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To Win a Lion\'s Heart	By : MontanaDan Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 5618 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-To Win a Lion's Heart
- 1
Title: To Win a Lion’s Heart

Author: Montana

Rating: NC-17

Pairing: SS/HP, brief DM/HP

Disclaimer: The characters and universe belong to JK Rowling and her flunkies. This was written for entertainment purposes only and no money is being made.

Feedback: to MontanaDan19@aol.com

Beta: The lovely and talented biting moopie. Wonderful brainstorming from DJIN.

Archive: Part of the From Dusk till Dawn Severus Snape/Harry Potter Fuh-Q-Fest at http://www.kardasi.com/HPSS/storyindex.htm

Challenge: 'La Petite Mort - Sex and Sensuality' challenge. This is a sex and sensuality challenge. The fic or art should deal with (discuss or show) sex or sensuality in some fashion. All fic or art must be rated R or higher.

Summary: Severus Snape loves Harry Potter. Harry Potter loves Draco Malfoy. Draco Malfoy loves Draco Malfoy. What’s a Slytherin to do? Sorry, more cliches and fluff. I’m hopeless.

To Win a Lion’s Heart

Harry raced down the steps towards the dungeons, his robes flying out behind him. He knew his face was flushed and panicked, but he ignored the curious stares of the odd Slytherin he passed. It was odd to see a Hogwarts teacher running through the halls of the school, but again, Harry didn’t care. He had to see Severus. He had to find out if the rumors were true.
Heart pounding, blood pulsing, he paused before the Potions Master’s office and took a few deep breaths to calm himself. Quiet voices could be heard within the room, but Harry’s ears still rang from the flight down from his own office.
He opened the door and stepped in, a query on his lips. "Severus, did you know-"
"Do come in, Potter," Severus interrupted him. "I see that working with civilized people for over a year has not improved your manners."
Harry recognized the insult for what it was, a warning that they were not alone. Taking the cue, a figure rose from the chair in front of Severus’ desk and turned to face Harry.
Draco Malfoy.
Harry wished the floor would just swallow him up. Thankfully, his race into the dungeons already had him flushed and breathing heavily or Harry knew he’d be blushing like an adolescent girl.
Draco looked magnificent, damn him. His blond hair was cropped short and was just tussled enough to make it look naturally wind blown and his grey eyes were keen as they moved over Harry.
"Potter," was the greeting that fell from the full sensuous lips, accompanied by a curt nod.
"Malfoy," Harry returned just as curtly and turned to Severus. "I guess this means it’s true."
"That’s right, Potter," Malfoy answered instead as he crossed his arms over a broad chest. "I’ve returned to Hogwarts. I’ll be taking Flitwick’s position as the Charms Professor." One perfectly arched brow rose. "Problem?"
Damn his smugness, his better-than-thou attitude. Harry just wanted to shove him up against the wall and kiss-
Better stop that line of thinking right now.
"Not at all," said Harry smoothly. "I’ll just go and let the two of you catch up." He turned back to the door but Severus’ voice stopped him.
"Actually, Draco was just leaving," Severus told him, leaning back in his chair. He had been watching the two from behind his desk. Harry wanted to kick him for not speaking up sooner. What he expected Severus to say or do Harry didn’t know. Just something. "He just stopped by to say hello. He has a lot of unpacking to do."
"Yes," Draco agreed airily. "So much to do."
He shook Severus’ hand, spun around, his robes flaring out in a perfect imitation of the Potion Master, and strode toward the door. He stopped beside Harry, and Harry cursed his years of malnutrition as he had to look up several inches to meet Draco’s challenging gaze.
"See you at the Staff Welcoming dinner meeting, Potter." He flashed a smile that would have rivaled Gilderoy Lockhart’s and left.
Harry stared at the door, which closed behind him.
"Come in and sit down, Harry."
He should have said something clever or teasing – or even provocative. He should have-
"Harry!"
Harry spun around. Severus indicated the chair in front of his desk. "Sit down before you fall down." Harry moved to the chair and dropped into it. "Did you run all the way down here?"
Leaning his elbows on his knees, Harry clutched at his hair. "Just curse me now," Harry said. "Anything. An Unforgiveable would be good. Cruciatus works. Try that."
"Cease the melodramatics," Severus said, his tone frustrated by Harry’s distraction. "It’s not the end of the world."
Harry looked up incredulously. "Isn’t it? I may as well resign now because I’ll certainly be losing my position-"
Severus snorted. "Have a drink and tell me what the bloody problem is."
**********
Severus closed the door quietly behind Harry and sighed. Returning to his desk, he sat stiffly down in the chair and pressed his face into his hands. The fates were a cruel lot. It was like some tragic romantic farce.
Severus Snape was in love with Harry Potter who was in love with Draco Malfoy.
Severus had given into his internal feelings and admitted to himself only about six months ago. While he was not alone - most of the wizarding world adored the Man Who Defeated the Dark Lord - Severus was the only one who knew, and therefore loved, just Harry. While his absentee friends still kept in touch, they were busy with their own lives, and usually unavailable for social visits. Severus was the one who had spent hours during the aftermath of Voldemort’s destruction helping Harry to figure out what he wanted to do with his life.
He saw the ignorant innocence in Harry turn to confident wisdom. Harry became relaxed around Severus and he began to see Harry as an entirely different entity than his parents. Aside from the temper, which flared quickly yet briefly, Harry was normally laid back, curious, generous to a fault and still far too trusting, although he had become slightly jaded in the trust department after his fifth year.
