Two Left Feet

Two Left Feet

A/N: Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! If anyone is curious, I am still looking for a beta.

Posted on January 21, 2010

Chapter 5:

“Another Kind of Dance”

For a while, Harry’s eyed riveted to the note in his sweaty hand, fearful of what was to come lest he heeded it and found Snape. If anything, he was prepared to beg for his dancing classes. Snape could give him detentions till he was also an old git and take house points until Gryffindor was knocked off the House Competition, but if he had better not dare cancel Harry’s classes.

The charcoal black owl hooted impatiently and Harry looked to Hagrid, a small plead in his face. Ever since Hedwig’s death, he had grown unaccustomed to carrying around owl treats. “How about this,” he told the owl, “I’ll give you a treat next time I visit the owlery.”

She fluffed her wings then took off, seemingly satisfied with their bargain.

“Who’s it from, Harry?” asked Hagrid as he casually skipped a stone.

Quickly glancing at Hagrid then back at his letter, Harry answered, “One of my professors. I’ll be going now.” Harry started off towards the castle. It never took Harry long to reach Snape’s classroom. Since now it was located up on the second level and not way down in the dungeon. Harry stretched out his hand and knocked. He didn’t want to worsen Snape’s mood with impoliteness.

Then the wooden doors creaked open and Harry’s face was greeted by a rush of escaping cold air. He blinked and entered, his eyes immediately falling onto his professor, who was sitting at his desk, hands with their tips together, suggesting that he was busy thinking; or contemplating Harry’s punishment. But when Harry thought about it, he really hadn’t done anything wrong. It was a Saturday afternoon and he was out having an adventure. It wasn’t his fault Snape was up to something far more interesting than his mug of butterbeer.

“Feeling better?” the older wizard inquired, shattering the ear irritating silence.

There was a frown on Harry’s face as he thought about it. He still couldn’t believe he retched in front of his professor, Luna, and that mysterious older man. Harry unconsciously placed a hand over his stomach. It had calmed since yesterday’s incident, but since then there has been something else disturbing him. He felt like eating chocolate. “Never better.” His stomach felt like it was burning. It was that same unpleasant feeling he had when he knew he had to something and was procrastinating. Actually, it was worse. Like when your conscience is stabbing you when you want to procrastinate but have run out of things to do.

“Care to explain what you were doing lost in the alleys with Ms. Lovegood?”

“Saturday afternoon adventure. How about you?” A casually shrug followed his less than confession.

A smirk stretched from Snape’s thin lips, “Likewise.”

Ignoring his twitching hand, Harry inclined his head forwards. He felt uncomfortable having this conversation with his teacher, but since he was in the midst of it, he might as well say all that needed to be communicated. “I didn’t know you were into blokes.”

Snape closed his eyes and exhaled, but he made no comment about it.

Perhaps putting the spot light on Snape wasn’t the brightest of ideas. Snape looked like he was in the least happy about Harry discovering this exciting bit of news. “I won’t tell anyone. It’s no one business.”

Black eyes flickered towards Harry. “And for once you think like an adult.” His tone was bitter.

Harry looked down at his feet, his eyes resting for a moment longer at his right. “You aren’t going to cancel dance classes, are you?” It was his only concern.

“Because boy wonder caught me in a moment? If you are like the other students, seeing me in a promising embrace is probably scaring and is punishment enough.” His short-lived chuckle reassured Harry.

Now Harry wouldn’t have called what he witnessed an embrace, but if that’s what his professor wanted to call it then oh well. “Then why call me here?”

Snape’s eyes followed Harry’s hand up to his eyes. “After yesterday’s incident, I merely wanted to clear any uneasiness you might’ve felt towards me.”

Harry’s brows rose high on his forehead. The man was uncomfortable with the impression he left upon Harry! “How so?”

“You must know that I would never seek relations from students or anyone significantly younger than I.”

A bubble of laugher was fighting against Harry’s resistance. “You’re worried that I will think you will be trying to come on to me!”

