Author's Note: Hello all! This has been floating around in my head for a while, so I thought I would have a go at writing it down. I hope you like it! Severus is out of character, and this is in an alternate universe where he survived the final battle, and he and Lily had another friend in the neighborhood. Ginny/Harry and Severus/OC

Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of these characters and situations in any way, shape or form.

Please read and review :) (It would mean so much to me)


Chapter 1

Severus stood on the porch of his childhood home, breathing shakily. It was his by right, and his chance to escape the watchful gaze of the wizarding world. The only people who knew of his survival of the war were the golden trio. He snorted as he pictured them in his mind. Who would have thought that that infernal potter and his fan club would be the ones to keep his secret?

The war had ended abruptly. The final battle was not as climactic as he had imagined in the years he spent enslaved by the light for use against his other "master". He never imagined living to see the days of peace. Especially not to be hailed as a war hero. That was Potter's department, but somehow, in clearing his name, the boy had managed to drag him into the spotlight. Which was was why he found himself in front of to the hellhole that was his childhood home.

Severus sighed and took out his wand to strengthen his wards. Home was home, after all, and he was lucky to be alive at all.

"Hello there!" yelled the woman next door.

Severus sighed. She must be a witch or a squib, to see him through the wards, and this greatly disheartened him. His reason for coming back to his not-so-pleasant childhood home was to escape the pressures of the wizarding world. He certainly couldn't drink in all the attention like that idiot Potter boy.

He supposed his thoughts weren't entirely fair, but it was hard to break the habit of thinking poorly of him. Potter had told him himself that he would escape to the muggle world if he could, and accepted Severus' leaving on the condition that the potions master would seek him if he needed anything from the magical world. Ha! As if. Perhaps he didn't hate the boy as he used to, perhaps he even admired his efforts in the war, but that didn't mean he wanted to spend the holidays together or anything.

"Hello," Severus called half-heartedly.

"It's so nice to see the place occupied. If you need any help moving in or anything, do let me know," she replied, ignoring his un-neighborly tone. She was a friendly looking woman, with a smile that reached her twinkling, bright blue eyes. As Severus looked into her eyes, he was jolted into a far-off memory.


Three children sat, one red headed girl, one blond girl with blue eyes and one skinny, dark haired boy. The redheaded girl squirmed.

"Come on, Sev. Tell us what your mum said. We want to know. It can't be breaking too many rules, I mean, we all have magic."

Severus looked at the two muggleborns before him. They were his best friends and they had saved him many times with their caring hearts and giving souls. They fed him, clothed him and cleaned his wounds when he needed it, and shown him compassion and friendship when no one else had. With no regrets, he began to tell them everything he knew about the wizarding world. He told them about Hogwarts, Dumbledore, magical creatures, feuds between purebloods and muggle borns, Diagon Alley, wands, potions, and a wizard's magical core.

"Every magical being has a magical core. It's color reflects your level of power," He began on the subject he saved for last.

For the first time in hours, his friend interrupted him.

"How do you know what color it is?"

"Lily, it's kind of complicated. It takes a lot of focus and quiet." Severus said.

"Please, Severus?" asked a quieter, less assertive voice.

Since Emma hardly spoke, He decided to humor the girls and explained that they needed to meditate to a completely calm state and focus on feeling the magical energy burning within them. His mother shown him this when he had first shown his magic. It had taken him an hour to reach a complete calm. This time he just watched the girls. Emma found herself within a few moments, but Lily kept squirming and took nearly as long as Severus had. Once she had opened her eyes, Severus spoke.
"So, what color do you have? I am purple. Mum says its pretty high on the list, only below black, silver and gold. Even Dumbledore is silver. The only known gold wizard was Merlin, and even that is a myth.

"I am green!" Lily said, then frowned. "Does that mean I'm not very powerful, Severus?

"Well, it's only just below purple. You should still be strong. And they say, witches and wizards with green cores are really good at charms."

"Oh, that's cool. Emma, what color is your core?"

" I don't know if you want to know."

"Come on, Emma. We won't judge you," Severus coaxed his shy friend.

"Well," She began, unsure. "It is silver." Severus stared at her, dumbfounded.
"What does it mean, Severus?"

Severus cleared his throat in shock. "W-well," He stammered, " It means that you have the potential to be just as powerful as Dumbledore. And that you should have a knack for Defense Against the Dark Arts.


"Excuse me sir, are you alright?" she said, her blue eyes alight with alarm, jerking him back into reality. "You kind of zoned out, there".

Severus cleared his head, he just had to ask. "Emma, is that you?"

The blonde stared for a moment, collecting her thoughts. "S-severus? Oh, Merlin, I hoped it was you but I didn't think you would ever come back here!"

That was all the invitation he needed to run into her yard, pick her up and hug the breath out of her. His impassive mask and occlumency shields were let down and he grinned, albeit self-consciously. He couldn't remember the last time he truly smiled. It made his face ache.

