Title: One Stupid Person

Author: quixotic-hope (harrysev)

Beta: Amanda Saitou

Pairing: Harry/Severus

Rating: R

Genres: Romance, Angst, Fluff, First time

Warnings: slight-AU (ignoring HBP)

Spoilers: 1-5

Summary: Having lost his value as a spy for the light, Severus must now take a de-aging potion and befriend the dratted Boy-Who-Lived. But what happens when he starts falling in love?

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Co. belong to the wonderfully talented JK Rowling. I mean no harm by using her characters in this story. I am making no money whatsoever; I merely hope to entertain people.

"You build up all these defenses. You build up this whole armor, for years, so nothing can hurt you. Then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life…"

Rose Walker

Chapter 1: The Plan

"Have you completely lost your mind?"

Severus Snape sat in his usual seat before the Headmaster, his mouth drawn in a tight line to prevent it from dropping open in shock. The Headmaster just sat back in his seat and looked up at the furious man before him.

"Severus, don't look at me like that," admonished the Headmaster. "Now that Voldemort knows that you're a spy, you won't be of much use to us the way you are."

"And how exactly will I be of use to you at the age of seventeen?" Severus demanded, not liking the direction this conversation was taking.

"Severus, you know as well as I that something is wrong with Harry," said Dumbledore calmly.

Severus snorted. He should have known that this would have something to do with the dratted Boy-Who-Lived. Dumbledore frowned at him and continued.

"He's been looking depressed for several months now. His friends tell me they haven't been able to discern what the problem is, but I know that something is wrong. I want to enroll you in Hogwarts as a student. You will befriend Harry and keep me updated on his activities. Is that understood?"

"Why can't the wolf do it?" argued Severus. "He's at least friends with the brat. How am I supposed to befriend him?"

"Remus is already undercover for the Order. And you were a spy for twenty years, Severus," said Dumbledore gently. "I have perfect confidence that you'll be able to win the boy over."

"Of course I can 'win the boy over,'" snarled Snape. "All I'd have to do is fawn over him like every other member of his fan club. My question was how was I supposed to gain his trust?"

Dumbledore frowned again. "Perhaps you might try treating him like a human being?" he suggested. "Nearly everyone in his life treats him like an icon. I'm sure he would appreciate someone who simply wanted to get to know him for him."

Severus quickly turned his snort into a cough.

"Very well," sighed Severus. "I see I have no say in the matter. How is this going to work?"

"Excellent!" said Dumbledore, clapping his hands together. "I would like you to start brewing the potion immediately. You will take the Hogwarts Express like all the other students. Try to befriend Harry right away. We will explain that you are a foreign exchange student, and you will be sorted into Gryffindor."

"I can hardly wait," spat Severus sarcastically.