Chapter Five
Draco blinked then began struggling. He eventually freed himself from the tangled net holding him and stepped free to find himself naked. An equally naked boy, smaller than him, popped up beside him. Draco eyed the thick, black, tousled hair before breaking out into giggles. The boy squinted, little nose scrunched up.
"Cute baby!" Draco squealed and hugged the smaller boy to him. The blonde's angelic smile melted when he felt the smaller boy tense. He pulled back a bit without lowering his arms from around the baby, and found the little boy looking past him over his shoulder with fear in his wide eyes.
He turned to look, growing frightened himself, but saw only a woman rushing over. Her robes were swirling around her as she ran and her hair was standing up every which way. He giggled again and turned to the boy to reassure him that it was okay. Obviously, the woman was too silly looking to be scary, but the baby was terrified. He was shaking and silent tears ran down pale, slightly chubby cheeks. Draco stood confused and uncertain, his own eyes growing wide.
"Oh, Merlin!" The woman gasped as she fell to her knees before them. Her arms reached out and grabbed the baby up. Draco watched as the baby choked as he was lifted high in the air in the woman's arms, but his red mouth quickly fell open to release a terrified wail. Draco immediately began to scream as the sound cut into him, the fear contagious.
The sound of a child's cry, especially one of such need yanks hard on the heart. It is a powerful draw for anyone with a parental instinct, no matter how small, and it pulled Severus from unconsciousness. The black eyed man sat bolt upright and immediately regretted it. He gripped his head, trying to keep it from shattering. But the shrill screams pulled him to his feet.
Through blurry eyes, he found one of the children that was crying and dropped to his knees. What was happening? Was he on a raid? But those thoughts were unimportant compared to the crying toddler he was now cradling to his chest protectively. The toddler quieted, grasping Severus' robes in a death grip. Frightened gray eyes slowly came into focus as Severus rocked gently back and forth, crooning to the still frightened child in his arms.
"Daddy." The boy said with tearful relief and then pointed a tiny hand in the direction of the other source of the piercing screams. "Fix baby, Daddy!"
Severus couldn't find the words to protest the child's title for him. He could barely move without blacking out, but there was another child in desperate need. Gritting his teeth hard enough to crack them, Severus stood, drawing his wand with his free hand. His other arm was full with the sniffling toddler he had rescued. He pointed at the figure hunched over the wailing child and cast the strongest Stupefy he could. The figure collapsed sideways.
Instantly, Severus stumbled over to the bed, fearing to see the worst. But the naked baby looked unharmed. The toddler in his arms wiggled free to curl up next to the softly whimpering dark haired baby. The gray eyed child pet the other soothingly, but was still upset, tears still falling from his eyes. Severus sighed and dropped onto the bed, unable to stand. He lay next to the small children, promising he'd only stay until the parents came back for their misplaced offspring.
Deep and silky, his words washed over the distressed boys until the crying stopped. Both of them huddled under the safety of Severus' sheltering arm. They were both asleep in minutes. Severus thought he'd join them. He was so tired, but had to stay awake and protect the children until someone came. The last he saw before he gave in to his exhaustion was the black haired boy curled up between him and the blonde, sucking on his tiny little thumb. The blonde lay on his back; one arm flung out and trapped under the other boy's head while the other hand was up by his ear.
Severus woke feeling hung-over, but better than he had. As memories slowly trickled in, he sat up with a gasp. Beside him, under the comforter covering them, were Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. The blonde had been whispering quietly to Harry, who was still sucking his thumb, but now sat up, smiling widely
"Daddy! You awake!" He clapped his little hands. "Good. I'm hungry."
Severus could only blink stupidly. Draco looked no more than four years old and Harry even younger if size had anything to do with it. If they had been standing, Severus thought they'd barely get past his knees. Something had obviously gone very wrong with the spell. And was Draco calling him Daddy?
"Daddy, hungry!" Little Draco's smile disappeared to be replaced with an impatient pout, his little hands tugging on Severus' sleeve.
"Right." He said intelligently and got out of bed. Draco beamed at him in approval.
