Green Eyes Sublime

Chapter Twenty-Four

The End of Oblivion

x

"Wake up Harry."

Harry groaned at the disturbance to his sleep. Though, on instincts he rolled towards the sound of Severus' voice. Immediately he was graced with the feel of a hard body stretched alongside him and the heat of Severus cocooned him.

"Harry," Severus said softly but more firmly. "We both know you're a lighter sleeper than this. Feigning sleep won't let you stay longer. You have to go. You know that. It's already two-thirty in the morning. If you don't return to Gryffindor Tower, one of your room-mates might wake up and realize that you're not in."

Harry groaned long and loudly. His eyes begrudgingly opened into an instant glare.

"Ron will cover for me as always, just like I cover for him when he spends the night out," he declared grumpily.

Severus, who had propped himself up on an elbow to stared amusedly at Harry, leaned over slightly to kiss Harry on his forehead. He was back to only half smiling, but that was okay for Harry, who had recently decided that being prodded and smiled upon at three in the morning was no fun these days.

"I would never have taken you for a 'night owl' Potter," Severus said pointedly. "Waking up at ungodly hours of the morning should already be in your system. Even if not for your entire life, but these past two months should have molded you into the habit by now."

Harry did a bit more glaring, which in itself was testament to the fact that Severus was right. Harry was an 'any time' person. Waking up from nightmares had just about messed up his system so much that he slept very lightly most of the time.

He was nothing compared to Severus though, he had come to realize.

Severus and Harry didn't spend every night together. In fact they had probably risked being together on average about three times per week. Give or take a few weeks where either Harry was too tired to sneak out or they just couldn't seem to spend the time away from each other.

For two months, Harry had shown up in Severus' rooms at very random hours of the night and for some reason Severus would always be awake. It was as if Severus knew intrinsically, when Harry would need him.

Sometimes they spent the night tangled almost desperately together. Sometimes they would just fall asleep together, because Harry had discovered that being near Severus always calmed his nightmares. Sometimes Harry would show up and Severus would give Harry a douse of Dreamless Potion and sent him marching back up to the Gryffindor Tower.

After the first week, they moved the black velvet couch into the bedroom, right in front of the fireplace. It fit the room perfectly, blending in with the theme of black and silver that Severus had established.

The one condition to their arrangement was that if Harry spent the night, he had to return to his room by three the next morning.

So far, Harry had stuck to that arrangement.

"Just once I'd like to wake up on my own, beside you," Harry grumbled.

Despite his protesting, he was already sitting up in the bed trying to remember where he had tossed his clothes the night before and wondering how long the temporary Vision Correction spell Severus cast on his eyes would last this time.

Severus laughed softly. He knew that he had nothing to worry about. Harry complained every time he was awoken, but usually left on time anyway.

Staring openly at the smooth contours of Harry's back and at the sight of the snake and sword tattoo there, Severus vowed that one day he would allow Harry's wish to be granted. Parting was just as sorrowful for him as it was for Harry. The only difference was that he never voiced this desire while Harry always did.

"You may have been able to do that Potter, if you had accepted the privilege granted to you as Head boy. You were bound to regret the decision of not wanting your own room, sooner or later," Severus pointed out.

Rising from his side of the bed, he walked around to Harry's side to stand before appreciating green eyes. For some reason, even after all the time spent, Harry could never carry off the confidence that Severus did, strolling naked around the room.

Not that Harry didn't love the view.

"That's what Dumbledore said," Harry sulked. "Do you think he ever gets tired of being right?"

"That old couth?" Severus' expression became very doubtful. "I hardly think so. He probably revels in the fact that he gets to meddle in other people's lives."

Harry laughed shortly. He summoned his boxers with a quick Accio spell and his wand, not having the energy to attempt doing it Wandless. Standing long enough to only put it on, he dropped heavily unto the bed again with a sudden sigh.

Severus summoned Harry's other pieces of clothing.

Harry scowled at the action. "I can dress myself. Besides I'll never leave if you touch me. That'll be another two hours and then it really will be too late."

