Who Knew?

Disclaimer: The characters and places of this story are the property of J.K. Rowling. I only created the situations they find themselves in during this story. I make no money from this writing – it is strictly for amusement!

WARNINGS: MEMORY FLASH OF CHILD ABUSE AND TORTURE; MINOR PLOTTING RELATIONSHIP WITH ADULT.

Chapter 2 A Summer of Fear:

“Why, Draco, was it so important that you stay at Hogwarts this summer? I am certain you could have had more fun with your friends or on a vacation?” Snape asked, as he studied the young man diligently cleaning what would be his work space.

“I wanted the additional training… Yeah.” Though Draco was trying to appear absent minded, the glance he cast at his mentor gave Snape reason to think differently.

“Your father accepts that as a valid excuse, ‘Finally stating to apply himself… Wanting to make something of himself… Training for service,” he said in an alarmingly close impersonation of Draco’s father. Snape decided to explore something that had been bothering him ever since Lucius had told him of the ‘good news’.

“He was not happy about your not spending time with your intended.”

“Pansy will get over that. I don’t think this summer will be too hard on her, she will be in the United States with her parents.” By now Draco had almost climbed into the cupboard he was cleaning.

‘He really does not want to talk about this,’ Snape thought. ‘Not that I blame him, I would have nightmares over her. However, she was not the subject matter.’

“You do not sound entirely thrilled about your upcoming marriage.”

“It’s still over a year off,” was the muffled reply from the cupboard

‘Yes, and Granger would make a more suitable mate for you than that dim witted, talent lacking fluff of a girl.’ Snape snorted at his thought.

“Then I suppose you will be ready to assume your position beside your father.”

“Professor?” Draco inquired, once he returned to face his mentor.

“As school is not in session, and you are here as my assistant not my student, I see no need to stand on formality. Severus is sufficient for now.”

“I would like to ask a favor of you,” the young man whispered unsteadily.

“Go ahead.”

“First, promise me that if you feel me to be… weak or unworthy… that you… you will k-kill me quickly and just let my father know what I had been thinking… W-what you discovered. Under the circumstances, if you were… to kill me… he would be your strongest ally.”

‘I thought only Potter could have this effect on me,’ Snape mused, trying to breathe around the obstruction in his throat.

“First of all, let me assure you that your father would never let your untimely or unnatural demise go unpunished. Secondly, regardless of what some may think, I do try to avoid the death of my students. It leaves too many questions to answer.”

Draco smiled at this, but not humorously.

“Father says you are a highly skilled Legilimens.”

“I have some skill, above average, yes,” said Snape, cautiously.

“I want you to read my mind. I am unable to sort out my thoughts well enough to put them in any form of order. I can’t put words to them. But I am also afraid that you will not be able to sort out what you find. Everything is just so disorganized.” Large tears had welled up in his eyes; the strength of his emotions was unsettling to the reserved Potions Master.

“What is it you want me to see? That is to say, I need some idea of what I am looking for.” At a glance, Snape knew that Draco did not fully understand what he was asking.

“Your relationship with any particular person or an emotion, like a fear, or confusion; I need a direction to go in. It may be a matter of entering and looking, leaving and asking questions and re-entering. I do not understand what you are wanting so it may take more time than is available today. If something is deep, buried under many layers of other substance, a person may not be mentally or emotionally strong enough to endure much probing and may need time to recover before continuing. However, in light of your first request, let me say that I would not kill, you especially, until I was absolutely certain of what I was seeing, beyond any question or doubt or plausible excuse. We most likely have an entire summer, and the following school year, before I would have to take any action.” Noticing that Draco was becoming more agitated he added, “Also, I want you to relax. It may not be a pleasant experience. If attempted with force or against one’s will it is a violation… A rape. It actually can be just as devastating. Do you understand? So, what shall I look for?”

“My Father… My childhood… Hate… Strong fear… Maybe love, if it is there.”

