Don't Muck It Up

Title: Don't Muck It Up
Status: Complete
Author: Sweet Melody
Rating: R for some sexual content
Pairing: Snape/Potter
Category: Angst, Humor, Romance, Kind of AU, Time Travel, Mpreg implied
Summary: Postwar, Harry gets some advice from someone close to him. But will Harry listen to reason? Harry is seventeen.
Word Count: 4684
Beta: ivylady (Thank you so much!)
Disclaimer: I do not own. Please don't sue. No profit is being made. For entertainment purposes only.


The welcoming feast was in full swing and it was the most joyous in many a year. Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, had finally fulfilled his destiny. At seventeen, Harry had led his friends, Order members and fellow wizards and witches for the Light into battle. It was a long, hard struggle and many were lost, but in the end Harry prevailed. With one final act of love for Albus, Harry plunged the sword deep into Voldemort's chest and watched while the dark wizard turned to ash. It was over!

Harry had taken a few curses, but they were curable. Minerva was now the Headmistress. She looked sad, but much less strained. She still missed Albus and the welcoming feast seemed somehow wrong without him. They say, time heals all wounds, but the loss of Dumbledore cut very deep. It would be an extremely long time before Harry would be able to forgive Snape for what he'd done!

Harry could still clearly see the killing curse that Snape had leveled at Albus in his mind. At times, he was overwhelmed with hatred and thoughts of revenge, but something always stopped him. Harry had a strange feeling that it was Albus; somehow, the meddling old man was still with him. He could feel Dumbledore's presence all around. Harry would never be truly free. Blast it!

Logically, Harry knew that Snape had been ordered to do what he did. Dumbledore's pensieve, combined with his portrait and the testimony of the other Order members had cleared Snape of all charges. Snape had stood by his side at the final battle and provided the distraction Harry needed to administer the killing blow. Snape had been awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class and was reinstated as Hogwarts Potions Master at Minerva's insistence. All was well with the world!

Harry sat between Ron and Hermione. He ate, laughed and glared--in that order at the head table, or mostly he just glared at Snape. Harry still seethed. He still hated the bastard for all the years of torment he'd put him through. It just wasn't fair. Most of the seventh years who had fought in the battle had to go back to Hogwarts for a few months to complete their studies and take their final NEWTS. Harry was royally pissed off!

He didn't want to spend another minute anywhere near Snape, but it just couldn't be helped. Harry had to pass advanced potions and ace his NEWTS if he wanted to get into the academy for healers. Harry had seen enough killing and death and now he wanted to do something meaningful with his life. This meant he'd have to put up with *His Snarkiness* for another four months. Just bloody wonderful.

The feast was winding down and the dishes were magically cleared away. Minerva stood up to dismiss the students and send them off to their perspective dorms when an odd cloud appeared over her head. All the students in the hall saw it first, and there was an audible gasp from the throng of children. Only one of the staff had seen it. Snape saw the cloud and was instantly on his feet. He shouted for Minerva to move, but she was too stunned. Minerva stood transfixed, looking at the seemingly living cloud. Snape moved toward her and pulled her off to the side just as the cloud began to expand. It centered itself squarely over the head table and grew darker, rumbling with thunder and lightning. It swelled until it looked like it would explode at any moment. Minerva stepped toward it and quickly stepped back again as the thing actually growled at her.

Snape and the other staff members were standing off to the side now with their wands drawn and pointed at the cloud. Harry, Ron and Hermione rushed to the front of the room, coming to a stop in front of the apparition. Snape yelled for them to get back, but as usual, they didn't listen. Harry had his wand out and a spell on his lips when the cloud let out a deafening crash of thunder. It shook violently and expelled something from its core. A body fell from its midst and landed with a heavy thud right in the middle of the head table, and the cloud disappeared.

The body on the table didn't move or open its eyes. It was definitely a man; an unconscious man with messy, shoulder length black hair, streaked with bits of silver. Round glasses sat askew on his nose. He was dressed in burgundy wizard robes embroidered with gold rune symbols. On his left hand he wore a simple gold band. Minerva and Snape took tentative steps forward, but it was Snape who reached out and touched the man. He felt for a pulse and found one; it was steady. He brushed the hair away from the man's face. He looked very familiar, too familiar. It was impossible. Snape pushed the man's hair away from his forehead and stared. Minerva's mouth fell open and she stared in shock, as did everyone else present, including Harry, Ron and Hermione. On the man's forehead was a faded lightening bolt scar. Snape estimated that the man must be close to fifty in age. Damn! This was Harry *bloody* Potter!

