Ashes of Armageddon

Several hours later, Severus woke up to the sensation of Harry\'s lips on his. He opened his eyes. Harry was kneeling in front of the bed, kissing him so gently, it felt more like a breeze of a wind than a kiss.



“You are here,” Harry said with absolute delight. “I woke up, and you were here.”



“I believe I indicated I would be,” Severus said.



“Good morning, then,” Harry said. “Well... good evening for you.”



Severus pulled away slightly and sat up. He was a little tired, and his body was utterly confused about the time of day. He was still vaguely embarrassed by his earlier outburst, but Harry\'s unrestrained enthusiasm was helping to assuage the feeling.



Harry was watching him with concern. “I haven\'t caused problems for you at work, have ?” Harry asked.



“No, being the Department Head has its own perks,” Severus said smugly. “Besides, I can legitimately take several days a month for field work.”



Harry laughed with delight. “I suppose this is technically work. I mean... you do need to evaluate the area, make sure first-hand that it is suitable for mating... ahem, breeding ... of the Cockatrice,” Harry added hastily.



“Precisely,” Severus said with absolute seriousness.



“Breakfast?” Harry asked.



“Sure,” Severus agreed. “One order of half-burned oatmeal, with a glass of milk.”



“Coming right up. Do you want to shower?”



“All right.”



He retreated into the shower, and emerged fifteen minutes later, fully dressed, with his robe on, to find the kitchen table set for breakfast, with oatmeal (not burned at all this time) and cold milk.



They ate quietly, Harry casting slightly shy glances at him.



“What?” Severus muttered.



“I can make tea,” Harry offered.



“Amazing,” Severus drawled contemptuously. “I continue to be impressed with your skills every day.”



Harry laughed out loud, cleared the dishes away and put the kettle on. He cast another sly glance at Severus and grinned.



“What!” Severus snapped, staring down at his shirt. “I know for a fact that I don\'t have any toad entrails stuck to my clothing, so why do you keep staring at me?”



“You look good, that\'s all,” Harry said softly.



“Dimwit,” Severus said incredulously.



Harry shrugged and went to make tea. Severus watched him in wonder. The morning sunlight was pouring into the window, and the entire cabin was enveloped in light and warmth. Harry\'s movements were leisurely and unhurried, and his entire body appeared to exude warmth and kindness – and when Harry gave him another affectionate smile, Severus returned it hesitantly, suddenly overcome with the affection for the young man who was doting and fussing over him with such unrestrained enthusiasm.



The warmth and sunlight reminded him of King\'s Cross, and for a brief moment, Severus wondered if perhaps, he had died at some point – whether at the Shrieking Shack, or at Godric\'s Hollow, and if this was the afterlife, and something like a reward - with a young affectionate soul hovering and fussing over him... and then, he was embarrassed of the thought, and banished it quickly.



“I ... I\'m wondering....” Harry murmured, turning to face him. “Do you .. feel the same way? Do you like the way I look?”



Severus sneered instantly, not wanting to admit even to himself, just how much he was physically drawn to the young man who had outclassed him so drastically, at least where physical appearance was concerned.



“It\'s hard to tell,” Severus said sardonically. “After all, you\'ve seen a great deal more of me, than I of you.” He regretted the words the moment they fell off his tongue, and even more so, when Harry winced at hearing them. But even though a faint shadow of regret crossed Harry\'s face, he did not burst into apologies, nor did he appear to take offense.



Instead, he stared at Severus point blank and challenged: “Are you saying you want to see what I look like?”



Severus raised an eyebrow in surprise, leaned back in the chair and folded his arms on his chest.



“Why?” he asked. “Are you offering to strip naked and display your body?”



Harry smiled, just a little, and a splash of color reached his cheeks. . “Maybe,” he said noncommittally. “Do you want me to?”



Severus issued an amused chuckle. “And – what? You will? Just like that? No romance? No chocolate, no roses?”



Harry\'s blush grew deeper. “Why... have you brought any roses with you?”



“I\'m afraid not,” Severus said, smirking.



Harry matched his smirk exactly. “Got any chocolate?”



Severus laughed quietly, reached into the pocket of his robe, searching; and finally, pulled out a little boxed chocolate frog.



Harry\'s eyes opened wide. “Who are you and what have you done with Severus Snape?”



Severus scowled. “It was intended for Hugo!” He snarled, moving to put the frog back in his pocket.



“No way. Give it up!” Harry demanded, and Severus tossed the box to him. Harry caught it effortlessly and opened it. He pulled the frog out, licked it, then bit into it, while Severus watched, suddenly unnerved by the unbelievably perverse feeling that accompanied the action of giving a chocolate frog – children\'s candy - to a former student twenty years his junior, in order to encourage him to disrobe.



Harry finished the frog, savoring every bite, and finally licked his lips.



“Well,” Harry mused. “I suppose it\'s time for me to fulfill my end of the bargain.” He reached for his shirt, and unbuttoned it, while Severus watched, mesmerized, as the perfectly shaped muscular torso was revealed before his eyes. Calmly, Harry folded his shirt and placed it on the back of the chair, and flashed a cheerful smile at Severus.



“Harry,” Severus murmured, laying his hand on Harry\'s wrist. “Stop.”



Harry gazed at him questioningly.



