A/N: As promised.here is chapter four! See it didn't take me forever! takes a bow Hopefully it won't disappoint. And kudos goes to my beta for making this a better story humbly hands beta a virtual box of girl scout cookies Eeeeks and before I forget yet again looks around for the disclaimer police They aren't mine!!! Not that any of you are shocked to learn this.

Dumbledore waited by Snape's bed a few moments gently stoking the boy's hair. Everyone had the misconception that it was greasy when in all actuality it was soft and shiny from years of being exposed to brewing potions. Reassured that Severus was in a deep sleep the headmaster turned his attention to Poppy. He was curious to see who else she found to donate blood. Magic could heal just about any injury but blood loss was still dependent on muggle medicine, meaning a blood transfusion would be necessary.

Unfortunately, it is more difficult to find a match for a witch or wizard. Not only does the blood type have to match but the magic signature also needs to be compatible. Each witch or wizard has a specific magic signature. Some are closer in signatures than others.

What made the current situation more difficult was that Harry's power was not like most wizards. He was much more talented than the average student and Albus suspected Harry was capable of wandless magic. It only seemed natural that Severus would be a perfect match for the Headmaster suspected that Snape was capable of the same feat as well. Dumbledore only knew of a select few who were capable of it and was curious to see which one Poppy had found that also happened to be a blood type match.

When Dumbledore saw who tumbled out of the floo system his eyes widened and then shone with amusement. He couldn't help but think how interesting the next school semester was going to be. In reflection, he shouldn't be that surprised. After all of the things that had occurred over the years he had forgotten all about Severus' relation to this powerful family. He chuckled to himself when he tried to envision what their reaction to the unfolding events was going to be. The headmaster hid his smile and then sobered all together when he remembered the request he still needed to ask. "Poppy, when you are done there I need you to do something for me."

Madam Pomfrey looked over and saw the sad expression on the headmaster's face. "I will do anything in my power Albus, you know that. What do you need from me?" She asked kindly while setting up the paraphernalia she would need for the upcoming blood transfusion.

Dumbledore reached down and held onto Severus' hand. "I need you to draw some more blood and do a test for me. Find out what he is hiding." He looked back up into sympathetic eyes. "I need to know and he is not going to tell me."

"I will let you know as soon as I have the results." With that she turned back to her task.



As soon as his eyes opened, he knew he was still in the medical wing. He was a little groggy and it took a few moments before the memories slammed into him reminding him why he was there. Snape sat up and immediately regretted the action when dizziness set in. He felt strong hands push him back down and looked up until his eyes locked onto a blue piercing gaze. Snape's hands got clammy and he had to swallow the lump that formed in his throat. He couldn't think beyond his rising panic.

"Shh..calm down child." Dumbledore admonished while stroking the hair away from Snape's eyes. "Why?" he asked with a little bit of hurt in his voice. "Why didn't you come to me instead of taking such risks. You knew I would help." The headmaster asked.

Snape couldn't handle looking into his mentor's eyes and seeing the hurt there and so looked down at his hands. "I.I.." He was unable to complete his thought so let his voice trail off.

Dumbledore grasped his chin and forced him to make eye contact again. "Why?" he asked insisting with his eyes for an answer.

Snape let out a sigh "I didn't want to bother you. You have been busy getting things ready to fight Voldemort. You don't have time for my childish behavior." He said in a small voice. He took a deep breath to continue when the anger suddenly returned. He felt like he could do nothing right and was constantly failing this man. With the self loathing spurring him on he lashed out at the one person who truly cared about him "And besides, it is none of your concern Headmaster!" he said stressing the last word. "It has not interfered with my duties as a professor or as a spy" he spat out.

Dumbledore was taken back by the vehemence in Snape's words and then understood it for what it was. He realized that the anger was not directed at him but rather was directed inward. With that realization he wrapped his arms around the young wizard. For the first few minutes he just held on as the boy struggled and only began to speak when he felt the body relax in his arms.

