Quenched: Chapter Two

Snape transfigured the black couch into a bed. Harry shakily let go of his professor's arm, finally.

Snape turned to Harry and began, "I believe it is best that we wait to discuss—"

Harry cut him off with watery eyes, "I couldn't agree more, Sir!" He grabbed hold of his old Potion Professor's right hand, shaking it, "Thank you Sir—you have no idea how much this means to me—no one has helped me, and—"

Snape cocked an eyebrow at the man. His hand was of natural body temperature, to his surprise. All other literature suggested that vampires were colder than humans.

That was as far as his thoughts could go. No one had touched Snape for ages—he couldn't remember the last time that someone besides Dumbledore wanted to shake his hand.

And Potter insisted on touching him, it seemed. Snape snorted inwardly. "Potter, let me stop you there." He held up his other hand. Harry stole his right hand away from Snape's.

Before he could say anything, Snape started again. "First off, you do not need to call me 'Sir' anymore. I am not your teacher. You may call me Severus."

Harry felt his lips curl into a smile. "And you'll call me Harry, then? Not Potter?" He mimicked sarcastically.

Snape rolled his eyes. "You're lucky I can no longer take house points from you. I…suppose I could call you by your given name…Harry."

Harry didn't know why, but he felt funny after Snape…Severus...called him by his first name. "Erm…alright. Sev-Severus?" He felt his voice shaking. Snape cocked an eyebrow, so he continued, "Why is it that you do want to help me? It's just…no offense, but you're the last person I'd have thought of to…to…"

Snape finished for him, "To mind about your well-being?" Harry nodded, noticing he didn't use the word 'care.'

Snape sighed, "Potter, I cannot keep—"

"Harry!" He meekly interjected.

Snape rolled his eyes. "Harry. I will not explain this to you again. I swore to myself, after your mother…Lily…passed, that I would protect you. I realize that the Dark Lord is gone, thank Merlin, and that you are no longer a schoolboy. However," he paused, pinching the bridge of his nose, "that does not mean I want this…outcome for you." I should have known that protecting the boy would be a lifetime job. He thought tiredly.

Harry nodded once, gulping. "I'm—"

Snape interrupted him, "I will not accept an apology from you, Pot-Harry." Dear Merlin, this might be more difficult than I thought… "This was not your fault, but rather, some other hungry beast of a creature."

Harry looked down, feeling like he was being lectured in school again. He sighed heavily. "Alright."

"Good." Snape turned away from him, walking to his room. Before he entered, he told Harry, "As planned, we will talk more soon. The kitchen is there," he directed with his hand, "and the bathroom is there," he moved his hand again.

Harry nodded, chuckling slightly. "Thanks, though I won't need anything from the kitchen."

Snape mentally slapped himself. He cursed under his breath and continued, "This is my room, P-Harry. Only in an emergency should you barge in, otherwise, knock first. I should wake around 7AM. Make yourself comfortable, and…try to get some sleep." Do vampires sleep? He thought.

Harry smiled, sitting down on the comfy bed. "Don't worry, Severus. I'll respect your privacy and your home. I'm just glad to be here."

Severus gave a curt nod and shut the door behind him. The boy is going to kill me. He thought, rubbing his temples.

Harry bounced a little on the bed. He hadn't slept on a bed in…two months?

He put his hand over his mouth and yawned. Quickly, he reached for his wand, transfiguring his clothes into a red nightshirt and long, soft pants. He fluffed the pillow and used wandless magic to turn off the lights, "Nox."

His mind was racing. He kept thinking of the shock on Snape's face after seeing him…what he must think of him…

He closed his eyes, trying to hold it together. At least I know he doesn't hate me. He smiled, thinking back to when they apparated. No—or else he wouldn't have asked me to grab his arm…

His mind drifted onto happy thoughts, and for the first time in weeks, he felt at ease whilst in a deep sleep.