Authors Note: Thanks for the support. And sorry for the late updates recently.

Lost in time

Chapter 12

Severus sits next to Harry and tries to calm him a little the evening the students return and tell him a few things about the older year students as a warning. So Harry already knows the worst of the delinquents. During the sorting Harry claps for every student no matter what house and smiles at them encouragingly already taking mental notes about who looks skinny and shy enough that they might be a case of abuse. Just to keep it at the back of his mind for now and find out if it us just natural shyness and fitness or if there is more to it.

After that evening he can hardly sleep and ends up going over his lessons plan for the coming day for half the night. He still looks well rested the next day thanks to being used to bed nights and having had some dreamless sleep potion the night before. He manages to eat some breakfast and look calm enough for his first class which is a newt level sixth year Slytherin Gryffindor class. Both houses seem to be under the misconception that he would favor them seeing that he used to be a Gryffindor and actually knows some of them from Quidditch and that he is named Slytherin for a reason. He quickly makes sure that they know that he intends to be fair towards all houses and won't allow any of them to bully the others.

The first few weeks are exciting and nerve-wreaking because Harry is constantly worried about teaching his old friends but slowly he gets actually used to it. He also starts to enjoy talking to his colleges about different topics, particularly those that he already has some background knowledge like about healing or potions as well as dark creatures with Hagrid who is the new teacher for care for magical creatures.

The only down side to the first week is however when little Malfoy get's attacked by a Hippogriff and Lucius is obviously trying to get that animal as well as Hagrid punished even though from what Harry heard it is partly Draco's fault. Of course, it might not have been the wisest choice to start a class with a creature that can be as dangerous as a Hippogriff. Harry tires to keep the resulting fights between the Gryffindors and the Slytherins particularly Draco to a minimum. The boy might not have reacted correctly and possibly playing the wound he got a little much but he shouldn't be singled out for bullying no matter what. Not that he doesn't have any defenders but Harry rather not have a war between Slytherin and Gryffindor on his hands. Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall are also a little worried about the tension between the houses.

Harry main goal at the moment is to help Ron and Hermione defend Hagrid since he sees it as unwise to get involved himself and use his name to influence anything. He fears that some might think that he shouldn't interfere with the law which might be true. However Harry does give Hermione a hint for a back up plan should everything go up in smoke. Just to make sure that the Hippogriff won't get hurt, he's rather sure that Dumbledore will be able to keep Hagrid out of trouble.

Luckily the ministry is still rather busy with all the testings of people in Azkaban and other former Slytherins from Slughorn's time at Hogwarts and by now two more cases have been found. One is nearly blind by now and the other can't move because the part in the brain that controls the movement is damaged.

Harry had to make the potions again since he is the only one that not only knows how to make it but also can get the necessary Basilisk tears. By now St. Mungo's got enough information about the potions and the spells he used that they don't mind giving the potion and feel confident enough without having Harry on call. Meaning that Harry's life isn't interfered with anymore then the potions making for those cases. Which Harry is glad about since he has enough on his hands to go against the still increasing aggression between Slytherin and Gryffindor.

He tries to use his classes to talk about the use of defense and even includes a whole lesson about getting back at a bully not being defense but a counter attack that most likely will trigger another attack on oneself. Salazar and Godric are also constantly complaining towards the children from their houses whenever they see them do something they don't approve off but so far the kids are just to used to their hatred of the other house to care about it.

By Christmas there is sadly still no change in the way the children act towards each other and Harry decides to take a break on Christmas day and asks Dumbledore for permission to spend the day with Sirius and Remus in the 'house' his grandparents used to live to spend the time with his parents. He goes to the house on Christmas eve and even spends the night there to just get some distance from it all and to avoid seeing Sal or his son's portrait knowing that it would just hurt to much that he isn't able to see either of them for real and hold them in his arms.

Harry does enjoy the holiday and the gifts he is send. The most surprising coming from Lucius Malfoy probably to get onto his good side. Harry is still occasionally keeping an eye on the man and asks around what he is doing and even asked Remus and Sirius to help with that. He can only hope to notice if the man does anything else to cause trouble. The rest of the present are more expected. He got one from all the Weasleys and is glad to have send each of the children something now that he also gets along rather well with Charlie and is sporadically writing letters with him. He also got a preset from Hermione and most of his colleges even including Severus who got more Basilisk potions ingredients including even Basilisk tears this time. Sirius and Remus both had something for him that they gave personally being there. He also got something from most of the people at his birthday party including Mister Lovegood and Tonks. His pile of presents also included some from the Longbottoms and the Lestrange who still seem very grateful to him. Harry is not surprise that he didn't get anything from the Dursleys he did however send one with Muggle-post to Dudley making sure that the boy won't forget about him and hopes that eventually he can have some sort of relationship with him and maybe influence him for the better.

