Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/1110056.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Harry_Potter_-_J._K._Rowling, Kuroshitsuji_|_Black_Butler
  Relationship:
      Harry_Potter/Severus_Snape
  Additional Tags:
      Crossdressing, Chan, Angels, Demons, Religious_Imagery, Torture, Murder,
      secret_agents, Historical, Alternate_Universe_-_Fusion, Crossover
  Stats:
      Published: 2013-12-30 Completed: 2015-09-28 Chapters: 25/25 Words: 51564
****** Tear it all Away ******
by Eriador117
Summary
     Harry Potter, the young Earl of Godric's Hollow saw his parents
     murdered before his own abduction. He lives now for one thing and one
     thing only: vengeance.
Notes
     Inspired by the anime and manga Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji. Could be
     considered a fusion with HP, but it will not necessarily follow
     either storyline exactly.
     Yana Toboso owns Black Butler and JK Rowling Harry Potter. No money
     is made from these stories. Just for fun, not for profit.
     Beta'd by R, thanks so much :)
See the end of the work for more notes
***** Chapter 1 *****
Part 1
The smoke was choking him, but Harry stumbled on, trying to get back to the
drawing room. He could hear his mother screaming as the flames engulfed the
manor.
"Master Harry! No!" Miss McGonagall, his governess, grabbed hold of his arm and
tried to yank him back, away from the door that seemed to be growing more and
more out of reach. "It's too dangerous! You have to get out of here!"
"My parents are in there! I can't leave them!" Harry protested, flinging her
arm away and dashing down the corridor. The ceiling above buckled under the
weight of the fire and wooden struts fell to the floor in front of him, fire
consuming them like hungry monsters. Harry had never felt such heat. His skin
blistered, his hair and eyebrows singed from the heat of the flames. How could
he get past the obstacle to the drawing room? The flames were too high for him
to jump.
The drawing room door imploded inwards, flames licking up each side of the
doorway, as if framing the scene within. A scene that would haunt him forever:
both of his parents sitting side by side on a brocaded sofa. Harry knew the
sofa had once been blue, but the fire had turned everything to char - including
his parents. They were already dead; he'd imagined his mother's screams, for no
sound could have come from the two blackened skeletons sitting on that sofa.
Harry screamed and tried to make his way through the flames. What did it matter
if he died now? He would be with his parents again. But McGonagall was too
quick for him; she yanked him back and scooped him up in her arms before making
for the exit to the terrace. Harry squirmed in her grasp, but she had too close
a hold on him and his efforts to escape were futile.
As soon as they were outside, McGonagall set him down, panting for breath.
There were strangers all over the lawn, cloaked, hooded and masked figures that
were running around the gardens setting fires to the trees and flowers. Were
they the ones who had set fire to the manor? The ones who had killed his
parents? Harry uttered a wordless wail of rage and rushed towards them,
McGonagall hot on his heels. "Master Harry! No! Run! You must run from them!"
Harry ignored her and ran straight towards the hooded figures. McGonagall
easily passed him with her longer legs, her skirts hitched up in her hands so
she could run faster. Harry knew she was only trying to protect him, but didn't
she know he no longer needed it? What was left for him now? One of the taller
robed figures caught hold of McGonagall and threw her to the ground.
"Leave her!" snarled one of the other fellows. "Get the earl!"
Harry didn't quite understand at first. His father was dead already, what did
these strangers want with him now?
"Get the earl," that same cold voice repeated and the tide of people washed
towards Harry.
Oh./ With his father dead now, Harry was the earl.
"Go, Harry! Run!" McGonagall urged him once more before one of the figures
kicked her in the face. Harry shrieked and ran towards the coward who would do
such a thing.
"How dare you hit a woman!" Harry bellowed, his small hands pummelling the
man's chest, but Harry was no match for a full-grown man. McGonagall's attacker
laughed before gripping Harry's hands in his own, so Harry kicked him on the
shins instead.
"You little bastard," he said, spitting in Harry's face. Two others grabbed
hold of Harry's arms and tore him away.
Harry wriggled and kicked, trying to get free, but it was no use. "Unhand me at
once, you oafs! How dare you touch me!"
"Oh, we'll be doing more than touching you soon, little earl," said the man
who'd spat on him. "Don't you worry about that. Our Master has plans for you.
He wants you alive, but he didn't say we couldn't rough you up a bit first."
Harry groaned in agony when the punch landed on his stomach, slumping against
the arms holding him up. The world wavered and greyed at the edges, he thought
he might be sick, but the nausea passed.
"Now, who's next?"
***
Harry scrambled as far back as he could in the cage when he heard the footsteps
approaching, but there wasn't anywhere to go. There were only two reasons why
someone would approach his cage - to feed him or to take him out for more
torture. And since he'd already been fed that day, he knew he was in for more
pain.
Harry didn't know how long he'd been here, wherever here was. It was a
windowless room with bare bricks on the walls and a mud-packed floor. His
captors hadn't even given him a chamber pot or bucket, so he had to use the
floor of his cage like an animal and the smell was vile.
From the time of his abduction, he'd been locked in this small cage unless he
was brought out for another torture session. There wasn't a second went by when
he wasn't in some sort of pain. But worse than the pain, was the humiliation.
They'd stripped him of his clothes that first night - even his undershirt and
drawers. All of them laughed and pointed, making scathing comments about his
scrawny body and his small groin. "Look at it! It looks like a worm!" They'd
poked and prodded him, rough hands crawling all over his naked body before
they'd shoved him in the cage.
The cage was so small that he couldn't even stretch out or sit up. The only
position that was comfortable was to be on all fours, like the animal he was
trying hard not to be. How those horrible people had laughed to see him thus
degraded!
"Oh, look! All the little puppy needs is a tail!" The man who'd spoken thrust
his groin obscenely against the bars of Harry's cage, near to his face. "I've
got a tail right here that could do with a good lick!"
"If you put that disgusting thing anywhere near me I'll bite it off!" Harry
retorted with more bravado than he felt. What did they want of him? Why were
they keeping him here?
"Oho, the puppy can bark!"
"Leave the boy alone, Rodolphus. You know the Master wants him pure."
Harry wasn't sure, but he thought the voice that had scolded Rodolphus belonged
to a woman.
"Pity. He's such a delectable little morsel. He's got an arse on him that would
make a whore jealous."
But after that, Harry was never touched in an intimate way again. His captors
stuck to beatings, kicking, whippings, scoring his skin with knives. Once
they’d branded him on his chest, just above his left nipple: an image of a
skull with a snake protruding from its mouth. Who were these people? What did
they want of him?
He tensed in his cage as the footsteps got nearer, wondering what it would be
today. The cutting or the kicking?
The dark-robed figure who unlocked his cage was whistling today, as if he was
going to enjoy whatever would be done to Harry. "You stink," he said
conversationally. "We can't let you go to our Master smelling like that." No
wonder, for Harry hadn't had a bath or even a pitcher of water to wash in ever
since he'd been here. It was a far cry from his life at the manor.
Harry's heart thudded frantically against his chest. This was the first time he
would be taken to their 'Master' and the knowledge filled him with terror.
"What's he going to do to me?" Harry demanded, but the only reply he got was a
clip round the ear.
hat's none of your business! The Master wants you brought to him washed and
cleaned, so that's all you need to know." The man tugged Harry out of the cage
before binding his wrists with rough rope. It chafed against his damaged skin.
Harry stumbled as soon as he was removed from the cage, his legs weak from lack
of food and the cramped conditions he'd been kept in. The man growled and
pulled him upright each time it happened. It was obvious in his tone and the
way that he pinched Harry's arms that he considered the job of taking Harry to
be bathed beneath him. They marched down a maze of passages, none with windows,
only old-fashioned iron sconces with torches on the walls. Harry was reminded
of the medieval dungeons from his History lessons with Miss McGonagall. What
had happened to her? Had they murdered her like they'd murdered his parents and
the rest of the staff at the manor? Something flickered in Harry's chest,
something other than the despair he'd been feeling up until now. What would his
dying achieve? He had to live, he had to fight, for only then could he avenge
his parents.
There was no bathing room in this foul place; the man shoved Harry into a room
that may once have been a kitchen, for there was an old range cooker up against
one wall. Someone was boiling a kettle on the stove top. There was no bath, not
that Harry had expected one. Instead there was a barrel cut in half which would
have to serve for his wash. The kettle whistled and the other figure removed it
from the stove and poured it into the barrel, steam billowing everywhere. "In,"
Harry's jailer commanded.
"It's too hot! You'll scald me!"
"It has to be hot to get rid of all the impurities. The Master's orders."
It took the two of them to manhandle Harry into the tub. He fought like a demon
to prevent himself from being dunked in the hot water, but he couldn't get away
no matter how much he tried. As soon as the water hit his bruised and broken
skin he cried out in pain. It felt as if he was being flayed alive. Not just
water for him, each of the men took up hard-bristled brushes that Harry was
sure would be more suited to cleaning floors than cleaning skin and scrubbed
every inch of his flesh. He didn't know how long he endured the agony of that
bath; time seemed to have lost all meaning. All he was aware of was pain that
never seemed to stop. But at last it was over. They lifted him out of the
barrel and dried him roughly with coarse towels before dressing him in a
sleeveless linen tunic which buttoned down the front.
Harry swayed on his feet as one of the men knelt down and did up his buttons.
He was faint from hunger and the heat of the bath. Everything felt unreal as he
was led down more and more corridors and into a cavernous room. It reminded him
of a church with a vaulted ceiling, but there were no stained-glass windows
here. There were no windows at all, just more of those flickering torches
casting shadows everywhere. There was quite a crowd gathered in this
underground room. Each of them wore black cloaks, the hoods up, their faces
masked. Each person had a different sort of mask, but each was of a different
animal. Some were real, like foxes and hounds, some from myths such as wyverns
and dragons. But Harry could still see their eyes through the masks: each was
staring at him with a naked hunger that increased his terror tenfold.
A tall figure broke away from the others. They all bowed and scraped to him,
their cloaks trailing on the floor. As they moved Harry saw what had been
hidden at first. There, in the middle of the room was a large altar at waist
height. At each corner were iron manacles and chains to bind a prisoner in
place. Harry turned, he tried to run, but there was nowhere to go. He was
surrounded by enemies and they caught him easily. The Master of the bunch
tipped Harry's chin up to face him.
"Such spirit still! But what would I expect from the Earl of Godric's Hollow?
Your line has never been cowards. You will make an excellent sacrifice." Harry
struggled once more as they bound him to the altar, splaying his limbs to their
furthest span. Their previous sacrifices had obviously been much taller. He
rattled against his chains, but even as he did so he felt himself growing
weaker, as if the chains themselves were drawing away his strength and
resistance. The Master approached and ripped the front of Harry's tunic open.
He grinned when he saw the brand on Harry’s chest. Harry wanted to cower away
from that hungry gaze, but there was nowhere to go. His father would have
endured anything. Harry steeled himself. Whatever happened now, he would not go
to his death whimpering in fear. He was the Earl of Godric's Hollow! He was a
Potter! Potters did not grovel; they did not give in to fear!
But despite all that, Harry couldn't stop the scream when the dagger pierced
his chest.
***** Chapter 2 *****
Part 2
The first thing Harry was aware of, was that he was free from pain. He opened
his eyes and found himself in a white room. No, room was the wrong word. There
were no floors, no ceilings, just a featureless white space. Harry was floating
within the space, suspended in midair with no visible means of support. He was
prone, like he had been on the altar, but he couldn't see any chains holding
him in place. Harry tried to move, but was unable to. If there were any
bindings they were invisible. He saw something out of the corner of his eyes as
a dark blur whizzed past his head.
Harry turned his head as far as he was able and blinked, unsure what he was
seeing. His captors had broken his spectacles the day they'd first abducted him
and everything was fuzzy. It looked like a bird; Harry was unsure whether it
was a crow or a raven, with glossy black wings and black eyes. The bird had
perched on a skeletal grey tree that Harry was sure had only just appeared.
"Why have you summoned me, mortal?" A booming voice asked. It wasn't a voice
Harry heard with his ears; he heard it in his mind.
"I haven't summoned anyone."
The raven flew from its perch and swooped down to land on Harry's chest,
staring at him with beady black eyes. The bird seemed to be scanning him, as if
it was taking note of all the bruises and other hurts that marred his body.
When it saw the knife-wound on Harry's chest, it clicked its beak and made some
sort of screeching, hissing noise that Harry had never heard from a bird
before.
"So, they think to use an innocent for their vile rituals, do they?"
The raven flew from Harry's chest amid a flurry of black feathers that fell
like snow. When the feathers cleared, a man was standing in the raven's place.
No, not a man. It couldn't be a man. What man had glossy, black wings sprouting
from his shoulders? What man's eyes were red like burning embers, the dark
pupil vertical like a cat's? What man had skin so pale it shone like bleached
bone in moonlight?
"Am I dead?" Harry asked the figure, not frightened in the least. The being
stared at him down the edge of his hooked nose.
"Not yet. Someone tried to kill you. To use you in a sacrifice to raise a
demon. I have little patience for humans who sacrifice others to their own
ends, especially those who have done no wrongdoing. Did they think the death of
an innocent child would bind me to their will? What has become of magic
wielders these days? I remember a time when any self-respecting wizard would
use his own blood to raise power. That's the trick of it, you see. Self-
sacrifice. Have they no lore? No knowledge of this any longer? The death of an
innocent would do little but anger demons."
"You're a demon," Harry said, and it wasn't a question. "Somehow, I always
thought Hell would be hotter."
The demon laughed then, throwing back his head, his shoulder-length hair
shaking with the force of his guffaws. "This isn't Hell. Or Heaven either. This
is the in-between place."
"The in-between place? What's that?"
"It's the place where those souls go who have not yet decided whether their
host body should live or die."
"I have nothing to live for. They took everything from me."
"Nothing to live for? Oh, come now, there's no point in lying to me. How about
vengeance? Don't you want revenge on those who killed your parents? On those
who hurt you so terribly? Only make a bargain with me and I can help you
destroy them all. You can have your vengeance, Harry Potter. I can help you
achieve it."
It didn't surprise Harry that the demon knew his name, or knew what had
happened to his parents, or that deep, dark part of himself that he was both
ashamed and proud of. He did want vengeance. He did want to find those
responsible and make them pay and pay and pay. The yearning was so strong, he
could almost taste it. To see them grovel as he tortured them in turn, like
they had done to him.
"You're a demon. A bargain with you means that you want something in return.
What do you want?" Harry asked, although he feared that he already knew the
answer.
"You know what I want, Harry Potter. Deep down, you've always known it."
"You want my soul."
"Of course! Material things are of no use to demons, not when we can magic
everything we need."
"Why do you need to bargain with me for my soul? Couldn't you just take it?"
Not that Harry knew much about demons, but if asked, he would have thought they
could just take what they wanted.
"It doesn't work like that. There are rules that our kind are bound to. Demons
cannot devour the soul of a mortal they do not have a contract with."
"What's to stop you from eating my soul once I've agreed to the contract but
before I've had my vengeance?"
The demon smiled, showing fanged teeth. "My, you are curious, aren't you? Again
it comes down to the contract. The demon and their mortal are both bound by it.
If you form a contract with me, I cannot harm you, not until your desire for
revenge is met. In fact, I will protect you from death until the terms are
fulfilled. I will serve you as your bound demon in whatever capacity you
desire."
"The terms being that once I have my revenge, you are free to devour my soul?"
"Indeed. Is this your wish? To bind myself to you?" The demon moved closer to
Harry, placing his hand over the wound in Harry's chest. His nails were black,
sharp and long, reminding Harry of talons. "Before you answer, you must
understand that once the contract is formed there is no going back. It cannot
be broken. If you make a contract with me the gates of Paradise will be forever
closed to you. You will no longer be considered one of His children."
"I don't care," Harry said with venom. "Where was He when my parents were
murdered? Where was He when I was tortured and humiliated in that place? I
renounce Him! I'll take your bargain, demon. I want them to pay for what they
did. Every last one."
The demon licked his lips, his eyes bright. "Name me. You must name me to seal
our contract."
"Name you? That's all? No pain? No blood?"
"Oh, there will be that too. I must place a demon's mark on you. It has to hurt
and you have to agree to it."
Harry nodded, he'd expected as much. What did he care now for a moment's more
pain? He had endured it, he would endure it again. But this time he knew what
it was for. "Self-sacrifice. I understand."
"Exactly. Now, what do you name me, young master?"
Harry thought for a while. It couldn't just be any name. The demon was an
ancient being, powerful, striking. Harry just couldn't call him Tom or John or
Joe; the demon needed something more distinguished. Miss McGonagall had been
teaching him about ancient Rome these past few weeks, before Harry's life had
turned upside down. What was the name of that emperor? Septimus? No, that
wasn't it. Harry smiled as he looked the demon up and down, as if to see if the
name would suit. He nodded. It would.
"I name you Severus."
***** Chapter 3 *****
Part 3
"It's time to wake, young master."
Harry rolled over in bed and groaned. His sleep had been filled with nightmares
and he didn't feel at all refreshed. Severus was by the window, pulling back
the curtains and tying them with silken ropes. Outside, Harry could hear the
clatter of horses' hooves and the raucous shouts of children as they played. In
the distance a bell tolled the hour, eight o'clock.
Harry stared at Severus' back, wondering as always what the butler was
thinking, but Severus never gave anything away. As usual, he was dressed in
black swallow-tail coat, black trousers with a thin grey pinstripe and a pair
of white gloves. Underneath, he would have his black waistcoat, white shirt and
black tie. Sometimes he reminded Harry of an undertaker rather than a butler.
Outside there was a loud crash of glass breaking and two voices rose in
argument.
"What happened?" Harry asked, wincing on hearing the noise.
"A milkman's cart overturned, my lord, and the broken bottles are blocking the
road. Some of the other road-users are not happy."
"I hate London," Harry muttered. "When will the repairs be finished at the
manor?"
"It shouldn't take much more than a week, young master. There are only the
finishing touches to the décor to be done now. Everything else is in place."
Harry knew that with Severus' demon powers, the manor could have been restored
in a matter of days, not years, but that would have meant questions, questions
he wasn't willing to answer, so he had allowed Severus to employ human workmen
to get things done. They'd spent the intervening years at his parents' London
house, or rather now it was his house, but Harry still wasn't quite used to the
fact that he was the Earl of Godric's Hollow now and not his father. It didn't
seem real.
Severus turned from the window, his lips curling in a smirk. "Must you always
toss and turn so when you sleep? You look like a hedgehog with that hair."
Harry growled. "Is that anyway to speak to your master?"
Severus crossed his right hand over his heart and bowed. "Forgive me. You are
too easy to tease, my lord."
"You've been with me for three years now; surely you know how much I hate
that?"
"Indeed," Severus said as he wheeled over the trolley holding Harry's
breakfast, but Harry didn't think Severus sounded at all repentant. Severus
lifted the silver cloche to reveal the dishes underneath. "Today, we have cream
porridge, kippers, bacon, eggs and devilled kidneys, along with earl grey tea."
"I'll just have the tea and porridge today. I'm not feeling very hungry," Harry
said as he sat up against his pillows.
"Are you ailing, my lord?" Severus removed one of his gloves, the left one,
Harry noted, so that the sign of their contract was visible on the back of his
hand. The demon seemed to like showing the mark of their contract whenever he
could. Severus placed his hand on Harry's forehead, his skin cool. Severus was
the only person Harry had allowed to touch him in the past few years; his
torment at the hands of his torturers still making him feel wary, even if the
touches were meant to be benign. Harry often wondered if the demon was alive
the way humans were alive. He seemed to breathe; he could eat human food,
although he didn't need it for sustenance. Did his heart beat? Did red blood
flow in his veins? "You don't seem to have a temperature. Did you have
nightmares again?" Severus lifted the tray off the trolley and placed it on
Harry's lap. "Eat something, you might feel better."
Harry nodded, wondering a bit at the irony of a demon trying to make a human
feel better. While Harry dealt with his breakfast, Severus turned to Harry's
wardrobe and removed the clothes Harry would wear that day and set them down on
the bed for Harry's approval. A dark green jacket with black trim, short
trousers to match, white shirt, a black ribbon for his neck, socks and garters
and of course his under drawers. Harry nodded, he didn't really care what he
wore, but Severus did. The demon always chose clothes that he thought fitted
with Harry's position in society.
Once Harry's breakfast was finished, or as much of it as he could manage,
Severus removed the tray while Harry stood to be divested of his nightshirt so
that Severus could dress him. Severus did duty as his valet, his butler,
housekeeper and cook all rolled into one. That was fine while they were at the
small London townhouse, but once back at the manor, Harry knew they would need
more staff. Even a demon had to have help sometimes.
Harry stood still while Severus dressed him, his touches professional, almost
perfunctory. Did the demon feel nothing but duty towards him? Or was he just
making sure that his prey couldn't escape before he got his soul? Did demons
feel desire? Or was the only thing they lusted after human souls?
"You're very quiet this morning, my lord. Is anything the matter?"
"Just thinking. What's my schedule for today?"
"Master Roberts has had to cancel your music lesson today, a family emergency,
so I will be taking you instead." Severus tied the bow around Harry's shirt
collar and stood up to inspect his handiwork.
"You? Do you even know anything about music?"
"I do. You are lunching with your aunt and uncle and this afternoon you will be
interviewing staff for the manor."
Harry grimaced. He'd forgotten Petunia and Vernon were coming for lunch today.
Their visits always left him feeling out of sorts, for Petunia was nothing like
his mother and he wondered at how the same parents could have produced two so
different sisters.
"Could you interview the prospective staff, Severus? I don't really know what
we need to run a manor house. You'd be much better at interviewing them."
"As you wish, young master."
"Do you know what sort of staff we might need for the manor?"
"A cook, a gardener, a housekeeper or maid, footmen, someone to see to the
horses and you probably ought to have a valet as well."
"No," Harry said firmly. "No valet. I don't want anyone else to touch me. Only
you can touch me, Severus."
Severus nodded, a smile hovering around his mouth. Oh, the demon did like that,
didn't he? That he was the only one who ever got to touch him. It gave Harry a
strange, squirmy feeling in the pit of his stomach. He'd been feeling it around
Severus a lot lately, but he was hesitant to ask Severus what it meant.
Severus handed Harry his walking stick, the silver handle in the shape of a
gryphon. Harry stood up and marched to his bedroom door when a cough from
behind him made him pause.
Harry turned to see Severus holding up the blue silk eye-patch in his hand. "I
forgot," Harry said as he took it from Severus and put it over his right eye.
The pentagram had faded somewhat since Severus had first put it there, but it
was still visible. Harry had endured the pain Severus had inflicted on him much
more stoically than the other tortures, because this time he knew that it was
something he wanted. Severus had to mark him, had to inflict pain but after
that Harry knew that he now had a demon that would do his bidding, who could
help him track down and destroy those who had killed his parents.
"It's best you do not forget, my lord. Unless you want everyone in England to
know you've contracted with a demon."
"I'm not sure they'd believe demons existed."
"I do enjoy watching humans discover the truth of it. It's quite amusing."
Severus smirked again before placing Harry's tray back on the wheeled trolley.
"I've left your correspondence in your study, my lord. You know to ring if you
need anything. I shall take you for your music lesson at ten and then I must
start on lunch. Will that be all?"
"Yes, yes," Harry waved the demon butler away and made his way downstairs to
his study on the first floor. He paused by the large painting of his parents on
the landing, both of them looking so happy together. James Potter was wearing a
ring set with a blue diamond on his right hand, the same ring that now graced
Harry's left thumb, as it was too big to fit on any of his fingers yet. It was
a ring that had been handed down to the Earl of Godric's Hollow, ever since the
earldom had been formed in the 1700s. Harry shook his head and continued on his
way. The painting of his parents was the only one that had survived the fire,
as it had been in the London townhouse at the time.
There was only one letter on his desk today. Severus dealt with most of the
household bills and accounts, dealing with the tailor and the butcher himself,
for it was unseemly for an earl to be seen dealing directly with money. It was
Harry, however, who dealt with all accounts of the Potter businesses, the toy
and confectionery factories. But the cream vellum envelope sealed with red wax
was no ordinary letter. The royal coat-of-arms was embedded in the wax and the
front of the envelope held only one name: Phoenix.
Harry lifted his silver letter opener, slit the vellum and removed the letter.
Phoenix,
As always, we use no names, as my employer must not be seen to be engaging in
your services. The throne must always be protected and it has been the Earls of
Godric's Hollow who have been entrusted with that protection for many years. We
know that you are young, but that you know your duty.
You may have seen the reports in the papers of late of the murder of certain
ladies of ill-repute. Harry snorted, why didn't they just come out and say it?
Harry knew the word prostitute, knew what it meant too, despite his age. Our
liege is most distressed at these callous murders and implores you to
investigate the matter further, as the police have had no luck in finding the
person responsible. Of course, you must never disclose that you are under
orders from anyone and if caught, we will deny all knowledge of this and of
you. Rumours have hinted that Viscount Malmesbury might be involved, but these
are unsubstantiated. We shall leave it to your discretion as to how he might be
investigated.
The letter finished without even a salutation, not that Harry had expected one.
He was the Queen's Phoenix after all, expected to obey orders at once. He'd
never heard of Viscount Malmesbury, but he could find out. Malmesbury was in
Wiltshire, wasn’t it? Harry stood and stretched, before burning the letter in
the study's hearth. He lifted down Debretts Peerage from one of the bookshelves
and searched through until he found the entry he was after.
Hmm. Lucius Malfoy was Viscount Malmesbury, he had a wife, Narcissa and a son
Draco, around the same age as Harry, but Harry had never met any of them. When
his parents were still alive he'd been considered too young for social
engagements. He still was, if they wanted to be traditional about it, but as
the titled Earl, he'd been given some leeway and got invited to balls and
suppers as frequently as his parents had been.
Harry rang the bell-pull by the bookcase and a few moments later, Severus was
standing in the doorway. Did he fly here? He always seemed to arrive in short
order.
"Phoenix has a new assignment," Harry said without preamble. "We need to find
out all we can about Viscount Malmesbury, Lord Lucius Malfoy."
"This is most fortuitous, young master. When I was at the market earlier, I
overheard some of the other servants gossiping, you know how they love gossip.
Anyway, it seems that the viscount is searching for a bride for his son, Draco,
and is hosting a ball for all eligible young ladies next week."
"It sounds like Cinderella. And Draco the handsome prince, I suppose. Well,
that doesn't help us, does it? If this ball is for eligible young ladies."
Severus grinned. "Oh, I don't know, my lord. There might be a way."
***** Chapter 4 *****
Part 4
"Good afternoon. Lady Dursley, Sir Dursley, Master Dursley." Severus swung the
door wide as he greeted his master's relatives. They didn't have titles, but
Severus knew how much they hankered after anything that would bring them up in
the world. He called them by titles to draw attention to the fact that they
didn't have any. It was amusing to see their reactions: pleasure at being so
addressed warring with whether or not they should admit to the butler that they
didn't in fact deserve them. Pride, that was Petunia Dursley's sin. Petunia was
tall, thin and bony, elbows and shoulder blades sharp enough to cut. Severus
had never seen her smile; her lips were always pursed in distaste, as if she'd
been sucking on lemons.
Now, Vernon, it was too easy to guess his sin: gluttony. Shorter than his wife,
but almost three times as wide, the buttons on Vernon's waistcoat (a garish
purple and gold affair decorated with swans) stretched so taut across his ample
belly that the buttons looked in danger of flying off and hitting someone in
the eye at any moment. Three chins wobbled on Vernon's short neck and he
wheezed with exertion, as if the walk from the carriage to the doorstep was a
hundred league trek.
Dudley Dursley had the bulk of his father and the same distasteful look on his
face like his mother. He was so large that rolls of fat spilled over the top of
his boots. The boy had been trying valiantly to grow a moustache, but it looked
like he had a hairy, brown caterpillar decorating his top lip. Severus reined
in his amusement.
"About bloody time!" Vernon groused, earning him a reproving look from his
wife.
"Language, Vernon!"
Vernon ignored her and carried on ranting at Severus. "Do you know how long
we've been waiting here?"
Hardly any time at all, since I opened the door as soon as you knocked.
But rather than saying what was truly in his mind, Severus plastered a false
smile on his face and bowed. "I do apologise if I've kept you waiting. Luncheon
will be served in the dining room. If you'd please follow me?" Severus didn't
bother to look behind him as he led the way to the dining room. It was a medium
sized room at the front of the house overlooking the street outside.
Harry was already seated at the head of the table when Severus pushed the door
open, but stood up to greet his guests, despite his dislike of them. Severus
was proud of his young master's manners, he'd learned from his parents and from
Severus too. How he would have turned out if he'd ended up with the Dursleys,
Severus didn't want to contemplate. "Please, have a seat." Harry waved to the
other place settings, the blue diamond on his hand catching the light. "Severus
will be serving lunch shortly."
"Good job too, I'm starving!" said Dudley as he settled his bulk into one of
the chairs, which creaked in protest.
Vernon tried to squeeze himself into one of the chairs before pulling it out
from the table, his face getting redder and redder at the attempt. He grunted
in defeat, before pulling the chair out and sat down, his arse hanging down
either side of the seat. "I don't know why they make chairs so small these
days."
"Allow me, my lady," said Severus as he pulled out Petunia's chair for her. She
didn't bother to thank him; there wasn't even a hint of a smile on that stern
face.
Vernon picked up the silverware and weighed the knife in his hand. "These must
be worth a pretty penny, eh?"
"Discussing money at the table is vulgar," said Harry.
Vernon flushed and dropped the knife as if it had burned him. "Oh, it's all
right for you, sitting there, all high and mighty as if you're better than the
rest of us. It could have been Petunia married an earl and got all this instead
of you."
"Well, she didn't marry an earl, did she uncle? She married you instead."
Vernon clenched his hands as if he wanted nothing more than to wrap them around
Harry's throat. Severus would protect his master from the likes of Vernon
Dursley and anyone else who would do him harm. Severus looked to Harry, who
nodded that it was time to serve the soup.
Severus placed the tureen in the middle of the table and ladled out the soup,
starting with Harry and ending with Dudley. Dudley trailed his spoon through
the orange liquid, but made no move to eat it. Vernon had already started in on
his, slurping his way through the first course. "What is it?" Dudley asked.
Severus was tempted to reply that it was the blood of Harry's enemies, but he
didn't think his master would appreciate his dark humour in this instance.
