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PREVIOUS CHAPTER UPDATED!

Before reading this chapter, please go back and read the end of the previous one. I just wasn't happy with it and have updated the ending.

. . .

The wind bristled past him as Harry sat precariously over the ledge on his balcony. The temperature was cool but not freezing for a change and he welcomed it. Taking a deep breath, he leaned his head against the wall and looked up at the orange and pink sky as the winter sun set over the trees. He admired the peaceful environment, the way he could sit here and look out over the grounds and into the sky, just forgetting everything and letting the wind seep his memories away. Just the negative ones mind, he didn't want to rid himself of the good times that he and Draco had had over the past week.

Everything seemed to change for them on that one night, the one where the teen had walked in on Harry and his Professor sitting in a chair and embracing one another. If Harry had thought things between he and Professor Snape had changed, then Draco was in his own league. It felt like comradery, brotherly. He felt at peace with the past he shared with the blonde and in turn their physical closeness had blossomed.

Smiling at the distant memory of lying in front of the fire after having chewed down some of the animal candies Harry had given his friend at Christmas, he allowed himself a deep breath, letting it out slowly. They hadn't spoken any more about exploring Animagus transformations and he didn't want to push it but in the back of his mind, he felt like it would be one hell of an achievement. Following in his fathers footsteps, the Marauders, and becoming an Animagus just like them, just like his ex-Head of House now Headmistress. He just really wanted to prove that he wasn't weak.

However, whilst things with Draco were blossoming he had hit a road block with his Professor. They after he'd told the man exactly what he thought after their zoo trip, he'd managed to escape his clutches so they didn't have to interact. Of course, he attended meals as requested but he didn't stay a moment longer; time around that he refused to mope around his room and had bunked with his friend when they weren't outside. It seemed like a good strategy at the time, however two days had passed and now Draco was going out with Mrs. Malfoy to meet the Wilbert family. Knowing he couldn't hide forever, he had resigned himself to finally staying in his room and if the man approached him, then so be it.

A knock at his door was distant and he glanced over his shoulder before pulling focus on his magic, he didn't feel like getting up at walking over because he knew exactly who it was going to be. His Professor. Professor Severus Snape and the asshole that chucked him out only for being inquisitive then ignoring him for days.

The door clicked softly open with his magic and with hesitated footsteps he finally heard them traverse over the stone floor and out to where he was sitting. Eyeing his Head of House carefully, he looked back up at the sunset, pulling his jacket more firmly around his lean body.

"Sir."

"… Harry." The hesitance caused a stir from the teen and he looked back towards the man warily.

"Is it dinner already?" Harry asked for lack of anything else to say.

"No. However, I am here to discuss arrangements this evening."

Oh, Harry thought, still sitting in a lightly slouched manner against the wall.

"I thought you might enjoy a night out of this house, there is a large village not too far from here if you would be interested in a change of scenery."

"With you? You want to have dinner out, with me?" Harry asked sceptically and the man nodded after a beat.

"I owe you an apology, Harry. It was not my intention to upset you and I can clearly see that I have." Severus put his hands in both pockets and went to lean against the short stone wall encompassing the balcony.

"Why do you suddenly feel all chatty? It's taken you almost three days." Harry looked away at this point and sniffed as the cooler air had suddenly made his nose runny.

"If you allow me to take you out for dinner, I will explain."

Harry narrowed his eyes and looked at the man awfully wary of the whole situation but if he had to toss up his options, a night out might not have been the worst idea. His Professor said he wanted to apologise, well he certainly wasn't going to make it easy. All he'd wanted to do was get to know the man who was helping him through a tough spot, that made them more than just student and Professor.

"Okay." Harry resigned, sliding off the wall and holding his arms out awkwardly, "Let's go then."

"Wait." Harry turned and half glared at him.

"Sir, I just – "

"I will meet you down at the entrance hall in fifteen minutes." Severus said, then stalked out of the room quickly.

"Weird." Harry thought at his door closed but as he shut the balcony doors and shook himself out of his jacket, he looked down at himself and shook his head.

