Back in his personal quarters, Severus began shuffling through old files, trying to find something, anything to keep his hands busy. After leaving Potter a few hours ago, he had been thinking of nothing but the young man, and that was not good.

True, Potter was well above the age of consent now, but he was still Severus' student, and the child of both his greatest love and worst enemy. Perhaps that was precisely why the boy- man was on his mind. There was a definite connection between the two. Whilst their ages may be vastly different, Harry had lived a very troubled childhood, not unlike his own. His parents were a connection as well in some way, and they both had dealt with a great evil for most of their lives. Unfortunately, that is where the similarities ended.

Harry had friends since entering Hogwarts, many friends from what Severus had witnessed as he watched the boy grow. He, on the other hand, had only ever had one true friend, and that was Harry's mother, Lily. Sure, Regulus Black and Lucius Malfoy had been friendly enough towards him, civil at least, but only because they were house mates. They had never even been in the same year, though Regulus had been much closer in age. No, Snape had been quite alone growing up, Death Eaters aside.

The young Gryffindor also had his looks. Even Snape would admit that Harry had inherited the best of both parents: His mother's striking green eyes and his fathers boyish, lopsided grin and charmingly, unruly hair. He would probably find no end to possible suitors. Snape's future looked quite a bit more dull. People always pointed out how greasy his hair looked or how garishly long his nose was. His skin was too sallow, his fingers too long, his attitude too dark, too cruel.

Yes, the two were practically night and day.

The more Snape thought about it, though, the more he considered forming a friendship with the young man. Perhaps someone so completely opposite of himself would be good for him.

With the Dark Lord gone, it wasn't as if he needed to keep up appearances anymore. Snape could be as nice or as evil as he wanted, without a care in the world. The thought was quite liberating, but all the same, he was pretty certain that Gryffindors would always be the bane of his existence, and he just couldn't picture himself taking points from his own house. Severus Snape will always be Severus Snape, and that's all there was to it.

A soft knock at his door brought him back to the present situation. What was he to do about Potter? Probably nothing, I would think. It isn't as if the feelings would be mutual, if there were even any feelings to consider. It was most likely just companionship that he longed for, and who better to get it from than the very man who's faced the same evils as he?

Another knock broke his thoughts entirely, summoning slight irritation at being interrupted. Severus made it across the room in two strides and threw the door open in one fluid motion, his best sneer already in place to greet his late night guest. "Mister Malfoy. To what do I owe this...pleasure…?" He always enjoyed the look of panic on his students' faces when he paused like that, but it was nice to know he could still have the same effect on his alumni.

"Erm...Good evening, Severus. May I come in?"

The boy didn't even wait to be invited before stepping into Severus' rooms. Why is it I think of Draco as a boy, but not Potter? They are the same age, after all…

"Mister Malfoy, do make it quick. I have plenty of work to keep me busy already without my having to coddle a former student."

"From what I hear, you seem to have plenty of time to coddle Potter."

Snape wanted to hex the boy's smug sneer right off of his pale, little face. "As I'm sure you're well aware, Mister Malfoy, Mister Potter is a current student, who is, most unfortunately, quite far behind on his studies. I have simply been making an attempt to save the Golden Boy from a most ill conceived future. It is, after all, in everyone's best interest that the young man succeeds. The quicker he learns, the sooner he is out of my hair and out of my life."

"Right...Since when did you care about Potter, anyway?"

He'd had quite enough of Draco's rude behaviour. "If you do not enlighten me as to why I am hosting an after dinner party with you, young Malfoy, I shall be forced to banish you immediately from the school grounds. Now, I will not ask again. Why. Are. You. Here."

That seemed to have done the trick quite nicely, as Malfoy's face began to turn fifty shades of pale. Remarkable…

"I've received word of something strange, sir. Something I think you need to know about." He glared at his feet as if fighting an internal battle. "Something Potter and his friends should know about."

That had Severus' attention. "What is it, Draco? Speak up, boy!"

Malfoy was taken aback by the vehemence in his old Professor's voice, but he supposed he could understand it. "It's one of the Weasleys, sir. The twin, the one who lived?"

"George." Snape supplied. He was always able to tell the two apart quite well, something he suspected only his own parents were ever able to do.

Draco nodded. "Right, George. He's been recorded as having purchased some rather...interesting potions ingredients." He pulled a list out of his jacket pocket and handed it to the Potions Master. "Alone, they wouldn't be a big deal, but together..."

Severus quickly perused the list and knew immediately what the young man must have been making. Was he too late? "When were the last ingredients purchased? Quick, boy! Speak up!"

"Three days ago. The last ones being Valerian Sprigs and Jobberknoll Feather."

He had no time to spare. Severus needed to find Weasley before it was too late, but where was he? Perhaps Molly or Arthur would know. He had heard that the boy had practically all but gone missing since the final battle, but surely he would tell his own parents where he was, if only to let them know he was alive. He grabbed his cloak and quickly exited his quarters, leaving the Malfoy heir to his own devices.

"Oh wow, thanks, Draco! You did a wonderful job, Draco! I was wrong for poking fun at you for joining the Regulation of Magical Potions Department, Draco! I owe you one!" Draco rolled his eyes and looked around the older man's room. It wasn't often he was left alone in Severus' private quarters. "I wonder what kinds of naughty things he has hidden away..." Unfortunately, before he could even look, Severus returned.

