Riveting, I am sure. Where are these books now?" Snape enquired – being in the dungeons, the fireplaces in the Slytherin common room could always use the extra kindling.
"I gave the lot to Hermione when we got here," Harry told him. "She thinks he's great."
"An extremely misguided notion, for a child so bright," he said drily, making Harry laugh. "Sleep well. And I will see you in the great hall for breakfast."
Severus turned to leave then, but a sharp intake of breath from Harry stopped him in his tracks, and he turned back to look at the boy again.
For a moment Harry simply stood there, but it was clear he had something he wanted to say.
"Was there something else?" Snape asked, momentarily.
"Well… it's just… I know you can't come inside and all but…" the boy began. "It's just… when we were at… at home, you always came to say goodnight…"
And tucked me in.
"Ye-es?" Snape pressed.
Harry didn't finish his sentence – instead, he crossed the gap between them and wrapped his arms around the potions master's middle, almost causing him to stagger back several steps.
Seconds later, Severus Snape returned the gesture, telling himself that he would likely have to use both arms to prize the boy off in any case, and it would therefore be prudent to begin the process.
"G'night," Harry mumbled.
"Good night, Harry."
Letting go, the boy peered up at him again. "I… I'll miss you tonight."
"You will do no such thing, given that you will be sound asleep very soon," Snape told him.
Giving him a small smile Harry nodded, turning to mutter the password and promptly disappearing through the portrait hole.
With that, Severus Snape turned sharply on his heel and swept back down the corridor towards the dungeons.