AN: wow this chapter was harder than I thought to get down. There's so much information that needed to be said, I just hope I did a good job. Please let me know what you think.

Third Times a Son

Chapter 9

Severus was glued to the spot, his skin tingling with fear as he looked to the person? In front of him.

"My, Severus, are you just going to sit there and stare at me? I won't bite you, I assure you." The immensely powerful person said. His power rolling off him like air out of a deflating balloon. His voice was soothing but still raspy, rattling in its baritone tenor. Severus couldn't see the man's face but somehow felt the man was smiling at him and he shivered.

"Uh...who?" He'll never live this down, the meanest teacher at Hogwarts at a loss for words.

"Please don't be afraid. I will not harm you, Severus. I've come with a message from Master...from Harry." He said and a bony hand came out of a sleeve and settled on a knee. Severus watched the movement with wide eyes and realization finally sunk in.

"Death" he whispered so low he didn't even hear it himself. He looked from the bony hand back to the black hood and held his breath. "Harry?"

Death chuckled and shook his head. "No, Master is busy with other things, so you will be dealing with me. I've been waiting, it seems like eons, for you to summon me. You took your time I see, but we don't have much more time to mess around. There's a small window and we can't let it escape us." He began as he tapped his bony fingers on his knee waiting for his Master's kin to catch up.

"Time?"

"Master told me his father was very intelligent but you seem a simpleton. Can't you talk with more than one word?" He sighed, "I'm going to kill Master, sending me here to deal with slow-minded people." He let out an exasperated huff making his hood sway.

"What the hell?"

"That's better! Three words this time! Harry talked very highly of you, Severus, are you going to let him down?" Severus could hear the laughter in that chilling voice. Was Death mocking him?

"I'm sorry. I'm having a hard time wrapping my simpleton mind around the fact that you are sitting here, talking to me like long lost mates!" Severus sneered back. His snide remarks coming automatically. "What's going on here? How did I summon you?" He had more questions, but he stopped when Death raised his skeleton hand toward him.

Death chuckled, rattling his bones, "You summoned me with the Hallows," waving his skeleton hand at the table, "...once you freed the stone and placed it within the other two, I was summoned to appear. I'm here to help you and Master but we don't have much time. Well, we have time but...oh posh, it's confusing so we'll talk about that as it comes up." He said waving his hand about.

"Am I the Master of Death now?" Severus asked timidly, Merlin he hoped not.

Death stood up and Severus sat back nervously. The tall body hovered over Severus like a chandelier with his hood hanging intimidatingly. Severus couldn't help but wonder what his face would look like but then again his hands are bones, so…

"You are not my Master, you are my Master's kin. Do not be frightened of me now for we have much to discuss. There are things you need to know and a choice you have to make, but before I go into that I need to know that you want to proceed." He waited for a reply before continuing. Severus looked confused and Death sighed, simpleton he thought, but Severus surprised him and spoke up.

"I didn't just follow a trail of breadcrumbs for my health, I did all of this for Harry, for the son I didn't get to know because I was too stubborn. Whatever he wants of me I will do. Give me your choice and let me decide." Severus was scared but he stood from his chair to stand next to the cloaked man. He will not be cowardly, not in his own home and not when Harry is depending on him. "Please, give me the opportunity to decide whether to continue or not. Do not write me off just yet." He said sternly. How dare he think him a coward, plus something about all this felt urgent.

Death chuckled again, "You've got spunk, I'll give you that. But your relationship with Master falls on you…" he pointed a bony finger at Severus, almost touching his chest, "...you chose that road all by yourself. What I'm going to tell you will require you to be selfless, courageous, opportunistic, open minded and loving. Can you do that without complaint, without a drink and without feeling pity?" His finger still pointed at Severus and those shiny silver eyes bored into him. Severus felt like he was being judged and he probably was.

"Yes, I can do that. Whatever he wants, please, can...can I see him?"

"It's not time for that yet." Death sighed and looked around the room, "Do you have any jelly beans? I love jelly beans and Master won't keep any around." Death leaned closer to Severus and whispered, "It could be our secret."

Severus started, jelly beans? Remembering the bowl of candy in the vault. He thought those were Harry's. Inwardly shrugging his shoulders, he took out his wand and conjured a bowl of jelly beans. Will the surprises ever stop?

"Thank you." Death scooped up a few pieces and popped them into his hood.

"It's my weakness, what can I say." He shrugged before going back to his seat.

"You are not what I imagined." Severus said in awe. He thought Death would be more 'less human'.

"Severus, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. You, of all people, should know that by now." He said nonchalantly. Severus wanted to respond back but the tingles going up his spine stopped him.

