Guilty as Sin

CHAPTER 51

Harry sat on the stool beside the workbench watching as Snape carefully washed his knife and his hands in the deep sink. The crimson water swirled around in the basin as Snape washed the spatters from up his hands where he’d luckily rolled up his sleeves to his elbows. Harry could smell the tangy metallic aroma clinging to the air and his stomach growled appreciatively. Twelve large vials of the red fluid sat chilling in an ice bucket on the bench while the unwilling donor lay lifeless and cold on the stone slab behind Harry his chest cut open and his cloudy eyes staring at the ceiling frozen in the expression of fear.

“What will we do with him?” Harry whispered as he fingered the rubber stoppers in the tops of the vials, which clinked together in the ice bucket.

“Burn his remains, it’s the only safe method of disposal now we will be hunting on a regular basis. We can not afford to leave traces of us behind less Voldemort and The Ministry track us here.” Snape supplied as Draco came wandering through the lab door balancing some books in one arm and two straws in the opposite hand.

“I wish your mother wouldn’t keep walking in on me in the bathroom Severus, I pissed all over the floor because this time she walked right through me!” Draco accused pointedly as he dumped the books onto the end of the bench and sat down beside Harry at the workbench, having handed the boy one of the two straws he’d brought with him.

“And I told you to stop using that bathroom and use the ensuite in my bedroom. Mother uses that bathroom as a thoroughfare between her chambers and the attics, so it’s your own fault.” Snape snapped as he dried the knife and his hands on a small rag before looking back at his two Inferei. Both Harry and Draco were leaning over the ice bucket, straws held patiently between their lips as they stared at the twelve fresh vials. “If I wasn’t aware of how hungry you two are, I would say the picture you make is quite disturbing.” Snape muttered jokingly as he checked the temperature gauges on the sides of the vials before deeming them fit to be consumed.

Harry eagerly drank his first vial in one long slurp of his straw before drinking his second more slowly. Draco unlike Harry was only permitted one vial and so savored each sip by rolling it around on his tongue. Snape drank his own vial down like a bad tasting potion before sitting down and watching his two lesser.

It had been nearly six weeks since they’d moved into Snape house and very little had happened. As Snape had suggested they were safe within the wards of the place, undetectable even to the regular Ministry Patrols that came by and made the ward’s scream inside the house like a banshee. Voldemort too had been suspiciously quiet and Harry had a theory that Snape was more worried about the Dark Lord than anything else. As predicted Snape had made Draco and himself begin lessons again most of the days spent on learning Dark Art’s, brewing potions and learning defensive spells and charms. Harry had been pleased to find that Lucius’ magic was entirely different from his own and gave Harry the edge during duels with Draco and Snape. Harry had always known Malfoy senior was one of the best duelists in the country and it was easy to see why when his magic was so attuned to predicting other people’s magic. Unfortunately though the dueling practice was getting less for Harry, who over the last month and a half had nearly doubled in size. His baby bulge sat low too making him waddle like a duck more than walk. His belly button had popped out and the stretch marks were beginning to show. Snape had given him a salve to try and ease the stretch but Harry had decided that it wasn’t helping. His cravings for blood had increased and his staple diet now consisted of dry water crackers and his regular two vials of blood. Snape was hunting daily leaving either early in the morning or late at night in the cover of darkness. So far he’d been lucky bringing home a kill every time but it was getting harder to find wizards in the small communities he was visiting with an increasing number going underground as the war intensified.

In their isolated little world behind the wards of the house they had heard very little news about the war on either side. Snape made a daily visit to the pub in the town to see if he could hear gossip but it was never anything interesting. Harry was beginning to think the war would just go on forever until they got tired and forgot what they’d been fighting for in the first place.

Harry and Draco had settled their differences at least temporarily. Neither had spoke of their argument in the gardens when they’d first arrived and both avoided subjects that suggested either of them were not equal in their relationship with Snape. Having their own rooms was making things easier too, taking turns each night to stay in Snape’s bed unless Severus demanded otherwise. Snape was back to his usual rough self and Harry had some fresh scars to prove it. No matter how hard he tried Harry just couldn’t help himself for baiting Snape when the man was in a foul mood, it was almost addictive to see the rage build up in the indigo gaze. And if Harry was honest he kind of liked the sex better when Snape was riled. Harry had discovered his own kink, but was no closer to discovering Snape’s. The discussion he’d had with the elder wizard in the laundry six weeks ago had played on Harry’s mind everyday and even after telling Draco about it, neither of them could work it out. It was an irritation Harry was determined to get to the bottom of.

“Can we use the rock pool today Severus?” Draco slurped the last of his vial of blood clean before licking his stained lips and pushing aside the empty glass.

“Yes if you must, I’m going to attempt to get into the tower again.” Snape took all three empty vials and placed them in the sink for washing later as he hustled the two boys outside and flicked his wand at the corpse still lying on the stone slab. Almost immediately the body sprung into flame, contained by a bubble that spit angrily at the raging fire inside of it. All that would be left of the body would be ashes but that would take at least a couple of hours of vigorous flame.

“I don’t know why you keep bothering it’s obvious your mother doesn’t want you in there.” Harry muttered sarcastically receiving a stinging slap to the side of the face for the trouble.

