Chapter 1
Ariana Lily Potter was a simple person. She was an orphan teenage girl with two best friends and a professor who served as mentor. She liked studying with her friend Hermione and liked flying with her friend Ron. She loved the sport of Quidditch and played on her house team. She was a Gryffindor and was generally shy and reserved. She looked rather normal too. She was small, slim and rather flat-chested, but she shared her body with her mother. Her facial features were often compared to that of her fathers, to the point where she was said to be a female James Potter, something which was emphasized with the mess she had as hair. It was as dense and long as Hermione’s hair had once been but, instead of curling into bushes like Ariana’s best friend, her hair simply spouted in every direction, making her look slightly crazy. If her hair had been green, she would have looked like she had a Christmas tree for hair. The only thing in her face which made her look like her mother was her eyes, which were the same as her mother: bright green.
However, while Ariana Lily Potter was a normal girl, she did not live a normal life, no matter how hard she tried. From the get-go, the event that orphaned her also made her famous in the magical world. She was also raised by a muggle family who hated magic, resulting in neglect at best and abuse at worse. Her childhood made her become rather shy, which became a problem when she reentered the wizarding world in her teens. With her fame, Ariana was unable to be in public without having people thanking her, asking for autographs or taking pictures. It freaked out the shy girl in her, causing her to be even more withdrawn. The only few who had managed to bring her out of her shell were her two best friends and the man she saw as a mentor, Professor Severus Snape.
Severus Snape had not liked her at first. She hadn’t understood why at the time but she had later learned that year that her father had been a prick toward him for a long time. Severus had held a grudge for a decade and had been ready to unleash her onto her if he ever felt she would turn out like him. Thankfully, the professor noticed that Ariana’s shy personality and realized he was not like her, and had held back his grudge.
One day, when Ariana had decided to brave staying behind in potions class to get some advice on her homework – something her friends had discouraged – she had learned from her professor that he had known her mother, and how they used to be best friends, how she had been his sister in all but blood before his own stupidity had pushed her away at the end of their fifth year. Ariana, not knowing anything about her parents, had drunk up all the professor had said before asking for more stories about her parents.
For each weekend of the following few months, Ariana met Professor Snape, who told her everything about what he knew of her mother Lily. Sometimes, he even added in some stories about her father James. For Ariana’s sake, he even made sure to tell the stories from an unbiased point of view. This experience also opened Professor Snape’s eyes, making him realize he had been as bad as his school rival in some case, and that James Potter hadn’t been entirely to blame for everything. It helped Snape put the grudge behind him and move on.
By the end of the year, Severus Snape officially took Ariana Potter under his wing and became her mentor. The title didn’t mean much in the magical world but, for Ariana who had nobody for a long time, she was ecstatic. Severus became the only adult Ariana trusted fully. Her relationship with the potions professor came in handy during the events surrounding the Philosopher’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets in her first two years. It also helped during third year when she learned someone named Sirius Black had escaped the prison of Azkaban and was looking for her. She had felt safe to have Snape in her corner, ready to defend her against Black. Snape had sworn he wouldn’t let Black hurt her, something she was able to see for herself late in her third year.
A few days before the students were set to go back home – excluding Ariana who had been residing in the castle since the summer after her first year – Ariana, Hermione and Ron encountered Sirius Black. Both Severus and Professor Lupin came in on the scene. Lupin had taken Black’s side and both had begun talking about how Black was innocent before Severus had burst in, wand pointed at the two men and his eyes full of rage. Despite knowing he had been in this state for her sake, the sight had scared her. Only Ariana pleading for him not to kill them stayed his hand. Ariana believed there was more to the story they didn’t know and wanted to know it. In the end, it ended up being a good idea, as they unmasked Peter Pettigrew, who had been disguised as a Ron’s pet rat Scabbers.
While they were returning to Hogwarts, the full moon struck and Lupin transformed in a werewolf. In the confusion, Pettigrew transformed and escape. Not willing to let the rat escape, Black had also transformed and ran after him, leaving Severus and the three teenagers to fight an angry werewolf. Ariana, Hermione and Ron had run away, followed by Severus. Severus got injured protecting them but managed to use a spell that sent the werewolf flying toward the Forbidden Forest and away from the castle and them.
The next morning, Ariana learned that her newly discovered godfather had managed to escape the castle before the Dementors could reach them. While she had been happy that Black was no longer in danger, she felt hurt and anger that her godfather preferred chasing after Pettigrew than to do his duty toward her. He had, after all, ran after Pettigrew and left them to deal with an angry werewolf. Lupin had come and apologized that morning for both himself – for Severus’ injury – and Sirius’ actions, but Ariana had felt too hurt to care.
