AN: As some of you may have ascertained I'm Canadian and our confederation celebrations happen tomorrow. So I figured I would ensure that I updated as close to that as I could. A gift if you will to all of my followers and reviewers. Once again thank you for your support. My heart skips a little when I open my inbox and see so many followers and reviews. Have a wonderful week wherever you may be and I hope you enjoy this next chapter. Also I figure I may as well let people know things now, I'm not someone that likes too much drama and angst. I like my stories to be oasises from real life.

Disclaimer: please refer to chapter 1

Warnings: This story is rated mature for sexual situations, language, adult content etc. I will do my best to give warning when explicit sexual content will be in chapters. Otherwise, you need to self manage. I do not wish to receive angry reviews regarding the content. This is an adult story so if you are uncomfortable with the content please STOP reading. I will not be offended. It is your job to ensure you are comfortable with what you are reading.

Chapter 4

The school year was moving quickly. A month and a half had already passed and everyone was looking forward to Samhain festivals and All Hallow's Eve. James and Lily were sitting in the library studying; Lily had dragged James with her to revise prior to their Charms quiz.

"James have you noticed yourself feeling anything odd when you think of Harry?" Lily asked suddenly, dropping her quill on her page. James looked up and then focused on what she said.

"I have Lils, I just feel a need to look after him as if he were my little brother or something." James finished awkwardly not knowing where the words had come from. Lily nodded in agreement.

"I know what you mean James, the thought of something happening to him causes me to lose my breath and my eyes to fill with tears. I feel an ache in my chest at the thought of harm coming to him. I don't understand it." James grabbed her hand in his and brought it to his mouth. He placed a gentil kiss on her palm which soothed her nerves.

"We'll figure it out eventually Lils, but for now we will just go along with it. We have to trust our instincts. Our magic will not lead us astray." Lily having given up on studying went over and sat herself in her boyfriend's lap. Laying her head on his shoulder she nuzzled his neck.

"Why did it take so long for us to get together James?" Lily said as she spun to straddle him and wrap her arms around his neck.

"Because I was an immature prat who was more concerned with popularity than growing up and you couldn't stand my antics."

"I still can't stand your antics." Lily raised her eyebrow at him.

"You love me for my antics, Lils." James said as he ran his hands up her back. Lily smiled in agreement before leaning in to kiss him. They kissed languidly before halting, Lily resting her head on his shoulder.

"Something is coming James, I can feel it. I just don't know what." James tightened his grip on her.

"Don't worry Lils, I won't let anything happen to you. We'll face whatever it is together." She smiled and hugged the man she loved tightly to her.

The first Hogsmeade weekend was upon Hogwarts. All Hallow's Eve being that very night there would be a costume ball to commemorate the event. Students were scuttling around the old village in attempts to find an original costume. Draco and Harry were wondering the village still unsure of what to be. After another hour the two decided to go as wizarding warriors of old. The costumes would require they wear shorter battle robes, tight leather breeches and boots.

They returned to Hogwarts with their costumes and began to prepare. They chose to ready themselves in the room of requirement rather than be separated by different houses.

After showering and shaving Draco got into black breeches and hiked up his knee high boots. He had chosen to wear a black sleeveless battle shirt with green accents. The shirt he wrapped with the dagger holsters wizards used to carry. He tied his Katana to his belt and put on his emerald green battle robe.

Charmed to look like a shadow - used for camouflage - it made him look dark and mysterious.

Harry came out of the bathroom in his breeches and boots. He too wore the dagger holsters and sleeveless shirt. His robes, however, were a blood red as were the accents on his boots and shirt. Finally, he strapped a curved sword to his hip and the look was completed. Each added their wand holster to their arms, pulled up their hoods and left. Together they looked like deadly assassins.

When they arrived at the Great Hall, they noted it had been transformed. Harry saw the floating candles and was reminded of his first Samhain/ Halloween at Hogwarts. The memories of saving Hermione from the Mountain Troll brought tears to his eyes and he tried to discretely wipe his eyes. Draco guessing where his thoughts were going put his arm around his friend and led him off to the drink table.

While drinking some punch the teens spotted Severus and Lucius. The two had come as elves. Lucius a light elf, dressed in creams and silvers while Severus had come as a dark elf dressed in black and red. It was not lost on Harry that he and Severus matched one another. He grinned to himself as he made the connection.

"Lucius, you and Severus look fantastic," Draco said once he and Harry and walked over to the two. Harry trailing as he gave Severus a long, heated look. He couldn't get over how amazing the man looked. He wore long black wizarding robes. The cape he had on was also black but underneath the red gleamed. He had pointy ears and his hair usually at his shoulders was long and fell down his back. Harry couldn't take his eyes off of him. Draco had to nudge Harry to get his attention and bring him back to the conversation. Severus noted Harry's smoldering stare and began blushing slightly.

