Dreams In Time

TITLE: Dreams In Time 23 of ??
AUTHOR: Casey Snape
PAIRING: Snarry
MINOR PAIRINGS: Albus Dumbledore/Minerva McGonagall, Remus Lupin/Sirius Black, Draco Malfoy/??, Ron Weasley/Hermione Granger, Charlie Weasley/Poppy Pomfrey, Percy Weasley/Penelope Clearwater, Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Malfoy, Cornelius Fudge/Gilderoy Lockhart, James Potter/Lily Evans Potter, Peter Pettigrew/Tom Riddle, Peter Pettigrew/???? (1 sided!!!), Charlie Weasley/Neville Longbottom (1 sided??), Neville Longbottom/???
RATING: NC-17
FEEDBACK: caseysnape@yahoo.com
DISCLAIMER: Nope, Not mine, however much I might wish. If they were, they would be having smutty man-sex 24/7. The characters and concepts in the following story do not belong to me. Ms. Rowling and all her assignees, publishers, etc… have that honor. .

WARNINGS: Parts of OTP & all of HBP and DH never happened. OOC. AU. Time Travel / MPreg / Graphic Sex / Rimming / Masturbation / Voyeurism / Mention of BDSM / Mention of Het. Sex / Bonding & Marriage / Dirty talk / Mention of Non-Con /

I apologize for taking so long in writing this. Every time I think I am going to be able to write, something else happens that gets in the way. Thanks to everyone that has stayed with me…. Chapter 23 is over 6700 words long…. And Chapter 24 is not far away!

From Chapter 22: THE EXPOSURE OF THE WICKED…
Molly started crying. “The Master, he did…did these awful things to my baby?” Arthur reached over and delicately took his wife’s hand in his own.

“Yes, and no, Mum. The Master did all of this, but the fiend is not a man. The Master is a woman.” He waited until his mother and father both looked at him before he continued. “The Master is Poppy Pomfrey.”

Chapter 23: THE OBSESSIONS OF THE UNBALANCED

Past – Early Monday Morning:
Severus stumbled slightly as he rounded a corner and came upon a comatose and bleeding Peter Pettigrew. He groaned inwardly even as he realized who the young man was. He was still deep within the dungeons of the castle, much too far from Gryffindor tower or even any usable classrooms. Judging from the results of his scans, Severus felt that they didn’t really have the time to spare to get Peter any where else. Sighing, he knelt down and began casting the necessary sanitising and healing spells to at least stabilise the young man.

After what felt like hours to the apprentice professor, the injured man finally came around. “What,” Severus snapped, then stopped. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He started again, much gentler than before.

“What happened, Mr. Pettigrew? Do you think you can walk, or do I need to levitate you to the infirmary?”

Peter’s eyes grew wide when he realized where he was. He made it. Snape could take care of him, and certainly not tell his friends. After all, Snape did not really have anything to do with the Marauders, and he already knew part of Peter’s secret. And Snape was not likely to confide in Remus, Sirius, or James about anything, let alone this.

Peter rasped out, “No…not the infirmary. Please. They…they’ll tell…” He stammered, “I…I can walk, if you’ll help me s…some.”

Severus sighed. Before Harry, he would not have even considered the action he was about to take. He grinned to himself as he realized that having his Harry was worth all this bother and more. Carefully, he stood up and helped the young man up. He carefully wrapped one arm around the Gryffindor and helped him hobble toward Severus’s rooms.

Once he had Peter lying on the sofa that he had transfigured into a hospital bed, Severus excused himself in order to get the proper potions. He stopped by his bedroom, checking on his husband. A smile kissed his thin lips as his eyes came to rest on Harry. It seems that Harry did not like sleeping alone, and had snuggled up to Severus’s pillow, burrowing his face deeply into the soft down. Severus spared a glance behind him before crossing the room. He hated to wake Harry, but it would be better to go ahead and let him know what was going on than have Harry misconstrue things later. He didn’t know how much time they would have together before Harry had to leave, and he did not want to take the chance of a misunderstanding ruining what time they did have together.

He placed a hand gently on Harry’s shoulder, “Love, wake up – just for a moment.” Harry murmured something and sleepily snuggled deeper into the pillow. Severus tried again, shaking him a little this time. Bleary green eyes greeted him. “Se…rus? What?”

