This isn't going to be quite as long as I had planned for it to be. There will be... three or four more chapters until the end I think.
Word Count - 1963
Chapter 4
It was two weeks later when Severus arrived once more at Harry's rooms, this time with a bag in hand and a serious expression on his face. Harry let him in, before resettling himself on the sofa. He had been in pain all day, but his supply of potions wasn't due until the following day.
"I warn you, I'm not going to be good company," he muttered as Severus sat in the chair.
"What's the matter?"
"My potion isn't due until tomorrow and I have none left. I've never been so glad of it being Saturday in my life."
"Ah. I might be able to help. I've a formula with me, that could help. I'm not sure it will, nor am I sure it'll be any better than the one you already use, but it's worth a try, is it not?"
"Anything at this moment in time, would be worth trying," Harry replied with a soft groan as a spasm run up his back.
"Can you lie on your front? It's a salve, I'll rub it in for you."
Harry blushed but did as requested, pulling up his shirt as he did. It was awkward, he usually avoided lying on his front, but he eventually got comfortable. He heard, rather than saw, Severus approach, and he also heard the hiss Severus let out when he saw the scars crisscrossing on the lower half of Harry's back.
"Relax. It should feel warm, and it may tingle. Tell me if it gets hot, or gives any strange sensations other than the tingle."
Harry agreed, closing his eyes when he felt Severus' hands on his back, soft but firm as he massaged the salve in. The relief was almost immediate, and Harry sighed happily. It wasn't long after that that his eyes closed again, this time as he fell into sleep, still aware of the hands on his back lulling him deeper into his dreams.
xxxx
Harry woke slowly, surprised to see the room bathed in the gentle light of candles. Turning his head, he saw Severus sat in the chair, reading in the candle light. He looked different than normal, more open, more relaxed. Harry thought it was a nice sight. Levitating himself, he sat up, turning around properly so he could sit facing Severus. He felt no pain in his back, something he was beyond grateful for, and more than a little surprised. The potion he usually took for the pain had never eliminated all pain.
"Thank you," he said, softly, smiling at Severus when he looked up from the book currently occupying him.
"It's still in effect?" Severus asked.
"It's wonderful. Much better than the potion."
"Good. I'll need to know the exact time it stops working, and any other effects."
Harry nodded. "You should have woken me up."
"You looked like you needed it. Besides, I had nothing more pressing to attend too."
Harry grinned. That was almost a declaration of love from the stoic man.
"I have some questions about your legs, if you feel up to it?" Severus broached, watching Harry's face warily.
"Fire away," Harry replied. He had been expecting it, ever since handing over his medical file, and he was actually surprised it had taken so long for Severus to ask.
"How long after the battle was it that you could no longer use your legs at all?"
"Nine months, give or take a week. I was struggling for a couple of months before that. Now I have no feeling from the tops of my thighs down."
"Did the healers try any other treatments than what was in your file?"
"No, everything is in there. I checked before I gave it you."
"You still have feeling in your hips?"
Harry nodded. "I can show you the scars if you want. The mark off the cut off point."
Severus nodded, waving his wand, filling the room with light. Harry waved a hand and his trousers disappeared, showing two still angry looking scars close to where the thigh bones met his pelvis. Severus moved closer to have a better look, and Harry, while not really embarrassed, blushed at his proximity.
"Do you mind if I cast my own diagnostic?" Severus asked, his voice not much more than a whisper.
"Go ahead," Harry replied, leaning back into the cushions.
The diagnostic took about five minutes, and Harry heard Severus' intake of breath when it was finished.
"Harry. I think I can -"
"Don't."
With a wave of his hand, Harry was once again clothed, and Severus backed off.
"If you can help me, do so without telling me. I've told you why already. Surely you can understand?"
"I can. I'll see what I can do, alright."
Harry nodded, then, looking for something different to talk about, he pointed to the book Severus had been reading.
"What are you reading?"
"Oh. It's one of yours, Defence of the Offensive Kind. It's a rather interesting book, not one I've come across before."
Harry smiled. "I traveled the world, Severus. I picked up many an interesting book on my way."
"Where does this one originate from?" Severus replied, helping himself to a drink and pouring Harry one as he did so. They spent an hour talking about the different books Harry had picked up over the years, and when he left, Severus had a small pile of books under his arm.
xxxx
The Halloween ball came from nowhere, or at least that was how it felt to Harry. One minute, his classes were eagerly learning, the next, all talk was of dates and dress robes. He rolled his eyes as his last class of the day the Friday before the ball, rushed from his classroom, all eager, the girls at least, to begin preparations for the following night.
