If You\'re Gone

~@~

The old castle had been his only true home for the last six and a half years. It always felt so good to come home, especially now. The funeral for his cousin Dudley had been very strange. He found it terribly surreal to have actually been welcomed by his aunt and uncle.

Harry sighed and pulled his bag of clothes over his shoulder. He wrapped his invisibility cloak over himself, not wanting to deal with anyone on the trek up to his dorm room. He could clearly hear many students out on the lawn, chatting and having fun in the warm spring sunshine.

Harry quietly made his way through the throng of teenagers in front of the Whomping Willow tree, well out of reach of its painful branches, keeping his head down. He was well within their midst when a name called out caught his attention.

“Siri, pass the ball!” a young voice cried. Harry looked around to see who had called his godfather’s nickname. Harry stopped dead in his tracks. Standing just four feet in front of him was a strangely familiar face.

A boy, Harry guessed to be about a year younger than himself, with the same wild black hair and dark brown eyes, was laughing at two other boys rolling around on the grass. Harry had seen that face before. He tore his eyes away to look at the others. They too, were familiar. One had shoulder length light brown hair with striking hazel eyes. The other looked very much like the first with black hair and brown eyes. With a gasp, Harry knew exactly who they were and where he was.

Remus Lupin was wrestling with Sirius Black on the ground while his father, James Potter, laughed on. Harry was too shocked to move. Somehow, he was in the past. In a past where his father, therefore his mother too, was alive. He was just feet from the man he had only ever really seen in pictures.

“You guys better watch out,” James said slowly getting control over his laughter. “Snape’s headed this way!”

Harry was startled back to reality. Snape was here? Oh, yes, of course, he thought, Snape the student. He looked in the direction James was looking in. Once again, his breath caught in his throat.

The boy headed in his direction didn\'t look much like the man he knew. This boy was shorter, ganglier, with longer hair that didn\'t look at all greasy. His eyes were sharp and clear and shone through a lightly tanned face. His stride was less certain, almost hesitant. Harry estimated him to be about 16 years old.

The boys rolled away from each other and lay panting on the ground. James stood near them with his arms crossed over his chest, head tilted to the side. He eyed the young Snape suspiciously.

Harry stepped to the side to watch the exchange with curiosity. After all the things he had heard about Snape from his godfather, Harry wanted to see what the man was really like. He was also very curious as to how his father treated the man… err, boy.

“What do you want, Snape?” Sirius grumbled from the grass as Snape came to a halt in front of the teenagers.

“Madame Pomfrey wishes to see Lupin,” he said with an air of confidence that Harry suspected was false. The way his eyes shifted between the three boys, Harry could tell that Snape was nervous.

Sirius grunted in response then threw his arm over his eyes to block out the sun and probably Snape as well.

Lupin smiled sweetly at Snape and thanked him for the message. James continued to watch calmly. Snape, whose lips seemed to fight with themselves against returning Lupin’s smile, gave a curt nod, then swiftly turned his back and walked back the way he had come.

Harry watched as Lupin said his goodbyes to his friends and headed into the castle. As the other two boys resumed their playing, Harry sat down, careful to stay covered by the invisibility cloak, near enough to watch and listen but well out of the way of being trampled on. He couldn’t take his eyes off his father.

Harry studied him, committing everything to memory; the way he laughed and smiled, the way his hair shone and waved in the sunlight, the way he bent his neck to his shoulder to work out a kink. Harry wanted to know and remember every little detail about his father that he could. Harry sniffed the air and was sure he could even smell his father’s cologne.

Harry sat for what seemed like hours or only minutes before the boys finally started to head back to the castle. He knew that he should be trying to figure out how he got into the past and how to get back to his own time, but he couldn’t let go of this opportunity to get to know his father and possibly his mother, too. Since they had both been killed when he was a baby, Harry really didn’t know them at all and he wasn’t going to give up this chance too quickly.

He started to follow the kids inside then changed his mind. He sat down on the grass again and, under the safety of his cloak, took out the Marauder’s Map that he had brought with him to the Dursleys. Harry decided it was time to find his mother.

~@~

Harry was relieved to discover that Lily Evans was still outside of the large castle, as it was easier to move around outside than in the crowded hallways of the school. He followed the map to one of the gardens, then carefully tucked the map back into his bag. He found her right away, sitting amongst several large rose bushes. He recognized her immediately by her flowing brown hair and brilliant green eyes. He could smell lilacs over the heavy scent of roses, and knew that she was indeed his mother. It was the only thing he remembered of her, the scent of lilacs.

