Pledges

Title: Pledges 1/?
Author: Amireal (amireal@abac.com)
Rating: Gosh.... I dunno if I\'m up to a sex scene this week... let\'s say R for adult themes...
Disclaimer: Waddaya mean they\'re not mine?
Summary: Well... at FIRST it was a challenge response.... it has now turned into a reason to avoid
all responsibility...
Author\'s notes: First... I tip my hat to all the authors who have similar premises. I probably
borrowed from you guys unconsciously... thank you thank you thank you. Second.. I know I
know... punctuation.. Hey... its 6:30 am here and I haven\'t been to bed yet... Third... it\'s a bit
bare bones... I\'ll fix it on the rewrite... now encourage me!
Archive: Uh sure... just lemme know where...
Feedback: Feed the author... a happy author makes for no WIPs.


\"No one will believe that we\'re lovers.\" Harry declared with a sigh.

\"You should have thought of that before you opened your mouth.\" Snape shot back.
Harry played with the hem of robes. \"Is it my fault that I can\'t walk down the street without being
assaulted?\"

\"Yes.\"

\"You sound pretty sure of yourself.\"

The potions master waved his hand indistinctly. \"That\'s because I am.\"

\"How is it my fault?\" Harry demanded, sounding precariously close to whining.

\"You exist, is that not reason enough?\"

Harry opened his mouth to protest but was cut off with a snarl. \"If your tone of voice gets any
higher pitched I will personally remove your tongue and hand it to the 3rd years for their next
potion.\"

Harry closed his mouth abruptly.

\"Smart boy.\" Snape tossed over his shoulder as he opened a hinged box that had been sitting on
his shelf. After rummaging for a few moments, he produced two pieces of jewelry. Rings.
Platinum rings. Expensive looking platinum rings. Not that simple bands of the stuff would have
been cheep. But these. These had intricate carvings. And they looked old.

\"Rings?\" Harry squeaked.

\"No, broaches.\"

Silence.

\"Of course they\'re rings Potter. Imbecile.\" He closed the box carefully and placed it back into its
original position between the small jade statue of a young boy and his favorite potions book.

\"Was that a joke?\"

\"No, it was an insult to your intelligence. Really sometimes I wonder how you ever pass any of
your classes.\" He walked slowly around the room, adjusting things as he went.

\"Why rings?\"

Snape just raised an eyebrow.

\"I still say no one is going to believe it.\" Harry looked him in the eye for a moment, but quickly
turned away.

Snape sighed and stopped pacing for a moment. His expression did not change, but a flash of
defeat went through him \"They don\'t have to believe it for the spell to work.\" He responded
tiredly. \"We are well and truly without recourse, other than the obvious that is.\"

\"Would you believe me if I said it was an accident?\"

He resumed his circuit around the room. \"I can hardly believe you would do this on purpose.\"

Harry began explaining. \"I was walking down the street minding my own business when this girl
just-\"

\"Please spare me the anecdotes from the Potter fan club.\"

\"I was reading.\" Harry persevered. \"You know. Studying. When this girl just- \" He seemed at a
loss for words momentarily, \"attacked me.\"

Snape was examining his bookshelf carefully as he responded. \"Let me see if I fully comprehend
the situation, Potter. You were walking down Diagon Alley and it suddenly occurs to you that it
would be the perfect time to begin that new study regimen that Miss Granger has, without a
doubt, been attempting to shove down your throat. Really Potter, did it not occur to you that it
was one of the more stupid, irresponsible, rash, thoughtless, immature-\"

\"Alright! I get it.\"

\"- and what on earth possessed you to fiddle with your wand at the same time?\"

\"I wasn\'t thinking.\" He answered lamely.

Still not looking at Harry. \"Obviously.\"

\"You\'re not helping.\"

\"That was never my intent. But if you really want my help- \"

\"Not really.\" Harry muttered.

\"-NEVER read a spell out loud for the first time, ESPECIALLY if you\'re holding your wand.\"

\"Thank for that first year refresher course!\"

Finally turning around. \"You obviously needed it.\"

\"Look, I\'m just as excited about this as you are!\" Harry finally snapped.

