Cupid Painted Blind

Chapter 9: “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” --Oscar Wilde


Feeling warm and relaxed Harry sprawled across the lounge. A pillow floated in from another room and insistently inserted itself behind him; it smelt pleasantly of rosemary, musk and thyme.

Valiantly Victor ploughed on “Although, he asked this of me know now I do not obey any master, no one can stir my hand if it was not willing to do so itself. So if blame must be cast then cast it upon me.”

“Your cure Cupido, was beyond all that could be done legally. For it is illegal to create another of ones ilk without permission from the ministry of magic, and no permission was sought for none would have been given”

Clouded in Ogden’s nonetheless every word hit home. Something illegal had been done to save his life and these two devastatingly gorgeous men had stepped in to save his hide when all others had turned away. Frankly he didn’t care if he was going to turn hairy every full moon

“Rest assured without this gift you would no more readily know day from night.” Victor paused gazing at the cupido. “You are silent; do you understand or even listen to me?”

Eaves dropping on Harry’s thoughts Victor nodded and continued. “You are Elite; your senses will increase ten-fold. This gift is best kept a secret so it is very important that you study and practice Occulancy and Legimens. Fortunately Severus is adept in both of these talents.”

“This evening the third mark has been recieved. Together you will endure what is difficult alone. Never, ever; mistake Elite for the common garden variety of vampire.”

“We may eat normally and partake of what-so-ever our heart desires. Walk in the sun and function normally during the day. However, occasionally one must partake of blood to keep the mutated digestive system healthy consider it a kind of vitamin supplement”

“You are both my creations and we are all each others responsibility, this is an exclusive club a family if you will, so do not let me or each other down, Ever.”

“Cupido, my beloved Severus does not buy into the ‘boy-who-lived’ hype or rubbish, he sees you for you and that is why this was done. You deserve the chance to live beyond all of this and just be Harry. We know that this is your silent plea to the wizarding world or to anyone who cares to listen.”

Harry had known for a long time now that the enigmatic Potions Master had risked his neck time and time again on order of the Headmaster, but that Snape had taken this great risk upon his own, seen into his very heart, that Snape cared, buoyed Harry’s spirits ten-fold.

A cold cruel thought mugged Harry like a bludger out of left field. What about Voldemort what if he managed to be an Elite or even just a ‘garden variety vampire’

As if addressing his thoughts Victor continued “Never fear that any of our kind neither Elite or otherwise, would share our gift with one as foul as Voldemort” Victor spat the name. “We would sooner offer ourselves up as potion ingredients.”

“There are many reasons why we steer clear of that mad man and of others like him. The fact that he has drank of unicorn blood however heinous is not even in the top ten. But know this, for us to drink of the dead is to condemn ourselves to become a corpse trapped in a dried out immobile husk.”

“Immortality binds us to our bones. In the extreme event that all we are is bone then our consciousness abides until the bone is no more. No one would wish this endless torture of awareness with the only company your own mouldering bones. No spoken voice, no tenderness or mercy” Victor paused briefly to recompose himself

“There are written records of times when either by false warrants and accusations or by recreation of ones ilk unlawfully that many would be subjected to this arduous ‘existence’.

Thankfully, however there are many well read who are aware that by submergence of these bones in blood we can be revitalized. It is a long and arduous task not without risk but it is possible” Victor smiled and nodded almost imperceptivity at Snape.

“So… to drink of death we find no welcoming warmth of the grave and no true death. Even your common garden variety vampire has more brains than associate with *shiver*… let us speak of sweeter things.”

*Snape smiled, cares, about me, Harry, kissed me* Snuggled in an Ogden’s cloud and to blissful thoughts of immortality in the arms of Snape Harry surrendered.

“Or not” sighed Victor. With a nod he indicated the smiling sensual form all but purring on the lounge. “Your Adonis needs somewhere more comfortable to rest I think”

Snape effortlessly scooped up his Adonis and with Victor in tow carried him to his inner sanctum.

“Victor” the crushed velvet voice caressed inner demons “That” he pointed at a king-sized ebony four-poster “Is not my bed” Victor shrugged and smiled disarmingly.

On a roll Victor spelled deep green satin sheets and changed the sensible blankets into a seductive black velvet wrapped cloud of doona. Snape sighed and smiled the man was sexy and an incurable romantic, so-be-it.

With Harry thus ensconced Victor tenderly embraced Severus. “I was planning on leaving for home this evening, however, there may be questions in the morning can I stay if I promise to be good?” *wink* Snape growled and raised one eyebrow.

“Hmmm good really isn’t my strong suit,” Purred Victor “great, yes, awe inspiring, definitely, devastating, mmm that’s me” Victor shot a parting glance at the Cupido. “I truly must get me one of those, it would be only fair after all” *wink*

“A parting kiss then my beloved until next we meet” As one Victor and Snape embraced the kiss spoke of great joy and sorrow, of promises and passion. Forehead to forehead they rested silently reverent.

Not a day had passed in which Snape regretted restoring Victor to life. Courtesy of his own blood Victor had inherited significant magical prowess and similar sensual sexual predilections, Snape had gained an ally and passionate lover. Everyone benefited.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-