Snape frowned. “I can see now that you are not. Get out.” Snape turned his eyes towards his work, and when he sensed that Harry had not left he looked up and froze. Harry had this look about him that was making the atmosphere around them tense. “Is there a problem with your two left feet that you cannot use them to take your scrawny arse out of my classroom?”

Withdrawing his wand, Harry circulated it around him until the desks were pushed back against the stone walls along with the chairs. Harry then took a few steps towards Snape and bowed with his left hand behind his back and his right hand extended. “Dance with me.”

Snape looked at him incredulously. “It might have escaped your notice, but I have work.”

“I was thinking that since I’m here, why don’t you take a break and do a bit of dancing?”

Snape looked inquisitively at him for a moment. “What is this really about?”

“Dance with me and then we can talk. Please. Just for one song?” Harry jerked his wrist in order to urge Snape on. It was becoming heavy while hanging midair.

Snape really should have displayed his position over Harry and not given into the brat’s wants, but one dance couldn’t hurt. What was five minutes? He snapped his fingers and the door shut. The windows opened, and music begun to play.

Once privacy had been granted, he stood and took Harry’s hand guiding them towards the center of the room where he walked around Harry while his extended hand just barely grace Harry’s waist. “It is time for you to advance.”

Harry suddenly felt like the next five minutes were going to be the most difficult thus far. He smiled and nodded. He accepted the challenge.

Snape touched Harry’s elbow and raised their right hands. They moved forward with Harry’s back just inches from Snape’s chest. Snape guided him by nudging the heels of Harry’s foot with the front of his. “Forward, side, forward,” he first said. “Back…,” he pulled Harry gently back with him, “…side, and together.” They closed with their feet side by side.

Then as the music reached its peak, Snape suddenly shoved Harry from him with his right hand, but held onto his left. Harry fanned out with his left hand stretched out. Then Snape pulled him roughly against him and Harry found himself with his back right up against Snape’s chest. The man guided him again and spun him. It was heady. He felt his brain sloshing around in his skull like an olive in a martini glass. His laughs were barely audible over the music. He was smiling, Snape was smiling. It was fantastic!

Snape’s arms were only holding him.

And Harry was assuming the role of the female without the slightest opposition.

Then he was turned and Harry clung to Snape’s arms when he was spun then abruptly stopped.

The song had ended. Their labourious breathing was unified.

It was all perfect, but the dance was over. Harry looked up to Snape, expecting the man to shove him. But there was a pregnant silence and then, “Do you wish to lead me?”

His heart was fluttering madly. It was ridiculous! Then he nodded and Snape turned them so Harry soon found himself with Snape in his arms. A second song soon followed.

Harry could hardly see where he was going. His eyes leveled with the defined muscles behind Snape’s shoulder… and when he looked up, the collar. He closed his eyes and shook his head as he gently pushed Snape forwards then to the side. His scent was strong and it was all Harry could do to not press forcefully against Snape.

Snape had no problem following his steps, which to Harry meant that he was improving. “Bring us back,” Snape whispered.

Then quite suddenly, he realised how tightly he was holding onto Snape’s hand and he didn’t want to comprehend why.


Actually, for the duration of dance, he didn’t want to ruminate on anything, because then he remembered how hot and wet with sweat his fingers felt and how weirdly his stomach ached. But by the end of the dance, which was very slow and calming, Harry found his forehead slumped and pressed against Snape’s back. Harry withdrew his hands then looked up as Snape turned to face him. By the professor’s countenance, he knew that the man wanted to ask him something. “Professor?”

“What was that about?”

“I just felt like dancing with you,” Harry tried to say as nonchalantly as he could. Although after the words had slipped, he wish he could have censored his statement. “Shit,” Harry fought the urge to yank his hair and slam his forehead against a desk. Where had his sense escaped to?! He vented his uneasiness by adjusting his collar and pulled down his tie.

