::celeste::
Disclaimer: Guess what? I don't own Harry Potter. Shocking, I know. See this lady named JK Rowling owns the world and it's characters. Rowling is brilliant, rich, and a wonderful writer. I'm not. Suing is bad for your Karma.
Summary: An accident in Potions (where else?) turns Snape into an infant. Dumbledore in his glorious wisdom (and because it makes a nice plot) leaves him in the care of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. By the by, this story takes place in fifth year. It was started before Order of the Phoenix, so it's now AU.
Rating: PG-13 for mild swearing, stuff you can say on Network TV. Guess what? I updated the details! Go me XD
Dedication: This is for Kayla and Shane. And all the little baby Snapes out there. You know who you are.
Special Thanks: To Ramos, my Beta Reader. All the wonderful corrections, suggestions, etc that make my dull writing better. Read her stories when you're done with this one. She's such a wonderful author, it's an honor to have her help.
A/N (don't you hate them?): This chapter isn't really funny. There may be a few lines here and there, but it's more or less a dark one. Be warned. Be afraid. Be—oh forget it.
Chapter 11
Sirius' New Shoes
Remus Lupin sipped his butterbeer and looked at the wall clock above the bar for the twentieth time. Harry and Severus had been gone nearly fifteen minutes. He'd never had a child of his own, but he remembered Harry when he was smaller, and it never took Lily this long to clean him up.
Ron was busy downing his second butterbeer and looked supremely unconcerned. Hermione, however, was also beginning to look anxious, twisting in her seat to check the time. A worried glimmer was developing in her eyes; one Lupin thought was probably mirrored in his own. Sirius was also growing impatient, slapping his tail onto the wooden floorboards, as anyone else would tap their toes.
When another full minute went by, Lupin stood up. "I'm going to go check on Harry and make sure everything is all right with Severus. Hermione, Ron - stay here with Snuffles."
"Okay," Hermione said. She picked up her butterbeer with a halfhearted attempt to listen to Ron's continued Quidditch talk.
Remus stood and left their table, his greater height allowing him to easily make his way through the crowd of students. He paused before entering the back hall and asked Rosmerta if she had seen Harry and the toddler, but she merely shook her head and made a comment about the mad crowd while she delved under the counter to find a few more mugs. Lupin continued towards the back, where the loud noise from the front of The Three Broomsticks was mercifully reduced.
The men's room door was closed. Lupin brought up his fist and knocked several times. "Harry?"
No answer.
"Harry? Are you in there?" he tried again, rapping against the door so hard the shock reverberated down his knuckles and straight into his arm. That was when he noticed he couldn't hear the banging on the other side of the door.
Lupin knew a silencing charm when he heard it, especially with his heightened senses. In fact, if he concentrated hard enough, he would be able to make out conversations in the common pub, and a few above him in the rented rooms. He pressed his ear to the door to make sure, and was greeted by not so much as a drop of water from the toilet.
Quickly bringing out his wand, Lupin cast a "Finate incantum." There. The whizzing of pipes, the swirl of the toilet water and its nearly imperceptible hissing, noises one would associate with a bathroom. An empty bathroom, at any rate.
The doorknob was unlocked, and twisted easily when Lupin turned it. He pushed the door open and verified with his eyes what his ears had already informed him of. No Harry. No Severus. Deliberately staying calm, Remus stepped inside and shut the door. There on the hanger were Harry's thick wool coat and his scarf, along with Severus' tiny gloves and cap.
The faint hint of pheromones and copper told him there was blood. He swirled around and stared at the small red track on the white washed wall, starting from just below his shoulder and ending near the floor. Lupin stepped forward and inhaled sharply. He couldn't mistake it from Harry's if he had deliberately tried. There was also the lingering scent of burning flesh, something one never forgets, and that carried Severus' distinct childish scent.
Lupin swirled around and yanked the door open with extreme force, causing it to slam into the wall and leave a spidery dent in the shabby wall. He forced himself to remain calm, it could no good to Severus or Harry if he allowed any of the wolf's rage to seize him now. Deliberately he took the robes and coat from the door, he went through the pockets until he found Harry's wand, safely tucked into the inner pocket of his robes. Stifling a curse, he sniffed the air. The scent was too old, but Sirius would be able to tell better if Harry had been dragged out. His human body just wasn't as sensitive as his canine friend. He glanced down at the floor, but the wooden planks held only dried mud and fresh candy wrappers, no blood. Either his head was covered or-
Best not to jump to conclusions.
He walked back to the table as quickly as he could without raising suspicions by the students, the robes tucked discretely under his arm. Ignoring Hermione's questions, Lupin went straight for Sirius and bent down low next to the large black dog. "They're gone," Lupin whispered. "There's a bit of Harry's blood on the wall. The scent's old- maybe fifteen minutes. I don't think he was carried out, but I can't tell for certain."
