A Potion 1

A Potion 1

Chapter 1

Harry sat down lazily in the great hall, grabbing a goblet of pumpkin juice. He swallowed the contents and twirled the glass around in his hand. He wondered silently if Katie Bell would make them have quidditch practice today. After all, it was a bright, sunny day. Harry felt unnaturally relaxed. Perhaps that was because it was Saturday and he finally had some time to rest after the long week.

Ron sat down next to Harry and began stuffing his face full of sausage and toast. %u201CMornumph Hurry,%u201D Ron said with a mouthful of eggs.

%u201CGood morning Ron,%u201D Harry replied lethargically. He crossed his arms on the table and lay his head upon them. He was really%u2026 tired.

Harry didn%u2019t even raise an eye when the owls came with the morning post. Hermoine opened the Daily Prophet and read quietly. She rolled her eyes with annoyance.

%u201CWhat%u2019s up?%u201D Ron asked, looking up from his fourth piece of toast with blackberry jam.

Hermoine sighed and glanced at Harry. %u201CJust more stuff about Harry being %u2018The Chosen One%u2019 and all that. Nothing new.%u201D She scanned the rest of the page. %u201CThey did arrest a potential Death Eater. Harce Flaghorn.%u201D

%u201CY%u2019think he is one?%u201D Ron inquired.

Hermoine shrugged. %u201CWho knows?%u201D

Harry lifted his head. %u201CProbably not,%u201D he said, %u201CIt%u2019s just the Ministry trying to look like they%u2019re doing something. Do they say why they took him in?%u201D

Hermoine read the article aloud. %u201CHarce Flaghorn was apprehended at 6:00 on November 16 for possession of numerous dark objects in a public pub.%u201D She looked at Harry and Ron raised a brow. %u201CDark objects?%u201D

%u201CThat%u2019s what it says.%u201D Hermoine rolled up the paper and set it aside.

%u201CHermoine!%u201D Hermoine turned in surprise as Lavender Brown came running towards her.

%u201CWhat is it Lavender?%u201D Hermoine asked, worried. Lavender was panting and looked on the verge of frantic.

%u201CMy love potion!%u201D Lavender gasped, %u201CYou know, the one I showed you!%u201D

Ron gave Hermoine an odd look. Hermoine turned slightly pink and turned back to face Lavender. %u201CWhat about it?%u201D she asked.

%u201CI can%u2019t find it!%u201D Lavender was practically crying.

%u201CWhat%u2019s it matter? Get a new one or something,%u201D Ron said, slightly peeved and eager to get back to his breakfast.

Lavender glared. %u201CI came down here with it and got a pumpkin juice. I was about to pour in when Parvati called me and- and I don%u2019t remember if I poured it in or not, but I can%u2019t find my glass to make sure.%u201D

Hermoine%u2019s eyes widened with understanding. %u201CCan you at least find the vile?%u201D she asked quickly, standing up.

%u201CWhat%u2019s the big deal?%u201D Ron looked at them dumbly.

Hermoine let out a kind of growl and Ron shrank down into his seat cowardly. %u201CBecause,%u201D Hermoine spat, %u201CIf someone else drinks it then they%u2019ll drink the potion, Ron! That wouldn%u2019t be very good. Who knows what could happen.%u201D

Ron looked at Harry, but Harry was off in a different world. He wasn%u2019t listening to their conversation. In fact, he didn%u2019t even look aware that the conversation was being held at all. He was too busy looking. Looking at Professor Snape.

%u201CHarry!%u201D

Harry woke out of his trance and looked over at Hermoine. %u201CWhat?%u201D he growled. Hermoine shrunk back at his tone. He hadn%u2019t meant to sound so angry.

%u201CSorry,%u201D he muttered, %u201CWhat is it?%u201D

Lavender gasped and pointed to the glass in Harry%u2019s hand. %u201CThat%u2019s my glass!%u201D she exclaimed, %u201CI marked it with my lipstick before I left.%u201D

Harry looked odd. %u201CWhat?%u201D he asked. He had no idea what was going on.

Ron grabbed the glass from Harry%u2019s hand. Sure enough, the was a small line of pink lipstick on the handle.

%u201COh no,%u201D Ron groaned.

%u201CWhat!%u201D Harry was beginning to get peeved. %u201CWill someone tell me what the bloody hell is going on?%u201D

%u201CWeren%u2019t you listening?%u201D Hermoine chastised him.

%u201CObviously not!%u201D replied Harry, exasperated.