“With… me….” The man looked at him expectantly and Harry just wanted to flee before he tried something even more foolish and worthy of the nickname ‘idiot’. However, the professor did not dismiss him.

The next minute could have lasted five times longer than it really was. Then multiply that by Snape’s lingering proximity, and Harry was there long enough to ask, “Who was that bloke anyways?”

The question was out of line and Snape stepped back from Harry, but his eyes held onto the younger blokes and he did not run away. Harry should have seized, but he wanted to know. He had to know. So he pressed on despite the fact that he had to right to the information he sought. “Is he someone important to you?”

Gods, Harry didn’t want to think that the man was Ginny’s equivalent to Snape. That would’ve meant that they engaged in all sorts of randy activities. Did Snape ever invite him into the castle? Have they ever role played in the classrooms? Done things on the desks with quills and lashes? Then Harry wandered if they ever ventured into Snape’s private chambers. Did the man ever undress Snape? Was he allowed to touch him everywhere… even his neck? It slipped before Harry could think better, “Do you let him kiss your neck?” Then Harry covered his mouth with his hand. How could he have been so stupid?! You should never ask a teacher such ridiculous questions!

“Leave,” Snape ordered.

Harry stepped away from Snape and hurried towards the door. So many thoughts were on the brink of slipping through his lips and he didn’t want to ask Snape anything that could further jeopardize their agreement. He ran.

Harry Potter Harry Potter Harry Potter

As the students scurried around the Great Hall to pick their first partners for the quarter’s evaluation test, Ginny found Harry despite the madness. She smiled and Harry bowed. She giggled then curtsied. “Where did you learn this?” she asked when Harry took her into his arms.

“I finally convinced someone to be my tutor.”

“Oh? Who?”

“I cannot tell you. But I will later. Promise,” he spun Ginny lightly then surprised her by kissing her lips softly. When the heat registered with him, something inside of him burst and he pressed against her harder, gently licking her lips and nipping her skin. She then pulled away. “Not here, silly.”

Her voice was light and soft, but it did not have the same effect it did on him before.

“I am going to start the evaluation now. Remember to not mind me. I am merely tracking your levels to see how you’ve advanced and if the class does well as a whole, I have a special treat in mind.” McGonagall was beaming for some reason as she started the large, magically amplified record player.

Harry moved swiftly and remembering what Snape had taught him, took Ginny into his arms and moved forwards, tying to shift his weight with ease and move his hips. He wasn’t doing a bad job several minutes into the class. He managed to keep up with the tempo, keep a steady pace, and spin Ginny at just the right moments. “Wow, Harry. You’re doing so much better. You have to tell me who’s teaching you!”

Harry shook his head then noticed McGonagall standing by, watching him. She clapped three times and nodded. “Bravo, Mr. Potter. You’re doing brilliant!” She then moved onto the next couple.

“C’mon, Harry! Really, who finally found your right foot?”

Harry spun her around and around. “I cannot tell you. Besides, I might not get another lesson. I did something stupid on Sunday.”

“Please tell me it didn’t cost us point.”

Harry looked at her. “How do you know it’s a teacher?”

“Well, it can’t be a student otherwise everyone would be talking about it.” She smiled.

“I suppose….”

“So it really just boils down to the teachers that dance and the teachers that don’t. And so I’m guessing that if it’s not McGonagall, it has to be either Slughorn, Pomfrey, Pince, or Sinstra.”

Harry laughed. Snape wasn’t on the list.

By the end of class, McGonagall called over her students as she passed out their marks. “Next time please be prepared for new material and if you have not purchased dance shoes, I suggest you invest in them before Wednesday. We are going to start the tango.”

Large eyes stared at McGonagall from all around. There was so way! “So soon?” asked Harry softly. Now he had to seek Snape out and make amends.

Calling Slughorn forth, McGonagall then set about starting music that was appropriate for the tango. “If anything, please note your placement, for if you aren’t careful, you may find yourself in an intimate space with your partner.”

