AN: I am really sorry for the long wait iv not been home in a few weeks and my computers been acting up (really need to get a new one) so for any and all that are still waiting for it the next chapter

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or places or objects that you recognise………however I am aloud to make stories with them but im not making money from it so we're all ok now back to the show…

-thoughts-

-Severus' thoughts-

-normal-

Lilly turned eyes flashing dangerously. "Shut it Black. I can talk to who I want when I want and there's nothing you can do about it!" it was quite obvious by Lilly's tone that this was a conversation that they had had many times before.

Stood behind Lilly were the 4 marauders. Sirius was at the front with a sneer plastered on his face; James had a half amused half exasperated look on his face and was standing just behind and to the right of Sirius. Remus who stood a little further back looked just plain exasperated. And Peter who was stood right at the back bouncing on the balls of his feet so that he could see had a very worried look. Alex felt that same surge of emotion that he had in the Great Hall but some how he managed to keep all his feelings under wraps.

Before any one could say anything else Remus had pushed his way to the front of the group of Gryffindor's holding out his hand. "Hi, I'm Remus Lupin, Gryffindor, welcome to the school."

Alex took the pale and slightly rough hand into his own and smiled up at Remus saying, "Alex Finley, Slytherin, it's a pleasure to be here."

As Remus returned the smile his hand was wrenched out of Alex's as Sirius shouted 'Hey!' and pulled Remus back by his waist his arms staying wrapped round him. "Don't touch slimy Slytherin's," grumbled Sirius his lips moving to the shell of Remus' ear, "coz then I won't want to touch you." This ending with a growl and a nip to Remus' ear.

"Does it really matter what house I'm in?" Alex asked exasperatedly though internally he was reeling. He had never known that Sirius and Remus had been…well, involved. No wonder Remus had been devastated when Sirius died. Werewolves only had one true life mate and if they died they went into a depression for months even years after their deaths. "I could have just as easily ended up in Gryffindor."

"Oh, it matters." Sneered Sirius. Alex was really starting to wonder at how this boy could end up to be his loving godfather. Ok he had always known that Sirius didn't like Severus but surly he had not hated every Slytherin? "Coz all you in Slytherin are Death Eaters!" ah that explains it Alex raised one eyebrow (a trait picked up from Severus). Turned to Lilly, completely dismissing Sirius and bid her good night. Alex then turned to Remus and spoke quietly, "Good night and I hope I didn't contaminate you too much for him." Then, after giving Sirius a scathing look, turned to James. "It was nice meeting you…?"

"James." James hastily added into the gap blushing slightly. He obviously agreed with Siri- (no he couldn't call him that. It would spoil Alex's memories of Sirius too much) Black but did not want to get into Lilly's bad books. He could now see were people were coming from. By this he meant both Snape and Remus of the future. His father had been a prat (that much was obvious by the fact that he agreed with Black) but he was growing up.

"And you too." Alex shot over the heads of the others at Pettigrew who merely squeaked in response. Alex then turned on his heel, gestured to Severus, who had just said good night to Lilly, to lead the way and walked off confidence oozing from him.

When they had reached an empty corridor in the dungeons Severus grabbed Alex's arm and spun him round to face him a serious look clouding his face. "Watch out for Black and Potter. Especially Black. He hates all Slytherin's even his brother and goes out of his way to make it difficult for us. Potter's only jealous though. Because Evans talks to me. Just don't let your guard down around them."

"I'll keep an eye on them but don't worry I can handle my self."

As Alex walked away he missed the whispered "You have no idea how bad they can get."

As the Slytherin and Gryffindor 7th years walked into the first lesson of the year Alex had a good look around. Last night there had been no one in the common room so Alex and Severus had just gone to bed. Alex was delighted to find out that he would be sharing a room with Severus. It seemed that the Slytherin's got on better in tow then in groups and had been housed accordingly. Before Alex had arrived there had been an odd number and Severus had a room to him self. Not any more.

As he surveyed the room Alex saw Frank Longbottom and Alice Longbottom-to-be whispering in a corner. Lilly was leaning against her desk talking with a witch that looked like Seamus' mum. Then there was Andromeda Black sitting quietly reading her book. When Alex had nearly knocked her over this morning there had been a bit of a commotion but in the end it had sorted out well and Alex could say he had a new friend. Before he could continues his perusal of the class Alex felt a disturbance in the air behind him. Alex reached for his wand while casting an absorbing shield around himself and Severus who was sat next to him nose in a potions book and lost to the world around him. Alex spoke quietly to Black without even turning to look at him. "You do know that that borders on dark magic don't you?"

"Shut it Finley," sneered Black caught off guard for the shield that had come up. "Anyway only someone who uses Dark Magic would be able to tell." There was triumphed in his voice.

"Not necessarily Black. Dumbledore would have been able to tell you."

"Yeah, well, that's Dumbledore though init." Black was now getting angry at how calm Alex was staying.

"Whose to say I'm not related to Dumbledore?" asked Alex interested in how well that would go down. But before he got an answer Professor Flitwick bounded in excitedly.

Flitwick was still as tiny as ever but he had a lot more colour to his hair. In fact Alex was quite surprised to find out that Professor Flitwick had vibrant orange hair.

As Flitwick started his lecture Alex had to nudge Severus hard in the ribs to get him out of his book and listening. Severus hadn't even stirred when Black had been yelling and if Alex hadn't nudged him he was pretty sure that Severus would have still been reading his book. As it was that meant that Alex only caught the last bit of Professor Flitwick's words.

"So," the Professor squeaked, "who can tell me what a patronus is?" after a moment, when no one had put their hand up Alex put his tentatively into the air. "Yes, Mr. Finley?" all eyes turned to him expectantly.

