AN: Many thanks to Yen for helping me with this one. Also, thanks to Lizzy0305 for reminding me that I hadn't cleaned or published this chapter. I will give a warning the next one is will be a bit later, but it will be done.

Lockdown

Christmas morning arrived with minor fanfare. There were presents on Harry's bed, but not a Weasley jumper. Ron looked lost for a moment before continuing to open his presents. Harry knew there were going to be many missing their family gifts.

Picking up a package from the foot of his bed, he saw it was from Hermione. Peeling the paper off of it, he said to Ron, "Your Mum will have the jumper for you as soon as we can open the school, I'm sure."

Ron darted a look over to him, before looking back at the small box in his hands. "Yeah, yours too."

Warmth filled Harry's chest even as a small section doubted. The paper finally removed, he looked at the small glass paperweight resting in his hands. It had an etched stag and lily in it. Hermione must have made it in McGonagall's event. She had them transfiguring all sorts of things. 'Come to think of it, all the professors were using their events to reinforce their subjects.' A smile crept over his face. All the student events, even the Potions tutorials, helped everyone make presents for others. 'And it let the professors show us practical fun uses for their lessons. I was shocked when the first tutorial potion ended up being a nice smelling lotion. And we got to choose the scent – at least kind of. As long as Severus had the ingredient there and our base was good, he let us use it.'

Opening the rest of his presents, Harry recognised many of the other event projects. Picking up the tiny toy broom Ron gave him – they had practised designing brooms with Madam Hooch – he beamed at his best friend. "Is this beautiful broom spelt so I can let it fly around the room?"

Ron laughed, "Of course, I did it and Hermione double checked that it wouldn't fly out the window."

Harry tapped it with his wand and they watched it fly. Harry pushed the paper into a pile on his bed and moved to get up. The compact near his pillow caught his attention. "Hey, Ron, want to wish Snape a Merry Christmas?"

Ron shrugged on his dressing gown, "Sure, let me get Hermione, so all three of us can do so."

Soon, all three were on his bed and Harry opened the compact. Beaming, they sang out, "Merry Christmas, sir!"

Ron leaned forward, "I hope you have a good one, honestly."

Hermione moved into Ron's space, pushing the redhead back some, "Happy New Year too, Professor Snape. I doubt the school will be open, but maybe we can have a large party on that night here?"

Harry rolled his eyes and pushed himself back into the front, "I hope you have fun – don't work today."

All three sang out together, "Bye!" and Harry closed it.

"Now let's go to breakfast," Ron shooed Hermione out of the room, "But Harry and I have to get dressed. We'll be quick – wait for us?"

"Of course," Hermione brushed a kiss across his cheek, "I'll see if Ginny wants to go with us."

Minutes later, all four walked out of the common room and headed for the Great Hall. Over breakfast, there were a number of students grumbling about not being able to go home, but there were even more who were taking it all in stride.

Harry glanced up at the High Table and caught Severus' eye. The man smiled and nodded just slightly in his direction. Smiling, he nodded back.

Later that day, Harry noticed the darkened ring on the compact and quickly checked it, forgetting to call Ron and Hermione over.

"Merry Christmas, Harry," Severus said as he buttoned up his shirt, "I'm going to be sending another message shortly for you and Mr Weasley and Miss Granger. I forgot to let you know that I reached out to Mr Dudley Dursley and let him know the war is mostly over. It was while I was waiting for you to arrive to the school. I sent a house-elf with a note for him. I didn't inform him of your demise, so he might believe you either dead or alive. When we reopen the school, I will permit you to leave campus to visit the young man with a professor accompanying you. Please decide on which professor you want."