Sitting nearby, careful not to disturb anything, Harry watched Lily for several minutes. When another girl came to call her away, Harry made to follow her but found his cloak was caught on something. Turning to see what it was, Harry found himself eye to eye with Severus Snape, who was looking so intently at the exact spot Harry was standing in, that Harry was sure the young man could see right through the invisibility cloak.

As Lily moved out of sight, Snape reached out and grabbed the cloak.
“Spying, again, Pot-“ he gasped as the cloak fell, revealing a scared looking Harry. Snape’s jaw dropped as he stared into familiar green eyes. They were Lily Evans eyes, though the boy had either James Potter’s or Sirius Black’s hair.

“Who are you?” Snape asked with curiosity and suspicion.

“I… I…” Harry stuttered. He had no idea what to say. “I’m… um… Harry.”

Snape’s eyes narrowed into a penetrating glare. “Harry who? How did you get Potter’s cloak? He doesn’t lend it out to just anyone, least of all to a stranger.”

Harry was surprised at how well Snape seemed to know his father. Still, he didn’t want to tell Snape everything. The man would think he was totally insane or something.

“Well, you see…” Harry was fumbling for the right words.

“I think I should take you to the caretaker, Filch. He can deal with a trespasser very well.” Snape grabbed Harry’s arm and started towards the school.

Harry panicked. “No, wait! I can explain!”

Snape stopped but didn’t let go of Harry’s arm. He gazed eye to eye and waited for Harry to explain.

Harry took a deep breath. He should have known it wouldn’t be so easy with Snape. He could see that even as a teen, the man was suspicious of everything.

“I’m a student at Hogwarts, just not yet… You see, I went to a funeral and was taking a portkey back to school and then somehow I ended up here instead of at MY Hogwarts which is about 20 years from now.” Harry knew how ridiculous it sounded even to him.

Snape’s eyebrows rose to maximum height. Harry could see humour in the dark eyes, which made him nervous. The Snape Harry knew from his time didn’t have a sense of humour that Harry was aware of.

“If you expect me to believe that you’re from the future, you must be a relative of Black’s. That is exactly the kind of ridiculous story he would come up with.” He still had one long fingered hand around Harry’s arm, the other he set on his hip and looked down his long nose at Harry.

“But it’s true!rry rry didn’t know why but it seemed important that Snape believe him. He knew he could be altering the future just by talking to the young Snape, but he didn’t care. There had to be a reason for him to be in the past, where his parents were both alive and well. He knew he probably couldn’t save them, it was obviously a few years before they would be killed by Voldemort, but maybe there was another reason for it. Maybe he could even stop Snape from becoming a Death Eater.

Yes, that could be it. That could be why he was here and why it was Snape that had caught him. Dumbledore always told Harry that things happen for a reason. Now, how to go about that…

Harry was about to say something to Snape about the Death Eaters when a new thought struck him suddenly. He couldn’t stop Snape from becoming a Death Eater. If Snape never joins them, then he’d never go back to Dumbledore for help, and would never become a spy for the Order. Snape was too important to the Order for Harry to mess with his future. Harry sighed and hung his head, more confused than ever.

“Can you prove the truth of your words?” Snape asked, looking very skeptical and still a little amused.

Harry wasn’t so sure anymore that he should but felt compelled to tell Snape the truth. As much of it as he dared.

“I don’t know if I can or not. I dorealreally know too much about this time.” Harry had a sudden flash of memory of an event that had to have occurred sometime soon. Either coming up or just passed judging by the age of the Marauders and Snape.

“Has Siri… um, Black, led you to the Shrieking Shack yet?” Harry asked.

“No… Why would he?” Snape asked suspiciously.

“Well, he will. Soon I should think. He does it to try to scare you off because he’s jealous of … well, of something.” Harry didn’t dare tell Snape the whole truth of that. Sirius had finally told Harry exactly what had happened and why he’d done it. Sirius was deeply in love with Remus but knew Remus and Snape were becoming friends. He was scared that Snape would take Remus away from him.

“Tries to scare me? He is always pulling pranks on me and I’ve never been afraid before. Why should I possibly be afraid this time?” The young Snape sounded very much like his older version, very haughty and superior.

“Well, I shouldn’t be telling you everything. I could be changing the future and that could be very bad. Or, very goodt sit since I don’t know what will happen… I should probably go now. Try to find a way home.” Harry tried to back away but Snape still hadn’t let go of his arm, which was getting sore from the pressure of tight fingers.

