Against His Nature

CHAPTER 12

Severus glanced up from his cauldron to stare at the blonde haired student quietly doing his homework on the table in front of the classroom. Malfoy junior was the image of his father at that age only lacking the spark of evilness that only years of service to the dark lord could provide. Draco was lost in his work so Snape stared at the boy unashamedly assessing the blonde’s attributes.

He was gorgeous. It was just a shame the boy knew it. The boy was toned from several years of Quidditch training; he was lean and tall but far from being gangly. His face was flawless, an attractive mix of matured cheekbones and chin, with a still youthful complexion and texture. Despite Draco’s outward appearance however Severus could see deeper. The self confident, arrogance hid secrets, the boy’s body bearing the tell tale scars of home discipline that only a skilled gaze such as Severus could ever detect. Severus knew Lucius at school, had seen first hand the man’s own self-discipline. It was predictable that the blonde had taught his son those same values.

“Professor?” Draco’s voice drew Snape from his distant gaze, his eyes snapping up from Draco’s hands to the boy’s inquiring face. “I’ve finished my homework would you like me to leave?” Snape shook his head in reply and kicked out a chair from in front of his desk, gesturing for Draco to come and sit in it. Snape watched the blonde move purposefully around the benches and over to the chair, the boy’s scent growing stronger as the distance between them decreased.

Since Snape had been rationing his crimson gifts the overwhelming scent of disgusting children had dulled and the chaos of his senses had calmed sufficiently enough for him to detect each subtle difference in smell between each of his students and the people around him. For the past week he’d made it a game to challenge himself to remembering the scent of certain people. Draco had been one of his first experiments. The blonde smelled of apples, fresh crisp and surprisingly tart. The scent was at present masked a little by soap and expensive aftershave but Snape was sure if he closed his eyes he’d still be able to pick the boy out in a crowd. Draco sat down in front of the desk, his hands folded in his lap. Snape took a deep breath and sighed heavily. All week he’d followed Dumbledore’s advice, wooing the boy into a false sense of fondness on Severus’ behalf. Today though had been the final straw when Draco had leaned in for a kiss during potions, as Severus had bent over to inspect his cauldron. The resulting detention had led to this moment, and Severus found himself unable to keep up the charade with the boy who would only suffer in the end.

“What is the consequence if you fail Draco?” Severus’ cold tone never wavered as he stared directly into the blonde’s sea blue eyes.

“Pardon?” Draco replied a little too quickly and with a mixed expression of horror and shock plastered across his face.

”You heard me the first time Draco, don’t make me repeat it.” Severus narrowed his gaze at the blonde who instantly ducked his head to his chest and had the good grace to look embarrassed.

“He’ll take away everything.” Draco muttered beneath his breath unable to lift his head to meet Severus’ gaze.

“And what is so important that you can not afford to lose it?” Severus’ voice had turned cold unable to keep his own emotions from bubbling to the surface. Lucius Malfoy was a manipulative son of a bitch, and not even his son was safe from such plots.

“Everything.” Draco trailed off again but this time raising his head a fraction to catch a glance of Snape’s obsidian eyes, masked perfectly to hide the blue beneath. “He says I’ll get to choose, that this is just temporary.” Draco gestured between himself and Snape. The potion professor snorted in disgust and shook his head; Lucius lies to his son beginning now to creep out.

“Draco, if I take you as my own it will be for life. There is no ‘Temporary’ about this situation.” Draco’s naive steel blue eyes widened impossibly the boy for the first time looking genuinely horrified. Snape allowed himself a small twitch of amusement at the boy’s reaction. Spending a night with your ‘Potion’s professor was a far cry from spending your life with him.

“But…” Draco stammered unable to find a reply. The last thing Severus needed was to see a Malfoy crumble and so quickly continued to save Draco’s pride.

“There are far greater concerns in this world Draco than losing your father’s love. You know as well as I Draco that Lucius neither cares for you nor loves you like he should. It is about time you grew a backbone. Once you turn 17 there is nothing he can legally do to stop you, you need to take steps now to prove your independence.” Severus sighed heavily as he saw the glistening of a tear as it slipped down Draco’s cheek. Severus remembered Draco as a baby and the crocodile tears the boy used to shed in his crib when Lucius ignored him. This tear though was not without emotion and although it was alone on his cheek it told of so much pain. “Is there someone you’re interested in Draco?” Knowing not to draw attention to Draco’s moment of weakness Severus changed the topic slightly. Draco wiped his face unconsciously with the sleeve of his robe and glanced up reluctantly at the elder wizard. Severus rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I’m not asking you to name them Draco, a simple yes or no is sufficient.” Draco blushed and nodded by way of explanation.

“Good, then you should take steps to get involved with them. The sooner you are recognized with someone else, the better the chances are that Lucius can’t force you on to me.” Snape stood up from his desk and circled around the classroom to his private potion’s store. For a few moments Severus shuffled some glass bottles around on a shelf before returning to his desk with a small vial of liquid, which he placed in front of Draco.

“She’s with someone else, I think it’s all arranged.” Draco whispered as he watched Snape gesture to the vial pointedly.

“Then work your Slytherin side boy and worm your way in. These Ministry Law’s are all about survival of the fittest and in this game there are always going to be casualties.” Snape’s gaze twinkled knowingly as a familiar Slytherin smile twitched at the corner of Draco’s lips. “Two drops in her drink will be suffice to get her to notice you, the rest you must do yourself with your charms.” Draco nodded his thanks and slipped the vial into his robe pocket as Snape sat back in his chair feeling a lot better about his current situation. With Draco out of the way and occupied with other things, Snape was free to explore his new unrestrained self.

“What happens when my father finds out about this?” Draco was already gathering his books and was ready to leave when something struck him. Turning to glance over his shoulder at Snape, Draco’s blue eyes hid a fear that Snape could sympathize with.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it Draco, now get lost before I take points for being out after curfew.” Draco nodded and scampered away, the door closing behind him and leaving Snape in silence to think about just what he’d done.

TBC>>>>>