"Why are you here? Why did Harry leave those things to me and not one of his friends?" Severus inquired.

"You're his father and he loves you despite your past, Severus." Death told him then sighed, though his face was covered, Severus knew he looked sad. "Harry has not had the loving life you were told he had. He struggled with hurt and physical pain almost daily. It's not surprising to me that he clung to the thought of the two of you being family, of you accepting him and loving him. For the year you were in the coma he practically lived in your room. He looked after you, read to you, helped the staff clean and feed you. He was there the day you opened your eyes, in the background, though he snuck out when he heard you berate the nurse about touching you. Trust me, he longed to hug you and never let you go. He was so happy but fearful of your rejection while his heart was so full of love." Death told him. He sounded almost sad for Harry and Severus found himself lost in the memory of that day he woke up. He tried to remember if he saw Harry at all, scanning his memory slowly from what he could remember to the day he finally left.

"No one told me that." He whispered back. He was looking at the table with the Hallows scattered around it but he wasn't really seeing them. "I never even knew he came to visit, but oddly enough I've had flashes of what I assume to be dreams and there was always a man in a dark cloak with me." He looked over to the hooded man, "Was that you? Or Harry?"

Death sat back and studied his Masters kin. "It was Harry. He would enter your dreams from time to time when he felt…you needed a boost." Severus just nodded in understanding, "Yes, I remember it better now. I was never afraid of the man. In fact, I always felt at home...safe."

"He wanted you to know there was a reason to keep living. To keep fighting the injuries and wake up." Death squirmed in his seat and Severus watched him in surprise.

"What aren't you telling me?" He asked slowly.

With a loud rattling sigh, Death seemed to come to a decision and he turned his gaze to the unlit fireplace. "Harry learned a great deal about his duties during that first year. He met and became friends with the other entities and they took him under their wing, so to speak. Harry had already seen that you would wake but that was all. He couldn't see what you would be…" at this statement he turned back to Severus. "He couldn't see if you'd be blind or mentally unstable or just a shell of a human who gave up because you had nothing to live for. No, he couldn't see any of that, but Fate could. And Harry and Fate were becoming very close. No doubt Harry came to you in your dreams to prevent you from waking up gone."

There was silence in the room.

"Harry's love for you and the possibility of a family fueled him. It drove him to keep going. It's funny really, we can only see snippets of the future and not far into it either. You see, human nature changes the equation. Free will changes the future and that was the lesson my Master had to learn the hard way." The sadness seemed to permeate the air around them. Severus felt like crying. "Harry has only one chance to survive this curse, and that's you. You asked why he gave you the Hallows? Well it's simple really, you're his biological father."

When Death was finished, Severus sat and thought about everything he'd learned over the past few days. One thing for sure, he couldn't wait to make it up to his son.

Death sat silent as well, hoping he hadn't overstepped some imaginary line. He reached over and plucked out a black jelly bean and tossed up a few times. He never ate the candy though, just kept tossing it up.

"Fate?" Severus asked.

"Yes. Fate has taken a shine to our Harry. Although I think he's always favored the boy. Fate has a funny way of messing with the best of us, and in Master's case it's not so funny. I can't go into too much detail, but I can say that Fate created more than one string for Harry Tobias Snape. That's unusual all by itself, I can assure you, and because of that he was given a do-over. A chance for a life now that his 'purpose' is done." Death said the word purpose with such disdain, Severus felt his own bones quiver. "You are the only one who can save him...as you are his biological father."

"I don't understand." Severus answered back quietly.

"At this point, Severus, you don't need to understand everything. You've gotten this far, are you willing to do more, to do what he asks of you, to trust Harry?" Death asked pointedly, pinning him with glowing eyes.

Severus never thought he would ever put someone else first since Lily left him, but since he found out about Harry, he's thought of nothing else. Just knowing what he missed with Harry because of his hatred for James makes him sick to his stomach. "I think I am. I trust Harry." And he was surprised to find this statement to be true.

Death made himself comfortable and studied the man before him. He's thin with sallow skin and cold black eyes, but Death could see beyond that, he could see his soul. It's been tarnished; bruised with grief, sadness, loneliness, and hate but it's on the mend. That's Harry's doing. He decided to be honest with Severus because he's kin now and Harry deserves that much.

"I've been waiting for a very long time for Harry, but I can wait a little longer if it means he can experience a happy life filled with love. He deserves that after what he's been through. I may be Death but I do have feelings and I've come to feel a great deal for Harry." He sounded wistful and forlorn and Severus felt a little jealous of the man for knowing Harry better than he did.

