Title: Past, Present, Future

Summary: The past will come back, the present will change them, now what will the future hold?

Disclaimer: I do not own them, sad but true

A/N: Yes this is an AU fic. Reviews are welcome, flames are shared with friends for amusement.

To the reviewers!

DarkAngelPearl: Thanks, I hope you enjoy it

Elfgaurd48: np, welcome to the fic

esmeralda: thank you!

lilsnape: thanks! I hope I do not disappoint

GrffRavHuffSlythendor: Hope you enjoy this fic

starlit jewel: Hmm perhaps first year

Thank you for the reviews they make my day!

Chapter 2

Mrs. Weasley walked up until she reached the Second year dorm and knocked on the door. When there was no answer she quietly opened it and went inside. There, sitting by the window, now fully dressed, was Harry. Walking over to him she put her hand on his chin and pulled him to meet her gaze.

"Why did you not come down and join us? We have been waiting, and soon the cider will grow cold."

"I... I didn't want to intrude," Harry stammered.

"Nonsense, young man. When will you learn that you will never be a bother or intrusion. Now come, let us get you downstairs so you can join the rest of us."

Harry nodded, but the knot in his stomach was growing larger. He loved the Weasleys like they were his family, but he had no family. His was gone and now no one wanted The Boy Who Lived as their burden. His aunt and uncle had never shown him any kindness and treated him worse than a beggar on the streets. Harry was used to this, of course, and expected no less of them. As his feet made it to the bottom step, he saw the other Weasleys grinning up at him. It made him leery, and he wondered exactly what was up.

"Well, come on, Harry. Dad says we can't play with our stuff until you open your gift," Ron exclaimed, trying to look put out, but failing.

Harry's mouth fell open as he saw the pile of gifts sitting beside Ron. His eyes watered up, but he stifled the flood of tears. Gingerly, he walked over and took a seat beside Ron, but did not start opening his gifts. It felt awkward for everyone else to be staring at him, waiting for him to open his gifts. Mrs.Weasley, the ever-observant one, noticed this and sent the twins to fetch more cider and cake from the kitchens.

Harry sighed with relief, and Ron shoved a very chunky present at him. "Here this one is from Hagrid."

Harry opened the paper slowly until Ron could take it no more and helped him rip it open. Out fell an enormous cake, but it weighed at least ten pounds. It was about to hit the floor, when Mr. Weasleys' quick wand set it back straight. Blushing, Ron made a fast apology.

Harry laughed and asked if everyone would like a piece, but none would venture to eat Hagrid's cooking. Ron, being more careful, handed Harry the next gift slowly. Harry opened it up to reveal a maroon sweater with a big letter H on it. Any normal person would have laughed at the simple gift, but Harry knew it was made with love and hugged it close to him.

"Well, put it on then. We have to wear ours, and you must wear yours. It is tradition."

Harry pulled the sweater over his head and at once felt very cosy. He looked to the pile and noticed he still had two presents left. Opening the next, he saw that it was filled with many sweets from the twins' last visit to Hogsmeade. He thanked them all, and offered each their choice of Every Flavor Bean. Each took one out of courtesy, but George quickly spit his out and the words "ewww that was a snot flavoured one," rang out through the room. Harry snickered, and Ron was beside himself.

Picking up his last gift, Harry noticed it was from none other than Dumbledore himself. Taking the edge of the package, he opened it carefully. Out fell a note, and Harry picked it up to read.

Harry,

I thought long and hard about what to get you for Christmas, and then this came to my mind. Enjoy it and keep it safe."

Harry's fingers were trembling as he opened the paper, but the look of anticipation on Ron's face prompted him to rip it open. Out of the paper fell a mirror. To Harry it looked like any mirror, until he peered into it. There, smiling back was Ron, dressed just as he was now. Harry's face was one of confusion, until Mrs. Weasley spoke up.

"Dumbledore said you were sometimes very lonely at the Dursleys', and missed your friends very much, so we decided to all get together and get you this. If you ever need to talk, just pick up the mirror and, wherever Ron is, you will be able to talk to him."

Harry now let fall the torrent of tears he'd been holding back. Ron's smile beamed throughout the room, for he'd come up with idea of the mirror when Hermione had forced him to do some extra reading last year.

