SNARRY-A-THON12: FIC: Winning is Everything Title: Winning is Everything Author:alisanne Rating: PG-13 Word count: +/- 3,000 Content/Warning(s): (highlight for spoilers) *None. Everyone’s of age here.* Prompt: Wildcard #1. Summary: The youngest professors automatically get assigned Hogsmeade duty, but when that’s Severus and Harry, all bets are off. A/N: I love the Thon! Also, thanks to several people who shall remain nameless for the moment for the sake of anonymity.
Winning is Everything
I can’t believe I’m back at Hogwarts as Charms professor, Harry thought, staring out the window at the trees with their amber leaves. Who’d have ever predicted that? Still, it’s brilliant to be back.
“And the next item on our agenda is--”
Harry sighed as Minerva interrupted his thoughts. He’d been back two weeks and, while he loved teaching at Hogwarts, his first staff meeting was proving rather tedious.
Long since having given up paying attention to the agenda, Harry dragged his gaze from outside and confined himself to staring alternately into his teacup and at Severus Snape’s expressive hands.
“...as the newest staff member, I think Potter should have the unforgettable experience of escorting the bra... excuse me, students to Hogsmeade this weekend,” Severus said.
Harry looked up, startled.
“As he’s never done it before, a more experienced staff member should go with him,” Minerva argued. “It’s our policy, Severus. Two staff members accompany the students to Hogsmeade. And generally it’s the two youngest, which would be you and Harry.”
Severus’ eyes narrowed. “That was during the war. Surely the danger is now minimal,” he said, tone soft. Dangerous. Harry shivered.
“Perhaps,” Minerva acknowledged. “But I would still prefer that a more experienced professor go with him.”
Immediately, everyone began to babble. Sybill Trelawney seemed to be the most insistent. “I’m not too much older than Severus and I’d be happy to go with Harry. Perhaps I could show him some things--”
Alarmed, Harry tried to interject, but no one was paying attention. “It’s not a problem, I don’t need anyone to go with me--” Certainly not Sybill--
“I’ve an idea how we can decide who should go,” Severus pronounced, smirking as he set down his teacup. Harry began to worry. “We’ll wager on a Quidditch game. There’s a practice match this evening, and since it’s Gryffindor vs Slytherin, it’s appropriate.”
Poppy and Minerva exchanged looks. “That’s brilliant,” Minerva said. “As long as Harry agrees.”
“Why wouldn’t he?” Severus, firmly smirking, inclined his head. “He’s coaching the Gryffindors in his spare time. Who could possibly win against them? So, what say you, Potter?”
Harry, who’d once again been momentarily lost in his contemplation of Severus’ face - when had his mouth become so...sensual, anyway? - blinked. “About what?”
“Actually, it would be quite nice to see the professors engage in a friendly game,” Minerva said firmly. “What if you both joined your teams this evening? Perhaps as Seekers?”
“Join?” Harry asked, nervous. “I doubt the teams would want--”
“Nonsense. If we tell the Quidditch captains they’ll be sure to agree.” Severus pushed away from the table. “That’s settled, then.”
“Good luck, Harry,” Minerva asked.
“I--Thanks,” Harry replied, dazed. What the hell just happened?
Severus raised an eyebrow. “See you this evening,” he said before sailing out.
“So what are we doing?” Harry asked, staring after Severus.
“You’re competing against Severus in Quidditch,” Pomona said, patting his arm. “You should watch yourself. He loves to fly.”
“Watch myself--?” But everyone was leaving the room. As it was a Friday evening, Harry had marking to do. Actually, a nice spin on my broom would clear my head, he decided. And apparently I need the practice.
Exiting the school, Harry walked towards the Quidditch pitch. “Going already, Harry?” Sprout asked, a small smile playing about her lips. “I’ll come with you, then.”
He froze. Oh Merlin. “You’re not going to watch me warm up, are you?”
“Why not? It is a nice day for Quidditch,” Minerva piped up from behind him. “Plus, there’s just something...inspiring about Quidditch leathers. In fact, I imagine the entire school will be interested to see your practice. It wouldn’t surprise me if everyone shows up as soon as you take to the air.”
