AN: Cookies for guessing right go to "hudleup" ;o)

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What happened in the last chapter:

Severus watched the young witch approach. He was surprised that she turned to him after she had greeted them both.

"Professor, could I have a word please?"

"Certainly, Mrs Granger."

"I better be of then. See you later," Harry said and left them.

Severus looked after him for a moment then he turned his attention towards one of Harry's best friends. She seemed to be a little nervous and he began wondering what she had on her mind.

"What can I do for you, Mrs Granger?"

"I was… well, no…" She took a deep breath. "I wanted to know if you think that I stand a chance in becoming a Potion Mistress, sir," she finally managed to say with pink dusted cheeks.

Severus tilted his head in surprise. Those were quite astonishing news. He had had no idea that Granger liked Potions that much.

"I don't see why not. Your skills are adequate if that is what you want to know," Severus replied. "I am rather curious about your choice, however. I've never had the impression that the art of potion making is that much to your liking."

The young witch's cheeks turned a shade darker but she hold his gaze nevertheless. "Well, Professor, to be quite blunt: you've never given anyone the chance to like it before."

Severus chuckled. "Pray tell, are you saying that I might possibly have scared of some genius potion maker?"

Granger looked him square in the eyes. "I don't know about genius but I'm sure that you have drowned a lot of curiosity and interest. You have changed, Professor."

Ruddy Gryffindor bravery, Severus thought and decided to change the subject. "So tell me, where will you go? Monsieur Dumont in France would be a good place, or Zubertrank in Germany."

Granger lowered her eyes and was now talking to Severus' chest.

"Well, you know I always go for the best. And I was wondering, if… well, if you could, or would… I mean would you take me in as an apprentice? I mean, I would understand if you didn't. But I thought I could at least ask. It's not hurting to ask, is it? That's what I thought. And that's why I asked. Maybe I got carried away with my idea. Well, thank you for your time. I better get going now."

She stopped sputtering, turned on her heels and stalked away before Severus even had the chance to say anything. Not that he had understood everything she had said. Had she really been asking if she could become his trainee?

"Mrs Granger?"

The young witch stopped.

Severus crossed his arms in front of him.

Granger slowly turned back around but didn't look at him.

"Correct me if I am wrong, but I just had the bizarre impression that you asked me to become your tutor. Is that accurate?" He gazed at the witch with narrowed eyes.

She simply nodded.

Severus stared at her for several moments taking the information in. It didn't happen often in his life that he was speechless but that certainly was one of these moments.

"Why?"

Finally Granger looked up with a frown. "I thought that's actually quite obvious," she said. "I'm getting called the smartest witch my age and you are the best I could get to teach me. Don't you think that's reason enough?"

Severus arched an eyebrow. "I'm sure you're aware of the reputation you might gain if I accept your application."

Severus' second eyebrow joined the other at the hairline as Granger started to laugh.

"Sir, with all due respect, but I kind of stopped worrying about my reputation after my first year here. I was and still am best friend with Harry Potter. Maybe you remember that he's famous for getting into trouble and breaking rules?"

Severus snorted. Was he ever? But that wasn't the topic at hand here, was it? Severus looked thoughtfully at the young witch. It should be possible to set up smaller lap close to his office where she could work. He would have to talk with the Headmistress about it.

"You are aware of me being a teacher at Hogwarts, which means that your summer holidays will be at the same time as the school holidays. I expect you in my office on the day the new school year starts. You'll receive further details by owl. Now, if you will excuse me I have matters to attend to."

Severus gave a curt nod and strode off, wondering what he had gotten himself into.

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It was close to dinner and most of the Gryffindors were gathered in the common room chatting happily. Suddenly the door burst open and Hermione came in, running towards Harry and Ron after she had spotted them sitting in a corner.

"I can't believe it, he said yes!" She panted out of breath. "He really said yes!" She fell into one of the chairs.

Harry furrowed his brows and looked to Ron. He had no idea what Hermione was talking about. Ron apparently did. He looked gobsmacked at his girlfriend with his mouth gaping.

"You are joking, right?" Ron asked her.

But Hermione shook her head. "No, I'm not. I'm dead serious." She grinned. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe it. I was so sure he would refuse."

Harry asked whom they were talking about but neither Hermione nor Ron paid any attention to him.

