Note: Thanks for all the reviews on FF and comments on LJ. I have finally found out the major plot points of the story so that should make for easier writing now I've found my goal.

Chapter six: Much of that silly wand-waving.

That evening Harry sat at his desk in his rooms, his eyes not really seeing his planned essays for the semester. Dumbledore hadn't put any real homework in the lesson plans since the man, great wizard though he was, couldn't possibly have time to teach all DADA classes, be Headmaster and grade papers all year. So, Harry had to come up with those on his own, but it wasn't that hard. He could actually make the questions interesting, at least he hoped they were.

After a while he realised he wasn't doing any work. He was thinking; about Draco. He wished desperately that he could just talk to his former boyfriend. Just so he could get an explanation as to what had gone wrong. Harry snorted suddenly: that was what he should have done from the start, not go off on an insane mission that landed him further away from answers he needed. Harry sighed, feeling a sense of dread in the pit of his stomach. He was afraid he would never see Draco, or his friends, again. He needed something to calm himself with. He wished he could somehow send Draco a message.

An urge sprang up suddenly and he took out a blank piece of parchment and studied it for a long moment. He couldn't really send a message, at least not one Draco could respond to, but maybe his thoughts could be put in order. And if he was destined to never get back except my allowing time to pass naturally, then at least Draco would one day be able to read and understand what had happened. Harry dipped his quill in ink and started writing.

Dear Draco.

Where on earth do I begin to explain? Sometimes I wonder: everyone says I'm lucky, but perhaps they forget I'm only lucky after I actually end up in crazy situations. And trust me, this one is crazier than most, and I'm beginning to suspect my luck may have run out. It's only been two whole days, but I can't even imagine how Dumbledore is going to solve this one. But that's really not why I am writing. Maybe I'll tell you about it some other time.

I guess I could blame you, if I wanted, but I really don't and it would be stupid of me. I can hardly remember the time between your confession to your father and my arrival here. I keep going through our whole relationship in my head, wondering where I went wrong, and why you didn't fall in love with me.

I'd like to think I was a good boyfriend. I did practically everything you wanted, and let's not forget all the things I put up with. Almost every day I can remember something happening that made you pout and say: 'be nice to me today, Harry,' as if I didn't already give you everything I could give.

Where did I go wrong? I know I'm crap at this stuff, but I thought I was doing a good job. We were a bit of hard work at times, I admit, but I always tried to make things easier for you.

Now I sound like I'm whining, don't I? I'm sorry, I don't mean to. I guess I'm just frustrated. I'm stuck here and you won't be born for another five years. Shit, what if I'm still here when Lucius and your mum have you? I can not handle you as a baby! You won't be able to tell me what to do, and you know I'm horrible at guessing.

What if me being here changes things and you're never born? Lucius says he'll marry Narcissa, I heard him, so I guess it's okay for now. Sometimes your father can be as irritating as you, you know that? Most of the time, though, he's just mystifying.

I miss you Draco. I feel like I'm in the middle of the Lake without knowing how to swim. You always made me see things straight, but now I'm all crooked. And even this letter turned out wrong. I'm a bloody teacher here, Draco! How on earth I'm I going to get through this? I know you like to think I'm brave Gryffindor, but this is just beyond me.

I miss you. I love you still.

Harry.

Hours after he had finished writing, Harry still wasn't sure if it had made him feel any better. He did feel that he had at least done something to address the issue with Draco. He hoped Dumbledore gave him an answer soon about getting back, or not, so at least he could resign himself to whatever fate had in store for him. For now, though, he would just have to suck it up and be a man… or professor in this case.

xxx

Next morning Harry awoke well rested for a change and had a nice full breakfast. He was feeling more confident with his teaching abilities every second, as students kept coming up to him and telling him how much they enjoyed his class, or how they were looking forward to learning from him. Apparently there was some kind of argument between the upper and lower years as to who was the best teacher: Professor Valen, or Dumbledore. Harry blushed just thinking about being compared to the Headmaster.

Harry was early at breakfast, luckily Professor Calchas was nowhere to be seen, and he was enjoying a quiet moment sipping his tea. He let his eyes scan the tables freely now and spotted his mother- Lily, he needed to be firm on calling her that or he might just go insane after all – sitting reading a book while munching on toast. He smiled at her, thinking the young girl very beautiful and fairy-tale like. She looked up suddenly, not at him, but at a black-haired boy who had seated himself across from her.

It was Snape, without a doubt. Harry frowned. Why on earth would Snape go over and willingly sit with Lily Evans, a muggleborn and Gryffindor? Harry remembered how Snape had spat the word mudblood at Lily in the pensive memory. As Harry pictured Lily's shocked face he saw how the real Snape leaned forward and spoke to the redhead. She seemed perfectly at ease and nodded several times. Then they both looked up simultaneously as four Gryffindor boys came up the long table, two on each side. Harry glanced down the staff table as he gathered his things, most of them were reading the paper, and there weren't that many of them. Neither Slughorn nor McGonagall were present. Harry casually walked around and towards the Gryffindor table as Sirius and James came to stand on either side of Snape.

