus had press further. "What then? A whole set of opportunities could open for him if he were in another House."
"Yes," conceded the witch, "but that would be for him to decide if he wanted to take that course, and even then he would have to wait five years to do so like any other First Year. And who is to say the American authorities will allow him to attend Hogwarts? We both know the Council has asserted a keen interest in him, Divia Montliskard may yet see him under her guardianship. At the Academy, Slytherin is a far more honourable House."
Immediately, Albus stiffened at the very idea of the Americans making a claim on one of his children. "I will not give him up, Minerva, not to Voldemort and certainly not to the American Council. I nearly lost him once, I will not allow anyone to take him again."
Once? If one was being methodical, one would say he had almost lost Severus twice. Once to the angry and betrayed path, which lead Severus straight into the Dark Lord's hands then again to youth and the threat of being swallowed into the Muggle world. And on both occasions the blame had to rest firmly on Albus. Had he been stricter on the Marauders, censured rather then laughed off their vicious tendency to pick solely on the aloof, studious Severus then the hurting teenage boy would never had turned to the waiting Voldemort for support. And if Albus had ensured Severus curb his spying at a time when his loyalties were ever-more being called into question, this frightened child would never have existed.
Severus, if his youthful condition was indeed incurable, would not be faced to relive childhood in a life that would surely be as trying and dangerous as Harry Potter's.
Thankfully, before Minerva could voice her own thoughts on the Headmaster's sudden possessiveness, they were nearing the entrance to the grand school. Severus was wriggling in Sirius' arms, wanting to be set down on his own two feet regardless of the risk to tripping over.
Sirius nudged the boy, grinning playfully. "Race you."
Anger draining away, Albus had to mellow at the pair dashing across the final few yards to the huge door heralding the entrance. Sirius was certainly exceeding his expectations and easily slipping into the role of father/brother to his childhood nemesis. He only hoped this experience would carry through to when (if?) Severus was returned to his adult self.
*************************
Having been anticipating the Headmaster's return early in the afternoon, Remus had been pottering around the ground floor unsure of what to expect with the whole situation when his heightened werewolf hearing picked up the gruff voice of Padfoot mingling with the chuckles of a small child. Suddenly the heavy front door swung open and a young child sprinted in closely followed by Sirius. The little boy gazed up at Remus before ducking behind Sirius' leg shyly. Catching the child sneaking a peek at him, Remus could see there was a sharp intelligence and curiousity burning in his familiar opaque eyes.
"Oh my God...Severus?" He forced himself to gaze up to his friend for confirmation then shook his head lightly in disbelief at Sirius' nod.
It was surreal. Never had he seen Severus so innocent and carefree that for a moment he was unsure of how to react, as if bracing himself for the typical Snape bite to return.
The boy's eyes widened in surprised. "How d'you know my name?" he asked, peering around his new protector's legs.
So, Severus was amnesic. No wonder he seemed to comfortable with Sirius. Watching the two standing together, Remus remembered the last time he had seen Sirius' eyes sparkle so harmoniously like he was right now was just after he escaped for Azkaban and was planning to start as new life with his godson.
"Magic," Remus teased.
"Really?" was his amazed reply. "Are you magic too then?"
He couldn't help but smile at the Severus' growing courage. Rarely trusted with his many younger cousins and more experienced to working with teenagers, he forgot how the smallest of acts could delight a young child.
"Yes, I'm a wizard too but that's not how I know your name. Actually, I cheated. I've known you for a long time, Severus."
"D'you know me as a grown up too?"
"Eh, yes, yes I did." Remus had to admit he didn't think Albus would have so open with that revelation. Perhaps, the old man had learnt deception with even the best intentions was not the best course of action in dealing with special little boys.
"This is Remus Lupin," the Headmaster's deep voice said. So focused on little Severus, Remus had failed to notice Albus and McGonagall approach. "You and he were in the same year at school as was Sirius."
"And rat-man," Severus' high-pitched childish voice darkened at this, "was he in our class too?"
Rat-man? He couldn't mean Peter, could he? Remus was all the more keen to corner Sirius and have him divulge exactly what had happened over the past few days they were in the States.
