Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter
A/N: It's almost finished, and I actually know where I'm going. Enjoy!
Until Death and After
Chapter Nine: The Age
My stomach reminded me that I hadn't eaten a meal to replace supper. I set down my comic book and stood up off my bed. I didn't hear Snape move or anything, although I never did. I walked out from the bedroom and attempted to sneak out. I couldn't help glancing at Severus as I skulked by. The candle was almost all out and wax covered the table. He was on the last page of his novel, but it seemed as if he kept reading over the last page. "I'm going to get something to eat... do you want me to bring you back something?" I asked, careful not to startle him.
His eyes rose to look at me. "What?" he looked back down at the book. "Yeah, sure. It doesn't matter what you bring."
"Okay," I said and left the room quickly.
I walked into the great hall, even though everyone was there already. I slunk into a seat beside Ron. There was still a plate set up for me. "Where have you been?" Ron asked. "I thought you were going to skip supper or something."
"And miss out talking to my friends, never," I smiled a greeting at Hermione.
I looked over in the direction of the teachers. "How's the room anyway? Is Snape bothering you?" Hermione asked.
"No, he's not bothering me," I said. Dumbledore waved for me to come over. "I'll be right back," I said.
I stood up and walked over to where he was. "Is Professor Snape dining tonight?" he asked me.
I shook my head. "He's feeling under the weather," I started. "I'm going to bring him something to eat."
Dumbledore nodded. "Okay," he said. "Let him know I'm stopping by later to discuss something with him."
"I'll let him know, sir," I said and started to walk off.
"And Harry," he said slightly louder so I could hear him. I turned to look at him. "I recommend soup!"
I smiled and wandered back to my seat. The rest of the meal went normally, with conversation about classes. Ron and Hermione didn't ask about my night terrors, but that was probably for the best. As usual, all was not perfect. I felt as if I was being watched, and I ate much slower. I looked around trying to find the watchful eye. "Harry?" Ron hit my back, figuring out that I had tuned him out.
I turned to look at him, then found the grey eyes watching me indiscreetly. I looked away casually, as if I hadn't seen Draco's obvious stare. "Sorry Ron," I said. "I'm rather tired. I think I'm just going to try to get some sleep."
I shook my head lightly, feeling my eyelids lower. Hermione touched my arm as I stood "Are you going to be alright Harry? Do you need anything?" she asked, with a concerned look in her eyes.
"Just some sleep," I said. I turned to look at my loyal friends. "I'm sorry I've been... off lately. Thanks... for being there for me, and putting up with it."
Ron and Hermione smiled in unison. "Come on Harry," Ron said.
Hermione finished his sentence. "We've been through a lot together. It's not like our friendship would just end," she said.
I forced a smile at him, and held back my tired tears. I picked up my fill plate, with soup and I walked away, knowing that that's what happened. All of us went our separate ways and hardly spoke. Now, I'm upset to think that I could ever let that happen, but then... then I didn't really care. Upon leaving, I still felt Draco watching me. A chill went up my spine as I shut the doors behind me. I darted back to the room, eager to be alone. I knew Severus wouldn't bother me. When I walked back to the room, he acknowledged my existence. He had brought several more candles, and lit up the room nicely. "How was it?" he asked, as if I had gone someplace spectacular and exciting.
"It was a meal," I said. "I brought yours."
I slid the soup on the table, spilling some on my hand. I cursed feeling the slight burn. Luckily, it wasn't as hot as when it was first cooked. "Is everything alright?" Severus asked, with a surprisingly worried expression on his face.
Now he's worried? Now? "I'm fine," I said, frustrated.
He smiled victoriously. "Now who doesn't want to talk?"
I wiped my hand on my shirt. "Do you really want to talk about it?" I asked.
His kicked the chair across from him out from under the table. "Sit down," he said, calmly.
I quickly obeyed him and sat down. I watched him, letting curiosity take over me. "Professor Dumbledore says that he's going to stop by later," I said.
He nodded. "I don't plan on going out tonight," he replied. He waited for me to begin, but I guessed that he realized I was not interested, so he began. "He forced me to read the letter. He said he refused to get in the way, if I had a second chance with Victoria," he looked down for a moment and twirled the spoon in the soup. "She said she'd come back for me and apologized for what she had done. She said that knew that I preferred the same gender, so she'd find a male for me..." he looked up at me, waiting for any kind of response.
