Red Strokes

Snape wasn't gone long and Harry barely had time to look over the 'essay'. He wouldn't mind being slapped, as long as it was in the right place and Snape was naked. He almost laughed as he thought it. Maybe that was the way the potions master had meant it. Harry scanned the page thinking over each answer in a quick fashion.Why the hell was shampoo evil? Would he kiss back? Then his eyes lingered on the last question. There was no tidy red script beneath it, it was as blank as his mind had suddenly become. Before he had time to mull it over, Professor Snape had returned carrying two vials.

"I admire your determination, you would have been well served in Slytherin," the Professor said without regard.

Harry shrugged, the sorting hat had tried to place him there. Maybe it was the right spot for him, he certainly was determined. The Professor was being cordial, that was something rather odd in itself and Harry was taken back at first. "You forgot one," he said surprising even himself. He wanted that question answered more than any of the rest, that's why he'd saved it for last. He didn't look up at Snape, he suddenly became very interested in the pattern of the carpet on Snapes office floor.

"It was intentional," came the potions masters voice.

Harry looked up in alarm. Why would he leave it intentionally blank? Why wouldn't he answer it if he'd taken the time to answer the rest? It made no sense.

"A lesson in patience Potter. We cannot have all the answers we seek until the time is right for us to know them."

Harry had a weird feeling of dejavu. It was like talking to Professor Dumbledore, being told he couldn't know everything because he wasn't old enough or because he wouldn't understand. That Gryffindor pride swelled in him and his face grew red. "I'm not to young too know or too stupid to understand you know. I do have some experience. Why do you people insist on treating me like some child? I'm of age you know and I know what's going on around me. I'm old enough to make these decisions."

Through his tyrad he hadn't noticed that Snape had gotten to his feet and his face was growing more and more unpleasant with each word Harry spoke. He hissed and Harry shut up instantly. "I know very well how experienced you are and I gag everytime I see the face of Ronald Weasley or Collin bloody Creevey. You are not too young to make your own decisions and it was I in fact who pointed that out to Professor Dumbledore in your fifth year. If you are quite through blaming me for all the things that you were too damn stupid or young to hear than you'll have my reasoning."

Harry said nothing and Severus continued. His voice was less threatening but there was a cold tone in it. He sat back down behind his desk and looked at the boy in front of him. He'd grown so much since he'd come to Hogwarts. Snape remembered the eleven year old that had too much curiousity for his own good. The twelve year old that killed a basilisk with an ancient sword. The thirteen year old that gave Sirius his last flight. The fourteen year old that worked his way through dangers unknown to most full grown wizards and faced the worst of them. A fifteen year old that sneered in the face of the most powerful government in Wizarding history. And there he was, so changed and so different. Now nearing 18 and finishing his N.E.W.T. studies.

"The Ministry of Magic would have my balls on a plaque if I were to touch you while you were a student at this school," he said seethingly. "You may not have what you seek until you have your last hour in this castle Potter. You must learn patience, something I'm sad to say I have not been able to drill into your head these past seven years."

Harry gave him another incredulous look and raised his eyebrows. Did that mean he'd get what he sought after? Did Snape really mean to give him that hope? Harry started to say something but Snape had gotten to his feet already.

"I know the anticipation might just kill you Potter. You're already seething with curiousity. So, to end your torment." Snape pulled Harry up by his collar and planted his lips firmly onto the teens. Harry squeaked in surprise and then moaned into the kiss. He'd been dreaming of this moment for so long, replaying it over and over in his mind. Of course it was more gentle and led to other things in his fantasies, still, Professor Severus Snape's lips were against Harrys.

Harry just stared in surprise when their lips parted. Snape handed him one vial. "You will take that an hour before you come to visit me on your last day in this castle. I will take mine as well." He held up his potion and wiggled it in his hand. "If you had done your essay on energy potions, you would know why." Snape pointed to the door.

An elated Harry, knowing he only had two weeks left now, walked out the door storing his energy potion in his robe pocket.