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He roamed the halls at night for two reasons: one, the bloody brats that attended Hogwarts would do just about anything if they thought they could get away with it, and two: he couldn't sleep.

He had a myriad of potions he could use to help his slumber but he refused to take them. To him it was a weakness of his own body and he wouldn't do it. Usually he read a book, or had some tea, and he'd nod off, but some nights nothing would work.

Those were the nights he got up, wrapped himself in a long black cloak, and haunted Hogwarts like one of the ghosts.

Sometimes he didn't catch anyone at anything, but most nights he managed to break up a tryst or a meeting or something vaguely illicit; most of the children were just that, children, and hadn't managed to come up with anything diabolical enough to warrant the headmaster's attention. So after scaring the wits out of them, he'd take points and send them on their way. They really were quite clumsy in their deceptions, never taking the proper precautions not to get caught. Pathetic, really. Which was good for him as it afforded him some entertainment when he caught them.

What was odd was that he never caught Potter. Not that he wanted to; it wasn't as if Dumbledore would ever really punish him for anything, but the foolish boy almost certainly did sneak out. He just never got caught. He wondered if those rumours about an invisibility cloak were true. If so, he was furious that the boy could blithely walk the halls at night, endangering his Gryffindor neck, without any consequences. He would dearly love to catch Potter at something, just to have the opportunity to punish him... he flushed a little at his own thoughts. Dangerous ground, there. He composed himself as he drifted silently through the stone-walled corridors.

The night was quiet, the new moon affording no natural light. His eyes were well-used to the dark, though, and he needed no candle to light his way. He knew these corridors, every stone, every statue. After all, it had been his home for the better part of thirty years. Which was pathetic, but he refused to think about it now. He scowled. If he came across any students tonight, they'd bear the brunt of his foul mood.

Strangely, though, all was silent and still tonight. He even hovered near the Gryffindor Tower, convinced it was that house that tended to stray more. No, it had nothing at all to do with Potter.

Potter, that infuriating boy that he couldn't seem to get out of his mind. He had vowed to protect him, forced into it by Albus, to add insult to injury. To protect the child of James Potter, who had dedicated his life to making his miserable? But he would have promised anything to Dumbledore. He had to. And he didn't break his vow. He'd already known the child would become the bane of his existence.

And as if called to life by his thoughts, there he was, bold as could be. Sauntering down the middle of the corridor, not skulking at all, just strolling as if he owned the place. Potter.

Severus stilled as the boy approached, not sure if Potter had seen him. It was quite dark in the hall. He uttered 'lumos' and light flared from his wand, illuminating the scene.

Potter froze, and at least he managed to look a little surprised. But only a little. "Good evening, Professor," he nearly purred.

Severus' mouth went dry, both at the tone of his voice and his appearance. Potter was well out of approved Hogwarts uniform. His eyes swept over the boy's form before he could stop himself. What Potter wore was far more suited to hanging out in some London club than sneaking around the school in the dead of night. Potter wore leather boots that hugged his ankles and calves, skintight jeans that molded to his thighs, making it clear the boy wore nothing underneath and that he really was, in fact, a boy. The jeans were low-cut and didn't quite meet the tight white tshirt he wore, exposing a strip of pale flesh. The tshirt clung to Potter's body, making it obvious the boy was growing up, and was so thin his hard nipples were clearly visible. By the time Severus got to Potter's face, his palms were sweating. And when he did get there, the boy's expression was... amused? With a start, he realizing he'd been openly ogling the boy. He could only hope his expression was schooled into its usual sneer, rather than revealing the hunger that was now gripping him. Belatedly, he found his voice. "Potter! What do you think you are doing?" His voice, at least, did not betray him, though it sounded deeper than usual to his own ears.

To his horror, Potter not only did not shrink from his wrath, he actually smirked. Only a little, but he did. "I'm walking," he said calmly, coming closer to Snape.

This infuriated Severus, and he nearly growled, "And you're out of uniform!"

Now Potter smiled a little, licking his lips. Lips that were full and red and glossy...

"I noticed you noticing that," the boy responded.

Now Severus felt his face grow warm. The boy had noticed his lustful gaze. But instead of responding to the insinuation, he went on the attack. "Where have you been, dressed like that?" he demanded.

