Turning Time (A Harry Potter Fanfic)

Secrets, pt. 2

That week leading up to Halloween gave Harry enough reasons to confirm his fears. Severus, as he had in the other reality, had involved himself in the Dark Arts. 

He realized that the multiple times over the past month Severus had said he needed space, or to study alone, or claimed James was bothering him…it was just so he could go off and meet with Slytherins. 

What had Severus done to win the trust of the Slytherins? Did Harry, or the increased time with Lily, have no effect on him? Did nothing that changed matter anymore? Was everything destined to follow the same path? As Harry struggled to answer these questions, he was also dealing with the ache in his chest over his friends, the feelings that brought him here in the first place, and figuring out where he belonged at the school. 

His alternate identity, Jacob, had an aura of maturity and strength that kept the Marauders away from bullying Severus directly. “Jacob” wasn’t threatening, but the others could tell there was something…different about him. Every time one of the kids said something childish (which happened pretty often), he would roll his eyes, or not laugh along with everyone else. His opinions made sense and he was always the voice of reason, so his friends looked to him for advice.

“Severus, can we talk?” Harry asked that Friday.

Severus continued writing on the scrap piece of parchment he had. “I guess.” 

“Okay.” Harry sat on the bed across from him. “I know what you’ve been doing recently.” 

Severus didn’t look up, and his face remained concentrated on his work. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He was getting better at hiding his emotions. 

Harry sighed. “C’mon, Severus. We’re friends. You can’t hide these things from me.” He hardened his tone. “I know you’ve been involved in the Dark Arts…and you’ve been meeting with the Slytherins.” 

Severus knew there was no use denying it, so he became defensive. “So what if I have? It’s…It’s my choice.” 

“I know, but you don’t understand what will happen if you do!” Severus had no idea how his life would turn out.

“I can make my own decisions.” 

“Right. At age eleven, you know how to make your own decisions.” Now Harry was getting frustrated. 

“You’re eleven too!” Severus’ eyes blazed with fury. “You—you act like you know everything all the time! It’s so annoying! You act like you’re my…my mother.” 

“I act like I’m your mother? I’m the only one, then.” Harry retorted. 

Severus’ face flushed angrily. “But your parents think you’re a freak! At least my mother took me to Diagon Alley!” Severus thought the insult was pretty good, but he just continued to exasperate Harry, who reverted back to the voice of reason. 

“Say whatever you want. I’m just telling you that you’re making a mistake.” Harry closed his eyes and thought, rubbing his temple, as Severus calmed down. He opened them again when he heard the scribble of a quill on parchment. 

“Listen,” Harry continued, while Severus continued to write. “I can’t tell you what to do. Because then you won’t learn anything. But one day…” The image of Lily defending Severus flashed across his mind. Severus’ worst memory. “…one day everything will fall apart because of the Dark Arts. And when it does, you’ll wish you’d never got involved. But until then…do whatever the hell you want.” 

Severus was quiet. Just as Harry was about to leave the dorm, he looked up from his parchment. “Wait!” Harry turned around. Severus asked quietly, “We’re still friends…aren’t we?”