Pledges

Part 11

Ron and Hermione were waiting for him when he got back 3 hours later.

"Where were you?" An accusation from Ron.

"The hospital wing." And so the lying began.

"For three hours?" Hermione charged.

"I went to the Headmaster's office after." Truth. He liked the truth.

"To do what?" Ron again. Did they practice this?

"Talk." This omission thing wasn't that bad.

"Why didn't you tell us what happened?" Hermione looked more hurt than angry.

"You're going to have to be more specific." Bugger. Starting to sound like him.

"You. The Great Hall. Screaming like a madman. Spending a day in the infirmary." Ron really had
this habit of overreacting.

"Oh." Don't admit anything.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Well that explains everything."

"Oh good. Then I'll just be going to bed."

Both at once. "Stop right there!"

So close.

"What's going on, Harry?" Ah. The sincerity of friendship. Women sure knew how to use
emotions.

"Nothing. Really! I just didn't want to worry you." Or take the risk of them trying to get him
committed.

Hermione walked up to him and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. It was all he could do not to
shake her off. "I'd feel better if you'd just tell us what happened."

Shrugging lightly. "It not as big a deal as you're probably making it. Voldemort was being
especially cruel. That's all."

Ron's looked at him earnestly. "Is he planning something?"

"Isn't he always?"

"Harry." Hermione had this annoying habit of sounding like McGonagall.

"I know. I know. I've been talking to the Headmaster. Don't worry. Please. I'm fine. I swear."

She sighed and hugged him. "We were just worried."

"So what happened?" Ron asked.

He pulled out of the hug as quickly as possible. "I... I'd really rather not talk about it."

"If you ever feel ready, we're always willing to listen."

"Thanks. Really. I just want to sleep." He went to his room, throwing a goodnight over his
shoulder.
_________

Sleeping was strange. He'd gotten used to wrapping himself around another person. The strangest
moment came when he realized his pillow smelled wrong. Rather, when he realized *why* his
pillow smelled wrong. Of course that was a precursor to an all out panic attack over *what* he'd
been using as a pillow for the last three days. That was followed by the near stroke at the
realization that he missed his... pillow.

He was only slightly uncomfortable during breakfast, but his next bit of free time was looking very
far away.

Under the pretense of drinking, he let his eyes wander to the head table.

Looking helped.

Snape seemed to have a similar opinion.

No. Wait. He was trying to tell him something.

He watched Snape slowly and deliberately stand up and leave, using the back entrance.

"Uh, Ron. Hermione. I forgot something in my room. I'll meet you in charms."

"Ok Harry." Hermione didn't even look up from her book.

"Sure." Ron didn't look up from his food.

Once in the corridor her wasn't sure what to do. The potions master was no where to be found.

A hand on his shoulder. "This way."

He jumped. "AH! Don't *do* that!"

A raised eyebrow was the only response he got.

He followed Snape to the Charms corridor.

"Walking me to class? They say romance is dead."

"Watch it, Potter. I just thought it'd be better, if you were observed, to be running through the
charms corridor rather than from the direction of the dungeons."

"Oh."

"Quite." Snape gestured at the wall. "Through here, Mr. Potter."

All he saw was an archway embedded in the wall. "Through where?"

"Have faith, Mr. Potter."

Snape stepped behind him and pushed forward into the wall and-

Pop!

They were in a small corridor. He could see the main hallway, but he was fairly certain that the
opposite was not true.

"How?"

There was a faintly amused look on his face. "The Headmaster has insured the castle's
cooperation."

"Ah." That explained absolutely... nothing.

Snape extended a hand and barely grazed his cheek. "We have limited time. I suggest we make
use of it."

Harry leaned into the touch but stayed where he was. "Practical as always." He would not fling
himself at the man this time.

Snape stepped forward.

Thank god.

And stopped. Opened his arms wide and asked, with as much innocence as that man could
possibly have. "Didn't you miss me?"

Glare. Oh for the... He gave up.

Much better.

As far as bodies went Snape wasn't -

NO.

They savored the contact for a few moments. "How much time is left?"

Snape murmured. "A few minutes."

Sigh. "We're going to have to do this again."

"Probably."

"I have Quidditch practice."

"I know. After then."

"Sounds good."

"I'll make sure the Headmaster needs a word with you."

