Warnings: As if you didn't know by now but this is contains mature themes of a male/male sexual relationship, this chapter also contains references to abuse and a short attempted non-con scene although neither parties are really responsible for their actions at the time. Strong language.

Chapter 14 – Back to Reality

"The reality of the other person lies not in what he reveals to you, but what he cannot reveal to you. Therefore, if you would understand him, listen not to what he says, but rather to what he does not say." -Kahlil Gibran.

Harry gently moved strands of black hair out of Severus's face and pushed them behind his ear. His body buzzed all over. The weight of the man lying unconscious on top of him was the most comforting feeling he had ever experienced. He never wanted this moment to end.

Sev looks so peaceful and relaxed he thought as he traced the outline of the man's bruised lips with his fingers. He could feel their hearts beating fast and strong between them and he knew he had only passed out briefly. Sev slowly opened his eyes with a pleasured groan.

"Oh Merlin Harry" he whispered in his ear as he roused.

"Mmmm indeed" Harry sighed

"You are going to be the death of me, Potter" the older man continued whilst slowly pushing up on a shaking arm, placing the other over his still pounding heart.

"As long as it is just the 'little death', many times over" Harry raised an eyebrow. "Don't go having a heart attack on me you old git" he continued with a laugh.

Severus gave Harry as much of a withering stare as he could muster, before gently withdrawing from Harry's body, causing both men to flinch slightly.

"I'm sorry Harry, I...have I...oh god have I hurt you?" Severus said, his face clouding over with worry.

"Shh Sev, I'm fine. More than fine" Harry responded whilst pulling the worried man back down, kissing him softly.

Severus could feel the bile rise in his throat at the thoughts of what his so called family must have put him through, invaded his mind. He was glad Albus was away travelling because he might have gone back to Hogwarts and killed the manipulative bastard right now and be done with it. He must have known all this time that Harry was not being abused. How the hell could he have let it continue? He accepted his own abuse at the hands of Voldemort as the old bastard's spy because he believed he deserved it, but Harry had been an innocent child for Merlin's sake! A child he knew was going to die young.

"Can we just stay here? Like this. Forever" Harry whispered in his ear, making Sev sigh at the longing for peace he both heard in the boy's voice and felt through the bond.

"I wish we could. You have no idea how much I want to..."

"Shhh, don't say it. Let's just pretend for a moment" Harry said, tears stinging his eyes. He wasn't very sure why he was crying. He felt so at peace, so complete but could feel a mix of emotions from Sev, some he couldn't readily identify with in their current situation.

Severus sighed again and relaxed back down, snaking one arm around Harry's back and pulling him into a tight embrace.

"We have to face it Harry. As much as I would like to just disappear with you, there are some things we unfortunately cannot hide from". Like killing the person responsible for your abuse he thought.

Severus wiped away the tears from Harry eyes as he spoke.

"I believe you have a Christmas Party to attend, it would be advisable if you did so. Otherwise your friend Granger may start to worry I have hidden you away somewhere for my own pleasure"

Severus gave a small smile, but he had more things to worry about than a Christmas Party. With Albus away it at least gave him some time to put a tracing spell on Malfoy. He was now more determined to be the one to cast the killing curse; no other young boy would be corrupted by the machinations of the Dark Lord or Dumbledore, not if he could help it.

"That sounds like a good plan, Sev."

Mhmm? Severus asked wondering what Harry meant. His mind had wandered too far from the original conversation.

"You, hiding me away, for your own pleasure, it's a good idea" Harry smirked whilst trusting his groin into the still quivering stomach above him.

Severus groaned a little "Harry? Are you sure you are alright with what we did. I ..."

"Severus please can we not discuss this. There is no need. All I want to say on the matter is that you have made everything alright. You have made feel at peace with my past. It's over. Making love to you was amazing. It has allowed me to feel good about sex and it has healed a lot of guilt I had but please don't ask me to elaborate alright. Maybe one day. All I know is I want to make love to you again right now and tonight and again in the morning and as many times as we can before I have to leave for the holidays" Harry said ending with a huge grin on his face, thrusting his recovering arousal vigorously into Severus's stomach.

