A Twisted Web We Weave

CHAPTER 20

Fluffing his pillow a little Harry settled back on the blanket beside the hot spring. Despite it being freezing weather, here by the bubbling pool in the greenhouse it was warm and the soft aromatic smell of the water vapor helped him relax.

A week he’d been in this place, yet it seemed like a lifetime. Not a day had gone by when at some stage he had kept the company of Julius. If he wasn’t being the obedient submissive partner of his captor he was quietly keeping company with Hamish and Paris who were dutifully looking after him. Today was Sunday and just like yesterday Hamish and Paris had brought him down to the hot spring with the other wizards. The water looked warm and inviting, yet after last night Harry didn’t want to risk any further pain to himself or more mortifying exposing the series of whip marks Julius had left on his back.

Without really having been asked Paris had brought a pillow with him for Harry to sit on, having seen first hand the state Harry had returned to the common lounge in the previous evening. Nothing was ever said about what happened though, the words spoken through sympathetic gesture rather than verbally between one another. Rule Number 5; never discuss what goes on behind the closed doors of Julius’ bedroom.

Harry had quite given up fighting the potion running through his blood. It was far easier to succumb to the pull to his master than fight it and make himself weak. Paris had been right. To have Julius touch bestowed upon him was a gift he should thank Merlin he was granted. Harry did not wish to think about how awful it would be to go without the man’s touch for more than a day, despite how cruel those hands were. Only yesterday morning one of the muggles from the kitchens had ended his own life, the strain of the potion on his body and Julius cruel selectiveness sending the young man beyond pain. Paris had ushered Harry away from the fuss, pointing out to him as he did often that Julius was paying him a compliment by not letting him suffer. His hope after last night’s brutality was beginning to dwindle too. Seeing the young men around him resigned to their fate as sex slave made him want to vomit. Harry had pictured many times in his dreams what his future would be like, most of the images involving his heroic end at Voldemort’s bidding but never in a million years would he have pictured this. Harry wasn’t even sure anyone was looking for him either, which made his situation all that more desperate.

“You shouldn’t scowl so Harry, you’ll get wrinkles.” Harry shook himself from his distant thoughts as he watched a naked Paris rise gracefully up out of the spring and walk casually over to where he sat on his soft cushion.

“Wrinkles are the least of my worries.” Harry whispered softly as Paris leaned over him to grab his towel, dripping warm water droplets onto Harry’s clean clothes. Unlike the other wizards and muggles in Julius’ house Harry was permitted to wear clothing. Julius had given him a large wardrobe of suitable outfits insisting the boy wear a different one each day. Harry had seen the almost jealous looks on the other boy’s faces, their own simple cheesecloth pants far inferior to the velvet cloaks, and silk robes Harry was wearing. “Is it warm?” Harry gestured to the pool watching almost in longing as the wizards played a sedate game of tag in the water.

“Yes, are you sure you don’t…” Paris nodded his head towards the waters but Harry shook his head in silence. Harry watched as Paris dried himself thoroughly the boy’s slender frame perfectly sculptured. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him, the tanned toned chest rippling as the boy bent over to pull on his cheesecloth trousers. Harry had been almost relieved yesterday when he’d seen the boys all stripping off naked that he was not alone in having his private’s adorned with jewelry. While his was the only ring with a diamond the other boys sported various kinds of studs, rings and most scarily chains that connected various bits and pieces. In the grand scheme of things Harry had gotten off quite lightly in that area. What had come as a shock though was how inadequate Harry felt standing beside them. Harry had never really bothered much about his physical appearance and hadn’t ever bothered to look at his friends in the shower and compare himself to them but in this situation he couldn’t help himself as he continued to search for the reason behind why he was here. There wasn’t a cock among the small select group of wizards that wasn’t at least 8 inches, making Harry’s sorry 6 look positively shameful. Not that it mattered, Julius it seemed didn’t care how big it was as long as it’s owner was doing what he was told. “Oh before I forget rumor in the common room is that Julius is having guests tonight for dinner. It might just be hearsay but the kitchen hands have been up all night polishing silver so the possibility of it being true is high.” Paris flopped down onto the blanket beside Harry flicking a stray strand of his hair back behind his ear from where it had fallen free of its clasp.

“What does that mean?” Harry whispered wondering what unpleasant task awaited him this evening. It was awful having to sit beside Julius every meal and be fed like a child but it would be completely humiliating to be forced to do that in front of strangers.

“Not a lot, you’ll probably be spared an evening of Julius company his time most likely taken up with his guests but be prepared to stay with him all evening but not as his center of attention.” Harry smiled almost in relief at Paris explanation having wished all week for an evening he could spend tucked in his own bed without worry of being molested.

“I haven’t seen him today.” Harry whispered having learned to keep his voice shallow and soft. He had a feeling if he appeared more forceful than he was that he’d become a target for attention from the other wizards, who as it was weren’t all that friendly with him.

