A/N: I realize this may be a slightly used plotline, but it still seems like fun. Also, for whatever reason, ff.n is not letting me do what i usually do to show time passing () so i have begun writing (time passes). Just to let you know-it does kinda break the general pace of the story, but what can ya do? Thanks, and Please review!

You Can't Go Back

Chapter 1: Potions and Problems

Severus Snape, a tall, gaunt man with shoulder length greasy black hair, was many things. A master at potions, a spy for Albus Dumbledore against Lord Voldemort, and a potions teacher at Hogwarts, among other things.

One thing he was not, for the moment at least, was happy.

"LONGBOTTOM!" Snape bellowed, his face contorting with rage.

Neville Longbottom cowered under his desk, quite certain that his premature death was near. He had just managed to mess up a "simple" potion beyond recognition. Even Hermione Granger, who regularly saved him from failing potions, was staring through the thick, purple smoke that his cauldron was belching and staring at the cauldron's contents with a horrified sort of fascination. The rest of the class was slowly backing away, though from the cauldron or Snape, Neville couldn't tell.

"Out of my way, girl!" Pushing Hermione away roughly, the teacher leaned over to Neville, until his prominent nose was practically against Neville's small one. "Mr. Longbottom... how many steps are there to this potion?" he inquired, his voice dangerously silky.

"Th-three, sir." Neville squeaked out, trying not to look into the glittering black eyes.

Snape nodded slowly, a muscle working in his jaw. "And yet you still managed to render this potion useless, did you not?"

"I... I gue--"

"Enough! That was a rhetorical question, Longbottom." He paused, thinking. "Get out from under this desk and fetch Mr. Filch. Explain to him that your incompetence has, yet again, created a need for his service."

Scurrying out from under the desk, Neville raced to the door.

As soon as he was gone, Snape turned back to the cauldron, whose smoke had turned a dark blue. He leaned over it, his wand at the ready. Suddenly, the smoke stopped.

"Oh, shi--" he began, but the rest was cut off by a deafening explosion.

Several girls screamed as Professor Snape was launched through the air. He flew perhaps ten feet until he hit the opposite wall with a painful thud. Smoke was again emitting from the cauldron, though now it was an acidic green. This newly colored smoke was engulfing Snape's prone body until he was not visible.

"We have to help him!" Hermione screamed, leaping towards the wreckage, but Ron and Harry pulled her back.

"Help him, Granger?" Draco Malfoy sneered, though his eyes were scared. "Do you think that smoke is GREEN because it just happens to like that color? It's poisonous!"

"But, he's a teacher, he could die!" she looked wildly about, but no one moved to aide Snape. Many of her classmates refused to meet her eyes.

Harry stepped forward and pulled her against him. "Hermione, we can't do anything."

At that moment, several teachers ran down the stairs.

"Severus!" Professor McGonagall cried out, clutching a hand to her chest as she surveyed the site.

Dumbledore stepped forward. With a wave of his hand, the smoke and cauldron had disappeared. Everyone could see Snape on the ground, convulsing slightly.

Dumbledore ran over to the man. Muttering under his breath, he attempted several different incantations to revive Severus, to no avail. Severus merely continued to shake horribly, though unconscious.

"Let's get him to Poppy, shall we?" Dumbledore said, though the worry was evident in his voice. McGonagall helped him carry Severus out of the room, and Flitwick, who had been standing near the door, ushered students to their respective dormitories. Several of the Slytherin girls were crying.

(time passes)

No one was much in the mood for lunch after what had happened, so the Gryffindors merely sat around, picking at their food.

"D'you suppose he'll... y'know... be alright?" Ron asked finally, breaking the gloomy silence that had settled over the 6th years.

Hermione heaved a sigh and turned to him. "I don't know, Ron. He didn't look good, did he? Not that he ever looks that good, mind you, but worse than usual. And Professor Dumbledore seemed scared too."

Everyone nodded.

Harry swallowed hard, then said, "He's not my favorite teacher by any means- I think he's a greasy haired git if you ask me... but I don't necessarily want him dead. I still need to get even with him for making my experiences in potions second only to those with the Dursleys."

This was greeted with a bit of scattered laughter. People smiled a bit, and Ron added, "Well, he's with Madame Pomfrey now, and she's never failed yet."

With that said, everyone helped themselves to some shepherd's pie, contented that everything would be fine.

(time passes)

The next day, however, held events no one had anticipated.

Upon arriving to the Great Hall for breakfast, Hermione said, "Look, Snape's not back yet." as she surveyed the empty chair at the staff's table.

The three friends shared a worried glance, and then sat down in their usual spots. Shortly after they began eating, the doors to the hall opened again.

In walked Madame Pomfrey, and trailing behind her, a teenage Snape.

(concludes chapter 1)

A/N: There is, of course, more to come. Please review, I'm always open to comments, questions, and suggestions. Flames are welcome (I guess), but I implore you- if you're going to flame me, at least make it constructive. Otherwise, PLEASE REVIEW!