Another Kind Of Magic

AN: Who finds the quote in this chaper? And where is it from?


* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *


Harry and Severus spent the next couple of days with long hours in bed (or other places where one could have sex), walking in the deserted grounds of Hogwarts, extended meals and long conversations.

Severus showed several toys to Harry that he liked to use in a play. There were different kind of floggers, clamps, crops, a cane, soft ropes, chains and hooks and leather cuffs, which were padded on the inside.

Once again Severus spoke about how important safety was and thus you had to keep your tools and toys in order to not put the sub in danger of getting hurt in a bad way. Severus held out a hook. "This for example is a very good hook. They use this kind for horses. You can still open them even if they're under high tension, which of course comes in handy if you have a fainting sub tied up at the wall."

"Well, a simple spell would be effective no matter the hooks," Harry stated.

Severus turned his head and looked at Harry and after a moment started to laugh. "Certainly it would. And of course I would use magic in case of an emergency. But what you have to realise is that the BDSM-community is not as large as you think. Therefore magic folk and Muggles get mixed up there. My own training was done by a Muggle."

"Oh, I didn't know," Harry replied astonished.

"Truth to be told, I do like the non-magical way of BDSM. For example it's sometimes the struggle to be brought down that is a relief in itself."

Harry frowned at Severus. "You mean as in fighting against each other?"

Severus nodded with a smile. "For instance in a role play, or simply because the people involved want to experiment with it. Some subs use it if they're upset somehow and want to get ride of the tension," Severus said. "If it is not to your liking you don't have to do it. Like with a lot of other things as well," he added with a smile.

Harry nodded.

"BDSM has a healing potential," Severus continued while he put the hook back. "You have the possibility to re-live a situation that has been traumatising in the past. In the play you have control over it and you have a partner that cares for your well-being. That being said, I do not recommend it as a form of therapy, not at all. But it can be very healing."

Harry looked thoughtfully at Severus. BDSM really was very different from the rumours you got to hear.

*

They were walking on the edge of the Forbidden Forrest. It was Harry's fifth day in Severus' company and Harry felt at ease with the older wizard. He loved the conversations they had about almost everything that came to their heads. He also greatly enjoyed sex with Severus; it was passionate, sensual, tender, intense and even downright funny at times.

But there was something he did start wondering about: when would Severus really play with him? They had talked a lot about BDSM but except for that first night there hadn't been anything like it. Harry pondered about that while they walked in silence.

They were nearly back at the castle when Severus asked him why he was so quiet.

"Just mulling things over, you know," Harry replied.

"Anything special or just in general?" Severus probed.

Harry thought about that for a moment and finally took a deep breath. He knew Severus well enough by now that he wouldn't stop digging and he knew himself even better to know that he wouldn't stop brooding. "It's kind of special," Harry started without looking at the older wizard. "I'm just wondering if you're interested at all to play with me."

Harry could feel Severus looking at him but kept his eyes straight ahead.

"What makes you think I am not interested?"

"Because you didn't so far," Harry answered.

"True. And with a reason."

Now it was Harry's turn to look questioningly at the other wizard. "What reason?"

Severus stopped and turned to Harry. "You remember our first night?"

Harry laughed in spite of the blood he felt creeping into his head. "Sure, it's not that long ago, is it"?

Severus smiled at him. "You asked me to pinch your nipples, Harry," he said. "Well, one could even say you begged me for it, and very nicely at that," Severus added with a smirk that made Harry blush even more.

"But the fact remains the same, Harry: you told me that you wanted it."

Harry made a surprised sound and looked at Severus with wide eyes.

Severus smiled again. "I don't want to rush things and I certainly don't want to push you. As you have already noticed, I am a patient man. And knowing you and your Gryffindor bravery, I knew you would let me know when or if you want to proceed."

Harry didn't know what to say so he just looked at Severus for quite a while. With one hand he softly touched Severus' face.

"I think I'm starting to realise how lucky I am. And now I don't know if I should laugh or cry because I'm so happy."

"You could do both or one after the other," Severus offered.

But Harry did neither. Instead he wrapped Severus in a crushing embrace. "Oh god, I think I'm going to fall in love with you."

"As frightening as this might seem to you, do you need to make it sound like a threat?"

Now Harry really started to laugh.

*

As curious as Harry was and as much as he wanted to explore this other side of him, it took him three more days to gather all his courage and ask. He imagined various ways of how he could approach Severus but still wasn't sure which way would be best. He thought about how, where and what would be the best time.

At one point yesterday Harry had even asked Severus if he wanted to be addressed as "Master" in a play – which he didn't. Nobody used the title in respect to his Master in potions and he had none in the art of BDSM, was all he said.

Once more pondering about the best way to do it, Harry leaned against the basin in the bathroom. "Oh screw all this thinking! I'm just gonna get out now and ask!"

~

Severus looked up from his book as he heard Harry coming from the bathroom and smiled at him, before he continued reading. The fragrance of his shower gel filled the room and Severus inhaled the musky scent deeply. He heard the younger man walking towards him and as his shadow fell on top of him, Severus looked up. Harry just stood there for a moment, his fingers the only thing that moved.

