CHAPTER 25

A/N: The updates will be irregular again after this chapter – I was airing out my head after so much studying, and I plunged into my Snarry story in order to recover sufficiently for the next round of studying :-) Thanks a million for your comments! Oh, and Marius-haters...enjoy!

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Valentine's Day arrived. Severus wrinkled his nose with distaste. He couldn't care less for such a commercialised event, but he was eager to make it a memorable one. He closed his book – Dumbledore's latest gift to him and an excellent read – and narrowed his eyes, plotting. Sex with Marius was as violent and messy as ever, and, much to his displeasure, the Healer had started behaving like he owned Severus's rooms, especially the bedroom. Severus, however, played along, even saying that he was thinking of adjusting his wards after all. Marius had smirked.

"Ah, my treasure, I knew that you would change your mind sooner or later."

Severus had shrewdly stopped protesting whenever Marius called him "my treasure" or "Sev". In the meantime, Harry was becoming skilled in both Occlumeny and duelling. The youth was dedicated to the lessons, and Severus dropped the relaxing exercises, even starting to attack as soon as Harry entered the duelling classroom on Fridays. However, they had an argument when Harry turned up wearing Muggle jeans and a t-shirt instead of the usual robes for the latest lesson.

"What kind of an attire is that supposed to be, Potter?" Severus asked Harry coldly.

"It's more practical, sir."

"Did you ask for my permission beforehand?"

"I did not, sir," Harry admitted gravely, "but robes are really not that practical."

"No sane witch or wizard ever duels in jeans and a t-shirt!" Severus snapped. "You know the rules, Potter, you read them and I questioned you on them."

"Then it's time to change the rules."

"And if you changed the Gobstones rules-"

"Sir-"

"Do not interrupt me!"

Harry fell silent; but it was not a resentful or sulky silence. He simply waited quietly for Severus to speak.

"You will adhere to the rules, Potter, and you will not waste my time. Return to your dormitory and change into robes."

"And if and when I fight against Death Eaters and most probably against Voldemort himself, sir, will dress be of such overwhelming importance?" Harry asked.

Severus didn't answer.

"I prefer this outfit when I duel. I can move and jump with more ease."

"You are lazy," Severus spat.

"I am not lazy; but if we are going to argue about jeans and a t-shirt, then I will change into robes, if you don't mind waiting for a few minutes."

Harry moved towards the door; but before he opened it, he looked over his shoulder.

"Have you ever duelled anyone wearing Muggle clothes?"

"Of course not!"

"Then…" Harry turned back again and walked towards him, "…maybe it's time for you to do so."

Severus stared calculatingly at the youth. His clothes accentuated his small and slight build, the ripeness of his freshly blossomed adulthood…

"If you insist, Potter," Severus said silkily. Harry raised his eyebrows but knew better than to comment when Severus was about to start the duel at any moment.

The duel was very interesting; Harry found it easier to dodge hexes; he agilely rolled over on the floor to avoid spells and leap up to retaliate; there were no robes no trip him up when he jumped, stepped aside or dove towards the tiles. Severus grew increasingly irritated. He hated being wrong. The duel ended with Harry Disarming Severus in mid-jump. Severus blinked, stunned, as Harry landed neatly on his feet, Severus's long ebony wand clutched firmly in his left hand, as if he had just caught the Snitch. Severus half expected Harry to point his finger at him and to gloat; but Harry went towards him stretched out his hand to return his wand. His face was serious and respectful. Severus took his wand.

"I will give you credit, Potter. You combine physical dexterity with good magical strategies. You move very quickly, but you still tend to overuse protective spells."

"I don't want to burn you with that fiery spell you showed me, or sting you-"

"Potter, I am not a delicate little weakling; the injuries are mere nothings and I can heal them myself," the Potions Master said tersely.

"I know, but it's like inflicting pain on you deliberately."

"It is so, and it is necessary for your training," Severus replied curtly. "This is no sport for sentimental musings."

