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. Starting with this chapter there will be glimpses into the relationship between Harry and Severus in Harry's time.
One final note: Someone asked about me not raising the rating. And I'll say this. I can probably keep it at PG-13. I do, however, have the whole thing planned out and part of it is R. So I say that majority rules. If you all want me to keep the rating down I will try my hardest. The original version (R or NC-17) will be posted at the yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SnapexHarryML/ - for those of you who want to read it.
So far their is no difference.
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: Kalina Quantum, Lee Lee Potter, Nagini, Kateri, Mali, Faerie Angst, Katy 999, atalante, yiota, Lorid, sithminion.
Mikee: Of course, you have to remember that Future!Severus remembers everything that happened between him and "Professor Tyler"
Ami: The meaning behind the tattoo, you'll find out later. As far as finding out if Young Severus has a crush--you'll just have to read and find out.
Kaat ShadowLover: The 'tryst' was in fifth year, something that you will find out more avout later. Their in sixth year (it was in the first chapter). I absolutely love MOM so it is probable that Midnight Blue has in some way influenced me =)
Chapter Four: Consequences of Saving a Life
*The Past *
"Did you see that Siri? It was bloody awesome!" James sat down on the couch in the common room next to his best friend.
"Yeah." Sirius was looking into the fire.
"What's wrong, Sirius?" Remus sat in the armchair by the couch. Peter plopped himself down on the rug in front of the fireplace.
"Well I was contemplating the fire until Peter sat his fat arse in front of it." Sirius mock glared at the boy on the rug, but his eyes were filled with laughter.
"Ver… very fu… funny, Sirius." Peter didn't smile back like he usually did. In fact James thought that Peter had been smiling less and less recently. In fact he had started to close in on himself and didn't take part in as many pranks as he used to. Always either had an excuse or would start moaning about how likely they were to get caught. James tugged on Remus' sleeve.
"Did you see Professor Tyler today? That was bloody-"
"James! Watch your language!"
"Yes Lily, darling."
Remus rolled his eyes at the verbal byplay. "Yea, I saw. It was brilliant. I wonder where he learned that."
"He told us while we were in the hospital wing. He said he learned it while working with dragons."
"James, Remy, Peter --"
"Ah the quiet one speaks at last." James punched Sirius in the shoulder.
"Shut up, Jamie. Seriously-"
"Do you realize how funny it is to hear you say 'seriously' Sirius?"
"Shut up Remy. Do you realize that professor Tyler saved us today? He jumped in front of a bloody dragon-"
"Language Sirius!"
"Be quiet Lily. I'm not your boyfriend you can't order me around. As I was saying, he jumped in front of a dragon so that it wouldn't attack the students. Someone could've gotten really hurt today. Professor Tyler-"
"Oh stop being so dull and boring Sirius."
"James."
"I mean it. Any of the teachers would have saved us. He just happened to look really cool while doing it."
"Well I think that it was bloody amazing that he would put himself in danger like that for someone else. I think that I'm going to stop singling him out for my personal pranks."
"About time. It's not like any of them had worked anyway. He always figured them out." Remus stated before picking up his book and starting to read.
"James?" Lily walked up to the quartet with a piece of parchment clutched in her hand. "This fell out of your Defense book. Do you care to explain."
"Shite!" James watched as Lily waved his Defense essay under his nose.
"Language! Well?"
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
"Are you alright, Severus? I noticed that you were one of the ones that got burned today." Lucius walked into the sixth year boys' dorm and sat at the foot of Severus' bed.
Severus didn't even bother looking up from the book he was reading. "I'm perfectly alright. The burns were not that serious. Madame Pomfrey took care of them quickly and effectively."
"Alright then. Did you see Professor Tyler today? He was ruthless when he went after that dragon. He looks lethal with that dagger."
"I'm glad that you have come to appreciate that dagger, Lucius. I for one never want to see it so close to me again. Especially since I was sitting across from you at the welcoming feast. I had to watch the bloody thing fly toward me." Severus turned the page of the book that he was reading.
