Chapter 5 – In 1977

Alex sat down next to Severus at breakfast the following morning, ignoring the blond Slytherin opposite him who tried to engage him in conversation. They hadn't spoken a word to each other since Alex had cornered his friend after Potions the day before. Alex ate a slice of toast in silence and deep in thought. Just before he left for Charms Alex asked Severus to meet him in the library after lessons. All he received in reply was a tense nod.

Somehow they managed to get through the day without talking to each other; luckily they were currently doing theory work in most of their lessons. They still sat next to each other. Severus because he had no one else to sit next to and Alex because he didn't really know anyone else in this time. The teachers noticed that the two Slytherin's were not talking to each other and absently wondered why. The entire friendship was a shock to them. Alex seemed to be so nice; he didn't seem to belong in Slytherin at all while Severus was broody and the stereotypical Slytherin. But the boy's had seemed to compliment each other. Where one was stronger the other was weaker and vice versa.

Alex arrived at the library before Severus and stood there waiting, trying to calm down.

A few minutes alter Severus walked in. They stood looking at each other for a second then Alex shook his had slightly and said, "Follow me."

The shorter boy led his companion to a corridor on the seventh floor. He stopped opposite an enormous tapestry depicting Barnabas the Barmy and his foolish attempt to train trolls for the ballet. Severus looked around confused as Alex started pacing. After three walks past the tapestry a highly polished door appeared on the opposite wall. Severus's eyes widened but he showed no other sign of surprise.

Alex opened the door and stepped in. Severus followed him. He was in a small room decorated in different shades of blue. 'It is very peaceful here.' Severus thought. It was cosy with only two comfy-looking armchairs and a coffee table that had two cups of steaming hot chocolate.

The green-eyed boy sat down and smirked when he saw the shocked face of his friend.

"What is this place?" He asked suspiciously.

"This is the Room of Requirement. It changes to accommodate the needs of the person who is using it." Alex explained.

"Why did you bring me here?" Severus asked guardedly.

"I needed somewhere to talk to you where I was sure we wouldn't be overheard. And now you know about the Room you could meet Lily here so Potter won't find out that you're friends."

Severus nodded at him to continue.

"There is something that I need to tell you."

"Go on." Severus was getting a little annoyed at how long Alex was taking to say whatever it was.

"Only three people know this about me…" Severus was a little hurt that Alex had told other people before him. He had thought that he was Alex's best friend. "…and two of them aren't born yet." Alex finished.

That comforted him a little. And also answered the question of whether Alex came from the past or future.

"Well…" He trailed off.

"Ok, here goes," Alex took a deep breath. "I'm gay." He opened his eyes to Severus's reaction. He was smiling.

"I'm gay." Severus felt a spark of joy and hope shoot through him. Maybe he had a chance with Alex. He decided to come out as well. "Really? I'd never have guessed. I'm gay too."

Alex smiled and felt hope fill him. Maybe he had a chance with the raven-haired boy. He opened his mouth to tell Severus that he was falling in love with him when a small voice in his head spoke up 'What if he laughs at you? No one could love a freak like you. Save yourself the pain and love him from a distance. You'll keep his friendship then.' He sighed sadly and said, "I just wanted to tell you. It's one of my greatest secrets. Apart from most of my life at the moment but one day you will understand."

Then he had an idea. "There is this one boy I like but I don't know if he likes me back. I'm too scared to make a move on him because if he rejects me I don't know what I'd do. It's better to just watch him from a distance." Alex sighed.

Severus felt like someone had just punched him in the stomach. His hope shattered but he hid it behind his blank mask. He nodded silently. At least he was still friends with the gorgeous boy. It was all he could hope for and all he deserved. He was tainted. Not worthy of one as pure as Alex.

The walked back to the Slytherin Common Room in silence. Each boy caught up in thoughts about the other.

Severus went into their room to get his Charms essay and left Alex sat in the Common Room. He heard steps behind him and then felt someone breathe down the back of his neck.

"How's it going, Frost?"

"Just peachy, Malfoy but it would be even better if you weren't here. Now go away before I hurt you." Alex threatened.

The blond had attempted to grope Alex the day before as he was walking down the corridor alone. Alex had cursed him but it seemed that the elder Malfoy was nothing if not determined. The blond refused to take no as an answer no matter how it was given.

"So feisty. I would love to break you. To see you writing beneath me in pleasure." He breathed seductively in his ear.

Alex thought he was going to throw up. His visions of Voldemort's torture sessions had taught him exactly what 'breaking him' would entail.

"We all want what we can not have, Malfoy. Maybe you should get used to that." He replied icily and went to sit on the opposite side of the room.