\"I hardly doubt that.\" His voice held little emotion. Harry looked at him curiously, but Snape just
shook his head. \"Come let\'s find the headmaster. As intractable as this situation is, I wouldn\'t
want to miss the look on his face for all the gold in Gringotts.\"

\"That\'s scary.\"

\"Please, Mr. Potter enlighten me. There are so many things about this situation that could be
deemed scary, I\'d like to know which one has caught your fancy\"

\"The look on his face. I just imagined it. Him trying not to look horrified as he offers us a lemon
drop.\"

Snape\'s lips twitched. \"If I time it just right, I may be able to get him to drop the whole damned
tin on the floor.\"

As Snape swept forward he could hear a familiar muffled chuckle. He\'d heard it often enough in
class. \"Really Potter, who would have thought you had such a malicious sense of humor.\"

\"Look who\'s talking.\"

\"Touche.\"

Part 2


The walk to the headmaster\'s office was filled with a tense silence. Snape kept his eyes forward,
not even making an attempt to acknowledge Harry. At larglarge gargoyle he stopped and closed
his eyes briefly. \"Peppermint schnapps.\" He whispered quietly.

\"Peppermint Schnapps?\"

\"On the holidays the Headmaster like to... let his sense of humor out.\" Snape\'s voice was dry and
uneven.

\"I didn\'t know his sense of humor could get anymore... out.\"

\"Consider yourself lucky.\"

The Headmaster appeared in front of the, now open, door. \"Now Severus, what sort of rumor are
you spreading about me?\"

A glare. \"Not spreading any rumor Headmaster.\"

The headmaster \'tut tutted\' and motioned for both of them to enter.

They both shuffled in and silently took seats. On opposite sides of the room.

Dumbledore studied the tableau in front of him for a moment and then said, \"I must say, this is a
welcome surprise. Unexpected but welcome.\"

They sat in silence for a few more moments. Both Snape and Harry avoiding eye contact with the
Headmaster.

\"Well, lemon drop?\"

\"We\'ve been Pledged.\" Snape ground out. The sound of several small objects hitting the floor
made him smile. A small choke from the other side of the room took both older mens attentions.
Turning they saw Harry, red faced and bitting his hand. There were tears streaming down his face.

\"Harry, are you crying?\" Dumbledore sounded concerned.

He shook his head frantically.

\"Then what\'s the matter?\" This time it was Snape who asked.

Harry just threw his head back and let out a loud peal of laughter. \"I\'m s-sorry.\" He choked out
between spasms. \"I just- the lemon drops- and,\" he hiccuped again and a fresh wave of giggles
threatened to erupt. \"I just pictured Ron and Hermione- Ron finding out and-\" deep breath, \"and
tripping and sprawling on the floor a-and Hermione, lecturing me... on safe- s-safe spell practices-
\" He lost it once more and didn\'t try to recover. He just leaned back in the chair clutching his
sides as they twitched irregularly.

The Headmaster gazed worriedly at Harry. \"Severus, stay here while I take Harry to Poppy, I
think he could benefit from something relaxing.\"

Snape just nodded absently. He gaze had resumed studying the carpet. When he was finally alone,
he slumped forward and buried his face in his hands. Slow deep breaths. The tension strummed
through his body and he began to shake. In. Out. In. Out. Breathing. If he kept breathing maybe
he wouldn\'t pass out. A tentative hand rested on his shoulder. \"Back already?\" He asked without
looking up.

\"Its been more than 15 minutes, Severus.\"

He grunted in response.

\"Severus. Why don\'t you tell me what happened?\"

\"How is he?\"

\"Resting comfortably. I think it was too much all at once.\"

\"Why ever would you think that Albus? What did you tell Poppy?\"

\"That it was Voldemort related.\"

Grunt.

\"Severus, tell me what happened.\"

\"There isn\'t much to tell, other than, I told you so.\"

\"Severus, now is not the time.\"

\"No Albus. Now is the perfect time. I always said that boy\'s inattentiveness would get him in
trouble some day.\" A small snort. \"I just wish I\'d known it was going to get me into trouble as
well. I\'d have learned to duck.\"

\"Please Severus. Just tell me so that I might figure out what I can do to help.\"

He sighed and quietly began. \"As I said before. There really isn\'t much to tell.\"

**********************************************

He was walking towards the apothecary. One last stop and he could return to his dungeons. Away
from these people and their inability to keep to their own personal space. He was about to make
turn into the shop when a shove from behind sent him stumbling forward. He whirled around and
found Harry Potter falling in his direction. \"Mr. Potter!\" He yelled.

