8 Hours

"James, you're not supposed to be in here."

"It's fine everyone's asleep, no one saw me I made sure."

"But-"

The Slytherin was silenced by a deep kiss. James used the distraction to slip into the bed beside Severus before he broke it. Severus sighed.

"Again, you're not supposed to be here."

"Again, no one knows I'm here." James said with a roll of his eyes as he lifted up the covers on the bed and settled in beside his lover. "Besides, what's the point of Slytherin having their own rooms if we can't take advantage of it."

"Studying, staying focused, reaching academic excellence." Severus listed off easily even as he lay his head on James' shoulder as they lay back. The hazel eyed wizard sighed.

"Dying of boredom."

Severus laughed, "It's fine, I've missed sleeping with you."

James hummed, feeling his chest fill with warmth as he pulled the raven against him, cuddling into the other teen when Severus suddenly spoke.

"How did it go with Lupin and Black?"

James sighed, "About as well as you could imagine."

"That bad?"

"You know, I don't remember Sirius ever being so… childish and difficult."

"It was eight years ago."

"That's no excuse Sev." James huffed, "If I were him I would've just been happy that he was happy."

Severus pulled back a bit to arch a brow at his lover, "Really?"

James paused at the look on the other's face, "Well, alright it might've taken some time for me to get used to the idea."

"If you we're him, you would've gone to Dumbledore and tried to have me expelled for using some imaginary potion or spell on him. Or played some sort of horrible prank on me, or spread rumours to turn the school against me-"

"Alright, alright I get it I used to be just as childish and difficult as Sirius but," James sighed, "I was really hoping things would be different."

"They might be. Just give him some time, I'm sure he'll come around."

"You think so?"

"No, personally I don't think it's possible for Black to ever change. But he is your friend so I'm willing to pretend like I believe in him for your sake." Severus said with a shrug and James couldn't help but pout.

"How thoughtful."

Severus laughed, leaning up to press a kiss on James' lips, "If you care for each other as much as you claim you do, then maybe he'll surprise me." James didn't say anything to that just pulled Severus even closer.

"What about Lupin?"

"He's confused, but he was willing to listen at least."

"See it's not all hopeless."

"I'm just tired of all this. I just want to be done with it all. I want us to get our own place. A cottage somewhere in the middle of nowhere, lots of trees and space for the baby to play."

"No."

"No?" James asked with a frown as Severus shrugged.

"We were alone too long. I'd want somewhere busy like the city, lots of neighbours with kids for the baby to play with."

James let out a deep breath, "Not much privacy."

"We could cast wards and privacy spells."

"I suppose you're right."

"That'll have to wait till graduation." Severus said, "We have transfiguration first thing tomorrow."

James buried his face in Severus' hair with a groan the Slytherin gave a snort, "If it makes you feel better, you also have quidditch practice tomorrow."

"They're going to kill me." James mumbled into Severus' hair, Severus wrapped his arms around James' waist, "They won't kill you."

"They're going to torture me."

"Alright they might torture you but, everyone knows you're the best chaser in school. At this point you're more valuable alive. Evan said-"

"Can we please not talk about your ex?" James mumbled out in annoyance, "It's bad enough that I have to play nice with him."

"Evan- Rosier isn't my ex and you're missing the point."

"What point?"

"Rosier likes me – not like that – but he likes me enough that he'll be willing to put up with you, if not for me then because he knows how crazy it'll drive the Gryffindors to know their quidditch captain is now playing for the enemy."

"Rub it in why don't you."

"James." Severus started pulling back so he could look the other in the eye, "I am sorry, for-"

"Don't apologise, we're together nothing else really matters."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Two months after the shower incident, Potter was acting weird.

Too weird.

He kept staring. Now the staring in itself wasn't all that strange since Potter used to stare at him with pure hatred all the time before they got caught in the Room of Requirement. Staring wasn't strange, it's the way that Potter stared that set Severus on edge along with the way he kept…

Blushing.

