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Chapter 22 Best Laid Plans













“Sirius, mate…you’ve got to stop.” George rubbed his eyes, if the man didn’t stop circling the couch he was going to lose it.



“Ridiculous!” Black yelled suddenly. “We shouldn’t just be sitting here!” He slammed his fist into a flawless red wall. “We need to be out looking for him! Marius could be doing Merlin knows what and…”



“Harry’s a right tough bloke. He’s raising hell, just like you taught him.” George stood and paced to the window. “Still I think you may be right. We should be doing more than warming this bastards furniture.” He tapped his knuckles against the glass. “We could…theoretically of course, since it is a direct order from Dumbledore to stay here, but theoretically we could use an intruder charm on this property right? It would shoot off if someone entered the loft?” He smirked without turning around.



“My boy it is a wonder you were born a Weasley. I do admire the way you think.” Sirius halted his angered walking for the first time in hours.



“Simply an observation…don’t know if you’d be interested. We would be…breaking the rules.” The words alone sent shivers up both of their spines.



“I am a professor. I do need to exhibit some regard for authority.” Sirius feigned deep contemplation.



George stared blankly at the other man before speaking. “So I’ll do the spell then?”



“Damn right you will.” Black smiled broadly. “Let’s get the hell out of here. I might have a plan.”



*** *** *** ***



“I want to find Harry as much as the next guy…” Fred shuffled his feet. “But this is positively dull.”



“I share your thoughts.” Lupin scratched his head.



“Well then how about a little fly-by-night-completely-impulsive-misbehavior?” George made a popping sound as he appeared in the center of the room. Neither Fred nor Remus jumped.



“That is my very favorite kind.” Fred agreed.



“Isn’t it the only kind?” Lupin stood to meet his mate as he apperated in next to George. “What do you have in mind?”



“We stop waiting. We stop being subtle…” Sirius seemed to have prepared a long speech.



“…We break into Azkaban.” George smiled proudly.



“Righteous.” Fred high-fived his brother.



“Sirius…you cant be…”



“Serious?” The dark haired man quipped. “I am. On both accounts. We find Malfoy senior, a little blackmail, possibly pain, he gives up Marius or Draco. Either way we get to Harry.”



The werewolf thought for a moment. “That is by far the stupidest plan you have ever assaulted my ears with…and possibly the best…are you boys up to it?” He looked to the twins.



They locked eyes with each other and snickered before Fred replied. “I always knew we’d be repeat offenders.”





*** *** ***



Severus had spent the better part of the afternoon longing for his mate. He had yet to find a reprieve from the immense guilt that seemed to be rotting his insides. He had failed Harry once again.



“I might have something worked out!” Hermione yelled to the man who sat less than a meter from her.



“Do you? I wont be able to hear it now, you brainless twit.” Snape slammed his book closed.



“Fine. When we don’t find Harry we’ll just tell everyone it was because you were busy punning.” Her face was disapproving.



“You’re like one of those dreadful gnats that buzzes around your head. You can’t ever manage to kill it so it continues to be an extreme annoyance.” Severus rolled his eyes and edged closer to his student.



“This gnat just might reunite you with your bonded. If you’d rather be condescending and compulsively bitter, I’ll just save him myself.” Hermione’s hands were placed defiantly on her hips.



“What do you have?” He ended the dispute.



Granger laid out her notes. “The dark mark. Voldemort magically brands it to all of his followers so that he can communicate with them right?” Snape nodded. “Alright, now if you can manage it think of the mark as a telephone line. It’s all connected. You can communicate between all of the marks. So we just need to figure out how to trail the signal. Which, I’ve figured out. There’s this spell, it’s used to read someone’s aura. But you already have to have a connection with them, usually right in front of them. I believe if I tweak it correctly I’ll be able to send the spell through a dark mark, thus giving us our connection. It will give us a read on Marius’s aura. In case you don’t know our aura’s leave unique impressions on our environment. Once I have that it should be possible for me to give you a location.” She finished with a deep breath. “So what do you think?”



Severus stared at the young woman in amazement. It all sounded plausible. “I…am thoroughly surprised that you are not, after all, hopelessly useless.” That was all he was going to give her.



Hermione smiled sincerely at the hidden compliment. “Thank you. Now Harry said that your dark mark was gone. Cheers by the way, can you find me one?”



“Miss. Granger I cannot simply find you a Deatheater.”



“Yes you can. It was you’re ‘posse’ was it not? And if I’m not mistaken you are a potions master. Oh for heavens sakes I’ve done my work…don’t be dimwitted. Figure something out on your end.” She huffed.