"I should go to charms." He held on tighter.

"Probably."

"You should go rescue your classroom."

The body under his hands stiffened and removed itself from his embrace. "Go to class Mr. Potter.
I shall see you later."

He was gone.
_________

The snitch. The snitch. He had to find the snitch.

Heeeeere snitchy snitchy snitchy.

There! He swooped down.

Weave left. Right. Up.

Twist.

This wasn't bad. He could ignore the itch.

He never saw the bludger coming.

Part 12

He felt like an idiot.

Arranging secret rendezvouses with Harry Potter.

To top it all off, he'd never been more aware of another human being in his entire life. Despite the
help the rings provided him, spending hours wrapped around the boy didn't do much for his self
control.

He checked the potion that was simmering in front of him. Perfect, the Headmaster should be
taking Harry in for a private conversation just at is was done.

He was returning some ingredients to the cabinet when something hit him in the stomach. He fell
to his knees with a loud, "Oomf!"

"What was-" His speculation was cut off by an even more intense pain that exploded through his
ribs, ankle and wrist.

The world spiraled.

Black spots dance across his eyes and he struggled to remain conscious.

He didn't succeed.

The next thing he saw was the Headmaster's face hovering over him. Again.

"Severus?"

"Mmm."

"That's it, Severus. Let's get you to the Hospital Wing."

He leaned on Albus, attempting to get up. "What happened?"

"It seems young Harry has had a slight accident."

He'd managed his knees. Now for the rest of the way. "And I..."

"Felt it. Yes Severus. You always were quick."

He was standing, barely. He offered a muted glare. "And you call that slight?"

Albus smiled. "Come Severus, to the infirmary."

It must have looked strange. The two of them walking through the hallways.

Him leaning heavily on Albus's shoulders. Probably looking like he'd been run over by a heard of
angry students.

As they approached the door, he could see Poppy shooing away two students.

"Now, Mr. Weasley, Ms. Granger. He'll be fine. He just needs rest. You'll see him tomorrow at
breakfast." The medi-witch caught sight of them approaching. "Oh Severus! What happened?"

He found himself facing one pair of startled eyes and two sets of gawking onlookers.

"...slight accident..." He managed. The walk there hadn't done him any good.

She took him from the Headmaster's arms. "Inside right away."

He was brought directly to Harry's bed.

He looked at Poppy, "You knew?"

"Deary, do I look stupid? Don't answer that. Suffice it to say that those two young, inquisitive
minds now have a suitably ambiguous rumor to spread."

"What house where you sorted into when you were in school."

"That's none of your business young man. Now get into bed."

Pushy.

He gratefully sank down into the bed. Immediately, he felt hands reach for him.

Surprised, he asked, "You're awake?"

"I haven't taken my potion yet."

"Ah."

"Lay down please. She's taken care of most of the bruises."

He removed his boots and slid under the covers.

The amount of comfort he received by simply wrapping his arms around Harry was mildly
disconcerting.

The boy sighed. "I think I missed this."

Curious. "This?"

"Don't ask me to get more specific. I don't think I can."

"Recognizing your limitations is the first step."

Harry merely snorted and burrowed deeper.

A thought occurred to him. "Is that what it was like?"

"What?"

"When you felt... me."

A tense moment, then. "A bludger to the stomach versus several hours of torture is hardly the
same thing, Professor."

"I'm sorry." He really was.

Harry shrugged. "Not really your fault."

Something inside felt incredibly light. "Thank you."

"For what?" Confusion.

"No one's ever actually said that."

"That its not your fault?"

"Yes." Was this what forgiveness felt like? Strange.

Earnest eyes looked up at him. "Well, it's not."

His fingers came up to caress soft hair. Then slid down and brushed against a smooth neck.

Harry leaned into his touch.

"Thank you." He couldn't keep the roughness out of his voice.

"You're welcome." Not more than a shaky whisper.

A tentative hand wound its way up his body leaving a trail of sensation behind it.

"Harry..." God, was he trembling. His voice had taken on a husky timber.

That hand found its way to his face and started slowly tracing the outline of his lips.

Harry began to whisper. "Its so strange... This feeling I have when you're in the room... or when I
crawl into your arms..."

"Please stop..." A weak plea wrenched itself from his lips.

