The Domino Effect

Title: The Domino Effect
Author: Dr. Jeckell & Mrs. Hyde (aka Taran & Magdelena)
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Harry Potter/Severus Snape, Ron Weasley/Draco Malfoy (secondary pairing)
Warnings: Non-consensual sex, Violence, Adult Language, Sexual Situations, Graphic Sexual Content, Rimming, MPreg
Summary: HP/SS – Slash – Chapter 10 of ?. Harry discovers that when he kills Voldemort, all of the Death Eaters will die as well because of the bond that they share with the Dark Lord through their Marks. Harry vows to do anything it takes to allow Severus Snape to escape that fate.
Disclaimer: We do not own any of the characters herein (only the plot). All the characters in the Harry Potter universe belong exclusively to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers, and anyone else JKR chooses to allow to play with them. We are publishing our fanfiction writings only for our own selfish desire to be a part of their world.
Authors’ Note: Thanks to the incredibly wonderful Sev1970 for betaing this story.

~*~


Chapter Ten – The Truth at Last

Severus mumbled softly in his sleep, feeling a twinge deep in his gut that spread warmth throughout his entire body. It intensified enough to wake him, then receded and settled in the pit of his stomach. His eyes fluttered open, quickly scanning the room, searching for the source of his waking, and he sighed contentedly as Harry shifted behind him, the younger man’s hold around his waist tightening protectively. Severus closed his eyes and snuggled deeper into Harry’s embrace and fell back to sleep.


~*~

Severus awoke before Harry early in the morning. He yawned and stretched, still wrapped securely in the younger man’s arms. Harry moaned a little and kissed the back of Severus’ neck, but didn’t completely awaken. Severus pressed back against Harry’s lips and smiled to himself. He had never woken feeling so content or relaxed. There was no pressing work to be done nor were there any staff meetings to attend. For the first time in years, he could allow himself time to leisurely wake up in his lover’s arms.

He yawned again, which turned into a moan as his stomach rumbled menacingly and his bladder screamed for release. He sighed, then began disentangling himself from Harry’s limbs. He lightly rubbed the warm thigh that covered his own before moving it gently. He gently pulled Harry’s arms from around his chest and stomach, then slid out from under the covers.

He stood for a moment, staring down at Harry’s peaceful face. He gently touched the Gryffindor’s cheek and moved an unruly lock of black hair off his forehead. He suddenly gasped softly as his stomach twisted uncomfortably. He turned and dashed into the bathroom, closing the door as quietly as he could. He just managed to reach the toilet before his stomach began emptying itself.

When his stomach was drained, Severus straightened up and moved to the sink. He ran cold water, which he used to rinse his mouth, then splashed on his face. He kept his eyes closed as he breathed heavily, fighting off a wave of dizziness. He groaned as his bladder screamed for attention. He moved back to the toilet and sighed with relief.

Severus returned once again to the sink and started to wash up. It was then that he noticed it. A tingle in his left forearm, right where the Dark Mark of his former Master should have been. He stared in wide-eyed wonder, his heart racing, at what now decorated his arm.

Gone was the ugly black skull and serpent, the chosen symbol of Lord Voldemort, and in its place was a red lion’s head with the initials HP. Severus began to shake with fury as he started to realize what had happened. His breath caught in his throat and he started to hyperventilate. He fell heavily to the floor, shivering, his eyes squeezed shut, his jaw clenched tight. He wrapped his arms around his naked legs, dropped his head down onto his knees and started rocking. The anger and betrayal he felt overwhelmed him.

It was nearly an hour before Severus could move. “Bastard,” he whispered. “Stupid, foolish bastard,” he said, his voice rising in anger. “Arrogant, pathetic fool!” Severus rose to his feet, wrapped a dressing gown around his shoulders, and threw open the door.

He stood in the doorway, glaring at Harry, letting his anger build before he opened his mouth to yell with all the fury, pain and anger he had within him.

“GET OUT!”

