In his shoes

by fingerfertig

After Sirius' death, Harry is not doing very well, but Severus Snape is as nasty as ever. He thinks Harry is 'as usual' just screaming for attention. Eventually there is a potion accident and they both wake up in the hospital wing. Just not as they actually are...

Here is another story from me in English. I'm from Germany and unfortunately I couldn't find a native speaker to translate my stories. My English is okay, but the grammar is a bit difficult. Nevertheless, I gave it now a try. Please be nice and I'm happy about tips!

"POTTER! DETENTION!" the man's shout persist through the Potions classroom. Harry startled awake. He had fallen asleep again, not the first time recently and once again it happened in Snape's class of all places. Hermione had just elbowed him in the side, but then his hated teacher had already caught him.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I hadn't noticed," Hermione murmured to him.

"It's alright Mione, not your fault," Harry said, already gathering his things. He hadn't slept since the summer, since the thing at the Ministry, not really by any means. Nightmares plagued him, so much so that he now often slept on the couch in the common room or in the Room of Requirement so as not to wake anyone. He had taken enough beatings from his uncle during those holidays for waking half the house at night, he didn't want to incur the wrath of his classmates anymore. He just wondered why he always had to fall asleep during Snape's lessons, of all things; it didn't happen to him with the other teachers.

"Potter! Tonight at seven, here and on time, otherwise I'll deduct so many points from you that your grandchildren will still get something out of it! Do we understand each other?" almost all the students had already left when Snape stood up in front of Harry. Harry would have liked to say something back, but what? The teacher was in the right, after all, and Harry was tired of fighting. So he said, "Yes, I understand, sir!", grabbed his bag and left the room.

"Tough stuff, man!" said Ron as they sat at dinner. Ron wasn't in the advanced Potions class and Harry was only because Dumbledore had mediated. That was probably why Snape was so bad at responding to him. He had made it bluntly clear to him at the beginning of the school year, a fortnight ago, that he would not treat him with kid gloves just because his godfather had died. He thought it was just another attempt from Harry to get attention. Harry had said nothing and simply complied. By now he really didn't care either. Arguing and fighting with Snape or Malfoy was pointless, he understood that now. Malfoy, however, was apparently not interested in arguing either. He had held back since the beginning of the year, not even letting out any snide comments in Harry's direction.

"Mhmm...", Harry made and bit listlessly into a piece of bread.

"It won't be so bad," Hermione tried to cheer him up.

"Yeah, maybe he'll just let you write a few lines or something," Ginny said.

"Snape? No way, Harry probably has to scrub cauldrons with a toothbrush," Ron said and took another sausage.

"Ron!" hissed Hermione. The latter shrugged his shoulders.

"Just saying..." he said, chewing.

"It's okay Hermione, I know and I should get going or he'll take points off me just for breathing," Harry said, standing up and reaching for his bag.

"Good luck, dude!" said Ron.

"I'll be fine," Hermione said and patted Harry on the back in a friendly manner. He nodded and left the Great Hall. He walked briskly towards the dungeons and as he turned a corner, Draco, Blaise and Goyle were suddenly standing in front of him.

"Well Potter, had to have detention again," Goyle sneered and grinned. Blaise' and Draco's faces remained expressionless.

"Leave it Goyle!" hissed Draco.

"Go on Potter, not that you're late," Blaise said with a smile and stepped to the side. It wasn't a sneer and a snide smile, it was genuinely honest. Irritated, Harry nodded and continued walking, after a few moments he turned again and Draco's and his eyes met. It was only a tiny moment, but it triggered something in him. Without realising it, he was suddenly standing in front of the classroom. Sighing, he knocked and entered. His courage sank when he saw that a cauldron had been set up, complete with ingredients.

"Potter, on time after all, which was not necessarily to be expected. Now sit down," Snape said snidely and pointed to the seat in front of which Harry was already standing. He put down his things and did as he was told.

"Well, since you prefer to sleep in my class instead of paying attention, you will brew today's potion again and you will not leave until it has succeeded, understand?"

"Yes, sir!" said Harry tonelessly. Snape regarded him with raised eyebrows. The boy was different from all the other years. He didn't talk back, complied and hardly stood out. He didn't really care, but Severus Snape's thoughts now revolved around Potter more often than he would have liked.

"Get started, the recipe is on the blackboard!" he said sternly now, sitting down behind his desk and correcting papers. Harry looked at the blackboard, in itself he should be able to manage the potion. Hermione had said that it was quite complicated. Not in terms of ingredients, but the different ways it had to be warmed, cooled and stirred. He started and made good progress. The potion looked like it needed to look. The last instruction for the flubber worms, on the blackboard he had difficulty deciphering. Since his last run-in, if it could be called that, with his uncle, he had felt that his vision was worse than before. He didn't want to ask Snape, though, so he grabbed the flubberworms and just threw them whole into the cauldron. He stirred, but the consistency wasn't really right anymore. It began to smoke and Snape looked up.

"What on Merlin are you doing?" he wanted to know and stepped up to him. Harry was about to defend himself when the mixture began to bubble violently and then everything went black.

"Mr Potter, can you hear me?" the voice was familiar, yet distant. Severus Snape opened his eyes. His head ached and his vision was blurred.

"Mr Potter? How are you?", Madame Pomfrey looked anxiously at her patient.

"Potter? Poppy it's me, what happened?" asked Snape, sitting up in bed. His vision was still blurred and he rubbed his eyes.

"Poppy? Mr Potter, I beg your pardon!" the healer said sternly. The next moment she put something on his face and immediately his vision cleared, though not entirely. Severus looked beside him and froze. In the bed beside him was himself. How could that be? He looked down at himself and ran a hand through his hair. Surely that wasn't his body.

"W-what at Salazar's, what happened?" he asked haltingly.

