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UNREQUITED LOVE

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Synopsis: Harry is in his 7th year of Hogwarts. He's had a soft spot for a certain Professor for a year, but is his love as unrequited as it seems? SLASH, HPSS, eventual SBRL, OOC.

Warnings Etc: SLASH (HPSS, eventual SBRL), OOC. Please no flames as you have been forewarned.

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Chapter 1: Amortentia

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Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way down into the dungeons for their first Potions class of the year. It was also their seventh and final year they would be attending Hogwarts. As the entered the dark cold classroom, their senses were immediately hit by the array of vapours and odd smells. Making their way to their usual spot at the back of the class, they took their seats and took out their text books from their bags.

A few seconds later they all jumped as the door was slammed shut by Professor Snape. He swept up to the front of the class and swivelled round to look at them all. He surveyed the class with his usual sneer, his gaze lingering for a fraction longer on Harry's.

Harry made a slight moaning noise. Hermione kicked him under the table and he couldn't help an "ow" from escaping his lips. Snape returned his gaze to him, his eyes narrowing.

"Mr Potter, do you have something you wish to share with the class?"

"No Sir" Harry replied, feeling his cheeks reddening,

"I gathered as much. Therefore, I kindly request that you reframe from speaking in my class. Ten points from Gryffindor."

Snape's lips curled into a smirk and Harry had an overwhelming urge to march up to him and wipe it off his face. But of course, he didn't.

"As I'm sure you are all aware, this will be your final year at Hogwarts" Snape began saying in a bored tone. "And I am here to… prepare you for your NEWT exam, although naturally, reflecting upon previous years, I don't expect many of you to pass."

Snape revelled in sneering at the class before continuing.

"Now for your first lesson I have prepared a few… complex… potions to view."

The smells in the room were now making sense to everyone, and as they looked around, four huge cauldrons could be seen placed around the classroom. Snape instructed everyone to their feet and make their way over to his desk to show them the first cauldron, Felix Felicis. He then led them to the second cauldron, Veritaserum, the third cauldron, polyjuice potion and eventually came to a stop at the fourth cauldron.

Harry, Ron and Hermione had been rolling their eyes at each other as Professor Snape had seen it fit to stand exactly in front of them whilst giving his boring explanations of the potions. Ron had just about managed to whisper "Why can't the git leave us alone?" in Harry's ear before Snape started speaking.

"Now, in this cauldron I have brewed a potion called amortentia. It is the most powerful love potion in the World. It gives off a different smell to each individual, in accordance to what attracts-"

Snape's head jerked from the cauldron to Harry so fast, Harry stepped back in shock. Snape's eyes were boring into Harry's as though trying to read his mind. Confusion was etched all over his face. Harry was scared. He glanced away from Snape and saw that the rest of the class were oblivious to the situation as they had all leaned towards the cauldron to get a better look.

Harry looked back at Snape. For a few moments they just stared at each other. Then Snape stepped backwards with a frightened look as though Harry had just burned him, he turned on his heel and hurried off into his store cupboard.

"Where's Snape gone?" Ron asked, turning around.

"His store cupboard" Harry said despondently.

As Harry shifted his gaze towards Hermione, he saw that she was looking at the back of Ron's head, her cheeks flushed. He was grateful Ron couldn't see, he didn't want to be stuck in the middle of another awkward situation. After a couple of minutes Snape returned and told everyone to take their seats again. For the rest of the class, Snape didn't as much as glance in Harry's direction.

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"Thank God that's over" Ron said as the three of them made their way to the Great Hall for lunch. "He's so horrible. "I don't expect many of you to pass." I swear, I'm going to pass Potions if it kills me."

Harry and Hermione started laughing, Ron glared at them murderously.

"Why are you laughing? Don't you think I can pass?"

"Oh Ron" Hermione replied, trying to stop laughing. "He probably said that to make us all work harder. Have you never heard of reverse psychology?"

"Oh… well, anyway, what did you smell Hermione?" Ron changed the subject.

"Really Ronald, it was just a stupid potion" Hermione spat stiffly and she walked off ahead of them.

"What's got into her?"

"I don't know mate" Harry told him, avoiding eye contact.

"I don't need to ask what you could smell" Ron said, elbowing Harry slightly in the ribs. "What does essence of Snape smell like anyway?"

