Chapter 33- A Little Mischievousness

Sirius transformed into the large black dog known as Snuffles and was playfully ducking the kids in play while retrieving a red rubber ball that the Twerp kept throwing for him. It amused everyone to no end to see how much fun the Twerp was finally getting out of playing in the water.

Thinking he should do the same, Draco transformed into a ferret and then hopped to the side and backwards while facing Snuffles who looked a little puzzled as he was much bigger than the ferret. But he barked and lunged forward playfully to bowl him over but missed as Draco did a series of frenzied sideway hops and then slipped up the ladder to the high diving board and slinked to the end of the board where, with a soft clucking noise he encouraged Snuffles to follow which the dog did slowly.

"Oh my." exclaimed Poppy as the dog carefully hooked his paws around each rung of the ladder and finally climbed onto the board which was very springy. "Please be careful you two." she cried out, worried for their safety.

The ferret dived off and landed in the water with Snuffles close behind. The resulting wave of water splashed everyone who was standing near the edge and in the water.

"Oh Merlin, to have a camera on hand. Who would ever believe this." Minerva was trying her best to stay reserved but the antics of the two animagis was just too much.

"Hey Draco you should have been an otter." Yelled Ginny when he slipped his head underwater as if he was snorkeling and blew bubbles playfully.

The teens watched as the ferret tucked his front paws under his chin and paddled with his hind feet while using his tail as a rudder and glided through the water seemingly effortlessly but after a while it was obvious that the small creature was beginning to tire.

Snuffles noticed the smaller creature was wearing out so he dog paddled closer and then dived under the water and came up just under the ferret who gripped his fur with his little paws and they both came to the side of the pool. Snuffles waited till his passenger clambered off and then with a bark swam back to the middle and grabbed the red rubber ball with his mouth and then returned to the pool edge and climbed out. He dropped the slobbery ball beside the Twerp who was sitting with his feet in the water.

"Okay okay I'll throw it for you." the Twerp said laughing as the big black dog kept slurping his face and ear.

After shaking the water drops off his fur Draco transformed back and said. "Thanks Snuffles, I forgot how tiring swimming can be for a ferret." He grinned. "But still it was still fun."

"Who would believe that you and Sirius could have so much fun together." Ron said as he shook his head in wonder. "Especially in your animagis forms."

"That is the best part of being able to transform." Draco answered as he accepted a towel to dry off with. "Would you like to learn how to dive sometime Twerp?"

The Twerp looked askance at the diving board and turning back to look at Draco declared that he was quite happy with plain swimming now that he had learned the basics. He slipped back into the pool and swam underwater from one side to the other with Snuffles dog paddling protectively beside him.

"No need to rush things." Filius told Draco. "I'm sure given more time our Twerp will appreciate some lessons in diving."

"Yeah I know, at least he is willing to swim underwater now--so long as somebody is nearby." Draco nodded in understanding. "Possibly next year or the year after he'll try diving."

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"I'd like to stop off at Honeydukes before heading back home. Or even stop in at the Three Broomsticks and have a butterbeer." suggested Harry, feeling like doing something different after swimming and diving for most of the afternoon.

Minerva looked thoughtful as Poppy said, "I think it would be nice to get out of the castle for a while. There won't be to many more days before I will be too busy to go far."

"Please come with us... will you Snuffles?" Harry turned to look at the water drenched black dog whose red tongue was lolling out of his mouth as he was now resting from having done several laps with the Twerp.

Snuffles woofed joyfully and transformed back into Sirius who laughed and said, "I'm game, its been a long time since I was in Hogsmeade myself." He turned to look at Albus who had been quite happily sitting back in a conjured beach lounger drinking juice from a tall glass while pretending to be on the beach. Severus also looked hopeful as he wrapped the large green fluffy towel around himself to dry off.

Albus set his drink down on the little table that sat beside him and leaned forward. "I think it's an excellent idea, I need to replenish my supply of..."

"Lemon Sherbets!!" everyone chorused as they filled in the rest of Albus's sentence.

"Yes, that's right." Albus agreed, in good humour as he looked around at the amused expressions. "I admit I do have a well known fondness for them."

"A fondness? " questioned Minerva, "That's an understatement if I ever heard of one."

