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#Tlcatlady:

I actually forgot to mention what was said, to fill you in he was teasing Harry about not doing anything. Sorry to confuse you.

As for Hermione, you'll see :)

#Thorillian:

Appreciate the feedback, thank you :)

The following weekend was a Hogsmead weekend and Harry was walking down the path towards the town by himself. That was until Ginny and the Patel twins fell into step with him and Ginny engaged him in conversation about Quidditch. It was refreshing talking about something so carefree with her and it made him smile. He felt that over the week he had done a lot of dodging with the rest of Gryffindor and it was taking its toll on him. Not to mention that Blaise was keeping his distance and only communicating through owl, that whole situation just seemed bizarre to Harry and he was determined to get to the bottom of it.

Coming into the town he let Ginny pull him into the joke store and she went off towards the back effectively leaving Harry to roam around by himself. He went around the corner of a shelf and bumped straight into Hermione who huffed at him and walked past him.

"What's your deal, Hermione? I'm sick of this." Harry said getting frustrated and she whirled round, face looking thunderous.

"Friends tell each other what's going on." She hissed at him.

"Yeah, they do don't they." Harry shot back and she looked offended.

"Then why don't you." She said crossing her arms over her chest.

"Because there is nothing to tell." He replied and she looked at him skeptically.

"Hermione you know I would. We've been friends for how long now? Six years, that's how long and we've always been honest with each other."

"Most of the time." She huffed, clearly not convinced.

Harry was lying through his back teeth, he knew that, but he just wanted them to be friends again. He was starting to feel quite lonely after a week of going to class, studying in the library and going to meals by himself. He had the feeling that even Severus was getting annoyed through the messages that he was sending because he was so bored and wanted to chat with someone.

"Hermione?" He whined and she finally pulled her arms from her chest and huffed before leaning forward and taking him in a tight hug.

"Yeah, I know." She said and he smiled, relief flooding his system as he thought he'd finally beaten the 'know-it-all'.

When she broke the hug she smiled and Harry smiled back, then the talking started. Turned out there was a lot to catch up on over the week and a bit they hadn't been speaking and she voiced her concerns over Blaise, who, in her opinion was certainly acting weird and acting worried.

The two were soon joined by Ron and this effectively stopped Harry from speaking, still not confident in the fact that Ron was okay with him and he turned the other way. Hermione led Harry out by his arm with Ron at her side and things were tense but at least they were in each others company. Harry was still waiting for Ron to say something to him, he wasn't going to apologize for something that wasn't his fault.

He cringed as they walked out of the store and out into the street and slyly lifted his cuff so he could read Severus's message. He didn't manage to get a look however because Hermione 'oohed' all of a sudden and dragged Ron and Harry towards a store. Because Harry had acknowledged the message, even though he hadn't read it the tingling went away and the message was gone. He sighed as he looked at Hermione perusing the shelves and tried to turn away so he could ask Severus what he wanted but to no avail because they were soon joined with Ginny and the girls who took his attention for the rest of the afternoon.

It wasn't until they got back to the castle and Harry managed to escape to the bathroom that he was able to message Severus and this was several hours after he'd sent the message.

Hermione is keeping an annoyingly close watch. Missed your message, what did you say?

Harry waited for at least five minutes and was starting to lose hope in the man replying when he felt his wrist tingle and his heart sped up.

I waited for as long as I could. Chance missed.

Harry's heart that had skipped a moment ago was now in his throat and he couldn't work out if the man was angry with him or not.

What do you mean? I'm coming now.

Harry fixed himself up and then shot out of the dorm and the common room ignoring the calls from Hermione and Ginny behind him. He had managed to make it to the ground floor and was heading towards the dungeons when he ran past Malfoy and his gang who threw a hex at him and he tripped, smashing his face into the concrete. Their cackling was loud but was cut short when he heard the familiar drawl coming from up ahead and he found his hoodie choking him as he was hauled to his feet.

"Mr. Potter may I suggest walking in future to avoid such disfigurement of your face. Go and see Madame Pomfrey." Severus said in a bored tone before walking off.

"But…" Harry stopped himself when Severus threw him a warning glance and turned away, towards the Great Hall.

Harry felt his nose and he could feel that it was broken, so he went to the nearest bathroom to clean himself up before he headed to the Infirmary seeing as Severus wasn't going to help him. He looked at his reflection and felt tears pricking in his eyes but confused as to where they were coming from. He was getting frustrated with everything and everyone over the course of the week and he knew it was because he hadn't seen Severus. He frowned into the mirror, perhaps that's why he is cold towards me… He's annoyed too, Harry thought and wiped the rest of the blood from his face.

Are you mad?

