Author Notes: Well, I decided I should get this out now before someone got it into their mind to pull through with my suggestion. I gave permission to some of the people wishing for me to continue, that if I didn't have this out by the end of the second week, they could form a lynch mob and hunt me down. Would have been ok if not for the fact I gave them the first line to my home address. Anyway, with that incentive in mind, I finally wrote this out. Please leave a review, and thank you EVERYONE who has left a review, I am still writing out responses to all of you so it might be a bit... SIGH if only I had more time O.O Dumb school. PS: Sirius will be appearing in Chapter 12.
Child of Mine
Chapter 11
Mommy and Daddy
Remus caught the child automatically, but his mind was somewhere else. Panic had set in and now all the teachers and quite a few students were staring at him, though only half the teachers had seen his new... Developments. (And what interesting new developments they were...)
Standing quickly he fled to one of the two side doors near the staff table. He opened one of them with such ferocity that it banged against the wall, and a moment after Remus had disappeared with the child still clutched in his arms, Albus stood and followed directly behind him. Severus shook off his astonishment and stood quickly, following both Remus and Albus with his eyes as the two left the room.
Children were looking up at them in surprise at all the commotion, although, some people had been blissfully ignorant of it until...
"FRED, GEORGE!" Snape yelled loudly looking to the Gryffindor table. Forks clattered as the twins jumped, "STAND UP, AND FOLLOW ME, NOW!" he stormed through the still open door and the twins stumbled to obey as quickly as they could. Meanwhile the rest of the room pondered in awe that Professor Snape had addressed those Gryffindor's by FIRST names... Fred and George were too terrified to dwell on that thought for long, they were too busy trying to figure out what they had done wrong... and gotten caught at.
When Remus had stopped running, he had made his way up a flight of stairs and flung open the door to the charms classroom. (His magic was on full power thanks to his emotions and had opened the locked door without the use of his wand..)
Panting, Remus placed Harry down on one of the desks and began pacing, whispering over and over again, "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god... What's going on?! How did this..."
Albus who had followed him in shut the door gently and took a step towards the panicked man... er, woman. "Remus, relax for a moment, panicking is the last thing we want to do right now, please, everything will be fine..."
The door behind Albus was opened by a scowling Severus who ordered the twins to get in, with a low growl. Both rushed to comply and nearly dropped their jaws at the sight of...
"Professor Lupin?!" they chorused in astonishment.
Remus winced and sat down, still hyperventilating. "Harry gave me a couple of cookies, I ate them and I don't know how- -" Both of their eyes widened in horror and Remus continued with a very familiar tone that they had only heard their potions master use, "- - But YOU know how, don't you?"
"... Possibly." said Fred weakly.
"I mean it is wholly possible we might know-"
"But we really-"
"Aren't responsible-"
"For this-"
"The cookies we had are way too strong-"
"To ever use on a rat-"
"Much less a person."
Both were finishing each other's sentences, and looked absolutely terrified.
"So, you didn't give these cookies to Harry?" Dumbledore set his blue eyes on them and both shook their heads fervently.
"We never would do that!" both said in sync. (N'Sync? Twisted...)
"Then how-" he was interrupted by Fred.
"I don't know- We only told him about them in class today-"
"He was hungry and Fred made a joke about feeding him one of the cookies-"
"I SWEAR I wouldn't have-!"
"And I said 'Fine idea, turn Harry Potter into a woman!' and we set Harry down and told him to go play-"
"But we never gave him anything!" Fred ended.
"Harry?" Albus went over to the child, his voice was calm, but ordered Harry's complete attention. "How did you get those cookies?"
"I don't know..." he answered in a guilty whine, not looking his 'grandfather' straight in the face.
"Harry..." Severus growled, already knowing what had to have happened, but wanting Harry to say it.
"They were there..." Harry tried again, hedging, trying to outwait the adults. Hoping beyond hope that they'd give up and stop asking.
"Strike two, Harry." Albus warned.
Harry's head lowered as he swung his legs, kicking the leg of the table, and finally answered very low, "I wanted a mommy..."
Albus' look was sympathetic, kind, even understanding, but the fact Harry had done something so... Devious, was beyond him. He remembered Harry had once told him that the hat had wanted to place Harry in Slytherin, but Albus had never seen exactly WHY... Until now.
