Shout Outs: To each author on my favorites lists, I have a lot of great fics there so I highly suggest it to find a good read.

A/N: Sorry if this is late, but I already have the rest written. I'll probably update again tomorrow or something to make up for it. I'm kinda sad though. I had begun writing the second part, and I lost the disk that I had it on. Oh well, there are still some places it might be…

The Ace

Chapter 5

Draco met Harry beside the entrances to the dungeons.

"Well? How did it go?" He asked nervously.

"Snape was dumb when he was our age. He hasn't learned anything." Draco shook his head in a disapproving manner. "He's like Voldemort's little robot, spewing automated responses to anything he's asked. He can't see the forest for the trees." Draco assessed snidely. Harry exhaled loudly and nodded.

"I know. It scares me to think he used to be so blind. It makes me think of all the times he could have been led into a trap, or sacrificed for Voldemort's greater good…" Harry would have kept going but Draco cut him off.

"Enough of the worrying. He's in your clutches now so stop fretting like an old woman. I set the hook with a challenge; that he wouldn't be able to resist joining the good side for more than a week. Then I cast the line with a bribe. Told him what an excellent manipulator you were, and that he wouldn't even feel you sinking your claws into him. The desire to know what you know will get this whole thing going. And the bait is that I told him you held the power. He'll come to you like a moth to the flame. I've got him hooked, all you have to do is reel him in." Draco said with a twisted little smile. Mind games were what he loved. Harry looked a bit appalled.

"You make it sound like I'm in love with a gutted fish." He replied with a slight frown. Draco ignored the comment.

"You should have seen his face, Potter. I told him that you and Dumbledore were dangerous because you'd "look him in the eye while you slipped an ace into your hand, all the while convincing him you're winning the game."" Draco began to laugh mirthlessly. "I told him that you used trust as your first step, then you'd slip in the ace. There I am sitting right beside him sharing a smoke, and he's trying to convince me that he'll spot the ace." Draco smirked. "All things considered, it was rather entertaining." Harry returned the smile, lightly clapping Draco on the shoulder.

"Glad you enjoyed it Ace, and thanks for your help. I'm probably in your debt now."

And Draco knew just how he would ask for his repayment. Oh yes, the challenges were to be found on the side of good. He now knew very well what had been shining in Severus's eyes. Life was ironic, but he had to give her credit. She played a mean game of cards.

~

Harry rushed off to the Gryffindor tower, hoping to catch up with Severus before someone else did. Sure enough, as he rounded the corner in a brisk jog he saw Severus looking irritated, leaning against the wall near the portrait with his arms crossed over his chest. Harry smiled, absently running a hand through his unruly locks.

"Listen, I'm sorry for shouting back there." Severus could see the nervousness flitting all over his face. "I…I shouldn't have said those things to you. I mean, you aren't my Severus." He said looking shamefaced. He walked toward him, a sad smile on his face. He extended his hand. "Friends?"

If there was anything Severus was good at, it was playing both sides. He knew that Draco had thought him ignorant, and he knew that Potter thought he needed to be protected. Let Potter think it. Draco was a different story. He didn't quite know where the boy was going, but that was how it had always been with Lucius too. He pushed himself off the wall and extended a hand, shaking Potter's lightly as though he was still hesitant.

"Friends. For now." He said shortly. Harry looked ecstatic.

"Great! Only one thing before we go in there," He indicated the portrait. "What name do you want to go by? No one can know you're from the past." He informed.

'No one except Draco, eh? What game are you playing Potter?' He thought to himself as he nodded.

"I'll go by Lucas, it's my…" He began.

"Middle name." Harry cut him off a smile on his face. "Alright then Luke,"

"Lucas."