Harry watched the mirror fall dark as the last button closed. Snapping the compact close, he noticed the ring was still dark. 'The other message. He expected me to answer it without them. Surely he wouldn't button his shirt while Ron and Hermione watched.' Jealousy shot through him at the thought of someone else seeing Severus dress. Leaning against the wall behind him, he clenched the compact tightly. 'I shouldn't be jealous – not of something like this – but I am. I should give Severus back the compact. He's doesn't even know he's tempting me. That I am ogling him. It's wrong to do so, but I am. I want to touch him, to feel his skin, and I shouldn't. He's the Headmaster. He's the mean professor that my parents didn't like. At least Dad didn't. I don't know if Mum did or not.' He closed his eyes even as the image of Severus' long fingers working those shirt buttons filled his mind. His chest craved the feeling of those thin fingertips brushing over it as he imagined Severus unbuttoning his shirt instead. Opening his eyes, he shuddered. 'I need to show the others the message and then see about returning this back to Severus.'

He tracked Hermione and Ron down to the Quidditch pitch. He was able to show them Snape's Christmas greeting – and not Severus getting dressed - before he was dragged into playing seeker in a game. The teams were a mix from all houses, and for the first time, he and Draco were playing on the same team. Draco was playing as a chaser. The next hour was lost in the cold wind blowing around Harry as his team alternated between winning and losing. He caught the snitch – which he had intentionally missed a couple of times because everyone seemed to be having fun and the other seeker was nowhere near – and they won.

Under the cheers, Ron picked on him half-heartedly for missing the snitch. He could tell Harry had done it intentionally.

That evening, they filled the Great Hall, gapping at the room. The House tables were gone and ones of different shapes and sizes were scattered about the room.

"There are none tucked behind the trees," Hermione said as she looked for a place for them to sit. "Most of the smaller ones are gone too."

Ron directed them to a table that was only partially filled, "Can we join you?"

"Sure," one of the Ravenclaws said, gesturing towards some empty chairs.

Ginny quickly joined them and the last chair was taken by a Slytherin who grinned at a Hufflepuff. Harry was positive they were related.

Snape stood from the table that most of the professors claimed, and addressed the Hall, "Merry Christmas, everyone. First, your meal will be served, and then each area will have different activities. Please, stay for the festivities. For now," he gestured towards the now laden tables, "let's eat."

§§§§§

Severus watched as even the older students acted their age – or younger – while playing the multitude of games set up after dinner.

He leant closer to the adult table and caught the eyes of the few professors still at it. "Well done, each of you. The transfigurations of the Muggle games and the Wizarding ones we were missing seem to be holding up. Filius, the silence charm around the singing area should be patented if you invented it."

Filius smirked, "Already done years ago." He nodded towards where Hooch was watching over the group playing hide-and-seek. "The charm that lets her know where everyone is – that's one that Hooch needs to patent."

The rest of the table nodded, and Severus smiled, "She's already done so years ago. I heard her asking Dumbledore about the paperwork for it."

The others smiled, though they were as laced with sadness as his was now.

§§§§§

Harry lingered after the next Potions Tutorial, his fingers tightly clutching the compact – knowing and dreading that he had to give it back.

Snape glanced at him even as he put away leftover ingredients. "You have a question, Mr Potter?"

The 'Mr Potter' almost threw Harry for a loop as it was said in Severus' inquiring tone, not Snape's snap. He pulled the compact out of his pocket and set it on the man's desk. 'I'll not hear him call me Harry again. I won't be able to ask him random questions. I won't get to see him bare-chested...' He let the compact go. 'And that is why I have to give it back. It is wrong to ogle him.'

Snape set the ingredient he was holding down and frowned at the compact. Harry watched emotions flash across his face: surprise, concern, disappointment, and something he'd never seen before that vanished faster than all the rest.

Garnering his courage, he spoke before Snape could look at him, "I'm sorry I kept it so long. I should have already returned it to you." He took a settling breath as Snape looked up at him, "I have one traveller's cheque left and a few notes to give you, too. I'll bring them tomorrow."

Snape shook his head, "Keep the notes, Harry, and the traveller's cheque has to be used by you. You can pay me back later in Wizarding money."

Harry started at the pleasure that washed through him at hearing his given name once again in person. "Okay, but it might be until after school ends."

Snape - 'Or can I call him Severus right now?' - looked at the compact in the centre of his desk before focusing back on Harry. "Keep the mirror for now. It is not the end of the school year, and you should have a means to call for help at least until that time."

Harry blinked and a slow smile curled his lips, "Severus, you think something might happen at the end of the school year because of the trend?"

