Female? Check. British? Nope. Middle aged? Nope. Must not be JKR then.

Review please!

Thanks to those who have reviewed so far.

Nat is my favorite person of the day.

That being said:

*****

"What do you guys plan to do this afternoon?" Hermione asked Harry and Ron as the three friends sat at lunch on Tuesday, four days after the Quidditch trial. Ron looked at Harry and raised an eyebrow.

"Hannah and I have a meeting with Snape," Harry replied, "Who knows how long that will take."

"Snape?" Ron asked.

"Why?" added Hermione.

"It's about our project. Evidently Dumbledore thinks we should interview him about what happened the night You-know-who fell," Harry explained.

"Snape?" Ron echoed himself.

"Yes Ron, Snape," Astrid said, "As in big scary potions master." Ron glared at the little girl.

"What would he know?" Ron asked.

"I'm not sure, Ron," Harry replied, "I think that's why Hannah and I are going to interview him."

"How is Hannah, anyway?" Hermione asked through a mouthful of pudding.

"She's alright. Madame Pomfrey fixed her up in about a minute," Harry explained.

"What exactly was wrong with her?" Dennis asked.

"Severely dislocated elbow, cracked ribs and a nasty bump on her head," Harry replied.

"But she's better now?" Astrid queried.

"Yes, she was better by Saturday," Harry said.

"So I suppose that if you're at class and he's interviewing Snape, I might get a head-start on some homework," Ron told Hermione.

"Really?" Hermione asked. Her eyes brightened visibly.

"No," Ron admitted, "I just said that to see what kind of reaction I could get."

"Thanks Ron, now we're all going to have to hear a lecture on how starting early on homework is a beneficial to everyone," Fred said jokingly to his younger brother. Hermione glared coldly at her boyfriend and then at her best friends.

"What was that look for?" Harry asked, "I'm doing homework early!"

"Probably only at Hannah's insistence!" Hermione spat.

"Or because he likes Hannah and wants to spend time with her," Astrid countered, smiling sweetly at Harry.

"Astrid?" Harry asked.

"Yes Harry?" Astrid replied.

"Kindly shut your mouth before I hex it shut," Harry said. Astrid glared at him and then gave a very Draco-esque smirk.

"And don't do that!" Ron added, "You look like a Malfoy!"

"You don't think the fact that my name is Abigail Astrid Malfoy would have anything to do with that now would it?" Astrid asked, still smirking at Ron.

"Probably not," Dennis said, sticking his tongue out at his friend.
"Hey Harry, are you ready?" Harry heard Hannah ask from just behind him. He turned to look at her.

"I told Snape we'd be there at one, its 12:50 now," Hannah explained.

"Alright then, let's go," Harry said. He stood up and picked up his bag.

"Bye Harry," Hermione said.

"See you guys later," Harry replied, waving at his friends. Hannah waved too and the pair started towards the door of the Great Hall.

"So how are you?' Hannah asked.

"I'm alright. A little nervous," Harry replied honestly.

"Dumbledore seemed to think us interviewing Snape was one of the best options," Hannah replied.

"I'm not worried about who were interviewing as much as I'm worried about what he'll say," Harry admitted.

"You know, if you're uncomfortable with this, we can always to go Binns and request a change of topic," Hannah suggested.

"No, I think we've got a good topic. And we do have an insider's point of view," Harry attempted to joke. Hannah laughed nervously.

"So how are you feeling?" Harry asked to change the subject.

"I'm fine. Madame Pomfrey mended me in about two minutes," Hannah said. "However, I'm still a bit mad about getting cheated out of even attempting to make the team."

"You're still going to come to the matches aren't you?" Harry asked. Hannah smiled at him.

"Of course," she replied, "I wouldn't miss them for the world."

"Except for the one in France, of course," Harry said.

"You all are traveling to France?" Hannah asked.

"Yes," Harry replied.

"How do you know? Have they released the schedule yet?"

"Not here, but at Beaubaxtons," Harry explained.

