No Longer Loving In Silence

Severus unlocked his wards without much thought and hastened into his study to get his bag and potions.

"I was wondering where you had gone," a silky voice said. Severus froze with a bottle of salve in his hand. "But judging from what you are doing right now, I guess your services as a Potions Master are need."

The black-haired wizard whirled around, and saw Draco leaning indolently against the wall. "How did you get in?" Severus demanded.

"By entering through the doorway, of course. Do you want to go out for dinner with me, sir? I'm quite bored."

Severus lifted his eyebrow. "I'm afraid that it is quite impossible for me to do so, Draco. As you have said, a friend of mine is in need of my services."

"Friend, sir? I didn't know you had one." Draco smiled guilelessly. "Who is it?"

"What do you want, Draco?"

Draco chuckled, and the sound of it made the hair on his arms stand. "What I want is quite simple, sir." The silver-haired wizard uttered a spell. Severus ducked but he miscalculated and felt the hex sear into his waist. He crashed into his desk, and doubled up in pain. The bottle that was in his grip rolled onto the floor.

Severus sensed the other wizard approach him and he desperately tried to reach for his wand.

"Lacerare!" Draco shouted, and the hex slashed Severus' right arm. Then cruel fingers raked through his black hair and jerked it forcefully. The older wizard gasped and his vision blurred with pain. "Severus Snape." Draco laughed again. His young aquiline face hovered closely above his own. "Stay away from Harry, Snape. If you dare help him…"

Draco slammed his head against the floor and forced his legs apart. Severus struggled but he could not free himself, or roll over. Draco was surprisingly strong for his lean frame. He flinched, as he felt Draco's arousal rub against his groin.

"If you dare help him, Snape, I'll do the same things to you." Draco Malfoy groaned slightly. "But you – uhnnn – I'll make you like it. I'll make you beg for more."

Severus shook with revulsion as Draco clung to him and drove himself to orgasm. "Oh yes…" Draco hissed as he climaxed. Severus freed his arm from under him, took advantage of Malfoy's preoccupation and managed to get his wand out of his pocket. "Harry's mine…" Draco whispered.

"Yours?" Severus' voice was sarcastic. He pressed the tip of his wand directly on Draco's chest. "Expelliarmus!" He disarmed the blonde-haired wizard and cast another spell. The force of it hurled Draco across his study.

Severus rose to his feet shakily and bound Draco's immobile form with magical binds. "Over my dead body. Harry will never be yours, and I will cut off your arms myself if you touch him again," he muttered under his breath.

The Potions Master limped to the cabinet where he stored most of his potions and took a small tube out from its holder. He went back to Draco and forced the wizard to open his mouth. Severus tilted the tube and its content to flow into the mouth, and Draco passed out five minutes later. He should be out for the next five hours. Now, where did I drop the ointment?

Severus made sure that he had all the potions Harry need. He was about to leave when he felt the dampness on his groin, and nearly retched at the thought of what Draco had done to him. He changed, all the while cursing under his breath. He ignored the cut that ran from his knuckle to his elbow, as well as the way his head pounded each time he moved suddenly.

Harry was asleep on his bed with his glasses still on his face, and Severus was filled with relief. He prepared his things and worked quickly to apply the medicine on Harry's body. However, when he came to a badly abused nipple, Severus wished that he had Madam Pomfrey with him. This is why I became a Potions Master rather than a medic. He judged from the way that Harry screamed when he applied the white cream on the nipple, it must have been very painful indeed. Severus stopped and waited for Harry to catch his breath.

"Severus," Harry whispered and opened his eyes. "You're back." Gratefulness shone behind the lenses, but it quickly turned into consternation. "Severus – you're hurt." Harry started to sit up.

"Stay still," he ordered firmly.

"What happened?" Harry asked but Severus remained silent. "Draco. Draco did this, didn't he?" The Gryffindor stopped his hand, preventing him from applying the medicine on the hip. "You've helped me enough. Go – I don't want you to be troubled further."

Severus scowled darkly at the reclining wizard. "I do not leave my tasks half-finished, Harry," he said harshly. He continued to lather the cream on the lacerations on Harry's body. "Now that you are awake, I ask you to let me clean you and apply the salve now. This way, we won't inconvenience Madam Pomfrey a second time."

"No…" Harry looked at him with wide eyes. "I'm all right."

"I highly doubt it," Severus said drily. "Your choice – do you want to drink a sleeping potion or not?" He could see the fear and indecision written all over the young face. "Or shall I call Lupin?"

