Fall into Madness

Harry took a moment to digest what Ron just said. He still wasn’t able to see the reason for shock, even if it was a little unusual that their former teacher had met more than a few of the ideal traits. “And this is a problem why?”

“Harry I ran into him the other day.” Ron said, when Harry still looked clueless he continued on with the story, telling him of the talk and how he called him by his first name.

“What has that got to do with anything?” Harry asked.

“Has he called you by your first name lately?” Ron asked.

Harry had to admit, Snape always addressed him as Mr. Potter, even Hermione was still Miss Granger. “I don’t know, maybe he appreciates art and decided it was alright to use your name.”

“Do you honestly believe that?” Ron asked him.

“No, not really. Look if you want I could ask around about him. Nobody really knows about his private life you know. Maybe he is gay.”

Ron froze and slowly eased into his seat. “What do you mean maybe he is gay?”

“Well think about it, you just described your perfect man and then realized it matched him. If he is gay then maybe……” Harry seemed embarrassed to go on.

“Maybe what Harry, maybe I could go chat up my old potions teacher?” Ron asked sarcastically.

“I don’t know…..alright,” Harry said, looking around. “do you want me to ask around?”

“No, it’s nothing. It was a random meeting, it was just coincidence that’s all.”

“Right.” Harry fell silent as Ron finished his drink.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!

“Thank goodness, please be someone sane. Come in!” Ron smiled as Luna walked in through his studio door.

“Close enough.” Harry commented, earning a kick from under the table.

“Thank you Ron,” Luna grinned. “I’m sure that was a nasty remark and deserved a well placed kick.”

“Hello Luna,” Harry stood and hugged her, “you’re right, I deserved it.”

Harry fell silent as Luna and Ron talked over the proposed sketch. Luna showed him a white dress with dark blue flowers, thin straps and a full skirt. Ron loved it, saying that it would flow nicely in a slight breeze, and add a contrast in color from the natural shades in the glen. He also let her know that he would be taking photos of her to capture just the right light and position, but he would pay her a sitting fee for posing.

“How did you come up with this idea?” She asked, taking a seat near Harry.

“Actually Snape came up with it.” He said, taking his own seat again.

“Really?” If she was surprised it didn’t show. “How did that happen.”

“I was at the glen and he was collecting samples from the lake, he looked at the sketch and said you would look ideal there.”

“So you both just happened to be there?” she asked.

Harry and Ron exchanged a look. “What do you mean by that?” Harry asked.

“I thought you may have been there together that’s all.” She said plain as anything.

“Why would you think that?” Ron ventured.

“Because Professor Snape is gay, so I thought you may have had a date or something.”

Ron felt his heart beginning to pound. He tried hard to ignore Harry’s arched eyebrow and stupid smile. “Luna how did you know he was gay?” Ron finally asked.

“I did the reporting on the gay festival for the Quibbler. He was there.”

“Does that make him gay?” Harry asked. “Maybe he was just being supportive.” He fought hard to ignore Ron’s expression.

“I went up and asked him.” Luna said. It didn’t surprise either of them. Luna wasn’t one to make assumptions. She asked outright if she was curious about something.

“And he just answered? Just like that?” Ron asked.

“He was at the festival wasn’t he?” Luna countered. “If it was something he wasn’t going to admit then why would he have been there?” Her eyes went form Harry to Rom and back again as they thought about her words.

“She has a point Ron.” Harry said.

Luna let out a cute little sigh and gave Harry a smile. “You will find that I always have a point. Some people just lack the intelligence to see it.”

“That hurt Luna.” Harry told her quietly, ignoring Ron’s laughter.

“Well I didn’t get to kick you under the table so I had to find a different way to pay you back for whatever it was you said.” Harry joined in Ron’s laughter and she kissed them both and left, agreeing to meet him the next day at the glen, early in the morning with her dress so he could take photos.

Ron’s evening became stressful afterwards. He had a hard time wrapping the thought of the ideal man Harry had helped him plan out and his former professor in the same package.

He thought back to the meeting and how relaxed the professor seemed. He was casual rather than authoritative, but then again Ron wasn’t his student anymore. It was rare to see a teacher outside the school and for Ron, finding out that he shared something in common with someone as aloof as the ‘infamous dungeon bat’ was going to take some getting used to.

He focused his mind on the canvas. The original painting was ready for pickup. The buyer would have a lovely scene to accent his home, and it left Ron free to concentrate on the image of Luna. It was his first venture to something new and he wanted it right.

Restlessness settled in and he felt confined. This happened frequently when he was about to begin something new and the only cure was to be outside. The sun was just setting as he apparated to the clearing. He stood there, in the faint breeze, picturing Luna there. He would be taking photos in the morning and couldn’t wait. He had several poses in mind

“Back again?” Ron turned his head and found Professor Snape approaching. He was wearing dress trousers and a jumper, under a black leather jacket. He walked up closer. “No sketches this time?”

“No.” Ron smiled and looked back at the rock. “Sometimes my home gets a little cluttered and I need more space.”

“Having two roommates must be too similar to your childhood.” He speculated with a tilt of his head.

Ron gave a chuckled and faced the older man. “I suppose. I used to get like this when I was younger and during the summer. I need to be outside sometimes, I don’t really know the reason.”

“Perhaps the same reason I do. Solitude relaxes the senses when they are overtaxed. I used to wander the forests at Hogwarts when I had trouble working on a new potion. This however, is much closer to my home.” He stared at the glen. “Have you decided what to put there?”

“Yes, Luna agreed to pose.” He said with a smile. “I’m bringing her here tomorrow morning to shot some photos.”

“Is that how you normally work?”

