Path of the serpent

Title: Path of the serpent
Author: ejab
Pairing: SS/LM with a little SS/RL and SS/DM on the side
Rating: will become NC-17
Feedback: very, very welcome
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling has full ownership of these characters.
Warnings: nope.
Category; all over the place
Summary: if Lucius can play with Severus' emotions, Severus can certainly play with Lucius' emotions. You decide who does it best…
A/N: underlucius is my beta. And a very, very good one too! No one messes with her!
All remaining mistakes are all mine and mine alone.

21/?

It all started with compliments in class. On top of his best marks ever, Draco on several occasions was addressed as 'highly skilful' and 'exceptionally talented'. Lately he seemed to earn his House points for merely existing or turning up in Potions classes. It all added to his already high status amongst his fellow Slytherins. It also made the Gryffindors extremely irritated and hesitant to go to the dungeons for their shared classes. Nowadays merely looking at Draco already seemed to give Snape an excuse to deduct points from Gryffindor for 'inadmissible intimidation'. Protests were immediately punished with more points deducted.

Then the potions master surprised Draco by telling him that he certainly could do with an assistant. Would the young Malfoy pes bes be interested?

"If you prove yourself worthy, I may even consider offering you an apprenticeship. Unless you already have other plans after leaving Hogwarts?"

No, Draco had no other plans. Hell, he had not even given it much thought up to now, always assuming his father to make that decision for him. Becoming as assistant to an already legendary potions master - how could that be wrong? Not to mention the status it would give him! No doubt his father would be proud.

"You are not to tell anyone of this conversation," Snape burst his bubble sternly. "You first have to prove yourself a worthy assistant because I only take the best of the best. It will also include extra hours of studying under my supervision. Are you willing to do so?"

Of course he was willing! It was a change of a lifetime! Private tutoring from the best potions master around and the prospect of an apprenticeship… oh yes, he was very willing!

They agreeda pra probationary period of 3 monthhat hat would give Snape time enough to see if Draco had what it took.

So Snape set up a program - Draco would help him whenever the potions master felt the need for an extra pair of hands and studying took place every Tuesday and Thursday evening for two hours straight.

Draco soon learned that his Head of House took their probationary period very seriouslnd Snd Snape as a private tutor was even more demanding than as a teacher in class. He had thought that to not be possible but yet it was. The man was relentless in his expectations and had no toleration whatsoever for even the slightest mistake or sloppy work. Dissecting toads too hastily was rewarded with having to clean out fifty cauldrons without any use of magic. Squashing beetles without being able to prevent some nasty little bits from escaping his chopping board and fg arg around the classroom got him scrubbing every toilet in the entire school. On Saturday. When everyone could witness it. It was the worst humiliation ever and a day he wished someone would Obliviate from his mind. And yes, his prestige did suffer a bit but he bravely held his head up high, knowing he would have the last laugh. Just 5 more weeks and he could tell all those bloody idiots to stuff it. The humiliation had served its purpose though. He quickly became very, very secure and thorough in his working. Not that Snape gave him compliments. As soon as he had agreed to be his assistent, the man had stopped giving him compliments for some odd reason only known to himself. He slowly just stopped handing out detentions. And three weeks ago week the potions master had surprised him by offering to drink tea together before sending Draco back to his dorm. Two weeks ago they had also STARTED with drinking tea. Last week he was surprisingly dressed in a much more casual style; in just black pants and a white shirt. It made him look less forbidden and far more human. It also confused Draco a lot more than he would be willing to admit. A somewhat relaxed Severus Snape was a rather enticSeveSeverus Snape, he noticed. The way the man enjoyed his tea, closing his eyes for a second with every sip he took, his calm and almost lazy movements when not working, the rare smile that started to appear once in a while… and tonight the potions master had even told Draco about some pranks he and his father had played on other students. Mainly Gryffindors, of course. They'd managed to get quite a reputation because of that. It was fun to hear his Head of House speak about those events, also because his own father hardly ever shared his memories with his son.

And the confusion didn't stop there. At the beginning of this week Snape had said he could call him Severus. But only in private. And now the man sat opposite him and smiled.

"What? Have I made a stupid mistake?" It unnerved Draco a bit, although he tried to pretend it didn't.

"No… I merely noticed… has anyone ever told you how much you look like your father when he was your age?" the potions master kept smiling. "The same grace, the same beautiful face…ctlyctly those features attracted me to him. No doubt you are quite popular. Are you?"

"I am a Malfoy, of course I am," Draco snorted. Had the man really just been drinking tea or something stronger?

"And the same attitude, I see," Snape chuckled, bending forward. "Do you have a girlfriend? Or a boyfriend perhaps?"

"Have you SEEN the girls at this school, si-Severus?" Draco looked like he smelt something revolting, in the back of his head not believing they were having this conversation.

"Indeed." Snape refilled their cups with tea again. "So - do you have a boyfriend?"

