Day 8

Harry stood in front of the narrow full-length mirror of his wardrobe, toothbrush in mouth, inspecting the fading bruises on his body in the daylight. Most of them were on his neck, and on his hips, where Severus had grabbed him two nights ago. He grinned, nearly splattering toothpaste on the floor. He wandered back into the bathroom where Severus had just left the shower and was drying himself off. Along his back ran ten still rather distinct scratch marks.
„Wow, I didn't realise... I really scratched you, didn't I?", Harry said.
Severus threw him a look over his shoulder. „You're not going to apologise, are you?", he said with what almost sounded like a threatening tone.
„Hell, no", Harry grinned. „I am fairly certain you liked it when that was happening. And you would know how to get rid of scratches if they bothered you." He watched Severus' bum as the man towelled his hair. One of his buttocks was also sporting a faint bruise, but it didn't really compare to those on Severus' neck.
„I like how we look like we fell victim to the same toothless vampire", Harry stated.
Severus snorted.
„How would you like your eggs?", Harry went on, grinning.
„Poached", Severus said. „But I don't mind fried either. With a view to your skill set the latter would be the more realistic option, I suppose...", he teased, looking at Harry's reflection in the mirror.
Harry snaked his arms around Severus' hips from behind. „Fried eggs it is. I am only making you poached eggs when I find you fattened up enough."
Severus tsked. „Technically you can make a really buttery sauce to go with poached eggs that will fatten up anyone much more effectively than a simple fried egg could", he pointed out. „Do you find me revolting?", he then asked in a much quieter voice.
Harry started. „What? No!", he said vehemently, „Not at all! I find you really... sexy", he grinned into Severus back, brushing his hardening penis against the other man's buttocks to prove his point. „You just still look a little bit underfed. I know what that looks like, I used to rock that look, when I was back with the Dursleys..." He trailed off.
Severus put his hands on Harry's arms that were firmly looped around his middle. „I will teach you the buttery sauce if you put on some clothes and make a pot of tea", he suggested.
„You don't like me naked?", Harry asked with mock-indignation.
„I won't get anything else done while you're naked", Severus retorted, smirking.
Harry nipped Severus' shoulder blade before he slunk off to find at least a pair of underwear and a t-shirt. „As long as I am one of the things that get done eventually, I suppose I can wait..."

Severus was standing in the kitchen in his underwear, showing Harry how to poach eggs. He briefly shook his head at the bizarre picture they must be presenting. Harry had left him no choice but to follow him fast – he had started to try poaching eggs on his own and had already ruined two by the time Severus had reached the kitchen, a pair of trousers trailing after him as he followed Harry's swearing. He swatted Harry's hand away as the young man reached for the spatula Severus was holding.
„No! You only get to watch for now", he chided. „Just make some tea, will you?"
„Alright already", Harry grumbled, watching as Severus waved his wand, summoning a saucepan and filling it with a thick yellow sauce that started steaming gently.
„That's not fair!", Harry complained. „You didn't even say the spells out loud!"
„It's your punishment for ruining two eggs", Severus said sternly, pulling on his trousers. „We need to put a wash on, by the way, I am out of clean clothes." He summoned a pair of socks, red and woolly, with little elks and snowfalkes on them.
Harry laughed. „From Albus?", he asked.
Severus nodded, smirking. „I seem to be quite sentimental, don't I, keeping these...", he said more to himself than to Harry. „Harry, I have a somewhat awkward question", he added more loudly.
Harry put the full teapot on the table, looking at him questioningly.
Severus bit his lip. „I was wondering wether I could borrow a jumper or something from you? My only jumper is a bit sticky and smells strongly of apples for some reason, and it is a bit too cold for just a shirt..."
Harry grinned. „May I?" He borrowed Severus' wand and a couple of seconds later an emerald green jumper was zooming into the kitchen. „It's the one with the longest sleeves", Harry explained, as Severus inspected the black dragon displayed on the front sceptically. He gave Harry a suspicious look, and slipped the garment over his head. He had to fight a little as he got stuck, but then the fabric suddenly gave way and slid over his shoulders. Harry had been manipulating the jumper with the borrowed wand. The young man was grinning impishly and Severus felt the fabric shrink around his midriff to hug his body closer and widen slightly around his shoulders so it wasn't too stretched out. The sleeves indeed didn't need altering.