Ignoring Harry’s startled gasp, Severus began circling the bed, picking up various items off the floor, pillows, clothes, and shoes; and started throwing them at Harry. He continued to shout, yell, and curse Harry so loudly, he was certain Harry’s housemates in Gryffindor tower could hear him.

Harry tried to move out of the reign of fire. He fell off the side of the bed, covering his head as he rolled. When he reached the living room, he turned to start shouting himself, but was silenced by a pillow in his face. He stumbled and fell on his naked arse. He growled as he stared at Severus, and then got back to his feet and started to yell over Severus’ loud voice.

“Severus! Just stop and listen for a moment!”

“Listen?! To more lies? I’ve heard enough, POTTER!!” Severus flicked his wrist, throwing open the door. He gave Harry a hard push to his chest, throwing the smaller wizard out into the hallway and slammed the door shut.

“Severus! Open the bloody door!” Harry screamed, pounding on the unyielding wood.

“Harry?”

Harry swung around to see a harried looking Dumbledore rushing towards him. Before he could acknowledge the Headmaster, the door opened.

“That’s better!” Harry growled, thinking Severus was finally obeying his command. Before he could say anything, he was hit with a bundle of clothes and shoes. “Severus!!”

Severus turned and glared at Albus, his eyes flashing with pain and resentment, all at once understanding that Albus had known about what Harry had been doing to him all along. He slammed the door in Harry’s crimson face.

Harry magicked on his clothing, not even realizing that he was doing so wandlessly. He absently reached down and retrieved his wand from where it had been tossed with his clothing. When he straightened up, he scowled at the Headmaster. “It’s done. I fucking did what you asked. Now, is the bastard here so I can get on with what’s left of my life?”

Albus was shocked at the venom in Harry’s voice, and saddened by the utter defeat he saw in the younger man’s eyes. “Yes, he’s nearly breached the castle wards. Order members are portkeying in, the younger students are being led to safety, and the older students and teachers are already poised for the battle.” Albus gazed warily at the door to Severus’ chambers. “I waited until the last possible moment to retrieve you. I am so…”

“Please, sir, not now,” Harry whispered, refusing to let the horrible sense of loss overwhelm him. He had known that Severus’ reaction would not be favorable, but it still was slowly killing him inside knowing that he had possibly irreparably lost any chance he had with the man he now knew he loved, because he had lied to him and had not given him a choice about saving his own life with the bonding. “I am going to kill Tom Riddle, and then YOU are going to explain this to Severus.”

Harry brushed his fingers lightly over the solid wood door and whispered, “Be safe, my angel.” He then whispered a series of intricate wards that would lock the door and could only be released from the side Harry was on. There was no way that Severus could open it from inside the room. He would remain safely tucked in his rooms until Harry returned and released him.

He closed his eyes and sighed sadly, before turning and leading Albus up the staircase and out the main doors of the castle.

~*~


Severus glanced around his nearly empty rooms, looking for items he might need. From the moment he had closed the door on the two men he had trusted most before their ultimate betrayal, he had whipped his wand about ceaselessly, setting up trunks, causing various potions paraphernalia to pack themselves into said trunks, and shrinking clothes and furniture. As his spacious rooms were magically emptied, he pulled on his clothes, muttering and sputtering angrily.

He had just picked up a quill to write a rather nasty letter of resignation to Albus, when a knock fell loudly upon his door. He ignored it until Remus’ agitated voice reached him. He stormed to the door and tried to throw it open, but it stayed where it was and his hand slipped off the knob with such force, that he fell back and landed on his arse with a painful thud.

“What the bloody hell?” he wondered out loud as he stared at his door.

“Severus?” Remus called.

Severus moved to his knees and tried the door again. It didn’t make the slightest move.

“That little, lying, son of a whore!” he yelled. “Remus! The little bastard locked the door. Try to open it from your side.”

Severus knew it would be useless for him to try to undo Harry’s wards. The young wizard had shown his ability more than once in not only disarming wards, but in placing them as well. He stood up, his arms crossed over his chest and fumed at the door, pouring all his anger and frustration into the solid oak as if that alone would cause the door to give up in fright.