"What are you doing here? Is little Snivellus lost?" James asked with a sneer. Harry paled, but tried not to let his discomfort show. They were just kids, he kept telling himself. Snape rose from the table, he was shorter than the others and looked younger than the Gryffindors.

"Excuse me, I have no wish to stay in your company," Snape sneered right back.

"I say we show Snivellus what happens to snakes who venture into our territory," Sirius threatened, his hand moving towards his wand.

"Leave him alone," Lily hissed.

"Don't worry, Lily, I'll get this grease ball out of your hair," James said as if he hadn't heard her. Harry decided to take action.

"Is there a problem here?" he asked, mentally bracing himself as he stepped up to the group. Sirius' hand flew from his pocket and James tried to look casual. Snape remained tense.

"No problem here, Professor," Sirius said. "Just asking why a Slytherin is trying to sit at the Gryffindor table. We think he might be colour blind, sir, perhaps he should see the nurse?" James smirked at the comment while Snape flushed with anger.

"I can't see anything wrong with him. Mr…?" Harry met the black eyes of his future professor. They were filled with suspicion and anger, not much different from the Snape Harry knew.

"Snape, sir," he said tensely.

"Well, there's no rule against sitting at other tables at breakfast," Harry said, hoping the rules were still the same – or rather old enough. With lunch and dinner the whole school ate together, making it impossible for students to switch around, but breakfast lasted hours depending on how early one got up. "There's plenty of room for you boys further down." There were hardly any Gryffindors at all this early.

"That won't be necessary, sir," Snape almost, but not quite, spat. He nodded his head once and then left in a hurry. Lily glared at the two Marauders. She gathered her things and followed after the Slytherin, making Harry very puzzled and a little concerned. James looked like he wanted to follow them, but sat down since Harry was still standing there.

"Oh, and fifteen points from Gryffindor for threatening a student, Mr. Black," Harry said almost absentmindedly. Sirius turned in his seat and gaped.

"Fifteen!"

"I do not take threats lightly, and neither should you." Harry didn't wait for a response, but walked out of the Hall. He could hear the two boys muttering about the unfairness of it, but he didn't care. He would make them see how much damage they could do with words as well as pranks.

xxx

Lily hurried out of the Great Hall and caught sight of Severus going up the steps. She ran after him.

"Severus, stop," she said. He continued up the stairs and down a corridor, towards the DADA classroom. "Please." He stopped.

"Didn't you want to enjoy your breakfast with your boyfriend?" he sneered. Lily huffed and stepped around so she was facing him.

"Spare me," she told him sternly. "We weren't finished."

"We can continue the discussion in the library after classes," Severus made to move past her, but she stepped to the side and blocked him.

"There was something else you wanted to say to me, I could tell," she persisted.

"It wasn't important," Severus said, not meeting her eye. "I have to go."

"I don't believe you. You're hiding something."

"Some things are meant to be hidden," Severus muttered and pushed past her. He walked briskly down the corridor.

"Severus," Lily called after him. She was confused. Ever since the first day of school Severus had been acting odd. The summer had been fine and they had actually had a bit of fun, but now her friend was growing distant. They usually always sat together at breakfast, usually not in the Great Hall though, they preferred to eat somewhere quiet so they could discuss homework. After a few days Lily had given up trying to find Severus. Then he had showed up at breakfast and asked if they could resume their usual study hours. She had of course agreed, especially since it was an OWL year, but he still seemed… off. It was clear something had happened that first day, and Lily wasn't a girl who let mysteries lie unsolved.

With this thought in mind she turned and went back towards her own class.

xxx

Harry kept an eye on Snape during the next class. He was still a little amazed at how easily he had been accepted as professor, but he supposed he had just as quickly gotten used to being a teacher in the DA. Everyone seemed to like him and want to learn from him. Everyone except Snape.

"Mr. Snape, would you care to come forward and try the spell?" Harry asked. Everyone had been so eager to prove they could do it that Harry had to tell them to stay in their seats so they didn't crowd the front of the classroom. It had not escaped his notice, though, that Snape hadn't bothered to move from his place at the back.

Snape didn't say anything. He just rose and came forward, his eyes on the floor and his hair falling in front of his face. Harry watched as the boy (He had no problem thinking of Snape as a boy. In fact it was very satisfying) pointed his wand at the wooden dummy Harry had conjured and said the spell. It worked and the dummy spun around several times at a dizzying speed, before toppling over. Harry took the time to choose his words carefully.

"Well done. A little weak perhaps, you could do with a little more flourish and more focus." Harry did not examine how good it felt to critique Snape. The young Slytherin turned. No one had laughed or snickered at Harry correcting Snape; everyone had gotten a fair evaluation of their spell-casting, but still the boy glared at him.