"No, this won't do." He thought and rummaged around for something a little more decent.

Trying not to let the anxiety and knotting experience fill his stomach, Harry met the man down by the main entrance but halted mid step when he realised he'd changed also. It was such a contrast and yet nothing had really changed. He still wore prominently black but as he walked closer, he noticed the man's merino wool jumper was a dark navy blue. There was a scarf wrapped around his neck and he'd almost buried his chin into as he waited and Harry swallowed a nervous lump. He seemed so… Muggle and normal.

"You look star struck, Potter." Severus prickled.

"You're not known for a large wardrobe." Harry frowned but his face brightened under the scrutiny.

"Muggle village, muggle attire. I thought that might have been obvious." Severus commented wryly before heading towards the door and opening it for the teen.

"Take my arm."

Once they were outside, Harry regarded the outstretched arm and took a deep breath before he touched it and gripped on tightly, he really hated side-long apparation. Barrelling head on into the wall of a building down an alley, Harry rubbed his forehead with a dull groan but straightened when he felt a hand wrap around his shoulders. He brushed the man off, feeling embarrassed by his wounded pride before he followed diligently.

The village seemed very popular and large, lots of people were out and about, mesmerising Harry only because he hadn't expected to see this many people. As they turned another corner, it opened up into a large openly spaced square with a giant Christmas tree standing tall in the middle. He heard a small whisper escape his lips at this, wow.

"This way." Severus commented, looking sideways at the teen.

Harry looked over the glittering lights and allowed the happiness to fill him before following his Professor into a nearby restaurant. It was a rustic looking place, certainly busy enough to have a good reputation and the smells were incredible. It simply made his mouth water. He bumped into the back of the man at one point when he'd been looking at the enticing pork belly a woman was consuming on his way past but didn't risk glancing at his Head of House, instead tuning into the conversation between the front of house staff member.

"Tobias? Right this way." The thin man elegantly slid from behind his post and weaved through the restaurant as if he knew the place like the back of his hand.

There, in a corner, was a table set for two and Harry raised his eyebrow at the convenience of such a thing happening when the restaurant was as packed as it had been. Stripping out of his jacket, Harry draped it over the back of his chair and sat down, his gaze resting on his Professor as the man did the same before meeting his eye.

"Funny. Convenient." Harry said with a smug expression, then took up the menu to hide his face.

"I would have gone by myself if you had of refused."

"And leave me alone in that mansion?" Harry dropped the menu and shot him a dark, panicked sneer.

"Indeed." Was all Severus replied with, taking up his own menu.

They perused the items for a while before Harry had made his decision and then took a moment to take in the atmosphere around the restaurant. He hadn't noticed a pair of eyes watching him in that time and then when he had, they were giving their orders over to the waiter. Once he left, there was a weighted silence that hung over the two Wizards and Harry fidgeted under intensity of it.

"The other day… we were talking." Severus said finally and Harry's face took on a sad expression.

"You mean the day you kicked me out."

"Yes. I would like to chat about it." Severus replied calmly, he'd taken nearly three days to pluck the courage to discuss this once he realised what was happening between them.

"Okay?" Harry replied, feeling wary.

"I have been doing some thinking about what is happening between us. Prior to asking you to leave, we were having a simple conversation, which unfortunately took an unpleasant turn for us both." Severus started, sitting upright in his chair and watching confusion cross the teen's face, "Having taken some time to look into our interactions in retrospect, I have come to a conclusion."

Harry remained silent, what was he supposed to reply with?

"Harry, you are my student and I, your Professor. However, it is clear that something else is happening that may complicate or enhance things, depending on how you see it."

"What do you mean?"

"Simply put, Harry, I missed your presence and have grown rather fond of the relationship that is forming. A friendship, perhaps." At this he reached out and took a sip of water. "As I just said, this is not supposed to happen though I am aware it does. You were always going to be different, I know the Headmistress was rather familiar with you over the years and that bond with your ex-Head of House remains strong."

