I know I haven't worked on this in a long time. My muse died. Then I re- read the first chapter and decided it sucked. But now I'm back to try to resuscitate it!

WARNING: Not much for this chapter.

(Next morning)

Harry couldn't help looking for Snape in the Great Hall. He had been up the whole night, thinking of Snape's actions, what he knew about him, and what Seamus had speculated, even jokingly, about him. He didn't understand his sudden thirst for knowledge about the man, but had a need to know everything. He needed to understand why Snape acted the way he did.

Before breakfast, Harry had jotted down a quick note to Remus. He figured Remus was the best person to ask about his mother and about Snape. He was antsy for a reply and couldn't seem to sit still.

He told his friends that he was going for a quick ride around the Quidditch pitch before class.

Severus entered as Harry was leaving.

He avoided looking at the boy. He could feel Potter's eyes staring at him with curiosity. Severus had to admit that the boy had grown up into an attractive specimen. He had spent all night thinking of him, of that messy tangle weed hair falling into those pretty green eyes. Thinking of his eyes led to thinking of his mouth and thinking of his mouth led to...

Suddenly losing his appetite for food, Severus cursed himself for being a dirty old fool before turning on his heel and retreating to the dungeons.

(Later that day)

Harry was almost as clumsy as Neville in potions that day. He kept adding the wrong ammounts of ingredients at the wrong time. The potion was a disaster, earning Gryffindor minus twenty points and Harry a detention with Snape.

Seamus eyed Harry when the verdict was handed out, an eyebrow raised.

Harry felt a sense of foreboding as he entered the potion's classroom for his detention.

Snape looked up from grading papers to say, "You will be redoing the potion from today's class."

Severus was annoyed. Dumbledore had approached him and told him that if Potter made any potion incorrectly, then he was to redo it in detention with extra help. Potter's potion grades were horrific, but so were many other students'. It angered Severus that the Headmaster always gave Potter such blatant special treatment. This time it put Severus in direct contact with the boy and he hated it!

Harry silently gathered and measured the ingredients. He stealthily glanced at Snape. The man wasn't even looking at him, grading essay's with a frown on his face. Harry felt calmer with the knowledge that Snape wasn't watching his every move and went back to work.

"Professor, I'm finished." Harry nervously fisted his hands. He hoped that his potion met with Snape's approval so he could leave.

Severus checked it. "Better," he commented gruffly as he dismissed the boy.

Harry headed back to the dorm. Snape's comment was the closest thing he had gotten to a compliment from the man in the six years he'd been at Hogwarts. The man seemed so unhuman at times. It made Harry want to hit him, do anything, just to get a reaction from him.

When he entered his room, he saw that Hedwig had returned with a letter.

"Hey girl," he patted her and gave her some food and water.

Eagerly, he tore open the letter and read.

Dear Harry,

Your mother was the sweetest woman you could ever meet. Stubborn and sassy, the longest red hair and the biggest temper I've ever experienced. She was kind to everyone, even Snape. They became friends during one of her and James's famous rows.

Severus loved Lily more than anything. She made him smile, a real smile if you can believe that. I haven't seen him smile like that since she married your father.

There was more, but Harry was too moved to read it. He started to feel a bit of pity for Snape. It was admirable how deeply Snape loved. It made Harry wish that someone would love him like that someday.

(Next day)

Harry butchered his potion in class again.

Snape gave him a dark look.

"Detention Potter."

Severus was starting to wonder if the boy messed up on purpose just to annoy him. But Potter did look sincerely embarrassed by his mistakes.

The boy had been giving him this undecipherable look the entire day. It was starting to unnerve Severus more than anything, which wasn't an easy feat. It was if the boy had known something he hadn't before.

"Ummm...Professor?" A first year Ravenclaw attempted to get his attention.

He snapped back into focus. "Ten points from Ravenclaw," he declared causing the class to fall dead silent and not move a muscle, as if it would anger him.

Severus smirked and went on with his lecture.

The detention seemed to come too soon for Harry. Down in the dungeons, Snape was waiting, correcting papers as usual.

"Potter, remake today's potion."

"Why do you call me Potter all the time?" Harry found the courage to ask.

Snape looked up at him.

"Don't take it so personally Potter. Do I call any of my students by their first names?"

"I thought maybe it was because you wanted to associate me with my father instead of my mother," Harry blurted out.

Snape stiffened, like an animal ready to spring into an attack mode.

"Don't speak of things you know nothing about!" He stalked closer to Harry until he stood a mere breath away.

Harry bit his lip nervously. Snape's eyes were dark and shining with an old anger.

Severus's attention was brought to Potter's mouth. The boy was biting it again, causing it to become a rosy hue. It was starting to distract Severus from his intended lecture.

"Merlin, stop that Potter!"

They couldn't say who was more shocked by that declaration.

"Ummmm...Sir?"

"Work on your potion Potter," Snape muttered as he returned behind his desk.

Harry did as he was told, mostly confused about that conversation. His mind drifted as he stirred the mixture.

Severus noticed a peculiar smell in the air, something that wasn't supposed to be there.

"Stupid boy! You're stirring counter clockwise when it should be stirred clockwise!"

Harry tried to reverse it, but it was too late.

The last thing he remembered was Snape's body covering his, protecting him as the potion exploded.

(TBC)

I know this was kinda' choppy and parts kinda' cut out. I'll try to fix that next time. Any advice is welcome so please tell me what you think!

Izzy-chan