"Oof," she exclaimed, "Be gentle, Sev."

He put her down quickly, almost ashamed of his unprecedented display of emotion. "Sorry, Em."

"Not to worry, dear," she said with an almost sad smile, as she held him at arms length, studying him. She pulled him close again, slowly, tentatively. "We sure have a lot of catching up to do, don't we?"

"More like explaining," Severus scoffed, relishing in her warm embrace.

"But, the hour is late. My husband will be returning soon. Perhaps we could meet tomorrow, for tea? I'm sure you want a chance to get settled and strengthen your wards. Just don't make them too strong to allow me inside!" Emma teased.

"Very bloody likely, Miss most-powerful-witch-I-know."

Emma sighed softly and said, "You'd be surprised."

Just then, a car pulled onto the street, and Emma shoved Severus towards his own property line, just as the car pulled into the driveway.

"Pleasure to see you again, Severus. See that you get settled in alright." She said, a little too formally.

He was suspicious. From his days as a spy he knew that something was not right, but he covered for her and just said, "Thank you madame, pleasure to see you as well."

Severus snapped his cold mask back onto his face, almost regretting having dropped it at all as tall man stepped out of the car and walked over to Emma. He put his arm around her, and asked, "Who's this?" Severus was surprised, his tone wasn't curious.. it was reluctant, and perhaps, accusing? He didn't know what to make of the man.

Emma quickly answered, eyes on the ground, "This is my childhood friend, Severus. Sev, this is my husband, Robert."

Robert looked at Severus, his gaze cold and calculating, and finally stuck out his hand. "Rob Taylor, pleasure to meet you."

Disgusting muggle habit, shaking hands. Severus really had no desire to touch the man, but nevertheless he stuck out his hand and tried hard to say "Severus Snape, the pleasure is mine," without sneering.

Emma seemed to know how hard he was trying and bid him goodbye, taking her imbecilic husband with her. Severus went into his own house, but he couldn't shake the bad feeling he had gotten when the man looked at him. He sighed. He had to be honest with himself, it was probably just jealousy. The man had just ended his "moment" with Emma. He never thought he would see her again, this reunion had been quite a shock. And if he were being honest with himself, jealousy may be the main reason for his bad feelings towards the man. There was a time when he would have loved to be Emma's husband, for in his youth he cared for her even more than he did Lily. His infatuation with Lily began when Emma disappeared after fourth year, probably due to the fact that he could not handle the loss of another friend. He was brought out of these thoughts abruptly as he realized he was standing in his childhood living room. He expected to be assaulted with negative past memories, but it was clean and redecorated. A note was on the table, and he curiously picked it up and read it.

Professor,

I hope the decoration is to your liking. If not, I know you are good at transfiguration, therefore you can change it easily. I'm sorry to change your childhood home around, however, what we found here was simply not suitable. Remember our bargain, and don't ward the fireplace against Ginny and I!

H. P.

Blasted child, ordering him about. Of course he remembered the bargain, how could he forget? The boy blackmailed him into allowing him and his little girlfriend to "drop by" whenever they needed a break from the wizarding world. He supposed he didn't mind as much as he let on. In the last two months before the final battle, they had come to an understanding. And, though he was loathe to admit it, Severus had always liked the Weasley girl. Much quicker than her dim-witted brothers, and an enviable stinging hex to boot. Plus, they had surely saved his life in the battle, with their unusual forethought in carrying blood replenishing potions and anti venoms. It was as if they knew an attack by Nagini was inevitable.

He tossed the note aside and looked around critically for the first time. There was no trace of his childhood left on the walls or in the furniture, and he could not care less. The walls no longer held the negative emotions they once did for him. All was newly painted and differently furnished. It was simple and dark, and though he was loathe to admit it, he rather liked it.

He walked upstairs into his bedroom, and noted that it was similarly furnished to his private quarters at Hogwarts.

"I suppose this will do," Severus spoke to himself.

He headed into the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. While staring at himself, he eased out of the scowl he so often wore and tried a smile. It simply did not look natural on his face, and it made his underused muscles ache. But, he would just have to get used to it. Now that Voldemort is dead, and his dark mark erased, he has to learn how to be a real person again, and he looked forward to catching up with his childhood best friend. Upon thinking of her, his features lit up with a genuine smile. "Ah, that looks better," he mused.

He was torn from his thoughts by a clattering downstairs. He carefully put the familiar scowl back on his face and headed down the steps, robes billowing as he walked.

"Hullo professor!" said Harry, as he dusted himself off from the floo. "Ginny won't be coming through today. I just thought I'd see if you got settled in alright."

"Yes, quite, Mr. Potter." Severus replied. Even though he did appreciate the redecoration, he didn't feel the need to let Potter know that. Old habits die hard, after all. At the very least, he thought he ought to offer the young man refreshment in in lieu of thanks. "Tea, Mr. Potter?"

