rumours13

Title: Rumours Part 13

Rating: NC17 Warning: Character death, violence, severe angst and attempted rape.

Pairings: Harry/Draco, a little Remus/Severus and Remus/Sirius

Author’s Notes at bottom.

Sirius flitted his chocolate eyes in the search for Harry and Draco. He had glanced up serupticiously from the increasingly raucous wizard’s poker game throughout the evening, to keep an eye on the boys. All of the teachers, as well as Dumbledore, echoed his vigilance. Remus caught his eye in the corner where he was trapped with a close to slobbering, drunk Snape and smiled. Sirius returned the grin.

My poor, poor baby. Having to put up with that lecherous git’s attentions.

Remus turned back to the rather drunk man and nodded vigorously. Sirius looked to the couch where he had last spied Harry and Draco. The blonde was in deep conversation with Hermione and her dark haired, thick browed boyfriend Viktor Krum. The Quidditch champion turned his handsome face to talk to Hermione as Draco looked about the room. His eyes rested in one particular area and he smiled as he stood. Sirius followed his eyes to Harry stepping out of the men’s toilets. The blonde cut through the crowd to reach his boyfriend. He watched the couple embrace and kiss, before slipping outside.

Not good.

Sirius bent low to Dumbledore, whispering in his ear.

"Harry and Draco have just gone outside. I should go keep an eye on them."

The old wizard nodded. He did not look too worried, obviously trusting in the protection field set up around the pub and surrounding area. Sirius confirmed his decision to not rely purely on defense spells, as he made his way to the side door, catching Remus’ eye briefly before exiting. A few moments after he stepped into the chilly night air, the door clanged open to a fortyish man with startling green eyes stumbling out and looking furtively about.

"Who are you?" Sirius asked, instinctively reaching for his wand.

A startled scream in the alley beside the building troubled both and they rushed around the corner. The sight of Draco pinned against the wall by Harry froze Sirius momentarily in confusion, before both blinked from view. He raced forward to the area they had just vanished from.

"Harry! Draco!"

A swirling piece of lolly wrapper was the only item on the ground where two wizards had just stood.

"Who are you?" Sirius turned back to the man with murderous glint in his eyes.

"You don’t know me." The man explained. "But I saw these two at a muggle club. I was worried. My-"

"Avada Kedavra!" The voice appeared to come from the very air, itself.

The green eyed man collapsed dead in a flash of green light. Sirius simply looked to the dead body in shock, before turning to the one before him, hastily reaching for his wand.

"Don’t worry, Siri. I’m not going to kill you, yet."

Sirius raised his wand to curse the man before him but the other was quicker.

"Expelliarmus!"

The last thing Sirius saw before he hit the ground was the gloating face of Crispen Flint.

Severus considered that he had drunk perhaps a little too many butter beers. For once, he was not phased by his excessive alcohol intake. The beer and five gilly waters he had consumed, before the tawny haired man had stepped into the room, had given him incalculable confidence to corner him on a side couch. He had been pleased with the results of the case. In terms of Marcus being found guilty, at least. He did not agree with the punishment, however.

Snape had wanted death.

He felt the man deserved it. Severus had been one of the first to rush to the infirmary after Draco had been brought in by Hagrid. He did not even have to hear about the horror inflicted. The sight of his favorite student silently sobbing in untold pain and humiliation was enough to wish death on the one who had caused such suffering. But the worst terror was to come. He recalled Madam Pomfrey’s face, the chalkiness of her pallor due to loss of blood as she explained to Dumbledore and Snape what Draco had tearfully told her. Snape had been about to take a wand to the nearest wizard he saw, when Pomfrey explained that his pain was not purely due to his injuries sustained in the rapes but that Marcus had left a ‘momento’ of sorts inside him.

Snape had wanted the most painful death imaginable.

He listened now as Remus explained why he hadn’t wanted death for the boy, how it was not a viable option.

But he did not hear.

He was content to watch his elegant hands flutter about as the man spoke, dark brow crinkled in righteousness.

Yes, always so bloody righteous, Lupin.

But Snape did not care for Lupin’s views on Marcus’ punishment. He would not change Snape’s mind, no matter how much hand waving he made. But the dark haired wizard did like to hear him talk, did enjoy the occasional touches to his knee or hand that Remus allowed him as he answered.

Remus was finally silent, finally convinced he would not change Snape’s mind. The dark haired wizard was tired of the conversation. The alcohol had given him false courage. He did not care that the man’s true love was seated just a few feet away. The God did not matter to him, in that moment. There was just him and Remus. Always, just him and the beautiful werewolf.

"You like Draco a lot." Remus finally spoke.

Severus touched his knee and shoulder as he replied. He noted that Remus had nursed the one gilly water the entire night.

"He is very special. A lot better than these idiots that Dumbledore seems to idolize. This includes the overly loved Harry Potter."

Remus’ eyes flashed golden a moment. He leant forward, shaking Snape off him.

"Harry is good for him. In fact, it is Harry that has saved him, given him the strength to continue."

Snape snorted. "You underestimate his strength, Lupin."

"Remus. Why do you insist on calling me Lupin? Is it because it is too intimate for you?"

Snape felt the remark as a puncture to his heart. With Remus always being so kindly, it was easy to forget that he could easily deliver an insightful blow to knock one down. He took another swig of his gilly water.

"Fine then, Remus. Are you pleased, now?"

Snape looked to the God, smiling down at the cheering students and Headmaster before him.

"It must have been very hard, those twelve long years." Severus could not help the hint of sarcasm in his tone.

"I don’t wish to speak about it." Remus took another neat sip of his whiskey.