Harry smiled, remembering some of the occasions when the woman had bent the rules for him or congratulated his arrogant behaviour, mainly aimed at Dolores Umbridge. Have a biscuit, Potter. He had to rub a hand over his face to stop the grin breaking forward, it had been one of the weirdest and most satisfying conversations he'd ever had with his ex-Head of House not including what had happened with his new Head this year.

"I can see I was correct with my assumptions, but even then that relationship you share with her is still a Professional one." Severus commented seriously as he watched the teen attempting to smother a smile, an emotion that followed this was sadness, or envy.

"Why is ours any different? I mean, you're helping me get through a lot and I owe you so much for that. Especially for getting Fletcher off my case as well as the Headmistress. Forget about what happened in the last few days, right now that isn't important." At this Harry reached for his water, feeling his throat drying out.

"My apologies, Potter. I had not been made aware that Professor McGonagall and yourself had kissed." Severus smirked in satisfaction as Harry inhaled the water in his mouth, choking and hacking as he tried to cough it back the right way.

Once he had composed himself better, his face twisted distastefully and the unwelcomed image that burned his eyes, even as he closed them. Shaking his head, he attempted to deny what had been said, not wanting to think on it any more.

"You decide to bring the kiss up, now?"

"Naturally. It seems a good of time as any." Severus responded casually, frustrating Harry in the process.

"But before, you - "

"I resisted speaking about it because we were working through things. Now, however, we are speaking as associates or comrades. Why delay the inevitable."

"You don't seem particularly upset about it all… You just let it happen."

"I did. You were hurting the first time, though I admit standing in front of a grave – not forgetting it was your parents – quite possibly was not the best location."

Harry worried his lip as the man spoke but was distracted when their meals arrived. Was he missing something here? His Professor should have been shutting him down and discouraging him but it seemed almost the opposite. Then he thought back to the Headmistress, that thought had completely repulsed him but glancing up at the man in front, he didn't feel that repulsion at all. Not once this whole year had he felt that.

"You let me do it a second time." Harry's voice was small now, almost hollow with confusion.

"Ah, yes." Severus didn't know what he should say to that, he hadn't been expecting the first kiss but the second one...

"And?" Harry picked up his cutlery, looking longingly into his ribeye and the glistening gravy.

"I had expected it."

Harry paused before putting the forkful into his mouth. Did that also mean he accepted it? It was maddening, Professor Snape was similar to attempting to draw blood from stone. Not something easily done, rather quite impossible. This dinner was supposed to clear the air between them, not make it more damn confusing. There had been an apology, then the mention of friendship… Was there something else?

"And if I did it again?" Harry asked cautiously, feeling that tightrope he was walking across wobbling.

Severus looked into Harry's eyes at this point, his cutlery poised as he had been about to cut into his chicken. Did he dare tempt the teen? Did he cross that not so invisible line between his responsibilities as a teacher to his student or the invisible line between himself and a matured teen who were naturally growing closer regardless.

"I would dissuade you, however your actions are your own."

There, that should get him to think, Severus continued with his meal and left the comment strung between them. And think it did, after of course the mouth-watering meal before him had been consumed.

Harry wondered if he tried again would he be pushed away or would it be left to happen. Hearing the man's words, he did feel slightly discouraged but that was because he had been hoping for some returned feelings. Forbidden as they were, he could always have the hope that one day it might happen. For now however, he wanted to mend the bridge that been set a lit before it disintergrated because he did enjoy spending time with the older Wizard. This distance that had plagued them over the days needed to be done with; spending that time with Draco was great but he equally wanted to spend it with his Professor.

His Head of House hadn't exactly said no to another kiss which made Harry wonder if there was something beneath the surface when he'd allowed the first two to happen. Whatever it was, he felt the temperature in the air between them grow cooler and awkward. But Harry was resolute, he was sitting in a restaurant with his Professor, and aside from Hagrid or even Remus back when he was still around, there wouldn't have been anyone else he could do this with. Even with Professor Dumbledore, their chats had been off, which was saying something because Harry really did see him as a prominent male figure in his life up until the very end.