It took several combinations of spells, but it wasn’t long before Remus was able to break Harry’s wards and open the door. When he did, he nearly pulled it shut again. Severus stood menacingly staring at him, death shining in his dark eyes.

“Severus, what’s going on?! Who locked the door? And why are you here when Voldemort’s at the castle gates?!” Remus asked in a rush, fearful of hearing the answers.

“Did you know?” Severus questioned in his most deadly soft voice. He still shook with rage as he stared at yet another man he had come to trust.

“What?” Remus shook his head in confusion.

“DID YOU KNOW?!” Severus asked again.

“Know what?! What the hell’s going on?”

Severus suppressed a sigh and closed his eyes as he was flooded with relief. At least there was still one person in this godforsaken world that he could still trust.

“Let’s go,” he said, pushing past Remus and into the hallway. He had to protect Harry regardless of what the boy-hero had done to him. He had just started for the stairs that led to a rear exit in the castle, when he was stopped by a voice that sent a cold shiver down his spine.

“Hello, Severus,” Lucius Malfoy said in a sickly-sweet voice.

Before he could turn around, Remus was hit by a stupefy spell and dropped to the stone floor beside him.

“Or should I call you… traitor?”

Severus took a few calming breaths before turning around. He was apprehensive, but not entirely afraid. Malfoy may have beaten him down in the past, but this time, he had enough anger to charge him for a fairer fight.

Severus faced Malfoy with his head slightly lowered, glaring observantly at his enemy through the dark locks that partially hid his face. He watched Malfoy’s slim form approaching him unafraid, as though he didn’t believe Severus to be any sort of a threat to him.

“Don’t look so scared, Severus,” he said as though to a frightened child, mistaking Severus’ anger for fear. “My master will join us shortly. He’ll take care of you.” The last was whispered directly into Severus’ ear.

Severus shuddered with disgust as Malfoy slid his tongue suggestively into the Potions Master’s ear. He nearly gagged on the strong smell of Malfoy’s expensive cologne. He turned his head away and ground his teeth in anger and revulsion as Malfoy slid a hand over his arse.

He carefully and quietly triggered the release in the holder on his right forearm, causing a small dagger to drop neatly into the palm of his hand. He gave a first, and then a second quick thrust of the dagger, puncturing both of Malfoy’s lungs before he could utter another word. He pulled back and looked defiantly into Malfoy’s shocked face, an evil smirk gracing his lips.

“Don’t look so scared, Malfoy. Your master will be joining you shortly,” he said as Malfoy tried to gasp and slid down Severus’ body to the floor. Severus knew Malfoy was dead before he even turned to help Remus to his feet.

As soon as Remus was standing, Severus turned on his heel and charged up the stairs, the werewolf on his heels.

~*~


Harry stood on the steps to the castle with Albus, looking over the grounds, barely listening as Ron, Draco, Minerva McGonagall, and Mad Eye Moody updated Albus on their readiness for battle. Teams of students, professors, and Order members were poised and ready for the battle with the Death Eaters, leaving only one job for Harry… the Dark Lord. Harry’s anger at what he had been forced to do to Severus was ignited even further by the sight of Voldemort chanting spell after spell to take down the school’s wards.

“We’ve stationed some of the older students at the entrances to the dormitories, and I’m glad that we did. A group of four Death Eaters managed to make it inside the castle. One of the secret passageways must have never been collapsed. According to Harry’s map, the three that were headed for the Slytherin dungeon have been subdued.”

McGonagall’s words finally penetrated Harry’s thoughts. “And the other one?” he interjected, his eyes widening with fear.

Instead of McGonagall’s Scottish brogue replying to Harry’s question though, he heard a deep voice rasp out a reply from behind. “Lucius decided to pay me a visit.”

Albus stumbled at Harry’s side, a sure sign that the wards surrounding Hogwarts had fallen completely, the Death Eaters swarmed through the Hogwarts gates, but Harry didn’t even notice. His attention turned completely to the two men quickly striding up to their group, his mouth hanging open in shock. “Severus? Oh my gods! You’re covered in blood. Are you all right?”