"Child, you have been my son in all but blood since I met you. You know that my concern goes well beyond your duties as a professor or as a spy. I love you and don't want to see you hurt." He whispered in Snape's ear. Gently forcing Snape back so that they were once again looking into each others eyes he continued "You should have come to me, I could have helped you with the nightmares." He quietly stated and then his tone turned serious. Now was the time for some tough love the headmaster decided "Instead you chose to continually take a potion that you knew would build up to toxic levels in your blood!" He got his displeasure across to the young wizard in his arms without raising his voice once. He had to force himself not to lose his resolve when he saw the boy flinch.

"It was dangerous and childish. I have tried to give you the space and freedom that your pride has demanded but no more. You obviously need more guidance then I have given you over the years. I made a mistake and for that I am sorry." He waited to gage Snape's reaction before continuing. He was surprised that Severus had not exploded yet. It was his usual way of dealing with unwanted emotions. He took a deep breath to help prepare for the response he knew he would receive with his next statement "From now on you will be staying in a room in my chambers until I deem it time for you to return to the dungeon." He didn't have to wait long for the explosion he was expecting earlier.

"What! No, absolutely not!" he shouted. He began to shake in embarrassment and anger. "I am not a child. You can't just dictate that I move in with you!" he sputtered while trying to get up to get dressed. He was not going to stay in here a moment longer and have this ludicrous conversation. He loved and respected the man but what he was suggesting was just plain crazy. Snape wondered if Albus hadn't gone mental. Imagine, him, the feared potion master living with the headmaster. He completely froze with the next statement.

"Severus Salazar Snape! You will not use that tone of voice with me." The headmaster scolded. "I have my reasons for wanting you with me rather then the dungeons. First of all, you need help quitting those potions. I want to be there for you. I also want to help when you get summoned again. You know how painful that is, and you will NOT be answering that call. Don't think I forgot about that conversation. And don't think that I haven't noticed the reckless behavior you have been indulging in. You have been using potions you know are dangerous for you, you haven't eaten well in Merlin knows how long, and you keep risking your life when it is not necessary." Before Snape could interrupt at that point Albus continued with raised eyebrows "Do I need to remind you of the incident on Privet drive?" At the small shake of the head in response he continued "I love you too much to sit back and let you do this to yourself because you are too stubborn to ask for help. Well, now you don't need to ask you just have to accept." He finally let his tone soften "I know it is hard for you to accept help, but please child, for me would you at least try?

Severus stared into Dumbledore's eyes for a few moments before responding. He didn't know if he could handle giving up the freedom being asked of him. He tried to weigh the costs and benefits of the proposal. In one way, it would be nice to feel loved and cared for, but then on another level it scared him. It was one thing when he was a child to let Albus take care of him but now he was an adult. Did he really want this? He knew that if he continued to refuse the headmaster would not really push him into it. But he knew that if he did refuse, then the relationship would change between them. That was the real question here, did he want just a professional friendship between them, like what Dumbledore had with the rest of the staff, or did he want the father/son relationship being offered. There really was no choice; this is what he had dreamed of having all of his life, although he would rather die than admit that aloud to anyone. Not trusting his voice, he nodded and then lied back down.

Dumbledore released the breath that he did not realize he held while waiting for the boy's answer. For a moment he had feared that he was asking more from Severus than he could give. He hid a chuckle when he realized how many times he thought of Severus as a boy. In the bed was a grown man, but to a wizard of 110 years, a young wizard of thirty three was still a boy. Before he could say a word they were interrupted by a sharp gasp and clang of trays being dropped on the floor. Dumbledore looked up to see Poppy staring at Harry with a shocked look on her face. She just stood there with her hand clamped over her mouth and her eyes wide.

Both Dumbledore and Snape could hear the weak voice behind the curtain "What! What's wrong?"

A/N: Phew..this one is done. Sorry about the cliffie hides behind desk Erm.is it dangerous to ask for reviews holds out bribe of girl scout cookies.sorry Saavik, I will get a fresh supply before chapter five is done :D Speaking of chapter five: I am almost done and ready to send it to my beta .Yipeeeeee runs off to finish next chapter