A Twisted Web We Weave

A/N *Slams face into keyboard of computer* \'Doh! Damn and Blast.\' Please note in the chaos I call life I have managed to post the old edit of the last chapter, instead of the revised one. Thus I left out one key item of buisness which makes the next chapter all that more meaningful. Please note for sanity\'s sake I\'ve only changed the important part of the last chapter, so before you read this part read the last TWO PARAGRAPHS of the last chapter. *Slaps forehead and pretends to drool like moron.* Sorry guys this is a completely uncharacteristic mistake of mine and I appologise profusely, I really do hate it when other people do this so I know how fruistrating it is to have to re-read something.....*Gets down on knees and begs for forgiveness*

Hopefully this will make up for my oversight.

CHAPTER 23

Harry stood silently beside Julius his gaze firmly set on the floor as he listened to the gathered group of wizards converse around the table while they ate. Dressed in simple black satin trousers, Harry felt oddly exposed. There was no mistaking the ogling, salacious stares he’d received when he’d walked into the dinning room with Hamish and Paris. Julius however had stated his claim on him very clearly when Harry had taken up his position beside the bounty hunter. With a firm hand Julius had drawn Harry to him, crushing his mouth to his until the boy felt he might pass out with lack of air. Harry was sure he heard a mutter and a growl from somewhere around the table at his masters display of dominance but the boy wasn’t prepared to look up to find the culprit.

What Harry had noticed however was the two death eaters sitting at the far end of the table, opposite Julius. The white masks hid the wizard’s identity but the gloved hands of the death eater on the right seemed unnervingly twitchy. The death eater on the left hadn’t shifted an inch and sat rigid in his chair. Whoever it was behind the mask on the left they were obviously here by the lord’s bidding and wished for anonymity, having not said two words together for the entire meal. The one of the right had whispered something to his colleague a few times but never anything aloud. Harry could feel their twin stares though, the piercing eyes flashing behind the darkness of the mask.

Harry continued to stand as still as possible as he watched Julius devour all four courses of the meal the kitchen boys had served. Julius laughed and joked like there was nothing odd about being surrounded by half naked boys. With desert finished Julius rose from the table and after patting his mouth clean with the napkin gestured towards the twin doors leading from the dinning room, into the more comfortable study.

“Gentlemen, if you’ll join me in the study we’ll begin proceedings.” Julius led the way through into the study, Harry following him a step behind. Paris had told Harry about this part of the evening when they’d dressed up in the common room. Houseboys weren’t permitted in the study and thus it was left to Julius’ select few favorites to attend the guests, with port, brandy and cigars. It sounded simple enough to Harry. The boy took the opportunity of the movement to get a good look at the fourteen men that followed them into the study.

Aside from the two death eaters, there were several other bounty hunters. Harry knew them instantly, their leather coats, shinny boots, and guns a clear indicator of their profession. To Harry’s disgust their were three from the ministry as well, their badges of office tucked inconspicuously under their lapels but there all the same. The rest Harry assumed were some gentlemen, well to do wizards that wore traditional expensive robes and jangled with lavish jewelry. As the crowd settled Harry again took his place beside Julius who stretched out in a well-padded armchair closest to the fire.

“Bring me a brandy and a light.” Julius held up his cigar, to Harry as he offered the wooden cigar box to the general group, all of whom helped themselves. Harry nodded and obediently crossed the room to the decanter on the far wall, where he poured Julius a crystal glass of the amber liquid and collected a cigarette lighter from the silver tray. Julius held the cigar to his lips as he allowed Harry to light it for him before taking the glass of brandy from the boy’s hand and settling back in his chair with a satisfied smirk. Harry noticed that all around the room, the collared boys were tending their own chosen masters of the evening in the same way he’d just aided Julius. “As you can see I like them submissive yet simultaneously responsive to me. To have them submissive ensures their loyalty, but their responsiveness is a valued aspect between the sheets, am I right gentlemen?” Julius reached over and gave Harry’s arse a firm slap making the boy blush a little as the group of men laughed in agreement. As the laughter died down Julius continued. “You know why you are all here so we might as well cut to the chase. As loathed as I am to part with my jewel here I believe there are some who desire him far more than I do and I quite confess I’ve had my fill of the boy.” Harry’s heart froze in his chest as he felt the entire attention in the room turn to him, Julius included. The wizard leered up at Harry before pushing the boy into the center of the group tearing the silken pants from him mid stumble. Harry fell to the floor at the force of the push feeling the heat rise in his face as his exposed form met the gazes of the men around him.