"Yes," McGonagall answered, her own voice expressing her disgust at this so-called rat-man, "he too was in your class. Did he mention that to you?"
"Yeah," muttered the boy, his eyes narrowing in a gesture instantly reminding him of whenever Snape would vow revenge after an infamous Marauder prank, "right before trying to strangle Allie."
Remus abruptly realized he didn't like the edge Severus' young voice had taken. It was time to divert the subject. "Severus, how do you like Hogwarts? Perhaps, we could take you on a tour of the castle."
"That would be cool! Let's go now," Severus demanded, tugging slightly on Sirius' hand.
Now there was a word he'd never had imagined the Pureblood, perpetually articulate Severus to use. In the background, Remus could see Minerva cringe in despair; as one of the older teachers, she was never fond of the Muggle novelty phrases her students were so keen on.
Dumbledore stepped forward, placing a hand on the boy's thin shoulder to still him. "First we must pay Madame Pomfrey."
Severus may have lost thirty years but he had not lost his suspicious nature given the dubious gaze he directed up to the Headmaster. "Who's she?"
"Our school nurse."
"But I'm not sick," protested Severus.
"No, my boy, but she must examine you to see if she can shed any light as to why you are so young again."
McGonagall bent down so she was on eye-level with the man-child sensing Severus was still not keen on visiting Poppy. "She won't harm you, child, she wants to help you. Don't you want to be restored to normal?"
Severus shrugged, sullenly looking away. "Don't care."
For all that he had done and all the knowledge churning away in his mind, this was but a six-year-old child and it had to be frightening for him to grasp the concept of being turning into adult. In many ways, they were asking him to sacrifice himself and all he knew for a grown man he didn't remember. The minute they found a way to reverse this curse, little Severus would cease to exist. No wonder the child was not eager to be co-operative.
"Don't worry your head, Severus," McGonagall whispered to the tiny Potions Master, stroking the hair from his eyes. "We would never do anything without against your wishes and we would never allow anyone to hurt you."
It was her genuine interest in addressing her students' worries and concerns, which made her an excellent Head of House and helped to mould many an anxious Gryffindor child into a confident adult. Occasionally, when he caught Severus chatting to his own Slytherin unaware of being observed, Remus would wonder if he was just as capable confidant to his students.
Severus heaved a sigh. "Okay, I'll come."
Remus chose to walk ahead with Sirius and Severus leaving McGonagall and Dumbledore trailing behind them, murmuring a conversation he couldn't make out though no prizes for guessing who was their main topic. For his part, Severus brightened as he was led deeper into the bowels of the castle, his boyish enthusiasm escaping. Remus had never seen Severus Snape so happy compared to the dour little thing he attended school with. His high spirits were infectious and both Remus and Sirius found themselves caught up in his chattering.
Sirius watched Severus regard
the portraits with a rather odd expression. "It's okay to be frightened,"
he reassured the boy. Never before had Remus heard his friend use that tone
in Severus' presence. In fact, usually he would have taken great delight to
see 'Snivellus' off-balance. Severus might have been accused of being a depressed
schoolboy but Sirius certainly earned the prize as the most spiteful, and
that was coming from his closest friend.
Severus turned, shaking his head slightly. "No, I'm not frightened. It
just seems...right."
It made sense; at the end of the day, he was a Pureblood wizard and animated pictures were the norm for him. He just needed time to extract himself from Muggle thinking.
"You'll find there are many surprises here," Remus said, "most of them, you'll realize they're more natural to you than whatever you learnt when you were living in the Muggle world."
"'Cause I'm really a wizard and not a...Muggle?" Severus forced himself to use the last word, like many Muggleborn children he found it difficult to put a name to what he was more familiar with.
"That's right."
Severus grinned. "That means all sorts of things the Muggle say are just stories or myths are really true then. Like unicorns and griffins and *dragons*!"
Sirius patted the boy's back. "You're catching on fast, Sev. You're well on your way to being the wizard you are."
