DISCLAIMER: DO NOT OWN IT (unfortunately)

A/N: Finally! Hope you like it!

Thanks To: Cedric55d, whiteoaks, Tazgirl18992SkullerazafaranTokyo no EcchiLady Silverhawkdoomed2dorkdum91DebsTheSnapeFanSerpent91lady sakura cosmos, and Lady Avada, for the reviews. Sorry if I missed anyone.

Wow, it's been almost two months! I'm sorry, really! It's not like I don't have any material for this story, either. I now have the entire story planned out. It will be three more chapters (and I already have most of the last chapter (only) written).

I promise; it will NOT take as long next time to update. Within two weeks.

Chapter 5 - Meetings

Harry didn't know whether or not to tell Severus about Lupin. Harry didn't even know why he agreed. Probably because he was hoping to see the Remus he knew, not the Lupin of this time. He wanted to believe in the truce so much, but he didn't know if he could. I'm not going to be the one to break it, though, Harry thought, and decided instantly not to tell Severus. Doing so would only anger him, and Harry didn't want to explain that James was his father and Remus was the only living Marauder left. It would present more problems than Harry had the ability to deal with.

Back in the common room, Severus was talking to Malfoy, and Harry scowled. Harry was planning on going to the dorm room when Malfoy spotted him.

"Woshda! Come here, I would like to ask you something," Malfoy said, and Harry changed his direction and went over by Severus and Malfoy.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Since you are new this year, you don't know that we have a annual holiday party before the holidays. Invited Slytherins only. And since you two are invited, I expect you two to be there," Malfoy said before leaving to join his friends, then Harry turned to Severus.

"When is it?" Harry asked him.

"Next week Saturday. Will you go? I know you don't like Malfoy, but it's just a party." Severus sounded hopeful.

"Since when do you like parties? I guess I'll go, though. Malfoy's not the only one going to be there," Harry answered, actually kind of wanting to go, and Severus nodded.

"Wow, I was expecting an argument. That's surprising," Severus said, not hiding the surprise one bit.

"It's a surprise for me, too. Hey, have to have some fun sometime, right?"

"Usually, this conversation goes the opposite way. I seem to remember being in your position many times, you convincing me that we should do something."

"Well, then, I seem to be doing a poor job of your role. I agreed immediately," Harry teased.


"We heard that you are interested in the Dark Arts," a seventh year Slytherin, Jason, told Severus at the party. "We could teach you." The seventh year's companion, a sixth year named Orion, nodded.

"For what price?" Severus asked, narrowing his eyes, and Jason shrugged.

"Just want to be friends," Orion said.

"What else?"

"Your potions skills. We need some things, and you could help. For that help, we'll teach you what we know about the Dark Arts."

Severus thought. He was always interested in the Dark Arts. Never wanted to practice them, but to be able to fight something, you had to know about it. And these two were willing to give him that, for making a few potions.

"It sounds agreeable."

"Good, good," Jason said quietly. "Although, you must tell no one." Severus agreed, and they showed him out of the room. Looking around and finding no one in particular he wanted to talk to, he went to go find Harry.

"So, where have you been?" his friend asked when he saw him.

"What, you being my mother now? Just talking to some people," Severus shrugged. "How about you?"

"The same. I must admit, though, I am kind of bored."

"I'm not, actually," Severus admitted. It was only a partial lie. He was interested in what he could learn . . .

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Oh," Harry sounded disappointed. "Well, I was planning on leaving. I'm tired and have nothing to do here. Talk to you later?"

"Yeah. I'll see you, Harry."

"See you, Severus."


The more details Severus remembered about his time with Woshda, the more stupid he felt. Now, he would have known to ask for more details, but then, he was too naive. Just plain too stupid to ask questions. Now, he wouldn't enter a situation without knowing details. Then, he didn't care. He always thought about the then and now. Yes, he thought some about the future, but not enough.

"Severus?" the headmaster asked.

"Yes, Albus?"

"Minera asked you a question. If you would be so kind to answer."

"Yes, Minerva?" Severus asked.

"I was wondering if your updated lesson plans for the next term were finished."

"Yes," Severus said, waving off the question as unimportant. "I will bring them by later today."

"Good," Minerva said, nodded once. "Filius?"

"Yes, yes, of course. Here they are."


"What do you want, Potter?" Harry asked.

"I'm told you made a truce with my friend," he answered roughly.

"So, your friend isn't allowed to make his own decision? It was his idea."

"Why?"

"What?" Harry asked, confused by what Potter was saying.

"Why did you?"

"I don't know. I'm sick of the fighting, I guess. I had to put up with enough of it at my old school."

"So, you aren't doing it as some snake ploy?"

"No," Harry answered, as if it were obvious. "I don't do stuff like that."

"Right," Potter said with disbelief. "That's what's snakes do."

"You know, you stop judging me and my friends as evil do-ers, maybe we'll stop judging you as incompetent fools."

"You know what I mean, Woshda."

"Perhaps I do. But what do you want?" Harry asked, and was answered by a long pause. Finally, Potter answered.

"I've thought about what you've said previous times we met," Potter said, and Harry gave a small cough. "Well, you're right. What we've done to Snape is stupid. It took some explaining from Remus, but I know what you mean. The fighting is pointless, especially with the war going on. We need to work together, so I'm here to extend the truce. I haven't been able to convince Sirius yet, but I'm sure I'll be able to."