"Lucius a pleasure to see you," Harry greeted the man. "Severus, you look...amazing," Harry finished sincerely as he gave Severus the up and down look. Severus looked up and nodded his head in thanks.

"You must save me a dance," Harry commented to the edging away dark haired Slytherin.

"I will do no such thing Williams." Severus commented dismissively. Harry's eyes flashed in arousal at Severus' superior tone. The two didn't notice Lucius and Draco had remained at the drink table watching as Harry and Severus moved towards a darker corner. Severus backing away warily and Harry following.

"There's a lot of sexual tension there, wouldn't you say?" Lucius commented lightly to Draco. Draco choked on his drink and began coughing. When his windpipe was clear he laughed loudly.

"Lucius, you have no idea."

Back over in the corner Severus finally realized he had been back quite literally into a corner and stopped his retreat.

"You will move out of my way Williams or so help me I will curse you into next week." Severus said to the still approaching man. He was losing his composure, Harry's very presence was enveloping his senses.

"Severus, why won't you call me by my first name, even Lucius does." Harry said as he came even closer to the man inhaling his spicy cologne.

"It's not proper," Severus said breathlessly as his back finally hit the wall.

"But I want to hear you say my name," Harry finally close enough nuzzled Severus' neck with his nose.

Severus' breath hitched and he moaned as Harry's lips ghosted over his neck.

Harry pressed himself against Severus, touching his chest and running his hands up and down his arms. Severus could feel Harry's hardness pressing against his thigh and he lost conscious thought. He could only feel the ministrations of the man in front of him. While the little voice in his head was objecting it was over powered by his own arousal.

"Harry," Severus breathed out as Harry had latched onto a spot close to his collar bone. Harry pulled back and smiled at the man he was still leaning against.

"Oh Severus I want you so badly." Something clicked in Severus' mind.

He realized where he was and who he was standing with. He quickly pushed the man off him and adjusted his robes. He also sent a stinging hex at the man now looking up at him from the floor.

Once Severus had composed himself, he waltzed out of the corner. Grabbing Lucius' arm he led them away from refreshments area. Draco calmly walked over to Harry and gave him a hand up.

"So that didn't go so well did it?" Draco asked with a smirk. Harry shrugged, still breathless from his encounter.

"Draco, he's amazing, he tastes heavenly and he said my name." Harry was so giddy he couldn't hold back the smile on his face.

"Well you'll need to work a little harder than that to win him over."

"Oh, I know. I'm just getting started." Harry lead Draco away from the drinks and sought out his parents.

"Lily you look beautiful, are you a princess?" Harry asked his mum. She was wearing a white and gold dress that came down to the floor. She had her auburn hair in waves and flowers strewn through out it.

"No, I'm a fairy," Lily turned sideways so Harry could see the delicate wings she had attached to her back. "James here is Prince Charming, if you look over there you can see Sirius who is also Prince Charming, then Remus and Frank...both also Prince Charmings. They modeled themselves after the muggle fairytales how each princess has a different "Prince Charming." James has decided to be Cinderella's prince, while Sirius, Remus and Frank are the princes from Snow White, Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty respectively." Lily finished. Harry smiled to himself at the mention of Remus being a beast.

"Harry, you and Draco look quite dashing in your costumes what are you?"

"We are the wizarding warriors of old," Draco answered as he took Lily's hand and brought to his lips in a gentlemanly greeting. "If I may, my lady your beauty outshines all others in this ballroom. Your suitor is a lucky man." Draco said charmingly. James scowled at the good looking Slytherin and swiped back his girlfriend's hand.

"You clean up well Solaire, Harry. I'm impressed, if you'll excuse me I'll be escorting my lady for a dance." James lead Lily to the dance floor and they were lost in the sea of costumes.

"They look really happy don't they?" Harry commented suddenly. Draco looked at him.

"Yeah Harry, they do."

"I'm glad we're doing this."

"Me too Harry, me too."

The ball had been in full swing and it was nearing midnight. Harry was trying valiantly to find Severus to claim his dance but the man kept eluding him. Every time Harry even got close, Severus would finish his conversation and move on leaving Harry to carry on.

It was quarter to midnight, Harry was desperate to find the slippery man. He finally spotted him speaking to Lucius close to the same corner they had begun their game of cat and mouse. He quietly walked up behind them and heard the end of their conversation.

"I've been avoiding him all night Lucius, but Merlin he's persistent. I'm running out of energy."

