A/N: Apologies for the code. I'm usually so careful. All fixed now!

So, where are we going with this? Other than in a slightly [s]exy direction (cos yeah, we'll definitely get there)? I still don't really know ;-)

I have something else cooking, I'm thinking I might just post it. It's a bit unconventional (aren't we in unconventional land anyway?!) and I'm not entirely sure it's complete but I think I'm done with it. I'm gonna have another look at it and if I do, I'll start tomorrow :)

See disclaimer, Chapter 1

-0-

A week passed slowly and Harry was walking around like a zombie. He'd had nightmare after nightmare and he wasn't sleeping. He'd taken to locking the door to his rooms so Rose didn't wander in during the night. He didn't want to scare her with his screams. He'd even found himself pointing his wand at his reflection in the bathroom on Wednesday night. He'd had Hermione take his wand overnight since then.

Minerva had been in the hospital wing for one night under observation but had then been at the Ministry for most of the week dealing with the fallout. She'd insisted he stay and that she didn't need a babysitter. He had acquiesced, he knew he was being perhaps a little overprotective, but he needed to ensure her safety. He just didn't trust anyone else to do so.

Hermione had taken good care of him when he let her, but otherwise, he went through the motions. By Saturday afternoon, he was fell asleep at his desk, missing lunch and most of the afternoon

"Mr Potter."

He had started hallucinating too. He heard her voice everywhere.

"Harry," that voice muttered in his ear. "Come on, my darling."

He felt a strong set of hands under his arms, pressing him to stand. He did so, looking around. Minerva was there, holding onto him carefully.

"Come on, love. Let's go."

He just stared at her and watched the blush rise on her cheeks.

"Min -" he whispered.

"Come with me," she whispered, cupping his cheek. "Follow me okay?"

He did as he was told, stepping into the rooms he vaguely recognised as her own. She silenced the portraits and kept him moving, beyond her desk and through the door at the back of the room. She sat him on the bed and ran her hand through his hair.

"Oh my love, how you have suffered. I'm sorry for not realising."

He didn't even have the energy to ask what she meant as she started undoing the buttons on his shirt. He tried to pull away, but she was gently persistent.

"Steady," Minerva whispered, her lips caressing his forehead. He frowned but stilled. She slipped off his robes, moving away for a while before coming back to him.

She pulled up his shirt, easing it over his head and off his arms. He closed his eyes as she made a noise. She hadn't seen him without a shirt yet and he knew his body was littered with scars.

"Oh my love, what a life you lead," she whispered.

She pushed him down gently, and he felt her unbuttoning his trousers.

"No," he murmured.

"Nothing untoward," she said gently, her hand warm on his bare chest. "You need to take these off. Can you do it without me?"

He sighed, he couldn't even lift his head to look at her, so he didn't.

"I promise Harry, I'm only making sure you're comfortable."

He sighed, feeling sleep tugging at his brain.

"Don't leave me," he managed to whisper as she tugged them down his legs.

"I'm not," she whispered back, helping him manoeuvre up the bed.

"Here," he said, grabbing her hand when he felt it by his hand. "Stay here."

"Let me change."

He grunted but let her go. There was a rustling and then the bed dipped and Minerva got in. Her warmth was everything he wanted and he pulled her to him.

"Oh," he sighed, feeling her skin on hers. She was wearing a shirt of some description, and not much else. He almost didn't even have enough energy to care.

She was back in his arms and she was safe.

"Easy, my darling," she said, pulling her arms out of his embrace and wrapping them around him. Her long fingers dragged through his hair and he moaned against her neck.

"Sleep lover, I have you."

He did as he was told, his arms tight around her, feeling her warmth all around him.