Esclavitud *Now Complete*

Chapter 21

The Snake Charmer
by Moon of the Sea
Beta by Aine Rowan


Harry opened his eyes and looked at his Severus. His Severus!!! The man he loved was in his arms. The man he loved belonged to him. The man he loved; loved him back. He hugged Severus as not to show the tears that were threatening to spill. His mind was having so much difficulty understanding that he had someone in his life. Someone that knew him and had seen him screw up royally; yet still loved him.

“I can’t believe Ron made you wear that bow, and naked at that,”

“The nakedness is being Mimi’s idea,” said the elf with pride. “Mimi is doing good, yes, Harry Potter Sir?”

Harry looked at her with a broad smile. “You did very well, Mimi, thanks.” Mimi satisfied with her complement decided to give the couple some privacy and popped out of the room.

Harry turned to look at his beloved Severus. “You do know you don’t have to do everything she tells you to do?”

“She has yet to steer me wrong, Master,” said Severus still looking at the place where Mimi had stood.

“I have to agree with you on that one,” he said steering Severus’ face towards him and kissing him tenderly.

When the kiss ended the two men were standing in the middle of the room and it fell to Severus to take the lead. “Master, you must feel tired, it is late,” said Severus enjoying the way the word “master” felt rolling of his lips.

Harry took in his lover’s scent with an intake of air and then said, “Do you really think I can sleep now that I have you here. I’d best firecall Ron and thank him before we go upstairs and don’t come down ‘til next year.”

Severus chuckled, which brought sun into Harry’s heart.

“Master, may I remind you that we are expected at the orphanage at noon. And regarding the matter of fire calling Master Ron; he is not home. He was called to the Burrow. This is why I am here earlier than my former master had planned.”

“What do you mean? It is one thirty in the morning, why would he have to go there so early?”

Severus looked down trying not to meet Harry’s eyes. Their moment had lasted way too little. He wanted to kiss more, to hug more, to smile more. But alas it was not to be, so taking a deep breath he answered the question that still hung between them.

“It seems there is a family emergency and Master Ronald was called.”

“Family emergency! What kind of family emergency?”

Severus again braced himself for the response his answer would get.

“Something to do with Master Charlie; it seems that he was not working as he claimed.”

“How do you know he wasn’t working?” asked Harry baffled at the information.

“Mistress Rasha’s father is Master Charlie’s boss, so when Master George took Mistress Rasha to her parents the whole deception was revealed.”

“Oh, so Arthur must have flown off the handle,” assessed Harry.

“Actually, Master, it is Rasha’s family who has sworn to hunt him down and bring harm to him,” stated Severus, not being able to enjoy the situation because he knew that like Molly, Harry would be saddened over the whole ordeal.

Harry took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. “I guess we’d best go and see if we can help,” said Harry in resignation.

“Master, I do not know how I may be of service in this situation,” rebutted Severus.

“Severus, do you know anyone else who can speak Romanian? And we best take the elves; they can be of use if we need to rescue someone from captivity,” said Harry not really wanting to mention that someone’s name. “Kreacher! Mimi!” he called. Soon the two pops were heard and the elves stood before them.

“Why is Harry Potter Sir not being upstairs with his Severus?” asked Mimi with her tiny hands at her side.

“Mimi is telling Kreacher that Harry Potter Sir is getting a clue. Kreacher is not seeing this,” said Kreacher with a sideway glance at his coworker.

“Look, I would love to be upstairs with Severus, but it seems we are needed at the Burrow,” said Harry hoping that the elves would not inquire any further.

“Harry Potter Sir is not worrying; Mimi and Kreacher is going to the Burrow and helping. You is staying here with your Severus in the bedroom,” demanded the little she elf.

“Mimi, I assure you, I would love nothing better, but Rasha’s family is very upset with Charlie…”

“No, no,no…” said Kreacher moving his head from side to side, “Master is not getting a clue at all. Kreacher is going to sleep. Kreacher is thinking he is best not serving Harry Potter for a while. Maybe Kreacher is not serving until the New Year…”

“Kreacher, Mimi! The Weasleys need our help. Rasha’s family will stop at nothing to get to Charlie.” Then he approach the elves and bent down on one knee, “Kreacher, Mimi, I love Severus and nothing is ever going to change that. Charlie is my past; Severus is my present, my future. But I cannot forget everything the Weasleys have done for me. And the fact remains that they are the closest thing I have ever know to a family. Please trust me,” he concluded and waited to hear the verdict.

Kreacher narrowed his eyes and twisted his mouth; he was not convinced. Mimi on the other hand looked to Severus for guidance. Severus looked at her with a feeble smile and then nodded his head in the affirmative. She let out an audible puff of air and said, “Very well, Harry Potter Sir, Mimi is helping you,” and then looking to Kreacher she continued, “and Kreacher is helping Harry Potter Sir, also.”