I shrugged. "I'm sorry," I said. "But I didn't choose this. I wouldn't purposely break up your relationships."
His dipped his spoon into his soup and started to eat it, carefully. "I know Harry, don't worry. I suppose you told everyone I was feeling sick?"
"Under the weather," I quoted myself. "I didn't want to pry in your personal life, nor let them pry."
He let the spoon drop into the soup. "I look ridiculous eating this," he chuckled lightly. "You couldn't have brought crackers?"
I smiled at his attempt to lighten the moment. "Dumbledore suggested soup," I decided to ask my own question. "Why did you keep reading the last page?"
He slid the book across the table. "I didn't understand the ending. It's a romance," I started to read the back. "In the last chapter, the male and the female get into a fight because of mistrust. In the epilogue, she makes it years later... and they get back together. It was a happy ending, even though it was barely ended. I didn't understand why... she didn't end it at the last chapter."
"People like happy endings," I said, looking at the artwork on the cover.
"It takes you less than a minute and it takes me most of the night," he sighed lightly. "I still enjoyed it. You can have it."
"I'll read it, and then give it back," I smiled. "I've taken too much from you."
He stood up and walked over to me. He knelt down, so his head was level with my arm. "Why do you think she sent you back in time?" he asked.
I shrugged and watched his face. I longed to touch it. "She told me..." I thought about what she said. "She told me that she wasn't the only one that cared for you," I remembered her horrid wilted face when she became angry with me; cursed phantom. "It's my fault I came back. I guess I did something wrong the first time around."
I ran one of my fingers along his crooked nose. He snatched my hand as soon as I had finished. I quickly worried that I had angered him. His lips brushed against my knuckles. "Maybe it's time for you to catch some sleep, you look tired," he said.
A smile stretched across his lips as he released my hand from his warm grasp. I nodded in agreement. I took the book and walked into my room. "Good night," I said to him as I pulled the door to.
I let a yawn escape from my mouth and removed everything except for my boxers. I put the book down on the nightstand beside my bed and slid underneath the cold covers. I let my head sink into a pillow and closed my eyes, waiting for another nightmare to appear. I felt time pass and felt my eyelids become heavier. I heard the door creak open, but I didn't dare to open my eyes. I feared a past that I could not handle. A warm body snuggled close against my body. I felt his breath against my neck. "Harry," I felt Severus' strong arms slide around me. "I don't think I can be alone tonight."
I smiled to myself and ran my hands across his. It wasn't a dream. Sleep quickly began to sit in with the warmth of Severus beside me. A loud knock startled me out of what I had hoped was sleep. Severus' arms let go of me as he groaned. He muttered something, but I didn't catch his words. I heard him open the door. "Sleep finally found you?" I heard Albus Dumbledore's voice ask.
"Just wishing," Severus replied. "Harry told me you were going to stop by."
"Harry? You've become closer," I'm sure Dumbledore was smiling. "Is he up? I wouldn't mind talking to him as well."
"I'll check," he said.
I watched his tall silhouette check on me. He knew I wasn't asleep. "Are you awake Harry?" he whispered, loud enough for Dumbledore to hear.
"Yeah," I replied, half asleep.
Severus undid the chain and set it down on the counter. He winked and walked out of my room. "He's awake," he said to Dumbledore.
I stumbled out of the room, wishing I had brought a blanket with me. I felt as if my feet were going to turn to ice. "You might want to sit down," Dumbledore said to me.
I felt my head nod, as if I was in a trance as I sat down at the table. Both of my professors sat down at the table around me as if I was going to break apart. "What's this about?" Severus was more curious than I was.
"Hermione Granger brought it to my attention that she put a new prescription on your glasses," he started. "And then Professor Snape mentioned that you seem taller."
I rubbed my clammy hands against my boxers. My clothes were feeling tighter. "She did," I said. "I hadn't gotten a new prescription in a while anyway."
"Well," Albus said. "You claim to be from the future, right? It wasn't from a time turner, or else you'd look older. Do you know how you went through time?"
I looked at Severus. "I don't know," I said. "I just did."
