I'm terribly sorry for taking forever with this chapter, but it refused to write whatsoever, I have a least 5 or 6 different 2k pieces as attempts for this chapter so I really hope you like it as I'm still not totally satisfied with it. I really enjoyed your reviews! I found it hilarious when a few of you latched onto the idea of the three as ducklings! It was really cute! It really made my day seeing the really nice and excited reviews for the next chapter. I hope you enjoy! (Sorry for it being kind of short!)
P.S - my sister reads this too and is a big part in why I managed to get it out, so here's to her!
Severus watched the Headmaster sigh heavily. He mentally rolled his eyes, more than irritated with how dramatic the old man was being. "Why would the children need to go to Malfoy Manor? They are perfectly safe here at Hogwarts." Dumbledore looked at him, a sharp gleam in his eyes. Severus frowned at feeling the subtle pricks of Legilimency. Narcissa sucked in a breath when Dumbledore turned his gaze to her, and he assumed the old man had done the same to her.
It made Severus glad that Lucius had left to the Manor, in preparation for the children. At least that had been what was said. Severus knew his friend did not like the Headmaster, and for good reason. Dumbledore may not be as he used to be with his manipulations, but he was still a meddling old man.
"As yesterday has proven Headmaster, it is very easy for one of them to get out and get lost. Them going to the Manor would prevent that from happening. As you had mentioned, I cannot take care of two children on my own, so they had decided to help me out. They have experience with young Mr. Malfoy so two more would not be a problem." Severus answered smoothly, watching with amusement as the children in question blatantly eavesdropped from behind the old wizard.
They had only been brought in because there were classes being held still, though Severus ended up having to cancel his for the morning. The children were amusing themselves with Fawkes, the phoenix mussing up their hair and allowing pets. Hermione's little beast flicked his tail at them dismissively, claiming the girl's lap as he watched the adults carefully, his head resting delicately on his paws.
"Yes, though young Harry only got out due to no one watching him. Granted no one was awake at the time, but he shouldn't have been able to leave in the first place. I've no doubt they would be well taken care of at the Malfoys, but I don't want the same mistakes to happen." Severus noticed Harry making a face at Dumbledore, the other two doing the same. He refrained from smirking, completely amused with the trios actions even if he was irritated with the old man's response.
Narcissa frowned, affronted by the insult. "Of course the same mistakes won't happen. There would be elves to help watch the children as they normally would. There would be someone with the three at all times."
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at her. "Am I to assume that someone will be you? I don't wish for the children to be taken advantage of Narcissa." Her lips thinned considerably as she glared at the Headmaster, her entire body stiffening up. "I wouldn't dare take advantage of those children! I'm not some meddling old fool who thinks he has the rights for whatever he wishes."
"What is your reason for wanting the children Narcissa?" Dumbledore asked, ignoring her last comment. "I can't ignore your previous stance on muggle-borns and yet here you are. Offering to take care of two muggle raised children. You cannot fault me for wondering why." Narcissa scowled at the old man in front of her.
"It is precisely for that reason I wish to take them. They are children Dumbledore. Children whose families have refused to even take them back because of their magic. I take it you're not going to do anything about that either are you? Such an advocate you are, yet you raise not a finger to help, only playing at being kind to all." Severus shot her a reproachful look, moving in front of her. "Headmaster, why don't you ask the children? I'm sure you'd be more than agreeable with whatever they choose."
Dumbledore shook his head, a frown on his face, the twinkle no longer present in his eyes. "I'm afraid not Severus. They are just children, they don't know better. Both Harry and Miss Granger will stay at Hogwarts." Severus let out a breath, leaning back. Narcissa let out an odd sound, almost inaudible.
All three children behind Dumbledore pouted, looking very upset at the outcome. Harry came running towards them and attached himself to Severus, clutching onto his robes while Hermione and Draco each claimed a leg of Narcissa's.
Dumbledore leaned back, his gaze softening. "I know you wish to help Severus, Narcissa. However, we cannot forget either, that Sirius Black is on the loose. While Voldemort may be dead, that will not stop his followers from attempting to avenge him, and Hogwarts is the safest place for Harry to be." The two adults flinched at the reminder of Black, having completely forgotten about his escape.