And Harry was still too much of a Gryffindor, and if Severus didn’t look out for him, people, staff, students and the public would walk all over him. Harry depended on Severus now, and Severus delighted in his dependency, needing to be needed.
But Harry had been smitten with Draco Malfoy for years. Their adolescent hate turned, in Harry’s case, to desire. Harry was passionate in all that he did, and Severus couldn’t help his frequent fantasies of having all of Harry’s ardent attention focused on himself.
Now Draco was back and Severus was very afraid that Draco would see Harry’s blatant lust. Draco, of course, was only in love with himself and he indulged himself in any manner that availed itself to him. Men and women alike were drawn to his pale beauty and his superficial charm.
Yes, Severus could see what would happen as if it had already occurred. Harry would do his best to attract Draco’s affection, but all he’d get is Draco’s lust. Harry himself was a striking man, with an internal glow that radiated both innocence and sensuality. Once Draco set his sights on Harry, he would indulge until he was bored and then Severus would be left picking up the pieces of Harry’s broken heart.
While that would be an advantageous time for Severus to move in and get what he desired, Severus did not want to acquire Harry Potter’s love in that way. But he admitted it was time to do something about his unspoken love. It was time overcome his fear. He would just have to beat Draco to Harry’s heart.
*********
"How am I supposed to win him when he hates me?" Harry was pacing Severus’ private lab the very next day, reminding Severus of a caged lion. Once again the topic of Draco had been broached.
"Need I remind you that I hated you?" Severus pointed out.
"But we worked together. We were a team," Harry reasoned, his stride never altering.
"Quite an effective one," Severus agreed, moving to his potion’s cabinet. He pulled out the ingredients he needed for the evening potions. Poppy needed more Echinacea enhanced Pepper-Up Potion to combat the current flu epidemic and more abrasion salve.
"The best," Harry stopped to smile and turned to face Severus at his workbench. "I’ve barely said two words to Malfoy since his trial."
Severus almost smirked. Just the fact that, even now, Harry still couldn’t bring himself to call Draco by his first name was telling. "Which is why I don’t understand this infatuation you have with him." Severus sighed.
"I don’t understand it either, but ever since seventh year, I couldn’t be in the same room with him without my palms sweating, and my body trembling. I’d get so hot, I’d start to perspire."
"Well, there you have it," Severus said. "You are suffering from male menopause."
Harry blinked. "Huh?"
Severus snorted. "Never mind. I mean that it’s chemical. It’s probably nothing more than hormones."
"Whatever it is, I have to get rid of it," Harry muttered, resuming his stalk around the chamber. "I act like an idiot whenever he’s around. That won’t look very good to the students."
Severus began grinding, wondering if Harry would be at all helpful to him tonight. They usually spent many enjoyable hours brewing Poppy’s potions. "The students are already aware that you are an idiot," he muttered.
"Oh, ha, ha. Very funny." But Harry had replied dryly. He had grown immune to Severus’ caustic comments. "So what do I do about it?"
"Do about what?" Severus asked mildly, watching as Harry tossed up his hands in frustration and finally fell into a chair near the window. The waning moon cast a glow over his sad features making his years of hardship more apparent on his face. Harry deserved to be happy now.
"What am I going to do, Sev?" he asked in a troubled little voice. "He didn’t even notice me."
"Of course he noticed you. He’s merely playing coy, being elusive. It adds to the mystery," Severus assured him as he dumped the ground leaves into his caldron. "And don’t call me Sev."
Harry waved off the chastisement. "Humor me. Can’t you see that I’m distraught?"
Severus snorted. "Harry, you are blowing thing out of proportion."
"Really, Severus." Harry looked up, his green eyes wide, and bit his lip. "What am I going to do to make him want me?"
Severus could have said, ‘just look at him like that,’ but thought better of it. He was thoughtful for a moment and finally decided to start strong. "Well, one approach would be to make him suspect someone else wants you."
"Isn’t everyone supposed to want The Man Who Defeated the Dark Lord?"
He’d said it just too innocently for it to be bragging. Severus knew Harry was sensitive about people liking him for being ‘Harry’ and not for his role as the light of the wizarding world. Of course, Harry never did see what everyone else did when he looked in a mirror. Years of being called worthless and a freak had played havoc with his self-esteem.
Severus rolled his eyes. "I mean someone close to you, someone local. Someone who might actually have a chance."
"Like who?" He sighed miserably.
Severus set his potion to brew and moved to the sidewall table to pour a drink. "Well, Miss Granger is always a possibility."
Harry snorted. "Everyone knows that Hermione is very serious about the Minister’s niece."
Severus inclined his head, recalling the fact. "Unfortunate."
"And the only one in the castle who’s the right gender or even remotely close to my age is you."
"Well there are other alternatives," Severus said, picking up a decanter of wine. "You could-"
"Wait a minute." Harry sat up. "What about you?"
Success. Severus turned to him, affixing a look of pure incredulity on his face. "Preposterous."
"Why?" Harry looked truly puzzled and Severus’ heart leapt. If Harry hadn’t considered him acceptable, Severus would have been crushed.
Severus breathed in the fragrance of the wine from the stopper. "I am totally unsuitable."
"Why? You’re close. We are friends."
Severus carefully put the stopper back in the bottle and returned the carafe to its proper place. "For one, I already have an interest in someone."
"You do?"
Severus turned back again to face Harry who was still sitting straight in the chair across the room. He appeared truly surprised. "Does that shock you?" Severus asked.
Harry blinked. "Well no, but who is it? Is it serious? You never mentioned him to me."