"What is it, Harry, don't you like it? I thought it was a great idea when I told Dumbledore."

Harry turned and hugged Ron fiercely, and then he said, "This is the best present ever! Nothing could top this short of an instant family."

All in the room let out the breaths they'd held while they waited for Harry's reaction when the twins burst through the door bearing not only cake, but more cider and some turkey legs too. The occupants of the room ate and played with the many gifts until way past six, when Ms. Weasley stood up and announced that she had to return home.

"Bill and Charley are expecting us in Romania come sunrise, and we have to get going if we wish to be there by then."

All around there were hugs, and then Ms. Weasley enveloped Ron and Harry in the biggest hug of them all. "Both of you behave yourselves, and do not let me hear of any mischief you have caused. I know Professor Snape is still at Hogwarts for the holidays, and if I hear that something wicked has befallen him, I will know who the culprits are."

Harry and Ron tried to look innocently at Mrs. Weasley, but she just laughed. "Go on now, you little scamps, and get ready for dinner in the Great Hall. I'm sure Dumbledore will be expecting you soon. If you need us, George and Fred know how to reach us. Be careful, and enjoy the rest of the holidays." Then she leaned over and gave both boys a big wet kiss on the cheek.

"UGH, Mum was that necessary?" Ron said, backing away as she reached for him again.

Mr. and Ms. Weasley left the common room shortly thereafter, and Harry and Ron ran down to the Great Hall. Harry wasn't really hungry after all the cake and cider, but Ron claimed that he was starving.

As they pushed open the doors, they noticed only one table inside, and it was filled with every food imaginable. Harry was suddenly kind of hungry, and both ran to sit down.

Taking their seats, Harry turned to thank Dumbledore and Hagrid for their gifts and said hello to Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout. They were, however, afraid to speak to Professor Snape, who seemed quite pissed off at having to endure wearing the pirate hat that was on his head.

Harry watched Ron fill his plate to the brim like he was starving and wondered where he put it all. Ron however paid him no heed as he plunged his fork into the mashed potatoes. Harry placed a few things on his plate and then merely picked at them.

He had only eaten about three bites when a huge solid grey owl swooped into the room. All stopped eating to watch it land on Professor Snape's shoulder and deposit a single worn envelope. Severus Snape looked perplexed at who would be sending him a letter, and during the holidays at that. Each watched with anticipation as the Potions'' master opened the letter and read it.

Severus was angry that his meal had to be spent with the Gryfindor students, namely Weasley and Potter, and even more outraged when Dumbledore had placed the hat on his head, and now some bloody owl had dropped off a letter. Ripping it open he looked down to see who had sent it and noticed a familiar handwriting. As he peered at the opening line, his heart stuck in his throat.

Dear Severus,

I am writing this to you even as I fear for my baby's life. I will not beat around the bush, but instead come right to the point, as I haven't much time. Harry is your son Severus. That week we spent after graduation in France was one of the best in my life, and I regret nothing, except the fact of hiding it from you. Harry may not look like your son, but he is indeed. He normally has your hair, but I put a charm on him as a baby to keep it from growing too long. His eyes are mine though I am sure you have seen them by now. Please love him, as you once loved me. I hope that even though he looks like James, you will welcome him into your heart and love him as your own. He shall receive a letter just like this one, if he has not already. I know you try to portray to everyone else that you are quite the evil bastard, but I know your true self, Severus. Please do not close Harry off from your love; I'm sure he needs you as much as you need him.

Love Lily

Severus gaped in surprise and his fork cluttered to the table. His eyes glanced up from the letter and were met by many others. He dared not look at them; instead he stared at Harry.

Harry gulped down the fear creeping into his heart as Professor Snape stared at him. He felt like a rat in a trap.

"Harry, do you know something, that you are not saying?" Ron asked in a whisper.

Harry continued to stare back at Professor Snape and shook his head no to Ron's question. This seemed to also answer the professor's question, for he abruptly got up and walked out of the room. Harry, along with everyone, wondered what had sent Professor Snape off into another of his moods, but as this was his usual, no one took it for anything more than normal and went back to eating. Only the old wizard, who had known him for years, was worried, and the twinkle in Albus Dumbledore's eye diminished just a little.