The name slipped out, but all Severus did was raise an eyebrow.

"Six years of trend data indicates a need for caution, so I believe that taking proactive steps to safeguarding your well-being a reasonable reaction," he said, a slight bit of snark in his tone, but Harry almost felt as if he was being teased. "Take it with you and use it as you see fit. Definitely use it when you need to."

Picking up the compact, Harry wondered if he should mention the ogling, but the set of Severus' shoulders and that unknown expression flitting across his face kept the words from materializing. He tucked the compact deep into his trouser pocket. "I will. Thank you."

With a nod, which was returned, Harry left the room.

Ron and Hermione were both leaning against the wall waiting for him.

Hermione glanced at the door, "Everything okay?"

Harry gestured them to follow as he headed off to a deserted classroom nearby. They did and Ron shut the door once they were in. Harry turned to face them, "I tried to return the compact and he told me to keep it until the end of the school year, just in case."

Ron curled over laughing while Hermione attempted to keep a straight face as she asked, "He said that?"

"He … he knows that Harry gets into … into trouble at the end of … of the school year, Hermione," Ron gasped out between laughs.

"That's what he mentioned," Harry nodded as he gave into laughing with Ron.

Hermione's eyes widened, "Oh!" A chuckle broke loose and then more followed.

§§§§§

For two weeks, Harry ignored the compact. He kept it in his pocket, he worried it as normal, but he didn't leave messages for Severus. He didn't give in to the need to babble inane things to him, to see him partially undressed, to feel like they were more friends than Headmaster and student.

He was quite proud of this, even if Ron was questioning him about the choice. All that came to an end when Snape asked him to remain after tutorial.

Ron and Hermione both indicated they'd wait for him as they left, closing the door behind them.

Snape didn't say anything at first, just gliding to lean against the front of his desk, folding his arms, and studying Harry, "You look like you are fine. I've heard no rumours that might interest you – so no dark secrets to keep."

Harry blinked at the tone – it was as if he was listening to Severus, but the man was dressed. It was weird to hear Snape sounding like Severus while in the Potions Classroom. Giving a minute shake of his head to rid it of the image of Severus' chest, he shrugged, "I'm fine, just trying to study for my NEWTs."

Dark eyes searched him a moment longer before Snape – no, this was Severus – continued, speaking slower as if choosing his words carefully, "For my peace of mind – if you care to help it – please continue using the mirror as you had once you'd arrived in the castle. The updates assuaged my … concern on your behalf."

Harry froze, his mind playing that sentence over a couple of times before he gave a hesitant smile. "You … you didn't mind me sending you messages almost every day?"

That same unknown emotion flashed through Severus' eyes and this time it stayed long enough for Harry to recognise the warmth in it. 'Friendship maybe?'

"No, Harry," Severus said, his lips twitching slightly into a smile, "it kept me informed about what was happening. I have been concerned about how the Slytherin students and the others who had Death Eater family would be treating you. How other students are treating them as well. Your daily messages have given me an insight into the ways everyone has been adjusting to the change."

'Gratitude! That is what that emotion is … I think.' Harry beamed, "Okay, then I'll start again."

Severus nodded and gestured towards the closed door, "Thank you, Harry."

"You're welcome, Severus," Harry returned over his shoulder as he crossed the room to leave.

Harry shut the door quietly behind him and immediately dragged Hermione and Ron into the same classroom as before. "He wants us to let him know how the students are doing with the lockdown and Voldemort gone."

Ron shook his head and Hermione sighed before hugging Harry. "You haven't been talking to him? I thought that you were doing so almost every other day?"

Harry nodded, "Yeah, I stopped the day I tried to return it because of … things – they haven't changed!"

Ron clapped a hand on his shoulder. "It was a good thought, but now we have a job from him."

Hermione pulled Ron into the hug with Harry and said quietly, "One we will do because we owe him."

They quietly agreed.

§§§§§

Severus couldn't help the emotion that ran through him as he opened the compact for his morning message, but he could ignore it. He was good at ignoring things when they were not to his liking unless they were going to kill him – the Marauders started teaching him that and the Death Eaters finished. It was a hard-won lesson, one he wasn't going to forget anytime soon.

