Hermione's shock at this pronouncement lasted only a few moments before her take-charge instinct took charge.
"Right then, so we've all eaten dinner already, so they shouldn't be hungry. They'll probably get tired in a bit, though, so I can probably Transfigure some blankets and pillows and move the desks against the wall and get them all bedded down for the night and-"
"Miss Granger."
Snape's voice was cold.
"Perhaps you could include in your grand plans a way to get these children off of me. I am not a play park, nor have I a wish to be treated as one."
"Oh!" Hermione blushed. "I'm sorry, Professor. Ron, come here-" still holding a sleeping Malfoy in the crook of her arm, she scooped Ron up from where he was chewing the hem of Snape's robes. "Come and play with Harry. Look, see, he's got some bottle corks and jars to play with."
She Transfigured a desk into a small pile of blankets, then set Malfoy down onto it and tucked him in, turning quickly to break up a dispute between Crabbe and Goyle, both of whom wanted to play in the same unextinguished fire.
Harry yawned loudly. Hermione picked him up. "Are you tired, Harry?"
Harry obliged with another yawn, louder than the first. Hermione laughed softly, pushing Harry's hair out of his eyes. "All right, then, it's to go to bed. Just a moment, I'll-"
She was instantly deluged with sound. Harry, evidently, did not want to go to bed, and he was making the fact known at the top of his lungs. Ron, who had heard of the dreadful fate, added his voice to the cacophony. This roused Malfoy, who was not pleased about being woken in such a rude fashion. Crabbe and Goyle didn't really have much to yell about, but as everyone else was yelling, it seemed to be the right thing to do.
"SILENCE!"Snape roared. The toddlers were unconvinced. Scared by the noise, Harry screamed louder, which in turn prompted the others to do the same.
Snape swept from the room, leaving a rather desperate Hermione and five howling children in his wake.
…
He returned a few minutes later with a small bottle full of thick amber liquid.
"Give him to me," he ordered Hermione, who was still trying to soothe a sobbing Harry. Taken by surprise, Hermione handed over the toddler. Snape uncorked the vial, forced Harry's lower jaw down, and poured a few drops into his mouth. Harry swallowed reflexively, a look of astonishment on his small face. The look lasted only an instant, though- the moment the potion was down his throat, he gave a great sigh and went limp in the Potions Master's arms.
"Professor!" Hermione was aghast. "What was that?"
"A potion for dreamless sleep," Snape replied grimly. "It should keep him completely asleep for exactly eight hours. By that time, the dawnweed will be ready and I will finish the antidote."
Still a little disconcerted, Hermione took the now-sleeping toddler from Snape, who made his way around the room, Transfiguring desks into nests of blankets. Ron, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle went somewhat quiet, watching curiously.
"Put them to sleep," Snape said calmly, as if he was telling Hermione to add salt to soup. He held out the bottle to her. "Four drops to each of them."
"But Professor-"
"Now, Miss Granger, before they begin caterwauling again."
Hermione tried again. "Professor, I just don't think- what if they-"
"Would you like me to do the honors, Miss Granger? I daresay you've had more experience putting children to bed than I have. I shouldn't like to... ah... make a mistake."
Hermione took the bottle resolutely.