„Brilliant!", Harry said, eyes sparkling.
Severus was unsure about this formfitting garment, but the way Harry's eyes were roaming over his upper body told him he couldn't be looking too bad.
„I will do the laundry after breakfast", Harry said, sitting down at the table. „And maybe we should clean a little. Ron and Hermione are supposed to turn up some time today."
Severus, who had started plating the eggs, jumped a little. „Today?", he asked in alarm.
„Yep. Didn't I mention that? Tempers flaring at the Burrow, and all..."

Severus was putting up the laundry in the garden. To catch some more air he refrained from using any magic other than a quick spell to make the bag with the clothespegs follow him. Harry had figured out the Muggle washing machine in the basement and then started vaccuuming the first floor and cleaning the bathroom. Severus was vaguely amused at how household chores seemed to be such a welcome way to pass the time these days, both for him and Harry. Life in times of peace, he thought sardonically. He felt very nervous about the impending visit by Weasley and Granger – he had no idea what it would mean for the budding relationship between him and Harry. Because what other word was there for what was happening? At least by now he was fairly certain Harry felt the same way... Elation and fear were waging a battle, wreaking havoc in his mind.
Would Harry tell his friends? If so, his friends would hardly approve... Would they make Harry change his mind? What exactly was Harry thinking, anyway? And even if any of that didn't turn out to have immediate disastrous consequences... here he was, all of a sudden peacefully cooking and cleaning and hexing apples and fucking this delightful young man – surely this couldn't be right? Surely this couldn't last? The rest of the world still existed and would come knocking at his door sooner or later. At the very least demanding he pay his keep.
(But with what?)
Probably expecting him to let go of Harry Potter and never go near him again.
(But how would that not kill him?)
Most definitely insisting on detailed explanations as to his role in the war.
(This would definitely kill him.)
Quiet likely putting him to trial and convicting him.
(Which would kill him even more, if at all possible.)
Severus closed his eyes, trying to control his breathing. The cleverest thing he could do, should do, really, was leaving the country. Vanishing from the face of the earth.
(But how? Where could he go? And with what resources?)
Severus wrestled down his guts that were trying to climb out of his mouth. He had no wish to try living on the run. He felt way too tired for that. It seemed he had finally, finally run out of energy. And, he opened his eyes, if he ran he would be hunted. People hated him. Both Death Eaters and the wizarding community. There would be no getting away either way. He felt so fucking tired.

Looking out of an upstairs window into the garden, Harry saw Severus staring into empty space, an undefinable piece of clothing in his hands. The irrational panicky feeling that Severus might just up and leave had mercifully receded, but the mood swings that seemed to come over the man unnerved Harry nevertheless. Also, since he had started thinking about it rationally, just taking off and leaving everything behind had to seem like a sensible option to Severus, even if he didn't want to specifically leave Harry or his home country. Sirius had done exactly that, left for practical, sensible reasons... The Ministry had done much to earn Harry's distrust in the past. Right now, it was still in quite a big mess and as far as Harry knew there was no telling who would end up in charge, and what kind of decisions they might end up making concerning the various parties involved in the war. He clenched his jaw. He really wanted to... keep Severus. He wanted to put a magical ball and chain on him that would make him stay in Harry's vicinity. He shook his head at those thoughts. They didn't seem entirely healthy. Maybe he really should talk to Hermione about that.
But also... maybe he should talk to Severus. Especially since Ron and Hermione were going to show up soon, and he didn't know what would happen then. He wouldn't be able to casually touch Severus, would he? Definitely couldn't just kiss him. Or have sex with him. Or even sleep in the same bed? Or would Severus be okay to be open about their... thing? Was Harry okay to find out how Ron felt about him shagging Professor Snape? Harry could feel his stomach plummet at the various ways in which he could see Ron react. And if they were going to hide anything at all Severus' approach would doubtlessly be to make sure there was as little as possible to see. But did they have to? Harry really didn't want to relinquish the physical closeness with Severus... He fought the urge to run downstairs for the man and finished putting sheets on the guest beds instead.

Severus was making a rabbit pie in order to calm down. A complicated potion would have been even better in terms of distraction, but these days he had to make do. He could hear Harry barrelling down the stairs and looked up as the man entered the kitchen.