"Why aren’t you with your lover?" Snape suddenly felt anger creep up his veins. "Why do you keep company with me in this corner?" He dared to reach a hand up to Lupin’s hair and run a hand through the light brown strands. "Are you tired of him?"

Lupin grabbed his hand. "You misunderstood my intentions, Severus. I merely wanted to talk to you."

Snape’s mouth twisted into a bitter smile. "Don’t you ever get tired of his face, day after day? Don’t you ever wish for someone different?"

Lupin froze as he placed a hand on his knee, thumb stroking up and down his thigh.

"Poor, poor werewolf. Even in the midst of extreme happiness, there is always this lingering pain." He removed his hand. "In that, we are alike." He looked away, ran his hands through his greasy hair.

What is wrong with me?

He turned back to the werewolf, whose light brown eyes showed compassion and understanding. This altered the alcohol exacerbated emotions to sadness and despair.

He’s too good. Always been too good for me. Bloody werewolf and I’m not worthy of him.

"I know."

The two words said so much more to Snape than if he had explained what his knowledge was about. He suspected Remus was referring to everything.

I know you’ve always wanted me. Always loved me.

I know it kills you every day, knowing that I am with Sirius.

I know that you can’t look at me without wanting to hold me, to talk to me, to love me.

"Am I not even worth a kiss?"

Where did that come from?

Snape turned away, embarrassed, not before catching Remus’ pink cheeks.

Loused it up, Snapey. He could almost hear Crispen’s voice. Loused it up utterly.

Why am I here, anyway?

He suddenly hated Lucius to the core of his being for leaving the party early with his wife. In that instant, Dumbledore came within his vision range. He inwardly cursed the head master for spoiling his quality time with his beloved.

"Severus. Remus. We must convene immediately. Harry and Draco are both missing."

The only patrons left in the bar, after the other worried students had been ordered back to Hogwarts, were the headmaster and his main teachers, as well as Remus and Percy. There had been quite commotion on Percy’s part when he realized his brother was also missing. This changed to a swift and angered telling off when said Ron stepped back into the bar with confused expression and girl in tow. Before Ron had returned to Hogwarts, Percy had forced a promise from him that he would, from then on, inform him if he was planning to simply disappear from a bar. His older brother had reiterated the dark times they were facing, causing a petulant glance from Ron. When he left, the young Weasley elicited a peck on the cheek from the girl, turning his complexion a redder hue.

Snape watched Remus’ pale complexion grow whiter as it was revealed that Sirius was also missing and that a dead body had been found outside the pub, afflicted by the Avada Kedavra curse.

"We have no choice but to accept that they have been kidnapped, for the Death Eater’s plan to take effect." Dumbledore did not allow time for this to sink in. He turned to Snape. "What do you know about the location?"

The dark haired wizard shook his head, ignoring the stabbing fear in his stomach. "I was never told the location. They would visit different houses, for their little games." His dark eyes glittered with rage on the last word.

"Minerva." Dumbledore turned to the wizard who looked to be equally shocked as Remus was. "You worked on the protection surrounding the pub."

"Not just me." Her voice trembled as she spoke. "Lucius Malfoy, also. In fact, he did the majority of the work."

Dumbledore simply stared at her a moment. "Then it would not be silly to assume that he therefore had the knowledge of how to break it."

The woman’s complexion was now the same shade of the one they now believed had betrayed them.

"That is ridiculous!" Snape spat. "Why would Lucius deliberately place his son in harm’s way?"

Nostro, seated on a couch behind Percy, uncrossed his long legs. "To save him."

All eyes were on him a moment, before Snape blew air out of his nose in a scoff. "Ridiculous!"

In that instant, Remus jolted up in his seat. "Sirius!" He stood. "Sirius is in trouble, I can sense it."

Snape scoffed. "Divination was never your strong point, Lupin."

Remus turned to Dumbledore, sharply. "I must go to him. He might know where Harry and Draco are."

The old wizard looked perplexed. "Where?"

"At our house."

Snape shook his head. He had heard before of bonded wolves and their lovers having a connection that enabled one to know if the other was hurt or in pain, but had never believed it. Percy squawked.

"Professor Nostro, sir." He looked to Dumbledore with large blue eyes. "He just… disappeared, sir. Just vanished.

"I order everyone now to stop vanishing!" The old wizard stood up, with a twinkle in his eye.

"I am sorry, sir."

"Remus, wait-" Snape began but was cut off as the wizard walked to the door.

"Remus. Do not go alone!" Dumbledore urged him. Remus either did not hear, or simply ignored him as he stepped out of the pub.

Severus instantly stood. He did not know why he did not want Remus to go. He simply had bad instincts.

"Follow him, Severus." Dumbledore ordered him. "Make sure he is not hurt."

Snape straightened his shoulders in annoyance. He did not need that old fool telling him what to do. Particularly considering he was going to do it anyway.

He also did not need to be connected to the wolf to intellectualize, as well as feel, a trap waiting for him.

Harry gradually became aware of a barren room of dismal grey bricks. A high window offered the only light, bars casting streaky shadows across the concrete floor. He tried to remember the circumstances leading to his encapturement. His mind was hazy. He vaguely recalled arriving in what appeared to be a bedroom and a rag shoved over his mouth and nose, smelling of…

Seaweed and coconut .

He felt his stomach lurch.

Oh please, no. Not that.

A moan beside him chilled his bones as he recognized the mop of blonde hair on his lap.

Draco.

No, they have Draco.

Harry realized that both had been drugged to unconsciousness. He did not think they had been molested while out but could not be sure of Draco. He lifted the head of the one before him, checking for any injuries. He was mark free. The blonde opened his eyes, grey irises skittering about the room.

