Chapter 1

Of howling and food fights

Now back in his comforting chambers, Severus was at a loss. What to do with the boy? He supposed that his library could be changed into a baby's room. Oh, but to lose his precious library. Making up his mind, he conjured book shelves into both his room and sitting room and levitated the books from the one room to the two others. Harry, still balancing on his hip watched in awe as the books soared across the room. Quick flashes of colors he recognized, but did not know by name.

Job finished, Snape returned his attention to the gurgling and sputtering baby in his arms. Drool dripped from the corner of his mouth and his nose ran. 'Disgusting,' Snape muttered, cleaning his face with his wand, 'absolutely disgusting.'

One of the unused books shelves in the corner of the small library became a crib, sturdy and oak, it was much too large for young Harry. He shrank it just a bit. Another book shelf became a table as well as a wooden dining chair, and a highchair, while the final book shelf became a large plush recliner. The small bookshelf filled with all his childhood books remained. If they boy ever grew smart enough to read, he would probably enjoy 'Merlin's Magical Maladies' and 'The Happy Hippogriff'.

"Alright," he said, mentally checking off 'sleeping quarters' in his head, "that's done." He set Harry in the crib and Harry stared at the dark man pacing the room with large green eyes. Upset at being ignored, his eyes screwed up and nose scrunched while he let out a loud wail.

Startled Severus spun, walking briskly back to the crib. "What in lord's name are you crying about?" Harry only wailed louder.

"Okay then, umm… food. Yes food." At the mention of food, a small pink house elf apparated into his room. "You is wanting food master?"

"Indeed. Baby food."

"Yes master. I is being right back."

True to her word, the elf reappeared in moments with a dish of soft mush and a plastic spoon. Severus placed it before his charge in the highchair. "Eat it then." He said when Harry made no move to do so.

He breathed a sigh of relief when one pudgy hand reached towards the bowl. How anyone could eat such disgusting was beyond the pedigreed pureblood, it looked like it had no taste at all. He soon found that to be true, for only moments later the aforementioned mush was splattered on his face and robes, somehow making its vile way into his mouth.

Harry laughed gleefully, clapping his hands together. As Severus cleaned himself off, he realized how stupid he'd been, expecting a barely over one-year-old to feed himself. Sighing, he lifted the spoon and dipped it in food. He lifted it to baby Harry's mouth. "Open up." He said after Harry did nothing, "Come on, open your mouth."

"Vrmmmmm," Harry spat in Snape's face. "Vrrrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmm"

"Oh for the love of, Okay Potter," He looks around hesitantly, it would be just like Albus to walk in at this moment. "Here comes the auto… vroom."

Harry clapped his hands again, opening his mouth. Quite intelligent for one so young really, Lily's work he was sure. The feeding continued until Harry's eyes finally drooped tiredly and allowed Snape to put him to bed.

Severus grew steadily more competent where it came to childcare over the next year, feeding Harry was no longer a chore, but after a hard day of teaching potions, he found himself looking forward to making the auto noise just to see him laugh.

This was not one of these days. "Just open your mouth Harry." He said tiredly, Harry's mouth remained closed, he wanted the auto.

"Just open your bloody mouth Potter!" he yelled. Harry's mouth remained closed, and he giggled through his closed lips. "I can't do this. I need a vacation!" Severus yelled, throwing down the spoon.

Later that night, he told Albus just that. "I could arrange to cover your classes for a week or two Severus. Maybe you should take Harry to your cottage in Devon. He hasn't been there yet has he?"

"I need a vacation from the boy Albus."

Albus's face remained impassive. "Ah. I see. Well, I'm sure Remus would be willing to take care of Harry until the next cycle."

"There then." Snape sighed, "Tell Lupin to come get him in the morning, I'll pack his things tonight."

Albus left and Snape turned back to Harry. "Bed time Potter."

"Bed time Pota!" Harry repeated, laughing.

Snape did not laugh, or even smile at his charge's antics. He just picked him up, dumped him unceremoniously in his crib, and left to pack his belongings without a second thought.

Hours later, he still lay in his bed staring at the ceiling. Feeling slightly guilty, actually very guilty, about how he had treated Harry. It wasn't his fault he had to deal with incompetent children all day. Sighing, and knowing that he would never get any sleep without checking on the boy, he got up, wrapped himself in a dressing gown, and walked through the door into Harry's adjoining room.

