So this is shorter than I generally like to give you, but it's been a while between updates, and I already got scolded for not updating in over a week. Spring break took over most of my attention (it was over far too soon) and I rewrote the chapter a couple times. I had originally included another bonding scene between Harry and Dean, but it was just dragging. As cute as it was, it had to be cut.

I'd like to say a special thanks to Tonks-is-cool for writing the most lovely review, and to everyone else indignant over the news of my first flame. Love and kisses to all of my reviewers!

Quick question: Do normal people say 'stressors'? I do, but I'm a psych major. My perception is a little skewed.

"You were brewing all night?"

Severus looked up briefly at the teen that had commandeered his bed the night before. "I was low on your sleep aid, and there were a number of other things I needed to replenish."

Harry looked even more rumpled than usual; he must have just woken. "You avoided going to bed," he said leaning against the doorframe of Severus' private lab. "You still don't trust yourself around me."

"I don't trust myself in the same bed as you, no." Severus continued to brew his potions as turning from them now would ruin them, but he was more than capable of halving his attention. "It would be far too easy to forget myself while half asleep."

Harry had an odd expression on his face. "I wish you didn't have to be so careful around me." He stepped forward to peer into the cauldrons, but he was careful not to get into Severus' way. "Should I not come later? Let you get some sleep? Seeing as its my fault you didn't get any last night."

"I could have slept on the couch, you know." Severus couldn't help but feel warmth in the pit of his stomach at Harry's concern. Really, he was becoming as emotional as a Gryffindor. "You may still come here if you wish."

Harry tugged on his fringe and Severus regretted the fact that his hands were otherwise occupied. That gesture, he was quickly coming to learn, indicated some distress or worry that Harry was feeling. Every time he did it, Severus was overcome with the urge to soothe him. "Is this too hard on you?" Harry asked. "All… this?" Harry waved his hand vaguely. "It's not like you don't have any other stressors in your life…"

Thankfully, the potions had reached a point where Severus could safely step away from them for a moment, and he did, grabbing Harry by the shoulders. "Harry, don't start blaming yourself for the problems in my life."

"But it can't be helping," Harry protested. "You have to be so careful all the time. I don't want you to have to be careful around me, too."

"Is that what this is about?" Severus shook his head and cast Stasis charms on the cauldrons. The potions were stable enough that it wouldn't hurt them. "Harry, I cannot deny that what we have isn't easy, but it does help."

"How could it-?'

"It has been a very long time since I was intimate with someone- emotionally," he added as he saw the blush start on Harry's face. "I'd forgotten how much it can ease the burden. And it is much easier to do what I must among the Dark Lord's followers when I remember what I have to protect." His eyes searched Harry's face. "If you want out of this affair, I won't stop you. I have told you more than once that you might be better off. But I also will not allow you to use your misguided sense of guilt as an excuse."

"You know I don't, Severus, but-"

"Then this discussion is over," Severus said dismissively, turning back to his potions. He sent Harry a sly look before lifting the Stasis charm. "And if you're worried about me becoming sexually frustrated, well I am equipped with two very capable hands."

"Severus!" Harry choked, turning a vibrant shade of red. A very Gryffindor red. Certainly none of his Slytherins had ever turned such a violent color. Then again, Slytherins had a habit of turning innocent conversations into something downright lewd. Surely Gryffindors were too noble for that sort of thing.

"You'd best get back to Gryffindor Tower before breakfast starts. If Minerva thinks I'm making you miss meals, she'll have reason to look more closely into this detention. And I do doubt the fact that she'll think letting you into my quarters and allowing you to sleep in my bed is sufficient punishment." He paused, not completely happy with the color of his potion. He added another half-tablespoon of beetle eyes, nodding in satisfaction as the color deepened. He'd have to get more soon; his were becoming dehydrated. "Neither do I for that matter, so I suggest you leave before I give you a real detention."

"Sadist," Harry said. He pressed a kiss to Severus' jaw. "I'll see you later?"

"Yes. Now go convince your friends that the nasty old Potions professor left you relatively unscathed. But do try not to appear too happy. I have a reputation to uphold." Severus could hear Harry's laughter as he left.

