Indecent Transactions

The door thumped shut behind Lucius and it was several seconds before Severus realized that his vision had gone completely out of focus from starring. Something tugged at the front of his robes. He spun around to see that Dippet had pulled himself up into a kneeling position in front of him; the only thing keeping him from falling back to the ground was his desperate grasp of Severus\' robe. Severus slowly moved his eyes up to Dippet\'s face, but in place of the pleading gaze he had seen only moments ago were two perfectly calm, wide hazel eyes.

\"Severus,\" his deep tone almost masking tenseness in his voice, \"please, please don\'t do this.\" Dippet pulled sharply on the robe, drawing Severus closer to him. \"I know Severus,\" he pulled down on the robe again, dragging a seemingly unconcerned Severus to his knees. \"I know what you want. I\'ve always known what you wanted.\"

Severus abruptly glared up into the shadows hiding the far corner of the room. \"You may take your leave,\" he stated bluntly. The healer hastily strode from the shadows and towards the door, opening it with a shaking hand and shutting it with a bang.

Severus\' eyes were far away, but he reached one hand lightly to the side of Dippet\'s face. Dippet responded by closing his eyes and letting his head ease into Severus\' open palm. Severus could almost taste his fear. Unconsciously the corners of his mouth began to curl, \"Now, you don\'t really think that would be best, do you?\"

But Dippet tilted his head up immediately, eyes wide again, \"No, Severus no, let me give it to you.\" And before Severus could respond Dippet had reached one hand around to his neck, the other wrapping behind his back and pulling them within inches of each other. Severus felt two warm lips brush under his chin and then down his neck, \"Please, let me give it to you.\" No. He grabbed Dippet\'s light brown hair and yanked his head backwards. No.

Dippet began to tremble, and, without the strength to free himself, he merely slumped forward into Severus. \"Please, please.\" he mumbled incoherently into Severus\' shoulder.

Only then did Severus realize how very cold it was in the dungeon, and Dippet in only a tattered shirt and pants. Severus unclasped his cloak and wrapped it around the other man\'s shoulders. The muttering stopped, and for a moment the only sound that echoed within the dark room was their breathing.

\"There is no need to worry,\" Severus said softly, sorry to break the calm, \"Everything will be fine, I promise.\"

Dippet turned his hazel eyes up as Severus placed something in his hand. Dippet gazed down at the small black stone in his palm and back up to Severus and back down to the stone. Severus stood and turned to face the doorway. \"Portkey,\" he said to the door without looking back, and he heard Dippet draw in a quick breath as he stepped from the room.

The healer was waiting outside the doorway, watching his feet. \"All finished?\" he asked meekly when Severus exited. Severus nodded, his eyes emotionless once again. The healer paused for a moment and then decided to chance another question, \"And the girl?\"

Severus smiled coolly, \"What of her, Conner?\"

Conner held his breath, not certain if he should continue. But he didn\'t have to because Severus had seen his fleeting glance from the half open dungeon door and down to his healer\'s bag. \"I do not believe that your services will be necessary again...\" he spoke clearly and quickly, in a hurry to get out of the cold dungeons, \"...tonight.\"