The Third Time is a Charm

Posted 09 October 2009

Chapter 30: Along Came a Spider

As they gathered for dinner that evening, they were interrupted with a flash in the room and a squawk and a beautiful phoenix suddenly appeared. “Fawkes!” Harry cried. “Where have you been? I thought you left.” Harry was so excited to see the bird and to know he was alright.

“Shashi had him till he grew back; remember he was nothing but an infant in ashes last week. We were too busy to take care of him at first and once Shashi was taking care of him, I thought he should stay but obviously the bird has other ideas.”

“Is this Fawkes, as in the headmasters familiar Fawkes?” Reg asked everyone in the room.

“Yep, that’s Fawkes from the other timeline.” Harry stated as he was affectionately petting the fire phoenix. “Dumbledore had him magically chained to his perch and we relieved him from the burden. You should have seen Dumbledore’s face though, that was priceless.”

“Is this another one of those adventures that I don’t know about?”

“Yep. There is a room of mirrors at Hogwarts in the Chamber…” Harry said in a conspiratorial whisper and so he proceeded to explain another story to Regulus all the while petting Fawkes while First Born was lying over his lap.

Severus disappeared after dinner and Harry was wondering what he was doing. The older man had been coming and going several times during the last few days and he wanted to know what was going on. He thought about following him, but he didn’t want Severus to think he was not trusted. Maybe he could give him a special night when they went to bed.

Severus knew Harry was going to be suspicious if he kept leaving without letting him know where he was going, but he really wanted to surprise Harry. As he entered the rooms that had been assigned to Remus he knocked on the bedroom door and heard a weak, “enter” from inside. As he was walking to the bed, Remus sat up and started to apologize for lying about when Severus was coming to visit.

“Remus, this is a reaction to the potion, don’t worry about it. How do you feel now? Are you in any pain?”

“No, no pain except for a little headache. I feel funny though. I don’t know why.” Remus answered Severus as honestly as he could.

“That’s normal I think. You are missing the wild wolf. I do believe you will be a wolf animagus though, you should check into that. Maybe see if James and that dog friend of yours can help you.” Remus didn’t say anything but he gave Severus a quirky look. No one was suppose to know about James and Sirius being animagi, and that was what he seemed to be referring to.

Severus noticed the look but continued with his instructions. “You may let people know you have taken a cure for the werewolf curse, but not where you were or how you got it. Prince Pharmaceuticals will be the only thing you can tell them but not until after the New Year. Remember your oath and please don’t give away any of our secrets. It is imperative for the future of the wizarding world. If this got out too soon and Voldemort got a hold of this information before we have certain safeguards in place… well you understand?”

“Don’t worry Severus, I won’t say anything, I just can’t believe that the werewolf is gone. The relief of never having to deal with that evil again is a huge burden gone. I can’t thank you enough. Let me know what you want. I know I don’t have much money to pay you, but I will repay you somehow.”

Severus raised a hand in a gesture to stop the marauder’s rant. “I thought I was clear about that earlier. I want others to get the same relief; I want to give you a job as the werewolf that was cured if you can stand the press later on. I want to get the cure to other werewolves. But most importantly, I don’t want any of these werewolves to belong to Voldemort. You are helping us keep these people from joining that megalomaniac and therefore keeping his numbers down. He will come and make promises but will not follow through. We are going to follow through without bringing them into the war.”

“I have nineteen more doses. You may take these with you and distribute them, but be careful that they are only given to people you trust absolutely. I don’t want Voldemort getting a hold of this stuff. Always make the person take it in front of you and take the vial back and bring it to me so that I can reuse it. There is no charge for the potion and those that want a job can have one.” Severus pulled out a list the three had gone over for positions that needed to be filled within the company. “Here is a list of positions available that should accommodate the werewolf schedule easily enough. They don’t have to take the cure to work for us, I am not forcing them to be cured or to work, I am only giving them the opportunity so they can resist joining Voldemort. You will be the liaison and have a manager’s position so I want you to get some new clothes. Go to Madam Malkin’s and get a new wardrobe. They are waiting for you to come and the bill will be sent to us.”

