Standing Against the Tides

Last time I looked at my driver’s license, it did not say J. K. Rowling. Yep, it’s just me, an unpaid and unknown aspiring writer. The characters of the Potterverse do not belong to me and I am making no money from this endeavor.

A/N: Spoilers through OotP. As I am still in denial, I refuse to acknowledge the events of HBP or DH at this point.

A/N2: Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter up, but I came down with a nasty cold that has put me out of commission. For normal people, colds are no big deal, but as I have asthma, I have to be very careful. Now, on with the show.

Unbeta’d as BabyGurl is busy with her own life.


Prologue A Question of Circumstance

Severus Snape stood before the hideous gargoyle guarding the entrance to the Hogwarts Headmaster’s office. Pinching his nose in anticipation of the headache already building, the Potions master spat out the latest despicable sweet to catch the Headmaster’s fancy. The aggravating statue jumped out of the way to allow entry and the sneering dark haired man swept past the gargoyle in annoyance.

Waiting somewhat patiently for the spiraling stairs to deposit him outside the Headmaster’s door, Severus again wondered what the barmy old man wanted of him this time. At this point, the Potions master only wished to return to his chambers so that he could contemplate the revelations that tonight’s Welcoming Feast had brought. He had just found out that Harry Potter was the one he had seen himself with years ago in the Mirror of Erised. Add to that the fact that something seemed terribly wrong with Quirrell and Severus just wanted to spend some time alone so that he could think about these latest developments.

But alas, that was not meant to be. It was always something and the Potions master sighed in his agitation. There were many times when he wasn’t quite sure who was the harshest master, the Dark Lord or Albus Dumbledore. At least with the Dark Lord one knew where one stood. Displease the master and be offered a nice round of ‘Crucio’. But with Dumbledore, one never quite knew; would it be a seemingly benign offer of lemon drops or a lecture along with a disapproving look that held the weight of all the levels of heaven and hell?

Shaking himself out of his morbid contemplations, Severus pulled himself up to his full height before reaching out to knock on the heavy door. At the command to enter, he lowered the hand that had not even had a chance to touch the door and entered the circular room.

“Ah, Severus, my boy,” the Headmaster greeted his protégé. “So very nice of you to agree to meet with me. Tea, or lemon drop perhaps?”

“No, Headmaster. I have no need of sustenance at the moment. What is it that you required? After all, I do have my duties as the head of Slytherin House to attend,” the Potions master reminded his employer.

A firm gaze held the younger man’s eyes as the Headmaster carefully considered his words. “Severus, I am quite aware of what you once saw in the Mirror of Erised. I am aware that you saw yourself with Harry Potter. Now, you must know that I cannot allow such a thing to happen.”

Severus Snape chafed under such an allegation. “Headmaster, you must know that I would never even consider doing anything with an underage child. That idea is simply abhorrent to me. I assure you that I have absolutely no intentions of doing anything about my feelings while Mr. Potter is under my care as a student.”

Raising a hand in supplication, Albus waited for his protégé to calm down. “My dear boy, I am certain that you have no such intentions. However, you must realize that I cannot take any chances, especially since this does concern young Mr. Potter.” Tired blue eyes silently regarded the younger man for a moment. Raising his wand, the Headmaster quickly cast the spell. “Obliviate,” he commanded.

Lowering his wand, Albus sat back and waited for the cloud of confusion to clear from his Potions master. “Severus, now, as I was saying. I know that you did not like James Potter, but do try to not be too hard on his son, who is just like him. Young Harry is in a strange new world here, away for the first time from his loving family who cherished his very existence and adored his every action. As the only heir to one of the richest and most powerful wizarding families, Harry is used to living in luxury and the austerity inherent at Hogwarts will be a bit of a shock for the dear boy. Harry is used to having much attention and we must all do what we can to make sure that our dear Harry is able to make a smooth transition to Hogwarts.” Carefully the wily old wizard watched as old animosities arose and the Potions master sneered as he considered the young Potter progeny.

“I will do my best, Headmaster, but as he is a Potter, I do not promise anything. We both know what a Potter is capable of doing,” the Potions master snarled as he moved to the door. “If that is all, I will be returning to my Slytherins.” Seeing the quiet nod from his mentor, Severus Snape turned and quickly left the room.

Albus sat back and sighed after the door had been securely closed and warded. “I am sorry, my dear boy, but it was entirely necessary for you to forget your attraction to young Harry. I am afraid that I have plans for the both of you, and love is not in that equation.”