"My private life is not something I share easily."
Harry stood up. "We’ve been friends for two bloody years and you never told me you were seeing someone." Severus could see his hurt. Which was not what he wanted to do.
"We are…friends," Severus said gingerly. "I have had hopes to make it more."
Harry seemed to consider this. "He wouldn’t mind you helping me out, would he? Pretending to be interested in me, that is. I’ll talk to him if you want."
"That is not necessary." Severus waved off the offer. "If - I repeat, if - I agree to do this, I will inform him."
"So, will you do it?" Harry asked, hope shining in his eyes.
Severus watched the wine swirl in his glass. "Harry," he said carefully.
"Oh come on, Severus," Harry said, closing the distance between them. "How bad could it be? I swear I won’t embarrass you and you don’t have to do anything silly. Just pretend to…"
"To what, exactly?" Severus raised his eyebrows expectantly. He wasn’t sure what hearing the words from Harry’s mouth would do to him, but he desperately wanted to find out.
Looking at his feet, Harry peered up nervously. The look was so innocently seductive that Severus almost groaned.
"Pretend to be interested in me," Harry said softly. He stepped closer to Severus and put his hands on Severus’ chest. "You were a spy, after all. Your success in lying and deception is legendary. Surely you could convincingly act like you like me for a few weeks."
Severus smirked. "I do like you."
Harry sighed. "You know what I mean."
Severus raised a hand and placed it on the side of Harry’s face, delicately running a thumb over his bottom lip. "You mean tremble with desire at your proximity?" he said, his voice dropping. The other hand lifted to brush the fringe out of his eye, while his eyes roamed Harry’s face. "Stare at you with longing from across the room?" He met Harry’s gaze and found the green gaze bright. "Look at you with hunger, lips quivering with want, anticipating of the taste of your kisses?"
Harry swallowed and his tongue darted out to lick his lips, briefly brushing Severus’ finger. It took all of Severus’ control not to replace that finger with his lips and thrust his tongue into that delectable mouth, and finally taste the fruit that had been dangling, just out of reach, before him for the last two years.
He released Harry’s face and stepped away. Picking up his glass, he took a deliberate sip. "I think I could manage that."
"Wow," Harry said, taking a deep breath. "That was, that was – wow."
Severus turned back and smirked. "Eloquent as always, Mr. Potter."
Harry grinned. "So you’ll do it?"
Severus eyed Harry, appearing to consider it. Inside, he was applauding his own brilliance. "I will," he agreed. "You will owe me a favor, in return."
Harry brightened. "Whatever you want," he swore. "Oh thank you, Severus." He leaned up and pressed a chaste kiss to Severus cheek. "I promise, you won’t be sorry."
Severus licked his lips as he watched Harry bound out of the room. "Oh, Harry, I’m counting on it," he murmured. "I’m counting on it."
**********
"Who is it?" Harry called after a knock sounded on his door, although it was probably Severus.
"Were you expecting someone else?"
Relieved, Harry told him to enter and continued his attempts to tame his hair. It was sticking out in all directions again and nothing he did seemed to help.
"Good Merlin, who taught you how to dress?"
Harry turned towards his doorway to see Severus filling it with his tall, foreboding frame. Dressed in black as usual, but tonight it looked different. There was an elegance to Severus’ robes. They fell around his long, lean body accentuating all of Severus’ most positive attributes; his broad shoulders, his long legs. His black hair was clean and pulled back, revealing his sharp features.
Individually, Harry considered, Sev’s features were quite unattractive, but together, well, together, they were Severus. Even when he washed his hair thoroughly, his skin was still sallow and his teeth still yellow but the whole package was – familiar, he guessed. Comfortable. When you got to know someone, were friends with them, their appearance seemed unimportant.
Harry blinked. He should have realized that about Severus before. After all, he, Ron or Hermione would ever win any beauty contests.
"What?"
"You look great," was all Harry could think of to say.
Severus smirked at him. "Are you ready to go?"
Harry gave the mirror another long look. "I guess," he muttered.
They went to the Welcome Back dinner meeting for the staff in relative silence. Harry wrung his hands the whole way down while Severus sent him amused glances. Harry couldn’t help it though, wasn’t even sure what Severus was going to do to convey that he had an ‘interest’ in Harry.
He supposed he’d just have to wait and see. So Harry waited. He kept glancing at Sev, eager for him to do something. But Severus spent most of the dinner meeting doing what he always did, quietly listening and observing. So Harry watched and he waited.
Harry watched Severus’ hands. He really liked Severus’ hands. They were large, but narrow, with long fingers that made his movements graceful and sure. Watching his hands however kept drawing Harry’s eyes to his mouth with each lift of the spoon.
The lips pursed together as he blew across the surface of the spoon, cooling the soup. Severus’ bottom lip was full and succulent.
Where had that come from? Harry shook off the thought, his eyes wandering to Malfoy a few seats away. Looking impeccable, Malfoy had already charmed the new assistant librarian and Harry felt a twinge of longing. Even Harry had to admit that the woman was lovely.
Harry turned his attention back to his plate and pushed some food around its surface with his fork. A hand covered Harry’s idle hand and a head leaned toward his.
"Stop pining, Harry." Severus’ deep voice drifted over Harry’s eardrum like a caress and his breath, a mere whisper, wafted over his ear like a warm summer breeze. Harry felt his face heat up.
God, Severus was good at this. Malfoy had looked over and stared for a moment before returning his attention to his meal.
