I would like to thank you guys for the love on this story :) I'm really glad you are enjoying it so far and I hope the rest won't be disappointing either!
Editing still done by the awesome and amazing Sexy. Lil. Emo. All remaining mistakes are mine!
As promised, the next lesson:
– Lesson Three –
As the beginner skier is not yet aware of all the dangers of the slope, it is the instructor's responsibility to keep an eye on the possible hazards
Snape chose a relatively easy trail for Harry to learn the basics. It wasn't very steep but it was long and wide enough for all the beginners who were learning right next to Harry. There wasn't any cliff Harry could see and even the trees were away from them, and Harry somehow suspected that if he were to start dashing toward one and wasn't able to stop, Snape would come to the rescue. No matter how absurd that sounded.
Snape explained to him the difference between the several techniques that existed, and then showed him all of them. Harry had to first master how to stand properly, how to move on the snow with his skis, even how to skate with them. This was something Harry actually enjoyed doing as he was already familiar with skating.
After Harry learned how to slow himself down and then stop on a mild slope, Snape let him try to turn all by himself using the snow plough method. He went in front of Harry with his back to the hill, which amazed Harry on a whole new level, and guided him, instructed him and corrected him whenever it was needed.
About one in the afternoon the others gathered around them and they went to have lunch. They talked about Harry's improvement and about how the twins led Draco far from the trail and down in the powder snow. Hermione, Ron and Lucius roamed the entire area looking for challenging slopes all day.
"So," Draco started after he finished eating, "where are you staying?"
"We rented a cabin, not far from here in the town." Hermione told him.
"I have a cottage here on the mountains," Lucius said, "why don't you just join us? It's right next to one of the trails and we have enough rooms for everyone."
"Well, obviously we would have to share..." Draco looked at his father. "But I think we could manage. It would be nice, if you don't mind it being a bit crowded, that is." He looked at Harry then at the others expectantly.
"We wouldn't want to intrude." Hermione refused politely.
"You are more than welcome to join us; you would not be intruding at all." Lucius smiled.
Harry raised an eyebrow at Ron who looked at Hermione before nodding. Harry's gaze searched for the twins but they were busy exchanging evil grins with each other and Draco.
"It would be lovely, thank you Lucius." Harry beamed at the platinum blond man. Sharing wouldn't be a problem as four of them were already in one bedroom in their cabin. Not to mention Harry believed in the phrase 'the more the merrier' even though Snape's sour face didn't promise anything remotely merry as Harry observed the man who was sitting opposite to him.
Snape barely spoke at all during lunch. He only talked when someone asked him directly, politely smiled at the twins' jokes and grumbled when Draco started talking about him and skiing. As long as he was the topic, he kept looking towards the mountains in protest. Harry however paid attention to the stories about how good a skier Snape was up until he noticed the man nick his chips. He raised an eyebrow at Snape and tried his best at a disapproving sneer but failed almost immediately when his glance met with the endless black eyes. Snape shrugged and took another chip, his eyes challenging Harry. But Harry was grateful for the lessons and still rather turned on and he found Snape's moves as he licked the salt off his fingertips quite arousing so he pushed the plate of chips closer to his ski instructor and silently watched his lips and tongue in a completely non-obvious way. Or at least he thought he was being sneaky. The grin on Snape's face however told an entirely different story.
After lunch Harry and Snape moved to a steeper slope.
"Go on," Snape nudged him as they got out of the lift on the top of the mountain. Harry looked at him confused. Usually Snape went first with his back to the hill watching and instructing Harry.
"You know what to do, Potter. I will be right behind you." Snape said but Harry still didn't move just watched the snow in front of him and all the other people who moved with confidence.
"Do you need a push?" Snape asked and Harry heard in his voice that he was smirking. Not waiting for his reply Snape placed a hand on his lower back then after a second he shifted it a bit down. He grabbed into Harry's ass tightly and he pushed Harry, who almost collapsed from the surprise. His skis came over each other when he tried to look back on Snape who was still smirking and standing at the top of the slope, but then he regained his balance and managed to straighten out his feet.
