Chapter Eighteen

"Harry?" A weak voice called out for a familiar face. The calling figure was worried that his godson was not safe orprotected from harm after the fight theyhad with Bellatrix Lestrange.

But someone else decided to answer him. "Not here, Black."

Severus Snape had been on route to refill Poppy Pomfrey's supply cabinet. He also tried to keep the potions needed for Sirius Black refilled until the man recovered. "Snape?"

Something inside the pale Professor struggled to become free, something he had hidden long ago. "I'll call for Poppy and Albus."

He turned away only to feel a weakgrip at his arm, turning back to find a white hand clenching around his robes. "Don't." Dark eyes glanced up at him from a white, taut face. Severus could see the pain deep inthose hypnotizingeyes. "Please." He struggled to keep his mask.

Gently but quickly hepulled his robe from the clenching fingers, "I must." But something yanked him backwards just as he spun away. He felt himself falling, almost dreamlike, knowing nothing possible could catch him. He was always doomed to fall without a net. But someone decided to prove him wrong as he was manipulated to land on something very comfortable and hard in most places.

"Omph!" The weak voice began to gain strength as warm breath rushed past his ear, "Gaining weight, Snape?"

Onyx eyes glared darkly at the body below him, struggling to stand, "Let go, Black. Or..."

A trembling smile crossed Sirius' face as he stared upwards. He could feel his heart fluttering rapidly. He hadn't been this close to this man for years, not since Fifth Year. Stupid him had ruined the best thing ever just because he heard rumors that Severus had given into his family's demands to become a Death Eater. Turned out Lily caught a glimpse of a dark tatoo on Serverus' arm in Sixth Year after another Slytherin had caused her potion to explode in a duplicate performance of the year before.

Lily had said nothing was there the year before and had verbally ripped into Sirius for thinking otherwise and that his pathetic stunt had caused Severus to turn away to someone evil. Sirius had spent the rest of his schooling hiddenbehind a facade, hoping he could persuade Severus to come back but the Slytherins were surprisingly protective of the pale male, making sure no Gryffindor could get close. "I missed you."

Severus tensed in fear; this was not what he wanted. Sirius had made his decision clear in Fifth Year when he tried to murder him. "Let go, Black. Or you will wish you remained sleeping."

Sirius continued to stare, keeping his mind open to any attack. He knew about the pale man being a Legilimens and hoped Severus would see the truth. "I have. Lily chewed up one side and down the otherfor what I did. Even though I became Harry's Godfather and their supposed Secret Keeper, Lily never truly trusted me after that. But she knew I would do anything for them, even give up my life."

Severus struggled to free himself but the other man swiftly entangled their legs together, holding tighter to Severus. "Black."

"I did miss you. Still do. But I made you go away. I made you leave and join the same madman you never wanted to join. The same man I got away from. I made you bitter, hateful to the world. And I still wanted you to want me. But when you reacted the way you did, I knew I had lost you forever." With those words, Sirius finally released the Slytherin. Even changed the subject, "Could use Poppy's special treatment." He tried to smile through the pain, hoping Severus would take a hint.

But the Head of Slytherin saw it all. Sirius had left his mind wide open to his subtle attack. He saw everything, right down to the punishments Sirius caused himself. But he wasn't sure if he could believe it, not after all the hopes and dreams he had had shattered. Instead he remained behind the cool mask, slowly rising back onto his feet to call for Poppy.

Sirius watched with lowered lids, wondering. You're a Gryffindor! Buck up the courage! Just think of what Lily would do if you let this pass again! He shuddered at that thought. He was truly afraid what Lily would and could have done to him if he let Severus walk away. And his sudden shudder was caught by the Potions Master, who frowned. Wonder if he still tastes the same?

Sirius remembered the sweet taste of hickory smoke deep within that malicious mouth. The man may have a scent of potions layering over sweet cedar, but it was the taste within the mouth that gained Sirius' attention. After all, Lily had always snuck hickory smoked meats into the school for them to try. Neither Pureblood Gryffindor could believe the succulent meats Muggles could procure.

"Black, are--mmph!" Severus had been cut off mid-sentence as Sirius yanked him back into his original lying position and covered his mouth with demanding lips. It had been so long sincesomeone willingly touched him. Severus had cut off all personal relationships, never wanting to feel the pain or loss again. But it also had been too long since Sirius had willingly touched him. The pleasure raced through his bloodstream, raising the temperature as that skilled tongue invadedhis mouth.

An inward cheer rose as Sirius felt the tensed man slowly relax and give up control. Pulling back in need for air, a pink tongue traced over his lips, causing a doggish whine to escape. And Severus began to regain his rigidstance but Sirius quickly pulled the man back into the pleasures of a breathtaking kiss. "I thought you had already left me. That they had gotten you to join. At least it's what Malfoy and his little cronieskept smirking about. I thought you broke your word. And I believed if I couldn't have you, no one should. I regret that moment of jealousy and madness. I know you won't ever forgive me."

"I shouldn't. You Gryffindors easily think the worse of us Slytherins. I was the only one, even now, that could stand by them. No one else would except Potter, who willingly took matters into his own hands to help us gain the respect we deserved."

Sirius nodded. "Even if it means nothing, sorry."

"You say that as if it matters. Nothing matters now." Severus stood, replacing the sudden loss of control behind his cold persona, staring down into the lowered eyes of one shamed Sirius Black. And then a slow smirk crossed his face, leaning down to the ragged hair tucked behind a pale ear, "Clean yourself up. Take a flea bath, mutt. I expect better of you."

Dark eyes flared in surprise and hope. Sirius tossed his headupwards to see a smirking Severus. His heart pounded, threatening to leave his chest. "Thank you."

"Albus, Poppy." Severus said nothing in return to Sirius' words, but the other man could see the sudden deliberate slip in his mask. And then he swept away, leaving behind two stunned figures and one grinning Sirius.