Disclaimer: All things you recognize from the seven Harry Potter books belong to J.K. Rowling and those she has given rights to. I am merely borrowing for my own entertainment and do not earn anything for writing this story.

A/N: Hi! I'm back after two weeks, as promised. A little later than I'd originally planned, but anyway. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

A/N about Story: I know that some of you must have questions about Harry and Severus's relationship, and some of you must feel that there are other people who can be Harry's guardian, and this will be discussed in a future chapter (or two). The issue of trust and hate will also be taken care of, but you will find Severus's hatred was mostly based on the thought "Potter is a spoiled brat, like James Potter" and Harry's was based on Severus's hate. Also, if Severus treats Harry fine, I don't doubt he will easily earn Harry's trust (Harry will still be cautious, but he will trust Severus), like Dumbledore as a grandpa figure, a kindly old man, and Ron as a nice person and good friend on the train—and Hagrid, who went to inform him about magic and was with him when he was first introduced to the magic world.

A/N about Story 2: I've been reading the reviews, and I've replied to most of them, I think. Some of them I'll be replying to as soon as I've got time, but in the meantime, a big thanks to everyone who left a review (I mean everyone)! And thanks to everyone who added this story to their favs and is following it too!

2021.6.19.

A Bloody Hand: Things Just Seem to Happen Together

Chapter 13

It was midnight. Severus was awake and fuming. How dare the Headmaster—Albus—suggest that he become Harry Potter's guardian? The very idea of it was absurd! He hated the boy! And the boy hated him! They would kill each other within a day—or more likely, he would kill the boy within a day! And even if he didn't hate the boy—which he didn't really now, not after the results of the physical health check, but of course he wasn't about to admit that to Albus—that didn't mean he was going to let the boy step into his home (he was a spy and just because he no longer hated the boy didn't mean he liked him now!), and anyway, the boy certainly didn't trust him or like him and would never agree to go home with him (why did the thought hurt, just a little bit? It shouldn't, he didn't care—much—about the boy anyway)!

And when he had protested and pointed most of these details out, Albus had merely said, "Harry has a big heart, Severus, I'm sure he'll easily put aside any hatred. And you are a capable wizard, more so than most other trustworthy people I know. I'm sure you will be able to keep Harry safe—and I will be sure to help you ward your home." And when Severus had attempted to continue protesting, Albus had cut him off, saying briskly, "Now, Severus, don't decide so soon, think on it, and go have dinner." Then Albus had ushered him and Minerva from the room.

Severus, not wanting to look at Minerva and too angry to eat anyway, had stormed back to his quarters in the dungeons and promptly set about brewing potions for the infirmary to calm himself. Unfortunately, this method of calming and distracting himself that usually worked so well did not work its magic tonight, which was why Severus was fuming and sitting in his sitting room at this time of the night.

It was two hours before dawn that Severus finally retired to bed, completely worn out.

The next morning, he was awoken by the sound of his wards alerting him to someone Floo-calling. He hurriedly jumped out of bed and got dressed in his usual black robes before hurrying to the fireplace in his sitting room.

It was Sprout. "Pomona," he said, kneeling down. "Is there something you need?"

"Severus, come quick, Potter is hysterical," replied Pomona frantically. "We can't calm him, and—"

Severus nodded his head before she had finished speaking, and she withdrew her head at once. A moment later, Severus had appeared in the infirmary.

Poppy looked relieved to see him. "Can you calm him?" she asked. "We've all tried, but he won't calm—not even enough for me to slip him a Calming Draught."

Severus looked over her head, and saw Minerva and Flitwick by Potter, both attempting to calm the boy, but to no avail. Well, of course, thought Severus, they're being far too gentle with him. I doubt he's even hearing them. In a couple of strides, he was by the boy and had grabbed the panicked teen's arms.

Minerva and Filius both stepped back, and Severus hesitated briefly, considering his options, before sitting down on Potter's bed and pulling the boy against his chest so that he sat on his lap.

There was a pause, and then Potter fell silent, breathing harshly. Minerva, who was watching, visibly sighed with relief, and Filius said, looking and sounding astounded, "How did you do that, Severus?"

Severus looked down at Potter, whose eyes were closed and whose head rested on his chest, and replied, "He just required a firm hand." He wasn't sure why he had decided to do that, actually—almost like hugging—because he could certainly have spoken loudly to get Potter's attention.

Pomona, Minerva, and Filius all looked rather bemused, but accepted his vague explanation, which Severus felt most relieved about.

"All right then," said Minerva. "Severus, since you can calm Mr Potter down, why don't you stay with him while we go to have breakfast and then call in the first batch of sixth year students for their health checks? Poppy can ask a house-elf for your breakfast later, or you can ask for your own now."

