AN: I know it's been more than a week. What can I say? I'm only human, sorry about that :/

*Duarten88- I think you're right, let's wait a little to introduce Harry's friends. As for the memories, like I've said Harry's memory loss has nothing to do with the curse. Harry should get back his memories... eventually ;)

*AlwaysASlytherin- thanks for the imput, though remember that Harry's mark will be on his forearm, not his chest. I do like the idea of an infinity sign though, it does look kinda like a chain link like you said, but also it reminds me of the whole "Always" things that Severus has going for him :)

*Sayainprincess07- I'm not sure exactly what you meant, did you mean Harry's mark should be the words "Severus Persive"? Sorry, I really didn't catch that...

*Caraline Fisher- Your ideas are entertaining and highly amusing, don't let anyone tell you different :D

Thank you mandacie and wooftmnt for the support :)

OMG! I just looked at the stats of this story: 195 followers! That means 195 people liked this story enough to follow it so they when it's updated... I didn't even expected 100 people to even see this story _

Hope you enjoy this chapter! :)
~GreenEyes

Vernon?! As in Vernon Dursley? The whale of a man who married Lily's older sister? Petunia, you insult to all Muggles!

Severus had told his mentor countless times that Harry would've been better off with anyone else, anyone at all. But Albus had always brought up the damned blood-wards. Was Albus mad?! The woman despised magic and all those that had it, of course she would try to convince Harry that it didn't exist.

Severus could still remember Petunia screaming at Lily that she was nothing more than a freak! Her own sister… had Harry grown up with that name hanging over his head?

Merlin, he had sworn that he would protect Lily's son… and where had he been when the boy needed him most? How could he have let this happen? How could he possibly fix this?

Harry shivered. And no wonder, what with the long silence and the fact that was still wrapped in a towel. The stone floor wasn't helping either.

First things first, Harry could borrow some of his clothes for the night, they would go shopping in the morning… if Harry could handle it.

"Accio!" Severus summoned some of his nightclothes and shrank let just a little; Harry was quite near to his size.

"Magic does exist, Harry." Severus said as he handed the clothes to Harry.

Harry took the clothes, looking at him with cautious hope in his eyes.

"Get dressed and try to get some sleep, Harry." Severus said starting for the door; he needed to get back to his plans.

"But Masjnggb pfgjkgjbds…" Harry mumbled something.

Severus turned back.

"What was that, Harry?" Severus asked gently, despite his loathing of mumbling.

"M-Master promised to c-cut Harry's h-hair…" Harry stuttered, eyes cast downwards.

Severus sighed. Would he ever get back to the comfort of concrete facts and planning? He had promised the boy though…

"Very well, Harry," Severus said, "Get dressed and meet me out in the hall."

Harry nodded and immediately began dressing. Severus stepped out into the hall to wait. In almost no time at all Harry stepped out of his rooms, fully-dressed.

"Follow me, Harry." Severus said leading the way.

Severus led Harry down the hallway until they reached the last door on the right. Severus opened the door and stepped inside, Harry followed.

"This is my room, Harry," Severus explained, "If you ever need me during the night I can usually be found here."

Harry nodded to show he understood.

Severus transfigured a chair out of one of his pillows and set it in front of the full-length mirror in his room. He gestured for Harry to sit down.

Severus had had to learn to cut his own hair in his fifth year… after his mother passed away. His father had never been sober enough to notice when things like haircuts were due; he never forgot when beatings were due though.

It was a simple charm, but it did require the use of a wand. Severus crossed the room to his bed. He opened the top drawer of his bedside cabinet and took out his wand. He stood behind Harry and looked at him in the mirror, Harry had his eyes locked on the wand.

"This won't take long, Harry" Severus said taking a lock of raven hair in one hand and raising the wand in the other.

"Will it hurt?" Harry asked, wide-eyed.

Severus winced, remembering the few times when his hand slipped and he ended up getting the rest of his haircut from Madame Pomfrey, along with healing salve and bandages. But he hadn't –not badly– in years, and it had been more difficult when cutting his own hair.

"Not if you hold still" Severus said, "Remember, that means you may still breathe."

Harry nodded solemnly. Severus sighed; it had been an attempt at a joke –and quite a pathetic attempt apparently.

"Praetrunco" Severus muttered, touching his wand to the lock of hair.

The hair was severed cleanly where the wand touched it.

Soon Harry's hair was clean-cut and neat. Not too short, but it no longer grew passed his shoulders. Severus would have liked to think that, had Harry had a say in it, he would have liked it cut the way Severus had done it. He had been careful to cut it in much the same way Harry had always worn it, but not as all-over-the-place, he didn't think Harry would have appreciated looking like a mini-Snape.

"Okay, Harry, all done," Severus said, vanishing the small pile of hair on the floor.

"Thank you, Mas-Severus," Harry said, running a hand through his hair.

"What do think?" Severus asked uncertainly.

"What does Severus think?" Harry asked innocently.

Severus sighed, of course Harry wouldn't dare voice his own opinion… that is… if he even had one to give.

"I think it looks close enough to how you always wore it," Severus said.

"But does Severus like it?" Harry asked.

"I- Yes," Severus said, "Yes, I do like it… it suits you."

What else could he say? He wasn't very well going to say he didn't like it, Harry wouldn't take it very well, and it wouldn't even be true!

Harry beamed.

"Then Harry likes it as well!" Harry said.

"Fantastic," Severus said flatly, "Do you think you could get some sleep now?"

"Uh-huh" Harry jumped up from the chair he was in and, after some hesitance, hugged Severus tightly.

Very tightly…

Those pajamas sure are thin, the voice was back.

Shut up! Severus snarled.

You felt it too, the voice said.

"It" happened to be Harry's erection, which hadn't calmed down yet apparently since the bath.

After a moment of seething –at himself– Severus put his arms around Harry and hugged him back. What else could he do? Unfortunately, by hugging Harry back, he pressed Harry even closer to his groin area. Severus couldn't help it, he groaned.

Harry immediately pushed himself away.

"Master!" Harry exclaimed "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"No, Harry," Severus cursed Harry's innocence and his own weakness, "I'm fine, just go to bed."

Harry still had a little worry in his eyes, but he nodded.

"Okay," Harry said, "Goodnight, Ma-Severus."

"Goodnight, Harry." Severus said, keeping his voice even by sheer will power.

Harry left the room.

Severus lay down on his and stared at the ceiling.

So, the voice said slyly, you can either go back to your boring planning…or…

"Shut up" Severus said out loud, unzipping his pants.

AN: What did you think? Sorry the chapters are so short, I know it annoys me when chapters are so short, but I publish a new chapter at a minimum of 1000 words. I update as soon as I finish a chapter, so if they were longer it would take more time.
~GreenEyes