In the days and weeks that followed, Severus did his best to avoid being alone with the headmaster. He stopped eating in the Great Hall. At Order Meetings he spoke only when strictly necessary, and sat as far from Dumbledore as he could. He tried to keep his face impassive at all times. He knew the sternness of his expression usually kept people at a distance, but now he realised his very presence seemed repellent to anyone who had the misfortune to pass him in the corridor. It was for the best, he told himself. Work was what mattered now, and he had enough of it keep him occupied from the moment he opened his eyes until he collapsed, exhausted, at the end of the day.

He'd shown the Dark Lord the scene from Dumbledore's office, gradually letting it through his defences in distorted flashes, giving the impression it was an oft-repeated scenario. He didn't need to put on an act in demonstrating the shame he was supposed to feel, kneeling in front of his 'master', head bowed, fists clenched at his side. The worst was when the Dark Lord placed his wand under Severus' chin, tilting his servant's head upward to look into his eyes. Severus couldn't help but think of the headmaster's soft fingers.

'Such loyalty,' the Dark Lord whispered.

'Whore,' Lucius hissed into his ear, as he left that evening.

'Well you taught me.' He spat back.

'What was that Severus?' The blonde replied, placing a hand threateningly on the other man's shoulder. 'Just remember who got you off your knees the first time.'

He returned to Hogwarts that night too tightly coiled to think of sleep, so he retreated to the safety of the potions store room to check on his supplies. He was up the ladder with his back to the door when he felt the presence behind him. Reeling round, he saw Dumbledore stood with curious smile on his face, as though he'd been admiring a pleasant view.

'Headmaster,' he exclaimed, slipping rather unsteadily down the ladder. His back seemed to be tingling from Dumbledore's stare, and was particularly troubled by the elder man's apparent talent for passing through locked doors.

When he turned around, he forced himself to look the headmaster in the eye. He found himself wishing he could find anger there, disappointment even. He was a disappointment to himself after all.

'I'm sorry to disturb you like this,' said Dumbledore, 'but I didn't think I was ever going to see you again without a room full of witnesses between us.'

Severus bit his lip. He was shocked, a second later to feel the headmaster's thumb there, slowly prizing his lips apart, grazing his teeth. He shivered and jerked backwards, knocking into the ladder.

'Headmaster, why do you keep doing that?'

'Doing what?'

'Touching me.'

'I don't have to touch you, if you'd rather I didn't. You can say no, Severus.'

Severus looked into his eyes disbelieving. 'How can I say no? I've never said no.'

Dumbledore stepped back, giving them more space. 'I owe you an apology. I should never have taken advantage of the situation so abominably.'

'You don't owe me anything headmaster. Honestly, you've done for me than I could possibly deserve.'

'So what is it you deserve, Severus?'

'Death, I suppose, or to be locked up in a cell in Azkaban until I lose my mind.'

'But that would be such a waste.' Dumbledore closed the gap between, so they were only a stride apart. Severus couldn't have backed away any further without impaling himself against the shelves.

The silence stretched on. The headmaster didn't seem at all perturbed by it.

Severus knew his distress was becoming more and more obvious. With anyone else this would have been easy. Exploit their own discomfort at being in his presence. Dumbledore was disgusted by him, and had said so. Yet that wasn't enough to repel him.

'What is it you want from me, Headmaster?' He said at last, staring straight past Dumbledore at the wall opposite.

Dumbledore bit his lip, as though weighing up his options.

'How about a smile?'

'What?'

'A smile, Severus. You must have heard of it.'

'Please Headmaster, I don't understand …

'It would mean a lot to me Severus,' he took step closer, lifting his hand as if to brush the hair from Severus' face, but his hand froze before he could touch the other man.

'… If you would try.' He finished.

'To … to smile?'

Dumbledore nodded.

Severus looked as though he'd just been asked to produce the lost Diadem of Ravenclaw. He stared at the floor, his eyes narrowed in concentration.

