Situational Ethics

Situational Ethics

Edited by: Amanda Saitou

Summary: Snape and Harry have been dating for nearly a year now, and what’s this? Snape starts acting strange, and before Harry can figure out why, Snape is married to someone else! Scandalous! Can Harry get him back? SSHP Angst/drama/romance.

A/N: Important: This fic has a three part prologue. This is the second part. This chapter will jump around. Read carefully to avoid confusion. And one more note. Severus was not in love with Harry in the last chapter and Harry was only infatuated with Snape.

Chapter Two:

“When You Know a Grave Secret”


Hermione and Ron noted that Harry’s persona was alien. Not in the sense that Harry wasn’t enthusiastic about returning to Hogwarts, though. It was difficult to specify exactly what Hermione and Ron noticed, but maybe it was something about the aura he emitted. Hermione and Ron took their seats and all too quickly Harry sat down and just stared out the window. The way Harry gazed off was most familiar to Hermione, for she had seen it in numerous dramas. His gaze was longing, desperate, yet excited. Then Hermione thought of a girl gazing over the seas, hoping that her knight would return to her. Ron thought that Harry looked lovesick. “You alright, Harry?” Ron asked.

His eyes never looked away from the distance lands as he nodded.

Hermione relaxed into her seat and took out her book. She figured that she would find out eventually. Everything was just a matter of time. Harry always told her and Ron everything. They were all just that close.

After a few hours into the trip, Hermione woke up from a nap she unconsciously slipped into. Harry was still staring out the window, just as lost in his thoughts as he was when they left platform nine and three quarters. Ron was asleep and nearly ready to fall off of his seat. Hermione leaned forwards and asked softly, “Is there something bothering you, Harry? You seem awfully quiet.”

“Oh… nothing.”

Of course there was something wrong! Harry may not attest to it, but the lack of words and enthusiasm suggested otherwise. “Is there someone you’ve been waiting all summer to see?”

Quivering lips appeared like they wanted to let something pass through, but Harry’s words never reached Hermione’s ears. “Pardon?” asked Hermione.

There was no use in telling Hermione. Snape would be furious with him. He would never forgive Harry. “It’s nothing,” Harry dismissed.

HARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTER

Harry couldn’t have been more excited when he walked through the doors that led into the Great Hall. There was only one thing… one person Harry had been anxiously waiting to see since that one fateful day, and that one person was proudly seated at the staff table with his head held high. For a good five minutes Harry was so overwhelmed with joy that very second that for a moment he could barely contain his excitement. He started smiling like an idiot and giggled. If he was drinking something, he might do that stupid thing where he spits out his liquid. Harry frowned and shook his head. That was beyond embarrassing. Ron noted his out-of-character behaviour and felt like slapping some sense into his friend. “Harry, get a hold of yourself!” He wasn’t sure what was causing this excitement in Harry, but whatever the bloody hell it was, it sure made him worry.

Dumbledore, from across the room, didn’t notice any strange behaviour. He was more enticed with the food that was yet to be served. He said a few quick words and then the first years were sorted. Nothing special since Harry Potter came to Hogwarts.

Nearly forty minutes later and the feast begun. Dumbledore grabbed as much food as he could hog before Hagrid loaded his plate. Some time between taking the first chicken leg and the deer thigh, Dumbledore noticed the small amount of food on Snape’s plate. “What’s the matter, my boy? Not hungry?” He asked while serving himself a massive bowl of potatoes.

Snape stared down at his plate. Now was not the time to give Dumbledore a reason to believe that something had happened to him over the summer. “I didn’t want to overfill my plate on the first serving, but since you’re insisting, I cannot resist,” Snape grabbed a turkey leg and began cutting into it. He was willing to do anything to hide his secret from Dumbledore.

“Attaboy! Eat like the hungry man you are!” And Dumbledore grabbed the loaf of bread.

SEVERUSSNAPESEVERUSSNAPSEVERUSSNAPE

It was day two and the sixth years creeping into their Potion’s classroom, rather apprehensive from their previous experiences in this particular classroom. The Potion Master was not present, which calmed some of the student’s nerves, but it made Harry’s heart sink. When everyone had taken their seat, from behind the classroom a deep and hushed voice instructed, “Read the introductions and finish the questions listed before the end of class. We will start brewing tomorrow after your quiz.” As Snape walked towards the front of the classroom, the students’ books began opening to the introduction. “Any questions?” Snape never looked back at his students. “Ask your neighbors.”

