Chapter 20
When Blaise woke up, he padded down the hallway yawning and stretching. He peeked in Elizabeth’s room and frowned when he didn’t see her. He’d been hoping to be able to cuddle with her for just a little bit. He did note however the new rails on her bed which certainly hadn’t been there when he’d said goodnight to her. He shrugged and figured he’d find out what was up soon enough. Draco’s door was still closed which was not so unusual. He loved his beauty sleep.
When he got down to the breakfast table he was glad to see Severus sitting with his adoptive parents. He gave the man a big grin and settled down across from him, snatching a piece of toast from his godfather’s plate. Snape rolled his eyes in mock annoyance and muttered about the disrespect of teens these days but pushed the jam closer to Blaise.
“So where’s Elizabeth?” Blaise asked around a mouthful of toast.
“She ran off to the library, I would imagine. She’s a more voracious reader than even Severus is.” Lucius laughed.
“That may be true. I don’t know how many times I had her in detention because I would catch her in the library after hours or find her hunkered down in a closet or empty classroom so lost in reading that she hadn’t noticed that curfew had passed.” Snape said wryly.
Blaise snorted and nearly choked on his toast, suddenly remembering Draco telling him about the first time he’d met her.
“When Draco first met her, she was in the library during dinner, so lost in her book that she hadn’t even noticed him walking up. She put up such a terrible fuss over being made to leave the library and go down to the kitchens that he had to actually carry her there while holding her school bag hostage.”
The adults smiled fondly and Blaise joined them. Elizabeth was already so loved by this family, even in just the short time she’d been here. As if speaking of them had summoned them, Draco appeared in the doorway carrying a sleeping Elizabeth, wrapped up like a crepe in her quilt. He offered her silently to the room and Blaise reached out to take her, only to be beaten by Severus who sprang up so quickly his chair nearly wobbled. Blaise laughed again, ignoring the glare Snape sent his way as he sat back down.
“Can it.” He huffed. “I've only gotten to help my newest godchild while she was in the middle of a nightmare and a panic attack. You all have had your fair share of her so hush.”
His false ire was betrayed by how gently and lovingly he handled the girl in his arms, cradling her close and tucking her head into his chest. The boys ate their fill while chatting with their parents, occasionally drawing Snape away from looking down adoringly at Elizabeth and into their conversations.
“So boys,” Lucius began. “This morning before you woke up we had a very encouraging and productive conversation with Elizabeth. She is ready and willing to move forward completely and we’re so excited that she trusts us enough with this. We wanted to make sure to keep you on the same page as us though. We’re switching over to a crib since she fell out of bed this morning even with a safety rail and there will be other slightly smaller changes as well. We’re mostly just going to continue doing what we’ve been doing, feeding her bottles, taking care of her, carrying her, et cetera. We want you to love on her as much as possible though, and not just at home either. We want you to take care of her and love her just as much when you go back to school. If you notice anything she may need, please let us know right away so we can get it for her.”
Draco and Blaise nodded seriously to show that they understood. They were both very happy, though, that she was doing so well here. They had already seen a very different girl start to come out than they had known before break.
“What are you and mum getting her for Christmas?” Draco asked.
“Everything that she needs, for starters. Have you seen her old clothing? It's just down right deplorable. “ Narcissa tsked. “And we’ll try to give a good balance of things she may want as well. Books, new luggage, personal things such as journals, decorations for her room here and at Hogwarts, etc. We honestly don’t know everything yet though. We’re still trying to figure out what she likes.”
“Do you think we could pop down to Diagon Alley before Christmas?” Blaise asked.
“I’m sure we can, though I’m not sure how we’ll keep Elizabeth from noticing that you’ve gone off and purchased something on your own.” Lucius mused.
“I can keep watch over her if you want to go,” Severus quietly offered. “You’ve only got three days before Christmas though, so I’d not put it off much longer. It's always a madhouse down there at this time of year.”
Everyone nodded thoughtfully and looked at Narcissa to set a date.