Bloody hell! Harry’s brain was screaming as he struggled to think of some words that could convince the rest of the staff not to congregate outside just to watch him fly around on a broom for the first time in months. “I don’t that would be such a good--”
“You know, my Ravenclaws would love a chance to watch you warm up, Harry,” Professor Flitwick said, thoughtful. “And I’m sure that the Hufflepuffs would jump at the chance as well. Well, and the Slytherins do tend to chea...”
“The Slytherins what?” a silky voice behind him asked, and every nerve ending in Harry’s body stood up and took notice as he spun towards Severus, who was approaching carrying a broom.
“Wouldn’t your Slytherins like the chance to see Harry warm up? Perhaps they would pick up some pointers, learn some tricks?” Minerva said to Severus.
Harry sent Minerva a disbelieving look. She wanted him to show the Slytherins Quidditch team tricks?
“It would foster house unity,” Minerva said firmly, holding Harry’s gaze. “The war’s over and we need to encourage good feelings between the houses. In fact, perhaps all the house teams should be notified.”
“We’ll need more than two faculty members in the air if we’re to have so many students up on brooms,” Harry said desperately. “I can hardly do a demonstration for all the students at once.”
“I can assist,” Severus offered, his voice silky.
Harry coughed. “Well I could hardly ask you to--”
“Is something wrong, Potter?” Severus asked. “Surely you’re not worried that that an old man will show you up on a broom?”
Harry almost groaned. What was Severus playing at? “I just thought we should save it for the actual match--”
“Nonsense. In fact,” Severus said, a smile playing around his lips, “I think we should play a small game of catch the Snitch before the match. Just you and I. As a... demonstration.”
Harry gaped at him. “You want to...with... What?”
“Oh! How exciting,” Sinistra purred, looking between Snape and Harry. “This will be an evening to remember.”
“Let’s go and let all the students know,” Sprout said happily.
She and Sinistra were chatting excitedly as they walked away.
Harry, by now speechless, couldn’t think of any way to stop the impromptu Quidditch match with Severus, so he mumbled something about changing into his Quidditch leathers, fleeing the scene as fast as he could.
That did not just happen, Harry kept telling himself as he returned to his rooms. He had to have been joking. Resisting the urge to send his Patronus to Hermione to request a rescue, Harry dressed quickly.
By the time Harry returned to the pitch, he’d convinced himself that it had all been a bluff on Severus’ part. There is no way he really means to fly for the Snitch against me, Harry thought, trying to reassure himself.
As he looked about, he realized with a sinking heart that almost everyone in the entire school was out to watch them play. He couldn’t imagine that it was just to watch him tutor the teams.
“We have proven popular, Potter.” Severus’ deep voice came from behind him, making him jump. “There are even several wagers on the outcome, I’m told.”
“They’re betting?” Harry sighed, looking out into the stands. After a moment, he recognized the signs of heavy wagering. He shook his head. “Does Minerva know?”
Severus chuckled. “I believe she may have placed one or two herself.”
Harry narrowed his eyes. “Who did she bet on?”
Severus smirked. “You’re welcome to ask her. Gryffindors are supposed to be...brave.”
Harry shuddered. “No thanks.” There was bravery and then there was sheer insanity.
“Then perhaps,” Severus continued, his voice low and considering, the tone immediately making Harry suspicious, “we should make a little wager of our own?”
Hooch, who was standing right there, glanced back at them, openly listening.
Harry raised an eyebrow. “What sort of wager?”
Severus smiled. “We could bet on the outcome of our competition ourselves.”
“Beyond deciding who has to go to Hogsmeade, you mean?” Harry asked.
“Yes,” Severus said. “Beyond that.”
Harry leaned on his broom. “I’m listening.”
“If I win, you shall agree to be at my beck and call this evening, to do exactly what I wish.”
Hooch coughed.
Harry glanced at her, face flaming, before focussing his attention once again on Severus. “Like marking tests you mean?”
Severus inclined his head. “If you like.”
“And if I win, then what?”
