Disclaimer: Harry Potternot mine. Should have got a patent! (bad, bad commercials)

Pairings: Harry/Draco, James/Lily. Any others will be noted in later chapters.

Summary: Following an escaped Death Eater brings Harry 20 years into the past. As Harry searches for him inside Hogwarts, Harry learns just how the world he lives in came to be- and what it still has left for him.

I'm holding on, waiting for your call
It's simple but I can't explain this
I'm sinking down, I feel like I could die
I'm falling off I don't know why

I still believe it when you say
It's another perfect day
Another perfect day
I still believe it when you say
It's another perfect day
Another perfect day

-Another Perfect Day, American Hi-Fi

Of all the people Harry had expected to approach him, Severus Snape had been at the bottom of his list. While he had grown closer to the man in his own time, and despite empathy for the boy he had witnessed being humiliated by his own father, he still recognized trouble when he saw it. The young Potions Master was arrogant, snide, and cruel. How much of this was due to the marauders teasing as opposed to his personality, Harry wasn't sure, but he believed it no excuse. In his time Draco and himself had plenty of rows, and yet Harry still stayed true to himself through it all- despite flaring tempers.

And yet, there stood the familiar lanky posture and thin hair of the future Potions Master. His head was bent towards the floor, black tendrils splaying over his features. In the dim light of the now empty classroom, he seemed unnaturally pale. Looking carefully, he could see the boy's hands trembling- from nervousness, anger, or fear, he wasn't sure. Recognition bubbled in his mind, and Harry nearly snorted from the irony. In less than 20 years from now, the tables would be turned, and he, Harry, would be facing the fully-grown Snape in a similar manner. It was a little too strange to dwell on.

Clearing his throat, Harry tried to make contact with the young man. In failing, he attempted the more direct approach.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Mr. Snape?" The name felt unfamiliar on his throat- he was used to calling him either Professor in public, or Severus in private.

The young man seemed to become more nervous at this. His pale features flushed a slight pink. Slightly amused, Harry realized he'd never seen the Potions Master blush.

Seeming to gather his courage, he finally spoke, "Professor Cutter. I have a few questions about the lesson."

Harry strangely wasn't surprised. He had wanted to ask the Potions Master about the man the boggart turned into- who he assumed was his father. If Snape's past is anything like Draco's, I could see why. Guiltily, he realized he'd never delved much into it with the older Potions Master, though he seemed to know exactly how Harry had been raised. Come to think of it, he'd always avoided the subject…

"You said that… by recognizing our fears we could then work to overcome them."

Harry held his gaze. "Yes, I did say that."

His hands fidgeted with the hem of his robes. His voice continued, haughty- if a little shaky, "I noticed that in class you didn't go very much into how to do that, sir. And frankly, I feel if you are going to introduce a subject you should thoroughly examine all aspects of it."

He averted his gaze, eyes traveling to the windows where the sun was shining through. Harry subconsciously tapped his finger on his desk, lightly. This was delicate.

"I have a personal question for you, Mr. Snape. You need not answer if you're uncomfortable, I would understand. Does your coming to me have anything to do with the man the boggart turned into?"

His eyes were resigned, but his face turned ashen. He had known the DADA professor would ask him that, ever since he'd seen the perplexed look on his face when the boggart had changed. But knowing didn't make what he had to say any easier.

"I don't know that it's any of your business professor, but he was- is my father."

He left it at that- he had no wish to delve into the complexities of his relationship with his father with his professor. As much as he wanted his help, there were some demons he wasn't yet ready to disturb.

Harry was torn. On one hand, this was his student, one who needed his help- though he hadn't used so many words. The fact that it was Snape's father the boggart had turned into suggested he was either abused, or resistant against his father's… loyalties. And then there was how he had initially said "was" instead of "is." If it had been a student from his own time, Harry would have jumped to his aid. But this was Snape. He knew how this would invariably end up. Was it worth the effort if he knew that no matter what he did, Snape would invariably give in to his fear and get the Dark Mark?

"Ah. I see. That does make matters difficult, does it not?"

Snape didn't reply, and Harry sighed. He was getting a little sick of people keeping things from him. He wouldn't let him get away with that- he was at least going to ask for help if he wanted it.

"Well, Mr. Snape? What exactly are you asking?"

The next sentence sounded as if it was the hardest he'd spoken in his lifetime.

"I want you to teach me." His mouth twisted into a strange frown, the last word almost strangled through his vocal chords- as if he could barely stop himself from chocking on it. He seemed to debate on whether to stare at his feet, or meet his Professor's eyes. Deciding on the latter, he raised his chin, eyes daring the older man to defy them- and hoping beyond all hope that he wouldn't.

He held a cockiness he'd only seen rivaled in Draco, but carried a sadness that reminded Harry of himself. The combination was frightening. Not for the first time, and not for the last, Harry almost forgot this young man was the Death Eater spy of his own time.

"That is, of course, my job, Mr. Snape. If there are any questions you have, or any additional work you would like to participate in, you have only to ask."

Harry went over to his desk, which had been set in the far left corner for the lesson- signaling the end of the conversation. He carefully placed the students' essays on the top, moving quills and parchment as he did so. He watched Snape from the corner of his eye, intent on his reaction.

The young Potions Master's frown deepened, confused as to whether the Professor had completely understood his meaning or not. Either way, he would get nothing more from him today. He bowed his head slightly before making his way out the classroom door.

Harry grimaced at the closed door. He had just agreed to give Severus Snape private lessons. Severus Snape, who would soon become a follower of Voldemort.