Harry’s body, still bruised, cut and injured from the night before was now exposed for the world to see and the boy dipped his head lower closing his eyes tightly in fear as he heard mutters coming from the group around him. When he dared open his eyes again however he opened them onto a pair of boots, where he’d fallen in front of one of the men. Judging from the robes it was one of the death eaters, yet as Harry stared at the boots he realized he’d seen them before. Black boots, scuffed and stained with potions, worn on the sole in a right slant due to the wearers old back injury, and with silver buckles slightly splattered with blood and tarnished but silver all the same.

Severus.

Harry’s heart ached in his chest as he stared at the boots fighting the urge to look up at the masked face, knowing it would likely give everything away. The hope Harry had held onto was here inches from his face, so close he could almost touch… Harry gripped the rug beneath him forcing himself to fight the unnatural pull towards the man in front of him. Like the day in the infirmary the pull was strong, a need for the man’s touch making his body shiver with anticipation, much like the need for Julius touch accept far less abhorrent. To those watching the boys shivers and labored breathing made him look like he was cowering none of them wiser to his internal plight. Harry was so busy fighting the urge to crawl up onto the wizard’s lap and curl up that he hardly noticed as a gloved hand came down to rest on his cheek gently. The touch was like water to a wild fire and soothed Harry instantly, the shakes ending leaving his body weak. Trying not to nuzzle into the touch Harry was loathed as he heard Julius speak up again from behind him.

“If you’re concerned about the injuries they’re quite superficial, no harm has come to the boy while under my care.” The gloved hand moved hastily away from the Harry’s cheek before one of the boots he’d previously been staring at kicked him firmly backward away from the wizard. Harry knew what was happening and obediently allowed himself to be kicked back into the center of the circle, keeping his eyes to himself even as he felt the sting of laughter from the other men. “Pretty isn’t he? For the world’s savior he’s quite a stunning specimen, its such a shame not all of our hero’s are quite so good looking.” Another joke from Julius and another round of laughter from the men. Harry winced a little as he felt Julius haul him up onto his feet. Harry braved a glance up from the floor to see Paris and Hamish standing either side of the two death eaters, refilling the wizard’s brand glasses when asked. “Anyway, the auction must go on and now that you’ve seen your package in all its glory, I ask you now to write down your starting offers and hand them to your attendants.”

Harry listened to the scratch of quills on parchment before the rustle of movement as the parchment was collected. Beside him Harry could just see Julius receiving the papers, the man’s wicked beady eyes practically glowing with delight as he read each offer.

With the distraction of Severus it had hardly registered in Harry’s mind that it was he who was now being auctioned off like a common vase. Glancing around the group quickly Harry became rapidly aware that he didn’t want to be going home with any of the men sitting around the room other than Severus who he now knew was hiding behind the death eater mask on the left.

“Good, I see you’re all serious. The highest bid lies with my good friend Maximus here on my right at $15,000 galleons. You may make another offer now if you so desire.” Harry glanced over his shoulder at the man sitting beside Julius. He was another bounty hunter, accept he was fat and the beard he sported was straggly and filled with filth. His yellowed teeth as he leered at Harry made the boy heave. Thankfully Harry heard the familiar scratching of quill on parchment before the next round of bids was placed. Harry noticed quickly that Severus’ unidentified masked companion was the only one writing on their parchment, obviously bidding for them both on behalf of someone else. Harry had a sinking feeling that he knew who it was that wanted him.

“Wonderful, the bid now sits with my dark friends over here at $25,000 galleons. It is such a disappointment that the dark lord could not attend this auction personally but I am glad he still seems enthusiastic in acquiring the boy.” Julius smiled at the two death eaters and Harry barely contained his inward shiver as he felt Julius run his hand down his back and over his backside. “Gentlemen you may bid again.”

For an hour the auction continued the price rising every time. Julius hand never left Harry’s arse even pulling the boy possessively against him as the auction continued. Now however most of the bidders had begun to pull out, the asking price exceeding their limits. Harry was almost relived that the death eaters were one of the two bidders still remaining. The other bidder was unfortunately the fat bounty hunter still sitting on Julius’ left.

