Snape Revealed Shorts, Story ONE:
Lost and Found
Part 6: A Real Clue
AN: JK Rowling created most of these characters and the universe from which they hail…
Okay, we all knew this was coming. Even before I got pregnant I thought about writing a Snape and baby story. This takes place about 2 yrs after Severus arrives at Hogwarts to teach. He's had roughly 22 months to mourn for Lily and his involvement in her demise and has been having a very rough go of it. Some other tragic things have occurred as well since Lily's death that he's also trying to cope with.
(I'll be perfectly honest with you; I've forgotten a lot of what I wrote in part II and what I did write in part III of Severus Snape Revealed. I'm confused if I wrote things, or meant to, and don't have the time to go back to research. If I make a blatant mistake that goes against canon or against my own canon and someone calls me out on it, I'd really appreciate it, and I'll go back and correct it.)
This is not beta'd…
"Dumbledore, seriously, it's been a whole week since I've seen Lucius. He will offer no more help. I find it hard to believe you have no information. This child is getting attached; he must be reunited with his family!" Severus pleaded in his quarters, holding Rhys on his lap who was doing little more than smile and drool.
"Attached?"
"Mini tells me each time I leave the room he crawls to the door and then screams until I come back! This is cruel! I have to pop in here every few minutes to soothe him! I can't live like this!"
"He just misses his mummy is all."
"This isn't funny Dumbledore!"
"Severus, calm down. I'm sorry to make light. I'm very concerned about him, but we may as well just remain calm and optimistic, two things you are not good at. Now I know you think I have some dark, twisted reason for assigning you his caretaker. I assure you I do not."
"Seems that way."
"You're wonderful with the boy and am I mistaken that caring for him has kept your mind off…other things?"
"I've not thought of…I guess."
"Well there then."
"I saw another glimpse of a person in his eyes this afternoon. A different woman, older, and she was wearing a cloak, she must be a witch."
"Did you draw it down?"
"Of course," Severus replied, digging into his pocket to remove the squashed parchment, which Rhys instantly tore from his hand and placed in his mouth. "No, no Rhys we don't eat parchment!" Severus lectured as the boy bit down and began to chew on the piece in his mouth. "Rhys! Damn it…no, no parchment, it's not food! You had peaches and porridge this morning and potato for dinner; you should not be hungry for parchment!" Severus said, removing the soaked piece from Rhys's mouth. The drawing itself was in-tact so he handed it to Dumbledore.
"Ah," Dumbledore said, opening the parchment.
"He is on the verge of cutting three molars and I can see three more still on their way…what?" Severus asked, noticing the seriousness on the old man's face.
"Now this woman, I do recognize."
"Really?" Severus asked, nearly jumping from his chair.
"She can't be the mother, she'd be too old," Dumbledore said and then looked at the boy again.
"Who is she?"
"I don't recall her name, but I never forget a face. She's older now, but I'm certain she was a student here some time ago."
"She must be the grandmother, and he is a wizard then!"
"That still doesn't explain why anyone would abandon him, and the girl we think is his mother, I've never seen."
"She could be a nanny or…friend of the family."
"No Severus, besides, if he were a true wizard, his birth would be recorded."
"Perhaps this woman you know, her child who must be the mother or father, had him in another country?"
"I've checked in all of Britain, France, the Russias, Germany, Poland and Holland."
"There's quite a few places left on planet Earth Dumbledore."
"Yes, Severus, I'm aware of that. Can I keep this drawing?" he asked, as Severus nodded.
"Let me check the old annuals. I think she was in Gryffindor."
"Of course she was…Slytherin's don't abandon their children," Severus sneered.
"No? They don't?" Dumbledore asked in a sarcastic tone, as if Severus needed to be reminded of his mother's bad deeds.
"Most Slytherins are loving parents, is what I meant. Look at the Malfoys, Merlin wasn't loved as much as Draco is."
"I'll give Lucius and Narcissa that," Dumbledore said, and then he began to make a face. Severus instantly knew why, as Rhys had suddenly become very fragrant.