Harry briefly took in Severus' flour-dusted appearance before focusing on his face. He looked as worried as Severus was feeling, and before Severus could think about his floury and buttery hands or his usual way of dealing with people's displays of emotion he was hugging Harry.
Harry hugged him back. „I am so worried", he said into Severus' chest. „I am having a lot of feelings. About you", he continued, a little flustered.
Severus buried his nose in Harry's messy hair. „Me too", he said simply. „Worried. And having a lot of feelings, both for you and in general. For some reason I can't control them. Which is very disconcerting for me."
Harry looked up, meeting Severus' eyes. Severus could see his reflection in the emerald green irises. And he could see something else that made his heart beat fast and hard like it was going to fly out of his chest. Breath catching, he said „I am not leaving, Harry." And he knew it to be true, which scared him more than anything.
Harry studied him, clearly seeing the fear in his eyes.
„I am sorry, Harry", Severus said. „I am really having trouble adjusting here. Generally as well as... specifically." He sighed reluctantly. „I have not been looking for happiness or even peace and quiet in the longest time. Now I seem to accidentally have found some, and I can't believe a world in which I get to keep them..." He felt sick admitting this. Another deep sigh, before braving Harry's eyes again. This was the important part. „I have a lot of very... gloomy thoughts in my head that don't have anything to do with you. Or the way I feel about you." He smiled weakly, nervously.
Harry nodded slowly, never breaking eye contact. „I am falling in love with you", he said slowly and deliberately. „I would really ... appreciate it if you didn't leave."
Severus felt the words hit home in his heart. Harry meant it. Time seemed to stand still for a moment as he absorbed this. Then his he became aware of his heart hammering and his cheeks heating. Giving up on words, he leaned in to kiss Harry softly and deeply. Yes, he would fight for this, he decided. With everything he had left, even if that was next to nothing. He would listen to his inner Albus, who was momentarily cheering and clapping and wiping a tear from his eye. Severus' lips twitched, thinking of this mental picture, and he leaned back. „I am falling in love with you, too.", he said softly over the drumming in his chest.
Harry nestled his head in the crook of Severus' neck and they stood like that for a while.
„I think I may be gay", Harry said into Severus' neck eventually, making them both snort. „What I mean is", said Harry, „I might have to talk about that with my friends."
„Hm", Severus uttered non-commitally.
„I won't bring you into it if it makes you feel uncomfortable", Harry went on. „I wouldn't want to rush you or anything..."
Severus grimaced, baring his teeth. „I don't... know how I feel about that. After all, Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley were my students and this would undoubtedly be very strange and uncomfortable for all of us. Then again...", he trailed off.
„We can just see how things go", Harry suggested. „If the moment feels right... or if I get drunk... I might..."
„Mention your significantly older boyfriend?", Severus interrupted with a smirk, unthinking. His insides shrank with shock at his own words. He needn't have worried, though.
„Are we?", Harry said with so much hopeful excitement that Severus' felt his clenched stomach melt and float away.
It cost him an effort to sound even a little ironic as he gestured at himself, saying „I am wearing your jumper, aren't I?"
Harry tilted his head and Severus gave in to the happy, very non-ironic smile that was spreading on his face.
„I would really like to be your somewhat younger boyfriend", Harry said, mirroring Severus' expression.
Severus walked Harry backwards into the kitchen table and hoisted him up. Burying his face in the crook of Harry's neck, he exhaled. „Well, if you're sure about that...", he said hoarsely.
„Yes, I am", Harry murmured, caressing the back of Severus' neck and holding him tightly.
Severus kissed Harry, bending forward over the table so Harry was forced to keep holding on to him for balance. Severus' fingers were leaving tracks in the flour that was left from rolling out the shortcrust pastry. He pulled Harry's hips towards him, leaving white marks on the dark jeans as he fumbled with the buttons to get to the bulge in Harry's pants. Harry gasped near Severus' ear, sending shivers over the other man's back. Severus went back to plunging his tongue into Harry's mouth as he started stroking his erection.
