Author's Note: To popular demand, there will be more chapters. I don't know how long this story will be, but I guess it depends on reviews. So, with all the wonderful reviews I got, minus a nasty one, I will be posting more of this story. So, thanks to all my reviewers; Dani, Ami, Falling Night, Oreopet, HecateDeMort, Miki23, KumoriShino, Skyler of the Elements, Lover not a fighter, Desdemona321, Ravenwriter, Read300300, Nightborn Angel, IceAngel, lonlyheart, Rayz, scap3goat, Rae-J, Kiyomi22, krr84valanthe and Pilas. A special thanks to Saadia10 for giving me the challenge. Please enjoy!

Warning: Adult themes and SLASH

Disclaimer: I own nothing, only the plot.

Pairing: Harry Potter/Severus Snape

This is dedicated to Saadia10.

Now, on with the story…

Reaching Out

Harry walked out of Severus' rooms and down the dungeon hallway. 'Why is it always so dark down here? Haven't they ever heard of torches?' Harry thought as he wrapped his arms around his slim form.

A shuffling noise came from behind him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Harry quickened his pace down the hallway and the shuffling he heard behind him quickened as well. Harry grabbed his wand. He turned sharply and aimed his wand at the shuffling noise. Something rubbed up against his leg and he looked down. Crookshanks meowed and Harry sighed in relief. He knelt down and scratched the chin of Crookshanks. "You scared me Crookshanks."

"You shouldn't be in the dungeons alone, Potter."

Harry jumped a little. He looked up into the eyes of his former nemesis gone secret protector. Harry smiled slightly, "Hello Draco."

Draco scoffed at him, "There are still Slytherins who want your blood. You know that, Potter."

"I came down here to get something," Harry said, picking up Crookshanks.

"With no magic Potter, Slytherins will kill you."

"I know, but it is a risk I take," Harry said, smiling at Draco. Draco turned on his heel.

"Just be careful, Potter. Don't want something bad to happen to you." Draco left and Harry continued down the hall. He came to the flight of stairs and ascended them. Crookshanks was nuzzling into Harry's robes. He chuckled lightly.

"What were you doing down in the dungeons, Crookshanks?" Harry asked the cat. The cat just looked up at him with his big golden eyes. Crookshanks returned to nuzzling into Harry's robe. 'As long as he doesn't mark me as his territory, I am perfectly fine holding him. I wonder if he has sprayed Hermione.' Harry smiled outwardly and chuckled inwardly.

Harry walked out and into the Entrance Hall where there were still some lingering students. Christmas break was a few days away. They had one more chance to go to Hogsmeade. Harry was planning on getting Hermione, Ron, Draco, Remus, Dumbledore, and Severus something. Especially Severus and Dumbledore. He had an idea of what he wanted to get Severus, but he had to see if it was really something Severus would like.

Harry was going to stay at Hogwarts, well, not by choice, but because it was the only year they were sending all the students home. Mainly because Hogwarts had become Harry's safe house of sorts. The teachers had to stay at the school in order to make sure the wards stayed strong. Some moaned and groaned about it, but since Harry was spending a lot of time with Dumbledore, he went with him to a staff meeting. Harry told them how much he appreciated them doing it for him and he didn't want to be a burden to any of them over the holidays. One thing Harry said had them feeling sorry they even tried to argue the point, "I'll make sure I stay with Dumbledore at all times as to not get in your guy's ways."

Harry remembered that and how he was going to have a heavy guard submission on his trip to Hogsmeade. Remus and some other Order members were going to be going. He was glad that Severus wasn't going to be there. He didn't need Severus getting caught or what he was buying him.

The staff was going to make Harry's Christmas a memory he would cherish forever. They had to be careful though, Harry tended to get depressed at random moments of time. Even in the happiest of moods, Harry would get depressed at the drop of a coin.

Harry continued down the Entrance Hall and ascended the stairs. He turned a corner and came to the magical staircases. He followed his usual route and said the password to the Fat Lady. He entered the room and was greeted by all. Harry smiled at them all and walked over to Hermione.

"Here is your cat, Hermione. He was roaming in the dungeons," Harry said.

Hermione took Crookshanks and eyed Harry, "What were you doing down in the dungeons by yourself, Harry?"

Harry turned red and said, "I was looking for something."

"Harry! You know you aren't supposed to be in the dungeons alone! With no magic, the Slytherins will kill you!" Hermione shrieked at Harry.

"Hermione, it's okay! Draco was watching me," Harry said, taking a seat next to Hermione on the couch.

Ron came down the stairs from the boy's dormitory, "What's wrong here?"

"Harry was in the dungeons alone," Hermione said.

"I was not!" Harry yelled in protest. The whole room was now watching their proceedings.

"Harry, you know better! You aren't supposed to roam the castle unattended!" Ron yelled, gripping Harry's shoulders fiercely.

Harry looked up at Ron, scared and said, "Ron, you're hurting me."