"I would like to know that from you, Harry. Mr Malfoy and Mr Zabini found you and Professor Snape in the potions classroom. They were unconscious, apparently a potion exploded," Potion exploded, Potter, detention. Severus' mind raced. He tried to breathe calmly.

"Poppy! It's Severus. I'm stuck in...apparently I'm stuck in Potter's body," he said, staring at the Gryffindor jumper he was wearing. The Healer looked at him doubtfully.

"I know it sounds crazy, but it is. The potion, Potter must have done something wrong," he said, trying to remember what the potion had looked like.

"All right, well I...I'll get the Headmaster, it's beyond my competence," Madame Pomfrey said and was gone before Severus could say anything else in reply. With wobbly legs he got up from the bed and stepped over to the bed on which he, or rather Potter, was lying. He shook the other's shoulder.

"Potter! Wake up! Now!" he said emphatically. With difficulty, Harry opened his eyes and did not understand what he was seeing. He saw himself, but it was certainly not a mirror. He startled and almost fell out of bed.

"W-what...what is this. Who are you?" he asked in panic.

"Potter, calm the hell down. After all, we have you to thank for this," said Snape cynically. Harry's eyes widened and he looked down at himself. Immediately he jumped out of bed. This was clearly not his body. Again he stared over at the other Harry.

"P-Professor Snape?" he asked hesitantly.

"Congratulations, so some sort of residual sanity is still there, thankfully," Severus sneered.

"What happened?"

"You've messed up again. What else could I have expected. It was a mistake to put you on the advanced course..."

"Severus, I beg you, accusations will not help us," Dumbledore suddenly stood in the room. Madame Pomfrey still looked irritatedly back and forth between the two, while the Headmaster looked directly at the Harry/Severus. Then he turned to the real Harry, in Severus' body.

"Don't worry Harry, we'll fix it. Tell me, do you know where the mistake in your potion might have been?" Harry swallowed hard.

"Um...I couldn't read the last instruction very well, so well I added the flubber worms whole, that might have been the mistake," Severus groaned. Dumbledore gave him a stern look.

"Can you fix it," he asked him.

"Sure, but the counter-potion takes a week," he said with a groan.

"Well, then, you should both make friends with this situation," Dumbledore said, smiling mildly.

"I'm certainly not moving into Gryffindor Tower!" said Severus energetically.

"Well, that won't be necessary. You will share your rooms. I will find an explanation," Dumbledore said in a tone that brooked no argument.

"Do you have to, professor? I could also do it here...", Harry pleaded.

"No Harry, you can't. The students would want to know why the potions professor is in the hospital wing. It's better if no student knows about your accident, not even your friends," Dumbledore said and Harry nodded, albeit hesitantly.

"B-but I can't teach..." he said.

"No, absolutely not!" came from Severus. Dumbledore looked at him sternly again.

"Don't worry Harry, I will take over Severus' lessons and we will tell the students that Professor Snape is ill and needs to recuperate. So I would ask you to spend this week in Professor Snape's rooms," Dumbledore said seriously.

"Okay," was all Harry could get out. The headmaster nodded and then walked towards Severus.

"Look at it as an opportunity. Maybe you can sort out your conflicts," he whispered to the teacher. The teacher rolled his eyes but said nothing.

"Oh, and Severus, I would ask you to attend class. I would hate to explain both your absences," Dumbledore said blithely. Now Severus turned pale in Harry's form.

"They can't be serious. How is this supposed to work?"

"You can do it," Dumbledore said, patting him on the back. Snape was seething, Harry could see that clearly. He knew his face and it certainly didn't look like it was going to be a pleasant week.

"Potter! Get off your arse, or rather my arse, and come on!" said Snape, no longer dignifying the headmaster with a glance. Harry slumped his shoulders but followed him.

"Harry, don't let it get you down!" said Dumbledore encouragingly. Harry nodded quickly before rushing after Snape.

"Will it work?", Poppy wanted to know thoughtfully. But Dumbledore smiled.

"It will," he said, winking at the healer.

The corridors of the school were deserted. So it had to be after curfew. Harry followed Snape, enjoying being a little taller for once. It wasn't long before they were back in the dungeons. Again they entered the Potions classroom. There was nothing left of the explosion, obviously the house elves had already done a good job. Snape went to his desk and operated a mechanism that released the door to his private rooms. Seconds later, they were standing in a sitting room that was much cosier than Harry would have believed. Besides a sitting area and a fireplace, there was a small open kitchen and a dining table.

"It is late and since I will have to attend classes tomorrow, willy-nilly, I prefer to sleep now. You can have the couch," Snape said and reached into his pocket, or rather Harry's pocket. Irritated, he held his wand in his hand.

"I suppose it will have to go like this," he said resignedly and made bedding appear with the wave of the wand. The wand apparently obeyed him.

"Don't you dare use mine!" he said, then disappeared behind a door at the end of the corridor. Harry groaned. He took off his frock coat and then faltered. He really wasn't eager to see Snape's naked body. Especially as he didn't have pyjamas anyway. He was glad not to have to go to the toilet, that would come soon enough. Without further ado, he lay down on the couch in the clothes he was still wearing. It was far too small for his current height. It took him a while to find a position in which he could sleep. One thing struck him. He was not in pain. Otherwise his body usually ached, especially after the holidays, this got better and better throughout the year, but he was rarely without pain, but now he felt really good. He turned on his side and hoped fervently that he would not have any nightmares that night.

Severus Snape startled. He had been dreaming, but he had already forgotten what. Thoughtfully, he rubbed his head. His body felt heavy and ached, like a sore muscle. Only now did he realise again that it was not his body. Groaning, he stood up. He too had unceremoniously slept in the boy's clothes. But now he had to go to the bathroom and it was no use putting it off any longer. He hurried into the bathroom, foregoing a shower and preferring to use a refreshing spell. When he stepped into the living room, Harry/Severus was lying on the couch in a very uncomfortable looking position. It was too small for him, of course. Severus shook his head. He probably had to actually let the brat sleep in his bed.

