Thank you so much for the reviews! This is how far I've written this far, but I'm working on the next part, it's just that I'm rather busy these days. I'll try to post the next part soon, but don't expect anything.
Oh, and thanks to those of you who corrected me with the "Damn him" thingy.
Please rate and review!
xxxxxx
The weeks passed by and Harry spent more and more time in Severus' company. The man did not pity him, which Harry found very relieving.
Despite his will, Severus was growing rather fond of the boy. Severus even found the boy to be capable of deep conversations.
As Harry came to be a lot for confident, he began eating quite normally, to Severus' relief.
It was a foggy Saturday in November when Harry entered the dungeons to see Severus. As usual, he would find Severus in the room next to his classroom.
"Good afternoon, Mr Potter." Severus greeted the boy.
"Hello, Sir. How are you?"
A stranger would probably have wondered why they were not on first name basis, as they seemed perfectly comfortable with each other's company.
"I am feeling rather well, thank you."
"Glad to hear that, Professor." Harry nodded.
"I have come to decide that you shall be granted access to my quarters. I am growing quite tired of waiting for you in the other room. You will only be granted access to my living room and to my library. The password is 'Serena' and the entrance is through the sofa you're sitting in. Please stand up." Severus rose and watched Harry do the same. He pointed his wand at the couch and suddenly it was transformed into a staircase leading them to the floor below.
Harry's eyes widened as he descended the stairs. The room he entered was large and cosy, with a lot of chairs and four couches. In the far end of the room, there was an opening, two doors big, which led into another huge room that Harry assumed to be the library. The living room was decorated classically, with lots of mahogany details and deep blue curtains. There were paintings all over the room, most of the portraits. The only lights in the room, was silver candelabras along the walls.
"It's beautiful. Really. I didn't expect your rooms to look like this." Harry smiled and sat down on a couch.
"It seems as though you connect me with anything but deep blue. I will oversee it this time but do not be certain I will do it the next time." Severus sneered. "Coffee?"
"Yes, please."
Severus opened a cupboard and brought a cup of hot coffee out of it. He placed the cup in front of Harry, together with a small jar of milk. For himself, he poured a glass of brandy.
"I am afraid I do not have any sugar, as I have always thought it to be unnecessary." Severus apologized and sipped on his brandy. He sat down in the sofa opposite to Harry's.
"Couldn't agree more. You drink your coffee black, don't you?" Harry grinned.
"Yes."
"That's you after all."
"What exactly do you mean by that?" The man raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, nothing. Just that you're not such a colourful person, although I have to admit that your personality is rather colourful."
"Indeed." Severus' snorted.
All of a sudden, Harry started laughing.
"What's so amusing?" He asked bewilderedly.
"You." Harry managed to say between the roars of laughter.
"Of course." Severus couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Harry. When Harry had regained control of himself, Severus spoke again. "This is the first time I have witnessed you laugh since last spring."
"That's not true. I've laughed quite a lot, in my opinion."
The man just raised an eyebrow. "I can tell the difference between a faked laugh and a real one. Do not insult my intelligence. You seem rather relaxed." He remarked.
"Well, I…yes, I'm relaxed. I enjoy your company." Harry blushed. "You're not like everyone else. Firstly, you don't pity me or admire me. Secondly, you understand. You can just sit next to me and do nothing. Well, you made me eat again. You're the only one who understands me when I talk about Voldemort. You know what he's capable of; you've faced him as well. And, you know what I've been through this summer. And even though you know about it, you don't treat me like some kind of fragile glass bottle." Harry paused to take a deep breath before he continued. "You're not afraid of physical contact; you didn't even seem disgusted when you looked at me in the beginning of the term. Even though I was disgusted myself. And, you don't treat me like the boy who lived, you treat me like Harry."
"That was a rather long explanation. If you want to be treated like a glass bottle, you could always tell me." He sneered.
"You've got humour? Whoa."
"Of course I do." The teacher snapped.
"It's okay, your secret's safe with me. I won't tell anyone." Harry teased.
"How are your studies proceeding?" Severus asked, switching subjects. "I can tell you have been working late nights. You should not waste your time on me."
"Quite well. I haven't been working that late. I've just been putting more effort into my studies lately. I've actually been putting more effort into pretty much everything."
"Do not overwork yourself, Mr Potter." The man warned. "What about your friends, Weasley and Granger? Are you still not talking to them?"
"Well, they wouldn't understand…" Harry looked away.
"Have you tried?" Severus said in a low voice.
"Err…not entirely but…well Ron's reactions don't tend to be, umm, calm. And I don't want them to know…what happened. They'd just pity me and…" He blushed.
"It is up to you whether you want to keep your friendships. It is just that, if I had had such good friends when I was your age, I would have done everything in my power to keep them. Friendship is one of the most valuable powers a man can have." Severus whispered, clearly thinking about old memories.
"I know, but, well…I'll think about it." Harry felt uncomfortable with this situation. He knew that his professor was right, but it was one thing to say and another to do.
"Sit down next to me, Potter." Severus ordered.
"Why?" The boy protested.
"Because I tell you to, silly boy." He smirked scornfully.
With his eyebrows raised questioningly, Harry sat down next to Severus.
"Now what?" Harry asked impatiently.
Severus shifted position and put his hands on the boy's shoulders. He let his hands caress the boy's arms and back, a few times. A few moments later, he gracefully unbuttoned Harry's cloak with his long fingers and allowed it to fall down on the floor. His fingers played along Harry's back, paying extra attention to parts which seemed to ache. After some time, he lifted his hands from Harry's body.
Without thinking, Harry embraced his teacher. It was the first time in ages he had body contact with anyone, he could feel his own body longing to be held. Some moments later, he broke free with a million thoughts in his head. His professor was startled but eventually he got around it and roughly pushed Harry away.
Severus opened his mouth to say something but Harry held up a hand to stop him.
"You don't have to say anything." The boy told him. "I'm sorry…"
"Very well, then." Severus said expressionlessly. "I think you better be off to study. If there's some book you would like to use for your studies, you may use my library."
"Thank you." Harry said softly. Inside he smiled at the invitation he had just received. He knew the 'borrowing books thingy' was just his professor's way to say you're welcome. What he also knew was that he wasn't really being sent to study; he could tell Severus needed some time to think. "Would you…mind if I came down when I've finished my homework."
"That would not be appropriate." Severus raised an eyebrow.
"Well…maybe not." Harry blushed fiercely. Still, he noticed that the man hadn't responded to his question.
"Good night, Mr Potter." The man nodded at the boy and rose.
"Good night, professor." Harry mumbled with emphasis on the last word.