A/N: Harry meets Severus and Lily this chapter, and Lily comes to a decision. Dumbledore may seem super grandfatherly in this chapter, but like in canon, we'll see other sides of the man as time goes on. He won't be all high and mighty on his moral pedestal forever.

Chapter 3 Meeting The Boy Who Lived

That simple word of only one syllable seemed to echo out into the vast expanse of the Headmaster's office, and for a moment, nothing else was spoken. Severus looked between his best friend, and the strange-looking by with too-large clothes, messy hair, and eyes just like Lily's, in avid anticipation. Snape stood off to the side of the room, observing the boy through cold, dark eyes; but not making a move, nor saying a word. Dumbledore, stepped aside and allowed Harry past into the office proper, keenly observing the boy like Snape.

"Harry," Lily said simply, a small smile forming on her face.

Dumbledore cleared his throat slightly, causing the other occupants of the room to glance towards him. He stepped forward and laid a wrinkled hand gently on the boy's shoulder. "Lily, Severus…well, both Severuses, I should say," he said, chuckling softly to himself in a self-congratulatory manner for his quip. "Allow me to introduce you all to Harry Potter. As you all are aware, he's been living with his Aunt Petunia and her family for the last ten years."

"Hullo. Nice to meet you all," Harry added, glancing around the room. Meeting Lily's gaze—her eyes were warm and welcoming, then Severus'—his dark eyes seemed neutral and impassive—just a little bit curious too; and at last he glanced at Professor Snape. His eyes were cold, dark, unfeeling; there was no warmth in them, only indifference in his eerily piercing, midnight gaze.

"It's wonderful to meet you Harry," Lily replied warmly, smiling at him. "I'm Lily," she said, indicating herself, "and this is Severus," she added, gesturing to her tall, lanky friend by her side.

"I can't believe you're here!" Harry choked out, tears welling in his eyes. "My…mum," he whispered, his voice catching in his tightening throat—two rivulets of wayward tears spilling down his cheeks. "I've…I've always…but I never thought mum…I don't even know how—"

"Spit it out Potter," Snape snapped impatiently. His coal eyes narrowed angrily. Harry flinched at the inflection in his tone, almost rearing back as if he were stung . "Some of us don't have all—"

"Severus," Dumbledore cut him off warningly, his tone dropping by an octave or two.

Snape glared at the Headmaster, but didn't say a word more and merely leaned back in his chair and folded his black-clad arms across his chest.

"I'm no one's mum, Harry. And I can't be yours, I'm only your age after all," Lily said softly. "I can't be your mum, I'm no where near ready for that at all, but I would like to be your friend. And I think Sev would too," the redhead added, gesturing to the boy by her side. "Can we be friends?"

"I'd like to be friends," Harry agreed, quickly wiping at the tears on his cheeks with a loose, plaid-patterned shirt sleeve. "My mum…well you, I guess…she passed away when I was one. I've lived with Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon and Dudley ever since. They're the…only relatives I've known," Harry said softly, "until I met you, that is."

"Oh my goodness, Petunia!" Lily exclaimed. "Oh, I'd completely forgotten about her! How is she?"

Harry grimaced, his chapped lips pursing together into a thin line as a small frown slanted his brows. "Aunt Petunia is…well she's…" he gave a single shrug of his shoulders, and his eyes fell to the Mongolian carpet upon which he stood. Lily knew that look oh, so well; Sev had sported it many-a-time when she'd inquired into his home life. An apathetic shrug, a disinterested expression, and a barely audible deflection. Her eyes narrowed in not-unwarranted suspicion at Harry's reaction, she took a step closer to the boy, her other self's son; concern etched onto her face.

"What is it you have to say about Petunia? How has she treated you?" She asked lowly. Although deep down, she already knew the answer, she'd seen it with Sev too many times to think Harry would be any different. She reckoned he'd been abused, just as Sev had been.

"If Harry doesn't wish to divulge the details of his living situation, then it wouldn't be my place to fill in the blanks for you," Dumbledore said reasonably, filling the void of Harry's silence. His calm voice seemed to cool Lily's rising temper, although her fists were still clenched rather tightly and she was eyeing the boy across from her with a wary look. "That being said, Harry, you shall not be returning to the Dursleys ever again. It was appalling the way they treated you. From this day forth, you shall be living with me."