Snape moved his chair from behind the desk and motioned for Draco to have a seat.

“Legilimens!” Snape felt no resistance, but was buffeted by a tumultuous sea of emotions.

Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy as Death eaters… Draco being tortured, wrists restrained, watching his own blood pool at his feet, wondering if this time it would finally be over permanently… ‘It builds strength of character’ his father was saying… Draco sitting in his father’s study, forced to watch others being abused as Lucius “enjoyed their company”, using the hair of the “guests” to wipe away the proof of his enjoyment, the occasional incidents when the guest would be given to Draco for his own ‘amusement’ so Lucius could have the ’pleasure’ of watching his son “enjoy the gift that had been hand selected”… Broken, mangled bodies bleeding onto the stone floor of the entry foyer of Malfoy Manner, the result of disappointing a Malfoy… Threats of death directed at Draco if he failed to conduct himself “accordingly”… Draco’s arranged marriage to Pansy, because she met Lucius’s lustful desires, and he wanted to have her close at hand for his own use… Draco’s awareness that Crabbe and Goyle’s presence was simply to report Draco’s actions to Lucius under the disguise of friendship… Draco’s enjoyment in watching Hermione Granger in class, learning for the pure love of knowledge, as opposed to his learning for his own survival… Tales told to Draco of how fortunate he was that the Dark Lord favored Lucius so strongly, for Draco‘s initiation as a Death Eater would only occur under the hand of a very select few of the inner circle and directly under the Dark Lord‘s watchful eye… ‘If you please him well as an initiate, you can be spared of becoming his entertainment for a gathering, he will reserve his enjoyment of you for personal and specific summonsing’… Fear of Lucius… Fear of dying… Fear of being killed… Fear of living… Panic… Fear of killing… Pain, so much pain!

“Breathe deeply… Relax… I’m out… It’s over,” Snape said hypnotically into Draco’s ear. “Breath… Relax… It’s okay. I have enough to work with for now. When your strength returns, we can talk about the images.” He waited for Draco to regain some of his composure, and used the time to regain some of his own.

“I am going to place your images in my pensive, and when you are able, we will draw them out one at a time for discussion. You won’t have to be concerned with the order. It will sort itself out as we talk about it.”

“Are you through? Did you see enough? Will we have to do that again?” While the shaking was subsiding, and his breath was not as ragged, the panic was still strong in his voice.

“Not for a while, several days at least.” Snape laid his hand on Draco’s shoulder and felt the knotted muscles. He also felt Draco flinch at the physical contact.

A week after the exploration of Draco’s mind, the Potions Master was still sorting through the images he had gleaned from Draco. He had enough to warrant the involvement of the Headmaster, though.

Normally, Snape found the Headmaster’s office to be calm and peaceful. He had spent many hours talking with Professor Dumbledore in his office. But for the first time in 16 years he found himself unable to maintain his trademark stillness. During this conversation Snape paced restlessly. For the first time since her death, he was unable to find solace in the presence of the Headmaster. His actions had not gone unnoticed by the old man, either.

“I agree, Severus. That may well be the best protection available for young Mr. Malfoy. Have you discussed this possibility with him,” Dumbledore asked as Snape crossed in front of his desk.

“No. I wanted to seek your guidance first, Headmaster. I do not want to inflict further harm on this young man,” sighed Snape, with more affection than he had intended. As a result of his obvious slip he rested his hands on the mantle of the fire place, staring into its emptiness as if the secrets of the universe would be revealed.

“I am reluctant to take such action regarding a student. He will be rejected by his House mates because of his defiance to his father. He will be isolated from the rest of the students by his involvement with a professor, this is worsened by the fact that we are of the same sex,” said Snape as he began the trek across the office again.

