Despite Harry's best intention of going to Severus' rooms on the first or second day of the holiday, Harry joined Severus before dawn on the fourth day still relatively untouched (always assuming that was the purpose of his visit, of course). Severus had yet to mention his absence, or even the invitation, but Harry had found himself consumed by thoughts of it. To one side, he was grievously nervous about what would happen when he showed up. Their activities in the abandoned classroom a few weeks back had been none-too-gentle. At the time, it had been exactly what Harry needed, but now the memory scared him. What if that was the only way Severus knew, or preferred, of making love? Roughly, and a bit harsh?

On the other side, Harry was angry with himself for his worries and naivety. In the first case, there was nothing that said they would go so far, nor even to the point of more heavy petting, when it came down to it. In the second case, if it was what Harry desperately hoped it to be, he knew damned well that Severus could be tender. He trusted Severus, even if not all of him agreed. More frustrating was the fact that Harry had begun to blush like an idiot whenever Severus joined their hands, either at meals or during their morning walks, ever since the invitation had been levied.

And, of course, even more frustrating was the fact that he had thus far failed to satisfy the invitation by actually showing up. If it had been a matter of his baseless fears alone, Harry felt he could easily rally the courage necessary. He was, after all, a foolhardy Gryffindor. Unfortunately, nothing was ever that simple.

As they neared Severus' secret tree, the Potions Master spoke.

"I have noted your absence, lately," He said stoically.

Harry winced at the coldness buried in the tone. "I know…I-I'm sorry. I've wanted to come down, but…it's seems like a lame excuse, but Master Ailin has assigned me a paper to be finished by the end of the holiday. I've been stuck in the library most nights, consumed with finishing my work. We're already half-past the holiday, and I've still got so much left to do. She warned me that this particular research essay could be a test of my abilities, and I can't afford to fail any of the tests she puts me to."

Severus sighed. "You could have said so sooner," He admonished lightly. "However, if you find yourself in need of assistance, or an escape from the library, my invitation stands."

Harry smiled. "Thank you…" He said. "I may take you up on that very soon. The closer we get to the end of the Holiday, the more crowded the library gets, and even Madame Pince can't shush them all. And I've abandoned doing research in my own rooms, since they seem to be a revolving door of visitors, and students seeking help with their Defense homework."

"My rooms are always open to you," Severus repeated softly.

Harry nodded, squeezing the man's hand in his, and they continued their walk in silence. He considered what he had to lose. Technically, he had already finished the necessary research, and was only searching now for "filler" information that would make his piece longer and more interesting. And there was a good chance that he'd gathered more than enough of that, as well. Besides, nothing said anything had to happen if he showed up at Severus' rooms. He'd already clarified with himself that nothing had been promised. If something did, though, he could reasonably miss out on a few hours of work. He still had three and a half days to finish writing the paper, and he'd written longer essays in less time.

With a mental nod, Harry resolved to spend the evening in Severus' quarters. If nothing else, he missed the man's company, as Severus' had stopped seeking him out as soon as the Holiday had begun. True, they had their morning walks, but these seemed somehow separate from everything else. As if the hour before dawn was a world that belonged solely to them, it wasn't the same as seeking one another out with pure intent.

-Break-

That evening, Harry collected his study materials from his rooms after dinner and carried them down to Severus' quarters. After ensuring there was no one to see him, he entered the office without knocking, and breathed a minor sigh of relief that he hadn't walked in on Severus with a student or something. In fact, the man was nowhere to be seen. Harry moved to the door that separated the office from the Potions Master's living quarters. He hesitated, wavering in front of the oaken barrier.

What was it he'd thought earlier? Seeking one another with "pure intent"? This hardly seemed to qualify, and Harry felt unsure about the subtle difference. Should he knock? These were unknown waters for him. He knew on the surface that he was here to study, and whatever happened would happen, but he also got a sense that merely showing up had it's own secret expectations.

The Gryffindor raised his fist to knock, but swept his hand through his hair instead. What if he did knock? Severus would answer the door and he'd feel like even more of a heel than he already did just showing up like this. What if Severus had wanted some form of warning before Harry took up the invitation? He hadn't any of the times previous, but Harry had already noted that there was a subtle difference here. Harry rubbed the hair at the back of his head roughly and sighed at the door. Maybe he should just walk in, treat this like a normal visit, and then just respond accordingly if Severus was surprised or dismayed by his appearance.

"Your nervousness is an agony to watch."

Harry jumped and turned, slamming back into the door he'd been staring at so intently. He clasped his research to his chest protectively. Severus stood, smirking calmly, almost directly behind him. The Gryffindor scowled.

"You have a really bad habit of doing that," He accused.

The smirk didn't falter. "It is a gift." Severus raised his wand and Harry stumbled back into the man's rooms as the door he was pressed against opened suddenly and without warning. "So, which did you come for?" Severus asked, following him in calmly.

Harry frowned. He wasn't entirely sure about which "which" Severus meant. The Potions Master saved him from further embarrassment by gesturing to his armful of parchment.

"Studying, or assistance?" The Slytherin clarified.

Harry blushed, straightening and hating himself for the warmth in his cheeks. "Studying," He answered firmly. "I think I've found everything I need. Now all I have to do is write it down to where it at least resembles a proper essay."

Severus smirked and moved over to his couch, sitting down. "I am available, should questions arise."

Harry smiled. The man's calm was infectious, and he felt his racing heart begin to slow. He was even beginning to feel slightly foolish for his agitation. Kicking off his shoes by the door, he walked over to the couch as well and situated himself beside his companion, spreading his materials on the low coffee table. He smirked at the Potions Master as the man summoned a book from his shelves.

"I may take you up on that," Harry joked. "What do you know about Hinky Punk and Red Cap mating rituals?"

Severus smirked, settling his book in his lap. "We shall have to see, dependent on which questions might arise."

Harry chuckled appreciatively and turned to his work, satisfied that things were so amazingly…the same. Nothing was different than the last few times he'd visited the dungeons, and there was no pressure for things to be different. He prized himself on his first thought that nothing had to happen. And, if it did, he would wrestle that when it arose. The Gryffindor mentally smacked himself for the images "wrestle" and "arose" brought to mind, and managed to hide his blush as he began scripting his most recent research paper. Soon, he was lost in the relatively small world of forest-inhabiting Dark Creatures and how their differing mating rituals affected their victims.