The Lord of The Fae

He used to love that old horse, Narcissa Malfoy thought to herself as she patted the tawny side of a gelding in the manor stables. Tawny was an old horse, and no longer the best in her husbands stables.

There was a time when he had been a young and skittish colt, afraid of the whip and resistant to her husband’s cruel form of training. Narcissa stroked his smooth coat and marveled at what a handsome horse he still was. Even after taking the brunt of her husband’s anger for years he was still proud and strong.

Like his owner. The moment Tawny had been born Draco had seemed to bond with him. Maybe it was because this was the one horse in their extensive stables that he had helped birth. Lucius thought it was beneath their blood to muck around in the stables. He’d punished his son severely afterwards but the experience seemed to have bonded horse and boy. Tawny was his.

Her son spent more time with this one horse then he did with people. During the summers when not visiting “friends” he was out riding Tawny. Narcissa knew her son was frightened and alone. Knew he was scared of what his father would do if he found out he was something other then human. She knew that he didn’t have any real friends. She also knew he had a destiny far greater then he could ever imagine.

It didn’t change the fact that she missed him. She missed his laughter; it had been a rare occurrence during his years at home especially as he got older. Lucius had seemed to want to beat any weakness out of his son. Apparently joy was a weakness. She was thankful for Severus, he had helped raise Draco helped shape him into something other then his father. She regretted every day the choice she had made, for herself only.

She had turned her back on love and a good man for money and power. She paid for it with her own happiness. She would not however go back and change anything, if she did she would never have known her son. Her beautiful baby boy with the ice blue eyes and the coldness in his heart. It pained her to see him that way but he was her Draco, the only joy in her life.

“Good lord Narcissa, must you muck about in the stables at all hours of the day?” Lucius cold voice sounded as he entered the hall. He was dressed expensively as always his long blonde hair neat and elegant. He was every inch an aristocrat. She stiffened and greeted him with a smile as always the cool and elegant Slytherin princess. She kept her thoughts to herself.

“I came simply to be near Tawny, I still hope that one day our son will come back for him.” She said giving Tawny one last pat on his coat. She resisted the urge to flinch when her husband took her arm and placed it in his own.

“Draco proved himself to be weak and a fool. He shamed me and our lord my dear. He couldn’t even kill a simpering old man! If he does return it will be to my cane.” Lucius pronounced coolly. So very cold, uncaring he said it as if he was remarking on the color of the sky. She repressed a shudder, as much as she missed her son she hoped he never returned.

She nodded, “he did prove to be an embarrassment. He is our son though, perhaps he can be molded to greater strength?” she asked her voice only vaguely interested as if she could care either way.

Lucius shrugged in a graceful motion. “The last I heard he was mucking about in the Americas. He’ll grow weary of being poor and without funds. He was raised better; do not worry my dear our son will come crawling home. “

That’s where he was wrong, Narcissa knew her son, it had been four years since he had left. He was strong, stronger then her husband would ever suspect. When he had fled home he had done it for good. She had helped both him and Severus escape undetected. Severus kept her up to date on what he was doing. It was her only link to her son.

She fought back a smile, how would her husband react to knowing that his son was in love with his greatest enemy. Oh and that enemy was not as dead as Voldemort was allowing his enemies to believe. And that she his wife, whom he thought he led around on a string, was going to defy him. He was cruel and cold and she had made the biggest mistake of her life by following the will of her parents and joining with such a man.

She held her own, in some ways she loved her husband but it was a contained love. She knew very well what she had in him and what his fate and her own was going to be. It wouldn’t be her sons. Her son was going to be everything his father wasn’t and she was going to help.

“My dear I was thinking of buying several slaves. My old school friend Samantha, her daughter has married a wealthy man in Japan. She does not want to buy any foreign slaves however. You know foreigners, scum and muck all of them. I had offered to help, On the marrow I am going to the slave pits to buy her some new ones. Then I’ll ship them over. As a sort of wedding gift.” She finished. She waited with baited breath.

Would he see through her lies, would he recall that Samantha’s daughter had married several years ago?

“Narcissa the slave pits are no place for my wife. Send a servant to do it.” Lucius demanded. He eyed her with cold eyes and she repressed a shiver.

