Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
Hope you enjoy it! The only kids I have are furry with four legs so I have no idea if I'm writing Harry right as a toddler. I just tried to write him cute lol
After sitting in front of his fireplace brooding, Snape decided to visit the infirmary. When he entered, he noticed that Weasley and Potter were still sleeping on their cots. "I would like a more thorough diagnostic run on Potter." He said to Poppy.
"Very well. I was planning to do one, after seeing how skinny he is," Poppy said as she began running her wand over the sleeping toddler.
"Well?" Snape asked impatiently after a few minutes.
Poppy raised her eyes over the paper she was reading. "Besides being starved, this shows he has had numerous bruises and burns. And he's only three."
Snape struggled to keep his temper. Okay, so Potter hadn't been spoiled. Far from it, it would seem. He had been wrong and although it galled him to admit it, he may be wrong about many things concerning Potter. His behavior makes more sense now that he knows the child has been abused and neglected. Distrustful of adults, believing he can handle problems on his own, defiance... He'd have to deal with that once the boy was older again.
"Those muggles," Poppy muttered. She crossed her arms and stared at him. "I don't think Harry should stay with you after all. Now that I know of his upbringing, I'll keep him with me." She said briskly.
Snape's eyes darkened. "You believe I will hurt him like his relatives did?" He asked dangerously.
Poppy's eyes widened. "No, of course not! Well, I don't think you would physically hurt him but -"
"The boy stays with me," Snape snapped at her. He wasn't sure why it was important to him all of a sudden but it was. "If you have a problem with it, talk to Albus."
Poppy pursed her lips. "Perhaps I will. Now, Harry will need nutritive potions, lots of care, regular meals, socialization -"
"I do have to teach and figure out how to fix Potter and Weasley," Snape interrupted her.
"Yes, but you can't just feed him and then ignore him," Poppy huffed. "He's a toddler, he needs a lot of attention."
"That is what Molly Weasley, her son, and the mutt are for," Snape said dismissively. "And also Granger and Malfoy. Don't worry, he'll get his socialization."
HP
Dumbledore flooed to Grimmauld Place, smiling as he watched Sirius playfully chase Ron around the sitting room.
"I'm going to get you!" Sirius teased the small redhead.
Ron squealed with delight.
Molly entered the room with a plate of food and smiled. "I must say, I enjoy having a toddler again." She said wistfully. She and Arthur had been shocked when Dumbledore had brought Ron to them an hour ago and explained what had happened but it was fun to have a little one again.
"Maybe all seven of your children can be de-aged to toddlers," Sirius teased her.
Molly's eyes went wide as she laughed. "Oh Merlin, can you imagine?" She picked up Ron. "Hungry, love?"
Ron nodded enthusiastically.
"When are you bringing Harry here?" Sirius asked, facing Dumbledore. He couldn't wait to see his pup. He had missed so much of his life, this felt like a second chance even if it would only be temporary.
"Harry is staying at the castle," Dumbledore said.
"Absolutely not! Harry will come here and I will take care of him!" Sirius practically shouted.
"Sirius, he is safest at Hogwarts," Dumbledore said patiently. "You know that."
Molly looked up from where she was feeding Ron. "But Albus, who will take care of Harry? I would be happy to do it, or rather help Sirius do it," She said quickly when she saw Sirius's scowl. "Are you sure he can't come here or to the Burrow?"
"As safe as we have made the Burrow and here, they are not as safe as Hogwarts," Dumbledore said firmly.
"But you don't want any of the students to know what happened, so how can Harry stay there?" Sirius asked, anxious to see his pup.
"He will be kept out of sight," Dumbledore said. "None of the students would dare go near Severus's quarters, not even his Slytherins."
"Excuse me?" Sirius stared at him.
"Harry is staying with Severus?" Molly asked in shock.
"Yes," Dumbledore said and then sat back as Sirius exploded in anger. He listened patiently as Sirius listed all the reasons that his godson would not be staying with Severus and waited until Sirius had finally worn himself out with all his yelling.
"I assure you Harry will be well cared for and protected," Dumbledore told him once Sirius was done.
"But Snivellus -"
"Severus," Dumbledore said pointedly.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Fine. Severus," he said distastefully. "hates Harry! And now Harry is a defenseless three-year-old! No way is that slimy git going to take care of him. He'll probably deliver him straight to Voldemort!"
Molly gasped. "Sirius!"
Dumbledore's face darkened. "I must admit Sirius, that I am tired of telling you that Severus has my full trust. He risks his life going to death eater meetings to spy for us. He would never allow any harm to come to Harry."
"He treats him badly at school doesn't he?" Sirius countered.
