Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Harry Potter

Note: Wow, 45 reviews after 2 chapters. I must be doing something right. This is the most reviews I have ever received for a story. I try to stick to canon with the characters as much as possible but it will be or already is an alternative universe. I will include it in the summary just to be safe. So anyway, let's begin.

Harry tried to force his body to move in order to escape the angry glare sent at him from across the ward. His throat was dry and scratchy and his neck hurt. Why, he didn't know. Remembering his aunt and uncle's behavior whenever he was feeling under the weather, he shook his head and pushed it down, ignoring it.

His magic was pulsating again but he was oddly used to it. It left him distracted and unable to focus upon the losses he had suffered. I have lost everybody now…

The tossing and turning that he had done when he had fallen asleep was tiring him out. Even the smallest task cost him the greatest of strength but Madam Pomfrey had assured him that it would even out when he was rested and the magic had recovered from trying to aid Snape.

He had blushed and had asked if there was a way to reverse the bond or the fact that Professor Snape didn't seem to have much trouble with his magic. She had told him in no uncertain terms that Snape was most likely using his skills at Occlumency to block his magic from reaching across the bond.

She had even said to him that it would sooth his magic whenever he was touching the older wizard. Skin to skin contact was encouraged, especially when they were so weak. One look at the black gaze to his left and Harry knew that he would never ask for that, no matter how much his magic may be hurting him.

"Potter, come on!" The velvet voice snapped at him and Harry heaved himself off the bed, swaying as a dizzy spell hit him. A wave of pain flashed through him, leaving a sensation of needle points being stabbed in his arm in its wake but Harry pushed it down.

Just ignore it. It will go away. It always did at the Dursley's. Besides, Snape wouldn't like it if you were to be ill now.

He moved across the ward, stumbling with uneasy steps as Snape glared at him, tapping his bandaged hand against his black thigh. The older wizard's left hand was bandaged where he had pressed it against his neck and the snake venom had flayed the skin. The fingers were free; making it appear like Snape was wearing a strange glove without fingers.

The older wizard had a small pouch in his hand with the potions that he was forced to take. They would stay in the former rooms of Snape until the wedding and after that they would go to Snape's house, a place named Spinner's End.

His mind was reeling with the information he had received since yesterday. He could not help but stop thinking about the marriage, another highlight in his life in his already bleak future. He hadn't seen Ron or Hermione since yesterday. Ron had merely said that he had to go home and would soon come to visit.

Harry wondered what he had done wrong. He had not really wished for the bond or to link their magic together. He just didn't want to be left alone. He had not wanted Snape to die, even when the older wizard told him that he should have let him die on several occasions.

Harry closed his eyes, they burned and his vision was slightly unfocussed no matter how many times he blinked. "Potter, pay attention for once!"

The snapping voice close to his ear hurt and Harry opened his eyes. He frowned at Snape and then took a pinch of the floo powder from the jar that Madam Pomfrey held out for him. "Send word if you need anything. I will come by tomorrow night to check in upon you two. I expect to find two breathing wizards by that time. Do I make myself clear?"

Harry only nodded and Snape gave a low growl in the back of his throat before the older wizard roughly pushed Harry to the side and for one moment his magic was calm and the pain was gone. Snape had stiffened as he was about to throw the floo powder into the fire and glanced at Harry, black eyes slightly confused.

The older wizard shook his head and distanced himself and immediately the pain was back, his magic swirling uncomfortably again. "Severus Snape's quarters," Snape called out, sending one last fierce glare at Harry before he floo'd away.

"Harry, don't mind Severus. I am sure that in time you will find a middle ground. If ever you need to talk, you come and see me, alright. I know that it is hard and that you didn't mean to do it, regardless of what Severus says. You are a good lad and Severus really is a decent person, not kind but I am sure that you can handle him. Whenever there is something you need, my dear, just come and find me, alright." Madam Pomfrey's hand on his shoulder felt so good and Harry felt his throat close up.