Scrambling to his feet, Snuffles bounded back towards the bathroom. Lupin gave the two remaining Gryffindors an uncompromising look. "Back to the carriage. Now."
"Where's Harry?" Ron demanded, standing up and gazing back towards the bathroom.
Lupin reached over and grabbed both their arms. "The carriage," he said firmly. He pulled them through the crowd, ignoring their protests as they demanded to know where Harry and Severus were. His only goal at that moment was to get the two of them to safety. It was unlikely they'd be targeted now that Harry was gone, but he wasn't taking chances.
Once out the door, he continued to drag them straight to the end of the street and the large black carriage waiting at the edge of the village. Looking over his shoulder to where Moody was stationed, he jerked his head to the side. The gnarled old man's magical eye whirled as he looked up from the brim of his hat. Lupin mouthed 'Harry and Snape are gone' and proceeded to push the two remaining Gryffindors into the carriage before stepping in after them.
Securing the door, he stuck his head out the window and addressed the skeletal thestral. "Hogwarts! And be quick about it!" The creature responded so quickly Lupin's head nearly hit the window frame as the carriage took off at a tumultuous pace.
"What's going on!" Hermione yelled, her eyes wide and frantic.
"They're gone," he replied simply.
Hermione and Ron looked shocked for a moment, and then Ron began shouting. "Gone?! What do you mean gone? Gone where?!"
"I don't know," Lupin answered softly, his hand resting on his wand as he gazed out the window. "Stay calm. Once you're back at Hogwarts you'll be safe."
"What about Harry! What about Severus!" Hermione demanded shrilly. "Aren't you going to look for them?"
"As soon as you're safe, I'll go back," he promised.
"Bullocks!" Ron cried, already reaching for the handle. "You're not just leaving us behind while our best friend is missing!"
The werewolf grabbed Ron's hand and pushed him back into the seat. His eyes were apologetic about the rough treatment, and his voice was low and hopefully soothing. "It won't do either of them any good if you're both rushing off. We don't know what's happened, and we need to find out first."
"Don't know? Bloody hell! You Know Who has taken them! Even I know that!" Ron retorted.
Lupin frowned and shook his head. "Not by himself. He has others do the dirty work for him."
"I thought there were anti-apparition wards up," Hermione whispered as her arms curled around her abdomen protectively. "How could he have taken them?"
"We'll find out," Lupin promised. "Until then, just sit tight."
He ignored their twin glares, turning to look out the window and make sure no one was following them. When he looked back, tears were sparkling in Hermione's eyes. "We shouldn't have gone," she whispered, words catching in her throat.
Ron looked over and frowned before slinging an arm around her. "S'all right, 'Mione. They'll be okay."
Everyone wanted to believe that.
**
Harry didn't want to wake up. It hurt too damn much. There was an annoying ringing in his ears that wasn't going away, and his entire body felt rubbery. Not quite his own body as it tingled whenever he shifted. The worst part was the throbbing in the back of his head, which definitely wasn't numb. Instead, it felt as though one of Hagrid's cousins had wrapped a hand around it and was squeezing to pop it like a cherry tomato.
Groaning, he rolled off his back and onto his side, hoping to relieve the pressure, but it just made his stomach turn and lights dance before his shut eyelids. He swallowed the bile that rose reflexively, wondering if a bludger had caught him during a game.
Then, as thought caught up with the pain signals, he remembered the bathroom. And Snape. The floor was terribly cold, like ice, and he dully realized that was probably why he felt so numb. His hand reached out, expecting to feel the wooden floor, and instead the ground felt sharp, rugged, and uneven. Like, the earth had shifted and pushed up on itself.
Harry forced his eyes to open, which proved singularly unhelpful. The space around him remained terribly dark, lending a new definition to pitch black. He had to blink to make sure he had actually opened his eyes in the first place. There was a momentary panicked thought that maybe he'd been knocked blind. He didn't even know that could happen.
But he had seen Max. Anger suddenly flooded over him. What had Max done? Harry forced his hands to feel out a bit more, but all he felt was uneven rock. Cold rock. And then he thought he heard a steady drop of water echoing off in the distance through the ringing in his ears.
Where the hell was he?
He pushed himself up to his knees, and then had to stop as the pain in his head nearly made him faint away. He held his head in his hands, and then gingerly felt the back of his skull. The hair was matted and sticky. When he pulled his hands away and rubbed his fingers together, the wetness there was all too familiar.
Wiping his fingers on his jeans, Harry reached up to feel for his glasses. They, at least, were still there, for all the good it did him. He didn't like not being able to see even his hand in front of his face, didn't like it at all. It reminded him of the cupboard at night, so dark, with only the crawling spiders for company. But wherever he was, it was much bigger than the tiny cupboard.
