The World of Snape

“Thicknesse tried to escape again today,” Voldemort said nonchalantly during dinner, tucking into his Yorkshire pudding.


“Really,” Severus replied, after taking a sip of his wine.


“Through the bars again. Rodolphus said he walked into the dungeons to check on the extra high security prisoners, and there Thicknesse was, one arm hanging out, stuck by his shoulder. I think he dealt with it properly by the time he'd finished laughing.”


Severus smiled. “Maybe it's time to kill everyone down there off.”


“I don't know. It might cause problems.”


“Surely it can't cause any more problems? Half the Country would rather see him gone then left alive. I know I certainly would, he's becoming a bloody nuisance.”


“Since when were you one for unnecessary killing?” Voldemort asked, setting his fork down and looking across as his lover.


“How is it unnecessary?” Severus replied with a snort. “What's the use in prisoners of war now? You can either let him go, or kill him. But I wouldn't let him go.”


“That would merely stir things up further.” Voldemort paused, pushing his food absently around his plate. “I think for now, his death will need to remain secret. I should certainly prefer it to be that way for as long as I can.”


“I agree,” Severus replied. “Don't let it bother you, either. Nothing bad will come from this.”


“I know, love.” Voldemort pushed his plate away from him, and pulled his wine towards him. Severus watched, vaguely amused. “Damn, I still haven't finished my plans for Hogwarts,” the Dark Lord cursed. “I was hoping we could stop working for the day.”


“I thought we had it finished,” Severus replied, finishing his own meal.


“I suppose there is very little left to do.” Voldemort sat back in his seat, a thoughtful expression on his features. “How many of the students of Hogwarts would you say were Mudbloods?”


Severus raised an eyebrow, quickly thinking before answering. “Probably about a quarter.”


“It wouldn't make much difference... I'm thinking that we should go for no Muggle born's allowed, and to make up the numbers, we make the law that all Magical children have to come to Hogwarts. What do you think?”


“I think it makes sense. There are always accidents because of parents teaching their children magic themselves. And they finish their education early, and with no qualifications. Making Hogwarts compulsory is going to end all of that.” Severus smiled at Voldemort. “Come on, you've done enough decision making for one day.” He reached over for Voldemort's glass, and refilled it, handing it back to his lover, before he picked up the bottle. “I have a little something for us to do tonight.”


Voldemort raised his eyebrow, a smirk on his features. He put his arm around Severus's waist. “Oh yes?” he asked.


“Yes,” Severus replied firmly, leading his lover up the stairs towards their bedroom. Lucius was walking towards them from the opposite direction.


“My Lord, I need to speak to you-” he began, but Severus cut him off.


“You can tomorrow,” Severus said hastily. “We're busy tonight.” Severus narrowed his eyes at his friend, as if asking him to disagree.


Lucius's lips twitched. “Of course, when would be suitable?”


“Tomorrow morning, my office at nine,” Voldemort said, squeezing Severus's body to his.


“Ten,” Severus added. Voldemort looked at his lover, and then smiled.


“Ten it is,” he said to Lucius.


The blonde's nose twitched, and Severus guessed he was grossed out completely. He smiled sweetly at his friend, and continued walking. “What are you planning, Severus?” Voldemort asked as they got into their rooms. Severus steered him into the bathroom.


“You need to relax sometimes, you know.” He turned, and raised his hand to the bath, which filled with hot, steamy water, with a layer of white bubbles across the top.


Voldemort smiled, and pulled his lover close to his body, and kissed him passionately. “I knew I loved you for a reason,” he murmured. “Perfect man.”


“I do try,” Severus replied. “Now... If you wouldn't mind...” He reached forwards, and began to undo Voldemort's robes quickly pushing them off to reveal his muscular chest. Severus moaned at the sight, before he moved onto his knees to remove the Dark Lord's trousers. Once that was done, Severus was completely aroused. Voldemort smirked down at him, and got onto the bath.


“Do hurry up, Severus,” he chided. Severus scrambled up and quickly removed his own clothing, without the care he had bothered with when it came to the Dark Lord's clothes. Then he straightened and got into the huge tub, relaxing when Voldemort pulled him backwards so that their bodies were touching, his arms possessively around his lover's chest. Severus could feel Voldemort's hands moving very slowly down his body, drawing small circles on his flesh. “Let me please you,” he whispered, his breath hot against Severus's ear. The Half Blood Prince groaned as his lovers hand reached it's destination and held onto his hard cock, the other hand joining the first and fondling his balls gently.


