Torn - Repost

TITLE: Torn
AUTHOR: Ravenkiss
STATUS/PART: 9/?
EMAIL: Ravenkiss2000@yahoo.com
RATING: NC17
PAIRING: SS/RL, SS/RH
SPOILERS: OOP
WARNINGS: AU, M/M Slash, Rape, Violence, Mpreg
DISCLAIMER: Not mine, no money made.
SUMMARY: The pranks are over, and Severus must deal with the consequences.
AUTHOR\'S NOTES: There will be a real change in tone here.
Beta: The Goblet, Tall oaks and Sylvadin

Part - 9


With patience honed from almost twenty years as a spy Severus Snape cautiously awaited his chance to escape from under the watchful eye of Madam Pomfrey. He had wanted to leave the infirmary as soon as he woke from Dumbledore\'s magically induced slumber, but for almost seven days his condition had prevented him from being able to walk even the short distance to the loo unaided, let alone down all of the stairs that lead to the dungeons.


That and the damned woman had absconded with the floo powder!


This had been the longest amount of time that he had spent under Pomfrey\'s care when he had not been unconscious.


Things had been very bad at first. Pomfrey wanted to call in a specialist from St. Mungo\'s, but Snape would have none of it. He was NOT insane and he certainly did not need a Rape Crisis Counselor.


Yes, he woke screaming several mornings and he had been bordering on hysterical for a while, but who would not be under these circumstances? He just needed a little time to himself. Once he was back in his dungeons where he could take care of himself, everything would be fine.


The Potions Master was once again forced to use the long black cane he had acquired after his fall from the tree. His right leg was much too weak to hold his weight yet. But at least it did not throb now. The pain had eventually settled down to a sort of dull ache, as had the pain in the rest of his body.


With the passing of days, and administration of potions and salves to the bruises, they began to fade while the abrasions, welts and cuts on his back began to mend.


Soon even his leg would be fully healed and able to hold his weight once again. In another week or so, his body would be back to some semblance of normal except, of course, for the presence of the tiny foetus deep within his belly.


When the Potions Master had awakened from yet another drug induced nap early in the evening he had quickly realized that for a change neither Lupin nor Hagrid were waiting outside his room. It had been the only reason that he had been able to make his escape. Severus was thankful that despite everything that had happened, those two still had classes to teach.


There was a deep sense of relief that he had made good his escape. He had seen and heard Remus and Hagrid almost constantly just outside his door, every day of his incarceration. Occasionally he could hear them speaking softly to one another, even what he thought might have been a whispered argument or two, but never once had either man attempted to venture past the doorway.


They had both giving him his privacy, for which he was grateful.


Poppy had not officially released him from her care but her objections had never stopped him before. And since, according to one of the paintings, the mediwitch had been call away for a minor injury in one of the greenhouses having to do with a mandrake root and some fire seeds, he decided that it was a good time to take his leave. The cool, dark, silence of the dungeons called to Severus and he felt compelled to answer.

Most of the students and staff were still in class so he managed to make it all the way to the dungeons without meeting anyone. He was only a short distance from his sanctuary when a pair of students passed by him in the darkened corridor. Their accusing eyes followed him as he moved with slow deliberate steps past the pair, the only sound the tap of his cane and the echo of the students shuffling feet. He tried not to flinch at their scrutiny. The two, fourth year Gryffindors, looked at him with cold eyes.


They knew. Or at least suspected that he was the reason that Potter was gone.


Yes, he could see the anger in their eyes. They believed that it was his fault that Potter had snapped. They hated him.


He shuddered as the students disappeared around a corner.

---

\"I thought the Headmaster said that Snape was going to be in the infirmary for another week? What is he doing down here?\" asked the blond girl, in a whisper as they lost sight of the Potions Master. \"Did he look kind of, well, scared to you?\"


\"Did you miss the Prophet yesterday, Millie? It was on the front page. Snape got himself knocked up by a potion. I\'ll tell you; I don\'t blame him for being scared. If there was a possibility that I was having Hagrid\'s baby I\'d be bloody terrified,\" said the brown haired boy.


\"Oh well, race you to the dorm!\" They darted off up the stairs forgetting all about their skittish professor.

----

Snape had almost made it to his room when a voice called out from behind, \"Severus, I didn\'t know that you were out of the infirmary. Does Poppy know you\'ve escaped?\"


\"No,\" he answered bluntly, not looking back at the other man.


\"Why am I not surprised?\" Lupin noted with a grin as he easily caught up with the badly limping Slytherin.


Snape favored him with a frown. \"You always seem to find me just before I reach my room. Have you cast a tracking charm on me?\"


\"Certainly not,\" the werewolf gave Severus his best \'puppy dog\' look. Snape frowned suspiciously. \"My word of honor. I have placed no spell on you.\" Remus sighed with relief as the Potions Master looked skeptical, but turned and continued to limp down the hall. He was glad that the other man had not pressed the issue. He did not want to admit that he and Poppy had a number of portraits throughout castle on a constant \'Snape watch\'. Neither had doubted that as soon as he was physically able the Slytherin would find a way to escape the confines of the infirmary.


