Title: Changes Come in a Flash
Author: Tiffany F
Rating: PG-13 to R for content
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Disclaimer: Not mine, I just play around in JKR's world.
Feedback: please, woodlandpugs@yahoo.com
Beta: myself, sadly, so all mistakes are totally my fault
Archive: Part of the From Dusk till Dawn Severus Snape/Harry Potter
Fuh-Q-Fest at http://www.kardasi.com/HPSS/storyindex.htm
Challenge: Wave X :'Not here, Not now! No magic?'
Author note: This is choppy. But that's how it wanted to be written.
     



There was a flash of green light, a rushing sound and….Voldemort lay dead. The baby, little Harry Potter was gone.
                      

      Mr. Henry Potter worked as an unspeakable in the Ministry of Magic. He was an amiable man with short black hair, brown eyes and going soft around the middle. His wife, Penny, was a stay-at-home witch and they recently had their first child. James Potter was literally their pride and joy.
One evening after James was in bed, the Potters were sitting in their study reading. They jumped and looked at each other when there was an explosion on the back porch. Henry stood and drew his wand. "Stay here, love," he told his wife. "It's probably just Rupert playing around but I want to make sure."
Rupert Potter, a cousin, worked in magical development and was always bringing his work home. But Rupert wasn't on the darkened porch. There was a bundle of blankets on the small sofa. "Pen, come quick," he called, putting his wand away.
"Oh Henry, doesn't he look an awful lot like Jamie?" Penny exclaimed, looking down at the sleeping baby. "What are we going to do? Where did he come from?"
"I don't know, but I don't see any reason we can't keep him. The lad looks enough like a Potter to spare questions," Henry said. "We can say he's my brother's and we've taken him in. Merlin knows we've enough room, at least until Rupert manages to complete his newest invention in the basement."
Penny picked up the boy. "What shall we call him then?"
"Harold," replied Henry softly. "Harry for short and we'll love him as our own. I'll take care of the legalities tomorrow."

********************
 "Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts," Headmaster Albus Dumbledore twinkled at the assembled students. He nodded to Minerva McGonagall who stood in front of the head table with the sorting hat in one hand and a scroll in the other. One by one the
nervous first years were called forward. Sirius Black, Lily Evans, Frank Longbottom, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew were all sorted into Gryffindor. Then it was Harry's turn.
"Potter, Harold," Minerva called.

The green-eyed Potter stepped forward and sat on the stool. He knew his family was always sorted into Gryffindor. He almost fell off the stool when the hat yelled, "Slytherin!"

Harry looked up at Professor McGonagall in shock. "There's no mistake, Potter," she said firmly. "Go and take your place."
James Potter sorted into Gryffindor and shot his brother a look of triumph as he took his seat. Harry ignored him and focused on the remainder of the sorting. There was a small boy with long, lank black hair and a sallow complexion. Harry had a much kinder heart
than his brother and decided the boy, Severus Snape, needed a friend.
                   

********************
For the first few months of school Harry kept to himself and watched; especially Snape, who appeared to be a loner. Harry never saw him talk to anyone other than one of the seventh years, Lucius Malfoy. He didn't know why but Harry didn't like the way Malfoy was
always looking at Snape. It was hungry and calculating. Harry decided to keep an eye on them.

********************

Snape was even more withdrawn once Malfoy left the castle. Harry became his protector over the next few years, often warning him of pranks the self-styled Marauders were planning, and slowly Snape and Harry became friends.
Harry took longer to complete his defense OWL than Severus and the Marauders and missed the first part of the confrontation between them. By the time Harry arrived on the grounds, Snape was upside down coughing out bubbles. Without thinking, Harry ran forward
and punched his brother. "Leave him alone!" Harry yelled, catching Severus on a cushioning charm. "Pick on someone your own size!"
"I can't believe you're siding with Snivellus over family," James said, picking himself up.
"Why not?" asked Harry. "You're a bully. And you can tell Dad if you want, I don't care." He saw Snape walking towards the dark forest and turned to follow. "Just leave us alone! Gryffindor is no better than any other house."

********************

Severus was sitting on a rock that overlooked a small waterfall. He and Harry often escaped there on weekends to talk where they wouldn't be overheard. "Have you heard anything about the new purity movement?" Severus asked when he felt Harry cross the wards. "A lot of our year mates are joining and Lucius wants me to as well."
"I get a bad feeling around him, Sev," Harry replied, sitting next to his friend. "It's as if he wants to eat you alive."
"He does," Snape replied. "He married Narcissa to keep his family line going. Lucius offered me a great deal of money to sleep with him."
"Are you going to take him up on it?" Snape sighed. "My parents hate each other," he said. "You've seen how everyone else looks at me. I'd rather live with the Malfoys than return to my parents."
"What about love?" Harry asked.
"I wouldn't know love if it bit me on the arse." Snape laughed harshly. "I don't even know how same-sex partnerships are treated in our world. But as I don't have people queing up to ask me out and anyone I ask laughs in my face, Malfoy is probably going to be my only offer."
Harry put his hand on Snape's shoulder. "What about me?"

"Do not pity me!" Severus yelled, pushing Harry away.
"It's not pity," Harry said softly. "I would never say anything like this out of pity. I've been watching you since we sorted. I guess I didn't know why until you told me about Malfoy."
"How would your family react?" Snape asked, sitting back down. "What about your brother and his friends? You've seen how they treat me. Why shouldn't I go to Lucius?"

