Amore Schiavo

Review Replies: http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/topic/57407-amore-schiavo-review-replies/

 

Harry slipped into the room and found that it was empty. “Draco?” He called out.

“In the bath! Why are you here again, if I may ask? It’s hardly the weekend already, and you’re not even due back here until two weeks from now.” Draco’s amused voice called out.

Harry walked into the bathroom and found the blond lounging in the tub. “I came to tell you that Ron and Hermione know, and they’re coming to meet you on Sunday, at lunch time.” He told the blond.

Draco arched a brow. “All right. Why so soon?” He asked.

Harry shrugged. “I’d just rather get it over with, so they can see that you mean me no harm.” He answered.

“Are they really that suspicious of your new slave?” Draco drawled, smirking.

Harry chuckled amusedly. “Ron did seem to think this was some plot of yours. Claimed you were using me somehow.” He said.

Draco cocked an eyebrow. “Oh? Perhaps I am. Perhaps all this was just an elaborate ploy to get in your pants. Well, it worked. I got in, multiple times.” He said.

Harry snorted. “Right. All this for a shag. Well, I can’t stay, I have homework to do.” He turned to leave.

“What, no kiss goodbye?” Draco asked teasingly.

Harry walked over to the tub and leaned down, kissing Draco softly. “Bye, Draco.”

“Goodbye, Harry.” Draco drawled, sounding smug. “See you this weekend.”

*****

“Harry, we need to talk.” Hermione said.

Harry got up. “Do we need Ron for this discussion?” He said, looking over toward the chessboard where Ron was systematically trouncing Seamus.

“No, he’d just get upset over this. Let’s go.” She led him out of the common room and to an unused classroom. “So,” She began once they were alone and the room was warded. “Amore Schiavo, Harry? I find it hard to believe that you fell in love with him enough for that particular ritual so fast.”

Harry flushed. “Well, I’ve seen a side of him I’d never seen before-“ He tried.

Hermione shook her head. “No. There’s no way you’d fall for him so fast, Harry. It’s just not possible!”

Harry decided to smudge the truth a bit. “We didn’t use love, exactly. We used affection.” He said. There was affection between them now, at any rate.

Hermione’s eyes went wide. “And the spell took like that?” She asked. “It’s not meant to be used for mere affection. It’s a love binding, so that the Master wizard can better protect the slave. Did you know that once the spell is fully realized you’ll be able to draw on his power and even know where he is when you’re not around? You’ll even be able to tell if he gets injured.” She told Harry.

Harry had read that, but since Draco had said he didn’t want love, those were pretty much moot points, as the spell would never deepen to that point without it.

Hermione continued. “But you’re working towards love, aren’t you? Harry, this was dangerous! What if the spell had backfired somehow?”

“It didn’t, though. We’re both fine!” Harry protested, knowing that he could never tell her how badly it had backfired. She’d never let him forget it.

Hermione sighed. “Fine. I suppose if you’re both fine, I’m worrying over nothing, but Harry, be careful! Spells like this are things you can’t go playing around with! This is serious magic!” She admonished. “Now, let’s go back before Ron starts to worry. He’s probably beaten Seamus by now.” She said, dismantling the wards quickly.

“Wait, Mione.” Harry stopped her before she opened the door. He hugged her. “I know you’re just worried about me. And thanks.” He said.

Hermione’s arms came up around him and she held him back. “You’re welcome. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

Harry smiled and they left the classroom, heading back to the common room.

When they got there, Ron accosted them. “Where’d you go?”

Harry just grinned. “’Mione wanted to read me the riot act for using the spell I did. We didn’t want to interrupt your game for it.” He explained.

“Wanted to what?” Ron asked.

“It’s a Muggle thing. Means she wanted to yell at me.” Harry explained.

Ron’s face cleared. “Oh. But you’re okay now?” He checked.

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Yes, Ron, we’re fine now.” She told him in amusement.

“Good. Harry, why him?” Ron asked quietly.

Harry eyed him. “I don’t know, mate. Why Hermione?” He asked.

Ron sighed. “That’s not the same! She’s a Gryffindor! I can trust her!”

Hermione sighed. “Honestly, Ron!”

“Like my parents trusted Pettigrew?” Harry asked. “There’s more to a person than their house, Ron. You’ll just have to trust me on this one, he’s not what you think.”

Ron sighed, but nodded. “Fine, I guess. I do trust you, mate. I just don’t get why it had to be him.”