"Harry?"

"I’m here."

"Where are we?" Draco stood up, started to pace around the room, as though looking for an exit.

"I don’t know."

Draco studied the door, looking for a handle that was not there. He then crossed to look to the window, glanced to Harry, glanced back to the window.

"No. It wouldn’t work. We’re well and truly trapped."

The blonde cried out in frustration and slammed his fists against the concrete, before sitting back down beside Harry. Both were silent a moment.

"There was a boy, Harry. I thought it was you. He was kissing me… and I kissed him back. He looked like you. He was you." He sounded so distraught that Harry felt no choice but to pull him up and onto his lap, into his arms, stroking his trembling back.

"These doppelgangers are common. I had a boy that looked like Ron try to kiss me."

Draco laughed a little at that. "I guess it could have been worse, then."

"What do you think they want?"

The boy’s trembling worsened. "I don’t want to know." He placed his hands around Harry’s back, resting his head against his chest.

"What ever happens," Harry could not keep the trembling from his own voice. "Know that I love you. I love you more than anything. You are everything to me."

The boy lifted his head to catch Harry’s eye. "The Boy Who Lived is petrified. This is a first. It’s ok, Harry. I love you too. And I will die before I let them do anything to you. They can do all they want to me. But not to you. Never to you."

He placed his lips against Harry’s mouth, tongue sliding in to explore. When they released Harry was amazed to see the blonde grinning. "I should have known it wasn’t you. You taste different."

Harry stroked along his cheek. "You’re incredible. You know that?"

"Of course."

The Boy Who Lived could not fully comprehend it. Here was a boy who had just been attacked by one who looked exactly like him, yet he was comforting Harry. He was quite sure that Draco knew exactly what was to happen, yet he seemed to be preserving his strength.

For him. For the Boy Who Lived.

"You know I used to watch you. I couldn’t take my eyes off you in potions class." Harry stopped reminiscing to kiss his mouth. "I hated it. I hated you so much because every time I looked at you, all I wanted to do was this." The kisses to the other’s face and neck were soft, as though any hardness would break him.

"Really?" Draco’s face was nicely flushed. "Well I would watch you. And I wanted to do this."

He tore at Harry’s clothes, thrusting his tongue down the other’s throat, reaching into Harry’s pants.

"Typical Slytherin." Harry groaned as the dainty fingers went to work, stroking at his hardness

"You’d better remember it."

The blonde pulled out his hand and drew back, moving quickly to his feet as the door creaked open.

Remus wondered later why he had waited until he was out of the protection set up around the pub to apparate, particularly when he knew it had been sullied. He marked it as simple habit. The werewolf appeared in the lounge room of his and Sirius’ house and felt instant dread, settling deep within his stomach. Something was wrong. Very wrong. He reached into his robes and withdrew his wand.

No. Not enough.

Padding lightly to the kitchen, Remus was thankful for his extra sensitive werewolf hearing. He was aware of Sirius in the master bedroom. Alive and worried for him. The fear seemed to radiate throughout the house, seeping into Remus’ already fearful frame. He slowly reached for a knife by the kitchen sink. The blade was covered in vegetable matter. He did not care to wipe it clean.

With the wand and knife in either hand, Remus silently moved for the bedroom, keeping eye and ear out for anything out of the ordinary. He did not think there would be trouble. All of his senses told him the problem would be in that single room.

Reaching the door, he hesitated moment. How to do this? Simply spring in, charging forward like the deranged wolf he could be? Or open the door slowly, wait a few moments before languidly shifting into the room, one body part at a time?

He finally decided on a mixture of the two. The door was flimsy enough to open with one sharp kick, the frame shuddering before flinging open and banging into the wall opposite. He stepped into the room, instantly spying Sirius tied to a chair in the centre. Remus held the knife before himself, eyes darting about the area. He could see no one.

"Sirius?"

The familiar dark eyes looked up, face lolling slightly to the side.

"Remi, help me. He’ll come back. Hurry."

"What happened?" He stood still, in the knowledge that cautiousness was crucial.

"You must untie me. Please. Crispen. He forced me to come here."

The werewolf could no longer stand to see his lover in such a precarious predicament. He slowly slinked forward, then unloosened the binds with a quick tug of hand.

"Give me the knife. Please."

Remus’ brow furrowed. He could sense that something was not quite right. In fact, on closer nasal inspection-

Idiot, Remus!

He pointed his wand at the man but the other was quicker. The Sirius lunged forward, grabbing at both of Lupin’s hands. Remus drove the knife forward, cutting deep into the man’s arm.

"Abusive, hey, Remi?" The figure snatched at the hand holding the knife once more, entangling his feet with Remus. As he collapsed to the ground, he pointed his wand at the man.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Better to freeze him, then figure out what was going on.

In that instant, the figure of Sirius ducked, the spell shooting to the mirror behind him and rebounding off. Remus just fell out of the path of the rebounding spell. The man screamed, an animalistic rage and lunged at the werewolf once more, ducking out of the way of the striking knife. Remus pointed his wand at the impostor once more but the other was quicker. He drove forward, unmindful of the blade that pierced his shoulder blade and snatched the wand out of his hand, bending his fingers back until Remus heard the sharp crack of three bones breaking, excruciating pain shooting up his arm. Rage seemed to have given the man strength and he snatched the blade straight out of his shoulder, pointing the wand straight at its owner.

" Imperius!"

Remus’ mind was instantly clouded by a dream like haze, his entire body goose pimpled with a current of pleasure. Deep in the orgasmic mental bliss, he heard the command.