Ginny leaned over and whispered to Hermione. "More like an obsession." Only Hermione , Harry and the Twerp heard Ginny's comment as chuckles and merriment from the others overshadowed her comment.

"If we're going to go I think we better get ready." said Albus as he stood up and with a flick of his wand vanished the lounger and table.

The teens, Twerp and the adults who had participated in swimming then sprinted to the changing cubicles and quickly changed into their street clothes. It wasn't that long before everyone was dressed in their regular clothes ready for a trip to Hogsmeade and left the Room of Requirement.

"You think we can walk on our hands all the way down the corridor?" The Twerp challenged Ron, Harry and Draco.

Ron frowned and took a sneak peek back at the girls before responding. "Okay I will but then you have to agree to walk backwards and do a backflip."

The Twerp looked at Ron thoughtfully as Harry and Draco both said they would a try hand walking with him.

"All right, I can do that. Remember no fair using magic." he responded back with impunity

Hermione was going to mention that it was probably against school rules and that they could get expelled when she remembered that it was still summer. "Boys!" she exclaimed.

Ginny swung her long red hair back, "You said it!"

Hermione said quietly so the boys couldn't hear her. "little does Ron know, but the Twerp has been practicing handstands and back flips while you and the boys were in the paddock playing quidditch."

"Really?I thought he was spending all that time reading, creating ideas for pranking potions or playing in the tree." whispered Ginny , "When did he learn to do handstands and backflips?"

"When your mum told him to exercise more instead of just sitting in his tree." Hermione explained. "I liked to do gymnastics when I was little so..."

"You taught him." Ginny finished for her. "That's amazing in itself, I thought you were only interested in reading books."

"My parents wouldn't let me read all the time. They said it wasn't healthy for a child to sit around all the time." Hermione explained. "I liked watching the gymnasts on the telly so they signed me up."

"Telly?" Ginny looked puzzled and then shrugged as she realized it must be one of those muggle contraptions.

The figures in the portraits watched the group pass by them with barely concealed interest as they watched the Twerp suddenly stop, putting one foot in front of the other.

"What is he doing now?" Minerva questioned the other adults who looked just as astounded as she did.

"We'll find out shortly." Albus chuckled and his eyes twinkled even more than usual. "The little scamp is full of surprises."

Concentrating, the Twerp raised his arms up by his ears, leant over with his arms swinging in front of him towards the ground and then lifted one leg then the other leg till he was doing a handstand.

Harry, Ron and Draco copied the Twerps movements and after making sure of their balance carefully walked down the hallway on their hands while Hermine and Ginny followed with the startled adults not far behind.

"Merlins beard!" exclaimed Remus, shaking his head in wonder. "One would think they would be tired from all the swimming and diving they did today.

"Where is the Daily Prophet and that infernal camera of theirs when we need a picture taken!" squeaked Filius as they watched the four boys meandering down the hallway. "Or Colin Greevey."

"Best there isn't one." Remus commented with a chuckle. "Imagine what would happen if there was a picture of Harry and the Twerp walking upside down."

"There would be a lot of students trying to emulate them..." Sirius's eyes shone as he thought about a school full of youngsters doing handstands and walking upside down.

"Utter chaos would ensue!" Minerva shook her head as images of students wrong side up in the corridors and on the moving stairs flashed through her mind.

"It looks like fun but I guess I am just a shade too clumsy to even try such a stunt." answered Tonks with a laugh as the youngsters returned to a normal standing position and turned around so that they walked backwards down the hallway. "Anyway, It is so good to see the children having fun."

Minerva shook her head and said, "Even if one of them is a mischievous imp."

"That's probably a combination of the twins and Padfoot's influence." commented Remus innocently.

"Hey, It's not me."Sirius protested to the amusement of everyone around him. "I haven't started to teach him anything yet."

"Well, I don't suppose it would matter a whole lot anyway." Albus said as he kept his eye on the Twerp. "He seems to be quite capable of getting into mischief on his own. Though where he gets all his energy from is a mystery."

"He is eating regularly and getting proper rest and exercise."answered Madame Pomfrey as they neared the statue of Lachlan the Lanky, which stood on guard near the wide sweeping staircase that led to the sixth floor. "Be thankful, you wanted him to enjoy his childhood and be an normal happy little boy."

