A/N:- I'm extremely pissed off at the moment but I took time to write another chapter.

DISCLAIMER:- I don't own Harry Potter or anything related to it.

Warning for the Chapter:- None.

The Light in The Darkness

Six

Harry began to grow more used to Snape. In fact, the man didn't seem half as scary anymore. He began to be more grateful for everything Snape did for him-Snape fed him adequately, Snape didn't make him do chores all day, Snape didn't shout at him for no reason.

In fact, the man hardly spoke to him anymore. They met at mealtimes but that was it.

Harry began to feel very bored and lonely...

One day, as he sat on his bed, languidly doing his Charms homework, he saw Snape pass by the door and disappear. Harry huffed. He wanted the man to talk to him...about anything, as long as he just did.

After a while of moping, Harry crept out of his room and went to the living room. He saw Snape looking extremely tired, sitting on the sofa, shuffling through files.

"Sn-er, sir?" Harry blurted before he could stop himself.

Snape looked up at him. They stared at each other for a while before Snape said, "Come here,"

Harry's heart pounded as he nervously made his way to the sofa and sat down gingerly.

"Potter...I would like to express my apologies for entering your mind the other day," Snape said, awkwardly. "I should have known that it was private."

"It-it doesn't matter," Harry squeaked, hastily.

Snape sighed and there was a pause. "I was...under the impression that my room was rifled with. Did you go in there?"

"N-no," The lie slipped out brokenly, and Harry's cheeks flushed. He couldn't keep a secret from Snape for long and he knew that he would be punished extra for lying. But yet, he couldn't bring himself to tell the truth.

"Are you sure about that?" Snape's eyes bored into his and Harry flinched. The gaze was much too intense and he suddenly burbled out: "I did, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't mean it, it's just that my essay flew in through the door, please don't be mad, sir, I-"

"Calm down," Snape said, cuttingly. Harry froze, fear showing plainly in his eyes.

"In normal circumstances you would have been in trouble, seeing as I had told you quite plainly that my room was off-limits," Snape's eyes were glinting with anger and Harry felt his throat constrict. "And you lied to me when I first asked you. But I'm letting it go this time. So I'd appreciate it if you stoped trembling,"

Harry realised that he was shaking. He flushed again and stopped himself. "I'm sorry, sir,"

"Did you go through my things?"

"No, sir," Harry said, honestly.

Except that I saw that photo.

But Harry was not stupid and he didn't mention it.

"Right. Good. You can go now,"

"Oh," Harry looked disappointed. He had never been hugged in his life, except maybe by his parents when he had been younger, and thinking about Snape hugging him suddenly made him laugh. He bit his tongue on the giggle.

Snape turned his gaze away from him and Harry suddenly said: "I'm bored,"

At first time seemed to stop. Harry was afraid for a moment that he had gone too far but Snape simply stared at him.

"What?" He asked, blankly.

"There's not much to do, sir. Couldn't I stay here with you? I won't be a bother, honest."

"And your homework?"

"I've finished most of Transfiguration and I stared on Charms so I thought..."

"What will you do, watching me?"

Harry immediately looked contrite. "I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean to interfere. I'll go back to my-" He half-stood but Snape stopped him.

"You don't need to act like that," Snape looked slightly wounded. "I was merely asking you a question. I'm not doing anything, actually, but if you like I could teach you how to brew a potion. It may help you in classes," he added the last sentence rather hastily.

"Of course, sir," At least it was something to do. The sudden kindness was far too much for Harry to bear. He smiled.

...

Harry actually liked brewing with Snape. The man was not half as unpleasant when he was not sneering at him. Harry tried to be as helpful and unobtrusive as possible, replying meekly and answering fired-out questions. He had been reading some of Snape's given Potion books in case.

Snape, for once, looked a little pleased with him. The man many a time gave him approving nods and once even almost paid him a compliment. This was great progress!

Finally, when Snape saw that Harry could be trusted somewhat, he allowed the boy to stir the potion, which Harry had been dying to do.

The potion was a deep blue and he had been fascinated by the colour. Harry had loved the thick texture too.

"Oh, thank you sir," Harry said, sounding pleased. Snape froze. That was so unexpected. Was he actually enjoying spending time with Potter?

When they were done, Harry looked up at Snape, as if contemplating something. Then the boy spoke: "Thank you, sir."

Snape wasn't sure that he had heard correctly. "Excuse me?"

"Thank you. For-for letting me brew with you. For allowing me to work with you. I didn't deserve it. Especially after I called you all those names. I'm-I'm sorry," Harry said, in a small voice.

Snape's heart wrenched. The boy was looking so unlike James Potter at the moment that it was a bit startling. "I must have told you, Potter, that I was being lenient at that time. You were ill and upset during that period so I don't blame you. However, I am specially impressed by your sudden manners."

Harry flushed. The 'sudden' manners part had disconcerted him. "Er-Thank you, sir."

"You don't need to be so meek all the time, Potter," Snape looked annoyed. "Where is your Gryffindor brashness gone? You weren't like this at school,"

"I'm not brash," Harry protested, but his voice was not very loud. "I'm just trying to be polite. You asked me to," he said, his voice slightly whiny.

"You start crying again and I will punish you despite your good behaviour today. Come now, it's time for dinner."

Ending Notes:- I'm extremely sorry it's so short but I may not be able to update for long so I wanted to post this! A really angsty chapter coming up.