Disclaimer: Don't own the characters.. I wish I did... I 3 them... But Jk does, I just fawn over them

Also, if you don't get some of this, its because they are playing Texas Holdem Poker. Its recently taken my fancy, and I got a great idea for this because of it

It was Harry's 17th birthday and he was happily sitting in the Burrow with Ron, Hermione, Ginny and the twins. He'd gotten there the night before, after spending a week with the Dursleys. They were laughing and talking when Harry came up with an idea.

"Hey guys," he said with a smirk on his face, "Have you ever played poker?"

And with a grin, Harry conjured a deck and started dealing for Texas Holdem'.

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September 1st came too soon. Harry found himself in a compartment surrounded by those who had grown to be his friends. It was hard to believe this was going to be their last year. Hermione, as usual, had her face in a book overly complicated and boring to everyone else. Ron was chasing his chocolate frog around the room, while Neville and Ginny were in the corner going over charms spells. Harry, of course, was doing some last minute homework. The first week of August, Snape had appeared at the Order's headquarters in a bloody mess. Dumbledore had left memories showing that Snape was not guilty; he had been dying of the curse of the ring and would have been dead within a month. He had wanted to help secure Snape's position in the inner circle to help Harry. Unfortunately, there was a spy in the midst of the Order, and Voldermort had found out.

So, Snape had spent time recovering and decided to take up the potions post again. Slughorn had gone into hiding after Dumbledore died, and there weren't many jumping to teach. As it was, Remus Lupin was back teaching D.A.D.A this year. Harry was supposed to be in training with Remus to take the position after the year was up. Snape had sent out modified homework assignments to all classes, and had even told some 7th year students that, though Slughorn had taken them, he would not. But, to everyone's surprise, he had given Harry his assignments personally and said "Don't prove me wrong, Potter." before walking away.

Which brings us to the present, where Harry was scrambling through his potions book trying to finish an essay.

"Hermione!! Please!" He begged her.

She laughed at him and shook her head. "I can't do all your work for you, Snape will kick you out for it."

"But its not bloody fair! Three essays in one month while trying to locate Voldemort... Bastard..." But, without arguing further, Harry started his essay again.

Hermione stood up and announced that she would be off making her rounds as head girl when Ernie MacMillin came to fetch her. They were rather surprised he was appointed head boy, but she was a shoe in for head girl. Ron was pushed out of shape that she left with another guy, and stormed off. Harry finished his essay, and let his mind wonder. He had discovered last year that he was gay, something that was more acceptable in the Wizarding world than muggle, but not always easy. It wouldn't have bothered him much, if it weren't for the wet dreams he'd been having about a certain professor of his...

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So few students had returned to Hogwarts this year that everyone was sitting at two tables, the teachers sitting with them. Only 10 first years had arrived, and they were rather scared to speak. Harry had uncomfortably noticed that Snape had sat only three seats down from him. Ron, having already had his fill of food, spoke up.

"Hey Harry! What do you say since we can't do Quidditch this year that we start doing those poker tournaments you taught us this summer?"

Harry laughed at Ron, but quickly took to the idea, especially when several others who knew of the game voiced their interest. Severus laughed, an uncommon emotion from the man, and said "I highly doubt you would be any good at poker Potter. Your Golden Boy complex could not bluff a bad hand."

The man's silky voice and laughter gave Harry an instant hard on. 'Man,' he thought, 'now I need a good wank before bed.. Bastard. Oh shit, he's waiting for a response from me.' With confidence he did not have, Harry gave an evil smile, "Well, Professor, apparantly you do not know me as well as you think you do. Perhaps you should join us tomorrow for a couple of rounds of Hold 'Em?"

Severus took pleasure at the visible discomfort of Harry's friends and decided to agree. After all, he was not in the service of the Dark Lord anymore. He could freely let himself... indulge in his desires. "Perhaps I could, Mr. Potter, when and where, what are the buy ins, and are you ready to lose all your money?"

