I found this again, after a long absense from writing, and so, part four. Part five, the ending, will be up in a day or two, depending on how much editing I have to do to make it safe. The uncut version will be found on my website. Without further ado, and much to my eternal shame for the delay of this...

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Solutions and Problems

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The first Hogsmeade trip of the new year rolled around in late January and all the students, fourth year and above that had permission, were thrilled about the chance to escape from the castle and restock their candy and prank supplies. It took Harry and Draco combined over an hour to convince Severus to help chaperone so Harry could safely attend the trip with his friends. He flatly disagreed until he caught sight of the disappointment in Harry's expressive eyes. After a moment more, he acquiesced, and to his surprise, he was glomped by an ecstatic Harry, who nearly squeezed the breath out of him with the fierce hug, which he tentatively returned.

Severus was regretting his decision, even though he had been rewarded by the hug. The bouncing and laughing group of children around him was enough to make him want to grind his teeth to powder. The only thing that made it better was Harry hanging on him, even as he was holding a conversation with Draco and the other parts of his Trio.

The entire student population understood that Harry couldn't touch anyone else do to unknown reasons, which both the Headmaster and the Ministry were looking into. Their reactions were muted by the fact that Dumbledore, who had announced their odd relationship, brought up Harry's miraculous defeat of the Dark Lord and their working together in the War beforehand. It was also helped by Harry's threat of bodily harm to anyone who harassed either of them over the fact that he willingly touched the older man. He didn't do that in public, of course, but after telling the Slytherins to bugger off over the fact, the rumor spread.

Severus had left Harry to his friends for a moment while he went to get a drink at the Hogshead Tavern. Harry was supposed to meet him in an hour; he arrived with two minutes to spare with Draco, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny in tow. The two girls were discussing some new fashion that was starting to become the rage, while Draco and Ron argued over Quidditch teams. Harry leaned back with a sigh against Severus, sipping on his drink He scooted over, keeping their thighs pressed together before leaning forward and picking up a roll from the bowl in the middle of the table. Much to everyone's shock, he disappeared with a pop. Severus ordered the other students to locate another teacher then return to the castle immediately as he reached for his wand. Before he had even completed his order to them, he too, disappeared, his wand rolling along the table.

Snape found himself roughly slammed into a stone wall by two dark-clad figures before he had recovered from the portkey's nauseating effects. Finding himself suddenly bound by constricting ropes, he struggled uselessly, before stilling and waiting to see what would happen. The first few raining punches and kicks merely hurt a great deal, but when coupled with the Cruciatus curse, hurt a great deal. Enough so that he passed out into the merciful blackness he was well acquainted with over his years as a Death Eater, proud of himself that he didn't give them the satisfaction of his screams.

When he woke, he found himself, fully dressed but rope bound in a cold, dark, small room. He deduced it was a cell from the manacles hanging off the wall. The pounding in his head was only a minor distraction, as he struggled to reach the slim dagger he kept in his boot, only to find it missing. Unreasonably disappointed, he twisted to get comfortable before closing his eyes and resigning himself to a long wait, trying not to worry about the Gryffindor Seeker.

He was surprised when only a few minutes later Lucius Malfoy strutted into the cell, a smirk hovering on his lips. "Hello there, Severus my friend. It's been a while."

"Not long enough for my tastes," Snape groused to himself. "Is there a reason for abducting me from my meal?"

"Of course, but we could have gotten to that sooner, if you hadn't slept for a day and a half. As much as I want to kill you immediately, I have a more pressing question. What is causing the young Potter boy so much pain?"

"You, perhaps?"

"Unfortunately, no. I want him to be lucid when I kill him, but he's not cooperating. Perhaps you know how to help him?"

"Why would I know that?"

"A little flower told me so. Bring him in," Lucius commanded, and two Death Eaters tossed a sobbing Harry into the room like he was little more than a sack of potatoes. It took every bit of Severus' considerable will-power not to run to the teen and scoop him into his arms and promise him everything was going to be all right. "Even if you can't, I'd prefer the screaming to be kept to a soundproof room rather than disturb my sleep again tonight. Enjoy the rest of the night." With a flick of his wand, Lucius removed the bonds on the Hogwarts teacher, striding out the door.

