Lentesco

I am feeling particularly inspired - just cos I now want to get this finished and get started on my next idea. But, the good outcome of that is that you, dear reader, get quick updates! SP



Lentesco – Chapter Thirty-Nine



It was a month later.



Harry had spent an enjoyable twenty-eight days discovering exactly how skilled Severus was at bringing him to climax. As well as this, he had watched the other man prepare the potion for Lucius (and the antidote – “Just in case one of us gets dosed”), and watched his own concoction bubble sluggishly as it brewed.



“We’re still short that one final ingredient.” Harry said a little breathlessly as he tucked his tingling dick back into his trousers. “And my potion’s nearly ready. Maybe I could get the ingredient when Lucius comes to visit.”



“I will have to invite him, won’t I?” Severus looked as though he was smelling a dungbomb. “And make it seem as if I know how to cure the curse, and I want his help?”



“Yes.”



Severus looked annoyed but nodded. “Very well, I will write the dratted epistle. However, I would feel much happier if the curse had already been lifted.”



Harry rolled his eyes. “You think I don’t want it lifted?” he mocked. “Believe me, I do!” He scanned the room idly, then a sudden thought struck him. “Sev, what about all those letters he wrote you? You told me you haven’t even opened them. Maybe one of those will tell us where he might be before he comes here. That way we can get what we need.”



Looking dubious, Severus agreed. He went to his sleeping quarters and returned a few moments later with a pile of scrolls held in his arms.



“Enjoy.” He said curtly as he returned his attention back to his potion.



“All of those?” Harry looked stunned.



Severus nodded, and gave a small smile. “He never did understand subtlety.”



Harry sighed and tugged the ribbon from the first scroll. Quietly he read the contents, nose wrinkling in disgust at the blond’s vanity, and put the letter beside him. He reached for the next. And the next. And the next.



Severus sat beside him, holding a cup of tea. “You’ve gone through almost all of those, Harry. I’m sorry, but I don’t think you’ll have any luck.” He handed the other the drink.



“Thanks,” Harry said, blinking a little as he refocused. “I’m going to finish this though. I’ve only got…eight left.”



He picked up a scroll, and almost without looking, tugged on one end of the bow to undo the ribbon. It tangled into a knot. Irritated, he put his cup down and examined the silver and green fabric. Caught in the knot was a long silver hair.



He felt his heart leap.



“SEV!” he shrieked. “I’ve got it!”



“Got what?”



“A hair. One of Lucius’ hairs!”



Severus frowned. “How on earth did that get there? Lucius is usually very careful about things like that.”



Nearly a month before, Lucius had tweezered a grey hair from his blond mane and ordered Studdy to put the tweezers away. Studdy, who hero worshipped the one House Elf who had escaped the Malfoys – Dobby – had twisted the strand into the ribbon of the letter. He knew all about the curse as his master had gloated about it often enough. Studdy had had no idea if Snape knew how to cure the curse, but he had hoped that having a part of Lucius would, in some way, help Malfoy’s victim.



Studdy had thought of Dobby as he had tied the knot. He knew all about Dobby of course – what Elf didn’t? And he one day hoped to play a part in his master’s downfall.



“Who cares?” Harry asked gleefully, “We’ve got it and I’ll put it into the potion.”



Severus, still a little doubtful, nodded.



“Yes, we’ll try this, and then – whether it works or not - I’ll write that letter.”