Disclaimer – Nothing is mine.

Chapter 14 – Awe and Fear

He managed to sleep through the night undisturbed but was ambushed on his way to breakfast the next morning. The fourth step of the second flight of stairs was a Portkey and triggered to his magical signature. The moment he stepped on it he found himself yanked harshly away; landing in the training room to be hit with Dumbledore's favourite curse.

As he struggled to push over the top of the pain and break it he thanked Merlin that he'd been by himself. He hated to think of what would have happened it Hermione or Ron had been with him or worse, touching him when he'd been whisked away.

In the end it was his anger that broke through and he let it feed him as he threw back some of the harshest hexes and curses he had ever used. After half an hour Dumbledore called a halt to the duel and stared back at Harry; his eyes twinkling triumphantly as Moody and the others stared back at him.

'Well done, Harry. Your experiences of the last week don't seem to have weakened you after all.'

Harry nodded sharply. 'Yes, if anything they have made me stronger, more determined to do what I must.' He said firmly, only he noticing the small twitch of the potions master's lips even as the older man's eyes were still pained.

Dumbledore just smiled genially. 'That's good to hear. You may go now, Harry.'

Harry nodded again. 'Thank you, Professor.' He said quietly, before quickly striding from the room.

Ron and Hermione looked up curiously as Harry swept into the great hall. They had both seen him leave he common room long before they did.

'Harry?' Hermione questioned.

'Don't ask.' Harry replied devouring a piece of toast within seconds and chasing it down with several swallows of pumpkin juice before heading back towards the door.

'Harry, where are you going?' Ron yelled after him.

'I have to check something.' Harry called back and ducked from the hall mindful of the numerous sets of eyes watching him from the head table.

He jogged through the halls towards the library before ducking down the passageway and slipping on his invisibility cloak. He knew Severus would have returned to his classroom. The older wizard never ate after one of Harry's "sessions".

Sure enough the potions master was sitting at his desk, head tilted back and eyes closed as his hand rubbed at his temples. Harry stole up behind him, still hidden by the cloak and replaced the man's hands with his own. Snape jumped slightly before realising who it was.

'Leo.' He breathed.

'I love you, Sev.' Harry whispered. 'Thank you for what you did yesterday. I know how much you loathed doing it but I thank you for doing it anyway.' He added, leaning around the potions master's chair and placing a gentle chaste kiss to the older man's lips. 'See you in class.'

Snape just nodded, his eyes still closed as Harry stole back out of the room. 'I love you too.' He whispered to the empty classroom.

'Harry.'

'Good evening, Headmaster, Professors.' Harry said deferentially as he came to a halt in the middle of the training room.

'Harry.' Dumbledore said again. 'It has come to my attention that you might be abusing your privileges again.'

Harry's eyebrows shot skywards. 'I beg your pardon.'

'I have word that you used your Invisibility Cloak to sneak off the grounds during breakfast this morning.'

'What? No I didn't.'

'You were seen putting the cloak on and then not seen again for over an hour. You know you're not allowed to leave the grounds without permission.'

'But I didn't.' Harry protested, glancing around at his other teachers. 'Yes, I used the cloak, but I just wandered the halls. I wanted to be alone.' Harry could see the headmaster wasn't buying it. 'I was sick of Hermione harping on at me about studying. I have more important things to worry about than how many NEWTs I get.'

That seemed to be the right thing to say as Dumbledore finally smiled genially. 'Ah yes, Miss Granger. She can certainly be a hard task master.'

'Yes Sir.' Harry agreed.

Blue eyes hardened. 'I'm afraid though, Harry, that I will have to relieve you of your father's cloak, just until the summer. Lest it be used for nefarious purposes.'

'But Professor.' Harry began but trailed off at the look on the headmaster's face. He knew he would never win this argument. He knew if he didn't give in over this, further questions would be asked. He could see the other Professors watching him. Moody, Shacklebolt and Flitwick looked as determined as Dumbledore, Snape's face was completely blank and Lupin just looked at him sadly. 'Fine.' He whispered, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the small square before enlarging it. He didn't hand it to Dumbledore however, but instead pushed it towards the only former Marauder in the room. 'Please keep it safe, Remus.' He muttered, unable to look at anyone as tears burned in his eyes.

He knew he should have been more careful but he'd been in such a hurry to see his lover he had forgotten the portraits. It was a mistake he would never make again.

Dumbledore smiled triumphantly, patting Harry's shoulder but ignoring the flinch the young man gave. 'Wonderful, now I think it's time to try the Antores Draught again, Harry.' He suggested.

