Work Text:
Walking down the dark halls of the castle, I do my best to keep myself from crying. It has been weeks since the last time I let myself regress. My classes require more focus than I can give, and now my body and mind are working against me. Feeling myself slip to a younger mindset, tears pool in my eyes making it harder to see.
I can’t let people see me like this. Can you imagine? The whole school would be talking about the Ravenclaw who's a freak. Picking up my pace, I try finding somewhere to hide. I find an old abandoned classroom and I curl up under the desk at the far side of the room.
Now that I'm out of sight from anyone who might wander in here, I let myself cry. I put my thumb in my mouth to try and soothe myself. Officially in little space, my crying drowns out the sound of the door opening and clicking closed softly. I freeze when the sound of walking catches my attention.
Sniffling softly as I wipe my eyes, a shadow moves around the desk. I whimper, worried it might be a monster that might have found a way into the castle. I shake my head, that's a dumb thought. This is the safest place I can be.
The shadow stops moving before I can see who it belongs to. Swallowing, I start to shake, tears still rolling down my face. Before I can scoot back further under my little hiding spot, the shadow moves closer. My eyes widen when I see a pair of familiar black boots come into view. It's Professor Snape.
Time slows when he starts to crouch down. He looks at me, catching my eyes with his. I start to cry harder, now I’ve done it. Closing my eyes, I curl more into myself, preparing for him to say something rude and insensitive.
What I don't expect is for him to fully sit down on the floor. He sits there for a minute just looking at me. After a couple of moments of silence, I start to forget he is sitting right in front of me.
Leaning forward, he starts to speak, “Hey little one, why are you hiding under there?”
My eyes snap open and I look up at him again. Pressing myself harder against the wall of the desk, my body starts to shake harder.
“No, no, sweet thing, it's okay. Nothing bad is gonna happen. Can you come out from under there so I can talk to you better?” He whispers just loud enough for me to hear.
Not being able to talk properly with my thumb in my mouth, I shake my head hitting it on the desk. “Ouchy.” I mumble around my hand.
Snape makes a sound of remorse as he scoots closer to me. “Baby, I don't want you hurting yourself even on accident. I’m gonna lift you out of there now,” he says as he reaches for me.
His hands slide under my legs and onto my upper back. When he feels I’m secure, he pulls me out from under the desk. Lifting me upright, he sets me down in his lap, putting my head on his shoulder. Once I’m comfy, he stands from the floor holding me to him. He finds a chair to sit in and settles, still holding me close.
Rubbing my back, he pulls my head back to look at me. “Hi little one. What's got you so worked up hmm?” He asks.
I feel myself blush, I never thought Snape could be so kind. “School is too hard. I-I can’t focus good-good enough, my brain wants to be little all-all the time.” I stutter out, my thumb making it sound slurred.
Snape looks at my hand in my mouth, humming. He wraps his fingers around my knuckles pulling it away from my mouth. Speaking softly, “Now, now baby, let's get you something safer to suck on. How does that sound?”
Missing my hand, I whine, wishing he didn't take it away. “But-but I don't have anything else.”
He chuckles before slipping his wand from his sleeve and replies, “That's okay darling, I got just the thing.”
With a wave of his wand, a Slytherin green paci appears floating in front of me. I make grabbing hands and reach for it. Before I can grab it, Snape gets a hold of it. Moving it to my mouth, setting it in. I have never had a paci before. Closing my eyes, he leans my head on his shoulder again.
He continues petting me when he speaks again, “How is that baby, do you feel better now?”
Nodding my head, I make babbling noises. I cling my arms around his neck, feeling cozy and safe. Never in my life have I felt so safe when little. It's the most amazing feeling in the world.
Chuckling, he starts to bounce me with his leg, “My lovely, what a good baby getting all cozy in my lap.”
I blush even harder, embarrassed that I let myself get so comfortable. Especially because it's the dungeon bat who is making me feel so safe. Rubbing my eyes, I contemplate getting up.
