Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/ works/7876498. Rating: Explicit Archive Warning: Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Underage Fandom: Harry_Potter_-_J.K._Rowling Relationship: Severus_Snape/Other(s), Voldemort/Other(s) Character: Harry_Potter, Severus_Snape, Albus_Dumbledore, Voldemort Additional Tags: Mpreg, First_Time, Drama, Romance, Established_Relationship Collections: Ink_Stained_Fingers Stats: Published: 2003-05-28 Chapters: 3/3 Words: 5561 ****** Coil of the Serpent ****** by Lady of Arundel [archived by ISF_Archivist] Summary A new look at Voldemort’s first rise and fall from power. What if Voldemort’s crusade against the Light was driven not just by a thirst for power, but out of the desire to protect those he loved and creating a better world for everyone? Notes This story was originally archived at Ink_Stained_Fingers, which was created in 2002 as a home for Harry Potter slash fiction. To preserve the archive, we began manually importing its works to the AO3 as an Open Doors-approved project in January 2015. We e-mailed all authors about the move and posted announcements, but may not have reached everyone. If you are (or know) this author or artist, please contact me using the e-mail address at the Ink_Stained_Fingers_collection profile. Author's notes: A Voldemort-Severus Snape story unlike any othercome on, give it a try. :- The only thing AU is the TR/SS and mpreg bit, I’m trying to fit in their perspective into canon events. ***** Coil of the Serpent ***** Coil of the Serpent Pairings: TR/SS--but definitely not of the garden variety; implied SB/SS and JP/LE Disclaimer: The characters and universe herein belong to JKRowling; the plot is my own. Warnings: Slash, Mpreg, underage, slight s/m, violence, and a romantic, sweet Tom Riddle, (personally, that nice Tom Riddle is the most shocking...or, well, was...now it's eerily comfortable to write...). ============================================================================= Late February 1980 ============================================================================= He awoke to gentle chimes and silken hair, soft skin wrapped in muted morning light. For a long moment he lay there, his husband curled up against him with his head pillowed against his chest, and life consisted of naught but his beloved sleeping in his arms and the fresh scent of lilac and lemon pressed into the bedclothes. But these were perilous times, and soon the unfinished plans and work to be done and worries of the world beyond the bed curtains intruded and with great reluctance set about untangling himself from the lithe form sharing his bed. Gently he eased himself out from beneath his sleeping husband, smiling softly as the younger man sighed sleepily and nuzzled into the warmed pillows. `Beautiful,' he mused, pushing errant strands of ebony out of the porcelain, angelic face of his husband. `So heart-achingly beautiful.' A vision of sweet beauty and innocence that had first drawn him to the younger wizard nearly a decade ago, but it was the wit and intellect and power of the man behind that vision which had at last captured his heart. He drew the duvet up around his lover, careful to guard the delicate sleeping man against the winter chill, his hand lingering in awe along the gentle swell of his beloved's stomach. Their child. This swell was his child, that was his own flesh and blood growing within the man he loved more than words or magic could ever express. He didn't bother to fight the goofy grin the thought of his unborn son or daughter inevitably brought forth. Little over three months since his beloved had nervously broken the news--he was so beautiful when he was nervous--and each time the simple thought that he was going to be a father filled him with such joy it was like he was learning of their coming arrival for the very first time. He showered and dressed quickly before returning to their bed, fastening the clasps of his winter cloak and drinking in the sight of his sleeping husband. With something of reverence he cautiously sat on the side of the bed, bent, and lightly kissed the swell that was his unborn child before sliding up the slight form of his husband and repeating the motion with a light brush across tender lips. He pulled away and his eyes locked with smiling, sleepy black eyes. "Oops," he whispered, grinning as he stole another kiss. "Didn't mean to wake you, sweetheart." "S'all right." The younger wizard stretched languidly and tugged at his husband's cloak. He acquiesced--he always did for him--and settled down for a  deeper kiss, mindful of the distribution of his weight. His husband laughed into his mouth, long eyelashes fluttering against his cheek. "I'm not going to break, you know." "Yes, sweetheart, I know," dashing quick kisses across his beloved's brow, "I can't help it. You're both so precious to me, if anything ever happened... You never complain about anything, or say when you're in pain, you give me so much and you've given me this," his hand caressing his love's