Thank you very much to all the wonderful people who reviewed and gave me
such fabulous words of encouragement. I do apologize for taking so long in
getting this out, my weekend was comprised of nothing but homework. I have
a question that I wonder if you could help me with. I have another story in
the works, but it has no ending or even an inkling for an ending. Should I
post it anyway? Let me know. I hope that everyone enjoys this.
Standard Disclaimers Apply: Not mine. Never will be. Don't sue.
CHAPTER 3
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They fell into a normal routine for the first week. Severus would go to bed at nine-thirty and Harry would follow when it suited him. Harry would usually wake first and after taking a quick shower, would leave their shared quarters and head up to breakfast. Severus would miss breakfast but appear for lunch then disappear into his office or lab for the rest of the day. Harry would return to their quarters after lunch to work on homework or his pet project. Severus would return around eight, they would speak briefly and the Slytherin would bury himself in a book or work while Harry would sit on the sheep's skin rug next to the fireplace and read or work at the desk. If he had a nightmare, provided he hadn't woken his partner, he would get up and either walk or work himself back into exhaustion.
It was three in the morning and Harry was sitting awake at Severus' desk, working on some late night homework. Severus was in the bed asleep where Harry had left him after waking from the beginnings of a nightmare. So he was using the time he would usually wander the castle to catch up on more homework, which would undoubtedly make Hermione proud and Ron question his sanity.
While he was contemplating the possible reasons for Severus to sleep so late in the morning, he felt a haze of chaotic emotions that overrode Severus' sleep muffled ones. Curiosity piqued, he glanced over at Snape, considering waking him before deciding against it and ghosting out of the room, pausing only to grab his invisibility cloak out of habit. He caught a glimpse of white-blonde hair and took three running steps to see if it was who he thought it was.
"Draco?" he whispered to himself in surprise before praying that he hadn't been heard. The other wizard was too caught up in whatever he was doing to pay attention to his surroundings. He had barely seen the other student at all during the break so far, which had not been too unusual as they most definitely weren't the best of friends and had no love for each other.
Harry trailed after the blonde out of curiosity, out of the dungeons, up the dozens of flights of stairs, and the rickety-looking ladder that led up to the Astronomy Tower. The Gryffindor watched the other Seeker strip out of his robes from across the large room, revealing a t-shirt and slacks. Draco folded the robes carefully, placing his wand on top of it before pulling out a slender dragon shaped dagger in a sheath from his back pocket. Draco drew the dagger and stared at it for a moment before drawing it across his left wrist, watching the blood well up in fascination. Harry bit back a gasp, restraining his first impulse to run and grab the boy's wrist to stop the bleeding. As he moved forward, Draco slashed his right wrist before he carefully set the dagger on top of the robe and wand. The blonde moved over to a window, opened it, and stepped out onto the ledge.
Harry's pace increased as he flung aside the invisibility cloak. "Malfoy?" The blonde boy barely glanced back at him, in indifference.
"Potter," he smiled slightly, a true smile that made him look like an angel in the moon's pale light. Closing his eyes, he leaned back and let go of the castle's walls when Harry was just two feet from him. Lunging, Harry caught him by the forearm with one hand and the wall with the other. He was leaning precariously over the edge, so much so he was able to see the courtyard below them. Harry felt himself loose his grip on the wall where Draco's blood had accidentally been smeared even as Draco's emotions slammed up against his mind, making him dizzy and his vision black out at the edges. A moment later, his grip failed and they were both weightless in freefall.
Releasing the blonde's arm, he switched his grip to the other young man's shirt. Closing his eyes, he gathered his concentration and called to his Firebolt as they passed the Gryffindor dorm level, he heard a tinkle of glass far above them as they were flying past the levels at an alarming rate. His broom caught up with him about half way down. He grabbed it in his left hand, straddling the broom quickly. Spinning Draco around, he pulled him back against him on the broom, wrapped an arm around his waist, and clenched his teeth against the pain as he tried to pull them out of their wild fall. He pulled parallel to the ground scant few meters above it. A wave of pain crashed over him, causing him to loose consciousness and slam into the snow, releasing a panicked burst, which woke half the castle.
Snape jerked awake at the panicked blast, calling out for Harry when he didn't see him in bed. Following the compelling feeling of urgency and pain, he rushed outside, meeting Albus and Minerva on the way, leaving the other teachers to control the students. They found Draco sprawled across Harry's chest, a broom embedded into the ground behind them. Both were unconscious, Draco from blood loss and shock, Harry from the emotional overload, and rough landing.
Before the other two could blink, Severus was gently rolling Draco off Harry's chest. He magicked up two stretchers and levitated the students onto separate ones. Passing Draco to Minerva, he levitated Harry up to the Medical Wing to a shocked Poppy who ushered everyone except Snape out of the room while she patched them up.
Draco woke the next morning seeing the partially familiar ceiling of the hospital wing. He glanced over to see his house head slumped over the next bed, where a shock of messy black hair was visible higher up on the bed. Feeling someone watching him, Snape glanced up and over, looking haggard and worried. Draco's first thought was that he looked like he had had no sleep.
"How are you feeling?" Snape finally asked, pulling himself together mentally.
"I'm fine."
"Forgive my skepticism of that statement." Draco shrugged. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not really."
"Do it anyway," Snape ordered.
"Not now."
"All right, but within the week to myself, the Headmaster, or another that can help."
