So yeah, what do you think? Feel free to send me ideas and stuff, and tell me what you think is missing. Or if you don't like the addition of a certain slytherin….

It took time, but eventually, Harry was okay with it all. He saw a sort of poetry in it, his mothers rose was born again now, a new, fresh plant. And he thought his mum wouldn't have minded either. He had spent so much time thinking about her recently, ashamed to notice that before, it had been his dad he had focused on. So proud to be called like his father, he now tried to have his mother's traits as well. He saw her as kind, and soft, and forgiving. Quick to laugh and very understanding.

Hermione and Ron certainly noticed the change in their friend. There were still times when he was overcome with a deep sadness that seemed to block everything out, that made him depressed, irritable, and needy all at all the same. But these were becoming fewer and fewer, and as Hermione said, it would take time.

Severus had certainly been acting oddly recently. He meant to be cool and indifferent, but really Harry could see he was feeling guilty. And that was helpful, not that Severus was in turmoil, but that he recognized his wrong doing.

So exactly a week later, Harry invited him back. Almost immediately after greeting him, Harry said; "it's okay about the rose by the way."

Severus looked amazed, but grateful. "t-thank you," he said finally "and I am sorry about that by the way. And about…leaving like that." He didn't look Harry in the eyes, but Harry knew he meant it.

"Thanks." He said, a smile bursting across his face. It meant a lot to him that Severus said that, he really hadn't been expecting it.

"so, I thought I could show you around first, I haven't given you a proper tour yet. I'll introduce you to the as paintings and things, tell them to let you move about in here as much as you like. You still need me to let you out, but apart from that you can go where you like."

Severus smiled at him, really at him, which was a first, grateful both that Harry trusted him enough to do that and that he hadn't made a big deal about the rose. Harry smiled back.

So Harry took him around the chamber, which was bigger than Severus had suspected at first. It was really a wonderful place Harry had here. They didn't have any problems with the portraits agreeing to admit Severus until they came to the library. It started out the same way as the others, Harry chatting away in parsletounge, which, Severus had to admit was a fascinating language, he could listen to Harry talk in it all day…

But then he frowned and started to talk a bit more quickly, hissing unhappily. He said something that clearly upset the portrait, because the snake inhabitant slithered out of the frame, flicking his tail at Harry.

"sorry about that, um…might want to try that again another day." "what upset it?" Severus asked, looking more than a little disappointed.

Harry grinned sheepishly. " I um, got a bit shirty with her. Told her that I certainly was not going to make use of any of the dark arts or potions texts in there, so if she wanted them to be looked at ever again she should let you in. But she uh said that either I have to go in with you or teach you parsletounge."

"would you?" Severus asked, seriously looking like Christmas had come early. Harry smiled, he really hadn't been planning on it. But it was so rare to see Severus excited- well, actually, Harry took that back, everything here seem to excite him.

But still….he just couldn't say no.

"One condition however." Harry said, "After I've taught you, you can't teach anyone else."

Severus smirked, cleaver, he thought, Harry wants to keep control of who has this knowledge. "It's a deal. A rather slytherin deal, if I may say."

At this Harry just laughed. "well I am the heir after all. And I was almost sorted in to Slytherin."

"You cant be serious." Severus exclaimed.

"mhmm." Harry said, still grinning. "The sorting hat couldn't decide and so let me pick." And then Harry laughed again. "and to be honest the main reason I picked Gryffindor was because I met Draco Malfoy on the train and he said he would be in slytherin and I was like "no way do I want to be in the same house as you.""

"what?" Severus asked again, seriously amazed. "you're the quintessential Gryffindor." "yeah…" Harry said. "but, I can be pretty slytherin at times. People just don't pick up on it because they expect me to be all Gryffindor."

He chuckled at the look on Severus's face, and looked unashamedly up at him, green eyes sparkling. Finally after a moment Severus said; "and yet again Potter, you continue to surprise me."

"Harry please sir." And even Harry was suppressed at his boldness, but he went on. "At least when we're down here."

"Alright." Severus said looking away. "In that case call me Severus." Severus bit his bottom lip, trying not to show or feel his sudden nerves.

"Thanks." Harry said. And then, knowing that Severus wouldn't want to make a big deal of it, quickly added; "So, do you want me to start teaching you, or look around a bit?"

Again that oh so excited expression crossed his face, although he tried to hide it. " I don't mind, is this a good time for you?" "as good as any." Harry said, leading him in to the living room.

"although I've never taught anyone this before, so I don't know where to begin." He sat down on the couch and yawned, Severus sitting next to him.

"well when I learn languages I normally start with the alphabet, and the more basic sounds." Severus suggested. Harry vaguely realized that he had never been this close to him before.

"you know other languages?" Harry asked happily. But Severus looked a bit embarrassed. "yes. I know a few actually." When Harry looked inquiringly at him Severus begrudgingly added; "I have never had social skills, and so when I was a student I buried myself in work, learning languages was one of my passions back then. It really didn't help my social life at all." Sever could add about how badly bullied he had been at school, or about how he was constantly teased, or about how he still didn't really understand social rules, but he was far too ashamed to say anything of the sort.

