Pure
Part 5 - Fall
By Passo
Pure
Part 5 - Fall
By Passo
<flashback>
Ron Weasley felt like hell.
He didn’t sleep at all the previous night and today’s classes were particularly hectic. They had Potions in the morning and Transfiguration later in the afternoon—two of the subjects Ron hated most. He had barely scraped his homework together before heading to class.
He entered the Dungeon and slipped between Hermione and Harry. He groaned as he sat down.
“What’s the matter, Ron? Are you sick?” Hermione asked, concerned.
“Nothing more serious than a bout of insomnia last night.” He smiled and flashed her a peace sign.
Harry turned to him. “What kept you up? I heard you tossing and turning around a lot before I conked out.”
Ron looked down at the table, refusing to meet Harry’s eyes. “I was just thinking about Potions. You know, homework and all…”
Hermione beamed. “Oh, Ron, it’s so good to hear that you’re finally taking your lessons seriously.” Her tone lowered. “Hey, guys, did you know that Dean and that Hufflepuff girl Hannah are rumored to be an item…”
Ron tuned her out. He felt a little guilty, lying to his friends. I wasn’t really lying! He thought defensively. I WAS thinking about Potions… and a certain Potions master….
At that instant, Professor Severus Snape entered the room. Ron snapped up and met his eyes for an instant. It probably lasted less than a second but he thought he saw something flicker in Severus’ eyes before the Potions Master turned away to check the roll. Ron bowed again, feeling the heat rise from his chest, to his neck, and travel to his face for everyone to see.
“Ron, you ok?” Hermione again.
“Ummhhmm…” He loosened his collar and took a few deep breaths. “I just felt a little stifled…Ah, you know… closed room and all…” He felt the redness abate and cursed his genes for making him so prone to blushing.
“Weasley… Granger… no chatting in class. Ten points from Gryffindor.” Snape’s snap sounded somewhat louder than normal. Ron blushed again but this time, he had a valid excuse.
The rest of the session passed ordinarily enough. Professor Snape took twenty points from Harry that day, ten for not being able to tell where the gold beetles originated, and another ten for dropping his quill and disturbing the peace of the class. Yup, business as usual.
After around two hours of stirring, boiling, and chopping…“Class dismissed.”
The class stood and organized their books and stuff. Ron was about to follow Harry and Hermione out, avoiding Snape’s eyes when the Potions Professor took the matter in his own hands.
“Weasley, stay. I need to talk to you about the second part of your detention for your transgressions during the previous class.”
Harry and Hermione shot him sympathetic looks before they made their way to the tower with the other Gryffindors.
Ron walked slowly to Snape’s desk, his heart thudding erratically. Was he angry? Oh, please no, don’t make him get mad at me. I didn’t mean it…But, I did! No! No! I didn’t mean it…
“Weasley.”
“Yes, Professor?”
“Look at me.”
Ron raised his troubled brown eyes. As soon as he met the pair of heavily-lashed dark eyes, his body went from hot to cold and back to hot in seconds. Severus’ eyes were a beautiful midnight black with flecks of gold. They were deep, soulful, and oh so enchanting… Ron clutched the edge of the desk for support.
“How do you feel?” The Professor’s voice was soft, intimate. So unlike the tone he used in class.
“Me? I..I…” Ron swallowed thickly. “I feel fine,” he squeaked out.
Why was he feeling so lightheaded? It seems that the power of speech, including everything he had learned the past sixteen years of his life, had deserted him that very moment. He felt like an idiot.
Severus chuckled. The warm laugh turned Ron’s knees into jelly and he held on tighter to keep them from wobbling. Really… he thought to himself distractedly, this is most unnatural. Why was Snape making him feel these strange things? First, he had the unbearable urge to kiss the drenched Professor yesterday, and, hormonal teenage boy that he was, he gave in. Now he was in for it.
The dark-haired Professor walked around the desk and stood beside Ron, facing him. He towered a full head over the teen, his even, pale skin contrasting with the boy’s tanned complexion. As Ron stood transfixed (afraid? excited?), Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master extraordinaire, Head of Slytherin House, and all-around he-bitch, touched his cheek gently with the back of his hand.
“I couldn’t keep myself off you even if I tried.” He claimed Ron’s lips in a long, passionate kiss. Sweet, hot, and hungry.
They parted slowly, their arms around each other. Severus’ surveyed the boy with a touch of amusement, his rather full mouth (what a kisser!) lifted at the edges. Ron had stars in his eyes. Surely, he was dreaming. This was too good to be true. He stared at Severus with a dazed, silly expression.
“Why so surprised?” An eyebrow rose. “Do you doubt me?”
“I…” Ron breathed deeply. “I thought that after yesterday, you wouldn’t want to talk to me again.” Pause. “I thought you were angry because… I kissed you.”
“No. How can I be angry? I kissed you back, remember?”
Ron shook his head shyly. He felt Severus’ hands slide up and down his back slowly. It felt so good, so comforting. With renewed courage, he touched the back of Severus’ neck, caressing the delicate skin. If last week someone told him he’d be kissing Professor Snape, he would’ve bitten that person’s head off. But after yesterday’s chance kiss during detention, he had felt confused and sick with worry. He was so afraid that Severus’ would reject him that he bolted out of the office right after they drew apart. The knowledge that he felt the same way made Ron’s toes curl involuntarily with delight. Yup, this was it. Definitely it.
“Wow…” Ron was still dazed. “How did we happen? I mean, are we…? …………Will you be with me?” He looked at Severus for confirmation, his expression a mixture of hope and fear.
The older man nodded, almost imperceptibly. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He suddenly smiled. “Do you want to see my office? I believe I have a couch there. It’s new. Very big, fluffy, and comfortable. Spacious enough for two, I’d say.”
Ron’s throat dried. He never was able to attend Transfiguration. Or lunch for that matter.
Well, you can guess what happened next.
Of course they had quite a time keeping everything a secret from everyone. The next few months, they acted as scathingly to each other as before, and promptly made up for everything behind locked doors. Detention was heaven. Thank Merlin for the couch! Can a boy ask for anything more?
<end of flashback>