Snape was appalled. If the younger brat were this annoying, what would an older version of him be like? Snape could barely handle one Potter, let alone two. This was simply unacceptable. He was determined to wake up the man from his nightmare and send him back to whatever godforsaken place had spit him out. A soft moan brought Snape out of his thoughts. Snape looked down at the prone man in time to see long lashes flutter and brilliant green eyes open up for him. Those eyes held his own and a breathless word escaped his lips.

"Severus?" the man whispered.

Snape was somewhat startled by Potter's use of his given name, but Potter's eyes looked longingly at him. The man's intense stare gave Snape shivers up and down his spine. Harry sat up gingerly and reached out for Severus causing Snape to take a step back. He didn't want this thing, whatever it was, to touch him. At this point, Minerva intervened.

"Harry? Are you Harry James Potter?" she asked.

Harry refocused his attention on Minerva. He looked at her bewildered, as if he were seeing her for the very first time, and actually, it had been many years since he'd seen Minerva. Whatever was happening was strange, very strange indeed. Minerva was here when she shouldn't be, and Severus looked different. He looked too tightly wound, just like he had right after the war. Then Harry caught sight of something that almost made him pass out again—he came face to face with a boy who'd pushed his way through the crowd. Green eyes met green eyes and the world titled on it axis. Harry Potter was looking at himself at seventeen. Seventeen! Bloody hell!

This couldn't be happening. It just couldn't. The last thing he remembered was sitting in his husband's office, sipping a cup of tea and talking to Dumbledore's portrait. How in the bloody hell, did he get here?

"Are you Harry James Potter?" Minerva cleared her throat and asked again.

"Yes, Minerva. It's good to see you again. I've missed you very much." Harry said, pulling his gaze away from his younger self and looking her in the eye.

Minerva swallowed a lump in her throat. The man's voice was deep and rich, but it was still Harry's voice. His eyes were still Harry's eyes and the power that radiated from the man was staggering. He could be no one else. This was most definitely Harry Potter.

Professor Sprout had left and fire called Poppy as soon as the man landed on the table. When she returned, she had the Medi-Witch in tow. Poppy pushed through the crowd and started a scan without hesitation and without a word to anyone. Her face was a mask of set determination as she waved her wand up and down and around Harry's body. Snape noted that Potter had an almost amused expression on his face. He seemed happy to see everyone, including him. Bizarre indeed.

The children were still in the great hall, and they were all trying to get a look at their strange visitor. Minerva took control of the situation once more, issuing orders for the prefects to get their charges to their dorms. Soon the great hall was cleared in an orderly fashion, save for the staff members and the golden trio. They had refused to leave, much to Snape's disgust over their blatant disregard for authority.

"He's perfectly healthy. He has a few minor bruises, but other than that, he's just fine," Poppy stated loudly after she sheathed her wand and crossed her arms.

"Lovely, but who is he?" Snape barked irritably.

"Well that should be obvious, Severus. He's Harry Potter. His magical signature is identical to our Harry's, as is his blood type and genetic makeup."

"Yes, but how old is he?" Snape asked with just a little less venom this time.

"I'd say between forty eight and fifty two, possibly." Poppy replied.

"You could've just asked me, you know," Harry winked slyly at Snape, "I'd be more than happy to answer all of your questions. Believe me, I'm just as confused as the rest of you. I have no idea how I got here. And by the way, I just turned fifty."

"Somehow I find it hard to believe that the great Harry Potter has no idea how he's arrived here," Snape said with his patented sneer firmly in place.

Harry smiled at him, not a mocking smile, but a genuine, honest to goodness, affectionate, loving smile. Potter had never smiled at him like that. Hell, in fact, he'd never smiled at him at all! Snape felt lightheaded. It was the most dazzling smile he'd ever seen and before he could even form a response, Harry launched himself at Snape and pulled him close. Harry wrapped his arms around Severus's waist and plundered his mouth. He pushed his tongue between Snape's pursed lips and stroked the roof of his mouth. When he finally released Snape, the stunned man was dazed and gasping for breath. Harry smiled at him again and sat down on the edge of the head table, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.

Snape was about to fly into a rage, but a very angry young Harry beat him to the punch. He looked like he was about to vomit and so did Ron. Hermione didn't look quite as bad, a bit startled maybe, but also knowing.

"What the hell was that? Are you bloody insane? How could you, or we, kiss that murdering, insufferable, mean spirited, miserable excuse for a human being?" Young Harry ranted as he stepped into Older Harry's personal space and poked him in the chest.