"Galloping Gargoyles! What an imprudent child." declared the statue as he watched the little boy suddenly do a back flip and land on the moving stairway. The other boys had also back flipped but didn't make it to the stairway which suddenly swivelled away and started to head downwards.

The Twerp held on tight to the railing as he felt the stairway jerk when it paused midway between the floors.

"Honestly, children nowadays." spouted an old lady fanning herself in a painting nearby. "Can you not control him Headmaster." she asked haughtily. " He is getting w-a-y out of hand."

"I do not wish to control him my lady. So long as he isn't doing any harm."answered Albus who had felt a slight palpitation of his heart when he witnessed the small boys stunt. "There was too much control in his life as an adult."

" Twerp... do not go anywhere. Wait for the rest of us!" Albus's voice echoed as the stairway shifted again and lowered its one end to the third floor.

Severus heard a pop and Peeves, the little poltergeist whose wicked dark eyes glinted with mischievous determination appeared floating in the air just in front of him.

"What a chance to have some fun!" crowed the Poltergeist who just happened to have a few buckets filled with some ink wells and water bombs. He lobbed a mixture at the Twerp who dodged the projectiles by jumping backwards but stumbled and fell as the stairway he was still standing on settled.

The Twerp glowered at Peeves who hovered above him laughing with glee at the small boys discomfort. He then slipped a small round object out of his pocket and popped it into his mouth. Peeves looked startled as the Twerp disappeared from his view.

"Hey, what's goin on?" he exclaimed, alarmed as he stared down at the spot where the Twerp had vanished. Meanwhile Severus had quickly sprinted off the stairs and before the effects of the Chewable Disappearing Candy lifted he was across the corridor and hiding in behind the statue of the humpbacked witch.

"SEVERUS!"

"

"TWERP!"

The voices echoed in the deserted corridor as the group of adults and teens came to the third floor by another stairway. The Twerp was not in sight.

"PEEVES, have you seen the Twerp?" called out Minerva as she noticed the bewildered poltergeist floating over the stairway.

"PEEVES! YOU SCOUNDROL! "Albus roared angrily as he assumed that Peeves had done something to the Twerp. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY TWERP!"

"Albus, calm yourself." Poppy pleaded, "I don't think Peeves did anything serious to the Twerp."

"He's gone-- vanished!" Peeves squealed in shock and terror as he looked around frantically and then vanished himself before the group of adults and teens could further question him as to where the Twerp was.

"TWERP!" Albus Bellowed frantically when he pointed his wand at his throat and used the sonorus charm.

"I'm over here behind the statue." said Severus who slipped out from behind the old humpbacked statue and looked at Albus nervously. "Sorry, but Peeves was going to dump some inkwells and water balloons on me so I..."

"Used the disappearing candy." finished Harry with relief.

"Sheer... audacity!" commented Minerva brusquely, her Scottish brogue evident even as she pursed her lips to keep from laughing.

" Brilliant! Chalk up one for the Twerp." said Ron with admiration evident in his voice.

"I bet you gave Peeves the biggest shock of his otherworldly life that he ever had." said Ginny laughing with relief now that she knew that the Twerp was unharmed.

"About time somebody did." Draco grinned.

"You'll make a fine Marauder yet Twerp." Sirius chortled while the figures in the paintings shook their heads in disbelief and whispered among themselves.

Albus looked relieved as he reversed the sonorus charm and knelt to grip the Twerp by his thin shoulders. "Don't do that again Twerp without warning me, you'll take years off my life."

The solemn gaunt form of the Bloody Baron wafted by-- his silvery bloodstains shone malevolently as he cast his lifeless eyes around and focused upon the small boy who leaned a little closer toward Albus. The Ghost frowned and then the ends of his mouth turned up slightly as he said slowly and methodically, "Congratulations young Severus, I wonder how you did it but you have managed to temporarily demoralize Peeves with your disappearing act."

The Twerp didn't know whether to apologize to the grim spectre for upsetting Peeves or accept the implied complement. He watched the Slytherin ghost glide away and disappear through a wall.

"Don't worry Twerp, there is no need to apologize." Miinerva informed him while patting his shoulder affectionately, "anyway I'm sure Peeves will be back to normal come September."