"I promise." There was a slightly strained silence. "Is he ok? What happened to him? If it was the fall he would have been awake by now, wouldn't he?"
"Touching people hurts him."
"What about you?"
"Except me. We still don't know why. He'll be fine once he wakes. You on the other hand."
"I'm sorry."
"I know."
"I won't do it again," Draco swore.
"That's relieving to hear."
"I mean it."
"And I believe you. However, it is everyone else that you need to convince."
They both sat in comfortable silence, using the silence to mull over their thoughts. Draco watched his professor and his rival. His eyebrows raised as Harry pulled Snape's hand, clasped with his, under his cheek, settling back into sleep. A short while later, the Gryffindor yawned, blinking confusedly at the older man above him. Severus handed him his glasses silently.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been held under an Unforgivable then attacked by wild bludgers. What happened?"
"What do you remember?"
"Homework, the Astronomy Tower, following someone, a dagger, blood, falling.Draco Malfoy! Severus, he jumped! Is he all right? I thought I caught him but I can't remember! I did, didn't I? He's not." Severus smirked as the boy trailed off and leaned back to allow Harry to see past him to the next bed. "Oh, thank Merlin," the Gryffindor sighed, settling back further in relief. "I don't remember getting here."
"That's not unexpected. You were unconscious when we found you."
"I was?"
"Yes, you caught Draco, but you ended up crashing anyway."
"My broom?"
"It's scuffed but functional. It is in your godfather's care, along with your cloak."
"Thank you," Harry squeezed the professor's hand in appreciation.
"Will you two be all right alone for a short while?" Snape asked, disentangling his hand from the teen's warm one.
"Yes."
"You won't fall asleep?"
"I won't," Harry promised.
"Draco, watch him."
"Yes, sir."
"Hey!" Harry exclaimed as Snape made his way out of the infirmary. He deftly caught the pillow aimed for his head, dropping into a chair near the door, without even looking at the Gryffindor who had launched it at him. "Insufferable git."
"Potter?" Draco ventured after a moment.
"Hmm?"
"Why did you save me?"
"Just because. Don't feel so shocked. By the way, Malfoy, no, Draco, if you ever plan another stunt like that, I will strip you bare and hang you from the top of the highest Quidditch goal by your balls for everyone to see then cover you in chocolate and let Hogwarts' females with PMS or Fang after you before handing you over to Filch to try out his old punishments on like he's always wanting to do, do you understand?"
Draco paled slightly with a tint of green. "I understand," he gulped, feeling that Harry would more than likely follow through, at least with the chocolate crazed witches anyhow.
"Good. Next on the agenda, talk."
"About what?"
"About why you were jumping off the Astronomy Tower."
"I don't want to talk about it right now."
"All right, then, let's go and get something to eat." Draco thought Harry was giving up awfully easy, but was glad for the change of subject.
"Eat?"
"Yes eat, I'm hungry, let's make a kitchen run."
"But what about Madam Pomfrey or Professor Snape?"
"Let me deal with them. Spirits know I've done it often enough. Think of it this way, Sev, err, Snape, never said to stay here and if you come with me then you won't break your agreement to watch me with him. There's no way he can truly be angry at you."
"Says you," Draco grumbled good-naturedly, following the slightly wobbly Harry out the door and down the corridor, two sets of stairs and to the picture of a bowl of fruit in which the Gryffindor tickled the pear causing the portrait to swing open.
"Hello, Harry Potter, Harry Potter's friend," a house elf greeted as it rushed past. They were greeted similarly as Harry easily moved through the kitchens to where a small table was set up. A small house elf edged up, eyeing Draco warily.
"Hello, Misty. This is my friend, Draco Malfoy. Dobby isn't here, is he?"
"No, Harry Potter, Misty is sorry but Dobby is not here. Can Misty help Harry Potter?"
"Yes, please. Anything you have handy would be fine." He glanced at Draco who nodded. "And two butterbeers, if you have them." Misty nodded and scurried off to gather some food and drink for the two teens. Harry greeted the three elves that brought them food by name and spoke with them for a moment before they scurried off.
"Do you spend a lot of time here then, Pott, err, Harry?"
"Enough," Harry chuckled, biting into the warm pastry.
"Why did you call Professor Snape 'Severus' and 'Sev'?"
"Slip of the tongue, I'm usually careful not to say it around other people. I'd better explain. We were partners during the war, not like that," Harry hastily said, picking up shocked amusement from Draco. "We went on all types of missions together. One of our earlier ones, there wasn't much chance for survival, and not because I was a rookie either. He was seriously injured and I was terrified as we were trapped up a tree that was surrounded by werewolves that were trying to climb it. We were wandless as our contact had demanded; he turned out to be a traitor and we had to run for our lives, but I digress. We ended up talking about random things and he told me that if I was to be the last person he was ever to speak to, he didn't want to be called 'Professor'. I asked him what he wanted to be called and he finally gave me the honor of addressing him by his given name but only when we worked in the field together. Any slip up would result in severe pain to my person."
"If you were partners, then why wasn't he nicer to you?"
"He was a spy," Harry said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"I know that, I meant, why wasn't he nicer to you these past few days? Why wasn't he nicer to you today? With Voldemort gone for good, he doesn't need to be an ass to you anymore."
"Old habits die hard, I guess."
