Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter.

Writers notes: First attempt at a Snamione story, so if you don't like the pairing then don't read. Happy to hear any positive feedback, I love that. So sit back and enjoy. Sorry its been a while, I will get to my another stories at some point. Thanks to Silver Orbed Lioness who beta read this.

The school year of 1991 to 1992 approached at breakneck speed for Albus Dumbledore. The Professors at Hogwarts were preparing for a new term. Every teacher at the school was overjoyed that the Harry Potter would be joining them this year.

Everyone that is, except Severus Snape, who was making his way to the Headmaster's office, grim lines etched on his face. The young Potions Professor was hoping now that the Potter brat was coming, he would finally be the new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher this year. A rare Severus smile inched along his face. This time of the school year was what Severus enjoyed the most. The lack of annoying dunderheads running around making his life miserable cheered his heart immensely.

"Morning Severus," Dumbledore said. A grandfatherly twinkle and matching smile graced the old buzzard's features as he offered Severus some yellow muggle candy. The taciturn teacher sank down in his chair. "Lemon drop?"

"No thank you, Headmaster," Severus sighed. He'd always hated lemony things as they reminded him of Petunia. There was one muggle he was glad to never see again. "Just tell me what you want so I can go, I am extremely busy getting my lesson plans done."

The light left Albus eyes. The man before him never seemed to open up. "I have a very important mission for you, Severus."

"Of course you do," he sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. No, he was not going to get the DADA position he was so hankering after. "I am always the one you get to do some bloody mission, for you. I am just your lapdog. So what life threatening adventure do you wish me to humiliate myself for this time," One would have to be a troll not to recognise and flinch at the sarcasm Severus aimed at the Headmaster. The scowl matching the venomous tone.

"Severus," Albus sighed. "I don't see you as my little errand boy," Severus rolled his eyes and snorted. "Severus, please, this is greatly important," the Potions Master remained stern and straight. "You know Harry Potter will be joining us this year."

"Really," Severus exaggeratedly widened his eyes and theatrically gasped. "Oh, my, where have I been living?" His stunt did not amuse Dumbledore, and after seeing his employer lightly scowl he toned down the sarcasm. "I didn't realise he was coming. It wasn't like McGonagall and Hagrid had not mentioned him every day for the past six months." Dumbledore arched an eyebrow as if to say: 'Are you done?' A light cough and Severus became serious again. "So, what does Potter have to do with anything?"

"Severus, you promised me and on Lily's grave, you would do anything to protect her son."

"I remember that," he snapped. His heart broke again inside of him at the reminder. "Get to your point," Severus scowled folding his arms. He hated it Dumbledore kept drawing out the badly laid plot. "If this is about protecting the boy, I will," he said sincerely. "Though Headmaster, I cannot openly protect him."

"Pray, tell me why?" Dumbledore said raising an eyebrow.

"Well, Headmaster. A smattering of my students have Death Eater parents. You forget that Lucius Malfoy's own son is also coming." Dumbledore stroked his beard. "If that was not dangerous enough, we both know that the Dark Lord will return someday. He must trust me. Openly protecting Potter will put into question my loyalty to his cause."

"I see, Severus, but that not why I bought you in here today. Not only do I want you to protect him, but I also want you to befriend him." Dumbledore smiled as if he had told Severus he won the Wizard Lottery Jackpot of a Million Galleons.

"I am a Professor, I don't befriend students, especially Gryffindors as he is most likely to be. The combination I loathe the most. Also did you forget what I just told you a second ago?"

"Who said anything about a Professor befriending a student?" Dumbledore's light tone matched the jovial smile. Suavely, the Headmaster pulled out a small teal hued potion from a secret draw in his desk.

Severus stared at it with shock and disbelief recognising it for what it was, a rather interesting and dangerous tincture. "No, no, no," if his skin was any sallower Dumbledore would have checked him for jaundice. "Have you lost your bloody mind old man? You well know my childhood was hell! My life as a student here was absolutely crap. Why, in God's name, would I do it again?" Severus gritted his teeth together. Knuckles turning moon light due to the tight grip on the arm's of his chair.

"You, will," Albus tone brooked no argument. "You shall pose as a student and befriend Harry protecting him throughout his school years," Dumbledore said. "I have secured Professor Slughorn as your replacement. He was interested in teaching Harry Potter."

"I bet he was," Snape snarled.

"Now about your backstory..."

"You're saying this like it's a definite possibility," Snape brushed some dust off his trousers. "My mind is made up. I'm not doing it."Severus stood up was about to storm off.

"I see," Dumbledore leaned back in his seat steepling his fingers against his hairy chin. "Do I take it then that you no longer care about Lily, you no longer love her, you don't honour her or your promise on a dead witch's grave, anymore," Dumbledore said coldly.

"Don't you mention her." Severus snarled. Eyes shimmering hatefully at the manipulative man in the seat that he was abusing for his own war games. "Do not ever mention her in disparaging tone again, Albus!"

"Prove to me, and to her sacrifice, that you still love her, Severus," Dumbledore said reaching the vial out to Severus. "If you really love her, you will protect her son, no matter what," Dumbledore said.

"Pray tell me, oh wise Headmaster, how are we going to hide the fact I am a student from all the dunderheads in this school?" Severus said sarcastically, as he snatched the beaker of potion from the old man's hand.

"Simple, you have been offered a job aboard, " so it begins, Severus thought. "This year it just so happens that your son with the same name will be starting Hogwarts also this year." Dumbledore said.

"Well, it isn't like this childhood could possibly be as bad as my first." Severus looked at the potion, contemplating his options. He was sure this was the worst idea in the history of bad ideas but he shrugged his shoulders. He was used to Dumbledore's meddlesome ways now. After staring at the receptacle in his hands, Severus tipped the contents in his mouth. The effect was immediate: bent double, he clutched at his abdomen, gasping in pain as the potion took effect. Clutching his chest tightly with his other hand, he fell on his knees, smashing a glass cube on Dumbledore's desk. Sweating profusely, he struggled to stand up as his body began to shrink. The magic woven into his robes meant that they adjusted to his new size. In less than fifteen minutes Severus was no longer Professor Snape: he was 11 years old, plain old Severus Snape but with memories of his older self still intact.

"I forgot how cute you use to be," Dumbledore smiled.

"I have been called many things Dumbledore, but I have never been considered cute. As I recall you ignored me when I was 11!" Severus glared, even though he was back to his small, stringly self, his death glare was still powerful.

"Sure, you are my boy." Dumbledore sighed. The old man seemed to forget that he never considered Severus once the hat yelled Slytherin. "I am sorry for ignoring you before. This may be a chance to do many things differently." Opening another drawer, Albus produced something that looked suspiciously like a letter.

"What's this?"

"Harry's letter," Dumbledore replied. "Petunia is ignoring them and we know what that can do so," his eyes twinkled once again. "I want you and Hagrid to find the boy. Hagrid will explain and hand over the letter, you will begin being nice to Harry, do not think of the father but think of the mother and I am sure you are to do well."