Title: I'll Keep You Safe

Summary: Harry's scar is hurting again, and Severus stays with him in the hospital wing to protect him. Oneshot

Rated: T

Genre(s): Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Friendship

Pairing(s): Harry Potter/Severus Snape

Warning(s): Some angst


Severus stood beside the bed of the Boy Who Lived, in the hospital wing. It was late at night, and Ron Weasley had brought a half-asleep Harry down to the hospital wing.

Voldemort was hurting Harry again, through that scar, and Harry was helpless against the Dark Lord's powers.

Severus vowed to kill the Dark Lord one day, for hurting Harry.

"You can help him, right Professor?" Ron asked him, sitting down in a chair on the other side of Harry's bed. He looked worriedly down at his friend.

"I will certainly try." Severus gently parted Harry's lips and poured a sleeping potion into the boy's mouth, making sure he lifted Harry's head so he didn't choke on the potion. Harry needed to rest.

Across the room, Albus, Minerva and Poppy were quietly talking, deciding what to do about Harry and occasionally glancing in Severus's direction. Albus's eyes twinkled, and Severus gulped. He knew Albus knew just how deeply Severus cared for Harry, although they hadn't discussed it.

Severus and Harry had been friends ever since the end of his third year, when Harry had apologized for attacking him in the Shreiking Shack. And since then, they had grown closer. Harry had even spent the past few summers with Severus at his family's manor.

Severus looked down at Harry now and fought back the tears that were threatening to spill. He brushed a lock of sweaty hair out of Harry's eyes. "You'll take care of him, Professor?"

Ron's question startled Severus. The Potions Master and Ron were friends of a sort, agreeing to keep Harry out of trouble. Severus swallowed, painfully aware that Ron knew how Severus felt about his best friend. The boy could be quite perceptive, when he wanted to be.

"Always," said Severus, and Ron nodded. They exchanged a look that said a thousand words. Severus was glad that Harry had friends that cared about him as much as Ron and Hermione. He hadn't been that lucky.

"You should go back to your dorm, Mr. Weasley," Severus said. "It's late, and you will be in deep trouble if Filch catches you. Harry will be fine."

"Goodnight, Professor." Ron left the hospital wing as the three professors finished talking.

"Harry will have to stay here overnight," Poppy said. "He should feel better in the morning." Albus and Minerva left, leaving just him, Poppy and Harry in the hospital wing.

"If it's alright with you, Poppy, I think I'll stay for a while," the Potions Master said.

"Of course." She knew more than a lot of people how close Harry and Severus were, after Harry's many accidents. "Don't worry so much, Severus. He will be fine."

Even though Severus had said the same thing to Ron Weasley a moment ago, he said, "Will he, Poppy? The Dark Lord is obsessed with killing Harry."

"But you've been protecting him, Severus. That means a world of difference." She smiled at him before going into her office, leaving Severus alone with Harry.


Severus must have fallen asleep, because a few hours later, he felt someone's thumb brushing his jaw and then sliding back into his hair. He opened his eyes to find emerald green eyes staring back at him.

"Sorry," Harry said, his cheeks reddening as he laid back down in his bed.

"You don't need to apologize." An awkward silence fell around them. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," Harry said. "But my scar really hurt earlier. Voldemort's getting stronger, isn't he?"

Severus didn't deny it. He wasn't going to lie to Harry. "Yes," he said. "But at the same time, you are getting stronger. I believe in you, Harry. You can fight him."

Harry leaned in for a hug, and Severus wrapped his arms around Harry, holding him close. Severus closed his eyes, breathing in Harry's familiar smell and warmth. Harry pulled back all too soon, offering Severus a warm smile. "Thank you, Severus." Harry's green eyes sparkled with - with love? Severus didn't dare hope, for fear of getting his heart broken again.

But then Harry's lips were pressing against his own, and Severus gasped in surprrise before pulling Harry even closer. He leaned into the kiss, brushing his lips softly against Harry's, moaning when Harry gently bit down on Severus's lip and sucked on it.

The kiss ended way too quickly, and they stared at each other in shock. "Sorry," Harry apologized again. "I probably shouldn't have done that."

"You probably shouldn't have," Severus agreed. He couldn't help reaching up to touch Harry's messy black hair. "But...I didn't mind."

Harry smiled and rested his head on Severus's shoulder, and the Potions Master felt his breathing slow in a few minutes. Harry was asleep.


AN: Hope you all enjoyed! Please review :)