Disclaimer: Blah blah, not mine.

Warnings: This story contains slash, time traveling and truancy. If any of those offend you, don't read on.

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A Desperate Loneliness

Chapter One

Severus Snape looked into Harry Potter's cauldron and sneered disdainfully. He didn't bother to comment on the pitiful excuse for a potion. There wasn't enough time in the day to criticize the botched assignment. He continued his rounds around the classroom. His sneer lessened the farther he got from Harry. Hermione Granger offered him a sad smile, gently touching his arm. Harry didn't react. He continued to stir his cauldron, blank eyed. He was having trouble concentrating on the present.

He ducked his head, unable to avoid Arthur's gaze, "I must inform you that I intend to take my leave of you and Camelot and I cannot imagine I shall ever return."

Arthur's greeting smile slowly fell from his face, "It is time, then?"

"I am no longer welcome here."

Arthur took hold of his elbows, "Who has said this to you?"

He sighed, "You have been gone for a time, Arthur," he murmured, "And I became complacent and less discrete. The fault is probably my own."

Arthur nodded slowly, "I understand. Tell me who it was and I shall deal with the matter. I will not lose you to the loose tongue of a fool."

"It was your wife."

Severus Snape slammed his fist down on Harry Potter's worktable. Harry's eyes rose to meet his. Severus snarled and opened his mouth to berate his student for his inattention. Harry stood.

"I'm done," he said calmly, "I'm done."

"Mr. Potter," Professor Snape hissed in a low, angry tone, "Do not presume to-"

"I'm leaving. I- I'm going into the Lake."

He turned and walked from the room, carelessly discarding his robes and tie as he went. Hermione and Professor Snape stared at each other for a moment before Hermione turned and fled after Harry. Professor Snape snarled at the rest of his seventh year potions class.

"Stay here!"

He stormed out after the pair of Gryffindors. He caught up with Hermione as she was jogging out of the castle and across the grounds. Harry was kneeling at the shore, his shoes and socks a few feet behind him. Professor Snape and Hermione both paused a few feet behind Harry. The young man seemed completely unaware of their presence.

"I can no longer bear the loneliness."

A screeching wind blew across the Lake and the water rapidly receded. There was a short moment of pure silence. The water began to rush back towards Harry, rising as it moved. Hermione let out a gasp of surprise and grabbed Harry's shoulder.

"We have to move back!"

Harry looked over his shoulder, surprised to see her and Professor Snape. He jumped up and ran towards the rushing water.

"No!"

Professor Snape was forced to grab Hermione to stop her from following her friend. The wave hit Harry in the stomach, knocked him down and continued over him. He did not come to the surface.

"Harry!?"

The water stopped a few feet from Hermione and Professor Snape, now completely calm. Hermione let out a soft sob and Professor Snape tightened his grip on her. There was no way he was going to let her follow her friend into the water.

"Come up, come up. Come on. Harry, come up. Fight it."

A figure rose from under the water. Harry struggled to keep his head above the water, gasping for breath, but his arms were occupied with something. He slipped back under the surface. Hermione threw her robe off and kicked off her shoes, but Professor Snape was ahead of her. He stripped off everything except his trousers, shaking his head at Hermione.

"Give me your word to will stay here or I will petrify you," he snapped.

She nodded, unwilling to waste time arguing. Snape waded waist deep into the water and aimed his wand at his head for a minute before disappearing under the water. He returned to the surface a moment later, pulling a wildly struggling Harry.

"No! Arthur! Arthur! Let me go, Snape!"

Harry's elbow hit him in the eye.

"Potter! Stop this at once!" he bellowed.

Professor Snape and Harry disappeared under the surface again. Hermione began to sob, wringing her hands. Harry and Professor Snape broke the surface again, this time working together to support another figure between them. They struggled to the shore. Hermione helped them pull the figure out of the water. The man was completely nude and pale skinned, with an odd assortment of scars across his body. He gasped for breath, coughing. He fell to his side, his eyes wide as he wheezed for breath. While lying on his side, he began to vomit. Harry and Professor Snape held him up so he would not choke. Harry pushed the man's dark hair out of his face, gently cupping it.

"Can you breathe?"

He met Harry's eyes, nodding slowly, "My beloved friend," he whispered.

The man embraced Harry fiercely. Harry clung to him with equal vigor. Hermione bit her lip in worry. She had a feeling she knew who this man was. Professor Snape was staring blankly at the embracing pair, as if it was something beyond his ability to comprehend. Hermione turned to glance at the castle. The Professors had gathered and were watching from several hundred feet away. Professor Dumbledore smiled at her for a moment. His eyes moved past Hermione and towards the front gate and his smile fell. Hermione followed his gave. The Minister was leading a group of Auror's towards the lake.

"Harry!"

All three men turned to look at her. A blush began to creep up the man's neck and he turned to Harry.

"You did not alert me to the presence of a Lady. I am not clothed."

Harry began to smile, but his eyes widened in concern. He grabbed the man by the elbows as he stood and helped him up. The man managed to remain upright, but his balance was shaky at best.

"Arthur, you must flee."

"I will not leave you," he said firmly, "or allow you to take your leave of me. Not again."

"Arthur," he began.

Arthur shook his head fiercely, "I will not be convinced."

Harry grabbed his shoulders, "I will not let them take you!"

"Harry," Hermione spoke, "Whatever you are going to do… you'd better do it now."

Harry tapped a spot on his chest and an emerald tear drop hanging from a silver necklace appeared. He pulled the necklace off and pressed it into Arthur's palm. He took a step backwards. Arthur reached for him.

"Pe-"

The portkey activated before he could finish speaking. Harry turned slowly to meet the Headmaster and the Minister. For a very long time, no one spoke. Eventually Fudge was able to gather his voice, but the effort was obvious.

"Mr. Potter…"

The Headmaster sighed softly, "Harry, who was that?"

"Arthur."

"Arthur who?"

Harry spoke calmly, "Pendragon."