5th May 1998
Hermione was exhausted. Only days after the final battle and the funerals were about to begin. Hogwarts was in ruins, the work to rebuild slowly moving forward with each new batch of volunteers. It would still take time. But for her, the toll of the last year, combined with a new and gruelling schedule to keep her from sinking into depression and the oppressive grief that hung over everything left her feeling dead on her feet. She wanted nothing more than to collapse onto a mattress and sleep for the next week. It wouldn't happen though, increasingly violent nightmares following her visit to Malfoy Manor meant she was lucky if she caught four hours a night. And now, she was in charge of a miniature Severus Snape.
Despite Minerva's best efforts he had refused to relinquish his hold on her but Merlin knew she had no idea what she was doing with this.
Gingerly, she uncurled his fingers from the front of her tshirt praying to whatever god might be listening that he remained asleep. She froze hearing him whimper when she placed him on the bed, one of his tiny arms reaching for her, even in sleep. "It's alright, sweetheart," she murmured, running a hand over his head. "I just need to get pyjamas."
His brow furrowed, making her heart clench. He truly had been an adorable child. With a sigh of relief when his eyes stayed firmly shut, she stepped back from the bed, rummaging in her bag for something appropriate to sleep in before settling in beside him. He curled into her immediately, clutching her top in an iron-tight grip before his body seemed to relax. she hoped he didn't murder her for this when they got him back to normal.
6th May 1998
She woke slowly for the first time in months, suddenly aware that something was watching her. Her hand automatically reached for her wand as she stiffened, fear coursing through her.
"Hi," a tiny, timid voice whispered and she slumped, releasing her grip on her wand and the breath she had been holding.
"Good morning." she croaked, opening her eyes properly to see Severus' worried little face peering down at her.
He blinked as she ran a hand over her face, wriggling until she was seated against the headboard, trying to persuade her brain to wake up. "Hungry," he whispered, his voice as unsure as the expression on his face. Like he wasn't sure it was ok to ask for food and that made her heart hurt.
Not knowing what else to do, Hermione nodded, "We'll call an elf. What do you like to eat?"
He frowned, "Dunno." he shrugged eventually.
She blew out a slow breath, trying not to think about how bizarre this was, wondering why on earth he had chosen her, wondering what she was meant to do now, wondering how on earth she'd slept as long as she had. "Alright," she murmured. "Winky."
"Mistress bes wanting Winky." The elf eyed Hermione, neither yet sure how this new dynamic was going to work.
The day after the final battle, Hermione had found her rocking in a corner, butterbeer bottles lying at her feet as she sobbed and something inside of her snapped as she demanded Winky tell her what she could do to help because she wasn't letting her drown like this. It had been Kreacher who had suggested she bond to her before he had been called home, explaining as patiently as he was able how the bond between elf and master worked. In the end, too worn down, still shellshocked, she'd agreed. And so now she owned an elf. It was galling to see that Kreacher had been right; Winky looked entirely different from the drunken mess she had been. It still didn't mean she liked it. "Oh! Oh, Mistress has brought Winky a baby!" Winky's eyes lit up at the sight of Severus and Hermione felt more than a little bit of alarm at the excited gleam she saw there.
"What's that?" a small voice demanded.
"I be being Winky, Young Master." Winky informed him pertly, "I bes looking after you." Her eyes darted to Hermione, "If the Mistress says Winky can."
Curious dark eyes turned to look at her, "Not a monster." he murmured.
"Why would you think she was a monster?" Hermione asked gently.
"Monsters in the dark. Not a monster took me home."
Hermione froze as she attempted to process that before she remembered he'd arrived with Moxie. "Were you somewhere dark before you came here, sweetheart?" she asked softly.
"Dark and scary." he agreed, shuffling closer to her side. "Wanted to go home."
"Oh, Severus," she murmured, his name slipping out before she could stop it as she wrapped an arm around his tense shoulders. It seemed to be what he was waiting on as he scrambled back onto her lap, his arms winding around her neck. She could feel him relax as she hugged him back.
"Safe," he mumbled. It was enough to break her heart as she hugged him tighter, silently wondering when the last time he had felt safe was.
"Winky can we have breakfast please." Hermione asked softly, "I don't know what he likes…"
"Winky will sort it." Winky interrupted before popping out of the room.
