Chapter 13: A Lesson in Humility & Revenge
by ataraxis

Friday evening came all too soon for Harry's liking. The more he thought about the upcoming lesson with Severus as his student, the more nervous he became. Not that Emma's face showed it, of course. Her face had remained impassive all throughout the day. Harry was just glad that none of the other teachers had heard about their little challenge, and if Emma failed in making her point, thankfully the only person to witness her humiliation would be Severus Snape.

And then that thought struck her forcefully. Harry knew on some level that he had always trusted Severus Snape, because he also knew that his failure, if it should come to that, would not be spread throughout the school. Severus Snape would not be petty about it. At least, he had hope that such would be the case. If Severus Snape knew that Emma was Harry Potter, the Potions Master might very well be petty and gloat, and who knew what else to shame him.

Emma had gone to the library, during a break in classes, to find a potion that Severus did not have currently on his curriculum, and was best suited to an introductory teaching in first or second year. Something that would demonstrate proper stirring technique and used some of the more common elements in brewing. When Emma found a potion called 'A Sunnier You,' Harry knew he had hit on the perfect potion. It was a magical tanning lotion guaranteed to not only make your skin golden without the harsh rays of the sun damaging a person's skin, but also had a moisturizer built right in.

All through dinner, Emma ignored the other professors as she poured over the book containing the potion she had chosen, making sure she had the entire ingredient list and recipe memorized, all while making sure Severus saw neither the book nor potion she was going to use.

Harry was shaking on the inside. He was about to teach the man who had taught him for seven years. Would this cause Harry to step out of character and give the game away? He'd slipped a number of times as he had been taken by surprise by Severus, but so far the Potions Master had not let him know he knew, nor seemed to be retaliating with some form of vengeance. 'Unless,' Harry thought to himself and turned so that Emma faced the Potions Master.

'Unless tonight was some ruse to show my hand.' The more Harry thought on it, the more convinced of it he grew. 'Damn it, bugger it all to hell. He does know, that bastard.' Something on Emma's face must have caused concern, for Harry saw Severus frown at him in bewilderment and instantly Emma smiled, in order to ease Severus' worry and confusion.

"It's nothing, Severus. I was just thinking of the logistics for this evening's extra classroom lesson," Emma left unsaid which lesson she was referring to, whether it was their little challenge or Mr. Turner's extra preparation for his meeting.

'Well, guess what, oh Great Potions Master, two can play this game.' Harry smirked internally, as he thought of ways to make the Potions Master uncomfortable during his demonstration. Harry knew the man was a confirmed heterosexual. He'd learned that from Remus and other members of the Order, when he'd once made passing derogatory remarks about his teacher in the heat of anger. So perhaps Emma would make Severus uncomfortable knowing that a male was actually flirting with him and coming on to him. Harry knew just when he could make the moves on Severus Snape, and not look like it was forced or intentional.

The dessert that was served tasted sweeter than anything Harry had had in a long while. He was so going to relish putting Severus in his place in the game of revenge.

- - - hpsshpsshpsshpss - - -

Emma set up the students' potion laboratory so that two cauldrons were waiting. One for herself to demonstrate the initial mixture, showing proper stirring techniques and correct order of ingredients, and the temperature for the flames; the other for Severus to use afterwards. It was during that part, that Harry would set his plan in motion.

The ingredients were gathered and placed on a table off to the side, along with any necessary measuring tools that would be required.

At precisely 7 o'clock, Severus entered for their one hour session. Emma directed Severus up to the front to stand next to her as she prepared her demonstration.

"You are an expert in potions, however for this next hour, I would like for you to try and place yourself in the position of a first or second year student. Not as how you view them from your role of teacher, but as someone who is nervous, yes, however who could very well be eager to learn, as I'm sure you were when you were a student."

Severus nodded his head in agreement and from there the lesson began.

Emma's demonstration at the beginning went well, with Severus asking questions that were both inane and occasionally insightful, playing his role as student well. Emma remained as patient as possible through it all.

When it came time to the student hands-on portion, Harry knew Severus would try to mess up and bungle the potion, sure that is what a student would do. So Emma was attentive throughout the entire second half of the lesson.

Emma leaned close to Severus and noticed that when he was stirring clockwise instead of counter-clockwise, Emma made sure to lean in even closer, so that a thigh brushed a hip, and touched Severus' hand with one of her own to demonstrate again the proper stirring method. Harry was so focused on making the moves on Severus, he wasn't paying as much attention to the fact that Severus wasn't becoming angry at his nearness and flirtatious attitude. It wasn't until Harry noticed Severus biting his lip and then felt the other man move back into his space to rub up against him that he realized his plan for revenge had backfired.

Before Harry could take a step back to regroup, he watched as Severus doused the flames under the cauldron and swiftly turned to face him. As he was about to take a breath and speak, Severus reached out and grabbed at Emma and pulled her in for a kiss, stealing away Harry's chance to say anything.

Both men groaned at the contact of lip to lip, and Harry felt a tongue quickly seek its way into his mouth and Harry became lost to the most pleasant situation he had ever enjoyed.

As they both came up for breath, Harry sighed in pleasure and he heard Severus moan a name, unfortunately it wasn't his that he heard, but that of Emma.

Harry's eyes, that had fallen closed at some point during the exchange, snapped open in outrage and he yelled in his own normal voice, "What the hell!"

Severus smirked and plainly said, "Gotcha!"

A/N: Thanks go to Corgi for her help in picking a potion for Harry to teach. The wonderful Magdelena has once again beta'd this chapter. If there are any errors remaining they are mine. I hope this chapter meets with everyones approval :). I wanted to also thank everyone who reviewed for Chapter 12.