I am terribly sorry about the extremely long wait. I re-wrote most of chapter five so if you would kindly reread that, some bits might make more sense. Or not, I'm not sure it matters. Anywho, don't worry! Next chapter is nearly done!

Hope you enjoy!

The next morning, Severus reluctantly woke up the two sleeping children. It was quite frankly, too early to deal with little brats, and he was debating on the consequences of leaving them in his chambers.

Severus sighed, already feeling done with the day as he gently shook the young girl's shoulder.

Hermione made a discontented sound and snuggled deeper into the blankets, her little beast purring away next to its owners head. Harry didn't even stir. Severus scowled, rolling his eyes. "Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, you need to wake up and get dressed." A brown eye peeked open, glaring at their current caretaker. "It's Hermione, not Miss Granger."

Severus raised a brow. "Hermione, you and Harry will be joining me during my classes. I expect you two to be on your best behavior as –." He was cut off when the girl squealed loudly, throwing herself at him, and knocking over her sleeping cat in the process. Harry merely moved over, still not waking up.

Severus awkwardly patted her on the back as he watched her cat seemingly grumble as it resituated itself. Big brown eyes looked at him adoringly as she pulled back, her arms still wrapped around his person. "You mean it? We can really come with you and learn magic?" She whispered the last word with such reverence it made Severus slightly uncomfortable.

It was understandable of course, any child would love the idea of magic, especially muggle-raised children. It was just the reminder of how he himself when he first discovered magic. He didn't much like it.

He cleared his throat, laying a hand on Hermione's head. "Potions is more complicated than you can likely comprehend. Wake up Harry and get dressed. We will be heading for breakfast shortly." He disentangled himself from her grip, still feeling mildly out of sorts and headed to his study to find some first-year textbooks they could use to occupy themselves during his classes. Merlin forbid they get bored and raise havoc.

xXx

Severus sighed quietly, wondering if this was how Narcissa and Lucius felt all those times he laughed at their seemingly inconsequential problems with Draco as a boy. Hermione had woken Harry by jumping on him, scaring the young boy quite badly. Even her devil cat had swiped at the girl for it. He spent most of the morning attempting to calm the boy, then scolding the girl who cried.

Both were now sitting on the right side of him latching on once more, even as they ate quietly. Harry had that damned snake wrapped around his neck, occasionally whispering to it. Minerva kept shooting him questioning glances that were getting on his nerves and the students wouldn't stop gaping at the two children, nevermind the fact they saw them yesterday during lunch and dinner.

Severus sniffed delicately, completely annoyed with the day so far and it hasn't even started.

"Uncle Sevy, Uncle Sevy! Who's that?" Hermione whisper-yelled, pointing at the half-giant. Severus crinkled his nose in disdain. "Don't point Hermione it's rude." He scolded. "That is Hagrid. He's the groundskeeper of Hogwarts." Hermione lowered her arm but still watched the half-giant curiously. "Why's he so much bigger than everyone else?" Harry chimed in, also looking curious.

Letting out an almost silent groan, Severus set his silverware down. "He's a half-giant. Are you two done asking questions?" He asked pointedly, staring them both down. Harry looked down immediately, while Hermione gained an odd gleam in her eyes that had Severus wanting to bang his head on something.

"I have a ton more! Why's the ceiling look like that? Why are there four different banners above the tables? Why are there different colors on the same kind of dresses? Are those the different houses you told us about? Why are we sitting up here and not with them? Where did the food come from? How come everyone keeps looking up here? Why can't Crooks come with us but Kaa can? Why were there so many owls carrying papers? When do we leave for classes? What are me and Harry doing in class? Can we do potions too? Can we get Draco? Are there any cool creatures? Is there unicorns? Can we go see one? Do me and Harry have wands? You have a wand, can we? What about –." Hermione cut off when Severus dropped his head down on the table. She looked at him funny, poking him in the side. "Uncle Sev?"

She pouted when he didn't answer, making the chuckling teachers on the other side of Severus laugh loudly. They found it quite hilarious to see their usually dour potions professor so out of sorts with a talkative child.

Dumbledore spoke up over Severus' head. "Miss Granger, I'm sure Severus wouldn't mind answering your many questions later. As to the question about young Malfoy, no you cannot get him at this time. Perhaps for the weekend." He gave her a grandfatherly smile, ignoring her increasingly large pouting and returning back to his meal.

Severus abruptly stood and began making his way out of the Great Hall, causing the two children scrambling to follow, not wanting to be alone with the other people in the hall.

"Hermione. If I allow you to perform a potion, you will cease your questions. Is that understood?" In all honesty, Severus felt he should have expected the squealing that came with such a declaration.

Harry tugged on his robes. "We get to do actual magic now?" The young boy asked curiously. Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. "Harry, I do believe I have already explained potions to the both of you. Must I explain it again?" He asked gently, trying to not sound exasperated. It wouldn't do to upset the lad because he was feeling frustrated.

Harry nodded shyly, looking to the ground as he shuffled his feet. Severus had to consciously stop himself from giving the boy a hug with how pathetic he looked. "It's alright. Come along. I'll explain in the classroom."

He smiled gently in response to the positively bright smile the boy gave him.

xXx

As the day went on, Severus ran into a bit of a problem.

"Harry. You haven't turned the page in that book for the past fifteen minutes. Are there words you don't understand?" He asked quietly, leaning over to see if there were any difficult words, but finding none.

He grew mildly alarmed when Harry's face turned bright red, tears welling up in his eyes. A quick glance at Hermione's area showed her slowly copying words from the book, completely concentrated on her task.

He moved over closer to Harry's spot at his desk, placing an arm around the boy in an awkward side hug. "It's alright, whatever the problem is we can fix it. What's wrong?"

Harry sniffled quietly, not wanting to meet Severus' eyes. "I can't read it."

Severus inhaled deeply, before exhaling slowly. "That's alright. Go sit next to Hermione and ask if she can help you. Once classes are over, I can help you in greater depth. Go now." Harry quietly gathered the materials Severus gave him and walked to the other end of the desk, plopping down next to Hermione, whispering to her.

Severus inwardly sighed, wishing he could raise hell with those damned muggles. He stood up catching a few curious stares from the students as he began walking around the room. Alas, the only thing he could currently do was harass his classes.

It certainly provided a certain amusement.