"But you may not see all these creatures," Remus cautioned, shooting a chastising frown to Sirius. The last thing they needed was for little Severus to wander into the Forbidden Forest in the search of such creatures. They spent enough time chasing around after the headstrong Harry and his friends without Severus following in his footsteps. "They can all be quite dangerous even a unicorn can stab someone rather vicious with their horn if provoked. Perhaps, Hagrid- the gamekeeper- will show you some of the nicer magical creatures."
Severus rolled his eyes,
obviously already dreaming of re-inventing himself as a boy Saint George.
"Sirius?"
"Yes?" Sirius replied gamely.
"Do werewolves exist?" The boy's voice was soft, uncertain now.
Sirius and Remus exchanged troubled glances. He might only have met little
Severus less than half-an-hour ago but he could hear the fear in the child's
voice and it didn't take a Healer to realize his deep-seated phobia of werewolves
are remained with him even when he had lost three decades of memories. And
as quickly as this revelation was made apparent, Remus became very conscious
of the fact he did not want Severus to fear him. He never really hated Snape,
not even when it was his doing that led to his previous resignation from the
DADA position. He didn't want a pre-disposition of him to spoil this chance
to start afresh with him in a friendship he hoped with carry through to when
Severus was an adult once more.
However, he didn't want to start lying to the boy either. As a Slytherin and therefore having a deeper understanding of the shades of grey that existed in the world, Severus probably would have accepted his lycanthropy with mild interest. It was only his brutal enlightenment to Remus' illness that ignited his loathing of the other man and of Gryffindors in general. It didn't have to be like that this time.
"Yes, werewolves exist," Remus replied on Sirius' behalf. His friend didn't seem to know what to say since he was primarily responsible for Severus' whole attitude towards werewolves. "But most of them are just normal people who change only when it's a full moon. Only then are you in any danger."
Severus looked doubtful. "You won't let them get me, will you?"
Remus spared a smile for him. "No, we won't let them get you. You're safe with us, Severus."
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Legs swinging down, Severus sat side-by-side sandwiched between Remus and Sirius on a bed while Poppy tended to him. Minerva watched the trio carefully, not surprised that Severus enjoyed being with them. Both exuded a strong masculine aura, even the frail appearing Remus, and it was only natural young boys were drawn to such men as a role model. She just felt the views of the adult Severus had to be taken into account and he would be mortified to knew they saw him as his most vulnerable.
But, the question was, would Albus agree with her? Minerva was starting to wonder if he saw Severus as a child in himself or as a second chance to redeem himself with the mistakes he made with Severus previously.
"What's that you're doing?" Severus asked in distrust, his brow furrowed deeply as he regarded the ominous injection Poppy was holding.
"Now, Severus, I want you to sit still," Poppy said, firmly but gently, "I need to draw a little blood from your arm."
"No!" The boy no doubt would have jumped away had his two new bodyguards not strategically closed in on him so he had little room to move off the bed. "No, you're not sticking that in me."
Poppy moved closer to him, patting his knee comfortingly. Throughout the examination, she proved herself to be quite capable of treating such a small child considering many of her patients were eleven plus. Minerva imagined that, when sick and worn down, even the Seventh Years could regress to behaving like frightened toddlers.
"I won't pretend this won't hurt, child," the nurse said simply, "but I promise that when I've done this, you can go."
"You'll be done with me?"
Poppy smiled. "Yes, I'll be done with you."
Grumbling softly, Severus nonetheless allowed her access to his left arm. For a moment, the nurse hesitated then proceeded to peel back the bandage that conceal his Dark Mark. Everyone had unconsciously peered forward and gasped when they saw the fading white scar over what was the heinous emblem of the Dark Mark. Poppy ran a light finger over it while Severus watched her curiously.
"Severus, does it ever hurt?" Albus asked.
The boy shrugged. "It did once; the night they found me, it burned so much that I threw up. But not anymore. It used to be black and ugly but it looks like it's going away now. Doctor Wallace said he's never seen anything like it, he said brands like that never go but mine's is."
"How is that possible?" Remus queried. "I thought they carried them for life."
Minerva had a theory though it would be difficult to prove with a statement from Voldemort himself. "Severus did say it was bound to his soul. Perhaps, the pure innocence one has as a child, purifies the soul of a man. Not even the darkest of dark can taint the purest of human Light exuded by a child."
