A/N: I'm SO honored, guys. I didn't think people would like the prologue so much, as I've noticed stories with OCs don't usually get that far. I hope that my characters are interesting enough for you. (But don't worry; Harry and Severus will be the focus of this story.)

Also wanted to give a shout out to my Beta, Ahny! You've done so much for me, including boosting my confidence about my writing and getting me on fanfiction. Thanks for everything!

Disclaimer: If I owned HP, Snape's death scene in the movie would have lasted much longer. Why would I put my favorite character through that? Because I love Alan Rickman. 3 If you notice some familiar wording, they're not mine either. (I only own my OCs, got it?)

If Only You Knew

Written by Fenikkusu

Beta'd by Ahny (Coffee Cat)

Chapter 1: Initium (Beginning)

"I think that you're ready, Vincent." Keiichi circled around the boy, nodding as he took in his appearance. Since there were no mirrors in the Realm of Shadows, the boy formerly known as Harry Potter wasn't able to look at himself.

"I don't think I am."

"And that," the pharaoh replied, "is how I know you are." Vincent had figured early on that the man was one of the ancient kings due to how he dressed. "Four years here is long enough."

"Has it really been that long?" Vincent replied, crossing his arms.

In the back of his mind, Vincent thought that four years wasn't all that farfetched. Since he had gotten to the Shadow Realm, Keiichi tutored him in many branches of magic… those that didn't require material objects, that is. Vincent was also taught in Elemental magic which apparently was considered dark now. If someone didn't know how to use it then, yes, it would be dangerous. Keiichi assured Vincent not to worry about anything.

"When you've been here as long as I have, young one, you learn to tell how much time has passed in this dimension. I'd say two months have passed in the Realm of Light. Now, back on the topic of your departure… the shadows seem to agree with me," Keiichi said as he gestured to them. The dark wisps gathered to form a simple mahogany door. Vincent stared at it. He'd never get used to the shadows' magic.

"Am I really leaving?" the boy whispered, turning to the other man.

"Four years ago, you were leaping at the idea."

Vincent's face contorted into an ironic smile, "Four years changes a lot. You taught me that, you know." A hearty chuckle left the other's lips. Keiichi walked over to his student and slipped something over his neck. Vincent blinked at the silver chain and oval-shaped pendant at the end.

"A dog tag?"

Keiichi snorted. "What a crude name." He picked up the pendant with a tanned palm. "This is a shenu, known in your language as a cartouche. Look closely." It was then Vincent noticed the hieroglyphics engraved on both sides. "The oval surrounding the words should protect you from evil spirits. On this side it says, 'Harold.' And on the other," Keiichi continued, flipping the thin plate over, "is Vincent. If you are ever in need of my aid, clutch this cartouche and think of me."

Vincent gaped; this looked like one of Keiichi's personal possessions, an expensive one. It was impossible to conjure 'real' things from the shadows without paying a price. "You didn't need to do this!"

Keiichi smiled and said, "I did." He wrapped his arms around the boy's shoulders. The shocked teen eventually brought shaking arms to wrap around the man in return. (It wasn't everyday that Keiichi showed signs of affection.) Vincent couldn't remember many times when he was hugged like this. Sure, Molly Weasley and his friends gave him hugs, but they didn't feel quite the same.

"Remember, Harry," Keiichi whispered into his ear as he pulled away to gaze at Vincent at arm's length. "Even if you must give up your identity in order to escape the Realm of Shadows, never forget who you are." The king pulled away, looking deeply into his student's eyes. "Do you understand me?" Vincent nodded, tears springing to the edges of his own eyes. "To thine own self be true. Never forget that."

Both of them stepped apart, Vincent toward the door and Keiichi away from it. Vincent reached for the handle of the door before he paused. "Keiichi?" he asked without looking back. "I just wanted to say thank you… for everything." After several minutes without an answer, the boy turned around.

There was no one there, and it seemed like there never was.

"Mister Evans," Vincent heard as he opened his eyes slowly, "I welcome you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Professor McGonagall stood in front of him with her usual stern appearance.

"Thank you, Professor," Vincent said as he walked forward. He didn't fail to notice how the woman's eyes widened. "Is there a problem, ma'am?" the teen asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, not at all," McGonagall replied, turning around. She looked flustered for once! "You merely remind me of a boy I used to know."

"Who?" Vincent replied without really thinking about it.

"Quite the cunning Slytherin. There's nothing more you need to know. Come, you are due at the Sorting. I presume you know what that is?" Vincent narrowed his eyes. Why was she being so touchy about the subject?

As they began to walk, Vincent replied, "Yes ma'am. We didn't do this at my old school though, since there were no houses there."

