Regretting You?

"Professor!" Harry exclaimed, taking his attention off Sev.

Professor Minerva McGonagall, the Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts, head of Gryffindor house, and deputy headmistress of Hogwarts during Harry's first year, had now taken over the position of the headmistress. She is fair but very strict. A tall, stern-looking witch with black hair usually drawn into a tight bun, few students dare cross her; she is an imposing figure who can quickly spot trouble.

Sev had his head on Harry's shoulder, sucking on his thumb. When he heard Minerva, He lifted his head, smiling behind his thumb.

"Min! Min!" Sev attempted to squeal with his thumb pulled from his mouth. "Min! Min! Dada."

A golden orb surrounded Harry and Sev. Harry closed his eyes, absorbing the warmth that the light gave. Sev laid his head back on Harry's shoulder. He could feel the emptiness, the one he had felt for most of his life, lift from his heart to a great extent.

Sev wrapped his arms around Harry's neck as Harry tightened his hold on Sev. Something just felt right. Harry felt complete and content.

Minerva walked over to the pair when the orb disappeared.

"How are you doing, Mr. Potter?" Minerva asked, rubbing her hand on Sev's back.

"I'm great, Professor," Harry said, smiling.

Minerva looked at the expression on Harry's face and could see that Harry was delighted. There was a strange level of comfort between Sev and Harry. As long as Minerva had known Sev, he was never been this comfortable with anyone, not even with her, Poppy or Albus.

"Would you mind coming to my office?" Minerva asked.

"Sure, Headmistress," Harry said, bouncing Sev in his arms.

In the Headmistress's Office,

The same office Harry had been to too many times in his years at Hogwarts. He felt a strange warmth engulf him as he set foot into the room that once belonged to the late Albus Dumbledore. Albus smiled at him from his painting on the front wall, popping a lemon drop into his mouth as he made funny faces at Sev, making him giggle happily.

Minerva sat down behind her desk as Harry, still holding Sev, sat in one of the soft cushioned chairs across from her desk.

"Well," Minerva said, folding her hands over her desk. "I see you found Sev."

"Yeah," Harry said, looking down at the toddler in his arms who was still giggling as the former headmaster entertained him, making grabby hands towards the portrait. Harry smiled at him before looking back at Minerva.

"How do you feel, Harry?" Minerva asked.

"Great," Harry said, smiling. "Wonderful. I've never felt this good."

Minerva had a knowing smile on her face. "Yes, I'm sure. You were classified as a Guardian, am I correct?"

"Yes, ma'am," Harry said, nodding.

"Are you aware the person whom you are holding was classified as a little over twenty years ago?"

For the first time, the smile on Harry's face vanished. Sev turned to sit quietly in Harry's arms. He knew what was being discussed and what was coming next. Fear began to fill the small child. He was going to be rejected.

'The moment Min tells Harry who I am, he's going to reject me,' Sev thought.

Sev gripped Harry's robes tightly with one hand, while his thumb was back in his mouth as he tried to self-soothe himself.

Harry, feeling the change in the little one in his arms as he felt the wet sensation on his pant leg, but didn't say anything. He began rubbing soothing circles on the child's back, fishing out his wand, cleaning the both of them.

Sev on the other hand was terrified. He had wet himself in Harry's lap. For his little mind, that was enough of a reason for Harry to reject him and leave him to take care of himself.

Minerva, seeing the change in the mood of her guests, realized Harry honestly wasn't aware of the true identity of the child he was holding.

"Harry," Minerva said. "Are you aware of whom you are holding?"

Harry shook his head.

"It's Severus," Minerva said.

Harry shrugged his shoulders, shaking his head. He didn't know anyone called Severus.

"Professor Snape," Minerva said.

Professor Snape! Harry couldn't believe it. The last person in the world who wanted to be near him was Snape. Snape never liked him. During his time as a student, Snape seemed to make things harder for Harry. There was no way that Snape would want anything to do with Harry.

Severus was trembling in Harry's arms. Hearing who was in his arms surprised Harry, but he didn't have the heart to let the toddler go. Harry could feel Severus crying. Severus. Professor Snape. Harry stood up and slowly paced the office. He slightly bounced Sev in his arms.

Not only Sev but Harry also feared rejection. His thoughts were a mess as he tried to soothe Sev who was dozing off in his arms. He had too many questions that were swirling around in his head, but his priority was Sev.

"Shhh," Harry soothed the toddler. "Calm down. You're mine. It's okay; Shhh ... rest. I'll be here when you wake up."

Harry continued to walk back and forth, soothing Severus in his arms. Watching Harry deal with Severus, Minerva ordered tea from the kitchen. When Harry felt Severus' breathing even out, he sat back down. Minerva looked at Harry with a knowing smile.

"You're good at that," Minerva said.

"I couldn't tell you how," Harry said wryly. "Just feels right."

"Well, being a Guardian, it was bound to happen," Minerva said. She handed Harry his tea. "You're taking this very well."

"How could I not?" Harry asked rhetorically, looking down at Severus. "I'm just curious, why is he a toddler? I talked to Professor Snape at lunch."

"That was the reason I wanted to talk to you," Minerva said. She put her teacup down. "When Severus had his classification made, there were no Guardians that could look after him. So, Albus, Poppy, and I took Severus in and looked after him. We were able to protect him. As long as he had time to be in his little headspace, he would be a functioning little. There were times when his emotions would get too overwhelming; he would physically change into what you have in your arms."