In response, Severus raised a stubborn eyebrow and proceeded to do just as Harry had protested to.

First came the pants, which meant that Harry was pulled to his feet again. It was one thing to dress himself, but entirely different to be dressed by his lover. Severus' hands at his pants' zip always seemed to double the efforts of getting it closed.

It was always a fight to get the zip past his instant erection.

"Your fault," Harry muttered, determined not to help since Severus insisted on putting him through this torture.

Having Severus stand naked only inches before him, with a hand fiddling in his nether regions really never helped matters in Harry's opinion.

Severus merely ignored him long enough to very carefully close the zip and fasten the button. Which meant that next came Harry's shirt. This time it was casual, since the night before had been a weekend.

"Would you co-operate!" Severus grounded out impatiently.

Harry groaned. "Damn it! Just -"

"No," Severus interrupted very calmly. "We can't. You need to get back to your room."

Before Severus, Harry didn't know that getting dressed could hold as much tension as undressing. The man could do things to his body by merely being close to him. It was a very daunting realization to know that perhaps what hid behind Severus' action was the intent for Harry to always be thinking of long fingers and warm flesh, even when he got dressed for classes.

In any case that's exactly what happened now anyway.

"Tease," Harry murmured with eyes blazing desire.

Severus smiled wickedly before very deliberately bringing their lips together in a slow kiss that served only to make Harry even more uncomfortable in his clothes.

"Go now," Severus whispered when the kiss was broken. "The later you are is the more risk you will be taking."

Harry groaned petulantly. It seemed so unfair to him that while he was standing there moments away from coming into his pants, Severus was standing there calmly evicting him from out of the room. So very unfair. Sometimes Harry hated being the seventeen year old. It was just too easy to get aroused with Severus around.

Out of pity for him, and because it had become the norm whenever Harry had to return to his room at nights, Severus cast a silent Wandless spell.

Immediately Harry's problem was taken care of.

Harry had searched high, low and everywhere in between to discover what spell it was because he knew of a few people in his year and the two years below his who would be very appreciating of such a spell. So far he had no luck.

Sighing in resignation, he hugged Severus goodbye.

It always came down to that. To wrap his arms around Severus and lose himself was all that Harry really wanted. The fact that Severus allowed him more than that was still mind blowing and something Harry never took lightly.

"So I'll see you in class tomorrow?" Harry asked even though he knew he would.

"Of course Potter," Severus replied into Harry's hair. "Do you plan on missing the class? If you do, you should tell me now and perhaps I will lighten the punishment to only twenty points and a month's detention."

Harry blatantly ignored the warning in Severus' tone. "And what about lessons? Am I having any tomorrow? Remus and Flitwick say they'll definitely not miss theirs. Harry's time is very scarce so speak now or forfeit the opportunity. McGonigall has said that any free time I have, or if you cancel any lesson then I should expect her. Am I to expect her?"

"Your Potions lessons are still scheduled, unless something really earth shattering occurs, and I doubt even you can manage that," Severus stated.

Harry nodded then with a sigh he briefly rested his head upon Severus' shoulder. "I should go now then. I wouldn't want one of my room-mates to wake up needing to use the loo, only to discover that, Merlin forbids, I'm not soundly asleep in my bed."

Severus pressed a kiss to the side of Harry's neck, not being able to resist the desire even though he had fought the impulse valiantly for the few seconds.

"Then go."

Harry sighed dramatically again and unwound himself from Severus' arms to throw a caustic glare filled with mock hurt. It wasn't until he elicited another slow kiss again, before he finally made his way through the door and into the entrance room. Next, Severus heard him exit through that door also, closing the door softly behind.

Not for the first time, Harry wished he had brought his invisibility cloak with him as he tried to tiptoe along the winding corridors and moving staircases. Most of the time he remembered of course, but there was just some times when he forgot. Luckily he made it back to his room without any mishaps.

As usual his roommates were still fast asleep and oblivious to his previous absence.