stomach, "the greatest gift of your love for me, and if I ever were to hurt either of you, I don't know if I--" "Hush, sweetheart. I understand..." He watched as his husband yawned and nestled into the covers, light lines of exhaustion apparent to his practiced eye. With a quick flick of his wand--yew and phoenix feather--he charmed the duvet to stay warm. Concerned, he lay a hand on his beloved's forehead. "Are you feeling alright? No morning sickness?" "I'm fine, love, no morning sickness, I'm only tired. Stop fussing or you'll be late." "Very well." He paused in contemplation as he did each morning, wishing he could share his plans for their future with his husband, but he didn't dare put his love and his child in that sort of danger. His beloved, nearly asleep again, didn't seem to notice the hesitation. "I fear I might be away for several days this time, Ministry business, sweetheart. Promise me you won't worry?" "I'll always worry, but I promise. Honestly, I don't know how you can stand working with those incompetents at the Ministry, demanding such long hours..." He hummed in reply and kissed his husband once more, pushing aside the powerful urge to climb back into bed and spend the day holding his love and their child. Now more than ever it was vital that his work proceed according to plan, now that together he and Severus were bringing a new life into the world. The day his beautiful Severus broke the news that he was expecting, he had plunged into his work, vowing that his child would be born into a world to be proud of, a world that would be at his command. The wizarding world was on the verge of its own destruction and only he could put a stop to it. The old ways were being forgotten, ancient wisdom corrupted, magical culture diluted by muggle-loving old fools-- He broke his line of thought before he became too angry and lost control of his magic--as it still had a tendency to do in moments of fury, despite years of training; surely raw magical energy was unhealthy for the baby and his husband. Despite his protests to the contrary, Severus was rather frail, the pregnancy overly taxing on his system despite his young age of twenty-three. Which was why it was increasingly important that he not involve his husband in his plans--their plans, truly--until after the child was born and Severus was well again, and why he had to be more careful now than ever before, for if he put his husband and child in danger, no matter how inadvertently... "It's only for the time being, sweetheart. Someone must keep an eye on old Dumbledore. Sleep well, Severus. I love you. Owl me the instant anything feels wrong, alright?" He caressed his love's cheek fondly before at last taking his leave. He turned at the doorway once more--Severus was smiling, a hand protectively resting on his stomach. "Yes Tom, I promise. I love you, too. Hurry home to us." ============================================================================= TBC... ***** Coil of the Serpent - Part II ***** Coil of the Serpent - Part II ============================================================================= Part II ============================================================================= Severus Snape first met the enigmatic Tom Riddle at the end of the summer before his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Mr. Riddle was a former associate and partner of his father, the honorable Judge Thaddeus Snape, and so when his old friend had at last returned home to England after years spent on the Continent, the generous Lord Snape had hosted a select celebration. The young master of the house was then a boy of eleven (and a half!) who had inherited the strong will of his father and the haunting beauty of his mother, not to mention the power of both. He was terribly excited for at long last, now that he was a Hogwarts boy, he had escaped the clutches of the gossipy women gathered in Mother's drawing room had been allowed instead to join the older men as they adjourned to father's study. Severus lingered in the background politely entertaining Father's guests while Father periodically allowed him to steal small sips of his brandy. He felt inexplicably drawn to one man in particular, a man with bright green eyes and wild ebony hair--which vaguely reminded him of James Potter from school but didn't annoy him nearly as much. Mr. Riddle exuded an aura of power and wisdom matched perhaps only by Headmaster Dumbledore, and Severus couldn't help but sit back and simply watch the guest of honor as he worked the room. He was so caught up in this mysterious stranger that he barely noticed his father's approach, and most certainly missed the calculating twinkle in Father's eye as he determined the object of his son's attentions. "Perhaps there's a chance..." Thaddeus murmured to himself, and young Severus sharply looked up at his father, startled and blushing at being caught staring. Lord Snape inwardly scolded himself for speaking aloud and smiled to put his son at ease, motioning for him to follow him. Thaddeus