Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of this story except a few OCs. There are also non-cannon compliant plots within as you can imagine. If you have problems with M/M with a huge age gap pairings and Mpreg then do not read this. Also, please excuse a few spelling and/or grammatical errors. I try my best but English isn't my first or even second language.

Warnings: None

PROLOGUE

Life had never been fair for Severus Snape. His father hated his mere existence, his mother not able to protect him from his father's wrath, bullied by a group of hormonal boys in school, losing his only friend from one anger-produced mistake, pressured into joining a dark lord's cult, having his only friend killed by the said dark lord, and then binding himself to protect the son of his childhood enemy.

No matter the sacrifices he made in his adult life, the mistakes of his past continue to hunt him. Of all the god-forsaken people to save him- not that he wanted to be saved per se, it just so happened that the person ended up as Harry Bloody Potter. Of course he'd end up owing his life to the Boy-who-lived. Nothing ever happened according to plan when it comes to Potter.

Even before Nagini bit him, Severus had accepted his death. Already scorned due to the Headmaster's death and his life as a Death Eater, no one will ever believe him being a spy for the light. Even the Order won't take his loyalty to heart. Azkaban will be in his future very soon. Getting out unscathed from the whole situation was almost impossible. Death was the only way to finally be at peace.

But no. Even dying is unfair.

He woke up in St. Mungo's three weeks after the battle, free from all charges, his position in the war publicized, his reputation saved. And all because of Harry Potter, the Boy-who-lived-to-kill-Dark-Lords.

It was Harry Potter who brought him to the infirmary. It was him that insisted on getting Severus the best care possible. It was him who cleared his name not even a week after the battle whom he personally defeated Voldemort. Blasted self-sacrificing Gryffindors.

Two days after he woke up, a grey-haired tall man in green healer robes entered the private room instead of the usual younger healers who were either hiding their fear or hatred of him. "Good afternoon, Master Snape. I apologize for not being able to check as soon as you woke up. We've had more patients in a few weeks than we've had in a year." the healer greeted with a small smile, definitely a new experience for the hated Potions Professor and ex-headmaster. The man is definitely older than Severus and lacks the accent making him think he's not originally from Britain thus not having the typical hate towards the professor. "My name is Healer Matthews. I've been assigned to your case when they brought you here. Your vitals are stable and we have already flushed out the poison on your blood. You're actually free to go but I advise you to avoid working for awhile. You might not have to worry about the poison but your body is still recovering from extreme magical and physical duress and it won't do you any good to over-exert yourself. Here is a list of potions you will be needing for the next seven days. You are a Potions Master?" Severus nodded, "If you do not have your own stock of these, we'll be happy to provide. We get our potions from Master Garrick, if that's up to your standards," the healer informed respectfully. Severus felt it was refreshing not to be sneered at or condescendingly ordered.

"I know Master Garrick. His potions will do very well. Thank you." He inclined his head slightly. "Do send the bill directly to Gringotts. I fear I cannot go there myself right away."

"Oh everything is already paid, Master Snape. I've been told to give you this before you leave." He handed Severus a letter and bid him goodbye.

Severus examined the letter for curses and hexes, not trusting the medical staff due to his years as a spy. Seeing that all is safe, he tore the unsigned envelope and began reading.

Professor Snape,

I am glad you are well. I do hope the healers are treating you with the respect you deserve. I know you hate me and you'd rather not hear from me ever again and I will honor that.

But first, I want you to know that I am truly grateful for all the sacrifices you have done and for saving my life over and over again. I'm sorry for outing you as a spy without your consent. We've been rounding up the few Death Eaters left and the Aurors were likely to take you to Azkaban right away. The headmaster left me in his will his memories of you pledging loyalty to the order and of him asking you kill him. Kingsley and Ms. Bones already cleared you both from being a death eater and for casting the killing curse on Dumbledore. I also provided my own memory of you facing Voldemort in the battle. Kingsley will keep you up to date if you have any questions. You do not have to worry about landing up in prison anymore.

I know you will definitely turn me into potions ingredients for this one but I have paid for your care and left you a little portion of the Black fortune under vault 756. There are many books I think you'd like in there as well. Look at it as compensation for all the suffering you've been through under my father and godfather. I am ashamed of their actions towards you and deeply apologize in behalf of them. I know what it feels like to be hated for something you cannot control.

Take care of yourself, Professor. And thank you for everything.

- H. Potter

Severus read the letter thrice, not fully believing what was written on the sheet of parchment.

His name was cleared. He wouldn't be going to Azkaban. And he no longer had the dark mark etched on his forearm. After years and years of torture, he was finally free to do as he pleased. And even though it came from Potter, Severus was grateful. Potter could have kept the memories and let him rot in Azkaban for all his misdoings towards the boy yet he still did everything to clear his name. A Gryffindor through and through.

He decided then and there to seek the boy and give his thanks personally. After their failed occlumency lessons, Severus had been noticing Potter more. He might even admire the boy, not that he'd ever admit it. Harry Potter was a gorgeous specimen, sure. Having James Potter and Lily Evans as parents, how could he not be? Yet there are times Severus noticed Potter as Harry not a clone of his father. The boy hated his fame was one thing. How could he not see it before? Harry Potter instinctively hid himself in crowds and goes to lengths trying to blend in. He also found the boy constantly flinching at loud noises and sudden touches.

But Severus had problems separating him from his father and always ended up snapping and scowling at him no matter how hard he tried to keep it down. Old habits, he reasoned. It didn't matter anyway. He couldn't let himself care for the boy. Not when he was too busy trying to survive the next day. The Dark Lord's summons became too frequent that it was nearly impossible for him to have time aside from teaching classes, brewing potions, and attending Death Eater meetings. Potter had many people around him that cares for him. He won't be needed. As if the Golden Boy would accept any help from the Greasy Dungeon Bat anyway.

Severus spent two weeks in Spinners End recuperating from his wounds and magical exhaustion. Minerva and Poppy would visit him from time to time after a heartfelt apology from the two for doubting his loyalty. Severus waved it off being that both witches have always stood by him before and that it was necessary for them to hate him while other Death Eaters were around.

He had inquired Minerva of Potter's whereabouts since the Daily Prophet had no recent news of the Golden Boy. The last he heard was that Potter gave up Grimmauld Place and had it turned into an orphanage for children affected by the war. That was two days before Severus woke up in the hospital. After that, there was no news whatsoever about Harry Potter. Speculations say that he suffered an after effect battling the Dark Lord but no proof was given. Others believe that he was on a vacation in the Greek Islands.

Minerva told him nobody heard from Harry Potter for weeks. The only people who knew where he was was Granger and Weasley. Both teens swore secrecy and would not tell even Molly where the boy was, only that he was as safe as he can be. Severus scoffed at the idea. Potter was a magnet for trouble. There was no such thing as safe when it comes Potter.

After many years of spying, Severus learned to trust his instincts. And his instincts were saying Potter was not in any sort of trouble.

Yet.

Nevertheless, Severus would not be spending the rest of his life looking for the Boy-who-lived. If he wanted to vanish, then let him be. One thing Severus understood was wanting to disappear.