"We've already spoken with Albus," added Filius. "He agrees that one of us can stay with Potter and discuss the 'what next,' and the other three can take over his or her duties."

Severus hesitated. He did not hate Potter so much—if at all—now that he knew how terrible the boy's home life really was (his hatred had been mostly based on the "spoiled brat" assumption, after all), but that by no means meant that they were suddenly best friends. But he did not want to walk all over the school until the evening and continue straining his injury, and he was the only one who could calm Potter, so he nodded reluctantly. "Fine," he agreed after a pause, determinedly ignoring the other reason for his agreement—Potter using him as a bed and a pillow was actually not so bad; in fact, it was actually rather nice, having someone trust him like this, because Potter resting against him could only be a sign of trust as this action left him rather vulnerable—and that was without the fact he was abused and Severus was his most hated professor (Severus assumed).

"Excellent!" said Filius. "Now, we must take our leave before it's time for the health checks."

"I'll see you later, Severus," said Minerva, giving Harry one last worried and concerned look before heading out of the infirmary.

XXX

Harry sighed with pleasure, nestling against the firm chest beneath his head. This person had the same smell about him or her that had calmed him and made him feel so safe before, and Harry was pleased they were back.

He was tired, and the Dursleys were going to be so mad someone had found out about the injuries, but right now, he couldn't be bothered with that as the person was so safe and warm.

"Potter," hissed a voice suddenly.

Harry made a small sound of acknowledgement at the voice. He didn't want to leave the safe person yet.

"Potter," repeated the person. "You need to open your eyes so Madam Pomfrey can check on you. Also, I've become the laughing stock of your head of house and Professors Flitwick and Sprout because of you."

Harry frowned in confusion. His head of house? Oh—Professor McGonagall? Then everything came rushing back to him, including the person he was nestled against, the identity of the person with the safe smell and feeling.

He squeezed his eyes shut, his cheeks heating up in embarrassment. "Umm . . . Professor Snape?" he mumbled, just to make sure.

To his surprise, a low chuckle came from above his head, and then Snape's familiar voice said, "Yes, indeed, Potter, it's me. Now would you please open your eyes so Madam Pomfrey can take a proper look at you?"

Harry's eyes snapped open, and he prepared to get off Snape, but to his surprise and bemusement, strong arms pulled him back. "Do not be ridiculous, Potter," said his professor's voice, just above him. "Stay here. We don't need you using up the hospital wing's entire stock of Calming Draughts."

Harry relaxed back against Snape's chest again, feeling slightly embarrassed but pleased that he didn't have to leave his "safe person" yet, never mind that this person was Snape.

His eyes closed again, and Snape said, "Really, Potter, I wasn't aware that I am this comfortable."

Harry opened his eyes, slightly, and replied in a mumble, "Feels safe."

Harry felt the body behind him freeze, before Snape said, "I see." He sounded rather uncertain and surprised. Then he said, sounding mildly amused, "You need to fully open your eyes, Potter."

Harry did, finally, and spotted Madam Pomfrey nearby the bed, which Snape and he, lying on top of Snape, were on, looking amused and rather confused but pleased.

"Okay, Mr Potter—"

Harry interrupted her. "Harry, please."

Pomfrey nodded and continued, "Okay, Harry—I'm just going to check your temperature and see to your back, so relax. Keep your eyes open though, I don't want to startle you."

Harry closed his eyes when he felt Snape grip him firmly and shifting slightly before turning him sideways on his lap, opening again when they had settled.

He felt Madam Pomfrey's gentle hand moving over his back, applying the salve. "Once I allow you to leave here, Harry," she said, "you'll have to apply this every morning and every night until your back is completely healed, do you hear me?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, ma'am," he said.

"Don't forget," she reminded kindly, and then pulled his shirt back down. "And that's it, all done. Severus, do you want to stretch your legs for a bit? Harry should be fine now."

Harry wiggled around to burrow his head into Snape's chest. "Don't go," he pleaded, slightly embarrassed but determined all the same—he was not going to lose his safe person!

There was a pause, and then Snape replied quietly, "It's fine, Poppy, I'll stay." He shifted Harry and himself, and then Harry was gripped and moved, before Harry's head settled on his professor's chest again.

"I'm going to be accused of going soft, Potter," he murmured, "and it's all your fault." His voice wasn't malicious though, unlike it usually was when he spoke to Harry (and most people really), so Harry only made a small "mm" sound.

"What about my aunt and uncle?" he said finally, in a small voice. Harry decided he couldn't put this off for much longer and asked the question, feeling his heartbeat speed up with worry. Had the professors already spoken to them? How had they reacted? What did they speak about, if the professors had already gone to the Dursleys? What was going to happen to him now? Harry sighed, knowing he didn't even need to ask the question—nothing was happening to him except that he must go back, for his safety.

