Chapter 3

The ride to Malfoy Manor was silent and tense. Harry knew that his potions professor had felt his magic falter at his uncle's appearance, however, the man refused to acknowledge it to his student's face. At this, the Gryffindor was thankful. He did not want to speak of his abuse.

Severus was somewhat shocked by his discovery of the life of the Boy-Who-Lived. How could the muggles treat him so horridly? He firmly believed that the child was spoiled for the past seventeen years and now to be proven wrong was frightening. Never before had he been so deceived by another's outward appearance with the exception of Lucius. It seemed Mister Potter was more Slytherin than anyone cared to notice.

"Mister Potter," Snape watched the boy tense up at his words and decided to get this over with as quickly as possible. "I refuse to say this more than once. I believe I owe you an apology for my actions towards you. My behaviour was not solely based on my status as a spy. I refused to see your ordeal at home. I am truly sorry." Harry's astonishment showed on his face. He moved his mouth but no words seemed to form. "Really, Mister Potter, your words might be more suitable for a fish."

An amused look crossed over Snape's gaunt face and his smirk was more playful than scathing. Slowly, the carriage stopped in front of Harry's new home. "Um…I…you…" Harry couldn't seem to say what he wanted to.

"Yes?" Severus' eyebrow rose slightly as he awaited the statement from his student.

"Are you going to tell them about the Dursleys'?" The question came out in a whisper, and the Gryffindor seemed ashamed of the situation Dumbledore put him in.

Severus stared inadvertently. "I'm sorry, but they most likely already know."

"What?" Harry's eyes grew wide at the idea of him never being able to keep a secret to himself. "Wh-" He set his jaw as he realized that once more the headmaster betrayed his trust. He stepped out of the carriage and pulled his trunk out.

"Mister Potter, he did it to protect the muggles. Do you think that Lucius would have allowed his child to be yelled at like the overblown idiot did to you? He would have Avada Kedavra'd him and his family then and there." The potions master followed the boy carefully, who just stopped dead in his tracks.

"I don't know, but I should be warned or at least had a chance to explain myself or anything. But he does this every time. I lost Sirius and Remus because of him and I won't lose anyone else." At these words, he turned towards the mansion and walked to his father and brother. A reluctant tear fell from his eye and he wiped it away.

The two blondes refused to acknowledge it and Lucius held back to talk to his life long friend. "What in the hell did they do to him?" A fire coursed through the silver eyes.

Snape sighed. "He is upset with Dumbledore. He thinks Albus betrayed his trust by telling you about the Dursleys. He blames the death of his godfathers on the headmaster." At this statement, he looked sharply at the older Malfoy, who looked away from him.

"Hmm…well, I have an engagement tonight. Will you watch him?" Lucius asked cautiously. "I do believe he'll go to sleep soon. He looks exhausted."

Severus sighed and nodded. He wasn't sure how the two boys would turn out to be tonight, but he would sure in the hell going to make them get along. Slowly, they walked to their separate rooms.

***

It was night out and Harry stood on the balcony of his bedroom. The moonlight streaked past him and made his pale skin shimmer gently. It took a moment for Severus to notice he was only wearing silk pyjama pants. His thin, but well built upper torso flexed as the seventeen year old turned to greet him.

"I've been waiting for you, hon." The pet name did not surprise Severus in the least. In a way, it was comforting. "I've been lonesome without you."

"Mmm…" Severus agreed happily as his body met against his student's. Slowly, their lips met and their tongues danced playfully against each other. He ran his hands down the smooth face and felt the delicate body shudder beneath his. The strong hands reached and grabbed the smooth black hair at the base of his neck and devoured his mouth eagerly.

"I love you." Harry pulled back breathlessly and loosened the grip. "Forever."

"And ever." Snape muttered against the full pink lips.

"Always." Harry answered back.

"Eternity." Both men fell against the bed and let a white light engulf them as they made love.

***

Severus woke drenched in a cold sweat. The light against the night sky told of the dawn coming. He wasn't dead and he just woke up from a pipe dream about Harry Potter. Great, another beautiful da-! WHAT?! He did not just think that. Looking down at the obvious evidence, he moaned and closed his eyes. This was NOT good. Having dreams about others was not only immature, but perverse. He knew sleep would become impossible for him to achieve once more, so he stepped out of the comfortable bed to take a shower. A Cold Shower.

***

By the time he reached the kitchen, both boys were sitting at the table, neither of them properly dressed. "You would think by the time that you would have reached your first year, you would know how to get up and dress for breakfast." Severus concealed his deep breathing by pouring himself a cup of coffee. Harry's hair was still disheveled from sleep and his eyes were still filled with grogginess.

"And you would think that you would get at a decent hour. I swear. Do you ever sleep?" Draco muttered nonchalantly under his breath and snorted at his godfather's lack of response. "Where was Dad last night?"

Severus froze at the question and stared into his coffee. How was he supposed to answer? "I was at an engagement that you need to know nothing about." The drawl of Lucius followed its owner as he swept across the room and into a seat.

"Mmhmm…" Draco kept eating and didn't say another word.

Harry had kept silent the entire time and just moved his food around on his plate. If Sirius had told him that they were going-No! He couldn't keep play the 'if' game with himself. "Excuse me." He stood and headed for his room. If only…Once again he stopped himself. Backtracking himself, he went to the water closet instead to take a nice hot shower to take his mind off his problems.

Okay, thanks for all of the reviews and I'm sorry it took so long for me to update. I am constantly busy or at my friends…does that count? Anyway, please don't flame, but I do love reviews. Love ya'll! (Yeah, I'm a hick…shut up!)