Disclaimer: NOT MINE! NOT MINE! NOT MINE!
Unbeta-ed so don't mind my grammar mistakes.
Spoilers: Books 1-4, ignore Book 5
Pairings: NO ONE ATM!
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7. Draco
(Posted 02/01/04 - Sunday)
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The pavements and shops were all crowded with bustling Hogwarts students and shopping witches and wizards. Severus stuck close to Ron and Harry since Ginny and Hermione were walking by Mrs. Weasley and the twins had disappeared once they had stepped foot in Diagon Alley. Mr. Weasley and Snuffles led the group in the front.
"Shall we split up and get everything on the list faster?" said Mr. Weasley. "How about you kids take care of the top half and we grown-ups take the bottom half?"
"Is that a good idea?" Mrs. Weasley said, looking at Severus holding hands with Ron and Harry. "I have a gut feeling something might happen."
"Come on dear," said Mr. Weasley. "The children don't want to have adults listening on their conversations."
"Yea Mum," Ron said, lifting Severus off the ground with his best friend doing the same, and swinging him. "I haven't seen Harry and Hermione for over two months. There's a lot of stuff we have to talk about."
"And we have Snuffles to protect us," Harry piped in. "He's strong and can tell which people are bad."
Snuffles wagged his tail at being complimented.
Mrs. Weasley was not convinced. "Sorry Harry. I'm not underestimating your dog but I would be more relieved if Arthur and I took Severus. There are things he shouldn't hear when you children are talking. He has very sharp ears for someone so young."
"I'm not young," Severus said, pouting.
"See what I mean," said Mrs. Weasley. "He's listening to us talk even while playing."
Severus was put on his feet.
"Mum, nothing's going to happen with all of us babysitting Severus," said Ginny. "Besides, we're going to Flourish and Blotts to buy our textbooks and you know how much Severus loves books."
"I like reading," Severus said quietly.
Ron nodded. "I promise they'll always be two people holding onto Severus. Isn't that right, Harry?"
"That's right," said Harry. "Severus isn't going to get hurt while on my watch."
"We are becoming fifth-years," Hermione said, the ever logical one. "We're more than half done with our education to becoming legal adults, so you can trust us to care for Severus in your absence for a little while."
"You're outnumbered dear," Mr. Weasley said, chuckling. "It'll only be an hour or so."
"Fine, you win," said Mrs. Weasley. "We'll meet in Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor in one hour. Any later than that and I'm sending out search groups."
"Alright Mum," said Ron. "One hour it is."
Their first destination was the bookstore. Severus stood, awed, at the towering books and shelves lined with leather-covered tomes. His fingers itched to pick one up and start reading, and the impulse grew when he saw Hermione piling books onto the counter. Snuffles sat at the entrance since no pets were allowed inside so Harry stayed with him, after giving Ron a pouch of money for textbooks. With Harry not holding Severus' hand, Ginny took his place.
"Severus," Harry said loudly above the voices of other customers. "You can choose two books for yourself. I'll pay for you."
"Really?" Severus asked shyly, smiling at the prospect of owning books. "Is that really okay?"
"Yea," said Harry. "Two books aren't going to be expensive."
"Say thank you," said Ginny.
"Thank you," Severus said, then dragging Ron and Ginny to the back of the store where the books on potions were.
Sirius was not happy at the thought of his godson spoiling his nemesis but he knew once Harry's mind was made up, nothing could change it. He was trying not to feel angry but it wasn't fair that the greasy Potions Master got another chance at being a child again while his best friend's son matured far too fast.
"I didn't know a dog could glare," Harry said, scratching Snuffles behind his ears. "Be nice to Severus or it's the dog pound for you."
Sirius whimpered and butted Harry's leg.
"He's hiding," Harry said cryptically. "He's hiding under a mask."
Now, Sirius was never skilled in puzzles so he tilted his head in confusion. Harry's bright green eyes had dimmed slightly and it was in times like these that he wished he could morph into his human form and squeeze the living daylights out of the boy. The Boy-Who-Lived shook his head and they turned back to their normal color.
"Never mind," said Harry. "It's nothing for your furry head to worry about."
Snuffles nuzzled Harry's hand.
"If it isn't Potty all alone wearing rags and sitting on the floor like a bum," drawled a voice that could recognize instantly. "Where are Weasel and the Mud-blood? But it's not like they have enough money to sponsor you."
"Malfoy," said Harry, schooling his face into a neutral expression. "Where are your brainless goons? But it's not like they're smart enough to win a fight."
"I gave them a day off," said Draco with a sneer. "Is that Grim-like dog yours? Are you having fun scaring people to death with it? I bet that's how Diggory died. You probably showed him your new pet."