With the close of the door, the little light that was there died. Severus waited until Lucius was at least some distance away, no matter how the sobbed cries pulled at his heart before gathering the Gryffindor up into his arms and soothing the touch-inflicted pain away. Harry's screams stopped after a moment, but he continued to sob with the lingering pain. Severus allowed himself the luxury of rocking the young man on his lap to calm them both. Finally, the sobbing too died away and Harry slowly became aware of his surroundings.

"Sev?" Harry's voice was raw and rough from screaming himself hoarse in pain, making Snape wince.

"I'm here." He continued to gently rock the young man he had cradled in his arms trying to keep the cell's cold from further affecting him and trying to keep him alive and sane.

"It hurts," the Gryffindor half sobbed. Severus winced. The youth must really be in a great deal of pain to admit any suffering, let alone cry. He stopped rocking, worried that it might be adding to the agony but Harry whimpered in loss so he resumed the emotionally soothing movement.

"I'm certain Albus and the others will find us and come to our aid soon," the Slytherin House Head murmured, trying more to convince himself than the slumped figure in his arms. 'It's already been two days! Hurry up Albus, he can't take much more." Snape kept vigil over the still form on his lap all night, trying to share body heat and life with Harry. Towards dawn, he fell into an exhaustion induced sleep.

"At least he's stopped screaming." The comment jerked Severus awake fully. Lucius stood at the cell's door, the annoying half-smirk that was unfortunately passed down to his son hovering on his lips as he watched them both sleep. As the blonde entered the cell, Snape unconsciously pulled Harry closer, trying to protect the raven-haired teen as was his habit, glaring at the once Death Eater.

"So," Lucius continued, "What is your secret. I know it isn't a potion as you were searched before being put in here. I doubt that it wore off, whatever it was; his screaming stopped a few minutes after the guards left him in here. And I know it isn't the change in scenery. How did you manage?" Snape held still, knowing any shift would be seen as a weakness, his face a blank mask. "Is it your touch? Is he addicted to you? I think it is."

"As usual, your hair-brained conclusions never fail to amuse me. You can not make someone addicted to another's touch."

"Not true," Lucius laughed. Harry shivered and unconsciously moved closer into Snape's embrace. "As you can see, he is indeed addicted to your touch. Anyone else's makes him ill, does it not? Do you want to know how it happened? I can see you haven't figured it out yet. Pansy Parkinson, such a sweet, smart, and loyal Slytherin girl, was given six ingredients to add to any potion, it didn't matter which, when she was partnered with him or sat near him. One would nullify the effects of the potion, one would hide the ingredients, and the other four were to make him susceptible to contact. He was supposed to be portkeyed to Voldemort, from whom one touch should have killed him, however, you managed to get the portkey instead, with very interesting results. Instead of being killed by Riddle, whose very touch would have sent him into cardiac arrest, he used all his magic, including his natural shields and since yours were already down, by him carrying you, your magic mingled with his as you both gained it back. So instead of rejecting your magic-filled touch like anyone else's, his body saw it as part of it, and accepted it, essentially making him addicted to you. Interesting the way things turn out, isn't it?"

"What do you want Lucius? If you're going to kill us, at least make it quick. I've never been too thrilled about the prospect of being bored to death."

"Tell me, little spy - you are deep in my sound proof family dungeons, injured, wandless, and alone. No one knows where you are; they can not track you, but if they do, they can not get to you as only I can get into this section of the dungeon. Also, this cell is invisible to anyone not of my family - do you think it wise to provoke me?"

"Tell me, Lucius, do you think I give a damn?"

Lucius laughed. "Not about yourself, but about your lover there, perhaps you do. It seems he is very resistant to consciousness. I'll be back this evening to see how you two are coming along." The blonde swept from the cell, humming a dance tune under his breath.

"Severus?" Harry's green eyes fluttered open after a minute, his voice still sounded gravelly.

"Harry? I thought you had passed out!" He brushed the messy raven locks back with his hand, feeling the heat radiating from the boy's forehead.