Lucius looked at the young man sitting on the bed. He never liked being ignored and Severus had been attempting to do that since the welcoming feast. "What are you reading?"
The page turned again. Severus still didn't look up from the book. "I'm not reading, I'm revising."
Lucius let out a harsh sigh. "Well then, what are you revising?"
"Defense."
"Again? Honestly Severus that's all that you have been studying lately. Why would you want to learn defense against the Dark Arts anyway. It is so much more fun to actually practice the Dark Arts. Have you learned any interesting curses or hexes lately?"
"Do be quiet, Lucius." The page turned again.
Lucius became determined to make the dark haired young man talk to him. "What about Dark potions. Has your grandfather sent you any new recipes to try? Hey now that I think about I haven't seen you study potions all that often this year. True you are still top of the class in potions for your year, but you aren't trying nearly as hard as you used to. What's wrong.? The only thing that I ever see you revising for is Defense…." Lucius trailed off.
Severus sighed and laid the book down next to him on the bed. He had a feeling he knew where this was going and he didn't like it at all. "Your point being, Lucius?"
"You're falling for the defense teacher aren't you?"
"I don't have the faintest idea what you are talking about." The blush that arose on his cheeks however betrayed him.
"You like him don't you? Why?" The silver eyed boy stared at the black eyed one.
Severus gave up. There was no way that he was going to be able to deter Lucius now. "There's just something about him. He doesn't take sides like all the other teachers. He's fair to all the houses. He doesn't prejudge us just because we're Slytherins."
"That's it? Come on Sevy, there has to be more."
"Do not call me Sevy. I may have known you since before you started at Hogwarts but that doesn't allow you to call me Sevy. If you must know it's his eyes. They're intense and beautiful. There's a light in them that attracts me. There are also so many shadows. When combined with their emerald green color it almost reminds me of a jungle. One I wouldn't mind getting lost in. Sometimes when he's teaching class, we'll be discussing something and his eyes will spark and for a minute and I feel like I can see through the cold façade he puts up. I feel like I can see his pain coming through his eyes." Severus got a far off look in his eyes as he started to talk about professor Tyler.
"Boy do you have it bad. You've even gone so far as to start waxing philosophical. So what are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing. He's a professor."
"Well have you checked the school rules? Is there anything there against teacher-student relationships? I don't think there are, but you could always go check." Severus had begun to lift the book back up to continue reading when Lucius made his suggestion. He stopped midway through the motion his eyes out of focus and his brain working overtime. Severus never noticed the other boy leave.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Harry looked up from his contemplation of the scroll and into the soft slightly twinkling eyes of the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He was also the leader of an elite group called the Order of the Phoenix. Albus turned away from him and looked toward the young auror who also worked for the Order. She had been assigned to watch him as he read and translated the scroll.
"Alright Arabella, you can go. I would like to speak to Octavian alone for a moment. I don't think that your services will be needed. After all I believe that Octavian has other things he must do. He's been stuck in this room since after dinner and it's already after midnight."
"Of course Headmaster. Have a nice night, Octavian."
"Likewise Miss Figg." Harry nodded to the young woman in her twenties. He had never actually gotten to know Arabella Figg in his own time. She had been one of the earlier losses in the war against Voldemort. He hadn't even been in England when she fell. She left and the Headmaster took her seat.
"So Octavian how goes the translation?" Albus looked at him hard. Harry knew that look quite well. It was the 'You'll be very sorry if you lie to me' look.
Harry sighed and put down the quill that he had been writing his translation of the scroll with. He cast a quick drying spell on the parchment and passed it over to Albus.
Albus adjusted his half-moon glasses that rested on the bridge of nose and began to read. He sighed as he looked over the top. A list of titles and names were the first things. Some had no translation that Harry could find. They were purely concepts that were unique to snake thinking. Those he left. "Very pompous Voldemort is, don't you think, Octavian?"
Harry made a sound low in his throat to describe exactly what he thought of Voldemort's opinion of himself.
"I suppose the phrases that you left you can't translate?"
"Well I could, if you let me write a dissertation on social structure in snake colonies."
