.

Of course once Harry met up with his friends again they questioned him to the hilt about being gone the whole day but he had been ready for it and quickly on his way from the Dungeons to the Great Hall had formulated an excuse as to why he had taken so long.

"I would have been finished but I managed to boggle up the one that took the longest. Now he's making me stay after class a couple of times so I can finish." Harry said trying to sound put out and Ron looked at him in sympathy.

"That sucks, mate." He said before turning to the Quidditch gossip a couple of seats down.

Harry looked to Hermione but she had her eyes narrowed and when he prompted her she merely shrugged and busied herself with dinner. Shit, she doesn't buy it, he thought annoyed before turning to his own dinner.

After dinner was over and done with, the trio were making their way to the tower when Hermione pulled him aside and had a look in her eye.

"You sure that's the reason you have to go back?" She asked him and he looked offended.

"Of course, Hermione. Come on give me some credit." He replied and she nodded.

"I'm just making sure, Harry. In all honestly you look buggered." She commented offhandedly as they turned back towards the tower and Harry had to try and not smirk at her terminology used.

Not yet anyway, he thought but most definitely kept it to himself.

As this was happening, Severus was walking with the Headmaster to his office as they had organized a meeting. Severus wanted to see what the old man had planned for Harry so that he could intervene as necessary without trying to make it look too suspicious.

They walked into the man's office and Dumbledore offered him a seat before tea, which out of politeness he accepted and made himself as comfortable as could be in the cold rigid wooden chairs.

"So, what brings you here, Severus? Everything going well with your Slytherin's?" The man queried.

"They are Headmaster, however it was Mr. Potter I came to discuss with you." His voice was level and his face impassive, it wouldn't do to have the Headmaster know what he was up to.

"Ah, yes, our dear Harry. I assume you are going to inquire about his residence over the upcoming break?" It was more of a statement, yet the Potions Master nodded anyway.

"Yes, I have been giving this some thought and considering his friendship with Mr. Weasley again I am swayed to send him there however, I have my reservations. Your thoughts my dear boy?" Dumbledore asked before taking a sip of tea.

Severus couldn't be more over the moon about what Dumbledore had just said, so without getting ahead of himself he took time to think this over and formulate how he was going to word the next words that left his mouth.

"As requested, Headmaster I have kept an eye on Mr. Potter and we have spoken. He, should we say, has his own reservations about being sent there. He doesn't wish to be smothered." Severus knew Molly Weasley well through various encounters and she did have a way of coddling her children making it a high probability that Harry would be put through the same.

"Hmm, yes Molly does have a way with the children," there was a pause as the Headmaster mulled this over before he continued, "I will take your notes into consideration. What were your plans for the break, Severus?"

There we go, Severus thought happily as he let the man walk into a trap he didn't even need to set. Of course he was going to be heading back to his home in the hopes that Harry would be sent there too, therefore giving them the privacy needed to partake in particular physical pursuits. He didn't bat an eyelid however as the Headmaster asked him, he simply replied as monotonous as before.

"My personal residence." Was all he replied with and Dumbledore nodded.

"Very well. Now, in more pressing matters…"

Their conversation about Harry was over and now Severus had to endure another hour of utterly useless conversation around the school operations, different academic topics and the three boys who had been expelled until the old man decided that it was quite enough for the evening and let him go.

His travels back to the Dungeons were swift as he had a lot on his mind, mostly about Harry, and he was in two minds whether to inform the teen about the conversation that had just occurred. He knew the Gryffindor, and any hint that they would be together over the break would be taken with both hands and he knew it wouldn't be good for Harry to dwell on. Therefore, he decided to keep quiet, no doubt the Headmaster would seek Harry out before the end of the next week to discuss what was going to happen. That was how the man worked.

Back in the Gryffindor common room, Harry was having trouble trying to keep his eyes open so he excused himself and went up to the boys dorm where he face planted into the mattress in exhaustion. He knew it wasn't from the potion making but knew it was a plausible excuse, especially to the likes of Ron but judging by the look on Hermione's face, she believed him too.

He smiled giddily at his wrist before sending the man a message.

I'm exhausted.

He didn't have to wait long for a reply and it made him smile stupidly at the bangle.

Imagine what you'll be like once I'm properly done with you.

After a beat he replied.

And when will this be?

The reply this time took a little longer making him frown momentarily but he needn't have worried.

Have just spoken to the Headmaster. I have tried to sway his decision.

Harry liked the sound of this and suddenly hope bloomed in his chest at the prospect of staying with Severus.

When will you know the decision?

There were two weeks until the holidays, he didn't know if he could wait that long to find out.

The Headmaster will no doubt seek you out over the next week or so.

Well that didn't help Harry at all but he smiled at the man's support in trying to get them to be together.

Thanks, Severus.

He smiled as he got rid of his clothes and slipped between the sheets.

You are welcome. Now get some sleep.

Harry chuckled at this.

Good night to you too.

He rolled into his side and looked out the window, his eyes starting to slowly close when he felt the man's reply.

