Not sure if anyone actually reads my bio or not, buuuut I basically said im going to update once a month, while I get a feel on how my work schedule will be like.
I feel like the last bit is rushed, but honestly once I finish this story im probably gonna end up rewriting it.
Enjoy!
True to his word, Severus allowed both Hermione and Harry to work on a simple potion that he monitored. The two had their own cauldron and mimicked his motions exactly when he showed them which ingredients to prepare first and how to prepare them properly.
It was… relaxing to say the least. The two were eager to learn anything magical, even something that wasn't as immediate as something like transfiguration.
He smirked at the awed looks on their faces when the pink smoke rose up signaling they had done it correctly. "Well done."
They continued in this fashion for a while longer, Severus taking the time he normally wouldn't have to explain just why they use the ingredients in such a way as well as the importance of the order.
Hermione's eyes were shining brightly. "Can we do another one Uncle Sevy?" She asked pleadingly. Harry looked up at him as well, bright green eyes shining just as bright. Severus rolled his eyes. "No, Harry needs to work on his words. Another time." And that was that.
xXx
Dinner that night was rather frustrating.
"Severus, my boy. I need you to run a few errands for me tomorrow morning." Dumbledore asked cheerily, before putting a mouthful of food in his mouth. Severus grimaced, looking to the two on the right of him.
"Are you certain that is wise when I have two children under my care, Albus?" He absently took note of the hand on his right arm, knowing by now that it was Harry who was extremely clingy and just wanting to make sure he was still there.
Minerva tutted at him disapprovingly. "Of course not. They'll be staying here at the castle where it's safer." Severus raised a brow. "And just who will be watching them? Surely not you Minerva? You already have much on your plate."
Dumbledore smiled genially. "No Severus, not Minerva. Hagrid will be in charge of the little ones." The old man ignored the little one's protests, choosing to continue to delicately put food in his mouth.
Severus' lips dropped into a flat line. "You're serious about this?" He wouldn't trust the large oaf with anything that wasn't a creature, and despite his original misgivings about the children, he didn't want them in any harm's way.
"Hagrid will do just fine Severus, there's no need to worry."
"…Yes Headmaster."
xXx
Hermione gripped Harry's hand tightly, trying not to make a face at the humongous man sitting in front of her. She wasn't sure she liked him at all. Harry squeezed her hand, leaning in closer to her. "I'm hungry. Do you think he'll take us to get food?" He whispered quietly. Hermione sniffed delicately, tossing her nose in the air consciously mimicking how her Aunty Cissy had acted. "He has to take us to get food. Uncle Sevy would not like it if he didn't." Harry nodded solemnly at that. Uncle Sev was scary sometimes but never to them. He treated them exactly how he had always dreamed of.
"Mr. Hagrid. We're hungry." Harry said in a small voice. He interlocked his arm with Hermione's, liking the comfort the contact gave him. Hermione nodded decisively, quietly agreeing with him.
Hagrid belched loudly, making both of them jump. The half-giant smiled widely at them, standing up. "O' course, o' course!" He went to reach for his rock cakes, which he had first given them, when Hermione immediately protested. "No no no. Not those. They hurt our stomachs and mouths."
Hagrid made a disappointed sound but grabbed his cloak and gestured for them to follow. "Well a'right then. It's a bit late fer breakfast meals but I'm sure the kitchens will 'ave somethin' fer ya."
Hermione perked up at that, sliding slowly off the huge chair her and Harry were sitting in. Harry made a disgruntled noise when he had to let her go so she could stand up. He hurried off as well, immediately latching onto Hermione again.
Hagrid marched in front of them, whistling a cheery tune as he led them back to the castle. Hermione tilted her head as she watched him. "Harry, doesn't he seem a little weird?" The small boy's eyebrows furrowed together as he tilted his head as well. He shrugged a moment later. "I guess he's kind of odd but nothing bad. He just really happy."
Hermione made a face but nodded, swinging their intertwined hands together. "I guess."
Harry giggled, swinging his arm harder. They continued like that almost the entire trek up to the castle, until Hermione suddenly stopped, squealing loudly. She pulled away from Harry, running towards this large, drooping tree.
"Harry! Harry look, it's a doggie!" Hermione shouted happily, ignoring the strange creaking of the tree she was getting closer to. She kneeled down, making funny noises. Harry cautiously approached, almost staying completely behind Hermione. He didn't like dogs much.
This dog was one of the dirtiest he'd ever seen and it's ribs were poking out. It crawled forward slowly on it's stomach, sniffing at Hermione's outstretched hand. She made a cooing noise and it's tongue darted out.
"Harry, what isss that awful ssmell?" Harry smiled softly as he heard his friend's voice, only to jump when the dirty dog suddenly started to growl at him.
"Bad dog! You don't growl at Kaa!" Hermione scolded, hitting the dog on it's nose. It immediately stopped and started whining, moving closer to her to lick her face.