"Wake up Potter!" he said. Harry jumped up and promptly fell off the sofa. He struggled to his feet.

"I have to go to breakfast. Dumbledore had her things brought here and told the students that you, me, had to stay here as a sort of punishment for the explosion, to help me sort all the potion ingredients," Snape said, rolling his eyes and handing Harry a letter.

"You do not move from the spot and you do not leave this flat. You will get food from the house elves. I'll be back here right after class! More comfortable clothes are in the wardrobe in the bedroom, but don't you dare snoop around," he said sternly and reached for the bag that belonged to Harry.

"Sir, I-I have a request," Harry said hesitantly. Snape narrowed his eyes, but said nothing in reply.

"I...so you have class with Remus in a minute, p-please be...well just be nice," Harry said, automatically backing away a little. Snape snorted, hung his bag around himself and left.

"This could be fun," Harry said to himself, sinking back onto the couch.

"And you really have to stay with Snape?" Hermione looked at Harry/Severus questioningly. He had spent breakfast trying not to talk to anyone, but now he was coming. No way around it.

"Mhm...", he made and bit into an apple.

"So, what's it like?", Ron wanted to know. Severus didn't know what to answer, so he shrugged his shoulders.

"Didn't you sleep again? What happened yesterday anyway?" asked Hermione, visibly worried.

"I messed up again and the potion exploded and thank you, I slept very well," Severus said tonelessly and stood up.

"Harry? Are you sure you're OK?" asked Ron.

"Yes, what is it? I have to get something quickly," said Severus, grabbing the bag and hurrying out of the Great Hall.

For lack of alternatives, he ran towards Defence Against the Dark Arts. He felt little desire to speak to Lupin and hoped that he would ignore him. Since Dumbledore had brought Remus back to replace Umbridge, their relationship had improved, but there was something else about seeing Remus that he couldn't place. He turned a corner and sighed. Remus was standing in front of the classroom, just unlocking the door.

"Ah Harry, here already? Where are Ron and Hermione?" he asked cheerfully.

"Breakfast," Severus said curtly.

"Okay, are you all right?" asked Remus, a smile flitting across the teacher's face. Severus knew immediately what was going on.

"You know!" he said without mincing words.

"Sure, Dumbledore has briefed all the teachers. Why don't you come in, Severus?" he said, letting him go first.

"Should have guessed the old man couldn't keep that to himself," Severus growled, throwing his bag onto one of the tables and sitting down. Remus took a chair and sat down opposite him.

"And what's that like?", Remus wanted to know with a grin. Severus rolled his eyes.

"Super! It's great fun," he said wryly.

"Oh come on, there must be something to be said for having the body of a sixteen year old again," Remus said.

"Mhm...sure. Apart from the fact that the brat can apparently barely see even with his glasses on, my body aches more than ever. Wonder what Potter does in his spare time," Severus said, stretching his back. Remus looked at him inquiringly.

"Maybe he trains a lot for Quidditch," he advised.

"Anyway, let's get this over with quickly," Snape said, unpacking the books. His hand itched and he scratched at it as he bristled.

"What's that?" he said loudly. Remus stepped up to him and pulled Severus/Harry's hand towards him. His body suddenly tingled and he quickly withdrew his hand.

"That was Umbridge, I'll bet!" said Remus angrily.

"She tortured him..." said Severus, stroking the scar he hadn't noticed before.

"Why didn't he say anything?" asked Remus. Severus shrugged his shoulders.

"The noble Potter, does like to make things up with himself," he said cynically.

"I'd be interested to know what Harry actually did to you. Oh I know, he looks like James, how could I have missed that. How tactless of him," said Remus, who was now clearly angry.

"What do you know," Severus hissed.

"What I do know is that Harry has lost everything, and now don't roll your eyes, you know how it is. I don't know how you see him, but I see in him a boy who is brave, kind and selfless. He was really sorry that he looked into your pensieve..."

"He told you that?", Severus didn't know whether to be angry or not.

"What do you think? Of course he told me and also Sirius and reproached us for treating you like that. He was angry and disappointed. He's not James, Severus!" said Remus resignedly. Severus wanted to say something back, but then the door opened and the rest of the students entered.

The day dragged on, but he didn't manage to stand out any more. Remus' words had hit him in a way he didn't yet understand. He urgently needed to talk to the boy about the scars on his hand, he simply couldn't keep something like that a secret.

"Harry? Aren't you coming to dinner?" Hermione wanted to know when they came back from their last lesson.

"No, I have to eat with Professor Snape," he said curtly, turned and ran into the dungeons. Some of the Slytherins he met made snide comments. In his mind, Severus marked them for detention. As he turned the last corner, he suddenly tripped over a leg. He saw another laughing Crabbe running away and cursed.

"Are you okay?" someone pulled him to his feet. Draco looked at him worriedly. Severus' godson had changed a lot since summer. He was quiet, withdrawn and rarely spoke. He hadn't even been to see him. Hard to believe he was obviously worried about Harry Potter.

"Yes, yes all good," he said quickly and patted his trousers.

"Crabbe's an idiot!" said Draco, smiling wanly. Severus didn't know how to react, so he just nodded.

"O-okay, I have to go to dinner then. See you ...", Draco said somewhat distractedly and disappeared. Thoughtfully, Severus looked after him before he made his way to his flat.

When he came into the living room, Harry was sitting on the couch reading a book. He startled when the door opened.

"Don't be so jumpy, Potter," Severus sneered, taking off his cloak.

"What does it smell like here?" he wanted to know.

"I-I cooked, for dinner. I had nothing else to do," Harry said with a shrug.

"You can cook?" asked Severus incredulously, looking into the pots.

"Yeah, sure, why not?" asked Harry provocatively. Severus did not respond.

"Then we'll eat and afterwards you'll have homework," he merely said and grinned.

"Why me? You were in class," Harry said indignantly.