He hurried from the room, panic and shock making his thoughts sluggish. It wasn't until he saw Poppy in the infirmary tending to an unconscious Dumbledore that he remembered attacking her. Dismayed, he got her attention and hoped she didn't hold it against him. Miraculously, she didn't for she turned and smiled tiredly at him.
"You're awake. Good." She gestured to the seat next to Albus and he dropped into it.
"That's what toddler Draco said." He said numbly. "He's hungry."
"I'll send for food." She nodded. "Albus is fine. Hit his head hard, and he's not a young as you. But you'll both be fine with rest."
"What time is it? And what did you find out about the boys?" Severus asked, running both his hands through his hair shakily.
"It is eleven in the morning on Tuesday; Minerva is handling the classes and covering for the Headmaster. You've all been asleep a good ten hours. My tests show Draco Malfoy is now a perfectly normal and healthy boy of four years, six months, and twenty-five days. And Harry is the same, but he is only four years, one month, and nine days old." She reported and then laughed breathlessly with nerves. "I can't find any indication at all that this is some form of transfiguration or find any traces of a spell induced condition. Nothing."
"So you're saying it's not reversible." Severus closed his eyes tight.
"It was caused by Harry's ability to alter situations to bring the most improbable results." Albus said tiredly from beside them.
"Albus! How do you feel?" Poppy immediate leaned over and fussed with her patient.
"Fine." He smiled weakly. "Just feeling my age."
"What do you mean?" Severus demanded.
"I was thinking…"
"You've been unconscious." Poppy protested.
Dumbledore smiled with his eyes twinkling again, "I was thinking that Harry had blocked off his magic, but that didn't mean his magic wouldn't react when forcefully interacted with."
"The theme song charm." Severus understood immediately.
"What?" Poppy demanded.
"His magic was being concentrated, triply strong because it was locked permanently away." Dumbledore explained. "So when the theme charm was cast on him, the whole school could hear."
"And when the powerful spell we cast to make Harry impartially see his childhood hit him, the spell gained momentum and turned him into a child instead. Along with Draco who was temporarily bonded to him." Severus groaned.
"We don't know how temporary that bond is anymore." Dumbledore shook his head. "It could have been broken once the spell no longer needed it to change Draco along with Harry, but Harry's magic could have amplified that aspect of the spell as well and made the bond permanent."
"Merlin." Poppy breathed. "And he's been through so much. It will kill a child to have those things weigh on him."
"I don't think so." Dumbledore smiled happily. "This is our second chance. His memories could have been erased as well as his years. We could start over with him and do it right this time."
"That doesn't explain why Draco is calling me Daddy."
Both Dumbledore and Poppy turned to look at him. First with incomprehension, then at the same time their faces broke into delighted smiles.
"No!" Severus stood abruptly and crossed his arms defensively across his chest. "I will not pretend to be their father! I am a spy, and can't stop teaching or doing my job as Head of Slytherin. I can't, Albus!"
"You're right." Dumbledore nodded agreeably, but he hadn't stopped twinkling. "Even though your duties as a spy have been light recently, you will need help, of course, during the day. I think they should room with you. As you know, Voldemort has been on the move. On a mission only he knows, and no Death Eater can find him to report. They and you must wait until he Calls. It's been two weeks since his last Call, so you have the extra time needed to take care of the boys temporarily. Besides, you're the only one who will be able to tell how much the children remember and if they will need therapy."
Damn it, the bastard was right! Severus thought and scowled darkly at his two co-workers.
Poppy jumped up, saying she'd put together a tray of food appropriate for children their ages and hurried to her office. Severus sulked. Dumbledore knew how uncomfortable he felt around small children. Really, the first and second years still bothered him, and now he was responsible for toddlers! One of which called him Daddy. Severus felt his palms break out in a sweat and his face go pale.
"Severus, my boy." Dumbledore said gently. "They need you. And I know you can do this. Have faith in me if you can't have faith in yourself."
Severus wanted to bite back at his mentor for doing this to him, to lash him with hurtful words, but couldn't. The old man that was sitting in the hospital bed was obviously tired, but happier than he had been in days. He couldn't destroy the little hope his mentor had found. Not when it eased some of the torment in the old man's soul. He sighed and stood straight as Poppy called him to her office.