It was all very strange, especially since the Gryffindor hadn't even tried to pick a fight with him and he'd been trying to be helpful.

Those first few weeks after the incident, it seemed Potter was avoiding him. He was always leaving the room the moment Severus entered, leaving the house even earlier to go flying and coming back much later. Eating all his meals in his room and only popping in to speak to the Slytherin to check on his progress in getting them out of the room and reporting back on the fact that the room still didn't seem to have any end to it. This was something Severus didn't mind at all the less time he needs to spend around the arrogant twat the better. He didn't question why James was avoiding him, it occurred to him that it might have had something to do with the shower incident but Severus really didn't want to examine his feelings on the incident too closely. Instead he chose to focus on getting them out of the godforsaken room.

He wasn't making much progress.

And then Potter stopped avoiding him.

Suddenly he was there all the time. Suddenly Severus just couldn't get rid of him.

It started slow. First Potter started coming back from his daily flights earlier and earlier until he eventually stopped going out altogether.

"There's never anything new, it just seems like a bit of a waste really."

Potter stopped eating in his room. Usually they'd eat in separate rooms or just sitting as far away from one another as humanly possible. But of course, Potter's been different lately. He started eating with Severus. Usually he'd be quiet and just sit there occupied with his food, though Severus had caught him glancing up at him more than just a few times. Then he started making actual conversation. It didn't seem all that odd at first. Potter would ask about Severus' progress with finding a way out of the room, asking if there was anything, he could do to speed things along.

"I just… there's nothing better to do right?"

So, Severus allowed it. Of course, that meant that the annoying Gryffindor would be in his presence even more often, still it was bearable. It was the strangest thing, especially since Severus could tell the other was actually making an effort to avoid picking a fight with him. Then again, fighting was somewhat counter productive since they were stuck there with absolutely no way to escape. Even Severus could agree that being civil really was the only way forward, at least for the time being.

It was fine for the most part.

But then he started to notice that Potter was always spending his time around him. they were always eating together, always in one another's presence even when Severus made it clear that his assistance wasn't necessary for whatever research he was doing concerning the room.

It was deeply unsettling.

He tried to deal with it as best as he could. Tried to make peace with Potter's constant presence since he really didn't have much of a choice in the matter. They're trapped in the Room of Requirement with absolutely no way to escape and Potter clearly had serious issues with being ignored. It would be best to play nice at least for the moment so Severus tried. Honestly, he tried his best not to let the persistent Gryffindor's presence around him annoy him but really an argument was inevitable, regardless of how civil Potter tried to be it was all bound to blow up eventually.

But two months passed and they never really argued. At least, not like before.

They were in the house in front of what was meant to be a front door or what should have been the door leading out of the Room of Requirement. Severus was trying a few spells to see if he couldn't encourage the door to open up to Hogwarts. James sat on the floor behind him, watching as Severus tried one spell after the other. The Gryffindor would write down each spell on the list after Severus cast it.

"Bombardo." Severus said with a sigh as he dragged a hand through his hair in frustration and James wrote it down. "This is ridiculous. Are you sure there aren't any other ways of getting out of this hell hole besides the front door?"

James rolled his eyes, "If there was, we wouldn't be here right now."

"I just can't for the life of me understand why this happened?" The Slytherin shut his eyes and took a deep breath before he turned to face the Gryffindor, "Do you remember the last time you used this room?"

James shrugged, "Yeah."

"Didn't you notice anything strange when you did? A crack in the wall, a strange object that had no place being there? Did you remove something from the room?"

"No, no, no and no." Potter answered evenly with a bored stare, "We've been in here for two months, don't you think I would've told you all of that if it had happened?"

Severus looked at the Gryffindor with an arched brow and James rolled his eyes.

"I know you don't think much of me but lying to you wouldn't help me very much now would it?"

