Hi everybody! Well, here's chapter 2, hope you like it I would also like to thank deeps85 for betaing my story and I don't own any of the HP characters, J.K Rowling does so please don't sue
On with the story!
The trio quickly reached Severus' private quarters. As they entered, Harry stared in awe. The big bat's dungeon was actually ... cosy? Harry didn't have much time to explore though, as he was guided into a bedroom. There was a big suitcase open on the bed with many items packed neatly inside.
"Before you ask, no, we aren't staying at Hogwarts. We are going to my house in a muggle neighbourhood not too far from here." Snape said as he gently laid Hermione on the bed, so as not to disturb her sleep.
Harry watched as the potions master finished packing everything and shrank the suitcase to put in his pocket. As if on cue, Hermione stirred and her eyes fluttered open.
"'Fessor?" A sweet voice called. Severus looked down at the little girl, an unreadable expression on his face.
"We are going to apparate to my house, Miss Granger. Are you alert enough for it?" Severus asked softly.
She nodded her head and Snape again picked her up. Despite Harry's protest, Severus carried him also and with a 'pop' they were gone.
They arrived in a small alleyway and Harry and Hermione wondered why they were there. Snape gazed upon their curious faces and rolled his eyes.
"Silly children" he muttered "Did you really believe we would just apparate into a town filled with muggles?"
Hermione looked down, embarrassed that she hadn't though of it. Harry, on the other hand, glared, as much as a baby could, at his professor. Snape swiftly ignored the look and changed his robes into a black button-up shirt and jeans. He took two handkerchiefs and transfigured them into baby outfits with nappies. Hermione was now wearing a white long sleeved dress and Harry had a green long sleeved shirt and jeans. Harry grimaced at the green colour and nappy while Snape put both into a muggle pushchair and pushed them into the small town.
As they started walking down the street, they were stopped by two women. One seemed older, though her eyes sparkled with a mischievous youth that made her appear years younger. The other was around Snape's age with long black hair and a very light purple colour for eyes.
"Hello Mrs. Omirou" he said politely, kissing her hand.
Mrs. Omirou put her hands on her hips. "Severus Snape! I have known you since you were in nappies, you know that you don't have to be formal with me! Now give this old woman a hug."
Snape obliged and said "Old? Who are you calling old? Why, you get younger every time I see you!"
They both laughed and Snape suddenly stopped when someone caught his eye. "Lana!" He said.
"Hi Sever-" she was cut off by Snape picking her up and spinning her around in the air. She laughed with delight, even when he put her down. "I missed you too" she spoke when she caught her breath.
"Oh Severus! Who are the paidia?" Mrs. Omirou asked. (paidia means children in Greek)
Severus turned his attention to the pushchair where two shocked little faces greeted him. Both were shocked that their git of a potions master showed such care and love for these women. Severus explained the two women, though muggles but aware of Severus being a wizard, how has he ended up with two students as toddlers.
At the end of his tale, Mrs. Omirou patted his cheek lightly and said "You're a good man Severus. If you ever need any help with-" she trailed off, not knowing children's names.
"Harry and Hermione" Severus supplied.
"We'll be just a few houses down, where we always have been." she finished and the two left.
They reached Snape's house silently and, like his room at Hogwarts, it was also warm and cosy. Severus un-shrank the suitcase and spelled it to put everything in its proper place. He took them out of the pushchair and put them on a big cream couch. Snape knelt down in front of the two and gave each a stern look.
"This is where we will be staying until we can find a solution to your situation. Just because you are now younger doesn't mean you will be able to do what you please. There will be rules you are expected to follow.
"Rule one; you do not leave this house without me or an adult. Two, you show me respect as well as to all of the neighbours. Three, you do not curse or throw tantrums.
"Break any rules and you will be punished accordingly. Do I make myself clear?" he asked.
Both toddlers nodded. Harry was slightly insulted that Snape implied that they would 'throw tantrums' while Hermione was apprehensive about 'punishments' Snape would enforce if they misbehaved.
"I do not wish this to be a difficult experience and I will try my best to make you both comfortable." He promised softly and though neither wanted to admit it, they knew deep down that the man would keep his promise.
"Now, you can't live in these clothes forever so we are going shopping" he said in an annoyed way.
Harry and Hermione shared a look. They had a feeling everything they'd be getting would be black or green or silver.
"Come along" he said as he stepped out the door.
The Gryffindors, afraid that he would leave without them if they dawdled, hurried to catch up. Snape walked up to a car in the driveway and unlocked it. He proceeded to transfigure the pushchairs into two car seats and settled one child in each.. Hermione figured that she shouldn't put a fight up against her professor not only because he is an adult wizard but also because she couldn't even control her magic as yet. Hermione began wondering what age she started accidental magic, but was interrupted with a loud –
"Potter!"
Currently, Harry was kicking wildly trying to hit Snape. Snape was holding Harry at arms length in front of him
"Stop! Right now!" Snape said sternly.
"No!" Harry retorted.
"Listen Potter, I am the adult here and you respect me and that includes obeying me. Got that?" Snape hissed.
Harry panicked and did the only thing he could think of, he blew a raspberry in Snape's face. Snape glowered and Hermione looked away, not wanting to know the fate of her friend. Snape said nothing, but he didn't need to because Harry was already fear-stricken and hence stopped struggling. Snape put him in the seat and then got into the driver's side.
Harry was now absolutely terrified. Not only had he made Snape furious with him, he wasn't sure Snape even knew how to drive. All these years worrying about Voldemort killing him when he was going to die with Snape in a car!
Suddenly the car stopped in front of a muggle store. They got out and Snape carried the two across the parking lot. He retrieved a stray shopping cart and asked "Granger, would you prefer to walk or ride in the cart?"
"Walk 'fessor" she answered and he nodded.
He set Hermione down and place Harry in the cart. Harry struggled to get out of it because he'd rather walk too but Snape was having none of it.
"I can't trust you to walk, Potter, you proved to me before and that perhaps your mental capacities were affected with the de-aging." he said and Harry glared but it looked more like a pout.
They bought many pairs of undergarments and were moving on to outfits. To Harry and Hermione's surprise they received a variety of colours and not just green. Harry received a grey coat, multiple long and short sleeved shirts, pants, and a pair of sneakers as did Hermione except she got a pink coat and many dresses. Her favourite dress was of deep purple colour that was ruffled at the bottom and twirled as she spun. At first she was very shy and only looked at what her professor showed her but once she saw the dress and Snape approved it, he had a hard time keeping up with the little girl.
Harry, however, kept quiet the whole time and didn't give his opinion on his new wardrobe. Severus saw that Potter was just being arrogant and though he tried to ignore it, it was getting on his nerve. Harry's bottom was getting sore from sitting there for so long and he was officially bored.
Hermione was visibly tired from toddling around and Severus wordlessly picked her up and carried her the rest of the time; Hermione didn't mind. It seemed odd, Harry thought, Snape isn't being a git, well to Hermione at least. It seems like after one day she broke through the barrier around Snape's heart and now he was wrapped around her little finger. Harry wondered if he could ever do the same. Considering the way Snape was sneering at him, it was not likely … any time soon ... or maybe forever.