After the End

CHAPTER 16


Harry sat up, blankets pooling around his waist. He felt, good.

Lord Malfoy was seated in the large chair next to the bed, his dressing gown belted around him, the long, dark green robe covering him from throat to ankles. Except where he had pushed the sleeve up off his arm, and his pale, white-gold skin showed vividly in contrast to the fabric.

He was rubbing at his wrist, absently, eyes fixed on it. Harry leaned over, immediately curious. He was puzzled by what he saw, taking several moments to figure out just what it was.

A tiny, silver scaled serpent was coiled around Lord Lucius' wrist, it's head facing upwards, toward the crease of his inner elbow. The serpent's pointed tail was tucked into the center of his palm. It was exact in every detail to the tattoo Harry had seen on his own back.

Harry jumped out of the bed, paying no heed to his nudity, and turned his back towards the mirror on his dressing table. He craned his head over his shoulder to see, not knowing exactly what to expect.

His snake was still in residence, wrapped around the flowering branch as always. And...he now had a second and a third coiled at the base of the branch, tiny ones. New ones. As if... the original had been breeding. He shook his head, no, it couldn't have. It just wasn't possible.

His eyes flew towards the man sitting in his chair, legs crossed right over left. The unhappy man who's grey eyes were opaque silver, literally glittering with his rage. No, this wasn't something his Lord had done. Harry frowned. Then who?

"Well, Mr. Potter, you remain a never ending source of the impossible." The tone was hard, and unwelcoming. Lord Malfoy's eyes were unforgiving. He blamed Harry. The shock was enough that Harry took a step backwards. The eyes followed him.

"My Lord, I..." Harry gulped.

"Get dressed, Mr.Potter." Lord Malfoy told him crisply,and rose to his feet and swept out of the room in a explosion of green fabric and flaring blond locks.

Harry just stood in front of the mirror. Why didn't any thing work out for him? Dejectedly, he went to the basin of warm water and washed. The ruby ring flashed at him. The snake on his back undulated, as if sensing his distress. He was grateful it failed to move around to where he could see it.

He dressed quickly, but with unusual care. He pulled his hair back and tied it. He smoothed the folds of his coat over his chest, aligned his cuffs, straightened his tie. Trying for outward perfection while his insides roiled. Then he went out to find breakfast.

The table in the solarium was set for him. One plate, tea, milk, eggs and toast. He ate what was there, and nibbled on the cut fruit that appeared at the end of his meal. No one came, so he washed his hands, dried them and wondered what to do.

He sat alone at the table and tried to puzzle out what had happened. How anyone could place an outward mark on a wizard as strong as Lord Malfoy. Without his express consent.

They had just had sex, Harry ignored the flush that rose in his cheeks at the mere memory. Was it that? Sex magic? Was Lord Malfoy susceptible to sex magic? More than other witches or wizards perhaps? How was it possible for Harry to know? He could ask Lord Malfoy about his idea...he shuddered. Maybe later.

But, if it were true, then his Master had a glaring vulnerability. And wasn't it Harry's duty to tell him? As his apprentice? Harry avoided the thinking of the "L" word. Would the man listen, or strike out? He thought about it, twisting the soft, brushed cotton napkin in his hand. He hadn't seen Lucius strike out randomly, not even when he was angry. Was this situation so different?

Well, he'd transferred a mark off his own body onto that of his Master's. An outward mark that was visible to others. Lord Voldemort's claim had not been visible. Outsiders had not known simply by looking. Harry knew having the mark visible was bad. Lord Malfoy was not happy about it.

The voice startled him, he snapped upright in the chair, then leapt to his feet.

"Mr. Potter, if you are quite finished. There is business to attend to. Follow me if you please. At once." Still sharp, still unapproachable. Harry hurried to follow the tall man promising himself he'd watch for an opening. He kept his head down, eyes fixed on his Master's bootheels.