Severus, having an idea that Harry was struggling with something, put the book aside indicating that Harry had his full attention. Neither said anything and Severus watched Harry shifting his weight from one leg to the other.

A bolt of excitement shot through Severus as Harry went to his knees in front of him, his head bowed and his hands by his sides.

So this was what the struggle was about. Severus had been wondering how long it would take Harry to come to him and ask.

"Sir, I would – no…" Harry took a deep breath but his voice was still trembling when he started again. "Please, sir, would you… would you like to play with me?" He finally managed to say.

Severus smiled softly even though Harry wasn't looking at him. This surely had been a strain for the younger wizard. Knowing that you want to try it and the curiosity about it was one thing. But asking for it was something else all together. It was your own responsibility and your own will to ask for something you craved for.

"With the outermost pleasure, Harry," Severus answered.

Harry lifted his head and met Severus' gaze with a shy smile, his cheeks dusted with pink. He took another deep breath.

"That wasn't easy," he quietly admitted.

Severus gazed at Harry. "What was the hardest part for you?"

Furrowing his brows thoughtfully, Harry stared into space for a moment before he looked back at Severus.

"First I thought it was the question about how, when or even where to ask," Harry said. "But honestly, that wasn't it."

Severus smiled softly but didn't interrupt the younger wizard.

"The hardest part was to get where I am now and to give myself to you. Do you know what I mean?"

"To give your consent to being hurt by asking me for it?" Severus wanted to know. "Or simply to say it out loud that you want it?"

Harry swallowed but his gaze didn't waver as he nodded. "The latter."

"It's intense, isn't it?" Severus asked quietly.

"Very," Harry replied just as quietly.

They looked at each other for a moment and Severus noticed Harry shifting his weight under the gaze. "Are you getting uncomfortable down there, Harry?"

"No," Harry replied quickly. "Not really, sir."

Severus arched an eyebrow. "Maybe I should have been more specific," he said and looked pointedly to Harry's tented trousers before he lifted his gaze again with a smirk. "Maybe I should have asked if you get uncomfortable tight around your crotch."

Harry blushed and lowered his eyes. "Oh."

"Or are you telling me that you stuffed a pair of socks in there to make it just look like you have a hard on?" Severus teased.

The blush on Harry's cheek deepened. "No, sir, there are no socks."

Severus chuckled amused. "So you do have a hard on?"

"Yes, sir," Harry answered without looking at him.

"Good, very good." Severus nodded leisurely. "Very nice reaction."

Harry glanced up at him and Severus smiled reassuringly. "Since this will be your very first play ever, is there something that you would like to try most? Certain toys maybe?"

Frowning thoughtfully Harry gazed to the side for a moment. Then with a smile he looked up at Severus, his green eyes shining.

"I take this look as a yes," Severus laughed.

Harry nodded, still smiling. "Yes, sir."

"Go get them and I'll consider them," Severus said.

It took Severus a moment to realise that Harry was about to summon them with a spell and he stopped him by pushing his outstretched arm down. "No, Harry. Go get them."

With a confused look Harry got up and went into the bedroom.

Severus watched him leave with a smile. Harry would find out that it was quite a different thing to actually go and get something instead of summoning it. It provided you with the time to think about what you were doing and what could possibly happen with the items you choose. A mental mindfuck can be nice, Severus thought with a smirk.

He was curious about the toys that Harry would bring back as he heard the drawers in the other room.

The flush in Harry's face showed Severus that the young wizard had indeed been using the time to do some imagining of his own. The red had deepened as he went back into the kneeling position in front of Severus.

Severus wasn't surprised to see the cuffs in Harry's hand. He had looked thoroughly at them and fondled them for quite some time when he had seen them first. But the other thing that Harry had brought back was a flogger. It was what Severus had called a "newbie-flogger" since it had many and soft threads and therefore had not the stinging bite that others had, but it was a flogger nevertheless.

Harry took a deep breath and then held out the cuffs to Severus. "I'd like to wear those please, sir," he said quietly.

"Nice choice, Harry. I bet they look very good on you," Severus replied benignly. "What else did you bring?"
Harry blushed even more but handed the other item to Severus. "I'm very curious about the flogger, sir. I'm not sure if I'm already up to it, though."

Severus nodded. "Very well. We'll see if we will include it while we go along. How does that sound?"

The eager nod made Severus chuckle. "Very curious, hm?"

For a moment Harry looked away but he gazed back up at Severus when he finally nodded with a shy smile.

"What's your safe word?" Severus asked as he had so many times before to make sure Harry would know it in his sleep.

"Red, sir."

"Good boy." Severus took one of the cuffs and motioned Harry to get closer.

The young man did as told and raised one hand while looking at the cuffs in Severus' lap. Severus swiftly took Harry's chin and lifted it up so that Harry had to look at him. "Don't try and forestall me," Severus said seriously. "Even if it's as obvious as this."

Harry blushed deeply. "I'm sorry, sir," he whispered. "I just thought-"

"Exactly, you thought," Severus said. "I know that you were only trying to be attentive. For future notice: if in doubt wait until I have told you to do something."