Remus shook his head while Severus scowled. Snape could understand the desire for a mother; he himself had loved his dearly... But to go so far as to tricking Lupin into eating those cookies was wrong.
"Was I not enough for you?" Severus asked, somewhat hurt, and then realized he had said that OUT LOUD, it was obvious from the looks he had earned.
"Not that..." Harry said quickly, eyes pleading, "You're my daddy, always will be... But I wanted a mommy... I want my mommy and daddy back-" he stopped talking and looked back down to his hands, crying.
Severus let go of his anger in one sigh and walked over to his son and picked him up holding the crying boy against his body. Remus, tears in his eyes stood up and went over to the two and put an arm around Snape and leaned towards Harry, placing his other hand on Harry's back.
"I forgive you, Harry, it's just that you shouldn't have gone about finding a mum THIS way..." Remus sighed, as he spoke gently to the weeping child.
Fred and George were looking at the threesome in shock... where the hell WERE they? SNAPE was once more coddling... and cuddling, their friend Harry, and Harry was calling him 'Daddy', and Lupin was hugging them BOTH. They'd obviously crossed into another world, because THIS was certainly NOT the way their teachers should be acting.
Fred finally spoke, "Do... Does that mean we're going to get in trouble for this?"
"It seems that you were both hoodwinked by Harry, and it is Harry's fault... You two shall not be punished, BUT you shall help in finding a reversal cure to this. I suggest working on several different potions and ideas, if there is one that your professor wishes to work on alone, he shall. But with the fact he's going to have to work on Lupin's potion and a cure for Harry's condition, he will have his hands full. A raise perhaps will be in order by the end of this," Albus smiled at his friend and patted Fred and George's shoulders. "I highly suggest you go back and finish your dinner. These three will be fine, I assure you of that." Albus hesitated for only a moment before adding, "I need not remind you, I think, that you shouldn't lose or destroy the remaining cookies. You'll need those to analyze for the antidote."
Both nodded slowly then turned around and walked to the door, and finally after throwing a last glance at the odd hugging group, shut the door quietly behind them.
~*~
That same evening Remus found himself in the company of his friend Severus, with Harry playing contentedly with the large panther-creature... Krr'Shar, he believed it was named. He twirled the crystal wine glass in his hands and looked down to the purple liquid. He had gone through one glass already and it had somewhat calmed his nerves. Looking into the roaring fire he gave a sigh and closed his eyes.
"How can I teach class like this?"
Severus raised an eyebrow and looked to his companion. Male or female, he had to admit to himself that Remus was attractive. His... well, HER sandy brown hair was wavy and shoulder length. Grayed, yes... But it looked as soft as silk and framed her oval shaped face nicely. Brown eyes were lit up to a golden orange from the fire, and her robes were much looser now that he... SHE had shrunk about half a foot and lost about fifty pounds. As a female he was near five foot one, a hundred and twenty pounds, and nicely shaped... Although her body was hidden by her patched robes.
Severus mentally slapped himself, he was admiring this man/woman's body, and STILL couldn't decide whether to mentally refer to Remus as a he or a she. His eyes told him, 'she'. His mind said, 'he'. With a sigh he gave in, until he could fully comprehend the situation Remus would always in his mind be referred to as 'he'.
"Remus, it isn't that bad... well, it might be, but since it isn't me I am not sure I can fully comprehend what you are going through. As for teaching, the students will still listen to you... Although, I must admit that they might need time to adjust to your new... changes. Classes will be the same." Severus took a sip of his drink and then continued on with a smirk, "But you might have to get used to getting hit on by your male students instead of the female ones. Dare I say it, you may need a stick to fend them off."
Remus nearly dropped his cup in shock, "Wh-what?!" he stuttered. "- - They don't... None of them would- - I have no idea what you're- - SEVERUS!"
Severus chuckled, "Are you saying you didn't notice that quite a few of the older female students flirted with you? Even though they knew of your condition?" Remus' cheeks were starting to turn pink. "Now you'll just have to get used to getting swarmed at by the older boys... I'm fairly sure the twins might enjoy the new you, too-"
"SEVERUS! That's not right! They're students! I'm their teacher!" Remus' voice had raised a pitch and Severus bit back a laugh. Oh, the look on his face... it was priceless!
