Title: Dratted Cursed Potter (tentative)

Rating: PG/PG13

Pairing: Harry/Snape. Possible sub-pairings: Draco/Blaise, Draco/Hermione, Pansy/Ron

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. As much as I'd like to -goes off in corner and sulks-

Warnings: None, except that this fic'll probably get really long. Fluff see.

Author's Notes: First time posting my fic up.. tell me what you think! Having a bit of a problem with chapter lengths 'cause the next chapter's nearly twice as long as this and Chapter 1's quite short. Also, Snape gets a bit too snarky in Chapter 2. Yes, too snarky can happen. Will update as soon as I can, probably in a few days. If you want to read ahead of the story you can drop me a mail though it'll probably be unbeta-ed and I might change some stuff in the story so yeah. Also looking for a beta if anyone's interested. You'll get to read my stuff before everyone else. Email's on my profile. R/R please!!!

Chapter 1

The bell rang, signaling the end of a particularly nasty Double Potions class. But then, Hermione sighed, when had Double Potions ever been bearable? The combination of Malfoy, Harry and Ron had never exactly been the Dream Team. Throw in the highly biased Professor Snape and a dungeonfull of Slytherins and Gryffindors and you got a sure recipe for disaster. That day's potion, a particularly difficult one involving steps down to the precise second, had resulted in Neville's fifth melted cauldron since term had started two weeks ago. Hermione vaguely wondered if there'd even been that many Potions classes in the last two weeks. She'd at first hoped that Snape, after being nastily unfair for 6 years, would find it in his heart to at least be fair this year. It was their last at Hogwarts and most importantly, their N.E.W.T year after all. She'd missed out the obvious, What heart? however, and resigned herself to a long year ahead as she walked the familiar path back up to the Gryffindor Common Room with Harry and Ron.

----------------------------------------------------------------

"But it's a Friday afternoon Hermione!" Ron cried, throwing his pen down and leaning back in one of the common room chairs before the worktable.

"No excuse," Hermione said. "Do you realize that this is our NEWT year? Surely you're not planning to skive off and come begging to borrow my notes two weeks before the exams like you did in... every year since our first?" she said accusingly, fixing him with a glare.

"But 'Mione..!" Ron tried to plead.

"Homework," she said firmly, tapping her wand on his blank parchment. The words "Effects of the Protecting Potion and its Uses in Everyday Life- Ronald Weasley" appeared at the top in Ron's handwriting. Grumbling, Ron set to work getting out his Potions books and notes. Feeling resigned, Harry started to do the same, thinking that only Snape would be evil enough to assign a three foot essay on a Friday afternoon.

"I can't believe this- I left my Potions book in Snape's dungeon!" Harry wailed.

"You could... go back down to Snape's dungeon?" Ron's dawn of realization came in the form of a horrified look which spread slowly over his face. "Tough luck mate," he said, clapping his friend on the back as he said so. "You can borrow mine. Get yours back next lesson."

"Along with a 'Why Potter, it seems your memory has sunk down to Longbottom level' in front of all the Slytherins. I'll be right back up," Harry said, making his way out of the portrait hole.

"Brave bugger," Ron said half-admiringly as the portrait swung shut. "Bet you two sickles he gets detention."

----------------------------------------------------------------

Malfoy, Harry thought. If only he hadn't thrown that toad's heart at me I wouldn't have had to keep my book under my desk in case he threw something else. Stupid Malfoy. Stupid Snape too, Harry reflected. If only he were less biased towards the Slytherins! He was a good teacher though, no doubt about it. Suppressing the smile he got out of thinking what Ron would say if he told that to him, Harry realized he was now in front of the Potions classroom. He raised his hand to knock.

----------------------------------------------------------------

That idiot boy, Snape thought disgustedly, picking the book out of Potter's desk. Brings his book to a practical lesson and then leaves it in class. Brilliant. I knew I shouldn't have partnered him with Neville. Too bad for him I was in a foul mood that day. While Snape didn't like admitting even to himself that Potter had certainly developed quite an acceptable mind in recent years, he was equally sure that the boy didn't apply himself enough to make full use of his intellect. Stupid. Not that he would say as much to the boy of course. He had a big enough ego already, what with the whole Boy-Who-Lived rubbish.

Snape scowled. He knew the boy would soon be back to retrieve his book, and he was certain that it would be him and not Granger or Weasley despite them both wanting to help in Operation Save Harry From Evil Potions Master, Part Infinity and Still Counting. Snape was well aware of his lack of popularity amongst the Gryffindors, and was also aware that Harry was too stubborn and noble to put his friends in any undesirable situation. At this Snape snorted. Really, when had he turned into some sort of evil monster? Surely all the unfairly graded essays could be justified- it was therapeutic, slashing cross after cross on substandard work. His students deserved it anyway, and wasn't it his duty to correct them in the learning process? No, his "evil monster" persona had crept up on him bit by bit, until he no longer could be friendly, or accept a person's concern. Resignedly, he leaned against the whiteboard and waited for the Potter boy, sunk deep in thoughts.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Knock, knock. "Professor?" a voice called out. Hearing no answer, Harry opened the door and stepped into the dimly lit Potions classroom.

"Potter," Snape seemed to blend perfectly in the shadows. Damn. The boy's here. Why did I wait in the first place??? Snape thought frantically. Say something! His nasty self screamed. "It seems your memory has sunk down to Longbottom level," he managed.

For all the boy's initial nervousness, he laughed, recognizing Snape's insult. Snape was startled, and slightly unnerved. The only people who laughed at him were those like Black and James Potter, out to tease or poke fun at him. Harry's was pure genuine laughter, not one out to ridicule, and Snape relaxed. Remembering the situation, he barked, "Just what is so funny Potter?"

Oh hell, Harry thought. What'm I doing laughing at Snape? Bad move Harry. "Nothing," he muttered. "I came to get my Potions book, Professor. I left it in class just now." Seeing the book in Snape's hand, he took a step forward and reached for the book.

Now I remember! I was going to torture him some more before returning him his book. Yes! Nasty Snape thought gleefully, mentally rubbing his hands together. "Potter, your incompetence astounds me. Surely you can remember- Let go!" Snape barked, seeing Harry's hands already on his book. He pulled. Bad move Severus! he thought, as Harry stumbled and fell towards him. He reached out his hands to steady him, and Potter fell harmlessly into his arms.

Ooh. This feels warm, Harry noted, feeling slightly hazy at his first time having long strong arms enveloped around him. There was a slight pause, and Harry heard his professor take a sharp intake of breath before steadying him. Wait. Professor?! "Thanks," he mumbled, prying the book out of Snape's shocked-still hand and stumbling out of the classroom.

Author's Notes: Review!