"I'd not say no to something stronger, if you've got it, professor. It's really been a trying day. All I am trying to do is help rebuild Hogwarts and visit the injured, and I haven't had a moment of peace from the press. You'd think that they could at least wait until the war effort is over."

Severus took a moment and really studied the boy, no, man, who-lived-to-save-the-world. He had dark circles under his eyes, and deep grief shined through their emerald depths. He looked battle weary, and Severus hated to see that pained look in Lily's eyes. In that moment, he changed his mind about the boy. He wanted to get to know him, and to support him in his life, as he really had no one else, much like himself after the first war. He cared so much, so very like Lily. He couldn't believe that before he had only seen James Potter in the boy. He turned around to pour Potter a glass of firewhisky and said, in a gentler tone than he intended, "Potter...Harry, things will get better. You have done the right thing, and continue to do so. The people need something to hang onto in this time of loss. The press will hang onto every word you say, so tell them that everything will be okay, and someday it will. Someday, they will no longer need your reassurances. Until that day, you and Miss Weasley are welcome in my home."

Harry looked at him, shocked. "Th-thanks, professor," he stammered, shocked at his formerly cold and distant teacher's concern.

Severus had to laugh at Harry's bewildered expression, which only made it funnier. "Honestly, Harry, I am not as much of a git as I have seemed all these years. I had appearances to keep, as a spy, you know. I know it will take getting used to, but please, let us start over. Call me Severus."

"Okay... Severus." Harry replied tentatively as he accepted his firewhisky.

Suddenly, Severus had an idea. "Harry, would you and Ginevra be available for tea tomorrow? A childhood friend of mine and your mother's is coming over, and I know she would love to see you. She hasn't seen you since you were a baby."

Harry's eyes lit up at the idea, and, to Severus's satisfaction, the hard edge in them disappeared. "Oh, please sir. I hardly know anything about my mother. I always hear stories about James, but hardly ever about her."

Severus mentally kicked himself. "I am sorry, Harry, truly I am. I should have been the one, but that damned madman ruled my life for too many years. I will endeavor to tell you all I know over the course of your visits here, and I am sure Emma also has many stories to tell of our shared childhood."

"Thank you, sir. I will be back with Ginny tomorrow then- four o'clock?" Harry asked.

"Indeed, and once I ward the fireplace you shall need to know, the password will be "silver core". Please inform Miss Weasley."

"Of course, see you tomorrow, Prof- Severus!" He spoke as he left, a grin on his face.

Severus smiled in satisfaction, and mused at how easy it is for perceptions to change over the course of an hour. He headed up the stairs, into his bedroom and retired to the best night's sleep he had ever gotten in his father's house.


Emma followed Robert inside reluctantly. He had a jealous streak like no other, and she knew that seeing her even speaking to another man in a neighborly fashion would upset him.

"Get in here, Emma." He called from the living room.

"Yes, Rob?" she asked when she entered, and sat down next to him on the couch.

"You know how I feel about you speaking with other men." he said in a dry tone.

"I was just saying hello to the new neighbor, dear. I wouldn't want for us to seem unfriendly."

Rob paused at this. He was very concerned about appearances within the neighborhood. After a moment of thought, he grabbed her upper arms, hard enough to bruise and issued his ultimatum. "I can forgive you this time. But you are not to talk to another man again. Next time, wait until I get home, and tell me, so I can go make the necessary introductions."

"Of course dear, it will not happen again." she replied, as he released her with a shake.

"Now," he said sweetly, "how was your day, Emma?"

She swallowed hard, and said, "Oh, nothing exciting happened at all dear. Just got a bit of shopping and cleaning done. The highlight was when you got home, of course." She lied, nearly making herself sick at the thought. What a life, she mused. Seeing Severus reminded her of how her life should have been, filled with magic, excitement, and dare she say it, love. She always had a crush on him, and seeing him once again did not change her opinion. But here she was, stuck in a loveless, controlling marriage, forced by her father, who intended to "protect" her from all things she once held dear. The last time she had spoken with a magical person was Lily, on Harry's first birthday. Against all odds, Lily had found her address and invited her to meet her son. It was then she heard of Severus taking the dark mark. But never once did she or Lily entertain thoughts that he was anything other than good, regardless of the opinions of James and his ruddy friends. They knew in their hearts that he was misguided, but had a good soul and would find his way to the light, if he hadn't already. The Potter's deaths made it into the muggle news, but Emma had no idea if Severus had succeeded in his efforts in the war, or if he was even alive, so needless to say, his appearance seemed nothing short of miraculous to her.

Robert smiled sickly, believing her lie. "Of course, Emma. Do make dinner now, I am simply famished after my hard day of work."

"Of course, darling," She crooned. Hating him more with every syllable, she left to prepare his meal- the muggle way. She hadn't been able to perform magic since the year after her father forced her to leave Hogwarts.


Again, thank you all for reading! Please Review :)

Love, Bekahbert