"As if a student never looked at their teacher like that... Or vice versa for that matter. But even so, if not the students, then some of the staff members. I've never seen Sybil with any man... perhaps she prefers-"
"Severus!!!"
"Oh fine, I suppose *I* could hit on you-" Severus gave a side-glance to Remus and noticed with amusement that his face had turned a nice shade of red; cheeks, ears, neck and all. Remus opened his mouth wordlessly and finally drank down his cup in one healthy swig.
Harry who had been listening to them while using Krr'Shar as a jungle gym, suddenly gave a laugh, "Yeah! Mommy and daddy can kiss!"
Remus turned white and then flushed even darker, while Severus fought down his own blush. "Then again, maybe I WON'T," Severus amended.
Remus nodded and Harry toppled over with a mischievous giggle.
~*~
The next morning Remus remembered how he had thought it had been peaceful last night. He had been with his friend, a child that loved them both, not to mention the 'family pet', and it had seemed so quiet and loving... he had thought that he never wanted it to end. In fact, when Remus tried to leave Harry had begged for him to stay, and Severus finally gave in just as Harry began tearing up. The real kicker was when Severus had offered Harry and Remus his own bed, because he had considered it improper for an adult male and a female, even if Remus HAD been a man, to sleep together unless they were lovers or married. But once more Harry wanted them BOTH there and they had fallen asleep in Severus' large bed... together.
When Remus woke up with the feeling of security and love all around him, as far as he was concerned, he had never slept better. And personally, waking up without the feeling of depression and loneliness was certainly far better and more pleasurable than he had ever imagined it to be.
As Remus stretched languidly he realized he was pressed against a large solid chest, and an arm had been wrapped around his waist. A delicate, pale arm. Remus lifted his head to look for Harry (who had been in between them when they had fallen asleep that night) to find Harry perched at the end of the bed, Krr'Shar's head was propped up by his paws and a wicked glint in his eyes was a dead give away he found the situation amusing. His tail was twitching back and forth slowly.
Remus' breath caught in his chest as the arm around him pulled him closer and tensed when he heard Severus yawn. There was a pregnant pause of silence and a yelp of shock as Severus propelled himself away from Remus as fast as he could.
And had ended up on the floor because of it.
"Morning Daddy! Morning Mommy!" Harry squealed.
"Oww..." Was 'daddy's' reply from the floor.
"Morning Harry," Remus sighed at the title, then leaned over the edge of the bed, smiling shyly and blushing, "Morning Severus."
"Don't you dare breathe a word of this to anyone or I swear by all that-"
"Yes, yes, you'll rip out my eyes, use my intestine's in a potion, carve out my heart with a dull wooden spoon, use my spine as a Muggle Xylophone, and my rib cage as the sticks to play the melody. I remember your threat from our first, year rather well, thank you." Remus grinned.
"Oh why go through all the trouble when I could just as easily use you as my own personal sex toy?" Snape sneered, trying to gain his composure back as he stood. Remus went red, but said nothing, scooping the young Harry in his arms.
"He looks about three or so Severus, maybe you won't have to make the potion at all, he might just grow out of this." he said quickly changing the subject.
"If you think I'm letting Harry Potter spend half a year growing back up-!" Snape snarled as he trailed off. But his mind had all ready finished the sentence for him, 'Then your three steps behind me, because I've all ready considered it.'
~*~
Going to breakfast was quite the ordeal that morning. Stares had been overabundant, and Remus was turning quite red in embarrassment. It did not help any that Harry was calling them both, 'Mommy' and 'Daddy'.
Half way through breakfast, and still poking through his scrambled eggs, Remus noticed that Severus was smirking quite evilly.
"Oh, sod off, Severus, you're enjoying this aren't you?" Remus snarled.
"Oh, yes, indeed I am." Severus grinned. "Call it payback for losing Harry in the Forbidden Forest."
"I knew it would come down to that! I just knew it!" Remus muttered.
Severus was chuckling, "Oh yes, seeing you suffer is enough of a revenge for me, but how to get those children and Hagrid back..."
"Why don't you feed them a cookie, too?" Remus growled and he stabbed his plate savagely, hitting one end of his plate (the spoon was on the other end) he accidentally sent his utensil flying.