After a few minutes he spoke. 'I'm sorry Headmaster, I really don't think I know how.'

Dumbledore's hand found the black hair at last, smoothing it away from the younger man's face, allowing his fingers to graze the young man's cheekbone.

Severus allowed his chin to be tilted upwards, his lips unconsciously parting. The headmaster's face was level with his before had a chance to react. He felt a hand coming to rest gently on his back. The headmaster's lips were soft, and sweet-tasting. He remained still as a post, allowing the older man to manoeuvre him gently forwards, while the skilled tongue traced his lips. Severus found himself returning the kiss, before he was aware of it. His mouth opened and he allowed the other man's tongue to enter. Dumbledore's hand snaked its way down Severus' chest and came to rest on his groin. He tightened his grip on the younger man's back as he explored the many layers of cloth. Eventually he seemed to have gotten nearer his prize and he ran his hand over the small bulge before gently squeezing. He was rewarded by a shiver and a moan from the potions master, who was suddenly fighting to break the embrace, pulling away breathlessly, his knees buckling at the sensation of the headmaster's hand between his thighs.

When he finally managed to disentangle himself, he found himself leaning back against the ladder, his skin was on fire and he knew his eyes be blazing.

'Well,' said Dumbledore, 'I think that certainly beats a smile.'

Before giving a thought to what he was doing Severus launched himself towards the headmaster, who caught him by the shoulders as their mouths collided. In the seconds that followed, all either of them could hear was the hurried rustle of robes being shed. Dumbledore's patience eventually reached its limits and he tore at Severus' shirt sending buttons flying. Severus jumped back at the ferocity, feeling suddenly vulnerable as the cold air assaulted his chest. Not wanting to give the old man another anymore control over the situation, Severus dropped to his knees, running his hand, and then his tongue up the inside of the headmasters leg, until he reached the headmaster's cock, and began to pop open the button at his crotch using his teeth. Dumbledore ran a possessive hand through the potion master's hair, grasping a handful as he felt himself enveloped by a warm mouth. Severus used his, usually sharp, tongue to perfection, running it up and down the headmaster shaft, until he began to taste the first drop of salty fluid that hit the back of his throat.

Dumbledore shuddered and pulled Severus off of him, manoeuvring the younger man to his feet and turning him round. Severus felt himself clasping the ladder, while Dumbledore's hands were once more at his waist, tugging his trousers down. Before he had time to inhale, he felt a tingling of lube between his cheeks, encircling his hole. The headmaster's fingers started to work their way inside him. Whereas the last time he'd tried to block this sensation from his mind, now he savoured it, each stroke sending a wave of pleasure up his spine. It seemed Dumbledore couldn't contain himself for long, and the fingers were replaced with a hard cock that moved roughly in and out. Severus' body arched as he worked his body back onto the cock that was impaling him. The headmaster once again grabbed a fistful of hair and pulled Severus back, twisting the younger man's head to the side to reveal the long, pale neck, bringing his mouth down on it with vigour.

Severus' breath caught as he felt his orgasm approaching. The headmasters thrusting sped up, as he reached forward and grasped the base of Severus' cock which, this time, was solid and achingly full. The potions master whimpered under the pressure of both the headmaster's hand and cock.

'Uggh please,' he moaned.

Dumbledore's teeth nipped his ear, chuckling.

'I never thought you could be so polite.'

Severus growled in frustration, thrusting back on the headmaster's member as it repeatedly stroked his prostate. He came with a shout as the shudders rippled through his body, spilling come into Dumbledore's hand. Behind him, the older man froze as his brought himself to completion, his cock pumping fluid into the tight arse beneath him.

Severus lay exhausted against the ladder, sweat glistening on his pale skin. For once he felt alive, in control, satisfied. Turning his head, so as the Headmaster wouldn't catch sight of it, he allowed himself a slight smile.