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Harry Potter and the Expert Potions Master	By : SickPuppy Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 21304 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 2
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Chapter List
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Chapter 12 - Food for Thought

Evans,

I have received your two letters and both have raised some interesting points. I shall deal with the magical parts of the letters before moving on to the more personal aspects.

Professor Slughorn is certainly working you hard if he is challenging you to make Veritaserum and its antidote. These two potions are usually the last tackled as they bring with them a great number of teaching points. Perhaps Horace has brought them forward to allow fuller teaching of the issues they raise. For your Veritaserum, ensure while it is maturing, that the cauldron is gently rotated at least once a week to prevent uneven heat or light levels affecting the qualities of the entire batch. You do not say how the brewing of the antidote went. I take it from that lapse that it did not go as well as you might have hoped? For future reference, the instructions as outlined in Advanced Potion Making are derived from a Polish wizard who developed both Veritaserum and its counter-potion. Sometimes the translation leaves something to be desired. For example, the instruction 'Slice the blackthorn branch into small pieces' should read 'Slice the blackthorn branch into regular discs'. Doing the latter (ie cutting across the branch to form cross sections of the branch rather than hacking wildly at it) allows the branch to be absorbed more quickly, so that other ingredients, when added, have extra potency.

I was most surprised that you had not just paid attention to what I wrote, but had also felt it to be good advice. The subjects you are taking at OWL will certainly be of use to you, whatever career path you decide to follow. Your dislike for Arithmancy does not surprise me, after all Arithmancy is a highly logical subject.

As for the creation of a personalised, more directed shield charm, it has been attempted but has never been a success. I may research some of the attempts and look into it. If I am focusing on creating a new spell, I will hardly have the time needed to complete the work needed that might allow me to claim the title of Expert Potion Master. It is something I would like, not for the kudos that goes with the title, but for the fact that I would have contributed something so special to the wizarding world.

Obviously I did not feel like a return to teaching would have been a good idea. When have I ever given the impression that teaching was my vocation?! Given the work that has been done to repair my injuries and give me some semblance of a voice, you could hardly expect me to re-enter a job where constant speaking is so very important. I also assume, based on the fact that people seem to like the new DADA teacher, that she is not challenging anyone enough, and is even possibly one of those annoyingly chirpy Gryffindors.

In your second letter you note that you would like to look into the All Round Potion, and be able to give more attention to the Auror Handbook. You are, I feel, trying to achieve too much in too short a span. From what has been announced in the Prophet, the new cohort of trainee Aurors will begin study in September. That allows you time to finish your Hogwarts courses before embarking on preparing for the Auror workload.

Now onto your more personal queries. No, I did not like Dolores Umbridge. Even by Slytherin standards she was unpleasant. A chief characteristic of Slytherins is that they look out for number one, Umbridge, by persecuting the Muggle-born was hardly doing that as I happen to know that she comes from a half-blood background, meaning that she was herself liable to arrest! How any sensible Slytherin could undertake such idiocy is beyond me. I quite understand your reluctance to see her guarded by dementors; the Aurors will do a far better job. And will hopefully have more of a clue if there is a break-out.

It is indeed possible that Miss Granger helped solidify Umbridge's views, personally, however, I do not think so. She (Umbridge) had deeply rooted beliefs that no annoying Know It All would have done much to alter.

Miss Weasley's actions, I have to admit, did greatly shock me. I would never have expected such foul language to come from her mouth. But then, so few of us are what others think us, are we?

The term she used about you is, actually, worse than 'Mudbl**d'. It is one of the worst pieces of invective that one magical person can use about another. The phrase does have a logical root, as wizards who were going to engage in intercourse often used butter, or some other oily substance to provide lubrication before the discovery of the relevant spell. It is also, as I am sure you are aware, a play on the word 'Butterbeer'. In fact, not long after Butterbeer became well known, it was used to signal to other men in an inn that the man drinking the fluid was interested in wizard on wizard interactions. Nowadays it is seen as a wholesome drink for the children!