"Okay." Harry sat up a little straighter in his seat, now that he'd processed what the man had said, they could move on from it.

"Was everything to your liking?" The waiter was back and removed their plates before continuing and offering the desert menu.

"Yes, please." Harry said cheerily, then looked back to his Professor who had a perplexed expression briefly.

"I shouldn't have done it and I'm sorry. You're right, it was a weak moment for me the first time and the second I guess I'd just been pushing my luck. I'm not even gay." Harry's face went bright red as he steamed along, shrugging for emphasis. "Thanks for not… making it… weird…"

Severus stared at him blankly, a smile threatening to show but was able to restrain himself a little while. I'm not even gay. The comment stuck in his mind as the blushing in Harry's cheek dissipated somewhat. He didn't know why it struck him like it had but not wanting to get caught up in dramatics he pushed it aside and nodded when the teen looked to him.

"Harry, this is not an easy time for either of us having to adjust to a world that seems so far removed from what we experienced. If I were to push you away once that happened, not only would it hurt you but we would not be in the position we are currently. You chose to speak with me over the others about your experiences and consequences of this war, which is something I am not taking lightly, certainly not after what has just happened. Should you be feeling confused, I can understand. Quite frankly, Harry, I would rather you do that with me than with someone who may use it against you in the future."

Harry blinked, his desert menu forgotten.

"As much as I loathed your attendance when I first saw you in my classroom, you are not that child. You are not someone who revels in the fame that was thrust upon you. I understand now that when those things happened during your school years that made you centre stage, it was not because you wanted to be there. It was forced and cruel. Not that Albus particularly sheltered you like he should have. Aside from the past, it still affects you even now and quite possibly worse. I am not blind to see younger students looking to you for guidance and a particular few who idolise you whether it be romanticised or hero worship."

Harry continued to blink, floored by the words.

"You cannot be lax in what you say and who hears. I do not want to see you putting effort into something or someone only to be hurt after the fact because there were ulterior motives. Draco and Miss. Granger I would wager are your closest friends. Merlin, I would consider myself your friend after being your Professor first and foremost."

Harry's lips parted as his jaw went slack. This man really considered him a friend? Of course, teacher first but Professor Snape just uttered the words friend and myself in the same sentence. It was a major revelation and suddenly his vision became blurry as a smile gradually spread across his face.

"Harry?"

"Would you like to order desert?" The waiter was back and Harry swallowed the lump that had formed, hastily wiping away the tears that had formed before pointing to something on the menu.

Severus shook his head and handed the menu back, all the while his eyes trained only on the Slytherin in front. The tears, they weren't sad but happy evidently. Severus had brought the Wizarding hero to tears with an admission he thought probably would never be uttered.

"Friends?" Harry propped himself up with elbows on the table, sniffing a couple of times.

"I may not have many, but I would consider you one nonetheless." Severus took a breath in slowly, holding it for a moment, my second friend.

"I feel honoured." Harry said almost to himself but he was clearly heard over the busy restaurant.

"Honoured? What ever for?"

"Well… I imagine you're very selective of your friends." Harry had a weird kind of smile, Severus thought and couldn't identify whether he was being genuine or sarcastic.

"Indeed." Severus didn't want to say anything else, he felt he'd already divulged more than he was comfortable with and sat quietly as the teen's desert arrived.

Eyeing the delicacy and licking his lips hungrily, Harry grabbed his spoon and moaned when the chocolate touched his lips. Severus glanced up and subtly bit the inside of his lip after the noise, seeing Harry thoroughly enjoying his desert made him happy. All he wanted was for his student to get back to a place where he was safe and sane. Even if it meant there was a dull ache and fire in his loins at the idea of the time they spend together.

He was going to strike conversation up after the moments silence but decided against it. It was intended that he bring up school but considering they were sitting in a restaurant, he held his tongue until they made it back to the house. Instead, he admired the way Harry politely devoured his desert before slouching back in his chair with a full expression.

