Daimons

Ron skipped dinner; he told his friends he wasn’t hungry. Sneaking up to his room, he pulled a bottle of firewhiskey from his trunk that he had hidden there the night of Remus’ wedding. Crawling up onto his bed he closed the curtains around him. All he wanted was to stop thinking, to stop feeling, to stop missing Draco so much he thought his heart would literally break. A little sleeping draught and a few swallows of liquor and all of his troubles were soon forgotten. His last thought was of Draco as he drifted into oblivion. He hoped he was alright.

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Draco was cold and hungry. He had been cold before and he had been hungry before but never both at the same time. He had walked aimlessly for hours. It was late and he knew he had to find some kind of shelter to sleep. Passing an alley his stomached rolled as the scent of food reached him. Pride forgotten, he entered into the alley, scavenging for food. He looked about to be sure no one saw him before he lifted the lid to a trash bin. People would have thought he found gold by the look in his eyes as he saw partly filled containers of food. Savoring each mouth full, he hid in the dark as he consumed the plain rice he found in one container. Another container had bits of thinly sliced meat and vegetables, while one more had the remains of Orange Chicken in it. He licked his lips after he poured the sweet sauce down his throat.

His stomach satisfied, but not full, he decided that here was as good as any to settle for the night. After making a makeshift shelter from cardboard boxes, he slipped into another pair of slacks, sweater and socks, hoping that it would be enough to keep him alive through the night. He built his small shack against a brick wall that seemed to be giving off some heat. Saying a small prayer to survive the night, he rolled up into a ball and fell quickly asleep. The last words he whispered were, “Goodnight Ron.”

Draco didn’t feel the soft snow flurries turn heavy nor did he feel the collapse of his hut when the snow’s weight became too dense. Draco looked like a snow angel, his pale skin tinted blue, his rosy lips ash and his grey eyes open and unseeing.

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“DRACO!” Ron screamed as he suddenly sat up in his bed. Grabbing his robe he dashed by an awakening Harry, down the stairs and out of the door, never stopping until he found himself standing in front of his ex-professors home, pounding on the door, yelling his name.

“Professor Snape…Professor Snape…” he screamed until he felt a hand grab his robe and pull him into the warmth of the house.

“Mr. Weasley this better be good.” Severus came from his room putting a robe on. Ron realized that Armstrong was the one who was standing besides him, a hand firmly on his shoulder.

“Draco’s dying, if he not already dead.” Tears poured from his eyes.

“Boy what are you talking about?” Severus half pulled and half led Ronald in front of the fire to warm the shivering boy.

“I saw him.”

“What?”

“I mean, I saw him when I was asleep.”

“It was a nightmare,” Arm said as he settled into his favorite chair.

“NO! I know it was real. I saw him. He was freezing to death in an alley.”

Severus could smell the alcohol on the boy so thought better than to give him a calming draught.

“Even if what you saw was true, what would you have me do?”

“FIND HIM! He’s your godson. Find him.”

“Ron, there is no magic in the world that can help me find my godson, if only there were. Are you somehow involved with Draco?”

“No, not any more.”

“…”

“We had a couple encounters. There was something between us. I… we felt it but he said some horrible things least of which was that I wasn’t good enough for him. I think the conversation went down hill from there.”

So that was what brought on the scene a few weeks before. It wasn’t about being jealous of his husband, which may have been part of it, but the fact that he was homosexual and what his father would do to him when he found out. Severus sighed; no wonder the boy ran.

“Ronald, there is nothing we can do unless he wants to be found. If what you saw was true,” Severus had no doubt that his godson was probably dead, “then we are already to late.”

“No… we were so right together,” he whimpered.

“You’ll sleep here tonight.” Severus disappeared for a moment; when he returned he was carrying a vial. “A mild sleeping elixir, to help you through the night. I’ll contact Albus to let him know that you’re safe and sound. Now get some sleep and we’ll talk more in the morning.”

Doing as he was told, he laid his long lanky body across the couch. He looked up at Snape as he put a comforter over him. “I think we could have been good for one another.” The potion quickly took effect. They left Ronald snoring and went back to their bedroom.

“You think he had a vision?”

“If they were somehow bound, yes, I fear that he saw Draco dead.” Severus found himself needing his husband’s touch. Armstrong was more than happy to comply and pulled him close.

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It seemed to Severus that he barely had gotten asleep when he heard the faint sound of someone knocking on his door. Moaning, he left his husband sleeping and while slipping his robe back on went to answer the door. Finding Harry Potter standing on his doorstep was the last thing he expected. Albus yes, Harry no.