A small blue bundle lay in the middle of the crib. From his place at the door, Severus wondered if Harry had again managed to kick off his blankets again. Last time he'd gotten dreadfully sick. As he moved closer, he saw that the blankets were still tucked neatly under the mattress and Harry just lay curled atop them.

It dawned on him that in his anger, he hadn't tucked the small boy in. Reaching a pale hand down, he felt Harry's cheek. Cold, much too cold. He'd moved from his quarters in the dungeons to the wing set away for teaching staff just so the drafts would not sicken the boy, and here he was, letting him get sick anyway.

He lifted Harry out of the crib and cradled him against his neck. Jiggling him softly, he successfully woke him up. Pudgy hands rubbed at sleepy eyes as Harry stared at him through half closed lids. "Cold, Harry?" Snape whispered, grabbing a blanket and wrapping it around his sleepy godson. Harry snuggled closer to his neck. "Yes." He said in his childish voice. "I cold Sevis."

"Let's go sit by the fire. I'll read you a story." Balancing Harry on his hip, and plucking Merlin's Magical Maladies from the floor, he went to sit in the plush recliner by the fire. "Tomorrow, you're going to go stay with uncle Remus for a while. That sounds fun doesn't it?"

"Uncle Remy!" Harry cried, suddenly awake.

"Yes, he'll come in the morning. And you want to be wide awake for that don't you? So we wont read all of Merlin tonight, but I'll send it along with you."

"All!" Harry shouted, "All Sevis all." He hit Severus on the chest with his tiny two and a half year old fists.

"Harry!" Severus exclaimed. "That's it. No Merlin at all. Maybe next time you'll behave a little better." Harry started to cry, 'Merlin! Merlin!' he sobbed, and Severus found himself angry at the small boy for the second time that day. He put him in his crib again, made sure to tuck him in, and left.

Back in his own room he set the book on his night table and checked his watch. Nearly four, Remus would be there at eight. Deciding Harry didn't deserve his favorite book, he brought the duffle bag containing the rest of his things into the den.

Four hours later he awoke to a hard knock on the door. Opening it revealed his old child hood nemesis Remus Lupin. One of the famed marauders. Well, so much for famed. Two dead, one in Azkaban and only the werewolf left.

"Good morning Severus! Did I wake you? So sorry, I'm sure. Now where's Harry?" The man was excited, truth be told, it was annoying Severus to no end. It was eight in the morning for Christ's sake. Looking at his watch, he confirmed that it was exactly eight. Promptness was obviously something the werewolf valued.

"Still asleep. A moment if you please, I'll wake him." A minute or two later Harry was carried out of his room still yawning. "Remy! Remy!" he squealed, struggling against his godfather to get to his late father's best friend.

"Hello Harry! Ready to go? All packed I see." He smiled, motioning to the duffle bag by the door. Severus nodded, confirming it was full of Harry's things. Putting Harry on the floor, Remus grabbed his hand. Holding him upright and helping him to walk, Harry took a few tentative steps before falling on his bottom.

"We're still working on that." Severus explained, with a small smile. Harry smiled back. No longer angry from last night, Severus excused himself to his room and came back with a square package wrapped in brown post paper.

"Only if he's good, Lupin. Don't spoil him." He warned, slipping the package into the duffle. "Good bye Harry." He knelt before the boy, "be a good boy for Remus, and if I hear you were bad, you wont be allowed to come to uncle Albus's feast."

The Halloween feast was fast approaching, and conveniently fell on the same night as the full moon so Harry would be back a few days prior to that. Harry loved the feasts, as regularly he was not allowed to eat with the students. They all fawned over him and it was hard on Severus to bare it for one night, never mind every.

"Sevis!" Harry cried, reaching up his arms. Severus obliged picking him up. "You no like me!" Harry sobbed, locking his arms around Snape's neck. "You no want me!"

"Oh shush Harry." Murmured Snape, embarrassed. Remus was smirking slightly. "Course I still want you. You're coming back soon, just going for a visit."

"You too!"

"Not this time. You go have fun. I packed your bear and Merlin for Remus to read to you. You'll have a great time." He wiped the tears off Harry's face with his fingers. Harry gave him a sloppy kiss. "Kay."

Remus left with Harry peaking over his shoulder at Severus. Severus waved at Harry with a smile and winked. Harry smiled back.

I dont know much about babies, so tell me if you read anything that's like WOAH wtf? But, I looked up when most start talking and it said 'three to four word sentences after 20 months' and harry's a little over 2, so that's pretty good i think.

review?