Chapter 2 Getting Settled
Severus had paced back and forth in his quarters restlessly since he really couldn't get the rest that Poppy had ordered him to. He stopped pacing and decided that he would whip up some of the siimpler potions that he knew Poppy would need and gathered the ingredients. After he prepared the ingredients and mixed them together as needed he set them to simmer as he thought he may as well go out into the corridor and walk up to the kitchens where he might get himself a comforting cup of hot chocolate.
Albus had got as far as washing up and started to change into his sleeping robes before he decided it wasn't worth the effort to try and sleep the last few hours of the early morning. Grabbing a fresh set of robes he put them on and left his quarters to head down to the kitchens since he knew it would be suicidal to even step foot in the medi witches domain this early since she expected him to be resting.
Albus was the Headmaster of Hogwarts and he knew that she would allow him to check up on the baby but would not be pleased. Secretly he had a fear that she might even find an excuse to make him give up his lemon sherbets.
No matter how kind and efficient with looking after each and everyone who passed through Poppys ward she was known to be very strict and if angry could reduce even him to a state of tears.
After composing the letter notifying the Childcare officer known as Martin of the situation that had just arisen, Minerva was quietly checking the wards placed upon the dormitories in Griffindor to make sure that they where not in need of repair or updating before the new term started. She could not sleep as she was thinking of the unusual protective look upon Severus' face she had noticed upon first seeing him with the little girl in his arms.
"Red haired with green eyes. Just like Lily. Must be about three months old. " Minerva nodded in an absentminded manner as she thought back to another time and then shook her head as she sighed. "I hope when Martin comes from the Wizarding child services that Severus won't make any fuss when he takes charge of the little girl."
She looked out a window at the early morning sunrise and decided she wasn't going to get any rest now and decided to go for a walk to get that hot chocolate she had been planning to get before the two wizards had arrived with the baby. She should also send off the note to Martin while she was thinking about it so that it would arrive at the WWS before they got busy with other matters.
"Well looks like great minds think alike." Albus commented upon finding both Severus and Minerva were also heading down the corridor to the right of the main staircase in the Entrance Hall. They stopped in front of a painting of a bowl of fruit.
"Couldn't sleep." muttered Severus as he glowered at the overly cheerful Headmaster who smirked back as he tickled the pear in painting which then giggled and became a door handle.
"Breakfast will be in a few hours but for now a hot chocolate will suffice." Miniera said firmly as she nolticed the Headmaster reaching into a pocket of his brightly coloured robe. "Do not offer me one of those yellow monstrosities I know you are fishing out of your pocket."
"They're only lemon sherbets. A harmless muggle sweet." Albus protested as they entered the kitchen where house elves where preparing the various meals. It wasn't too long before the complient elves got them settled with the steaming hot chocolates which had been whpped and filled to the brim with a thick foamy cream along with a couple of snacks to help tide the weary three over till breakfast.
Reacing into his pocket for the tin of sweets, Albus turned to the Deputy Headmistress and said, "Minerva have..."
" Before you inquire, Albus. I have prepared the notification about little Jenny Wren for Martin." Minerva said to Albus before the rest of the question left Albus' mouth. "And no I do not wish to taste one of your tooth rotting lemon sherbets."
"Good we can send it off after we have our chocolate." Albus smiled and pulled out two lemon sherbets. "Pity you won't even try a lemon sherbet."
"Don't even think about it." grumbled Severus wearily as he picked up the cup that was set before him.
"You too Severus?" Albus pouted slightly and then said "Double the pleasure for my taste buds then." And then popped both candies into his mouth.
A few hours later after Minerva sent an owl off to the WWS with the instructions to deliver to Martin- they gathered once again in the hospital wing to see the little baby girl who was contentedly sleeping on her side –hidden under the black robe that was laid over her with a tiny fistful clutched tightly in her hands.
Poppy hustled out of her office upon hearing the three enter and she stopped hands on hips a she looked at each of them sternly for a few moments. "I see none of you got any sleep like I suggested. I have a half a mind to keep all three of you here under my supervision- but due to the circumstances..."