“I won’t be able to pay this back Severus. I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”

“You will be working and representing Prince Pharmaceuticals and Prince Conglomerate. You will be working it off. Don’t worry Remus, It’s not that much and there will be uniforms for everyone who works for us, including the elves.” Then, changing the subject, Severus snapped his fingers and asked, “Are you hungry?” At Remus’ nod Severus called “Cook Diddy, Valet Nixy” When the two little elves popped into the room, they were excited to see Remus sitting there and not a werewolf anymore.

“Oh, Master Remus, We are so glad to see you.” Cried one of the elves while the other said, “Yes, Master Remus, so happy to see you are well.”

“Cook Diddy, you will be assigned as Master Remus’ elf, please bring him dinner and Valet Nixy, you will see to his rooms and his clothes and anything else he needs.”

“Severus,” Remus started to say, “You don’t need to do this. The job is more than enough.” But Severus held up his palm as if to say stop.

“When you get into your duties, which will become quite cumbersome after the Holidays, you will be glad for the extra help. These elves came with us from the other timeline and need the work too. Please allow them to do so. We always address our elves with titles; it is an honor to them, please do the same. They are yours to command, but if something big came up and we needed their help, we would let you know and call them back.” Severus had started to turn away and leave the room, when he looked back again and said “Oh, and Remus? Welcome to Prince Pharmaceuticals.”

Remus nodded his head in understanding and got out of bed so he could eat his dinner. He felt a little overwhelmed at all this, but he was not going to turn it down. It was the opportunity of a lifetime.

When Severus finally got back to his and Harry’s bedroom, his soulmate was already asleep and curled up around a pillow. He looked so peaceful that Severus opted not to wake him as he quickly got ready for bed and joined his lover in restful sleep.

The following morning Severus and Harry made their way to the Forbidden Forest by way of Hogsmead. That morning Gorbink had called the headmaster to come look at a scholarship fund that had been donated by an anonymous benefactor. McGonagall went with him as it would require two signatures to spend the funds on indigent and low income children. There were conditions that needed to be met and certain qualifications for each family to adhere to for the funds to be disbursed. The main concern was not to let Dumbledore siphon the funds into his own pockets by making more than one person needed to access the grant money. It took them just enough time to take care of business at Gringotts, for the soulmated couple to get to the spiders.

Becca had coached them on how to approach the centaurs first. They needed to grant access through their land to get to the spiders.

Roroan and Magorian were the first to see them and they greeted Severus and Harry with crossbows aimed at the two men. Harry and Severus quickly went down on their left knee. Harry spoke first.

“Greetings Great Ones, we seek a crossing of your territory to go and visit the spiders.”

“No one crosses here and the spiders are dangerous and will kill you.” Magorian said.

“We only wish to pass safely along the path and mean you no harm.” Harry replied.

“And what path do you wish to cross that you think will reach the spiders.”

“Only the path you set us upon, that which the stench of our humanity will be the least offensive, oh Great Ones.” Harry replied. He didn’t remember if these were the exact words Becca had told him to say, but they were close.

“Who are you that you seek passage through our lands and speak of our ways so willingly?”

“The ones who have come to save the child soon to be born as the seventh month dies.” This was said by Severus and Harry together in unison.

Magorian and Roroan looked at each other and lower their crossbows. This was not only the password but they had seen it in the stars. “You will be granted passage; the path you seek is that way.” He pointed to a path that lead farther in the forest and with a deep bow, Harry and Severus went down the path indicated. After they had briskly walked into the thickness of trees for about half an hour they came to a small clearing.

“This is it Sev, this is the cave. I remember it from second year.” Harry was excited they found the cave but not excited to go in.

“Then let us proceed cautiously, shall we?” Severus started to move closer to the cave with Harry right behind them.

“Aragog!” Harry called out, “Aragog, we come in peace to help your children.” Hopefully that would get his attention.

