Title: Hush, Sweet Harry

Author: Gold-Snitcher

Chapter Four: I Touch

Pairing: SS/HP

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A slow droning. A recitation of some sort.

A list?

Yes. Yes, it was some kind of list.

He was almost triumphant at the realization. A slow recitation of a list – a list of what? He didn't know. He tried to focus but it was hard. He was lost in a fog that was unrelenting. He was disoriented and tired and cold and God, he wished he knew what the words meant. What the sounds meant but it was too much. Too much.

Agorwort.

Dragon's bane.

Stink sap.

He knew these words. He knew them!

If he could only focus. Wake up, dammit. Wake up and focus!

Bezoar.

Umbrella tree sap.

Potions.

The word drifted through his thoughts and then away. It was familiar, something to hold on to. Yes, he knew potions, but these were not any that he recognized. Something else, then, something that had to do with potions.

"It's meant to be a sort of murky red, vaguely reminiscent of those atrocious colors that represent your house." The voice was a soothing drawl. He recognized it; that was Snape. He was waking up, now. He was aware. He could make out the dark blur above him that he thought might be the canopy of a bed, but he had no idea where he was.

He was safe, though, because Snape was there.

How strange to make that link. Safety was where Snape was.

But thinking hurt his head.

The list. That list that was growing now, as Snape's steady voice lulled him further into that liminal point between asleep and awake.

Ingredients. He thought, as his eyes slid shut once more. Potions ingredients.

...............

Remus entered the room quietly because it was eleven o'clock and Harry usually napped before lunch. He smiled fondly at the sleeping youth, and, out of habit and a sense of affection, he smoothed out the blankets that were wrapped around the dark-haired boy.

The awkwardness that he had felt at first, both at being in Severus Snape's chambers, and at seeing Harry so weak, had ebbed and now, Remus tried his very best to be supportive. As often as he could, he would visit Harry, at least once each day, and he would read to him, or update him on the gossip at Hogwarts.

He kept conversation light, because Remus didn't think that somber thoughts would be conducive to Harry's recovery. Likewise, he tried to refrain from speaking of Ron Weasely, who had turned against Harry, angered at the thought that his friend could leave to study abroad without so much as a good-bye; or of Hermione Granger, who had somehow managed to carry-on as if no change had occurred at all. Remus thought that hearing these things would detrimental to Harry's recovery. And that was all that mattered.

He settled onto his usual chair, a plush, green velvet wing-back which seemed quite strange to find in Severus' rooms, but then, Remus was coming to understand that the man was quite complex, and Remus didn't have the headspace to devote to understanding him. He had discovered that Snape was a very exhausting topic to ponder.

Picking up a book, Remus had managed to leaf through it and find the spot where he had last left-off when he became aware of a change in Harry's breathing. He looked up over the top of the book and found the familiar green eyes, perhaps a shade or two darker than was usual, peering back at him. "Good-morning," Remus greeted. "I'm sorry if I woke you. It's nearing eleven thirty. Would you like me to read to you for a bit?" Remus always asked this, even though he knew he would get no response. Even though he knew he would end-up reading anyway. "Do you remember where we left off?" Remus asked, though he was already poised to begin at exactly the spot he had stopped at yesterday. "Ah, I've found it." He smiled at Harry and then began to read.

..............

Severus stood at the foot of the bed, he had administered the potions, completed the exercises, and cast the spells and now it was time for bed, but for some reason, Severus felt that he could not leave.

Harry lay on the bed, eyes staring back at him, blinking, slowly, every so often. Severus caught himself and mentally shook himself free of the troubling thoughts. "Good-night, Potter," he said, even if Potter was Harry in his mind. Even if it seemed stilted, to keep that enforced distance between them. It had seemed like that to Severus ever since the war, when they had worked together.

He turned on his heel and headed towards the door. As he raised his wand to turn out the light, he did not see the boy's distressed look as the room was plunged in to darkness. Never saw the feeble finger twitch as Harry screamed and screamed for him to leave the lights on, that he hated to be alone in the dark.

