Disclaimer: I will own Harry Potter when pigs grow wings and fly, until then, I will continue to borrow them and play with them…tee-hee…

Ok so I want to say thanks to everyone who reviewed, and to Deby Magid, don't worry, I'm not going to have Harry call himself 'Mommy', that is just weird, because he's a dude.

Enjoy!

Chapter 3

We sat there, just staring at each other as we finished our tea.

"So," I began, trying to dispel the awkward silence that had settled over us "when do you have to go back to the castle?"

He regarded me skeptically. "Not immediately, you want me to leave?"

"No!" I all but shouted, "sorry, uh no, I would like you to stay." I managed to choke out.

He raised a brow, "Very well."

I sighed in relief. The awkward silence descended over us again. I stood and brought my cup to the sink, rinsing out the residue from the tea, before setting it on the counter.

"I like what you have done with the kitchen…" Severus started, "but the rest of the house could use a lot of work."

I nodded my agreement, "Yeah, I was planning on doing the main rooms and bedrooms, but I think I will wait a day or two to tackle the basement and attic."

I could see him nodding in my peripheral vision and got the slightest inkling that he approved of my choices.

"So…are you staying for lunch…and dinner?" I asked, trying not to let my over eagerness leak into my voice.

There was something about this man that had my heart racing. I needed to be near him, and that thought frightened me.

"I suppose I could stay."

I grinned and felt a happy glow fill my breast.

When I turned to go back to the table I ran into Severus' hard chest. "Oh, sorry I…I didn't hear you get up." I rambled. 'Merlin he's close.' I thought. His scent was driving me wild and all I wanted to do was ravish him. I forced my body to move away from him but only managed to take one step before I was trapped between the counter and his beautiful body.

He leaned in toward me and I couldn't help but gasp. He set his cup down behind me with a definite 'clink', and then backed away; smirking. "Shall I help you decorate?" he asked innocently, as if he didn't know how strongly I had just reacted to him.

"S…sure" I cleared my throat, "we can start in the entrance; make our way through the house…"

He nodded at my rambling then turned around and made his way to the front of the house. I couldn't help but sigh as I took a moment to admire his backside. I shook my head to clear it 'no, stop it, he's your professor!' I berated myself.

When I finally got to the entrance hall I gasped in shock. The floor had gone from the disgusting mold-ish grey color to deep dark wood flooring, nearly the same color as the kitchen. The walls turned into a soft cream, like in the bathroom and kitchen. In the dark trim snakes slithered and hissed occasionally, moving gracefully. A dark coat rack adorned the corner, with a simple but elegant shelf sitting next to it.

"Do you approve?"

His voice sounded almost nervous.

"Yes pro-"I paused, "May I call you Severus, at least while you are here?"

He thought for a moment before answering, "I suppose I can allow that…Harry."

The way my name sounded coming from him was spine tingling. "Thank-you."

After that our day was much more relaxed and I found it quite enjoyable. We worked in a comfortable silence unless conversation striked us. We asked questions and exchanged opinions, and laughed at jokes. It was only at lunch did the mood get…weird.

I was in the middle of cooking us grilled sandwiches when he entered the kitchen.

"Harry, what are you doing?" he asked.

"Well Severus, This is what I like to call cooking." I answered cockily.

"You don't have to cook for me, I am fully capabl-"

I shook my head and thrust a plate in his hands. "Severus, just sit down and eat your damn food." I ordered him firmly.

He looked a bit perplexed, but sat and gingerly took a bite.

I raised an eyebrow at this; he acted as if it were poison.

"It's…good." He said slowly; surprised.

I chuckled at his behavior. "Well I've had about 17 years to hone my culinary skills."

He grimaced at the reminder of what I went through. I waved a hand at him, dismissing the argument before it even began. "It wasn't your fault so don't you even dare say sorry, you didn't even know."

"I was cruel to you in school, had I known-"he tried.

"Had you known you would have what? Pitied me? Treated me like everyone else does? Severus, you were the only person, except maybe Draco that didn't treat me like I was some savior, the 'Golden Boy'."

He paused to think about my words for a moment, and then sighed. "You know, you are far more like Lily then you could possibly fathom"

This surprised me. I had never been told that I was like my mother, except the eyes. and coming from this man, the man who always compared me to my father…

"Thank-you, no one has ever told me that before. I'm always compared to my father."

Severus grimaced, "Yes well except the hair, and jaw, you remind me of your mom."

I smiled, "Yeah, my father was a bit of an arse wasn't he?"

Severus laughed at this which filled me with warm satisfaction. "Yes, he was."

We fell back into silence as we finished off our sandwiches.

I was just starting to rinse my plate off when it was snatched away.

"You cooked, I will clean up." He then proceeded to push me away from the sink and began to roll up the sleeves to his black button down.

