What the Devil Wants

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Kissing.

It was a simple idea. Pucker your lips, stick in your tongue and kiss. Yet as he sat in the library staring at his homework, the idea seemed a hell of a lot more simple on paper than it was in practice. Four weeks, and three of Snape’s extra curricular classes and the potions master was expecting Harry to have found a willing participant in his learning curve. The prospect of confessing to anyone about his sexual tendencies was horrifying, no less picking and approaching someone to ask to be a partner in crime. There was no definitive way of identifying a queer, no neon signs or flashing lights singling them out from the rest of the student populace. Snape had assured Harry that they were there, it was just up to Harry to find them. But how? He was already short on time with Snape having called another class for the evening.

Disgusted with himself for having procrastinated so much Harry turned away from the library goers and back to his diary, to thumb idly through the pictures as he’d found himself doing often. For a brief moment Harry lingered on a picture of two wizards kissing, and he sighed heavily. He’d only ever had two kisses in his life, both of which had done little more but give him coldsores and a headache. What Snape was asking of him was pushing him too far, and Harry wasn’t sure he was ready for that.

Making up his mind to confront Snape about his homework, Harry shut his diary and warded it closed before stuffing it into his bag and heading from the library towards Snape’s classroom. The professor would probably be teaching 2nd year remissions potions, as he always did on a Tuesday free period. Harry had been a permanent feature in remissions potions, and now had Snape’s teaching schedule down pat, which was kind of disturbing in a way. Reaching the classroom Harry waited patiently outside until Snape had dismissed his class, the second years rushing for the door as quickly as their little legs could carry them. Obviously Snape was in a foul mood, no doubt caused by the explosion this morning by foolish fourth years.

Harry checked that the classroom was empty of students before wandering in. Snape was still sitting behind his desk, labeling what appeared to be the second year’s sample potions.

“Mr. Potter, to what do I owe this dubious and most out of character visitation?” Snape didn’t look up from his work as he addressed the boy, who’d gingerly propped himself up on the front desk.

”I can’t do the homework.” Harry decided it was best to get it out in the open sooner rather than later. If Snape was going to blast him, Harry would sooner have it over and done with. Snape did look up this time, with a mild expression of surprise on his face.

“My, you leave me speechless Potter. For the first time in five years, are you asking for help in your Potions homework? Am I to be spared the drivel you usually serve to me?” Harry bit his lip, determined not to rise to the insult.

“Not Potions sir, my other homework…” Harry trailed off as he saw Snape’s expression fall back into mild irritation.

“Obviously not.” Snape muttered to himself before labeling the last of the sample tubes before rising from his desk. “You best step into my office then.” Harry nodded and followed Snape through the arched doorway leading from the lab and into Snape’s freakishly dark, potion adorned office.

“Well, what is the difficulty?” With a flick of his wand Snape closed the door behind them before sitting down opposite Harry in the two matching armchairs beside the fireplace.

“Everything.” Harry muttered darkly as he stared into the flickering flames of the fire, pointedly avoiding eye contact with Snape who despite mellowing slightly had certainly not chilled as he usually did when teaching his other more delicate subject. “I don’t want anyone else to know.” It was an excuse plain and simple, a defense for something he hadn’t yet is chastised over. Snape’s lips thinned his eyes narrowing dangerously.

“Then why pray tell Mr. Potter are you in my class when you have no intention of using the knowledge I am imparting upon you?” Harry winced; he’d heard this speech before, when Harry had pleaded with the elder wizard in third year to be allowed into the Potion Masters, Newt’s Potion Class. Not in any kind of mood to be lectured on choices and decisions Harry looked away from Snape and tutted loudly.

“It’s not like I chose to be this way!” Harry paused and glared at Snape, who had sat back in his chair and had folded his arms across his chest. “I didn’t wake up one day and just decide I liked boys, so I could be different or get attention! I think I’ve got enough attention without announcing to the world I like cock!” Harry was angry at being so easily dismissed, having expected a little compassion from the elder wizard like he’d been shown last time. Harry knew he should have known better, Snape was a bastard no matter what he was teaching.

“And I did not choose to be teaching whining, incompetent, pathetic students but I do because like most things in life Mr. Potter not everything happens how we would like it to. Shit happens, and then it is up to us what we do with it, that determines how we live our lives.” Snape paused and shrugged his shoulders in his characteristically cold way. “So, you have two choices. You can stop being a whining little poof and find yourself a partner, or you can continue pretending to like girls, having pointless sex and then throwing up afterwards in disgust.” Snape stood up from his seat and strode over to the door of his office and held it open for Harry who as still staring in shock at Snape’s cruel words. “Either way, don’t bother turning up to my class this evening if you have not completed your homework. Now I believe you’re late for dinner.” Stunned Harry slowly got to his feet and walked tentatively over to stand in front of Snape who was still holding open the door for him, his familiar scowl in place. Harry paused in front of the Potion’s Master, and met the man’s stare straight on. It was then, as Harry stared into the dark eyes that inspiration struck. With a fluid grace, Harry reached up and with his hand behind the back of Snape’s neck, dragged the elder man down against his lips. The movement was all done in the blink of an eye, Snape not even managing any resistance before Harry’s warm lips had pressed against the elder wizards. The kiss was strange, Snape’s partially parted lips hardly moving as Harry pressed the kiss a little firmer. Harry could feel the slight roughness of Snape’s afternoon beard, he could smell the mix of potions lingering on the man’s clothes, and he could taste tea on the man’s breath. What was most intriguing however was Snape’s hair that hung in Harry’s face and dangled in his hands at the back of Snape’s neck. It wasn’t as unpleasant as it looked, certainly not greasy, but soft like silk. The entire sensation was bizarre and although it lasted mere seconds, it seemed to Harry to last forever.

Regaining his senses Snape’s hands came crashing up into Harry’s chest, pushing the boy backwards against the doorframe with a cough of air from Harry. Blinking his eyes back into focus after the push, Harry stared at Snape. The potion master looked pale, not an ounce of emotion on his blank face as he stared at Harry. The tension lingered between them in the silence and Harry stared at Snape waiting for a sign. While Snape’s expression didn’t change, it was the nervous swallow Harry witness in the man’s throat that made the boy’s confidence rise again. Snape was nervous. Harry couldn’t prevent the smirk that twitched at the corner of his lips as he stepped away from the doorframe and casually out into the empty classroom. “Shit Happens Professor.” Harry smiled as he collected his bag from the front desk and headed for the door, Snape’s gaze on him the entire time. “See you this evening in class sir.” Harry grinned flippantly over his shoulder back at Snape, before sauntering from the room feeling rather pleased with himself.

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TBC>>>>

A/N *Rubs hands together deviously* Mmmmm, awkward kiss.....this could lead somewhere else if I let it but alas you guys are just going to have to wait for a bit....*Laughs evily*

Cheers
RIFFRAFF