“Then,” Severus fixed Harry with his deep gaze, “you may have me do your bidding for the night. Anything you want.”
“Anything?” A slow smile crossed Harry’s face as several possibilities popped into his mind. “That’s a dangerous thing to offer, Professor.”
“Indeed. I don’t imagine you’ll do anything too...outré,” Severus replied, looking him up and down. “So yes, anything.”
Hooch, eyes wide, cleared her throat. “Excuse me,” she muttered, moving out of earshot and towards the stands.
“Don’t worry,” Severus said, slipping on some gloves. “She’ll be discreet. So, do you agree?”
“How do you know that? She could be off reporting us to the headmistress as we speak,” Harry said.
“Your point?” Severus asked, pulling the straps on his gloves tight. “We are both adults. Both...unattached.”
“Unattached?” Harry’s eyes narrowed.
“As far as anyone else knows, yes.” Severus scanned the gathering crowds. “So? Yes or no?”
“All right, but no pain,” Harry said firmly.
Severus inclined his head. “Agreed. Excluding pain or bodily harm to each other, the winner will be allowed to command the actions of the other for an evening. Is it a wager?”
Harry considered. This was beyond anything he’d contemplated when the day had started, but something about the glint in Severus’ eyes suggested that either way, Harry would win this bet. I wonder what he’d make me do? he thought, suppressing a shiver. It doesn’t matter since I’m not about to lose.
Severus waited patiently.
Finally, Harry nodded. “All right. It’s a deal. And don’t you think you should call me Harry? We are colleagues, after all.”
Severus smiled. “You can tell me to do that if you win,” he murmured, moving away.
What have I done? Harry thought, but by then it was too late.
They both walked out towards the pitch, which was now teeming with students, and Severus pulled off his habitual black robes.
Harry blinked, breath catching in his throat as Severus’ outfit was revealed.
I didn’t know he had Quidditch leathers, Harry’s bemused mind supplied, eyeing Severus’ lean, muscled form, displayed to great advantage.
Custom-fitted leathers, too, by the look of them. His upper body was clad in a deep green, with a black trim on his cuffs and collar. Severus’ long, long legs, encased in black, form fitting, Quidditch trousers and ending in black boots were the most distracting, however.
With a smirk, Severus spun on his heel and strode towards the pitch, tossing his long robes in the direction of an elf. Harry ogled his arse for a moment and then, shaking his head, came back to his senses.
“Coming?” Severus called back mockingly, and Harry wondered again what the hell he’d been thinking agreeing to this.
***
The practice lasted but an hour, long enough for Harry and Severus to warm up on their brooms, and for the students to get some one-on-one instructions from Harry, who was careful to scatter his coaching tips evenly throughout the teams. Hooch circulated with them, eyeing them both speculatively.
During the practice, Harry was diligent, keeping his eyes on the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff teams, while Severus handled the Ravenclaws and Slytherins.
Harry would have been happy to call it a day then, but at precisely five, Severus, a sly smile on his face, flew up to him and, with a smirk, released the Golden Snitch.
The entire gathered crowd roared and everyone else drew back, clearing the air for them.
Harry and Severus watched it hover for a moment and then it sped off.
Severus turned towards Harry. “I look forward to your day in my service tomorrow, Harry,” he said. Then, executing a flawless loop, he took off after the Snitch, his short robes streaming behind him.
Harry shot after him, quickly gaining.
Severus can actually fly, Harry thought as he chased him and the Snitch. He was crouched low on his broom, and Harry couldn’t help but notice his arse, nicely outlined by his leather Quidditch breeches.
Spotting a flash of gold out of the corner of his eye, Harry turned in that direction, but Severus was already speeding there, having evidently seen the same thing Harry had.
They raced, each pulling ahead at times, but the Snitch evaded them both, remaining just ahead, taunting them.
Harry’s world narrowed down to the chase. Focussed as he was, he didn’t see anything else until he ended up being jerked off his broom and into strong arms. “What the--?!”
“Shush,” Severus hissed in his ear.
Looking down, Harry saw his broom fly into a tree before crashing onto the ground. “What did you do that for?” he asked, slightly disoriented.