%u201CLavender put a love potion in there!%u201D

Harry paled. %u201CA love p-potion?%u201D he stammered, %u201CF-for who?%u201D

%u201CFor me!%u201D Lavender shouted, making a few Hufflepuff heads turn curiously. %u201CIt%u2019s called a Fate potion. It makes you er%u2026 notice the person you%u2019re meant to be with. I was going to use it to figure out whom to ask to the school ball. Now what will I do!%u201D

Harry twitched a little. The person you were meant to be with, huh? He looked at Hermoine and didn%u2019t feel anything special. Okay. So it wasn%u2019t her. Maybe it would be Ginny or Cho. His brows knotted together as he looked around the great hall and it%u2019s occupants. The first he glimpsed was a girl named Alyssa. No, not her. Then came Ginny, and then Parvati, Cho, Lavender, Neville (thank God it wasn%u2019t him), Katie, Seamus, Priscilla, Dean, Malfoy, McGonnagal, Snape. Harry felt his heart skip a beat. Snape? No, it couldn%u2019t be. He stared, aghast at the potions professor and his jaw began to quiver as if he would burst out crying.

Professor Snape turned and met Harry%u2019s gaze, a look of annoyed curiosity etched in his features.

Harry%u2019s heart jumped into his throat. He tore his eyes away from the professor and looked at his confused friends with desperation. Without a word, Harry stood and took off running out of the hall; turning the heads of quite a few students and a very addled potions master.

Harry burst into the Gryffindor common room appearing quite disquieted. Snape? There was no way he could fall in love with Snape!

Harry paced chaotically. %u201CNo. That%u2019s not right!%u201D he said vociferously, %u201CIt can%u2019t be! I know! It%u2019s a potion, right? That means it%u2019s not real. It%u2019s just a potion!%u201D

Hermoine, Ron, and Lavender ran into the common room. They looked worried.

%u201CHarry,%u201D Hermoine cautiously asked her agitated friend, taking a hesitant step towards him, %u201CHarry, what%u2019s wrong?%u201D

%u201CI%u2019ll tell you what%u2019s wrong!%u201D Harry shouted back at her, %u201CThe bloody potion, that%u2019s what%u2019s wrong!%u201D He turned suddenly to Lavender and grabbed her anxiously by the shoulders. %u201CTell me,%u201D he panted, %u201CThis potion is just a potion right?%u201D

%u201CWell yeah%u2026%u201D

%u201CWhat I mean is,%u201D Harry tried to regain his composure, %u201CIt%u2019s not like you really love the person when you%u2019re under the influence of it right? It%u2019s just a silly love potion. Meaningless?%u201D Harry looked intense.

%u201CN-no,%u201D Lavender stammered, %u201CIt%u2019s supposed to make you fall in love with the person you%u2019re meant to be with. Your true love.%u201D

Harry let out an exasperated cry. %u201CNo. It can%u2019t be! There must be a glitch or something! He can%u2019t possib-%u201C Harry stopped short and turned away, flushing a bright red.

%u201CHe!%u201D Ron exclaimed, %u201CYou%u2019re in love with a he?%u201D

Harry rounded angrily on Ron. %u201CI am not!%u201D he replied defensively.

Ron stifled a giggle and Harry glared daggers at him.

%u201CIt%u2019s%u2026 it%u2019s just messed up,%u201D Harry said, %u201CIt%u2019s bloody wrong. Tampered with or something.%u201D He frowned, looking morosely depressed.

Hermoine tried to smile comfortingly. %u201CMaybe Snape has an antidote. We%u2019ll just go-%u201C

%u201CNo!%u201D Harry spat vehemently, %u201CI don%u2019t want help from the greasy, old git!%u201D

%u201CFine!%u201D Hermoine looked taken aback, %u201CWe%u2019ll try Madam Pomfrey then. She%u2019s bound to have something.%u201D

Harry nodded thoughtlessly and followed her out the portrait hole, repeating the same words continuously in his head. %u201CThe potion%u2019s wrong. The potion%u2019s wrong%u2026%u201D It had to be, it just had to. There was no way%u2026
....................................................
Harry twisted his fingers together uncomfortably as the potions professor glided quickly into the dungeon classroom. Pomfrey had been able to give him an antidote, but even so, Harry had not been able to look at Snape since.

%u201COpen your books to page three hundred and thirty-seven,%u201D Snape%u2019s throaty voice resounded through the cavernous classroom with an eerie ascendancy.

Harry slowly turned to the indicated page, trying desperately to concentrate on the directions before him. This was something he had never really tried to accomplish in Potions before.