Severus sighed with a roll of his eyes, "This is all just so frustrating."

James' lips pursed together in a tight line, "Maybe you should take a break."

"I suppose so." Severus relented as he turned and walked to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water from the fridge. He wanted to argue but he just didn't have the energy.

Potter followed the way he usually he usually does these days, only he snatched an apple from the fruit bowl in the centre of the kitchen table, tossing the notebook of spells beside the bowl before hopping up to sit on the counter while Severus drank.

"You know, I was thinking." Potter suddenly said and Severus' eyes narrowed down ever so slightly.

"Not a good sign."

James rolled his eyes, "What if this is some sort of quest?"

"A quest?"

"Yeah, what if we're supposed to solve some sort of puzzle or mystery before the room will let us out?"

Severus took a deep breath, "No."

"Why not?!" James all but whined and Severus prayed for patience.

"If this was some sort of quest or puzzle or anything of the sort, we would have received some sort of clue by now. A riddle or a clue left for us to follow, strangely placed trinkets to tip us off on the cryptic nature of the situation. Its just a house. And even if there was no time limit to the quest, we've been here for two months, we would've suffered some sort of penalty by now for not solving some part of the puzzle, besides just being trapped in here."

James paused, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"It's not making any sense. No damages, no obvious signs of tampering, no quests. There's no reason for this to be happening. It lets us have whatever we want except anything that might help us escape. We can't send messages to the outside world, we can't ask for books on the true workings of the room, no potions that would allow is to escape. It's like the room is wilfully keeping us here for the sake of simply keeping us here."

"And that doesn't make sense because…"

"All magic, every spell, every curse every hex and potion has a purpose. Without a purpose it becomes redundant and when its redundant it doesn't exist." Snape started pacing from the kitchen table to the fridge and back while Potter only watched him. "That's why every spell has a counter spell, so that what's done can be undone. Its keeping us in here but there must be a reason why. It can't just be to keep us here, there must be something more to it. But if it isn't a puzzle and the room of requirement hasn't been damaged then I honestly don't know what it could be."

"Wow, you really need a break."

Snape rolled his eyes, "I'll take a break once we're out of this hell hole. Honesty, I'm surprised you aren't just as eager to get out of here as I am."

The hazel eyed wizard blinked before giving a scoff, "Well, of course I want to get out of here. I'm just not willing to drive myself insane trying. It's been two months. Who knows. By now someone must have noticed that we've disappeared. They might have even figured out that we're trapped in here. I think it's only a matter of time until we get out."

"It has been two months."

Honestly, Severus wasn't sure if anyone would come looking for him if he disappeared. He wasn't sure if anyone on his house would even care besides Narcissa, Regulus or possibly Rosier. But surely someone should have noticed Potter's absence and with Dumbledore constantly fawning over his precious Gryffindors, Severus was sure that he would have started a search party for the chaser by now.

"I suppose you're right."

"Really?" Potter said and Severus almost groaned in frustration at the grin he saw on the others face. "Severus Snape admits that I'm right, I didn't think it was possible."

The Slytherin rolled his eyes as he picked up the note pad Potter set on the table and turned to leave. "I'm going to go see if there aren't any spells we missed."

"I thought we agreed that we we're taking a break."

"I didn't agree to anything."

"Don't be so difficult. What's one day off?" Potter said as he took one last bite out of what was left of is apple before he hopped off the counter, "I'll even make us dinner."

Severus stopped to look back at the other teen with a scoff, "The great James Potter cooks?"

Potter gave him a bored look as he walked over to the fridge, "Yes, the great James Potter cooks."

"Well, good for you but I'd rather not eat anything that your hands have touched."

"Oh c'mon. If I wanted to kill you then I wouldn't try to poison you. And in any case, killing you wouldn't help me get out of here." Potter said and Severus sighed.

"Fine."

"Really?"

