Dancing in the Dark

Having flopped down on Snape's desk Harry tried to still his runing thoughts that strayed to Snape's cock and the way it had felt in his mouth. He had given Marcus head last night and even if it had felt nice it was nothing compared to the way it had felt to have the potion master's throbbing hardness in his mouth.

Steps could be heard throught the corridor and they stopped in front of the office and a moment later the door was pushed open with force. Not moving Harry took in Snape's large frame and since he had shrugged off his robe he was only dressed in black pants and a white shirt. Cursing loudly he threw the garment over a coat hanger but froze when he saw who was waiting for him.

“Potter,” he hissed his face darkening considerably. “What are you doing here?”

A smile tugged on Harry's mouth. “I am supposed to help you grade the second years Defence essays Sir. Professor Dumbledore thought it might be a good idea because- what did he say?” Pretending to remember that he was silent for a moment. “We should further our relations.”

Snape looked like he had been slapped in the face.

Harry jumped up from the desk and leisurely walked over to where his teacher stood rooted to the ground.

“Now the last of your excuses has disappeared down the drain.” Another loopsided grin appeared on the boy's face.

Growling Snape folded his arms in front of his chest. “Believe me there are several others still in place.”

“So I guess we could stand here for the rest of evening and decide who hates whom most but that is not my favourite activity.”

An evil smirk broke out on Snape's face filling Harry with dread.

“I would say we do what the headmaster ordered us to do.” Spinning around he sat down behind his desk. When Harry did not follow he waved his wand and a staple of parchments floated over from a cabinet. “You are supposed to help me with grading these assignments if I am not mistaken.”

Scowling Harry flopped down on a chair in the first row. “Tell me these assignments are about something interesting, like bogarts.”

Snape had already started marking when he looked up. “Oh it is something so exciting that you have the time of your life.” Waiting for effect he pushed a couple of parchments in front of Harry. “Safety precautions when banning garden gnomes.”

It was several hours later when Harry must have graded a dozen assignments and somehow he could understand why Snape sometimes was as pissed as he was. This was boring to such an extent that Harry had trouble keeping his eyes open. The writing started to get hazy from staring at it for too long and those second year's were making the same mistakes over and over.

Finally it was done and Harry threw his quill on the table in disgust.

“Honestly, who teaches these students?”

With a swish of his wand the marked assignments disappeared and Snape leaned back in his chair.

“What do you expect from a Professor Tribble?” he asked with an amused expression.

“He must be as incompetent as Lockhart was,” Harry muttered darkly.

“He is worse,” Snape said.

“Still bitter because you were overlooked again?” Harry asked.

Instantly Snape's face got sour. “Be careful Potter!”

“Or what?” Harry asked. “I lost Gryffindor so many points in the last two weeks that we are at a negative number right now. Besides the job is jinxed.”

Looking up irritation on his face Snape growled, “It is not.”

“Come on first Quirrel, then Lockhart, then Lupin who got sacked and then Alastair Moody. Oh and last but not least Dolores Umbridge. I would say it is cursed. Besides who would teach potions if you ever got the job?”

“I am sure Professor Dumbledore would find a suitable candidate,” Snape said crisply.

“Maybe,” Harry admited. “Just thinking about Umbridge gives me the creeps.” He visible shuddered.

Snape frowned. “Why is that?”

Sighing Harry pushed up his sleeve and bared his hand which showed the ghostly remains of the scar that read I must not tell lies.

“She made me write that on a parchment over and over again and somehow it cut into my skin.”

Grinding his teeth Snape stared down at the hand. “Why?”

“Because I insisted that Voldemort had returned and we ought to prepare ourselves for it. Turned out she didn't like that which earned me a lot of detention that year. Can't say I miss her.”

Getting up abruptly Snape went to the door. “Follow me!”

Frowning Harry got up and walked over to the door which led to Snape's chambers. Inside the potion master motioned for him to sit down on the couch and disappeared in a different room. When he reappeared he had a vial with a scarlet potion in his hands.

“Your hand!” Snape ordered as he sat down next to Harry on the couch. When it was revealed he soaked a cloth in the biting liquid and without much pity pressed it against the hand.

“Oh this might hurt,” he added when Harry flinched.

“Thanks for that warning,” Harry grunted clenching his teeth. The potion seemed to burn itself into his skin like the quill had a year ago. When Snape withdrew it to Harry's surprise the scar was gone leaving only a red patch.

“It should return to normal by tomorrow. If not approach me again and I will give you a potion to help your imune system healing it.”

With a wave of his wand the empty vial disappeared through the fireplace and changing into his arm chair Snape poured himself a glass of firewhiskey.

“Thanks,” Harry said softly. “I was always too shy showing it to Madame Pomfrey because, well it would lead to questions that I did not want to answer. Plus I think I wanted to forget it happened.”

Leaning back Snape took a sip from his glass his expression unreadable.