As if he read my mind, he speaks into my ear, “It's okay sweet thing. No need to be embarrassed, I won't let anything bad happen to you.”
I bury my face in his neck as I respond,, “I-I just haven't had anyone be so caring to me when I’m little, I’m sorry.”
He stops rubbing my back before he continues. “Does anyone know you are a little?”
Shaking my head, I don’t say anything back. I bite into the paci, tears coming back to my eyes. Snape shushes me, telling me, “It's okay, there isn't anything wrong with no one knowing.” He continues soothing me until I feel better again.
While I build up enough courage to ask why he is helping me, he questions, “Now I know you said school is hard and your brain wants to be little all the time, but why does that bring you to an abandoned classroom?”
After thinking about my answer, I respond, “I was just walking down the hall trying to find somewhere to let myself be little without anyone finding me.”
Humming thoughtfully, he comments, “That's okay baby. I’m glad you are better now. I was worried you were trying to do something you weren't supposed to be.”
Pulling my head from his shoulder I look into his eyes. “You were following me? I didn't even hear you.” I say.
He nods at my question. “Yes I was. I saw you walking deeper into the dungeons where there isn’t really anything so I decided to make sure you were being safe.”
Blushing, I put my head back down. “Oh”
I freeze when he does the most unexpected thing ever. He kisses my head. He runs his fingers through my hair, gently pulling out the knots, making me feel the littlest I have in a long time. I hum in response to the care he is giving me.
Before I can stop myself, I coo, “Thank you for caring for me daddy…”
Realizing what I said, I cringe and try to get off his lap before I embarrass myself more than I have all night. His arms wrap around me, tightening and keeping me securely pressed against him. I wiggle more trying to get up, feeling like I overstepped.
“Hey it’s okay baby, it's alright. I don't mind, I’m honored you can call me daddy, that's a very special thing.” He whispers into my ear.
Now I’m shy, how can he be so understanding and kind?
He continues, “Do you want me to be your daddy little one? I can care for you and make sure you have all the things your little heart desires. You can stay in my office and my chambers and you can be little whenever you want,” he asks before adding, “after classes of course.”
I’m speechless. Never in my life would I think someone would want to be my caregiver. Especially everyone's most feared professor. “I-I don't want to be a burden, I’m sorry… Would you want me to do anything? Like-like cleaning or organizing your storage?” I finally say.
He makes a huffing noise before responding, “No, not at all baby. You just need to be your amazing self, okay? As your daddy, I would take care of you and make sure you are safe and loved.”
Looking up into his eyes I open my mouth completely stunned. My tears come back, gods why do I have to be so emotional? “Yes, I would love that so much.” I answer his question.
He smiles at me, it looks so pure and happy. “Perfect, let's get you to my chambers so we can get you nice and cozy,” he replies
Setting me on my feet, he stands up and stretches his back. He looks down at me before bending down to pick me up again. He secures me to his hip. I look up at him, surprised. He smiles at me and kisses the tip of my nose.
He walks us to the door before I tense up, he asks, “What is it, munchkin?”
Putting my head into his neck, I squeak, “What if someone sees us daddy?”
Shushing me, he says, “No one will see us baby. We’re in an area students don't usually go. My chambers are right down the hall from here.”
I nod, feeling less worried after his reassurance. Once we are out of the old classroom, he heads down the hall. It's definitely an area no one goes to, I can't even hear any students talking nearby. We reach a door that I gather is his chamber, as it has his name painted on it.
He whispers the password, the door swings open. Once inside, he reaches a couch and sets me down on it. I look around and notice it's really nice and homey inside. He has lots of bookshelves, with all kinds of books. What takes my attention is the bottom shelf. It is filled with all kinds of kids books.
I gasp and run over to the shelf, crouching down. I look to look at all the books. Pulling the paci from my mouth, I set it down. I spot a muggle book that I liked as a kid and grab it from its spot. The Cats of Tangle Wood Forest. I flip open the book, skimming through the pages.