Severus removed the hand from Harry’s own and dropped it to his lap. Or so Harry thought. He found out otherwise when the hand landed on his own thigh. Harry caught his lip between his teeth as those fingers began a slow progress up then down his thigh and back again.
Every time Harry met Severus gaze after that, they were smoldering. Between the looks, the touches and the voice whispering comments in his ear, Harry wasn’t sure if he had heard anything that had transpired during the course of the meeting.
By the time he’d arrived back at his room, his heart was pounding and his blood was racing throughout his body. He certainly hoped Malfoy had noticed because it would be a shame if Severus’ brilliant performance was for nothing.
*******
"I noticed that you and Potter seemed to keep looking at each other," said Draco, as he lowered himself comfortably into a chair in Severus’ study.
Severus poured two glasses of sherry and handed one to his guest. "Did you?" Severus’ moved to his own chair and sat down with relief. He’d have to play this very carefully. Harry’s reactions to Severus’ attentions had been far better than Severus had hoped.
Severus doubted Harry had noticed anything but Severus, himself, the whole time. Harry was a bit dense in the perception department. He wondered how long it would take for Harry to put everything together. Then Harry would be his, with or without Draco’s presence in the castle.
"So, is there something going on between you?" Draco asked bluntly.
Severus swirled his drink. "We have a," he paused, "a flirtation." He pulled a sly grin. "Potter is a bit dense though."
Draco blinked, considering this. "So he’s not interested in you?"
The boy still had no tact. "What is it that you’re trying to discover?"
Draco grinned. "I never could disguise anything from you, Severus."
"Precisely, so spit it out." Severus watched him closely. If all went according to plan, Harry would already be swayed toward Severus by the time Draco showed any interest, ensuring that Draco’s attention would be acknowledged, giving Harry closure on his little obsession, but not acted upon.
"I just wanted to know if he was free," Draco clarified. "But if you’re interested in him, I wouldn’t dream of interfering."
Bloody liar. Severus knew Draco wouldn’t give a damn if Severus was involved or not. If Draco wanted Harry, he’d pursue him. Severus knew Harry better than anyone else in the world and he knew Harry could never be happy with Draco. Severus would have to show that to Harry.
"Actually," Severus said. "I was thinking of going to a club this weekend." Draco perked up. "I know how you enjoy that kind of thing and Potter’s always wanted to go."
"Oh that would be great, Severus. I’d love to go with you and Potter," Draco said eagerly. A little too eagerly. Severus knew that the wheels were turning in Draco’s head now.
Severus knew he had to move fast, but with his recent successes in tantalizing Harry’s senses, he felt rather confident. He should be able to acquire Harry’s focus as well as highlight Draco’s self-absorbed nature at the same time.
Draco left Severus’ rooms a few minutes later, never realizing that Severus had never really answered his questions.
***********
"What do you mean, we’re going out tonight?" Harry said, his expression a combination of horror and surprise.
"I’ve arranged for us to go to a club with Draco," Severus calmly told him. While Harry vacillated the merits of the venture, Severus smirked. "How is he to become enamoured of you if you do not interact in social settings?"
Harry blinked. "Well, alright," he muttered, obviously swayed by Severus’ words. "But I didn’t think it would be this soon."
Severus handed Harry the package he had brought along, knowing Harry would not have anything appropriate to wear.
Harry eyed the parcel, biting his lower lip. "Where are we going?"
"Aladdin’s."
"Aladdin’s? That’s like the hottest wizard’s club in Britain," Harry said incredulously. "We may not even get in."
Severus doubted that. He’d heard about the ‘criteria’ to get into that particular club and with Draco and Harry, there would be no question of ‘not getting in’. Even if Harry’s identity didn’t come into consideration.
"Oh don’t be dramatic, Potter," Severus said with frustration. "You just put that on," Severus indicated the clothes now in Harry’s hand, "and we’ll get in."
Harry blinked. "We will?"
He’d said it, with such heart breaking innocence, Severus almost reconsidered allowing Harry to wear the outfit. Sexy and pure were a lethal combination and attracted the worst sort of predator.
He gave Harry a little shove towards the bedroom. "Just get dressed."
From within the room he heard "Where did you get these?"
Severus sighed, his mind working quickly. "I purchased this for my – er – interest but as the appropriate situation hasn’t arisen yet, I thought you may have more luck with them."
"Really?" Harry emerged, running his hands over the smooth material hugging his skin. "You like this?"
Severus smirked, glad that the conversation had stayed centered on him and not this alleged ‘other interest’ of his. "Only on those who can wear it well."
Harry did not catch Severus’ appreciate study. "Looks like he’s about the same size as I am," he said, looking in a full-length mirror he had transfigured from a pillow.
The trousers did fit perfectly. Severus almost sighed aloud.
"Can I wear this to this place we’re going?" Harry asked, pulling on the swatch of cloth impersonating a t-shirt.
"Oh yes," Severus assured him. "You will be sufficiently fashionable."
"But, isn’t it a little revealing?"
The black trousers did sit rather low on his hips, revealing a bit of skin beneath his navel. The shirt was also short and tight, exposing more of the flat stomach and both shoulders. Severus licked his lips. "Sex sells, Mr. Potter. You do want him to notice you don’t you?"
Harry looked doubtfully in the mirror. "Well yes. But won’t it look like I’m trying to pick someone up? I don’t want him to think I’m easy."
Severus smirked. "You can imply that you dressed like that for me."
Harry finally turned to Severus with a smile. "Well you did tell me to wear this. It wouldn’t be a lie." After another critical look in the mirror, he asked, "Do you like it?