Because, after all, Harry never made a sound.

.................

Poppy helped Harry through his exercises every morning. It was part of her check-up. Remus had offered to do it, but Poppy had dismissed it. She followed the exercise up with a strong dose of nutrient potion, today it was stronger than the usual mixture. Once a week she would give it to him, but no more, since some of the ingredients would cause damage if taken in too large a dose. She gave it time to move through the boy's system.

Today, Harry looked a bit healthier. Still pale, but the bruises had long since faded, and he had stopped frowning. She had washed him that morning, though she knew that Severus cast a scouring charm on him before he left for classes every day. Between Severus, herself and Remus, Harry was never left alone or untended, and at night, she had a monitoring spell on him, and she was certain that Severus had one of his own on the youth as well.

"There now," she said as she settled the dark-haired young man onto the freshly made bed. "That's better, hm?" she said, and turned to pack her things. When she turned back to face him, Harry was watching her with a speculative look. She wondered what he was thinking. "I'll see you tomorrow morning," she said and exited the room.

Harry sighed and let his eyes close. A moment later he heard the door open again. It must be Remus, after all, Severus was still in class. Stubbornly, he kept his eyes closed. He had discovered that if he was very quiet, then Remus would think that he was asleep, and, instead of leaving, Remus would take out a book and read it. Harry liked the sound of man's steady breaths, and the pages as they turned, and the sound of the highlighter that Remus would draw across the page, marking out significant passages. Harry liked to wonder what Remus considered important enough to highlight. It was a good way to fall asleep.

"You're back early," Remus said in surprise as Severus stepped into the room.

"I administered a test today. That each student failed is evident by the fact that they apparently completed their task well-under the recommended brewing time," Severus dismissed. He had to restrain himself from asking how Harry was, it was perfectly obvious how the boy was doing.

"He's been sleeping since I came in," Remus stated, smiling fondly at the boy. The comment was followed by a long drawn-in breath and Harry's eyes slowly opening. "Good morning, sleepyhead," Remus greeted, amused, as Harry blinked and looked about blearily.

"Afternoon, more like," Severus snapped and then rolled his eyes. "If you don't mind, Remus, I have had a request from Poppy for a wort-be-gone, apparently she's preparing for the inevitable mishaps following a Charms class."

"Of course," Remus nodded. "I'll be by tomorrow, Harry," he said and turned on his heel.

"Stop," Severus said, out of nowhere.

Remus frowned and turned to look at the man, he had just been about to pass the man when the strange commence had been issued. "What's wrong?" Remus asked. He took in Severus' tense frame, his eyes focused on the bed on which Harry was situated. "Severus?"

"Harry," Severus said, sounding oddly cautious. Remus watched as the dark haired man approached Harry's bed.

"What happened, Severus?" Remus asked, impatient, as he, too, followed the man over to Harry's bed.

"He flexed his fingers, twice. Not clenching them, just a twitch as if –"

"As if he were saying 'good-bye?" Remus asked, dazed. "Harry?" Harry simply blinked at him. Remus turned as Severus slipped his hand beneath Harry's.

"Flex your fingers one more time," Severus said, and Harry's eyes slid over to look at him.

"Come on, Harry," Remus encouraged, his eyes shifted to watch the hand which was resting on top of Severus' larger hand. Once again the fingers twitched. "Excellent! That's excellent!" Remus said. "I'm so proud of you!" Harry simply looked at Remus. Severus noted that the expression in Harry's eyes was darker. The youth was no longer paying attention, he had returned to his puzzle.

"I will go and notify Poppy immediately. And get in contact with Dr. Herz," Severus said, knowing the Remus was going to gush, a least for another few minutes. As he rose, the green eyes slid over to him. Severus caught the look and nodded, once, before closing the door behind him.

....................