"It's pumpkin soup," said Harry.
"Pumpkin?" echoed Vernon, his mouth so full of soup that some of it dribbled
back down into the bowl. Severus and Harry both shuddered when he ate it again.
"I've never heard of pumpkin."
"It's from the Americas. A type of gourd," said Severus.
Both Petunia and Vernon nodded, but Severus would bet his master's soul that
neither of them knew what a gourd was either. There was silence as everyone ate
their soup, or in the case of Vernon, who dribbled most of his. Severus stood
by the sideboard and waited until everyone was finished before clearing their
plates. He served everyone a lemon sorbet next to cleanse their palates before
the next course of salmon mousse.
Petunia pecked at her food and looked anywhere but at Harry.
"What's the reason for your visit today?" Harry asked at last. He'd already
confided in Severus that the Dursleys only ever came to visit when they wanted
something. It was never just a social call for a chat.
"Can't we just visit our nephew?" Petunia set down her sorbet spoon and fiddled
with her napkin.
"Why would you want to visit someone you dislike so much?" Harry retorted.
"We never said that!" blustered Vernon.
"You don't have to. I know you don't like me. You're envious of me, of the
material things I have. Don't you think I would give it all away if I knew it
could bring my parents back to me? But it won't. I need to keep my status in
society so I can find out what happened to them. Doors would close to me if I
was no longer an earl, or thought to be well-off. I need those doors open to
me."
"It's not right!" said Petunia. "A child, having all that money, all that power
when we're almost destitute!"
"Destitute?" Harry laughed sarcastically. "You're hardly that. My mother left
your family well provided for, Petunia. What, the house in town and the one in
Surrey not good enough for you? The yearly stipend of two thousand a year?
Dudley's school fees? You are not destitute, far from it."
Vernon mumbled something under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Dudley's been expelled from Smeltings, for fighting. I want to send him to
Eton."
"You can send your son to whatever school you like, Uncle, but it won't be with
my money. The will was quite clear on that point. Dudley's school fees would be
paid as long as he behaved himself like a gentleman. Since he can't even seem
to do that much right, you've forfeited the rights to school fees for him."
Vernon stood up, puffing out his chest. "You can't do that to us! You're
family! You have to help us!"
"Family? My mother talked about you all the time. She wrote to you but all her
letters came back unopened. You never came for a visit; never saw my mother
once she married my father! You were so jealous of her, Aunt Petunia. That she
got to marry an earl and you ended up with a merchant. You couldn't even be
happy for her, could you? Instead, you let the bitterness and regrets fester
until you'd heard she was dead. Even then, you didn't seem to care that you'd
never see your sister again. All you cared about was the inheritance she left
you. If Dudley got expelled from school, that's his problem not mine."
"We'll get a solicitor! This can't be right! We'll sue you for every penny you
have!"
"Do you really think you'd win?" Harry asked coldly. "You would be wise not to
cross me. I don't take kindly to threats. Severus, see them out, would you?"
"It would be my pleasure, my lord," said Severus, smirking.
"We'll go to the authorities!" Vernon protested. "You should be in school!"
"Lord Harry doesn't need to go school if he doesn't wish to," said Severus. "He
has the best tutors money can buy, don't worry, his education is being seen
to."
"I don't care about his bloody education!" snarled Vernon.
"No, of course you wouldn't. You just want him out of the way, don't you? Hide
him away at some awful boarding school, maybe even arrange an accident there so
that you can sneak in and grab his inheritance. Well, it won't work, Dursley.
If anything happens to my charge, your family won't see a penny. Instead, the
money will be given to the London Hospital for the Poor. And if you keep
spending money at the rate you're going, you might end up in a poor house too,
and there will be no help from my master."
"You selfish brat!" Vernon made a jump for Harry, but Severus was too quick for
him and pulled Vernon's arm around his back. It was satisfying to hear the bone
crack. Vernon wailed in agony. Oh, such music to Severus' ears.
"That's enough, Severus!"
"Sorry, my lord. I was only trying to protect you."
"I know. Just get them out of my house. I never want to see them again."
"As always, your wish is my command."
***** Chapter 5 *****
Part 5
"Ah! Ah! Sev - Severus!" Harry panted harshly, sweat dripping down his
forehead. "I can't! It's too much!"
"I'm nearly there, my lord. You just need to relax a bit more. Put your hands
against the wall. Brace yourself that way."
Harry pounded the walls with his fists, but nothing could negate the other pain
he felt. This was awful! How could people do this? Severus was going to break
him in half!
"Stop! Stop! I can't do this!"
"You're doing so well, surely you don't want to stop now that we're nearly
there? Just a bit more." Severus grunted and Harry could feel the demon's
breath on the back of his neck. "There, all done. That wasn't too bad, was it?"
"Wasn't too bad?"Harry screeched. "I can hardly breathe! I'll die wearing this
thing!"
"Don't be ridiculous, young master. A young lady has never expired yet by
wearing a corset."
"Well, I'm not a young lady. I don't see why I have to wear a corset anyway."
"Because it will ruin the line of the dress if you don't."
"And just where do you think we're going to get a dress at such short notice?
It'll take weeks to get one made and the ball's tonight." Harry folded his arms
across his chest and pouted, sure that he would get his own way and wouldn't
have to go to some stupid ball dressed as a girl.
"No need," said Severus, smirking as he walked to Harry's wardrobe and removed
a ball gown that Harry had never seen before. There was an abundance of pink,
and lace, and frills. It was the girliest, fluffiest, flounciest thing Harry
had ever seen. Even his mother would never have worn something like that. Most
of the dress was pink silk, with black and white striped bows and flounces on
the neckline and bottom of the skirt. Two elbow-length black gloves hung over
the hanger like two resting black snakes.
"You made that, didn't you?" For Harry couldn't imagine any tailor or
seamstress actually making such an atrocity, even for a paying customer.
"Now, what sort of butler would I be if I couldn't do something as simple as
running up a dress for my master?"
"That's not a dress! That's an abomination!" Harry protested. "I'm not wearing
that!"
Severus set the ball gown down on the bed and shook his head. "So you don't
want to find out what's happening to those women?"
"Of course I do," Harry protested. The papers had been growing more and more
bloodthirsty by the day, describing every crime in gory detail. Of how the
murderer hadn't just killed his victims, but butchered them. How could Harry
not investigate and find out if Viscount Malfoy was really involved? Harry had
no idea where these rumours had come from, but it was his duty to find out if
there was any truth in them. "I just don't want to wear a dress to do it in."
"You know the reasoning for that too. This is a ball for eligible young ladies;
you wouldn't have received an invitation otherwise."
"How did you wangle an invitation anyway?" Harry asked, for it seemed rather
sudden.
Severus smiled and tapped his nose. "Now, now, allow your butler to have some
secrets. All you need to know is that you are Lady Hermione Granger and I am
your tutor and chaperone to the ball."
"My cousin? You want me to pretend to be my cousin? What if there's someone
there who knows her? We'll never get away with it."
"You worry too much, my lord. I've already checked the guest lists. There is no
one there who knows either you or Lady Hermione by sight. The plan is
foolproof. After all, I came up with it."
"And you're never wrong, are you?" Harry countered.
"Not usually, no."
"Isn't Draco Malfoy a bit young to be getting married? He's around my age, you
said."
"Indeed. I daresay the Malfoys just want to settle on an engagement for now,
but you know you can get married at fourteen, and the girl at twelve?"
"You're joking, right?" Harry couldn't imagine getting married to anyone at the
moment.
"No, it's been law since 1823," said Severus. "If your parents were still
alive, I suspect they would have started looking around for your prospective
mate soon. Of course, in a lot of noble families, cousins have been known to be
betrothed at birth."
"I like Hermione," Harry said. "But I don't want to marry her! She's - she's
Hermione!" he exclaimed, as if that was all the reasoning he needed.
"You are an earl in your own right," said Severus. "You certainly don't have to
marry if you don't wish to, but you may want to give some thought to who might
become your heir in that instance. It is common in these instances for the
inheritance to come to the next male relative."
"Dudley? Become the next Earl of Godric's Hollow? I won't allow that to
happen."
"I said, it is common, but you've no need to worry about that yet. Come, it's
time you got ready for the ball."
Harry knew when he was defeated. "All right, I'll wear the stupid thing, but
I'm not dancing."
Severus clucked his tongue. "My lord, it's a ball. You will be expected to
dance, or do you wish to blow our cover before we've even started?" Severus
looked thoughtful then, as if he could see inside Harry's mind. Harry wouldn't
have put it past him. After all, he had no idea of the extent or the type of
demon powers Severus had at his disposal.
"Could it be that your reticence has less to do with the dress and more to do
with the fact that you cannot dance?"
Harry didn't answer, he didn't need to. Severus knew him better than anyone.
"Well then, perhaps a lesson is in order before we go? It's probably best if
you wear the dress, that way you'll know how to move in it. You'll be more used
to it."
Harry didn't think he'd ever be used to wearing a dress, but he nodded and held
his arms up so that Severus could put the gown on him. "Wait a moment," said
Severus as he marched over to the chest of drawers and removed three ruffled
petticoats. Harry hadn't even known there were petticoats in the house. Had
Severus made those too?
Severus knelt down and held the waist of the first petticoat so that Harry
could step into it, which he did. The demon glanced up at Harry, his eyes
flashing red rather than the usual dark brown of his human form. Harry gasped
at the hunger he saw in those eyes. Sometimes he could forget that Severus was
a demon who wanted his soul, but not tonight, not the way Severus was looking
at him. Severus had dressed and undressed Harry for three years now, but
tonight something was different.
Was it the fact that Harry was being dressed as girl that had Severus taking
more care? There was no professional efficiency, Severus seemed to linger over
every moment of getting Harry outfitted in his petticoats, then his stockings,
the dress, then the long gloves, something Harry had never noticed before.
Once the dress and shoes were on and the long-haired wig settled on Harry's
head, Severus stood back and nodded. "Now, if someone asks you to dance, first
you would curtsey. Hold each side of your dress out, place one leg behind the
other and dip, lowering your head."
Harry tried to do as he was bid, but his feet got tangled up in the ruffles of
his petticoat and he ended up stumbling into Severus' waiting arms, who made
sure he didn't fall. Severus' arms tightened around him and Harry felt all the
breath leave him in a soft whoosh. He never wanted to leave the safety of those
arms. Ever. Harry felt that strange squirming feeling in his lower belly again
and his whole body flushed. Would Severus notice anything was amiss? And what
was amiss? Harry wasn't sure himself. He just knew that he was feeling strange
lately, most especially in Severus' presence.
"It looks like we'll have to practice curtseying as well as dancing," said
Severus, his voice holding a hint of humour and lowering his arms. Harry
stepped away, feeling suddenly cold, although the summer evening was warm.
"Now, let's try for a dance, shall we?" Severus bowed, Harry managed a curtsey
and then he was in his demon's arms once more.
***
They'd hired a carriage and driver for the evening. There wouldn't have much
point in being covert if they'd arrived in a carriage with the Potter coat-of-
arms on it. Severus sat beside him on the velvet-covered bench, dressed this
evening in black tailcoat, white shirt and wonder of wonders, his waistcoat
wasn't black tonight, but a deep midnight blue with brass buttons and a
matching gold cravat. Harry sat stiffly in his corset and dress, unused to the
restrictive clothes. How could women and girls bear to wear such things?
They were so close that their knees would touch, if it hadn't been for the
amount of material of Harry's gown. The thing nearly needed a carriage of its
own. Harry closed his eyes against the rocking of the carriage; he'd never been
a great traveller and was glad they didn't have to go too far. Harry hoped he
wouldn't be sick all over the carriage or the silk dress.
A cool touch on his brow made him open his eyes.
"Master? Are you well?" Severus' hand shone pale in the lamplight from the
street lamps shining through the carriage windows.
"Just a little travel sick," Harry admitted. "This corset doesn't help. I can
hardly breathe in it."
"It's just for one night, my lord."
Harry nodded the concern away. It had disconcerted him at first, the care
Severus had taken with him, healing him after he'd rescued Harry from that
awful place and making sure of his health ever since. Shouldn't a demon be
happy at its human's pain? But it seemed that Severus wanted Harry in perfect
health until the time that he claimed his reward. Maybe healthy humans had
tastier souls? Harry didn't ask, as he wasn't sure he wanted to know the
answer.
The carriage drew to a halt, the horses neighing as the driver settled them
down.
Harry peered out the window to the large white mansion. It was easily three
times the size of Harry's own townhouse, which was part of a terrace of eight.
This house was set in its own grounds, with gardens at the front and sides.
Knowing how expensive land in London was, Harry was impressed despite himself.
Malfoy definitely had money, or his ancestors had. This was no leased house for
the season.
A strange cry startled him and he saw a flash of white dart through the
shrubbery.
"Just peacocks, young master. I hear Viscount Malfoy is very fond of them."
"White peacocks?" Harry asked in surprise. "I thought they were all blue and
green."
"The white ones are very rare. And the viscount collects rarities."
"Does he now?" Harry asked darkly, remembering the missing parts of the
murdered women. Had Malfoy collected them too?
Severus opened the door of the carriage, stepped down and lifted his hand,
ready to help Harry down. "Are you ready, my lady?"
"No, not really. But I suppose I have to be, don't I?" Harry took Severus' hand
and together they walked up the stone steps to the Malfoy mansion.
***** Chapter 6 *****
Part 6
Two footmen in matching black and gold livery opened the double doors as Harry
and Severus approached. Severus bowed to the one on the right and handed over a
gilt-edged card; the invitation Harry assumed. The footman nodded and waved
them into the mansion.
They were in an enormous marble hallway. Hundreds of candles were alight in a
large crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, making the room as bright as
day. A sweeping staircase on both sides of the hallway led to the upper floors.
There were vases of flowers, marble busts of ancient personages such as
Shakespeare and Plato. Paintings adorned nearly every available wall space, so
that it was hard to see the wallpaper itself, silver with purple flowers
marauding across it.
To the left, more double doors were open and within couples danced around the
floor to a string quartet. All the girls and women were dressed in colourful
gowns of red, dark green, pink, lilac, lemon and peach but all the men were
dressed in black suits like Severus. It was as if someone had placed crows in a
cage of tropical birds. Harry was glad to see that his wasn't the frilliest
dress there, so he didn't feel so out of place in his outfit.
"There's our quarry," said Severus, nodding over the crowd to the far side of
the ballroom. Harry stood on tiptoes to see over their heads. Along the far
wall at a circular table, Lucius Malfoy sat with his wife and son. Lucius was
dressed in a white suit, which didn't suit his pale colouring at all. All the
Malfoys had silvery-white hair and a pallor that would have looked better on a
corpse. Narcissa was dressed in a cream velvet gown, which made her looked
washed out. Harry thought she would have suited a deeper colour, such as red or
green. Draco, dressed in black suit and red waistcoat, just looked bored. He
slouched in his seat and put his elbow on the table, resting his hand on it. A
few moments later, after some words with his mother, he sat up straight again
and rolled his eyes where she couldn't see him.
"How do we get across? The floor is packed with people."
"The easiest way would be to dance our way across the floor," replied Severus.
It was all well and good to have a private dance lesson with Severus, where no
one else would get to see his mistakes. "You want me to dance in public?" Harry
asked in a panic.
"Yes. You've done very well in our lessons so far. We just need to get close
enough to the Malfoys to cause a distraction and you need to get him on your
own."
"And how am I supposed to do that?"
"Apparently, Lucius Malfoy has his eye on many a young lady, the younger the
better. As soon as he sees this vision in pink, he'll be swept away." Severus'
lip twitched, as if he was trying not to laugh.
"Don't you dare smirk!" Harry commanded. "It's bad enough I have to be the bait
without you finding it so amusing! And what are you going to do while I'm
distracting Malfoy?"
"I will be searching through his house, of course, and finding out if there is
anything incriminating that ties him to the murders. Those rumours must have
come from somewhere."
"If he is involved, do you really think he'd leave the evidence lying around
for someone to find?"
"I've known humans a lot longer than you," said Severus. "Most of them are
rather stupid and the criminal element the stupidest of all."
Harry wondered if he should say something in defence of the human race but
didn't want to start arguing now when their suspect was so near at hand.
Severus took hold of Harry's elbow and guided him into the ballroom. This room
too was richly decorated, with gilded panels on the walls and three large
crystal chandeliers on the ceiling. As well as the candle-lit chandeliers,
there were also gas lamps on the walls. The gas lamps didn't give out much
light, Harry suspected the only reason they were there was so that Malfoy could
let people know that he was rich enough to afford gas.
Severus bowed to him and asked him to dance; Harry curtsied and let himself be
led onto the dance floor. It was a simple waltz, so hopefully Harry wouldn't
disgrace himself too badly. He just concentrated on letting Severus lead him
across the floor and near to the Malfoys' table. Severus lowered his head to
Harry's ear and whispered to him, "Pretend to be feeling faint."
With this tight corset encasing his ribs, Harry didn't need to pretend. He'd
been feeling lightheaded all evening. As they neared the table, Harry stumbled
and brushed against the table leg, knocking over a glass of red wine that
stained the pristine cloth.
"Lord Viscount!" Harry exclaimed, pretending to be appalled. "I am so sorry!"
"My lady has come over a little faint," said Severus. "Do forgive us. My lady,
shall I fetch you some lemonade?"
"Thank you, I'm sure that would help." Harry turned back to the Malfoys. "How
terribly rude of me." He curtsied holding out the dress. "Lady Hermione
Granger."
"Granger?" Narcissa Malfoy's eyebrows arched a fraction. "You're the Duke of
Northolt's daughter?"
Harry tried not to laugh. What a coup that would be, for a mere viscount's son
to snap up a duke's daughter! Pity it wasn't really true. Draco didn't seem at
all interested in the matter of his prospective bride and was staring past
Harry and out to the sea of dancers.
"Draco, why don't you escort Lady Granger out to the balcony for some fresh
air," Narcissa suggested. That wasn't part of their plan. It wasn't Draco Harry
needed to get alone, it was Lucius Malfoy.
"I can't, Mother," Draco said, giving Harry a disdainful look. "I've promised
this dance to Lady Parkinson."
"Then I suppose you must. Off you go, then."
Draco stood up, bowed to his parents and sought out a slender, dark-haired girl
who must have been Lady Parkinson. Harry didn't know the Parkinsons, so he
couldn't place who her family might be. Harry placed his hand on his head and
sagged a little. "I think I do need some fresh air. If you'll excuse me."
Harry headed off in the direction of the doors leading to the balcony and heard
the heated argument going on behind him. "Lucius! Go with her! What if she
faints and hits her head on the flagstones? The duke will have our heads! You
must make sure she's all right!"
"If you insist, my dear," Lucius drawled in a slow voice, as if he didn’t care
either way. Harry knew better. He’d seen the glint in Malfoy’s grey eyes as he
stared at Harry. Of course, he was thinking that Harry was a girl.
"I do! Now go!"
Lucius soon caught up with Harry and grabbed him by the elbow. Harry tried not
to shudder at the strong contact. It had been over three years since anyone but
Severus had touched him and he didn't like it. He didn't like it all. But
Hermione Granger hadn't been kidnapped when she was ten and kept in a cage. She
would have to no reason to shirk someone's touch, especially if that person was
being solicitous of her health.
"My lady, please let me escort you outside. We wouldn't want you to fall, would
we?"
"Thank you." Harry turned to him and smiled, although his stomach was churning.
"You're most kind. I will have to tell my father how welcome I've been in your
home."
"Pretty ladies are welcome any time, my dear."
They'd reached the French doors leading to the balcony now, Lucius Malfoy
steered Harry through them, then pulled ruby red curtains across the doorway so
that they were hidden from view from the dancers within. Harry's heart thudded
against his ribs. Why would Malfoy want to hide them? This couldn't be good.
Harry stepped away, but Malfoy easily closed the gap, smiling ferally.
The balcony wasn't large, there were two terracotta pots holding shrubs, and
Harry had just backed into one. There was nowhere for him to go. He was
trapped, just like before. When those people had abducted him and kept him in a
cage. He couldn't go through anything like that again. But Severus needed time
to search. He may have been a demon, but even he couldn't have searched very
far in the past few minutes.
Malfoy traced a hand along Harry's cheekbone. "Such fine skin you have. Like
porcelain. You're small and dainty too, like a doll. Would you break as easily,
I wonder?"
"My lord! Please, stop this!"
"Or what? You'll call for help? And what happens when everyone sees you alone
with a man without your chaperone? You'll be disgraced. There'll be no fine
marriage for you, no fancy engagement. Your parents will probably ship you off
to a convent where you have no more temptation. You are a temptress, aren't
you? Pretending to feel faint to get my attention. Well, you have my attention
now, my lady, and I take what I want. And right now I want you."
"How dare you speak to me that way!" Harry said haughtily and slapped Malfoy
across the face. That just made Malfoy laugh and grip Harry firmly by the
waist. "A girl with fight, I like that. It stirs the blood, you know." Malfoy
thrust his body against Harry's dress and even through the layers Harry knew
what he was feeling. Malfoy's erection. Harry struggled in the man's grip, but
that just made Malfoy even more determined. He lowered his head and began
kissing and biting at Harry's neck. Harry felt ill. Endure it, he said to
himself. But as soon as Malfoy's hands began pawing at the bodice of his gown,
he knew he couldn't. It was too much like before when those others had stripped
him and humiliated him. He couldn't endure this again.
Harry opened his mouth to scream Severus' name, to shout for help, when Malfoy
was pulled bodily away from him. Severus pulled back his arm and punched the
viscount on the face. He fell to the floor of the balcony like a felled tree,
blood pouring from his nose and mouth, but the rest of him lay immobile, his
white-blond hair like a halo around his head.
"Is he …?" Harry asked at last.
"He'll live. Unfortunately. You didn't call me," Severus said, sounding
disappointed. "I'm here to help you."
"I was going to," Harry said. "But you got here before I could call you. How
did you know I needed help?"
"I sensed your distress. We are bound by the contract. I will always be able to
sense when you're in danger, but we should not let it get that far. You should
have called me to your aid earlier. Did he hurt you?" Severus turned Harry's
body this way and that, as if searching out wounds.
"No, he just frightened me a little. That's all."
"That's all?" Severus screwed up his face, his nostrils flaring. "You reek of
him. His scent is all over you."
That was all it took, at Severus' words, Harry dashed to the balustrade and
threw up over the rose bushes below. Hands clawing at his clothes, hands
crawling all over his body as they abused him again and again.
Severus was at his side in an instant, holding out a handkerchief so Harry
could wipe his mouth. "Take me home, Severus. I need a bath. I need you to wipe
away every trace of his scent."
"I intend to. He had no right to touch you! You're mine, Harry Potter! Mine!"
Severus growled and gathered Harry up in his arms. Harry leant his head against
Severus' chest, the words not scaring him in the least. Hearing Severus'
possessive fury, he knew that no one else could harm him. Severus would keep
him safe. His eyes widened when Severus flew into the air, with Harry clasped
tightly against him, but he smiled when he realised they were flying, not
falling.
Severus would never let him fall.
***** Chapter 7 *****
Part 7
Severus hadn't lied; Malfoy's scent was all over Harry. Harry reeked of lust,
not his own, but Malfoy's. Severus had yet to feel any sexual desire emanate
from his young master, but he knew it was only a matter of time. Already Harry
was growing hair under his arms and around his groin, his chest was getting
broader and his voice was deepening. Harry himself seemed unaware of his body's
changes, or just not that interested. It was Severus who bathed him every day;
it was Severus who dressed him, who noticed all these little things that were
leading to one big thing: Harry was growing into a man. And soon it would be
clear to Harry that for the past few months, Severus' bathing of him had been
little more than an excuse to let his hands linger, to let his bare hands
caress that perfect skin.
The flesh was scarred and marked with that terrible brand from three years ago,
but the skin was perfect because it belonged to Harry. And Harry belonged to
Severus. The jealousy that Lucius Malfoy had dared to touch his marked human
was not a surprise to Severus. Demons were notoriously territorial when it came
to their humans and Malfoy was lucky Severus hadn't killed him. It would have
been the work of a moment to stop the man's heart or his lungs, watch him
suffer and die for what he'd done to Harry. Or almost done. Would Malfoy have
stopped his attempted rape if he'd discovered that the young lady in his arms
had in fact been a boy? Or wouldn't it have mattered to him at all?
Now, as they reached the garden of the London town house, Severus had to
consciously let go of that jealousy, let go of all the instincts that were
screaming at him to take Harry, here, now, forcibly if necessary to lay even
further claim to him. His body this time instead of his soul. But Harry wasn't
ready. Harry wasn't ready for the sort of demon rutting Severus had in mind and
despite his demonic urges, he held them in check as he set his master down on
the ground. He would have Harry's soul when the time was right. He didn't need
Harry's body as well. Oh, but how he wanted it! How he wanted Harry ripe and
ready beneath him, begging for the demon's touch. It would ruin Harry for any
human touch afterwards, but what did that matter? Harry wouldn't live long
enough to marry and sire children anyway. Severus could have him. He could have
all of him.
Severus knew he could use his powers to make Harry in thrall to him, make Harry
yearn for his touch, but it wouldn't be real. It would only be the magic
working, not Harry wanting it. For some reason that he couldn't fathom, Severus
didn't want to enchant Harry to want him. Severus wanted Harry to want it
himself. It was strange; he'd had no qualms about enchanting humans in the past
if he had a need to release his sexual urges. Severus didn't feed on food; he
fed on sex and gained power during sexual congress. He needed it to survive in
the human realm.
Harry had never asked what type of demon Severus was and Severus had never told
him. He was an incubus; he needed sex as much as humans needed air. Incubi were
very sexual beings, but they could not find their own sexual release. Self-
pleasure was not an option, it did nothing but frustrate and never brought
completion. Sometimes demons sought out others of their kind to seek release
but it being in their nature not to share, sometimes one or both of them ended
up dead or enslaved to another. It was better to seek out humans for this and
Severus knew he was going to have to seek out someone soon before he did
something irrevocable to Harry. His urges were growing by the day and he needed
relief soon. Three years was too long to go without the sustenance he craved.
Severus bathed Harry that night, briskly and efficiently, noting how it was the
first time in a while that Harry flinched away from his touch. Damn Malfoy and
his pawing hands! Frightening Harry with things that should have been part of a
mutual, sensual exploration. Malfoy had no right to touch what Severus had
marked as his! Harry had never shied away from Severus' touch before, not even
after his escape from his abduction. But maybe it was different now that Harry
was getting older. Maybe he sensed things were different between them now too.
Once Harry was bathed and dried with a white fluffy towel, Severus put Harry's
nightshirt on him and carried him to bed. Harry's arms clung to his neck and he
curled his head against Severus' neck, Harry's breath tickling Severus' skin.
Severus had already turned down the bedclothes earlier; he tucked Harry in and
made sure he was settled comfortably against his pillows. Harry's face was
pale, the glow of his emerald eyes seeming even brighter against the paleness
of his skin, the white pentagram visible now on his iris and pupil without his
eye patch.
Severus lifted the candelabra from the bedside cabinet and headed towards the
door, when his master's unsteady voice stopped him.
"Severus?" Harry sounded so much younger than he should have. Scared and
vulnerable. Like prey. Severus shut his eyes and took a few deep breaths to
calm himself. Harry wasn't his prey. Not yet. Severus was contract bound to
protect him.
"Yes, young master?"
"Could - could you stay with me until I fall asleep?"
"If that is your wish, my lord," Severus replied, his hand already on the door
handle.
"It is," said Harry, snuggling down further in the blankets, like the child he
had so recently been. It was a strange thing to witness, this human
adolescence, not quite children, but not quite adult, straddling two worlds but
not really fitting in either. Harry Potter had it more difficult than most, for
his childhood had been brutally cut short with violence and murder, but he was
still an innocent too in so many ways. As his butler and bound to him, it was
Severus' job to ensure that Harry received the best education Severus and his
tutors could provide.
Severus sat down in the blue velvet chair that was nearest the window and set
the candelabra down on the deep windowsill. Sleep wasn't necessary for a
demon's survival, not like with humans, but it had been a long day and as
Severus watched his young charge fall deeper into slumber he found his own
eyelids drooping and in a few moments he too was fast asleep. He awoke
disorientated, with his chin on his chest and an aching neck. The bond between
them flared and Severus realised at once what had woken him: his young master's
distress. Harry was moaning in his sleep, tossing this way and that.
The candles had almost burnt down, but it wouldn't have mattered, Severus could
see perfectly well in the dark. Harry had pushed the bedclothes down at some
point and his nightshirt was bunched up around his thighs. Severus got an
excellent view of that pale skin and wished he dared move the garment higher to
see the curves of his arse, but alas, it was not to be. Harry turned over onto
his back, his eyes fluttering open, gasping for breath, his face flushed and
his hair plastered to his forehead in sweaty strands. The nightshirt covered
him demurely once more, but now Severus could smell the recent ejaculation that
dampened the front of Harry's nightshirt.
Harry glanced from Severus to his wet groin, then back to his butler. "Oh God!
I've wet the bed!"
"No, my lord. That's not what happened. Have none of your tutors explained this
to you? You just had a nocturnal emission, a wet dream. It's perfectly natural
in human adolescent males."
"Wet dream? So I did wet the bed?"
"No, that's just a name. It's a different fluid that comes out, semen, not
urine. Do you know anything of sexual matters, young master?"
"I know about babies. That a man and woman in love come together and make a
baby."
Despite Harry's words, Severus didn't think Harry knew as much as he was
letting on. Harry had sensed that Malfoy had wanted something Harry didn't want
to give, but Severus was almost sure that Harry didn't know exactly what that
was. "Do you know how they come together?"
"Er, no, not really. But it's something to do with a penis, isn't it? I felt it
when Malfoy pressed against me. Mine has never been hard like that." Harry
blushed, as well he might, for he was a well-bred young man and sex was one of
the taboo subjects in the human world. As an incubus, Severus found it strange
how reticent humans were to discuss the matter, yet on the other hand sought
out prostitutes and pleasure houses to indulge in those same acts. It was as if
the humans lived in two worlds side by side: the prim and proper society that
Harry was part of and an underbelly where you could seek out whatever pleasure
you wanted for the right price. Sex, drugs, even violence were all available.
From brothels to opium dens, from cock-fighting to bare-knuckle boxing.
Everything was there if you had the money to seek it out.