"I wanted to tell you…"

"Shh, you need to save your strength. You have a fever and you need to rest."

"No. I need you to know that, no matter what, I trust you," Harry paused to catch his eyes in the dim light, "And that I love you."

"Harry, I…"

"Don't say anything," he winced as he raised his arm to brush his fingers across Severus' cheek. Snape unconsciously leaned into the touch. "I love you and I trust you, even if you don't love me."

"You don't mean that," Severus protested weakly, even as his eyes were brimming with emotion. "You're hallucinating. I need to get you out of here."

The Potions master carefully deposited the other on the ground, pulling off his robe and using it to cover the shivering figure. He ran his fingers over the door, searching for a trip button that was in all the dungeon's cells in case the owner was locked inside. Not finding one, he started searching the dungeon walls and floor for any way out. He finally found one when it was well into the evening according to his internal clock. Lucius would be back soon. Prying up the large stone, Severus glanced down into the hole. There was nearly a six foot drop to the escape tunnel that ran under the dungeon. He gathered Harry up in the robe and lowered him into the hole, before climbing in himself. Standing on the two ledges that spanned the skinny tunnel, he used all his upper body strength and worked the stone back into its place.

Picking up his partner, Snape began the dark and slow walk down the tunnel. Coming to a wooden door at the end of the tunnel, Snape set Harry down again and pressed his ear against the door. Silence. Spitting on the hinges to keep them quiet, he carefully worked the door open. To him immense pleasure, the hinges were quiet and there was a tapestry covering the door. He heard several distant voices and quickly closed the door, bracing himself against it. He waited and the voices approached.

"Everyone split up. Check every cell. If you find an area large enough to fit a door or you can't get into somewhere, mark it and call me." Severus identified it as Draco's voice.

"Are you sure they are down here?" the Slytherin head jumped, none of the Death Eaters knew he was part of the Order.

"I'm positive Mr. Black. Harry's tracer is working fine now. They're around here somewhere."

Severus opened the door, scooped up Harry, and worked his way out from behind the tapestry, much to Draco and Sirius' surprise. "Professor Snape?"

"Draco, Black," Snape greeted, exhausted.

"Let's get you back to Hogwarts," Sirius said. "Draco, when the others are finished checking get them together and follow us back."

"Of course, we'll be right behind you after we drop something off at the Ministry." The blonde kicked the elder Malfoy to emphasize his point.

"We thought you two might be injured, so we brought carriages instead of portkeys," Sirius said, supporting Snape but being careful not to touch his godson as they climbed into the carriage which set off at a pace that would make them seem little more than a blur to anyone who saw it.

"In case I'm not able to, tell the Headmaster that Harry's condition is caused by 6 ingredients: one to nullify a potion's contents, one to hide the ingredients, and the other four to make him susceptible to touch. Put Lucius under veritaserum and you should be able to find out exactly which four, the Ministry should be able to find an antidote. Then go after the Parkinsons. They're all guilty of conspiracy of his murder, including the girl. Also ask Malfoy about Draco's mother's whereabouts."

Sirius looked torn between shock and horror. "I'll make sure of it all."

Severus yawned, pulling Harry closer to his chest as he started to drift off to sleep. "And Lucius was highest in Voldemort's ranks. Have him questioned on Voldemort's and his own followers, their names and locations. And tell Poppy to treat Harry for dehydration and two days of extreme pain and convulsions, possible Cruciatus also."

"Right."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." Severus mentally smirked at the surprise in the other man's voice even as he drifted off to sleep on his supporting shoulder. 'Maybe I should be nicer more often.'

When Severus woke, it was to a familiar-looking ceiling with a warm body pressed against his and a headache that would debilitate a dragon. He glanced down at the figure pressed against his side. His sluggish brain provided him with a name: Harry. It then offered him the fact that said wizard was draped on his chest and shoulder, one hand's fingers tangled with him and the teen's other arm was draped across his chest.