crossed the room and pressed a hand on Mr. Riddle's shoulder and proudly nodded to his child. "Tom, I would like to present my son and heir, Severus Adieus Snape." Severus colored shyly, looking up at Father's friend through wisps of the renowned Snape black hair. "It is a pleasure to meet you, sir." Mr. Riddle smiled and extended his hand. "Severus, I do believe the pleasure is all mine." ============================================================================= Mr. Riddle had seemed as intrigued by Severus as Severus had been by him. Mr. Riddle entertained him with tales of his many travels through Eastern Europe, describing the wilds of Romania, the special blend of magic practiced in the Baltics, the dark magic of Siberia. Master Snape the younger politely answered Mr. Riddle's inquiries to his studies: how proud he was to be sorted into Slytherin, how intolerable it was to share classes with the Gryffindors, how excited he was to try out for a spot on the house quidditch team (Father had bought him the new Comet 220 for that very purpose!), how he thought he liked potions class the best and even Professor Bulywig, who was as Gryffindor as they came, had grudgingly admitted Severus was quite gifted in the field. Mr. Riddle had picked up a number of volumes on potions in his travels, some of them quite advanced and certainly rare, and perhaps as the younger Master Snape progressed in his studies, would he someday be interested in viewing Mr. Riddle's private collection? Severus was most interested indeed, and Mr. Riddle laughed that perhaps Severus ought to have been sorted a Ravenclaw instead. Before the boy grew too indignant he chuckled and assured Severus he had been joking, tipping the boy's chin with his finger and gravely made him promise never to be ashamed of his thirst for knowledge, that it was a great gift indeed and knowledge was the key to great power. All too quickly it was time for the adults to be left alone. Severus was quite reluctant to bring one of the most exciting evenings of his short life to a close, and only could be consoled by Mr. Riddle's assurance that he was certain they would see much of each other in the future. ============================================================================= Tom Riddle watched as the beautiful, innocent boy allow himself to be led off to bed by his mother, young Severus nearly bouncing as he excitedly told the lovely Adara of his evening, eyes bright and hands moving wildly. Adara smiled at Thaddeus and shepherded her son from the room as the boy acquiesced, but not before glancing over his shoulder at Tom with a shy smile that made Tom's spine tingle just as the study doors swung closed. A smile tugged the corners of his lips and Tom's gaze lingered a moment in the direction the boy had taken before he allowed himself to be drawn back into the conversation at hand. ============================================================================= The following day, an owl arrived from Mr. Riddle, sending heartfelt thanks to his dear friends Thaddeus and Adara for their gracious and warm welcome, congratulating them on raising such a brilliant and courteous young man as Severus, and asking Thaddeus if he would like to continue their conversation from the previous evening at a small gathering Mr. Riddle would be hosting-- a house warming of sorts--Friday next. A postscript had been added, wishing Severus the best of luck at quidditch try-outs next month. After much gentle prodding from Mother, Severus sent a brief thank you to Mr. Riddle. He sent the note with Nestor, his favorite owl. ============================================================================= Lord and Lady Snape sent their son an owl of congratulations to Slytherin's new seeker (one of the youngest in over a century, although not quite the youngest) for his success. On the heels of Father's prideful boasts Mother hinted that perhaps Mr. Riddle would be interested to hear the good news from Severus himself rather than his parents. ============================================================================= They began to exchange letters. Severus's first notes were timid and brief; he was painfully afraid he was wasting the brilliant and popular Mr. Riddle's time and hoped he wouldn't write anything that sounded too stupid or immature for the likes of his father's best friend. After all, why would an adult such as the great Mr.  