Kreacher looked at her with a menacing glare. He had not given her the right to include him, but be it his old age, or the fact that he finally had someone of his own kind in his life; he found he could not deny her anything.


***


Harry had tried to gain access through the floo but it seemed no one was available to grant him that access. So even though he knew it to be very impolite, he had the elves pop him and Severus into the Burrow. As soon as they recovered from the unpleasant travel, they were able to assess the situation at the Burrow. In one corner of the sitting room the Weasleys had formed a circle with wands drawn in a defensive mode around Charlie. In the middle of this circle was Mrs. Weasley guarding Charlie with opened arms. She was the second line of defense and Harry had a nagging suspicion that she was all the protection her son needed.

Right across from them, was a line of four men. Harry could only guess they were Rasha’s father and her three brothers. Behind them, Rasha and what looked to be her mother were embracing, shaking with fear. The oldest man turned around with his wand drawn and faced Harry. Mimi and Kreacher stepped in front of Harry in a defensive gesture. The man took one look at Harry and recognition dawned on his face.

“So will the famous Harry Potter come to the defense of a man that has shown no honor or respect for his wife,” asked the man with a thick accent.

Harry felt his face redden in shame. No, he was not here to defend the man that he once loved, he was here to help. This was Harry’s reasoning, but how to make the man before him see this.

“I am here because you have your wands out in the home of a family that I love and respect. Surely there is a way to fix this without violence,”

Mr. Weasley saw this as a cue to intervene.

“Mr. Cantemir, please, you are a father and a husband. I can see that you are a man willing to risk it all to come to the defense of one of your children. As you can well see, we are alike in this aspect.”

“So do you believe that because this … poor excuse for a man…” Arthur’s face went red with shame while Mr. Cantemir continued, “… has a family. I should forget and forgive his transgressions against my daughter?” asked the man holding his wand a bit higher.

“No, Mr. Cantemir, I would never ask something I would not be able to do myself. If it were my Ginny…” he said glancing over his shoulder to his only daughter, “… I would not be willing to forget or forgive.”

Rasha’s dad took a deep breath and squared his shoulders with resolve.

“I am not asking leniency for my son, but for my Molly. You see, Mr. Cantemir, the war already deprived us of a son and I was forced to see it take a toll on my beloved Molly, without being able to do one damn thing to ease her pain. I can see that, as I, you have been blessed with a partner also. Can I be as bold as to ask, from one man in love to another, spare my Molly the pain of losing another son.”

Mr. Cantemir turned to look at his wife, who in turn gave him a shy smile. They spoke in the silent language that lovers who have been together for a long time acquire. When Mr. Cantemir turned to Arthur again he had an answer.

“Mr. Weasley, will your son and family be willing to give a wizard’s oath that you will never approach my Rasha again? This way I can take my daughter and grandchild and live in peace away from here.”

But no sooner had the words left his mouth the Weasleys were in an uproar.

“No!

“Why?”

“The baby is a Weasley!”

“Dad! No!”

Came the protests from each of his other children. Mr. Weasley had but to raise a hand to get his children to quiet down.

“Mr. Cantemir, please understand that the child that Rasha carries is a Weasley. Charlie has been dishonorable. I have obviously failed as a dad…”

“Dad!” cried Charlie from within his mother’s arms.

“Bill, son, will you please make sure your brother is silenced,” he said without looking at either one of his sons.

With a flick of Bill’s wand, Charlie’s voiced was robbed from him.

“As I was saying, Mr. Cantemir, I will confess to having failed with my second child, but as Rasha will testify, the rest of my children, my wife, and I have treated her with love and respect.”

He looked to Severus with a silent plea that the enslaved man understood. He approached Rasha from behind and whispered the translation close to her ear. Rasha looked at her father and in her native tongue spoke, “His family was nothing but gracious to me, papa. They went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and when they saw that this was an impossible task they arranged for my voyage back to you and mama.”

Again, the man had to take a deep breath and square his shoulders. He was a man laden with decisions; decisions that would affect the lives of many of those present.

“What do you suggest, Mr. Weasley?”

“Our law states that we are not our brother’s keeper. We shall not be accountable for the wrong that one member of this family has committed.”

Charlie tried to speak out in his defense, but found he had no voice to do so. When he looked to his mother he could see that his father’s shame had affected her. She no longer held her hands out in a protective gesture. Now her hands were at her side, and her eyes looked into a point beyond everyone’s face, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity.

“Charles Weasley will take the wizard’s oath and he will also be banished from this family until he has obtained your daughter’s forgiveness.”

“Wait Dad, he has wronged more than just Rasha, and you know Charlie, he will have Rasha eating out of his hands in no time,” said Ron opening his mouth for the first time.

Arthur Weasley considered his youngest son’s words.

“Yes, Ron, you are correct, do you have a better idea?”

“I say he will not be able to come here until he has obtained the forgiveness of everyone present. I don’t know about Rasha’s brothers, but I for one will not forget the shame that he has brought my parents.”