Sweet dreams, Harry.

It was a week and a half later when Harry was summoned to Dumbledore's office, he was almost palpable with tension by this stage and wanted to know for sure what was going to happen over the break. He was now up to date with all his classes after the attack but he knew that he would need to study hard over the break if he thought about passing his exams. He knew that Severus wanted him to do well and he didn't want to disappoint the man, so going into the Headmasters office he kept this in mind as he intended to bargain his way into the Potion Masters home.

"Good afternoon, Harry."

"Afternoon, sir." Harry replied as he took a seat across from the Headmaster. He was suddenly feeling a little nervous and his mouth had gone dry.

"It's good to see you looking well, my dear boy. How are your studies coming along?"

Great, small talk, Harry thought a little disheartened as he just wanted to get this over and done with.

"They are going well, sir. I have caught up with all the work I missed and I'm getting ready for my exams after the break." He replied confidently and watched as the old man across from him nodded looking pleased.

"I am overjoyed to hear this, Harry. Now, I have called you here for a reason other than just to check up on you."

Duh, Harry thought but kept his face void of emotion.

"Instead, I wished to discuss living arrangements for the break," at this he stopped and Harry nodded as if to get the man to keep talking, "I have spoken to Professor Snape during the previous week and he seems to think that you would prefer not to reside with Mr. Weasely?"

Harry was a little taken back when the man had said that, he hadn't realized that Severus had spoken that upfront with the Headmaster and he vaguely wondered if Dumbledore would be suspicious if he were to say the same thing.

"Uh, well, I mean he's my best friend, sir but with exams coming up I'm going to need to focus on that. I just feel like there would be too many distractions there." Harry was proud he was able to keep his voice relatively strong as he said this and it was reassuring to see Dumbledore nodding at this statement.

"Very well." There was another pause where Dumbledore seemed to be thinking things through and Harry wondered what he was going to say.

"I must say, Harry that you seem to be rather taken by Professor Snape," Harry's cheeks started to blush, surely he wouldn't know, "and that you seem to trust him. I feel that perhaps you would benefit from staying with him over the holidays."

Harry didn't really know how to react, he had been so ready to argue his point of staying with Severus but now the man was simply offering it to him and he didn't know whether to act happy about it or not.

"Harry?" Dumbledore asked after a moment of Harry not replying.

"Oh, uh, I wouldn't have uh, any objections. The quiet might be good. For you know… study." Harry could have kicked himself for stumbling around with his words but the Headmaster didn't seem to take much notice and simply nodded.

"Very well. I shall inform him about this now. Are you sure you wouldn't like to spend a little time with the Weasely family these holidays?" The old Wizard asked again.

Harry took a moment to think about this and realized how it looked asking to spend the whole time with Severus, so this is where his bargaining came into play.

"Would it be possible to spend a couple of days with them? At the end of the break I mean, just so I could have a bit of a break from study?" Harry offered and the Headmaster simply beamed at this news.

"Of course dear boy, I will make the arrangements. I apologize for taking up your time, Harry. You may go."

Harry smiled happily at the news and after bidding the man a good afternoon he all but bound from the room, his first mission was to message Severus the good news, then he was going to find Ron and tell him about staying there too.

He walked briskly up the stairs and as he did so, messaged Severus. He hadn't received a reply by the time he made it to the Gryffindor tower but shrugged it off as he found Ron playing chess with Dean. He came and sat next to them and was simply humming with excitement although it wasn't staying with his friend that had him happy, it was Severus.

"You look happy. Some good news?" Ron asked before taking one of Dean's bishops.

"Just spoke with Dumbledore about the holidays." Harry said smiling and Ron turned his head, his eye going wide as well as his smile.

"And?" The red head prompted.

"I'll be staying a couple of nights at the Burrow."

"That's great, Harry but only a couple?" He asked, his good mood not really souring by that part Harry noted so he pushed through with the excuse.

"Dumbledore wants me to stay with… you know, but I argued that I wanted some time to let loose before exams and he said yes." It was odd because Harry felt like he was bargaining with parents about staying at a friends and it gave him a warm feeling in his chest.

"Well a couple of nights are better than nothing. Oh I can't wait, we can play Quidditch and exploding snap and chess and – "

"Of course there will be some studying too," Hermione chipped in coming to sit next to Harry, "I just over heard, Harry, that's awesome news." She finished and Harry nodded.

"It'll be good to get away from here and just do what I want. Even though Professor Snape is growing on me, he's still really strict." Harry whispered back to Hermione and she nodded as they watched the chess game unfold in front of them.

By dinnertime, Harry still hadn't heard from Severus and he felt a little put out but he tried not to let it get to him as the trio made their way to the Great Hall. As they sat at the Gryffindor table, Blaise sidled up next to Harry and they smiled at each other before helping themselves to food.

"You excited for the holidays, Harry?" Blaise asked after a while and Harry nodded before glancing up at Hermione and Ron in front of him, silently praying they wouldn't say anything.

