Harry jumped up, his eyes stretching wide open as he awoke to the sound of a scream. He fidgeted with his glasses until they stayed on his face and he quickly ran towards the living room. On the floor, right in front of the couch, lied Severus who was faced down and seemingly trying to do a push up.

“Are you ok, Sev?!” Harry asked as he approached the man.

“I’m- I’m fine- Just need to-” Severus struggled to pick himself up, his arms trying their best to push against the ground but each time his back would have a vibrating ache that crossed across his entire spine. His head planted flat against the floor once more, a muffled groan was heard.

Harry came close and tried picking up the older man. Aside from his lack of strength, Severus also would struggle against the attempt. He hissed with pain and involuntarily pushed himself down each time Harry got close to lifting him even just a tiny bit. Ultimately the boy gave up trying to hold up a grown man by himself, but he did at least manage to flip Severus onto his back.

“Seriously, what happened? I’ve never heard you yell like that before.” Harry worriedly brushed Severus’ head. “I mean, I can grasp that you fell, but did you hurt yourself from that fall or something?”

“No, it’s not that. I’m just…I guess I’m getting old.” Severus spoke with a tired voice. “Sleeping on this thing for so long is gonna do some permanent damage to my bones soon.” When he woke up everything seemed fine at first, but the moment he tried to stretch and pop his back like always it felt like he’d been speared through the ribs. “Did I wake you up with my scream?”

“Yep.”

“Aw…Sorry, Harry.”

“It’s no problem, you were gonna wake me up soon anyhow.” The boy lay down next to Severus and put his arms behind his head, using them like a cushion. “There’s still a little bit of tiredness in me, but I can wash that stuff off in a bit.”

Harry continued lying next to the man for five more minutes, he didn’t want to leave the older man alone on the ground all sad-like. Severus could feel his muscles relax bit by bit, but just to be safe he stared at the ceiling for just a while longer. “Did you have any pleasant dreams?” He asked after a long stretch of silence.

The kid shrugged. “I’ve got those kinda dreams that vanish pretty much as soon as I wake up.” He turned to his side and looked down at the man. “There’s no dream I can remember…but I had this really weird nightmare one night.”

“A nightmare?” Severus repeated with curiosity. “I didn’t know you were prone to night terrors. Though, I suppose anyone can have a bad night every once in a while.”

“Well…” Harry began.” It did happen for a while, but mom didn’t wanna worry anyone about it. Not dad, not you, she’s pretty much the only one who- Ah! Dang, I just remembered that I wasn’t supposed to talk about the nightmare at all!”

Severus was intrigued and wanted to know more about the supposed nightmares that had plagued Harry. Why would Lily try to hide them away from anyone else, including the boy’s father? He wanted to know more, but instead he said: “Well, if you’re not supposed to talk about it according to her…then you better not.” He didn’t feel fully sure in his words. It seemed like whatever kind of dreams Harry had been having were serious. He is not the boy’s parent though, nor is he a psychologist, so it would do no good knowing about it when he isn’t supposed to know.

“How about you then?” Harry suddenly asked. “Do you have any dreams or nightmares that you can remember?”

Severus raised his arms, his muscles having relaxed enough that he could use his upper limbs fully again, and laid on them like a cushion just like Harry had done. “Dreams…Dreams…Hmm…” He was struggling to find any that weren’t god awful and/or would lead to all kinds of questions from the kid about his rather forlorn past. Turns out he couldn’t remember many dreams either, just the terrors.

“I suppose I somewhat remember tonight’s dream” Snape said with an unsure tone. “I dreamt of a mirror, but it didn’t reflect me…It constantly seemed to change shape the longer I looked at it. Each face it showed didn’t seem like mine, but I sorta wanted it to be, if that makes sense.”

Harry rubbed his thumb against his chin for a while, turning to lie on his stomach. “Some of the girls in my class are really deep into divination and some sorta muggle based psycho test or whatever it was. I’ve heard them chatting, they’re quite loud, and they described something similar.”

Severus slowly began to rise, just enough so that he could be face to face with the kid. “I’ve already guessed what my dream means psychologically wise…but what is your theory?”

“Well…if I’m right.” Harry spoke sadly, “Your dream means you hate how you look.”

“Hm, same as my thoughts about it then.” Severus responded casually.

Harry seemed taken aback. “You don’t like how you look? How come?”

Severus had finally made an attempt to properly get up. His knees had fallen asleep but after a few quick pats the static-y sensation had disappeared and Severus could stand on his own two feet again. “Well, I don’t exactly have the greatest looks. In my youth I used to look worse due to the occasional acne attack and sudden hair growth everywhere.” He stroked at his chin with discontent, he should really start with that hair growth reducing treatment someday. “I’m guessing you haven’t noticed due to being used to my mug.”

Harry scratched the back of his head. “I guess…You don’t look all that bad to me.” He got up as well, by pulling himself up with Severus’ sleeping robes as assistance. “Are you sure your standards aren’t just too high? There is such a thing as being too critical of yourself.”

“Heh, I’m guessing Lupin taught you that phrase.” Severus laughed quietly. Judging by Harry’s reaction he hit the mark. Severus made his way to the kitchen, he picked up his wand from the counter and gave it a flick. “Breakfast will be ready in a bit, time to wash up now.”

Harry nodded, still having that despondent look on his face. He was gone for just a minute before poking his head out of the bathroom door.

“Sev?” He began, “What about my face? Do you think it looks…like…I dunno…”

“I think you look very handsome, dummy.” Severus teased. “Your nose is as round as a button, your hair fluffy like a cloud and your eyes like a sea of emeralds that one could get lost in.”

“Se~v! For real though!” Harry whined, wrapping around the older man from behind and rubbing his forehead against the man’s lower back which was still aching a bit. “Mom calls me handsome a lot but…I just dunno now…”

Severus bent down, slowly and with steady movements. “Like I said…A round nose.” He booped against the boy’s nose. “Fluffy hair.” He ruffled through his dark locks. “Eyes like a sea of emeralds…” He stared deeply into Harry’s irises, causing the boy to gain a slight flush to his cheeks the longer those black opals focused in on him. “Perhaps cute would be a better adjective for you, I’m guessing you’ll grow more mature and handsome features during your pubescent years.” Just like James…Severus shuddered at his own thoughts.

Harry grabbed Severus’ cheeks and gave them a slight pull. “If you’re being honest…then I’m gonna say it, you’re pretty!”

“...Excuse me?”

Harry let go and instead held Severus’ face between his hands, squishing it slightly. “You’re so tall and pale, your nose is kinda pointy and way bigger than mine. Your hair is really long and your…Um…” The kid’s flush had become darker the more he talked, “P- Point is…I really like how you look. You have this sorta…rough but elegant feel.”

Rough but elegant…no one’s ever described Severus like that. He supposed that some aspects of him could be considered attractive, but he hasn’t come across anyone that has complimented them as such before today.

Severus stood straight again and pet Harry’s head again, a bit softer and longer this time. “Well…I…I suppose if you feel that way, there’s not much I can do to change your mind.” Different strokes for different folks and all that. He’s guessing Harry is just interested in more “Gothic” types. One of the few somewhat positive compliments Severus had received before. Perhaps he’ll get with a Ravenclaw girl in his teens, those mysterious yet broody and dark types are frequently found there.

Severus’ hand suddenly stopped as he began smelling this disgusting smell and feeling a warmth close-by. “AAH!” For the second time today Snape yelled loudly as the pan had caught fire and the toast had burned to a crisp.