The magical community's attitude to same sex relationships is rather mediaeval. For so long our numbers have been in decline, that any magical person who does not do his or her duty by churning out at least one brat is seen as a failure. And choosing the company of one's own sex means no chance of TWO magical lines being continued by those men (or women). As always, there are wizards who prefer the company of their own gender, but they keep their feelings well hidden, and will not express desires if there is any chance of being overheard. It is still an offence, punishable by imprisonment, to engage in same sex activities. This doesn't stop those who wish to do it though!

Unfortunately, whilst you devote your energies to your schooling and to your training, and neglect some of those vapid witches who will no doubt be heaving their bosoms in your direction, you stand a good chance of having that accusation hurled at you. If it concerns you, you may need to ask some sensible woman to be seen as your companion, but do be clear with her. I have heard of too many cases of men asking for a companion just to prevent such claims and having to, in the end, marry the witch.

You will notice I do not ask if you are attracted to wizards. It is none of my business, although you may want to entrust such information with me. I know of another wizard whose sexuality I have kept secret these many years, so if you do feel that you wish to tell me something personal, it will not be shared. After all, with whom could I share it?

I do not put this in the hope that you will dash off another letter to me, but that you know that there is one person who is not interested in the legend of Harry Potter.

I would urge you to stay far from Miss Weasley, as her violent tendencies do not seem inclined to wane. And when you continue to reject her, her rudeness to you may be repeated to others. Rumours around Hogwarts travel with the speed of an angry bludger.

In all this, I hope that you will remain focused upon your studies. The views of one bitter ex-girlfriend are not important when compared with your future career.

Yours,

Snape.

On his bed in the Hufflepuff dormitory, Harry wondered when Snape had become someone he relied upon. At first he had written to the man out of obligation and gratitude, and a lingering feeling that it was what his mother would have wanted. But, with the problems of his personal life weighing him down, and feeling that there was no-one to confide in, Harry had turned to Snape of all people, and not been disappointed. The older man had shown himself logical, sensible, and had given Harry useful advice that had made his (Harry's) life easier. At what point all of that had shifted into them being willing to share personal facts Harry couldn't have identified, but he was very glad that despite everything that seemed to have gone wrong in his life, there was at least one person who hadn't given up on him.

Thinking back to when Trouble had flown into the Great Hall, Harry smiled softly to himself. He had known at once whom the letter had to be from and had shoved it into his robe without reading it. There had been a number of people staring, some surreptitiously, some openly, at this mystery and no doubt forming opinions about what it meant.

As Harry had been about to head off to Arithmancy he had been unable to look at Snape's words until lunch time. Harry had rushed into the hall, consumed some soup, bread, and a slice of cake and then hurried off to find a moment of privacy. He had been waiting to read the letter for so long, it felt almost like an incredibly long arousal. Now read, Harry went back over key parts – Snape was going to think about the personal shield charm, he had been honest with Harry about how offensive Ginny had been, and he had also given Harry useful advice and a warning about the kinds of things that would be said if Harry continued to ignore the softer sex.

One part of Snape's letter seemed to resonate in his brain: You will notice I do not ask if you are attracted to wizards.

Harry found his eyes drawn back time and again to the sentence and yet couldn't identify why. His love life had not been particularly extensive, but he had dated girls – Cho, then Ginny (twice). He'd never looked at any man and thought him attractive nor had strange fancies when his mind was wandering.

Then he stopped himself. In a moment of painful honesty Harry admitted that he had on occasion had odd notions about touching a man. But that was really only to be expected. Surely everyone, at some point, had thoughts that were atypical? It definitely didn't mean Harry was gay, did it?

No, it was just healthy curiosity.

Seeing a chest covered with pale skin, upon which the nipples would be darker blush coloured rounds, tracing fingers over a rib cage and down, over a flat stomach and onto muscled thighs...

Harry clutched his hands into the bedding. He had too much to do to waste the afternoon away pleasuring himself.

… thick cock swelling with blood as Harry watched it, balls darker underneath, heavy and hot...

He curled a hand around himself and moaned.

… pushing the thighs apart to look closely at the shaft that twitched and dribbled fluid from the rounded tip, licking lips, tasting the bitter, salty liquid and then bending closer, pulling the dick into his mouth...

“AH!” Harry gave a wild cry and came.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I did not just think that. I was not just turned on thinking about sucking off another man.