Harry landed heavily against him. Looking up, his eyes wide with surprise, \"Professor Snape?\"

Snape opened his mouth to offer a scathing retort and demand an explanation when the feeling hit
him.

Perfection.

Completion

Peace.

Soft hair.

His hands had involuntarily come up to hold the boy steady.

Green eyes.

Beautiful green eyes. Deep. With emotion. Great gobs of indefinable emotion.

He\'d never felt like this. Not even after solving a particularly difficult bit of research.

This was extraordinary. This was perfect.

Strong hands on his arms. Strong body next to his. Hot breath on his neck.

Breath? Oh yes. They were moving closer. Bodies relaxing against each other.

\"Severus?\"

The voice cut through some of the fog. But he couldn\'t bring himself to do much more that turn
his head.

\"Severus? It *was* you. In The Pledge, that is.\"

Snape finally focused on the person talking to him and found himself face to face with Jonas
Kirby, a low level death eater.

Part 3

\"So there was a Witness?\" Dumbledore leaned back in his seat.

\"Yes Albus!\" He snarled. \"There was a damned Witness!\"

Sighing. \"Then there really isn\'t much we can do.\"

Sitting up strait. \"Thank you for stating the utterly obvious.\"

\"The Witness, did he...\" Dumbledore trailed off.

\"See the scar?\" Snape asked. \"I don\'t know. I nodded and gathered up Potter and his things and
got out of there as soon as possible.\" A pause and then a sigh. \"I supposed we\'ll find out soon
enough.\"

Dumbledore nodded. \"All we can do is wait then.\"

\"Yes. Wait.\" He snorted lightly. \"Have I ever told you that it\'s a joy to be me?\"

\"Now Severus...\"

\"No Albus!\" He slammed his fist on the desk on front of him. A few more lemon drops fell to the
floor. He stood up and leaned forward heavily. \"Don\'t \'Now Severus\' me! You are not the one
having the incredibly dismaying day.\" Turning abruptly, he began to pace the room.

\"Does Harry know?\" The question was asked quietly.

He stopped in front of a particular set of books he\'d always liked. Not that he was actually
looking at them. \"He knows some. How much... I couldn\'t bring myself to talk about it. Albus...
I...\"

Kindly. \"Yes, Severus?\"

\"It doesn\'t matter.\" Dismissive.

\"It does to me.\"

Still not looking at him. \"Well it shouldn\'t\"

\"Why?\"

\"Because its not real! You know that Albus!\" His back was taught. Knuckles white and stretched
as they clenched and unclenched compulsively.

\"Its real enough, at the moment,\" Dumbledore persisted, \"and it will do you some good to talk
about it.\"

He whirled, tension emanating from everything that he did. Stalking up to the desk again, he
fumbled in his robes a moment and produced the rings. He slapped them down and said, \"Just
charm the blasted rings and tell me when they\'re ready.\" With a swish of robes and a low growl.
He was gone.

Albus Dumbledore sat back in his chair and watched the retreating figure with a heavy heart.
\"Severus my child, for what its worth... I\'m so sorry.\" He said to his empty office, then got up
and began his way to the library where he could look up the correct charms.
__________________________________________________________________________

Step. Step. Turn. Step. Step. Turn. Step.

He stopped. It was ridiculous. Go or stay. He should go. Go far away. To the dungeons. His
dungeons.

He crept into the infirmary.

There he was. In the first bed. Glowing in the moonlight. His legs nearly gave out.

Unsteadily, he moved forward, his eyes never leaving the pale figure asleep in the bed. Arriving
next to the bed, his knees finally buckled. Sinking slowly to the floor he ran a hand through his
hair moving it out of his face, offering himself an unobstructed view.

Torture. Excruciating torture.

Slowly his hand came up and hovered over the dark mop of hair that rested haphazardly on the
pillow.

A tremor. Resist it. Just once. He\'d have this small thing. Once.

The hand descended and caught a few silky strands in its fingers. Such a simple thing. So
complex. So inviting.

So perfect.

The feeling was surfacing again.

He wanted to sink into it. Sink into him.

\"Oh god.\" He whispered hoarsely.