“I’m sorry to disturb you so early in the morning, sir but the Headmaster told me that Ron was here. May I speak to him?” The concern that Harry felt for Ron was apparent in his voice.

“He’s asleep. Come back after breakfast, he should be up by then.”

“It’s all right Professor, I’m up.” Ron sat up pulling the comforter about his shoulder. He just couldn’t get warm.

Severus stepped aside to let Harry in.

“Ron what happened?” He sat down besides his friend. “I searched for you half the night. Finally I went to Dumbledore to tell him I couldn’t find you and he told me you were here. No offense sir,” Harry looked up at his ex-teacher then back to Ron, “but why Snape? I mean you could have talked to me. We’re mates.”

“I couldn’t, not about this.” Ron stared into the fireplace. Severus went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea for himself and his guests. A few moments alone for the two were probably best.

“Draco’s dead.”

“What?” Harry was dumfounded.

“I saw it in my sleep. He was freezing to death in an alley. It’s my fault.”

“Ron how is it your fault? Draco left on his own accord and it was a dream, a bad one yes, but only a dream.”

“It was real Harry. I lost a part of me last night. I don’t think I will ever be whole again.”

Severus carried a tray of tea and scones from the kitchen, sitting the tray on the low table in front of the two boys.

“I’m going to London this morning and check with the Bobbies and the hospitals, would you care to join me?” he asked Ron and Harry. He knew that Ron had to feel as if he was doing something and in case they did find the remains of Draco, Harry would be there to comfort Mr. Weasley if need be.

“Should I come along too?” The bigger man slipped up behind Severus and slipped his arms around his waist and laid his chin on his husbands shoulder, nipping his neck.

“You have a meeting with Albus this morning. Go we will be fine.” He didn’t care if the need to have his husband’s arms about him had anything to do with the bond; all he seemed to care about was that it felt warm and reassuring. “I have these two strapping men to assure that I behave and don’t get into trouble.”

Ron and Harry looked at one another; there mouth hung open in shook. Severus gave them a compliment. The world must truly be coming to an end.

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“We need to infiltrate Voldemort’s lair.” Miriam eyed Gavin as she paced the length of the room.

“My husband will not be going back…”

“Army, we would never suggest that, him being pregnant and all.”

“How… who… Del?”

“No silly, he’s glowing. His aurora is shining so bright he’s almost blinding.”

“I hadn’t noticed.” He hadn’t either and wondered why that was.

“No sir, she was talking about me as the spy,” Gavin explained.

“He would know you were a spy the moment you walked into his camp.” Albus sat backing his chair. His steepled fingers tapped his lower lip as if in deep thought.

“We know that,” Miriam continued. “We took that in consideration. There are a few charms we could use…” She was reluctant to continue.

“I would become a Death Eater. Not to pretend to be one but to actually be one.”

“I’m not following.” The Headmaster eyes narrowed, not liking where this conversation was going.

“The charm changes his perspective, who he is. If Voldemort searches his mind he would find a loyal follower.”

“How would increasing the number of Death Eaters help the cause?” asked Dumbledore.

Armstrong stood silently staring out of the window. The Trojan Horse Charm was one of the oldest weapons the Daimons had and after many centuries was still useful.

“By using this.” Miriam pulled a crystal ball from her robe. “We will be able not only see but to hear everything that Gavin hears and sees. It will be monitored twenty-four hours a day.”

“Ingenious.” Albus smiled.

“There are some ugly repercussions to the charms.” Armstrong finally spoke.

“Which are?” Albus asked.

“He will be a Death Eater. He will kill, torture, and maim innocent people. He will be as dark as the ones we are trying to destroy. When the charm is removed, Gavin will have to live with the guilt and shame of his actions for the rest of his life, if he lives.”

“I’m willing, however I was wondering about ‘Mione.”

“She can’t know. Her reaction to the news has to be heartfelt. If there is a trace of deceit the word would quickly flow. No one outside of this room can know the truth. Not until the end of the war.”

Gavin walked up to his leader. “Arm, if something happens to me will you tell her how much I loved her? Will you take care of her?”

“If something happens to you, which it will not, she will become a member of my family.” There was no honor greater than to be accepted into the Daimon’s family. “I will love her as I have loved you.” He gave the young man a whack in the arm. “No more talk of this. You will come back unharmed. Do you understand me boy?”

