Severus's POV

Severus was regretting his decision very much to let Potter stay the night at his quarters. He had never thought that Potter would take so much space in the bed. While he didn't snore too loudly, he also didn't exactly stay put in his sleep. Every time, he was about to drift off to sleep, a hand or leg draped over him, instantly waking him. No matter how far or how often, he pushed Potter to the other side of the bed, he was coming back again and again.

His patience had finally snapped. Enough was enough. There was no bloody way he was the one who had to flee from his own bed. He grabbed Potter's arms, prepared to haul the annoying Gryffindor out of his bedroom. However, as he began to pull, Potter went off into a giggle. He paused and raised his eyebrow. Potter seemed to be still sleeping. His eyes were closed but he could tell that they were moving behind his eyelids.

Another sleep talk? He silently thought that it was becoming a habit as Potter hummed and mumbled, appearing to carry on conversations with someone in his dream.

Of all sudden, Potter's lips stretched out into a smile and said clearly, "Severus, I love you."

The unexpected confession made him slacken his grip on Potter, making the green-eyed man landed back into the bed with a soft thud, undisturbed, while it couldn't say the same for Severus. He sat on the edge of the bed with his face burning hot. He silently glared at Potter, blaming the idiot for spouting nonsense in the middle of the night.

Severus let out a heavy sigh. He couldn't do it. It sounds ridiculous but he couldn't rudely kick out someone that had just said that they loved him—even if they said it unconsciously.

Potter is going to be the death of me, grumbled Severus as he slid into the bed. By this time, he hadn't known how true his statement was.

Severus pulled Potter closer till the younger wizard's back was touching his chest, imprisoning him in his arms, then muttered quietly, "Don't you dare to move, Potter."

He honestly didn't know whether Potter heard him or not but the young man didn't move around again till next hour which by then they had been fast asleep.

XxXxX

As Severus started to wake up, he could feel warm breath tickling his neck. Excessively startled, he instantly backed away, at the same time withdrew his wand from under the pillow. For one second he stared blankly at Potter while his brain processed the reason why the black haired young man ended up in his bed.

He sighed softly as he finally regained his memories, lightly massaging his stiff shoulder. It felt like Potter was sleeping on top of it all night.

Maybe that fool really did it, he grumbled in annoyance, sparing a glance at the sleeping man.

He watched half curiously, half amusedly, as Potter blindly moved his hand around the bed, seemingly in search of a blanket. The young man sniffed and shivered when he couldn't find it then curled up into a fetal position. Severus blinked as the nightshirt he had lent to Potter rode up, exposing two perfect hairless legs and a provocative pert little bottom covered only by a short green boxer.

Severus swallowed hard. His traitorous mind chose this moment to supply him with a dirty thought of what he could do to that particular body part. To his horror, he could feel his body responding to it, minding that Potter wouldn't refuse him; in fact he knew the young man would likely encourage his advance.

Merlin, no! I'm not going to salivate over Lily's son! Severus resisted firmly, feeling rather disgusted with himself that his lost and found libido reappeared at that exact moment after being nonexistent for years. While he realized that he wasn't really a man of integrity, he wasn't that low to use someone who loved him as his sexual outlet even that someone was Potter.

He averted his gaze, hopefully away from the temptation and picked up the blanket which was lying on the floor then quickly covered Potter with it. But even after Potter was well covered, he couldn't dispel the way the young man had fit perfectly in his arms nor the lingering feeling of his warmth against his own body.

XxXxX

Harry's POV

Harry opened his eyes as he heard the softest click of the door closing. He blinked his eyes slowly, disoriented. The first thing that came into his mind as he looked at the ceiling was the feeling of déjà vu. He was certain that he wasn't in his bedroom at Grimmauld Place since the room was exceptionally dark; no curtain nor window. And even though the bed was very comfortable and the blanket was soft, the air was rather cold and a bit damp as if he was inside of a dungeon.

That last thought make him smile. He was sleepy, warm, and safe. He was back to the place where he belonged, or at least he'd like to think this was where he belonged. The only thing that lessened his happiness was the lack of Severus's presence.

Speaking of Severus, the older wizard might not have noticed it but he wasn't as tough or as mean as he would like to appear in front of others. He might be a strict and reasonable person but he wasn't a cruel man by nature. Actually, Severus spoiled him these last few days. He was so happy that it make him scared as though things were bound to go wrong one way or another.

He straightened up then shook his head. Their relationship was only starting and he already got cold feet. Didn't he promise himself that it was going to work out?

Harry combed his messy hairs with his fingers and told himself. Let's not rush it. Just put one foot in front of the other. One thing at a time. He should say good morning to Severus and maybe stole a kiss or two for today.

XxXxX

After he did his morning routines, Harry decided to take a walk around Hogwarts in hope to increase the possibility of accidental meeting with Severus.

And then stick to the plan, say good morning and steal a kiss or two, he thought, nodding to himself.

He was walking along the passages which led to the Great Hall when a sudden loud bang made him jump a few inches off the ground. It shook the dungeon's ceiling, making particle of dust falling down. He stared wide-eyed for a moment – his heart thumping loudly in his chest – at the dark smoke which sneaked out from the crack of the closed door a few feet behind him before snapped out of his shock and ran to the door.

Someone might likely get hurt from huge explosion like that. He absentmindedly noted that the door led to one of the usually unused classrooms as he opened the door and was hit by a full blast of thick black smoke which make his eyes water. He coughed as he incidentally inhaled some of it then quickly covered half of his face with his shirt and carefully stepped into the room.

"Hullo…? Is—is anyone here?" he called out, pulling his wand out.