He pushed the tears firmly down. He had never cried and merely nodded at her before he stepped into the flames and tossed the floo powder in. He looked at the kind face of the mediwitch before him and then hesitantly said. "Professor Snape's quarters."

The last thing he saw before he spun away was a slight smile and then he nearly stumbled out of the fireplace at his destination. He steadied himself on a stool that stood nearby and his body cried out in pain.

It triggered another dizzy spell and he had to bite his lip hard to keep himself from moaning. His magic was agitated, sending waves through his body that were unpleasant and uncomfortable.

Harry straightened and he looked around the chambers. He was in a large sitting room. The fireplace was set off against the walls as other walls were lined with bookshelves and doors that led to other rooms. The couches that stood in the middle of the area were made of leather, as were the chairs and Harry gazed in awe. A large desk stood off to the right and Snape was leaning on it, his back turned to Harry.

Harry wasn't sure what to say so he glanced around the room again and tried to be invisible, of course it was no use.

"So does it meet your standard, Mister Potter? I am sure that somebody like you would frown on anything that is beneath what you are used to at home. I am sure that my humble quarters are not good enough for the Saviour of the Wizarding World." Snape sneered and as the older wizard frowned, a pain flash that made Harry's head spin crossed his body.

He managed not to cry out as he tightened his grip upon the stool.

"What? No clever or cheeky answer? Potter, you surprise me." Snape's lips were curled and Harry knew that his former teacher was enjoying himself.

The pain brought tears to his eyes and he found himself wishing for any kind face, anybody really, it didn't matter who it was just as long as it was anybody else than Severus Snape. He turned his head away, trying to ignore the pounding in his head and the shaking in his legs.

"Excuse me, but I need to use the bathroom…" before I lose what I ate on the floor

Snape raised an eyebrow and pointed a slender finger at the middle door and Harry all but ran, knowing that it was viewed as weak and fleeing what he was doing. The pain was intense and the light blinding of the candles that flashed in the bathroom. He did not have eyes for the bathroom as he leaned heavily on the sink.

He was pale and his eyes were glossy in the mirror. Pain flashed through him again and the world spun. It seemed to centre in his neck and Harry knew that there was nothing there as he touched his fingers to his neck.

He swayed and leaned over to splash some water in his face, hoping it would go away. He would love to lie down but he was afraid to ask where he would sleep, not really wanting to know the answer.

His breathing was fast and it felt like something was choking him. His magic was swirling about his body and it was like a shadow had fallen over his eyesight. Harry could only curse and hope that he wouldn't hit his head upon the sink when the world finally and blissfully went black…

Hp

Severus growled. The ungrateful brat. He is so spoiled that he doesn't even say anything about the hospitality I have given him by allowing him to stay.

He slowly moved to the couch. He was glad that Potter had decided to go to the bathroom; he was sick and tired of always having to watch his step around the child. His lip curled at the very thought of Potter.

His body quivered and trembled with the residing pain as he used his magic to block the bond between them. He would rather die than ever allow his magic to heal Potter. He snorted; the nonsense about skin to skin contact was revolting. Sure, it might calm both their magic at the moment and benefit them but he had survived this long on his own, he would do a little while longer. Besides, it would serve Potter well to learn a few lessons when you messed with things you weren't supposed to mess with.

He was relatively pain free at the moment. He longed for a fire whiskey or any strong drink but with the many potions he had to take it wouldn't be a good idea. Besides he needed a clear head, as clear head as able anyway if he had to deal with Potter.

The worst part was that he would soon be married to Potter. In six days that brat would be his husband. They would be together until death do us part….Severus snorted again, he never really believed in such a thing.

He raised his hand and looked at the bandages. They had been removed and changed today but he had wished to see his skin. It had been rubbed raw because of the blood and the venom of Nagini as it dripped over his skin as he had tried to stop the blood from flowing.

He still couldn't believe that he was actually alive and here. He had never wanted to survive this war. He had wanted to be left in peace but no, instead he was here taking care of a scarred child.

