" All of the students, left to nothing but newborns, how has this happened Severus?" Asked professor McGonagall, obviously surprised and confused.
" I'm not entirely sure, smoke erupted from that blasted Gryffindor's potion and everyone- well, you see what happened, " Snape explained peering at the dozens of tiny babes all together on a soft, blanket covered rug.
" And how come nothing happened to you?" Asked the medi-witch. She was so lost for words, she had no idea how to fix this mess. Meanwhile McGonagall glared at the tall man for insulting one of her lions. He could be so predigest.
" Instant bubble charm, I do now think it would be a wise decision to equip each student with one before brewing," Snape said calmly.
" Yes-yes I think that would be a great idea," Said the confubled Madame Pomfery.
" Although future plans are great to consider, we do need to solve this present matter," The Gryffindor head of house said, gazing upon the array of young students. All of them being gathered, put into different clothes and all put together, there was no way to decipher who was who. Babies this young all looked the same anyway.
" Right, right, you are very right. I have tried my best to reverse the effects, but it looks like we may need to wait this out."
" And how long might that take?" Asked the potions master, who surprisingly was still present and taking some responsibility for this matter.
" I have only one source confirming something of this nature happening. They simply waited until the children grew back to the age of which he had been reduced from. They aged about 6 months each day." Madame Pomfery said, pity in her eyes for the terrified man.
" That will take nearly a month to get them back to their regular ages!" McGonagall said, looking as though she was about to faint.
" Do sit down now, it is not all that bad. I do believe that they may start to age faster the older they get, it may be closer to two weeks. They will get behind, but nothing is as important as their health."
" You are right, but this question still holds. What do we do with all of them? They need proper care,"
" May I suggest their parents take them until they are of age again?" Severus chimed in. He obviously didn't want to deal with them. His disgust could be felt several feet away. It was very thick and suffocating.
" Although that does seem like a great idea, how do we know their parents will be able to recognize their child at such a young age? I never doubt a parent and child's bond is strong, but this could end very badly." The medi-witch said, too thinking of a solution.
" She is right Severus. Not to mention some parents will not be inclined to take their children, they may not have the supplies or proper age to do so." Her thoughts were on poor Neville's grandmother, and many other children's relatives that were less equipped to deal with young children.
" Give the children to the parents who wish them to be home and have a positive identification of their child. Perhaps proof of a birthmark. The rest will have to be taken care of here," Came another suggestion from the cold, slow voice.
" That seems sensible Severus, do make yourself useful and get the headmaster immediately,"
And so he did.
" Attention!" Headmaster Dumbledore said with a hint of anger in his voice. All this commotion was giving him a headache. This job of his was going to be the death of him some day. The demanding tone of his caught the attention of all the horror stricken parents, stressed teachers, and rumoring strangling students. None of which were really aloud inside of this meeting, but no one had the desire to kick them out. Word would get out soon enough anyway.
" As you have no doubt heard, there has been an accident in one of the classes today,"
" Accident! Look at my child!" Shouted an angry father holding his son who had previously been 13 not two hours ago.
" Do refrain from yelling out as we all have been affected by this unfortunate event. Let me start off by saying these circumstances are not permanent. These conditions will gradually reverse themselves withing 2-4 weeks. Any parent or guardian who wishes to take their child home until they are once again the proper age may do so after correctly identifying their child. Those who don't wish to may leave their child's care to those here at Hogwarts. Do stay calm as we are still attempting to solve this situation to the best of our abilities. If there are any more questions you may revert to I or our medi-witch, Madame Pomfrey."
She smiled softly and waved her hand. Several people already fled to the overwhelmed woman while others muttered on about why they even let their child attend a school like this. No one really knows. If it's not one thing it's another.
Many parents took their children home. Only a third of the children remained at the school, all of which still unidentified. The list though was much smaller and assumptions could be made.
" Each teacher will be getting two students, and given temporarily guardianship over them as well as a house elf to aid care," Stated Madame Pomfry with a very confident tone. She puffed her chest out against those who denied or complained.
" Need I remind you all that there simply is no better solution and the sooner you get on board, the better we can handle this situation appropriately,"
At this point everyone admitted defeat, except for a few glared here and there.
" And what about our classes? How are we expected to teach with screaming children at our side?" One teacher spoke out.
" Good question," Pomfry continued," All other children will be put into the great hall for studying. Each teacher will be given shifts to watch other them and create less interactive classes that do not require hands on performances and too much teacher guidance until this situation is resolved. I know this is not ideal, but it is the best solution."
Murmurs spread around, but there was no outright defiance.
" Great! Now each of you come and receive your supplies and children." All of them had lined up and given two young babes. They all went off to organize, and soon only one was left.
" Severus, you will be taking this child,"
The man sneered as he looked at the wretched child. It was obviously a boy with darker hair. He, alike all the others looked very much the same.
"This better not be a Gryffindor. Are you sure there is no one else that can take him?" Severus asked, words coming out more like a plead.
" Very much so, in fact, you are only being given one. You are lucky, now I suggest you take your leave and organize your living quarters."