Albus looked sternly at me. "I think what's happening, is that you're aging faster because the time travel wasn't done properly," he said. "I'm not sure when it will slow down. Do you know if you can get back?"
"I don't know..." I said, feeling stupid. "I'm... getting older?"
Albus nodded. "I believe so," he said. "I recommend finding a way back."
"Will I age at normal speed when I reach my normal age?" I asked.
"I doubt it," Albus said. I probably had a very sick expression on my face. "I'll leave you two to sleep. We'll discuss things further in the morning."
"Good night," I said as he left the room.
Severus looked at me. "How is this going to work?" he asked.
"I was hoping one morning I'd just wake up at home again," I said.
"How'd it happen?" he asked. "I mean... how did you get sent here in the first place? What happened to make you come here?"
"I got hit by a car," I said.
He ran his hand through his silky hair. I wished that I was touching his hair. "Well, I don't really feel like running you over," he muttered. "Can you talk to Victoria about this?"
I nodded. "I'll try tonight," I said.
He stood up and looked at me with his dark eyes. "You understand why I took off the necklace, right?"
"Yeah," I said. "I wouldn't want to try to explain something like that."
He smiled and messed up my hair. "Smart boy," he said.
I stood up and entwined my fingers with his. "I am going to try now then," I said. "But... I might need someone there... in case things get bad."
"I was hoping you'd let me back in," he laughed lightly.
I pulled him into my bedroom and let go of him. I went back under my covers like I had done before we were interrupted. Severus hesitated. I felt the bed move as he sat down on it. It was easy to tell he wasn't lying down. I turned to where he sat and ran my hand across his bare back. He shivered from my touch; it was easy to tell it bothered him. "I know you miss her," I said. "I don't want to replace her."
He turned to look at me. I couldn't see his eyes, but I knew he was watching me. "I know Harry," he said. "Don't worry."
I nodded and turned around. I doubted that I would feel his warm body back up against my back before I fell asleep, or even during the night. I suspected that he planned on leaving. I was too tired to argue with him, and yawned. I needed to see Victoria, even though I didn't want too. He ran his hand against my face. "Good night Harry," he whispered into my ear.
A/N: It's almost finished, and I actually know where I'm going. Enjoy!
Until Death and After
Chapter Nine: The Age
My stomach reminded me that I hadn't eaten a meal to replace supper. I set down my comic book and stood up off my bed. I didn't hear Snape move or anything, although I never did. I walked out from the bedroom and attempted to sneak out. I couldn't help glancing at Severus as I skulked by. The candle was almost all out and wax covered the table. He was on the last page of his novel, but it seemed as if he kept reading over the last page. "I'm going to get something to eat... do you want me to bring you back something?" I asked, careful not to startle him.
His eyes rose to look at me. "What?" he looked back down at the book. "Yeah, sure. It doesn't matter what you bring."
"Okay," I said and left the room quickly.
I walked into the great hall, even though everyone was there already. I slunk into a seat beside Ron. There was still a plate set up for me. "Where have you been?" Ron asked. "I thought you were going to skip supper or something."
"And miss out talking to my friends, never," I smiled a greeting at Hermione.
I looked over in the direction of the teachers. "How's the room anyway? Is Snape bothering you?" Hermione asked.
"No, he's not bothering me," I said. Dumbledore waved for me to come over. "I'll be right back," I said.
I stood up and walked over to where he was. "Is Professor Snape dining tonight?" he asked me.
I shook my head. "He's feeling under the weather," I started. "I'm going to bring him something to eat."
Dumbledore nodded. "Okay," he said. "Let him know I'm stopping by later to discuss something with him."
"I'll let him know, sir," I said and started to walk off.
"And Harry," he said slightly louder so I could hear him. I turned to look at him. "I recommend soup!"
I smiled and wandered back to my seat. The rest of the meal went normally, with conversation about classes. Ron and Hermione didn't ask about my night terrors, but that was probably for the best. As usual, all was not perfect. I felt as if I was being watched, and I ate much slower. I looked around trying to find the watchful eye. "Harry?" Ron hit my back, figuring out that I had tuned him out.
I turned to look at him, then found the grey eyes watching me indiscreetly. I looked away casually, as if I hadn't seen Draco's obvious stare. "Sorry Ron," I said. "I'm rather tired. I think I'm just going to try to get some sleep."