"Why not?" Snape said turning back to slip into one of the seats at the table to set the notebook down and start reading through it, "Worst case scenario; I die of food poisoning and I'll finally be free of this place."

Potter only rolled his eyes as he opened the fridge to start looking through it.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Double potions with Slytherin. They weren't brewing. Slughorn was giving a lecture on Felix Felicis and all its fascinating effects.

James sat next to Snape at the head of the class, with Snape making notes although not as furiously as he normally did. James with his arm on the raven's backrest fingers lazily twirling in those inky black locks while he made notes with the other.

Remus still couldn't believe it.

James explained everything, or at least tried to explain exactly how all of this managed to happen. But it was still just so much. It was difficult to process so Remus was still processing. The werewolf looked over to the figure sitting beside him, watching as Sirius watched James and Severus with a look that Remus couldn't really describe.

His eyes were blank, his lips tugged up slightly. Though it wasn't a smile or even a smirk, his brow wrinkled. Confusion came to mind but the Animagus didn't seem confused. Remus looked back behind him where Peter sat trying and clearly failing to keep up as Slughorn spoke. They haven't really gotten around to telling Peter about everything that's been happening. The portly boy asked why in the hell James suddenly decided to join Slytherin but at the time they weren't really sure themselves so they couldn't answer him. Sirius had left the room without a word and Remus just gave his friend a soft smile as he told him that they'd tell him as soon as they figured it out themselves.

But they haven't.

James explained about the room of requirement. How it trapped them in an eight-year illusion, how he basically lived with Snape and only Snape for eight whole years. How he got to know the Slytherin and ended up falling in love with him.

They thought he was joking at first, they hoped that it was all nothing more than some elaborate prank. But then James made it abundantly clear that it was no joke. Needless to say, Sirius didn't take it well.

"James have you lost your mind?! You can't be in love with Snape!"

"And why not?"

"It's Snape!"

Remus took in a deep breath, "James, this is all just so sudden."

"Well it wasn't sudden for me." The hazel eyed wizard said looking his friend right in the eye, "I had eight years in there with him and when we came out of it… just trying to stay away from him for two weeks was torture. I'm not going to stay away anymore."

Sirius shook his head and turned away, "This can't be happening. You hated him, yesterday."

And then James started to blush, "I'm not sure if that's entirely true but, even so. Sirius you know what it was like between me and Snape just yesterday."

"Yes."

"Knowing everything you know tell me," James stepped forward, "Why on earth would I joke about this? Why would I take it so far as to lose my quidditch badge and move to Slytherin?"

"I don't know!"

Remus sighed, "The room doesn't trap people James, remember you and Sirius tried it with Wormtail in fourth and it just let him out when he asked it to."

"I don't know why it happened Remus, only that it did." James sighed, "Look you and Sirius are my best friends. I love both of you dearly, but I'm in love with Severus. If you can't accept that then I can't force you. But I'm going to ask you not to try to force me to choose between you and him."

"Because you'll choose him?" Sirius snapped with a glare and James only met him with a level stare.

"I already have."

Sirius froze, Remus' eyes went wide. "You're actually serious."

"I sent a letter to mum last night after the sorting." James started to smile a little, "I told her I wanted Severus to come home with me for the holidays. She sent word back this morning, she's thrilled. Can't wait to meet my fiancé."

"Fian-… You're marrying him?" This time Remus gaped. James pressed on, "He's coming home with us whether you like it or not. Sirius so I'm going to ask you to be civil with him, if nothing else."

"James-"

"Sirius. This isn't up for discussion." James' voice was quiet, almost chillingly so. There was a sense of authority in his voice that caught both of them off guard, an edge of maturity that suddenly made their best friend look like a complete stranger. James seemed to notice the sudden change as they fell silent, he lifted a hand to rake through his hair and shut his eyes to take a deep breath.

"Like I said before, you all mean the world to me; but I love him and, yes, I'm going to marry him. You don't have to like him, just accept that I want to be with him. That's all I'm asking for."