The Twerp shrugged and a small smirk flashed across his face as they continued on down toward the entrance hall and the large oaken doors that obediently swung open as the large group approached.

Remus and Tonks went on ahead after they explained that they needed to have a private discussion. The teens looked knowingly at each other.

As the Twero along with the remaining adults, and teens headed down the pathway towards the gates they noticed some commotion around Hagrids hut. The Twerp was worried as he looked around for his two little friends and spotted them high in the air upon Norberts back. Whatever the commotion was at least they weren't involved.

"Looks like Hagrid has some new 'babies.' I wonder what they are this time." commented Albus in a deceptively calm voice.

"Please tell me that it isn't anything too dangerous." said Ginny with concern in her voice. "I really don't want to go too near if it is."

Tonks shook her head as she not only knew Hagrids reputation for having dangerous pets but also remembered some rather unusual creatures that he had raised when she was going to Hogwarts. "I'm sure Dumbledore won't allow him to keep it long if it is."

"I guess she doesn't know about Aragog" Ron whispered to Harry as he shuddered slightly.

Harry's eyebrow rose slightly as he also wondered what in Merlin's name was Hagrid raising now but at the moment he didn't wish to enquire too closely as to what the 'babies' were as they were sure to be dangerous, much like the blast-ended skewets that Hagrid had created a few years ago or Aragog the Acromantula that Hagrid raised from an egg when he was a student that Harry and Ron had the doubtful pleasure of meeting in the forbidden forest in their second year.

Hagrid was singing to himself and looking after some of his 'babies' while the little Oracle and mummy were flying on Norbert around the grounds nearby. The scene looked peaceful but it didn't sound very much like it. It could be the fact that one of Hagrids 'babies' were being bathed due to an infestation of chizpurfle and they were voicing their displeasure loudly. One of the creatures resembled a 'small' Graphorn with a greyish purple colour, humped back and had long sharp looking horns but whatever else was mixed in was definitely a mystery to the observers.

Fang, the large Boarhound lumbered toward the group and boisterously licked Harry Ron, and Hermione around their faces and ears.

"D'yah think yer would be able ta leave Hogwarts without Fang noticin' ya? " Hagrid asked as he patted one the babies' heads while it half-heartedly tried to skewer him with its strange looking horn that protruded from its upper lip. Hagrid looked down fondly at his new acquisition, "Okay little one enough play for now."

"I suppose not Hagrid." Harry answered as he eyed the new 'baby' with trepidation. "What is that creature Hagrid? He looks like a graphon but..."

"This little beauty? Well yeah it is mostly graphon. At least that is what I was told down at the Hogs Head by the fellow I got it off of." Hagrid replied as he lifted the strange looking creature up and wrapped a large towel around it. "I haven't figured out what else he is but he is cute. I think the youngsters will love to see him during Care of Magic Creatures class."

Ron harrumphed at the thought that this was Hagrids idea of a nice pet and silently vowed to find other places to be than near that creature, at least till he knew for sure that Hagrid had it under control.

Draco blanched as did Hermione as they slowly edged their way backwards and Hermione said, "That will be nice Hagrid but..."

"We have to get to Hogsmeade now." continued Harry as he eyed the 'baby' warily.

"Tha's alright, I do have to get back to bathin' me babies." Hagrid beamed with pleasure. "Sure was good of ye to stop and talk a bit though."

Norbert spotted the Twerp as did the little Oracle and Mummy. With an excited whoosh of flame coming out of his nostrils the small dragon swooped down and hovered in front of the Twerp so that little Oracle and Mummy could dismount and sit upon the small boy's shoulders.

"Thanks Norbert for keeping my friends entertained." said the Twerp as he rubbed the little toy dragon's head. The small toy snorted and a small flame flew out as he flapped his wings and flew back toward Hagrid and sat on top of the hut to watch the humans as they said goodbye to Hagrid and walk away toward the gates.

"You know, I think we have had the best year ever... Even if we had to deal with Voldemort, Death Eaters and that toad lady." commented the Twerp happily as they left the grounds and started to walk toward the small village.

"It has been a busy year, that I admit." answered Harry, "Though how we managed to pack so much adventure into one summer is beyond me."

"There is still time left for another adventure to happen before we have to board the train." Draco said teasingly as he cast a sideways glance at the Twerp.