Slughorn assumed his position in front of McGonagall. “Since its origin, there are now many different version of the dance. We will be focusing on the Argentine Tango. This dance can vary from an arm’s length distance to being very close and intimate. The tango is also not a step by step dance, but can require a number of different moves before coming to a close. Such as gancho, barrida, ochos, golpecitos, and cunitas. These and many more moves will become familiar to you before our winter dance party.”

McGonagall did something where her hips move crazily and her feet traced an eight while she stayed in one spot. It was elegant and stylish and making Harry feel very nervous about leading.

“Tango music is expressive and inspiring. Though the basics are easy, much like a slow walk, you are responsible for developing your own style.” McGonagall snapped and music began to play. It was much different than the Salsa and the Rumba. “As you listen, you should already be able to identify the one-two-three-four rhythm pattern. There is an emphasis on the first and third count. We will start you off with a basic walk.”

First facing their partners, the students, then turned while holding onto each other to walk as McGonagall was demonstrating with Slughorn. “This dance can be very slowly paced, but as you learn new techniques, you will become thankful that its tempo isn’t very fast.”

Several more demonstrations were made, including the girl walking backwards, while the man guided her, and this crossing of the legs and tapping with the toes, which made this dance more like an art performance than anything else. It was beautiful when done right, but awkward at first. Ginny and Harry weren’t sure if they could get so close to someone else without feeling invaded upon. When the class was over, McGonagall said her final words to her students. “Remember, el tango no está en los pies. Está en el corazón. Tango is not in the feet. It is in the heart. Good evening.”

Severus Snape Severus Snape Severus Snape


Everyone was in such close proximities. Yet, no one seemed to be voicing objections. Harry knew that some students secretly have been waiting for this, so they could dance with that someone special. However, Harry still had his dance classes with Snape and such a dance would require them to be very, very close to each other. If Harry thought salsa was invasive at times, he shuddered to think how intimate he had yet to be with Snape.

Shaking his head, Harry brought his legs up to his chest. His crimson blanket warmed his body now that the weather was getting progressively colder. He looked over at Ron, who was sleeping with half his chest exposed, then at their new dorm mates, who were curled up beneath the blankets. Then his attention was averted when there was a tapping at his window. He leaned over his bed and saw a black owl flapping just outside. He opened the window quickly and the bird dropped off a note before taking flight. It didn’t even bother to stay to see if Harry had treats, which Harry had handy since he expected Snape to send more word by owls.

Two Left Feet

It read. This really was becoming Snape’s nickname for Harry.

Please come to my classroom for further instructions.

It was rare for Snape to call Harry right after his dance class and this late at night, but maybe he wanted to be informed if they had indeed finished with the salsa and the rumba and if Harry was tested, how did he do. Slipping into more appropriate attire, Harry then headed downstairs into the common room. Ginny and Hermione were up, each spread out on separate tables, studying diligently. Harry smiled in Hermione’s direction then pressed a kiss to Ginny’s cheek before heading out the common room. He didn’t see the curious glances the two girls passed between each other.

Because Harry had not taken care to see if someone was following him, Harry didn’t notice that he was not alone. So when a hand touched his shoulder, he nearly jumped out of his socks. “Ginny!” He breathed a sigh of relief. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to know where you were going. You’re always going out for walks and don’t return until long after hours.”

“I’m just strolling to clear my mind. You can’t study if you’re all stressed out.”

“Then, can I join you?”

“What?” Harry’s eyebrow twitched.

“If you’re just strolling like you said you are, then you shouldn’t mind my company. Besides, I need to clear my head a bit too.”

“No!”

“Excuse me?”

“I mean, please, Ginny.”

“I want to join you. What’s the matter with that?” She looked upset and Harry really didn’t want to have to deal with a girl crying.

Sensing that he had finally given up, Ginny took his hand. “We can walk together,” she then leaned into him, “and maybe take that kiss further…”

And that’s how Harry went from innocently walking to Snape’s classroom to being pressed up against the walls, kissing Ginny and pretending not to be pretending that she wasn’t Ginny and that she was a tall, dark, and snarky son of a devil. He kissed her softly, trying not to let this lead anywhere, but she kept trying to push him. “Gin, we can’t.”