Severus couldn’t resist. He kissed those sleep-warmed lips. Before things could progress too much, he pulled himself back. “Harry,” he began, “I need to explain something, then you can go back to sleep.”

Grudgingly, Harry sat up and looked at his lover. “Ok, I’m up. Let’s hear it.”

Severus pressed another quick kiss to those wonderful lips before he sat back and started a quick explanation. “Harry, one of your…father’s…friends has been injured.” He held up his hand to stall the questions he knew was burning on his husband’s tongue. “I have already performed many of the basic healing spells, and he is no longer in any real danger, but…” He stopped and readied himself for the rest. “It’s Peter. He didn’t want to go to the infirmary, so I have brought him here. He’s downstairs. I have healing potions that should take care of the rest of it, along with a Pepper-Up potion or two. The main problem is that I think he’s been raped. If that is the case, I will need to apply the potion by hand to…certain areas…, and I wanted to tell you before hand so you would not walk in and think the worst…”

Harry nodded dumbly, taking the information in. “He’s going to be okay?” At Severus’s nod in the affirmative, he continued, “But I need to stay up here, don’t I? I mean, everyone will know that you and ‘Alexander’ are together, so that’s not the problem. The things you need to do – they will look much more,” he searched for the word, “intimate than they are, right? So, to keep me from losing my head, I need to stay up here and let you work.”

Severus smiled at his clever partner. “Yes, my love. It will look much like when I prepare you…but rest assured. All I will be doing is applying the proper healing salves to an injury. Due to the nature of the injuries, I will have to get quite…personal…with him.” He paused. Severus took both of Harry’s hands in his own and brought them to his lips. He placed a impassioned kiss to each hand before he continued, “You, Harry, are the only one that I desire, and the only one I will desire.”

Harry smiled delightfully. “Well, then. I suppose you should go tend to your patient. Let me know if there is anything I need to do to help.” Harry presented another kiss to his spouse’s lips before tenderly shoving him from the bed. Severus snorted as he watched Harry curl up (again) with his pillow and breathed deeply. He was almost jealous of the blasted thing. He gathered up his satchel and started back downstairs.

Harry sighed as he snuggled down into Severus’s pillow. He breathed in deeply, taking in the wonderful, unique scent that belonged to his husband. He knew he wouldn’t be able to go to sleep again, but he wasn’t quite ready to get up. He knew Severus was more than capable of handling the treatment and that if he did need Harry’s help, Severus would not hesitate in calling him down to help. He didn’t want to go downstairs, and see his father’s friend hurt – and he certainly didn’t think he could take seeing his Severus applying the remedies, no matter how innocent it was. So, instead, he lay in bed breathing in the remainders of Severus’s wonderful scent and concentrated on trying to remember all that he had forgotten.

Peter was still in the same position as when Severus left him. Severus transfigured an end table into a proper cart and set out all of the potions that he would need. He helped the young Gryffindor turn over onto his stomach, he picked up the first bottle containing a noxious green concoction that belched loudly and emitted large wet puffs of steam every few seconds. Noting Peter’s nervous glance, Severus began detailing exactly what needed to be done, cautiously leaving out the more personal aspects until he could gain a little more of the man’s trust.

After a little more than an hour of gingerly rubbing potions into gaping wounds and ghastly bruises and delicately applying tonics and elixirs to cavernous gashes and lesions , Peter was as healed and healthy as he could be, on the outside, at least. A final scan had told Severus all he needed to know – Peter Pettigrew had indeed been violently raped and needed the special treatment he had told Harry about. As carefully as he could, Severus explained what needed to be done to Peter.

Peter felt so much better. Snape – no, Severus – had been meticulous and extremely sensitive with his mercies. He had carefully rubbed the mixtures in. After the first few seconds on each injury, the motions used had turned from pain to something that was not exactly nice, but as close to it as it could get. Peter sighed in awe. Who knew that the Slytherin that they had tortured so much over the years could be so kind and – could he think? – almost affectionate in his attentions. And now, the same boy – the one that had been victim to so many of their best (cruelest) pranks – was taking the time to make him feel more comfortable and explain the next course of treatment. In all of Peter’s life, he had never had anyone treat him so…so precious. Maybe there was something else behind all of Severus Snape’s tenderness?

