Disclaimer: Refer to first chapter.

Warnings: LOTS OF OOC-NESS!!! I hate myself for it. I really really do, especially when it comes to Severus.

A/N: I'll be referring to the characters with their first name now, since I start off with Severus' point of view.

Chapter 2

After making sure that Harry had left the room and probably out of earshot, Severus turned to Albus and shouted at him. "Albus!! Do you know what those muggles did to him?? He was covered in bruises and cuts when I went to pick him up!!"

Albus tried to interrupt. "Severus, calm..."

"No!" Severus softened his tone. "Bloody hell, Albus, you know how I feel." You know that I've been trying to keep these feelings at bay. Louder, "And despite that, you still ask me to take care of him. Do you seriously think that I..."

"Severus, I want you to calm down and listen to me."

Severus paused, taking a deep breath. Albus gestured to the seat for him to sit down and Severus complied.

"Good." Albus smiled. "Chocolate frog?"

"ALBUS!"

"Alright, calm down. Severus," There was that irritating twinkle in his eyes again. "I trust you. And so does Harry."

"But I don't trust myself!!" Merlin knows what I'll do with just the both of us alone!

Albus chuckled. "You'll do fine. The both of you." When Severus gave him a disbelieving look, he added, "Trust me."

Severus took a deep breath. "I do hope you know what you're doing, Albus, 'cause I sure don't." Merlin knows why he trusts me this much.

"Don't worry. I do."

Severus sighed in resignation. "Fine."

"Besides, Severus, there is nothing for me not to trust. I know you won't hurt him." When Severus opened his mouth to retort, he continued, "And if the both of you get together, I'll be happy."

"What?! He's my student and I'm his..."

The blasted twinkle returned. "Ah, but it's not against the rules for a teacher and student to have a relationship."

Severus closed his mouth, then opened it, as if wanting to say something. After a while, he closed it again, not knowing what to say.

"Anyway, it's not as if you're going to give him points just because he's your boyfriend. You only give points to Slytherin as far as I know, and take away the most points from Gryffindor. I doubt that you'll change that attitude towards the houses. And even if you did, bias-ness isn't again the rules."

Obviously I won't give Gryffindor points just because he's my boyfriend!! "But you know that that was because I could not blow my cover as a spy."

"Yes, but I know you, Severus. I trust my..."

"And Albus!!" Severus shouted suddenly, as if realising something. "You're making it sound as if he feels the same way!! You and I know that that's not possible!"

"Ah... but how do you know that?" Deciding that he had said too much, Albus waved his hand. "I'll just leave it to fate, and to you. Good luck."

Knowing that the conversation was over, Severus stood. "And headmaster?" He paused. "If I see those disrespectful muggles again, I swear I'll hex them." Saying so, he left the room, missing Albus' smile.

Severus walked down the staircase, and then noticed Harry standing there looking at the floor. He nodded to Harry, before walking in the direction of the infirmary. "We're going to get you to Poppy first, then you're coming down to the dungeons to my room."

"I... you didn't tell the headmaster about what happened, did you?"

"... Not really." Merlin, can he not ask questions like that? It's almost as if he's asking me if I cared.

When they reached the infirmary, Severus gestured for Harry to sit on the bed. "Poppy!" In a few seconds, Pomfrey came out. "I need you to check on Potter. He was quite badly injured."

"Severus? What happened?"

"Muggles." Severus said, as if it explained everything. And it seemed as though it did, as Pomfrey said nothing else. She drew the curtains around Harry's bed and asked him to lie down. Severus stood, and suddenly, he heard a loud hiss, followed by another. After a while, Pomfrey came out to get some bandages. She returned back to Harry and Severus was left to wait outside. Soon, everything quietened down. Pomfrey drew the curtains open, revealing Harry lying on the bed, sleeping. "Well?" Severus asked.

"A few fractured ribs and a lot of bruises. I gave him a potion to cure the ribs and another for him to rest." Seeing Severus' questioning look, she explained, "I asked him how he felt and he said he had a headache and felt dizzy. So I gave him the dreamless sleep potion." Severus nodded. "I bandaged his chest area while it's healing. Help me get rid of them when he's recovered, okay?" After Severus nodded again, she smiled. "I haven't seen you worried for anyone before."

