A Darker Future

Chapter 6

“Bed time I think.” Harry was lifted up before he had time to register that the Dark Lord was taking him back to bed. Harry grappled for something to hold onto as he was lifted from his seat and wrapped his arms around Voldemort's neck. Voldemort was surprised but not disappointed when Harry held onto him.

“Ah, when do you think I could start walking on my own? You know, without the pain.” Harry asked fed up with his lack of mobility. Voldemort cupped Harry's behind as he carried him to the bedroom.

“Well that depends on a few things. It would help if you stayed in bed today. Another would be for you consent to take a potion for general healing.” Voldemort said as he lay Harry down on the center of the bed. “The most important thing would be for me to leave you alone for a few days.” Harry flushed deep red as Voldemort smirked. “But I think we both know that won't happen. One moment.” A bright blue potion was fetched from the night table that Voldemort revealed last night. “Here. Drink.”

“What is it?” Harry asked holding it up to the light.

“The potion I mentioned. It should knock you out and help with the healing. Now I'll be in my study for a while, call for Serena when you wake and she'll come to get me.” Harry watched as Voldemort turned and walked to the door. Harry looked back down as if to decide whether or not to chuck it at his retreating back or not. Taking a deep breath, Harry downed the potion. Voldemort smirked as Harry hit the bed, dead to the world, after taking the potion.

'Sleep well. You'll need it for the next few days. After all, my plans can finally go into motion now.' Voldemort shut the door and locked it with a strong charm. 'I think pregnancy suits you. Perhaps a family will keep you too occupied to yearn for freedom.' Voldemort paused as he considered the idea. 'Yes. A large family I think. The Slytherin line shall continue.' Voldemort made his way to his study and opened the floo to find at least three people trying to get through to him at the same time. Voldemort hated purple fires for just that reason (think call waiting). A quick flick had a familiar blonde head in the flames.

“My Lord? Are you there?”

“Yes Lucius. Now what is so important that you opened the floo for so long?” Voldemort asked to the disembodied head in the fireplace. Lucius visibly relaxed at the sound of his lord's voice.

“The troops are concerned for your welfare my Lord. It was not known what would happen when the ritual was finished. I trust that you are in good health.” Lucius paused. “What of the boy?” A dark smile was answer enough but Voldemort indulged his right hand.

“Sore.” Voldemort smirked openly at Lucius's wince. The cold man was always a bit squeamish about male pairings. “I am better than just in good health. Go spread the news; the ritual is done and Harry Potter is untouchable.” Lucius nodded and cut off the floo. The next person's head popped in immediately. Voldemort sighed and greeted the annoyance in the fireplace. “Lupin, what can I do for you?”

“You missed yesterday's meeting.” Lupin was his ambassador to the werewolf clans. Voldemort nodded. It could have not been helped.

“I did.” Voldemort said casually.

“You never miss a meeting.” Lupin growled in annoyance. “What happened?” Voldemort smirked coldly at the last living marauder. After Lupin killed Pettigrew, Voldemort picked up his broken spirit and gave him purpose. It didn't hurt that he had Harry under his care. After all, Lupin was close to the boy. Perhaps it was time to bring the wolf into his confidences? The boy would be happier with a known face around more often.

“Harry woke up.” Voldemort chuckled out loud at the incredulous look on Lupin's face. “He's asleep at the moment but I'm sure he would like to see a familiar face when he has adjusted. Reschedule for next week and we will go over the material then.”

“Ah. Is he? Did you? Bond?” Lupin asked in a low voice. Voldemort leaned back with a very satisfied look in his eye and nodded. Lupin sucked in a sharp breath. “You know if you hurt him, I will let my wolf out.”

“It's to be expected. Soothe your wolf. Harry is my life mate and other half. No lasting damage will ever befall Harry while he is here.” Voldemort smiled in a reassuring way. “However a little bit of pain is to be expected, we are both male.” Lupin choked on air when Voldemort waggled his eyebrows and smiled charmingly at him.

“You bastard!”

“You needed to know.” Was Voldemort's reply. “Just so you don't go feral when Harry has a hard time walking when you meet him. Now get back to work Lupin. I have a few calls to make.” Lupin growled threateningly and cut off the floo. The next head in his fireplace was a more welcome one. “Ah Severus.”

“Just where the hell have you been! You were supposed to meet me for breakfast hours ago.” Snarled his surly potions research department head. “I've been trying to get you on floo for an hour!” Severus stopped his rant cold and stared at the Voldemort. Something was off. “What happened.” Severus Snape demand.