"...I know that there's more... and I can't help but wonder... but we're not supposed to... but even
the thought... of touching someone else makes me queasy..." All delivered in the same soft,
wondrous voice.

"Harry, listen to yourself. We can't. When this wears off, you'd be horrified." Listen to him.
Please god, listen to him.

"I don't think I would be. A few days ago... maybe... But not now." Before he could react, Harry
darted forward.

Oh. Lips.

Soft. Malleable.

Sweet. So sweet.

He resisted.

A wet, lithe tongue darted out and tasted him.

He gasped.

The tongue, apparently recognizing a tactical advantage and plunged inside.

He groaned and crushed Harry against him.

Returning the kiss with a fervor that he'd never known before.

Hands clutched at him. Legs tangled and found purchase.

And oh god. This felt so good.

This kiss went on. Harsh panting and wet smacking, a strange accompaniment.

The boy was writhing against him. Causing great rippling sensations.

So good.

Oh god. So good.

"NO!" He rolled off the bed and sprawled on the floor.

Gasping for breath. "We can't, Harry. We have to remember. It's not real."

Harry was taking deep, gulping breaths. "Right. The urge to jump you and swallow you whole.
Not real. Got it."

Oh. That.

He closed his eyes tightly.

That was almost as good as touching.

He wordlessly offered the potion.

Something passed through those green eyes. But the potion was swallowed without protest.

"Sleep, Harry. Just sleep."

Only after the boy's breathing had evened out did he climb back into the bed.

Part 13

He woke up several hours later, curled around Harry.

He took a few moments of peace before slowly unfurling himself.

He slipped his boots on and shuffled out of the hospital wing in silence.

It was still several hours before breakfast and the corridors were dark and empty.

"Severus."

Almost. "Albus."

"You should be in bed." Chiding.

"If you'll let me return to my chambers," Please let him go. "I'd be more than happy to return to
bed."

"Why not just go back to the bed you were very comfortably occupying a few minutes ago."

He cursed the inventor of the reasonable suggestion.

"Because even my self control has its limits."

Albus looked worried. "The rings..."

"Help. Some."

"Perhaps you should try to spend-"

"I know where he is all the time now." He interrupted. "All I have to do is close my eyes and
think about him. Its like knowing where my feet are, even when I can't see them."

"Are you alright?" More serious now.

"No, Albus." He closed his eyes and leaned heavily against the wall. "I am not alright."

"I'll do more research tomorrow. See if I can sublimate it any further."

"I feel like a monster."

"That is one thing you are not." The voice was stern. The usual humor gone.

He looked up into very serious blue eyes. "I'm tired Albus. I... itch... all the time."

The Headmaster gathered him into a hug. Despite the immediate compulsion to push him away, it
was immensely comforting.

"I *will* find something for you, Severus. I promise."

"Thank you, Albus."

"Come, let me walk you to your rooms."
_________

Ron stood in the corridor watching them go.

So the git had a conscious, eh?

Who would have thought? Not him certainly.

Though, he had looked fairly unhappy through most of the conversation. Not that, that was
something very new. Most of the conversation hadn't made much sense to him anyway. Rings,
phantom limbs and self-control, he stored it all away to share with Harry and Hermione later.

Harry.

It was probably a stupid thing to do. Take Harry's cloak and sneak through the halls to see him.
But something had felt wrong with the way Madame Pomfrey had dismissed them earlier.

Usually, they would have been able to sit with Harry until dinner. Maybe even later. This time,
they'd been shooed out withing 10 minutes. He was worried that there was something she wasn't
telling them.

When he walked into the ward he noticed that all the beds were empty. Where is he?

A private bed? Unusual.

They were bigger. Usually used for the long term.

That worried him even more.

Harry was curled up on one side of the bed asleep. Something looked wrong.

The bed.

It looked... slept in.

That was ludicrous. Of course it looked slept in.

Harry was sleeping in it.

But still. Something about the dent in the other pillow irked him.
He watched Harry whimper in his sleep and roll over restlessly. He grabbed at the other pillow
and clutched it closely. A few more seconds and he was settled down again.

He didn't look bad.

Maybe Madame Pomfrey was being cautious because Harry had just gotten out of the infirmary a
few days ago.

He watched Harry for a few more minutes then returned to his dorm room.
_________

He left Dumbledore at the entrance to his rooms with a goodnight.