Severus finished his explanations and ran another scan on Peter. The damage was severe. It would take quite a bit of work to get enough of the salve to the right areas. He gave Peter a strong calming draught (just in case) and gingerly picked up the salve. He would have preferred to use gloves to do this, but he didn’t want to take a chance of accidently missing a tear due to the desensitizing nature of the gloves.

Severus spread the salve over his index finger as he spread Peter’s cheeks apart. As gently as he could, he ran his finger up and down the crack, taking care to apply the medicinal potion to every injury he could see and feel. He was happy to see that the wounds started to heal almost instantly. He kept an ear tuned to the young man, listening for any changes in breathing that would indicate pain or other problems. He dipped in finger into the salve again and began to circle around the small abused entrance. Peter sighed, and Severus stopped immediately.

“Does that cause pain? Is there any undue discomfort?”

Peter blushed. “No, it’s just – it feels so g…so much better. It’s a relief.”

“Ah. I see. Let me know if I am causing you any distress. I think you will find, however, that the more the area is healed, the better this will feel. Do not be embarrassed by any unintentional reactions that you might have. It is strictly that – an involuntary reaction to the salve and the act of applying the salve. Stop me if you are feeling any pain.”

Peter blushed again, but it was unseen by Severus, who had continued on with his work. He shuddered in distaste as he began to penetrate the other man with his finger. Peter felt the tremble run through the other boy, and the thought that Severus Snape would shiver in desire for him made Peter’s heart flip in anticipation. He toyed with the idea of being with Severus – having all that intensity focused solely upon him. That was one thing that had attracted him to Lord Voldemort. The power and passion was tremendous. Maybe he had been focused on the wrong person all this time. ‘Maybe,’ Peter thought, ‘the feeling that I was looking for was right in front of me all this time.’ He smiled, and decided that if Severus Snape was going to focus his attention on the modest Peter Pettigrew, then Peter was going to enjoy it with all his might.

Severus didn’t want to do this, not with him and not for this purpose, but he supposed that it had to be done, and he could understand why the boy would not want to go to the infirmary. Who would want all of their teachers (and eventually) all their peers knowing this type of information? He pulled his finger out, scooped a liberal amount of the slick potion, and slowly dipped back in. ‘Sweet Merlin,’ he thought, “it feels as though the boy’s been shredded! Only some type of perverted monster would have done something like this on purpose.’

Checking to make sure his charge was in no pain; Severus turned all his concentration to the task quite literally at his hand. He was so ensconced in being thorough that the fact that Peter’s cock had hardened didn’t register. As Severus rubbed copious amounts of the healing paste into the Gryffindor’s damaged prostate, he paid no heed to the shudders being rung from the young man as an intense orgasm was enticed from his battered body. Peter bit his lip in effort to keep quiet during his climax. He knew that a supremely quiet boy like Severus would never appreciate an abundance of noise, no matter what the circumstance.

Shortly thereafter, Severus felt that he had done all he could. He assisted Peter in getting up and aided him in getting dressed. He was vaguely aware that Peter might have found the end somewhat pleasurable, but as he had explained everything beforehand, he felt no embarrassment or need to say anything else on the matter.

Severus was just finishing putting things back in order and cleaning himself up when Peter shyly stepped up to him. “Snape, I mean, Severus.” He thought that their relationship had moved well beyond the level of surnames by now. “Do you think you could help me get back to the tower?”

Severus bit back a sigh. “Yes, of course. Just give me a moment to let my h…roommate know where I’ve gone.” Merlin, keeping silent about the true nature of his relationship with Alexander was going to be harder than he originally thought. That was not the first time that he had almost slipped. Severus grabbed his emergency bag and headed for the stairs.

If Peter wasn’t still so stiff and pleasantly exhausted from Severus’s ministrations, he would have leapt for joy. He knew it. It wasn’t just kindness. Severus Snape did not do kindness. This had to mean that the Slytherin boy felt something for him – something Peter was feeling abundantly in return. He glanced up the stairs, wondering what was taking his new love so long. After a moment’s consideration, he did the Gryffindor thing – he changed into his animagus form and scurried (somewhat slowly) up the stairs to catch a glimpse of his hopefully-new-boyfriend changing or something thereof.

