When Harry opened his eyes next morning, Snape wasn't in bed anymore. Harry was surprised with his own feelings. Was he disappointed by that? After all, what did he want from Snape? Oh, Merlin. He wanted those magic hands all over him, massaging every inch of his body. He wanted to snuggle in those long, strong arms. That was terrible. What could be worse than... desiring the sadistic Potions master?
The day went on without any incidents. In the morning, Harry began to read a short-stories book by Edgar Allan Poe, which he had found on Snape's shelves. In the afternoon, he went to help Snape with the potions, chopping ingredients and even stirring the cauldron for some time. In the evening, he took a shower and went back to Poe's stories while Snape took a bath. Some minutes after, Snape went out of the bathroom and, by Floo, asked the house-elves to bring them their dinner.
When dinner arrived, the two of them sat down at one of the laboratory's tables to eat. Harry looked at the professor's hair, surprised.
"Hey! It isn't greasy anymore!"
A slight flush appeared on the older wizard's faces.
"After a bath, my hair is not greasy, insolent boy."
A long and embarrassing silence followed. Finally, Harry babbled:
"I... er..."
"Spit it out, Potter. Why is it so difficult for you to form a coherent thought and to express it?"
"About the bed..."
"I have no need of that bed for sleeping. I can transfigure any object into a bed anytime and anywhere I want."
Harry swallowed and dropped his head, not daring to insist.
Harry woke up in the middle of the night, sweating cold. The same nightmare. The snake and the torture images. He got up, entered Snape's Laboratory and found him doubled over in an armchair, moaning silently. Harry ran to him and seized his forearm.
Snape stared at him with an expression of relief.
"Why didn't you wake me? Why do you have to suffer here alone? Do you wanna play the martyr?" scolded Harry. "And you say *I* have a hero complex!"
The older wizard seemed to pierce him with his eyes, to *burn* him. Why were these otherwise opaque eyes shining so intensely?
"Come on," said Harry, not releasing his forearm, and guiding him to the bed.
TBC...
Author's Notes:
It's getting very near the end... of part 1! Only two more chapters to go. And
the next will be the best!
Replies to Reviews:
ShadowWolf: A plot? What plot? ;-D Hee, I'm kidding, I think part 2 will have
some plot. Really. Thank you!
DaughterofDeath: yes, my Lord.
Nymphadora Tonks1: Thank you! I knew about Lee Lee Potter. It wasn't fair. You never know, they could ban me too. If they do it, you (all of you) can write to my email and I'll tell you where I'll be posting the story. I hope it won't happen to you either, sweetie.
Alena: Thanks! Good point: they have the whole castle just for them! (Almost. Don't forget that creepy guy, Filch.)
queenofgondor21: Thanks. Don't miss the next chapter!
whiteowl2: You know, I'm not a native speaker, and I'm a little slow to write in English. That's why I make short chapters. Oooh, poor Harry! Do you want the snake to choke him?
Arili: It's always nice - and challenging! - to have a clever reader like you. (See? I did it again!) About the dream, you'll have an explanation only in part 2.
KittenBabyGirl: Hm, I think next chapter will have what you want!
lillinfields, Kristen and Rosaleen: Thank you!