Note: I did not intend to write a new chapter tonight, but low and behold, a new chapter! It has been a while since I updated this story, and for that I am infinitely sorry. I could give you a lot of really good excuses for why it took me so long to update (I got married!), but the truth is I was stuck on where to go next with the story. But here it is! Again, I apologize for all the typos. I noticed in the last chapter I managed to call Harry Marry. Oops! Eventually I will go back and edit, but my first goal is to keep moving forward! Alright, enough talk…enjoy!

15

Harry woke up very confused. Where was he? He pried open his eyes only to find the room too dark to see anything. But then he noticed the quiet, rhythmic breathing near his right ear. The memories came crashing back – Draco underneath him, then afterwards curled up in his arms. Harry smiled, and then, suddenly panicked, he bolted upright in the bed.

Draco groaned and licked his lips before asking groggily, "What's wrong?"

"What time is it?" Harry whispered, a little too loud causing Draco to groan again.

"I don't know…is it still dark?" And then it was Draco's turn to bolt upright. "Shit, what time is it?!"

"I can see my watch. Where's my wand?" Harry fumbled in the dark until his fingers wrapped around the familiar object. "Lumos. Shit! It's half past six! What do I do?"

Draco rubbed his eyes and urged his brain to wake up. What would Severus say if he found out Harry had spent the night? Harry would never be allowed to visit again. "We have to sneak you out."

"Do you think he's awake yet?"

"Probably," Draco replied, his voice betraying his worries.

"Maybe you can distract him?" Harry suggested, a little too hopeful, as he jumped out of bed and started hunting for his discarded clothes. Suddenly aware of his nakedness he quickly whispered Nox. He immediately regretted the decision, though, as he was no completely unable to find his black robes in the dark.

"Turn it back on," Draco hissed, "I'll close my eyes."

Harry repeated the light spell and glanced over at Draco to make sure the boys eyes were closed. It felt odd caring about his nakedness, but there was something about the lack of intimacy in this moment that was making him feel uncomfortable and oddly vulnerable. He was glad that Draco had so easily caught on.

"Can I open my eyes?" Draco asked a minute later.
"Hold on…yeah, I'm dressed." Harry picked up his wand and turned towards the door. "Maybe you should go out first? See if the coast is clear."

"Yeah, sure, toss me my robe." Draco pointed to a pile near Harry's feet which Harry gathered up and tossed on the bed. "You don't need to close your eyes for me," the blonde boy smirked in delight.

Harry could feel his face redden as he watched the other boy begin to pull the sheets down. Nervous, Harry turned away. He heard Draco laugh behind him.

"Scared, Potter?"

Harry turned back to look. "No. Well, maybe…" Harry sighed. "Last night felt like a dream, and I'm afraid to jinx it. I'm afraid it really was just a dream."

Draco smiled, "If that was just a dream, I think I want to sleep more."

Harry laughed, "Me too. But come on, let's get me out of here, or there's no way Snape will let me back in ever again.

Draco fastened the last button on his shirt before sliding off the bed and pulling on his robe. He gave Harry one last reassuring smile – although he worried it looked more like a grimace – before he walked to the door and turned the handle. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and, to Harry's horror, let out a small whimper of defeat.

"Good morning Draco. Harry." Snape's voice seemed to pound through Harry's ears. This was it. He felt an unexplainable urge to kiss Draco, as if this was the last time he would see the love of his life, for surely, he wouldn't make it out of Snape's residence in one piece.

"Good morning, Severus," Draco replied, timidly. "Harry's very sorry! We accidentally fell asleep. He didn't mean to spend the night!"

Harry shuffled forward into the doorway to get a look at Snape. He was hoping the professor's face would give away some indication of just how angry he was, but the face was void of any useful information. The man's lips were pursed, but Harry had seen this expression often enough to know it was not a clear indicator of mood.

"Relax," Snape held up a hand to stop Draco. "I told Harry he had to leave when told him to. I was feeling generous."