It showed the other Professors just how upset the Boy-Who-Lived really was as he made no sign he had heard the headmaster's actual words, instead simply nodding slowly but refusing to raise his head. Snape knew he was struggling not to cry at the thought of his father's cloak being taken away. He too, knew the young man would be unlikely to see it ever again if the plan for graduation came off. Dumbledore, for his part, took no notice and just held out a violent orange vial until Harry took it with a shaking hand.

Now, Harry, I want you to try an expel the potion within a few minutes. It took far too long the last time and you could be weakened. Off you go.'

'Half the vial?' Harry asked tentatively.

'All of it.' Dumbledore's voice was cold but firm and Harry knew this was his punishment for using the cloak.

Harry heard a sharp gasp to his left but tilted his head and swallowed the contents of the vial without meeting any eyes.

The volume alone had his blood burning within moments as the Draught slid down his throat. He coughed several times, his eyes watering causing streams of water to pour down his cheeks.

'Shit.' He gasped, dropping immediately to his knees as his stomach felt as if it all but exploded.

'Concentrate Harry.' Dumbledore snapped.

Harry sucked in several large gulps of air as his magic tried to seek out the poison now flowing through him. He could see it and he struggled to encapsulate it as the headmaster took several steps back and raised his wand.

'Conolorus.'

Harry's eyes snapped open at the same time as he erected a shielding charm. There was a loud clanging sound as the spell rebounded off the shield and sped back towards its caster. Dumbledore stepped deftly out of the way as Harry staggered back to his feet.

'Well done, Harry. Keep going.' He said patiently as he gestured for the rest of the staff to join in.

It took Harry more than half an hour to expel the potion and a further two hours of dueling to relieve his teachers of their wands. By the end he was almost dead on his feet, his robes covered in blood and potion, his limbs trembling from one to many curses landing when they shouldn't have.

'That was most impressive, Harry.' Dumbledore said kindly

'Thank you, Professor.' Harry rasped in response.

'Severus.' The headmaster commanded as he waved his wand to banish the blood and potion on his robes and Snape stepped forward immediately beginning to heal the wounds that littered Harry's body and force several potions down his throat.

'Watch what you eat for several days, Potter.' Snape drawled sarcastically but Harry could hear the underlying concern.

'Yes, Professor.' Harry said meekly, refusing to look up.

Snape stepped away and Harry looked back at the headmaster.

'You may go, Harry.'

'Thank you, Sir.' Harry responded, nodding politely to the other Professors before dragging his exhausted body from the room.

Harry woke the next morning with a pounding headache that would not be shifted no matter how many of the self made vials of potion he swallowed.

'Alright there, Harry?' Ron asked a he scrubbed furiously at his eyes to rid them of sleep. It had been after two by the time he had gotten to bed after all.

'Yeah, just a headache.' He told his friend. Ron looked at him peculiarly at the rasping tone.

'You don't sound alright.'

'It's fine.' Harry insisted, pushing back his covers and climbing out of bed.

'Harry, can you answer me something?'

Harry stopped searching for clothes in his trunk and turned to see Ron watching him curiously.

'Why on earth do you sleep fully clothed? You've been doing it all year.'

'It's cold.' Harry said flippantly.

'In September?' Ron retorted. 'Harry, you're even wearing shoes.'

Harry sighed as he stood and headed towards the bathroom. 'Ron, if you have to ask, you're even thicker than I thought.'

'Hey!' Ron's exclamation stopped Harry as he reached the doorway and he turned back, his usually green eyes dark and his gruff voice making his words even more ominous.

'You must be prepared for anything.' He whispered before disappearing through the door.

'Professor Snape has asked Dobby to give Harry Potter something special to eat. Easy to swallow.' The house elf said putting a dish down in front of Harry. The hall was still relatively empty and thankfully none had overheard Dobby's excited squeaks. 'Professor Sir told Dobby not to let custard anywhere near Harry Potter but Dobby disguised it. See!' Dobby whipped off the lid to reveal a bowl, thick with pink custard, but covered in mountains of fruit to hide the glutinous mess.

Harry chuckled. He could always rely on Dobby. 'Thank you, Dobby.' He said hoarsely, still giggling.

Dobby, seeming especially proud of himself, gave Harry an enormous grin and popped away as Harry still shaking his head turned towards the dessert in front of him. He'd never half of these fruits before. Aunt Petunia had always said such extravagant fruit would be wasted on him and then given him an old bruised apple or blackened banana. After that he'd just never seen the appeal; not that they had them all that often at Hogwarts either. Harry guessed Dobby must have gotten these specially for him. With that in mind he picked up the spoon and scooped out piece of peach and some custard.