"Your tutors have been remiss in not teaching you about these things. How else
is a young man to learn about it? Or would they expect you and your bride to
muddle through on the wedding night?" Severus sighed and shook his head. "Let
me get you some water and a fresh nightshirt, you must be uncomfortable like
that. After you're clean you can ask me anything you wish."
***
Once Harry was cleaned and Severus had dressed him in a clean nightshirt,
Severus sat back down on the chair, although he pulled it closer to the bed
this time. Harry didn't seem to know where to start. "Um, so I don't really
know about the babies. I just said that so you wouldn't think I was stupid."
"You're not stupid, far from it. Lack of knowledge doesn't imply stupidity.
Very well, I'll try to explain." By the end of the talk, Harry was bright red
and gripped the bedclothes in his fists, as if he couldn't quite believe what
Severus had told him.
"My lord? Is there anything else you wish to know?"
"Um, why don't I get hard like Viscount Malfoy was?" Harry asked at last, still
blushing.
"Well, now that you've had your first wet dream, I daresay normal erections
aren't that far off either. Having an erection means you are aroused or
sexually excited. It's perfectly normal for human males. You have no need to
feel ashamed or embarrassed."
"I know." Harry nodded. "But it's not really talked about, is it?"
"As I have discovered. Humans are a strange breed of creature that don't even
seem to discuss these matters with their children. Sex is a normal part of
life, young master."
"But apparently not until you're married. If I'd really been a girl and someone
had caught me with Malfoy without a chaperone, would I really have been
disgraced like he said?"
"From what I have gathered in my time here, it certainly seems that way. But,
whatever happened with Malfoy was not your fault. He was the one in the wrong
not you. I should have been clearer. Consensual sex between two people is part
of life, but rape should play no part. Rape is when someone forces you to have
sex if you don't want to."
"So why would the woman have been in disgrace?" asked Harry, sounding
indignant.
"Some people are still very backward in the human world. A lot of countries,
your own included, seem to put a very high price on purity or virginity,
especially among the nobility. I think it stems from the fact that if the woman
is a virgin when she marries, then the heir will definitely belong to the
husband. I think it was the Roman influence. Before that, a woman's fertility
was highly prized and it was unusual to marry a woman who wasn't yet pregnant
or already had children."
"And do men have to stay virgins before marriage too?"
"It is not expected, no. After all, men aren't the ones who can get pregnant,
are they?"
"That's such a double-standard! So, if Hermione had a lover, no one would want
to marry her afterwards? That's so unfair!"
"Unfair and strange," Severus agreed.
"So if all the well-bred young ladies are meant to be with chaperones and stay
virgins, where do men find women to have sex with?"
"Well, not every man would seek out a woman, you understand," said Severus,
wondering how Harry would take that news.
"You mean men go with other men? But how?"
"There are many ways men can find pleasure with each other," Severus said.
"They can pleasure each other with their hands, or rub against each other to
reach completion. Some find that putting their cock between the thighs of their
partner is quite pleasurable. Mouths can also be used for pleasure as well as
the unspoken act."
"The unspoken act? What's that?" Harry asked, putting his hand over his mouth
as he yawned.
Oh, how Severus wanted to show him! His cock ached with the fantasy of it, to
be buried deep inside his young master. But it was too soon. Harry was nowhere
ready for any sort of intimacy with someone else, never mind that one.
"Something you're too young to know about. It is getting late, young master.
You need your sleep."
"But you'll tell me about it, won't you? One day?" Harry asked as he settled
himself on the pillows.
"One day, my lord, if you wish it."
***** Chapter 8 *****
Part 8
Professor Binns could make even the most blood-thirsty battles sound boring.
His voice was a low monotone that just droned on and on and on and on. Harry
placed his hand over his mouth to catch the third yawn in as many minutes.
"Am I boring you, Master Harry?" Professor Binns still called him Master Harry,
even though that now Harry was the head of the household, he was no longer
Master Harry. Binns tapped his pointer against the easel that they were using
as a makeshift blackboard, the pointer settling on the coast of South America.
Binns had drawn a very detailed map of the world on it and Harry was impressed
at the man's artistic skill, even if the rest of his teaching methods left a
lot to be desired.
"I'm sorry, sir," replied Harry. "I'm just tired, not bored. I had a very
disturbed night." That was the understatement of the year. Harry had woken at
odd hours during the night, his mind never far from the talk with Severus and
wondering what Severus had found out about Lucius Malfoy when he'd searched the
mansion. But it was Severus' talk which kept him awake for so long. Harry had
no idea before that talk that men went with other men. But now that he knew, he
couldn't stop thinking about it. Is this why he'd been so vehement in his
denial of marriage? Had Harry somehow known something different about himself?
Harry couldn't stop thinking about another's hand on him, touching him,
stroking him gently, not like Malfoy. Harry wanted these imaginary touches and
he knew who it was he wanted touching him.
It was Severus in all his fantasies, which surprised him at first, but when he
thought about it further, he knew it couldn't have been anyone else. After all,
Severus was the only person he'd allowed to touch him for years now. Harry
couldn't imagine anyone else touching him or being comfortable enough with
anyone else to be naked in their presence.
Last night, Harry had shied away at first from Severus' touches as he was
bathed, but that was just an after-effect from the shock and adrenaline of what
Malfoy had almost done. Harry knew that Severus wouldn't hurt him, at least not
yet. Not until the contract was fulfilled, but who knew how long that was going
to be? They were still nowhere near finding out who had murdered his parents or
who had ordered his abduction. So, for now, Harry trusted Severus more than he
trusted anyone in the world.
Tonight, Harry wouldn't shy away from Severus' touches. Harry was anticipating
his bath and the touches that Severus would give him during it. He yearned for
it, ached for it with that squirmy feeling which he now knew was the beginning
of sexual excitement. Harry shifted in his chair as he felt the arousal build
low down in his belly and at the base of his cock, making his face heat and his
hands clammy. There was no schoolroom in the London house and Harry didn't
allow anyone else except Severus into his study, so they used the dining room
for lessons. He was just glad the tablecloth hid his lower body from view.
Binns removed his pocket watch from his waistcoat pocket and glanced at the
time. "We've half an hour before our lesson is due to end, but how about we
finish early just this once?" Binns smiled, making him seem a different man
altogether, for Harry would never have expected him to allow lessons to finish
early. "It'll give you time to catch up on some sleep. Just read the next two
chapters and I'll see your Thursday as usual for our next lesson."
"Thank you, Professor Binns."
"No need to thank me. A growing lad needs his rest." Binns gathered up his
books, papers, pens and ink before placing them in a battered leather satchel.
He marched to the door, his hand hovering over the doorknob, but he didn't open
it, he turned back to Harry instead.
"Forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn, my lord, but why are you still having
school lessons? Now that you've taken over the Potter businesses, I take it you
weren't thinking of entering university?"
No, I'm not going to university. I wouldn't have time." Harry didn't bother to
enlighten his teacher any further than that. Not only did Harry have businesses
to run, he was working for the queen as an undercover agent and at the same
time investigating his parents' death and his own abduction. Being at
university would take up too much time. "Nevertheless, I do still want an
education. Knowledge is never wasted even if I don't intend to sit for any
entrance exams."
"So true, so true," said Binns with a nod of his head. He took his leave and
Harry was left alone in the dining room.
Harry leaned across the table, resting his head on his arms and settled down
for a nap. He was feeling too tired to even attempt the three flights of stairs
to his bedroom. It wasn't long before he drifted off, his imaginings of being
touched tenderly following him into his dreams.
***
"Young master." Severus' voice had Harry jerking awake on his chair.
"You startled me," said Harry, rolling his shoulders to try and ease some of
the stiffness.
"Allow me," said Severus, tugging his gloves off with his teeth and setting
them down on the table. Harry's eyes were drawn to the pentagram on Severus'
left hand, the match to the one in his own eye and he shivered. Severus stood
behind Harry and placed his hands on Harry's shoulders, kneading them with his
fingers. Harry moaned and slumped forward, almost going boneless at Severus'
touch. Even through the layers of his jacket and shirt, Harry could feel his
skin react to the demon's touch. A few more minutes of this and Harry would be
asleep again. "I'm fine. That's enough," Harry said, more brusquely than he
intended, waving Severus' hands away from him.
"Very well," Severus said, straightening up and removing his gloves from the
table. Once he'd put them back on, he pushed a trolley over to the table. "I've
brought some elevenses, young master."
Harry glanced eagerly at the silver dome, wondering what treats it had in store
for him. Severus always served him something sweet at this time of day,
normally commenting on how a growing boy needed the energy. Today though,
Severus never mentioned anything about Harry growing at all, he just removed
the cloche with a flourish and stood with it in his hand. "Today, we have tea-
cakes, lemon meringue pie and hot chocolate."
Harry wrinkled his nose. He'd never been a great fan of chocolate. "I'd prefer
tea rather than chocolate, but thank you, Severus."
"I'm only doing my duty. Is there anything else you require, my lord?"
"Yes!" Harry snapped. "Stop hovering about and sit down. You're like an
overgrown bat like that."
Severus chuckled, a loud, deep sound that made all the hairs on Harry's body
stand on end.
"A bat, my lord? How amusing. My wings, as you know, are nothing like a bat's.
They're not leathery at all, but fine and silky. Soft to the touch." Severus'
words had turned into a seductive whisper and it was all Harry could do not to
jump from the table and mash his lips against those of his butler until he
could find out for himself how soft Severus' wings really were. "As for your
invitation, I'm afraid I must decline. It wouldn't be proper for a butler to
sit at table with his master."
"Don't be ridiculous! We're the only ones here, who's going to know? And
anyway, I'm not asking you to sit as my butler. I'm asking you to sit as my
fellow agent. I need to know what you found out about Malfoy last night and I
don't want a crick in my neck the whole time I'm talking to you. Why are you so
tall anyway?" Harry grumbled; his own lack of height had always bothered him.
"Well, since we can't allow my master to be uncomfortable, it seems I will to
have to comply with his wishes." Severus smiled, his eyes flashing red for a
few seconds before he slid into the chair opposite Harry with an easy grace
that Harry envied. Harry had always been a bit clumsy, knocking things over or
bumping into them. Severus was staring at him and Harry blushed again,
remembering their talk of the night before.
"What do you wish to know, my lord?"
"Is Viscount Malfoy involved in these terrible murders?"
"It doesn't seem so. Not from the correspondence I managed to see. That's not
to say he is completely innocent. He is involved in something."
"Do you have any of the letters? Did you manage to steal them?"
"No, my lord. I didn't get time before I realised you were in danger. Keeping
you safe would always be my first priority, even before any duty to the crown."
Harry felt warmth at Severus' words. Until that time that the contract was
fulfilled, he would always have a protector.
"Do you remember anything about them?" Harry asked.
"Vaguely, they were written in code and I hadn't time to decipher much, but
most of them were concerned with a target who frequents a brothel in Cleveland
Street."
"So Malfoy is after prostitutes?"
"Ah, no, my lord. Cleveland Street caters to a different sort of clientele.
It's a brothel for men who like men."
"Oh. I see. But there haven't been any murders of male prostitutes, have
there?"
"No, whatever Malfoy and his associates are up to, I think it is something to
do with the client of the brothel. Perhaps they wish to blackmail him."
"So, we need to visit this brothel, discreetly and see if we can find out who
their target is and warn him."
"It's not a good idea for you to become involved in this, young master."
"As an agent of the queen, it's my duty! You don't expect me to sit back and
let Malfoy blackmail this man, whoever he is?"
"You have no need to become involved, my lord. I will visit the brothel and
find out what I can. You will stay away where it's safe."
Severus was being more evasive and cryptic than usual.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "What aren't you telling me? You're hiding something,
what is it?"
"All the letters had one thing in common. A watermark, hardly visible to the
human eye, but I could discern it easily."
"What was it?" Harry asked, his heart thudding hard against his ribcage. He
knew, even before Severus answered. He knew what that mark was going to be.
"It was a skull and a snake. The same symbol they used to mark you, my lord."
***** Chapter 9 *****
Part 9
Severus removed his jacket, hung it on the peg behind the bathroom door and got
ready to draw his master's bath. Harry had been subdued for most of the day
after Severus' revelations that Malfoy may have been involved in the murder of
his parents. Harry's fourteenth birthday was only a few days away, which would
also mark the fourth anniversary of his parents' deaths and his own abduction.
No wonder he was feeling subdued. His dinner had barely been touched, even
though Severus had made his favourite steak and kidney pie for dinner and
rhubarb crumble for dessert. Harry had just played with his food and didn't eat
much of it at all.
Severus poured the last bucket of water into the bath, removed his gloves,
rolled up his shirt sleeves and tested the temperature with his elbow. Just
right for Harry, as he knew it would be, he'd had enough practice at it by now.
Severus returned to the bedroom where he saw Harry sitting by the window with a
book in his lap, but he wasn't reading it. Harry's attention was on whatever
was going on inside his head, not what was in the pages of a book.
"Your bath is ready, young master," said Severus.
"Thank you." Harry set his book on the windowsill and jumped down from his
chair. Severus could feel some nervous energy emanating from his master and
wondered why Harry seemed to be looking forward to his bath. Harry preceded
Severus into the bathroom and stood waiting for Severus to undress him as he
normally did. But Harry wasn't standing still today. He was jumping from foot
to foot, as if he was trying and failing to contain some sort of excitement.
Harry's face was flushed and his eyes glittered, the emerald almost obscured by
the dark, wide pupils.
"I want you to touch me," Harry blurted out, as if he couldn't keep the words
in any longer. "When you bathe me."
"I always touch you when I bathe you, my lord," Severus said, trying not to
smirk. It amused him to tease his master.
"Not just washing," Harry said, waving to his groin. There was a distinct bulge
at the crotch of Harry's short trousers. Had he been thinking about this all
day? Getting excited the nearer to bath time it was? "I want you to touch me
there and I don't mean to wash me."
"Are you sure you're ready for that? What Malfoy did…"
"You saved me. Malfoy didn't get to do anything. I didn't want Malfoy to touch
me. But I want you to touch me, Severus. Only ever you."
Oh, Harry's words were heady indeed, speaking directly to that possessive part
of him and as much as Severus thought he shouldn't touch Harry intimately like
this so soon after Malfoy's assault, he knew he couldn't deny his master this.
He didn't want to. It had been too long without sustenance and here Harry was
offering himself up on a silver platter. Severus would have been a fool to
refuse and he was no fool.
"Very well, young master." Severus knelt down and unbuttoned Harry's blue
jacket, before slipping the garment from his shoulders. Next, the ribbon tie
around his neck, then Severus started on the buttons of Harry's shirt. Harry
trembled as Severus made sure to caress each patch of skin as it was revealed.
When the shirt was mostly unbuttoned, but still tucked into the waistband of
Harry's shorts, Severus lowered his head and kissed each nipple in turn. Harry
moaned and grabbed handfuls of Severus' hair, the pain arousing Severus to such
an extent that he had to moan too.
How sweet his human tasted! Sweat, with an underlying hint of musk and lust
that Severus inhaled like air. There was no trace of Lucius Malfoy left on
Harry now, just his own scent and how Severus revelled in it.
"Oh! Severus!" Harry gasped and arched his hips, his groin grazing Severus'
chest.
Severus had to get more of that taste, more of that scent. He kissed his way
down Harry's chest, sucking hard, knowing that if he was going to leave any
marks or bruises on his master's body, the chest was a good place, as they
would be hidden beneath Harry's clothes. Harry was mewling and trembling in
Severus' arms, as if he wasn't quite sure what was going to happen. Severus
lapped at Harry's navel like a kitten at a bowl of cream, but no cream had ever
tasted this good.
Severus let his tongue wander lower, down to the waistband of Harry's shorts.
The fabric was tented with Harry's erection and a wet patch the size of a coin
was on the front of it. Harry's scent was enough to drive him mad. Severus made
short work of the buttons on Harry's shorts and yanked them down his legs,
leaving Harry standing in his drawers, his shirt half-off, trousers puddled
around his ankles. Harry's eyes were half-closed, inky eyelashes dusting his
cheeks. His face, neck and the top of his chest were flushed with blood and
arousal.
Severus caressed Harry's erection through the linen of his drawers and Harry
yowled like a tomcat, his fingers on Severus' hair tightening again. "You're
very responsive to my touch," Severus said, chuckling. "I like that."
"Please!" Harry panted. "Please!"
"Please what?"
"Please do something!"
"As you wish, young master." Severus pulled down Harry's drawers so they lay on
top of Harry's shorts and gasped in appreciation at the sight. It wasn't the
first time Severus had seen Harry's cock, of course, but it was the first time
he had seen it in its erect state and what a sight it was! Harry was quite long
and quite wide in girth, given his stature and Severus licked his lips as a
crystal drop of fluid dripped from the tip. It was no good; he had to taste
from the source. Severus pressed a soft kiss on the end of Harry's cock before
licking and kissing his way all along the shaft. Harry was making constant
noises now, grunts and moans as Severus did his best to drive the young man to
distraction.
Severus continued to lavish the shaft of Harry's cock with soft licks and
kisses until he could take no more, for he was teasing himself as well as Harry
with these caresses. Severus' own cock was hard and throbbing against the
placket of his trousers. He'd wanted to suck Harry's cock, feel Harry's essence
fill his mouth and throat, but not now. His cock was demanding more. It had
been so long since he'd last fed on a willing human lover. He needed to thrust
to possess.
"Step out of your clothes, my lord," Severus suggested, his voice a hoarse
rasp.
"You've just had your mouth on my cock, call me Harry."
"Very well, Harry. Step out of your clothes."
Harry obeyed, holding onto Severus' shoulders to steady himself as he lifted
each leg in turn and stepped out of his shorts and drawers. Once he'd done
that, Severus lifted each foot so he could remove Harry's stockings. He left
Harry's half-buttoned shirt on, it was quite erotic to catch glimpses of
Harry's pale skin through the fabric, a hint of pink at his nipples. Severus
piled Harry's discarded clothes into a makeshift cushion and pushed Harry to
his knees on it.
"Turn around and face the wall. Lean forward a bit and brace your hands it."
Harry did as instructed, angling his head around and grinned. "You're not going
to put a corset on me again, are you?"
"Not today, young master. Now turn around and face the wall."
Harry complied, his whole body quivering. Severus was treated to a glimpse of
Harry's pale buttocks peeping below the hem of his shirt tail. He wondered how
they'd look marked with red hand-prints, but he was in too much sexual need to
dwell on the thought for long. Severus used demon magic to rid himself of his
garments, too impatient to go through the human motions of undressing.
Once naked, he grabbed hold of Harry's hips, loving the contrast of his black
nails against Harry's paler skin. "Widen your legs a bit, Harry. I'm going to
put my cock between your thighs. When you feel it, tighten your legs around
it."
Harry nodded, widening his stance as he did so. Severus wasted no time in
pressing his hips forward, his cock sliding between the silk of Harry's thighs,
hissing in pleasure when Harry snapped his hips shut and Severus cock was
nestled between them. This was the nearest an incubus would ever get to heaven.
Severus moaned in bliss as he began to thrust between Harry's legs. He could
feel his cock slide underneath Harry's bollocks so he tried to rein himself in,
for he had no desire to hurt his human.
But it had been so long since he'd fed and with the scent of Harry's arousal
all around him, Severus instincts took over and he gave into his demon nature.
Severus allowed the sensations to claim him and was rougher with Harry than
he'd first intended. His hands gouged into Harry's hips, leaving little half-
moons of his nails on Harry's skin. Severus wanted nothing more than to stay
between Harry's legs for eternity but at the same time his body ached with the
want of release. But it wouldn't happen. Not yet. Even incubi had to obey the
laws of the universe and there was one law an incubus couldn't break.
If they coupled with humans, they couldn't come, not until the human they were
with did.
Severus moaned in frustration and reached around with his left hand to grab
hold of Harry's hard and leaking cock. "I need you to come, Harry. You must
come," Severus whispered against Harry's neck.
What? I don't understand."
"Like when you had your dream. When your seed comes out."
"Oh!" Harry moaned and bucked his hips. "My cock feels funny."
"Sore? Am I hurting you?" Severus' loosened his grip and stopped thrusting for
a moment.
"No, just strange. Like it's waiting for something to happen."
"And it will. Your body wants to come, Harry. Just relax and let it happen. It
feels good, doesn't it?" Severus wrapped his hand around Harry's cock once more
and began to stroke it in rhythm with his own thrusts between Harry's thighs.
How wonderful it felt to be nestled against that silken skin! His own human,
this pleasure to be had whenever they felt like it.
Harry arched backwards, groaning as he met Severus thrust for thrust, both
their movements becoming more and more erratic. The cock in Severus' hand seem
to throb, Harry threw back his head and howled. "Severus! Severus! Oh! Oh!
Ahhhh!" Harry's voice cracked on the last word as Severus' hand was bathed with
Harry's seed. It dripped from his hand to land on Harry's clothes and on the
tiles of the bathroom floor. Harry's legs tightened as he rode out his orgasm
and it was enough to send Severus hurtling over the edge of pleasure too.
"Harry!" Severus moaned as the climax tore through him, seeming to encompass
every part of his body, not just his cock and balls. Severus' cock pulsed and
spilled between Harry's legs in a seemingly never-ending stream. Severus could
do nothing but scream his ecstasy as he waited it out, his whole body trembling
with aftershocks.
"Severus? Are you all right?" Harry turned his head again, a frown of worry
marring his features.
Severus lifted his hand and licked it free of their combined seed. "I'm fine,
my lord. More than fine. This is a great gift you have given me."
"A gift?"
"Yes. Your unconditional surrender to my touch. Now, you're truly mine."
"I was always yours, Severus. The contract says so."
"This is different. I'm an incubus, young master. I feed on sexual energy. You
have sated me. Now I don't need to seek out another human to feed from."
Severus had been reluctant to do that in any case, even though he thought he
might have to. Now there was no danger of him seeking out another to slake his
needs. Harry's sexual aura was strong; it pulled Severus like scented flowers
called to bees. There was no turning back now, for either of them. Maybe
Severus should have expected this, but Harry had been a child when they first
met and had no sexual aura to speak of. Now, with Harry's ripening maturity,
that was no longer the case. And, Harry's fruit, once tasted, was impossible
for Severus to resist.
He was now Harry's as much as Harry was his.
***** Chapter 10 *****
Part 10
"Harry, dear, so lovely to see you! Happy Birthday!" Aunt Jane pecked him on
the cheek, and then waved her hand for Hermione to do the same. Harry suffered
the treatment stoically as usual, but he would have much preferred it if his
aunt hadn't been so tactile. Every time she spoke to him, she touched his arm
or his shoulder when making a point and Harry had to force himself not to
grimace every time it happened. Today she was swathed in layers of lilac
taffeta and lace with a hat to match, a purple feather bobbing up and down
every time she moved her head. Hermione was more sedate in a gown of dove grey;
Harry knew his cousin was unlike most young ladies and didn't care for fashion
at all. He smiled to himself, wondering what Hermione would have made of that
awful pink ball gown, which she had supposedly worn to the Malfoy ball.
"Ah, a smile! Wonderful to see you bearing up, Harry. Unfortunately your uncle
Rupert couldn't get away for your birthday tea today. There's some to-do in the
House about these terrible murders and he had to go in. Have you heard the
latest? They're calling him the Ripper because of what he does to those poor
girls."
"Mother, Harry doesn't want to hear about all that on his birthday. It's not a
very pleasant topic of conversation." Harry didn't contradict Hermione, but the
truth was he was eager to find out as much as possible about the murders. The
newspapers hadn't been much help, they were just sensationalist, salacious
reports, as if the writers had enjoyed writing about every bit of violence the
murderer had inflicted on those women. Harry stifled a shudder.
Aunt Jane patted Hermione's arm. "Of course, dear, you're right." Jane surveyed
the hallway, nodding in approval. "The house always looks so perfect. Not an
ounce of dust anywhere. That Severus must be a godsend for you, Harry. Make
sure you keep hold of him once you go back to the manor. You are going back,
aren't you?"
"Soon, hopefully. I still have some business to attend to in London for a while
yet." On the morrow he and Severus were going to pay a visit to the Cleveland
Street brothel and see if they could find the man Malfoy was attempting to
blackmail, or whatever other nefarious purpose he was up to. Of course, Severus
didn't know yet that Harry was determined to accompany him, but Harry thought
that was information best brought up when Severus couldn't do anything to stop
him. Harry was determined on his course and nothing Severus could say would get
Harry to remain behind.
"Tea is ready in the dining room, my lord." Severus had appeared in the hallway
so silently that Harry almost jumped when he heard his voice. That wasn't the
only reason for his jitters around Severus. Harry couldn't stop thinking about
what had happened between them those few nights ago and he wondered when it
would happen again. Soon, if the hungry look in Severus' eyes was any
indication.
"Thank you, Severus. Aunt Jane, allow me?" Harry held out his arm to escort his
aunt into the dining room. She tittered like a much younger woman and allowed
it.
"You're always so polite, Harry, unlike my brother. I suppose it must be Lily's
influence on you. James was a bit of a tear away and never wanted to do what he
was supposed to. I've lost count the number of tutors and governesses he went
through, none of them could stick it out for very long. He settled down when he
went to Oxford though. The dons wouldn't have taken any of his nonsense." By
now they'd reached the dining room and Harry wondered if his aunt talked so
much because she couldn't stand silence. She hardly seemed to take a breath
between words.
Severus pulled out the chair for Hermione, while Harry did the same for his
aunt and didn't sit down until his two female guests were seated. The good
china was already on the table, side plates, cups and saucers at each place.
They each were white with a pattern of blue roses around the side with gilt
edges. Severus had shaped blue napkins into swans, which Aunt Jane was quick to
enthuse over. "Oh, this is wonderful! Your butler is a man of many talents,
Harry. Wherever did you find him? You used an agency, I suppose?"
Harry nodded, feeling guilty at the lie, but knowing he couldn't very well tell
her the truth. That Severus was as far from being a godsend as you could get.
Once they were all settled in their chairs, Severus brought over cake stands,
each brimming with sandwiches, miniature dainty iced cakes, scones, cream and
jam, along with a large china teapot. Severus poured tea for the duchess and
Hermione first, before standing behind Harry and filling his cup. Harry felt
his face heat, knowing that Severus was so close and if he reached out he could
touch Severus' gloved hand. Hands that had pinched his nipples. Hands that had
stroked his cock until Harry was crying out and spilling his pleasure over
them. Harry shifted, trying to ease the pressure on his groin but he could do
nothing about the blush that stained his cheeks.
"You look a bit flushed, Harry dear. I hope you're not coming down with
anything. Our cook was in bed for three weeks with influenza a while back."
"I'm fine, Aunt. Just a bit overheated. It's this unseasonable weather, too hot
for my taste. Please, do help yourselves. There's more if you want it. Severus
has made enough to feed a small army."
Jane selected a few sandwiches along with some scones; Hermione chose some of
the iced cakes to go with her sandwiches, but she just moved them around the
plate without tasting anything. Jane didn't seem to think there was anything
amiss with her daughter and set to her food as if she hadn't been fed in years.
Harry too, picked at his food, but he did eat more than Hermione did. It was
delicious, as always, Severus was an excellent chef. Severus seemed to excel at
whatever he tried his hand at. And thinking of those hands shot another spike
of arousal through him. How Harry wished they were alone!
"So, Harry," Aunt Jane dabbed her mouth with the napkin and set it aside, a
smear of red jam darkening the fabric. "I've been discussing it with the duke,
and we're both of the opinion that it's time to think about yours and
Hermione's engagement."
Harry choked on a piece of a cake and spluttered crumbs all over the table.
Severus was quick to wipe them away. "Surely it's not that much of a shock,
dear? Have you given some thought to any suitable young ladies?"
"Oh, I thought you meant that Hermione and I should become engaged."
Jane laughed. "No. I know you two like each other, but I don't think you two
would be the best match for each other. I've already had a few offers for
Hermione, but I thought I'd run them past you, to see if you think they're
suitable or not."
"Oh? You've had offers already?"
"Yes, the first one from Viscount Malfoy's son, Draco is it?"
Harry was glad he'd stopped eating or he'd have had another choking episode.
"No, you should discount him at once. I have it on good authority that he likes
Lady Pansy Parkinson, the match wouldn't be happy and I want my cousin to be
happy. Who else?"
"Oliver Wood, he's the son of a Scottish baronet, but they'd want Hermione to
move to Scotland for most of the year. I'm not sure I'd want her so far away
from me. Have you heard anything untoward about the family?"
"Nothing springs to mind. Is there anyone else nearer home, perhaps?"
"Yes, Cedric Diggory. He's only a knight's son, but he's Hermione's favourite
of the bunch. They met at a tea dance at the Savoy. He seems personable enough,
very pleasant."
"His father is Sir Amos Diggory?" Harry asked.
"Yes, that's right. Have you met him?"
"A while ago, he used to come to parties at the manor when my parents were
alive. I think my father had some business dealings with him. Sometimes he
brought Cedric along and he used to play with me while the adults sorted things
out. He seems nice enough and if Hermione likes him, that's all the better,
isn't it?"
Jane nodded. "If only it was as easy at that. It's Rupert we'll have to
convince, but if you're behind the match too, that can only work in our favour.
If you'll excuse me a moment, I just need to powder my nose."
Severus pulled out Jane's chair for her and stood waiting while she exited the
room. "Severus, could you leave us too? I'd like to talk to my cousin for a
moment."
Severus bowed, his right hand across his chest. "Of course, my lord. Please
ring if you have need of me."
As soon as the butler had left, Hermione threw her napkin down on the table,
her face blotchy. "Has it never occurred to anyone to ask me if I want to get
married? Mother and Father are going over these offers and deciding who should
be my husband! I just said I liked Cedric to get them off my back! I don't want
to marry anyone!"
"Well, what do you want to do?"
"I want to go to the London School of Medicine for Women and train to be a
doctor. Do you know how many women die because they don't want to be examined
by a man? Or that their husbands refuse to let a male doctor examine them?
There needs to be more female doctors, Harry, and I want to be one of them."
"Have you told Cedric or your parents this?"
"Of course not! They wouldn't allow it. A duke's daughter going to medical
school alongside the middle classes? Having to treat all patients, poor and
titled alike? They'd never let me do it. Of course, I can't even apply until
I'm eighteen, so I've got more four years of trying to fend off suitors at the
same time."
"Couldn't you marry Cedric and still train as a doctor? If he understood how
important it was to you?"
