Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters. I'll give them back to JK Rowling when I'm done. No money was made from this endeavor.
Feedback: Please read and review, flames are not welcome.
A/N: Thanks go to Sherdelune, my beta. Any errors still remaining would be mine.

Would also like to thank all of those that reviewed. Your words of encouragement and support for my RL woes made this chapter possible.

Anything between two *, denotes a thought.

Wanted: Single, Older Male for a Roommate
Chapter 6: Project Clarity

The next two days went by in a flash for Harry and his friends. Harry did in fact borrow Hermione's copy of the Daily Prophet and had found 3 very promising listings. He'd sent Hedwig off to the newspaper, Wednesday morning, to find out more on each of them. After being only gone less than a day, he heard back from the paper and they had given him more detailed contact information. Hedwig was once more gone, this time to the owners of the first place listed and he was awaiting a reply.

Also during those two days, Harry went to his classes and to the next two tutorial sessions. Professor Snape covered their second and third year studies. However, he was not in his usual form, as each session went by, he became less and less 'Snape-ish' as Ron was wont to call it. Snape treated even Ron with a margin of respect as question after question, from simple potions to complex ones, Ron and Harry showed they knew what they were doing. No one suffered from any mishaps or explosions.

Hermione continued to observe Harry and Professor Snape whenever they were together or in the general vicinity of one another, like that Friday evening at dinner in the Great Hall.

Hermione had noticed that at each meal over the course of the week, Harry slowly moved from sitting in their usual spot at the center of the Gryffindor table to the end closest to the Head table.

While she wasn't eating or when her nose wasn't stuck in a book studying, she would occasionally cast a glance across to Harry. She noticed that he was also casting glances, aimed straight towards their Potions professor. As for Professor Snape, who was under watch from the Headmaster, was being caught at doing the same thing -- looking at Harry.

Both of the men being observed had questions on their minds and in their eyes, wanting to solve this mystery that was their relationship. Hermione noticed the puzzled look in Harry's eyes and realized he truly didn't understand what he was feeling. Hermione, being a young Miss Marple [1], had finally pieced the puzzle together, at least in regards to Harry's side of things and she knew she would have to sit down and have a long talk with her friend. She would have to wait up for him and corner him later that evening when he got back from performing his first chore with Professor Snape.

Hermione thought it was kind of cute how clueless Harry was being; in fact she equated it with her own relationship with Ron, as they too had been unaware of their feelings for one another for so long. She knew though that Harry really had no idea what true love was about. *He might have had a crush on Cho Chang several years ago, but that hadn't been based on knowing the real person, just on how she'd looked. Plus with his constant training to prepare him for defeating Voldemort and having no real time to spend with his friends, including Ron and myself, it's no wonder he's unaware of anything beyond a friendly or familial love.*

Hermione nodded her head in resolution at what she would do later this evening, when she would commence what she had dubbed 'Project Clarity.'

Ron, who was sitting between Hermione and Seamus, was of course eating in his usual frenzied fashion, chatting with Seamus and Harry about the Chudley Cannons and their chances for winning the Quidditch World Cup that coming summer. Sometimes he would occasionally look lovestruck at Hermione. He did notice at some point her nodding her head and was curious what that was all about. *She knows something. It scares me sometimes how much she knows. Then again, I'm glad I have her at my side.*

...

Later that evening, Harry ventured down to the potions lab to begin the many chores Severus had won from the poker game. *I wonder what he's going to have me do. Clean cauldrons? Maybe. Chop ingredients? More than likely. Grade papers? Merlin, I hope not.* Harry wasn't really looking forward to the tasks themselves, but as long as he and Severus could spend time together that made the chores more palatable.

Harry walked into the Potions lab just as Severus came out of the storeroom. "Good evening, sir," Harry said to his professor.

"Good evening, Harry. Enjoy dinner this evening?"

"Yes, I did. They had one of my favourite desserts this evening -- lemon tarts." Harry eyes shined with delight at the thought. "And did you enjoy tonight's dinner?"

Severus smiled at the look of delight on the young man's face and stored that bit of information away for later. "The house elves excelled themselves this evening, but then they always do an excellent job."

"I'll have to let Dobby know that. He'll be pleased to pass that information on to the others." Not wanting to prolong the inevitability of the reason he was there, "So, what is my chore for this evening?" Harry asked.

"You will be helping me reorganize the ingredients store. I've already pulled down all the ingredients off the shelves, and we'll dust the shelves and the jars as we place them back in an organized system. So, let's get started."