"I would very much like to get to know my son." Severus whispered. "To fix my mistakes, but how?" He said sadly. "I would do anything." He felt deep sadness again, in his heart as he tried not to tear up, but they came anyway. "I was a fool. Even if he wasn't my son, I didn't have to be that way; especially after the war. I would do anything for another chance." He said as if in a trance. His sorrow palpable.

"Well, that's all I needed to hear!" Slapping a hand on his knee, the sound making Severus jump. "You did acquire the ring, yes?" Death said seriously as he looked at Severus pointedly before popping another jelly bean into his hood.

"Yes"

Death looked around the table, "I don't see it here. You'll need to get that." He said looking back to Severus.

"Of course." Severus all but ran to his bedroom and returned with the ring. He placed it on the table and Death picked it up.

He held it in his bony palm and caressed it with a finger tip. "This is my Horseman's ring. We each got one but we never really understood the meaning behind them or the powers they wielded. Some of us found out too late their importance, having lost it or traded it for things. Me, I just put it in my vault and forgot all about it; til now. Master had me find it and put it where you'd find it. It wasn't easy getting you to pick it up, I had to get your Mate for that. She did good though and I rewarded her for her efforts. Master was very pleased." He said with what sounded like a smile, tossing in more jelly beans.

"Lily? So that was her I felt?" Severus said in awe and he felt love bloom in his chest at the words 'His Mate'. This is all so incredible. "Can I ask you a question? Why does it sound like you've known Harry for longer than a week?"

"Oh, we have, well I've known Harry his whole life but he's only known me for just over five years. He's a tough cookie but I'll keep him." Death said happily.

"Five years?"

"Yes, since he acquired the Hallows. We've seen each other a great deal over the years."

"I don't understand. How's that even possible? How am I supposed to help Harry if he's already a powerful being? Can't he just do what he wants?"

Death actually laughed making his bones rattle. Severus flinched at the sound but otherwise just stared at him. He was getting a bit annoyed, the man kept laughing at him.

"Master is powerful in the land of the dead, not the living. Since he's acquired my Hallows, we've been able to see each other to talk and scheme. He's actually a very good Slytherin if given the chance. Did you know the hat wanted to put him in your house first?"

Severus shook his head no, thinking 'are you serious?', "Tell me you're joking." He deadpanned.

"Nope." Popping the 'p'. "Of course he begged for any other house after meeting Mister Malfoy. That soul is still a pain in my arse." He joked. "Anyway, back to your question. Master cannot change the act of dying once death is imminent. Being the Master of Death does have some privileges though, just not the ability to resurrect oneself. Once dead he would continue his role in the land of the dead, which he is doing right now. As Master he has the ability to live for eternity, though he is not immortal and he can choose to die at any time, but since he is already dead that point is mute. Harry is powerful in many ways but there's other factors in play now because of his death and we have to look back before we can look forward. Harry cannot be brought back to the living now it's too late."

"Then what are we doing here? Are you here to help me communicate with Harry? What is it you want from me?" Severus said angrily. He wanted to scream at the helplessness of it all.

"Ok, you're not paying attention. We can't bring him back to life in this timeline, but we can prevent his death in another. Your job will be to travel back in time to prevent Harry dying from that curse."

"..."

"Severus!" Death clanged his hands together and pushed out his magic to get the man's attention. "You agreed to do anything. Well, you have the opportunity to fix the timeline. It will be dangerous, and you'll be on your own but if you succeed Harry will be alive in more ways than one."

Severus looked on in disbelief. 'Harry didn't do anything by halves', Severus thought to himself, remembering what Weasley had said earlier.

Death held out the ring and Severus extended his hand out for him. The ring was placed on his palm, a bony finger touched him slightly, causing Severus to inhale and flinch back. The coolness from the touch felt wrong and Severus had to push it back, 'this is for Harry' he told himself.

"That's where this little beauty comes in handy. Turns out the ring can be used as a time turner, but only my ring and only with the possession of all three Hallows. How Master knew that, I don't know, but he made me dig through my vault until I found it. Took me two days, while he sat there writing in his book eating my jelly beans." Death said exasperated. His magic flared but calmed and Severus felt a tinge of admiration and love for Harry in it.

"Oh, while in the past, you must wear the ring at all times, you cannot take it off. If you take it off before you're done you can't go back. Do you understand?"

Severus sat stunned, nodding his head in approval thinking of all the things that Harry could have planned, this was not what he expected. He was going to travel back in time to save his son! Hope blossomed in his chest at the thought of a second chance with Harry.

"This is what Harry wants? This is what he's been planning for me? How is this even possible?"

"Ah, now you're thinking and asking the right questions!" Death said excitedly. He slapped his knee again causing a rattle to vibrate through the room. "Harry said I should believe him about your smarts. Guess I owe him a candy bar."

