Quote of the Chapter:
"Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools."
--Unknown
Family for the Dragon: Chapter 4
Severus woke up with a start. Someone or something was crying. Running out of his room, he ran into Draco's room.
"Wah" cried Draco scared by his dramatic memories that he had just relived.
"Accio blankie and teddy bear" said Severus pulling out his wand. Last night, Severus had just put a light adult size blanket over Draco. Handing the teddy bear and blankie to Draco, Severus tucked Draco in again.
"Daddy!! Daddy!!" said Draco smiling up at Severus. Severus just mumbled back and checked the time.
"I guess I will just stay awake," mumbled Severus finding out that it was seven, bloody seven in the morning.
"Wakie! Wakie!" said Draco cuddling his blanket closer and hugging his teddy bear tighter.
"You can stay there for now, I have to shower and get dressed," said Severus leaving the room after putting a protective ward around Draco's crib. The ward would only allow Severus in and would keep Draco from running away anywhere.
An hour later found Severus running down the corridors to get to the Front Hall. In his arms slept Draco peacefully.
"Hello, Severus," said Remus standing in the Front Hall also waiting for the prefect.
"Hello yourself," said Severus grouchy.
"8:10 portkey arriving," said a voice and suddenly Hermione Granger appeared in front them.
"Hello, Professors" said Hermione. Hermione had changed since Severus last saw her. Her hair was no longer bushy, but lay in beautiful curls on her back. Her eyes were emphasized naturally and were more noticeably a warm melted chocolate brown. (Purely platonic people!!!)
"Hermione!" exclaimed Remus rushing over to hug the prefect.
Severus mentally groaned. He knew, he just knew that Albus would spring something like this on him.
"Prof. Lupin! Harry would be so happy to know that you are teaching again! He missed you so much after the Triwizard Tournament," said Hermione, which started a long conversation about Harry.
"Well, Hermione I don't believe that you have seen your charge yet," said Remus after five minutes of nonstop talking.
"No, Prof. Dumbledore just told me that it was an unfortunate yet wonderful event when the person became a baby," said Hermione. "May I, Prof. Snape?" Severus silently handed Draco over to her.
"DRACO MALFOY???" said Hermione astonished.
"Yes, we all know his name is Draco Malfoy. Glad to know that you know his name too," said Severus sarcastically.
"I am here to take care of Draco Malfoy? Evil Slytherin git, got himself turned into a baby?" said Hermione. "Cute baby though, you must admit." Remus laughed and laughed while Severus glared. Draco couldn't decide at which to do glare or laugh so he just stared at Hermione.
"Ms. Granger!" said Albus walking in.
"Hello Prof. Dumbledore. How come you didn't tell me that I was taking care of Draco Malfoy?" said Hermione.
"He didn't particularly care to tell us you were coming either," said Severus.
"Well, I thought a surprise would be nice," said Albus. "You just thought she wouldn't come, and you knew that
I would protest!" said Severus angrily.
"Don't be so harsh, Severus you are upsetting Draco" said Albus pointing at the baby who was on the verge of crying.
Luckily Hermione saw this too and cuddle Draco soothing him.
She held him and forgot how much she hated him and fell in love with the baby.
"What a handsome baby, you are. I bet you know that too. Are you hungry, you adorable little thing?" cooed Hermione.
Draco smiled up at her and said, "Hungry! Tum! Tum! Daddy, hungry!" Draco held his hands out toward Severus. "Daddy! Mus! Hungry! Tum! Tum!" Draco was determined to get something to eat.
"Daddy, Prof. Snape?" questioned Hermione with an amused look.
"Draco come here," said Prof. Snape digging through the baby bag, he had learned to carry it everywhere. Draco wiggled out of Hermione's grasp and toddled towards Prof. Snape.
"Hungry! Tum! Tum!" said Draco again.
"Won't you wait? I am getting your bottle and food," said Severus tugging at the bag.
"Remus, do make sure that Severus doesn't kill Hermione and vice versa please. I don't want any paper work," said Albus jokingly pulling Remus over. "I think it is best if you stay with them as much as possible today. No need for unnecessary arguing, you were always the peacemaker between James and Lily weren't you?" (A/N: purely platonic between Snape and Granger…remember!!)
