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Harry got no sleep that week.

Between grading classwork and constantly seeing Severus, he felt overwhelmed. Severus was a part of the Hogwarts staff as well, and Harry would see him at the staff meetings and around the school, constantly. It was driving him crazy.

He needed a Dreamless Sleep potion. And, unfortunately, the Potions Master was the only one who could get him one. He'd asked Hermione to make him one because she knew how to make most potions, but she was overflowed with work, too.

So Harry went down to the dungeons one day after classes had ended, yawning as he knocked on Severus's classroom door. "Come in." Harry pushed open the door and stepped inside. "What do you want, Potter? Here to mock me again?"

"No," said Harry quickly. "I was just wondering if you have any Dreamless Sleep potion. I haven't been sleeping well recently."

Severus sighed and went over to his Potions cabinet. He took out a vial of bright purple potion and handed it to Harry. "Anything else you need?" His voice was sharp, and Harry winced.

"Yes, actually." He swallowed nervously. "I wanted to say that I'm sorry, for what happened that night. You didn't deserve it, and...I was wrong to say those things to you, even under the circumstances."

Severus's eyes were wide as he stared at Harry. "Why are you telling me this now?" he breathed.

"Because we'll be seeing a lot of each other," Harry said. "We should at least be friends. I - I know it didn't work out between us, but we could-"

"No, Potter. We can't," said the Potions Master, turning away. "I don't think it...wise for us to be friends."

"Why not?" Harry asked, his heart sinking. He missed Severus deeply, and couldn't stand the thought of them not speaking at all when they had been through so much together.

"Because," said the Potions Master, not meeting Harry's gaze, "I would not be able to keep myself under control."


"What'd he mean by that?" Ron asked later in his and Hermione's quarters.

"He probably meant that he wouldn't be able to stop himself from strangling me," said Harry miserably.

"Honestly, you two are idiots," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "Don't you see, Harry? He doesn't want to be friends with you because he's too tempted!"

"Tempted to...what?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Oh," said Harry, blushing.

Hermione laughed. "You should ask him out."

"What? No! No way!" Harry cringed at the thought. Surely Severus would kill him if he asked. But at the same time, an ache filled his heart.

"Potter! See me after class," Snape yelled, and Harry jumped, almost dropping his vial of potion.

He put an annoyed look on his face. "I'll see you guys later," he said to Ron and Hermione. They nodded and left the classroom, leaving Harry alone with Snape. Harry dropped his irritated expression and went up to Snape's desk.

"Here is your potion. I trust these vials will last the week. If you are still having trouble sleeping, I will brew you more," Snape said, handing Harry several vials.

"Thank you, Professor. I appreciate it." Harry carefully placed the vials in his cauldron along with the Potion he'd made in class, and headed for the door.

"Harry, wait." Snape's tone was soft and Harry turned in the doorway. "I know what it's like to lose a friend. If you need to talk, you may confide in me."

Harry smiled. "Thank you, sir." Their gazes locked and Harry felt a fluttering in his heart as he left the classroom.

"I have to go," said Harry. "Staff meeting."

"Oh, right. I'll come with you, then." Hermione followed Harry out of her and Ron's rooms, and they walked to the staff room.

"Harry, Hermione. You're late," McGonagall said as they sat down. Harry clenched his jaw as he noticed Severus smirking. "We were just discussing a change in the DADA schedule."

"My...schedule?" Harry hadn't heard anything about this. "What about it?"

"We were talking about moving the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw lessons to the afternoon, and Severus could assist you with classes in the morning, with the Gryffindors and Slytherins," said McGonagall.

This was news to Harry. "What?" He struggled to be professional and not to make an outburst, but it was hard, especially when his ex was obviously enjoying this. He wished McGonagall would have discussed this with him in private before asking the other teachers' opinions. It didn't even have anything to do with them! "Minerva, that's not fair. I can teach on my own." It still felt weird calling McGonagall by her first name.

"Potter, you are fresh out of school, only eighteen years old with many students' education in your hands," Severus pointed out, unfazed by Harry's glare. "You will need some help."

"You really have no faith in me, do you?" Harry said. "I can teach my students on my own!"

"I am doing this to help you!" Severus yelled at him, and Harry recoiled. "Because I don't want to see you fail."

"What do you care?" Harry demanded. "You sure loved seeing me fail when I was in school. You did nothing but treat me like crap."

Harry immediately regretted his words. Severus's gaze hardened and he stood from his chair, storming out of the room. Hermione tilted her head to the door as if to say, Go after him.

Harry ran out the door, but he didn't see Severus. "Severus!" he called, wondering if the Potions Master had gone back to the dungeons.

But no, he hadn't. Harry suddenly knew where he had gone.

So he made his way up to the Astronomy Tower. It was daytime so there weren't any stars out, but when Harry pushed open the door to the Tower he saw a figure clad in black standing by the railing. "Severus," Harry said softly, walking over to him.

"I suppose our relationship meant nothing to you," said the Potions Master quietly.

Harry felt his heart break. "I'm so sorry," he said. He put a hand on Severus's shoulder, but the older man just shook it off. "I didn't mean it. You know I never think before I act." No response. "Our relationship meant the world to me, Severus."

Severus finally looked at him, and Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "I can't just forget, Harry."

Harry nodded. "I understand. I was horrible to you that night." Shame filled him at the memory. "I won't ask for your forgiveness, because...I don't deserve it," said Harry, a lump forming in his throat. "Goodbye, Severus." And then he did the hardest thing that he'd ever done in his life.

He walked away.


AN: Hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Please review for more updates soon :)