Hello all, once again thank you for the reviews, I'm glad you like and I have to say I think this is my fave chapter so far! Hoppe you agree!

Dear Harry,

Well, the title of this letter is "if you want religious advice" so that what's this will be about, do forgive me if I seem to harp on about it, I know how annoying that can be.

There are so many religions out there, I found my home in the old ways, or wicca as the muggles call it, but I believe that at their core, they are all very similar. Find a system that you feel comfortable in, that wholly and deeply encourages you to do better, but does not intimate or harm you if you do not. I won't lie to you Harry, I would like it if you did decide that Wicca was for you, but if it's not that it perfectly okay. Follow your heart, there is no rush to do anything else.

If the religion requires you to change something about yourself, it is not for you. It should make you want to be good, not fear to be bad.

There are so many religions out there, and it makes the world such an interesting place. Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Daoism… there's so much out there, don't be afraid to learn! Islam, at its heart is also very kind, but I would worry if you got into that, just because other people are so judgmental, not because of the religion itself.

Also, I don't know if anyone had explained to you how I know what will happen. I am not a seer, and I have never had a premonition.

A few days ago, (for me at least, probably many years for you) I was working with the earth energies. I recognize the earth as a protecting, motherly force, very powerful, very wise. I can't tell you everything about her of course, but I encourage you too work with her on your own, she is a great comfort.

Anyway, I was in deep meditation with her, when the Goddess Gia appeared to me. Yes, I actually believe that the goddess appeared to me. It may sound insane, I would have to write a book to explain all of this too you, and I don't have the time to do that, but there are many out there that will explain this to you. Severus can probably help.

While in mediation with the Goddess, I walked with her. We walked all over the world, though meadows and over mountains and across the seas. Muggles call this an out of body experience, but we just call it magic. We talked, Gia and I. she told me I was not long to live on her earth, she introduced me to her lover, the sky and told me when I was to depart for that world.

I was in the presence of god, and I was not afraid. But then she told me I had to leave you behind, and I wept and begged and yelled. Yes, I yelled at God for you. But they told me more of your journey, and how hard and how important it would be. And I knew it was useless to fight, all I could do was to write to you.

James thinks I've gone mad, thinks I've gone stir crazy being in hiding this long. But I don't mind, he isn't afraid for the last few days, he's happy as ever, and it makes my heart so glad to see us all as a family. I love you Harry, so much my son. I know you are strong and courageous, and kind, and I know that no matter what you do, you will make us so proud. You already have.

Much love, mum

Harry flopped back on the couch and sighed. To be honest, yeah that did sound a little crazy. God coming to talk to her? Just appearing and chatting away happily? And she yelled at them?

And them? So there were many gods? And goddesses? Or was it just this Gia and the sky? Did the sky have a name?

Now that was a strange question…

But then… she was right. She was completely right, down to the day and time.

But still, if he had been James, he wasn't sure if he would have believed her either…

He folded the paper slowly and thoughtfully. That was kind of interesting actually; being able to talk to god…even if it sounded kind of insane. He did feel a little better, her letters always did that.

And with a snort, he thought back to how he used to feel. Empty, dead, flattened….and now he had so many problems! But a smile crossed his face. It was nice, in many ways, to feel so interested in things, there was a time when he would never have thought that possible….

So yeah, Harry deiced, he had defiantly improved, his problems still weren't normal, his was reading letters from his dead mother and falling for his professor. But he kind of liked it.

A door opened and Harry sat up to see the man himself walk in. His heart fluttered in a way that was now so familiar, and yet still so exciting. Severus had just come in from the conservatory and he had bought some of the dirt in on his clothes.

Harry didn't care.

"Harry" Severus said suddenly, as he came to sit with Harry "do you ever spend time in Gryffindor tower?"

"not much …" Harry said, unsure of where this was going.

"why not?" Severus asked innocently.

"I like it down here…" with you, harry wanted to add. "I guess I like not having all of those people around. I mean I do sometimes, at meals, and I usually sleep there…and it's nicer to read the letters down here you know, where it's calm." Severus nodded softly. He could understand that. He just hoped that Harry wouldn't bore of this place, he wasn't sure if they would stay well, friends. Severus blushed at admitting that's what they were. He had never done so before. He could be remarkably obtuse when he wanted to be.

Ignorant of his internal monolog, Harry just saw his blush. "I mean I like you." Harry blurted out, having got the impression that he had offended the other man. But then he blushed too, that was much more forward than he had meant it to be, again he had spoken without thinking first.

"I mean, I well, really enjoy your company and like, you know, I would miss you, if I couldn't see you like this…" Harry said, mortified and wishing he hadn't opened his mouth in the first place.

Severus looked stunned. "thank you…" he said softly, and then quickly stood up and said; "right I think I need to go back to those plants."

He disappeared back in to the conservatory and closed the door behind him.

