Something Like a Hero

Part 3

A month passed. Severus communicated to the Headmaster that he would stay for the time being, but he still wanted his timetable to be rearranged. He needed some time for himself, especially now that Potter was in his life. Dumbledore seemed quite happy with his decision, but Severus was still unsure of it.

Dumbledore had asked him about his reasons for staying, but Severus refused to tell him. He was ashamed of it. He hated to keep secrets from the Headmaster, but he couldn't tell him that he had stayed because of Potter and the best shag of his life.

Did he really stay just because of Potter?

He sighed, defeated, knowing the answer to that question.

He stared at his sixth-year students – Gryffindors and Slytherins – and paid attention to a boy from his house that reminded him so much of himself at that same age. Kirk Thompson was his most brilliant student. He was also moody and defensive. Just like him. Severus often wondered if Kirk suffered from abuse at home as well; if his father was as cruel as Severus' father had been.

Unaware of Severus' eyes on him, Kirk shot a quick look at a Gryffindor boy that was sitting behind him. The blond Gryffindor boy named Dionysus smiled shyly at him, and Kirk looked away, flustered.

Severus frowned at the scene he had just witnessed. There was something very wrong about a Gryffindor and a Slytherin being friendly to one another. Not that Kirk was being friendly, but Severus knew that look. It wasn't just friendship they were seeking. He was picking up a lot more in the air.

He thought about whether he should talk to Kirk or not – maybe take a few points from Dionysus for having the audacity to smile at a Slytherin – when Harry Potter burst into the classroom gasping for air. Severus was so taken aback by it that he took a while to react. The students were quieter than usual and they were all looking at Harry, waiting.

"Potter?"

"Professor Potter, are you all right?" asked Dionysus, worried.

Severus glared at him. Only a Gryffindor could be so protective of their favourite teacher.

"Mr Potter, is there a problem?" Severus asked coldly.

"You... and... I... talk... now!" Harry panted.

Yeah, right. Like Severus would just obey him like a puppet.

"I'm in the middle of a very important lesson, Potter, so could you please–"

"NO!" Harry exclaimed, upset. "I need to talk to you. Now."

Not wanting to make a scene, Severus excused himself – with a few threats in case his students misbehaved during his absence - and made Harry follow him to his office. Once they were there, he turned to Potter and fumed, "What in Merlin's name do you think you're doing?"

"Is it true that you were thinking about leaving school?" Harry asked.

Severus raised an eyebrow, annoyed. "Who told you?"

"Dumbledore! Since it's my time off, he asked me to give you your new timetable. I asked him why you needed a new one and he told me that it was the only way he could come up with to convince you to stay in the school because you were in quite a hurry to leave!"

Severus turned his back to Harry and crossed his arms. "First of all, it wasn't your place to ask the Headmaster such a question about me! My reasons don't concern you. What makes you think you have the right to ask about my personal matters?"

Harry smirked. "Do you really need to ask that, or should I remind you?"

Severus' eyes shimmered, and he turned to look at Harry. "Don't be insolent!"