"Severus has requested that we meet with him. We will be going to Hogwarts. And since it is no longer forbidden to apparate onto the grounds, another foolish lapse in security, we will go at once." Lord Malfoy swept down the hall. Harry rushed after him.

"Sir! Sir, please." If they were leaving the Manor, Harry had to say something. It couldn't wait. What if he didn't say any thing and someone out there managed to cast their own spell or curse on his Master? Harry refused to imagine what they'd have to be doing at the time. The mere idea was like a knife in his chest. He couldn't let him take that chance.

"Very well, what is so urgent that it can not wait?" The man turned on him impatiently. Harry looked around.

"Are we alone here?" He mumbled. The grey eyes went flat. Lord Malfoy waved a hand. Harry felt as if the air had changed, gone solid around them, he had to concentrate in order to breathe, the oxygen seemed to be forced out of his lungs.

"No one can hear us now, Mr. Potter. State your business if you please."

"I...I...I think I know how the mark happened. I think you are vul...open to sex magic." Harry mumbled, darting a look up at the blank face. He gulped, again. "My Lord." He added hastily.

"I did manage to figure that out, Mr. Potter. And despite the implications, I am glad you managed to do so as well. As goes the Master, so goes the apprentice. I would hate to discover you were as oblivious as your friend Mr. Weasley. Now if that is all, we should be on our way." Lucius Malfoy turned and resumed his trip down the hallway.

"But..." Harry said. What did that mean? That he, Harry, was also vulnerable to sex magic because he was Lucius' apprentice? He didn't like that notion at all. Not in the least.

Lord Malfoy sighed. Stopping once more. He swung around to half face his companion, raising one perfect, pale brow as he looked down into the dark hazel-green eyes. He waited, gaze uncommunicative.

"I didn't mean...." Harry tried. "Am I...." He couldn't say it.

"You marked me. You didn't mean to. I understand perfectly." The man's voice was pleasant, disinterested. He flicked his cuff, absently, the cuff that covered the body of the snake. Harry felt despair fill him.

"But, Luc....uh...Mr. Malfoy, oh Damn,...My Lord,...I," Harry stuttered, trying to find something to say. Something right.

"Harry. I do understand. Without intention you were still able to mark me. I understand. Perfectly." And the tall man strode towards the great hall. After a moment the shaking boy followed behind him.


CHAPTER 17


They got as far as the east wing, nearly to the great room.

An unearthly scream tore through the Manor. Harry spun around to face the sound, heart pumping, shaking with the rush of adrenaline. He jumped again, then settled, as a warm hand came to rest on his shoulder. He felt the reassuring strength of his Master as the man pulled Harry back against his body. Harry had never been more grateful.

The scream was repeated. Closer, louder, more horrifying. Harry gaped ready for an army of dementors or worse, to appear. Narcissa Malfoy flew around the corner, her white hair streaming behind her, her white gown fluttering like a wraith around her slender body. Half a dozen small pink shapes pursued her, faces grimly determined.

She flew straight for them. Lucius put Harry firmly behind him.

Her hands were raised, slim fingers hooked like talons, long, pink tipped nails clawing for the man who waited for her. He caught her wrists easily, held her a pace away from his chest as she shrieked and struggled. Harry stared from his place behind his Lord.

"Narcissa." The name was calm, controlled as it left Lucius' lips. "What has happened to bring you to this state?"

She sucked in a breath. He shook his head. Stopping the shriek before it began.

"Quietly, madam. Tell me what has occurred." His silken tone was pure iron underneath.

"Draco. Draco is gone. He isn't back, he never came back, he promised..." She writhed in the strong hold.

"When did he leave? How?" Harry could feel the sudden tension in the taut body in front of him. Lucius' entire being flexed. Harry felt the magics gathering along with the anger, the rage.

"Last night. He said he had to leave. Just for a few hours. He had to go. He was going to relieve himself of...of...his..." She pinked up to a delicate rose under her husband's gaze.