"You can't marry Snivellus, James!"

"His name is Severus Snape, Sirius. Don't make me have to remind you again." James said with a dark glare and Remus had to step forward to interrupt his friends before they started fighting.

"Alright, I think-" The werewolf said standing in between his friends with his hands raised before letting out a sigh, "I think we just… need some time. If what you're saying is true James then you had eight years to process this. How about we just take a break and we'll talk about this another time."

James let out a deep breath and without another word he turned around to leave the tower. Remus just sighed while Sirius gave a huff of frustration.

"What in Merlin's name is wrong with him? He can't possibly be serious about this."

"I think he is."

They haven't really spoken about it since. Sirius tried on several occasions to get James' attention to try and talk him out of his insanity but of course James wouldn't hear of it. Not that he had that much time for them anyway. When he wasn't in class he was with Snape and when he wasn't with Snape, Rosier and Lestrange would be hanging around and it would usually just be best for Sirius not to go anywhere near those particular Slytherin.

Remus himself decided that distance was a good step for him to try and come to terms with all of… this. It was all so strange. It would be impossible for James to just suddenly develop feelings for Snape and vice versa overnight, which means that the story that James told them must have been true. They were trapped in the room of requirement in an eight-year illusion. But why. The room has never done that before, the room never even kept them in the room longer than they wanted. If they wanted out it would let them out but for some reason it simply refused to let Snape and James out?

Why?

It made no sense and yet there it is.

Remus didn't know what to think. On the one hand he wants his friends to be happy, and he's never had anything against Snape despite his friends insistent meddling with the Slytherin. On the other it was all just so sudden. Just a few days ago, James was fawning all over Lily Evans now he barely even glances in her direction.

Speaking of Lily.

Remus looked across the room to see the girl making notes, or at least trying to make notes. She seemed to be just as distracted by James and Severus as everyone else was. Remus has caught the redhead along the hallway whispering to the girls around her while her friends glared at the two. Lily seemed upset, but exactly what the girl was upset about wasn't entirely clear.

The school hasn't seemed to fully adjust to the new development but no one ever really said anything out loud. The Slytherins still seemed distrustful of James and the Gryffindors still glared at Snape in the hallways. But no one said anything to the two out loud. Though Remus had a sneaking suspicion the only reason the Slytherins kept their opinions to themselves was because of Evan Rosier.

The blonde was notoriously unstable, most of the students in school knew to just generally stay away from the blonde, which made him quite suited to his role as a beater on the Slytherin team. Rosier was usually hanging around James and Snape. No one wanted to risk the blonde's wrath since he'd made it clear multiple times that he had no fear of punishment. The incident last year being one example, after one arrogant Ravenclaw ended up with a broken jaw and arm after he actually had the nerve to call Rosier out on being as unhinged as he is.

All the same, Remus wasn't sure what to do. He didn't bother asking Sirius since he could guess what the Animagus' response would be. But Remus still felt so confused. The werewolf looked over to the raven haired Slytherin, watching as James gave a snort at something that Snape said before looking down at him with a warm smile.

He heard James' version of events, maybe he should talk to Snape. If Snape would even be willing to talk to him. There's just one thing he can do to find out.

Remus tore a small piece of parchment off to write a note.

James told me everything. Can we talk? – Lupin

He pulled his wand from its holster and waited until Slughorn turned away to look at the board before he cast a levitation spell. Sirius frowned at him in confusion as he watched the note float all the way to James and Snape's desk at the front. The two seemed to pause when James suddenly looked back staring at Remus in confusion. There seemed to be a brief argument with Snape shaking his head before he turned around in his seat. The parchment was folded into a paper plane and Snape blew at it. It floated off his hand and glided to fall right in front of the werewolf.

"Remus?" Sirius whispered and Remus glanced up at his friend as he opened the note to read the response inside.

The library, after dinner.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It's been a year.

