Disclaimer: Why do i need to put this here? do you really think I'd be competent enough to write a whole bloody novel??? Really? Wow, flattery will get you everywhere! -

YO!! LOOK! HERE!! okay, now that I have your attention... I will be changing the title so please be aware. It will be changed tomorrow (July 5th, 2004) From- 'In the Shadows' To- 'Just because I don't say 'I Love You'' okay? okay. anyway, here ya go, an UPDATE! R&R!!

Harry looked up just as a small annoying owl dropped a letter in his lap. Harry smiled. "'Llo 'Pig."

Severus looked on curiously as Harry opened the letter and read it.

'Dear Harry,

How's the Dursley's been treating you? I hope they aren't starving you or anything. Mum says that they wouldn't do that because Dumbledore personally made sure they were nice people. I personally think that's a load of bull, but then she didn't really ask me so.....Well, how's your summer been going? Hermione is staying here, just so you know. She sends her best wishes, she's here right now, and says 'hello', I really don't get why I have to put this in MY letter, she's writing her own! But no! she's gotta use up my....ouch!...she just hit me. Anyway, have a nice summer.

Ron'

Harry smiled as he nibbled on his toast. 'It's so funny, they act just like a couple! Why don't they just get together already?'.

Severus rolled his eyes. "Because they hate each other's guts. I DON'T KNOW! Stop asking stupid questions!" Harry laughed.

The teachers ignored the two as they laughed and chatted noisily during breakfast. They were, of course, the only students at Hogwarts for the summer, well, really only one of them was an actual student.

Harry and Severus amused themselves quite easily at the school: playing card games, flying around on brooms, doing extra things for the teachers and much to their (well, really, only Harry's) dismay....tutoring.

"I really don't see why we have to do THIS, I already know it!" Harry whined as he watched his rock float in the air.

Severus snorted. "Ask me if I care."

McGonagall smiled as she reviewed some of her marking for N.E.W.T's and O.W.L's. "Harry, please, stop whining. It really doesn't matter because you're still doing it anyway, charms and transfiguration are more important that you think."

Severus flicked his wrist and the stone he was levitating began to circle around Harry's head. "See, look how big your ego is, Harry! It's even got it's own gravitational pull!"

Harry glared. "Ha, Ha. That was so utterly funny, I totally forgot to laugh."

Severus shrugged indifferently, and hid a grin behind his hand. Harry glared for a moment more before moving back to the floating rock. "Professor, When are Pro-Lup-Remus, and Sirius getting back?"

McGonagall looked up from her marking, she sighed. "Remus is currently working on a mission for The Order, it may take a couple of months. Sirius is currently hiding from the Ministry."

"Why couldn't he stay here?"

"The Ministry keeps threatening to do a surprise inspection of the school, we just can't take that chance. It's really not even good that you two must stay here, but oh well, Severus is technically still at teacher and you....well, you're Harry Potter."

Harry nodded and went back to the spell. "Oh."

Dumbledore smiled as the two teens sat down. "Lemon drop?"

Both Harry and Severus cringed. Dumbledore popped the yellow sweet into his mouth, shrugging. "Your loss."

'Not really.' Severus growled silently to Harry. "You wanted to talk to us, sir?"

Dumbledore looked thoughtfully confused for a second, then remembering nodded and smiled. "Ah, yes."

Harry and Severus looked expectantly at the old man. "It has come to my attention that neither of you really understand in depth what it mean to be bonded, other than that you are magically married. Am I correct?"

Both teens nodded. "Yeah, basically."

Dumbledore paused for a moment. "Well, what do you want to know?"

"What do we have to do for this bond?" Severus asked.

"Well, it really depends as to how far into the spell you are...." Dumbledore began. "I'm guessing your minds are fully melded, and your magic is just starting to do so. You will need to be in physical contact with each other at least once a day, if you don't well....let's just hope we don't have to have that happen."

Severus shifted uncomfortably. "W-will...we...have...to you know...sleep with together?"

Harry frowned, slightly confused. They slept in the same bed so wasn't that.....then it hit him. Harry looked wildly at Dumbledore, willing him to say 'No'.