“Harry, what part about cautious did you not understand?” Severus challenged tersely to the young man with exasperation in his voice.

As the spiders started to swarm around them, Aragog came to the front of the cave. “Who is it that disturbs my sleep?” He asked in his booming voice.

“I am Harry Prince and this is Severus Prince, we wish to renew your contract to feed your children for an exchange of resources.”

“I have not dealt with you before, how do I know you are here to help us?” Harry used a two way mirror to have a few head of stock transferred to his location. All of a sudden, there were a few dozen rabbits, goats and cattle in the clearing. “We wish to trade and provide you and your children with food.”

“We have been dealing with the goblins; we have not had humans here before.” Aragog said as his children scattered and attacked the animals that had just been delivered. They were obviously ready for the delivery and Harry was glad to see even the little ones chase after the rabbits.

Harry was smiling at this. He and Severus were excited that this worked so well, but he knew that the spiders were not getting food from anywhere else. “The goblins help run our company. Our purpose is to keep creatures such as you out of the war. We wish to express our desire to continue with the current contract.”

“You have not told me who exactly you are and why you are worried about the war.” Aragog’s voice boomed again.

“We have come to save the child that will be born as the seventh month dies, and bring peace to our worlds.” Severus had spoken to the huge spider. “Prince Conglomerate will continue to help all creatures come to a peaceful understanding and help everyone work together. We are just getting started.”

“We will be agreeable to continue the contract but only until you prove yourselves unworthy. If you are proven to be untrustworthy, we will discontinue and bring a new war upon you.” Aragog was letting them know in a not so subtle way that they better tell the truth.

“We would initially want to clear your cave of the discarded shells. Our builders are most anxious to go back to work. Your venom is most valuable also and helps pay for the raising of the animals. We have brought some vials to fill if you would be willing, if not consider this shipment of animals as a goodwill peace offering and we will be on our way.”

“How often could you deliver this amount of fresh meat?”

Harry smiled, he was hooked. “We can deliver this many animals about once a month. It would not be the same animals all the time, but it would be the equivalent of this much food every time.”

“Then we have an agreement, there is a cave we use to store our discarded shells. We do not use them for anything so you may take them with you. If you have the vials I will see that they are filled as you gather the discarded shells. I want to make sure that you will not be attacking us in any way when you make your deliveries. It would be almost impossible to poison us but we want that assurance.”

“You have our wizard’s oath that this is not an ambush or a way to destroy you. This is a way to make peace. We only ask a few things in return. We ask that you no longer attack the other magical creatures such as the centaurs and unicorns. They are very valuable to us.” Aragog nodded at this, they had only attacked for food, before the goblins came with the first contract many years ago, as they were starving and the forest did not provide enough wildlife to support their colony. “We also ask that if approached, you do not join the Death Eaters if they ask. We do not want to support Voldemort’s army. With this agreement, we will provide you with enough food to support your family.”

Aragog nodded. This was an equitable agreement for both parties and not charity that the spiders would hate. He would have to speak to the other acromantulas and make sure they understood the contract was still in force, but they may be seeing other humans.

“One more thing, Aragog, we do not agree with Dumbledore and his machinations, so we would prefer you did not join up with his army either. We are here in preparation of the child to come. We are his protectors.”

Aragog bowed deeply in respect and took the ten large vials from the two men. “I have heard of this child and will do as you ask, we have an agreement. I will fill these vials half with my own venom, but half with the venom of a little one. Nature gives the most potent poison to the youngest that are less able to protect themselves. It should be good for your potions. In the cave where the discarded armor shells are stored, is also much webbing to make silk with. You may take that as well. We can use that cave for the transfers, it should keep you out of the forest if you can portkey in, leave the food and take the product. That is how the goblins have been doing it. If you need more you can let us know and we will do the same.”

“Thank you Aragog, we look forward to a most equitable and safe future.” After Severus’ farewell, the men made it to the cave and looked in wonder at the size and fullness of discarded shells and webs. They bound the shells together and attached a portkey to send the lot to the location that created the flooring and armors, and then they swished their wands and collected the webbing without touching it and sent it to the clothing factory. Harry got back on the mirror and called for more animals to be shipped to his location as soon as possible. A few minutes later, sheep and pigs were in the cleared out cave with more of the rabbits and goats.