He slowed even more when he heard voices. It was the new boy – Alexander Something-or-another and his wonderful Severus. Alexander was lying on the bed, and Severus was seated on the edge talking to him. There was something off about him, about the way he looked, though. He seemed familiar. The green eyes looked out of place for some reason. He frowned (or at least tried to) when he heard the words coming from the boy’s mouth.

“Love, I know that he was injured and needs help, but do you have to walk him all the way up to the tower? I mean, what if something happens?”

“Harry, you are my husband, and I know you worry, but I assure you – I will be fine escorting Mr. Pettigrew to the tower and returning back to our dungeon. Nothing will happen.”

The rest of the conversation faded away as Peter took in what was said, ‘Husband!’ What was he talking about? How could Severus – his sweet, kind, loving Severus – do such wonderful things to him and be married to someone else? And how could he be married? Alexander had just arrived here a few days ago!’ Fury ran through his tiny body, shaking him from the inside out. Anger gave him new strength and Peter ran down the stairs as fast as his little paws could carry him, changed back to his normal self and waited impatiently for the Potions Apprentice.

Severus kissed Harry on his forehead and silently left the room. He knew his husband was right. Peter had been injured quite badly. There was a chance that someone could see them together, and think that Severus was in some way responsible for those injuries. That would not be good. Still, it was his duty to see that ‘his patient’ made it back to the tower without any further damage. No matter what, it was the right thing to do. They both knew that, and as such, it was the only course of action available. He only hoped that it would not come back to haunt him.

Harry pulled himself out of bed as Severus left the room. He tried, in vain, to keep from worrying. Something about Peter Pettigrew just made him…nauseous. He decided to turn his mind to other things, namely the few glimpses of memory that he had been given so far. He remembered feeling comforted by a sharp black robe, snapping and billowing around impressive legs (that part disturbed him a little, as he didn’t think anyone’s legs could be as wonderful as his mate’s); being angered and more than a little frightened by glowing red eyes and a manic laugh; red hair and the feeling of being part of a family; being reassured by the vague sense of a girl surrounded by books; a small rodent and the sharp impression of betrayal and loss that seemed to follow the rat. Harry laughed cynically. His memories were nothing more than a few images and a lot of emotion.

Harry reluctantly pulled himself out of bed and began to ready himself for the day. Severus had had a very long night, and the least he could do was to get things tidy and ready to make the morning easier for him. That in mind, he made a short list of things to do – the first of which being to procure the special muffins and show his wonderful spouse just how much he was loved and appreciated.

Peter made a decision in the short time he had to wait. He knew now why Alexander was here and how Severus could be married to that hateful boy. It was an arranged marriage. It had to be. He would investigate in the way that only he could – after all, a rat could get into many places unseen and unheard. He would find out all there was to know about his love’s husband, and then he would find a way to get rid him of that …that … awful child! Severus Snape was the first and only person who had ever treated him with love and respect, and he was not going to give him up - ever.

Present – Monday morning:
It was late on Monday morning before Hermione, Ron, and Draco could corner Professor Dumbledore to let them know what was going on. Potions and transfiguration classes had been cancelled for the morning. Many students had theories – everything from Professor McGonagall finally losing it and killing the Potions Master for Gryffindor’s massive points loss to Hogwarts becoming a site for alien abduction – but no one seemed to know the real reason why classes were cancelled. Everyone, even Hermione, was grateful for a few more hours away from studies and tests. As decided earlier, Ron went up to the aged Headmaster and requested a chance to talk to him. When the professor motioned him toward the corridor leading to his office, Ron shook his head. “No, I mean no sir, professor. We would prefer if you could follow me.”