Severus glared. "And what gave you the idea that I was worried about Potter?"

Pomfrey chuckled. "I never said you were worried about Harry."

"Who else could you be referring to? There's no one else here to worry about, and there's obviously no need to worry about you, since you're so obviously well and as jumpy as usual."

"Jumpy, Severus?" Severus only glared. "Suit yourself. I'll go back to doing some admin work. He should be able to leave by tomorrow." Without waiting for a reply, she left the room.

"Worried? Hn. She sounds like she knows everything." Severus muttered. He sat down next to the bed and looked at Harry's sleeping face. He sighed and then reached out to brush away his bangs. He glanced at the clock. 8.33p.m. Has he eaten yet? It doesn't seem so... He opened the drawer next to the bed to look for some reading material, and took out a book to read. After three hours, Severus felt his eyes droop. He placed the book aside and allowed his eyes to close.

It was almost three in the morning when Harry woke up. He rubbed his eyes sleepily and pushed himself up. He felt for his glasses on the bedside table and put them on. The first thing he saw after his vision cleared was Severus in the chair next to his bed, asleep. Harry smiled, looking at his professor's features. With his face relaxed like that, he does look pretty attractive... Harry shook his head. What on earth am I thinking about?! His smile turned into a frown when he remembered what happened at the Dursleys. This is awful. Now he knows what the Dursleys did to me... A memory suddenly passed through his mind and he shuddered, bringing himself into a ball. No... I won't think of that... Nothing happened anyway... His thoughts were cut off when his stomach growled. He relaxed and chuckled softly. I guess I could sneak out to the kitchen to get myself some food... I doubt they'll scold me for eating here, since I haven't eaten dinner... Harry swung his legs to the side of the bed and stood up, walking towards the door of the infirmary. Suddenly, a voice interrupted him.

"Where on earth are you planning on sneaking off to, Potter? I hope you're not planning to run off or anything. It may be the holidays, but I will take away house points if I think you deserve it."

At that, Harry frowned. He turned around and stared at Severus. "I'm not sneaking off anywhere! I just wanted to..." Oh no, I wasn't supposed to know how to get to the kitchens... Before his pause could be noticed, a growl could be heard from Harry's stomach. Harry's face immediately turned red. "... find some food..." He finished his earlier sentence.

Severus smirked. "Hungry already?"

"I haven't eaten dinner yet, professor. And I didn't manage to eat much for lunch, except for some scraps which Dud..." Oh hell, I wasn't supposed to say that... He looked down as he remembered that afternoon when Dudley was still feeling hungry after his lunch and deciding that the freak's food looked to good for him to eat, and then taking away his food, only leaving a bit of rice and gravy left for Harry to eat. "Sorry, I wasn't supposed to say that."

"Those muggles again, no doubt?" Harry hesitated for a while, then nodded. "Well then, since I haven't eaten dinner myself either, I guess it'll be alright for us to go down to the kitchen and get some food." Severus said, trying not to make his concern obvious.

Harry smiled, understanding what Severus was trying to hide anyway. "Thank you, professor." They then left the infirmary for the kitchen.

"There's a place where we can eat in the kitchens, so we can just eat there." Harry nodded. He made sure not to do anything that would show Severus that he had actually known where and how to get to the kitchen. He made sure that Severus was the one leading the way, and that he was the one who opened the door to the kitchen. They entered the kitchen, and almost immediately, a group of house elves surrounded them.

"Harry Potter!" Dobby shouted, running over to them. "And... Harry Potter's friend!" Severus growled, glaring at Dobby.

"Erm... Dobby... That's Professor Snape."

"Oh, you mean the professor that Harry Potter has been talking about al... mmph hrummm..." Harry quickly covered Dobby's mouth, muffling whatever that he was about to say. Severus raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Err... nothing professor." He dragged Dobby to the side and whispered, "Dobby! He isn't supposed to know anything about what I said about him and about me knowing about this place!"

"But why? Dobby is a good house elf and does not tell lies."

"I'm not asking you to tell lies, I'm just telling you not to tell the professor. If he knows that I know how to get to the kitchen, my friends and I will be in big trouble."

"In trouble? You mean if Dobby tells Professor Snape, Dobby is getting Harry Potter and friends into trouble?"

"Yes."