"He is not nice," Dumbledore agreed. "There are reasons for that, as you know."
"Yeah, just because Harry looks like James he treats him like dirt," Sirius spat out.
"It's more than that, he has to be seen treating him that way by certain students," Dumbledore said. "He won't harm Harry." He said again.
"I want to be able to see him," Sirius said after a moment. "Either I go there or he comes here. I want to visit with Harry."
"I'm sure that can be arranged." Dumbledore nodded, inwardly wincing. Severus wouldn't like it but he would have to bring Harry to Grimmuald Place. Sirius visiting his godson at Hogwarts was not a good idea, not with how reckless Sirius could be.
HP
"You didn't bring Potter?" Snape asked with his arms crossed that evening as Dumbledore flooed through to his quarters. Poppy had sent word that Potter was ready to be released from the infirmary. Weasley had already been sent to his parents.
"I will in a minute. I wanted to speak with you first," Dumbledore said. "I saw Sirius earlier. He kicked up a bit of a fuss about Harry staying with you," Dumbledore said.
"Shocking." Snape rolled his eyes.
"He's not at all happy about the situation," Dumbledore continued.
"Unbelievable."
"He wants to see Harry. As I assume you would not want Sirius visiting him in your quarters -"
"What? Of course I don't!" Snape glared at him.
"I had to compromise and say you would occasionally bring Harry to Grimmauld Place to visit with his godfather." Dumbledore finished.
"Absolutely not!" Snape yelled.
"Severus -" Dumbledore sighed.
"No! Just have Potter stay with Sirius full time then," Snape snapped, even though he didn't want that. The child needed structure and someone to make sure he ate right, got enough sleep, and stayed safe. There was no way Black would provide that. The man was just a big child himself.
"No, I do not believe that would be wise," Dumbledore replied. "The truth is, Sirius is still recovering from being in Azkaban," He said slowly. "His heart is in the right place but I worry about him acting impulsively."
"You do not trust him with Potter?" Snape raised an eyebrow.
"He wouldn't deliberately hurt him but he's anxious to get out of that house and I fear having a three-year-old Harry would be too tempting for him. He'd want to take him to the park and such. It wouldn't be safe, naturally. At least with some visits, maybe he will settle down a bit. And him coming to the castle to visit would be a risk if he was seen."
"Fine," Severus said through gritted teeth. "As long as Black behaves himself, I will occasionally bring Harry to him."
"Of course." Dumbledore smiled. "Now I will go get Harry."
HP
A few minutes later, Dumbledore reappeared and stepped out of the floo, holding Potter who was already in pajamas.
Snape sighed and crossed his arms. His peaceful quarters were now to be invaded by a three-year-old. He'd already had one of the house-elves turn his guest room into a nursery. The only thing he had insisted on was that the colors of the room not be red and gold. No Gryffindor-themed rooms in his quarters.
"Harry, do you remember Professor Snape?" Dumbledore asked the toddler as he set him down.
Harry blinked up at the tall man with dark eyes. "Nape?" He said hesitantly.
"Very good!" Dumbledore beamed.
Snape gave him a withering look. "Really?"
"Relax Severus, he's only three," Dumbledore shrugged. "Now Harry, you are going to be staying with Nape." He grinned at the potions professor.
Snape scowled at him.
"Hwarry stays with Nape?" Harry's eyes brightened. "No Aunt, Unkle or Duddy?" He asked hopefully.
The smile faded from Dumbledore's face. "No, they're not here, Harry." He assured the little boy.
"You won't be seeing them again," Snape spoke up.
Dumbledore frowned. "Severus -"
Snape snapped his eyes to the Headmaster. "He won't be seeing them again." He repeated slowly. "Not after reading his diagnostic."
"He is safe -"
"Safe from abuse? Safe from neglect?" Snape raised an eyebrow.
Dumbledore sighed and glanced down at Harry, who was looking around the room. "We'll discuss his options once his de-aging has been reversed."
"Count on it," Snape agreed. He summoned a box to land in front of Harry. "Potter, here are some toys for you." Molly Weasley had sent them over for the toddler. Inside were puzzles, books, blocks, a train set, and some stuffed animals.
Harry's eyes went wide. "Toys?" He whispered, starting to pull the train out of the box. He hesitated and looked at Snape, a little fear in his eyes.
Wondering what those Dursleys had done to make a three-year-old afraid to touch a toy, Snape looked at Harry. "It is for you." He nodded.
Harry cuddled the train to his chest, a grin breaking out on his face. "Tank you Nape!"
Dumbledore coughed to hide his laugh. "He's already had dinner and a bath. Poppy suggested some quiet play time and then bed. His room is ready for him?"
