Eventually all questions will be answered. Ha ha ha.

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Chapter 43: Shower

When Snape awoke the nest morning, he realized he was alone and his entire body was twitching with different levels of pain and bruising. Personally, he wondered if he get out of bed or even open his eyes, which were swollen shut. After the third attempt, he stopped trying to move at all. From the pain in his side, he figured that Harry had broken some of his ribs. Who knew that skinny boy could hit so hard. He relaxed and concentrated on listening. The shower was running in the bathroom. That was when Snape noticed he was alone. Where was Harry? Had he tried again? Had he pushed too far?

He pulled himself from the bed, hissing at the burning stitches in his side. He ripped open his eyes with his fingers, forcing to focus on the floor, looking about while biting back his painful moan. He limped towards the bathroom, wondering how he hurt his leg.

He took a deep breath and slowly opened the door. He blinked a few times, trying to get the painful brightness out of his eyes. He tried to focus but it hurt much too bad. He leaned on the sink, feeling a bit dizzy. The shower was running. He had to get to the shower. There was no blood on the floor but the shower door was closed. He could be in there, bleeding. Please, he begged himself, please, don't have left me pushed him too far.

He opened the shower door and there was Harry, naked and soapy. The boy jumped, he had been startled and then frowned at him. Snape wondered briefly what he was mad at him for but then he didn't care. There were too many reasons to hate him. He was a bad, bad man. But Harry was ok. Harry was fine.

Snape dropped to his knees and leaned against the door. He looked up at him and said, gruffly, "You're all right. Good, you're all right. I was worried but you're all right…."

Harry's frowned lightened to a look of sad, surprise. He wrapped a towel around him then helped Snape to his feet. He leaned on him, feeling nauseous and lightheaded. He was being lead somewhere but it wasn't important because Harry was all right. Yes sir, he was all right. "I'm sorry, Harry, but it's ok because it's all right because you're all right and you're out of bed. Don't worry, Harry, I'll protect you no matter what. I'll make it better but thank you for being all right."

He wanted to tell him things that he had thought about. He would make sure he was happy. He would be protected and learn so much. No one would touch him like that again. No more pain. He wanted to speak but instead he throw up and knew it was blood and bile. He couldn't see it, he couldn't open his eyes anymore but he could taste the bitter mix of blood and bile. It hurt too much but it was ok because Harry was all right.

Harry helped him back onto the bed and he wanted to say some to him but before he could he passed out.

When Snape woke up, he could hear two voices talking.

"Of all the stupid things to do. He has a concussion, two broke ribs, his left lung is punctured, his nose is broken again, and his eyes are swollen shut. He is covered in bruises. What happened here?" The voice was feminine and sounded familiar.

"I lost my temper and hit him." A male voice answered.

"You hit him. Not likely, you beat him to a pulp, Harry. What really happened?" The voiced lectured.

Harry sighed. "He said some things. And I lost it. I hurt him and I couldn't stop and he didn't try to stop me. It was like he wanted me to hurt him. It was horrible." Harry said mournfully.

"It' s all right. I'll fix him up." The voice said reassuringly.

He felt someone pet him. "That's what he said before he passed out. I'm so sorry."

Then he passed out again.