"I don't think I'll be eating for a couple of days." Harry commented quietly, it had been meant for himself only but Severus fully heard him.

"You will get that when you eat like a sparrow."

"Hey, I eat plenty." Harry scoffed, trying to sit up.

"I beg to differ." Severus replied with a smirk, enjoying the dynamic change between them.

Harry noticed it too and wondered how much more he could get away with in terms of being cheeky to this man. It wasn't as though he would go out of his way to be a nuisance, no he and his friends had done that when they were younger and it was in the past now. However, one memory threatened to kill his calmness and it did so at the worst time possible when their plates were cleared. Chuckling to himself, he attempted to cover his smile but it was no use and Severus had already seen it.

"No." Putting his hand up and covering his face, the brunette wasn't going there right now.

"I am not entirely sure I want to know what you are thinking. Are you ready or shall I roll you out of here?"

"No, no. I can walk." Harry smiled, grabbing his coat.

Once outside, Harry shoved both hands into his coat pockets before walking ahead of his Professor and towards the town centre. There were still plenty of people about and the feeling he'd gotten walking through this prior came back. It was calm and peace, he felt safe here. The tree took his attention again and he stood there looking at it for a while, not noticing his Professor standing next to him quietly until his elbow brushed against the man's arm. Feeling confident enough to engage some form of contact, Harry pulled his right arm from his pocket and carefully linked it through the older Wizard's without a word.

"Thank you for dinner."

"It was my pleasure." Severus replied, moving his arm out of Harry's and draping it over the teen's shoulder, pulling him closer.

. . .

There were very few times where Harry Potter felt safe and secure. He had been battered, bruised and abused for so long that he hadn't the foggiest idea what love was. The Weasely clan had always made him feel welcome, he had felt loved when with them; well he thought it was love but it paled into nothing for the security he experienced with Professor Snape. The man was a force to be reckoned with but at the same time there was this other side that Harry had been given a glimpse of. He was fairly sure not a lot of others had seen this side of the man and the more he thought about it, the weirder the sensation in his chest became.

As he sat at the dining table, staring into his bowl of warmed oats, he couldn't help but smile. It had been a while since he'd felt genuinely happy for no apparent reason, his interactions with Draco the past few days were different. If anyone had of asked why he was so happy, he couldn't have given them an answer, only Professor Snape would have understood.

Once they had arrived back from dinner, they had gone their separate ways but not before they embraced each other one last time. Well, it may have been Harry that had rushed forward first but his Professor certainly hadn't pushed him away, the gentle squeeze right before they broke away being the only indication that feelings were returned over the amicable night they'd shared.

Glancing up from his oats, said man was sitting in front of him with the paper spread across his setting, covering his face as usual so Harry felt safe in staring ahead, he even took a look at the front page but saw nothing of note. Draco was absent from the table, which was odd considering he always beat Harry down each morning but even Mrs. Malfoy was looking a little tired and he wondered what time they arrived home.

For the morning, the brunette kept himself busy by taking a look in the vast library that was slowly being built up again. There were many holes but he preferred it this way so he could actually navigate his way through the mass of books. He was paying particular attention to Transfiguration and Animagi transformations, trying to find anything else on the subject that the school library may not have. It was slow going, but provided a nice distraction.

Draco emerged some time in the late morning with dark circles under his eyes that made Harry wince as he flopped down into a soft armchair in the library. Harry noticed a hangover when he saw one that judging by the pale, almost green, face he figured the blonde had a good one. Remembering that he had been going out last night to potentially meet his future wife, the hangover made him sit up in concern thinking that things had gone wrong.

"Blimey, you look as though you've been through the wringer."

"I have so many regrets." Draco muttered and Harry plopped down in the arm chair beside him, two books in hand, "What are you doing?"

"Researching Animagi, anything to do with it really." He kept his voice low, not that it was required for a personal library but he figured Draco would have appreciated it.

"I don't think I could even think about looking at words right now."