The youth disagreed; Severus could read it in his eyes; but Harry remained silent and knelt down to tighten his shoelaces.

"I want you to practise offensive spells for the next lesson. You will also kindly wear robes as you usually do."

"Will you wear a two-piece outfit?"

"Certainly not," Severus scoffed.

"The book on Greek and Roman legends is very interesting, by the way." Severus had actually extended the loan when Harry had told him that he had managed to read only half of it in three weeks.

"I will not allow you to go through life with an appalling gap in your general knowledge," Severus had said.

"Remember to give it back to me next week, Potter," was his impassive answer.

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After Harry left, Marius visited Severus. Severus started to walk in front of Marius as they sought his bedroom; but Marius pushed past him.

"I know where your bedroom is, my treasure," he said loftily, already removing his cloak, taking Severus's participation for completely granted.

They were violent with each other as always, biting, scratching and squeezing hard enough to leave bruises and shed a few drops of blood. The sheets reeked of sweat. Severus fucked Marius as hard as he could in the end and collapsed on top of the taller wizard, not caring that his elbow dug into Marius's abdomen. He rolled over onto his back and peeled off his condom, dropping it over the side of the bed where it joined a few others. He pulled the sheets up to his waist but left Marius bare. Marius was too exhausted to notice.

"That was good," he murmured, sated.

"Which reminds me…" Severus reached out and opened the drawer of his bedside table. He casually tossed a pouch over to Marius. It came to rest on Marius's chest with a musical clinking.

"What's this?" Marius asked, frowning.

"Opening it would be the recommended option," Severus said. Marius did so, empting some of the contents into his palm. A waterfall of bronze Knuts tumbled out, followed by a flood of silver Sickles. Marius stared.

"What…?"

"For your services, Rivers. I have exploited them to their fullest extent and no longer require them as of tonight. This is your reimbursement."

Marius blanched alarmingly; only his cheeks were flecked with red patches.

"How dare you…! I…I'm not a prostitute!" he burst out, incoherent with fury.

"Now, now, there is no need to complain, and I had to get rid of my change anyway. Buy a Butterbeer or something with your hard-earned salary. I shall not need recourse to your ass, tight as it admittedly is, in the future," Severus drawled, reaching for a book.

Marius was shaking with rage. He flung the pouch into the corner. Severus raised a lofty eyebrow.

"A temper tantrum? Touching." He made a dismissive gesture, as if waving away a pesky fly.

Marius's grey eyes were slits.

"So. This is your revenge, isn't it, Snape?"

"You may interpret it as you wish, Rivers. Kindly leave my rooms."

"Is this supposed to be a taste of my own medicine or what?" Marius hissed.

"It is only appropriate for a Healer of your…ah…calibre," Severus commented.

"You son of a bitch!" Marius yelled, swinging his hand back; Severus, however, moved with lightning speed; he caught Marius's wrist easily in his left hand and hit Marius forcefully across the face. It made a crisp smacking sound.

"If you were a doormat, Rivers, no one would want to wipe their feet on you in case they only soiled them more. Now get out before I castrate you," Severus said icily.

Marius's face worked. He looked as if he wanted to spit in Severus's face, but the expression in the dark eyes made him tumble out of bed ungracefully and gather his clothes clumsily.

"Do not forget your fee, Rivers," Severus added silkily, Levitating the pouch and fastening it to the man's naked posterior with a Sticking Charm. Marius's face was twisted with hatred and mortification. He was too angry to utter a word or a spell; he left with a jingle of coins, his clothes in his arms.

Severus stared after him. He felt a grim kind of triumph – and a lot of pain. He had once loved this man. His first kiss and his first sexual intercourse had been with Marius. And now Marius had joined a long list of enemies; but love, after all, was not meant for him, and he was not meant for love. Severus Snape buried his face in his hands for a few moments, tired and profoundly unhappy. Then he got out of bed and stripped it, stuffing the sheets into the laundry basket. He could smell Marius all over his skin. Marius's spit and come were still drying on him. Severus had a very long shower.

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