"Bugger off," Harry said, determined not to lose his temper. "Where's your daddy dearest? Is he off licking Voldemort's boots? I guess he didn't do a good job of it when I saw him do it the first time."
Draco saw red and took out his wand. "You take that back!"
Snuffles growled at the threat to his godson.
Harry snorted and said in a low voice, "Everyone knows your father is a Death Eater, even Dumbledore. He's going to be monitoring your every move so I would be extra cautious this year if I were you."
"You should be watching yourself because you won't be as lucky as you were last term," Draco said in an equally low voice. "There won't be another Diggory blocking the killing curse for you."
"I'm tired of your cheap insults," said Harry. "Why don't you respect the dead and leave Cedric out of our arguments."
"Is Potty going to cry?" said Draco. "It must be hard being the Golden Boy of Hogwarts and maintaining the façade of the victim."
"I can say the same about you," said Harry. "It must be very hard to be Voldemort's Dark Boy and maintaining the façade of a snotty brat."
"I'm not going to say no to being called a Dark Arts person," said Draco. "But I'm not going to officially join the Dark Lord until much later on."
Harry tightened his lips into a thin line. "I hope you know the Dark Mark is a brand that can never be erased. If you or any one of your Slytherins don't want to carry it for life like a mark of ownership, I would ask Dumbledore for help and protection before it's too late."
"What do you and your precious Headmaster know about us Slytherins?" Draco said sneering and tucking his wand away.
"A lot more than you would expect," said Harry.
"Hey Ferret-face!" said Ron. "Your bloody face is too close to Harry! Bugger off!"
"Ron!" Ginny said, covering Severus' ears. "Watch your language!"
"Oops, sorry," Ron said sheepishly.
"Here Harry, your books and leftover money," said Hermione.
Harry took the bag and pouch from his best female friend. "Thanks."
"Who's the kid with you?" asked Draco, spotting Severus reading Ginny's newly bought History of Magic textbook. "He's definitely not from the Weasel family and even if he's adopted, your Father Weasel can't afford to raise him with his meager salary."
"Shut up Malfoy!" said Ron.
At the name Malfoy, Severus looked up from his book and, to everyone's surprise, his whole face brightened with the largest grin ever seen. He closed the book and gave it to Ginny in a hurry.
"Big brother Lu!"
Severus threw himself at Draco, which the startled blond caught in his arms out of reflex. The little boy hugged him for a few seconds before Ron pulled him back.
"What's the matter with you?" shouted Ron. "You don't hug the enemy!"
"But it's big brother Lu," Severus said, eyes tearing at being yelled at.
"I think you're confused Severus," Ginny said kindly. "He can't be your big brother Lu because he's too young. You remember that you were a grown-up, who de-aged by accident, don't you?"
"Oh yea," said Severus. "Why does he look like big brother Lu then?"
Draco did a goldfish expression as he noticed the familiar pale skin and dark hair and eyes. "Did you just say Severus? As in Severus Snape? Our Potions Master, Severus Snape?"
"That's right Malfoy," said Ron. "Due to a potion accident, Severus became a kid again and my family had been taking care since the beginning of summer."
"Big brother Lu's last name was Malfoy too," said Severus.
"Err, Severus," said Hermione. "What was the full name of your big brother Lu?"
"Lucius Malfoy," said Severus.
This caused goldfish expressions on all of them, although Snuffles did it mentally.
Ron took Severus by the shoulders and said desperately, "Please tell me you weren't friends with Lucius Malfoy. He's evil! He's the most evil guy alive, with the exception of You-Know-Who, and hates my family."
"Big brother Lu's very nice," Severus said matter-of-factly. "He used to take care of me when my parents go traveling for long periods of time. Sometimes he brings me to visit Sirius and we would play in the park."
"Sirius?" said Harry, looking at his godfather through the corner of his eye.
"Yea," said Severus. "We're best friends."
Snuffles made an odd sound.
"My father wouldn't hang around a future murderer when he was young," denied Draco. "The Blacks may have been a wealthy pure-blooded family but my father playing in the park with children, one of them being a Black, is hardly believable."
"It's true," whined Severus. "I don't lie!"
"No one's calling you a liar," said Ginny.
"You're thinking it," accused Severus.
"No, we're not," Harry said, staring at Draco. "We don't know the Lucius of your time but right now, he is a ruthless and shrewd man. He uses his high position in the Wizarding World to avoid Azkaban."
"Stop tarnishing my father's reputation Potter," said Draco. "Do you have proof to support what you say about my father? I don't think so."