Hermione shook her head. "You have no idea how hard it is for women, do you,
Harry? It doesn't matter who I married, they could forbid it and there would be
nothing I could do. Once married, I become my husband's property, like a table
or a lamp. I'm chattel, Harry, with no more say than a carpet. My husband could
beat me, starve me, lock me up and it is well within his legal rights to do so.
He would own me and whatever he does, I can't complain, the law would be on his
side."
"But that's terrible! They can't do that, surely?"
"They can. I don't want to marry anyone, Harry, but since I'm a girl, I don't
actually get a say in it."
Harry reached across the table and squeezed Hermione's hand. "We'll think of
something, Hermione. I promise you."
***** Chapter 11 *****
Part 11
Harry flopped onto the sofa in the drawing room and stretched his arms above
his head. He saw Severus looking at the way his shirt rode up, revealing a
small patch of skin. "I thought they'd never leave!"
"Do you not care for your aunt and cousin, then?" Severus asked.
"You know I do. They're nothing like the Dursleys," Harry said. "I just wanted
them to go so we could be alone."
"I know." Severus smirked at him. "I could smell you, even from the kitchen.
Your desire for me is quite heady, you know. I could sense how aroused you
were. I'll always sense it."
"Well, what are you doing standing over there for, then? You know what I want."
"Cake? Tea? Another scone, perhaps?" Severus' grin got even wider and he made
no move to come any closer to Harry.
Harry sat up straight and pulled his shirt down. "Do you want me or not? I'm
not in the mood to be teased." Harry didn't want to word it as an order; he
didn't want to invoke the contract in order to get Severus to touch him.
"Always, young master," Severus replied in a serious tone. "At times I am hard
pressed not to grab you and ravish you where you stand. Do you know how much
self-control it took when I felt your desire in the dining room? I wanted to
ignore the guests. I wanted to throw all the china from the table and thrust
you on top of it."
"Oh God!" All the blood in Harry's body seemed to pool in his groin at Severus'
words, his cock thick and heavy between his legs. "Severus!" Harry wailed and
even before he'd quite finished the word, Severus was there, mashing his lips
hard against Harry's. Harry moaned into Severus' mouth, arching his body
towards that of his demon, his clothes feeling far too restricted. He wanted
skin. He needed skin. "Off!" Harry gasped as he pulled their mouths apart for
the brief time it took to say the word, tugging on Severus' coat.
"So eager, my master?" Severus whispered against Harry's neck as he continued
to pepper Harry's skin with a necklace of butterfly kisses.
"Yes!" Harry hissed, widening his legs to better accommodate the erection that
was tenting the fabric at his groin. His hands curled, claw-like, around
Severus' shoulders as he clung on.
"What is it you wish, my lord?" Severus asked, pausing in his kissing of Harry
to tug his gloves off with his teeth. The contract mark on his left hand was
glowing in the afternoon sunlight.
"Anything, Severus, please! Touch me!"
Harry ached. Oh, how he ached!
Severus smiled. "As you wish, I've wanted to taste you for while." Severus'
deft hands made light work of the buttons on Harry's shorts and in a few
moments, he had Harry's cock out and bared to his red-eyed gaze. "Beautiful,"
said Severus, flicking moisture from the tip and licking it off his fingers.
Harry moaned wordlessly and arched his hips. He needed more, much more. Severus
smiled at him before lowering his head and sucking Harry's cock down to the
root. Harry yowled and grabbed handfuls of Severus' hair, feeling as if he
might float off the sofa at the wonderful sensations. Severus' mouth was so hot
around him, so wet. Harry was more fully enclosed than he'd ever been with a
hand around his shaft. "Severus!" he screamed, yanking yard on Severus' hair as
the tension coiled in his belly, tighter and tighter. Severus sucked and licked
his cock, using a hint of teeth and Harry knew he wasn't going to endure this
pleasure much longer. Harry's hips seemed to take on a life of their own, they
just couldn't keep still and he was arching and thrusting, trying to get more
of his cock into Severus' mouth. After one particularly large thrust, Harry
felt the tip of his cock slide down Severus' throat and just the thought of it
was enough to send him hurtling over the edge. His cock pulsed and he shot his
release down Severus' throat, Severus still sucking madly, as if he couldn't
get enough of Harry's taste.
Harry was getting light-headed, he forgot to breathe, his grip on Severus' hair
slackened as he passed out.
When he opened his eyes once more, Severus was standing over him with a glass
of water and Harry's clothes were buttoned up properly again. It was almost as
if it had never happened and Severus was acting as his butler only.
"Did I imagine that?" Harry asked, waving to his groin.
"No, my lord. I just thought it best to get you respectable again. You have a
visitor."
"A visitor? I wasn't expecting anyone. Did my aunt forget something?"
"No. The visitor is Gilderoy Lockhart; he's one of the Queen's butlers. He is
most insistent that he see you today."
"Oh, dear. This can't be good if she's sent someone in person." The Queen had
never sent any emissary before. All their correspondence had always been by
letter. Harry had never met the Queen or any of her household, although he had
seen portraits of all of the royal family over the years.
"He's waiting for you in your study. Shall I bring tea?"
"I doubt he'll be staying long, Severus. I get the impression this won't be a
social call."
"Very well. Ring for me if you change your mind."
Harry nodded and pushed himself off the sofa. He checked that his jacket and
tie were straight by glancing in the window before making his way to the study.
It was the first time he felt as if he was an interloper in his own house.
Harry pushed the door open and saw Gilderoy Lockhart looking out the window,
his back to the room. All Harry could see was a man in a pristine white suit
and shoulder-length golden hair. His white-gloved hands were clasped around his
back.
"Mr. Lockhart? You wanted to see me?"
Lockhart turned around and it was all Harry could do not to gasp when he
finally saw the man's face. It was like looking at a marble statue come to
life, for the man's beauty didn't seem quite real. Bright blue eyes, the golden
hair, alabaster skin with just a hint of rose in his cheeks and when he smiled,
Harry could see the perfect white teeth. But even though the man was handsome,
Harry didn't warm to him at all. His eyes were cold, with none of the fire
Severus displayed.
"Ah, Lord Potter. How do you do? I'm Gilderoy Lockhart, an emissary of Her
Majesty."
"Would you like some tea? I can send for some." Harry didn't sit, he sensed
that Lockhart wouldn't want to sit either, for he wasn't standing still, but
moving quite a bit, as if he couldn't quite contain all the energy in his body.
"No, thank you. I won't be staying long. The Queen wishes to know how near you
are to solving these murders. She doesn't want her subjects preyed upon any
longer by this monster, whoever they are. The impure and the unclean must be
brought to justice."
"We are following up some leads either tonight or tomorrow." Harry wasn't sure,
but he supposed that most people would visit a brothel in the dark. "Solving
crimes takes time. Things have to be investigated first."
"As long as you still are investigating and haven't forgotten your duty to
Crown and Country."
"I know my duty," said Harry firmly. "The Queen will know when we know
something."
"By 'we', I'm assuming you mean your butler?"
"Yes, he has always helped me and he will continue to do so."
"But at what price?"
Harry didn't even answer that one. He didn't think it was any of Lockhart's
business what price he'd agreed with Severus. The contract was between Harry
and Severus, no one else needed to know what it entailed.
"We'll let the Queen know when we have found some tangible evidence."
"Is that a dismissal?" Lockhart asked, frowning.
"It is. I don't think we have anything else to say to each other, do we?"
"Not at the moment, but I'll be keeping an eye on you, Lord Potter. You and
your butler. Just remember that."
Harry could hardly believe that the man was threatening him in his own home.
"You should leave now. I trust you can find your own way out?"
"I can. Good day to you, sir."
"Goodbye," said Harry, sighing heavily when the man had left his study. Harry
sank into the chair beside his desk and rang the bell-pull next to the wall.
Severus arrived a few moments later and bowed.
"You rang, my lord?"
"Yes, Severus. Please bring me some tea and something sweet, not chocolate
though. That man has left a bad taste in my mouth."
"He's not a man, my lord. Couldn't you sense it? He has no heartbeat and he has
no human scent. I knew as soon as he arrived he wasn't human."
"Is he another demon then, like you?"
Severus laughed. "Hardly like me, young master. Lockhart is an angel."
"An angel? You're having a jest with me, aren't you?"
"No, Harry. He really is an angel."
"But I thought angels had wings and haloes. Don't good people become angels
after they die? I thought that's what an angel was."
"No, my Lord. Angels and demons are of the same race of immortal beings, they
were never human. They just had better press than demons. Demons have become
associated with bad things and angels with good. In their demon form, they do
have wings, like I do, but angel wings are white, demon wings are black. But
except for the colour of their wings, they are no different. Angels and demons
can both do bad things, they can both do good things and both can devour human
souls."
"What? Angels devour souls too?"
"Of course. Unfortunately, angels have a very strict code of what is right and
wrong. If you do wrong in their eyes, then they will devour your soul when you
die, and this is before you get to see the creator. They do not forgive. They
do not give second chances. Angels are lawless, they have no contract with the
humans they devour and are not bound by the same divine laws as demons, for
they have always been the favoured children. They alone of the Immortals have
free reign to do what they wish."
"So Lockhart knows you are a demon? He warned me against you."
"I'm almost sure of it. We can easily recognise our own kind among humans. I'd
be very careful of him if I were you."
"Don't worry, Severus, I intend to be."
***** Chapter 12 *****
Part 12
Severus wasn't sure that having Harry accompany him to the Cleveland Street
brothel was such a good idea, but after that run-in with Lockhart, he felt it
was a better option than leaving Harry alone at the London town house. If Harry
was with him, Severus could better protect him. Of course, Harry couldn't go as
the earl and Severus couldn't go as a butler so they needed disguises again.
Harry was dressed in a brown woollen suit with a cloth cap and a leather eye-
patch, instead of the silk he usually wore; they were clothes that had belonged
to one of the servant boys. Severus had dressed in the one suit he owned which
wasn't black; a dark navy-blue was as bright a colour as he could get away with
considering his complexion. Any other colours just tended to make him look
sallow and unhealthy, although he was never in danger of dying. But prostitutes
were a suspicious breed and tended to avoid those clients they suspected might
be sick.
"I'd like to visit Whitechapel before we go to the brothel, my lord, and speak
with some of the street girls there. Maybe they've seen something but didn't
want to talk to the police about it."
"That's a good idea, Severus. They might be more willing to talk to us than the
police."
They'd already decided that they would hire a hansom cab to take them to
Cleveland Street, they would just add on a detour to their journey. There was
no point in going incognito if they arrived in a carriage with the Potter coat-
of-arms on the side of it.
"I'm not so sure you coming with me is such a good idea," Severus said, as he'd
been saying all afternoon, but he knew that Harry would not back out. It made
Severus feel better about things though, by letting Harry know he was worried.
Harry sat beside him on the lightly cushioned bench, with hardly any room
between them in the tight confines of the cab.
"It's better than me sitting in the house on my own wondering what you're up
to," said Harry, his face flushed with anger.
"Could it be that you are jealous, young master, at what I might get up to in a
brothel?"
"Yes!" Harry hissed. "You're an incubus; you crave sex, don't you? And I don't
want you having any sort of sex with anyone but me!"
"Duly noted," Severus replied with a smirk, but he was secretly pleased at
Harry's possessiveness. Severus could have availed himself of the men who
worked at the brothel, but an incubus would get little satisfaction from that
sort of encounter. In Severus' experience, a lot of people who sold their body
did not actually enjoy sex and if his partner didn't enjoy it, neither did an
incubus. Harry's naïve fumblings were a lot more satisfying than even the most
skilled prostitute could ever be.
They arrived in Whitechapel just as dusk was falling and the lamp-boys were
lighting the first of the lamps. The area of Whitechapel was as different to
the square where Harry's town house was as day was to night. Here there were no
lovingly tended gardens or lawns, for the tenements opened straight onto the
street with no garden in sight. They were close together, making the streets
seem narrow and claustrophobic, although Severus had never suffered from that.
Dirty, ragged children ran about, laughing and playing with skeleton-thin dogs,
as if unaware of their poverty, or not bothered by it. The streets were strewn
with rubbish and animal droppings, mostly dog and horse if Severus was any
judge.
Severus risked a glance at Harry, who was pale and shaking. "I had no idea,"
Harry whispered. "How do people live like this?"
"Humans are a very adaptable race," said Severus. "They can cope with a lot if
there is no other choice. They have to live like this, or die trying."
"But shouldn't someone help them? Help them find jobs and earn a decent wage?"
"Some do," said Severus. "There are charities to help and also some councils
have poor houses, but a lot of people are too proud to accept that they need
help. Your own parents left many bequests to city charities to help the poor."
"They'd rather live in squalor?"
"Some, yes." As they walked down the street, glancing down occasionally to make
sure they hadn't stepped in anything nasty, a woman appeared from an alleyway.
She was not much older than Harry, but her face was caked in make-up and her
bosom seemed in danger of falling out of the tightly laced-bodice of her dress.
"Hello, Mister," she addressed Severus. "Are you looking for some company?" Her
eyes widened when she caught sight of Harry by his side. "I don't do nowt wi'
kids and I don't like doubles. You'd best be going on."
"We just wanted to ask you a few questions," said Severus, using his incubus
charm to make sure she wouldn't run. "About the murders of some of your
colleagues."
"Are you the police? You don't look like Peelers."
"No, we are investigating privately."
The woman's eyes brightened considerably at that. "Oh! Like Sherlock Holmes? Me
Mam used to read me some of his stories before she passed away. I always liked
them."
"Something like that," said Severus, giving her a smile to reassure her.
"So you're not here for business, then? A girl has to eat."
Harry nodded to Severus, who removed half a crown from his pocket. He held it
in the air between them as he asked his questions.
"Is there anything you can remember that you forgot to tell the police about?"
"I don't know. What sort of thing?" The prostitute held out her hand and
Severus knew they would get no more out of her until she had some coin in her
hand. He handed her the half a crown. She might get more, depending on what she
could tell them.
"Did you know any of the victims? Did they have anything in common besides
their professions?"
"Aye, I knew Annie and Elizabeth. You do know what that monster did to them,
don't you?" the woman looked askance at Harry, as if unwilling to reveal it to
delicate ears. Harry had heard and endured more than this chit of a girl could
ever imagine.
"You need have no fear; my assistant knows all the details of the case." He and
Harry had decided between them that it was best Severus took the lead in this
particular investigation, as he had an air of authority about him that Harry
couldn't match, no matter that he was an earl and heir to one of the great
Houses of England.
"Well, he butchered them, took out - took out their women's parts. Their wombs,
too. Well, Elizabeth and Annie, they both had babies last year, gave them up
for adoption. Having babies isn't good for the trade you see. The customers
don't like to see children hanging about, it puts them off. They don't want to
know what might happen. They pay to forget about real life, see. Most people
would have gone to see old Mother Agnes, she'd sort out the problem quick as
you like, but Elizabeth and Annie, they was religious, so they couldn't do that
and they went to a home for unmarried mothers. This wasn't just a city poor
house or orphanage, but a posh one in the country, where young ladies who've
got in trouble go to. I wonder what they would have made of Elizabeth and Annie
there!"
"Have you any idea who might have paid for that?"
"I don't know, I'm only guessing mind, but they did have the same caller at one
time. His suits was well-made, you could tell he was quality. I think he might
have been the father of those babies and it was probably him who paid for their
stay in the country."
"Did he seem violent at all, this man?"
"No, gentle as a lamb he was. I had him once when Annie was with someone else.
I didn't want to go with him again though. He was one of them repealers, trying
to get me to repent my ways and all that. Gave me a bit of the creeps to be
honest. Here he was, in the middle of -you know - and spouting all about God
and religion at the same time. How the impure and the unclean must repent
before it's too late. Repent and do what? Work all hours in some stinking
factory with not enough money for food? I does well; I'm good at what I do. I
don't want to do anything else."
"And what did this man look like?" Harry demanded. "Did he have fair hair?"
"No, he had black hair and a moustache. Sounded a bit loony though."
"Thank you, you've been most helpful." Severus removed a gold sovereign from
his pocket and handed it to the young woman. Her eyes lit up on seeing it. It
would probably keep her off the streets for a while, and at less risk from the
monster they were hunting, but Severus knew that unless he was caught, then
more murders were going to happen. Even if they used all of Harry's fortune,
they couldn't keep everyone off the streets. There were just too many in need.
As they made their way back to the hansom, Harry kicked his shoes along the
ground, toeing rocks and pebbles away from his feet.
"Young master? Why did you think the man might have had fair hair?"
"It was what she said, about impurity and the unclean. Lockhart had said much
the same to me. You said they were lawless, do you think the angel is going
around murdering prostitutes because he thinks they're impure?"
"It's certainly a possibility, but angels don't tend to butcher their victims,
those whose souls they've decided to devour. The dead person would have no
marks on them; they would just look as if they'd died peacefully in their
sleep. It does seem a rather strange coincidence, though, that this dark-haired
man used the same words as Lockhart. Then again, he could just be a religious
fanatic and uses similar words all the time."
"So, we haven’t really found out anything else, have we?"
"I wouldn't say that, my lord. We know that at least two of the victims had
children. I think that has some significance, especially with the murderer
removing their wombs. There's some tale there, but we won't know what strange
focus the killer has until we catch him."
"So, what now?" asked Harry as they arrived back at the cab.
"Now, we go to the brothel and attempt to find out who Lucius Malfoy is trying
to blackmail. There's no guarantee either of them will show tonight, but the
sooner we start searching, the sooner we may have some information." Severus
helped Harry up into the cab before climbing up himself. He patted Harry on the
knee, a physical reassurance that things would turn out all right, even though
they were far from sure of that.
"Where to?" asked the driver, his whip held aloft.
"Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia."
"Right you are." The driver whipped the horse lightly and set off, the hooves
and wheels clattering on the cobbles.
Severus wondered if the man knew what Cleveland Street was, but then decided it
wouldn't really matter. The driver didn't know who Harry or Severus were. They
had caught the hansom from a taxi rank near Belgravia, so he didn't know
Harry's town house address either. There would be no scandal attached to the
Potter name tonight, not if Severus could help it.
After all, it was a butler's duty to keep their master's secrets.
And Severus was one hell of a butler.
***** Chapter 13 *****
Part 13
There was nothing to indicate that 19 Cleveland Street was anything other than
a private residence. It sat in a terrace of similar houses on one side of the
road, while the other side was mostly taken up with a large work house. The
work house was walled and gated, reminding Harry of a prison, rather than
somewhere you wanted to be. He supposed people didn't really want to be in the
work house either. After tonight's adventures, he resolved to talk to his
solicitors about setting up some more charities, or extending the bequests his
parents had left them. He had been sheltered for far too long and tonight had
opened his eyes.
The house was like its neighbours, red brick with tall windows and number 19
had a bright blue door, illuminated from the lamp burning on the porch. Severus
marched up the steps, Harry a few inches behind him, and rapped the lion-shaped
door knocker against the wood. A few moments later they were greeted by a
plump, middle-aged woman dressed in a purple velvet gown with a modesty bodice
of black lace across the neckline. Her hair was dark brown, greying a bit at
the front and it was pinned to her head in a very complicated style that Harry
didn't know the name for or even how she would ever have managed to get it like
that.
"Good evening, gentlemen," she said, slate-grey eyes staring at Harry. "You are
over fourteen, are you, young man?"
"Of course," Harry said, making sure to keep his accent as refined as possible.
She didn't look the sort of woman who would turn away anyone of 'quality', no
matter what their age. "I'm afraid I inherited my father's short stature. Quite
a to-do in the tailor's every time I go."
"Do come in. I'm Mrs. Greer." The woman opened the door wide and they entered a
hallway, dimly lit with spluttering gas lamps. She paused by an open doorway to
a richly decorated parlour. "How can I assist you this evening?"
"We understand that as well as supplying escorts for the evening, you have
rooms to rent for a small fee?" Severus asked, clinking his money-pouch.
"So you do not wish to avail yourselves of my employees this evening? They're
very good, you know, I only hire the best."
"I am sure of that, madam," said Severus. "But tonight we are just looking for
somewhere where we can be alone. We'd like a room facing the stairs, if
possible."
"Facing that stairs? What an unusual request."
"We'd be quite happy to pay you extra for anything out of the ordinary, of
course."
Mrs. Greer sat down behind a large, mahogany desk and drummed her fingers on
it, as if thinking. "I do have such a room. Room fourteen on the second floor,
but it's one of my best rooms. If I let you gentlemen have it tonight, it will
mean that my employees won't be able to use it this evening. I usually have ten
or twelve callers in room fourteen of a night. That's a lot of income to miss
out on."
"We are quite happy to reimburse you for any lost fees. How much would cover
use of the room for say, four hours?"
"Four hours?" Mrs. Greer's eyebrows shot up to her hairline, as if she couldn't
imagine anything going on in her brothel that might take four hours. The
trouble was neither Harry nor Severus knew if Malfoy would turn up tonight at
all. If he did, they needed to be inside the brothel for quite some time so
that they would have a chance of seeing him and his target. "Well, I am of
course happy to comply with clients' wishes. Four hours can be done. I think
twenty guineas should do most admirably."
It was daylight robbery, twenty guineas for four hours use of a room? It was
preposterous, but Harry knew they had no other choice. This was the brothel
they needed to be in. He gave a small nod to Severus, who counted out the coins
and laid them on Mrs. Greer's desk. Once that was done, she pulled out a desk
drawer and removed a large, brass key.
"Room fourteen," she said. "Do you need me to show you up?"
"No, thank you, we can manage. You've been very helpful, Mrs. Greer. I
understand you're very discreet as well?"
She nodded vigorously. "Oh, yes. Everything here is confidential. You won't
find any scandal-mongering in my establishment."
"Thank you again." Severus took hold of Harry's arm and steered him out the
door and pushed him up the first few stairs. After two flights, they arrived at
room fourteen, its closed doorway opposite the stairs. Severus unlocked the
door and entered the room, Harry following him.
Two oil lamps stood on wooden tables either side of the canopied four-poster
bed, which was draped in blue velvet with a matching counterpane. Silk
wallpaper with a pattern of bluebirds and flowers adorned the top half of the
walls, while the bottom was panelled in a dark wood. The carpet was blue too,
with a pattern of small white flowers. There was an intricately carved marble
fireplace with candles on the mantel, but both the fire and candles were unlit.
At first glance, the room looked quite sumptuous and luxurious, but on closer
inspection the silk wallpaper was faded and ripped in places; the drapes around
the bed were dusty and moth-eaten and the carpet had various stains on it that
Harry didn't want to consider too much.
"What now?" Harry asked as Severus moved towards the fireplace. Severus waved
his hand around in strange gestures and a few moments later, both the candles
and fire had flared to life, giving the room a soft orange glow, and the
illusion of romance. Harry found it all a bit tawdry and wished they hadn't
needed to come here at all. But it was his duty to find out what Malfoy was up
to, and if that meant spending time in a brothel, then he was going to spend
time in a brothel.
"Now, we wait," said Severus as he moved to the bed. Harry moved to sit down on
it, as there were no chairs in the room, but Severus held up a hand to stop
him. "A moment, young master. I don't want you catching fleas or lice, or
anything else from this dirty bedding." Severus gestured with his hands again;
a blue glow enveloped the bed for a few moments then disappeared. Harry had
never seen Severus use his demons powers as openly as he did tonight and he had
to admit he was very impressed. Lighting candles and cleaning with just some
strange gestures? No wonder Severus was able to do the work of many servants
combined.
Harry sat down on the now clean bed. It was so tall that his feet dangled over
the sides and he couldn't reach the floor. Severus went back to the door of the
bedroom and left it ajar before returning to Harry's side and kneeling on the
floor in front of him.
"Won't that seem weird?" Harry asked. "Leaving the door open like that?"
"No," said Severus, leaning up to lick Harry's neck. "Some people are
exhibitionists and want people to watch what they're doing. It excites them.
Anyone who sees us will just assume that."
"But what if Malfoy sees us? Won't he recognise us?" Harry squirmed a bit on
the bed; Severus' neck-licking was having an effect much lower down.
"No. I have us both under a glamour. Malfoy will not see the real us. Just two
customers."
"Severus! What are you doing?" Harry said, as Severus sucked hard on his neck
and had his hands on Harry's waistcoat, trying to undo the buttons. Severus
sank back on his heels, smiling ferally.
"My dearest Harry, we are in a brothel. We have to be seen to be normal
customers of this establishment, so we need to look like we're doing what
people normally do in a brothel."
"Oh? So this is an act?"
"Partly. I also can't wait to get you naked again."
"Not naked!" Harry said quickly, mindful of the half-open door. "I don't want
people to see me naked, even if they don't know who I am."
"I am sorry, my lord, that was tactless of me. It reminds you too much of your
abduction, doesn't it?"
Harry nodded. "I was always naked there. I hated that they all saw me. They
enjoyed humiliating me. I can't do that, Severus, act or not."
"Very well. We'll just stick to some kisses and caresses for now, all right?"
Harry nodded. "That will be all right, I think."
"If it isn't, just let me know and I'll stop."
"I know you will. I trust you." As Harry spoke the words, he had to wonder that
in the entire world it was a demon that he trusted to have his best interests
at heart. The Dursleys certainly wouldn't have cared. They were probably upset
that Harry had survived the fire and turned up just as they were ready to make
claims on the Potter inheritance. Harry had no qualms about giving money to
charities and to people less well-off than himself, but he wasn't going to
allow the Dursleys to get any more of his parents' bequest than they already
had. They had plenty of money and property; they were just greedy and wanted
more and more.
Severus began to lick and suck at Harry's neck again and soon Harry forgot all
about the Dursleys. Harry shifted restlessly on the bed, his cock pressing
against the placket of his trousers, but he didn't want Severus to do anything
about it here. He was just trying to find a more comfortable position. Severus'
gloved hands moved underneath Harry's shirt and he gasped a little as the soft
cotton brushed his skin. It wasn't often he felt Severus' gloves on his belly;
normally it might have been his cheek or his chin. Harry found it strangely
erotic that they were still fully dressed and Severus was caressing him with
gloves rather than bare skin against his own.
Harry gasped and almost as if the sound was an invitation, Severus rose up and
kissed Harry firmly on the mouth. Harry moaned and grabbed hold of Severus'
head, his fingers tightening on the dark strands. Severus teased Harry's lips
with his tongue and Harry had no choice but to open his lips more fully. Before
he was aware of it, Severus had pushed his tongue into Harry's mouth and
tangled with the tongue there. Severus had never done that before. It was a
strange sensation to have Severus' tongue in his mouth, it was so big, so hot
and wet and Harry groaned anew, arousal spiking in his lower belly.
His cock was aching now, but Severus' hands were nowhere near his groin, they
were still caressing him somewhere around his belly-button. Harry was torn, he
both wanted Severus to touch his cock and at the same time he didn't, not in a
brothel. Before he could give voice to either desire, Severus pulled away and
sat back on his heels, his eyes glowing red.
"Severus?" Harry asked breathlessly.
"Ssh, someone's coming up the stairs," Severus whispered. "Pretend you're
enjoying my attentions, but keep an eye on the door." Severus latched onto
Harry's neck again and Harry didn't need to act. He was enjoying Severus'
attentions. His eyes wanted to close to better savour the bliss, but he
concentrated on keeping them half-open as he waited for whoever it was to
appear at the top of the stairs.
Harry didn't know how long they'd been in the brothel, it could have been
minutes, it could have been hours, time was strange when he and Severus shared
intimate moments. Their patience was rewarded tonight, however. The white suit
and white-blond hair belonged to Lucius Malfoy; beside him were Gilderoy
Lockhart and another, dark-haired man. Harry stifled a gasp and waited until
they started ascending the staircase to the next floor.
"Harry? What is it? Do you know that other man?" asked Severus.
"I don't know him, but I've seen him. In a portrait. It was Prince Albert
Victor! The Queen's grandson!"
***** Chapter 14 *****
Part 14
Despite sharing various intimate interludes with Harry, the young earl had yet
to invite Severus to share his bed, so when the summons came in the early hours
of the morning, Severus had to go upstairs to wake his master. He had a lit
candelabrum in his hand, although the demon himself had no need of it, and he
stood for a few moments just watching Harry sleep. Harry's hair lay mussed and
tousled on his pillows, he was lying flat on his back, his arms straight out on
top of the covers, his fingers curled into fists as though he was fighting
something in his sleep.
Severus ventured further into the room and set the candelabra down on the
bedside table before leaning over and pressing a soft kiss in Harry's hair.
Harry stirred, blinking bleary-eyed up at Severus. The pentagram on his left
eye stood out brightly in the darkness.
"Severus? What time is it?" Harry asked, glancing at the darkened windows.
"Just after three, my lord. You've been summoned."
"Summoned?" Harry sat up and yawned, placing a hand over his mouth like the
well brought-up young man he was.
"Yes, my lord. There's been another murder. Prince Albert Victor has been
arrested, he was found in the streets nearby with blood on his clothes. The
Prince of Wales wants to speak to you urgently."
Harry nodded. "Of course. Help me dress, Severus, please. It doesn't matter
what."
"Very well, young master." Severus went to the wardrobe and set out a set of
clothes for Harry, helping him on with everything. There were no tender looks
or lingering touches tonight, just brisk efficiency as Severus got Harry
dressed in record time.
The palace had already sent an unmarked coach and driver, so Severus
accompanied Harry in the coach, rather than sitting up top and driving him.
"Are the police sure they've got the right man? He didn't seem like a murderer,
did he, Severus?" Harry was quiet then, probably thinking of that night almost
a month ago when they'd followed the prince, Malfoy and Lockhart from the
Cleveland Street brothel. The trio had gone to four more brothels, one catering
to men who liked men like Cleveland Street, but the others were more
traditional. After that, they'd gone on to some private clubs, a couple of
gambling halls and reached the Malfoy residence shortly before dawn, where
Severus and Harry had stopped following them.
"They seem to be friends," Harry had said. "Maybe the prince isn't who Malfoy
wants to blackmail after all."
Severus had nodded, but he wasn't quite sure. It would be quite the scandal if
it were to be discovered that the young prince had frequented brothels which
had male prostitutes. Visiting ones with female prostitutes for an unmarried
man would have been seen in a different light. Harry had been shocked when he'd
seen how young some of the girls were in the brothels and had sought
reassurance from Severus. "Please tell me men aren't going to choose anyone
that young."
