Hello, as promised here's a slightly longer chapter, I hope you like it! Your feedback is always welcome I'm here to improve. ;-)
Happy reading !!
The Potions elective classroom was smaller and more intimate than the regular classrooms. The walls were draped with heavy dark curtains, and shelves filled with vials and mysterious ingredients lined the room. A dim but sufficient light emanating from floating chandeliers created an atmosphere that was both studious and slightly oppressive.
Severus entered the room, his dark eyes sweeping over the nearly full classroom. Silence fell instantly.
- Sit down, he ordered in an impassive voice.
The students quickly complied, murmuring timid greetings or remaining silent. Severus consulted the enrollment list one last time before beginning.
- Today, we will start with the preparation of a simple poison. I hope you have reviewed your basics, as the slightest mistake can be fatal. You will find the necessary information on page 538, the professor declared.
His gaze slid over the anxious faces before settling on the pair who had obviously seated themselves together. Hermione was already focused on studying the preparation steps but, to his great surprise, the young Gryffindor also seemed concentrated, his green eyes buried in his textbook. Slightly perplexed, the man with onyx eyes returned to his notes.
The session progressed, and Severus left his lectern to wander between the tables, observing each student closely. He paid particular attention when he approached Harry's cauldron. The boy was meticulously following the instructions, adding the ingredients in the correct order and stirring precisely. However, he didn't see Hermione, sitting next to him, discreetly giving him some tips when his back was turned.
At the end of the class, Snape inspected each student's potion. When he reached Harry's, he examined the contents with particular attention.
- Well, Potter, it seems you have managed to concoct a functional poison. That is... unexpected.
Harry gave a brief, proud smirk, and a stunned murmur swept through the class. Snape giving positive feedback on one of Harry's potions was unprecedented. Incredulous looks were exchanged.
- You see, I told you it would go well, Hermione whispered.
- Don't rest on your laurels just yet, everyone. On Thursday, we will prepare a much more complex potion. And keep in mind that the worst students will have two extra hours on Saturday, so I advise you to study seriously.
The professor's announcement provoked gasps of shock and annoyed sighs from students who were already seeing their sleep hours dwindling.
The day continued with the usual classes. During Charms class, Harry found himself distracted. He couldn't concentrate, his mind kept returning to Snape's class earlier. Something was different; he was sure of it, yet he couldn't pinpoint what.
The bright and airy Charms room did not allow him to shake off the dark dungeons of the Potions Master, and he remained stuck there for the rest of the hour, lost in his thoughts.
The bell finally pulled Harry out of his daydreams, and he headed to the Great Hall with Ron and Hermione. Taking advantage of the fact that all his friends were busy talking among themselves, the young wizard decided to speak about his uncertainty to Ron.
- Ron, did you notice anything different about Snape today?
Ron shrugged as he served himself a generous portion of mashed potatoes.
- Well, I didn't really get a chance to see him yet, but I imagine stopping working for the Dark Lord changes a person," Ron joked with his mouth full.
- No, seriously. He... well, he seems... I don't know, a bit different
Ron stopped chewing to look at the teachers' table, intrigued.
- Harry, it's just that you're not used to seeing him outside the context of the war.
- I don't know It's just a feeling, that's all.
Ron shook his head, laughing.
- You worry too much, mate. Though, looking more closely, his hair is almost clean and his complexion less cadaverous. Maybe he's just flirting with you, Ron laughed at Harry's horrified face.
The survivor fell silent, regretting having brought up the subject. The meal continued in a joyful atmosphere, nonetheless. Suddenly, Neville passed a small piece of paper to Hermione on which was written "registration for Friday's party".
Neville indicated that a small party was being organized among the eighth-year Gryffindors in the Room of Requirement. The witch took out her wand and tapped the end of the paper to write down their names.
With the afternoon free, Hermione pushed Harry to study with her for Thursday's potion, while Ron went to Quidditch practice.
The Hogwarts library was a peaceful place, its magical aura conducive to learning, its shelves overflowing with ancient volumes and rare grimoires.
- With Snape's announcement this morning, we'd better get to work, Hermione said, pulling out her books.
- Yeah, well, he could have been more specific than 'complex potion' and given us a hint on what to review.
- He gave you a compliment, don't ask for too much more, Hermione giggled.
The revisions went smoothly, and they left the library confident about the next class. Ron joined them for dinner before he and Harry headed to Quidditch practice.
The Quidditch pitch, vast and surrounded by imposing stands, was bathed in twilight. The brooms whistled through the air, and the players' shouts echoed in the empty stadium. Harry loved this specific training atmosphere that pushed him to excel.
Meanwhile, in a much quieter atmosphere, Severus had begun what was becoming his evening ritual. Comfortably seated in his chair, he waited patiently to see Harry Potter return from his training to ensure, over and over, his safety.
And this time, he wouldn't be caught off guard; an alarm had been installed, connected to the mirror, to be directly informed of Potter's arrival in his room. The onyx-eyed man no longer wanted to stumble upon Potter coming out of the shower; it was out of the question.
It was then that the alarm sounded, pulling the professor from his thoughts. He activated the mirror to make sure the boy stayed in his quarters. However, the man, drenched in sweat, his hair sticking to his forehead and his cheeks still flushed from exertion, caught Severus' attention more than he would have liked to admit.
His dark eyes followed Harry's every move, especially when he started removing his Quidditch gear.
The student, now clad in only a pair of boxers, paused, and Severus swore he saw his cheeks turn red again. The young man settled on his bed and waved his wand, then Snape, intrigued, saw a translucent pink potion float toward him.
His eyes widened as he recognized the strangely familiar potion as lube.
The teacher's conscience screamed at him that he'd already seen far too much, but his eyes remained riveted on the mirror and his hands had ceased to obey. The spectacle that followed was certainly not what he had imagined, and yet many scenarios had crossed his mind.
Just then, Harry Potter, lying on his back, legs folded over his chest, was thrusting his wand into his ass. The rhythm of the back-and-forth accelerated as the pleasure visibly increased. The young man's free hand came to grip his erection and a few seconds later Harry's body arched, shaking with orgasmic spasms.
He'd come. The sight made Snape shudder, and he looked away, violently turning off the mirror, Potter's ecstatic face imprinted on his retina.
What he'd just felt made the onyx man shudder once more, but it wasn't a shiver of excitement. Anxiety gripped Severus, who couldn't imagine developing any attraction for his student. There was no chance of it ever being reciprocated and, although they had briefly grown closer, Potter was still Potter, a friendship yes, a sexual attraction certainly not.
Night fell on Hogwarts, but Severus did not fall asleep. Images of Harry panting with pleasure kept returning, troubling his mind. He had to find a way to bring this situation under control before it became unmanageable.