"Ah. I see." Albus went back to his reading. "Attack plans?"
"As far as I could gather."
"Did you come across when this might occur?" Albus' eyes were filled with worry as he read through the orders on the scroll.
"I was looking for it when you came in. Translating it quickly in my head, but no. I don't know when he plans to attack that family. It seems that he just moved on to the next plan. My guess is that he kept that information to himself in case something like this happened. We have the scroll, and someone to translate it." Albus raised a single eyebrow at the use of the word we. Harry just shrugged his shoulders. "I may not be fighting alongside you and the Order but the fact is I am translating a scroll that will hopeful lead to his downfall." Harry bit his tongue at the small lie. He knew perfectly well that the scroll would not lead to Voldemort's downfall; it would only weaken him for a while.
"Alright then. I will inform the Weasley's about the possibility of an attack upon their family and arrange for a safe house. Hopefully everything gets arranged in time."
"I hope so too. The Light needs everyone it can get."
"I agree, Octavian. I agree. Go and get some sleep. You can come work on the scroll later. But you need to rest. I arranged for the house elves to leave you some tea to relax you in your quarters. Good night, my boy." Albus stood and waited for Octavian to stand also before ushering him out of the small, windowless room somewhere in the bowels of the castle. Taking the original scroll as well as the translation he stood and looked back into the room. At least the translation was getting somewhere. Albus sighed and headed out of the room. He had a long night ahead of him. He'd have to contact Harold Potter and see if there was anything that they could arrange for the Weasley's.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
*The Future: Harry's Seventh Year *
Harry stretched languidly under the duvet before finally settling into a position against Severus' side with his head on the older man's shoulder.
"You act like a cat, do you realize that?"
Harry rubbed his cheek against the chest it was resting on. "I've never heard you complain." Harry turned his head slightly and started to press kisses along Severus' collarbone.
"You're also insatiable." The satin of Severus' voice ran sent a shiver down Harry's spine.
"I've never you heard you complain about that either." Harry shifted so that he could continue to kiss his lover. He kissed his way up Severus' neck until he reached the other man's ear and then he traced the outer edge with his tongue before lightly blowing on it. He could feel Severus' muscles tense beneath where his hand where it lay on his chest.
Severus wrapped his arms around Harry and pulled him back down next to him and pushed his head down onto his chest. Harry made a small grunt of protest but Severus shushed him. "You need to go to sleep you have to sit exams tomorrow in case you forgot. I shouldn't have even let you come down here tonight. You should be revising."
"Oh come on Sev. It's my defense N.E.W.T., I could pass it in my sleep." Harry did however settle down against Severus' chest.
"Nevertheless you should get rest." Severus sighed and closed his eyes.
A minute of silence stretched between the two men the only sound was their steady breathing. Severus was just about drop off when Harry spoke into the darkness. "Sev, why have you been constantly there pulling me out of danger and saving my life?"
Severus' eyes opened and he looked up at the ceiling. "You're a student it's my job to protect you."
The answer actually startled Harry; it wasn't what he had been expecting. "Not because you love me?"
"That came later. I'm still not sure you love me though."
"How can you say that?" Indignant green eyes looked up at him from his chest. Severus could feel the muscles in Harry's back tensing. "I thought-" Severus put a finger to Harry's lips.
"I mean it's just so unbelievable that someone as incredible as you-" a finger was pressed to his lips in return.
"I guess I'll just have to show you how incredible you are." The finger was removed from his lips and a set of lips settled over his own. An agile tongue coaxed Severus' lips opened and then delved to explore his mouth.
Ending the kiss Severus pulled away and took a deep breath. "And how were you planning to do that?" A weight settled on his chest and he felt lips press against his neck. Suddenly the mouth bit down causing him to gasp. A tongue then descended onto where Harry had bit him, lightly licking the mark. A thumb started to rub against his nipple and he moaned in response.
Severus felt a breath against his ear. "I'm sure that I'll think of something."
"I'm sure that you will."
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
A little slashyness for those of you that crave it. Throughout the story there will be glimpses into the future to show how Harry and Severus' relationship has developed over the years.