Albus agreed and followed the young man, of course. His curiousity was picqued by the young man’s actions. The youngest son of the Weasley clan had certainly matured in the last two years, in more ways than one. He had grown several more inches, easily topping each of his brothers in height. He had also filled out, so that he resembled Bill and Charlie more than Percy, George and Fred. He had broad shoulders and walked with a confident air that only one that had lived through far too serious situations could have. The wise old man contemplated a certain set of youngsters as he followed his guide. He was not surprised when Ron led him to the Room of Requirement. Albus was indeed curious, and if anything, curiosity was always his weakest attribute. The young man opened the door and waved the professor in.

Albus was startled when he first entered the room, not that anyone watching would have been able to tell. It was a duplicate of his office! Well, with one slight exception – he did not have THAT many lemon drops on his desk in his actual office. His fingers twitched in delight as he thought about sheer amount of his favorite candy that were displayed. He chuckled as he automatically headed toward the large bowl of treats. It was then that he noticed Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy were already seated in two of the chairs across from the desk. Young Mr. Weasley took his place in the chair next to Ms. Granger, and silently reached over to take his girlfriend’s hand.

Hermione waited until the old wizard got settled. “We wanted somewhere comfortable, sir, but also someplace we could talk without being seen together or overheard.”

The old wizard nodded, just the barest of twinkles apparent in his blue eyes, “I suppose this have something to do with our new Minister and our missing Medi-witch?”

All three teens looked slightly startled for just a moment before confirming his conclusion. Albus held up his hand in a plea for calmness after a moment of jumbled voices and frantic words. The teens stopped instantly. Looking at each other, a silent decision was made. Draco sat forward in his chair, folded his hands carefully in his lap, and began his tale.

After Mr. Malfoy finished, Albus took a handful of lemon drops, popping them one-by-one into his mouth as he considered the information brought forth by the brave young man. He had either already known or figured out most of it on his own, especially since the incident with Charlie Weasley earlier today. He finished off the last of the candy in his hand and leaned forward in the desk.

“Mr. Malfoy, that is some risk you took in order to procure the information. I will not ask you to repeat the experience,” he paused for a moment, “but I will not stop you should you choose to continue. I will reassemble the Order. I had hoped that a longer rest would be permitted, but alas; some things are not meant to be. Due to your” he nodded toward Ron and Hermione, “involvement with Mr. Potter in the last crisis, and your,” a nod toward Draco, “involvement in this thus far, I will, of course, invite the three of you to officially join the order. Also, in that vein, I have some information to pass along to you now. Unfortunately, Mr. Weasley, this has to do with your brother Charlie.”

Hermione held Ron’s hand as the aged professor filled them in on Charlie’s medical condition and the rough details of how he came to be in such a bad way. (He felt full disclosure would have to come from Charlie himself.) He noted how the youngest Mr. Weasley paled as he heard the news, and then went reddish-purple with anger as he realized that the once-trusted mediwitch was responsible. And, for once, Albus Dumbledore missed something. He was so intent on Ronald Weasley’s reaction to the news that he missed Draco Malfoy’s reaction. Well, Albus missed it, but Hermione didn’t – and she filed it away in her vast stores of knowledge in case it was ever needed later: upon hearing about Charlie, Draco went as still as unenchanted stone. His fingers clenched the upholstery of the chair and she was sure that she could hear his teeth grinding together. Anger seemed to radiate from him and the need for action and revenge tinged the breath leaving the blonde’s body.

‘Now,’ she thought, ‘is definitely something worth knowing,’ and she went back to comforting her boyfriend.

Present – Monday morning:
Poppy sat in her new chair as Minister of Magic. She was so pleased with herself. What would her horrible, deserting father say now? She chuckled as she thought of how he would take the news, if he wasn’t a completely useless vegetable, that is. He would bow down at her pretty little feet and grovel, all the while proclaiming how that bitch Alice had bewitched him and how he was such a fool for turning his back on Poppy and her squib mother.

Feeling rather content with herself, she allowed her mind to drift back over the years, remembering snippets of her time with her father.

**POPPY’S MEMORIES***
Two year old Poppy sat on the floor of the flat she and her mother lived in. She was waiting for her Daddy to visit. Mummy said it was only a matter of time before Daddy came to live with them, and then he would only have to leave to go to work. Poppy loved her Daddy. Every day, he would come to play with her and talk to her. He spent hours telling her about magic and showing her all the wonderful things that magic could do. He always came. He never missed a day with his little girl.

