AN: So I decided to post this a little early. I don't know how hectic Wednesday will be for me, and I figured it is better to post while I have the chance than to wait and then I cannot. I hope you enjoy. Last chapter got a bit more recognition than I though it would. Thank you all for being awesome readers, and reviewers for those whom took the time. Now, I shall not keep you waiting any longer...

Painful Pleasure

Harry was released from the Hospital Wing three days after Draco decided to display his affection for Severus openly in said place. Harry's first instinct carried him to Severus' front door. After all, in his mind they were married and they shared these quarters, so he was surprised, though he really shouldn't have been, when Draco answered and not Severus. He took in his old school rival for a moment before reality seemed to come crashing down on him and he flushed crimson.

"What do you want, Potty," Draco sneered in anger.

"I... um... I'm..." Harry sighed running a frustrated hand over his face, "I guess I forgot that these are no longer my quarters. My brain is all mixed up to mush. Is Severus in?"

Draco quirked an eyebrow at his audacity, not to mention his boldness. To ask for Draco's lover to said man himself; Potter must have a death wish!

"No, he is not, " Draco replied.

Harry sighed, turning on his heel before stopping and asking.

"Can you at least tell me where I stay here. I tried to find Minerva so that she can show me to my rooms, I seem to not remember where they are."

Draco considered this for a moment, barely controlling the urge to slam the door in the stupid Gryffindor's face., before deciding that answering wouldn't hurt so much.

"You do not stay here, Potter."

Surprised flashed on Harry''s face, not that Draco saw it. "I- I don't?"

"No, imbecile. You have no reason to stay in the castle."

Harry frowned, he remembered grading endless papers in the study with Severus. They had their own separate desks and they always conversed while doing it.

"I am a teacher," Harry began indignantly, "I think that is reason enough to have a place in the castle."

Draco sniffed, "You are not a teacher. You are an Auror, you twit."

Harry stiffened. He was not an Auror, he had had enough of fighting and blood shed. He had had enough of Dark wizards to last him two full lifetimes, why in the world would he be an Auror. He realized that he was getting a crash course on his life by a man whom no longer considered him a friend and slumped in frustration. How could he be sure what Draco spoke of was true? How did he know he wasn't leading him on a wild goose chase? He needed to find Minerva and have a word with her. She was one of the select few that Harry trusted explicitly. Especially in a situation like this one.

"Where is Minerva then," he asked Draco impatiently.

"Are you daft Potter? Minerva died during the war. She was made an example of by my deranged aunt when The Carrows took over Hogwarts."

Harry didn't remember it that way. He was starting to get a major headache trying to process all this.

"So, who is the headmistress then?"

Draco was starting to feel sorry for this fool. If only a little. After all, the fool wanted what he had, and Severus was off limits!

"Severus is the Headmaster," Draco stressed the word. Harry turned to him with a frown on his face. Nothing Draco said added up and he decided to leave while his head didn't hurt all that much. He would have to go back to Madam Pomfrey. She was the only other person in the castle that he knew of that could give him a straight answer.

"Thanks Dray," Harry said absently before walking off. Never noticing the surprise stiffness of Draco's body.

Draco scowled at Harry's back before slamming the door nosily. He whirled around and came face to face with a scowl. Severus scowled at his lover, noting the slightly seething stance he took.

"Was it necessary to slam the door," Severus snipped.

"Of course," Draco said dismissively.

"Who were you conversing with, that has you wired and riled?"

"Potter," Draco answered begrudgingly.

Severus was surprised.

"He actually had a civil conversation with you without going for his wand.?"

Draco nodded, "and he asked me a bunch of questions. He doesn't know where he stays, and he doesn't know that he is an Auror. He thought that he stayed somewhere in the castle to teach."

Surprised flashed across Severus face for a moment before he asked, "and how did he take that news?"

"I don't know, his back was to me... Why do you care about Potter? You never have before."

Both knew that wasn't entirely true but neither wanted to drudge up the past, so Severus just sneered.

"I am allowed to be concerned Draco. Potter did, after all, take a vicious beating by a half giant. I would be concerned for any residence of the castle, whether they lived here or not."

"But you are not allowed to be concerned for Potter!"

Severus' eyes narrowed and he took an intimidating step forward.

