What the Devil Wants

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“Harry?” Harry turned over in his sleep unconsciously pulling the covers up around him as a cool breeze hit the back of his neck. “Harry, you have to wake up.” An icy touch on his exposed shoulder made him shiver and frown, but instead of opening his eyes Harry scooted further across the bed, out of reach. “Harry you lazy little shit, don’t make me hex you.” This time a hard nudge to the back, followed by a kiss to the cheek drew Harry from his dreams with a start.

“Tired, go away.” Harry grumbled not really recognizing the blur of the face hovering above him.

“You are a nasty morning person aren’t you Potter?” Harry felt the cool slide of someone putting on his glasses as he yawned and sat up in bed. It was only when his brain started to function properly and his vision came back into focus that Harry realized who was staring at him.

“Snape!” Launching himself across the bed Harry attached himself to Snape’s thin frame, practically bowling the sickly looking professor over onto his arse. “You’re better, I thought he was going to kill you!” Harry hugged Snape’s chest tightly as the elder wizard clutched supportively to Harry allowing the boy some comfort before reality set in.

“I’m not exactly out of the woods yet,” Snape pushed Harry back onto the bed, and propped himself up with a few cushions so that he could breath a little easier. Harry frowned as he stared at Snape’s sickly complexion and tired eyes.

“Then what are you doing here if you’re not well. Stay there I’ll go and get Draco to get you a glass of water…” Harry scurried out of bed but was quickly halted as Snape caught a hold of his hand and dragged him back into the warmth of the blankets.

“Draco’s not here, I’ve sent him to Dumbledore.” Harry frowned in confusion but didn’t question the elder wizard, who was rubbing his forearm in obvious pain. “We haven’t got a lot of time Harry and there’s a lot to be done.”

“Time? What things?” Harry snuggled up into Severus’ side as a draft blew through the bedroom rattling the windowpanes and creating an awfully haunting sound.

“With my discovery as traitor to Voldemort, the Order of the Phoenix no longer have the upper hand in this war. We are essentially a step behind the dark lord now, and without inside information are helpless to defend ourselves. Voldemort must realize this and it is my belief that he will be planning an attack as soon as possible in order to catch us unawares.” Harry nodded seriously as Severus closed his eyes momentarily in pain before reopening them slowly to meet Harry’s glistening emerald green eyes. “You are the only link we have now Harry, and for us to be prepared in this war I have to take advantage of that link.” Harry looked puzzled and chewed his lip in nervous tension as Snape reached forward and gently brushed a stray piece of hair from Harry’s scarred forehead in a soft gesture of trust.

“You mean, you and I are…” Harry paused and swallowed heavily. “You’re going to….” Harry didn’t really know how to articulate what he thought was going to happen, and his stumbling made Snape chuckle softly to himself.

“You did say you wanted to be mine Harry, and if you go through with this you will have to trust me to guide you through our life together.” Harry was already nodding before he realized it and it was only Snape’s still unconvinced smile that made the boy verbalize his agreement.

“I do want this, and I think I gave you my trust when you put this on me.” Harry smoothed his fingers over the collar around his neck and was rather surprised when Snape leant in and pressed a kiss to the spot just above the collar on Harry’s Adam’s apple.

“When I’m done with you Potter, the collar will pale into insignificants compared with the mark I’m going to bestow on you now.” Harry shivered from head to toe as Snape breathed out heavily against the wet spot he’d left behind from the kiss on Harry’s neck. “But first things first,” Harry opened his eyes sharply as Snape pulled abruptly away from Harry’s neck and threw his legs out of bed to get up. “I need some things from downstairs, and you need to take a bath.” Snape wrinkled his nose in disgust at Harry’s aroma. Being alone in the dirty room with Draco for a week, Harry hadn’t really bothered to wash, and now as he smelt his underarm he realized just how offensive he was on the nose. “You’ve got ten minutes to get cleaned up, then I’ll expect you standing right here waiting for me.” Snape stood at the end of the bed and gestured with a firm point of his finger at the exact spot at the foot of the bed. Harry nodded; already pulling his clothes off as he headed from the grotty little bathroom he’d had the displeasure of using all week. Snape smiled in satisfaction as he headed for the door of the bedroom. “Oh and don’t bother with dressing either Harry, we haven’t the time for pleasantries.” Snape heard a squeak of shock from the bathroom but ignored it as he smiled smugly to himself and disappeared from the room to leave Harry to himself.

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