“Master...” Severus murmured, turning his head to look at Voldemort. “I should be pleasing y-”


Voldemort hastily began to pump his hand up and down Severus's erection, cutting off his lovers words as he moaned loudly. “Or how about,” Voldemort whispered into Severus's ear. “You do just as I order, and then we see who is pleased?” Severus nodded, and relaxed backwards, letting the feelings of complete pleasure wash over him as Voldemort continued to bring him off.


When Severus finally released into the bathwater, Voldemort waved his hand to get rid of it, and then turned Severus's face to his own, and kissed him hard, forcing his tongue into the younger man's mouth, attacking him brutally. Severus gave as good as he got, his hands tightly around the Dark Lord's head, pushing them closer together. A moment later, Severus let go, his hands moving down Voldemort's body to his crotch, until the Dark Lord stopped him. “Wash first,” he said quickly, pushing Severus away.


“Wash?” Severus asked, as if he'd forgotten the meaning of the word. Voldemort chuckled, and gently pushed his lover to sitting up.


“We have all night for this, darling,” Voldemort replied, kissing the back of Severus's damp head. “And you're no good for my use if you're dirty. Come on.” Severus turned around, and knelt between Voldemort's legs, pulling the flannel and soap towards them. He gently began to wash his lovers body, not missing any crevice or spot. “I'm so lucky to have you,” Voldemort murmured, reaching out for Severus's hair once more. “You even take great pleasure in washing me.”


Severus laughed softly. “Yes, Master, I'm sure you think that.”


Voldemort chuckled quietly. “It's just tough if you don't like it.” He sighed as Severus washed over his legs and up towards his stomach. He hissed as Severus lightly brushed his hard cock, and Severus had to return to that area, just to hear the sound again. Voldemort grip on Severus's hair tightened. “Severus...” he said warningly.


“Yes, Master?” Severus replied innocently, smiling at his lover and continuing his washing.


“Brat.” Voldemort released his lovers hair and laid back, his eyes shut. Severus continued his motions half heartedly, merely watching the Dark Lord's relaxed form, with a smile on his lips, completely blissful. When Severus finished his washing, Voldemort opened his eyes. “Thank you,” he said quietly. “My turn.” As Voldemort returned the favour, Severus wondered what he had done to deserve this treatment. A year ago this would never have happened, the Dark Lord would not debase himself with doing such a thing, but now it felt natural, and normal to the both of them.


“Master...” Severus mumbled, shutting his eyes, half way towards falling asleep.


“Yes, Sev?”


“D'you think that you became nicer again when the Horcrux's got destroyed?” Severus continued quietly.


“Yes,” Voldemort replied shortly. Severus opened one eye, noticing that Voldemort's face had become impassive.


“It's just that I don't want to be like that, Master, I don't want this to change me.”


The Dark Lord made a non-committal sound in the back of his throat, and pulled back from his lover. “It won't,” he said, after a moment. He stood up, and pulled a towel from the rail, wrapping it around himself, and then handing one to Severus. “Come,” he said, in a gentler voice, wrapping his arm around Severus's waist. “Let's go to bed, and leave serious conversations for another day.”


Severus smiled, and nodded, resting his head on Voldemort's shoulder. “I love you.”


The Dark Lord smirked. “I love you too, which is good, I would have killed you by now if I didn't.”


“Whatever you say, Master,” Severus replied, still smiling.


x---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x

Severus was still in bed the next afternoon, after a long night of no sleep. He had just awoken when a wave of fury passed through the bond, and then Voldemort's voice echoed through his mind.


“My office. Now.”


“Two minutes,” Severus replied hastily, getting up and pulling on a robe, not bothering with his shoes. This was his home, after all. He practically ran towards the office, wondering exactly what was going on. When he got there, Voldemort was seated at his desk, drumming his fingers impatiently, surrounded by various members of the Inner Circle, including several Heads of Departments, Lucius, Rodolphus, Yaxley, Travers and Rookwood. Bellatrix entered the office a minute after him, looking around in slight confusion, before walking towards her husband.