Potter chuckled, sliding his hand under the edge of his shirt so that more of his delicious flat belly was exposed as he answered, "What do you think? I had a date."

"A... date." Severus snapped. "With whom?" No doubt some simpering little girl who would tell him how wonderful he was then brag to all her friends...

Now Harry pouted. "I won't tell you who," he answered. "But he was busy anyway, so he couldn't see me." His green eyes watched Snape intently as if to gauge his response.

He? Well, that was a blunt way to out himself. But then again Potter had obviously seen him checking him out, so he thought he was amongst his own kind. Be that as it may, Potter was clearly looking for a reaction. He was determined not to give him one.

"So you have no plausible explanation, no excuse, for breaking curfew and being out of uniform?" Severus said in his best silky voice, pretending distant amusement.

Potter shrugged. "What would be the point? You wouldn't believe me, even if it were the truth." He stretched, showing off his firm young body, and Severus cursed to himself even as he took in the view.

"You do know I'm going to take a great deal of points," Severus said. "And assign detention."

"Of course you will. Detention with you, I hope," breathed Potter, stepping closer, brazenly.

Severus' eyes widened. "Perhaps," he said, heart beating faster. "I won't go easy on you, you know."

Potter's smirk widened. "Oh, I'm counting on that, Professor," he breathed, stepping up to him and pressing his lithe body against him.

After a distressingly long hesitation, Severus regained control of his limbs and stepped back. "What do you think you're doing?" he demanded.

Potter looked up at him, head inclined to the side slightly. "I would think that was obvious."

Severus nearly sputtered. Surely this was an elaborate joke to humiliate him, and the rest of the Gryffindors would pop out of the woodwork at any time. "Clearly not," he managed.

"Oh come on, Professor," Harry breathed, stepping close again and laying one hand on his chest. "I had a date, but I'd much rather be with you."

Severus couldn't help it. Foolish old man that he was, his body reacted to the boy. So quickly that he knew this was something he'd been repressing for a while. Suddenly he was rock hard, and he knew it would affect his judgement. "Whatever for?" Belatedly, he realized he hadn't stepped back this time.

"Again, obvious," whispered Harry, pressing fully against the older man now.

Severus whimpered. He could feel... oh god, he could feel the boy's cock against his thigh. Hard and hot. This was no joke. That scared him even more. Righteous indignation would not cure this. Because now Potter knew Snape wanted him too. His own arousal pressed into the boy's stomach. "Potter..."

Harry ground against his thigh, practically humping him, and his hand slid down to press against the bulge in Severus' trousers.

"All right, you've won, I won't take any points, and no detention," Severus ground out, trying his best not to thrust against that hand.

"That's not what I want now," Harry panted, looking up at him. "I want you, Professor. I need a real man. Not a boy."

"Potter!" Severus hissed, suddenly remembering that they were out in the open and anyone, just anyone, could see what was happening. Not that they'd believe it.

"What? No one needs to know. You want me. I want you. It's simple."

Severus was hard pressed, literally, to counter that argument. Then he remembered why they couldn't. "You're a student."

Potter smiled. "Is that the best you can do?" He leaned up and pressed his lips to Severus'.

Harry's lips were soft and sweet and he was kissing back before he knew it. Kissing wasn't something he often did but this kiss was something out of a dream. His arms were around the boy and his lips were parted before he regained his senses. "We can't," he said miserably, pulling back. Though he'd never wanted anyone this much.

Potter gazed up at him, licking his lips, still clinging to Snape. "Well, no, not here. Unless you're really kinky..." He grinned.

"Fuck," mumbled Severus. "Come on." He had to get out of this corridor. Had to convince Potter how stupid this whole thing was. He stalked off toward his rooms, knowing the boy would follow. Hoping.

Harry did follow. All the way into the dungeons and into Snape's rooms, wordlessly, silently. Until they were alone.

Severus bolted the door securely behind them and turned to Harry. The boy was lounging back on the couch, as if he owned the place. An indignant protest died on his lips as he watched him stretch and unbutton his jeans.

"What are you doing?" Severus said in a strangled voice, stepping closer with his fists bunched. His cock throbbed as well, adding to the tension in his body.

