Life From the Start

Chapter 2: Meet Harry Potter… Junior?

“Alright you incompetent brats!” Snape barked out suddenly; the whole class stilled, “Time’s up! Go fetch a medium sized vial and bottle up the potion!”

The sound of clinking glass was heard as students took out vials so that they can ladle their potions—or their attempted potion—inside. Harry growled as he pulled open a drawer to fish out the vial; Malfoy continued to sit on his stool, checking his perfect nails.

“Damnit Malfoy! Stop checking your nails!” Harry sniped, “Pull the stopper out for me.”

Draco lowered his hand and turned to face Harry, a smirk etched across his face.

“No, Potter. You pull out the stopper while I ladle the potion in. You would only spill most of it on the table and have like one drop in the vial.”

“I will not!” Harry cried angrily.

Draco blew on his cuticles and stood up from his stool elegantly. He gave Harry a ‘whatever’ look and took the ladle. The blond stirred the pink potion around, noting that it was a bit thicker than it was suppose to be. Not thinking much about it, Draco shrugged and scooped up a huge spoonful of the pink liquid.

“Hurry up, Potter.” Draco drawled, “Give me the vial so I can show it to Snape.”

Gritting his teeth, Harry yanked the stopper out and shoved the glass vial under Malfoy’s nose.

“Here’s the goddamn vial!”

“Potter, how do you expect me to pour the potion in when the vial is under my nose?” Draco asked, “The potion’s in the cauldron, not in my nose.” He added sarcastically.

Harry growled deep in his throat and held the vial near the steaming cauldron. He watched as Malfoy carefully tipped the ladle near the neck of the glass vial and let the pink goo drip into the container.

Splat. Splat. Splat.

“Isn’t the potion a bit… thick?” Harry asked as the last drops of the potions spilled into the vial. “It looks more like pudding than a potion.”

As much as Draco hate to admit it… but Harry was right. The de-aging potion did look a bit thick. But he knew they had done everything correctly. Draco smirked to himself; there was nothing to worry about.

“Don’t worry about it, Potter.” Draco said, “The potion’s fine; you won’t turn into an old man when you drink it.”

“Hey! Who said I was going to drink it!” Harry said indignantly, “Why don’t you drink this vile concoction you call a potion?”

“I did most of the work Potter,” Draco sneered at the teen next to him, “Besides, Snape is going to make you drink it anyway.”

“You did nothing but stir! I did the chopping and cutting!” Harry fumed; his hands were forming into fists at his sides.

“Whatever, Potter.” Draco waved his hand dismissively at Harry’s face, “Anyway, put the stopper back on. Snape’s coming.”

And that was the end of their argument.

Harry was absolutely livid; there was no way in hell that he was going to drink that potion and turn five years younger. He didn’t even know how long the effects last! Snape never said a word about it. For all he knew, he could be stuck a twelve year old for the whole week! Harry glanced up and found the greasy old bat of a professor walking towards his and Draco’s table. Harry sighed dejectedly; Malfoy was right, Snape would make him drink the potion. Like always.

“Mr. Malfoy… Mr. Potter,” Snape sent a sneer at Harry’s direction. “It seems like you have managed to make a decent de-aging potion. A first from all I’ve seen so far.” The Potions Master held the vial close to his face, “Everything seems to be in order. I’m impressed, Potter, that you didn’t burn this potion up.”

Before Harry could retort, Snape walked away, his black robes billowing behind him.

“He’s right you know,” Draco drawled, “I’m surprised this potion didn’t blow up. But then again, you are working with me after all.”

“Yeah, and I’m so thankful for that!” Harry grounded out.

By the time Snape was done inspecting each table’s product, the whole class was silent. It was time for them to get a taste of their own medicine, literally.

“Alright you lot! Now I’m going to come around again and ask one of you to drink the potion. If made correctly, and I have to say not many of you did, the drinker will turn five years younger. The effects would only last for six hours so you will be back to normal by the time dinner comes. If made incorrectly then I truly feel sorry for you.” Snape sneered at his class.

