Chapter 9
Alex woke up first the next morning. It was the first night that he hadn't been woken by nightmares in weeks. He felt something next to him move and opened his eyes curiously. He was spooned up against Severus' chest with his lover's arms around him protectively.
"Morning, love." He said before kissing Alex.
They kissed for a while and when the need to breathe became to great to ignore they parted.
"Morning, Sev," Alex panted with a smile at his lover, "I'm going to take a shower."
"Fancy some company?" Severus asked with a smirk.
"Why not." Alex replied and the walked out of the door, Severus just behind him.
What started as innocent washing quickly turned heated and they gave each other hand jobs, being a little too sore to do much else for the time being despite the numbing agent Severus had incorporated into the lubricant.
The two Slytherins went up to the Great Hall for breakfast and were surprised by three new additions to the table. The Potters had come to Hogwarts! The elder Mr Potter was sat next to Albus Dumbledore, speaking to him softly. His wife was beside him and their son, James was opposite his mother. No one but James saw them enter. He glared at them while they simply ignored him.
(Voldemort must have destroyed their home when he found out they weren't there.) Severus noted.
(Dumbledore would have had them in hiding until now. Hogwarts is the safest place in England except from Gringotts perhaps.) Alex replied.
(Great now we'll have to deal with Potter for the rest of the holidays.) Severus complained.
Alex just rolled his eyes at his lover and smiled. As they began to eat neither noticed the twinkling blue eyes watching them carefully.
By coincidence the Potters and the headmaster left the Great Hall at the same time as Alex and Severus. Alex was talking to Severus, not looking where he was going so he bumped into James Potter. The Gryffindor shoved him away roughly. Severus took a step forward to defend his mate but Alex put a hand on his arm and stopped him.
(I think now is a good time to talk to Dumbledore about you becoming a spy. Do you agree?) Alex asked his mate quickly.
(Yes.) Severus replied tensely. He still felt like hitting Potter. The boy had no right to shove Alex like that. He had apologised for walking into him and it had been an accident.
Alex spoke up within a few seconds of James pushing him, "Professor, could we speak to you please? It is a matter of great importance." He said. He had requested the audience formally, as a Slytherin would.
The headmaster seemed to be shocked for a split second. What could the time traveller have to say to him? But then he rallied his usual jovial nature and replied, "Of course, Mr Frost. Will you join me in my office?"
Alex nodded and then had an idea, "Mr Potter is welcome too, of course. I would not wish to monopolise your time and he may find what I have to say interesting."
Severus turned to his boyfriend in shock. He had invited Henry Potter? Why?
(Trust me.) Came the amused reply.
Both men's eyebrows had flown into their hairlines at the comment but Mr Potter readily agreed. He wished to learn more of this boy who his son spoke of with hatred and jealously because he was friends with the girl his son loved.
The four walked up to the headmaster's office. Leaving behind a curious woman and a silently hating teenager.
Dumbledore took up his armchair and, after offering the others tea and lemon drops, bridged his fingers and peered at Alex over his spectacles expectantly.
Now that he was here Alex wasn't sure what to say. The he remembered the Albus Dumbledore he knew, the man who was like a grandfather like to him, who always listened to him even if he didn't always tell him what was happening. It was only because he wanted to preserve his childhood. "Fawkes is well, Sir?" He asked.
A suspicion crept into the headmaster's mind and he replied, "Very well. He is approaching his burning day. Though he occasionally disappears and then returns a little while later."
Alex picked up on the hint, "Carrying a letter with enlightening information from an anonymous source? I do not believe that a phoenix would go to just anybody who called."
"Indeed. Do you know who this mysterious person who knows the inner workings of Voldemort's inner circle is?" Dumbledore asked eagerly.
"Of course I do, Headmaster. It is I. Though I am not marked." He replied to Dumbledore then turned to Henry Potter who was staring at him in shock, "I am sorry for what happened to your home, sir. I am thankful that you and your family managed to get out in time."
Turning from the god smacked man Alex faced Severus and gestured that he should speak now.
Anxiety swept through the teen like the plague but a flow of confidence and love from Alex helped him regain his voice. "Professor, I took the Mark last summer. I have truly realised my error and wish to offer myself as a spy for the Light." He forced out, making himself look into the headmaster's eyes.
Sadness filled the old man's gaze. He had failed the young Slytherin. "Why?" He simply asked.
Severus wasn't sure which part of his little speech was being questioned but figured that it was probably both. "I thought it would make my father proud but it didn't and I soon realised just what I had joined. I saw no way out until Alex offered to teach me to guard my thoughts. That way I could spy on him and bring back important information to you. I do not want to kill anyone but I know that my Potion skills are invaluable to Voldemort. There is no one in England with my skill in Potions. He needs me." He answered in a matter of fact tone. Yes he was proud of his ability with Potions but he was a Slytherin. They rarely flaunted their power unless they wanted something.