I shook my head lightly, feeling my eyelids lower. Hermione touched my arm as I stood "Are you going to be alright Harry? Do you need anything?" she asked, with a concerned look in her eyes.
"Just some sleep," I said. I turned to look at my loyal friends. "I'm sorry I've been... off lately. Thanks... for being there for me, and putting up with it."
Ron and Hermione smiled in unison. "Come on Harry," Ron said.
Hermione finished his sentence. "We've been through a lot together. It's not like our friendship would just end," she said.
I forced a smile at him, and held back my tired tears. I picked up my fill plate, with soup and I walked away, knowing that that's what happened. All of us went our separate ways and hardly spoke. Now, I'm upset to think that I could ever let that happen, but then... then I didn't really care. Upon leaving, I still felt Draco watching me. A chill went up my spine as I shut the doors behind me. I darted back to the room, eager to be alone. I knew Severus wouldn't bother me. When I walked back to the room, he acknowledged my existence. He had brought several more candles, and lit up the room nicely. "How was it?" he asked, as if I had gone someplace spectacular and exciting.
"It was a meal," I said. "I brought yours."
I slid the soup on the table, spilling some on my hand. I cursed feeling the slight burn. Luckily, it wasn't as hot as when it was first cooked. "Is everything alright?" Severus asked, with a surprisingly worried expression on his face.
Now he's worried? Now? "I'm fine," I said, frustrated.
He smiled victoriously. "Now who doesn't want to talk?"
I wiped my hand on my shirt. "Do you really want to talk about it?" I asked.
His kicked the chair across from him out from under the table. "Sit down," he said, calmly.
I quickly obeyed him and sat down. I watched him, letting curiosity take over me. "Professor Dumbledore says that he's going to stop by later," I said.
He nodded. "I don't plan on going out tonight," he replied. He waited for me to begin, but I guessed that he realized I was not interested, so he began. "He forced me to read the letter. He said he refused to get in the way, if I had a second chance with Victoria," he looked down for a moment and twirled the spoon in the soup. "She said she'd come back for me and apologized for what she had done. She said that knew that I preferred the same gender, so she'd find a male for me..." he looked up at me, waiting for any kind of response.
I shrugged. "I'm sorry," I said. "But I didn't choose this. I wouldn't purposely break up your relationships."
His dipped his spoon into his soup and started to eat it, carefully. "I know Harry, don't worry. I suppose you told everyone I was feeling sick?"
"Under the weather," I quoted myself. "I didn't want to pry in your personal life, nor let them pry."
He let the spoon drop into the soup. "I look ridiculous eating this," he chuckled lightly. "You couldn't have brought crackers?"
I smiled at his attempt to lighten the moment. "Dumbledore suggested soup," I decided to ask my own question. "Why did you keep reading the last page?"
He slid the book across the table. "I didn't understand the ending. It's a romance," I started to read the back. "In the last chapter, the male and the female get into a fight because of mistrust. In the epilogue, she makes it years later... and they get back together. It was a happy ending, even though it was barely ended. I didn't understand why... she didn't end it at the last chapter."
"People like happy endings," I said, looking at the artwork on the cover.
"It takes you less than a minute and it takes me most of the night," he sighed lightly. "I still enjoyed it. You can have it."
"I'll read it, and then give it back," I smiled. "I've taken too much from you."
He stood up and walked over to me. He knelt down, so his head was level with my arm. "Why do you think she sent you back in time?" he asked.
I shrugged and watched his face. I longed to touch it. "She told me..." I thought about what she said. "She told me that she wasn't the only one that cared for you," I remembered her horrid wilted face when she became angry with me; cursed phantom. "It's my fault I came back. I guess I did something wrong the first time around."
I ran one of my fingers along his crooked nose. He snatched my hand as soon as I had finished. I quickly worried that I had angered him. His lips brushed against my knuckles. "Maybe it's time for you to catch some sleep, you look tired," he said.
A smile stretched across his lips as he released my hand from his warm grasp. I nodded in agreement. I took the book and walked into my room. "Good night," I said to him as I pulled the door to.