Snape sat down to take roll. He looked over every Slytherin and Gryffindor he had in the classroom as he would for every block. It wasn’t until he realized that he had Harry in this particular block did he feel his stomach knot and his heart race. He stared at the boy like Voldemort was right behind him, then looked down at his parchment. He hadn’t seen Harry since the day that he consented to date Harry. He then recalled dinner that night. It was awfully long and quit unsettling for him. He had taken a seat by Harry, which was his second mistake following getting with the Golden Boy. During dinner, Harry had tried to hold his hand, which was high on the Snape’s list of don’t with his students. Then Harry tried touching Snape’s leg; something that was even higher on Snape’s list of don’ts. The day had been too much for Snape to down. He couldn’t fathom why he allowed himself to touch Harry the way he did. He wanted to blame it on the heat of the situation, but he was still Harry’s professor and his actions were inappropriate. When dinner had finished, Snape dismissed himself and said his goodbyes quickly, hoping to not draw anymore attention to himself. However, before he could set one foot beyond the threshold, Harry had grabbed him, spun him around, and pressed against him, “I’m going to miss you,” Harry had whispered against his chest.

Suddenly, the temperature in the classroom skyrocketed. Snape adjusted his collar just a bit with his finger. A little air couldn’t do anything but some good.

Snape sighed and looked up from his seat at the Gryffindor who was taking notes. Then his thoughts came rushing back. Before Snape had left Grimmauld Place, Harry had tried to kiss him again, but Snape had stepped outside, which was out of bounds to Harry. Harry looked like he was about to cry, but Snape figured it was for the best. Harry then had asked him to come back for his birthday, but Snape never returned. It was then that Snape wondered what Harry did then. Did he cry? Was he happy to be with everyone? Did he miss Snape that day? What the bloody hell do I care?

Suddenly, Hermione was up and walking towards Snape’s desk. The man watched as Hermione turned in her paper and then returned to her seat. Damn. Snape thought. Why did that witch always have to take Potions? It wasn’t like this year it was required for her.

Class was over in another 30 minutes. All the students quickly left after handing in their assignments. Snape sat back to relax until he saw that Harry was making an unanticipated move. Harry walked up to the front casually and smiled. His boyfriend was the last one to turn in the assignment and Snape figured that that wasn’t by chance. It was intentional. Very, very much so. “Yes, Potter?” Harry did not leave Snape’s desk. He waited until all the other students had left. “Don’t you have some other humble being to bother?”

Harry came from around the desk while looking down, like he wanted to do something really bad, but knew that he shouldn’t, but was going to do it anyhow. When Harry looked up, he asked softly, “Can I hug you, or will you push me away?”

“My next class is in another two minutes, as is yours. You ought to hurry along. I will not write you an excuse.”

“I’m not asking for any of the sort…. Just forget it,” Harry adjusted his bag and then heard students shuffling into class. Harry looked back at the second years and then at Snape. He then lowered his voice, “Can I see you later? Perhaps after dinner?” Harry really had no idea how to go about this.

Snape shook his head. “I have an engagement,” Snape then leaned forwards and whispered, “Plus it’s harmful to my reputation to be seen with my students. Especially you, Mr. Potter,” Snape stood up. He swished his wand and new instructions appeared on the blackboard.

Harry turned and walked down the parting in the center. He though he doubt that any of the students were eyeing him negatively, he still felt embarrassed. He also wondered whether Snape was watching him leave… with a burning gaze against his back. Either way, that was it for day two. Luckily Harry still had many more days to go.

Day three came around, and fortunately for Harry, Potions was first thing that morning. “Aren’t you going to finish breakfast, Harry?” asked Hermione as she watched Harry leave the table without touching his eggs and bacon.

“No, I have a few things to take care of. I’ll see you in class,” Harry smiled and left.

Ron shrugged and helped himself to Harry’s plate. “Hey, someone’s got to finish it. It’s a waste.”

Hermione watched Harry leave. Perhaps he really had something he needed to take care of, but on day three? What was he screwing over so early in the year?

Harry found that the doors to the classroom were open, but there was no Snape seated at the front desk. Harry walked in and plopped his bag next to his desk before proceeding. He looked up at the paintings and then around at the statues Snape had decorated the classroom with. It was as dark and eerie as ever, but it was so very Snape like. Harry left the classroom and figured that if Snape wasn’t in his classroom, he would be in his office around the corner.

