Guilty as Sin

CHAPTER 24

“Potter stop fidgeting.” Snape muttered as he lifted the gravy boat and poured a generous helping of the thick brown liquid over his meat, which as predicted was tough as old leather. The house elves in Snape’s opinion wouldn’t know how to cook a tender steak even if the cow came with cooking instructions.

“I’m not fidgeting, I just don’t want anything to eat.” Harry snapped irritably as he pushed his turkey filled plate away from him in disgust, involuntarily shuddering at the thought of putting anything into his stomach.

“Perhaps if you hadn’t stuffed your face with Chocolate Frogs this morning you would perhaps enjoy Christmas Dinner.” Snape growled back as Harry sat back in his chair and folded his arms moodily across his chest. Harry had woken up in a foul mood and had done nothing less that drive Severus up the wall all day. The boy had more pent up energy than a caged cat and his attitude had degenerated to its more familiar acidic bite. Admittedly the boy had practically bounced off the walls when he’d unwrapped all his presents but nothing could take away the boy’s obvious change in mood from prior weeks.

“I didn’t eat a lot, I just don’t want that.” Harry snapped again in defiance as he narrowed his gaze at Snape who was sitting next to him pretending to be sociable to the small gathered group around the table. Christmas at Hogwart’s was always a small affair, and those few students and teachers who remained for the holiday always ate Christmas Dinner with the headmaster. It had been the first Christmas in a long while that Severus had spent at Hogwart’s, his usual invitation to the Malfoy Manor a far superior offer than the festivities the headmaster recommended. Under the circumstances however Severus needed to be here and judging from Harry’s dramatic mood swing it had been a good choice to stay. Snape had been plotting the moons phases for the last two months and if his calculations were correct Potter should have been ready for the picking, it was just a matter of time. “I thought we were going flying?” Harry continued as he pushed his cracker back and forth across the tablecloth clearly bored.

“I said after dinner Potter, now shut up and sit still.” Snape twitched angrily as he lifted another mouthful of his meal to his lips. It wouldn’t do for them to get caught arguing like a married couple in front of the staff and students sitting around the table. Snape didn’t need another scene either like the one at the start of term, and took a deep calming breath to control his rising temper. He needed to keep Harry fit enough to impregnate and then he could lay into the boy for the two months worth of frustration the boy had caused him. Harry glared at Snape but turned back to the meal and instead sat quietly brooding to himself.

“So Harry what did you get for Christmas this year?” Harry cringed inwardly as the headmaster addressed him personally when there was a lull in the table conversation. Trying to smile Harry looked up at Albus whose sparkling eyes taunted his already bad mood.

“Some chocolates, a dust bag for my broom, some music CD’s, a gift voucher from Flourish and Blott’s and a pair of Dragon hide boots from…” Harry trailed off as Snape cleared his throat cutting the boy off from revealing who had given him the boots. “…from Santa.” Harry finished quickly as he looked back to the table as Dumbledore nodded.

“A good haul then this year Harry. I hope you are going to join us in the library for a game of Charades after dinner?” Dumbledore’s eyes sparkled mischievously at Harry who shuddered at the thought.

“I’d rather eat my own intestine.” Harry muttered beneath his breath causing Snape to snort and cough angrily into his napkin. Snape glared at Harry sideways and the boy sighed heavily then with a fake smile glanced up again at Dumbledore who was waiting patiently for an answer. “Not this year headmaster, Professor Snape has promised to take me flying this afternoon.” Harry smiled secretly to himself as the headmaster glanced across at Snape a look of surprise on his face. Harry watched as Snape’s hands tightened on his knife and fork in mild rage.

“You on a broom Severus? Hogwart’s hasn’t been treated to such a sight in years, do you still own a cobweb crawler?” If there was one thing Snape hated more than anything it was being made a joke of and laughed at. Harry took delight in watching Snape’s gaze darken dangerously as Albus chuckled good-naturedly at him.

“While I do believe I still own a ‘cobweb crawler’ as you put it sir, I have no intention of flying this afternoon. I am merely there to ensure Potter here is supervised should he get into trouble.” Harry stared right back at Snape’s angry glare as the professor glanced sideways at him before looking back at a somewhat disappointed headmaster.

“Oh dear that is a shame, I had thought perhaps we would have a little entertainment in watching you Severus. But as you say it is rather nasty weather and Mr. Potter here shouldn’t be unsupervised.” Harry ignored the headmasters insult and merely pushed his chair back from the table and stood up abruptly when he noticed that Snape had abandoned his meal and pushed it half eaten away from him.

“Well I’m finished, Professor are you coming? There won’t be enough time if we don’t leave now.” Harry looked down at Snape who with a controlled sigh stood up from the table as well.

“Indeed Potter time is of the essence.” Snape looked knowingly at Harry who merely raised a challenging eyebrow in his professor’s direction. “Thank-you headmaster for the delightful meal.” With a nod of his head Snape strode out of the great hall leaving Harry to hurry after him smiling happily. Harry was too busy skipping in delight that he was unprepared for the impact of Snape slamming him up against the wall outside in the corridor. Winded by the impact Harry coughed and spluttered as Snape tightened his fist around Harry’s throat and pushed his face angrily into Harry’s.

“Embarrass me like that again Potter and you will not see another Christmas.” With disgust Snape let go of Harry’s neck practically throwing the boy down to the ground before stepping over him casually to head towards his chamber. Harry coughed and panted, rubbing his sore throat as he watched Snape walk away from him. “You better go and get your broom Harry, I’ll meet you back here in fifteen minutes.” With that Snape’s figure disappeared and Harry having recovered his breath climbed to his feet again. It had been a long time since Snape had threatened him like that, and certainly a while since he’d physically attacked him. Perhaps his season was beginning to wear off on the elder wizard. Shaking his head to put the thought aside Harry took off up to the Gryfindor tower for his things.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>

A/N Okay, Okay, Okay yes another chapter today, aren\'t you all lucky I got my work finished quickly this arvo. *shakes head* Sometimes I think I\'m a slave to my keyboard. I seem to see more of it than I do my BF. Then again my BF doesn\'t say such nice things about me as you lot seem to do... *shhh don\'t tell him that he\'ll confiscate my Harry Potter DVD\'s.*

Anyway thanks for the reviews, I\'m glad this story is juicy enough to tempt all of you. As I said before I do prefer writing Snape/Harry and that\'s the way this story is heading, Draco is a side pairing that will continue along at it\'s own pace. Indeed I believe I can feel some serious pain and blood loss coming, on someone\'s account...but you\'ll have to wait and see who. *winks* Oh and I\'m sure our red haired tresspass is just lurking around the corner...*Boo!*

Cheers and thanks for the reviews.

RIFFRAFF