“You were about to fly into the tree,” Severus said, expertly manoeuvring his overburdened broom towards the ground. “I heroically saved you.”
“But I was fine--” He squinted, leaning forward. The Snitch was hovering right there and without thinking, he scooped it out of the air, holding it aloft. “And I win!”
“You mean I win,” Severus murmured as they landed.
“What?” Jumping off the broom, Harry spun to face him. “I caught the Snitch!”
“Only because I caught you,” Severus informed him.
Harry gaped at him. “You are unbelievable!” he said as several people came running towards them. “You can’t possibly think that means you won--”
“What I think is that you’d best prepare yourself for your evening of servitude,” Severus purred, picking up his broom. “My quarters. Ten o’clock. Do not be late.”
“But I won!” wailed Harry as Severus swept away.
“Are you all right?” asked Hooch, panting as she got to him, carrying his broom. Luckily, it appeared undamaged.
“I’m fine.” Harry accepted the broom with a smile.
“Severus certainly is a quick thinker,” she said with a smirk.
Harry sighed. “Yes, I suppose he is.”
***
At precisely nine fifty-nine, Harry stood outside Severus’ door. Before he could knock, however, the door swung open. Walking in, Harry looked around, finally locating Severus in a chair facing away from the door and towards the fire. “You bastard. I won today, fair and square.”
Severus looked up and back over his shoulder. “Is that so?”
“Yes!”
“Then I suppose I could scrap my plans for the evening in favour of yours if you have something better to suggest,” Severus said, not moving.
Coming further into the room, Harry froze when he was finally able to see clearly what Severus was doing. Severus smirked at the look on Harry’s face.
“You’re wanking!” Harry cried.
“Indeed. Well spotted.” Turing back to face the fire, Severus shifted, spreading his legs wider as his hand movements slowed. With his unbuttoned white shirt and undone black trousers, he made the perfect picture of debauchery. “So?”
Harry, distracted by the sight of Severus’ cock appearing and disappearing in his fist, blinked. “What?”
“Do you have something better to suggest?” Severus swiped his thumb over the tip, his eyelids fluttering. “If not--”
“Maybe I could...help?” Harry suggested, swallowing hard.
Severus smirked, his eyes at half mast. “I would not...refuse some assistance.”
In a flash, Harry was at his chair, kneeling between his legs. “You couldn’t have waited for me?” he murmured, leaning forward and running the tip of his tongue over the head of Severus’ prick.
“I...was waiting,” Severus gasped, his hand sliding around Harry’s neck to cup his head and draw him closer. “I got bored.”
Harry flattened his tongue, sliding it under Severus’ cock to tease the large vein there as he moved his mouth down. Taking about half Severus’ length in his mouth, he sucked gently, smiling as Severus’ fingers tightened in his hair. After a few moments of moving up and down, Harry pulled off, sitting back on his haunches and licking his lips. “I did win, you know.”
Severus, chest heaving, glared. “Did I say you could stop?”
Harry smiled. “I thought you’d want to fuck me. It’s been almost a full day since our last time, after all.”
“Indeed. Well, since you put it that way--” Standing, Severus offered Harry a hand up, which he accepted. “My bed awaits.” He raised an eyebrow. “Unless you’d like to continue to argue about who won?”
Shaking his head, Harry leaned up, kissing Severus. “I think we should call it a draw. After all, something tells me we’re both about to win.”
“That would be acceptable,” Severus said, dragging Harry towards his room.
As he shucked his clothes and climbed into bed, Harry paused. “Do you think anyone’s guessed that we’ve been together since after the war?”
Severus shrugged. “If they have not, then they are exceptionally blind.” Reaching for Harry, he purred, “Now, about my prize--”
“You are going with me to Hogsmeade, right?” Harry asked as he was pressed into the mattress.
Settling between Harry’s legs, Severus smirked down at him. “Of course. Who else could I trust to keep you out of trouble?”
Chuckling, Harry gave himself up to Severus’ loving. Yes, returning to Hogwarts had definitely been worth it.