"Anybody who has met your father would make the same conclusions," said Ginny. "Listen to me, Severus, and stay away from the Malfoys."
"Yea Severus, the Malfoys are a bunch of vultures," said Ron.
"You can't tell me who I can and cannot be friends with," said Severus. "You're not my parents and I'm smarter than most children my age. I can judge for myself whether the Malfoys are good or bad."
"Hmm, interesting," thought Hermione. "There are times when Severus acts like a real seven-year-old and then says something that his adult self would say. I'll have to look into the library for side-effects on accidental de-ageing when school begins."
"Okay Severus," said Ginny. "I won't restrict you from talking to Malfoy but you'll see that I'm right."
"I don't have time for chit-chat with you poor folks," said Draco.
"Wait a minute," Severus said, grabbing Draco's sleeve. "What's your name? Is big brother Lu here in Diagon Alley with you?"
Draco smirked. "The name's Draco and yes, my father here somewhere."
"Probably doing something he isn't supposed to in Knockturn Alley," whispered Ron.
"I heard you," said Severus. "There are legal dealings in Knockturn Alley, along with not so legal stores. You can't condemn an area as bad because of several bad places."
"Have you been there?" asked Draco.
"Sure," said Severus. "I've gone there with my father a lot of times."
"Hmm, maybe you didn't convert into a goodie-two shoe from living with the Weasleys for a summer after all," said Draco. "You are entertaining in some ways, especially when it comes to surprises."
"I'm not a rare animal to be gawked at," said Severus. "I was raised to be an intelligent being and I'm certain I can teach you a thing or two."
Hermione was still in deep thought. "From what Ron and Ginny wrote to me about Severus during the summer, this is not like him at all. It's strange that Severus' personality would turn a hundred and eighty degrees in minutes. Perhaps it has something to do with the company he's in. That would make sense."
"You talk big but what can you do that I can't?" said Draco.
Severus narrowed his eyes and glanced around. There wasn't anyone in hearing range so he said in a deadly serious tone, "I can cast the three Unforgivable Curses."
"WHAT!!!"
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I bet people are wondering why I end my chapters with WHAT!!! Well, think about it. There are MANY good little Sev fics out there. I'm trying to make mine so readers would remember my fic as 'the little Sev fic that ends with WHAT!!! in every chapter'. Does that sound selfish? Yes it does.
Unbeta-ed so don't mind my grammar mistakes.
Spoilers: Books 1-4, ignore Book 5
Pairings: NO ONE ATM!
------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Draco
(Posted 02/01/04 - Sunday)
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The pavements and shops were all crowded with bustling Hogwarts students and shopping witches and wizards. Severus stuck close to Ron and Harry since Ginny and Hermione were walking by Mrs. Weasley and the twins had disappeared once they had stepped foot in Diagon Alley. Mr. Weasley and Snuffles led the group in the front.
"Shall we split up and get everything on the list faster?" said Mr. Weasley. "How about you kids take care of the top half and we grown-ups take the bottom half?"
"Is that a good idea?" Mrs. Weasley said, looking at Severus holding hands with Ron and Harry. "I have a gut feeling something might happen."
"Come on dear," said Mr. Weasley. "The children don't want to have adults listening on their conversations."
"Yea Mum," Ron said, lifting Severus off the ground with his best friend doing the same, and swinging him. "I haven't seen Harry and Hermione for over two months. There's a lot of stuff we have to talk about."
"And we have Snuffles to protect us," Harry piped in. "He's strong and can tell which people are bad."
Snuffles wagged his tail at being complimented.
Mrs. Weasley was not convinced. "Sorry Harry. I'm not underestimating your dog but I would be more relieved if Arthur and I took Severus. There are things he shouldn't hear when you children are talking. He has very sharp ears for someone so young."
"I'm not young," Severus said, pouting.
"See what I mean," said Mrs. Weasley. "He's listening to us talk even while playing."
Severus was put on his feet.
"Mum, nothing's going to happen with all of us babysitting Severus," said Ginny. "Besides, we're going to Flourish and Blotts to buy our textbooks and you know how much Severus loves books."
"I like reading," Severus said quietly.
Ron nodded. "I promise they'll always be two people holding onto Severus. Isn't that right, Harry?"
"That's right," said Harry. "Severus isn't going to get hurt while on my watch."
"We are becoming fifth-years," Hermione said, the ever logical one. "We're more than half done with our education to becoming legal adults, so you can trust us to care for Severus in your absence for a little while."
"You're outnumbered dear," Mr. Weasley said, chuckling. "It'll only be an hour or so."