During that summer, Severus decided it was time for Ariana to know the truth, and told her about how he used to be a Death Eater and how he had been the one who had sent Voldemort toward her family. The shy and closed-off girl was heartbroken. She had just witnessed her godfather abandoning her in the hands of a werewolf and now, the man and only adult she trusted fully had just told her he was the reason why her parents were dead. Severus had tried to apologize and explain how much he hated the decision he had taken so long ago but Ariana had refused to her him out. She had locked herself in her room to bawl her eyes out.
She refused to come out of her room for days. She always asked for the help of an elf when she needed to go to the toilet, as they could transport her to one of the many restrooms of the castle and pop her back in her room. Elves would also come and bring her food, allowing her to stay for an indefinite time limit.
Ariana used her self confinement well. She used this time to rethink about her entire relationship with Severus Snape. At the beginning, she told herself that she hated Severus for what he had done, but the words had felt hollow. Deep down, she had known her mentor deeply regretted his actions and would change them if he could. It was also obvious he was trying to atone for his mistakes by being there for her and helping her. In the end, she had left her room and hugged a very relieved Severus. She’d also decided to name him her new godfather as, unlike Black, he was actually there for her. Severus had teared up when she had told him, though he would deny it for the rest of his life.
The summer Ariana made Severus Snape her new godfather was also the summer where everything went downhill.
A few weeks before the start of term, Ariana learned that Sirius Black had been found dead in a graveyard in the village of Little Hangleton. She did not have much time to grieve as Severus told her that very same day that Voldemort was back. Afraid for her goddaughter, Severus had decided to train her in combat magic for the remaining of the summer. They continued the training every weekend. Ron and Hermione also attended.
At the end of Fourth Year, the same day as the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament, Voldemort attacked the Ministry of Magic with a contingent of Death Eaters. The Ministry fell to his hands.
Hogwarts became a refuge under Voldemort’s reign of terror. Many muggleborns and their families moved to Hogwarts permanently. Fifth Year of Ariana’s education was incredibly stressful. With Voldemort now in charge of Magical Britain, many oppressed people hiding in Hogwarts began turning their hope toward her, to her horror. She did not herself believe she could defeat someone like Voldemort. She hadn’t even graduated yet while Voldemort had decades of experience. It freaked her out. Then, shortly after the new year, Dumbledore told Ariana about the full prophecy and Voldemort’s horcruxes.
Feeling like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders, Ariana panicked and became incredibly withdrawn. For the remaining of her fifth year, she would only talk to Severus, Ron and Hermione. Even her other professors and friends could not make her talk – that is when she was with them, because Ariana spent her free time either in her dorm room or in Severus’ personal quarters. Her self isolation allowed her to spend a lot of uninterrupted time studying so when it was time for the O.W.L.s Exams, she passed with high grades. After her stressful Fifth Year, Ariana hoped she would be able to spend a relatively relaxing summer before another crazy year.
Unfortunately, Voldemort did not share the same opinion. He attacked Hogwarts. Severus only managed to bring the news a few minutes before the attack began. Despite Severus not wanting her to, Ariana threw herself in the fight, using the fighting skills she had been learning for two years. All of her previous lessons allowed her to greatly help whenever one was needed. Unfortunately, she was still a teenager and had much less experience than her enemies. It sometimes caused her to react wrongly to a curse or spell, injuring her when it inevitably hit.
During the whole battle, Ariana was worried about her two best friends. She hadn’t seen Ron nor Hermione for the entire day. She knew they were fighting, some of the defenders having confirmed it, but she hadn’t found them. When Voldemort called for a cease-fire, Ariana went to the Great Hall. It was there she felt her heart break.
So many had died. So many of her classmates and friends had died. And, laying amongst the hundred of bodies were Ron and Hermione. Both were dead.
Ariana cried and cried. She couldn’t – no – refused to believe Ron and Hermione were dead. She couldn’t. She screamed in denial. They were her world. She loved them. She couldn’t loose them. But she had. There was nothing she could do about it.
This was where Severus Snape found her some thirty minutes later. Severus grabbed her hand before dragging his mourning goddaughter out of the Great Hall. “Listen, Ariana.” he had said quickly. “We don’t have much time before the Dark Lord attacks again...” he began.
“But... the cease-fire!” she said.
“The Dark Lord does not intend on waiting an entire hour. He know our side is regrouped in the Great Hall. It was the whole point of the cease-fire, regroup us to slaughter us all at once.”
“What about Dumbledore? Can’t he slow down Voldemort or push him back?”
A look of pain crossed Severus’ face. Ariana felt her heart stop, already knowing what her godfather and mentor was going to say. “Dumbledore is dead.”
Ariana felt her legs collapse. She began crying when she hit the ground. First Ron and Hermione – now Dumbledore himself. It seemed she had lost everyone who was remotely close to her – everyone but Severus. But, how long would it take before she also lost him?
“Ariana! Snap out of it!” said Severus. “There’s something we need to do and we don’t have much time!”