\"Let me guess, you have not eaten dinner either?\" asked Remus after a few more steps.


\"I had no wish to go to the Great Hall and be stared at like some circus freak.\"


\"It will not be that bad Severus. Yes, they will stare at first, but it will pass. Besides, the longer you wait, the more curious they\'ll become,\" Remus noted. \"Once everyone sees that you do not look any different they will become bored and move on to something else.\" Seeing Snape\'s baleful glare the werewolf held up hands in surrender. \"Okay, the Great Hall can wait until later; but you should still eat something not only to help strengthen your leg, but...\"



\"I am now eating for two, I know, Poppy and Albus constantly remind me of that particular fact,\" Snape snapped bitterly.


\"Sorry if that is a bit cliché, even if it is true. You are eating for two now,\" Lupin said more gently, even as he added to himself. \'One of which might be my daughter.\' \"Allow me to walk you to your room and then I can ask the house elves bring you something to eat.\"


\"I am perfectly capable of ordering my own meal,\" said the Slytherin coldly, as he limped a little faster towards the portrait that guarded his door.


\"Unless Poppy and Albus are certain you have eaten a nice nutritious meal, they will insist that you return to the infirmary so they can keep an eye on you. I can be your witness.\"


\"So you wish to be entertained tonight by the wondrous sight of me eating? You are easily amused Lupin.\"


\"I have an ulterior motive; I have not eaten yet this evening either.\"


\"You will not leave me in peace until you have actually seen me eat something, will you?\" The tone was exasperated.


\"I am relentless.\" Lupin smiled broadly, arms folded across his chest. \"Besides, we never did have our game of chess.\"


\"You are an idiot,\" Snape said with a churlish growl.


Turning to move towards his room he started to whisper his password and escape the smug looking wizard, but stopped and glanced over his shoulder. He looked at the portrait and froze in his tracks. A pang of fear stabbed into his heart as he stared mutely at the girl in the painting who waited somewhat impatiently for him to speak. \'Merlin, what is wrong with me!\' Snape fought to keep his hands from shaking, as he realized to his mortification that he was afraid to go into his rooms alone!


Severus felt a sense of fear at war with the shame that claw at his gut; he would rather be boiled in his own cauldron then admit to Lupin that he would actually welcome his company. Was almost desperate for it, in fact.


Swallowing his tattered pride, he turned to face Remus Lupin. \"Well, are you coming or not?\" he asked softly. \"I would not wish to be forced back under Poppy\'s supervision, for want of a witness.\"


---

Lupin called a house elf and ordered some tomato soup, something he knew from observation that Snape enjoyed which was light but warm and filling.


He also ordered some chicken sandwiches and pumpkin juice.

Having spoken with Pomfrey about Severus\' condition earlier, he knew she wanted him to eat lightly for several days. The Slytherin\'s stomach had been rather delicate lately because of the pain potions.

While Severus ate Remus attempted to draw him into a conversation. His attempts were not a complete failure, but for the most part, he managed to elicit little more then yes or no answers.


The werewolf watched Severus set down his barely touched sandwich and stifled a yawn behind a lazily raised hand. Remus set down his own sandwich as he continued to speak of things that had happened during the week. Nice, safe, normal things that began to lull his already tired audience into sleep.


Remus Lupin felt a smug sense of satisfaction as he watched as Severus\' head dropped to his chest and he almost slid off the old, chocolate-brown couch. The chess game would obviously not happen any time soon. Remus was not at all surprised when the Slytherin began to snore quietly in the middle of his boring tale about the day\'s Defense classes.


While the black haired man slept peacefully Remus found himself watching Severus\' chest rise and fall. He was as always encased in his black robes, frockcoat, and thick wool trousers, that must have been difficult to get over his still obviously swollen leg, which covered him completely from head to toe. Only his pale face and hands were visible. Feeling a twinge of guilt over the fact that the Gryffindor was fervently wishing Snape wore less clothing, Remus sighed.


His eyes settled on Severus\' long supple fingers. They had always entranced the werewolf and he was very thankful that those exquisite hands had not been permanently harmed by the earlier cruel prank with the bubotuber pus.

It was hard to keep from kneeling beside the couch where the black haired man lay sleeping. Remus wanted to touch those hands, take them in his own, and kiss the delicate fingers, each in turn. To feel them on his face, let the sensitive tips caress his body. They were often the focus of his fantasies.

But those fantasies came to a screeching halted when Severus began to move. He thrashed and started to whimper in his sleep. Then he sobbed and curled tightly into a ball on the couch. \"Please, no...\"


\"Severus!\" Remus was at his side in an instant and shook him gently. At first Snape\'s only response was to attempt to pull away from him and whimper louder. \"Severus, wake up.\"


\"Huh, what!\" Snape gasped and sat bolt upright, his black eyes wide and frightened. In his haste to get away, he almost fell to the floor.


