AN: It's late and i have work tomorrow, so I'll keep this brief.

*Feefifofasha- You got it!

*Calliope29- Thanks! Truer words were surely never spoken :)

*Caraline Fisher- I don't think it, I know it! I am doing better actually, thank you

*mizzrazz72- But do you think that Severus would risk causing Harry that horrible pain again?

Hope you enjoy!
~GreenEyes

Severus made his way up the stairs slowly. When he was outside Harry's room, he raised his fist to knock on the door.

He froze.

Why did Harry want to speak to him? Did he remember that he hated his Professor? Did he remember the other night when… Did he wish to hex him before he reported him?

Severus' still-raised hand began to shake.

Did he simply wish to tell him what a loathsome act he had performed when he had claimed an innocent to be his slave? Did he wish to shout at him? To tell him just how much he hated him?

"Severus?" Harry's voice broke into his thoughts. Severus was almost surprised that he didn't hear the voice sneering 'Snape'.

"Yes, Harry, it's me." If Harry noticed how choked Severus' voice sounded he didn't say anything.

"Come in, please." Harry invited him in.

Severus numbly opened the door.

Harry was sitting on his bed, no defensive stance, no immediate shouting. No hatred or accusations in his eyes, if anything they looked slightly troubled. The young man patted the spot in his bed that Hermione had vacated only minutes ago.

Without a word Severus took the seat offered to him. He couldn't help bracing himself for the cutting words he had convinced himself he would encounter.

They didn't come.

Hesitantly, Severus spoke.

"You wanted to speak with me, Harry?" He asked tentatively.

Harry continued his troubled silence.

"Harry?" Severus asked, more sure now. "What is the matter?"

Harry swallowed; his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

"Hermione told me," he said softly, "that I- I killed a man…"

Voldemort? Hardly a man, he didn't even count as fully human by the time of his… passing.

"He was not a man, Harry." Severus wasted no time in telling him. "He was barely human, a curse upon this earth. You did the entire world a great service when you defeated him."

Harry still looked troubled. He kept his gaze on the floor.

"He would've killed you otherwise, Harry," Severus said. "You and everyone you cared about."

Harry ceased his inspection of the stone floor and looked up into Severus eyes with an intensity that Severus had never seen from the boy.

"Even you?" Harry asked.

Severus couldn't believe his ears. Harry would surely have cared more for Hermione, or Ronald, or the young Ginerva Weasley… or anyone really!

And yet Harry was staring at him with such protectiveness, with such intensity, it was as if a very fire blazed within his eyes.

"He tried…" Was all Severus could say.

Harry shifted his gaze back to the floor. He nodded sadly, as if he knew.

"What did you wish to talk to me about, Harry?" Severus asked again.

"I-I remember things, Severus," Harry said. "Things… about you."

Severus gulped. He it comes.

"Things," Harry continued, "That… confuse me."

"What do you remember, Harry?" Severus asked, dreading the answer, but needing to know.

"You were… holding a woman," Harry said. "She wasn't moving, and you were crying."

Severus' blood turned to ice in his veins at Harry's words. No, he couldn't remember that. Harry was only a baby when that happened.

"Was she my mother?" Harry asked.

Severus nodded weakly.

"She was my best friend." Severus whispered.

"I'm sorry." Harry said.

"What else do you recall?" Asked Severus, begging for a change in subject.

"...We were in a classroom," Harry said, "You were wearing all black… you looked scary like that."

Severus looked down at the black slacks and blue shirt he was wearing. It was true his teaching robes had been slightly more intimidating. He felt no need to keep up his façade any longer, thus the more casual attire. He was in his own house after all.

"You were shouting at me," Harry's tone was heartbreaking. "You-you said… you said…"

Harry was shaking. Severus instinctively pulled him closer. Severus hugged him tightly.

"None of it was true, Harry," Severus said. "I didn't mean a word of it."

"Then why did you say it?" Harry sobbed into his chest.

"I had to, Harry!" Severus said. "I had to pretend to hate you."

Harry pulled back. His face had a splotch of red on each cheek. His eyes glistened.

"Pretend?" He repeated.

"Yes, Harry," Severus said. "It was all an act."

Severus explained his role in the war. How he had joined the Death Eaters out of hunger for power. The reason he had turned spy. How he had taken a vow to protect Harry, which led to his pretending to hate the boy.

Harry stayed silent throughout the entire explanation, only nodding from time to time. He only spoke once Severus had finished.

"Thank you, Severus." Harry said.

Severus fell off of the bed in his shock. Had he heard correctly? After all that he had put Harry through, after all that he had said, after taking the boy's life away… Harry was thanking him?!

His confusion must have shown on his face, because Harry continued.

"You've done so much for me." Harry said. "Even now…"

"Do you remember anything else?" Severus cut him off. He had done nothing in Harry's best interest after the battle, and he would not listen to Harry tell him how admirable his actions had been.

"Umm…" Harry struggled for a moment. "I do… but I can't explain it."

"Is it a painful memory?" Severus asked, concerned.

"No…" Harry seemed to be thinking hard. "It's…a feeling."

"A feeling?" Severus repeated.

"Yeah, a feeling I've had before… I think it confused me then too." Harry said looking away with a small frown on his face. "I don't understand it."

"Towards what was the feeling?" Severus asked.

Harry looked back at Severus. His eyes were wide and confused.

"I only feel it when I look at you." Harry said.

AN: Awww! Will Severus dare to hope? What do you think?

Okay I'm going to sleep now *yawns* Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'll try to update this weekend!
~GreenEyes