Snape made an angry sound low in his throat and Harry opened his eyes, peering up at his professor worriedly. Had he said something wrong? He didn't even have room to feel surprised it really was Snape who was letting him lie on him and use him as a pillow as he waited anxiously for Snape to speak.

Snape stared at him, then said, "Those people don't deserve to call themselves your family. And what about them?"

Harry swallowed nervously. "Well," he said, closing his eyes again. "Dumbledore spoke to them, right? About how they have to treat me better when I go back in the summer . . . ?"

Snape froze slightly, then hissed, "When you go back in the summer?"

Harry frowned little. "Well yeah," he said, feeling confused. "Else where can I go?"

Snape didn't reply for a little while. Finally, he said, "Professor Dumbledore is looking for other people who could be suitable guardians for you."

"Oh," said Harry. He thought about it. "Mr and Mrs Weasley?" he suggested. "They already take me in every summer," he added. "Except for this one."

XXX

Severus considered the suggestion. That was a good idea of Potter's, but the problem was Albus had already gotten it into his head Severus himself would make a good guardian for the boy. He wasn't going to tell the boy that just yet—maybe Severus could have Albus tell the boy and deal with the tantrum and displeasure sure to follow. "That is a good idea," he agreed. "However, it will be up to the Headmaster to decide. Your next guardians will also have to have the abilities to protect you and provide for you."

Potter frowned, his eyes still closed. Severus raised his eyebrows—was he, Severus, really that comfortable? "Mr and Mrs Weasley aren't rich, yeah, but they aren't that poor," protested Potter. A moment later, he said reluctantly, "Though, I guess it would be better if they aren't my guardians—it'll be hard on them, buying for me as well."

"Potter," said Severus after a pause, "why don't you leave it to the Headmaster to figure out a solution and relax, for a change?"

"It's Harry," mumbled Potter. "And you used to say I relax too much—lazy—remember?."

Severus flushed, rather ashamed of his actions and knowing the boy was right, and was thankful the boy couldn't see him. "Yes, well, that was before, Potter."

"I said it's Harry," muttered the boy, sounding mildly impatient and annoyed, and opened his eyes, moving his head back to stare at him. He looked slightly surprised, and then closed his eyes again, settling back down.

"Harry," said Severus, making an emphasis on the word and berating himself for obeying the boy as he did so—he was never going to hear the end of this from Minerva (who didn't need to know but always knew about this kind of thing, like Albus). "Why don't you relax for a change?"

Potter—Harry—grinned. "Okay," he said, with a slight yawn. "Can I stay like this, Professor?"

Severus sighed. "If you must," he muttered, and gently brushed the boy's hair back from his eyes as the boy's breathing evened out. He, Severus Snape, cold-hearted Slytherin Head of House, notorious ex-Death Eater, and Dumbledore's strict-to-the-point-of-cruel but faithful spy, really was going soft—and all because of one Harry Potter with James Potter's looks and Lily Potter's eyes, though Potter's—Harry's—looks were a bit softer than James and had a slight weariness etched into his face that James Potter had never had, and the same weariness could also be found in his green eyes, when they opened, unlike Lily Potter's, which had always been lively and bright, until maybe the time she, her husband, and her son had had to go into hiding.

Severus felt a surge of protectiveness go through him, surprising even himself. As he leant back against the headboard with a small sigh, Severus realized with no small amount of surprise that he was no longer so against the idea of Harry Potter in his house.

A/N about Story: Some people might think Severus's attitude changed a bit fast and Harry was too quick to trust, but I think Severus's hatred for Harry has always been based on the assumption Harry is a "spoiled brat, just like James Potter," and now this delusion has been taken away, he can no longer just hate Harry. Then Harry allowed Severus to restrain him, to touch him, and for someone like Severus, someone who is a spy and gets questioned at every turn, trust would mean a lot. Of course, Harry was panicking then, and only recognized Severus's scent (I chose something nicer than what Ms Rowling has described, by the way); the second time, Harry had taken a large dose of Calming Draught so he wasn't in his right mind (and just wanted to be with his "safe person").

Finally, if these explanations don't satisfy you, then let me just remind you this is my story and you are in no way obligated to read it—so you don't like this, you are free to go look for other stories that you actually like.

PS: Of course, if you pointed out extremely illogical bits in the story, then I'd thank you. But if it's just about their relationship changing too fast or something, then I think you're better off finding some other, slow-burn type of story—because if you're looking for a cool, polite relationship between Harry and Severus, this story won't fit your tastes; and if you're looking for a really gradual, slow change in these two's relationship, this story isn't the place for finding it either. If you wish to abandon reading this story because of this, then I wish you luck in finding a story that suits your tastes; if you wish to continue, then thank you for your support and I will do my best.