Title: The Paradox of Existence

Author: DragonLight

Summary: The future repeats itself in the past, i.e. which came first the chicken or the egg.

Pairing: HP/SS

Rating: Now PG-13 to R later on

Author Note: I've never written a story like this before let alone read one. So if this story resembles anyone's no infringement was intended.

Disclaimer: All characters that are the least bit familiar belong to JKR-same with places and items. Don't recognize it then it's mine.

Thank You to all those that reviewed: Katy999, Schulyr, Blackletter, E., aniwda, izean, Copper Fire, Faerie Angst and DragonNight[my betaish sister that leaves really annoying reviews ;)]: YOu've all wanted more so here it is.
koashura: The scar starts on his right cheek and goes to his left shoulder. I thought I had written that. Sorry.


Chapter Three: The Dragon Incident

*Back in the Past *

Harry was really going to have words with his godfather when he got back to his own time. Sirius didn't try at all. The essay he had just read was copied verbatim from the "Excessive Arguments on Ways to Classify Various Species of Dragons, Their Fire and Their Blood" by Hugh Newtit. Harry had become very familiar with the tome when he worked with Charlie Weasley in Romania studying dragon fire after he graduated. The book was old but covered all the different systems one might come across when dealing with a colony of dragon experts. Harry regretfully marked an F on the paper and wrote a note under it. "If you need to ask why, look in the library under Hugh Newtit and his book on dragon classification. See me after class."

"Bet you love having your old job back. I know how much you missed teaching Defense." Harry looked up at the sound of the rough voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Sirius, speak of the devil!" Harry set his mouth into a thin line and started to drum his fingers against the top of his desk.

"I'm starting to think that you spend too much time with Snape."

"I'm wondering how you ever passed your Auror qualification exam."

Sirius sauntered into the room and locked and silenced the door behind him. Perching himself on one of the desks he looked at Harry. "Why would you be wondering that?"

Harry made a show of clearing his throat. "Dragon classification is one of the most fascinating topics that can be touched upon by an intelligent mind. There are many unknown facets that have yet to be discovered about dragon physiology and anatomy, however, such means are not the only way to classify these magical miracles… Should I continue?"

Sirius had the graciousness to turn pink. "I remember getting that paper back. I--- " Sirius stopped when he saw the glare. "I forgot you can't know what's going to happen in the past anymore than you could tell about the future. It could sway your reactions. So are you having trouble separating our older selves from our younger selves?"

"Not particularly. You've all changed so much. You, Remus, Severus, even Malfoy Sr. all of you seem so much more carefree. Especially the marauders it's as if none of you have a care in the world. Well except Lily and James. Their major care is making sure that they don't get caught snogging by their deranged Defense professor."

"You heard that?" Sirius blanched. He had thought that conversation wasn't heard by anyone. It had been the quartet's weekly teacher bashing conversation.

"Yes… I also heard that I'm a spy for Voldemort, I'm a spawn of the devil, I'm a day walking vampire, that I'm 'positively evil', and that I'm a pissed off werewolf. I'll excuse the last since you were arguing with Remus that week. You really didn't like me in school, did you? It's seems as far as you and your friends went I was this years Professor Snape."

Sirius had gone white. He had been the one to come up with all the things that Professor Tyler could possibly be. Sirius decided that pouting would be the best course of action. "It's your own fault. You sat me next to that greasy slytherin git."

"Oh yes I forgot, you never did get over that tryst in fifth year. You're still both pissed off about that, though I have to admit that the Whomping Willow incident did cinch the matter. Now you absolutely despise each other."

"How did you find out about fifth year? I know that neither I nor Remus told you about it."

"Sev."

Sirius scrunched his face into a disgusted grimace. "Enough about greasy slytherins and stupid students. Albus wanted me to check on how the translation was going."

"Fine, although I had never seen written parseltongue before. It's a disturbing site. No real progress though I have only had access to the scroll a handful of times since I got here. The order is still feeling me out. They highly doubt my loyalties, though Albus did assure me that they would eventually get over it and give me full access. I would say I have the first two lines translated."

"Just two lines?"

"I have to teach myself a whole new written language Siri. Just because I can speak it doesn't mean I can automatically read it. It's taking a little while. It's not too hard, I think that I am getting the hang of it."

"Oh alright then. I'll relay the message. Oh. Hermione sent this." Out of a pocket Sirius pulled a small bundle that he re-enlarged to it's original size. "She called it a care package. Said something about giving you a little piece of home." Harry opened the lid of the box to discover some of his favorite pastries and biscuits.

