.

#shadowfurie:

All will be revealed. Patience :)

#AnimeMandi22:

Unfortunately yes, you will have to wait ;)

Everyone else, thank you for all the awesome feedback.

The rest of the Christmas break had gone by quickly, much to Harry's reluctance to go back but now here he sat as he stared glumly into his breakfast. Today he was going back to Hogwarts and his time with Severus cut to whenever they could spare a moment, if that. They hadn't really progressed any further over the four days, although Harry was growing in confidence around Severus and he didn't find the idea of having his backside prodded too frightening. Severus had experimented the night before with putting a pinky finger in but Harry tensed and after the pain, Harry said no more. Severus understood though, he knew he really should have used something more lubricated than a licked finger but after the way Harry had been keening for him it had seemed like the most natural progression. Harry hadn't really minded but Severus knew not to push too hard in case he lost Harry completely.

Severus had decided that last night he would stay the whole night, even though he found the experience quite weird he was surprised that he was physically comfortable and that he'd had a good nights rest. Harry was certainly happy to see him in the morning as well and knowing that the man was serious about what he had said over the past few days gave him that warm feeling inside. Severus had also come to the conclusion that waking up next to someone made for an easy morning exploration of each others bodies and with Harry's new confidence in the bedroom department it sure meant an explosive morning for the both of them.

Now, however Harry and Severus were sitting in silence at the table and after Harry sighed again Severus put down the newspaper and looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"What's wrong?" He said and Harry locked eyes with him.

"I won't see you as much." Harry replied, it was almost a whine but not quite.

"I know. But we have these remember?" Severus said reaching across the table and gripping onto Harry's wrist.

"Yeah, but it's not the same. You know that." Harry said turning his wrist so he could hold Severus's hand.

"There's nothing really I can do." Severus said a little gravely but then sat up straight as he looked at the time.

"Right, we need to leave in an hour. I will drop you off at the station and you can get the train with you friends." He said before standing and Harry nodded watching the man retreat up the stairs.

"Great." Harry said sarcastically to himself before he pushed the chair back and went upstairs himself.

At nine thirty, Harry had his trunk all packed and passed Hedwigs cage to Karsha who whisked it away to Hogwarts for him. He had already changed into his robes, even though he knew that he would be questioned by his friends but he really didn't care and it meant less hassle when they were on the train. He sat in front of the fire as he waited for Severus and didn't have to wait long for him to emerge from the lab.

"Ready?" He asked and Harry stood nodding.

Severus walked up to him and gave him one last kiss before pulling away and Harry hugged him.

"I've had an awesome time here, Severus. Thank you." Harry said as he clung onto the man.

"It has been a pleasure, Harry. Perhaps another time?" He suggested and Harry's eyes widened against the man's clothing before he calmed himself and pulled away.

"I'd like that." Harry said smiling and received a small smile in return.

"Good. Now, ready?" He asked again and Harry stood straight looking him in the eye.

"Yes, sir." Harry said in a stiff voice, his face passive and he saw a little light in the man's eyes dim before he stepped back and gripped onto Harry's forearm to apparate them to the station.

When he arrived, he was the only one there, only by seconds, and he made his way to the carriages and found one towards the front so that his friends would see him. Considering everything, he actually didn't have to wait long and Hermione came bounding into the compartment and gave him a giant hug, refusing to let him go until he claimed he couldn't breathe.

"It's good to see you too, Hermione." Harry said as she sat next to him beaming.

"You look well, Harry. Say, how long have you been here for? You're already in your robes."

Perceptive as always, Harry thought but smiled.

"Yeah, Dursley's… Remember – "

"I remember. At least you're not late though right?" She interrupted not wanting Harry's obviously good mood to dampen. Little did she realize it already had with the departure from Severus's house.

"Yeah, not late." He mused before he noticed Ron walking past the compartment, hesitating and then continuing onwards towards the back.

"So anyway, how was the break? How's your mum and dad?" Harry asked politely and she went into a full-blown story about how her parents surprised her with a trip away.