He allowed himself to sigh tiredly over the cauldrons when he was sure the teen was gone. Severus had started brewing to distract himself from the dangerous and very delectable image of Harry in his bed, but with the full intention of going to sleep when he became too exhausted to be aroused. Instead, his first batch was ruined when he heard Harry thrashing in his sleep and had run to his side. It seemed that the nightmare Harry had come to Severus about was to be the first of many that night. Severus had been at his side immediately every time to soothe him before the terror became too great, and more than one potion had suffered because of it. Harry never fully awakened when Severus soothed him so it was likely the boy didn't even remember his night terrors. Severus was thankful for that small blessing.

The sleep of a sixteen year-old should be mostly peaceful, Severus thought darkly, bottling the finished sleeping aid. He'd added a calming component remembering how well Harry had slept under the influence of the Calming Draught. With only nightmares about showing up to class naked or being ridiculed by his peers. Not of abusive family members and Dark wizards out to murder them. Harry had spoken just enough during his sleep that Severus knew exactly what haunted his nightmares. He'd called out Black's name multiple times, had begged for forgiveness and for mercy, pleaded not to be shut in his cupboard, and, the most heart-breaking of all, cried, "Please don't hurt them! It's my fault, don't hurt them!" It was almost enough to make Severus give Harry a lifetime's supply of Dreamless Sleep Draught. But what he'd told Harry had been true; suppressing dreams too often could be dangerous and only that thought had stayed his hand. More often than he'd like, he'd seen the result of Dreamless Sleep addiction, and it wasn't a fate he'd wish to consign Harry to. Or anyone else for that matter.

With the possible exception of Anastasia, the little voice offered gleefully, and for once, Severus didn't argue. He might have once considered her the love of his life, but he had long since learned she gave no regard to anyone but herself. He was just glad he realized it before he allowed something else to start between them.

There was little doubt that Anastasia's words towards Harry yesterday (had it really only been yesterday?) had a hand in this newest bout of nightmares, and Severus once again had the desire to Crucio her until she had a permanent bed in St. Mungo's. He had put Harry on the path towards healing, but Anastasia's poison had set him back. There were plenty of things Anastasia had done that he could have forgiven, but hurting Harry was unforgivable.

Not that Severus could deny his own hand in the nightmares. Harry's pleas of, "Please, don't leave me in there, I'll be good!" had cut him especially deep. He'd promised to deliver Harry from that house and had proved unable to do so. He'd allowed Harry to hope and then dashed those hopes. And no matter how stoically Harry accepted that, Severus could never forgive himself for it.

Harry had woken early Monday morning, and had decided to go down for an early breakfast. He liked the Great Hall early in the morning, quiet and empty. Even the teachers tended to not be up so early. Harry knew that Severus woke early but preferred to take coffee in his quarters before going to breakfast. He said he needed a heavy dose of caffeine before dealing with the dunderheads. The thought made Harry smile.

Suddenly a hand shot out dragging Harry into an abandoned classroom. Harry had his wand out and let fly a Stinging Hex at his unseen attacker before the door even closed behind him.

"Potter!" a familiar voice yelped.

"Malfoy?" Harry didn't relax as he stared at the blond. Malfoy was rubbing a patch of red skin on his hand, evidence of Harry's hex. His wand wasn't even out. "What the hell are you-?"

"Is it true?" Malfoy asked abruptly.

"Is what true?"

Malfoy made a face. "You're going to make me say it aren't you?" He took a breath as though steeling himself for something unpleasant. "You and Severus, is it true?"

Harry's heart was in his throat, but he forced a laugh. "What are you on about, Malfoy?"

Malfoy blew his fringe out of his face in an exasperated manner. "I suppose you'd have to deny it. If I swear a Wizard's Oath, will you tell me the truth?"

"The truth about what?" Harry asked, eyeing his nemesis warily. A Wizard's Oath was not something to be taken lightly. The magic of the oath bound the wizard who swore it, making it impossible for him to renege, and any attempts to do so would result in excruciating pain. It wasn't considered as harsh as the Unbreakable Vow, since it didn't result in death, and the wizard could be freed of the oath by the one he'd sworn it to. But wizards had been driven mad when they'd attempted to break it.

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "We'll start with the oath, then? After you can talk freely." He held out his wand so the tip of it was just inches from Harry's own. "I, Draco Malfoy, do swear," at the words, a beam of light connected the two wand tips, reminding Harry forcibly of Priori Incantatem, "that I will not reveal any information learned in this room to anyone. I also swear that I will not attempt to use such information to harm you, Harry Potter, or anyone else it might pertain to. Should I break my word, my life and magic will be forfeit." The beam of light brightened almost to the point of pain before disappearing. "There. You can tell me your deepest, darkest secrets and I can't do a damned thing about it."

