The Fire Within Chapter 15 Harry's POV

Yay! Here we have Chapter 15! I hope you like it! Thank you for reading and reviewing and adding this story to favorite/alert lists. Wahoo! I love everyone so incredibly much. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. Please Review. I would love to hear from you.

This will be boyxboy if you don't like don't read.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter that would go to J.K. Rowling.

Harry's lips burned from the contact of Severus's skin against his. He touched them as he ran through the halls as fast as his feet could carry him. His heart thumped against his chest, his nerve's on fire as he flew through the portrait hole and up the stairs. He fell on his bed chest heaving up and down while he tried to catch his breath. His bunk mates were all already asleep and he knew sleep would be a long way from coming. Ron mumbled something in his sleep while Harry slowly turned on his back, breathing hard. Severus wanted to be friends first? The thought was very odd. Harry never would have thought of having him as a friend even if Severus had kept rejecting him. For him it was one of two options Severus wanted him as a lover or he didn't. Those were the only choices that appeared in Harry's mind at the time. Maybe being friends for the remainder of the year wouldn't be so bad. And like Severus said Malfoy wouldn't have anything to hold against them. They can't get caught if there's nothing going on between them. At least to the eyes of the world around them. When they were together Harry felt like they were in a world of their own so it'd be fine if the world saw nothing but a Professor helping his student. That didn't mean Malfoy wouldn't try and foil their cover somehow. Harry knew the other boy wasn't done trying to toy with him. If having detention with him earlier that night was any indication.

Harry remembered the way Malfoy's thin lips curled in disgust when he caught sight of Harry. There was nothing but pure hatred hidden behind his eyes. It made Harry shudder to remember. Malfoy had always hated Harry, but now it's somehow even worse. His hatred seemed to be consuming him. Harry hated Malfoy but it didn't eat away at him. Malfoy had threatened Harry with exposure of his relationship with Severus. Not that Harry was too worried, the more he thought about it he thought he should've told Severus when he saw him. I guess I was too caught in what was happening to remember. I'll tell him tomorrow.

Harry was going to try and listen to what people were telling him about not trying to solve his problems on his own. If he had his way he would've dunked Malfoy's head in the toilet like he wanted to. He had the opportunity many times, but McGonagall kept checking on them periodically making it too hard to do what he wanted.

Harry wrapped his arms around his pillows, sleep snatching him away as soon as he closed his eyes. He woke to the sounds of people getting ready for the day. He rolled on his side, stretching his arms over his head.

"Hurry up and get dressed Harry. Hermione wants all the details about last night." Ron pulled on his robes and waved to Harry as he peeked at his best friend through his long lashes. He stretched again like a cat warming in the sun. Harry took a quick shower, dressed as fast as he could and headed for the Great Hall not bothering to comb his hair. Not like it'd make much of a difference anyway.

He entered the chatter filled room, feeling a pair of eyes on him much to his dismay they weren't Severus's like he'd normally assume. Malfoy was watching his every move, not even bothering to try and hide it. A spike of anger jolted through him. Who did Malfoy think he was? He wanted some kind of stupid revenge? Fine. Let him bring it on. Harry wasn't going to let someone try and ruin what little piece of happiness he managed to find. It was still riddled with many hardships to come he knew especially if Malfoy kept his promise. But he wasn't going to stop from trying to keep what he finally had.

He tried to take the focus off the glare that was aimed his way. Guess he's still sore about me punching him in the nose? Harry smiled to himself no matter what he'd do it again. Punching Malfoy helped him move everything along with Severus regardless of his intention to destroy the fragile relationship they developed. Their relationship was still so very tender that Harry was afraid to breath, afraid it might blow away like a feather on the breeze.

Harry maneuvered his way to his seat next to Ron when he sat down he shyly looked up to find Severus not in his seat. His heart thudded in his chest, nervousness taking hold of his insides, tying them up. He took a deep breath. Severus was probably setting up for classes for the day. A sigh of relief escaped his lips before he was bombarded with questions from an impatient Hermione.

"What in the name of Merlin happened last night?" Hermione demanded, fork clattering to the plate, eggs and toast forgotten.

Harry stared at her for a moment, eyes wide with surprise. Hermione surged forward in his silence. "Are you okay?"

