Chapter 1

Harry woke with a start in his bed at number 12 Grimmauld place. The room was dark and the house creaked into the quiet night. Harry was still having nightmares of that dreaded night in the graveyard, 2 years later, still blaming himself for Cedric's death. Harry silently got out of bed and went down stairs to get a glass of water before trying to go back to sleep.

Harry was struggling to reach a glass when he felt another body behind him and saw a pale white long fingered hand grab the glass he was struggling for. Harry smiled assuming it was one of his God fathers and grabbed the glass turning around as the other man backed away from him. Harry was shocked to find his potions professor Severus Snape was the one who had been behind him. Harry's smile faded to a blush. Severus had been living at number 12 Grimmauld with Harry and his God fathers Sirius and Remus all summer now, but Harry still became nervous whenever the man walked into a room, as if he expected his professor to give him a detention.

Severus smiled at him and said, "Don't mention it Harry."

"Sorry profess… um, Severus. Thank you", said Harry

"You're welcome. What are you doing up at this hour?" Severus asked hoping the boy was ok.

"It's nothing sir, just another nightmare." Harry replied.

"Diggory?" Severus asked

"Yes I just seem to be reliving his death in my dreams over and over again", Harry's fear was evident in his voice

"Nightmares do go away Harry." said Severus sympathetically knowing how much it hurt to relive a loved one's death.

"Thanks Severus. I just wish I could sleep. The nightmares wouldn't be so bad if I could get back to sleep." Harry said

Severus looked at harry thoughtful. For the first time since he had entered the kitchen he notice the dark circles under Harry's eyes and how tired he looked.

"Have you talked to Sirius and Remus at all?" Severus inquired

"No, I don't want to be a bother so I usually just come down here and work on my assignments, or stay in my room." He replied

"Harry if you're not comfortable with going to Sirius and Remus then why not me?"

"Are you kidding me, up until this summer you were my evil potions professor."

"I know, but Harry if you need help you should go to someone. I may not be your head of house, but I extend that offer to you while we're at Hogwarts as well."

"Thank you Severus"

"Harry is there anything you want to tell me"

"Yes, but I'm scared Severus"

"Of what?"

"There's something I've been hiding from everyone. Something I don't want to be judged for."

"Harry I promise you I won't judge you, or tell anyone unless someone is hurting you."

"Ok ... I'm gay and I'm afraid that everyone will think its Remus and Sirius' fault, but it's not."

"Why would it be their fault Harry?"

"Because they're gay, and people will think they influenced me and corrupted their golden boy." Harry said starting to become highly frustrated thinking about the narrow minded people in the wizarding world.

"Harry lets go sit down in the next room."

Harry stepped forward unsteadily and Severus caught him at his waist and led him into the sitting room. Severus could tell he was exhausted. As they sat down Harry instantly relaxed bit by bit into the cushions. Severus frowned knowing that boy was troubled and only wanted to be left to his family and friends the rest of the world be damned. The boy had a hard life and just wanted to be left in peace without all these pressures of the coming war and the part he would play in it. In the silence Severus hadn't noticed Harry had rested his head on Severus shoulder and was going in and out of sleep. Severus let Harry lay down in his lap knowing that if he tried to move the boy he would wake up again and not go back to sleep for hours. Severus accioed a book to himself and started to read with one hand holding the book, and the other working his finger through the sleeping boys hair. They would talk more in the morning.