That night Snape laid in bed, thinking about what the Golden Boy had said to him. 'Still think it is against the rules?' His mind went over to Lily and how he misses her. Harry is the last thing she left behind; he needs to cherish that.
Not being able to sleep, he gets up, putting on his clothes. Leaving the dungeon and heading to the castle, he needed to speak to Albus. Hoping he is still up. Getting to the Headmaster's corridors, saying the password, "Sherbet Lemon." The eagle moved as Snape stepped on the stairs.
Knock, knock, "Please enter," he heard from the other side of this door. In steps, his favorite spy, basically his only spy. Well, in this castle, he has others outside of Hogwarts. "Ah, Severus my boy, what can I do for you?" he watches as he takes a seat across the desk.
"Nothing really. I just want to ask you a question?" Albus told him to go on, "can a student get close to a teacher?" he looks over at his nails, as if there is something there, "there is this student, who seems to have taken interest in me."
"Really?" Albus never thought he would see the day; where a student cares for the Potion Master, "may I ask who?"
Snape looks over up at him, "Lily's son. He is far from different then I thought."
The Headmaster was surprised at this, knowing the history between Severus and James Potter, "From James Potter?" he watches Snape nod, "Are you asking me to give permission to spend time with a student?" the dark wizard looked down at his shoes, "By all means, Severus. You will find out that his life, is like yours as a child. He has a family yes, but they are the worst types, sound familiar?" Snape stood, not wanting to revise that part of his life, taking a bow before heading back to the door, "One more thing Severus?" he turned around to the wise wizard. "Is this for Lily? Or do you want to know Harry for Harry?" Severus gapped at that, "He is a smart kid and will catch up on that."
Snape thought about this while heading back down. He is doing it for Lily; that is the truth. He was protecting her son. Snape stops to look at the moonlight through a window near the stairs. Looking down below, he saw three figures running out of the Hagrid's hut. Three students walked back over to the castle. Realizing this, Snape was about to deduct points from their house. He so gladly wanted to, waiting for them to get to the entrance of the castle. Gapping at them, when he noticed it was Potter and his friends. He looked over at a clock, it is nearly midnight.
Harry and his gang were surprised to see Severus standing at the entrance of the corridor, "Do you have any idea how much trouble you are in?" he said, through gritted teeth.
Harry chimes in, "We were just meeting with- "
"I know exactly who you were with; that is not the point!" he snaps, "after hours are forbidden for students in this school."
"We are sorry," Harry says, while Ron gulps down his worry. He was not wanting their points deducted or the Head Mistress to find out.
"I don't want Professor McGonagall to find out about this," Ron says, shaking.
Snape peered over at Harry, then back at Ron, "Very well, I will not tell her, in return you three will have a month's detention with me. Have I made myself clear?" they all nodded at him, "I will see you three starting tomorrow then, in my office. You will also have separate detentions with me," he started walking away, "will give you the time tomorrow," Harry was grateful to the Professor, also happy to receive detention with him.
Professor Snape just finished teaching the first years. Looking over at the clock, it was 15 minutes till the second year, arrived. Moving towards the three while students were piling out. "So, I will see you Mr. Potter at seven, Mr. Weasley at 8:00 and Ms. Granger, tomorrow morning before class 7:00 am," he left them to their thoughts. Hermione wanted to groan at having to wake up a little earlier then she wanted tomorrow.
Harry stayed behind, telling his friends he will be right there. Snape starts wiping the board, his student watches his leg, seeing a small limp. Harry went over to his teacher, snaking his arm around him, "Let me do that Professor," he guided him to his chair, reluctantly Severus sits. Watching his student wipe off his work, "What were you doing in the castle last night?" Potter asked in a curious tone.
The Potion Master, looked over at him, "Needed to speak to the Headmaster."
He nodded, deciding to leave it at that, while wiping. Snape looks down at the ground, thinking about what Dumbledore said. "You alright Professor?" He got startled out of his thoughts, "It is none of your concern, Mr. Potter," Harry walks over, finished with the board. His Professor watches his every move as The Golden Boy gets closer to him, lifting his face. "What are you doing?" he wondered through gritted teeth.
"What is wrong Professor?" Harry wondered, looking at his dark orbs, "seems you got not enough sleep either," he lets go of him, seeing if he will answer.
Severus gets up from his chair, "My second class is about to start," Harry nodded, disappointed at not receiving the answer. Walking out to the front door, "See tonight then Professor." Snape could hear the disappointment in that kid's tone. He did not care, though, as he started grading papers. At least he prefers not to care, he keeps telling himself, but, he does.