"I have to take care of the potion, the quicker we can escape this arrangement and you can do the assignments without having attended class," the teacher said, taking a bite of Harry's food.

Severus had to admit that the boy could really cook. He just wondered how. He would hardly have to cook for himself at home. Suddenly Severus remembered the scar.

"Oh, by the way, what's that?" he wanted to know. Harry, who was clearing the dishes, turned around. They hadn't spoken during the meal and so Snape's speech surprised him. He saw what he was pointing at and groaned inwardly.

"Nothing more," he said tonelessly.

"Oh no? Those are torture marks from a blood feather, something forbidden in the wizarding world for centuries," Severus said sternly. Harry held his gaze and said nothing.

"Was it Umbridge?"

"And if?" asked Harry provocatively.

"Listen carefully Potter, it may be that you think you're a hero or whatever, but this..." he pointed to the scar again. "...This is not something you can keep to yourself. This is torture and it's forbidden! Umbridge must be held accountable for this!"

"I AM NOT A HERO!" shouted Harry suddenly, clenching his fists.

"I didn't say anything because that was between her and me! She just wanted me to go and have a good cry somewhere and I didn't want to give her that triumph and now if you'll excuse me sir, I've got homework," Harry said, reaching for his school bag, which Severus had carelessly thrown on the floor.

"I'm sorry, I-I didn't mean to yell at you. I know that's what your father used to do. I'm sorry," Harry said abruptly, but didn't dare look up. Severus stared at him.

"W-where?" he stammered.

"I-I don't know exactly, it seems I have some of her memories too. It came over me suddenly when the plate fell to the floor earlier," Harry explained calmly, sat down at the table and started his homework.

"You'll sleep in bed tonight, the couch is too small for you. I'll take care of the potion, don't go to sleep too late," was all Severus said.

"Yes, sir," Harry replied, but the teacher had already disappeared.

Harry didn't know why he had told about it. In reality, he was flooded with Snape's memories all day. Whenever he relaxed a little and tried not to think about anything. The more he tried to block out the memories, the more violently they came. Snape had not had a pleasant childhood and youth. His father was violent and drank. His mother loved Snape, but she was depressed and certainly seemed to withdraw more and more. They both died shortly after each other and Snape was alone. In addition, there was the harassment by the maruders and the loss of Lily as a friend. Harry also kept seeing Remus in front of him. It seemed Snape had a special relationship with the werewolf. Sighing, Harry skimmed Snape's notes from class and found that the teacher had been very thorough and so he had no problems completing the homework. He was tired and hoped Snape's offer was serious. He went into the bathroom and undressed. It was no use. He desperately needed a shower and resolved to get it over with quickly. After all, he had to admit that Snape was more well-trained than he had assumed. However, he didn't really know how to deal with the shoulder-length hair. Apparently Snape was always putting something in his hair, but Harry didn't know what, so he just let it dry without anything and thought it looked better anyway.

Tired, he fell into bed and hoped for a more comfortable night than the last.

Around midnight, Severus also returned to the rooms. He was tired and saw that Harry had already made the bed on the couch. It was tempting to just go back to sleep in the clothes, but had to wash. A teenager's body, he had to realise, needed a little more care then. Sighing, he went into the bathroom, much like Harry had done just a few hours before him. He couldn't get the memory thing out of his mind. He had tried it too and had actually seen memories of the boy. Mostly Black was in them and Snape tried to get back to the here and now quickly. Shaking his head, he pulled off his school uniform for the first time and faltered. The boy's torso was covered in scars, some older, others surely barely a few weeks old. His left shoulder still glimmered slightly blue. So that was where the pain came from. One thing the teacher knew, these were not injuries from Quidditch. He took off his trousers and there were deep scars and older injuries on his legs too. He stood in front of the mirror again. The boy was slight, even though muscles could be seen. Gently he ran his hand over a particularly deep scar on his chest as the memories overtook him. He, no Harry was lying on the floor and someone was hitting the maybe eight year old with a belt. The memories changed and showed similar incidents. Beating, hunger, not a kind word. Breathing heavily, Snape struggled back to reality. He propped himself up against the sink and looked up. A tear ran down his cheek, quickly he wiped it away and stood under the cold shower. What he had seen had shaken him to the core and now he also remembered the nightmare from last night. He had seen Sirius offering to stay with him forever and the next moment, Sirius had fallen trough the veil, dead. Shaking his head, Snape grabbed the pyjamas from Harry's trunk and got dressed. Before going into the living room, he swallowed a healing potion to make the pain go away faster. Then he lay down on the couch and stared at the ceiling. He didn't know what to do. He realised that Harry would certainly not talk to him about all this. The boy had been badly abused for years and no one had noticed, not wanted to notice, least of all himself. Sighing, the teacher reached for a Dreamless Potion and turned onto his side.

The next morning he woke up early, got dressed and packed his school things. He wanted to be out of the flat before Harry woke up, as he didn't know how he would face him. He rummaged in the boy's suitcase for a fresh shirt. The clothes inside were not only worn, but obviously far too big. Where had he got it from? Even the school uniform was flapping a little, but it fit better than the old socks that were broken and worn out. Snape shook his head, but after some searching, found a pair that looked a little better. The brat would have some explaining to do, but not now. Quickly, Severus slipped out of the flat.

It was still early and no students were in the corridors. Breakfast would not be served for another hour, so he made his way unmolested to the defence classroom. He walked on and knocked hard on the door at the other end of the corridor. He heard an unintelligible curse and then the door was yanked open. A clearly sleepy Remus stood before him. Inwardly, Severus had to grin. The werewolf was known to get up a little later rather than too early. So he always skipped breakfast, too. Now he stood in front of him in his dressing gown, with tangled hair, and looked at him in surprise.

"Severus? You're still Severus, aren't you?" he wanted to know.

"Of course Lupin and now let me in!" the latter said and pushed past the man into his flat.

"Good morning to you too!" said Remus, closing the door.