"Excuse me," he all but snarled, "I am not allowed," he questioned.

Draco took a step back, realizing only now what he uttered and swallowed reflexively.

"I am a grown man," he punctuated, "I shall be concerned for whom ever I chose to be concerned about, an you Mr. Malfoy will not dictate that. I have a meeting, I shall be back later!."

And with those angry words, Severus was gone and Draco was left to fume about stupid Potters and there ungodly timing.

Harry sat on a chair in Poppy's office. His head was in his hands and his shoulders shook. Poppy was at a loss as to what to do. Harry Potter never cried. Never! At least not in front of other people. She didn't know whether to comfort him, or not and decided on the former, wrapping her arms around the distraught man and rocking him gently against her bosom. He surprised her when he wrapped his arms around her and let her rock him. When his tears finally dried he pulled back gently, wiped his face, and ran a rough hand through his hair. Poppy both felt bad and felt sorry for this man whom had been through so much.

"Are you alright dear?"

It took a moment for him to answer and when he did his voice was low and raspy.

"No, I just don't know. Every memory I have has been shattered. I have a job I know I hate. I have never married the man I love, though I have clear memories of our wedding day. Ron is dead and Hermione is married to Zabini. We don't talk because Zabini blames me for his mother's death and Hermione agrees with him, if only for the sake of Ron. Hermione's parents don't know who she is because of something I did, Draco is my enemy, and him and Severus have been together since the year after the war ended. It has only been four years since the war ended when I remember it being close to seven. Minerva has been dead for four years, when I remember her being the Headmistress. The man I love, hates my guts and wants noting to do with me... No, no I'm not alright."

Poppy watched as Harry's head made it back into his palms. She couldn't imagine what he was going through. She couldn't imagine what it must feel like to be told the life you knew never existed. She could only speculate: It must have felt awful.

Harry had such a headache. His brain was full of things he knew weren't true. Poppy's words slowly began to sink into his consciousness and it suddenly terrified him. He knew nothing of this place. This was not the place he had called home for 15 years of his life. This was not the place he remembered seeing for the first time; not the place where he mad his first friend, not the place where he realized his first and only love. Suddenly Harry couldn't breath. Suddenly, he couldn't be here in this room. No, he couldn't be here in this castle. He had to get away. Abruptly he stood, startling Poppy enough for her words to trail off. Words that Harry never heard as he rushed from Poppy's office, heedless of her shouts for him to return. He ran with no real direction in mind, cutting corners randomly and taking stairs unconsciously. He was halted, however, when he struck face first into someone sending them both tumbling to the ground.

He heard the growl of the person he had knocked down, and looked up through watery eyes at Severus, whom was cursing idiots and getting to his feet. Harry wanted to disappear. He wanted to haul himself to his feet and run away. But he was frozen in place by terror. He didn't have anywhere to go. He didn't have anyone to consult with, that he knew of. His life was crumbling at the seems and the only one who knew how to console him, hated him with every fiber of his being and it was all to much. Shakily, Harry got to his feet. Still debating internally whether or not he should run away, fighting tears and shaking with the effort. He had finally made up his mind when a furious growl of, "Potter, watch where you are barreling," caused his damn to break. He fell to his knees in a sobbing pool and Severus watched helplessly as the proud man broke.

Bewildered and more than uncertain on how proceed with this sobbing Potter, Severus just stared at the man crying on the floor. He was torn between concern and disgust at the sight of his former student, but voiced nothing as he watched the man cry. Finally deciding that he had had enough of Potter's sniveling, Severus hauled Harry to his feet and had him in a hug before he could think about it. Harry stiffened in his arms and Severus wondered what had changed from the last time in the hospital wing, to now. He didn't know and wouldn't until he got Potter to calm down. So, with a gentleness that surprised himself, Severus caressed Harry's back. Soothing him and relaxing him.

Unbeknownst to them, a blond figure stood in the shadows scowling at them. This would not do. This would not do at all. With one final look at the odd pair, Draco stalked away, deciding that phase two of his plan had been delayed long enough.

To be continued

So, many are wondering what is going on. I shall reveal it if you want, but that will take away the suspense of the story. Trust me, you will want to wait for the climax :D Mild Snarry in the next chapter for those who are waiting on the edge of your seats.

Until next time =)

YAJF