"Why don't you ask Professor Snape if he has something you could take?"

"And let him know what a light weight I am? No thank you." Draco looked affronted, but then smiled. "No one can beat that man at alcohol, he has an iron liver."

"Or maybe he has potions to lessen the affects so that it only appears that way?" Harry smirked but Draco was having none of it.

"If you're going to keep speaking logically, I'm going to leave."

"Fine, go feel sorry for yourself and sleep. Meanwhile, I'm going to get a head start on this transformation stuff. You can tell me about your night later." At this, Harry stood and left the blonde in the library, he almost looked as though he was half asleep already.

When he walked into the main living area he found Professor Snape already there and sitting comfortably on a couch, book in hand. It seemed that whenever Harry saw his Head of House he either had his nose buried in marking, the Daily Prophet or reading. It was simply bizarre how much the man read, he couldn't ever fathom being able to hold his attention like that for so long. How did he do it?

Trying not to stare, Harry silently moved to the other side of the room and sat on the floor in front of the unlit fire. Even though there was no heat coming from it he still felt it was comfortable and he didn't want to get in his Professor's way otherwise by sitting closer.

Severus glanced up from his book and saw the teen sitting on the floor and raised an eyebrow, huffing lightly to himself. He had thoroughly enjoyed their evening and admittedly, he hadn't wanted to part company when the time came. Things had changed between them and he was starting to see where it was going but it wasn't up to him to pursue anything, it would be inappropriate at best. Still, their friendship was growing and he was happy enough with that. In fact, he was more than happy and it created a warm current to flow through his chest when he thought about Harry in such capacity.

The teen may be damaged and going through a tough transition in his life but there was a kind soul, he had been proven this many times in the past. Countless times. That soul reminded him so much of Lily and he allowed himself to smile, even if it was the smallest of tugs at his lips. He was surprised however that the teen was willingly sitting down to read a book, judging by the cover it wasn't anything to do with homework and he so wanted to know what had captured the Slytherin's attention but refrained and busied himself with his novel. Past actions had warned him that whenever Harry was fixated on something, nothing good ever came from it.

Time ticked on, and Harry's backside began feeling numb the longer he sat on the floor. He regretted taking up this position but he was there now and wouldn't change seats to bother the man even though he wanted very much to curl up beside him. Unbearable as it was, in the end he just couldn't take it any longer and five minutes after he caved by standing and brushing his trousers down. It was a relatively nice day in comparison to what they had experienced closer to Christmas and he could even see the winter sun trying it's hardest to peek through the light cloud.

It was the perfect day to go for a walk but he didn't particularly want to go by himself, not when he didn't know the grounds all that well. He could see the trees framing the garden and he wondered if he could give it a shot, even if it was just sitting along the edge. Going up to the window, he leaned his head against the frame and considered his options before turning towards his Professor only to find him already looking in his direction. Feeling heat rise in his cheeks, he turned back to the window so he didn't have to see the odd expression on the man's face but when he heard the deep tones of him speaking he did turn back.

"It seems like a nice day… I was just considering if I should go for a walk." Harry responded to the question, and his Professor nodded.

"Would you want to come with me, sir?" Harry took his bottom lip between his teeth in anticipation.

"A stretch of the legs could be ideal." Severus replied after a beat and went to stand, book in hand.

Wicked, Harry thought and he too grabbed his book, well books in his case, and they went to get their coats before venturing outside. The air was cool but not necessarily cold, Harry stuck both hands into his coat and with his Professor in toe they meandered through the gardens. Heading in the direction of the trees, a knot began to grow in the pit of Harry's stomach but he attempted to ignore it.

Severus quickened his pace so he could walk in step with the teen, turning to carefully watch the myriad of expressions that morphed across his face as they approached the tree line. They didn't walk between the trees, but alongside them and down a makeshift track in the dirt. The man wondered if this should be something they discuss, he still hadn't established whether it was just the forest at Hogwarts causing his Slytherin pain or if it was woodlands in general.

