Another Kind Of Magic

AN: I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far! It's awesome to see that people actually enjoy what I'm writing – so please keep them coming and I promise I will keep updating as regularly as I did so far ;o)

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After a seemingly endless weekend Harry was with his classmates in the dungeons for their potions class.

They were working on their last new potion before they would start on repeating the old stuff before the exams. It was fairly quiet in the room. Everybody was concentrated on his or her task. Snape sat at his desk and grated their homework.

Harry carefully counted the stirs, and then ended with a counter-clockwise one.

"Mr Potter, aren't you always good for a surprise? Here I am, thinking since almost seven years that you are hopeless when it comes to potions. However, you might be here in the class for a reason after all." Snape put the last roll of parchment back on the stack beside him with a mocking smirk at Harry. With a wave of his wand he had copied all the parchments and send the original ones back to the students. "Fill your finished potions into the flasks and put them on my desk. After that you are dismissed."


Harry had his head lowered and tried not to grin stupidly about the unexpected praise. He looked sideways at the roll of parchment but of course he couldn't see anything. He pulled himself together and concentrated on finishing his work. Finally the flask was sealed and he put it aside. Almost careless he waved his wand at his cauldron and spelled it clean. Then he reached for his homework. There was an 'O' on it. Over the parchment he shot a glance at Snape. Then he looked at the grade again. Snape had really given him an outstanding! But there was also a little note at the end, just beside the question he had used as a finish line.

"Remarkable question, Mr Potter. The result of this experiment interests me as well. Let me know if you wish to try."

With a smile Harry stuffed his books in his bag and hurried to the door where Hermione and Neville were waiting for him.

"Mr Potter?"

Harry turned around. "Yes, Professor?"

"I assume you don't want to spoil a good grade for a potion by not delivering it, do you?" Snape looked pointedly at Harry's desk where the flask was still standing.

Harry could feel the heat rise in his face. "Not really, sir." Quickly he went back, got the flask and put it on Snape's desk. "Thank you for reminding me, sir."

Snape gave a brief nod. "I'm serious about the question in your essay. It's an interesting thought. You'll just have to let me know if you want to try it."

"Thank you, Professor. I'll do that." He was just about to turn around and leave but he hesitated for a moment. "I'll see you tonight after dinner then?" He asked, feeling very shy. But he kept himself from rubbing his damp hands on his robe.

"I offered it, didn't I? 8pm and don't be late."

Harry nodded happily and trotted of.

Hermione grinned at him as he reached her and Neville. "That's a first: Professor Snape complimenting Harry Potter! Who would have thought that?"

Harry grinned back. "So you've caught it as well?"

His friend nodded with a laugh. "Yes, even though he did his best to make it sound like everything else but a praise."

"He gave me an outstanding", Harry said.

Hermione stopped causing Neville to nearly walk into her. "He didn't, did he?"

Harry nodded and told the two of them about the offer the teacher had made. Happily chatting they went to the Great Hall for lunch.


Harry was in such a good mood all day long that he didn't realise how fast time was passing. Before he knew it he was sitting at the table again for dinner. Snape was just leaving the hall not even casting as much as a glance at him.

Harry had still ten minutes left before he had to leave as well if he wanted to be on time – which he intended to. He didn't dare to be lax in this case.

He finished his dessert and then got up. "I'll see you later guys. I have to check some books in the library that I've forgotten earlier."

Without waiting for a response he left. He had the Marauder's map with him. He wasn't afraid anymore of walking into Draco but there were others that he did not want to come across. He avoided Filch and Mrs Norris and was even a couple of minutes early. The door was open but Harry knocked nevertheless.

"Come in and close the door," Snape called from his office.

Harry did as told and crossed the classroom and went into the office. Snape was sitting at his desk.

"You are early, Potter," the teacher drawled. "I might get the impression that you are eager. Is that the case?"

Harry couldn't help it. He blushed and lowered his eyes. "That's possible, sir."

"Very well then. I would like to take this conversation into a more comfortable place. Unless you wish you stay here?" Snape enquiringly looked at Harry who only shook his head.