“I'm surprised Lucius didn't get the news to you last night. Did you lock yourself in your potions lab tinkering again?” Voldemort asked feeling rather smug.

“Maybe, what of it?” Severus asked suspicious.

“Did you feel a little tingly last night?” Alarm bells went off in Severus's head.

“How did- what's going on!” Severus demanded. Damn Voldemort and his mind games.

“Harry woke.” Voldemort said smugly. Severus's eye's widened almost comically and his jaw went slack. Voldemort began to like this turn of events. It was amusing to see such stoic men loose their composure.

“What!” Severus bellowed. Voldemort blinked as Severus's head disappeared from the fireplace. That was odd. “Why wasn't I informed!” Voldemort winced as the floo network continued to remain open. Sounds of items being tossed around and discarded came through the floor as Severus rode out his temper tantrum. “What if something had gone wrong! Those idiots! Just wait till I get my hands on Lucius. I'll turn him into a ferret and use him for my next potion!” After a few minutes of the same, Severus popped his head back in the fireplace. “I'm coming through!” Voldemort nodded and with a whoosh Severus was in the sitting room.

“Welcome to Blackthorn Mansion.” Voldemort said mockingly. A younger and more irritable Severus Snape scowled at his master.

“Stow the pleasantries! Where is he so I can determine his position!” Voldemort shook his head in good humor. It seemed somethings would never change.

“He's out like a light; Harry just took the first of the blue potions.”Voldemort said in a low voice. Snape gaped at the Dark Lord.

“Already!?!” With a spring in his step, Voldemort led the way to his bedroom. Severus followed obediently, giving the man in front of him a few awed filled glances. Severus started casting spells as soon as he saw Harry and kept at it for a good five minutes. When Snape stopped, his face aglow with pride and relief. “Very good my lord. It seems congratulations are in order. In a few days, the womb should be stable and strong enough for Harry to be up and about. See that he continues taking the potion and we should be all set.”

“Yes about that.” Voldemort motioned for Severus to join him in the sitting room. The two men left the sleeping boy and continued out into the table to tuck in an early lunch.

“What is it?” Severus stated as he began to sip his after lunch tea. Voldemort looked pensive all the way through the meal. Well, as pensive as the Dark Lord could get anyways. Voldemort took his own tea and stared into it. After a sip, he set it down and inhaled deeply.

“I can't keep my hands off him.” Voldemort stated bluntly. Severus was so shocked he dropped his tea.

“I beg your pardon!” Severus asked ignoring the shattered cup on the floor. Voldemort winced when the cup dropped but sighed in resignation. “Did you just say that you can't keep your hands off of Potter?”

“Yes.” Severus stood up shouting.

“Are you out of your mind! That boy is a menace! He's a scrawny, ugly menace! What is there that you want to touch? Don't tell me that he's that good of a fuck!” Voldemort rubbed his face with his hands, it was a very telling and embarrassed giveaway. “Bloody hell! You didn't!”

“The Devils Hand was used last night. Both the cream and the liquid.” Voldemort stated lowering his hands to show a flushed face. Snape looked floored. A thump sounded in the room as the astonished man sat down again.

“You did?” Severus whispered. Voldemort nodded. “So all that bloody research was for nothing!” Voldemort pinched his nose and sighed.

“Yes. I'm sorry to waste your time Severus.” Voldemort apologized. “I appreciate the work you did and I fully intended to use the results, but I did not know the boy would effect me so.” Severus huffed and crossed his arms.

“For six months of wasted research and potions, I would hope you are sorry! So...” Snape looked the Dark Lord over closely. “Any side effects from the completed bonding?” To Severus's question, Voldemort gave a very wicked smile.

“Aside from an increase in libido and possessiveness towards the boy? Nothing like the text mentioned.” Severus let out and exhale and sat back in his chair with a new tea in his hands. There was a comfortable silence between them. Severus smirked at his master and friend as his humor got away from him.

“That good eh? He had to be good at something because it sure as hell wasn't potions!” Voldemort roared in laughter. It was rare to see Severus's funny side, so it made it a special treat when it showed up.

“Oh get out of here you! I have appointments to cancel, a gryffindor to woo and babies to plan for. Oh and say hello to Lucius for me.” Severus knew a dismissal when he heard it. Snape got up, set his tea down and walked to the fireplace.

“Expect a package for you and Harry in the next few days. I've come across a few muggle toys that you might find interesting.” Severus said. He then quickly activated the floo and jumped in before an embarrassed dark lord could hex him for his meddling.