“I don’t need to be a potions master to surmise how to get a death eater.” Thoughts crashed into Snape’s mind. “How might you feel about breaking several muggle and wizarding laws.”



Granger seemed uneasy at the suggestion. “What are you implying?”



“We take one. What else?” He degraded.



“Just take one? Snatch someone up? Kidnapping?”



“Would you enjoy rewording it several more times or will you do it?” He snapped.



“Ok…I’m going to be a common criminal. I can do that. I’m going to be….oh Christ…I’m going to be just like you.” She pouted. “Very well. Let’s go.”



*** *** ***



“What are you smiling at?” Ron worried as the headmaster chuckled.



“Nothing my boy. Everyone is doing exactly as I planned.”



“Which is?”



“Not obeying my orders.” He giggled and patted the boy on the back. “Come on son we have duties of our own to attend to.”



“And those are?” He gulped and shifted in the spot above Malfoy manner that they had not left.



“We need to collect Tonks and Atheena. If I’m not mistaken Tonks has already informed some of her closer contacts at the Ministry…they were of course, unable to help, and Atheena is just angry enough to be back at her previous magical level. We’re going to make sure that Voldemort doesn’t uncover Harry’s whereabouts.” Albus stood and began to whistle.



“Voldemort?” Queasiness overcame him.



Dumbledore grasped the man’s hand as Fawkes cawed in the distance. “We’re not going to come up against him just…what do the muggles say…run interference.”



*** *** ***



Harry had obsessively examined everything about the room he was in. When he had finally conceded that there was no possible way for him to escape he had put his fist through the wall. He was currently curled up in the chair that was placed facing the fireplace. Marius had been gone for hours. The sun would soon set and he would be forced to spend another night with Marius Snape.



“I’m sorry that I was kept so long Harry. I’ve brought you some supper.” The object of Harry’s fear glided through the bedroom door. “I trust we’ve come to an understanding concerning meals. You will eat what I provide.”



“Sure but those eggs did a wonder for my complexion.” Harry turned his chair to face his soon to be brother in law. “What did you bring?” He faked interest.



“My talents don’t lie in the culinary arts I’m afraid.” He ran the tip of his tongue over his lips as his gaze raked over Harry. “I picked up some sandwiches from a pub in town.” Marius threw the bag on the table. “I’m going to take a shower. Eat.” His hand slid down Harry’s back. Potter’s body locked into stillness. He ate a sandwich quickly, all the while his mind raced. What was going to happen? Whatever it was he felt as if he wouldn’t be able to avoid it. He quivered when the bathroom door creaked open. The man exited wearing black sick pants and no shirt. He walked to Harry and kneeled down to his level. “How was your meal?” He hands rested on Harry’s hips.



“Fine.” His brain screamed for help. “A little dry.”



“I’ll have to remember to kill the bar matron.” The words came easily for the youngest Snape. Harry’s eyes went wide. “Harry I’m kidding. I wont kill the matron.”



Harry stopped breathing as he was pulled to his feet. Newly-washed arms wrapped him in a possessive hug. Marius rubbed his cheek against the Gryffindors face. “It wasn’t the matron the prepared it…I’m going to kill the cook.” His hands ran the length of the younger man’s back.



“Can I shower?” Harry jumped back quickly. He attempted to read the other man’s expression to no avail.



“I’m not with out reason Harry, of course. You have five minutes.” Marius nodded, seating himself on the bed.



Harry rushed away, not wanting to be in the same room as the other man. He needed to compose himself. He stood with his back against the bathroom door, breathing heavily. He stripped and entered the shower within seconds. The water was too hot. Harry allowed it to redden his skin. He had to find strength. He would not lower himself to begging and crying in front of this man. Potter drew in a series of deep breaths and tried to visualize all of the things that Severus would have done to maintain his cover as a death eater. Harry had to be as strong as his bonded. “Strong.” He vowed, climbing out of the shower. He dried off and found night pants exactly where they had been before.



Harry stepped out of the bathroom, a new confidence filled out his previously cowering frame. “Join me.” Marius ordered, hurling back the blankets on the bed. Harry did as he was told. He lay down with a forced sense of comfort.





“So what do you want from me?” He stared at the other man.



“You’re not so daft that you haven’t figured that out.” Marius’s hand swept through his prisoner’s hair.



“That’s all this was about? You just want to fuck me? Draco not enough?” Harry was reaching and he knew it.