Jenny Wren coughed slightly and drew Poppys attention away to the relief of Albus, Minerva and Severus.
Taking out her wand Poppy cast a diagnostic and studied the runes that appear upon the parchment that hovered over a nearby table. "Hmmmmmfff. Fortunately her condition is even." Severus I think we need to get some supplies in especially for her needs. Better safe than sorry, I anticipate we will be needing some liquid pain... "
"I have already come prepared ." He handed her a vial filled with a liquid pain potion and a medicine dropper. "It is made to standards for an infant I assure you. "
" You anticipated my requests." Poppy said with astonishment. "How did you know?"
Severus nodded curtly, "I have had some training in medi care along with my Potions Mastery. Making the required potions for infants have not been necessary up to now."
"Oh yes, Sorry Severus I forgot about that." Poppy smiled at the disgruntled look that graced Severus's face.
Grumbling a little, Severus cleared his throat and continued. "Before you ask I also have on hand a container of baby cream for relief from the chafing caused by diaper rash or other irritations, an antibacterial, gripe water, saline drops with a bulb syringe for clearing the mucus from her nose, and shampoo... "
He scowled at the incredulous looks being directed at him as he withdrew several containers out of his pocket. "At least the supplies can be sent along to WWS with her."
"Severus... never mind." Albus decided not to inquire any further and changed the subject. "We should take this discussion up to my office while we wait for Martin."
"Agreed." Minerva hastily seconded his suggestion when Poppy's eyes narrowed as she turned her gaze on him and turned to go out the door.
"I suppose you had better take Jenny with you so that Martin can see her." Poppy said as she gently lifted the baby up, made sure the child was well wrapped up in the cloak that had been shrunk to her size and handed her to Severus. "Let him know I have done a full diagnostic scan and she is a healthy baby in the range of two and a half to three months. " Poppy sniffed, "Better hurry on or I just may decide to change my mind on keeping the lot of you here in the ward till I am assured you have had proper rest from all that nighttime gallivanting... late night trips for hot chocolate in the kitchen, the Muggle side of London..." She looked innocently at the Headmaster who gulped.
Albus tugged Severus' arm and indicated they had better 'make tracks' before she decided that he should start cutting back on the quantity of lemon sherbets he consumed throughout the day.
Meanwhile at the WWS Martin was looking over the files that required his attention before he started to go out on his rounds when an owl came into his office. Noting the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry seal on the rolled up parchment his eyebrow rose as he took it from the owl.
'What the heck is going on' he said as he offered the owl a treat and upon rerusal of the words written upon the parchment he immediately went straight to the fireplace and using floo powder he stepped into the green flames and said clearly, "Headmasters office, Hogwarts."
He appeared a minute later in Dumbledores study where little Jenny Wren was gurgling happily while she kept looking up at Severus who was holding her. The portraits of the former headmasters where chuckling and whispering among themselves about him and the darling little baby, which Severus was doing his valiant best to ignore, while while he waited with Albus and Minerva who had made a mobile appear in the air with magical creatures going around.
Albus was answering a few of the questions put forth by the portraits while watching the baby amuse herself as they waited for Martin's arrival.
'Thank you Albus for letting us know about little Jennys predicament .' Martin told him as he sat down in one of the rather roomy and comfortable chairs provided. "It is a strange situation though unfortuantely not unheard of."
"I suspect she may be a muggle born whose magic has materialised early and that spooked her muggle parents." offered Albus. "She was found in the muggle side of London in an alleyway after all."
"That may be a possible scenario. Tell me everything you remember, no matter how insignificant." Martin said as he kept an eye upon the little child who was cooing softly to herself as she tried to grab at the various magical animals that twirled about above her. The fact that she kept glancing up at the Potion Master did not excape his notice.
After Albus and Severus filled him in on the details of how Jenny was found, Martin thought for a moment and said 'It is obvious that Jenny has taken a shine to your potions master and l for one would like to request that he become the child's foster father temporarily along with you two as the supportive foster family.'
