Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter that privilege belongs to JK Rowling
Warning: This story mentions abuse and has male on male sex themes so if you don't like it then I suggest you stop reading it
Pairings: HP/SS, RW/HG, NL/LL, DM/PP, GW/DT
Summary: Harry is been abused by his relatives, The Weasley are mad at Harry for hurting Ginny, Severus Snape gets de-aged and has a surprising sorting. There are no horcruxes in this story. AU, OOC.
A/N: Thank you for those who have taken their time to review, this chapter contains a slash scene, male kissing male.
I can't believe it has been ages since I last updated, I could list a whole lot of excuses why I haven't but the truth is life just got away on me especially in the last five month with the end of my course I decided to fully focus on it so I could pass but now that is done I can finally go back and complete my stories.
Beta: Would love to have one if anyone is interested.
HPSSHPSSHPSS
"Severus" someone whispered in his ear gently shaking his shoulder.
"Mmm" Severus moaned in his sleep.
"Severus, it's time to wake up" The gentle voice said again.
"Five more minutes please" Severus asked still half asleep.
Poppy looked down at the young man that was sleeping next to the bed of Harry Potter and smiled. She was one of three people who knew his true identity and like the other two she still finds it hard to believe how much Severus has changed since the beginning of the school year.
She thinks back to the accident that caused Severus to go back to been a teenage boy and the anger and resentment he had at Albus' idea of attending Hogwarts as a seventh year student again and starting a new life; Severus hated the idea, he fought with Albus, he cursed the man, hell they even had a duel, even on the morning where Albus made him catch the train they had another full blown argument but in the end he reluctantly went on the train.
But something happened that day which changed the stoic man from been a bad tempered, sadistic, hateful person to a more relaxed carefree teenager who was able to find someone that he could care and love and that someone was the person he was now lying in bed unconscious with Severus sitting next to him with his head resting on the bed while holding onto the other boys hand.
"Severus" she said trying to wake the man or more or less the teenage boy up.
"Go away" Severus mumble unaware that the headmaster walked into the room.
Poppy looked up at Albus and gave him a faint smile while Albus looked over to Harry and his sleeping potion master next to him.
"How is he Poppy?" Albus asked watching the two boys.
"He might wake up with a bit of headache from where he hit his head. I have given him a couple of doses of the anti – cruciatus potion to help him with the after effects of the cruciatus curse but I'm guessing that He who must not be named was particularly angry this time for it is taken longer for Harry to wake up" Poppy said not once taking her eye off the sleeping boy.
"Thank you Poppy, do you have any idea when he could wake?"
"Honestly Albus no, It has been three days since the vision and it usually doesn't take him this long" Poppy said turning her attention fully on the headmaster unaware that the potion master has fully woken up.
"What do you mean it doesn't take him this long to wake up" Severus said masking emotions so they could not see how terrified and worried he was for his Harry.
"Ah Severus good to see you are awake my boy" Albus said with a slight smile and the twinkle in his eye.
"I'm not your boy and answer me you old fool?" Severus said in a dangerous voice while trying to keep his emotions at bay.
"Severus Snape you should not be speaking to the headmaster like that" Poppy started to rant but Albus just stopped her by raising his hand.
"It's alright Poppy" Albus said looking over his half moon classes at her knowing full well this is how Severus reacted when he wanted answers especially since this also involves someone that the man truly cared about.
Poppy looked at him question but said no more.
"Now, now Severus there is no need to get rash my boy" Albus said smirking a little bit over the potion master reactions.
"I am not getting rash as you so put it, Headmaster" Severus said starting to get angry at his mentor for taking so long to answer his question.
"Of course you're not my dear boy"
"..."
"Now to answer your question about our young Mr Potter here is that after he has had a vision from Voldemort he would usually be out for a day no more than two but never three and I fear the Lord Voldemort might have been particularly brutal this time"
"Are you telling me that Harry sees and hears everything that the Dark Lord Says?"
"In matter of speaking yes but only when he is truly angry that Lord Voldemort connection to Harry is at its strongest thus basically means that Harry also feels whatever the Dark Lord is casting"
"Is he the reason why I have to keep brewing the cruciatus Potion?" Severus said feeling a bit defeated.
"I'm afraid so Severus"
Severus sat quietly looking over the boy who was once the bane of his existence but now he is his Lover? But that could not be right for they are never been intermit they technically only kissed but he knew deep down that he had fallen in love with Harry so he guessed that he could call Harry his boyfriend.
