Disclaimer: Characters are created by J.K.Rowling, not me. There will be slash in this story, meaning a sexual relationship between two guys, namely Harry and Snape. If you're squeamish about it, then please leave now.

'Thoughts'

"Speech"

Spells, emphasis

Smoke

"20 points from Gryffindor because of your lack of respect, Potter" Snape spat in contempt.

Harry was so furious that he would have liked nothing more than to hex Snape into oblivion right there and then.

Staring at Harry and Snape, Dumbledore noticed that they seemed to channel so much mutual hatred that he would not be surprised if they came to blows. He sighed in exasperation.

How many times had he tried to tell Severus that Harry was not James, and that he could not blame Harry for what James did? It appeared as if though his words had fallen on deaf ears, for Snape was still using every single opportunity possible to make Harry's life as miserable.

Suddenly, he stumbled upon an ingenious plan that would definitely improve things between them. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in amusement. This would be a fun year indeed. Now, if only he could find a suitable opportunity…

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"Argh, I can't stand him! Sometimes I feel that the only reason I exist is so that Snape can have an excuse to take points from Gryffindor". Ron threw him an incredulous look, as if to say that he was a fool for thinking that.

"Hey mate, nobody blames you. If anyone is at fault, it is that unruly git!"

Once again, Harry could not help feeling a familiar sense of injustice. Honestly, he did nothing wrong. Ever since he stepped into Hogwarts, Snape already had picked on him. Although Harry knew it was because of his father that Snape was treating him like this, it did not make his 'bullying' any easier to take. Hell, sometimes Harry even wondered if Snape was jealous because of his fame.

But the worse thing was, he loathed his fame and all the crap that came along with it. If that was the cause of Snape's irrational behavior towards him, then Harry would gladly give up his title, complete with silver platter and all.

Indeed, Harry would be delighted just to have one day when he was not expected by everyone to defeat the dark lord, one day when he would not be recognized in the wizarding world as "Harry Potter, the boy who survived the killing curse".

He guessed that not even Hermione or Ron would understand how much he longed to be just like them, to be ordinary.

"Well, there's no use in lamenting about Professor Snape. Come on, we still have to face double potions with him, so Harry, please try your best to control your temper!" Despite facing the glares coming from both Ron and Harry, Hermione took no heed of it.

"You know that McGonagall would not be pleased if she knew that you had landed yourself with another detention with Professor Snape!"

Harry was forcibly reminded of the incident not to long ago, when Professor McGonagall had caught wind of him having to serve another detention for Snape yet again.

Her eyes had flashed warningly, nostrils flared as she said in a dangerous voice, " Not again, Potter! How is Gryffindor going to win the House Cup if their captain is too busy attending detentions as if though his life depended on it!", before walking away in a huff.

He winced just at the thought of another occurrence of that sort. Sighing, he trudged grudgingly towards the dungeons alongside Ron and Hermione.

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"Your have an hour to prepare the Draught of Dreams. Failure to complete it will result in zero marks, so it would be in your best interest to use every minute wisely. Your time starts, NOW!" Snape drawled in an unpleasant tone.

Harry was determined to be on his best behaviour in order to escape detention with Snape. Sadly though, vowing was one thing, doing it was another, especially when it came to this potion. His concentration was fast slipping away due to the slightly hypnotizing fumes that all the cauldrons were giving out. Sneaking a glance at his fellow classmates, Harry noticed that he was not the only one, for everyone save for Hermione had a slightly glazed look in their eyes.

Professor Snape did not appear to be stunned though. On the contrary, he seemed to be observing how his students were making a fool of themselves (think dreamy expressions, slight drooling) with evident disgust on his face.

Harry was only dully aware of the classroom gradually blurring in front of his eyes. Dudley and his malicious gang swam into view. Strangely, he was younger, about nine years old. But, he still had the mind of a seventeen year old.

"Alright there, Potter? You look as if though you might faint anytime. Come on gang, beat him!", Dudley laughed evilly. Instinctively, he whipped out his wand and started hexing the evil gang. He was just savouring the satisfaction of releasing his pent up frustrations at the gang when…

"Mr Potter! Stop at once!". He felt his wand slip out of his hand. He was still in a daze and a little disorientated. Slowly, he realized that he was back in class.