"Yes, how they used to argue and argue! I used to have to talk to James then to Lily then back to James," said Remus dwelling into the past for a moment.
"Well, I must be off! Severus, you do have that extra bedroom don't you? I think Hermione will do well to stay there," said Albus to Severus who was feeding Draco while Hermione watched at them.
"I converted that into my office. Ms. Granger will just have to stay with Draco in his room," said Severus.
"That is okay for now," said Albus leaving.
"Would you like the first shift Severus or should I take Draco for the morning?" asked Remus as they walked back to the rooms.
"I do not particularly care," said Severus.
"I will take Draco as soon as I get my bags in a room," said Hermione gesturing to the heavy bags she was holding.
"I am so sorry, Hermione. I didn't notice you carrying anything. Put them down, I will levitate them," said Remus pulling out his wand.
"As I was saying, I will take Draco during the morning. I just have one question, Prof. Dumbledore said that I could get extra lessons in Potions, DADA, and he said he would personally teach me Earth Magic. I was wondering about the times for those lessons, so I could make sure to not plan anything at those times," said Hermione sweetly.
"Lessons?" said Severus starting to curse. Remus leaned over and closed Hermione's ears until Severus stopped.
"Albus didn't tell us anything about lessons, but I am honored that you would want to learn more about DADA. I would be happy to give you lessons, how about three times a week?" said Remus as if no body had started cursing about the idiocy of teaching in their break.
"That would be fine, Monday, Wednesday, Friday? For how long?" asked Hermione.
"What about we start with an hour then if you want longer, we can see," said Remus smiling at the happy girl.
"Prof. Snape, if you don't mind to much, would you give me lessons in Potions?" asked Hermione a little timidly.
Severus thought about it. Hermione was a great student; he knew that she probably would learn all the fifth year, sixth year, and seventh year potions in one summer easily.
"I suppose I will be able to teach you so more about Potions. Tuesday and Thursday in the morning." Said Severus.
"Thank you" said Hermione trying to tame her excitement.
" I will take Draco on Tuesday and Thursday mornings so you will be able to work and of course any other times needed," said Remus.
"We should make a schedule," said Hermione practically.
"Here we are," said Severus. "The password is now going to be hmm.... University of Stonehenge."
"Did you go to US?" asked Hermione stepping into the rooms.
"Yes," said Severus. "Your room is here, with Draco."
"By the way where is Draco?" asked Hermione curiously.
"I thought Remus had him..." said Severus running outside. There stood Remus holding Draco and talking to him.
"Draco!" said Severus relieved.
"Daddy! Mus, told me that you aren't my daddy!" said Draco.
"He is able to say fragments!" said Hermione.
"Yes, his baby years will go by in a week…his toddler years another week...mid age like 5-10 another week...preteens will take longer then usual a week…and teens will take another week. His memory will soon regain after he is back to normal," said Severus taking Draco from Remus.
"Daddy! Daddy!" said Draco trying to get Severus's attention while he talked to Hermione. After Severus finished talking Draco gave Severus's hair a tug.
"Ow!"
"Daddy! Me want to go outside!" said Draco tugging.
"Draco, come with me and I will take you outside," said Hermione coaxingly.
"Okay. Your name?" asked Draco.
"Hermione...no you can call me Mione," said Hermione.
"Mione, lets go!!" said Draco.
"Okay, come here," said Hermione taking the wiggling Draco from Severus's arms. "Say bye to Prof. Lupin and Prof. Snape"
"Bye"
"Hermione, you can call me Remus," said Remus.
"Yes, you may call me Severus," said Severus.
"Then you two must call me Hermione," said Hermione then she turned and walked away with Draco.
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"Mione, come, come," said Draco running ahead of Hermione.
"One second, I don't have as much energy as you" said Hermione, catching up to Draco.
"Ha, ha, catch me!" screamed Draco darting off expectantly. Hermione laughed and gave chase. For the next hour she captured Draco and he escaped leading to another search. Towards the end of the hour, Draco became tired and came back to Hermione.
"Mione," said Draco simply holding his hands up to be picked up.
"Tired, are you? How about a nap?" asked Hermione cuddling Draco close.
"No, no nappy!" protested Draco sleepily.