Boyfriend, that term was so unfamiliar to Severus for he has had past relationships with other men, some was only for the sex, other's for a one night stand and some because they wanted something out of him but none of his relationships that he had prior he had feelings for like he had strong feelings for Harry and it scared him for he was afraid of what will happen when Harry discovers the truth that he is really Severus Snape a man that he hates instead of Lionel Prince the man who he dating.
Albus watched the young man before him seeing or, more or less sensing the conflict that is going on in his potion master's mind. Even a young man Severus had the tremendous ability to mask his emotions much like his older self. He knew that Severus has had no luck finding someone he truly cares about until now or since the potion accident that sent him back to his seventeen year old self.
He thought back to the day he told Severus he had to catch the Hogwarts express to Hogwarts and the duel they had with Severus arguing every point possible especially the one where he could use the time to find a cure and return himself back to his normal self and Albus arguing that he had agreed to re – do his seventh year and start again especially if he couldn't find a cure to return back to his normal self thus he had to catch the train. In the end it was Albus who won and sent one very angry and extremely pissed off potion master to platform 9 ¾ to board the Hogwarts express.
When the students arrived at school Albus expected Severus to have all the first years quivering in fear and the senior students annoyed and sending death glares at him but alas, it never happened and he wondered what had changed the young man on the train and then when he saw that Severus and Harry started to form a friendship he could see that perhaps for the first time Severus actually saw Harry for Harry and not the spawn of his childhood nemesis.
As he watched the two boys friendship grow he could also see that both boys for fighting their attraction to each other until a few days ago when something change and Albus was not sure what but it didn't matter for he could see that Severus had given into his attraction to Harry and Albus couldn't have been happier for his boy especially now that he has found someone he could love but he knew that Severus will be in conflict about it because Harry didn't know the truth about Lionel and he could see that Severus was afraid that when Harry found out the truth he could reject him but Albus doubted that for Harry had a very understanding and forgiving nature about him just like his mother, Lily.
"Maybe I should try and teach Harry occlumency again, Albus?" Severus said quietly interrupting the headmaster's thought.
"Do you think it is wise to do that Severus? I mean if Harry found out the truth it could put both of you in great danger from Lord Voldemort" Albus replied.
Severus looked at Harry and thought about what the headmaster had said and he knew that he had to do something for he didn't want to see Harry suffer again especially now that he had a clearer idea of what the boy went through and he could not help but feel responsible especially after what happened in Harrys fifth year with occlumency and how brutal he was to Harry but this time he was determine to help the boy, or young man, this time he was going to make sure he taught Harry properly for he didn't want to see him suffer for he loved him not that he would admit it but he did love him and wanted to keep him safe, from getting hurt, especially from the Dark Lord.
"It may not be wise but Harry needs to learn it and I will be the one to teach him" Severus replied with a new sense of determination.
"But Severus if Harry finds out..." Albus started to say before he was cut off by the potion master.
"That's a chance I am willing to take Albus, I want him to learn how to shield his mind, to protect it and keep the Dark Lord from attacking him"
Albus looked at Severus with his eyes twinkling so much that you didn't need the torches to light the infirmary to see and he just rolled his eyes having the feeling that perhaps he wanted him to teach Harry occlumency all along.
"Well if you are certain my dear boy" Albus said grinning like the Cheshire cat
"I am" Severus simply replied not taking his eye off Harry at all and not noticing the grin on the headmaster face or the fact that he was leaving the infirmary.
HPSSHPSSHPSS
Over the next couple of days Harry remained unconscious but he experienced a couple of visions where Voldemort was extremely angry and placing his Death Eaters under the cruciatus curse for longer periods of time and occasionally killing them with the killing curse.
For Severus it was extremely torturous watching Harry thrash about screaming until his throat was red raw and not been able to do a thing to help him. He thought about entering his mind but the risk to Harry outweighed the benefits to him especially if the Dark Lord sensed that he was there he could do unthinkable things to Harry's mind or perhaps even kill the boy and there was no way in Salazar was he going to let that happen to the man he loved.
Albus and Poppy kept a constant vigil on Harry and Severus as well. They both tried to get Severus to leave, to have some rest, a shower or perhaps a decent meal but Severus refused to leave the infirmary or Harry's side.
The only time he left was to use the restroom or use the shower's in the infirmary. He called a house elf to bring him something to eat other than that he could not leave Harry's side.
During the time Harry was unconscious Neville and Luna came and visited him almost every day after classes and before evening meal.
Hagrid also made time to come and see Harry and was glad that someone was sitting with him especially since Ron and Hermione were no longer friends with him.
But that was nothing when he saw Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson coming in to see if Harry was alright, although Draco tried to say that he wanted to see if it was true that the golden boy was in the infirmary but deep down Severus knew that Draco was making sure that Harry was alright.