"How am I to trust that all you say is true? You have already confessed to being a Death Eater. Voldemort could have ordered you to tell me this tale in the hopes that I would accept and then it would be he that had a spy within my ranks." Dumbledore wondered aloud as Mr Potter watched, interestedly.
"I am willing to take Veritaserum," Was Severus honest reply. "If that is the only way you will know that I am speaking truthfully."
Dumbledore and the elder Potter looked at each other and nodded in agreement. To make sure that their trust was not misplaced the teen must be put under Veritaserum.
"I am sorry that it comes to this." Mr Potter whispered as he administered the dose. "But in times such as these..."
Severus nodded his understanding. Alex had not moved from his seat before but now he did. He crouched down next to his lover and took his hand. He knew that it had taken a lot for his friend to give up control of his speech in this way. He was completely vulnerable. Alex watched as Severus' eyes became glazed and knew that the potion had taken effect.
Dumbledore began his questioning, "Why did you join Voldemort?"
"I though it would make my father proud." Severus answered in a monotone.
"Do you agree with Voldemort's views?"
"No, Muggles shouldn't be killed just because they don't have magic."
"Have you ever tortured anyone for Voldemort?"
"No, I'm a new recruit and he says that he wants me to be his Potions Master."
"Why do you want to become a spy?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"I don't want to hurt anyone. He is an evil megalomaniac and needs to be stopped. Also he wants my Alex for his consort. I won't give him up to that monster."
"Will your wish to spy remain even when Alex returns to his own time?" Albus asked curious as to how much of this was Alex's idea. Would the Slytherin revert back to Voldemort when his lover left?
"Yes it will. Alex merely gave me the opportunity to speak to you. It is the right thing to do. I might be Slytherin but I still have a sense of right and wrong, despite what others think." Severus said the passionate words with no emotion but Alex could feel the anger bubbling below the surface of his mind.
"Very well. It would seem that we have gained a spy for the Light. Henry, do you agree?" Dumbledore asked the other man as the potion began to wear off.
The eldest male member of the Potter line stared blankly at the young Slytherin who was currently trying to rid his head of the cotton wool feeling the Veritaserum had left and nodded mutely. He couldn't reconcile this image of a apparently good Slytherin who wanted to spy on the Dark Lord and was willing to risk his life in doing so with the comments made by his son over the years. He was beginning to think that James was wrong about this Severus Snape. Henry wasn't stupid. He knew that his son was quite prejudiced against Slytherins and the more he spoke to the other teen the more he was inclined to think that his own son started many of the altercations that had occurred between the two over the years. Henry moved over to Severus and began to talk to him about the Order and such. Alex went over to the headmaster. He knew that the man would wish to speak to him.
"I hope that your letters do not affect the time line, Mr Frost. Though I and all the Order are most thankful that you have been informing us of Voldemort's plans." He commented over his spectacles.
Alex sighed and replied quietly, "Sir, I will not interfere in the time line, you can be assured of that. I knew that the Potters did not die then. I shall continue to inform you of anything relevant after a meeting?" He questioned.
Albus nodded and thanked the teen. It was hard to believe that this small seventeen year old could stand up to the most powerful dark wizard in England but Albus could sense great power within the Slytherin. 'He would be a great ally in the war.' He thought sadly.
"I will be an ally in time, headmaster. Be patient, now is not my time to fight. If I were to interfere I would change everything. The same if I told you what is going to happen. As much as I would like to I can't." Alex ranted quietly.
The headmaster blinked in shock at Alex's comment. It appeared that the seventh year could read his mind! Not even Voldemort could manage that. If it weren't for the fact that he knew the teen was on his side he would be very worried by now. Albus could see that the teen was distraught at the thought that he could change so much but could not for fear of what would happen as a result. He could prevent so much suffering but who knows what else would change. It was not for them to decide. The past much remain the past.
As they were leaving Alex finally spoke up to Henry Potter, "Mr Potter. I realise that you have probably hear stories about us from your son but I would very much like to know you better. I know very few people in this time and many would judge me and my partner for being Slytherin. As you know we are not the most well liked people in England." He said scathingly. He had always wanted a family, to know about the one he lost. Being sent to the past had allowed him to meet his mother and become her friend. Now he had the chance to get to know his grandparents. His father he didn't hope to know. At least not personally. He had found out a lot about the teen, who would one day give his life in an unwinable fight to try and give his wife and son a chance to escape, just by observing him.
There was another week and a half before the rest of the students returned and Alex and Severus were determined not to waste it. They made love almost everyday. By the end of the week it no longer hurt and each knew the right angle to hit the others prostrate on every thrust.