“Oh but darling I really wish to hand pick them. I wouldn’t want to insult Samantha by giving her daughter poor slaves. We need their connections darling.” Narcissa pleaded, to which Lucius rolled his eyes.

“We need no ones connections; I am second to none with the Dark Lord. Samantha would kiss the arse a pig lays from if you commanded it of her.”

“I know that’s what makes it all the more amusing. These games of friendship must be played properly darling. I can’t clue her in that I could care less about her daughter’s prospects. Why play my hand so early?” She reasoned. Lucius sighed.

“Alright if you feel you must, however take Geoffrey with you. The slave pits are dangerous places.” He relented. She smiled and made to turn away when his hand shot out to grip her chin. He pulled her till they were eye to eye.

Cold chilling eyes of greed and death.

“I wouldn’t want another of my possessions to disappear like my son did now would I Narcissa. If that happened I might be very…displeased.” Lucius growled coolly his voice chillingly sweet.

She shivered and forced herself to smile up at him, hoping the fear didn’t show in her eyes. “Of course not Darling, I should be aggrieved every moment we are apart.”

He smiled cruelly at her and let go of her face, not before giving her a brutal kiss. It bruised her mouth and made her gums ache. He sauntered away in a swirl of cold elegance. The strength left her legs and she slumped against Tawny’s stall her body trembling.
~~~***~~~***~~~***

“Everything is in motion. All you need to do is get caught and try your hardest not to be sold until Narcissa can buy you.” Severus informed Remus though the stones. He saw Lupin nod.

“As soon as this conversation is ended you will be unable to use magic, so if theirs anything you have to ask ,ask it now.” Severus informed him. He watched the slightly blurred image of Lupin nod again. His mouth moved and then the words he spoke shimmered into view in the mirror of the stone.

^what do we do if we are bought by someone else^

“If any of you are purchased by some one other then Cissa, then god help you. We’ll try our hardest to locate you but you will be on your own until then. Stay alive as long as you can. If it’s you Lupin you know what to do.”

Lupin had too much information, was too close to the top in the order to risk being recognized and questioned. He must either escape or make it so he couldn’t be questioned.

^ If its me give the letter to my wife will you.^

Severus felt a pang in his gut, before he had left Remus had written a long letter to Tonks. He always did so before he went out on the field. A sentiment that partly disgusted Snape, but also did something funny to his insides. He stamped the feeling away.

“You Gryffindors and your bleeding hearts!” Snape sneered. Remus was so open with his wife. He made it look so easy to spout words of romance and love. It wasn’t and he didn’t appreciate looking lacking in courage.

^ You haven’t told him yet have you?^

“Mind your own business furry, or I’ll rethink being your delivery boy!” He snapped into the stone. He watched Remus reading his words then watched him chuckle.

^Just tell him already. See you in a few.^

Then the stone went blank.

"So I they're actually going to do it?" Snape heard Sirius` voice as he entered the room. Snape placed the stone in his robes pocket and nodded. Things between he and Sirius had been strained since yesterday, and he wasn't too sure of his present mood. So he simply nodded and let Sirius pace.

"So she'll be coming here." Sirius growled tossing him an angry glare. So it was still like that was it? Honestly what was Sirius a bloody woman! Why did he need pretty words from him, why didn't he just put on a bloody skirt and be done with it! Except that there wasn't much girlish about Sirius. He was purely male, there wasn't much mistake there. He was ruled manly by his passions and had very little sense. When he wanted amusement he simply sought after it without thought to how things looked.

He made Severus want to laugh. Harry had remarked once that he'd been Snape's student for six years and never seen the man crack a smile. Sirius was an idiot, always chewing on things and taking full advantage of being half dog. Rushing up and down halls barking at all hours of the night just to annoy people. He made Severus smile. He didn't want too, it only encouraged him to be more of a moron. He usually won the battle to suppress smiles and laughter. Not all the time.

The first time he had laughed at something Sirius did he'd scared Draco. Draco had stared at him as if he had gone mad and Severus had never been more embarrassed.

"If she's going to come here, then I'm not going to be here. I'll go out and do some field work." Sirius growled. Was that fear coursing through his body? Fear because once again Black was showing how stupid he could be. Order members out on the field were being found and picked off like flies by this Avenger person. There was no way in hell he was letting Sirius leave this castle by himself!

