I own nothing. They all belong to J.K. Rowling. I'm only amusing myself and my friends.

Chapter 1: There He Is

Severus felt as if he'd fallen from about five feet up, and landed on a stone floor.

"Oomph!"

"Severus? Where did you just come from?" Albus' voice. One problem: it was coming from a place that Albus hadn't occupied for 10 years. It was coming from behind the Headmaster's desk.

Slowly, because it hurt slightly to move, Severus sat up and looked toward the desk. Albus sat there looking at him in surprise. The normal twinkle in his blue eyes was a little dimmed by his astonishment.

"I take it you are from the future. You certainly look older than the Severus that is currently teaching here. Say, about 15 years in the future?"

Severus got to his feet. "Actually, it is 25 years. I have come back on a … personal mission. I understand the DADA position is once again open?" Severus was relieved. He had done it. He had ended up where he needed to be.

"Severus, before I allow you to go near anyone in this school, I have to make sure you have no evil intentions toward . . . anyone currently under my protection here."

"I understand. I am willing to take veritaserum, but I believe I have a quicker way of proving my benign intentions." With that, Severus pulled up the left sleeve of his shirt. He had no outer robe or coat on, so it was a quick and simple matter.

Albus gasped. The Dark Mark on Severus' forearm was gone.

"How?"

"When Voldemort is finally vanquished, it will go away. As his life ebbed away, the Mark faded." Severus sat down in a chair in front of the Headmaster's desk.

"Voldemort will be defeated?" Renewed hope rang in Albus' voice.

"Yes. He is not invincible. I cannot tell you how or when, but you need to strengthen your hope, so you can strengthen others."

"Thank you. If you came for no other reason than this, it would be enough."

"That is not the only reason I came. I came to fulfill a paradox. About the DADA position?"

"Very well. However, you cannot go around looking like Severus' older brother. We must come up with a disguise for you. Do you know how long you will be here?"

"I will be here a year. I already know what I should look like. I will do a Glamour charm each day."

"Excellent. And the name you will use?"

"Dorian Grey."

Albus laughed. "A rather fitting alias. The aging reflection of the man. Would you like a lemon drop?" At that, Severus knew Albus had fully recovered his equanimity.

"No, Albus, but some tea would be very much appreciated."

"Certainly, my boy." Albus motioned toward his inner rooms, and a tea tray floated toward them. As it settled on his desk, he waved his hand over it, and a teapot and two cups appeared. The aroma of the tea rose from the pot. Albus reached for it, and poured out.

"You still take your tea the same way?"

"Yes."

After handing Severus, or rather Dorian, his cup, Albus settled back in his chair. "A private mission, you said?"

"Yes."

"Affecting others, or yourself?"

"Both."

"Hmmm. Is your younger self aware of this mission?"

"Not yet. I will tell him what he needs to know before I leave to return to my time."

"A year. Would you be willing to fill in for Severus if he gets called by Voldemort while you are here?"

"I cannot teach both DADA and Potions at the same time."

"I realize that. I can substitute in DADA, but it has been too long for me to teach Potions."

"Of course. I remember some of your attempts in the past. Very well. I will play substitute for myself. I have not taught it in 10 years, but I'm sure it will come back to me."

"What have you been doing for the last 10 years?" The Headmaster looked at him blandly.

"Albus, I cannot tell you the future. You, of all people, should realize the ramifications. I only told you about Voldemort because I know you have secretly been losing your belief he can be defeated. You need to be strong, especially for Harry. He looks to you for strength and support. You need to be able to give that to him unreservedly."

"Harry? You finally got beyond 'Mr. Potter'?" Albus' glance turned inquisitive.

"Yes, and that is all you are going to get out of me on that subject. However, I will say it is not what you are probably thinking. Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies." Severus got up from the chair he had been sitting in. It was time to end this. Albus took the hint graciously.

"Would you like to go to your rooms? I believe you know where you will be staying. I will let you get settled in. Classes begin in two weeks. Can you provide for yourself in the way of clothes and such?"

"I shrunk enough of my clothes to last me until I can get to Hogsmeade. I also brought along some money. I have what I need for now."

"May I see what you will look like, so I am not surprised when I introduce you to the rest of the staff?"

"Certainly. I will look similar in body and height, but the coloring is very different. The hardest part is disguising the voice. A potion will be necessary for that. I brewed some before I left. I will set up a private lab in my quarters." With that, Severus took out his wand and waved it before his face, muttering a charm. When he was done, he looked at Albus.

"How does this look?"

"Very different facially, but you definitely need to do the voice, and maybe put some weight on your body. You just look too much like Severus from the neck down." Secretly, Albus was startled at how much Severus changed just by the change in facial features. It helped that his expression was different. He looked much more at peace, more relaxed and open, as his older self. Whatever happened in the next 25 years, it changed Severus for the better. Severus was now Dorian Grey.

"Yes. If I remember correctly, Dorian Grey was my height, but a little heavier. Let's see, the charm for that is . . ." Dorian muttered another charm. Instantly, he appeared to put on about 30 pounds.

"Yes. Now you look like a possible relative, but not a brother. The change in coloring is quite striking. I never pictured you with short hair. Light brown, too. Are you sure you want to go with grey eyes? Maybe hazel, or brown?"

"I have no desire to look like Remus."

"Not 'the werewolf'?"

Sidestepping the implied question, Dorian instead restated, "I need to get settled in. I will see you at the staff meeting."

"Yes. Two o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Good day, Dorian."

"Good day, Headmaster. I will see you tomorrow." Dorian opened the door to the Headmaster's office, and walked down the twisting staircase.

As the door closed behind him, Albus leaned back in his chair again, and placing his elbows on the arms of his chair, steepled his fingers together. Tapping his forefingers against his lips, he mused out loud, "A personal mission, hmmm? Would it have something to do with why you understand 'Harry' so well, now?" He continued to stare at the closed door.