A/N: Hey guys! I'm so happy you all love this story so much! i hope you enjoy the story all the way through...it has a bit of humor in it too guys ok? just warning you :3 with that said...enjoy! I don't own Passive by A Perfect Circle. Neither do I own Harry Potter. I do own the idea. This chapter contains conversation really...Sev and Harry showing the reader how close they are.

Passive-

Wake up
(look at you)
And face me
(come on now)
Don't play dead
(don't play dead)
Cause maybe
(cause maybe)
Someday I will walk away and say
You fucking disappoint me
Maybe we're better off this way

Harry rose a finely sculpted brow in silent inquiry as the only man he trusted brought out a black dragon scale armor jumpsuit. Surly the git didn't think he was going to wear that atrocious attire. Spying the look, the Head of Slytherin chuckled and motioned for Harry to sit on the couch while he laid the suit on the table.

"It looks bad, but the armor, once I'm done with it, will allow you to mute your powers. It will also protect you from numerous strong curses or potions. And if one is cast that it hasn't been warded against, it will learn that spell and ward against it. You will be able to deactivate it as well. And since it's dragon scales, given freely, it will mold to your skin and it will lash out at any enemy you perceive." he expanded calmly.

The green eyed teen tilted his head to the side while he thought it over. The advantages to having the suit far outweighed its tackiness. Given the added bonus that it moulded to his skin, and fended off those he didn't want around him, was relieving. Still. He wondered if Severus intended to magic it into being more fashionable?
However, before he could ask, the Potions Professor held up a hand and waved his wand over the suit. Instantly it began to take on the basic shape of a stylish body suit. He knew if he were to put it on right now he would look sleek, like a cat.
He placed a hand over it's surface after taking off a glove and removing part of the bandages underneath. It was smooth to the touch, not at all like one would think that dragon scales should feel like. The magic of the scales seeped through his palm. The Darkness of it tasted like almonds and he smiled at the likeness. It was why he preferred the Dark arts to the Lighter arts. The Dark tasted like roasted almonds. Rich, velvety, and smooth. Every time he used them he felt all of his senses come alive and curl around it like a snake around a heat source.

The Light Arts had never caused such a reaction in him. To him it was equivalent to downing one of the headmaster's lemon drops. It was a false taste that hid the underlying evil. Severus, thankfully, was saturated with the scent of almonds. Absently he mused, that if at any point he had wished for a partner, he would have wished for someone as soothing as the snarky spy. All kindness beneath layers of Dark Dark magic.
The magic of the suit purred and caressed him and his smile softened further. Save the Potions Master, Magic was the only other thing in his life that had never betrayed him. He could always count on it. It had kept him warm those nights and days spent alone or tortured in the dungeons. It had entertained him my lashing out at the traitors when he was scared and bleeding. And it had given him a friend, one person, to be able to trust completely.

"Can you feel it Sev? This suit is laced with natural magic from the dragon. It is a good thing the scales were freely given. The magic is so content and comforting." he whispered, keeping his voice reverent.

The dark haired older wizard reached out a tentative hand and gasped quietly when he, too, was able to feel the tendrils of Dark Magic. He shouldn't be surprised really. He had asked a very old Shadow Dragon for the scales. He had stated his reasons why he required said objects. He had been thrilled when the dragon had delicately plucked a handful of scales. It breathed fire into its palm and the scales shattered into tiny pieces. Then it handed the broken shards to him, a wise sparkle in its eyes.

"Go protect your young charge. It is apparent that both you and Magic favor him."

Severus had been startled to say the least and hadn't even flinched when the great beast spread its wings and lifted into the air like a slingshot.
Returning his attention to the teen in front of him, he considered all they'd been through. All that they would have to deal with this year. Neither of them could trust anyone. They only had each other. Quite frankly, Severus was ok with that. He would do all he could to make sure that Harry stayed safe.

"I want you to share quarters with me, Harry. I doubt you'll be very welcome in any of the houses now. I'd like you to remain safe until the suit is complete."

The teen sneered but nodded. He knew how foolish it would be to stay elsewhere. It didn't mean he had to like it though. He focused on the material beneath his palm, and fed some of his magic into it. Severus had taught him, months ago, that when dealing with a magical object, you should respect the power residing with in. By sharing some of your magic with the object, you were telling the mystic powers that be, that you were willing to share power in exchange for whatever abilities the item had. In the case of the suit, it was protection. There was a pulse as the dragon magics intertwined with his own. Comforting like a lover or an old friend. Harry could tell that the suit would gladly take care of him.

"Did you see the looks that he shot them? They're planning something, Sev. The sooner you get this get up working properly, the better. The dragon magics are compatible with my own so there shouldn't be any backlash."

The older Slytherin nodded, already thinking of potions to soak the outfit in and spells to cast for the added protections. The ex-Gryffindor noticed his mentor's preoccupation with the dragon hide and rolled his eyes. This would take a while. Now he had to wait until Severus finished making his mental list before their conversation could continue.
He watched, head in hands, as his mentor moved about the room, muttering under his breath and gathering ingredients and books as he went. Harry lay back on the couch with a sigh. He wondered how truly nasty his enemies would be this year. There really wouldn't be too much of a difference of the years previous, besides that they would have to be more cautious about what spells they cast at him. Hogwarts wouldn't allow them any terribly harsh spells.

Shuddering at the thought, the teen pondered all of the safer spots of the school and committed his routes to memory. He hoped that he wouldn't need to use the hideouts -seriously. Running around like a scared child?!- or even the suit, however, he knew they probably would all be necessary. Harry groaned and conjured some tea. The smell brought Snape back from his little potions world and back to the subject at hand.