%u201CToday we will be making the Redolence potion,%u201D Snape continued, %u201CCan anyone, besides Miss Granger,%u201D Hermoine lowered her hand, crestfallen, %u201C tell me the use of the Redolence potion.%u201D Snape looked around with an agitated expression. %u201CNo one? The Redolence potion is a potion that produces a color specific to its brewer%u2019s emotions towards who he is with or what is happening at the moment. Every color means something different. If you all create a proper potion, I may tell you what your color means.%u201D He smirked,. %u201CHowever,%u201D he glanced at Harry, who sunk lower into his seat, %u201Csome of you may not like what color your potion possesses.%u201D He turned suddenly and waved his wand at the empty chalkboard. Twisty text appeared on the green surface. %u201CThe ingredients are on the board,%u201D he continued lazily, %u201CInstructions are in your book. Get to work.%u201D With that, he strode back to his desk and sat down, busily grading papers.

Harry collected the necessary ingredients and began to brew his potion.

Ron and Hermoine exchanged bemused looks as Harry tediously chopped roots, his expression twisted with concentration.

The time came for the potions to be completed and Snape sulked around the room, reading a description of what each student%u2019s potion meant. %u201CMalfoy, winning and talent. Good job indeed.%u201D Draco Malfoy beamed arrogantly. %u201CLongbottom, confusion and stupidity.%u201D Neville frowned sheepishly down at his muddy brown potion. Snape smirked. He continued his voyage around the classroom, inspecting and commenting on every potion. Harry felt his throat tighten and the Professor came near. Snape stopped in front of Harry and peered down his large nose into Harry%u2019s potion. His expression changed for a fleeting moment and he glanced suspiciously at Harry. Without a word, he turned and continued to Ron%u2019s slimy green colored potion, ignoring Harry completely.

%u201CWeasley, you call this a potion?%u201D Harry barely heard as Snape chewed out Ron. Why had Snape passed over him? Was there something wrong with his potion? No. Snape would have made a comment. Harry craned his neck over his cauldron to look at the contents. They were a pinkish red. What the heck did that mean?

%u201CClass dismissed,%u201D Snape said loudly. Harry awoke as if from a trance and picked up his things, quickly hurrying out of the classroom with Ron and Hermoine close behind.

%u201CWhat do you think that was all about?%u201D Ron asked, struggling to keep Harry%u2019s pace, %u201CSnape passed up the opportunity to tell you off about your potion. Has he gone off his knockers?%u201D

%u201CIt looked to me,%u201D Hermoine interjected, %u201Clike Professor Snape didn%u2019t want to say what Harry%u2019s potion meant. He looked kind of uncomfortable.%u201D

%u201CWhy would my potion make him uncomfortable?%u201D Harry said through gritted teeth, %u201CHe doesn%u2019t get uncomfortable by anything. He%u2019s a cold stone who doesn%u2019t care what anyone else thinks. He probably just didn%u2019t have the energy to harass me today.%u201D Harry%u2019s fist knotted into tight balls as he spoke.

Hermoine raised an eyebrow.

%u201CSince when does Snape not have the energy to harass you?%u201D Ron inquired.

%u201CSince today, I guess!%u201D Harry replied, %u201CI don%u2019t really care. Let%u2019s just go to lunch okay? I don%u2019t want to talk about it.%u201D

Hermoine and Ron nodded to each other, deciding not to push the subject any further, and followed Harry quietly to the great hall.
...........................................
It had been almost three weeks since Harry had taken the potion. He had done his best to avoid Snape, even in classes, but at points contact with Snape was unavoidable. At these times, Harry took on a quiet, fuming disposition. He hoped that no one had ever seen the blush that tinged his cheeks whenever Snape was near him.

%u201CDetention, Potter,%u201D Snape hissed.

Harry scowled but said nothing, crossing his arms angrily. Malfoy snickered behind him and he grit his teeth together with such force that he thought he felt them crack.

%u201CThe rest of you,%u201D Snape turned to the Slytherins in particular, %u201CClass is dismissed.%u201D

Ron and Hermoine gave Harry a sympathetic look and pat on the shoulder and followed everyone else out of the dungeons.

%u201CSince you now have a free period, Potter,%u201D Snape turned back to Harry, a sneer twisted contemptuously on his face, %u201CI thought you could spend it here.%u201D

Harry didn%u2019t reply, so Snape continued, %u201CI believe we need to discuss something, Potter.%u201D

Harry looked up as Snape walked in front of Harry%u2019s desk, hands clasped. %u201CAb-about what, Professor?%u201D Harry asked nervously.

