DMM CH.16

Face flushing slightly, Hermione hurriedly sat down in one of the seats. "Hello Professor. Madam Pomfrey said that you wanted to discuss the situation. Have you found out anything that will help?" She said smoothly, though by the look on her face, it was painstakingly obvious that she was completely uncomfortable with the position she was in at the moment.

The Potion's Master only nodded in response, making his way over to one of the simmering caldrons at the side of the room. Motioning for her to follow him while stirring whatever was in the caldron, Hermione took the open spot next to her professor and looked at the disgusting substance.

"I have been doing multiple tests with the potion that caused all of the commotion. I think that I have found the antidote, but it has many stages and will take some time. All in all, with this antidote once every week, my suggestion is every Saturday before he goes to bed, he will be re-aged back into his former self after three months time, aging one year with each administration." The professor explained, stirring three times clockwise and then once counter-clockwise.

Hermione nodded, though her thoughts and questions were racing through her head. "So at least three weeks worth of a toddler and everything that comes with it…great…" Hermione sighed in partial relief. Looking down at the tiny tot, a wave of content and protectiveness swept across her features. She had to admit, he was an angel… well, at least in his sleep. Drawing her attention back to the professor's concoction, it seemed as if everything would just solve itself in due time. A smile graced her lips at the thought.

The professor shot her a questionable look before continuing. "As you know or are about to know, I am Draco's established godfather. Therefore, anything concerning his health status and or wellbeing, I am to be notified of."

Hermione looked up at her usually snarky potions' professor. Cautiously, she began to ask most of her unanswered questions. "You will no dubitably be informed, by either one of the staff or from me, of any or every progression you wish to know of at the time, sir. I can assure you, I will not allow any harm to come to him while he is in my care," she tightened her hold on the sleeping tot and sighed, "Though, if I may ask, what was he like the first time around? Madam Pomfrey found signs of previous and possibly current abuse." She cringed at the thought, "Farther more, since you are his godfather and Head of House, how should he be dealt with when he gets out of hand? What are his warning signs? I am not meaning to pry, sir, I am merely asking in order to be prepared. Parenting books can only get you so far." Breathing in after what seemed over fifteen minutes, Hermione met the man's eyes.

Severus looked down at the girl as she gave her little speech, taking in her nervous and fidgety appearance. She was bouncing on her toes, shifting from foot to foot, while unconsciously rocking Draco and holding him closer still. The corners of the 'dungeon bat's' mouth turned upward into a half smirk, half grin, just for a second before he met her gaze. Her eyes displayed all of her emotions and practically tossed them at him. Fear, hope, pity, regret, determination, everything he needed to know that she was serious about caring for his godson. Sighing, the professor gestured to the seat beside him, and she obliged.

"I can't give you all of the information that you wish to know, mainly because I wasn't able to really help him with his immediate family for various reasons, but I can give you the general picture of what I have dealt with, a few key warnings, and how I was able to deal with him during my time with him." Severus paused, and then looked back into Hermione's eyes. Spurs of hope and concern, as well as the determination and pure nobility, were swirling within her brown eyes, giving him a little reassurance that his information would be taken seriously, and continued on. "Draco was a very bright child for his age. Took to flying and potions the moment they came within reach. Though he may have been smart, he did occasionally voice his displeasures with a few solid tantrums, just like any typical toddler. The only difference is that his accidental magic would show its true power when he was upset. Objects in the same room went flying off shelves, glass broke, all lights went out, and anything sharp would be trying to find its way to the cause of his distress. Now the main idea to remember at these times is physical contact. When I was able to embrace him, or show any kind of physical comfort, everything happening in that room would stop. Things in the air would fall, broken glass fixed itself, etc. However, even if the chaos is done for the moment, you have to follow through. That is to say, make sure he is alright, then explain to him that he cannot lash out, and give an appropriate punishment for his actions. My suggestion is to stick with childish punishments, like time outs, groundings, loss of privileges, etc. You will have to make sure that he knows the rules and what will happen if he breaks them. If there is only one thing that Draco ever needs, it's consistency."

Hermione nodded at his every word, making mental notes as he continued on. She would have to remember everything said here in due time. She motioned for him to keep going, and so he did.

"Now as far as warning signs go, it is that same as any normal child would act. Stamping his foot, arguing to the point of shouting, and if anything starts to move, make physical contact then. That is the sign of accidental magic about to unleash. You will have to be somewhat slow in your movements, so as not to scare him or anything of the like. Is that all, Ms. Granger?"

Hermione went over everything once through in her head before nodding. "Yes, Prof. Snape, I believe that was much more than I could have hoped for. Thank you very much, and sorry for taking up your valuable time." She made to leave, only to stop at the doorway from a hasty hand on her shoulder.

"If you need anything more, I will always be available here for an hour after classes are released, and I am not, merely ask your Head of House to locate me. That is all."

Hermione turned around and thanked him again, then headed back to her courters.

(turn right, turn right again, walk straight, dead end with a window… go back to second right turn, turn left, walk down hallway, avoid 'Pugsy' Parkinson, turn right, walk down hallway, right, walk, left, FINALLY OUT OF THE DUNGEONS, go straight, turn right, avoid being crushed by the Ravenclaw AND Hufflepuff Quidditch teams, turn left, go up a few staircases, turn right, say hi to Prof. Victor, go straight, FINALLY AT THE PORTRAIT!)

Hermione went on inside after saying the password. She looked down at the still sleeping Draco and sighed in relief. "I'll lay him in his crib to sleep for the time being. Hopefully I can finish the rest of the parenting books and look around a little more, maybe reorganize a few things." Draco didn't wake for another three hours.

Hey Everyone. Both Nova and I have been experienceing a LOT of technical difficulties. For me, well, my computer kept shutting itself off when I was typing and not saving ANYTHING! So ya. Well, it's fixed now, so no worries ^^'.

The answer to the last riddle was... THE LETTER S!

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