Trudging through the main room he snatched two bottles and proceeded to the bedroom.

He undressed down to his boxers, sat on the edge of the bed, placed the bottles on a small table
and stared at them.

The same two bottles he stared at every other night he'd slept alone since this idiotic situation er...
arose.

One, lubricant. The other, a mood killer. Both would relax him enough to sleep.

He'd been half hard since he'd gotten Potter to drink the damned potion.

Since the stupid, willful, insolent, obnoxious, impudent, brazen, brat of a boy had-

had...

...seriously tested his self-control.

Albus had faith in him.

He didn't deserve it.

With shaking hands he picked up the lubricant. Studied it.

And threw it against the wall.

The crash it made was surprisingly satisfying.

He took the other potion and climbed into bed.
_________

"Hermione!" He whispered urgently.

"What?" She turned a suspicious eye in Ron's general direction. She couldn't see him because he
was still wearing the cloak.

He was glad she was used to this sort of thing.

"Meet me in the common room."

She huffed a little but answered, "Fine."
_________

"Why did you wake me up?" She didn't look very happy.

"I'm not sure. I was going to wait until morning, but something just won't let it rest."

"Fine." She had on her ‘go ahead tell me so that I can go back to sleep' face.

"I snuck out to check on Harry-"

"Ron!"

"Just listen. I overheard a conversation between Dumbledore and Snape." He proceeded to relay
as much of the conversation as he remembered.

"Well, that does sound strange Ron, but I don't know if we should worry. Whatever it is, it's
obvious that the Headmaster knows about it."

"Yeah... its just... there was something." He closed his eyes and replayed the scene in his mind.

Snape sneaking through the corridor.

Dumbledore sneaking up behind him.

Telling Snape he should be in bed.

Something about self-control and rings.

Snape being able to feel someone.

Something catching his eye as Snape braced himself against the wall.

Something... catching... his eye...

On Snape's hand.

"A ring!"

"You said that already, Ron."

"No! He was *wearing* a ring."

"Where?" Now she looked intrigued.

"On his ring finger, his..." He closed his eyes and pictured it again. "His left ring finger."

"He's MARRIED?"

His lips twisted in disgust. "That's a creepy thought."

"Wait." Hermione looked confused. "Why haven't we noticed this ring before?"

"Maybe its new?"

"Maybe its being concealed?"

"Maybe both?"

"Maybe," she looked thoughtful, "you should go over everything you heard again. Don't leave
anything out this time."

Part 14

He wasn't very happy when he walked into the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning.

It was probably a combination of waking up alone, a fitful night's sleep and the ever persistent
crawling of his skin.

He absently rubbed the ring as he sat down opposite Ron and Hermione, who were already in
deep discussion.

"Morning." He mumbled distractedly, reaching for some food.

"Harry! You're feeling better?" Hermione looked very happy to see him.

"Yeah. Madame Pomfrey is amazing sometimes."

"Harry, I've got to tell you what I overheard last night!"

Harry gave Hermione a pleading look. It was too early in the morning for this.

She shook her head. "You should listen to him, there's something strange going on."

"Go ahead then."

"I was sneaking down to see you."

His head shot up. "Why?"

"I was worried. S'not important. Anyway. I overheard a conversation between Snape and
Dumbledore."

Oh. This can't be good.

"From what I heard. We think Snape's under some sort of spell!"

Never should have encouraged him in first year. "What kind of spell?"

"Not sure. But we think it may be related to Voldemort."

Now that was interesting. "Why?"

"Well. There were several things, he was referring to another person, said he could always tell
where this mysterious ‘he' was. Just close his eyes, like thinking about his hands or something."

He could?

He thought about Snape and suddenly knew he was about to...

...walk in the Great Hall... wow...

"Harry, are you listening?" Ron asked.

"Yeah. Go on."

"Then he talked about feeling like a monster."

A monster? He wasn't a... God, if that's what Snape thought of himself... that might explain a lot.

"That's when I heard Dumbledore mention something about rings. I didn't see them at the time,
but thinking back, I *know* I saw him wearing a ring, on his LEFT ring finger."

Shit. Deflect attention. "So, maybe he's married?"

Ron looked at him.

"Ok. Maybe not."