“At $525,000 galleons with my dark friends over here. Maximus do you have another counter offer?” They had now long dispensed with the pieces of parchment and instead Julius simply asked for the offers between the men. With relief Harry watched as the bounty hunter shook his head, almost angry at not having won Harry. “Then we are all finished and this auction is done. I thank-you all for your time, the house boys will escort you out.” Curtly Julius strode over to the fireplace and with a pull of a large rope the doors back into the dinning room opened and the wizards began to leave. Finally the room had emptied of guests and only the two death eaters, Harry, Julius and the other collared boys remained.

“Hamish, Paris you will stay the rest leave us.” Harry kept his eyes lowered to the ground as the boys filed obediently out of the room leaving only Hamish and Paris behind as the doors to the study were closed again. “Gentlemen, I had little doubt our dark lord would come through but I’m sure you understand why I had to have this little gathering. Port?” Julius indicated to the decanter of port that Hamish was holding, both men nodded in acceptance. “Now seeing as though we’re in a comfortable environment why don’t you relax and take off your masks.” Harry swallowed nervously as he heard the ruffling of material and was not in the least surprised to see a familiar blonde haired man appear from the white mask and black hood. “Ah Lucius Malfoy, I would have known your voice anywhere, how have you been? I admit I was quite surprised to hear you had joined forces with Narcissa.” Harry watched from beneath his eyelashes as Lucius glared at Julius before curtly sipping his port. Judging from the man’s outward expression he wasn’t in the least impressed or on friendly terms with Julius and Harry wondered why. Julius seemed the type of person Lucius Malfoy would gladly know.

“I’ve been better than you Julius. Disgraced, incompetent and reduced to this to earn a living, what ever would your father have said?” Harry couldn’t help but raise an interested eyebrow as he listened to Lucius biting comment, having never been witness to the blonde’s evil tongue without being on the receiving end of it. Behind him Harry heard Julius growl low in his throat, the boy left to imagine the glare that was his silent reply.

“My father would have known better than to question me Lucius.” Julius growled again and Harry heard the faint chink of glass upon glass as Hamish poured his master another round of port. There was a heavy silence before Julius continued obviously decided quickly that he didn’t like where this conversation was headed. “Your friend here Lucius seems reluctant to reveal himself, perhaps you can persuade him to remove his mask?” Harry glanced across at where Severus was still hidden behind the mask, watching as he turned to Lucius who merely glanced at him and shrugged his shoulders casually.

“You should know by now Julius, that to ask a servant of the dark lord to reveal his identity is impossible. If there is one thing we value most, as a death eater it is our right to keep our identity to ourselves.” Lucius paused his blue eyes glittering dangerously. “But perhaps that was a lesson you failed to learn in your short time among our ranks, just as you failed to learn your place.” Harry could feel the tension rising wondering silently what the hell was going on.

“My place was as his equal, we could have done great things together Tom and I.” Julius bit nastily before Harry ducked a little as a port glass came flying past him to explode in a shower of glass against the bookcase.

“There is no one else who is the equal of the dark lord Julius, even your brother knew that. Severus understood his place and was rewarded for it; you threw away everything because you were blind to the truth. Was it difficult seeing your little brother finally succeed where you were so miserably failing?” Harry felt an extremely push and was slammed sideways into the bookcase, where the shattered remains of the port glass dug into his skin, as he fell to the ground. Julius had sprung up from his chair and now was staring down at Lucius with a look of pure evil.

“My brother was weak Lucius and now I have put him in his place, just like my father used to. Only I finished the job this time, I did what my mother would never have let my father do. I killed him; I’ve torn his weak, unambitious, powerless arse from our family so that we may never be associated with his embarrassment again.” Harry winced a little as he got to his knees cowering a little as he watched Julius begin pacing the room, his arms gesticulating wildly about as he practically screamed at Lucius. “And if you are in doubt of my equal to the dark lord Lucius, is not this Harry Potter? As you can see I have succeeded where the dark lord has continually failed for the past six years, perhaps it is to me you should be bowing….” Julius never finished his sentence as Lucius stood up abruptly wand out in front of him. However before the curse could leave the blonde man’s lips the doors to the study flung open and a bloodied, wretch of man flew in through the doors to land with a screech of pain on the floor. Stunned Harry watched as a figure swept into the room, the man who’d been thrown onto the floor quickly backing away from the impressive figure now standing in the open doorway.

“Julius!” Harry froze. He knew that voice, that high pitched screech and that malicious laughter. He’d heard that voice the night Sirius had fallen through the veil. It was the voice that haunted his nightmares and left him seething in rage.