\"Shh, easy Severus. You were dreaming.\" Remus placed a hand on the other man\'s trembling shoulder. \"No one is going to hurt you.\"


\"Sorry,\" the Potions Master whispered with an air of shame.

\"It is alright, really. You have been through a lot, it is no surprise that you would have nightmares,\" he said gently. Remus let his hand slide down the other man\'s arm and stepped back to give him room. \"Come on, you need to be in bed. I will help you get into your nightclothes and then you can take some Dreamless Sleep potion.\"

\"I do not need any help.\"

The Slytherin would have been more convincing if he had not almost collapsed when he tried to stand without remembering to reach for his cane. Remus was by his side, strong arm around Severus\' slim waist before he could fall. The Potions Master could not really protest. If not for the werewolf\'s assistance, he would be sprawled in an undignified heap on the floor.


They walked in silence down the hallway to the bedroom. Remus kept a tight hold on him until they reached the bed. Easing him down to sit on edge of the bed, the Gryffindor knelt and began to unbutton Snape\'s frockcoat.


\"You do not need to do this,\" said Snape nervously.


\"Severus, we are both grown men and I am fairly confident that you do not have anything that I have not seen before.\"


In truth, he had seen the Slytherin naked when he helped Madam Pomfrey take him to the infirmary after he had been assaulted. Severus had also been bleeding and unconscious at the time. Remus pushed that unpleasant thought away, and put on his most mischievous grin. He hoped that he could keep the black haired man focused on being annoyed with him, and not let his thoughts stray to the last time he had been in this room.


\"And if you do,\" he whispered conspiratorially, \"I promise not to tell.\"


Snape actually blushed at Lupin\'s words, but allowed his coat to be removed. Remus kept his mind on his work as he undressed the compliant man; he did not allow his gaze to linger over the beautiful pale skin as he handed Severus his nightshirt.


Remus saw the gratitude in the black eyes. He stood back as Snape slipped the heavy, all concealing nightshirt over his head. Thus armored the Potions Master reached beneath the soft gray material to unbutton his trousers.


Remus waited patiently while the Slytherin wrestled with his wool trousers. He finally managed to get them half way down his thigh, but his leg was so badly swollen he could not get them down any further. The werewolf knelt beside the nervous man in order to assist him. It took a great deal of willpower for him to perform this task with clinical detachment. He longed to taste that sweet skin. This was what he had fantasized about for years, to be undressing Severus Snape.

He want to touch the Potions Master\'s porcelain pale skin, to kiss him all over, but he knew that thanks to the horror of just a few nights ago, the man before him would not wish to be touched in that way.


At least, not yet.


Once Severus was ready for bed, Lupin found the small bottle of potion sitting on the nightstand. He poured some into a glass and held it out, but then stopped. \"I just had a thought, does Dreamless Sleep potion effect pregnancy?\"


\"No, the ingredients are fairly innocuous. It is the Draft of the Living Death that would be harmful,\" the Slytherin assured.


Severus took the offered glass from Remus. After he swallowed the bitter potion and took a drink of water, he felt his eyelids almost immediately grow heavy.


\"Good night, Severus,\" was the last thing that the Slytherin heard as the light was turned out and he slipped into blessed sleep.


For a long time the werewolf sat on a chair near the bed, his eyes never leaving the pale face as it slowly relaxed.


\"Severus?\" he said softly. When there was no response Lupin stood and walked over to the bed.


\"Severus?\" he said again, and again he received no answer. The potion had done its work well.


Remus looked down at the sleeping man with a heavy sigh. He supposed that since the Potions Master was sleeping peacefully he should leave. The wizard would surely prefer not to have anyone in his room while he was unconscious.


Yes, leaving would be the best thing to do now.


Or would it? After all, Severus could hardly stand, let alone walk.


What if he needed something in the night? The potion was only effective for five to six hours. He could wake in the early hours of the morning. What if he were to have a nightmare about what had happened here? Poppy was very concerned that he might have another panic attack.


Maybe he should not leave? Maybe... A slight moan escaped the lips of the pale man. Remus felt a shudder run through his body as Severus let out a long deep breath, and his mouth opened just a little as tongue ran over his lips.


Swallowing hard, Remus stared. He could not take his eyes from those moist lips shining in the dim light from the high window.


He was not leaving.



The werewolf leaned over and kissed the slightly parted the lips, as his hand caressed a pale soft cheek. \"You are so beautiful,\" Remus whispered, then kissed him again.


Severus moaned and shifted slightly. With a heavy sigh Remus forced himself to move back to his chair, away from the warmth of that very large soft bed, and away from the even warmer body that beckoned him.


He wanted to take off his own clothes and crawl into that bed. He wanted, more than anything in the world, to make love to Severus Snape. As he settled in the chair for a long uncomfortable night, Remus Lupin made a silent vow to himself that very soon he would have the Slytherin as his own.

tbc