"Of his virginity, I assume. Yes? And was Messilinda not available for such a thing?" He inquired, voice neutral once more. Calm flowing through his tight limbs, until he was relaxed, ready. Harry felt it happen, his hand resting on Lucius' back.

"He despises her. As you would know if you spent more time with your son. She is so proper, so right all the time. A goodytwoshoes." Narcissa snorted, her own opinion of Draco's Mistress clear. "He would rather lay with a snake." She spat out. Her face changed, her eyes flicking to her husband's wrist, to the shimmering silver...barely visible from beneath the long cuff. He interrupted her sharply.

"Narcissa. Where has Draco gone? How long has he been gone? I need to know if I am to find him."

"My precious boy," She whimpered, then seemed to draw herself together. Outrage sparked in her intent blue eyes.

"Last night. Midnight. The wards shifted towards the north wing, they didn't break, they thinned, Draco said he could make it through. You weren't there, you didn't stop him. You were with your wh....." Lucius straightened one finger from around his wife's wrist, raising it so she could see it. She stopped, the word unfinished, dangling.

"Your c..c..consort." She finished, going unnaturally still.

"Where did he say he was going? Narcissa, where did Draco go?" The question came out a purr, despite coming through clenched teeth.

"The Alley. Knockturn Alley. Or the The Dreggs." She answered, and Lucius closed his eyes for a brief second. Merlin give me strength, he asked silently. That idiot boy. Knockturn Alley was bad enough, but The Dreggs were a notch far, far below the alley. Lucius thrust his weeping and swearing wife into the arms of one of the larger house elves.

"Very well. Gilly, take her back to her rooms and watch her. See that she is calmed. Perhaps a medi-witch is in order. See to it. Check all the wards immediately. Re-inforce them as needed. Inform me of all you find." He addressed Harry. "Mr. Potter, there has been a change in plans. We will not be going to Hogwarts after all. Nor will we be apparating. Traveling by floo is a filthy method, as well as inadvisable when traveling into that area, so we will be taking the carriage. Dobby! Master Potter and I will be leaving at once."

Harry ran after the man. The wards had shifted, stretched, changed. Their power drained enough for Draco to leave. All that power had to have gone somewhere. And Harry knew without really knowing where it had gone. Into the tiny bodies resting above his hips, and the one tiny body wrapped securely around Lord Malfoy's wrist. Into personal wards on his body...and on Lord Malfoy's. He hadn't known such a thing was possible.

They entered the waiting carriage and it was moving before the door closed fully. Harry adjusted to the gently swaying ride.

"Mr. Potter." Harry's attention refocused on the man who was speaking to him. "We have some little time to talk. If we are fortunate Draco will have accomplished his goal and found himself a wizard to relieve him of his virginity. If not, then we will be faced with finding him, or finding out who has taken him."

"A wizard? Why a wizard, Sir? Draco has always been more interested in witches, at school..." Harry's speech petered out under the quelling gaze. When he realized what he'd said his face flamed. he tried to stammer out an apology. Lucius ignored it.

"Yes, Mr. Potter, I know, I am the boy's father, and he does take after me in some ways. Now pay attention. If you were a witch there would be only one way to lose your virginity. There are two ways to lose virginity if one is male. To penetrate, or to be penetrated." He rolled his eyes at Harry's immediate dark red flush. "For Merlin's sake, Mr. Potter. It is perfectly natural. If he has chosen a wizard, then the process has been taken to it's fullest conclusion. If he has failed to think it through, and he has chosen a witch then it has not been completed, and he is still in grave danger from the Ministry and it's cursed aurors."

"Sir, if what you are saying is true, then I...uhm, we, I haven't..you haven't...with me...."

"Exactly, Mr. Potter. I shall require you to remain close to me. Within arm's reach. I can assure you none of the persons you meet this day will be the kind you want to penetrate, or be penetrated by. In any capacity." The tone was dry, and held a note that made Harry want to shudder. He was certain that was truth.

