ONCE IN A LIFETIME

Chapter One

By Pure Black

BETA: d.e.w. (DA Woods)

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing

WARNINGS: The only thing I can think of right now is that there will be some mild swearing, but watch out for further warnings in future chapters. NO SLASH.

PAIRINGS: You'll see, I have to confess that I am not entirely sure yet. Review your suggestions or email.

NOTE: Re-written and Betad. More details added. THE OTHER CHAPTERS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

CHECK OUT: www. livejournal. com/users/draycious

Harry Potter sat in the darkened potion classroom beside Ron for was fidgeting nervously. The dungeon was as damp and unpleasant as ever. How Harry hated it down here! Well, actually, he could like it if it wasn't for the company of a certain black-haired professor that had a stick always stuck up his arse. He tried to concentrate on what he was doing but failed greatly. He could not keep his mind of from thinking of different ways to slowly kill Severus Snape. He really hated that man. He had not done anything to him and yet the man was so…well, he could not really describe it in his mind without making his peers in class think he was mad for making obscene gestures with his hands. So he simply took the pleasure in plotting the mans death quietly in his head. The best idea so far was to do it in the Great Hall with a toilet drowning, in front of everyone. That ought to shut him up!

He still couldn't help but think that he himself in one way had killed his godfather Sirius.
But then again, if that slimy piece of crap that called himself a Professor would not have thrown him out from Occlumency lessons it would not have happened! Over the summer he had bottled up all his hate towards Snape and was just waiting for the right moment when he could just let go and give Snape what he deserved, both verbally and physically.
Harry could feel someone looking at him and he looked up to see Snape hover over him like a big black bat. What else was new? He always waited for the right moment to get me off guard just to humiliate me and rant how bad my father was.

"Lost in thoughts Potter" he said with a sneer, "day dreaming maybe" he added evilly grabbing everyone's attention in the small damp classroom. The Slytherins laughed while the Gryffindors who supported Harry clenched their fists quietly and glared at the Slytherins. Malfoy grinned smugly at Hermione. She made a little suggestive movement with a flick of her wrist that reminded Malfoy of the punch just 3 years, he quickly looked away. It was Hermione's turn to throw a smug look over to the Slytherins.

"As a matter of fact, yes I was Professor. I was daydreaming about how to strangling you," Harry said with a devilish smile as he sat up to looking into the dark eyes of Severus Snape. He did not care about the consequences for once he was going to say what was on his mind. The Professor asked, he answered. His Gryffindor friends held their breaths shocked and awaiting to see what torturous punishment Snape would give. Harry sat starting up at Snape waiting, Hermione and Ron sat stunned, The Gryffindors also sat wide-eyed, and the Slytherins stared intently. To everyone's great surprise Snape paled slightly at Harry's statement.

"Detention," he whispered softly; it was not his "deadly" whisper just an ordinary one but no one liked it non the less. It was still as creepy as ever. Everything about Snape was creepy, even the Slytherins themselves confessed that sometimes, in their minds that is.
Harry just smiled at Snape and nodded. He could hardly wait. He would give Snape hell. It was payback time and he would make dam sure to enjoy it!

He did not want to remember the time when he had actually defended Snape when Ron said he was evil. Snape was a complex man and no one knew that he thought or felt, Harry had believed that the man had a soft spot deep down but now he knew better. Snape did not care about anything or anyone at all, except for himself. He was a true Slytherin, hence the head of the house. And he was a death eater, or an ex one at least. Harry would not forget that this time. He ignored it once and that got Sirius killed.

In the end of the lesson Snape held Harry behind from the rest of the class. He did not speak until the last student was out of the musky dungeons.

"Potter... Harry, What did you mean" he said suddenly deadly serious.

"Wasn't it clear enough? Do I have to spell it out for you? But then again, you have always been really thick in the head. Snape, I hate you. I will never forget what you did. I don't give a fuck if you take points or give me detentions. I don't even care if you expel me, because you have already taken away everything I ever cared about! So stay away from me" Harry yelled now standing his fist clenched at his side trying hard not to hit Snape.

Snape seemed quiet stunned as he stared down at the boy. Harry took advantage of Snape's shock and marched out of the classroom in rage and did not bother to stay behind for a reply. He slammed the door hard and left behind a shocked teacher, and it felt good.

"Harry! What did he say" Ron asked, closing up on him outside the dungeon where he had apparently stood and waited for him. Harry hadn't noticed in his rampage to get out of that god awful dungeon.

"Snape? Oh he never got a chance. It was nothing much Ron, really. Let's drop it. What's our next lesson" he said in an uneven voice as he tried to remain clam. He was not in a good mood and he would certainly not tell all the details to Ron when he felt this way. It would only annoy him further and he might say something he did not mean.

