Slytherin Boys

Babies and Bellas

Bellatrix was walking around with her arms around herself, feeling slightly vulnerable after having a Mind Healing session. Her keen ears picked up on a strange sound and she followed it to a door she has never seen before. She cast the unlocking spell wandlessly and went in, staring at her Lord rolling around in bed and whimpering like a child. "My lord?" She stared as Nagini appeared from the bed.

'He is not well.' The snake tried to communicate to the human woman, getting frustrated when she didn't understand and then slithering over and butting her head against Bellatrix's thigh to get her to move towards the bed.

"Ah. Something is wrong and you want my help?" Bellatrix approached the bed, sitting herself by Voldemort. "My lord. Wake up." She gently shook him, worried for him. 

"Ahhh!" Tom screamed like a frightened child, eyes flying open. Bellatrix cast a shield charm right as Tom's magic sent things flying from the shelves. She was not in the mood to get hit with things today.

"Shh. Shh. It's okay." Bellatrix wrapped him in a hug, rocking him gently and reaching out with her magic to calm his. It was a thing most wizards did for their children when their magic acted up. Bellatrix's parents hadn't done that when she was young. Which made her a bit lacking in control at times.

"Nooooo." Tom was in turmoil, still caught in his nightmare. He didn't calm until Bellatrix began to hum, still rocking him. He clung to her, burying his face in the witch's shoulder.

The whole thing felt very familial, Bellatrix playing a role she had had ripped from her by Dumbledore. She rubbed his arm, continuing to hum until he was calmed. "Go back to sleep, Tom."

"Stay 'til I fall asleep?" Tom sounded so young and childlike that Bellatrix's heart wrenched painfully. She knew she had made the right choice using the man's old name.

"Of course." Bellatrix was quick to reassure him, helping him lay back on the bed and tucked him in. She smiled at him, continuing to hum and wrap her magic around his to keep it calm. It took a mere 20 minutes to get him to fall asleep and she left, rubbing Nagini's smooth head affectionately.

Nagini rather liked this woman and would further make a point to keep an eye on her. But for now she slithered into the bed and slept by Tom.

*two days later*

This was the third night Bellatrix had been drawn into Tom's room to soothe Tom from nightmares. She entered in her nightgown and night robe, sitting by him and immediately sat down, drawing him into her lap as he visibly became younger. His soul pieces had been rejoining him while he slept.

The only one that hadn't hurt him had been the one from Harry, his dream had been pleasant and he hadn't felt scared when it happened. So far the locket, the ring, Harry's and Nagini's had rejoined. All that was left was the Diadem and Diary which had not died but been substituted with a different one at the last second by Hogwarts who had foresaw the current events.

Hogwarts had a sentient conscious that occasionally took on a human form that roamed the halls and comforted lonely students who had horrible home lives. Hogwarts was partial to a female form for the worst cases. She had tried to help Severus and Tom both but only with minor success.

They needed to get the diadem and diary from the school and the cup from Bellatrix's vault. Tom had been consulting with Lucius who also talked to Severus. Severus knew they wouldn't be able to get in under Umbridge's watch currently. They discussed their options and finally settled on Severus searching for both items and bringing them.

Severus was unsure about his task but knowing his lord regaining his soul would be very beneficial to Harry's safety. He rubbed his forehead and sighed, sitting on his couch before getting an idea. "DOBBY!"

The house elf appeared with a crack. "Master Snapey be calling?" The elf bowed low.

"Where would Hogwarts hide her treasures?" Severus was flushed with excitement. His usually pale face was alight with color and emotion. He could keep one of the people who mean the most to him safe from harm.

"The come and go room. On the seventh floor, sir!" Dobby squeaked. "Across from the dancing trolls."

"Thank you!" Severus settled back into his usual attitude right after. He hated showing his emotions like that. He stood up majestically, striding from his quarters after dismissing Dobby.

The tall, dark haired male heard an annoying, shrill voice call his name and he didn't stop, turning down a secret corridor. He had no time for nonsense, he was on a mission. The male found the Room of Requirements and followed Dobby's instructions. The door materialized and he entered the room, going through the stacks and found the Diadem.

Severus reverently tucked it into a box and startled as the room changed around him, a table in the middle with a black book on it. He picked it up and added it to his box, smiling. "Thank you." He felt a caress on his cheek, a whisper in the air.

"You're welcome." Hogwarts seemed to whisper. Help would be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.

Severus Tobias Snape returned to his quarters and flooed to the Malfoy. He was slightly worried about what he'd find but knew this was a great honor and could finally clear out Dumbledore's ability to corrupt and harm the Wizarding world.