Severus returned and spotted Alex across the room. He went over to him and asked, "Why are you over here?"

One word was all the explanation he needed, "Malfoy."

Severus had noticed that blond boy's obsession with the time traveller. He was just glad that Alex hated Malfoy. He had seen what happened to people who dated Lucius Malfoy.

As they were getting ready for bed Severus asked the question that had been annoying him for hours, "Alex, do you know me in the future?"

Alex looked at Severus as he pulled his t-shirt off. Then he nodded, "Yeah, I do."

"How do you know me?" Severus asked curiously.

Alex chewed on his bottom lip for a minute. 'Should I tell him? Would it make a difference? Oh well I'll tell him anyway.' "You're my professor."

Severus was gob smacked. He was a professor? "What subject do I teach? I couldn't imagine teaching anything other than Potions." He stated.

"You are my Potions Master although there are rumours that you want the Defence position." Alex answered. That also told Severus that he would pass his Potions Mastery when he took it.

Later that night Severus was woken up by a burning in his left arm. Cursing quietly he retrieved his robe and mask before tapping his Dark Mark twice to activate the portkey Voldemort had put in so that his followers could come to him even if they were currently at Hogwarts. He appeared in a dilapidated house along with several of his year mates. They took their places around the Dark Wizard and respectfully waited for him to speak with bowed heads.

"I have heard that there is a time traveller in Hogwarts. Is the report true?" He hissed.

Lucius Malfoy spoke up, "It is my Lord."

"Why did none of you inform me yourselves? Never mind it matters not. Is he from the past or future?" Voldemort demanded to know.

Once again Malfoy spoke up, as he was the oldest Death Eater in Hogwarts, "I am not sure my Lord. Snape, however, is very close to Frost as he is known."

The Dark Wizard turned on his future Potions Master, "Is this true, Severus? You and this time traveller are close?"

Severus nodded silently. Mentally panicking. What would Voldemort want with Alex?

"What time is he from?" He hissed.

"I believe that he is from the past my Lord. I have mentioned your name in passing and he had no reaction. Perhaps he comes from a time far in the past." Severus lied while trying to empty his mind of the truth. Luckily Voldemort didn't examine him closely. There was no knowing what he would do to Alex if he discovered that he was from the future. No doubt he has heard of him and knows what will happen in the future. Such an ally would be beyond helpful in avoiding things that might harm him or his position.

"A pity. Talk to him Severus and see where his loyalties lie. If they are with us then bring him to me. Even if he is from the past he appears to be very powerful and could only aid our cause." Voldemort decided.

Severus bowed, "Of course, Master. I will speak with him directly."

"You are all dismissed."

As Severus was about to activate the portkey to return to his dorm Malfoy spoke to him. "Bring Frost as soon as possible, Snape. I wish to request him as a present from our Lord."

Severus shivered at the tone and nodded stiffly. There was no way in hell he would allow that to happen. He activated the portkey and appeared back in the dorm.

Someone was screaming. He cast lumos and looked over at Alex. He was struggling against an invisible enemy and crying out, "No! Leave them alone! They didn't do anything! It's me you want!"

Severus took off his robe and put it and his mask safely away before he rushed over to Alex's bed. The shorter boy was crying. He managed to wake him up and pulled the smaller boy into his arms, whispering, "It's ok. It was just a dream. I'm here."

Alex finally stopped crying but stayed where he was, relishing the contact. He whispered back hoarsely, from the screams and crying, "Sorry for waking you. I guess I forgot that silencing charm tonight."

'Silencing charm? Tonight? He has these often?' "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked softly.

Alex shook his head. "I have loads of nightmares, my parents were murdered when I was very young." He said by way of explanation. It was partially true. It had only been a nightmare. His link to Voldemort seemed to have been severed apparently because in this time Harry Potter wasn't born yet and Voldemort had not yet tried to kill him. Now the only thing that plagued his nights were the images of all the torture sessions he had already seen, the murder of his parents, of Cedric Diggory and countless others he had witnessed during his visions.

"I'm sorry." Severus said, truly sorry.

"Thank you."

Without thinking Severus leant down and kissed Alex. Alex kissed him back.

After a second Severus realised what he was doing and backed away quickly.

He never saw the pain in Alex's eyes as he got into own bed and turned to face the other direction.

'See. I told you that he would never want you, Potter.' His uncle's voice reverberated in Alex's head. He felt like crying again.

'What have you done, Snape? He'll hate you for sure now.' Severus thought dejectedly, fighting the urge to cry. Snape's didn't cry. He wasn't Snivellus anymore.

Neither boy got any sleep after that.

A.N. Sorry it's so short. The next chapter should be longer.