Severus ushered Harry into the storeroom and they got down to work. They spent several quiet hours diligently cleaning and shelving the potion ingredients. Severus would occasionally tell Harry the order in which he wanted everything placed.

They each talked about their day. Harry told Severus about his Herbology and Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, plus how all the others were going. Severus mentioned who blew up what potion and the effects it had on whoever had been caught in the mishap. They shared a few laughs at the poor first year Gryffindors who had started floating in mid-air and then once the potion wore off, crash landing to the floor. Then a second year Ravenclaw student, who had been caught off guard when a Hufflepuff had accidentally tossed in too many pixie wings into their potion causing it to belch and spurt, had his skin turn purple and his hair a sickening shade of green.

Harry and Severus were truly enjoying the relaxed, easy camaraderie of working side-by-side with one another. They didn't even notice the time pass, and before they knew it, it was well after curfew.

Severus said he would walk Harry back to his tower, before he continued on his patrolling rounds.

"Well, one chore down, how many more do I have to do?" asked Harry as he walked next to Severus. Severus modified his stride somewhat to match that of his companion, causing his robes not to billow for once.

"Six more I believe, are you up to doing a few more this weekend?" Severus turned and looked down at his companion.

"Sure, it will give me a chance to break up the studying and homework I'm sure Hermione will be enforcing us to do." Harry smiled and rolled his eyes as he pictured Hermione chastising Ron and himself, while holding a book in one hand and a quill in the other.

"All right then, come down to the lab whenever you need a break, I'm going to be there all day tomorrow and Sunday, preparing for the last week of regular classes and for exams."

"Thanks, I think." Harry had a perplexed look on his face, trying to figure out why he should be thankful at willingly agreeing to do more chores for his professor.

They finally approached the entrance to Gryffindor tower. Thankfully both Harry and the Fat Lady were awake, so his getting into the tower would be no problem. Harry turned towards his professor before closing the portrait door.

"Well, good night, Severus. I must say, I've never enjoyed my time in the labs more than I did this evening. It really wasn't that bad." Harry gave Severus a crooked grin and waved his hand good night. Severus nodded his head in return and left.

Severus took to patrolling the hallways to any late night wanderers. Meanwhile, Harry was just about to head up to his dorm room, when he noticed Hermione asleep on the Common Room couch.

Harry quietly tiptoed over to where she was sleeping and was just about to Accio for a blanket when she stirred.

"Hey there, sleeping beauty. What are you doing down here on the couch past curfew?" Harry questioned a sleepy-eyed Hermione.

Hermione yawned and blinked her eyes a few times, while the question Harry asked registered. "Waiting for you," she mumbled.

"Waiting for me, eh? Did you want to talk about something then?"

Hermione struggled to sit up and get comfortable. Once she was settled, she patted the seat next to her, indicating Harry should get comfortable.

"Yes, Harry, you and I need to have a little talk."

"What about Hermione?" he sat down next to her and snuggled into the plush cushions. He really wanted to get some sleep, but if she wanted to talk this late at night, he knew it had to be something important.

"You and your relationship with Professor Snape." At Hermione's words, Harry tensed a bit, and then slowly relaxed again. *Maybe I do need to talk to someone about Severus. I tried to figure things out on my own, but I've been having no luck there.*

"Oh? All right then. What about my friendship with Professor Snape?"

"I noticed earlier today that you were puzzled about him or perhaps more about how you feel about him. You clearly are having trouble figuring out what role he plays in your life now. So I will point out a few clues. First, I've noticed how close you two have gotten in just under a week. You smile at each other a lot, and you seem relaxed around him. Second, I also have come to believe that you've asked him to come live with you after graduation. Is that right?"

Harry looked at her in shock. "How did you? I mean ... was it something I said or did that gave it away?"

"Mainly it was things you didn't say and things we've heard. Ron and I found out that Professor Snape was retiring from Hogwarts. Then there was the fact that you were hesitant the other day when talking with Ron and myself about taking on a roommate, especially when Ron offered to join you once you'd gotten settled in. You really are a horrible liar, Harry, you know that don't you?" Harry had the good grace to look embarrassed at being caught out.

"Anyway, it's just not having him to come live with you that you need to be aware of. There is also the constant touching. Have you noticed it Harry? Not even that much with Ron or myself, do you touch that often, but with Professor Snape whenever you are around him, you are touching his shoulder or arm. Don't you get what this is all saying?"

Harry just looked down at Hermione, deep in thought. "You mean, I care for Severus more than just as a friend? You mean like a crush? But this is nothing like how I felt for Cho a few years ago."