"Did you meet someone from Beaubaxtons last year who you still talk to?' Hannah asked.

"No. Ginny Weasley is dating a guy from there though," Harry replied.

"Who?" Hannah asked.

"Hermione's cousin Braeden. They met this summer when Ginny, Ron, and I, and Braeden and his brothers Ben and Brantley were all over at Hermione's house for a few weeks," Harry explained.

"So Braeden told Ginny that you all were playing at Beaubaxtons," Hannah said.

"Yes, something like that. The other two matches will be here, though, because Durmstrang wants to play all away matches," Harry said.

"How odd," Hannah said.

"Would you expect anything less from a school that actually teaches Dark Arts rather than just defense?" Harry asked.

"Not really," Hannah laughed.

"After Karkaroff's issues with the tournament last year, I'm surprised they're even participating in the Quidditch cup," Harry said.

"Really?" Hannah asked.

"Yes," Harry replied.

"Well, here we are," Hannah said. She stopped at the door of the Potions classroom and looked at Harry. Harry started to push the door open.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked.

"Yes," Harry replied firmly. He pushed the door all of the way open and stepped back to allow Hannah to enter the room first. She tentatively walked in and he followed her.

"Miss Abbott, Mr. Potter," Snape greeted icily from his table at the front of the room.

"Professor Snape," Harry and Hannah said at the same time.

"Shall we conduct the meeting in my office?" Snape suggested.

"Whatever is best for you," Hannah said.

"Right this way," Snape said. He stood up and started through a door to his right. Harry and Hannah followed him.

"Have a seat please," he said when they entered his office. He went over and sat behind his desk. Hannah took the seat farthest from the door and Harry sank into the chair next to hers.

"So what did you need to ask me?" Snape asked. Hannah looked down at a scrap of parchment in her hands.

"A few questions about the night my parents died," Harry said.

"Alright then," Snape said.

"Where were you on the night of October 31?" Hannah asked quite seriously.

"You sound like you're interrogating him, not interviewing," Harry quietly chided.

"I was at the home of James and Lily Potter in Godric's Hollow," Snape replied, glaring at Harry.

"You were there the night it happened?" Harry asked. His jaw dropped and his grip on the arms of the chair increased.

"Yes, Mr. Potter, I was," Snape replied smoothly.

"Before or after?" Harry asked softly, almost dreading the answer. Snape looked at Harry. For a moment Harry thought Snape's features had softened, but it happened so briefly that Harry couldn't be sure.

"During, Mr. Potter, during," Snape finally replied. Harry's knuckles went white on the arms of the chair. He swallowed hard twice and looked desperately at Hannah. At that point, he didn't trust himself to speak.

"Do you want to go on?" Hannah mouthed to him. Harry nodded fiercely at her to continue.

"Perhaps this isn't such a good idea," Snape mused, "I don't know if Mr. Potter can handle it."

"I'll be fine," Harry quickly found his voice. Snape glared at him. "Then, Mr. Potter, I highly suggest you quit trying to crush the arms of the chair." Harry instantly loosened his grip on the chair.

"So can you tell us the events of the night as you remember them?" Hannah asked.

"No," Snape replied. Harry felt anger rising within him.

"You can't?" Hannah asked.

"I can," Snape replied.

"But you won't," Harry finished for the professor.

"I would rather show you," Snape said, glaring at Harry.

"Show us?" Hannah asked.

"Pensieve?" Harry guessed.

"Right in one, Mr. Potter," Snape said. Hannah turned to look at Harry. He smiled weakly at her.

"Mr. Potter, do you think you can handle it?" Snape asked. He sounded as genuinely concerned as Harry had ever heard him sound.

"Yes sir," came Harry's less than certain answer.

"I should warn you that your scar may hurt if you see Voldemort try to kill your infant form," Snape said. Harry reached up and tentatively brushed his fingers across his scar.

"So I should run outside?" Harry guessed.

"You won't be able to because I wasn't outside," Snape explained.

"So what do you suggest I do?" Harry asked.