"Right then, shall we get ready while we wait on Winky?"
A small head frantically shook against her. "Stay," he commanded, his arms tightening. "Safe."
"Oh darling, I promise you'll still be safe in the bathroom." he shook his head again leaving Hermione blowing out a breath slowly as she attempted to work out what to do. "Ok, what if we go together?"
He peaked up at her. "I come with you."
"Yes." she agreed, wondering how the hell she was managing this in a way that didn't get her murdered once he was Professor Snape again.
"Ok." he agreed softly, allowing her to stand, keeping his arms anchored around his neck.
Once in the bathroom, she transfigured a hair bobble into a screen, thinking quickly, "Do you want to go first?" He shook his head, surveying the bathroom with wide, curious eyes. "Alright. I'm going to put you down on the floor, and then I'm going to go in there." She pointed at the shower, "the curtain will be closed but you'll see my shadow and when I get out I'll go behind the screen so I can get dressed, ok? You can talk to me the whole time. I'll be quick. But I need you to stay here, can you do that for me?"
He nodded looking unsure but stayed put when she set him down next to the sink. It was the quickest shower Hermione had ever had, Severus' childishly sweet voice asking questions about Winky that made her smile slightly. Less than ten minutes later she was in front of him, fully dressed in clothes she knew she desperately needed to replace but clean enough.
"Alright," she murmured, do you need my help?"
He nodded shyly as she helped him out of his tiny shirt, only now appreciating how strange it was that he was dressed. She hadn't had a chance to consider how he had come to be in this state, but for his clothes to have presumably shrunk with him? None of it made sense. Once he was down to boxers she hesitated. If he remembered this she would have to emigrate to escape his wrath. With a sigh, she realised she'd have to risk it. He was a toddler for Merlin's sake.
Rolling up her sleeves she cast an impervious over herself, helping him into the shower, giggling as he lathered himself up so much he was covered in a layer of bubbles. He grinned back at her, allowing her to rinse off his hair without protest, pouting slightly in a way that shouldn't have been adorable but bloody was when she started to coax him out, wrapping him in a fluffy towel that drowned him before realising she had nothing for him to wear.
She carried him out of the bathroom to find Winky waiting. "I brought the young master things to try" she announced.
"Thank you Winky," Hermione looked helplessly around the multitude of dishes now littering the room, "I ah…don't suppose you could find me something for him to wear? Or something I could shrink for him to wear…I…"
Winky nodded, disappearing before she could finish the thought, reappearing minutes later as she was running a gentle warming charm over his hair to dry it. "Winky has clothes.
"Do I want to know where you got them?" Hermione asked eyeing them. They were beautifully made it slightly formal.
WInky contemplated her, "No."
"Right then." Hermione nodded, deciding it could wait for another day, helping him into the trousers shirt and jumper Winky had brought. "Well then Severus, what do you want to try?"
His eyes went wide as he surveyed the food, "That one." he pointed at the pancakes liberally covered in syrup and strawberries.
"Of course," Hermione smirked, settling him at the desk before helping herself to tea and toast.
"Hermione, when you get a moment, please come to my office." Minerva's voice spoke through her Patronus.
Severus stilled, his fork halfway to his mouth "What's that?"
"Oh, it's called a Patronus. The headmistress was using it to send me a message."
He frowned, "Cross lady?"
Hermione snorted, "She's not cross, she's tired."
"Oh." he seemed to contemplate that. "I come with you?"
"I suppose you're going to have to," Hermione agreed. "After breakfast though."
He nodded seriously before attacking the plate in front of him with a gusto that made her want to laugh. When he was finished, she led him to the bathroom to clean the syrup from his face, the absurdness hitting her full force as he beamed up at her, accepting her outstretched hand, tottering beside her as she left the safety of her room.
The castle was already beginning to fill up with volunteers, several of them doing a double take at the sight of Hermione Granger in the company of a child. A very chatty child. She'd never have believed her potion professor was capable as he peppered her with an endless list of questions that rivalled her own inexhaustible thirst for knowledge.
"Ah…Hermione, love…" Dean's hesitant voice sounded, making her freeze.
Severus cowered slightly, his eyes sliding up the length of the man in front of him. He was very tall. And he didn't know why, but something told him that tall people hurt him. leaning into Hermione's side, his small arms wound their way around her thigh, hugging it to him tightly, his chatter stopping abruptly.