"Hello?" he tried calling. Only his echo answered, bouncing and repeating endlessly in the dark. "Severus?" Again, only his own voice came back, sounding as if a dozen more Harry's were calling back and forth to each other in the distance.
Where was Snape?
He crawled around a bit, ignoring the pain in his head, and tried to find his diminutive Potions Master. Occasionally he called for him, but there was no answer. No soft breathing or cries. No screaming either. He could still have been asleep, Harry supposed, and if he were that would probably be for the best. Harry hated thinking what it would be like for the toddler to wake up in this perpetually echoing darkness.
Then suddenly his hand hit something soft and furry. Harry recoiled for a moment, but when there was no sound of movement, he hesitantly grasped at it again. When he closed his hand around it, he could tell by the way it collapsed it was a stuffed animal.
And then he realized it was Snape's werewolf doll. He could feel the button eyes and its little muzzle. If his doll was here then maybe…
Harry redoubled his search with a frantic pace, holding Wolfy in one hand and groping with the other in an endless and empty darkness. Calling a name that was only answered by his own seemingly mocking voice.
**
Wormtail shifted uneasily from one foot to the next, his beady little eyes darting back and forth between Voldemort's huge snake and the miniature version of Snape laying like a limp doll in the center of its coils. Lucius was leaning negligently against the empty throne, gazing at Snape with a very odd expression on his face. Somewhere between morbid curiosity and just, well, morbid.
The teenager who had brought both Harry and Snape was pacing restlessly back and forth, though his steps stayed a safe distance from the Death Eaters and the giant snake. Despite his anxiety, Max studiously avoided looking at anything but the well-carved stone floor. His youthful face looked worried, frightened, and more than a little guilty. Wormtail could relate, but thought the boy would do better to wipe the guilt from his expression before the Dark Lord arrived. If Voldemort even smelled it, Maxwell Boots would be one dead Hufflepuff.
"It's very odd." Lucius' voice cut through the silence like a blade against the skin. Wormtail actually winced before risking a glance in his direction.
"What is?" he asked, even though he really didn't want to know any of the thoughts Malfoy had running through his sick head.
Lucius gazed over with cold gray eyes. "He's so-- innocent looking. I can't ever remember Sev looking innocent, not even in his first year. Nearly makes him out to be an entirely different person. Don't you agree?"
Wormtail gazed back over at the round face. Lucius was right. Snape had always had a sharp edge to him, even when they were only eleven. Probably because he was so skinny and angry, and he'd always been angry. At least whenever Peter had bothered to notice. Still, he didn't see why it was so fascinating to Lucius. Maybe it was a Slytherin thing- the whole house was nuts, in Wormtail's opinion. "What's it matter?"
"Well-" Lucius drawled, tossing his expensive silk cape over his shoulder, "you weren't really in the fold during the Dark Lord's first reign. You should have seen Sev then. My proudest achievement by far."
"Your achievement?" Now Wormtail was just confused.
Lucius narrowed his eyes and gave him that look the Slytherins seemed to be born with. That 'you are such a moron- must everything be explained in little words' look. Wormtail flushed with embarrassment without Malfoy even needing to say anything. "Who do you think brought him into the fold? I did, of course. I recognize potential when I see it." Then he looked away- nearly deliberately, Peter thought. "And, my, what a Death Eater he made. He was ruthless. Took my teachings and became the best pupil in torture I ever had.
"Sev has always excelled though, always wanted to please those who show even the slightest interest in him. Even before he joined, he knew more of the Dark Arts that had been lost than anyone else next to the Dark Lord himself." Lucius tilted his head. "Now, well, you just wouldn't guess that- would you?"
"I still don't see why it matters. So he wasn't born a vicious bastard. Who cares?" Wormtail replied.
Lucius seemed to puff with indignation. Wormtail pulled nervously at his cold silver fingers at the idea of having just insulted Lucius Malfoy. "Snapes are a pureblood family traced back nearly as far as my own. You'd do best to remember that, halfblood. He's the godfather of my son, and for good reason. The Malfoys, the Snapes, the Parkinsons, the Crabbes, the Goyles, we're the families that everyone will bow to when we win this war. Just as we used to be, and just as it should be." Lucius' lips twisted into an expression bordering between grimace and sneer as he took in Snape's peaceful features. "Snape was born to hold power over the world, and to do that one has to be hardened. Now he looks completely powerless and fragile. I don't care for it." The gray eyes colder than the chilled stagnant air focused again on Wormtail. "That's why you should care, you sniveling coward."
"Well spoken, Lucius."
Everyone, even Lucius, dropped to lay prostrate on the floor at that voice. Wormtail didn't even need to see Voldemort to know he was near. He could feel the power rolling off the Dark Lord like a tide of destruction, and it made Wormtail shiver as his master walked past. As soon as the rustling of robes finished, his hissing voice once again slithered through the chamber. "You may rise."
