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.

Chapter 20

Harry was up early the following week. His bout with the potion still had the lingering effect of weakness from time to time, but basically he was back to his old self again. Now he was packing to go back to Hogwarts, and he was more than a little nervous. Severus came into the room and found that Harry was still only half packed. He went to stand beside the bed.

"Is there something bothering you that you would like to talk to me about?"

Harry twisted his hands in his lap and kept doing this until Severus came to sit on the edge of the bed. "You can tell me, Harry. What is it that is bothering you so much?"

"Well, it's just that we are going back to school, and I know you have to keep up the act of not liking me, but it still hurts when you say those things."

"Harry, I will not be ridiculing you anymore in class." When Harry's face lit up, Severus turned Harry around to face him. "I will not ridicule you anymore, but I still have to keep up the false pretences in front of the death-eater children. I hope you can understand I mean none of it, and if you have any problems, come to me."

"How can I just walk into the Slytherin common room when I need help?"

Severus laughed out loud. "I will give you the back way into my room. Do you think I would let my son wander around with those kids in my house? You may be a brave Gryffindor, but the Slytherins are ruthless, and if they ever find out you are my son they will stop at nothing to inform the Dark Lord."

"Aren't you afraid they will find out?"

"They are Slytherins, true, but most are not the brightest people in the world and overlook what is obvious. Now stop worrying, I am working out something with Albus so that my spying days will be over, and then we will not have to hide the fact that you are my son."

"Really! You mean it, Dad? I won't have to hide that you are my father then?"

"Yes, Harry, I am proud to call you my son, but I want no more stunts like the last one. I was scared, and we almost lost you. Promise me you will take it easy for the next week or so."

"I promise. No late night running about the castle with Ron," Harry grinned.

Severus' eyebrows quirked up. "Yes, see that you and Mr. Weasley stay out of trouble. Now get your things, I will be taking you to the Weasleys' to catch the train with them."

"Can't I go with you?" Harry asked. The look Severus gave him made Harry laugh. "I guess showing up with you would definitely give away something."

Harry spent the train ride there telling Ron about the fun he and Severus had after he had left. Both boys also informed a very shocked Hermione that Professor Snape was indeed Harry's father and about everything that had taken place over the holidays. Hermione was shocked at first, but then wrapped her arms around Harry's neck, squeezing him tight.

"Oh, Harry, I am so happy for you. You finally have someone who cares about you. I always thought it strange that you never got any letters at school." Their conversation was cut short when the door flew open, and there stood Draco Malfoy.

"Well, did you have fun with your muggle relatives, Granger and Potter? Oh, and Weasley, did you get lots of crappy gifts for Christmas?"

"Shut up, Malfoy, and get out. No one wants you here!" Ron yelled.

"Oh really, Weasley? Well how about I just come in there and show you a thing or two about respecting people who are better than you."

Malfoy took a step forward, but was snatched back out the door. George now held him firmly. "Yes, Malfoy? You were saying something?" Fred and George had become very overprotective of Ron and Harry since their illness.

"You may have won this time, Weasel, but your big brothers will not always be around to protect the three of you."

"I suggest you take your two cronies here and go back to your compartment, Malfoy," Fred said, coming to stand behind his brother. Even Malfoy knew when he was outnumbered and, grumbling, he and Crabbe and Goyle walked away. Fred and George stepped into the car and sat down.

"How are you feeling, Harry? Any side effects from being sick, and how is your father?" Fred said, looking genuinely concerned.

"I'm fine, other than being a little tired from time to time. Dad said to just take it easy."

Beside him George snorted. "You got off easier than Ronnykins here. Mom made him stay in bed for three days after he got back, and even when she let him out, she watched him like a hawk. She even burst into tears a couple times and then made us promise to keep an eye on both of you."

"Well, thanks. Anytime you wish to keep Malfoy away is fine with me."

"Well, now that I see you are alright, we have to go. There is mischief to create and then someone else to find to blame it on."

Harry and the others changed into their robes just as the train was pulling up to Hogwarts. The first-years did not have to take the boats like when they first arrived, but instead got to ride in the carriages up to the castle. When Harry and the others stepped out, Malfoy walked past, elbowing Ron in the side.

"Hey! Watch it, you creep!"

Harry rolled is eyes. "Do not let Malfoy get to you. Come on, we have to get to the Great Hall, before we are late. Harry, Ron and Hermione walked in and took seats. They were talking to Neville and Seamus when Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"I am glad to see that you have all returned from Christmas holidays, and I am sure all of you are overjoyed at going back to classes tomorrow, enjoy the feast." All around groans were heard at the mention of classes again, but Harry and his friends talked and exchanged what they had gotten for Christmas. Soon Harry could barely keep his eyes open, and he suggested they all go up to the common room.

Inside, people were playing exploding snap, and Fred and George, with their friend Lee, were demonstrating one of their new inventions on an unsuspecting first-year. Soon a big pop sounded and the poor boy found himself turning blue and yellow polka-dotted. The boy was near tears, but the twins told him it would only last an hour, and he seemed much better when he returned to himself.

Hermione, of course, had found a book and was now nestled in one of the chairs by the fire, while Ron and Harry played wizard chess. Harry was losing to Ron as usual, but he could barely keep his eyes open now. "Can we finish this tomorrow? I am really tired, and I do not want to fall asleep during Potions class.

"It's okay, mate. I'm a little tired myself," Ron whispered, but do not tell Fred or George."

"Your secret is safe with me." Harry said as they walked up the stairs to the first year dormitory. Harry kicked his shoes off and laid his glasses on the bedside table. He was feeling very tired and, within minutes, he was asleep.