.

Waking mid afternoon, Harry bolted upright and ripped his hand out of the grasp of whoever was holding it. His heart was beating furiously and now that the cool air hit his body he could tell he had been sweating.

"Relax, you're all right."

It was Severus's voice that was speaking and Harry let himself be pushed gently back down onto the bed. He turned his head and saw the man sitting there frowning slightly and he took Harry's hand back.

"Bad dream?" He prompted and Harry shook his head.

"No. Memories." He said slowly as he got his breathing back under control and Severus nodded in understanding.

"Hang on shouldn't you be in class?" Harry asked suddenly and the man smiled before telling him he had a free class that afternoon as there was a school assembly.

"So everyone knows what happened?" Harry said sadly and Severus nodded.

"They do. Do not worry, Harry. You won't be made a target, I promise."

Harry smiled at the words and nodded then found lips on the back of his hand. The light caught his bangle and he remembered what Hermione had said the day before. He supposed he should tell the man about what happened and he did although he had to clarify some parts as to calm Severus before he went on a rampage.

"Why don't you just tell them, about the Summer and so on? Obviously you would leave the critical parts out." Severus asked with a raised eyebrow and Harry shook his head.

"I shouldn't have to, Severus. Why should I have to explain myself to them, people who have a loving family, siblings to look after them and a home to go to? I have none of that… nothing at all." Harry was about to start crying, the weight of the last couple of days finally breaking him but he found hands on his shoulders holding him to the bed and warm lips encasing his own.

Sadly, however this didn't last very long and when Harry felt him move away he could see the softness and understanding in his eyes and he gave into the look, melting under it and he smiled.

"I understand. Message me if they are being persistent and I will come to you." Severus offered and Harry nodded.

"Right, Mr. Potter you… Oh, good afternoon, Severus. You do seem to have a habit of popping up every now and then." Madame Pomfrey said as she walked into the Infirmary.

"I shall take my leave then." Severus said nodding to her and with one last look at Harry he left the room and headed towards the Great Hall to catch the last of the assembly.

Harry listened whilst the Medi-witch gave him a run down of his injuries and said that they could look at discharging him the following evening but only if he was feeling better. After Harry nodded in understanding she left him to it and Harry lay there staring at the ceiling feeling numb and bored.

By the end of the day he was quite literally counting the stones on the floor he was so bored until he had Hermione come to visit him, which was fine but he thought it odd that Ron wasn't there.

"Harry." She said stiffly and he swallowed not liking the tone she used.

"Hermione." He snipped back and she sighed.

"We heard about what happened." She said awkwardly and Harry looked at her weirdly.

"You came here to tell me that?" He said almost disbelievingly.

"Well considering that Professor Snape wasn't there and it was his house that attacked you, yes I did."

"He was here with me." Harry said automatically and he knew he shouldn't have said that because she looked livid for a second and her eyebrows shot up.

"So you are seeing him then? Does he not realize that he has a duty to his students to keep them safe?" She spat and Harry got a smug look on his face; he had been thinking about this all afternoon and he felt prepared to give her an answer although he was pretty certain Severus wouldn't approve.

"Like you said, Hermione he has a duty to keep his students safe. He did that the other night and the Headmaster has told him to check on me." His tone was very matter of factly and he knew that mentioning the Headmaster was not what she wanted to hear.

"Why him? Why couldn't Professor McGonagall come and check on you? She is, after all our Head of House."

"Because, Miss. Granger, it has fallen upon myself to support Mr. Potter here. Do you wish to dispute the Headmaster's decision?"

Harry was surprised to see the man walking into the Infirmary because he hadn't sent him a message and he thought he would be back the following day.

Hermione visibly shrunk when she saw Severus walking towards them and she shook her head before turning to face Harry so she could block the man out. Harry tried not to look triumphant at this even though a part of him wanted to tell her what had happened over the summer. He knew she wouldn't understand though, no one other than Severus would understand and that was probably where part of the problem lay, Severus knew too well how he was feeling.

"It is nearly dinner, Miss. Granger. I would suggest you go and join your annoying Gryffindor classmates." Severus sniffed and she stood before turning to Harry once more and giving him a tight smile.

"Thanks." Harry said once she was out of the room.

"I was on my way to dinner and thought I would stop by. Well, also the fact that you sent me a warning." He said tapping his wrist and Harry frowned.

"Is it still sore?" Harry said as he noted the red mark was still there but not as angry.

"Not any more." Severus soothed and smiled.

"I want to leave this place, Severus. I'm fine now really." Harry whined and then pouted as he took hold of the man's hand in both of his and Severus chuckled.

"I doubt Madame Pomfrey will allow this. You know how she is." Severus said as he smoothed down Harry's hair with his free hand.

"Well can I at least come and see you tomorrow night when she lets me leave?"