Wormtail pushed off the floor and stood before Voldemort, hoping he looked like the proper servant. The Dark Lord's red eyes weren't fixed on him, however. Instead, they were drinking in Snape like he was the most beautiful sight in the world. Severus probably didn't get that very often.
"Bring him to me, Nagini," he ordered in his syllabic hisses.
The large serpent slowly shifted her coils, moving the still sleeping Snape within across the stone floor. When he was in front of the throne, Voldemort reached down with his skeletal hands, covered by that bleached skin that looked more like scales, and picked the toddler up. Snape's head lolled back and forth as he was moved, until he was finally placed within the cradle of Voldemort's arms. "And so he is finally returned."
"Indeed, my lord," Lucius murmured. "Just as I promised."
"Yes. Young Malfoy has done well. I am very pleased," Voldemort replied, smoothing Snape's hair back from his face so that he could see him better. "And the boy?"
"We tossed him down one of the caverns. Not a very long fall, but the walls are high and smooth enough that he won't be able to climb out, My Lord. We thought you might like to take care of him personally," Lucius replied evenly, though the glee nearly radiated from his face.
The slit that served as Voldemort's mouth curled upwards. "Very, very, good."
"Shall I bring him to you?" Wormtail asked, bowing his head.
"Not quite yet. Let him stew in the darkness for a while. I want him terrified when we meet for the last time. I don't care for his bravado, it takes all the fun out of it." Voldemort peered down at Snape. "Why is he sleeping, Wormtail?"
Wormtail glanced quickly over at the boy who'd brought them. Max was literally shaking in his boots, and the animangus could hear his teeth chattering. "He was sleeping when Mr. Boots brought him."
Voldemort's red eyes drifted languidly over towards the frightened Hufflepuff. "The mark should have kept him wide awake."
"I- I-" The boy swallowed. "Nightsh-sh-shade."
"Nightshade?" Voldemort questioned, his forked tongue flicking out to catch the scent. "Ah. Why did you feel the need to drug your Professor? I'm sure he would have been more than willing to heed my summons."
Boots didn't answer. That, of course, was a mistake.
Wormtail looked away as soon as Voldemort had produced his wand, and tried not to wince as the curse was pronounced. Cruciatus. He studiously examined the smoothed stone near his feet as the boy screamed and convulsed near him. When the spell finally stopped, Wormtail risked a glance over. The boy was curled into a fetal position, and it appeared as if he had scratched at the skin on his face.
"It was very foolish of you to expose Severus to such a powerful potion in his current condition. I'm sure if he were able, he would tell you that himself." Voldemort sighed as he gazed down. "He may sleep for days. I wish to greet him now." Voldemort's eyes hardened as he looked over. "Do you have an antidote?"
Boots whimpered.
"Lucius," Voldemort ordered, pointing towards the prone figure on the ground.
Lucius gave a deep bow and strode over. Wormtail watched as he kicked the boy hard in the ribs, causing him to move onto his back, and then bent down to search his pockets. He soon came up with a violet vial, which he uncorked and sniffed. "I think this is it."
"You think?" Voldemort murmured softly.
Lucius somehow managed to look both smug and sheepish. "Severus did most of my homework in the subject, My Lord. I'm afraid I was never very skilled at Potions."
"Bring it to me," he replied. Lucius crossed the distance and stepped over Nagini to hand the vial to Voldemort. Popping open the vial, the Dark Lord flicked his tongue out again and then nodded. "At least he did something right," he stated in a very put-out sort of way.
With only an imperceptible shift of his eyes, Wormtail managed to glance again at the boy. This wasn't going very well for him, despite having hand-delivered Harry Potter to Voldemort. Annoying the Dark Lord was more dangerous than poking a sleeping dragon, and far more hazardous to your health.
He turned back in time to see Voldemort open the tiny pouting mouth and carefully place three drops on Snape's tongue. He then handed the vial back to Lucius, who took a few steps back from the throne, before turning and waiting.
Snape stirred almost immediately, his face contorting into a look of disgust. The potion must not have tasted very good. Soon, the tiny hands clutched at the Dark Lords robes, and the impossibly large round eyes fluttered open.
The reaction was pure terror. Snape stared up at Voldemort's parody of a smile like a goblin caught in the path of a giant. His face then screwed up strangely, and then he began to cry.
Wormtail exchanged a glance with Lucius.
"There there," Voldemort cooed, stroking Snape's hair. The cooing was just- wrong. So very, very, wrong. If Wormtail had been in Snape's place, he would have been sobbing his little heart out too. "You see? The Nightshade has obviously made him uncomfortable."