"No, you won't have to 'sleep with each other'." Harry breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't so much as that he didn't like Severus...per say, more as, 'Eww! I'm going to sleep with my teacher, the GREASY GIT OF A POTIONS MASTER!' seemed to like popping into his head. " This spell was designed for enemies remember, and at the time, most enemies were the same gender, so it wasn't made a requirement." Dumbledore said in a half amused voice.

"How or really, why did Malfoy cast this spell on me?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore smiled. "I've been meaning to ask him when he returns for the year."

Harry nodded. 'He probably won't be punished.....stupid, soft-hearted, old man.'

"Well, if you have no more questions, you should be running along. I'm sure you two have lots to do." Dumbledore smiled again with twinkling eyes. "Oh yes... Harry, Severus, Congratulations, mat your life together be as happy as humanly possible."

It took a moment or two for it to sink in that they'd been politely dismissed. The pair awkwardly rose and said goodbye, and quickly walked out the door.

Severus looked around, his eyes glazed over. He smiled wildly as he walked in the general direction away from Harry. Harry shrugged it off and headed down to the Quidditch pitch, accio-ing his broom down as he went.

Both needed time to think, time away from it all.....and that's exactly what they did. Severus made several potions, working almost in auto-pilot as he thought about what had happened to him lately. Harry zoomed around the pitch, diving and soaring in the air. Adrenaline pumped through his blood as he tried to forget his life.

Dumbledore smiled to himself. "Yes, I think I've gotten my good karma for the day!"

A grey owl swooped in and dropped a large envelope in front of him. Dumbledore smiled at the bird. "Hello my friend, what news have you brought me?" He chuckled as the bird rolled its eyes and flew off.

His chuckle soon subsided as he read the contents of the letter. He sighed deeply.

'Dear Mr. Dumbledore,

I, Rita Skeeter (of the Daily Prophet), would like to formally request an interview with Mr. H. Potter.

-Rita Skeeter.'

Dumbledore sighed again. "Well, should I let this 'Skeeter' woman see Harry? I mean, she just twists the words around anyway, but....I guess a small interview with Severus present to see how things are going, shouldn't be too bad."

"You know, it's not a good thing to talk to yourself, Albus." Minerva laughed as she leaned on the door frame.

Dumbledore smiled at her. "Should we let Ms. Skeeter see Harry for a VERY short, supervised interview?"

Minerva looked thoughtfully at Albus, then burst out laughing. "You've got to be kidding! She's a horrible woman, she'll twist his words until they say exactly what she wants! It's totally pointless to have him show up! She could do the who interview by herself!"

Dumbledore shook his head. "No, I'm not kidding." Minerva stopped laughing. "I have noticed, of late, that she hasn't said anything mean or untrue about Harry, and am considering her. What have we got to lose?" He smiled at Minerva as he took out a piece of parchment and began to write his response. A quick flick of his wand placed a seal on it and whisked it off to the Owlry to be taken by one of the school's owls.

Minerva sighed. "Speaking of Harry, he and Severus were almost inseparable, up until now....They are currently as far away from each other as humanly possible. Is there a reason for this?"

Dumbledore nodded grimly. "It would seem that they hadn't quite come to full terms with this bonding thing. If Harry wants to tell people, he may, it's all up to his discretion right now."

"Well, Minie, was there anything else you want to ask or is this just a social visit?"

"I do hope you know, I absolutely loathe that pet name and that if anyone ever finds out about it....." She smiled wickedly. "But, anyway, I just came up to see if you wanted to join me for some tea."

Dumbledore smiled as he stood up. "I'd love to."

"Herm! You done that letter yet?" Ron asked as he walked up behind her. She shrieked and playfully smacked him. "It's been four bloody days since I sent mine! You've...." He looked at her letter. "YOU ONLY HAVE TWO SENTENCES?!!?!?"

Hermione blushed. "Yeah...well, I don't really know what to put."

Ron glared. "The one who was yelling at ME for not having a lot in my letter, HA!"

Hermione smiled and shrugged. "Oh well." She quickly scribbled a few sentences down and sealed her letter. "Happy?"