He didn't feel lucky to say the least. This wasn't exactly his fault, but that of some miserable student in his class. By any moral means, it really was his fault. Snape didn't like the concept of him being a moral man because he knew it wasn't true. He has seen pure, utter misery and destruction first hand. Most times he hardly flinched, but the one time he needed to and didn't, someone he cared about died. His morals killed the woman he loved and that he wished to take the blame. Unlike this situation where the blame could really be put on anyone and no one just the same.
Snape sighed and awkwardly took the tiny child in his arms. It was strange to hold such a small, living and breathing human being. He had complete control of it, whether it lives, dies, sleeps, eats. And that right there was what terrified the man to no end. He walked slowly down the hall scared to trip and throw the babe. Meanwhile he could see his female colleagues telling several students off with slumbering children in their arms. They seemed so at ease, for once he envied them, was jealous even. Snarling, he kept a steady pace all the way to his chambers where, upon entering, could already see much supplies in bulk. There was a small bassinet surrounded by many boxes filled with blankets, diapers, interactive toys, clothes, bottles, and other necessities. He didn't miss the book on the table reading 'Care of Magical Babies'.
Already making a mental note to read that after the child was put to bed, he called out the name of his presumed house elf.
" Maisa is here to attend you Master Snape sir," The older, female elf said. She was much more put together and confident than other elves he's seen. Most of them have bad backgrounds, or wish to be punished for no reason. Not this one, he likes this one. He knows he wouldn't feel bad when asking something of her.
" Maisa, I wish you to set up this bassinet in my room, grab a set of night clothes, and that changing table," Snape said looking around to see if he had missed anything.
" Yes sir," The elf said and put herself to quick work. Being alone again with the child, the professor sat down on his navy blue sofa in front of the fire place. The flame light flickered on the pale, smooth skin. He looked down at the baby in his arms, warm and peacefully slumbering. He has never truly understood why everyone got all crazy when these things came into the mix. They are dumb, don't know anything. Not to mention they don't have good conversation skills. Now that he thinks about it, this might work out after all. He should know who the child is soon enough. Once his characteristics became more defined, personality shows. All he could do was hope it was someone who hasn't given him past grief. Wait, that would be everyone.
BREAKBREAKBREAK
" Would Master Snape like Maisa to show him how a nappy works?" Asked the elf who looked incredibly uncomfortable watching the tall man try to figure out what side was the front, and what the back.
Grudgingly admitting defeat Snape sighed," Fine, get on with it," At this point the child started to cry. He squirmed and squealed unpleasantly. This was going to be a long few weeks.
Making sure to pay close attention to what Maisa showed him, Snape then grabbed some clothing and dressed the child to the best of his abilities. Minerva would be impressed to say the least. His accomplishment was not half bad.
Severus picked up the child uncomfortably, not knowing who to handle such a small being. To his aggrivation, the child somehow sensed this and started to whine.
" You must be confident master Snape. Children alike dogs can sense fear." Maisa inquired.
" What?! I am- ugh-you are excused Maisa,"
" Of course Master, Maisa will leave until being called again." There was a pop and she was off.
" Confident my ass," The man said trying to rock the baby in his arms; It didn't work.
This went on for no less than an hour before he himself felt like breaking down.
" What would you have me do?" He asked knowing there would be no answer. His eyes drifted around the room and landed on the carton of formula. Suddenly he felt like a total idiot. The child was hungry. Following the instruction to a t, he was able to make a bottle, not too hot or cold. In his room, Maisa had brought in a rocking chair, one he didn't ask for but knew he would need. Slight guilt crawled under his skin. He made a note to very subtly apologize to her later on. Meanwhile the squirming child tried sucking on air before he slowly plunged the nipple into the craving mouth. Instantly the child calmed and eyes sightly opened to reveal bland blue eyes that have yet to take their permanent color. Snape was curious now. He wanted to know everything about this child he harbored. The fact that he was able to calm him, give him much needed food really brought up his ego and confidence. Maybe he could do this after all?
No one ever told him how connecting it could be to feed a baby. How the feeling of them eat, however weird it sounds, could be so peaceful. It almost lulled him to sleep too, his eyes drooped but he knew he must stay awake. The bottle was nearly drained and the child unlatched, tongue sloppily doing the action of sucking still.
Not being totally helpless, Snape knew it was usually necessary to burp infants after they ate. He grabbed a clothed, draped it over his shoulder, then held up the infant. He tapped his back, trying his hardest to be careful. The child's legs tucked in on themselves, staying in a little ball against his caregiver's shoulder. Not a moment later a small release of gas emitted form the dark-haired baby. The child was still dry, clothes clean, so nothing else needed doing. At least he thought.
The potions master stood up and carefully lowered the drowsy child into the bassinet.
Squeal!
MISTAKE! That was a mistake!
Snape quickly undid that action and the child instantly calmed.
" I did plan on getting work done tonight you know."
The child didn't care. So, taking a breath the man sat back down and lightly rocked the chair. He laid the baby belly-down on his stomach and rocked. He could feel the tiny chest move, the heat transferring from one to the other and back again. It was one of the most soothing things he has experienced since his mother held him. He was so at ease, he didn't remember falling asleep.