Severus flinched at the backwards compliment. If he wasn't so out of his element right now he'd be in his face...in fact, "I do not appreciate…!"

He waved Severus off and kept talking as if Severus never spoke. "The most important question you asked is, 'Does Harry want this?, and yes he does. He wants to get to know you as his dad, and he wants to experience love not just from you but from a lover as well. He suffered greatly in his life without any pleasure for himself, he deserves this and I want this for him as well. In fact, everyone is pulling for him; Time, Chaos, Fate, and of course Love."

Severus sat there stunned for the second time. He never knew he could be in awe of his son for what he's accomplished and be jealous of his son at the same time. Maybe not so much awe as proud. He was always proud of Potter..of Harry, he just never let on...to anyone. If he succeeds, he will make it a habit to tell his son everyday how proud he is that he's his son. Just that thought is making him feel warm inside. He was brought out of his stupor when Death spoke again.

"He's very excited to see what you'll do, he worked very hard to get all the pieces to fall into place and now it's up to you." Death shifted in the chair and crossed one leg over the other, Time has made allowances for Harry, so please do not be too reckless and foolish. Keep your mind on the end game." Death told him, "Keep the ring on and get the job done. You only have a fortnight and then it will be too late. After that Master will have been in the land of the dead in this timeline too long for it to change. No matter what you do in the past he will still be dead in this time. Do you understand?" Death stared at Severus with his shiny silver eyes and Severus nodded. "Verbal answer please."

"Yes, I understand." He gritted out. He's not a dunderhead for Merlin's sake!

Death's eyes flashed light blue before returning to the normal silver color. Severus hadn't noticed that before but decided it wasn't his place to question. Just then Death waved his bony hand and a tea service with biscuits popped onto the table. "Every time I ask for jelly beans I always get chocolate biscuits instead. Harry's doing no doubt." He gruffed as he poured himself a cup of tea. Severus waved his wand and filled the bowl again. "Thank you, Severus." The happiness in those silver eyes made Severus happy, Merlin help him.

Severus watched the most powerful and the most frightening being drink tea with his pinkie sticking out. 'this is too surreal' he thought not for the first time. As he scrutinized the cloaked man closely, he thought about what his life would be like with Harry in it. Pretty fantastic he imagined. To have a chance to get to know the man he's become...to love him and accept his love in return. He felt joy, he felt hope, he felt so much happiness swelling inside him "This shouldn't take long, I just have to go back to the battle and stop the curse. I think I can do that." Severus said joyously. Harry will be here sooner than he thought!

"Whoa there, Severus. It's not that simple. Time is not that simple. Some aspects of time cannot be changed, and that's what you'll have to figure out. Your job will be to figure out what events Time deems important and which events he could care less about, therefore, allowing it to be changed. That's the only stipulation he gave; but Harry thinks he's looking for some form of entertainment. Unfortunately that seems to be you at the moment." Death actually shrugged a shoulder, like a teenager, before sipping his tea. "Let me ask you, Severus, where were you before the battle?" Death said nonplussed.

Severus felt the others magic around him, it was intoxicating as much as it was frightening. "Getting attacked in the Shrieking Shack…oh! So, I'm going back in time to myself? I won't be a 'second me' in that timeline?" Severus asked.

"No."

"How will I know if I succeed? Will I stay there and relive everything again?" He asked hauntingly and praying that that wasn't the case. Living through that hell once was enough. "Does Harry have an idea where I should go?" He asked. "That would give me some ideas to what he's thinking." He said quietly.

Death shook his head, the hood swaying to and fro, "Harry can't get involved in this at all. You have to find the right timeline yourself, so start thinking about that now. You have to be careful when playing with time, this is no walk in the park. Time is tricky and fickle and he doesn't like to be played with much. It's a good thing he adores Harry. He's allowing you these chances and no more and he won't get in the way or create any paradoxes. The goal is for you to get it right the first time, but if you're not, Time has allowed you one chance per Hallow. So we must learn from our mistakes if we need to."

Severus listened to what was being said but his mind was already working through his memories of the past. How is he supposed to pick the right time? Probably some time before the battle but when? "Will I retain my memories of this timeline? Will Harry still collect the Hallows? What happens if I fail?" That last question caught in his throat. He just couldn't fail.

"Harry will still be my Master. He was destined to be and so he shall be. If you find the right timeline, you will retain these memories for a while but eventually they will fade away as the timeline reasserts itself in your mind. As far as you failing in this task, I'd say you better make sure you don't." Death reached over and scooped a couple more pieces of candy, "Harry has tremendous faith in you, Severus. This won't be easy or fun but he assures me you're the right man. Remember, the end game, to save Harry from dying. So, what say you? You ready to go save your son?"

XxxX

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