“Bellatrix Lestrange?” Julius was clearly shocked at seeing the woman standing in the doorway to his study. “What…?” Harry was torn between the man now cowering next to him, a silver collar like his own bloodied around his neck, and the display happening above him.

“He’s not dead.” The woman snapped angrily, her fury clearly written across her face. Harry glanced instinctively across at where Severus was still sitting in the chair seemingly unmoved by the display. Harry noted however that the man had moved his hand inside his cloak where undoubtedly it was fingering his wand.

“What?!” Julius barked in disbelief. Instinctively Harry knew who they were talking about, and wondered what exactly had happened to make them believe Severus was dead in the first place. “It couldn’t have failed there was nothing he could have done to know what it was…”

“Well it did fail. Hogwarts may lie in ruins but I saw him with my own eyes this evening at the gathering. He is alive and you have failed me!” Lestrange was screaming now as she pointed her wand at Julius her eyes brimming with fire as she threatened the man. Julius seemed to falter for a moment and then the man’s stunned facial expression changed and he spun around to face Severus who was still masked and sitting in the chair.

“Well, well, well, you are quite the magician aren’t you Severus. Our father always said you were like a cockroach, you simply wouldn’t die. I had thought it was a joke but I see now you’re harder to kill than I expected.” Harry watched fearfully as Severus stood up, slowly dragging the mask and hood from his face to reveal himself. With his usual grace Severus raised his wand aiming it squarely at his brothers chest just as Julius was now doing to Severus.

“Indeed, I have talent for surviving in the worst of situations, I learnt that from our mother.” Severus’ eyes flickered across to where Harry was cowering against the bookcase directly between Severus and Julius. Julius caught the shift and laughed evilly.

“Ah, I see you still have a weakness for a Potter, Severus but it’s too late. Just like his father I’ve now had him too, broken him, so that he’s just as submissive as James used to be. He’ll come to me, he knows he has to. He’s learnt not to fight the pull.” The situation it seemed had come to a stalemate. While the two brothers stood off against one another Lucius and Lestrange were eyeing one another dangerously. Hamish it seemed was cowering with the bloodied man on the rug both of whom had scuttled behind the chair. Paris was huddled up in the window seat a blanket pulled up around him. Harry felt two gazes fall on him. Julius and Severus were staring at him intently.

“Harry, come here.” Julius held out his hand towards Harry, his green eyes flickering with undisguised satisfaction, as if he’d already won. Harry felt the pull intensely as he stood up. The stomach churning, pull towards the man was undeniably strong but there was another force in the room, one that made him feel alive, strong and not at all ill. Harry was torn between them. He knew he needed the touch, craved it like a drug but he couldn’t decide which he needed the most. Then he heard his voice. The silken, deep rumble he’d practically grown up with.

“Potter.” Severus stared at Harry as the boy turned his gaze onto his potions master. For the longest moment Harry stared into the man’s eyes, feeling the swell of strength within his body as the potion played with his senses. The decision it seemed was made up for him, the strength coming from Severus was immense and far less nauseating than the energy from Julius. Harry found himself walking towards his professor before he even realized he was doing so. By the time Harry reached Severus side he was heaving as if he’d run a marathon but the instant the man’s gloved fingertips ran over his cheek he relaxed and sighed with relief. “Well done.” Severus whispered to him as he pushed the boy around behind him in safety before turning his attention back on his stunned brother. With a sneer of satisfaction Severus watched as his brother’s wand shook a little, his rage at losing Harry, increasing. “Your wrong this time brother. Harry will come to me because he shares something with me, his father never did. Trust.” Harry leant against Severus’ back as he watched Lucius and Lestrange glance at him. Harry instinctively knew what was coming and braced himself as Lucius and Lestrange lunged for him simultaneously. Their own selfish desires to bring their master his prize and win his praise over shadowing the brother’s tiff.

Chaos broke out in the room, with Julius using the distraction of Lucius and Lestrange to send a curse Severus way. Severus dodged out of the way, leaving Lucius free to grab Harry who was now trying uselessly to struggle in the man’s arms. There was very little Severus could do as he watched Lucius drag Harry out of the room, all the while trying to stave off Bellatrix who was practically livid that she hadn’t got to the boy first. Harry’s screams echoed down the hall but Severus was having a tough time of his own fighting his brother. Harry again would just have to wait to be rescued while Severus dealt with his brother.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>