“I told you Potter my father’s lab is up in the tower and there is a multitude of things I want from up there, some items that you will appreciate when the time comes.” By way of explanation Snape dropped his hand on Harry’s stomach sticking out from the robes. Harry swallowed awkwardly not wanting to think about that at all. Snape rose a careful eyebrow in Harry’s direction before dismissing both Inferei with a wave of his hand and striding off. Harry sighed heavily and looked back at Draco who rolled his eyes dramatically.

“You’re a sucker for punishment.” Shaking his head Draco grabbed hold of Harry’s hand and with a sharp tug dragged the boy towards the pool for an afternoon swim.

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The rock pool was warm in places and cool in others the bubbling water being fed into the pool from several different springs. Harry loved the little rock pool with its overhanging ferns and it’s smooth rocks to lie on. The weightlessness of the water also helped to sooth his back, which of late had begun to ache under the strain. It was Snape’s favorite place to come and sit too, often bringing his two Inferei down to relax after a grueling dueling session.

“If I rub this will I get good luck.” Draco chuckled cheekily as he tried to rub Harry’s belly as the other boy slid carefully from the side of the pool into the water. Harry slapped Draco’s hand away and dunked the blonde beneath the water for good measure. Harry had come to understand that Severus had claimed Draco as a companion for him, his friendship invaluable despite their arguments. It was Draco’s company that kept Harry sane more often than not despite the lingering jealousy.

“Piss off Draco.” Harry snapped as he sat himself down on the rock shelf beneath the water and began stretching his sore feet. “So how you feeling this week?” It had become a habit for Harry to ask how Draco was feeling each week especially after the incident at the manor. Some weeks were better than others, but Draco seemed to be coping tolerably and a lot of his injuries had healed.

“So, so.” Draco offered as he paddled around the edge of the rock pool before sidling up on the small ledge beside Harry. “I’m kind of stressed actually, all this peace and quiet when there’s a war going on just beyond the hedge is unsettling. And then there’s Snape’s arm.”

“What!” Harry snapped sharply unaware that anything was wrong with Snape, despite agreeing with Draco at being unsettled by the unnatural peace they were experiencing of late.

“He hasn’t told you?” Draco whispered wondering if Snape hadn’t wanted him to tell Harry about his problem. Harry shook his head, his brow furrowed deeply in concern. Snape had appeared to be in perfect health, his pallor skin replaced by a slight tan having spent a fair amount of time outside. “Maybe he doesn’t want you to know.” Draco muttered trying to back out of the situation he’d just created for himself. Harry glared at Draco sternly who sighed and rolled his eyes in easy defeat. “Alright fine but don’t say anything about it unless he tells you. Promise?”

“Promise.” Harry replied as Draco sighed heavily again before continuing.

“His dark mark is infected and it looks like it’s traveling up his arm into his shoulder. He’s in a lot of pain as far as I can gather, and it looks and smells foul. All the skin’s breaking down, and it’s black and bleeding.” Harry’s stomach churned at the very image Draco’s description conjured up and he heaved in sympathy for his mate. Draco dutifully laid a hand on Harry’s beneath the water as he continued. “I think he believes it’s something to do with Voldemort and that’s why he’s so intent on getting into his father’s lab in the tower, incase there’s something in there to help him.”

“Do you think it’s a curse?” Harry muttered wondering silently if there was a cure, if indeed a cure existed at all for the Dark Mark itself. Draco shrugged and moved around to float easily between Harry’s legs gently running his hands up and down the other boy’s thighs.

“Maybe, all I know is that it’s getting more difficult for him to hunt so I think he’s going to start teaching me. You need a constant supply of blood now and if his arm get’s any worse he won’t even be able to hold his wand let alone a knife.” Harry nodded understandingly as Draco leaned up and pressed a gentle kiss on his lips as his hand wrapped gently around Harry’s flaccid cock beneath the water. Harry sighed at the touch wondering how he hadn’t noticed that Snape had been in pain. “Potter.” Draco queried devilishly his eyes flashing dangerously between innocent fluttering eyelashes.

“I know what your going to ask and the answer is no. I told you what he said regarding us doing it, and I don’t really want to upset him if he’s not well.” Harry whispered between Draco’s kisses that the blonde peppered all over his wet shoulders.

“He’s doesn’t need to know about it Harry. Please just once, we’ve practically done it already anyway.” Draco pouted dramatically at Harry who sighed heavily knowing damn well he’d tried most things with Draco at least once. Snape hadn’t seemed to mind about their fooling around, even encouraging it when it came to pleasing him but they’d never actually had sex and that was a line Harry hesitated upon.

“What if….” Draco blew a raspberry in Harry’s face and rolled his eyes.

“What if bullshit Potter, just turn around and let’s get it over with, he’ll never know.” Harry swallowed nervously but didn’t get chance to argue before Draco was turning him around, a supportive hand resting on his enlarged stomach while the other got to work on his tight backside.

“Fine, but if you hurt me I’ll hit you into next week.” Harry ground out with far less conviction than he was aiming for as Draco ducked below the surface of the water and began tonguing his twitching hole.

“Oh be quiet and just enjoy it.” Draco replied as he finally came up for air his own erect cock ready for action. Harry sighed and closed his eyes wishing himself to be with Snape rather than the blonde. Both boy’s were so wrapped up in their coupling neither noticed the figure standing in the shadow of the doors, his narrowed gaze flashing deep indigo as blood dripped from his finger tips onto the floor with a silent splash…

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>