"What did they do?" Lily blurted out quickly. At seeing Harry's shocked look, her voice and expression quickly softened so as not to frighten him. "What did they do Harry?" She asked more gently, her tone beseeching.

A brief once over from Lily told her that Harry's home-life must not have been that dissimilar to Sev's. Too-large clothes with holes poking through them, that frightened, yet defensive look that seemed etched on his face; all of it set Lily's alarm bells ringing.

Again, Harry shrugged dejectedly, he still refused to meet Lily's concerned green eyes. "It doesn't matter. I don't want to talk about it," he muttered. His Severus-like apathy about his home life on full display for all to see.

Severus' eyes widened ever so slightly, Lily shot him a look that said; see what I mean?

Lily, from her experience with Severus, knew it was a losing battle to press Harry on this, so she gave a weary sigh and nodded. "Alright, Harry. We don't have to talk about it," she said calmly.

"How'd you end up here?" Harry asked before he could help himself, his question coming out in a single breath. "You and…Severus, I mean. Why'd you appear all of a sudden? Where were you?"

"It's a bit complicated, and frankly Sev and I don't really know, ourselves…Professor Snape or Dumbledore might know though."

"Harry, the situation is still rather delicate," Dumbledore explained reasonably. "Their origins in this…time, are not well documented or a regular occurrence at all. Even in the world of magic, the sudden appearance of your mother and Severus is not normal by any stretch of the imagination."

"But you won't be going back, will you? Back to…to wherever you'd come from."

Lily sighed, but shrugged her shoulders. "Honestly I don't know Harry. Sev and I don't really know if returning to our…time, is even a viable option at this point. We certainly can't return right now. So for the time being we're stuck here."

Harry's gaze shifted to the boy dressed in tattered, ill-fitting clothing just like his, standing by his mother's side. "So you're Severus then?" Harry ventured.

"Yes."

"And you're my mum's friend?"

Severus sighed loudly, his thumb and forefinger rising to pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration. "She's Lily Evans," Severus said irritably, visibly annoyed by the question. "Not your mother, although in your time, I suppose she became your mother."

Lily nodded, seemingly in agreement with his sentiment.

"But you're not going, are you?" Harry pleaded, his eyes so wide his sockets must've been straining. "I mean…you just got here! And Professor Dumbledore said you, me and Severus can live with him! But only if you stay, that is."

"Why is that, sir?" Lily asked, turning her attention to Dumbledore.

The aged Professor had walked across the room and was now sat at his desk. "Due to the nature of your older self's sacrifice in this world; Harry must remain with those that share his blood in order for him to be protected during the summer months he is away from Hogwarts. Petunia previously fulfilled that role, being Harry's only living relative I could track down," Dumbledore explained. "As for you, Lily; if you choose to remain in this time, along with Severus. As long as Harry remains living with you, then he shall be protected from those that seek to harm him. If you agree to stay, then the three of you shall remain under my guardianship here at Hogwarts."

"I don't know what to say, sir," Lily admitted quietly. "I was…I was hoping I'd be able to return…at first…but the more I think of it now, the less sense it makes."

Severus and Harry both looked at Lily hopefully, while Professor Snape gazed on in what looked like disinterest—although in reality was anything but, he too was hopeful Lily would see reason and decide to stay.

"It really is for the best, Lily," Severus said softly, squeezing her hand.

"You don't have to come to a decision now, Li—Miss Evans. Even if you decide to return…it will be quite some time before that can be facilitated," Snape added.

Fawkes crooned quietly from his perch, seemingly in agreement with the Potions Master.

"As a matter of fact, there is something else rather pressing that we must address before any of us leave this room," Dumbledore said from his position behind his desk. "And that is your identities. I must stress that whatever we discuss does not leave this room. For now, only the five of us are aware of your…existence in this world, Severus, Lily. And I believe it should be kept that way. Perhaps the staff can be made privy to this knowledge at a later date, but beyond that; no one must know, other than Minerva perhaps."

He was met with unanimous nods from the three children and Snape.

"Good. Now to the matter of names, I suggest adopting your mother's maiden name as a surname, and if you wish, you may keep your given name."

"So that'd make me Severus Prince then!" Severus said brightly, a cheery smile forming on his face. He'd always dreamed of meeting his mum's relatives.

"I quite like my name as it is," Lily muttered. "Why can't I keep it? Lily Evans in this time is dead!—" Snape flinched at that, something Dumbledore and Severus both bore witness to. "—So there's only one of me. Why do I have to change my name as well?"