Snape stared at him with an unreadable expression and spoke with a hint of awkwardness in his deep voice. %u201CYou%u2019ve been acting more odd than usual,%u201D he said, %u201CI do not know if this strange behavior is limited to my class alone, but I would prefer if you did not bring your personal issues into my dungeons.%u201D

%u201CWhat are you talking about?%u201D Harry asked, trying unsuccessfully to sound innocent.

Snape rolled his eyes slightly and spoke, his voice laced with severe annoyance. %u201CYou know exactly what I mean, Potter. I would appreciate it if you could keep your ridiculous emotions and abnormal attitude out of my classroom.%u201D

%u201CWhat do you mean by that?%u201D Harry exclaimed angrily, standing up. %u201CIs this about my Redolence potion or something?%u201D He placed his palms on his desk angrily and leaned forward, glaring heatedly at Snape.

%u201CSmart, Potter,%u201D replied Snape, %u201Cbut that%u2019s not the only strange thing going on with you when you%u2019re here. To be quite frank, your disposition is making me quite unnerved.%u201D He unclasped his hands and placed them on Harry%u2019s desk, leaning dangerously close to him. %u201CI suggest that you get things straight, Potter. Lust, is not a subject in this class at the moment. Talk to whoever it is causing this. I don%u2019t need a hormonal teenager to distract me from my classes.%u201D

Harry was frozen. Lust? What did he mean by that? Harry began to sweat nervously.

Snape stood straight and waved his wand towards the door, causing it to open. %u201CYou may go, Potter.%u201D

Harry grabbed his belongings and speed-walked out of the class with a vengeance.

%u201CDistract him?%u201D Harry muttered under his breath, %u201CWhy would it distract him? He thinks the problem is because of someone else.%u201D Harry frowned and picked up the pace, turning out towards the Quidditch pitch. He had to get his mind off Snape.
........................................
Harry lay in his bed wide-awake. He twirled his wand slowly between his fingers. He couldn%u2019t sleep. Glancing towards his trunk at the end of the bed, he thought of taking his invisibility cloak out for a spin. It was under a bunch of his things, however, and might cause too much noise, waking up one of his fellow Gryffindors. Without much thought, Harry stood and pulled on his trainers. He didn%u2019t bother putting a jacket over his blue pajamas as he quietly walked down the stairs towards the common room. I don%u2019t care if I get caught, he thought, I just want to get out of here.

Slowly, he swung open the portrait against the protests of the Fat Lady and wandered downstairs through the halls. Every now and again, lighting up his route with the lumos spell.

Harry walked aimlessly; corridor through corridor, lost in thought. He thought about Snape, the potion, Quidditch, Ron and Hermoine, Snape%u2026

%u201CPotter! What do you think you%u2019re doing?%u201D

Harry looked up suddenly to see Snape, not five feet away from him, pointing a lit wand in his face. Great.

%u201CWhat are you doing sneaking around the halls at this time of night? Up to something no doubt.%u201D To Harry%u2019s surprise, he didn%u2019t seem all that angry. %u201CWell, answer me.%u201D

Harry sighed. %u201CI%u2019m not sneaking, I%u2019m just walking,%u201D he said contumaciously.

%u201CI don%u2019t need any lip from you, Potter,%u201D Snape replied.

Harry was glad it was dark, or else Snape would have seen the crimson blush that now covered his face. %u201CI-I wouldn%u2019t think to do anything of the sort Professor,%u201D Harry stuttered.

Snape didn%u2019t seem to get the double meaning. %u201CWhy are you down here?%u201D

%u201CI couldn%u2019t sleep.%u201D

%u201CI%u2019m sorry to hear that,%u201D Snape gave his trademark smirk, %u201CBut do you realize that you are breaking school rules by being out of you dorm at night?%u201D

Harry lowered his head. %u201CYeah. You don%u2019t think I realized that%u2026 Professor?%u201D

Snape%u2019s eyes narrowed angrily. %u201CWatch how you speak to me boy!%u201D he growled.

%u201CYeah, sure,%u201D Harry replied boldly, his ire rising, %u201CWhy don%u2019t you give me detention for it Professor? You seem to enjoy doing that.%u201D

Snape%u2019s face contorted with rage. %u201CFifty points from Gryffindor,%u201D he spat venomously.

%u201CThat%u2019s it? Come on. Take more. You know you want to,%u201D Harry grinned devilishly as he provoked the potions master.