"Hold it mates we still have a little over a week left." Ron protested as he warned Harry and Draco, "Don't give the Twerp any more ideas. I'd like to have at least one peaceful week."

"You mean relaxing and just watching the clouds scuttle by?" asked the Twerp. "Or playing quidditch and wizards chess?"

"Yeah Twerp, that is just what I mean." answered Ron with a nod. "No adventures, stalkers, toad lady,or deathly hallows... nothing but playing, eating and sleeping."

"Simply enjoying being a kid." Ginny supplied, "No other responsibilities."

"You could use the last week to finish up your summer assignments..."Hermione suggested as the boys and Ginny groaned in unison at her words.

"You are probably finished all yours... right?" said Ron as he rolled his eyes. "even with everything we have been through thanks to

"W-e-l-l, not quite..." Hermione said with a touch of asperity in her voice. "What with helping the Twerp with his investigations..."

Ginny and the boys looked at her in pseudo shock, as they couldn't believe what they were hearing. Hermione Granger was not completely done her assignments. A first in all the years they had known her.

"Too bad you didn't have a time-turner so you could finish off all your assignments." Harry teased her.

"Yeah like it must seem like a terrible crime to be a little behind with your own schedule." scoffed Ron "Why, the rest of us just might be able to catch up to you."

Hermoine looked daggers at Harry and Ron and then snorted as the two of them smirked at her with mock innocent looks.

Draco chuckled. "You will be all right come September. Haven't you memorized all the set books...?" He yelped as Hermione smacked him.

While the Twerp and the teens bantered about and tussled playfully, the grownups watched with amusement and with thankfulness that it was possible for the youngsters to frolic without worrying about being in any real danger... other than what they themselves got themselves into.

Severus knew that he didn't need to worry but still even though he had been here with Albus in June he still felt a little bit queasy as he looked around a little nervously when they neared the station where the Hogwarts train sat quietly while being spruced up for the new term. Albus reached over and gently set his hand on the small boys shoulder and with a gentle squeeze reassured him that he was not alone.

"I know Twerp, I know." whispered Albus, "It is hard to get over such a trauma as what you had undergone what with being abducted from this very platform but believe me when I tell you that it is very unlikely that will happen again."

The Twerp nodded and a slight wavering smile spread across his face as he looked up trustingly into the twinkling yet concerned blue eyes.

"Twerp, stay with the others. Don't wander off on your own." Albus reached into his robe pocket pulled out a coin purse and held out a Galleon plus few sickles and knuts as he said. " Could I get you to pick up my order of Lemon Sherbets? I have to go talk to my brother at the Hog's Head, I promise I won't be too long."

Knowing that Albus didn't want him to be in the Hogs Head as it had an unsavoury reputation, Severus nodded in agreement as he took the proffered coins and placed them into one of his pockets. Hesitantly he questioned the tall thin wizard. "May we meet back at the Three Broomsticks?"

"Yes, that will be acceptable." answered Albus as he ruffled the Twerps long dark hair affectionately.

"Don't worry Albus, I don't think he will be out of sight of at least one of us while we get our shopping done. "Squeaked Filius who noticed the slight hesitancy in the Twerps voice.

"So long as you remember not to use one of those disappearing candies." Minerva gave the Twerp a stern warning look.

"I'll behave... I promise."

Minerva pursed her thin lips slightly and then nodded. "Okay, I will trust you won't break your word." She leaned over and gave him a quick hug before heading down to The Three Broomsticks with Madame Pomfrey for a sociable visit with the proprietor Madame Rosmerta.

"Come on Twerp, lets go on to Honeydukes and then afterwards we could go look around Dervish and Banges." suggested Ginny as the adults left them to their own devices. "I think you would love to see that place."

"Yeah that is a great idea Ginny, after all it has a lot of magical instruments and stuff." continued Ron, He grinned as he looked down at the Twerp. "They carry all sorts of magical instruments like sneakoscopes and all sorts of potion ingredients that would appeal to you."

"Sounds good. I'd like to see what they have in stock." answered the Twerp with a gleam in his eye.

"I'd like to pick up a couple of pheasant feather quills at Scrivenshaft's. " said Hermione as she looked up the cobbled street. "I may look over some of the books they have too."