"The reason being, Lily, is that there are plenty who remember you in this world. Although more know you by your name in marriage, Lily Potter, there are plenty that remember your maiden name as well."

"But sir I really want to keep my name. If I…if I decide to stay, I want something to honor my family by, so I don't forget them. Can't I keep my name sir, please?" Lily beseeched.

"If I may, perhaps a better way forward, Miss Evans, would be for you to adopt your Mother's maiden name as your new surname, and then have Evans be your middle name. Wouldn't that suffice?" Snape suggested. The collective gazes of the room shifted to the dark man sat rigidly upright in his chair. "That would make you, Lily Evans Bergman, would it not?"

"That's right sir," Lily confirmed, nodding mutedly.

"So it would allow you to keep your name, just not in a place most would expect it; nor would it allow anyone to draw parallels to your older self's identity," Snape reasoned.

"I think that's a wonderful suggestion, Severus," Dumbledore chimed in, throwing his two knuts into the dilemma. "Well then that settles things I believe. Severus, your surname shall be changed from Snape to Prince, so as not to draw attention to our beloved Professor Snape—" Snape scowled deeply at the old man, while Severus, Lily and Harry had to call into service every inch of their resolve to restrain their laughter that threatened to bubble forth. "—And as for you, Lily, your new name shall be Lily Evans Bergman."

"So what now then? What do we do in the meantime?" Severus asked warily, almost as if he was anticipating a disappointing answer, or worse.

"I presume you and Lily were supposed to be starting your first year of Hogwarts, yes?"

Both children to whom the question was asked, nodded.

"So you may join Harry in this year's cohort then," Dumbledore suggested reasonably.

Snape seemed visibly annoyed at the suggestion, if his cough to gain and hold the Headmaster's attention was anything to go by. "Forgive me Headmaster, but I hardly think that is a good idea. Maybe it would work in Lily's case…but with myself, it'd just be an eleven year old version of me running around the castle, that will certainly attract attention, will it not?"

Severus bobbed his head in agreement with his older doppelgänger, twenty years may have separated the two Severus' but their thought processes were still one and the same. "I agree with me sir," the younger Severus chimed in. This attracted a brief, amused glance from the older Severus. "I mean…I want to go to Hogwarts and all, I really, really want to go! But, wouldn't it be strange to have two of us?"

Dumbledore didn't seem fazed by both Severus' queries in the slightest; on the contrary, he seemed rather amused at the line of questioning both Severus' seemed to adopt, as well as their similar veins of thought.

"Ah, but you see young Severus, your new alias, means that you are now a close relation of our resident Potions Master. You have nothing to fear, dear boy; since it would stand to reason that two members of the same family, yourself and Professor Snape, are bound to share some physical features between them. If I can remember correctly, I believe that there's an old Muggle adage that good a little something like; two birds of a…hmm, it appears in my old age, I seem to have forgotten it—" Dumbledore's expression turned curious for a brief moment as he wracked his wrinkled brain for this little nugget of information. "Fiddlesticks…it appears the expression has slipped my mind…two…ah! Birds of a feather, flock together, I knew I remembered it!" He said victoriously.

"Well done Headmaster, would you like a medal?" Snape said dryly, sarcasm radiating from him in waves. Clearly he wasn't amused.

"Why I wouldn't mind a medal at all, Severus," Dumbledore replied, playing along with Snape's little game. "Would you be so kind as to indulge an old man for his upcoming birthday?"

"It's not like you have an abundance of those left, do you old man?" Snape muttered under his breath, to which Dumbledore raised a single white brow. "Very well Albus," he said more loudly.

"Brilliant," Dumbledore smiled. "Back to what I was saying however…two birds of a feather, flock together, I believe it was. Yes, so due to your relation to Professor Snape, being a Prince, then sharing some physical traits should be perfectly reasonable," the old man said, gazing kindly at the small child sitting opposite him. Dumbledore shifted his gaze away from the young Severus, to one of his two most trusted confidants, his sparkling and warm blue eyes now hardened and serious; "I trust should Severus be sorted into Slytherin, like yourself twenty years ago…that you shall care for and keep an eye out for the boy, Severus?"

Snape nodded just once, his face a mask of impassivity, but Dumbledore could easily see the promise in his dark eyes. "Of course headmaster, it shouldn't—"

"I don't need anyone to look after me! I'm eleven, not a baby!" Severus blurted out before he could help himself. Lily stared at him in shock, as did Harry, their matching green eyes widening together almost as if they were siamese twins.

