Esclavitud *Now Complete*

Harry arrived that morning to work and knew at once that something was amiss. His coworkers were trying to avoid his eyes. When he reached his office, Kingsley was waiting for him.

“Morning, Auror Potter,” said Kingsley.

“Wow, something most be terribly wrong when you are addressing me as ‘Auror Potter’. Let’s have then. What have I done wrong?”

“You have done nothing wrong,” then taking a deep breath, “It’s Hermione, Harry, she is in the hospital. Ron is with her and he asked me to let you know.”

Harry tried to understand the words that were coming out of Kingsley’s mouth. Hermione in the hospital! How? Why? It did not make sense, but he shook himself out of his trans and asked, “May I be excused, sir?”

“Certainty and please let Weasley know that he can take as long as he needs. Family comes first.” And with that he turned on his heels and left the office.


****

Harry reached St. Mungo’s as soon as wizardly possible. When he got there he saw Mr. and Mrs. Weasley talking to Mr. and Mrs. Granger. Ron was nowhere to be found.

“Harry, my boy, you got the message,” said Mr. Weasley with a pat on Harry’s back.

“How is she? What happen?” asked Harry to anyone who would answer.

“Our Hermione tried to use muggle science with very poor results,” answered Mrs. Weasley.

“I will remind you, Mrs. Weasley, that muggle science has served her for many years before the magical science ever did,” cleared Mrs. Granger.

“Yes, but you must admit that…”

Harry thought it best to intervene before things got out of hand.

“Ah… don’t mean to interrupt, but where is Ron?

Mr. Weasley, seeing Harry’s plan, decided to go along. “He is with Poppy, making arrangements for Hermione’s transfer.”

“Transfer? Transfer to where?” asked a puzzled Harry.

The party of four looked very guilty, as if all were concealing something from him. He gave them a questioning look and raised his eyebrow in an attempt to prod them on.

“Well, you see, Harry, Ron has decided that it is best if we move her from St. Mungos to Hogwarts. You know, so Poppy can keep an eye on her.”

But Harry could feel that there was more to this story. He looked around and asked, “Where is Severus?”

Again, the party of four looked guilty.

“Well, you see, that is just it, Harry. Ron feels that Severus will feel more comfortable at Hogwarts,” answered Mrs. Weasley.

“Why? What does Severus’ comfort have to do with anything?”

Before anyone could muster up the courage to answer, Ron came into the waiting room.

“Everything is ready,” declared Ron without really acknowledging Harry.

Harry couldn’t hold it against him, he knew that his best friend loved his wife above all things and must be distort by the whole situation. Harry was in the middle of his thought when the Healer came in.

“Auror Weasley, really, this is totally uncalled for. To move you wife just for the comfort of your sex slave…”

“What?” yelled Harry when he heard his lover being mentioned.

“It seems, Auror Weasley, doesn’t agree with our slave policy, here at St. Mungos,” answered the healer with a raised eyebrow.

“WHAT SLAVE POLICY?” asked a furious Harry.

“Let it go, mate. I have already dealt with it.

“Ron, what… slave… policy…?”

“Harry, no slaves are allowed in St. Mungos,” answered Ron.

“But that’s daft, we brought Severus here when we found him and they treated him…”

“Yes, Harry, they will treat a slave, but they will not allow one to visit; especially not with his master. It really isn’t a bad policy. The administration just wants to send a clear message that they do not condone slavery,” cleared Mr. Weasley.

“And I already explained to the healers, that we don’t either, but we had no choice but to make the best out of a raw deal,” interjected Ron staring down the healer.

Harry could see that this was not an easy call. He could see Ron’s point, but he could also se the hospital’s position. He knew that Ron would feel differently if it were Lucius Malfoy who walked in with his slave. He was sure Ron would be cheering if it were Malfoy who would have been asked to have his slave leave. And then there were his own feelings to deal with. The hospital was denying his lover entrance to see Hermione. That was totally unacceptable, but Harry was going to try to capitalize on it.

“Ron, why don’t I keep Severus by me, until Hermione gets well,” tried Harry.

“No!” said Ron a bit more forceful than he had intended. “Look, Mate, I told you, I took care of everything. We are taking her to Hogwarts besides, what do I tell Hermione when she doesn’t see him. You know how she gets; she’d jump out of bed to correct the injustice of it all. I don’t want her to get upset, she needs rest.”

Harry knew his friend had a point, but he also felt that there was something off with Ron. He could not pinpoint what it was, but there was definitely something wrong with his long time friend.