“Severus, dear, would you mind if we left this morning? We’ll wake her up of course to make sure she doesn’t panic when she wakes up and doesn’t know where we are but it would be wonderful to have this done sooner rather than later so that we can make sure everything is just perfect for her when Christmas does actually come.”
“Fine by me. Will you wake her up now or let her sleep a while longer?”
“Now would be best, I think.”
Severus nodded and gently tapped Elizabeth’s nose.
“Wake up little bug. It’s morning time… again.” He whispered, uncharacteristically warmly.
Her eyes fluttered open softly and she whined a tad discontentedly at being awoken. So fuzzy was her brain from sleep that she didn’t kick up a fuss at all about being cradled by her professor.
“Hey Picolina, I’m so happy to see those big beautiful eyes again!” Lucius practically cooed.” Your Aunt and I are going to take the boys to run some errands, mkay? We’ll be back soon.”
Elizabeth merely nodded and closed her eyes again, snuggling into the warmth her face rested on. She couldn’t have slept well, or much the prior night, Severus reasoned. Surely it was okay for her to sleep a little longer. He stood as the rest of the family got up to get ready to go out. He, however, moved to the family parlour where they had set up the christmas tree. The room was lit by the warm glow of the tree’s candles and a fire was always burning in its hearth. He lay on the couch with his head propped on a pillow and arranged Elizabeth so that her slight body was between him and the back of the couch with her head tucked under his chin.
He had admitted to Narcissa before the fall semester of school that even in his old age he was experiencing baby fever. He figured it had something to do with the fact that the looming presence of Voldemort was finally once and for all gone and desires that had been unsafe to feel during those dark years were finally able to surface. She might not be as small as a newborn babe but she was just as adorable as one and just as sweet and cuddly. It sated his desires somewhat and made him feel content. So content, in fact, that he soon slipped off into his own nap.
Narcissa came down to give Severus instructions and stopped in the doorway, smiling at the sweet picture in front of her. She conjured a camera to take a quick photo and then silently backed out of the room. She would leave a list with a house elf to give to him upon waking. No need to disturb them, especially not after the late night they’d had.
Elizabeth woke up feeling warm, refreshed, and comfortable. She was reluctant to open her eyes quite yet and so lay there basking in the safe feelings. As she became more aware, though, she realised that something was ever so slightly different than normal. She knew she was in her quilt so that wasn’t it. It wasn’t an emotion or any type of pain either- though she realised she was slightly more sore than usual. Then, she remembered very faintly someone telling her to wake up and Uncle Lucius telling her that they were going to leave for a bit.
She initially felt a bit of panic at the notion that her family had left but quickly squashed it, reminding herself that they hadn’t left her alone (though she was still trying to remember who with) and that they weren’t like her old family. Almost comically, she also remembered that she could in fact open her eyes and look around her and did so immediately. The first thing she saw was the Christmas tree and she momentarily was distracted by the lights and how pretty it looked but a soft sigh reminded her why she’d opened her eyes to begin with.
She turned her head and merely saw a dark grey sweater which gave no clue as to whom she was with. Then she finally tilted her head up and gasped softly when she saw Professor Snape. Last night came rushing back, as did breakfast that morning and a memory of how she had woken up the first time. Since he showed up in her room last night he had been so wonderfully loving and caring and it perplexed her. This Snape was nothing like her old Professor who had scolded her countless times for being careless or for reading in class and given her many a detention. He had been asleep, she noted but her gasp roused him.
She continued to stare at him, eyes wide, while his own eyes blinked open. He looked down at her for a beat, nonplussed to find her staring back at him and then gave her a small smile. Her brows furrowed a tiny bit and his smile grew. Merlin, that was adorable.
“Good morning bug. Did you have a good nap?” he asked.
She seemed to consider it seriously and nodded. She did feel very well rested. He smiled again and hugged her tight.
“Good, I’m glad! By the end of break I expect those dark circles under your eyes to be completely gone, okay?” He was only half joking.
She nodded again and continued to look at him, still obviously thinking.
“Aunt Cissy will have left me some instructions, no doubt. Let’s say we go find them?”