"Well I think it's interesting. What do you know?"

"Well English obviously. Latin, although I guess that doesn't count since it's dead. I know French, Italian, Spanish, Polish and I know conversational Russian."

"That's amazing." Harry said. "I wish English wasn't my only language." Severus raised an eye brow and looked scornfully at him. "what?" Harry asked, worried that Severus thought he was trying to suck up.

"English isn't your only language, clearly, you also know parseltouge." Harry blushed and looked away, adding a sheepish; "Oh yeah."

Severus chuckled, he still enjoyed making Harry uncomfortable. "Allright." Harry said finally, "Lets start." And so they did.

Severus watched Harry hiss and almost artfully shape the sounds with his tongue. And then it hit him; he was watching his student's tongue. It moved gracefully between his lips, which Severus now noticed as well. They were plump and soft looking, and at the moment had a soft shine to them, probably due to Harry licking his lips so often. But his tongue flitted out again and Severus couldn't rip his eyes away...

Severus felt…good god he felt the need for that tongue in his moth so intensely that he felt the very ghost of it in his mouth. He was suddnly and achingly aware of the empty spaces inside of him…He imagined what it would be like to kiss Harry, he imagined it so intensely that his mouth watered, almost feeling Harry's tongue fighting to dominate his.

But Harry talked on, unaware; "…So I guess it's kind of a "th" sound, followed by a "sh" but you have to pout your lips…I guess sort of like you're about to kiss someone. So like this." And he demonstrated, slowly touching his tongue to his teeth and then his lips came together for the "sh", but then then they came out, as if waiting, begging to be kissed.

Severus shifted awkwardly. "you try." Harry said innocently. Severus did, but when he came to the end, they were so close and Harry was watching his lips so intently that for a moment Harry actually thought his professor was going to kiss him. Obviously he didn't. But it was enough for Harry to think that maybe they should stop for the night.

Severus slept horribly that night. Harry had kindly offered him a room for the night, and Severus accepted. But now he wished he hadn't. He sat up in the grand bed and looked out of the enchanted window. He had, in his entire life, one friend, and that was lilly. There were people that he knew he could sit with at meals without getting cursed, people he said a "hello" too. But…that was it.

For some reason he felt that loss keenly tonight. Probably because a part of him had started hoping again, hoping that Harry would perhaps… but that was insane. By Severus's standards they were spending a lot of time together. A lot. But by any normal person's calculations, they were far from it. And Harry was swimming in people that wanted to be around him, Severus saw no reason he would want to befriend his oily potions professor.

And god he felt pathetic, needily wishing that Harry would be his friend. He sounded like he was 15 all over again. And, Severus, reminded himself, it was important not to confuse feelings of friendship with feelings of lust. Just because he liked Harry didn't mean he wanted anything more than comrade…but Severus had a feeling that he did indeed want more than that. He sighed and turned over, feeling utterly dejected.

Harry wasn't feeling any less confused. When he had thought Severus was going to kiss him….he hadn't been upset or disgusted or anything… he had been surprised and to be honest a little excited. But then, Harry reasoned, maybe that just because it would be his first kiss with a guy. Yeah, harry was sure that was all. .

The next morning they had a nice, simple, and very pleasant breakfast together, before Severus left to work on his own potions and Harry went off to Quiddich practice.

He was just thinking about their upcoming match against ravenclaw when he bumped in to a certain blond slytherin. "Malfoy." He said coolly. To be fair, the slytherins were a lot better this year, and their animosity had calmed down allot. Didn't mean Harry had to like him though. "Potter." He replied. Harry tried to brush by, but no luck. " A word, if you please." Harry stopped and looked at him, waiting for this word, feeling sure that it wouldn't be anything nice.

"I am aware…" Draco started. And then he licked his lips. "That you are spending time with our dear potions professor. Now he would not thank me for interfering, but…may I just ask you to remember that although he…can be snarky, he does have feelings." Harry opened his mouth to say something but Draco held up a hand and continued. "he also, as you can probably guess, has next to no social skills. Consequently he has no friends. He only talks to me because I am his god son and I make him. This means that….his idea of spending a lot of time with someone and your idea will be vastly different. You may find he gets…attached. If he does, let him down gently, yeah?"

Harry nodded, surprised at Draco's affection for Severus, but then a thought struck him. "how do you know anyway? Do you talk about me?" Draco chuckled. That was new this year as well. Harry found it a bit off putting really.

"A bit. He told me he finally finished his cure for AIDS, I asked him where he got the blood. He told me it was from you. Since then you have been…mentioned."

"in a good way or bad way?" Harry asked instantly. Draco rolled his eyes. "mostly good. Although he did tell me about your wanting to be bilingual. And that you already are. We chuckled over that." Draco smirked broadly, but it faded after a moment. "but as I say…he may already be attached."

"Well yeah. Thanks for your concern but it's mutual." Harry said without thinking. Draco's eyes lit up. "really?" "yes, but please don't have any of your evil ideas concerning us." Harry said sharply. "Oh no not at all." Draco said, a look on his face that clearly said otherwise.

Harry groaned and walked away, leaving a smirking Draco behind him.