Harry stepped out into the Weasley's garden, his mind running in seven different directions. How does one know if they are gay? He thought back on his previous relationships, if they could be called such. Cho Chang was the first person he had ever been even remotely interested in. What had he liked about her? Her smile, I think. Well, he definitely didn't fall for Snape's smile, if it could be called that. Although, the more he paid attention to the man, the more he came to appreciate the small twitch in the corners of his mouth that counted as a Snape smile. It is kind of cute…

There he goes again, thinking of Snape as cute!

I didn't fall for Ginny's smile. What had it been? Her kindness. With all of the negativity and chaos that had surrounded Harry for his entire life, it hadn't been surprising that he would fall for someone so grounded and kind. Could Snape be considered as 'grounded?' Surely not kind...Then again, he had been there for Harry when everyone else had abandoned him...and he had saved his life on countless occasions, probably more times than the young man was even aware of...but was Snape 'kind?' He is in his own way…

So Severus Snape is sort of kind and has an...interesting smile. That didn't help him much. Ron and Hermione are kind, and I look forward to their smiles all the time. I love them both, but not like that. Clearly there was more than one way to love someone, but which 'love' was the one he felt for his old Professor?

Harry jumped as he heard a high pitched squeal fill the air, his thoughts scattering in the wind as he caught his friend wrestling with a gnome on Mrs. Weasley's prized carrots. He bit his lip, trying desperately to hold in his laughter. "Alright there, Ron?"

The ginger haired boy craned his neck back in response, a look of intense concentration on his face. "Whotcher, Harry! This one's a biter!"

Harry watched the other man roll around the grass with the creature, grinning at the sight. It was hard to tell from his position on the back porch, but the gnome probably only came up to Ron's knee, yet it was putting up a fairly good fight. The gnome just managed to dodge a heavy Weasley kick, and retaliated with a small, but very sharp bite.

"Yow! You little t-"

"Ron, look out!" Harry broke into wild laughter as his friend was suddenly ambushed by the other gnomes.

"Halp! Someone! Harry! Stop laughing and help me!"

Harry quickly regained his composure and jumped in for the rescue.

As he gripped the last gnome to toss it out into the fields, Ron finally pulled himself back to his feet, his hair in disarray and his clothes...well, they had certainly seen better days.

"Well, well, well, Weasley! You look worse than usual. What, have you been snogging Potter?"

The two young men turned toward the house to find Malfoy and Snape standing on the porch. Harry's eyes were instantly drawn to the older man, who was frowning down at Ron as if he had just been insulted.

Snape glowered down at the red head, clenching the edges of his sleeves in a vain attempt to rein in his anger. Why was he so angry? If I see Harry more like a son, it would be perfectly understandable, certainly. Yes, that is the most probable cause of these emotions. I'm simply protective.

Even so, thinking of the Weasley brat putting his hands anywhere on Harry was enough to send him into a seething rage. It was taking everything he had just to keep his mouth shut, though it did little to stop the images of the boy's horrible demise from flitting through his mind. His lips quirked into something between a satisfied smirk and a disgusted sneer. Yes, few things in life would be sweeter.

Severus's gaze shifted to the object of his affections. Harry did indeed look a bit ruffled, but it was most likely to do with the gnomes in the garden. Knowing him, it probably hadn't occurred to the young man to simply despell the vile creatures. It seemed that he often forgot he was a wizard, which was understandable, Severus supposed. It wasn't every day that a muggle born child suddenly discovered that they had an affinity to magic, something most non-magical people saw as nothing more than a fairy tale.

He could picture a young Harry Potter, waving a twig around, pretending to perform magical spells only to accidentally set a bush on fire as his innate powers began to manifest. What would those muggle relatives had done to him? They would have thought he was some sort of mental pyromaniac. If something like that had ever happened, Snape was sure that the young boy would have rushed into the flaming bush to save any hidden creatures within, even creatures as small as a caterpillar. Gryffindors, they're always so rash, and poor little Harry Potter, with burns all over his hands...

Suddenly, Severus found his feet moving toward Harry, and without a second thought, he lightly placed his hand on the younger man's head and ruffled the already messy hair. "What am I going to do with you?" He spoke just loud enough for Harry to hear.

It was strange, the feeling of a smile spreading across his lips, but it was an overall pleasant feeling. He subconsciously ran his fingers through the other man's hair as he considered all of the new emotions he was being faced with lately.

He jumped slightly as he felt fingers grip his robes from behind. "Erm, Severus, I believe Mr. Weasley has received results with the tracking spell."

Severus swiftly turned toward Malfoy, his hand dropping heavily to his side as he pointedly ignored the emptiness that accompanied the loss of moving from Harry's side. "Indeed."

Harry watched silently as Snape quickly made his way back inside.

"What the hell was that?"

He had completely forgotten that Ron was still there. Turning to his friend, he ran his fingers through his hair, missing his old professor's touch as if he had been gone for more than a few seconds. "Who knows? Maybe he saw my mum in me and reminisced." He shrugged.