"Yes, sir."

Severus nodded and released Harry's chin. "Now give me your right hand."

Looking up sheepishly Harry took his left hand back and offered Severus the right one. Severus placed the cuff around Harry's wrist and fastened it. He moved it around and pulled on it to check how it fit. It looked good to him and he lifted his eyes to Harry who was staring at their hands.

"How does it feel, Harry?" Severus asked the younger wizard.

Harry looked up as if he was in a daze. And if Severus wasn't mistaken, he really was slowly drifting into another world.

"Very nice, sir."

"Is it too tight?"

Shaking his head Harry said that it was perfect.

"Take this hand back and give me the other one."

Severus put the second cuff on and checked this one as well, afterwards asking Harry if it fit, which it did.

"How do you feel wearing them?" Severus wanted to know after watching Harry for a moment, who had dropped his gaze back to his hands.

"I… I'm not sure," Harry replied. "Don't know how to describe it."

"Does it feel bad?" Severus probed.

The younger wizard shook his head quickly. "No, not at all, sir. It's just… you know… it's kind of…" Harry paused for another moment. "It's as if I can hold on to something even though they hold me."

Severus nodded. "Do they make you feel secure?"

"Yeah, in a way they do."

Severus smiled softly. That was an additional effect he had not expected but was glad about it nonetheless. "That's good. Is there something else?"

Harry brought his hands together and played with the rings before he looked up at Severus. "The knowledge of what you could do with me when I'm wearing them."

A smirk appeared on Severus' face. "Does that excite you?"

From underneath his fringe Harry looked up at Severus. "Yes, sir," he whispered.

Severus bent forward, hooked his fingers into the rings of the cuffs and leaned back again. Then, with a sharp tuck he pulled Harry towards him.

~

Harry gasped with surprise but there was also something else that had made him catch his breath: a rush of desire that had surged through him.

He looked up and right into Severus' dark eyes. And as if the older man had read Harry's mind, he bent down and kissed him. Harry moaned into Severus' mouth thrusting his tongue forward but he soon realised that he wasn't the one dominating the kiss. One low growl from Severus reminded him of his place and made him retreat and wait. And then Severus came to him, his tongue caressing his lips sensually at first before he immerged deeper in his exploration.

Harry felt like he had no bones left in his body as Severus pulled back but he tried to follow Severus nevertheless and he made a soft sound of despair when Severus was out of reach.

"The sounds of need, Harry. It's like music in my ears," Severus said hoarsely.

Harry opened his eyes and looked from Severus' glistening lips up into his sparkling eyes.

"Mhm, and that look in your eyes! I see your hunger in them!"

Severus released Harry's wrists and took his face between his hands. "Maybe it's just as well that we will have a little break here," Severus said. "This is what we're going to do: you will go and use the bathroom while I go into the bedroom to get some things done. Got me?"

Harry had to clear his throat twice before he could answer. "Yes, sir."

"All right, off you go."

Harry got up on his feet and headed to the bathroom. He had just reached the door when Severus called him back.

"Harry? Take your shirt off while you're at it. It might just complicate things later."

Harry, who had turned back around, saw the smirk in Severus' face. He swallowed as he imagined what it might be that could complicate the simple task of taking off a shirt and another rush of excitement shot through him. "Yes, sir," he answered.

"Good boy. And if the door to the bedroom is still closed when you're done, wait until I come to get you."

Harry nodded and still looked at Severus who had gotten up as well. "Sir? We haven't really started and yet…"

Tilting his head in a questioning manner, Severus stepped up to him. "Yes?"

Once more Harry had the feeling that he couldn't even really describe how he felt and he said so to Severus with his head lowered. Harry felt Severus' hand under his chin that pushed his head up gently so that he had to look at him.

"Start with how it feels," Severus said with a soft smile. "Is it good or bad?"

Harry smiled. That was easy enough. "It feels good. Very strange though," he answered. He thought for a moment before he continued. "It's like… like I'm in a cocoon, you know. It's like… there is something around me that keeps everything away from me." Harry frowned thoughtfully. "But at the same time…" He looked up at Severus again. "At the same time I'm very aware of you. Of what you do, how you smell…" Harry stopped for a moment, leant forward and closed his eyes inhaling deeply. "Love your smell."

Harry leant back with a smile and opened his eyes again. "I… I feel you there. I feel your touch… and I… I hear your voice. And that's the strangest thing, cause it nearly feels like your voice is creating this thing around me. Weird, uh?" He laughed softly. "Maybe it's a spell you put on me."

~

Severus smiled softly while he listened to Harry's description. It sounded like something quite a few submissives were talking about: subspace. "No, Harry. I did not put a spell on you. BDSM has it's own magic," he said. "Other bottoms experience similar things while in a play."

"Wow, I like this kind of magic."

Severus chuckled softly. "That's good then. I'm glad you do. Still remember your safe word?"

"Sure do, sir. Red."

"Good. Now go."

Harry smiled once more then turned and disappeared into the bathroom.

tbc

AN: Any thoughts, comments? Review :o)