"You're about to enter the den of lions." Harry said jokingly. After a quick word with the portrait, Harry led Severus in. Severus had been in the Gryffindor common rooms once before, during a plot to get revenge on Sirius Black. He half expected to see the marauders sitting around the fire, Lily wrapping a lock of her beautiful red hair around and around a long finger. Lily had always been nice to him, and James had never insulted him to his face when Lily was around. Black, Pettigrew, and even sometimes Lupin were a different story. For a moment it felt like he had wanted it to feel his fifth year at Hogwarts, walking into the Gryffindor common room where he'd instantly be accepted into the ranks, never to be messed with or bothered by his peers. It was only natural to wish to be a part of the Marauders; most boys at school had wished it once or twice.

Now it looked like he'd have his chance. As they entered the cheery Gryffindor common room, which Snape noticed had not changed much, happy faces immediately swallowed them up. Harry seemed to know them all, talking quickly as he explained that 'Luke' was a transfer student from Durmstrang, and that he'd been sorted into Gryffindor. Snape had thought that was a bit of a stretch, but he went along with it, making an effort to not scowl them all away. He might need these people's 'friendship' later. It was too early in the game to be judging who stood on what team.

"So what was it like at Durmstrang? I hear that they're like a military school." One very tall, slightly muscular, red headed man asked. He looked to be a seventh year. Severus nodded.

"They are extremely strict, but it's for the good of the students." He replied, quoting what his many Durmstrang professors had said time and time again when they'd caught him and his old friends breaking rules. The red head laughed and extended a hand.

"Well, Hogwarts isn't so strict. We'll have a good time. By the way, I'm Ron." He said in a friendly way. Snape shook his hand politely. It was amazing. It seemed as though the Gryffindors didn't care what you looked like or how you acted. He could have walked in with his Death Eater mark proudly showing and a horde of dementors behind him, but if Harry Potter said he was a friend, then by all means, come inside and sit a spell by the fire. Honestly. A rather pretty young woman with soft brown hair and chocolate eyes smiled energetically at him. Most of them were out of school dress code, but she still sported her school robes. He saw a Head Girl badge glimmering in the folds of the material.

"I'm Hermione, it's a pleasure to meet you. Harry, Ron, and I will have to show you around Hogwarts." She said sweetly.

"Oh, who cares about all that! What we need is a chaser! First game of the year is coming up. You play quidditch right?" Seamus asked as he clapped Severus on the back. Seamus had played beater along with Dean ever since the positions had opened up. Ron was a chaser, Harry the seeker, and Dennis was their keeper. The young Creevy had proved to be quite nimble on a broomstick, much to the surprise of all.

"I've played a bit…but at Durmstrang there were no positions on the team open." He informed. Harry smiled.

"Well, we'll just have to get you up on a broom and see what you can do, won't we?" He said with a charming smile. Severus soon found himself surrounded by Gryffindors of all ages, all of them making an effort to welcome him into their ranks and asking him about Durmstrang. He hardly noticed when the one named Ron pulled Harry aside.

"Where have you been Harry? Everyone was worried sick! Dumbledore told us you were fine, but you've been acting so out of character lately…" He said.

"Don't worry so much Ron. I was fine. But hey, listen. I want everyone to make a special effort to be nice to S…Luke. He just lost his dad, and the move was apparently really hard for him. You know, left behind a lot of friends." Just as Harry had expected, when Ron heard that 'Luke' had recently lost his father, his eyes filled with determination.

"I know how he must feel. Don't worry Harry, we'll make him comfortable here. Is he in our room?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, I think his stuff should be up there by now." Harry replied as the 'dream team', as the two of them were so often called, walked back over to re-join Severus and his new crowd of friends. He looked relieved when Harry suggested that he get some rest. He quickly followed behind him up the winding stairs leading to the boy's dormitory. Ron didn't follow.

"So that's what it feels like to be a Gryffindor." Severus said with a touch of envy in his voice, veiled with biting disgust.

"Severus, you're only a loner because you choose to be. People would like you if you'd just give them a chance. Friends aren't that bad." He said with a lop-sided grin, opening the door for Severus.

The room was relatively large, and contained three enormous beds. Harry offered an explanation.