Severus had never lied to his young master, and he didn't intend to start then,
so he'd told him the ugly truth. "I'm afraid there is quite the trade in young
girls and boys," said Severus. "Many men believe that if they sleep with a
virgin, it will cure of them of venereal disease."
"What's that?" Harry had asked.
"A general term for those diseases which are passed on through sexual contact.
Sleeping with virgins to cure it is a myth. It's more likely the customer will
just infect more people. It's just an excuse to do what they wanted in the
first place, to prey on children."
The coach shifted to one side as it hit a rut in the road and Severus was
brought out of his reverie as Harry landed squashed against his side.
"I hate this city!" Harry declared and Severus knew Harry would have gone back
to the country long since if he hadn't been so determined to do his duty to the
Crown. But what about the Crown's duty to its subjects? Harry's health was
failing due to the congested city air, he hardly ate, he hardly slept as he
tried to figure out who was killing those women. Severus didn't think it was
Harry's responsibility, wasn't that what the police were for? Harry had been
through enough, it was time he went home to Hampshire and left the crime-
solving up to the detectives, like it should have been all along and Severus
had given that opinion to Harry many times, but as yet, Harry had never taken
him up on it.
The coach stopped outside the steps of Marlborough House, where two footmen in
gilded livery quickly opened the door and helped Harry and Severus down the
carriage steps. Standing on the steps, right by the front door was the Prince
of Wales himself in pyjamas and dressing gown, tapping his slippered foot
impatiently.
Harry and Severus both sketched a quick bow before walking up the steps to meet
him. The prince ushered them inside and led them down the corridor to a small
study. The room was richly furnished in silk and brocades, but it had a
neglectful air, as if the room hadn't been much used. There were no papers, no
inks on the smooth surface of the cherry-wood desk, as if it had never been
used for day-to-day tasks.
"Lord Harry! So good of you to come!" The prince took both of Harry's hands in
his and shook them vigorously. "I didn't know who else to turn to. Mother says
your family has been helping the Crown for years."
"Apparently," said Harry. "But I don't know what you are expecting me to do. If
Prince Albert Victor has been arrested, surely it's a good lawyer you need?"
"He didn't do it! Albert can be a bit reckless sometimes and he thinks too
often of nothing but seeking pleasure, but murder? No, I don't believe it.
There must be some mistake! Surely there's something you can do to find out?
The police are desperate to catch someone; maybe they've overlooked other
evidence and just picked on Albert. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong
time. What was he doing in Whitechapel in the first place? Think of the scandal
if this got out, the whole country would be in turmoil! You have to help!"
Severus didn't voice his own opinion; that if Albert Victor was the killer,
then prison was the best place for him.
"But how can I help?" Harry asked, frowning.
"I don't know! Anything. Maybe you could go to the Scotland Yard and talk to
them or something. Albert has been acting a little bit strange lately, but I
don't believe he's capable of murder. I won't believe it!" The prince paced the
room, as if he couldn't quite stand still when his mind was in such straits.
"Strange, in what way?" asked Severus.
"Well, lately he's been going out to gambling dens and - " the prince looked
askance at Harry, as if unsure to continue. "And whorehouses a lot. He's
suddenly become very great friends with one of my mother's butlers, Gilderoy
Lockhart and with Viscount Malfoy, when before the two of them couldn't stand
each other. My son and Malfoy, I mean. His other friends have fallen by the
wayside and he's started going to church every day. Normally you'd have a fight
just to drag him out of bed on a Sunday morning, after his excesses of the
night before. It's like there are two of him, the man going out gambling and
whoring every night and then going to church every day too. It doesn't seem to
add up. I think he may have the French disease and it's addled his wits."
"Severus, what do you think?" Harry asked.
"I think we need to visit the police station, my lord and find out what
evidence the police have to hold him there. It could be just a case of being in
the wrong place at the wrong time and the populace has been scathing recently
about the lack of progress in the case. The police want to be seen to be doing
something."
"Very well," said Harry. He paused by the door to the study. "If, and this is a
big if, if we manage to free your son, I want to be free as well. Whatever duty
my family owed the Crown has long since been paid. The Queen's Phoenix is
retiring."
Severus' eyebrows rose in surprise; he hadn't known his opinions on this would
be taken quite to heart by Harry this soon. It was for the best though. Harry's
health had to come first.
"What? No! You can't! What will we do? Your family promised to help the Crown
whenever it was in need, that's why you were given an earldom. You can't just
walk away! We could ruin you!"
"You could," said Harry calmly. "But in turn, I can ruin the monarchy. Do you
think that it was only gold and land that got handed down to the Earls of
Godric's Hollow? I don't know all the secrets, of course, the ledgers are quite
detailed, but I know enough. So, are we in agreement? Your son's freedom for
mine?"
The Prince of Wales looked pale and kept rubbing at his chest, as though in
pain, but he nodded. "Only if my son is set free."
"We'll see what we can do," said Harry as he left the room with dignity and
grace; unlike the prince, who'd collapsed into an armchair like a sack of
potatoes.
"My lord, did you mean it? That you no longer want to be their errand-boy? What
about your revenge on those who harmed you?"
"Oh, don't worry, Severus. I still intend to investigate my parents' deaths and
my abduction, but I won't be beholden to the Crown any longer. I want to be my
own man and I will investigate the things I believe are worth pursuing. If the
prince did kill those women, I'm not sure I want him set free."
"I'm not sure he did do it, Harry," said Severus as they descended the steps.
The carriage and footmen were nowhere in sight now. They'd have to catch a cab
to Scotland Yard, although finding one at this hour might be problematic. "At
least, not when he was in his right mind."
"Right, the Prince of Wales said something about the French disease, what's
that?"
"Another name for syphilis, it's sexually transmitted and one of the symptoms
is not being in your right mind. It might fit, except that Lockhart is also in
the mix. I think Lockhart may have bewitched him and made him do the murders. A
lot easier than getting his own hands dirty."
"Like some sort of spell? But that means Lockhart could do that to anyone,
doesn't it? Can all demons and angels do it? Could you bewitch me, Severus?"
"Not you, my lord. The contract does not allow me to harm you in any way, and
it would see an attempt to bewitch you as an attempt to harm you. Angels,
however, have no contracts and do what they will."
"Hmm," said Harry. "You couldn't bewitch me, but you could bewitch the police
somehow? Make them forget they'd ever arrested the prince?"
"It is possible, my lord. I should be able to remove any enchantments placed by
Lockhart on Prince Albert too. Because we demons are bound by contracts, as
compensation our powers are greater than that of the angels. I should be able
to free the prince."
"So you really think the prince did it while under Lockhart's spell?"
"I am almost certain of it. It would amuse Lockhart to use a prince of the
realm to commit murder. Lockhart is our murderer. The prince was his weapon."
***** Chapter 15 *****
Part 15
The setting sun lit the roofline of the manor house in shades of umber and
gold, which reminded Harry too much of the fire. He closed his eyes as the
carriage rolled into the courtyard at the front of the house, where his new
staff were lined up to meet him. Severus hopped down from the driver's seat and
opened the door to help Harry out of the carriage. Harry couldn't help a small
gasp of desire escape as their hands touched, even though they were both
wearing gloves.
"My lord, let me introduce you to the Weasley family, who have been looking
after the estate while we've been in London. This is Arthur, our new steward
and head gardener."
A tall, balding red-haired man, stepped forward from the line and bowed to
Harry. "This is Molly Weasley, his wife and the new cook and housekeeper."
Molly Weasley was shorter than her husband, she wore a black dress with a white
apron over it and had a friendly smile for Harry as she curtseyed to him.
"Pleased to meet you, my lord," she said and stepped back.
A tall, stocky red-haired man who could only have been their son, the shade of
his hair matched that of parents and his blue eyes sparkled with fun. "This is
Charlie, he'll be looking after the horses and the hawks as well as organising
any shoots."
Harry stifled a shudder. He knew his father had hunted on the estate, but Harry
had never wanted to. But maybe now that he'd returned to the country, he would
be expected to host shooting parties as well as balls in order to keep up his
place in society.
Severus continued down the line, introducing Charlie's siblings; Bill who would
help out with the garden and animals as needed; Percy, who was to be the
footman (Harry was not actually sure what a footman did, but Severus seemed to
think the house needed one); Ron, around Harry's age who didn't have a set
task, but was to help out where needed and Ginny, who was to be the housemaid
and help her mother with the cooking.
"Dinner shouldn't be long, my lord," said Molly, dipping a curtsey again.
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. I'd just like to freshen up before dinner."
The Weasley family bowed or curtseyed and made their way back into the house.
Harry was tired and weary after the week they'd had in London; he was glad to
be back in the country, even though terrible memories were trying to crowd his
brain. Severus had managed to release Prince Albert Victor from Lockhart's
spell, as well as doing something to the police so they'd forget they'd ever
arrested him. Prince Albert Victor was in Switzerland for his health, for after
Lockhart's enchantments he was a shadow of the man he once was and didn't know
which way was up. Lockhart had disappeared, but Harry was convinced they hadn't
seen the last of him. There was a tense rivalry between Severus and the angel,
so Harry didn't think Lockhart would give in so easily.
There had been no murders since Lockhart disappeared. Since Harry had completed
his part of the bargain to release the prince, he was also released from his
duties as the Queen's Phoenix and was now free to return to the country.
"Young master, shall I show you to your room?" Severus asked. Charlie and
Arthur had returned and were busy bringing down Harry's trunks from the roof of
the carriage.
"Yes, thank you, Severus. I'd like a bath before dinner, I think." Harry stared
at Severus, hoping his demon knew that he didn't just mean a bath.
Severus grinned at him, his eyes flashing red for a moment or two. Oh, yes,
Severus understood that all right.
"Would you like the grand tour first?" Severus asked as he walked alongside
Harry to the wide front doors. Harry glanced askance at him, wondering if
Severus was teasing him again. It had been weeks since they'd done anything
intimate besides kiss and Harry was desperate for something more. He was
surprised Severus hadn't initiated anything himself, didn't the incubus need
sexual gratification to stay healthy? A sharp stab of jealousy beneath his
breast bone made Harry stumble. Severus hadn't been getting his gratification
elsewhere, had he?
As they entered the hallway, Harry took a good look at Severus. The demon's
hair hung in lank strands around his shoulders rather than shining with its
usual lustre. His skin was sallow, almost yellow and his eyes lacked some of
their glitter. It looked like Severus hadn't sought out sex elsewhere, it also
looked like he needed it but perhaps he was waiting for Harry to request it?
"No tour tonight, Severus. Maybe tomorrow. Do we need to get some hot water
sent up?"
"No need, young master. Since the manor was being rebuilt anyway, I took the
liberty of arranging some modern conveniences. They were all within budget, of
course."
"Of course." Harry tried not to grin. Severus would have the budget memorised
right down to the roof tiles or the plants for the garden. "What sort of
conveniences?"
Harry heard noises from other parts of the house as the Weasleys busied
themselves with their work, but the unexpected noise made Harry startle and he
had to place a hand on the banister to steady himself. Severus was next to him
in two strides.
"Young master? Harry, are you quite all right?"
"I'm fine. I was just not expecting so much noise. It was quieter in the town
house. Go on, you were going to regale me with all the wonders of modern
technology."
"Well, for a start the manor now has indoor plumping, so there will be no need
for hot water to be carried up and down stairs. There are also indoor water
closets, one will be in your bathroom young master, so you won't need to use a
chamber pot in the night. Gas lighting in the main rooms and hallways, as well
as a gas stove in the kitchen."
"And this was all within budget? I thought gas was very expensive to install."
"Well, I may have used a bit of charm to get a discount for you, my lord."
"As long as it was only charm," Harry said, pouting.
They'd reached the first floor landing; Severus took Harry's hand in his gloved
one and kissed the back of it. "My lord, you know I am only yours."
"Are you?" Harry asked petulantly. "You've hardly touched me for weeks."
"I dress and bathe you every day, young master."
"Yes, but that's all you do! I want more, Severus. I need more!"
"What do you suggest?"
"Share a bath with me," Harry said softly. "Touch me like I'm the only one you
want to touch."
"You are the only one I want to touch," Severus hissed harshly and pulled Harry
towards him for a rough kiss, mashing their lips together as if he couldn't get
enough of Harry's taste. Harry moaned and wrapped his arms around Severus'
waist, gripping the back of Severus' jacket in his fingers.
"Enough," Severus pulled away, his face flushed, "before I maul you right
here."
Harry nodded. "Where's my room?" he asked, having already told Severus that he
didn't want to be in the master bedroom, the room that would have once been
belonged to his parents.
"This way, young master." Severus took hold of Harry's hand again and almost
dragged him down the corridor to a closed door. Once he opened it, Severus
pulled Harry inside, closed the door behind him and pushed Harry's body against
the wood, holding Harry's hands high above his head in his gloved ones.
Severus' eyes were completely red now, the black pupil reverting to its
vertical demon form. Harry's breath caught in his throat at the way Severus was
staring at him. Hungry. Like Harry was a delicious dessert and Severus was just
dying for a taste. Harry felt wanted. More than wanted: he felt needed.
"Please," Harry whispered as he closed his eyes and offered himself to his
demon, knowing he would accept whatever Severus wanted to give him. Severus
sucked hard on Harry's neck, making his knees tremble and his cock pulse in his
shorts. It would have been so easy to come like this, without his cock ever
being touched. But that wasn't what he wanted, not today.
"Bath," Harry said, the word taking all his willpower, when his body just
wanted to let Severus continue to tease and torment him.
"As you wish, my lord." Severus said, letting Harry's hands go and stepping
back from him. Harry felt bereft without that strong body against his own. The
butler took Harry's hand again and led him to the bathroom. Harry's eyes
widened as he took in the large, claw-footed tub that graced the centre of the
room. Black and white tiles covered the floor, while the bottom half of the
room was panelled in white painted wood. Above the panels was a blue silk
wallpaper with patterns of white doves and roses. Harry turned to Severus and
smiled. "White roses are my favourite."
"I know, young master, that's why I chose it for you." Severus knelt in front
of Harry and began to unbutton his waistcoat.
"No, wait," said Harry, stepping away. "You undress for me first. I want to see
you. I never get to see you."
"Very well." Severus turned on the taps of the bath and added some bath salts
to the water, the spicy scent of sandalwood drifting through the room as he did
so. Harry sat down on the edge of the bath and stared at Severus, almost
desperate to see what his demon looked like naked. Harry had felt that body
against his countless times now, but it was always from the back, he'd never
seen it.
Severus began by tugging off his gloves with his teeth, pulling erotically on
each finger. Harry swayed as the lust buzzed through him. How could Severus
turn something so mundane into something so hot? Then Severus' hands were bared
and Harry could see the contract mark standing so stark against Severus' pale
flesh, along with his black-fingered nails.
"What next, young master?" Severus asked, smirking as he threw the gloves
casually on the tiled floor.
"Your jacket, waistcoat, then shirt." Harry's voice was a hoarse rasp, his
whole body was aflame watching Severus' slow striptease. And it was a tease,
Severus seemed to be taking his time with the buttons on his jacket and
waistcoat, looking deep into Harry's eyes the whole time. Even though he was
still fully dressed, Harry felt stripped bare by that intense gaze and he
shivered in desire.
He watched eagerly when Severus was finally down to his shirt, popping each
button out of its hole with thin, deft fingers. Harry gasped when Severus
pulled the shirt open at both sides, Severus' bare chest revealed to his gaze.
Severus was broad-shouldered, with well-defined muscles that Harry hadn't
expected from someone so thin. What was surprising too, was that Severus' chest
was devoid of any hair and he had no belly-button, just smooth muscles all the
way down to the waistband of his trousers. Harry could see Severus' cock
tenting the fabric and he licked his lips, almost as if he could taste Severus
through the material. "Off," Harry panted, waving at Severus' lower half. "Oh
God, get them off!"
It was no use, Harry could sit passively no longer. He turned off the taps,
afraid that the water would overflow, before striding towards Severus and
kneeling in front of him, coming to eye to eye with his covered erection. Harry
fumbled with the hooks and eyes of Severus' trousers, his hands shaking so much
it was a wonder he could get them open at all, but at last they were open.
"Young master, what are you doing?" Severus asked as Harry yanked Severus'
trousers and underwear down to his ankles.
"I want to taste you," Harry said breathlessly, once Severus' cock was revealed
to his gaze. Severus was longer than Harry there, broader too, the cock curving
to the left a little. Harry sniffed it lightly, inhaling the scent that
reminded him of nothing except Severus. It didn't smell of anything that Harry
was familiar with, not even his own body, but it wasn't unpleasant. Harry
leaned over and took the head of Severus' cock in his mouth, licking and
sucking as if Severus was the most delicious confectionery. But no sweet had
ever tasted this good!
Harry keened around the cock in his mouth as Severus' hands tangled in his hair
and pulled Harry forwards, getting more of his cock in Harry's mouth. Gagging a
bit, Harry pulled back just enough to be more comfortable but kept as much of
Severus' cock in his mouth as he could, knowing how good that felt when Severus
did it to him.
"Harry!" Severus moaned. "You're so good at that. Anyone would think you were
born to suck cock. Such a beautiful mouth, stretched so prettily around me. I
wish I could come like this, I'd love you to drink me down."
Harry's cock at just the thought. He pulled back and grinned up at his demon
butler. "Bath time now, then?"
"Indeed." Severus waved his hand and they were both suddenly naked, Harry's
clothes folded neatly on the floor beside Severus'. Harry's eyes widened and he
squawked when Severus scooped him up in his arms and settled him gently in the
bath. Severus lifted up a sponge and began to lather it up, still kneeling by
the side of the bath.
"Not like that. Get in with me," Harry said. "We can bathe each other."
"I don't really need to bathe like a human," Severus said.
"I know. It's not just about getting clean," Harry said, blushing to the roots
of his hair. "I want to touch you."
"As always, your wish is my command, young master."
"Not a command," Harry said, his cock deflating a little. "I don't want to
command you to touch me. I only want to do it if you want to."
Severus smiled at him, before climbing into the bath and settling down opposite
Harry. "Have no fear on that score, Harry. I always want to touch you."
There were few words between them after that; they lathered each other's chest,
pinching nipples, grazing hands down below the waterline where they teased each
other's cocks with fleeting touches. There were moans and gasps, water
splashing onto the floor, harsh grunts and breathy gasps as they brought each
other higher and higher to the peak of pleasure, but did not yet fall over it.
Severus pulled away from Harry and settled himself against the back of the
bath. "On my lap, Harry," he suggested.
Harry did as he was told, resting his thighs either side of Severus'. OH! That
felt so good, his cock pressing against Severus' abdomen, as Severus' cock
pressed against his. So firm, so solid and before he knew it Harry was rocking
against Severus' body in a steady rhythm of need and want. Severus' hands
gripped Harry's waist as he arched up towards Harry.
Harry didn't know which one of them went for the kiss first, but suddenly both
their mouths were joined in a frantic clash of lips and teeth, wilder than any
kiss they'd shared before it. Severus was thrusting hard now, whining with need
into Harry's mouth and Harry realised at once what was wrong. The incubus
nature meant that Severus couldn't come until Harry had, even though he must be
desperate for release by now.
Harry thrust his tongue into Severus' mouth, loving the thick, hot feel of
Severus' tongue against his. He pressed down hard on Severus' shoulders,
humping Severus like a dog in heat, the need coiling low down in his belly and
bollocks. Severus pulled away from their kiss, but then he latched onto Harry's
neck, just where it joined his shoulder and he bit down hard. The sensation was
too much. Harry bucked in Severus' arms and spilled his release between them,
ropes and ropes of it as he rode the waves of ecstasy, his whole body
convulsing.
Severus shuddered, his teeth still embedded in Harry's shoulder as his climax
found him and his grip on Harry's hip tightened into something resembling pain,
but not quite. Harry held him until Severus lifted his head and stared at him.
"I'm sorry, I should not have done that."
"What? But we both wanted it," Harry said firmly. "It wasn't rape, Severus."
"I mean the bite. I should not have bitten you, I lost control."
"It's okay, Severus. It didn't hurt. Well, only a little. But it was a good
hurt. I liked it," Harry said shyly. "That's what made me come, when you bit
me."
"Oh, dear, have I uncovered some masochistic tendencies, young master?" Severus
inspected Harry's neck. "At least I didn't break the skin, you're not bleeding,
but there might be a bruise there."
"Well, then, I'll just have to get my butler to put some salve on me. He's very
good with his hands, you know."
"Is he now? And what else is this butler good at?"
"Oh, everything," said Harry, trying not to giggle. "His hands, his mouth, his
cock."
"I've created a monster," Severus said, mock-severely.
"You love me really," said Harry in a teasing tone.
"I do, young master, I do."
They both gaped at each other, surprised at the admission. Harry's heart leaped
when he realised that it was true. He loved Severus and Severus loved him.
Nothing would ever change that.
***** Chapter 16 *****
Part 16
"Miss Weasley, where are you going with that tray?"
Ginny Weasley's hands trembled, the cups and plates rattling on the tray. "I
was just going to bring the master up his breakfast, Mister Severus."
"Put the tray down. Now." Severus' voice was harsh and the girl looked on the
verge of tears as she set the tray back down on the table. "How long have you
been employed here?"
"Just over a month, sir."
"And in that time, have you noticed anything about the young master's
breakfast?"
"Um, you normally bring it up to him," she said at last.
"That's right, I do. There is one major rule in this house, Miss Weasley, and
you would do well to remember it. No one, I repeat, no one but me is ever to
enter the young master's bedchamber, is that clear?"
"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir," she said, her voice breaking.
"Now go and help your mother in the drawing room." Severus knew Molly Weasley
didn't need any help with her cleaning, but it gave him an excuse to send the
girl away so that she could cry in privacy if she wished. Severus had no
patience for tears, not unless they came from his master. When Harry cried,
Severus felt the grief himself and felt useless at being unable to do anything
about it. Neither of them had mentioned the 'L' word again after that night in
the bath and Severus wondered if they were both trying to avoid the same thing.
Demons didn't love, it wasn't in their nature, but Severus knew that when he
was around Harry he felt things he'd never felt before. How could he love? He
had no heart, not in the way humans understood it. And Harry, well Harry had
always hinted that he no longer felt capable of love after losing his parents
so horrifically.
Severus sighed, shook his head and inspected the breakfast Miss Weasley had
prepared. She must have been watching Severus for the past few weeks, for she
had indeed made all of Harry's favourites: the kippers, porridge, tea rather
than hot chocolate, toast along with jam, not marmalade.
Severus set Harry's breakfast tray in the dumb waiter that led to the upper
floors before making his own way upstairs. He lifted the tray, set it on the
trolley he always kept upstairs before making his way to his master's chamber.
Severus didn't knock, Harry didn't expect him to in the mornings, and he relied
on Severus to wake him for breakfast once Severus was in the room. Severus
pushed the door open and stepped inside, taking the opportunity to study his
young master's sleeping form, for Harry was too self- conscious while awake to
allow such scrutiny.
Harry was lying curled up on his side, the covers down beyond his feet and his
knees nearly tucked up under his chin. His hair was a wild mess, as it always
was after he'd slept and Severus had to resist the urge to trail his hands
through those soft, dark curls. Letting his master sleep a bit longer, Severus
made his way to the dressing table and the jug and ewer sitting on top of it.
He took the jug into the bathroom to get some hot water for his master's
morning wash, surprised when he caught himself reflected in the mirror above
the sink. It wasn't the first time he'd caught sight of his reflection there,
but it was the first time he'd ever seen such a look on his face. Severus was
smiling softly as he thought of Harry, not a smirk or a sneer, but a real
smile. He hadn't even realised he'd still had the ability to smile at anything.
A demon's life had little to smile about in it.
He filled the jug, returned to the bedroom and set the water down on the
dressing table before going to wake his human. "Young master, it's time to
wake," Severus said softly, trailing a gloved hand along Harry's left cheek.
Bright green eyes blinked up at him, the right one marked with their contract.
Harry pulled himself upright in the bed and yawned, clasping a hand over his
mouth as he did so. Severus gasped when he saw the bruises along Harry's neck;
he hadn't meant to be so rough with the boy last night, but the evidence of how
rough he'd been was staring him in the face. "I'm sorry, my lord, I did not
mean to mark you." Severus reached out and caressed Harry's bruised flesh.
"I like it," Harry said with a blush. "I love it when you get so carried away
that you don't know what you're doing. I love it when you mark me as yours."
"You are mine," Severus hissed in agreement. "But marks like those are obvious
as love-bites. You will face questions you shouldn't need to answer. I can use
my powers to heal them for --"
"No," Harry said firmly. "I don't want you to heal them. I'll just wear a scarf
to cover them. I want to wear your marks, Severus. I want a reminder that I
belong to you. One that only we know about it." Harry shook his head, as if
that should end the matter. "Now, what's on the schedule for today?"
"The new toy lines for Christmas have arrived from the factories your
inspection. At eleven you have a music lesson."
"Is Master Roberts back?"
"No, young master, I will continue your music lessons from now on. Master
Roberts has reason to find other employ."
"Has he? Why?"
"I have dismissed him."
"You've never lied to me, Severus, but you're hiding something. Why did you
dismiss Master Roberts?"
Severus knew there was no way around it. He was going to have to tell Harry the
truth, for Severus could no more lie to Harry than he could eat his soul before
the contract was fulfilled.
"He stands too close to you when he's teaching you violin and he hovers over
your shoulder when you're at the piano." Severus flushed, but he hoped Harry
thought it was indignation rather than embarrassment.
Harry laughed and lay back against his pillows. "You were jealous of Master
Roberts? He must be eighty if he's a day! There was nothing untoward going on,
Severus."
"I know that, young master. But I cannot help my nature and I could not bear
you being so close to another human."
"Hermione and Aunt Jane hug me all the time. You've never seemed that bothered
when they do." Harry sat up and lifted the silver dome off the breakfast tray.
"Allow me to clarify," said Severus. "It is not in my nature to allow you so
close to another male human. I don't think you would want to share intimacies
with a woman."
Harry shook his head. "You're wrong, Severus. I don't want to share intimacies
with anyone but you. Is that clear enough for you?" Harry reached up and tugged
on Severus' tie, dragging Severus down to Harry's level. Harry licked his lips,
his eyes sparkling, expectant. And Severus was never one to deny his human what
he wanted. Not when it was what Severus wanted too.
Severus closed the gap between them and pressed his lips firmly against
Harry's. Harry moaned and wrapped his arms around Severus' neck. Severus felt
the arousal build and build; he'd just reached a hand under the bedclothes when
a loud rap on the door interrupted them. Harry pulled away, his face flushed
and sweaty, but they both knew they could no longer continue. Not with the
house full of servants who might be wondering what they were up to.
Severus took a deep breath, quelled his arousal and went to answer the door.
Arthur Weasley stood there, twirling a cap around in his hand.
"I'm so sorry, Mister Severus. I know we're not supposed to disturb the master
in his rooms, but his aunt and uncle are here. They are most insistent on
seeing the earl."
"The Dursleys?" Harry asked, draping a dressing gown around himself and
standing beside Severus in the doorway.
"No, my lord. It’s the Duke and Duchess of Northolt."
Harry glanced at Severus and then nodded to Arthur. "Thank you, Weasley. I will
get dressed and be down shortly. Please show them into the parlour."
"Yes, sir. Very good, sir," said Arthur as he bowed and made his way back
downstairs.
"What are they doing here so early?" Harry mused to himself as Severus helped
him wash and get dressed for the day. "Maybe Hermione has finally decided on
someone for the engagement, although the last time she was here she didn't seem
that keen on marrying at all. But if that's what it was, they hardly need to be
here at the crack of dawn, do they?"
Severus just made a non-committal sound in his throat. It didn't seem like his
young master was expecting any reply. There were no lingering touches this
morning; Severus was quick and efficient as he got his master ready. Harry left
his breakfast untouched and Severus resolved to make sure his master ate
something later. Severus followed Harry downstairs and into the parlour. The
duke was standing facing the fireplace, his hands clasped behind his back. His
wife was sitting on the armchair nearest the fire, her head in her hands,
sobbing quietly.
"Aunt Jane?" Harry asked as he stepped into the room. Her head shot up and her
whole body trembled with her sobs. "What's the matter?"
"Our daughter is missing," said the duke as he turned to face them. "Hermione
has not been seen for two days and we've received no word from her."
"Missing? Hermione?" Harry swayed where he stood and Severus knew the young
earl was thinking of his own abduction. Severus placed a hand on his back and
guided him to the sofa.
"Some of the staff are gossiping that Hermione has run away from home or has
eloped with some young man we don't approve of," said the duchess, dabbing at
her eyes with a lacy handkerchief.
"Hermione would never elope," said Harry firmly. "She told me she didn't even
want to get married at all. This is most unlike her."
"I agree," said the duke. "Hermione is very sensible, I don't think she's run
away at all. I think she's been taken."
"You sound so sure of that, Uncle Rupert," said Harry. "Have you received a
note for ransom?"
"No, not ransom. But there was a card."
"What card?" asked Jane. "I never saw any card."
"I did not wish to distress you, my dear."
"My only daughter's been kidnapped, how more distressed can I get? Tell me at
once!" Jane stood up and brushed off her skirts, although Severus could see
that there wasn't any fluff or dirt anywhere to be seen on the pink silk. He
guessed she just needed to be doing something with her hands.
"I'm afraid she may indeed have been abducted, but not for ransom." Rupert
reached into the pocket of his waistcoat and removed a business card, holding
it between thumb and forefinger. He showed it briefly to his wife, who clasped
a gloved hand over her mouth.
"But that's…"
Rupert nodded. "Indeed. Now do you see why I didn't want to worry you?"
"May I see the card, Uncle?" Harry asked, his hand outstretched. Rupert looked
to Severus, as if it was up to Severus to decide. He supposed that with Harry's
age his relatives looked more upon Severus as his guardian rather than just a
butler. In a way, he was, just not in the way they expected.
Severus reached for the card, although he had guessed correctly what would be
upon it.
It was a symbol he saw every day when he bathed and dressed Harry.
A black skull with a snake protruding from its mouth.
***** Chapter 17 *****
Part 17
"Who are these people? What do they want with our family?" Jane wailed and sat
back down on an armchair.
Rupert gave Severus and Harry a searching look and looked pointedly at his
wife, who was now sobbing softly into a handkerchief. Harry realised what his
uncle wanted at once. His uncle knew something but wasn't willing to say it in
front of Aunt Jane.
