Harry had convinced himself that after his talk with Ron he should spend the day with his best friends and he fully intended to do so. But after sitting in the common room for only 20minutes Harry remembered one thing Severus had said. "I miss you." Why on earth did his lover miss him? He had spent the night in his arms. He was always with him. What made him say that? Before Ron and Hermoine could react Harry had gotten up out of the chair he had been sitting in and dashed to the portrait hole.

"Homework, guys." He called as he let it close behind him.

The couple shared a confused look before Ron pushed his lips to hers. They forgot about Harry within seconds.

Harry was determined to ask Severus just what he meant that morning. He was trying to get to his room without being noticed but as it was a Saturday he had a hard time escaping the eyes of everybody he passed. He was near the "brick wall" that was Severus' door when Malfoy called Harry's name.

"Hey Potter, what are you doing wandering around here? Looking for trouble?" Malfoy grinned.

"Hardly, Draco. Just out for a stroll." Harry said calmly.

"Of course. Stroll away." The blonde boy said. Harry was so taken aback with Malfoys lack of interest in him that he just began to walk away. He soon understood why the Slytherin paid him no mind, as Draco had sucker punched him in the back of the head. Harry fell to the ground and his glasses flew several feet in front of him. His vision was blurred and he could hear Draco laughing. He wanted to get up but the other boy had place his foot on Harry's back and was now putting his weight on it. Harry gasped and tried to pull out his wand but Malfoy kicked him when he made his move.

"Sorry Potty. I guess you just strolled the wrong way." With that final comment he kicked Harry one last time, harder and swifter than the previous kick. He laughed once more and walked away. Harry lay there, unable to move because of the pain seeping through his body. He felt like a bruised peach, smashed against the road with its insides leaking out.

"Sev..." Harry began but found that the blood pooling in his mouth made speaking very difficult. He spat it out and tried again to call his lover's name. "Severus." He wailed. His voice not carrying far. His eyelids dropped shut and his head hit the hard floor.

"Lucky for him the potions master was just leaving his room and heard Harry call for him. He hurried out the "door" with a worried expression on his pale face. He was expecting to see Harry before him but he didn't. His eyes did not travel to the floor until he heard the crunch of glass. He had stepped on Harry's glasses and as he looked down he caught sight of the boy's limp body.

"Harry?" Severus asked, he voice quivering.

When Harry didn't answer the older man fell to the floor and made his way to him. Slowly checking for a pulse then flipping Harry over when he felt one. Blood was still dripping down his chin from his mouth and Severus was near tears at the sight of his bruised and swollen face. Suddenly Harry began to cough and wretch. "Luv?" Severus ran his long fingers down his lover's cheek. "Sev...Help..." Harry whispered before closing his eyes again. Severus had to pull himself together if he was going to help Harry; he couldn't show up at the hospital wing in tears holding the boy he allegedly hated. He paused for a moment to gain his composure, when he was no longer trembling he picked Harry up and put on a sullen face.

When Snape brought Harry to Madame Pomfrey he was trying to look as if it didn't matter that Harry was covered in blood in his arms. He dropped him on a bed and waited for the witch to tell him what needed to be done. Within moments Harry was awake and telling Snape, Mcgonagall and Dumbledore what had happened. Snape tried to mask his sadness with anger. Once Harry had finished his tale Snape growled "Malfoy." And dashed out the door to look for the cocky little bastard. He found him moments later outside with Pansy laughing in the grass and clearly telling the pug-faced brat what he had done.

"Malfoy, my office now." He said coldly. Malfoy feigned fright as he marched behind the head of his house. When they reached Snape's office he remembered that his feeling for Harry must be kept a secret so as much as he wanted to rip Draco limb from limb he would have to settle for giving the brat detention.

"You will serve 2 months detention with me." As the words escaped Snape's mouth he wished he hadn't said them. That's more time with Malfoy than he wanted to spend. He would rather spend his spare time with Harry. "Never mind that. I have changed my mind, you will serve detention with Flitch." Snape smirked as Draco's cocky grin slid off his face and was replaced with a look of disgust.

"Fine." The blonde said indignantly and made a move to leave.

"One more thing, Draco." Snape said before he could reach the door.

"Yes sir?"

"Why did you do it?" Snape asked plainly.

"Because of you."

"Excuse me Mr. Malfoy?!" The potions master huffed.

"You have been getting soft with Potter. Showing him some respect. It made me mad."

"You may go." With that Draco turned on his heal and left the older man to think about what he had said.

It had not really occurred to him but he hadn't been as cruel to Harry as he normally was since they expressed their love for one another. The another memory filled his mind, the memory of his and Harry's first kiss.

He smiled fondly as he remembered that day. The day Harry stayed after class to clean his cauldron. Snape had tried to ignore the feelings he had for Harry from the moment he first appeared at the school. His secret crush on James Potter was passing and something Severus had convinced himself was a fluke. But when he saw Harry his heart stopped and he had fallen back into that same affectionate state. He hid it well for so long. But that day, he couldn't help but notice the way Harry's unruly hair flopped onto his face, his green eyes sparkling. His pupil walked to his desk to put the flask filled with the potion they had prepared in class that day and their hands brushed. For that second Severus felt was different about the boy. The boy's eyes met his and they both knew. They could sense just what the other was thinking. Then harry spoke;

"Professor, I was wondering if I might ask you a question."

"Yes Harry." He replied. It felt so good to say Harry and not "Potter".

"Am I wrong when I think that you might feel what I do."

He had to think about what the boy in front of him had just said. It occurred to him that it was the bravest thing he had ever done. Exposing himself to Snape like that.

"I do believe you are." Severus closed his eyes as he spoke. His lips trembling.

"Good." Harry said, his face now inches from Severus'.

"Yes. I daresay it is." Severus barley had time to speak before Harry had his soft lips against the lips of the potions master. They mouth melded and they tongues crashed. Severus put his hand on the back of Harry's head to deepen the kiss.

"Wow." Harry said when they finally broke apart.

Snape was so emmersed in his thoughts of Harry that he didn't even hear the very subject of his lust enter his office.

"Thinking about me, I hope?" Harry questioned with a grin

"How can I not." He answered. Severus stood to hug his lover but Harry had begun to laugh.

"What?" Severus asked, insulted and amused.

"What exactly were you thinking?"

"Why?" He asked, growing bored with the suspense.

"It appears it was a dirty thought." Harry said and nodded to the bulge under Severus' robes.

He looked down and felt a blush creep across his face. He saw it was a perfect chance to indulge in a little one on one with Harry.

"I suppose I need you to fix that for me." He said, eyebrow raised.

"Fine then." Harry growled and locked the door behind him.