“No, gone into town no doubt probably for business, he’ll be back by lunch time if you’re worried.” Harry’s head shot up instantly and he shook his head vigorously.

“No, just curious.” Harry muttered as he felt Paris reach out and touch the raw patch on Harry’s neck where the clasp of the collar was chafing him. Harry flinched at the touch but Paris didn’t more instead running his finger gently over the irritated skin.

“We’ll have to cover and powder that to stop infection setting in.” Harry nodded as Paris drew his hand away and lay back on the blanket to stare up at the sky beyond the greenhouse roof. Harry stared at the content face of the boy lying beside him, watching as the boy’s brown eyes flickered in thought. Over the course of the week Harry had got to know Paris very well. The boy had grown up in Ireland in a rich wizarding family. He was older than Harry by two years and had had three brothers before he was taken. He’d been a gift to his uncle, a bounty hunter. His uncle had tired off him quickly though and had exchanged him into Julius care for a small red haired boy with freckles. Paris had said compared to his uncle, Julius was a saint, Harry didn’t want to believe there were worse people than Julius out there. “So tell me about Hogwart’s Harry.” Paris whispered as he turned over onto his side, propping his head up on his hand as he waited for Harry’s explanation. Paris had never had a formal education his knowledge of magic coming from Julius extensive library rather than a teacher.

“It’s wonderful, you learn heaps of things from professors. I was taking, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions, Care of Magical Creatures and Divination. You can play Quidditch too, I was the seeker on my house team.” Harry smiled distantly as he remembered the things he enjoyed about being at Hogwart’s.

“Sounds great, did you have friends?” Paris inquired thoroughly enthralled by a life he could only dream of .

“Loads, Hermione, Ron, Seamus, Dean and Neville, oh and Draco. I got into trouble heaps though, Snape especially liked giving me detentions.” Harry chuckled quietly as he couldn’t count the times he’d spent in his potion professors company.

“Snape as in Julius Snape?” Paris asked somewhat perplexed. Harry shook his head, only now realizing he hadn’t ever mentioned Julius brother.

“Oh no, Severus Snape. He’s Julius younger brother, and is Potions master at Hogwart’s.” Harry watched as Paris nodded still a little confused.

”I’ve never heard or seen a Severus Snape here, I wasn’t aware Julius had a brother.” Harry chuckled bitterly and rolled his eyes.

“Yeah I didn’t know Severus had a brother either until he showed up at the start of term to take Defense. I don’t think they like one another, Severus was the wizard Julius was trying to kill.” Paris’ face lit up with realization before nodding in quiet reflection.

“That wouldn’t surprise me bounty hunters would kill their own kin if they’re paid enough.” Paris flicked another strand of hair from his face as Hamish joined them on the blanket in silence, obviously having had enough of the water. Rather than drying himself off though the boy stretched out on his back on the blanket, putting his arms behind his head and closing his eyes. Harry stared at Hamish’s body, his gaze automatically falling onto the boy’s crotch where the flaccid penis sat comfortably in a nest of dark curls. “Did you have a boyfriend at Hogwart’s?” Harry didn’t realize he’d been staring at Hamish until Paris spoke again, drawing him hastily from his stare. Harry flushed a little pink as he realized Paris had caught him gazing at the boy lying beside him.

“Um, no, I’m not queer.” Harry whispered the phrase sounding more and more like a lie on his tongue every time he said it.

“A girlfriend then?” Paris commented the boy’s brown eyes flickering in amusement clearly not believing a word Harry had just said but persisting all the same.

“Not really, I didn’t really have time. I spent most of my free time trying to stay alive and beat Voldemort.” Harry blushed a little and lowered his head to his chest as Hamish reached down and adjusted himself before turning over into a ray of sunshine that had broken free of the rain clouds above them. Paris nodded understandingly and dropped the subject noting Harry’s awkwardness.

In the sunshine the trio relaxed on the blanket in silence Paris occasionally commenting on things to Harry as they struck him. When the sunshine died and the clouds rolled in again the temperature in the greenhouse dropped and the small group of wizards began getting dressed ready to leave. Harry stood up stiffly from his cushion glad that Paris had thought to bring it with him. Helping Hamish fold away the blanket Harry then followed his two friends from the greenhouse back into the main manor. No doubt Julius would have arrived home after his outing.

As they passed through the main hall on their way up to their rooms, Harry didn’t miss the array of cloaks now hanging on hooks by the front entrance and the sound of laughter and smell of smoke that was coming from the study. Harry paused to see if he could recognize any of the voices but Paris hurried him along.

“Don’t linger it looks suspicious.” With a knowing glance at Harry, Paris herded him upstairs to their common room, to await their summons for the afternoon.

TBC>>>>>>>>>