Over on Live Journal there's a wonderful AU of the Harry Potter series called "Stealing Harry" by Copperbadge. I don't want to spoil too much, but basically Sirius Black gets waylaid by Remus Lupin on the night Lily and James Potter are murdered, so he doesn't confront Wormtail - and thus isn't banged up in Azkaban. Buying a house on Privet Drive to watch over Harry when he's in the dubious care of the Dursley, Sirius and Remus finally have enough - and "steal" Harry from them. Thus we enter into a universe where Harry is brought up by the last two Marauders. It's a cracking good read, and you can find it by copying and pasting this link: [link]

*personally, I'm enjoying it more than the original books. Please don't hurt me* :-D

Anyway, in the story, Harry spends weekends in Hogwarts due to a suggestion of Dumbledore (quelle surprise), and is put in the care of one Severus Snape. He initially is not best pleased (also quelle surprise), but gradually warms to the kid - even to the pint of getting a decent hair cut! (GASP!):


Another change (of many), is that in Year Two Nymphadora Tonks becomes the DADA teacher, and a brilliantly funny and touching romance develops between she and Snape (wait till you read about the early morning swimming sessions in the Lake - oh dear gods, Snape's *bathing costume*! *cackle* His reaction to Tonks' *lack* of one! *giggles*). I love this fanfic couple to bits, so here they are! Done in pen, then monkeyed about with and coloured on CG Illust 2.24.