Ron smirked smugly. "Whatever."

It was getting dark out as Harry landed gracefully on the ground. He sighed. "I guess, my life will never be normal.... But, as long as Severus is happy..."

"You'll be happy?" Severus ended as walked towards Harry. "Come on, it's almost dinner." He held out his hand for Harry to take.

"We'll get by some how. We always do."

Severus looked at Harry. "So, you're okay with.... this?"

Harry nodded. "You know what?"

"What?"

Harry laughed. "If someone had come up to me a year ago and told me I'd be in love with Snape....I'd have sent them right off to St. Margo's."

"Ditto."

"I learned something quite interesting from Professor Dumbledore." Harry smiled as he finished up his second helping of food.

It was nearly the end of summer, Harry had a had a small birthday party and everyone was happy.

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why must you always be happy?"

"I know when your birthday is." Harry grinned.

"I really fail to see how someone who has such a horrible life be constantly happy, really, do you place a cheering up charm on yourself every three seconds?" Severus muttered completely ignoring what Harry was actually saying.

"I got you a gift." Harry continued. "I even wrapped it for you." He produced a small package from his pocket.

"It's really quite irritating to always wake up next to someone who is a constant morning person! Don't you ever tire of this happy demeanor?" Severus rambled on.

Harry frowned. "You're not even listening to me!"

Severus continued. "I guess you wouldn't know would you? No, you're to 'Happy' to notice."

"I don't feel that good, like pains in my chest....I think I might just crawl into a small dark space and cry." Sirius' head whipped around to stare at Harry. 'Eavesdropper'

Severus nodded. 'That's nice Harry, but you have to stop with this happy-go-lucky thing. It's too Gryffindor for me."

"I'm leaving now, good-bye world! It's been nice living."

"Actually, I think for this bonding thing, we take my name. That way none of us are Gryffindor! Yes, excellent!"

Harry grinned evilly as a thought struck him. He quickly transfigured the gift into neon pink robes, and discreetly folded them in his lap. "Sevie-wevie, dearest," He smiled sweetly, loud enough for anyone near to hear it. The entire table turned to the two boys (anyone who wasn't looking already anyway). "I have boughten you a gift! You absolutely just have to like see it! OH MY GOSH! You'll love it! I totally went all over the place for it! They even had it in your favorite color too! LOOK!!" Harry held up the robes for everyone to see. Sirius and Lupin were in peels of laughter as Severus' face drained of any color. "Does my ickle-widdle Sevvie like them?"

Severus looked at Harry, a vein popped in his forehead. Harry smiled, and fell of his seat as he laughed his head off. "You should have seen your face!"

Some color came back to Severus' face as he glared down at Harry. "I suppose you think that this is funny."

Harry eventually calmed down. "You weren't listening to me! I had to do something."

"So what did you want my attention for?" He glared at everyone who was looking at them until they looked away. "Now that you have it..."

"Oh, I got you a gift for your birthday, I know it's a bit early but still..." He tapped his wand to the robes and they went back to being a silver wrapped box. Severus looked at it dumbfounded.

"Open it."

Severus took the box and carefully unwrapped it, opening the box only after staring at it for a moment. Inside the box was a small glass figurine of a snake coiled up. Harry leaned over and mumbled something in a language Severus had never heard before. The snake instantly un coiled and slithered up on to his arm. "Hold still a moment, Sev."

The snake rested it's self around his wrist. "It will only come off if I tell it too, or if you say the password."

Severus looked at Harry. "What's the password?"

Harry's smile widened even more. "You'll love this, 'Harry Potter is my boyfriend'. Oh, and you have to say it fairly loud, you know, so the er...snake can hear it."

Severus sighed. "You love doing this too me don't you."

Harry nodded. "I could have made you say 'Husband'....actually, that's not a half ba-"

"Boyfriend is FINE."

"Oh...well if you ever change your mind....." Harry smiled.

Severus glared and went back to finishing off his lunch. "Thank you."

"hmm?"

"For the snake..... thank you, it means a lot to me."

"Your very welcome, Severus." Harry smiled.