Chapter 7- Warming up

"You have it."

As soon as Severus heard those words, he let out a breath that he was unknowingly holding in.

"I am honored." Severus said and bowed his head a little.

"So, what new technique?" Harry asked him as he drummed his fingers against the polished surface of the table.

Severus cleared his throat as he put a Charm on the potion which would keep it stasis. He pulled out another cauldron before setting it up on a new table beside his own.

"As I said before, it's an Occlumency technique." Severus said. "I will enter your mind and put up strong defenses, or rather, strengthen your defenses."

"You will enter my mind?" Harry asked him in disbelief.

"That is why I require your trust. I need you to give me full access to your mind for those few minutes." Severus said while staring at the boy.

Harry appeared to be thinking for a minute before he spoke.

"What defenses can you put up in my head?" He asked.

"You use a Quidditch memory as a defense."

"Used to." Harry said nonchalantly.

"Excuse me?" Severus narrowed his eyes at the boy.

"I used to use Quidditch. But I realized that it wasn't working, so I use another." Harry said.

"What do you use now?" Severus asked him.

"What do you use?" Harry countered.

"I am not the one suffering from nightmares due to weak defenses." Severus said shrewdly.

Harry held his gaze for a moment before deflating,

"a few days ago, I realized that a memory of a muggle swing works better from me." He said.

"A muggle swing?"

"Yeah, it's kind of seat hung by-"

"I know what a muggle swing is, Potter!" Severus snapped. Harry looked taken aback by the sudden reaction.

"Oh. Okay. Well, I used to spend hours sitting on it when I was at the Dursleys. It helps." Harry said. "I can feel that it's stronger than the Quidditch one."

"You are a strange one, Mr. Potter." Severus stated.

"I know." Harry grinned at him. "So, what exactly will you do?"

"I will ask you to put up your defense. Once you have done so, I will enter and strengthen your picture of the…muggle playground." Severus said.

"You don't like muggle playgrounds?" Harry asked him, noticing the underlying tone.

"They are good for children." Severus said without giving away anything.

"You never liked them?" Harry asked him. Severus shook his head.

"Quite the contrary, I have many good memories in a muggle playground." Severus said. Harry gave him a questioning look.

"I met your mother in a muggle playground near our house." Severus said in a strained voice. Harry's green eyes filled with curiosity and sadness.

"You don't have to tell me." He said.

"I will." Severus said. "Eventually."

"Okay."

Harry watched as Severus finished cleaning the worktop.

"Madame Pomfrey ran out of Skele-Grow. I will instruct, you make it." Severus said and summoned a number of ingredients and put them on the new table.

Harry's eyebrows shot up at the command.

"It's a NEWT potion." He said, but moved over to the cauldron nonetheless.

"And that matters how?" Severus raised an eyebrow at him.

"Just saying." Harry shrugged.

"I saw you reading the books required to become a Healer." Severus said conversationally.

Harry started the flame under the cauldron and put some water in it.

"Hermione wants to become some kind of curse researcher for the Ministry. Ron is going to try out as an Auror." He said as he started cutting up some slugs.

"Be careful, don't cut out it's stomach." Severus said. "And you are still confused about what you want to do?"

"I thought of becoming an Auror too, but I don't think I can handle any more of the killing." A coat of sweat formed on Harry' head as he said this. "I am not even sure if I'll live because Voldemort-"

He was cut off as Severus moved forward and took the knife from his hands before holding the boy at an arm's distance.

"You will not talk about dying in this house. You are braver and stronger than that monster, Harry. Don't ever let me hear you talk like this again." He said in a dangerous voice.

"Yes sir. Sorry sir." Harry said and Snape let go.

"Start washing the toad eyes." Harry obeyed and put the toad eyes in a fresh bowl of water.

"So you are thinking of becoming a healer?" Severus asked and added the chopped slugs in the cauldron.

"No. I was exploring the option of becoming a healer." Harry said.

"So you are interested in becoming a healer."

