Hero

Chapter Four: Summer

I set down my bags and looked around the castle silently. Even though I had no where to go, I had to leave Hogwarts. I walked over to the train, sighing deeply. Hopefully, I would be able to find a house or a flat pretty quickly. Hotels these days cost quite a bit for long term stays.

I stood at the edge of the platform, watching the train roll towards me. I lifted my bags and reached down to grab Hedwig's cage. Standing there I watched the train come to a stop with a loud peircing signal, steam blowing heavily out of the engine. A hand lay on my shoulder, startling me so that I jumped and nearly lost my baggage. I turned around to face a slightly flustered Snape. Without a word he took my bags and walked away. I growled lowly and walked after him.

"Just what the hell do you think you are doing?" I asked cooly, trying to snatch the bag back, glaring up at him.

"You are coming to stay with me." He stated shortly.

My mouth dropped open and I looked at him, "Wh-What! Have you... have you lost you're mind?"

"Maybe, but I still have the ability of speach, unlike some boys." He glanced over at Harry, smirking.

Harry glowered at the man, sticking out his tongue at him, "I'm no boy!"

"How juvenile." We walked over to a waiting carriage.

He placed my bags down, and Hedwig's cage, letting the attendents take the luggage. An attendent held open the door, letting Snape in and then I stepped up the high and steep step, tripping, barely able to keep steady on my feet. I sat down, flustered and tried to ignore Snape's sniggers. Looking out the window, the carriage started up quickly. The horses pace grew faster, no doubt faster than a car by the flying scenery. It moved too fast to look at without feeling dizzy and nausous.

I glared at him silently from across the coach. He caught my gaze and even though I felt myself heating up, I continued our staring match. He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms, looking at me quizzically for a moment.

"Potter, explain to me the point of this? If you wish to boost your ego, challenging me is not the way to do it." He said, smirking at me.

"Shut up, you... you, um... Just shut up!" I scowled deeply, completely flustered.

He chuckled. The old bastard actually chuckled! Fuming, I let my hands curl up into fists, glaring at him feircly, my emerald eyes sparkling. He only proceeded to laugh more at my expense. I went to stand up, and the carriage suddenly gave a sharp stop, sending me flying at Snape.

I closed my eyes, waiting to hit something hard, when I was caught by two strong arms. I blinked, feeling the warmth from his chest underneath my cheek. I felt my face heat up, and I knew I was blushing. He wrapped his arms around me and my heart began to pound.

"Clumsy." He whispered in a serious voice, his rich bass voice melting over me.

He let me go quickly and I brushed myself off, keeping my eyes averted, unable to look at him. Letting out a shaky breath, I straightened by robe as the door opened, and Snape walked out. I stood up, bending over so I wouldn't hit the ceiling, and I exited the carriage.

A house elf came over and took my bad, disappearing with them. I looked up at the mansion. My eyes widened. It was a medium sized manor, deep grey stone with ivy and climbing roses drapped over the side of the house. There was a gate around the house, made of twisted black iron. A stone path led to the front door, a small garden occupying most of the front yard. Snape walked before me, opening the door and holding it open for me. I stepped inside, looking around the opening room in awe.

There was soft forest green carpeting, and a beautiful stone hearth that had another plush green couch, and a black leather loveseat. I gapped at the beautiful artwork on the wall, unaware that Snape had closed the door and was standing behind me, watching me silently. The sun through the window lighted the room nicely, the warm sunlight filling the entire room. I looked back at Snape and smiled brightly.

"This is wonderful." I praised, taking another look around, "Absolutely amazing!"

"Hmm. Thank you." He murmured and then stood up straight, "Follow me, Potter."

He led me up a staircase located opposite of the fireplace in the room. I followed him quietly, still in awe of the beautiful manor. We reached the top of the stairs quickly and led me to the second door on the right, opening the door and walking inside ahead of me.

I looked around the bedroom, my jaw dropping. There were silky white curtains on the windows, which were now pulled back, letting the sun and a view of a moor into view.The bed itself had thick satin comforters and soft plush pillow, a thin curtain surrounded the canopy bed. I pushed it aside and lay on the bed. It felt like laying on a cloud, I had never felt such a comfortable bed before.

"It's perfect, Snape, absolutely bloody perfect." I murmured, immediately loving this room.

"Severus." he said, leaning against a dark green wall with his arms crossed.

"What?" I asked, sitting up and looking at him, confused by what he meant.

"Call me Severus." He answered simply.

"Fine, but you have to call me Harry." I replied, looking at him and grinning.

He shrugged, nodding, "Fine."

I smiled up at him, and he grunted, pushing himself off the wall, "Come all, let's continue the tour."