He was happy for her, he really was but again like the last time he was in this situation he found his mind wandering to Severus.

An hour had past quickly and before long Harry was aware that the train was moving with Ginny, Luna and Neville joining them in the compartment.

The train ride was long and boring, for Harry anyway who ended up tuning out of the conversations around him and opting to look at the scenery zipping past him. They were three quarters of the way to Hogwarts when he couldn't help himself and he gripped onto the bangle and sent Severus a message.

This train ride is so boring, what are you doing?

He pulled his feet up onto the edge of the seat before resting his arms in his lap so he could read the message that he felt arrive without acting suspiciously.

This meeting is so boring. Not long to go, Harry.

Harry smiled and tried desperately hard to cover it up. Severus was trying to be funny, and he could just imagine the man sitting in a meeting looking stiff and bored. This vision made him feel a little better and he was going to guess that Severus wished they were still together as well. He tried not to dwell on this idea though, at the end of the day, Severus was still his teacher and Harry was a student. He still had a sneaking suspicion that the man could turn away at any moment but he was giving the man benefit of the doubt.

Sounds thrilling. I know it's not long but I can think of better things to be doing right now.

Harry knew it was dangerous to send such a thing, and just the idea was getting his cock twitching. Again, he didn't have to wait long and he pulled his sleeve up to read the message.

Oh I can too, Harry believe me. However, your nosy Head of House is looking at me oddly. Should probably focus.

Harry smiled again at the message. Reading that Severus was in this situation made the man seem so much younger and he felt like he was relatable, not the student – teacher situations that he was used to experiencing with the man. He humored himself by thinking that teachers were sometimes students as well when in a meeting with the Headmaster and his deputy. The thought was warming.

Sorry, I'll leave you to it. Merlin forbid you get a detention for not paying attention.

Harry hoped the man found the humor in his message. He wasn't disappointed.

This coming from the King of distraction. See you at the feast, Harry.

"Harry why are you grinning like a lunatic?" Ginny piped up and his face fell as he saw everyone looking at him.

"Oh, uh just remembered something funny a friend said." Harry lied and it was pretty unconvincing judging by the expressions on everyone's faces.

He went back to looking out the window and squeezed the silver.

See you soon.

Harry didn't feel anything after that, he didn't expect to as the man was in a meeting but he would have liked to have talked for longer. He supposed he had his friends, that's why he was sitting with them so he turned his head to engage in the conversation and he found that the remaining time seemed to go a lot quicker.

Once they arrived, he stood with his friends and they slowly made their way towards the carriages. He saw Blaise off in the distance and he realized that he hadn't even seen him on the train. He felt a little sad that the boy hadn't sought him out, although if he was honest he could have gone and found him but he didn't. It wasn't until he looked at who he was walking with that he decided that he wouldn't approach unless Blaise was alone, Malfoy and his side kicks were walking with Blaise and they seemed to be in animated conversation so he could wait until later.

Harry's eyes immediately found Severus towards the middle of the head table as soon as he entered the Great Hall with his friends. He gave the man a small smile and the man nodded in return before Harry lett it fall from his face as he sat with his friends, it wouldn't do well to make any sudden engagement with the man in the hall. The thought was depressing but he shoved it from his mind and sat ready to hear what Dumbledore had to say for the start of term notices.

It was a good five or so minutes after the feast appeared before Harry really acknowledged the fact that there was food in front of him and he took a couple roast potatoes and put them onto his plate. He had finished them and put his knife and fork together to signal he'd finished when he felt a tingling on his wrist and he pulled his robe up to see the green letters flitting across the bangle.

I do hope you are going to eat more than that.

Harry rolled his eyes, of course the man would badger him about eating even on the first day back. He'd been good over the break and he could feel a difference in himself, he had a lot more energy, or was that because of all the 'physical activity' they had engaged him? He smiled as he thought about this before he grabbed a chicken drumstick and ripped it apart before taking some carrots and eating those as well.

Better.