"Come on, big boy lets go back to the castle," said Hermione, carrying Draco back to the castle.
"Is he asleep?" asked Remus when he met them on their way to Severus's rooms.
"Yes, I really tired him out. Running around the grounds for the good part of an hour," said Hermione smiling down gently at Draco.
"Must have tired the little guy out," said Remus before telling the portrait the password and leading Hermione in.
"Hello," said Severus looking up.
"Hello, I just came to settle Draco down in his crib," said Hermione cheerfully. Severus acknowledged that he had heard her and turned to Remus and said, "Did you find it yet? I still believe that silver will counteract with the gold."
Hermione put Draco down and walked back into the Living Room.
"Am I to sleep in Draco's room?"
"Yes."
"Well, if anybody needs me I will be in our room."
"Hmm" said Remus and Severus occupied by their work. Hermione shrugged and went to her room. There she unpacked and started putting some of her clothes away. After unpacking all her stuff, she pulled out her diary and started writing:
Dear Diary,
Today was an interesting day, to say the least. You know how I talked about taking care of a baby in Hogwarts, well, it is Draco Malfoy. I know that I should have protested or something, but he is too adorable. I really want to ask why he is here or how he became a baby, but I am scared. I don't have to take care of him all the time, Remus and Prof…Severus take care of him some of the time to help.
Suddenly Hermione heard some whimpers, she rushed over to the crib and saw Draco whimpering from a nightmare. Hermione picked him up and cuddled him close. Looking around for something for him to hold, she found a silver and green comfy blankie. Wrapping that around him, she cuddled him some more, awakening him from his nightmare. As soon as he woke up, he clutched her tightly as if he was afraid that she would go away. By that time, Remus and Severus had heard the whimpers and knocked on the door.
"Come in!" said Hermione softly not to startle Draco.
"Is everything okay? We heard Draco crying," said Remus while Severus took Draco from Hermione and looked him over.
"Yes, everything is fine. Draco just had a nightmare, but he woke up and he is okay. Aren't you?" said Hermione.
"Daddy, hurtie, hurtie," said Draco now fully awake.
"Where does it hurt, Draco?" asked Severus very gently.
Draco pointed to his back so Severus lightly took off Draco's shirt. On Draco's back there was cuts all over as if some one had whipped him.
"Oh my god!" said Hermione looking at the cuts.
"I need to heal these for the moment, we can got to Poppy as soon as I heal the minor cuts and help the major cuts. Would you hold him Ms Gra...Hermione?" said Severus pulling out his wand. Hermione took Draco back and held him close; reassuring him that "Daddy" would heal the "boo boos" soon.
"Ensanoras," murmured Severus and all the minor cuts healed.
"Lets get him to Madame Pomfrey," said Hermione holding still whimpering Draco close.
"One second girl. I still need to dull the pain!" snapped Severus.
"Calm down, Severus and heal Draco," said Remus.
"Leveus Panius," said Severus immediately Draco stopped crying.
"See, Draco, "Daddy" healed everything. Now lets go visit Madame Pomfrey. She wants to make sure you don't get hurt every again" said Hermione.
"I don't wanna go!! I want daddy!!" said Draco holding his hands up to Severus.
"Daddy wants you to go, right Severus?" said Hermione soothingly.
"Yes, come on Draco. We have to go visit Madame Pomfrey, you remember Aunty Poppy don't you?" asked Severus his voice gentle and soothing.
"Okay, but Mione and Mus come too?" said Draco sleepily.
"Okay, lets go," said Severus. All three of them walked to the Hospital Wing where Poppy started fussing over Draco.
"Is he allowed to go back?" asked Hermione softly looking at Draco.
"Yes, but he must be in the same room as one of you at all times. If he has nightmares wake him up immediately. His nightmares are what are giving him the scratches. If he is woken up soon enough nothing will happen. Do not give him Dreamless Sleep Potion unless it is the only solution. As you know, Severus, it can be addicting." said Poppy.
Hermione nodded puzzled at the reference to Severus and picked up Draco walking back to her room with Severus and Remus. As soon as she got there, she tucked Draco into her bed and slipped in, both of them soon in deep, comforting sleep.
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A/N: Like the twist?? Please REVIEW with your comments!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~Madame Moony