Right into the headmasters oatmeal.
Laughter was heard as Dumbledore took off his glasses, licking the oatmeal off his face, "Thank you, Remus, I've never quite eaten breakfast like that before."
Remus sunk into his chair, "Sorry, Headmaster," he murmured, humiliated.
"Forgiven," Albus said cheerily, and with a wave of his hand the oatmeal was out of his beard, off his glasses, and nowhere in sight on his robes.
Severus was chuckling, "Oh yes, seeing you suffer is quite enough of a revenge for me."
"Sadist."
"You wish."
"You are."
A grin was Remus' only answer.
~*~
That night while Snape was grading papers and mercilessly marking down Gryffindor's and Hufflepuff's alike, he heard someone pound on his door and with a flick of his hand the door unlocked and in came Remus, face flushed and lips pursed.
"This was one of the most atrocious days I have ever experienced teaching in my entire life! Never in four classes have I been looked at with such blatant..." he paused, searching for the right word, when he found it he spat it out, "LUST!"
Severus grinned but bit it down when Remus turned to face him once more.
Remus paced the room, his robes were looser from the way he had originally had them that morning… Perhaps he had tried to hide his figure? Harry was on the floor with his back to Severus, coloring quite peacefully near the fireplace. Remus went right by and past him then back again as he continued his rant.
"I could practically feel those boys... third years and up! Undressing me with their eyes!"
"Daddy could undress mommy!" Harry suggested. Remus, without a moment's pause yelled, 'No!' at him. Harry pouted and turned back to his book, coloring away with his black crayon, switching occasionally to red.
"Remus, I tried to warn you-" Severus began.
"How am I going to teach these hormone crazed male hooligans?!" came the distraught interruption into Snape's 'I told you so' speech.
"The same way our teachers taught us, I presume. You were one of them yourself once." Severus snorted, marking Neville's essay twenty-five out of sixty.
"I never hit on McGonagall!" Remus retorted sharply.
"Ew! No hit on Grandma!" Harry cried. Both men favored Harry with bewildered looks.
"He seems to be adopting a whole damn family," Snape muttered, knowing full well Harry was only instinctively trying to replace what he had never had.
Remus groaned, "They weren't even paying attention! I'd bet a weeks pay that they didn't scribble down one word of notes!"
"That's what taking points is for, Remus. Stop being such a baby and start taking points away. Detentions work wonderfully, too, especially detention with Filch. I'm sure if he were to know just how," he coughed a bit, "they were looking at you, he'd come up with a suitably horrible punishment for them."
"Mommy and daddy fighting?" Harry asked timidly, eyes shifting cautiously between the two.
"No, mommy and daddy are- REMUS and daddy are not fighting!" Severus shook his head in disgust at his slip.
Remus let out a great sigh of annoyance as he realized he would have to give in and start taking points until he could get the older boys in line, "I suppose you're right Severus, do you... Was I somehow encouraging them? Am I showing too much of something, or looking or acting wrong towards them? Are my robe's too tight?"
"Remus, your robes couldn't be any looser, or more conservative, if you were in Durmstrong's winter uniform. Nothing you can do will really make them want to stop getting up your robes, it's not really the boy's you have to stop, it's their imagination you have to beat off with a stick. Just give in and punish them."
"Even RON was looking at me with a strange glint in his eyes!" Remus complained as he tried adjusting his robes to better hide the fact that he had more curves now.
Severus snorted and contained his laughter as his friend shot him a truly evil glare.
Remus leaned back against the fireplace mantle with a sigh, and looked down to the quiet Harry.
"Severus?"
"Hm?"
"Did you give Harry a coloring book?"
"Hm? Oh... Yes." he answered, not looking up from Draco Malfoy's parchment. "Why?"
"Was it, 'The Lion King'?"
"Yes, have you seen that Muggle cartoon?"
"No, I know the title because the books a foot away from Harry."
"Oh, well he has two."
"Well, that's just the thing, I see two coloring books in that pile... and this third one that he's scribbling on looks an awful lot like your 'Most Potente Potions' book that was given to you by Dumbledore..."
Snape's quill stopped making scratching noises on the parchment and he froze. Slowly he looked up, seeing indeed that Harry was in front of a rather large, old worn book.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!"
~*~