Harry knocked on the door and waited patiently for five seconds. Then he knocks three more times and waited for another five seconds. Still, Harry heard nothing. Where was this man?! Harry turned the knob and then peaked in. “Professor?”

The office was dark, except for a candle flickering by Snape’s desk. And on the side, there was a miniature grand piano playing a soft melody that sounded like a life size piano. It warmed up the room, but it was still so very cold and unwelcoming. Harry closed the door. There was no Snape and he didn’t have the balls to look through the office. If Snape or someone else caught him, he would be screwed.

So Harry just entered the classroom and waited. He had three minutes before the peal and at least eight before his dear would walk through the door. When Harry sat down, he felt awfully impatient. He wanted to talk to Snape, but the man just wasn’t there. “Severus…,” Harry wanted to cry out for him, but if Snape wasn’t here, then he was alone in the dungeons.


Class began not a second too late and Snape, like before, was the last one to enter the classroom. “Quiet down. We shall have a quiz first thing today.” The papers on Snape’s desk distributed themselves among the students while Snape strode about the aisles. “Afterwards, gather up the potions ingredients listed on the board and begin today’s assignment. You have the entire class.”

Harry stared at the quiz like it was written in Chinese. Nutshag and drungsbod? What the hell was that? Harry looked up from his test at Snape, who currently had his back turned to him. Harry then felt rather upset with himself for not looking closely at his chapter last night. Nevertheless, he tried his hardest to finish the quiz.

Like yesterday, Hermione was the first one done and the first to begin on the potion. Harry finished about fifth, only because he didn’t know what half of the questions were asking for. What were the direct relations between the oaknoff and the mudkelp anyways? Hell if Harry knew. The second Snape saw Harry removing himself from his designated area, Snape flew across the room towards the back, away from any potions and his desk. The two things Harry would be close to during this class.

Of course Harry did not miss that and felt rather upset by Snape’s behaviour. Perhaps he thinks I’m going to try something. Harry collected his ingredients and quickly returned to his desk. Maybe if I make a perfect potion, he’ll comment on it.

That, however, was not to be. Harry’s potion was just a bloomer. “Shit,” Harry tried adding a bit more of this oaknoff that he grinned on the side, but it didn’t seem to balance off well with the oily stuff in the potion. Harry raised his hand and looked towards Snape, who had his back turned as he watched another mishap in the process.

“D’you need help, Harry?” Hermione approached Harry and then said, “Oh, Harry, you added too much oaknoff. Didn’t you do your readings? It must correspond with the amount of mudkelp you put into the potion and since you haven’t put any, we need to put enough to balance out the two.” Hermione began slicking the sticky looking plant and then plopped in as much as was needed. The potion then turned into a gentle green and the shimmering stopped. “There. That’s much better now.”

“Thanks a lot,” Harry poured some into the glass tube and turned it in. “D’you think I passed?”

“Of course. Mine looked the exact same way.”

When class was over, Harry wanted to wait a minute longer so he could stop Snape, but before the first student could leave the classroom, Snape had already vanished. Harry looked around the classroom and shook his head. What was eating at Snape that he couldn’t even wait for a second? “Man, I’ve never seen Snape run so fast! You’d think that you-know-who was after him,” said two other Gryffindors.

Day four was just like day three, and day five wasn’t any different. A whole school week had passed and Harry hadn’t had the chance to stop Snape and have a pleasant conversation with the man. What the hell? “You look devastated,” said Ron as he watched his friend stare down towards the dungeons.

“No. I’m just feeling a little… Never mind. I’m going to get something to eat at in the Great Hall. I’ll meet you in the library in about ten minutes.”

The weekend wasn’t that great for Harry either. All he could do was hang around the common room and mope if he wasn’t studying. Hermione had taken extra courses and she was a busy as ever. Ron was preoccupied trying to hook up with some girl he fancied in Hufflepuff of all houses, so that left Harry to himself. Without Snape.

The second week rolled by much like the first. The only difference was that Harry had caught Snape looking at him from his desk for a split second. What was going through that man’s mind? Did he miss Harry? If so, why was he avoiding him like the Black Plague?