"There may be nothing you can do," Snape replied. Hannah took her turn to look terrified.

"Are you two ready?" Snape asked. Harry and Hannah both nodded wordlessly. Snape stood up and brushed off his robes. Hannah cautiously stood, and she and Snape both turned to Harry. He wiped his hands on his robes and slowly stood.

"Let's go," He said.

"I've set up the pensieve in here," Snape said, leading them into a small chamber off of his office. A small table stood in the middle of the room with a stone basin in the center of its top.

"Are either of you familiar with using a pensieve?" Snape asked. Harry nodded while Hannah shook her head.

"To get in, you must think of the memory you want to fall into and then touch the liquid," Snape instructed.

"One problem," Hannah began.

"What's that?" Snape asked.

"I don't have a mental image of the memory I need to get to," she said.

"In that case, let Potter think of the memory, and the two of you hold hands. You should be pulled along when he touches the liquid," Snape explained. Hannah and Harry both nodded. Harry offered his hand to Hannah. She carefully wrapped her hand around his.

"Ready?" Snape asked. Harry nodded at the professor. Hannah squeezed Harry's hand lightly. She looked more than a little worried. Snape closed his eyes tightly. Harry did the same. He tried to picture what of his first house he could remember. When he finally had a decent mental image of the living room, he reached out and touched the liquid. He instantly felt the familiar falling sensation and Hannah falling along behind him. After a moment, he landed in the living room he'd only seen in memories. He instantly noticed the plush beige carpet, the comfortable looking red couch, and the basket of toys in the corner.

"Where is everyone?" Hannah asked quietly.

"Just watch," Snape admonished. Hannah looked over at Harry.

"Where are you?" Harry asked Snape. Snape pointed towards the back window.

"I was just back there looking through," Snape replied.

"Invisibility cloak?" Harry guessed.

"Dumbledore isn't the only wizard who has mastered the art of cloak-less invisibility," Snape replied icily. Harry made a mental note of the teacher's ability.

"I haven't done it since this night, though," Snape continued. Harry felt a flood of relief wash over him.

"Come along, Harry, your daddy will be home shortly." A familiar voice said. Less than a second later, a small red-haired woman stepped into the room.

"Is that your mum?" Hannah asked. Harry swallowed hard and nodded to Hannah. Lily walked to the center of the room and crouched down. A moment later, a pudgy baby with a fine covering of black hair crawled into the room.

"Oh, silly Harry, why are you crawling?" Lily asked. Baby Harry pushed himself back on his hands and landed with a thump in a sitting position at Lily's feet. He stuffed a sticky thumb into his small mouth and looked up at his mother, a string of drool running down his chin. Lily smiled down at her son. She curled herself into a sitting position next to him.

"You were such a cute baby!" Hannah squealed. Part of Harry agreed with her. Another part made a mental note never to let a girl see him as a baby again. Mostly, he watched the scene as intently as he could, wanting to commit it all to memory.

Baby Harry pulled his thumb from his mouth and crawled over into his mum's lap.

Harry couldn't pull his eyes away from his mum. She was young, barely older than 20. She was about 5'3" with a very petite frame. Her long red hair hung in loose wisps around her face, and to almost her waist in the back. She was clothed in blue jeans and a simple plum sweater. When baby Harry crawled into her lap, her face broke into a broad smile. When she smiled, her bright eyes crinkled at their corners. She had one of those contagious smiles that made everyone around start smiling, as evidenced by the grins Harry and Hannah wore, and even the tight-lipped smile Snape had.

Baby Harry reached over his head and pulled at a curl of red hair. Lily carefully untangled his chubby fingers from her hair.

"Would you like to read a story?" Lily asked the baby. Baby Harry gurgled happily at his mum and pulled at her hair again. Lily stretched out her hand a muttered a summoning spell for a book in the basket.

"You got that summoning charm of yours from her," Snape said. Harry swallowed hard and squeezed Hannah's hand a little tighter. Only then did he realize that he and Hannah were still holding hands. She looked up at him with a concerned look on her face. He offered her a weak smile.