Hermione looked at Ron's white knuckles and gasped. Harry was surely going to have a bruise there. It looked as though Ron's grip was tightening.

Harry began trembling, "Ron, you're hurting me!" Harry all but screamed.

"RON!" Hermione screeched. She stood up and took hold of Ron's hands. She tried pulling, but his grip seemed to tighten.

Harry began crying, silently, his tears streamed down his face. Hermione did the only thing she could think of, "Stupefy!"

Ron let go of Harry as the spell hit his side. He fell to the floor and Hermione checked Harry. She removed his outer robes and undid the top buttons of Harry's shirt. She slid the collar to the side and saw the bruise marks that were left on his shoulder. She checked his other shoulder and the same marks were there as well. She pulled Harry into a hug.

Hermione whispered into Harry's ear, "I'm sure he didn't mean it, Harry."

Harry stood up and pulled his pretty much useless wand out. He kneeled beside the fallen Ron and said, "Ennervate." A little spark came out from the end of his wand, but otherwise it was dead. Harry sighed and stood up. Harry smiled slightly and said, "I'm sure he was just worried about me. Ron is always worrying about others."

Hermione walked over to Ron and yelled, "Everyone, it's late, you should go to bed." No one wanted to mess with Hermione when she was in full-blown motherly mode. Mostly everyone went upstairs, save for a few people, mainly the ones in their year.

Hermione knelt beside Ron and pulled her wand out. "Ennervate." Ron shot up and was soon met with a pounding headache.

"Where's Harry?" Ron asked as he rubbed his head.

"I'm right here," Harry said, stepping to the side of Hermione.

"Harry, I am sorry! I didn't mean to! I don't know what went over me, but I felt enraged about you going off alone. You couldhave gotten killed!" Ron stood up and pulled Harry into a hug, "You are my best friend Harry, I don't want to see you die."

Harry's face brightened, "I think I am going to go stay with the Headmaster tonight. Will you guys walk with me?" Harry asked and came out of the hug.

Everyone in Harry's year nodded. Harry smiled and together they walked out of the common room. They got to the Entrance Hall and the bell signifying curfew rang. They looked at each other, but they had a good reason. They continued down the hall and up a flight of stairs.

"It is passed curfew," a deep baritone voice said, "what are you still doing out of bed?"

Everyone turned and looked at their most hated professor. Well, almost everyone hated him. "Um, good evening Professor," Hermione began nervously. "We were just taking Harry to the Headmaster's office. He is going to stay there for the night."

"Fifty points from Gryffindor," Severus smirked and walked closer to them. They were gawking at him. "You should have called a teacher."

"But sir—" Hermione began but was cut off.

"Five points for talking back to a teacher."

Everyone was grinding their teeth. Harry was just shocked to see him taking so many points. Well, it wasn't really a big surprise, it was just, all of the other teachers would just let him and his friends go.

Harry stepped forward, "Sir, you are not being fair."

Severus stepped right up to Harry and got right in his face, "Just because you have no magic, Potter, does not mean you get special treatment."

Harry glared daggers at the man. Severus smirked and pulled back. "Off to your common room, I will take Potter to the Headmaster's office."

Everyone looked at Harry sadly. Harry just smiled sadly and shrugged his bruised shoulders. He winced a little and Severus caught it. Once all of Harry's friends turned the corner, Severus rested a hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry flinched and winced. Severus lifted his arm and turned Harry to him.

"What happened to your shoulder?"

Harry smiled and said, "I'll tell you while we walk."

They began walking and Harry told him the story. "Ron just put too much pressure on them, that's all."

Severus stopped Harry and pulled him toward himself. He pulled Harry into an alcove and unbuttoned the few top buttons of his shirts. He uncovered Harry's shoulders and gasped, "A little too hard! That is a bloodyblack bruise!"

"Severus, it's fine, he was just worried about me is all. He was right. I shouldn't have been in the corridors alone. Just don't blame him, blame me." Harry hugged Severus.

Severus sighed and put his arms around Harry's small frame. "You are such an insufferable brat."

"But you like it when I am that way," Harry said.

Severus lifted Harry's chin, "You know it." Severus leaned in and captured Harry's lips. Severus pulled back. "Shall we go?"

Harry smiled and buttoned his shirt up, "I guess so."

Severus guided Harry out of the alcove. They walked down the halls till they came to Dumbledore's office. Harry gave the password. Severus rolled his eyes as Harry stuck his tongue out at him. Harry ascended the stairs as Severus walked away.

Harry opened the door to Dumbledore's office and walked in. He was greeted by Dumbledore.

Harry stayed up for an hour talking to Dumbledore. He went to bed with happy thoughts, but he had no way to block the nightmares. No one knew, but Harry had them at least twice a night. He ended up only getting three hours of sleep every night.

Harry was in for one Hell of a night.

To Be Continued…

Author's Note: Well, I hope this chapter wasn't disappointing. I kind of left you with a cliffie, so don't hate me. Sorry if it was short, but I wanted to give you guys something. I hope you enjoyed it!

Please review!