%u201CPotter, I%u2019m warning you-%u201C

%u201CYou know you want to,%u201D Harry smirked.

Without warning, Snape grabbed him by the shoulders and shoved him violently against the wall. Harry gasped in shock as the Professor angrily pushed him against the wall. %u201CYou know%u2026 you want to%u2026%u201D Harry breathed.

Without a word, Snape kissed Harry roughly on the lips. Harry thought he would die as the potions professor kissed him passionately, his tongue ravenously exploring Harry%u2019s mouth. Snape ran a hand through Harry%u2019s tousled, black hair and deepened the kiss desperately. Harry lost control and kissed back madly, wrapping his arms around Snape%u2019s waist.

As suddenly as it had happened, Snape pulled away, breathing heavily. Harry struggled to stand as he looked at Snape, who seemed to tremble. %u201CGo%u2026go back to your dorm%u2026 Harry,%u201D Snape said weakly. Harry stole one last glance at the professor before taking off down the hall at full speed. What was he going to do now? Would he be expelled? Would Snape hate him even more? Or would Snape want to do it again? Harry was so confused and lost in thought that he didn%u2019t notice Peeves drifting lazily above him.

%u201CPotty%u2019s out of bed,%u201D Peeves cried happily, %u201CWhat%u2019s Potty doing hmm?%u201D

%u201CGet lost Peeves,%u201D Harry whispered.
%u201DOh, Potty%u2019s in a bad mood he is. I might just have to tell Dumby what Potty%u2019s been doing, I might.%u201D He giggled in a high-pitched voice.

%u201CThat will not be necessary, Peeves,%u201D came a silky voice from behind Harry.

%u201CIt%u2019s Sevy!%u201D Peeved squealed giddily as he flew up threw the ceiling, making a rather inappropriate sound as he left.

%u201CUh, thanks,%u201D Harry said, bashfully scratching the back of his head.

%u201CLook, Potter,%u201D Snape said. Harry twitched at the use of his last name. %u201CWhat I did back there. It was wrong. I understand if you report me and will accept full responsibility, but I would prefer if we just didn%u2019t speak about it again. I%u2019m%u2026 sorry.%u201D

Sorry? Snape had never apologized to Harry before. Harry tried to smile reassuringly. %u201CI agree,%u201D he replied, %u201CLet%u2019s just forget about it. I won%u2019t report you or anything. After all, I did kinda take part in it.%u201D

Snape nodded and Harry thought he saw a slight smile pulling at the corners of his lips.

%u201CVery well, Potter.%u201D

Harry frowned. %u201CYou think you could call me Harry?%u201D

%u201CNot in class.%u201D

%u201CYeah, but,%u201D Harry looked at his feet, %u201CI mean. You don%u2019t have to. I just thought it would be nicer if you could call me that.%u201D

%u201CWe%u2019ll see%u2026%u201D Snape paused and looked at Harry thoughtfully, %u201CHarry.%u201D

Harry grinned and waved as the professor turned to leave. Then, turning towards his own dorm, he closed his eyes, remembering the feeling and taste of the kiss. He smiled. Little did he know, Snape was thinking about the same thing; and he was smiling as well.
....................................
The days drug on and Harry continued his normal routine, not daring to tell Ron or Hermoine what had happened that night with Snape. Excepting the occasional glance between the two, Harry and Snape had tried to go about things as they usually had, although Snape seemed to lessen the amount his detentions. Harry tried to forget about everything, but he couldn%u2019t help finding himself looking off into space every once and a while thinking about the kiss. Although he was no experienced kisser, he knew enough to know that that was no average everyday kiss.

Even so, Harry knew that it was better not to think about it. Not only were student-teacher relationships forbidden, but Snape was a man and twice his age! It was practically as forbidden as it gets.

Harry jogged lightly towards the changing room to get ready for Quidditch. They were playing Slytherin today.

Harry pulled on his Quidditch robes, grabbed his firebolt and head onto the pitch. Hundreds of people cheered as the teams rose into the air and the game began.

Harry circled overhead, his eyes searching for the snitch, when he caught the eyes of Snape staring up at him. Harry barely had enough time to dodge an oncoming bludger as it viciously flew past his ear. Malfoy was hovering a few feet away, laughing mockingly at him and mimicking Harry%u2019s dodge. Harry scowled and continued to look for the snitch. Then he saw it. It was near the base of the tower that Snape was sitting in, along with a few other Slytherins.