"Out of my home, if you please, Mister Malfoy. You will be coming with me."

"What?!" Malfoy whined. "But why!? What'd I do!?" Well, there went his fun. Damn it, he knew he should have gone to Potter first.

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Harry jerked awake suddenly as his foot slid off the bed, making him think he was falling once again off of his broom. "Ugh, why did such a perfect dream have to be interrupted like that? I was about to catch the snitch..."

The amazing part of the dream, though, wasn't the Quidditch game, or even the fact that his dark, scary dungeon bat of a Professor was smiling, it was the way Snape had been looking at him. It was with affection and admiration, with understanding and unadulterated lust...love? Lust?

Which was it? Wait...why would it be either!? Harry shook his head roughly. He must still be half asleep to be thinking of his Professor in such a way. Unfortunately, curiosity got the best of him, and he allowed his thoughts to continue. Thinking of Snape gave him a very pleasant sensation in his belly, and always brought a smile to his face. What was it he was feeling for the man?

It had to be fatherly love, right?

I mean, I've only ever dated girls, and I've never really had a father...Professor Lupin and Sirius came pretty close, I suppose, but they're both gone now, so Snape's all I've got. Yep, that was probably it. That made him feel better. Well, sort of...the thought seemed to make his heart hurt a little. Probably because he missed Remus and Sirius. Or it could be indigestion.

Harry chuckled quietly to himself. Why do I always make the best jokes when no one is around? He thought of Snape's face if he had said that in the man's presence. If he got any response at all, he imagined it would be an eye roll and an unamused glare. The guy did have a way with ruining a good time. Although, Harry had to admit that when they had some alone time together, they got along quite swimmingly. If he didn't know any better, he might even go as far as to say that Severus must care for him back in some similar way, as he continued his visits and never truly insulted Harry.

Sure, when the younger wizard made mistakes, Snape was the first to point them out, but Harry didn't mind all that much. He could almost see it as cute…

Ugh! What was wrong with him? Was he just thinking of Severus Snape as cute?! Merlin's balls, I must be really tired to be thinking of Snape like that. I can't even imagine his reaction if I ever called him cute! Harry would probably find his fingers and toes mixed up, or maybe he'd just lose them all together! No way, there's no way he could ever allow the man to know that. That meant no thinking about it either, as he was a master in Legilamancy as well.

As much as he was loathe to admit it, Harry was actually quite jealous of Severus. His future was established, he had many talents and many more connections than even Harry had. He might not have been as wealthy as Harry, but the younger man always suspected he could be with all of his talents in Potions alone. Snape would never have to teach again…

The thought made him sad, but he wasn't entirely sure why. "Ugh!" He threw his pillow in frustration only to have it fly back and slam into his face. At first, he thought someone had thrown it back at him, before he realized that Madam Pomfrey must have spelled the pillows and blankets to stay on the bed so that she wouldn't have to go around retucking in her charges every hour on the hour.

Well, since he was up, he might as well get some exercise in. A shiver invaded his veins as he pulled the blankets off of his legs. Why in the world did Madam Pomfrey have to make it so cold all the time?! This isn't a bloody morgue! The flagstone floor was even worse. The second his feet touched ground, he could no longer feel them. Maybe it was for the best, if he can't feel pain and soreness, he might be able to make it across the room this time!

Using the bedside table as support, Harry pulled himself to his feet. "Right then. Step one: Balance." He allowed himself a few seconds of swaying before finding his center. "Check. Step two-" Before he could even lift a foot, his legs gave out and he fell back onto the bed. "I meant to do that." Steeling himself, he stood and began round two. "Alright, Harry. Good job, well done! Now let's take a little step, shall we?"

At first, he was managing pretty well with small shuffles, but Harry was never one for patience. He began taking bigger and bigger steps, but upon seeing his progress – already halfway across the room! – he got too excited, lost his balance, and immediately fell. Ow! Face, meet floor! He was glad the infirmary was closed. He couldn't imagine anyone would ever let him live down the position he was currently in. Head down, butt up? Yea, thank Merlin and all that was magical that Ron wasn't there to see it.

"As much as I appreciate the thought, Mister Potter, now is really not the time for such...activities."

Harry quickly rolled onto his back only to find his old Potions Professor staring down at him, hardly managing to hide his amusement. To make matters worse, Draco Malfoy was behind the man, snickering.

"That is hardly better Mister Potter."

"Might wanna close your legs, Potter. 's a bit drafty in here." Draco added, finally allowing himself a good laugh at Harry's expense.

Blushing head to toe, Harry folded his legs beneath him and pulled himself up into a sitting position. "To what do I owe this pleasant visit?"

"Urgent news, I'm afraid. If you are not averse to my carrying you, we shall make our way up to the Headmistress' office immediately."

He wasn't sure why, but Harry really liked the idea of Snape carrying him, even if Draco had to be there to ruin the whole thing. Either way, whatever was going on, it had to have been pretty dire for Snape to come back down and get him after he had already visited for the night. "Alright then." He nodded, lifting his arms in the air. "Let's go."