A loud thud sounded from the bathroom and Severus glanced up at the still closed door.

"Potter!" He bellowed, frowning when no answer or sound of movement came. He was seething with anger suddenly. This was the last drop. That the child had managed to link their magic together and thus combining them and saving Severus' life in the process he could live with, somehow but the fact that the brat was tossing his priceless possessions through the room like he was at home, well then he was sorely mistaken.

He got to his feet a little bit too rapidly as his head swam for a moment. He cursed angrily at himself and then took brisk steps to the closed door. He paused and then sneered. Potter didn't deserve any privacy after what he had done.

He pushed open the door with a gleeful smirk that normally only those he loathed received. What he saw made it slide off his face quicker than Polyjuice Potion.

Potter was on the floor on his back, struggling to get up and failing miserably. The brat could barely sit up before he fell back again on his back and Severus leaned against the door as he said. "Can't even keep your balance, Potter? Pathetic."

Potter was not looking at him before he fell back again and moaned out in a small voice. "Hurts…"

Severus was at the brat's side in an instance. His keen black eyes took in the greyish tint of Potter's skin and blurred green eyes that blinked rapidly. He put out a strong hand and grabbed the boy's chin to force him to meet his eyes.

Potter's eyes were wide and dilated and the green eyes couldn't hold Severus' eyes even when Severus turned the angular face towards him time and time again. The sweat that was soaking the black fringe was making Severus nervous and he asked in a low voice, knowing Potter had most likely a headache.

"Where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere." Potter's voice was small and pain filled, terrified and the same face that Severus had the first years answer him when they first came to his class. Potter shouldn't be terrified of him, least of all now.

He struggled to contain the sigh that was escaping him and began. "Harry….I need to know where…." The brat blinked at him and Severus growled. "…Oh sod it, Potter, where does it hurt? I need to know so I can help you."

"Neck hurts…choking me…magic swirling, feel so weak and hot….so weak…" Potter was mumbling and his voice was growing softer and smaller with each passing word and Severus cursed again as he watched helplessly as Potter's head lolled to the side. Severus would have cried out his frustrations so that they bounced off the wall if it made him feel better but instead he roughly shook Potter to rouse the brat.

In the first few days he had suffered from pain spasms. The pain had left him unable to do anything but scream but his voice had been so hoarse that only silent cries passed his lips. He had been painless today, ever since he had begun to block his magic. The pain must have escaped through the bond and into Potter.

Potter didn't know how to deal with pain and it was slowly building. Potter's magic couldn't deal with the pain and keep Severus at ease at the same time. The boy's magic was too weak after the linking and the battle that Potter had to fight.

"Come on, Potter, up on your feet. You can't stay here. Come on, boy, you need to help I can't carry your weight all by myself. There's a good boy." Severus slipped into his old role as a teacher when he had been taking care of one of his Slytherins after they had been injured.

Potter swayed and Severus wrapped an arm around the trembling shoulders as he steered Potter from the bathroom to the sitting room. The smaller wizard's steps were uneven and Severus stopped by the couch.

It would serve Potter right to spent the night here but then Severus would be confided to his bedroom. No, the bedroom had to do for the moment. The day was still young, he could figure out a place for the brat to sleep later.

He ushered Potter into the bedroom as he opened the door with a flick of his wrist. He had expected a scratching comment of the state and size of the bedroom but Potter merely swayed again and rested his head against Severus' shoulder, heaving a sigh of relief.

Severus glanced down for a moment at the unruly head and then he snarled, pushing Potter away from him and eliciting a startled groan as Potter stumbled onto the bed, the confused and hazy green eyes blinking up at him. "Sleep, boy, I don't have the time to deal with you if you aren't man enough to deal with a little bit of pain."

With those whispered words Severus left Potter to his own devices, shaking his head. He walked back to the sitting room and took out a book from the shelves. He sat down and summoned a cup of tea, sipping it slowly and relishing in the warmth that spread through him.