Severus’ eyes raked over the very tight trousers which accentuated Harry very firm buttocks and the just as snug shirt that clung to every muscle, line and curve Harry had. This time, Severus didn’t try to hide his appreciation. "Very enticing," he murmured.
He caught Harry’s gaze reflected in the mirror and Harry’s face instantly flamed as he averted his eyes. Reaching for a light jacket, Harry moved toward the door.
"I guess we should go," he said roughly, self-consciously pulling on the jacket. Severus hoped he wouldn’t have a hard time getting the jacket off Harry once they arrived at their destination.
********
The line of witches and wizards waiting to get into the esteemed nightclub wasn’t as daunting as Severus had imagined. They passed the time with idle chit chat about the students and the curriculum.
Draco, to his credit, kept the conversation flowing with inane gossip and some news he’d heard from other alumni of their year. Severus could tell that Draco had indeed noticed Harry’s attire. His eyes frequently traveled down Harry’s chest to his groin, admiring the terrain.
Harry, in turn, paid polite attention to Draco’s small talk, nodding and commenting as required. He too had perused Draco’s form to appreciate the body under the silk and velvet. Draco was obviously dressed to be noticed.
Severus, still robed, watched them both carefully stick to safe topics of discussion. Harry’s lust for Draco was somewhat subdued tonight, Severus noted with satisfaction, but Draco recognized it.
Seizing the opportunity, Draco went off on a round of dull monologue on himself, trying to focus Harry’s attention on how desirable Draco really was as a partner. It was of course what Severus was waiting for. Harry would be bored by it in a matter of moments.
Unfortunately, it didn’t take that long for them to reach the front of the line. The large slab of meat with the power to say who stayed and who took a walk, eyed Draco and Harry with a predacious leer. He ignored Severus entirely.
"You two ducks can go in."
"What about Severus?" Harry asked.
Gigantor made a face as his eyes lit on their companion. "I don’t think-"
"Well, we can’t go in without him," Harry said stubbornly.
The muscle bound man shrugged and waved in the couple behind them.
"Hey, Potter," Malfoy said. "Show him your scar."
The bouncer smirked. "Yeah like I ain’t never seen that one done before?"
Severus rolled his eyes. "Alright," Severus said, digging into his robe pocket and withdrawing a small sack. He shook some galleons out onto his palm. "Have you seen this one?"
The moron looked with new interest at Severus’ palm then at his face. "I likes that one," he said.
Severus surrendered the galleons and the bouncer waved them in.
"What a bloody moron," Harry muttered.
Draco shrugged. "That’s the way it is around here," he said. "You should have showed him your scar – and your Apparating license. They would have given us the VIP treatment."
Harry blinked at him. "Did you really want me-"
Severus took them both by an arm, cutting off Harry’s question, and herded them through the crowd. "Come along, gentlemen," he said, loud enough to be heard over the music. "Let’s get a drink."
They found a place at the bar and Severus ordered them a round of drinks.
"Let’s dance," said Draco, his eyes scanning the floor.
Harry looked horrified. "I’m not ready," he said, picking up his drink as it was placed before him. He sent Severus a small toast. "I need some liquid courage first."
Draco snorted. "Okay. I’ll meet you out there then."
Harry’s jaw dropped open as Draco bounced off onto the dance floor. He leaned towards Severus. "I thought he was interested," he said. "He seemed like it outside."
Severus sighed. "Oh, he was," he told Harry. "There are just a lot of interesting people here." Severus chest tightened at Harry’s disappointed look. "It isn’t you. Draco just likes to be the center of attention."
Harry sipped his drink. "He can have it," he muttered.
Severus smiled with satisfaction behind his glass.
Twenty minutes later, Draco came back to where they sat at the bar. He downed a quick drink then began to plead with Harry to go with him to dance. Harry’s Gryffindor bravery was not cooperating yet though, and Harry declined. In fact, he still hadn’t taken off his jacket despite the warmth of the room.
Harry watched Draco retreat again to the dance floor then turned to Severus to excuse himself to the bathroom. Severus hoped he wasn’t going to sulk. They had spent the time amiably discussing various people in the club, their attire, lewd movements and even what each of them found appealing.
Severus was making splendid progress and he did not want to deal with a sulky Harry. After a few moments, he placed his robe over their two chairs and went off to find his young colleague.
Severus was furious with what he found. As expected, someone else had taken note of Harry’s appeal and had cornered him in a semi-unoccupied space near the loo.

Harry’s back was against the wall as a mountain of a man towered over him, his hands trying to assist Harry in removing the jacket. Harry appeared somewhat amused as he kept knocking the man’s hands away, but Severus could see the lascivious intent in the man’s face.
Severus swiftly and smoothly intervened and extracted Harry from the scene before the drunken imbecile even knew he was even there. Harry looked a little miffed as Severus escorted him back to their place at the bar.
"I can take care of myself, you know."
"Of course you can," said Severus to appease him.
"I did kill Voldemort, if you remember."
"Of course you did."
Harry might be the most powerful wizard in their world, but he was also the most naive. Harry was also very self-conscious of his power, hesitant to use it for fear of hurting someone. As usual, Severus was the one who looked after him.
Harry’s eyes darted out to the floor until they alighted on Draco who continued to dance with nameless, scantily clad bodies oblivious to Harry’s encounter. He sighed and picked up the drink Severus had ordered for him. Maybe he had expected Draco to come and see where he was.
"Thank you," Harry said into the amber liquid.
Severus leaned casually against the bar and sipped his drink. "You’re welcome," he replied flatly, although he was elated that Harry had figured that part out. Severus scanned the dance floor. There was silence for a few minutes and finally Severus decided it was time to send Harry to the wolves.
