Chapter 14

"AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAAHA...."

'Death's cackle would have made Bellatrix proud,' Snape thought as he watched the entity double over guffawing and nearly choking.

"You guys just made my day," Death then said as he tried to catch his breath, which was a wonder in of itself since he was... all bones. "It's a wonder you didn't get your bollox hexed off Master,"

"Too many witnesses," Snape growled which caused Harry to gulp while Death tried to hold in a laugh.

"Moving along," the skeletal entity said as he caught his breath "I came to tell you that I can't appear before you for some time."

"Wait, why? Harry frowned.

"Because I got grounded Master," Death groaned. "Seems mom had big plans for this reality but you ending up here kind of put a wrench in that,"

"So we're basically on our own against Dumbledore, the Order, and Voldy and his Merry men." Harry sighed while running a hand through his already unruly hair.

"You can't rely on cosmic interference for every situation," Snape muttered. "It's what got you stuck in this reality in the first place. What were you even thinking about when you ended up here?"

"Considering the mess His Dramatic Darkness made in my reality I was hoping to get to a time period where I could just off him before his rise to power. Granted I did end up in the approximate time, I just didn't expect the Headmaster to pull one over on me like that." Harry frowned. "The Headmaster I met was not like the one I knew, a bit manipulative yes, but not this... drastic."

"Potter. For all intent and purpose the Headmaster you knew was older. You have no idea what events turned him into the person you knew." Snape crossed his arms and stared the other man down. "Your arrival here might have very well set Albus Dumbledore on a darker path than what was intended. If he had been interested in the Master of Death or the Hallows in his younger years and you never showed up here then he may have probably given up on that road to power."

"Are you saying all this is my fault?!" Harry questioned while gesturing to their current surroundings.

"Yes, Potter. That is what I am implying. There is a reason time travel over long periods has been outlawed. You ended up being your very own butterfly effect,"

"I hate that you are actually making sense," Harry sighed as took out his wand and transfigured a wooden chair from a rock.

"Well with that out of the way I best be going. It wouldn't do for me to get on mom's bad side. Master, I can appear if your situation is incredibly dire but other than that you will have to make your own way in this reality now, though at least you have some company. Be glad mom likes the both of you," With that Death disappeared in a puff of sulfur and smoke.

"We'll need to think of our next steps carefully," Harry murmured more to himself but Snape still caught it.

"Indeed, you have no Pureblood name, no titles nor Wizengamoth seats, the contents of the Trust vault were all the Goblins could transfer and that isn't nearly enough to win over any Politicians if you wish to oust Dumbledore. You have no army of your own to fight against the Dark Lord's army, which might I add includes the largest werewolf pack in Britain."

"You sure like to hit where it hurts Snape," Harry shot him a glare. "You saved me and are now in this mess with me. Why not try to think of ideas that might turn the tide?!"

"I am simply being realistic. You should know what you are up against without any sugar coating." Severus snapped back. "The Dark Lord is already sending emissaries to the Vampire clans and the Troll tribes. Even with Lupin's involvement, the Order could not dissuade the werewolves to their side,"

"Why?"

"Because there is nothing to gain from that alliance Potter," Severus explained. "The Ministry wishes to keep magical creatures as secondary citizens. Look at Lupin, he barely makes ends meat. Werewolves can't get many jobs and the jobs that they an get pay them well under the minimum wage. Vampire covens are relegated to specific areas under close watch. The centaur tribes have become recluses due to discrimination and the forcefully seizing of their land. The Dark Lord offers them change."

"Is that what he offered you as well?" Harry asked curiously. Snape was silent for a good while just staring at the other, probably debating what he should tell Harry. Finally, Snape just shook his head. "I was promised revenge in exchange for my services,"

"Revenge against who?" Harry questioned.

"That is not important," the other man stated. "Right now you need to think,"

"What if you actually entertain what I suggested at the bank?" Harry questioned.

"Because it is ludicrous Potter," Snape growled. "Reconciling with my grandfather is anything but a walk in the park. Getting the Prince Lordship and a foothold in the Wizengamot is an admirable idea if not for the fact that my grandfather despises me,"

"He wouldn't have left you as Heir if he did," Harry argued back.

"Clearly the man was going senile back then already," Severus grumbled. "The Prince line is older than Hogwarts Harry, they put great emphasis on blood purity even if they aren't so public about it. My mother dated my father in secret because she knew. She knew Potter and she was right. She was the apple of her father's eye until she chose a muggle for a husband."

"That can't be the only thing bugging you Severus. You spoke as if you have a personal grudge against your mother's family." Harry concluded.

"Do you know what the Princes are known for?" Snape asked with a frown and his eyes growing cold. Harry shook his head as even in his time the family had been an enigmatic one.

"The family is known to produce Duel Masters and the occasion Battle Mage every few centuries," Snape explained. "It is so ingrained in their thinking that they snub any other vocation as beneath them. During my seventh year, my grandfather got hold of my DADA Newt score and offered me a deal. He'd welcome me into the family, despite my lowly status as a halfblood, if I take the apprenticeship he offered in Defense."

"Oh,"

"Yes, Oh... eloquent as always Mr. Potter," Snape jabbed. "I told my grandfather that I had already accepted a Potions apprenticeship with a Master from Italy. The sneer he gave me coupled with the look of disgust when I mentioned becoming a Potions Master spoke volumes. After looking like I was just as delusional as my mother he left and never contacted me again. Just to rub it in his face one day I got my Defence Mastery after my Potions,"

"I didn't know you had two Masteries," Harry blurted out as his eyes widened.

"To be completely accurate, I have Masteries in Potions and Defense, and a degree in spell crafting as well,"

"Bloody hell," Harry uttered while astounded. "Hermoine only ever made it past one Mastery before she called it quits and ran for Minister of Magic.

"It's not something I mention," Snape was dismissive.

"Why not, it's bloody well hot!" Harry exclaimed and upon Snape's raised brow he backtracked so fast a NASCAR driver would be proud. "What I mean is... uh... I... uhm... greatly admire intelligent people,"

"Riiiight...." Snape drawled out.

"No but seriously Snape... Severus... think about it. This could solve all our problems,"

"Let's say I become Lord Prince, what will you be?" The dour man queried. "With the name Evans you would be considered a muggleborn. It would be very hard to gain the favor of any pureblood family even with my family name backing you.

"I can bring a lot of things to the table," Harry insisted. "I could be your advisor as I was Lord Potter-Black for a good many years before handing the title to my son. I could even be your husband or consort," Snape's brows shot up for a second time as he was sure Harry sounded somewhat giddy at that suggestion. The man said nothing and just let Potter continue. "I could also remove the Dark Mark.... Theoretically.... If certain families wanted to change allegiance,"

"YOU CAN WHAT?!" Snape shouted, losing his composure for the first time.

"Theoretically.... I never actually got to try it out," Harry stated. "I was going to offer the option to you but the process is... painful to say the least,"

Snape wasted no time while rolling up his sleeve and presenting it to Harry. "I swear if you are lying I will gut you like a salmon. However, if you manage to get this dreadful thing off I will snog you into the next year,"