Harry shot down at full speed, Malfoy close behind. The snitch took a sudden turn upwards and turned to shoot across the field at the same level as the tops of the towers. The spectators watched in awe as Harry and Malfoy battled to get the snitch. Malfoy continuously elbowed Harry in the ribs as they raced towards their goal. Harry ignored him. They flew higher and higher until they were just within the sights of the cheering crowd. They both reached for it.

Suddenly, Malfoy slipped off his broom and plummeted with a scream towards the ground that was a skyscraper%u2019s height below.

Abandoning the snitch, Harry dove after him as Malfoy%u2019s broom flew away from the pitch. Harry angled his broom straight down, trying desperately not to fall off. He shot like a rocket towards Malfoy who%u2019s terrified cries had joined in with the now horrified onlookers. Where was Dumbledore? Harry remembered he had not come to this game for a reason he couldn%u2019t recall. It was up to Harry to save his enemy.

The game had stopped and they all watched as Harry grabbed Malfoy%u2019s arm tightly and pulled the now unconscious boy onto his broom. There were cheers. Then pain and cries of terror. Harry slid slowly off his broom, still holding onto Malfoy as he fell to the ground. He hit hard with a sickening crack as Malfoy flew from his grasp. And then there was darkness.

......................................
%u201CHey, I think he%u2019s finally waking up.%u201D

%u201COh thank God!%u201D

%u201CHarry?%u201D

Harry%u2019s eyes slowly opened. Ron, Hermoine, Ginny, Neville, and Luna surrounded his bed. They watched him as he took in his surroundings. He was in the hospital wing. %u201CWhere%u2026%u201D he groaned. It hurt to speak.

Suddenly, it all came back in a flash. The game. Malfoy falling.

%u201CHarry,%u201D Hermoine sat down next to him and gently placed a hand on his. %u201CWhen you saved Malfoy, you got hit in the side of the head with a bludger. Zabini did it. He hadn%u2019t realized you were there.%u201D A tiny tear ran down Hermoine%u2019s cheek.

Ron continued for her. %u201CYou fell off your broom. A good sixty feet,%u201D he said, %u201CYour body cushioned Malfoy%u2019s, so you got the worst of it. He%u2019s in here too.%u201D Ron gestured towards a bed across the room. Malfoy lay there, sleeping, covered in bandages. Harry didn%u2019t dare look at himself. He didn%u2019t want to know how bad it was.

%u201CY-you nearly broke your neck Harry,%u201D Neville stammered, %u201CMost of your ribs, and your legs were broken. Dumbledore saw it from his window and he and Snape brought you to Madam Pomfrey.%u201D

%u201CSnape?%u201D Harry croaked.

%u201CYeah, as soon as he saw you falling, he took off towards the pitch. He carried you up to the school and Hagrid took Malfoy,%u201D Hermoine answered, %u201CMalfoy just broke an arm and an ankle. He got scraped up pretty badly though. You did a brave and noble thing, Harry. He surely would have died if you hadn%u2019t caught him.%u201D

Harry grunted and glanced back over at Malfoy, who was grumbling in his sleep.

%u201CHow long?%u201D Harry asked, %u201CHow long have I been here?%u201D

Hermoine and Ron exchanged worried glances.

%u201CHow long have I been here?%u201D Harry repeated angrily.

%u201CWell Harry,%u201D Ron started, %u201CYou got hit in the head full force with a bludger.%u201D

%u201CWhat he%u2019s saying is,%u201D Hermoine interrupted, %u201CYou were knocked into an unconscious state bordering on a coma. You%u2019ve been in here for two weeks.%u201D

Harry was horrified. He%u2019d been unconscious for two weeks! That meant he had slept through the rest of the first semester! The year was more than half way gone!

%u201CWhy is Malfoy still here?%u201D Harry asked, %u201CHe didn%u2019t get hit in the head with anything.%u201D

This time, it was Ginny who answered. %u201CMadam Pomfrey let him out five days after you two got here,%u201D she said, %u201CHe was still in bad condition. He decided to be and idiot and show off. He fell down the stairs.%u201D

Ron stifled a laugh and Harry grinned. %u201CGit,%u201D he said. But the insult didn%u2019t have the hate that it usually bore. After all, he had just risked his life for Malfoy.

Madam Pomfrey entered the room and hurriedly shooed away Ron and Hermoine from Harry%u2019s bed. %u201CGracious you%u2019re awake!%u201D she exclaimed. %u201CI always said you%u2019d be just fine. All thanks to mine and Professor Snape%u2019s potions!%u201D She stripped Harry of his covers and began poking at his legs, mumbling incomprehensibly. Harry smiled up at his friends. They nodded and turned to go.