The door opened, and Daddy walked in. “Princess Poppy!” He called out. Poppy went running to the door as fast as her stubby little legs would carry her. He swept her up in his arms and swung her around. He hugged her close and tickled her belly. He carried her across the room to Mummy.

Daddy kissed her Mummy. It took forever, and Poppy was impatient. She tugged on his hair to get his attention back on her, where it belonged. Mummy laughed, and went to make dinner. Daddy laughed and put Poppy on her blanket on the floor. She scooted to the side as he tumbled down beside her. “Now, Princess, what does Daddy’s little girl want to do today?” Poppy smiled brightly and dragged her doll with her to Daddy’s lap.

*****
*A Year or so later*
Daddy spent the night last night. He and Mummy laughed and played in Mummy’s room late into the night. The funny noises kept Poppy awake, but she didn’t mind. After all, it was proof that Mummy was right. Soon, Daddy would only leave when he had to go to work, and Daddy would be hers all the time!

After work, Daddy came back. He had a bag of stuff. He said that he would have to go and look after grandmother a lot, but he could stay with them a lot too. Poppy was so happy. They would finally be a family just like all the other children in the neighborhood.

*****
Four year old Poppy was very upset.
Daddy had not been home in four days. Mummy said it was because Daddy had to work a lot. A new group of Aurors had started and he was needed to help them out. She missed Daddy. She hoped Daddy came home soon.

Daddy came home, but he didn’t want to play with her or even talk to her. He went straight to his and Mummy’s room. Mummy followed. Poppy could hear all the strange noises coming from the room – yelling and crying, drawers being opened and shut. Then Daddy stormed out of the room, carrying his bag. He barely even paused to give her a quick kiss before he was out the door. Poppy looked at Mummy. Mummy was sitting on the floor of the hallway, crying. Daddy should not have made Mummy cry.

*****
Poppy was excited. Today, she turned five years old. Daddy was sure to come today. Mommy said that work kept Daddy busy, and that was the reason he had not come around for the last couple of months, but since today was her birthday – well, Poppy just knew he would not miss her birthday.

Daddy waited until almost time for her birthday cake to come in. But it wasn’t like it was supposed to be. He only brushed a hand lightly across the top of her head before he started talking to Mummy. Mummy started crying, and Daddy practically pulled her into the other room, leaving Poppy all alone. Mummy and Daddy stayed in the room a long time and their voices got loud. After a while, Daddy stormed out and slammed the door after him. He didn’t even look at her.

Mummy came out and tried to pretend everything was alright, but Poppy could tell that she had been crying. Mummy seemed to cry a lot now that Daddy didn’t live with them anymore. Mummy said that Daddy didn’t love them anymore. Poppy wasn’t happy, but she pretended so that Mummy wouldn’t cry again.
**END OF POPPY’S MEMORIES***

Somewhat startled, Poppy came out of her recollections. She refused to think about how that her wonderful, loving mother had fallen into deep depression – how her father had used work as an excuse for not visiting, how work had led him to other women – eventually to that filthy witch that he had married, how he had stopped supporting them in order to have a better life with his young new wife, making her mother turn to selling herself as a prostitute to Muggles in order to make ends meet, or how that occupation had led to the illness that eventually took her mother’s life because the magical hospitals would not treat a lowly squib with a Muggle disease. All of this was because of that pure-blood whore – Alice and her brat. She smiled bitterly. Soon, everyone would pay for turning their backs on squibs and near-squibs – for turning their backs on her mother, and on her. Yes, they would pay dearly.

Rousing herself, she fire-called Percy Weasley to check on the state of all of her plans. As expected, the young man had taken care of everything. The former Gryffindor was nothing if not efficient. She knew that she had made a wise choice in naming the Weasley odd-ball as her second in command. Seeing that all matters thus far had been more than adequately taken care of, she took out several pieces of parchment and her quill and ink.

