Parallels in Time
Summary: Severus obtains a Time-Turner and sets off to fix the past. Will it work out as he hopes, or will he find a different path that will make him happy?
A/N: This story is loosely based off the Star Trek TNG episode Parallels, but it's not in any way a crossover. This will eventually be SSHG. Pure HP here, folks. This first chapter—the prologue—is just to whet your appetite. Any errors are my own.
Prologue
Severus kept his head down as he moved through Diagon Alley. He walked quickly, finally veering to the left and into Knockturn Alley. Down the street he went, looking at no one. He knew that this was not the place to make eye contact. Not that he ever wanted to make eye contact anyway.
He finally stopped in front of a shop and glanced up at the sign. Borgin and Burkes—the shop for every oddity known to the Dark Arts. He looked behind him before entering, frowning at the bell as it dinged, announcing his entry. He made his way to the counter in the back.
"Is Matilda here?" he asked the man behind the counter.
"Yes, just hold on here for a minute," the attendant replied.
The man went behind the beaded curtain, and a few minutes later an old witch emerged from behind it.
"Ahh, Mr. Snape," she crooned.
"Did you find the item?" he asked anxiously.
"Of course! I couldn't let Borgin and Burkes' reputation be sullied."
She reached into her robes and pulled out a small rectangular box. She placed it on the counter before Severus and pushed it toward him.
He reached out and opened the box, examining the item within.
"You're sure it will do what I need it to?"
"Oh, it will do what you want it to," she replied and smiled, revealing a missing front tooth. "But remember, magic like this comes with consequences. Be prepared for what is to come."
"What kind of consequences are you talking about?" Severus asked gravely.
"That's for you to find out when you use this."
Severus eyed her for a moment before closing the box and quickly pocketing it. He withdrew a small bag of Galleons and handed it to the woman.
"Thank you," he said before turning and leaving the shop.
Spinning instantly, he Apparated away and appeared in his front room at Spinners End. Pulling the box from his pocket, he reopened it and stared down at the object he had just paid a handsome price to own. His finger traced the object—a Time-Turner. But despite it looking like any other Time-Turner, it was different. Not only would it turn back time for the traveler, it would turn back the traveler as well, meaning their age would decrease to whatever time they traveled to. Obviously, it could only be used during a person's lifetime, but that was the point. Someone who wanted to change something they did in their past could return to that time just as they had been—the same age—but with the wisdom they had from the present. Then with this Time-Turner, one could return to their present.
He was going back… Back to when his life went wrong. Back to when he had ostracized his friend and lost her forever. Back to his fifth year at Hogwarts.