As always... much thanks to Yen for making this prettier. Ree

Deep Thoughts

"Being independent is the best thing ever." Ron settled back into the bench watching Harry's face. "You are responsible for yourself. No one tells you what to do, when to do it, or anything."

Harry tried not to frown, attempting to see this from Ron's side. He was raised, almost smothered, by his large family. Of course he would not want to be dependent on anyone. Then again, it was nice not to have Petunia assigning chores, withholding food, and just taking her ire out on him because she could. He wasn't sure he wanted to be independent though.

(o.o)

"What is it, Harry?"

Harry sipped his butterbear before answering. "Independent... is too much responsibility. What if you need someone's help, or just wanted them to take care of you?"

Ron snorted. "Just ask Mum, she'll handle it."

Harry's eyes drifted over towards the door of the Three Broomsticks. At that moment, in a squalid house in a rundown area of England, Severus was waiting on him. He knew the man would be reading quietly by the fire until he returned. It felt good to know that someone was there for him. Not with arbitrary orders, but with requests.

(o.o)

"But isn't that being dependent on her?" Harry returned his gaze to Ron.

Ron scrunched up his forehead, thinking hard.

Harry's mind drifted back to Severus. No one yet knew that he and the old Potions Master were sharing a home, both relying on the other for company and understanding. 'We rely on each other, not one solely on the other. I'm not his dependent, and he isn't mine. We aren't really independent though because we need each other.' Their bed would be cold and his heart would hurt too much if Severus wasn't there. Severus felt the same.

(o.o)

"It's not the same. You can leave Mum whenever you want, and she can't order you to stay," Ron's answer came tumbling out.

Harry chuckled. "You tell your Mum that."

Ron's scared look before his sheepish smile said it all.

"How would you feel about interdependence?" Harry watched Ron as carefully as Ron had watched him earlier.

"Interdependence?"

Harry nodded. "Both people depend on the other equally. Like you and Hermione."

A soft smile curved Ron's lips. "I like that."

Harry finished his butterbear and stood up. "So do I. I'm heading home, tell Hermione hi for me."

(o.o)

Severus looked up from his book when Harry leaned on his chair. "How was Mr. Weasley?"

Harry reveled in the attention focused completely on him. "He is fine - enjoying his independence."

Severus noted the slightly off tone Harry used. "You are not enjoying yours?"

Running a finger down a pale cheek, Harry grinned. "I'm not independent."

Dark eyes narrowed. "I am not your guardian, Harry. You are not my dependent."

Harry dropped a kiss onto the upturned face before answering that. "No, I'm interdependent. At least I think we are."

A slow, warm smile curved Severus' lips. "We are."