Sometimes...I get bored trying to come up with stuff to write up here...I mean...what am I really supposed to put here? I keep thinking...don't put anything there. You obviously don't need it...then something comes up and I have to write it here because I just do...no reason, of course, because that would be silly. And then I think...well it'd be weird if you didn't put something up there because you've been writing stuff there, so now you have to. You're obligated to put bold text at the top that has absolutely nothing to do with what you're writing. And I say: fine. You win, my ever-convincing and always-right alter ego that's supposed to be me...right? How is it possible for one half of me to be right and the other half to be wrong? I swear it's more like twenty-five percent right and seventy-five wrong...or maybe even more wrong and less right...because I make a lot of mistakes...a LOT of mistakes...maybe my right side is super wise and just wants me to learn from my mistakes...jeez...at this point I should be a fricking genius...darn...I'm shutting up now. XD Sorry. :)

Harry was in a daze. Exams had flown by already and his heart and mind still hadn't caught up to what had happened ever since the day he and Theodore had bonded.

"Don't get too excited yet." Snape had advised him upon learning that Harry had been successful. "The bond is still young and fragile. It can still break. Right now the two of you are experiencing exultans conventus and it can end at any moment and rather abruptly."

"Who cares?" Harry had replied, deciding to sign his name along with a big heart ending in a flourish at the tip. "I'm going to go see Theo. See you later."

He should have listened.

For weeks he had been lost in complete euphoria while he and Theodore shared each other's company, ideas, memories, and personalities as often as they could. Ron and Hermione and Neville and all of Gryffindor was forgotten as if they had been only fleeting dreams. Hadn't Theodore even forgotten about Slytherin and its members? He was surprised he'd found the sense to report to Snape. Thankfully, the teachers were supposed to be rather lenient to third year students on the exams because neither Harry nor Theodore got any studying done during that whole time...they didn't even finish most of their homework. He hadn't even thought to care. Neither had Theodore. They were absolutely mesmerized by each other.

Then, one morning, Harry woke up and, instead of jumping out of bed excitedly and wishing everyone good morning before they'd waken and rushed off to find Theodore (who always got up first and waited for him at the portrait hole), he pulled the covers over his head and tried to swallow the guilty embarrassment squirming sickeningly in his stomach. It was the same feeling a person got when they realized they'd forgotten to do something they were sure to get in trouble for and they didn't want to be in trouble. It was the same feeling a person got when they had been indulging in something they shouldn't have, like chocolates that weren't theirs, only to hear the lament of the person they'd now troubled. It was the same feeling a person got when they were standing on a stage in front of everyone, thinking they were dreaming, only to realize they were awake and this was really happening and they had just done something so incredibly embarrassing they no longer wanted to show themselves in public.

All that he had been doing came crashing down on him. He had ignored his friends. He had dissappointed Wood, who would be leaving Hogwarts without ever winning the Quidditch House Cup, and all of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team would be angry at him. In fact, all of Gryffindor House would be angry at him. And Theodore...they had been so free-spirited and wild this past week, ignoring homework and studying and indulging in each other like the other was a drug. It felt suddenly dirty to think about. They hadn't done anything...weird...Harry tried to convince himself. They had only lied there beside each other and talked or sat across from each other and talked or sat beside each other and talked...nothing strange or inappropriate had happened, so why did he feel so gross like he'd been rolling in mud and slime all day? Then there was Harry's behavior. He'd been acting like a complete lovesick goof, rushing to see Theodore everyday and acting all giddy and excited about everything. The whole world had been sunny-colored for days.

It didn't seem so bright right now.

Harry didn't get out of bed until he was sure everyone had gone down to breakfast then he crawled out of bed, got dressed, and slid out into the hall. As he suspected, Theodore wasn't there and he felt almost relieved, not wanting to share this guilt with him. He'd wait to see him once he'd gotten his own emotions and mind cleared. Not knowing what else to do or who else to go to, Harry wandered down into the dungeons to look for Snape. He didn't find the man until classes were starting and it was in Snape's classroom with a group of frightened first year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws.