"Are you sure you want to continue to avoid him, you looked quite cosy in that corner earlier." Severus sent Lucius a glare that would have made paint peel. Lucius snorted into his drink and ignored it. "You must admit, it doesn't seem to be a passing fancy, he truly seems interested in you." Lucius continued.

"I'm just surprised is all, I'm not the one that good looking guys like him go after. Though his attention has been flattering." Harry was so excited that he was making progress that he didn't see the puddle and slipped. Once again Harry found himself on the floor in front of the two Slytherins. He jumped to his feet, brushed himself off and faced the two.

"Severus, its the last dance and you've been evading me all night. Would you do me the honour of having this dance with me?" Harry offered his hand and bowed low. Severus noting the attention he was receiving became flustered but took the hand none the less.

"Come on Williams, you're making a scene. Let's get this over with." Harry so ecstatic with the dance didn't even bother to correct Severus for calling him by his last name. The last song was inevitably a slow one, Harry took Severus' right hand in his left and placed his right hand at Severus' waist. Severus allowing his left hand to go to Harry's shoulder. They swayed gently to the music.

"I don't know if I've told you Severus but you look so sexy tonight, I couldn't keep my eyes off of you." Harry commented softly as the song continued. Severus looked him in the eye and could only find honesty.

"Thank you Williams, you don't look too bad yourself." The song was coming to a close when Harry stopped and looked Severus in the eye.

"It's Harry and would you hex me if I kissed you?"

"Yes," came Severus' quick answer but his eyes betrayed his longing.

"It'll be worth it." Harry leaned towards the teen he'd been after for over a month and gently pressed his lips to Severus'. The kiss was chaste and sweet. Severus had expected Harry to attack his month, so this gentil kiss caught him off guard. He was just about to deepen the kiss when Harry pulled away. He brought Severus' hand to his month and pressed his lips to it.

"Thank you for the dance Severus, this was one of the best nights of my life." Harry lead Severus off the dance floor and went back over to where Lucius was standing. "It has been my pleasure tonight, good night to you both." With that said Harry bowed and walked away from the Slytherins in search of his brother.

A month later the Gryffindors and Slytherins were in Potions Class once again, this time brewing Dreamless Sleep Potion. Every so often Severus would look over at his partner who had made no further moves upon him instead had taken to sending him gifts.

The first gift he had received a three and a half weeks ago was a full year subscription to the Simmering Cauldron, one of the most prestigious Potions journals in the country. Severus had been so shocked he had knocked over his pumpkin juice. The accompanying note had explained:

Dearest Severus,

The night at the dance was wonderful. However, I do not want to give you the wrong impression by pursuing you too quickly. I am looking for a long term commitment eventually and thus, will prove my worthiness by courting you properly. Please accept my gift of knowledge.

Yours,

Harry

From that day forward he had received a gift every other day for the past month. The gifts had included trivial things like simple Honeydukes chocolate to valuable potions ingredients such as freely given Unicorn Hair. Severus was overwhelmed by the man's sincerity.

Today, he had received an ancient tome written by Salazar Slytherin himself discussing various long and forgotten potions. He hugged his new book to his body. No one had ever cared about him enough to give him gifts that fit him so well. It was as if Harry could see inside him and know exactly what he liked.

The notes had included everything from poetry to drawings to simply, yet sweet notes. Severus hated to admit it but he was beginning to fall for Harry Williams. He saw the man everyday and not a night went by without a letter from his suitor. They had been exchanging notes like crazy, learning about each other from favourite colours to future ambitions. He had never met someone so like himself and yet so different.

Concluding his thoughts he was just about to add his last ingredient when he saw something fly into the cauldron to Harry's right. Students were foolish, if by now they could not ward their cauldrons they had no business being in NEWT level potions. His thoughts were cut off when the cauldron started bubbling and then suddenly it exploded.

Hot liquid flew towards their desk and Harry in an effort to protect Severus from harm flung himself in its path. As soon as it came in contact with Harry, Severus knew something was dreadfully wrong. The screams that Harry emitted were terrifying. Professor Dogwood rushed over and caste a special cleansing spell on Harry but it was too late. The potion had severely burned him and he was unconscious. Draco forced his way through and gasped when he saw his brother. Lily came to run some diagnostics and quickly wrapped Harry in a cooling charm to prevent the intense blistering.

"May I take him to the hospital wing Professor?" Draco asked in a strained voice. The Professor nodded and Draco levitated his friend out of the room whilst grabbing his and Harry's school things.

Severus was still frozen in shock. Why would Harry place himself in harm's way...for him. It was then Severus realized how real things were between them. Professor Dogwood had them bottle their potions and then dismissed them.