Looking around, he was shocked to see several of his classmates on the floor, unconscious, not to mention potion spilled all over the floor.

"Potter, explain yourself!"

"What?"

"It seems that you are not capable of explaining why you chose to stun the class at random and cause the class to be in such an untidy state. Now then, since it is apparent that you are in need of a more suitable occasion to hex others, you will meet me in the Great Hall at 1p.m. for a duel. 50 points from Gryffindor. Now, if you would excuse me, I have a class to awaken."

"Ennervate!" Professor Snape called out commandingly. One by one, the students slowly regained consciousness. Several of them were shocked to see warts on their faces, chicken wings instead of arms and noses as big and red as Rudolph the reindeer himself.

Not wanting to embarrass himself any further, Harry hastily collected his things, cleared his cauldron and left the dungeons wordlessly.

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His stomach coiled uncomfortably at the thought of facing Snape. Snape obviously wanted to humiliate him in front of the school! As he did not want Ron and Hermione to worry about him, he had escaped from the dungeons at the first opportunity he had.

Now, sitting in his dormitory alone, he was left alone in his own thoughts. Not even Hermione could help him to worm out of this.

'I can tell Professor McGonagall about the situation, she would definitely understand.' An image of Snape sneering at him for being a coward flashed before his eyes.

'But that does not solve the problem. Snape would most likely just find another excuse to get me to duel with him or to do something even more embarrassing.' Harry weighed his options. Either he faced this, or make Snape more angry, which would only result in more punishments for him. In addition, if he did not appear at the Great Hall, he was sure that Snape would gleefully spread the word around. Within a week, he would be deemed as a wimp and coward to not only Snape, but the whole school.

It wasn't as if the whole school had not turned on him before, but as a self respecting teenager, Harry did have his pride. Anyway, the whole 'silent treatment' deal was rather horrible. He preferred that the whole school did not turn on him again, thank you very much. Therefore, not turning up was definitely not an option.

As his "moment of death" was swiftly approaching, he sadly stood up and headed to the Great Hall.

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Severus was starting to regret his impulsive decision earlier on. He wanted to take an opportunity to teach that arrogant boy a lesson, but had not stopped to think of the consequences. What if he lost the duel? He was going to live in utter humiliation for centuries to come.

Oh well, what's done is done. He would just put in his best effort to ensure that Potter got his just desserts.

Before he knew it, it was time. Smirking slightly to himself, he sauntered towards the Great Hall, robes billowing out behind him.

Upon arriving at the Great Hall, he sat down with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. His hawk-like eyes briefly swept across the students in search of a certain raven-haired boy.

Good. The boy had not forgotten their duel. Abruptly, he stood up and headed towards the center of the Great Hall, beckoning Potter with a swift move of his hand.

Dumbledore watched from the staff table silently, his right hand gripping his wand should the need to hex them apart arise.

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'This is it', Harry thought nervously. Ignoring the curious gazes of his fellow Gryffindors, he rose from the table and headed towards Snape.

"Surely you know proper dueling etiquettes? Unless my memory has failed me, you had experience in dueling in your second year, have you not?" The way he phrased his sentence was such that if anyone heard him, they would instantly have known that he was stating a fact, not asking a question.

There was the sound of gasps coming from many students when they spotted Harry and Professor Snape drawing their wands. Both of them bowed in unison, though it was more due to tradition than respect.

Dumbledore looked at the oncoming combat with growing interest.

'This could be very interesting indeed', he pondered with a merry sparkle in his eyes. Therefore, it was no surprise that he made no attempt to stop teacher and student. In fact, he even subtly encouraged them by being the judge for their duel.

"Ok, on the count of 3. 1, 2…..3! ", he called out in a booming voice.

Cries of "Expelliarmus!" and "Stupefy" were heard.

"Avis!" Snape turned into a bird, causing laughter to erupt from the students. However, he turned back into human form within a minute

"Confundus!", he snarled. Harry was immediately left with a dazed look in his eyes, but figured out what was going on quickly and hastily muttered the counter-charm.

"Stupefy!" both of them shouted in unison.

There was a blinding flash of bluish light and smoke which engulfed the entire hall. After coughing fits from students and professors alike ceased because Dumbledore had the good sense to mutter a spell to rid the hall of smoke, there was silence. Then, Professor Snape and Harry Potter were found lying on the floor, unconscious.

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