Chapter 7.

As soon as the sun had risen and pierced the dark sky with its light, Severus Snape was out of his hospital bed. Despite Madam Pomfrey's protests, he dressed himself and had himself discharged.

Walking towards the new Headmistress' office, he kept replaying what had happened yesterday with the boy in his mind. Harry came to him and practically begged to stay with him after all these years of torture he had put him through in class. It made no sense. Yes, he supposed the boy is lonely now days but why did he attach himself at his side for the majority of yesterday and last night? Clearly this must be inappropriate behavior and the sooner the Headmistress can tell him all the rules Harry is breaking by doing this, the sooner he can sit the boy down and tell him that it's out of his control and rules must be obeyed.

Snape had climbed the many staircases the castle had to offer the tired professor and now he stood in front of the office. He knocked on the door and waited only a few seconds before being greeted inside the newly re-decorated office.
"Come in, come in Severus. Would you like some tea?"
Minerva already sounds like Dumbledore and she hasn't even been an active headmistress for a few months.

Snape settled in his usual seat across the desk. While sipping on his apple and ginger tea he looked on the wall and above Minerva he saw the portrait of Albus Dumbledore. There was the man who begged for death from him and he looked so bloody calm, complete with twinkle in his eyes.

"So Severus, what brings you here so early in the morning? Shouldn't you be resting?"

Severus had rehearsed in his head over and over how he was going to address the issue with Harry but now he was lost for words. He took a little longer to sip on his tea to try find the words again. Snape put the porcelain cup down and began.

"Minerva, as you may have seen yesterday, Mr. Potter was, how shall we say it? Stuck to me like glue even though from what I recall, the last 7 years, he has made it clear that I am the enemy. What has happened since the final battle that has made the boy like this?"

Minerva, nodding and listening to Severus, smiled while adding more tea to her cup.

"Severus my boy, Mr. Potter is going through a hard time as to be expected. The moment he learned of this world and stepped foot into this school, his fate was sealed. He was to battle the most dangerous, sadistic, twisted man that has lived in a century. He has lost his family, his god father only a couple years after finding him. Fred Weasley has been…" Minerva trailed off to bring a handkerchief to her teary eyes and struggled to continue.

"Tonks, Remus…Some of our own students…Harry believes this is all his fault. He's going through intense therapy with Poppy and there is some progress being made but the boy hates himself Severus. He has the Weasley family and Miss Granger, but no one understands truly the pain he's in. Perhaps except you."

Snape stared down at his tea. He remembered vaguely being told about the deaths, but this is the first time he was being told this without the influence of potions or spells. It hit hard. Though he didn't have strong feelings for many of those who died, as a teacher it still pained him to have students hurt or killed. The Marauders were all dead. He truly was the last adult of that generation Harry had left to look up.

"Minerva, his behavior yesterday, that can't be within school rules."

Minerva nodded. "And you are right, however Severus, school is not in session. What you and Harry do in each other's company is completely out of my jurisdiction."

"And what exactly is allowed in regard to physical contact between a teacher and a 17-year-old boy?" Severus said bluntly, almost desperate to get direct answers. He supposed he should know the rules, but he had never had this problem with a student before. Even his own godson wasn't affectionate, so he had never even given Draco a hug while at Hogwarts.

"Well that depends Severus, what relationship do you wish to have with Harry Potter?"

He was stuck again. No words. He hadn't thought about that. He was hoping to be told that what they did was wrong and to never do it again therefor never needing to think about it again. Minerva waved her hand and the empty teacup left Severus' hand and levitated its way to the desk.

"Perhaps, you should speak with Harry? See what he wants. Not to spoil the boy of course but to help as a guide for what you want?"

Severus nodded. That will have to do.