Chapter 29: Adorable Morning
Harry woke around mid-morning. He rolled over, onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. I'm not ready to go back to class… he thought. Harry would have stayed there all day, had his bladder not signaled that he should find a bathroom. He pulled himself out of bed with a groan and padded to the door of his room. When he opened it, he found himself looking through Snape's library into the kitchen. He walked into the room and scanned the walls for another sort of doorway. "Where the hell," he muttered when he couldn't find another door.
Severus walked out of his room and found Harry standing in the middle of the library with tears in his eyes. "What's wrong?" He asked as he approached.
"Thank Merlin you're here. Where the hell is your bathroom?"
He walked over to another hidden door and opened it. "Sor—"
The word was barely out of Snape's mouth before Harry sprinted in and shut the door.
Severus chastised himself. You're terrible at having guests over. But technically he wasn't a typical guest, He noted. Perhaps I should take him on a tour—Potter came out, disrupting his thoughts. "Sorry," he mumbled as he shut the door behind him.
"The fault is mine. I'll give you a tour," he said and gently took Harry's hand. The young man smiled up at him as he led him to the entrance.
"Are we doing this so I know for next time?" He asked with a shy smile.
"Indeed," Snape said softly. "Kitchen, library," he said, gesturing to the two rooms.
"Right, I completely forgot," Harry replied with a smirk.
"Smartass." They walked over to the start of the bookshelves and Severus opened the shelves that led to where they practiced Occlumency. "You've been here," he stated and moved on to the next. "My room." The entrance stayed closed. "Bathroom. Stairs. Guest room," He said quickly, gesturing to each section of shelving in front of the entrances.
"Where do the stairs go?"
"Perhaps you'll see one day." He led him to the kitchen table. "What do you want for brunch?"
Harry fought back a laugh. He never thought he would hear Snape say 'brunch'. "Do you have any eggs?"
"Yes, scrambled?"
"Yeah, that sounds great!" He said happily and got up to help.
"What are you doing?"
"Helping," he replied and retrieved them from the fridge. "Where are your bowls?"
"Here," Severus said handing him one. "Where did you learn to cook?" He asked as Harry added milk and cheese.
"Oh, um… I've always known," he mumbled, hoping he would drop it.
"Always?"
Of course he wouldn't. "I, ah, cooked every day at home."
"I see," he said softly and laid a hand on Harry's shoulder. Severus wanted so badly to protect him, to take him away from his horrible relatives and childhood. He wished he could Obliviate all the terrible memories, but it wouldn't do. He wouldn't be the same person. And I would run the risk of having to teach him basic skills, he thought bitterly.
Harry was shocked Snape hadn't pressed him for more, but the look on the man's face hurt. He saw the desire to help in the depths of the onyx eyes; but he also noticed the sag of his shoulders when Snape realized there was nothing he could do. "It's okay, I actually really like to cook," he admitted, hoping the potion master wouldn't look so unhappy.
"Perhaps it could improve your potion-making skills," he replied with a smirk.
The young man smiled as he poured the mixture into a pan and it sizzled. He was relieved. Snape's back to his old self. "Maybe," Harry said with a mischievous grin, as he remembered the book Hermione had given him.
Severus slowly set down his fork as he finished his eggs. He started thinking about how empty his chambers would be without Harry.
"What's wrong?"
"You're going to have to go back today," he replied softly.
Harry's shoulders fell slightly when he realized Snape was right. "Well, I've already missed my morning classes," he said, hoping the potion master would let him stay.
Oh fuck, my classes. "As have I. All the more reason to get back so you don't miss more." He remembered that he'd told Albus that Potter would be back by today. Damn…
"Thank you for letting me stay this long," Harry replied softly as he cleared the table.
"You can just leave those in the sink."
"Okay," he said as he came over to Snape. Harry nuzzled into his chest and inhaled.
Severus put his arms around him, pulling him into a sea of black robes. "I'll miss you."
"Miss you too. I don't want to go… but I don't want you to get in trouble either." Tears pricked at his eyes when he thought about sleeping in the dorm – alone. Not that he'd really slept with Snape while he was here; but he liked knowing someone who loved him was close.
"Come on, you have potions in ten minutes," he said and released him.
Harry stood as he asked, "What, exactly, happened to my robes?"
Severus smirked and waved his wand. The Gryffindor's robes came flying into his hands.
"Thanks!" He said and ran back to his room to change.
"Shy now, are we?" Snape called after him, still smirked.
Harry returned wearing his House garb and hugged the potion master again. "Is it weird hugging a Gryffindor?" He asked innocently.
"Not at all," he replied, smiling. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. Still pretty sore, but I'm sure I'll be fine in a few days."
Severus pulled a vial from his pocket. "It's a pain reliever. If you find you can't tolerate the sore-ness, take it."
"Thanks!" Harry replied as he pocketed the potion and walked to the exit.
Snape followed him. "You go. It's better if I'm late than you."
"Bye!" He stole a quick kiss before he disappeared through the door.
The potion master smiled as he watched the Gryffindor run off. He waited a few minutes before he left as well. Severus had to work hard to appear displeased as his heart hammered happily in his chest. "Today we will be brewing…"