Silently, Harry changed into his nightclothes and slipped between the cool sheets of his bed. He already missed the warmth of Severus' body that he had grown so addicted to.

It wasn't long though before he was fast asleep again.

x-x-x

"Harry! Harry wake up! We're going to be late for breakfast!"

Harry groaned under the realization that once again he was being forcefully awoken. A small part of his brain was actually very grateful that Ron woke him, but that small part was being greatly overshadowed by his other more grumpy side.

Nevertheless he got up, making sure that Ron was properly scowled at as he sat up in his bed.

"Damn it mate! You're getting better and better at that the more time you spend down there," Ron grumbled a little hurt. "Did you want to miss breakfast? I just don't fancy 'Mione getting angry because I made you sleep in again."

In true Seventh year fashion, Harry made a face at his best friend, before grabbing his essentials and slipping into the dormitory bathroom.

Twenty minutes later he emerged properly dressed in his uniform and ready to start the day. By then Ron had forgiven Harry for being an ungrateful cad. Immediately they launched into a conversation about an upcoming Quidditch game that they would be playing against Slytherin in the next week. It was to be the first for the term and had become their main line of conversation as they trotted down the stairs in hopes of catching breakfast.

They noticed quickly that the noise level in the Great Hall was for some reason much higher than normal for a Monday morning.

As the two approached the open doors, they shot confused, intrigued looks at each other. Obviously something was going on and as Head students they were quite sure that since the professors, who should be present, were doing nothing to control it, then they would likely have to do their duties.

Stepping into the Hall together brought on a very eerie reaction.

The entire Hall went suddenly very silent and everyone seemed to be looking at them. At the Gryffindor table, Hermione quickly rose and made her way towards them. While, at the same time, at the Slytherin table Draco threw them what was unmistakably a wink. Only the wink wasn't very friendly and Hermione looked upset.

"What's going on?" Harry asked Hermione softly when she finally got to them.

The students were still staring and the professors at their table looked somewhat anxious and worried. It was as if they didn't care about the whispers and the noise. They all had their heads turned towards each other and seemed to be whispering frantically in their little huddle.

"Hermione, tell me what's going on!" Harry snapped when Hermione gave him a look that said she may not be able to put his answer into words.

Instead she held out a newspaper to him. Taking it from her, Harry glanced about the room again and realized that a lot of the students were pulling out newspapers themselves from places where they seemed to have shoved them in haste. There was even one rolled up into Dumbledore's hand as he gestured with it in the midst of the professors.

"It's the headlines," Hermione said so quietly that Ron pulled her into his arms, never seeing her look quite so afraid before.

It was the headlines as she had said.

Lucius Malfoy and Death Eaters have been illegally released from Azkaban.

Dementors have gone to join the side of You-Know-Who.

Is this the official start of the Second War?

Harry read the article about three times through and still the words seemed like random pieces of information swimming before his eyes. By the fourth time he forced himself to concentrate and suddenly the words sank in.

Lucius Malfoy and four other Death Eaters, including Bellatrix Lestrange, had been smuggled out of Azkaban late the night before. Apparently the Dementors and perhaps You-Know-Who himself had been planning it for some time. In any event, the Dementors had also all disappeared. Guarding Azkaban now were skilled Aurors who had apparated there early that morning. So far all had been brought under control and the guards were on a strict rotating schedule for as long as the matter could be investigated. For the Wizarding World, the only hope now lied in the hands of Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter.

As soon as he had finished reading, Harry looked over at the Head table again, only to realize that Severus was not sitting there and for some reason that made him even more anxious.

'No. Please. This can't be happening now,' Harry's mind protested as he turned once more to an ocean of waiting eyes. 'Don't I ever get a moment just to be happy?'

"Harry I think we should sit," Hermione said softly pulling him out of his reverie. "We can talk about it."

"Talk about it?" Harry asked her in a dazed voice. "What's there to talk about? Ten guesses we know who they'll be headed for. Ten guesses too that for once the Daily Prophet isn't wrong."