"Don't interrupt me, idiot boy. That's something I'd expect of Potter. Not you," Snape said coldly.

"Severus," Dumbledore said warningly.

Snape huffed. "As I was saying, Headmaster. It shall be no trouble at all to look out for Mister Prince. In all the years I have instructed at this illustrious institution, looking after impudent brats has been something of no difficultly to me."

Severus's eyes bulged and his fists clenched, but Snape merely found his reaction amusing. Severus wisely kept his mouth pursed shut in a thin line, not rising to his older self's bait. Although a low, dark voice within him was screaming betrayal at his older version's scathing assessment of him.

"Now that that has been sorted, I think a little bonding time is in order. Would either of you be interested in following me to your quarters?"

"Our quarters?" Severus asked curiously.

"Yeah. What do you mean our quarters?" Harry chimed in.

Dumbledore's smile broadened. "Well follow me then and you shall find out. You three are my wards, are you not? So wouldn't it stand to reason that you all will have your own accommodations during the summer months?"

"We get our own rooms? A bedroom?" Harry asked in a small voice.

Dumbledore's eyes softened in understanding, the old man stood from his gold leaf-plated throne-like chair and opened his arms. "Come here Harry," he said quietly. The ill-dressed boy did as he was asked and let the old man hug him. "You'll never have to live with the Dursley's again. I am sorry for not checking up on you all these years. I am sorry I failed you, but I hope this begins to make it up to you, my child. My home is as much your's, Severus' and Lily's as it is my own."

Dumbledore's arms closed around the child, causing the small boy to jump slightly, at the feather-light touch upon his shoulder. Harry allowed himself to be hugged by the old, yet powerful Headmaster. No one could see it, owing to the fact that he was currently enveloped in a sea of purple and gold robes, but Harry was smiling broadly. Happy, and relieved that his prayers had been answered. Still, despite the joy he felt, his gaunt body gave an involuntary shudder as Dumbledore's hug tightened ever so slightly.

Severus knew that movement all too well, he'd reacted in a similar way when Lily touched him at times, struggling to rationalize that when Lily hugged him, or even touched him; it was without intent to hurt or to maim, but to express happiness and joy.

"He's like you Sev," Lily whispered softly, her hand tightening around his.

"In more ways than I thought," Severus agreed, speaking in equally hushed tones.

Evidently they weren't quite quiet enough for total privacy since a certain Potions Master had heard just what they'd said. Severus Snape was a jaded man, bitter and angry over his lot in life; and he fully expected the boy-who-lived to be yet another Potter, just like his father James. But when he looked at the boy now, truly looked at him, Lily's words He's like you Sev ringing loudly in his ears, he couldn't help but notice little things in the child, certain mannerisms that reminded him of the only woman he'd loved. When he saw the boy, it was as clear as day that he was a dead-ringer for his father. Messy, black hair; glasses, scrawny frame; he seemed just like James…with the exception of his eyes. Lily Potter's eyes. That wasn't to say there wasn't any James Potter in the boy, because Merlin knew there was. It's just waiting to free itself, Snape thought. His smirk was all James, that infuriating grin of his lips that meant trouble was headed Severus' way. He'd seen it on Harry's face, with the only difference being that this time it wasn't directed at him, but at Lily, when he'd seen it.

It was all so confusing to him, and it felt at times as if he was being strung in two directions. Snape knew the boy was half Potter, but at the same time he was half Lily; but which side is stronger? He'd give the boy time, before passing his judgement. If he was decidedly more Potter than Lily, he'd be vindicated, but if he was more Lily than Potter…well then…he'd cross that bridge when he got to it.

"Come here you three. Today we shall all rest and you all will get acquainted with your new home," Dumbledore said, finally releasing Harry from his hug.

Snape took the sudden reappearance of the boy from beyond the veil of Dumbledore's gaudy robes as an opportunity to give him a brief once-over. His eyes travelled at lightning-quick speeds between Harry, and his younger self; taking in the appearance of them both and registering each morsel of information he gleamed from his glances in the back of his mind. Snape, from his position by the door, passively observed Harry stepping back from the hug and walking back over to Lily and his younger self. While his smile was undoubtedly James', little things like the twiddling of his thumbs, the slight tilt of his head whenever he was thinking of something, all of those things could be traced back to Lily. It was as evident as ever with the girl herself right by his side, echoing many of the mannerisms present in her not-son.