He would miss Harry too. He let out a chuckle, he would even miss that fascinating if slightly unfortunate habit Harry had of saying anything that came into his head.

For once, Severus wondered if there was more than stupidity in that habit, maybe there was a little courage too… he certainty didn't have the guts to tell Harry that he liked him, in even the remotest, most platonic way.

But of course, Harry had meant it to be platonic, Severus quickly reminded himself. It was probably why he was so confident saying anything, it didn't carry the same weight.

Still, it was really nice that he said that. Severus smiled.

Harry meanwhile, was wondering what was going on. He had embarrassed himself, he expected that Severus would tease him mercilessly, not run out of the room. He frowned and licked his lips thoughtfully. Why would he do that?

Well, maybe he thought that it put him in an uncomfortable position, being Harry's teacher and everything… but there weren't any rules against student teacher relationships, even romantic ones. In a moment of weakness, Harry had checked and was overjoyed to find a lope hole…

And anyways, he was just saying what was already in the air…

No, harry thought, it was a lot more likely that he just wasn't used to people being positive to him, people never seemed to be kind to that man, no matter what he did…Harry's heart swelled, that man deserved a lot more love in his life and Harry resolved to give it to him, even if it couldn't be romantic.

Harry wanted to run after him and tell him it was okay and hug him, and kiss him and-

But under his shell of cold indifference, Severus was chronically shy, Harry had learnt that, and he would come out when he was ready. Harry hated waiting, hated it so much, but he knew he was just going to have to.

About half an hour later, Harry was put out of his misery. Severus came and sat on the sofa next to Harry, deep in thought. "something wrong?" Harry asked. "no." Severus said, far too quickly. Harry looked at him for a second before asking; "so, you spend most of your time down here as well. What did you used to do?"

"I had peace and quiet, away from annoying students." Severus huffed, but they both knew his was joking.

"yeah." Harry giggled. "and in your wonderful, peaceful life, what did you do?"

"I…worked." Severus said slowly. "I read a lot more than I do now, I…graded papers."

"sounds like fun." Harry said dryly. "it was peaceful." Severus defended, but I don't want it back, he thought.

" I was content." He said, and he meant it.

Harry hoped that he would come to be so much happier than just 'content'.

"and anyway," Severus said, turning to look at him with a reproachful look on his face "there was a war on until very recently, give me a break. "

Harry just laughed.

The days went on and Harry tried to pepper them with nice words or compliments to Severus. He blushed every time and ran away somewhere, but it only made Harry more confidant that yes, the man did need appreciation and love.

This greatly confused Severus and sent him in to a mad tailspin. He desperately wanted to reciprocate, but it was hard, when he knew they had such different motives…so he did the only thing he could think of, he asked Draco for advice.

They were both in his private rooms and Severs had just finished telling his Godson the facts.

On the inside, Draco was dancing with glee. He really, truly and honestly wanted Severus to be happy, and this was perfect.

"well," Draco said, fighting to keep his voice calm "Look, firstly, try complementing him back once in a while. He's an emotional Gryffindor, they all wear their hearts on their sleeves. There's a quiddich game coming up this weekend, tell him he flies beautifully. It doesn't matter if you go and see the game, just say it." Severus nodded. He already thought that about Harry, to be honest, sometimes he watched when fly he was practicing…

"and secondly." Draco continued. "it's your birthday coming up and Potter is bound to find out. If he gets you… hmm, something like flowers, and maybe a book and…perhaps something for two people, like a game or if he offers to go out and buy you a drink... If he does that, you know he's flirting with you. For certain."

A while later, Draco left happily, feeling that his work with his godfather at least, was done.

Now for potter.

They bumped into each other a few days later, again in an empty corridor. Without any preamble Draco said "a word, if you will" Harry looked suspicious but nodded. "look," Draco said, drawing him into a corner.

"I know this is forward of me, but I really do need to ask you something. About Severus…" "oh, um okay…" Harry said, looking little worried. "I just wanted to know if…" and now even Draco was a little embarrassed. "if you were fond of him." "er, yeah…" Harry said, wondering where this was going.

"no I mean…romantically so. Look he's a very fragile person, I know you cant tell-"

"wait why?" Harry butted in. "does this mean he is…?"

"it's…possible." Draco said coyly. "it's impossible to tell with that man." Lies. He knew perfectly well, but he didn't want to just say it, they needed a nudge not a great big push. "all I'm saying is it could go in that direction and if there's no chance, I want to dissuade him."

Harry blushed madly before saying "well, yes I am, I do like him romanticly… if you must know." Draco nodded, smiling slightly. "Well, it's his birthday coming up, may I suggest getting him…oh well, some flowers, and maybe a book, and he loves playing chess, but he doesn't have a board, perhaps that? I know he would really love it, he does miss playing it so, it would make his week."

"yeah. Okay." Harry said, a genuine smile on his face. "thanks, that's what I'll do."