Yeah, sure, Wormtail thought rather sarcastically. Lucius and he exchanged another glance. Neither was about to correct Voldemort. It was wiser to let the Megalomaniac think whatever he wanted.
Voldemort frowned thoughtfully. "You've harmed him."
"No," Boots gasped, struggling to his feet. "I made it just as the Professor taught us."
"Why is he so upset then? You see?" Voldemort held him higher so that Boots could watch Snape wail. "He's in pain."
"Maybe he's frightened?" Boots suggested timidly.
Voldemort looked perplexed by that suggestion. "Why should he be afraid? He's with us again, just as he should be."
"I don't know," Boots said desperately, looking as though he were about to join Snape in the crying.
"Hush, Severus. I'll make him pay." Voldemort settled Snape down on his thigh, and pointed his wand at Boots, who did decide to start crying then, sobbing that he had done exactly as he was asked. Voldemort ignored the pleas, addressing Snape instead. "He'll go away now. Avada Kedavra."
The green light shot out of Voldemort's wand like an arrow, and when it passed through Boots, the Hufflepuff fell over dead.
At that, Snape did stop wailing, though he stared at the body of Maxwell Boots with tearing eyes. Voldemort took this as a good sign and smiled, clutching the baby closer. "One thing we have always had in common, Severus. We hate to suffer fools, don't we? Yes, there's a good boy." Voldemort began stroking his hair again while the toddler continued to gaze at the motionless corpse.
Lucius snapped his fingers, summoning two lumbering and masked Death Eaters who appeared like phantoms from the shadows. The pair walked over to the body, took an arm each, and then dragged it out of the chamber. Snape's eyes followed it as his former student scraped along the stone floor, until the doors closed once again. He sniffed a few times, gazing over at Lucius and Wormtail with pleading eyes. "No mow."
"What did he say?" Voldemort asked, pausing in his caresses to look over at Lucius.
The Malfoy frowned, tapping his chin. "No something."
"I thought you said you knew how to raise a child, Lucius," Voldemort replied with irritation.
"Well, it's been quite some time since Draco was that small, My Lord. And, really, the House Elves took care of most of the tedious business. He never made much sense either." Lucius shrugged. "Perhaps Narcissa would be able to interpret. Women are very good at such things."
"I have already told you, Lucius. I will be keeping Severus." Voldemort moved the boy so that he was lying against his arms again. "This solves both of our problems, you know," he said to the toddler. "You were becoming a bit lax in your duties, and I've been missing an heir. We'll correct these mistakes, won't we, Severus? I'll raise you as my own, and then perhaps you'll show the gusto you used to. You'll be one of my best again." He smiled. "We'll have such fun together. Just like before, son."
Snape's pouting lower lip trembled, and Wormtail nearly missed the shaky whisper. "Hawee."
**
Lupin and Sirius sat in the Headmaster's round office, both of them feeling everything from rage to guilt. Dumbledore himself paced back and forth on the plush carpet, Fawkes staring down at them with pitying eyes from his golden perch. The rest of the Order was still searching Hogsmede, but Sirius and Lupin both doubted they'd find anything. Lupin had been right, and heartily wished he hadn't been. Sirius had confirmed there was no trail to follow. That left a portkey.
And a portkey could have taken them anywhere.
All of the students had been rounded up, and all were accounted for but Harry and one other, a seventh year Hufflepuff. Lupin and Snuffles had been in the office as Dumbledore questioned his younger brother, Terry Boots, a fifth year Ravenclaw. Terry obviously knew nothing, and Lupin could smell he was worried. The only information they could glean was that Maxwell had been very quiet and withdrawn after Cedric Diggory's death last year, and that Terry thought someone had been threatening his brother.
Lupin had a sinking suspicion that Maxwell Boots was somehow involved. "What now?"
Dumbledore paused, glancing over. "We wait."
"Wait?" Sirius echoed, looking aghast at the very suggestion. "He's got them, Albus. I know it! We've got to do something!"
"There's nothing we can do," Dumbledore said, and his voice suddenly cracked with so much raw anger Lupin and Sirius flinched in their seats. Dumbledore's eyes softened. "I'm sorry, children. I didn't mean to take that out on either of you."
They both understood, and murmured vague reassurances that seemed ludicrous in light of the situation. Then Sirius leaned forward. "Look, with all due respect sir, we know there are Death Eater initiates in Hogwarts. Any one of them could be behind this, or at the very least know who is. I know you want to respect Snape's wishes of leaving them alone until they actually do something wrong, but- I think this counts. Don't you?"
"Snape's journal is not on my desk, Sirius." Dumbledore tapped the top of the oak wood. "The fact that Severus is still alive we can at least take some comfort in."
