Harry sat awake that night, going over everything he had learned since waking up.

Voldemort was finally gone, for good this time. That was definitely a plus.

His friends had abandoned him whilst he was in a coma. That was a negative, but he supposed with time he would truly forgive them. They were his friends, after all, and they were there for him when it really counted. A small negative, then.

Professor Snape was alive. Ron might disagree, but that was a positive in his book. Snape had put his entire life on the line for years, before Harry was even born, and he'd saved their lives countless times. He might have been a right git ever since Harry had entered Hogwarts, but his good deeds definitely outweighed his bad. He made his mistakes, and he paid for them dearly. Since then, he'd more than made up for them. Definitely a plus.

His friends were safe. Well...most of them. He would always have that list of people in his head who did not survive the final battle, but it would only help him to live on so that their sacrifices would never be in vein. He would ensure that no one else had to die just because of some hostile wizards gone mad. He wasn't sure if he should label that a plus or a minus. Perhaps both.

That being said, he was beginning to gain a clear understanding of where he wanted his life to go from there. He would study harder than he ever had before – it should be much easier without his life being constantly on the line – and work more on his public image.

With his attention fully on his future, Harry didn't hear his old professor approach his bed. It wasn't until the man softly cleared his throat that Harry even realized Snape was there.

"Professor! Sorry, I was thinking about some things."

"So I see. I do hope you will not hurt yourself in the process."

Harry grinned in response to the cutting remark. He was really starting to get the hang of Snape's wit. It wasn't as bad as he had always thought. Was it because he was growing up, or was Professor Snape just becoming softer?

"Potter, do close your mouth. Any manner of insect might fly in and take up residence. I dare say I shant be the one to save you again."

Definitely not getting soft.

"Sorry, Professor. I had just come to a few realizations, is all. What brings you here?"

"I have been sent to check in on the Wizarding World's Golden Boy." No one had really asked Severus to check on the boy per say, but he didn't need to know that. "I do trust you are doing better? Your colour is returning and you no longer look like a premature mandrake."

"Well, thanks, I guess. You're looking pretty good yourself." He tried his best to hide his blush. He didn't mean to say that out loud, and he wasn't even sure what he meant by it. Did he think Snape looked good? Keeping his head down, he nonchalantly glanced over at his old professor, only to find the man looking right back at him, a blank expression on his face. Had he said something wrong? He had to change the subject before things got more awkward! "Speaking of which, how are you feeling, sir?"

"I am well."

"And...your throat..?" Harry gestured vaguely to his own neck.

"Only a slight twinge. I am quite alright, I assure you."

The two sat in companionable silence, completely comfortable with each others' presence. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Snape pull out a book and begin taking notes. He must be grading papers. The younger man closed his eyes and listened to the scratches of quill on parchment paper. It was a very comforting sound to Harry and always made him feel like he was safe. He let his mind wander for a while before a thought came to the forefront of his mind.

"Sir…?"

Snape looked up from his work, one eyebrow quirked in a very Snapely fashion.

"I realize you're a very busy man, but you always seem to make time to come and see me..." Perhaps it wasn't because Snape was told to do so? Could Harry even hope? Wait, why do I want Snape to visit me? Just more things he'll need to dwell on later. "I was wondering..."

Snape closed his book with a snap and crossed his hands in his lap in irritation. "Mister Potter, if you've something to ask, spit it out. I haven't got all night."

"Will you take a walk with me?"

The older wizard blinked in surprise, but couldn't seem to come up with a witty retort. As a matter of fact, his mind had gone completely blank. Out of all the people...why was Potter asking him to go on a moonlight stroll?

"Ah, I need to get my strength back, see..." Harry added quickly. "I haven't even tried standing since I woke up, and I can't imagine it would be too easy by myself, and with all the students coming in and out and all, I didn't want to bother Madam Pomfrey with it..."

"Mister Potter, do calm yourself." Snape wasn't sure why, but he was pleased that it was him that Potter had chosen for such a task. "I will assist you." He felt a distinct tingle in his chest as Potter's face lit up with delight. He would have to examine that reaction later. For now..."Do you wish to begin now?"