%u201CSee you later Harry,%u201D Ron said.

%u201CGlad you%u2019re okay,%u201D Ginny waved.

Hermoine pat Harry on the shoulder. %u201CBye Harry.%u201D

Harry waved as his friends left and turned to a rather hyper looking Madam Pomfrey. %u201CWell how does your head feel?%u201D she asked, surveying him carefully.

%u201CUm, it kind of hurts a little,%u201D Harry replied earnestly.

%u201CWell of course it would!%u201D Madam Pomfrey exclaimed, %u201CYou got a bludger straight to it! Violent game, Quidditch. I don%u2019t know why the headmaster allows you all to play.%u201D She hmphed and turned to pour a clear colored liquid into a cup. %u201CDrink this,%u201D she said firmly, handing the cup to Harry. Harry eyed the contents suspiciously.

%u201CDon%u2019t worry, it%u2019s not like the one that grows bones. It tastes rather pleasant. It%u2019s for your headache. Surely you have a headache?%u201D She eyed Harry severely.

Harry nodded and swallowed down the thick liquid. It tasted a lot like cough medicine.

%u201CYou can leave tomorrow if you%u2019re up to it,%u201D Madam Pomfrey took the now empty glass from Harry and bottled up the medicine. %u201CI need you to stay here at least one more day.%u201D

With that, Madam Pomfrey turned and walked back to her office.

Harry sighed and relaxed into his pillow, drifting of into a troubled sleep.
.............................................
Harry woke to someone continuously poking at his arm.

%u201CBloody hell,%u201D he moaned. It was still pitch black out.

%u201CNo need to use such language, Potter,%u201D said a deep, throaty voice.

Harry%u2019s eyes snapped open. %u201CP-professor?%u201D

Professor Snape was sitting in a chair pulled up next to Harry%u2019s bed. His black robe hung loosely around his shoulders. He looked on serenely with an expression of%u2026 was that worry? %u201CYes,%u201D he replied, %u201CHeard you woke up, Harry.%u201D

%u201CWhy are you here?%u201D Harry asked. He moved to sit up against the back of the bed.

%u201CDon%u2019t get the wrong idea,%u201D said Snape, %u201CI%u2019m just here because you saved a member of my house. For that, I am grateful. And honestly surprised.%u201D

Harry looked at Snape, his expression steady and somber. %u201CIs that the only reason you came?%u201D

Snape sighed and laced his fingers together. %u201CI thought we talked about this,%u201D he said, %u201CYou are my student, nothing more.%u201D He looked as if it pained him to say such words.

%u201CYou%u2019re the one who started it!%u201D Harry said, upset.

%u201CMe? You%u2019re the one who ogled me every potions class!%u201D Snape retorted.

Harry glared. %u201CI didn%u2019t ogle!%u201D he ejaculated angrily.

%u201CThat%u2019s not the point,%u201D Snape reached a hand towards Harry. He stopped mid air and let his arm hang there. %u201CYou know it would be inappropriate, not to mention against the law and the rules of this school. I could get fired, you expelled.%u201D His arm fell back to his side.

%u201CThen why are you here?%u201D Harry persisted, %u201CWhy did you come if that was all you could say. All that could happen?%u201D He swung his legs over the side of the bed and leaned towards Snape. %u201CYou%u2019re telling me you don%u2019t want this?%u201D Quickly, he cupped Snape%u2019s face in his hands and kissed him tenderly. Snape kissed back. Harry had gotten his proof. He pulled back and looked at Snape, a look of sheer determination etched in every line of his face.

Snape brushed Harry%u2019s hands off his face and looked away. %u201CPotter%u2026%u201D

%u201CHarry.%u201D

%u201CDon%u2019t tempt me, Harry.%u201D

Harry grinned slightly. %u201CThat%u2019s my goal.%u201D

%u201CYou know the consequences.%u201D The professor turned to him.

%u201CYes, I do,%u201D Harry replied bluntly.

%u201CYou don%u2019t care?%u201D

%u201CNo, I don%u2019t.%u201D

%u201CAbout any of it?%u201D The potions master looked doubtful. %u201CThe age difference, the sexuality, the rules, the moral?%u201D

%u201CI%u2019ve always seemed to have a knack for walking through forbidden territory,%u201D Harry answered.

Snape smiled. It was a look that was actually quite handsome on him. %u201CWell, I can%u2019t believe I%u2019m saying this to you, but I guess I%u2019ll be seeing you later.%u201D

Harry nodded and looked at his covers. %u201CSo what does this mean exactly?%u201D he asked, wringing his hands together nervously.