He should leave. Leave now. Don\'t look back. Don\'t think. Don\'t... touch.

His fingers were moving now. Down tracing the cheek. Then the chin.

He had to stop.

Another hand tangled in his. Sleepy eyes looked up at him.

He pulled back, made to leave.

\"No.\" The plea sounded wrenched from the boy\'s mouth. The other\'s fingers tightened on his
own. \"Don\'t go.\"

\"I shouldn\'t be here.\"

\"Please. Don\'t go. Don\'t stop.\" Harry choked on the last word.

His fingers hadn\'t stopped. They were still touching that magnificent, silky skin.

\"I shouldn\'t-\"

\"Please.\" An entreaty. Dragged out against the boys will. Then the other hand was at him arm.
Unbuttoning the cuff. Shaking hands fought with the bottons, but eventually won.

Oh.

He was touching him.

Potter. Harry. Was touching him. Long, slow, languid strokes.

Up. Down. Up. Down.

Nothing should feel this good. Just touching. Hand on cheek. Hand on arm. Skin on skin.
Entranced. Nothing ever felt like this.

It was wrong. So wrong.

Not real. Not right.

\"Stop.\" The word took so much effort to utter. Not like the stroking. That was easy. \"We have to
stop.\" He couldn\'t make his fingers move. \"This isn\'t real.\" He closed his eyes. Don\'t look. \"This
isn\'t real Harr- Potter.\" With more force. \"We must stop!\" He wrenched his fingers away.

Loss. Complete loss.

\"I\'m sorry.\" He said. \"Albus will explain, but you must understand. Its not real.\"

The hand was still on his arm. Stroking. Oh god. If he didn\'t leave soon. He wouldn\'t be able to.

A deep breath then. Adrift. Alone. He\'d gotten his arm back. But he had to leave. Quickly.

He stood. Back away. \"I\'m sorry.\" He whispered again to those eyes. They followed him.
Confused but understanding. Once outside he turned and fled.

Part 4

Harry woke up in layers. Whatever Madame Pomfrey had given him last certainly had a calming
affect, but he\'d still had a fitful sleep. Now his head felt like stuffed cotton. He muzzily sifted
through the memories of the day before.

Walking down the street muttering to himself, idly twirling his wand. Which, in hindsight, he
admitted probably wasn\'t the best idea in the world. Not that he\'s ever admit that to Snape.

Snape.

There was a whole set of feelings he didn\'t want to examine too closely.

Just the memory of being pressed against him for those few moments made his 16 year old body
stand up and take notice. Never mind last night.

Last night.

Strong calloused fingers caressing him. So softly. It was gentleness he\'d never even guessed the
potions master had in him. At least not with another human being. If he\'d been a potion-

No. Don\'t think that. Potions led to drinking. Drinking led to lips. Lips led to tongues and oh-

No. Crabbe. Goyle. Crabbe AND Goyle. There. Better.

\"Harry?\" A kind voice asked.

\"Headmaster?\" He managed to mutter.

\"That\'s it. Time to wake up.\" A gentle hand was placed on his arm.

\"No. Sleep.\"

\"You haven\'t been asleep for a good while now.\" Dumbledore knowingly answered.

Harry reluctantly rolled over and faced the headmaster with bleary eyes. \"Haven\'t exactly been
awake either.\"

\"Come on Harry. There are things we need to talk about. Before classes resume and your friends
get back from their holiday breaks.\"

He let out an unintelligible groan.

\"Harry?\"

\"My friends. I\'m just picturing their reaction. Except this time Hermione faints and Ron turns a
alarming shade of purple.\"

\"Let\'s start there then. There\'s no reason they need to know.\"

\"I think they\'d notice my... my...\" His what? Inability to keep his hands and mind off Snape?

\"After we complete the ceremony you\'ll find the... compulsion... more manageable.\"

\"Ceremony?\" He panicked. \"You mean I have to-\"

\"Not marriage Harry.\"

His shoulders slumped in relief and maybe a little disappointment. But he wasn\'t going to think
about that. \"Then what\'s the ceremony?\"

\"Just a completion of what you started yesterday.\"

\"And I\'ll feel less out of control when its done?\" Maybe there was hope.