Dobby looked horrified. "Dobby is keeping quiet!! Dobby will make sure that Professor Snape doesn't know that Ha..." Harry quickly covered Dobby's mouth again.

"Not so loud, Dobby. Thank you for keeping it a secret, but do me a favour, don't talk about it anymore."

Dobby looked confused. "But Dobby is not sayi..." At that moment, Severus walked towards them. "Ah, professor Snape sir! I almost forgot! Dobby is bringing you and Harry Potter to sit down inside."

"Thank you Dobby." Harry said, uncertain.

When they sat down, Dobby ran off to tell his other house elf friends to bring some food over to the duo. In no time, their table was filled with food. "Is there anything else Dobby can help?"

"Err... it's okay."

"Dobby, was that your name?" Severus suddenly asked.

"Yes sir, that is Dobby's name, sir."

"What were you telling me just now?"

Harry's eyes widened.

"Oh, I cannot say sir."

Harry quickly looked to his food and placed a tart into his mouth. "Why?"

"Because Dobby will get Harry Potter and friends into trouble, sir."

Harry choked. "Dobby!"

Severus raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "If you don't tell me, Harry Potter and friends will get into more trouble."

Dobby gasped. "No! Dobby is not letting Harry Potter and friends into trouble. Dobby was only saying th..."

"DOBBY!!" Harry cried out, reaching over and covering his mouth. "Dobby, you listen to me. Don't bother about what he says. I won't get into more trouble. Just don't tell the professor anything!"

"But..."

"No buts, Dobby." Dobby closed his mouth. "Just go. We will call you if we need more food or anything like that." Dobby looked hurt. "No, really Dobby, it's okay." Dobby nodded.

"Okay then, Dobby will go and do Dobby's business then... Call Dobby for anything."

Harry nodded. "Thank you." Harry sighed in relief as Dobby left the room. He turned back to his food, his face a bright crimson.

"What was that about?"

"Err... nothing, professor."

"Have you been up to no good?"

"No..."

"Potter!" Harry jumped in his seat. "At least look at me when you're lying!"

"I said no!" Harry said impatiently as he looked into Severus' eyes.

"Then why are you so red?"

Harry looked down at his food. "Nothing. Secrets." When Severus stared at him, he added, "Can't I have my own secrets? Dobby's my friend too, I tell him some things some of the time."

"Oh, is that so."

Harry nodded, placing a sausage into his mouth. He bit into it and let his thoughts carry him away. He placed the sausage into his mouth and sucked the juice, looking up when he noticed Severus stiffen considerably. He took the sausage out of his mouth and looked at Severus. "Is something the matter, professor?"

"I'm fine." Severus shifted uncomfortably, then noticing Harry bite into the sausage again, relaxed a little. He looked at the chicken he was holding and then bit into it. "Since we'll be staying with each other for the time being, you can call me Severus. But you're not to call me that in front of others."

Harry smiled. "In that case, pro... I mean, Severus, you should call me Harry instead of 'Potter'."

Severus nodded. Harry then started sucking the sausage again, his cheeks turning inward. Severus swallowed. "Harry!!" Severus couldn't help shouting, causing Harry to jump in his seat again. "Would you please stop that obscenity?!"

"Huh? What obscenity?"

"That thing you're doing with the sausage!" Severus said, glaring. At least he has the decency to blush! Merlin, if I have to put up with this for the rest of the summer, I'm killing Albus!

"Erm... Sorry... I didn't realise... I was thinking about something..." Then suddenly, Harry froze. Wait, does that mean he was reacting to that, or... no, he's probably just uncomfortable... With that thought, Harry relaxed, eating the rest of the sausage. He placed a beef patty onto his plate and continued eating in a comfortable silence. Soon, the food disappeared.

"Po..." Severus paused, correcting himself. "Harry, would you rather us go to the dungeons to rest for the night, or would you rather us return to the infirmary?"

Harry pondered his choice of words. If we return to the infirmary, that would mean that he would end up sleeping on the chair, wouldn't it? "Erm... I think that maybe we could go to the dungeons... if that's okay with you... I mean, it'll be more comfortable for you to sleep and all... and besides, it's nearer to here, isn't it?"

