"You stepped on my foot!" Payton hissed to James.

"Sorry."

They were walking along the corridors at Hogwarts.

"What does the map say?"

"All clear. Lets go."

James swallowed. Paytons' body was far too close. They were both under the invisibility cloak on their way to the restricted section of the library.

"Tell me again what we are looking for," James said as they arrived at the books they were looking for. The two boys shrugged the cloak off and James put it on a table and placed the lamp beside it.

Payton immediately started searching.

"I don't know, Jamie. Books about apparating, vanquishing, or even time travel," She enumerated.

"Time travel?"

"Yes, Jamie. Time travel. That is when a person leaves her own time to travel to another." She smiled back to him.

"Smartass. What I meant, Miss Snape, was why do you think it could be time travel?" He had moved closer and whispered softly in her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

She had to clear her throat before she was able to answer.

"I don't know. It was just a feeling. Don't you think its possible?" She looked over her shoulder and he quickly kissed her nose.

"Maybe. Come on, let's search."

The next thirty minutes were spent selecting several volumes. Since Filch and Mrs. Norris (the seventh one) had retired, they didn't have to fear being caught. Not too much, anyway. Peeves was the only real threat and having been thoroughly threatened by Severus more than once, he tended to stay away from any of the Snape offspring. And the current caretaker, strangely enough, wasn't around.

They positioned the books on the table and sat down.

"It's a blessing that the caretaker is ill," James said, grinning.

"Do you have anything to do with it?" She looked at him skeptically.

"You wanted to go to the library, didn't you?" He asked almost innocently.

She shook her head and continued to read the books.

Both were lost in their own thoughts and tried to find some matching points of what had happened in the books.

---

Hermione woke up to the sound of a steady heart beating in a strong velvety chest. She smiled and snuggled closer into her husband's warmth. Her hands smoothed over his skin and she looked into his face to check if he was still sleeping. He was.

Hermione softly untangled herself from him and slowly pulled their blanket down. She sat up and observed his sleeping form.

He still looks wonderful. I love his strong sensual body.

She bent down to lick over his dark nipples and let her hands travel over his chest. She nuzzled her way down to his torso. His member started reacting to her caresses and she gently stroked his balls.
Severus moaned deep in his sleep. His hips rocked gently towards her and she licked her lips in anticipation.

Hermione looked up and observed his face. He seemed so much younger in his sleep and at ease with himself. She moved between his legs and placed her soft hand around his now fully erect cock. She licked her lips before she went down to encircle the head with her hot tongue. She let it swirl around and gently ribbed her teeth over his sensitive part while her hand continued to caress his balls. She loved his smell and his taste.

Moaning, she took him deeper into her mouth.

Severus had the most erotic dream. Hermione and he had been lying on a beach, naked. The cold water was playing around their feet. Suddenly he opened his eyes and had to grin because of the view. His wonderful wife was sucking his cock.

He reached down and buried his hands into the silkiness of her unruly curls. She moaned again as she felt his hands and increased her caresses.

"Oh don´t stop.." he hissed trough his teeth.

He loved the feel of her soft skin against him, her smell, and the mingled scent of their mutual arousal. His desire grew and he felt that his climax was near. Seconds later he spilled his seed into her waiting mouth, crying out her name.

Hermione swallowed his semen and gently licked his member clean before she moved up and cuddled against him.

"Morning," he mumbled before he captured her soft lips in a sweet kiss, tasting himself and reveling in the intimacy of it.

She responded and gently played with his lips.

"What time is it?" His voice was barely a whisper.

"Too early to get up, love. Go back to sleep!"

He opened his eyes again.

"After all that, you want me to go back to sleep?" He asked mockingly.
She smiled against his neck.

"Yes, my love. You can return the favor in the morning."

He chuckled and drew her closer into his arms. Just moments later sleep overwhelmed them both.

-------

Hermione and Severus were woken up abruptly by two people bursting into their bedroom.

Severus immediately drew his wand and pointed it at the intruders.

"Dad! It's me!" Payton stopped him from using his wand.

"Payton? What are you doing here at this time? And why, if I may ask, is Mr. Potter accompanying you?"

Hermione had woken up and pulled the bedsheets around her naked body tightly.