“He must clearly understand the ramifications of his actions. He must make an adult decision which will affect the rest of his life. Mr. Malfoy has turned 17, if I remember correctly?” Snape nodded once not trusting his own voice and hoping that Dumbledore would forgive his rudeness. “Then he has come of age and is capable of making binding decisions. If he requests asylum from Voldemort’s followers, I will not turn him away. That should go without saying. But, I do believe that what you are proposing would be the strongest protection available to Mr. Malfoy. You will discuss this with him, soon?”

“With your permission, tonight, sir,” Snape replied giving the appearance of studying the books on the shelf before him.

“You will notify me of his decision?”

“Of course, Headmaster,” he responded as he perched on the arm of a chair in front of Dumbledore’s desk.

“You will notify me of any changes in this situation,” Dumbledore asked as Snape stood.

“Absolutely and thank you, sir,” Snape said coolly, spinning toward the door. “I believe my assistants are preparing for their lessons, if you will excuse me.”

As the door closed heavily behind Snape, Dumbledore sighed to himself and began stroking the phoenix beside his desk.

“Yes, Fawkes. I do believe that man has taken a dive into the deep end. Uncharted and vary deep waters indeed. Two apples are set before him, and he willingly chooses the one he believes to be poisoned. Yet, he will eat from both. Only when he has enjoyed both will he discover the bitter truth. I hope that I am wrong about the outcome. This could be more devastating than the next war will be, but he must choose his own path. I can only protect those who are innocent in this matter, but who that is I have no idea.”


********

“While it is not perfect, it is acceptable Ginny,” Snape said, carefully examining the results of her potion. “Do you know what the imperfection is?”

“The response time,” she moaned watching as the remaining few scales finally fell from the toad.

“Correct, and why?”

Ginny shook her head when Snape glanced up at her silence.

“Had you not done everything correctly your toad would still resemble Draco’s.” Snape nodded toward a toad which appeared to be in armor. “The answer is in the details. Look carefully at the three caldrons and think about the three who made the potions. Draco obviously did not follow my instructions explicitly, and give that toad some of the antidote from my desk, if you would, Draco. You did follow my instructions yet there is a difference between my potion and yours. Your ingredients are the same as mine, as were your methods. So the difference lies somewhere else. Where would that be?”

‘Between your legs!’ The thought made Ginny smirk into her caldron.

“Gender is not at issue here either.”

Ginny felt something pinch in her neck as she shot her head up to face Snape. When she saw his puzzled expression she realized he had only made a mild attempt at humor. ‘And I reacted like a skittish school girl. Very mature, Ginny!’

The air seemed to pick up an electrical tingle. Draco had forgotten his toad and was watching the exchange with an amused interest. Snape continued on softly.

“A muggle could have followed my instructions as precisely as you but would have ended with the same results as Draco. Not every witch or wizard can excel at potions. The power resides within the maker. If you will notice, I ware no jewelry on my hands. My hands come in contact with every aspect of potion making. Metals and stones are reactive to numerous factors involved in the process. You, however, have started wearing jewelry this summer. The effect is considered by most to be trivial. However, if time were of the essence, those extra four seconds could mean life or death, as was apparently the case with the Malfoy toad.”

“Oopps,” Draco whispered as he gingerly prodded the toad with his wand. Ginny couldn’t suppress her giggle, and was surprised when it earned her a slight smile from the master.

“Draco, we will try this again later. Plan on having dinner with me tonight, as you obviously have much work to do. Ginny, Madame Pince will allow you access to the restricted section of the library. I want 48 inches of parchment on the reactive elements that may reside on or within the body of the potion maker, due at our next lesson.”

Ginny quietly gathered her things and headed for the door. Only in the relative privacy of the hall way did she allow the bubbling thought to surface in her mind, ‘Yeah, and I want 8 inches of you, on your knees, inside this potion maker, as our next lesson! So how do I start? How do I get around this anvil of fear I have when ever I get close to him? He’ll know. He always knows! He relies on the fear. It helps him maintain his control… That’s it! Brilliant! He knows I’m afraid of him, as all of his students are. My fear helps him. It’s time for ‘my fear’ to turn against him!’