"You would." groaned Ron, "I'd like to browse through Zonko's and pick up some hiccup sweets and maybe a whizzing worm or two."

"You know Filch will be angry if you bring one of those worms into the castle." Hermione told him firmly.

"Who said I was going to bring any back to Hogwarts." asked Ron feigning innocence. "It's not like I am a real good prankster."

"R-i-g-h-t... and you expect us to believe that you wouldn't?" said Draco. "You are related to two well known pranksters and I believe that on at least one occasion you participated..."

"Okay, okay." Ron chuckled as he held his hands up palms out toward Draco.

Honeydukes smelled wonderful as the youngsters entered. The Twerp sniffed the scent laden air appreciatively as he took his time deciding where he wanted to start looking. The shelves upon shelves of tasty and delectable sweets. Nougat chunks, pink squares of coconut ice, toffees, loads of chocolate in all flavours, sizes and shapes beckoned to his senses.

Harry and Ron went off in one direction to pick up some of the chocolate frogs while Draco and Hermione walked over to the barrels filled with Botts every flavour beans and the fizzing whizzbees.

It wasn't long before the Twerp finished buying his treats and had also retrieved Albus's order of Lemon sherbets from the Proprietor Ambrosius Flume. The elderly wizard remembered the little boy's last visit in the company of Albus Dumbledore and without the Twerps knowledge slipped a few pieces of freshly made fudge into the small treat sack before handing it over along with the change from the galleon.

The teens watched the transaction while they waited to pay for their purchases and each of them knew that the old man had put the fudge in the Twerps treat sack to show him that he accepted the fact that Severus Snape was a child now, albeit an unusual one.

The Twerp thanked him and put the change back into his pocket. Albus's order was a tad too big to be placed into his pocket so he held it under one arm while holding his own sack of treats.

The Twerp didn't open the sack till they left the store and he was startled to see the fudge. "Hey I didn't pay for that." he exclaimed. He made to walk back inside but was stopped by Harry who had knelt down so he could look at the Twerp on his own level.

"Don't worry Twerp, it's not a mistake the fudge is yours. Mr. Flume put it in your sack before handing it to you."

"Why?"

"Maybe he thinks you are a cute little kid Twerp." said Ginny, knowing that he objected to being called cute.

Sirius had walked up and down the cobbled street doing some window shopping and browsing through some of the items that were out on display. It still felt a little strange to him to be able to walk freely about the tiny village. He observed the youngsters come out of Honeydukes and watched them as the Twerp and the teens interacted with the familiarity of good friends. A slight feeling of sadness rushed over him as he recalled when he had been younger and had James, Remus and Peter to play prank with and wander about during the Hogsmeade weekends.

He noticed the curious glances other shoppers gave them and overheard some of the whispered comments about Harry and Severus. It was also obvious that they were thinking how unusual it was to observe a Malfoy walking with Hermione, a muggle born without insulting her.

Remus and Tonks, who had decided to forget their personal 'discussions' for the time being approached Sirius who was ignoring the glances directed at him by other passers by who recognized him as the only wizard to ever escape Azkaban.

"Hey Padfoot, one would think you had other things to do besides standing around."

Sirius jerked slightly as he hadn't noticed them come up and turned his head. "I was just thinking."

"Don't over use what little brain cells you have left." joked Remus. "Thinking usually gets you in all kinds trouble."

"Where are the teens and the Twerp? Have they come out of Honeydukes yet?" Tonks asked Sirius.

"Yes they were just..."Sirius looked up and down the street and groaned, "Great take your eye off him for a second and he vanishes. "

"Told you thinking gets you into trouble." Remus smirked, "We had better use our senses and start looking for him and the other kids. I doubt that they have gone too far."

Meanwhile in the Hogs Head, Albus had scooted up the stairs for a moment to talk in private to Alberforth and the portrait of their sister Ariana that sat above the fireplace in the upstairs sitting room. Ariana, like many of the portraits in Hogwarts could move and talk so it was almost like talking to her spirit that Albus had intended to raise with the resurrection stone.

Alberforth admittedly was a little leery of his brothers' intentions at first but after about half an hour of talking with each other, the two of them finally came to the conclusion that they should try and reconcile their estranged family relationship and come to grips with their turbulent past.