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. Starting with this chapter there will be glimpses into the relationship between Harry and Severus in Harry's time.
One final note: Someone asked about me not raising the rating. And I'll say this. I can probably keep it at PG-13. I do, however, have the whole thing planned out and part of it is R. So I say that majority rules. If you all want me to keep the rating down I will try my hardest. The original version (R or NC-17) will be posted at the yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SnapexHarryML/ - for those of you who want to read it.
So far their is no difference.
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: Kalina Quantum, Lee Lee Potter, Nagini, Kateri, Mali, Faerie Angst, Katy 999, atalante, yiota, Lorid, sithminion.
Mikee: Of course, you have to remember that Future!Severus remembers everything that happened between him and "Professor Tyler"
Ami: The meaning behind the tattoo, you'll find out later. As far as finding out if Young Severus has a crush--you'll just have to read and find out.
Kaat ShadowLover: The 'tryst' was in fifth year, something that you will find out more avout later. Their in sixth year (it was in the first chapter). I absolutely love MOM so it is probable that Midnight Blue has in some way influenced me =)
Chapter Four: Consequences of Saving a Life
*The Past *
"Did you see that Siri? It was bloody awesome!" James sat down on the couch in the common room next to his best friend.
"Yeah." Sirius was looking into the fire.
"What's wrong, Sirius?" Remus sat in the armchair by the couch. Peter plopped himself down on the rug in front of the fireplace.
"Well I was contemplating the fire until Peter sat his fat arse in front of it." Sirius mock glared at the boy on the rug, but his eyes were filled with laughter.
"Ver… very fu… funny, Sirius." Peter didn't smile back like he usually did. In fact James thought that Peter had been smiling less and less recently. In fact he had started to close in on himself and didn't take part in as many pranks as he used to. Always either had an excuse or would start moaning about how likely they were to get caught. James tugged on Remus' sleeve.
"Did you see Professor Tyler today? That was bloody-"
"James! Watch your language!"
"Yes Lily, darling."
Remus rolled his eyes at the verbal byplay. "Yea, I saw. It was brilliant. I wonder where he learned that."
"He told us while we were in the hospital wing. He said he learned it while working with dragons."
"James, Remy, Peter --"
"Ah the quiet one speaks at last." James punched Sirius in the shoulder.
"Shut up, Jamie. Seriously-"
"Do you realize how funny it is to hear you say 'seriously' Sirius?"
"Shut up Remy. Do you realize that professor Tyler saved us today? He jumped in front of a bloody dragon-"
"Language Sirius!"
"Be quiet Lily. I'm not your boyfriend you can't order me around. As I was saying, he jumped in front of a dragon so that it wouldn't attack the students. Someone could've gotten really hurt today. Professor Tyler-"
"Oh stop being so dull and boring Sirius."
"James."
"I mean it. Any of the teachers would have saved us. He just happened to look really cool while doing it."
"Well I think that it was bloody amazing that he would put himself in danger like that for someone else. I think that I'm going to stop singling him out for my personal pranks."
"About time. It's not like any of them had worked anyway. He always figured them out." Remus stated before picking up his book and starting to read.
"James?" Lily walked up to the quartet with a piece of parchment clutched in her hand. "This fell out of your Defense book. Do you care to explain."
"Shite!" James watched as Lily waved his Defense essay under his nose.
"Language! Well?"
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
"Are you alright, Severus? I noticed that you were one of the ones that got burned today." Lucius walked into the sixth year boys' dorm and sat at the foot of Severus' bed.
Severus didn't even bother looking up from the book he was reading. "I'm perfectly alright. The burns were not that serious. Madame Pomfrey took care of them quickly and effectively."
"Alright then. Did you see Professor Tyler today? He was ruthless when he went after that dragon. He looks lethal with that dagger."
"I'm glad that you have come to appreciate that dagger, Lucius. I for one never want to see it so close to me again. Especially since I was sitting across from you at the welcoming feast. I had to watch the bloody thing fly toward me." Severus turned the page of the book that he was reading.