He decided that he could bring it up, it wasn't as if they would get very far in this direction anyway if they didn't go through the forest as they would run out of property soon enough. Taking a deep breath and slowing his steps, Severus stopped and looked into the forest, making it obvious to the teen that he wasn't following. Thinking about the potential dangers that could be lurking in a woodlands such as this, he couldn't immediately think of any reason why the two of them couldn't venture through the trees but it was even more incentive for him to bring it up with his student who had now stopped also.

"Sir?" Harry swallowed heavily, refusing to look anywhere but his Professor.

"I have wondered for some time now whether it would be beneficial to test a theory I have." Severus commented, turning to face the teen who was only three steps away from him.

"And that theory would be?" He was pretty sure he knew what was going to be said.

Severus didn't say anything in response, he simply held his hand out expectantly and raised an eyebrow. Harry looked affronted and surprised before he frowned, not wanting to play ball with the man's request to go into the forest. That's essentially what he wanted to test wasn't it? His therapist had asked him the same bloody question but now he had no way of worming his way out and bluffing.

"I know what you're trying to do." Harry took a gentle step back.

"Think on it rationally, Harry. Tell me, in plain terms, what you think will happen if you stepped in there, right now?" Severus took his hand back and let it rest at his side, fully turning in the teen's direction now taking a step forward.

Harry didn't know what to say, he wasn't actually able to articulate why he didn't want to go in there. He felt safe looking from a distance but by now he couldn't ignore the fact his heart was beating crazy in his chest and the image of Voldemort kept trying to creep into his vision. Severus could see the hesitance on his students face but stood his ground, not moving closer or further away, just standing and waiting for an answer.

"I don't know." Harry answered finally after a few minutes, sounding defeated.

"Precisely. I know exactly what you are afraid of Harry. Uncertainty. I can see you are hesitant but you are not alone this time. So, shall we?" Severus offered his hand again but Harry shook his head.

"Yellow… bordering red." Harry whispered, taking another step back.

"Very well." Severus nodded and glanced around them briefly before moving towards a cleared flat area, there was log just in from the treeline that had been felled, so taking his wand he waved it about as Harry watched and transfigured it into a wooden bench.

Sighing, Harry moped and went to join his Professor on the small bench. It was rather short in length, therefore their bodies touched gently along the thigh but it didn't seem to bother the older Wizard who simply placed an arm around Harry's shoulders. It was such a simple action but from the night before it meant a lot.

"You are afraid that if you go in there, you will see him again. I am right, yes?" Severus's voice was soft and deep, Harry let it sink in through his body.

"I've had enough dreams for it to be rational for me."

"That, I do not doubt. You must remember, though Harry, he cannot come back. Do you understand this? There is no possible way for him to disrupt our way of life. Only his remaining deranged followers may be a thorn in the Ministy's side, but not to you."

"He came back before."

"And that was because he had buried eight pieces of his soul amongst various items, one of which I am holding." Severus squeezed the teen gently to emphasise his point.

"What if we missed one."

"Then you and I would not be sitting here and he would still be standing." The man's words we slightly comforting but there was this large chunk of his consciousness that couldn't fathom the information, it was almost as if it didn't want to accept this reality.

"Do you trust me?" Severus leaned his head closer, turning it slightly so his lips were millimeters away from the shell of Harry's ear.

Harry gasped lightly, spluttering, "Of course I do!" He couldn't believe the man had to even ask.

"Then take my damn hand."

Harry could tell he was smirking at the outburst, which made the insult moot and the tone more seductive. He couldn't deny the man to that, he should just get this over and done with then perhaps they could move on with their afternoon. His eyes were trained on the trees in front of him and yes, he took Professor Snape's hand once they stood, not sure whether the thrumming of his heart was due to the forest or physical contact with this strong man that was protecting him.