"A few years back it got uncomfortable with five boys in one room, so we split into two smaller rooms. Seamus, Neville, and Dean are in one room, and Ron, you, and myself are in this one. Of course, that's very rarely the sleeping arrangements." He added with a light blush coming to his cheeks.

"What exactly do you mean by that?" Severus asked with an arched eyebrow. Harry laughed awkwardly.

"Well, Dean and Seamus are a couple and they're kind of…noisy. So, since Ron sleeps in Hermione's bedroom, she's got a room to herself because she's Head Girl, Neville and Lavender usually crash in here. Until just recently I slept in the dungeons so they had the room to themselves…" Harry trailed off and shook his head. "You get the idea. It's kind of confusing, but don't worry, if you land in the wrong room the occupants probably will be too absorbed to notice." Harry said with another laugh. Snape looked like the idea was disgusting.

"I would be more comfortable in the dungeons." He said simply, looking at the decoration. Harry had flopped on the bed and didn't look at him. He yawned loudly.

"And you'll be safer in here. In the past you were one of the most powerful wizards around, but now you wouldn't stand a chance against most of the Death Eaters. A lot has changed."

"You're back. I was beginning to worry." A small serpent hissed from somewhere on the bed. Harry looked over in surprise before he smiled.

"Hey Dante. Yeah, I got him." He said as he slid the chain over his neck. Severus looked appalled to see his necklace on Potter.

"But that's…that's mine." He said dangerously. He didn't value material possessions, but the enchanted, little snake was all he had to remember his past. That and a few scraggly photos that he no longer had. Harry sat up and cocked his head at him. He pointed to Severus's chest.

"No. That one is yours. This," He picked up the chain loosely, "Is mine. It's comforting to have you around, but you really aren't my Severus. This is one of the few things I have left to remember him by." He said wearily.

"Let me see him." Dante hissed from around Harry's neck. Harry obliged; holding the medallion up and letting the glimmering little snake get a good look at his younger owner.

"It's been a long time since you looked that good, Severus. You had changed so much…" Dante assessed quietly. Severus got angry.

"I wish you'd quit talking about this 'future me'. He is like a stranger, and I honestly don't care about all the foolish decisions he made." He looked at Potter, shook his head in denial, and sat heavily on the bed farthest from Harry. Harry lied down again, not to affected by Severus's cruel action. He had grown a tough skin. Instead of arguing, he asked Severus a question.

"Would you like to know him?" Severus remained silent, so Harry began talking.

"He served Voldemort as a spy against Dumbledore until a short while after he graduated. He'd been doing a bit of research for Voldemort."

"The heart stones." Severus interrupted. "I was just beginning it when I left….what did I find?" He asked. Harry smiled sadly.

"That is a mystery. Dante says you found out the basics, and then you started taking him off when you did your research. You wouldn't tell him about it, and you didn't write about it in your journal. Well…at least it's nothing I can read. Something you discovered while researching them changed you. You went to Dumbledore and told him about the heart stones…but it was already too late. Voldemort had gathered enough stones to use their power to make him practically immortal."

"Practically?" Severus asked as he sat up, looking at Harry questioningly. Harry nodded.

"This is just my theory. I think you need more than one stone to perform different…more difficult wishes. Voldemort wanted immortality, something that could and would effect the future in innumerable ways. It would most likely be the end of the world. That kind of thing takes a lot of power. He needed more than just the one stone inside himself. So, I think he started looking for others. He must have found enough of them to make the wish partially come true, but he couldn't get the last few he needed." Harry informed, now pacing the room deep in thought. "Because one stone was in Dumbledore, who he was not powerful enough to defeat, and the second was in me."

"So you do have one." Severus said slowly. "But you couldn't have been very old if it happened all those years ago…" Severus concluded.

"I wasn't. My father, James Potter, and my mother, Lily Evans, had just recently started their family. You informed Voldemort I had a stone in me, and he came to visit. He murdered my parents, but found that he could not destroy me."

Severus was on pins and needles. "Why? Why couldn't he destroy you?!" He asked harshly, standing up to stare Harry in the eyes. Harry seemed to be looking deep inside him, making love to him with his eyes. It made Severus scared. He quickly broke eye contact and sat down again. Harry was slow in replying.