Albus felt much lighter and freer than he had in years as he said goodbye to his siblings, left the sitting room, walked down the stairs and then leave the squalid dirty little pub. He had finally owned up to many familial mistakes that he had felt guilty about including acknowledging his fears that he may have been the cause of Ariana's death during the squabble with his brother and Grindelwald.

Alberforth stood still for a moment and then followed Albus back down the rickety old stairway and watched him leave. He was baffled to put it mildly by his older brother whom he had always thought of as an arrogant, secretive and manipulative wizard... Yet he had to admit to observing a change especially over the past year. He was willing to give Albus a chance to prove himself.

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"...So the imprudent little imp decided to do a backflip right over the edge and onto the moving staircase- -- Nearly gave us all heart failure he did." Poppy told Madame Rosmerta.

"You have to be joking... flipped right over onto a moving staircase?" a wizard asked who overheard the three witches talking.

"that he did." answered Minerva as she turned to look at him, "It's a wonder the other boys didn't follow suit." She took a sip of her gillywater.

"Is this really Severus Snape you are talking about." asked a shy insecure looking little witch. "I know he had been de-aged -- but I can't imagine him doing such crazy antics."

"Oh yes he is definitely Severus. Snape." answered Poppy. "To be honest I would have never thought myself that he had such a mischievous streak in him if I hadn't seen it for myself."

"I know, It's like seeing Draco Malfoy doing back flips too." Minerva said as she smiled at the thought. "If I hadn't seen him I probably wouldn't have believed that happening either."

"A Malfoy doing back flips?" Rosmerta shook her head in amazement as did a few of the wizards and witches who were listening in. "Inside Hogwarts, imagine that!"

"Such shenanigans." grumbled a stern, stuffy looking wizard who had horns sprouting from his head. "A nervy lot, I must say. Their actions wouldn't have been tolerated back in my day there."

"Come on dad, it doesn't sounds like they were doing any harm. ' remonstrated the wizards teenage daughter calmly. "A little high spirited fun-- that's all it sounds like."

"You read that book by Dumbledore-- didn't you?" asked a thin white haired Gent who was nursing a firewhiskey. "I think you should cut the youngsters some slack. Look how well things turned out."

"HMMMMFF. After the last go everyone was celebrating the end of he who should not be named." the stern stuffy looking wizard huffed. "He came back. Are we so sure this time that someone wont find a way to resurrect him again?"

"Not likely. From what Dumbledore stated in Return to Childhood-- those youngsters really had their act together." a colourless wizard, with transparent eyelashes and wispy hair shot back.

The door to the tiny inn opened and a crowd entered. Dumbledore was in front with the Twerp followed by the teens, Filius, Sirius, Remus and Tonks. The pub was as the Twerp remembered it being. A warm friendly atmosphere with a crowd of wizards and witches drinking and/ or eating while talking over the days events.

The teens and the Twerp obediently walked over to a couple of tables near Minerva and Poppy while the adults

approached the bar where Madame Rosmerta took their orders.

"--five Butterbeers. And A pint of mulled mead." Albus requested while keeping an eye on the youngsters as they pulled out chairs and sat down.

Remus looked at Tonks who nodded and he said, "make ours two pints of mulled mead please."

Ä cherry syrup and soda with ice and umbrella-" Filius Flitwick smacked his lips in anticipation.

"What will you have love." Rosmerta asked Sirius who was watching the teens and the Twerp chatting with Minerva, Poppy and a couple of the patrons who were sitting nearby.

Turning around to look at her, Sirius thought a moment, "I will have a redcurrant rum, thanks."

"All right then, I will have them ready for you in a jiff." She said cheerfully as she made up the drink and served them in her usual friendly manner. "Would you like anything else ducks?"

"No thanks, the drinks will be fine, We better not spoil the youngsters appetite for supper or Molly will 'ave our 'eads." Tonks replied back.

"Gilbert Wimple! What a delightful surprise." Albus said as he made his way over to the tables and spotted the stern looking wizard. "I should have expected that you would eventually meet up with my Twerp. After all you both have a little in common." Looking at the enquiring look on the Twerps face he explained further. "Mr. Wimple here is on the Committee for Experimental charms."

