Disclaimer: I own nothing.

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Severus sat at his desk, barely able to concentrate on the second year potions reports before him. He usually had no trouble doing his work, but things were different now. If he peered out the corner of his eye, he could see the end of his bed where pale toes were still curled from the night before. Still, even this was considered normal because he had been curling those toes nightly for the past three years.

A soft sigh let him know that his guest was waking, and Snape certainly didn't want to miss this. Quietly, he moved into the bedroom to watch the young man turn slightly, green eyes refusing to reveal themselves.

Severus silently watched, allowing himself a smile as Harry's small hands reached up to scratch his neck. However, the boy found something that made his forehead wrinkle. Eyes remaining closed, fingers traced the elaborate braiding of the foreign, leather object.

Harry tried to lean up, but his movement was abruptly halted. Eyes flying open, he reached back to find the chain that connected the collar fastened around his neck to the headboard just behind him.

"Severus, what is going on here?" Harry asked between fuming spouts.

"My dear Mr. Potter, I have told you many times that one day I would chain you to my bed. Now I have."

"This isn't funny!"

"On the contrary, I find it quite amusing," Snape smirked.

"Severus, I'm supposed to leave today."

"I am aware. Why do you think I decided to chain you up last night? Now that you've graduated and yet have nowhere to go, no one will notice you're disappearance. I am free to keep you here as long as I wish."

"Alright, you've had your fun, now let me go!"

"That's not the way to gain my favor." Severus studied Harry as a silence descended over them. Taking pity, "I promise you'll enjoy yourself here."

Snape wondered what Harry was thinking for the quiet moments that ensued. So anxiety-ridden over Harry's response, Severus was about to admit something that he'd never told a soul before.

Harry's voice interrupted his confession, "You really want me to stay here with you?"

"Do use your meager brain, Mr. Potter," he gently smiled.

"Alright, I'll stay with you, as long as I get to chain you up on occasion."

"Perhaps, however, that requires that I unchain you, and I'm simply not in the mood." Ignoring Harry's protests, he returned to his potions reports, finally able to concentrate.

-end-