"I do apologize for what happened to your old institution," the Transfiguration teacher said. "To think that You-Know-Who has exhibited his power overseas… It's not that preposterous if you think about it; nonetheless, it is still slightly surprising that he would attack Americans."

Vincent and Keiichi had played out his story numerous times. He was supposed to be a foreign exchange student from the United States. After Voldemort destroyed his old school, Vincent was to come to Hogwarts to finish his final year of schooling.

Nothing more was said as the two traversed the breadth of land that was the Hogwarts grounds. Nothing really has changed here, has it? Vincent thought to himself as he looked around in what was supposed to be wonder.

"Since your Sorting is… out of the ordinary, you can begin the feast sitting with the Gryffindors," McGonagall commented before they reached the great doors of the school. It wasn't every day that a student came to Hogwarts as a Seventh Year. "Just follow the First Years and sit at the table that screams the loudest, yes?" With that, the woman strode inside and led the young children into the Great Hall. Vincent followed close behind, slipping onto the end of the Gryffindor table closest to the doors.

No friendly introductions were made, and that was saying something when concerning Gryffindors. Vincent felt a shiver go up his spine; there was definitely something wrong here. He blinked as he realized why: Dumbledore was gone. The Dark Lord had returned, and Hogwarts was probably the first (or at least an important) target. The Sorting went smoothly despite the tense air that Vincent felt. That was, of course, until it got to Vincent himself.

"Evans, Vincent." The hall went a buzz. Since when was a name written out of order? Everyone watched with wide eyes as Vincent stood up and began to walk towards the front. Vincent couldn't help but wonder why the eyes of everyone at the staff table widened considerably. Even the dour man sitting in the Headmaster's position managed to look surprised.

Vincent resisted the urge to show his surprise. For the longest time, he thought that McGonagall was going to be Headmistress. Then he thought back and realized that the Ministry was taken over by Death Eaters. But why Snape and not another Death Eater? I have my suspicions, but I'll have to investigate later.

Vincent took a deep breath as he sat on the stool. Professor McGonagall nodded to herself before placing the hat on his head. The Sorting Hat hummed before speaking only to the boy's mind.

"Ah, what a surprise to see you again, Mr. Potter."

"I would rather that be kept a secret, Sorting Hat." Vincent thought back.

"Of course. I am sworn to secrecy. I can tell, however, that you have changed. I suppose six years and encountering a Patronus can do that to a person." The hat paused in its thoughts. "Still difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, not a bad mind either. There's talent and a nice thirst to prove yourself. So where shall I put you?"

"It doesn't matter to me."

"Hm. Could I possibly get a little peek into your mind to help me decide? Your mental shields have strengthened quite a bit."

"No."Vincent's answer was immediate.

The Sorting Hat mused some more before speaking aloud, "I cannot place him." The hall's silence erupted into a roar before a wave of Snape's wand silenced them all.

The Headmaster took a deep breath, "Is there a particular reason why not?"

"He meets the standards for all four houses equally and exceptionally well," the Sorting Hat continued bluntly.

There was a long silence before the Headmaster spoke. "Then let our newest student choose his house for himself," Headmaster Snape drawled, folding his hands together under his chin. Vincent could feel the cold eyes on his back and the hundreds of other pairs waiting for his answer.

"Slytherin," Vincent announced. The Sorting Hat hummed again as Vincent placed it back on the stool. Snape had since ended his spell, but there was no need for one now. Ignoring the stares, Vincent sat down at the end of the Slytherin table.

He could hear the whispers of, "Why us?" "The Hat not being able to place someone?" Vincent knew that some Gryffindors were whispering, "I bet he's a Dark Wizard, too!" The 'new' student sighed. No matter what life he led, there was still going to be gossip.

The food that suddenly appeared on the table in front of him stopped his thoughts. Vincent shrugged and began to pile on his food. He made a conscious effort not to shovel it down. After all, it had been four years since Vincent saw food. Granted hunger didn't affect souls, but Vincent always became this way when it came to food. As quickly as the food came, it left, leaving the new student to dab at his mouth with a napkin.

Keiichi said that manners always make a good impression, Vincent thought as he turned his gaze to the staff table. Snape had since summoned the podium the front of the Great Hall and was standing behind it.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," the former Potions professor began as he glowered at the students, the younger ones shrinking into their seats. "As you may have noticed, there will be a few… changes.

"As always, the Forbidden Forest shall keep true to its name. If I catch any student attempting to trick a new student into venturing inside, I shall personally see to the detention. Furthermore, students shall traverse the school in groups of two or three. No exceptions." He made a point to glare at the Gryffindor table.

