Disclaimer: See first chapter.
A/N: Sorry this took so long; my computer broke down…four times! But it's completely fixed now so I hope to update regularly!
Chapter Two
Yelling could be heard through the barrier of the bedroom door, the only muffled word that Harry could make out was his name, and yet he couldn't bring himself to care. His eyes stared fixedly at the man in the bed next to his chair. It wasn't until long after the voices died that his eyes began to droop, though he simply could not fall asleep sitting up as he was. He desperately wanted to transfigure his chair into a cot but didn't dare risk the use of magic outside of school. It was out of desperation that he found himself crawling under the navy down comforter next to his professor. The sheets were cool around his body, but the man next to him was so reassuringly warm that it was with great ease that he fell asleep. He was assured in the fact that his tendency of light sleeping would wake him should something go wrong.
He was right. The moment the man started to twitch, Harry was awake and stroking the man's hair. Propped on one elbow, he leaned down to his professor's ear.
"Professor? Wake up professor. It's me, Harry. I know, I'm probably the last person you want to see, but please just humour me." The twitching had stopped, but he had yet to open his eyes. Harry wasn't sure if that was good enough or if he should keep prodding until the man woke up. It was decided for him though when he heard his professor gasp, and the next thing he knew, he was sprawled gracelessly on the cold wooden floor. The man on the bed looked around wildly. Why the hell was he not dead? There was no way that potion could have failed without interference. Slowly, Harry stood as the wild eyes of his professor turned to him. Wordlessly, he stood next to him, neither knew what to say. I must still be dreaming, since this poison isn't a hallucinogen.
"Professor? You're awake! I've been worried sick!" He had to hold his tongue from berating his professor. He knew it probably wouldn't be the best thing for him at the moment, but the simultaneous worry, relief and anger were making it difficult for him to think rationally. Snape's face remained blank for a moment before his expression was replaced with a sneer.
"Potter, once again, meddling in things that ought not to be meddled in. Always the little saviour, whether it's appreciated or not." His professors words stung, but he refused to let that faze him. Harry knew as well as anyone that his professor couldn't stand being seen as vulnerable. Harry would have to proceed with caution.
"You are constantly saving me sir, I was simply hoping to return the favour, and I don't regret it whether you like it or not." Harry stood, his face set in determination, crossing his arms across his chest in a defiant stance.
"How noble of you," Snape replied with a look of disdain. Harry graced him with a mischievous grin.
"Of course sir, that's what I'm here for, I'm afraid you're just going to have to get used to it because you've just bought a one way ticket to my excessive company and it's non-refundable."
"That's exactly what I was trying to get away from." Not even Severus knew why he was lying so blatantly when that was the one thing he would consider living for. Harry's look of hurt was equally as painful for Severus.
"Do you honestly think I'm just like my father? How can I be when I've never met him! For the first eleven years of my life I was made to believe he was an incompetent drunk, and now I find out that he was not only respected, but apparently an egotistical bully? I don't even know what to believe about him anymore so how can I be just like him? You've never even bothered to get to know me, for someone so intelligent, you're being such a dumb-ass." Harry was too upset and hurt to be embarrassed about what he just said. He had wanted to say that for almost seven years now. Severus looked at him dumbstruck for a moment before his brow creased in thought. He leaned back on the mahogany headboard with his arms crossed, lost in thought. Harry stood waiting a few moments before Severus gave a resigned sigh and turned his thoughtful gaze back to Harry.
"I suppose getting to know you would be in my best interest." Harry looked back dumbfounded for a moment before breaking out into a goofy grin.
"I'm glad you finally see things my way." Harry said cheerfully. "Now stay here while I go get you something to eat. You didn't eat anything yesterday, and for the past little while you've only been eating sparingly. It's not healthy," and with that, Harry exited the room, leaving Severus with his thoughts. He had a giddy feeling in his chest that he hadn't felt since he found out that he was accepted into Hogwarts. Harry wanted to get to know him, he wanted to take care of him and make sure he was ok. Severus was almost convinced he was dreaming but this seemed too good to be one of his dreams. Maybe he really was dead, but Harry wouldn't be there if he was. He smiled to himself, deciding to just go with it until reality kicked in; he had nothing left to lose after all.