The three watched their reactions curiously.
Hermione leaned closer to Draco, whispering. "Who's Sirius Black?" He shrugged. "I know he's my cousin, but I didn't know he was a follower of the Dark Lord. Mother's never talked about him before." Hermione nodded thoughtfully at that. "Well who's Voldemort?" Draco gasped loudly, his eyes wide. "Hermione! You're not supposed to say his name!" She frowned at his tone, sniffing petulantly. "Why not? Is he a bad man too?" Harry moved closer, still clutching onto the black robes. "What are you talking about?"
Draco gasped again, making Hermione giggle. He looked rather silly when he did it. "You've never heard of him?" Both Harry and Hermione shook their heads, unconsciously leaning in, curiosity plain on their faces. Draco, noticing their interest, leaned forward, and attempted to lower his voice the way his father did when telling stories. "You-Know-Who was a Dark Lord. He was incredibly powerful and almost unstoppable! But then, he died on Halloween, when Harry killed him!" Hermione looked at Harry, thunderstruck. Harry frowned, shaking his head. "I never killed anyone!"
Draco waved a hand, dismissing his comment. "Everyone knows it was because of you that the Dark Lord was killed." Harry scowled, looking away. "Don't worry, I don't think you did it either." Hermione said seriously, giving Draco a look causing him to pout at her. She stuck her tongue out at him, patting Harry on his head like Lucius had done when comforting him. "I guess so." Draco grumbled. Hermione smiled brightly at him, before turning back to Harry. "Alright, so if Mr. Dumbledore won't let us leave, here's what we should do…"
"Ahem."
The three children looked up guiltily to find amused faces on the adults. Hermione only hid her face in Narcissa's robes, slowly peeking out to look at them. "I don't believe any of those antics would be necessary Miss Granger." Almost instantly a pout formed, Hermione thumping her head against Narcissa. "It's Hermione.." She grumbled softly.
Dumbledore smiled genially. "Yes well, as it is, you and young Harry here will be staying with Professor Snape. Mister Draco will be going home with his mother and father." All three of them made faces at the man who ignored them pointedly as he faced Narcissa. "I do trust you can Floo home?" Narcissa nodded stiffly, taking the dismissal for what it was and gently detached Hermione from her person while grabbing Draco's hand.
She bent down to hug Hermione tightly, before doing the same to Harry. "I'll be seeing you two soon, little doves. Don't worry." She kissed them both on the cheeks and stood up slowly, eyeing the Headmaster with distaste. She gave a brief nod to Severus before walking to the fireplace and leaving for the manor.
Severus felt like banging his head on the wall as he could only guess the amount of trouble he was going to have with the two evidently devious children. He gave a terse nod to the Headmaster, not willing to hear any more drivel from the man.
"Come along now, Miss Granger, Mr. Potter." He said quietly, already making his way out of the office. He idly noted they latched onto his robes once more and refrained from snorting.
Once they entered the hallways, Severus gathered his thoughts about what to do now. As the Malfoys clearly aren't allowed to watch them, no matter their assurances, he was likely going to have to bring the two to his classes. He could hardly trust the other professors to watch them properly.
Feeling a tug on his robes he glanced down to his right, finding Hermione staring at him with wide eyes. "There's so many ghosts!" He wanted to roll his eyes at the obvious statement but couldn't find the will to, not to those wonder-filled eyes.
He sighed.
"Yes Hermione, there are many ghosts. Each house of Hogwarts has their own ghost." He explained.
"Oh. Well what house are you in?" She asked curiously, one hand clasped onto his robes while the other was clutching Harry's.
Severus side-eyed her wearily but answered. "I'm the Head of House Slytherin." Harry nodded sagely, his face solemn. "Fawkes told me I would have made a nice addition to Slytherin when I was first sorted. Do you think so Uncle Sev?"
Severus was prevented from answering – and from questioning the fact the phoenix spoke to Harry at all – when a first year Slytherin approached him, a frantic expression on her face. "I'm sorry Professor Snape for bothering you, but the older years told me to come to you if I had a problem with the Gryffindors, and well." The young blonde blushed brightly, as if embarrassed.