He allowed himself to be coaxed over to the Gryffindor Table by his friends though, and for once Hermione sat on one side while Ron sat at his other side. They conversed in whispers.

"Look mate, you don't know anything for sure," Ron said once he had finished reading the article himself. "They probably won't come looking for you or Dumbledore this soon. I don't think they're that stupid. You still have a little more time."

"Besides, Malfoy is still here," Hermione pointed out in haste. "He didn't seem surprised at the news. I think it really has been planned for some time and that means that they aren't being hasty. They're probably trying to plan this right."

"Or by now they've run out of patience," Harry said darkly.

"Maybe Dumbledore will double your lessons or triple them," Ron said pensively. "Ask him. He can't be stupid enough to force you to stay in class when there might be an army waiting for you."

"We don't even know that they're coming," Hermione said. "We may be getting ahead of ourselves. But, Ron is right. You need to concentrate on your lessons even more now. You'll need any amount of surprise you can get."

Harry prodded the food in his plate, not really paying attention to it and not really hungry anyway. His whole morning had just taken the nastiest turn in history, he was sure. How could the day have been reduced from lying in Severus' arms to feeling distinctly as if he was being sucked into a black hole, not five hours later? And, where was Severus anyway?

'Does he know?' Harry wondered. 'Did Dumbledore send him away again?'

Harry didn't think his day could get any worse.

"Harry?" Hermione prodded him gently. "Harry, what are you going to do?"

Harry turned haunted green eyes to her in sudden determination. "I'm going to Potions class just like I do every Monday morning. As to the rest of my life, I'm sure it will be decided for me soon enough."

"It is my destiny." Sarcastic. Hurt. Angry.

With that, Harry stood quickly, waiting only long enough for Hermione and Ron to abandon their own breakfast. Together the three of them departed the Hall amidst the feel of everyone looking at them again. Harry tried not to shout angrily at everyone as he left.

The sea of watchful eyes was making him feel strangely claustrophobic in their presence.

x-x-x

"Potter!" Severus snapped so loudly that everyone but Harry jumped and cringed.

Harry looked over at his professor with a look of such anger that it left Severus wondering. How is it that Harry could spend so much energy proclaiming how much he was in love and the next, look at Severus with such anger and perhaps hatred? Harry said he loved everything about Severus. Would that love stand the tests they would no doubt be in for?

Professor Snape looked at Harry Potter and scowled.

Beneath the scowl on Severus' face and the anger that radiated from him in the presence of all Seventh year Potions students, was a fear that had only that morning become embedded so deep into Severus that he could feel it seeping into his bones. He had never been so afraid for someone in his entire life before. Even for his mother. Could he allow yet another person to die while he stood aside and allowed it to happen? When it came to Harry Potter, Severus wondered, where had all his beloved darkness gone?

"Yes, Professor Snape?" Harry answered through barely reigned anger.

Ever since they had stepped into the Potions classroom the two had been baiting each other. Severus snapped and snarled and Harry glared while seemingly to blatantly ignore instructions. Everyone was a little bit shocked at the intensity, but were not at all surprised.

Afterall, there was never any love lost between the two.

"Ten points from Gryffindor Potter," Snape snarled, not even giving a reason this time.

"How generous Professor." Harry feigned surprise. "Is that all? It will go nicely with the fifty you've already deducted in the past two hours. Are you having fun yet, you bloody bastard?"

If the classroom hadn't been silent before, the soft gasps that sounded when Harry dared to say such a thing, were certainly heard. Hermione took Harry's hand into hers, giving it a squeeze in warning. Even Ron shot Harry a look of caution.

Harry didn't think his day could get any worse, and yet it was.

"Everyone leave!" Severus commanded. "I need to teach Potter a lesson."

Within five minutes the classroom cleared of all the other students and, unlike the last time this had happened, Hermione and Ron barely spared the two seething individuals a backward glance. Obviously the two needed to have words and neither Ron nor Hermione wanted to be there to witness the clash.

