potrickterman- No it's not going to be like that. I think if age were the biggest problem, the story might be over already. I'm glad you'll keep reading even if it doesn't go the way like, I hope it will though.

Siggi- I'm currently writing pt 28 without an end in sight. The end I originally had is no longer suitable, so I fitted it into the story. I'm really hoping to wrap it up soon though.

Chaelimpanmachledi – Thank you. I want to be a writer. I plan to study creative writing when I go to university.

xikum- I intentionally did it like that. I'm leaving it up to readers to come up with their own conclusions.

Harco Potfoy- I did put divisors. I don't know what happened.

Pt. 25.

'Harry?'

'What?'

'You okay mate? I called your name three times.'

'Sorry Ron, I was just lost in thought. What were you saying?'

'Do you want to come to the Burrow for Christmas?'

'Of course I want to come,' he lied. 'Just let me find out from Professor Dumbledore if it's okay.'

'Alright.'

Harry had been preoccupied all day. His thoughts kept floating to one named Severus Snape. He felt bad for not wanting to go to the Burrow, but it was easier for him to spend time with Severus than with Ron. He already knew everything. There were no uneasy silences or forced laughter. With Severus he could just be. He never would have thought that possible

'Er – Harry?'

'Yeah Ron?'

'Is there anything you want to tell me?'

'No – er – why do you ask?'

'No reason… you just seem like you have stuff on your mind. You've been a bit distant lately.'

'Well I don't mean to be,' he replied a bit defensively. 'I've just been busy, we both have. Between quidditch, lessons my extra lessons and my detention it's just not as easy for us to spend time together.'

Ron nodded vaguely. I suppose that's it.' He did not appear convinced but Harry left it at that. He did not want to lie anymore than he just had.

They sat in a discomfited silence for a few minutes until Dean asked Ron to play wizard's chess with him.

It was a Saturday afternoon and a steady downpour of rain was keeping everyone indoors. Harry had barely made it back from Hogsmede before the torrent had begun. Everyone was occupied in some way. Everyone but him. Not for the first time in his life, he felt excluded, like an outsider. He just never thought he could feel that way in his common room.

He slipped out quietly and after a debate with himself as to where he should go, he went to the North Tower.

He entered the former Divinations' room and flopped onto the couch he had been on the day before. He closed his eyes and remembered the way Severus' hands felt on him…Severus. Just thinking of him made Harry feel better, relaxed even. In fact, he could hear his voice as if he were really in the room, repeating his name.

'Harry Potter!'

His eyes snapped open. Severus was standing over him with a scowl on his face.

'Have you lost you hearing?'

'Second time today,' he said to himself.

'What?'

'Nothing. Sorry, I thought I was imagining your voice.' He sat up to make space for the Slytherin to sit next to him.

'What are you doing here?'

'I was about to ask you the same thing,' replied Severus.

'I just came up here to get away to get away from everyone. You?'

'I left my favourite quill here by mistake.'

'I'm glad you did.'

Severus smiled, 'Is that so?'

'Yes. I wanted to see you, but I didn't want to go to your office.'

'Why not?'

He shrugged, 'I didn't really want to run into anyone. I was in my common room and I didn't feel like I belonged there. I feel best when I'm with you.'

Severus looked as though he might say he felt the same, but the tender look that had sprung up at Harry's words vanished from his countenance.

'Now that I have my quill I'll be going. My evening was already planned.'

Harry looked disappointed.

'You're going to work?'

'No, I was going to do a puzzle in the comfort of my chambers. For once I am ahead of schedule and I want to take the opportunity to rest.'

'Oh.'

'You may join me if you like,' said Severus after a moment's hesitation.

'You don't mind?' He did not want to appear too eager.

'If I did I would not have invited you, now come along before I change my mind.' He lit a fire in the hearth and threw a handful of powder in it. They stepped in and when they stepped out it was into Severus' comfortable living quarters.

Harry went straight to the four-poster bed and sprawled himself over it.

'What do you think you are doing?' asked Severus.

'I thought it was obvious. I'm going to take a nap.' He turned onto his stomach and wriggled around a bit. He could practically feel Severus staring at him; he wanted to make sure he had a good view.

'I planned on lying there.'

'There's room for two,' was Harry's muffled reply. He had buried his face in a pillow. Severus did not reply, making Harry turn around and sit up. The Potions professor was sitting in an armchair by the fire. 'You're not seriously going to stay there are you?'

'What does it matter if I do?' asked Severus without removing his eyes from his puzzle book.

'I want you close to me.'

Severus looked up; Harry had taken off his robe.

'I did not invite you here to do anything of a sexual nature, so do not get any ideas.'

'Gee Sev, when you talk like that I know you really like me,' said Harry sardonically.

Severus gave him a look.

'I know, don't call you "Sev". And of course I got ideas. You asked me back to your room. Just sit next to me and do your puzzle.'

'Very well.' He sat on the bed and leaned back against the headboard. Better?'

'Loads.'

Some minutes passed and the only sound heard was the scratching of Severus' quill

'How long are we going to keep this up?' Harry asked, breaking the silence.

'Keep what up?'

'We're in your room…total privacy. Don't you want to do anything?' He sat up and frowned at him, then cringed. The last bit sounded disgustingly juvenile.

Severus heaved a dramatic sigh and glanced up from his book.