"I believe there is a debate on whether flourishing helps this particular spell," the boy stated. Some of the students looked at each other with confused expression, probably wondering what Snape was doing. Harry blinked. He had never heard about any such debate, though he knew the spell was much newer in this time than in his own.

"I have not heard of such a debate, but rest assured, I know from personal experience that your flourish does affect the spell."

"You think it does, but it's only because you focus more when you try to flourish. All you need is focus," Snape insisted. Harry, who had his arms folded over his chest, stared at the boy for a long moment. The boy stared back, seemingly determined to win the argument.

"It is easy enough to test such a statement," Harry said. "Perform the spell without the flourish." Snape blinked. He hesitated.

"There's no need to when one can simply prove by logical argument-"

"An argument won't save you on the battlefield," Harry interrupted him. Green eyes darkened slightly. "Prove your theory or sit down, your choice." Snape's mouth thinned and the boy glanced at the dummy, still laying on the floor. Snape opened his mouth, but again Harry cut him off. "I will hear no more arguments. Sit down now." Snape glared and turned on his heel. The classroom was silent as the boy made his way to the back and sat down. No one knew how the new professor would act when provoked. Harry surveyed the class while he thought hard. What was Snape thinking?

"I will be teaching you how to shield against this spell as well, since even a dark wizard can use light offensive spells. You will then be duelling each other." At this news many students looked at each other with both glee and dread. Harry fixed Snape with a hard stare. "Those of you who would prefer not to look silly by flourishing your wand will be the first to get hit. Class dismissed." Harry watched silently as the class emptied out, some of the students coming up to thank him. He smiled to them, but frowned when he saw Snape throwing him a nasty look before walking out the door.

In the end Harry had to prepare for his next class, so there would be no real contemplating Snape's behaviour yet. When he finally did have the time, however, he decided it was probably just Snape being Snape, irritating git extraordinaire.

xxx

Severus Snape sat brooding in his own private place in the dungeons. Only the ghosts held the true knowledge of what the room was once used for, but for Snape it was a perfect place to practice, study and brood, though not always in that order. He had set up the bare empty room with a desk and chair. It was all that was needed to read and brew, his two favourite pastimes. Now, though, he was just brooding. Brooding about a certain new Defence professor.

Snape had seen the new staff member sitting right beside Dumbledore on the man's first day. One day later and the Slytherin common room was abuzz with how good Professor Valen was and how everybody would learn a lot from him. Snape had resolutely decided to hold off judgement until his first class with the man.

Then Valen had stepped between him and Potter. The man hadn't even been at Hogwarts a week and already he was acting as though he owned the place. Severus hated it with a passion when teachers stepped in. All they ever did was make it worse for him next time, when the Marauders would taunt him about blabbing like a baby to a teacher.

The worst of all, however, was how much Valen looked like Potter. It was ridiculous! The man even had practically the same glasses! They weren't exactly alike or anything, but there was a definite resemblance. And worse still, oh, much, much worse! The man had Lily's eyes. Green as emeralds. A much better green than Slytherin, really. No one was allowed to have her eyes, least of all some pompous know-it-all who came out of nowhere and who everybody liked without the man having done anything to deserve it! And because the idiot hadn't gone to Hogwarts every house liked him, and everyone kept saying how he was really Slytherin, or Gryffindor or etc. The man wasn't like a Slytherin at all. Severus had decided to show him that there was one student who wasn't a mindless dog to be won over by a few treats.

Then, to Severus disgust, Valen had refused even to hear his argument! Severus' blood had boiled. How dare he! Severus had always thought all that stupid flourishing would only ruin his wrists. If you didn't do it exactly right it made you look utterly silly (something that happened to Severus a lot unfortunately). Severus much more preferred potions, where all you needed was a steady hand.

The young Snape sighed and pressed his forehead to the desk. He was too stressed already, he didn't need this idiot making his life more miserable than it already was. He was bound to get hexed next lesson. It made him groan. He just wished he could get away from it all. Away from Professor Valen and his stupid wand-waving, away from Lily's inquisitive eyes, and most of all: away from Nott's letters and glances, demanding a decision. All Severus really wanted to do was study for his NEWTs, practice wand-waving on his own and without students to laugh, make potions for the rest of his life, and of course – though he only whispered it to the most hidden part of his soul – to kiss and hold Lily Evans for as long as he lived.

He could do none of those things at the moment. He could only squeeze his eyes shut and try and make the whole world go away by force of will. He wished again that he was more like Lucius Malfoy, who, even when he was angry, could appear disgustingly calm. Severus was always so quick to show his displeasure. Sometimes it only made things worse, like if he got angry with Lily. With Valen, though, Severus would spare none of his ire. Grade and points be damned.

-:-

Next time: Harry is settling in and making friends… or does one want to be more than friends? Ps: So sorry I didn't get to the seducing, but next chapter will be up in a few days to make up for it.