Harry sent to the man, he knew he wouldn't be able to properly communicate when he was in the hall with his friends so he stayed in the bathroom a little while longer.

Frustrated.

Harry had been right and he suddenly felt a little better about the situation. He took a calming breath and then sent a message back.

I'll come down after dinner.

Harry sent and when he received a reply his heart sank again.

I doubt Granger will let you out of her sight. She is looking for you.

Harry sighed, he knew he should go to the Hospital Wing, but he didn't want Hermione to think something was up again, then again if he went to the Infirmary then he wouldn't get dinner… I could see if Severus could give me some. He thought for a second before running a hand through his hair and deciding on just going to the hall, who knows? Hermione might even fix my nose for me.

When he arrived, Hermione found him and waved him over, he reluctantly sat down in front of her and she started waffling on about how worried she was about him and fussing over his crooked nose, he was glad he washed the blood off although some was making it's way down his nose, he was sure.

"I had a run in with Malfoy." He said pointing to his red and swollen nose.

"Oh, Harry." She said worriedly and pulled out her wand.

Harry didn't have any time to argue or ask what she was going to do when he felt a wave of coolness spread across his nose and face. He realized then that she must have worked a healing spell on his face and he thanked her.

"That's better." She said.

Harry heard a growl coming from beside him and when he looked over at Ron the red head looked furious as he stared at the Slytheirn's.

"Slick git." He muttered and Hermione scolded him.

"Violence will get you no where." She chided and he turned back to his meal.

Strange, thought Harry and turned to his on meal.

Once dinner was over, Harry stood with the intention of going down to see Severus, but the Potion's master had been right and Hermione wasn't going to let him go that easily.

"I need to go for a walk." He said and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Why? Going to meet someone?" She snapped and he looked at her with wide eyes.

"No, to clear my head. But I guess laying in front of the fire would do as well." He slipped out before he realized Ron was behind him and he walked off towards the tower with a calmed Hermione.

Once in the common room, Harry went up to the dorm and found a book. He knew he was going to be there a while and he needed to message Severus at the same time.

You were right. After curfew?

He asked and he waited a few seconds for a reply.

You'll have to make sure you are back before everyone wakes up tomorrow.

Harry could live with this and it meant that Severus was going to let him stay the night. He hoped that Severus would even let them sleep in the same room… his room to be precise, he didn't want to stay in the room that had been made for him when staying over the summer. Now that he thought about it, he found it odd as to why it was still there if Harry wasn't intending on living with the man.

I can do that. Does that mean I'm staying the night?

He decided that he should double check.

It does.

Harry grinned. Result.

He walked back down to the common room and found Hermione having an in depth conversation with Ginny and the boy's so he sat himself down in a corner with a book keeping up the pretense that he was studying. It worked and Hermione left him alone, that was until he made a moved to the dorm and before she could say anything he said he was going to bed. It wasn't particularly late, nor was it early so he thought he would be safe. However once he was there he went straight to his trunk and pulled out his invisibility cloak, he knew Hermione would recognize him straight away if he tried to sneak past in his Animagus so he thought this method would be best for leaving the tower.

He grabbed his backpack and shoved some fresh clothes in it before shutting the curtains around his bed, he hadn't really done this much but he thought that it would fool Ron into thinking that he was actually there when he wasn't. He smiled sadly at the situation before throwing the cloak over him and his bag, heading towards the door and the common room.

Severus was in his lab, he had to keep himself distracted. He was annoyed at Harry for making him wait, but he could understand why he hadn't answered. The 'ever-perceptive' Miss. Granger had been at the back of his mind ever since the school year started and he knew that Harry was going to have to be careful around her. He was interested to see how he managed to escape her this time round and he decided that they would need to talk about how they were going to handle this.

He was drawn from his thoughts when there was a knock at his door and he frowned before going over to it and pushing it open. He found nothing there and he narrowed his eyes looking to the floor but also seeing nothing there, but then he felt something brush his arm and he knew it was Harry.

"Sorry, she would have seen me in Jade." He said and Severus nodded.

"We're going to have to be careful." Severus said as the door closed.

"I know." Harry sighed but then threw his bag and cloak on the floor behind the couch and started attacking Severus with kisses and fondling.

He needed something, he needed release and he needed to now. Judging by Severus, the man needed it too. Talking could wait till later, but unfortunately Severus wanted to talk now and broke apart hesitantly taking Harry's face in his hands to hold him in place.

"Later, for now we need to talk." Severus said seriously and Harry sighed before walking round the side of the couch and flopping ungracefully on the couch.

"This is serious, Harry. You do realize this, yes?" He said again as he noted Harry's attitude and sat gracefully next to the Gryffindor.