“Severus,” Voldemort said as a greeting, ignoring Bellatrix's entrance behind him. “Come and sit, you don't look so well.” Hiding his look of anger for the Dark Lord saying that to him in public, he walked around the desk and sat down next to his lover. “Thicknesse is dead, and somehow it has got out in the last few hours. Doesn't the good news travel fast, my friends?” Voldemort asked, looking around him, his eyes icy cold and his tone no warmer. “There are now protests and rebellions all over the Country. I made it very clear that this was not to be made public, to all of you this morning before it happened. I have no doubt that this was not a mistake, and when I find out who did this, there will be blood.” Severus noticed his eyes lingering on Lucius for a moment, before he waved his hand. “Get out.” The Death Eaters all nervously scuttled out of the room, except for Rodolphus and Bellatrix, who were the only two that dared to remain.


“My Lord, shall I attempt to stop the protests with my groups?” Rodolphus asked quietly.


“Yes. Take Bella with you.” Voldemort nodded slowly to the woman in front of him. “No killings unless necessary, and you know the rest.” His eyes narrowed slightly at Bella. “Play nicely please, Bellatrix.”


“Of course, my Lord,” she replied, half a smile on her lips.


When they had left the office, Voldemort turned to Severus. “I need you to write a statement explaining why Thicknesse is dead, and we'll have it put in the next edition of the Prophet.”


“Why did you look at Lucius like that?” Severus asked, reaching for some parchment absently.


“I don't trust him.” Voldemort stood up stiffly.


“I do.”


Voldemort turned and stared at him, his eyes narrowing furiously. “Excuse me?”


“I trust him. And I don't think you have any reason not to.” Severus turned, and faced Voldemort full on. “You're paranoid.”


Voldemort walked slowly towards him. “Go back to bed, you don't look well enough to serve me today,” he hissed venomously.


“I am tired is all, you managed to sleep all night, I had dreams whenever-”


“I am getting sick of this!” Voldemort snapped at his lover, grabbing his thin wrist in an impossibly tight hold. They were whirled suddenly into the air, and when Severus dared to open his eyes once again, they were in the foyer of St Mungo's hospital.


“What are you doing?” Severus hissed, panicking slightly, as the people around turned to look in surprise. Voldemort pulled him roughly towards the front desk.


“We need to see a Healer,” Voldemort said coolly to the young woman who was watching him in complete terror. “Come on, girl, I'm not going to eat you.” The girl snapped to attention.


They were shown to a nearby medical suite, and seen immediately by one of the senior medical consultants. Severus was seated, his arms crossed, glaring angrily at the floor.


“What seems to be the problem?” The Healer asked, almost uncertainly, glancing from Severus to Voldemort.


The Dark Lord hastily decided to do the talking. “My...” He glanced towards his lover for a moment. “Dear husband has been having unusual dreams since we invoked the Inniqus binding vow.”


The Healer looked interested. “May I inquire as to whom is the - ah – submissive, in the relationship?”


“Who do you bloody think?” Severus snarled, speaking for the first time.


“Severus...” Voldemort hissed warningly, looking back wearily to the shocked Healer, about to speak, when Severus cut in.


“I don't need to be here,” he hissed back. “I am perfectly alright.”


Voldemort continued as if Severus hadn't spoken. “Severus's dreams have been of a sexual nature, between myself and him, often ending in either my release into him, or my death.”


Severus's scowl deepened as he sank down further into his seat.


“It's a situation that often happens when the bond needs something else in it. All you have to do is think back over the dreams, and work out precisely what the bond is telling you to do,” said the Healer, thoughtfully sitting back. “The dreams will stop when the bond has been made aware that you understand what it is saying.”


“Well, that was a bloody waste of time,” said Severus, as they left the hospital and disapparated back to the grounds of the manor.


“You were going to say that no matter what happened,” Voldemort said, trying not to get angry.


“Because it's true!” said Severus indignantly.


“Why do you always have to be so bloody childish?” Voldemort snapped.


Severus stopped walking, and stared at Voldemort for a moment. “I hate you,” he snarled, before he disapparated away in front of Voldemort's eyes.


He reappeared at Hogwarts, and Voldemort's voice filled his find. “You get your arse back here right now.”


Severus merely put up his strongest mental barriers, and headed down to the dungeons, and back to his old rooms. He hadn't let anyone else have these rooms when he'd become Headmaster, and now he was back there he realised how much he missed the cracked black leather furniture. He slowly sat down, shivering. He'd forgotten how cold it could get down there, generally he used to keep the fire going all year, even in the summer months. No sun ever reached here to warm it.


It wouldn't take Voldemort long to find him here, Severus knew, but he was content with a few moment's rest for now. The Dark Lord really had no idea what it was like. Severus had seen, most nights since the bond, his beloved husband die in all manners of horrific ways, and it hurt. Already, he knew what it would feel like to loose Voldemort, to live without him, and when the Dark Lord wasn't around, it was terrifying for him. He couldn't take control of the Wizarding World himself, either. If Voldemort died, Severus's own life would be over.


