Disclaimer: All characters belong to the Queen J.K.R and this is just a work of fanfiction.

Author notes:

Hey people. I am alive! Sorry I have been away for so long. I recently got engaged and am going to get Married! *squeal* So been quite busy managing that and my job and so many other things… But here is the next chapter! Hope you like it!

This story is inspired by 'They didn't know we were seeds' by LucyLuna. Do check it out.

A huge thanks to all those who reviewed, followed and favorited. Thank you for waiting so patiently.

My beta HogwartsDreamer113 rocks!

Chapter 13: Lemon Drop anyone?

Dinner in Hogwarts were always loud. The clatter of utensils, laughter, shouting from the children, ghosts talking to others and students entering, leaving through the doors. As a teacher, Severus always found the noise irritating. Now he found it comforting. It gave him a sense of belonging and the odd friendship with the group of Lions across the hall gave him what he wanted all those years ago, the feeling of family.

Tonight, the Great Hall was just as loud as every night, but Severus was in no mood to take part in the chatter. Over at the Gryffindor table, he could see a tired looking Lupin playing with his food and the others coaxing him to eat.

As the time to meet Dumbledore grew closer, Severus's appetite went further and further away. He could see the worry in some of the first year Slytherins' eyes, hidden behind their masks and he tried to eat and make conversion for their sake. Over at the Gryffindor table, the three Marauders were making a ruckus like always. Remus was talking softly with Lily and she looked two steps away from fussing over him.

When dinner was done, the five met up and began their trek up to Dumbledore office. With each step Severus' dread grew. His mind gave him images, memories…

He could see Dumbledore standing, unarmed and cornered. Draco standing, shaking and unable to utter the curse. Bellatrix and Fenrir gleeful to have the opportunity to watch one of the greatest wizards die. He could see Dumbledore pleading and him, obliging the man's last wish. Uttering that hateful curse, the bright green flash, Dumbledore falling out of the tower. His mind supplying the sound of his mentor's body hitting the cold ground. Running. Always running away. Lily's son chasing him in his rage, calling him a coward. His despair, rage, hate and unfairness boiling out and taking it out on Harry.

He was pulled out of his horrible memories when a soft warm hand touched his face. He was startled to see he was sitting on the floor and Lily crouching in front of him.

"Sev?" Lily asked worriedly.

Severus shrugged off her hand and stood up. "I am fine," he snapped. They walked in heavy silence until they reached the gargoyle guarding the office of the headmaster.

"What do you think the password is?" asked Peter.

"Sherbet lemon," Remus and Severus replied simultaneously.

They all bit back a grin as the gargoyle began to move. The circular steps led them into the door and just as Sirius raised his hand to knock, they heard the headmaster call out to enter. The office was exactly how they all remembered it. The various delicate instruments were cluttered around the circular office. Fawkes was resting on his majestic perch, head under his wing. The headmasters and headmistress were all snoozing in their portraits, but all of them knew they were only pretending. In the center of the room, behind the desk sat the person they came to see, Albus Dumbledore himself. His bright blue eyes were twinkling behind the half-moon spectacles. His blue robe was filled with silver stars and the long white hair was shimmering in the light. Lily used to joke she always wanted to braid that hair and beard.

"Lemon drops anyone?" asked Dumbledore.

Everyone shook their head with a small "No sir" and "Thank you sir". Severus mutely shook his head. He had discussed strategies with him, even fought with him! Why was he acting like a child now?

"What I can do for you all today?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well, you see… umm…" James started.

"I don't think I should transform in the Shrieking Shack anymore, Professor," interrupted Remus.

"Yes sir, I believe we have found the perfect place for Remus to transform safely. There is a room in the seventh floor which may suit our purposes…" Severus zoned out as Sirius started to explain. Within him, it was a completely different battle. Now that he was in front of Albus, he really didn't want to talk to him. His knees felt wobbly and guilt was rising like bile in his stomach. He just hoped he wouldn't collapse like last time, in front of Dumbledore. Lily's hand in his was the only thing stopping him from breaking down completely. As Dumbledore's piercing gaze moved to him, and as he stared into those blue eyes, it was hard to swallow the lump in his throat. He turned away, unable to face his mentor.

"Severus."

Severus's eyes burned. The last time he heard that voice saying his name, he had cast the unforgivable curse at him.

"Thank you for keeping your word, my boy."

Severus whipped around in shock. The same shock that was mirrored in the others' faces. Dumbledore smiled apologetically.