"So you are adding yourself to the agreement?"

"Yeah. This doesn't mean we're friends or anything. Actually, I'll be happy if we never speak again. But no more fighting."

"No more fighting," Harry agreed with a nod.


"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Prince," Harry greeted when she came to pick up him, Severus, and Selena from the train station.

"Likewise, Harry. I am so glad to finally meet one of Severus' friends. I have never gotten the chance before; he's usually very self reserved."

"Mother!" Severus said, wanting her to stop, and Selena giggled a little.

"Oh, Severus, I'm sure Harry already knows that you are very self reserved. Now, come, dinner is waiting."

The ride home was slightly uncomfortable for Harry. First, they were riding the Knight Bus, and second, he didn't really know Ms. Prince well, and didn't want to say anything wrong. With Ron's family, he knew what to expect. Also, there were so many people, so there was always something going on. With Severus' family, there was really only the three of them living together, so with less to do and talk about, it was kind of awkward.

"So, Shadow," Selena said, and Severus groaned.

"Not you, too," he said. "That's so stupid."

"No, it's not, Serpentine," Harry answered with a small smirk.

"Shadow? Serpentine? What's that about?" Severus' mother asked.

"Sel was a dunderhead one day and decided to name Harry, Shadow, and Harry took suit and named me Serpentine." Ms. Prince nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer. A few seconds later, the man driving announced some place that Harry didn't quite catch, and Selena practically dragged Harry off the bus.

"Wait, slow down, Selena!" Harry said as she continued down the road at a fast pace.

"If you'd hurry up . . ." she started, only to be silenced by her mother.

Dinner was a little better, but Ms. Snape kept asking questions about Harry's home life. He kept as close to the truth as possible, with keeping out names. Of course, he didn't say anything other than that his parents died when he was one and his Aunt and Uncle took him in, even though they didn't like him. His reason for not having anywhere to go was because they went abroad without inviting him.

A second bed was added to Severus' room, where Harry would be staying, and Harry decided he loved the bed. It was even more comfortable than his bed at Hogwarts!

Severus' room was plain. In fact, the entire house was rather plain. It wasn't personalized like the Burrow was. There were also very few pictures up, unlike the Dursley's. Despite the emptiness, Harry found he liked it. It was lived-in enough, that's for sure.

"What was it like, living at your relatives? Why didn't they like you?" Severus asked, falling to his bed belly first.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you've said several time to me that they didn't like you. You haven't really talked much about them."

"They're not really worth talking about, Severus," Harry answered coldly.

"Does anyone know?" Severus asked.

"Like who?"

"Like, your friends in your time."

"No," was Harry's flat answer.

"Why not?"

"What?"

"Why don't they? Did they never ask? I mean, if it's bad enough to not want to talk about, shouldn't someone know so you can get out of there?

"I have to stay there, Severus. It's a long story, but I have no choice."

"Fine. But you can tell me. You know I won't tell anyone. I didn't tell anyone about your tim . . ."

"Why do you want to know?" Harry asked, accusation in his voice.

"Because you're my friend, and it seems to be bugging you. Look, if it helps any, I'll tell you why I don't want to visit my father this month. I'll tell you that, you tell me what it was like with your relatives." Harry thought about it. He was interested in why he didn't want to visit his father. From Snape's memory last . . . Harry stopped that thought there. He didn't want to mix up Snape and Severus. Snape hated him, and Severus was his friend. Severus will hate me, Harry thought, when he finds out I'm Potter's son.

But James Potter had changed a little since Harry's arrival. And Harry had the urge to get to know him. After all, he'll never have a chance in the future.

"Fine," Harry finally answered. "But you go first."

"Okay, then. I don't want to visit my father because he isn't the nicest person. He dislikes magic, like your relatives do, and hates that I enjoy it. He's been trying to get me to quit Hogwarts and go to a muggle school, and he doesn't shut up about it. Okay, now you're turn."

Harry still didn't want to tell Severus. Severus' father seemed nicer than the Dursley's ever were. But still, and agreement was an agreement.

"They hated me, as you know. I didn't have any friends until I came to Hogwarts because Dudley chased everyone away, and my room was a cupboard under the stairs until I got my Hogwarts letter. If Hagrid hadn't come to pick me up, I would have never gone to Hogwarts; they wouldn't have allowed it." Severus was silent for a while. "It could have been worse, though," Harry continued. "They didn't hit me or anything."

"True," Severus agreed. "But that still wasn't right. It's better now?"

"Yeah, a little," Harry consented.

"Okay. Well, we better get to sleep before mother comes in and turns off the lights herself. I think it's a little unfair: I'm sixteen, and she still makes me go to bed too early." Harry shrugged.

"At least she cares," Harry replied, turning over to try to fall asleep. "Night."


"But, father, I have a friend over! I can't just leave him here!" Harry heard Severus say on the phone. There was a pause, then Severus spoke again. "Fine, Father. I will see you then." A few seconds later, he entered the room Harry was in and sat down next to him. "Looks like we are going to my father's for two days after Christmas. I hate it there."

"I'm sorry," Harry said, not knowing what else to say. Severus just shrugged and picked up the book he was looking at before the phone call.