"You don't look well," he said, looking at Severus/Harry.

"Said the man in the brown dressing gown," sneered the latter.

"All right, let's not go there. How can I help you?" asked Remus, with a wave of his wand, wearing his normal, and Snape thought, not particularly dressy either, worn brown tweed suit. Without answering the question, Severus removed the cloak, took off his jumper and unbuttoned his shirt.

"Er...w-what's this?", Remus wanted to know, irritated. Severus rolled his eyes and took off his shirt. His counterpart turned pale when he saw the battered skin.

"W-what...what happened?" he asked, briefly touching one of the deep scars on Harry/Severus' torso. Immediately it sent shivers down Severus' spine and he put some distance between himself and the others. He quickly buttoned up the shirt again.

"It looked worse yesterday, but I took a healing potion," he said, putting the rest of his clothes back on as well.

"It's not from Quidditch," Remus said wanly.

"No, that's for sure. Judging by your reaction, you didn't know either," Severus stated soberly.

"Are you crazy, of course not?! Do you think I would have left him with those Muggles for a minute longer?" Remus said indignantly and Severus realised how deeply shocked he was.

"It was the Muggles, wasn't it?" asked Remus, sinking into a chair, not without offering Severus a seat as well.

"Yes, I saw it," he said calmly and sat down.

"What do you mean you saw it?"

"Apparently, in certain situations, I can access Potter's memories and he...he can access mine," Severus explained.

"What did you see?"

"Nothing I want to retell here," Severus said, taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes.

"The boy is as good as blind, despite his glasses. No wonder he can't see anything at the blackboard. Possibly...", Severus thought aloud.

"What?"

"A blow to the head, could exacerbate a visual impairment..."

"You mean you hit him so hard that his eyesight is worse now?", Remus wanted to know in shock.

"He never told you anything? Not to you or Black?"

"No, never! Severus, you must believe me."

"It's okay, I believe it. I think it would be better if Poppy had a closer look at the injuries, but I don't want to do that without talking to him."

"You haven't done it yet?"

"I hate to admit it, but I didn't know what to say," Severus said.

"Do you want me to be there?" asked Remus hesitantly. Severus looked up. He had been hoping for just that. The brat liked Lupin and the latter felt responsible for him. Snape couldn't exactly say Potter trusted him, so Lupin was the best choice.

"Yes, I had hoped so," he said quietly.

"All right, so when?"

"Before dinner at my place," Severus said, standing up and reaching for his bag.

"Thank you...Remus!" he said and left the room without turning around again.

Harry rubbed his eyes tiredly. The night in Snape's bed was much more restful than the last night on the couch. Still, he couldn't claim to have slept really well. In his dreams, his and Snape's memories intermingled. No, the teacher had had a similarly terrible childhood as himself, with one difference. Snape had a mother who loved him idolatrously and even if she sank into her depression at some point, by then he had at least one person who loved him. Sighing, Harry went into the bathroom and got dressed. Snape had obviously already left, or he would surely have heard him. As he walked into the living room, Harry's gaze fell on his open trunk and the realisation hit him so hard that he momentarily lost his breath. Snape knew, he was sure of it. Of course, he had to know, if Harry saw his memories, Snape saw Harry's. He buried his face in his hands and was looking for a way out when there was a knock at the front door. Harry looked up. What was he supposed to do? Snape must have forgotten to lock the classroom.

"Uncle Sev, are you there?", Draco's voice sounded through the wood and again Harry groaned, albeit

Inwardly. Wait, had Draco just said "uncle"? It didn't help. He straightened his shoulders and opened.

"Mal...I mean Draco, what can I do for you?" he asked, trying the arrogant tone Snape always gave him.

"Um...how are you? Is something wrong with your hair?" Draco wanted to know and entered.

"Thanks, I'm all right, but still need to take it easy. Hair...er...freshly washed," Harry said quickly because he couldn't think of anything better to say. Draco looked at him thoughtfully.

"So, what do you want?", Harry wanted to know.

"Well, that's a bit difficult...I...it's about Potter," Draco said, blushing on the spot. Harry heart immediately slipped into his stomach and he hoped Draco wouldn't notice. He cleared his throat.

"Okay, so I'm listening," he said, his voice trembling a little.

"Is he there?", Draco wanted to know quickly.

"No, he's at breakfast!"

"Alright then, since this year, I see him differently. It's hard and so far only Blaise knows about it and...", Harry's mind raced. What was Draco trying to tell him? Was it what he thought it was? His heart suddenly leapt back into place.

"Stop!" he heard himself say and Draco looked at him, completely confused.

"I-I, so please stop talking. I-I am not Snape!" he said in a firm voice and Draco's level of confusion increased.

"I'm Harry. Well, the potion that explode ... Snape and I are each in the wrong body," he said, avoiding the young Slytherin's gaze.

"You've got to be kidding me! Not cool, Uncle Sev. But okay, say something only Harry would say!"

"Shut up, Malfoy! Wait a minute, did you just say Harry?", now all colour drained from Malfoy's face and he slumped down on a chair.

"P-Potter?" he asked haltingly.

"Yes, unfortunately!"

"By Merlin!" gasped Draco.

"You can say that again," Harry said, dropping into a chair beside Draco.

"Um...will it go away?" the latter wanted to know and scratched his head.

"Yes, but the counter-potion lasts a week and I'm stuck here until then and Snape has to go to class," Harry said and grinned. Draco couldn't help smiling either.

"Poor Uncle Sev."

"Oh, he's not that poor, because he lets me do the homework. But tell me, is Snape really your uncle?"

"Godfather, yes. But this has to stay between us, okay?"

"Sure, but then keep that...", Harry made a sweeping motion around himself, "...for yourself too!"

"All right. So does that mean even your friends don't know?", Harry shook his head.

"No, and I'm sure I have a lot to make up for when I'm back in my body."

