a/n: THANKS to everyone who reviewed! It does mean a lot. This is the first HP fic I've written in a while, and it feels good to be back with Snape and co. again. These people aren't mine (blast!). Please continue to review, as I love hearing your opinions on this little tale.

Chapter 2: Introductions and Queries

Snape the teenager was very similar to the adult Snape. He had the same shoulder length hair, hooked nose, and thinness. There really was no mistaking him.

Yet, at the same time, he was also very different. He held none of the air of intimidation that the Snape everyone knew had held. His walk was with rounded shoulders, and he seemed to twitch a bit- he really looked rather like a spider. As he followed Madame Pomfrey, he stared determinedly at the ground. His skin was not sallow, merely pale, as if he had spent most of his life indoors.

All noise had stopped, save for the clicking of Pomfrey's heels against the stone floor of the hall. Seamus was staring at the young Snape so intensely that he failed to notice his porridge steadily dripping onto his knee from the spoon that was held outside of his mouth. Harry and Ron openly gaped. Hermione had brought her hand to her mouth, brown eyes wide.

"Sit here." the nurse ordered, motioning to a chair next to Hermione.

Snape glanced up briefly. "That's the Gryffindor table." he murmured softly. His voice was higher than what it would become when he was an adult. Harry guessed that Snape was about his age.

Pomfrey turned red. "Sit! The Slytherin table is full, here is an empty chair, so sit!"

Young Severus promptly sat down.

The nurse continued up to the headmaster, who had his eyebrow raised. McGonagall, who sat next to him, was looking hawk-like, her eyebrows having contracted as she studied Snape.

As Madame Pomfrey and Dumbledore quietly conversed, Hermione leaned over to Snape.

"Professor?" she asked timidly.

Snape, who had been examining his long fingers, warily looked up at her. "...Are you talking to me?"

Hermione's eyes widened, and she looked at Harry. "What do you mean?"

Sighing, Snape shrugged. He looked around the table. "Who are all of you?" he asked softly.

"Seamus."

"Dean."

"Ginny."

"...Ron..."

Everyone sitting near him answered, giving their names to him. Though he listened to each name he received, he showed no signs of recognition. He turned back to Hermione. "And you?"

"I'm Hermione...Professor, do you really not remember?"

Snape sighed. "Why do you keep calling me a profes- Potter!" He suddenly spat out the name, and his lip curled, though not as spectacularly as it would, in 25 years, be able to.

Harry jumped. "You remember me?"

"What are you playing at, James?" Snape spat out, half rising from his chair.

Everyone turned to Harry, who was staring at Snape. "I'm not James, sir. My name's Harry."

"What's this codswallop?" Snape looked Harry over, finally looking at his eyes. "I don't know how you managed to bewitch your eyes to look like Evan's, but I'd know you anywhere."

"No, sir, you don't get it. James and Lily were my OW!" Harry yelped as Hermione stomped on his foot. Rubbing his no doubt bruising toe, he glared at her. "What did you do that for?!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "He doesn't remember, Harry. I think we should leave it to Madame Pomfrey to explain- who knows what could happen if we tried? Now listen," she turned to face Snape, "this is not James Potter. This is Harry. Please don't attack him; he most certainly won't attack you."

Snape's eyes narrowed as he looked her over, apparently trying to decide if he could trust her. After a few tense moments, he shrugged, then went back to examining his fingers.

Hermione sat watching him for a bit. Finally, she asked, "Er, pro.... I mean, Mr. Snape?"

Looking bored, he glanced up at her. "Don't call me that. I hate it when people refer to me as 'Snape'- it robs me of any identity. I am not my father, merely his son."

Slightly taken aback, Hermione pressed on. "Okay... what should I call you?"

Shrugging, Snape said simply, "Severus."

"Alright... Severus." Hermione paused, then continued. "How old are you?"

"Sixteen. Why?"

"I was just curious, Pro... I mean," she faltered as his eyes flashed, "Severus."

Seemingly satisfied, Severus nodded. He looked around again, his eyes lingering on Harry momentarily before sweeping the great hall. "If that's not James," he asked, motioning to Harry, "then where is he? And the rest of his beloved cronies?"

Harry's expression instantly darkened. "They're not here." he hissed.

Severus raised an eyebrow. "All the better for me."

At the staff's table, Madame Pomfrey nodded and stepped aside as Headmaster Dumbledore stood up. "If I may hold your attentions for a moment..." he said, and everyone turned to look at him. "As you may have noticed, our dear Potions teacher has had a bit of an... accident." Hundreds of eyes flicked over to Severus, who completely ignored the attention, but was listening with an air of mild interest. "He is now the age of a 6th year. Although he has no recollection of ever growing up, I would suggest that you treat him with respect, and be as friendly as possible. He will turn back into the Professor Snape we all know, and he will most likely be able to remember this little stroll back into childhood. Thank you, you may now go back to your breakfasts." with that, Dumbledore sat down.

Everyone turned back to Severus, who was sitting as still as a statue, staring open mouthed at Dumbledore. Finally he turned back to Hermione. "What does he mean, 'no recollection of ever growing up'?" he demanded, his voice going high with barely contained panic.

Hermione winced. "Er..." she began, but was cut off.

"Severus, come here." Dumbledore called to the frightened boy. "We have a bit of... catching up to do."

After casting one last confused glance to Hermione, Severus stood up and made his way to the headmaster. Albus bowed to the rest of the staff, and led the boy out of the hall.

Ron watched them leave. "Well, that was a bit odd, wasn't it?"

(time passes)

No one saw Severus until after classes.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione ventured outside, feeling the need to catch a breath of fresh air. It was a beautiful day outside- the sun was shining, but there was enough cloud to keep the sun from beating down on them. A light breeze ruffled their hair as they headed towards the edge of the lake.

Suddenly, Harry stopped. "Look..." he whispered, and his friends followed the direction of his gaze.

Severus sat beneath a tree, staring out at the lake. The expression on his face was one of inner turmoil, and he seemed to be in almost physical pain.

"What d'you suppose is the matter with him?" Ron asked.

"Oh Ron, come on! How would you feel if you found out that you'd already grown up, your childhood tormentors are either dead or in hiding, and your few friends are criminals, and that you are a double-spy?!" Hermione hissed into his ear, not wanting to be heard.

Ron's ears turned red. "Er, yeah. Didn't think of that."

Hermione rolled her eyes, then headed towards where Severus sat. Ron and Harry, after sharing an exasperated glance, followed her, though somewhat timidly. Neither really wanted to talk to the miniature Snape.

Severus looked up as the trio came to a halt at his side. As simply as if he had put on a mask, the pained look on his face was replaced by one of indifference. "Yes?" he queried politely.

Hermione sat down beside him, ignoring his surprised look. "Listen, I know you've just learned a lot. It must be insanely hard to try to comprehend all of this, so go ahead and ask us any questions. We don't mind, right Ron? Harry?" she asked, turning a threatening glare on her friends, who nodded quickly under her non-negotiable glare.

After a few moments of silent thinking, Severus opened his mouth, looking aprehensive. "D-Did I really follow this... this murderous dark lord?"

(concludes chapter 2)

a/n: I think it will be easier to refer to the young Snape as Severus to help differentiate between young and old in future chapters. Please review!