Loving the feedback my lovelies :)

navieblue:

Yes some hot things will happen between Harry and Snape. Patience my friend.

Harry woke a couple of hours later feeling a little groggy. He took a deep breath and frowned at the familiar smell and moved his head to the side before cracking an eye open and seeing the bright white of the Hogwarts Infirmary. Dazed and confused he wondered how the hell he got there and tried to sit up before noticing that he was shirtless. He managed into a sitting position and was about to try and get out when he heard footsteps and the familiar face of Madame Pomfrey who smiled at him warmly and had a jar in her hand.

"Welcome back Mr. Potter, even if it is under unusual circumstances." She said coming to stand beside the bed.

"Uh, thanks… I guess. How did I get here?" He said looking confused before the booming voice of the Headmaster answered for the matron.

"All will be answered in time. My dear boy, how are you feeling?" He said coming to also stand next to Harry's bed.

"Good." He lied and then added. "Been better." He mumbled and the two standing either side of him exchanged a look.

"Mr. Potter, I'll need you to lean forward so I can put this ointment on your back for your… cuts." She said hesitantly and Harry complied straight away.

"So how did I get here?" He asked again and there was a little twinkle in the Headmasters eye, a lot less that usual.

"Professor Snape." He replied.

"Snape?" He said disbelievingly and then blushed as he realized that the man would have been in his bedroom. Could this day get any worse?

"Yes, he – "

"Believe me Mr. Potter I could have easily left you there." The baritone voice floated through the corridor as said man walked into the Infirmary and came to stand next to the Headmaster.

"You wished to see me?" He asked the Headmaster.

"Yes, Severus. But first, I need some things from you, Harry." Dumbledore looked to Harry who had his head down but briefly looked up and flicked between the Headmaster and Snape before resting his eyes back on his lap.

Harry nodded.

"Now, we need to arrange where you will spend the rest of your summer." He started and Harry looked up and frowned.

"You mean I won't be going back to Privet Drive?" he asked and the Headmaster nodded.

Harry grumbled and was feeling a little self conscious about the fact he was currently sitting half naked in front of the three of them, especially Snape. He was upset as well, he knew that he shouldn't be going back to his relatives but he had friends now, friends that he could probably stay with and then in turn go out partying with. He knew the Headmaster would want to send him to Ron's but in all honesty he didn't want to go.

"That's correct. Now, I'm sure as always the Weasley's will be more than – "

"No." Harry cut him off looking at him with determination.

"Had a spat with your friends, Potter?" Snape sneered but received a hard look from Dumbledore.

"Why do you not want to go there, Harry?" Dumbledore asked curious. He was sure Harry would say yes, but then again Severus had advised against it the other day.

Harry shrugged, and then he muttered, "they wouldn't understand."

Snape was a hard man, some might even say unforgiving and unfair, but he agreed with Harry totally with his admission. They most certainly would not understand how he was feeling and despite his previous comment, he felt for the boy.

"There are a couple more options then, Harry if that's what you wish. There is Grimmauld Place, however someone would have to stay with you; and you are always welcome here in the castle, but you would need to stay close to one of the Professors until term starts."

Harry mulled this over, he like the idea of Grimmauld but there really wasn't much to do there and he doubted he'd be allowed to roam the streets. Then there was also the possibility to stay at Hogwarts but who would he stay with? That seemed a little bizarre, what was wrong with the Gryffindor common room?

"Who would be with me at Grimmauld?" Harry asked tentatively.

"Professor Snape."

"What?!" Snape huffed indignantly but had a finger held up by the Headmaster to silence him.

"And at Hogwarts?" Harry said cautiously looking at Snape then the Headmaster.

"Professor Snape." Dumbledore repeated.

Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath, either way he was doomed. The dungeon bat, the old rival and snarky bastard now not only knew of his 'dirty secret' at his relatives, but he'd seen his half assed room, seen his battered body, and now would be looking after him. He was not happy, and by the look on Snape's face, he knew the man wasn't happy either but he wasn't going to the Weasley's. That much he was sure of. He shook his head to rid his thoughts and realized that Snape was arguing with Dumbledore and he looked between them.

"No, silence." Dumbledore said forcefully and Harry saw Snape visibly shrink in the presence of the man.