They sort of slowed down on their attempts to escape the room when they realised that ten months had gone by without the room giving any indication of letting them out. And also, after realising that ten months had gone by without anyone having come to look for them.

It seemed a bit pointless to slave away over something that they simply couldn't solve.

One year later they're on the floor in Snape's room, leaning against the bed and they were just beyond the point of being tipsy.

"Remarkable isn't it?" Severus said lifting his glass up to the light to look at the amber liquid in the bottom, "It won't let us leave, but its deemed it appropriate to allow two underage boys access to alcohol."

James gave a snort as he took another sip from his glass, "I'm not complaining."

"You wouldn't. You haven't been stuck with James Potter for twelve months."

"Ha-ha," James said giving the Slytherin a half-hearted glare. He's gotten used to the insults more or less, though they were more teasing and less scathing these days. "You wound me Severus."

The Slytherin rolled his eyes as he looked over to him. Long raven strands fell over his face. His hair got longer, James' hair got longer too. It was starting to be quite difficult to deal with. He almost envied the Slytherin's bone straight hair it seemed like less of a hassle than the constant mess of tangles on James' head.

"There's nothing better to do in here, I have to find some form of entertainment."

"Just using me for your own amusement then."

"Do you object?"

"No, I suppose I don't mind being used." And then he reached out, brushed Severus' hair out of his face and onyx eyes widened for a split second before he sat up and looked down at his glass, taking another sip.

"So, the room just gave you whiskey when you asked for it?"

James resisted the urge to sigh in frustration, "Basically, yes."

"I wonder if there isn't something we could ask for to help us get out of here. Maybe, maybe ask it to send a gift to someone and hide a message inside."

"No, no no." James said as he grabbed the bottle of whiskey beside him to refill Snape's glass, "We agreed that we're taking the day off from that."

"To what end Potter?"

"Well, if you keep working like this, you'll eventually just end up burning yourself out and then how will we escape this place? Its obvious that it won't be letting us out any time soon so, we might as well make use of the time we have right?"

"Make use of the time doing what Potter?"

"Whatever we want."

"There isn't much to do in here." Snape said taking a sip from his glass, "I'm not sure what else we could do."

"There's plenty we could do." James said as he leaned his head back, "I could teach you how to ride a broom if you like, you can ask the room for potions instruments and you could teach me how to brew. We could duel-"

"Yes, duel so I can wound you and end up being forced to take care of you until you're better."

James turned his head to look at the raven, "What makes you think you'd win?"

Snape gave a snort, "The fact that only one of us knows how to use an unforgivable."

James paused, "You know how to use an unforgivable?"

Snape looked up at him, eyes widening like he only just realised who he was talking to before he shook his head and stared at the wall as he drank. "This surprises you? Aren't you the one that's always calling me a slimy Death Eater? I thought you of all people would expect me to have that kind of knowledge."

"I don't…" James let out a sigh, "I've never really thought that its just, the people you spend time with. Mulciber, Wilkes, Avery and Rosier. Malfoy isn't even ashamed to admit that his family is dark."

"Potter, I am a half-blood Slytherin with no gold vaults to speak of. When you're in my position and people like Mulciber, Wilkes, Avery and Malfoy pay attention to you, you do not snub them and ignore their attentions." Snape admitted bitterly as he took another swig of his drink and cringed before his eyes just as suddenly became distant, "They're offering me everything I could ever desire in exchange for nothing but myself. Why on earth would I even dream of rejecting them?"

James just stared at him, "And Rosier?"

And then a small pleased smile spread over the Slytherin's lips, "Evan's different."

"Evan?" James asked incredulously as he sat up all over again, "What do you mean he's different?"

Snape looked up at the hazel eyed wizard and sighed, "I really don't see what that has to do with you Potter. What about you? I understand spending time with Lupin despite his… condition but your reasons for befriending the likes of Pettigrew and Black alludes me."

