I'm on a roll. I've written like ten new chapters for this story and I just want to get the ones already written posted so I can see the reaction for the newer ones. So here's the next chapter, ahead of schedule!

Enjoy!

...

It had been a week and a half since Severus had come to stay with Harry. At first the other boy had been slightly withdrawn and nervous. Harry had a feeling that Severus thought he was going to get tired of him and tell him he couldn't stay the summer anymore. Then Severus would have to go back to his abusive parents that by now knew that their son had disobeyed them.

Of course Harry would never do that. He couldn't stand the thought of Severus going back to his family and he tried to make the other boy see that.

Within the last few days Severus indeed seemed to be calming down and becoming more comfortable at the apartment. He was even starting to feel comfortable around Ziggy, who was doing his best to make Severus feel welcome.

At the moment Harry was lying in bed with Severus' arms wrapped around his waist. The other boy was asleep while Harry had just woken up a few minutes before. They didn't have to be out of bed yet and Harry enjoyed this time in the mornings when he could just relax into Severus' hold and not have to think about anything in particular.

He hadn't told Ziggy that he and Severus were more than just friends so the two had to act like they were just friends when anyone else was around.

Harry practically jumped when he heard a frantic tapping on the window, waking Severus up in the process.

Harry turned to look out the window where there was a small brown owl. He looked agitated and he ruffled his feathers as he tapped on the window again.

Harry had never seen the owl before but he quickly got up and went to open the window. He held out his arm for the owl to fly onto but surprisingly the owl soared past him and went straight to Severus.

Severus rubbed his eyes as he looked at the small bird that was now sitting in front of him on the bed. He looked at Harry with a shrug and then reached over to grab the letter the owl had strapped to its leg.

He opened it and began to read. When he was finished he let out a small groan and dropped back onto the pillows.

"What?" Harry asked looking at Severus in question.

Severus didn't sit up but he held out the letter to Harry with a huff.

Harry took it from him and began to read.

Severus Snape!

Where are you?

I haven't seen you all week and the word on the street is that you ran away!

Normally I wouldn't listen to the gossip mill on our street because you know it is almost always bogus but without hearing from you in a week and a half I'm starting to think the rumors are true.

What happened? Why didn't you tell me you were leaving? You could have stayed with us you know!

If you don't answer this letter by the end of the week I'm going to assume something terrible has happened to you and I'm calling the police, the Aurors and the Scotland Yard if I have to!

Lily

Ps. I really do hope you are okay.

"Uh," Severus groaned "I've been so preoccupied that I totally forgot about Lily!"

Harry had to hide his smirk, when he thought about it, the letter was something he could totally see his mother writing. Really it reminded him of some of the letters Ron and Ginny got from Mrs. Weasley.

Harry ducked down as Severus threw a pillow at his head "It's not funny" he grumbled.

Harry pulled himself together "You're right, it's not. We should send Lily a letter back. I'm sure that's what this thing is waiting for" Harry pointed at the owl which ruffled its feathers at Harry's words.

Severus got up and pulled on some clothes while Harry ran and got some parchment and paper. "Here" he said handing it to Severus.

"Thanks," Severus said taking the items and sitting down on the bed to write his letter.

Lily,

Sorry I didn't tell you I was leaving. I wasn't planning to run away, Luke invited me over two weekends ago and after I got here I decided to stay. I'm sorry I forgot to write. Don't worry I'm fine but I won't be coming back this summer. I hope you are having a good summer...

Harry snatched the parchment away from Severus.

Hey Lily (This is Luke by the way),

Sorry to steal Severus away from you this summer. Don't worry I'll give him a smack for you for not writing sooner.

"Ow Luke!"

Done.

You should come over for a visit! My place is right above the tattoo shop in Diagon Alley. Come anytime you want, just send me a letter before you do.

Oh Severus wants to say something.

Hope to see you soon.

Severus grabbed the parchment back from Harry with a scowl.

Severus here, sorry about that.

I hope you can come too.

Please don't be mad at me. Luke already punched me in the arm for you...and don't think I'm going to let him get away with it.

