Where Others Fear to Tread

Chapter 17

“Can you turn on the tap?” Harry looked up from his book and reached easily over to the sink, turning on the water for his mate. Harry watched as Snape washed his hands meticulously as he always did when making potions. When Snape stepped away from the sink Harry turned off the water again and went back to reading his book. Snape’s fingers had grown back quickly but the man still didn’t have complete movement in them as yet, so Harry was doing odd things to help. “How did your exam go?” Snape inquired softly as he sat down opposite Harry at the bench, the cauldron slowly simmering between them. Surprised that Snape had started a conversation Harry closed his book and sat up from the bench a little.

“Um, it was okay. A lot of the answers were just straight out of the text but there were a few I had to think about.” Harry smiled softly at Snape over the top of the cauldron, watching as Snape nodded in acknowledgement.

“Have you finished studying for Potion’s on Monday?” Harry nodded in reply feeling the awkwardness radiating from Snape as he continued the strained conversation. Silence fell between them for a moment and Harry watched Snape cautiously as he saw the man fiddling uncharacteristically with the sleeve of his robe, his gaze not meeting Harry’s. Harry knew there was something more and he didn’t have to wait long for Snape to tell him. “It has been a month since you last stayed the night. I have arranged for you to be absent from your dorm this evening.” In a flurry Snape rose from the bench, not meeting Harry’s gaze as he turned his back and went over to the cupboards to begin taking stock of his ingredients. Harry stared quietly at Snape’s back and sighed. He’d hoped the man had forgotten about it, but obviously not. Their last time together had been painful but at least Harry had had the weekend to recover, being a Wednesday he was not going to be so lucky this time.

“I’ll go get a shower then.” Marking his page in his book Harry rose from the bench and left the lab, Snape glancing only briefly over his shoulder to what Harry leave before sighing and going back to his task. Harry showered and changed quickly trying not to think about the second night he’d spend in Snape’s bed. Exiting the bathroom Harry was surprised not to see Snape already in bed, but when he heard voices out in the living room it became clear why the man wasn’t waiting for him. Edging cautiously towards the door Harry peeked briefly around the opening.

There in the center of the living room was Draco, talking heatedly to Severus. Involuntarily Harry glared at the blonde irritated by having seen his presence yet again down in Snape’s rooms. The twinge of jealousy that rose in Harry was now a regular occurrence whenever Harry laid eyes on Draco. Refocusing his attention Harry listened in on their conversation.

“Sev, I can’t keep doing this he’s calling for me more frequently.” Harry frowned a little as he heard the edge of desperation in Draco’s voice as he spoke.

“Draco I’ve already told you there is very little I can do, you have to do this on your own.” Harry dug his nails into the wood of the door as he watched Snape draw his hand gently down Draco’s face, the touch so gentle almost loving. Draco’s eyes closed at the touch making Harry scowl at the boy more jealously.

“But he’ll kill me if I attempt to stop it, this is driving me insane and you promised me you’d help me.” Draco was practically begging Snape now, the boy nuzzling against the hand of his godfather resting on his cheek.

“I promised I’d help you after you cut yourself off from him, but I can’t do anything while ever you still return to his bed, it’s just too risky.” Snape sounded exasperated at his godson and Harry watched as Draco turned away from Snape the man’s hand falling from his cheek onto his shoulder.

“I’m scared Sev, I’m afraid of dying.” Harry practically snorted at that comment. Draco sounded like a wet blanket, even Harry wasn’t afraid of dying after all there was little that could stop it happening. Despite how weak Draco sounded Harry still watched as Snape wrapped his arms around Draco’s waist pulling the boy back against him and hugging him tightly. Fiery rage swept through Harry’s body at seeing the intimacy of the touch, and without thinking Harry slammed the door closed unable to handle seeing any more of the display, his emotions getting the better of him. Climbing into his side of the bed Harry curled up on his side, his back to the door as he waited for Snape’s inevitable arrival.

The door to the bedroom opened half an hour later and Snape walked quietly into the room, shutting and warding the door behind him. Harry was still wide-awake and angry and listened quietly to the man pad around the room. The bed dipped a little as Snape sat down on his side of it, and Harry listened to the rustle of the man’s robes as he undressed. Harry wasn’t even tempted to glance over his shoulder and sneak a peek at Snape’s body his anger and jealousy just lingering below the surface. Harry remained still as he felt Snape climb into bed behind him, the man not even waiting as he wrapped his arm around Harry’s body and pulled the boy flush against him. Like before Snape’s hand easily drew up the nightshirt and Harry this time was prepared for the intrusion as the first finger began to massage his hole.

Just as happened last time Harry felt little in the way of excitement and this time only grunted a little in pain when at last Snape sheathed his cock. The hand that gripped his waist was looser than last time but still held him still as Snape began to thrust. Not clouded by pain or fear Harry listened acutely in the dark to the change in Snape’s breathing as the man neared his climax. When it came Harry heard Snape stop breathing before the same warm, wet explosion swept through his body. Unconsciously Harry found himself matching Snape’s breathing pattern and the boy shuddered involuntarily as Snape breathed out against his neck the whisper of a word on his tongue, but not definable to Harry’s hearing. If there was one thing Harry found even remotely exciting about their encounters was the sensation of having Snape come inside him, and that whisper of a breath on his neck afterwards. Admittedly it wasn’t enough to get even a twitch out of Harry’s cock but it was something he’d found in their coupling he was mildly interested in. Similarly as in their first encounter Harry felt the hand on his waist dip around to feel his limp cock, but when it didn’t find what it was looking for, Snape pulled out and rolled easily away from Harry.

Harry hissed a little in pain as the man pulled out and was expecting Snape to leave like he did last time, but the man didn’t. Daring a glance over his shoulder Harry watched as Snape settled on his back, the man’s dark gaze staring up at the cream canopy above them. Still in a little pain and very aware of the cooling liquid running down his thighs Harry turned slowly over to face his mate. After their coupling Harry’s anger had somewhat died but his jealousy still bubbled beneath the surface.

“Did you know Draco’s got a tattoo.” Harry winced at how loud his voice sounded in the silent wake of the sex. Seemingly surprised that Harry wasn’t asleep Snape turned his head slightly towards Harry, his dark obsidian gaze meeting Harry’s steely green one.

“What are you talking about Potter? Draco doesn’t have a tattoo.” Harry scowled a little remembering all too clearly Draco giving him the same reply when the boy had confronted him about the tattoo as well.

“It’s on his right shoulder and it’s the same seal you use to close your letters with.” Harry stared pointedly at Snape who was now staring back at him as if Harry had lost his mind completely.

“I assure you Potter, Draco Malfoy does not have a tattoo. I know the boys body like the back of my hand, having patched it up for him for a good number of his years. Now will you please be silent.” Harry stared defiantly into the dark gaze of his mate, Snape not backing down an inch. Finally though Harry sighed and looked away, before rolling back over away from Snape and closing his eyes. There was something bugging him about Draco and Snape. Now more than ever, Harry wanted to know what was going on between them. Still quietly seething over Draco’s appearance in Snape’s rooms that evening, Harry fell reluctantly into slumber, the warm body of his partner in bed with him.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>