He had left the door open and it began with moans of pain which he ignored. He continued to read after the moans turned to groans and finally to hoarse screams. Severus snapped the book shut and listened to it for a moment.

There was drawn out time in between the screams and it didn't take long for them to die down. Potter had probably screamed himself hoarse and Severus whispered. "Can't stand a bit of pain, Potter? Your daddy and Black would have been so disappointed in you…"

It was without the normal glee and Severus closed his eyes. He was never one to stick around when a student cried out in pain, always delivering them to the healing wing as soon as possible and he left the ward. The terrifying screams of pain tore at his heart.

He sighed. Potter or not, no child deserved this pain. Severus himself had cried out until his voice gave out and Madam Pomfrey came rushing to him to give him a potion that sent him into a deep sleep and relief from the pain and he was a grown man. Potter may be an adult in their world and he may have carried a huge weight that rendered him an adult but he was a child really.

He could remember the liquid fire that flashed through him followed by a numbing blackness. When he had finally woken, the pain was replaced by building flashes that left him shaken and with nothing else to do but shake his head from left to right, close his eyes and pray for release.

Another scream came and Severus flinched. He rose to his feet unsteadily and grabbed the pain potion to force it down Potter's throat as he stalked into the bedroom.

He stopped dead in his tracks. Potter had managed to turn onto his side and his face was washed with tears as he whimpered fearfully. The fists were clenched and bloodied as Potter had dug his nails in his palms. Raw, hot magic was swirling around the body of the Saviour of the Wizard World and Severus knew it had to hurt as Potter tossed and turned and the magic swirled more forcefully.

Two steps were all it took and then Severus was at Potter's side, opening his mouth and forcing him to swallow the potion. He stepped back, waiting for the lines around Potter's eyes and mouth to relax but they only tightened.

Potter whimpered and one bloodied hand clawed at his neck and Severus wondered how long it would take until Potter was knocked out. It didn't work. The magic didn't die down, only swirling more and more forcefully as the green eyes flew open and locked with Severus' black ones. Potter was wide awake and flushed with fever as he choked upon a sob, rearing up from the bed.

Severus was around the bed in an instant and in the bed as he shifted onto his side, reaching Potter as he wrapped strong arms around his waist and drew him against his chest. The boy rolled over in his arms, his hands fastened themselves in the black robes as if they were a lifeline he could cling to as Potter pressed his wet nose against the bandages in Severus' neck.

Severus pressed one bandaged hand against the back of Potter's head and rested his cheek against the unruly hair as Potter began to sob, deep and heartbreaking sobs of pain. Severus rocked them as Potter silently cried himself to sleep, his voice had finally given out and Severus cursed time and time again, allowing his magic to calm the pained child as he closed his eyes and murmured.

"Oh, child, what am I going to do with you?"

Hp

Harry struggled back to wakefulness. Everything hurt, even more so than last time. His stomach churned uncomfortably and felt strangely full. He opened his eyes; his head was stuffy, full and seemed to explode with pain whenever he moved.

His eyes felt raw as if he had been crying and his throat felt dry as if he had been screaming. He was lying in a bed but the world refused to focus beyond a pain filled haze of bright lights. His stomach cramped and his mouth watered as he hurriedly rolled around over to the other side.

He could feel the bile rising as he struggled through the sitting room and stumbled into the bathroom, falling down upon his knees before the toilet as his stomach heaved and Harry lost what little he had eaten. Most of it was sour and it made his eyes water as his head throbbed with pain.

His magic was swirling wildly and Harry struggled not to fall over as he choked upon the bile. An angry curse sounded from the doorway and Harry flinched away as he steady himself against the toilet and coughed harshly, pain flaring in his hands. The sound of running water reached his ears and then a cool cloth was laid against his neck and an arm that shook steadied him.

Harry wanted to flinch away from the unexpected touch but instantly his magic calmed even as the pain didn't go away like it had before. He wiped his mouth and heaved a sigh of relief. His stomach cramped again but he kept from moaning.

