Turning Time (A Harry Potter Fanfic)

Albus Dumbledore, pt. 3

A week later, Lily sat down next to Harry, beaming. “Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!” 

“You too. Er, I mean—” Severus fumbled with what to say. 

Lily smirked. “It’s okay. I know what you mean.” She turned to the others. “So, what are you all planning on doing in Hogsmeade?” 

Raven took Remus’ hand. “We’re going to the bookstore for tea and…there’s a few books we want to read. What about you two?” 

“Er, us three.” Lily glanced at Harry. “I was thinking we’d get a Butterbeer.” Severus and Harry nodded. 

Raven squeezed Remus’ hand, then gave them a small wave. “Okay, well, see you around.” 

“Hang on, Remus.” Lily took his arm and looked him in the eye. “Do James and Sirius have anything planned for today? Any pranks we should watch out for?” 

Remus scratched his head and squirmed a bit. “No pranks,” he replied carefully. 

Lily glanced at Severus, relieved. “Okay, then we’ll see you ‘round.” 

The three finished their breakfast before heading to Hogsmeade. They shopped for a few hours before going to the Three Broomsticks. As they finished a second round of butterbeers, Severus’ eyes locked on something behind them. “I thought it was a coincidence at first, but Potter has been following us since we left. Wait, don’t look!” He grabbed her arm. “Sorry. We shouldn’t let on.” 

“I thought Remus said they wouldn’t prank us!”

“Well, technically Potter’s just stalking us.” 

Lily scoffed, then became thoughtful. “I feel bad, Remus being torn between our friend groups—” 

“It’s his choice to be friends with them.” 

Harry crossed his arms. “It’s his choice to be friends with us.” 

Severus pursed his lips, holding back from arguing further. 

“So what should we do?” 

Severus thought for a moment. “How about a Love Potion?” 

Lily shook her head. “Not on me, you’re not.” 

“No. No, of course not.” Severus pulled a vial out of his cloak. 

“You carry Love Potions with you?” Lily raised an eyebrow. “Should I be concerned?” 

Severus blinked. “No, I have more potions than just this. They’re in case of…emergency.” 

“Oo, watch out, it’s the Potions Master.” 

Harry raised an eyebrow at Lily. 

Severus smiled a little, relieved. “Well, this is a potion for temporary love at first sight. It’s a lot easier to induce love for the first person the drinker sees than to induce love for someone specific.” 

“Who should Potter see, then?” 

The three looked around the pub for ideas. Harry’s eyes fell upon the shrunken heads guarding the entrance. “How about them?” 

Lily looked to Severus. “Would it work?”

Severus’ eyes darkened with a sort of deviance that could be matched with his past self, the one on his way to becoming a Death Eater. “I believe so. Does anyone have a chocolate, or something?” 

Harry looked to Lily and Severus, then realized he had one. “Here.” 

Lily raised her eyebrows. “Who’s it from, Jacob?”