Harry gawked. Generous? He wondered, suddenly, whether Snape really hadn't heard the noise they had made the night before.

"I cannot say, however, that I'm pleased with how you two used the time I gave you." Snape's brow furrowed as he continued. "If you are to grace us with your presence again, Mr. Potter, we will need to set some ground rules."

"Ye…yes sir," Harry fumbled with the words. He noticed Draco glance at him with a look of unease.

"To start with, your spending the night will not be a regular occurrence. Never on school nights, and any other times must be cleared with me first. Am I clear?"

Harry wasn't sure if he heard the professor correctly. Was he really being given permission to do this again?

"Well?" Snape tapped his fingers on his crossed arms.

"Yes, very clear, sir."

"Good." Snape turned to Draco. "When Harry visits, you will leave the door to your room open."

"But…"

"No, you will do as I say, Draco. I am being too lenient as it is, but I will not pretend like I do not know what happens when you two are left unsupervised."

Harry felt a sinking in his stomach. Snape had heard them. He could tell from the subtle anger in the man's tone.

"The two of you are old enough to know that the decisions you made last night should not be rushed into, and I am disappointed that you abused my hospitality in such a way. At the very least, you could have used a silencing spell. If I catch the two of you at it again, I can assure you I will not be this forgiving."

Harry was horrified and relieved at the same time. It was an odd feeling. His eyes had become glued to a spot on the carpet underfoot, but when Snape fell silent, he forced himself to look over at Draco. He immediately regretted this decision when he say the look of indignation on Draco's face. Scared that the other boy would ruin their good fortune, Harry rushed to apologize.

"I am so sorry, sir. We weren't thinking, and I swear it won't happen again!"

"No," Draco countered. "This is unfair. I admit we should have used a silencing spell, but we didn't do anything wrong! I love Harry, and we're old enough to do as we please with each other."

Severus's nostrils flared. "Fifteen is not old enough, and how dare you question my rules."

"What do you care anyway? You're just disgusted I chose Harry, right? You pretend you're better than my father, but you're just the same," Draco's voice quivered with anger.

"Draco…" Harry tried to warn, but Snape stopped him with a sharp look.

"Don't be a fool, Draco. If Pansy had walked out of that room instead of Harry, I would have set the same rules. Your parents are not here to guide you, and so I must. You have years ahead of you. Do not make the mistake of rushing into something you are not prepared for!"

Draco's expression relaxed somewhat. "You know as well as I do that I don't have years. If I make it out of this castle alive, it will be a miracle."

Snape opened his mouth to reply, but paused. Harry wasn't sure if he had seen the professor unsure of his tongue before, and he held his breath while he waited to hear Snape's reply. To his complete shock, Snape did not say a word, but instead closed the distance between himself and his godson before stretching out his arms and pulling Draco into a strong hug. Neither Slytherin made a sound, and Harry could do nothing but stand and watch the peculiar site of Snape showing physical comfort. He shuffled his feet nervously as he waited for it to end.

Draco began to cry. His sobs were quiet at first but grew in intensity as Snape pulled him closer. Harry felt helpless now, entirely unsure of what to do. Part of him wanted to join the hug, but the idea terrified him. Also, he had the strong sense that he was witnessing something private and he wondered whether he should leave the two alone. But he stayed frozen to the carpet.

Eventually Snape pulled away. He kept his hands on Draco's shoulders and stepped back until the boy was an arm's length away. "You are going to be fine. If Dumbledore has managed to keep Harry alive this long, then you should trust that you are safe, too."

Slowly, Draco nodded his head.

"Good, now go clean up and I will call for breakfast." Snape then turned to Harry. "It is time you return to your dormitory. You may come back and visit before dinner, but I do not want to see you at my door before then."

Harry simply nodded, turned on his heels, and left.

Note: As always – please review! I really enjoy seeing how you all react to the story.