"Shut up" Harry retorted playfully his cheeks reddening again.

"Hey, we've got Defence Against The Dark Arts with Sirius after lunch" Ron said, looking at his timetable. "Excellent. Have you… told him you're gay yet?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"He might disown me. He'll probably think I'm a freak."

"Oh Harry, Sirius will be alright about it. He's cool."

"I guess… I will tell him, I'm just scared I suppose."

The three of them sat down in the Great Hall and began tucking into their lunch, Harry kept glancing over to the staff table, but Snape never arrived for his lunch.

"Harry, why do you keep staring at the staff table?" Hermione asked exasperated. "You're spilling half your food onto the table. The house elves really have enough to do you know."

"Oh, sorry" Harry replied, looking down. "I was looking for Snape."

"Why?"

"Because… guys there's something I need to tell you" Harry said and he proceeded to tell Ron and Hermione the way Snape acted in their Potions class.

"Oh my God, he fancies you" Ron blurted out, a little loudly, a few people nearby turning to look at him curiously.

"Shh, yeah that's what I've been thinking" Harry replied, smiling. "What do you think Hermione?"

Hermione was frowning. Harry knew she was trying to work out how this wasn't the case, that Harry was seeing things, but...

"Well yes, it certainly seems so. I did wonder why he didn't finish his explanation of the potion. And disappearing for a few minutes was most uncharacteristic. So when he looked at you…that must have been when the scent hit him."

Hermione was looking at Harry but she wasn't smiling. She was eyeing him sceptically.

"What?" Harry asked.

"You're not… you're not going to do something stupid are you?"

"Me? Do something stupid?" Harry said sarcastically.

"You know what I mean… Harry, he's a teacher, he's more than twice your age. It's ok to have a crush on him, just don't think it'll go any further than that."

"But Hermione, he fancies me. I've spent the past year wishing he would, and now he does."

"Well, don't say I didn't warn you."

Hermione got up and walked off in a huff. Ron stared after her.

"Women" he sighed, going back to his lunch.

"When are you going to ask her out?" Harry asked.

"What?" Ron replied, looking back at him.

"You heard me. Maybe if she's got a love life, she won't be so interested in mine."

"What makes you think I-"

"Oh come on Ron. It's obvious" Harry said laughing. Ron went bright red.

"Well, ok, I think she's kind of-"

"Ron!"

"Ok, ok. I think she's gorgeous, happy now? She wouldn't be interested in me though."

"Ron, she is interested in you. In Potions today, you were the thing that attracted her. She went red as a beetroot when she looked at you."

"Really?" Ron asked smiling.

"Really."

"So… if hypothetically speaking, we did… you know… you wouldn't mind?"

"No" Harry replied honestly. "I think I knew it would happen before you guys did… it's obvious."

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At the end of their Defence Against the Dark Arts class, Harry lagged behind so he could talk to Sirius. Once everyone was gone, he walked up to Sirius's desk at the front of the class.

"So… how did I do?" Sirius asked, as he tidied up his things and put various items into his bag.

"You did brilliant; it's going to be so cool having you around. Also, you can get Snape off my back; he's already taken ten points from me."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing, Hermione kicked me and I may have… yelped… a tiny bit."

"Well, I must say, the idea of me being here annoying Snape was one of the reasons I took it on. I'm sure if I weren't cleared, Dumbledore would have finally given him the job."

"So how have you liked your first day teaching?"

"Great. I think I'm going to really enjoy being a teacher. How's your first day been?"

"Ok… er, Sirius, I wanted to-"

"Black, could I have a word?"

Harry turned round to see Snape standing in the doorway, looking directly at Sirius. His heart immediately began pounding in his chest.

"Sure." Sirius replied, and then he looked at Harry to whisper "Sorry. Can we talk tomorrow? Over lunch?"

"Yeah I'd like that" Harry replied.

Harry made his way towards the door. As he reached Snape, he stopped momentarily and looked into Snape's eyes. The favour wasn't returned and Harry left to make his way to Gryffindor Tower.

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"Harry, will you stop doing that?" Hermione asked frustratingly, looking up from her homework.

"Sorry" Harry replied. He'd been drumming his fingers on the table and hadn't even noticed.

"Are you going to mope around all night? It's quite off putting you know."