"Itss just a dog Kaa. A really dirty one. I think it needss a bath." Harry said in response to Kaa's question. Hermione smiled brightly at him, wrapping an arm around the dirty dog. "I wanna keep him!"
"Hermione! Harry! Ya can't just take off like that, especially not so close to the whompin willow!" Hagrid came bellowing out, having finally realized they weren't following him anymore. Harry flinched hard while Hermione glared at the half- giant.
"Well I found a dog and I wanna keep it. His name will be Snuffles and he will stay with me and Harry with Uncle Sevy." Hermione declared petulantly. The dog made a small choking noise, causing Hermione to immediately start fussing over it. Harry smiled shyly at Hagrid, not wanting to disagree with Hermione but not wanting to get yelled at again by the big man.
Hagrid scratched at his beard, an odd look on his face. "I guess it's up to Professor Dumbledore then. Come along now."
Hermione stood up, smiling triumphantly, holding out a hand to Harry, who automatically grabbed it, the other holding onto the dog's neck. "Don't worry Harry, I don't think Snuffles will bother Kaa. Maybe he'll be good friends with both Kaa and Crookshanks! That would be the best, don't you think?"
Harry grinned, listening to her go on about all the things they could do with the dog and their two familiars, never catching the way the dog seemed incredibly interested in what they were saying, nor the way it constantly swung it's head to stare at him.
"I don't like the way it ssmellss." Kaa complained, making his way up to Harry neck. He made a face. "I already told you he just needs a bath."
Hermione smiled widely at Harry. "You're right! Maybe Uncle Sevy could help us wash him when he gets back!" She said brightly. Harry noticed Snuffles didn't seem to like the idea very much as his ears went flat against his head. Harry patted him gently. "Don't worry, Uncle Sev is really nice. He'll be gentle." With a bright smile, he gave one last head pat and latched onto Hermione, interlocking their arms again, content to listen to her ramble. She seemed to know a lot cooler stories than he did.
xXx
McGonagall stared hard at the two dripping children in front of her, feeling the sudden need to slap Albus. She took a deep breath, trying to stomp down her growing ire.
"What happened?" She asked calmly, only to receive more silence. The even wetter dog beside them let out a soft whine. Her eyes narrowed speculatively at it for a moment before returning to the two trouble making children in front of her.
They shuffled awkwardly, neither looking her in the face. Harry, softly stroking the snake wrapped around his wrist, seemingly for comfort, only hid partially behind Hermione.
Her lips pursed tightly, before she made her decision.
"Follow me." She commanded, drying them all with a flick of her wand as she marched towards the Headmaster's office.
She heard the two start to chatter quietly as they hurried to keep pace with her, and only felt irritation and exasperation. Honestly what was Albus thinking? There was a reason Hogwarts didn't handle small children.
xXx
Narcissa smiled, pleased with the awed expressions on Hermione and Harry's faces. Draco latched onto them, tugging on their sleeves since both were carrying their familiars. "Come on! I wanna show you my room!"
Lucius looked to his wife with a raised eyebrow, kissing her cheek in greeting. "I do wonder how it'll be with three children in the Manor instead of just one. Draco was a handful as it was when he was first this age. Welcome home love."
"It will be a challenge most likely. Especially since Dumbledore, the old coot, decided he's going to be making weekly visits to check on the children, since apparently he can't trust us not to take advantage of them." Narcissa scowled, absently taking a cup of tea when one of the house elves presented it to her.
The Headmaster had been very disapproving of the two Gryffindor cubs going to the Malfoys and it took the transfiguration professor, McGonagall, berating the man for him to give in. Evidently in the short time it took them to get their way Hermione and Harry had gotten into a mass of trouble. The blame fell to Dumbledore since the man had enlisted the help of Hagrid in watching them, which had proven to be a very poor choice indeed. Within minutes, the two had snuck away and gotten into the kitchens and made a huge ruckus, their familiars only making matters worse.
Minerva McGonagall had not been happy about that.
Lucius rolled his eyes, even as his lips tightened into a thin line. "They're children. What could we possibly take advantage of from that?" Narcissa shook her head, sighing. "I don't know dear. We'll just deal with it when it comes."
xXx
Severus Snape was not a happy man.
"Albus! Where are my charges?" He asked, nearly hissing at the man. Having not been able to bring them along with him to run the old man's tedious errands, he hurried as much as possible, not liking leaving them with others for lengthy periods of time.
He had just come back to find them gone.
Dumbledore smiled widely at the angry potions professor, straightening up from his previous position. "Why Severus, I believe you'll be pleased to note they are with the Malfoys. That was the outcome you had wanted after all."
Severus felt most of his anxiousness disappear, leaving only anger and worry. He strained to calm himself. "What had changed your mind Headmaster?" He questioned, narrowing his eyes as he straightened. This was news to him.
Dumbledore waved his hand dismissively. "Oh just some antics that Minerva wholeheartedly disapproved of. It was nothing of dire consequence. I take it you've gotten all you need?"
