Harry's and Severus' Change of the Future – Chapter 9

Tom didn't forget his promise to speak with James Potter, and for the rest of the school year, Harry played Seeker for Gryffindor, ensuring that Gryffindor managed to win the Quidditch Cup that year.

Apart from practising Quidditch with the Gryffindor team, Harry spent all his free time together with Lily and Severus, studying for their OWLs. 'I really like being together with them. It's a pity that we have to go back to the future after the end of the school year,' Harry mused as he tried to concentrate on his History of Magic notes.

As the exam week came closer, Harry noticed that his two best friends' moods went slowly downwards as well. "What's wrong?" he asked one day, when they were feverishly trying to study for the Transfiguration test that was going to take place in the morning.

"I don't want to go home next week," Lily sighed, glancing at Severus, who nodded dully.

"Oh, all right," Harry said in understanding, only knowing the feeling of not being able to remain at Hogwarts over the summer too well. 'So much about trying to study for Transfiguration,' he mused as he pondered his friends' situation until he finally had an idea. Later in the evening, when his friends had returned to their dormitories in time for curfew, he approached Severin.

"Severin, I know it's already curfew, but I have something urgent to discuss with Tom. May I visit him for a few minutes?"

"Why don't you Floo-call him and ask him over, Harry?"

"Oh right, that's much better," Harry agreed and called Tom, who stepped out of the fireplace an instant later.

Harry sighed. "Tom, I'm sorry if it's very rude what I'm going to ask, but I really like to ask you a favour."

Tom laughed. "It's all right, Harry. You may ask anything of me."

"You know there is this stupid regulation that students can't remain at Hogwarts over the summer, only if they have a guardian, who is a teacher here," Harry hesitantly began to explain. "Lily and Severus both want to stay here, because Severus' father abuses him, and Lily can't stand her sister anymore, but... well..." He slowly trailed off.

"And you want me to become their temporary guardian over the summer, so they can stay at Hogwarts?" Tom queried, throwing Harry a piercing look.

"Yes sir," Harry replied in a small voice, anxiously averting his eyes to the floor.

"I'd love to do so, Harry. The only problem is that we have to get their parents' approval. I can't gain the guardianship over them without their permanent guardians' consent."

"Oh," Harry said, clearly shocked.

"Nothing easier than that," Severin sneered. "Lily can easily ask her parents, and I'm sure they'll understand and agree, provided she'll at least come home for a few days. Concerning Severus, Poppy could write my father a letter, claiming she wanted my younger self to stay at Hogwarts and act as the Potions Master's assistant in order for him to become the new Potions Master after his NEWTs. He'll certainly agree to that."

"Very well, I'll speak with both of them after dinner tomorrow," Tom decided, playfully ruffling Harry's hair. "I'm glad I can do something for your friends, Harry."

Fortunately, Lily and Severus were both allowed to remain at Hogwarts, and the three friends could fully concentrate on their OWLs. In the morning of their last test day, however, Harry woke up feeling awful. 'Oh no, don't let me get sick right now,' he groaned inwardly, noticing that his ears seemed to be filled with cotton wool and his head was strangely foggy. He carefully opened his eyes, only to quickly shut them again, realising that the room turned around in a fast movement.

"Harry, it's time to get up," Severin's voice penetrated his achy ears like from far away, causing Harry to once more trying to open his eyes.

"Dad," he whispered, "I don't feel so well."

"Ah, don't worry, Harry, you'll do fine..." Severin stopped his sentence midway as he took a look at Harry, recalling what Harry had called him at the same time. It took him two large strides to step to Harry's side, placing a cold hand on the boy's forehead. "I'll be back in a minute," he said softly and hurried to the fireplace to inform the boy's Head of House that Harry was ill.

"All right, Severin, I will inform Professor Slughorn. He'll just have to take his Potions OWLs in the future," Minerva said gently. "I'll also excuse you from the meals today."

Severin thanked his colleague and returned to Harry's room, coaxing the magical thermometer into Harry's mouth, before he carefully bathed the boy's flushed cheeks, observing in concern as the figures on the magical display increased steadily.