"You tell me what I should do then? I've just found out the guy I have a crush on likes me, and… and I don't know what to do."

"Just forget about it Harry. Snape's a teacher, you're a student."

"Why don't you write him a love letter?" Ron suggested, yawning.

"That's it, I'm going to send him a letter. Thanks Ron" Harry declared, getting up from his seat.

"Harry, don't…" Hermione began, but Harry had sprinted towards the boy's dormitory. "Nice one Ron!"

Two minutes later Harry returned with his school bag, pulling out pens and paper. After fifteen minutes he handed the completed letter he'd written to Ron and Hermione to read.

"You can't send that" Hermione said at once.

"That is great. Nice work" Ron said appreciatively.

"Thanks. Why can't I send it Hermione?"

"It's just… inappropriate."

"No it's not" Harry replied defensively, snatching the letter off Hermione. "I'm going to send it now."

"Harry, you'll regret sending that letter. Sleep on it. If you're determined to do something, fine, but please sleep on it."

Harry ignored Hermione and made his way to the portrait hole to head up to the owlery.

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Snape was sat in his study going over lesson plans for the new first years, a tedious job, but it had to be done. And he was not one to go to a lesson unprepared. He poured himself a second glass of fire whiskey and took a gulp before proceeding. He looked up as he saw one of the school barn owls fly in through his open window and watched as it deposited a letter on his desk and took flight again. He frowned as he picked the letter up, not recognising the handwriting. He tore it open and read:

Professor Snape,

I just wanted to say, please don't be embarrassed that you fancy me (I gathered as much in Potions today).

The truth is I have had a crush on you for more than a year now. I think you're sex on legs!

If you want to talk about it, or more, let me know.

Harry Potter

Snape stared at the letter for a few moments completely frozen to the spot. He shook his head and read through the letter once again. He could feel his heart beating faster against his rib cage; he dropped the piece of paper down onto his desk and said "shit" aloud to himself.

It was indeed true that he fancied Potter. He was a very handsome seventeen year old. What gay man wouldn't fancy him? He had been wondering all day whether Potter had noticed his reaction in the Potions classroom that morning. To be honest, he had no idea that Potter would be the number one thing that appealed to his senses, and that it would have been so strong. The sensation had been almost overwhelming. But he fancied many men; it had been as much a shock to him what he had discovered that morning.

But he was thirty seven for goodness sake. A greasy, horrible, sarcastic, ugly Potions Professor. If Potter thought he would full into his trap by pretending that he fancied him, he would be sorely mistaken. Snape would not be made a fool of by anyone, least of all Saint Bloody Potter. Potter being gay and fancying someone like him was as likely as Longbottom becoming the Minister for Magic.

It was ludicrous.

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Harry was in the Gryffindor common room, pacing up and down and chewing his fingernails.

"Sit down" Ron said for what felt like the hundredth time. "You're making me dizzy mate."

"I can't, what have I done? I shouldn't have sent that letter to Snape. Offering myself to him? What was I thinking?"

"Well you weren't thinking" Hermione told him. "I told you to sleep on it, not to do anything rash."

"I know, I know. Please don't lecture me… I feel sick."

Harry collapsed into an arm chair and buried his face in his hands.

"I'm so stupid. He probably put it straight in the bin"

"Harry?" he heard Ron say.

"What?"

"Look."

Harry looked up to see an sitting in an open window, and it had a reply! He rushed over, took the letter and ripped it open, reading aloud to the other two quietly:

Mr Potter,

I have no idea what you are babbling on about. I suggest that you take yourself off to the hospital wing.

Professor Snape

"Well what did you expect?" Hermione asked, watching as Harry's face fall. "For Snape to declare his undying love for you and propose marriage?"

"I don't really know what I expected" Harry said, still staring down at the note.

"He's a teacher mate" Ron said, yawning. "He's hardly likely to do anything even if he wanted to, especially with Sirius here."

"And besides, he probably thinks you're winding him up" Hermione added.

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Coming up in the next chapter: Harry and Sirius have a heart to heart, and will Snape be convinced Harry isn't lying?

Reviews: If you're reading this, please take a few moments to leave me a review. I really do appreciate them and they do help immensely with my motivation. My profile has details of all my story updates.

(This chapter was posted on January 31st)

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