"Payton, James?" She asked confused.

"Mom. I think we know what happened to Arden and Savannah."

That got their attention immediately.

"What? How?" Was all Severus managed to say before he jumped out of the bed. He groped for his robes and put them on. Hermione wanted to do the same, but remembered soon enough that James was still in the room.

"Mr. Potter! When you are finished staring at my wife, I think you should wait outside," Severus snarled.

James eyes, which had been glued to Hermione, closed immediately and he turned around. His cheeks went red with embarrassment.

"Of course, Sir." he mumbled before he left the room.

Payton watched him, open mouthed and followed him.

"The boy is truly unbearable," Hermione said before she stood up, putting her nightgown on.

Severus had to smile. It was no secret - at least not to him- that several older students had a crush on his beautiful wife.

After she had dressed she noticed that her husband was watching her.

"What?"

"Nothing. Have I told you that I love you today?"

She smiled and walked towards the door, pausing before she went through it and twinkled at him.

"No, you haven't but I know it."

He followed her out of the room.

Payton and James were already waiting for them in the living room. James sat on the couch while Payton was pacing the floor. Hermione entered the room directly behind her husband. She sat down on the couch while Severus leaned against the cool dungeon walls.

"So what is it you found out?" He asked quietly. He wouldn't allow himself to get his hopes up. What if the children were wrong in their suspicions?

"Well, Jamie and I have done some research of our own," she started.

"We tried to find the same circumstances of what had happened in different books."

Severus nodded. That would have been his first task in the morning.

James held a book up and gave it to Payton. She smiled briefly at him before she continued.

"At first we didn't find a thing. We looked in books about apparating, vanquishing and even in Major faults During Potions Making , " she enumerated, ignoring the looks of her parents which told her that they would deal with her later for going into the restricted section without the required permissions.

"But we came up with nothing. Then we searched in the time travel section, and there it was. In Time Travel and Its Dark Misuse from Nubeus Gradlon. All the symptoms were there, Dad! You said there was black dust surrounding them while they disappeared, right?"

Severus nodded.

"The book said that this is a typical sign for time travel while working on a potion."

Hermione had grabbed the book and started reading feverishly.

"But Payton, it says also that someone has to initiate this. It must be a very strong dark magic."

Severus pushed himself from the wall and walked over to his wife. He sat down on the arm of the couch and looked into the book, too.

"There was nobody except the normal students," he whispered more to himself than to her.

"And what dark magic? We got rid of Voldemort over a decade ago."

"Maybe I can help you with that." A voice from the doorway said.

---

Past

Savannah waited for Arden in front of Dumbledore's passageway.

She nodded as she saw him and said the password.

"Chocolate mouse!" The Eagle began turning until it revealed a staircase.

"Savannah I .." He paused, not knowing what he really wanted to say.

She glared at him.

"Save it, Arden." She climbed the steps as Arden followed her quietly.

Dumledore already awaited them in his office. The moment Savannah and Arden entered, he smiled at them offering tea and cookies.

"Yes, thank you. With milk and sugar, please." Savannah said.

And rum. Lots and lots of rum!!

Albus handed her the tea.

"Mr. Snape?"

Arden shook his head.

"Very well. I'm sure Professor Snape will be here any minute and then we may begin."

He had just finished his sentence when Severus came in.

"Ah, Severus. Would you like a cup of tea?" Albus asked.

"No, Headmaster. Thank you. I suppose we should start this now."

"Of course, of course, sit down, please."

Severus sat down near the fire and Arden and Savannah sat down on the couch. Albus sat down in his favorite armchair.

"Mr. Snape, Miss Malfoy. We wanted to talk to you about your future. As you know, we were highly surprised that you are the children of a student and Professor nonetheless."

"Excuse me Headmaster, but wouldn't it be dangerous if you know too much about the future?" Savannah asked.

Albus nodded.

"We discussed this, Miss Malfoy. And we are not going to ask you too much, no more than we need to know to resolve this situation if we can."

She nodded.

He must know it already. He is the Headmaster and a powerful wizard.

"Surely you have noticed, that we need to know some facts in order to be able to return you back home," Snape added.

"What would you like to know?" Arden asked carefully.

"More than everything we want to know, is if the war is over in your time, Mr. Snape," Albus said.