“I don’t think it would be wise to let you wander about the school grounds. I think I should take you to Filch after all.”

Harry’s eyes went wide with dread. “Oh, no! Please, take me to Dumbledore instead! Or, McGonagall! Anywhere but Filch!” Harry pleaded.

To Harry’s great surprise, Snape started laughing. “You really do know Filch, don’t you?” he asked after he had calmed down. Harry couldn’t help but notice how attractive Snape was when he laughed, it was such a huge contrast to the normally stern face.

Harry wasn\'t sure what to do so he sat down facing Snape. He was struck again by the youth\'s casual beauty. It was now late evening and the sun was setting behind Snape, casting him in its soft glow. Snape\'s eyes shone brightly in a way Harry hadn\'t seen before and never imagined he would see and his smile was very soft and alluring.

Harry had never seen his Potions master look so relaxed. He wasn\'t even certain that the man \'could\' relax. Seeing the younger Snape looking happy and contented sitting with a complete stranger, started Harry wondering about what had happened to change the man so drastically in 20 years.

\"So, Harry,\" he emphasized the only name he was given so far, \"tell me more about what happens in the Shrieking Shack.\"

\"Oh, umm…\" Harry wasn\'t sure what to say. He wanted to tell this young man everything, but at the same time, he was scared to alter Snape\'s future too much.

\"Umm… what\'s your name? You never told me it.\" Harry tried to distract him.

Snape sighed and leaned back on his arms, stretching his long legs out in front of him, crossing his legs at the ankle.

\"I thought you knew. You know Black, obviously, and you know he tries to prank me. And yet, you don\'t know my name?\" Snape was starting to lose patience with the older boy.

\"Umm, right, yeah, Severus Snape, right?\" Harry felt like an utter fool. For some reason, he just couldn\'t form a coherent sentence anymore. He was becoming increasingly nervous sitting so close to the handsome youth.

Snape raised an eyebrow questioningly at him. He was definitely beginning to wonder about this boy. He was very good looking but a bit peculiar. Perhaps he should have taken him to Filch after all.

\"Yes, that is my name. You may call me Severus, if you like.” He rarely gave permission for anyone to use his given name, but somehow with Harry, it seemed right.

\"Right, Severus,\" Harry said with a smile.

Severus smiled back. He liked how his name sounded on the boy\'s lips. He was beginning to really like the boy, too, even though he was vaguely familiar. He continued to lean back on his long arms and waited for Harry to begin his explanation about the Shrieking Shack.

\"Well?\" he prompted when Harry only stared at him.

\"Huh? What?\" Harry asked distractedly.

\"The Shrieking Shack?\" Snape was exasperated.

\"Oh, right. Yeah… Well, Siri… err… Black tells you something to get you to follow him to the Shack where you get… umm… attacked by something…\"

Harry was obviously holding something back. Severus wanted all the details though so he could be aredared. Just as he was about to prod for more information there was a rustling from the far side of the gardens. He watched as Harry disappeared back under the invisibility cloak.

Severus sat up straight, crossing his legs Indian style. He waited to see who was coming into the garden so late in the evening. He wasn\'t entirely surprised to see Sirius Black step out of the shadows. Nor was he surprised when Black walked straight up to him.

Casting a wink in Harry\'s direction, he turned and looked up at Black with a small smile.

\"Anything I can do for you, Black?\" Severus asked sweetly.

\"Yeah, but since you won\'t drop dead, I\'ll settle for something else,\" Black said with a touch of malice.

Severus snickered and rolled his eyes. \"What do you want?\"

\"Actually, its my turn to play messenger,\" Black looked suitably annoyed. \"Lupin asked if you\'d meet him in the Shrieking Shack. Said something about owing you for helping him with something or other last week.\" Black was clearly unimpressed about Severus helping \"his\" friend with anything.

\"The Shrieking Shack, you say?\" He again gave Harry a quick wink. \"The Shrieking Shack is closed off. There\'s no way in it,\" he tried to sound innocent.

Black sighed. Severus could tell he was pretending to be very put-upon to tell Severus anything, least of all a secret regarding the Marauder\'s hideout.

\"There\'s a way in from the Whomping Willow tree. I\'ll show you, come on.\" Black started to walk briskly in the direction of the dangerous tree.

Severus quickly got up to follow but felt a pull on his arm. He looked to where he knew Harry must be standing and smiled brightly. He had never been afraid of Sirius Black or any of his fellow Marauders before, and he wasn\'t about to start now.

\"You can\'t be serious about following him after what I said?\" Harry whispered with alarm.