She had conjured up two highchairs and held in her arms a tray with two plates and two sippy-cups. On the plates was a dollop of mash potatoes, fish-sticks cut up into small bite-size pieces, and buttery peas. Poppy nodded with a smile to her desk where two small white T-shirts and underwears sat.
"Grab those and levitate the chairs, please, Severus."
He did as he was told and they entered the room. High piping laughter filled the air. Draco and Harry were jumping on the bed; well Draco was jumping while Harry just stood there smiling and bouncing as Draco made the bed shake. Harry saw the adults first and his eyes went wide. His thumb went immediately to his mouth and he crouched down fearfully.
Draco turned to see and he cried out in joy. "Daddy! You took fev'or!" Then he turned to the now trembling Harry. "Is okay, baby. Daddy brought brake-fast."
"Awww." Poppy cooed as Draco patted Harry on the head. "Don't be scared Harry. See how brave Draco is?"
She went over to the bed and placed the tray on the nightstand. Harry crawled to the furthest corner of the bed from her and she frowned, but Draco jumped up and down in front of her to get her attention, demanding food. She smiled and smoothed his hair.
"Let's get you in some clothes while Severus sets up your special chairs."
Severus took the cue and placed the highchairs near the bed while Poppy pulled the underwear and shirt on Draco. She turned to do the same to Harry, but the small child burst into tears and reached with both hands toward Severus. She backed off immediately. Severus could only stare, shocked, as the fearful child reached to him trustingly.
"Severus, why don't you dress Harry? I'll get Draco started on his breakfast." She prodded him into action as she lifted Draco into her arms and carried him over to one of the highchairs.
He swallowed hard and approached Harry. The boy quieted, putting his thumb back into his mouth, but his other arm was still reaching. Carefully, terrified he'd drop the boy, Severus lifted Harry into his arms. Harry buried his wet face into Severus' shoulder, his free hand coming up to grab a lock of Severus' shoulder-length, black hair. The Potions Master felt the smooth, warm skin in his hands, could feel the tiny, slowly calming heart, and felt the child's muscles relax. This little life was in his hands, had wanted desperately to be there. It was an incredible feeling. He could hardly breathe around the tightness in his chest.
"Daddy!" Draco called around Poppy. "Look at me, Daddy!"
Severus blinked and looked over. The blonde was holding his spoon like a shovel, but was obviously proud that he was doing it himself. Poppy was laughing softly as she tried to wipe the potatoes from the boy's chubby cheeks.
"Very good." Severus murmured and it was the right thing to say for little Draco's face lit up with a beautiful joy. He smiled back at the little boy and walked over to grab the shirt and underwear Poppy had provided. He tried to pry Harry away from him to dress the boy, but Harry clung, whimpering. At a loss, Severus rubbed his back.
"It's alright, Harry. I won't let you go. I just want to put these on you." He said soothingly and Harry let himself be pushed back a bit. It took a bit of maneuvering to dress the boy without putting him down, but Severus did it. "See. That wasn't so bad. You're okay. Look. Draco's almost done eating. Aren't you hungry?"
Harry just pressed himself harder into Severus' chest, thumb firmly in his mouth.
Draco piped up helpfully; "Baby not like lady."
"Is that it? You're scared of Poppy?" Severus asked worriedly, but Harry didn't answer.
"I need to check on Albus anyway." Poppy said with a smile. "You're doing fine. Come get me if you need help."
"She's gone, Harry." Severus murmured when the door shut behind the medi-witch. Harry lifted his head a bit and looked around carefully, still clinging tight to Severus' robes. His eyes narrowed, squinting, but he was obviously satisfied with what he saw for he allowed Severus to place him in the empty highchair next to Draco's.
"All better." Draco said softly, looking over at the smaller boy with a smile. Harry nodded and smiled weakly back.
"Why are you scared of Poppy, Harry? Will you tell me?" Severus coaxed, but Harry only stared at him.
"Baby doesn't talk." Draco told him while mashing his spoon down on some of the fish-stick bites. "But that's okay, right, Daddy? You not mad?"
"No. I'm not mad." Severus promised. He picked up the remaining bib and tied it around Harry's neck. Then he brought the plate of food and drink and set it on the tray of the highchair.