Though Harry wouldn't be supervising the actual ball, Albus had asked him to keep an eye on the corridors, especially as the ball ended. They all knew what amorous teenagers were like after all.
He took his usual seat next to Severus for dinner, and chuckled at the dark look on the Potions Master's face.
"What's up with you?" he asked.
"The brats are extremely lucky Albus banned me from handing out detentions tomorrow night. Three blown up potions I had to deal with today, because the twits can only think about the bloody party," Severus grumbled.
Harry laughed again.
"What do you expect, Severus. They don't often get the chance for such fun," Smalling said from the other side of Harry. "You can't blame them for being a little less attentive."
"Of course I can. The ball is tomorrow, not today. Their minds should have been on their work. I'm sure you had problems controlling them yourself, Smalling, what with you teaching such an, ah, interesting subject."
Harry bit his lip. Smalling and Severus often exchanged words, though it seemed Smalling didn't often understand the Potions Master's particular brand of wit.
"I had no problems. We discussed the importance of balls over the years."
Severus scoffed. "You do realise that you are supposed to teach them important historical facts?"
"Of course. So, Harry, what are your plans for tomorrow evening?" Smalling replied.
"I'm going to sit and read a book with a glass of firewhiskey," Harry replied flatly. He had no wish to discuss Halloween with Smalling, or anyone really. Most people who knew him, knew he didn't like Halloween.
"Halloween is a special time for all magical beings Harry, you should embrace it!"
Harry stared at Smalling for a moment, before levitating back a little from the table. With a scathing look, he asked, "I thought you were the History Teacher?"
"I am."
"Then surely, as a history teacher, you will know that the reason I don't celebrate Halloween is because both of my parent's died. Fucking Idiot."
Harry left the table quickly, missing the concerned look Severus and Albus cast after him. Furious, both at Smalling for his lack of tact, and himself for losing control of his temper, he made his way outside. A wave of his hand had his warmest cloak covering him as he made his way slowly towards and around the lake.
It seemed that every year, Halloween made him feel worse. He wasn't really sure why, and in his head, he believed he should probably not be affected so badly by something he could scarcely remember, but he couldn't help how he felt. At least the weekend was upon them, and he was free to spend it wallowing in his quarters alone.
Footsteps behind him had him spinning quickly, but he sighed when he realised it was the Headmaster.
"I apologise for loosing my temper at the staff table, Albus," he said when Albus was close enough to hear him.
"I understand, dear boy, how could I not? Are you feeling a little better now?"
"Yes, though I profess myself to being confused at your choice in History Professor, Albus. The man is a world class tool."
"It's not a subject many acheive well in, Harry, meaning there is very few options. Professor Smalling, no matter what you think of his personality, does know his subject."
"Hmm. I'll hold my opinion. Perhaps you could suggest a seat change?"
"I think that might be for the best, Harry, or I could be without a History Teacher by the end of the year."
Harry chuckled despite himself.
"I wouldn't actually hex him Albus, no matter how much I might want to."
"I know. I admit, I am very glad to see the friendship blossoming between yourself and Severus. I asked him about it, of course, during our last meeting, but he was remiss to say anything."
Harry hesitated before replying. He was fairly sure he knew what the Headmaster was fishing for.
"Severus is making an attempt at a cure. For my legs, I mean."
"I see. And, are you happy about that?"
"I'm allowing myself no feelings on the matter. It's simply not worth the pain."
Harry saw pain flash across Albus' face for a split second, and he felt guilty for putting it there.
"I've told you before, Albus, I'm perfectly content with my life as it is now."
"Yes, you have. Contentment isn't quite the same as happiness, though, is it?"
The question appeared to be directed more at himself than Harry, so Harry didn't answer. They walked in a companionable silence back to the school, parting when they reached the main doors. Albus headed in the direction of his own office, and Harry made his way to the astronomy tower. It had always, and would always be his favorite spot in the castle.
He thought about what the Headmaster said about Severus and his own friendship. It was true, he knew. They spent many an evening together, patrolling from the comfort of Harry's living room, usually in front of the fire with a drink a piece, discussing absolutely anything and everything that came up. Harry enjoyed their companionship, unable to admit, even to himself, that there was a possibility of more between them.
He simply wasn't ready for such a commitment.
He wasn't to know that two months from that very evening, he would be given the opportunity to make his life better than he had ever hoped for, along with the chance to make Severus happier than he had ever been.
New Years eve was ever approaching, and it would be a night to change lives.