Friendship and Beyond 43/?

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 Aftermath

That night both Harry and Severus slept in their own beds, each staring at the canopy deep in thought contemplating the other. Harry was desperately trying to ignore the rolling of his stomach as he replayed the kiss over repeatedly in his mind. Seeing Severus in someone else's arms forced Harry to see the truth that he had been hiding from himself for weeks now. He was in love with his surly, bitter, greasy potions professor.

Harry had been aware for a while of his ever-changing feelings for Severus, but he figured that it was just a combination of fondness and lust. He only realized the true extent when he had to stop himself from tearing Lucius limb from limb for touching 'his' Severus.

This not only scared him, but hurt him something fierce as well, having seen Severus involved with Malfoy Sr. He did not even want to speculate how he would act upon seeing Severus the next morning after acting a right prat earlier. Just thinking about talking to his professor tomorrow filled him with a dread unlike any he had felt before, tinged with embarrassment and a bit of self-disgust as well.

Severus on the other side of the dungeons was ruminating rather vocally on the disaster that was his afternoon. Severus wasn't sure who was the crazier sod, himself, Lucius or Harry. Harry for supposedly loving him, himself for wishing that was the case, and Lucius for thinking it in the first place. Their argument had lasted only a few more minutes until Lucius left after having been derided by Severus for ten straight minutes for insanity.

He had laughed when Lucius told him Harry was in love with him, and the longer he thought on the matter the more laughable it seemed. The very idea that Harry Potter, the Wizarding World's golden savior and pillar of light, would even look twice at his greasy tarnished self was about as likely as Minerva getting naked and dancing a jig on the head table on the last day of the year. Severus wasn't about to hold his breath for either event to occur.

On the off chance that Lucius had observed some softer feeling from Harry's direction it was likely just gratitude or friendship at the most. Severus bedded down with a sigh; trying to convince himself he wasn't disappointed. He definitely didn't miss the brat's company or his snippy comments, or especially having Harry to cuddle with in his cold bed. Severus continued to toss and turn, not able to find a comfortable position in which to rest.

The morning came all too soon for Harry and not soon enough for Severus as each bathed and dressed to head for breakfast. The students were all unusually studious preparing for their OWLS and NEWTs since there was only a month left of classes. Many Ravenclaws and Hermione had actually brought their books to the Great Hall with them during breakfast to study. Harry shook his head bemused at his fellow classmates.

Truthfully the NEWTs were the furthest thing from Harry's mind that particular morning, seeing as Severus was staring at him as he mad his way hesitantly toward the Slytherin table. Snape was watching him closely as he sat down next to Hermione, who barely looked up from her notes to greet him. Harry could feel his face heating under his professor's continued regard and quickly buried his face in the steaming eggs in front of him. He ate with single-minded vigor, ignoring everyone in favor of stuffing his face until he couldn't eat another bite. During his large consumption of breakfast foods, Harry had glanced at Severus out of the corner of his eye a few times only to blush again as he found his Potion's professor's obsidian gaze spearing his own.

The day continued in much the same pattern with Harry avoiding Severus and Severus studying Harry with a peculiar intensity. During potion's Harry was a nervous wreck and managed to get a total of five days detention for being a general menace in the classroom after breaking his third beaker. When the bell rang Harry nearly ran from the room with Ron and Hermione quickly on his trail. He had mentioned what happened the night before to varying reactions. 'God I need to obliviate myself. Thanks a lot mate, I really don't need to picture that!' from Ron, to 'You shouldn't have been spying in the first place, Harry James Potter!' from Hermione.

After dinner Harry walked reluctantly toward Severus' office to serve his detention. Harry was scarlet by the time he arrived at Severus's door and shuffling his feet awkwardly trying to get up the nerve to knock. As Harry stood there the portrait opened suddenly to admit him into the darkened room.

"Come in, Mister Potter." Severus told the seemingly bashful student, without looking up from grading papers. "I have placed the first through fifth year tests on the desk. I would like you to correct them."

Harry continued to stare at Severus in silence for a moment before quickly walking across the room and around to the other side of his desk. He got settled quietly and efficiently. Soon the only sound was their breathing and the scratching of quills on parchment. Contentment radiated the room for a short while.