Severus glared dangerously at Harry, his heart beating wildly, his chest laboring to breathe at the sight of the one he had dared to trust with his heart. He could see the fear and concern in Harry’s face, but couldn’t allow himself to believe that it was anything more than just a continuation of the role Harry was playing with him. He ignored Harry and turned to Draco.

“Draco, your father will never hurt you again,” he said with finality. He gave the young man a brief hug as he was overcome with relief. “Never again,” he vowed in a soft whisper against Draco’s head before releasing him.

Harry started towards Severus, noting the man’s look of utter surprise as the blonde Slytherin turned immediately into Ron Weasley’s strong embrace. The look quickly turned into a scowl, directed at Harry, as Severus must have realized that the Gryffindor was about to address him.

Harry pleaded with his eyes for Severus to follow his directive. “You need to get back into the castle. I need to know that you both are safe and will survive this. If you don’t, then none of this was worth anything.”

Any reply Severus would have made was cut off as a jet of red light flew past Harry’s shoulder. Harry turned around and immediately began casting a volley of defensive and offensive spells, his eyes seeking out Voldemort even as he still begged Severus to heed his command. “Please, Severus,” he shouted above the din of the approaching Death Eaters.

“The hell I will!” Severus barked at Harry, just as he raised his own wand.

He shouted a spell and threw his wand out in front of Harry where it stopped, hovering at chest level, and began to spin. He heard several gasps of amazement as he weaved the intricate protection spell that hadn’t been seen since the time of Merlin. It had been lost and forgotten over the centuries, mostly due to its difficulty of use. It was one of the most delicate of spells and could only be cast by the strongest of wizards. Severus had found reference to it in an old book of defensive magic, but not the actual spell. He had researched it for several years, but finally had to just recreate it on his own, with some help from Professor Flitwick.

Severus held out his wand hand, palm facing his wand, holding it steady as fine threads of gold, silver, and copper bound together. It formed a large shield that would protect Harry and himself from all but the most deadly curses. Just as he stepped up next to Harry, Harry’s words hit him like a great typhoon.

“BOTH?!” he cried, his free hand automatically moving to protect his stomach. The magical shield wavered, his wand hand shaking as he looked at his flat stomach. He suddenly felt faint and nauseous. He had to fight a moment to keep the contents of his stomach in place.

He looked back up at Harry with fear, pain, and anger flashing in his onyx eyes. He felt the weight of Harry’s betrayal trying to pull him to his knees. Not only had Harry stolen his freedom and chained him with a bond, but left him with child, as well.

Severus closed his eyes and took several deep breaths, clearing his mind. The repercussions of his own foolishness would be dealt with after the battle. He only had to ensure Harry was alive afterward for Severus to hate.


~TBC~

~*~


Authors’ Notes: Thank you to everyone who has been so concerned about Taran’s health. You will all be happy to know that he has completed his four weeks of chemotherapy, and is almost back to his old self. He and his family have been through a very difficult stretch with him almost being hospitalized several times due to his severe reactions to the treatments, but thankfully he has once again survived this bout of throat cancer. We don’t know how quickly updates will come, but hopefully, if both of us stay healthy, we’ll be updating much more frequently.

Thank you also to all of our reviewers: alliekatgirl, Marie, antipyro, pink panther, the name game, Melody de Mort, lillith, HazelWolf, Micka, takky, Ditzy, Lady Raven Death, War-chan, shadow, akuma_river, canis_major, Morgan LeFay, Sailor Sol, Faeriefire, Jessica, Selene S. Snape, Lai, golden sun, Kalisin, Creamy Goodness, Nelver, KillingProphet, Mira, and Quashi.

And FYI, we are not going to attempt to update/change this fic in any way so that it includes the new HP canon from HBP. Taran hasn’t even finished his copy of the book yet. :)

All our best,

Magdelena and Taran (aka Dr Jeckell and Mrs Hyde)