Severus cast the Silencing spell with his wand, not once taking his eyes away from Harry's angry expression.

"Well Potter, you seemed to have outdone yourself this time," Severus said in a deceptively calm voice.

"Don't fucking call me that!" Harry snapped. "This has nothing to do with Potions class. What happened Severus? Did you wake up this morning, saw the Daily Prophet and realized that the same person you had just slept with is the one person with a target on his head?"

Severus' eyes narrowed. "It always comes back to you doesn't it? Harry Potter is at the centre of everything. The world doesn't revolve around you Potter, least of all my world."

"Of course not," Harry seethed. "It's too much to ask you to be there for me! There are Death Eaters out there looking for me and you don't give a damn! Couldn't you be the one person I can turn to help me figure out how to fight them? Do you want me to die? Would that solve all your problems?"

"You?" Severus took the steps needed to stand before Harry. "The Death Eaters are after you? I suppose you're the one to betray their master? You're the one whose home they attacked three months ago? And you have no one you say? Lupin and McGonigall are even now thinking up ways of keeping you safe. Dumbledore is wearing himself thin trying to reinforce the wards around the castle and your best friends have been showering you with infinite support and you say that there is no one? When did you become so selfish Harry? When did it all go to your head?"

Harry's gaze fell from Severus' as he lowered his head. His entire body seemed to tremble with tension, and embarrassment and fear.

Severus tilted his head back up, forcing Harry to look into the swirling depth of onyx and anger. "You are right. This certainly signifies the beginning of the Dark Lord's attack. It doesn't matter how afraid you are right now or how unfair your life looks from this angle. I suggest you get your priorities in order. Grow up Harry! Or this war will force you to do it."

With that, Severus released Harry and withdrew the Silencing spell. With a flick of his wand, he gathered his books and equipment from his table and walked out of the room without another look at Harry.

Harry was left feeling as if the black hole he had been caught in, was once again swallowing him whole.

x-x-x

Potions... Transfiguration...

Lunch.

Charms... Defense Against the Dark Arts...

Quidditch practice.

Dinner.

Harry's day passed in a blur of stares, noise and his deceptive silence.

By the time dinner was over, Ron and Hermione was at their wit's end as to how to get Harry's mind away from his troubles. He hadn't told them what had happened after Potions class, but they hadn't needed him to. Professor Snape had stormed out of the room and when Harry had finally emerged, it had certainly sent a chill down their spine. Harry's eyes had an unfocused and dazed edge to it.

It was a look they hadn't seen since his Sixth year.

Not good.

"Harry, why don't you go to bed early tonight?" Hermione asked him softly, while she watched him prod at his uneaten food. "Tomorrow you'll feel better."

Harry shook his head, speaking softly. "No. I'll just have nightmares."

Hermione sighed in defeat. Nothing she had suggested all day had worked. Nothing. It was no use, especially since halfway into Defense against the Dark Arts class, Harry had suddenly passed out. It had shocked Remus to death. Fifteen minutes later and with a generous helping of chocolate Harry had declared that he felt better and refused to say if he had a vision or what he had seen.

While Hermione worried and sighed, Ron glared at Professor Snape at the Head Table. For once though, the Slytherin Head was not looking over at the Gryffindor Table.

"Harry, let's just leave. You don't want to be here and right now, neither do I," Ron said, still looking as if he wanted to murder someone soon.

"No, you two should stay. I'll leave," Harry responded, already rising from the table. "Just because I'm not eating, doesn't mean you guys don't get to eat either."

"Where are you going to go?" Hermione asked softly.

"I don't know," Harry shrugged. "I need to think...or not...I don't know. I can't breathe in here when everyone is looking at me."

He gave his friends a small smile to show that he would be alright, then turned and began walking away. As soon as he was out the doors and into the hallway, he slowed his pace to match his pensive mood.

"Licking your wounds, Potter?"