"Severus, please send for Mrs. Weasley. She and Aunt Jane can adjourn to the
drawing room for some peace and quiet."
Jane's head snapped up as she scrunched the handkerchief in her fist. "I don't
want peace and quiet! I want my daughter found!"
"Please, Aunt Jane. For me?" Harry asked, putting on his most doe-eyed look.
His tutors could never resist it and neither it seemed, could Jane.
"Very well, Harry. You're such a good boy. I'll go and sit with Mrs. Weasley
while you all discuss things behind my back." With that, Jane swept out of the
room. Severus waved his hand over the door and Harry guessed he was placing
some sort of silencing magic on the wood so that even if Jane was eavesdropping
she wouldn't hear anything. Rupert didn't seem to notice anything out of the
ordinary.
"You think Hermione was abducted by the same people who took me?" Harry asked,
surprised how calm his voice sounded. The memories of that awful time had never
fully gone away and he still had nightmares sometimes. Oh, God, what if they
did to Hermione what they did to him? The locked cage? The beatings? The
humiliations at every turn?
Rupert brushed his frock-coat, although there was no fluff or dirt to be seen
on it. He seemed to be battling with himself. "Harry, what do you know of your
ancestors? Do you know anything about the first Potters, about the first
earls?"
"I know they all died younger than they should have had, including my parents.
There were lots of freak accidents."
"Accidents. Hmm, yes, I suppose that's what you're supposed to think. Harry,
all of the Potter line, all of the other earls were all murdered. They weren't
accidents. Someone is going to great lengths to destroy the Potter bloodline.
Now that they have Hermione, it's only a matter of time before they come for
you again. Your father confided in me before he died. He was working undercover
for the Queen, but I guess you know that now? He was the Queen's Phoenix and
was trying to infiltrate a secret society. But somehow they found out, or he
was betrayed and they killed him before he could make his report to the Queen."
"Who are these people?" Harry asked. "What do they want with us?"
"I don't know everything, you understand, just the parts your father told me.
They call themselves Death Eaters and their main headquarters is in an old
abbey in Yorkshire called Little Hangleton. But here's the thing, they pretend
they are a legitimate religious order and will allow no one on their property,
except those who decide to join their order. There have been reports lately of
people going missing from the surrounding villages and the local populace
believe that this group is behind the disappearances. I have no idea if they
are behind Hermione's kidnap, but it's the only lead we have." Rupert turned
and stared into the empty fireplace, for the fire in the parlour hadn't been
lit yet. His shoulders sagged and Harry felt pained for his aunt and uncle's
distress. He knew what Rupert was going to ask of him and Harry mentally
prepared himself for the question.
"Harry, I know this is a terrible imposition of you, but I don't know who else
to turn to. The police say they can't do anything against these people in
Yorkshire as we have no evidence that they've even taken her. Please, Harry,
can you find her and bring her home?"
"I do not think that is fair on the young master," said Severus, standing in
front of Harry as though to protect him from Uncle Rupert. "You have no idea
what those people put him through and yet you want him to voluntarily return to
them? He will not do it. This is a matter for police, leave the earl out of
it."
"It's all right, Severus. I want to go, I want to help Hermione if she's
there."
"Young master—"
"Please, Severus. I have to do this, I have to." Harry looked deep into
Severus' eyes hoping Severus could guess why he had to do it. Not only was he
trying to save Hermione, he needed to know if these people, these Death Eaters,
were the ones responsible for his parents' murders. He needed to find out the
truth, one way or another, even if it meant his death and the loss of his soul.
Severus nodded. "Very well, young master, but I must insist on accompanying
you. You are not to do this alone."
"Thank you, Severus. I was hoping you'd say that."
Rupert moved from the fireplace and placed his arms around Harry's shoulders.
Harry tried not to stiffen too much at his uncle's touch, for so long no one
but Severus had touched him. Tears dripped down onto Harry's neck, surprising
him. Rupert had always seemed so strong. "Thank you, Harry. Thank you both."
***
Five days later Harry and Severus arrived at King's Cross Station ready for the
train journey to York. Once there they had to take a smaller branch line to
Greater Hangleton and then make their way to the smaller village of Little
Hangleton.
Harry stood as close to Severus as he could as they waited for their train to
be announced on the departure boards. Every so often there was a mechanical
click and the destinations and times along with platform numbers changed once
again. There were far too many people about and even though Harry was no longer
a child, he still had to stop himself from reaching out and clasping Severus'
hand.
"Young master, are you all right?" Severus asked, as always he seemed to have a
sixth sense where Harry's welfare was involved.
"I don't like crowds," Harry said, before admitting in a soft voice, "and I've
never been on a train before. Are you sure it's safe?"
"As safe as it can be," replied Severus. "Trains have been around for some time
now and while there have been accidents, there have also been carriage
accidents too. I will protect you with my life, my lord."
Harry gaped at him. "Can you die?"
"Not in quite the same way as humans, young master. As immortal beings, angels
and demons do not age nor we do suffer diseases that can shorten our life span.
However, we can be killed in battle with another of our kind, especially if
were are injured with a golden blade. Gold is poisonous to our kind." Severus
looked up at the board which had changed once again while they were talking.
"Platform five, Harry. This way."
Harry followed Severus to the correct platform, his head still reeling with
Severus' revelations. He didn't think it was possible for Severus to die and
the thought shook him to his core. Severus had always seemed strong and that he
would always be there, at least until the contract was fulfilled.
The steps onto the train were rather high, but still Harry was surprised when
Severus grasped him around the waist and lifted him up to the first step. Even
when Severus let go of him, Harry thought he could still feel Severus' hands
around his waist like a band of heat there and he blushed as he made his way
down the corridor looking for their compartment. They hadn't done anything
intimate for the past few days, as Harry's aunt and uncle were still guests at
the manor and Harry's worry about Hermione had been forefront in his mind.
"Here we are," said Severus close to Harry's hear, the breath tickling Harry,
and pushing the glass door aside to let Harry in the compartment first. Harry
entered and sat down on the velvet covered seat and tugged his coat down over
his lap to hide his burgeoning erection. Severus' touches, no matter how
innocent they may have been, always had the same effect on Harry and he felt
awkward that it always seemed to be him who had to initiate things between
them. Sometimes he just wished that Severus would lose some of his stoic
control and ravish him.
Severus slid into the seat opposite Harry's and draped one leg over the other,
giving Harry a very good view of his crotch and the bulge visible there. Harry
swallowed and glanced up at the luggage racks above their heads where their
trunks were already placed. His face was flaming and his cock was rock-hard and
Harry knew that Severus would be able to smell his arousal as well as sense it;
the demon was so attuned to his master.
Severus waved his hand towards the door leading into the corridor and a blind
fell down to cover it and hide the occupants from view. "Is there anything you
require, young master?" Severus asked, smirking.
"No," Harry said sullenly, folding his arms over his chest and staring out the
window at the platform outside and the people milling about. Severus knew full
well what Harry required, what he wanted, what they both needed, but Harry was
getting fed up of being the one who had to beg for a touch. Was it that Severus
didn't really desire him at all? That he only touched Harry when Harry asked
for it because he needed the sex to survive on this plane?
The chugging of the engines got louder and a plume of smoke billowed back from
the engine to envelop the platform as the train juddered and started moving.
For about an hour, Harry did nothing but watch the scenery roll by, but he was
aware of Severus' scrutiny the whole time and knowing that Severus was staring
at him did little to relieve the tension in his groin at all.
"You are so delectable when you pout," Severus said softly. "Your lips look so
much more kissable like that."
And even before Severus had finished speaking, Harry had closed the distance
between them and clambered onto Severus' lap. They both groaned as their
erections brushed together and Severus' hands gripped Harry's arse hard.
"You haven't touched me for days!" Harry gasped when they came up for air. "How
can you stand it?"
"I wasn't so sure my attentions would be welcome. You forget, young master, I
can sense how you're feeling. I knew you were worried about your cousin and
what your relatives might think."
Harry rested his forehead against Severus' hair. "I thought you were tired of
me," Harry admitted in a small voice.
Severus' grip on Harry's arse tightened even more. "Tired of touching you, my
lord? Surely you jest? Sometimes it is all I can do not to touch you
constantly. You excite me terribly."
As if to prove his point, Severus removed his hands from Harry's arse and
pulled his head down to kiss him fervently. Because of Harry's position sitting
on Severus' lap, Harry had the unusual sensation of bending down to kiss
Severus, rather than up. His hips shifted, as did Severus', as if they couldn't
quite keep still. It was so good to have pressure against his groin as they
kissed and Harry moaned low in his throat as they kissed and kissed.
They rocked with the motion of the train along the tracks as well as an older,
more primal rhythm, their thrusts against each other gathering urgency. This
was so much better than when Harry fondled himself with his hands. Every hair
on his body seemed to be standing on end and his heartbeat was rushing in his
ears like surf against sand. How could a human body contain such pleasure? He
felt swamped with it, things hurtling too fast for him to keep up with. "Wait!
Wait! It's too much," Harry said as he pulled his lips away and breathed the
words along Severus' neck.
"We can stop if you wish it, young master," said Severus, but his hands had
found their way again to grip Harry's hips.
"I don't want to stop," Harry whispered hoarsely. "I just don't want to make a
mess of my clothes."
"You were so close already, my lord?"
Harry nodded, blushing. "You make me feel so good, Severus. Sometimes I can
hardly stand it." He wriggled a bit on Severus' lap, his arousal spiking higher
as he did so. Severus' groaned and kissed him again, biting on his lips so hard
he drew blood. Harry was surprised to find the slight pain made his cock jerk
against his clothes. He wanted to come so badly now that he didn't care if he
made his clothes messy. Maybe Severus would know some magic to be able to clean
them.
But before he had a chance to soil his clothes, Severus' hands were fumbling
with Harry's buttons and a few moments later he was caressing Harry's cock with
his gloved hand. "Oh! Ohhh!" Harry groaned and arched his hips, trying to get
more of that wonderful sensation as Severus pumped his cock with an expert
hand.
The soft cotton of the gloves against his naked cock seemed so deliciously
naughty. For the gloves reminded Harry that Severus was his butler, so prim and
proper in that public role, but so devilish when he touched Harry intimately
like this. "Severus! Oh, God! Severus! I'm going to come!" Harry wailed, trying
to stem the tide as much as he could, he didn't want this to end so soon.
"Yes, my master," Severus said softly. "Come for me. Come for me, Harry. Cover
me in it."
"Ahhh! Ahhh!" Harry howled and bucked, his whole body convulsing with the force
of his climax. Ropes of seed flew from his cock to smother Severus' gloves and
clothes, some of it even going so far to land on Severus' cheek. Below him,
Severus shuddered and pressed against Harry's body, but was completely silent
as he orgasmed and Harry felt the dampness seep through both sets of clothes.
"Severus," Harry panted, his whole body trembling with aftershocks. He wasn't
sure he could move, his legs felt like jelly. "I'm sorry I got some on your
cheek."
Severus grinned at him, before trailing a gloved finger through the semen and
sucking it, humming around it, as if he found Harry's taste sweeter than any
dessert. Harry blushed at seeing how much Severus enjoyed it. Not to be outdone
by his demon, Harry made quick work of Severus' trousers, although he didn't
think he was as deft as Severus' at undressing someone, and pulled Severus'
cock out through the gap. It was sticky with drying come and it was but the
work of seconds for Harry to scoop a bit on his fingers and bring those fingers
to his mouth. It didn't really taste of anything and Harry wondered if that was
because of Severus' demon heritage.
Severus' eyes glittered red and he gripped Harry's wrist in his hand.
"Little boys shouldn't play with fire. Not unless they want to get burnt."
Harry took an extra lick, just for that, and stared Severus down. "Burn me."
***** Chapter 18 *****
Part 18
"Young master, we're here." Severus stroked Harry's cheek to wake him. Harry
had fallen asleep after their third bout and Severus had spent the remainder of
the evening watching his master sleep and forcing himself not to wake him for
more. Severus had to keep remembering that Harry was only human and did not
have the same stamina as an Incubus, no matter how much Severus had wanted to
continue their intimacies. He'd placed his own coat over Harry as he lay on the
velvet covered seat, even though it would have been easy for Severus to conjure
a blanket just as well. He'd wanted his coat draped over Harry, the coat that
Severus' scent clung to. It was Severus staking a claim again, even though they
knew no other demon could touch Harry now that he was protected by their
contract. Angels were another matter. Contracts wouldn't stop them.
Harry opened his eyes and blinked up at Severus, his emerald gaze bright in the
light from the gas lamps above their seats. Harry pushed himself up and clasped
Severus' coat around his waist, and Severus grinned with pleasure when he saw
Harry sniff his coat.
"Where are we?" Harry asked, running a hand through his hair and staring out at
the gas-lit platform outside their window.
"We're in Greater Hangleton. There are no trains running to Little Hangleton
until tomorrow morning. I've already arranged for us to stay at the hotel next
to the station, a porter has already sent our luggage on ahead. I was waiting
for you to awake on your own, but it seemed you might have slept on the train
all night if I'd stuck to that plan."
"What time is it?"
"Just after midnight."
"Midnight?" Harry asked incredulously. "I've been asleep for hours!"
"Indeed." Severus smirked at him. "I seem to have worn you out, my lord." And
there it was again, Harry's delightful pink blush as Severus reminded him of
what they'd been up to on the train. Severus removed his jacket from Harry and
pulled it on, Harry's scent on the clothing making his nostrils flare and his
groin stir once more. He calmed himself by making sure that Harry's clothes
were no longer wrinkled and if he let his hands linger a bit longer than was
necessary on Harry's arse and thighs, Harry didn't object. The sharp intake of
breath by his master was an added bonus.
"Severus!" Harry admonished, softly slapping Severus' hands away. "You're
insatiable!"
"Well, I am an Incubus, my lord. It's in my nature. And when I have someone as
delectable as you to sate my hunger on, how can I resist?"
Harry blushed again and lowered his cane to the ground. "Come on; let's get
some sleep before we go to the abbey tomorrow. Some of us are only human after
all and need to rest."
"Very well, young master," said Severus, taking Harry's hand in his and kissing
the back of it. Harry pulled his hand away too quickly for Severus' liking, but
Harry was right. He was only human and needed to rest.
Severus may have overstated things, for the station hotel wasn't really a
hotel, rather it was a public house with a few rooms to let. When they entered
the public bar, the men who had been talking suddenly ceased their chatter and
turned around to stare at them. Severus sensed Harry's discomfort and stood
close to him as they made their way to the barman behind the counter. "We have
a reservation. Potter."
"Aye," said the barman, wiping a glass with a rag so filthy that it didn't do
much but smear dirt around it. "Room four's free. It's extra if you want hot
water brought up in the morning."
Severus removed a sovereign from his pocket and left it on the counter. The
barman's eyes bulged, for they both knew the hot water wasn't worth that much
extra. Around them the chatter of patrons had started again, everyone back to
their own drinks and conversations.
"Where are you off to? We don't get many visitors round these parts."
"Little Hangleton. We're catching the train tomorrow," said Harry.
"There aren't any trains tomorrow. No trains to Little Hangleton anymore. Not
since the accident."
"What accident?" asked Severus.
"An accident on Abbey Bridge. The whole bridge collapsed, killed everyone who
was on the train. Must have been about twenty or thirty people or so. The
trains can't go anywhere near Little Hangleton, they can't get over the ravine,
see?"
"And Abbey Bridge. Is that near St. Cuthbert's Abbey?" asked Harry.
"Aye, but you don't want to be going there. There's bad things happen in that
abbey. It's not a holy place, not any more. You can't get to it anyroad, not
now the bridge has collapsed."
"Isn't there another way to get to it?" asked Severus, although he knew the
lack of a bridge wouldn't deter them. Severus could fly over and take Harry
with him. It would have to be in the dark though, no sense giving the humans
any more strange things to wonder about.
"No, the abbey is on its own little rock. Ravines all the way round. The only
way was on the railway bridge. You can't get to it now."
"Thank you for your help," said Harry. "We will have to change our plans."
The barman nodded and reached under the counter for a large, brass key. "Here
you go, gentlemen. Room four, top of the stairs on the left. Your luggage is
already there. Breakfast starts at seven."
Severus took the key and took hold of Harry's arm to steer him up the stairs,
the conversation in the bar starting anew as they left the room. Harry's
shoulders sagged and a few times he leant on Severus as they made their way to
the room. The room wasn't large, not compared to Harry's bedroom at the manor,
but it was bigger than Severus was expecting for a roadside inn.
A large double bed was pushed up against one wall and a wardrobe leaned
drunkenly to one side on another one. Below the small window was a dressing
table which held a pitcher and ewer in a blue floral design. Steam was rising
from the bowl, so Severus guessed someone had already been in with hot water
for them. The curtains were navy blue velvet as was the bedspread and all in
all it seemed quite comfortable. Two bedside tables held lit candles which
flickered in unseen drafts.
"There's only one bed," said Harry, glancing around the room.
"Indeed, young master. Not to worry. I don't need sleep like humans do; I can
rest on the floor."
Harry blushed. "Why don't you share the bed with me?"
"That wouldn't be proper," said Severus, trying his best not to smirk. It was
fun to watch his human squirm.
"And what we did on the train was? You know you're more than a butler to me,
Severus. I'd like us to share the bed. We don't have to do anything; we can
just go to sleep."
Severus caressed Harry's cheek with a gloved hand. "Have I tired you out, my
lord?"
"You know you have. I've never come so much before! I feel exhausted."
"Very well," said Severus as he knelt down and began to unbutton Harry's
clothes. "A quick wash and then bed for you."
Harry stood silent and compliant, yielding to his undressing and his wash as he
did every night and morning. Severus didn't linger overlong as he might have
done if Harry wasn't so tired. It was so easy for the demon to get aroused
whenever he was with Harry. It was a pity that the first night Harry had
invited Severus to join him in bed was also a night where Harry wouldn't be
able to do anything but sleep. If Severus didn't want to be kept awake all
night with sexual frustration, he had to keep his hands on their job and not
think of all that soft skin to be explored.
"Oh." Harry sighed softly as Severus washed his cock and balls with a soft
cloth he'd conjured, for the room didn't contain one. "That feels nice. I don't
think I'll get hard again, but it feels good. I love your hands on me,
Severus."
"So I've noticed. But you're nearly asleep on your feet." Severus stood up and
searched Harry's trunk for his nightshirt. Harry lifted his arms above his head
and just stood there, waiting. Severus took a moment to look his fill before
pulling the garment down over Harry's body.
"How are we going to get the abbey if there are no roads or railway in?" Harry
asked, stifling a yawn.
"We fly, of course."
***** Chapter 19 *****
Part 19
Harry clung to Severus' neck, his fingers holding on for dear life as they
soared across the early morning sky. It was still dark and Harry knew they had
to make it to the abbey before dawn so that ordinary people wouldn't look up
and see them. How did you explain a winged demon with a human in his arms?
Severus' arms cradled Harry securely but he still would have preferred to be on
solid ground. It was disconcerting feeling the wind whistle past his ears as
they hurtled towards the abbey.
There were a few dotted lights on the ground, from remote houses Harry guessed,
but when they reached the ravine, the lights blazing from the abbey made it
seem as bright as noon down there.
"They are expecting us," Severus said as he too gazed at the lights of the
abbey windows.
"They can't be," Harry protested. "No one knows we're coming."
"There is only one man who knew where we were going," said Severus softly. "In
fact, he was the one who suggested we come here."
"What? No! He wouldn't!" Harry didn't want to believe it, but the truth of the
matter was staring them both in the face. "Uncle Rupert? But why?"
"I don't know, young master, but do you want to find out?" Severus hovered a
hundred feet in the air above the abbey, his wings fluttering as he kept them
airborne. Severus could take them away from here, Harry needn't go anywhere
near that abbey, for he suspected now that Hermione's kidnapping, if she'd even
been kidnapped at all, had been a ruse to lure him here. But why? That was the
crux of the matter and even though they both knew it was a trap, Harry had to
know. He had to know what these people wanted of him and why they had killed
his parents and attempted to kill him too.
"What are you saying, Severus?"
"I can take you away from here, Harry. You can be safe."
Harry shuddered in the demon's arms. It was so easy to be seduced into the idea
of safety, but Harry knew he would never be safe. Not as long as his parents'
murderers were still out there, still intent on harming him too. But if Harry
found out who they were, if he found out what he needed to know, then he could
meet Death on his own terms. He could avenge his parents' murders and go to his
own death, not quite happy, but at least resolved.
"I need to know, Severus. Please take us down."
"You know that our contract is still in force? If you find out the truth, I
will have to kill you."
Harry was surprised that Severus seemed to be doing all in his power to prevent
Harry from following this course. "Severus, do you still want to devour my
soul?" Harry asked, turning to glance at the demon. Severus' eyes flashed red
in the darkness as he nodded.
"Of course. That is the only reason I'm here."
"You're lying," Harry said. "Do you think I would just forget what you said
that day? You love me. I know you do."
"Demons do not love," Severus said. "We obey a human's bidding because we hope
to get something in return - that human's soul. I want your soul, young master,
nothing else. I have never wanted anything else from you."
"Really?" Harry asked, smirking. "You don't want my body? You don't think about
me, about how many ways you can take me? You don't lust after me?"
"I lust after your body the way a hungry man lusts after food. You are
sustenance, nothing more."
"If you say so," said Harry, but not believing a word of it. He knew how
Severus felt about him and it was nothing to do with eating Harry's soul. "Take
me down, Severus. I have to know what's going on. I need to know."
"As you wish, young master," said Severus and turned in a dive so that he and
Harry could land safely. At least this time Harry wasn't wearing a frilly
dress. Harry stumbled a little as they landed, but Severus was quick to right
him again and squeezed his shoulders in what could be construed as a comforting
gesture.
As they approached the abbey, the wooden door swung inwards. There were two
women standing behind it, both of them dressed in long white robes with red
sashes tied around their waist. Both were wearing veils of white and bowed as
Harry and Severus made their way to the door. As they got nearer, Harry
realised that one of them was only a girl around his own age, but the taller
one was older.
"Welcome, Harry Potter," said the girl, bowing again and as she did so, Harry
caught sight of a few wisps of blonde hair which had escaped her veil. "You are
expected. Sister Sybill saw you in her glass tonight."
"Indeed, Sister Luna. All who wish to join our Order are welcome here. Our
lights welcome travellers who are weary of the world outside."
"And what is your Order?" Harry asked, wondering if these two women had
anything to do with the murder of his parents.
"We are the Order of the Phoenix," said the woman, Sister Sybill. "We are
cleansed of sin by the fire and born anew. The Cleansing Ceremony is about to
begin, would you like to bear witness?"
Harry glanced at Severus, unsure of what they should do. If the answers lay in
the abbey, then an invitation inside would help. Severus nodded and took hold
of Harry's hand, leading him inside the building. The walls and floor were bare
stone, with flickering torches on the walls that didn't look as though they had
changed any since the medieval era. Stained glass windows of angels and saints
dotted the corridor they were led down.
"Severus," Harry whispered as they followed their hostesses along the
corridors. "Are they human?"
"Yes, my lord. I sense no angels or demons here."
Their guides stopped at another wooden door. "This is our chapel," said Sister
Luna. "You must not speak once we are inside. Only the Orator and the penitents
may speak during the Cleansing."
"Very well," said Harry. Severus just nodded and the woman pushed the door
open. Flickering candles were in tall iron holders in every corner of the room.
Stained glass windows with visions of saints and angels were on both sides of
the chapel. Pews in honeyed wood were filled with hundreds of people garbed in
the same white robes as Sister Luna and her companion. Despite the interruption
of their entrance, not one person glanced around at them. All eyes were at the
front of the chapel where someone in a scarlet robe with a white sash was
standing behind a marble altar. A book was open in front of him, but Harry
didn't think it was a bible he was reading from.
To the left of the Orator were two naked figures huddled close together, their
heads bowed. Since their backs were to the rest of the congregation, Harry
didn't know whether they were male of female. Both of them had shoulder-length
dark hair and their skin was as pale as the moonlight streaming through the
high windows behind the altar. Harry shuddered, one of the angels on the
stained glass looked a lot like Gilderoy Lockhart.
Sister Luna pointed both of them to a pew at the back of the chapel, but no
words were spoken by anyone other than the Orator. Harry thought that was a
strange name to give to someone who seemed to be mumbling rather than having a
clear speech. From what little words Harry could hear, he didn't think the man
was speaking in English or Latin. He supposed it might have been Greek, but
Harry had never studied Greek at all so he wasn't really sure.
The scarlet-robed Orator closed the book on the altar with a snap, making every
head in the chapel turn towards him as one. When he spoke next, his voice was
clear and in English.
"Joshua Treadwell, the book has spoken and revealed your sins to all gathered
here. You were a greengrocer who swindled his customers out of their money,
hoping to keep more profit for yourself. Your scales were dishonest and you
were charged more for less produce than they expected. Do you repent these sins
in front of your fellows?"
"I do! I do!" said the man on the right. "I want to be Cleansed! I want to be
pure!"
"The impure and the unclean must repent with all their heart!"
Harry stiffened in his seat. Those words sounded very like those spoken by
Gilderoy Lockhart when they'd been searching for Jack the Ripper.
"I do! I repent! I repent!" The man bowed his head and his shoulders slumped.
"Only the purifying fire can cleanse you. Do you have faith, Brother Joshua? Do
you have faith that the fire will not harm you?"
"Yes, Orator! I believe! I am a true believer!"
"Very well. Let the fire cleanse you of your sins. Let your heart and soul be
pure once more." The Orator clicked his fingers and in the next instant, Joshua
was engulfed in orange flame. Harry screamed and darted from his seat. How
could everyone else just sit there and watch the man burn alive?
The Orator glanced down at Harry, his eyes narrowing. "Who dares to interrupt a
Cleansing?" he demanded.
"Most humble apologises, Master Orator," said Sister Luna. "He is a new
recruit."
"Sit down in silence, all of you!"
Sister Luna pulled Harry back down on the pew and as he watched the flames, he
realised that they were not actually harming the man engulfed in them. How was
that even possible? His parents had burned to death and watching this atrocity
in the name of religion had the bile rising in his throat. Harry had no idea
how much time had passed before the fire extinguished itself.
There was something marring the pale skin of Joshua's back. The Orator lifted
the man up and brought him around the front of the altar, showing the mark on
his back to the assembled audience. "Behold! The Mark of Repentance! Let all
who see it know that this man has been Cleansed and is welcome into our fold!"
Harry shouldn't have been able to see it, no one should have been able to see
such a small mark from so far away, but he'd recognise that symbol anywhere.
The very one that marred Harry's own flesh.
A skull outlined in black with a serpent emerging from its tongue.
***** Chapter 20 *****
Part 20
Harry exchanged a glance with Severus and knew that the demon had seen the
symbol too. Harry may not have had demon powers, but he sensed that soon all
the answers he sought would be theirs for the taking. They were getting closer
and closer by the minute, Harry was sure of it.
The Orator draped a white robe over Joshua Treadwell, and two of the white-
robed congregation stepped up and led him away. Harry had no idea how anyone
could emerge unscathed from the fire that they all witnessed. Unless it was
some form of mass hysteria and they all saw the same vision. The fire couldn't
have been real. Joshua Treadwell would have burnt to death if it had been.
The Orator looked to his other penitent and held out the book in front of him
again as though it was a shield. "Emily Lakton, your sins have been recorded in
the book and have now been brought to light. You are a fornicator and house a
bastard child in your belly. Do you repent of your sins? If you have faith, the
fire will Cleanse you and you will be born anew among us. Do you repent,
child?"
"I haven't done anything wrong!" The girl protested. "He forced me to lie with
him! I didn't want to, I didn't! I'm a good girl!"
"So you wish to add liar to your sins as well, do you? Everyone knows that
women are the cause of sin. Eve tempted Adam in the garden and brought mankind
to ruin. You are the same, Emily Lakton. A temptress, tempting men to sin with
your body and feminine wiles. I ask again, do you repent?"
"But I haven't done anything!" Emily sobbed, her shoulders shaking with the
effort. Harry tried again to rise, but Sister Sybill had her fist clamped to
his arm. She was stronger than she looked and Harry could do nothing else but
seethe silently as he watched the travesty on the altar. Who were these people
to judge who had sinned and who hadn't? Harry believed the girl's story, having
almost suffered it himself at Lucius Malfoy's hands. The poor girl had been
raped and yet everyone was blaming her rather than the rapist!
"I will ask you one more time, Emily, do you repent?" The Orator's voice had
softened and he knelt down in front of her, patting her on the arm. "You are
among friends here, Emily. All you need to do is repent and your soul will be
pure once more. Repent. Repent, I beg you."
But Emily shook her head. Harry was astonished at her fortitude; it took
courage to keep to her convictions with everyone seeming to want the opposite.
The Orator clicked his hands once more and Emily Lakton was enveloped in
flames.
Her screams gave Harry a burst of strength and he yanked his wrist away from
Sister Sybill's grip. "What is the matter with you people? You are going to
kill that girl!"
"She's a sinner. The wages of sin are death.," Sybill quoted, her eyes glassy.
"Severus save her! That's an order!" Harry roared. As the girl's screams
continued, so screams started in the congregation. Emily flailed about the
altar, her burning body setting alight the altar cloth and draperies behind the
altar. Soon the fire had reached the carpet running down the centre aisle of
the chapel and everyone besides Harry and Severus were making a mad dash for
the exit. Severus unfurled his wings and flew over the crowd, landing on the
burning altar. Harry struggled against the flow of people going in the opposite
direction as he tried to get to Severus and the girl.
"You are all sinners! You will be cleansed!" The Orator screeched, clicking his
fingers together and waving his hands at the walls. Soon the whole place was
ablaze. People were screaming and wailing; the windows shattered, showering
everyone with broken glass, blood mixing in with the smoke covering their
uncovered skin.
"Out! Out! Everyone get out!" Harry roared as he struggled against the flow of
people. He was knocked sideways into one of the wooden pews, jarring his hip,
and he hissed in pain. Already the smoke was making his eyes water and his eyes
sting. And the heat! He'd never felt so hot in all his life. Harry knelt down
between the pews and crawled along to one of the smaller aisles by the outer
wall. He stood and made his way slowly along the wall, breathing shallowly,
trying to avoid the smoke.
