AN: Hey guys! Here's the next chapter. Hope it came out alright. Please read and review!

Still don't own Harry Potter and all that surrounds him.

Matters of the Heart

Chapter 5

Harry didn't know how to react to this. He spent five years on the Homestead and he's never heard of this book. Elder Batausch trained him and coached him and never once did he mention any book or written word of their past. "Forgive me, but I still don't understand."

"The Elders know things, Harry. Read the book. I added my time there as well; including my talk with Elder Batausch. Start at the beginning and don't skip anything. When you finish, we'll have that drink and discuss it. But until then, please know that I will keep your Vampire status a secret and I'm here to support and guide you if you so require." Sanding from his chair and placing a hand on Harry's arm, "I'll leave you now."

Harry finally looks to the man and nods his head. "Thank you. I will find the time to read this through, but...I understand you don't know much about our personal lives but I can tell you I'm only here for one thing."

"Yes...to collect your Other. I know." He taps the book with a stubby finger. "Read the book."

Harry watches him leave, stunned. That man is full of surprises! And he knows about my Other! Bloody hell.

"What the hell? This is not what I signed up for." Standing from the chair, he heads to the liquor cabinet, pours himself a tall glass of whisky, and takes takes a long draw. He walks back to the fireplace and stares at the book on the table. Not touching, it he goes to his office. "Tempus." He whispers once he's inside. The time flashes in front of him, three o'clock. Placing his drink away from all the papers piled on his desk, he opens the top drawer and retrieves his own journal.

While on the Homestead, he'd taken to writing his experiences and thoughts in a journal. At first he just wanted to document how cool his life was becoming, but as time passed, he found that it helped him to work through his feelings and any conflicts he was having. Also, it helped him to remember things better because his memory at the time was awful. Now whenever he's facing an internal conflict he turns to his journal and writes everything down.

"Merlin, why couldn't Elder Batausch come right out and tell me what I need to know? Elders...so mysterious all the time and frustrating. Ugh, taking a sip of his whiskey, "I have enough to deal with with Snape I don't need this distraction." Aggravated with the whole situation, he turns to his own book, flips to a blank page and begins to write. His journal is definitely going to get a lot of use in the coming months.

A knock at his door startles him from his writing. So lost in his thoughts he has no idea how much time has passed. He casts a Tempus and the time five thirty floats in front of him. "Coming!"

He opens the door to find Madame Pomfrey, the resident Mediwitch standing there.

"Mister Potter, good evening. I thought I would walk with you to dinner. Are you going down now?" The Mediwitch asks.

She hasn't changed at all in five years and Harry smiles back at her. "Harry, please." and before he realizes what he's doing, he's hugging her. Even though he dislikes the infirmary, he never held any bad feelings for this woman right here.

She laughs and pats his upper arms, surprised at the muscles she feels there."Hello to you too! It's been a long time since you've been in my care. I can honestly say that I've missed you." She says smiling.

"I've been lucky to not have been in need of medical attention for the last five years. Let's hope that continues or I might start to think your doing something…"

"You better not finish that sentence young man!" She laughs and pushes him away to look at his face. "You've grown so much, Harry."

"Thank you, Matron." He replies.

"Poppy. You better call me Poppy, Harry okay? So, are you heading down for dinner?" She laughs as she turns to allow him access to the hall.

They fall into step together. "I don't remember seeing you at dinner last night, did you just get in today?" In fact there were only a handful of teachers at dinner the past couple nights. Guessing the 'dinner rule' only applies when the students are here.

"Yes, this morning. I usually try to get here two weeks before the start of term to check inventory and get all my supplies. But I went to visit my sister in the States this holiday, so I double checked my stocks before I left. Now I just have to clean the infirmary from top to bottom and that won't take long. How about yourself? When did you get here?" She asks.

"Day before yesterday. It's been very quiet around here. I've had time to get my classroom ready and my planning done. I'm finding that I'm doing a lot of studying just so I can teach the right material." They both laugh. "The only class I'm not worried about is the one on the second war. You know, having lived through that one and all."

At those words, they both fall into memories of the final battle as they continue their walk down the hallway.

"You've been through a lot for someone so young, Harry. I envy you for not letting it change who you are on the inside." She says as she studies the person next to her.

"Thank you." He says back. 'It has changed me in more ways than you can imagine' he thinks to himself.

As they descend the stairs, the Mediwitch continues to watch his movements and demeanor, something she does automatically being in the medical profession. The Headmistress is right, Harry carries himself more confidently now and he looks good. Okay, maybe not good, he looks gorgeous.

"I hope you're prepared to fend off the whole female student body, Harry. You've grown into a striking young man." She jokes.

Harry laughs, this is something he doesn't have to worry about with being a Vampire. No love potion will work on him or any other spell meant to confound, confuse, or imperious him. "I'm not too worried about the students. Constant vigilance, right?"

"If you say so. I hope I don't see you in the infirmary due to a love potion or something worse." She says.

"Me too." He banters back, as they come closer to the Great Hall and Harry's tingles are back. He smiles knowingly before schooling his features again.

When they enter the Great Hall, Harry notices that all the teachers are present tonight. The Mediwitch sits in her chair next to Professor Sprout, who is seated next to Fillius. Fillius gifts him with a knowing smile before turning to Poppy and starting a conversation. The only seat left is at the other end of the table next to Professor Snape and Harry makes his way there.

"Professor." He greets his Mate, sitting down and pouring a cup of juice. Dinner has already started so the other teachers are well into their meal.

"Potter. Or should I start greeting you as Professor." He snarls, but Harry smiles anyway staring at his plate setting.

"Actually, I would really like it if you would call me Harry." He says, turning to look directly into his Mates eyes. He quickly closes off his features when his body reacts starts to the man next to him. He can feel the heat between them and all he wants to do is reach out and touch him. It's so tempting...he's so tempting.