***

Everything went smoothly with the transfer to Hogwarts. They were all there when Hermione woke up, all but Severus. Harry edged his way over to Ron, “Do you want me to go get Severus?”

“No, there are too many people here right now. I’ll get him when it clears out,” answered Ron not really looking at Harry.

Harry got the distinct feeling that he was the third, un-necessary wheel in this whole scenario. And he decided to test his theory.

“Well, I will be going then, I am sure he is anxious to come see Hermione.”

“Yeah, ok, thanks for coming,” was Ron’s court response.

Harry decided not to let it get to him. Ron was obviously out of sorts. He had lost a child and his wife was in the hospital wing feeling completely defeated.

***
The next day, Harry sent Hermione chocolates and an owl every day after. He wanted to give the couple some much-needed space. He was sure that Mrs. Granger and Mrs. Weasley would not give them breathing space, as long as Hermione was in the hospital wing. By the third day, he had decided that enough space and time had been given and that it would look rude if he did not go and paid his respects. But when he got there, he found that his best friends had already left Hogwarts, so he decided to go visit them. He was shocked to find no one was home. He firecalled the office and found out that Ron had asked for a two week leave, no one knew where he had gone.

“Mimi!” he called out.

With a pop, the elf was by his side. “Yes, Harry Potter Sir, how can Mimi be of service?”

“Mimi, can you locate Severus?”

“No, Harry Potter Sir, I can not. Not unless Severus is calling Mimi or someone is telling Mimi were to go get Severus,” she said practically with tears in her eyes.

Harry felt defeated, but did not want Mimi to feel the same way.

“Mimi, you do know that you are a great elf. That I feel extremely lucky to have you in my household. And Severus thinks you are the best that ever happen to him. He told me so himself.” Mimi’s ears perked up and she smiled a broad and toothy smile. Before Harry could figure out what was going on, she launched herself into his arms.

Harry knew he had to count himself lucky. He had good friends, great elves and a lover; a lover he needed to locate.


***

Two weeks had gone by and Harry was hoping that Ron, Hermione, and Severus would show up to the Friday night dinner. When it was obvious that they were not going to show, Mimi and Kreacher popped in.

“Harry Potter Sir, should we serve dinner?” asked Kreacher knowing the answer.

“No, Kreacher, I am not hungry,” said Harry staring into the fireplace.

The two elves looked at each other and Mimi took a deep breath in order to express her concern, “Harry Potter Sir, must eat. Severus will be very upset if Mimi is telling him that you is not eating properly.”

Harry looked at her tenderly. She had said the one thing she knew would get him to react. She really knew him … and Severus. But try as he might, he could not get himself to sit in front of food.

“Mimi, I promise, I will eat breakfast tomorrow, but right now …I just can’t,” pleaded Harry hoping he would be understood.

Mimi and Kreacher looked at each other with understanding and popped out of the sitting room leaving Harry sitting in front of the fire alone.

***
Harry had fallen asleep on the chair in front of the fire and was startled by someone sobbing. It took him a moment to realize that the two big saucers staring at him belonged to Mimi. Mimi was wringing her hands nervously.

“Mimi, what’s wrong?”

But Mimi did not answer; she simply opened her mouth… then closed her mouth… then gave a silent cry and popped out of sight.

Harry assumed that she was upset with everything that was going on. With Severus gone and him not wanting to eat, she had to be upset. He knew she would get over it soon enough, but during the weekend, every time he spotted her she seemed to be crying.He was sure she would be fine once Severus was back.


The following Monday found Harry at the courtroom. He had to be in the hearing of a feral vampire he had capture a month ago. Usually Hermione would be there to make sure that the creature’s rights were being respected, but he was not expecting her to be there today. Which added to his surprise when he saw her there speaking to members of the Wizengamot.

“Hermione, what are you doing here?” he asked when he approached her.

“Harry!” she said with a kiss and a hug.

“Hermione, when did you get back?

“Last Friday, but it was quite late so we didn’t stop by. I wanted to be back by Saturday, you know, lunch with my parents. I was quite homesick, but Ron did not want to leave.”

“How are you feeling?” asked Harry a bit fearful of the answer.

“It is what I have told Ron, I am not sick. At least not physically.” She took a deep breath, “Harry, I don’t think I can try this again. This is our third child I have lost.”

“Hermione, you sound as if you are to blame.”

Hermione did not answer.

“Hermione! You must know that you can not be blamed.”

Again Hermione lowered her head and said nothing. Harry took two steps and reached out to her, giving her a much-needed hug. He could feel her sobbing and allowed her to hold on as long as she needed to. When Hermione gained controlled of the situation she said, “How about this vampire; is he as big of a menace as you made him out to be in your report?”