Harry nodded. “It’s fine. I can understand that it’s a bit much to take in all at once. Maybe on Sunday you’ll see what I see. Or maybe not, but you’ll hopefully understand a bit better after that. That’s all I can hope for.”

*****

All too soon, Sunday had arrived, and it was time for Harry to re-introduce his friends to Draco.

They came to a stop in front of the door to the Room of Requirement. “Remember, Ron: Be civil. Please.” Harry said.

Ron nodded. “Yeah, mate, I’ll try.”

Harry opened the door and led them in.

The table was already set for lunch, with four place settings. Draco was sitting in the chair he usually sat in when Harry wasn’t there.

Harry walked over to him and bent to kiss him. “How have you been?” He asked softly.

Draco smiled. “I’ve been fine. Really, you worry too much.”

“Hello, Draco.” Hermione said mildly.

“Hello, Granger.” Draco returned cautiously.

Hermione elbowed Ron, who grunted, “Malfoy.”

Draco shook his head. “I’m hardly a Malfoy anymore. I cut those ties, plus Lucius disowned me, so I’m afraid Draco really is the only name I can claim, now.” He said wryly.

Ron sighed. “Draco, then.” He said.

“Well, shall we? Lunch just arrived.” Draco explained, gesturing to the table.

They walked over to it and sat, Ron and Hermione on one side, Harry and Draco on the other.

They dished up their food and Draco sighed. “Apparently, Harry, the spell knows you’re here.” He said dryly.

Harry frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I need your order.” He said, indicating his untouched food.

Harry blushed. “Oh, go ahead and eat and drink as much as you want.”

Draco began to eat.

“So, Draco, why exactly did you choose the spell you did? You knew it was a love binding, did you not?” Hermione asked.

Draco nodded. “I knew that Harry would only accept a legal spell, but I needed one that incorporated the Cutting of Ties ritual as well, otherwise Lucius still would have had the power to pull me from school, by force if necessary, and take me home to be Marked. I wanted to avoid that, and the Cutting of Ties was the only way I could think of that would see me fully free of him. I am, now. The Amore Schiavo was the only spell or ritual I could find that included that one and was legal, still. The fact that we didn’t have a love relationship at that point didn’t really factor into it. We managed it, all the same.”

Hermione frowned. “Still, to use affection rather than love, as the spell intended, was just foolhardy. You shouldn’t play around with magic like that.” She told him.

Draco raised an eyebrow at Harry. “She’s giving me a lecture!” He said in surprise.

Harry just grinned. “Yeah, Hermione does that, sometimes.”

“Stop it, you two! This is serious! What if something had gone wrong?!” Hermione asked.

Harry shrugged. “We would have dealt with it, and nothing did. We’re both fine!”

Draco sighed. “It’s probably not the best idea I’ve ever had, but it worked. The end justified the means, in this case.” He told her.

Hermione huffed. “Well, if that’s how you feel, what’s to stop you from doing something so dangerously stupid in the future?” She asked.

Draco raised a brow. “Hopefully, I won’t have to make another decision like that. I chose the course that made the most sense to me. Besides, if the ritual or spell had gone awry, it was hardly Harry who would have suffered any ill effects. My fate was hardly an issue. If the spell had harmed me, who would have cared much?”

Hermione’s mouth fell open. “You honestly thought no one would care if something happened to you? That’s horrible!”

“And untrue.” Harry pointed out. “Snape’s already figured out that I know where you are, because you brewed me the Occulis Potion. He’s asked after you.” He told Draco.

Draco smiled. “Well, it’s nice to know someone cares.” His smile faded. “What did you tell him?”

Harry shrugged. “He said it was your decision whether you wanted to be found or not, so he wouldn’t ask where you were, but he did ask if you were well. I told him you were under my protection, and that if I had my way, he’d see you again soon.”

Draco cocked his head. “I don’t see how you can promise that, as he’s a Death Eater. Telling him I’m under your protection could have been signing my death warrant, for that matter.”

Harry shook his head with a smile. “He’s in the order, so once I start bringing you to meetings, you’ll see him again.” He promised.

“Oh.” Draco blinked. “So, he’s a spy?” He checked.

Harry nodded. “He’s loyal to Dumbledore, not Voldemort.”

“Well, if I had known that sooner, I might have been able to go to him, instead. I still would have needed to cut the familial ties, but I didn’t have to cut the tie to him as my Godfather. Oh, well. I’m not too bothered by what’s become of my life now. You could be a much worse Master than you’ve proven thus far.” Draco said, smirking at Harry.

Harry flushed. “I told you not to call me that.” He mumbled.