Severus chuckled pushing the thoughts of what Harry had said about his past to the back of his mind, for the moment, he didn't want to spoil Harry's happiness and contentment.

"Merlin! What have I created? I have turned the insufferable brat into an insatiable sex craved one".

Harry laughed "Well I hope that's not going to be a problem, is it? Although I am not how sure how it would go down if you called me that in class!" Harry tried to imitate Severus scowl before continuing

"Are you completely incapable of following simple instructions Potter or is my sexy voice too damn distracting for you to concentrate for 5 minutes you insatiable sex craved brat"

Severus snorted "Don't put ideas like that in my head! I will not be able to deride you again without bloody smiling or something equally foreign to my persona!"

"De what? Ride? Mmmm" Harry said thrusting his hips again.

Severus groaned "Stop that Mr. Potter it has been difficult enough this term having to teach you. We really must work out a way to keep up our show of hatred toward each other"

Harry groaned, as the reality of what they had to return to came crashing back.

"Sev, can we just maybe try and at least not be so nasty to one another in public. I know no one can know how I really feel about you but can we just tame down the insults and barbs. It's difficult to hear you speak to me the way you do."

Severus rolled off Harry and lay on his back looking at the rich red canopy that was overhead.

"We have to continue hating each other in public Harry. There is no other way. The rest of this school year is going to be a difficult one; I am not sure how I am going to even be able to look at you and say the nasty things I must, but believe me, you do not want people thinking you have even learnt to trust me, let alone like me"

Severus was frowning at the moving image he could see embroidered into the silky fabric above him as he spoke.

"But Sev why would you say that, I mean..."

Harry looked up to see what Severus was looking at so intently. He watched in awe as an embroidered image of a silver and green snake, coiled tightly round a crooked piece of smooth silvery wood. The snake coiled tighter and tighter until the wood splintered into tiny pieces before disappearing. The image then reset and did the same thing again, over and over. It was mesmerising. The snake was so intent on crushing the wood, Harry wondered what the image meant.

"Hello my Sssslytherin ssssnake, why are you ssssooo angry at you perch" Harry hadn't meant to speak with the snake the question just slipped out.

"Ah good evening little ssssnake, thisssss is not my perchssss, thissss mussssst be killed"

Harry all at once recognised the shape the wooden perch took. It was the exact same as his scar but length ways.

"Oh my god Sev!"

Sev was staring at him with a look that Harry didn't recognise.

"Sev that snake it's trying to kill my..."

"Indeed" Severus replied abruptly as he jumped from the bed and started dressing quickly.

"But what does it mean; I don't understand. My scar is just a scar, it isn't alive."

Severus didn't respond.

"Severus what's wrong, what do you think it means? Is it saying I have to die? Oh my god it is, isn't it? It symbolises my death at Voldemort's hand. Why the hell, is your room showing me this? Doesn't it know I am fully aware of the constant threat to my life!"

"Harry calm down, it is meaningless, you are over thinking it. It is just an image of you and me together; it just symbolizes my..." Severus dropped his voice lower and became more thoughtful "wish to remove the burdens your scar has given you...or something" he finished weakly.

Severus eyes flicked around in thought but would not look at Harry.

But Sev the snake said...

"I know what the snake said Harry but snakes talk in riddles, you know that"

"What! You...you are a speaker?"

"You know I am. I believe you have spoken to me in parseltongue before. Now please get dressed. You are already late for this blasted party as it is."

"But Sev..." Harry was getting frustrated. He could feel an unease in Severus and didn't want to leave here with both of them feeling anxious again.

"Enough" Severus barked. "We must go, we will talk later" Severus's mind was reeling. The image of the snake destroying a replica of Harry's scar could mean so many things and he couldn't formulate a reasonable explanation beyond what he already tried to appease Harry with without further thought.

"Whoa Sev! Cut the crap. I really could do without you hiding what you are thinking from me you know" Harry said a bit angrily but did get up and start to dress.

The fact that Severus had said the snake was him worried him even more than thinking it was Voldemort. The thought of Voldemort killing him wasn't new to him.

As soon as he dressed, Severus grabbed his arm without warning, disapparating them both back to the Forbidden Forest. Severus turned to Harry and looked him up and down.