„Oh, fuck, yes", Harry panted, gripping a hand tightly in Severus hair. Severus enjoyed the tension on his scalp and the slight pain of nails digging into the skin of his neck. He listened intently to Harry's gasps and moans as they grew louder. He steadied himself against the table and added his second hand, massaging his way over the perineum to Harry's hole, dipping in a finger in search of the prostate. Crying out against his neck, Harry started shaking harder and harder as Severus teased him into a slowly building orgasm. Finally Harry's back arched and he spurted onto Severus' hands and trousers, letting go of the man and falling back onto his elbows. Severus swallowed hard at the picture in front of him, Harry undone on the table, lightly dusted with flour in places. He was painfully aware of his own erection.
„We could take this upstairs", Harry suggested, eyes heavy-lidded. „Seeing how we probably won't be having sex tonight..."
Severus wordlessly waved his wand at the simmering pot on the stove, then reached out to Harry who slid off the table. With a soft pop Severus apparated them to his bedroom.

It was early afternoon when Ron and Hermione arrived in the field across the garden by portkey. Harry went out to undo the wards that protected the house in addition to the Fidelius charm and greet his friends, leaving Severus to fix his somewhat ruffled hair and put the kettle on.
Harry felt a strange mixture of excitement and trepidation as he opened the garden gate. He was happy to finally see his two best friends again, but felt quite overwhelmed at the thought of telling them – or not telling them – the massive turn his love life had suddenly taken. He didn't see how he could not tell them. But how could he tell them? He was still feeling decidedly nervous about Ron, and a little bit about Hermione, too, although that seemed vaguely silly. The latter flung herself at him like they hadn't seen each other for months. And in a way, it felt like they hadn't. Hermione let go, gasping for air, and Ron went in for a bear-hug.
„It's so good to see you, Harry!", Hermione exclaimed, wiping her eyes.
„Yeah, mate", Ron agreed, letting go of Harry and looking at him with a huge grin. „And it's so nice and quiet here, no other people around! You have no idea what it's like back home, it's like the common room at its most overpacked all the bloody time!"
Harry grinned. „How is everybody? Any... trouble?"
„They're all doing as well as they can under the circumstances", Hermione replied as Harry ushered them up the garden path.
„Nice place, mate", Ron said approvingly. „No, everything's been quiet, even after Malfoy came to stay there has been no trouble. That is to say... none of the kind that comes from outside", he added darkly. „So, you and Snape are all comfortably shacked up, yeah?"
Harry blushed and frowned at Ron who was grinning at the clothes line with the various socks and underwear and shirts while Hermione rolled her eyes.
Oblivious, Ron chuckled. „Never thought I'd get a look at Snape's undies..."
„Ron!", Hermione admonished sharply.
„What? It's funny!"
„It's not", Harry growled. „Now shut up and let's get inside."
Ron looked slightly confused but followed Harry inside without argument. As he and Hermione got out of their coats Harry threw a furtive glance into the kitchen, which was empty. He went to look into the living room, where Severus was sitting in an armchair by the fire, holding a magazine. A pot of tea and a steaming apple pie sat on the coffee table, along with cups and plates. He smiled at Severus, and motioned for Ron and Hermione to follow him.
„Apple pie!", Ron exclaimed happily, then doing a small double-take as he spotted Severus. „Oh... hello, Professor...", he stammered, blushing.
„It's Mister Snape these days, Mr Weasley", Severus said with a brief raising of an eyebrow towards Ron. „Good afternoon, Ms Granger", he added towards Hermione.
„Hello", Hermione responded with a tight little smile.
Harry threw Severus a helpless glance.
Severus uncrossed his legs and put down the magazine. „I wasn't sure how long you would take outside", he said to Harry by way of explanation. „Please sit down. I am going to take my tea to the kitchen..."
„Nonsense!", Harry interrupted, „Sit with us!"
Ron looked from Harry to Hermione with increasing confusion, apparently trying hard to fit the familiarity between Severus and Harry into his conception of the world. Severus wearing the dragon jumper seemed to add a certain amount of difficulty. The corners of Hermione's mouth twitched slightly as she slid into a corner of the sofa and started pouring tea. Ron slumped down next to her, accepting a cup like a drowning man grasping on to a life belt. Severus moved his armchair closer towards the coffeetable with a wave of his wand before gracefully accepting a cup of tea from Hermione and sitting back down. Hermione smirked at Harry as she passed him his cup and Harry realised that he had left a fresh hickey on Severus' neck that wasn't really covered much by the collar of the jumper. Flushing, he remembered that he probably was also sporting hickeys. Why hadn't he thought of that? Why hadn't Severus?
