The Death of a Soul

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapter Twenty Three

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Harry rubbed his eyes with the pads of his fingers then raised his arms of over his head, stretching them along with the rest of his body. He sighed deeply knowing he had a peaceful sleep. One that he hadn’t since… Harry quickly sat up and looked to his left. The mattress still held a dent and in the distance he could hear running water coming from the bathroom. His shoulders sagged and glanced over to the bedside table. A small, empty phial was sitting there. Harry nodded his head, remembering last night. He had needed a pain potion and was given a mild sedative along with it.

Hearing the water turn off, Harry quickly laid back down, turned over, and hugged his pillow tight. A slight creak of a door and the sounds of soft footsteps told him his husband was rapidly approaching. The bed dipped.

“Harry? Are you awake?” Severus whispered, brushing the boy’s fringe aside.

Harry fluttered his eyes open and stared at him.

“How do you feel? Did you sleep well?”

He barely nodded.

“Good. Now I was thinking,” Severus began as he stroked Harry’s back, pulling the duvet and sheet down with him. Harry’s muscles tensed. “What is it? Is something wrong?” Harry’s eyes narrowed slightly. Severus let out a small, frustrated sigh. “I told you last night, Harry that I was sorry. I shouldn’t have indulged so heavily in alcohol yesterday.”

Harry’s eyes hardened. “You said nothing would change.”

“What? Oh for… Harry stop. Stop this right now. We’ve gone over this countless times.” Harry continued to glare at him. “I have never stopped you from doing anything you wanted to. Go to Hogsmeade. Buy a new broom – a new wardrobe, I don’t care. If you want to spend the entire weekend with Ron and Hermione, then by all means do it. I told you, I don’t care as long as you’re happy.”

Harry abruptly sat up. “You didn’t act like that last night,” he said bitterly.

Snape clenched his jaw. “I am only going to say this one more time. I. Am. Sorry. I didn’t mean to lose my temper.” He paused. “But you did initiate it.”

“What?” he cried.

Severus took a deep breath. “I tire of constantly having to explain myself to you. We are married. It’s a simple as that. The only thing I have ever asked of you is a small amount of time for our…intimate moments. It that so hard for you to understand?” he said, with a bit of annoyance in his voice.

“No,” Harry growled. “I understand. Morning, noon and night. Even if I don’t want to.”

Snape swung his leg over Harry and straddled him, pushing him back and causing the young man to gasp. The older wizard placed his hands astride of Harry’s head and leaned down.

“Is that too much of an inconvenience for you, Harry?” he hissed in a low voice. “Is it really a burden for you? Do I need to ask your permission now before I can even touch my own husband?” His eyes darted back and forth into the wide green eyes, now in shock. “I have done everything in my power to make sure that you enjoy it and apart from last night, I was under the impression that I was doing just that.”

Harry’s mouth parted and his brows pinched together. Severus sat up and folded his arms over his chest.

“Well?” Snape asked raising an eyebrow. Harry couldn’t speak. “If you deny me again, my dear husband, you will receive the same treatment as you did last night.” Snape paused again then bent over. “Am I making myself clear?”

Harry’s eyes and mouth opened wider and nodded numbly.

Severus smiled in satisfaction. “Excellent decision. Now,” he said looking over at the clock. “I believe we still have time to seal our agreement.”

He softly smiled then lowered himself further down and whispered in Harry’s ear. “You really don’t have anything to worry about, Harry. You know what I like. I like it when you’re in control.” Snape licked his earlobe. “I love it when you cry, Harry. When the orgasm is so intense that it reduces you to tears.” Harry inhaled sharply. “Just try not to forget about me within your throes of passion…again.”

Harry closed his eyes and swallowed hard. He had to remind himself once again that this was the price he had to pay. Only now, he had to enjoy it and worse than that – he had to make sure his husband did, as well.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


“Malfoy?” Ron repeated for the third time.

Hermione threw her napkin on her half-eaten breakfast and looked away. “I’m not talking to you, Ronald Weasley, until you get over your childish prejudice and listen to me,” she said through clenched teeth.

Ron looked down at his own plate and sighed. “Sorry, Hermione. It’s just…it’s Malfoy you’re talking about.” The young witch whipped back around and flashed him a hateful glare. He looked away and bit his lower lip. “All right,” he whispered. “I’ll listen.”

Hermione took several deep breaths, calming her anger. “He knows something, Ron. I know it. He won't say what it is, but I know he knows something that we don’t.”

“Are you suggesting that we talk to him?” Ron said grimacing.