"You don't have time to shower and change. Let me transfigure what we have into something more respectable. Removing his wand from his sleeve, Harry's Quidditch jumper changed into a deep red shirt and tie, t-shirt into waist coat with small buttons and jeans into black trousers. Sev removed his very crumpled outer robe, turning it into a black shiny cape that was equally crumpled and old looking.

"Sorry, it is the best I can do with what we have. Now go to the party. I could do without questions as to your whereabouts."

"Can I come see you tonight, after the party, to talk?"

"I have some things to which I must attend, if I can get those done by a reasonable hour I will send you your owl. I presume she sleeps in the owlery most evenings".

"Yeah but sometime she does come and visit the tower."

"Good. I promise I will try Harry but please don't get upset if I can't"

"Ok, I suppose I have no choice, but I do want to talk to you about that snake alright?"

Severus nodded his head in resignation. He would have to tell Harry something he just wasn't sure where to begin.

"What are you going to tell the Headmaster about our disappearance? I presume he knows when any of the staff or students leave the grounds"

"He knows when someone leaves, but don't worry about him. Now go before you are too late"

"God my date will think I have stood them up" Harry stretched up on his tiptoes and planted a chaste kiss on Sev's lips before running toward the castle.

He is taking a date to the party Sev thought, as a spike of jealousy ran through him. Shaking himself mentally, he told himself to get a grip and stalked off to get ready for what he knew was going to be a difficult night. He planned on spending it speaking with Draco. As he walked to his rooms he slowly brought his emotions under control and erected his mind shields, visibly changing into Professor Snape the intimidating scowling git of a potions master. By the time he had changed his robes, choosing his most austere, he looked as intimidating as ever, but in his heart he still ached to be holding his Harry's in his arms, to give him the care and love he deserved. He couldn't believe he had ever thought Harry was an arrogant spoiled brat of a child. How wrong he had been.

Harry arrived at the party, mind still reeling from thoughts of the snake and what it could have meant but soon relaxed a little as he spoke with his friends. He saw Hermione disappear behind thin golden drapes that adorned the windows of the room. Ducking under them he came face to face with his dishevelled friend.

"Hermione, what are you doing. What's happened to you?" Harry looked Hermione up and down.

"I have just left Cormack under the mistletoe" Heroine explained.

"Cormack? That's who you invited?"

"I thought he would annoy Ron the most" Hermione confessed a bit sheepishly.

"Oh 'mione, you don't get it do you? Can you not see that upsetting Ron will not help?"

Hermione huffed "Where the hell have you been anyway? I have been looking everywhere for you today!"

"With Sev" Harry whispered

"I thought you smelt of potions and... ughh sweat or something" Hermione said screwing up her nose. "You need be a little more careful. People will start to notice if you just disappear for days and nights at a time just to turn up again smelling like that."

"I am just making the most of what life has chosen to give me 'Mione. You should do the same and stop trying to wind Ron up, it won't help you know. Or maybe you should just decide to be with Cormack and forget about Ron".

"Ughh he has more tentacles than a snarfala plant" Hermione complained, disgust clear in her face.

They were interrupted by a waiter appearing behind the curtain, offering a plate of dragon balls. On hearing they gave terribly bad breath, Hermione proceeded to stuff some into her mouth.

"At least they might keep Cormack at bay. Oh god here he comes"

Harry found himself standing, on his own, holding a platter of dragon balls behind drapes with Cormack, as his friend disappeared back into the room.

"You have just missed her. She's gone to...powder her nose or something" Harry turned to watch Cormack stuffing Dragon Balls into his mouth. God he really is quite gross, he realised.

Severus had tried to forget that Harry was at a party with a date, but he couldn't. He needed to know who it was Harry had asked to attend with him. His stomach tightened at the thought of him choosing to be with someone else, someone he genuinely liked, someone with whom he could be young and free from the burdens of a bond that forced him to be with someone he had hated for years, someone twice his age.

He decided to go to the party just for a while; he had been invited after all but had turned down the invitation. Socialising really wasn't one of his priorities at the moment. On arrival his eyes scanned the room, eventually focussing on the two figures hiding behind the thin drapes at the window. He recognised one as Harry immediately and realised he was with another boy.