Elizabeth didn’t agree or disagree so he carefully levered himself into a sitting position, careful not to crush her and then stood, scoping her up into his arms as he did. She still uttered not a sound and he frowned.
“Are you feeling alright?” he asked.
She nodded again which didn’t help his worry.
“Are you hurt or scared?”
She thought for a second, taking inventory of her body and her emotions and shook her head this time. She just didn’t feel much like talking right now. Her brain was a bit too floaty for that.
“Are you able to talk?” He followed up.
She nodded and he looked at her searchingly.
“So you’re okay, you’re not hurt or scared, and you can talk but you haven’t yet.” he mused. “Do you want to talk right now?”
She shook her head and he nodded thoughtfully.
“That’s completely okay. You seem to have no problem communicating your needs thus far so I’m sure we can work around it. Now let’s see if Cissy left us anything.”
He shifted her over to one arm and carried her like one does a young toddler. He was surprised when she lay her head down on his shoulder but didn’t dare mention it. It was a very sweet gesture that he enjoyed thoroughly. It turns out he didn’t have to go far before the instructions came to him. As soon as he stepped out of the parlour a house elf popped up in front of him, clutching a piece of parchment. Severus accepted it and shook it open so he could read it.
Severus,
Thank you again dear for watching Elizabeth for us while we shop! I know this will be a great time for the two of you to bond( I caught a cute picture of the two of you napping that I will be framing). I’m not sure how long we will be gone but for lunch the house elves will prepare her a plate. She does not have to finish it all but she does need to have her bottle. After our conversation this morning, you will be holding it for her as she drinks it. If she wants a snack, offer her some fruit! Feel free to do any sort of activity with her, this is her first real christmas break so we’re trying to make it a good one. As I write this I’m just remembering now that she is wearing nappy-pants from last night. Offer the option to change into a new one and make sure it has been dry. I’m not entirely confident that she would have let us know if she had wet it, even just a little bit. We don’t have many good clothes for her yet but please make her at least change into a new night gown. Make sure she brushes her hair as well. If we still aren't home by 2 this afternoon, put her down for another quick nap. She has a teddy bear now and Draco just informed me she prefers some sort of white noise as well. Enjoy your day with her!
~Narcissa
While Snape read her aunt’s letter, Elizabeth looked around. The wallpaper was actually rather pretty in this hall. She hadn’t really noticed any of the smaller details of the manner before. As she was thinking, she brought her fingers up to her mouth. It wasn’t particularly a new habit. She chewed on the tips of her fingers regularly while thinking. However, while she was distracted thinking about the wallpaper and the paintings and the carpet, her first two fingers slipped into her mouth and she unconsciously started sucking on them. Snape started walking again and she counted the number of paintings she saw- 15- and didn’t even notice when he stopped in front of her room. He pushed the door all the way open with his free arm and continued on inside, moving to set her down on her bed. She let herself be put down without a fuss and looked up at him curiously as he stood in front of her with his hands on his hips. He wasn’t expecting to see her fingers in her mouth, no one had mentioned it and he wasn’t even entirely sure that she had done it before.
“First things first, your aunt says you need to get ready for the day. I’m going to bring you a new nightgown and a new pair of nappy-pants to put on and then we’ll brush your hair. While I’m doing that, would you be willing to do me a favour?” He asked.
She tilted her head waiting for him to continue so he did.
“I know you’ve got your fingers in your mouth, and I’m sure that feels rather nice and soothing. However, our fingers are icky and it's not good for our skin to suck on our fingers. I’m going to summon something that I was going to give you for Christmas but might be helpful for you now. Would you open the gift?”
She frowned and pulled her fingers from her mouth, looking down at them. She hadn’t even realised that they were in her mouth. And come to think of it, while it had been soothing, they didn’t taste great at all. She hesitantly nodded and gasped when a wrapped box suddenly appeared in front of her. She’d never actually opened a wrapped gift before. She stared longingly at the boy on top and the shiny gold paper but didn’t touch it. She was still a bit afraid that it would disappear or worse, that she’d touch it and get in trouble. Severus didn’t notice her predicament because he was turned around, looking for a suitably warm nighty for her to wear. The manor is cold even in the summer and near frigid in the winter. He also grabbed a pair of long wool socks. She had been wearing some last night but somehow between now and then, she’d lost them.