Severus sighed, stamping down on the slight outrage he felt once more towards the Headmaster who only exacerbated these issues.
"Yes Miss Ainsley, you should come to me. I will be speaking with their Head of House to fix the problem." After asking for more details on both the bullies and the situation, Severus walked the girl to class, speaking to Pomona so his snake wouldn't be in trouble.
Once he left the classroom, Hermione immediately started firing questions at him.
"Are Gryffindors the mean house? Why do you want the students to go to you and not the old man? What are the other houses like? What does Professor Pomona teach? Can me and Harry be in your house?" She paused to take a break in which Severus butted in.
"No Miss Granger, Gryffindor is not the mean House, merely just full of bumbling idiots who don't think before doing." He answered lazily, almost smirking at the pout she did with his use of her last name. "I prefer the students to come to me, as I am their Head of House and therefore responsible for them and their wellbeing."
Harry looked at him thoughtfully. "Does that mean Hermione and me are in your house? Since you're looking after our wellbeing?" Severus felt his chest constrict briefly as he contemplated the answer. "I.. suppose it does. For the time being."
Hermione nodded decisively, clearly smug about the fact she was now a Slytherin. Harry only seemed content with his answer, if the small smile was anything to go by.
"It's Professor Sprout, Hermione, not Professor Pomona. Pomona is her first name. She's the one who teaches Herbology." He paused at the growing excitement on the young girl's face. He quickly resigned himself to answering questions for the foreseeable future when she immediately began spitting more out about the different classes.
He was only glad that Harry was content to be quiet and tried to not think about why that was so natural for the young boy.
xXx
Severus smirked knowingly at the pouting faces of the two would-be troublemakers as they settled back in his chambers. "You should've known that wasn't going to work. The Headmaster may be old, but he does run a school full of children. He wouldn't fall for something so asinine." Harry pouted.
The two had attempted to start a food fight with the Headmaster during dinner as their attempt during lunch failed before it began. This time, the elves had kept a much closer watch on the two preventing them from grabbing the food if they intended to do anything but eat it. The Headmaster merely twinkled his eyes at them, watching with amusement.
Hermione looked up curiously, her eyes ridiculously wide, the purring Crookshanks in her arms only exaggerating the adorable expression. "What's asinine mean Uncle Sevy?" Severus raised an eyebrow at the girl's new nickname for him. "Asinine means very foolish. I'm Uncle Sevy now?" Harry giggled at the way he said it, before automatically slapping a hand over his mouth and stared at Severus with wide, terrified eyes.
Severus sighed, sitting down on his favorite arm chair, gesturing almost dismissively for the children to sit with him. Hermione wasted no time, claiming his left side and laying her head against his heart. He snorted but waited for Harry to clamber up. "You're not mad at me?" Harry looked at him imploringly, sending a burst of pain through Severus's heart at the incredibly familiar eyes. He sighed once more, gesturing again for the boy to come, this time Harry rushing over. "There is no reason for me to be angry with you Harry. You don't need to worry."
They sat in silence for a few moments. "Harry. Put Kaa in his enclosure. He's climbing me now." Both of the little brats laughed at his strained tone, making him scowl. He didn't particularly like snakes but was willing to deal with it for Harry. Having it slither all over him however was where he crossed the line.
After cleaning the two up with the help of one of the house elves and the putting up of Kaa, they settled back in Severus's bed much to the man's displeasure. He really did want his bed back.
He was preparing to lay in the transfigured bed once more, when the orange haired menace of Hermione's jumped on the bed with him. He glared at it, an eye near twitching. "Off." He scowled when the thing pointedly ignored him, plopping on his pillow. He let out a long sigh, shoving the half-kneazle over and closed his eyes to sleep.
It wasn't five minutes later, both Harry and Hermione came scampering out of his bedroom and climbed into bed beside him. He opened his eyes to find a dark shape of tiny person on either side of him. "Goodnight Uncle Sev." Harry whispered, snuggling closer to Severus until his head lay on the man's shoulder. "Goodnight Uncle Sevy." Hermione whispered, doing the same. Severus sighed, ignoring the pit of warmth pooling. "Goodnight you brats."
Within minutes, all three were asleep.