Return To Innocence

Return to Innocence
Chapter 2 - Potion of Youth

Ronald Weasley stood by the bed, unable to believe that the boy dozing on it was his best friend. He shook the sleeping form tentatively. "Harry?"

The boy stirred and opened his eyes sleepily. He rolled over and yawned. "It's morning already?"

Ron choked, "Harry?"

"Ron? What? Why are you…," Harry froze, noting that his voice had gone a few pitches higher. He sat up immediately and looked at his body and his suddenly oversized clothes. His mind whirred and he recalled the previous night's event. "Oh, God."

"Bloody wicked, Harry. What did you do-"

A rapid series of knocks on the door interrupted the both of them. "Ron? Harry? Are you two taking up permanent residence in there?" Hermione's impatient voice drifted through the door.

"At least we have Hermione-- she should know what to do," Ron commented as he went to let Hermione in.

"She should know what to do what?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. Ginny, who was standing next to her, peered in from the doorway. "- Come up with a solution to another mischief you…" She trailed off when she saw the child form of Harry Potter on his bed. Both girls widened their eyes, disbelievingly, and spoke in unison. "Harry?!"

Harry waved weakly. "Yes, it's me."

The brunette walked over to Harry's bed, her mouth agape, and gave the boy a poke in the ribs. "What happened to you?"

"My guess was Snape," said Ron as Harry yelped in pain.

"No, it wasn't him," Harry shook his head. "It was after that. I think this has something to do with a mixture that fell on me and Malfoy this early morning, but it's so strange, we were quite alright then."

"Malfoy?" The redhead spluttered as if the name disapproved with his tongue. "That ferret did this?"

"No, erm.. he just happened to be there when it happened-"

"Did I already say that he was bad luck?"

"Ron," Hermione sighed.

"Fine, but I'd like to say something. I don't like Slytherins and I'm going to take a stand and say they're not good."

Hermione sighed again, in exasperation, while Ginny approached the trio shyly. Harry raised his hand to adjust his spectacles, only to find that he didn't have it on. I don't need specs?

Ginny looked at her watch. "Maybe we should tell a professor about this?" She looked at Hermione, who looked at the now reduced Harry.

"The professors should be in the Great Hall by now-"

"I can't go around the school like this!" Harry exclaimed.

"- Well, just put on your invisibility cloak and follow us. We'll have to tell Professor McGonagall about this, at least she'll know what to do. Oh, do stop sitting there, and get moving, Harry. I can't afford to be late for my lessons at the third week of the term."

***

Professor Snape stared into the mirror, examined his reflection and adjusted his robes. He glared at his reflection and his image glared back. He smirked. Everything was perfect-- he was ready to strike terror into the hearts of his students. Namely, Potter.

After that little chat with Dumbledore in his office, he had needed to get pre-occupied with something to take his mind of matters for a while and he happened to remember the Potions reports he had collected from the fifth year students that day. So he sifted his desk for the reports to grade, and incidentally, picked up Potter's work. Flipping through the report halfway, a slip of paper fell out. He studied the sketch on the loose sheet for a while, and went back to grading the insolent brat's work, not amused.

He walked out of his room and proceeded to the Great Hall for breakfast. He wasn't really hungry at all, having no appetite like on most days when he felt like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. He supposed he could do with more sleep instead of food, but he doubted that he would be able to sleep, given the opportunity. At least he had some Rejuvenating Draughts in his stores to perk up his energy, though he knew very well that constant reliance on the potion will be detrimental to his health in the long run.

While on his way to the Great Hall, he spotted a redhead in the coming down from a flight of stairs in the distance. Snape calculated that the probability of the redhead being a Weasley was significantly large, if not very. And not so far ahead of the boy was a female student with dark brown hair, most presumably, Granger. If he continued looking around them, he should be able to see someone with black, unkempt hair -- Potter. But he didn't. When he entered the Great Hall, he also noted that Potter was not in there either.

Late? Without his friends? Snape thought in suspicion to himself as he sat down on his chair. He saw Hermione Granger converse with Ronald and Ginny Weasley briefly. Harry Potter was still nowhere in sight. The youngest Weasley headed to the Gryffindor table while Granger and the other Weasley made their way to the High Table. Snape raised an eyebrow as Granger approached Minerva McGonagall.

What trouble did Potter get into now? Hopefully one that will cut points from his house-

"Professor Snape, sir?" that came most suddenly and unexpectedly, directed his attention to two students standing before him- Crabbe and Goyle.

"Yes, what?" He demanded.

Goyle stammered, "Th- There's something wrong with Draco today and he cannot come down for breakfast."

Crabbe nodded.

"Malfoy has a problem and is therefore unable to attend breakfast?"

His two students nodded furiously. Snape surveyed the both of them, unconvinced, and drummed his fingers lightly on the tabletop. Crabbe and Goyle were not only thick, they couldn't even lie to save their own lives. Slytherins were supposed to be quick, calculating and glib, but with students like these two, Snape wondered how they were ever going to live up to their house's name. Malfoy, however, must be in some crisis that he had to send this two dunce to explain his absence.