He read after glancing at the bangle that was tingling but he didn't acknowledge it. He could already see Hermione eying up the piece of jewelry and he could tell he was going to get a million questions when they were back in the common room. Better start formulating my story now, he thought as he stared into the pile of peas he now had on his plate as well.

After he finished, he looked down the table and spied Ron, he must have sensed someone looking at him because he looked up and Harry frowned when he saw the look. Ron didn't have that many facial expressions but he knew regret when he saw it and it intrigued Harry but he didn't acknowledge it and he turned away where he happened to look over at Blaise. The boy was looking at him already and he smiled at Harry to which Harry smiled back until he saw Malfoy looking at him as well and as soon as they made eye contact Malfoy sneered at him before whispering something to Blaise who then frowned and looked away.

Harry was starting to get the impression that Blaise wasn't all he was cracked up to be, and being a Slytherin he really wasn't surprised. Severus is a Slytherin, Harry's subconscious reminded him and he worried his lower lip as he turned up towards the head table to risk a glance at the man who seemed to be in deep conversation with Flitwick who was sitting next to him.

As soon as they were dismissed for the evening, Harry shot out of the hall with Hermione in toe and they made their way to the Tower.

"Christmas present?" She asked taking his wrist and looking at the silver bangle.

"Yeah." He said taking his hand back and she looked a little put out at his reaction.

He sighed and apologized before saying that it was personal and she nodded linking arms with him and holding him until they were in the tower. She pulled him over to a corner away from everyone else and she looked at him expectantly before sighing and asking what she had been trying to nudge Harry to explain.

"So? What's the story? You never really did tell me how your Christmas was." She prompted and he looked down at his lap before his eyes darted across the room to make sure no one was in ear shot.

"Yes, Christmas gift but it's kinda personal… Like relationship stuff." He said and her eyes went wide.

"Oh Merlin. Do you have a boyfriend? What? How? Details!" She said excitedly and then got a dreamy look on her face.

"Hey!" He snapped and she looked at him seriously.

"I don't really want to talk about it, okay? It's still a little… sore." He said trying to make something up on the spot.

"Is it from Blaise? I saw how he looked at you during dinner." She noted and he shook his head.

"A Muggle." He said.

"From the neighborhood." He added to avoid further questions but he wasn't so lucky.

"Ooh, what does he look like?" She asked getting excited again.

"Hermione?" He whined and she rolled her eyes huffing.

"Fine." She said putting her nose up.

"You can tell me when you're ready." She continued and then gave Harry a hug.

"I'm sorry, I won't pry." She then smiled at him and he smiled gratefully back at her.

"Not that I'm trying to change the subject, but have you seen the looks Ron has been giving me since we've been back?" Harry whispered as he caught Ron looking away from him again.

She didn't answer and he immediately knew that something had been said about the two of them and he was suspicious.

"Tell me." He said and she shrugged her shoulders.

"Honestly, Harry. I think he really misses you." She said and he could see she was being honest with what she was saying.

"Oh." Was all Harry could say before he looked down at his lap.

"Ginny said she'd spoken to him about it… well I told her you were gay and I think she might have said something to him."

"And that's it?"

"What do you mean?"

"There was no fuss or anything? He just accepted it?" He said not believing what she was saying.

"Well… yeah." She said shrugging again and he raised both eyebrows in surprise.

This was followed by a yawn and Harry told her he was going to go to bed. He bid her good night looking slightly miffed and ignoring the look given by Ron went up the stairs to get ready for bed. He was alone in the dorm and he stripped down before slipping between the covers and gripped the pendant around his neck. He was still wearing the bangle and now that he was alone he felt no issues in gripping it tightly and sending Severus a message.

Goodnight, Severus.

He waited a few minutes before he felt the tingling and he moved his wrist so he could read the message.

Goodnight, Harry.

Harry smiled, it really was going to be a rough couple of days.