"It will be good to get away from here, that's for sure." Harry said as he shoved potato in his mouth.

"Agreed, say would there be any chance we could catch up these holidays?" Blaise asked and Harry wanted to cringe.

Blaise was such an understanding and nice guy that he felt terrible for lying to him and he hoped that Hermione and Ron would continue to keep their mouths shut as he worked through an excuse.

"Oh, that would be really great but I don't think that will be able to happen, you know with my family and that. But I promise to write this time, like actually write." Harry replied confidently and Blaise nodded before turning towards his dinner.

Harry quickly looked up to see that Ron hadn't heard any of it and Hermione had a sad smile on her face but nothing was said.

After dinner, Harry went for a walk with Blaise and they found a quiet spot up in the higher parts of the castle so they could talk. Harry was glad they could have this time to themselves, he had missed spending time with Blaise over the past month but there was something off about the boy that he couldn't put his finger on. However once they sat and Blaise spoke, it was clear what he wanted.

"I'm sorry for asking before, Harry I just thought that maybe we could go to some of these parties that you've mentioned before."

"That's okay, my relatives are just really strict and everything. They didn't actually know I was going out." Harry lied and hoped that he hadn't just contradicted himself.

"Oh, so what about your boyfriend. Do they know about him?"

Oh no, he's getting weird on me, Harry thought as he eyed the Slytherin beside him.

"Uh, no they don't."

"Which is why I can't stay?" Blaise kept probing.

"Yeah, something like that. Are you okay, Blaise?" Harry asked suddenly concerned for his friend.

Now was not the best time for him to suddenly get the romantic feelings again, he thought that they had been through this. Harry didn't think Blaise was bad looking, he actually presented himself rather well, it was just the fact that Harry was technically with Severus and he couldn't cheat on the man. He just wouldn't do it.

"I guess I'm just jealous of this guy that you're seeing. He doesn't have to be tempted with you for most of the year, yet I sit here most days and just admire how amazing you look." Blaise admitted and it took Harry by surprise.

"Don't do this, Blaise. Please, don't." Harry begged and subconsciously wrapped a hand around the bangle on his wrist.

"Harry, you're too handsome to be wasting your time on someone who doesn't even get to see you, please. Just give me a chance, we can set something up when we get back from the break?" There was hope in his voice but Harry couldn't bring himself to say anything.

Blaise then suddenly leaned forward to kiss him on the lips, and he succeeded for a second before Harry stood and held his arms out.

"I have a boyfriend, Blaise. Someone I'm very happy with, thank you."

"But how? You never see him." Blaise had a point, but if it were the truth then Harry might have been swayed but he saw Severus on a daily basis.

"I'm sorry but you have no right to judge my relationship. I love him and I wouldn't do anything to hurt him." This admission seemed to flow easily out of his mouth and he hadn't realized the magnitude of what he'd said until he heard the familiar tapping noise of someone's even strides coming down the corridor behind them.

He refused to turn around and just glared at Blaise who looked a little lost. His face dropped further when he saw his Head of House who then barked at them both to get to their common rooms seeing as curfew was mere minutes away.

"You, Mr. Potter are coming with me. Your Head of House has been looking every where for you."

"Y-Yes, sir." Harry stuttered not looking up and followed the billowing black robes that were stalking off in front of him.

He turned briefly to see Blaise slinking away before trying to focus on what had just been said and his heart was racing trying to figure out whether Severus had heard his declaration of love.

They were a couple of turns away from the Gryffindor common room and Severus pushed Harry through a door and shut it so they were alone. The man looked far from pleased but he didn't seem angry by any stretch.

"You sent for me." Severus almost purred and Harry's heart melted at the tone.

He immediately reached forward and put his arms around the man and gave him a tight hug, which was returned before he was gently pushed away and a hand came to rest on the side of his face.

"Blaise, he… Propositioned me again. I didn't know what else to do, thanks for rescuing me." Harry explained sheepishly.

"I take it I came at the right time then? I could hear you yelling down the corridor."

Harry's heart stopped beating all together at this and he looked down, unable to look Severus in the eye. He had just declared his love for the whole school to hear, whether they knew who it was for or not, now people would know he was in love. Whilst it wasn't this that bothered him, it was the fact that he hadn't even thought that he'd be in love with his Professor as it was just something said in the heat of the moment. Did that count then? Did this mean that he loved his Potion's Master or that he just deeply cared about him? He just wasn't sure.

"Stop over thinking," He heard the older Wizard say, and looking at the man's face it was full of understanding, "You're safe now." He continued before pressing a gentle kiss to Harry's lips.

"Now, you need to be getting to your common room. We will do the same as Christmas where you ride the train and I will come and collect you."

"Okay, sounds fine." Harry smiled back at him, and after another quick kiss Severus pulled him from the classroom and they parted ways.

The feeling in Harry's stomach not going away as his mind kept going over what had transpired between himself and Blaise. Hermione wasn't much help either and said that she agreed with Blaise, little did she realize what was really going on.