\"In theory.\"

That wasn\'t very reassuring. \"How soon can we do it then?\"

\"I need to dbit bit of research first. There are a few charms that need be placed on the rings.\"

\"The rings?\" Harry remembered them from yesterday. \"How do you expect me to keep this a
secret if we go around wearing identical platinum rings?\"

\"I\'m working on that Harry. Don\'t worry.\"

\"I can\'t help but worry. This is so- so... Why would anyone use this charm anyway?\"

\"It was typically used in arranged marriages.\"

\"Arranged marriages?\"

\"How do you think purebloods remained purebloods for a hundred generations.\" Came a voice
from the doorway.

Harry looked up and caught dark eyes, he stared for a moment and then jerked his head away.
\"So what does this spell have to do with arranged marriages?\" He asked shakily.

\"For one, it pretty much guaranteed an heir.\"

He chuckled nervously.

\"For another, it tended to discourage running away with the children.\"

Turning to Dumbledore, Harry looked worried. \"But I thought you said it was only temporary.\"

\"Harry my boy. Even the memory of such intense emotion can do a lot to soften a relationship.
Remember, traditionally this spell was done between to people who were to be married. There
was no reason to resist.\"

\"Also the two parts of the spell are usually performed within minutes of each other. As part of the
wedding ceremony itself.\" Snape added.

\"So how soon can we do the second part?\" Soon. Please. Or he may have to be locked in a room.

\"It will take me about a day. Learning charms from a book is much more difficult than from
another person. Especially if you want to make modifications.\"

\"Modifications?\" Snape looked worried.

\"Severus you must know that despite the control the rings offer there are still certain-\"

\"Yes.\" Snape cut him off with a dismissive wave of his hand. \"Certain. I trust you are working on
an alternative then?\"

\"An alternative to what?\" Harry had lost the thread of conversation some where. He was probably
too busy watching that hand.

\"Sex.\" Snape\'s voice was low. Rumbling.

A shiver went down Harry\'s spine. \"Oh.\" He looked at Snape for only the second time since he\'s
entered the conversation. Their eyes met again. They held until Snape looked down and grabbed
his arm in a hiss of pain. He was out of bed and at his side before he could think about his actions.
\"What\'s the matter?\" Harry placed his left hand over Snape\'s.

Snape looked at their hands for a moment and then answered. \"It seems that Mr. Kirby has let
someone know what he saw yesterday.\"

Harry brought his right hand up to massage the tense muscle just above the other man\'s elbow.

\"Severus. Do you know what you\'re going to say?\" Dumbledore asked.

\"I\'ve thought about it all night. I believe I\'ve come up with something fairly plausible.\"

All night? Harry noticed the deep circles under the dark eyes. The man had probably gotten even
less sleep than he had. Then it occurred to Harry. Snape had been called. \"What are you going to
tell him?\" He asked quietly.

A long pause. In which their fingers seemed to have gotten tangled up again. \"I have a number of
possibilities. I won\'t know exactly what story I\'ll tell him until I am actually in his presence and I
can... judge his reactions.\"

\"Oh.\"

\"Yes. Quite.\" Snape\'s thumb started to trace small circles against the back of his hand. \"I should
go.\" It was said more to Harry than to the headmaster.

Snape\'s thumb was causing sparks. Sparks shooting from his hand strait down to his- No! He was
not thinking about that. His hand was gently untangled and the other carefully pulled away.

Still holding his hand. \"Mr. Potter. While I\'m gone. Please refrain from doing something else that
I will find incredibly annoying.\"

Harry could only nod dumbly as the last of the contact was removed.

Snape turned to Dumbledore. \"Albus. I don\'t know what would happen if... if he doesn\'t believe
my story. He should not be left alone.\"

Harry, for once, completely understood the unsaid implications of the conversation. Who knew
what Harry would do. If Voldemort killed Snape.

\"Of course Severus. Go and be careful.\"

With a nod and a last look at Harry, he was gone.


Part 5

The first thing he saw after he\'d apparated was Lucius Malfoy\'s snide face. An auspiciouegineginning, if anything else.

\"Welcome Severus. You\'re arrival has been greatly... anticipated.\" Malicious glee rang from
every pore of the blonde man\'s body.