No, he thought wearily, I've better check it out myself. Malfoy had better have a very good excuse to remain in his dorm. Snape dismissed the pair and looked over at Minerva, but her place was empty. Weasley and Granger were not in sight either. He walked over to Dumbledore's seat to say that he had some urgent business to attend to, before making his way to the dungeons.

Upon reaching the common room, he tried to remember which room Malfoy was in, and knocked the door at the end of the room.

"Malfoy, there is no excuse for you to skip breakfast in the Great Hall. Open the door and explain your problem directly to me, not send your friends to do so in your stead."

The door opened, but Snape could see no one.

"I'm down here," Draco said crisply and Snape looked down, his breath caught. Instead of the lean teenager he had expected, a much younger Draco Malfoy stood in his place. He was wearing an over-sized shirt and looked exactly the way he did about ten years ago, if he could recall clearly, when Snape was at the Malfoy manor on some social call.

Snape's voice cracked slightly. "What, in Merlin's name have you been up to?"

Draco shrugged. "I've had some accident with a potion early this morning. Is there a potion for age-reversal?"

"Not one that anyone knows how to make as of yet," the Potions Master replied, as he regained his composure. "Do you still have the potion? And what were you doing, making a potion early this morning?"

"Professor, the potion was not my doing. It just..." The boy denied, then realised that if he continued, he would have to explain to his Professor why he was doing out of school at night. Draco glanced at Professor Snape, whose eyes seemed to be persuading him to continue. If the same thing happened to Potter and he tells about the event, then I can't lie, he thought agitatedly. Blasted Gryffindors. "Actually, sir, I think that Harry Potter might be in the same situation as me."

Snape furrowed his eyebrows. It might just fit-- why Potter wasn't around this morning.. That has to be the reason Granger and Weasley called Minerva away. "Go get something to drape yourself with-- to keep warm. We'll be looking for Professor McGonagall and Potter."

"I'm going out like this?!" Draco exclaimed. Snape gave him a look that warned him to do as told. The boy grudgingly searched for his jumper, wrapped it around himself and both him and Snape left the Dungeons.

"Ah, Professor Snape. Just the person I wanted to see," A voice greeted them as they were halfway up the flight of stairs.

"Professor McGonagall," Snape nodded. "I happen to be looking for you too."

***

The Head of the Gryffindor house was with Harry Potter, along on their way to the dungeons. She had sent Hermione and Ron back to the Great Hall earlier, telling them to have their breakfast first and that if any Professor wanted an explanation for their lateness, they have an excuse from McGonagall. She had hoped that Severus had an idea of the potion that might have splashed onto Harry.

Draco and Harry looked at each other in surprise while McGonagall and Snape scrutinised the young students.

McGonagall broke the silence. "Severus, how much do you know of age-reversal potions?"

"Enough to know that it has not been recorded before," said Snape thoughtfully. "No one knows how it is made." Then he folded his arms. "I would like to hear how both of them got their hands on it."

Both Heads turned to the teenagers-turned-children. Both Harry and Draco blinked. Harry wanted to protest but McGonagall suggested that they continue this discussion at Dumbledore's office, as both Professors had no lessons in the morning. Also, they needed the Headmaster make the final decision on what to do with the both of them.

"Have you eaten?" McGonagall asked Draco and Harry. They shook their heads. "Okay, the two of you will wait at the Headmaster's office. I'll get a House Elf to deliver some food to Dumbledore's office and inform your teachers that the both of you are to be excused from lessons. Severus, could you...?"

Snape nodded. "I'll bring them to the office and go find the Headmaster."

***

At Dumbledore's private office, after Professor Snape warned them to behave and left to search for Dumbledore, the two arch-rivals eyed each other warily. As if they were kids, thought both students sulkily.

Draco was the first to speak. "What did you tell McGonagall?" He sat on a chair near Harry.

"Well, I just told her that, uh, I was out walking and bumped into you when the owl.. you know," The Gryffindor replied. Then he laughed. "Were you afraid that I told her about your pet?"

The Slytherin shot a look at Harry. "Of course not! And it is not my pet."

"Of course." Harry rolled his eyes. "I forget."

"Don't you dare mock me, Potter." Draco snapped. "I'm warning you."

Harry kept silent, as he walked towards the Phoenix in the corner. "Hello," he said softly to Fawkes. He remembered the first time he saw the Phoenix; it had been Fawke's burning day and Harry was surprised when it burst into flames without warning. He had been afraid that he would be accused of killing the bird. He smiled at the memory. Fawkes was the one who saved him three years ago, when he was faced with Tom Riddle. Fawkes flew off the perch and landed in front of Harry, who stroked the fire bird fondly and gently on its head.

There was a knock on the door and a House Elf came in, laden with two trays of food. "Where be Illie putting sirs' food?"

Draco pointed at the table near him. "Do you see a table here?"

Illie walked over and placed the food on the table. "Will sirs be needing anything else?"

"No," Harry turned around. "Thanks Illie."

The House Elf bowed and left the office.