Harry licked his lips, the imagined sensation of having had something in his mouth so overwhelming that he swore it had been real, even if only just for a moment.

Angry, Harry cleaned himself up and decided to go to the library. There would be something in there about the laws of the wizarding world. He knew that Professor Binns had done a long and boring lecture on the development of the law-making process and had recommended a book that was in the library. This had been back in third year and Harry couldn't recall the title, but he knew Madam Pince would be able to help him, so he swung his legs off the bed and went to the library.

With her help, he located the book within a few minutes and placed it quietly onto a table. Using the index, he found what he was looking for and began reading, his heart sinking:

Magical Law 765508/1 Same Sex Relations

Definition – The definition of same sex relations as used within this document refers to the following: that two (or more) wizards or two (or more) witches are engaged in activities designed to prevent the production of offspring through unnatural and abhorrent acts. These acts include, but are not limited to: cunnilingus, fellatio, mutual manual touching, penetrative sexual acts undertaken with phallus or other items designed to cause the same pleasure as brought about by natural sexual coupling between two people of different genders.

Clause 1 – Two (or more) wizards committing any act of unnatural behaviour shall be subject to trial by wizengamot. (See Clause 5 for exceptions)

Clause 2 – If found guilty as a result of trial by wizengamot, the two (or more) wizards shall receive punishments:

For an act of manual touching and / or an act of fellatio – up to three years in prison;

For an act of penetrative sex undertaken with items other than a human penis – up to five years in prison;

For an act of penetrative sex undertaken with a human penis – up to ten years in prison.

Clause 3 – Two (or more) witches committing any act of unnatural behaviour shall be subject to trial by wizengamot. (See Clause 5 for exceptions)

Clause 4 – If found guilty as a result of trial by wizengamot, the two (or more) witches shall receive punishments:

For an act of manual touching and / or an act of cunnilingus – up to three years in prison;

For an act of penetrative sex undertaken with no chance of pregnancy resulting – up to five years in prison.

Clause 5 – Exceptions. 5a) Where two (or more) witches have engaged in unnatural acts, but it can be shown that one (or more) of the witches was being forced, either through magical acts, or through being manually forced, only the witch / witches acting of their own freewill will be subject to punishment. In these cases the witch / witches may be tried under this law, or under the law for rape, whichever seems most appropriate.

5b) Where two (or more) wizards have engaged in unnatural acts, but it can be shown that one (or more) of the wizards was being forced, either through magical acts, or through being manually forced, only the wizard /wizards acting of their own freewill will be subject to punishment. In these cases the wizard / wizards may be tried under this law, or under the law for rape, whichever seems most appropriate.

5c) Where two (or more) witches have engaged in acts that could allow a pregnancy to occur, if a pregnancy should take place, the pregnant witch(es) have not broken any law.

Harry stopped reading, feeling ill. His little fantasy, had it been real, could have earned him up to three years in Azkaban! Just that one small action. It seemed ridiculous. Why couldn't the magical community accept that people felt different attractions and be more open? But then, if the magical community had been more open, there would never have been the last war!

He put the book back, feeling so very depressed. Why had he been prepared to sacrifice himself for this community when it couldn't even treat homosexuals decently? Harry wasn't gay, he just thought that it was unfair how they would be punished for wanting what felt, to them, completely natural.

Maybe I could talk Hermione into caring about equal rights for gays, rather than worrying about dragons! He thought without much hope. Hermione was only interested in the downtrodden creature, she didn't seem to care about the downtrodden human. He knew he was being unfair to her, but right now, feeling so bitter about it all, he couldn't feel hopeful.

Longing to just curl up on his bed and sleep, Harry unwillingly picked his school bag up, which he had brought with him so that no-one would question his being in the library without having some purpose, and pulled out the Arithmancy work. Following Snape's dig at him that Arithmancy was logical, and he was anything but (yes, he had caught that subtle inference), he was determined to gain some kind of mastery over the subject, if only to prove his annoying … friend? Companion? Pen-Pal? Whatever Snape really was to him, Harry wanted to prove him wrong.
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Harry Potter and the Expert Potions Master