Hermione thought for a minute. “No,” she began slowly and Ron let out a sigh of relief. “I’m not for certain, but I think I know what it might be about.”

“Well, let’s hear it.”

The young witch leaned over the table as far as she could. “I’ve been thinking all week about what he said.” Ron made a face, but nodded. “Right afterwards, Snape asked me to keep him away from Harry. Do you remember?”

The redhead shrugged. “Yeah, so? Maybe he knows that slimy git is just out to make trouble for Harry.”

“Ron,” she warned.

Ron slumped over. “Sorry.”

“What if Snape doesn’t want Harry – or us – to find out.”

“Find out what?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out, Ronald,” she said, narrowing her eyes at him and he blushed. Hermione scoffed then continued. “I think the trial was a lie.”

“I could’ve told you that,” Ron snorted.

“No, that’s not what I meant. I think the Ministry lied to us. Lied to everyone.”

“Isn't that the same thing?”

Hermione shook her head. “No. It’s just…Have you seen the way Snape looks at Harry?”

Ron shrugged.

“Don’t you see? Malfoy was talking about Snape. He’s the one Malfoy was referring to.”

“So what if he was? It was Snape's Life-Debt after all. That’s what he wanted, but the Ministry said…”

“That’s what I’m talking about, Ron! What if…” Hermione glanced over and saw Harry walking into the Great Hall. “Damn.” And she quickly sat back down and straightened her clothes.

“Now what’ll we do?” Ron whispered.

The young witch sighed. “I’m going to ask him.”

“Malfoy?” the redhead cried softly.

“Harry, Ron. Harry!” she spat. “Merlin, you're so thick sometimes.”

“Oh,” he said sheepishly. “Hiya, Harry.”


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Draco Malfoy turned the corner and came face-to-face with Severus Potter. The man had his arms crossed and looked down at the young wizard through slitted eyes. The blond smirked.

“Professor,” he acknowledged.

“Stay away from him,” he ordered.

Malfoy didn’t miss a beat. He raised an eyebrow. “Jealous, Professor?”

Snape pursed his lips together and his nostrils flared. “You are as arrogant as your father, Mr Malfoy.”

“Thank you, sir,” he said tipping his head.

“I’m warning you, boy.”

Malfoy lifted both brows. “Are you threatening me, Professor?” he asked, amused.

“I will not have you fill his head with lies,” he sneered.

“And you’d know all about lies, wouldn’t you,” the blond snorted.

“Take care in what you say to me, Mr Malfoy,” Snape hissed.

Malfoy scoffed at that, taking a step towards the Potions master. “Tell me, Professor, is it fun playing with someone?”

Severus then took a step forward. “You're a fine one to talk, Mr Malfoy. You and your entire family.”

Draco ignored the insult. “I mean the power you must feel to convert someone who is so unwilling,” he said snidely.

“Do you honestly think I care what you and your kind think of me?” the older wizard snapped.

“My kind?” he quickly responded. Snape narrowed his eyes and curled his lips to an evil grin. Malfoy paused to regain his bearings. “But to answer your question: No, I don’t. But I do think you care about what everyone else would think if they were to find out that…”

“When are you getting your Dark Mark, Mr Malfoy?” Severus interrupted. “I’m sure your father will be so proud of you when your time comes.”

The blond clenched his teeth. “At least I won't serve Him in the same way as you once did,” he snarled.

Draco held his chin high as Snape advanced and grabbed his robe. “Why you…”

“Severus?”

Snape released his hold and turned to face Professor Dumbledore.

“Albus.”

Dumbledore glanced back and forth between the two men. Malfoy’s eyes remained defiantly locked on the Potions master.

“Is everything all right, Mr Malfoy?”

Not looking away, he replied, “Yes, Professor Dumbledore. Professor Potter and I were having a little discussion. Weren’t we, Professor?”

Snape turned to the blond. “And I believe our discussion is over, is it not, Mr Malfoy?”

Draco smirked. “Quite.” He passed Albus. “Good day, sir,” he said nodding his head at him.

“Good day, Mr Malfoy.”

The two older wizards watched as the blond calmly strolled down the corridor, and rounded a corner.

“Severus, you will tell me now ... Just what you thought you were doing,” he said firmly.

Snape's expression relaxed. “I apologise, Albus. But the boy was threatening to go to Voldemort about Harry. I’m afraid I lost my temper.”

Dumbledore peered skeptically over his moon-shaped glasses. Severus remained undaunted. The two had a silent stare down before Albus conceded.

“Very well. I came to talk to you about Harry.”