"Undress."

Somewhere in his mind, he sensed the terror at this pronouncement but the effect of the spell was to continue in the dreamy bliss.

No, no no no no no no no no

He continued the pronouncement in his mind, willing his hands not to move.

Two letters.

N-O

No.

I will not

I refuse.

With a scream of pure agony, he pulled himself out of the curse, tears spilling down his cheeks from returning from the state of extreme majestically excruciating happiness. The impostor Sirius looked to be very shocked. With a cry of pure, animalistic rage, he drove the knife forward, cutting into Remus’ shoulder, creating an identical wound.

"That’s for this one."

He expunged the blade, eliciting a cry from the wolf.

"How did you escape from Azkaban, Crispen?" He asked, as tendrils of rope shot out from the wand, quickly wrapping his hands and legs together.

"It’s easy without the Dementors about. Too easy." Crispen in Sirius’ form stared down at the one beneath him, throwing away the wand before kneeling beside him, edging the knife along his jaw. "To think, I could do anything right now. Anything. I could mutilate this pretty face."

Remus did not reply, not wanting to agitate the man further. Seemingly annoyed with his lack of response, Crispen snarled and flipped him onto his stomach.

"Why me? Is it because I put you in prison?"

"You, that little bitch Draco. And Percy. You’ll all pay for what you did to my Marcus."

Remus laughed, a hollow sound. "Your Marcus is a rapist. Just like his father. He deserved more than what he got."

He had intended to agitate the man, to force him to respond, in his fury to step out of what he had planned. Remus was very aware from experience that people made mistakes when they were pushed the past the brink of their temper. This did not work, however. Crispen sat on his back, cutting through the rope and robes about the tail bone. Remus closed his eyes.

Please. Let him kill me once he’s finished. I can’t bear to live through the anguish again. I can’t bear for Sirius to-

"And Sirius? Where is he?"

He dreaded the answer.

"Sirius? He’s sleeping. Don’t worry. He’ll be joining us a little later." Crispen paused. "He’s still quite a looker." Remus stomach froze. "You know, I always desired a turn with him."

"You didn’t." Lupin gasped.

Please no no no no no no no.

"You’ll soon find out."

With that, he tore open his tattered robes from tail bone to knee.

Harry recognized the men instantly from their masks and dark robes.

Death Eaters.

He screamed in pure anger and rushed forward. With no wand on him, he realized he’d have to fight them by hand. He could see Draco attempting likewise to fight, using arms legs, head and even teeth. One of the Death Eaters screamed as he bit down hard into the hand attempting to grab his arm.

Good one, hon. I’ll have to remember that.

Harry wrestled in pure rage as he was surrounded, driving fists and legs into the bodies of the men attempting to grab him. He was rewarded with a few grunts of pain. A couple of sharp knocks to the head momentarily dazed him enough for three of the men to grasp his arms and legs. He moaned as his head was pulled back by the hair and renewed his struggles.

The men managed to carry, push, shove and pull the two still struggling boys out of the door.

"Keep fighting, hon." Harry told Draco, who looked back to Harry and smiled. The raven haired boy’s rage was upped from the sight of Draco’s blood nose. Another knock to the head from behind brought Harry to his knees, pain spiralling down his scalp to his neck. He moaned and struggled mightily, three Death Eaters grabbing his arms and legs. With no ability to kick, punch or hit, Harry went at them with his teeth, attempting to bite the ones dragging him down the hall.

He soon found himself in the same room he had been delivered to, complete with a four-poster bed draped by thick white curtains, a glassed built in wardrobe and oak varnished bedside table and drawer. Harry noted a photo of an elderly couple as he was rushed past the dresser and wondered briefly if this was their bedroom.

And if so, what had become of them.

He was flung down onto the bed face down next to Draco, his arms and legs roughly spread wide, quickly immobilized with a binding spell, as had been enacted with the blonde, who looked to him with wide, frightened eyes.

"It’s alright." Harry whispered. "It will be alright."

He wanted so much to take him into his arms, reassure him with his cuddles and kisses.

"Alright, get their clothes off."

Harry closed his eyes, his body stilled, in deep shock as to the events taking place. He wondered when he would wake up, Draco reassuring him that this was all a horrible nightmare. The Death Eaters were rough as they tore the robes and vestments from their bodies, not mindful about scratching skin in their haste. Draco was openly crying, shaking his head in denial. Harry did not know why he wasn’t feeling the terror.

You’re about to be raped. He told himself then waited, expecting a reaction. Any reaction. Fear, anger, sadness. Nothing. He felt nothing at all. Simply a dull acceptance.

"It’s alright." He told the weeping blonde. "We’ll get through this. We’ll be alright. I love you."

He felt sudden weight on his body as the first Death Eater clambered on top of him. Draco stiffened, eyes totally blank as he was likewise mounted.

Snape knew where Lupin lived. The werewolf wasn’t aware of that. At least Snape hoped so. It did not matter now, anyway. For he would have to explain how he was able to apparate directly to his house from the pub. The truth was rather humiliating and simple. In the beginning school break of when Lupin was at Hogwarts, he had followed him home from the Hogwarts Express. And then would take the time out of his schedule to occasionally, quite innocently, pass the quaint cottage, the whole time berating the man for being what he was, yet hoping to get glance at him, doing gardening, walking along the road, reading in the front garden. Doing anything.

Yet he never saw him.

Stupid fool! Snape thought, as he apparated to the cluttered lounge. Always running after that bloody Black.

He took out his wand, creeping silently through the kitchen. Murmurs from the end of the hall moved him forward. The sounds grew stronger as he walked, forcing him to increase his step.