I nodded, and soon learned where all the rooms were in the manor. I liked my bedroom, the study and the gardens in the back the best. These were the three most inviting rooms. Snape's bedroom was dark, his sheets were made of black silk. He didn't let any sunlight into his room, and it seemed his spent most of his time in that room and his lab downstairs. I sat down on my bed; it was mid-afternoon and a wave of sleepiness came over me. I lay down on my bed and got under the covers, pulling them over my body. I curled up, closing my eyes and yawning softly, stretching a bit.

I buried my face against the soft pillow and closed my eyes when I heard my door open.

"Har-." The voice stopped. The door opened slowly and soft footsteps came over to my bed. A cool hand rested on my forehead and my pulse jumped at the touch as I pretended to be asleep.

"Have sweet dreams." He murmured as he brushed the hair out of my face.

His footsteps retreated and the door closed quietly behind him. I smiled brightly, soon falling into a weary sleep.

I was standing before Snape and it was stormy out, the clouds releasing torrents of rain. I lifted my wand, pointing it at Snape and I heard my only voice say that dreaded curse. I screamed in my dream, whimpering, now terrified. I dropped my wand running over to Severus and holding him tightly to my chest, sobbing against his limp body. I heard his voice, call my name.

"Harry!" he cried, shaking me roughly.

I opened my eyes, blinking furiously, and looking up at a worried Snape who quickly tried the fact that he was concerned. He looked down at me, frowning.

"You had a nightmare." He mumbled.

I reached up to my cheek, feeling tears that were still falling down my skin. I stood up shakily and walked over to my window, looking out of it at the sunshine. I took a deep breath. iI will be alright/i I swallowed, taking another calming breath. iSeverus is okay./i

"Harry..?" His voice called from behind me. I turned, my hands behind my back and I looked at the floor, hiding my face.

"I dreamed about the war. About the curse. I killed you." I trembled, the words sounding cold and harsh in my ears. I sank to the ground, crying at my own patheticness and the whole fact that my dream had felt so realistic. Sighing, he walked over to me, sitting before me and reaching over putting his hand out to take mine. I sniffed a little, holding my hand out to his. He took my hand in his own. My hand looked so small and slim compared to his. He pulled my hand up against his chest. My eyes flew open and I looked up at him, blushing bright pink.

"S-Severus." I whispered.

"See, Harry, I'm alive. You haven't killed me." He stated calmly.

I took in a sharp breath, looking up at him in surprise. I sagged in relief, moving towards him and leaning against him, letting him wrap his arms around me and pull me flush against his chest. Curling up a little, I buried my face against his collar bone, taking a deep breath, smelling him as I inhaled. Smiling a little I raised a hand, placing it against his chest lightly, closing my eyes. He looked down at me and tilted his head, resting it lightly on my head. I trembled, never having been held in this way before.

"Harry.." he whispered into my ear. "We should go eat."

I looked up at him and blinked, before nodding slowly. He seemed to notice how close our faces were. His eyes widened a little and he stood quickly, reaching a hand out for me to take. I placed my hand in his, and I was pulled up.

He led me to the large dining room. Two places were set, his at the head of the table and mine right next to his on his left side. The simple, yet delicious meal was still steaming. I walked to my chair, only to have it pulled out for me by Severus. I smiled shyly, sitting down and letting him push my chair in. I dug into the meal, moaning at the wonderful taste. A bit of sauce dripped out of my mouth and I licked it up, smiling happily as I reached for some wine. I glanced over, feeling Snape's eyes on me, and I caught his gaze. His eyes narrowed and he looked back down at his meal. The dinner passed silently, hardly a word spoken.

I pushed back out of my chair and stood up, setting down my napkin, "I'm tired, I'm going to bed."

"Okay. Goodnight." He said softly, taking a sip of wine.

I nodded, walking out of the room and up the stairs to my room. I took a shower and put on some green silk pjs, laying down in bed. I crawled under the covers again and closed my eyes, sleep immediately coming over me. I had no nightmares.

When I woke, the morning sun was pouring into my room. I smiled and lay in bed lazily, looking up at the ceiling. I yawned softly, curling up and closing my eyes again. The door opened and a small house elf jumped on my bed, shaking me.

"Master wishes you to join him for breakfast in the parlor." The squeaking elf Harry recognized as Whilly said.

I got up, stretching, "Tell him I'll be right there."The house elf nodded, leaving quickly. I went over to the wooden wardrobe, opening the door and fishing out some clothes. I got dressed slowly, smiling to myself at the start of the new day. This is the day that I would make my move. Severus wouldn't even know what hit him.