Snape got up and turned towards a door in the back of the offices that Harry had never noticed before. The dark haired wizard flicked his wand and the door to the classroom closed. Harry could feel Snape's magic as he activated the wards to secure their privacy. He followed his teacher into his private rooms and was surprised as he stepped into a rather bright room. The fireplace drew Harry's attention to it. For a moment he looked into the flames then around the room. Two comfortable armchairs stood in front of the fire and there was a couch also. The main colours in the room were different shades of brown and ochre giving the room a warm and comfortable atmosphere.

"You look surprised."

"To be honest I had expected a lot more black, sir."

Snape had seated himself into one of the chairs and pointed for Harry to take the other one. "Take a seat if you don't insist on standing while talking."

Harry moved to the chair and sat on the edge of it.

"So you imagined the greasy old git to sit in a greasy black room? Is that it?"

Harry blushed again and started to shake his head but then thought better of it. "Maybe I did some time ago but not anymore." He admitted.

Snape's gaze didn't waver as he heard the reply. "At least you're honest with me, Potter. I give you credit for that."

Harry returned Snape's intense look. "I stopped lying to you quite a while ago, sir."

The teacher didn't reply to that and just looked at Harry for a while. Harry nervously moved on his chair a little.

"Out of curiosity, you and Mrs Granger had an argument with Mr Weasley the other day. I somehow got the impression that I was the subject of this discussing. Am I mistaken about that?"

Harry lowered his head as he felt the blood rushing into his head. How did he know about that? He played with the seam of his robe as he shook his head. "No, sir, you aren't."

"Would you like to fill me in about the details?"

Harry looked up. "Is this a question or an order?"

Snape raised an eyebrow as he looked at Harry. "What did it sound like, Potter?"

"Well, it did sound like a polite question, sir, but it felt like an order. So I thought I better ask in case it was a question. I might have thought about refusing it. I mean we are talking about a private conversation after all."

Much to Harry's surprise the wizard across from him started to chuckle. Harry blinked and stared at his transformed teacher. The deep fold between Snape's eyebrows was almost gone and instead he had tiny wrinkles around the eyes. The eyes themselves shone and sparkled amused.

"Very well, Potter. You are right it was a private conversation. But I am curious, however, why I was the topic of your discussion especially since it was right after the conversation the two of us had."

Harry, still amazed about the change in Snape's look, almost jumped up. He shook his head with vengeance. "No, sir! It had nothing to do with our conversation, I swear!" He hurried to add: "Well only to the point that Ron asked me why I had been talking with you without – uhm... being forced to."

Snape just tilted his head as if waiting for Harry to continue.

"I told him that I had a question about my homework and he wanted to know why I couldn't have asked someone else. I said that you were the best so why go for a less good answer to my question."

Before Harry could make out what Snape's face had look like after his word the expression was back to his usual indifference.

"And I don't say that to compliment you. Anyway, Ron wouldn't budge and kept going on about you being..."

"Yes?"

Harry took a deep breath. "Listen, I am not happy that my best mate is still behaving like a ten year old when it comes to you. Well, Hermione thinks in the same line and as Ron started about your greasy hair she told him off." Harry told Snape the rest of the argument. After that there was silence for a moment.

"Thank you, Potter." Snape finally said.

"It was nothing really, sir. Ron has to wake up and get over it."

The wizard gave a short nod but didn't say anything else. Harry was glad that he didn't get into saying anything bad about Ron.

"Let's move to another topic. I do believe you came to talk about something else, right?"

Another blush covered Harry's face. "Yes, sir."

Snape tilted his head and looked at Harry for a moment. "I can't help noticing that you keep referring to me as 'sir', Potter. Why is that? It seems to be quite an alteration to your former behaviour."

Lowering his eyes Harry answered that he wanted to show him respect.

"That's a promising start, Potter," Snape replied sedately. Then after another moment the teacher went on: "Have you any information about BDSM or SM as it is more commonly phrased?"

Harry looked up again and shook his head. "Not much, sir. I haven't had the chance to use Dudley's Internet for research and other then that I didn't know where to look."

"Internet?" Snape asked with his head tilted slightly.

"Oh, sorry, sir. It's a Muggle devise. You use a computer to get information from all over the world."

"I think I've heard about that. Wise world web or something like that. Is that it?"