"Bull shit. He could at least spend more time with you; even if it was just grading papers in the same room as you. Speaking of which, you're lucky that you were exempt from exams as the Savior. They were hard. I think you're exempt from N.E.W.T.S. too. "
"I was wondering why no one was talking to me about studying for exams or re-takes. I didn't know about being exempt, though." They were both silent for a moment. "Talk to me Draco. I won't tell anyone that doesn't need to know."
"My father's had been pressuring me for the last eight years to become a Dark Wizard. I refused, repeatedly. Before You-Know-Who came back, he didn't really push the matter as it wasn't that important. But after our fourth year, he began to push in earnest. My mother managed to brush off my refusals as trying to be independent, an adolescent phase, or some other sort of nonsense. It was she that kept me from being Dark. She wanted nothing more than for me to grow up to just take over the family business. He bought it until last summer when You-Know-Who demanded my allegiance. I refused and my mother backed me." Draco's eyes went distant and his voice flat. He didn't notice Snape enter the room. "She told me to go to my room while they talked. I did because it wasn't a suggestion like she normally made, it was an order.
"A minute later, a house elf appeared with my packed trunk, my broom, and a bag with money and three keys in it. It handed them to me and told me to run on my mother's orders. I wouldn't have done it except for the house elf. It didn't quiver, shake, or be otherwise timid or shy. It flung open the window, shrunk and made my trunk weightless and glanced to the door. I could hear my father's footsteps echoing up the hall even as the house elf magicked the bed in front of the door, along with at least a dozen different locking charms. I grabbed my wand, shoved my trunk into my pocket and after tying the bag to my waist, I darted out the window and around the side of the house. I looked through the window to where my parents had been arguing and I saw my mother lying still on the floor as if she was asleep. I was going to go and see if she was alright when I heard a huge explosion following my father's voice. I did as she ordered and I ran like a coward. I went to one of my mother's summer cottages that she used to take me to. She had told me that if I was ever in trouble I was to go there and wait for her to contact me." Tears were leaking down Draco's face unnoticed and silent. Harry glanced to his partner for support, unable to touch the boy in front of him. Severus moved up several steps but stayed back and silent.
"I waited until it was September 1st and I left to get to the train. I came to Hogwarts and I still waited for word from her. After you defeated You- Know-Who, and there was still no word, I went to the Ministry and demanded veritaserum. I told them everything. I told them of my father's caches of potions ingredients, I told them of his dark paraphernalia, of his other bank accounts, of the last time I had seen my mother, of everything. But he was too clever; he had everything cleared out by the time I had gone to them. They had some evidence, but nothing concrete, nothing they could convict him with. He said that my mother was away on vacation in America, visiting a friend for the next several months, as she was recovering from a nasty illness, but I knew better. She's trapped somewhere, subject to his psychotic whims. Oh, no, he wouldn't kill her, that's too easy for her, he loves her too much for that, but he's a twisted fucker, he has her, somewhere, locked away like an expensive trinket or a rare jewel. Sadistic bastard."
Draco burst into tears, of anger or sorrow, Harry could not tell. Severus moved up next to the pair and allowed Draco to sob into his shoulder rather than his hands. Draco cried himself out on Snape's shoulder eventually and Severus carried him out of the kitchens, heading toward the infirmary, but Harry stopped him with a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"I think he'll be more comfortable in the dungeons, and I can feel him if he goes past again like that. He was broadcasting emotions extremely loudly."
"All right, but you are going to bed as well. What possessed him to let you out of that bed, I do not know."
"Don't blame Draco, I convinced him to come with me so he wouldn't break his promise to you. He needed to talk, I could feel it." They walked in silence for a few minutes. "He respects you, you know."
"I am his House Head and professor."
"Not respect for your authority, but actual respect for you as an individual. I think he thinks of you as I did/do of Dumbledore, especially when I was younger: a parental figure, a confidant, a friend. I also believe that this attempt of his was a one time thing. He just needs help to work out his issues and to have his mother found."
"I'll take that into consideration. I'll put him into his bed, you get changed and into bed."
"All right. Join me soon?"
Snape tried not to see the double entendre in that question or the slight smile that went with it. "I'll be there in a moment. Try not to fall asleep until I get there. I don't want my bedroom destroyed." Harry stuck his tongue out good-naturedly and padded towards their shared room.
--- --- --- --- ---
It was three days until Christmas and Harry was pestering everyone to take him to Diagon Alley so he could finish his Christmas shopping. Knowing Harry was not truly up to going to Diagon Alley - no matter how much he refuted that statement - Minerva, Remus, and Sirius, offered to take part of his Christmas list and purchase the presents, bringing them back for him to wrap himself, taking part of the fun away according to the Gryffindor. After his initial objection, he quickly wrote out three separate lists, with strict orders not to forget a single thing. He wrote a letter the goblins at Gringott's and handed over his key to Remus, before pulling Minerva aside and whispering to her, pressing another note into her surprised hand. When they returned, much later than expected, he locked Severus out of their room, which the Gryffindor had commandeered for his own use for wrapping the presents.
Christmas was anything but quiet at the school. Since Madam Pomfrey didn't want either Harry or Draco to leave the castle, the entire Weasley clan, Hermione, Remus, Sirius, and the teachers that remained at the castle all gathered in the Great Hall for the morning celebration, which consisted of dozens of presents for everyone. Severus tried to avoid most of the festivities, but Harry insisted on dragging him everywhere he went.
