I'm happy to report that Severus is doing okay now, it wasn't anything major, he just needed a bit of cleaning, that's all. Which means, NEW CHAPTER! :D Yes. I know you're happy too :3

So here it is, Lesson Nine, when we finally find out more about those damn nightmares. Hope you will like it ;)

Editing still done by the awesome Sexy. Lil. Emo. What a surprise. All remaining mistakes are mine.


– Lesson Nine –

Sometimes the instructor ought to challenge the beginner skier in order for them to evolve.

Harry appeared in front of Snape with his complete ski outfit on, skis and poles in hand. Anticipation and arousal was still boiling his blood as his orgasm was not nearly satisfactory enough, if anything it left him craving for more.

That more was standing outside, black as the night, watching the mountains silently. The night breeze caressed his hair with adoration and Harry felt temped to embrace More from behind and burrow his head in that raven black hair while pulling down the blue scarf, and kiss More's nape.

As if, Harry almost laughed out loud sourly.

"Ready?" Snape turned to Harry and that irritated urging in his tone reminded Harry of his so hated Potions Professor, forcing him to realize that More was non-existent; even in his own imagination more unreal than anything else he could fantasize about.

"Yeah..." He pressed out, sticking down the poles and then dropping his skis, watching the snowy ground intently as if it provided something fascinating. He would do anything to avoid the endless black eyes. He stepped into his skis, just like Snape. Then he took a deep breath and cleared his voice. "How do you want to get up there? The lifts are closed." He asked looking at Snape. He wasn't a child anymore, and facing his fears seemed like a daily routine ever since he was eleven, so he shouldn't even act like one. He felt slightly taken aback when he realized Snape was watching him with the same heavy gaze Harry had bestowed on the empty ground previously.

"For Merlin's sake, Mr Potter," Snape started and the feeling of taking part in a Potions lesson intensified. "Surely even you realize that there are other methods for going up the mountain. After all we are wizards, are we not, Mr Potter?"

Snape moved closer and Harry realized closer this time meant impossibly close. Snape slid between Harry's legs and to blunt the force of their bodies colliding, his hands gripped Harry's hips. As if that could possibly work.

Harry gasped loudly when their bodies bumped together. Snape was looming over him. Even though Harry was now much taller than as a child the effect wasn't lost as Snape somehow had the ability to loom over anyone, including people who were, like Ron, taller than him. Harry had to tilt his head back a bit to keep the eye contact with the endless gaze. The realization that even if he wanted to he simply couldn't look anywhere else, hit hard. Snape raised his right hand between them and Harry felt himself move closer to the man. With both his poles in his left hand, his right was free to clutch into Snape's jacket somewhere around his abdomen, and pull the other nearer.

Snape noticed the firm touch and his gaze darted down towards there for a brief second then his eyes were already back at Harry, who was satisfied to notice that the walls Snape built around himself were breaking down brick by brick. Glimpses of emotions appeared on Snape's face but they changed so fast Harry was unable to decipher them in the dark.

Snape opened his mouth slightly and Harry caught himself mirroring the motion too. Snape must have seen it as the corner of his mouth curled faintly. Harry's heartbeat quickened. Then Snape slipped his glove covered middle finger in his mouth and bit into the thick fabric, pulling his hand out of the glove with a smooth motion.

Snape slid his bare hand on Harry neck. It was cold and his thumb brushed Harry's lower lip, his middle finger caressed Harry's sensitive skin behind his ear. The fact that Harry was actually aware of these motions made everything even worse. He felt himself leaning closer and closer to Snape, his eye fluttering closed.

Then there was pain, twisting his stomach into a knot and the world seemed to cease to exist while something pulled Harry through a very small rubber tube.

Suddenly the air was colder and the wind blew with a bit more force. Snape pushed himself away with his poles and Harry watched him gaping.

"Snape, what the hell was that?" Harry demanded looking at the other who had just pulled his glove back on again.

"It is called Apparition, Mr Potter." Snape answered nonchalantly.

"No," Harry shook his head. "I mean what was that?" He pointed at Snape's hand to avoid any more misunderstanding.

"Surely even you know, Mr Potter, that splinching oneself is more effectively avoidable during Side-Along Apparition if there is skin contact between the wizards and or witches attempting Apparition." Snape explained calmly. "As you had no previous knowledge about where we were going, I felt it best to apply this safety act."

Harry was close to growling out a "Fuck you" if only to see if Snape was capable of emotions, even if said emotion was just anger. He kept quiet though and clenched his jaw, looking at the man, awaiting some information about where they would be going.