Severus started to walk towards the door when he felt someone grab his hand. He turned and saw his friend Lily. The friend that he usually only saw in private as house rivalries had always prevented their contact.

"Oh Severus, are you alright? You must be devastated that Harry was hurt. I'll come with you to go see him." Severus just nodded mutely and allowed the auburn girl to lead him towards the Hospital Wing.

Entering he noticed everything was quiet. He and Lily walked over to where Draco was sitting and conjured chairs to sit in.

"Is he alright Draco?" Draco looked up, startled that he was no longer alone.

"He's doing okay," Draco said as he uncharacteristically ran his hand through his hair. "Pomfrey said he was burned pretty badly. Apparently, the potion had become slightly acidic and that's what was so painful. His body knocked him unconscious to spare him the trauma. She has covered him in burn salve and placed bandages around every injured part." Draco sighed.

"Is there any permanent damage?" Lily asked concernedly.

"Luckily no, he should be right as rain when he wakes up, when ever that will be. But that's not the worst part." Severus and Lily glanced up to meet Draco's eyes.

"The attack was purposeful. Someone threw Aconite into the potion beside you and Harry. Someone knew that by placing that ingredient into a Dreamless Sleep potion prior to its completion would cause a dangerous explosion. It would cause the potion to become a deadly acid. This is the second time someone has tried to kill my brother," Draco was furious. The two sitting across from him leaned back in their seats to avoid being the recipients of his anger.

Lily tried to dissolve the tension.

"Thanks for telling us Draco, let him know we're all thinking of him when he wakes, alright." Draco nodded and went back to staring at the man covered in bandages.

Severus got up with Lily having not said a single word and left.

"He looked so helpless Luc, so fragile and yet he's one of the most powerful men I've encountered." Severus said to his best friend as they readied for bed.

"He will be alright Severus, in a few days he will be back pestering you."

"Luc, someone purposely threw that volatile ingredient into the cauldron beside Harry. Someone is trying to kill him."

"I know Severus, we will really have to start paying attention to him, especially if you plan on keeping him around." Severus quickly averted his eyes.

"Well goodnight Luc see you tomorrow." Severus quickly shut his curtains and quieted.

He waited until his other dorm mates including Draco had gone to bed before disillusioning himself and leaving his bed. He quietly crept out of the room never noticing a pair of silver eyes and a pair of blue eyes watching as he left. Both smirked to themselves before turning over and going to sleep.

Severus entered the deserted Hospital Wing and noticed Harry in a bed near a corner. He made his way over and took a seat beside the bed. Half his face and the right side of his body were covered in bandages. He stared at Harry's prone form and reached out to grab the man's hand. He had begun to feel strongly for the man that would not take no for an answer. His kind words, thoughtful gifts and the many letters they had exchanged were taking a toll on the generally hostile Slytherin. With his thoughts figured out he began addressing the unconscious Gryffindor.

"You need to wake up. Now that you have my attention, I refuse to allow you to suddenly slip in your courting," Severus said sharply. The harshness in his tone lost by his caress of Harry's hand.

"You just showed up one day and bullied your way into my life. I'm not ready for you to disappear yet. I have certain….feelings for you. I can tolerate you...maybe I even...like...you." Severus said as he looked out of the window, not noticing Harry's eyes opening and widening at his statements.

"Took you long enough," Harry rasped as he grimaced in pain while he struggled to sit up. Severus just pushed him back down with a glare.

"Would you calm yourself before you re-injure something, you dunderhead!"

"Just wanted to comply with your wishes, can't slip in my courting now that I've made so much progress." Harry said cheekily. Harry brought Severus hand to his face and placed the soft palm against his cheek, nuzzling it as would a cat. "Thank you for coming to visit me Severus, it means a lot to me." Harry said seriously. Severus looked at him and allowed a small quirk of his usually stern lips.

"Will you kiss me better?" Harry asked with a playful glint in his eyes.

Severus looked at him for a long time. Suddenly he swooped down and gently kissed the immobile man.

The kiss lingered and Severus was hard pressed to pull away, both men breathless.

"You'll not get another one until you're out of this place?" Severus said haughtily. Harry looked at him eyes wide.

"But, you're kisses make me feel better." Harry answered giving his best puppy dog eyed look.

"Then you will have an incentive to heal faster." Harry huffed but smiled anyway. Severus stayed with Harry until he fell asleep again before getting to his feet.

He leaned forward and brushed his lips against Harry's forehead. Smiling gently to himself he headed out of the Hospital Wing back to the Slytherin dorms.