“Harry…,” she breathed and pressed on.

Her breathed smelled of the sweetest apples. Her hair smelled of peaches and pears. And her skin was wild. He was losing himself and forgetting where he was. In fact, things were progressing so quickly, that he forgot to look at his map. He concentrated all his senses on Ginny, that he did not sense another presence, that he did not hear approaching feet, that he did not open his eyes until a bright light was shining in his direction.

“Mr. Potter and Ms. Weasley. Forty points from Gryffindor, and detention.” Harry squinted and raised his hand until his eyes adjusted. He knew who had found them and he whispered a string of curses before shaking off Ginny. “Professor!” He pushed Ginny away, more roughly than he wanted to believe, but he didn’t care. His dance partner was clearly upset with him.

“Professor Snape!” he hurried down the hall in pursuit of the man, not knowing what he would say once he caught up to him.

At last, Snape stopped and looked over his shoulder at Harry; his eyes narrowing in annoyance.

“I’m so sorry, professor!”

“You have crossed me, Potter. Return to your dorm.” He turned to move away, but Harry persisted relentlessly. He felt such humiliation at being caught by Snape. Merlin, he wandered what Snape felt like being caught by Harry the other day.

“I couldn’t shake off Ginny!” he tried to explain. “She kept on insisting and I told her that I wanted to go alone, but she wanted to know where I was going and all this stuff and I didn’t want to take her to class with me!”

“Why did you not inform Ms. Weasley that you had a scheduled private dance class with me?”

“Because it’s none of her business! What I choose to do with my free time doesn’t concern her!”

Snape stopped again and crossed his arms. “Or perhaps you are ashamed that you must yield to receiving private lessons from a Death Eater? Get out of my sight, ungrateful brat.”

Harry’s jaw unhinged and his legs froze. Where in the world did that come from?! Rage boiled within his gut. This was all Ginny’s fault! If she would have just pissed off then this whole quarrel could have been avoided and he would be dancing with Snape. Harry stopped chasing after Snape to return to his dorms. He didn’t want to have anything to do with anyone at the moment. He just wanted to sleep and hope that tomorrow he would be receiving a note from his dance tutor.

After crawling through the portrait, Harry looked around the room and to his surprise, found no one. Not even Hermione. Wow…Harry thought to himself. She was usually up and waiting for his return when she knew he was out. He must’ve hurt Ginny badly. “Whatever,” he thought coldly as he headed up to his dorm. All he wanted to do was sleep and not think at all.


Harry Potter Harry Potter Harry Potter

“I don’t know what you said to my sister, but she won’t even talk to me about it,” Ron shrugged. “Does it bother you?”

They were sitting on a stone bench in full view of the courtyard, where the younger students were running around playfully and the older ones studying. Watching them relaxed Harry. “Not really. I just kind of think having a girlfriend at the moment isn’t in my best interest.”

Ron’s eyebrows hitched. “Blimey, Harry. This is my sister. I don’t want to see her hurt so be firm with her if that’s what you want.”

“I will, but not yet. Some things have changed, Ron. I feel like a new person.”

“Just don’t be an arse.”

“So what? I bet there are loads of blokes just waiting for a chance with Ginny.”

Ron gave Harry a funny look. “Don’t say that to me. She’s my sister!”

Harry burst out laughing.

“Anyways, do you want to go swimming? Our dorm mates think it’s a brilliant idea of take a dip into the lake at this time of year.”

Harry leaned over his seat at Ron. “Are they mad?! The water’s got to be freezing!”

“Nope. They are sane. Well, do you want to go or not? I won’t go alone.”

Harry shrugged. “Don’t suppose we’ll need swimwear.”

“Blimey, Harry. Swimming stark naked it the best way to go.”

“You’re joking, right?”