"Harry, my boy," Albus greeted as he entered the sitting room in Severus Snape's private quarters. "How are you feeling today?" he asked. Harry blinked at him. He was seated on a plush leather chair, bundled in blankets, he had his glasses perched on his nose. "He's looking much better," Albus said as he noticed Severus sitting on the other chair that was situated beside Harry's by the fire.

"Actually, he looks quite the same," Severus said as he turned the page in the book he was absorbed in. He kept a finger curled around the page he had just turned from, after all, he had been reading it allowed, and it wouldn't do for Harry to miss large sections of the plot.

"No, I think he's showing definite improvement." Albus watched as Harry turned his head and let it fall back against the sofa, turning it away form Albus and towards the fire.

The clock on the mantel began to strike ten, and Severus turned to look at Harry. "It's late," he stated and placed the book aside as he rose. He stood on front of Harry's chair and began to delicate business of half-pulling and half-assisting Harry to rise from the chair. After that, with Harry mostly leaning on him, and Severus doing most of the walking, they began a long journey back to Severus' bedroom.

Severus deposited Harry on the bed, and Albus stepped forward to tuck Harry in. "Good night, my boy," Albus said fondly. "Pleasant dreams. I'll stop by again," he promised. "Good night, Severus," he said, and left the room.

"Good night, Potter," Severus stated and turned around. He hadn't even walked two paces before his robes snagged on something and then were quickly freed. Turning back he noticed Harry's hand thump onto the bed. Harry had grabbed at his robes? "What is it?" Severus asked, wondering what had prompted this reaction. The boy looked distressed. Though, really, it was simply what Severus was reading in the dark green depths.

Naturally, Harry didn't make a sound. "Good to sleep," Severus ordered. He raised his wand. "Nox," he said, and the light went out, he turned and once again headed for the door, only this time, something had caught on to his robes and was clutching at them. "Lumos." He turned back in time to see Harry relaxing as if relieved. Severus was half-tempted to ask what was disturbing the young man, but ran through and quickly realized. "Is it the dark?" A jerky nod. "Ah," Severus said. He didn't point out the absurdity of a youth of seventeen, who was a wizard, who had faced and defeated innumerable dark things, to be afraid of the dark. It did not seem ludicrous to him, after all, this youth had also been struck down in the dark, had been tortured by visions and nightmares in the dark. Had been caged in the dark.

"I will return in a moment," Severus said as he exited the room. He returned a moment later carrying a candlestick with a rather plump candle perched on it. With a quick charm, the candle was lit and a warm glow washed over the room. He placed the candle on the other side of the bed so that it would not shine directly in Harry's eyes. "Better?" he asked. Another jerky nod. "Good-night, then," Severus said, and he closed the door quietly behind him toying with the idea of putting a fireplace in his bedroom. After all, it had always been a bit chilly during the middle of winter.

..................

"He moves a far bit," Albus stated, impressed with Harry's improvement.

"It's still difficult for him, very tiring and he needs lots of help," Remus said. But still, for someone who wasn't expected to every move again, it was quite an accomplishment. And all of that within the span of nearly a month. "Albus, I wanted to ask you – about Draco Malfoy –"Remus was cut off as Albus raised his hand.

"I am dealing with him as best I can," Albus sighed. "His information is useful. We managed to save seven wizards last night."

"But, Albus," Remus began.

"I know, Remus. I would like to see justice done as much as you, but now is not the time."

"Will justice be done in this lifetime?" Remus snapped. He was clearly about to go on but managed to reign himself back. He shook his head, ran a frustrated hand through his hair and then rose, leaving the office quickly.

Albus sat back in his chair and stroked his beard. He wanted justice just as much as any of them, but there was one thing that kept him calm, and that was his steadfast belief that patience was a virtue.

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TBC

Hope you liked this chapter!! Please review! They help me write faster!!

This chapter dedicated to Juushika. Be patient my bloodthirsty friend - Thanks so much for the review. It made me laugh. I'll consider your suggestions. Hee hee.