Harry chuckled at her eagerness to know what was happening. Her need to know shocked him for a moment, but her insistency made him smile. Ron and her probably stayed awake for a while waiting to see how everything went between Severus and him. "Whoa, Hermione everything is fine. Calm down." Her cheeks heated up with a crimson blush that matched Ron's hair. He waited a little longer to keep her in suspense.

"Harry!" Hermione said, pursing her lips.

"Yeah, come on mate." Ron joined Hermione's rant much to Harry's surprise. He glanced at both of his friends smiling wide. They both were amazing.

"Okay, slow down. Well first I served deten..."

"No, no, no what happened with Snape first?" Hermione urged. Ron ate absentmindedly while he waited for Harry to continue.

"He wants us to be friends first." Harry leaned forward, putting his hand under his chin, and thinking more about his changed relationship with Severus.

"Friends? Seriously? After all you've been through?" Ron forgot the rest of food. He turned to Harry, concern taking over his features. "Are you all right with that?"

Harry regarded Ron with bewilderment. His eyebrows shot up. He tilted his head to the side, trying to figure out if he heard Ron right. Harry knew Ron held no great love for Severus but to hear him sound so worried despite his feelings made Harry relax. He leaned against the table and grinned.

Ron's brow furrowed. "What?"

Hermione laughed, eyes dancing with love as she gazed at Ron. "If you don't understand, we're not going to tell. Now tell us the rest." Hermione turned back to Harry, eyes still sparkling.

"But what just happened?" Ron mumbled, crossing his arms over his chest and pouting.

Harry shook his head still smiling when an owl swooped down dropping a letter on his empty plate. His name was scrawled in a dark green ink. At first glance it appeared black, little glints silver could be spotted if he looked at the ink at the right angle. Harry lifted the envelope, turning it over in his hands.

"Aren't you going to open it?" Hermione asked, bouncing in her seat, hands clasped in front of her.

Harry felt her excitement flow through him. He thought he knew who it was from, but he tried suppressing the hope that bloomed in his chest. Harry tore the top open, carefully pulling out the folded paper.

Mr. Potter your presence is needed in the dungeons before classes begin. You better hurry or five point from Gryffindor.

Severus Snape.

Harry's blood pounded in his ears. He put the letter carefully back in the envelope taking care not to rip it. As soon as he got it in he flew from his seat barely remembering to grab his bag.

"I'll tell you the rest late. Gotta, go." Harry dashed away before Hermione or Ron could blink. He ran all the way down to the dungeons, stopping in front of Severus's office door, hands on knees gasping for air. When he could breath again he straightened his back and knocked on the door.

The door opened as soon as his knuckles rapt against the wood. Severus pulled him in by the arm, closed the door and pushed Harry against it. "What took you so long?" Severus asked before crashing their mouths together in a fevered kiss. Harry had no time to think before his mind shut off and he melted against Severus.

Something niggled the back of his mind. But it was so hard to think with Severus pressed so close to him. They talked about something last night...they decided to be friends first. Harry didn't kiss his other friends. Begrudgingly he raised his arms, gently pushing Severus away from him. "I thought we weren't supposed to be doing this sir." Harry added the sir just in case someone walked in. He didn't want to be caught again. With his luck Malfoy was ready to catch them in the act again.

Severus ran a hand down his face, blowing out a loud sigh from his lips. "Of all the times to be the voice of reason you choose now?" Severus quirked an eyebrow at Harry. Severus's face was flush and his voice was low sending pleasant thrills through Harry.

"I didn't want to stop." Harry clapped a hand to his mouth. He hadn't meant to say that. His face burned with a hot blush. Severus turned away from him taking a deep breath.

Keeping his back to Harry he said, "You are right Potter. I thought just once could not hurt. But that is not why I called you here." He turned back to Harry his normally pale skin taking a faint pink hue. Is he blushing? Yes, he is! Harry's mind whirled as Severus explained something that he totally missed. His thoughts on the pink coloring of his professor's cheeks.

"Potter," Severus called to him.

"Yeah, here."

"Take a seat while I explain the material we will cover when you come to my chambers." Harry sat down with a sigh. Gone was the man who was ready to kiss Harry back was his dutiful professor. Not that he minded. He rather liked the way Severus took charge of everything and didn't except any excuses. Unfortunately Harry usually messed up.

Harry made himself comfortable while Severus explained what they would be doing in the coming weeks.