Author's note:
This one shot contains Severus Snape & Godson! Draco. This is a request from zennyloves on Tumblr. I hope you enjoy!
The story is also available on Wattpad (Yan_Senna), Tumblr (yan-senna) and AO3 (Yan_Senna).
Word count: 1.5k
Published: 2/15/2022
Severus Snape apparates outside Malfoy Manor, knocking on the door while waiting for a house elf to let him inside. The Potions Master of Hogwarts has a job to do - he has been asked to babysit his young Godson while Lucius and Narcissa go to a fancy restaurant in Diagon Alley.
At first, he didn't want to as he had just been teaching a bunch of dunderhead students, but he decided to do so anyway.
His Godson might possibly be the only child he can tolerate. And he usually doesn't tolerate children at all.
He won't admit it to anyone, but four-year old Draco does bring him joy. He's very proud to be his Godfather.
He hopes that the young child will be skilled at potion-making when he goes to Hogwarts.
His train of thoughts is interrupted as a house elf opens the door.
"Welcome, Mr. Snape. Master and Mistress Malfoy are waiting in the living room" the elf states.
Nodding, Severus strolls towards the room. He's greeted by Lucius, Narcissa and a hyper Draco.
The boy is jumping up and down, looking so happy to see his Godfather.
"Uncle Sev!" the boy exclaims as he runs to the man in black, wrapping his tiny arms around his legs.
Severus almost stumbles back, startled by the greeting.
Narcissa chuckles. "He has waited all day for you to come, Severus. He has been very excited" she says, smiling while looking at her young son.
Severus pats his Godson's head in greeting, silently telling him to let go.
Lucius chuckles as well, signalling for his son to let go of the man. Draco finally does so as he approaches his parents.
"Now, Draco. Your mother and I will be going out for a few hours. Remember to listen to your uncle, understood?" Lucius asks as he looks at the boy, giving him a serious look.
Draco nods. "Yes, Father. I understand" he assures.
The pair greet them goodbye as they apparate to Diagon Alley.
Once they are gone, Severus clears his throat. "So… I have to brew a potion for the Headmaster of Hogwarts. While I do so, can you distract yourself?" he questions.
He hopes he can as he really needs to brew that potion as soon as possible.
Draco thinks for a while before jumping up and down again. "Ooh, yeah! I can draw while you make potions!" he exclaims enthusiastically.
Severus chuckles, looking amused as the boy runs to grab a parchment and crayons.
As the boy sits down by the table and starts doodling something, Severus conjures everything he needs for the potion. He then starts brewing, carefully cutting the ingredients.
Just as he's about to pour them into the cauldron, Draco hurries towards him, showing his Godfather his creation.
"Look, Uncle Sev! That's you and me!" the boy happily exclaims as he hands over his drawing.
On the parchment is what looks like Severus and Draco, both looking happy. Draco has signed it with "To the best Godfather in the world. From Draco" with a few misspellings.
Severus blinks a few times. "… Thank you, Draco. I truly love it" he says while still looking at the drawing. He neatly folds it before putting it in one of his pockets.
Draco stands up on a chair, peeping down at the cauldron.
"I also want to brew! Can I help, Uncle Sev? Please?" the boy begs, looking at his Godfather with pleading eyes.
Severus sighs before gently putting Draco down from the chair.
"Very well, but you have to be careful" he tells him sternly.
As the boy nods, the two of them get to work. Severus holds Draco so the boy can look at the potion while telling him what ingredients to put in.
"Now, put two of these in - slowly… Slowly" he instructs the boy.
Draco does as he says, looking concentrated.
"This is fun!" he exclaims.
Severus chuckles. "Indeed? Once you get your Hogwarts letter when you become eleven, you will be learning Potions" he tells the boy, still holding him as he continues instructing him what to do.
"Does that mean you will be my professor?" Draco asks, looking up at his Godfather in awe.
"That, and your Head of House. I know you will be sorted into Slytherin" Severus states, the corner of his lips slowly turning upwards as he looks proud.
That makes the boy so happy. Perhaps a bit too happy as he doesn't correctly listen to his Godfather's instructions.
"Wait, Draco! Not that much-" Severus warns before it's too late.
Acting quickly, he hurries to safety just in time with the small boy still in his arms.
