A/N: Just a heads up, there will be oral sex in this chapter. Also, I should be posting another chapter later today. Thanks for reading!

— CHAPTER FOUR —

Harry had dismissed his class almost twenty minutes ago but his students tended to like to stick around until they either had to leave or he kicked them out. This was his last class on a Friday so Harry would probably have to kick them out today. This undeniable proof of Harry's prevailing and incredible popularity would have made Severus roll his eyes if he'd been around to see it.

'Perhaps you could try to be a little less likable,' Severus would say, in the tone of fond exasperation that he used so often these days, when they were alone.

"Professor Wake, I've always wondered, why are the Dark Arts bad?" Charlotte Quincy asked. "The good and bad of a thing is in the intent, right? It is that way with every tool and magic is just another tool. Why do only evil wizards use the most powerful spells?Surely we could best protect ourselves by mastering the use of the Dark Arts that everybody fears. Fighting fire with fire?"

Charlotte was one of the most intelligent of the Ravenclaws, even though she was only in her third year. She also happened to be one of Severus's favorite students - one of the few he said were tolerable. Severus said she always asked the most interesting questions and Harry was inclined to agree.

Everyone stopped their side conversations now and listened intently, waiting for an answer. Harry thought their interest in the Dark Arts was a little concerning but it was to be expected. Merlin only knew what kind of stories the seventh year students had passed around, prior to Harry setting them straight at the beginning of the year. He supposed he should probably make it a point to have this particular conversation with all of his students.

Harry stood from his chair and began to pace the length of his classroom - it helped him think. He knew that it was important that he explain this properly. After a couple quiet minutes, he finally answered, "Your quill is a tool. Your wand is a tool. Magic is absolutely not a tool. You are your magic. We are all magic. You know that your magic flows from your core, but what is your core? It is your soul."

He raised a hand and light flared to life in his palm, "What you see here is an extension of the most fundamental part of myself."

He closed his hand and the light vanished. His students were listening raptly, with wide eyes. They looked so young and it made Harry wonder if he'd looked so young in his third year too. Harry shook his head and continued gently, "The Dark Arts are not bad in and of themselves but they are called Dark for a reason. The spells are powerful but they demand a weighty price.

"When using the Dark Arts, you risk losing yourself in their thrall. The Dark Arts are a seductive mistress. The Dark Arts easily corrupt and enslave the weak of mind but there is no one in this world who is invulnerable to their allure. To use the Dark Arts is a heady pleasure - one comparable to sex. It is intensely addictive and a single spell can be enough to trap a witch or wizard in an endless cycle of using darker and darker spells. Some of the seventh year students you know still struggle after their exposure in their first year."

Some of his students exchanged glances and Harry knew he'd been right. He sighed and said grimly, "The greatest pleasures are found in the greatest power - the kind that destroys. When one becomes addicted to the Dark Arts… other forms of magic cannot satisfy. All previously known pleasures become meaningless. The Dark Arts feed on our hearts, without our notice, and leave us less than we were."

Charlotte and all of his other students appeared deeply disturbed. Harry stopped pacing and leaned against his desk. When it was clear that he was finished speaking, Charlotte managed, "Why does no one ever explain what the Dark Arts are, sir? Why don't we learn about it in our classes?"

"Well," Harry replied, "most people do not truly understand, not anymore. In the past the Dark Arts were a threat to every witch and wizard but in the present times… a lot of the spells have been made illegal and the majority of witches and wizards are raised to believe the Dark Arts are inherently evil. Most never even attempt to use Dark spells."

"But, Professor," Charlotte persisted, "how do you know then?"

Harry smiled wryly, "I thought much the same as you did once but, unlike you, I didn't have anyone to explain things to me properly. I had to learn the hard way. I used Dark Arts in the war, to kill Death Eaters. It was particularly dangerous for me to do so, because I have a great deal of power - much more than the average wizard. To further compound the danger, I hated the Death Eaters I hunted. I hated them with all that I was and nothing feeds darkness quite like hate... I became helplessly addicted after the first spell - a spell that boiled a man in his own blood."

Charlotte was silent, looking horrified. Benjamin Wells spoke up, "Sir, how did you stop?"

"I fell in love," Harry replied with a small, wistful smile. "I was quite lucky in that respect - for me the love eventually became stronger than the addiction. I knew another man who was only able to stop after indirectly killing the only woman he'd ever loved - it was not love that saved him but his grief that freed him."

Harry paused then said, "Go on now, you should all go enjoy your weekend."

The students seemed to not recognize that he had dismissed them (for the second time in an hour). He paused then said, "Go on, get out of here. Seriously."

The students moved then, grabbing their bags and filing out in a hush. None of them said another word. Harry was worried he might have ruined their weekend. His words had been necessary but maybe his timing had been poor. It could have probably waited till Monday. He felt somewhat guilty now.

"You never told me that story."

Harry turned sharply and was surprised to find Severus standing against the back wall, in the shadow by the door - how long had he been there? Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts and he smiled, "Severus. Sorry, I didn't see you come in."

"Yes, you appeared many miles away," Severus replied dryly as he closed the classroom door. "I am shocked that you would speak of such things to the children. Especially the younger students."

"I don't believe in keeping children ignorant, no matter what their age is," Harry replied seriously. "I've had a hard enough time with the seventh years who were forced to practice the Dark Arts with Carrow. If any of these other kids are thinking about experimenting with the Dark Arts, they should know the risks beforehand."