"Dean," Hermione smiled, accepting his hug before darting a concerned look down at Severus.
"Who's this then?"
Severus' arms squeezed tighter, "You wouldn't believe me if it told you," Hermione snorted, running a hand soothingly over his head.
"Try me."
"Severus, can you say hello to Dean?" Hermione coaxed, ignoring Dean's spluttered "Severus!"
"No!" the tiny boy pouted as Hermione's eyebrows rose.
"Oh? That's not very polite."
"Up!" he demanded, stretching his arms up to her, with an eye roll she complied, melting when he buried his face into her neck.
"He's not scary," she murmured softly, stroking a hand down his back, "Deans a friend."
Severus turned his face so he could look at the man standing in front of his lady. He didn't look cross, if anything he looked surprised.
"Mya, love, did someone name their kid after Snape or is that Professor Snape?" Dean asked, his tone implying that the second part of his question was a joke
Hermione grimaced, "It would appear that there was a slight mishap and some de-ageing." she agreed as Dean stilled, his eyes blowing wide with shock.
"Mya," Severus whispered softly, taking advantage of Dean's stunned silence, "Yous name Mya?"
"Ah, yes. My friends call me Mya.'' Hermione agreed only just realising she'd never mentioned a name.
"Oh." he mused.
"Right but actually Professor Snape?" Dean repeated.
"So it would seem." she agreed, enjoying watching him try to make sense of that.
"How?" Dean demanded helplessly.
"Honestly, I don't know. I'm going up to see Minerva now, maybe she'll have answers."
"Sweet merlin," Dean muttered. "We all thought he'd died."
"I know," Hermione agreed, softly cuddling the boy tighter.
"I'll walk you up," Dean murmured finally, eyeing Severus as if he was sure he was hallucinating.
"You don't have to, aren't you on the staircases with Nev today?"
Dean rolled his eyes, "Start walking you daft witch. If nothing else if you're not alone you won't be half as harassed."
She hummed, wanting to refuse but knowing he was right before falling into step beside him, Severus' eyes tracking everything going on around about them. The stares, the whispers the way his Mya tensed when people got too close.
"Oh Hermione! And…Mr Thomas." Minerva's eyebrows rose sharply.
"People aren't great with boundaries," Dean shrugged. "I was just making sure they both made it here without being pulled into conversations."
Minerva's face softened, "I see." She turned to Hermione, "You didn't tell me it was that bad!"
"There's nothing you can do, it'll pass." Hermione shrugged.
Minerva sighed, knowing that unfortunately, she was correct, "Then I thank you, Mr Thomas."
Dean nodded, "I'll catch up with you at lunch?"
Hermione nodded, "Good luck with the staircases."
He grimaced, "We'll need it." he muttered, "Heaven forbid something here doesn't have a mind of its own."
Biting back an amused smile, Hermione settled into one of the seats in front of Minerva's desk, Severus still clinging to her. "I hadn't realised you and Mr Thomas were so close.
Hermione shrugged awkwardly, "he..understands things that very few other people do." she admitted eventually, "Not just how hard it is to fit in but how it feels to be hunted. You know he ran with Ted Tonks?"
"I did," Minerva sighed, suddenly looking exhausted again. "I hadn't considered that. I'm glad you've someone to talk to." Hermione hummed, not trusting herself to speak. Minerva cleared her throat after several beats of silence, with a slight pang of worry Hermione noticed that the lines on her face seemed to have deepened further overnight. "I cannot get into Severus' house."
"Ok."
"Moxie can get in but cannot get anyone else in, nor can she remove anything. Severus could get in but he is in no state to change the wards to admit anyone else." she continued exasperatedly.
"I see."
"Which means we have no idea what he did," Minerva exclaimed, her frustration showing on her face, "I had no idea he'd survived, so Merlin knows what he was up to. It wasn't like he should have been in any state to do anything!"
Did he have a will?"
Yes," Minerva nodded with a sigh, following her train of thought "He left everything to the youngest Malfoy."
"Ah," Hermione murmured.
"Yes," Minerva agreed, "It does make it rather challenging. I have reached out to Kingsley but Merlin knows it's been all of three days and the man is overworked. He can't fit us in until the week after next." Minerva took a deep breath," It leaves us with few options."
