AN: Sorry I haven't updated in so long! Spring break has been crazy, but I should have more time to update in the next few days.
lilyflower101: Yes he is :)
Guest: Thank you so much!
Thorilian: Haha I know the feeling, sorry! Here's another chapter for you
Severus's PoV:
Severus Snape stood in front of Privet Drive, looking at number four. So, this was the family who had abused Harry, he thought to himself, crossing his arms. Well, they were about to get what had been coming for them for a very long time.
Severus didn't bother to knock as he burst into the house, his black robes flying behind him like a cape around the corner into the Dursleys' living room. "Are you the Dursleys?" he asked, his black eyes a storm.
Dudley screamed, Petunia was pale, and Vernon looked terrified. "Y-Yes," Vernon stammered.
"I am one of Harry's professors at Hogwarts," Severus said sharply, pulling out his wand. All three Dursleys shrieked, and Severus tried not to cringe at the sound. He stepped closer, pointing his wand at the Dursleys. "And if I ever hear of you hurting my - hurting Harry again, I'll hex you. Although," he added, "I rather like the idea of hexing you anyway."
Harry's PoV:
Harry gaped at the Potions Master, not sure whether to be grateful or worried. "You did what?"
"I put a hex on them," Severus said. "Only a temporary one, or I would be in trouble."
"You might be already, Professor Snape," Hermione pointed out.
"Severus did an amazing thing for me," Harry said. "The Dursleys deserved it." He looked at Severus. "Thank you."
"So it is true, then," Ron said. "You and Sn - and Professor Snape - are friends?"
Harry smiled and nodded. "Severus, could you pass the gravy?" he asked, their fingers brushing as Severus handed it to him. Harry felt a fluttering in his chest.
He, Severus, Ron, and Hermione talked for a while longer before Ron and Hermione left, leaving Severus and Harry alone. "I mean it, you know," Harry said. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Severus looked a little embarrassed.
"Hey," said Harry gently, and his Professor glanced up at him. "You don't have to be embarrassed. What you did was brave."
"And foolish," Severus said. "I could still get in trouble. But," he added, "I do not regret it."
Harry looked up in surprise. "You don't?"
"You are my friend," Severus pointed out. Harry smiled.
They finished their dinner shortly after, and both stood up from the table. "Harry, since your friends are here, when do you want to have Occlu-"
Harry wrapped his arms around Severus's waist, pulling him into a tight but warm hug. After a moment, Harry felt a pair of strong arms wrapping around him, holding him close. Severus rested his cheek on the top of Harry's head, and Harry's face was buried in his Professor's shoulder so that he couldn't breathe, but he didn't care.
They stayed like that for a long time, not talking, but just enjoying each other's company and the closeness of the other. "Thank you again, Severus."
Severus touched Harry's shoulder gently. "After all they've done to you, you deserve it."
Harry smiled. "I really do appreciate it. Oh, and about Occlumency...I guess we can have lessons in my room now," he said as they walked up the stairs. "Also, since your room isn't exactly in the best condition, you can stay with me if you'd like."
"In...in your bedroom?" Severus asked, pausing with his hand on the doorknob to his bedroom.
"Well...you don't really have a wall," said Harry, blushing. "I have a double bed so we could both fit - and I also have four walls."
Silence. Harry's cheeks burned. "All right," Severus agreed. "Thank you, Harry."
"It's the least I could do after what you did for me," Harry pointed out as Severus followed him down the hall and into Harry's room. They got in bed as if they did this every night, and Harry turned off his lamp, plunging them in darkness.
"Goodnight, Severus."
"Goodnight, Harry."
Silence. Harry knew Severus was still awake, and so he scooted closer to Severus until his head rested on the Potions Master's shoulder. He heard his professor's breath catch, and then felt Severus's arm wrap around his waist. He'd never slept with anyone all through the night. The closest he'd gotten was to sharing rooms with people, but never a bed. Never.
Had he really invited his professor to bed?
Harry, whose face was starting to grow hot again, was glad the room was dark so Severus wouldn't notice his blush. He wondered why Severus had accepted his offer so quickly. The man had just said the other night that he liked to be alone.
Severus tugged him closer, his large nose buried in Harry's hair. The younger man felt a flutter of warmth. It was the same as when he'd found out that Severus had hexed the Dursleys, when their fingers had brushed, and when he'd pulled the piece of wall from Severus's hair and their gazes had met. And then Harry realized what was happening.
He was falling in love with Severus. With Snape, his greasy git of a Potions teacher. With his friend, who was old enough that he'd gone to school with Harry's father.
Harry felt like he couldn't breathe, and he sat up quickly. "Harry? What's wrong?"
"I just..." Harry gulped. Severus's hand rested low on his back and he couldn't think straight. "I...I need a glass of water. I'll be right back." He got up and quickly left the room.
Severus's PoV:
Severus watched Harry leave, confused. More than confused. Perplexed. Harry had seemed overwhelmed about something, Severus didn't know what. Maybe that they were sharing a bed?
But Harry was the one who invited him to his room. So that couldn't be it, could it?
Harry returned, gulping down water. "Is everything all right?" Severus asked him when he got back in bed.
"Fine," Harry answered, but Severus wasn't so sure. "I was just thirsty."
Severus looked at Harry who was turned over on his other side, facing away from the Potions Master. Taking a deep breath, Severus moved closer to him and put an arm around him. "If you need to tell me anything, Harry, you may."
"Thanks, Severus."
In the darkness, Harry's hand found the other man's, his fingers lacing through Severus's. Soon, Severus felt Harry's breathing slow. He was asleep.
Severus felt a warmth that he hadn't felt since Lily, and realized with horror that he didn't just feel friendship for Harry.
He was falling in love with him.
Severus's eyes widened in the darkness, and he shook his head slightly so he wouldn't wake Harry. No, Severus, he told himself. But even as he tried to deny it, he couldn't deny his feelings for Harry.
This was all Albus's fault. He was the one who'd made Severus teach the boy Occlumency, so that Severus would see that Harry wasn't the spoiled brat Severus thought he'd been and that he was actually a kind, caring person. But deep down, he knew Albus hadn't made Severus fall in love with Harry. It had just happened.
Sighing, Severus tugged more of the blanket to him - Harry was hogging the blankets. He decided to keep his feelings a secret. Yes, that's what he would do. No one had to know, especially Harry. Having resolved his problem, he fell asleep with his face buried in Harry's hair.
AN: Hope you guys like the new chapter! Review please and updates soon :)