In her best lecture voice. "What caught my attention is that no one's noticed the ring before, in
fact Ron didn't even notice it when he was there. I think there's some sort of concealment spell
on it." Hermione finished with a look of triumph.

"And this led you to Voldemort?" He let disbelief lace his voice.

Ron looked perplexed. "Just something about it. Snape didn't sound too happy and Dumbledore
looked awful worried. What else could it be?"

He shrugged. If they wanted to pursue that line, he wasn't going to stop them. Better they go off
in the wrong direction than he try to stop them cold.

He absently toyed with the ring again and glanced at the head table. Snape was getting ready to
leave.

"Ron. Hermione. I haven't had a chance to get back to my room and change my books. I'll meet
you in Divination."

"Sure."

This time he didn't stop just outside the doors. Instead he headed towards the classroom.

About halfway there, he noticed an archway he didn't ever remember seeing before.

Just before stepping through he stopped. With careful deliberation he closed his eyes and thought
about Snape and Knew. Knew that he was right behthe the non-existent wall.

This could almost be useful.

Before he could continue forward a hand appeared from nowhere a pulled.

Pop!

He found himself chest to chest with Snape.

"Don't waste time, Potter." Snape growled.

The vibrations from Snape's chest tumbled through him with a fury.

Last night had been such a stupid mistake.

An amazing, wonderful, glorious mistake.

One he might like to repeat.

He burrowed deeper into the embrace. "Why did you leave last night?"

"I thought it might be best if I returned to my own rooms."

"How long did you stay?"

"Long enough."

"Did you and the Headmaster have a conversation in hallway last night?"

The body beneath him went tense. "Yes."

"I'm going to tell you something and you're not going to use it against anyone."

An eyebrow go raised. "Anything else, sir?" Damn sarcasm.

"No. That's all for now." Ha. Two can play that game.

A long suffering sigh, then. "Fine. Tell me. But I make no promises."

"Ron overheard the conversation."

"That's... very... annoying... I trust he shared it with you and Ms. Granger?"

He nodded.

"And what were their conclusions?"

"That you're under some sort of spell. Something to do with Voldemort."

Snort. "Creative little minds aren't they? What did you tell them?"

"Not much. Just doubted them some. Couldn't do much more without suspicion."

"I don't supposed you're willing to tell me what Mr. Weasley was doing in that hallway, anyway?
Or why it is I did not see him?"

He gave Snape and incredulous look. "Not on your life."

"Insolent. I am still your teacher."

Seriously. "Not right now, you're not."

"May I remind you that in a few hours we will both have to stand in a classroom."

"That's in a few hours. This is now."

"As usual Mr. Potter, you have an alarming ability to bend reality to your liking."

"Thank you."

"That wasn't a compliment."

"We should probably try this again. Before class, that is."

"I have a full day. Look for me at lunch. We'll see what we can do."

"Ok." He looked deliberately inte poe potion master's eyes and traced a stern cheek with his
fingers. "I don't think you're a monster."

With that, he left.
_________

As it turned out. He spent most of his lunch dealing with a problem in the Slytherin common
room.

So when he stormed into his 6th year potions class, the itch increased exponentially.

"Today you will working on a dreamless sleeping drought. Page 424."

The class sat there looking up at him.

"Well? What are you waiting for? The ingredients you'll need are set up in the back. GO!"

They scattered.

He allowed himself a small satisfied smile.

Most of the class followed its usual pattern.

He stalked around the classroom making a general nuisance of himself.

Approximately two-thirds of the way in the itch was almost unbearable.

Potter looked completely out o.
.

Well. Might as well have a bit of fun.

"MR. POTTER!"

He jumped about a foot in the air.

"Would you care to tell me what is so interesting that it has taken all of your attention away from
the precariously boiling cauldron in front of you?"

"Ah, nothing sir." Potter began to haphazardly stir.

"After six years, one would think you'd know how tir air a potion Potter." He stalked over and
placed his hand over the boys and proceeded to stir the potion.

A grateful look spilled out of Potter's eyes before the more appropriate annoyance took over.

They couldn't stay like that for too long. Hopefully the thirty or so seconds would be enough.

"Since you're obvious inattentiveness has ruined your potion, you can come to detention tonight
and try it again."

"Yes, sir." Came a slightly petulant response.

"Good. Since its ruined-"

"No! Neville!" Ms. Granger's frantic cry interrupted him.