"Such as?"
We can find a home to take him." Unconsciously Hermione tightened her hold, making Minerva smile sighly. "Yes, I rather thought that might be your response. So shall we cut to the obvious choice?" Hermione nodded slowly, knowing what was coming, "Wonderful. Well then young Master Snape," she addressed a wary-looking Severus, "How do you feel about staying with Miss Granger for a while?"
"I stay with my Mya?" he asked shyly, dipping his head rather than looking at Minerva.
"If you'd like." Hermione agreed.
"Yes!" he exclaimed, his head shot up, giving her a beaming smile, "Safe."
"Oh Severus." Hermione murmured, feeling her eyes water, "Of course you are."
Minerva cleared her throat, her eyes suspiciously glassy. "You have to know that the adult version was so very proud of you Miss Granger."
"What?" Hermione gasped.
Minerva's smile was sad, "You reminded him of a braver, stronger version of himself. That you ignored every slur, every hateful comment and proved them wrong time after time, yes. He was proud of you. He'd never tell you of course but every now and then a comment would slip, especially after you began brewing with him in sixth year. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that you are who he's chosen. You'll look after him?"
"Of course, Minerva," Hermione murmured, wondering what else she'd missed about her taciturn professor.
"Wonderful. Then perhaps you will consider helping with the library restoration? I can't think of anywhere else safe for him." At Hermione's nod, she hesitated, "Forgive me, Hermione, but I feel that I need to ask. I am not unaware of your situation, have you enough….he'll need clothing. You need clothing."
Hermione's smile was sad, "My parents died, Minerva. In Australia. I have enough."
"Oh my girl, what happened?"
"Drunk driver. Just before we left at the end of last year." Hermione whispered, feeling Severus hug her closer in response to her tears, twisting himself to glare at Minerva for daring to upset her,
"Oh Hermione. I am so sorry for your loss."
"Thank you," she murmured, attempting to force herself back under control, now was not the time to fall apart. Deciding she needed a distraction, she asked on impulse, "If it's alright, I'd like to take today to pick him up some things? Merlin only knows where Winky got what he's wearing. We'll be back for lunch and to start the library."
"Take your time." Minerva instructed, "And perhaps…consider taking someone with you."
Hermione sighed, knowing it was sensible but not knowing who to ask. Harry would be still trying to process, remaining close to Sirius and Remus, Ron was understandably preoccupied with Lavender, Fred was still in St Mungos which ruled out the Weasleys, Luna was back looking after her father, Neville and Dean were busy here, Seamus was still in hospital, Susan was helping with the Diagon Alley rebuild. It didn't leave a lot of options. If she were being brutally honest, it didn't leave any options, deciding not to voice that lest Minerva insist she stay Hermione kept that to herself.
"Right then," Hermione stood, looking at the tiny boy staring comically back at her "Do you think you can walk?"
"Severus shook his head, his arms tightening slightly around her neck, his face inches from her own, "Stay here."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Chancer," she teased, making him smile, "You'll need to walk for a little bit or my arms will fall off!"
His eyes widened, a look of concern on his face, "They'll fall off?"
She nodded seriously, forcing down a smile, "If I have to carry you all over London, definitely!"
He pushed against her until she put him down, making Minerva snort. "I'll walk!" he announced.
Hermione laughed, running a hand over his head, "I can carry you if your legs get tired but you need to walk at least for a little while." He nodded very seriously back at her, making her smile before she glanced back up at Minerva who was watching them with an indecipherable look on her face. "Well then, we'll see you at lunch Minerva."
She was just about to leave when a Patronus appeared in front of her. "Hermione Jean, this has gone on long enough where the bloody hell are you?"
Severus' eyes blew wide, his arms threading through her legs to anchor her to him. "It's alright," Hermione murmured immediately, "It's just a message."
Fearful dark eyes peered up at her, "It sounds cross."
"Yes, he did a bit didn't he," Hermione agreed.
Minerva's eyebrows rose," Mr Potter isn't aware you're here?"
She shrugged self-consciously. "He needed time to process. So did Sirius and Remus."
Minerva barely prevented herself from rolling her eyes. "Did they ask for it?" she demanded archly with her patented disapproving look.
Confiditioned, Hermione flinched back, having to fight the urge to apologise for whatever she'd done to deserve that look being levelled at her. "They wouldn't but I...I don't want to impose," she muttered, looking anywhere but the Headmistress.