"Why are you so interested in what I am interested in becoming?" Harry narrowed his eyes at the older man.

"Because I adopted you." Severus said. Harry felt the familiar feeling of belongingness in his stomach and he smiled softly as he peered in the cauldron.

"I am…fascinated by the profession." Harry said as he returned to his toad eyes. "5 will do?"

"7." Severus said briskly. "I am a certified healer, you know."

"You are?" Harry eyed him. "I didn't know."

"You need a Healer's Certification before you become a Potions Master." Severus explained and performed some spell to make the potion deep red.

"So you can work in St. Mungo's too, if you want?" Harry asked.

"I can. Although I choose to help Madame Pomfrey in the infirmary sometimes."

"I know it's none of my business, but I am pretty sure St. Mungo's pays much better to a healer than Hogwarts pays to a teacher." Harry said as he banished the remains of the cut of slugs.

"You're right." Severus nodded.

"I am?" Harry looked at him skeptically.

"It is none of your business." Harry rolled his eyes at the man before adding some blue liquid to the potion.

The duo worked precisely with Harry preparing and adding ingredients and Severus correcting him and performing necessary spells.

"So you live alone?" Harry started a conversation.

"Mostly." Severus said.

"Girlfriends?"

Severus raised an eyebrow at Harry.

"Boyfriends?"

Severus closed his eyes before blatantly ignoring the boy.

"I won't mind." Harry shrugged.

"I don't date." Severus said immediately.

"You don't?"

"I am well past that stage."

Harry snorted at that.

"No one is past the stage of dating." He said.

"Are we really going to ponder more over this matter?" Severus asked snidely.

"Why no-"

"Because I'd rather have you out of these quarters than doing that." Severus said dismissively.

"Right. Sorry." Harry said and returned to his potion.

"I have a brother." Severus said after a while. Harry's eyes widened and he looked at Severus in disbelief.

"Why is it so hard to believe that I have a sibling like a normal human being?" Severus drawled.

"No-I mean- It's not-" Harry spluttered and Severus put up a hand to stop his inane way of salvaging the situation.

"It is alright."

"I am sorry, I didn't mean it like that. It's just that you don't look like a sibling bloke." The young wizard shrugged.

Severus gave a rich laugh at that.

"Sibling bloke? That's a first. Sebastian will love that." He said.

"So that's his name? Sebastian?" Harry asked, wanting to know more about his potential 'Uncle'.

"Yes."

"He's younger than you?"

"Yes, by a year. Stir it clockwise now."

Harry did as he asked before questioning Severus again.

"Where is he?"

"I have no idea." Severus said and threw in some cloves.

"He doesn't work?" Harry asked.

"Enough with the questions, Harry." Severus said. "Now let it simmer for 3 hours."

"You will have to add the Salamander Blood." Harry said while cleaning the worktop. He was a bit annoyed by Snape not answering his questions properly.

'So much for having a family.' He thought as he packed his bag.

"I will see you later, sir." He said. Severus looked up from the book he was perusing.

"You can have dinner here, if you want." He said.

Harry shook his head.

"I…need to meet Neville before dinner." He lied. Severus narrowed his eyes but nodded.

Just as Harry was about to open the door to the lab, Severus called him.

"I will answer all your questions eventually, Harry. You have to understand that I am not used to sharing things with people." Harry looked at him. "All of this is… quite new to me."

"Me too." Harry gave him a half smile before going out.

/

"Where were you?" Hermione asked Harry as soon as he took a seat beside her in the Great Hall.

"I was…doing some work." Harry said and served himself a scoop of mashed potatoes.

"Work? What work?" Hermione's eyes narrowed at his words.

"Just work, Hermione! Drop it!" Harry said snappily.

"Whoa, what's up with you mate?" Ron asked him.

Harry rubbed his forehead and dropped his fork. He could feel a headache coming on.

"I am sorry. I just…I am not feeling that good." He said.