'Mmmm.' He murmured as the custard soothed his sore throat. He managed to eat pretty much all of the custard and fruit before his friends joined him.

'What an earth are you eating, Harry?' Hermione's face was screwed up on disgust. 'Fruit and custard? For breakfast? That's not very healthy.'

'Dobby gave it to me.' Harry shrugged. 'Besides, it's really nice. I've never had half of these fruits before.'

'I see you have the house elves now bowing to your every whim, Potter.' Came Snape's sarcastic drawl from behind the Boy-Who-Lived. Harry turned to see the potions master glaring at him but hidden in the deep onyx eyes he could clearly read both exasperation and amusement shining brightly. He quickly looked away turning back to his breakfast.

'You know house elves, Professor.' Harry said with a small smirk. 'They live to serve.'

'Harry!' Hermione hissed scandalously.

Harry looked up and shrugged, an innocent expression on his face. 'Dobby likes me, what can I say.'

Ron let out a snort, quickly covering it as Snape's glare landed on him before encompassing Hermione. 'I trust all this house elf devotion will not stop you from turning up to my class on time.' He sneered.

'Of course not, Professor.' Harry responded, his hand automatically coming up to rub his temple as a sharp pain seared through his head.

Snape's eyes narrowed. 'Are you quite alright, Mr Potter?'

Harry nodded. 'Fine.'

Snape raised an imperious eyebrow. 'That's, fine sir, to you, Potter. Five points from Gryffindor.' He snapped before spinning on his heel and stalking towards the door.

'Bastard.' Ron grouched through a mouthful of toast. Harry grunted in agreement, even as his mind knew Severus had just snapped at him in his concern for Harry's well being.

'If he's in that bad a mood, we'd better be going.' Hermione ordered in her very Hermione way by grasping Ron's arm and dragging him to his feet as she gave Harry a pointed look. Harry sighed heavily, quickly shoving the last few mouthfuls of the fruit camouflaged custard into his mouth and quickly hurrying after his friends.

'MR POTTER.' Snape roared. Class had been in session for almost two hours and would finish in less than twenty minutes but Harry had stopped paying attention long before. At the moment he had his ingredients rearranging themselves into pictures on the desk in front of him. Ingredients that should have been in his cauldron bubbling away. He had gotten bored with this and began charming the hideous looking jars around the walls to contain pickled fruits and vegetables before turning his attention to the class surrounding him.

He had just finished levitating all of the cauldrons towards the middle of the room, much to the horror of the rest of the class when Snape let out his cry. This of course returned his attention to the livid man in front of him causing the cauldrons to fall making an enormous racket and leaving acidic trails across the floor that began to eat into the stone.

'Damn it.' Harry sighed staring at the mess on the floor.

Snape sucked in a breath as the students around Harry moved away in fear of their safety.

'Mr Potter.' Snape ground out through clenched teeth. Harry's head whipped up and he smiled charmingly.

'Hey now. What happened to Harry?' He pouted, his attention now back on the glass jars around the walls.

'MR POTTER. WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING?' Snape bellowed.

Harry's next comment caused Snape's eyebrows to almost disappear into his hair. 'Come on, Sev. Don't be a spoilsport. Those jars were so disgusting. Don't know how you can stand to look at them all day. At least this way you can have a snack if you get hungry.' Harry smiled brightly, his eyes wide and staring as he summoned a jar and opened it before holding it out to the potions master.

Snape's hands were clenched so tightly the others thought all of the bones in them might be shattered soon. His face was almost purple and his black eyes blazed.

'Chill out Sev, just try one.' Harry snickered, reaching into the jar and pulling out a pickled carrot stick and waving it in Snape's face. Several of the braver Slytherins actually snorted at the look on their Professors face.

Snape looked ready to kill as he slapped the jar out of Harry's hands making it fall to the floor with a crash.

'Stupefy.' Came the drawling voice of Draco Malfoy and Harry froze and dropped like a stone.

'Malfoy!' Ron yelled, silencing only at the glare from Snape.

'There is something seriously wrong with that boy.' Draco drawled nonchalantly as he put his wand away, his eyes willing Snape to see through his anger to what was really wrong with the young man.