"Yeah, little Weasley's going to be pretty confused when Uncle Sev, gives her the brush-off," Draco said, laughing. Harry looked at him, confused.

"Ginny? Why?"

"Aren't you a couple?"

"Ginny and me? Rubbish, no! She's like my little sister," Draco's heart leapt.

"W-what makes you think that?", Harry wanted to know.

"Didn't she kiss you? I saw you when we got off the train," slowly it dawned on Harry again and he grinned.

"Oh that, no...so yes we did, but she was just trying to make Dean jealous. Worked out well too, they're a couple again. Well, and besides, Ginny...well, she's has the wrong sex," Draco looked at him in surprise, but then jumped up and headed for the door.

"Hey, what's going on? Didn't you want something?" Harry wanted to know and stood up as well.

"Yeah, but not really from you, but when you're back in your body I'll tell you, I promise!" said Draco, grinning and leaving the room. Sighing, Harry flopped down on the couch, this week was going to be a bloody long one, he would realise how long in the evening.

Harry had just set the table when the door opened and Snape came in with Remus in tow. Harry immediately saw what was going on by the look on the werewolf's face.

"Good evening Professor, hello Remus," he said quickly and fetched another plate from the kitchen.

"I cooked again, I hope that was okay?" he said and put the dishes down. The other two looked at him piercingly. It was hard not to show any emotion when your own face was staring at you, with a mixture of anger and honest concern. Sighing, Harry sat down on a chair and stared at his fingernails, which he noticed were extremely neat.

"So, talk already, you've seen my body?!" he said without looking up. He felt someone pull up a chair next to him and knew that it was certainly not Snape.

"I knew you liked to keep things to yourself, but I didn't think you'd be so stupid as to keep something like this a secret," Harry heard his own voice say coldly. He quivered with anger, what did Snape know.

"Severus!" he heard Remus' voice beside him sternly.

"No, Lupin! That's stupid and irresponsible, what if those Muggles had beaten him to death?"

"As if you'd care," Harry said barely audibly.

"Excuse me?" the indignation in Snape's voice was almost palpable. Harry looked up with tears in his eyes and Severus froze, he never thought it would hit him like this to see himself crying.

"You hate me anyway! It makes no difference to you whether I'm alive or not. It doesn't matter to you, so you don't have to pretend now out of a sense of duty..." said Harry in a quivering voice, lowering his gaze again. Remus said nothing, he knew that Harry had hit a spot in Severus, one that he probably didn't know about until now. He stared at Harry as if paralysed.

"Th-that's not true..." he said eventually and Harry looked up.

"I don't hate you and I do care if you are dead or not. It will surprise you, but I made a promise to Lily, and that was to look after you, and it pains me that I failed," Snape now sat down at the table as well. Harry looked for scorn in the teacher's eyes, in his eyes, but found none.

"How long has this been going on Harry," Remus spoke softly and gave Severus a warning look. Harry played with his fingers and shrugged. "I don't know. For as long as I can remember. I've always been hungry, really, and well, the beatings got harder as time went on. Sometimes with the belt, sometimes without. Not being able to defend myself, even when I knew I was a wizard, that was the worst. I learned early on not to stand out and then here, I was getting so much attention that I didn't even want. I don't want to be a hero for merlins sake, I don't want to be a Chosen One. Sirius was my chance to escape that and then...it was my fault!" said Harry, breaking off. Remus put an arm around him and pulled him close. Severus' stomach did a flip at the sight.

"Why, why have you never talked to anyone?" he asked.

"Why didn't you ever do it?" asked Harry, wiping away his tears. Snape looked at him questioningly.

"I know the memories. Your father also beat you and humiliated you, why didn't you ever tell anyone? I just didn't want to appear weak and I was just afraid of where I would end up," Harry said almost defiantly. Snape sighed deeply. The brat would mean his grave once more.

"Harry," he said, and almost had to grin when he saw how the latter reacted to the mention of his first name.

"It's true, I didn't talk to anyone about it either, but I wasn't alone. I had a mother who loved me and helped me get over a lot. I never slept in a cupboard, I always had food to eat and clothes that fitted me. Yes, I didn't have an entirely beautiful childhood, but I had one."

"A-and what now?" asked Harry hesitantly. Severus took a deep breath.

"Now we will eat the distinctly delicious smelling food and get this week over with as best we can. When you're back in your body, get Madame Pomfrey to treat you, it's non-negotiable..." he said as Harry started to say something back.

"...then we'll get you some sensible clothes, unbelievable what rags you're running around in and you certainly won't be going back to your relatives' house. You'll come with me during the holidays, a little tutoring can't hurt anyway," Snape said and stood up.

"A-are you serious?", Harry wanted to know incredulously.

"I don't like to joke, and now close your mouth. Lupin are you eating with us?", Snape wanted to know.

"Yes, I'd love to," he said and grinned.

"Good, then help me in the kitchen and wipe that smug grin off your face!"

"Well, I must say, how do you talk to your teacher. That means detention, Potter!"

"Shut up Lupin!", Harry shook his head with a smile, maybe the rest of the week wouldn't be quite so awful after all.

"Take my hand!" said Severus/Harry sternly. Harry, looked at him incredulously.

"Come on Potter, this is no fun for me either!", they stood in the teacher's potions laboratory. Each had a vial in their hand. Remus Lupin, who was a frequent visitor for the rest of the week, stood by the doorway watching the scene. Hesitantly, Harry reached for the other's hand.

"So now drink!" said Severus. Harry poured the potion into himself and gagged.

"Ew...that's worse than Polyjuice Potion!"

"How do you know what this one tastes like?"

"Er...guessed!" said Harry quickly and before Snape could say anything else back he blacked out and fell to the floor.

"Harry? Harry, wake up!", Harry opened his eyes and his heart leapt, looking not into his eyes but into Snape's, which were looking at him with surprising concern.

"You said Harry? Am I dead?"

