Pet

~*~*~*~*
THIRTY
~*~*~*~
Lucius’ warm hand slid beneath Harry’s robes and snaked through an opening in the silk boxer shorts he finally permitted Harry to wear. His hand caressed Harry’s flaccid penis.

“Do you think that this is all you are to me? That I keep you only to fuck you?”

“I…”

Lucius’ hand moved from Harry’s penis to his hip, his thumb caressing the basilisk tattoo. He could feel Harry’s quick pulse and a tremor of magic.

“If all I wanted was sexual gratification, then any convenient hole would do. You are a wonderfully complex little creature and you have fascinated me from the first time I met you in Flourish and Blotts…Others in your place would give up, but you always push back…a scowl, a word, hidden books and hidden magic…glimpsing your inner Slytherin beneath your mask of Gryffindor. You have always been more than a mere pet…”

Lucius’ uncharacteristic openness hit a chord deep inside the younger wizard. Harry’s eyes sparkled in quiet amusement and he fought a smile. Lucius arched an eyebrow.

“What?”

Harry’s voice was laced with humor; he cocked his head. “I think that the Ritual of Possession did not work exactly as you planned. In binding me to you, you have bound you to me.”

The older man’s features were a controlled mask, but something like understanding flickered briefly in his eyes.

“Perhaps,” was all he said as he hooked a finger under the choke chain and pulled Harry down to meet his lips.

~*~*~**~
Blaise Zabini paused in his conversation with Antonin Dolohov, momentarily distracted by the delighted squeals of two babies. Secure in a play area in the sunroom, Rosamond was levitating the blocks and stuffed animals, much to the delight of Blaise’s son, Tristan.

“Such a precocious little witch,” Dolohov observed, his voice neutral. The older wizard’s eyes turned back to Blaise. “Have you spoken with Lucius about a possible marriage contract? With her sires, she will be a powerful little poppet.”

“It is too early to play any cards, Mr. Dolohov. We do not yet know the sex of the Dark Lord’s heir.”

Dolohov scratched his chin. “I had heard that Severus was with child…”

“I am to understand that congratulations are in order for you as well. Ginerva tells me both Padma and Pavarti are expecting…Perhaps it is you I should negotiate with…Great Grandmother is already studying the family trees…and what a tangled mess they are.”

Dolohov laughed and moved on to speak to another wizard. Blaise watched him, contemplatively. Political alliances were shifting in Voldemort’s New Society; the Zabini clan would need to make careful partnerships. Their illusion of neutrality would not serve them as well in this political climate.

Draco entered the sunroom, inviting the milling guests to assemble in the main ballroom. His father’s handfasting would begin in the next half hour.

“Dray!” Rosamond giggled upon seeing her brother. “Up!”

The tall blond reached over the play fence, gathering both babies in his arms effortlessly. With a nod and a smile, Draco deposited Tristan into Blaise’s arms.

Blaise followed his former roommate. Draco would marry in a month’s time. A union with Draco’s future children would align the Zabini clan with both the powerful Malfoy clan as well as a number of unknown Swiss Pureblood families. He would have to have his great grandmother research them as well.

~*~*~*
Severus slipped into a small side parlor near the ballroom. Harry was standing beside a piano, playing a simple melody.

“Where is Longbottom? I thought he was with you?”

Harry looked up and Severus was struck by his elfin appearance. The iridescent silver and green formal robe hugged his thin frame before flaring slightly at the hips for ease in walking; his long, black hair was down, several elaborate braids were shot with silver ribbon. The dress robe was extremely stylish while still retaining a masculine silhouette. Severus’ mind drifted back to the eleven-year-old boy with broken eyeglasses and hand-me-down clothing, and couldn’t help thinking that Harry cleaned up extremely well.

“Neville’s gone to check on the arrangements. He should be back soon.”

“How are you holding up?”

Harry smiled a sad smile; it was not the smile of a man anticipating his handfasting ceremony. He tugged at the cuffs of the dress robe and Severus realized the control bands were gone. The choke chain no longer circled his slender throat.