"Tell her I love it. Just what I need after reading these horrid essays."

Sirius flinched but nodded and pulled a set of five vials out of another pocket. "Snape didn't know how you'd be sleeping, something about nightmares, granted I didn't listen very closely since it involved thinking about you and Snape in bed together and I avoid all such thoughts. Anyway he said to give you these and that you would know appropriate doses. Remus thinks he misses you. Says he's been an absolute grump the last couple of days. Personally I don't see a difference. Remus says it's because I don't want to and that I'm as dense as ever."

Harry smiled at hearing about his friends and family. "Did Ron come back from Austria yet?"

"Nope the Minisry still has him investigating. Hermione said to tell you that he's all right though. The teachers send their regards. Granted most don't know where you are but they all miss you." Taking on a teasing tone of voice Sirius dropped a bag of money on the desk. "Here's your allowance, young man. I think that's it. I'm supposed to be getting back."

Harry went around the desk so he could give his godfather a hug. "Are you sure you can't stay for dinner?"

"Sorry, this is the testing visit. Albus said to keep it short. "Don't worry you'll see me again in two months. I believe Severus has demanded the next visit. Well we'll see. Take care Harry.

"I will." Harry watched as Sirius withdrew the time turner from his robes and with his wand tapped it while reciting the reversal spell, the only way to go back to the time you left with out having to live through all the time separating the two.

Harry stared at the space that his godfather had occupied for a couple of minutes before grabbing a biscuit out of the box and moving to sit back in his seat to return to grading papers. He sighed when he reached his father's essay on Dragon classification. "Dragon classification is one of the most fascinating topics that can be touched upon by an intelligent mind. There are many unknown facets that have yet to be discovered about dragon physiology and anatomy, however, such means are not the only way to classify these magical miracles…" And Harry always thought that the marauders had been creative.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

"Quite a few of you disappointed me with your lack of essay writing skills." Harry watched as the young Sirius Black's eyes flicked over to James Potter. "Nott." The boy in the last row jumped when his name was called. Harry walked over to him and set a parchment face down of his desk. "Black." "Evans." "Snape." Harry continued until all of the parchments were returned.

"Alright. I told you that there wasn't any useless essay writing in this class. Next class we will meet outside with the 7th year Care of Magical Creatures class by the groundskeeper's hut. There have been arrangements made to have two dragons with handlers brought onto school property. I expect you to be able to classify the specimens with back up explanations as to how the were classified. The class following that I'll explain how dragon fire fits into our study of the Dark Arts. For all of you who did not do as well as expected I suggest you revise. No notes, after all parchment does tend to be highly flammable. Class dismissed." Harry watched as the students started to pack up their bags. He continued to watch as Black attempted to stealthily shove his essay into his bag. Unfortunately for him he attracted too much attention to himself. Snape noticed and made a grab for the parchment. Sensing an impending battle Harry was standing over the two.

"Something wrong?" He casually asked. Harry turned his gaze to first to Black who just shook his head before going back to shoving his bag full of his supplies, then to Snape who looked startled but quietly replied "No sir."

The young Severus Snape blushed slightly under the gaze of his teacher as he tried to hurry out of the room. As soon as the door closed behind him Harry turned to see Sirius Black and James Potter shifting nervously waiting for the blow from their professor.

Harry sighed and leaned against his desk. He looked hard at both boys. "I'm not so much angry as I am disappointed." The two boys flinched at his choice of words. Harry knew from experience that it always felt worse when teachers were disappointed in a student then if they were just angry. James looked down at the toe of his shoe and tried not to look at the professor. Sirius had gone the opposite direction and looking at the corner of the room above his head. Harry decided now was the time for the cincher. "I expected better from the two of you."

James bit his bottom lip in what seemed to Harry to be an oddly reminiscent gesture. "Can we have another chance, Professor Tyler?"

"The grade will stand." At this pronouncement the two boys seemed to deflate. Harry shook his head. "However if you redo the essay by Friday afternoon so that I can have it graded in time for the practical lesson then I will see what I can be done." The two boys immediately perked up. "Remember this though. This will be your final warning. If I ever catch you doing something like this again you will find yourselves expelled so fast that you won't even have time to say "Gryffindor.'"

The two boys responded a chorused "Yes, sir."

"I will not inform your Head of House this time around. As long as I have your solemn promise to not repeat this with any of the teachers at this school."

"I promise professor." James looked "professor Tyler" right in the eye.

"Good. And you Mr. Black?"

Sirius jerked his head in a quick nod. "It was a stupid and foolish thing to do. I won't do it again I promise."