"Sir?"

Snape had gotten so carried away with looking on at Lily and Harry that he'd hardly noticed the appearance of his younger self at his side. Damn Severus, getting sloppy are we? Snape pulled his gaze away from the boy and to his younger self, standing at his side and looking up at him through an identical pair of eyes—only these had seen just a fraction of the horrors his had. Even at the age of eleven, Severus had seen things no child should ever have to bear witness to. He hadn't told anyone about the things he saw—that he experienced, not even Lily knew of the horrors he faced in the Snape household. This child new what that was like, and Snape knew the path it would lead him on if the boy standing beside him gave into his anger, his hate; like he had. He would make sure of it; the boy would never be a death eater, he'd be everything Lily hoped to see in him. You won't be a death eater. You won't be like me. You'll be better. Better than I could ever dream of being. I'll be sure of it.

"What is it?" Snape asked neutrally, gazing down at his younger self.

"How did you become a potions master?"

He's got his priorities straight. Good. "Through hard work, perseverance, and talent. Although if you're anything at all like me, you've already got the last of those things."

Severus nodded assuredly. "Mum gave me all her books…all her notes on it, and I've been reading them loads," Severus said quickly. "Although I guess I don't have those things now…"

"There's no reason you can't accrue that knowledge for yourself from the ground up. Keep working at it and one day, you may very well be a potions master like me."

"I'd like that, sir. In fact Lily wants to do potions too," Severus added. "But then again you already know that, since you were friends with her as well."

"We were once friends, yes," Snape said softly. All of a sudden, Snape's dark, yet warm gaze turned utterly serious as he stared down at his smaller doppelgänger. Severus gulped nervously at what was to come, but held his head high in anticipation of his older self's words. "There aren't many in this world like Lily, treasure what you have with her. She may just be the best friend you'll ever have," he said solemnly.

"I know, sir. I s'pose being me and all, you know how I feel about her," Severus replied.

"I do. And I think it a waste of time to rehash them now."

Severus nodded quickly in agreement with his words. Just thinking about his feelings for Lily had his cheeks flushing and burning a bright, beet red.

"Hey Sev, are you feeling alright? You look a little peaky," Lily said concernedly, bounding over to him with Harry in tow.

"You don't look too well Severus, everything alright?" Harry chimed in, his green eyes focusing in on the rosy, not-very-Severus blush on his usually pale cheeks.

"I'm fine. Everything's fine," Severus said quickly. "Just…a bit under the weather, I think."

The look Lily was giving him told him she didn't really believe what he was saying. That same look of recognition being mirrored by the boy at her side. Lily pursed her lips, but thankfully decided to drop it; something Severus appreciated very much. Harry on the other hand was still gazing at him scrutinizingly, but he too didn't voice the many questions swirling through his mind on just why Severus was flushed as red as a rose.

"You'd better come on over Sev. Dumbledore's gonna take us to our rooms now! He says we'll be in his quarters on the first floor, so we'll be kinda near to you Professor Sev! Dumbledore said we'll only be one or two floors away from you!"

"Well isn't that just great. Oh and that's Professor Snape to you," Snape said dryly, although he couldn't quite stop the slight upward twitch of his lip.

"I know that Professor. But when it's just the five of us, can I call you Sev too?" Lily asked sweetly, grinning her trademark, toothy grin up at the imperious-looking man.

That singular, teasing look from Lily seemed to soften his jagged edges ever so slightly, and although his expression remained wholly indifferent in the face of Lily's jibing—that once upon a time, he was very well accustomed to—his eyes told a different story, they were as close he could get to warm, yet still frosty by any reasonable standard.

Severus looked scandalized at the thought, the very notion of sharing his exclusive nickname with someone else, anyone else seemed ludicrous, even if that someone else was quite literally his exact self, with the only difference being 20 years in age.

"The answer is still no," Professor Snape replied at long last, although it physically pained him to do so. Merlin, how he longed to be called Sev again, but that moniker belonged to the Severus of her time, his 11 year old self, not him. And he'd lost the right to be called such a name the moment he signed away her life to the Dark Lord. And this Lily, nor did the other Severus have any idea of the role he played in bringing about Lily Potter's death.