"The hell you will Sirius stop being such a bloody woman! There is nothing going on between Narcissa and I! Pull your head out of your arse for one moment and see sense!" He fired back balling his fists angrily.

That was another thing, he had rarely been moved to fits of utter rage. He was always calm and collected, he was often angry but he preferred to show it in cool biting tones. He couldn't do that with Sirius. Sirius drove him up a wall and too distraction.

"I don't care, you cant convince me for one moment she doesn't regret the choice she made. She's lonely and has it ever accrued to you she may still have feelings for you?" Sirius shot back at him. He was in a raging temper himself, that only made Severus angrier.

"So what if she does? You don't trust me at all do you? What do you expect? That just because she shows up that I'll just loose my mind and shag her into the floor?" He demanded.

Sirius winced and his eyes took on the fae like glow that Severus only saw when he was extremely angry. "No, but if you did I don't know what I'd do. She'd probably die that's why I cant be here. I don't want to be here!" He bit out forcefully. With that last declaration he grabbed his cloak and strode toward the door.

Severus felt a bolt of fear go up his spine. It made him angry, angrier then he'd ever been. This is what he hated about love. It made you so damn vulnerable to hurt. What should he care if Sirius got himself slaughtered in the street by a mad man! But because he loved the moron he did care, more then cared he couldn't stand it if anything happened to Sirius.

"Hold a damn minute Sirius" Snape demanded grabbing a hold of Sirius arm.

"NO! Don't touch me! I have nothing left to say to you!" Sirius shouted wrenching his arm from Snape's hold

"What the hell do you want from me! How many times can I say I don't feel anything for her! What do I have to do?" Severus shouted back grappling again for Sirius` arm as he made his way toward the door. Sirius halted for a moment and looked directly into his eyes. His heart was in his eyes, Severus could see it there. He had a feeling he was about to trample it.

"Tell me you love me, that you need me! That I'm everything you ever wanted and it's OK if Narcissa comes here because all you can think about is me! Tell me all of that! Hell just tell me you love me and it will be enough!" He pleaded.

He'd known he was going to say that. He was afraid.

Damn it to hell Severus was afraid when he'd promised himself he would never go through this again. Love of his father had caused him nothing but steady pain. Love of his mother had done the same. Narcissa had rebuilt his fallen dreams of love into a soaring tower. Then she herself had toppled it.

He had loved and respected Dumbeldoor. Because of his love for Draco and past feelings for his mother he had Killed him and been out casted by the order. Love was a disaster in the making! Love made him weak and a cracked giant holes in the walls he built around his heart.

He couldn't say a word.

"That's answer enough for me, You and Narcissa deserve each other!" Sirius tried to hide the hurt in his voice with spite, but Severus caught the sheen of tears gathering in his eyes. Sirius turned and strode towards the door way.

Empty. He'd been so empty before Sirius came along. His entire life had been hallow his only solace Dumbeldoor but even he couldn't fully understand the pain he dealt with. Until one night when he'd returned from the ministry and found a puppy shivering and near death in his rooms. He had found a tiny wriggly little being who loved him simply because he was him. Who nipped at his fingers and peed on his floor, but was just too darn cute to punish.

And when he was old enough he had saved his life, protected him form Death eaters hunting him, and slept in his bed in warm companionship. Severus realised for the first time that since the night he'd found him Sirius had been melting him. Sirius loved him, unconditionally. He didn't mind that he was gruff and cynical. His answer to that was to tease him, to steal his slippers and to kiss him until he felt warmth.

"If he walks out that door Hari says you'll never see him again. Harry's voice echoed inside Severus` mind like a hallow bell.

His heart leapt into his throat.

"SIRIUS WAIT!" He called out. Running to the door way. He was already to the end of the hall.

"I'm sorry. I know you love me but sometimes I'm just afraid that one day your going to wake up and see all the weakness inside of me. My father never once looked at me without seeing something that disgusted him. I tried to convince myself that what he thought didn't matter that it wouldn't affect me. But it did!" He said, he was panting from having run down the hall after him. Sirius stiffened. He didn't say anything but he didn't leave either.