After his short break Harry returns to the school to help watch the kids that stayed behind for the holiday while Sirius decided to finally work as an Auror for the next year at least, having gotten bored of sitting at home all day with nary a thing to do. It might also help Harry with keeping an eye on Malfoy to have someone in the Ministry.

For the next two month Harry finally starts to see a slow in the fighting between the two houses. It's still a far cry from peace but at least the fighting doesn't increase and actually slows for the first time that year. It doesn't stay that way because the day the Ministry finally decides on the case of the Hippogriff attack on the young Malfoy Harry sees from his window how some Gryffindors (if the scarf is anything to go by from the distance) levitate a single person with a green scarf and have him hang upside down. Harry uses an Accio to summon his broom and flies down to help the student in need.

He hasn't reached them when eh shouts out as loud as he can over their laughter "Stop it this instance." The boys turn to look who is talking and the spell holding the Slytherin boy up fails. Harry flies as fast as he can and just about manages to catch the boy that had been far enough up to be at risk of breaking his neck. Once the boy is safe Harry just holds the shivering bundle tight to himself and looks around shocked to see the faces of Ron, Hermione, Seamus and Dean. "Would someone be kind enough and explain what happened here?"

Harry notices that Hermione actually has the decency to blush while the others still look angrily towards the boy in Harry's arms. Harry looks down seeing Draco Malfoy looking up at him before the boy blushes and looks away.

"He bragged about Buckbeak getting killed." Ron growls angrily. "He bragged that it was only fair that his father got him punished even though it was his own damn fault that he got hurt."

Harry sighs before asking "Miss Granger?" All the Gryffindors flinch since this is the first time Harry called one of his best friends by their family name. Even in class he's less formal with them then the others. "Would you please tell me what you think of your classmates actions?"

Hermione hesitates but then mumbles, "I tried to tell them not to do it."

"And yet you didn't think it prudent to get help or help Mister Malfoy yourself?" Harry asks.

She doesn't reply while the others look rather surprised and Dean asks, "Why should she. He had it coming and he picked on her more then anyone."

"In that case, Mister Weasley, you should know a little bit about the dangers of levitation's spells. So tell me what is the worse that could have happened had I not caught Mister Malfoy?" Harry asks, "And don't tell me he wouldn't have fallen had I not called out because we both know that someone else might have done so eventually, someone not able to catch him." Ron just blushes but still looks angrily turning his gaze to the ground. "I take it you've got nothing to say? Anyone else maybe?" Still it's silent. "Then the first punishment will be a five foot essay about the dangers of levitation charms on humans. I will also discuss this with Professor McGonagall so you better expect a heavy loss of points as well as detentions."

Harry turns with his broom in his hand and the young Malfoy heir still in his arms."What about him?" Ron questions still angered, "Are you suddenly on HIS side?"

"I'm on no ones side Mister Weasley?" Harry replies looking at his friend, "I thought I made that clear and just so you know it, you should be glad that I stopped this before anything else happened. Even though you are angry with me now, I still consider you a friend, all of you. I won't let you turn into a murderer!" After that Harry turns around again and leaves. Hearing Hermione mumble an agreement clearly having realized just how far this could have gone. Little does Harry known that he wasn't the only teacher to see what happened. Just that Snape due to having been in Draco's position one was frozen seeing the same picture form this perspective. The flashback from his past temporarily being too much for him. He is however very impressed with the other man for the way he interfered and even at the strength he shows carrying Draco away like he weights nothing and even able to hold on to his broom while he does so.

Once Harry is away from prying eyes, he sets the other boy down gently and asks, "Are you okay?"

"Yes." The boy replies slightly grinning clearly already having gotten over what happened. "Thanks for the help Professor."

"Don't thank me." Harry replies, "Think about why it happened and try to avoid it happening again. You know as well as everyone in this castle that you caused this fighting. You didn't listen to Professor Hagrid when he ordered you to be respectful towards the Hippogriffs. And then you acted like it was all their fault even though you KNEW what you have done and now you even rub it in the others faces knowing full well how they react?" Harry looks into the surprised face of the blond that clearly thought he would get of with nothing. "You are lucky that I consider you punished enough by their actions but know that I'm thoroughly disappointed with you. i had hoped that with time you'd lean to actually think before you act and I thought you could become a better man then your father who uses his power only for himself not caring about others. Did you know that it was him that caused the camber to be opened. It was him that risked a monster being lose in the school while his own son was here. I know that he probably assumed you reasonably safe being a pure blood but accidents happen and he is old enough to know that as well as I do. You could have died last year because of him wanting to kill half the school. I might never have liked you, but at least I thought you'd be a better man than that. Sadly, you just proved me wrong. You only cared about yourself and not even for a second how others feel about this." Harry turns to walk away saying, "Sal particularly insisted that you're not like your father. He'll be sad to hear about this."