'At least,' Severus mused, 'I'm not the only one.' He watched as Ginny pulled Draco into the games at Harry suggestion. The twins were leery of him as were Ron and Hermione until Harry settled himself between Draco and Severus, forcing them to separate to accommodate him. Harry happily held up several conversations at once, repeatedly attempting to draw the two Slytherins into the discussions only for them to fall silent and force him to drag them back in again.
Finally, Draco was immersed in a conversation with Ginny and the Twins over the pros and cons of specific pranks, and Harry was buried deep in a chat with his friends as they tore the wrapping off the presents buried under the huge tree with glee. Severus managed to slip away from the Gryffindor and head out of the hall to the sanctuary of his lab. After a moment, Harry turned to gather Snape's opinion on something someone had received, only to find him missing. Harry glanced around, thinking that he had moved to speak with another teacher. He waited several more minutes, hoping he had just made a bathroom run before excusing himself and stalking determinedly down to the dungeons, a heavy green present in his hands.
After checking their rooms, his office, and classroom, Harry turned and padded down the winding hall that led to Severus' private lab. Harry knocked twice and waited but got no response. He tested the knob to find it locked. After trying a basic Alohamora, he sighed and set the present on the ground with an unbreakable charm on it just in case Snape stepped on it.
"Severus, I know you can hear me. I left something outside your door for you, please don't step on it." As he expected, he got no answer. "I hope you come back up soon. At least for dinner." Getting no response, he shuffled back up to the festivities, putting on a smile as he entered the music filled room, casually pausing to speak to Bill and Charlie about things they had done.
"I'm sorry, Harry," Albus said as they watched everyone enjoy the morning turning afternoon.
"For what?"
"On Severus' behalf. He doesn't like to participate in crowds, celebrations, or parties, but prefers to watch. He's a very private man and he likes solitude compared to action."
"He's entitled to his own life, Professor. He's been remarkably kind considering all he's had to give up for me: his privacy, his routine, his sleep, his vacation, his bed. I can't ask more of him then he's already given. I'm actually surprised he stayed as long as he did, I thought he'd make some excuse after breakfast."
"Just don't get your hopes up Harry," Albus sighed, "He's got a good heart, he just doesn't know it."
"I know it, sir, and frankly, that's all that matters. I'll just have to work a little harder."
"You know what you are getting yourself into?" Harry smiled in response, handing Albus a popper end. They pulled and out came a hat and a book. Harry picked up the book, glanced at the title, set it back down, and with a wink, walked over to speak with his friends. Albus looked at the title in question. Love Potion #9 by Winna Hart, the wizard's edition. The Headmaster laughed and turned to speak with Minerva on whether or not Remus and Sirius should take their displays of affection into a private room.
Later that afternoon, the others returned to their houses or retired to enjoy their vacation. Harry spent the afternoon with Hagrid, Remus, and Sirius, holding bizarre conversations. As night fell, Harry returned to the dungeons after bidding everyone a Happy Christmas and a wonderful evening. He saw that his gift sat untouched where he had left them. Frowning, he went to their shared room and after changing, crawled under the sheets that he warmed with a charm. Harry knew he couldn't fall asleep as he didn't want to break anything in his partner's room.
After a few more hours, Harry had fallen into a light doze, not true sleep, he would jerk awake before he had any power surges. He absently heard Severus enter into the room, the crinkle of paper in his hand. He heard the paper be quietly sliced away by the sharp knife Severus kept on his desk for opening seals or cutting ingredients. He barely heard the sharp intake of breath as he fell into a deeper sleep. He was completely unaware of Severus turning to face him with a small smile on his face, and the complete set of hardback novels by his favorite author, along with a book Harry had been working on for the last two years: A published book of new potions and notes with the foreword by Harry Potter. A book of potions invented by one Severus Snape. Of Snakegrass and Dragon's Blood. He opened the book and stared at the scrawled note in the front cover of the book that he would recognize anywhere as Harry's handwriting.
May this be a fond reminder that all your hard work in more areas than just potions has paid off.
He opened the note that was placed just before the title page, folded and sealed carefully. After gently breaking the wax, he let his eyes skim the familiar script, letting another small, wrapped present fall into his hand.
Whenever you are ready to share your vast knowledge with the rest of the world, owl the publisher, he'll start production and distribution. The profits will be automatically placed into your vault. There is no rush, though. I hope you don't mind, I took the liberty of writing the foreword. I can have it removed if it doesn't suit your tastes. Just so you know you own the first book, the first edition of which I am certain many more will follow with all the talent that you possess. I'm going to request a signed copy one day. Undoubtedly you will make this required reading for your seventh years (hopefully not until after I graduate). I hope they learn as much from you as I have, in more than Potions and books.
Forever in your debt, Harry.
Snape stared at the note in his hand for several minutes before replacing the letter and placing it back into the book. He carefully unwrapped the last gift. There was a strong silver box chain with a small marble on the end. He peered closer and recognized pieces of wormwood, asphodel, and wolfsbane, the three ingredients he had asked Harry in their first day of class. Slipping the chain over his head, he walked over to his personal library and slid the book next to his most treasured and most valuable books before changing and sliding into the bed next to Harry, who immediately snuggled closer. Severus snaked an arm around his waist and pulled him close, placing a soft kiss on his temple before whispering into his ear. "That necklace and one book mean more to me than all the gold in the world. I thank you from the bottom of my soul." He pressed a chaste kiss on the lightning bolt scar.