Unlike his father, Draco did not want to become a death eater and was hoping that Harry would be able to stop the dark lord before his father made him take the dark mark.
Severus knew Lucius wanted his son to follow his footsteps but Draco lack the ruthlessness and the hatred that Lucius possessed and that was something Severus was grateful for because with Draco's influence on the Slytherin's he might be able to stop them from taking the dark mark.
Severus reached out to grab Harry's hand, holding it gently in his own while rubbing his palm over the back of it thinking of how much he has learnt about the young man, how they grew from him being the son of is school tormentor to someone he has loves and respects and he now knew that Harry was not the spoilt arrogant Golden Boy but a man with an abusive past, a man with the whole wizarding world on his shoulders, a man that had a enormous amount of courage and love but deep down there is a lot of hurt and wanting to be loved for who he is and not what he is.
For the first time since his potion accident this year Severus did not want to return back to his old self, he wanted to stay young and be with Harry for his greatest fear now was to somehow tell the truth of who he really is to Harry and to hope that Harry won't reject him for he fears the pain of losing Harry will be too great for him to bare.
But the potion master within him will not let go of discovering a cure for his predicament and he will continue to look for a cure as he enjoyed the challenge of achieving what other's cannot find like the improvements he has done to the wolfsbane potion amongst other things.
When he finds the cure he will record it a long with the de – aging potion that he accidently discovered and place it along with some other's dangerous potions he discovered over the past couple of decades from working with Voldemort in a place where no one can find them.
HPSSHPSSHPSS
"...Lionel...Lionel" Severus could hear someone calling is pseudo name.
"..."
"Lionel" was called again but this time he could feel someone running their fingers through his hair.
Severus woke up unable to remember at what point he fell asleep and raised his head off the bed looking in the direction that he heard his pseudo name called from.
"Lionel?" the voice said sounding a little doubtful and Severus looked towards Harry and was met by the most wonderful sight he has ever seen, Harry beautiful bright green eyes, opened and looking at him with some slight concern.
"Harry" he said and moved to instantly kiss his boyfriend.
"Harry thank Merlin your alright" Severus said unable to hide is concern from his voice. "What happened? One minute we were walking and the next you had passed out on the floor screaming and Professor Dumbledore told me that you can see, hear and feel what you know who does" he continued while he was being careful on what he was saying and not calling the dark lord by the dark lord but instead of you know who.
"Yeah, you can say that and no matter what I do I can't stop it" Harry said glumly
"What about learning Occlumency?" Severus asked knowing what Harry's response will be.
"Snape tried to teach me that but I never understood what he meant and he was so forceful about entering my mind that I couldn't block him and then ummmm..." Harry trailed off while he played with the edge of the blanket,
"What?" Severus asked wanting to see if Harry will admit to what he done.
"Well you see ... man, Snape will kill me if he ever found out that I told someone this" Harry said and Severus looked blankly at him but urged him to continue.
"Well I kind of, well I got down to his office a bit early and he wasn't there and I saw a pensieve on his desk and I had a look at some of Snape's memories and he caught me, got mad and threw me out of his office" Harry said fully regretting his actions in his fifth year.
"Why did you do that Harry? What were you going to do make fun of him and use what you learnt against him? I mean it was so wrong that you invaded m...his privacy and if I were him I would have done the same for what you did was nothing but disrespectful and arrogant" Severus retorted trying to keep his anger intact.
"I know what I did was wrong and I don't know why I did it" Harry bit back.
"Just goes to show that you didn't think before you act" Severus said in anger.
"I know alright but I never told anyone what I saw I swear" Harry yelled.
"That is no excuse for what you did, typical Gryffindor always doing things without thinking"
"That's not true"
"Really Potter, tell me how many times has your life been in danger and what about your friends?"
Harry was stunned and hurt that Lionel called him by his last name and was acting in a way that he would expect from Professor Snape.
"It wasn't my fault" Harry said pulling his knees up to his chest
"No it never is for you are too arrogant to accept responsibility for your actions"
"I'm not arrogant Lionel" Harry said hurt filling his voice at the why Lionel was talking to him as if he committed the action against him.
Severus was about to retort back accusing him of been like his father but stopped when he heard the hurt in Harry's voice and when he took a look at Harry he could see that somewhere along their short argument that Harry brought his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around his legs.
He also noticed how his shoulder's had slumped, his eyes went dull and the tears that were building up in them and he realised that he was the cause of this going on about his actions from the past six years and he also knew that it wasn't Harry fault that his life was in constant danger and he knew that with a madman constantly trying to kill him his life will always be in danger along with his friends.