"Not yet!" the teacher said cynically and helped him up. Harry felt his body and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Feels good!" he said with a smile.

"Of course, I treated him with potions after all, and I am very grateful that you seem to have taken quite good care of my body as well, only the hair..."

"I think it's much better this way," Harry said energetically.

"I have to agree with him!" said Remus, still smiling, leaning against a table. Snape rolled his eyes.

"D-do I get to go back to my dorm?", Harry wanted to know hesitantly.

"Sure go ahead and remember our deal!"

"Yes, I go to Madame Pomfrey's and come here every night after dinner. I haven't forgotten," Harry said. He hesitated briefly, but then went to the teacher again and gave him a quick hug.

"Thank you, Professor!" he said and was gone before the latter could react.

"Oh, oh he won't soften you up after all," Remus said with a grin. Snape gave him a barely intelligible look.

"Tea?" was all he asked, though.

"Sure!" said Remus, following Severus.

"And how did they take it?", Draco Malfoy sat on the parapet of the Astronomy Tower and looked questioningly at Harry.

"Ron had a medium heart attack when I told him that he had spent a whole week at school with Snape. Hermione was less surprised, she said my transcripts had been far too neat for me," Harry replied. He had been back in his body for two days now and had also been to Madame Pomfrey, who was shocked and now showered him with potions and constant checks, which was already getting on Harry's nerves. Through Blaise, Draco had told him that he would be waiting at the Astronomy Tower that evening. After his meeting with Snape, he had come here immediately.

"What do you always do at Uncle Sev's now, anyway, in the evenings?", Harry walked up to Draco and sat down on the brick parapet as well.

"He teaches me occlumency again and teaches me how to empty my mind in the evening so that I don't have nightmares anymore," he explained.

"Mmm...that's good," Draco said. Harry looked at him from the side, his stomach tingling.

"So, you promised me something! What were you going to tell me then, or rather Snape?" he asked. Draco turned his gaze to him and smiled.

"Can't you guess?" he asked.

"Yes, I do, but I'd like to hear it from you," Harry said and slid closer. Draco shook his head and closed the gap between them. Feeling Draco's lips on his was the best feeling Harry had ever felt.

"Harry James Potter, I've fallen in love with you," the Slytherin murmured against the other's lips. Harry reconnected their lips and said as they released the kiss, "Well thank goodness I found my way back into my body, this would have been very strange otherwise. So Draco Lucius Malfoy, I've fallen in love with you too."

"So what do we do now?" asked Draco after a while of silence.

"Mhm...don't know. Holding hands, going for a walk, whatever couples do."

"We're a couple?"

"I hope I'm not a one-night boy," Harry said, laughing. Playfully, Draco nudged him.

"We'll think of something to keep it a secret for now, and there's one more thing you could help me with..." said Harry.

"I see, and what?" murmured Draco seductively.

"Not the one you're thinking of, you lecher. We really need to fix up your uncle."

"Okay, I can see that, but with who? Wait, you don't mean Lupin?" Draco looked at his friend in surprise.

"Oh yes, they are crazy about each other. Believe me, I was in Severus' head!"

"You may say Severus?"

"Yes, but only when we're alone," Harry said playfully theatrically.

"All right, then let's set them up, but what are we going to do with the evening that has begun?", Draco wanted to know, not without ulterior motives.

"Mhmm ... I don't know," Harry said with a grin, stealing a kiss.

"Do you know the Room of Requirement?" asked Draco.

"So really I'm Harry Potter, rule-breaker personified, of course I know the Room of Requirement," Harry said, playfully indignant, grabbing Draco's hand and dragging him behind him.

- A few years later -

Severus Snape sat in his armchair and read the Daily Prophet. The smell of food wafted through the small house in Spinners End. Severus was enjoying the peace and quiet, for it would not last much longer. He had barely finished his thought when a snowball flew at the window of the living room. The teacher winced briefly, then sighed, put the newspaper aside and stepped into the hallway.

"They're here!" he shouted and opened the front door. Immediately, a blond whirlwind rushed at him.

"Hello Grandpa Sev!" the child squeaked, hanging onto his hip. Rolling his eyes, Severus lifted the boy into his arms.

"What's the right name, Sirius?" he asked sternly, and the four-year-old seemed to really think.

"Er...hello sir?" he guessed. Smiling, Severus shook his head.

"It's Merry Christmas Grandpa," he said, kissing the boy on the forehead and setting him down.

"Where is Grandpa Remus?" he wanted to know and was already halfway down the hall.

"In the kitchen," he said, and immediately the straw-blond boy with the green eyes ran past him.

"Shoes off!" the young man who had been running behind the child now shouted after him.

"Merry Christmas, Dad," Harry said, kissing Severus briefly on the cheek.

"Merry Christmas, Harry. Where are your husband and my princess?" he wanted to know and looked around searchingly. Harry grinned. Snape had really softened over the years and since he was a grandfather even more. Only in front of his students he still didn't show any shame.

"Your princess is with Draco and he's still looking for a parking space, but he's coming back there," at that moment a young man with blond short hair stepped through the garden gate. In his arms he carried a little girl with black hair and sea-blue eyes.

"Parking lot? Muggle stuff, why don't you apparate or flee?"

"Merry Christmas to you too, Sev," Draco said with a smile and kissed his father-in-law on the cheek. The one-year-old Lily stretched out her arms and her grandfather did not miss the opportunity to lift the little girl into his arms.

"Well princess, Merry Christmas," he said and kissed his granddaughter on the forehead.

"Oh, I used to be his princess," Harry grinned, catching a stern look from his father.

"But to your question, Sev. You know yourself that apparate is nothing for children of Sirius' and Lily's age and when they flee, they always get dirty and they both like driving. Besides, it's very practical," Draco explained.

"Mmm...if you say so. But in you go," Severus said, clearing the way.

"Daddy look," Sirius came running out of the kitchen, followed by a smiling Remus. Harry leaned over to his eldest.