"We have transfiguration and I still haven't figured it out how to wave this stupid wand" said Ron skulking forgetting about Snape. Harry rolled his eyes. Everyone knew that Ron was horrible in transfiguration class. It was a downright hazard for all the animals he transfigured. The poor things never ended up with the right body parts and proportions. Harry was surprised that Professor McGonagall had not thrown Ron out in outer despair yet. Even Neville was better off in that particular class than Ron.

"Harry" Hermione called from a distance away. Both Ron and he looked over to the great hall entrance where Hermione came running over waving, she breathed tiredly.

"I have been waiting for you! What happened" she asked concernedly as she caught her breath leaning against a near by wall.

Why can't she just let it be, Harry thought annoyed, first Ron now Hermione, just great.

"Just leave me alone Hermione" he said louder than he had planned, turning he walked quickly away leaving then behind gasping. Hermione and Ron ran after him trying to catch up but they had to stop soon. It was impossible to talk to Harry when he was in a defensive mood like that, they'd have to try later.

Harry walked normally up the hall now. Once in side the brighter classroom he sat down to wait for the very lesson to begin. After waiting a moment Harry saw Neville pass by at the end of the corridor.

"Neville! How long is it before we start" he shouted to the boy which always got himself into mess. Neville looked at his clock, Harry was actually amazed that the boy had remembered to put it on. Neville was so forgetful sometimes that it made people want to cry in frustration.

"Ten minutes" Neville shouted to him and stumbled over his own feet as he walked on.

He rolled his eyes because he was confidant that Neville could not see that from that distance.

"Ok" he shouted back. Harry got up and knocked on the door. He did not hear any noise from inside so he thought it was worth a shot.

"Come in" he heard McGonagall say from the other side. He opened the door and went inside. He closed the door firmly after him. He could not very well bang this door or he would be thrown out before he could say "accident". McGonagall was not someone you messed with even when she was in a good mood.

"Professor" he asked confidently.

"Mr. Potter. What are you doing here so early" she asked as she looked up from her desk. Apparently she was reading a note of some sort. Harry was not the least curious about it.

"It is considering my Auror training," he said. He had had a question that had been nagging him all through the summer, ever since he had first received his OWL.

"I see", she said and laid down a couple of papers on her desk. She sat up straighter and looked at him over the rim of her glasses.

"How did you manage to make Snape change my grades to 'outstanding'" he asked bluntly, he was still in a bad mood and wanted to get to the point. As he moved closer to the desk he sat softly in the hard wooden chair in front.

McGonagall looked at him. Her expression was unreadable and Harry began to wonder if she was thinking up a lie or maybe is going to be like Dumbledore and hide things.

"I didn't" she finally said smoothing out an imaginary wrinkle on her black robe.

"If you didn't how did I get that pass" he asked completely confused. He knew that there was no way he could have accomplished that on his own. He royally sucked on potions and not only because the Slytherins messed with his cauldron, but because he paid no attention to Snape what so ever. All he did was to copy Hermione. That did not always work, as it turned out.

"Maybe you are good at potions Potter" said the Professor even through she looked like she did not actually believe in it. Harry did not become offended since it was the truth.

"I am certainly not. Maybe Professor Dumbledore had something to do with it" Harry said in a thoughtful voice since he did not think his head of house would appreciate him laughing at her.

"I can not tell because I am just as clueless as you are Mr. Potter, but I can assure you that I will keep my promise. I am going to help you to become an Auror" she said in a strong voice and Harry wondered when the halo of pure Gryffindor-ish cheese would rise above her head. Then he shook his head slightly. What was he thinking?

"Thank you professor" he said getting up still thinking.

"Now, take a seat, the class is coming" She said and gave him a small smile. The bell rang and the very moment she said it and students came inside.

Hermione and Ron sat down next to him in the back of the classroom. They did not ask what he had been doing there early because they knew he would not answer, not now anyways.

McGonagall allowed them to turn their tables into animals today. Harry succeeded on his first attempt. Not even Hermione had managed that. His table became a snake. The teacher clapped her hands, something she had never done before in class.

"20 points Mr. Potter! I am overwhelmed! At your first attempt no less! And for that I reward you 15 points more."

Harry smiled. He had lifted the snake off the floor and into his arms. In the meantime his classmates tried once more to do the task while he petted the snake. The whole class went silent when they realized Harry was talking to the snake in a Parsel tough. He, however, paid no attention whatsoever to the sudden silence. He was too absorbed in the snake.

"How are you" Harry asked the snake.

"Fine thanksss," the snake said surprised over that a human could talk to him.

"OK. That's good. Look, I have to turn you into a table again but it was nice talking to you," Harry said. The snake nodded and the next second Harry's table/desk was back again.

"Oh my" said Minerva. She had never actually heard him speak Parsel mouth before. She had only heard that he could. Harry realized what he had done to amaze and in some cases, scare his classmates.