"Fine, you win," said Mrs. Weasley. "We'll meet in Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor in one hour. Any later than that and I'm sending out search groups."
"Alright Mum," said Ron. "One hour it is."
Their first destination was the bookstore. Severus stood, awed, at the towering books and shelves lined with leather-covered tomes. His fingers itched to pick one up and start reading, and the impulse grew when he saw Hermione piling books onto the counter. Snuffles sat at the entrance since no pets were allowed inside so Harry stayed with him, after giving Ron a pouch of money for textbooks. With Harry not holding Severus' hand, Ginny took his place.
"Severus," Harry said loudly above the voices of other customers. "You can choose two books for yourself. I'll pay for you."
"Really?" Severus asked shyly, smiling at the prospect of owning books. "Is that really okay?"
"Yea," said Harry. "Two books aren't going to be expensive."
"Say thank you," said Ginny.
"Thank you," Severus said, then dragging Ron and Ginny to the back of the store where the books on potions were.
Sirius was not happy at the thought of his godson spoiling his nemesis but he knew once Harry's mind was made up, nothing could change it. He was trying not to feel angry but it wasn't fair that the greasy Potions Master got another chance at being a child again while his best friend's son matured far too fast.
"I didn't know a dog could glare," Harry said, scratching Snuffles behind his ears. "Be nice to Severus or it's the dog pound for you."
Sirius whimpered and butted Harry's leg.
"He's hiding," Harry said cryptically. "He's hiding under a mask."
Now, Sirius was never skilled in puzzles so he tilted his head in confusion. Harry's bright green eyes had dimmed slightly and it was in times like these that he wished he could morph into his human form and squeeze the living daylights out of the boy. The Boy-Who-Lived shook his head and they turned back to their normal color.
"Never mind," said Harry. "It's nothing for your furry head to worry about."
Snuffles nuzzled Harry's hand.
"If it isn't Potty all alone wearing rags and sitting on the floor like a bum," drawled a voice that could recognize instantly. "Where are Weasel and the Mud-blood? But it's not like they have enough money to sponsor you."
"Malfoy," said Harry, schooling his face into a neutral expression. "Where are your brainless goons? But it's not like they're smart enough to win a fight."
"I gave them a day off," said Draco with a sneer. "Is that Grim-like dog yours? Are you having fun scaring people to death with it? I bet that's how Diggory died. You probably showed him your new pet."
"Bugger off," Harry said, determined not to lose his temper. "Where's your daddy dearest? Is he off licking Voldemort's boots? I guess he didn't do a good job of it when I saw him do it the first time."
Draco saw red and took out his wand. "You take that back!"
Snuffles growled at the threat to his godson.
Harry snorted and said in a low voice, "Everyone knows your father is a Death Eater, even Dumbledore. He's going to be monitoring your every move so I would be extra cautious this year if I were you."
"You should be watching yourself because you won't be as lucky as you were last term," Draco said in an equally low voice. "There won't be another Diggory blocking the killing curse for you."
"I'm tired of your cheap insults," said Harry. "Why don't you respect the dead and leave Cedric out of our arguments."
"Is Potty going to cry?" said Draco. "It must be hard being the Golden Boy of Hogwarts and maintaining the façade of the victim."
"I can say the same about you," said Harry. "It must be very hard to be Voldemort's Dark Boy and maintaining the façade of a snotty brat."
"I'm not going to say no to being called a Dark Arts person," said Draco. "But I'm not going to officially join the Dark Lord until much later on."
Harry tightened his lips into a thin line. "I hope you know the Dark Mark is a brand that can never be erased. If you or any one of your Slytherins don't want to carry it for life like a mark of ownership, I would ask Dumbledore for help and protection before it's too late."
"What do you and your precious Headmaster know about us Slytherins?" Draco said sneering and tucking his wand away.
"A lot more than you would expect," said Harry.
"Hey Ferret-face!" said Ron. "Your bloody face is too close to Harry! Bugger off!"
"Ron!" Ginny said, covering Severus' ears. "Watch your language!"
"Oops, sorry," Ron said sheepishly.
"Here Harry, your books and leftover money," said Hermione.
Harry took the bag and pouch from his best female friend. "Thanks."
"Who's the kid with you?" asked Draco, spotting Severus reading Ginny's newly bought History of Magic textbook. "He's definitely not from the Weasel family and even if he's adopted, your Father Weasel can't afford to raise him with his meager salary."
"Shut up Malfoy!" said Ron.
At the name Malfoy, Severus looked up from his book and, to everyone's surprise, his whole face brightened with the largest grin ever seen. He closed the book and gave it to Ginny in a hurry.
"Big brother Lu!"