"No!"

He nodded and reached out for the tumbler he had placed on the bedside table earlier. He handed it to Harry, but the young man shook his head. "Don't be a fool!" Severus snapped. "You don't have to be aware!"

"I don't want to take any more drugs," Harry said quietly. "Just do what you have to. I'm not silly enough to think that you will take advantage of me."

"You can't be certain, Harry," he said warningly.

"Of you, I am," Harry disagreed. "I trust you, Severus – not with my whole heart, of course, but I know you will not hurt me this way."

"You're still foolishly stubborn!" Severus exploded and placed the tumbler back on the table. He stared piercingly into Harry's eyes and took a deep breath. "Harry, if you can't bear it, tell me, and I'll withdraw."

Severus watched his own reflection dreamily as he washed his hands. His cheeks were still pink and he groaned inwardly. He felt guilty, and hoped that Harry would forgive him for his reaction.

Usually, Severus was able to control responses that his body made. However, he failed miserably that night. He became aroused while his finger was inside Harry, to apply the salve. He shook himself slightly, turned off the tap and wiped his hands on a towel. He expected Harry to be asleep, but he was not when Severus returned to the bedroom.

"Severus?" Harry called with an odd look on his face.

"What is it?" he asked but went to the bed nonetheless.

Harry raised his arm and his fingers closed around Severus' burnt ones. "Stay."

The first thing that came into his mind was that he had to hand Draco over to Lupin, but at Harry's pleading look, he decided he could afford to stay, for a while.

"Please, Severus?"

He could only nod for he did not trust his voice. He removed his boots and then allowed Harry to pull him forward. He sat gingerly on the edge of the bed.

"You'll fall off, if you keep to the edge. The bed is big enough."

Severus sat with his legs outstretched and leaned back against the headboard. Harry murmured a soft 'thank you' and reclined beside Severus. The older wizard's heartbeat quickened and then he jerked slightly when Harry's head came to rest on his lap. Harry had also taken hold of his right hand.

He tried to think of a scathing remark but Harry made it hard for him; the warmth of Harry's hand made him dreamy. Severus shook his head slightly. "Harry?" The emerald-eyed Gryffindor met his gaze. "I can only stay for a while."

Harry did not respond with words but Severus got the hint when Harry's grip on his arm tightened slightly. Again, Severus thought of a smart remark but realized he had taken too much time to do so. Harry was already fast asleep. Severus sighed, carefully lifted Harry's glasses and placed it on the bedside table. He tilted his head back and stared blankly at the ceiling. The room darkened. After a while, he could not keep his left hand still, and he started to caress the black, unruly hair. Strangely, it felt soothing. He closed his eyes and sighed in contentment before he fell asleep.

Severus was jarred awake by loud voices a few hours later. He wanted to massage the ache in his neck but realized that something prevented him from doing so. He cracked his right eye open and saw that Harry had slid off his lap to lay fully on the bed.

Is my thigh that comfortable, that he hugs it as though it's a bolster? Severus thought darkly, and forgot that there were people in the house. And when is he going to let go of my hand? He was too busy frowning at the sleeping figure to notice the two figures in the doorway, or the calls made by a third person.

"You sick greasy bastard."

"What have you done to Harry?"

"Fred! Stop!" Remus' voice rang out. "George – lower your wand. Now!" Two huge candles appeared and illuminated the bedroom.

Severus could not believe that Harry managed to sleep through the commotion. "Keep your voices down, fools. He's sleeping." I seriously doubt that he would wake even if an Erumpent runs loose in his house.

"Severus. What happened?" Remus demanded.

"Draco managed to get in – I have no bloody idea how – and you can guess at the rest. I have already seen to Harry, so he should be fine," he replied.

"All right but what in Merlin's name happened to you? Your cheek's all blue."

"Draco was in my house when I went back to get my potions –"

"Hang on a second. You were with Harry initially?" Fred's tone was menacing.

"No, I was not. Draco came here first."

"Then Harry called you?" Remus frowned slightly.

Severus sighed and looked at the werewolf patiently. "Where in the hell did you get that idea, Lupin? You know him – will he ever ask anyone for help? Especially mine?"

"You have a point there," Remus conceded.

"Then … how did you –"

"– know that Harry was possibly in trouble?" George finished his twin's statement.

Severus could only stare at them. "Draco is in my study, Lupin. I forced him to drink a sleeping potion before I left. What is the time now?"