Jealousy ripped through him irrationally as he stalked over to the window and pushed back the drapes, coming face to face with Mclaggan. He flicked his eyes to Harry who nervously shuffled his feet before focussing on Mclaggan, wondering what the hell he was going to say now.

Harry felt Severus's jealousy and uncertainty as to what he should do now, with amusement. He looked at the floor and fidgeted wondering if it would be best if he stayed or tried to slip away.

Mclaggan took one look at Sev and threw up on his shoes.

Oh shit! Harry thought as he decided a quick departure was indeed required. He blew out a breath in an attempt to not laugh and pushed the curtains aside.

"You have just bought yourself a month's detention Mclaggan" Severus drawled

"Not so quick Potter"

Harry stopped and schooled his features into a blank look, hoping to hide his amusement as much as possible.

Severus spun to face Harry, his face was expressionless but his eyes held a questioning glint of hurt.

Harry was still amused that Sev was jealous of Mclaggan and wished he could just laugh, kiss the hurt away and tell him he had got it all wrong.

"Sir I really think I should rejoin the party. My date will be wondering where I have gone" Harry offered trying to appease his lover by effectively telling him that Cormack wasn't his date.

So his date isn't Mclaggan Severus thought breathing an internal sigh of relief. He hoped it was a witch and not a wizard. He could cope with him bringing a girl a little better; he knew Harry had no interest in girls.

"Your date, can surely, manage without your presence for another moment or two. I only wish to convey a message"

Harry could hardly look at Severus as the tension between them built. Harry hoped the message was about them meeting later.

"A message?" Harry said hopefully as he looked up into those dark eyes who suddenly couldn't meet his gaze. Harry's breathing became faster as his heart pounded at the thought of just leaving the party right now with Severus and maybe heading straight to his bed. He realised he had become aroused and shifted on his feet a little.

"From Professor Dumbledore he wishes me to convey his best and hopes you enjoy your holidays. You see he is travelling... and he won't return until the term resumes." Harry could feel the desire in Severus to not be so formal, noticing that he uncharacteristically also fidgeted slightly on his feet. Why had Sev come down here to pass on a message that wasn't all that important for him to know right now, maybe he was trying to tell him something else entirely, Harry thought.

"Travelling where?" Harry asked hoping to get some more information out of him.

Severus locked eyes with him briefly and strode off without another word.

Harry could feel a mixture of emotions in Severus, he briefly thought he felt a flicker of anger and hatred but realised it wasn't directed at him, since the overriding emotion was a yearning to be alone with him again. He knew the man had only come to the party to see him; it certainly wasn't to pass on the Headmasters regards. He wondered if Sev had just had a right telling off from the Dumbledore for their unauthorised trip, which would explain why he had felt anger and hatred as he spoke the old man's name.

His thoughts were interrupted by Filch dragging in Malfoy by the scruff of the neck, who apparently was gate crashing the party. Severus strode over to Filch and informed him that he would escort Malfoy out. Harry's heart jumped and his stomach churned, as he watched the intense stares both men gave each other and how close Sev stood to his nemesis as he spoke to him. He could feel Severus's caring concern for the blonde Slytherin and wondered why Malfoy looked at Severus, who had always been his favourite teacher, with such loathing. Harry's thoughts were once again thrown into a now familiar confusion at feeling Sev's emotions, but tried to think rationally as to why they might hold such deep emotion for each other. It could only mean one thing, he thought, jumping to conclusions. Malfoy and Severus had been together at some point. It all made sense, the preferential treatment Severus gave the ferret, the extra private tuition in potions and the knowing looks they shared in class at times. Yeah private tuition my ass Harry thought. My God Snape really is a perverted old bastard that likes young boys. Harry's stomach churned even more. He felt a discordant vibration run through his soul as it let out a silent scream. His love and expectations of Severus had just been shattered.

Harry left the party and ran. He stopped before reaching the main entrance to the school, his heart pounding hard from exertion and emotional pain. Leaning against a stone pillar he tried to slow down his thoughts, knowing he was being completely irrational and jumping to conclusions but he could not stop thinking about the way Severus had felt when speaking with Malfoy and the obvious hatred in Malfoy when he had responded.