"You know?" Severus whispered.

"I do Severus. It was such a shock to wake up in my Hogwarts quarters three days before term opening. When I saw your young faces among the first years, it hit me quite hard about the losses we faced during the war. I am terribly sorry, Severus. You had to endure so much torment to fulfill my request. I will not fail you again. There are no words that can describe how proud I am, of all of you. I have yet to change a day in this past's events, but you all have already started to make this world a better place," Dumbledore replied with a sad yet proud smile. Severus gripped Lily's hand as he willed himself to not to cry. A single tear slipped out of Lily's eyes. Peter was sniffling quietly and the others were trying not to break down too.

Just when Severus thought he was going to lose the battle with his will, the blue eyes moved from him to Peter. "Mr. Pettigrew." That was all it took for Peter to go from sniffling to full blown sobbing.

"I AM SORRY…. HEADMASTER! Please don't…send me…away! I will not… be such a…. coward… Please… forgive…me..." He sobbed out. Remus, Sirius and James were quick to jump and console him.

Dumbledore smiled as he watched them console the sobbing boy. "I know, . You have known the warmth of true friendship, and this time you fully believe it. That is all that matters."

Lily asked hesitantly, "Headmaster, how did you know we were back too?"

"Well, I heard about Mr. Snape standing up for his Muggleborn classmates, how you four defeated some wayward Slytherins and how exceptional you all are in your classes with knowledge way above your peers. I believe I got the final confirmation When Minerva came in with an incredible story to tell. How three first year students could perform perfect disillusionment charm to leave the castle. She also mentioned how some of her lions were close with young Mr. Snape. The conclusion was inevitable," Dumbledore replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement while the gang flushed at being caught.

"I never knew Min- I mean, Professor Mcgonagall saw us…" mumbled Severus. Dumbledore's eyes again found his and he breath hitched. Here it comes….

"What happened after the events in the Astronomy tower?"

As Severus and Remus began to explain, with Peter adding any left-out details about what happened to the wizarding world after Dumbledore's death, the rest too found some untold details about the old future. Remus had told about Tonks much to Sirius' glee but they had never heard that he had almost left her when she was pregnant. Lily and James were reduced to tears when they heard it was Harry who sent him back to his wife. They explained how everything dismantled, what the ministry did to Muggleborns, how powerless Snape was to stop the Carrows from cursing his students, how he got the sword of Godric Gryffindor to Harry on the orders of Dumbledore's portrait. How he finally gave his memories to Harry as he was dying. Dumbledore's eyes slowly lost the twinkle as the story went on and the rest were moved to tears. In the end his expression was grim.

"Severus, Peter and Remus, thank you for explaining. We have lot to do to make sure this doesn't repeat again. I will not let Harry go through all that again," Dumbledore said solemnly and everyone nodded furiously. "Severus, you had asked me what did Harry and I discussed during those various evenings in my office. I shall explain everything and what we discovered. I will need your help in stopping Tom this time."

Severus nodded and replied, "Of course headmaster."

Dumbledore smiled. "So, about your request,"

The gang started, having forgotten the main reason of being here in the knowledge of Dumbledore being back too. Remus spoke, "I will not to go to the Shrieking Shack this time, professor. The Room of Requirement has the capability to handle a tame werewolf and three Animagus. We have tested it thoroughly. Severus has brewed me an improved version of Wolfsbane. It will be easier to avoid incidents like last time."

"Not to worry Remus. I think it is a splendid idea. I too will see the Room once. Maybe, add an extra ward around that floor. I had managed to stumble upon that room once. Two lifetimes and Hogwarts still manages to surprise me," Dumbledore said with a smile.

"Now, isn't it past your curfew?"

The rest understood the dismissal and bid the man goodnight as they turned to the door to leave. As they left Dumbledore's voice made them pause.

"Last time we almost lost everything we created and loved. This time, I promise you I will not fail to protect it. The smiles and laughter I see makes me happy and determined to protect it. I will not let you down again," the voice was laced with sadness and pain and each of them knew it was a promise they all would keep. Fawkes gave a soft melodious thrill that warmed everyone's heart.

This future would be different. The smile on everyone's face showed only one thing. Hope. Dumbledore smiled at them and watched them leave. Hell would have to freeze over before he would let the hope die. The sound of Lily laughing and the Sirius yelling echoed from the circular staircase and he smiled.

Hope was a fire that the darkness could never vanquish, and he would protect it till the end.