Harry tried not to grin. "World wide web, sir. Sometimes I sneaked into my cousin's room to use the computer when they were gone. But Dudley didn't go with his parents that often last summer."

~

Severus was rather surprised about the evening so far. It was almost pleasant to talk with the young wizard about common stuff.

"Why did you ask me, Potter?" Severus knew he didn't have to explain what he was talking about. He intensely looked at the young man in front of him.

"Because I trust you, sir."

"Did it ever cross your mind that the rumours could be wrong?"

There was a small grin as Harry answered. "To be honest, that's exactly the reason why I haven't asked you before. I didn't know if it was true."

Severus raised an eyebrow. Harry spoke in past tens. "Was? Pray tell, what makes you believe that they are true?"

Severus narrowed his eyes. Did Harry try not to laugh? Yes, the corner of his mouth was definitely twitching.

"With all due respect, sir. If the rumours hadn't been true, I wouldn't live to tell the tale. You would have hexed me to the moon."

Severus couldn't help it and started to laugh. Harry chimed in and both looked at each other in amusement. Severus shook his head lightly. Funny how a comment like that made him laugh now where it had angered him before. Harry still grinned brightly and Severus liked what he saw. The green eyes, which were twinkling and that slightly crocked front teeth in the otherwise even row.

Severus nodded. "Point taken, Potter."

"Thank you, sir."

"All right, there isn't that much time left tonight before you have to go. What is it that you actually crave?" Severus noticed that Harry started to twiddle with his robe again.

"I'm not quite sure, sir. I haven't thought as much about what I want as about how to approach you."

Severus smirked lightly. "Been nervous I bet."

Harry glanced at him from underneath his fringe. "That's an understatement, sir," the young man said with a soft smile.

Severus chuckled.

"What I want is information, information and someone to talk to who's actually been there. Someone to teach me," Harry finally answered.

Severus nodded slowly. "You've mentioned trust and honesty several times today. Let me tell you that those two things are very important when it comes to BDSM. Trust, honesty and communication. I want you to be honest now, Potter. Do you seek a theoretical teacher or someone who teaches you in a physical way?"

Harry's cheeks flushed again and he looked away for a second before he once more returned Severus' gaze. His answer was hardly audible: "You know, you've seen my fantasy."

Severus leaned forward, still holding Harry's eyes. "I have seen it and I might know. But I asked you and I am waiting for an answer. Communication, remember?"

"Yes, sir."

Severus saw the struggle in Harry's face and the tension was almost tangible but he didn't interfere. Harry had to go through this and voice things to him.

"I want both, sir." Harry whispered. "And... I would really appreciate it if you would teach me, sir."

Severus smiled softly at Harry. "That's been hard, hm?"

~

Harry tilted his head and looked at Snape in astonishment. He had never heard the professor speak in such a gentle tone before. He had sounded understanding, like he knew that it had been hard to admit, to say it out loud.

Harry nodded. "Yes, sir."

"You've done well, Harry." Snape smiled at Harry and once again the young wizard was surprised about the change in his teachers features when he smiled. And he had even used his given name.
"Thank you, sir."

"One last thing before you leave. You are still a student at Hogwarts. And as long as this is the case there will be no physical contact between the two of us whatsoever. Is that understood?"

Harry nodded as he did a quick calculating in his head. Two and a half month, he could deal with that.

"Until then you can come every Monday after dinner. I will teach you and you can ask me questions. It is also a time were we can get to know each other. After your exams we both can then decide if we want to take this any further, meaning if we want to play with each other. If your time allows it and if it doesn't interfere with your studies you may also come every second weekend for a couple of hours. Did I make myself clear?"

"Perfectly, sir." Harry nodded eagerly.

"If it comes to my ears that you can't keep up with your work for the exams, the lessons will be cancelled. I do not want to be the reason you are failing your exams."

"Well, it would mean that I could stay another year." As Harry saw the glare in Snape's eyes he duck his head.

"This is not an option. You might want to take in account that it could also mean that you could be spoiling the opportunity to play with me for another year, maybe at all. And no, I haven't made up my mind yet. That remains to be seen. But I do agree to be your mentor."

"Thank you, sir. I will not disappoint you."

"Good and now off with you. It's close to curfew."

tbc