"Merlin's ass Rhys, again?" Severus asked the boy who just cooed and smiled. "A word to the wise Dumbledore…if you ever find yourself caring for a wee-one, avoid feeding them pears, they make for the most unfortunate nappies."
"I'll make a note of it," Dumbledore said. Severus didn't bother summoning Mini; he just got up and walked to his bedroom as Dumbledore let himself out.
"Boy, this nappy is the nastiest thing I've ever seen, or smelled," Severus said turning his face away from the aromatic youngster, who had curled up and was nibbling on his bare toes. "And between you and me, I've seen and smelled some nasty things in my life," Severus joked and then threw the soiled nappy on the floor.
Severus attached the new, clean nappy, and fastened it tightly. He put Rhys's clothes back on and then just stared at the child, who he was confident would be returning home soon. Suddenly, he was filled with sadness. It hit him like a train. Without the distraction of Rhys, he'd have his past to think about, as well as his future, two things he dreaded thinking of.
Severus began to feel vacant, a sensation he despised. A moment later Rhys rolled over, crawled on the bed closer to him and leaned his head against Severus's chest. Instantly Severus felt better. He put his arm around the child and leaned back in his bed. He got a book titled "The Little Wizard and the Magic Potty" and began to read aloud. Rhys stared at the pages of the book, with a thumb in his mouth, and a stream of drool dripping from his red chin.
"The little wizard wanted to be a big tot, so he asked his mummy if he could sit on the magical pot," Severus read, knowing Rhys didn't understand, but at least he was sitting still and not crying. Severus could feel the warmth from Rhys's body and could hear the subtle sounds of his breathing as he turned the pages slowly, being sure to let Rhys see the pictures, which glowed and danced off the pages.
"The witch placed the potty outside beneath the stars that twinkled, and applauded at delight at the sounds of the little wizard's tinkles," Severus read and then rolled his eyes. "His mum was from Hufflepuff and was a total sap, but she squealed in delight at the Ravenclaw emblem on which the wizard took his crap," Severus improvised and ironically Rhys chuckled. "Oh you like that huh? See, this wizard's family was in Slytherin, which is why he's so smart and is using the potty like a good boy. If they were Gryffindors, they'd rely on McGonagall to potty train him upon his acceptance to Hogwarts," Severus jibbed.
Rhys smiled and then began to rub his eyes. He almost always fought sleep. There was still so much to do and see and explore, he didn't have time for sleep. That evening, he didn't fight it, he fell asleep in Severus's arms, and a few moments later, Severus fell asleep too.
"I'm astonished Albus hasn't done more Severus," McGonagall spoke, seated across from him in his quarters the next morning as Mini served her tea. "It's unfair to strap you down with a baby."
"I know," Severus somewhat fibbed. He'd never admit it but he'd grown fond of the boy. "He keeps me busy though."
"Don't get angry but I heard a few students in the corridor saying they noticed you stopped assigning such grueling homework assignments."
"I'd not be too worried. I'll assign a plethora of make-up homework once Rhys is back home."
"You said you found a lead?"
"Oh, um, Dumbledore suspects he's found a grandparent," Severus said, knowing McGonagall wasn't aware of his prowess at Legillimancy.
"I see. So this child should be gone soon then?"
"I'd imagine so," Severus said, staring at the child who was sitting near the fire, playing with blocks.
"How's Mr. Ohlms? I don't see him often."
"He's okay I guess."
"He's….dealing with what happened, okay?"
"He seems to be dealing as well as can be expected."
"I'm surprised he returned to Hogwarts."
"His parents didn't want him to, but he is seventeen and can do what he wants, so he chose to return."
"Brave boy."
"Indeed," Severus replied, not wanting to comment much on the topic of bravery.
"And you?"
"I'm fine, Minerva, thank you. Rhys, don't do that," Severus said, noticing the boy was reaching closer to the fire place. Even though he placed a magical gate around it, he was still concerned for the boy's safety. "Rhys, come here," Severus coaxed. The boy turned to smile at him, and then crawled towards him.