Severus stared at him. "I suppose." He then stood up, walking towards the kitchen door. Harry followed not to long after, and the both of them left after Harry bid goodbye to the house-elves.

Harry followed Severus to the dungeons in silence.

"Blind worms." Severus said after coming to an abrupt stop. After a portrait swung open, the both of them entered the room. "Remember the password. Just in case you go off wandering and I'm not around." Severus said impassively, walking over to a door. He opened it and waited for Harry to enter before closing it. "This will be your room in the meantime. My room is opposite yours, and the toilet is right next to my room. It's linked to my room so if you are using it, make sure you lock both doors. It wouldn't do for me to walk in on you." Harry walked over to the bed and sat on it, taking off his shoes. "But for tonight," Severus transfigured a chair into a bed, a little smaller in size compared to Harry's double bed, "I'll be sleeping in here to take care of you in case anything happens." When Harry shot him a disbelieving stare, Severus added, "I have to monitor you, at least for tonight. You can use the bathroom first before you sleep if you want to."

Harry nodded in response, leaving the room. Severus went to his own room to collect a few potions in case he needed it that night, and brought it over to Harry's room. He settled it down on a bedside table, which was between both of their beds. Seeing that Harry had finished using the bathroom, he entered it and washed up, changing into his sleepwear, before returning to his sleeping quarters for the night. After noticing that Harry had gone to bed, he flicked his wand, turning the lights off, and then slipped into bed for the night.

Severus was abruptly awoken in the middle of the night when he heard screams coming from beside him. He bolted out of bed and turned the lamp on, looking around for the source of disruption. His eyes widened when he saw Harry thrashing in his bed, screaming, and quickly moved over to the other bed, holding him down.

"No... go away... Don't touch me... GO AWAY!!" A sudden blast of energy caused him to be thrown across the room and against the wall. Severus dropped to the ground, holding his head. He shook his head and then moved back to Harry's bed briskly, noticing that Harry was injuring himself by hitting everything in the vicinity.

"Potter. POTTER!!" Severus shouted, irritation getting to him.

"Don't hurt me... don't... Dudley, STOP!!"

Severus narrowed his eyes, not liking the situation. He sighed, deciding to try another tactic instead. "Harry. It's me. Severus. Severus Snape. Not those stupid muggles. I won't hurt you." When Harry stopped thrashing around the bed, Severus quickly pulled Harry into his arms, bringing Harry's head to his chest. He sat on the bed with his back against the headboard, and held Harry in his arms, stroking his hair gently. "It's okay... You're not with them anymore... You're back at Hogwarts... No one will hurt you here... I won't allow them..." It was only when Harry calmed down that he stopped whispering to him.

Suddenly, the body in his arms tensed, and Severus hugged him tighter, afraid that Harry would start another fit. "Profe... Severus?" Severus loosened his hold on Harry and expected the other to jump away in disgust. Instead, Harry looked up at Severus, never leaving his embrace. "Wh... What happened?" He coughed. "My throat feels sore... and I feel weak..."

Severus sighed, lifting one hand to comb his hair back. "You had a nightmare of some sort... and when I first tried to stop you from thrashing around in bed, you let loose a blast of energy, effectively throwing me across the room against the wall." Harry's eyes widened. "You only stopped after I held you like that." Harry's face turned red.

"I... I'm sorry..."

Severus shifted a little, reaching to the bedside table and taking two of the numerous vials on the it. He opened one and brought it to Harry's lips. "I can take it myself..." Harry said softly, embarrassed. He looked at the vial in his hands, when Severus answered his unasked question.

"It's a calming potion. You should feel better after you take it." Harry glanced at Severus and then back at the vial, before swallowing its contents. Severus then opened the other bottle and poured it into his mouth. A few seconds later, his head stopped throbbing. He placed the two empty vials back onto the table and then looked at Harry, realising that the other was staring at him. "What?" Severus asked irritatedly.

"Your head... is it okay?"

"Yeah, thanks to the potion."

"Sorry... I didn't mean to..."

"Forget it. Just be glad that I won't be taking house points off for this."

Harry chuckled. "Okay."

There was a pause before Severus broke the silence. "Care to tell me about the dream?" Harry stiffened. "You can rest assured that I won't be telling anyone."

