Severus age:12
Severus ran as fast as his small body would allow knowing if he didn't get to the great hall soon he would be in so much trouble he had been adopted only for a few months and one of Albus and Minerva's rules was that he wasn't allowed to miss meals. he had just gotten to the corridor leading to the great hall when the bell signaling the end of lunch came Severus quickly walked away not wanting to bump into either of his adoptive parents and started to head to his next class his body on autopilot he forgot that his next lesson was transfiguration with his adoptive mother. he only realized when Remus sat next to him "hey mate you missed lunch ...again that's the third time this month mum looked right pissed when the bell for lunch ended where were you?" Severus groaned "I was doing research at the library and lost track of time again when I realized I booked it to the great hall but I couldn't get there in time do you think ….think they'll be mad?"
"There's not gonna leave you for missing a meal, but you probably will be in a spot of trouble moms the one who cares about this stuff, dad is a bit more lenient with it ."
The other students prattled on as the bell rang to indicate class was starting soon. Severus watched as his adoptive mother strode into the room "Good afternoon everyone please settle down. I trust you all had a good lunch, so now we will proceed with our lesson. " The lesson had been relatively easy: a simple reading lesson where they discussed the theory of transfiguration. His mum said they would practice in their next lesson just as the bell signals the end of the lesson. "Oh and Mr. Snape a word before you head off please. '' Severus groaned sitting back down as Remus grabbed his bag "good luck see you later, " his sudo brother said as he ran off Severus watched as Minerva walked closer to him sliding a chair beside him and sitting down.
" Do you know why I've asked you to stay after ?"
"I missed lunch ma'am "
"Yes Albus thought you might have had a snack or something earlier and just weren't hungry but I assured him I saw you heading into the library just after your morning lessons ended and was sure you haven't eaten since breakfast. Now mind telling me why you missed lunch ."
"I was in the library and lost track of time. I tried to get to the great hall in time honestly but it was already too late and the last thing I wanted was to be late to class on top of missing lunch ."
"I believe we discussed time management once before Mr. Snape ?"
``Yes ma'am I'm sorry please please don't send me back," Severus screamed terrified he would lose these nice people he was growing to trust. Minerva hugged the boy tight pulling him close, kissing his temple, "No Severus you're not going back ever but I want you to come to our chambers tonight we need to speak with you but I promise you're not going anywhere alright?"
Severus nodded a few tear tracks going down his face. Minerva wiped away her son's remaining tears " don't cry poppet go wash your face and come back I'll give you a note for your last class alright. " Severus nodded.
That night after dinner which Severus attended he headed up to the headmasters' office giving the password licorice wands and heading up the long spiral staircase. Once he got to the room he saw the headmaster and his professor sitting waiting for him to get there. "Ah, Severus my boy come to sit we need to have a talk." Severus gulped, still hesitant to believe the headmaster and headmistress wouldn't abandon him. sitting he looked between his adoptive parents trying to see anger or disgust like the emotions he was used to seeing on Tobias's face when he was mad at Severus which was every day. "Severus we are worried about you you've skipped 3 meals this month if this gets any more out of hand well need to bring in a healer ."
" no, I'll eat I promise I don't need a doctor, " Severus said hurriedly
"Honey, we are not saying this to scare you but because we love you ."
"W-what '' Severus said confused about course they had told him they loved him before but that wasn't when he was in trouble now he was causing them problems and they still claimed to love him it didn't make any sense to the boy. "I don't understand I'm causing you problems but you still said it ."
"Still said what dear, " Minerva asked confused at what had her youngest son so flustered.
"You- you still said you love me even though I'm being bad ." Minerva felt her heartbreak this small child had been through so much too much and now she realized even after being adopted and rescued from that bastard that had dared lay a hand on her baby, he had doubted their love slowly she reached her arms out Severus walked over as she lifted him and cuddled him hugging him as small tears had started to fall from his obsidian eyes. Albus looked at his wife "Severus your not bad and we will never leave you we love you ."
"Always?" the small boy asked wiping away some tears tilting his head in a way only a child in wonder could.
"Always. "