Severus nodded stiffly. "Yes, I have. Now if you'll excuse me." He briskly walked out of the office, ignoring the Headmaster's cheery goodbye. Honestly, the nerve of that man.
If he had just allowed the children to go to the Malfoys in the first place, this situation would not be happening. He would not have been feeling this type of panic.
The normally dour man marched briskly down into his dungeons, entering his chambers quickly.
He didn't hesitate before flooing to the manor.
Severus glanced around, stepping out into the Malfoys floo room, an elf appearing before him. "Good afternoon Master Snape, Mistress is in gardens." Severus blinked. "Is she expecting me?"
The small creature nodded. "Yes Master Snape. Mistress says Tinky be taking Master Snape to the gardens when he comes."
Severus gave a curt nod, following the elf to the edge of the garden where he spotted the blonde woman. Not bothering with pleasantries, he immediately inquired about the two children. "Are they well? Are they hurt at all?"
Narcissa wanted to laugh at the questions that tumbled out of her friend's mouth. "Why Severus, one would almost assume you have a heart after all."
The dark-haired man scowled at her, looking around the bushes as if they were just hiding. Narcissa laid a hand on his shoulder. "They're fine. A few scares, but otherwise perfectly fine." She said gently. Severus nodded as they began walking, having expected something of the sort.
"I do have a few questions however." Narcissa paused before continuing. "It's Harry, he- well he hasn't been eating as much as he should be. He's terribly thin, and he claims to be allergic to sugar." Severus raised an eyebrow at the last comment, having already known about the first half. "To sugar? He had tea with sugar in it just the other day." Narcissa sighed, nodding her head.
"And Hermione? Is it the same thing as Harry?" Severus asked, a little more concerned. He knew the boy's family would have caused some lasting effects, but it'd be difficult if both children were in such states. Narcissa shook her head, leading the way further into the gardens.
Lucius stood when he spotted them approaching, nodding his head in greeting "Good afternoon Severus."
"Uncle Sev!"
Severus felt the tightening in his chest ease a considerable amount at seeing the three children running towards him.
Draco and Harry reached him first, wrapping their small arms around him, Hermione trailing behind huffing and puffing. She plopped down in front of Lucius, pouting. "It's hot." She whined.
The blond man chuckled, patting her head twice. "You didn't want to swim." Draco detached from the stifling hug him and Harry had enveloped Severus in, and plopped next to Hermione. He put an arm around her, ignoring her protests.
"Can we still go swimming father?" Hermione huffed, looking away even as she leaned against Draco. Lucius smiled indulgingly. "Yes Draco, you may go swimming still. Hermione ask Tinky for some swim clothes, I'm sure she can help." Draco shouted in glee, dragging Hermione with him to the house. "Thank you!"
A moment later had Draco dragging a swim dressed Hermione to the small, shallow pool that was nearby, a black blur following the two children.
Severus raised an eyebrow at his two friends, seating himself in a chair one of the elves brought him, Harry immediately clambering into his lap. "Since when have either of you gotten a dog?"
Narcissa made a face at his question. "Hermione and Harry were very adamant on keeping a stray they found near the half-giant's home and the willow. As I'm sure you're well aware, that is the primary reason they were finally permitted to come here at all."
Lucius sighed. "Yes and it's only because they were getting so upset when we mentioned they couldn't possibly keep it that it's still here."
Severus chuckled at his friends' tendency to give into the little brats when they shouldn't, ignoring the flare of irritation that Albus hadn't waited for him to return to pull this. "I wasn't aware actually."
Narcissa smiled fondly at him, looking sweetly at Harry. "Clingy little thing, isn't he? He attached himself to Lucius when they got here earlier this morning, even looking half frightened as he did doing so." Harry only cuddled deeper into Severus' robes seemingly content to sit there and listen to them talk, Narcissa having perched herself daintily onto the chair beside her husband.
"Harry? Do you want to go swimming as well?" Narcissa asked the boy. He shook his head, burying his face in Severus's robes.
"Alright. Where's Kaa? I've seen that little demon cat of Hermione's running about the house but not your snake." Severus asked curiously.
Harry perked up at the question. He wriggled about a moment, reaching into his robe shirt. "He likes to stay around my neck, but we were playing on some brooms Aunt Cissy got us, so he went into my shirt pocket. He really likes Uncle Lucy." Harry whispered the last part.
Severus barked out a laugh, caught off guard at what he called Lucius. "Uncle Lucy is it?"
Lucius curled his lip in distaste while Narcissa giggled. "The two children have taken to calling him that. I believe it was Hermione's idea."
Severus smirked, amused at the girl's propensity for nicknames. He settled in more comfortably, feeling much more relaxed now that he knew the children were safe.
"How exactly did the children get sent here anyhow? The Headmaster didn't deign to inform me of much other than they were here because of a huge mess they made." Severus questioned. He of course, also knew that they were left with Hagrid so there's no guessing what could have gone wrong.
Narcissa smirked.