Snape inwardly flinched. “Sir?”

“I’m curious as to what he plans to do once he passes his N.E.W.T.s.”

Severus quietly sighed. “Yes, of course. Shall we talk in my office?” he offered, motioning the way.

Dumbledore nodded and walked passed him. Snape smirked the whole way there.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


The three friends walked to Hogsmeade in silence. They would each smile at one another every now and then, but nothing more. Finally arriving, Hermione temporary forgot about confronting Harry when she spotted Flourish & Blotts bookstore.

“I’ll be right back!” she squealed.

“I think I’ll join you, Hermione,” Harry said quietly.

“What?” Ron and Hermione shouted together, looking back at him shocked.

Harry shrugged. “I need some books to help me with my studies.”

The redhead grimaced and the young witch looped her arm in Harry’s.

“Let’s go then,” she said happily. Ron rolled his eyes.

After entering, Harry excused himself and began wandering around the store while Hermione went straight to the encyclopedia section. Ron, however, stayed by the main entrance, ready to make a mad dash when it was time to leave. Hermione found what she was looking for then stopped when she spotted Harry. She was about to say something, but the intense concentration on Harry’s face worried her. She stepped back, wondering what book had captured Harry’s attention. He wasn’t in the normal schoolbook section.

Hermione began to panic when it was obvious that Harry was turning to leave and she quickly darted out of sight. She watched him carefully as he approached the counter and handed the cashier money. The older wizard disappeared for a moment then came out with a large book. Just like the one Harry was looking at. The clerk tapped the book, shrinking it before he handed it to Harry, who tucked it safely in his pocket. Hermione ran over to another section and waited till Harry had passed her.

“I’m ready if you are, Ron.”

Ron nodded. “Please. This place gives me a headache. Hermione?” he called out.

The young witch stepped out of an aisle and smiled. “Oh, go on ahead. I have one other book to find.”

Ron rolled his eyes at Harry and nudged him. “Come on, Harry. She’ll be in here all day.”

Hermione scowled at him as the two wizards began to leave.

“We’ll be at the Three Broomsticks,” Harry said.

Hermione nodded and waited a few minutes before walking over to the place where Harry found the book. It was still lying in the open and she took a deep breath before reading the title. “The Witch and Wizard’s Guide in Forced Marriages”. She softly gasped. She closed her eyes briefly then tapped on the cover.

“Last page.”

It was a simple spell one would use to locate the last page you were reading. The pages turned quickly then abruptly stopped. Hermione let out a small sob as she read the spell. She shut the book with a thud, holding back her tears.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Hermione leaned against the brick wall of the Three Broomsticks. She was talking to herself, trying to calm down enough to enter. Finally convinced, she put on a fake smile and walked through the door. She saw Harry and Ron in a far corner. She took a deep breath.

“Well, that didn’t take long,” Ron said, surprised.

The young woman half-shrugged. “Couldn’t find it,” she muttered.

Both Harry and Ron opened their mouths and theirs brows scrunched together.

“What?” she asked, annoyed.

The two could only shake their heads in disbelief. Minutes soon went by and like the trip down to Hogsmeade, all three sat there drinking their butterbeer in silence. Harry finally looked up from his mug and unconsciously squeezed his pocket.

“Excuse me, guys,” Harry said, standing.

His two friends nodded. Hermione waited until she was sure he was out of range and then covered her face.

“Hermione? What's wrong?”

She peered through her fingers. “Oh, Ron. I saw what book Harry bought,” she whispered. He nodded for her to continue. “It’s called, ‘The Witch and Wizard’s Guide in Forced Marriages’. And I saw… I saw… oh God, Ron.”

“Hermione, what is it?”

She wiped her tears away and chewed on her lower lip. “We need to do something, Ron. We have to.”

“Hermione. Tell me what you saw,” he insisted.

The young witch looked away. “It was a spell. It was a spell and a potion.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “It’s for a wizard who wants to stop…to prevent …an orgasm from happening when he ejaculates,” she quickly said, and covered her face again.

“What?” Ron cried out.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


When Harry rejoined his friends, he noticed both of them were extremely quiet and extremely upset.

“Ron? Hermione? Are you two all...”

“Harry, I need to ask you something,” Hermione blurted out.

He looked her questioningly then glanced at Ron who was looking down. “All right,” he said slowly.

Hermione looked down at the tabletop for a moment before taking a deep breath.

“Harry, did Snape really offer to change the marriage to a bond?”

The Boy-Who-Lived blinked. His mouth opened several times before screaming, “WHAT?”


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~