Just a note from the author: This was a one shot that popped into my head while reading The Marauders and the Philosopher's Stone by Twitch 101 (which by the way, is hilarious, and I highly suggest you read it) I was thinking on how Severus might have felt the first time he met Harry during his potions lesson. So I just jotted this down. One-hundred percent canon.

Disclaimer: I do not own this, I only wish I did.

The first potion class of the year with the first years was always the worst. It never changed.

But this one, he knew, was going to be Hell.

Because after 10 long years, he would be there.

Snape burst into the dungeons with a dramatic entrance, specifically designed to scare the students so he did not have to deal with their childlessness. It was better to be feared than to be loved as Machiavelli said. This did not just apply to politics, but to every aspect when it comes to teaching children.

He pulled up the attendance list and went down it. Then Snape reached his name.

"Harry Potter, our new…celebrity." He seethed out, thinking of all this hatred toward the late Potter, and for good measure Black as well. Then he looked up to stare him down. Ohh, this would be so nice to put Potter's son in his place after all the hell the Marauders put him through.

Shock hit him like a brick.

He hadn't seen those eyes in years. The perfectly shaped emeralds that he remembered her by. Dumbledore had told him that he had his mother's eyes, but he never quite believed it. No one could have those eyes. They were meant for Lily and Lily alone.

But the child was living proof, and as he looked further he looked exactly like his father at that age. Same messy hair, nose, mouth, and small body build. He looked just like the James Potter Snape saw on the Hogwarts Express twenty years ago.

Anger coursed through him. How could his face have those eyes? He wondered. Anger, grief, and guilt flowed through him like on that fateful day when he found out Lily was dead. And it was his fault.

All of this happened in a mere second, and even after spending years as a spy for the Order of the Phoenix his guard slipped, if only just for a second. Thankfully, a bunch of first years wouldn't notice such a short slip-up. If the Dark Lord did not, then a bunch of dunderheads wouldn't.

He recovered from the shock and continued with torturing Potter's son. He knew that the questions he asked him were unfair, but it was so nice to see him scared. If only it was really Potter.

The bell didn't ring quickly enough for Severus and defiantly not quickly enough for Harry Potter. Throughout the entire potions class he was clearly uncomfortable and frightened by the behavior of his professor who had singled him out. When the bell finally rang the students packed up as quickly and as quietly as they could, but Severus knew the moment they thought they were out of earshot they would begin complaining about their mean potions professor. Severus didn't care what his students thought of him.

As the students left the room Severus sat down at his desk. Potter looked at him, but not with anger, but with confusion.

Blame your father, that is why I hate you. He probably told you of all the wonderful pranks he pulled on me and how I owe my life to him and to use it to your advantage.

But then he remembered that James never had a chance to tell his son this. And he would never be able to repay the debt. Not only did he not repay the debt, but he caused James' death, as well as Lily's.

Snape's mind whirled; trying to figure out whose son was he. Was he Lily's or was he James'?

He fought in inner turmoil, his logical and rational mindset that he had kept for the past 10 years was slipping away and giving in to the love, grief, and guilt that gnawed and stabbed his heart.

He didn't know, and he thought that he would never know, but all he knew is that he made a promise, a promise it Lily, that he would protect her son. Harry was her son.

Snape got up slowly, realizing what this was the beginning of. This was the beginning of the second war, when Harry and the Dark Lord would face off and determine the fate of the world.

But there would be a separate fight for Severus, fighting to protect Harry until then. He would fight to save Harry's life, fighting to remember that Harry was Lily's son, and that he loved her and made a promise to her to protect her beloved son. No matter what Harry's role in the war, he would have a silent protector.

I promise to protect him.

Was it good? Was it not so good? Do you agree with my interpretation of Snape or think I was wrong? Just please give me a review. I live for them. PLEASE!