"Alright Professor Snape, suit yourself then," Lily said. Leaning closer to Severus, she whispered; "how much d'you wanna bet that you'll end up a Professor like your older self, Sev?"

"I want to be a potions master, not a professor, so no, not in a million years," Severus muttered back.

"Alright then children, please follow me and Professor Snape, we shall be taking you to your quarters now. Your quarters will be adjacent to my own, and you shall reside there until the beginning of the school year when you are sorted into your houses."

"Yes, sir," the trio of eleven year olds said in unison.

"Severus if you could accompany us, there are some things I wish to discuss with you after we show Harry, Lily and your younger self to their rooms," Dumbledore added.

"Very well Headmaster," Snape replied neutrally, although pretty much anyone could tell he wasn't too happy with the arrangement.

"Come along children, follow me if you please," Dumbledore said, moving to the door and leading the group from the room.

The group headed out of Dumbledore's office, down the spiral staircase and past the stone Gargoyle that leapt aside to allow the Headmaster passage. Dumbledore, with three curious children, and one surly professor on his heels, lead them towards the grand staircase and descended the numerous flights of moving stairwells to the ground floor. The maze of staircases was incredibly confusing to the three eleven year olds, but with the Headmaster's guidance, they quickly got the hang of it and rode the moving stairs down to the ground floor without incident. Dumbledore then lead them through the halls of the castle, weaving left and right through the maze of passageways until they arrived at a nondescript stone wall. The only distinguishing feature of said stone wall being a dark, oak door with a bronze handle.

Unlike his office, entering his living area did not require a password, at least not at the moment; and so the old man allowed Lily, Severus and Harry past him into the expanse that was his living space. His living area, was considerably larger than his office, with enough space to fit at least a dozen people comfortably, even more if they were all packed in. He had a fireplace off on left-hand side of the room, several chairs and sofas surrounding, it with a large coffee table in between. On the other side of the room were several bookshelves, along with a few desks which each came equipped with a chair and cabinet; they all seemed fully stocked with books and writing materials. Closest to the door was a grandfather clock that looked to be at least a century old and around it were a few cabinets. On the far side of the expansive room were four doors; each of which presumably lead to their own quarters and living spaces.

"Just this morning there was only one door back there," Dumbledore chuckled. "You see, Hogwarts is a sentient castle, so being as smart as it is, it organized three additional rooms adjacent to my own, for you," he explained.

"So which one's yours, and which are ours then?" Harry asked, squinting through his glasses at the four identical doors.

"Ah, from the looks of things, I think there are nameplates on each of them. My vision isn't as good as it once was, so—"

"My room's on the far right, Lily's is middle right, Harry's is middle left, and yours Headmaster is on the far left," Severus said, although he had to squint slightly in order to make out what each nameplate was labeled.

"Thank you Severus, I'm afraid my eyesight isn't what it once was."

"Now there's an understatement if I've ever heard one," Snape said amusedly. The trio whirled around upon hearing the unexpected voice coming from behind their backs. He'd been so quiet, they'd hardly noticed he was there.

"Yes well, should you reach my age Severus, I'd like to see you be as sprightly as I am," Dumbledore said amusedly, to which the Potions Master only rolled his eyes.

"Boys, please do make yourselves at home, I need to have a private discussion with Lily and Professor Snape, run along now," Dumbledore said.

Harry and Severus both glanced towards Lily, who in turn merely shrugged her shoulders—she was just as clueless as they were in regard to what the Headmaster wanted to speak to her about.

"I'll join you guys in a bit," Lily said assuredly. That seemed to ameliorate both boys, who then ducked into their rooms, leaving the two Professors and Lily alone in the common area.

"What's this about sir?" Lily asked the Headmaster.

"Severus, that privacy spell of yours if you will, I don't want any eavesdroppers listening in on what I am about to inform both of you."

Snape withdrew his wand and jabbed into the air, no incantation was necessary for the wizard as a cone of buzz descended upon them. "Let us sit down by one of these sofas and then we can have our discussion," Dumbledore said, motioning over to the sitting area.

In a casual display of his magical prowess, Dumbledore summoned a tea set with but a wave of his hand. The tray, pot, tea bag, cups and saucers flying through the air with grace; before settling themselves on the coffee table between them. Dumbledore took his time pouring out three cups of Chamomile tea and levitating one each—along with their saucers—to the potions master and witch. They both waited patiently as the Headmaster took a long draw from his own cup, slouching back into his chair as the warm liquid cascaded down his throat.