"I'm sorry professor" he said and shrugged his shoulders in excuse.

"Absolutely brilliant Mr. Potter! Another 10 points to Gryffindor" Harry wondered briefly if the Professor was going to be just as bad as Snape when he favored his house. Or perhaps she was on something. She had seemed awfully cheerful today. The Gryffindors cheered. They loved it when they got points, since they lost so many from Snape. His classmates clapped him on his back with various praises. Ron seemed a little bit jealous but one sharp look from Hermione made him drop the act quickly and give Harry a sheepish grin instead. The other Gryffindors however was in a high spirit.

The Slytherins looked less impressed than the others. I wonder why? Harry thought sarcastically and gave a small smile to his housemates. Then he turned his head and smirked at Draco Malfoy. Malfoy glared right back.
The class turned their full attention to the door when someone knocked.

"Enter" McGonagall answered. The class became even more curious when they saw Professor Snape and former Professor Lupin enter together. They were not exactly known as good friends. And neither had anyone heard anything about Lupin coming back to the school. Everyone wondered if anyone in the class was in trouble and they kept glancing at each other. Harry had a sneaking suspicion that the two professors presence had to do with his earlier display.

"Harry, we would like a quick talk with you in Professor Snape's office" said Remus at once. He was looking very serious. Harry did not like that, not at all. He had no idea what was going on, he had not counted on Snape dragging Remus into this.

"ok" Harry's face didn't show what he thought "Professor McGonagall, may I go" he asked.

"Yes of course. No homework for you Mr. Potter" she said some what nicely. Harry nodded and followed the two elder men in silence down to the office he really hated. Nothing good ever happened in there.

"Harry we need to talk," said Remus again when they were seated. Harry did not like the arrangement. Snape and Remus sat behind the desk and he was on the other side of it, facing them like an naughty school boy. Which he, in some ways, were.

"Obviously, why else would I be here" he said snidely. Remus pretended that he didn't hear him.

"I know you're upset about Sirius-" he began.

"UPSET? I am furious at him" Harry interrupted pointing and glaring at Snape. Remus blinked a little surprised. He seemed taken aback. It was obviously not the response he had expected.

"What do you mean" Remus asked carefully.

"I am furious at him for leaving me and it is all Snivellus fault" he spat bitterly at the two men now standing he shook slightly from his anger.

"MY fault" Snape hissed like an angry snake.

"Yes you git! You are the fucking one who urged him to go out of that house. You threw me out of your damn office, you stopped the Occlumency lessons. You have made my life HELL IN FIVE BLOODY YEARS AND NOW IN MY SIXTH I WONT TAKE IT ANYMORE" Harry shouting a few inches from Snape's face. Remus stood up hurriedly and dragged Harry backwards a few feet, away from Snape.

"Calm down Harry" he said.

"I am sorry you feel that way Harry. But I never wanted Sirius dead, nor your father, I am sorry for being such an stupid asshole and bastard to you" Snape said showing emotions on his face for once. Harry almost stopped breathing when he saw tears in Snape's eyes before the man turned his back to him and Remus.

"Harry, there is more than teenage teasing behind the hate between Severus and your father. They knew each other before Hogwarts" Remus said sighing, "James had a brother, David. David and Severus were best friends. Even your father and Severus were friends back then. Severus and your father had a gang together. They called themselves 'The Marauders'. One day they were in London. The muggle London. The gang was excited about exploring the muggle world they knew next to nothing about it and they were eager to see what they would find."

Remus still held onto Harry tightly fearing him to charge at Snape any minute as he went on with the story "They had to cross a road. Severus knew that all walkers had to stop when a thing called, umm a Stop light when it showed red. He had told everyone, but forgot to tell David. When we stopped David didn't and walked out in the street. When he heard our shouts for him to come back he turned his head… Then a car came. It came right at Dave... and hit him. The car came was in such a high speed that it was unable to stop in time."

Remus waited a moment to let Harry understand everything "David died moments later. Since then James and us have hated Severus because we blamed him for not telling David and Severus blamed James for not grabbing him since he had been walking beside him. Severus left us," Remus said in a strangled voice. It was obvious the memory was still painful even if it had happened many many years ago. Harry understood that. It must have been indescribable painful to see someone as close as a brother get hit by a car, right in front of your eyes and die. The guilt! He thought he felt bad for Sirius, what must they have felt?

"Those Marauders were..." Harry began but did not finish the question. Remus understood anyways.

"James, Lucius, Severus, Sirius and me."

"Peter?"

"No. We first met him at Hogwarts."

"Then why does Severus hate me? I knew nothing of this" Harry said harshly turning back to Snape.

