Let It Be Slytherin ⟶ A Harry Potter Time Travel Fic

Potions and Problems

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To Harry's relief, he was the first student to enter the Potions Classroom. With mixed feelings, Harry stepped on the stone floor and glanced around at a very familiar sight. The room was well lit by floating lanterns, the walls lined by bottles and jars of potions ingredients. Each table sat two people, as students in this class commonly worked in pairs. 

It felt like years since Harry last attended a Hogwarts class and he felt a sudden lump in his throat. He glanced at the table he and Ron used to sit at, picturing Hermione at the table next to them, hand raised, and suddenly missed his best friends.

In that moment, a Ravenclaw boy shuffled in behind him, and Harry pushed his nostalgia away. 

He surveyed the tables, realizing he was playing the classic (albeit annoying) game of who sits where. And as the new Slytherin, the chances of the Gryffindors sitting by him were extremely low. 

Harry surveyed his options carefully. His father was an Auror who had to do well in this class to graduate. And he knew Slughorn loved Lily. Harry guessed Lily would place herself like Hermione, and taking a chance, planted his things front and center.

Snape would be floored, Harry thought in the back of his mind. Harry Potter sitting up front? Unbelievable. Harry couldn't get adult Snape out of his mind, and in annoyance, glanced around as other students began to trickle in. Harry's heartbeat quickened and he drummed his fingers on the table in anticipation. This would be his first time meeting his parents. It had to go well.

Harry glanced at his watch. Five minutes until class started, and still no sign of anyone Harry knew. 

Until now. 

Harry's face darkened as Snape entered the chamber. The Slytherin boy was lanky and slight compared to his adult counterpart, but Harry's chest still tightened and he clenched his jaw in distaste. The Slytherin was too much at home in the dungeons. And suddenly he was headed straight for Harry.

Harry turned straightforward, pretending not to notice Snape approaching. 

Of course he wants to talk to you, Harry thought in irritation. He saw you eavesdropping last night on him and Lily. 

Harry felt more than saw Snape approach, like a black shadow creeping up on him from behind. Harry refused to speak first. The Slytherin's nose seemed even bigger from this angle and for some reason Harry felt very modified by that. 

Snape threw his things on the seat to Harry's right and quickly sat down, turning to Harry with a jerk that made his greasy black hair sway with the movement. He pulled his wand out and twisted it with a cantation: "mufliato". Harry recognized it. Now no-one would overhear. 

"Tell anyone what you saw last night," Snape hissed, his voice low and suddenly very much like his future self's, "and I will make your life a living hell."

Harry slowly turned his head to Snape. The Slytherin's eyes were dark and a little hysterical in an attempt to look menacing. 

"Afraid your friends will find out you're hanging out with a Gryffindor?" Harry shot back.

Snape's eyes narrowed fiercely. Harry briefly remembered the Snape from last night, vulnerable and hurt. But that was like another person. This was the Snape he knew, cruel and callous.

"You can't tell anyone." Snape said, his voice a little more desperate.

"There are ten other seats open." Harry said in irritation. "Sit somewhere else."