"Amazing."
"Is it? They understand basic commands at this age; at least, I assume he's the age of around ten or eleven months now."
"Well, I'll let you get back to not grading the homework you never assigned."
"Thanks," Severus replied, rising as the witch exited his quarters. He got down on the floor and rolled a ball at Rhys, who patted on it, licked it, and then rolled it back with pride, which was evident through his large smile. "Good boy," Severus complimented and then rolled the ball back.
The next morning Severus was giving Rhys a bath when he heard a knock at his door. He heard Mini open the door and then heard Dumbledore's voice.
"I'm in here," Severus announced just before getting a face full of water splashed on him by the rowdy baby. "Thanks Rhys," Severus said sarcastically, to which he got another splash in the face. "Ouch!" Severus yelped, as the boy yanked hard on his hair and then gripped his face and tore at his beard. "No Rhys!"
"What have we here?" Dumbledore asked, entering the bathroom. "You're drenched!"
"Thanks for noticing," Severus replied. His head was tilted to the side from the force of Rhys still pulling on his long hair. The boy continued to splash with his other hand while holding Severus's hair. He would squeal and laugh and kick the water, he seemed to have never-ending energy.
"I hate this room," Dumbledore stated in a melancholy tone.
"What? Why?" Severus asked.
"Because of that time I found you here in here," Dumbledore reminded Severus, who sighed and then winced in pain from Rhys's death-grip on his hair. "Why not remove his hand from your locks?"
"He just goes right back again or screams."
"So you are an enabler?"
"Yes Dumbledore. And must we reminisce about the past?"
"It just reminds me is all. I see the mirror hasn't been replaced very well."
"It's repaired."
"But there's shards still missing."
"Is there a reason for your visit this morning?"
"Yes. I discovered the identity of the older woman you composed."
"Really?" Severus asked, forgetting about Rhys's grip and moving his head upwards, which caused great pain. "OUCH!" Severus removed Rhys's hand from his wet hair and sat upright. "Who is she?"
"Her name is Vernice Blackshire, and she left Hogwarts many years ago. She has a son named Homer Volgner…"
"Volgner? Wasn't there is Homer Volgner here when I was a student?"
"Yes, Severus. She left Hogwarts back in the early fifties, and her son, Homer, is a few years younger than you."
"He was in Gryffindor."
"Yes, as was she. He left Hogwarts just three years ago."
"Aren't the Blackshires' related to the Blacks'?"
"Distant cousins."
"So this Homer is the father, or he has a sister who could be the mother?"
"Well he has an older sister named Celia, who left Hogwarts back when you were a second or third year..."
"So she's the mother?"
"No. She had black hair and a very distinct chin. Also, she's married with three sons, none of whom are Rhys."
"So…Homer is the father then?"
"That's my theory, yes."
"Well what do we do now?"
"I'm going to contact Vernice today and see what she knows. You better get Rhys's bags packed; I think we found his family."
"But do they want him back?" Severus asked as the boy laughed and splashed him in the face again.
"I'm not certain," Dumbledore replied with a sigh. He smiled at the baby but had a saddened look on his face. "Are you ready to part with him?"
"What? Of course," Severus said as Rhys smiled and began to speak.
"Daaadaaa, Maaaa, Dad-daaa."
"I can wait until Monday if you prefer," Dumbledore urged, but Severus didn't want to sound as if he liked the boy.
"Well…"
"I'll wait until Monday, oh darn, I forgot, I have a meeting in London that day. It'll have to be Tuesday…oh, no, I can't Tuesday. Wednesday perhaps," Dumbledore said with a smile. He patted Severus on the back, something Severus could hardly feel with all the scar tissue. "Good day Severus. Enjoy your Sunday," Dumbledore said exiting the bathroom.
Rhys stood up in the tub and smiled at Severus, who suddenly was filled with terror. Once Rhys was gone, his life would return to normal…and he dreaded the very thought of that.
Since I have no life, I created a Facebook page for my story. Just search FB for Severus Snape Revealed and "like" it! :-)