“Do I look all right? Not too much of a fem?”

“You look fine, Love, more than fine. Did Lucius pick out the robe?”

“No.” Harry laughed. “It’s apparently considered bad luck for a ..groom…to see his…bride…before his wedding day. Draco and Ginny picked it out – with Grandmother Zabini’s direct influence, of course. She insisted on the ribbons for my hair…said it gave the impression of innocence and vulnerability…especially since I could not qualify to wear white to my …wedding. All I need are wings and I’d pass for an elf or a fairy.”

Severus snorted, a vision of gossamer wings floating behind his small friend. He cupped Harry’s chin in his hand. “Are you truly all right? You don’t seem especially excited about today.”

Harry closed his eyes and then opened them. “I always thought that the day I exchanged vows with another would be the happiest day of my life…that I would be hopelessly in love with them…”

“Do you have any feelings for Luce at all?”

“I don’t hate him…but I don’t think that I love him either. I like his company and sometimes his intimacy, but…”

“What do you think you are to Lucius?”

Harry’s shoulders sagged. “A pet…a pet he holds affection for, but a pet never the less.”

“I have known Luce almost my entire life and he does not give his affections easily…He may call you ‘Pet’, but you’ve never really been considered one…he gave you full access to Malfoy Manor and hexed anyone who looked at you twice…he has protected you and polished you…true, he bound you as his concubine…originally just a sexual plaything…but you grew to become his concubine in the ancient manner…a secondary wife.

“I don’t know if he will ever love you or if you will ever love him, but he respects you a great deal…and common respect is not a bad foundation on which to build a union.”

Harry mulled over Severus’ words. His eyes drifted up Severus’ thin figure and stopped on the gentle swell of early pregnancy.

“You are looking a little better, not quite so green.”

“I think I am finally through the worst of the morning sickness…and I’ve been banned from brewing potions.”

“By Lord Voldemort or the mediwizard?”

“Both. Although Dr. Eeylops did ask me to warn him if I was planning an escape…” Harry and Severus shared a laugh. “I felt a fluttering movement the other day. It still doesn’t seem real…”

“It will be real enough when the baby kicks your bladder….Are you getting more comfortable with the pregnancy?”

“I don’t really have a choice, do I?” There was a touch of bitterness in the Potion Master’s voice. Through his almost forty years of life, Severus had ended lives and saved lives, but he had never once considered creating a life.

As Voldemort’s control over the wizarding world stabilized, the terror and uncertainty disappeared for most of the magical community. The new ruling class was not overly harsh and sweeping reforms instigated by Severus’ behind-the-scenes manipulations had simplified many archaic laws. Half-bloods and Muggleborns were no longer persecuted as long as they offered no resistance to the new order. After much discussion and lengthy research, Severus made the Dark Lord realize early on that he could not continue the annihilation of a large segment of the society; fresh blood was needed to strengthen the pure bloodlines. Too much inbreeding had toppled many a Muggle monarchy, and the increasing numbers of Squib children was an early warning sign.

As the Wizarding world sank back into a feeling of security, the population exploded. Feeling safe, many a witch decided it was time to have a child. In this atmosphere of stability, Lord Voldemort decided he, too, wished to create an heir. It did not matter to him whether his companion agreed to carry the fetus or not. And Severus found himself the unwilling host of a growing organism.

“Sev,” Harry hugged the tall wizard to his chest. “I know you don’t want this…but promise me something.”

“Promise you what?”

“Do not blame the child. I grew up hated and unwanted…I can not wish that future on another.”

They both looked up as the door to the chamber opened. Neville shut the door behind him.

“It’s almost time, Harry. Lord Malfoy is looking for you, Professor. You need to take up position beside him.”

Harry squeezed Severus’ hand as they parted. “It will work out, Sev…for both of us. Fate may not hand us the future we expect, but I know in my heart it will all work out.”

“Foolish Gryffindor,” Severus scoffed and opened the door.

~*~*~*