With frantic heartbeat he concentrated on what he learned and tried his best. After a few minutes when he finally took in the rhythm of the new trail he relaxed again and his Gryffindor bravery seemed to surface. He felt self-assured on the snow now, not terrified just inexperienced and careful but he knew his limits.
He gathered a bit more speed and suddenly this whole sport felt like Quidditch. The air was cold against his skin and the wind was sweeping through his hair. The abrasive sound his skis were making on the snow made it seem like Bludgers were rushing past him. Instead of his broom he had his skis and instead of the oval pitch he had a whole mountain.
Snape overtook him during the next turn, looking back at Harry with a smug face. Harry let himself slide faster and soon he was on Snape's heels, then they were side by side, turning with synchrony. With a smirk Harry took a tricky turn and was now in front of Snape again. Snape hunched himself and shoot out from behind Harry like a bullet. Harry was zigzagging on the slope with alarming speed but this time he wasn't scared. He knew how to slow down or stop when he needed, he just had to turn a bit sharply uphill and he would slow down instantly. But stopping was not an option. He went after Snape not taking his eyes off the man's back. He was close, so close...
Then suddenly someone flashed across his path, the guy was gone as fast as he came but it was too late for Harry. He lost his balance when he tried to correct his path the very last second so that they wouldn't collide and a bump sent him flying over half the slope. He braced himself for the rough landing but when he touched down the snow was soft like a pillow and he sank in it with a thud. Other than being covered in snow he didn't notice any pain or problem however given his speed and the height he flew he expected at least one broken bone.
He heard laughter from aside and saw the guy that crossed his path pointing at him and sniggering with his friends. Anger flared up in Harry; accidents were one thing, but doing this to someone on purpose was bloody fucking unreasonable and uncalled for.
Harry stood up and his eyes roamed the slope for Snape. He suspected the man was already somewhere at the bottom of the trail waiting for him as Harry didn't see him anywhere nearby.
Someone cried out and Harry snapped his head towards that direction. That bastard guy was the one shouting for help it seemed one of his skis dislodged itself from his boots on the middle of a fast dive. Harry watched the man balancing on one foot then it seemed the other ski got free too and the man fell face first into the icy snow, sliding ungracefully for several feet.
"Are you okay?" Snape asked behind him and Harry turned around so fast his neck cracked.
"How did you get behind me?" Harry inquired astonished. He saw Snape slip something into his inner pocket and Harry realized it must have been his wand. "Was that... you?" Harry asked pointing at the guy who was still loudly groaning in the snow.
"I do not know what you are referring to." Snape answered with a raised eyebrow but Harry could detect mirth in his tone. Then Harry looked at the soft snow he had landed on and back at Snape with a questioning gaze.
The man simply shrugged and Harry started to understand what transpired. Snape must have seen what happened and he charmed the snow to be soft when Harry fell on it. Then, he apparated back here, probably somewhere between the nearby trees and noticed that this wasn't an accident at all. Then he sorted out the appropriate punishment.
Harry started laughing loudly.
"You're awesome." He moaned between chuckles.
"I still do not know what you are talking about." Snape answered but this time he was smiling too. "Did you hurt yourself?" He asked coming closer to Harry who shook his head still chuckling.
"Are you ready to get back?" Snape asked as he put a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Don't worry," Harry smirked. "An asshole like that won't keep me from getting down there before you." He teased and pushed himself forward. Snape followed him right away and Harry knew he was close. He slowed down a tiny bit so they were almost shoulder to shoulder.
"Hey, Snape!" He shouted at the man.
"Yes, Potter?"
"I'm skiing." Harry said grinning.
"I noticed, Potter." Snape grinned back at him while he overtook Harry and left him behind as he burst out in front. Harry couldn't help but watch him as he got further down the hill with amazing speed, his hips swaying dynamically yet gracefully. It was quite an enticing picture, Harry admitted, turning his skis towards the hill.
TBC
I don't know about you but ProtectiveSeverus is my favourite kind of Severus. Next to ArousedSeverus and AngrySeverus of course. Hehe