"David was his best friend. They were just as close as Sirius and James. Lucius became Severus other best friend after he left, also hating us because he thought Severus was right about James being the one to blame. David, unlike James, had green eyes. You don't know it, but you are his copy. You look so much alike. If you hadn't had the scar and David would be here in your age, you would be harder to separate than the Weasley twins. Severus never really hated you. He feels guilt and tried to take that away, in a wrong way" Remus said a little tired looking now. Harry looked confused and weakly at Snape.

"He does not hate you, instead he loves you but he doesn't want that because he doesn't know you, but he would like to. We have to change that. He also now feels guilt for Sirius' death. It might seem a little bit far fetched and complicated, but as you know the truth has never been simple."

Harry sighed deep inside. He was crying inside. He had always found it very easy to put himself in other peoples situations and feel their emotions which hadn't always been good. He had a little bit of an empathy in him. That was why he was so temperamental. He responded kindly to those who was kind to him, and he hated those who hated him. He was a simple person really, once you understood how he worked.

It was true that before Sirius died and he didn't blame Severus for anyone's death, he never thought Snape was all that bad, not on the inside. Perhaps it was worth a shoot? Harry freed himself from Remus's grip on him and went over to Snape.. He then did something he had never done before, he hugged another person. He hugged Snape. Carefully and hesitant, but a hug non the less. At first Snape did nothing but, then after a while, he hugged Harry back tightly.

"I am sorry Severus. I never meant to blame you. I guess I blamed myself and tried to push the responsibility over to another person. I do not think James or Sirius blames you anymore. And I am quite sure David doesn't. They want you to be happy and so do I" He could not believe what he was saying. Just because Remus told him this story he really should not melt like this! It could be fake, Severus had still done him wrong. He did not like Snape! Yet he did in an odd kind of way, he felt like he had found a project. Something to work on and he was determined to get through to Snape and know the real him. Snape was an enigma and mystery had always peaked Harry's interest. He would have to solve it. Harry could feel Severus wet tears and almost pulled out of the embrace in shock, but he managed to stop himself in the last second. The man cried silently.

"I'm happy as long as you are with me" said Severus softly. A total personal change than what Harry was used to. He did not know what to say so he only nodded, his moth dry.

"That's the second issue Harry," said Remus. Severus released his hold of Harry to look at Remus.

"What" Harry asked warily not sure he could really take anymore.

"You got a new godfather" Harry stiffened. He didn't want to know but he asked anyway.

"Who is it?"

"Actually. It's two."

"Please say I know them" Harry pleaded. Remus laughed lightly. He actually seemed… happy.

"It is Severus and I" he said happily. Harry felt a rush of relief and a little happiness. He sagged slightly in his chair.

"Really? Oh that's great! Why is there two? Not that I am not happy of course."

"Sirius gave you two legal godfathers. He took the two of us because I am a werewolf and I can't give you any money and during the full moon I can't look after you. And a hell lot of people mistrust me."

"Hell to them! I love you Remus" Harry assured him.

Remus smiled.

"And Sirius wanted Severus to get to know you. This is his way of saying sorry to Severus for all those years and making sure you are alright and will be in the future."

"Wow! Does this mean I can finally leave the Dursleys" he asked hopefully for the first time in a while. That was all he really wanted. Remus looked away and seemed sorry.

"Um no. You have to stay there the first weeks of the vacation to update your blood spell that your mother performed. But after that week we'll come and get you" he hurried to say.

"Oh crap! Well whatever. Where shall I live then" he asked.

"We thought maybe with Severus. He is the one that got the best place for you. My house looks quite a lot like Hagrid's hut",Remus explained and his cheeks tingled a little pink. Harry recognized that trait from Ron and did not press the issue.

"But Professor! I thought you lived here in the castle" said Harry surprised. He had never seen Snape leave the castle.

"No. I only stay here at the holiday's so I can sort of keep an eye on you" Severus explained and stood up. He went over to the fireplace and leaned his forehead against the mantle. Harry exchanged a look with Remus who shrugged.

"So, um. Where do you live then" he asked. Severus turned around and smiled a normally smile for once. It looked nice.

"I live at Crystal Moon Castle."

"CMC," Remus murmured.

"What? A castle" Harry asked.

"Yeah."

"By yourself" he said skeptically. He still didn't believe it.

"Yes."

"Oh..." Harry could hardly believe his ears. Perhaps now was the time when his life took a turn and began to race upwards? He didn't dare to believe so.

"Am I supposed to live there" he asked carefully.

"I hope so. Unless you would rather be at the Dursleys," said Severus who didn't know much about his relatives.

"No way! This is oh my god... of course I will live with you!"

Harry found himself in another hug.

"Remus, if you accept me I would like for you to come and live with us as well," Severus said shyly. Another new side of the professor. Remus practically jumped on Severus. All three stood in a bear hug when the door burst open and an angry professor McGonagall and a pale looking Draco Malfoy entered.