"Do you expect me to reciprocate, Mister Potter? Because I will not. You will continue to call me Professor or Sir." He says in a gruff tone trying to rile the boy next to him.

"Severus! You will not talk to a colleague in that manner. You will be respectful in return. Harry will address you as Severus when there are no students around and you will allow it." The Headmistress admonishes from across the table.

Severus grits his teeth, but answers, "Yes Minerva. But if he disrespects me once then I will not allow it any further." He glares at Harry to drive home his point.

He's watching Harry, Harry can tell, for some type of reaction and Harry can't look away. He tries desperately to look anywhere but into those black pools as his body is singing loudly. To exacerbate the situation, his inner Vampire is making kissing noises.

Get a grip! Harry can feel his cheeks warming up and trying not to embarrass himself, he manages to move to his plate where he grabs a piece of chicken then potatoes onto his plate. "Thank you, Sir...I mean Severus." His Vampire beams and purrs.

Merlin. He's dreamy when he's snarky!

Minerva continues, "In fact Severus, I would like it if you would help Harry acclimate to his new job. I want you to look over his planner and answer any questions he may have." Minerva beams at Harry then Severus before shoveling a forkful of food in her mouth.

Severus is stunned into silence.

"I don't want to impose…" Harry tries, but is cut off by Severus.

"I will do no such thing." He grouses. "I will not waste my time on frivolous endeavors and I will not spend any more of my time with this lazy excuse for a man than I absolutely have to. I simply refuse, Minerva!" He continues. As his mouth is spewing out insults, his mind is screaming for him to stop. He's watched Potter these last few days and he knows his insults are unjust but old habits are hard to break.

Harry can feel his anger flaring. His inner Vampire is begging (begging!) him to breathe, but Harry feels like he's sixteen again and before he can filter his mouth he pushes back from the table and says, "Um, excuse me, Sir, I do not need you to look at my lesson plans. Not now or in the future, and if I have any issues or worries, I'm sure I can find a professor willing to help me without a complaint. Do not worry yourself over wasting your precious time on me!" And with those last words Harry stands and storms out of the Great Hall.

His Vampire is crying. Crying! "Merlin, help me." He says to himself. Walking at a brisk pace back to his rooms, he decides now would be a good time for a run. Obviously he needs to work on not letting Snapes jibes get to him. What happened to being patient? Bugger!

After watching Harry leave the Hall, Minerva gifts Severus with her most stern face. "That was uncalled for Severus. You will apologize to that young man tonight and you will help him. Or so help me…" she's wags her finger in his face, "...or so help me, you'll chaperone all the Hogsmeade weekends for the next two years!"

"You wouldn't!" He yells back.

The other teachers are silent.

"I would! And I will! You will behave, Severus Snape! I expect it to be done tonight!" She demands and storms out the side door.

Severus stands and throws his napkin on the table before he too, storms out of the Hall. He knows she's right, he just hates eating crow.

XxxX

Harry is standing in the center of the Quidditch pitch dressed in his running attire. He begins his warm-up routine while replaying the dinner scene over and over in his head. "What happened to being patient?"

"You threw it all away! You yelled at our Mate!"

"Ugh! You're not supposed to answer me! I have to be going crazy. This whole thing is driving me crazy. That's it. Yeah that's it, I'm losing it." He mutters to himself.

"Harry, you need to stay focused. You know how he is. This is his armour, his shield so he won't get hurt."

"I know. I know."

"Mister Potter."

Harry startles. So wrapped up in his thoughts he totally misses the tingles.

"Talking to yourself now? Should we be worried the Savior is losing his marbles?" The deep voice came from behind him and Severus walks out of the shadows and into the light.

Harry stares open mouthed. Oh my god! Say something you idiot!

"Sir. I'm sorry for my outburst...Sir." Harry stutters. Grabbing his right foot from behind and stretching, "I would appreciate any help you could give me. If you could spare the time that is."

"No need for you to apologize, Harry." Severus says as he watches the fit man. "What are you doing?" Severus asks.

Though he is surprised at the use of his first name, Harry doesn't show it. "Stretching, Sir. I'm going to run for awhile and I need to warm up my muscles before I start." He switches to his left foot.

"Why do you run? You can't honestly enjoy running for fun. It looks exhausting." The older man inquires.

"It's cathartic. It helps me sort things out and releases stress. Plus it's good cardio. Have to keep my physique in good shape." He jokes.

Severus half smiles and the Vampire faints.

Harry grunts but continues to stretch and Severus continues to watch, waiting for Harry to finish so he can continue with what he needs to say.

"Look," Harry says when he's done stretching. "I don't want to be a burden, I just want to do a good job."

"Harry, you'll be a good teacher. I know you taught most the school in Defence Against the Dark Arts back in your fifth year. And those students had the best O.W.L and N.E.W.T scores than any class before or after. Please, accept my apology, Harry. If you feel that me looking at your planner will help you, then by all means bring it to my office tomorrow and I will have a look. Let's say around eleven?"

Harry's Vampire is up and beaming at the compliment. Just hug him already!

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Sir. I will be at your office at eleven."

"Severus, Harry, call me Severus when there are no students around. I would really like that."

Harry smiles back at him, nods his head once, then starts to jog in place. "Thank you, Severus. But if you'll excuse me now, I really need to start my run." And with that Harry turns and jogs to the edge of the forest before turning up towards the Main Gate.

Severus watches the boy go. No. Not a boy anymore. You saw that the other day and more today. He's grown up. Maybe, just maybe, the past will stay in the past and they can start over. Not for the first time, Severus wonders about The-Boy-Who-Lived.

XxxX

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