Time Travel

Chapter 24

"What's wrong with you?" Lucius pulled Severus aside as Draco worked on decorating the corridors with the help of elves from Malfoy Manor. He wants to decorate the manor in different shades of blue as he thought blue is relaxing to eyes and Holly will definitely like it. Hopefully. He is so excited and anyone can see it in his eyes. 

"I don't know what you are saying, Lucius." Severus said to him and tried to go back to Draco. He didn't want to answer Lucius about his new found attraction towards James Potter. He knew that he is starting to see the man differently as he is not under any compulsions. 

"Don't try this with me Snape. I know you better than you know yourself. Something is going on in this stupid mind of yours and why did it look like you were avoiding James earlier?" Lucius pulled him back and Severus sighed. He didn't think anyone would've noticed it. But Lucius is right, Lucius knows him better than he knows himself. 

"I wasn't avoiding him." Severus said truthfully and Lucius narrowed his eyes at him. 

"Then what's wrong?" Lucius asked again and Severus groaned in his mind. What should he tell Lucius to make him let the matter go? He doesn't want anyone, not even Lucius to know about these feelings for James until he understands them himself. He wanted to take James right there when he threatened Draco, does it mean he wants James and that's all or does he like him? He does like James, but in what way? Just as a friend or something more? He doesn't know and he wants to confirm it himself before telling Lucius. 

"Lucius, please. Nothing is wrong and we should go back and help Draco. He is all alone." Severus pulled away to go back to Draco only to realize that the alarm he set for the potion went off. "Draco, I'll be back in fifteen minutes. Do you mind?"

"Not at all Sev. It's fine." Draco smiled at him happily and Severus paused for a moment. 

"Draco, how did you realize that your like towards Holly is not as a friend and something more?" Severus asked just as Lucius returned making him raise his eyebrows in question. Why is Severus asking this suddenly? So, are his doubts true? He is avoiding James because he likes him and is afraid? Or something else? 

"I don't know Sev. I just liked her from a long time and we were enemies at that time though. So, I can't tell it." Draco said to him and Severus nodded. "But, I think you will know that you love someone when you can't tolerate them seeing close to other people."

"Well, I'll be back soon." Severus left and Draco looked at Lucius with so many questions on his face but Lucius just shrugged not knowing what's going on himself. 

"Let's get back to work." Lucius suggested and Draco nodded. 

Severus was about to floo when James came out of the fire place with a red haired boy. Severus looked at him confused, but James didn't notice him. He was making sure the boy was fine as he was coughing loudly. James kneeled beside the kid and patted his back lightly and called an elf to bring some water for the kid.

"Are you fine Bill?" James asked him and Bill nodded. 

"I'm so sorry Uncle James. I was so excited that I'm going to attend a party and inhaled the floo powder." Bill said to him. James smiled ruffling his hair and stood up. 

"It's fine Bill as long as you are fine." James said to him and turned away from Bill to see Severus looking at them with a complicated expression. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I have a potion to take care. I'll be back soon." Severus said and hurried away to the floo. James thought it was weird. He didn't even talk this morning and avoided his gaze. Why is he so complicated to understand? Why can't Severus be like Sirius? Sirius' mood is always written on his face for James to guess it easily.