"Pneumonia," Poppy diagnosed a few minutes later, alerted by the Charm she had put on the thermometer, "probably from playing Quidditch in the rain last week. "Did you not notice that you caught a cold?"

"No," Harry replied miserably, feeling worse than he had ever felt in his life.

"I'm sorry, Severin, but you won't go back to the future tomorrow after the Leaving Feast. You'll have to stay here for at least another two weeks," Poppy said sternly, worriedly connecting Harry to an I.V., before she spelled several potions straight into his system.

Although Harry was stuck in bed for the next few weeks, Lily, Severus and Harry spent all the time together, studying, talking and playing several games. 'During the seven months we have been here, Lily and Severus have become very close,' Harry thought happily, knowing from his experience with Severin that Severus would make a very good father.

HP HEALER POMFREY HP

In the end of June, Severin and Harry were finally able to travel back to the future. In order to prevent everyone from making a huge fuss, Severin merely informed Minerva, Albus and Tom of his plans, late in the evening, before he woke Harry up and motioned him to accompany him to the Potions classroom and take the time travel potion together with him.

They arrived exactly where they had left, in the middle of the Potions classroom, finding themselves surrounded by a lot of people that suddenly seemed much older than before.

As soon as the world stopped to turn and toss around, Harry felt himself being pulled in a bear hug by Lily, who then proceeded to pull Severus in a loving kiss, while Harry's younger siblings, the five-year-old twins Alex and Sean, stretched their arms up to him, demanding to be picked up.

Minerva and Albus looked as if they too wanted to bother the two time-travellers, when Poppy's voice penetrated the room. "Now let go of Severus and Harry. I will take them with me first to make sure they're all right. Out of the way please."

While everyone anxiously made space for the Healer, Tom said in a loud voice, "Welcome back, Severus and Harry, and thank you so very much for Changing the Future for the best! We really appreciate it."

Tom shouldn't be the only one to thank Severus and Harry. Five hours later, when the whole school assembled in the Great Hall for dinner, the Minister of Magic, Amelia Bones, spoke to them.

"I am here to thank Professor Severus Snape and Harry Snape for their efforts to change the future and assure a long period of peace for the wizarding world. Fortunately, Professor Albus Dumbledore was so kind as to share his old memories with me, so I know that alone here in this room several people wouldn't be here now if it weren't for the two of them, for example your Charms Professor Lily Evans-Snape and her younger children, your History of Magic teacher Professor Alice Longbottom, your Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Frank Longbottom and their younger children, your Arithmancy teacher Tom Riddle-Dumbledore, and many more. Therefore, I wish to award the Order of Merlin first class to both, Professor Severus Snape and to Harry Snape for their efforts. Thank you, Messrs. Snape."

"Congratulations, Severus and Harry," Dumbledore added under tremendous applause. "I'd love to add another announcement. I will use this opportunity to retire as Headmaster. With my 150 years I believe that I have every right to retire, especially as I won't leave Hogwarts completely, but I'll be responsible for the education of our youngsters that aren't yet old enough to attend Hogwarts. My son, Tom Riddle-Dumbledore will be my successor, while another person, who was saved from a horrid fate, James Potter, will take over the Arithmancy position from the new school year onwards. Now I believe we have a valid reason to have a party. Enjoy your dinner; afterwards, the Weasley twins will take us for a surprise party out onto the grounds, and I'm sure we're going to have splendid fireworks tonight."

With that, dinner appeared on the tables and everyone began to eat.

"Show me."

"No me. I was first."

Alex and Sean feverishly tried to climb onto Harry's lap, reaching for the golden medal around his neck, while Harry whispered to his father, "Can you stand up and tell them that they don't have to thank me, because I'm so grateful myself to have caring parents, to be completely healthy, and to have the most annoying siblings." With that, he began a tickle attack on the two small boys, who were still trying to climb all over him.

The End

I'm not a native speaker of English. Please excuse my mistakes or help me to correct them.

All recognizable characters belong to J. K. Rowling, and I am not earning anything by writing this story.