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Rori Potter: Oh yes, and it gets messier XD Hope you enjoy the update!

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MsSpirit: Haha I agree XD Glad you like it!

The next morning before breakfast, Harry went up to Dumbledore office. "Hello Harry," the Headmaster greeted him. "How can I help you?"

"I need to talk to you," said Harry. "It's about Severus." Dumbledore looked up in interest. "I'm not sure how much you know about me and him, but I...I'm in love with him. And I was hoping you might know something about how Severus feels about me." Harry waited nervously for a reaction from Dumbledore - no one knew about his feelings for Severus except Ron and Hermione. And, of course, the Potions Master himself.

The older man hesitated. "Harry, I'm afraid you will have to ask Severus yourself," he said. "Severus would likely never forgive me if I told you anything that he has confided in me. I want him to know that he has someone he can trust."

"He can trust me," Harry said. "I would do anything for him."

Dumbledore smiled. "I am glad that Severus has someone in his life who cares so much about him," he said. "Life has not been kind to him and he is very much deserving of love. Whatever happens between you and him, you have my support."

"Thank you, sir," Harry said, disappointed that he hadn't gotten an answer, but glad that Dumbledore would support them.

The Headmaster stood. "It is time for breakfast. Would you walk with me to the Great Hall?"

"Of course." Harry followed him out of his office and down the spiral staircase.

"How are you finding your classes?" Dumbledore asked him.

"I'm not sure yet," Harry admitted. "It's only been a few days, but the students are nice. I'm having a bit of trouble organizing my schedules though."

"Hmm. Maybe ask Severus for help?" Dumbledore suggested.

"Maybe," Harry agreed as they reached the Great Hall. He avoided the Potions Master's gaze as he took a seat between Dumbledore and Hermione, who was teaching Muggle Studies.

The day felt longer than usual, and after school, Harry was cleaning up in his classroom when there was a knock at the door. "May I come in?" a deep, baritone voice asked.

Harry looked up to find Severus lingering in the doorway. "Depends," he said. "Do you want to hit on me again? Or now that you're sober, do you think I'm appalling?"

"I hardly think you are appalling." Severus approached him tentatively. "I came to apologize for last night, actually. That wasn't how I wanted our evening to end."

"Well, that's one thing we can agree on," said Harry.

"Will you forgive me?" Severus asked.

Harry sighed. "Alright. I won't blame you for anything you said or did while intoxicated. Only because I know the alcohol had gotten to your head and that's the only reason you were hitting on me."

Silence fell as Harry waited for Severus to deny his comment. But when he didn't, Harry felt a pang in his chest. He ignored it as Severus said, "Will you come with me to Diagon Alley? I need to pick up a few things."

"Sure," Harry agreed. "When?"

"Right now. I have a potion to work on and I ran out of ingredients," Severus said. "We'll Apparate, if that's alright with you."

Harry's gut twisted with nerves at the thought of Apparating, but when Severus held out his arm, he took it and held on. "Alright, I'm ready," he said, and they Apparated to Diagon Alley. Even after they had arrived safely in the street, Severus didn't let go of Harry's arm. Harry pressed close to him in the crowded streets and they walked into the apothecary.

While Severus was weighing unicorn horns, Harry said, "I'm going to Flourish and Blotts," and Severus nodded. Harry couldn't stand the smell inside the apothecary and he wanted to pick up a couple DADA books.

Severus joined him while Harry was browsing the bookshelves, and said, "Wasn't this the book you were looking for?"

He pulled a slim volume out of the shelf and held it out to Harry. Their fingers brushed and Harry glanced down at the book, ignoring the pounding of his heart - it was indeed the book he had wanted. "Thank you," Harry said softly. He gazed up into Severus's gorgeous eyes.

"Severus," a familiar voice said. Harry looked over to see Lucius Malfoy approaching them, and groaned. He looked surprised to see Harry with the Potions Master. "When did you start keeping such...unpleasant company, Severus?"

Severus shot Harry a warning look, probably knowing Harry already had a comment ready. "It's been a while, Lucius."

"Indeed. I have not been able to get away from work since the summer ended. Are you free to grab a drink at the Leaky Cauldron?"

"I don't think so." Severus's tone was cold, and Harry wondered why he looked so nervous. Usually in public, Severus kept his expression impassive.

Lucius smirked. "Ah, so you have been inviting Potter to your bed recently, have you?" He looked at Harry. "I'm assuming you didn't tell him I spent the summer in your bed."

Harry froze, his heart shattering into tiny pieces. "Severus?" He looked over at the Potions Master. "Please tell me he's lying." When he didn't answer, Harry left Flourish and Blotts before Severus could stop him, and Apparated back to Hogwarts. Tears burned his eyes as he knocked on the door to Ron and Hermione's quarters.

"Harry?" Hermione opened the door, Ron behind her. "What's wrong?"

"Severus," Harry said, and Hermione closed the door behind him. "He slept with Lucius over the summer. I had to find out from Lucius - Severus didn't even tell me."

"Oh Harry, I'm so sorry," Hermione said. She hugged him and Harry burst into tears. "Did Severus say why?"

"Does it matter?" Harry said bitterly. "He never even bothered to contact me over the summer and all the time he was fucking Lucius. He didn't want anything to do with me, and he's obviously over me."

"Oh Harry, you don't know that," she said. "You remember all the drama with me and Ron during sixth year."

This made Harry smile, though it probably looked like a grimace. "I remember. But Ron didn't actually sleep with Lavender." He looked over at Ron for confirmation, but he avoided Harry's gaze.

"Seriously Ron? Ugh," Hermione glared at him, and Ron looked at Harry desperately, throwing up his hands in exasperation. "We are going to have a talk later, after we help Harry. But anyway Harry, Severus loves you. I've seen him looking at you when he thinks no one is watching. Maybe he just-"

There was a knock on the door. Ron went to open it, and he called, "It's Severus." Harry shook his head, and after a few moments of silently arguing with his best friends, Ron turned back to Severus and said, "No, he's not here. Sorry." He closed the door.

"Thanks, mate," Harry said.

"He obviously wants to talk to you," Hermione pointed out.

"I don't care anymore," Harry said. "I'm done."

"You don't mean that."

"I do. Lucius is probably a much better lover than I am. I could never compete. Plus, I'm a foolish, imbecilic Gryffindor," said Harry, quoting Severus.

Hermione sighed. "There's no way I can convince you to go talk to Severus, is there?"

"No, probably not," said Harry. "Sorry Mione."

"Well, don't ignore him forever. If he didn't care, he wouldn't have come here looking for you," Hermione pointed out. She hugged Harry, and Ron patted his shoulder reassuringly.

"Severus is a git if he doesn't care about you, Harry," Ron added.

Harry smiled. "Thanks mate." He said goodnight to Ron and Hermione and left, still feeling heartbroken but a little better after talking to his best friends. Even so, he had no idea how he was going to face Severus the next day.