Chapter 4: Potion Class

Someone was whispering in his ear, telling him something important but he couldn't really make out what was being said. The voice was pleasant and soft. The voice was very reassuring, comforting… It was also so familiar…

Hands were touching him. Fingers tracing his shoulders. Very soft, barely touching. He felt a warm someone spooning him. Someone wanted to hold him, wanting to touch him. It had been so long since someone had. A thumb slipped across his chin and moved his hair and continued caressing the back of his neck.

He moved to give better access to his body. This felt so good. He laid on his back and someone slithered on top of him. He felt a very shy kiss on his cheek. He sighed. Hands were moving on his chest across his rib cage. He heard another murmur as a mouth descended on his neck, kissing here and there. Someone was telling him something.

He wrapped his arms around someone. The body on top of was so small and thin. Delicate like a girl. Arms was hugging him back, holding him. Kisses were made on his throat and a tongue sneaked here and there for a lick. A groan was heard and he realized that was him making the noise. His nightshirt was opened and long kisses were made on his chest with tiny fingers rubbing his nipples. He moaned, he wanted to be kissed. He wanted to feel this; it felt so good. Hips were bucking and humping. His cock felt like a stone, hard and angry. He wanted to beg to be kissed but his mouth didn't seem to work.

Hips were bucking back. They were rubbing against each other. He heard a soft gasp. The mouth was back on his throat sucking, tasting him, wanting him. He just wanted to be kissed. He wanted to be loved like this forever. The mouth nipped his ear and he heard heavy panting. Kisses were made across his face. A lovely mouth sank onto his and small tongue darted in for a kiss.

He was so happy. They were kissing. It wasn't a fight for dominance, it was just kissing. It was love, it was like love. He felt eyes, watching, such beautiful eyes…

"Fucking Potter!" Snape snarled throwing the warm comforter off him, embracing the dungeon air. The freezing air did nothing to stop his erection. He stood up, ignoring the painful reminder between his legs. He knew it wanted release but he wasn't going to jerk off to the thoughts of his dreams. He hurled off his nightshirt and stalked into the bathroom He jumped into a cold shower where he shivered and tried to calm down. Eventually his breathe evened out and his cock softened. Then he turned on the warm water and pretended that this was a normal day and there was no such person as Harry Potter. He pretended he didn't dream at all. He even pretended there weren't tears leaking form his eyes.

He hadn't had a dream like that in years. He didn't like dreams like that; it reminded him of whom he was. He was greasy, big nosed, and sallow. He was too thin and bony. He didn't really mind that for he knew that the world wasn't made of pretty people. The part that upset him was that lovey dovey feeling. He hated that. He didn't hate love per say but he didn't trust it or understand. His first lover only pretended to care to get to join the dark lord as she did with most of the Slytherin boys. She poisoned his mind but that really wasn't much to get him to turn from. The dark lord had offered companionship and acceptance, something he needed. Like Potter, his family didn't love or want him. It wasn't that they didn't want to but they didn't seem to have the time. He did love his parents and he was sure they loved him too in their own way. They just didn't have the time to do it properly. They were very poor and both of his parents worked. From the time, he was three years he knew how to take care of himself. At age five his mother had briefly taught him to read and write. She had informed him of the alphabet and the noises they made. It wasn't much but enough for him to figure out the rest. By the time he was six, he was cooking and cleaning for the whole house. His mother never thanked him and his father complained that he was a lousy cook. Personally, he thought everything he made tasted much better than his mother's. When he was eight and whenever his father was drunk, he taught him curses and jinxes. It wasn't a standard upbringing but he turned out okay. He never had toys but he learned to amuse himself. Life as a student at Hogwarts wasn't different from life at home. He never had any friends but that was okay because he had himself.

After his shower, he got dressed. He sighed and stretched lazily. He decided tea was in order and summoned a house elf to fetch him some. After two cups, he was in a much better mood. He found the parchment last night of what he written of Dumbledore's story. He glanced over it lazily. Also, he thought about what he had learned about Potter. He still needed more information. He grabbed a blank parchment and drafted a letter to Remus Lupin.

Lupin,

Dumbledore has decided that Potter may be in danger this year. He has asked me to keep an eye on him. Reluctantly, I have agreed. I have noticed some odd behavior and was wondering if you noticed anything odd when you were teaching him. Some insight would be welcomed.