Lily caught the book and turned baby Harry so he leaned against her. She opened the book on their laps.

"That will be Hermione and her child," Harry thought with a smile.

Baby Harry grinned and smacked the pages of the book.

"The Giving Tree," Lily read the title of the book. "You know, Harry, my mum used to read this book to me when I was a little girl. It was one of my favorites." Baby Harry cooed then smacked the pages of the book again.

"Now now, Harry, be easy," Lily softly scolded. Baby Harry blew a spit bubble and then slipped his thumb back into his mouth.

"Once there was a tree," Lily began reading easily.

*****

"The end," Lily said. Baby Harry smacked the book again. He had sat still in his mothers lap for her entire reading of the story. Lily gathered the baby up in her arms and planted a kiss on his head.

"I love you so much" she whispered into his hair. Baby Harry gurgled happily. Lily placed him in the floor. He crawled off towards the toy basket. She took the opportunity to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"That book always did make me cry," she mumbled to herself. Harry glanced down at Hannah. Hannah was wiping away tears from her eyes, and Harry couldn't ignore the ones forming in his own. He brushed them away with the hand not holding Hannah's.

"Mama!" Baby Harry called from the corner. He pulled up to the toy basket and grabbed a small red ball in his pudgy hands He turned back and toddled towards his mother, calling for her as he walked.

"Boy, they started you on the Quidditch early," Hannah laughed. Harry recognized the ball in his baby hands as a miniature quaffle.

"Lily!" A male voice called from down a hallway.

"Dad," Harry knew immediately.

"Dada!" Baby Harry shrieked. Harry smiled down at himself and he heard Hannah laughing next to him.

"There's daddy's boy!" James said, walking into the room. Lily jumped to her feet when he entered. Harry was amazed at his father. At 21 or 22 years old, James stood at 6'1". He was muscular, and looked much like Harry. His black hair stood on end and he was tanned from, well, Harry wasn't sure why he was tan. He had sparkling blue eyes and round glasses just like Harry's.

James bent over and scooped Lily into one arm and Harry into the other. He planted a kiss on Harry's un-scarred forehead. Harry again tightened his grip in Hannah's hand. Then James pulled Lily right up to him. She giggled like a schoolgirl and he kissed her squarely on her nose before leaning in for a real kiss. Baby Harry gurgled happily in James's arm.

"How was your day? How was the meeting with Dumbledore" Lily asked when James finally broke their kiss.

"Fantastic, and we'll talk about it later" James replied. "But I missed you."

"I missed you, too," Lily said, kissing her husband again. Baby Harry squealed.

"How was your day?" James asked the baby. He returned Lily to a standing position and took Harry in both of his hands. He lifted the baby towards the ceiling before bringing him back down and blowing a raspberry on his tummy. Baby Harry squealed and tugged at his father's hair. Hannah giggled.

"I left your dinner in the kitchen," Lily told James.

"Thanks Lil', I'm famished," James said. He handed Baby Harry to Lily and turned towards the kitchen. Lily took Harry back towards the toy basket. Harry glanced over at Snape and noticed the professor had gone more pale than usual.

"Are you okay?" Hannah asked Harry. Harry nodded at her, despite the zillion feelings tearing around in his head, making thinking difficult. She smiled at him and squeezed his hand.

"We've got to go in here now," Snape said suddenly. Harry and Hannah felt pulled to follow James.

"What's going on?" Harry asked.

"I just moved away from the window and am getting ready to go into the kitchen," Snape said, "so we have to be in there."

"James," an oily voice that couldn't only belong to one Severus Snape said. Harry and Hannah ran around the edge of the door into the kitchen of Harry's childhood home. James stood over a counter arranging something on a plate.

"What are you doing here?" James asked when he looked up and saw the younger Snape standing at the back door. "TAKE HARRY AND RUN!" James screamed towards Lily in the living room.

"Stay quiet," young Snape commanded, "The lives of Lily and Harry may depend on it."