“I want to consume you, if we’re speaking candidly. I find you a fascinating specimen. I want to know all of you. I want to here you breathlessly beg me for mercy. You have to admit having Harry Potter bend to your will has to be quite the rush.” Marius had moved himself closer to Harry.



“Do you really imagine that I’ll be doing that? Bending to your will?”



Marius’s laugh exacerbated Harry’s perception of his predicament. “What makes you think you have a choice? Honestly Harry, Sev usually goes for brains over brawn. I had assumed you to be both. You’ll do as I wish simply because there is nothing else for you to do. It’s not all gloom and doom for you either. I promise the most…satisfying of experiences.”



His words ignited disgust far within Harry. “I can also make a promise Marius…you could never satisfy me. Now, find me your brother and…” The hand assaulted Harry’s face with the sound of a whip. Marius’s eyes scorched into Harry’s as his fingers gripped the younger mans throat. Harry clawed at his assailant frantically. He felt as his windpipe was grinding painfully against his spine. He couldn’t breath.



“My brother has nothing on me!” The crazed man snarled. He stopped abruptly and sat upright. He had moved himself so that his knees rested on either side of Harry, who lay frozen on his back. “What was it you said Potter? About not bending to me will? You should see the look on your face…” He cackled. “I could bend you any way I wanted right now.” Marius pinned Harry’s wrists above his head with one strong fist. “I can do anything that I want.” His hips rolled with every syllable.



“Then do it.” Harry choked. “He wont be coming to clean up your mess this time. He’ll be coming to kill you and I can guarantee you that he will not use Avada Kadarva. You want to hurt me? Humiliate me? Give it your best go. Your bother will pay you back Marius… you have my word.” Harry’s eyes burned with defiance.



“Tsk Tsk Harry. Sevi would have to find us first and he wont be doing that until I’m ready and by then…you’ll already be mine.” Marius roughly pulled off their clothes. He muttered words that Harry could not make out and the young man found his hands magically forced in place above his head. His wrists burned from the bonds as he was flipped on to his stomach. “We should go over the basics don’t you think? No telling what my most treasured brother has forgotten to mention.” Harry felt as if he was going to vomit. The taste of it bubbled in his mouth, mixed with the overpowering metallic twang of adrenaline. This was it. He tightened his eyes. He would not shed tears. He wouldn’t allow it. “You really are quite the prize…remarkable really.” Marius ran his hands over the exposed flesh, he concentrated on the area between the boy’s shoulder blades.. “You really are flawless…not a mark anywhere.” Marius seemed to be attempting to understand the concept. He took a few moments to allow him self the pleasure of slithering over Harry’s bare body. “It won’t do.” He shook his head. “I’m going to give you a piece of myself Harry…a memento of sorts. Something that you’ll carry with you always…a permanent reminder of our times together.”



Harry’s mind raced. What was he talking about? He kept his eyes closed. He could feel the tip of a wand travel down his spine, like pins and needles.



Marius ginned to himself as he traced over the mark on his arm. “Are you ready pet? You may want to hang on to something. I believe that this just might hurt.” When the wand was reconnected with skin Harry released at deafening howl. The searing pain seemed to boil outward from spot the wand touched. “Proprius Admonitio.” Marius spoke, pleasure slid into the undertones of his voice. He watched mesmerized as his dark mark replicated itself down a twelve-inch section of Harry’s vertebrae.



Harry groaned loudly as he clenched his teeth. This is what it would feel like to have razors sweep acid over his skin. He could feel angry creatures devour his muscle just below the surface of his back. He wanted to scream. He allowed his head to thrash against the bed. “Fuck Merlin!” He hissed against his feeble attempts.



“Oh this is just beautiful.” Marius chirped. “It’s marvelous…an exact replica.” He thrust his forearm into Harry’s view. It was only then that Potter realized what was going on.



“No!” He growled. “No!” He pictured the snake and skull tattoo burning into his flesh, marring his body. “Anything else…” He breathed as the pain began to slink from his body.



“It’s done pet. Perhaps it will remind you to mind that filthy little mouth of yours while you’re here and I’m sure Severus will relish it when he has you bent over his desk.” Harry felt a light slap on his exposed bottom. “I think that’s enough for tonight. Go to sleep.” The lights went off as Marius rolled onto his side of the bed. Blankets where thrown over Harry, his wrist remained above his head. He twisted to himself onto his side and pulled his knees to his chest. He was humiliated.



“Sweet dreams luv.” Harry found that he had to re-swallow his dinner. He had the dark mark. An image he had loathed for all of his school years had now embedded itself in his skin. He silently let a single tear fall to his pillow.















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