But that didn't calm his anger. Voldemort wasn't being at all sensitive – as normal.


When the door finally opened, Severus was ready, his wand pointing at his husband. Voldemort's was on him, too, as he crossed over the threshold and kicked the door shut behind him.


“Going to kill me?” Voldemort asked mockingly. “Do you hate me that much?”


Severus didn't answer him. “Sectumsempra,” he spat, a spell crossing the room -


“No!” Voldemort deflected it with a violent flick of his wand. “Severus...”


Another spell headed in his direction. Voldemort ducked hastily. From the floor, he wandlessly summoned Severus's wand to his hand, and as he was doing so took off and flew across the room at lightening speed, picking Severus up by the throat and slamming him roughly against the wall. “Is this what you wanted?” Severus tried to speak, but the hold in his throat was too tight. His eyes started to water. “You make me so angry.” Voldemort carelessly let go, watching coldly as his husband fell into a crumpled heap on the floor.


Severus watched as Voldemort looked around the room, and he slowly picked himself up from the floor, shaking, massaging his throat. “I am not your toy to be played with,” Severus said quietly, his eyes hard as he looked at the Dark Lord.


“You piss me off.” Voldemort didn't turn around, but Severus knew he was still furious.


“You piss me off,” Severus replied, levelly. Voldemort swung back to Severus, and backhanded him hard across the face.


“Do not speak to me like that!” he hissed angrily, waiting for Severus's recovery and doing it again.


“You speak to me like it all the time!” Severus replied hotly, stepping back from the Dark Lord, resting his cold hand on his burning cheek.


“When will you learn that I do what I damned well want?” Voldemort asked him incredulously, sitting himself down in the armchair. Another wave of anger hit Severus.


“Get out of my chair.”


Voldemort laughed coldly, turning back to look at Severus. “My chair, you'll find, this is my school. I bet you never paid for this furniture.”


Severus walked slowly around the outside of the room, his eyes fixed on the Dark Lord. He was tempted to make a run for it to the door, he knew he was going to get hurt again and wasn't in the mood for it. “So come on, Sev, what are you going to do now you've angered your Master? What do you think you should do?”


“I expect I should grovel on the ground and beg forgiveness,” Severus replied.


“You should,” Voldemort agreed, with a forced, cold smile. “But will you?”


“No.” Severus rested one shoulder against the wall. “You're not being very sensitive about this dream issue. I didn't want that sort of thing discussed with a stranger.”


Voldemort stood up suddenly, and walked towards Severus, pinning him to the wall roughly. “I have been worried sick about you, Severus,” he hissed. “How about my feelings? How am I expected to feel that you dream about my death most nights? I want this sorted out as much, no, maybe even more than you do, Severus.”


He stepped back from his husband, his expression now only upset. “Come back to the manor when you're ready.” He headed for the door, his hand on the handle before Severus stopped him.


“I didn't think you'd care,” Severus said quietly. Voldemort turned and looked at him. “You always to know exactly what you're doing, where you're going, and you're immortality surely should stop your fears of death... Surely?”


“You're wrong.” Voldemort gazed at Severus, before closing the door once more. “Come here.”


Severus slowly walked towards his lover, before putting his arms securely around Voldemort's waist. “I fear death even more now I have you,” Voldemort murmured into his hair, kissing the top of Severus's hair, wrapping his arms around Severus's neck. “I'm so worried about you. I need to know what this bond is telling us. I fear you're going to go mad.”


Severus found that his eyelids were prickling with tears. He'd never felt so stressed out in his life, and that was saying something. “I'll be fine,” he murmured, though he did wonder if he would be.


“You don't know that.”


“I'll try some... Some Potions, until we can figure this out... I have some sleeping Potions around the House somewhere...” Voldemort suddenly realised at Severus was shaking madly in his arms. Carefully, he lifted the smaller man into his arms, and carried him into the bedroom. The bed was still neatly made from a couple of years ago when Severus had last got out of it.


“Try and get some sleep, darling,” Voldemort whispered, kissing Severus's hair as he slid his lover under the covers. He deftly removed his own shoes, and slipped into the bed next to Severus, putting his arms tightly around him, pulling himself close into Severus's body. A small moan escaped Severus's lips as his eyes closed, and Voldemort sighed, blissful for now.