"I know, Severus. I just…" Harry had to think, what did he want? To be held closely each night? To just be in the man's company? He knew that's what he had liked back in the beginning but that was when Hermione wasn't being overly observant of his behaviour.

"Tell me about Miss. Granger. What is she saying?"

Harry looked over to Severus cautiously but he knew he had to tell the man, honesty, he reminded himself. That's what Severus wanted, it's what he always wanted.

"She's noticed the bracelet, but she still has no idea who has the other one… although I've tried telling her that I got it from a Muggle over Christmas."

"Clearly not a solid excuse." Severus mused aloud and Harry huffed.

"Duh, I realize that now… I mean, there is someone who could lie for me…" Harry said very, very quietly as he thought of Blaise and he knew that it would be a viable one.

Although he knew that Severus wouldn't be too keen on getting Blaise involved even if he didn't know about him and Severus and there was also the fact that he would have to admit lying to Hermione. He frowned at this, he'd rather be devoured and ripped to shreds by Fluffy than admit that to her.

"No. No one else is getting involved, Harry. We will just have to keep the messages to a minimum and only for emergencies." Severus reasoned with him and Harry turned to look at him with a sad look, but nodded anyway.

"Okay. So what about meeting like this? Is the weekend the only time?"

"Weekend for now, until I am happy that no one suspects. Harry, I'm sorry for all this, truly I am," he paused, "I should never have got you involved with this." He finished with a sigh.

"But you did, and I wouldn't change that." Harry replied confidently and moved so he was sitting close to Severus, pressing himself into the man's side.

He felt an arm wrap around his shoulders and Severus kissing the top of his head and he leaned into the touch, it was special moments like this that made him feel infinitely better about everything. Passionate and rough situations were always good when he needed that primal and urgent feeling, but at the end of the day, something as low key as this was nice.

"Come." Severus said standing and Harry held out his hand so he could be helped up.

Severus grabbed his bag and cloak by the couch, taking it with them and led Harry into his bedroom. Harry paused mid-step only to be pulled further into the room, he had never been in Severus's bedroom before, neither at the house nor here and he looked around with wide eyes even though his had been what he wanted a few hours ago. This meant that he would not only be staying the night, but the usually stiff and awkward man in these situations was offering his bed, to be shared… This made Harry feel all squishy inside but then a slight feeling of dread and anxiousness crept into his heart, his throat and even his vital organs as he thought about the man stepping up their relationship. It made him think that perhaps Severus was wanting to have sex with him, or even soon. He had felt safe when he asked Severus to stay when he was at his house because they were in his room there, so he hadn't thought that with the man offering his own room this time round that he would feel so nervous about it.

Severus picked up on this when he turned round to see Harry looking around with hesitance and he stepped forward to hug Harry, trying to sooth him.

"What's with the change in aura, Harry?" He asked softly and Harry buried his face into the heavy black robes.

"No-Nothing." He stuttered and he felt Severus shake his head.

"Liar." He tried light heartedly and pulled Harry back so he could look at him, cocking an eyebrow in the process.

"W-Why your room?" He asked before blushing furiously as he realized how stupid the question was.

"You want to stay in the other one?"

"I… No, I just… Never, we – I mean I, haven't been in here before." Harry stuttered stupidly and he continued to blush.

"I know." Severus said with a small smirk.

"Okay." Harry replied softly and went to move away but found Severus gripping onto his arms tightly.

"Tell me what you are thinking. Please?"

Harry looked up at him because of the soft tone he used and because the man had said please, this tone was one he was most familiar with as it reminded him of when he first started living with his Potion's Master over the summer and Christmas break. Feeling a little stupid, he replied to the man holding him.

"Does this mean… further?" Harry tried to articulate and blushed again.

"Nothing will happen you don't want. No sex, if this is what you're meaning." Severus said looking at Harry meaningfully and Harry smiled a little and nodded.

"Okay." He was completely embarrassed about the situation now.

"Good, now are we getting into bed?" Severus said light heartedly and Harry relaxed a little before carefully going to sit on the edge of the bed, Severus coming over to him and pushing him lightly to get on top.

Harry was woken early the next morning with Severus shaking him. He grumbled and went to roll away but found arms tightly holding him in place before a seductive whisper was heard in one ear sending a shiver down his spine.

"Mmno, don't want to." Harry said, his voice muffled by Severus's bare chest.

Severus chuckled at Harry's actions even though he was being completely serious about Harry needing to leave, not that he wanted him to leave though. It was a Sunday and he had nothing planned, only sitting by the fire and most likely sipping Firewhiskey and definitely reading something.