"I am still a virgin." Harry said, surprised by his disappointment.

"Not in all ways. I believe I have penetrated you, unless my memory fails me. You did have your mouth filled with some portion of my body as I recall." Lord Malfoy said. "And you are my consort. It would take a desperate man or woman to try to take you from me knowing that." The burning silver of his eyes both reassured Harry...and alarmed him.


CHAPTER 18


Ron slid his hands through the dark hair of his lover. Fitting his palms to the man's beloved skull, massaging, stroking. He turned the man's head so the angle of their mouths was better, he suckled on the willing lips and tongue, catching the lower lip between his teeth and carefully worrying at it. All of his enormous attention was on the kiss, he devoured the mouth he had missed so much, pulling himself closer with a flexing of his strong, young body. Oh, yes, oh yes.

Bill squirmed as his brother slithered over him, squashing him against the cushioned back of the couch, pinning him in place as Ron moved over, nearer to Severus. Ron's body was radiating heat, and desire that was impossible to overlook. The clearest evidence was pressed against Bill's abdomen, far more than he wanted to know about his little brother, who apparently was not so little anymore. His body was as hard as iron, and as difficult to shift.

Ron could have cared less who was in the room and what they were seeing, Bill was positive of that. Ron was touching Severus again. He hadn't touched him in too long. He wanted him. Needed him. Now. Ron moaned deep in his broad chest, his arms winding tighter, his tongue plunging into the man's warm, wet mouth. Pulling at the long black hair, no longer greasy and hanging down hiding his face, Ron had seen to it, keeping it clean and surprisingly silky. Now he was gripping two handfuls of that black, black hair and demanding as much as he was giving.

Bill pushed as hard as he could, trying to lift the 220 pounds of horny young male off of his lap, failing and remaining trapped just where he was. His wand was just out of reach on the table, or he'd have simply levitated Ron and gotten the hell out of the room. Strain as he might, Bill was a foot short of reaching the needed implement. Crap. He tried to turn onto his side. No way.

Snape was not helping. His moaning response to having his lover back, and a tongue down his throat, was driving Ron to madness, as far as Bill could tell. If the evidence could be believed, Snape was far more submissive than Bill would have guessed. Ron positioned him, held him, kissed him, Snape didn't lay like the dead by any stretch, but he responded, he did not initiate.

It was Ron who tore open the Professor's dark shirt, shoved it off the slender shoulder with one hand, and attacked the revealed flesh with his hungry mouth, marking him with teeth and sucking hard, to leaving scattered, red love bites. Snape's head fell limply against the back of the couch, his small moans driving Bill to the uncomfortable realization, that Bill, too, was now sporting wood. He had to get out of here. He was definitely not doing this.

"Severus!" Bill hissed, urgently. "Severus! Damn-it! Make him let me up!" Bill fought once more to move the two ton behemoth off his lap. He grunted and gave up. He reached a hand out, fingers scrabbling for a hold on Ron's hair, going for distraction. Ron only surged another inch away, and that meant Bill's erection responded nicely to the friction, as did Ron's, swelling to monster proportions right up against Bill's belly. Bill cringed, trying to buckle his legs and decrease the contact. He was not going to blow in his pants rubbing against his little brother. It would be far too humiliating.

Desperate times called for desperate measures. Bill closed his eyes for a moment then snapped out, "Ronald Weasley!" In the exact tone and cadence their mother used. It worked admirably, his erection was a thing of the past, and Ron lifted his head, blinking in confusion.

Bill took full advantage."Ron. Let me up. I soooo do not want to be here, doing this. Please let me out of here."

Ron turned and blinked again. Then he moved, and Bill scrambled up and out, over the back of the couch. He fled into the dungeon's hallway. He never looked back. Knowing Ron, the distraction was already forgotten. He had no interest in seeing his sibling's bare bottom. Or Snape's for that matter.

