The reality Off The Past

3

Severus studied the young ninja before him, his mind racing. The mention of the Hidden Leaf Village was no mere coincidence; it was a place he knew all too well. His thoughts were a tumultuous storm of doubt and disbelief. Was this truly a child from his past, from the world he'd left behind?"How did you come to possess such... abilities?" Snape asked, his voice a mix of skepticism and curiosity.Naruto shrugged, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I've got this cool thing called chakra. It lets me do all sorts of crazy stuff, like run on water and throw fireballs!" He paused, then added with a cheeky grin, "But I bet you wizards have your own cool tricks, right?"Severus felt a twinge of nostalgia. The innocence in Naruto's voice reminded him of a time when he too had been brimming with hope and excitement for the future. But that was a lifetime ago, in a world that seemed as distant as a forgotten dream."Chakra, indeed," he murmured, his mind racing. He needed to find a way to send Naruto back before his presence was discovered by those who would do him harm. The wizarding world was not as welcoming to outsiders as the boy believed."Look, Mr. Snape," Naruto said, his tone earnest, "I don't mean to cause any trouble. I just want to find Sasuke and get back home."Severus's heart clenched at the name. He hadn't heard it spoken aloud in years, not since he'd left it all behind. "Sasuke is... not here," he said firmly, his voice betraying the turmoil within. "You must return to your own world."Naruto's smile faltered, his eyes searching Snape's. "But what if I can't? What if I'm stuck here?"The potions master took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving the boy's. "We will find a way," he said, his resolve strengthening. "For now, you must stay hidden. I will help you, but you must promise to keep your true nature a secret."The boy nodded solemnly. "I promise," he said, his voice filled with the same determination that had once driven Sasuke.With a nod, Severus began to teach Naruto the basics of concealment and the importance of discretion in the wizarding world. He knew that the boy's spirit would not be easily contained, but he also knew the dangers that lurked in the shadows of Hogwarts.As the days turned into weeks, Snape found himself drawn to the young ninja. He saw in him a reflection of the hope and idealism he had lost long ago. Yet, the more time they spent together, the more he feared that their worlds would inevitably collide, bringing with them the demons of his past.One evening, as they practiced in the deserted potions classroom, a sudden commotion outside caught their attention. The sound of running footsteps grew louder, and before they could react, the door burst open, revealing a group of students, Harry Potter at the forefront."Professor Snape, what's going on here?" Harry asked, his wand at the ready.Severus's heart sank. He knew he had to protect the boy, but how could he explain the unexplainable? The secret he'd kept hidden for so long was now on the brink of being exposed. The fate of two worlds might just rest in the balance."Potter," he snapped, his voice low and dangerous. "This does not concern you."But Harry's curiosity was piqued. "Who is he?" he demanded, his eyes fixed on the unfamiliar boy.Naruto stepped forward, his hands in the pockets of his orange jumpsuit. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki," he said with a smile. "Pleased to meet ya!"The room fell silent. The students stared, their expressions a mix of shock and awe. Harry's eyes narrowed as he studied the whisker-like marks on the boy's face. "A ninja," he murmured, the pieces of the puzzle slowly fitting together.Severus stepped between them, his body tense. "This is a misunderstanding," he said, his voice firm. "Mr. Uzumaki is a... a foreign exchange student, learning our ways.""A ninja, huh?" Harry said, his gaze flicking to Snape before returning to Naruto. "What brings you to Hogwarts?""I'm looking for my friend," Naruto said, his smile unwavering. "His name's Sasuke. Have you seen him?"The mention of Sasuke sent a tremor through Severus. The past was crashing into the present, and he couldn't stop it. The room grew colder, the air thick with unspoken truths."I see," Harry said slowly, his eyes never leaving Severus. "Well, I'm sure Professor Snape will help you find him."Severus felt the weight of Harry's gaze, the unspoken question in his eyes. But the Gryffindor said nothing more, and after a tense moment, the group of students left, their whispers trailing behind them like the echoes of forgotten spells.As the door clicked shut, Severus turned to face Naruto. "You must be more careful," he warned. "This place is not as welcoming as it seems."Naruto nodded, his smile fading. "I won't let anyone find out," he promised. "But I have to find Sasuke."Severus's mind raced. He knew he couldn't keep this secret much longer. The students would talk, and soon the entire school would know. The thought of facing his past, of having his true identity revealed, was terrifying. But the fear for the boy's safety was even greater."We will find him," he said, his voice firm. "But you must stay hidden, especially from Dumbledore."Naruto's eyes widened. "Why? What's so bad about Dumbledore?"Severus took a deep breath. "He's a wise man, but he has his own agendas. The less he knows, the better."The two of them continued to practice in secret, Snape teaching Naruto the subtleties of magic and the importance of blending in. But as the days passed, the whispers grew louder, the curiosity of the students more insistent. It was only a matter of time before their secret was out.One night, as they were leaving the potions classroom, they heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching. Severus pushed Naruto into a nearby broom closet, his heart pounding in his chest. The door creaked open, and a figure stepped into the moonlit corridor.It was Albus Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling with curiosity and a hint of suspicion. "Severus," he said, his voice like the rustle of ancient parchment. "I've heard some very interesting rumors. Care to explain?"Severus swallowed hard. The game was up. He had to tell the truth, or risk both their lives."Professor," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "This is... a matter of great delicacy. There is indeed a ninja at Hogwarts. But his presence here is not what you might think."Dumbledore's eyes searched his, and for a moment, Severus felt as though the headmaster could see straight through him, to the very core of his being. The silence stretched on, taut as a bowstring.