“Yeah, like you’ll feel sorry for any of us.” Harry mumbled under his breath. He snapped his mouth shut when he saw Snape glaring at him.

The Potions Master began walking around, pausing at each work table and pointed a finger at a random student. Harry watched wearily as Seamus Finnigan was the first person to drink the de-aging potion. Harry prayed silently that Seamus and his partner, Dean Thomas, had made the potion correctly. Green eyes widened as the pink liquid went down the Irish boy’s throat. In three seconds flat, Seamus was engulfed in a pink smoke (go figure) and in his place stood a good seven inches shorter version of himself. Harry grinned; his Irish friend looked exactly like he did when they were in their second year.

“Very good Mr. Finnigan, Mr. Thomas. You may turn in the vial.” Snape said boringly and then marched on to where Neville was sitting with a Slytherin. “Longbottom, pull out the stopper and drink.”

Harry actually saw Neville’s Adam’s apple bobbed. With shaking hands, the slightly chubby boy pulled out the rubber stopper and tilted the vial. The Slytherin, Angela Kurtwood, watched nervously.

‘At least Neville wasn’t paired up with Crabbe or something.’ Harry thought as he waited for the puff of pink smoke.

The puff never came and instead Neville let out a small ‘eep’ and then shrunk three inches but looked just like his seventeen year old self. Snape smirked at Neville.

“Well, I must say Longbottom, this is progress. At least this time, you didn’t turn into a toad nor did your face erupt with boils.” Snape jerked his head, “Ms. Kurtwood, go put the vial on my desk… And Longbottom, you don’t look much different except a bit shorter so stop worrying.”

As Snape continued with the third group, Harry heard Draco scoff.

“It was pure luck that Longbottom didn’t turn into a frog this time,” Draco smirked, “Angela, although it might not seem like it, do know some things about potions.”

“Oh shut up, you arrogant prick,” Harry muttered harshly, not too loud for Snape to hear. Draco’s lips curled into a sneer but did not retort. “Just wait when you’re the one drinking this potion. You’re going to become an itty bitty Malfoy.”

“Ha fucking Ha. Very funny, Potter.” Draco said dryly, “We all know how Snape loves you. You’re the one that’s drinking it."

Harry flushed with anger and it took every ounce of self-control to not bash Malfoy’s face with his fists. So instead, Harry ignored Draco’s comment and watched as more fellow classmates drank their finished products.

By the time that it was only Harry and Draco left, there were two people that turned into dwarves, one person had her hair burst into flames (Snape had to cast Aquamenti to douse the fire), a Slytherin boy turned into a girl (Harry wondered how they actually managed that), and Goyle became naked. The poor boy rushed out of the classroom and Snape banished the remains of Ron and Goyle’s potion. The rest of the class did fairly well. By now, Harry was extremely nervous.

“Mr. Potter, why don’t you take a drink of that potion?” Snape said, pointing at the glass vial in front of him.

Harry gulped and glanced sideways at the blond. Draco smirked and gave Harry a look that said ‘I told you so’. Sighing, Harry pulled the stopper out and threw his head back, grimacing at the foul taste as the potion slid down his throat. He gagged and coughed a few times but felt nothing different. Just as he was about to ask if something was wrong, Harry felt a tingling sensation running up his spine.

‘Okay… so I guess it’s working.’

Draco watched anxiously; Potter had digested that potion for a minute and still looked the same. He was starting to worry that something had gone wrong when Harry let out a small gasp. A look of pain appeared on the brunet’s face.

“Potter? Potter, are you…” Draco asked; Harry was now clutching his stomach and was doubled over. Draco looked up at Snape worriedly, “Sir, what’s happening? I-We did everything… It’s not supposed to be like this!”

Severus scowled and peered into their cauldron. Something was off, he just knew it.

“Malfoy, how many drops of leech extract did you put in here? It looks too thick… and the coloring is more red than pink.”

