Sweet\'s Little Collection

Day Forty-Three:

Harry woke in a sweat, the nightmare still at the edge of his mind. He reached for the other side of the bed, startled to find it cold and empty. His eyes filled with tears, and he slid out of bed, making his way to the only light he could find burning in the house. Severus was hunched over a cauldron, stirring feverishly. Harry paused at the door. He knew which potion he was making, and by the frantic pace of his mixing, he was nearly to the point where it had to simmer for twenty-seven minutes exactly. He could wait a few more moments for comfort.

Severus stopped, very suddenly, then adjusted the heat beneath the cauldron precisely. It was only then that he noticed Harry out of the corner of his eye. His lips turned in a smile, as he reached out to his young lover. The smile slipped away, and was replaced with a look of concern as he noted the tears, and how badly he was shaking. He wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close. "Another nightmare, my love?" Harry just whimpered, burying his face in that strong chest. Severus sighed, holding him tighter.