Severus threw himself at Draco, which the startled blond caught in his arms out of reflex. The little boy hugged him for a few seconds before Ron pulled him back.
"What's the matter with you?" shouted Ron. "You don't hug the enemy!"
"But it's big brother Lu," Severus said, eyes tearing at being yelled at.
"I think you're confused Severus," Ginny said kindly. "He can't be your big brother Lu because he's too young. You remember that you were a grown-up, who de-aged by accident, don't you?"
"Oh yea," said Severus. "Why does he look like big brother Lu then?"
Draco did a goldfish expression as he noticed the familiar pale skin and dark hair and eyes. "Did you just say Severus? As in Severus Snape? Our Potions Master, Severus Snape?"
"That's right Malfoy," said Ron. "Due to a potion accident, Severus became a kid again and my family had been taking care since the beginning of summer."
"Big brother Lu's last name was Malfoy too," said Severus.
"Err, Severus," said Hermione. "What was the full name of your big brother Lu?"
"Lucius Malfoy," said Severus.
This caused goldfish expressions on all of them, although Snuffles did it mentally.
Ron took Severus by the shoulders and said desperately, "Please tell me you weren't friends with Lucius Malfoy. He's evil! He's the most evil guy alive, with the exception of You-Know-Who, and hates my family."
"Big brother Lu's very nice," Severus said matter-of-factly. "He used to take care of me when my parents go traveling for long periods of time. Sometimes he brings me to visit Sirius and we would play in the park."
"Sirius?" said Harry, looking at his godfather through the corner of his eye.
"Yea," said Severus. "We're best friends."
Snuffles made an odd sound.
"My father wouldn't hang around a future murderer when he was young," denied Draco. "The Blacks may have been a wealthy pure-blooded family but my father playing in the park with children, one of them being a Black, is hardly believable."
"It's true," whined Severus. "I don't lie!"
"No one's calling you a liar," said Ginny.
"You're thinking it," accused Severus.
"No, we're not," Harry said, staring at Draco. "We don't know the Lucius of your time but right now, he is a ruthless and shrewd man. He uses his high position in the Wizarding World to avoid Azkaban."
"Stop tarnishing my father's reputation Potter," said Draco. "Do you have proof to support what you say about my father? I don't think so."
"Anybody who has met your father would make the same conclusions," said Ginny. "Listen to me, Severus, and stay away from the Malfoys."
"Yea Severus, the Malfoys are a bunch of vultures," said Ron.
"You can't tell me who I can and cannot be friends with," said Severus. "You're not my parents and I'm smarter than most children my age. I can judge for myself whether the Malfoys are good or bad."
"Hmm, interesting," thought Hermione. "There are times when Severus acts like a real seven-year-old and then says something that his adult self would say. I'll have to look into the library for side-effects on accidental de-ageing when school begins."
"Okay Severus," said Ginny. "I won't restrict you from talking to Malfoy but you'll see that I'm right."
"I don't have time for chit-chat with you poor folks," said Draco.
"Wait a minute," Severus said, grabbing Draco's sleeve. "What's your name? Is big brother Lu here in Diagon Alley with you?"
Draco smirked. "The name's Draco and yes, my father here somewhere."
"Probably doing something he isn't supposed to in Knockturn Alley," whispered Ron.
"I heard you," said Severus. "There are legal dealings in Knockturn Alley, along with not so legal stores. You can't condemn an area as bad because of several bad places."
"Have you been there?" asked Draco.
"Sure," said Severus. "I've gone there with my father a lot of times."
"Hmm, maybe you didn't convert into a goodie-two shoe from living with the Weasleys for a summer after all," said Draco. "You are entertaining in some ways, especially when it comes to surprises."
"I'm not a rare animal to be gawked at," said Severus. "I was raised to be an intelligent being and I'm certain I can teach you a thing or two."
Hermione was still in deep thought. "From what Ron and Ginny wrote to me about Severus during the summer, this is not like him at all. It's strange that Severus' personality would turn a hundred and eighty degrees in minutes. Perhaps it has something to do with the company he's in. That would make sense."
"You talk big but what can you do that I can't?" said Draco.
Severus narrowed his eyes and glanced around. There wasn't anyone in hearing range so he said in a deadly serious tone, "I can cast the three Unforgivable Curses."
"WHAT!!!"
------------------------------------------------------------------
I bet people are wondering why I end my chapters with WHAT!!! Well, think about it. There are MANY good little Sev fics out there. I'm trying to make mine so readers would remember my fic as 'the little Sev fic that ends with WHAT!!! in every chapter'. Does that sound selfish? Yes it does.