"Come on, this was the deal." Severus said squeezing Harry gently before letting the teen go and rolling over to set his feet on the floor.

It was his usual time to get up, which was definitely earlier than anyone else in the school, save the Headmaster, so he knew Harry should get going to arrive back in his tower before his friends woke up and noticed his lack of presence.

"Fine." He grumbled and went to roll over so he could get out of bed as well.

He looked over at Severus sleepily, taking note of the fact he was only wearing black pajama pants due to Harry's obsession with Severus's chest, this thought made him smile. It faded quickly however when he looked at Severus's face from across the bed and the man was smirking before his eyes shot downwards and Harry looked down to see what the issue was. He blushed and frowned before stalking around the bed towards the door.

"I'm a teenager, what do you expect?" He huffed petulantly, but not taking the man's gaze as offensive.

However to get the man back he shot out of the room and ducked into the bathroom so Severus had to wait. He wasn't sure how the man was going to take to this, his routine being ruined but he was willing to take the risk; he wasn't going to be seeing the man again anyway today so he knew he could dodge a bullet.

Severus stood in the bedroom and when he heard the shower running he sighed, he both adored and loathed Harry sometimes with his antics, this being one of these times that irritated him because he was very set in his ways. Although if he reasoned with the situation, Harry needed to leave… Again, he didn't want him to but that's how it had to be.

He was tempted to go into the bathroom and tease Harry a little, but he didn't think Harry would be too keen on that idea seeing as he had gone funny over the prospect of staying in Severus's bedroom. The whole idea behind that had been purely innocent and Harry's reaction had intrigued him more than anything because it hinted at the fact that Harry had obviously considered the idea of having sex. Confusing teen, he thought as he shook his head but even as he thought it, he realized that Harry must have been thinking ahead in their relationship if he was hinting at going further, well he had thought that they were going to go further with being in the one place he'd never been before, Severus's bedroom.

"All yours." Harry remarked casually as he sauntered into the bedroom seeing Severus still standing in the same spot as last time.

His words brought Severus out of his thoughts and he narrowed his eyes at Harry.

"How nice to be given permission for the use of my own bathroom." He said sarcastically and Harry rolled his eyes at the man's tone.

He knew Severus wasn't being serious and the early morning banter did make him feel a little better but he still felt put out about leaving.

Harry got himself dressed and then packed his bag before walking into the lounge and sinking down onto the couch whilst he waited for Severus to finish showering. He idly wondered what he would get up to today, he doubted he'd be coming back here at any stage during the day so he could really get up to anything he wanted. Anything, he thought and then remembered back to the night before at dinner with Ron muttering about the Slytherin's. He wondered if today was going to be the day for an apology but he knew that it wouldn't coming from himself, he hadn't done anything wrong as far as he was concerned.

He heard the shower turn off and when the door opened he turned so he could look at Severus, he had noted the man hadn't taken any clothing with him so his hopes were high that he'd get to see Severus one last time half naked before he left. He wasn't disappointed and he smirked at the man as he walked out.

"I do hope you're enjoying the show." He said off handedly and Harry's smirk widened.

"Hmm, it's okay." Harry said in a bored and teasing tone as he sat smugly.

Severus glared at him half heartedly before shutting himself in his room only to emerge minutes later looking immaculate as he always did and Harry idly wondered if he spelled himself ready.

Coming out of the room and walking straight over to Harry he grabbed the teen's wrist and pulled him up.

"Right you, time to go." He said but there was a sadness to his voice.

"Jeez, you're persistent this morning." Harry huffed but grabbed his things nonetheless and walked towards the door, Severus stopping him before he wrapped the cloak around himself.

"No goodbye kiss?" Severus asked in a strange voice and it was one that made Harry's heart melt.

Leaning up, he kissed the man who was currently wrapping his arms around his waist and pulling him forward. Weaving a hand behind the man's neck, he pulled them close and intensified the kiss, he felt himself twitch which was odd considering he'd just satisfied his hormones when having a shower, he was rewarded however with a responding twitch from Severus who was right up against him. They broke away and Harry smiled before speaking.

"See ya." He said cheekily and Severus leaned down to nip his lower lip before giving him a quick peck.

"See… ya." He echoed back and Harry looked at him in surprise, determining that that kind of slang didn't suit him one bit but it was nice to see him try it anyway.

They looked at each other for a brief second before Harry pulled the cloak over him and he pushed the door open, disappearing down the corridor. His departure this weekend was a little better than the last making both of them feel slightly happier about the situation. Whilst Severus settled himself in his chair with a book before breakfast, Harry was making his way up the stairs to the boys dorm silently and pushed the door slowly open trying not to make any noise.