What the Devil Wants

************************************

Harry crept quietly along the landing, carefully avoiding stepping on the creaky floorboards. It had gone 3am when Harry had heard the first of them arrive home, the wards crackling as the front door was opened and closed. Harry hadn’t been fully asleep being still upset about earlier. He’d listened for a good hour to the muffled conversations from downstairs until finally he’d had enough of waiting. Harry wanted to know what had gone on and what he was supposed to be doing to help.

With his breath caught in his throat Harry tiptoed down the staircase cringing at every creak that sounded far too loud in the practically silent hallway. Mrs. Black was still covered in a sheet but Harry was careful not to disturb the fabric as he passed by her portrait. Reaching the polished hall floor, Harry scampered over to the slightly ajar living room door and glanced in through the crack.

Harry saw Remus first reclined against the piano stool with a large glass of amber liquid in his hand. Remus looked tired, battered and bruised, although a smile tweaked at the corner of his lips as he talked animatedly with Sirius standing beside him with a similar glass in hand. From somewhere else in the room Harry could hear Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, undoubtedly their own offspring tucked up safely in bed at the burrow. Albus, Tonks and Mad-eye Moody all added to the soft conversation flowing easily around the lounge room. Among all the voices though Harry could hear Severus. The elder wizards deep melodic voice clearly identifiable among the hushed conversations. Sighing heavily Harry couldn’t wait any longer to see what condition Snape was in, and so with a sigh he gently pushed open the door.

Standing up in only his thin sleep pants, a Weasley knitted jumper and some bed socks Harry looked very much like a sleep disturbed young child as he stepped into the lounge and all eyes turned to him in silence. Swallowing nervously Harry twisted his fingers into his jumper as he glanced up at the group. Snape was sitting on the lounge beside Albus. Severus looked completely different and Harry could help but stare. Formal school robes had been discarded for more practical Auror robes, his long black hair had been tied up at the base of his neck revealing far more neck than Harry had ever remembered seeing. Snape was caked in mud and dirt, his robes wet from the rain and torn in places. Snape wasn’t alone in his miserable appearance, even Albus looked battle hardened and tired.

“Um, Draco snores, and kicks a lot and hogs the blankets.” Harry muttered awkwardly when he finally drew his stare away from Snape. Harry hadn’t quite known what to do with himself when he’d arrived at Grimmauld Place, and so for the sake of familiarity he’d retreated to his own bedroom only to find that Draco had been given it to share with him.

“Sorry Harry, I assumed you be sharing with Severus so I gave Draco your room.” Sirius spoke up from over next to the fire and Harry was a little confronted by how cold his godfathers tone of voice was. Sirius had never addressed him so seriously before and it made Harry shiver a little in concern.

“Oh, I..I..I” Harry stuttered from a moment as he searched for a reply but when he couldn’t think of one he simply went quiet, his gaze glued to the floor. The tension hung thick in the air of the living room and Harry desperately wanted to walk away. Harry had no idea what everyone was waiting for and he certainly didn’t want to do anything that might be wrong. After another minutes silence Harry heard Snape sigh followed by the chink of a glass as it was placed back on the coffee table.

“Oh for Merlin’s sake Harry show them the mark. They can’t address you until they’ve seen for themselves that I’ve claimed you.” Harry winced at little at Snape’s severe tone of voice surprised by how sharp he was. Nodding, Harry obediently lifted his Weasley jumper and turned his back to the gathered group in the living room. There was a quiet muttering that traveled through the group as they were showed the mark. Harry hadn’t actually seen the mark for himself yet, all he knew was that it was painful and swollen.

“Congratulations Harry, It’s perfect.” Harry lowered his jumper as Albus stood up from his seat and came over to hug Harry tightly. Harry returned the hug and stepped back as Sirius strode across the room scowling.

“It looks infected, you should be treating this for him Snape.” Sirius turned Harry around again and inspected the mark for himself, making Harry wince and yelp several times when he pressed the sore spots.

“Get your hands off him Black, and if you excuse me of not taking care of my partner again I’ll hex you into the next millennia.” Snape snapped irritably at Sirius, who after lingering a moment longer just to annoy Snape, backed away from Harry to simply hug him gently.

“So what’s going on?” After the majority of the group had paid Harry their respects Harry quietly inquired about the days events. Almost immediately everyone clammed up again, leaving Harry staring at Snape hoping for some kind of explanation.

“It’s nothing to concern yourself with Harry, we’ll discuss it tomorrow morning. For now let’s all get some rest.” Albus patted Harry comfortingly on his shoulder before heading for the fireplace. Everyone muttered their agreement and it wasn’t long before Harry was left alone with Snape in the living room. Harry shifted awkwardly on his feet, his hands still twisting nervously in his lap not quite knowing what to do with himself. Snape sighed heavily and stood up from the couch, his face pinching into a painful wince as he shuffled across the floor to where Harry was still stood in the doorway.

“Come up stairs with me, and sit while I take a shower.” Harry nodded in silence and followed Snape up the stairs, noting acutely how stiffly the elder wizard walked. Once locked in the bathroom Harry sat down on the closed lid of the toilet as he watched Snape silently peel off each layer of clothing. It was only now that Harry realized the extent of Snape’s injuries, and it took every ounce of Harry’s will power not to reach out and try and sooth Snape’s pain with his hands. Naked Snape stepped into the shower spray and began washing himself, leaving Harry staring at him from behind the steamy glass.