"This is a great biscuit," he said.

"May I?"

"Yes, go on, but you eat something in a minute too," Harry said admonishingly. Sirius nodded with a grin and shoved the biscuit into his mouth.

"Hey Pa, Merry Christmas," Harry said, hugging Remus.

"Good to see you," he said and now hugged Draco as well.

"And where is my favourite granddaughter?" he then said, taking Lily from Severus' arms. The latter shook his head with a smile.

"You only have one," he said.

"Yes, that's why she's my favourite and who's your favourite grandpa!" said Remus, tickling the little girl who squealed with delight.

"Hey, come to Grandpa Severus, Lily!", Severus took Lily in his arms again and strutted towards the dining room.

"You can play with me, Grandpa Remy," Sirius said and held out his arms to the man. The man smiled and lifted his grandson up in his arms.

"Yes, Siri, we'll do that, but first let's have some food!" he said.

"Oh yes, and presents!" cheered Sirius.

"Yes, that too," Remus said, following his husband.

Draco put an arm around Harry's waist.

"And you were already worried that they wouldn't be pleased," he said. Harry smiled and kissed Draco on the cheek.

"Yes, but we haven't asked yet," he said.

Sirius was bouncing like a ball through his grandfathers' living room. Lily, who was sitting on Severus' lap, clapped her little hands.

"A broom, really?" asked Draco shaking his head, watching his son who was already having great fun with the little practice broom.

"Don't look at me when you do that, it's my husband's fault," Severus said, raising his arms defensively.

"After all, Sirius' fathers were both Seekers. I'm surprised you didn't think of that," Remus tried to defend himself.

"We thought we'd wait a little longer," Harry explained.

"We just thought that if they took after us, they'd be putting their lives in danger plenty more times," Draco said, laughing.

"Speaking of mortal danger. How's work?" Severus looked questioningly at Harry. The latter rolled his eyes.

"Dad, come on. I know becoming an Auror has always been a thorn in your side, but it's really not as dangerous as you think. In the meantime, I sit more in the office anyway and at least I have a healer at home," he said and reached for Draco's hand.

"Your father doesn't mean that," Remus said, giving his husband a we-have-talked-about-it look.

"Tell me, Draco, when do you start back at the Mungos?", Remus now changed the subject.

"After the holidays. Then Lily will have a place in the kindergarten at the ministry and I can go back to work. The year with her at home went by pretty quickly," he said and squeezed Harry's hand tighter. Severus watched the two of them closely.

"So these are the last days you can spend a few hours before the stress starts again," he said and Harry looked at him in amazement. Severus was pretty good at reading between the lines.

"Um...yes and we have a question for you."

"Well, what can that be?" said Remus, tossing a screeching Sirius into the air.

"I've given Harry a weekend in a hotel in Paris and it would be this weekend already. We'd understand if you don't want to, Mum would like to take them otherwise and..."

"Stop Draco! Of course we'll look after them. They're my grandchildren, what a question," Severus indignantly hugged Lily to him.

"Is that really okay, Dad?" asked Harry uncertainly.

"You know I don't like to joke!"

"What your father wants to say, we are very happy. We're going to have a fun few days, aren't we Siri?"

"Oh yes! Can we blast something again then?" the boy exclaimed, hopping up onto the couch with Severus. Draco and Harry looked at the man, who smiled apologetically.

"I have no idea what he means..."

"Oh, by the way, do you know what Sev did?", Remus quickly tried to change the subject.

"Not Remy!" hissed Severus.

"Oh yes, what did he do?", Harry wanted to know and grinned.

"He had two of his students switch bodies..." said Remus.

"You're serious?", Draco wanted to know. Severus rubbed his eyes.

"I thought it was a good idea to get them to stop bashing each other's heads in, and it worked. They are now one heart and soul," the teacher defended himself.

"Mmm...that's true, but Minerva threatened him that he'd switch bodies with Filch next time he experimented on the students," Remus said with a laugh. Harry sat down next to his father on the couch and pulled Sirius onto his lap.

"I understand you dad and look at it this way, if that hadn't happened back then, I might not have the family I have now, so I'm grateful to the flubberworms," he said.

"Yeah, me too, in a way, you impossible child," Severus said, smiling.

"So Sirius James Malfoy, be a good boy and listen to what Grandpa Sev and Grandpa Remus say," Draco urged his son. He held Remus' hand and nodded eagerly.

"Okay will you bring me something?"

"Sure kiddo! Daddy and I will pick you up again on Monday. Be kind," Harry said and kissed his son on the blond hair.

"See you, Cuddle," Draco said, kissing his daughter before hugging her to Severus.

"Don't worry, we have plenty of experience with children," he said reassuringly.

"Mhm...yes, but you can't deduct points from these," Harry said and laughed.

"I'll deduct points from you in a minute," Severus indignantly said.

"It's OK, Dad, we all don't want that. Thanks! I love you guys, see you in three days," Harry said and kissed his fathers cheek.

"Yes, thank you and if you want you can go and see Mum. She would be pleased to be able to spoil the two of them again," Draco said and pulled Harry close to him.

"Will do and now get out, we'll get this sorted," Remus said, lifting Sirius up in his arms.

"See you in three days, children," Harry called out and in the next moment he and Draco had disappeared.

"Grandpa Severus?" came a stretched voice from Sirius.

"Yes," he wanted to know suspiciously.

"Can we explode something?" the four-year-old asked, grinning. Severus rolled his eyes, handed Lily to Remus and took Sirius by the hand.

"You are just as much of a tease as your father, but okay. But only in the garden and don't tell your parents," he said, winking at the child. Sirius nodded, grabbed his jacket and ran into the garden.

"But darling, please leave the apple tree," Remus pleaded.

"Yeah, yeah loosen up Remy," Severus toned and ran after his grandson.

"Did you hear that Lily? Well, I think Grandpa Sev really needs detention again!" he said and the little girl grinned at him.