In addition Alex tried to spend time with the Potters, much to Severus' confusion.
The day after Severus had agreed to be the spy for the Order of the Phoenix, Alex and Severus went down for breakfast where they met Mr Potter.
(Sev what is Mr Potter's job?) Alex asked curiously.
(He's the head of the Auror's.) Severus replied.
Alex raised an eyebrow in surprise. He had had no idea that his grandfather was an Auror. Or should that he had been? 'Oh well I'm just not going to think about it.' Trying to decipher time paradoxes was enough to give anyone a headache. (Do you mind if I ask him to teach us?)
Severus understood what his mate was asking and agreed with it. They would need as much training as they could get, (Not at all.)
Alex stood up and walked over to Henry Potter who was still eating with his wife and son. "Mr Potter, I hope I am not disturbing you but I would not be able to find you later. Would it be possible for you to instruct Severus and I in Defence during your stay here?"
James pulled a face and opened his mouth to speak but Alex beat him to it, "As long as you are not busy that is. I would not wish to take up your time with your family."
Henry Potter and his wife looked at the Slytherin boy in surprise. A Slytherin asking for help was almost unheard of and off a well known Gryffindor family well it was the stuff of fairy tales. "Of course, Mr Frost. Is one hour from now in the Defence room convenient for the two of you?"
Alex nodded, "It is. Thank you, sir." He nodded his greeting to Mrs Potter before going back to Severus.
"That was strange." Melissa Potter commented to her husband.
"Yes. I have the strangest feeling about that time traveller. I'm convinced that he's on our side of course but when he looks at me I can see sadness radiating off him." Henry spoke quietly to his wife so that his son didn't hear. James had gone back to eating once Alex had left.
"How heartbreaking. He left all his family behind when he came to this time no doubt and even if they are alive now they won't know him." The elderly woman sighed.
An hour later Alex and Severus entered the Defence classroom, Henry Potter was already there waiting for them, along with his wife, who was a powerful witch in her own right.
"It is difficult to watch two people at the same time as well as correct their work. If you will permit my wife to remain she will be able to work with one of you at the same time I work with the other." Henry explained.
Alex and Severus nodded in understanding and acceptance, "It is a pleasure to meet you Mrs Potter." Alex said to the softly smiling woman bowing his head in a sign of respect which Severus copied.
"Alright, I think the best way to gage your levels is to have a mock duel. Don't hold anything back. Who is going first?" Mr Potter asked with a smile.
Severus looked at Alex, (Shall I? You're brilliant in Defence so we could surprise him by letting him think that you're at my level.) He suggested to his lover.
Alex smiled at his mate. Severus was a real prankster if he put his mind to it. He enjoyed tricking other people and keeping them on their toes. 'I wonder if the older Severus is like this and that's why we never know if he's joking or not.' "Severus will go first."
His mate and future grandfather walked into the middle of the room bowed and then began the duel. Henry was very powerful and obviously knew what he was doing. Severus, however, was not really struggling against the Gryffindor. He was greatly more powerful, his only disadvantage was that Henry Potter had more experience and knowledge.
After twenty minutes Henry finally managed to disarm Severus by summoning his wand as Severus jumped out of the way of a blasting hex.
The elder man handed the Slytherin his wand back and shook his hand, "I have not been challenged like that for quite some time. Well done, Mr Snape."
Alex strode into the middle of the room next, after receiving a smirk from Severus along with the comment (I held back a little.) "Are you ready?" He asked the Head of the Auror's.
"Of course," Was the reply. Both men bowed in respect before releasing their first curses.
Alex was much better than Severus at Defence in this time. He knew that the man had improved greatly over the years and wouldn't be surprised if he was a Master by Alex's own time. He was giving Henry Potter a run for his money.
The eldest Potter was amazed at the young Slytherin's ability. He was grazed by a burning hex that he wasn't quick enough to dodge and sent back a stunner.
Neither man was trying to hurt the other but they were not holding anything back either. Well Alex was in a way, he knew a lot more magic, mainly from what he had seen in Voldemort's mind and could cast spells in Parsletongue. He sent a power-laden stunner hurtling towards the Gryffindor man. It passed straight through the man's shield and hit him, knocking him unconscious instantly.
Alex rushed over to Henry and enervated him. "Are you alright?" He asked in concern when the man groaned and opened his eyes.
Standing up Henry assessed the young Slytherin; he looked as though he had been doing nothing more than reading books for the past half hour instead of duelling the Head of the Aurors who was currently sporting a burnt arm and many bruises. "Why in Merlin's name do you want me to train you? It appears as though you already outclass me." Henry commented in amazement as he motioned to his own injuries.