"Peter, honestly I'm not sure why any of us are friends with Peter, I guess he's just always… there? We sleep in the same dorm room, we can't exactly ignore him."

Snape gave a snort, "So the rumours are true. You all still sleep in communal dorm rooms even after fifth year."

"You don't?"

"Salazar Slytherin had the dorm rooms expanded under the castle to make more rooms so students from fifth year upwards could have their own rooms."

James gaped, "That's not fair!"

"Don't blame us just because your house founder was too dim to think of it."

James growled, "Godric Gryffindor was a great man, he just valued the group over the individual."

Severus rolled his eyes, "Whatever you say Potter. So why are you friends with Black?"

James sighed at the change of topic and cleaned off his glass before he refilled it. "Because he's a good person."

"Sure he is."

"I mean it, he really is."

Snape gave a snort, "That's not what his brother says. Regulus says he's a self-righteous, pig-headed, idiot and I'm inclined to believe him."

"Regulus doesn't know what he's talking about. He was brainwashed by his parents after-"

"After what? After Black's parents disowned him?" Snape asked with an arched brow, "There's no point hiding it Potter, the whole school already knows about it. As for Regulus being brainwashed, whether that's true or not I certainly can't be sure but personal experience has me inclined to believe that Black is a self-righteous, pig-headed idiot."

James shook his head, "You don't know him the way I do."

"Thank God."

"Look, you don't know what it's like for him. You don't know how awful his family is, you don't know what he's been through."

James was getting upset, but the haze of alcohol left Snape unable to find the part of him that cared.

"Has his father been beating his mother day in and day out since the day he was born? Does he have to stay at school because the punishment she experiences is a direct result of his presence and so the only way to keep her safe is to stay away for as long as he can? Let me guess, he goes home every summer only to hide in his room for fear of having his most precious possessions destroyed if his father so much as sees him. He has to stay there and take it when he's beaten just so the pain won't get worse. And every article of second-hand clothing he wears, every book he owns that his mother spends months working herself to the bone to be able to afford, he tries to keep safe only for some self-righteous, pig-headed idiots to ruin the moment he gets to school because they think it's funny. And then have the gall to insult him because of the choice of friends he has."

Potter was completely silent as he stared at the raven and Severus finished off his drink, "You're right I don't know him or any of you and for that much I'm grateful."

"Sev-… Snape-"

"I think that's enough alcohol for one night. Do me a favour and get out." James blinked but surprisingly didn't argue as he stumbled onto his feet and leaned down to pick up the bottle and glasses before he left the room. The Gryffindor paused by the door, "Goodnight Snape."

Severus didn't answer. He sat on the ground until he heard the door close before he slowly pushed himself up onto his feet, supporting his weight on the bed before he sat down on the soft surface.

He isn't entirely sure why he told Potter all that, no doubt the moron will probably make him regret it all later whether they make it out of the room or not. Severus didn't really care at that moment. He got up onto the bed, he didn't bother trying to brush his teeth and take a shower. He just wanted to rest. The alcohol left him with a warm blissful buzz that made everything feel fuzzy and he just wanted to cuddle into something and disappear under the covers. The foggy memory of green eyes and blonde hair came to mind, a crooked smile when he tilted his head.

They just held one another sometimes. There wasn't anything romantic between them but sometimes it helped. For all his faults, his anger issues and lack of restraint sometimes Rosier understood him when no one else did. Rosier never explained why he allowed this contact, Severus never bothered asking. There was no point. Never look a gift horse in the mouth right, so Severus never questioned it. Only accepted the contact when he needed it.

He really needed it tonight. Potter was being weird and confusing and Severus wanted so badly to speak with his mother, send her a letter. But he can't send a letter to his mother and Rosier isn't here, so he grabbed a hold of the biggest pillow he had at the top of the bed and got under the covers, wrapping his arm around the stuffed vessel and laid down to sleep.