"I am better then my father." Draco insisted calling out after Harry.

Harry turns around to him and looks at him before he says, "Words mean little when you don't back them up with actions. If you want me to get faith in you again, then prove to me that you can be a powerful, and yet good man. One that thinks about others as well as himself." He turns around again and says while walking on, "But maybe there is still some hope for you, if you at least wish to be a better man, you might yet become one."

A few days later all the students are assembled in the great hall and Dumbledore talks to all of them about what had happened that day and mentions only some of the things that might have happened including that Draco could have died and that everyone who had participated might have ended up in Azkaban. Dumbledore points out that the founders were friends and that Godric and Salazar, who are currently in Merlin's portrait that is hanging on the wall behind Dumbledore in the great hall, were brothers. That they supported each other and cared for one another and that the way they found Merlin's portrait should have shown them that only together will they have a chance for a better and brighter future. Dumbledore talks about the fighting and that this is how wars start and in the end of his speech says that all rivalry will have to stop and should he hear of even one more fight between those two houses that gets past the use of words and includes magic, he will do everything in his power from stopping their fight by taking all the rivalry out of the school and ending the house point system for those two houses as well as prohibiting both houses from quidditch until they prove that they can stay civil while challenging each other.

After that threat it is quiet enough to hear a pin drop in the hall. Harry hopes that the threat alone will be enough to stop them from going to far. He also starts in his coming defense classes to pair up a Gryffindor with a Slytherin for a special research project forcing them to work together including Draco working with Hermione since he tries to have the muggle born work with the worst of the pure blood fanatics or rather the children of those to teach them the error of their ways in a way he hadn't dared before the threat that hopefully will stop it from going out of hand. He does even remind them all about the thread Dumbledore spoke about and how serious he is. He also says that he will be occasionally in the library to see who really works together and who doesn't and that he will include the team work in the grading. He intends to keep the paring for further project and that by the end of the year they will duel in doubles against another mixed house team. Hopefully that will help for a better understanding for the rest of the years they'll be in the school. He also suggests other teachers to a similar thing in their mixed Gryffindor and Slytherin classes to get multiple parings for all to hopefully cast a wider net for possible friendships between the houses.

By the end of the year it does look like the plan worked and even though some pairings will probably need to be changed since they still hardly manage to stay civil, some actually seem to have become friends, strangely enough that includes Ron and Crabbe. Draco also is getting along rather well with Hermione even though Ron doesn't seem to like that very much.

Harry is glad when the year finally ends and he has a break. He stays in his grandfathers old home all summer and enjoys his free time and spends a lot of it with the Weasleys since Ron also has forgiven him for defending Malfoy and finally accepts that it might have been to his benefit too. Still Harry starts to get along with Charlie even better then he ever got on with Ron before and enjoys the time he spends with him. He also spends a lot of time with Sirius and Remus and gets to know Tonks better since she's starting to flirt with him but so far with little success even though Harry has a feeling that Remus does like her rather a lot. Sirius seems to think that it's because of him being a werewolf and Harry is considering to work with Severus to improve the wolfsbane or create a new one that will cure the transformation all together to help him. Also interesting is that Sirius is getting along rather well with the new Auror trainee that is working with him, which happens to Rabastan Lestrange. He is occasionally joining Sirius on a visit and Harry quickly wonders how much longer it will take for Sirius to tell Harry that they are dating.

The coming year sees a tournament at Hogwarts and Harry is cautiously exited about it. He does enjoy the start of the year and to see that some of the new friendships between Gryffindor and Slytherin survived the summer and is particularly glad that Draco is trying to get along with Ron as well as Hermione and is occasionally looking towards Harry during one of those attempts when he's present and smiling proudly whenever Harry nods a approvingly. It seems the young Malfoy heir took his words form the previous year to heart.