When he turned around he was surprised to see the present still sitting unopened in front of Elizabeth. She didn’t look like she was upset per say, just a bit perplexed by the box. He was starting to wonder if maybe her conversation with the Malfoy parents this morning gave her body permission to start finally regressing. She seemed awfully out of it, though not unhappy about it. He came over and gently lifted the box up and set it in her lap. Her hands reflexively came up to hold onto it and he guided one of her hands to start pulling paper away. She soon started to do it on her own and he stepped back to watch. She was slow and careful, only pulling along the seams so as not to tear any of the actual paper and she pulled the bow off gently too. She was momentarily distracted by the ribbon but soon got back to the task at hand. When all the paper was removed (and in one piece) she handed it to Severus. He took it and folded it but kept watching as she pulled the lid off the box. She leaned over to peer inside and gasped happily, pulling out the three pacifiers that he had picked out for her one at a time. She lined them up in front of her and peered closely, examining her gifts closely.
Her eye immediately got caught on a dark blue one with gold stars scattered across the button part. She touched it gently and tried to carefully peel off the packaging but couldn’t work it out and turned to Severus pleadingly. He quickly had it open and placed it into Elizabeth’s patiently waiting hands. She pushed it into her mouth and gave an experimental suck before closing her eyes in contentment and flopping back on her bed. Severus laughed and she lazily opened her eyes and gave him a half smile around the pacifier.
“Come on little bug, we’ve gotta get you dressed so that we can do something fun! Would you sit up for me?”
She sighed but did as asked, holding on to the bed rail for support. He put the other two pacifiers back in the box and sent it to rest on her bookshelf. He held the night gown out to her but she simply lifted her hands in the air, rather than accept it. He paused a bit surprised that she wanted him to dress her but quickly stepped forward to help.
“Here we go,” he said as he pulled one gown off and then he quickly slid the other one over her head and pulled her arms through. “Do you want help with your training pants or would you like to do it on your own?”
Elizabeth lay down, which he took as a “I want help” answer. Her nightgown was already bunched around her waist with her pants free so he quickly and efficiently went to work. It had been a while since Draco was in nappies but muscle memory did not fail him and he easily stripped the old one off. It was slightly damp and he frowned. She must have been sitting in that for a while because an angry red rash had already started to form.
“Elizabeth, you have to let us know the minute you're even just a tiny bit wet. If you don’t it's going to keep causing owwies like this one. I’ve got a paste I can use but it's going to be cold.” he warned.
He had summoned both the paste and an applicator while he was talking and the gently landed beside him. He wiped her down carefully and then spread the paste all over the affected areas and she whined in discomfort. It was cold and she didn’t like it much. He worked quickly though and by the time she was starting to fuss in earnest the new pair of nappy pants was sliding up into place. She was still disgruntled, however, and as soon as he had also pulled on her socks, she rolled over to get up and practically launched herself at Severus, clinging to him as she whined.
He was sure at this point that she was regressing and he couldn’t be happier. He knew Lucius and Narcissa would be over the moon too. He gladly snuggled the upset child, holding her tightly but gently and swaying. While she was distracted, he spelled her hair untangled and then used another to braid it back again. It was a very useful spell.
“Hush bug, it's over and I've got you.” he soothed. “Are you ready to go do something fun?” he asked.
She shrugged with her face buried into his neck and he chuckled.
“Have you ever built a gingerbread house?” he asked. “My mother used to build one with me every year when I was younger. It was the only fun thing that we did.”
Elizabeth had stopped fusing when he had mentioned the gingerbread and finally came out of his shoulder to look at him hopefully. Her eyes were a little glossy from unshed tears and her new pacifier was bobbing rhythmically. He knew he was a goner, who could resist such a sad, sweet little face?
“That settles it, I guess. Let’s go build a gingerbread house!”