Harry heard footsteps coming toward him and he pressed his back further into the shadows. Malfoy was talking angrily about cursing Katie Bell, Harry realised and tried to hold his breath so he wouldn't be caught eavesdropping. The sound of scuffling feet and someone being pushed hard against a stone wall could be heard echoing up and down the corridor.

"I swore to protect you. I made the unbreakable vow"

Oh my God Severus is pinning Malfoy against a wall with his body he thought as bile rose threateningly. He heard Malfoy arguing with Severus about not needing protection, but didn't really take in what he said, all he could focus on was the emotion rolling of Severus.

"You are afraid, Draco. You attempt to conceal it but it is obvious. Let me assist you"

Harry's heart stopped and tears threatened as he listened to the quiet caring tone his lover used when speaking Malfoy's first name. Severus cared for Malfoy, loved even. Harry cut out the rest of what Malfoy said as his breathing hitched and he stood frozen to the spot, mind shutting down in pain.

Once Malfoy and Severus had left the corridor, together, Harry wandered the halls of Hogwarts for who knows how long, with his mind blank. He ended up in the astronomy tower and sat in the freezing cold hugging his knees as the tears came. He couldn't believe he had fallen in love with someone that was such a total bastard. He couldn't completely blame the bond; the love he felt wasn't caused only by that. His heart was the one thing that was fully his own and he had given it away freely. The care and love that he had felt Severus direct toward Malfoy, were natural and unforced emotions, emotions he would never have evoked in Severus without the bond. Severus had apparently taken the Unbreakable Vow to protect Malfoy; there was no greater love than that, whether sexual or otherwise. Harry erected shields to the sharing of emotions with Severus, he didn't want to feel his concern and love the other boy; he couldn't handle it.

"Harry, my god you are freezing! Why the hell did you just leave the party? Have you been sitting up here all this time? It's the middle of the night!" Hermione said shaking his shoulder and rousing him to the fact he was indeed freezing and in the astronomy tower. He had no idea what time it was or how long he had been there.

"Just leave me alone Hermione. I'm fine. Just need some time to think" Harry responded quietly closing his eyes.

"Harry please come inside you are really cold. Ron is out looking for you too, he woke me up when he couldn't find you. He's been worried about you all day"

Harry sighed in exasperation.

"It' alright Miss Granger, you can go. I will make sure...Mr. Potter returns to Gryffindor tower"

The clipped tone of Severus's voice alerted Harry of the Severus's presence and he snapped round and glared at Hermione.

"What the hell is he doing here with you?"

"I went to Professor Snape's rooms since I thought that was probably where you were. I wanted to warn you both that a few of the boys are out looking for you and well... there has been more talk..." Hermione looked down at her feet and shook her head a little.

"Well I wasn't there alright and I won't ever be again, so there is nothing for you to worry about." Harry got to his feet still not looking at Severus. He didn't want to see the man, not right now, maybe not ever; he was too confused about the Unbreakable Vow and Malfoy. He was worried he would fly off the handle and do something stupid before he had time to sort through his thoughts and emotions and calm down a bit.

Severus couldn't feel what Harry was feeling, he realised. His frustration and anger toward him for rousing suspicion in his dorm-mates grew but there was also a deep grief at the words he had just spoken and for the loss of contact emotionally.

"Come on Hermione, you are right, it is too cold to be out here. Let's go." Harry tore of the transfigured robe of Severus's he was still wearing and threw it on the ground.

Hermione looked between him and Severus in questioning confusion, as Harry started to leave the astronomy tower.

"Mr. Potter... "Severus began sharply then let out a short breath before softening his voice

"Harry, please tell me what it is you think I have done" Severus said almost pleadingly, giving Hermione an embarrassed but warning look with regards to the change in his demeanour after he had spoken.

Harry spun round to face him, anger bubbling up to the surface

"You really don't want to push me on this Snape, not tonight. Maybe not ever!" Harry spat out venomously.

"Harry what the fuck is going on here. I seriously have no idea what has changed since returning from France and after what we did today I think I have every right to push you on this" Severus said trying hard to keep his own anger at a minimum which, was roiling with the conflicting emotions of peace that still remained from their time together earlier.