"Maybe you are just hungry." Hermione said. "Eat."

"I am tired. I am going to head to bed early." Harry pushed his untouched plate away before fetching his bag and standing up.

"At least have some chicken." Ron said as he watched his friend stand up.

"I am not hungry, Ron. I will see you guys tomorrow." With that, he stood up and left.

"He's hiding something." Hermione said.

"100 points to Gryffindor." Ron said sarcastically.

"Why do I have the feeling that whatever he is hiding somehow relates to Snape." Hermione said in a low voice and sneakily pointed to the Head Table.

Ron turned his head towards the pointed direction and saw Snape shooting looks at the door through which his friend had just left. He almost looked…concerned.

"That's strange." He commented.

"I am going to ask him tomorrow." Hermione said determinedly.

"I will lose my hopes of getting into the Quidditch team if he agrees to tell you." Ron said as he ate his food.

"Like you are ever going to do that." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Exactly my point, Herms." Ron grinned at her chilly glare.

/

The next morning Harry woke up feeling a little refreshed. He was tired the day before by making potions and had slept like a log for 4 hours until the nightmares had decided that he had had enough bliss.

He rubbed his eyes and stretched before getting out of bed. Ron's bed was empty.

'Probably with Hermione.' Harry thought and made his way over to the bathroom. The boys from his dormitory had already left, he passed Neville on his way in the bathroom and nodded in greeting.

He opened his toiletries bag and looked inside. There it was. Shining in the morning light, just beside his shampoo. Harry carefully picked it up and examined its sharp blade. The sight of the razor blade always tempted him. But somehow, a small voice in his head always interrupted him. A part of his brain always made up scenarios whenever he thought of cutting himself.

A scene where he would be sitting with Snape, drinking coffee and laughing over something. A third person joined them this time, he couldn't see the man's face, but he knew he was family.

'Uncle Seb!' His imagined counterpart would exclaim and hug the man.

"...Harry? Harry!" A voice interrupted his thoughts and he looked behind him. Ron was standing fully dressed looking at him and then the blade in his hand.

"I was thinking of shaving." Harry lied pathetically and waved the blade.

"With a blade!? Aren't you a wizard?" Ron asked him in disbelief.

"Well I don't exactly have a male role model to show me how." Harry shrugged his shoulders and dropped the blade in the bag again.

"You are soft as a bum, Harry. You don't need a shave." Ron laughed as he ran his hand over Harry's chin. "Get dressed, me and Herms are waiting for you downstairs." He said and left the bathroom.

Harry watched as the door closed before sighing deeply. Life was becoming monotonous.

A thought suddenly popped in his head and his eyes shined brightly.

He quickly brushed his teeth and got dressed before running downstairs.

"Hey slow down!" A girl yelled at him on the stairs but he ignored her.

"You guys go down to the Great Hall. I'll meet you there in a while." He told Ron and Hermione.

"Where are you going?" Hermione yelled after him.

"McGonagall." He yelled back.

"Is this about the Quidditch tryouts? Hey!" Ron hollered, but Harry was already out of the common room.

"I don't get him sometimes." Ron said.

"Welcome to the club, Ronald." Hermione said before going out with Ron following her.

/

Harry knew McGonagall always came to breakfast 20 minutes before it ended, and could be found in her office before that. He skidded to a halt in front of it before knocking. The door opened to reveal a sight that confused Harry.

"Mr. Potter." McGonagall nodded at him.

"Morning, Professor." Harry said but his curious green eyes rested on the figure sitting in front of Minerva "Professor Snape."

"Harry." Snape inclined his head.

"What can I do for you Mr. Potter.?" McGonagall asked him, her eyes roaming between the other two occupants of the room.

"I was here to tell you that I will be holding the Quidditch tryouts this Saturday, ma'am." Harry said, shooting curious glances towards Snape.

"Of course, I will book the pitch and attach the notice on the notice board in the Common Room."

"Thank you, ma'am." Harry said, still looking at Snape. The older man rolled his eyes before turning around and addressing the boy.