“I am sorry,” Severus offered quietly. “I often speak before I think. I don\'t want to manipulate you or coerce you into anything you wouldn\'t do otherwise.”



Harry shook his head. “No. It\'s fine. I mean – if you want to see me, I\'d like to let you.”



Severus laughed softy, and removed his hand from Harry\'s.



“In that case, please, proceed.”



Harry nodded and unbuckled his belt, sliding his trousers, along with the shorts, down to his ankles, and stepping out of them, walking to stand right in front of Severus.



Still seated, Severus felt like it was his duty to avert his eyes, but he could not bring himself to do so. He stared shamelessly and speechlessly at the muscular arms and chest, the hardened nipples, the slender waistline – and then, his eyes followed the trail of dark hair leading from Harry\'s belly down to his groin, adoring his perfectly erect member.



When he finally recovered his voice, Severus asked gently: “May I touch you?”



“Of course,” Harry told him. “Any way you like. You don\'t ever need to ask.”



Severus rested his hand on Harry\'s hip, stroking it with his fingertips. Harry trembled slightly, and gasped when Severus ran his fingernails along the dark trail of hair on Harry\'s abdomen, never quite contacting Harry\'s erection.



“Does that feel good?” Severus asked.



Harry\'s member twitched furiously.



“You could say that,” Harry whispered, sounding slightly faint.



Severus stood up and walked around him, placing his hand on Harry\'s back. Harry issued a blissful sigh, leaning into his touch.



Severus ran two fingers down Harry\'s back, trailing along his spine, and resting them on the small of his back. Harry is body was radiating heat, trembling slightly at every caress. Severus pressed his lips to the back of Harry\'s neck.



“Oh,” Harry murmured. He raised his hand absently , as if in an automatic response to touch himself.



Severus moved instantly, staying Harry\'s hand gently , his fingers locking around Harry\'s wrist.



“Mr. Potter,” he said with amusement and just a touch of scorn in his voice. “Are you about to wank in front of your old professor?”



“Certainly not,” Harry said, apparently trying to sound affronted. “How could you even suggest something like that?”



Harry\'s wrist still in his hand, Severus trailed his other hand down his belly again, eliciting another gasp from Harry\'s lips. Harry\'s body shook furiously.



“I should go... into... the ... ah... shower,” Harry mumbled incoherently.



“Really?” Severus whispered, releasing Harry\'s wrist as not to confine him, and resting his right hand on Harry\'s hip again. “What\'s the hurry?” He pressed his lips to the back of Harry\'s neck again, and kissed him there; harder this time, tongue flicking against Harry\'s skin. He lifted his other hand and allowed his fingertips to brush against Harry\'s nipples. He took one of the nipples between his fingers and tweaked it very gently.



“It\'s.....I ... ah..!” Harry cried out sharply. His body convulsed furiously, and then went rigid for a moment or two. “Never mind,” Harry said, sounding utterly mortified. “Too late.”



Severus slid his hand down to Harry\'s abdomen, and lower, to find the softening member with the traces of release clinging to it.



“Sorry,” Harry whispered. “I don\'t ... usually do this...As a matter of fact, I never do this,” he added hastily.



“Climax from being touched?” Severus clarified, amused in spite of himself.



“Yeah,” Harry mumbled. “Sorry.”



Severus walked around him, and came to stand face to face with him. Harry\'s face was flushed, and tiny droplets of sweat were gathered on his forehead. Severus cupped his chin in his hands and looked at him with concern.



“I didn\'t embarrass you, did I?” Severus asked gently. “For what it\'s worth, that was not my intention.”



“I embarrassed myself, I think,” Harry said resignedly, and then smiled. “But it was well worth it.”



On an impulse, staring right at Harry with a wicked, wolfish grin, Severus lifted the finger, stained with Harry\'s seed, to his own lips.



Harry shook his head furiously. “Don\'t...” he said faintly.



“Oh?” Severus asked with a sneer. “ Is my Master forbidding me to taste him? Is this some extraordinary privilege,” he taunted, “That I should be earning?”



Harry stared at him with astonishment. “You are ... you are horrible!” he said accusingly. “I just don\'t want you to be grossed out.”



Severus allowed a single milky white drop to touch his tongue, tasting the bitter, faintly metallic flavor of the young man\'s release.



“Well, the taste is not unpleasant,” Severus said evenly, staring right at Harry. “Tastes much better than Demiguise saliva.”



Harry shook his head, and looked away. Severus watched him with affection, and just a twinge of guilt.



“Are you all right?” he asked gently.



“For the most part,” Harry said, sounding a little resentful, and a little amused. “You could make it easier on me, you know.”



“How?”



“By admitting that you have incredibly skilled hands, and this... was due to your irresistible charm, and not my lack of self-control.”



“Well,” Severus smirked. “Doubtlessly, that was it.”



“Yes.”



“The young star of the wizarding world wouldn\'t just orgasm like that, unless it was caused by something utterly breathtaking.”



“Exactly.”



Severus took Harry\'s face in his hands again, and kissed him gently, tasting the traces of chocolate still clinging to Harry\'s lips, and finally releasing him.



“I take full responsibility,” Severus said gravely. “Entirely my fault.”



“Completely,” Harry grumbled, bending over to pick up his clothing. “I\'m off to shower.”







... To Be Continued...