"Trying to seduce the most bloody stubborn man in the world," Harry answered, grinning.

"You... you're trying to..."

"Seduce you. Yes. Am I succeeding? I thought I was for a little while in the hall there, but then you kind of freaked out."

This was so far beyond the scope of Severus' experience that he didn't know what to do. His trademark acerbic wit had fled and all he had left was desire.

For Potter, god help him.

He wondered when it started. It had just sort of sneaked up on him until one day he'd caught himself gazing at Harry's full lips and later he'd made the mistake of wanking, and of course he'd thought of that image... He'd come all over himself and he'd been so disgusted that he'd refused to let himself think that way about Potter ever again, even in the safety of his own brain.

But it wasn't as easy as that, not like a Pensieve where he could extract the thoughts and make them go away. The desire for Potter percolated in his brain, sneaking out into dreams, and making him even nastier to the boy during the day.

And now... he was hard, and so was Potter, and he was on his couch and... he snapped. He strode across the room, yanking off his robes, and straddled Harry on the couch.

"That's more like it," Harry breathed, looking up at him.

"Shut up for once, Potter," he snarled, and crushed their mouths together.

He'd never been big on kissing but now, with Harry below him, clinging to him and writhing deliciously, he couldn't quite remember why not. Harry opened to him, both his mouth and his body, and Severus could tell that the boy would refuse him nothing. Harry's hands were all over him, and he felt, briefly at least, desirable.

When Severus broke the kiss, the boy stared up at him, panting. "Can I speak now?" he asked, voice hoarse. When Severus nodded reluctantly, he continued, "Please. Fuck me. I need it. I've wanted you for ages. Please." Harry's hands found Severus' arousal and he rubbed at it.

Severus' eyes widened and he moaned involuntarily. That Potter had wanted him all this time... Harry was a student, but no child. He'd proven that. And they'd already come this far... he ended the brief wrestling with his conscience. "Yes," he said. "But not here. In the bedroom." He stood up.

Harry moaned but was up in a flash, pulling off his shirt. He grabbed Severus' hand before the older man had had a good chance to admire the boy's youthful chest, and suddenly they were in the bedroom.

Harry was now shucking his jeans, and Severus saw he'd been right about the fact that he wore no undergarments. Harry was fully naked now and he couldn't help but gape. He was gorgeous, alabaster perfect skin and lithe muscles and a very aroused cock standing at attention. Then Harry turned away, giving Severus the rear view, which he appreciated just as much, as he climbed onto the bed.

Harry lay on his back, the most beautiful creature ever to grace Severus' bed by far, and moaned, "Hurry!"

Severus couldn't be bothered with undressing, so he grabbed his wand and spoke a spell, and now he was as naked as Harry. Harry looked him over, and Severus held his breath.

"God, you're even hotter than I thought. Come here and fuck me. Please."

Severus seriously doubted he fit the description of 'hot', but he wasn't about to argue. He climbed up on the bed and instantly Harry was on him, kissing him, touching him, and he forgot about everything except the moment.

He rolled on top of Harry finally, pinning him down, and the boy looked up at him with fever-bright eyes. He shoved Harry's legs apart with his own, and, never looking away, muttered a lubrication spell. Harry gasped a little and wiggled, wrapping his legs around Severus' waist to urge him closer. Then he was sliding inside him, enveloped in sweet hot tight heaven.

Harry begged and pleaded, and Severus gave it to him, thrusting slowly at first until he was convinced Harry could take it. Then he began thrusting precisely, and he could tell when he'd found the correct angle to drive the boy mad. Then he began to pound him, Harry gasping each time he entered and almost screaming when he pulled out. His own pleasure mounted, but he was fixated on pleasing the beautiful boy beneath him.

Harry babbled incoherently, legs wrapped around Severus and hands on the headboard to brace himself, when Severus decided it was time. He reached down to wrap his hand around Harry's cock and the boy arched up off the bed, screaming, and came hard all over them both. Severus followed almost immediately, the boy's body a pleasurable vise around him.

They came back down to earth, wrapped around each other, sticky and sweaty. Harry looked adoringly up at him, and Severus couldn't for the life of him summon a snarky comment. Harry giggled softly and snuggled close, unmindful of the mess.

And Severus was finally able to sleep.