“I-Potter was the one that put the drops in,” Draco murmured.

Harry snapped opened his eyes and gripped the edge of the table with one hand while the other was clutching his middle.

“I-I put th-three drops…” Harry hissed; the pain was excruciating.

“Three?! Potter, I wrote ‘two drops’ on the board!” Snape barked.

“My god… Potter you put three? I thought you were using your notes!” Malfoy exclaimed, “Professor, is Potter poisoned or something?”

“Fuck… it hurts…” Harry gritted. He sucked in a deep breath when he felt as if something was eating his insides.

The rest of the class was now gathered around Harry and Draco. The Gryffindors were looking worriedly while the Slytherins were smirking, although some seemed like they were concerned. Snape scowled and looked up at Draco and jerked his head in the direction of the vial.

“Draco, pour some potion--”

Severus never finished that sentence for Harry, right at that moment, let out a scream. Students scurried away and as they dove behind their desks, a white cloud covered Harry, Draco, and Snape. Draco had ducked when the cloud appeared; his arms were over his head in protection. Severus, on the other hand, had backed away when he heard Potter scream. Everyone else slowly peered over their tables and watched as the thick cloud cleared away. Draco slowly opened his eyes and was horrified to see that in Potter’s place, was a pile of robes.

“Oh Merlin… Shit… Shit!” Draco stuttered, eyes glued to the robes.

Snape coughed and waved his hand in front of him to clear away the smoke. He found Draco staring down at black robes… with no body to hold it up.

“What happened to Potter?” Snape barked.

“I-I don’t--” Draco was interrupted when he saw the robes wriggle and then it let out a whimper. Grey eyes widened to the size of golf balls. “No fucking way…” Draco was still stunned when something under those robes let out a loud, screeching wail.

Snape looked down then back up at Draco. Malfoy gulped and slowly crouched down to remove the robes. He gasped as he uncovered a small, crying baby Potter in all his naked glory. His glasses were now way too big for his face, his mop of hair was still messy, and Harry’s skin was now pinkish. Tears were trailing down Harry’s chubby cheeks; green eyes turned round when they saw Draco’s face and he stopped crying. Whimpering, baby Harry reached out for Draco. Never batting an eye, Draco scooped up the wriggling baby, robes and all, and held him in the crook of his arms. He looked down and found baby Harry blinking his teary eyes at him, while blowing spit bubbles. Draco didn’t know whether he should coo or be disgusted at the baby. Draco took off the glasses from baby Harry’s face and pocketed it in his own robes.

“Well, fuck.”

HPDMHPDM

After the smoke had cleared away, Snape told the whole class to leave at once. Granger and Weasley wanted to stay behind but the Potions Master pushed them out of the room as well. Before they left they sent Draco death glares—as if he was going to do something to Harry—and walked out of the dungeons.

Draco sat on a stool while Snape was rambling about stupid Gryffindors and how they can’t even read the instructions correctly; he bottled the remains of Draco and Harry’s potion so that he can analyze it. All the while, Harry was contently lying in Draco’s arms, his eyes wide. Draco looked down and smirked. Who would’ve thought Harry Potter would become a small baby? Nobody saw this coming.

“Professor, can I transfigure smaller sized clothes for Potter? He’ll catch a cold if he continues to be naked."

Snape only grunted and then he rushed to his private quarters, leaving Draco with a drooling Harry.

“That shirt has got to go Potter,” Draco mumbled; Harry gurgled and waved his chubby arms at the blonde’s face. Draco couldn’t help but grin at the baby’s antics. “I hate to admit it, but you’re a cute little baby…” Then realizing what he just said, Draco scowled. “This is between you and me, Potter.”

Harry smiled and blew more bubbles.

Draco sighed and with his free hand, took out his wand. He waved it over Harry’s body and in a flash the oversized robes turned into a light-blue baby romper suit with little bunnies hopping around. Draco nodded and tucked his wand away.

