Tribond

Chapter 1 - Nightmares

He woke yet again from the nightmares that had plagued him for the past year. The dreams began innocently enough before quickly darkening and becoming violent. Mental, verbal and physical abuse would continue in a vicious cycle causing silent tears and crippling doubts. Innocence had been shattered as trusted friends and mentors revealed the things in this life had been nothing more than elaborate illusion; that of safety and caring. They allowed and encouraged the abuse to occur so that the subject would look to them as their savior, conditioning and manipulating to better their own lives.

Shaking the man rose and crossed the hallway to enter a dark bedroom. There on the bed lay the subject of the dreams, stroking a hand through the dark hair the man vowed once more to set right the evil this person had been subjected to. The sleeping person rolled trapping the stroking hand. Sleep laden green eyes opened slowly and focused on the dark form before them, the lack of response a testament to the utter trust the two had forged.

“You had another of my dreams,” the young man said reaching a hand to gently push a lock of dark hair from the chiseled face that was looking down on him. “Stop feeling guilty, none of what occurred was your fault. You have always been fair and have never lied to me the way they did.”

“How can you forgive so easily,” queried the rough voice. “I should have seen what was happening, done something about it.”

“We were both lied to, repeatedly. How could I not forgive your actions?”

Sitting up, Harry reached for his glasses on the bedside table. He could clearly see the distress and shame that haunted Severus’ dark eyes. “Why are you still reliving my nightmares? I thought our link was to fade after we defeated the bastard that made our lives a living hell. This is Dumbledore’s doing isn’t it? One more thing he lied to us about.”

Wearily Severus nodded, “I too, believed that our link would fade. It appears we will need to research the mind bond more thoroughly to determine why it has not.”

Harry could feel the turbulence in Severus’ head, pushing gently on their link he was sucked into the maelstrom that whirled and pulsed with violence. Gasping they were momentarily lost in the darkness before fighting their way out and locking the memories away once more.


"I’m sorry you have to see those experiences and deal with my trauma,” apologized Harry looking down in shame.

Severus tipped the face of his bond mate to meet his eyes, “I marvel at how you managed to survive your loving family. It’s still early we should both try and get some more sleep.” The dark wizard moved slowly back to his own bed as Harry slipped into the bathroom.

Early pre-dawn light cast a glow as Harry hesitated in the doorway to Severus’ room; he watched the other man lay on the bed before turning away.

Severus’ voice was quiet as he asked, “What is wrong?”

Harry froze, and then turned slowly back. “It’s…I don’t want to be alone,” he admitted. “I…may…” his voice broke and died before finishing the question.

“Harry,” Severus held out a hand beckoning the boy closer. Harry moved cautiously across the room to the bedside. Severus took his hand and tugged the younger man onto the bed turning him to lie on his side. Harry tensed briefly as he was pulled close and an arm came to rest over his waist. Relaxing only as Severus tucked his head under his chin and ordered, “Sleep.”