"Harry, I will give you time to think this over and in the morning we will arrange for you to go back to your relatives so you can get your things."

"Why can't I just stay there, sir?" The question baffled both Snape and Dumbledore, some time during the conversation, the Matron had disappeared so it was just the three of them.

"I have my friends there, and they understand me, understand what's going on."

"No, Harry. I'm sorry but I can't leave you with your relatives. You won't ever be going back there either."

"So now I have no home?" It was more of a statement but there was the intention of it being a question. He thought he was going to burst into tears. No home, no family, no friends. What a life.

"Well, when you – "

"Just leave me alone." Harry muttered before rolling onto his side, away from the two men, a single tear working its way down his cheek onto the pillow.

Dumbledore was a little annoyed that he'd been interrupted a few times during this conversation but he could understand Harry's frustration. He watched as Snape stalked from the room and he went round to kneel at the side of the bed that Harry was facing and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Believe it or not, Severus really is the best option. The two of you have a lot more in common than you realize." And with that he stood and left the Infirmary.

It was late when he woke again and his stomach was protesting loudly, so much so that it echoed off the stone walls. The Matron came in at that point and asked if he would like some dinner, which he agreed to and she went away to fetch him some. He felt less sore now and picking up the mirror that was on the bedside table he noted that his bruises were almost gone and the swelling completely gone. He looked more like Harry now.

When the Matron returned, his mouth watered at the roast chicken and vegetables that were on his plate and he downed the whole lot in a matter of minutes. With another dose of potions for the swelling and fractured bones he rolled over feeling rather drowsy and fell into a restless sleep. He didn't have nightmares per say but they were interesting dreams that involved the future and he felt his uncertainty coming through in the dreams. He woke at some point in the early hours of the morning and when he opened his eyes he saw someone sitting in the chair that was beside the bed.

After a lot of squinting and adjusting his eyes to the darkness he was surprised to see that it was Snape that was sitting there watching him. He wondered what he was doing there and then humored himself by thinking that the man was probably there to plan his torture on Harry when he chose to stay with him. He had decided Hogwarts would be the best option, for both of them, but he hoped that he could have his own space away from the man and not have to actually live with him. That would be weird.

Getting a little freaked out that the man was sitting there and not saying anything he rolled over so he was facing away from the man and set about trying to fall asleep again. His movement must have roused Snape because seconds later he heard the scraping of feet on the stone floor and disappear down the corridor. Looking over his shoulder, Harry frowned again wondering why the man was there in the first place.

Morning approached and Harry woke and sat up rubbing his face. It no longer hurt and when he looked down at his bare torso it was completely clear of any bruises. He looked up when he heard footsteps and his heart sank as Dumbledore and Snape walked through the door coming to stand next to the bed.

"Good morning my dear boy." Dumbledore greeted him but he just couldn't bring himself to smile. Cutting right to the chase the Headmaster continued.

"What was the decision?"

"Hogwarts, sir." Harry said dejected.

The headmaster clapped his hands together and patted Snape on the back before leaving the room.

"I am here to take you back to your relatives so you can get your things." Snape said stiffly and Harry nodded.

He set his feet on the floor, facing away from Snape and went to stand up and look for his shirt. He found it on the end of the bed so he flung it on before looking at Snape expectantly. The man looked at him for a split second then turned and stalked from the room with Harry following and they didn't say a word the whole way to the apparition point.

Arriving in Mrs. Figgs backyard, Harry lost his footing and lurched forward when a strong arm wrapped around his waist stopping him. Harry blushed terribly and briefly looked to Snape before muttering thanks and walking down the driveway.

Snape understood Harry's actions, but the blush he didn't. It truly was odd, but he didn't dwell on it and followed Harry across the road. Harry barged into the house and went straight up the stairs, the bellowing voice of Vernon cut through the house but Harry ignored it and briefly heard Snape saying something to him.

He hadn't realized that Snape had intended to follow him up the stairs, he hoped the man wasn't going to venture into his bedroom again. Not only was that highly embarrassing but it really did show his poverty. He looked behind him and saw Snape coming to the top of the stairs regarding him carefully before Harry pushed his door open and walked inside. He pulled his trunk out from under his bed with difficulty and had to hide a whimper as he twisted his wrist the wrong way.