By the time the third week rolled around, Harry was beginning to feel a little desperate. He sat on the large sofa in the Gryffindor common room and stared at the paintings on the walls. “What would a Gryffindor do?” A Gryffindor would try to get Snape’s attention by trying to meet him before and after class… try to visit him in his office… or around dinner time. But that just wasn’t working for Harry. Then Harry thought, What would Draco Malfoy do? Harry then chuckled. The Slytherin was relentless, which was exactly how Harry needed to be. It was time for Plan B.

When the after hours hit, Harry found himself sneaking out with his invisibility cloak no where in sight. He strolled down the halls, feeling rather cautious even though the whole point of his little venture was to capture Snape’s attention. It wasn’t until Harry was close to the Great Hall that he saw someone turning the corner. Whoever it was, it couldn’t have been Snape. Harry then wished he had brought the Marauders’ map with him. That would’ve made his life so much easier. But it was too late now.

After fifteen minutes and pretty much no sight of anyone, Harry began to wonder if anyone even patrolled the halls around this time. There was no cat… no creepy Filch, no one. Then suddenly, he heard someone say, “Caught you. I don’t know what you’re doing out of bed at this hour, but wait ‘til Snape hears about this.”

Harry turned around and saw Filch holding a lantern up and his cat not too far away. For a specific reason, Harry couldn’t have been happier. Harry had this urge to smile, but the tried to look like a frightened delinquent. Filch grabbed Harry by the shirt and then dragged him down into the dungeons. He then knocked on the door to Snape’s office and opened it. Snape was actually there, which was a rare sight for Harry. He was at this desk grading papers, which shouldn’t seem unusual, but it was. Filch pushed Harry forwards and said, “I caught this one out after hours. I’ll leave you to him.” Filch closed the door while he chuckled wickedly and Snape finally looked up.

“Hi,” said Harry shyly as he stepped further into the room.

Snape dropped the quill he was holding. “Do you realize what you’re done?” Snape’s tone seemed very uneasy and not very demanding.

“I’ve been trying to get a hold of you, but every time I want to talk, you vanish!” Harry’s hand moved with his words to emphasize his point.

Snape slammed his hands on his desk. “Potter, we cannot be seen together!”

“I’m your boyfriend!” Snape jumped in his chair when he heard Harry yell that. “I deserve some of your time! I don’t ask for much. Maybe just a few minutes every other day or so.”

“Potter, I will escort you back to your common room, and if you go quietly, I will not deduct points.”

“No, please! I’ve been trying so hard all week to get your attention!”

Snape touched Harry’s shoulder and shook his head. “I’m a busy man, Harry, you must leave.”

After they arrived at the Fat Lady, Snape then casually said, “Evening then, Potter.”

Harry, however, grabbed Snape’s arm and then said, “Please… will you talk to me? Later? Perhaps tomorrow? There’s so much I need to tell you about.”

Snape shook his head. “No, Potter.”

“But why?”

“Because I said so,” Snape turned and was gone before Harry could mutter a good night.

HARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTER

Harry sat on his bed and stared out his window. It had been a week since his pathetic excuse of a tryst with Snape. “This isn’t working out… and he doesn’t want me to date anyone else… Hmm… I think he has some kind of plan going on.”

Harry then thought to himself, What would James Potter do?

Fifteen minutes later and Harry had entered Dumbledore’s office. “Professor, I need to ask you a favour!”

“Harry? How did you get in here?” Dumbledore asked as he stared at the door.

“I got the password from Professor McGonagall.”

“Alright, what is it, my boy? You look parched. Have some tea.”

Harry took a few sips of the offered tea then said, “I need to speak to Professor Snape about something, but he won’t give me the time of the day.”

“Hmmm, yes. It’s rather hard to get him into my office these days as well.”

“I was wondering… if you knew a time I could talk to him… about personal issues and such.”

Dumbledore turned his head at an angle and then there was this piercing look in Dumbledore’s eyes. “There is a time, but only during his private hours when he’s in his quarters, resting or doing whatever it is that he does.”

“O…,” Harry didn’t know whether he should ask or wait for Dumbledore to give it to him.

“What do you need him for?” Dumbledore leaned forwards, over his desk, and his eyes looked deeply into Harry’s.

“It’s personal.” Harry tried to look away. He felt rather uncomfortable having Dumbledore look at him so carefully.

“Very well,” Dumbledore’s eyes lingered on Harry’s and then they quickly turned away. Dumbledore stared at his lemon drops then shook his head. “Excuse me for a moment.”