'I apologise. Please excuse me for not being a randy sixteen year old.'

'I'm not!' He cried indignantly. 'Well…maybe, but- what's so funny?'

Severus was smirking, 'I wondered how long you would last.'

'So this was all some stupid test?' Harry lay back down and turned his back to Severus. He heard him chuckle and grew more annoyed. Then he felt a hand brush the hair from his neck.

'I apologise,' whispered Severus in his ear. He started placing light kisses on the back and side of his neck.

Harry rolled onto his back and stared up at the older wizard. 'You're forgiven.'

Severus leaned down and started kissing him. It was slow and sweet and extremely gratifying…the feel of his tongue exploring Harry's mouth lazily…his hands roaming sensually…it was heaven. It suddenly struck him that lying on a bed and kissing was different to lying on a couch and doing the same thing. Sure, he had done stuff on the couch, but the bed seemed to imply more. The bed seemed full of possibilities…possibilities he never even considered before.

Within moments, Severus' robe joined Harry's on the floor. A few more and both their tops were there as well.

Harry was lost in pleasure he never experienced before when the older wizard undid his trousers and began stroking him. All he could do was whimper and moan as Severus' capable hands worked him towards climax. He came with a shout onto his lover's hand.

After that, he could not talk. Severus smirked at him as he tried to stabilise his breathing.

'I rather hoped you could return the favour, but it appears you might never recover,' he said smugly.

'That was…wow.'

'Thank you.'

'Prat.'

It took Harry a minute to realise he was still exposed. Now that the moment was over, he felt like he was on display. When he zipped up, he heard a little sound of discontentment.

'I was quite enjoying the show.'

'I bet you were. Time to put on one of your own.'

Harry, who had been lying flat on his back, rolled over; right on top of Severus. He kissed him leisurely. He moved slowly down, tasting every bit of skin as he went. Just as he as he was unbuckling Severus' belt a knock resounded through the room.

'Fuck.'

Harry looked up. 'I thought you were more eloquent than that.'

Severus glared down at him.

'Maybe not. What was that?'

'It means a student is knocking on my office door,' he replied through gritted teeth. He got up and dressed very quickly, all the while muttering imprecations under his breath. Harry almost felt sorry for the student he was going to see. Almost, after all, Harry had been quite enjoying himself as well.

'If you chose to stay…that would be fine.'

'Yeah?'

'Yes- If you want to.'

Harry had sat up while Severus was dressing. He laid back and made himself comfortable on the bed. 'I'll be here.'

After Severus left he spared a thought for Ron and Hermione, who might be wondering where he was, but that was it, a thought. He did not think about what was going to happen or rather what they were going to do when Severus got back.

Almost an hour later Harry awoke from a light doze by Severus' entrance.

'What was the knock about?' queried Harry, propping himself up on his elbows.

'One of my foolish first years could not remember the assignment I had given. I'm afraid I was unduly harsh with him.'

Harry raised an eyebrow.

'I made him cry.'

Harry stifled a laugh, 'he should have asked one of his year mates.'

'He most certainly will from now on.'

'You spent an hour lecturing him?'

'No, someone came in after that, nothing worth mentioning.'

He took his robe off and lay down on his stomach next to Harry.

'You look knackered,' Harry observed.

'I am a bit tired…shouting unfairly at an eleven year old will do that.'

'It's not just that is it?'

'No…but I will not discuss it with you.'

'Fine, just rest.' He snuggled close to Severus and held his hand, lacing their fingers together. The only sound heard after that was the even breathing of the sleeping wizards.

Harry woke some hours later to find that it was past midnight. His stirring roused Severus, and while Harry was feeling groggy, the Slytherin was instantly alert.

'Get up Harry. You must return to Gryffindor Tower at once. Your friends may be missing you.'

He yawned and slowly made his way to the fireplace where Severus was waiting.

'You will have to go back to the North Tower and then walk back to your dormitory. You cannot risk flooing directly in, some of your housemates may still be awake. I trust you can get there without being caught despite you lack of an Invisibility Cloak?'

'Yes,' he kissed Severus chastely. 'Goodnight.'

Nearly fifteen minutes later he managed to make it to his common room unscathed. Very luckily, everyone had already gone to bed, for the common room was empty.

'Harry? Is that you?' Ron's voice called from the darkness.

Shit.

'Yeah it's me.' He fumbled his way to his bed and sat down.

'Where've you been? Hermione and I were worried. I almost used your map to find you.'

A chill ran through his body. He needed to start taking that map with him when he met Severus, or at least find a new storage place for it. The last thing he needed was for his best friends to be wondering what he was doing hanging around with Snape.

'I –er- went for a walk. I have a lot of things on my mind and I just wanted to be alone to- er- sort things out. I lost track of the time.'

'That's okay, but next time d'you think you could tell one of us something? I know we're not your keepers, but you were gone for hours. After everything we've been through it's easy to think something bad has happened.'

'I'm sorry. I didn't think about that.'

'No worries mate,' yawned Ron. 'You hardly ever think at all.' He grinned and narrowly avoided being hit with Harry's pillow before going back to sleep.

He changed and got into bed. He felt sick. He could not keep doing this could he? He had to tell them something. It was just that after so many months of secrecy, it was going to be harder than ever to break it.

I hope you liked it, please REVIEW!