Rasha and her mother looked to Severus for information. They could tell that much was being said and they had no idea what was going on. Severus whispered his translation close to the women’s ears. Rasha’s eyes grew as Severus spoke.

“Papa, Charlie will die without his family. This place, this Burrow, means the world to him. Let’s leave, Papa, I will give you my word that Charles will never have my ear again.” She pleaded not wanting to see the man she loved suffer such a fate. Harry looked at Rasha and knew without the aid of translation that she was pleading Charlie’s case. For the first time in his life, he could see how pathetic he was when trapped in Charlie’s web. He looked at Severus and silently thanked life for placing him in Severus’ path.

“Mr. Weasley, I do not want any part of this. I think Severus, my elves and I should be excluded from this oath,” said Harry looking at Ron for support.

Ron understood why Harry wanted to be excluded.

“Dad, let’s keep it between Rasha’s family and ours,” suggested the youngest son.

Arthur shook his head in agreement; then turned to look at his second son who was still hiding behind his mother. Molly looked at Arthur and stepped sideways giving her husband full view of their son and at the same time granting permission to do what had to be done. Charlie mouthed a silent plea, ‘Dad!’ but Arthur was a man of his word and looking his son straight in the eyes said, “Do you Charles Weasley give your wizard’s oath that you will not go near your wife until you have received full pardon from both families here present?”

Charlie looked at his father with grieve stricken face and mouth, ‘NO!’

“Then we will put away our wands and allow your wife’s family to have their justice,” said Arthur with resolve.

To the surprise of all present, Molly turned to her son and said, “Yes, you will take this oath and yes, you will restore the honor you have stripped from this family. You will think of nothing other than how to get your wife and child back; on how to give your child the solid family that your father and I gave you. Because by everything that is sacred, if you do not get your family back I will renounce you as my child; and that is MY oath,” ended the witch with her head up high and her body straight as a plank of ivory wood.

Charlie could not move. He could not blink. He could not believe what he was hearing. This was not his mom. His mom loved him and would never… but it was his mother. He was losing it all; all that really mattered to him. How did this happen? He was Charlie. The dragon charmer, as his friends and family referred to him. When had he lost his charm? What did Rasha say to her father? She seemed very upset. Had he really lost her love? NO! That could not be, she adored him of that he was sure; or was he? His mother had adored him and now she was turning her back on him. His mother! For the first time in his life Charlie was second guessing himself. Had he lost it all?

He looked at his father and nodded his consent to the oath.

His father turned to see Mr. Cantemir who nodded his satisfaction. Then Arthur looked at Harry.

“Harry, my boy, May I ask a favor of you,” he said a bit timidly.

“Sure, Mr. Weasley, anything,” responded Harry a little fearful of the request.

“May you ask one of your elves to transport Charles far away from here…”

“And from Romania,” added Mr. Cantemir.

Charlie had lost his job.

No sooner had the words left Mr. Weasley’s mouth, Kreacher was bouncing up and down with his hand way up high ‘a la Hermione during class’ but Severus bent down on one knee and put his hand down.

“Kreacher, I do not believe that you are the best elf for this job,” said Severus with a raised eyebrow.

“Severus, I is giving you nutrient water. I is giving you good food and is letting you go to the garden for as long as Severus is wishing; why is Severus not letting Kreacher do this?” he said with pressed lips.

Severus looked up at Harry who smiled in a knowing fashion. They both knew that it would not be prudent to send Kreacher. Harry bent down on one of his knees and held on to Mimi’s shoulders. Looking into the little elf’s eyes he said, “Mimi, do you think you can take Charlie far away from here, but to a secure location?” asked Harry in one breath.
The little she elf looked over to Severus and when he nodded his consent she agreed and bouncing over to Charlie she popped out with her charge.

The silence hung like dead weight over the remaining inhabitants of the burrow. It was Rasha who broke the silence by walking over to Severus, who stood at once to face the young bride.

“Will you please translate to Mama Weasley?” she asked a bit timidly.

Severus simply nodded and following Rasha walked over to Molly. Molly looked at them with a bewildered look as if not really knowing where they had come from. One minute her son was gone and the next these two people were standing expectantly in front of her.

“Mama Weasley, will you teach me how to knit for my child as you knit for your children?” Severus translated.

Molly’s eyes filled with tears; tears that she wiped before they had a chance to fall. Then she looked at her children with a smug look on her face. A look that clearly stated ‘you see, people do appreciate my knitting’ to which her family responded by rolling their eyes.

“Rasha! You are feeding a monster that we have tried to squelch for years,” said George in what would look to the untrained eye as a stern admonishment.

The family all ducked their heads, hiding smiles that were inappropriate at the moment, but never the less shone as rays of hope for the future.


A/N

Thanks again for all your wonderful reviews. I love reading each and every one of them. And as always if you do not have time to review please rate my story. It only takes a click.

Moon of the Sea
Luna del Mar