It is good to see that the peace between the houses lasts and that the year start calmly all things considered. All the Hogwarts students are more or less friendly towards the visiting students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. The goblet of fire chooses Viktor Krumn for Durmstrang, Fluer Delacour from Beauxbatons and Cedric Diggory for Hogwarts as champions. Harry is particularly exited about the first task and able to see Charlie before hand and talk to him. He also manages to get a magical picture from the dragons and sends it to Dudley remembering his reaction when he mentioned dragons before. He also writes a short letter and sends it with it to tell Dudley a little about what goes on in his life and that he told Hedwig to stay close for two nights should Dudley want to replay he only has to call her name some time before that.

Harry is glad to get a reply even if only a short note asking for more pictures like that should he see anything else that is cool and two days later Dudley get's a picture Snape made for Harry so he can pose next to Basily for it. Harry wished he could see his cousins face when he looks at it.

Dumbledore and most of the others living in the castle are happy to notice that Harry is slowly getting better. He doesn't look quiet as depressed as he did at the start of the last school year or even the summer before that.

During the year Harry is very happy to see Draco improve his defense grade through hard work and to see him try to be nice to Slytherins and muggle born students and even praises him a few times for it. He also enjoys watching the three tasks and is glad when Hogwarts wins with Durmstrang in second place. What Harry, unlike most of the other teachers, fails to notice is that most of the older students admire him in particular and quiet a few seem to have a major crush on the young defense teacher.

The next few years are rather peaceful and Harry truly enjoys it and makes sure to get a new defense mastery to prove that he deserves the position as magical defense teacher. Ron and the others are in their sixth year when something happens again. Harry hears from Charlie about a smuggler for dragon hide that is working with some poachers in Romania. It seems that Lucius is getting some coins on the side by helping the poacher ring selling their stuff. It doesn't take long before Harry with the help of Sirius finds some prove but instead of going to the ministry he gives the man one last chance by going to the ministry and confessing himself to get an easier sentence. He gives him two weeks to consider it.

Sadly it only takes one week before Harry sees the dark stone in the handle of the sword he is still constantly wearing glow during a class and looks into the reflective glass stone saying, "What's up Dudley." He can not see him well, but he can hear him and that is all he needs.

"I need your help. I heard a crack like when you left last and there are strange people in robes walking up to our house. They wear mask and look really scary." Dudley says his voice shaking.

Death eater is the first thought in Harry's head and the second is Lucius Malfoy. "Listen Dud, the mirror your wearing reflects spells even the most dangerous one. Use that fact if you need it, I'm on my way but will need a moment." Once that is done he looks towards the class saying "Class dismissed."

After that he runs towards the gates and casts two patronus messages one for Severus in case he's back late for dinner to tell Dumbledore and the rest where he is and one to Sirius to get back up.

Once he past the wards he apparates to Privet drive and hears a laugh coming from inside and Lucius voice saying, "You really think you can get us with a mirror you stupid brat? Nothing can reflect any of the unforgivables."

"Obsidian can." Harry replies walking into the living room through the blasted door. Petunia and Vernon are in the room and Petunia is trying to push Dudley behind her while the boy is holding the dark mirror in his shaking hands and tries to stand in front of his mother. Harry slowly circles around the four death eaters and stands before his aunt and uncle and draws his sword that also is made of the Volcanic glass and spelled not to break, with his left hand. "Obsidian is also very sharp when polished into a blade."

Most of the death eaters are laughing while only one looks towards the door and harry makes a move with his right to get his wand into his hand that is in a holder at his right wrist and then casts a silent and quick anti-apparation-ward for the inside of the house and an ancient locking charm on the door. Knowing that Sirius learned how to unlock it from him. "Now my dears you are all stuck here. Who wants to be the first to fight me?" No one moves and Harry just grins, "Yeah I think you're right, it be way to boring to fight you lot one on one. How about you all against little me?" Harry doesn't move his eyes from the four death eaters when he says, "Dudley, go with your parents into the kitchen and close the door behind you. I'll take care of this."

"But I wanna watch." Dudley grumbles certain that this is way better then kung-fu in TV but already feels his mother's hands on one of his arms and his father's on the other.

"Avada Kedavra." One of the death eaters shouts his want held towards the young boy.

Harry just holds his wand in the way and reflects is right past the head of the caster. "I told you that Obsidian reflects it." Harry insists. "It took me ages to find something that could but eventually I did find something and my dear father-in-law was kind enough to get me a sword made out of it. And just so you know, the Aurors are on their way."

"That is wicked Harry." Dudley cheers while Harry just grumbles to get out already.

One of the death eaters actually tries to disapparate and only gets thrown to the floor unconscious due to the ward. "How sad." Harry replies, "One is already out and I didn't even get warmed up." While saying that he also casts a wandless and silent binding spell to make sure the death eater won't move once he regains his consciousness.