Severus glanced around the night darkened room. Directly across from his bed was a vaguely familiar figure lying on another bed. A cloud moved from in front of the moon and a bit of light highlighted a separate figure in the same bedside position he had spent countless times in. His mind told him the figure had white-blonde which belonged to Draco Malfoy. Trying to do an inventory on his body, he was met with the floating feeling only a really strong pain-killing potion could manage to produce. Instead of pondering the last figure's identity, he allowed himself to succumb to a combination of the potion, exhaustion, and the comforting sensation of Harry softly nuzzling his neck. Wrapping his one free arm around the other's back, he slipped into slumber.

The Potions master was woken sometime in the early morning because of a not-so-quiet discussion and a gentle hand trying to shake him awake. Refusing to give up the relaxed and comfortable state he was in, he snarled an unintelligible but creative threat before attempting to roll over away from the hand without releasing Harry from his embrace. He ended up with his face buried in Harry's neck with his breathing evening out for sleep.

"Come on Severus," Remus coaxed. Severus growled even as he swore he heard muffled laughter.

"G'way," he slurred, freeing a hand to pull the covers up higher.

"Snape!" Sirius barked. "What the hell are you doing to my godson! Unhand him immediately!"

Snape jumped both awake and away, quickly pulling his arms from around the sleeping Gryffindor, seeming just to realize exactly who he had been snuggling with, where, and in front of whom. Realizing he had just been caught in a very compromising position, he waiting for the first curse to hit even as he straightened up defiantly.

"Fuck off." What surprised Sirius was that it was not Snape who had said that, but Harry.

"Harry?"

Said Gryffindor cracked open one green eye and glared at the older two Gryffindors. "Sirius, you know that I love you, but if you're not out of here in ten seconds, I'll have to do something that will make Remus upset and I don't really want to punish him. So sod off and bloody well let us sleep in peace!"

Both Remus and Sirius laughed. "How long are you planning to sleep then?"

"Until it stops hurting, now bugger off and lock the door behind you."

Sirius and Remus shared a sober look at the mention of pain. Sirius tried to pick the light mood back up even as they left the infirmary. "We'll be back later to discuss your language and choice in bed partners."

There was some soft clapping from across the room. Green and black eyes traced the sound to where Draco was in the Uncomfortable Chair, clapping, as he and his mother smiled at the display.

"Bravo Harry, I didn't know you had a spine."

"Haha," Harry snarled, flipping over to press his back against the black-haired Slytherin's chest.

"Severus."

"Narcissa. Are you well?"

"As well as can be expected. But much better than I was. Yourself?"

"I'll tell you when these potions wear off and I can actually feel something again." He gave them a faint smile and settled back into sleep, snaking an arm around Harry's waist.

"They are so cute together. Why doesn't Albus want him to know about the necklace yet?"

"He mentioned something about being pig-headed, stubborn, and in need of some sort of motivation."

"Darling Draco, how do you feel about them being together?"

"It's odd, but it doesn't really bother me. It feels like they belong together. They compliment each other so well. Why?"

"I have a feeling we may need to get 'Slytherin' on them, so to speak."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Let me think on that for the night. Besides, we must ask Albus first. They are under his care. Now, tell me how you did on your exams."

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"Severus?" Albus strode into the room eight days after the pair had been released from the hospital again, nodding to Harry who took the cue and after a reassuring brush against the Slytherin, disappeared from the room, leaving his homework on the floor.

"Yes, Albus?"

"Arthur's here with the cure for Harry."

Severus was quiet for a few moments before he shook his head as if to clear it. "Very well. As you just saw, he left, and as he is the one under the potion, he'll be the one that needs to that the counter-solution."

"I thought that you would want to tell him."

"Thank you, but no. I, unlike some people, have work to do. If you'll excuse me, I have several weeks of work to catch up on."

"Very well. I'll send Remus and Minerva down to collect his belongings shortly."

"Fine," Severus answered absently, bending over essays.

Albus sighed as Snape buried himself in grading papers and such. He called for a nearby house-elf to gather Remus and Minerva for him. After requesting that they collect Harry's belongings and sending them on their task, he searched for Harry. It wasn't hard to find him as he was lounging at the top of the stairs leading down to the dungeons.