'Wait a minute ' Severus said ' this is going a little fast, what do l know about being a father, mine wasn't exactly a role model you know.'
"She seems to be quite content right where she is." Martin grinned and sighed 'Don't worry Severus, l trust you to keep the child safe as you already know what it was like growing up unwanted and abused, so despite what you obviously fear , I am sure you won't make those same mistake."
Upon noting the unconvinced look upon Severus's face, Martin continued to explain his decision.
"Besides you have Albus and Minerva to help, and Madame Pomfrey in her hospital wing would gladly help out too l suspect. She is a healer and with her in residence we don't have to worry about her health. She has obviously taken to you and the authorities are hard pressed at this moment to find a home for the muggleborn children already in care much less a baby witch whose parantage has yet to be ascertained.'
Albus and Minerva looked at each other and said Minerva said 'we will be pleased to help, It is summer and we don't have too many students staying for the holidays.'
'Yes' said Albus 'It would definitely be interesting to find out the truth as to why the child was abandoned and who abandoned her.'
' Don't worry Severus it won't be that bad an undertaking. I think you like the idea of raising her here at Hogwarts regardless of the difficulties. As Martin says, he has faith in you as do l.'
"Besides I did notice the baby potions you have prepared for her despite knowing that there was a chance that she would be taken away." Martin smiled as he stood up to take his leave. He turned serious as he told Albus " l will be looking in from time to time and will definitely let you know the developments in the situation."
Albus responded with a slight nod of acknowledgement. 'Perfect, we will be most pleased to hear from you, good day Martin.' It is going to be wonderfull. A little baby to look after even if it is for a little while.
After Martin went out Minerva stood there thinking. 'We should have the House Elves set up the night nursery in Severus' quarters."
'Thanks! It is nice to be needed, though l would like to know why my quarters is to have the nursery not say…. the hospital wing .' Severus asked while baby Jenny burped up her morning bottle over his shoulder.
Minerva with a half smile trying not to laugh with a swish of her wand cleaned up the mess on Severus's shoulder. "It isn't always good to use magic when tending to a baby's needs so I hope you will watch me carefully as I show you how to do this properly." She took Jenny and laid her on a table before taking off the soiled diaper and then taking up a cloth wipes dampened it with a little warm water and liquid soap to clean the little bottom. Noticing that Severus' face looked a touch green as she dried the little bottom and pinned on a nice clean diaper she said, " You know Severus, you are not that easy a person get along with, and now to my amazement here is a child who actually likes you. I'm sure Martin has his reasons why he chose you to be the main foster parent and as he said you have already have the experience as to how not to raise a child".
'That is a good point Minerva." Albus said as he jiggled a tiny stuffed toy unicorn in front of Jenny, who giggled and reached out to get the toy. "Don't worry Severus remember you will have help. After all there will have to be a crib in the potions and the transfiguration classroom so Minerva can help during the day."
With the diaper changed, Jenny was put into clean clothes then wrapped the folded cloak around her. Minerva passed her back to Severus. Albus handed over the tiny stuffed toy unicorn for Jenny to play with.
"Thank you for the help." Severus growled, 'Don't you pair think it is time to take this little baby down to the great hall…" There was silence for a split second, "In the classrooms, wait a minute, start of term is almost two months away, don't you think Martin will have an alternative plan by then?"
"Don't panic Severus you are doing fine so far, you're not really as nasty as you like everyone to believe. Remember you where the one who found the baby and obviously let your heart guide you when you picked her up; l was there. Who knows what will happen in a few months, lets just take it day by day." Albus smiled calmly as they left the office and strolled down the corridors past portraits of ladies that where cooing sweet nothings at the sight of the little child.
"Who's panicking?" Severus protested, " l just like to know what I'm going to be up against. I hate to be uncertain about what may happen. She is a cute kid and doesn't deserve such a bad start".
Jenny snuggled up in the cloak and sucked her thumb, making cooing noises with the gentle motion of Severus's body while he strode alongside Albus and Minerva into the great hall where Madame Pomfey, was just sitting down.