“Hermione, he killed three muggles before we could catch him. I caught him draining his last victim, a fourteen-year-old girl. Her father got there seconds after I did; he was devastated. I don’t think I have ever seen a grown man cry like that.”

Hermione took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “Wow, I am really going to have to make sure he is given a fair trial; aren’t I.”

Anyone else would have been floored by her words, but Harry expected no less from her. After the trial, in which the vampire was convicted, Harry went straight to his office and firecalled his house.

“Kreacher!” he yelled into the ambers.

“Harry Potter Sir, how can I serve you?”

“Kreacher, is Severus there?”

Kreacher looked down then and shook his head from side to side. “No, Harry Potter, Severus is not being here.”

Harry could see that there was something wrong. “Kreacher, have you seen Severus?”

“No, Master Harry, Kreacher is not seeing Severus.”

“Kreacher, where is Mimi?”

“Mimi is crying in her room, Master Harry?”

“Crying!!! Why?”
“Mimi is going this morning to see if Severus be back and he is, but he is not wanting to speak or see Mimi.”

“Kreacher, that makes no sense what so ever. Severus loves Mimi. Why wouldn’t he want to see her? Are you sure Mimi didn’t misunderstand him?”

Again Kreacher moved his head from side to side, “Master Harry, Kreacher only knows that Mimi will not stop crying.”

Harry took a deep breath and said, “Tell Mimi I’ll get to the bottom of this.” And with that his head disappeared from the flames.

***

“Severus!” he called from the flames, but no one answered. He could sense that someone was lurking just beyond his line of vision.

“Severus... Severus…. I know you are there. Please, love, I don’t know what is going on, but I need to speak to you.” When no response came forth he continued, “Severus, Mimi is in tears. For some insane reason she thinks that you do not want to talk or see her. We both know that is mental. You love her, right? You would never hurt her on purpose…” but it was then when he heard a door close in the distance. He had lost him.

Harry was left kneeling in front of the floo in his office. He had no idea where to go from here. All of a sudden he had to duck because of a flying message that almost flew right into his face. The message was from Hermione, it had to do with the trial, but that had no importance to Harry. What did, was the idea he got from the message.

***

He stormed into Hermione’s office. “Hermione, can you please explain what is going on?”

“Harry, you know I have to make sure that he gets a fair trial…”

“Hermione!!! I am not talking about that low life. I am talking about Severus; he won’t speak to Mimi or to me. What is going on?”

“Harry, I have no idea what you are talking about,” said a very puzzled Hermione.

“Severus, he won’t even face me and he wont speak or talk to Mimi. Does that make any sense to you?”

“Well, maybe he is still upset after your little quarrel.”

“What quarrel? We haven’t quarreled. Did Severus say we had an argument?”

“Well, it wasn’t actually Severus. I was a bit worried that you and Severus weren’t spending any time together just because we were on ‘vacation’ but Ron said that Severus did not want to see you, something about you saying something unkind.”

“Did you ask Severus?”

“I did not… Look, Harry, I am sorry, but my mind really wasn’t into it.”

“Hermione, I can understand that, but I really need to know what I said to Severus. Hermione, last time I saw him we were fine.”

“Harry, I really have no clue what is going on. Why don’t we go see Severus and solve this mystery?”

Harry followed Hermione into the floo and out into her sitting room.

“Severus,” she called and soon Severus appeared, but when he saw Harry, his face contorted and he looked away.

“Mistress, I should not be in the same room as Master Harry.”

“Severus, are you still upset with him?”

Severus did not answer.

“Severus, did you argue with Harry?”

He simply moved his head from side to side. Harry was relief to know that he did not say anything to upset Severus.

“But Ron said you and Harry had an argument and that you did not wish to see him. Is that true?”

“Mistress, I am not at liberty to speak. Please allow me to leave the room. I should not be in the same room as Master Harry.”

“Why?” Harry asked noticeably upset, even more so, when he saw Severus flinch at his words. “I am sorry, Severus, I didn’t mean to yell,” but he fell silence when he saw Severus cringe away at his voice.

“Please, Mistress, may I retire?” asked Severus shaking.

“Severus, not until you explain what is going on,” demanded Hermione.

“Mistress, I have told you, I am not at liberty to say.”
“Maybe he will talk to Mimi,” suggested Harry.

Hermione looked at Severus and asked, “Severus, did Ron forbid you from telling me what is going on?” but she got no answer from the shaking man, which only confirmed her suspicions.