"That certainly hit the spot, as the muggles like to say," Dumbledore said, smiling as he set his cup and saucer down; then turned to the oddly-matched duo sitting across from him.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, and replaced the contented smile he wore with a serious look. Straightening up in his chair, he said; "Concerning Harry, there is something the both of you should know about the woman that raised him, the woman both of you know rather well."

"What about Petunia, sir? Can I see her at least?" Lily asked.

"That's what this meeting is about. For now, Petunia is unaware of your existence in this time, and she's unaware of Severus' too for that matter. If you wish to see her, then yes, it can be arranged. But I do believe it best for you to come to a consensus on if you choose to remain in this time, or to return to 1971 with Severus."

Her eyes flickered to Severus' door, then to Harry's, their interests in her thoughts as much as her own. She briefly glanced at Snape too, before looking down at her hands; "I can't go back. Not now…I don't think," she said quietly, the situation she was in finally dawning on her. "I…didn't think I'd only need today to decide…but I wish to stay. I want to stay," she said assuredly.

"Well I believe that settles things then. If you wish, sometime either next week or the one after, I can take you to Privet Drive to meet your sister," Dumbledore said with an air of finality. He turned his twinkling, blue eyes to Snape and asked; "Do you wish to accompany us Severus? Or would—"

"I do not say this lightly Albus, but I would rather babysit a herd of Hippogriffs and Potter to boot than meet with Petunia again," Snape muttered lowly.

Lily looked saddened at the Potions Master's dark look. Tentatively, she reached out for his hand, but Snape pulled his away and shot her a scowl before she could reach him. "Did you and Petunia never get along in your time, professor?"

Snape shook his head. "Did we ever get along you ask?" he said scathingly. "No. Petunia and I loathed each other. And your relationship with her didn't fare much better, what with her jealousy over our abilities and all."

Lily nodded miserably at the admission, although there was a hint of hopefulness in her gaze. "I still want to talk to her. Even if it ends in disaster…I never got to say goodbye to my Petunia…the one in 1971, I mean. So I at least want to try and make things right with this Petunia," she said resolutely.

"Well then it can certainly be arranged. However I must insist that in the coming days, before we make our trip to Privet Drive, Professor Snape and McGonagall will accompany yourself, Harry, and Severus to Diagon Alley; and you shall get your school things. It's best to get things of this sort done early to avoid the late summer crowds."

"I will?" Snape asked, more shocked than offended by the Headmaster's spur-of-the-moment suggestion.

"You will," the Headmaster said flatly, despite the levelness of his speech, his tone left no room for argument. "And you won't be alone, I'll clear a date next week when both you and Minerva are free from your obligations."

"Fine," Snape muttered. "I trust that is all then?"

"That is all, Severus. Thank you," Dumbledore said kindly.

Snape then excused himself from the room, directing a bow at the Headmaster, and even sparing an incline of his head for Lily. Little did she know, but seeing her today, passed out in his attic with a younger version of himself by her side had sent him on a roller-coaster of emotions that only know was just beginning to calm. Dumbledore of course was well aware of what the Potions Master was going through, and the knowing smile he received from the old man was as much appreciated, as it was a nuisance. When Snape had left the quarters, with a small smile on his face that was all-too-rarely seen in recent memory, Dumbledore turned his attention to the redheaded girl sitting opposite him.

"I think that will be all, Lily. I am sure you're rather curious to investigate your quarters, are you not?"

Lily nodded her head in agreement. "I am sir. May I go please? I also want to check in on Sev and Harry."

"Of course. As for your sister, the earliest I can schedule anything would be the week after next. Next week I think we shall be focusing on preparing for the school year and getting yourself and Severus up to speed on all the things that have elapsed in the time you've missed both in the Muggle as well as Magical worlds."

"Has there been much, sir?" Lily asked interestedly. "Is the Cold War still going on?"

"Dying a slow death," Dumbledore said amusedly.

"Is America still going to the moon?"

"Last trip was in 1972."

"Is Led Zeppelin still making music today?" Judging by Lily's large, doe-like eyes; and the utter seriousness with which she uttered her third question, it seemed as if it were of utmost importance to her. "'Cus if they are, Sev and I really have to check it out sir. IV was supposed to come out in November…of '71, that is. Are they still making music?"

"That, I'm afraid I can't answer. Perhaps you can consult Professor Snape tomorrow at breakfast," Dumbledore answered, chuckling to himself.

