Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Universe belongs to JKR and anyone she legally lets use them. Not me.

A/N: Gah, this chapter was hard. Thank you everyone for the AH-mazing reviews. You make my day every time you review :) Thank you also for the numerous fave and alert adds! I do a little happy dance every time :) I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

Chapter 12

Severus trudged upstairs, after a night of terrible sleep, muttering to himself about annoying Potters.

Pausing in the doorway, Severus took a moment to take in the contents of the Gryffindor's rooms.

The heavy blue curtains were pulled back, but the opaque cream chiffon ones remained, allowing only the entrance of soft rays of sunshine. The light illuminated the numerous bookcases that lined the wall, bursting with books of various sizes and shapes. Severus blinked in surprise. The Black Library was extensive, but it seemed that Potter had his own personal collection. Who would've though, Potter the scholar. Little knickknacks lined the spaces in the bookcases and photos were littered across the walls and desk. Parchment was stacked in precise piles on the desk, a quill on the wooden surface, the ink capped.

Severus turned to face Potter, frowning at the pained expression on the man's face in his sleep. Spelling a potion into the man's stomach, Severus swept quietly into the room, prowling around. This was the perfect time to get some information on Potter from his possessions. The books were of varied subjects, werewolves, child care (what?), defense, battle strategies, potions (no!), and mental magic.

The knickknacks were exactly that, knickknacks. There was a knife, sheathed in what looked like a case made of green dragon scales, a black rock that glittered and yet was clear, and a small golden disk that sat on a little stand, what looked like hieroglyphs etched on the shiny surface.

Various people filled the photos around the room. Weasley and Granger, Weasley and Blaise, the entire Weasley mob, a small child whose hair was changing color, most likely baby Lupin, Pansy and Potter arm and arm at what looked like a Ministry function, Longbottom and Lovegood, a picture of Potter with the twins and a bubbling cauldron, and then one of a smiling Lucius and a laughing Narcissa. Severus paused and looked at the photo of his best friend. Lucius' grey eyes, so like Draco's, were alight with laughter and Narcissa's icy blue ones glittered with happiness. Tilting his head, Severus paused in confusion, how had Potter come across this photo?

The last photo, on the top shelf of the book case right next to Potter's desk, hidden in the shadows, contained the most surprising picture of all. It was Severus and Draco, sitting at the kitchen table, smiling and talking. Had Potter taken this? When?

Severus was confused, though his mind was cataloging everything for later analysis. Just as he was about to turn around, Severus's keen eyes caught what looked like the edge of a worn photo peeking out of a book, The Mind and Memories. Glancing back at Potter to ensure he was still asleep, Severus gently removed the photo and gasped. It was of Potter and Draco.

It looked like the Hogwarts Hospital Wing, with both seated on their respective beds. Draco was talking animatedly and Potter was giving him an affectionate look. Draco glared at Potter who then laughed, and then the photo repeated itself.

Surprised at the mixture of jealousy, longing, and attraction that welled within him, Severus tucked the photo into his pocket and turned around to lean against the desk and watch Potter sleep. What more was there about this man that he didn't know? And what was this about Draco?

Harry blinked awake, looking around owlishly. What..oh. Right. Sighing he turned his head and squinted to make sure the side drawer was locked shut. Nodding to himself he sat up only to be greeted with a deep, "Good morning."

Harry shrieked and drew the covers up around him, grabbing his wand from underneath his pillow and pointing his wand towards the black mass where the sound had come from.

His glasses were shoved in front of his faces and as he put them on properly, Snape's tall imposing figure, eyebrow raised in mocking amusement, came into focus.

Harry pursed his lips, "Snape. What are you doing in my room?"

Snape rolled his eyes and handed him a rose colored potion. "Your potion Potter."

Harry's eyes widened for a moment before he nodded and knocked back the potion. Flipping his covers off, he began to move out of bed.

"Potter! What are you doing?" Harry looked up in surprise to see Snape glaring down at him.

"Getting up?"

"You're supposed to be resting according to the healer's notes."

Harry rolled his eyes, "I'm fine Snape. Your potions are wonderful and I feel like myself again. I'm going to get up, take a nice long shower, eat a real breakfast, and then do some work. Happy? You don't have to be my nursemaid."

Snape frowned, "Potter…"

Harry sighed and looked up, "Really Snape, I feel great. I'll tell you if I don't okay?" If that'll get you to leave me alone.

Snape sniffed, "Fine."

Severus swept out the door. He had to think about the photographs anyway. And talk to Draco.

And what was in that drawer that Potter had eyed the moment he wok up?

Puzzle pieces…hmm…

Draco was making breakfast when Severus walked into the kitchen after descending from Potter's floor. By some unspoken rule between the couple, whoever was at fault for their arguments made breakfast the next day. Of course, on days when both felt the other was at fault, neither ended up having breakfast.

"Severus," Draco murmured, placing Severus's eggs and bacon onto the plate. Severus walked over to where Draco stood, looking down at his lover.

Draco sighed and put the pan down and turned towards the older Slytherin. "Potter's my…weakness. I just can't control my temper when it's about him."

Severus sighed and crossed his arms, "Yes, quite obviously Draco. However, you must accept that we are indebted to him. He freed us from having to go to Azkaban. He could have easily condemned us."