Severus saw a look of hope shining brightly across his Gryffindor's face and he wanted to say yes but he also wanted to be careful. Sure Dumbledore had said to look out for him and make sure that he was fine but he didn't know if he should be indulging Harry quite so quickly.

"Maybe. We'll see what happens tomorrow," Severus promised and Harry smiled at this, "But for now, you need to get as much rest as possible."

Severus then cocked his head to the side to regard Harry as he leaned up with pouted lips and he rolled his eyes before leaning down to gave Harry a very quick peck before standing upright and muttering brat.

Finally, after what seemed forever even though it was the next evening, Harry was being helped out of the Infirmary bed by Ron as Madame Pomfrey gave him the usual warnings such as 'if you have headaches come back'. Harry tried not to roll his eyes at this and he could feel Ron smirking before she left and it was just the two of them, Hermione was still sulking so hadn't joined them.

Harry was finding it difficult to stand and found that he didn't have that much strength to pull himself up with so Ron had to grip onto his arm to haul him up. He took his time and before long he was dressed in his school robes and carefully making his way to the Great Hall for dinner.

"I still don't know what's got up her nose, mate. I mean she mutters things in class about Snape and then when anyone brings up how you are doing she goes all funny. Have I missed something?" Ron asked seemingly baffled by their friends' behaviour.

"I know what she's thinking and I know that if I told you why Snape has been hanging around me you wouldn't understand. Can you trust me on this one? She has her wires completely crossed." Harry's voice was soft and quiet because he didn't want anyone over hearing.

Ron looked sideways in concern for his friend and being naturally stubborn he demanded to know what Harry was keeping from them because they were 'best friends'. Sighing, Harry said that he would have to think about it and told him that it wasn't anything too important, which obviously Ron didn't understand and was starting to get annoyed with him.

Great, you too, Harry thought sadly as they entered the hall and immediately he noted that the volume dipped a little at his presence. Harry had a mind to ask Ron why this had happened but he saw Blaise stand and make his way over to them and they stopped in the middle of the isle between Slytherin and Gryffindor making the volume drop even further as the students watched the interaction between Harry and Blaise.

"It's so good to see you up and about." Blaise said and as Ron stepped back Blaise came closer and gave Harry a quick hug.

"Thanks. I hear Malfoy and his duo got suspended." Harry replied but Blaise shook his head making Harry's heart sink.

"But I thought – "

"They got expelled, Harry. They won't be bothering anyone again." Blaise interrupted and Harry stood there speechless.

"Expelled." He whispered to himself and frowned as he looked over at the Slytherin's who were eying them carefully.

"Come and sit, you look like you need to have a rest."

Blaise then took Harry's arm and gently led him to the Slytherin table where he sat next to Pansy Parkinson and he nervously swallowed. Sure it was fine when it was breakfast and the tables weren't packed with students but now because he was feeling quite weak and had a foggy head he felt intimidated at the Slytherin table.

"Uh…" Harry started and he felt a hand on his back.

It was Pansy.

"I can't believe what they did, Potter. I'm sorry." She said whispering into his ear.

Once she pulled back Harry looked down at his lap and shifted ever so slightly closer to Blaise to find some kind of comfort. It was then that he took stock of the noise level around him and everyone was back chatting away as normal. Crisis adverted, he thought and let a breath out he didn't realize he'd ben holding.

"You need to eat something." Blaise said leaning closer and Harry nodded but he didn't feel comfortable doing it in front of the Slytherins.

For the most part, Harry could see that he was being ignored by the students around him so after a few minutes he started to grab some food to eat, but he was still hungry by the time dinner was over and he knew exactly how to get some. So grabbing his wrist he sent Severus a message.

Can I eat dinner in your room tonight?

He waited a couple of seconds and then felt the tingling on his wrist.

I will arrange something.

Harry was over the moon and he tried to hide a smile as he waited for Blaise to finish up.

When he had, he helped Harry stand and they made their way to the end of the hall when Blaise stopped.

"Do you want me to help you up to the Tower? I don't exactly see Hermione or Ron helping you." The Slytherin said as he looked behind them to see his two friends still seated.

"Uh, I'm actually going to head down to the Dungeons with you." He replied but ignored the confused look on Blaise's face and went to follow the Slytherins.

They were halfway between the Great Hall and the Dungeons when Blaise spoke and asked Harry what had happened between his friends that had made them go all weird. Sighing, Harry replied that there was something that he was keeping from them but wasn't ready to speak of. Surprisingly, Blaise said he understood and Harry narrowed his eyes thinking that maybe the Slytherin might understand his situation. He sure did understand everything else that Harry was going through much like Severus. Maybe it's a Slytherin thing? He wondered before they came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs.

"Thanks for helping me. I'll be all right now." Harry smiled before he turned and walked towards Severus's quarters.