Hope to see you soon.

Severus.

And Luke!

Harry rolled up the parchment and tied it to the small owl's leg. "Bring this to Lily" he said.

The owl hooted, ruffled its feathers one last time and then flew out the window.

Harry watched it go. Then he turned to look at Severus and landed on his back on the bed with an 'oof.'

Harry looked up at Severus who had jumped him and was now pinning him down "I said I wasn't going to let you get away with punching me!" Severus said with a smirk.

Harry laughed.

...

"What do you boys plan to do today?" Ziggy asked when the two boys finally got their act together and came downstairs.

Luke shrugged "I dunno, probably just hang out. I think we've been into every shop there is in the Alley."

Ziggy rolled his eyes as Luke sat down behind the counter and looked into the snake tank. Sometimes he swore the boy could talk to Alzana, his snake, the way he sat there and the two just stared at each other. But it was probably all in his head.

Ziggy watched as Severus studied a tattoo design on the wall, not really all that interested in it but it gave him something to do.

"You know," Ziggy began "If you boys are so bored that you're not really going to do anything today, I could use some help."

Severus and Luke still didn't look that interested.

"I could pay you for your time."

That got their attention "Really?" Luke asked "What uh...what exactly do you need help with."

"Well I need some organizing done, I've drawn some tattoo sketches that I need put in order and I would be happy if one of you could clean the instruments I use every day. Not to mention one of my clients suggested I get a receptionist the other day so that I wouldn't have to stop while I was in the middle of a tattoo to check the floo. If you guys are up for it I would pay you for the summer."

"That sounds pretty cool," Luke said "what do you think Sev?"

"Sounds okay to me" Severus said with a shrug.

"Great," Ziggy said "follow me. I'll show you what I need organizing."

Luke and Severus followed Ziggy into the back room where there were boxes upon boxes of tattoo designs.

Luke and Severus' eyes bulged at the amount of templates.

"Uh would it not be easier to do this with magic?" Severus asked.

Ziggy shook his head "Magical tattoos are temperamental things. If the wrong kind of magic is used to move them around," Ziggy said pointing at the templates "then they might come out wrong. I find it easier to do it the muggle way."

"Oh okay," Severus said giving Luke a look that said 'what have we got ourselves into.'

Ziggy quickly explained how he wanted things done and then left them to it when they heard the bell chime, which signaled he had a customer.

...

"Merlin I'm exhausted" Severus said as he walked into the apartment that night.

"I know," Harry said coming in behind him "Who knew organizing would be so hard, and we aren't even finished."

Severus shook his head at the thought.

Harry groaned "I'm going to bed" he said walking to the bedroom.

"Me too" Severus said following him.

When they got into the room Harry stopped abruptly and Severus almost walked into him.

"What the..." he began to ask, looking around Harry to see what had stopped him.

Saphira was trying to jump onto the top of the wardrobe where the same owl from that morning was sitting, looking very annoyed.

"Saphira no" Harry said walking over to the kitten and pointing to the floor.

The kitten looked up at him with a tilt to her head but Harry wasn't having any of that.

He pointed to the floor again, more sternly this time and Saphira let out a sad meow before jumping down and going to sit in the corner.

She lay down but still watched the owl very intensely.

The owl huffed up its chest once she was gone and stuck out its leg to Harry.

Harry took the parchment it offered him and unrolled it.

"Severus and Luke" he read aloud "You best be sorry for not telling me that you, Severus, were leaving and you, Luke, invited Severus to come over!"

Harry shook his head as he continued "You're just lucky I didn't send out the Scotland Yard. They are very expensive and you would have had to pay me back."

Harry laughed at that.

"I would love to come over but I need some directions. My parents said that I could come next week if you two aren't busy…." Harry blushed "*wink wink* I wish I could come this week but I have a piano rehearsal on the weekend that I can't miss. Please let me know what day works best for you next week and send me some directions!"

Harry laughed as he folded up the parchment "Better get to that before Saphira eats the owl" he said quickly writing a reply to Lily.

Severus just watched with an amused smile in his face.