A few more spells fly and Harry is glad that by then Petunia and Vernon managed to get Dudley out of the room. Sirius appears about ten minutes after the first death eater fainted and by then all of them are bound and gagged. The first thing Sirius says after seeing the damage to the room and the four bound and gagged death eaters is, "Is that your usual routine or do you have a kink I should know about."

"Trust me my dear godfather, that is for me to know and for you to never find out." Harry grins, "But it might calm you to hear that I most certainly would never get into any kind of kink with them." After that Harry walks towards the kitchen and leaves the death eaters to the Aurors, certain that one of them is Lucius Malfoy. Once there Vernon starts shouting at him, "You worthless little boy, this is all your fault isn't it? They wanted to kidnap my son because of you didn't they? We should have drowned you when you first came here you..." He didn't get to finish that since Harry cast a silent spell again to bind and gag him.

"Don't worry uncle Vernon, the spell ends when I go." Harry tells the man and then looks towards Petunia, "Do I need to gag and bind you too or can we talk like civilized people?"

"Civilized? With people like you?" She drawls but at least doesn't scream or talk about drowning him.

"Well, I already know that they wanted to kidnap Dudley? Did they say why?" Harry asks.

"Don't talk to him Dudley." Petunia orders. "He's nothing but trouble."

Harry sighs and looks at Dudley, "It is of course up to you guys if you answer or not but I can't make sure that there is no one helping those four that might come back once I'm gone unless I know everything that went on in this house. So unless you fancy a repeat, possibly without getting my help in time, I suggest you talk."

"He said something about you threatening to get someone powerful into trouble." Dudley replies.

Harry frowns and looks back out towards the living room and sees Rabastan first, "Hey, was Malfoy part of this?"

"No." Rabastan replies, "But they are all friends."

"Make sure to get them to talk under veritaserum why they did this. I bet my most valuable sword that he was behind this." Harry says.

"Does that mean you have more of those cool swords?" Dudley asks.

"Sure." Harry grins. "I even have Excalibur in my vault thanks to my father-in-law who left it in my husbands vault knowing that I'd get all of that in this time."

"Awesome." Dudley cheers, "Can I see it some time?"

"I guess." Harry smiles towards the young boy. "I'll be too busy to take you to Gringotts anytime soon but if you keep reminding me I'll get around eventually."

"You'll stay away from my son." Petunia grumbles.

"Even if you're attacked again?" Harry questions. "I don't think so. And whether you like it or not I will raise some protective wards around the house and make sure to know when a death eater gets too close. Just in case something like this happens again."

"Thanks Harry." Dudley replies. "And thanks for coming when I called. I was so scared and thought you might not have that mirror with you."

"Oh mine is a little different then yours." Harry explains. "It's the stone in my sword so I more or less always have it with me."

"Thanks." Dudley says.

"Don't thank me." Harry stats, "There is no need for it. But I must say that I'm really proud of you. I could see that you were scared of them but still you stood in front of your parents and wanted to protect them. You're a hero Big D. You used to be a big fat bully that took money from smaller weaker children with a group of strong kids behind you but today, you were the one at the disadvantage and yet you fought bravely for those you cared about. I'm proud to call you family."

"It's hardly brave when you saw me scared." Dudley grumbles.

"On the contrary." Harry insists, "There is no true bravery without fear. Being brave means to overcome your fears and do something that scares you. so you see, you were very brave doing something that scared you so much."

"Thanks Harry." Dudley mumbles with a blush.

"Are you quiet done talking to him?" A dark voice drawls from behind Harry. "I was worried and so are the others."

"Sorry." Harry replies smiling towards the darkly dressed man. "Anyway, Sev this is Dudley my cousin, Dudley this is Professor Severus Snape. I think I mentioned him before."

"In passing." Dudley grins and eyes his mother who blushes a little and actually tries to make her hair look more presentable but is still frowning.

"I think we should get going." Harry says and looks towards the living room where the fight had been going on. He looks around seeing Sirius and the others getting ready to depart too and says a quick good bye to his godfather before getting out his wand and fixing the mess he left behind after the fight and then leaves with Severus after a quick good bye with Dudley.

Authors Note: Finally we know a little more about that special sword. Now we only need to find out if Dumbledore will succeed in getting Severus and Harry together or will Draco try to get the man that saved him once he's a little older? And will there still be time? Or will someone else swoop in and snatch Harry's affection fro both of them? Or will Harry stay single after his time with Salazar? Not too much longer and you'll know since there are only 15 chapters in total.