I couldn't help but stare at the revealed flesh. It was like marble. The muscles rippled under his skin and I shuddered. "Uh, I'm…I'll be right back." I told him before rushing into the bathroom and sinking down into the tub. The cold ceramic tiles pressed into my skin and I took comfort from it. "Stupid, stupid, stupid arse, stop it Harry!" I mumbled to myself in the quiet room. I sat there for a couple more minutes, calming myself before standing and going back down stairs. The house looked good as I glanced at it. We had gotten so much done, in so little time I was afraid he would leave after dinner.

As I entered the kitchen I noticed immediately Severus wasn't there, but the dishes were put away and the table wiped clean. "Severus?" I called.

"EEEKKK Harry!" someone screamed and I soon had a face full of bushy hair.

"Er, mione', I can't breathe." I choked out.

"Oh! I'm so sorry Harry, I'm just so glad your ok, are you coping well? How are you? Have you studied for Newts? Harry this is our final test how can you be so irresponsible?" She chided me pointing her finger in my face. I suddenly felt like it was uncle Vernon scolding me and backed away from her. "You had all this time and all you did was goof off, Harry there is only a month till school starts!" I zoned her out and heard Vernon's voice rising along with his fist. I cowered away and curled into a ball. "Please," I pleaded quietly, "I'm sorry…"

I could feel his fist strike home and whimpered.

"Harr-"

"Ms. Granger!" Severus snapped.

"Pro…professor."

I could feel him sneer at her, "articulate as ever Ms. Granger. Now, move!"

I could faintly hear her scurrying away, and I could feel someone crouch in front of me.

"Harry, he's gone, nothing's going to hurt you, Harry look at me." He coaxed gently.

I slowly raised my head, tears rolling down my cheeks. I saw a blurry mass of black and assessed it to be Severus. I lunged into him, needing his comfort. I buried my face in his shirt, and let his body heat soothe me.

"Sshh…calm down Harry." He whispered gently against my ear.

I inhaled his heavenly scent and my body began to unwind from its tense defensive pose and relax. I was safe in Severus' arms, of that I was completely certain.

His arms tightened around me and I felt my fear drain away, as I nuzzled his chest.

"It's alright Harry, he's not going to hurt you ever again…I wont let him." He whispered the last part so quietly I wasn't sure if it was meant for my ears.

I slowly raised my head and stared into his eyes. They were so dark, they were believed to be black, but seeing them this close I could see flecks of green and brown within them.

"What's wrong with him professor?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

"Nothing, Ms. Granger is wrong with him. Now Please, leave." Severus never raised his voice, but it rang with authority.

"I'm sorry sir, but I'm Harry's best friend, he needs-"

"Said friend to leave." Severus cut in, "So I would recommend doing so now, do not argue with me Granger."

His voice promised future pain if she didn't listen, but she still hesitated.

"Hermione." I whispered softly, "I'm ok with Severus, I just…I need some time ok? Then I'll explain everything." I tried to reassure her. She nodded and said goodbye before stalking furiously from the room. I waited for the door to shut before releasing the breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

"I'm sorry Severus…I just freaked out. You must think I'm pathetic."

Were I looking at his face I would have seen the flash of anger cross it.

"No Harry, you are brave to have lived what you lived through, stupid for keeping it to yourself, but brave none the less."

I felt tears well in my eyes again, and had to choke back a sob.

"Harry look at me." He commanded.

I didn't want him to see the tears so I focused my eyes on a button that adorned his shirt.

His hand came into my vision and he slowly lifted it until it rest under my chin, lifting gently until I was face to face with him.

"Harry, I know you feel ashamed, and pathetic and alone, but you are not alone, and have nothing to be ashamed of."

I blinked and a solitary tear rolled down my face. Severus caught it on his thumb and wiped it away.

"Severus…" I let my voice trail off as I slowly leaned into him, giving him time to reject me, but to my surprise he didn't.

My lips brushed his in a whisper of a kiss, and then a tidal wave of passion hit me and I pressed them harder to his in a bruising, passionate kiss. He didn't respond immediately, but quickly began kissing back with vigor. I couldn't help but groan as I tasted him. Chocolate and mint.

Severus broke the kiss to my disappointment, but he swiftly latched onto my neck and trailed kisses down to the edge of my shirt. His hands trailed down to the hem of my shirt and then lower still until his fingers grazed my rock hard erection. I bucked against it desperately, needing more contact.

He pulled away suddenly, panting and giving me a strange look.

I felt an animalistic urge to claim him as mine but fought it back.

"I'm…I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me." I babbled trying to defuse the situation. He didn't respond, just stared at me.

I felt tears sting my eyes and I fought them back furiously. I cleared my throat, "I apologize Professor, it won't happen again." my voice was dry and professional.

I stood, not allowing myself to blush as my erection became very visible to him. I walked swiftly to the kitchen and began to search the cabinets for dinner. I refused to act like a coward and hide away in the tub.

Not much to say on this one, but I hope you are still enjoying it. I have finally picked a creature, so that will be revealed soon…hope you enjoyed it and review.

Hugs to the readers,

aKu-senSei