Actually, now that he thought about it, that could very well be true. Everyone always told Harry how he had his mother's eyes. Perhaps that's what Snape has been seeing in him that entire time. Why does everyone look at me and only see other people? Half the time they see my dad, the other half they see my mum. Will anyone ever look at me and just see me? He laughed bitterly as he recalled a quote from the Daily Prophet that was written about him during the Triwizard Tournament. I guess this time, my eyes really are glistening with the ghosts of my past.

"Harry, come on. You heard Malfoy, right? They found George!" Ron patted his old friend on the shoulder, sensing the deep sadness that had begun to radiate from him, but not understanding in the least where it might have come from. Then again, Ron never really understood much as far as emotions were concerned.

Harry nodded and with Ron's help, returned to the sitting room, choosing to sit on the floor near an armchair to avoid having to sit next to Snape. He still wasn't sure what exactly he was feeling for the man, but until he figured it out, it was best to keep a little distance.

Unfortunately, Snape had other plans. Without invitation, he sat down in the arm chair directly behind Harry, stretching his legs out just enough to touch the younger man, sending him back into emotional turmoil.

Did he know what he was doing to Harry? Did he enjoy torturing him? To make matters worse, Harry's body responded without his permission, and leaned back against Snape's legs. Well, he wasn't going to be the one to move, besides, it was quite comfortable. If the Potions Master didn't want Harry so close, he shouldn't have chosen that seat! Or at least, that's what Harry kept telling himself. His heart skipped a beat as he felt Snape's leg move slightly back and forth as if he was rubbing Harry's back. Thankfully, his movements were discrete enough that no one seemed to notice. He didn't want to explain to anyone what was going on between the two of them, especially when he didn't know himself.

What am I doing? I need to focus on George!

"Erm, so Mr. Weasley, did you find him..?" Harry's voice broke a little as he attempted to calm his heart and breathing to more manageable, healthy levels.

"I did indeed, Harry!" The oldest Weasley said jovially. "We've got his address right here!" He tapped the floating notepad that followed him as he sat down on the edge of one of the couches. "It isn't far, and he's probably got his floo blocked, so it would be best if we apparated, I think."

Snape nodded in agreement. "May I also suggest only a few of us go so as not to frighten him? There's no telling what sort of state he might be in, and if he had taken a bad potion, he could also be volatile."

"My brother wouldn't-!"

"No, he's right, Ron." Mr. Weasley held up his hand to stall his youngest son's protests. "We all know George wouldn't do something like that, but potions can do strange things, especially if they weren't brewed correctly."

"They can bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses, remember Ron?"

Snape raised his eyebrow as Harry quoted his very own words. "Quite right, Mister Potter." Again, his body acted on its own as he reached forward and ran his fingers encouragingly through Harry's hair. "Who do you suggest we send?"

"We need you to go, Professor." Harry leaned back and locked his beautiful green eyes with Snape's black. "You know the most about potions, so you would know what to do if something went wrong."

"I must admit, I am quite surprised you hadn't volunteered yourself, first..."

"I want to," The young man frowned as he struggled internally with his instincts. "But I want George to be safe, and if that means I have to stay out of it..."

"Actually, Harry, I think you should be one to go, and perhaps myself." Mr. Weasley interjected. "Of all of us, your magic is the strongest, and of course as his father, I shall represent the Weasley clan." He nodded with finality.

"Hang on, what about me?!" Ron threw up his arms in frustration. "And what about Hermione!? She knows loads of things, and I'm his brother!"

Hermione laid her hand on her fiance's arm firmly. "Ronald, don't you dare throw a fit. We need to stay here to prepare."

"Huh!? For what?!"

Malfoy rolled his eyes in exasperation. "If he's injured, he'll need medical aid, Weasley. Honestly, Granger, how do you deal with this?" He turned his back on Ron as the red head jumped to defend himself, certain that Hermione would deal with him. "It would be best if I went as well, if only to tell the Ministry that there is nothing to worry about."

Arthur nodded and held out his arm. He's at a family estate, so I'm afraid you'll have to hold on to me, Mister Malfoy. Severus, you're still keyed in to the wards, but you'll have to bring Harry." And with that, he disappeared, Malfoy in tow.

Severus looked down at Harry, concern evident only in his eyes. "Are you sure you can do this?"

Harry set his face in a determined frown. "I'll be fine. I can do this."

Snape nodded and wrapped his arm gently around the younger man. Slowly, he leaned down and spoke softly into Harry's ear. "Don't let go."

Harry shivered as he felt Snape's breath on his ear, imagining what it would be like to feel those lips on his- wait, what was he thinking?!

Hermione watched the two men disappear with a loud SNAP! She shook her head and crossed her arms against her chest. "They really should just kiss and get it over with."

Ron's eyes grew wide, his head snapping around to stare at his future wife. "What!?"