\"You haven\'t actually told me anything. At least nothing that made any sense,\" Severus whispered back, following Black\'s quiet footsteps, ignoring Harry\'s pulling hand. \"Besides, it could be fun. If he does anything to hurt me, Dumbledore will toss him out on his arse.\" Severus smiled again. He was quite certain that the old man would always take care of him.

\"Severus, please! You don\'t have to do this,\" Harry pleaded quietly.

Severus ignored him and kept going. He was curious to see what new pranack ack had come up with. He was a little concerned about the Whomping Willow, but it wouldn\'t be the first time something had hit him. Lucius Malfoy was quite fond of that trick.

It was quite dark when they reached the tree where the Marauders had been playing just a few hours before. Severus watched as Black picked up a long broken branch. Black waved rus rus over to stand next to him and pointed at a small knot sticking out of the tree. He prodded the knot with the stick and the tree stopped all movement. Bending under a low branch the two boys made their way to the trunk of the massive tree. Once there, Black shifted what looked to be just a pile of dead leaves and twigs and showed him the trap door underneath.

\"There. Just follow the tunnel to the Shack. Lupin\'s there.\" Black turned on his heel and left.

Severus looked around curiously. \"Harry? Are you still here?\"

\"Yes, of course I\'m stille. Ie. I\'m not about to let you go in there alone!\" The disembodied voice sounded slightly miffed but mostly scared.

Severus giggled then led them down into the tunnel under the great tree. Once into the tunnel, Harry pulled the cloak off. Severus could see that the young man really was scared. He gently took Harry\'s hand in his, offering comfort and a sense of security. He suddenly felt very protective.

Harry gave him a small smile through his fear. Severus winked at him again and told him to relax. They were together and everything would be alright. They started down the long dark tunnel still holding hands.

After several minutes walking in silence they began to see a faint light ahead. As they approached they saw that there was a heavy metal door and the light was filtering into the tunnel from underneath. They could hear muffled sounds but couldn\'t make out any real voices. Severus was curious while Harry was beginning to shiver with dread.

As Severus reached for the door handle, Harry pulled him back. He threw his invisibility cloak over them both. Severus stepped closer to Harry when he saw that his feet were still sticking out under him. He snickered a little at the absurd picture that made.

You don\'t have to do this, Severus,\" Harry repeated more urgently.

\"Of course I do. You said yourself that you could be changing the future by talking to me. This one silly prank could be a major stepping stone in my life. I have to go through with it.\" Severus smiled and laid a gentle hand on Harry\'s cheek. He caressed the soft skin for a moment, then leaned in and lightly brushed his lips against Harry\'s. His heart sped up enough to make him dizzy for a moment. A kiss had never felt so right, so fulfilling, before.

Severus pulled back. He started to giggle again at the flushed look on Harry\'s face. He was almost feeling giddy now from the excitement of the prank as well as the feel of the warm body next to his.

\"Are you ready, Harry,\" he asked gently.

\"As I\'ll ever be.\" Harry responded with trepidation.

Severus, still smiling, turned and pulled open the heavy door. They blinked as the light from the room hit them. When their vision cleared they saw a small room with very little furnishings. The sounds they had heard through the door were still muffled. Full of wonder, Severus stepped into the room fully, Harry close behind to keep them covered.

In a dark corner of the room stood what appeared to be a large wooden crate. He stepped closer to get a better look, not caring anymore if Harry was following or not. His curiosity winning out over common sense. As he approached the muffled sounds got louder. They didn\'t sound as muffled anymore, either.

The floor had a strange vibration that was becoming more evident the closer he got to the crate, the noise rising in volume as well. It was beginning to sound like the growls and moans of a wounded animal. Severus could feel Harry\'s fear like a cold blanket.

\"Please, Severus, please, lets go!\" Harry was nearly panicking now. Severus turned to look at him, seeing the terror in the boy\'s eyes nearly convinced him to leave.

He had to know, though. He had to know what game Sirius Black was playing. He knew Lupin wouldn\'t participate in a prank like this. Lupin was too kind and gentle to scare someone. Peter Pettigrew was too stupid to get involved in something so devious and James Potter preferred more direct jokes that he could watch and get the full effect from. Black was the only one cruel enough to try to scare him this much.

Severus took another step closer, Harry’s hands wrapped tightly around his arm. From behind the wall of the crate, a low growl was heard. Severus leaned down slightly to look through an opening between the wooden slats. He could make out a pair of shining hazel eyes that didn’t look quite human but not totally animalistitheither. Suddenly, realization struck. He knew who, or what, was in the crate.