Young Harry's face was beat red and he was spitting fire. The room had become deathly silent. The look on Snape's face was murderous, yet hurt too. Pain reflected in his eyes at being reminded of Dumbledore's death. The boy was about to go into another tirade when his older self grabbed his upper arms and shook him like a rag doll. He looked into furious green eyes and snapped his mouth closed.

Older Harry was mad—not angry, not pissed off—but plain, old fashioned mad! He had felt his blood pressure rise with every syllable that came out of his younger self's mouth. He wanted to strangle the ungrateful brat, and he supposed that was exactly how Severus felt on more than one occasion. It was his turn to launch into his own tirade. He didn't scream or shout, and he didn't let go of the boy. He lowered his voice to a growl and pulled up his younger self to eye level.

"Listen to me, boy and listen good. If you ever speak about Severus like that again, I'll hex you myself. You're nothing but an ungrateful little brat. Do you have any idea of the torment Severus has gone through over the death of Albus? He was ordered to do it and you know that as well as anyone. He is not a murderer or any of those ugly things you called him. How many times has he saved our miserable hide? How many times has he patched up our wounds? Who stood next to us at the final battle, throwing curse after curse at Voldemort? Who was it that carried our sorry arse off the battlefield and straight to St. Mungo's? Who?" Harry demanded an answer and shook the boy again just for good measure.

"Um, er, It was Professor Snape," his younger self replied.

"That's right and I suggest you never forget it!" Harry released the boy and pushed him away with a none-too-gentle shove.

Minerva had remained silent up until this point, but she'd finally had enough. She needed answers and she needed them now. There was no way two Harry's could survive in the same time-line. The older Harry would have to be returned, post haste, to his own time and place.

"Misters Potter, please! Enough of this petty arguing. We must get to the bottom of this quickly. You cannot remain here indefinitely. It would be disastrous for the both of you. Please try to remember exactly what happened just before you were brought here."

Harry was listening to Minerva, but his eyes were locked with Snape's. After their mutual ranting session the boy had gone pale and silent. Older Harry had looked up to see Severus staring at him in awe. His eyes were bright, like the way his Severus' eyes shone now. Even after all these years, Severus' eyes still shined brightly for him. A feeling of love washed over him, and somehow Severus could feel it too. Over the years, their magic had combined giving them such a sense of oneness. Harry could feel it even now. Somehow, he'd been transported back to the very beginning. This point in time is where it had all began right after the final battle.

"Mr. Potter!" Minerva implored.

Harry tore his gaze away from Severus and looked at her. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, a maneuver he'd learned from his lover and husband. The husband, he realized, he desperately needed to get back to.

"I'm sorry, Minerva. This is just so overwhelming. I'm not sure where to begin. I was just sitting in the headmaster's office drinking tea, waiting for Severus to return. He'd been called to the Slytherin dorm to take care of a problem. While I waited, I was chatting with Albus's portrait," he stated.

"Wait a minute," Ron interrupted, "Are you saying that Snape is the Headmaster now?"

"Yes he is. What of it?" Harry said with a raised eyebrow.

"Um, nothing. Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt." Ron balked.

"Please go on, Mr. Potter," Minerva said and gave a stern look to all in attendance. She clearly would not allow any more interruptions.

"Albus and I were just reminiscing about old times, some good and some bad. Um, we do this on occasion. It's sort of cleansing. I remember that all of a sudden Albus got this faraway look in his eyes and I asked him if anything was wrong. He gave me one of those looks. You know, the pitying kind. The one that says you're about to mess up something. It made me nervous, but then he smiled and said:

"Don't worry, my boy. Things will work out in the end, but you may need a little help along the way. You've been known to be quite stubborn at times. I suppose it's a Gryffindor trait…Oh well, it can't be helped. We'll get it all sorted out. I'm sure you can be made to see reason with the right incentives. Off you go now and don't muck it up."

"And that's the last thing I remember before waking up here," Harry said, taking a deep breath.

"May I ask you something, Mister Potter?" Snape spoke quietly, without any hint of malice."

"Of course. You may ask me anything," Harry told him.

"Why did you kiss me?" Severus asked, lowering his eyes to the floor.

Harry could sense the man's deep insecurity. It had taken him a long time to overcome it and assure Severus that he was loved and cherished. Harry couldn't bear the thought of seeing hurt in his beloved's eyes. He would never, ever leave him and he'd finally convinced his lover of that, and it had only taken him the first fifteen years of their marriage to accomplish it.