" I guess I'm scared of letting go. Every time I go to love someone I loose them. No matter how strong of walls you've built against the world and against getting hurt if you allow yourself to love someone you might as well take a conon to those walls! Hell I just don't want to hurt any more, I don't want anyone to come in and for the pain I feel too show!" It was true, he hadn't been this close to tears since his youth. Even the headmasters death had not brought him so close to breaking down.

"I know you want to hear me speak those words. And part of me wants like hell to say them. To throw caution to the wind and to just tell you! But i'm afraid that if I start to that I'll never stop, that it wont end there. That all my defenses will fall! And it scares the hell out of me." He was going to cry like a child. It disgusted him but he couldn't seem to stop the tears. He couldn't let Sirius walk out that door.

" I cant tell you what you want to hear. But I just want you to know that damn it Sirius you belong in my life! I don't know what my life would be like if you hadn't landed on my doorstep. I love the hope you bring to life and every one around you. Even though the rest of the worlds gone to hell I love the hope I see everyday in your eyes. I tried to deny it I know but I cannot hold back the truth any more. I let you wait too long as it is. Although its hard It scares the hell out of me to need you like this. But when I think about it I realise a life without you scares me more."

Sirius couldn't believe what a fool Severus could be. That was the most beautiful thing he'd ever heard come from his mouth. His insides were melting, the tears flowing freely down his face.

"Sirius I'm sorry, I'm sorry I cant tell you what you want to hear. Just please, don't leave." Severus pleaded.

He was swimming in a wave of warmth, he loved this foolish prideful man who thought he was so cold. It turned out he wasn't as cold as he thought he was. He placed both hands till they framed his face. His eyes were beautiful in their coal blackness. He could sink into those eyes.

"You already did. In your own way." He told him.

Then he kissed him, and they were both melting.

"would now be a good time to confess that I lied? Hari didn't really tell me anything." Harry confessed.

Beneath his lips Sirius felt Severus jerk. Their kiss broke and Snape looked angry enough to kill.

"I'm going to murder you Potter!"
~~**~~**~~**~

"Ok does everyone remember what their supposed to do?" Remus asked them as the group stood on the outskirts of a village. Seamus helped Danny with the sack he carried and nodded.

"Yes, we walk in as if were servants. Except they'll know that any servants who were properly subdued would not be out on the streets so late. They'll suspect us of something naturally and just because their cruel they'll throw us in the slave pits." Seamus recounted the plan.

"How can we be sure they wont just give us a warning?" Neville asked tightening his snatched servants robes. They were slightly to big for his frame.

"Trust me the patrol men have been known to throw servants in the slave pits out of sheer amusement. They'll can us all I know it" Simon reassured him.

"Remember no matter what happens try and stay together. We have to end up in the same auction. If we get separated well... I wish the best of luck to all of you. If your recognised tell them what you know, spare yourself some torture at least. None of you can give away our position and anything you tell them won't devastate the order. Just leave out how we're getting there or you'll endanger all those who do make it." Remus reminded.

Silence stole over the small band of people. Everyone knew the danger they were about to face, everyone also understood that this rule did not apply to Remus himself. He knew things that could break the order. Like who it's secrete keeper was, and other information. If he was caught and recognised they all knew he'd either escape or silence himself before he could be made to talk.

He nodded to all of them as if in a salute to a last fare well. They would all enter the Village at different streets it would look too suspicious if they all walked in together. He had arranged it so that Dean and Seamus were walking with Danny. Simone with his sister, Lee with Hermione and he with Neville.

Dean was thankful for this, he'd tactfully made it easy for everyone to end up with their loved ones. So that if something went wrong at least they all might share the same fate.

"Alright, Let me just say it's been an honor serving with you all." Lee said in a mock serious tone, as if they were soldiers on the brink of battle. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Are you ever serious Lee?" She asked him. He smiled and shook his head.

"He's right though, it has been. I hope everyone comes out of this OK. See you on the other side." Remus said. With that he and Neville started off.