The flash of pleasure was safely sidelined especially when the message began.

Harry was quiet for a heartbeat or two before he spoke, "Severus, how close are we to running out of food? Last night's stew had more things I consider potion ingredients than food." He leant closer to the mirror and Severus could see the worry in his green eyes. "I've also noticed the decline in portions too. Most of them won't – they've gotten used to the restrictions since the lockdown started three months ago. The celebratory feast on Valentine's Day did help assure most of the students, but some of us in all houses are starting to get worried."

Harry ran his bottom lip through his teeth as he considered his next words, "If you can give me a hint on the status, I can try to help them not worry so much." He paused, "Unless it's warranted."

Harry leant back, the mirror swinging as he adjusted how he was sitting, giving Severus a view of his bare chest and the waistband of something grey.

'Sleep trousers, nothing else.' Severus forced his mind not to think what else they might be.

Harry's face was back in the glass. "Now, onto my report," a smile flashed his way, "A majority of Slytherins are being accepted – yesterday's game proved that. The faculty fairly punishing everyone and keeping things going as normal as possible has helped." A laugh, "I didn't think that many students wanted them to win, but they did. Did you see it? I thought I caught a glimpse of you in the tower windows watching us. I don't know why you couldn't make it to the game," he paused, "Is it about the food? Or did Shacklebolt call? I know you not making it fuelled that underlying anxiety that's going around."

Harry darted a glance to the side and then refocused on him, "I've got to go. Talk more later."

The mirror went dark, leaving Severus a moment to contemplate what and how much to tell Harry. He knew that the students who'd struggled in the past – especially those who had grown up in families that had problems getting food – would notice they were getting fairly low. Mind you, they could truthfully stay closed the rest of the school year and no one would starve. 'Horace's fertilizer and Pomona's skills are keeping us fed. As are school farms.'

He walked to the bathroom to start his morning as he let the memories of the past several months swirl in his mind.

By January, Horace had made up a potion that Severus had never seen. Horace explained it was a fertilizer he'd concocted during Grindelwald's war that used the scraps of material leftover from both potions and meals and some easily found things in the Forest. By the end of January, Argus and Filius approached him with recipes their families developed during the rationing from the same war. The stew Harry mentioned was from the elves' rationing recipes. Some of his own had graced the table as well. 'Actually, every professor and Flich's recipes have. Everyone is wracking their memories to help.'

He smiled as he stepped into the warm water. 'Not only are they pulling recipes – but most of them started hoarding supplies as soon as Voldemort took over the Ministry.' They had offered them up around Valentine's Day. Minerva had produced bins of preserved meat, Filius had added more to her collection, Pomona had an entire greenhouse filled with vegetables and bread, and even Filch had cans of fruits and preserves. Others also lead the elves to stashes tucked in unused rooms all around the castle. The elves hadn't used a lot of them, but even the little bit was noticeable.

If they could get through this month, the school farms would be up to full capacity – something they'd let slide throughout the years as they brought in supplies instead of growing them – and then they would be comfortably self-sufficient. 'That is the goal, even when we open the school. We've been stretching out the number of eggs, using every part of everything we cook that we can and giving the rest to Horace.'

Stepping out of the shower, wrapped in a towel, he crossed back over to the compact. A tiny voice in the back of his mind told him he should dress before returning Harry's message, but he was good at ignoring things, and this was one he wanted to ignore also.

It took but a moment to have the mirror open. "Harry, supplies are limited, but we are doing all right. Last night the elves tried a different recipe, that is all. If you want to assure the other students, go ahead."

He considered the rest of Harry's message. The Slytherins were relaxing as the others were accepting them. Most of the children of Voldemort's followers were doing so. Even those who had become Death Eaters like Draco were letting go of the trappings that had defined them. They were being children, playing like them, pranking like them, slacking on their homework like them. All in all, Severus wasn't sure if he wanted to open the school again.