S. Snape

P.S. I will be sending you a flask of Wolfsbane Potion before the next full moon. Can't have you eating anyone, can we?

Snape reread the letter and found it acceptable. Lupin may or may not help him. If he thought Potter was in danger, he might be willing to give up information. If he thought he was just looking for something to have over Potter's head, he wouldn't tell him anything. Lupin might not know anything at all or he might not tell Snape anything because he wanted to keep Potter's trust. There were many options here but Snape was confident that Lupin would fire call Dumbledore and then would be told that Snape was keeping an eye on Potter. Then he would write back with the information he requested. Then he smirked, the bribing might also help.

Before breakfast, he sent the letter off with an owl. He watched fly into the distance and then left the owlery. Once again, he sat next to Professor McGonagall where they complained to each about each other's houses. She thought he was letting his students get away with too much and he thought she was an old cow. Dumbledore was amused by their childish behavior and told them so. Snape just sneered at him. At one point, Professor Sprout tried to defend the Gryffindors. Snape responded with snide comments about her greenhouses. He saw that Flickwick was going to defend the Gryffindors too but before he could talk, Snape flick his wand at him and deflated his pillows. After that, not even the top of Flickwick's head tiny head could be seen. Personally, Snape thought this was one of the best breakfasts he had in years.

It was Wednesday and on Wednesdays, he taught Potter's class. He was almost excited about it. Yes, this could be fun.

Snape ignored the students coming into his class and continued with his grading. He didn't want to appear anxious. When the bell rang, he continued grading the essay he was reading. He could tell the class was getting nervous. When he was done, he lowered his quill and flicked his wrist. "The instructions are on the board. Get to work."

Ignoring them, he graded two more essays. Then, he decided it was time do some rounds and some observations. The potion they were working on was in the first stage and they were all still very busy adding ingredients. He snaked here and there around them. Compliments to Slytherins, complaints to Gryffindors. He graced Draco Malfoy with a smile for his perfect potion base. Then he decided to study Potter, Granger, and Weasley.

They had sat at their usual table and were chatting about Europe's other magical schools. Their potions were all of the right color. Snape smirked, Granger must be telling them what to do. They seemed to be getting along so he concluded Granger must have told them nothing of their conversation. If not, he knew Weasley would ignore her and giving Snape evil looks. Soundlessly, he crept behind them and then cleared his throat. Weasley and Granger jumped. On the other hand, Potter flinched and held his arms out as if protecting himself.

Snape thought that was odd. When you scare people they jump like Granger and Wesley had done. The only people that flinched were aurors and people who had seen long battles. People, who had experienced war and pain and were ready at a moments notice to protect themselves. The only child he had ever known to do this was Margot Twinge. When she started at Hogwarts, Snape had already been teaching for two. She was a quiet girl who never talked to anyone and was scared of her own shadow. Also, she was the only muggle-born student every to be sorted into Slytherin in over 400 years. The other Slytherin, the pure bloods that they are, picked on her terribly. During her third year, she knocked unconscious by a few on the returning train. She was taken straight away to the school nurse, who found bruises all over her body. Later, it was found out her father had hit her while drunk and he was drunk often.

Snape glared at Potter. Potter glared back, eyes full of defiance, but Snape noticed that his bottom lip was trembling slightly. He didn't know how long they were staring at each other but eventually Potter backed down and starting chopping his ginger again. Snape smirked. Weasley and Granger looked confused because Potter had never back down from him before.

Eventually the bell rang and he dismissed the class. Potter practically ran out the door.

Three days later, Snape received an owl back from Lupin.

Dear Severus,

I have spoken to the headmaster and he told about what has been happening. He is correct; Harry does need as much protection as he can get, especially after what happened at the World Cup. The headmaster believes you are the best person to protect Harry during the Triwizard Tournament. I hope he is correct.

During last year, I did notice some odd things about Harry. I was in his train compartment before the Dementors did their search and I could have sworn that I could smell blood. He continued to smell like that for another month. I asked him if he was fine and he said it was fine. Harry also seemed very tired and I felt that the Dementors affected him far too easily.

If there is anything wrong with him let me know. I care a great deal for him.

Thank you for the potion. It is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Remus Lupin

Snape was delighted that Lupin had been predictable. First talking to the headmaster and then sending the information that he wanted. Snape laughed to himself in the glory of his own talent. He added the information received to his lists. He went though the information very carefully. Potter had smelled like blood for an entire month. What could that mean?