"Sev," Harry breathed, pressing closer.
Standard Disclaimers Apply: Not mine. Never will be. Don't sue.
CHAPTER 3
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They fell into a normal routine for the first week. Severus would go to bed at nine-thirty and Harry would follow when it suited him. Harry would usually wake first and after taking a quick shower, would leave their shared quarters and head up to breakfast. Severus would miss breakfast but appear for lunch then disappear into his office or lab for the rest of the day. Harry would return to their quarters after lunch to work on homework or his pet project. Severus would return around eight, they would speak briefly and the Slytherin would bury himself in a book or work while Harry would sit on the sheep's skin rug next to the fireplace and read or work at the desk. If he had a nightmare, provided he hadn't woken his partner, he would get up and either walk or work himself back into exhaustion.
It was three in the morning and Harry was sitting awake at Severus' desk, working on some late night homework. Severus was in the bed asleep where Harry had left him after waking from the beginnings of a nightmare. So he was using the time he would usually wander the castle to catch up on more homework, which would undoubtedly make Hermione proud and Ron question his sanity.
While he was contemplating the possible reasons for Severus to sleep so late in the morning, he felt a haze of chaotic emotions that overrode Severus' sleep muffled ones. Curiosity piqued, he glanced over at Snape, considering waking him before deciding against it and ghosting out of the room, pausing only to grab his invisibility cloak out of habit. He caught a glimpse of white-blonde hair and took three running steps to see if it was who he thought it was.
"Draco?" he whispered to himself in surprise before praying that he hadn't been heard. The other wizard was too caught up in whatever he was doing to pay attention to his surroundings. He had barely seen the other student at all during the break so far, which had not been too unusual as they most definitely weren't the best of friends and had no love for each other.
Harry trailed after the blonde out of curiosity, out of the dungeons, up the dozens of flights of stairs, and the rickety-looking ladder that led up to the Astronomy Tower. The Gryffindor watched the other Seeker strip out of his robes from across the large room, revealing a t-shirt and slacks. Draco folded the robes carefully, placing his wand on top of it before pulling out a slender dragon shaped dagger in a sheath from his back pocket. Draco drew the dagger and stared at it for a moment before drawing it across his left wrist, watching the blood well up in fascination. Harry bit back a gasp, restraining his first impulse to run and grab the boy's wrist to stop the bleeding. As he moved forward, Draco slashed his right wrist before he carefully set the dagger on top of the robe and wand. The blonde moved over to a window, opened it, and stepped out onto the ledge.
Harry's pace increased as he flung aside the invisibility cloak. "Malfoy?" The blonde boy barely glanced back at him, in indifference.
"Potter," he smiled slightly, a true smile that made him look like an angel in the moon's pale light. Closing his eyes, he leaned back and let go of the castle's walls when Harry was just two feet from him. Lunging, Harry caught him by the forearm with one hand and the wall with the other. He was leaning precariously over the edge, so much so he was able to see the courtyard below them. Harry felt himself loose his grip on the wall where Draco's blood had accidentally been smeared even as Draco's emotions slammed up against his mind, making him dizzy and his vision black out at the edges. A moment later, his grip failed and they were both weightless in freefall.
Releasing the blonde's arm, he switched his grip to the other young man's shirt. Closing his eyes, he gathered his concentration and called to his Firebolt as they passed the Gryffindor dorm level, he heard a tinkle of glass far above them as they were flying past the levels at an alarming rate. His broom caught up with him about half way down. He grabbed it in his left hand, straddling the broom quickly. Spinning Draco around, he pulled him back against him on the broom, wrapped an arm around his waist, and clenched his teeth against the pain as he tried to pull them out of their wild fall. He pulled parallel to the ground scant few meters above it. A wave of pain crashed over him, causing him to loose consciousness and slam into the snow, releasing a panicked burst, which woke half the castle.
Snape jerked awake at the panicked blast, calling out for Harry when he didn't see him in bed. Following the compelling feeling of urgency and pain, he rushed outside, meeting Albus and Minerva on the way, leaving the other teachers to control the students. They found Draco sprawled across Harry's chest, a broom embedded into the ground behind them. Both were unconscious, Draco from blood loss and shock, Harry from the emotional overload, and rough landing.
Before the other two could blink, Severus was gently rolling Draco off Harry's chest. He magicked up two stretchers and levitated the students onto separate ones. Passing Draco to Minerva, he levitated Harry up to the Medical Wing to a shocked Poppy who ushered everyone except Snape out of the room while she patched them up.
Draco woke the next morning seeing the partially familiar ceiling of the hospital wing. He glanced over to see his house head slumped over the next bed, where a shock of messy black hair was visible higher up on the bed. Feeling someone watching him, Snape glanced up and over, looking haggard and worried. Draco's first thought was that he looked like he had had no sleep.
"How are you feeling?" Snape finally asked, pulling himself together mentally.
"I'm fine."
"Forgive my skepticism of that statement." Draco shrugged. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not really."
"Do it anyway," Snape ordered.
"Not now."
"All right, but within the week to myself, the Headmaster, or another that can help."
"I promise." There was a slightly strained silence. "Is he ok? What happened to him? If it was the fall he would have been awake by now, wouldn't he?"
"Touching people hurts him."