I let a yawn escape from my mouth and removed everything except for my boxers. I put the book down on the nightstand beside my bed and slid underneath the cold covers. I let my head sink into a pillow and closed my eyes, waiting for another nightmare to appear. I felt time pass and felt my eyelids become heavier. I heard the door creak open, but I didn't dare to open my eyes. I feared a past that I could not handle. A warm body snuggled close against my body. I felt his breath against my neck. "Harry," I felt Severus' strong arms slide around me. "I don't think I can be alone tonight."
I smiled to myself and ran my hands across his. It wasn't a dream. Sleep quickly began to sit in with the warmth of Severus beside me. A loud knock startled me out of what I had hoped was sleep. Severus' arms let go of me as he groaned. He muttered something, but I didn't catch his words. I heard him open the door. "Sleep finally found you?" I heard Albus Dumbledore's voice ask.
"Just wishing," Severus replied. "Harry told me you were going to stop by."
"Harry? You've become closer," I'm sure Dumbledore was smiling. "Is he up? I wouldn't mind talking to him as well."
"I'll check," he said.
I watched his tall silhouette check on me. He knew I wasn't asleep. "Are you awake Harry?" he whispered, loud enough for Dumbledore to hear.
"Yeah," I replied, half asleep.
Severus undid the chain and set it down on the counter. He winked and walked out of my room. "He's awake," he said to Dumbledore.
I stumbled out of the room, wishing I had brought a blanket with me. I felt as if my feet were going to turn to ice. "You might want to sit down," Dumbledore said to me.
I felt my head nod, as if I was in a trance as I sat down at the table. Both of my professors sat down at the table around me as if I was going to break apart. "What's this about?" Severus was more curious than I was.
"Hermione Granger brought it to my attention that she put a new prescription on your glasses," he started. "And then Professor Snape mentioned that you seem taller."
I rubbed my clammy hands against my boxers. My clothes were feeling tighter. "She did," I said. "I hadn't gotten a new prescription in a while anyway."
"Well," Albus said. "You claim to be from the future, right? It wasn't from a time turner, or else you'd look older. Do you know how you went through time?"
I looked at Severus. "I don't know," I said. "I just did."
Albus looked sternly at me. "I think what's happening, is that you're aging faster because the time travel wasn't done properly," he said. "I'm not sure when it will slow down. Do you know if you can get back?"
"I don't know..." I said, feeling stupid. "I'm... getting older?"
Albus nodded. "I believe so," he said. "I recommend finding a way back."
"Will I age at normal speed when I reach my normal age?" I asked.
"I doubt it," Albus said. I probably had a very sick expression on my face. "I'll leave you two to sleep. We'll discuss things further in the morning."
"Good night," I said as he left the room.
Severus looked at me. "How is this going to work?" he asked.
"I was hoping one morning I'd just wake up at home again," I said.
"How'd it happen?" he asked. "I mean... how did you get sent here in the first place? What happened to make you come here?"
"I got hit by a car," I said.
He ran his hand through his silky hair. I wished that I was touching his hair. "Well, I don't really feel like running you over," he muttered. "Can you talk to Victoria about this?"
I nodded. "I'll try tonight," I said.
He stood up and looked at me with his dark eyes. "You understand why I took off the necklace, right?"
"Yeah," I said. "I wouldn't want to try to explain something like that."
He smiled and messed up my hair. "Smart boy," he said.
I stood up and entwined my fingers with his. "I am going to try now then," I said. "But... I might need someone there... in case things get bad."
"I was hoping you'd let me back in," he laughed lightly.
I pulled him into my bedroom and let go of him. I went back under my covers like I had done before we were interrupted. Severus hesitated. I felt the bed move as he sat down on it. It was easy to tell he wasn't lying down. I turned to where he sat and ran my hand across his bare back. He shivered from my touch; it was easy to tell it bothered him. "I know you miss her," I said. "I don't want to replace her."
He turned to look at me. I couldn't see his eyes, but I knew he was watching me. "I know Harry," he said. "Don't worry."
I nodded and turned around. I doubted that I would feel his warm body back up against my back before I fell asleep, or even during the night. I suspected that he planned on leaving. I was too tired to argue with him, and yawned. I needed to see Victoria, even though I didn't want too. He ran his hand against my face. "Good night Harry," he whispered into my ear.