Remus Lupin was a werewolf in the midst of his change. Severus’ heart leapt into his throat as he stumbled backwards, tripping over Harry and falling out from under the invisibility cloak and landing hard on his arse.

Before he could even begin to collect himself, he heard the sound of breaking wood. Severus was hyperventilating, his eyes wide and dilated, by the time Harry reached him, still covered by the cloak. As Severus was struggling to his feet, Lupin, now a fully transformed wolf, leapt at him.

Severus heard Harry scream but couldn’t react. Strong hands had suddenly grabbed him from behind and pulled him from the room. He collapsed outside the shut metal door, crying and struggling for breath. He could hear the angry wolf pounding against the door, howling.

Severus was too shaken to think. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, feelings and sensations. He had felt claws rip across his chest but couldn’t tell if they had broken the skin. He had felt Harry near him but couldn’t say if he was still beside him or not. Even as he felt the strong hands wrapping around him again, his overloaded mind began to shut down. He gave into the darkness that was pulling at him.

Severus woke up with a start. It took a moment for him to recall what had just happened. He sat up fast, looking about. He saw James Potter sitting next to him but no one else.

Where was Harry? Was he still under the cloak or was he still in the room with that monster? He started to panic again, completely ignoring James\' calming words. He started calling for Harry, rising shakily to his feet. There was no response. Severus began screaming Harry\'s name in wild panic, as James started running towards the castle for help.

\"I\'m here,\" came a weak voice from towards the Whomping Willow. Severus whirled around just as Harry let the cloak fall to the ground. He just managed to get next to the older boy when he started to sink down after the cloak. He wrapped his arms tight around Harry and lowered them down together. Severus was sobbing uncontrollably now.

\"Oh, Harry, oh Merlin, I\'m so sorry, so sorry,\" he gasped out in a rush of words, just barely registering that Harry was unhurt. Harry just wrapped his arms around the shaking boy and whispered soothingly, not caring what he was saying as long as Severus calmed down.

Severus\' breathing started to level out just as Harry noticed movement from the direction of the school.

\"Someone\'s coming,\" Harry said softly. \"I need to hide, ok?\" When Severus nodded, Harry pulled away as gently as he could. He quickly got under the cloak before he was spotted.

Severus lifted his weary head to see the Headmaster approaching with Madame Pomfrey, the head medi-witch, and James Potter, trailing behind him. As Dumbledore bent down, Severus raised his arms to him like a child wanting to be picked up. He started crying again as the old wizard embraced him and led him up to the castle. Severus looked back towards where Harry had been but got no sign of the boy\'s presence. He gave in once again to the darkness.

When Severus awoke, it was late into the morning. The sun was high and streaming in through open curtains. He let his eyes adjust before looking around the room. He could smell that he was in the infirmary. It smelled like antiseptics and fresh air. He had a large white bandage across his naked chest but couldn\'t feel any pain from it. He peeled it off and saw that he had three large scars running over his otherwise flawless tanned skin. He shuddered from the memory of the night before.

Looking around, Severus spotted a chair next to his bed that had a rather odd dip in the cushion for being empty. He smiled at it, comforted to know that Harry was still with him. He was about to reach out to Harry when the door to the infirmary swung open.

Professor Dumbledore smiled as he approached Severus\' bed, followed by a very scared looking Sirius Black and James Potter. Severus had never seen Black so pale and distraught before. He was still very angry at the boy for risking Harry\'s life, even if he hadn\'t known Harry was there. He thought Black should be distraught. Severus was looking forward to the boy\'s punishment. Surely Dumbledore would expel him for such a dangerous prank.

Severus gasped, his eyes going wide, as he realized Dumbledore was about to sit in the chair Harry was occupying. Dumbledore stopped his movement and looked at Severus with concern.

\"Are you alright, child?\" the silver haired wizard asked.

\"Yes,\" Severus\' voice squeaked badly. He cleared his throat and started again. \"Yes, but I think that chair\'s not in very good shape. Maybe you should sit on the end of the bed?\"

Dumbledore gave the chair a glance but shrugged and sat on the edge of the bed. He looked Severus over, making sure there were no permanent physical injuries. When he was satisfied that the wounds were healing nicely, he started to talk.

\"Severus, Sirius and James have told me what happened last night. Are you certain you\'re alright?\"

Severus glared menacingly at Black as he nodded. He couldn\'t let go of the anger he felt. Black had not only endangered Severus, and unknowingly Harry, but one of his own friends as well. Lupin would have suffered incredibly if he had killed someone.