Harry nodded eagerly and threw off his covers.

"Do be careful, Potter. It's been years since you've so much as taken a-" He quickly stood, his chair sliding across the floor behind him as he caught Harry just before he had a chance to collapse on the floor. "As I was saying, your legs will need to build strength. You cannot simply begin walking without applying the proper exercises..." His voice trailed off as he noticed the younger man staring up at him in his arms. He realized then that his heart rate had sped up quite a bit as compared to its normal rate. Was it because Potter's hands were on his chest? It had been such a long time since anyone had touched him. He really was desperate for human interaction. Putting it out of his mind for the moment, Severus set the young man back on the bed, trying his very best to ignore the man's legs as his gown rode up hi thighs. iAh, legs./i "Perhaps we should start building up the muscles in your legs first."

Harry nodded and sat up on the edge of the bed, moving and bending his legs as instructed. Snape's hands on his calves gave him a strange feeling, but it wasn't unpleasant. Maybe the two of them were finally becoming friends, after all. "Professor...why are you helping me?"

Snape paused in his ministrations and looked up at his student. "Did you not ask for my assistance?"

"No, no! I mean, yes! I did, but...it's just..." Harry ran his fingers through his unruly hair as he tried to sort out his thoughts into coherence. "You visit me more than even Hermione and Ron. Have you really been asked to, or do you come on your own?"

The Potions Master continued bending and straightening the young man's leg, trying to come up with a valid excuse to work with, but decided on the truth instead. "You have done the world a great service, Mister Potter. The least I can do is visit you until you are well. I dare say you would have done the same for me." Gryffindors were very easy to read, and Harry Potter was no different. He would have never allowed Snape to go without visitors if he had been the first to wake instead. "I realize it isn't enough to properly repay you, however-"

"You don't need to repay me, Professor. Merlin knows how often you saved my life. More times than I can count, I'm sure..." The conversation was beginning to get uncomfortable, so Harry decided to change the subject. "Speaking of saving my life..." Great segue, Harry. "Could you help me with potions? I'm a little behind..."

Snape's mouth quirked up into the ghost of a smile. "Nearly three years behind at least, though with the marks you've received in my class in particular, I would be remiss if I did not simply start from year one."

Harry winced, but he knew his professor was right. It wasn't as if he wasn't interested in potions, it's just that he'd had a lot on his plate ever since day one.

"Very well, Mister Potter. I will assist you with that as well. Perhaps you would like me to fluff your pillows and turn down your bed each night as well?"

"I mean, if you're offering-" Harry cut off in surprise as one of his pillows smacked him in the back of the head. He immediately looked up to find his professor smirking at him, wand in hand. "Did you just…?"

"I'm sure I have no idea to what you are referring, Potter." He gently set Harry's legs down and gathered his things. "I'm afraid I have many things to do before the night is over. I will be returning to my rooms now."

Harry lowered his head and nodded. "Right, I'm sure you've got a life to get back to..." Why did he feel so dejected all of a sudden? It wasn't as if he could expect Snape of all people to just stay with him all night…

Severus leaned down and brushed his fingers through his student's unruly mop. "I will return tomorrow night." He straightened to leave, but stopped and turned back to Harry, who was trying in vein to get his own heart to calm itself down. "And if I find out you have been trying to stand on your own, there will be consequences. Do I make myself clear?"

Harry swallowed and quickly nodded. "Yes sir." Snape would always intimidate him, no matter how old he got.

The Potions Master nodded, pleased that he could instill terror in his students, even the great Harry Potter.

Harry watched the man quickly exit the room, seemingly glad to be out of the stifling atmosphere. He wished he could go, too. Sometimes, it felt like Harry lived in the infirmary. "Once I get out of here, I vow I'll never come back. After all, with Voldemort gone, what else could there be out there to hurt me?" He settled back down into bed and covered himself, allowing his mind to lull him into a light slumber. "Well, I suppose there's always Quidditch..." His last thought before finally drifting off to sleep, was of Snape riding a broom and smiling as he raced Harry to the Snitch.