"Like this, baby!" Draco yelled and waved the spoon in the air to show how he was holding it. Harry squinted and fingered his own spoon, but didn't lift it.
"Here." Severus took the tiny hand in his own and helped the fingers curl around the spoon handle. Feeling no resistance, Severus also scooped up the first bite for him. Harry grinned and giggled, bringing the bite to his mouth on his own. Once his mouth closed around it, Draco clapped, spoon unfortunately still in hand, which sent food flying every which way.
"I don't remember you being a messy child." Severus frowned at the blonde.
"Sorry, Daddy." Draco lowered his head mournfully.
"I'm your godfather, Draco." Severus sighed and reached over to pat the boy on his head once. "Now finish your breakfast. Thank you for helping with Harry."
Draco lifted his head, smiling tentatively, and did as he was told. Draco finished first, maybe fifteen minutes later. He was a much messier eater than Harry, but that was mostly because he ate faster and talked while he ate. Now that Severus did remember. Once Draco turned three, the boy had only stopped talking when he slept.
"Done!" He cried triumphantly.
Severus looked him over. He had peas in his blonde hair and potatoes around his mouth again. The fish-sticks batter coated his sticky hands. Severus sighed and looked over at Harry who was still eating quietly, green eyes relaxed and calm.
"Harry? Will you be okay here by yourself, while I go over to that door there with Draco to wash him up?"
Harry smiled and nodded, stuffing a spoonful of peas in his mouth.
"Good." He smiled. "I'll be right back and we'll hear you if you yell."
Unsure if he was handling this right, but seeing no other way of doing things, Severus went over to Draco. The blonde lifted his arms to be picked up with a happy smile. Severus smiled back, but spoke firmly.
"Don't touch till you're clean."
"Kay!" Draco giggled, and as Severus lifted him out of the chair, he obediently kept his hands well clear of Severus' robes.
Severus placed him gently on the ground; he was unsure if the boy could stand on his own (which was stupid considering he saw the boy jumping on the bed earlier). Still, he was shocked when the blonde took off running to the door Severus had pointed out to Harry. He quickly jogged after him. Draco was way too short to reach the sink, so he lifted the boy again. They were both clumsy with it, but they eventually got Draco clean. The boy laughed the whole time and both of their shirts were distinctly wet. Severus was just drying Draco's face with a towel when they heard Harry scream.
He rushed back into the room with Draco in his arms. Harry was in the highchair, scrunched to one side, as far from Poppy as he could get. The witch looked like she was going to burst into tears at the rejection. Severus placed Draco on the floor and scooped Harry into his arms. The boy immediately stopped crying and huddled, shaking and gasping, in Severus' embrace.
"Is he alright?" Poppy asked tightly. "I didn't mean to scare him."
"I know." Severus reassured her, rubbing circles on the small boy's back till the shaking stopped. "I don't know what's wrong."
Draco tugged on Poppy's robes and when she looked down he spread his arms wide, "All clean!"
"Such a good boy." Poppy praised him and lifted him into her arms, tickling his stomach. Draco squealed with laughter. "I brought you two boys some toys to play with."
"Yay! Pres'dants!" Draco squirmed till she put him back on the floor.
She pointed to the box she had brought with her. It was almost as tall as Draco and twice as long. Draco intelligently used all his strength to tip it over. It caused half the toys to spill free, but now he could get at them. She laughed at his antics.
"I'll be back. I'm going to clean Harry up." Severus said. Poppy nodded and sat on the floor with Draco to show him how to play with everything.
Severus went to the bathroom and as soon as they were out of sight of Poppy Harry's grip on him relaxed some. He looked down at the child thoughtfully. Green eyes stared back calmly, though he was sucking his thumb, a testament that he still remembered the upset and needed the extra comfort the action provided.
"I'm going to wash you up. You've got your breakfast all over you." Severus said as lightly as he could.
The small boy nodded and allowed himself to be sat next to the sink and washed. He didn't laugh as Draco had, but didn't protest. Concerned, Severus flicked water at the boy's face. He knew that always made Draco laugh and he needed to at least see the small child smile. Harry scrunched up his face and leaned away, giggling happily. Severus smiled back and ruffled his thick hair.
"That's more like it." And in a few minutes, Harry was clean and Severus placed him on the floor. "Want to go play with Draco?"