"I agree. They are indeed up to something." he rumbled, pouring himself a cuppa.

The younger wizard snorted as he sipped his tea, his eyes traveling over the gathered items on the table. He wondered, briefly, what the man planned on imbuing the suit with now.

"Probably thinking of ways to make my school year even more horrendous." he sneered, garnering an annoyed sigh from the potions master.

"They can only do so much. Still, it would be unwise for you to be alone with them. Have you been practicing your spells?"

Harry grunted an affirmative. He finished his tea and set the cup on the table before sitting back and laying his head against the head rest of the couch.

"I've been practicing everything you've taught me. I completed my animagus form just before they sent the auror guard to pick me up at the Ministry after Dumblebugger reinstated me at Hogwarts." his voice lacked any inflection as he talked about the auror.

Severus' delicate black eyebrows rose to meet his hair line. Harry had learned his animagus form in under a month. They'd only been discussing how to go about the transformation two weeks before the decision had been made for the teen to be released from the dungeons beneath the Dumbledore Estate. How had the child mastered it so quickly? It was remarkable. Truly a prodigy. How had Albus missed this? Not that he was complaining, of course. He wouldn't wish Harry's tortured past on anyone. Not even his worst enemy. Ok. Maybe his worst enemy if they consisted of the Light wizards and muggles who had taken part in Harry's torment.
Or the Ministry who had begun whispering about the dangers of having a defective Savior wandering around. He didn't know how to react about that one, really. But he was worried. Nothing good ever came from the Ministry's involvement.
Nothing.

Focusing back on his pupil, he found sharp green eyes studying his face. He felt like flushing for being caught off guard so easily by a child who for all intents and purposes, should be his enemy. Harry, for his part, merely twitched his lips in amusement before rolling his eyes and standing.

"Would you like to see what creature I become?"

Severus nodded curtly, pressing his lips into a thinly sealed line. The teen sighed and let his eyelids slip shut. He concentrated and called on his magic, kindly asking it to help him change. Immediately he was enveloped in a warm, loving hug -it was the only thing he could describe it as- and with a sudden shift, he was in his animagus form.
He noted with amusement, how his potions master's eyes budded in surprise. He chattered before hefting his tiny body up and leaping into his protector's pant leg then scrambling up to Severus' chest. Instinctively, Harry knew that this man would protect him even more in this form. He sighed in a hiss like purr as he burrowed into the older wizard's robes.
The dour professor cupped his student's miniature body in his hand so that it was properly supported. He would never admit it to the child, but the brat was utterly adorable. He bit his tongue in annoyance. That thought would stop now. It was bad enough the boy had wormed past his defenses. Had become like a son or younger brother to him.
Gritting his teeth in a sudden bout of irritation, he gently pried the little creature from his chest and absently pet its tiny little head.

"A sugar glider. It's rather impressive. I thought for sure you'd end up being a stag like your father." he muttered, a lifting of his lip the only indication that such a thought irked him.

If sugar gliders could roll their eyes he was certain that Harry would be employing such a tactic now. As it was he was receiving a rather droll glare as if to say 'Would you get over it already?'

Huffing, he glared at the tiny marsupial in his palm.

"Shut up brat."

Harry the glider took its time climbing up and down Severus' arms, familiarizing himself with the older man's body. He intended to use this form to get away from his enemies as much as possible. Finally, he settled at his mentor's shoulder and allowed the black tendrils of hair to curtain his body as he snuggled close to the Slytherin's neck. He quietly yipped and pressed closer.
Severus once more huffed but never the less stood and walked around, guessing that the insufferable child wished to test his balance. He was proven right when he felt a small slim tail wrap around the back of his neck. He smirked and whirled around sharply, like he would in the class room. Harry stayed put, digging his claws in a bit to stay anchored.
There was suddenly a waft of heat that brushed Sev's shoulder and he felt Dark Magic caress his skin as Harry shifted back. He winced when the child's arms ended up around his neck in a semi-hug.

"That will work."

He glared at Harry over his shoulder.

"Pray tell, what are you concocting in that puny little mind of yours?" he bit out, with no rancor behind his words.

Meanwhile, the teen prodigy let himself chuckle and slide away from the taller wizard, returning to his seat on the couch.

"I plan on using my animagus form to my full advantage. No one but you and magic herself knows of its existence."

Snape raised a brow, impressed despite himself. He had to admit that the idea implied, had merit. It would allow Harry to flee from his enemies. It would also allow him to spy while he innocently perched on Severus' shoulder, or lounged in the Potions Master's pockets. This included the Order and Death Eater meetings. Eventually, Severus nodded, a smug yet proud smirk on his lips.

"That is a brilliant idea. I'm astonished that you didn't damage a few brain cells while you came up with it."

There was that droll look again and the Head of Slytherin's eyes slitted at the challenge.

"Do stop comparing me to Weasley. I might not have always used my intelligence but at least I have it." was the quipped reply, startling a bark of laughter out of the snarky man before he could contain it.

"Go to bed, brat." he scowled finally, expression softening with out his knowledge.

The one time Light Scion scoffed but nodded his head and moved towards where he knew Severus' guest quarters to be.

"Good night, git."

Severus gnashed his teeth, annoyance warring with his urge to grin. Annoyance won when he realized what this ultimately meant if Harry were to be found perched on his shoulder, or in his pockets. He groaned and rubbed at his temples, feeling a headache coming on. His reputation was going to be destroyed. He glared at the suit and potion materials scattered on the table in front of him. They might have made a truce, but the prodigy was still a thorn in his side.

"Brat." he muttered affectionately and set about fixing the suit.