“Did he also forbid you from talking to Harry?” continued Hermione and to this Severus nodded his head.

“Severus, did he also say you couldn’t speak to Mimi?” Severus nodded to this as well.

Hermione turned to Harry, “Harry, I am going to need one of you elves.”

“Sure, Hermione,” and with the same breath he turned to call Mimi.

“Yes, Harry Potter Sir,” she said wiping her tears. “How can Mimi help Harry Potter Sir?”

“I need you to do whatever Hermione ask you to do? Can you do that Mimi?”

Again she wiped her eyes, “Yes, Harry Potter Sir, Mimi is being a good elf. Mimi will do what she is told.” And with that she turned to Hermione.

“I need you to get Ron. Do not answer any questions and do not take no for an answer. Just bring him here at once.”

“Where can Mimi find Ronald Weasley Sir?”

“He should be in his office at the ministry.” And with a pop the elf was gone.

It was less than a minute before she was back with a struggling Ron.

“Have you gone insane? Wait until I tell Harry…” but he stopped when he saw where he was and who was there.

“Ronald, would you care to explain why you lied to me?” asked Hermione with her arms crossed.

“Hermione, I have everything under control. I know what I am doing.”

“And what exactly are you doing? Why are you keeping Severus and Harry apart? Didn’t we agree that this would just be temporary? That they were meant to be together.”

Harry’s eyes turned to Severus, which gazed at him for a second and then hid his head again.
“Hermione, they will be together. Look, remember, it was you who said they should be apart at least a year. That Harry was on the rebound.”

“Rebound!!” protested Harry.

Hermione ignored Harry and continue her discussion with her husband. “Yes, but then, you convinced me that a year was way too long.”

“You did that?” Harry asked Ron, who also ignored him.

“Hermione, you know you’re always right about these things. Harry is on the rebound. It will do them some good to keep away from each other for a while.”

“And exactly how long do you think they should be apart?”

“Listen, I really don’t think that…” started Harry.

But they were not listening to Harry. They were locked in their own conversation.

“At least another year,” argued Ron.

“Another year!” said Hermione and Harry at once.

Hermione could see that her husband had a hidden agenda. “Ron, what exactly did you hope to achieve in this year?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Hermione, it is quite simple, Severus could have our baby. Then he could go back to Harry and we will all be happy.”

“What?” asked Harry and Hermione in disbelieve.

“Hermione, can’t you see, that would give them some time apart to really work out how they feel about each other and some time for me to make Severus comfortable enough to turn.”

“Turn?” she asked looking at Harry.

“If you don’t know…” said Harry shrugging his shoulders.

“Well, I guess this just comes to show that you can’t find everything in books,” said Ron a bit smugly.

“What are you on about?”

“A slave can only conceive when he has turned. And he will only turn when he feels save and protected by his master.”

Hermione took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Ron in what world… in what universe… in what dimension… is it ok to take a child away from his father?”

“Hermione,” said Ron in a winey voice, “It is Snape we’re talking about. We all know that he hates kids.”

Harry and Hermione could see the pain in Severus’ eyes. Harry looked to Hermione pleading.

“Ron, you go face to face with Severus. You look straight into his eyes and you ask him if he is willing to give up his child.”

Ron, confident that he could prove his case, walked over to Severus and knelt besides him in order to be face to face with him.

“You do want to please me, don’t you? You do want to give me this child that would make Hermione and me so happy. You are such a good slave.”

“Hermione… that isn’t fair. He is manipulating the curse,” protested Harry.

“Ron…” warned Hermione, but before she could finish her warning Severus broke out into tears and held on to his master’s robe.

“Please, Master, I beg of you… do not yank away my child. I will do anything you ask of me, but please… do not take my child away from me,” ended Severus bowing his head.

The scene tugged at Harry’s heart. It was killing him that he could not walk over to his lover to comfort him. He looked to Hermione for help.

Ron looked shocked to hear Severus’ words. “But… why didn’t you tell me when I told you my plan?”

“Master, I am but a slave, my main job is to serve and please you.”

“But… you know I wouldn’t make you do something you didn’t want to do; right?”

Severus bowed his head and did not answer. Ron looked to his wife for guidance.

“I guess I screwed things up again; didn’t I.”

“We have to talk and we must make very serious decisions,” said Hermione looking at her husband.

A/N

I hope this makes up for missing Wednesday's post. It is 12:40 am and I cannot think of a title for this chapter. So if you think of anything let me know. And as always if you do not have time to review please rate my story. It only takes a click.