Hermione had unperturbedly started to cut and plate pieces of apple pie. „So", she said brightly, with a hint of amusement in her voice, „how is it going here? Are you terribly bored?"
„It's going fine", Harry said, wishing his face would stop flushing, „I've been learning to cook. Cooking really helps."
Severus smiled sardonically. „He turns out to be much better at cooking than at brewing potions for some reason."
Harry laughed, relaxing a little. „It helps to be taught in a cozy kitchen instead of in a dungeon, and without a scary teacher breathing down your neck, taking house points at every turn", he teased.
Hermione smiled, while Ron's jaw slowly dropped.
„So did you make the pie?", she asked. „This is a great short crust..."
„Thank you, Ms. Granger", Severus interjected, „I made the pastry. The filling is Harry's, though."
„Nice", Ron mumbled as he took a bite. „Should have known how to do that back when we were on the run..."
„Yeah", Harry agreed, taking a big bite of pie himself.
„So thank you for having us", Hermione said, more to Severus than Harry, „I hope we are not too much of an intrusion. We really appreciate getting a break from all the chaos at the Burrow."
„Not at all", Severus said politely. „It's not as if this is my house, and even then... I am given to understand there is still a shortage of safe wizarding homes."
„Thank you", Hermione smiled shyly at Severus. „It's true, the Order and the Ministry are still very busy working on that. At least there are no more families with small children cooped up at the main safe houses."
„Mate, those kids...", Ron rolled his eyes at Harry. „They were bloody loud! And this is me talking!"
„How long are you staying?", Harry asked.
„Well", Hermione said. „We thought two days might be reasonable? Kingsley asked if I would be ready to assist the Order with some important task he didn't want to elaborate on yet, and I said I would. He will want to contact me in the beginning of next week, I will probably move to Grimmauld Place then..."
„I dunno yet", Ron said, answering Harry's questioning look. „I might just go back and help Mum. George is at Bill and Fleur's for now, but he is coming back home next week, and then there is Malfoy who is just..." He rolled his eyes, then threw Severus a worried look.
„What is going on with Draco?", Severus inquired mildly.
Ron pursed his lips. „He is not dealing well with his situation. I mean, it might just have been my presence that riles him so much, but...
„Oh dear", Severus said. „He is being an obnoxious brat, is he?"
Ron stared, open-mouthed once more.
„Well", Severus explained coolly, „I know my godson. I know... knew... his parents and how he was raised. It would have been a pleasant surprise if he'd handled himself with any amount of grace. But of course he can't. He is absolutely not equipped to deal with a situation like this. He grew up rather... sheltered."
„Spoilt, you mean", Harry groused in a low voice.
„Quite", Severus agreed with a half-smile. „So it is definitely not your presence that is causing this, Mr. Weasley, even though I am sure it is a very good excuse."
„See, I told you so", Hermione interjected.
Ron rolled his eyes.
„Maybe..." Severus hesitated and looked at Harry. „If Draco doesn't calm down in a couple of days, maybe he could come here and stay with us? I can probably keep him in check somehow... It would be the least we could do for Mrs Weasley, after everything she has done to help..."
Harry sighed, nodding reluctantly.
„It might not come to that", Ron said consolingly. „Maybe Mum can break him with the full blast of her maternal care and affection, now that I am not getting in the way anymore. Who knows, by the time we get back, he might be tamed..." He grinned hesitatingly as Severus snorted.
„Actually, Harry, I'd better tell you now...", Hermione interjected. „Kingsley asked me if you might be prepared to assist the order with a ‚mission'... I am not sure what it's about, but there is this group of Death Eaters that somehow still keeps avoiding capture, and we are suspecting Kingsley might be getting desperate and thinking to use you as a bait in order to catch them..."
„Absolutely not!", Severus snapped heatedly, obviously unable to stop himself.
Harry, Ron and Hermione raised their eyebrows in surprise.
„Actually, I completely agree with you, Sir", Hermione said gently. „I am just passing this on because Kingsley made me promise I would ask. We are not entirely certain if he really plans on involving Harry in catching Death Eaters, but..."