"Well, Mr Potter," Snape spoke taking out his wand. "The trail is that way." He motioned his wand toward the smooth snow in front of Harry then with an elegant motion he summoned his doe Patronus.

"See you at the bottom, Mr Potter," Snape waved with a hand then with a push he followed the brightly gleaming doe down the hill zigzagging between the huge pines, leaving Harry alone on the trail.

"SNAPE!" Harry shouted boisterously after the man who was, Harry suspected, already out of hearing range. "Argh..." He groaned frustrated and considered for a second to just apparate down the mountain. He decided on skiing because he needed some time to think and more exercise might help him fall asleep easily. After this he highly doubted sleep would come without difficulty like yesterday.

Skiing on the mountains at night was half terrifying and half amazing. Harry too summoned his stag, who showed him the way down, while gleaming with a beautiful blue light. Its light was enough for Harry to see his surrounding but it wasn't too bright to attract attention from the town nearby.

Harry knew this trail; it was one of the longest ones, almost six miles, winding between trees. The last two miles were a pretty rapid drop as Harry remembered, and it went past the Malfoy Cottage.

Harry slid fast on the narrow slope curving down the mountain, seeking the adrenalin, aiming to tire himself as much as possible. He was rushing past trees in complete silence for at least fifteen minutes when suddenly his stag stopped and Harry forced himself into a firm halt too. After the snow cloud died off, he saw his stag prick up its ears and Harry wondered what it was hearing. Then he heard it too. Rustling came out of the bushes to his right, something was charging through them and right towards Harry.

Harry already had his wand in his hand, waiting for whatever danger was heading his way. Blue light came out of the forest and then Snape's doe arrived rushing swiftly across the slope only a few feet in front of Harry. A second later Snape burst out from the trees and with a side glance at Harry, he had already disappeared on the other side of the trail. Harry heard the crunching for a few more seconds than it was just silence again.

"Madman..." He murmured thinking about the sheer drops the mountain ended with in some places.

He shook his head, trying to suppress the worry he felt and pushed himself down the trail again. He let his body gather speed, and when the next bend came he took it beautifully, drifting sideways and not losing speed, the scratching sound of his skis on the icy snow echoing in the dim quiet.

Snape was standing in the middle of the trail, his doe glowing right next to him. Harry almost run into the man but he managed to stop just in time. He did cover Snape in a bit of snow, and that filled him with a sense of satisfaction. Revenge, after all, was said to be best served cold.

Snape cleaned the snow off his face, which was slightly pink because of the cold and the exercise. He raised an eyebrow at Harry, who straightened himself, as much as the ski boots let him anyway, and forced himself not to apologize.

"Are you joining me?" He asked instead of an apology.

Snape didn't say a word just turned away and started skating slowly. Harry reluctantly followed him. How was he supposed to think about his feelings for the man, if Snape was right next to him? Harry chanced a side glance when they were almost shoulder to shoulder but Snape was watching the stag and the doe running side by side next to each other. For a second Harry let himself wonder on the idea that maybe his Patronus wasn't a stag because of his father but because Snape's was a doe and he had certain feelings for Snape. Or maybe it was both. But that thought brought pain with it, so he cast it away quickly. Feelings and Snape wasn't a good topic at the moment.

Their pace was fast but not demanding as the trail wasn't steep at all. Harry knew the most difficult part was still ahead.

"My nightmares..." Snape spoke suddenly and the smooth and quiet words cut through the silence like a blade. "... are usually about... you."

"Well, that's reassuring," Harry responded harshly and it took him a second to realize he actually said that aloud.

"That is not... what I meant." Snape said looking puzzled at Harry for a second.

Harry waited for an explanation but Snape remained silent for minutes. Harry wasn't sure if this was all Snape had to say to him or if he was considering right now how much to tell Harry. It seemed it was the last as Snape cleared his throat before he spoke again.

"I did not see it maybe that is the reason..." He started but his voice faltered and Harry was surprised to detect actual fear in the usually so calm and uncaring voice. "My mind constantly agitates on the infinite possibilities, it considers the endless what ifs, knowing precisely that there was nothing I could have done to change it, and even if there was, I was forbidden to prevent such a vital yet dreadful event." He explained calmly and Harry frowned thinking what Snape was talking about.

"During the nightmares, I live the fear that haunts my mind while awake. Not even in the dream, where reality and reason are nothing more than words can I avert death; that being my only aspiration to attain." Snape confessed. "Not happiness, not bliss, not even peace, just that one death that was necessary and unavoidable yet brought such deep sorrow I was not expecting and can barely live with."