\"Good,\" Dumbledore said, pulling Severus out of his thoughts. \"Sirius has been given a months detention with Mr. Filch for orchestrating this absurd prank.\"

Severus was aghast. Detention? That was it? The boy risks lives over an \"absurd prank\" and all he gets is detention? Severus was ready to scream.

\"There is something else that needs to be discussed,\" he paused, looking sternly at Severus. \"You now know Remus\' secret. It must remain that way Severus. I am forbidding all of you from talking about this incident. Remus was not to blame for this and should not be punished it. it. Severus, will you promise me not to tell anyone that Remus Lupin is a werewolf?\"

Severus wanted to shout out, to tell everyone that would listen about the dirty little secret Dumbledore was hiding. He was about to tell the headmaster to go to hell when he felt a hand rest softly on his. He looked down but saw nothing. Realizing it was Harry, giving him comfort and support, Severus immediately began to calm down. He knew it wasn\'t Lupin\'s fault. Lupin was a werewolf and even Severus understood that that wasn\'t something one could control. Besides, he still kind of liked the quiet boy. Taking a deep breath, Severus nodded and gave his word not to tell.

After Dumbledore and the other boys had left, Severus turned towards the seemingly empty chair and smiled.

\"Thanks, Harry.\"

\"You\'re very welcome, Severus,\" a disembodied voice responded.

Madame Pomfrey entered and gave Severus a thorough check. She told him that he was excused from classes for the next couple of days and to take it easy. The wounds were healing well and she didn\'t want him doing anything that would rip them open again. For once, Severus didn\'t argue about missing classes. He just smiled and thanked her before pulling on clothes and a robe that was laid out for him.

Severus led Harry, tucked securely under his cloak, down to the kitchens where he got enough food from the helpful house-elves to feed a family of six, then out to a small clearing near the lake. He set out the blanket the elves had given him with the food and they sat to a comfortable picnic.

~@~

They spent the next two days in their secluded sanctuary, talking about everything and anything that came to mind. Harry gave scarce details about his parents death, scared to really say too much about Voldemort. Severus didn\'t seem at all shocked to discover that Harry was James Potter\'s son. He had suspected it from the beginning, from the way Harry looked and acted. It didn\'t bother him in the least. He always thought that Lily Evans would end up with James Potter. Severus was amused to know he had been right about them.

Severus told Harry about his own sad childhood. Harry had never known that Severus\' father had died when Severus was 9 or that his mother had beat him daily because she blamed the child for her being alone. Harry was even more shocked to hear that a man named Tom Riddle was only weeks away from marrying Severus\' mother. Severus hated the man but was powerless to defy him or his mother.

Severus didn\'t ask too many questions about the future because he knew that could be dangerous, although he did want to know more about the deaths of James and Lily Potter. He wanted to know exactly when and how it happened so he could stop it, but again, knew that might be too drastic a change for Harry\'s future. He would keep it in mind, however, and do what he could for them. After all, he now owed James his life.

Days were spent by the lake and in the evening, Severus would leave Harry at a small run-down shack hidden a short way into the Forbidden Forest. On the night of Harry\'s third day in the past, the boys stayed in the little shack talking late into the night. Severus wasn\'t worried about anyone noticing his absence from the Slytherin dorm. He didn\'t have many friends in his own house and hardly anyone paid attention to him anyhow.

Severus was becoming nervous. He knew Harry needed to get back to his own time, no matter how much they both wanted him to stay. It wouldn\'t be too long before someone figured out that Harry was missing and find a way to bring him home.

Looking at Harry in the soft light from their small fire, Severus knew he loved this boy. Not knowing what the future held for them, Severus didn\'t want to let go. He reached out and caressed Harry\'s cheek, admiring the soft silky skin. Harry gave him a shy smile, leaning into his touch. Severus leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to Harry\'s.

Severus pulled back with a contented sigh. He shifted closer to the older boy, noticing for the first time that Harry smelled like spring, soft as a gentle breeze with a hint of the grass they had been rolling in earlier that day. He watched as Harry\'s eyes danced behind the lenses of his glasses and smiled at how they twinkled when the boy was excited.

This time it was Harry who took the initiative, taking Severus\' head gently in his hands and pulling him into a kiss. Severus opened his mouth as he felt Harry\'s tongue tickling his lips. He shivered as he felt the warm muscle brush over his own tongue and slide into his mouth. Harry tasted of sweet mint from the tea they had been drinking.