"Go on out there and dance with him."
Harry almost choked on his drink. "What?"
Severus looked down at him. "Go and dance with him."
Harry blinked. "Really?"
"Of course, you idiot. Dancing can be a very direct way of expressing sexual interest. Go," Severus paused to send Harry a wink. "Entice him."
Harry downed the remainder of his drink, staring out onto the floor where Draco continued to gyrate with several other bodies around him.
"If you can," Severus dared.
Harry sent him an irritated look and slammed the glass down. After pulling off his jacket, he took a resolved breath, he squared his broad shoulders and strode out to the floor.
Severus ordered another drink. This would kill him. Once Draco got a look at Harry moving, Draco would be more than enticed. He would be enrapt, as Severus had been the first time he had seen Harry dance.
Harry danced like he flew, with a natural grace that drew the eye to every subtle movement. Draco could move, but it was mechanical, practiced, too perfect. Which didn’t mean that they wouldn’t look absolutely fucking incredible together on the floor.
Severus was right about something else too. The moment the others on the floor had caught sight of Harry dancing among them, their attention turned to him. The result was instantaneous. Needing to be the center of attention or a part of it, Draco immediately moved to wrap himself around Harry, synchronizing his movements with Harry’s and running his hands over Harry’s chest.
When Draco’s hands became a little too bold, Severus decided that was enough ‘enticing’ for one night. Severus, after all, was supposed to be interested in Harry. Setting his glass down, he moved purposely out onto the floor, intent on prying Draco’s hands and any other piece of anatomy off Harry’s body.
Severus stepped on the dance floor just in time to see Draco pulling Harry in the other direction. He watched silently as Harry allowed himself to be dragged into the back room.
*********
Harry’s back hit the wall with such force he had to gasp for breath. He didn’t get much air as Draco’s mouth crushed his own. His body followed, sandwiching Harry solidly between Draco and the hard surface.
Draco’s lips and tongue moved around Harry’s face and jaw. "You’re so fucking hot," he said between bites. "I’m so turned on."
"Drac-" Draco’s mouth silenced him, tongue and teeth also coming into act.
Presented with everything he’d wanted, Harry was at a complete loss. Wasn’t he supposed to be enjoying this? It felt so wrong.
Hands began roaming Harry’s body, under his shirt, over the now growing bulge in his trousers. This seemed too quick. Harry hadn’t wanted it quite this way, but his body was all too receptive to the treatment, his blood rushing to his pleasure centers.
Hell, what was a little mutual lust anyway? He moved his hands to Draco’s trousers and quickly got them undone. Taking the swollen shaft in his hand, he stroked it. Draco hissed his approval against his mouth.
It was over as swiftly as it had begun. They both leaned, panting and shaking, against the wall as they recovered from their mutual gratification. Draco recovered first and lifted his head, peering at Harry with renewed interest.
He raised a hand and ran his fingers down Harry’s face. "Very nice," he murmured. He touched his lips briefly to Harry’s then straightened.
Not wanting to look like an inexperienced fool, Harry pushed off the wall and put himself to rights. A cleaning charm took care of the mess on their clothes and before he could put two thoughts together, Draco grabbed his hand again and started to pull him back into the main room.
"Malfoy," Harry called, pulling at his hand. Draco stopped and turned around. "What-"
"I knew there couldn’t be anything between you and Severus?" Draco said with a smirk.
Harry scowled. "Was that a test?"
Draco smiled turned long-suffering. "No, you idiot," he said. "That was 100 percent bona fide passion." He winked. "And there’s more where that came from. Now come on," he pulled at Harry’s hand again. "Let’s go and dance some more."
Harry blinked but allowed Draco to lead them back out into the room. Once out on the floor, he told Draco he was going to get a drink. Draco, already surrounded again by gyrating bodies, just nodded.
Harry needed to think, and he certainly couldn’t do it here. Severus would know what to do. Severus could explain to him what just happened. Harry wasn’t as naïve as Severus always told him he was – alright, maybe he was - but he knew that all his efforts to get Draco’s attention weren’t just to get him a quick hand-job in the back room of a nightclub. Harry knew he needed more than that.
And where the hell was Severus?
The barman informed him that Severus left a few minutes after Harry had left him. Harry stood there for a minute, suddenly feeling bereft and abandoned. How could Severus leave him like this? Harry always counted on Severus watching out for him.
This was starting to feel like some sort of twisted dream. He wanted to go home, where he was safe, protected. Harry needed to talk to Sev. He purposefully strode back out onto the floor and told Draco he was leaving. Draco made a fuss until Harry told him that he could stay if he wanted to. Draco gave him a meaningful smile and promised to talk to him tomorrow.
*********
By the time Harry made it to the dungeons, his thoughts were weary. His night had not been ‘all he’d been expecting.’ Draco had finally made his move. The only problem was that it had made Harry feel cheap, almost dirty. Not that Harry thought it was what Draco was striving for. It just seemed to be Draco’s way.
Harry was no expert, in fact he had little experience at all, but he was pretty sure that there should be more to it than that. Draco had made it plain that he’d wanted to continue to see Harry as well, but for what? More cheap thrills or something more lasting? Harry was afraid Draco was only looking for the former.
Severus had been right. It was just hormones. Harry couldn’t help his disappointment though. He had finally got Draco’s interest but it wasn’t very – well – interesting.
