Unspeakable Temptation

This isn’t right. This isn’t normal. I’m his professor, he thought as he rolled over in bed. Why can’t I get him out of my head. Two nights in a row he dreamed of Draco. Even though it was Draco’s second to last year in school, he was still an underage wizard … barely. I can teach him so much, but I can’t! I cannot allow the temptation anywhere near me. Even though I want to with every fiber in my being, he’s my student. My student!

If Snape was 16 again, he definitely would be most smitten with him. Actually, he was worried that he was now. Professor’s aren’t supposed to have favorites, but Draco was obviously his. Hopefully it wasn’t too obvious to anyone else.

It didn’t start off as an instant attraction. It happened slowly. Upon Draco being placed into his house, short conversations occurred. Draco’s fascination towards potions, the dark arts, and the Dark Lord, prompted the silver haired boy to linger at the classroom door to ask questions. Most of the students could care less about the Dark Lord. But here is someone who did. It was refreshing to have someone he could talk to and share their ideas on similar passions.

_______

“Class is dismissed, except for Mr. Malfoy.” What am I doing. I just want to be close to him, to be near him for a few minutes. I won’t do anything that will cross the line. I just want to find out how his extra credit potion creation is going. But deep down, the sallow faced wizard knew the truth. He knew what his heart felt. “Draco, I would advise us meeting later to look over the progress of your spells project.”

Draco instantly looked unsettled, almost panicked. He was reading the boy’s non-verbals wrong! He doesn’t feel the same way, it really is all about the potions, and not about me at all! After a brief pause the professor curtly added, “You’re dismissed”. Turning away, irritated for his momentary loss of control, a moment of weakness that should not have been acted upon.

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Snape stared at the parchment, trying to find just the right words to write on young Draco’s progress report. How could his brightest student, not counting that insufferable know-it-all Granger, only have a B average? Everyday, the sallow faced professor looked forward to their conversations before and after class. It was so nice to talk to someone who had the passion and desire to learn the intricacies of the fine art of potion making. Yet, his grades did not reflect the boy’s raw talent. It was as if young Draco did just enough to get a passing grade. He was capable of so much more! It pained the professor to have to write the progress report to the Malfoys.

TEACHER COMMENTS: Neatness of homework and class work is an issue at times. Draco is a very bright student who always meets classroom expectations for behavior, effort, and quality of work. A goal for the term would be for him to challenge himself and try to exceed expectations.

Then he thought for a moment, and added: Draco would benefit from potions enrichment lessons. The potions master almost smiled with the brilliance of this epiphany.

Yes, that would assist the young Slytherin nicely. One on one tutoring sessions.