Of Unknown Origin

"Professor Snape, I’m through," Harry announced, his voice shocking in the quiet of the room.

Snape looked up from the papers he was grading, sneer in place. "Let’s hope, Mr. Potter, that it’s better than your last three attempts. I’d like to get some rest tonight."

"You never get any sleep, anyway," Harry muttered, flushed at the reminder of his less than successful attempts at the admittedly simple potion. I’m too distracted, he thought, glaring at the Potions master from under his messy bangs. Why couldn’t he give me a break, Harry complained in his mind, it’s not my fault.

It wasn’t anyone’s fault, not really. The normal teenage hormones had finally caught Harry, and every night he woke, sheets soaked with sweat and come. Normal, really. Except...

Except... thought Harry and Snape leaned over to inspect Harry’s potion. Except that in the dreams, the hands on his skin, that teased him so knowingly were far too large and rough to be female. The voice, that silky, sublime voice was far too dark and husky and low to be anything but male.

But what does that that mean? Harry thought as he watched with disinterest as Snape...stared back at him? Harry blinked, then flushed. Damn! Distracted again! Harry looked at Snape with trepidation.

"Potter, I doubt you know or care much for manners, but staring is terribly rude," Snape hissed.

"S-sorry, sir," Harry stuttered, looking down at his desk. He could feel the weight of that black stare on him, and shuddered inwardly.

"Potter, it has come to my attention that your grades, while normally nothing impressive, have dropped abysmally. As I’m your professor, I suppose it is my duty to ask what’s wrong."

Harry’s jaw dropped, and he closed it with an audible snap at Snape’s withering glare. "Sorry sir, but...if I were having problems, wouldn’t I go to Professor McGonagall?" Of course I would, Harry thought viciously.

Snape seemed to think about that for a moment. "The problems I’m talking about are more...private. Things you wouldn’t want to share with a member of the opposite sex," he added at Harry’s blank stare.

Harry thought about that before flushing brilliantly. Hands gliding over his chest, caressing his belly, before lowering to.... Harry shook his head mentally. No, no way was he sharing that with Snape.

"No sir," he replied, "nothing’s bothering me. Out of the ordinary." The ordinary being Voldemort. Harry gave a mental snort. Funny, that something like that would be considered normal.

Snape stared at him for a moment longer before nodding sharply. "Very well. Your potion is...fine. Detention's over, get out."

Harry got up, relieved, and headed for the door. He paused at it, before looking back at the Potions master.

"Thank you, sir. For the offer." He said softly and turned to leave.

"Good night, Mr. Potter," Harry shivered and looked back at Snape in shock. Snape seemed to completely dismiss him, going back to grade his papers. That voice! The same one as in his dream. Harry looked at Snape hard, but the man was obviously ignoring him. Harry blinked rapidly, before leaving, intent on putting every thought of Snape out of his mind.

Snape looked up after the boy left, a smirk hovering over his lips. "See you in your dreams, Harry Potter."