"I would like to introduce you all to Mister Amycus and Miss Alecto Carrow. They will begin teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts and Muggle Studies, respectively. They have also been appointed by the Ministry to be in charge of discipline. If any regular detentions are given out, you are to report to them.

"In other news, Harry Potter's memorial shall be blessed this coming Friday."

Vincent gasped softly. There's a memorial?

"As such, all classes shall be cancelled in order to honor the Boy-Who-Lived."

"Crucio!" Snape crumpled to the floor as the curse hit him, but he did not scream. However, he did convulse with the severity of the spell. Vincent surged up to see Ron Weasley with his wand pointed at the Headmaster. Anger blazed behind Vincent's eyes as he turned his own glare to his former best mate.

Vincent pointed an open palm at the redhead and screamed, "Operistitium fulmen (Lightning strike)!" Lightning surged from his hand and struck down the Weasley. "Don't worry. He's just stunned," he announced to the shocked students looking at him. The boy raised his hands in front of himself. "Honest." Ron was already trying to get up.

Vincent looked back to the front to see Snape trying to fend off a flustered Madam Pomfrey. He accepted no help as he stood back on his own two feet. Aside from the sweat and extra paleness to his skin, he looked perfectly fine to any normal person. Vincent's eyes narrowed; having been a survivor of many Cruciatuscurses himself, he knew there were some after-effects.

"Detention with me, Weasley… Mister Evans… come to my office. You are all dismissed," the Headmaster hissed before stalking out the passageway only used by teachers.

Severus was not a happy man. "Reeses Pieces," he whispered to the gargoyle standing guard in front of the Headmaster's office. The spy cursed as he tripped coming into the office. His vision grayed at the edges and the room span as he passed out.

Vincent ran into the room, as he heard the crash from the stairwell. He immediately transfigured one of the chairs into a bed and levitated Snape's body onto it. Even though he didn't like the current Headmaster, he wouldn't wish anyone to receive an Unforgivable… at least someone who wasn't a true Death Eater or Voldemort himself. Now what had Keiichi told him about the Unforgivables?

"These are very ancient spells, Vincent," Keiichi answered when Vincent asked about the Unforgivables.

"Is there a way to stop them, besides being a willing sacrifice?"

"Not for normal wizards, at least the Cruciatus and Killing Curses. But you, Chosen One, are a special case." The pharaoh pointed at Vincent's forehead. "Have you ever wondered why that is in the shape of a lightning bolt?" The boy shook his head. "The Killing Curse murders instantly. What happens is that the magic manifests itself into electricity and destroys the main electrical system in your body, the nervous system. The shock travels up your nerves and causes irreversible brain damage." He traced the path from his arm, up his shoulder, his neck, and finally his skull as he spoke.

Keiichi released a long breath before continuing. "At least the victim dies in an instant. Crucio is a different story. It has the same concept of the Killing Curse, though instead of sending a surge to the brain, it focuses on each individual nerve. Those nerves are overloaded with electricity only to the point where it causes excruciating pain."

"How do you know so much about them? Even Mad-Eye didn't know this much," Vincent said in awe.

"You would not like my answer, Vincent. I also believe it's in your best interest that you never find out."

"He never actually told me how to reverse the effects," Vincent realized. "Wait, electricity!" A quick diagnostic charm told him that the pain was coming from the man's left arm. "Seco (I sever)!" The long sleeve on Snape's left arm split into two, allowing Vincent to see the pulsing scar. The Dark Mark moved like it was almost alive, the snake rearing back as Vincent's hand came closer.

"Even you don't deserve this," Vincent murmured as he took note of the agony splayed across the Headmaster's face. Is this how he sleeps at night? Does he even sleep? I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't. Vincent took a deep breath and pressed his right hand to the skin closest to the tattoo.

"Cum manu hoc, curo. Fulmen appello. Eum juva! (I cure, with this hand. I call upon lightning. Help him!)" The new student held his breath as tiny jolts of lightning flowed from his hand to the Dark Mark. The snake hissed in pain and curled into itself as it was assailed by the lightning. Eventually the serpent stopped moving. It was then that Vincent pulled away, smiling as he noticed no more pain etched across Snape's sleeping face.

The Dark Mark was now a bright red. Weird… Vincent thought. A quick reparo set the sleeve right again.

"Good night, Headmaster," Vincent said as he walked out of the office, not once looking back.

A/N: What does Snape do when he wakes up the next day completely healed? How will Hogwarts acclimate to the two new Death Eaters they have as teachers? Find out next week in Chapter 2: Docere (To Teach).