"You have no right to do ANYTHING to me!" Harry spat out "What happened today was a huge fucking mistake. In fact the whole fucking thing is one big mistake caused by that evil sick bastard you call Master. Why I didn't see it sooner I have no idea. You were right about one thing though, I do have a pea-sized brain because I trust too easily and do go headlong into things without any thought, but why I EVER thought I loved you...you evil, lying, cheating, scheming, greasy bastard. The thought of you having so much as even laid a finger on me makes me want to vomit, never mind having allowed you to fuck me!"

Harry's wand hand twitched and he subconsciously checked it was still in its holster.

Hermione gasped from her place in the shadows, but neither man heard her.

Severus's heart was torn in two at the words and he could feel his soul screaming in its desire to love and protect Harry but the bond was being threatened by the boy's words causing it to react with anger and hatred toward him.

Severus advanced on him slowly. "Will you please tell me what it is I have supposedly done to upset you, if it was the way I invaded your privacy with Mclaggan, then I am sorry. I should not have allowed myself to doubt you."

"You, doubted me with Mclaggan? Ha! If your petty jealousy was my only concern I would probably be back in your bed right now, I am sickened to say. I heard you Snape. I heard you with Malfoy. I feel what you feel remember. I know about you and him. After your high moral lectures on me only being 16! At least I am legally an adult in muggle Britain. What age was Malfoy the first time you fucked him? Mhmm?"

Severus had still been advancing on Harry and now stood only a few feet away from him.

"Don't come any closer to me, you sick fuck" Harry drew his wand even though his heart was breaking. He knew deep down he was being rash but he couldn't help it. The pain of even thinking that Severus had lied to him was wiping out all rational thought, never mind considering what his relationship was or had been with Draco Malfoy.

Severus's internal battle between love and hate, anger and understanding stopped at the accusations being levelled at him. Anger and hate won. Growling he launched himself at Harry, knocking his wand out his hand and causing him to stumble backwards. Harry's feet caught on the cape he had thrown to the floor, making him loose balance and fall backward. He landed hard on his back on the stone floor with Severus on top of him.

"I am a sick fuck am I? That was not what you were screaming earlier when you BEGGED me to fuck you hard". Severus sneered.

Harry was struggling beneath the physically larger, stronger man, trying to free his hands from the vice grip Severus had them in above his head. He stopped struggling suddenly as he felt himself become aroused as his groin rubbed against Severus's.

"Oh you like it rough do you? Do you want me to show you how much of a sick fuck I can really be?"

Severus had lost all control, his heart; mind and soul were in turmoil. He lunged down and ran his tongue over the sensitive spot in the crook of Harry's neck before biting it hard, drawing blood. Harry let out a scream that turned into a muffled moan as Severus tongue made its way up from his neck and along his jaw bone before attacking his mouth in an angry kiss.

Severus readjusted his grip on Harry's wrists so that he could still pin them both down above his head but with only one hand, freeing the other to reach down and rip open Harry's trousers and undo his own. Harry let out a strangled sob

"Please stop. Don't touch me." Harry could feel a rising panic as he fought against the physical sensations of having his soul mate on top of him. He was repulsed at himself for liking being taken this way. He felt his magic draw up into a tight ball in his chest and knew he was about to unleash a wave of semi-controlled raw power. He needed to get Severus off him; he would not let this happen to him again.

Hermione had come from the shadows when Harry had drawn his wand, but had been unable to disarm him this time or indeed even make her presence known.

She stood sobbing in horror at the unfolding scene before her, begging her professor to stop but she knew neither he nor her friend could hear her. The air was almost audibly crackling with the raw magical power the men at her feet were emitting and she knew she was powerless against them in this state.

As Severus released his straining member from his trousers he grabbed one of Harry's legs, bringing it up over his shoulder. Harry struggled and managed kicked the older man in the back of the head and in that moment he released as much concentrated power as he could in a gurgling scream. The release of his built up magic lifted Severus up and threw him across the astronomy tower. There was a sickening crack as the man's head struck a stone pillar before landing unconscious in a heap.

Panting hard, Harry lay motionless, erection still raging, trousers around his thighs.

