Chapter 8

Harry didn't talk to Severus the whole journey home. Severus stepped through his front door and stood awkwardly in the entrance hall, while Harry swept brusquely past him and into the kitchen, switching on the kettle almost instinctively. Harry glanced at Severus, who was standing with just as much dignity as he could muster.

"Sit down." Severus did as he was told. Harry made him a coffee and he sat with it in his hands until it went cold, and then Harry took it away from him without a word and cleaned the cup. Severus reached out to touch his arm and he recoiled as if burned, glaring at him and hissing through clenched teeth. "Don't you dare." Harry bustled around for an hour, tidying things that weren't messy to avoid having to be around Severus.

"I've prepared the guest bedroom for Minerva. She'll be here in ten minutes. Think you'll be okay until then?"

"You're not staying?" Harry laughed bitterly and answered with a degree of cynicism which didn't suit him.

"Last time I tried to stay you attempted to kill yourself, so forgive me if I'm not overly eager about going ahead with our plans." Severus winced and nodded, whispering 'okay'. When Harry left, the door closed with an almost silent click, but for all the enormity of the action he may as well have slammed it hard enough to shatter the frame.

'' '' ''

Minerva had settled onto the settee and was reading when Severus entered the room after trying unsuccessfully to sleep. She put down her book and smiled at him, looking over her spectacles.

"Minnie, what have I done?"

"Oh, honey. Come here." She held out her arms and he sat next to her, resting his head on her shoulder and wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt anyone. Especially not him." She kissed the top of his head and wiped a tear from her own cheek.

"I know you didn't, Sev. But it's not me you need to convince."