I hear Snape clear his throat. Spinning around to look up at him, I see he has a sippy in his hand. I smile up at him as I walk back to the couch with the book in my hand. I look back at the sippy wondering what he filled it with.
Before I can ask, he says, “What do you have there, sweetness?”
Looking down at the book, I hold it up to him and announce dramatically, “This is my favorite book of all time.”
He reads the title and smiles. I don't think I have ever seen him smile before today. “Do you want me to read it to you after I feed you this bottle?” he asks.
I nod and jump back onto the couch waiting for him to sit with me. After he sits, he sets the bottle on the coffee table and scoops me into his lap. I giggle, happy he wants me so close. He turns me so I'm sideways with his arm tucked behind my back, making sure I'm comfy.
He picks up the sippy again and turns it to my mouth. I reach for it so I can drink it. Furrowing his eyebrows he pulls it back a little. I frown, wondering why I can't have the sippy.
Tsking, he speaks, “Not so fast little one. Daddy will feed you.”
Surprised by what he said, I blush for the hundredth time today and it's not even six o’clock. I nod and open my mouth for him to feed me. Slipping the bottle in he smiles and murmurs, “My good baby” as I start to drink. It's my favorite pumpkin juice.
I look into his eyes, completely content. My mind is calm and worry-free. “Look at you, so sweet. Is my baby happy?” he hums.
Making a happy noise, I nod. Closing my eyes, I lose myself in the feeling of being cared for. He is so good at this. No one would even guess he is a daddy with how closed off and stern he acts at school.
He starts humming a soft tune, helping me relax more. He rocks me back and forth and I feel like I’m floating on the most amazing cloud. Utterly delighted, I finish up my juice and open my eyes again. Snape is looking down at me with a small smile on his face. His eyes look like he is watching the most precious thing in the world.
“All done my baby?” he asks rhetorically.
Trying to come up with something to say, all that comes out is a babble of baby talk.
He laughs and continues, “I will take that as a yes. Are you ready for a nap sweetness?”
I nod but remember about the book. “Wait what about the book, are you still gonna read to me daddy?”
“Yes kiddo I am. Let's get you changed into something comfy and then get you cozy in bed.” he answers.
He vanishes the sippy and picks me up once again. Carrying me, he stops at the bookshelf again and picks up the paci I forgot there. Continuing to another room, he opens the door. I see that it's his room, and it's so warm and welcoming.
His bed is queen sized with all black covers. Sitting me down on the bed, he walks into what I assume is a closet. When he returns, he has changed into sweats and a t-shirt.
Setting down another bundle of clothes on the bed, he crouches down to my level. “Are you comfortable if I change you or do you want to use the bathroom?” he asks in a comforting tone.
I shake my head, responding, “No, I don't think I’m ready for something like that yet.”
He nods his head. “That's perfectly okay little one, the bathroom is right over there. When you are done changing we can get in bed for a nap.”
Once I’m in the bathroom, I change as fast as I can. Finishing up, I look at myself in the mirror. Wow. I’m wearing his clothes and they are so big it makes me feel so small and cozy. I smile to myself, so happy I can't even contain it.
A knock on the door brings me out of my thoughts. “Are you okay in there baby?” Snape speaks through the door.
I open the door and look up at him. “Yes daddy, I'm done! Sorry it took me a minute, I'm just so happy.” I tell him.
He takes my hand and walks me back to the bed. “It's okay baby, I’m glad you are happy. It makes me feel good.” he says.
Taking me to the bed, he pulls the covers back, lifts me into it and tucks me in. He bends down and kisses my forehead before going to the other side and getting in as well. Once he’s comfortable, he pulls me toward him and slips the paci back into my mouth.
He grabs the book from his night stand and flips to the first page, holding it in one hand. He grabs my other hand, interlocking out fingers before beginning.
After a while, I feel my eyes start to close as the stress of crying finally catches up with my small mindset. As I drift off to sleep, I barely register Snape moving to hold me and kiss me again before whispering, “I love you my baby, sleep well.”
I mumble, “Love you Daddy.” Sleep takes me under for the best rest I have had in a long time.