***********

“They will not turn against me, provided I can demonstrate a measure of control over you and your actions, but also they will not welcome you into their fold as you have turned your back on your family,” Snape advised Draco later that evening, over dinner.

“You know about the toys. Am I correct?” At Draco’s sharp nod, he continued, “To have one is not a problem; most of the Death Eaters have at least one. To be a toy is the problem. It is a proclamation of weakness. It is this role that you will have to accept and play out convincingly. We will have to convince everybody that you have become my toy, submissive to me, and are satisfied to remain so. You will have to convince yourself that this relationship is what you desire.”

“I had thought about something like this,” said Draco, nervously. “I did not know how to present this idea to you. I was afraid you would… You know… Be offended, o-or worse…”

“I understand,” said Snape gently, noticing that the young man could look everywhere but at him. “Professor Dumbledore agrees that this may offer the most protection, while doing the least harm.”

“I won’t be very popular around here, will I?” Draco asked, finally meeting his mentors gaze.

“With most of the students, no.” Snape knew that Draco had yet to grasp the full implications of the situation. “The staff will be advised of our decision. Albus has assured me of the tolerance and protection of the other professors. Understand that none will know the truth. They will be allowed to believe that we are preparing for marriage. One based on love, with no ulterior motives.” This last sentence came out as an unintended whisper, Snape’s voice had failed him at the look of fear Draco cast him.

“But they will know, your not… Are you… Are you gay, sir?” Draco asked, eyes darting back to his plate. ‘Oh Gods! What am I getting myself into? What if he really wants to fuck me?’

Snape held out a silencing hand, “The decision is yours to make. If you choose to go through with this you will most likely be sparred a death sentence. If you choose to defy you father but not to take me as your husband, you will be marked for death. The Order will do all they can to protect you, but it may not be enough. You need to be very clear on this. The marriage will be real and binding. Once Lucius suspects this… Change… He will seek proof. Legally, he will look for the appropriate paper work to be filed; He will seek out witnesses to… Certain aspects, of our relationship. He undoubtedly will scan your thoughts for evidence of your intentions. As your father, he will already be keyed in to your emotional currents. In fact, do not be surprised to receive a visit from him within the next week, to check on your welfare.”

At Draco’s petrified appearance, Snape felt the need to state the obvious, “Your emotions have been anything but stable since the beginning of the summer term. Even some muggle parents can sense distress in their children over great distances. The situation with your father is not over, it is only starting. The chess board has been set, now it’s time to play. This relationship of ours is simply the opening gambit.”

‘Oh great Merlin! Not only is he going to fuck me, I have to want it, want him, as my mate? And someone else is going to have to see it! Oh Shite! Can I trust you not to - to take it, me, like a savage? Will you leave me with any dignity at all? But if not you, then… No don’t even think about the alternative!’

Draco stared at his plate for a long, loudly silent moment, then stood and walked around to where Snape set. He slowly knelt beside Snape and looked up to meet the concerned black eyes of his mentor.

“I have always loved you, as a father, and truly as a friend. I will do whatever you ask of me in exchange for not having to go back to Lucius, for not having to become a Death Eater, and for not having to marry Pansy; Even if that means having sex with you. I understand that this relationship may not be what you want… er… satisfying… in… er… some of the ways it should be. However, I came to you a week ago expecting you to kill me, and instead you have offered me life. If I never get to enjoy another girl, it really is a small price.”

“All sexual relations are a compromise. We have time to make the ground rules for our, relationship. No, I am not gay. I have had the pleasure of numerous women, as well as a few men. It is you that I am concerned about. But as I’ve said, we have time for the specifics.” Snape reached out and took Draco’s hand, bringing it up to his lips so that he could kiss Draco’s palm. “I will accept your loyalties for now.”

Draco responded in kind, kissing Snape’s palm, and in a shaky whisper said “You have my loyalties forever.”