Friendship and Beyond 42/?

Rated: R contains mentions of rape and torture, although not actual scenes. Possible HP/SS in later chapters, also HG/RW.

Authors Notes: I do not own Harry Potter or it's characters, that would be JKR. Subject matter not for children, although nothing too graphic, but be careful when reading just to be on the safe side.

The Misunderstanding

During the intervening three weeks Harry spent alternating between cursing Severus' very existence and training his arse off. It seems that when he combined their magic somehow, it wasn't just a question of refocusing, but relearning the basic spells using nearly twice the level of magic. Needless to say it wasn't exactly a walk in the park. During those stressful weeks, the comfort and intimacy of the previous month and a half had all but disappeared. Now Severus was teaching stiffly and there were no quaint conversations over tea. In fact Severus had taken to giving Harry the cold shoulder when he wasn't directly tutoring him.

The bond hadn't directly made itself known to them. Besides the unpredictable behavior of their spell casting, the only other sign was that they could both feel the other's emotions as if it were their own. Over time this phenomena would lessen until only the strongest emotions would bleed through.

"Come on mate, eat your pudding." Ron elbowed his friend in the side, startling him from his thoughts.

"Was that really necessary?" Harry groused while spooning some pudding into his mouth.

"You tell us." Ron answered including Hermione in the discussion. "You've been out of it for a while now, mate. What's going on with Snape?"

"What makes you think this has anything to o with him?"

"You're moping Harry." Hermione interjected quietly. "I would say you were planning what to do about Fudge, but for one thing I am sure you've already got a plan, and besides the Minister wouldn't cause you to mope around the castle."

"Thanks for the confidence." Harry snorted. "But you're right I am conducting an interview with the Quibbler tomorrow morning in Hogsmeade. Once the facts get out Fudge won't have a leg to stand on politically. He sure as hell won't be able to have me arrested."

"Well, that answers that question, but what about Snape?"

"What about him?"

"Don't be facetious, Potter." Hermione growled.

"Look nothing is going on." Harry huffed, pulling a hand through his hair. "Nothing at all. In fact I think he's bloody sick of me."

"Since when?"

"Since Volde-bloody-mort turned to fucking dust."

"Harry, watch your language!"

"Yes mum." Harry mumbled. "He won't even bloody talk to me. I don't know what his problem is."

"He's a bloody git, that's what." Ron sneered disdainfully. "I told you the man was a bastard."

"Ron, you're not helping Harry by insulting Snape."

"Fine." Ron agreed sarcastically. "He really loves Harry, but is too shy to tell him so he's become an evil git as a defense mechanism…Hmphh. Is that better?"

Before his girlfriend could chastise him once again, Harry whimpered and raised his hands to his temples. A few of the Slytherin's noticed Harry's actions and began whispering about it while Ron tried to pull his arms away from his head.

"Are you okay?"

Harry was silent for a minute before he slowly raised his head.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. Sev was just pissed for some reason." Harry explained softly so that no one else could overhear. "I haven't been inundated with his emotions before. He's generally the most controlled introverted person I know. Something really must be wrong for him to loose it to this extent."

Before his friends could respond in any way Harry had stood up and was walking from the great hall on the way to Severus' private quarters. He all but ran down the dungeon stairs only stopping when he noticed the portrait was opened and someone was already speaking to Severus.

"Come now Severus, don't be coy."

"Coy! Who the bloody fuck do you think you're-"

Severus was cut off abruptly. Harry had recognized Malfoy's voice and walked into the doorway carefully, trying not to attract undue attention, but wanting to make sure Lucius hadn't attacked Sev. Harry couldn't control the tiny whimper that escaped his parched throat when he saw the two wizards in an embrace. Lucius heard him and raised his head arrogantly, looking Harry in the eye.

"Did you want something boy?" He asked in a condescending tone of voice.

At this point both Harry and Severus were looking at each other and gaping like fish. Severus pulled himself forcibly from Lucius and took a small step towards Harry, but his student had ran out of the room before he could gather himself enough to speak.

As Harry flew up the dungeon hallways and into his dorm he couldn't get that kiss out of his mind. From his vantage point it looked passionate, and in his haste to leave he didn't notice any details. Such as the bruising grip Lucius had on Sev's shoulders, nor that the potion's professor was attempting to push the blonde away from him. It looked to Harry that Severus was simply holding Lucius' upper arms in a tight hold. He also didn't hear the conversation that followed after his exit.

"What the bloody hell was that about, Malfoy?" Snape snarled, pulling himself away from the wizard.

"I was simply getting rid of an obstacle." Lucius answered ruthlessly, idly caressing the head of his cane.

"What obstacle?"

"Don't be obtuse, Severus." Lucius admonished. "I was simply discouraging that foolish child from a useless pursuit."

Severus raised a questioning eyebrow at the elder Malfoy hoping he would explain further.

"Surely you are aware of the Potter boy's feelings toward you, Sev."

"I'm his blody security blanket. As long as I coddle him he'll do nothing for himself. He's grateful for my interference, that is all." Severus commented, mentioning out loud for the first time what he'd come to believe since Voldemort's defeat at the trio's hands. He wasn't expecting Lucius to laugh in genuine amusement at his explanation.

"You're really thick, aren't you old friend?" Lucius snorted. "The brat's in love with you. Has been for quite a while in fact."