What was this? 'The' talk? It was rather late for that, wasn't it? And shouldn't his father be the one to have that particular conversation with him anyway?

"Not really… just the occasional um… you know." He would not go into details, not even for his Head of House. That would be SO embarrassing!

"I understand," Snape stretched his long legs and drank some of his tea.

"Forgive me for asking, Severus, but why do you want to know this? Has my father…?" Draco decided to be bolt and straightened his back. 'Always keep in control', his father always said. So he'd better take over the questioning.

"Your father has nothing to do with this," his potions master smiled again. "Let's just say I understand the pressure of being a Malfoy. People will always expect you to do better, know better than others. Even when it comes to sex. Do you never feel the pressure? The unspoken expectations?"

"Oh yes, I do…" Draco sighed, letting his guard done some more. It seemed that finally someone DID understand the constant pressure he was always under. And that it turned out to be his Head of House, well… the man had his father as a lover so he WOULD be the one to know, right? "Yes, they always expect me to be this wonderful lover. They always think that I know what to do and…" He had said too much. Way too much! Blushing fiercely, Draco pressed his lips firmly together and studied his hands.

"There's absolutely nothing wrong with still being a virgin, Draco," Snape just guessed but judging by the increasing redness of the boy's cheecks, his guess had been accurate. Wonderful, that would make it all so much easier! Now in for the kill. "Just make sure you pick the right person to loose your virginity to and not just some boy who only wants to be able to spread the word he has deflowered a Malfoy. Because there are a lot of those around. And also make sure it will be someone who treats you kindly and is willing to make it a wonderful experience for you. You never forget your first time so better make bloody sure it's a great time."

"When you and my father um… were you…?"

"Your father took my virginity, yes. As you well know, your father is several years older than I, so by the time I was ready, he already had quite some experience. And I have never regretted a second of it, it still is a very cherished memory," the potions master smiled warmly and closed his eyes for a minute, as if he tried to recreate the experience.

Draco stared at him for a minute while his brain worked at high speed. Snape was very experienced. He would also be kind to him. Discreet also. And he was also enticing, in his own unique way. Suddenly he just knew that he wanted Snape to be the one. That realisation alone was enough to make him half-hard instantly. To be able to finally have sex, real sex! Not just some groping and clumsy blowjobs, but real sex! And with such an experienced partner! The way that man could undoubtedly make him feel… Merlin, just thinking about it almost made him come!

"Sir? Eh - Severus? Could you… would you be willing to… teach me?" There. He'd asked it.

"That is a somewhat…unusual request, wouldn't you say? After all I am your teacher and Head of House. Can you imagine the consequences that it could have for both of us?" Snape eyed him sternly.

"I wouldn't tell anyone! Honest! I'd rather die!" Draco knew he sounded pathetic but couldn't care less. So close to finally having sex and today of all days the man suddenly revealed morals?! Fuck morals!.He wanted sex, sex and sex!

"Please calm down, Draco. Merlin… adolescents, hormones and a clear mind working together is too much to hope for…" the potions master sighed deeply for the right dramatical effect, "…but you are aware of the real possible consequences if this is ever to be found out, I hope? I would lose my job AND my reputation and we both probably would lose our lives if your father ever found out - he does not like to share and is extremely possessive when it comes to me."

'If this is ever to be found out'. That was what Snape had just said. He had not said 'no'! "You could Obliviate me afterwards?" Draco tried, almost begging by now.

"And deprive you of the memory of your first time? That hardly seems fair, now does it?"

"Please?" Draco did not know what to say or how to convince his teacher. Of course he could make promises of some kind but he wasn't THAT stupid! That his father had taught him well - never run into debt, never owe someone a debt, no matter what. Never. Full Stop.

"You do fully understand the dangers involved here?" Snape gave him a deadly glare.

"Yes, si - Severus,"

"Very well. I will see you next Tuesday, as usual." The potions master gestured him to go.

"Sir?" Draco didn't understand and looked at him confused, without moving.

"If you promise to make up for it during your own time, one hour of study will be sufficient Tuesday. Dismissed."

One hour? That - ah! Draco felt a huge smile creeping up upon his face. He understood.

"Absolutely." The younger Malfoy bade farewell to his potions master and left hastily.

Snape swapped his tea for a brandy and sat down again. Poor bhe che chuckled and shook his head. Lucius had taught him well enough for the boy to not be so stupid as to lower himself and make humiliating promises but he still had been totally blind and went straight for the bait. So easy to manipulate. So not in control of his body. A disgrace for everything the Malfoy's stood for, really. And he would get hurt because of that. Not killed - he knew exactly how to play Draco to prevent Lucius from killing his only son and heir, but the boy would get hurt all the same. Ah well, good lessons always came with a prize… and if Draco so desperately wanted to be part of the adult world, he'd better learn the rules quickly.