Focusing back on the mirror, he smiled, "It's good to hear that this time has allowed everyone to learn about each other. I hope it continues when we open the school back up. As for missing the game, it was a conversation with Shacklebolt, but I was able to catch some of it through the window. I'll mention it this morning at breakfast, thanks for letting me know of how it affected them."

Closing the mirror, Severus knew he truly did hope that the new bonds will hold up under pressure. He was very much afraid of what these children would face when the doors opened.

§§§§§

It was almost Easter holiday before faculty and staff gave into the pressure mounting from the Board and the Ministry, but they insisted that the school remain as it was until the break. Severus was pretty sure that they only made it that long because – besides the Christmas Holiday – the rest was a time that they were normally in school. He wondered if any student would remain in the school during the Holiday this year. 'Harry will be going to the Weasley's I'm sure. I need to let him know that he can go see his cousin the weekend before the break.'

Picking up the compact, he sent his message before heading to bed.

§§§§§

Harry stared at the darkened ring of the compact wishing he hadn't missed Severus' message when it came in last night. 'I could have responded, he could have responded, and it would almost have been like talking to each other face to face.'

He buried that want into the burning pile composed of all his less than pure thoughts about the Headmaster and listened to the message.

"Harry, the school will open at the beginning of the Easter Holidays. I will announce it the weekend before the holidays and that messages can be exchanged with the outside world." Severus unbuttoned his cuffs before he started on his shirt buttons.

Harry tried to focus on the man's words instead of anticipating every inch of skin that was being displayed. He was grateful that even if Severus seemed like a man to wear an undershirt, he didn't.

"Before the … craziness of the opening, I was thinking you should visit your cousin, Mr Dursley. Inform me which professor you wish to take you to him. I will provide you both with his location."

Harry was glad Severus stopped speaking as the shirt dropped and Harry could see long fingers starting on a belt buckle. 'I've never seen his belt buckle in the mirror before.' The mirror went dark just as the leather slid through the buckle.

Flopping back on his bed, he rested the closed compact on his chest, doing his absolute best to ignore his erection. He'd only been half hard until he thought of the only explanation of not seeing a belt or waistband on Severus before. 'Calm down … I've got to calm down.'

Shuddering, knowing that there was no way he was going to lose the erection until he handled it himself, and knowing that Severus was waiting on his message, he pressed the ring on the compact. A part of him knew he wanted to talk to Severus while he was erect, wondering if the man could tell.

"Hey, Severus. Thanks for helping me see Dudley. I think you should take me. He should be in school and as Headmaster you might have a bit more pull in getting permission. Maybe you should send a message warning them that we are coming. How long will we be gone?" Harry couldn't ignore the strong throb in his lower section at the thought of being out overnight with Severus. He paused a moment, trying not to gasp. When he could talk again, he continued, "Also, we could stop by Gringotts and I could pull out the money I owe you." He paused, "Unless that would be too conspicuous?"

He flashed what he hoped was a normal smile and closed the mirror. Laying there, he tried not to think of Severus undressing, tried not to build – or rather add to – the growing fantasies in his mind. 'It's just his chest and arms … and his waist. I've seen those parts dozens of times in the Quidditch locker room, millions of times while getting dressed in this room, and even more than that while in the shower here. It's nothing – men can show off their chests and it's okay. Guys can get dressed in front of other guys and it's not a big deal.' He paused, wondering when he changed from blocking fantasies, to attempting to figure out his response to Severus, to justifying why it was okay for Severus to dress 'or undress' in front of him.

His bed bouncing pulled him out of his mind.

"Hey, mate, want to go flying or ..." Ron's voice faded slightly, the enthusiasm not quite as high, "um..um... take care of things."

Harry's eyes shot open, taking in Ron's red face and his erection still straining against his sleep trousers. To his dismay, there was even a wet spot on the fabric.

Pushing himself up, grateful that Ron's blush was fading and that he didn't push himself against the footboard, Harry sighed.

Ron glanced at the compact that had fallen into Harry's hand, "Worse than normal?"

Harry nodded and rolled his eyes, "Yeah, let me head to the showers and then we'll go out to the pitch. Breakfast before or after?"