~~~~~~***LEE~~~~~HERMIONE****~~~~~***~~~~

The city was still, the only light coming from the windows of Servants flats. She pulled her cloak around her tighter and glanced around as if she were nervous. It wasn't too tough an act.

"You worried?" Lee asked placing one hand on her back. She didn't shrug it off, she welcomed the brief comfort.

"Yes they could decided to just be cruel and kill us, or if their bored to rape us then throw us in the pits! They might decide that the evenings rather dull and castrate you and mutilate me and just forget the slave pits. They could..."

"Hermione! There are a million things they could decide to do! Relax! You were always so uptight and you haven't changed a bit!" Lee interrupted exasperated.

"And you never worried about anything! Just like Fred and George and look what happened to them!" She fired back. She winced regretting it as soon as she'd said it. Her nerves were on high but she had no reason for such a low blow. Lees mouth tightened.

" You were always a shrew Granger but when did you become such a bitch?" Lee shot back. They both flinched at the same time. Hermione took a deep breath and eyed the man beside her.

"We shouldn't turn on each other we need each other more then ever now." Lee sighed wearily. She nodded and opened her mouth to reply when a voice behind them rasped.

"You'll need a lot more where your going! Didn't your mothers warn you not to stalk the streets at night! You'll pay for it now"

There was a stream of blue green light and beside her Lee let out a cry of pain and crumpled to the ground. Hermione let out a scream of terror and rushed to his side grasping him. The Patrol mans laughter was low and cruel as he grabbed her from behind. She found she didn't have to fake it.

~~~~~***Dean~~~~~***SEAMUS~~~~~Danny***~~~~~****

"Are they going to hurt us?" Danny whispered one hand clutching Deans the other Seamus`. What to tell the little boy. They couldn't lie, the world was too full of lies at the moment.

"yes the might Danny. But we're going to stay together. And all we need is each other right Dean?" Seamus said casting a pleading glance across the boys head. Dean nodded and gave the little boy a warm smile.

"Remember what I told you Danny?" He asked. The little boy nodded and pulled both of them closer. Seamus felt something in the region of his heart melt at the little boy's courage. He looked over at Dean.

"No matter what happens, what they may do to us I'll always be with you. You hear me. I'll always love you." he told him.

Dean felt himself sliding. He knew Seamus was trying to fix what was wrong between them. He had to look away. Seamus was just too good.

"Now if that isn't the sweetest thing I've ever heard. Whats this a couple of fags on a night walk? With a little one as well? Did I miss a party in the woods? You should have invited me the kid should have had a proper taking."

At the sound of the cruel oily voice Dean stiffened. He suddenly knew things were about to go terribly wrong. Seamus drew Danny behind him.

"He's my little brother, he ran away. We were just bringing him back. Please let us pass." he pleaded. He must have sensed as well that they had met up with the wrong pair of Patrol men. There were three of them but the leader seemed to be the one doing all the talking. The others just snickered.

"you have a sweet mouth on you kid. Makes me wonder what other pleasures that kind of mouth can bring." He oozed. He made some sort of signal to the two others with him.

Shit.

One of them had moved behind them and was ripping Danny from Seamus` arms. Danny let out a wail of terror. Dean shot forward but was grabbed from behind by the other man. Seamus was being shoved toward the leader who was smiling cruelly at him. Seamus let out a cry of terror as the man ripped the front of his cloak open.

He was not going to watch this. He could not watch as these monster did to Seamus what Taylor had done to him. It would kill him. Something in him snapped.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

He didn't even register that he had spoken. He thrust his head backwards so that it smashed into the face of the man holding him. A stinging pain waved through his head but he ignored it as the mans grip loosened. He shot forward meaning to tackle the man holding Seamus. The man laughed throwing Seamus aside.

"Never mind this one needs to be taught some manners. And his little faggot lover can watch." When Seamus went to aid Dean he snapped, "If you don't want the boy to share in it you'll stay where you are!"

Seamus trembled clutching a sobbing Danny to him with wide eyes. He watched them struggle and hold Dean down. He wanted to wretch. He swayed on his feet feeling sick. oh god this couldn't be happining. It just couldn't be. His body shook like a leaf.

"Please don't do this please don't..." He begged.

They laughed. They didn't care.

"Dean...Don't hurt Dean..." Danny sobbed. He placed one hand over the boys eyes and pressed his face into his chest and turned his away.

He couldn't watch, he'd die if he had to watch or even to hear. Danny's small hands reached up to clamp over his ears as Dean began to scream.