Both students helped themselves with the food. Harry was ravenous. The last time he had ever been like that was when he stayed with the Dursleys. It was not that the Dursleys were unable to afford food, it was quite on the contrary-- while Dudley, his cousin, had the best and richest food (and almost everything else), all he had was the either scraps or a very small portion of their meals. But that had changed when Uncle Vernon learnt of Harry's Godfather. Since then, he had not eaten their leftovers for a long time.

When the both of them had finished the food and drinks, Draco murmured, "I hope this mess we've fallen into won't last."

"But no one has ever fallen into this sort of mess. They said that this age-reversal potion..."

The blonde boy interrupted Harry with a flick of his wrist. "I know that, you prat. But for bloody how long will the effects last? I'm not going around Hogwarts looking like a four, five or six year old kid!"

"I've always thought you were immature," the Gryffindor blurted out before he could stop himself. Lucky for him, the Professors and the Headmaster entered the office. Draco narrowed his eyes at Harry, who thought that when the Slytherin did that, he looked like a sullen little child.

"Had enough to eat?" Dumbledore said cordially. Harry answered a "yes" while Draco merely nodded. "McGonagall and Severus have told me about your situation. I've heard of people searching for the fountain of youth and theorise the ingredients to elixirs that can reverse aging throughout my life, but this, is a revelation." The Headmaster stroked his beard. "I would like to hear your sides of the story?"

Harry and Draco glanced at each other.

Snape crossed his arms and said, "Well, Potter, why don't you start first?"

For a fraction of a second, Harry thought he saw a small smile lit up on Snape's face. Perhaps Snape did really see the little doodle he mistakenly placed in his Potions report. He coughed and wondered where he should start with his story. Then he decided to alter his story a little. He wouldn't tell them a lie, but he wouldn't want to tell them the whole truth either. He figured that even though he did not like Draco Malfoy, not telling the professors of the puffskein episode would hurt anyone. Besides, how was he going to explain his going down just because Draco Malfoy was around the tower? That didn't sound quite right; people might mistake his rash reaction for something else all together.

So Harry recounted last night's incident, starting from him being unable to sleep and then taking a walk just at the base of the tower when he encountered the flaxen-haired Slytherin. He talked about the frightened owl which dropped a parcel very close to them and the spewing contents that splashed onto them. He also brought up about how the grass disappeared where the potion fell on. When he was done, Draco gave the same story-- that he could not sleep and went out for a breath of the night air. The Slytherin was glad that Harry chose not to mention the puffskein at all. If he did, his reputation would be so ruined. Probably the laughingstock of the four houses.

Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Snape were keen to visit the site where the incident happened. McGonagall excused herself because she had a Transfigurations class with the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors.

***

"That was the most boring lesson ever and Harry gets to miss it," Ron complained to Hermione as they both left the History of Magic classroom.

"As if Harry is missing it on purpose. Come on, you could be a little more optimistic about studying, after all we are having our O.W.L.s this year."

"Ugh," Ron made a weird look. "Don't remind me," he said as they both entered the classroom. "And why do we have to turn up early for Transfigurations? We have a short break, haven't we?"

Hermione smiled. "Nothing like being prepared for the next class," said she as she took out her books and started reading. Ron amused himself by transfiguring his books.

The bell for the next class rang, and Professor McGonagall came in shortly, amidst some Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors. Hermione approached her. "Professor?"

McGonagall peered at Hermione through her glasses. "Potter's with Dumbledore right now, if that's what you're wondering about... Granger?"

"Thanks, Professor," Hermione said and headed back to her seat. Ron leaned over to ask her what the Transfiguration professor had told her. She whispered back, "I think they should be finding a way to get Harry back to his normal self. She said he's with Dumbledore now."

"Oh," Ron mouthed. He propped his head against his hand and tried to pay attention to the teacher. That failed, however, because he was hoping that Dumbledore might find a 'cure' to Harry's age-reversal, if not, the talented Quidditch seeker would not be able to participate in the screening for the most exciting Quidditch match he would see this year at Hogwarts.

At the start-of-the-year feast, after the sorting, Dumbledore had announced that this year's Inter-House Quidditch match would be cancelled, which invoked many protests from the student body. The Headmaster then continued, saying that instead of the Inter-House Quidditch match, they would be having an Inter-School match between other European schools, which were Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. The first Inter-School match the school had ever taken place in. The school went practically mad after that. Dumbledore also announced that the match would most probably take place at Hogwarts, just like the Triwizards last year, in second term. Current Quidditch members must first have a few rounds of matches against other houses for Madam Hooch to choose so that the most skilled players get to represent Hogwarts.

Ron sighed. While he himself would very much like to play in the inter-school match, he knew he might not have that much chance as a reserved beater in the Gryffindor team. He envied his best friend. Who didn't envy Harry Potter? But he was quite happy that they have been good friends, with Hermione, for the past four years. Despite the little misunderstandings they have had, Ron resolved that he wouldn't forfeit their friendship for anything else.

"If Ronald Arthur Weasley is quite done with his day-dream, can he now turn to page forty-three of the textbook?" Professor McGonagall's stern voice brought him back to reality. Ron nodded embarrassed.

*to be continued*