Hermione screamed and ran over to where the Professor had landed, falling to her knees beside him whilst incanting a few basic healing spells to try stem the flow of blood, which was seeping at an alarming rate from a deep gash on this side of Severus's head.

"Harry! We have to get him some help! NOW!"

"He...he tried... he was... going to..." Harry spluttered as he remembered his friend was there and quickly pulled up his trousers.

"I know Harry but you told me you knew about the possible consequences of the Participatur Anima bond. He is going to die if you don't help me get him some help!"

Harry jumped to his feet dropping his mind shields against Severus. He couldn't feel him at all.

"Oh Fuck Hermione! What the hell have I done? If that bastard dies ..."

"I know Harry; now quick help me levitate him to the infirmary"

Harry ran and retrieved his wand from where it had landed and cast.

"Prompta Curatio Astronomy Tower"

Hermione looked up at Harry having never heard the spell before and wondered where he had learnt it.

"Quick Hermione, please cover him up; Madame Pomfrey is on her way."

Hermione looked down at the open trousers of her Professor and grimaced but did as Harry asked.

Madame Pomfrey appeared a few seconds later looking tired and dishevelled.

"Mr. Potter what is it this time."

Harry stood rigidly starting at the pool of blood that had accumulated around Severus's head.

The Medi-Witch turned to look over to where he stared and gasped.

"Oh Merlin I warned Albus this would happen!" She muttered sternly as she strode over to her patient.

Harry turned away from the scene, starting to leave. He needed to get away, he felt sick and confused and so very very tired.

"No you don't Mr. Potter. I will need your assistance again tonight. Miss Granger I think you however should leave"

"I won't get in the way. I promise. Let me stay and help too. A least until we know he's going to be alright" Hermione pleaded, not wanting to leave her friend in this state.

"Miss Granger I assure you he will be fine. Professor Snape has been through a lot worse than a bang to his head."

"I am sure he has, but let me stay for Harry" Hermione continued pleading. She knew she wasn't going to get any sleep anyway and needed to know her friend would be ok.

Madame Pomfrey sighed and looked at Harry who was standing looking at the floor.

"It really is not my decision to make; it is your friend's. However Mr. Potter I must advise you against giving such permission. It would not be...appropriate for Miss Granger to witness some of the treatment options availble for the not so easily seen injuries to both of you."

Harry scowled as he understood to what injuries the Medi-Witch was referring.

"I have no intention of healing the damage to those injuries Madame Pomfrey. If you would like Hermione to assist you in healing his head injury, then fine, but I am going to bed."

With that Harry turned abruptly and stalked off, ignoring the pleas from his friend to stay.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Severus woke a couple of hours later and groaned, pain from his head exploded behind his eyes as he tried to open them. He heard a familiar voice calling for Madam Pomfrey and thought he must have been tortured again at a Death Eater meeting, but he had no recollection of being called. In fact he had only been summoned once a month this term he realised so why did he feel like he had gone through 10 rounds of the cruciatus.

"Madame Pomfrey I think Professor Snape is wakening. Can you hear me?" Hermione called to the empty room. Pomfrey had set a listening spell on Severus's bedroom so the girl could call her back from her nightly ward round if she was needed in the dungeons.

Severus felt a small smooth hand gently holding his own and he startled a little and squinted his eyes open. He knew he was in his own bedroom from the familiar feeling of his wards and smell of potions but why the hell is the Granger girl here holding my bloody hand he thought.

"Miss. Granger I would appreciate it if you removed your hand from mine and informed what the hell you think you are doing in my bedroom!"

Hermione gasped and withdrew her hand as if she had been burned.

"I... Sir...I...only...emmm" Hermione stuttered

"For Merlin's sake girl you have obviously spent too long in the company of Weasley your moronic boyfriend and his equally imbecilic friend Potter that you have forgotten how to speak clearly"

"Now Now Severus, there is no need to talk to Miss Granger like that. She only stayed here at my request since yet again it would have been inappropriate to treat you in a ward full of students considering how you got your injuries and I had to leave for a moment." The stern voice of Pomfrey could be heard as she approached the bedroom from the floo in the other room.

Severus growled but it came out sounding more like a whimper as the pain increased behind his eyes.