"You didn’t."

Remus sounded calm. Snape was beginning to regret coming. He would come bursting into the room, hoping to be the modest hero of the hour, rivalling Wizard Jonathan of the Fifteenth Century, only to find Remus with Sirius, possibly in a rather embarrassing position.

"You’ll soon find out."

Wait. That isn’t Sirius. In fact, that’s-

He rushed forward, skidding into the room and colliding into the chest of drawers, which screamed in indignation. The two on the floor looked up in shock.

"Severus! Leave!" Remus sounded frantic.

"You bastard!" Severus rarely used such pronounced swearwords but no other word seemed to suffice the man currently attempting to degrade his Remus, in his lover’s form. He rushed forward to have the man hold his wand on him.

"Crucio!"

Severus dove out of the way. The curse hit the mirror of the chest of drawers and rebounded off, at such an obscure angle that it headed straight for the two on the ground. Crispen attempted to move but was not fast enough. Soon both him and Remus were screaming in abject horrored agony, bucking up and down in the throes of the curse. Severus rushed forward and took his wand out, holding it on the werewolf.

"Finite Incantum."

Remus ceased moving. Severus was disgusted to see that he had been bound from head to foot. He reached forward and tore at the binds, while Crispen still lay screaming beside him, the wand now flung out of his hands in his torture.

"Did he hurt you?"

Snape dreaded the answer.

"No. You saved me."

Snape nodded, handed him back his wand. He examined the wound on his shoulder, where fresh blood still leaked out, discolouring his robes.

"You have been hurt!"

"He has the same wound."

As Remus stood, Snape noted that his robes had been torn straight from the small of back to his knees.

Oh my… no, don’t look. Don’t look.

Thinking quickly, he shrugged off his own overcoat and placed it around the other’s shoulders. Remus looked to him in surprise.

"Thank you."

It wasn’t for you. It was for me. It is beyond me to act as a pervert but I was somewhat tantalized by the hint of buttock and thigh.

Snape could feel himself going red.

Remus regarded the man on the ground. "This has gone on long enough. Finite Incantum!"

The man stopped writhing, looked up to the two in deadly malice.

"Indeed, you’re right, Remus. Avada Kedavra!"

Remus spoke over the top and attempted to dissuade his wand hand away from the man. "No, don’t!"

The green spark shot directly out of his wand towards the startled Crispen. He was dead within seconds.

Harry continued to scrunch his eyes shut, waiting for the inevitable torture to begin. He could not watch, could not dare to see his lover be violated so.

Oh, Draco. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I could not stop this.

"Draco."

Harry opened his eyes. The voice. He knew that voice.

Draco continued to stare blankly forward. The one on him whispered into his ear. To the others, Harry suspected, it looked as though he was whispering endearments. Only Harry and the one straddling him could hear the words.

"Draco, it’s me. It’s Lucius. I won’t let any of these hurt you. Do you understand? I’ve formulated a plan."

The boy shuddered, whispered so quietly that Harry barely heard it. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too."

Harry felt the weight move off his own body as he watched Lucius stand up, turn to the nearest Death Eater and yell "Incendio!"

The shrieks were unlike anything Harry had ever heard.

"Incendio!"

Harry twisted his head to see two men screaming and rushing about, engulfed in purple flame. Chaos reigned amongst the Death Eaters. The two men managed to run into two more, who instantly caught alight. A few of the Death Eaters were rushing for the door. A sudden blast of light and rumble shook the room and four Death Eaters suddenly fell down, as though completely stunned, to the ground.

"Incendio!"

A couple of the Death Eaters simply stood still, totally bewildered by the carnage. The one that had been on Harry lifted his wand. The flash of light hit them and they too hit the ground. From amongst the men racing about in pure terror, a few rushed towards Lucius, wands raised.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Lucius uttered his own, the two curses intermingling in the air a moment, before shooting back to their owners. Lucius just managed to duck the purple firestorm. It caught the curtains by Harry's side of the bed, which instantly went up. Harry started to scream, as the flames quickly engulfed the area around the bed, the heat so intense, he could feel his skin starting to blister. Strong hands tore at his binds, breaking his skin in their determination. Blood sizzled on the sheets that were steadily becoming engulfed by the flames as he was lifted up, torn out of the firey chasm.

"Draco!" He screamed, looking desperately about for the blonde boy.

"Harry!" He sounded to be far away. Harry looked desperately to the bed, as his rescuer let him go. Either Draco had been completely engulfed in the flames, or he had likewise been rescued. His rescuer and another Death Eater threw spells at each other.

The Death Eater ducked the ball of light directed towards him. His rescuer was not fast enough, however, to evade the familiar purple light rushing at him.

Harry looked up to the end of a Death Eater’s wand. The same wand that had killed his masked rescuer with the Unforgivable Curse. This was surreal. Not knowing the one who would kill him. He was tempted to ask him to remove the mask, to at least allow him to die with the knowledge of who murdered him.

"Avada Ked-"

"Incendio!"

The man’s curse turned into a scream as he was likewise engulfed by the purple flame. He rushed forward to Harry, who managed to just scramble out of the way, rushing straight into Lucius, who tore off his mask and cape, throwing the cape at him.

"Cover yourself up, Potter!"

"Draco." Harry stood, shrugging the cape around his shoulders and surveying the carnage around him. The room was engulfed in purple flame, red smoke making it difficult to see. A jumble of dead Death Eaters lay in various positions on the floor about him. Surprisingly, none had a mark on them.

"Congratulations, Lucius." The voice came from the hall. Harry felt a chill slide up his spine. He recognized the slithering phonetics. Him and Lucius wasted no time in rushing forward to the owner, thankful to be away from the intense heat. Both clambered into the hall.