He had more fun and certainly more excitement with Severus. Severus was subtle sexy. And he had looked damned hot at the club, even in the plain black slacks and white silk shirt. It was as if he didn’t even have to try to capture Harry attention. Harry wasn’t sure how he could have missed it. All Severus had to do was stand close to him, look into Harry’s eyes with those dark fathomless eyes…
Too bad Severus was enamoured with someone else.
Harry frowned. That still annoyed him. Severus had been interested in someone all this time and he’d said nothing about it. Harry knew Severus was a private person, but in the two years they’d been friends they had covered just about all the embarrassing aspects of their respective lives. That Severus would withhold this information from Harry was odd. Harry didn’t know if he should be insulted or relieved.
Maybe, he was embarrassed. Severus did say that he had hoped to be more than friends. Maybe, he was afraid that this friend wouldn’t be-
Hold on. Severus didn’t have that many friends. So who the bloody hell was he talking about?
Harry stopped dead in the center of the hall. What if it was Harry? Harry thought about all the things he’d suddenly noticed about Severus. All of the things that Severus had forced Harry to see since Draco had returned.
Severus had jumped right in to help Harry get Draco’s attention. What if all of Severus’ advice was cleverly masking Severus’ plan to make Harry notice him?
Oh God. Harry was such an idiot. Severus was perfect and there he was whining about Draco all this time. Well that stopped. Right now.
Harry stopped in front of Sev’s door. It was normal for Harry to run straight to Severus whenever he needed to vent or complain, or whenever he was confused or unsure. This time, however, he intended to ‘confuse’ a confession out of his friend.
He shrugged out of his jacket and adjusted his shirt and trousers more seductively – he hoped it was seductive anyway. Severus had provided the outfit, suggesting that ‘sex sells’. Harry would see if it could barter him some love.
*********
Severus swung open the door after the incessant pounding. "What-"
Harry pushed in, stepping passed him into the room.
"I don’t know what went wrong, Sev," Harry said, hopelessly. He paced the interior of the room, like a caged lion. Harry seemed to be doing that a lot recently. "One minute I was dancing, trying to entice him, the next thing I knew I was up against a wall in a dark back room with his hand down my trousers and his tongue down my throat."
Severus gaped with horror at the admission. He covered the expression swiftly, grateful that Harry didn’t seem to notice. Merlin, he hadn’t expected Draco to act so quickly or so brazenly. But then, Draco was rather lacking in finesse.
"That is what you wanted, isn’t it?" Severus said carefully.
Harry spun around, his expression almost – hurt. "I’m not even sure what happened." He looked at the floor, thoughtfully. "I mean," he considered aloud, "did I get what I wanted?"
Severus felt a spark of hope. One that he thought he’d never experience after seeing the two young men walk off the dance floor. "What were you looking for?"
Harry sighed, still looking heartbreakingly confused. "I don’t know. I guess I just expected more – more…"
Severus moved up behind him and leaned over his shoulder. "More what?" he asked softly.
Harry’s whole body trembled at the action. Severus used the advantage, raising his hands to Harry’s arms. He breathed in deeply, inhaling the spicy scent of Harry’s shampoo and the lingering smells of smoke and sweat from the nightclub.
He rubbed comfortingly up and down Harry’s upper arms. "Tell me, Harry," he urged. "What did you expect?"
Harry’s head fell forward and Severus moved his hands up to his shoulders, squeezing and kneading the taut muscles.
"I don’t know," he repeated, sighing again, but this time in relief. "More feeling, maybe." Harry paused, sucking in his breath as Severus thumbs pressed firmly into his shoulders. "Maybe, more emotion. I mean there was plenty of desire, but no passion, no affection. It was all lust."
"And you want more," Severus said suggestively in Harry’s ear.
Harry nodded. "I guess I won’t be happy until I find someone that I can share everything with; trust, friendship, common background – and the passion." He turned in Severus’ arms and looked up, his expression was sad and a little lost. "I though I knew what I wanted. I didn’t. Now, I do, but…" He trailed off, looking away.
"But what?" Severus’ hands gripped Harry’s arms. Was this it? His big opportunity?
Harry looked up again, staring deeply into Severus’ eyes. "The one I do want is interested in someone else." Harry pulled away with a forlorn sigh.
Severus wanted to clutch him back.
"I hope your friend has more luck with this outfit than I did," Harry said, looking at the floor.
"Harry-"
"I envy him."
Damn his big mouth, now Harry was feeling alone again. "Harry," Severus said again, drawing forth courage from Merlin knew where. "I bought that for you."
Harry looked over his shoulder at Severus, his expression confused. "What?"
Severus moved to him, turning Harry to face him. "I bought that for you," he said. "There isn’t anyone else."
"Then why did you tell me there was?"
Severus pushed Harry’s fringe out of his eyes. "I wanted you to think that someone would want me."
Harry blinked. "Why wouldn’t someone want you?"
Severus sighed. Sometimes he really wanted to strangle the man.
"So you’re not interested in anyone?" Harry asked.
"Well, no. I mean, yes." For Merlin’s sake what was wrong with him? "I am most assuredly interested in someone."
Harry’s eyes searched Severus’ face and Severus forced his gaze to meet Harry’s.
"Who?"
"The man I bought that outfit for," said Severus.
"But-" Harry’s eyes widened. "Oh." Then he blinked. "OH." He placed his hands on both sides of Severus’ face. "Why didn’t you tell me?"
Harry just didn’t seem as surprised as Severus would have thought. In fact, it seemed like Harry had been fishing for the words…
Severus scowled. "Nice try, Potter." He attempted to move away but Harry caught him around the waist, drawing him back.