"Well, sir" Alex began not quite sure how to put into words what he new. "A patronus is an insubstantial animal form protector created by the advanced Patronus Charm spell, and one way to defend against Dementors and certain other dark creatures. However if the caster is too weak or not determined enough then they will get merely a whisp of silver mist which will help but not last for very long."

Professor Flitwick was beaming at him. "Oh well done. I couldn't have put it better my self. Yes as Mr. Finley just told us it is a protector against dark creatures. It lives off our happy memories so the stronger the memory the more likely that your patronus will be strong. However don't be disheartened if you do not acheve a full patronus it is very difficult to do so. Now, I don't supose you know the incantation do you?" this next excited question was directed at Alex.

"Yes sir. Its Expecto Patronum." Alex was feeling very detached at this point he just knew that Flitwick was going to ask him to cast one.

"And can you cast one?" Alex nodded mutly. "Go on then." The Professor's excitement was tangibal in the air. Alex raised his wand (dispite not needing to use it) and entoned forcefuly "Expecto Patronum". His silver stag burst from the end of Alex's wand and cantered round the room looking for dementord when it found none it came back to Alex to have his head patted then disapeared back into thin air. Somewhere behind him Alex heard James Potter's voice whisper "Prongs?".

The rest of the lesson went smoothly with Alex helping those who asked, mainly Lilly and Severus. This consiquently ended the lesson with only two other people, apparte from Lilly and Severus coming close to producing their full patronus. Those two were Remus Lupin and Andromeda Black. When the Slytherin 7th years walked out of the room it was with 60 points added to their house inings.

It was in potions the next day that Alex found out that he had a liking to another subject. He found that it was much easier to brew a potion with out the 'great bat' swooping down on him every 5 minuets. He found himself relaxing very much in the same manner that he did when cooking. Alex had found a great passion for cooking that helped in his potions grade. However when Alex looked over at Severus his jaw dropped. Severus was brewing three potions at once while reading a book and making notes. It was easy to see why this man was a potions genius. No wonder Snape got so fed up with us I mean look at him. Severus is completely at ease were as most people don't see the beauty in potion making. Severus just can't understand people who treat potions as a joke and consequently gets pissed off. Severus' potion making skills though were purely instinctual. Just as Alex's flying skills and affinity for defence were.

"Stop Alex!" Severus hadn't even looked up, "You need to put the doxie wings in now stir clockwise twice then the daisy roots."

"Oh thanks. I wouldn't be able to get this right any way until I've done it once." The apology was covering Alex's voice and smile. Severus blushed slightly at the sight of the smile. Oh Merlin, I love it when he smiles it lights his whole face up.

" I think I know a way to help you there." Stated Severus his voice slightly gruff. He coughed to clear his throat. "All you need to do is visualise what the reaction will be with each ingredient you put in before you start so that you know what to expect from it." Severus calmly stirred his potion. Ignoring the sudden commotion from the back of the class when one of the Hufflepuff's set their cauldron on fire.

"Whoa thanks. I think that'll help a load." Alex glanced at Severus contemplating for a moment. Then added. "If you ever need anything in return just ask me." They spent the rest of the lesson in silence. Severus contemplating what he could ask Alex for while Alex tried to figure out how this kind, shy boy had turned into his snarky, git of a potions master.

On the first Friday Alex and Severus both had a free period before lunch, which they decided to use as time to study out side. Alex had been wanting to go and sit by the lake but had to compromise when they saw that the giant squid had taken up the bank space. They were now sat in the shade of a weeping willow that afforded privacy but also a good prospect of the grounds and castle. They must have been working for about only 15 minuets when Severus suddenly sat up, he had been lying on his stomach, and looked intently at Alex. Alex had known that something was on Severus' mind but couldn't figure out what it was so he waited patiently as Severus gathered his thoughts and said, "You've been to Hogwarts before haven't you?"

"Er…um…" Alex didn't want to lie to his best friend (for that was what he thought of Severus as) but he couldn't really tell him the truth. Could he? "Why do you ask?" Alex decided to hide behind his own question.

"Well, you know the school better then I do. And I've been going here for 7 years you for 5 days. You seem to know some of the people but they don't seem to know you. And you keep on letting thinks slip that you shouldn't know."

Alex knew that Severus was sharp. But not that sharp. However Alex supposed that it was hard to keep his cover completely 24/7. Alex could see no way about this he was going to have to tell Severus the truth. Or at least part of it. But not with out precautions. "Listen Severus. If I'm going to tell you then I need you to take the wizard's oath or an unbreakable vow. Its not because I don't trust you." Alex quickly added at the flash of hurt that came into Severus' eyes. "I don't trust anyone else is all." Alex looked deep into Severus' eyes pleading with him to understand.

How could Severus refuse those eyes? Those deep emeralds burning with a deep fire. "Very Well." Severus held his hand out. Alex grasped it and called for Fawkes to witness.

"Do you Severus Snape solemnly swear to reveal none of which I, Alexander Finley, am about to reveal to another soul living or dead?" Alex looked deep into Severus' trust shining in them.

"I, Severus Snape, solemnly swear that I will reveal none of what Alexander Finley is about to reveal to me to another soul living nor dead." A band of fire encircled their ands and made the green and black eyes flicker with the reflected firelight before Fawkes chirped and the binding as well as the bird disappeared.

"Well then will you tell me now?" Severus asked impatiently as Alex set up a privacy barrier so as not to be over heard. When Alex turned back he looked Severus straight in the eye with seriousness shrouding him like a cloak, braced himself then opened his mouth to speak the fateful words, "Severus…I'm from the future."