CHAPTER 30
A/N: I don't know when Sudoku started to spread and get printed in (British) newspapers and published in bookshops…for the sake of this story, Sudoku is already becoming very popular in 1998 :-) Thanks a million for your comments and patience! The next batch of exams is on May 28. Four orals in the morning, one after the other. Eeek…! In the meantime, you will find a new poll (votes for the fifth Snarry plot) and two wonderful drawings by SnapesYukuai on my blog. Check them out if you have the time (cf. my profile page)! :-D
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On his way back to his room after a most fatiguing Occlumency lesson, Harry stopped to gaze at the picture of Apollo and Hyacinthus. He could not take his eyes off their intimate posture. Even in the process of dying, Hyacinthus was angling his hips and arching his body in such a manner that his groin was crushed against Apollo's; and if it hadn't been for the blood and Apollo's tears and the devastated expression on his face, then the posture would have denoted absolute pleasure. Harry's eyes lingered on Apollo's thumb near Hyacinthus's rosebud nipple and on his mouth which was so close to his beloved's parted lips. Yes, both pleasure and pain had been skilfully captured in the painting. With a sigh, Harry detached himself from the contradictory influence of the drawing and took a few shortcuts which led him back to Gryffindor Tower.
In the meantime, Severus was relaxing with a glass of elf-made wine. He rarely indulged in alcoholic beverages; on this occasion, he considered it a well-deserved draught of refreshment after getting rid of Marius and discovering that his relationship with Harry Potter was improving. Harry was becoming a skilled Occlumens thanks to his determination to fight against every obstacle which blocked his way. Severus also suspected that the so-called visions or sendings would go away once they started with Legilimency. Severus made a mental note to ask Dumbledore whether his Pensieve would be available for the Legilimency lessons. He had mixed feelings about Potter seeing private things like brooding scenes from his childhood and youth…or his trysts with Marius all those years ago. On the one hand, such experiences were extremely personal; on the other hand, Severus felt smug. Let the youth struggle with his fixed notions about Severus, James Potter and Sirius Black…and let him struggle with his musings about his, Harry's, and Severus's sexuality. It was quite hard to forget that interesting look on Harry's face when he had witnessed that forthright kiss between Severus and Marius. Severus smiled and sipped at his goblet.
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"Oy, Harry! Want to join a Sudoku competition?" Ron asked Harry as soon as he stepped inside the common room. Harry grinned. Groups of students were sitting on the sofas, and each group had a Sudoku grid. The grids were identical, and the group which finished its grid first was awarded a joke item from Zonko's Joke Shop or a stack of sweets from Honeydukes, courtesy of the newly created Hogwarts Sudoku Club. Hermione and other Gryffindors were enthusiastic members. Sudoku competitions were being held regularly in the Gryffindor common room. Hermione regarded the game as a healthy brain-exercise instead of an annoying distraction. Wizarding Sudoku was basically identical to Muggle Sudoku, except that the grids contained magical features such as being able to erase a wrong number with a tap of one's wand, a timer feature which blinked every two minutes to remind people that they had to hurry etc.
"Sure," Harry answered Ron's question, relieved to distract himself from Occlumency. He joined Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Dean.
"Okay, is everyone ready?" Seamus asked, standing up in the middle of the room.
All the group members nodded.
There was a bang and a puff of smoke from Seamus's wand-end, and the Gryffindors put their heads together.
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Marius walked down to the dungeons, determined to finally speak with Severus. Taking a deep breath, he knocked cautiously on the door, keeping his hand on his wand in case he was knocked over by a hex. The door opened to reveal Severus, who looked thoroughly bored.
"Now what, Rivers?" he drawled.
"I don't want this," Marius said coldly, dumping the pouch of Knuts and Sickles into Severus's hands, "and I think we need to discuss a few issues. May I come in?"
"I think not, Rivers; and you really ought to enjoy your wages," Severus said silkily.
"Severus…look…I just-"
"Rivers, we have nothing more to say to each other. If you will excuse me – I have plenty of work to do."
"Ah yes, such as tutoring Potter," Marius said casually. Severus's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Is there a reason why you are mentioning Potter?" he asked shrewdly.
"None at all," Marius answered with a shrug of his shoulders. Severus approached Marius. Their faces nearly touched.
"Stay away from Potter, Rivers."
"Why on earth do you think that I would want to harm Potter, Severus?"
"Because," Severus said between gritted teeth, "I do not trust you, you fool. Now remove yourself and your salary from my sight and dungeons."
Marius drew out his wand.
"If you think that you can just drive me away-"
Severus curled his lip.
"A duel? You want to duel with me, you imbecile? Think again, Rivers."
Marius's grey eyes were blazing, but he shoved his wand back into his robes.
"I still refuse to take this," he hissed, throwing the pouch of money at Severus. Severus muttered a spell underneath his breath, and the coins rushed out of the bag in a flood, pelting Marius; and when they fell, they simply rose again and resumed bouncing off his face and figure. Marius stumbled away, coins ricocheting off his figure while Severus watched from the doorway with an expression of utter contempt on his features.
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Harry stretched and snuggled into his bed. He was adept at using Occlumency in his sleep; it was becoming, as Severus had one insisted that it should, second nature to him. He wondered if Voldemort was aware that he, Harry, was employing Occlumency against him. He made a mental note to ask Severus if it was possible for Voldemort to know about his Occlumentic skills.
"Night, mate," Ron whispered to him from the neighbouring bed.
"Night, Ron," Harry yawned. He closed his eyes…
He was walking into the atrium. He was naked. Completely naked. He didn't seem to mind. In fact, he felt free and confident. The roof of the atrium was drawn back, and rain was pelting into the shallow basin hewn into the stone floor. He walked over to it and lay down, closing his eyes and arching his body and enjoying the raindrops meeting his bare skin. Suddenly, he felt two hands caress his stomach and abdomen. Long hair tickled his face, and a mouth brushed his neck. His eyes flew open and met the dark smouldering gaze of Severus Snape.
"Legilimency creates an intense bond between teacher and student," he whispered, repeating the words he had told Harry during his lesson.
Harry woke up with a start. His heart was racing, but not with fear. To his confusion and embarrassment, he was profoundly aroused.
"It's just another side effect of Occlumency," he whispered fiercely to himself, trying to sound convincing. He thought of Severus Snape. Snape the way he really was. Sarcastic, unapproachable and…locked in that passionate kiss with Marius…a younger version of Severus tangled in the sheets with an equally youthful Marius…Severus's head thrown back with passion…Harry swore and managed to prevent his hand from creeping down between his thighs.
"No one likes Severus Snape, he's an idiot, I can't stand him, he can't stand you, even if you did make a truce..." he hissed softly; but no confirming thoughts or emotions answered him – only confusion. And his stubborn erection.
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