Riddle want to waste his time writing to a now twelve-year old boy? But Mr. Riddle's replies were always kind and flowing and never condescending and after a time Severus opened up in his letters and soon they shone of the bright, eager boy Mr. Riddle met in the private study of Snape Manor. Their letters increased in frequency, filled with stories of the latest prank played by the dumb Gryffindors, suggestions of new pranks bound to surprise the so-called Marauders, caricatures of professors, Severus's excited reports on new spells learned in class, and stories from Mr. Riddle's days at Hogwarts--old Dumbledore allowed the oaf Hagrid to stay on as the groundskeeper? How appalling! Around the transition from third to fourth year Severus's letters once more became hesitant and the boy himself closed off. Mr. Riddle quickly became concerned and delicately coaxed the matter out of his young friend, assuring the boy he had his fullest confidence and that he would think no less of him. Shyly the boy began to send him questions about potions and spells he dared not ask his professors and frustrations over the limitations on the topics discussed in classes. At last Severus drew up the courage to ask directly, still fearing the rejection and outrage of his closest confidant. Did Mr. Riddle happen to know anything about the Dark Arts? Mr. Riddle felt intensely honored the boy trusted him and had at last opened up to him, and told Severus so in his next letter. Yes, he happened to be quite knowledgeable in the Dark Arts, and would be happy to tutor Severus if he so wished. He furthermore assured the boy that his curiosity about the Dark Arts was nothing to be ashamed of--had he not told him long ago that knowledge was power?--and that in fact in learning the Dark Arts he would be continuing a proud Snape family tradition. He could practically read the crimson blush and excitement in the boy's reply, ever the Ravenclaw in Slytherin snake skin. This prompted a long letter from Father, heavily warded, congratulating him on his interest in true magic and detailing the lesser-known aspects of the Snape family history. Father assured his son he knew this must all be overwhelming for the boy and expected nothing from him, explaining that he and Mother had decided not to actively raise him by the Dark Arts until he was old enough to truly understand them. To embrace the Dark Arts was a life- changing decision and not one to be taken lightly, and he and Mother had wanted Severus to make the decision himself and not be forced into it. Only conscious acceptance, Father wrote, gave the Dark Arts true power. "Knowledge and will are the true keys to power and the self, my son. Remember that always." Severus's mind made up, Mr. Riddle began to send the boy works on the Dark Arts (under concealment, of course); some the boy realized he recognized from Father's private library but others were deliciously foreign to him. He read them all furiously, sending his Father and Mr. Riddle long scrolls of comments and observations and questions, and he quickly excelled at his newest subject as did he in all his regular courses. In the midterm report sent home to parents, Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Wilkes commented on Severus's increased interest and attention in class (and, of course, his standard top marks), adding that he looked forward to seeing Thaddeus and Tom that following Saturday night. ============================================================================= Mr. Riddle was a frequent visitor to Snape Manor, particularly whenever Severus returned home for school holidays, invariably setting aside time to spend with his favorite protg. Thaddeus had entrusted his son's extracurricular education in his dear friend's hand--after all, who was more qualified to teach his son than the rising Dark Lord? Not that Lord and Lady Snape, nor Mr. Riddle, felt it was quite time to share that sort of information with the boy. Severus and Mr. Riddle spent summer holidays pouring over Dark texts, playing quidditch, or experimenting in the Snape potions lab. Long hours were devoted to simply wandering the grounds and talking, Severus picking out the tree he had fallen from when he was six and pointing to the scar from the resulting broken arm and sharing other childhood adventures, Mr. Riddle teaching Severus the names of plants that they passed and their uses for both Light and Dark. On one such walk Mr. Riddle insisted that Severus call him Tom when they were alone, and Severus in return implored him to promise that they would always be the best of friends. Tom had smiled and ruffled the beautiful boy's hair, promising him they would be together forever. ============================================================================= Early on in fifth year, after several rather awkward encounters in the girls' dormitories of Slytherin (and Gryffindor), and one remarkably more pleasant experiment with Lucius, Severus at last admitted to himself that sexually he much preferred the male form. Homosexuality was not the least bit unusual or considered untoward in the wizarding world, yet the Snape heir found himself reluctant to engage in any serious entanglements beyond quick snogs in the team locker room. As one of the princes of Slytherin and the heir of his mother's charms he certainly had no shortage of offers from boys or girls alike, but Severus was never really interested. Instead of sneaking off to the Astronomy Tower Severus would wander off to the potions lab he had set up with Professor Bulywig's permission (grudging, of course), preoccupied more with resolving the instability of his latest invention than