Dumbledore strolled over to his phoenix and then stared at his books like there was a particular one he was looking for. “Professor?” Harry’s head felt rather open… more so than it usually did. “Is something wrong?”

Dumbledore shook his head, but his eyes said yes. “The second painting in the dungeon. The one that looks like a giant snake. The password is Creampuff. If he is upset that you’re there inform him that I granted you entrance.”

Harry nodded then left.

Dumbledore then shook his head and looked at his bird. “I know a grave secret, my friend… what ever should I do?” He stroked the features and smiled at his bird.

Once Harry approached the painting down in the dungeons he whispered the password. He waited eagerly for the painting to allow him entrance in the way the Fat Lady did, but the painting did nothing. It did not swing, it did not move. But the snake was looking directly at Harry. Harry then reached out and touched the painting. There were ripples and he could feel something much like water against his hand. Harry reached through the painting and did not stop until he had gone through it completely. Then there was a small hall and a door a few feet away. Harry looked back and noticed that he could see right through the painting, but the painting was bewitched so that no one could see through from the other side. Harry moved towards the opened door and around it to look inside. There stood Snape, standing awfully close to the fire. He had a book in his hand and a glass of something in the other. Harry entered without being invited and then said, “Pardon the intrusion.”

Snape spun around. His eyes were gaping and he remained immobilized for several seconds. “What are you doing here?” Snape didn’t know whether to be upset or indifferent. This was Harry. He should’ve known that he would come eventually.

“Severus…,” Harry hurried across the room and without asking for permission, threw his arms around Snape and pulled the man against his body. It instantly warmed Harry’s body and heart. “My god… I’ve missed you.”

Snape just stood there, completely speechless. It wasn’t until Harry had pulled away that Snape found the words to ask, “How did you find me?” Then he felt like an idiot.

“Dumbledore.”

“Dumbledore?!” For a brief moment, Snape tried winnowing the situation, but once he figured that nothing could come out in his favour, Snape’s hands came around to push Harry away from his body. “What information did you exchange with him in order to gain access to my personal chamber?”

“I didn’t say anything other than I needed to speak with you. I promise,” Harry tried to explain while he looked Snape in the eyes.

“I doubt you said anything to him but was your mind open? Did you put Occlumency to use?”

Harry slapped his hands over his mouth. “He couldn’t have…”

“He’s skilled in the art, Potter; he doesn’t need your permission to probe your mind! You idiot!” Snape turned around and paced back and forth between Harry and the couch.

“But… if he knew…”

“I could lose my job, my place as a spy... I would lose everything. Everything, Potter.”

“No, he wouldn’t fire you. You’re too valuable to him!”

“The Dark Lord would then ask for an explanation, and then he’ll be terribly upset with me for not reporting that bit of information to him. I could lose my place by his side and my life.” There was no humour in Snape’s tone.

“I promise, no one will do anything!”

“Potter, you’re nothing but a mere child. I am the adult and the one in charge. You need to leave and quickly. If you wish to continue this relationship with me, then you must do exactly as I tell you. If you want to meet up with me, do not do so during obvious hours.” Snape was already beginning to brood, and their relationship had barely begun.

“Then when am I supposed to meet with you?” Snape’s vigorous discourse nettled Harry.

“I’m sure you’ll find a way. Perhaps you’ll find a way to confront me in the halls when no one else is around. We must be careful. Dumbledore can make an entrance at any moment while I am here. If he finds you here… alone with me, he’ll want an explanation.”

“How about detentions?” Harry inquired.

“Detentions are what they are. Detentions. They will not become veneers of foreplay.”

Harry remained quiet and watched as Snape tried to calm his nerves. After the older wizard had taken a seat, Harry approached him and said, “I’m sorry, but…”

“It’s a little late for that,” the older wizard interjected gruffly.

“I didn’t finish,” Harry sat down besides Snape and made a move to take Snape’s hand in order to coax his mood, but when Snape refused to let Harry touch him, the boy continued without Snape’s support. “If I find a way to meet with you, will you push me away?”

Snape took in a deep breath. “That depends entirely on our situation. What did you have in mind?”

Harry clung to Snape’s sleeve and looked down. He felt overwhelmed. “I don’t know yet, but I have something in mind. Quidditch tryouts are coming up.”

“I will not meet you in the showers.”