A broad smile bloomed on Lily's face. "Alright sir. I didn't know the older Sev is still a Zeppelin fan, but thanks for telling me," she said happily.

"It was no trouble at all," Dumbledore said serenely, wearing an indulging smile. "Severus is a prickly sort but he does value his Muggle music very dearly, a lot like the Severus of your time, I believe. Alas it is something I have failed to understand nor appreciate. The last Muggle musician I can remember clearly must be Vera Lynn…beyond the forties however, my recollection of anything Music-related fades into obscurity."

"Thanks for the advice sir. I…um, if it's alright, can I go and see my—"

"Of course, dear," Dumbledore interrupted gently. "I believe the elves have stocked your cupboards and wardrobes with a selection of Muggle as well as Wizarding clothes that should hopefully, be to your liking. If not, feel free to call for an elf and they can exchange them for something more to your preference. Oh, and dinner shall be served at Seven, we'll be taking dinner in our common area, and I've invited a few of my colleagues along to take dinner with us."

"Can we leave our quarters in the meantime? To…uh, to explore?" Lily asked hopefully, shooting the Headmaster a pleading look.

"Exploring isn't off limits of course, but let's leave that for tomorrow. The last thing we'd want is yourself, Harry or Severus getting lost, now would we? You'll have plenty of time to explore the castle in the coming days after all."

"Oh. Right. Of course." Lily looked a little put out, but she figured she'd find enough things to do in the mean time. "Well okay. I'll see you later then, sir?"

"Indeed you will," Dumbledore stood from his chair, and Lily did the same from the sofa.

"Thank you sir," Lily said one last time, giving the old man a little bow. She'd been taught by Severus over a year ago that giving bows and curtsies was wizarding etiquette, and she hoped the little gesture would impress the Headmaster.

Dumbledore's eyes widened ever so slightly in surprise, but not for long as the old Headmaster put two and two together to conclude that she'd learned such a gesture from her half-blood best friend. He gave a small bow of his own, eliciting a surprised look from Lily in turn. With one last smile directed her, he swept around and left the room with his purple and gold robes billowing behind him like a wave. Once Dumbledore left the room and the door slammed shut in his wake, Lily turned around and made her way to her door. she depressed the handle, and entered the room. This was all still so confusing, she was at Hogwarts now! But her mum was gone, so was her father; she loved them both dearly, as she did Petunia…but at least she still had Sev with her, and a new friend in Harry Potter. She knew though, that whatever this life through at her, she could count on Severus, and hopefully in time she'd be able to count on Harry too.

Despite the warm thoughts of her best friend and her new friend, the older Lily's son, the long-repressed sorrows she'd been holding inside of her fought to the surface and itched to free themselves. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she collapsed onto her bed, not caring at all that her jeans, and blouse were caked with soot—that now dirtied her previously pristine, white sheets. She cried because loathe as she was to admit it, she hadn't listened to Sev and they were both in this mess, in a time they didn't belong, because of her. And the sudden realization that she'd never see her parents again struck her like a freight train. She tried to muffle her sobs with her blouse sleeve, or the blanket; but evidently she hadn't done a good enough job because there were a series of knocks at her door.

She shouted at the person to go away and leave her alone in-between her sobs and sniffles, but in defiance of her wishes the door swung open to reveal Severus bearing a sad look. Of course it would've been him—doing the exact opposite of what she'd just shouted, since when did he listen to her ever? He didn't say a word, because he didn't need to; but his actions spoke loud and clear as he crossed the room and sank onto her mattress beside her and held her hand. That simple act, only a brush of fingers, comforted her beyond measure; his knowing silence and gentle presence were a balm too although it did nothing to stop the waterfall of tears from falling.

A/N2: Just to clarify some things about the time-traveling mechanics of the story. Severus and Lily left 1971, and in so doing, Harry Potter is never born in their time due to James marrying a different woman and thus birthing another child. But in the time they travel to Harry, already exists so he won't be wiped from existence by the sudden appearance of his mother(who never conceived him). An easy way of explaining this would be that Severus and Lily did some dimension hopping. Harry won't be erased from existence anytime soon(on the account that his Mother, who has yet to conceive him has suddenly appeared), and he's here to stay, hopefully that clears up any confusion and doubt as to how Severus and Lily arrived in the '91 from '71 and Harry still existing.

Thank you for reading!