„If that's your best guess, I'll believe it", Severus said grimly, calming a little and nodding at Hermione. „I can see no reason to distrust your judgement."
Hermione blushed.
„We think you should wait this one out, mate. Seriously" Ron shook his head sadly. „I know it's really stupid telling you this, because you are probably just itching to do it now, but please..."
„Please listen to your friends", Severus said quietly, with a pained expression on his face.
Harry looked at them all, taking a deep breath. „So I should just say no to Kingsley outright?"
„Yes!", Hermione confirmed. „He is not going to push you. I don't think he can be very convinced of the wisdom of his own idea. Mrs Weasley certainly told him her opinion..."
„Ah, right", Harry said, remembering their recent written conversation. „Fine. I'll stay put." He glanced at Severus, who smiled and looked relieved.
Ron and Hermione appeared to be utterly shocked.
„Seriously? That easy?", Ron asked suspiciously.
„Shut up, Ron", Hermione told him. „Don't make him change his mind!"
„I am not going to change my mind", Harry grumbled, unthinkingly holding one hand out to Severus, who hesitated only a little before taking it, his face an unreadable mask.
Ron choked and sputtered, staring at Harry and Severus with his eyes nearly leaving their sockets. Hermione cleared her throat. „I think it would be a great idea for the two of you to go for a short walk. I have some things to discuss with Prof... I mean, Mr Snape. Shoo!", she added, and Ron and Harry, both red in the face, staggered to their feet and left the room.

Without looking at each other, Harry and Ron put on their coats and shoes. Harry grabbed the invisibility cloak and walked out the door, Ron trailing after him. Before they left the garden, Harry threw the cloak over both of them and they forcibly fell into step with each other, following the path uphill.
„So", Ron drawled after a few minutes in silence.
Harry glanced at him nervously.
„You and Snape, huh?", Ron went on. „Is this...?", he gestured at Harry's neck.
Harry nodded, blushing yet again.
„Mate", Ron said.
They walked on.
„So I am kind of shocked", Ron pointed out slowly. „I sort of thought..."
„Yeah", Harry grimaced. „So did I."
Ron grinned a little. „So... um... you snogged Professor Snape!", he giggled slightly hysterically.
Harry snorted, and regarded Ron worriedly. „Amongst other things, yes", said carefully.
„Merlin's pants", Ron gasped, „Or rather, Snape's pants!" He started laughing uncontrollably.
Harry remained silent, half amused, half concerned.
„Sorry, mate", Ron gasped. „It's just... a lot to take in..." He closed his eyes, starting to giggle again. „Is it? A lot to take in?", he asked Harry, who elbowed him in the ribs.
Ron wiped tears from his eyes. „Oh, mate, I am so sorry. It's really not that funny. I'm just..."
„A prat", Harry supplied, daring to feel relief.
„Exactly", Ron said meekly. „I really didn't see that coming. You know, my uncle Bilius was... um... gay. I only realised that recently. People really don't talk about this, do they?"
„Muggles do, apparently", Harry said with a shrug.
„Good for them", Ron commented, with one more belated snicker.
„So... um... you're happy, yeah?"
„Yeah", Harry grinned.
Ron grinned back. „Well, that's alright, then. Mate, Snape, though? You couldn't have picked someone less..."
Harry glared.
„Sorry, sorry!", Ron waved his hands. „I take it back. I suppose it's a little hot, what with the former student-former teacher thing..."
„Ron", Harry sighed in exasperation. „It's really not about that. He is a completely different person to me now. Professor Snape is from a different universe, okay?"
„Okay, okay", Ron said appeasingly. „Different time, different man, got it." He paused, thinking. „But you think he's hot, yeah?"
Harry blushed.
„Well, of course you do. Otherwise you would probably not have tried to suck his blood out through his neck without making holes in his skin first", Ron teased.
Harry shoved him. „Prat!"
„So they keep telling me", Ron grinned, clapping Harry on the back. „I have accepted it, you know. I live it openly..."
Harry snorted. „If you don't shut up I am going to give you details", he threatened.
„Ooooh, try me", Ron said.
Snorting, Harry considered his bluff called and they walked in companionable silence for a while.
„It really is quiet here", Ron commented contentedly after a while, interrupting Harry's happy contemplation of his buoyant feeling of relief.