"You Know Who doesn't want Snape dead, he wants Harry dead. Pardon me if I don't rejoice in the fact Snape's still alive when my Godson could be-"
"Don't even say it, Sirius," Lupin said in a pained whisper. "We don't know that. Harry's survived before. He's strong and we mustn't underestimate him."
"All I'm saying is I'm not letting him fight alone if I can help it," Sirius finished, folding his arms in a motion Lupin well recognized. Stubborn. He wasn't backing down. Neither was Lupin. "We've got to see that journal, Headmaster. We've got to know who to question, and the clock is ticking."
"Sirius is right," Lupin contributed. "I don't like the thought of invading Severus' privacy any more than you do, but this is life and death now."
Dumbledore sank into his chair and gazed at them with an air of profound sadness, looking every minute of his one hundred and fifty years. "Even if I managed to take the journal, I'm unable to open it. That seal is not capable of being broken by anyone but Severus."
Sirius ran his hands angrily through his hair, jumped out of his seat and resumed the pacing where Dumbledore had left off. "There's got to be a way. Maybe any Snape can open it?"
"Severus is the last of his lineage, and even if his parents were alive, the seal is too specific," Dumbledore answered.
Sirius bowed his head into his hands, and Lupin could tell he was gritting his teeth in frustration. "Bastard!"
Dumbledore sighed and looked over at Lupin. "Why don't you both return to Hogsmede again? Try to find anything we can use."
Lupin nodded dully, standing and taking Sirius by the arm to drag him out of the office. As the door closed and the stairs began moving, Sirius lifted his head. "I've failed him, Moony."
"You've done nothing of the sort," Lupin replied gently. "James wouldn't blame you for this. Even if he did, which he wouldn't, I'd be just as much at fault."
"You know, I never thought I would say this, but it's too bad Snape never had a twin." Sirius inhaled sharply and straightened his shoulders in defiance. "I'm not giving up."
An idea began unfolding in Lupin's mind. It was the extreme sort of idea, the sort the Marauders used to have all the time. It would need Sirius though, and his friend definitely wouldn't care for it. Not only because it was rather strange, but because it would require Sirius to take on a roll he'd absolutely detest. However, Dumbledore had often proved to him that the zaniest ideas often turned out to be good ones. It was so insane it just might work. "Say that again."
Sirius glanced over, eyebrows drawn together. "I said I'm not giving up."
Lupin smiled slightly, his amber eyes gleaming. "And well you shouldn't, but before that."
Sirius looked at Lupin as if he had gone Loopy. "I said it's too bad Snape doesn't have a twin." Sirius' face brightened. "Are you saying there's a long lost big nose out there, Moony?"
Lupin smirked. "Could be. Do you still have that Polyjuice on you?"
It had been one of Dumbledore's orders to Snape, which he had fulfilled despite much grumbling over the time and effort involved. In the event that Sirius was ever spotted, he should have a vial of Polyjuice and hair samples with him- so that he could quickly change shape if his Animangus form was out of the question. After all, a large black dog could not slip through the ministry offices, but it was a simple matter to change and parade about as Kingsley or Arthur Weasley.
Or even Snape.
Sirius' mouth dropped open. "Are you insane?" he whispered. "Are you suggesting I turn into Snape?"
Just the reaction Lupin had expected, and now it would be his unlucky duty to change Sirius' mind. "That's exactly what I'm suggesting," Lupin replied with a quiet confidence. "Think about it, for all intents and purposes- you would be Severus Snape. The Journal wouldn't be able to tell the difference."
"But-" Sirius jaw worked for a moment, before the sound finally caught up, "I'd be Snape! Greasy, sallow, skinny, beanstalk, nose to land a dragon on, SNAPE!"
"That's the concept of it."
Sirius turned indignant. "Why don't YOU take the potion? You've never had that big of a problem with Snivellus before, even though he made it so you lost your job!"
Lupin rolled his eyes. "I'm a werewolf, Padfoot. I can't take shape-shifting elixirs. Too dangerous. Same reason why I never tried to become an Animangus."
Sirius' pursed his lips together angrily, glaring. "I am NOT wearing Snivellus' skin, Moony. The very thought is enough to turn my stomach."
"Sirius Black, if you've ever truly wanted to protect your God-son, this is the way to do it. Are you going to let Harry die because of an old school grudge?" Lupin retorted angrily, his usually soft voice rising. "Severus has saved Harry's life before, despite how he feels about James. What about you?"
Sirius shut his mouth and looked away guiltily. Then he mumbled, "but I bet you fifty Galleons he'd never turn into me."
"Perhaps not, but perhaps he would." Lupin put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Please tell me James' faith in you meant something."
Sirius stiffened as if struck. After several tense silent moments, he let out a sigh. "Alright. Fine. I'll take the damn potion. But if anything happens- if I'm stuck looking like Snape the rest of my life, I'll kill myself. And you. After we rescue Harry."