"Yes I believe we have." noted the stern looking wizard was somewhat perplexed when he actually got a closer look at the small boy whose feet were dangling a little way from the floor. "I acquired these horns as a result of one of my own experiments."

"I see, I was de aged by one of the twins experimental pranks." stated the Twerp. "Do you work with Broderick Bode? "

"Sometimes I do. In fact we were looking at those curious little balls that the Weasley twins made. Very Ingenious. " Mr. Wimple said. "Given time I believe that we may eventually find a way to return you to an adult." He smiled, thinking that Severus would receive the news with anticipation.

For a few moments silence reined after the wizards innocuous statement, then the realization that Mr Wimple really was in earnest about returning the Twerp back to his adult form slunk in.

The Twerps eyes widened with shock. He tried to verbalize but instead twisted around and looked up at Albus, silently beseeching him say something against the idea. His two toys also gazed up at Albus, mutely pleading for their friend.

Sirius growled and Remus placed his hand upon his shoulder and whispered. "It's okay Sirius, calm down."

"He isn't an experiment sir." blurted out Hermione who then slapped a hand over her mouth.

"He is the crux of our extended family." Draco explained with narrowed eyes and a slight edge in his voice.

"Preposterous." squeaked Filius Flitwick, "Why upset the pumpkin cart now? Severus is happy just the way he is."

"We don't want him to miss this chance to grow up with a family, even if we aren't all related!" said Harry stoutly with a steely glint in his bright green eyes. "We accept him just the way he is!"

"That we have Mr. Potter." said Minerva in a crisp no nonsense tone. "I am looking forward to having him in my class again in a few years."

"Hear! Hear!" a refrain rose throughout the inn as the patrons who had been sipping their drinks and listening to the conversation cheered.

"No Gilbert, I think it best to let Severus grow back up normally." Albus said firmly as he held a comforting arm around the Twerps shoulder. "I promised him he could and I will not break that promise."

The stern looking wizard paled and held up his hands. "I get the message, I just thought that Mr. Snape would appreciate becoming his normal age. Now that the war is over."

"I know your intentions are honourable my dear friend." Albus responded gently, "but as you can see, the vote has been cast and Severus is going to have to grow back up normally."

"Lucky for him Mum didn't hear what he suggested." Ron said as he leaned over and whispered in the Twerps ear, "She would have hexed him into oblivion."

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Later that night after everyone in the Burrow had retired for the night, the Twerp lay awake, curled up in his bed with his small black stuffed dog snuggled tightly against his chest. His two toys, the little Oracle and Mummy were already tucked up asleep in their beds.

He pondered over the events of the past year, the exciting adventures during the summer and especially how his extended family showed him how special he was to them in spite of his past life as an adult.

He wasn't able to remember everything due to the fact most of his adult memories were stored away in Albus's pensieve and a lot of those memories from the Oracle of that old future was in Harry's, but he knew that he was going to do his very best to make them proud of their decisions to forget what he had been as an adult and accept him the way he was now despite all the mischievous troubles he got himself and them into.

The teens would be returning to Hogwarts on September first and The Twerp felt a slight lump forming in his throat as he was going to miss his companions even though he had been assured by Albus that he could go to the school on weekends, and if he liked, Halloween and part of the Christmas holidays if he wished.

While the teens were in school the Twerp hoped to find some proof that would prove that like the three brothers and the Deadly Hallows, the rest of the Tales of Beedle the Bard were also based on historical fact. Even if they weren't the hunt was still interesting. When he was over at Grimmauld Place making up the potions for Fred and George he could do some research too. After all Sirius had said If it wasn't for Hermione and the Twerp those tomes would have probably gathered more dust and moulded away from neglect. He sure didn't want that to happen.

The Twerp yawned and his eyelids felt heavy so he snuggled deeper under his warm blankets with his arm around his small black stuffed dog. The last thought on his mind before he slipped into a deep slumber was that Ron's wish to have at least one peaceful week might be a great idea. He could enjoy lazing around in his tree, reading, play wizards chess and gobstones-- and maybe even a little quidditch for the rest of the summer holidays.

The Twerp was content with his world.

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So ends our story of the Twerps Summer Holiday. I had thought it wouldn't be that long but the little Twerp just wanted to do as much as he could before summer ended.

I do hope everyone enjoyed this tale as much as I had writing it.

Wingnutdawn