Harry carefully crafted his answer. He knew how mistrustful and skittish Severus could be, and it was especially bad right after the war. Severus had been very depressed and snappish. He'd withdrawn into himself and Harry forcibly had to break down the walls, but some things were worth the fight. Thirty years of marriage had not dulled one ounce of the love and passion he felt for Severus. If anything, it burned even more hotly. Life without Severus was not an option that Harry would ever entertain.

"I'm sorry, Severus. I did not mean to offend you. I would never harm you in any way. I really didn't know where I was or what was happening. You've always been my safe harbor and old habits die hard. Seeing you made me feel safe and I just couldn't help myself. I love kissing you. I always have," Harry answered honestly.

Harry made sure he kept his mind open so that Severus could see the truth, and he had. A small smile played at the corners of the dour man's lips. He'd seen glimpses of the future in Harry's mind and he liked what he saw. It was a future filled with mutual love, children, respect and passion. It was a vision of a life that he'd never had, but realized it was what he really and truly wanted. Severus nodded and Harry knew that he'd accepted the truth of his words.

Unfortunately, young Harry had also seen it and was shaking with rage again, but one look from his older counterpart stopped him in his tracks. Minerva noticed the exchange and realized she was losing control again. The situation was bad and she needed to get this man out of Hogwarts before everything fell apart.

"Misters Potter and Professor Snape, we will take this conversation back to my office. Hopefully, we can get some answers from Albus's portrait. I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach that this was his doing. Come now. We don't have the luxury of time on our side," And with that she was off. Harry, Harry and Severus followed obediently behind her.

When they reached the gargoyle, Minerva gave the password and they stepped onto the stairs. Young Harry was glowering. Old Harry and Snape were looking at each other again in that disgusting manner, although Snape didn't look quite as bad when he wasn't glaring. He had a fairly soft expression on his face at the moment and that made him look years younger. His eyes were bright with something that young Harry couldn't identify. On the other hand, Old Harry just looked positively lovesick. It was revolting.

They entered the office and Minerva said a soft Lumos. The office lit up, and the smiling portrait of Dumbledore greeted them. Minerva didn't waste any time on pleasantries.

"Albus! What have you done?" She bellowed.

"Ah, Harry. I'm so glad you made it. I was beginning to worry that maybe I'd sent you to the wrong place. How was your trip?" Albus asked genially.

"Um, it was odd, to say the least. I'd be really interested to know how you accomplished it. I thought portraits couldn't effect the real world," Harry stated.

"Quite so, my boy. I must admit I had a little help from a very enthusiastic house elf," Albus smiled.

"Blast! Dobby!" Old Harry deduced.

"Dobby's with us?" Young Harry asked. Old Harry simply nodded and continued to grill Dumbledore.

"Why? Why would you have me sent into the past? It doesn't make any sense. I've already done everything that needs to be done in this time. I've defeated Voldemort with the help and support of my friends. What were you thinking? You've told me many times of how proud of me you are and what a great service I did the world, so what in the name of Merlin is going on here?"

"Easy now, my boy," Albus replied, "It's not you I'm worried about. It's your younger self that's got things in a tizzy."

"But what have I done, Sir? I did what was expected of me and now all I want is to be a healer," Young Harry said, feeling his nerves fraying even further.

"Well, that's good to know. But, if I might make a small suggestion, you should start by healing yourself. You've had some very dark thoughts recently, thoughts that could irrevocably damage your future. I will not sit idly by and watch you ruin your chance at happiness. You deserve the family you never had and so does Severus," Albus lectured.

"Albus! Get to the point!" Snape snapped.

"Patience, Severus. This is neither for you nor Minerva to decide at the present time. I brought Harry here to talk to Harry. They need to settle some things before Harry makes a serious mistake," Albus explained.

"You want us to leave? I don't believe this. It's my office now," Minerva said indignantly.

"You can have it back momentarily. I promise." Minerva did not look pleased, but she grabbed Snape by the arm and left anyway. Albus couldn't help but chuckle.

"I'm glad you're amused, but I can assure you I'm not. Why would I want to talk to him? He said some rather nasty things about my husband," Old Harry complained.

"Your husband?!" Young Harry shouted.

"Yes! Our husband. The love of our life and the mother of our children," Old Harry spoke as if he were talking to a young child.

"Children?" Harry squeaked out.

"That's right. We have several—six to be exact. Four boys and two girls, and Sev gave birth to all of them."

"That's not possible," Harry stated emphatically, "You're both men."

"Oh dear," Albus looked quite distressed, "I guess no one ever told you. Hogwarts has never been very keen on providing sex education classes. It's such a shame too. Young people really need to be educated about this sort of thing. Alas, that's another problem. Harry, my dear boy, we're wizards and we can give birth. True, it's rare and very difficult, but I should think that Severus would have an easier time than most."