And froze.

"You have managed to kill every single one of my Death Eaters."

Lord Voldemort stood before them, holding a dazed looking Draco by the throat, the boy looking pitiful in his nakedness.

Remus simply watched as Severus stepped in front of the slack body, kicking it a few times in its stomach.

"You shouldn’t have done that, Severus." He said, quietly.

This annoyed the dark haired wizard. Didn’t Remus realize that he had done it for him? Did he really have no clue?

"Why not?" Severus stalked sharply towards him. "He deserved it. He deserved worse."

"We don’t decide between life and death. If we do so, we are just as bad as Voldemort."

"I’m glad." Snape stood directly in front of him. "I’m glad I did it. I feel no remorse or guilt. I don’t understand you, Lupin. The man was trying to rape you."

Remus’ eyes burnt bright yellow. "That didn’t escape my attention. He did not deserve death, Severus. It is not up to us to decide that."

"Well it’s too late, anyway." Severus managed to soften his angered expression, by degrees. "It’s already been done."

Both watched as the body changed from the dark haired, slender Sirius to the larger, fairer Crispen. Remus knelt beside the body, rummaging around in his pockets. He eventually bought up a small vial and popped off the lid. Extreme relief crept over his fine features.

"It’s Sirius. He looks unhurt."

"Wait!" Severus closed the gap between them and gently grabbed the man by the back of the head. "I can’t wait any longer. It’s been too long and I am too tired and frustrated not to."

That said, he planted his lips on Remus’ startled mouth, snaking his tongue inside.

"How does one punish another who enacted such atrocities?" He stalked forward, snake face intent on Lucius, who held out his wand uncertainly. Voldemort stopped within a metre of him, looking to Draco. "I could punish you. But then it would be so much easier…" The blonde did not react when he increased bruising pressure on his throat.

"No. Wait!" Lucius threw his wand to the ground. "Do what you want with me."

"Oh but it would be so much funner to play a little with your pretty son." Harry forced himself to remain still as Voldemort kissed down Draco’s slack face. "He tastes delicious, Lucius."

The man visibly straightened, eyes burning with a queer light. "I took great pleasure in killing every single one of your pathetic followers. You were never the Dark Lord. I always knew I would defeat you. You were always nothing, Voldemort. Simply a means to an end. I will be the new Dark Lord. You were always feeble compared with my powers."

Voldemort laughed. "This goading will not save your son, Lucius. What do you think I should do to him to punish you? What would interest you most? Should I rip every one of his nails out?" He grabbed Draco by the chin roughly with his spare hand. "Mutilate this pretty face?" His touch became gentler, fingers gently caressing up the slack cheek. "Or maybe I should take him. Enjoy myself with his body. After all, he has had much experience."

"Torture me." Harry stepped before Lucius. "Use me. I’m the one you want. Not Draco."

"On the contrary, what ever I do to Draco will hurt you more than anything I could possibly do to you. Young love. How touching." The reptilian face sneered. He snatched out his wand and held it on the dazed blonde.

"Imperius!"

Harry felt his innards crumble, mind spinning fearful variations of what Voldemort would force his lover to do, while under the curse.

"Hands and knees, pretty." He let go of the boy. Draco stumbled a few paces forward. Harry could see him fighting against the curse, before succumbing, gingerly dropping to his hands and knees on the ground before the Dark Lord. Lucius bent down for his dropped wand, as Voldemort dropped to his knees behind the trembling pale figure.

"Imperius! Stand still!"

Lucius complied to Voldemort’s curt command. Harry knew he only had one chance. He bent down and snatched up the wand, as he heard Imperius word spoken before him. He instinctively ducked out of range of the wand and rolled, coming up to shout "Cruciatus!"

Voldemort likewise ducked out of the way, before arising to his feet, face alight with fury. Harry could see, out of the corner of his eye, Lucius breaking free of the curse that had held him, as he rose the wand once more. Voldemort lifted his at the same time, both uttering curses, which headed straight for their intended. Both Harry and Voldemort managed to duck. In that instant, Draco broke free of the curse, rolling to come up before the dark lord, biting deep into his ear. Voldemort screamed and slapped him back to the ground, Lucius rushing forward. Harry’s heart dropped as the Dark Lord held his wand on Draco.

"Fine. You can watch me bugger your son’s corpse, Lucius."

"No!" Lucius jumped before his son, pushing him out of the way as the last syllable of the curse was uttered. The flash of green light bypassed Draco and went straight for Lucius, who instantly fell to the ground, dead. Voldemort then turned is wand to Draco, as Harry enacted a curse on the Dark Lord, simultaneously. The green light hit Draco, who instantly fell to the ground, before rebounding back, as Harry’s Imperius curse hit Voldemort. Harry watched in amazement as the Dark Lord Voldemort crumbled in on himself, withering, changing, growing smaller, clothes melting away, flesh dissolving to nothing, bones becoming brittle, then turning to dust. His agonized screams did not last long as his voice box disappeared. A great explosion of light hit the white walls around them, shoots of purple, red, blue, indigo, orange, every colour of the rainbow and then some. The death of the great leader made quite a light show. As his physical body crumpled, a blackened presence hung in the air. It had no discernible form, yet Harry knew this was the essential essence of the Dark Lord. And it was awaiting his command. He stepped up beside the stilled Draco and kicked the ash, before holding his wand on his nemesis’ substance one last time. He realized what had happened, the Imperius curse he had thrown on the Dark Lord, as his own curse of Draco rebounded back onto himself, meant that his weakened form was now under Harry’s power.