Severus smirked, "Oh, I assure you, if any were considering it, you have effectively put them off the idea forever."

Harry supposed that was technically a good thing but judging by how devilishly pleased Severus was, he suspected that maybe he'd taken things a touch too far.

Severus's smirk slowly faded and he asked quietly, "What happened? To this person you loved, who saved you from yourself? How long ago was this and why haven't you ever mentioned it before?"

Harry recognized Severus's concern and he quickly moved to close the distance between them, "He never loved me back, Severus. He never even knew what I felt for him. That was another life entirely so you really have no reason to be jealous. For me, there is only you, I promise."

Harry kissed Severus and the kiss quickly became more. Harry threaded his fingers through Severus's hair, as he loved to do. These days, Severus was careful to keep his hair clean and silky - just because Harry had said on one occasion that he liked it that way.

He pressed Severus back against the wall, waving a hand at the closed classroom door to lock it. He also threw in a silencing charm for good measure. Severus moaned quietly into Harry's mouth as Harry ground against him. He pushed Severus's robes back and his hand found the ties of Severus's pants, daftly unfastening them.

Harry broke away with a wicked little smile and dropped to his knees. Severus's eyes widened and he breathed shakily, "Dominic…"

Harry treasured every breathy gasp and quiet moan he extracted from the usually stoic man. Severus was surprisingly and delightfully submissive whenever they were intimate, surrendering himself to Harry's whims.

When he was finished with the man, Severus could barely stand. Harry licked his lips and stood, kissing Severus again as he retied the man's pants. Then he stepped back with a coy smile, "I'll see you tonight?"

Severus managed, "You don't want me to…?"

He trailed off and made a vague gesture in the direction of Harry's groin, his black eyes uncertain. Harry smiled at him again, kindly and with affection, "If you have to ask, then no. I don't mind if you don't care for giving head, Severus. I give it because I enjoy it and I love seeing you come undone under my mouth."

Color tinted Severus's skin though his face did not change in any other way. Harry chuckled, "Go. You have a detention to supervise soon, don't you? Some poor hapless Gryffindor student?"

Severus seemed to fight with himself for a moment then he stepped forward and knelt slowly before Harry, "I want to, Dominic, but I... do not know how."

The words appeared to cost the man everything he had. Harry blinked at him in dumbstruck surprise. Harry had to struggle to focus on words when he was helplessly distracted by the arousing sight of Severus on his knees before him, "Sorry?"

Severus lowered his gaze, looking a little mortified, "I haven't... done any of this before. I...I never…"

He stopped, jaw clenching tightly. Harry could hardly believe it, "Never?"

Severus winced and confirmed quietly, with great shame, "Never."

Harry murmured softly, "Oh, Severus…"

He reached out, stroking gentle fingers through Severus's hair soothingly, "It is hard to believe I could be the first to love you, but it is an honor and a gift."

Severus raised a hand, placing it over the bulge in Harry's pants, "I understand the basic mechanics, but I have no practice. If I make a mistake, please do not hesitate to correct me."

Harry nearly groaned. He replied lowly, "You can't do anything wrong, Severus."

Severus slowly unbuttoned Harry's pants then drew them down past his hips. He paused and stared at Harry's erection for just a moment before running gentle fingers down the length and gripping the base. He pressed a kiss to the head then sucked it into his mouth, bobbing his head in the same way Harry had. Harry tightened his hands in Severus's hair and murmured, "Yes, just like that."

Severus's black eyes met his own, vulnerable and eager and hungry. Harry breathed, "Don't look away... a little faster now, I'm so close."

He guided Severus's head, rocking his hips a little bit. He came with a shudder and a broken gasp. Severus choked a bit but swallowed. Harry drew him up with a slow smile, his breath coming more evenly now. Severus wiped his mouth self-consciously and questioned, "Was that alright?"

"That was outstanding," Harry insisted happily.

Harry kissed Severus softly then he redid his own pants and he said, "We need to make this a regular thing, I think."

He winked at Severus and turned towards the door. The man nodded and replied, "Absolutely. Every other week perhaps."

Harry froze then his head whipped back around so fast it hurt, "What?"

Severus smirked at him, eyes shining, and Harry chuckled, rolling his own eyes, "Yes, you're very funny."

"I have a very busy schedule," Severus insisted convincingly, in a low drawling tone. "I do not have much time for you."

Harry stepped close once more and grabbed Severus's thin waist, then yanked him close. He gripped Severus's hair again and pulled Severus's head to the side so he could kiss Severus's throat. Severus gasped raggedly, submitting immediately. Harry had learned weeks ago that Severus's neck was especially sensitive and since then he'd taken full advantage of the weakness at every opportunity. Harry purred against Severus's skin, "Oh, but you'll make time, won't you, Severus? You'll always make time for me."

Severus whispered breathily, "Always, Dominic."

The sincerity and hidden weight in Severus's simple answer caught Harry off guard. He released Severus's hair and looked at the other man. He smiled when he saw the open adoration clear in Severus's dark eyes. He kissed Severus again, sweetly this time and on the lips.

After, Harry reached up and ran his fingers over Severus's hair one last time, in order to smooth the ruffled strands. He said quietly, "All teasing aside... I do hope I'll see be able to see you tonight. I love spending time with you, even if we only spend that time grading papers."

"I agree," Severus replied quietly. "Your rooms or mine?"

"Your choice."