"Can't two colleagues sit together and have a cup of tea, Mr. Potter?" He asked calmly. Harry blinked at that before nodding his head.

"Sure…I am sorry. I…uh…I should leave." He said and backed out of the room.

"I expect to see you in my office before dinner, Harry." Severus called out to him before he left.

He turned around again to meet a smirking Minerva.

"What?" He snapped.

"You've warmed up to the boy." She said.

"Mind your own business, woman."

"I knew it. He's grown on you." She was fully grinning now.

"Why do I feel like you and Dumbledore spend too much time together." Severus muttered darkly.

"Now that, is our business to mind, Severus." Minerva said pointedly. Severus smirked before getting up.

"Shall I expect small sugar high devils bouncing off Hogwarts' walls in a year or two." He said from the door and effectively dodged the flying inkpot that was thrown his way with a victorious grin.

'What better than starting your day with annoying the Gryffindor cat?' He smirked to himself before walking off with a slight bounce in his steps.

Just slight.

/

"You are late." Severus observed as soon as Harry burst through his office door.

"I got caught up in some work." Harry panted and fell down in the nearest chair.

"I do not appreciate being lied to, Harry." Severus said and looked up for the first time since Harry had entered the room. He kept his quill down and flexed his fingers before pinning the boy with a steel gaze.

Harry gulped and wiped a drop of sweat from his brow.

Severus waved his hand and a goblet of water was sitting in front of Harry which he graciously downed.

"I ran all the way over here." Harry said in a way of explanation.

"The truth, Harry." Severus reminded him.

"I was…" Harry sighed. "I was trying to get rid of Ron and Hermione."

Severus raised an eyebrow.

"You haven't told them." It was a statement.

Harry licked his lips.

"I…haven't had time to do that." He said and tapped his legs against the stone floor.

"Detention, Mr. Potter, for lying repeatedly to your professor!" Snape snapped.

"I am…" Harry started.

"I want you to tell me the truth in my presence, Harold James. Whatever it is." Snape said with a threatening finger.

"I am sorry."

Snape nodded.

"I am scared." Harry said. "I know it's stupid, you don't have to grind me-"

"It is stupid and senseless." Severus nodded in agreement and Harry glared at him.

"Thank you." Harry said sardonically.

"You should tell them."

"What good would it do? Hermione will smile awkwardly at me and Ron would go on spouting all kinds of things that would indicate how wrong my choice was and how-"

"Do you regret it?" Severus asked him suddenly. Harry's head snapped up at the man.

"What-No! I don't! Are you insane? You are the first person in my life who cared enough to care, Severus! I would never ever regret this!" Harry cried out and spread out his hands.

"Then why are you afraid of your friends' judgements?" The question cut Harry like a knife and he looked down.

"I don't know." He shrugged.

Severus leaned back and crossed his legs.

"I will try to tell them."

Severus stared at him.

"As soon as possible."

Severus' stare intensified.

"I will tell them." Harry said in defeat.

Severus' lip twitched a little as he looked at the boy.

"Good. Care for some tea?" He asked him and stood up.

"I thought you called me here for Occlumency." Harry said as he followed the man into their personal quarters.

"Your Occlumency has improved a lot. You need to try breathing techniques before going to bed to clear your mind and improve your defenses. You know Occlumency, you just need to master it. All I can do is help you when you ask for it." Severus explained as Harry took his usual seat on the sofa and he sat in the armchair in front of him.

A tray with some tea was delivered and they both hastily took the warm liquid. The weather outside was chilly, and the first snow was expected to fall soon.

They both sat talking until Severus ordered some dinner for them. They ate and talked and laughed. Harry hadn't had such a good conversation with anyone.

"I still can't believe you are crazy about Quidditch." Harry said in disbelief.

"I tried out for the Slytherin team in my third year." Severus said proudly. He was enjoying his time with Harry, something he had never thought he would say.