The cloth was taken away from around his neck and wiped his face gently as Harry leaned back against the bigger person behind him. He knew it was Snape but the coolness of the cloth felt so good against his warm face.

His aunt had always left him in his cupboard, even when he was ill and checked upon him a few times during the day to see if he was still alive. It felt good to have somebody taking care of him, even when it meant for nasty things later but he was too tired and too full of pain to deal with it.

He wanted to talk, really, just wanted to say that nobody had to take care of him but even as his lips formed the words no sound came out. He was pulled to his feet, slowly as his head spun dizzily and his stomach rolled around unpleasantly. His throat fell so dry and he gagged.

The steps beside him slowed and waited as Snape's voice came, uncharacteristically gentle. "You will have to walk. I don't have the strength to carry you, Potter." An arm around his shoulder and Harry was prompted to walk.

He did not protest when he was brought to the sitting room and he wanted to sink down upon the couch, knowing that he would sleep there. The hand stopped him and Snape said, a hint of the old impatience in his voice. "No, into the bedroom, Potter. You need sleep."

Harry moaned at the sight of the teacup that stood on the table and Snape turned around. He wanted to drink something, anything; even if it was some dirty potion he would gladly drink it.

Harry closed his eyes as his head hit the pillow, he was shivering but his eyes flew open and he flinched away as strong arms tried to tug him back. "No don't!" His words came out as pitiful whisper and Harry struggled.

"Potter, what is the matter? You have lain like this before and you didn't struggle then." Snape stared at him, his dark eyes unreadable and Harry moaned as pain flashed through his head.

He hid his head in his hands and he felt Snape shift from the bed. His magic was making the sheet ruffle as it danced over his skin. Footsteps came from behind him and Harry couldn't resist as his head was pulled back. He gagged at the weak tea but drank it down anyway.

"I can't give you any potions without making you sick again. You need to ride it out, Potter." Harry choked upon the tea and his stomach churned again. He rolled into a ball, away from Snape as he closed his eyes, hoping to make the blinding light go away.

His magic swirled around him and Harry felt the bed dip as Snape sat down. Harry opened his eyes to see the older wizard looking at him. There was no loathing or anything else and Harry squinted to get Snape into focus. "Do you recall what happened?"

Harry shook his head.

"Alright. You fainted and your magic ran wild. I left you in the bedroom but you cried yourself hoarse. You have heard about skin to skin contact and you relaxed and fell asleep when I pulled you closer. You need to sleep, Potter. I need to sleep. It is late and I have no intention of being chased out of my own bed because of your endless tossing and turning, so we have got two choices. You can sleep on the couch, or you can set your pride aside, like I am doing and allow me to comfort you. I am no happier about this than you are, Potter. Trust me. So which will it be?"

Harry was sure that his eyes were wide but his stomach chose that moment to cramp painfully and Harry was afraid that he would lose the tea soon. He wrapped an arm around his stomach and pulled his knees up to his chest.

A hesitant arm went around his shoulders and his head came in contact with a firm chest. He could feel the body heat of Snape close by and a hand pushed his own hand away before coming to rest over his stomach as a soft voice instructed him. "Relax, Potter. Breathe in….and out….Focus upon my voice. You will get through this…"

"Why?" Harry wasn't sure if Snape heard him but he felt the older wizard stiffen.

"Why what, Potter?"

"Why help? Nobody cares. Freak." The words were hard to get out of his mouth and his voice was a scratchy whisper. He had to tell Snape about the Dursley's. Everything had changed so soon, he needed to have something that reminded him of the old times.

"Because no child deserves to be in pain. Go to sleep. We will talk another time. When you aren't so damnably weak." It was supposed to sound bad but Harry could hear that Snape only sounded weary. He held himself stiffly.

Snape didn't say anything and Harry wanted to get back to hearing the older wizard's voice, just to distract him from the pain. Anything, insults just anything not this silence.

