Twelve-year-old Severus Snape sat on his front steps and wondered if his father was going to come home today. Severus hoped that he wouldn’t come home, for he was an abusive jerk and they were better off without him.  

Severus watched the neighbourhood kids running around; he missed Hogwarts. At least here at home, he didn’t have to hide who he was anymore, since his father wasn’t constantly breathing down his neck. His mother was happier without him around, too. There were fewer expenses for them to worry about without so many muggle conveniences drawing electricity. Most were running off of magic, now.  

Severus was just about to go inside and help his mum with lunch when a loud crack from the front of his lawn caught his attention. He knew that was the sound of someone apparating, but he hadn’t expected to see a kid who looked around nine or ten being sick on his lawn.

“MOM!” Severus screamed, rushing over to help the kid. 

When he got over to him, he couldn’t help but notice how much the child looked like James Potter. The only difference was that the child was smaller, thinner, and younger. This child also looked scared out of his mind. Severus wouldn’t be surprised if the child started crying for his mummy when he was done being sick.

Severus’ mother ran out to the front lawn, not used to hearing her son screaming for her like that. She knew something was wrong, and upon spotting the ill child, she went into mother mode.

“Mum, he apparated here! I think it was accidental magic!” Severus cried, watching as his mother began rubbing the child’s back. Eventually, she helped the boy stand and used a quick spell to get rid of the mess on the lawn.

“Sev, open the door for me and then go get a glass of fizzy water,” Mum said as she helped the boy into the house. 

Severus nervously went into the kitchen and did as he was told. By the time he was done, the boy was looking around the room like he was trying to figure out where he was or how he even gotten here.

“Who are you?” the boy asked as he accepted the glass of fizzy water from Severus and began slowly sipping to calm his stomach.

“I’m Eileen and this is my son Severus. What’s your name and where are you from?” 

Severus admired his mum for being able to handle this situation so calmly while he was panicking. He wondered if this was a joke by James Potter, but the kid seemed far too freaked out for that to be plausible.

“I’m Harry Potter, I’m from Surrey,” the boy said, clutching his necklace chain nervously. Mrs. Snape noticed what the boy was holding and she seemed to grow several shades paler.

“Where did you get that time turner?”

“Time turner? What’s that?” Harry asked, clearly confused.

“That around your neck. It’s a time turner. Do you know what day it is today?” 

Severus watched the exchange with curiosity. A time turner? Who lets a kid play with a time turner?

“It’s August 20th, 1991,” Harry said, looking at Severus with confusion.

“Severus, can you stay here with Harry while I go to the library for a minute?” asked Mum. “I’ll be right back and we can get you boys a snack, once we know Harry’s stomach has settled from his journey.” 

Mum walked out of the room, displaying apprehension for the first time since Harry arrived. Severus wasn’t sure what was going on, but he listened to his mother and sat down quietly beside the boy from 1991.

“Do you know about Hogwarts?” Severus asked, knowing the boy most likely wasn’t a muggle. “I’m in my second year.”

“Yes, I just got my letter. Well, my uncle tried to keep me from getting it, but eventually they sent someone out and they gave me my letter” Harry slowly started to turn pink. “You should have seen my uncle’s face when he showed up.”

“Your uncle didn’t want you to get your letter? That’s crazy! What’s wrong with him?” Severus asked quietly.

“He’s scared of magic. Tried to beat it out of me, but clearly, it didn’t work. My aunt Petunia…”

“Petunia? As in Petunia Evens?” Severus asked, suddenly recognising a name; his scowl was enough to tell Harry that he knew his aunt.

“Yeah, that’s my aunt’s maiden name. Her name is Dursley now,” Harry said.

Severus rolled his eyes, but then realized something. “Why would they have a say in your letter? Where are your parents?” 

The boy’s grief-stricken expression was enough to give Severus a rough idea, but Harry still answered. “They died when I was a baby and I was left to live with my mum’s sister and her husband.” He paused. “Your mum asked me what day it is.  But the look on her face when I told her… I’m not in 1991 anymore, am I?” Harry asked slowly, already knowing the answer to his question. But he really wanted to know where exactly he was.

“No, it’s not. It’s August 25, 1972.” Severus was surprised when the boy didn’t freak out. Harry’s eyes merely widened slightly.

“I won’t even be born for eight more years. But you guys can send me back, right?” Harry asked.

Severus shrugged. “I’m not going to say yes, but I think we should be able to,” he said slowly. “I’m sure my mum went to go look it up now. Would you like a snack?”

Harry nodded, realising how hungry he was after having thrown up everything he’d eaten earlier. Severus stood up and indicated for Harry to follow him into the kitchen. Harry sat down, trying to figure out where he heard the name Severus before. When Harry did remember, he eyed the boy carefully.

“Is your last name Snape?” Harry asked him, watching as the boy slowly nodded. “Hagrid mentioned your name, said you were the potions master at Hogwarts.” 

Severus beamed happily at the idea, and stood a little straighter upon hearing his future title. “Really! That’s awesome! Do you know anything else?”  

“Sorry, no. I only met Hagrid once and he mentioned your name when we picked up the books from your class,” Harry told him. “He was saying how particular you are about your ingredients, and I understand why. It’s a dangerous subject and you’re apparently the only potions master to never have a student die under your instruction.”

Severus smiled even more proudly at that statistic. He approached the table with a plate of cookies and two glasses of milk. “Mum’ll be making supper soon, but here is a snack that should help.” He watched Harry take a cookie and one of the glasses. “What house do you think you’ll be in?”

“I don’t know, I only heard about one house and that’s Slytherin. What are the other houses?”

Severus didn’t get the chance to answer Harry’s question because just then, his mum returned to the kitchen looking grave. Harry felt his stomach hit the floor; this wasn’t good. 

Severus figured it out as well, because his expression filled with concern. “Everything okay, mum?”

“Well, I looked in my notes about time turners, and it turns out they’re for one-way time travel only. That’s why it’s only recommended to travel a few hours back at the most, so when you catch up to your own time, it appears more natural. We also don’t have any spells or devices that can send you forward into the future. Probably because something like that would be abused,” Mrs. Snape explained sadly.

“So, I’m stuck here? But I’m supposed to go to Hogwarts. Where will I stay? My parents are alive, but they probably are really young still; they might have a bit of trouble accepting an eleven-year-old son,” Harry said, trying to imagine the looks on their faces as they slammed the door in his face.

“I’m sure we can arrange something, and we have more than enough room for you to stay here until we can work things out. I’ve contacted Hogwarts, and Headmaster Dumbledore will probably get back to me within a day or two. For now, Severus, can you show Harry to a guest room?”

Severus stood up and guided Harry up a flight of stairs and towards a bedroom. Harry did his best to mask his nervousness, but was having a hard time because he was so confused.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure everything will be fine,” Severus told Harry with a warm smile. 

Harry nodded, and was surprised to find that he actually believed him.

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