Up on the altar, Severus had conjured a blanket from the air and wrapped Emily
in it. He rolled her to the ground and Harry felt a jolt of relief when he saw
the flames extinguished and saw that she was still alive. The Orator pulled
back his hood and Harry felt the world beneath him swaying. He should have
realised it all along. Underneath the Orator's hood was none other than
Gilderoy Lockhart. But how come Severus hadn't sensed the angel's presence?
Harry watched in fascinated horror as Lockhart conjured a large sword from thin
air, the gold of its blade glittering in the firelight.
Severus was still bent low over Emily, his back to the angel.
"Severus look out!" Harry screamed, but his warning came too late. Lockhart
swung the blade in a large arc, aiming for Severus' left shoulder.
But before Harry could see what happened to Severus, a cloth was pressed
against his mouth and nose, covered in a sickly, acrid stench that made his
eyes sting and his throat constrict.
"Your uncle was right, Potter. You do have a saving people thing."
Lucius Malfoy's voice followed him down into unconsciousness.
***
When Harry came to, he was lying in a meadow of grass and wildflowers and a
gentle breeze stirred his hair. The sky above him was of a hue so blue that he
wasn't sure it was quite real. Harry sat up and glanced down at himself. He was
wearing a white robe and a red sash like those people in the abbey had worn.
Where was he? What had happened?
Fire. He remembered a fire. He remembered Severus by the altar, the angel
aiming a sword at him. A gold sword. And gold could kill angels and demons, the
only thing that could. Was Severus still alive? Severus had promised to protect
Harry with his last breath, a bond that would break if he was dead.
Harry pushed himself to his feet and began to explore the field he found
himself in. There were no trees, no animals and the grass seemed to go on
forever. He walked and walked, tiring fast, but he didn't find anything else.
He'd been hoping for a river or pond of some sort so that he could check his
reflection; see if the pentagram on his eye was still there. If it was still
visible, did that mean Severus was still alive?
Two hazy figures appeared in the distance, looking quite a way away, but Harry
blinked and then they were right next to him.
"He's awake!" Lily Potter ran to him and embraced him, looking as young as she
did on the day she died.
"Mama?" Harry asked incredulously, glancing over her shoulder at the man there.
"Papa? I thought I'd never see you again!"
"My beautiful boy, how can you think that?" said Lily as she stopped hugging
him and raked her eyes over him. "I sometimes forget how much you've grown.
Hasn't he, James?"
"Ay. Soon it'll be time for you to get married and carry on the family name,
Harry." James lifted out his pocket watch and shook his head. "But time's
getting on. We'd best be getting back."
"No, wait!" Harry cried. "I've only just got to see you. Stay, please. Can you
tell me what's happening? Why are those people after our family?"
James exchanged a worried glance with his wife. "Our family was always in
danger, Harry. Ever since the first earldom was created. Do you know why Henry
Potter was given an earldom?"
"I don't know. There was nothing about it in the family records. I assumed he'd
done some service for the Crown and the earldom of Godric's Hollow was his
reward for that."
"That's what the royals would like everyone to think. They don't want the truth
coming out. Harry, your ancestor Henry Potter was the illegitimate child of
George III. The line has been unbroken since his day. All the male Potters are
seen as a threat to the throne. To keep them in line they were hired as the
royal Phoenixes, secret agents investigating the most dangerous criminals in
the land. It was hoped that they would die during their investigations. If they
didn't, then more direct methods were employed."
"Murdered?" Harry gasped. "Then they were all murdered by a royal decree?"
"Yes. That's who really killed us, Harry. Just using a secret society to do it.
We were all meant to die that day, Harry. You'll always be in danger. You will
spend your life looking over your shoulder as we have. I wish I could have
better news to give you."
"Thank you for telling me," said Harry. His heart felt lighter than it had in
years. He knew the truth now, he'd seen his parents again but this time he knew
it would be for the last time. If Severus devoured his soul, there would be no
field of flowers for it to go to. He would just cease to exist. It didn't scare
him as much as he thought it would. Things were resolved now. Harry hugged each
of them in turn. "I love you both," Harry said and as soon as he finished
speaking, both of them disappeared.
A few moments later, Harry was on his knees, coughing and spluttering amid the
ruins of the abbey.
"Harry!" Severus screamed and ran to him, jumping over bits of blackened rubble
and timber. Harry looked up and saw that Severus' left sleeve hung loose on his
frame, blood darkening his jacket sleeve to maroon.
"Severus! Your arm! He cut your arm off? Where is he? I'll kill that bastard!"
"Lockhart is already dead," said Severus. "I killed him with his own golden
blade. He was rather shocked at that. He didn't think demons could ever defeat
an angel. Too full of his own self-righteousness to guard his sword properly.
Lucius Malfoy is dead too."
Harry shuddered, still remembering that horrible night at the Malfoys' ball.
"Did you kill him?"
"No, I wanted to but he died in the fire as he left you. I thought you were
dead too. You haven't breathed for over an hour."
Harry gaped at him. Had he been dead for that time?
"We need to get you to a doctor, a surgeon. Maybe they can put your arm back."
"There's no need, Harry. My arm will grow back in a few days."
"Demon magic." Harry nodded. "Severus, when I wasn't breathing or dead or
whatever that was, I saw my parents again. We were in a beautiful meadow. But
they told me what happened, why they died. Our contract is fulfilled, Severus.
You've met your obligations. You've protected me until I found the truth. Now
it's time for your reward."
***
"Are you sure, young master?" Severus asked, his mouth salivating at the
thought of devouring such a pure soul. Despite all he'd seen and endured, Harry
was a pure soul and Severus knew that if it hadn't been for their contract, he
would have gone back to that garden one day. But a contract was a contract.
Severus had never gone back on one now and he wasn't about to start. He lifted
Harry in his one arm and settled him on one of the pews that hadn't burned in
the fire. A black raven perched on one of the shattered walls, its caws
disturbing the still morning.
"I'll try to be as gentle as possible," Severus said.
Harry shook his head. "No, Severus. Not gentle. Not easy. Etch the pain into
me, Severus. Carve the pain of my life into my soul. Make me feel it. I need to
feel it."
"As you wish, my lord." Severus knelt down in front of his master and tugged
his right-hand glove off with his teeth. He leant forward and eased the eye-
patch away from Harry's eye. The pentagram looked duller than usual, maybe
because the contract was about to be fulfilled now.
Severus closed his eyes, preparing himself for what he was about to do. His
young master was so brave! He would make a fine feast indeed and Severus could
delay the moment no longer.
He leaned forward; his lips open as he sought out Harry's mouth. Severus
paused, sniffed the air in front of Harry's breath and blinked. Something
wasn't right. There was no scent at all from Harry's body.
"Harry?" he asked, but there was no answer from his master. The person sitting
on that wooden pew wasn't Harry. The person sitting there wasn't Severus' young
master. It was Harry's body, but that's all it was. An empty shell. A shell
that breathed, but it was one without animation or volition.
Someone had already taken Harry's soul.
The raven cawed once more and flew away.
***** Chapter 21 *****
Part 21
Like he had done every morning for the past six months, Severus opened the
curtains and pretended that Harry was just sleeping. Harry breathed, his chest
rising and falling with every inhalation and exhalation, but his eyes were
blank and unseeing. If he could hear when Severus or the other staff talked to
him, Harry gave no sign of it. His body was alive, but the spark that made him
Harry was gone and Severus was no nearer to discovering who the culprit was or
how to get Harry's soul back. Harry couldn't eat, couldn't expel waste in the
normal way, so Severus used spells to give him nourishment and take away his
bodily waste.
As he did every morning, Severus gave Harry a sponge bath and after that he
massaged Harry's arms, legs and other muscles so they wouldn't atrophy. Severus
felt no arousal during his tender care of Harry's body, for this wasn't really
Harry, wasn't really Severus' human. He needed Harry's vitality, not just his
body, not just his flesh.
Severus had just finished dressing Harry and setting him down upon his pillows
when there was a knock on the bedroom door. The staff knew better than to
disturb Severus while he was caring for Harry, so whatever it was it must be
important. Severus smoothed Harry's hair away from his forehead and went to
answer the bedroom door.
Arthur Weasley stood there, twisting his hands nervously. "I'm sorry to disturb
you, Mr. Severus, but Lady Hermione is here and she's brought a doctor with
her."
Severus didn't want to diminish the man's hope, but the truth was that no
amount of doctoring could bring Harry back to them. Only reuniting Harry's soul
with his body could do that.
"Very well, please show them up."
While he waited, Severus made sure Harry was presentable by brushing his hair,
putting on his eye patch and making his clothes wrinkle free with magic. Arthur
had left the bedroom door open, but Lady Hermione knocked on the frame, she was
too polite to venture into any room without an invitation. Severus glanced up
from his perusal of Harry and nodded to the two women at the door.
"Lady Hermione, please come in."
"Thank you, Severus. This is Doctor Poppy Pomfrey, I've been working with her
at the women's hospital and we got to talking about Harry. She wants to see if
she could help."
The doctor was dressed in a long skirt of pale blue with a jacket to match, a
lacy blouse with a high collar peeking beneath the jacket. Her hat was navy
with pale blue feathers sticking out the left hand side. She had a black
medical bag with her and had the air of someone who was used to being obeyed
and stood no nonsense. Dr. Pomfrey held out her hand for Severus to shake,
which he did. Her grip was firm and strong, inspiring confidence; even if
Severus knew that she wouldn't be able to help.
"So this is our patient, eh?" Pomfrey marched over to the bed and set her bag
down beside Harry. "He's been like this for over six months, Hermione tells
me."
"Yes, that is correct," said Severus as the doctor removed a stethoscope from
her bag. She twirled it round her neck before undoing two of Harry's shirt
buttons. Severus fisted his hands by his side, feeling the possessive jealousy
flare up as the doctor placed the instrument on Harry's bare skin. The spark
that was Harry may have been gone, but it was still Harry's body there on the
bed and Severus didn't want anyone else to touch him, even if she was a doctor.
"Could you lift him up and hold him for me, Severus?" asked the doctor. Severus
was quick to oblige. Dr. Pomfrey placed the stethoscope on Harry's back, then
back to his chest again.
"Well, his heart and lungs are strong, nothing wrong there. Does he have any
pain reflexes at all?"
"I don't know, I've never tried to hurt him," said Severus truthfully. Would a
human body react to pain if the soul was no longer within it? Severus didn't
know and he wasn't sure he wanted to know. He didn't want Harry in pain. Not
like this.
Pomfrey rummaged in her black bag and removed a box of pins, something that
wouldn't have looked out of place in a lady's embroidery kit. She saw Severus
looking askance at them. "Don't worry, Severus. The pins are sterile; I just
want to see Harry's reaction. It shouldn't damage him at all."
"Very well, please proceed," said Severus, willing himself to stay and watch
when what he really wanted to do was snatch the pin from the doctor's hand and
chase everyone away from the room. It was Severus who had cared for Harry's
body these past six months. It was Severus who read to Harry every day, hoping
that somewhere deep inside he could still hear Severus' voice. It was Severus
who washed and bathed him, who looked after him and now the doctor seemed to
want to usurp his place. Hermione was hanging on the doctor's every word.
The doctor pressed the pin on the back of Harry's hand. No reactions at all,
not even an eyelid flicker. Harry just lay there, as unresponsive as ever.
Pomfrey tried again, pressing the pin on each of Harry's hands, his forehead
and even the soles of his feet. She pursed her lips and put the pin away.
"Hmm," said Pomfrey as she closed the clasp of her bag. "I've seen patients in
comas before, but they usually have some reaction to painful stimulus, but
Harry is not responding to anything. His lungs and heart are working well.
Except for the fact that he is not waking up, he seems to be in perfect health.
There's not a lot medicine can do for him at this stage. It's just a case of
wait and see, I'm afraid. Patients have woken up, so don't lose hope, Hermione.
I know how much your cousin means to you."
"Thank you, Doctor Pomfrey. I appreciate you taking time to do this."
"No trouble at all, my dear. I'll see you at the hospital later."
Severus thought it was very astute of the doctor to realise that Hermione
wanted to spend some time with Harry without even mentioning it. It was unusual
that humans could sense things so clearly. "Let me see you out," said Severus,
keeping up with his duties even though his young master wasn't there to witness
it.
When he returned, Hermione was sitting in the chair nearest the window, that
day's newspaper open on her lap, but she was just staring at it, not reading
it.
"May I get you some refreshment, Lady Hermione?"
"No thank you, Severus. I just wanted to stay with Harry for a bit, if that's
all right."
"Of course, you're always welcome here, you know that." Indeed, it was true.
Hermione was a bright, intelligent young woman who did seem to care for her
cousin, unlike the Dursleys who had been visiting with increasing frequency
hoping for the news of Harry's death soon like the vultures they were.
"And how are your parents?" Severus asked, trying to make small talk.
"My mother is fine. I don't know about my father. They've split up, Mother is
staying in town and Father has retreated to the country. I haven't seen him for
months, not when I knew it was his fault that Harry is like this. I can't
believe he would betray his nephew to those vile people!" The paper on
Hermione's lap shook with the force of her anger. "There won't be a divorce,
Mother doesn't want the scandal, but they will be living separate lives from
now on. She can't even look at him, neither can I."
"They threatened your father with kidnapping you instead if he didn't give them
Harry."
"That's still no excuse! He should have gone to the police or something, not
given in to blackmail! And then to pretend to Harry that I had been abducted,
it was despicable and I want nothing to do with him."
"That is up to you, of course, Lady Hermione."
Hermione may have been blaming her father for Harry's predicament, but Severus
couldn't get rid of his own guilt at the situation. He hadn't even sensed that
Lockhart was at the abbey, never mind the other demon who had stolen Harry's
soul. More to the point, how was he able to steal Harry's soul? A contract
between human and demon was sacrosanct. There was no way a demon should have
been able to steal a contracted soul. It should have been impossible - unless.
Severus could have kicked himself for his own stupidity, he should have
realised it when his arm regenerated.
His new arm was perfect, unblemished. Therein lay the problem. His new arm was
not marked with the sign of his and Harry's contract. When the angel Lockhart
had severed his arm, their contract must have been severed too. Was Lockhart's
attack a ruse to allow the other demon to steal Harry's soul in that moment?
The question still remained, why?
A demon could not devour a non-contracted soul, which is what gave Severus hope
that Harry could be restored to his former self. Without a contract, a demon
could do little with a human soul besides store it, but for what purpose? Why
would a demon even want to store Harry's soul?
Hermione glanced down at the newspaper in her lap and smiled softly. "Oh, this
will amuse you, Harry. Draco Malfoy has got married and it wasn't to me after
all. I'd love to have seen you in your dress. I bet you looked prettier in it
than I would. Pink doesn't suit me at all."
Severus was surprised Harry had even confided in his cousin about his adventure
in a dress, for Harry had seemed very uncomfortable about it.
Hermione read out the wedding notice, putting on an even more elegant voice
than usual.
"The bride, Pansy Parkinson was resplendent in a blue silk gown with a bouquet
of roses and gardenias. Viscount Malfoy wore a deep blue morning suit and the
blue diamond ring he's been wearing since his father's death, perhaps a family
heirloom. The couple will spend their honeymoon on a tour of Europe and will
then return to the Viscount's estate in Wiltshire." Hermione glanced up at
Severus. "Blue diamond? Aren't those very rare? The only person I've ever seen
with one was Uncle James and then Harry."
"Indeed," said Severus. "And Harry's ring has been missing since that night at
the abbey."
"But how would Draco Malfoy have got hold of Harry's ring? Didn't Lucius Malfoy
die that night? He couldn't have given it to Draco."
No, the elder Malfoy couldn't have given the ring to Draco, but a demon that’d
been under Lucius Malfoy's control, and perhaps now was under Draco's, could.
Diamond was an excellent receptacle for human souls, being a natural substance
and a ring was small enough to be carried unobtrusively.
Small enough to be carried in a raven's beak.
***** Chapter 22 *****
Part 22
Severus glanced around his room at the manor one last time, but he knew that
everything was in its place and everything was as it should be. He had left
extensive notes for the rest of the staff and he knew they would look after the
manor well in his and Harry's absence. Severus had told the elder Weasleys that
Hermione had arranged for Harry to see a specialist in London and that they
would be staying at the townhouse. It was a lie, of course, there was no
specialist able to help Harry in London and they weren't even going to London
at all, they were going to Wiltshire.
Severus lifted the suitcase with its precious cargo and left the manor with an
almost inaudible 'pop'.
***
Draco Malfoy squinted as his bedroom was flooded with daylight, waking him long
before he was ready. He had a pounding headache and his stomach was tying
itself in knots; he hoped Fenrir hadn't brought breakfast. "I want to sleep,"
Draco mumbled.
"It's well past noon, viscount. You need to be up."
"And you need to show your master more respect!" snapped Draco. "I'll get up
when I'm good and ready and not before!"
Instead of leaving like a proper servant should, Fenrir pulled down the covers
of Draco's bed and sneered when he saw the nightshirt soiled with Draco's
nocturnal emission. But then, Fenrir was no proper servant, was he? Fenrir's
clothing would have put a vagrant to shame. He insisted on wearing the filthy
leather coat that he wore when Draco had first met him; despite Pansy's best
efforts, he refused to wear the butler uniform provided for him and the last
time Pansy had given him a new uniform, he'd set fire to it, almost setting the
whole manor house ablaze. His hair was long and matted with filth and Pansy of
course had wanted to know why Draco had employed such a person in the
household. Draco couldn't tell her the truth, of course. Fenrir wasn't exactly
employed. Draco had inherited Fenrir along with his father's fortune and his
extensive properties.
"Does your wife do so little to satisfy you, my lord?" Fenrir smirked and went
to the covered trolley by the window. He lifted a silver dome.
Draco yanked the covers back to hide his shame and blushed. "You know very well
she's visiting her parents this month." And Draco was glad of it. He didn't
like the way Fenrir had been glancing at his wife lately. Fenrir's eyes always
glittered with an unnatural hunger whenever he was in close proximity to Pansy
and Draco had to wonder if it was Pansy herself that engendered the hunger or
was it the child Pansy had within her womb? Although how Fenrir knew Pansy was
pregnant this early was something Draco preferred not to know. He didn't really
want to know what devilish powers Fenrir truly had.
Fenrir pretended not to hear him and continued with revealing the breakfast
dishes, or was it luncheon since Draco had slept so late? "We have bacon, eggs,
devilled kidneys, oxtail soup and tripe."
The smell of the tripe set Draco to gagging. He rushed to his dressing room and
threw up in the basin which would normally have held hot water for his morning
wash, but today the water wasn't there. It wasn't the first time Fenrir had not
completed his normal duties in a timely fashion. Draco was getting fed up with
it, but until he had his revenge, he had to put up with him. Any other servant
who'd been so lax in their duties would have been turned away without
references.
Draco wiped his mouth on a towel and returned to the bedroom.
"You've been drinking too much wine again, my lord," Fenrir said. "You have a
weak constitution, just like all the Malfoys before you. Too much inbreeding."
"You will not speak to me like that or I'll have you whipped!"
Fenrir laughed. "Really, my lord? You know your threats are no good against me.
Nothing a mere human could do can harm me. Now, what will you be eating today?"
"I'm not hungry. Clean up in there and bring me hot water."
"As the master wishes." Fenrir sketched a bow, smirking the whole time and
Draco wanted to slap it from his face. It seemed their bargain was very one-
sided. He'd thought, wrongly it turned out, that with the family contract,
Fenrir would obey his every whim. But Fenrir only obeyed when it suited and
even the other servants were beginning to gossip about the butler. Draco
realised now why his father had dismissed the other servants so frequently.
Fenrir was the only one who stayed for any length of time and he knew he could
get away with murder.
Draco lifted the blue diamond ring from his bedside table, watching enraptured
at the swirling white smoke within it. Harry Potter's soul. The person who
Draco held responsible for his father's death and Fenrir had stolen Potter's
soul for him. But what was the point of that? He could do nothing with the
soul, it was just there, a reminder that Harry Potter's body still existed,
that Harry bloody Potter still existed. Even all the papers were filled every
day with worry over the Earl's strange malady, but what about his father, hmm?
There had been a small obituary about Lucius Malfoy on the back pages of the
times and even stronger hints that he had been involved in something unsavoury
going on at that abbey. The police had been haunting Malfoy manor ever since
his father's death and Draco was heartily sick of all of it. All of it was that
damned Potter's fault! All of it!
"I want him destroyed utterly," Draco said. "Everything dear to him, I want him
to lose it. His factories, his companies, his friends, his relatives. Anyone
and anything dear to him, destroy them all. And then, once he's alone and with
nothing, then I'll let him know who did this to him. Just before you kill him
for good."
"My lord, there are complications," said Fenrir. "Harry Potter too has a
contract with a demon. An Incubus with tremendous power."
"But wasn't it destroyed in the battle at the abbey?"
"Perhaps, there's no way to know for sure. They may have forged another."
"How? Wouldn't Potter have to be conscious for that?"
"Harry Potter's soul is still intact, my lord. He would still be able to visit
the in-bewtween. There would still be the option for his soul to make contact
with the demon again and begin another contract."
"Is that why you can't destroy this soul? There is still a contract in place?"
"Perhaps. I do not know. I only know that this soul cannot be destroyed be me
or any other demon that doesn't have a contract with it. But I will try my
best."
"Your best. Hmph," said Draco, tossing him the ring and shuddering. "Put this
vile thing in the cellar, I don't want to look at it."
"Very good, my lord."
***
Severus pulled his collar up and trudged on through the afternoon rain. The
cloud cover was so heavy that it could have been night rather than afternoon.
Thunder rumbled overhead and lightning forked across the sky in a purple arc as
he caught his first sight of Malfoy Manor. It was a large four-storey house,
much bigger than Harry's manor house and the grounds were extensive, gardens,
woods and meadows all surrounded the golden sandstone. All the windows were lit
due the worsening weather.
Severus glanced down at the suitcase by his side and marched up to the door. A
silver serpent's head acted as door knocker. Severus gave it three good, hard
raps before the door was opened. Both demons recognised what the other was
instantly, their nostrils flaring and their eyes flashing red at each other.
"Who is it Fenrir?" came a whiny voice from inside the hallway.
"An unexpected guest, my lord."
"I'm not expecting anyone." The owner of the voice, the new Viscount, Draco
Malfoy emerged to stand next to Severus could only assume was a demon butler.
But this butler took no care in his appearance or the appearance of the manor.
His clothes were dirty and stained, his hands filthy (for he wore no gloves,
Severus repressed a shudder), his hair matted and greasy. What little of the
hallway Severus could see was covered with dust and grime. Severus would never
let the staff get away with such shoddy workmanship at Harry's houses. But
then, Draco Malfoy wasn't Harry.
"Who are you?" Draco demanded haughtily.
"Just a traveller caught in the storm and hoping to partake of your hospitality
while it eases. If it isn't too much trouble."
"Fenrir, show him to the dining room. There's some luncheon left, isn't there?
I do not want to be disturbed."
Fenrir opened the door and Severus followed him to the dining room, another
room that looked in need of a good clean. Draco followed them in and sat down
at the head of the table, slumping in his chair like a sack of potatoes. It was
like he had no care for his appearance, or for anything really.
Fenrir went to the serving dishes and slopped some mystery grey meat, potatoes
and gravy onto a plate and set it down in front of Severus and stood back, as
if waiting to be praised for his efforts. Severus made no move to eat any of
it.
"Aren't you hungry?" queried Draco.
"It's not that. Does your butler always give your guest dirty plates and
cutlery?"
"What?" Draco flushed and bounded out of his seat to take a look at Severus'
plate and underwear. Severus pointed the stains on the plate and lifted up the
knife and fork, both sticky with dried residue of some sort.
Draco lifted up the plate and threw it against the wall, gravy and mashed
potatoes sliding down it. It did little for the ambience of the room. "This is
unacceptable!" Draco roared. "You're a hopeless butler! You're useless! I wish
you'd never met my grandfather!"
"If I hadn't met your grandfather, you wouldn't even exist," said Fenrir with a
sneer. "Abraxas Malfoy was infertile and he wanted an heir so badly that he
treated with me to get one. Just the one. All Malfoys after him will only ever
have one child and I will be tied to the Malfoy line for all eternity, that was
our bargain and you cannot break it."
"I hate you! I hate you!" Draco stamped his foot and seemed as if he was about
to burst into angry tears at any minute.
"As much as you hate Harry Potter and his demon?" Fenrir asked calmly.
"What?"
"He's sitting right there. The demon."
Draco whirled around and stared at Severus with wide eyes. "Don't be
ridiculous! He can't be a demon! He's handsome and well turned out. Demons are
all ugly and dirty, like you."
"Some demons do take care of their appearance, Master Malfoy. Most do, in fact.
It's Fenrir here who's an aberration. I am indeed a demon and I have come to
retrieve my master's soul."
"Well you can't have it! Fenrir, kill him!" Draco ordered.
Severus struggled not to laugh. Fenrir was contemptible enough but to think
that Draco thought he even had a chance against Severus was absurd. Quicker
than either of them saw, Severus had gathered up all the knives from the table
and had Fenrir pinned to the dining room wall by his arms and legs, spread-
eagled like some ancient sacrifice.
Fenrir struggled but to no avail. Severus had used some demon magic to drive
the knives through Fenrir's clothes and embedded them deeply into the wall.
Fenrir wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Draco paled and scooted back until his arse fell flush with the table. "Are you
going to kill me?" he asked desperately.
"That depends. Are you going to tell me where my master's soul is?"
Draco glanced at Fenrir. "Tell him where it is!"
"In the cellar," gasped Fenrir. "In a box of Moonflower tea."
Severus lifted his suitcase and smiled at Draco. "There, that wasn't so
difficult, was it?"
On his way to the cellar, Severus encountered no one else, no other servants.
Was Draco alone here with that mad demon? No wonder the house was in such a
state! He clucked his tongue at the state of the place and made his way down
the (dusty) cellar steps. As soon as he entered the cellar, he wouldn't even
have needed to know which box Harry's soul was in, for Severus felt the pull of
it at once.
He lifted the box down, removed the ring and placed it in his pocket. The
sooner they were away from Malfoy Manor the better. Severus lifted up the
suitcase and made his way to one of the wooded lanes away from the Malfoy
lands. He lifted the lid of the suitcase and lifted his master's body out
reverently. He settled Harry against the trunk of a tree and then pushed the
blue diamond ring onto Harry's thumb.
"Young master, it's time to wake."
***** Chapter 23 *****
Part 23
"Young master, it is time to wake."
Harry's eyes fluttered as he sought out the owner of that voice, but his eyes
felt as if they were held down with lead weights. His face was wet. Was he
crying? He finally managed to get his eyes opened and realised it was rain, not
tears. Severus was looking down at him, his eyes dark and hooded, but he had a
ready smile for Harry.
"Severus," Harry mumbled and tried to move, but he flopped back against the
tree he was leaning against.
"Are you hurt? Are you injured, my lord?" asked Severus.
"No. Nothing like that. I just feel a bit weak." Harry glanced around him,
noting the trees and the fields. "Is this what Hell is like, then? I thought it
would be warmer. Not so wet."
Severus chuckled. "No, my lord, this is Wiltshire."
"What happened, Severus? The last thing I remember is asking you to devour my
soul. Why didn't you? You fulfilled your contract with me, Severus. I wasn't
going to renege on it."
"I know, young master, but there were complications."
"Complications? That's an interesting way to put it," said a stranger who had
just appeared out of thin air to stand next to Severus. He was dressed in a
three-piece suit, a watch chain dangling from his waistcoat. His hair was long
and brown, tied back at the nape of his neck and he glanced at Severus
disdainfully. "A demon, I might have guessed."
"Who are you?" Harry asked, struggling to sit up straight, but his limbs felt
like wet bread.
"Rufus Scrimgeour, Grim Reaper, Head of the Mislaid Souls department."
"You're the Grim Reaper?" Harry asked, trying and failing to control his mirth
as he giggled behind his hand.
"Don't be ridiculous! There are far too many humans dying every day for there
only to be one Reaper. We need as many hands as we can get. Unfortunately that
means we don't always get the best quality candidates for the job." Scrimgeour
removed a black notebook from his pocket and flipped back through the pages.
"Ah, that explains it. You were meant to die over six months ago, Mr. Potter,
but it appears that your soul has been astray for those six months. I knew Stan
Shunpike shouldn't be sent on that assignment on his own! Never mind, you're
here now and we can get on with things."
"What do you mean?" demanded Severus, placing himself in front of Harry.
"He has to die," said Scrimgeour calmly as if he had just invited Harry to tea.
"I'm here to collect his soul. Let's get it done quickly and then I can start
on the paperwork. Do you know how much paperwork there is when a soul is
mislaid for six months?"
"You can't take my soul. It's promised to Severus," Harry pointed out.
"Ah, you did indeed have a contract with this creature," said Scrimgeour
disdainfully, "but I'm afraid that once his arm was lost, the contract became
null and void and your soul is now the property of the Grim Reaper office until
such time as we see fit what to do with it."
"You won't take him!" Severus protested. "I will not allow it!"
"It is not a case of what you will allow, demon. You too are bound by the same
laws that govern us and you cannot have a soul that you have no contract with.
This soul is ours and there is nothing you can do about it."
"I'll make a new contract," said Harry. "I offer my soul to you, Severus. I
want you to have it."
Scrimgeour pulled a face. "You would willingly enter into another contract with
this - this thing?"
"He's not a thing!" protested Harry. "He's my butler and it's my choice to give
him my soul if I want, isn't it?" Harry had no idea how these things worked,
but he hoped that was the case.
"It is, if that is your wish."
"It is," Harry said firmly.
"Very well. On your own head be it." Scrimgeour snapped his fingers and
disappeared as quickly as he had come.
Harry smiled shyly up at Severus. "Well, Severus. Don't you want your reward?"
Harry held out his arms and closed his eyes. He opened them a few moments later
when he realised Severus hadn't moved any closer to him. "Severus?"
Severus knelt down on the grass beside Harry and lunged at him, kissing Harry
desperately. "Severus?"
"I cannot do it, Harry. I cannot take your soul. I don't want you to die."
"We all die sometime, Severus."
"You don't understand. Harry, when most people die, they live on in the
afterlife in some capacity. When a demon or angel devours your soul, you don't
- you cease to exist at all. There will be nothing left of you. I cannot bear
to lose you to nothingness! Don't ask this of me, Harry. Please."
"What are you saying, Severus?" Harry hardly dared hope, but hope he did.