"I'm sorry Harry I should have never said those things about you I guess I just got upset that you breached someone's privacy"
"I'm sorry that I ever did that, I wish I never did and I never apologize to Snape for doing that and now that he is missing I'll never will be able" Harry said with such sorrow in his voice.
"Maybe if he is ever found you could"
"Perhaps but I doubt that he will ever accept it"
"Why?"
"Because Snape hates me"
"Why does he hate you?"
"At first I thought it was because of me been famous but later I found out it was because my dad bullied him through his school years and that he was in love with my mother"
Severus remained quiet, in part of what Harry said was the truth not the famous part but him been bullied at school by James Potter and he expected Harry to be much like his father but he wasn't, since he has gotten to know him, he is very much like his mother.
He thought about telling Harry that he was never in love with Lily but he couldn't. Lily was his best friend and he had hurt her when he called her a mudblood but she forgave him and helped in many other things including his own sexuality for Lily was the first person he had ever told that he preferred men but to tell Harry this would completely blow his cover and he wasn't ready for Harry to know in case the dark lord got into Harry's mind and found out the truth before he was able to teach Harry how to protect his mind.
"He was wrong to treat you like that" He said offering some sort of condolences to what he done but Harry would not see it as that.
"In some ways I am grateful to him though for a Slytherin he is the bravest man I have ever known"
"Really" Severus said rather surprised at Harry's compliment about him "Why's that?"
"I'll tell you some other time but for now I will say this if it wasn't for him I'm sure I will be dead" Harry stated.
"Well I for one is grateful that he kept you alive otherwise I would not have met you" Severus said leaning into Harry
"Me too" Harry said quietly and leaned into him sealing the kiss.
Unbeknown to the both of them Albus and Poppy walked in just as the two started to kiss.
"I'm glad Severus has found someone to love" Poppy whispered quietly to Albus so the boys would not be able to hear her.
"Me to Poppy, me too" Albus agreed quietly as he watched the boys wrapped their arms around each other totally oblivious to what's happening around them.
Poppy and Albus made their way over to the two boys and to get their attention Albus cleared his throat and instead of jumping apart both boys turned to face the sound, Severus had a scowl and Harry was blushing and Albus couldn't help but smile at the two boys with his eyes twinkling madly.
"Good to see you awake Mr Potter" Poppy said and Harry just gave a slight smile.
"How are you feeling Harry?" Albus inquired
"I'm fine thank you sir" Harry simply replied
"Good, Good. Now I will make this quick so you may finish what you were doing" Albus said making Harry blush and Severus to sneer.
"Um...we...were...you see..."Harry said a loss for words.
"I understand Harry I was once young and in love too" Albus said holding his hands up enjoying the shock looks in both of his boys faces. Albus knew that Severus did in fact love Harry and judging by the way Harry was blushing and stumbling over his words he was sure that Harry felt the same; now all they had to do was admit it to each other but first, Albus had to wonder if Harry could take the news that Lionel Prince was actually Severus Snape but that is for later but for now he had to know what it was that Harry's vision was about.
"Harry, what had happened to make Lord Voldemort upset or angry?"
"He's looking for Snape"
"Professor Snape, Harry" Poppy corrected him and Albus looked directly at Severus both having a bad feeling about what Harry was about to say.
"He was looking for Professor Snape he believes that Professor Snape in the traitor in fact he is rather sure of it and told the Death Eater's that they can do what they want to him as long as he is alive when they bring him to him" Harry said sounding extremely worried "In fact he was so angry that Snape never showed up to the Death Eater's meeting that he almost killed wormtail when he try to call him and when he didn't show everyone was subjected to a round of the cruciatus curse.
I know he was really angry cause he cursed everyone there and then he call Nott over and began to torture him because Nott was stealing from him and in the end he killed him.
I'm not sure how much later it was but when he called another meeting and Professor Snape didn't show up again he used Goyle's arm again to try and call him but he was so angry he didn't realize how much anger he was putting into his magic, not that he cared but he killed Goyle and tortured the rest because no one had any news especially Malfoy who reported that from what Draco had said that I have been sick and hasn't seen me which made Voldemort furious but nothing was compared to his anger about Professor Snape not been there"
"Mmm I see" Albus said thinking over what Harry just told him.
"Sir?"
"Yes Harry"
"I worried what is Voldemort finds Snape will he kill him? I mean you can protect Snape or something anything better then letting him go back there where he will face a certain death"
Severus was surprised at Harry's concerns for his safety considering their past animosity towards each which is something that James Potter would have not been in fact he was sure James would personally deliver him to his death, another trait of Harry's that was more like his mother's the ability to care for others which in turn made Severus love the boy even more.