“I wasn’t going to ask you to do that, but when I think of something… can you tell me ahead of time if you cannot do it?”

Snape shrugged and then pointed towards the door. “Now, you must leave.”

Harry stumbled from the couch, but not before pecking his boyfriend on the cheek.

After Harry had left, Snape touched his cheek and delved into the depth of his conscience. “What have I done?” He rendered his affiliation with Harry debauched.

HARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTER

Dark was the night when Harry came down from the fields. He cleared the way in Quidditch and once again proved himself worthy of his title. Seeker. That’s all Harry would ever be known as, but it insignificant to Harry. “I’ll be down later,” Harry had told his team mates. He had engagements he needed to attend to. He waited fifteen minutes after tryouts before he entered the Gryffindor locker room. It was darker then the pitch in the room. No light. No sounds except for the gentle winds outside. “Severus?” Harry called.

“Lumos,” sparked from Harry’s wand, and his eye behold the outline of Severus Snape.

“If we get caught…”

“We won’t…”

Harry abridged the short distance between them, “I’m trusting you, Harry,” said Snape as he opened his arms and closed his eyes. Seeing that this was an opportune moment, Snape allowed Harry to cup his head and Harry’s tongue to cajole his sealed lips, exhorting them to part… to permit him entrance. Harry shuddered and his breathing shifted uncontrollably from the long intakes to quicker intakes and he clung to Snape in fear that his knees would give out on him. “Kiss me back,” Harry pushed his hips against Snape’s and his entire body throbbed with pent up lust. “Press me against the wall…”

Snape walked forwards and continued to press against Harry even after Harry’s body roughly collided with the wall. Harry breathed in deeply and moved his hands through Snape’s hair. Snape’s hands slide up and down Harry’s chest, touching him, feeling Harry in new ways. It had been a while since he had seen his young lover. Feeling the young body reminded Snape of what he was missing those few days after his erotic encounter with Harry. “Where will you let me touch you, Harry?” Snape’s voice was husky.

Harry removed his own shirt and forced Snape’s hands to grab him. “Everywhere, please!”

“Hush…, we can’t be seen together,” Snape looked towards the door. It was locked, but the spell he cast would only last so long.

Snape pulled his robe around to cover both himself and Harry. “We’re running out of time.”

When Harry felt Snape’s hand around his shaft, he felt a jarring sensation and he bucked towards the warm hand. “Don’t stop… please…”

Harry’s mouth opened and it emitted the most desperate and longing of cries. They were parts of sharp intakes of breath, but they were still most pleasurable to the ears. Snape found himself mesmerized by Harry’s moans, and they fueled his libido to frenetic proportions. “Fuck,” the Potions Master mumbled. His thought became most vivid with possibilities he could explore, but he first tied to repress those yearns before they overtook him. “Come for me, Harry,” Snape whispered as he bit at Harry’s neck. Snape nestled against Harry’s neck soon after and Harry ejaculated all over Snape’s hand. He smiled warmly and brought Snape down for a kiss. “Is it over?”

“For now, yes. Pull yourself together and leave at once.”

“Please… do it with me, someday. I want to return the favour.”

“Give me some time, Harry,” Snape kissed his youthful lover and then whispered a cleaning spell.

Snape was long gone once Harry stepped out of the locker room. He leaned against the cool wall and smiled. It had been a while since he had release.

SEVERUSSNAPESEVERUSSNAPESEVERUSSNAPE


Harry’s sixth year had been going well until about a week ago. Harry didn’t know why, but for some reason, the Potions Master wasn’t being as friendly as he was before. Occasionally, the …lovers would cross each others’ paths in the halls. Before Snape began to withdraw from Harry, he would grab the boy tightly if no one was around, drag him off behind a statue, and bestow upon him a gentle, but sweet kiss. If there were numerous students around, Harry would pretend to bump into Snape just to feel the warmth radiating from his beloved’s body. He would then turn around and apologize. Of course Snape would sneer at him and deduct points; only to give them back to him later. Yes. The two of them had everything planned out… down to detention. When Harry felt like he really needed to be with Snape, the boy would purposely pretend to be incapable of brewing potions. Annoyed with his lack of performance, Snape would either keep him after class or after school. Of course, this detention was far from discipline; that is, unless you call getting a few playful whoops in the arse punishment.