She had many plans to make. She smiled as she began her lists. At the top of the first piece was the title Eliminating the Old Fool; the second held the title Extinction of Purebloods and Other Abominations. She was determined to get rid of the old man and his faithful sidekicks; then, and only then, could she eradicate the world of creatures such as vampires, werewolves, veela, and the worst monstrosity of them all: inbred purebloods. The last piece of parchment held only one word for its title, but that was all it needed. She worked silently for several minutes, ticking off various ideas and formulating strategy. She looked over the lists, satisfied that a large number of her plans were already in play. She dropped her quill and let her hand drift between her legs. She slipped a finger into the growing wetness there as she stared unseeingly at the heading on that last document. ‘Weasley’.

Past – Monday morning:
Severus sighed as he entered his rooms. He had seen the awkward Marauder to the Gryffindor dorms without any complications, well, any other complications. Pettigrew had seemed a little…clingy… all the way there, and especially when they neared the guardian portrait. The best part, if Severus could see a best part to the whole situation, was that Peter did finally tell him what had happened and who had abused him so. Tom Riddle, or – as everyone knew him now – Lord Voldemort, was responsible for all of the awful, depraved things that the Gryffindor teen had been through. Severus sighed again. Pettigrew had been through an awful trauma, and had to be feeling vulnerable. He supposed the young man just felt grateful for the help Severus had given him and was trying to show it.

He climbed the stairs slowly. It was time to get ready for the day, and he had yet to finish the night. He entered the bedroom, expecting to see Harry still curled up with his pillow. He came up short – Harry was not there. He listened for a moment, then smiled widely as he realized that Harry was in the shower. Hmmm, a shower was just what Severus needed. Surely Harry would not mind the company? Still grinning, Severus neatly shed his clothing in a most snake-like fashion and entered the bathroom.

The sight that greeted him took his breath away. In that moment, he was never more grateful for magic. Charms made shower doors and curtains obsolete; therefore, Severus was treated to the wonderful sight of Harry, back to him, standing slightly bent over under a deluge of steaming hot water, one leg propped up on the side of the tub as he frigged himself with three fingers. Harry’s head was thrown back, his eyes were tightly screwed together, and he was biting that delectable lower lip and whimpering in need. His other hand was being used to hold himself steady against the shower wall. Harry bent his knees in effort to meet his own thrusts, trying to get his fingers in deeper. Severus bit back a growl. He was so hard that he thought he could come just from watching, but decided not to test that theory just yet.

Quietly, he stepped into the shower behind Harry. He leaned as close as he could without touching the sensual feast before him. “Is this a private party or may I join in on the fun?” Severus purred against Harry’s ear. Harry’s eyes jerked open and he almost lost his balance as he stopped fucking himself and stood upright. “…Rus…,” he moaned as he turned and caught his mate’s lips in a ferocious kiss. His hands roamed his husband’s body, pausing only to pinch a pebbled nipple or fondle tightened balls in the process. Harry broke the kiss for air, “I was preparing myself…,” he gulped air as he began to lick and bite at Severus’s neck, “for our breakfast.”

Severus groaned and swallowed thickly. “I want you in the chair, riding me hard and fast – but if you don’t cease your activities instantaneously, I will have no alternative than to reevaluate my plans.” He exclaimed in loss as Harry quickly separated himself from the young Potions Apprentice. Harry fumbled with the soap and a cloth for a second, then thrust them into Severus’s empty hands. “Wash – fast. I’ll be downstairs waiting.” He spared a hesitant glance at Severus before hastily retreating from the shower and the bathroom before he could change his mind.

Severus took a moment to collect himself – but just a moment – before he quickly accomplished his bath. After all, he had a breakfast to attend to.

Present – Monday around lunchtime:
Percy was not startled when his oldest brother stormed out of the floo in his office. He took control before his brother had a chance to clear the floo-dust from his head. “How’s Charlie? What all did SHE do to him?” Just as he expected, Bill stopped and gazed at him in sheer shock.

“Just what do you mean, ‘How’s Charlie’? You knew about this – you knew he was there. Why didn’t you warn him? Why didn’t you tell us? Why didn’t you help him – protect him? How could you, Percy? How could you?” Bill was livid, also just as Percy expected. He also knew that Bill would not leave Charlie’s side unless he was stable, and with their parents, who now knew everything that Bill knew. “Tell me, Percy – how did you get this way? You were raised by the same parents, right beside us. Now, you’re what? Second in command to a madwoman who almost killed our brother…”

Percy cut him off before he could continue. “Come with me, Bill.” He started toward the floo, glancing back to see that not only was his brother not following him, but Bill had seemed to take a defensive stance, also. His burly brother was not going to do this the easy way (not that Percy actually expected him to, but it would have been a nice break from the normal). ‘No, Percy. We are discussing this now. With that, Bill planted his feet and crossed his arms over his large chest.