'Well then it is time she got a better deal, looks to me she already thinks she has one with you, Severus, which seems to be saying a lot" Minerva replied as she magicked a wee baby lounger between her and Severus's chairs for him to place Jenny in, so they could eat their meal and they could keep an eye on Jenny who was laughing in delight at the attention she was getting.
"Oh sure - as if she will be staying with me permanently. Remember I am still known as the big bad bat who is also an Ex Death Eater."
"Emphasis oan th' ex Severus. th' war is ower. prejudices main still be aroond but th' warst is ower." Minerva responded. "Whit's fur ye'll go by ye!"
Severus rolled his eyes as she lapsed into her scottish dialect. She knew it irritated him to have to take a moment to translate what she said into English and by that time it would be to late for him to retort.
As they settled down to eat Jenny reached out with one of her little hands toward some brightly coloured jello substance which tipped over and splattered against Severus's coat and onto Minerva's robe.
"Ooops, set too close to the edge." Madame Pomfrey reached over, stroked the little girls cheek and talked to her gently. Jenny focused on Madame Pomfreys face and giggled while kicking away under the cloak which was wrapped around her securely to keep her from falling out of the little lounger, "So l take it we will be having baby Jenny around for a while, Oh good she is such a sweet thing."
"It certainly looks that way." Albus answered cheerfully as Severus cleaned up the mess Jenny had made and wiped her hands and face clean before he took up the bottle of milk provided by the House Elves and started to feed Jenny whose appetite seemed to him to be quite healthy as she sucked energetically. Seveus picked her up out of the lounger as she needed to burp several times throughout the feeding - then at the very end of her feeding- with one last satisfied burp, Jenny spewed some of her liquid meal over Severus' shoulder which was vanished by a swift flick of Poppy's wand.
"Eat your own meal now... while you can." Poppy chuckled as Severus replaced Jenny into her little lounger.
"l suppose I've got to take her outside sometime this afternoon for what you guys call fresh air and exercise….for whom, l wonder.'' Severus said once he finished eating his fill from the plate of ham and chicken sandwiches and his drink of spiced pumpkin juice.
"Don't worry Severus I'm sure it should be warm enough outside that you don't have to bundle her up too much. Don't be such a grouch and enjoy the time you have with such a cute baby." Madame Pomfrey said in her no nonsense voice. "Do have fun."
Albus grinned, "That's right Severus take it easy after all it is the Holidays, relax and get some sun, you could use a little colour"
"Thanks for your vote of confidence." Severus said dryly " I suppose I can at least, still do some reading of my potion magazines outside, I'm sure Jenny isn't going to talk the whole time she is out there while playing in her carriage." which he proceeded to whip up with his wand. Placing Jenny Wren into it and adjusting the cloak around her and setting the unicorn beside her he proceeded out of the hall and down to the outside doors.
"You think he will leave her in that carrage the whole time they are out there?" Minerva asked.
"No. He'll have her out of the carriage with some toys on a blanket before long." answered Albus, "You agree?"
"Totally." agreed Poppy. "You think it mean of us to not offer to take her off his hands? I mean the WWS may eventually take her away if a more suitable placement for her is found."
"No it isn't mean Poppy. I also hope that the WWS doesn't find another home for her. I suspect that Martin will agree with me that Severus needs little Jenny as much as she needs him." answered Albus with a twinkle in his light blue eyes. " Anyway, I am sure one of us will be nearby to help if it is necessary."
"You are truly a manipulative man Albus." Minerva gave him a narrow eyed look.
"Me? Manipulative? Why would you think that Minerva? I just hope to see them both have a happy ending or rather – a wonderful beginning." Albus gave them all a wide-eyed look as he drew a lemon sherbet out of the tin and popped it into his mouth.
Authors notes
"Whit's fur ye'll go by ye!" - What's meant to happen will happen!
"emphasis oan th' ex Severus. th' war is ower. prejudices main still be aroond but th' warst is ower." -"Emphasis on the ex Severus. The war is over. Prejudices may still be around but the worst is over. "
It is nice to see that there are quite a few readers interested in my story. Thank you very much.