"All done?" Harry asked, ready to return to his position by the fire in Snape's room.

"Not quite. Arthur Weasley is here with Percy. They brought the antidote for you. Both of them are waiting in the hospital wing with your friends."

"Oh." Harry glanced back at the dungeons. "I suppose I should tell Sev…err, Professor Snape."

"I've already informed him. Remus and Professor McGonagall are currently collecting your personal items for you."

"I see." Harry's eyes clouded momentarily before taking on their customary light. "Since there is nothing left to do, I suppose we should go see how horrible they managed to make it taste."

They both went to the hospital wing. Once there, he laughed politely at Ron teasing his older brother about his knocking out Fudge while trying to listen to Hermione question the Minister on the potion's properties and the likelihood of it working. After assuring them it would work, Arthur asked Harry to lie back on a bed.

"It will hurt about the same as when you were first hit by the potion," Arthur warned, handing him a murky green colored potion in a small phial.

"That's fine," Harry said, tossing it back with practiced ease before pulling a disgusted face. "No offense, but that's horrible."

"It wasn't really necessary to make it taste better as we believed getting it finished and administered as quickly as possible would be the vital thing to do. I'm sorry about that."

"S'okay," Harry said, a frown marring his features as the first wave of pain crashed over him, eerily reminiscent of his attacks. He closed his eyes and tried to stifle the gasp as a sharp pain lanced through his chest, constricting his lungs and making it difficult to breathe.

"Harry?" Ron questioned.

"Yeah?" He responded after a moment.

"Are you ok?"

"Sure, just give me a minute," he responded, absently rubbing his chest as the pain in his lungs slowly started to diminish.

"All right there?" Sirius questioned, slowly reaching out and touching Harry's hand, ready to pull back if Harry showed the slightest flinch to sign of pain. He let out a sigh of relief when his godson gripped his hand in return. The Animagus quickly pulled him into a tight hug.

"Harry?" Dumbledore caught his attention as Ron and Hermione joined the enthusiastic hug. "What do you feel?"

"Nothing," Harry responded, closing his eyes briefly before pulling back.

"What's wrong Harry, Hermione asked, concerned. "Did the potion not work?"

"No, it worked fine. I'm just not used to all the touch anymore. It's odd."

"No worries," Ron said confidently. "A week or two and you'll be back to normal."

"Of course," Harry said, dredging up a convincing smile that convinced his friends but not his godfather nor the headmaster.

"Ron, Hermione, you should return to your dorms now, don't you think? Harry should rest."

"Yes sir," they chorused, calling out good-byes to Harry, Sirius, and the two Ministry Weasleys.

"We, too, should take our leave," Arthur said, winking at Harry and shaking Dumbledore's hand. "There is much to fix and more being found every day."

"Thank you for your help Arthur," Albus said.

"No thanks are necessary. Harry's family to us. Besides, it was the least anyone could do after his victory for the Light."

"Of course," Albus ushered them out of the room and into Poppy's office to use the Floo system to return to work.

Dumbledore turned to Harry. "How do you feel?"

"Fine sir."

"Perhaps I should rephrase that. What do you feel?"

"Nothing." At the Headmaster's encouraging noise, he elaborated. "I feel…empty. I've felt everyone's emotions for a few months and now I feel nothing. I feel alone. It was disconcerting not being able to touch people, but I could at least feel things like normal people did instead of through my fame. I feel like I'm missing something now."

"I see. Sirius, may I speak with you outside for a moment?" Harry watched as the ex-convict rose with a perplexed expression and followed the wizened wizard out the door. He returned several minutes later.

"He just wanted to ask me how Remmie and I were doing," he explained before carefully leading Harry into telling him about his last year, especially his time with the Potions professor. With the help of an inhibition relaxing potion mixed in with his water, Harry explained. Sirius listened carefully and kept his emotions in tight control, allowing the teen to pour his heart out. Finally, emotionally exhausted, Harry slipped into sleep and Sirius padded silently out of the room only to be confronted with Narcissa and Draco.

"We have a proposition to make," Narcissa said, leading him up into Dumbledore's office.