Severus moaned as he felt warm hands against his chest through the thin fabric of his shirt. He wrapped his own hands around Harry\'s neck and tangled them into the wild black hair. Severus gasped into Harry\'s mouth as he felt questing fingers brush over his sensitive nipples. Harry laughed at Severus\' reaction and pulled him closer. Severus was now sdlindling Harry\'s lap and could feel their erections pressing together, making them both moan in pleasure.

\"I want you, Harry,\" Severus whispered, his voice heavy with lust and passion. \"I want to feel you inside me, filling me.\"

Severus slowly began undressing Harry while kissing along his neck and nibbling his earlobe. He felt Harry shiver under him as he exposed the tender skin, running a hand over the older boy\'s chest down to the top of his pants. He slid off Harry\'s lap onto the floor and reached for the buttons of Harry\'s pants. Harry stopped his hands with his own, bringing them to his lips to kiss each finger. Now it was Severus\' turn to shiver with excitement.

Severus allowed Harry to pull his shirt over his head and lean him down to the floor. Harry ran his finger tips down Severus\' chest lightly, pausing momentarily over the new scars, then down to the top of his pants. Harry opened them quickly and with Severus\' help, slid them down his thighs and off. He wasn\'t wearing anything under, which made Harry smile. Severus watched Harry\'s face as he looked down at his exposed body. Severus was slim but muscular, not very different in build than Harry. He loved how Harry\'s emerald eyes shone with unclouded passion. He knew in that instant that Harry loved him as much as he loved Harry.

Severus lay back, relaxed, as Harry began to explore his body with his hands and lips. Never had he been touched in such a way. It made him feel weak and vulnerable, yet completely safe and secure all at the same time. Severus could feel his heart rate and breathing quicken with every new touch and sensation. He had never felt so alive in his entire 16 years of existence. Until this moment, that was all he had done, existed. Now he was truly living.

Harry was kissing and nipping his way over Severus body as though he had a map to all the most sensitive areas. He laved his tongue into all the little valley\'s and dips, slowly making his way down. His hands left heated trails down Severus\' sides and over the curves of his hips. As he pushed his tongue into Severus\' navel, he had to hold the younger man down as his hips threatened to buck Harry off of him completely. He smiled into the soft skin as Severus moaned loudly.

Severus arched his back and nearly screamed as he felt Harry\'s tongue lick across his painful erection. He felt Harry\'s hands dig into his hips trying to keep him still. Harry licked over him again before moving down to lap at Severus\' scrotum. Severus didn\'t think he could take much more of this exquisite torture.

He sat up suddenly, wrapping his arms tightly around Harry\'s waist and pulled his lover down on top of him fully. He laughed lightly at Harry\'s started expression, then flipped them both over so that Severus was now stretched out fully over Harry.

He followed the same path that Harry had done with him, admiring and committing to memory every detail about the boy\'s body, every sound he made. He paid careful attention to all the spots that made Harry moan louder or wiggle a little more. He never wanted to forget anything that made Harry happy. As he reached Harry\'s navel, he sat up straight and looked down at the boy\'s contented face. He undid the snaps and buttons, slid his hands under the boys buttocks and gently began pulling the pants and underwear off smoothly.

Severus admired Harry\'s rather lengthy member before leaning down and placing a soft kiss on the wet tip. Harry\'s shudder ran right through both boys. Severus licked the salty liquid from his lips seductively, staring Harry straight in the eye. Harry shivered again, his cock twitching. Severus gave a wink as he lowered his lips back down and over the head of Harry\'s cock.

Slowly, he worked his lips down as his hands went to work as well. He curled the long fingers of one hand around the base of Harry\'s throbbing erection and used the other to gently roll Harry\'s balls around in their tight sac. It was only a minute before Harry grabbed Severus\' head and pulled him off. This wasn\'t how either of them wanted it to end. Severus crawled up to straddle Harry\'s chest and kissed him passionately, the flavour of Harry still hot on his tongue.

\"I want you, Harry. I want you now!\" Severus was breathless.

\"Are you sure? I don\'t want to hurt you,\" Harry said with obvious concern. Severus had never done this before, and he was quite certain Harry hadn\'t either. Severus wasn\'t even quite sure of what he was asking for, only knowing that what ever it was, it would be beautiful because it was with Harry.

