Disclaimer: The characters belong to JK Rowling. I am only using them to amuse myself and others.

A/N: Hello all! Here's the next update – sorry to keep you all waiting. First, I just wanted to take a minute and thank all of my awesome reviewers:
MoonSnoAngel: Thank you. I'm glad to know that you are enjoying the story and that it is moving for you.
Winnie2: Definitely.
c[R]ud[E]dly: Yes, we can't make it too easy for Severus and Harry.
Katerina seren two: I'm glad you like this story. Here's the update as requested.
Craw/Brad: It is rather difficult to decide who to blame in this case.
lillinfields: Harry and Sev might just get a little help in fixing their situation.
Just so you know, this will be the second-to-last chapter, so I hope you enjoy it! And now, on with the story…



~ Chapter 6 ~

Dobby had witnessed the entire exchange between Harry Potter and Professor Snape, including the kiss. He had thought his plan was coming along smoothly until the professor had lost control. Dobby had known it would be hard to get Professor Snape to admit to his feelings for Harry Potter, but this was just too much! What was so wrong about admitting his feelings for the younger wizard? Dobby hadn't been able to figure out what caused Professor Snape's outburst, so he returned to the professor's rooms later during the same evening as "The Kiss," as Dobby had begun to call it. Upon entering, Dobby noticed that Professor Snape had already retired to his bedchambers. Dobby crept on silent feet to the edge of the bed, where Professor Snape lay in a fitful sleep. In his sleep, Professor Snape was muttering, and the house-elf was able to discern words such as 'Harry,' 'don't leave,' and 'love you.' Dobby's eyes went wide as he heard the last words and popped back to the kitchens to develop the next phase of his plan.

It was obvious that Professor Snape had deep feelings for Harry Potter, but was worried that the younger man didn't care for him in the same way. How to show Professor Snape that Harry Potter cared for him too? Dobby spent a few moments pondering this problem before he was able to come up with a solution. Suddenly the answer hit him – he would give Professor Snape a gift and say it was from Harry Potter! But what type of gift would Harry Potter give to Professor Snape? That problem wasn't nearly as easy to solve, but Dobby surprised himself by coming up with the perfect gift for the professor. Now all he had to do was slip the gift into Professor Snape's private chambers, which he could easily accomplish before the wizard woke up. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Dobby set off to implement his latest plan.

* * *

The morning after "The Incident," as Severus had begun to call it, came all to soon for the Potions Master. He did not want to face anyone, let alone a certain green-eyed Gryffindor. Unfortunately, fate never did seem to favor him, as Severus' last class of the day was the seventh year Gryffindor and Slytherin N.E.W.T. level class. He sometimes wondered how Potter had ever managed to worm his way into the class, though he had the shrewd notion that the Headmaster was somehow involved.

Shaking his head to clear it from thoughts of Potter, Severus gathered his clothes and dressed for the day ahead. As he was about to leave his chambers, Severus noticed a package wrapped in red and gold sitting in the chair Potter had occupied the previous night. Overcome by curiosity, Severus unwrapped the gift to find a pair of hand-knitted socks. That was odd – why would Potter give him a pair of socks? What was even more interesting was the fact that the socks didn't even match. One was green with a pattern of cauldrons while the other was red with a pattern of potion vials. Severus was touched that Potter would give him such a personalized gift, but wondered how he had been able to break the wards surrounding is private chambers. No matter how Potter had managed it, he still needed to realize that nothing could happen between the two of them. Severus simply wouldn't allow himself to get involved with a student even if he believed himself to be falling for the young man. He thought everything had been settled the night before, but apparently it had not. It seemed as if he would have to have another chat with the younger wizard after class that afternoon.

* * *

Severus was frustrated with the position he found himself in. He was always in control of the situation, yet Potter had caught him off guard. Severus decided to ease some of his frustration with Potter by taking copious amounts of points from the various houses. By the time he had his seventh year N.E.W.T. level potions class, Ravenclaw was down 45 points while Hufflepuff was down 90.

The lesson proceeded more smoothly than Severus had expected. Potter refused to meet his eyes and was working diligently at his potion. This in and of itself was disturbing, but Severus also noticed that Granger kept casting worried glances in her friend's direction. That could never be a good sign.

When the bell rang signaling the end of the lesson, Severus said over the bustle of students hurrying to leave his classroom, "Mr. Potter, might I have a word with you?"

After nodding to Granger that she should leave without him, Potter came to stand in front of Snape's desk. "You wanted to speak with me, Professor?"

"Yes, I wanted to ask you how you got into my private chambers last night. There are many wards around them and only myself and the Headmaster know the password."

Potter's eyes shone with confusion as he answered the question, "I didn't go to your chambers last night. After you threw me out, I went directly back to my dormitory and haven't returned to the dungeons until now. Why did you want to know?"

At this response, Severus' eyes went wide in shock. If the gift hadn't been from Potter, who had it been from? Who else would have wrapped the socks in those particular colors? Aloud he said, "This morning I found a package on one of the chairs by the fireplace. I had thought it was from you, but I was obviously wrong. You may leave now."

Severus had meant his words to end the conversation, but regretted it when he saw the hurt in the young wizard's eyes. Potter spoke then, "So that's it, is it? You're just going to pretend like it didn't happen? Pretend that you didn't feel anything when we kissed? I don't know about you, but I've never felt like I did when we kissed. I just wish that your fear of rejection or of being happy or whatever it is didn't blind you to the fact that we could have something wonderful."

With that, Potter moved to the door, but stopped short of leaving. He turned to ask Severus one last question, "What was in the package."

A stunned looking Severus replied, "A pair of hand-knitted socks. A pair that didn't even match."

Hearing the Potion Master's answer, Potter's eyes widened in shock. "A pair of mismatched socks?" he repeated. Severus nodded, not understanding the comprehension that had dawned on Potter. Severus watched, bewildered, as the young wizard rushed from the room, a look of triumph on his face.

Severus stared after the young man for a few moments, replaying their short, yet confusing conversation in his head. Potter obviously understood something that he, Severus, did not. With this in mind, Severus resolved, "I will find out exactly what is going on here and who put that package in my chambers." And indeed he would, for, unnoticed by Severus, a piece of parchment had been placed on his desk by the very creature whose plans were almost complete.