He turned just in time to see the cauldron begin to smoke.

"Ms. Granger! What did he do?"

"The wormtails before the ginger root!"

Oh god! The stupid- where's the freeroot?- forgetful boy.

Ms. Granger already had it in her hands. He snatched it and pushed her out of the possible blast
range.

"Move back!" He roared emptying the contents of the jar over the simmering brew.

It was too late. He didn't get nearly enough in before the reaction started.

It exploded.

The class had already moved out of the way and he took the brunt of the flying cauldron.
_________

Harry saw it coming and braced.

Hot white pain lanced through his stomach.

His grip on the table tightened. His jaw clenched.

He distantly heard Draco yell, "I'll get Madame Pomfrey!"

Oh god. It hurt.

"Harry?" Hermione had turned around and saw him clutching his stomach. "Are you ok?"

"Fine." He gritted out. Unconsciously his thumb went to the ring. It helped. A bit.

Hermione's eyes narrowed. "No. You're not."

Breathe. In. Out.

"You're in pain."

"Never could fool you."

"Why are you in pain?"

"Quidditch? Yesterday? Took a bludger in the stomach. Fell off my broom?"

"If it hurt that much, Madame Pomfrey would never have let you out." She put a hand on his
shoulder. "What's going on, Harry?"

He jerked away. "Nothing." Right. That was believable. His right hand joined his thumb's
fondling of the ring.

She looked down at his hands. Her eyes widened. "Harry, why are you... you... " She cast a quick
look at Snape to wave away a student. Using his left hand. "Harry!"

"Not here!" He hissed. "I need you to help me get to the hospital wing, without anyone else
noticing.

"But-"

"Please."

"Ok." She didn't look happy.

He didn't imagine that, that would change anytime soon.

Part 15

Madame Pomfrey had given him a significant look before she left with Snape.

Right before leaving, she turned to him. "Don't forget about your checkup, Mr. Potter."

Bless you Madame Pomfrey.He tHe turned to Ron, who had returned to his side after the commotion died down. "Go on. I've got
to pack my things up, then I'm going to head down to the hospital wing. Get it over with."

Ron nodded. "I'll see you at dinner then?"

"Sure. Hermione. Could you come with me? I have an arithmancy question."

"Sure, Harry."

"Have fun you two, I'm off!" Ron was out of the room quickly. The mention of Arithmancy must
havered red him away.

When the door closed on the final students, he collapsed to his knees, clutching his stomach. "Oh,
that's not something I wanted to do again."

"Again?"

"It's a long story. Could we wait until I don't feel like I'm going to throw my entire stomach up
whole?"

"Well, between the rings and the pain, I have bits and pieces. I suppose I can wait for the rest."

"Thank you. Now please. Help me up."
_________

The walk to the infirmary was made in a tense silence.

Madame Pomfrey greeted them at the door. "Excellent timing Harry. I just got Professor Snape
settled down." She eyed Hermione. "You don't need to stick around for his check up, dear. He'll
be along soon."

He shook is head tiredly. "Its ok, Madame Pomfrey. Could you just get the Headmaster?"

The medi-witch looked at him intensely for a moment, then nodded. "He's in your usual suite. Go
ahead in."

Oh good. At least someone was having a good time.
Hermione stood there looking confused. "Your usual suite?"

"The teachers in this place have a twisted sense of humor. Come on. I'll explain in a minute." He
led her into the back of the ward, to curtained bed that was obviously occupied.

She looked a bit put out when he pulled the curtains apart without a warning to the person behind
them.

Of course that was nothing compared to the look she gave him when she realized that is was none
other than Professor Snape who occupied the bed.

Honestly. For such an intelligent person. She could be very dense.

Tired, dark eyes looked up at him in question.

He shrugged. "Was a pretty public place to get hit with an exploding cauldron."

Comprehension. "I see."

"I don't" Hermione added. Obviously a little impatient at being left in the dark.He bHe began to take off his shoes. "In a few moments, I'm going to trust you not to scream."

Once he was shoeless, he gracelessly climbed in beside Snape.

He shifted a bit, so that he could face Hermione, and settled with his back against Snape's front.
A hand snaked around his waist. He took it in his own.

Hermione hadn't screamed.

Though how much longer she was going to stay upright could have been up for debate.

