A Potion Induced Advent's Time
by Healer Pomfrey

Please refer to the content/warnings/disclaimer note above page 1.

December 2

Harry turned his eyes to the toddlers, who were patiently sitting on the table. Somehow, he had the impression as if his own hands were sticky and clammy in spite of the fact that the air in the classroom seemed a touch colder than usual. He wiped his hands off his robes, before he hesitantly picked up Severus, who immediately began to wriggle himself out of his grip.

'Just let me down, Potter. I am two and not a baby. I am well capable of walking,' the de-aged professor thought to him.

"Oh I'm sorry, sir," Harry replied and obediently put the toddler onto his feet, before he warily wiped the sweat from his brow, noticing that the professor was still his usual self in spite of being de-aged. 'I just hope they won't make me look after him,' he thought as he put Minerva down to the floor as well, feeling very much reassured and grateful for Neville's presence.

An instant later, Professor Flitwick stepped through the fireplace and immediately began to fawn over the children. "Oh my, you're handsome little ones, aren't you?" he cooed, smiling at Minerva and Severus. "Well, since I need to cover for the two of you, I won't be able to care for you," he told them, turning to Madam Pomfrey.

"Very well then, Mr. Potter, Mr. Longbottom..."

"I am sorry, Madam, but I can't look after Professor Snape," Neville said, terrified.

"Very well then, Mr. Potter, I need you to look after them until can age them back to their own age," Pomfrey said in a soft but firm voice, casting Harry a sympathetic look as she took Severus by the hand. "Please come with me. We'll ask the house-elves to prepare the quarters next to mine for you and the children, so that I am nearby if you need me."

Neville picked Harry's book bag up from the floor and handed it to his friend. "I'm sorry, Harry, but if you really need help for some reason, you can call me at any time."

"Thank you, Neville, and don't worry; I understand," Harry replied kindly, knowing that the relationship between Neville and the Slytherin Head was even worse than that between himself and the Potions professor. He carefully extended his left hand towards Minerva, noticing in relief that the little girl immediately slid her small, cool hand into his and cast him a small smile.

"Fanku Hawwy," Minerva said softly, causing Harry to smile down to the small girl.

"You're welcome, and it's my fault anyway," Harry replied, following the Mediwitch through her private quarters and her office in surprise. 'Oh well, she wouldn't want us to walk through the hospital wing; that makes sense,' he realised.

Pomfrey stopped in front of a door, which was guarded by a portrait of Helga Hufflepuff, similar to the one that hung over her desk in her office. She ushered the small group in and called Misty, her personal house-elf.

"Misty, we need you and the other elves prepare these rooms for Harry and the two toddlers," she said, letting out a long sigh, before she turned to Harry. "You may call Misty and ask her to fetch me at any time if you need help."

"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey, thank you, Misty," Harry said gratefully. While the Mediwitch was still giving instructions to her elf, he pulled two tissues out of his robe pocket and placed them onto the table. Pointing his wand at the first one, he transfigured it into a teddy bear, waving his wand over the stuffed animal to charm it. He handed the teddy to Minerva and showed her how to change its colour or make it burp by looking into its eyes respectively pushing its belly button.

"Fanku Hawwy," Minerva said and happily busied herself with the teddy, changing its blue colour to orange.

With a small smile on his lips, Harry transfigured the other tissue into a green dragon, applying similar charms to the toy, before he handed it to Severus. The small boy busied himself changing the colour to black and making the dragon breathe fire by pushing its belly button for a few times, before he dashed the toy off the floor, glaring at Harry.

"I wanna go home," he said in a very whiny voice that resembled more a two-year-old than the Potions Master.

Cuddling her teddy bear close, Minerva toddled over to Harry and raised her free arm, demanding, "Up!"

When Harry complied and gently placed her in his arms, the girl contentedly snuggled into his robes and drifted off to sleep, the teddy bear firmly tucked under her arm.

Pomfrey chuckled at the sight, causing Harry to shoot her a glare, before he turned his eyes back to Severus, who was still throwing a temper tantrum. Suddenly, a thought crossed Harry's mind, and he asked hesitantly, "Madam Pomfrey, excuse me, but what am I supposed to do with them when I have to attend classes?"

The Healer smirked. "I'm afraid that you will have to take them with you, Harry."

tbc...

Thank you so much for your kind comments! My muse greatly appreciates them...