"Good man," Lupin said cheerfully as he clapped Sirius on the shoulder. "Let's get that journal."
**
The Gryffindors were all assembled in the tower. Lupin and Snuffles looked around for Ron, but didn't see him. Lupin asked Neville where the red head was, and the boy replied Hermione and Ron were both up in Ron's dorm room. Lupin thanked him, and went up the stairs for the fifth year boy's dormitory with Snuffles moping behind. Lupin sighed and was glad he was at least moping along quickly.
He didn't bother to knock before entering, and found Hermione sitting Indian style on the floor sniffling over a soft blue blanket that must have gone in the empty crib she leaned her head against. Ron was busy banging his brother's bat against a large book bound in black leather. "Stupid, piece of- Professor!"
Lupin shut the door, warding it behind him. As soon as it was safe, Sirius stood up next to him. He wasted no time in pointing at the book. "Is that Snape's journal?"
Ron nodded, looking back and forth. "Yeah. Did you find Harry? Is he alright?"
"Is Sevvie okay?" Hermione stood up, brushing her eyes with the back of her sleeve. "And Harry?"
"We didn't find them," Lupin said softly.
Ron's face fell just before his head bowed. Hermione actually sunk to the floor, clutching the blanket to her chest as she began crying fresh tears. Ron glanced over, sighed, and tossed the very journal Sirius was eyeing uneasily beside him on the bed before joining Hermione on the floor and wrapping his arms around her. "Don't cry 'Mione. Please. That's not what they need."
"That monster took them!" She wailed, hiding her face in Ron's shirt. "What if he tried to hurt Severus? What if he got frustrated and threw a Cruciatus curse at him?!"
Ron patted her on the back, looking up at Lupin and Sirius. "So, what do we do now?"
Lupin glanced over at Sirius, and the Animangus winced. "Now I turn into Snape and find out who's responsible."
"You're turning into Snape," Ron repeated. "Well, how in the bloody hell are you supposed to do that? And just how is that going to help Harry? Or anyone, for that matter?"
Sirius sighed. "I love my godson. I love my godson. I love my godson," he began repeating over and over as he reached into his black robes and began digging around. Finally, he pulled out the same flask Mad Eye (a.k.a. Barty Crouch Jr.) used to carry around all the time. Next came a series of labeled velvet pouches, tightly knotted together. He sorted through the embroidered names until he reached the black pouch.
He nimbly untied the knot and slipped his fingers inside, pulling out a lock of long black hair. Still chanting his mantra, he unscrewed the cap to the flask and shoved the hairs roughly inside it. He then screwed the lid back on and shook it up like one would a martini. Finally, he stopped and opened it again, glancing finally at Lupin. "If this doesn't work, I want you to know- it's all your fault."
"Take it, Sirius," Lupin replied. "We don't have the time to stall."
"Right," Sirius muttered before lifting the flask to his lips. He gazed at all of them, even Hermione who had finally looked up. "Cheers then," he said and began swallowing the contents.
"How in the world is getting drunk going to help!" Hermione asked loudly.
Remus replied as Sirius gagged- the flask dropping to the floor. "Just watch."
Sirius doubled over, gripping at his stomach and making very odd keening noises. His breathing came in pants, and soon he seemed to loose the ability to stand at all, falling sideways onto Dean's bed. Lupin, Ron, and Hermione all stared as his skin began to change color. Sirius was very pale from spending so much time indoors, but it managed to lighten another shade and developed a yellow tint.
His eyes then began to change from their sky blue to an obsidian black, and then he groaned as his arms and legs lengthened while his shoulders simultaneously shrunk. His long black hair began sinking into his scalp, became finer, until it was splayed across the red comforter like a dark halo. Simultaneously his small round nose lengthened and grew, even as his cheeks sharpened and the cleft in his chin molded like clay into an angular point.
When the changes finally stopped, Severus Snape lay wild-eyed atop the bed, garbed in Sirius Black's larger robes. "Did it work?" Sirius croaked, the voice still very much his and not the silky cadence of the Potions Master.
"Like a charm," Lupin replied, pointing to a full-length mirror.
Sirius shook his head, and his lips seemed to form that familiar sneer when the short hair hit his cheeks. "No, I don't want to see. I don't ever want to see."
"Open the book, Sirius," Lupin suggested softly, walking over to Ron's bed and grabbing the large Journal.
"Polyjuice," Hermione breathed, her chocolate brown eyes nearly boggling. "Oh, why didn't I think of that?"
"Next time tell me you'll volunteer for the sex change, and I'll leave it to you," Sirius muttered.
Ron gazed at Sirius, and then grinned. "Still sounds like you, but you're wearing the wrong face."