"You are dead." Harry informed it. "Cease to be. You do not exist."

There was a great cacophony of noise, an ear piercing shrieking, as the substance violently tore apart, dissolving into the very air before Harry. He watched with no emotion, feeling only a distinct weariness as his arch nemesis tore itself to pieces, the resultant solid material falling down to litter the floor beneath them. Harry wasted no time. He rushed forward to the stilled body of his lover.

Sensing Remus’ freeze, Severus released him. "I am sorry. I shouldn’t have done that."

Remus shook his head. "You have loved me for a very long time."

Why, you arrogant little…

Snape berated himself. Remus had not said it to be arrogant, he had simply been speaking a truth.

The tawny haired man stepped forward. Snape flinched as he cupped his face. "Thank you. You saved my life."

Snape felt his heart veritably pound in his chest as Remus closed his eyes, placing his lips on the dark haired wizard’s. He could not help his moan, upon feeling the timid tongue enter his mouth. This was all of his fantasies combined, before he was aware he could even have fantasies. He wished he could bottle the moment, encapture it forever. He reciprocated the tongue, tenderly feeling along Remus’s gum and teeth, bathing his tongue with his own. Snape moaned once more and grabbed Lupin, forcing their bodies together, wrapping his arm around his waist as he tangled his fingers through his hair.

Oh don’t let this end. Please don’t let this end.

He pressed harder against the other’s mouth, clanging his teeth against his in an effort to taste more of his mouth, moving his tongue in further. Remus pulled back. Severus reluctantly released him.

"That will not be repeated, Severus. It was my way of saying thank you. And it was between us."

Severus nodded, for once feeling no need to make a sarcastic or bitchy comment. Lupin picked up the bottle once more.

"Wait!" Snape bit his bottom lip with his yellowed teeth, in a guesture he had not acquired for many years. Lupin looked up expectantly. "I should like to talk to you. Discuss issues." He stepped forward, looking intently at the other. "You will never give me your body. But Sirius has no ownership of your mind. I request perusing your thoughts, gaining insight into every thing about you, allowing you insight into me."

Remus smiled a little. "I can’t see why not."

"Would I be allowed to touch you? Perhaps to kiss you on the cheek in greeting?"

Remus’ smile grew wider. Snape berated himself in awareness that the werewolf was finding this amusing.

"Perhaps we will discuss with Sirius our boundaries."

Snape hid his anger well. Bloody werewolf. Always has to get the better of me. Bloody beautiful, wonderful, amazing, annoying man.

Harry knelt beside his lover. As he pressed his fingers against his neck for a pulse, he noted a scar marring the pale flesh. A zig zag that ran from a third up his neck to his collar bone. He was rewarded with a dull heart beat.

"Draco." He whispered, leaning forward to kiss him on the lips. At first, his tongue met no response, before he felt a slight jolt of the other’s. Harry encouragingly lifted him up, wrapping his arms around his naked back, as the tongue move a little more. He jumped a little from a hand wrapping around his own waist to rest along the fabric of the Death Eater’s cloak. The tongue gained more momentum, the hand pressing further, pulling Harry closer to him. Draco moaned, now hungrily devouring Harry’s mouth.

"Harry." He whispered as they released, peppering kisses on his face. "Harry, Harry, Harry, Harry."

"You’re alive." Harry realized he was stating the obvious but he could not help his astonishment. He had seen the curse hit the boy. Avada Kedavra. The only one that had ever survived it had been.

Him.

And that had been because of his mother. Because she had died to protect him. A sudden certainty came over Harry and he pulled back to finger the scar on Draco’s neck.

Just as Lucius had.

"Harry, Voldemort. Voldemort." He said, as Harry touched his cheeks and neck, lifted up his arms and touched his hand, as though verifying that he was there. That he was real.

"He’s dead, Draco. He was hit by the Avada Kedavra curse that rebounded off you."

The boy suddenly pushed Harry aside as though suddenly remembering what had happened, stepping over to kneel by his father’s body.

"Daddy. Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy." He repeated the same sobbed word again and again like a broken record, every syllable a separate jolt to Harry’s heart. He walked over to wrap his arms around the boy but was pushed back, Draco obviously intending to mourn in private. Harry moved away to the side room, surveying for any clothes. Draco had been so intent on his Father’s demise, he did not even appear to notice his own shivering. The purple blazes had extinguished now, leaving a perfectly untouched room. Harry could not believe it, in consideration of the carnage of minutes before. All the bodies on the floor looked as though they had simply fainted. He carefully stepped over the various Death Eaters before reaching the one that had helped Lucius. Who had saved him. Harry’s curiosity was too overbearing. He tore off the Death Eater’s mask to reveal-

He stepped back, covering his mouth in shock.

Surely this could not be true. After all, this man had taunted Draco. This one had-

But the bald head and elongated face left no contradiction.

Nostro.

Harry stumbled back. It seemed odd to be in this room of chilling death. It was as though he suddenly realized he was in a room of lost spirits. He had wanted to obtain a cloak for Draco but realized he couldn’t do it. His fear was too abiding. He rushed out of the room, to the pitiful sight of Draco attempting to lift his father.

"Help me, Harry. We need to get out of here."

"Wait!" Harry rushed into the room once more.

Damned my fear. Ghosts can’t hurt me, anyway. They’re mainly annoying. Sorry, Nostro.

He ripped the cloak off the man and fumbled in his pockets. Relief flooded through him as he seized the item he was searching for.

Draco had managed to push his Father’s body upright against the wall as Harry raced back, thrusting the cloak around his shoulders and clasping his hand, his other hand holding the cold fingers of Lucius.