"What about you?"
"Except me. We still don't know why. He'll be fine once he wakes. You on the other hand."
"I'm sorry."
"I know."
"I won't do it again," Draco swore.
"That's relieving to hear."
"I mean it."
"And I believe you. However, it is everyone else that you need to convince."
They both sat in comfortable silence, using the silence to mull over their thoughts. Draco watched his professor and his rival. His eyebrows raised as Harry pulled Snape's hand, clasped with his, under his cheek, settling back into sleep. A short while later, the Gryffindor yawned, blinking confusedly at the older man above him. Severus handed him his glasses silently.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been held under an Unforgivable then attacked by wild bludgers. What happened?"
"What do you remember?"
"Homework, the Astronomy Tower, following someone, a dagger, blood, falling.Draco Malfoy! Severus, he jumped! Is he all right? I thought I caught him but I can't remember! I did, didn't I? He's not." Severus smirked as the boy trailed off and leaned back to allow Harry to see past him to the next bed. "Oh, thank Merlin," the Gryffindor sighed, settling back further in relief. "I don't remember getting here."
"That's not unexpected. You were unconscious when we found you."
"I was?"
"Yes, you caught Draco, but you ended up crashing anyway."
"My broom?"
"It's scuffed but functional. It is in your godfather's care, along with your cloak."
"Thank you," Harry squeezed the professor's hand in appreciation.
"Will you two be all right alone for a short while?" Snape asked, disentangling his hand from the teen's warm one.
"Yes."
"You won't fall asleep?"
"I won't," Harry promised.
"Draco, watch him."
"Yes, sir."
"Hey!" Harry exclaimed as Snape made his way out of the infirmary. He deftly caught the pillow aimed for his head, dropping into a chair near the door, without even looking at the Gryffindor who had launched it at him. "Insufferable git."
"Potter?" Draco ventured after a moment.
"Hmm?"
"Why did you save me?"
"Just because. Don't feel so shocked. By the way, Malfoy, no, Draco, if you ever plan another stunt like that, I will strip you bare and hang you from the top of the highest Quidditch goal by your balls for everyone to see then cover you in chocolate and let Hogwarts' females with PMS or Fang after you before handing you over to Filch to try out his old punishments on like he's always wanting to do, do you understand?"
Draco paled slightly with a tint of green. "I understand," he gulped, feeling that Harry would more than likely follow through, at least with the chocolate crazed witches anyhow.
"Good. Next on the agenda, talk."
"About what?"
"About why you were jumping off the Astronomy Tower."
"I don't want to talk about it right now."
"All right, then, let's go and get something to eat." Draco thought Harry was giving up awfully easy, but was glad for the change of subject.
"Eat?"
"Yes eat, I'm hungry, let's make a kitchen run."
"But what about Madam Pomfrey or Professor Snape?"
"Let me deal with them. Spirits know I've done it often enough. Think of it this way, Sev, err, Snape, never said to stay here and if you come with me then you won't break your agreement to watch me with him. There's no way he can truly be angry at you."
"Says you," Draco grumbled good-naturedly, following the slightly wobbly Harry out the door and down the corridor, two sets of stairs and to the picture of a bowl of fruit in which the Gryffindor tickled the pear causing the portrait to swing open.
"Hello, Harry Potter, Harry Potter's friend," a house elf greeted as it rushed past. They were greeted similarly as Harry easily moved through the kitchens to where a small table was set up. A small house elf edged up, eyeing Draco warily.
"Hello, Misty. This is my friend, Draco Malfoy. Dobby isn't here, is he?"
"No, Harry Potter, Misty is sorry but Dobby is not here. Can Misty help Harry Potter?"
"Yes, please. Anything you have handy would be fine." He glanced at Draco who nodded. "And two butterbeers, if you have them." Misty nodded and scurried off to gather some food and drink for the two teens. Harry greeted the three elves that brought them food by name and spoke with them for a moment before they scurried off.
"Do you spend a lot of time here then, Pott, err, Harry?"
"Enough," Harry chuckled, biting into the warm pastry.
"Why did you call Professor Snape 'Severus' and 'Sev'?"
"Slip of the tongue, I'm usually careful not to say it around other people. I'd better explain. We were partners during the war, not like that," Harry hastily said, picking up shocked amusement from Draco. "We went on all types of missions together. One of our earlier ones, there wasn't much chance for survival, and not because I was a rookie either. He was seriously injured and I was terrified as we were trapped up a tree that was surrounded by werewolves that were trying to climb it. We were wandless as our contact had demanded; he turned out to be a traitor and we had to run for our lives, but I digress. We ended up talking about random things and he told me that if I was to be the last person he was ever to speak to, he didn't want to be called 'Professor'. I asked him what he wanted to be called and he finally gave me the honor of addressing him by his given name but only when we worked in the field together. Any slip up would result in severe pain to my person."
"If you were partners, then why wasn't he nicer to you?"
"He was a spy," Harry said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"I know that, I meant, why wasn't he nicer to you these past few days? Why wasn't he nicer to you today? With Voldemort gone for good, he doesn't need to be an ass to you anymore."
"Old habits die hard, I guess."
"Bull shit. He could at least spend more time with you; even if it was just grading papers in the same room as you. Speaking of which, you're lucky that you were exempt from exams as the Savior. They were hard. I think you're exempt from N.E.W.T.S. too. "
"I was wondering why no one was talking to me about studying for exams or re-takes. I didn't know about being exempt, though." They were both silent for a moment. "Talk to me Draco. I won't tell anyone that doesn't need to know."