Lupin actually chuckled from the glare Sirius sent- it was so Snape. Well, it was Snape. Perhaps it was less of a personality thing and more of the way the man's facial muscles worked. He dropped the large book on Sirius' lap. "Do what we came for."
"Right," Sirius replied, effortlessly opening the cover. He smiled widely down at the writing that greeted him. "Well, well. Looks like it worked."
Hermione gasped. They all glanced towards her, eyebrows pinched together.
The girl blushed a bit and glanced away, clearing her throat. "I've never seen the Professor really smile before."
Ron gave her a very odd look. "Frightening, isn't it?"
"Actually, I think he looks much younger," she replied in a small voice. "Bit dashing."
Lupin decided not to even go there, as Sirius' face- Snape's face- had the most horrified of expressions on it. "I did not hear that," he said, speaking the thoughts that were broadcasted on Ron's own face. "I'm going to pretend that it's the Black charm coming through even this greasy git in full swing."
"Don't be so self centered," Hermione shot back. "You look nothing like yourself."
"Don't remind me," Sirius replied, already flipping through the journal. There was silence as his eyes quickly skimmed through the spidery crawl. As Sirius searched for something they could use, Lupin sat himself onto Harry's bed.
Harry's trunk sitting alone and unopened at the end of the bed drew Lupin's eyes, and the werewolf felt a well of emotions. Guilt, foremost among them. He shouldn't have let Harry take Snape to the bathroom alone. Should have gone with him. In fact, he should have helped out much more in the first place. Ron and Harry had been so happy to go to Hogsmede, they were obviously strained, and Lupin wondered about the wisdom of leaving the baby in their care. Not because they weren't capable- they'd proven they were- but because of all that was required in taking care of someone who depended on you so completely. He thought that James and Lily would be very proud of Harry for doing as well as he had.
Lupin didn't want to end up mourning Harry the way he was now left to morn his other best friend and wife. Thinking, all the time, of how things should be rather than how they were.
"Moony," Sirius called, drawing Lupin from his thoughts. He turned to regard Sirius expectantly. "I think I've found something."
Lupin stood and moved over next to Sirius, gazing down where the Animangus had pointed with his finger. "The list."
Sirius nodded. "And look who we have here." He tapped on one name in particular.
Draco Malfoy.
"Guess daddy's little boy is following in the family business," Sirius remarked caustically. "Want to make a bet on whether or not he's involved, Moony?"
"No. I'd lose," Lupin replied quietly, his eyes narrowed. He then tilted his head towards Sirius. "Been about thirty minutes, ya?"
Sirius arched one of Snape's thin black brows. "'Bout."
"Well, why don't you take another drink, and we'll go have a chat with Mr. Malfoy."
Sirius sighed petulantly. "Do I have to, Moony?" he whined.
"Yes," Lupin answered, snapping the book shut and tossing it back on the bed. "If he thinks Snape is back, I'm sure he'll spill all the sordid details. Especially if you mention he helped rescue you. Malfoys all love a good preening."
Ron cracked one of his knuckles. "We'll go, too."
"No, you won't. I know you want to help, Ron, but right now you've just got to sit tight. We'll bring them back. I promise."
Ron seemed angered by that response, and opened his mouth to reply. Hermione, though, stepped in. "Of course, Professor." Ron startled, but Hermione gave him a significant glance. "Wish them luck, Ron."
Ron gazed intently at her, and then slowly nodded, as if he was instructed to. "Yeah, yeah. You're right. Good luck," he told them in a very unconvincing voice.
Sirius and Remus exchanged a wordless little communication of their own. It was weird to be reading the expression on Snape's face, but he got the message anyway. 'Up to no good.'
Unfortunately, they had no time to worry about that. With a subtle twist of his wrist, Lupin indicated he would charm the door shut after they left, which hopefully ought to hold the two underage adventurers. Heaving a martyred sigh, Sirius stood up and took another drink from the flask. He gagged and doubled over again, but since he was already Snape, he did not need to endure the agonizing transformation.
Moments later, the two Marauders walked back out the door. Lupin paused to give them both a sharp, warning look, but put a sealing charm (the best he knew) on the dormitory door before leaving the stairs. Ignoring the startled exclamation from the students at seeing their fully grown Potions Master again, the pair headed out of Gryffindor tower and down into the Dungeons. Right into the Snake Pit.
**
Next Time: Lupin and Sirius/Snape interrogate everyone's favorite bouncing ferret. Harry finds the light at the end of the tunnel. Hermione and Ron learn all the uses of a broomstick. Sevviekins asks Voldie the age-old question, 'who's your daddy now, biatch?'
All that and more in the next exciting chapter of-
THREE GRYFFINDORS AND A BABY
Come back now, y'here?
**
Appendix --- Aw forget it ;.;
Baby (Toddler) Babble:
No mow: No more
Hawee: Harry