Draco nodded, "Yes, well, it will take me a while to accept that. And…I'm sorry about the comment I made. I don't think you're going to…"

Severus cut him off, "Unfortunately, we both know exactly what to say to make the other angry. However, I would be much obliged if you would not make such comments especially."

Draco nodded and then looked up at his lover pleadingly. Severus sighed and unfolded his arms to draw Draco into an embrace and kiss him lightly.

Harry spun out of the door way and slowly strode over to the fireplace. Blasted Slytherins, did they have to make out in the kitchen all the time? There were a hundred other rooms in this bloody house to do that. Why pick the one fucking room I actually use on the first floor?

Grumbling angrily at himself, Harry Flooed to the Burrow.

"Harry dear! Are you alright? Is everything okay—"Molly bustled over, patting her foster son down to check for injuries.

Chuckling, Harry wrapped his arms around Molly, "I'm fine Molly. Snape gave me some potions and I feel right as rain."

Molly frowned, "You've lost weight again! Sit! It's breakfast time anyway. Ron and Hermione and the twins stayed here yesterday, so they should be down soon."

Harry smiled and settled himself into the dining table, eyes widening as his plate was suddenly full of pancakes, sausage, eggs and toast. "Molly, I can't—" Molly glared and Harry snapped his mouth shut. He'd just have to find a way to shove it down into his stomach. Molly wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"Mum, what's for—" Ron paused when he saw Harry. "Harry! Mate, I thought you were…"

Harry shrugged, "Didn't feel like cooking and I knew your mum would have extra." Harry smiled cheekily at Molly who smacked him on the head lightly, "silly boy."

Harry grinned and turned to his best mate who was frowning down at him, "Those bloody housemates of yours are supposed to be taking care of you."

Harry pursed his lips, "They're doing just fine. I just didn't want to argue with Snape last night. I'll be fine there. And I'll come visit a lot for the next week. You're going to get sick of me."

Ron rolled his eyes, "Sure mate. Just try. I had to live with you. I'm good with dealing with nuisances."

"Hey!"

Ron grinned around the shovel full of eggs in his mouth.

Severus frowned when Potter didn't come down for half an hour. "Where's Potter?"

He missed Draco's scowl, "Sleeping probably."

Severus shook his head, "No, I was there when he woke up."

Draco scowled, "What?"

"I went up to give him a potion."

Draco snorted, "Sure."

Severus turned slowly, "Excuse me? I thought we just went over this Draco."

Draco rolled his eyes, "Potter can take care of himself. He doesn't need us following him around and taking note of his every move."

Severus sighed, "Yes, however he assured me he would be coming down for breakfast, and now that he has not I am concerned."

Draco turned back to the pan and flipped the bacon. "Whatever. Potter can make his own breakfast."

"And if he were to die?"

Draco froze. "Potter isn't about to die," he scoffed.

"Really? Did you run a diagnostic? Know what condition he is in? Read his file?"

Draco clenched his fist and turned around, "We just fought about this Severus! Why are you so bloody concerned with Potter's wellbeing?"

Severus sighed, "Never mind."

Huffing, Draco banged the pots into the sink and turned to stomp out only to bump straight into Potter.

"Oomph!" Potter stumbled but caught himself on the doorway. "Oh, uh, hi Malfoy."

Draco glared at Potter, shoved him out of his way and walked by him into the bedroom.

Cocking his head in confusion, Potter looked at Snape. Shrugging, Potter walked in and poured a glass of water and walked out.

"Potter!"

Potter turned and looked at Snape questioningly.

Severus glared, "Breakfast?"

Potter shrugged, "Went to the Burrow and had some."

Severus was going to tear his hair out. At this rate he was never going to get any peace in this house.

Draco was sitting on the bed, staring at his hands when Severus walked back in. Deciding to be petty for once and ignore his lover, Severus walked towards the wardrobe to get fresh robes for the day when Draco spoke, "Why does being in Potter's debt bother you so much?"

Severus froze, his hand resting on the black robes he'd intended to remove. Draco's eyes rose from his hands to gaze steadily at Severus.

Severus refused to turn around and face Draco. At first, he considered continuing to ignore Draco. Then, that stupid optimism that seemed to be prevailing his senses lately, came over him and he decided to give Draco part of the truth.

"The last time I almost went to Azkaban, Albus saved me. I then proceeded to do every miserable, ridiculous thing the man asked me for the next two decades. Being indebted to someone gives them an unimaginable amount of power over you. It is quite like the power the Dark Lord held over his followers. It makes me uncomfortable, and so I wish to repay my debt however I can as soon as I can."

Here Severus turned to lock eyes with Draco.

"Potter is an incredibly powerful wizard, no matter how common he makes himself appear. If he were to misuse his position…"

Draco swallowed and said nervously, "But he won't because he's a Gryffindor."

Severus had walked towards the bathroom but paused for a moment, "So was Albus. Sometimes…during the war…I felt like I had two masters. One who had branded me and one who wielded me. There was no option of having choices then. I do not wish to be in a position for that to occur again."

Severus swallowed, "Potter may have given me my freedom, but in doing so, he has set me up to be shackled once again."

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