Severus paused, as if he was struggling to get the words out. "I have never — I
have never felt this way about anyone before, Harry. You are more than my bound
master. I — I love you and I cannot bear to spend eternity without you. You
destroy me, Harry."
Harry kissed him and pulled back with tears in his eyes. "I love you too,
Severus. I want to be with you always, but how can we? You're a demon, I'm
human. I'll die eventually."
"There is a way for humans and demons to be together, Harry. But you would have
to agree to become my consort. After that there is a ritual to be performed,
where you would sacrifice your virginity to me. We would be bound together for
eternity after that, for you would become my consort and as such you will be
granted immortality as my spouse. You would not grow old, you would not get
sick, and you would not be able to be harmed in any way except the same way as
a demon could. Wounds from gold blades may kill you."
"Would I be a demon too?" Harry asked softly, wondering if he would have to go
around claiming and devouring souls.
"No, you would be a demon-consort; you would not be a demon yourself. Demon-
consorts are never demons, two demons could not be with each other for eternity
that way, they'd just end up killing each other. They are too territorial."
"Is that why you've never taken my virginity before now?" Harry asked, for at
times he thought he could sense that Severus wanted that but was holding back.
"Indeed, just taking you once that way would mean you would become my consort.
You are so young yet, Harry. I want you to think about this, truly think about
it. It is not something to be done lightly."
Harry nodded. "I know, Severus. But I love you and I want us to be together. I
want to be your consort if you'll have me."
"You need time to think about this, Harry. We will wait and if this is still
something you would wish, ask me again on your sixteenth birthday."
"You want me to wait for two years?" Harry asked incredulously.
"What's two years in the face of eternity?" Severus asked, grinning down at
him. "And actually, it's more like a year and a half. But, yes, I do want to
wait and let you have time to think this through. I won't lie to you, Harry,
but it will be difficult. We will both feel the pull of desire drawing us
together ever closer and we will want to be together that way, but we can't be.
Not yet. Not until you're absolutely sure."
"I'm already sure," Harry protested.
"Are you? Do you realise what you will have to give up? You would no longer be
able to live a normal life. As you will not age, you will have to leave your
family, all your acquaintances, anyone who knows you. You will have to keep
moving from place to place so that people do not become suspicious of the young
man in their midst who hasn't aged a day. You may make friends only to have to
leave them again."
"I've never really had any friends," Harry said softly. "But you're right; I'd
miss Hermione and Aunt Jane. I wouldn't miss the Dursleys; they wouldn't care
where I went, as long as they had some claim on the estate. I don't want them
to have it, Severus. They've always hated me and I don't think they should get
a penny of my family's money. Is there any way I can stop them getting hold of
it when I leave?"
"I don't know, Harry. You would need to consult a lawyer for that. Perhaps you
could leave it in trust to Hermione or her future children? I think she would
do good works with it, she might even turn the manor into another hospital for
the poor."
"And if I left everything to Hermione, she wouldn't need to get married if she
didn't want to. She'd be free to choose her own path. It would be good to leave
knowing that she was looked after."
"Something else to think about."
"Thank you, Severus, but I think I've done enough thinking for today. Let's go
home."
"As you wish, young master."
***** Chapter 24 *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Part 24/
Harry was awake long before Severus came in to wake him, his night restless
with tossing and turning, thinking about what he was about to do. It was
Harry's sixteenth birthday and tonight, Severus was finally going to make him
his consort. After that, there would be no going back to being the Earl of
Godric's Hollow.
Severus had tried to deter him few times, but Harry was determined. This was
what he wanted. Yes, he would miss Hermione and Aunt Jane terribly, but with
Harry's new will signed and sealed in the London office of his solicitors,
Harry knew they would be well looked after. Hermione would get the bulk of the
estate, including all properties, monies and controlling shares in all the
Potter toy and confectionery businesses.
There were a few stipulations Harry had made in his will, but he knew Hermione
would follow his wishes. Bill Weasley had shown a fantastic head for figures
and recently Harry had made him the president of both companies and Harry
wanted him to remain in that role. He also left stipulations that all the
Weasleys would be continued to be employed at the manor house unless they
wished to leave of their own accord. Harry doubted they would, Hermione and the
Weasleys got on really well, so well in fact that Harry was sure Charlie
Weasley might one day propose marriage. Aunt Jane, disillusioned with her own
marriage to Uncle Rupert, would not stand in their way. She and Molly Weasley
had become firm friends. Everyone would be provided for, giving Harry some much
needed peace of mind.
Tomorrow, he and Severus would be leaving for Europe, with Harry telling
everyone he was finally embarking on the Grand Tour. A few months away and
Harry Potter would have an unfortunate accident, drowning perhaps, with the
body never recovered and his will could be read. Everything was well in hand,
but Harry still couldn't seem to settle. It was a big step, one he wasn't sure
he would ever be ready for, but he knew he wanted to do it regardless. He
wanted eternity with Severus and if he had to give up his life as an earl, give
up his remaining family, then he would do it.
Severus pulled back the curtains and tied them back, the demon butler efficient
as always, but today there was no trolley with a waiting breakfast. Hermione
and Aunt Jane had stayed overnight, ready for Harry's birthday celebrations and
they would all breakfast together in the dining room.
“Your guests are already up, young master.”
“Thank you, Severus. Just a quick wash and shave before I dress, then.”
Harry stretched and yawned, closing his eyes and clasping a hand over his
mouth. When he opened his eyes again, he noticed Severus staring at him,
Severus' eyes glimmering red. The sexual need emanating from Severus was almost
a physical entity on its own and Harry felt his own face flush and his groin
harden almost instantly.
“You are delectable, my lord. I can hardly wait to claim you as mine.”
“I am yours, Severus. I've been yours for years. You shouldn't tease me so. How
am I supposed to greet my guests like this?” Harry pushed down the bedclothes
so that Severus could see the tented nightshirt. Harry's whole body was aflame,
lost in Severus' deep gaze.
“I see your predicament, young master. As your butler is my duty to have you
fully prepared to meet your guests. You must allow me to assist.”
“Please!” Harry groaned, his hips arching, thrusting into empty air, his hands
scrabbling at the bedclothes.
Severus smiled at him and prowled towards Harry's bed, as always impeccably
dressed and not a hair out of place. Most of the time Harry's hair looked as
though he'd just made his way through a patch of brambles. Even Severus' demon
magic could nothing to tame Harry's hair. Severus had told him often that he
loved the wildness of Harry's curls, so unlike his own sleek style.
Severus knelt on the bed, his legs on either side of Harry's shins and Harry
shivered in anticipation. What was Severus going to do? They didn't have much
time, so Harry knew Severus wasn't going to take his virginity this morning,
but there were plenty of other ways Severus knew how to give him pleasure.
For the first time in their association, Harry noticed that despite his own
arousal, Severus wasn't hard. There was no answering erection tenting Severus'
trousers.
“Severus?” Harry asked, waving to his butler's groin.
“I have taken a libido dampening potion, my lord. For me to claim you tonight,
it is best if I do not come until I am inside you. The bonding magics work best
that way. Not that I won't enjoy what we do, there just won't be physical
evidence of it.”
“I see,” said Harry, glad that they wouldn't be stopping quite yet.
“What would you like today, young master? It is your birthday after all and I
think you should get to choose.”
“Oh,” Harry moaned. “I'd like – would you – would you use your mouth on me,
Severus? I love that.”
“I would love to taste you, my lord. It is one of my favourites as well.”
Severus, still wearing his gloves, pushed Harry's nightshirt up and bunched it
around his waist. He caressed Harry's cock from root to tip, making Harry moan
and buck into the contact.
“I love how sensitive you are to my touch,” said Severus, before he lowered his
head and took all of Harry's cock in his mouth.
“Severus!” Harry wailed, grasping handfuls of Severus' hair as the pleasure
claimed him. Severus knew just how to toy with him and tease Harry almost
beyond endurance, but he never denied Harry a climax, just delayed it. Today
was different though, they had guests waiting in the dining room and they both
knew this wasn't the time for leisurely explorations. That was for tonight,
when everyone had gone home and Severus would finally claim Harry as his. Just
imagining it sent another jolt of bliss through Harry and he thrust into
Severus' mouth, desperate to come soon. His balls felt full and heavy; Severus
fondled them with his hand, a finger dipping lower, caressing his perineum. The
extra stimulus was too much.
Harry shrieked, “AHH! Ahh! Sev'rus! Sev'rus!” Suddenly he was there, coming in
copious spurts down Severus' throat. Severus swallowed and swallowed, but Harry
saw some streaks of white dribbling down Severus' chin and seeing that almost
made him pass out with sudden heat, his cock hardening once more. “Kiss me,”
Harry demanded. “Oh, God, kiss me!”
Severus was quick to oblige, lying on top of Harry and sharing his taste with
him, both of them moaning into each other's mouth. Harry was thrusting up,
grinding himself against the hard body of Severus above him and it wasn't long
before he spent himself in white-hot heat against Severus' clothes, his whole
body trembling in the aftermath. He'd never felt this abandoned before and it
was rare for Harry to come so quickly, one after the other like that.
“You're sensing my desire,” said Severus against his ear, nibbling on Harry's
skin. “I can hardly wait to make you mine. But we must greet the guests.”
Harry was sorely tempted to forget all about his guests and his birthday party,
but he knew he couldn't do it to his Aunt Jane.
“Yes, I'd better have a very thorough wash,” said Harry, grinning up at
Severus.
*
Molly Weasley had outdone herself for breakfast that morning. There were
platters of scrambled egg, bacon, devilled kidneys, black puddings, kippers
along with a mountain of toast and pots of jam and marmalade.
“Good morning, Harry,” said Aunt Jane from her seat, turning her head sideways
so that Harry could kiss her cheek. “And how's the birthday boy today?”
“Very well, thank you. Did you both sleep well?” Harry slid into his seat and
filled his plate, feeling rather hungry after his and Severus' exertions that
morning.
“Very well,” said Hermione. “Your beds are so soft. I don't know how you can
leave it and go gallivanting off around Europe.”
“The Grand Tour is an essential part of any young man's education, Hermione,”
said Aunt Jane. “It's about time Harry got to see more of the world than
Hampshire and London.
“I wish I could go with you,” said Hermione wistfully and Harry almost choked
on his toast. The plan relied on no one else except Severus to be with him. He
couldn't very well pretend to drown if Hermione and Aunt Jane were with him.
“You'll have time enough to travel on your honeymoon,” said Aunt Jane. “It
wouldn't be proper for a single woman to travel alone, but with a husband in
tow no one would pay any remarks.”
“Harry could be my chaperone,” said Hermione.
“No, dear, that wouldn't be suitable. You are each too close in age, it would
smack of impropriety, despite there being none. A lady's reputation is a
delicate thing, one wrong move and it's ruined.”
“I didn't think you still worried about what other people thought, Mother.
You're not worried about being separated from Father.”
“That's different. I don't care what people think of me, but I do care about my
only daughter's reputation.”
“So you would object to me marrying Charlie Weasley, since he's not of our
class?”
“Stop putting words into my mouth. I don't care who you marry, Hermione, as
long as you do in fact get married before you go haring off on any adventures.
Has Charlie Weasley approached you with an offer, then?”
“No, not yet,” said Hermione, blushing. “But I think he wants to.”
“Harry, have you any objections to Charlie Weasley marrying Hermione?”
“No, Aunt Jane. I think they'd make a good match.” Harry tucked into the rest
of his breakfast, noticing Severus out of the corner of his eye as he topped up
everyone's tea or hot chocolate and cleared any used dishes from the table.
When Aunt Jane wasn't looking, Severus winked at him and Harry felt his whole
body flush.
God, tonight could hardly come soon enough!
Chapter End Notes
     There's just one more chapter to go, but I'm having a bit of a block
     with the ending. Hopefully it will be done soon :)
***** Chapter 25 *****
Chapter Notes
     The last chapter is finally here! Thank you to everyone who has kept
     reading despite my erratic updates. It's been an adventure with these
     two, that's for sure :)
Harry didn't know half the people who'd been at his birthday party. Most were
friends or acquaintances of his Aunt Jane. Mingling, Harry made polite
conversation with them all, but his mind was elsewhere, more precisely on his
bedroom where he wished he was right now with Severus. But he smiled in all the
right places, said his thank-yous after his presents were opened and admired by
the assembled guests. Then it was time for the early supper, cutting the
birthday cake and then everyone moved into the ballroom for the remainder of
the evening's entertainment.
A string quartet sat in one corner of the room, playing waltzes and foxtrots.
Harry still didn't feel he was a very proficient dancer and he smiled as he
remembered Severus trying to teach him before they went to the Malfoy house.
What was strange was that his Aunt Jane hadn't invited any single, eligible
women to throw in Harry's path. They were all older matrons like his aunt, or
the ones that were younger and already had husbands.
Harry and Hermione were sitting down on a set of chairs by the wall, watching
the other dancers after dancing together themselves. "I'm surprised Aunt Jane
hasn't invited every spinster in the county to try and get me hitched at long
last."
"Well she won't be doing that any longer, will she?" asked Hermione, as she
sipped at her fruit punch.
"Why ever not?"
"Because she knows your interests don't lie that way." Hermione blushed and
brushed at her gown, although there was no fluff to remove.
"What do you mean?"
"Harry, you're not interested in women. It's pretty obvious, but you'll have to
be so careful. I don't know what I'd do if you ever got arrested!"
"So you both know?" Harry asked, feeling his heart flutter like a trapped bird
against his ribs.
"It's more common than you might think, or so Mother told me. A confirmed
bachelor living with his valet or butler as his companion is not remarked upon.
People know it goes on, but as long as it isn't flaunted in their faces, there
will be no reports to the authorities. Things are a bit more relaxed in Europe,
I hear, so you and Severus should have a lovely time."
Harry choked on his fruit punch. "You know? About me and Severus?"
"I've known for a while, Harry. I've seen the way you look at each other when
you think no one else can see. You both look as if the other is the sun, the
moon and stars combined."
"Severus looks like that at me?" Now, that did surprise Harry. Severus rarely
mentioned love and when he did, it was part of something else. I love the way
you taste. I love the way you smile. But rarely had Severus professed any I
love yous.
"He does. He's madly in love with you, Harry and I hope the two of you are very
happy together. It's such a pity you can't marry each other, silly stupid laws.
Any two people in love should be able to get married."
"You don't disapprove?" Harry arched his eyebrow at her. While not exactly
prudish, he thought Hermione would have been one to obey the law and not exhort
Harry to break it.
"Of course not. I'm just worried about your safety. Not everyone is open-
minded. Just promise me you'll be careful not to give yourselves away."
"We'll try our best, Hermione." Harry reached across the chairs and squeezed
her in a hug. "You don't know how much this means to me."
*
Severus wandered the party, making sure that every guest was attended to, that
they had sufficient food and drinks, but his eyes never strayed far from his
young master. Harry looked every inch the young nobleman tonight and Severus
stifled a smirk; of course he did, Severus had made sure of that by picking his
outfit like he always did. Tonight, Harry was wearing a dark blue suit of
crushed velvet, setting off the sliver waistcoat and cravat. Severus could
hardly tear his eyes away. Harry looked good enough to eat and Severus smiled
to himself. Later, Severus would get to taste him and he wished the party would
hurry up and wind down. The guests, however, seemed in no hurry to leave.
Severus watched as Harry danced with his cousin and a few of the older matrons,
he even partnered his Aunt Jane at one stage. He shook his head smiling, noting
that Harry still wasn't a proficient dancer and stepped on his partner's toes
more than once. The women all smiled at his blushing apologies, their faces
flushed from too much champagne, or perhaps it was because they had been
dancing in the arms of a handsome young man, even though nothing else would
come of it. Propriety had to be observed, in public at least.
But at long last, the grandfather clock in the hall chimed midnight and then
people were waiting for their cloaks and hats, saying their thank-yous to Aunt
Jane and Harry himself. Severus and the Weasleys sorted out everyone's
belongings in short order and Severus saw each guest to the front door and
helped those who needed it into their carriages, whether they were inebriated
from the party or infirm due to age.
Harry waved at his departing guests and as the last carriage rounded the
driveway, he glanced at Severus, looking up from lowered lashes. "I think I
shall have a bath before bed, Severus."
"Very well, my lord. I shall attend to you shortly."
*
Harry was already undressed and bathing himself before Severus appeared in the
bathroom. Severus stared at him with such heat that Harry felt warmer than the
bath water.
"Starting without me, my lord? You know one of my duties is to clean you
thoroughly." Severus knelt down by the side of the bath and removed the sponge
from Harry's hand. He dropped it on the floor, before tugging his gloves off
with his teeth. Harry's breath hitched. There was something so erotic about
Severus' gloves; Harry had always been enamoured of them and he watched avidly
while Severus removed them. Severus lifted the bar of lavender soap and rubbed
it between his hands until it had a lather. "Turn around," said Severus and
Harry wasted no time in obeying that command.
Once he was facing the other way, Severus began to wash his neck and back with
the bar of soap. Soon though, he dropped the soap and continued with just his
hands. Harry's cock hardened in the water, both at what Severus was doing to
him and with anticipation of what else might happen tonight. Tonight, they
wouldn't need to hold back. Severus would fully claim him, finally. Harry felt
that they'd had years of foreplay and he was ready for much more. More than
ready. Nervous too, if he was being completely honest.
"Severus." Harry angled his head. "Will it hurt? You know when you – when you
take me?"
"I will not lie to you, Harry. There will be some pain, but I intend to prepare
you well so that the pain will be minimal.
"Prepare me? How?"
"With fingers, lips and tongue."
With tongue? Dear Lord, did Severus mean what Harry thought he meant? That he
would put his tongue there? Harry had never imagined such a thing. Had never
dreamt that such a thing even existed. His whole body flushed and his cock
jerked against his abdomen at just the thought.
"I – I think I'm done with the bath, now," said Harry, his voice a hoarse rasp.
"Very well, my lord." Severus leant over the bath and scooped Harry up in his
arms. Harry clung to his neck, his heart thudding erratically against his
ribcage, his cock standing to attention like a flag pole. Severus saw and
smirked. Harry blushed and hid his head against Severus' shoulder. Harry was
sill wet from the bath, but Severus didn't seem to mind if his clothes got wet.
They reached the bedroom and Harry saw that fresh white towels were laid out on
the covers of his four-poster bed. Severus set him down upon one and began to
dry him. No, that wasn't quite right. Severus caressed him with the towels.
This was no mere perfunctory drying of skin. Severus wielded the towels like
instruments of seduction and Harry was soon lost in a haze of sensation.
Severus started with drying his feet, running the towel along the sole and
between each toe individually. Normally Harry's feet were so ticklish that he
couldn't bear anything near them for any length of time. But not tonight, not
when he was aroused. The sensation was different when he was aroused.
Once Harry's feet were dry to Severus' satisfaction, he trailed the towels up
and down Harry's lower legs and thighs. Harry widened his legs without thought,
but Severus ventured nowhere near his groin and erect cock. Not yet. Harry was
being teased almost beyond endurance. His balls were heavy and aching between
his legs and his cock was so hard it was standing almost vertical to his body.
"Please! Oh, please!" Harry begged, clutching at the bedclothes beneath him.
"Is there something I can help you with, young master?" Severus' eyes glinted
red as he smirked down at his charge.
"Touch me," Harry pleaded.
"I am touching you," Severus pointed out as he caressed Harry's chest with the
towel.
"Not like that. You know what I mean!" Oh, Severus could be so aggravating
sometimes.
Severus dropped the towel on the floor and caressed Harry's chest with his bare
hands, tweaking Harry's nipples until they stood up in little peaks. "Is this
better, my lord?"
Harry nodded, beyond breath for words at the moment. Severus teased him for a
little longer, twisting and pulling on his nipples, skating his fingers down
Harry's sides to his hips, but venturing nowhere near his cock. Precome dripped
in a steady stream onto his abdomen and Harry felt sure he might come from this
stimulation alone, without even his cock being touched. He felt so on edge
already.
"Please, Severus," Harry whimpered, tossing his head from side to side on the
pillow.
"Very well, young master. Turn over."
Harry scrambled to turn over and lay flat on his stomach. He hissed when his
cock came into contact with the mattress and bed coverings; so much pressure
just where he needed it. Harry felt the bed dip as Severus settled between his
legs and kneaded his buttocks with firm strokes.
"Your skin is so smooth here, you're like a peach," said Severus hoarsely. "And
only I get to see it, get to touch it."
"Only you, Severus. I'm yours," said Harry, knowing how possessive Severus was.
"And I am yours," replied Severus. Harry felt Severus shift on the bed behind
him and then he felt a soft breath across the crease of his arse. He gasped in
anticipation. Was Severus really going to do that? Lick that most secret part
of him? Harry widened his legs, almost an invitation for Severus to do just
that.
Severus kissed each thigh, kissed each buttock before he licked from Harry's
tailbone right down to his sac. "Ahh!" Harry groaned and arched up from the
bed. Severus licked him gently for a few more moments, before he plunged his
tongue right inside Harry's hole and swirled it around his inner walls. God, it
felt so good! Harry didn't know what he wanted to do first; arch up onto that
tongue or press down onto the bed. In the end he tried to do both, bucking his
body this way and that as he tried to reach completion.
"Severus! I'm going to come!" Harry wailed desperately and then whined with
disappointment when Severus removed his tongue and pressed down hard on the
base of Harry's cock, thwarting Harry's orgasm.
"Sorry, young master, but you need to come when I am inside you. When my cock
is inside you," Severus clarified. "The magic takes better that way." Severus
lifted Harry by the hips and turned him over on the bed.
"We must say the ritual words first and then I will claim you as my mate for
eternity, if that is still what you wish?"
"Of course it is," said Harry. "I haven't changed my mind, Severus. I still
want this, want you."
"Very well. Do you Harry James Potter agree willingly to become my chosen mate?
Do you willingly give me your heart, your soul, your life?"
"I do, Severus. All of it is yours."
Severus' eyes glowed red with power. "Then I accept that which is willingly
given. I accept Harry James Potter as my chosen mate forevermore." Severus
scratched his wrist and a ribbon of scarlet blood dripped from it. He held his
wrist to Harry's mouth. "Accept my blood as our bargain. I will shed my life
for you, I will protect you always."
Harry licked the few drops of blood, it tasted tangy and sweet, but he was glad
he only had to drink those few drops. Once he'd finished drinking a blue mist
settled over both of them before dissipating. "It is done, our bargain is
struck. Now, where were we?" asked Severus with a feral grin before leaning
down and kissing Harry passionately.
Severus kissed him for a while, before Harry felt Severus' finger press against
him, the finger slick with lubrication. Had Severus used some sort of spell for
it? For Severus hadn't seemed to reach for anything. It didn't hurt, Harry was
already so open and wet from Severus' kisses, but it felt a bit strange.
Severus added another finger, two, then three and stretched Harry while he
still kissed him.
There was a slight burn with three fingers, but the more Severus stretched him,
the more Harry liked it. Then Severus' fingers found something that had Harry
arching off the bed and gasping into Severus' mouth. Harry pulled his mouth
away from their kissing and looked deep into Severus' eyes.
"Do that again," Harry demanded, and it was a demand.
Severus laughed, low in his throat. "Such a demanding young master I have. Very
well." Severus pressed again on that place inside him and Harry let out a soft
groan. "I didn't know it would feel so good to have something inside me like
that."
"That's the idea," said Severus. "Are you ready for more?"
Harry nodded, glancing longingly at Severus' cock. When had Severus taken his
clothes off? It must have been another spell. How different would that thick
cock feel compared to delicate fingers? Harry was more than ready to find out.
Severus tugged one of the pillows down from the head of the bed and shifted it
to place it beneath Harry's hips, lifting his arse that little bit more. Harry
blushed, feeling so open displayed like that. Severus was looking at him with
such want in his eyes, such hunger and knowing that freed something inside
Harry. He felt desirable.
"Please, Severus! Do it!"
"As you wish, my lord," said Severus and this time Harry caught sight of the
lubricant that had appeared in Severus' hands, which he slicked over his
erection, hissing as he did so. "Tell me if I hurt you." That was all the
warning Harry got before Severus pulled his hips wide and pressed his cock
against his entrance. Severus took his time, pressing in an inch at a time, as
if allowing Harry to get used to the sensation.
Inch by glorious inch, Harry was filled with Severus' thick cock. He mewled and
whimpered, gripping the sheets beneath him, his heart beating an erratic rhythm
against his chest. He'd never felt this connected to anyone before and he was
heady with desire. Soon, Harry could feel Severus' sac right up against his
arse and thighs, but Severus wasn't moving. He gazed down at Harry, a smile on
his face. "So beautiful, my Harry," he said, his voice a harsh rasp.
"Please, Severus! You can move!"
"As you wish," replied Severus, pushing on Harry's thighs, pushing them up
towards his chest so that Harry was almost bent in half.
Harry had expected it to hurt a little, but it wasn't as much as he was
expecting. It was more of a sting, a slight burn, rather than anything he would
classify as pain. In this position, Severus was completely in control and Harry
could do little else but lie on the bed while Severus pounded him into the
mattress.
Severus pistoned his hips, faster and faster, his face and chest flushed with
either arousal or exertion; Harry wasn't sure which. Harry's cock had softened
a little at the first penetration, but it soon firmed up again when Severus
touched that magic spot inside Harry once more.
"Ah!" Harry cried, and tried to arch his hips, but he couldn't, not in this
position – Severus was holding him too tight for that. Harry wanted to thrust,
he needed to thrust, not just lie here like a meek lamb. He wanted to be
involved in this too. "Severus, turn over."
Severus arched his eyebrows in question, but he did as Harry asked and lay flat
on the bed. His cock had slipped out of Harry as they changed position and
Harry almost wailed at the loss. It had felt so good to be filled like that.
Harry scrambled onto his knees and settled either side of Severus' legs. He
grabbed Severus' cock in his hand and placed it at his entrance. Harry sank
down upon it, a little at a time, until Severus' was fully sheathed in him once
more. Harry groaned in desire at the perfection of it. It had been years
getting to this moment and there wasn't another one to waste.
Harry controlled the pace this time and Severus allowed him to, grabbing hold
of Harry's hips to steady him, not to prevent him from moving. Harry revelled
in the sensations. The stretch in his arse, the skin of Severus' body against
his own as Harry almost bounced in his pleasure. Harry's cock was hard and
aching once more, precome dripping in a steady stream as Harry sought the peak.
Harry could feel Severus' cock almost throbbing inside him and he wanted
Severus to come, he wanted to feel the surge of semen splash inside him. Harry
groaned at the imagining of it and spurted quite a bit of precome onto Severus'
abdomen. "Fuck, Severus! Come, I want to feel you come inside me!"
"There is nothing I wish more, my lord, but I am still an Incubus and you are
still largely human. You have to come first." Severus lifted one hand from
Harry's hips and grasped hold of Harry's cock.
Oh, God, it was bliss! To have his cock enclosed in a fist, such delicious
pressure at the same time as his arse was filled. Severus' hand on his cock was
a blur it was moving so fast and Harry realised that as much as he wanted to
come, Severus did too but he couldn't until Harry got there first. The tingles
started in his toes, then moved up through his body, into his balls and finally
his cock.
"Sev'rus! Sev'rus!" Harry screamed in ecstasy, throwing his head back and
grabbing hold of Severus' hips. His climax erupted from him in ropes of pearly
white, streak after streak staining Severus' chest and chin. Harry's whole body
trembled with the force of it, muscles contracting and releasing. He hadn't
quite finished coming when he felt Severus' own orgasm start, spilling inside
Harry in a rush of wet warmth. Harry squeezed his buttocks together, pulling
every last drop that he could from Severus' cock. Severus' hands tightened on
Harry's hips, his nails digging into Harry's skin as he rode out the waves of
his own climax.
Harry leaned over and kissed him deeply while Severus finished coming. There
was so much seed that Harry felt it leaking out of his arse again. Harry had
done that. Had made Severus come so much. Harry grinned into their kiss and
them pulled away, leaning his forehead against Severus'.
"Wow! I had no idea it would feel like that."
"Wow indeed," said Severus, reaching up and pushing Harry's hair away from his
eyes. "You were a natural, Harry. It was as if you'd been born to pleasure me."
"Maybe I have," said Harry, pulling back and chuckling when he realised how
sticky they both were. "I think we might need another bath."
"No need." Severus waved his hand and both of them were perfectly clean.
"If you could just clean me with a spell, why have you been bathing me all
these years?"
"Why do you think, young master?" Severus smirked.
"You enjoy it?"
"Indeed. Any excuse to get you out of your clothes."
"Severus, I've been thinking." Harry trailed his fingers along Severus' chest.
"A dangerous occupation for you, my lord." Severus grinned at him and Harry
couldn't help laughing.
"My parents and ancestors were charged with doing the Royal Family's dirty
work, hoping that with all the dangers they faced, they would get killed. One
of my ancestors was the illegitimate child of George III and that's why we were
always in danger. I'm a direct descendant, as was my father before me. We don't
have a legitimate claim, being descended from a bastard, but it would be
scandalous to the Crown if the truth was ever known."
"And that's who was behind the attacks on your family?"
"It appears so. I enjoyed the detective work we did, Severus, but I don't want
to work for the royals ever again. Would there be a way where we could help
ordinary people? Maybe become a consulting detective like Sherlock Holmes?"
"Sherlock Holmes is fictional, young master. I'm not even quite sure what a
consulting detective actually does."
"I presume they consult on a case? We have money but I don't want to just
wander around Europe on holiday forevermore. I want to do something to help
people rather than just give donations. We could be the Phoenix Detective
Agency!" Harry was warming to his theme and smiled at Severus. "What do you
think?"
"I think it's a good idea, in principle, but we should change the name. We
don't want any connection to the Royal Phoenix after all. Perhaps it would be
best if we weren't based in England, but perhaps somewhere in Europe or the
Americas. Or we could even venture as far as Australia or New Zealand.
Somewhere where people won't know you. We would have to move every few years
anyway. It would soon become apparent that you and I aren't ageing."
"We could, couldn't we?" asked Harry. "We could go anywhere we want."
"I would go anywhere with you, Harry. Whatever we do, we'll do it together."
"Yes," Harry added, stifling a yawn. He settled his head on Severus' shoulder.
"Together, for always."
THE END
End Notes
     The Cleveland Street brothel did exist and was quite the scandal at
     the time. I've used the rumour that Jack the Ripper may have been
     royalty, but it is just that - rumour and conjecture :)
Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed
their work!