"Not ideal I know, considering the circumstances however with Albus gone and Mr. Potter nowhere to be found I had little choice" Poppy continued as she approached the bed.

"Harry? What do you mean..." the memory of what had transpired on the astronomy tower came flooding back "...Oh Fuck!"

"Severus Snape I would kindly ask you not to use such language, especially in front of a young witch, who is indeed your student regardless of the unfortunate circumstances you have found yourself in! Now take this, it is a calming and pain relieving potion that will also help you to stop hiding behind that facade of yours and deal with your problems for once"

"I believe my language is the least of what Miss Granger has witnessed of me tonight and I don't want this concoction. Give me a plain pain reliever Poppy" he growled.

"Drink it Severus!" She demanded as she thrust a small vial into his hands.

Severus sighed he knew better than anyone there was some things that you just could not argue about with Poppy, her choice of treatment was one. Since he desperately needed the pain relief he couldn't outright refuse to take what she had given him, so he swallowed the contents of the small vial in his hand.

"Miss Granger I would appreciate it if you would leave now. But may I ask one question before you do?" Severus had closed his eyes he didn't have the strength left in him to keep them open.

"Yes Sir?"

"Why are you here with me and not out looking for your friend?"

"Madame Pomfrey requested..." Hermione began but was interrupted by her weary sounding Professor

"I am fully aware of Madame Pomfrey allowing you to stay but that is not what I asked. I am sure her instructions were not for you to hold my hand. Why you felt that necessary after my actions toward Mr. Potter tonight is beyond me."

"Professor Snape, what happened tonight was not within either you or Harry's control. I know that once Harry calms down, he will be upset that he left you badly injured, without anyone to sit with you when you woke. He has always said he hates waking up in the infirmary alone." Hermione spoke quietly and looked at her hands which lay in her lap.

"I am sure that Mr. Potter will not care whether I live or die Miss. Granger, considering what I have done. Why may I ask do you think my actions were beyond my control?" Severus had opened his eyes again slightly and trained them on Hermione who shifted uneasily in her seat.

"I know about your bond Professor. I have read about the possible consequences if it is not tended to adequately. I am sure both your actions were in response to the growing love for and emerging expectations of each other, which will be difficult for either of you to meet fully, after so many years of separation and false hatred, especially in light of your roles in the war".

Severus didn't know if he was more taken aback that this young witch knew about his bond with Harry or shocked by her insight into their current situation. He let out a shocked puff of breath.

"Miss Granger you astound me. Is there anything you do not know about? You really are an insufferable know-it -all aren't you?" Severus said not breaking his gaze but there was no malice in his voice or his eyes, only a tired acceptance.

"However" he continued closing his eyes again "Nothing can excuse what I did tonight. I fully expect you to testify against me when Harry reports this matter to the relevant authorities. Now please leave."

Hermione shook her head but stood to leave.

"He will not report this. He loves you. I think more than the bond can account for" Hermione watched the man let out a sigh.

"As do I him. Will you please find him and make sure he is safe" Severus said in a barely audible whisper as the potion kicked in and removed all his inhibitions and pretences.

Hermione turned to face her Professor, finding him now looking at her again. The grief and pain in his dark eyes made her breath hitch with the intensity of the emotion shown. She nodded with a sad smile before leaving, but not before witnessing him close his eyes again and the tears that spilled down his tired face.

A/N Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay in getting this to you. Having a bit of trouble with the story not sticking to my original outline, it really has grown arms and legs and I am not sure I like this chapter and where it has gone in fact I am a bit unhappy with it but thought I would post it anyway and let you guys decide. I can change it if you want. Just let me know!

Thanks to everyone that has favourite this story and especially to Sheankelor and AlmondWithUnicornHair your regular reviews have kept me going! Sheankelor, I did toy with them having the weekend together and Harry just not attending the party that would have been more fun to write ;-) but nothing is ever with those boys! AlmondWithUnicornHair, Glad you liked it ;-) and welcome to vfr and ishala8. Ishala8 I totally agree with you about Dumbledore's involvement, I was trying to portray his meddling in this as much as meddled in everything else in canon but at least in this he will get his comeuppance!

Please review! I never thought I would be an author that would ask but they really do become important! x