"Nearly eleven," one of the Weasley twins replied.

Eleven?! "Quick – damn you, Harry! Let go of me!" Severus swore. "The potion will only be good for another hour." Then he tried to free himself. Unfortunately, the harder he tried the stronger Harry held on to his arm and leg.

"Don't bother, Severus." Remus turned to the twins. "Get Tonks and Kingsley immediately. I'll wait inside the kitchen."

"But Remus, what about Harry?"

"He is safe."

"You're joking."

"Get going!" Remus snapped. "How are we going to get in your study, Severus?"

"The fireplaces are blocked so you can't Floo. Enter by the door. I only placed normal wards on it." A soft noise attracted Severus' attention. Beside him, Harry stirred and called his name softly.

"Here." Remus handed him several pillows and a blanket. Severus stared at the werewolf as though the latter had gone mad.

"What are they for?"

"It is obvious Harry doesn't want you to leave, Severus, so stay and look after him," Remus said calmly. "I will deal with Draco. Tell Harry that he should stay home. I'll inform Burgess that Harry's sick." The werewolf gestured at the candles and they vanished. The room became dark and Remus immediately left the room. The door closed with a soft click.

In the darkness, Severus stared at the bundle of blanket and pillows. I might as well…. However, he still could not disentangle his arm and leg from Harry's grip. Exasperated, Severus said loudly, "Harry, will you please let me be comfortable? If I'm going to be by your side, I'd rather not have my back and arse ache first thing in the morning."

Harry mumbled something and turned away. Severus used the opportunity to remove his outer robes and slid back to bed. His head barely touched a nicely positioned pillow when Harry turned over to face him, and unconsciously grabbed hold of Severus' left arm. Then he rested his forehead lightly on the older wizard's side.

"Seriously…" Severus did not know if he should be amused or aggravated. He turned slightly and his movement caused Harry to snuggle up against him instantaneously. "I hope you're happy now," he muttered. He spent a long time listening to Harry's breathing and without meaning to, he planted a soft kiss on Harry's head. When he realized what he had done, he blushed furiously. Sleep, you fool.

Drums. Harry heard them very clearly. He could feel his throat become dry. His heartbeat was rapid. Fear gripped him. Adrenaline pumped through his veins. The drumming of the Red Caps just grew louder.

Harry gasped and opened his eyes instantly. He took several deep breaths and tried to calm his agitated self. Then he heard the slow and steady beat. It was the sound of a heart beating and not the beatings of a drum that signaled the approach of Voldemort's followers. The scent of soap and bitter almond filled his nostrils. Harry took another deep breath, and smelled honey and lemon as well. The iron-like scent of blood was absent and there was no stickiness under his fingers. There was no wracking coughs or any sounds that sounded as though someone was coughing blood. Harry was warm and safe – he was not cold and shivering, or in fear for someone's life.

He felt greatly reassured and pressed against the body beside him. He was with Severus. Severus who was still breathing deep and steady breaths. The Potions Master was even snoring, a little. Harry's lips curved into an amused smile, but mercurially turned sorrowful.

Wish you had been here to save me, like you always do, Harry thought sadly. I wish that you were mine.

Although the bedroom had no windows and no natural light, Harry knew it was about seven in the morning. It had become something of a habit for him to wake early. He had to since Mr. Burgess disliked his employees to come later than he did. Harry sighed and waved his hand at the ceiling. It began to glow dimly.

Harry tilted his head back to gaze at Severus' calm features, and his heart nearly burst with emotion. His fingers that had been resting on the Potions Master's chest earlier had slid up to the wizard's chin and continued to move upward. Then they stopped to caress a sharply defined cheekbone.

I can never forget the day that I nearly lost you. Harry sighed again. "Thank you," he said softly. "For staying. For keeping on living. I wish I knew why you had chosen to risk your life to save mine though. But thank you all the same, for holding on."

He had been so certain that Severus was sleeping too deeply to hear his words. Although Harry was not wearing his glasses, he knew that the gleaming, black and almond-shaped things were not eyebrows. His inner self screamed at him, to pull his hand away, but his fingers felt glued to Severus' cheek.

"So it was not a dream," Severus whispered. "I nearly … died?"

Harry was quite amazed that Severus did not slap his hand away, or made any move to displace it. He opened his mouth to answer, but nothing came out. He tried several times, and finally found his voice.

"No, Severus. It was no dream," Harry said quietly.