As if in slow motion, Harry watched as Severus pulled away and sat straighter. His entire body tensed, his back straight and shoulders squared, his black curtain of hair coming to cover his face as he left his teacup on the coffee table. Harry blinked in stupor as he realised it had been months since Severus had last done that in his presence, had hidden from him, had pulled away. He felt a painful pang in his chest as he blinked. “If you think you won’t have time for us, please, do let me know as soon as—” “What? What are you saying?” Harry took stock of Severus, and saw his expression hardened behind his mask, though it was cracking. His eyes were cold, black pools full of emotions that were kept carefully hidden. But Harry knew. Harry could read them. “Hey, Severus, that’s not what I meant at all,” Harry rushed to say, leaving the cup on the coffee table and shifting closer. But Severus kept his body at arm’s length, tense, his eyes avoiding his gaze. “Tomorrow the students will return, the new year will start,” Severus said in a cold, even tone, “I will have responsibilities. And your time will already be strained between your studies, your friends and Quidditch. It’s inevitable that you will… have little time for us.” A heavy, cold dread settled in Harry’s lower stomach at Severus’s words, at the resigned tone of his voice. He shifted closer to Severus, resting against his body, and sought his hand under the blanket they were sharing. His fingers were cold, and gripped his hand tight as soon as they found it. “Severus… look at me. Look,” Harry whispered in a soft, caring voice. He tugged at his hand, and when Severus finally locked eyes with him, a chill ran through Harry’s back, followed by a shudder and a warm tug coming from their connected hands. His eyes were glistening, still hard but beneath that, there was a fear and need that warmed the deepest part of Harry’s soul. He squeezed Severus’s hand firmly, anchoring them both in the moment. “Listen to me,” he began, his voice steady but thick with emotion. “I know this year is going to be busy—for both of us. And I know we’ll have responsibilities pulling us in every direction. But don’t ever think that means I suddenly don’t care about you. You are my friend now, and no friend is left behind.”
Little snippet of this week's BENEATH THE SURFACE chapter!!