Ron answered after a moment of contemplating his face, "After."

Accepting the answer, Harry headed off to the shower, grateful none of the others were awake yet.

Out on the pitch, Ron stopped him from taking off with a single question, "Is it only Snape, then? We've been testing this for months now."

Harry rested his broom on his shoulder and refused not to look at Ron while he answered though his cheeks were red with the memory of this morning. "A few others elicit some response, but in all honesty, Ginny got the most out of all of them."

Ron compressed his lips, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought, "So, what happened this morning? You said you had this practically wrapped up, and mate, that didn't look like it this morning."

Harry's fingers tightened around the shaft of his broom. "He messaged me last night and he was … he was getting undressed."

Ron's eyes widened, "All … he showed you ..."

Harry quickly shook his head, "No – just took off his shirt and was undoing his belt when he ended the message. Nothing more than I've seen of any guy in the dorm or locker room – I've seen more in those places than I saw of him..." he trailed off with a slight shrug.

"Anything, you know…?" Ron stopped and did a wiggly shrug.

Harry shook his head after he figured out that Ron was trying to mimic being seductive and failing for the most part, "He did nothing suggestive at all. Just unbuttoning his shirt, just as he just buttons it." He shoved a hand into his hair and ran it down his face, "Ron – why is this happening? What is happening? Why him?"

"You're fixated on him and I don't know why. Is it because you shouldn't be? Because he's mysterious? Because he helped you?"

Harry snorted, "Then I should be looking at Charlie or Bill. Or even you."

Ron grinned as he raised an eyebrow, "I'm not mysterious."

"But you've helped me a lot," Harry chuckled, "and you're a mystery to me at times."

Ron pretended to preen for a moment before sighing, "Mate, I think it is because you are you and he is him. Just like Hermione and me, Fleur and Bill, Mum and Dad – none of us should really click together, but we do. Your case is just a bit more extreme of out there, but not really. You seem to get each other."

"How do you know that? We haven't been together – not when you could see."

"I hear you sometimes in the morning, giving your message to him. Sometimes I can hear his replies – I don't want to see him, and his tone … it is different for just you. So, I leave you to it."

"Do you think the others ..." Harry trailed off, uncertainty written in his tone and face.

Ron shook his head, "Nah, they'd mentioned it – at least to me – and they haven't. Besides, the mornings that I can hear they aren't in the room."

Feeling mollified, Harry sighed, "So, are we going flying?"

Mounting his broom, Ron chuckled, "Yeah, we'll leave the uncomfortable conversation behind. Anything important in the message, or do you even remember it?"

"Yeah – Snape is taking me to see Dudley in a week, and we are going to be free to leave over Easter Holiday." Harry mounted his broom, "But I don't think we are to let out that they are going to open the school. He said that he would tell everyone the week before – and they will only allow messages, nothing else until break."

Ron took off and faced the castle. He spoke when Harry joined him hovering in the air, "We are working things out. All the Houses are. After the DA was punished for hurting Snape," He looked at Harry, a grin as large as Harry was positive gracing his face.

"I still can't believe that Snape was just going to ignore what the DA did and that McGonagall, Sprout, and Flitwick refused to." Harry gave a mock shudder before continuing, "I'd hate to be called out by name in front of the whole school before dinner for attacking the Headmaster and then told that I would learn my punishment before pudding was served."

Ron nodded, his eyes searching out the thestral's stables. "They put together a punishment even Filch approved of. Half mucking the stables, half cleaning the Great Hall after dinner and both without the use of magic or elves."

Harry grinned, "For an entire two weeks as well. Some griped about it, but then Hannah told them just what the actual punishment for attempted murder was and that it could be applied to them because most of them were sixth and seventh years."

Ron turned his attention back to the castle, "It was a good lesson, and it was even better when the professors continued to be fair in the punishments. Gryffindors and Slytherins alike got the same punishment from everyone – Snape, McGonagall … everyone." He turned to face Harry, "Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff too. And because of that, we've about got the issues sorted. No one is thinking they're above the other. All are equal. I wonder what's going to happen when we go home."

"I wonder too," Harry said quietly.