Lucius looked at the young man sitting on the bed. He never liked being ignored and Severus had been attempting to do that since the welcoming feast. "What are you reading?"
The page turned again. Severus still didn't look up from the book. "I'm not reading, I'm revising."
Lucius let out a harsh sigh. "Well then, what are you revising?"
"Defense."
"Again? Honestly Severus that's all that you have been studying lately. Why would you want to learn defense against the Dark Arts anyway. It is so much more fun to actually practice the Dark Arts. Have you learned any interesting curses or hexes lately?"
"Do be quiet, Lucius." The page turned again.
Lucius became determined to make the dark haired young man talk to him. "What about Dark potions. Has your grandfather sent you any new recipes to try? Hey now that I think about I haven't seen you study potions all that often this year. True you are still top of the class in potions for your year, but you aren't trying nearly as hard as you used to. What's wrong.? The only thing that I ever see you revising for is Defense…." Lucius trailed off.
Severus sighed and laid the book down next to him on the bed. He had a feeling he knew where this was going and he didn't like it at all. "Your point being, Lucius?"
"You're falling for the defense teacher aren't you?"
"I don't have the faintest idea what you are talking about." The blush that arose on his cheeks however betrayed him.
"You like him don't you? Why?" The silver eyed boy stared at the black eyed one.
Severus gave up. There was no way that he was going to be able to deter Lucius now. "There's just something about him. He doesn't take sides like all the other teachers. He's fair to all the houses. He doesn't prejudge us just because we're Slytherins."
"That's it? Come on Sevy, there has to be more."
"Do not call me Sevy. I may have known you since before you started at Hogwarts but that doesn't allow you to call me Sevy. If you must know it's his eyes. They're intense and beautiful. There's a light in them that attracts me. There are also so many shadows. When combined with their emerald green color it almost reminds me of a jungle. One I wouldn't mind getting lost in. Sometimes when he's teaching class, we'll be discussing something and his eyes will spark and for a minute and I feel like I can see through the cold façade he puts up. I feel like I can see his pain coming through his eyes." Severus got a far off look in his eyes as he started to talk about professor Tyler.
"Boy do you have it bad. You've even gone so far as to start waxing philosophical. So what are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing. He's a professor."
"Well have you checked the school rules? Is there anything there against teacher-student relationships? I don't think there are, but you could always go check." Severus had begun to lift the book back up to continue reading when Lucius made his suggestion. He stopped midway through the motion his eyes out of focus and his brain working overtime. Severus never noticed the other boy leave.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Harry looked up from his contemplation of the scroll and into the soft slightly twinkling eyes of the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He was also the leader of an elite group called the Order of the Phoenix. Albus turned away from him and looked toward the young auror who also worked for the Order. She had been assigned to watch him as he read and translated the scroll.
"Alright Arabella, you can go. I would like to speak to Octavian alone for a moment. I don't think that your services will be needed. After all I believe that Octavian has other things he must do. He's been stuck in this room since after dinner and it's already after midnight."
"Of course Headmaster. Have a nice night, Octavian."
"Likewise Miss Figg." Harry nodded to the young woman in her twenties. He had never actually gotten to know Arabella Figg in his own time. She had been one of the earlier losses in the war against Voldemort. He hadn't even been in England when she fell. She left and the Headmaster took her seat.
"So Octavian how goes the translation?" Albus looked at him hard. Harry knew that look quite well. It was the 'You'll be very sorry if you lie to me' look.
Harry sighed and put down the quill that he had been writing his translation of the scroll with. He cast a quick drying spell on the parchment and passed it over to Albus.
Albus adjusted his half-moon glasses that rested on the bridge of nose and began to read. He sighed as he looked over the top. A list of titles and names were the first things. Some had no translation that Harry could find. They were purely concepts that were unique to snake thinking. Those he left. "Very pompous Voldemort is, don't you think, Octavian?"
Harry made a sound low in his throat to describe exactly what he thought of Voldemort's opinion of himself.
"I suppose the phrases that you left you can't translate?"
"Well I could, if you let me write a dissertation on social structure in snake colonies."