He remembered the heartbeat he had heard earlier and the fact that he felt safe. He pushed it away. "Why?" He choked out, hoping to make himself be understood as his body cramped again and he flinched away from the older wizard.

Snape stiffened before he shifted, bringing himself closer to Harry by pulling the younger wizard's body flush against his own and a leg slipped in between his own as Harry rested his forehead against Snape's chest and he could feel the soft thumping close to his ear.

"Relax, Potter, focus upon me..."

"No, you killed….let me go…release me, no…no…" Harry struggled, his silent hoarse whispered words coming out in short gasps. Every movement he made hurt him and his stomach churned and he quickly clasped a hand over his mouth as the sore bile rose.

He tried to swallow it away but he hastily turned as the black eyes widened and he was released. Harry tried his best to summon the strength to walk as he rushed from the room. But his body was too weak and soon he expelled the tea he had drunk.

He balled his fists at the weakness of it all. It isn't fair… His hands soared with pain and Harry glanced down. His hands were bloodied and dry blood was under his nails. He closed his eyes, the smell making him sick again.

He more felt the presence then actually saw him behind him and slowly said, forcing each word out, it hurt very badly to do so. "I didn't mean to….I am….sorry…"

"Hush."

At that one word Harry fell silent, even when tears began to form in his eyes from the muscle cramping. His throat felt scratchy again and his voice had abandoned him. A hesitant hand pushed through his hair and Harry tried to calm himself. His breathing was coming faster and he knew that soon he would start to cry.

He heard a loud sigh behind him and with a wave of his wand, at which Harry's magic lurched, and the sickness disappeared. Harry felt exhaustion creep up with him but the pain was too much for him to sleep. He was shivering, sitting upon the cold floor and a slender hand was held out to him.

"I can't lift you, remember?" The voice was soft and gentle, slightly husky and Harry glanced up at the other wizard. The dark eyes were unreadable but Snape was bending down, his hand held out and Harry very carefully placed his own hand in it, wondering what the older wizard wanted.

Was he just helping Harry so he could insult him later? But despite everything whenever Snape was weak, so was Harry. Whenever Harry was in pain so was Snape, or was it the other way round. He needed help, he couldn't walk back to the room without a lot of pain, though he would have imagined that Snape would allow him to fall.

But he was gently pulled to his feet and the arm around his shoulder prompted him to walk. He sniffled a bit but there came no harsh comment or anything as he was just gently pressed down to sit upon the couch. Snape moved away and Harry stifled a sigh of relief.

The older wizard's presence was making him tense. He rubbed at his eyes with his hand, trying to make them stop itching. Noises that came from another open door made him glance up as Snape appeared in the doorway, carrying a bowl with steam rising out of it.

Harry scooted back onto the couch, shielding his body away from the presence of the older wizard as Snape frowned. Snape set the bowl down on the small table before he pulled it closer and sat down beside Harry, allowing enough room between them and for that Harry was glad.

He tiredly gazed up at the older wizard as Snape frowned before he held out a wet cloth to him. "Do you want to do it yourself?"

"Do what?" He stuttered out. It seemed that Snape heard him time after time even when Harry could barely hear his own voice. His eyes blinked and Harry longed for nothing more than to go to sleep.

He closed his eyes for a moment and his head lolled back. He startled, badly when the cloth wiped his face, scrubbing at something. The hand that held his chin made it impossible for him to move away and Harry leaned heavily against the hand.

"I am cleaning you like a small child, Potter. Know that this will not be a common occurrence." Snape sneered at him but Harry merely blinked up at the older wizard. His mind was fuzzy and he knew that it should bother him more than it did right now.

He was just so tired, so tired and his mind was slowly losing the grip to focus…

Hp

Severus' keen black eyes noticed as the brat's eyes drifted shut. Potter had slowly lost his grip on reality as his body finally gave out on him. Severus held the small chin in his slender hand as he wiped away the blood on Potter's pale and sweaty face.

It had shocked him, strangely enough. All night he had watched Potter toss and turn in the bed and when he had assumed it was over, he had slipped from the bed to get a cup of tea and some potions that he had to take.