Percy sighed. His brother was so unsurprising. He turned back toward the fireplace for a moment as he covertly lowered his wand from the arm holster to his hand. He rapidly pivoted back toward the curse-breaker with an equally abrupt and unanticipated “Petrificus Totalis!”

Percy cast the charms to levitate and move Bill’s petrified body before the older man even hit the plush Aubusson carpet on the office floor. He tossed a handful of floo powder into the fireplace and followed the floating man into the green flames, calling out, “Sub rosa den - deleo destination!”

Landing in the fireplace of a small, shabby office, Percy quickly placed his sibling on the sofa and secured him with his strongest binding charms. He cast a silencer hex to keep his somewhat outspoken brother quiet until he had finished telling him everything Bill needed to know. He summoned a chair to sit directly across from the sofa and cancelled the petrifying charm as he sat down.

Leaning forward, Percy made sure to catch his brother’s eyes and hold them in his gaze. “I have a mission, Bill. I cannot explain everything, but this is what I can tell you. I tried to help Charlie, but he was too stubborn. There was no way to get him away from Pomfrey without making her suspicious of my actions. I do not work for Pomfrey; I do not work for Dumbledore. I work for another party – you don’t need to know who. Just know that this third party has our – the Wizarding World’s – best interest at heart.”

He tiredly wiped his hand over his eyes, letting his shoulders slump a little in the process. He dropped his head to hide the smirk that threatened to erupt on his face. It wouldn’t do for Bill to see that. Taking a deep breath, he managed to get himself back under control. “If we have our way, that woman will not be in control long. She will pay for all the harm she has caused, and then she will die for what she has done to our brother. We want to see an honest government put in place – one that will watch out for all wizards and witches, not just pureblood and not just muggleborn. Everyone. We want to unite our world and make it better for all of us. We even want to bring in the magical creatures and try to live together with them.”

He stood up and paced the length of the small room. “We got word about six months ago that something was going to happen. I was immediately put into play, mostly due to my past differences with our family and my position as Undersecretary to the Minister. We didn’t even know for sure who ‘The Master’ was until recently. Plans are in place. We just have to wait now until the time is right to spring the trap.”

He stopped and looked at his brother, schooling his face into an expression that would make his brother think that he was just now realizing that the man was still tied up and gagged. Percy quickly cancelled both spells and dropped his hands, for all intents and purposes looking like he would be unprepared for a counter-attack by his oldest sibling. His wand was still in his hand and more than a dozen powerful curses were on the tip of his tongue as he waited to see what path Bill would take.

Bill swung his legs around as he sat up. He studied Percy as he briskly rubbed his arms and legs to aid his circulation and rid the numb feeling that had been growing steadily since his brother blindsighted him. All of Percy’s mannerisms and body language seemed to indicate that he was telling the truth. Percy may have a Slytherin side to him, but hell, Percy was still a Weasley. And he was PERCY. Bill let out a shaky breath as he sluggishly found his feet. He slowly made his way to his younger brother and extended his hand in a silent offer of support.

Percy could have laughed as Bill behaved exactly as he expected. He knew that he could count on his sibling to be the typical Weasley. Now, he wasn’t a fool by any means, so he was prepared just in case, but that was only as a backup. He hesitantly (for show, at least) took Bill’s extended hand and let himself be pulled into a bear-hug by the larger man. “I’ll just let Mum and Dad know that things are not as they seem, and we’ll leave the details until after this is all settled and cleaned up?” Bill questioned the younger man.

“If you could do that, Bill, I would be very grateful. Just let them know that I can take care of myself and will tell them what I can when I can.” Percy smirked into Bill’s shoulder. Yes, things were going exactly as Percy planned.

Sub rosa – secret
Deleo destination – erase destination