„So does Hermione really need to talk to Severus? How long do you think they need us to walk?"
Ron shrugged. „I have no idea. Why the hurry?"
„No hurry. I just don't want to go too far from the house. Strictly speaking I am not supposed to venture out like this at all... Severus is going to flip if we get too close to any village..."
„Look who is suddenly being a good boy, following the rules!", Ron smirked.
„Please", Harry retorted, „like you are keen on being told off by Hermione for dragging me into harm's way..."
„She said we should go for a walk!", Ron exclaimed.
„Yeah, like that's gonna stop her from ripping off your head for interpreting her words too loosely...", Harry snorted.
Ron made a face. „Fine", he said. „We'll walk to this clump of trees over there and then turn back."
„So... what exactly has been happening at the Burrow?", Harry asked.

Severus was left with Granger in the living room that had fallen dead silent except for the quietly crackling fire. He watched her shift uncomfortably in her seat, wondering what she wanted, or wether she had just decided to help put Weasley out of his misery as fast as possible, or if she was going to yell at him and tell him to leave Harry alone.
„Um, sorry about that", Granger said into the awkward silence. „Ron is... well, I thought they should just talk it out now and be done with it. Or maybe not talk, heaven knows... Either way, it's easier for both of them without an audience." She smiled weakly.
„You don't seem very surprised", Severus drawled.
„Um, no... Harry... er... mentioned something..."
„When?", Severus frowned.
„When we last wrote to each other. We enchanted a piece of parchment into a sort of crude version of a two-way mirror? It doesn't work as well, it still depends on extra spells and the right timing, but it does the job."
„Clever", Severus acknowledged.
„Thanks", Granger beamed. „It's so nice to see Harry happy, he wasn't looking so good when I last saw him. He was exhausted, I think."
Severus nodded slowly.
„Anyway", Granger went on. „A lot of people are having trouble with the aftermath of the war. Psychologically speaking. It's fairly normal from what I've read, but those people need help. And since both Harry and... and you...", she glanced nervously at Severus, „have been through a terrible lot, I was thinking that maybe talking to a counselor would be a good idea. I don't mean to be presumptious", she added hastily as Severus' frown deepened. „I just... I know Harry very well, and I think he really should talk to someone. I mean, I know he talked to Dumbledore before he... came back from dying... but somehow I don't think that's enough, you know?", she trailed off a little helplessly.
Severus frowned slightly at the last bit of her assertion, but decided to ignore it for the time being. He sighed deeply. „You may not be wrong", he conceded. „I can't speak for Harry, but I agree that he might benefit from talking to someone. As for me...", he averted his eyes to look at the fire.
„Please, Sir", Granger said cautiously, „you nearly died in the war under horrible circumstances. And even if you hadn't, being a double agent for so long..."
„Fucks up about anyone", Severus commented dryly.
Granger let out a surprised guffaw.
„You are quite right, Ms Granger. I am currently still somewhat depending on a potion that ensures dreamless sleep, but I am going to run out soon enough, with no way to brew my own. And my control over my thoughts and... feelings... isn't what it was." He pinched the bridge of his nose. „It feels like I am crumbling from the inside. I suppose I do... need assistance of some kind. Especially since Harry asked me to stay and I don't want to hurt him..." He glared into the fire, embarrassed to talk about this with Granger of all people. Although he would not have been happy telling this to anyone. Probably Granger wasn't the worst, at least she remained respectfully silent and...
„There is no shame in accepting help", Granger said quietly. „Especially not after what you did to help everyone."
Severus laughed harshly. „I hardly did that to help everyone", he spat bitterly.
„But it did help everyone", Granger said, a little crease appearing between her eyebrows.
Severus looked at her.
„Look", she said, leaning over the table, handing him a card, „just talk to this man. He is... a little weird, but he is easy to talk to. Not only for me, I talked to others who have been to see him as well. Maybe he will suit you. Or at least assist in finding someone else. I am going to get Harry to see him as well, eventually."
Severus took the card. „You have done counselling?", he asked.
„I am still doing it", Granger said. „I have gotten much better, the nightmares are nearly gone now and... I don't start randomly crying anymore."
Severus regarded her thoughtfully. „I see", he said. He pocketed the card. „So you have been reading up on the topic, yes? May I ask what books...?"