Snape blinked. 'Damn it. Not again.' He breathed, pointing his wand at Harry and levitating him off the floor. 'You will all stay until you have finished and then tidy up. Mr Malfoy you are in charge.' He said curtly before turning and stalking towards the door making sure to keep Harry floating carefully behind him.

'Poppy.' Snape bellowed as he stormed into the hospital wing, the door slamming back against the wall with a bang.

'Severus is it really necessary to announce yourself in such a way. This is supposed to be a place of rest.' The medi-witch snapped as she swept out of her office.

Snape looked around at the empty wing and rolled his eyes. 'Just get Dumbledore, woman. The brat's done it again.'

'Done what?'

'POPPY.' Snape yelled.

'It's quite alright, Poppy. I'm here already.' Dumbledore said cheerfully as he walked through the door leaving Snape to wonder just how strong the tracking charm the old man had on Harry really was.

'Miss Granger saw fit to inform me.' The headmaster offered at Snape's questioning expression.

'Potter's eaten strawberries again. I don't know how.' He insisted.

Dumbledore glanced down at the prone figure in the bed, eyes widening as he noticed the bed lifting even as Harry lay stunned and seemingly unconscious.

'Dobby?' Dumbledore called out snapping his fingers. The sharp crack of the house elf corresponded with a crack as Harry's bed dropped sharply to the floor.

'Yes, Headmaster Dumbledore Sir, what can Dobby do for you?' The tiny elf squeaked his eyes as big as saucers as he spied Harry stunned on the bed.

'Dobby, did you give Harry any strawberries this morning?' Dumbledore asked quietly.

There was another bang, startling those in the room as the cupboard containing the bandages suddenly exploded across the far side of the room.

Dobby bounced nervously up and down on the balls of his feet. 'No, professor Sir. Dobby remembered you said not to. Dobby makes sure there are no strawberries on the top of Harry Potter's breakfast and Dobby makes sure only to put flavouring into Harry Potter's custard so it tastes nice.' Dobby squeaked proudly.

'Of all the stupid...'

'Severus.' Dumbledore's curt tone cut the potions master off just as a he was about to hex Dobby into oblivion. Suddenly there was a muffled boom and several bits of stone fell from the ceiling.

'Albus, will you please just get him out of my hospital wing before he brings it all down around us.' Poppy gasped.

Dumbledore nodded. 'Severus, please take Harry through the tunnel to the Shrieking Shack. I'll summon Remus and Kingsley to follow you immediately thereafter.'

'Are you sure? I don't think the Shack will stand up to an onslaught from the brat anymore. He's much stronger than last year.' Snape murmured. 'You might have to work it off.'

Dumbledore glanced calculatingly at Harry as several windows shattered.

'Albus!' Poppy shrieked. Dumbledore's eyes took on a gleam that made Snape's stomach turn.

'Take him out onto the Quidditch Pitch. I'll round up everyone else. We'll just have to hope this wears off quicker than last time. I don't think anyone could keep up with him for more than a few hours.'

'Use the seventh years as well.' Snape said as he levitated Harry off the bed and towards the door.

It only took four and a half hours this time as Harry took on most of the staff, all of the seventh years, and even the DA. The rest of the sixth years also joining in as student and teacher alike began to tire. Poppy used up the entire supply of Pepper-Up potion before the duel was finished. The proud smile never left Dumbledore's face even as the final hex was cast.

The rest of the school and those teachers not participating sat in the stands and stared in awe, and not a little bit of fear, at the formidable figure that was the Boy-Who-Lived. Harry, his aura sparking within a few minutes of the first spell being cast, threw hex after hex and curse after curse at the more than twenty people that surrounded him at any one time.

For more than four hours he fought, even as everyone else took turns resting before jumping back in. Several students and even a couple of teachers were injured, thankfully not severely and were quickly healed, all of whom quickly leapt back into the fray, and all of whom were heard to remark that they hadn't had this much fun in ages.

In the end Harry finally dropped to his knees, his glowing aura fading and his forehead resting on the ground before him as he struggled to regain his breathing and slow his racing heart. There was a stunned silence on the pitch that lasted for almost a minute, allowing Harry to hear the several sets of footsteps walk towards him.

He felt a gentle hand come and rest on his back and could hear the shouts and clapping from those around him but all he could really concentrate on was the excruciating pain currently tearing his skull apart.

'Shit.' He breathed, squeezing his eyes shut as his hands came up to clasp his head in an attempt to hide away.

'Harry, well done. Just relax.' Dumbledore said more kindly than Harry had heard in over a year. Harry raised his head and it was at that point that Dumbledore saw just how much pain the boy was in. He quickly grasped Harry's shoulders and turned him over to lay flat on the ground, tilting his head back in an effort to stem the flow of blood pouring from Harry's nose.