Harry's attention refocused enough for him to notice Draco lounging against the wall that led towards the Slytherin dungeons. There was something odd about Draco's look however. Even though his tone had been mocking and he appeared to be in his element, his expression was carefully blank.

"Care to gloat Malfoy?" Harry asked, not caring that his voice sounded a bit tired.

Draco was silent for a moment, then he surprisingly shook his head. "No."

"Right. Well in that case, I don't have to stick around and pound you into the ground then," Harry shrugged. "Just know that when you decide to gloat, I'll be willing to beat you to a pulp."

"I'll keep that in mind," Draco returned sarcastically, but a moment later his tone changed again. "You and I need to have a word Potter. Only not now. But, the sooner the better."

"What could we possibly have to talk about?" Harry asked. "And why the hell would you even think that I want to?"

Draco shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know. Let's just say that I know enough about you to ensure your curiosity and I'm getting enough information out of my father to know that you're safe for now. They won't be after you for a little while."

Curiosity peaked, Harry stared at Draco with interest. "Are you trying to tell me that you want to switch sides? I find that hard to believe Malfoy."

Draco gave Harry a look of obvious disgust at even the suggestion. "God no! Like I said, this isn't the time to discuss anything. I merely want you to know that when I decide we can meet, you had better be willing and ready to listen."

"Or else what?" Harry smirked eerily. "You'll tell your father that I don't want to play stupid games with you?"

"No, of course not." Draco returned the smirk with not much effort. "Or I tell a very interested Ravenclaw that he may have to watch his back when it comes to you. You sneak into private rooms much too easily Potter. Especially private rooms belonging to your most hated Professor. In his jealous rage, who knows what little William would tell to people if he knew that you spend very long nights there. But once again, now isn't the time to have our talk."

Harry's expression darkened. "You've been spying have you? I wonder what you think you know."

Draco moved from against the wall so that he was standing directly before Harry's flashing eyes, and he continued to smirk cunningly.

"I know enough, Potter. I do my research." He turned away with a taunting chuckle. "By the way, be careful of your pet raven, Potty. He's can be more dangerous than you think. Slytherins aren't the only ones who are smart."

Since the advice was coming from one of the most Slytherin of Slytherins, Harry barely registered the warning. Instead he turned and began to walk away also. It was very intriguing that Draco had let slip the reassurance that for now the Death Eaters were otherwise occupied. Interesting, because it was the one news for the day that actually helped Harry. Only Draco, as a Slytherin and son of a Death Eater, could have delivered that news. If the bastard was lying to him then Harry was going to personally hex him into nothingness.

Perhaps he would find out what it was that Draco had been going on about meeting, and having a somewhat civilized conversation.

"Harry! Harry wait!"

For the second time in one hour, Harry was pulled out of his reverie by the voice of someone else. This time, when he turned around it was Will who ran over to him.

"Hello Will," Harry said, finding it hilariously funny that after Malfoy's warning, Will had turned up.

Will smiled, looking a little flushed from his run down the corridor. "Hey Harry. I've been trying to speak to you all day. I saw the paper this morning and figured that you wouldn't be feeling very cheerful after such news, so I've been trying to catch you all day to offer my assistance. To cheer you up...that is."

Harry laughed for the first time since his day had begun as he stared into Will's excited face. There was an odd sort of warmth spreading through him, making his finger tips almost tingle with energy. Will was his friend and just as Severus had pointed out, his friends had been trying all day to cheer him up, even Seamus, Neville and Dean had a go at it during Transfiguration that morning.

Maybe he wasn't as alone in this battle as he thought.

"What did you have in mind?" Harry asked in mock seriousness. "It better be great and gods, no flying or anything to do with going outside or standing where everyone can look at me. I've had enough of eyes burning bloody crosses into my back today."

Will thought on that for a few seconds then suddenly his face lit up again.

"I know!" He said beaming again. "You promised to draw something for me one day, so why not now? I've even thought of the perfect place. The Astronomy Tower. It will give us loads of privacy."

'The Astronomy Tower?' Harry shrugged. 'Why not?'

