1Title: Harry Potter and the Summer From Hell

Author: Ladye Black

Warnings:Um...awareness of slashy feelings?

Disclaimer: They aren't mine...by 'they' I mean the characters.

Notes: I'm really sorry about taking so long. College is very time consuming...and before even getting here, it was very time consuming getting ready to get here. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some time to write in now that I've settled in and I finished my Wolf's Rain fic.

Chapter 19

For the next few days, Harry watched Snape closely. The man seemed to be his normal, snarky self, but Harry could feel the faint twinge of reckless emotions echoing across the spell-bond. The man ate, slept, and read. On alternate days, he weeded and tended to the garden. Somehow, Harry was roped into helping Snape tend the garden on this particular day.

"Um...why am I doing this again?" Harry asked as he carefully planted another plant seed as per Snape's instructions.

Snape smirked at him. "So you can keep a close watch on me, and because you have deep, hidden feelings for me."

Harry almost paled at the answer. Had Snape taken to reading his mind lately? In the next second, he realized how stupid that was since neither of them could perform magic at the moment, and retorted, hoping Snape hadn't noticed his hesitation.

"The day I harbor deep, hidden, feelings for you is the day Voldemort surrenders and calls me 'Lord Harry Potter'."

"Hmph, that will never happen."

Harry grinned up at him. "But it would be nice."

"To have Him surrender? Of course. However, I don't believe we need another 'lord'."

"No," Harry reflected quietly. "I suppose we don't."

Later in the day, they settled down to a late lunch. Snape was contented by the progress made on the garden, and it showed in his better than usual humor. Harry was pleased that Snape was in a good mood, and all around, it was a pleasant lunch. Harry was entranced by the difference the peaceful atmosphere seemed to have on Snape.

Pleasant Snape was so different from the mean, sarcastic one. The lines on his face softened, making appear just slightly younger. Also, since there was nothing pressuring him, the man was able to relax, which meant he didn't glare as often. All-in-all, Harry was pleased with the change and the chance to see part of the man that was usually kept hidden.

If Snape noticed that his student was staring at him, he didn't comment on it.

Snape didn't know what to make of it.

All day long, Harry had been staring at him. And not the 'you've-got-something-on-your-face-but-I'm-afraid-to-tell-you-about-it' stare, it was more of a 'Hmm...I wonder what he looks like with his robes off ' stare. Snape was probably about as unnerved as he could possibly be at this moment. He'd rarely had such a stare directed at him before. It was an interesting change. Snape wasn't quite sure if he liked it or not.

As day progressed towards night, Snape's curiosity over Harry's apparent infatuation increased. It was also starting to annoy him. The boy's eyes just did not want to leave him; it made Snape wonder at the sudden change.

Harry had never stared at him like so before. In fact, he was pretty sure up until a few weeks ago that the boy, at best, could barely stand to be in his presence. So, why the sudden change? Snape wanted to ask the question, but was afraid of the answer he would receive. Having a student mooning over him would be new, but it being this particular student would be dangerous. Because, in his deepest heart of hearts, Snape knew he could return the boy's affection, and that scared him most of all.

He was supposed to be cold and untouchable. He was ruined and unclean. No one should want to look at him, let alone touch him in any intimate manner. But here was Harry, eyeing him as if he were a treasure made for the taking. A jewel amongst jewels. It frightened Snape that anyone could look at him like that, especially someone who knew at least what little Harry did know about his past.

And that was another thing; his past. If Harry tried to pursue a relationship with him, the boy would inevitably ask about his past, for the rest of the story. And what could Snape say? That he had done horrendous things and such things had also been done unto him? What about his heritage? What would Harry make of that?

No, Harry could know any of that. At least not for awhile. Besides, the boy was probably only practicing for when he really found someone of interest. And well, there was possibility Snape was wrong, but that didn't seem likely given the emotion that flared in Harry's eyes.

Snape knew what he had to do. He had to keep Harry at a distance. Nothing good would come of the boy ever having the chance to confess his feelings, especially with the war nearing its climax. So, Snape would never give Harry the chance. He would remain professionally and semi-politely distant. He would control the topics of conversation, especially when it seemed Harry might be working up the courage to confess. For now, however, Snape was fairly certain it would be some time before he had to worry about such a thing happening.

Harry, however, knew exactly what he was feeling.

TBC...

I am sooo sorry. I don't think I can say that enough. Also, I might have an idea about where I actually want this to go now. Yay.