Harry looked down, contemplating for a while. "But... I don't know how to say it in words... I think it might be better if I was able to show it to you... Though I'm not very comfortable with you knowing about it... No one knows about this... not even Hermione or Ron..."

"You can show it to me if you want to... but it's entirely your choice... Like I said, you can trust me."

"In... In that case... Go ahead... I'll be ready when you are..."

Severus stroked Harry's hair reassuringly. Severus took his wand from beside the bed and then muttered a few words. Within seconds, he felt himself being pulled into another place which he recognised as the cupboard under the stairs in the Dursleys' house. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. He saw Harry stand and head towards the door, opening it. On the other side, he saw a fat boy, with two others behind him. There was hardly any time to think before Harry was pulled out of the tiny place and dragged up the stairs. Severus quickly followed.

"What... Dudl... Where are you bringing me?"

Dudley's two friends laughed. "To have fun." Severus could see the horror and fright flash through Harry's eyes, and suddenly, he was pushed into another room. He fell onto the floor and the door was closed before he could even try to escape.

Before Harry could recover from the fall, the skinniest of the three pushed him down against the hard floor, pressing his lips against Harry's roughly. Harry winced, but was unable to do anything because his hands were pressed down tightly. His lack of strength was also acting against him. He felt his shirt get ripped off, before a voice was heard. "Raymond, it's my turn now." Dudley's other friend then pulled him up and slammed him against the wall, letting his hands run all over Harry's skin. This was when the panic rose within Harry, and he screamed, struggling to get away.

"Go away!! DON'T TOUCH ME!!!"

"Shut up you bitch."

Harry kept on screaming for them to stop and when he felt someone take his pants off, he started to thrash even harder. Unfortunately, the guy was stronger.

"Oh shut that mouth up, freak!" Harry heard a familiar voice say. The two others backed off as Dudley moved to the front, pressing his lips against Harry's none-too-gently. Disgusted beyond words, Harry bit on Dudley's lip, causing the other to scream.

"What's wrong, man?"

"That bitch bit me!" Dudley moved towards Harry, who was trembling now, his eyes in fury. He than backhanded Harry, sending him sprawling onto the floor. The next thing Harry knew was that he was getting beaten up again.

Severus stood in shock as the scene unfolded in front of his eyes. Thankfully, he felt himself get pulled back into the real world, slamming back into his physical body. He looked at the bundle in his arms and found Harry sobbing. "I... I'm sorry... that's as far as I can bring up the courage to show you..."

Severus quickly hugged Harry, whispering soft, soothing words. After the sobs subsided, Severus dared to ask the one question that had been in his mind. "Harry... Did... Did anything happen? I mean... Did they..."

"No..." Harry shook his head. "Uncle Vernon heard the screaming and opened the door. When he saw us..." Harry shuddered. "He said something along the lines of 'sorry to spoil your fun'... and then... I don't know what happened... I blacked out."

"Do you need me to stay with you tonight? Or would you rather me give you a dreamless sleep potion?"

"I..." Harry stopped.

"Or would you rather both?" Severus asked, no trace of mockery in his voice.

Harry nodded. "Yes, please..." Severus hugged him once more, before taking a potion and giving it to Harry. After Harry drank it, Severus lowered him down and lay down beside him, covering them both with the comforter. "Goodnight, Severus... And thank you..."

Severus switched the lamp off. "Goodnight."

====================================================

A/N: Second chapter up!! Do review, please! I know it's not very good... I'm new to the Harry Potter fandom, or rather, new to writing Harry Potter fics, and I know my skills aren't up to standard. I'm trying to improve though...

====================================================

Thank yous:

rhianwyn carma: Yeah, they are supposed to have feelings for one another already... And sorry, I'm not expanding on how they defeated Voldemort... I feel as if I'm writing too much crap... this fic really isn't up to standard... sigh But thank you for your review!

Quills 'N Ink: Thank you!

Earendil'sgirl: Thank you so much for your review! Yes, I know the beginning was quite bad... Unfortunately, though, I don't think I'll be expanding any more... I currently have just finished writing 7 chapters of this fic and I think it's getting way too long, so I'm not dividing it into more chapters... I think it's a really good idea though! I'll keep that in mind for later fics! Thanks again!

Marauders-Lover & SesshoumaruSama43: Thank you so much for the review! Here's the next chapter!