Then he heard soft groan from the middle of the room. He moved as fast as he could to the source of the sound with all the mess on the floors; pieces of wood, broken glasses, metal bars, and unidentified sticky liquid. He only stopped briefly to douse a burning piece of cupboard with Aguamenti charm. When he finally reached to the middle of the room, the smoke had considerably thinned, revealing a scene that made him see red.

XxXxX

Draco's POV

Draco groaned when a voice called out. What a spectacular fail! I bloody hope it's one of the snotty brats! I'm in the mood to hex someone!

He only had a second to throw himself on top of Severus when the potion exploded. It was practically his fault for adding too much Boomslang Skin but Severus had also been distracted. Otherwise the Potion Master would have stopped him from making such a mistake.

However he revised his first thought when he heard the steps coming closer. He wasn't in a state to curse anyone. Everything below his neck felt painful.

Shit! I don't want to move yet, I might have broken a rib! He thought, wincing, before someone harshly yanked the back of his robe – momentarily choking him – then threw him backward. He landed with a loud 'oomph' on his butt. He gave a strangled cough and clutched his sore neck where he sure by now appeared a faint red mark. Anger quickly overcame his shock as he lifted his head to glare at his attacker. WHAT THE FUC—?

"Potter?" Draco yelled in surprise and disbelief. He had thought it was just some impudent youngster.

His former archenemy was standing between him and Severus, glaring darkly at him with his wand out. Draco stared at him a bit fearfully, his pain had been forgotten, as Potter stepped closer and jabbed the wand on his chest. There was something in the Gryffindor's eyes that told him that the other man seriously thought about casting killing curse on him.

"What in the bloody—?" Draco stammered weakly.

A trickle of cold sweat ran down the back of his neck. He racked his brains to think what he could have done recently that would make Potter to aim such a murderous intent toward him.

Suddenly, a dark shadow was looming over them and delivered a precise blow to Potter's head by what seemed to be a Potion journal. "Potter, you blithering fool!" hissed the Potion Master.

Given the past experiences, he thought Potter was going to talk back or glared defiantly at Severus. But instead of doing any of that, Potter just blushed and looked downward in shame.

Draco frowned at the oddity of the situation. Ok, that was weird. Why would Potter want to curse me? Because I was on top of… Severus? His jaw fell slack at once.

Could it be…? He gaped openly, alternately looking at both of them. Parts of the rumors, bits and bits began to make sense. Of course, there is no girlfriend, only boyfriend!

"Potter and… you?" he said with disbelief.

Potter gave him a challenging look that said, 'So what, Malfoy?'

Draco hid his snigger behind his hand as Severus glowered darkly at Potter. That stupid Gryffindork was revealing his own secret and appeared to be proud of it. But really, who would have thought Potter and Severus would be a couple, he mused silently.

His professor turned to face him and ordered quietly, "Mr. Malfoy, please follow me." Before turned around and strode to the door, his black robe billowing behind him.

However, when the older wizard realized that Potter was following behind them, he snapped, "You stay here!" The potion master added with a sneer, "I want everything to be clean… without magic!"

Draco deliberately smirked at Potter – invoking a glare from the Gryffindor – then followed the potion master out of the room.

XxXxX

Five minutes later at Severus Snape's office

Severus was sitting in front of him with a dark, scary expression on his face. There was uncomfortable silence as the older wizard recomposed himself. He didn't dare to comment, not if he didn't wish to become a member of the Headless Hunt. One thing he learnt during the seven years that he spent with Severus Snape as the Head of Slytherin House was the older wizard was a very private man who always kept the cards close to his chest so this must be quite a blow to him.

Hell, to say the truth, he also hasn't recovered from the shock of finding out the truth. It was easy to see that Potter and that Weasel-girl were meant to be or even Potter and Chang, but Potter and Severus were what he called 'mind-boggling'!

The silence stretched on as they both contemplated how to start the conversation.

"Draco," said Severus quietly, breaking the silence. "I want your oath of secrecy on this matter."

Draco lifted his head to look at potion master and said, "Honestly, I don't think…" He paused briefly, weighing whether the truth would earn him a curse or not. "… anyone will believe me even if… I was to leak it out."

An ugly flush suffused Severus's pallid face much to his chagrin. He tried not to cringe when the hard truth delivered another jab to his poor head. Merlin's beard, he and Potter are really an item!

Draco crossed his legs and entwined his fingers, looking down at the desk as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. He really wished he wasn't going to have this conversation with the head of his house. Really, it wasn't his business who Severus wanted to date or fuck. No matter how earth-shattering and how unlikely the other party was.

"I—I indebted to Potter for saving my life," said Draco, grimacing slightly as he remembered the past events. It was humiliating to admit his weakness. "And while I'm your apprentice… I doubt it'll do any good to spread rumors about my own Master."

He stared back unflinchingly as Severus bored his gaze on him and felt the intrusion in his mind, seeking out the truth. He was sure that the older man wouldn't find lies in his words.

"But I still – ah – require your oath that you will not leak it to anyone—both living and unliving," said Severus grimly after some time, his lips considerably thinned.

Seeing no use to argue about it right now, Draco shrugged, "Well… If you wish so, sir."

XxXxX

Firstly, thanks so much to Digi-Girl101 for beta-ing this chapter. I apologize for the late update. Life has been really busy lately. *bows* And another sorry for many cussing words in this chapter. I sorta imagined that Draco has a rather foul mouth. XD I really hope you liked this chapter, thanks for reading this far. *hugs* Any review will be welcomed (very) warmly. ^_^

Promoting: I had finished writing the holiday Snarry story for Christmas. It'll be up before this month end. I hope I'll see you all there too. *waves tail excitedly*