Outside the Manor, Lucius and Narcissa have just apparated back from their night out.
"Well, the food was delicious" Narcissa says as she smiles at her husband.
"It was. Thought, the dessert was probably my favourite" he says as he chuckles.
Just then, an explosion can be heard.
"What in Merlin's name was that?" Lucius exclaims, looking surprised.
So does Narcissa. "I have no idea" she whispers.
Lucius then widens his eyes. "Draco!" he shouts before running inside the Manor.
Once he enters the living room, his mouth is wide open from shock. Everything is destroyed! The table, the chairs, the paintings…
Once Lucius has recovered from the shock, he notices his friend and son retrieving from their safe spot.
The blonde-haired man looks absolutely furious.
"Lucius, what happened- Oh my" Narcissa exclaims as she joins them in the room.
"Indeed, Narcissa. What in Salazar Slytherin's name happened here?" Lucius demands.
Severus sighs. "Draco was helping me brew a potion. He accidentally put too much of the ingredients as the potion exploded" he explains.
Lucius grits his teeth. "You let him help you brew?! He's four years old, Severus! How could you be so irresponsible?!" he yells.
Severus can't help but flinch. Lucius is right, he should have been more careful…
Draco steps between his father and Godfather, glaring up at the blonde-haired man.
"Be nice to Uncle Sev! He's a good teacher! He's the best Godfather… And the best babysitter" the boy states as he crosses his arms before hugging the black-haired man's legs protectively.
Severus can't help but smirk. He can't wait until the day the boy will go to Hogwarts. Given his brewing talents at just four years old, he's sure that he will do excellent.
As Lucius still looks furious, Narcissa gently puts a hand on his shoulder.
"Lucius… Calm down, darling. You know Severus is good at brewing, nothing happened to Draco. I'm sure the boy merely got too excited and made a mistake. Severus saved him in time" she says, trying to calm him down.
Lucius sighs, taking a deep breath. "… Very well. Just… Next time, you will listen more carefully to Severus. Understood, Draco?" he asks as he looks at his son, looking as stern as possible.
Still hugging his Godfather's legs, the boy nods.
"Well, I need to lie down. Do you mind putting Draco to sleep before leaving, Severus?" Lucius asks his friend.
"I don't. I trust the two of you had fun?" Severus questions as he looks at the pair.
Narcissa chuckles. "We did. I just think Lucius has had a bit too much dessert" she says as she playfully hits her husband's arm.
Lucius huffs. "I did not, I'm merely just tired… And don't give me that look, Draco. It's bedtime, you can have dessert tomorrow" he says sternly.
The boy pouts, clearly wanting dessert right now.
"Listen to your father, Draco. Good night, sweetheart" Narcissa says as she kisses her son's cheek.
"Good night, Mother, Father" the boy says as he yawns.
Lucius hugs his son. "Good night, Draco. If you go to bed right now, then Severus will babysit you next time again" he states, hoping the boy will be eager to sleep.
Giving a bright smile, the boy grabs Severus' hand as he drags his Godfather with him to his room. His parents chuckle at that.
"He truly loves his Godfather" Narcissa says as she smiles.
"That he does. Severus might not be the best with children, but I'm glad we chose him as Draco's Godfather. I just hope there won't be any more explosions in the Manor" Lucius says as he sighs.
Meanwhile in Draco's room, Severus is helping the boy into his nightwear, tucking him into bed.
"Good night, Draco. I hope today has been fun" Severus says.
The boy gives a tired smile. "Today was lots of fun! I want to brew again!" he exclaims.
Severus chuckles before gently patting his head. "Perhaps we can try again next time, as long as you carefully listen to what I say" he tells him.
"Good night, Draco" he then says as hands the boy his favourite plushie.
The boy wraps his arms around it, snuggling close to it.
"Good night, Uncle Sev" he mutters tiredly, closing his eyes. He immediately falls asleep.
Severus stays with his Godson for a few more minutes before leaving the Manor. He will need to brew that potion once he returns to Hogwarts. Tonight will be a long night…
As he looks at the drawing from his pocket, he can't help but let the corner of lips turn upwards for the second time tonight.
He knows one thing for sure - to Draco, Severus Snape will always be the best babysitter.