Snape stood leaning in the doorway, yes he'd been in here before but he hadn't taken any notice to the room. He was horrified. He couldn't believe this was where Harry resided, even though Snape's father had beaten him he still had his home comforts such as a proper room, clean fitting clothes, food and above all else his mother. Harry had none of this as he looked around the room and saw a bed that had one of the legs broken in half that was held up with a stack of books, a ratty mattress and there were clothes scattered over his desk. They all looked worn and he could tell from what Harry was currently wearing that they wouldn't fit him either. Snape noticed that Harry's face was contorting with what he could only think of as pain as he lifted and placed things in his trunk and he went over to the boy. He took a couple of books out of Harry's hand before he placed them in the trunk himself and he turned to look at Harry. A hand coming to rest on his chin as he turned the boy's head so he would look at him. He had definitely misread Harry for all these years, he definitely wasn't a spoilt brat.

Harry's heart skipped a beat and had initially tensed when he felt a hand on his chin. It intrigued him though when he saw the look that Snape was giving him, it looked like concern but the man hid his emotions so well he was only going by what he saw in the man's eyes. He looked pained and as Harry took a close note of Snape's eyes, they looked to be a deep brown colour and not black like he'd thought all these years. This action had Harry a little worried, the man was so close to him and uncharacteristically not sneering. It was unnerving.

"Is there anything else you needed, Mr. Potter?" He said softly and removed his hand from the boy's chin.

Harry looked around and pointed to a stack of clothes and Hedwigs cage, from this Snape picked up Harry's school robes from his desk and placed them neatly in his trunk before closing it and he reached over to place the bird's cage on top. With a snap of his fingers a house elf popped into Harry's bedroom and took the items with a pop.

"Come." Snape said and led the way out of his bedroom.

Taking one last look at the bedroom, there really wasn't much left in there apart from some other baggy clothes, he shut the door with his wand in his pocket and followed Snape down the stairs. They didn't even bother going back into the living area and Snape wrenched the door open before letting it slam behind Harry and they walked out onto the street.

Harry couldn't believe it, Peter and Tony were walking down the street when he and Snape were walking down the driveway and Harry thought his friend's had the strangest timing ever. He also wondered why they were walking past the house but he pushed these thoughts aside when he realized he probably wasn't going to see his friend's anymore.

"Hey Harry, are you going somewhere?" Peter asked cheerily and Harry looked nervously up at Snape before he turned to Peter.

"Uh, yeah. I'm uh, I'm leaving to see other relatives. They live overseas." He lied and Peter looked at him strangely and Snape even more so at the blatant and well executed lie.

"Your face is looking better, you must be a quick healer." Tony commented and Harry smiled a little. They had no idea.

"Something like that." Harry replied and Peter spoke again.

"Am I going to see you before you go off to school?"

"I hope so, but I can't be sure." He lied, he felt bad but what else was he supposed to say?

"Okay… Well I hope you have fun and make sure you call me." He smiled and pulled Harry into a tight hug.

"Yeah, have fun. I hope I see you before you leave for school." Tony leaned in to give Harry a tight hug and before pulling away he whispered into Harry's ear. "I'm going to miss you."

He pulled a little more away but hadn't taken his arms off Harry and they stood there looking into each others eyes for a second longer than they should have and Tony leaned in to give Harry a quick peck on the lips. Snape was shocked, he had no idea Harry was gay, but what he didn't know what that Harry was even more shocked. Shocked that he'd done it when they weren't drunk, that he enjoyed it and that it had happened right in front of Snape. He was mortified and confused.

"Mr. Potter. I don't have all day." Snape said stiffly from beside him.

Harry stiffened when he realized the man was still standing there. Great, he probably thinks I'm a total poof.

"Well see ya then." Harry said sadly and the two waved goodbye as they kept walking.

Harry sighed and followed the man over to Mrs. Figg's house. They walked straight into the backyard and Snape stopped, Harry coming to stand next to him. He felt fingers brush his hand and looked up at Snape as the man quickly grabbed his hand and they apparated away with a crack.

Harry still wasn't used to this feeling and when they reappeared he went to fall forward only to be caught by Snape's quick arms who righted him quickly before letting go. He nodded and then began to stalk off towards the castle, Harry following closely behind.