'Professor, please.' Harry croaked.

Dumbledore thought Harry was pleading to him and quickly summoned Poppy through the students that had gathered around.

Snape however, knew exactly who Harry was talking to. 'Open.' He said curtly, holding a vial to Harry's lips. Three more quickly followed it and Harry allowed the darkness to take him.

'Just how many did you give him?' Poppy cried as soon as she saw her unconscious patient.

'Enough to stop his skull splitting in two.' The potions master snapped back.

'Remus, if you would.' Dumbledore said calmly, laying a hand on Snape's arm. Lupin nodded and carefully picked Harry up in his arms and followed Poppy back towards the castle as most of the watching students followed. 'Severus, how did you know?' The headmaster's question was innocent enough but Snape knew he would have to be careful.

'The same thing happened during the holidays while he was a guest,' He said sarcastically but quietly so only Dumbledore could hear. 'of the Dark Lord. The brat overdoes it and practically has an aneurysm. Took me over an hour to get him into even a fit state to speak. Lucius almost caught me. No one should be using that much magic at once.' He spat.

Dumbledore's eyes sparkled at the jealous tone in the potions master's voice. 'Well, he needs that much if he's to defeat Lord Voldemort.' He said loudly.

Snape resisted the urge to strangle the man in front of him as he realised the elderly wizard's reasons for holding this particular duel out on the pitch where everyone could see.

'Make sure you tell your master all about this, Malfoy.' Ron chortled. 'I bet he won't feel quite so confident anymore. Better yet, put it in a pensieve for him. He'll probably kill himself and save Harry the trouble.'

'WEASLEY!' Snape bellowed as Draco moved to hex the Gryffindor.

'That will be enough of that, Mr Weasley.' Dumbledore said calmly. 'I know that as proud students of Hogwarts you will all keep her secrets.'

Ron snorted. 'Exactly what school do you go to?' He muttered, earning himself a cuff over the ear from his head of house.

'I think we should all head up to the castle for lunch, Albus.' McGonagall said primly. 'It's well after three, I'm sure the children are hungry and the house elves are probably wondering where we are.'

'Quite right, Minerva. I know I'm staving. I'd quite forgotten how hungry you get after a good duel.'

Snape and McGonagall exchanged glances, rolling their eyes as the headmaster just led the remaining students up to the castle.

Harry shifted and groaned.

'Open.'

He quickly obeyed when he felt the glass leant against his lips. He swallowed the foul tasting concoction before blinking several times and opening his eyes. He saw his six teachers arrayed around the room.

'I didn't eat any. I swear I didn't.' He croaked out softly.

'It's alright, Harry. We know it was unintentional.' Dumbledore said gently.

'No. I mean I really didn't. There were no strawberries there. I promise. I mean, the custard tasted a bit like strawberries but I figured Dobby had just put flavouring in it.' Harry insisted.

Snape scowled at the young man lying on the bed. 'And, what Mr Potter, do you suppose the flavouring was made out of?' He ground out.

'If it was the same stuff they have in the muggle world then it was nothing that even remotely resembled a strawberry.' Harry said dryly and both Lupin and Shacklebolt snorted.

'Well this is not the muggle world, you imbecilic brat. You could have torn the castle down around you. 'You must be more careful.' Snape retorted sharply.

Harry hung his head and nodded. 'I know.' He murmured. A moment later his head shot up. 'Hang on. Malfoy stunned me!' He said in disbelief.

'Harry, everyone was stunning you. It was a duel.' Dumbledore chuckled.

Harry rolled his eyes. 'No, not then. In the classroom.'

Dumbledore looked at Snape who was glaring at Harry.

'That was probably because you were about to cause some fairly serious damage.' The potions master snapped, his eyes never leaving Harry's.

'Oh.' Harry whispered as he realised the true meaning of the older man's word. 'I'm sorry.'

Dumbledore patted his knee. 'It's alright, Harry. No harm done. Now, it's quite late. I suggest you return to Gryffindor Tower and get some rest.'

'Yes Sir.' Harry slid his legs off the bed and stood up, swaying heavily.

'Remus, perhaps you would be so kind as to escort him.' Dumbledore suggested and Lupin nodded letting the headmaster turn his attention to Snape, his eyes twinkling in a way that the potions master knew didn't bode well for him.

'I think, Severus, that it might be prudent for you to make a little visit to Tom. Maybe show him a few memories of today.'