"You're kidding." Harry jumped in his seat.

"I am not. I was selected on spot." Severus smirked proudly.

"You played for Slytherin?"

"Just for a year. My mother restricted me to play in my fourth year. Said I should concentrate on my studies." Severus said bitterly.

"Bad memories?" Harry asked.

"My mother wasn't technically a loving one." Severus said as he took a sip from his customary late night cup of tea.

"I wouldn't know the difference." Harry said as he stared in the fire. Somewhere between their talks, he had made himself comfortable by removing his shoes and putting his feet up on the sofa.

"Petunia was always jealous of magic." Severus said.

"I know." Harry said. "She always gave long weird looks to me, encouraged Dudley to put me down or beat me when I was small."

Severus listened carefully at his charge's words.

"Your uncle never interfered?"

"He did. He used to say- 'Dud, that's no way of treating your freakish cousin. Get the rod I keep in the garage and I'll show you.'" Harry gave a short laugh.

"That was no way of treating you." Severus said firmly.

Harry nodded but didn't look at the man. Severus could see the tears in his eyes as he avoided his gaze.

He made a decision and stood up and sat beside the boy. He laid a tentative hand on the boy's shoulder and captured Harry's attention.

"No one deserves what you went through, Harry. You definitely never deserved it." He said. A small sob escaped Harry and Severus put and arm around him. He was rewarded when small hands flew around his neck and Harry buried his head in his chest. Severus sat still shocked for a few seconds before tentatively holding the boy.

"All I wanted was a normal family." Harry cried.

"I know, I know." Severus said as he pulled the boy closer. "I don't have a family to give you, Harry. But I have love and a home to share with you."

"That's all I need." Harry said. His crying slowly reduced to sniffling and he sat up straight. "I am sorry." He said, embarrassed by his behavior.

"Don't be." Severus said.

"Your room is ready." He said in a lighter note.

"It is?" Harry eyes lit up.

"Follow me." Severus said and led him to a door opposite to his own bedroom.

Harry slowly opened the door and the lamps flickered on. A grin broke out on his face as he saw the room.

"It is quite bare, but you are welcome to add your personal effects." Severus said. He was waiting for the boy's reaction.

"This is amazing! Thank you so much, Severus!" Harry exclaimed as he looked around the room. A single bed was pushed to the right corner of the room and a mahogany desk was situated at the left. A huge window was carved in front of his desk. It was currently showing the aquatic life.

"I have put a charm on the window. You can think of whatever you want and it will show you." Severus explained. "Try it."

Harry threw him a cautious glance before moving towards the window.

"Close your eyes and think of a place." Severus instructed.

Harry closed his eyes and opened them after a few seconds, smiling at the sight in front of him.

"The Tower bridge of London." Severus said as he took in the beautiful sight of London city which was lit by lights in the night.

"I always wanted to visit." Harry said. "What if I open the window?"

Severus smirked and opened the window. Cold breeze washed inside caressing Harry face as he stood gaping at it.

"What did you expect? The Black Squid?" Severus chuckled.

Harry's eyes watered as he looked at Severus.

"Thank you again, Severus. This…this is wonderful." He said. Severus put a hand on his cheek and patted it. "You deserve wonderful." He said to the boy before stepping back.

"You can sleep in here, if you want." He offered.

Harry shook his head.

"Not today. I promised Ron I'd help him with his Charms homework." Harry said. "I should leave."

"You are always welcome down here." Severus said as he followed Harry to the front door. "You can almost be called an honorary Slytherin." He smirked.

Harry threw a nasty glare at him.

"And what does that make you? An honorary Gryffindor?" He asked and took great pleasure when Severus' smirk fell and his face twisted into bitter expression.

"I did not think this through." He muttered and Harry laughed.

"Good night, Severus."

"Good night, Harry." Severus said and watched as the boy disappeared in the corridor.

A/N: I try really hard to keep Severus in his character, but sometimes, even Severus can be a little fluffy! ;P