returning the increasingly forward advances of that slag Sirius Black. ============================================================================= Mr. Riddle extended an invitation to the younger Master Snape to join him for the last week of Christmas break at Salazar's Fen, his ancestral home on his mother's side. Tom simultaneously wrote Thaddeus and Adara reporting on their son's magical progress, suggesting that Severus had advanced enough for him to make good on his promise given years prior to show his favorite student his book collection. Severus had hurriedly asked Mother and Father for permission, breathless and with invitation still in hand. They had of course consented and Severus had raced off to owl Tom to accept. Severus was so excited that he completely missed the knowing smile shared between the Lord and Lady Snape at their son's slip of the tongue when he begged to be allowed to visit "Tom." ============================================================================= That New Year's Eve, Tom and Severus shared their first kiss, chaste and unhurried and sweet, over an Albanian treatise on renacius serum in the library of Salazar's Fen. ============================================================================= TBC... ============================================================================= ***** Coil of the Serpent - Part III ***** Coil of the Serpent - Part III ============================================================================= Part III ============================================================================= For the rest of Severus's holiday, they did little more than kiss. The two spent every waking moment together, separating only at night to retreat to the separate bedrooms Tom insisted they keep, much to the nearly- turned-fifteen year old's dismay. When they weren't pouring over books from the library or discussing magical theory they would simply sit and hold each other, whispering and sharing kisses for long hours. The night before Severus was due back at Hogwarts they spent in Tom's study reading, the older man sitting in an armchair with Severus snuggled against him. Before long the book was cast aside and Severus had turned and straddled Tom's lap, running his hands through the older man's messy black hair. The beautiful boy trailed messy kisses up his neck, grinding his hips against Tom's and making the older man gasp. He could feel the boy's hardness burning against his hip through the layers and yards of cloth between them and undoubtedly Severus could feel his own aching erection. Summoning all his strength he closed his hands over the small, nibble ones working open the clasps of his robe. Severus whimpered, pressing his body against the older wizard's and they both moaned at the contact. "Please, I want to touch you, I need you to touch me," Severus gasped between heated kisses, struggling in vain to continue his task of undressing Tom. "I've never wanted anything, anyone this much...take me to your bed, please...I want you..." Tom's heart fluttered and swelled but nevertheless he pulled away the sweet, beautiful, tempting hands and sought to console the boy with a passionate kiss. Breathless he pulled away, lightly running his hands down the boy's back, letting them settle on his hips. "I know, sweetheart. Which is precisely why we can't." Severus stiffened and tried to move away from him but Tom pulled him back, desperately trying to kiss away the fear and rejection in the boy's eyes. He pressed his forehead to the boy's, drowning in onyx. "I care for you too much to ruin this by rushing, sweetheart. You're still so young, and I'm so much older..." he silenced Severus's protests with another kiss, the boy squirming in his lap as Tom plundered the sweet mouth. "I know, sweetheart, I know. I just don't want you to do anything that you'll regret." "I won't," Severus rested his head on Tom's shoulder, voice breathless and rough in his ear. "I swear I won't regret it. Ever." To accentuate his point he thrust his hips, panting into the older man's neck. "I know you believe that, Severus, but I don't want to hurt you. I couldn't bear for you to hate me." The boy continued to grind himself into the older man's hip, and Tom could not help himself but slide his hands lower onto the firm ass, evoking a groan. "I won't, ever...oh gods...please...please, Tom...take me, I need to feel you...don't you want me?" The wild thrusts continued and quickened in pace as the boy begged, voice breaking in self-doubt. "Sweet Merlin...Yes, I want you, to claim you" Tom claimed the bruised lips and allowed himself to rock against the firm body in his lap. "I want you so, so much...which is why I could never hurt you, sweetheart, why we can't...you don't know how long I've watched you, imagined you..." Severus moaned and threw back his head, eyelids heavy with arousal and lips parted as he desperately rubbed his aching arousal against his would-be lover. Tom rocked and kissed the angel in his lap, the boy's moans going straight to the groin that