Albus nodded, thoughtfully. "That is very possible, it would explain why his followers cannot brand their children until a certain age."
"What are you talking about?" Severus piped up.
This was not a conversation to have in front of young ears. "Never you mind, young man," Poppy replied, chucking his chin in affection, "you sit still now."
She had Sirius gently restrain Severus' arm then palpitated for a vein. Remus rubbed the boy' back when he yelped as Poppy inserted the needle and drew the blood. Minerva felt a pang of muted pity when Severus gazed up, tears pooling down his cheeks and biting his lower lip, weeping softly. Little boys did not have the macho egos usually attained by age twelve or thirteen, they did not have to hide their tears.
"Shh, it's all done," Poppy murmured, kissing Severus on his forehead, "no more."
"Sev, how about we go round up some ice-cream? The house elves at Hogwarts make the best I've ever tasted." Sirius had never looked more uncertain than he did now. The deputy Headmistress could see he had little experience with crying children, probably used to hand baby Harry back to Lily the second his godson would cry. Nonetheless, she had to give him credit for trying to distract Severus; she never would have pegged him for persevering with this.
"House elves?" Severus hiccupped, wiping his eyes with his robes.
"You'll like them, at least there'll be someone you'll be bigger than when you're here."
"And how about a small rest after?" Minerva suggested, careful not to use the word 'nap' outright.
"Where will we put him?" Remus asked as Sirius jumped down from the bed and hauled Severus to sit on his broad shoulders.
"With me, of course," Sirius replied before anyone had the chance to speak, "I have a spare room in the quarters the Headmaster's assigned me and I don't mind hanging around for a while. I'm not that indispensable to the Order and it would mean you don't have to bring in a supply babysitter for him during the day. It's perfect."
Before Minerva could voice her protest, Albus clapped his hands, beaming at Sirius. "That's a wonderful idea, my boy, you certainly have more energy to keep up with a young boy than I do! I'll have the house elves send his things to your rooms. I know you'll do good with him, Sirius. Is that acceptable to you, Severus, my child?"
"Yeah, that's fine," Severus said from his place on Sirius' shoulders.
Of course, it was; the boy was six years old, he knew nothing. Minerva would be interested to see how Sirius coped when the realities of caring for a child twenty-four-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week began to dawn on him. All he had to compared was the short time he had his godson for the holidays, Harry was a self-sufficient teenager who had been seeing to himself since he was old enough to walk. Harry pampered Sirius' delusions that being a parent to a very dependent small boy was as easy as playing big brother to a world-weary sixteen-year-old who, at times, seemed to carry a heavier burden than Atlas himself.
Not to mention what would happen if Severus ever caught hint of how Sirius usually treated him. To be fair, they were both as bad as each other, but Severus could not be accountable for his adult self. They were trying to help this child, insulate him with their friendship, not scare him off or make him feel betrayed.
"Good," said Sirius, the subject, in his mind, closed, "we'll see you at the Feast then."
Minerva sighed in exasperation as she watched Sirius and Remus steer the infant Potions Master out of the hospital wing. When they were out of earshot, Albus turned to their nurse, hoping for her initial assessment.
"I don't know, Albus," Poppy sighed, "he has changed on a fundamental level. His milk teeth have grown back, his hair is as soft as any toddler's, his lungs are so clear that I would never have thought he had spent thirty-odd years over a cauldron brewing God only knows what, even the students' lungs are not as healthy as his are now. And his mind...his mind reacts in the exact way I would expect a six-year-old child to. I will need to send the sample onto experts at St. Mungo's, only they can see if this is a charm which can be reversed."
"Well, until then there is little we can do."
"Will you be sending him to classes, Albus?" inquired the medi-witch, ever concerned for her patients. "There's a primary school in Hogsmeade and it would give him a chance to mix with other children his age. There won't be much opportunity for that here."
"It's too dangerous for Severus to leave Hogwarts and attend a school where we will not be there to guard him. But you have given me an idea. Minerva, maybe you could go down to Hogsmeade and purchase the uniform for Hogsmeade School for Severus. A child in uniform will blend in far better than one in Muggle clothing.
