Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. They all belong to J.K. Rowling, the wise and powerful. I wish I was that smart and such a good writer though.

A/N: I don't know where I am going with this one. This is obviously going to be one of those stories that kind of exist inside of the book but doesn't really show the plot that is happening. But- wa-la! Here's another chapter. Please review.

Chapter 28

Severus glanced over at Harry. He was completely still and his green eyes did not meet Severus', even when he moved to stand in front of him. Suddenly the gravity of what Severus had just offered hit him.

It was foolish, really, for him to offer such a thing. Sure, their relationship had changed, but it was still a far cry from the kind of relationship that resulted in guardianship, which was what he was offering. And it was clear from Harry's unwillingness to look at him that he did not want that. He was probably laughing it up internally, finding amusement in the fact that he had played Severus so easily. No doubt he was wondering how he could embellish Severus' offering, make it more amusing for when he told his Gryffindor friends and they laughed it up.

Severus suddenly felt as if he was a child again. Once, back when he was young, probably about five, before Lily, he had finished all his chores, quickly and proficiently. He had done such a good job that he was sure that his father was going to be proud of him. He had even sought out the man, though he knew that his father hated when he did that. He had been sure that his father would realize how good of a son he actually had. He had put his heart of the line, and as he should have known his father would do, his father shot him down. He had trampled over Severus' feelings, exactly as Harry was doing now. Severus felt young and inconsequential again, and he hated it.

So he did what he could not have done before, and he ran from the situation.

Harry stared down at his hands numbly. When Severus had offered him a home, he had been so filled with hope that he rarely ever felt. It made him dumb and froze him, trapping the acceptance that he dearly wanted to say. But then Severus had fled, and his hope had vanished with him.

Of course he hadn't meant it, Harry's mind snarled. He had said it just out of pity, before he could help himself, and once he realized what he had said, of course he ran before you could accept. He didn't really want you. It was pity, and only that.

Harry looked up, realizing for the first time that Dumbledore was speaking, and probably had been since Severus left.

"What?" He interupted, stopping whatever Dumbledore was going to say.

"I was saying, my dear boy, that Severus has always been one to run away from his feelings," Dumbledore paraphrased, folding his aged hands over his middle. Harry felt his brow furrow.

"Run from his feelings of hate and dislike, maybe," He said. He didn't truly believe that Severus hated him though, not anymore. If the man did hate him, why would he have been so nice to Harry? You didn't allow someone you hated to go into your private chambers, feed them, and take care of them. But just because Severus didn't hate him anymore didn't mean that he liked him. There was a big difference between hating someone and liking them, Harry knew. Take Cho Chang, for example. Harry didn't hate her, but he certainly didn't really like her anymore. That kiss had been far too awkward for him, with her sobbing and him not feeling any attraction, for any friendship to remain. But he didn't hate her. Just like Severus didn't hate him. But not hating him did not mean that any offers to house Harry had been sincere.

"You and I both know that Severus does not hate you." Dumbledore said, levelling a blue gaze at Harry. Harry sighed, considering.

"Does that mean that he meant what he said?" Harry asked.

"When has Severus said something that he did not mean?" Dumbledore asked, his blue eye twinkling. Harry was forced to admit that this was true. Severus did call him a twit and brat, but he had been nearly smiling, so it was easy to tell that he was joking. But for the important things, the things of great significance, he did not say anything that was not sincere and meant.

But did that mean that the offer had been true?

Did Severus Snape really want Harry Potter?

Severus stared up at the clouds, blissfully numb and non-thinking. The door to the Astronomy Tower opened, and the bliss vanished. He turned his head, a mere twitch of his chin, just enough to see who had joined him.

Harry Potter.

Of course. Because when did Potters ever know when to stop?

Harry walked over, sitting down a little too close for Severus' liking. They were both silent for a second, and Severus glanced over at him from the corner of his eye. The boy was sitting ramrod straight, his hand fisted and gripping the robe by his thigh.

"Did you mean it?" Harry asked suddenly. Severus kept his face blank, his gaze straight ahead. His heart, however, was not as easily governable, and Severus could not stop it from beating loudly.

"Yes," He said simply.

"Then why did you run?" Harry asked him. Severus felt a slight flushing, because he did not run, he had made a fashionable retreat, but he did not show any of his discomfort.

"Not everyone enjoys the sound of your laughter, Potter," He snarled. Harry flinched, and then turned to face Severus. Severus did not do the same, but he could feel the boy's gaze on his face.

"I wasn't going to laugh," Harry said. "I was going to say yes."

Severus nearly turned to face him in surprise, but years as a spy allowed him to maintain his composure. Instead he merely raised an eyebrow and turned slightly to face him.

"That is, if the offer still stands," Harry said. Severus swallowed with slight difficulty.

"It does," He said. Harry laughed, a breathy sound filled with relief.

"Good," Harry said simply.

"Good," Severus repeated. Harry shifted, putting his back to the same wall Severus' was up against, their shoulders brushing.

An unfamiliar feeling was rising inside of Severus, contorting his face, and it took him a few moments to place what it was.

Happiness.

Severus allowed himself a brief smile, and then turned, wrapping an arm around Harry's shoulders. They were far too bony still, despite the many nutrition potions Severus had stuffed the boy full of, but the smile Harry gave him was well worth any discomfort.

Somewhere, he knew Lily was smiling as well.

And really, with all the people smiling at him, how was he, despite being a spy and Slytherin, not supposed to smile in return?