Bill ran into Dumbledore on the stairs, the older man heading towards Professor Snape's rooms, mumbling distractedly under his breath. Well, a detour was in order. Bill took the old man's arm, turning him smartly in mid step.

"Headmaster, can I help?"

"I've had an urgent communication from Lord Malfoy. There is an emergency. I had the prefects check on our students. Two are missing, without a clear reason why. Efforts to find them on the grounds have failed, we must widen the search." Dumbledore sounded tired, but resolute. Bill led him back up the stairs, a hand on the old wizard's elbow.

"Let's get moving then. Professor Snape needs a few moments for a small project he is completing. He can join us...later."


CHAPTER 19


"You don't use a wand, my Lord." Harry pointed out the obvious as they sat in the swaying carriage. The tall blond man shook his head in agreement. Harry watched the fall of thick, gleaming hair sliding over the black fabric of the tailored coat, spilling like water over the upholstery.

"No, I do not, and nor will you once I have had time to teach you. A wand can be taken from you, used against you, you give up a certain amount of your magic to bind it to you. You can also drop it. Lose it through a hole in your robes. Forget to bring it with you. One of a thousand things, any of which may cost you or your allies dearly. I have never been able to afford the chance." Lord Malfoy's attention wavered for an instant as if seeing events long past.

"At Hogwarts they told us we should use them, Sir." Harry said, his head tilted as he watched the older man, assessing his reaction. Lucius Malfoy allowed himself a small quirk of his lips. Harry's sharp eyes caught the near smile.

"Yes, they would. It makes the magic easier to direct, Mr. Potter. You can be a little lazy, and still the spell will turn out. Good for teaching the masses. A crime when teaching one as talented as yourself. A wand is not necessary, it is merely easier, a crutch. It is the intention, the mind that should direct the magic, not a sliver of wood. I will demonstrate. We must contact Hogwarts' Headmaster. Let me show you how."

Lucius made room on the seat next to himself, patting it. Harry eyed him warily. He wanted nothing more than to be near the man he hoped was his lover, the man who named him consort, but being asked to move closer for...he wasn't sure.

"Come now, Mr. Potter. Here is your opportunity to learn a little wandless magic. Your hand, if you please." Lord Malfoy held his hand out palm up and waited.

With trepidation Harry placed his own hand in the larger one, also palm up. He had to move to Lord Lucius' side to do it, his shorter arms would not reach across the carriage's center aisle. His Master used his free hand to roll Harry's sleeve back. Harry fought to ignore the feel of those skillful fingers on his skin.

"Now. Concentrate on how this feels." Harry's eyes flew to the man's face, but the Lord was already tilting his head back. Power flickered in the carriage, swirled and eddied around the two men.

Harry felt a sensation not unlike bubbles rising up through his hand, gathering on his palm, more and more oddly clear bubbles, thick, weighty, real. They coalesced, merging into a larger and larger mass, boiling just above his palm, growing into a crystal the size of a large orange, and pure, clear, flawless. It was heavy, his arm sagged with the effort of holding the ball aloft.

"Let me support it, it is too much for you so soon. It takes muscle and magic both." The Master's voice was kind, soft, Harry relaxed, knowing he could trust the man who cradled his hand. "Now, we call Headmaster Dumbledore. Put a vison of him in your mind, now look into the heart of the crystal, see him there, just as you remember him."

Harry closed his eyes picturing the old wizard in loving detail. The long hair, grey beard, twinkling eyes through the lens of the glasses perched on the tip of his nose. His voluminous robes of every color in the rainbow. The ribbons in his beard. Harry felt tears pricking his eyes. He sniffled. Lord Malfoy brushed a hand over Harry's rioutous curls.

"No crying, now is not the time, my dear. Not when there is serious work to be done. Breathe, Harry. Open your eyes. Look inside." And Harry did. Following the velvety words, the warm breath on his cheek, languid, it took too much effort to move his limbs. He saw only the crystal, felt only the arms that kept him safe, protected.