Rough was indeed how Harry described it as he walked towards the potions classroom on Tuesday afternoon with Hermione. He saw the other students lining up outside the class and smiled at Blaise as he came to stand at the back of the line. Blaise came up to him and looked at him awkwardly before saying hello. Harry replied and was about to say something when Malfoy came up behind Blaise and put a hand on his shoulder before pulling him back towards the Slytherin's. Harry looked at Malfoy distastefully and wondered what had Malfoy's wand in such a knot… Is Malfoy trying to claim Blaise? He thought suddenly and he eyed them both suspiciously.

The whole concept was bizarre and he tried not to think about it and was gladly interrupted with the familiar slamming of the Potion classroom's door and the booming voice of Severus, Snape – Professor Snape, who told them all to go in. Harry passed him with a quick glance but the man didn't acknowledge him and he felt a little put out but then again the man had said this to him over the holidays so he should have realized this was coming. He found a seat right up the front and Hermione came to sit next to him, Blaise and the rest of the Slytherin's took the other table at the front with the rest of the Gryffindor's taking the back tables. They sat quietly, no one daring to make a sound as Snape walked to the front of the room, his arms crossed against his chest and a face like thunder.

"How wonderful it is to see all your excited faces for this terms first lesson." Snape said sarcastically and Harry looked at him with interest.

"Homework is to be placed on my desk as you collect you ingredients," there was a squeak of indignation at this and Harry turned around to see Ron rather red faced, "you should all be aware of what you are brewing today so get to it." Snape finished and Harry went to pull out his homework.

He had been glad that he talked to Severus over the holidays about what he was stuck on because now he was sure he aced the assigned work although he knew he shouldn't hold his breath. There was probably something he forgot. Nether the less he placed the paper with the others on Snape's desk as he walked past and made eye contact with the man before walking towards the cupboards.

"… not a valid excuse Weasley! You will report to me for detention tonight. Twenty points from Gryffindor." Harry heard Snape yelling from the classroom and when he came out of the storeroom he looked over to where the other Gryffindor's were sitting to see an angry Ron and an even angrier Severus.

This image didn't exactly make him feel the joy it had the term before when Ron was in trouble and he wondered if that was because Ron seemed different coming back. He was suddenly drawn from his thoughts when he heard his name in the same low voice that he'd heard telling off Ron and found himself face to face with Snape.

"Stop gawking and get to it, Potter."

"Uh, yes sir." Harry said very quietly and hurried to his chair.

Hermione looked at him sideways as he joined her but he shrugged it off and got to work prepping his ingredients.

Over the course of the lesson, Harry was finding it harder and harder to concentrate. He hadn't realized that it would be this difficult trying to act like he didn't know Severus, Snape goddamn it! He growled in frustration and threw his shaved unicorn hooves into his cauldron and Hermione grabbed his hand.

"Are you trying to blow it up?" She hissed and Harry scowled at her before softening his face and apologizing.

"Honestly, you've been so out of it ever since you got back, I wish you'd tell me why." She commented before turning back to her cauldron and Harry felt his wrist tingling.

Looking down he saw the green letters appearing.

Turn your cauldron down and stir twice anticlockwise.

Harry frowned but as he glanced into his cauldron and could see it bubbling furiously and he turned it down immediately before taking his stirring rod and following the man's instructions. He peered over the rim of the cauldron and saw his potion was ruined so he rolled his eyes, not the best start, he thought. He sighed and followed the rest of the instructions but his mind wasn't really in it and he could tell that Severus had noticed as well if the sideways looks were anything to go by.

"Right, time is up. Bottle your potions and place them up here." Snape said sounding rather bored from his seat behind his desk.

Once everything was packed up and everyone were back at their seats, Snape stood from his desk and came round the front crossing his arms over his chest to look threateningly across the class.

"From what I have read on your assigned Christmas work so far, I can safely say I am disappointed in the lack of diligence most of you have taken. You will receive these back next class and I strongly suggest you read the assigned chapters for the next couple of lessons."

The class groaned collectively apart from Harry and Hermione who were sitting down writing down the homework.