"Because, and this is just my theory, I think that when my mother cast a love charm over me to protect me, she triggered my heart magic with a bit of her own. I think…that everyone has a little of it inside them. And I think that when it's needed most, it will show itself. When the wizard that discovered them so long ago made the wish that all great wizards would have them, I think he knew that all wizards would have some of it, because everyone has the potential to be great. I think that night my mother used hers in combination with mine, and it was stronger than Voldemort. It drained him and left him powerless. He used the stones that he did have to wish for life. He didn't get much, but he got enough to bring him back. He laid low and waited it out. Slowly he regrouped, and began attacking again. His goal though, had always been to get the stones from both Dumbledore and myself so he could use the combined power of all three stones to give himself immortality." Harry finished as he watched Severus. He could see the wheels in his mind racing.

Severus now had a theory of his own. He knew why he had gone to Dumbledore. If, while researching the stones, he had found that James, Lily, or their son might be killed, he would have gone to any means to ensure their safety. The truth was, he owed James Potter his life. He always repaid his debts. Further more, Potter had suggested that every wizard had some of the heart magic inside them. What if he'd discovered a way to drain it from people? What if the process had been so horrific that even he could not let Voldemort perform it on another person? He would need to resume his research immediately. He would not be able to rest until he understood what exactly had made him fight against Voldemort.

"You've told me a great deal. What will prevent me from not killing you while you sleep to avenge my master?" He asked, trying to gain back his malicious sneer. Harry merely smiled back and got up in his face.

"To kill me while I sleep, you'd have to get on my bed. And I promise you Severus, when I get you on my bed the last thing on your mind will be the killing curses." He said with a small, playful smirk. Severus felt himself blushing bright red. One moment, Harry would seem innocent and carefree, clueless to the ways of the real world…but the next he looked quite dangerous…and extremely sexy. Severus shook his head quickly. He had already promised what was left of his heart to another. There was nothing left to give to Harry Potter. Harry was suddenly laughing. "I did it again. I'm sorry. I'll stop." He said with a helpless shrug, as though he sometimes lost control of himself when he was around him. The entire time he'd felt helpless and defenseless in this strange future, but as he watched Harry absently pull back the sheets on his bed, he realized that he had one of the most powerful wizards of the day wrapped around his finger. It would be dangerous, because like Draco had said, Harry was intelligent…too intelligent for a mindless protector. But, for now, he'd have to do. If Potter wanted to follow him around with the intent of protecting him, why not let him? While the fools worked to keep him safe, he might just work to revive Voldemort. With a plan in his mind, he allowed himself to drift to sleep.

Harry waited until he heard Severus's deep, rhythmic breathing, indicating he was sound asleep. He quietly got out of bed and looked down on his lover, the line of his lips narrow and slightly parted with his hair disheveled and soft in the moonlight. Harry gently sat on the edge of the mattress; taking care not to wake the slumbering boy just inches away. He stirred lightly, his eyes forcibly shutting, his lips forming a distraught frown. His elegant hands began to grip at the bed sheets and a light sheen of perspiration covered his forehead. When he let out a small cry, Harry could resist no longer. With gentle, loving touches he smoothed the locks of hair surrounding his lover's face, easing the lines of fear away with soft caresses. With his other hand, he lightly stroked Severus's exposed arm until his whimpering ceased. Harry carefully leaned over and brushed his lips over Severus's forehead, tucking him in a bit tighter before returning to his own bed.

~ Hogwarts Dropout

A/N: Awwww. Okay, so Sev is back in action. Don't worry, he should get to his sarcastic snarky self soon enough (but probably not a second too soon for all you fans of the original, lol) Aside from that, I'm still waiting to hear what you all think about Severus' secret mission in the fifth book, and just so you know, I'm building a shrine to Snape, and I'm asking for any fanart of him to decorate. That means you too Maddy! I want to put your fic up once it's all working right : )