A/N: No sex yet, maybe a bit of sexual tension though.
Chapter 3
Quite proud of himself for helping Severus with a potion and not making a fool of himself while in the vicinity of the older man, Harry bounded back towards the main level, completely oblivious to the devious poltergeist sneaking up behind him.
He was not five feet from the entrance of Severus rooms when the bubotuber pus balloons hit him. It was rather brave of Peeves, knowing full well the wrath he would have incurred if it were Severus Snape he had pelted with the odorous, and in this case, acidic, mixture.
Considerably unlucky for Harry to be pelted with a corrosive pus while wearing women's lingerie under his robes, especially when his startled scream brought him to the attention of the closest inhabitant.
Although watching the young professor trying to struggle out of his robes would be amusing by and large, he knew from personal experience that the stuff could pack a punch when soaked through your clothes.
"Hold still Potter, you wouldn't want this in your eyes."
If Peeves had not zoomed off giggling after the first startled scream, he would have taken great pleasure in the look of terror that crossed the malodorous man's face.
"No, thank you, I'd rather stay fully clothed while in the dungeons, gets rather cold…" Stated Harry unsteadily, while slowly backing away from Severus.
"Don't be a fool, it will burn through your skin."
Taking the man's hesitation as a side effect of the pus already having contact with is creamy, white skin, Severus advanced on Harry, trying to suppress the satisfaction he felt in ripping off the young man's robes.
"Well…That's not exactly what I pictured when you mentioned silk pants." The comment slipped out before Severus' shocked mind could censor himself. Causing an embarrassed Harry to blush uncontrollably, it spread all the way down to his belly button, rivalling that of a Weasley's in it's sheer volume.
Despite the startling situation, Severus took it all in stride and acted on his Potions Master impulses, hauling Harry to his bathroom and making sure none of the acerbic matter had seeped past the robes, now strewn across the dungeon floor.
Satisfied that Harry was no longer in any danger from the pus, the circumstance of their current situation donned on Severus.
"You never could do things the common way could you Potter? Can't even dress like us mere mortals, although you do look rather ravishing in black lace." Before Harry could respond, Severus had left the room and returned in short order with one of his own robes. "I don't imagine you would enjoy climbing the several floors to your room in nothing save leggings and your undergarments, although considering what I've just learned of you I don't know how surprised I would be if that weren't true." Severus tried for a joking tone, not wanting to provoke the man, but really, who could expect Severus Snape to not take advantage of this ample opportunity to goad him.
"Yes, thank you Severus," he was about to walk through the door when something popped into his shocked mind. "Oh, you wouldn't mind not mentioning this to anyone would you?" Turning to face Severus as he gestured to his now robe clad form.
"Of course not, they wouldn't believe me with out seeing it, and then I would have to charge an admission, it's all too much trouble, although I wouldn't mind seeing it again." He added the last bit almost unbeknownst to himself, enthralled with the blush it left staining Harry's face.
Harry thought on what the Potion Master had said on his way back to his rooms, hugging the slightly large robe closer to himself, he could smell Severus in it. It seemed the decision to tell someone of his weekly ritual had been taken out of his hands, now all he had to decide was what to do about the fiery looks Severus had bestowed on him.
Severus sat down heavily with a large glass of brandy in his hand. "This has certainly been a revealing evening," he thought to himself, taking a bit more brandy in his mouth than was acceptable while social drinking, "Not that there is anyone to drink with" he contemplated, broodingly. Deciding against drinking himself into a stupor, as he had not imbibed enough alcohol to convince himself that was a good idea, Severus dragged his tipsy feet to his bed, promptly falling asleep. Just as the brandy had not stopped thoughts of Harry from forming in his head, it did not stop him from dreaming of him either. It was awfully uncomfortable to wake up with sticky sheets, he had thought those days were past him, but obviously his libido was making it's displeasure at being left alone for far too long known.
The and of the war had ended any reason Severus had for a social life, not that he enjoyed the death eater meetings in the least, he was quite glad to be rid of them, but with Order meetings few and far between now that everything had been dealt with, the only social contact he had outside the classroom was either with Dumbledore, pushing infuriating, yellow sweets down his throat. Or with Harry, these did not come often, once a month or so Harry would ask when he did not have an abundance of marking to do and invite him over for tea. It had started, as most things do, at Dumbledore's request. "We can't have two of our most important members constantly at each other's throats. You two will spend time together and get over these childish grudges if you want to be of any help at all." It had worked surprisingly well, just talking over tea, he secretly enjoyed their time spent together, even looked forward to the time that Harry would ask if his schedule was free.
Making short work of his sheets with a quick scourgify he grabbed his clothes for the day and made his way to the bathroom.
The day for both men went by as any other Thursday, but it was not until the last meal of the day that they saw each other.
Supper that day was a short affair, and if it weren't for the other Professors attending it Severus and Harry would have probably jumped each other at first sight. As it were their hungry stares were not sated by the chicken linguine and sour dough rolls.
Severus had calmly walked to the exit after not finishing half of what he had put on his plate, and Harry soon followed, red-cheeked and somewhat less calm. The Hogwarts staff of course knew exactly what was going on, and Professor Sprout promptly collected her winnings from McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Flitwick, it seemed they did not need as much time as everyone but Sprout thought to recognize the feelings they had for each other.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed.