"I’m sorry," Harry said, but a grin graced his lips. "I finally figured it out on the way down here."
"A veritable sleuth now, are you?"
Harry averted his face. "Am I always so dense?"
Severus tilted the chin back up. Harry was worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. "Adorably so," Severus said. He searched Harry’s face, looking for some indication of his feelings. "So now what?"
Harry looked up through his lashes. It was a look that always sent blood coursing through Severus veins. "You’re the expert," Harry said.
"What are you saying, Mr. Potter?"
Harry took a breath. "I’m saying I know what I want now," he admitted. "I’ve had it for two years, but never knew it."
"It?"
Harry smiled shyly and shook his head. "You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?"
"Indubitably."
There was no hesitation. "I want you."
The blood redirected its path towards Severus’ groin. "And tomorrow?" he asked.
Harry bit his lip. "I suspect, I’ll want it again."
Severus laughed. "I suspect-"
Harry’s lips on his own cut him off, but oh what a sweet interruption. The taste of Harry exploded in his mouth and he quickly wrapped his arms around his love. Severus quickly became addicted to Harry’s kisses. Harry might be inexperienced but he sure could kiss.
Their tongues entwined in a dance which felt familiar, welcoming. Soon their hands began to move, exploring each other’s bodies with a similar recognition. Harry’s head fell back as Severus’ lips moved along his jaw and down his throat.
"Yes," murmured Harry. "I knew it."
"Knew what?" Severus whispered, licking along the silken skin to Harry’s collar.
"That there was more," he said roughly. Harry’s chest was heaving already and they hadn’t even started.
"Oh, there is more, Harry," Severus told him, lifting his head. "Much more."
Harry breathed in deeply. "Show me," he said. "Please."
Severus heart and his cock jumped at those simple words. He leaned down and claimed Harry’s mouth in a quick kiss, then pulled him towards his bedroom. Harry was as eager as he was, Severus noticed as they paused for Harry to toe off his shoes. After that, Harry was very willing to help Severus with his own clothes.
By the time they were both naked, they were also both breathing heavily and quite erect. Severus had always been comfortable in his own skin, knowing all his flaws and his few assets, but standing naked before Harry suddenly made him feel vulnerable.
Harry was, of course, exquisite. All he had imagined and more, but…
Harry’s eyes moved over him reverently, then he reached out and trailed his fingers over paths warmed by his gaze. Severus shivered. It was heaven and hell, but he owed it to Harry to be patient.
When Harry looked up again, Severus found more than desire in the green depths. "You’re perfect."
Severus groaned and crushed his mouth over Harry’s reddened lips. Together, they crawled onto the bed, their lips never parting as they found a comfortable place to entwine their limbs and brush skin against skin.
Their cocks drew together like opposite poles and stroked against each other with mirroring thrusts of their hips. Severus’ hands ran boldly over the satin flesh of Harry’s back and buttocks, pulling his lover closer. Harry clutched at Severus, his hair, his shoulders, pulling their bodies together in a desperate attempt to get impossibly closer.
Still their mouths continued to taste and explore. The air became thick with the sounds of their heavy breathing and their sweat soaked skin sliding and stroking together.
"Harry," Severus said roughly between kisses. "I want you. I need you."
"Only you," Harry rasped. "Please." His hands moved over Severus shoulders, pulling him until Severus rolled on top of him. "Please."
Severus leaned up on his hands and looked down at Harry’s enraptured face. Harry’s legs opened and Severus slid into the cradle of his thighs as if it was made for him. Severus had to close his eyes for a moment against the sight to keep from losing control.
He summoned a jar of lubrication, and quickly set to work preparing Harry for the union. Severus worked all his knowledge and experience into making Harry ready and Harry’s writhing and pleading conveyed his pleasure until neither of them could take the anticipation any longer.
Severus slid into Harry’s heat slowly and the muscles greeted him as if they would never let him go. It was nirvana.
And then it got better. Moving within Harry was something he had only dreamed about now he felt that dreams were over-rated. Nothing could compare to the feel and sight of Harry taking him all the way in, while clutching his body and begging for more.
When Severus knew he couldn’t possible take anymore of the adventing pleasure, he leaned down and took Harry’s mouth again in a kiss. Harry panted beneath him, his body convulsing as his lips cried out Severus’ name.
The sheath gripped him repeatedly, and Severus continued to thrust as the climax washed over him, shaking his body and wringing his passion from him. As the waves dulled, he kissed Harry’s mouth. Harry’s return kisses were weak with exhaustion and relaxed from their exertion, but they were as sweet as their first.
Settling beside his love, Severus pulled the spent form close and Harry nuzzled his neck, still pressing soft kisses to his skin.
"Would it be premature to tell you that I love you?" Harry asked drowsily.
"Only if you are insincere."
Harry’s arm moved over Severus’ chest, his palm lightly caressing the skin over his heart. "I’m not."
"What are going to tell Draco?" Severus asked curiously, enjoying Harry’s tender touches.
Harry shrugged. "That I’m not interested." He lifted his head. "What about you?"
Severus lifted his brows. "I’m not interested in Draco either." Harry blinked and Severus pulled his head back down to his chest. "I’ve loved you for six months, Harry. That is not going to change." Severus continued to run his fingers through Harry’s unruly mess of hair. "Once I give my heart, it is for keeps."
"You’ll have to take mine then because I won’t need two."
"An even trade?" Severus suggested.
Harry edged in closer and pressed another kiss to Severus’ swollen lips. "I love the barter system."
End
- 1
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To Win a Lion\'s Heart