The next day, the headmaster stopped in his office and asked if he received a reply to his letter yet. Snape told him he had. Then he asked if Potter was in danger and Snape said no. The headmaster left asking to be informed of when his great mystery was solved. Snape smiled and said he would.

He continued going about his usual routine for the rest of the week. Teaching, grading, sneering, taking points, and baiting McGonagall. He also watched Potter. He was still acting like perfect Potter. The only thing that he was doing differently was watching him back. Of course, Potter only did this when this when he thought Snape did not notice.

Furthermore, Potter did his best to stay as far away from him as possible but he didn't think that was odd at all.

Everybody tried to stay as far away from him as possible.

Come Monday, Snape did his best to hide his excitement. Tonight was Potter's detention and this time he was going to get some answers. The number one answer he wanted was to make sure that this was Potter. Also, Granger was supposed to drop off her research.

After breakfast, Snape went to first class and on his desk was the research on the two potions. Apparently, Granger had dropped them off before her first class. He read her work. Everything there were the things he already knew. The healing potion that Potter had made took four hours to produce. It had been invented during a war in 806 by Leland Harmwilling. Its purpose was to heal deep wounds that had caused muscle damage. It was very powerful; if a muscle was almost cut if half it would mend it, leaving it like new. It could repair muscle damage up to three months after the initial damage. There was only one dose needed. There was no new information on it; it was a standard potion in healing. The other potion, Regina's Solution, was invented to help women go through the natural monthly cycle of menstruation. Regina Spot hated the painful bloating, cramps, and mood swings of PMS. Rumor has it, her period lasted 12 days out of the month and she was a right bitch during it. She decided enough was enough and invented her "solution" in 1546 after 9 years of study, research, and experimentation. The potion works with a woman's hormones and eliminates all PMS symptoms. It causes the monthly bleeding to take place in one day. The only side effect was lack of ability to conceive when taking. The potion has no effect on man because the lack of high levels of estrogen in men. Research was done on and off for years on Regina's Solution but nothing new was ever really discovered.

Snape careful thought about Granger's research then added to the rest of the parchments he had on Potter. Though the research was well done, it didn't answer his question on why Potter was taking it. Could have he really been telling the truth on wanting to improve his grades? Snape didn't think so. Had Potter been injured months earlier and need his muscles to be mended? He thought that was possible. But why didn't just ask for help? What had happened?

Snape mused about this for the rest of the day. While he ate his dinner, he watched Potter very carefully. What was going on with that boy? After dinner, he returned to his classroom and began grading papers. After the first one was complete, there was a timid knock on the door.

"Enter." Snape snarled.

Potter walked and stood in front of his desk. "What would you like me to do, sir?"

"I want you to clean the desks and then organize those empty vials. The desks need heavy elbow grease, the first years have been exploding things." Snape gestured, "By the way, where did you tell Granger and Weasley you would be tonight?"

Potter picked up the bucket and brush. "Bed."

Snape scoffed and returned to his paperwork. Potter worked diligently for the next hour and half. Snape had to admit, the boy could clean. After all the hard work, the desks were spotless and the vials were organized in the way he preferred.

"I'm done, may I go." Potter said.

Snape pretended to look up. "Already done, my oh my. Time flies when we are having fun. Yes, you can go."

"Goodnight." Potter relaxed and headed towards the door.

Snape had watched him the entire time he worked. It was just busy work after all. The real reason was he wanted to make sure Potter wasn't drinking or eating anything. He wanted to make sure he wasn't taking Polyjuice Potion in any form. He was relieved to find that Potter hadn't done anything tonight but clean. So if that wasn't Potter, the only thing he could be was under a glamour charm and a heavy one at that. Snape did the only thing he could think of.

"Potter." He called.

He turned around. "Yes."

"Finite Incantatem glamoura." Snape whispered.

"No!" Potter screamed and fell to the floor. He wrapped his arms around his face. He started sobbing. "You don't play fair. I knew you wouldn't play fair."

"You're right, I don't play fair." Snape slowly got out of his chair. He walked over to him and stood in front of the huddled body. "You are very good, too good in fact. Yet, for some reason, I still believed you were Harry Potter. Get up, quite sniveling. Let me see your face."

He curled up more unto himself. Crying and murmuring.

"I said get up." Snape commanded.

He did get up and what Snape saw shocked the hell out him.