"There is no need to worry about Professor Snape Harry, he is somewhere safe where Voldemort could not find or get to him" Albus replied.
"It's just that he has done so much for me or us I should say and I would hate to see anything bad happen to him" Harry stated making Albus smile at the respect and concern Harry had for his potion master and perhaps when the truth comes out about Lionel it might make the transition easier and perhaps both will have a better understanding of each other.
"Don't worry yourself too much Harry I'm sure Professor Snape would be touched by your concern but for now Lionel here has offered to teach you how to occlude your mind and hopefully prevent further attacks from Lord Voldemort"
"Yes sir" Harry said feeling quiet concern at learning occlumency again considering his failure last time.
Albus smiled at Harry and before he left he gave Severus a knowing look saying that he was sure he will be able to do it and walked out of the infirmary and to leave Poppy to do what she does best.
Poppy ran a few scans on Harry, ordered him and Severus a meal and told him that he may head back to his dorms and any problems to come and see her straight away as well as no flying for at least a week and he was to spend the weekend resting to help regain his strength so he could attend classes on Monday.
HPSSHPSSHPSS
"Do you think you would be able to teach me occlumency?" Harry asked Lionel as he laid down on his bed to rest.
"I am certain I can once I go through what it is, how to erect your mind shields to protect your memories and how to clear your mind" Severus looking over to Harry.
"And what do I get if I succeed?" Harry asked Lionel seductively
"Well..." Severus said grinning making his way over to where Harry laid.
"For starter's no more visit to the infirmary" he replied quietly sitting down on Harry's bed "Then if you can block me out of your mind I might reward you by doing this" he said running his hand over Harrys chest making him shiver while he leaned in and nipped at his ear.
"If you can stop me completely from invading your mind I will do this..." he said as he kissed Harry along the jaw until he met his mouth running his tongue across his bottom lip asking for entrance which Harry gave willingly.
As they kissed Severus reposition himself so he was lying on top of Harry as they continued to make out unaware that Harry wandlessly and wordlessly cast a locking and silencing charm on the door.
For the rest of the weekend Severus and Harry spent their whole time together with Severus explaining to Harry the concept of Occlumency, how to clear your mind as well as having what it means to have a barrier not a wall for a wall can easily be broken into but a barrier such as fire, water, wind, smoke or gas is a lot hard to break through as they were not a solid object.
As well as going over occlumency they also got to know each other with Harry explaining how his parents were killed and the few attempts on his life by the Dark Lord since he entered Hogwarts. He also told Lionel that he didn't even know that he was a wizard until Hagrid presented him with his Hogwarts letter and he was also the one to explain how he was very famous but it wasn't until his fifth year that he really understood the impact of what had happened to him when he was child.
He told him of the prophecy and how scared he was that he had to fight the dark lord and kill him and how scared he was that he could lose people that are close to him.
He told him about how Cedric died as well as Sirius and the guilt he felt for both of their deaths.
He also told Lionel that he was a parselmouth and how most of the school turned against him including Ron and Hermione to some point. He also explained how Ron turned against him during the triwizard tournament and how it also hurt that they both have turned against him again because of his sexuality and he put it down to the fact they weren't his true friends like Neville, Luna and some other of his Gryffindor friends.
Severus listen to Harry side of events and learnt very quickly that he doesn't go looking for trouble but somehow trouble finds him. He was amazed at how complex a person Harry really is and how naive to things he was when he first came into the wizarding world but he also noticed that Harry never once mentioned the Dursely's or his home life, basically everything that Harry told him was common knowledge but with a difference he had heard it directly from Harry with his feelings and thoughts on the matter as well so in return Severus told him how he met a muggle born girl before he went to school and how they became fast friends and how he almost destroyed it but calling her a mean name but how they also reconciled and how she was the first person that he ever told that he was gay and how she stood by him.
He also explained how during most of the time he was bullied at school and how he made a few bad choices but now that he has gotten a second chance he is making the most of it.
All the time Severus explained about himself he made sure he left names off but stuck to the truth as much as possible for when Harry finds out who he really is he would be able to fill in the blanks later but like Harry he also didn't talk about his family or his home life.
As well as talking the spent their time catching up on school work they missed as well as kissing and touching each other but they still didn't go below the waist as they both agreed that they were neither ready for that and it was too early into the relationship to add anything sexual.
Severus had to admit although he would like to go further with Harry he didn't want to until Harry knew the truth for he felt he would be taking advantage of Harry's trust.
TBC...