Chapter 6: Caught In the Act

'Double Potions this afternoon!' Ron groaned when the schedule was passed down to their table. 'And worse…with Slytherin!'

Harry went on concentrating on his breakfast. He had already got two Puking Pastilles in his robes. There is NO WAY he was going to face Snape today…What happened the night before came back to him…the seductive smell of Snape…his lips on Harry's…Harry suppressed a shiver and clenched his fists. God, why did I do that? Why did I….and why did I like it so much?

'Where were you last night?' Ron demanded Harry. 'I thought we were playing Quidditch, and then you just ran past…'

'Got caught by Snape.' was all that he could answer.

'I guessed as much. The way you looked last night…Thought you would really kill someone.' Ron helped himself to a muffin and began attacking it hungrily. Hermione raised her eyebrows disapprovingly. 'What happened? Snape wasn't around when we separated.'

'Maybe he was lurking corners or something…wouldn't be the first time.' Harry said, not looking at him.

'Well, what did he make you do?'

I kissed him and practically ran out of the dungeon before I end up raping him or something… 'Just the usual stuff.'

'Are you sure that was all Snape made you do last night, Harry?' Hermione asked.

His eyes snapped. Hermione was looking at him with concern, her forehead frowning slightly. 'Yes, why?'

Without warning, Hermione seized his arm and pushed up his sleeve. The bruise that had been forming on his skin since last night was now both purple and black, shockingly in contrast to his pale skin. Harry wanted to kick himself for not putting something over it, or thought up of a good excuse. But what really surprised him was that, though the bruise looked serious, he hadn't felt anything at all. Now he came to look at it, he could see the outer contours of five fingers. He quickly wrenched his arm away from Hermione, pushing down his sleeve, heart pounding.

'Bloody hell, Harry.' Ron said, his muffin falling out of his hands. 'What did he DO?'

'Nothing!' Harry said defensively. 'I just banged my arm on the cauldron when I was scrubbing it, like the prat I am.'

'Harry, we have been with you for five years.' Hermione said exasperatedly. 'This is the first time we know that you're not telling the truth. Has Snape been abusing you?'

'No, he- '

'You should go to Dumbledore!' Ron said firmly. 'That git could get sacked for this…Laying his hands on a student…'

'And look at the way he is still watching you.' Hermione added, glancing up at the teacher's table. 'He is practically daring you to do something.'

Harry didn't dare look up, but, of course, he could feel Snape's searing gaze on the back of his neck. God, the things he will say in class? 'Famous Harry Potter appears to be harboring dark desires for teachers…Is this another one of your tricks to make the front page, Potter? If it is, I will certainly grant your wish…' And what will Ron and Hermione say? What will the Slytherins and his other classmates say? He will never hear the end of it...Harry's head felt ready to burst.

'No.' He replied. 'I am not going to give Snape the satisfaction, if that's really what he wants.'

'But- ' Hermione began. Harry glared at her. 'Look, I have this sorted, okay?'

'Leave him alone, Hermione, he knows what he's doing.' Ron said, though still looking at Harry worriedly. Hermione bit her lip.

Severus Snape watched Harry Potter from the teacher's table. He was still shocked from what had happened last night, and Potter was too, by the disturbed look on his face. He still didn't know why he had decided to corner Potter right after dinner last night. But right after he had rummaged through the boy's mind and found nothing that explains his actions, Snape knew he had to do something. Anything at all.

And why do I suddenly care so much about how the boy acts anyway?

Because, Snape argued with himself, Dumbledore told me to keep a blasted eye on him and see if he is acting strangely, in case Voldemort had found a chance to possess him.

The boy's right, Severus Snape. You really are pathetic. You have practically been following the boy and his friends everywhere, and you felt more than angry when he doesn't show up in class. Worst of all, you actually look forward to him coming down to do his detentions with you…What do you want with the boy, Snape?

What I want and what I may have are too different things.

Then why the hell did you let him touch you?

Why did he touch me in the first place is the question.