He had just passed the man's office when he checked behind him and changed into his Animagus form, from which he could feel took a lot of his energy, before he padded the rest of the way down the corridor so he could sit outside Severus's quarters.

He didn't have to wait too long before he heard the even strides of the man stalking down the corridor and he let a quiet but happy meow escape his tiny lips. He could see the faint hint of a smile before the portrait was opened and they both walked in with Harry going straight over to the roaring fire and Severus coming to sit on the couch.

Sniffing the air as he curled up in front of the fire, Harry could smell the dinner that they had been presented with up in the hall and he licked his lips before changing back and crawling over to the couch because he couldn't find the energy to stand up. He heard Severus chuckle at this but at this stage he didn't care because he was hungry.

"It certainly looked odd having you sit with my Slytherins." Severus commented and Harry turned his head to look at the man between mouthfuls.

"I didn't really want to be there, but I didn't want to sit with Hermione and Ron. They aren't talking to me currently I don't think." Harry replied sadly and then put his fork down, pushing the plate away as his appetite disappeared.

"And pray tell, why have Miss. Granger and Mr. Weasley got a bee in their bonnets?" Severus said almost amused but that disappeared when Harry looked at him worriedly.

"Hermione thinks we're seeing each other and Ron doesn't like the fact there is something I'm not telling him."

"Is that why, Miss. Granger was voicing her concern when I interrupted yesterday?" Severus asked and Harry nodded.

"Tell them you stayed in the castle over the break." He continued and Harry looked down into his lap.

"I shouldn't have to. They wouldn't understand."

"The best thing you can do at this stage is just to tell them, Harry. Give them that little piece of information to keep them happy then we can figure out what to do from there." Severus explained and then found himself with an armful of Harry.

"I guess so." Harry mumbled into Severus's robes before sighing and working his way further into the man's embrace.

They stayed like this for a while and Severus felt the warm body in his arms going limp and he sighed. He knew Harry should be going back to the Tower for the night and was in two minds about whether he should wake the teen to send him off but the peaceful look on his face swayed his decision and picking him up carefully he took him through to the bedroom and laid him on the bed. This action did rouse Harry a little and he mumbled something incoherently before going still again.

Taking the chance, Severus quickly undressed Harry before undressing himself and slipped them both underneath the covers. He resisted the urge to take his Gryffindor in his arms and kept a little distance between them so that Harry got a decent sleep for his first day back in classes.

When Severus woke in the morning, it was to a weight pressing down on him and he gasped as he felt something press against his lips. There was a quiet giggle and then he realized what was happening and his hands traveled straight to the perky backside that was straddling him.

"Mmm, good morning." Severus managed to get out before lips were on his again and kissing him with an urgent passion.

Against his better judgment for the morning, Severus reciprocated and pulled Harry close to him so their hard morning erections brushed against each other making the two of them moan gently.

Harry had missed this over the past few days and having woken up before the man who was spooning him, he decided to get what he wanted. He knew that Severus wasn't going to push him because he was technically still recovering from the attack in the weekend and given a chance right now Harry was expecting to be pushed off but he wasn't and he was going to take advantage of that.

Harry pushed his groin, of his own accord this time, into Severus's and started to kiss his way down the man's jaw and neck. As he did this, he felt the hands on his backside move up and under the waistband of his boxers so he was fondling the tight flesh of Harry's ass and a finger ran along his crack. Harry felt his arousal increase tenfold and he let a gentle whimper escape at the same time Severus's lips and teeth made contact with the side of his neck.

"Oh, Severus." He whispered softly and this time Severus moaned in pleasure at the use of his name.

Suddenly, Severus flipped them over and straddled Harry's legs before opening his eyes for the first time and connecting with vibrant emerald green ones underneath him and leaned down to languidly kiss the teen.

"I missed this, Severus." Harry whispered after the man pulled away and was rewarded with a lopsided smile.

"As did I." Severus replied and settled himself so he was half laying on the bed with his leg intertwined with Harry's.

"Thanks for letting me stay last night."

"I shouldn't have, but if this is what I get as a good morning," he thrust his hips forward gently so his hard length pushed against Harry's thigh, "Then I don't regret my decision." Severus commented smirking and he heard Harry giggle gently.

"Well what are you waiting for then?" Harry countered.

There was a moments silence where neither of them moved, just looked into each others eyes before Severus growled and moved back over Harry, starting an excruciatingly slow journey of kisses from his lips, down his neck and torso, past his belly button and stopping just shy of his pubic bone. Harry wasn't happy that he had stopped but then he felt his boxers being pulled downwards and a warm hand wrapped itself around his hard cock making him wriggle in anticipation.

"You should be resting." Severus breathed, not stopping and moving back up so he could kiss Harry as his hand worked the swollen erection between the teen's legs.