Alex just smiled at the man and laid a hand over the burn. When he removed his hand the skin underneath was clear. Once again Henry and his wife stared at Alex in astonishment.
"I have a confession to make. While I do wish to train with you I asked for these lessons for another reason. I wished to know you and your wife. I do not know many people from this time but I have heard of you. You are very well known in my time and it would be an honour to meet you." Alex said sheepishly. He glanced at the two elder people hopefully.
Henry and Melissa Potter had never in their lives been more shocked then they were now. This mysterious time traveller was from the future, had heard of them and wished to know them. "If you wished to know us then you shall, Alex." Melissa said kindly. She stepped towards Alex and stared into his face. Parts of it seemed very familiar to her. She searched her memory looking for similarities in the people she knew now. She gasped when she found them. He looked like a member of her family. He had her own hair, how it used to be before she turned grey that was, and the hair that her only child had inherited.
Alex saw the recognition in her eyes and smiled softly, shaking his head minutely. No one must know or it could ruin everything.
Over the holidays they met up almost every day, sometimes to train but often just to talk. Severus came with Alex sometimes but he didn't really want to be friends with the parents of his enemy. He spent most of his time in the dungeons working on potions. He wanted to do his Masters degree when he left Hogwarts. Sev and Alex still spent a lot of time together, practicing their new found abilities and getting to know each other as well as possible.
When the Christmas holidays ended Alex was the happiest he had ever been. He had found this family and for a short time he was allowed to know them as he would have if it wasn't for Voldemort. 'He hasn't called us for a while. I should talk to Sev.'
The Potters departure from Hogwarts depressed Alex but Melissa had promised to write to him often, much to her son's amazement.
A week into the new term, when Alex and Severus were studying in a quiet corner of the library, they were approached by two Gryffindors.
Severus looked up and saw his old friend was one of them, "Evans is there something we can do for you?" He asked coldly, glaring at the other Gryffindor.
"Relax, Severus. Remus knows." She said gently.
"Lily, what are you doing bringing a Marauder here?" Alex asked.
Remus Lupin stood watching the exchange a step behind Lily, ready to leave if they refused.
She gestured behind her, "Remus wanted to meet you both and I thought that maybe we could study together."
(What do you say, Sev?) Alex asked his soulmate mentally.
(Lupin is not like the others. We could try it, if only to starve off Lily's wrath.)
"Ok, Lily. For you. But we will not tolerate the others." Alex told her after seeing that the other Slytherin had no intention of speaking.
The Gryffindors sat down and Remus greeted Alex and Severus by nodding as he said, "Snape. Frost."
The Slytherins nodded back saying, "Lupin," in unison.
The group of four worked in silence for nearly thirty minutes. Alex caught Sev's eye and mouthed, "Silence." Snape smirked at him in return.
Remus saw the exchange and spoke up, the silence had been a little disconcerting to him, he usually studied with James and Sirius and they were a lot louder, "We could at least talk. Maybe we could get to know each other."
Alex and Severus snorted together but agreed. They didn't need to talk to communicate and often didn't even use the bond since silence didn't really bother them.
Over the next two weeks Remus and Alex became fast friends but Severus was weary, although civil, of the tawny-haired Gryffindor. Lily continued to bring the other Gryffindor with her when they met up to study in the Room of Requirement; Remus didn't want the other Marauders to find out about their friendship.
After they had finished one challenging essay, Charms, and moved onto the next, Transfiguration, Remus asked Alex, "Are you and Snape together?"
Alex looked at the boy suspiciously and finally nodded. Severus questioned guardedly, "Why do you ask?"
Remus just said, "Oh no reason. I just though you were."
"How could you tell?" Alex asked.
"It's a gift." Remus replied cryptically.
Alex just smirked at the boy. He knew that Remus had been able to tell because he had been able to smell the other on them. As a werewolf he had heightened senses, "But I bet it feels like a curse sometimes." He said knowingly.
Severus stared at him in shock, Remus went white and was shaking slightly and Lily's mouth was agape.
"What?" Alex asked innocently, "I'm from the future. It's common knowledge in my time. Besides only a Gryffindor wouldn't pick up on the clues, no offence," He added as an afterthought, "I mean, come on, your grandmother always seems to be sick around the full moon and you come back a day later looking terrible. What does your grandmother do to you?" He asked sarcastically, silently amused at their reactions.
Severus was the first to recover. He just filled the information away for later use. It would give him more of a chance of finding out just who 'Alex' was. Lily was next. She closed her mouth and looked at Remus in concern. He was still white and was looking at Alex with a terrified expression. Alex saw his face and hurried to reassure the werewolf he loved like a father in the future, "I won't tell anyone. I promise. I have no problem with you being a werewolf. It is not something you can change and isn't your fault."
Remus nodded shakily and replied, "Thank you, Alex."