AN This is as far as I have gone with this story on the HPBabies group. Going to type up another chapter I've written of this and of "Never Too Late" this weekend so watch this space and thanks for your patience.

Love, Rosaleen

DISCLAIMER JKR owns all

Fright

Albus was woken in the middle of the night by an ear-piercing shriek.
It took him a minute to orientate himself and another to remember
that he was not alone. He waved on some candles and looked across at
the other bed. Severus was thrashing around, still screaming. As
Dumbledore rushed over, the potions master moved too far and tumbled
off. Luckily, Dumbledore had a soft mat on his floor. The fall,
however, seemed to wake Snape, who looked around groggily.

"Severus?" Dumbledore put a gentle hand on his shoulder. Snape
screeched again and pulled back, cowering in terror.

"Child, shhhh. It's all right. It's Albus. Do you remember?"

"Albus," the small voice answered.

"Yes, my darling child. Come here and let me see you".

Severus crawled slowly forward and, very carefully; Dumbledore pulled
him into his lap and sat with his back to his own bed, holding him.
He felt the trembling increase and knew Severus was being haunted by
a dream or memory.

"Did you have a bad dream, little one?" he asked softly, continuing
to stroke the dark hair.

"B b Bad. He's bad!" Snape wailed.

"Who is bad, pet?" Albus pressed.

"Bad m m man. R r ed eyes. Baaad," and the man burst into fresh sobs.

"Voldemort," thought Dumbledore. How could he possibly be in Snape's
mind when he's so young? He brushed the thought to the back of his
mind for a later time.

"All right, all right, sweetie. Shhh, now. I know. I know," Albus
cradled Snape closer and began to slowly rock him from side to side.
The younger man gradually relaxed but kept a tight grip on the
Headmaster.

Deciding that they could both do with more sleep, the old man got up,
using a levitation charm to bring Snape with him and climbed into his
large bed. He arranged Severus beside him. This proved difficult as
Snape refused to relinquish his grip. Dumbledore calmed him again
with cuddles and soft platitudes.

"You are safe, child. I have you. Yes, you are just fine. Come now,
relax. Easy now, yees. Whose my best boy, hmm? Whose my best child?
Close your eyes now. That's it. Time to sleep and have sweet dreams.
Yees, hush. I am here. I will keep all the bad dreams away. Go to
sleep, young one".

After what seemed like hours, Snape loosened his grip and merely
curled up against the Headmaster like a kitten. He closed his eyes
and put his thumb in his mouth. Dumbledore was shocked at how young
Severus looked. The harsh lines of worry and bitterness, ever present
on his adult face were gone. The older wizard felt his protective
streak rising as he continued to soothe and pet him. Perhaps this
time as a child would have a healing affect on Severus.

That thought in mind and his child snuggled beside him, eyes shut and
breathing even once more, Albus allowed sleep to claim him too.

TBC

Well, it wouldn't be a semi angst story without a nightmare scene,
would it? I have a great idea for the next part. If I do it right, it
should be both funny and sweet. Here's hoping…