"Okay," Harry smiled, trying to match Will's excitement. "Let's go then."

Together, they ran down the corridors, up the moving staircases, past gossiping portraits, along the Astronomy Wing and into the tower.

Harry didn't realize that they had not stopped to get his equipment and Will didn't see to inform him.

x-x-x

Laughter and the sound of muffled chatter seemed to grow louder as Severus approached the Astronomy classroom.

'What are the little brats doing outside of their dorm past their curfew?'

Severus could think of a few things, especially because of what the Tower was famous for amongst the students in Hogwarts. The more he thought about it was the more he wished he hadn't.

It had to be Lower year students of course. The Upper year students were smarter than that, surely.

A few good detentions and loads of points were going to be deducted, no matter what House the students were from. Even if they were Slytherins'. Severus was not in a very good mood and he intended to take out his displeasure on whichever unfortunate individuals who stood beyond the door.

It was Severus, however, who was in for a surprise.

Candles were lit and lined on the floor along the walls of the classroom. Astronomy was often taught that way so that the heavenly aurora from the planets would not be tampered with. This time, it wasn't the stars that drew Severus' attention.

It was the two Seventh year students that sat entangled and facing each other near the centre of the room.

Severus knew every inch of Harry's body. Every curve. Every line. Every muscle. He hadn't even needed the tattoo on Harry's bare back to help him.

How many times had it been that he had held Harry against his own body? How many times had he trailed kisses along Harry's back as he bent over him, their bodies connected? Too many times. Enough times.

Severus knew instantly that Harry was one of the students sitting on the floor, each with their robes and shirt removed.

Harry was drawing on the other's chest. Severus didn't care what he was drawing.

It didn't take long to recognize who the other person was.

Will was sitting propped against his elbows in a position that mimiced an easel with his legs apart. Harry was sitting between Will's legs, close enough for Harry to feel comfortable drawing with the black Muggle pen that he held in his hand. His legs fell on either side of the Ravenclaw's waist, not quite wrapped around him. Harry was wearing the glamour spell that he usually used to cover his scars. So, it was easy to see that at one point in the night, Will had used Harry's chest as his own easel. There were pen marks that lined Harry's deceptively smooth unmarred skin. The ring that hung so intimately around Harry's neck, shone in the candle light, invisible to Will...and maybe just as invisible to Harry.

When Severus had thrown the door open, both students looked up in surprise.

It was the look of guilt and shock on Harry's face that managed to render Severus speechless. All Severus could see were emerald eyes clouded with betrayal. All he felt was a burning he had never experience before spread throughout his body.

Without a word to either of them, Severus slammed the door shut once more.

Harry jumped at the sound as if he had been shot. For a few seconds he stumbled to his feet, backing away from Will as if he had suddenly been confronted by a monster.

"Harry," Will said softly. "Harry it's okay. He didn't even care. Besides we weren't doing anything wrong you know."

Harry grabbed his shirt, tie and robe from the ground hurriedly.

"Harry please stop," Will pleaded desperately when he realized that Harry was going to leave just as quickly as Professor Snape had.

Harry turned to him, forcing himself to focus. "I'm sorry Will, I have to leave."

Will shook his head as if to deny the soft words. He walked over to Harry and ran his fingers gently down Harry's cheek, then neck, resting his hand on the smooth Seeker's chest.

"Harry I really like you," he said softly. "I'm sure even Professor Snape probably realized that. He didn't even give us detention. We spend all this time together. Don't you like me just a little bit too?"

Harry gazed into Will's pleading hazel eyes and all he saw were liquid pools of onyx that lit ablaze in passion. Pale skin. Black hair. Cinnamon and smoke, Vanilla and spices.

I love you Severus...with all your faults.

"I'm sorry Will," Harry whispered, realizing that once again, he had broken yet another man's heart accidentally.

He ran out the door, knowing that he didn't have a dungeon or a Potions master to turn to this time and it was his own fault.

Even if he hadn't done anything wrong.

X-x-X