A Potion Induced Advent's Time
by Healer Pomfrey

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

December 3

Seeing that Harry looked at her in shock, Pomfrey said soothingly, "I believe that they're so cranky because they're tired. Even if they have their older selves' minds, they might turn to real two-year-olds at anytime, at least when they're exhausted. You'll see, after a much needed nap, they'll be back to their usual sarcastic selves, right Severus?" She picked up the small boy and laid him on her arms, where Severus followed Minerva's example and drifted off to sleep.

Harry watched in relief and amusement how a small thumb wandered into the tiny Potions Master's mouth. 'Oh well, these are going to become three stressful weeks,' he thought, fiercely rubbing his forehead against the headache that had been bothering him since the morning. 'I just hope I'm not getting sick,' he thought, realising that his throat and ears were beginning to hurt as well.

He was pulled out of his thoughts when Misty arrived and informed them that the nursery was finished. "We added a bed for Master Harry to the nursery in case he wants to sleep together with the children," the elf said kindly.

"That's a good idea, Misty. Thank you," Pomfrey commended her gently and strode ahead, showing Harry to the newly made room. She laid Severus into one of the cribs, causing the boy to wake up and immediately begin to wail. Poppy sighed. "Harry, you can take both of them into your bed and cuddle with them until they're asleep, which I would not necessarily recommend, or you will have to endure their protests. Eventually they will tire out and go to sleep if they want it or not. For today, I will excuse you from your afternoon classes to give the three of you some time, and by Monday morning, you'll already be used to them," she added in a soothing voice. "Don't hesitate to call me or send Misty for me at any time." With that she left to return to her office.

Harry let out a long sigh. On the one hand, he felt relieved to be alone with the kids, on the other hand, it was comforting to have another adult with him, especially as he had to admit to himself that he was not feeling overly well. He picked up the still complaining Severus and carried both children to his bed, where he lay down together with them, cradling each of them close to take a much needed nap together. After a few minutes, he noticed in relief that Severus' breathing became regular as the boy finally fell into an exhausted sleep. Harry quickly followed his example.

It was several hours later that Harry woke up to Severus' wailing. He inwardly groaned, realising that he still felt exhausted and all-over achy. Severus was lying next to him, unhappily whimpering, while Minerva was sitting on the floor next to the bed, quietly playing with her teddy bear. "Hawwy, I lub teddy," she said happily as she noticed that he had woken up, changing the bear's colour over and over.

"I'm glad that you like him," Harry replied, smiling, before he turned to Severus. "What's wrong, Severus? Are you hungry?"

The boy miserably shook his head, and the edges of his mouth pulled further downwards as he continued to whimper.

"Sevvie puuh," Minerva supplied helpfully, causing Harry to wonder if the two of them really had the memories of their older selves or if they were just normal two-year-olds.

"Very well then, let's make you all clean, Sev, won't we?" he said gently, carefully scooping the boy on his arms. 'Oh indeed, Minerva was right,' he soon realised as he carried the child to the changing table. Severus blushed deeply and turned his eyes to the ceiling as Harry changed his nappy. "It's all right; there is no need to be embarrassed; for being stuck in a two-year-old body, you're holding up very well," Harry whispered. "Now, let me change Minerva's nappy as well, and then we'll ask Misty to bring lunch for you."

Glad that Severus quietly busied himself with his dragon, Harry picked up Minerva, who closed her eyes in apparent embarrassment as soon as he laid her on the changing table. "No need to be embarrassed," he whispered, repeating what he had told Severus earlier.

He led the children into the living room and lifted them into the children's chairs, taking the seat between them, before he called Misty.

"Yes, Master Harry," Misty said kindly as she popped up a mere instant later.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Misty, but I need something to eat for the children, and I'd also like you to ask Madam Pomfrey if I may take the two of them to Hogsmeade this afternoon in order to buy a few books and toys for them," Harry said to the elf in a soft voice.

"I'll ask Mistress Poppy," Misty agreed, before she asked in surprise, "Master Harry does not want anything to eat?"

Harry declined politely, not feeling hungry at all. A few seconds later, small plates with chicken, peas and rice appeared in front of each of the children along with small glasses with pumpkin juice and a spoon.

"Master Harry, Mistress Poppy will come to speak with you about going to Hogsmeade in a few minutes," Misty informed him and popped away.

"I trust that you can feed yourselves?" Harry queried, nodding contentedly when the children replied positively. 'Maybe they're only two-year-olds when they're tired or embarrassed,' Harry mused, although he was not really sure what to think about the strangely changing attitudes of his temporary wards.

Suddenly, his attention was drawn to Severus, who angrily kicked his peas with his fork, making the unwanted vegetable scatter all over the place. "Severus, eat your meal without making such a fuss," he lightly reprimanded the boy.

"No veggy!" the small boy replied whiningly, fiercely pressing his mouth shut.

"Well, you're obviously still too small to feed yourself," Harry decided. He took the fork from the boy and carefully began to feed him.

"Sevvie tupid," Minerva giggled, laughing at Severus.

To Harry's relief, Severus chose to ignore the girl and willingly ate his chicken and rice without making a fuss. However, he absolutely refused to take the peas. "No wike!" he shouted, glaring at Harry. He grabbed the spoon that was lying next to his plate and flung it onto the peas, causing every single pea on his plate to change into a Bertie Bott's bean.

"Yummy," Minerva shouted in delight and happily reached for an orange bean.

Somehow still feeling tired, Harry gave up and merely told Severus, "Well, I'll let you get away with this for the moment, but from tonight onwards, you'll eat everything without transfiguring it into sweets or making a fuss." 'I just hope I won't have to fight with him about everything,' he thought, wondering how he was going to survive the next three weeks.

tbc...

Thank you so much for your kind reviews, my wonderful readers! Sorry if this chapter was boring; Sev needs some time to warm up before doing real mischief ;-)