He had never even guessed that Potter would storm out a second later. He had cursed when he saw the boy on his knees before the toilet, losing what little he had eaten. His eyes had seen the trembling in the limbs and the sweat soaked dark hair.

Potter had put up a fight, working himself up and becoming ill because of it. His life was just bloody brilliant that he was here taking care of a sick teenager now.

He sighed and wondered at the weak bond between them. Or well, strong bond in this aspect. It was almost unheard of that when wizards or witches linked their magic that they didn't end up married. Or at least consummating the bond between them through sex.

He had hoped that a marriage and the close proximity of each other would be enough. But of course not, his life wouldn't be complete if he didn't receive another kick from destiny. It was bad enough to be stuck with Potter for the rest of his life but he also had to consummate the wedding vow between them and soon too.

He closed his eyes; it was hard enough to deal with his injuries when the Potter brat was ill too and being an arse about it. Potter wasn't acting like a spoiled brat as Severus had expected him to.

No, the younger wizard flinched away from him whenever he offered comfort, and not because it was Severus who offered it. Potter's mind was too hazy to think of what he was saying and who he was with.

The trial would take place but Severus didn't have the time to deal with it at the moment. One step at a time, no more careful planning as he had done in the war. It was touch and go. They weren't supposed to have survived but now they had to deal with the damage. He had to get his own life in order and therefore Potter needed to do the same.

They needed to talk and soon too, to understand things between them. If they wanted to live through this marriage and he didn't want to be condemned to Azkaban for murdering Harry Potter, they needed to clear the air so to speak.

Severus shook his head and then set about cleaning Potter's hands and bandaging them. He could heal them but he would push Potter over the edge. The boy before him was still shivering and Severus pulled the blanket that was resting over the couch and wrapped it around Potter, rousing him.

The green eyes were unfocussed and sleepy but then blinked up at Severus. He merely raised an eyebrow. Potter only nodded and Severus frowned. "Yeah I will sleep here…" The words were slurred and Severus could barely hear them.

"No, come on. I don't want to wake up tomorrow morning to find you dead on the couch. My bed, at least for this night." A gentle hand on the thin shoulder and Potter moved off the couch as if drugged.

He crawled into bed, hands fumbling with his glasses as he set them on the bedside table. Severus waved his wand and the door closed and the lights dimmed. He could see Potter grimace. It was worse then he feared.

But first things first, Potter needed to get better. Severus crawled in beside him but the brat only moved a bit closer, just short of touching him. Severus turned on his side, one hand pulled Potter closer. The green eyes drifted closed as Potter murmured so softly that Severus was sure he misunderstood. "Thank you."

Realizing he was staring at Potter, Severus shook his head and pulled himself away, settling for touching Potter's bandaged hand with his own. He sighed and then closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift off into darkness which strangely enough didn't bring him any comfort.

Hp

Harry woke some time later, the lights in the room had dimmed and he could hear the laboured breathing of the older wizard close by his own. He felt at ease, his magic calm and the pain still there but it wasn't so bad.

He turned to look at Snape. The wounded Potion Master had shifted onto his back, one pale slender hand resting on his stomach which rose and fell slowly each time. The other hand was touching Harry's in an easy grip, just resting on Harry's hand.

Yawning and shifting closer, Harry wondered how this came about but he knew that there was more to Snape than met the eye and while a part of him was filled with dread at getting to know the older wizard, the other part was strangely excited, and Harry allowed himself to fall asleep with a small smile on his face, knowing that tomorrow there might be fights again but for the moment there was peace, and that healed his broken heart just a little bit to know that despite anything that may happen, Snape had taken care of him and for the moment as he healed his body, it was all that mattered.

So well I hope that you all liked it. Next chapter once more fights, insults and the reaction of Ginny, Ron and Hermione when they learn of the news of the upcoming marriage. Review of course. I hope it wasn't too bad or too much out of character for you. Ideas are welcome.