"What?" James asked. Young Snape spoke swiftly and quietly. "You confided in a rat. Voldemort should, by now, be standing in your living room." James instantly grabbed his wand and started towards the door.

"No James, you mustn't," Snape commanded.

"Why not?" James asked.

"Listen closely, I'm only going to say this once," Harry recognized young Snape's tone as one usually reserved for giving potions instructions to rowdy students. "Join the ranks of the death eaters."

"Will it save Lily and Harry?" James asked. Harry wasn't aware of the grip he had on Hannah's hand.

"It very well may," young Snape said.

"Sign me up, then," James replied. Harry was vaguely aware of his mouth falling open.

"I'm sorry, but I have to do this," young Snape said. He pulled his wand and pointed it at James. "Petrificus Totalus." James went rigid and fell into the floor. "This way, I'm guaranteed you won't try to do anything stupid while I tell the Dark Lord of our new recruit." Harry looked down at Hannah. She was looking at Professor Snape with wide eyes.

"Yes, our," Harry whispered. He, Hannah and Snape quickly followed Young Snape back into the living room.

"My liege" young Snape began "James has agreed to join our ranks if you'll spare the lives of Lily and the baby."

"NO!" Lily cried. She stood in the corner blocking Harry from the ominous cloaked figure in the center of the room.

"No?" Voldemort asked.

"Take me instead" Lily insisted.

"What?" Voldemort said.

"Take me instead of James," Lily whispered. Tears welled in her eyes.

"And save the boy?" Voldemort asked. Lily nodded at him. Voldemort pulled out his wand and began walking towards baby Harry.

"ANYTHING BUT HARRY!" Lily cried.

"Stand aside you silly little girl!" Voldemort hissed.

"Please, anything but Harry!" Lily screamed. Hannah increased her grip on Harry's hand, as he was trembling. His face had lost all color and he was blinking his eyes rapidly.

Voldemort let loose a maniacal laugh.

"I shall gain two new servants and kill the baby!" He cackled.

"NO! HAVE MERCY!" Lily shrieked and backed towards Baby Harry. Voldemort walked menacingly towards Lily.

"Stand aside you silly girl, Stand aside now," Voldemort commanded.

"Please, have mercy!" Lily begged. Voldemort's maniacal laughter again filled the room. Harry's other hand was clenched in a fist of rage. Snape had turned away from Harry and Hannah. Hannah looked up at Harry but Harry didn't notice.

"Sir, they may be more likely to serve you if you don't kill their son," young Snape said.

"All of my followers must pay a price" Voldemort replied. He pointed his wand lazily over his shoulder at Young Snape. "Crucio." Young Snape collapsed onto the floor in a convulsing heap and Voldemort turned back to Lily.

"This is yours" he said.

"PLEASE NO!" Lily screamed.

"Stand aside you silly girl," Voldemort said. He had backed Lily completely into the corner over Harry.

"Don't take Harry," Lily begged.

"Avada Kedavra," Voldemort muttered almost lazily. A blinding flash of green light filled the room, and Voldemort tossed Lily's lifeless body out of his way. Harry made no effort to stop the tears that trailed silently down his face. He and Hannah were both startled by a crashing noise behind them. They noticed James tearing into the room from the kitchen.

"Don't kill the baby" James said in a quietly menacing tone. "Kill me instead"

"Gladly," Voldemort replied. "Avada Kedavra." Another flash filled the room and James fell next to young Snape, lifeless eyes staring into nothing. Harry hadn't heard that part of the ordeal in his dreams before. Voldemort turned back to Harry.

"Avada Kedavra," He said, pointing his wand at the screaming baby. For the third time that night, the room went green, but a horrific shriek filled pierced the eerie silence. Harry felt like someone hit him in his scar with an axe. He pulled his free hand to his forehead and everything went black.

*****

"Harry… Harry," a faint voice in the distance said. Harry slowly opened his eyes and found Professor Snape and a concerned Hannah Abbott leaning over him. He reached up and ran his fingers along his aching scar. The full force of what he had just witnessed hit him and he jumped to his feet. He mumbled his thanks to professor Snape and hurried out of the potions classroom.