There was a short intake of breath by both students.

"Of course. The war has been over for almost 15 years now."

Severus and Albus shared a surprised gaze.

"Well, may I assume that we won?" Severus asked.

"Yes, Professor. You have in fact, been very helpful in this. Without you, the war wouldn't have been won." Savannah said.

Severus straightened in his seat, feeling smug.

I knew it. These dunderheads couldn't have won without me!

"That's a reassuring thing to know, Miss Malfoy."

"That is really great news," Albus added.

After his inner congratulations, Severus concentrated on the conversation again.

He looked closer at his future son.

The boy is hiding something. I can feel it.

"Have you something to add to this subject, Mr. Snape?" he asked.

Arden looked at his Father and just shook his head.

Severus voice got quieter and his eyes narrowed.

"I do believe that you are lying."

"Well, Professor what do you expect me to say then?"

Savannah was just staring at Arden.

"Is he right?" she asked.

He didn't look at her.

"Arden!" She stood up before him.

"Tell me. What is it you are hiding?" She demanded to know.

"Nothing of importance to you," he smirked.

"Mr. Snape, I believe that..." Severus couldn't finish his sentence.

"Tell me!" Savannah's eyes flashed fire.

Arden stood up and walked away from the fire. He was now standing by the window, his arms crossed, an almost perfect replica of his Father when he was being stubborn.

Severus wanted to start again, but Albus stopped him with a movement of his hand.

"Tell me!" She placed her hand on his shoulder and turned him around.
She was afraid as she saw the danger in his eyes.

Savannah stepped back.

"What do you want to hear, Savannah?" He moved closer until he stood before her.

"The truth."

"And what makes you think that you can handle the truth?" He sneered.

"Try me," She challenged.

Arden laughed, but it was a hard laugh. One she had never heard before.
His eyes were bare of all emotions and he was looking right into hers.
His gaze sent shivers down her spine.

That´s it. Now it will be over. She will hate me!

"Morituri te salutant!" (The Todgeweihten salutes you!)

With that he raised his left arm and slipped his sleeves up. His hand turned into a fist as he showed her his secret.

Savannah´s eyes widened in horror as she recognized the sign on his forearm.

The dark mark.

She looked unbelievingly up.

Before he knew what was happening she had slapped him, hard.

His head moved around. He did nothing to protect himself.

"How could you?" She whispered.

Albus and Severus stood up and walked towards the pair.

Severus grasped Arden´s arm and looked closer at the mark before he looked into his son's eyes again. Deep brown eyes. Full of pain and anger. But Severus also discovered something else in them.

Relief.

He is glad that he doesn't have to hide any longer! Like father like son. By Merlin's Robes. What has him driven to do something like this?

"Why are you carrying the dark mark? The sign of Voldemort's followers?" He asked in a deadly voice.

Arden pulled his arm away and stepped back.

"The war isn't over," he spat. "It never was. Voldemort and his Death Eaters were hiding all those years, regaining their strength."

Albus eyed him carefully.

Is the boy friend or foe?

"Who are you? You aren't the Arden I know," Savannah asked, bewildered.

"You know perfectly well, who I am. I am Arden Snape. Nothing has changed that. I am the child of a Death Eater. Exactly like you are."

"What are you talking about? My Father is no Death Eater," she stated. She was still retreating from him, her arms crossed over her chest in a defensive manner.

"Are you sure? Just because you don't know it, doesn't mean that it isn't true."

Albus interrupted the exchange, the twinkle from his eyes gone and replaced by a somber look.

"Maybe we should all sit down and you explain to us what is going on."

Arden nodded and sat down. The others followed.

"My father has been a spy his whole life. Always putting his life in danger to protect the wizarding world, to protect the ones he cares about," he began. "15 years ago the war ended. Nobody expected ever to hear from Voldemort again. How wrong they were. He wasn't dead. He was weak, but not dead. Somehow he had managed to flee. He had used the polyjuice potion to fool the order. He even let his Death Eaters go, making their marks vanish as if he were really dead. Everyone thought that the good side had won."

He took a deep breath.