They walked back to Aragog to collect their venom and explain. “Aragog, your offerings far outweigh our payment of earlier. We have filled your cave with more food. We erected a small barrier to keep the animals in but you and your children can easily get through it or may release the animals for sport.

“Then we are honored that you are fair and true businessmen. We will have more next month for you and if you send the vials in advance, they will be waiting in the cave with the other things you ask for. This actually solves a problem for us as the cave was getting full and we don’t have a use for all those shells. We are a large family and molt often.”

The two wizards bowed to Aragog and his children surrounding him and left up the pathway from which they came.

Harry was glad that Severus was with him. He knew the translation spell to speak with others that didn’t know or understand English. While they were in the forest, similar transactions were preformed throughout the dense sections of trees with the Centaurs, Unicorns, thestrals, pixies, fairies, and then the giant squid and the merpeople. All were beings who had something to give in the way of potion ingredients, or other services and all who needed something in return and were aware of a prophecy about the child born in the seventh month. All were willing to work together to keep peace on the grounds of Hogwarts, and look after the children and make sure when the child came to school he would be welcomed and protected.

And so more were gathered into the fold.

That night after dinner, Severus excused himself by telling Harry that he had a potion simmering that he needed to go check. When Harry asked if he could join him he declined and told him to stay and visit with the others.

Harry stayed with the others, but was preoccupied with thoughts of what Severus was really doing. He was acting so distant lately.

Severus had just finished getting Remus situated in his office/apartment with the two elves. Now he was returning to his lover and noticed once again that Harry was curled around his pillow, fast asleep. He knew it was partly his fault, but he wanted to surprise Harry. Remus was now recovered sufficiently to take care of himself.

Severus wanted his lover badly and had been getting excited even as he was finishing details for Remus. He had been thinking about sinking into that fine arse all day and did not want to be denied. He quickly got undressed and climbed into the bed after a flick of his wand divested Harry of his sleep pants.

After carefully pulling the vial of lubricant out of the bedside drawer, he coated his hand with it and slicked his hardness. He didn’t know how long he could hold out, but he was not going to sleep like this for a second night.

He pressed the pillow Harry had been hanging onto, across the younger man’s hips and turned him over so he could have full access to what belonged to him. Gently he pressed his thumb into the portal that was winking at him as if to tease him and slowly began to prepare the young man for the intrusion that was about to happen.

His Harry was so tight and warm he couldn’t wait to encase himself in that tight heat. As he was getting the younger man ready, he started to wake up and push against the intrusion and responding to the massaging of his entrance. Severus couldn’t wait any longer and lined himself up for a quick thrust, pulling on Harry’s hips as he forced his way past the sphincter muscles straight into the sweet spot that would drive the green eyed beauty wild.

“Argh…” Harry cried as the pleasure/pain of the sudden joining brought him fully awake. “Sev… Oh Merlin… more… Sev… can’t hold it…” Harry’s disjointed words were coming in gasps of air as the older man pounded into the firm young flesh before him.

“Harry, you will not release until I tell you to, do you understand?” Severus commanded his lover. Harry by now was incoherent and could only give a small nod of his head. “You are mine, Harry, and I will be the only one to ever do this. Say it Harry, say you belong to me.” He was like a piston moving in and out of that fine young arse, but he was close and wanted Harry to orgasm with him.

The younger man repeated his older lover’s words. “Yes, Severus” He spoke on each thrust. “I” thrust “am” thrust “yoooouuuuurrrrsssss.” They both released on that last word and collapsed onto the bed, completely exhausted.


A/N Thank you to all my reviewers since the last update, nari-chan, qwerty, Severus is Mine and timikolee. You guys ROCK!!

Here is a mystery. In chapter 36 Becca has a BIG secret. It is not a love interest, can anyone guess?