Title: A Love Not Forgotten

Summary: After the war, Harry returns to Hogwarts to teach DADA, but can't stop thinking about Severus Snape, who he had been in a relationship with when he was in school. Is it too late for them or is their bond too strong to be broken?

Rating: T but will probably change to M later

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

Pairing(s): Harry Potter/Severus Snape, Ron Weasley/Hermione Granger

Warning(s): Angst

Harry set his trunk on the floor of his new rooms at Hogwarts, smiling as he looked around. This would be the perfect place for him. He could hang Gryffindor decorations on the windows and-

"Harry!"

Harry grinned and turned around to find Hermione standing in the doorway. "Hey, 'Mione! When did you get here?"

"Just now," she said. "Ron's just finishing moving his stuff in from the Burrow. I can't believe I'll really be teaching at Hogwarts, can you believe it?"

Hermione was going to be the new Charms teacher, and Harry the new DADA teacher. "Time goes by quickly, doesn't it?" said Harry.

"Definitely." Hermione studied Harry carefully, probably noticing the dark circles under his eyes. "Are you getting sleep, Harry?"

"This summer I slept fine," he said, "but ever since I agreed to start teaching..."

He didn't need to finish the sentence. Hermione knew all about what had happened between Harry and the Potions Master back when they were in school. She had hugged Harry tightly as he cried into her shoulder when they broke up. It had been a horrible break up, and Harry hadn't seen Severus since. "I'll see him every day now."

Hermione sighed. "There's really no chance you and him can get back together?" she asked.

Harry shook his head miserably. "He wouldn't want to get back together with me," he said. "Not after the way I treated him." A lump formed in his throat.

"Well, you had every right to be upset!" Hermione said.

They had broken up at the end of Harry's sixth year. When Severus had killed Dumbledore, Harry had gone off on him, calling him a coward and a monster and accused him of keeping his "Half-Blood Prince" title a secret from him. Harry loved Severus, but he'd also loved Dumbledore, and he'd lost a part of himself that night as well.

"Thanks, Hermione," Harry said, "but I was a bit harsh to him. He has every right to be upset with me."

"You did save his life during the war," said Hermione. "That should count for something. Maybe you should talk to him."

"He won't listen," said Harry as they headed to dinner. "No, I know Severus better than that. He'll ignore me and shut me out like he does with everyone."

The new first-year students were waiting to be sorted into their Houses when Harry and Hermione arrived at the Great Hall.

Minerva McGonagall was the new Headmaster, and she smiled at Harry and Hermione as they sat down at the staff table. "I am pleased to announce that we have two new Professors this year, Professor Potter who will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Professor Granger who will be teaching Charms."

Whispers echoed through the Great Hall at the mention of Harry's name. Harry looked down the staff table but couldn't see Severus; there was an empty chair beside him. Harry gulped, hoping anyone else would take it.

But sure enough, Severus arrived ten minutes late to the feast and took the chair next to Harry. Severus didn't speak to Harry, though - he started talking to McGonagall, and Harry glanced over at Hermione with a look that he hoped said See? He hates me.

Another few minutes passed before Severus said a word to him. "Well well well," said the Potions Master, and Harry looked over at him. "If it isn't our new DADA professor."

Harry fought the urge to sneer at him. "You don't have to be so dramatic, Severus."

McGonagall covered her mouth to hide a smile, and she turned to Hagrid, who sat on her other side. "If only points could be taken from Professors as well," Severus said thoughtfully as he took a bite of his turkey.

"Then I'd probably have loads more points than you," Harry said, and Severus's jaw dropped.

"You don't get points for being an insolent brat," Severus pointed out.

"And you don't get points for shutting everyone out!" Harry retorted.

"Enough!" McGonagall exclaimed. "If you two can't get along, you'll have to be separated before you strangle each other."

Harry and Severus glared at each other. "I really hate you, you know," Harry lied.

"Touché." Severus's voice was like ice. But their gazes locked, and as Harry looked into the Potions Master's eyes he was reminded of dark chocolate. Severus's eyes widened and he looked down at his plate. Harry did the same.

Harry stood on the Astronomy Tower, leaning against the edge and watching his tears drip onto he railing. Cedric had just died and he needed to be alone to mourn his friend. His friend who had helped him when no one else had.

"Oh," said a deep baritone voice from behind Harry. "I didn't realize anyone was up here."

Harry whirled around and was quick to wipe away his tears. Severus Snape stood in the doorway, his trademark smirk gone from his expression. "I - I just needed to be alone," Harry said. "Please don't take points, I know I'm out after curfew-"

Snape held up a hand. "I trust that this will stay between us." His gaze met Harry's, and his expression softened. "Cedric Diggory was a friend of yours?" he asked, joining Harry by the railing.

"Yes," said Harry. "It's - it's all my fault-"

"It is NOT your fault." Snape's harsh tone startled Harry. "I heard what happened. Harry, the Dark Lord could have killed you." Harry felt his eyes widen and he stared at Snape in surprise. "What?"

"You called me by my first name," said Harry.

That was the first time Harry ever saw Snape blush. "Yes, I...I suppose I did."

An awkward silence fell over them for a few long moments, and then Harry's mind went back to Cedric. "I should have saved him-"

"Stop." Snape fingers brushed Harry's wrist, and Harry felt all the air leave him. The Potions Master's voice - and grip - was firm. "You are letting yourself drown in guilt." He looked closely at Harry, and the younger man felt his heart skip a beat. "Are you getting any sleep?"

"No."

Snape released his grip on Harry's wrist. "Then I will make you a Dreamless Sleep potion," he decided. "I'm afraid I don't have any ready for you at the moment, but see me after class tomorrow and I will give you some."

"Thank you, sir."

"Try to sleep tonight, Harry." Snape squeezed Harry's shoulder gently, and Harry watched him leave, his jaw practically on the ground.

After the feast, Harry lay in his new bed at Hogwarts, tears filling his eyes at the thought of that night, that first night that spun so many other events into motion. Severus probably hated him again, it was true, and Harry would just have to deal with it. But that didn't mean it didn't upset him. He buried his face in his pillow, thinking of a certain dark haired Potions Master as he drifted off to sleep.

AN: I hope you all liked the first chapter of my new story! I will update again soon. Please review :)