"Because you're brilliant at potions," Harry said. "And you deserve to be happy for a change. Don't throw your life away because of the idiots. You'll never be happy that way. Just think about what I've said and offered and I swear to respect your choice no matter what."

********************

Harry was lying on his bed that night, reading a defense book, when Severus joined him and quickly set up a strong silencing spell. "I've been thinking about what you said this afternoon and you're right." Snape sighed. "I like how I feel around you. I like myself a lot more than when I'm around Lucius. I wrote him a letter this evening and told him to stuff himself."
"You didn't!" Harry laughed. "Wow, I don't think he'll be too happy with that letter."
"I don't care," Snape said. "I'm not going to see him again so he can react however he wants. I was also wondering if you meant what you said, you know, wanting me and all."
"Sev, look at me." Harry put down his book and propped himself up on one elbow. "You're my best and truest friend. I've watched you since our first day and the thought of you with anyone else makes me ready to kill to protect you. I feel more at home with
you than anyone else. So if that's love, then I'd say I'm head over heals for you."
Severus smiled broadly. "Really?"
"Yes, really," Harry grinned. "In fact, even though we're young, I'd say I could spend the rest of my life with you and be happy."
"That's the first time anyone's every said something like that to me," Severus said. "Wow, it makes me feel, I don't know…."
"Exactly."

********************

 The following week, Harry and Severus received an owl from Harry's mother. *Boys* it ran *of course Severus can come and stay for the summer. It sounds as if he's never had a proper vacation in his life. Please write and tell me what he would like to eat and what you'd like to do. Your father sends his love, Harry, and apologizes for the things he said last time you were home.*

"Well, that's settled," Harry grinned. "We can write back this weekend."
"Look out."
Harry looked up and had just enough warning to hide the letter in his pocket before his brother grabbed his arm. "That was Mum's owl," he growled. "What's going on?"
"Nothing that concerns you, James," Harry replied. "Now if you'll excuse us, we have class in five minutes and don't wish to be late."

********************

 The next couple of years passed and Voldemort grew more and more powerful. Severus and Harry graduated from Hogwarts along with the Marauders and instantly joined Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix. James and Severus never got along, their animosity made worse when
Sirius was around. Harry tried to ignore the pain he felt when they fought, but it was hard.
Then word came that Voldemort was hunting for James and his wife, Lily. Worst of all, the target seemed to be baby Harry. Severus and Harry spoke at great length about the situation and eventually approached James with a proposal. They would help the Potters go into
hiding and keep Voldemort away.
"And then he'll run right to the death eaters," James sneered, looking at Severus with hatred. "Sirius and I've been talking with Dumbledore and we've got a plan, thank you. We don't
need help from Slytherins."

"Why can't you let it drop?" Harry yelled. "If not for him, then for me? I'm your brother. Don't you think I care about you?"
James flung a piece of paper at Harry. "I found this in Dad's papers. Seems you're not my brother, so why should I believe anything you tell me?" He left, slamming the door behind him.
"What's he talking about?" Severus asked, looking over his lover's shoulder.
"I have no idea," Harry replied. He unfolded the paper. It was a birth certificate from the Ministry. "I'm adopted, that must be what he was talking about. Why can't he just get over these stupid ideas and accept help from those who want to give it?"

Severus pulled Harry into a hug. "Maybe we should just give up on him," he said, gently. "It's obvious he doesn't want our help or support. Let's tell Albus that we're going to take some time and go away."
"In the middle of the war?"
"There's not much else we can do," Severus said. "Maybe we can recruit overseas or something. I just think you need some time away."
"Maybe you're right," Harry sighed. "Let's see what Albus says."

********************

Harry and Severus were in Italy, working on gathering support from the wizarding community there when they received word that Albus needed to speak with them as soon as possible. They apparated to Hogsmeade and quickly made their way up to the castle. Albus was in his office, looking older than either had ever seen. "Thank you for coming so quickly, boys," he said. "Sit down, please."
"What's happened?" Harry asked.
"Voldemort is gone," Albus said. "He, somehow, located your family Harry and murdered both Lily and James. When he tried to kill baby Harry, the killing curse rebounded on him. He's dead."
"What of baby Harry?" Severus asked as his lover was too choked up to speak.
"He vanished. We do not know what's happened to him."

Harry looked up, his eyes wide with sudden
understanding. "Sev, I was adopted," he said. "I'm baby Harry."
"What?"
"Don't you see, that's why I looked so much like the Potters even though I was adopted," Harry said, almost babbling. "I must have been sent back in time the night Voldemort attacked me. My parents found me and raised me along with James, who really is my dad. Oh,
I'm getting a headache."
Albus looked at them over his half-moon glasses. "Then I would say we do not have to worry about baby Harry," he said. "Temporal abnormalities such as this will repeat themselves
over and over again. I would say that your purpose in this, Harry, was to save Severus from a life alongside the dark lord."
"Now I'm confused," Severus said.
"We shall forever leave it at this," Albus said firmly. "Besides, no one would believe us at any rate. Now, my boys, you go and live your lives as you wish for the darkness are gone. Now
it is a time to celebrate the light."