“W-What’s the p-point? T-They are all d-dead and it’s all m-my f-fault!” sobbed Ariana. “I’m the only hope to defeat Voldemort because of this damned prophecy but I couldn’t even do it! I’m just a failure! Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, Remus, Fred, George, McGonagall, Colin, the Order... they all believed I could defeat him and I failed them all...” she said before she dissolved into an incoherent mess.
Severus sighed and kneeled beside her before he took the young girl in his arms. Ariana cried and mourned everyone on Severus’ shoulder. She felt like her world had ended. There was no more hope.
“You aren’t a failure.” said Severus quietly. “The fight is not over. I have something that could allow us to save everyone, including all those who died.”
“What are you saying?” gasped Ariana, looking in her godfather’s black eyes.
“I spent the last year on a project. I knew the chances of defeating the Dark Lord were slim to none. No matter how hard you would have trained, Voldemort would always have a massive advantage – that of experience.” He then steeled himself before he continued. “I developed a way to travel back in time. I’m sending you to the 1970s.”
Ariana gaped, trying to process how Severus had invented a new form of time travel. It took her a few seconds to understand what her godfather was hinting at. “What about you?” she gasped.
“I’m not coming with you.” he said.
“But...” she protested but he stopped her with the wave of a hand.
“The potion can only bring one person back to the past. I did not have time to develop a second potion nor do I know if it would even have sent us both back in the same timeline.” he said. “Also, no matter how you or I might feel about it, you are the person affected by the prophecy, the only one capable to defeat him. You’re also a clean state. Unlike me, you also don’t have a past version of yourself running around.” Then, he smiled and on a joking tone, he said “Whoever you decide to confide to is also much more likely to believe you with those damn eyes of yours.”
Ariana gave a wet chuckle. She knew what Severus was trying to do. He was trying to amuse her and diffuse the tension. “Alright.” she whispered. “I’ll do it.”
“Then let’s go. We don’t have much time left.” he said, helping her back on her feet. He would end up being proved right as, not far away from them, they began hearing furious spellfire.
Severus and Ariana ran toward the dungeons. The moment they entered Severus’ private quarters, he barricaded the door before leading his goddaughter toward one of the rooms. Inside, Ariana found a small cauldron with a purple potion inside.
“Before you go, you need to take this.” he said, handing her a pouch. “This is a pouch enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm. I’ve put supplies inside of your bag – including food, gold and clothes – my notes on the time period and Dumbledore’s notes on the Dark Lord’s horcruxes.” he said.
“Thank you, Severus.” she said.
Severus gave her a nod. Then, more quietly, he said “I have a last favour to ask of you.”
“Anything.” said Ariana.
“I want you to save my past self.”
“What?” she blinked, confused. Severus had never told her of a moment where he was in danger in the 70s.
“Save me from my dark path. Depending on when you end up, you might find my younger self surrounded by Death Eater children. Please, make me understand how much of a mistake that path is. I know it might be too much to ask – I was a stubborn idiot back then – but please save me.”
Ariana looked back at him, her eyes brimming with tears. “I will.”
Severus gave her a hug. Ariana melted in it, knowing it would be the last one. “Thank you.” he said, gently releasing her.
Something banged on the door, startling them both. Severus quickly withdrew his wand and pointed it at the door. “It’s time.” he said. “Take a goblet and drink.”
Obeying him, Ariana grabbed one of the silver goblets sitting alongside the cauldron and filled it with the purple potion. When she turned back toward Severus, she saw him a few steps further away toward the door.
Suddenly, she felt like she had to tell him something. Something she had never admitted before but wanted him to know. “I love you!” she said. She didn’t know how she loved him, be it as a friend, parent or even romantic partner. She just knew she loved him and wanted him to know it.
Severus turned and gave him a smile – something quite rare for him. “I know.” he said.
Ariana gave a wet giggle. “Did you just make a reference to Star Wars?” she asked, making him grin even further. She and Severus had watched the Star Wars trilogy during the summer before her third year, during the week where he had brought her to Spinner’s End. Both had loved the movies.
“Maybe I did.” he admitted. Then, the door of the room blew open. Ariana instinctively put an arm in front of her face. When she lowered her arm, she saw Severus duelling a Death Eater. A second Death Eater was already lying on the floor, his chest full of blood. “Ariana! It’s time!” he exclaimed.
“But...”
“Go now!” he exclaimed just as he took a cutting spell on the side of his ribs. He let out an exclamation of pain.
“SEV!” yelled Ariana.
“Drink!” he ordered. She gave Severus a last look and drank.
Ariana suddenly felt herself spinning, as if she had been grabbed by the ankles and spun around. In a way, it felt rather similar to a portkey. The room around her turned into a white blob of light. Then, whatever force was holding her released her, just as she had been thrown somewhere else. She saw the white blob start taking some colour and shapes before she suddenly felt herself impact the floor.
The last thing she saw before blacking out was a pair of green eyes.
Ariana loved to think of herself as a normal teenage girl. However, her life was anything but. This last situation was just the latest example of it.