Snarry One Shots

All the Ways

Summary: Severus goes back in time to save Harry from the Dursleys. He never intended for the boy to fall in love with him.

Ships: SeverusSnapexHarryPotter

All credit goes to Anonymous on Ao3

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The boy didn't deserve it.

He didn't deserve to sacrifice himself, to go off on this wild goose chase alone, with only his stupid little friends to assist.

He deserved happiness, and comfort. He deserved safety.

Severus wanted to give him that safety.

Severus hadn't been able to get the boy out of his head since he'd learned he carried a Horcrux inside him.

Potter would have to die, and for what? It was not fair. It was unjust. Sacrificing him for the greater good was just as bad as what the Dark Lord planned to do to him.

It was late, and Severus had just returned from a Death Eater meeting. He sat in the Headmaster's office. Everything felt so dark, so lost. Not even Albus' portrait spoke.

Only a few days ago, Severus had delivered the sword to the boy. It had been startling to see the state of him. He had looked wild and hollowed out. He'd looked like he needed a hug.

Damn Albus for making Potter do this, and damn Severus for allowing it to happen. Damn the Dark Lord for making Horcruxes, and damn Albus for telling Severus about them.

It was time for Severus to take action.

For months, Severus had been devising a plan. Researching. He had done it all in secret. When he'd travelled abroad, he'd made sure to wear a disguise. He had found the book he needed in a dusty library in Bucharest, then the instrument he needed in the back of an ancient apothecary in Shandong.

Severus disabled the strong protection charm on a hidden desk drawer and removed a small black box. There was another, more intense charm on the box.

If someone had wanted to find out what the box contained, they would have lost their fingers.

Very carefully, Severus opened the lid. Lying amid white satin was an old Time Turner.

Surprisingly, the instrument was made out of wood, and there was a toggle on the back as if it were a Muggle toy.

His hands shook as he shut and pocketed the box.

Was he ready to enact his plan? And tonight? Perhaps he should take himself off to bed, get a good night's rest ... But, no. He couldn't rest right now. His mind wouldn't allow it. His body wouldn't, either.

He needed to act.

Severus stood and retrieved his cloak. His hand was on the doorknob when Albus' portrait finally addressed him.

"Please don't give up," said the portrait mournfully. "We need you here."

Shaking his head, Severus walked out of the office.

*

Severus flew to the Forbidden Forest. Beneath him, the grounds stretched out like a dark ocean.

In the forest, he trudged to the clearing with the moonstones. Severus had formed them in a circle, each stone a different colour.

He stepped into the circle and felt the magic in the air shift. These moonstones were tremendously powerful.

Steadying himself, he removed the Time Turner from his pocket, keeping the box.