"Uh... Harry?" Tentative.

"Yes, Hermione."

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Not particularly, no."

A snort from behind.

"Why did you just crawl into bed with..." She paused, as if completing the sentence would cause
physical harm. "With Professor Snape."

"Because, if we're going to have this conversation I needed to be able to concentrate."

Another snort sounded from behind. He contemplated kicking the source. It might be worth the
pain.

"Concentrate?" Hermione didn't make the connection.

Harry sighed and started at the beginning.
_________

"What on earth were you doing with that charm?" Another in a long line of detailed, invasive and
vaguely embarrassing questions.

"It was in a book called, ‘Charms A - Z', I saw it and thought it might be useful. You know, pick
up something to get ahead."

"And you were reading the charm before you read *about* the charm." Where did she learn that
impression of McGonagall, anyway?"

"Not my best moment, I know." Hadn't he had this conversation?

"AND you were waving your wand?"

"Not waving precisely... sort of... fiddling."

"Oh. Because *that's* completely safe." Oh no. He'd reduced Hermione Granger to sarcasm.

"Believe me, I've been thoroughly lectured on the subject." He rolled his eyes and gestured
behind him.

Her demeanor changed immediately. "Oh Harry. Has it been horrible?" She was obviously
referring to being forced to share close quarters with Snape.

"Despite" A voice interrupted before he could answer, "what most people would have you believe
Ms. Granger, I have it from reliable sources, that I am not a monster."

She looked at him accusingly. "I thought you were asleep."

"With you two nattering on like that?"

"Oh! I'm sorry. You must be exhausted."

"Miss Granger, I believe your reaction, and I don't doubt that there will eventually be others, was
the best of the lot. It was a pleasure to listen to someone who will look at this on an intellectual
level and not completely over react."

She turned to him. "Was that a compliment?"

"For him? Yeah."

"Now please." Snape continued. "I'd like to get some sleep so that I can get through what will
undoubtedly be another trying day. The Headmaster has been listening to this conversation for a
good amount of time now. He can answer anymore questions you might have."

A beared face appeared from behind the curtains. "Thank you, Severus."

"Anything to get you out of my hair, Albus."

Hermione looked back and forth between Snape and Dumbledore not sure what to make of the
banter. She went for grateful student. "Thank you, Professor. Headmaster."

Just as she was leaving. "Hermione."

"Yes, Harry?"

"Thank you... for not... for understanding..."

"I'm your friend, Harry. What else could I do?"

"Just the same, don't tell Ron."

She studied him for a moment then nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow, Harry." She was gone.

Harry took the opportunity to turn around and assume their usual nap positions.

Oh. Wow. Another on of those disturbing thoughts.

"That went remarkably well." Snape commented.

He chuckled lightly. "Wait until she puts together that conversation Ron overheard with what I
told her today."

"What could you have possibly left out?"

"I know where you are all the time. The same for you."

"True."

"There's also..." He hesitated a moment. "I don't know how much of what Ron told me was true
or his usual trimmings but... something about self-control..."

"Ah yes... he would have heard that. Look, Potter, you needn't wor-"

"It's the same for me." He interrupted.

"What?"

"Everyday gets a little harder." Oh good. Nice time for the double entendres.

A hand caressed his hair. "The Headmaster has promised me he'd look into the matter. Also,
knowing Ms. Granger, she'll be hip deep in this as well."

They lay there for a few moments in a comfortable silence.

"I'm worried." He said suddenly.

Surprised. "About what?"

"A lot of things. Tonight. Tomorrow. Me. You."

"Me?" More surprise.

"When that cauldron exploded. I knew it'd hurt. But that's not really what I was thinking about."

"You shouldn't concern yourself with nonsense."

"Nonsense?"

"These feelings that we have."

"Nonsense?"

"Focusing on them will only make it worse."

"Nonsense?! Well its bloody well hard to focus on anything else!"

"You're stating the glaringly obvious."

He sat up. "Look! YOU may understand these feelings! May know what to do with them!
Understand them! Know how to compartmentalize! But *I* don't! I've never felt this way before!
Don't know if I ever will again! So please forgive me if I feel the need fully comprehend them!"
He ended with his voice ragged.

"Harry."

"No!" Deep breath. Calm. "Not now. I'll see you in detention."

He grabbed his shoes and left.