"Very well then. Off you go. I'm sure that Madame Pince will point you in the right direction." The two boys hoisted their bags and started toward the door. "One last thing, stay away from anything written by Hugh Newtit."

Sirius busted out in a grin, "yes professor."

Harry sat down in his chair as the door closed. Putting his head in his hand he sighed. He could feel the beginning of a headache.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Harry watched as Madame Pomfrey took care of the three students that had been burned during the practical lesson with the dragons that afternoon. He still wasn't quite sure how it happened though he did know that the burns weren't too bad. He had seen much much worse during his time in Romania. Finally he heard Poppy issue the command to rest while the ointment she had applied took care of the burns. Poppy came over to him and removed the stasis spell she had placed him under.

One minute later Harry flinched as Mme Pomfrey poked and prodded the where the dragon pup had ripped through the flesh on his chest. He smiled slightly as she tutted at him irritably.

"What possessed you into thinking that wrestling a dragon would be a good idea, Professor Tyler?"

"Would you believe that I used to do it for fun?"

"Hmph. Take off your shirt."

Harry leaned forward, "why Poppy, I didn't realize-"

Poppy cut him off quickly. "Nonsense. I need to get a good look at that … tear for lack of a better word." Though the pink tinge to her cheeks betrayed the fact that she enjoyed the attention.

Harry grimaced as he lifted his arms to pull off his shirt. Finally managing the task so Poppy could heal the damage he was startled by a gasp from behind him, which drew Poppy's attention.

"Is something the matter, Mr. Snape? I already took care of those burns, is there another injury that I should be aware of?"

"No Ma'am."

Harry turned at the sound of the meek voice coming from his student. Snape's eyes were wide and his cheeks were red. His attention was drawn away from the young man however as Poppy grabbed his shoulders and forced him to turn further around.

"Gentle Poppy. I didn't hurt my back. What's so interesting?" Harry felt her fingers trace the tattoo on his back.. He decided to answer her unasked question. "About four or five years ago I went out with a friend of mine. The two of us got so plastered that we ended up wandering into a wizarding tattoo parlor and somehow I was convinced to have that put on my back. I've grown rather fond of it." During the story he had turned back around to face the medi-witch. He could tell that she had questions about what it stood for but she just nodded and started to work on the wound. Even though Harry had never planned on getting a tattoo he was glad that he did. On his back was a large red and gold shield with a silver serpent wrapped around it with glowing emerald eyes. The Gryffindor and the Slytherin.

After Poppy finished cleaning and healing the cut as best she could given the fact that dragon pup claws tended to be coated in a poisonous substance that allowed them to survive to adulthood, Harry went over to where the three students were in bed recovering from their minor burns.

"So, what happened? Professor Augustin and I seem to have been otherwise engaged when the three of you got burned."

It was Potter that answered. He was sitting in a chair in between two beds. In one was his girlfriend Lily Evans and in the other was his best friend Sirius Black. "Well you know that the dragon pup had escaped its handlers and started charging toward the students. You jumped in front and Professor Augustin and the handlers tried to stun it. Anyway Snape must have been really scared because he started to back up really quick, even though you were still pretty far off with the dragon. He backed right into Sirius who stumbled against one of the posts that had been set up in order to test the strength of fire. The post fell and roll over one of the adult dragon's claw."

Lily took up the story. "The dragon must have been only annoyed since no fire was actually… I guess breathed would be the right word."

"Just full of hot air I guess, huh?" Harry smirked at the students and they all laughed.

"Professor, where did you learn to wrestle dragons like that?" The timid voice of Severus joined in the conversation. James and Lily looked expectantly at the professor. Sirius attempted to glare at the Slytherin for opening his mouth but he was interested too so he failed utterly.

Harry decided to go for the truth. It wouldn't hurt anything. "I used to work with a dragon colony. Only for a short time though. I helped out a few of the handlers, when the smaller dragons would get out of hand. A quick way of getting them back under control was to make a slight cut between their toes on one of their hind legs. It stops them in their tracks and doesn't really hurt them. It just shocks them. But to do that you have to get near to their hind legs, therefore you wrestle them. Took a little while to get the hang of."

The four students looked at him with expressions of awe on their faces. Sirius Black stated what was on all their minds. "That must have taken nerves of steel. Weren't you scared?"

"Not at all. I've had worse things happen to me." Harry smiled at his students before standing up. "I better be going. Madame Pomfrey will have my head if I don't let you rest. Mr. Potter I believe your next class starts in 15 minutes. I expect to hear that you attended."

"Yes professor Tyler." Harry nodded and exited the hospital wing.

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To be continued.

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