had long-ago betrayed him, still amazed the object of his desires wanted him so. He slid a hand from the sweet, rocking arse in between their bodies and cupped Severus's straining cock through his robes and clothing. Severus cried out and thrust erratically against Tom's teasing hand. "Oh yes, please...feels so...oh gods..." "Such a vocal little one," he purred in Severus's ear. "Yes...oh, harder...only for...you, yes Tom...please..." Tom kissed Severus sweetly, stroking and squeezing the boy through his robes, knowing he wouldn't last long. "Hush, sweetheart, it's alright. Come for me, Severus. Come for me..." Severus thrust harder into Tom's hand, completely lost in his lust. It was the most mesmerizing sight Tom had ever seen. "...please, gods, oh....oh....yes, almost...going to...love you, love you, love you....oh, TOM!" Severus's neck snapped back and his back arched, the sweet young body strung taught and shuddering before collapsing bonelessly into the older wizard. Tom pulled his hand away and rubbed the boy's back soothingly. "There, it's alright, I have you...you're so beautiful, sweetheart...so beautiful when you come," he cooed into Severus's ear as he held the slight form, ignoring his own need. "Rest now, sweetheart ..." They sat in silence, Severus curled in his lap, until at long last the boy shifted against him and sleepy black eyes looked up into his own. Severus beamed. "That was bloody brilliant!" Tom chuckled and squeezed him tight. Severus shifted again and blushed at the hardness pressing into his stomach. "You didn't...do you want me to...if you want to...?" Tom cast a quick cleaning and drying spell on Severus before scooping the boy up in his arms. "No, sweetheart, not tonight." Tom swiftly carried the boy to Severus's bedroom and gently lay the boy, already half asleep in his arms, on the bed, kissing his brow and tucking him in. He knew what he felt for the boy was true, and if Severus could possibly feel the same for him...Tom smiled, extinguishing the light and easing the door closed. He had waited this long-- almost four years and countless lifetimes past--so he could wait a bit longer, for he had long ago promised the boy forever, a promise he intended to keep. ============================================================================= "--evil rising...swear I'm not lying...as if I would make something like this up..." As the voices approached, Severus hastily stashed the letter he had been writing--yet another rather graphic protest to the agonizingly slow pace at which Tom insisted their budding relationship proceed--between the pages of one of the books stacked on his desk. He tipped his chair into the shadow of the alcove and pretended to read his potions text, cheeks tinted red and text in his lap, conveniently concealing the semi-aroused state his letter writing had left him in. "...heard it from my own dad, I did! Works for the Ministry itself!" "Why would he tell you of all peo--"  The pair ducked down one of the side aisles, but not before Severus caught a glimpse of Weasley-red hair and freckles--the Gryffindor first year, no doubt. What was his name, Ben, Bob, Bill, or something? "Dad sent me a letter, warning me to be extra careful. Said there's been an increase in Dark activity and that the Dark wizards have been gathering." "But the Daily Prophet hasn't--" The other boy interrupted loudly. "Shh!" hissed Bill, and Severus had to strain to hear as the pair moved away from his alcove. "Dad didn't quite say this, but I think that stuff has already happened, terrible things that the Ministry has been forcing the Prophet to keep quiet. He said that there's word of a new..." The rest of the sentence was lost as Bill and the other first year moved out of Severus's hearing. A new gathering of the Dark wizards? Severus swallowed uneasily, his stomach a conflicting tumble of excitement and apprehension. Rumors of a growing gathering and the rise of a new Dark Lord had flowed throughout Slytherin House since his own second or third year and Severus had come to pay little attention to the hushed whispers, but to hear the same rumors from another house, and Gryffindor no less...He crossed his arms, teeth absently worrying at his lip. A new Dark Lord. Severus loved the Dark Arts. The casting of his first Dark spell had been like the discovery of a part of himself that he hadn't even known he had been missing. In a way, it was precisely that. He had found his true art and had excelled in it, knew it was in his very blood. Dark Magic was not itself bad- -it was simply a different approach and field of the Magical Arts, the one more often misused in the name of evil. It was the wizard, and not the magic itself, that was evil. After all, to know how to cast the Cruciatus was one thing, to actually use it was quite another. He shivered, drawing his robe tighter around him. Severus had read of things- -in History of Magic, tutoring sessions with Tom, or otherwise--of the reign of Grindelwald, the last Dark Lord, when wizards had committed terrible, horrific