"You must have misunderstood him," Ron said feebly. "This can't be."

"You better get used to it, Ronald Weasley, because I'll start with the new term. He'll owl me the details."

"Hermione, what will you start and who is he?" Harry wanted to know. "What's going on?"

But his questions were ignored as Neville and Ginny came to join them. Ginny looked closely at Hermione and started to grin.

"Blimey! He said yes?" The youngest Weasley offspring asked.

Hermione just nodded with a huge grin that might make her head split if she kept it up for much longer.

"That's just great! Congratulations!" Ginny bent down to hug her friend.

That was enough. "Would anyone care to explain what you are all so excited about?" Harry asked loudly.

Finally Neville took pity and turned to Harry. "Snape is taking her in as an apprentice."

Now Harry understood why everyone seemed to be so flabbergasted. "Wow, that's a first. Congrats!" He grinned broadly even forgetting to be miffed because everybody except him seemed to have known that she had wanted to ask their professor.

"This must be a bad joke," Ron said. "Even if he would take somebody in he certainly wouldn't choose a Gryffindor. Snape hates Gryffindors."

"He doesn't hate us," Neville said. "Or at least not anymore. And who knows, he might actually have had reasons for it."

"I have the feeling that's something from the past." Harry agreed with Neville and then looked at Hermione. "I'm happy for you. I'm sure you'll learn a hell of a lot more."

The next couple of days went by and Harry stayed away from Snape but he had written him a short note saying that he was afraid of not being able to restrain himself from bouncing on him.

It was only a matter of hours before he received a short answer:

Harry,

Thank you for letting me know why you avoid me. I assume it means that you haven't changed your mind and still consider me to teach you in a more practical way as well?

Best regards

Severus Snape

Harry blinked a few times. Snape must be joking. Harry grabbed his bag and searched for the quill and some ink. He quickly jotted:

Changed my mind? Are you kidding? I'm dying to kiss you senseless and then some!

Severus snorted softly as he read Harry's answer. It was blunt and without any sign of subtlety. It was so Gryffindor. It was… Harry. Severus sighed and leaned back in his chair, still holding the ripped-off piece of parchment in his hand. His eyes moved once more over the two simple lines. It was blunt, no doubt about it, but it had an impact nevertheless.

He had no idea where this would lead to; well honestly, he didn't even really know how it had come so far in the first place. Hadn't he been quite happy only four months ago? Hadn't his life been in order, neat and uncomplicated the last year? Granted, his life had also become rather dull, but that had been an appreciated change compared to his life as a spy. This was certainly not something he would want to have back.

But why he had let Harry in his life as much as he had, he still didn't know. Harry Potter stands as a synonym for chaos. Maybe Severus' life had become a tad too boring?

If it hadn't been for Harry's interest in BDSM Severus would have continued to act indifferent towards the young wizard. But back then when Severus himself had been looking for someone to teach him, he had been grateful for his mentor. He knew he had been very lucky to find a person who had the knowledge and patience to teach someone like him. Severus smiled softly as he remembered his mentor.

He had sworn to himself that if someone would approach him that he would try and be as good a mentor as the one he once had had.

Severus enjoyed teaching Harry. He was not only interested but also alert. And Severus actually enjoyed the more private conversations (if talking about BDSM and sexuality isn't private enough that is) and Harry's company. He had been looking forward to their meetings and curious to find out more about the young wizard.

Severus sighed. After all those years of hatred they both had grown to respect each other and they had seen that neither of them had been what the other had believed him to be. Then they had found that they had a common interest (besides getting rid of Voldemort), which had lead to some kind of understanding. From there it had gone downhill, now he liked the insolent brat. And – even worse – he desired him.

Severus wondered how it would feel to have Harry's lithe body against his own, skin on skin, or underneath him. He thought about how it would be when Harry moaned with Severus actually doing something to draw that sound from his lips.

Severus could feel his body react – once again. He hadn't pleasured himself as often in the last years as he had in the last few weeks. He sighed and looked at his calendar. How many days were left?

Severus shook his head. Instead of sitting around and doing nothing (except waiting) he could just as well go and do something useful like for an instance refresh his ability with the flogger.

tbc

Zuber - tub

Trank - drink/potion

AN: Up next will be the moment we all have been waiting for: graduation! Woohoo! ;o)