A Potion Induced Advent's Time
by Healer Pomfrey

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

December 18

In the morning, Poppy kept Minerva and Severus in their quarters, since they were again feeling unwell due to the after effects of the aging potion; however, this time, she instructed Helga Hufflepuff to keep a close eye on the children, so that they were unable to get away let alone do mischief. However, after two hours of being confined to the living room under the supervision of the Founder's portrait, the children decided that they preferred to attend classes, and to their relief, Poppy agreed. Not even wanting to bother checking out what classes the first years were having, since the morning classes were half finished anyway, Poppy accompanied Minerva to Harry's classroom. On their way to Gryffindor, Severus somehow managed convincing her to let him attend Potions classes. What she could not know was that the twins allowed the de-aged professor to brew a potion.

Harry, however, observed Minerva quietly sit in her seat. She eagerly watched the students' practice and listened to the conversation between him and the students, frowning when someone said something unintelligent, but she refrained from commenting on anything.

'I just hope Severus is behaving as well as Minerva,' Harry thought. Somehow he felt uneasy knowing that the young Potions Master was attending the twins' classes.

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In the afternoon, Harry and the two eleven-year-olds took the Floo to the Leaky Cauldron. 'At least now they're able to step through the Floo on their own,' Harry thought in relief. Somehow, for no special reason, he felt strangely exhausted and couldn't wait for the day to be over. 'I just hope Severus will behave himself,' he thought. Harry, Minerva and Severus walked along Diagon Alley and looked at the beautifully decorated windows, before they stopped in front of the large Christmas tree. The tree was not spitting out chocolate frogs anymore; it was completely back to its original state. The thought 'The other version was at least more fun,' came into Harry's mind, and he was unable to hide a small grin.

From the other side of the tree, right next to the entrance of Flourish and Blotts, a choir of old ladies singing with the assumption they had angelic qualities could be heard chanting Christmas carols. However, all of a sudden, their voices turned into those of frogs – 'no, ducks,' Harry thought in confusion - and all that could be heard was a multiple, "Quack quack quack" with the melody of Silent Night.

'Severus.' Harry felt completely annoyed. Even if the boy managed to set up an indifferent expression, he was sure that it was Severus' doing. He leaned down to the boy and looked sternly into the small face. "Severus, I warn you. Please behave yourself for once."

"Yes Harry," Severus replied simply, causing Minerva to giggle.

"Until when? Tonight?" she asked, chuckling, even when Severus cast her a glare. "Why did you do that though?" she then enquired, sounding much like her older self. "I liked their singing."

"Now let's go," Harry decided, resolving to keep an even closer eye on the boy and return home at the slightest misbehaviour.

However, Severus apparently decided to do Harry the favour and not attract any more attention. Minerva on the other hand was still happy about her success in pranking Mrs. Norris, who was still roaming the castle in her Santa attire to the great pleasure of all students. Glad that Harry completely turned his attention towards Severus, she unobtrusively pointed her wand at the handles of the entrance doors to each single shop on the right hand side of the street as they passed in front of them.

On their way back to the Leaky Cauldron, they noticed how many people, especially those, who came out of the shops on the left-hand side, were dressed like Santa Claus. However, only when Severus telepathically reassured him 'I haven't done anything this time,' did Harry realised that something was not as it was supposed to be.

"Minerva, is that your doing?" he whispered, suddenly noticing that he was getting a bad headache.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I promise not to do anything else, but isn't that funny?" Minerva whispered back, smiling at him in such a way that Harry just couldn't be angry at the cute girl.

He let out a long sigh. "Yes well, but we're going to go home now," he told the children in a firm voice.

"Nooooo."

"Please not yet."

"Can we go to Flourish and Blotts first please?"

"And to the Apothecary?"

Harry rolled his eyes in annoyance. As often during the last three weeks, he pondered to take the children's wands away. However, knowing how one's life could depend on whether one had his wand ready or not, he always resolved to not take their wands, even when they had been two-year-olds with their older selves' minds. He slowly brought his hands up to his face to massage his temples. "Okay, we'll go to the bookshop and to the Apothecary, but I really expect both of you not to use your wands or do any magic at all. Do you understand me?" he asked in a strict voice.

To his surprise and relief, both children replied simultaneously. "Sorry Harry, we promise."

The visits to the two shops passed uneventfully, especially since all three of them were very careful to not touch the handles on the doors, and it was nearly dinnertime when they arrived back at Hogwarts. Still not feeling overly well, Harry decided to have dinner in their quarters. Neither did he notice the relieved glance that Minerva and Severus exchanged when he instructed them to wash their hands and come to the dining table, nor did he realise that Severus unobtrusively emptied a tiny phial into his pumpkin juice, while he was discussing with Misty and Minerva if the children were allowed to have dessert after playing pranks on people at Diagon Alley.

tbc...

Sorry for the delay... again - and thank you for your kind comments. Hope to see you tonight for the next chap...