AN: English exam tomorrow! Wish me luck!
Chapter 9
"Harry…"
"It's best if you don't talk to me." He brushed past Severus and into the kitchen, where he started to fill the sink to wash the plate and two cups on the draining board. "I'm here because, for some reason unknown, I still care about you and couldn't live with myself if you tried to do it again when I should have been here to stop you. But that doesn't mean I want to speak to you, or be around you, or even look at you right now." Severus opened his mouth to reply but could think of nothing to say. He sighed and retired to his study to begin an article the Daily Prophet had requested.
'' '' ''
"I'm going into town. Care to join me?" Severus struggled to make his voice sound light but Harry saw through him. He scowled and finished wrapping the cord around the hoover.
"I suppose I'll have to." He didn't allow Severus to help him to his feet and snatched his cloak from him when he held it out for him to put on.
'' '' ''
Harry and Severus sat together in a small café, looking out of the window at the people on the street. Severus caught sight of a balding, middle-aged wizard and made a sound of disgust at the back of his throat. Harry grinned despite himself.
"What?" Severus gave him a look of incredulity which suggested that he should know, just by glancing at the man, exactly what he'd done to offend him.
"Have you seen him? What on earth was he thinking when he bought those robes?"
"And you're the authority on fashion, are you?" He looked down at his own robes and raised an eyebrow in mock arrogance, making Harry laugh.
The moment passed quickly and they fell into silence again. But still, Harry thought, it felt good to laugh.
'' '' ''
"Harry?"
"Hm?" He didn't look at Severus, who sat at the opposite end of the settee, but carried on staring at the television.
"Will you stay here tonight?" Harry glanced up, startled and slightly angry, although he couldn't explain why. "Not to…you know. You can stay in the spare room. I just…"He breathed deeply and looked away, slightly embarrassed. "I want you to be here." He took his glasses off and started to clean them on his shirt. "I miss you." Harry tried to hold onto his anger but found it slipping away. He stared back at the television and crossed his arms across his chest.
"Fine."
"Thank you." They sat awkwardly together for a few minutes before Severus stood up and went to call Minerva. Harry forced himself not to watch him go.
'' '' ''
The film had finished and the copy right information had been displayed on the screen for more than an hour but Severus had made no move to turn it off and go to bed. Harry had fallen asleep with his head on Severus' shoulder and Severus relished the affection Harry would possibly never again consciously show him.
Severus eventually manoeuvred himself from the settee, gently resting Harry's head on a cushion and covering him with a throw. He kissed his forehead lightly and made his way to is own room, grinning slightly. Harry had shown him warmth and, even if it was by accident, it was a start.