He was back in his room, looking for his school robes. It had taken some convincing, but Harry had convinced Dumbledore to allow him to bring them for any additional undercover work- posing as a professor gave Harry power to snoop in most places, but being as recognizable of a figurehead as a professor often left him at a disadvantage. If seen by someone he didn't mean to be found by, it would be simple to trace him back as part of the staff. As an indiscernible student, it would be almost impossible. A student with his face didn't even exist in the Hogwarts records- yet. The only problem would be if he were caught by one of the staff or a prefect- he didn't want to explain himself to the Headmaster. If such an occasion occurred, he'd just have to do his best to disappear- and ideally, do a simple memory charm. If he was lucky, he might even be mistaken for James Potter. Though with the boys' reputation for trouble, he began to wonder how fortunate that would be.

Harry pried through the hangers in his closet, looking for the tell tale red and gold of his tie. Not finding it, he leafed through them again, this time, going slower, taking a long look at each one. He needed to get some leeway on his search for Nyle tonight. If he waited any longer he'd get behind. With a grimace, Harry gave up on the closet and started looking in his drawers.

He cursed the loss of his invisibility cloak. If only he'd been able to convince Dumbledore to let him take that along, it would have made the whole spying occupation go much smoother. Some sputter about paradox from having identical items in the same time period pish posh had prevented him from bringing it. Without his cloak and the Marauder's Map, Harry felt naked. He'd never realized how much he relied on his 'inheritance.'

The drawers were practically empty- he still hadn't completely unpacked his bags. The clothes that had been privileged enough to be placed in his drawers were now sitting snugly in a pile on the floor, tossed aside as he began searching frantically. He couldn't have forgotten them!

Harry froze for a moment, fingers holding the cold handle of the last drawer. His eyebrows rose, staring foggily at the dark-stained wood. The marauders would finish their map this year. This was both good and bad. The good being he could steal the map- or more precisely, confiscate it- and use it for his own espionage. If Nyle was anywhere in Hogwarts, he would show up on the map. The bad: he would show on the map. As Harry Potter.

He sat back on his heels, briefly wondering when he had gone down on his knees. He could charm the map to show him as Zane Cutter, but he'd have to be in possession of the map to do that- he'd never thought about looking into how the map worked, something he was quickly regretting. After charming it, he'd have to catch the boys in the act to confiscate it. He couldn't just steal the map without their knowledge- it would be too abrupt, and they would become suspicious. Besides that, he knew for a fact that it was originally confiscated, not stolen.

Anxious, and still not finding his uniform, he pushed the drawer closed. If he couldn't find his uniform, he'd have to steal one. Worried from his thoughts and lack of uniform, he resumed his search by looking through his brown leather suitcase. Over the years, he'd accumulated too much junk to fit into his trunk alone- something he'd never thought possible. He'd always had so few possessions in his youth- something Draco had quickly remedied.

Harry stopped his frantic search, dropping his arms to his sides with an exaggerated sigh. He slowly pulled the green and silver silk tie from his bag. He barely suppressed a half-smile. Oh what the hell, he thought, as he let his smile bloom. His Slytherin lover had replaced all his Gryffindor ties and scarves with his trademark silver and green.

He was going to be eaten alive.

Draco paced in front of the fireplace. His chest felt hollow as his heart pumped a rapid rhythm. His brow creased, his hair brushing against his furrowed brow. It had been over two hours, and no sign of Harry. To say he was worried would be an understatement- he was frantic.

Time keys were similar in concept to portkeys- but rather than transport the carrier from one place to another, it took them to a preset time as well as place. Because of this, it was unthinkable that Harry would return at any time other than that which the time key was set to. Which was why he was so worried. Harry hadn't returned at the preset time- that meant he might not return at all.

He had to keep reminding himself it was unbecoming of a Malfoy to pull out his hair. Malfoys don't pace and whimper like dogs waiting for their walk. They yell and scream until they get their way.

Deciding this was a good plan, Draco changed directions, nearly stomping towards the Headmaster, who was sitting calmly at his desk. He brought his hands down hard on the mahogany desk, glass clanging from the force. Papers flitted lightly from of Draco's uncontrolled magic.

"Where is he? You said he'd be back by now. What the fuck went wrong!"

Dumbledore's lips pursed, slowly shaking his head at the young man's temper.

"I'm afraid I don't know, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco growled, hands grasping the side of the desk until the knuckles were white.

"How can you not know, you were there!"

Dumbledore sat with his fingers entwined, focused on some non-descript point in the room. The twinkle was gone- in its place was worry. When he spoke, his voice was slow, words carefully chosen.

"I do not believe Harry will be returning with the time key. He must have encountered a problem. Rather than send you back unnecessarily, I would like you to do some research concerning the time period before his return. If you would like, the Hogwarts records are free for you to use, as well as any information any students from that time may give you. Report back to me in a week. If Harry does not come back by then, and you find insufficient information of his whereabouts, I will arrange for another time key to be created. If he does return, you will be the first to know."

Speech finished, Dumbledore stood up from his seat. The conversation was over. Angered, Draco turned towards the door, giving the seat where he'd been waiting a hard push, feeling slightly better at the loud bang that resulted from its fall. He fitfully grabbed the door handle, throwing the door open before going through.

He had to find Harry.

A/N: Here's the second half of the previous chapter- this part was a lot shorter. Thought of adding more, but it seemed like an appropriate place to stop. Plot twist!

The next chapter will be up… when I finish it, of course. Good HBP-ing everyone!