"My father's had been pressuring me for the last eight years to become a Dark Wizard. I refused, repeatedly. Before You-Know-Who came back, he didn't really push the matter as it wasn't that important. But after our fourth year, he began to push in earnest. My mother managed to brush off my refusals as trying to be independent, an adolescent phase, or some other sort of nonsense. It was she that kept me from being Dark. She wanted nothing more than for me to grow up to just take over the family business. He bought it until last summer when You-Know-Who demanded my allegiance. I refused and my mother backed me." Draco's eyes went distant and his voice flat. He didn't notice Snape enter the room. "She told me to go to my room while they talked. I did because it wasn't a suggestion like she normally made, it was an order.
"A minute later, a house elf appeared with my packed trunk, my broom, and a bag with money and three keys in it. It handed them to me and told me to run on my mother's orders. I wouldn't have done it except for the house elf. It didn't quiver, shake, or be otherwise timid or shy. It flung open the window, shrunk and made my trunk weightless and glanced to the door. I could hear my father's footsteps echoing up the hall even as the house elf magicked the bed in front of the door, along with at least a dozen different locking charms. I grabbed my wand, shoved my trunk into my pocket and after tying the bag to my waist, I darted out the window and around the side of the house. I looked through the window to where my parents had been arguing and I saw my mother lying still on the floor as if she was asleep. I was going to go and see if she was alright when I heard a huge explosion following my father's voice. I did as she ordered and I ran like a coward. I went to one of my mother's summer cottages that she used to take me to. She had told me that if I was ever in trouble I was to go there and wait for her to contact me." Tears were leaking down Draco's face unnoticed and silent. Harry glanced to his partner for support, unable to touch the boy in front of him. Severus moved up several steps but stayed back and silent.
"I waited until it was September 1st and I left to get to the train. I came to Hogwarts and I still waited for word from her. After you defeated You- Know-Who, and there was still no word, I went to the Ministry and demanded veritaserum. I told them everything. I told them of my father's caches of potions ingredients, I told them of his dark paraphernalia, of his other bank accounts, of the last time I had seen my mother, of everything. But he was too clever; he had everything cleared out by the time I had gone to them. They had some evidence, but nothing concrete, nothing they could convict him with. He said that my mother was away on vacation in America, visiting a friend for the next several months, as she was recovering from a nasty illness, but I knew better. She's trapped somewhere, subject to his psychotic whims. Oh, no, he wouldn't kill her, that's too easy for her, he loves her too much for that, but he's a twisted fucker, he has her, somewhere, locked away like an expensive trinket or a rare jewel. Sadistic bastard."
Draco burst into tears, of anger or sorrow, Harry could not tell. Severus moved up next to the pair and allowed Draco to sob into his shoulder rather than his hands. Draco cried himself out on Snape's shoulder eventually and Severus carried him out of the kitchens, heading toward the infirmary, but Harry stopped him with a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"I think he'll be more comfortable in the dungeons, and I can feel him if he goes past again like that. He was broadcasting emotions extremely loudly."
"All right, but you are going to bed as well. What possessed him to let you out of that bed, I do not know."
"Don't blame Draco, I convinced him to come with me so he wouldn't break his promise to you. He needed to talk, I could feel it." They walked in silence for a few minutes. "He respects you, you know."
"I am his House Head and professor."
"Not respect for your authority, but actual respect for you as an individual. I think he thinks of you as I did/do of Dumbledore, especially when I was younger: a parental figure, a confidant, a friend. I also believe that this attempt of his was a one time thing. He just needs help to work out his issues and to have his mother found."
"I'll take that into consideration. I'll put him into his bed, you get changed and into bed."
"All right. Join me soon?"
Snape tried not to see the double entendre in that question or the slight smile that went with it. "I'll be there in a moment. Try not to fall asleep until I get there. I don't want my bedroom destroyed." Harry stuck his tongue out good-naturedly and padded towards their shared room.
--- --- --- --- ---
It was three days until Christmas and Harry was pestering everyone to take him to Diagon Alley so he could finish his Christmas shopping. Knowing Harry was not truly up to going to Diagon Alley - no matter how much he refuted that statement - Minerva, Remus, and Sirius, offered to take part of his Christmas list and purchase the presents, bringing them back for him to wrap himself, taking part of the fun away according to the Gryffindor. After his initial objection, he quickly wrote out three separate lists, with strict orders not to forget a single thing. He wrote a letter the goblins at Gringott's and handed over his key to Remus, before pulling Minerva aside and whispering to her, pressing another note into her surprised hand. When they returned, much later than expected, he locked Severus out of their room, which the Gryffindor had commandeered for his own use for wrapping the presents.
Christmas was anything but quiet at the school. Since Madam Pomfrey didn't want either Harry or Draco to leave the castle, the entire Weasley clan, Hermione, Remus, Sirius, and the teachers that remained at the castle all gathered in the Great Hall for the morning celebration, which consisted of dozens of presents for everyone. Severus tried to avoid most of the festivities, but Harry insisted on dragging him everywhere he went.