'Oh, that'll really put me in his good books.' Snape muttered, rolling his eyes but heading for the door all the same. Anything to get away from the man.

Dumbledore clapped his hands. 'Well, that was certainly an eye opening day, wasn't it.' He said cheerfully before he too headed for the door leaving the remaining teachers shaking their heads in amusement.

'Harry, your parents would be very proud.' Remus said quietly when the reached the portrait of the fat lady. Harry glanced up at the last of the Marauders. 'You showed true courage and power today.' Remus went on, either not seeing or ignoring the look of disgust on Harry's face. 'The duel on the Quidditch pitch proved just how strong you are.'

Harry folded his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow in a gesture eerily reminiscent of a certain potions master. 'That duel demonstrated nothing more than my stupidity.' He murmured. 'There was nothing courageous or powerful about it. It merely resolved a situation that should never have happened in the first place.' He finished quietly before nodding politely. 'Good evening, Professor.' He added before murmuring the password to Gryffindor Tower and slipping through the now open portrait and leaving Remus Lupin sighing in sadness at what was clearly still an impossible divide between himself and the son of his dead best friend.

'Tom?' Harry had showered for what seemed like an age and crawled into bed, drawing the bed hangings casting a locking and silencing charm on them before unsticking the mirror from the back of the bed head and opening it. 'Tom?' Harry said again.

There were several minutes of silence before the amused face of Tom Riddle came into view. 'Harry!' Tom's tone of voice was even more amused than his expression.

'Sorry to bother you. I just wanted to talk.' Harry said softly.

Tom smiled. 'One moment.' He told him before his face morphed into a scowl and he lowered the mirror. 'That will be all. I'll expect reports from all of you by the end of the week.' He said curtly and there was a shuffle of feet and murmurs of, yes my lord, making Harry realise he'd interrupted a meeting.

'Sorry.' Harry said apologetically once the mirror had been raised once again.

'It's alright, Harry. I told you anytime.' Tom said easily. 'That was quite a show you put on this afternoon.'

Harry blushed. 'Bloody strawberries.' He grumbled. 'You're lucky to get five percent fruit in muggle flavouring. Wizarding flavouring would have to be different.'

Tom let out a deep laugh. 'It was still very impressive, even if it was fruit induced. I'll have to make sure Severus relays to the old man just how shocked and horrified I was at the thought of facing your hallucinogenic wrath.'

This time it was Harry who laughed. 'Ha ha.' He drawled sarcastically.

'I'll send you something tomorrow at breakfast that should return the favour quite nicely, just make sure you show the required amount of naive pride and outrage.'

'Alright.' Harry agreed. 'Is...Is...' he trailed off.

'What is it, Harry?' Tom asked curiously.

'Um, is Severus there?' He asked quietly.

Tom gave him a wry grin before standing and crossing the room to hand the mirror to a figure half hidden in the shadows.

'Sev?' Harry asked, unable to his the smile that broke out on his face as the other man came into view.

'Leo.' Snape murmured in reply, mindful of the Dark Lord who was now sitting back in his chair and eyeing him intently.

'I wanted to apologise.' He said quietly. 'For what happened in class. I nearly ruined everything.'

'It wasn't your fault, Leo. You weren't to know better. I am working on something that will hopefully rid you of that particular problem.' Severus said quietly.

Harry nodded but didn't speak.

'Is there something wrong?' Severus asked tentatively.

'I just wanted to see your face.' Harry sighed. 'I don't dare look at you these days lest my feelings are written clearly across my own. I miss you.' He finished in a whisper.

Snape's expression softened and for a moment he forgot the all powerful wizard sitting just across the room. 'I know. I miss you too. But it won't be for much longer. Just believe in yourself, Leo. You can get through this and then soon we will be together.' He said sincerely.

Harry nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. 'I know. I love you, Sev.' He whispered.

'I love you too.' Snape murmured softly. 'Get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow.'

Harry nodded. 'Tell Tom I said goodnight.' He said before closing the mirror with a sigh.

Snape also sighed as he closed the mirror before handing it back to Riddle with a small bow.

'If I may ask, what do you plan to do for tomorrow morning, My Lord?'

Riddle eyed him, before a rather wicked smile made its way across his face. 'Ah Severus, if you're willing. I have just the thing.' He hissed with a chuckle.

Snape, slightly nervously if he was honest with himself, just nodded. 'Of course, My Lord. Whatever you think is best.' He said graciously before taking the offered chair and listening to the plan that was laid out.