Chapter Text
Harry messed up. Really bad. He could hear Snape's irritated voice in his head telling him what a disappointment he was... What were you thinking? Of course, you weren't, how Gryffindor of you, mess up the whole universe, idiot boy! Just thinking about it gave him goosebumps. It's not like Harry knew messing around with Snape's old spells would actually bring him into another fucking universe!
.-.-.-.-.
Voldemort was gone.
Finally, the war was over. It was everything Harry had dreamed about. Everything going back to normal. Well, as normal as things could go.
When he really thought about it Harry didn't even know what it meant. A future with no purpose? Harry didn't know if this was as good as he had dreamed. Hogwarts was under construction and almost ready for the new school year. Ron and Hermione had their future all figured out. Finish school, go to work, and have a beautiful, happy family. Harry couldn't help but feel left out. He wasn't ready to move on.
Harry wished he could do it. He really did. Become an Auror, marry Ginny, and have children. Be a fucking perfect hero, the man who lived twice.
But Harry was sick of it. And he felt guilty about it... Like he owed it to everyone.
Not only was he 110% sure he was a flaming homosexual, but he also didn't want to fight. Ever again. So being an Auror didn't work out for him.
So he was stuck. Stuck in a miserable loop of expectations of a perfect desirable man. A real-life hero.
That was his destiny. Depressing...
Hogwarts was looking beautiful as ever. The halls were filled with excited students, laughing and talking about the new year. Harry missed that feeling. The excitement for the future.
"Mr. Potter?" Professor McGonagall woke him from his internal crisis.
"Professor? Hey", Harry said hoping she'd leave him alone already. He had told her, many times for Merlin's sake, he wasn't interested in applying to Auror training.
They thought Harry was depressed and therefore lacked the motivation to start his "dream career". Bullshit. If he was "depressed", it was just because of that. People assumed they knew him.
Soon Harry realized he had zoned out completely. Shit.
"... So I thought it appropriate for you to go and see Severus' belongings since your mother was very dear to him. Perhaps he left something you'd like. We, unfortunately, have to throw everything away so-"
Wait Snape's stuff?!
"Yeah, I'd love to. Thank you, professor" Harry interrupted excitedly and started running towards Snape's chamber.
As much as Harry hated to admit it, he missed the bastard. Well, possibly more than missed. Some would say he was obsessed but Harry didn't quite agree with that. It was only natural to be curious about the man. He had been a double agent after all.
The place still smelled like him. Incomplete potions were left on the table as if he still lived there. The room looked like the inside of a tiny cottage. It was warm and full of plants. Many were probably useful for potions. Snape's room was surprisingly homey. He wouldn't have guessed that. He had assumed the place would be lonely and dreary, Harry didn't know the infamous professor so well after all. It was a common occurrence nowadays, Harry thought.
He bet Snape would get him. Always hiding himself to save the world. It must've sucked.
He must've been lonely...
Going through Snape's things was fascinating.
Harry spotted a brown wooden box on Snape's desk. Harry opened it carefully opened it and discovered a ton of letters. Letters with the signature of Lily.
Dear Sev, how have you been? I'm sorry I can't be there with you now. You don't deserve any of this, you know that, right? Your excuse of a father is wrong. You ARE amazing! Sev I've seen the spells you've made. Not everyone can do that! I'll come back next week, I'll tell you everything then!
- Lils
Snape and Harry's mom really were best friends.
As Harry went through the letters, the bittersweet feeling grew in his stomach. He needed his mom here. Would she accept him as he is? Harry didn't know much about her but he was sure she was kindhearted and would never discriminate against anyone, let alone her son.
Harry tried to keep his composure in case anyone would come in. He didn't want to worry anyone. He was being stupid anyways. How could he miss someone he never even knew?
This was too much, too soon, Harry decided. He would come back later.
Harry gathered all the letters and was ready to leave until he found something interesting. He had accidentally knocked a small book off the desk. And now looking at it Harry could sense a strong magical aura around it.
Harry picked up the notebook and started reading the first page.
Experimental Spells and Potions by Severus Snape
Well, that got Harry's attention. He had heard some things about Snape making his own potions and spells; and of course, he remembered Snape's potions book.
Of course, the genius git had made more.
And there was SO MANY. Harry opened the last page and started reading.
revertere - little chance of succeeding without tearing the time apart... It would be foolish to try.
tempus itinerantur - useless, could mess up this timeline. I must try some other way. Time is not the answer.
I need my own space without altering this world.
res convertens - Could work, although it would be foolish to relay only to this spell it needs more... A potion perhaps?
I figured it out! I have no time left though, it's now or never.
rem subcinctus - more powerful and safer version. Used with a piece of the mirror of erised on a potion mixed to a Felix felicis
Harry was confused. What the hell was Snape trying to do? Tear the time apart?! This was nuts! Did it mean he's still alive? Just not here? He needed to know!
Harry went through Snape's potions until he found one labeled rem subcunctus. It was almost empty. He had tried it then...
Harry was curious... would he end up in the past if he tried it? Or future? Or something entirely different? Snape had used the magic of the mirror of erised so that could only mean he wanted to reach his desired reality.
Maybe...
Just maybe it would work for Harry too... Maybe he could finally have a family? A sister? Parents?
The thought was overwhelming.
Harry had nothing to lose so why not? He was sick of this world. It wasn't gonna get better either.
So Harry did it. He drank the potion.
"rem subcinctus," he said. He held his breath waiting for something, anything to happen.
And nothing.
Maybe it was for the best. He had no idea if Snape had survived it. He could have tried and failed. And died...
Disappointed Harry took the letters and the notebook and left Snape's room. Hermione was going to kill him for trying the spell! He wondered if he should just forget about it but out of nowhere he started feeling sick.
Oh no...
Before he could walk up the stairs everything went black.
.......
Severus was enjoying his morning coffee in his chambers. The day was as calm and boring as any other day. Just the way he liked it. No more dark lord, no secrets. Just a peaceful morning with his favorite potion magazine. Severus let a soft smile take over his face. Perfect...
Out of nowhere, he heard a loud crash from his bedroom. For Merlin's sake, what had the students come up with this time? Dunderheads, always spoiling his finest moments.
He opened the door and sighed at the sight of Harry Potter on his floor. What was the boy up to now...? Didn't they come to an understatement about his silly pranks? He waited for the excuses and ramblings but no response or any movement whatsoever came from the boy. He kicked the boy gently, worried about his well-being. How did the brat get here anyways?
"For god's sake, get up, Potter! " Harry heard laying half-conscious on the floor.
He felt someone kick his back. Rude! "Ow- What the hell?" Harry said, still eyes closed.
"I have no time for your dramatics! Go back to your class, you insufferable brat", He heard the low voice again. The person really sounded like Snape. Weird.
No, he didn't just sound like Snape. He WAS Snape.
"Snape?! What is happening? How are you alive?" Harry panicked.
"Who are you? You aren't Harry Potter. He is only 14!" Snape said now holding his wand dangerously against Harry's head.
What? 14!
Harry tried to move into a more comfortable position but Snape had other ideas.
"Explain. Now. If you wish to keep your precious head!"
Harry had messed up. This was bad.