'At least,' Severus mused, 'I'm not the only one.' He watched as Ginny pulled Draco into the games at Harry suggestion. The twins were leery of him as were Ron and Hermione until Harry settled himself between Draco and Severus, forcing them to separate to accommodate him. Harry happily held up several conversations at once, repeatedly attempting to draw the two Slytherins into the discussions only for them to fall silent and force him to drag them back in again.
Finally, Draco was immersed in a conversation with Ginny and the Twins over the pros and cons of specific pranks, and Harry was buried deep in a chat with his friends as they tore the wrapping off the presents buried under the huge tree with glee. Severus managed to slip away from the Gryffindor and head out of the hall to the sanctuary of his lab. After a moment, Harry turned to gather Snape's opinion on something someone had received, only to find him missing. Harry glanced around, thinking that he had moved to speak with another teacher. He waited several more minutes, hoping he had just made a bathroom run before excusing himself and stalking determinedly down to the dungeons, a heavy green present in his hands.
After checking their rooms, his office, and classroom, Harry turned and padded down the winding hall that led to Severus' private lab. Harry knocked twice and waited but got no response. He tested the knob to find it locked. After trying a basic Alohamora, he sighed and set the present on the ground with an unbreakable charm on it just in case Snape stepped on it.
"Severus, I know you can hear me. I left something outside your door for you, please don't step on it." As he expected, he got no answer. "I hope you come back up soon. At least for dinner." Getting no response, he shuffled back up to the festivities, putting on a smile as he entered the music filled room, casually pausing to speak to Bill and Charlie about things they had done.
"I'm sorry, Harry," Albus said as they watched everyone enjoy the morning turning afternoon.
"For what?"
"On Severus' behalf. He doesn't like to participate in crowds, celebrations, or parties, but prefers to watch. He's a very private man and he likes solitude compared to action."
"He's entitled to his own life, Professor. He's been remarkably kind considering all he's had to give up for me: his privacy, his routine, his sleep, his vacation, his bed. I can't ask more of him then he's already given. I'm actually surprised he stayed as long as he did, I thought he'd make some excuse after breakfast."
"Just don't get your hopes up Harry," Albus sighed, "He's got a good heart, he just doesn't know it."
"I know it, sir, and frankly, that's all that matters. I'll just have to work a little harder."
"You know what you are getting yourself into?" Harry smiled in response, handing Albus a popper end. They pulled and out came a hat and a book. Harry picked up the book, glanced at the title, set it back down, and with a wink, walked over to speak with his friends. Albus looked at the title in question. Love Potion #9 by Winna Hart, the wizard's edition. The Headmaster laughed and turned to speak with Minerva on whether or not Remus and Sirius should take their displays of affection into a private room.
Later that afternoon, the others returned to their houses or retired to enjoy their vacation. Harry spent the afternoon with Hagrid, Remus, and Sirius, holding bizarre conversations. As night fell, Harry returned to the dungeons after bidding everyone a Happy Christmas and a wonderful evening. He saw that his gift sat untouched where he had left them. Frowning, he went to their shared room and after changing, crawled under the sheets that he warmed with a charm. Harry knew he couldn't fall asleep as he didn't want to break anything in his partner's room.
After a few more hours, Harry had fallen into a light doze, not true sleep, he would jerk awake before he had any power surges. He absently heard Severus enter into the room, the crinkle of paper in his hand. He heard the paper be quietly sliced away by the sharp knife Severus kept on his desk for opening seals or cutting ingredients. He barely heard the sharp intake of breath as he fell into a deeper sleep. He was completely unaware of Severus turning to face him with a small smile on his face, and the complete set of hardback novels by his favorite author, along with a book Harry had been working on for the last two years: A published book of new potions and notes with the foreword by Harry Potter. A book of potions invented by one Severus Snape. Of Snakegrass and Dragon's Blood. He opened the book and stared at the scrawled note in the front cover of the book that he would recognize anywhere as Harry's handwriting.
May this be a fond reminder that all your hard work in more areas than just potions has paid off.
He opened the note that was placed just before the title page, folded and sealed carefully. After gently breaking the wax, he let his eyes skim the familiar script, letting another small, wrapped present fall into his hand.
Whenever you are ready to share your vast knowledge with the rest of the world, owl the publisher, he'll start production and distribution. The profits will be automatically placed into your vault. There is no rush, though. I hope you don't mind, I took the liberty of writing the foreword. I can have it removed if it doesn't suit your tastes. Just so you know you own the first book, the first edition of which I am certain many more will follow with all the talent that you possess. I'm going to request a signed copy one day. Undoubtedly you will make this required reading for your seventh years (hopefully not until after I graduate). I hope they learn as much from you as I have, in more than Potions and books.
Forever in your debt, Harry.
Snape stared at the note in his hand for several minutes before replacing the letter and placing it back into the book. He carefully unwrapped the last gift. There was a strong silver box chain with a small marble on the end. He peered closer and recognized pieces of wormwood, asphodel, and wolfsbane, the three ingredients he had asked Harry in their first day of class. Slipping the chain over his head, he walked over to his personal library and slid the book next to his most treasured and most valuable books before changing and sliding into the bed next to Harry, who immediately snuggled closer. Severus snaked an arm around his waist and pulled him close, placing a soft kiss on his temple before whispering into his ear. "That necklace and one book mean more to me than all the gold in the world. I thank you from the bottom of my soul." He pressed a chaste kiss on the lightning bolt scar.
"Sev," Harry breathed, pressing closer.