The center of the orb wavered. Dumbledore was there. Inside. Harry's sleepy eyes widened. He looked so real! And he moved!

Lucuis caught the boy as he drooped. The soft snore was not unexpected. His apprentice's reserves were low. Lucius fought back the urge to smile indulgently as he held the slim body in the crook of his arm. He kept his voice low when he spoke, so as not to waken the boy.

"Headmaster. I am afraid I may have bad news for you and for Hogwarts. Draco has disappeared, perhaps through his own devices, perhaps not. I have a premoniton, I believe he may have left on his own, but now is being detained against his will. My locator spells have turned up nothing to this point. This may be the first attempt by the Ministry to enforce their edict. Draco acted rashly. He may have walked into the Ministry's hands. I urge you to look to your students, especially those who are recently past puberty."

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Harry shrank from the dripping walls of the dank building. His coat brushed the slick muck and he grimaced, moving closer to Lord Malfoy. They entered the fifth building in less than ninety minutes. Harry squinted trying to see in the dim light. The smell was sour, overwhleming. His hand flew up to cover his nose and mouth, he choked.

His pupils adjusting to the gloom, Harry stared into the large wire cages lining the back wall. He could almost see.... He recoiled violently. Turning he grabbed at Malfoy's cloak and tugged until the man bent his head down close. The sweet, male scent of his Master was like a breath of fresh air, cutting through the fetid stench of too many unwashed bodies crowded close in the poorly ventilated room.

"What is it Mr. Potter?" Lord Malfoy murmured with forced patience. His arm locked around the slim figure of the youth. If he lost track of Potter in here, it was quite possible the boy would simply vanish, and turn up months later in a brothel, or some other unsavory place.

"Sir. In the cages, in the back. I know him. That is Balthazar Knight. The one with the dark hair. He is a Gryffindor, his class was two years behind mine." Harry hissed, wanting no one else to hear him. Not in this foul place. "He should be at Hogwarts! In class. What is he doing here?"

"Are you certain?" Lucius's voice sounded normal, not as if they were discussing a boy in a cage in a frightening bar, waiting to be sold. On display. Open display. With customers haggling his price, trying to get the tender to lower it from the posted price. One by one they turned away. Malfoy saw why. The posted sum was astronomical for frequenters of a place like this establishment. "Fortunately none of the denizens herein seem to have sufficient monies to purchase him."

"We can't leave him here, Sir. Please!" Harry whispered frantically.

Lord Malfoy grasped Harry by the arm, pulling him against his body, hiding his face in a fold of the cloak. "We have one chance at this. Not a word, and don't let anyone see your face. Hold onto my waistcoat with the hand that does NOT have your ring. And if you can stumble just a little, that would be helpful. If someone touches you, do not flinch or strike out. Endure it. I want them to think you have been well used and trained."

Harry blinked, flushed, then obeyed, and together they approached the cages. The greasy man sitting in front of them raised a brow.

"Slumming, my lord? Well we've got a little bit of everything here for those that have the gelt." His semi-toothless grin was accompanied by putrid breath.

"Another boy." Lucius said in a haughty tone. "Pretty. Dark haired. No disease. I want to see them together." He waved a hand at Harry, who chose the moment to groan piteously, then sniffle.

"Got just the one for ya. Wadda ya think? A trade perhaps? This one for that, and a few gold pieces?" No newcomer to dickering around. The man indicated Balthazar. "Real pretty. Make it worth your while."

"Has he been used much?" Lucius pretended to examine the drugged boy critically through the mesh, he poked at him with a negligent finger. Harry tried to turn and look, anxiety and worry overriding the instructions he'd been given, but Lucius tightened his hold. He ran his free hand down Harry's side. Held him firmly until the boy got the message, and relaxed, face pressed into Lucius' chest, his hair falling forward to his face in a riot of dark curls.