"You are talking about... your death, right?" Harry asked carefully. Did Snape dream about that time too when Harry was kneeling next to Snape in the Shack, trying to prevent him from dying? He heard that Snape was actually dead for a couple of seconds before Kreacher took him to the Infirmary and Madame Pomfrey revived him. The darkness closed on them and he realized their Patronuses had vanished.

Snape stopped abruptly grabbing Harry's arm who ran right into Snape but managed to stay upright, gasping into the ink black ski jacket.

"My death?" Snape hissed, and then looked Harry dead in the eyes. "I'm dreaming about your death, Potter." He admitted growling with aggrieved eyes as if being angry at Harry for his blindness.

"M-mine?" Harry stuttered. "But... But I'm alive."

"But you were dead." Snape whispered. "For almost a week you were dead to me. In the hospital wing, no one said anything. I asked about you but they shushed me." Snape spat with disgust and Harry almost laughed at the idea of Professor Severus Snape being shushed. "They said with utter sadness 'we've won now drink this' and that was all. Minerva visited me on the seventh day and she told me. I didn't believe her."

"But I visited you, right after her. You were up and... and grumpy," Harry said shaking as he remembered Snape in the infirmary bed with a bandage over his throat.

Snape pulled out his wand with a swift motion and with his left he grabbed Harry's neck, holding him steadily. His black eyes gleamed in the darkness before he closed them and pressed his forehead to Harry's, who gasped loudly at the intimate proximity.

"And what memory do you imagine I recall, when I summon such strong Patronus?" Snape asked in a low voice his eyes still tightly closed. His doe burst out from the tip of his wand and stood near beaming with blue light.

"So...So your nightmares are... about me... dying?" Harry mumbled pressing closer to Snape.

"For seventeen years my life was about protecting you and since you have been finally safe I am constantly dreaming of failing you."

"You would never fail me Snape," Harry sighed. "You could never..."

"And that is the reason" Snape huffed with relieved laughter in his deep voice, "why they are called dreams, Mr Potter, and not reality." He leaned away from Harry and for a second watched the snowy ground. When he raised his glance Harry saw gratitude and apprehension in the dark eyes but he felt confused by the sudden change in Snape's behaviour.

Harry shook his head and tried to pull himself together. This confession of sorts was something unexpected he realized. Harry never imagined that the man felt this glad that Harry was alive. He was pleased to hear that hatred wasn't among the feelings Snape had for him. He felt sorry for the man for having such dreams though. He knew how hard it was to dream of death. The horrible pain, the sick feeling after someone woke you up. Thank god his nightmares stayed away yesterday however Snape wasn't so lucky.

Harry cleared his throat. "So last night..." He started hesitantly. "That was another one of those me dying dreams, then? Didn't it help that I was there when you woke up?"

Suddenly Snape laughed out loud. "Help?" He looked at Harry with dark, intense eyes. "Last night, I did not need help. That was not a nightmare you woke me from."

"Wait what?" Harry asked stunned. "But... But you were writhing on the bed, panting and groaning and-" The dark eyes filled with passion and a thought sneaked into Harry's mind, something impossible and absolutely ridiculous. "Tell me what it was about!" Harry ordered Snape firmly.

"No." Snape huffed shaking his head. He turned away from Harry but Harry grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"Tell me what you dreamt about last night." Harry murmured dangerously.

Snape smirked and repeated, "No."

"Tell. Me." Harry demanded again as he grabbed Snape's jacket and pulled him close with a forceful shove. "Now."

Snape's lust filled eyes flickered on Harry's lips and Harry leaned closer. Not even an inch was between them when Snape opened his mouth to deny the answer again.

"No," He drawled with a smile at the corner of his mouth. "However instead of an answer, I give you an offer. You catch me, and I tell you."

"What?" Harry breathed almost against Snape' lips. He was engulfed in their proximity yet again. The warm gust of air Snape exhaled drove him mad, while his mind was filled with the man's clean scent of sweat, sandalwood and something else, something undeterminable yet stimulating and tempting.

"Catch me," Snape whispered and Harry could feel the touch of the soft, cold lips, not yet a kiss just an unobtrusive caress on his mouth. Enticing and full of promises but nothing concrete yet.

Snape pulled away before Harry could crush their lips together. He grabbed his poles and turned towards the last steep miles of the slope. He looked over his shoulders one last time. "Catch me, if you can." Then he pushed himself and shot out like a bullet, right down the hill.