"Professor Snape didn't seem overwhelmed at lunch," Harry said. "Actually, he seemed like his usual self." But then again, Sev was an excellent occlumens for that matter.

"You may have seen Severus as a toddler before," Minerva speculated.

"I think I could remember seeing a toddler in the corridor," Harry said.

"I don't think you would," Minerva said, shaking her head. "Another part of Severus' protection is from Hogwarts herself. If anyone encounters Severus when he is in his toddler form, Hogwarts will obliviate the person so that they won't remember."

"The missing days," Harry mumbled.

"Excuse me?"

"That's why I've had missing days," Harry said again. Seeing the confused look still plastered on Minerva's face, he continued. "For the past several weeks, I've been experiencing certain periods that I couldn't recollect. I wouldn't remember what I've done the night before, no matter how hard I tried. I thought it was temporary amnesia. I have gone to the hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey said the same thing. "

The two were quiet for a moment. The silence was broken as Harry suddenly realized something.

"Wait a minute," Harry exclaimed abruptly, causing the toddler in his arms to stir. He patted Sev's back as the latter settled into his arms, going back to sleep.

"I don't want to forget this. Am I going to?"

Just thinking about the possibility of not having Sev in his arms or even being around Professor Snape was heart-wrenching.

"No," Minerva said, shaking her head. "He claimed you when he saw me. You two bonded in the corridor. You won't forget."

Harry's attention went to the precious bundle in his arms. Just looking at the slumbering baby, Harry's heart swelled with love for the child. All the disagreements that were between him and Snape disappeared. The hatred that he felt for his professor since the first Potions class melted away. He just wished Sev would be able to do the same and put the past behind them and let Harry be his guardian. He wanted to make up for all the time he hadn't been there for his little. Not only that, but he wanted to make millions of memories with Sev and make sure to spoil him as much as he could.

"Harry," Minerva said, breaking the silence in the room.

Harry looked up, almost startled. Minerva smiled at the look Harry gave her.

"There is one more thing that we need to discuss," Minerva said. "I want to provide you with some background about Severus so that you can look after him properly."

Harry nodded, giving the Headmistress his attention.

"Severus' childhood wasn't ideal," Minerva started. "His father was abusive towards Severus. It was a tough childhood for him. He was beaten and verbally abused by his father to an extent that he rarely trusted anyone and grew what you children call him as a git." Harry was shocked to know that the staff was aware of the name-calling the students did behind their back. Ignoring the guilty look on Harry's face, Minerva continued.

"When he came to Hogwarts, his difficulties continued. Your father and his friends made his time here just as difficult. His only friend was your mother. When the students got their classification, Severus was embarrassed and ashamed. Even though he and Lily were friends, I don't think that she was aware of his classification."

"Do you think it will be a problem that I'm James' son?" Harry asked, worry seeping into his mind. The last thing he wanted was to become the cause of strife with his little. His little. Just that thought made Harry feel good.

"I don't think that would be a problem," Minerva soothed. "He's already bonded with you."

"If Sev was ashamed about his classification," Harry inquired. "How did you find out?"

"Because Poppy was the Medi-witch and Albus, and I was Headmaster and Headmistress, we knew Severus' classification, or everyone's for that matter," Minerva informed him.

"In the beginning, we tried to find a Guardian who would cater to his needs and comfort. The few that we did find made Severus feel worse than before. They body-shamed him and even some were even rude towards him when they found out who he exactly was. Thanks to Hogwarts, everything was taken care of. After those debacles, we discarded that idea and took Severus in. We tried to provide the love and care that he missed during his childhood. Being a death eater didn't help his case. That's when Hogwarts took over as well. We didn't have an idea about that until one of the students encountered Sev and when I tried to obliviate him, I didn't find any traces of the encounter. We were very confused. That was when we found Albus' memory he had given Severus. Using a very ancient spell, he was able to communicate with Hogwarts and convince her to take care of Sev in his absence. That was when I communicated with Hogwarts to find out the details of the matter, and she revealed all that she has done for him, and before you ask yes Hogwarts has her own magic and can communicate with a witch or a wizard according to her consent. When he began teaching so that he wouldn't change into a toddler while in class, we put a charm on him to keep his emotions intact until the end of classes. If he was feeling overwhelmed, one of us would get an alert to be there for him for the time being."

Harry was absent-mindedly rubbing his fingers on Severus' scalp in a soothing motion.

"I will not hurt him," Harry declared. "Just looking at him, I don't know why someone could be mean to this precious child. I will do my best."

Harry didn't want to let Severus down. He would try hard to see to all of Severus' needs.

"I know, Harry, this won't be an easy task," Minerva said. "But you are a powerful wizard. You and Severus are very compatible. Now," Minerva stood up, "you must be getting tired. It happens after every bonding. I suggest that you move into Severus' chambers. Ayana is Severus' house-elf. She helps us out when Severus is in his little headspace. Call her if you need assistance."

"Thank you, Professor," Harry said, standing up.

Harry carried Severus out of Minerva's chambers.

"Goodnight, Professor," Harry said, closing the door behind them.

"Night, Harry," Minerva replied softly.

After being alone for a long time will Severus be able to put his trust in Harry??