"No time for that, you the first that has had enough scratch, he's only been brought here eight hours past. Why should the Ministry get all the gelt? It's legal now to sell it, might as well get in on the gelt." The man grinned horridly, actual moss growing on his hideous teeth. Lord Malfoy fought the desire to strike him. There were kinks that could be ignored, and then there were perversions that could not be. Selling of children, the boy could not be more than fourteen or fifteen, was firmly in the latter category.

"The Ministry is no concern of mine." Lord Malfoy sniffed dismissively. "Deliver him to my suite at the Roaring Bear. And unsampled. Just as promised. Or I will expect a full refund with penalties for theft. Are we understood?" He lifted his aristocratic chin and looked down at the man who was very clearly counting his profits already.

"Yes. Clear as you please, my lord. No one will lay a hand on him. For that kind a gelt, I offer a guarantee." The man smiled evily. "I wish you good use of him. You sure you wouldn't like to trade this one in, for a bit of a discount?"

"No." Lucius' eyes were molten. "He has been too well trained to give up, too much time put in to toss him out. Perhaps when he is older, and not so appealing." He let the sentence hang... Then he handed the man his card.

"The Lord Malfoy? Hardly would think to have the likes of you here. The boy will be delivered within the hour, clean as you please." The man's behavior changed, he bowed deeply. It woudn't do to get one's-self an enemy like the Lord Malfoy, after all.

Lord Malfoy took Harry with him out into the street, his fingers digging in deep. They walked quickly, both wanting to leave this place behind as a bad dream.

"Hurry. We have little time to book a suite and be in residence when your classmate is delivered. They would use any conveinient excuse to keep him, and resell him."

Harry ran.


CHAPTER 20


The thin arms were surprisingly strong, wrapped around Harry's waist like two steel vises. Balthazar had fallen asleep, dark, curly head in Harry's lap, snoring softly as the drug worked it's way through his system.

At fifteen, going on sixteen, the boy was Harry's height and an inch or so added, but weighed a few pounds less. Harry patted the narrow back absently, the majority of his concentration on the man seated in the chair in in front of the fire grate.

Lucius had loosened his hair and it fell around him like a nimbus of palest gold. He was rubbing his forehead with an air of resignation. His coat had been discarded in favor of a dressing gown over his shirt and trousers. The circle of serpent at his wrist and the original ruby ring glinted in the varied light. Harry thought he was beautiful sitting there. They were having the same conversation, once more.

"No, Harry. I draw the line at having children, a stranger's children, in my bed. Even for comfort. If any must sleep alongside the boy temporarily, it will of necessity have to be yourself." Lucius switched to running his hand over his tight scalp. Harry persisted.

"But, Sir. He's been having nightmares. He is so scared. It comforts him to have you near. He feels safer. I'm too small, my magic too weak, he doesn't feel protected." Harry drew in a deep breath and Lucius sighed very quietly, here came the real argument.

He'd wakened to a writhing, terrified boy this morning. Harry, not knowing what else to do had let Balthazar into his room when the weeping child had appeared at his door in the middle of the night. Balthazar had immediately decided Lucius was his savior. Lucius had spent the rest of the night attempting to extricate himself without hurting him.

"My Lord, his parents thought they were doing the right thing, signing him over to the foster-ship of the Ministry. He was supposed to get training and a job later. They didn't know what was really happening." Harry continued.

"He is not the only one, Mr. Potter. There are others who are in just such a position. This boy is fortunate that he was known to you, and that we chanced on him in that despicable place before worse could occur. The strategy of the Ministry of Magic has shifted to talking parents into voluntarily turning their children over with hopes of a better future. I am sure full disclosure of the arrangement by those soliciting the parents' co-operation is not encouraged. Times like these, times following conflicts and wars, are hard on simple and honest folk. There are many ready and willing to take such easy prey."

"It's the Ministry's fault, isn't it?" Harry stroked the shining hair, his heart aching for the other. Balthazar shifted, burrowing closer. Lucius crossed his legs, lowering his hands.