Harry blinked at Malfoy in surprise. "Why on earth would you do that, Malfoy?"

"Because Severus is my godfather, and that makes him family. I understand you don't know a whole lot about family Potter," Malfoy sneered, "but we look out for each other." He fished a piece of parchment out of his robes. "I received an owl last night from my father."

"Your father's out of Azkaban?" Harry blurted.

"Not big on tact, are we, Potter? Yes, my father escaped. You can't tell me you're surprised." No, Harry couldn't honestly say he was. "He had a visitor yesterday. Well, officially my mother had a visitor, but…" He scanned the letter briefly before reading out loud. "'This woman claimed that Severus had entered into some sort of relationship with none other than Harry Potter. I laughed, of course, as I'm sure you are, Draco, but she provided some compelling evidence in the form pf pensieve memories.'" Malfoy looked back up at Harry. "Is it true?"

Harry sat down heavily at one of the desks, his legs no longer capable of holding his weight. King had told Lucius Malfoy. This was very, very bad. "Did you tell Severus?" Harry asked, knowing he'd as good as answered Malfoy's question.

To his credit, Malfoy's eyes only widened slightly at the implication. "No. Not yet. I wanted to confirm it first. Potter-"

"Why?" Harry interrupted. "Why are you doing all this, Malfoy? Why are you helping me?"

Malfoy snorted. "I'm not helping you, Potter. Severus has the most to lose if this gets out."

Harry felt the irrational urge to laugh. He and Malfoy actually had something in common; they both cared about Severus. This was surreal. "You have to give the letter to Severus."

"He's in his rooms. I can't-"

"I can."

"Oh gross, Potter." Malfoy wrinkled his nose. "I did not need that mental image."

"Get your mind out of the gutter, Malfoy."

"To think, I always thought Severus was a man of taste." He eyed Harry appraisingly. "Although you seem to have better taste than I'd always imagined. Tell me, Potter, he's fantastic in bed, isn't he? I've always wondered."

Harry blushed furiously. "Malfoy-!"

"Oh, come on, Potter. I can't tell anyone."

"You're sick."

"I'm not the one sleeping with a professor."

"I'm not sleeping with him."

Malfoy frowned. "But you're-" His eyes widened. "Sweet Merlin, Potter, are you trying to tell me you haven't had sex yet? What the hell is wrong with you? Don't tell me you're playing the blushing virgin." And Harry hated that his blush deepened at that. Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Of course you are. Gryffindors."

"You'd know, wouldn't you," Harry retorted, hoping his cheeks would cool before his face combusted. "I heard about you and Seamus."

If he'd hoped to catch the other teen off-guard, he was out of luck. Malfoy merely shrugged, looking unperturbed. "Trust me, Finnegan was no blushing virgin. Why, did you want details?"

"No!" Harry's voice came out squeaky. He cleared his throat. "No, that's all right."

Malfoy smirked. "Just as well, it was nothing to write home about. An experiment that I have no wish to repeat." He looked at his watch. "So when did you-?"

"Not now, it's too risky." Today was Monday, that meant lab/therapy session tonight. "I've got extra lessons with him tonight."

"Extra lessons. Right."

"Shove it, Malfoy." Harry held out his hand expectantly. "The letter?"

Malfoy hesitated a moment before holding it out. He didn't release it, however, when Harry grabbed it. "Severus had better not get hurt because of this… thing he has with you, Potter," the blond hissed, "or I will make your life a living hell, do you understand me?"

Harry nodded. It would be no less than he deserved.

Malfoy held onto the letter a moment longer before releasing it, shaking his head. "Honestly, the man's taking all this risk and for what? He's not even getting any sex out of the deal. I sincerely hope you're worth it, Potter." And with that, Malfoy swept out of the room, leaving Harry clutching the letter.

"I've just had a civil conversation with Malfoy," Harry muttered to himself in disbelief. If it wasn't for the piece of parchment in his hand, Harry might have been able to convince himself that it had all been a dream. But it crinkled and rustled quite realistically; Harry had to accept the fact that, yes, that conversation had actually happened. So much for nothing else changing this year.

Author's note: And the plot thickens. Didn't I promise you it would pick up? Didn't I?... I actually don't remember if I did, and I'm too lazy to check. On a personal note, I think I've been reading way too many H/D stories because I think I made them too friendly. Anybody have an opinion on that?