"Yes, that would work well," Minerva said, pre-occupied. She raised a doubtful eyebrow at the Headmaster. "Are you sure this is wise, Albus? Pairing Sirius together with Severus, it is more responsibility than he is used to."
"I trust Sirius," Albus replied, "he is quite capable of caring for a child. Look at how loving he is to young Harry."
"Correct me if I am wrong but was he not also accountable for breaking Ron Weasley's leg two years ago in his zeal to protest his innocence?"
No wonder Molly Weasley was never keen on leaving him in solely alone with the children, Sirius often forgot he was no longer sixteen and he had to act the adult no matter how much Harry resembled James- a living symbol of his childhood. It wasn't that she was suggesting he did not do his part for the Order, he often went above and beyond the call of duty, but there was sometimes it was harder to be a parent than it was to place one's life on the line in a precarious mission. And the twelve years in Azkaban stunting Sirius' maturity certainly did not help matters.
"Now, Minerva, he was quite apologetic about that incident and Mr Weasley forgiven him."
"Okay," conceded Minerva, but unwilling to let this rest, not when Severus' safety was in question, "but has Severus? Or do I need to remind you of the cruel and dangerous 'pranks' Sirius continually directed at Severus during their school years. I'm amazed they survived to leave school." She believed in House loyalties and she always found Sirius Black an arrogant but likeable boy; her complaints now did not dispute that, rather his suitability to looking after a boy he loathed not six days ago. If Albus were so determined to defend Sirius, she had to fight on Severus' behalf.
"That was so long ago, Sirius was but a child then."
"Be that as it may, he was *sixteen* when he nearly sent Severus to his death, an act which could have resulted in Severus' murder and Remus' execution. Hardly the act of a child when his own godson faced Voldemort before he was even twelve. Nor does Sirius seem in the slightest remorse at the torments he put Severus through. I admit, Severus could sometimes give as good as he got but he was one boy, Sirius was part of a gang of four. You would never tolerate Draco Malfoy and his pack treating Harry in such a way."
Albus paled at her tirade, sadly shaking his head and looking every inch his one-hundred-and-fifty. "You're right, Minerva, I have often been too lenient with Sirius and his friends. It was so easy to be enjoy their innocence at a time when it seemed we were losing more Slytherin children each day." Minerva's heart twisted when he gazed at her, pained and sorrowful. She hated to cause him hurt, however, he had to face the truth. "What do you suggest we do?"
"We could place him with the Weasleys'" Poppy offered, "they certainly have enough experience with children and they are in the Order. I would bet Molly would be thrilled to have another child for a spell."
"I would prefer Severus remain at Hogwarts," Albus said, "he is safer here and the Death Eaters are less likely to target the school to stage an abduction rather than a house."
"What about Professor Sprout?" mulled Poppy. "Ceres is always to patient with the children."
If that was the case, Minerva would have taken the boy herself. If Severus had been younger it would have been easier or had he been a few years older they could have just placed him in the dorms with the First Years. Only she knew at this age, Severus would rather be with an energetic man like Black than be placed with a woman old enough to be his great-grandmother.
"No, perhaps Sirius is the better option," she admitted.
"Minerva?" Poppy frowned in askance. She had evidently agreed with Minerva's objections to Sirius acting as foster father.
"Ceres will never have the stamina to see to Severus' needs on top of planning classes and her plants. Sirius had enough free time on his hands plus Remus and the rest of us will be on hand to supervise him. It *is* about time the man grew up."
Albus contemplated her words then nodded. "Then we shall leave matters as they are. And set your mind to rest, Minerva, I will ensure Sirius acts responsibly with Severus."
Oh, Minerva would make certain
of that. Sirius would be receiving many visits from Severus' feline friend
Kitty and if she sensed so much as a hint of trouble, she would yank the
boy of his care, second chances and redemption be damned.
End of CHAPTER FIVE- In The Lion's Den
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Anyway, does anyone think I'm making the chapters too long? I know I hate it when I see someone's updated and go to find only two paragraphs have been added but I can cut them down if you guys think I should. Well, that's enough from me for now, please do feel free (more than free!) to R & R.