Draco’s smirk widened. “Ah, but the spell doesn’t punish me for it, because it is what you are, after all.”

Hermione frowned. “What do you mean, the spell doesn’t punish you? Is it sentient?”

Draco shrugged. “It seems to be, to an extent. I’ve been punished with headaches of varying severity if I do something Harry doesn’t like, or if I do something outside of the parameters of the spell. Sometimes the headaches will fade away on their own, but if it’s something that bothers Harry enough, I suffer the headache until he forgives me verbally.”

Ron frowned. “How did you find that out?”

Draco flushed. “Um, I’d rather not say. It’s a private matter, really.”

Hermione smiled. “Fair enough. We won’t pry.” She said. “So, I read that there’s a sexual aspect to the spell?”

Harry flushed. “Hermione!” He hissed.

Draco simply nodded. “There is. Sex magic is one of the axes of magic it operates on.”

“I don’t need to hear that.” Ron said, looking a little green.

Hermione took a deep breath. “I hope you’ll forgive me for asking, but you are using protection, right?” She checked.

Harry groaned, covering his face with both hands.

Draco flushed. “There’s really no need. I was a virgin before the invocation.”

Hermione shook her head. “Well, Harry could have picked something up-“

“No, I couldn’t have.” Harry mumbled, moving his hands. “I haven’t had any partners besides Draco, either.”

Hermione raised an eyebrow. “Really? Well, I suppose that’s okay, then. Are you ever planning on marrying?” She asked.

Draco flushed. “As property, I’m unable to marry, now. But if Harry should ever fall for someone else, I wouldn’t stand in his way.”

Hermione frowned. “I hardly think he’s the type to leave you.” She defended Harry.

“I’d be fine with it, though, were things to come to that. There’s no way of knowing what the future might hold, and we are still young, yet.” Draco said with a shrug.

Harry sighed. “Can we please change the subject? This is getting a bit depressing, and a bit too personal. These are things me and Draco need to discuss alone before we make any decisions for sure.” He said.

Hermione nodded. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry, I just wanted to be sure you’re both doing all you can to be safe and that you know what you’re doing.”

“We’re fully aware of all the risks and pitfalls we may face. We’ll discuss things as they come up. There’s no need to worry.” Draco assured her. “We both know that in our situation, communication is vital.” He said, laying his hand on the table between him and Harry.

Harry reached out to link their fingers together. “Yes, and we have no problem talking out anything we need to.” He agreed.

Hermione smiled at the interplay. “Well, then, I suppose I’ll just let things be. You seem to have everything figured out.”

Harry smiled at Draco. “I really think we do.” He said.

Ron shook his head. “I still don’t see whatever you see in him, mate.” He said.

Draco raised an eyebrow. “That’s because I haven’t let you, and I’m not going to. There are parts of me that are only for Harry now, and that’s just the way things are.” He said flatly.

Ron shook his head. “Just know that if you ever do something to hurt him, I’ll kill you.” He warned.

“Ron, don’t.” Harry said.

Draco snorted. “The spell won’t let me hurt him, but more than that, why would I want to? I’m his. My job is to make things easier for him, so he can keep me safe in return. Everything I have, everything I am, is his to use as he wills. And I’m happy that way, really. It’s better than the alternative, by a lot.”

“Just be good to him. I’ll be watching you.” Ron said firmly.

Draco smiled. “Go ahead and watch. All you’ll see will be me supporting him. That’s my sole purpose, now.”

Hermione sighed. “Really, Ron. With this spell in particular, he really can’t hurt Harry.” She pointed out. “The Amore Schiavo is impossible to fool in that regard. If he had any ill-will toward Harry, it’s definitely gone now, thanks to a potion he’d have drunk during the invocation.”

Harry nodded. “He drank a will alignment potion, from my hand.” He told the redhead.

“I’m still not going to trust him that easily.” Ron said mulishly.

Draco squeezed Harry’s hand. “It’s fine.” He said softly to the brunette. “I don’t expect them to trust me just yet, him more than Granger. Don’t get mad at him for it. Give him time to get used to me being on your side first. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Harry sighed. “I guess you’re right.” He looked over at Hermione to see her watching them with a smile. “What?” He asked warily.

She shook her head. “I think I like what I see. You’re obviously treating him well, Harry. I didn’t like the idea, at first, but you’ve proven to me that you’re going about this the right way.” She said approvingly.

“Oh.” Harry said, flushing. “Thanks, I think.”

Draco just smiled and raised Harry’s hand to his lips. “Mm, my wonderful Master.” He purred.