“Now that’s much better,” Draco said. “Not that fond of the rabbits but whatever.”

“Da!” Harry babbled suddenly; Draco arched his eyebrow and smirked.

“I’m not your father, but then I guess you can’t really say much can you?”

“Da…” Harry said and his face scrunched up and started whimpering.

“Oh no, don’t you dare cry Potter…” Draco whispered at the baby; Harry paid no attention to the older teen and started sobbing.

Draco gritted his teeth and stood up; he cradled Harry and began walking back and forth, all the while bouncing the baby lightly. Harry’s sobs became soft whimpers and he shifted in Draco’s arms until his face was pressed into the blonde’s robes. Malfoy looked down; Harry had one small hand wrapped around his robes while the other was in his mouth. The baby’s eyes were slowly drooping and Draco stopped pacing and walked carefully back to his stool and sat down. Draco slowly traced his index finger down Harry’s cheeks—while balancing the baby in one arm—and smiled at how soft the skin was, albeit it was a little wet.

“I’m going soft…” Draco muttered but he was smiling nonetheless. “You’re just a baby after all… Despite what you think of me Potter, I’m not cold-hearted.”

Harry’s reply was the sound of him sucking his thumb.

Draco chuckled softly and held the bundle in his arms closer to his chest. The baby let out a small sigh and snuggled deeper into the robes. Snape rushed back out and stood before Draco, his eyes narrowed at the scene before him. Draco looked up at his professor and shrugged.

“He was crying.” Draco said. Like that was the best explanation in the world.

Snape sneered, “Mr. Malfoy, come with me. I was just talking with the Headmaster about this predicament and he said it’s best if you go to his office right now.”

“Right now?” Draco asked, “But… my classes--”

“You are excused for the remainder of the day,” Snape interrupted, “Now go, I’ll take your things with me and I’ll see you at the Headmaster’s office. You have to walk there, can’t expect you to go by Floo with a baby in your arms.”

Draco scowled but nodded, “What’s the password to Dumbledore’s office?”

“Sherbet Lemon.”

HPDMHPDM

Draco held back a gasp as he stepped into Professor Dumbledore’s office. It was huge and highly decorated. There were multiple paintings hanging on the walls; all were of previous Headmasters of Hogwarts. Draco looked to the left and high on a shelf was the tattered old Sorting Hat. It was mumbling something and Draco assumed it was sleeping. Draco looked down again and was relieved to find Harry still sleeping soundly in his arms. It wasn’t too bad when the brunet wasn’t crying his eyes out. The Slytherin went up a couple of steps until he was in front of Dumbledore’s desk. The old wizard was sitting, with his hands folded. His blue eyes were twinkling above his half-moon spectacles. Severus Snape was sitting in one of the wingback chairs in front of the desk. Dumbledore smiled and gestured for Draco to sit; the blond sat down and waited.

“Well Mr. Malfoy, Severus here told me what happened during your Potions class,” Dumbledore said softly; he moved a bit closer and peered down at the sleeping baby, “I see that Harry is safe and sound.”

“Why am I called Professor?” Draco asked, unconsciously holding Harry more tightly.

“Ah, I have a proposition to make,” Dumbledore smiled, “Seeing how young Harry can’t go back to stay with his fellow Gryffindors anymore and we don’t know how long it would take Severus to make the antidote, I want you to be Harry’s caretaker, Mr. Malfoy.”

“What!?” Draco cried out; Harry shifted and whimpered in Draco’s arms. Malfoy held his breath and bounced the baby lightly. “You’re asking me to take care of Potter?” Draco hissed, softly.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.” Dumbledore replied; his blue eyes were twinkling madly now. “I’ve already arranged it. You will have your own rooms; all the baby things are already there. You will stay there until Severus have the antidote ready and I won’t take no for an answer.”

Severus coughed, “Yes, hopefully I’ll have the antidote ready soon. But I don’t know the exact time period.” Draco groaned and leaned back against his chair.

“Well, double fuck.”