"Yes," Snape said shortly.
Snape bid Albus goodnight and then sat on his couch and graded papers while also keeping an eye on Potter, who was playing with some blocks on the floor. For some reason, the child thought it was hilarious to build something and then knock it down over and over. Snape rolled his eyes and returned to grading. "Dunderheads," he muttered to himself as he generously used his red quill to mark the essays. "Opening their textbooks must be too difficult for them." He glanced at Harry and noticed the child yawning. Casting a Tempus, he saw it was just after seven-thirty. "Potter, time for bed." He announced.
Harry got to his feet and looked around the room. "Cupburd?"
"I beg your pardon?" Snape raised an eyebrow as he stood up. "Do you mean you want to put your toys in a cupboard? There are shelves in your bedroom we will put them on."
Harry stared at him. "Bwedwoom for Hwarry?" He asked hesitantly. "No cupburd?"
Snape froze. Did he mean...? "Potter," He said slowly. "Did you have a bedroom at your aunt's house?"
Harry's eyes widened and he shook his head. "Fweaks get cupburds." He said solemnly.
Snape stared at him. "Your room was a cupboard." He said in disbelief. Anger began to fill him and he fought to control it, not wanting to scare Potter. The things he could do to those Dursleys... But for now... He held out his hand. "Come with me." His heart clenched a little as Potter put his tiny hand in his. He led him to his bedroom. "This your room."
Harry's mouth fell open. This was for him?
Snape now was glad the house elves had made the room so nice for the boy. The room was done in navy blue and yellow, bright and friendly. The toddler bed was a blue wood with side rails and just enough opening for the child to get in and out and yet not fall out when sleeping. The bedspread was blue and yellow striped with fluffy white pillows. There were shelves for toys and books, a small desk and chair, and a cabinet for clothes.
"Wow," Harry breathed. He toddled over to the bed and gently touched the comforter. "Sweep here?"
"Yes, you will sleep here," Snape said, pulling back the comforter. "Get in, please."
Harry eagerly climbed and sighed with pleasure at how soft the bed was. He felt so safe as Nape tucked him in. He snuggled under the covers.
Snape took out his wand and was about to douse the lights when he paused. "Do you want the room dark, Potter?"
Harry's eyes filled with fear. "No dwark room," He whispered pleadingly.
Snape nodded and quickly transfigured a book into a night light before dimming the room. "Is this all right?"
Harry nodded sleepily. "Tank you, Nape." He murmured.
"Goodnight, Potter," Snape said quietly. He warded the room to alert him if Potter needed him and then left.
HP
Snape woke up suddenly and it took a moment for him to figure out what had woken him up. The ward he had set for Potter was going off and he quickly got out of bed, putting on his dressing gown as he made his way to the boy's room. The child was in bed, whimpering and tossing back and forth.
"Potter," Snape said quietly. Hesitantly he put his hand gently on the child's shoulder. "Wake up, Potter. Harry," He added after a moment.
Harry opened his eyes, which were shiny with tears. "Nape?" He whimpered.
"You're all right," Snape said, trying to sound soothing. "Did you have a bad dream?"
Harry's lower lip wobbled. "Gween wight," he whispered.
Snape froze. The boy remembered that? He swallowed hard and gazed at the teary-eyed child. He took a deep breath. "You are safe here." He said finally. He cast a Tempus and realized it was almost time to get up anyway. "Let's get you up and dressed before breakfast." Thankfully Molly had also sent over some clothes. After the child used the bathroom, Snape pulled out a pair of black trousers and a blue jumper and helped Potter into his clothes. "Sit still," He said as he tried to brush the boy's hair. He sighed in defeat. "It looks messy no matter what." He said wryly. After Harry put on his socks and Snape helped him put on his shoes, he stood. Deciding to go the easy route for himself, he transfigured his pajamas into day clothes.
Once in the kitchen, Snape gestured for Harry to sit at the table. He poured him a cup of juice and set it in front of him. He summoned a vial, a nutritive potion to help with his malnutrition and vitamin deficiency. "Swallow this, Potter," He held the vial to Harry's lips and tipped the liquid in.
Harry sputtered as he swallowed down the potion. He looked at Snape accusingly. "Icky!"
"Drink your juice," Snape said with some amusement. "It will wash away the taste." He moved about the kitchen, making pancakes and eggs. He gave Harry one pancake and a small helping of scrambled eggs, along with a sliced-up banana.
Harry's eyes lit up. He got a breakfast of his very own! And a bedroom! He hoped Nape kept him.
TBC: Hope you liked it! Appreciate any reviews!