"A morning session will awaken me." Harry breathed back in response and then bucked his hips into Severus's hand.

"It better, I can't have your concentration lapsing in Potion's today."

Severus then moved back down Harry's body and his head disappeared under the covers. Harry waited in anticipation and wasn't disappointed when Severus's lips kissed the tip of his cock and the man's tongue lapped up the precum making Harry reach out either side of him and fist the sheets as he tried to absorb the pleasure. It had been a while since he had even had a wank so he was feeling a little wound up.

Severus wasn't disappointed when a couple of minutes later, Harry groaned as he rode out his orgasm and moved away before the liquid erupted from the boy's cock. He quickly cleaned him up, but now that he had indulged Harry he had worked himself up further than his morning hard on and seeing his Gryffindor looking utterly scrumptious with his flushed cheeks and lazy smile he couldn't help but wrap a hand around himself under his briefs.

Harry could feel the man moving about on top of him and when his mind caught up with him he realized what Severus was doing and he felt a little bad. He usually reciprocated when they were playing with each other but today he'd just let Severus pleasure him and left it. He tried to move himself so he could take over what Severus was currently doing but the man stopped and moved Harry's hands above his head effectively trapping them.

"Resting." Severus repeated and Harry nodded a little as he watched Severus make quick work of himself and watched in fascination as his face became completely unmasked and softened before it disappeared into the crook of Harry's neck.

There were some feather light kisses planted on the side of Harry's neck and once he heard some muttering from Severus he saw the flushed face come into view and he couldn't help but smile and place a kiss on his lips.

"I think I needed that, thanks." Harry whispered and the man nodded.

"Indeed."

They lay there for a few minutes so they could both recover and then Severus rolled over so he could look at the time. He noted that he was a little later than usual in getting up but he tried to not let it bother him and he went to get out of bed.

"Right, shower then you need to go." The man said standing in just his briefs from the other side of the bed.

"Hmm, do I have to?" Harry moaned coming closer to his Potion's Professor.

"Yes. Now are you going to join me?" Severus teased and saw the teens face change to one of surprise.

"Uh…"

"You don't have to." Severus continued due to the lack of response and leaned down to kiss Harry before he turned to the leave the room.

Harry had a couple of seconds where his brain went void of all thoughts as he was slightly stunned by the man's offer but it didn't take long for his mind to catch up with his body and he leaped from the bed and pushed on the bathroom door just as Severus went to shut it.

"Further." Harry whispered as he looked on shyly at the man reaching into the shower to turn the water on.

Severus came back to stand in front of him smiling softly and put a couple of fingers on the boy's chin to hold his head up so he could look into his eyes.

"Further." Severus whispered quietly and took a step back so he could slide his briefs off before walking into the generously sized shower.

The surrounding glass was starting to fog up due to the hot water and Harry gulped as he spied Severus's naked form through the fogged up glass. He took a deep breath and then followed suit by taking his boxers off and kicking them to the side before walking into the steamy shower and found hands wrapping around his waist.

"Well this is new." Severus muttered to himself and those few words filled Harry with an incredible amount of joy.

He was definitely beginning to trust the idea that Severus really was serious about some kind of relationship with him because he knew that his Professor was usually a hard man. He was starting to find as well that Severus truly did have a sweet side, one that was reserved for him only and this also made him feel special and loved. He still wasn't sure what love was between them but he knew they had time and he didn't want to rush anything, although that was mainly because he was new to all this and the feelings that were associated with it were new and sometimes scary.

Their shower was short and sweet with helping each other wash and there was a little bit of kissing as well before Severus suddenly shut the shower off and Harry was immediately felt a little self conscious. He needn't have felt this though and he caught Severus looking at him appreciatory as the man reached over and grabbed him a towel before wrapping one around his own waist.

Once they were dressed and ready for the day, Harry had worked out that Severus did in fact spell his hair dry and he had to laugh at himself as he realized how stupid that little thing seemed, but it was something that made Severus seem more real and he walked out of the bedroom with a silly smile on his face. It fell shortly after though when he was faced with the reality that he was going to have to deal with his friends and as he waited by the door for Severus he resolved that he was going to tell them what happened over summer.

"You seem awfully quiet." Severus mused as he came to stand in front of him.

"I'm going to tell Hermione and Ron what happened over the summer." Harry replied and Severus got a hard look on his face before giving a curt nod.

"I won't say anything about us… Just that I stayed in the castle. That should be enough of an explanation." Harry reasoned and he found a hand cupping the side of his face as Severus looked on at him fondly.

"I appreciate the discretion, Harry. However, if you feel that you need some back up then the Headmaster and myself will be more than happy to assist."

"Okay. Thanks." Harry smiled and leaned up to give the man a kiss before he disappeared down to the man's feet in his Jade form.