"Why?" Young Harry asked.

"There is nymph blood in his ancestry on his mother's side of the family. It still takes two powerful wizards to conceive a child together, but the drain on the pregnant partner isn't as great with Severus. Like I said, he's given birth to six healthy children, the last was a set of twin boys. We've been very blessed," Old Harry answered.

"How could something like this happen? I don't even like Snape. He's always hated me and you're saying that he married me willingly, giving birth to our children in the process? Right! I'm not completely stupid," Young Harry looked dubious, but his anger seemed to have faded somewhat; however, he was far from happy.

"No, just mostly stupid," Old Harry smirked, "Tell me something? What's the one thing we've always wanted more than anything else in the world?"

"A family of my own. One that would love me unconditionally," Young Harry answered, letting out a ragged breath.

"And that's what we have. A loving husband, wonderful children, two grandchildren and an extended family that includes all of the Weasley clan. What more could anyone want?" His older self demanded.

"But… Damn it man… It's Snape!" Young Harry countered.

"Yes, and it's time you searched yourself and looked a little deeper into your own soul, our soul. And take a closer look at Severus while you're at it. Life is never simple, but sometimes we make it more complicated than it has to be all by ourselves. Don't do this. Don't let your selfishness screw up a beautiful relationship and ruin my life over petty revenge. It wasn't his fault. Severus has had a difficult life, just like us, but I think his was far worse. Do you want to know what life is really like with Severus? Here now, take a good, long look."

Older Harry opened his mind and let his young self wander around his head for an indeterminate amount of time. What he saw was everything he could've ever have hoped to have. Severus was never overly demonstrative, but he showed his love in little ways with soft looks, Harry's favorite foods, and other small gestures. Even Severus's parenting skills were better than Harry ever thought possible. Then of course there was the sex. Harry saw Severus writhing beneath him, moans and sobs echoing from his mouth every time Harry thrust into him. The tight heat of of his mate's body stroked his cock and made young Harry sees stars. He watched as Severus arched his back and came, screaming Harry's name. It was brilliant—breathtaking—and young Harry was hard and aching by the time he left the older Harry's mind. He looked at himself, too stunned to speak. It was beyond a miracle. Life with Snape was good.

"Can this really happen?" Harry asked in wonder.

"It did happen, just the way I showed you. All you have to do now is believe," he told him, and Harry did believe. For the first time in his life, he believed in happiness. What else could he do?

"My boys, have the two of you reached an understanding?" Albus asked.

"We have." Young Harry smiled.

Old Harry nodded at the portrait of his friend and mentor. Albus twinkled.

"Well then, let Minerva and Severus back in so that they might say goodbye while I call Dobby. It's time for you to return home, my young friend."

Older Harry went to the door and opened it to find Severus and Minerva pressed as close to it as they could get. He grinned at them.

"Is everything all right?" Minerva asked as she straightened herself.

"Everything's fine, but I must go now," Older Harry said.

He pulled Minerva into a fierce hug and kissed her on her cheek. There were tears in her eyes when he finally released her. He turned to his husband who'd been watching with hooded eyes. Severus looked sad and vulnerable. Young Harry must have thought the same because he kept moving closer to Severus. Older Harry wasn't ready to share yet, so he stepped in front of his lover. With all the gentleness he could muster, he pulled Severus into his arms for one last passionate kiss. Well, a last kiss until he got home and could do what he really wanted—take his husband of thirty years to bed and fuck him through the mattress.

Severus didn't fight the kiss. It felt too damned good to be loved like that. He was just sorry it had to end. Harry must've read his thought because he whispered words of comfort in his ear.

"Don't worry my love. You won't be lonely long. I promise!" Harry released his lover and turned to the brat. "Behave yourself or Albus will bring me back here as many times as it takes."

"That I will. That I will. Are you ready Harry?"

"Ready, Albus." Harry took one last look at his Severus before Albus called for Dobby.

A fog began to swirl around him and he felt his body being lifted. Young Harry stared in wonder as the swirling mass started to dissipate. He heard one last echo from the cloud before it vanished entirely.

"Don't muck it up!"

'Don't worry, I won't,' Harry thought.

Then he looked at Severus and saw a twinge of hope reflected in his eyes. It was fleeting, but Harry knew now that the true beauty he'd seen in the mind of his older self was real and it was his for the taking. Harry wasn't about to waste the gift he'd been given. One thought kept echoing through his head, 'Mine'!

Finished