“I know how you’re feeling Harry.” The words were barely audible above the spray of the shower but Harry heard them nonetheless. Harry swallowed nervously and shook his head in silence. “What I saw in your visions was important, I’ve had a lot to deal with today, it was never my intention to make you feel used.” Harry’s lips trembled dangerously as he stared at Snape’s steamy figure behind the glass, the man clearly in pain as he strained to keep his voice even and calm. “I’m sorry I haven’t been supportive but I promise I’ll be more attentive to you from now on.” Harry smiled sideways as Snape pulled aside the glass shower divide and poked his head out. Snape looked his normal self again, his hair hanging wet and limp to his shoulders and his pale face clean of blood and dirt. “Can you pass me a towel please?” Harry nodded and grabbed a large fluffy bath towel from the heated rack beside him.

“So you can read my mind?” Harry whispered as he stared at the tiled floor as Snape stepped out of the shower to begin drying himself. Snape huffed in contempt and shook his head in mock amusement.

“Potter, your mind has always been an open book to me only now I have a right as your partner to share your thoughts.” Harry frowned deeply as he watched Snape wrap the towel around his waist and pad silently from the bathroom across the hall to Snape’s bedroom. Harry obediently trailed after the elder wizard, who automatically warded and locked the door of the bedroom behind them.

“Why can’t I read yours then!” Harry protested weakly as Snape sat down on the edge of the large bed and surveyed the contents of his trunk that had been laid out by the house elf.

“You can, you caught a glimpse of it when we were practicing for my 101 class. It works on the same principals, only you will have to work a little harder to achieve it.” Harry pressed his lips together tightly in irritation as he slumped down into the over stuffed arm chair beside the fireplace while Snape was getting dressed in his thin sleep pants. Harry regretted having sat down instantly and hissed and yelped in pain as he caught the mark on his back.

“Come here now,” Almost instantly Snape’s casual mood disappeared as he pointed to the space at his feet. Harry shuffled over painfully to Snape’s side. No sooner had he paused beside his lover, than Snape had grabbed him by the hand and dragged him down to drape the boy over his knee. Harry squirmed uncomfortably and a little embarrassed as Snape yanked the Weasley jumper up to expose the fresh mark on Harry’s lower back. “You should have said something.” Snape snapped irritably as he inspected the mark before growling angrily at what he saw.

“When was I supposed to do that, I haven’t seen you since….” Forgetting his place Harry struck out and was rewarded by a firm-stinging slap to his backside, that made him jump in pain. “What was that for!” Harry barked indignantly as he strained to see what Snape was searching for in his small traveling case. Harry flinched as another slap connected with his backside this time harder than before. “Oww!” Harry yelled as he struggled to remove himself from Snape’s lap. Snape’s hold was strong though and all Harry managed to do was wriggle uncomfortably around.

“It’s time we learnt some discipline Potter, I don’t tolerate being challenged and I won’t put up with your attitude in its current state.” Harry hissed in pain as he felt the icy bite of a potion being poured onto his wounded back. Squirming relentlessly Harry completely missed the effect his wriggling was having on Snape until the man growled and pushed Harry off him with a firm shove onto the floor. Harry yelped in pain as he sat up on the rug to stare up at Snape. Snape had stood up from the edge of the bed and was now breathing deeply, his eyes closed and his fists clenched at his sides. Harry unconsciously shifted backwards away from Snape when the elder wizard finally opened his eyes after another deep calming breath. Harry dutifully kept his eyes to the ground despite the fact the tent of Snape’s sleep pants hung dangerously close to Harry’s eye line. Reaching over the bed into his trunk Snape pulled out a small dusty tome, and handed it silently to Harry.

“I want you to read this along with your diary from 101. It explains a lot of what is expected of you in this relationship as my sub. Please don’t make me regret taking you Harry, I have neither the strength or the patience to fight you.” Harry nodded obediently as he tucked the book safely into his schoolbook bag, that he’d found along with his trunk and personal affects along side Snape’s at the end of the bed. “Now come and get into bed. I’m exhausted and I need you to relax so I can heal your mark. I should have done it before but I just didn’t have the time.” Shuffling along Harry climbed wearily into bed while Snape blew out the candles around the room and hauled himself under the sheets beside the younger wizard. Turning on his side away from Snape Harry scooted as close to the edge of the bed as possible not really knowing what was expected of him now. No sooner had his head hit the pillow however Harry felt Snape wrap a firm arm around his waist and pull him bodily back against him. Harry smiled to himself as he felt Snape’s warmth envelope him, the elder wizards arm wrapped protectively over his waist and the warm gentle breath against his neck. For the first time since they’d officially been joined Harry felt the butterflies in his stomach stop fluttering as he closed his eyes and let the thump of Snape’s heartbeat against his back lull him to sleep.

******************************************

TBC>>>>>

A/n Sorry it's been a while, work overload.....considering it's nearly christmas I should be vacationing but like that's ever going to happen. Anyway enjoy...

Cheers
RIFFRAFF