I've decided to do this: first time the chapter's posted up it will have comments and the second time it won't. So read both, one or the other, or neither sniffle hopefully not the latter… Hope you approve!

CHAPTER 2:

Flashback

Severus moaned, his body ached from deep inside. He tried to move his finger. It did, but also sent a jolt of pain up his arm. He bit his lip to stop from crying out and thought at least I'm not completely paralyzed, trying to reassure himself. But while that may be, he was still stuck in this house with Black and he had no way to get out.

Sirius's head appeared from around the doorway (causing the phrase 'speak of the devil' to pop into Severus's mind…with more than one meaning to it).

"Hungry?" Sirius asked as he observed the man lying in the bed (and controlling his urge to jump in with him by chanting "he's hurt, he's hurt, he hot, no, bad Sirius, he's hurt).

"Of course," Severus murmured sarcastically, wishing (that the man would go back to school and pay attention this time) desperately for Sirius to go away.

"Well that's okay," Sirius jumped up enthusiastically (having forgotten to take his pills upon waking). "I'll feed you anyway." He bounded of the bed. "So what do you want? I can make just about anything, as long as it makes you happy." Severus moaned at the other man's cheerfulness (sure the devil had spawned him).

"Don't. You. Dare." Severus bit of his words, managing a small glare. Sirius looked hurt (that his true love hadn't discovered his feelings yet), Severus couldn't figure out why (Sirius had hit him over the head with a mallet last night, Severus was sure, otherwise why was he here?).

"All, all right," Sirius said. As he walked away he saw relief come into Severus' eyes. Biting his lip (aw, how alike they are) Sirius walked into the kitchen and began to cook some pancakes for himself (and didn't burn down the house contrary to popular belief). But then he remembered carrying Severus into the bedroom. Sirius knew he was far too light.

"He's got to eat," Sirius muttered. As the first batch of pancakes finished Sirius put them on a plate and put butter, syrup and whipped cream on top (God, now I'm hungry). He went back to Severus's room.

"You need to eat," Sirius told Snape flatly. "Whether you want to or not."

"No," Severus answered just as flatly (both of them staring sadly at their deflated balloons).

"Why not?" Sirius asked, worried because (his beloved might refuse him…other, things now) all though he must be hungry Severus wouldn't eat. "Is it because your arms hurt?" he questioned. Numbly Severus shook his head yes (further proof of Sirius's escapade with the mallet). He had to stop Sirius questions. He didn't need to have Black getting close to the truth about his (love for him)…problem.

"I'll feed you then!" Sirius yelled, jumping up for joy (leaving question as to whether his animagus form was a hyperactive puppy before he grew up). "We can't have perfectly good pancakes go to waste!" Smiling slightly Sirius climbed onto the bed (right next to Severus) carefully holding (himself back) the plate of pancakes.

"Open your mouth!" he sang (startling like Julie Andrews).

"No," Severus said calmly. Sirius spirits (soared at his beloved's voice) drooped slightly.

"Why not?" Sirius demanded.

"I will not be spoon fed like an infant," Severus said loftily (years of pureblood training kicking in finally).

"Fine," Sirius snapped (it's that time of month). "I'll leave it here, but you'd better eat it!" As soon as he was gone Severus used a bit of his remaining strength to make the food disappear.

End Flashback

"Why?" Harry asked softly. "Would you do that?"

"If you would just be quiet and listen," Snape sneered. "I was getting to that point in the story." Snape squeezed Harry's hand. The young man's heart skipped a beat and his cheeks turned red. Hastily he pulled his hand out of the older man's grasp. Why had Sev- Snape done that? But before Harry could contemplate that further (his plan to get) Severus (alone and somewhere more appropriate) began to speak again, capturing Harry's complete attention.

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