“Cause I would joke like that. Let’s go!” Ron pulled Harry from the bench and dragged him from the castle towards the lake.

Before they reached the clutter of trees surrounding the area, they saw several seventh years, the ones in their dorms and more, sneaking around. “That’s them,” Ron pointed. “There!”

They hurried past the trees until they had caught up with the others. “There you are, Ron. And I see you brought Potter.” A tall bloke with dirty blonde hair with a light mustache and hazel eyes greeted them. “I’m Percy. Percy Brown.” Percy extended a hand which Harry received.

Harry didn’t need to introduce himself. All the blokes knew who he was.

“This here is Henry, Michael, Luc, and over there are the fifth years. Don’t mind them too much. They’re alright.”

Harry nodded as Percy turned to the other boys and urged them towards the water. “Remember, one of you need to keep watch incase the bat decided to bathe. He’s going to need the whole bloody lake.”

A fifth year was butted out and frowned as he was chosen to be watchdog.

Once they reached the smooth pebbles by the shore, light waves tumbled over and shook them gently. The water was clean and as clear as it always was. But as the eye traveled further along the water’s surface, dark green and brown seaweed and dead plants swayed just below, undisturbed.

Percy jumped around on one leg as he undid his shoes and removed his socks. He then pulled his shirt over and did away with his belt and pants before standing nude before an audience of blokes. “Alright fairies! Let’s get in!”

The boys followed after him, running on the pebbles just several feet out before the water rose to their hips. They shivered and wrapped their around themselves, until a few fifth years began shooting aguamenti spells at them. After that, it was an all out splash fest. Bodies tumbled, and water splashed and water went everywhere and laughers could barely be heard among all the other activities. Harry smiled as he stood with all his clothes still on at the shore. Beside him, Ron laughed and shook his head. “It’s bloody freezing out there!”

“Looks fun though.”

“Well, let’s do it then.” Ron said more to himself than Harry, “Right.” He nodded then proceeded to remove his own shoes and clothes. After looking down at Ron for a few seconds, Harry decided to follow and went about stripping his clothes off in a frenzy.

“Fuck, it’s cold!”

Ron’s teeth were chattering and gooseflesh began popping up all over his exposed skin.

It was at that moment that Harry’s eyes wondered downwards. It wasn’t that he was interested in his best mate’s groin, it was more like he just wanted to compare. However, one his eyes fell onto the extended, pinkish skin, Harry grimaced. It was long and thin with red pubes bundled around it. It was like a giraffe’s head and neck with a lion’s mane. Harry rolled his eyes away. He shouldn’t have looked. Now he’s seen more of Ron than he’s ever wanted to.

“Charge!!!” screamed Ron as he ran towards the splashing and the screaming and the laughing mess; his penis flapping from side to side like a tail on the wrong side of the body.

Harry was the only one left standing. Well, today he has seen many male genitalia and nothing seemed to affect him. Perhaps it was just being in closed environments that seemed to rouse him.

Taking off the last of his clothing, Harry then decided to use the spells he has been learning in Defense class. Whispering a spell, Harry then rested his wand over the water and used both of his hands to bring it up into a larger wave. The water roar slightly before heading towards the mass of boys, who ended up screaming and diving just before the medium sized wave crashed over them. Mist rose and the water’s surface bubble slightly. Harry laughed then wondered if there was a way to manipulate the water into looking like an animal. Then a few heads rose up and Percy shouted, “Potter! You are going down!!”

A/N: I am sure you have already heard this from other authors, but the spring semester is rolling in and I find that it is almost impossible to update frequently when I only have time to write in between classes. I will do my best. Remember, reviews and encouragement help!


Any questions, comments, concerns, or looking to be a beta? Submit a review.

I did this before, and I am planning to do it again. If you want to be alerted for updates, send me your name and email.

Teasers:

“The Tango is danced in a closed position.”

“Why is it okay for that man to be here?”

“You might want to close your eyes for this part, Mr. Potter.”