"Class dismissed." Snape barked and the two of them scuttled out of the class but not after bumping into the Slytherin Prince himself and Malfoy scoffed at them.

"Honestly, Potter. Keep your hands to yourself will you." He mocked as they walked away but Harry ignored him in favor of trying to catch up to Blaise.

"Hey!" Harry said walking quickly up to him, Hermione hot on his tail.

"Oh hello, Harry." He smiled and glancing forward.

"You okay?" Harry asked.

"Of course." He replied trying to play it cool but Harry frowned. Something isn't right, he thought.

"Okay. Do you want to study in the library or catch up about the holidays?" Harry asked hopefully but Blaise said he had something else to do and then walked off.

"That was so weird." Hermione whispered as Blaise walked away.

"Tell me about it. What's his deal?" Harry said, the question really directed at himself.

"Makes two of you." Hermione said and Harry rolled his eyes.

"Just leave it okay. I don't want to talk about it." Harry sighed.

"You've said that and I'm not going to pry but I'm worried about you."

"You're always worried about me." Harry pointed out and this time Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Yes, well. At least I care." She huffed and dragged him off to the library.

A couple of hours later and the pair packed away their things and headed towards the tower before dinner. Harry had been glad for the distraction, if homework could be called a distraction because otherwise he would have been thinking about Severus… like he was right now because he wasn't doing anything.

As he sat on the couch he realized how he really missed laying in front of the warm fire or on Severus's lap and he looked about for Hermione but couldn't see her in the crowd of people so he stood and walked out of the portrait before changing into Jade heading down the corridor.

Severus was busy in his office still completing the marking from assigned holiday work when he stopped and looked down at the little bit of silver showing from under his robe cuff. He was tempted to see if Harry was all right as he seemed to be a little distracted in class before although he could tell why he wasn't able to concentrate because he was feeling the same right now.

He looked up when he saw something move from the corner of his eye and before he could do anything else something touched his leg and jumped onto his lap. Jade's head popped up from under the desk and he wormed his way up so he was snuggling against Severus's chest.

"I was just thinking about you." Severus said quietly before making the door shut all the way and locking it.

Jade meowed at Severus and looked up at the man, butting his head against his chest trying to provoke Severus into touching him. He got the message and a hand patted his head and made its way down his back. The sensation was amazing and Jade purred in content before crouching back down so he was hidden under the table, his front paws crossing over.

"As much as I would like you're company, Harry you know you shouldn't be here." Severus said keeping a hand on Jade's back whilst the other picked his quill up to continue marking.

Severus got a surprise when he felt his wrist tingling and he frowned looking down at the exposed silver bangle.

Hmph, I miss you too.

"Was that supposed to be sarcastic?" Severus said pushing his chair back so he could see the ball of grey fur properly.

What's he on about I didn't say anything.

Severus read the message when he felt the tingle and he arched an eyebrow then looked down at Jade. He looked at the position of the paws that were crossed over and he smirked, he was contemplating telling Harry about this but he didn't want to spoil the fun. Then again if something happened to him and he was in Jade form he should know that he could still communicate. So testing this theory, Severus touched his own bangle and sent a thought.

I can still get your thoughts in your Animagus form.

The cat cocked it's head and then jumped off Severus's lap before Harry appeared and looked down at his wrist.

"How does that work?" Harry asked puzzled and went round the table to sit on Severus's lap but was stopped.

"You had your paws crossed over, apparently when you do this I can still read your thoughts." He replied arching his eyebrow again in reference to the smart comment Harry had sent him.

"Now, I'm sorry Harry but you're going to have to leave. It's almost dinner anyway."

Harry sighed dejectedly.

"Okay." He said and walked off, even though it pained him because he really wanted a hug right now.

"Can I see you after dinner?" He asked hopefully but the man shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Harry. Give it till the weekend, then I'll think about it."

Harry's lower lip wobbled a little but he took a deep breath to hold back the tears and then walked out of the room after hearing the door unlock and walked towards the Tower, he didn't feel like dinner anymore.