crimes allegedly in the name of the Dark Arts. It both angered him and made him want to retch. But if these new rumors were true, Father or Tom surely would have told him; since neither had, the rumors were probably only brazen conjecture. Thus resolved, he pushed the matter completely from his mind and resumed writing his love letter. ============================================================================= The summer after fifth year was much like the summers before. Tom had decided to hold off any more visits to Salazar's Fen for the near future, dryly noting over dinner that not much tutoring or revising had been accomplished there over Christmas break. Tutoring sessions resumed, therefore, at Snape Manor and once more Tom became a near constant guest of Lord and Lady Snape. Severus thought he would go mad from lust and sexual frustration. The times he did manage to corner Tom all to himself the older wizard allowed nothing more than tender kisses and chaste touches, telling Severus he refused to repay the courtesy of his best friend by committing lurid sexual acts with his underage son under his own roof. Even something as relatively innocent as their last night together during holidays was set off limits. "Besides, sweetheart," Tom had winked, caressing Severus's flushed cheek with the back of his hand. "You underestimate the pleasure of a simple kiss. Perhaps I should demonstrate..." Severus had reluctantly agreed to Tom's terms, contenting himself with long talks, longer looks, and stolen kisses with Tom during the day and furious bouts of self-pleasuring and fantasies alone in his bed at night. It wasn't so bad, after all. For if anything a greater emotional intimacy had been bred between them, and probably because of it Severus had made his discovery. It happened one August evening over dinner. Severus had been fondly watching Tom converse with Father, admiring the grace of how Tom held his wine glass, smiling wryly at the infuriatingly-incorrect way Tom held his knife when cutting his food, and feeling simply contented by Tom's nearness when it struck him--he was in love with Tom Riddle. It wasn't just infatuation mistaken by a schoolboy for love, but it was real love. It wasn't just desire or lust. He didn't merely like Tom, didn't only admire him, trust him, respect him, and believe in him. It was all those things and something more, a completion even greater than the one he had felt when he had discovered the Dark Arts. Being with Tom made him happier than could anything else. He felt safer with Tom than with anyone else bar, maybe, his parents. He loved Tom for the way he held his wine glass and despite the irritating way Tom held his knife. In love with him because of the irritating way Tom held his knife. He was really, truly in love. Severus smiled so brightly that he momentarily distracted Tom and Thaddeus from their heated discussion. Tom gave him a quick smile, one more apparent in his eyes than his mouth, before turning back to Father. And maybe, just maybe, Tom was in love with him, too. ============================================================================= Severus decided to keep his revelation to himself for the time being and gave up any attempts to convince Tom to rethink their summer arrangement. Severus rightly interpreted Tom's insistence that they wait to mean that the older wizard really cared for him rather than the physical pleasure he could offer the older man. Perhaps he had intended that Severus sort out his feelings without the further complication of sex. Severus had promised Tom he'd never regret anything they might do together, but it was only know that he knew he really meant it. He would wait patiently until Tom would take him to his bed, it would be worth it. ============================================================================= "Promise me you'll write?" "Haven't I always?" "I know, I just...I'll miss you." "Sweet, sentimental Severus." Tom chuckled at Severus's mock scowl, and swung his arm over the boy's shoulders. "I'll miss you, too. Even more, I dare say, without adventures and studies to distract me." "Severus!" Adara called. His parents had already gone out to the car, leaving Tom and Severus behind in the entrance hall. "We must leave for London now or you'll miss the train!" Severus smiled apologetically at Tom before standing on his toes and meeting the older wizard's lips for a kiss. Tom slid his arms around the boy's waist, deepening the kiss until they broke apart breathless. The boy pressed his reddened lips against Tom's ear. "I'm glad we waited this summer. I'll wait as long as you want me to, `cause I know now that I really love you." Severus pulled back, blushing, and raced out the front doors to the car, leaving a stunned but smiling Tom Riddle alone in his wake. ============================================================================= TBC... ============================================================================= Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed their work!