"Go after him. Make sure he doesn't hurt himself. Make sure his friends know what he just went through so they can keep an eye on him too," Snape instructed in his usually cold manner. Hannah nodded dumbly at the professor. "NOW!" Snape cried. Hannah turned on her heel and ran after Harry. She tore through the Potions Master's office and the Potions classroom.

Harry paused just outside the Potions room. He turned to the heavy stone wall and smashed his fist into it. Skin met rock with a satisfying crack. He drew his fist back and punched the rock again. He felt the skin on his knuckles split, so he heaved his fist into the rock for the third time. Blood trickled down his hand.

"HARRY!" Hannah cried from the classroom door. Harry pulled his fist back again and looked over at her. Rather than punch the wall again, he turned on his heel and ran towards the stairs as fast as he could. Hannah took off after him but she was no match for him when running.

Harry didn't really know why he was running from Hannah. Truth was, human contact was about the last thing he wanted. He tore up the stairs to the entrance hall and out the front door of the castle. He thought about flying, but then decided he didn't trust himself at a high altitude on a broomstick so he kept running.

Hannah barely managed to keep up with Harry. Harry was running at a dead sprint. Hannah wasn't quite that good of shape. She figured he would go to the Quidditch pitch, so when he veered off towards the lake, she became panicked. She picked up her pace a bit and followed him.

Harry ran until he reached a familiar spot on the edge of the lake. He sank down in the grass and gathered his knees to his chest. He recognized the spot as the one where he and Hannah had their first meeting for the project. He looked out over the water and attempted to begin collecting his thoughts.

Hannah finally reached the lake and noticed a small figure clothed in black sitting on the bank in the distance.

"Harry," she thought with a smile. "At least he's sitting on the bank and not flailing about in the middle." She slowed her pace to a jog and continued towards the figure.

Harry didn't notice the footsteps approaching him at all.

"Harry?" Hannah asked quietly. Harry turned to glare at her.

"You found me," he said.

"Why wouldn't I? You came to my favorite thinking spot."

"I'll leave," Harry replied, starting to get up.

"No," Hannah said, "Stay." She sank down onto the grass next to him. Harry braced himself for the standard "are you okay." It never came. The two teenagers sat in silence for quite some time, both staring out across the water. Harry was the first to speak.

"You don't have to stay here you know."

"Yes I do," Hannah replied easily. Harry glanced over at her. They returned to their steady silence for a bit longer. Harry finally laid flat on his back and covered his face with his arms.

"Why?" he asked. Hannah looked over at him.

"You knew what was going to happen before you jumped into the pensieve," Hannah said softly.

"No. Why didn't he die! He ruined my life as I knew it, and the lives of countless others. He killed my parents!" Harry said.

"Yes," Hannah replied.

"They were so happy!" Harry said.

"That, they were," Hannah replied, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. She moved closer to Harry.

"Why?" Harry asked again, softer this time. He didn't try to stop the tears that began to flow freely down his face. Hannah reached over and brushed a few away. Then she noticed the blood on his robes.

"Harry, you're bleeding," she said.

"I know," he replied. He pulled his arm away from his head and extended his bloody hand to Hannah. She pulled out her wand and quickly mended it.

"Feel better?" Hannah asked.

"My hand does," Harry sniffed. Tears still rained down his cheeks. He pulled his glasses off and tossed them aside.

"Come here," Hannah said. He opened his eyes and looked at her. She patted a spot on the grass right in front of her. He slowly moved over and sat where she instructed. He brushed a few tears away from his eyes. She felt hot tears springing up in her own eyes. She reached over wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him towards her. He fell into her embrace, letting his head rest on her shoulder. He thought about how he would never have a mother to hold him like this, and his tears fell faster.

"Shh, Harry," Hannah whispered in a soothing voice. Great shaking sobs began to wrack his body and he brought his hands up to cover his face. She pulled him closer and let him cry.