“No, with nature I can stay in a spot for hours, animals will stay where they are if you offer them something tangible and don’t get too close.” Snape nodded in agreement. “However asking Luna to come and pose just during the best light would be unrealistic. She’s the power behind the Quibbler now, so her time is too limited.”

“Yet she agreed to pose?” He asked, taking a step closer.

“Yes, she did. She’s a friend.” He said, as if that alone was enough of an explanation.

“Yes, of course.” Snape leaned against a tree. “What will you do with this work of art?”

“I hadn’t thought about it.” Ron grinned and looked at the boulder again. “It would make a lovely calendar page but that requires a theme and eleven other models.”

“Sounds like a challenging project.”

Ron looked back at him. “Really?”

“Yes, a different lady, a different dress for all seasons and holidays.” He answered, watching as Ron let the thoughts build in his mind.

The man was brilliant. Glancing at the boulder he imagined Luna would make an ideal summer month. Perhaps a lady in a lake for July. An elegant evening gowned beauty under the mistletoe. A shiny red dress holding Valentine’s candies. A lacy green dress among piles of gold coins……

“Already thinking of ladies?” His thoughts vanished as Snape spoke to him again.

“Not ladies, but themes. Colors and such.” He smiled at the older man. “I’ll speak to my publisher soon.”

“Publisher?” He asked.

“Artistic publisher. She handles the book covers I’m commissioned for and the calendars that get printed. She’s been suggesting something other than landscapes for awhile now.” He thrust his hands in his jacket pockets.

“Now you have something to focus on.” He stood upright again, speaking softly.

“Thanks to you.” Ron didn’t know why he said it, but the words just slipped out.

“How so?” His confusion however was nowhere to be seen on his face.

“You gave me the idea.” Ron said without hesitation.

“Did I?” His voice had dropped in volume and for a moment Ron felt nervous under his eyes. They seemed to be critiquing him and he didn’t now why. He shifted on his feet and fiddled with his hands in his pockets. “Cold?”

“A little.” Ron lied through his teeth, although he wasn’t chilly in the least.
“What have you been doing since leaving the school?”

“Brewing independently. Now that I have control of my time, I can meet the demand. When I was at Hogwarts I used downtime for research and now I have several patents that I get royalties from. It’s enabled me to quit teaching and built up a buyers list.” He took a step forward, his frame still relaxed. “I have done very well indeed.”

“I imagine you have.” He said.

“Why would you say that?” He was curious and even Ron could tell that he was keeping the conversation going.

“You always brewed a perfect potion, always knew what to do for any ailment, always knew when herbs and roots were the most potent. I can only guess that it has paid off, in this case literally.” He met the older man’s eyes with a smile, suddenly very much at ease.

“Yes, it has.” He looked at Ron for several long moments, until he began shifting on his feet, unsure of what to say.

“Well, I have an early morning and a lot to do so I should head home and get some sleep.” Snape nodded but remained where he was, just watching him.

Ron grew more nervous. He was unused to this quiet style. He was accustomed to men like Dorian who made their feelings known, even when it wasn’t necessary. He was confused by what the professor might or might not be thinking. “Good night Sir.”

“Good night Ronald.” He said gently. A shiver ran up Ron’s spine. Snape’s eyes never left his and his expression never changed. Ron looked away and then back, before giving him a small smile and apparating away.

When he settled into bed he thought about what had just occurred. His talk with Snape was unusual. Had he still be involved with Dorian then he would have dismissed it as mere interest from a former teacher as to how his students had turned out. Since he was single now, he saw things a little differently, especially now that he had Dorian as an example of so many things.

He wondered if he was just imagining things. Maybe since he had just split with Dorian he was seeing things that were obviously not in character with his ex. Maybe that list of Harry’s matching him was making him think there was something under his words. Maybe he was just imagining things.

Then again maybe he wasn’t. He jumped out of bed and went to remove a book from his shelf. Lighting his wand he opened his memory book from his final year at Hogwarts. He searched out Professor Snape’s photo and looked at it. He hadn’t changed much, but then again, Ron had been merely at the beginning of his manhood, so the changes in him were easily seen. Snape on the other hand still had the intimidating eyes, and powerful glare.

Staring into the picture, he thought about the man he had recently come into contact with again. He seemed more carefree and outgoing. Maybe the lack of students and scheduled time had changed his demeanor. It certainly was true for Ron. Without classes and tests, he saw things with more optimism then he did before. Maybe the same could be said of Snape.

He set the book aside and reclined in his bed again, lacing his fingers behind his head. Luna didn’t seem to think there was something unusual about them as a couple, but then again Luna didn’t see anything unusual in most things. If he was interested, then what would be the harm to explore such a relationship. Harry so much as admitted that he met all the traits he was looking for. Ron had to admit it too, even though they didn’t know about the sexual aspects.

He felt his cock hardening as he thought about sex with a man who was so much in control. He chuckled to himself and looked down at his tented pajama bottoms. “Behave yourself, you’re only excited because you haven’t gotten any in a few months.”

He raised his eyes to the ceiling again, waiting patiently as his semi erection slowly deflated. He could understand his own body’s frustrations. He had a very active sex life with Dorian, and he had become accustomed to it. It was one of the few aspects that he had trouble giving up. But when compared to the mountainous other problems they had, he would gladly sacrifice that one pleasure to gain the respect he deserves. Besides, anyone who treated him with the dignity he deserved would no doubt make sex all the more better. Dorian was a great fuck, but he wanted lovemaking, and he knew Dorian didn’t grasp the concept, even if he claimed to love him. For Dorian, love was one sided, not something that was shared, and for Ron that wasn’t enough.

He turned out his lights and set his clock. He wouldn’t focus on Dorian anymore, that was the past and it was time to move on.