Harry didn't need more; he jumped after Snape and let his body gather speed. He was sliding on Snape's tracks, exactly on Snape's tracks, which was, Harry realized something marvellous. He was able to keep up to the man after only two days. Bloody unbelievable, he thought for a second then hunched himself over his skis for less resistance to speed even more up. Who the bloody fuck cared about skiing right now, really?

Snape moved about thirty feet ahead of him but the distance was getting less and less. But in the meanwhile the Malfoy house was coming closer too, Harry could already see the lights. Harry mirrored Snape's earlier moves, shifting his balance from one leg to the other, carving very slim "s"-s into the snow. He was panting hard and he felt the tension in his legs but he kept driving himself. After all, his grand prize would be Snape, if his suspicions of what that dream really was about were correct.

He still tried to stay calm and convince himself that maybe he was mistaken and Snape's answer would be something entirely different but he didn't want that, did he? What did he want then? Snape? The man had made him hard more times during these two days than anyone ever but that was just physical attraction. Was that what he wanted, one night? Would Snape agree to that? Snape didn't seem like a one-night stand kind of man, and he certainly wouldn't want just that with Harry. They had too much history. But then what? Or was this all just a game to him?

His skis got too close and that forced Harry back to reality. He put all his concentration into skiing and trying to reach the other but it looked like a lost cause. Snape maintained a twenty feet long distance and they had almost reached the house.

The idea came as fast as the decision to do it. It was cheating yes, but he was going against Snape, moreover he was going for Snape.

Harry put his hands to his sides then closed his eyes tightly and turned around in mid air. A moment later a body collided with him with almost brutal force. He had managed to apparate right in front of Snape, face to face with the man. Harry wrapped his arms around the other man in a tight embrace so he wouldn't get hurt. They were flying for a couple of feet, their detached skis and poles scattered around them before they finally landed on feathery soft snow.

Harry groaned loudly as the heavy body crushed him. Snape's hair fall forward and caressed his cheeks, while rigid fingers grasped into his jacket on the sides.

"You okay?" Harry asked with concern.

"You bloody idiot." Snape murmured and Harry realized Snape was right next to his ear. "You could have hurt... us."

"I guess you're okay then," Harry laughed into the darkness. There was bright light suddenly surrounding them, someone must have turned on the porch light.

"You half-witted, arrogant, insolent, brash..." Snape's listing of insults falter when Harry drove soothing hands firmly over his back. "You imbecile." Snape hissed furiously, his lips moving against Harry's earlobe.

Snape sat up and settled on Harry's groin. He looked down on Harry, still panting and angry but somehow he wasn't terrifying anymore, nor did his words hurt.

"So, what was your dream about?" Harry smirked, his hands innocently wandering on Snape's thighs.

"That did not count as catching, Potter." Snape raised an eyebrow. "You apparated in front of me."

"Well, you did end up in my arms, I'd call that a catch. A good one, even." Harry answered brightly smiling.

Snape grabbed Harry's hands and with a swift but forceful motion pulled them over Harry's head. "That is cheating, Mr Potter."

"Wait, I thought Slytherins like cheating." Harry said desperately. "And I wouldn't call it cheating, it was... a short-cut at best."

"But as you may realize it," Snape pressed his groin down on Harry, while pushing Harry's hands deeper into the snow. "We are not in school anymore."

Harry gasped and pushed his half hard cock against Snape. "And isn't that a good thing, Professor?"

Snape tossed his head back while a light sigh escaped his tightly pressed lips. A door banged open not far from them.

"Severus, is that you?" Draco's voice came from somewhere next to them and Snape pushed himself up from the snow. He summoned his ski equipment to himself and went up to Draco.

"Yes," He growled at the young man who gave him a surprised gaze.

"This isn't over yet, Snape!" Harry shouted after him, still lying on the soft snow, taking long and deep breathes to calm himself.

"Is that Potter?" Draco looked towards Harry's direction. "Was he lying beneath you?"

"Shut up Draco." Snape sneered.

Draco laughed loudly. "Did I disturb something? I can just go back if you-"

"I said shut your mouth, Draco." Snape hissed pulling his wand out. "And as for you, Potter, yes it is over."

He flicked his wand and suddenly Harry's head was covered in snow that fell down from the pine over him.

"Bastard..." Harry murmured spitting snow, but smiling.


TBC


If anyone was wondering, Severus is this angry because stupid stunts like the one Harry had pulled can cause VERY serious injuries. So he's just worried. I'm not sure if I managed to get that through properly, that's why I felt like pointing this out here, too.

One more chapter to go! Any idea what will happen in the next one? Any hopes or demands?