Now things were different. Regardless of how many times they would bump into each other in the hall, Snape would either look down at something he was reading, or turn the corridor. In class, if Harry tried to be incapable of brewing a potion, Snape pretended that the boy was not there and continued critiquing others’ potions.

It wasn’t until Harry put a daft notion to the test did he get Snape’s attention. Harry was sitting by his desk working on a hazardous potion, and if he did the slightest mistake, the thing would be guaranteed to blow. Looking mischievously at a bottle of dragon breath, Harry wondered what it would do if it mixed with the sizzling potion. Casually, Harry pretended that he was reaching for the bowel of larva rocks, and accidentally grabbed the bottle of dragon breath. He dumped the thing into the potion, and with a loud KA-BOOM! The cauldron blew up along with Harry’s part of the desk. Harry had jumped back just in time to avoid getting blasted himself, but now he had the entire attention of the class, and a very angry Snape. “Eh… sorry?”

“Class dismissed,” said Snape as he came around to where Harry was. “Everyone, get out. Now! Potter, you stay.” The man stood a good six feet away from Harry with his arms crossed over his chest. He waited patiently for the class to file out.

Abashed, Harry looked down at where his desk used to be and whispered a, “I was desperate.”

“Clearly,” Snape said slowly in a low tone.

As soon as the students cleared the room, Snape waved his wand so that the door closed and sealed itself shut. Now, concealed in privacy, Harry walked around the black residue, and towards Snape. Before he could reach his arms out to touch Snape, the man snapped, “Do you have any idea what you could’ve done?”

Harry didn’t dare move his arm more than two inches from where it was; by his side. He lowered his head again and then said, “I’ve missed you.”

“If you hadn’t stepped back, you could’ve blown yourself up!”

“Severus…I…”

“I specifically gave instructions to follow the directions accordingly. This was a dangerous potion you were working with. If you have a death wish, Mr. Potter, then I suggest you take it elsewhere. I will not have acts of suicidal juvenility in my class.”

“Mr. Potter?” Harry looked up at Snape. He couldn’t recall the last time the man addressed him so formally outside of class time.

Snape sighed, “Promise me you won’t do it again,” he reached out, tilted Harry’s chin up, and gazed into those brilliant emerald eyes.

Harry wrapped his hands around Snape’s wrist affectionately, “If you let me see you more often.”

Snape shook his head slowly, “I’m afraid that we can’t afford that luxury as frequently as before.”

“Why?” there was panic in Harry’s voice.

“We might be seen together,” said Snape, “We’ve been taking risks since day one. We’ve managed to keep this from Dumbledore’s knowledge, but it’s only a matter of time before someone finds out.”

“So now you won’t even look at me?” Harry clenched onto Snape’s wrist tightly, “This is ridiculous. We’re alone, Severus. No one can see us here.”

“I’m afraid, Harry, that there are things you just won’t understand quite yet,” Snape withdrew his hand, “Let me make the decisions from now on.”

It wasn’t a suggestion, it was a demand. Snape didn’t want Harry determining anything. “As long as you keep your end of the deal.”

Snape walked over to his desk, sat down, and then said, “You are dismissed.”

Bewilderment was clear in Harry’s eyes. “Severus, you’ve been acting strange lately. Is there something wrong?”

The older wizard remained as silent as the grave.

“Severus?” Harry crossed his arms for a second impatiently, then walked over to the man. He placed his hands on his shoulders and then said, “Is there something bothering you? Have I done something to make you angry?”

Snape shook his head, then suddenly, he raised a hand and said, “I think it would be wise if you left.”

They were approaching the end of the school year. If Snape suddenly became cold and distant with the boy, then would he ever come to rescue him from the Dursley’s? “Are you upset with me?”

“You nearly killed yourself, Potter.”

“But I’m alive! I’m here!” Harry pressed his forehead against Snape’s, “I haven’t gone anywhere.”

“No, but now you must leave,” Snape waved his wand, and the two doors opened. “I am expecting someone.”

Harry frowned before he turned on his heels and walked two feet away, “If you’ll allow it, can I visit you later tonight?”

“I won’t be around,” Snape massaged his temples, “Perhaps another time.”

Dissatisfied with that answer, Harry left, quietly seething.

A/N: Yes, Dumbledore knows about Snape and Harry, but neither of the boys are aware of the fact that Dumbledore knows. Please review, make suggestions, and thanks for readings. Visit profile for news.