Disclaimer - I don't have enough money to bother suing me anyway.

Thank You Lord Voldemort

Chapter 6 - Charming

Back in 1997 in the headmaster's office

"Dammit Albus, Harry Potter? I've been so horrible to him. I don't understand that boy at all. When he told me twenty years ago that I wasn't very nice to him in the future I just shrugged it off. Now that it's sinking in I've been remembering more of what happened that year. Merlin only knows what he'll be like when he comes back."

"I know Severus. We are just going to have to wait. In the mean time I think I should at least tell Remus. He's got to be grief stricken."

Severus hollered back. "No! He doesn't deserve to know. With the way they treated Alex."

They were interrupted by a thumping on the door. "Albus, let me in." It was Remus. When the door swung open the werewolf entered. Severus could tell that he had been crying.

"Albus, tell me I didn't see Harry die. I can't take anymore death. I have no one left."

The headmaster tried to comfort Professor Lupin. "Remus, there's something you need to know. Harry isn't dead."

Remus sniffled. "He isn't?" His eyes lit up brightly. "But how?"

Severus glared at him. "He's in the past. Our past. In 1977. Ring a bell?"

"No. What are you talking about?"

The potions master got in Remus' face and continued in a menacing voice. "The beginning of our seventh year. A time traveler showed up. Alex Campione. Remember anything yet?"

Remus paled as he sunk to the floor. "Campione? Harry is Campione? Merlin... If Harry comes back he'll never forgive me."

Back in 1977

Harry was stunned to hear that the seventeen-year-old with the long, shiny black hair and flawless skin was his future potions master. His nose wasn't even hooked yet. He could even be considered attractive.

Harry/Alexander shook hands with him and tried to force a grin. 'Hopefully he isn't as bad as his older self.' "Nice to meet you, may I call you Severus?"

"Certainly. If I may call you Alexander, that is?"

Harry grinned. 'No, he isn't that bad yet.' "You may, but I'd prefer Alex I think."

"Okay Alex. This way to the Slytherin dorms."

Alex followed Severus down into the dungeons. He was wondering, as he walked, why Severus became so bitter in the future. 'What made him change? He's being so polite. I can't believe this is the same person.'

Alex wasn't sure how to feel about sleeping in the next bed over from his future professor but oddly it made him feel safe to know that he was there. He couldn't wait till tomorrow when he would get a good look at his parents. 'This could be one of my more interesting adventures yet.'

The next morning Severus walked Alex back up to the great hall for breakfast. He retrieved Alex's schedule from their head-of-house and brought it back to the table. "Looks like you're in all of my classes Alex. That's good, I can show you around."

Alex smirked, "Thank you, but I'm from a different time not a different place. I probably know this castle better than you."

Alex then saw his first typical Snape face on this younger version as Severus lifted an eyebrow and sent him what could be considered a weak form of a glare. "A different time?"

Alex glared back and then changed it into a broad smile. "You'll see when I'm introduced." Shortly afterward the headmaster shot sparks from his wand to get everyone's attention.

"Good morning students. I'm sure you all remember a certain unexpected guest that arrived yesterday at dinner. I'm also sure that you have all done your fair share of speculating about him. I will assure you that he is not from another planet nor is he a threat to the school. He is merely from another time." He paused to let the chatter at that statement die down before continuing. "Now, to prevent a time paradox from being created, I will not let him tell you when he is from. Until I can figure out a way to send him back to his time period he will attend classes with the seventh years. The hat has placed him in Slytherin. Please welcome Alexander Campione."

Alex stood briefly and waved to the applause before sitting down. He glanced over to the Gryffindor table to find his parents but his eyes locked with the blue ones of Sirius Black. Alex felt a pang of hurt deep in his chest as he remembered back to his godfather and how much he missed him. But Alex forced himself to turn away although not quickly enough as he thought he saw a trace of dislike in Sirius' eyes. He was glad to be able to see Sirius again even if it wouldn't last. That was until said blue-eyed soon-to-be-convict stood up and shouted at him.

"I don't trust you Slytherins as far as I can throw you. Watch your back Campione. I know I'll be watching my friends' and mine."

Alex was taken aback. 'He hasn't even met me yet!' Alex screamed in his head. All he could do was stare as a huge weight fell into the pit of his stomach. A tapping on his shoulder brought Alex back to reality. A concerned looking Severus was calling his name as well.

"Don't worry about him Alex. He's like that to all Slytherins. Don't take it personally. Just be sure to watch your back around him and his friends though. They are big into pranking and bullying."

Alex, who was now a well-trained fighter wasn't worried about marauder pranks. He was just shocked to see his godfather from this perspective. "Thanks Severus but I'll be fine."

Severus still looked concerned at the boy that he was now responsible for. "Very well. Let's head to class. We've got charms with the Gryffindors. We should try to get there before them."

Upon entering charms Severus and Alex took seats up near the front. When the rest of the students arrived Alex had to swiftly block a belching hex that was sent at him by Sirius. The other students were amazed to see the time traveler block the hex that he shouldn't have even know was coming. But Alex, who had learned to feel the changes in magical energy around him, felt the curse before it even left Sirius' wand. Sirius' answer was a mumbled; "told ya he's a death eater."

Professor Flitwick arrived a couple of minutes later and quickly settled the class down. "Today we will be working with a new charm, the patronus charm. Can anyone here tell me what it is?"

Alex was shocked that no one seemed to know of it. He cautiously raised his hand, which surprised the teacher.

"Mister Campione. You have heard of this charm?"

"Yes sir, it is the charm used to repel dementors and lethifolds."

"Correct. Five points to Slytherin. Five more if you know the incantation."

Alex wasn't sure how far this was going to go and he wasn't sure if his father would realize what the patronus was if Alex performed it. Taking a deep breath he calmed down his nerves. "It's Expecto Patronum sir"

"Correct again. Now class, when a powerful wizard who is well practiced in this charm performs it, it will take the form of that person's protector. But I don't expect any of you to be able to perform this charm to that degree. You will be lucky to get a wisp of silver mist. As it is very advanced and takes a great deal of power. Most adult wizards struggle with it. Mister Campione, since you are so familiar with this charm I was wondering if you could perform it for us."

"Certainly." Harry closed his eyes and thought about winning the quidditch cup last year as captain and reopened his eyes, focusing on the far wall. "EXPECTO PATRONUM" The silver stag galloped around the room and then came over to Harry and bowed his head. The class stared in awe at the shimmering creature and Alex tried not to look at his father but couldn't help but notice how pale his face was. Professor Flitwick practically fell over with excitement.

"Oh, Mister Campione, a corporeal patronus. You must be very powerful. Why don't you help me when we get to the practical part? Oh, and twenty points to Slytherin."

"Thank you Sir."

Flitwick smiled before turning to the class. "Today you will mostly be working on the theory of it and then we will finish by practicing performing the spell. Don't worry about it not working. It will take weeks of practice to get any results. I'm sure that if you talk to Mister Campione you will find that he had to practice as well. We will revisit this charm at the end of every class where we will practice it a few times before leaving for the day. Please read chapter 12 in your books."

Alex mostly sketched during the lecture and then happily went around helping the Slytherins on their charm when they got to the practical portion of class. None of the Gryffindors wanted his help. He thought he heard his father whisper, "Didn't that look like prongs?"