"One year ago, the Death Eaters started acting again. Voldemort had recovered. He was searching for new followers. A few months later, Draco Malfoy came to me with a request. Voldemort had made a point to locate and inquire about those remaining among his former Death Eaters. He not only discovered that my Father had been a spy, he also found out that he had married a muggle."

Now it was Severus' turn to inhale.

A muggle? I am married to a muggle?

"Voldemort thought that it would be the right punishment for Severus Snape when he would discover that his only son and heir was a Death Eater, just as he had been."

"So, Draco Malfoy is a death eater?" Albus asked.

Arden nodded. "Yes. But he is also a spy for the Order. You see the Order was never closed. A small group remained active. Draco came to me and told me of what had happened. He also told me that Voldemort wanted proof of his loyalty."

Arden stood up again.

"The plan was simple. Voldemort wanted Savannah to join his Death Eaters. Draco refused. He found an excuse for her. To satisfy Voldemort, though, he presented him the heir of the traitor." He looked meaningfully into their group.

"It was me he presented to the Dark Lord." Arden closed his eyes for a brief moment, remembering.

"Voldemort gave me two choices. Death or Morsmordre. Everything was well planned. My sacrifice would secure that Draco had an ally inside the ranks of Voldemort and ..." he stopped.

"And what, Mr Snape?" Albus asked.

Arden shook his head.

And Savannah and Payton were safe.

"Nothing."

He rubbed his face with his hands, feeling deadly tired.

"So you are also a spy for the Order," Snape said. It wasn't a question. It was a statement.

"Yes."

"Do your parents know this?" Savannah asked.

"What do you think?" He asked sarcastically.

"I think your father would kill you! And your mother! What do you think she is going to do? You know damn well what it had meant for them that your father got rid of that damn mark and you go and volunteer yourself. How could you do that?"

Savannah was pacing nervously now. She always did that when she was angry.

At least she is angry now. He thought sadly.

To see the pain of betrayal in her eyes was almost too much for him.

How could he? Arden, you are such an idiot! I can't bind myself to a Death Eater. I can't.

She stopped dead in her tracks as she discovered that this was the reason why he had been pushing her away.

She turned around to face him.

"This is the reason, isn't it?" she asked, breathless.

He avoided her gaze and stared at a point behind her.

"You know perfectly what I mean."

"You shouldn't flatter yourself, Savannah."

Arden knew that he had to hurt her. He couldn't put her in danger.

"You are not irresistible. Just because you have so many admirers doesn't mean that I belong to them. You should thank me. I kept you from cheating. After all, I'm not the one with the boyfriend."

How dare he!!!

"At least I have a boyfriend."

"That you have, Savannah. A dunderhead none the less," he hissed back.

"He is not. He is a kind, handsome gentleman. At least he respects me!"

He took a step towards her.

"That's right, he respects you so much that he snogged you in the hallways last week. What would be less respectable for you? Snogging in the great hall?"

Before she knew what she had done she had slapped him so hard that the sound echoed trough the room.

Severus and Albus both looked dumbstruck at the pair in front of them.
Savannah had tears in he eyes but her voice was clear and strong.

"Listen to me and listen good, Arden Snape. You have absolutely no right to speak to me like this. You are not a relative of mine, nor are you my boyfriend. And moreover I'm not even sure you are my friend at all!"

She turned around.

"Headmaster, Professor, if you would excuse me." It wasn't a question it was a statement.

Before the men could nod or say something she had already left the room.

Arden watched her leave.

It is better like this. Her hatred isn't as dangerous as her affection.

"I do believe that you are happy now, Mr. Snape." Severus stated.

"I don't know what you mean, Professor." He answered coldly.

Snape just smirked.

He hurt her intentionally. He doesn't want to see her in danger.

Severus sighed internally. The lost look in Arden´s eyes' didn't get by unnoticed for him.

He took it to his credit that his son was sacrificing his own happiness for the ones he cared about. There was more of himself in the boy than he cared to admit to, and it scared him.

Albus' face was sad. It seemed that not just his Snape had trouble finding a satisfying relationship, although the future gave him hope for them both.

"Mr. Snape, maybe we should continue this another time. Go and rest. I have the feeling that you will need it."

Arden nodded and left the room.

"Well Severus, your son comes after you."

"And you consider this a good thing?" Snape asked, irritated