"Yes, well, and didn't your crush die a swift death a few months later after you realized that there was more to just how Cho looked or the position she played in the Quidditch? You didn't understand her, you couldn't relate to her beyond the fact that you both felt bad about Cedric, and you felt nothing for her, not really, when you and she kissed. You told me as much afterwards. Harry, what you feel for Professor Snape is more than friendship, more than just a silly crush. You truly and deeply care for the man. You care how he is doing, you care about what he thinks of you, you simply care, and perhaps more than care, maybe you even love him." With those words, Harry gasped and his eyes widened in shock.

*Was that true? Could I possibly care for Severus beyond simple friendship? I do like being around him, I do crave spending time with him. I really do want him to come live with me and oh, Merlin, to share my life with him. I really do care for Severus. I like touching him, holding him. That's why I was so at ease those mornings while we were camping. Waking up almost in his arms was wonderful.* Harry grinned a silly, goofy grin just thinking about those times when he was so very close to Severus. But just as swiftly, the grin died and he realized that perhaps it might all be one-sided, this greater than friendship feeling. He knew Severus was coming to like him for who he was, but it might not go beyond just mere liking.
All the while, Hermione was watching the emotions chase across Harry's features, from perplexity, to astonishment, to happiness, to near despair. *Oh my, I wonder what could be causing him such pain?* Hermione reached out her right hand and caressed Harry's cheek gently, startling him a bit.

"Harry, what causes you so much grief?"

"Hermione, what if, what if he doesn't feel the same way? What will I do then? Figuring out that I could possibly love Severus is great, and it helps with so many of the questions, but then what if it's all one sided? If you figured it out, then Severus might figure it out as well. What if it turns him away from me?"

Hermione could see the panic rising in Harry's mind and she set out to soothe him as much as she could.

"Harry, listen to me. Keep hope in your heart. Look at Ron and me, it took us years to realize how we felt about one another, but we're together now and it was meant to be. Just as I'm sure that you and Professor Snape are as well. You two are more alike than I first realized, but after thinking on it this week and watching you both ... well, let's just say that you and he belong together. Give it time. Has Professor Snape agreed to come live with you yet?"

"Not yet, he says to give him until the end of the school year. It's just so bloody hard waiting patiently for his answer. I went down to see him the other evening, when he was giving Malfoy detention, and I saw him looking at lodgings. I really thought he was looking at them, so that he could show me what he was interested it. However, when I asked him if that were the case, he said, 'Perhaps or I might be looking for my own sake' or something like that anyway. I was really cast down, but I told him once more that the offer to share a place to live was still open." Harry sighed and continued on, "I really do hope he says yes, Hermione. I don't know what I'll do if he turns down my offer."

Hermione turned and gave Harry a comforting hug. Harry leaned in and held her, needing the warmth and love she was unconditionally providing. As they draw away from each other, Hermione lifted her hand once more to hold Harry's cheek. "Remember, Ron and I are here for you. Even Dumbledore would listen if you needed someone to talk to." Harry drew back sharply at those words.

As just then, something sparked in Harry's mind as he recalled what Severus had said the other evening, about how Dumbledore had probably asked Severus a great number of questions, that not even Severus would be aware of. Harry smiled, and then frowned again. He sighed out loud. He also knew that Dumbledore wouldn't share those questions and answers, he was sure, but it was worth a shot.

Harry grinned again at Hermione. "Thanks! You've just given me a grand idea. I need to think on it a bit more before I but it into action, and if it doesn't work out, oh well. At least I will have tried."

"What? What idea? Honestly, Harry, what are you up to now?" Hermione looked at Harry perplexed, trying to figure out how her words could have caused this fervor in him.

"I'll tell you later, you should go get some sleep and so should I." Harry was just about to get up and pull away, but he turned back once more to his dear friend and gave her a giant bear hug.

"Eek, Harry. You're squishing me."

"Sorry! Thanks, Hermione. You've really helped clear up the mystery of my feelings. I don't think I would ever have figured it all out this soon. You know me; I really have no clue about relationships. Wish me luck." Harry bussed Hermione on her forehead and was off bounding up the stairs to his dorm room, leaving behind a thoroughly bemused Hermione.

"I wonder what that was all about. Oh well, good luck, Harry. I hope it all works out in the end," she quietly whispered to the air. She rose up from the couch and left, but at a slightly more sedate pace than Harry had.

~tbc~

[1] Agatha Christie's famous female sleuth, Miss Marple was an old woman who was sharp and extremely observant.