"Mr. Potter?" He asked with narrow eyes.

Harry just swallowed and looked at him, hoping to convey his desperate need for help without having to voice it.

"Class." Snape turned to the students. "Turn to the last chapter and read it. When you are done, answer these questions." He flicked his wand at the blackboard and a list of twenty or so questions scribbled across it. "Consider it a chance to review before your test today."

No one dared groan, but Harry was sure the students were actually quite delighted to not have to do any real work today.

"Don't. Touch. Anything." Was the man's only warning and it was sure to be heeded.

The Potions Master and Harry entered Snape's office and set themselves down at the large desk. Snape wasted no time getting to the point.

"It wore off I take it."

"Yes." Harry nodded. "And I feel really terrible."

"Naturally." Snape pulled something from his desk and passed it to Harry. "It's for your stomach. It should help quell the sickness."

"Thanks." Harry drank the small vial and was surprised it tasted like grape juice. "What do I do?"

"Accept that you've been acting like a fool, make amends with those you've affronted, and confront Theodore about the mess you've both made of each other."

"Mess?" Harry gaped at his professor.

"You've been emotionally clinging to each other like leeches." Snape gave a sneer, but there was no malice in it. "This is normal, but it will have messed up your emotional sphere a little. You will be disoriented and confused about your standing with each other. It will take time to reorganize your personality. It is good that your summer vacation is coming up as it will give you both time to establish who you are without one another. Then you can work next school year on establishing the boundaries of your relationship."

"Boundaries..." Harry stared down at his hands. "Sir...can...a pair like us...have boundaries?"

Snape stared at him with scrutinizing eyes and then shook his head. "To be honest, Potter, I really don't think so, but...I don't see how a relationship can be stable if it does not have boundaries."

Harry frowned, worry lines crinkling up his forehead. "But...if we have boundaries...we won't really be in an unconditional relationship, we will?"

"Then I guess it all comes down to how soon you want to lose your ears and tail." Snape snapped viciously then muttered, "Kids these days...such things do get reported to parents or guardians, you know, and don't think people won't look at you sideways...not that they don't already."

Harry was extremely red, but he was glad he wasn't the only one as Snape's cheeks had become a nasty shade of pink.

"Did you still say 'no' to Lupin?" Harry asked, once more out of turn.

"Must you keep bringing it up?" Snape snarled.

"I just want you to be..."

They stared at each other, both rather shocked and neither needing Harry to finish the sentence because they both knew exactly where it was headed. It took a few moments for Snape to shake the surprise from his features and finally mutter something.

"You think I'm unhappy?"

"Yes." Harry was equally as shocked at his quick unhesitating response. "You seem unhappy."

Snape stood. "If that is all, I believe you have a Divination exam today..."

"You won't even think about it?"

The man gave a fierce glare. "It is really none of your business, Potter. And this is the decision of an adult. Lupin, as I'm sure you've guessed, was a Gryffindor and many other things. He and I have a history already and it isn't a pleasant one. That is all you need to know."

"Because he's a werewolf?"

Snape's brows flew up his face faster than Harry could think, "Wow." Then they settled back down into a scowl.

"Nott tell you?"

"Who else?"

"Then that should be reason enough."

"But he's a really nice guy and how can you go wrong with someone named 'Cherished'?"

"You know," Snape sneered, eyes revealing his magnifying rage. "If I didn't know any better, Mr. Potter, I'd say you're trying to set me up with Lupin...in a romantic way."

Harry's cheeks exploded into red, but he still shot out. "Wouldn't you both make a cute couple?"

"Out." Snape pointed at his door. "Get. Out. Of. My. Office. Now."

"Yes, sir." Harry rolled his eyes and stood to leave, but he stopped at the door to give the man a concerned look. "But you two would get along, I think. He's lonely too, isn't he?"

"Out."

Snape's voice and features had said the idea was impossible, but Harry was sure he'd seen a faint glimmer in the man's eyes, a glimmer that told Harry that he was right: Snape was as lonely as Harry had thought.

This one is much shorter than normal. Hope you enjoyed it. :P