As he watched, Granger suddenly seized Potter's arm and pushed up his sleeve. There, a shocking mark upon the boy's pale skin, was the result of his yesterday's blunder. Both of his friends' eyes went wide, and Snape suddenly felt a hot surge of irrational anger. This is not for your eyes…

Apparently Potter felt the same, for he quickly wrenched his arm out of Granger's grip and pushed his sleeve back down with an irritated expression. Then Granger glanced up at him, her eyes narrowed. He didn't like the look in her eyes…it was as if she knew. He quickly looked away from her. He is NOT going to let this Muggle-born girl found out what happened between Potter and him. He's NOT going to let the boy get away with it, and he would make sure they sort it between themselves.

Are you sure that the boy hadn't already told his friends?

Of course he hadn't. Anyone who has brains wouldn't…

You don't KNOW Harry Potter, Severus Snape. He considers them his loyal companions. If he had really told, then you can just compose your resignation letter right now

He was the one who threw himself at me…

Is that what you are going to say to Dumbledore when he questions you about it? I don't know if you have noticed, but the idea of you molesting the boy is certainly more convincing than the other way round

Damn it all…

You still don't know what the point is here, do you? How do you know that the boy didn't do that to get you in trouble? He hates you, and you know it…

If he honestly thinks that he can get rid of me by using that little trick of his…

And he certainly can. If you allow yourself to be alone with him and give him the chance…

Snape looked at Potter again. The fifteen-year-old boy was, undeniably, unlike other boys of his age. Not just because of the scar on his forehead, but because of the mysterious and thoughtful air about him. His skin, pale as moonstone, shone under the light. And most of all, his green eyes made him almost irresistible…

Snape's fists clenched. If he still wanted his job, then he'd better start staying away as far away from the boy as possible.

'Harry, you can't be serious.' Hermione groaned as she saw Harry unwrapping a Puking Pastille during lunch. 'You are skipping Potions again? Why?'

'Because Snape is a git and I have no interest in listening to his usual shit about my father?' Harry shot back.

'You can't avoid him forever, you know.' Hermione said, looking at Harry meaningfully.

'I am NOT avoiding him. I just don't want to see his gloating face after detention last night, that's all…'

'So he did abuse you.' Ron said triumphantly. 'Harry, it's not a matter of letting Snape win or not. You have GOT TO GO TO DUMBLEDORE. He could get sacked because of this…which is what everyone wants, right?'

'RON!' Hermione glared at him accusingly and turned back to Harry. 'Harry, we would understand if you don't want to talk about this, but-'

'Good, because I REALLY don't want to talk about this.' Harry cut her off and bit of one end of the Puking Pastille before either of them could stop him.

'Well, let's get you to Pomfrey's before you vomit all over the place. Come on.' Ron said in a resigned voice.

'Really, what has the school been offering you all these days?' Madam Pomfrey said, watching as Harry threw up noisily into a bucket, his face green and full of sweat.

Ron shrugged. 'Maybe the food doesn't agree with him.'

'Oh, very well, Mr. Weasley, you may go back to class.' Madam Pomfrey said, already bustling round to make Harry something to stop the vomiting. 'Goodness me,' She turned to Harry as Ron left. 'You have been here quite often this term, haven't you? Are you sure you are not coming down with the flu or anything, dear?'

'No.' Harry croaked, taken over by yet another wave of vomiting.

'Well, at least you are still conscious every time you are here.' Pomfrey poured out a purple-black mixture of something that smelled like overcooked lettuce. 'Consider that a progress. Drink this up then. And get ready for a rough time when the potion takes effect.'

Harry waited till she was out of sight and quickly bit off the remaining end of the Puking Pastille. The vomiting ceased instantly. He quickly poured the mixture into the bucket and then slumped back onto the pillows, feeling both childish and angry with himself.

He should've gone and face Snape. He should've shown Snape that what happened last night was NOTHING, and that he was not afraid of his reaction. Instead, here he was, hiding out in the hospital wing like a coward. Harry groaned and turned over to his side. What the hell had gotten into him last night?

As his eyes began to close in fatigue (a convenient counter-effect of the Puking Pastille), he saw something that almost made him puke all over again.

Severus Snape was standing in the doorway, watching him with a look of what could only be anger.