“These kind of quills are banned and that for a reason. If Umbridge was still around I would advise you to file a complaint with the ministry but since she disappeared there is not much use in that.”

“That's okay,” Harry said flipantly. “I am just glad she is no longer around.”

The potion master nodded and emptied his glass.

“Can I have one too,” Harry asked pointing to the whiskey.

“No,” Snape said without looking up.

“Great,” Harry muttered and floped back into the couch. “So what are we gonna do now?”

Raising a brow Snape leaned back as well. “I would suggest you return to your dormitory as it is way after curfew and you have classes tomorrow. I appreciate that you helped grading these assigments. Good night.”

Staring at him Harry shook his head. “But Dumbledore said...”

“We should further our relations and I guess we did that.” Snape finished. “Now if you do not want to lose more house points I suggest you retire to your dorm.”

Throwing him a dark look Harry got up and left the room leaving Snape alone in his living room where he sat until the wee hours of morning.


The next morning Harry was in a slightly better mood than for most of the year and he actually enjoyed the conversation about quidditch with Ron and Seamus. Still he only pushed the breakfast around on his plate.

“Are you alright Harry?” Hermione asked with a concerned look at her friend.

“I am fine,” Harry replied and shot her a short smile. “Just not hungry.”

The witch obviously was not satisfied with that answer but did not elaborate further.

“What is your first lesson?” Ron asked.

“Potions,” Harry answered.

“Is that not horrible to start your week with potions and then end it with another double potion class? That would ruin my whole week. I am so glad I am not in that bat's NEWTs class.”

Hermione finished her breakfast with placing her fork on the plate which instantly disappeared.

“Ron, actually these classes are very interesting and required for many professions.”

“Yeah yeah,” Ron made a face. “Sure thing.”

Sighing Hermione looked at Harry. “Do you come along down to the dungeons Harry? We want to be early for that exam.”

Ripping open his eyes Harry stared at her. “What exam?”

“The exam Professor Snape has been telling us about for four weeks. It is going to make up half of our grade this semester.” She sounded panicked. “You have learned, have you not?”

The exam was exactly that- a disaster. Harry had never failed in an exam as completely as here- most of the potions covered seemed vaguely familiar but at the end of the lesson he was so confused that he pushed the parchment away from himself in disgust.

Looking up from his newspaper Snape smirked when he saw who had caused the comotion.

“Ah I think Mr Potter is already finished with his examination and quite sure of himself.” He waved his wand and the parchment flew over to him. “Well let's see if you should not have used the last five minutes?”

Scanning the paper his face darkened with every second and when he looked up he was fuming.

“Mr Potter, you will stay after class..” His voice was low but it vibrated with fury and Draco shot Harry a smug look.

After the class was over Hermione got up and left with a comforting gaze back at her friend. Harry kept his gaze firmly locked on the desk and for a while Snape was silent. So silent that Harry looked up to see if he was still present.

He was. Leaning against the wall far away and having crossed his arms in front of his chest he stared at Harry.

“You are aware that you failed this test, and that miserably?”

Nodding glumly Harry chose to stay silent.

“What is your excuse? Too much stress from making out with your boyfriend? Tell me Potter because if I am not mistaken you will fail your class this semester.”

Looking up at the mention of Marcus Harry frowned.

“He is not my boyfriend,” he insisted.

“Oh brilliant- the only part you picked up was about Finch.” Propping himself away from the wall Snape stalked over through the room looking murderous. “Instead of spending your evenings with trying to pester me you should use them to learn if you want any chance to pass your NEWTs.”

“I just forgot,” Harry said stubbornly.

Cocking one brow Snape sneered. “I see. Tell me did you forget to sleep and eat too? Or tell me why you seem to fail every bloody of your subjects this semester?”

“Why are interested in this anyway? You are neither my head of house nor my father.”

Snape's expression darkened. “But I am your teacher. I actually get paid for being interested in these matters.”

Harry got up. “Fine, you did. I do not care if I fail bloody potions this semster nor do I care if I fail every single of my classes.” Spinning around he wanted to exit the room when the door closed magically.

“I will tell you when I have finished this conversation Mr Potter.” Snape advanced and gripped Harry's chin forcing him to look up. His hand moved over his cheek, down his throat and to the hem of his shirt. Harry inhaled audibly when his cool hand pushed it up and touched his heated skin. “You are already very skinny as it is. But usually you only look this way when you return from your blasted family. I can actually feel your ribs.”

“Why do you care?” Harry asked with a bitter touch to his voice.

“I order you to attend an examination tomorrow at the infirmary and furthermore you will consult with a teacher of your choice about the possibilty of an eating disorder. I ban you from quidditch training until you gain enough weight and you will spend two evenings a week here with remedial potions.”

Letting go of Harry's chin and withdrawing his hand from his heated skin Snape stepped back.

“You may leave Mr Potter.”