He supposed the confusion was a good distraction for the time being, it meant he could focus on something other than his confused sexuality and the imminent feeling of death as the trees came closer. Two ridiculously opposing themes. His Professor was in front of him, their arms out straight as Harry tried to slow their pace but when the grip on his hand became tighter he stumbled forward and gripped onto the back of the man's coat tightly. Hiding his face, he distracted himself further by burying his nose in the rough fabric of his winter coat. The scent calmed him immediately and the hand that was still holding his own twitched to rouse him from where he was standing so he removed his face from the material and glanced sideways.

They were now officially standing in the forest even though Harry was merely twenty centimetres within it. Swallowing a sudden lump, he took a deep breath and moved to stand beside the man, looking off into the distance. He could do this, he was a Gryffindor for fuck sake, they were brave and foolhardy and – so very not Slytherin… He remembered the sorting hat had placed him in a new house this year.

I can do this, Professor Snape is with me, he has a wand and outlived Voldemort. You'll be fine, just walk. One step at a time. Nothing bad can happen to you here.

Taking the first step, his Head of House matched it and then took another. So far so good, however his heart was continuing to race.

"How does it feel?"

"Overwhelming." Harry replied and closed his eyes for a moment.

Severus nodded but didn't say anything more, the heat radiating from the teen's hand told him more than words could have. All he needed was a push, a gentle reminder that he needed to face this fear in order to move forward. If they could conquer this here, then when they got back to school in the new term they would tackle the next hurdle. Focussing on the present however, he tugged on Harry's hand to walk further into the woods and was surprised when he was not met with resistance like he'd expected.

"It's quite peaceful in here." Harry commented after a few minutes and Severus had to agree, it was very still and not even wildlife graced them with their presence which was probably for the best.

"Take in this feeling, Harry. Memorise, catagorise and document how you feel and what you see. I guarantee the Dark Forest will be the same, each forest has unique quirky things that make them individual, however there is no immaterial presence that will harm you." Severus stopped them, they couldn't see the way they'd come in by now, it was covered by dense tree growth but in this moment, Harry realised he didn't feel fear at all.

Closing his eyes and moving forward, he kept hold of the older Wizards hand as he reached around for an embrace. It was the only thing he could think of in that moment that could further relax him and it appeared to be gladly returned when an arm rested across his shoulders.

"As I said, you are safe." Severus whispered, pulling his mouth close to Harry's ear.

"I know… I should have tried harder to believe you."

"You trusted my judgement, that is sufficient enough."

They stood like this for a while longer before Harry moved back and released the hold he had on his Professor's hand. He took a long hard look around the area, there was a niggling sense of anxiety, however it was only a dull linger in the pit of his stomach. He had done it, he had walked into the forest and no visions had cropped fully into his mind. The longer he stood away from his Professor however, he felt a pressure on his chest, as if something was crushing him. It steadily got harder until he found that his breathing was affected and wildly looked around for the exit but he was totally disorientated.

Harry spun around and raked a hand through his hair, breathing shallow and eyes wide.

"Calm yourself." Severus noticed the teen starting to spiral but he took action and grabbed Harry's hand.

It wasn't until Harry started seeing the bushes from Malfoy manor that he could breath and even then, he was beginning to feel light headed until they reached the end of the trees. He could hear the deep tones of his Professor talking to him but at this point, Harry had no idea what he was saying. He just wanted to get away from there, back into the safety of the manors gardens.

Severus had thought it all seemed far too easy for the teen to have been petrified of such area to be able to freely navigate even with him standing there. No, he had expected something and had been prepared for such an occurrence. What he wasn't going to do however, was the leave the younger Wizard to his own devices. Whether Harry was aware or not, he would be keeping an extemely close eye on him for the remainder of the afternoon and evening. He considered saying something to Draco but as Narcissa had informed him, the blonde was feeling rather under the weather and unsurprisingly hadn't surfaced for the day.

"I – I thought I was doing okay…" Harry's voice was almost a whisper through Severus's words but it made the man stop for a moment.

"It is by no means a failed attempt. We will get you there, Harry."

"Free my mind, right?"

"And unchain those wings." Severus continued before pulling Harry towards the house.

. . .