"Good Godric." Minerva muttered exasperatedly, lifting her wand, "Miss Granger is with me, she needs an escort to muggle London if you're available, the floo is open."
"Minerva!" Hermione exclaimed, her head flying up in shock at the other woman's interference.
Minerva's mouth pressed into a thin line and Hermione automatically snapped hers shut seconds before a harassed Harry stepped out of the floo, his eyes finding her immediately. "What on earth were you thinking!" he demanded, as Sirius and Remus stepped out behind him. "We've been to the Burrow, your parent's house, your grandparent's house! We even tried Nevilles and Lunas! I thought you'd chosen somewhere else to process things for a day or two and while I didn't like it, I figured you'd come to us after you'd had a decent sleep or something!"
"You needed space," she replied softly.
"Not from you." he retorted, not bothering to hide his frustration. "For fucks sake, My!"
Severus whimpered, his anxiety spiking in response to the tension. All three men froze. "Kitten?" Sirius queried softly, attempting not to look as scared as he felt. The child had to be around three. Hermione was only eighteen. He didn't want to even begin to consider the ramifications of that.
Hermione sighed, picking up the trembling boy. "It's alright," she soothed, cuddling him close, "Harry's just a bit loud, you have nothing to be scared of."
"Cross." Severus whispered, his eyes begging her to understand, " hurts when they're cross."
Hermione froze, blowing out a slow breath as she processed that, "No one is going to hurt you, do you hear me?"
"Promise?" he whispered
"I promise," she murmured, freeing a hand to grip his chin, her face completely serious. "Never again."
He burrowed in closer, his arms tightening around her neck the moment she let his face go. "Hermione?" Harry breathed, not daring to move.
"Sit down," she commanded, her arms tightening around Severus. "And do not dare overreact and scare him."
"Kitten…kitten is he yours?" Sirius asked slightly desperately, hoping that they hadn't missed this, that she hadn't felt she had to hide it.
"For just now." Hermione nodded.
"But not…not…" he stammered, tripping over his words at the almost overwhelming feeling of relief.
"Biologically?" Hermione quirked her lips into a ghost of a smile. "No. he is not."
"Oh thank Merlin." Remus breathed as they all slumped, gingerly taking their seats.
"Who does he belong to then?" Sirius asked, eyeing the boy.
"Ugh look, we're not sure how but it seems as if Professor Snape had an accident." Hermione began, noting the way their jaws dropped.
"My…Mya, are you telling me that that is Snape?" Harry choked out.
"Yes.'' Hermione agreed bluntly, "And until we can get access to his home, we can't figure out what he did. So. He's my responsibility until then." She eyed them all, "You will behave."
All of them sobered in the face of her clear threat, noting the way her arms tightened around the boy who was clinging to her, his face pressed into her neck.
"We'll behave." Sirius agreed softly, not quite able to believe he was saying it. "On the condition that you explain where the fuck you have been."
"Here" Hermione shrugged.
"Why?" Remus bit out, mindful of his tone despite his anger slowly returning.
"Because you needed space. Everyone needed space. And I…" she swallowed, "I have no family left, so I came here."
"Our family is here! Us!" Sirius contradicted sharply, hating the look of surprise on her face.
Remus sighed, getting up from his seat. "Oh cub, for someone so smart you are exceptionally stupid," he murmured, pulling her up so he could wrap his arms around her. "You are ours, you've been ours for years. If you'd bloody let him, Sirius would have made it official the minute you obliviated your parents. Now stop being fucking ridiculous and get your arse home."
Hermione gave a choked laugh before she began to sob, her walls crumbling in the face of his loving censure. "I've got you," he soothed, rocking her slightly as dark eyes watched him warily. "Bloody stubborn witch."
"Right,'' Sirius muttered trying to gather his thoughts as he contemplated the toddler that he was absolutely sure was judging them all and finding them lacking. He was surprisingly cute given the man he grew into. "We're going shopping apparently, and then tonight, Hermione, we are going to complete that ritual that makes you official. Because Merlin help me I'll be forced to hex you if you ever say something as fucking ridiculous as you have no family ever again, am I clear?"
She nodded silently, feeling the oppressive weight lift slightly. She wasn't alone.
