Areas of Expertise

-- Lucky people! I got all my work done for tomorrow so bashed out this chapter. It hasn't gone to plan, it was meant to be Sev and Harry talking to each other, but I think this works too. Let me know if you agree or disagree. SP

Chapter Ten - Turbulence

'Turbulence is life force. It is opportunity. Let's love turbulence and use it for change.' Ramsay Clark

***

Harry had tried, over the next few days, to accept his sexuality, but it was so difficult for him. Growing up with the Dursleys (not renowned for their 'tolerant' approach to anything except Dudley) had made him desperate to conform. He had spent his formative years apologising to them, or running from them, when he did anything in the least 'freakish'. Admitting to liking another man would almost have been worse in their eyes than admitting to be a wizard.

But he was gay.

He did prefer other men - well, one other man. One annoying, bloody terrifying, downright sexy man.

Severus Snape.

Harry felt his insides ache (and his ass) at the thought of Snape's dick slamming into him. They had only had sex once, yet it was all he could think about. At night he dreamt about the other, waking up to find he had come all over his pyjamas again. During lessons he daydreamed about the Potions master, earning him stern looks from his teachers (and Hermione). Potions - never a strong point for him - had turned into his worst subject. He was worse than even Neville.

Why can't I get him out of my head? He whined to himself one evening whilst he sat between his friends and tried to study.

When he wasn't thinking about Snape (a maximum of ten minutes in any hour), he was thinking about the baby. He was still having trouble believing that he could be pregnant.

Maybe I'll believe it when the baby's born

Yet mingled with that was a strong protective urge. Anyone who came too close that he didn't trust was liable to be snarled at or shoved away. The other Gryffindors had noticed and had begun keeping a wide birth; always making sure that either Ron or Hermione were between them and Harry.

Harry felt more isolated than ever.

He was (literally) carrying around a huge secret that he could not share except with his closest friends, but they couldn't help him. All they could do was support him, but he would have to face the coming months alone: a pregnant teenager trying to pass exams, who also had the added burden of trying to save the world.

So, no pressure there, then!

Although he and Snape shared a corridor, in the three days since he had moved into the dungeons he had not seen the man except in lessons and at meal times. He hadn't even observed the teacher out of the corner of his eye as he usually did. It was as if Snape had further withdrawn from the world he barely inhabited.

Harry missed the other wizard.

Snape was an asshole, no denying it, but he forced Harry to push himself. He never accepted less than Harry's best (and sometimes didn't even accept that) and he made Harry want to prove the other wrong. Harry wanted to get something right, if only to see the other's surprised face. He had never expected a 'well done' in the five years he'd been at Hogwarts. This year, his sixth, was proving to be more challenging than any other. The obvious difference was that he was now studying for his NEWTs. That, and life altering realisations tended to make Harry a little fractious.

'Merlin, Potter, what is your trauma?' Malfoy snapped as Harry, not looking where he was going, slammed straight into him, making the blond rebound off Crabbe.

The Gryffindor glanced up. 'Oh, it's you, Malfoy. I wondered what the smell was.'

'Watch your tongue, Potter. There's a change coming, and you don't want to make me have reason to hurt you, now do you?'


'You mean Voldemort is going to try and kill me again?' Harry retorted, ignoring the gasps of shock from the three Slytherins. 'Well, he's done such a good job in the last five years, hasn't he? I'm quaking in my boots!'

The blond's eyes narrowed. 'I wouldn't get too attached to certain people if I were you. They may not be here much longer.' With this, the boy swung around and began to march away, but Harry's hand on his upper arm stopped him. He flicked his eyes down to the hand on his clothes, as if he was contaminated, then he turned to face the Gryffindor.

'Threaten my friends again and I'll kill you myself.' Harry's green eyes bore into the cold grey eyes.

'Just try it, Potter. From what I heard, last year you were face to face with the killer of your mongrel godfather and couldn't manage to give her even a nosebleed!' Malfoy twisted free and retreated, backing away so that his taunting face never left Harry's: 'I've used that curse Potter. I've seen it in action. I've seen the light fade from a person's eyes. I do hope I get to see your light fade.' With a cruel laugh he whipped around the corner.

Shaking so hard he could barely stand, Harry ground out, 'Bastard!'

'Five points from Gryffindor for language.' A certain melodious voice said, causing Harry's dick to take an interest in the proceedings.

'Shit!' he groaned.

'And another five. Really Mr Potter, are you aiming to lose all of your House points in one day?' Snape lifted a black brow, eyes coldly amused.

'Maybe I am,' Harry snapped, too angry to stop himself.

'Excellent. The Slytherins will be most pleased you've decided to back them for the cup.' Snape's voice was smooth and made Harry's cock twitch in his trousers.

Almost panting, Harry stepped towards Severus. He hadn't planned to, it had just happened; his body was following its instincts, not reason. 'What reward would you give me if I let Slytherin win?' He licked his lips, eyes almost entirely black. The startling green was just a slender rim around the dark pupil.

Snape took a step away. He looked concerned. 'No, Potter,' he said sharply, breaking the mood, 'this is not going to happen.'

Blushing scarlet, Harry let out an anguished, 'God!' and sprinted away.

Severus looked after the boy, willing his own cock to subside. He could deal with horny teenagers: he had taught at the school long enough, after all. But horny teenagers who came onto him? That was a whole new experience.