\"Lucius, an honor,\" sneer, \"as always.\"

\"Follow me Severus, the meeting has already started.\"

That was never a good sign. If you were late. You were noticed. Also, Lucius had been waiting
for him. Missing being his usual sycophant self and keeping his lips as close to The Dark Lord\'s
ass as possible in favor of meeting him meant one of two things. Either Lucius was willing to
forgo some of his obsessive sucking up to get a better seat for the whole proceeding or...
Voldemort had sent him. Neither of the prospects made Snape feel very joyful.

The room they entered was full. A large meeting. Coincidence? Or very bad sign?

Jonas Kirby was standing in the front, where Lucius usually stood.

Bad sign.

\"Se-ev-er-u-us.\" Voldemort hissed out his name.

Bowing down on one knee. Not looking up, he answered. \"My Lord.\"

\"You\'ve been a busy boy, Se-ev-er-u-us.\"

\"My Lord?\"

\"Jonas had a very interesting story to share with us.\"

\"It seems Se-ev-er-u-us, Jonas was lucky enough to witness a Pledging today. A very unusual
thing to witness these days, is it not?\"

Ah. The Socratic method. Trust the human psyche to feel its most intimidated when faced with an
angry teacher. Of course, the scaly skin, glowing eyes and marked penchant for cruelty certainly
helped.

\"Yes.\" He agreed casually. \"Very unusual.\"

\"Tell me Se-ev-er-u-us, what possessed you to do such a thing.\"

\"Sex.\" Simple. Base. Easy for him to understand.

\"As reasons go. That\'s not a bad one.\" A finger under his chin raised his eyes to meet
Voldemort\'s, \"But tell me Se-ev-er-u-us Why. Harry. Potter.\"

Anger. A lot of it. He had to appease him.

\"After I was... done... I thought it would be... easier to deliver him to you.\"

Thoughtful silence, for a moment. \"An interesting plan. Not without it\'s merit. Why not just tell
me?\"

This was going to hurt. \"I was taking the initiative.\"

\"How very thoughtful. Next time however, Se-ev-er-u-us, Come. To. Me. First.\" *CRUCIO!*

_________

Harry\'s nerveless fingers dropped the glass of pumpkin juice on the table. His eyes went wide and
he paled.

Dumbledore was out of his seat and at Harry\'s side in an instant.

The rest of the teachers and students in the room, which weren\'t many, looked confused.

\"Poppy!\" He yelled, urgently.
_________

\"You should know better Se-ev-er-u-us.\"

\"I\'m sorry.\"

\"I\'m sure you are.\" *CRUCIO!*
_________

Harry gasped and tightened his fingers around Dumbledore\'s arm.

\"Help me get him to the hospital wing.\"

Dimly he could feel two sets of arms go around him.
_________

\"Lucius!\"

\"Yes My Lord?\"

\"Have your fun.\"

\"Yes, My Lord.\"
_________

\"Oh god.\"

\"Harry, what\'s wrong?\"

Gasp. \"Was.... curse... now-\" His eyes were closed, skin clammy, \"...something... oh god...
sharp.\"

\"Albus, what\'s going on?\"
_________

He could feel the blood dripping down his stomach.

Cut. Wait. Cut. Cut. Wait. Cut. Cut. Cut. Wait. Wait.

Never know when the next one comes. One consolation was that Lucius knew what he was
doing. Maximum pain, minimum damage.

He wouldn\'t die. No. Voldemort looked was entirely too happy with his plan.
_________

He couldn\'t get enough air. Every breath hurt.

A flurry of robes ran into the room. \"Albus!\"

\"Minerva.\" He acknowledged.

Harry moaned and clutched his stomach.

\"What\'s happening, Albus?\"

He distantly thought that she sounded so sad.
_________

Thwap!

The sound of flesh hitting flesh. No more knives then.

Fists. Feet. Elbows. Knees.

\"Next time I hope you remember to confide in me Se-ev-er-u-us.\"

\"Yes...\" He managed to croak out.
_________

Another choked moan. The pain had changed.

\"How much longer Albus?\"

\"I wish I knew.\"
_________

SNAP!
_________

A scream.
_________

SNAP! SNAP! SNAP!
_________

Sobbing.

\"Oh, Harry...\"

Curl up in a ball. Don\'t think.

Quiet. Nothing.

It was over. Oh god it was over.

\"Harry?\"

\"No more... Done...\"

\"Sleep Harry. I\'ll wake you when he\'s back.\"