Harry nodded and ran out of the bathroom; thumb no longer in his mouth. Severus went to follow when Harry plowed back into his legs, crying softly. Severus crouched and the boy wound his little arms around his neck instantly, hiding his face. Severus sighed and went into the room. Harry had forgotten Poppy was there and as soon as he had seen her he had come back frightened and upset.
Poppy and Draco were ignorant of what had happened. They were sitting on the floor and putting together a three car train. Once all three pieces were attached and in the right order, it came to life and drove in a circle, whistling before stopping. You had to break it apart and put it back together to get it to move again.
"Poppy, I want to see if it's just you that Harry is so afraid of. Could you leave and in ten minutes send in Albus?"
"Sure." She smiled and stood.
Severus took her place and Draco excitedly explained how to work the train. He praised Draco's cleverness and soon Harry was trying it himself from his position in Severus' lap. Draco happily showed him the toys and his skill with them.
"This one goes like this!" Draco said and placed the blue ball in the blue hole. Blue light shot out in a small soundless firework. "But have to get same colors."
"That's right." Severus put the red ball in the red hole and got a red firework. Then he slid Harry carefully off his lap and stood, curious to see if that did anything. The boy hardly glanced up, too absorbed in playing with Draco to really care. Severus left the room by walking into the bathroom, but there was no upset reaction in Harry. "Draco come here a second!"
"Right back, kay, baby?" Draco said as he got to his feet. Harry nodded with a smile and Draco trotted over to the bathroom, stopping in front of Severus. "Yes, Daddy?"
"I just wanted to say how proud I am of you for playing so nicely with Harry." He said and patted the blonde on the head.
"Mommy says hav'ta be soft and sweet to babies." Draco answered, dimple flashing in his left cheek as he smiled.
"Your Mommy? Where is she?"
"Home?" Draco answered, uncertainly.
"Thank you. You can go play again."
"Kay!" He was gone in a flash.
Severus peeked around the corner to see Draco plop down next to Harry. The dark haired boy welcomed him. He hadn't been disturbed in the slightest about being left alone. Severus walked out and stood near them, watching them play. Harry lifted his head, but smiled when his narrowed eyes saw that it was only Severus and went back to playing. He never talked, but he laughed and participated in the games. Draco didn't seem to mind his silence and talked enough in his garbled sentences for the both of them.
The door opened and Dumbledore walked slowly inside. Harry's head came up and he made a strange sound, like a choked scream before jumping up and running to Severus. Draco watched with wide eyes as Severus bent and lifted the crying child, then the blonde turned to look at the smiling old man and just didn't understand why the baby kept getting frightened.
"It's okay, Harry." Severus was saying, petting the boy while rocking slightly back and forth. "I won't let anyone hurt you. That's only Dumbledore. He's a good man. You're alright."
"Hello there, young Draco." Dumbledore smiled down at the uncertain child.
"Hea'wo." Draco smiled. "Wanna play?"
"I'd love to." The old wizard slowly sat on the floor.
"But I play with baby when he gets back." Draco warned.
"I understand." Dumbledore smiled. "Now what does this do?"
And Draco was off, telling the man all about the things from the toy box. Meanwhile, Severus was sitting on the bed, with a now calm Harry. The boy was sucking his thumb and was cuddled into the crook of Severus' arm.
"You have to tell me what's frightened you, Harry, or I can't help you." Severus coaxed, but Harry wouldn't speak. "Will you nod your head if I guess right? Do all big people scare you? Is it because they are strangers?"
But Harry didn't answer in any way. He only moved to bury his face into Severus' robes. Okay. The boy was just four years old. Maybe he didn't understand why he was scared. That was possible. Or he just couldn't communicate what made him afraid. Severus knew he wasn't mute because he could laugh and cry just fine. He sighed and ran his fingers through Harry's hair.
"Do you want to play with Draco?"
The boy looked up into Severus' face and after a minute nodded. Severus stood and carried him over. The boy tightened his hold on Severus and hid his face again when he saw Dumbledore. Severus sat and held Harry in his lap. Dumbledore pretended they weren't there, to give Harry time to get use to his presence, but Draco looked expectantly at Severus.