"Ah. I see." Albus went back to his reading. "Attack plans?"
"As far as I could gather."
"Did you come across when this might occur?" Albus' eyes were filled with worry as he read through the orders on the scroll.
"I was looking for it when you came in. Translating it quickly in my head, but no. I don't know when he plans to attack that family. It seems that he just moved on to the next plan. My guess is that he kept that information to himself in case something like this happened. We have the scroll, and someone to translate it." Albus raised a single eyebrow at the use of the word we. Harry just shrugged his shoulders. "I may not be fighting alongside you and the Order but the fact is I am translating a scroll that will hopeful lead to his downfall." Harry bit his tongue at the small lie. He knew perfectly well that the scroll would not lead to Voldemort's downfall; it would only weaken him for a while.
"Alright then. I will inform the Weasley's about the possibility of an attack upon their family and arrange for a safe house. Hopefully everything gets arranged in time."
"I hope so too. The Light needs everyone it can get."
"I agree, Octavian. I agree. Go and get some sleep. You can come work on the scroll later. But you need to rest. I arranged for the house elves to leave you some tea to relax you in your quarters. Good night, my boy." Albus stood and waited for Octavian to stand also before ushering him out of the small, windowless room somewhere in the bowels of the castle. Taking the original scroll as well as the translation he stood and looked back into the room. At least the translation was getting somewhere. Albus sighed and headed out of the room. He had a long night ahead of him. He'd have to contact Harold Potter and see if there was anything that they could arrange for the Weasley's.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
*The Future: Harry's Seventh Year *
Harry stretched languidly under the duvet before finally settling into a position against Severus' side with his head on the older man's shoulder.
"You act like a cat, do you realize that?"
Harry rubbed his cheek against the chest it was resting on. "I've never heard you complain." Harry turned his head slightly and started to press kisses along Severus' collarbone.
"You're also insatiable." The satin of Severus' voice ran sent a shiver down Harry's spine.
"I've never you heard you complain about that either." Harry shifted so that he could continue to kiss his lover. He kissed his way up Severus' neck until he reached the other man's ear and then he traced the outer edge with his tongue before lightly blowing on it. He could feel Severus' muscles tense beneath where his hand where it lay on his chest.
Severus wrapped his arms around Harry and pulled him back down next to him and pushed his head down onto his chest. Harry made a small grunt of protest but Severus shushed him. "You need to go to sleep you have to sit exams tomorrow in case you forgot. I shouldn't have even let you come down here tonight. You should be revising."
"Oh come on Sev. It's my defense N.E.W.T., I could pass it in my sleep." Harry did however settle down against Severus' chest.
"Nevertheless you should get rest." Severus sighed and closed his eyes.
A minute of silence stretched between the two men the only sound was their steady breathing. Severus was just about drop off when Harry spoke into the darkness. "Sev, why have you been constantly there pulling me out of danger and saving my life?"
Severus' eyes opened and he looked up at the ceiling. "You're a student it's my job to protect you."
The answer actually startled Harry; it wasn't what he had been expecting. "Not because you love me?"
"That came later. I'm still not sure you love me though."
"How can you say that?" Indignant green eyes looked up at him from his chest. Severus could feel the muscles in Harry's back tensing. "I thought-" Severus put a finger to Harry's lips.
"I mean it's just so unbelievable that someone as incredible as you-" a finger was pressed to his lips in return.
"I guess I'll just have to show you how incredible you are." The finger was removed from his lips and a set of lips settled over his own. An agile tongue coaxed Severus' lips opened and then delved to explore his mouth.
Ending the kiss Severus pulled away and took a deep breath. "And how were you planning to do that?" A weight settled on his chest and he felt lips press against his neck. Suddenly the mouth bit down causing him to gasp. A tongue then descended onto where Harry had bit him, lightly licking the mark. A thumb started to rub against his nipple and he moaned in response.
Severus felt a breath against his ear. "I'm sure that I'll think of something."
"I'm sure that you will."
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
A little slashyness for those of you that crave it. Throughout the story there will be glimpses into the future to show how Harry and Severus' relationship has developed over the years.