%u201CI guess it means that our relationship is in for a drastic change, Potter,%u201D Snape sneered at him characteristically and then smiled.

%u201CDoes that mean I can kiss you if I want?%u201D Harry blushed as Snape looked at him.

%u201CIf no one%u2019s looking.%u201D

Harry smirked and asked, %u201CIs anyone looking?%u201D

Snape grabbed Harry%u2019s hand and pulled their faces close together. %u201CLet%u2019s hope not.%u201D

.......................................
Snape and Harry%u2019s odd affair had been going on for six weeks now. They had easily disguised their %u2018rendezvous%u2019 as detentions or potion tutoring. Harry had even used his invisibility cloak to sneak to the professor at night. Snape kept up his normal sneer in class, but no one seemed to notice the fervent gazes that were exchanged when people had their backs turned.

The two had gone no further than kissing and tender caresses, and neither one was close to gathering up the nerve to take the relationship to the next level of intimacy. Even so, for the moment, they seemed content. At least that%u2019s how they liked to perceive it. In fact, their courting had caused a great deal of stress. Constantly having to hide their affection and terrified they would be caught, Harry and Snape often quarreled over mediocre things. However, their gravitation towards each other was much stronger than such disagreements, and they always ended up back in each other%u2019s arms again. Snape had even agreed to let Harry call him Severus when they were alone.

%u201CSeverus,%u201D Harry breathed, pulling away reluctantly from a kiss. He was panting heavily. They had been going at it for quite a while.

%u201CYes, Harry?%u201D Snape had a slight flush to his skin, adding color to his usually pale face.

%u201CNothing,%u201D Harry replied, %u201CI just like to say your name.%u201D Harry grinned and leaned forwards to kiss the potions master.

They were in Snape%u2019s classroom in the dungeons. Snape%u2019s robe was flung across the room and Harry%u2019s were loosely hanging off his shoulders. Harry snaked his hand in between the buttons of his teacher%u2019s shirt, stroking the surprisingly soft skin beneath lightly. Harry had learned rather quickly that a great deal of Snape%u2019s bulk was actually caused by his overly sized robe; and once he was rid of the burdensome clothing, he was unquestionably lean and fit.

Harry had pushed Snape up against his desk and he stood between his legs, his arms wrapped around Snape%u2019s neck and hands resting in his not greasy but velvety hair.

Snape ran his hands underneath Harry%u2019s robes casually, sliding his long fingers up the back of Harry%u2019s shirt. Pulling his mouth away from Harry%u2019s, he moved to his neck, licking sensually and sucking tenderly on his earlobe.

Harry smiled and groaned. It was a surprisingly loud groan, and Snape quickly realized why. Then he found out he had the same problem. He put his hands firmly on either side of Harry%u2019s waist and pushed him away gently.

%u201CCome on,%u201D Harry groaned, rather displeased.

%u201CYou know we can%u2019t,%u201D Snape said.

%u201CWhy not?%u201D Harry inquired. He was dangerously close to whining. %u201CWe%u2019ve been together for more than a month and a half. Let%u2019s take it up a notch.%u201D This was the first time either had said anything about this.

Snape knit his brows together and replied, %u201CThat%u2019s not long enough. And besides, we%u2019re already risking things enough as it is.%u201D

%u201CSo we%u2019ll get in less trouble for just kissing?%u201D Harry crossed his arms defiantly, %u201CIt%u2019s all the same to the rules. Any sexual interaction whatsoever is enough for the full penalty. Even a kiss! What difference does it make? If we%u2019re caught, we%u2019re dead anyway.%u201D

Snape rolled his eyes. %u201CThat makes me feel so much better about it, Harry,%u201D he answered sarcastically.

%u201CWhat I%u2019m saying, is what do we have to lose?%u201D Harry moved his hips forward before Snape could stop him. Snape couldn%u2019t help but let out a moan. %u201CI know you want it,%u201D Harry said seductively. He could tell Snape was unsure of himself.

Wordlessly, Harry pulled out of the professor%u2019s grasp and went to kneel before him.

%u201CHarry,%u201D Snape protested.
Harry ignored him and began to unbutton his pants, pulling down the zipper.

%u201CHarry, don%u2019t.%u201D

%u201CPlease don%u2019t.%u201D

%u201CThis is a mistake.%u201D

%u201CWe%u2019ll be sorry for this.%u201D

%u201CGood Lord, don%u2019t stop!%u201D

Harry had won the battle.