"In many ways. It started with the catastrophe of the war against Voldemort. The corruption and mismanagement of the recovery by the Ministry is just another blow to the remains of our civilization. The baser desires and instincts are not so controlled, people feel they have free reign. The fight to rebuild our society will go on for many years, as will the abuses. The fight we are now engaged in will take longer than the war, Harry." Lucius fingered his ring, eyes moving to the identical one on Harry's hand.

"If the child needs someone to sleep with him it will not be me. If you must, you may do so, but as my consort, you will naturally remain chaste with the boy." Lord Malfoy stated.

Harry glared. "He is a kid! I wouldn't do that! What do you take me for?" His color was high, outrage blazing from him.

Lucius smirked. "He is only two years younger than yourself, Mr. Potter. Not so large a gap as all that. I leave nothing to chance, make no assumptions. I have learned that it is dangerous to assume. I state my wishes to you clearly so that there can not be any misunderstandings or misinterpretations later. Save your outrage for someone else. Perhaps for the auror who perpetrated this offense against the boy and his family."

"Yes, Sir." Harry ground out, only partially diverted from his anger and indignation.

Lucius Malfoy sighed again. It was what he'd expected. The action by the Ministry seeking to use the sale of virginity to meet it's expenses had filtered down through the wizarding world. Now the sale of wizards and witches by others was beginning. Because that was the next step, and entrepreneurs were always waiting to be the first into a new, lucrative market.

The Ministry had pretended this would not happen. Turned a blind eye. They would, without doubt, deny responsibility. Turn it around until it became an argument for their actions. He shook his head in disgust.

Harry intruded into Lord Malfoy's thoughts.

"My Lord, I really want to see Ron." He said, no trace of anger left, only longing.

"I know, Harry. I will see if he can apparate here in safety. He can help you with the child." Lord Malfoy wondered if Severus would thank him for bringing Ron here.

"Thank you, Sir. Sir, where do you think Draco is?" Harry asked meekly.

"I believe the Ministry has taken him. To punish me for defying them. And because if they met him he no doubt antagonized them rather than talking his way out, or apparating to safety the instant he saw them. I will find him. And I will make those who abducted him pay for any harm done." Lucius responded, folding his hands over his waist.

"Lady Byrne can't be left in charge." Harry ground out suddenly after several minutes of silence. "She has to go."

"Yes. I am in full agreement."

"Who? Will you take over, Sir?"

"Absolutely not. I have in mind Arthur Weasley. The good service of his family has been unassailable over the years. His record is above reproach, no scandals, aside from the minor infractions and pranks of the Weasley children. Infractions that have been more than canceled out by their efforts during the war."

"But...sir, I thought you despised the Weasleys!"

"No, Mr. Potter, the Weasley bloodline is unsullied. They are merely poor. Not of the class of persons I routinely associate with. Arthur Weasley is not a man to bend moral imperatives. And the Weasleys, aside from that boy Percy, who should have been born a goblin and counting coins at Gringotts, are generous to a fault. Arthur would care for the rest of our society as if all were his own family."

Harry was quiet even longer this time. Then he petted the boy sprawled in awkward grace across his lap. "You won't make him go back to Hogwarts?"

"No. The aurors would just return to the school with their papers, duly signed by the boy's parents, to retrieve their property. However, I am not a baby sitter, and I will not have you becoming one. You remain my consort and you will meet the duties that are inherent to that role. You also have duties as my apprentice."

Harry blinked. "You mean I have to do my job."

"Yes, you do."

"Which includes being...available to you, studying."

"Yes."

"Which I can't do if I am with Balthazar day and...night?"

"Correct."

"You could apparate his parents in."

"Mr. Potter, I am not bringing two grateful and eager to please peasants into my home." Lord Malfoy actually shuddered when he said it. "The house elves will have to suffice for now."

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