Severus smiled brightly at Harry. \"Yes, I\'m sure!\"

Harry flipped them over again, pinning Severus to the floor, kissing him passionately, his hands roaming over the hot skin under him. Severus felt Harry prodding at the backs of his knees and raised his legs obediently. Harry pushed his knees right to his chest and told Severus to hold them there. He spit into his hand and brought it down to Severus\' opening. He teased for a moment with his middle finger, then pushed the small digit passed the tight ring of muscle. When Severus cried out from the sudden invasion, Harry pulled back out.

\"Oh, Sev, oh God, I\'m so sorry. I didn\'t mean to hurt you.\" Harry was apologizing profusely.

Severus took a deep breath, relaxing again. He smiled up at Harry and pulled him down into a kiss.

\"Just go a little slower, my love,\" he whispered softly. He nearly laughed at Harry\'s reaction to the endearment. Harry looked completely shocked and delighted by it. Severus smiled again and encouraged Harry to try again, just a little slower this time.

Severus took a deep breath, relaxing again. He smiled up at Harry and pulled him down into a kiss. He liked Harry calling him Sev. It made him feel special, unique. No one else had ever called him that, or ever would. Only Harry. His Harry.

Severus watched as Harry spit into his hand again. He felt the questing finger probing gently at him before slowly sliding in. It didn\'t hurt at all this time, just felt a little strange. Harry moved it around very slowly, never losing eye contact with him.

For several minutes Harry worked the one finger gently in and out. He wasn\'t going to make the mistake of hurrying again. Severus was beginning to love the feeling and was getting impatient for more, however.

Looking straight into Harry\'s eyes he begged, \"More, Harry, I want, need more.\" He was breathless and not even sure Harry had heard him until Harry nodded and started to add a second finger. He felt Harry push in deeper than before and arched, screaming as Harry found his prostate. For a moment, Harry thought he had hurt his lover again, until Severus started begging and pleading for Harry to do it again. Severus\' was beginning to thrash wildly as Harry continued to brush against his prostate over and over. He couldn\'t hold back much longer so he started begging for Harry to enter him. He didn\'t want to come without feeling Harry completely within him.

Harry, still scared to hurt Severus, added a third finger and continued with the motions while using his free hand to liberally coat his straining cock with as much spit and pre-come as he could. When he was satisfied, he slowly pulled out his fingers and lined up his cock to the waiting entrance. He leaned forward, the tip of his hard erection just touching the sensitive skin and his hands placed on either side of Severus\' head, and kissed him.

\"Are you ready, Sev,\" he asked cautiously.

\"Yes! Oh Merlin, yes Harry!\" Severus screamed.

Very slowly, Harry began pushing into the heat of Severus\' body, careful not to go too fast. Once the outer muscles where breached Harry easily slid the rest of the way in, coming to a stop only when his scrotum slapped against Severus. He paused there, giving both men a chance to catch their breath. Harry didn\'t move until he felt Severus push up against him.

Severus moaned as Harry began a gentle rhythm. He could feel every vein in Harry\'s hard cock as it was slowly withdrawn, then equally slowly eased back in. His hands gripped tightly on Harry\'s biceps as he bucked up to meet each inward thrust, enjoying the friction of Harry\'s tight abdomen over his own hard cock. It wasn\'t long before he was begging Harry to move fast, thrust deeper, pump harder.

Harry, quite happy to comply with Severus\' every request, was soon in a world of his own, filled with pleasure and love. He could feel Severus tensing up, fast approaching orgasm and knew he wasn\'t far behind. When he felt Severus\' muscles clamp tight around him, he followed his future professor over the edge into bliss, both of them crying out their lover\'s name.

As they came down from their euphoric high, Severus wrapped his arms tightly around Harry, laying his head on Harry\'s chest, sobbing with relief, fear, and love.

\"I don\'t want you to go, Harry!\" he cried. \"Please don\'t leave me. I love you, Harry.\"

Harry was starting to cry, too. He knew he would see Severus again, but would he still love Harry twenty years into the future? \"I love you, too, Sev.\"

Severus raised his head from Harry\'s chest and looked de int into the emerald eyes. \"Do you? Will you still love me when you go back and see the old man I\'ve become?\"

Harry smiled into the obsidian orbs he recognized so well. \"Yes, Sev, I realize now that I\'ve always loved you. I just didn\'t know who you were. But will you still love me? Can you, will you wait for me?\"

\"I\'ll wait forever to be with you again, Harry,\" Severus whispered as he leaned in to brush his lips over Harry\'s but before they could touch, Severus was dropped to the ground where Harry had been just a second before. He cried out as Harry was suddenly whisked away from him, leaving him stranded in the past with an uncertain future ahead.

~@~

TBC