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Harry was starting to regret planning the game for when he did. Three classes!! That's all he had that day. Already he had 2 essays and extra charms homework. Add that to the fact that he was now headed down to the dungeons with Ron, Dean, Seamus and Ginny (Hermione could not be bothered to leave her homework), and he wasn't sure he would make it through the night. They knocked on the door to the Professors office, and walked in surprised to find snacks and drinks set up for the game.

"As much of a... oh what was it... Snarky greasy git, as I am, I do like to indulge in a game of poker every now and then.. Unfortunate habit that I picked up in my 7th year."

Half an hour later, everyone was regretting playing with Severus. He already had half of their piles, and blinds hadn't even gone up.

Finally, Harry decided to go in on a hand, something he hadn't really done because he knew how to scare people into thinking he had something, even on a bluff. Not that he was bluffing, pocket aces. Best hand in game. Everyone had gone out, everyone, that is, except Severus.

"You're bluffing."

"How much you willing to bet on that?"

Snape looked very hard at the boy, honestly unable to read him, and tossed 10 sickles in.

"All right, I call, lets see the flop..."

Three bets later, after they had seen the river, Severus was sure he'd have it. Full house, kings over jacks. Harry, unbeknowest to him, had a full house as well, Aces over Kings.

The betting was getting heated, and Severus chose the wrong moment to stare Harry down. Harry was preparing to bet and his breathing hitched when Severus caught his eyes. All in a moment, Harry's eyes betrayed him, the pure lust for the man could not be hidden. Luckily the others didn't see it, and Snape chose to brush it off. "Ok, Professor," Harry said regaining his composure, "I'll go all in."

Severus looked at his deminishing pile of chips and decided it wasn't worth it. "All right, Potter, you bought the pot."

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These games continued for weeks, sometimes in the Potion's Master's office, other times in the Gryffindor common room where others watched and enjoyed the games. Once even, the students had been invited to Severus' private quarters to play. All in all, they had developed a great friendship between the 6 of them. No one would have thought it possible, especially between Harry and Snape, but they got used to seeing them eat breakfast together for a week. They all had great fun, but Severus still had not seen wether Harry was bluffing or not on his bets.

Harry's feelings for Severus had not gone away, but had surprisingly gotten deeper through the friendship they shared. Severus, too, was feeling things he was sure he shouldn't have.

Severus had long known where his sexuality had lain. From the clumsy fumblings with boys in his school days to the one relationship he ever had after that. A relationship that ended with the dark lord's disapproval- expressed solely in "Avada Kedavra". He had never fallen for a student before, but the night Harry's eyes had betrayed him haunted his dreams. First, he thought it was just lust. After all, he hadn't gotten laid in 15 years. But then he got to know the boy. It almost scared him how alike Lily the boy was. Lily was the sweetest woman he had ever met. But he knew Harry wasn't gay. That lust was probably for the Weasley girl.. That's what he thought until one night, he had gone to the Gryffindor common room for poker and had heard something before he was seen.

Harry was sitting with his friends, the usual crowd and Hermione this time; everyone else away in a silly club that had been started or asleep. He looked almost ashen, as he prepared to share his secret with his fiends.

"Harry, what's wrong?" exclaimed Hermione, "You look awful!"

Harry inhaled deeply, "Guys," he said with a shakey voice "I have something to tell you... I'm gay."

Ginny fell to the floor in shock. Dean and Seamus had suprised looked on their faces. Hermione just hugged him, showing her silent approval for his choice. Ron was the first to respond.

"Well, mate, as long as you don't declare you're in love with me, nothing changes here."

"Same here, Harry." Said Seamus and Dean simuntaniously.

Ginny pushed herself back up to her chair. "Well... It does explain a few things Harry. But whatever floats your boat hun."

Severus stood in the enterance to the common room, unsure of what to say. This was quite uncomfortable for him. He knew he wouldn't be able to face him in a game of poker without trying to come on to him. He wanted to talk to the boy in private. He needed to...