“Yes, sir.” He smiled and hug his surrogate father. “Hold this for me.” He placed a plain gold band into Armstrong’s hand. “I want it back at the end of the war. When I get on my knees and beg her to marry me.”

“I’ll keep it safe.” He saw a single word written in the inside of the ring, ‘forever’ and he smiled.

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Remus and Rose Marie hadn’t been seen since the wedding. They spent there time together naked in bed, only getting out for food or drink. Remus loved her naked body, the fullness of her breasts and the slightly protruding stomach. He didn’t think he could love her more than the day he married her but somehow, he found himself falling more in love with her daily. The packed, small valise that sat by the front door was never mentioned. He would have to leave in a few days, once Greyback called him. They all had there duty and Greyback and the werewolves were his. He would be gone for months. The chance that his cub would be born before he came back was great. These few precious days together were all they would have to sustain them till the end of the war.

Rose Marie saw the deep furrow on his brow and knew that her beloved was thinking way too much. This was their honeymoon. This was a time to enjoy the moment and not to worry about tomorrow. Coming up from behind her brooding mate she jumped, attaching herself like a leach onto her husband. Before she knew what had happened Remus had her on her back on the couch, her legs splayed invitingly.

“Hasn’t it had enough of me?” he questioned as he slipped two fingers into her wetness.

“Can you have too much of a good thing?” she asked as she arched her back. The idea of leaving went to the back of his mind. For now, all there was, was the two of them making love.

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Harry and Ron shivered, as they stood at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for Snape to come out of the police station. Severus pulled his cloak tighter about himself, as he descended the stairs slowly. Severus was a man of control, his emotions and situations, this ‘thing’ with Draco left him feeling anxious.

The look on Ron’s face was a mix of emotions, that of hope of some new and fear of that same news.

“The new is neither good nor bad Mr. Weasley. The only body they found from the freeze we had last night was that of a derelict. Mr. Malfoy has not been found, alive or dead.”

“I’ll take that as good news. Thank you for letting me come,” Ron said as he pulled the collar up around his neck.

“Before we freeze, which would make my husband rather annoyed, I suggest we go to the small coffee shop around the corner and have a bite to eat.”

Harry beamed at the suggestion. Ron on the other hand frowned. “Sir, I seem to have forgotten my wallet back at school.” He patted his pocket.

“Well, no worry, it will be my treat. I doubt if either one of you have muggle money on you as it is.”

The three walked at a fast clip with only one purpose: to get in to a warm restaurant and have a hot meal. Severus and Harry both stopped the same instant when they realized that Ron was no longer walking with then. They started to back track since Ron was no longer in sight. Their walk turned into a run when they heard the voice of Ron calling their names.

“Here! Back here!” he screamed over the noise of the city and the howl of the wind. Harry was a few strides in front of Severus when they caught up with Ron.

“It’s Draco’s.” Ron held in his hand a knapsack with the monogram of D.M. on it.

Severus recognized the knapsack as the one he gave his godson for a Christmas present the year before. “It tells us little about his whereabouts. At least there is no body accompanying it.”

“At this point sir, I’ll take any news as good.” The hope in the boy’s voice was contagious.

“With a bit of luck Mr. Weasley, your visions were misinterpreted and there is still a chance that Mr. Malfoy is still very much alive.” The moment he spoke the words his legs became weak and his vision blackened. Severus knew that Ronald and Harry were speaking but the words never met his ears. “It seems that I may need to rest for a few minutes.” He leaned against the wall, oblivious to his surroundings.

Harry and Ron stood, one on each side of the Potions Master, pinning him to the wall. “We need to get him to Poppy,” Ronald said as he waved his hand in from of his former teacher, seeking to get a response.

Biting his lower lip, Harry first thought was that of calling an ambulance but quickly discounted that idea. If the rumors were true about Snape’s pregnancy, how would he ever explain it? He then thought of the little half shape moon he wore around his neck, the portkey that Gavin had given him a few days before.

“Ron I’m going to Portkey us back to Hogwarts. You’ll have to help me to get all our hands on the medallion at the same time.”

“Armstrong’s going to kill us!” Ron shifted Snape’s arm about his shoulder taking most of the ailing man’s weight on himself.

“Not if we get him back in one piece. Here.” He pulled the medallion from under his coat. “On three put Snape’s hand with yours on the moon. One, two, three.”

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A/N I want to thanks those who reviewed my story. It makes writng more enjoyable. I was ask if Harry was going to have a girlfriend. I have someone very special for him. A hint; she's already in the story...hehehe