"Baby okay now?"
"His name is Harry, Draco." Severus smiled. "He'll be fine in a minute. I don't think he likes strangers."
Draco turned serious eyes to Dumbledore, "Daddy says Baby don't like strangers. Should go."
"Draco," Severus reached out to place a reassuring hand on his small, tense back. "Harry needs to get use to some strangers, even if he doesn't like them. It's not good for him to be afraid, so we'll slowly help him get use to them, okay? Dumbledore should stay for a bit."
"Kay." Draco said sullenly, eyes on the child still huddled frightened in Severus' arms. "Is okay, Baby." Obviously determined to make that Harry's name. "He go later and then it be just Daddy and me, kay?"
Surprisingly, Harry responded by nodding, thumb in his mouth and head against Severus' chest. He looked adorable and vulnerable. Dumbledore smiled at him, but that made Harry turn his face back into the folds of Severus' robes. Draco got Dumbledore's attention and they played. Severus made comments here and there.
Within forty minutes, Harry was sitting in Severus' lap facing out, thumb out of his mouth. He smiled and would touch things if Severus or Draco put things within reach, but if Dumbledore handed him things Harry's thumb would go back into his mouth warningly and he'd lean back against Severus. Dumbledore would back off immediately and Harry would relax again, taking his thumb back out of his mouth after a few minutes.
Severus had a book propped open on one knee and was pointing to the words as he read them, "The cat walked down the street with his new boots. He liked the way they felt on his paws. It made it easier to chase his favorite ball."
Every time he said one of the nouns, the picture of it on the page would glow. It was a great teaching tool to help young children realize C-A-T was pronounced cat and represented the animal drawn on the page. Harry and Draco both particularly liked this activity, but they weren't halfway through the story when Draco yawned loudly. Severus looked down and found Harry's eyes were half closed as well.
"I think it is nap time." Dumbledore said with a chuckle and slowly got to his feet. "I will let you put them to bed. You said Harry is fine alone?"
"Yes." Severus nodded, standing with Harry still in his arms, since the boy immediately clung to him when Dumbledore stood.
"Good. I'll wait for you outside. Make sure you transfigure some rails around the bed so they can't roll off in their sleep."
Severus nodded and went to the bed, casting the spell as advised. He lay Harry down first and the boy crawled under the covers. He bent to lift Draco, but the boy shook his head.
"We hav'ta go potty before bed."
"Oh." Severus lifted Harry out of the bed and put him on the floor, not wanting to make the child too dependent on being held all the time. Harry didn't mind and ran after Draco to the bathroom. Severus shook his head and followed. He had to lift both boys one at a time onto the toilet. Both 'tinkled' as Draco put it. Severus helped wash their hands and then chased them back into the room and into bed. The boys cuddled close together, smiling happily. Severus smiled at them and brushed his hands through their hair for a minute.
"Good night, boys. Rest well."
"Good night, Daddy." Draco chirped, shutting his eyes tightly to pretend to sleep. Severus opened his mouth to tell Draco again that he wasn't his father, but was stopped when Harry spoke.
"Night, Daddy." The boy said with soft shyness.
And there was no way he could refute that tentative affection. First of all, because he wanted to highly encourage the boy to talk. And second, it was safe to say Harry remembered something of his past if not the specifics, and Severus was afraid of what rejection from the only adult the boy had accepted would do to the small childish mind. So he said nothing and just tucked the blankets close around their tiny bodies. He dimmed the lights with a flick of his wand, cast an alarm spell that would vibrate the top button of his shirt when the boys awoke, and left to speak to Dumbledore.
Chapter end
A/N: Now is your chance to help guide this story. So VOTE in a review to tell me which way you'd prefer this story to work out.
1)Draco and Harry remain 4 yrs old for three months before returning to their rightful age of sixteen.
2)The boys go through all the ages of childhood (4-15) spending a couple days in each before "growing" a year before the spell ends and they return to being sixteen. They won't manufacture memories if this option is chosen. They will know only five days have past, but will wake up feeling more mature and physically older.
3)They go through three specific ages before returning to sixteen years old. (A month as 4 yr olds, then straight to being 8 yr olds, and then becoming 12 yr olds.)