Reality tilted to the left and he felt the usual pull about the navel as the portkey coin he had pressed between his hand and Draco’s forced them back to the Three Broomsticks.

Harry did not gradually awaken but instead jumped straight up on the bed. He remembered little about arriving back at the pub. The commotion had been too much and he suspected he fainted not long after he arrived. He was not too surprised to now find himself at the Hogwarts Infirmary.

"My, you have some strength." He turned to Dumbledore’s smiling face.

"Draco?" He asked instantly.

The great wizard nodded. "He’s fine. He’s in the bed next to you. You have had many visitors. It seems most of Hogwarts has come to see you. You would be happy to know that all of your friends are safe and well. There are some other issues we can discuss. But when you are better." He winked.

"What issues?" Harry asked. "What’s happened?"

"Do not concern yourself with that for now." He patted Harry’s hand affectionately. "It is all good news. The great Dark Lord has been defeated. You and Draco are officially heroes. As is the dear departed Lucius." His brow furrowed a little at the name.

"Draco? How’s he taking it?"

"He is still in shock, I suspect. His mother has been supporting him. Has barely left his bedside, day and night."

Harry sat up. "I’ve got to see him."

Dumbledore gently pushed him back down. "I would not want to go against Madam Pomfrey. She is a scary woman when she wants to be."

"So you’re sure everybody is alright?"

"Everyone is fine." Dumbledore reassured him. "I have simply not allowed visitors now that you are awake because I feel in your weakened state you would not possibly cope with their exuberance. Ron, Hermione, Percy, the twins and Sirius and Remus have been particularly adamant to see you. Remus was in the bed beside you, for a while. It is alright." He assured the frantic looking Harry. "I will explain when you are feeling a little better. He simply had a few bruises and broken bones."

Remus hurt? What is going on?

Harry suddenly realized how much he had missed him, missed them. It had been less than a day and he ached for them. All of them. His friends.

"When can I see them?"

The great wizard sighed. "How about tomorrow? Just get some rest tonight."

Harry nodded, slunked back in his bed. Dumbledore stood up.

"I would not suggest sneaking out to see Draco until after midnight. It is in this time that Narcissa usually takes a nap in the cot Madam Pomfrey has set up for her."

He smiled and winked at Harry, before drawing the curtains closed behind him.

Harry climbed into bed beside the sleeping blonde, wanting nothing more than to fall asleep beside him. He snuggled up to his back, wrapping his arms around his waist and breathing in his shampoo.

Hmm… watermelon and citrus.

Harry kissed his ear and rested his head on his shoulder, content to fall asleep, when he felt movement beneath him, a subtle grinding back against him. Draco turned, facing Harry with very alert grey eyes.

"Harry." He breathed, stroking down his lover’s cheek. Harry noted reddened eyes, testament to earlier crying. The blonde entangled his legs in the dark haired boys, fumbling with their hospital robes. Harry kissed down his neck.

"Make love to me." Harry urged, disentangling their legs to wrap his around his lover’s waist, hiking his robe up high. Draco kissed along his jaw, fumbling to pull up his own robes. Harry helped, hoisting them up as he sucked on his lover’s neck. He groaned as he was entered, wrapping his arms around his back as their mouths touched, both harsh and vaguely animalistic in their sharp motions. Harry did not know how they could even make love after the events of the previous day. He simply felt that they needed it, needed to feel the bond after such suffering. He jolted up sharply, amazed to be feeling no pain, despite the intensity of his lover’s thrusts, only intense pleasure as a knife cutting straight through him as the prostate was hit again and again. He cried out, drawing his nails sharply against Draco’s back in his climax, entire body jolting. The blonde thrust twice more before throwing his head back to cry out his own release.

He collapsed on top of Harry, gently removing himself as he kissed along his face.

"Love you, you great moron."

"Moron?" Harry grabbed him and threw him down, sitting himself on Draco’s stomach.

"Typical, Potter. Always has to be on top. Such the egoist."

Harry smiled down at him, before clambering off to lie along side. Draco nestled into his arms, resting his head on his chest, tangling their legs once more.

"I really thought they would hurt you." It took Harry a moment to figure out what he was talking about. "I’m sorry, Harry. I’m so sorry. When I was convinced they were going to… if they weren’t going to kill us, after, then I was going to do it. I couldn’t bear the thought of… again. And I couldn’t have you suffer-"

"Sh…" Harry stroked his hair. "It’s alright. It didn’t happen."

"Yes, Lucius saved us. But I couldn’t save him though, could I?" He said, bitterly. "I shouldn’t have fought Voldemort. I should have let him have me. What do I care? I could survive it again. And then maybe Daddy could have lived."

It broke Harry’s heart to hear this talk. "If he had, then it would have killed Lucius. I know this. As surely as it would have killed me. He was already half dead already from what Marcus did to you."

Draco was silent a moment. " I didn’t want to hurt him."

Harry hid his frustration. "You didn’t hurt him. Marcus hurt you, hurt me, hurt him. Hurt everybody. Because of what he did to you, he affected countless amounts of people. But he doesn’t matter any more. Because you got him. He can’t hurt any one else. Nor can Voldemort, or the Death Eaters. We got ‘em, baby."

"You didn’t leave me. I asked you not to leave me and you didn’t. You’re that much of a bloody martyr that you were even going to suffer being gang raped beside me." Harry caught the absurd humour.

"Well, I am Harry Potter. I suffer willingly." He smiled, kissing Draco on the forehead.

"Love you, baby."

Draco opened his eyes. "What’s with the ‘baby’, all of a sudden?"

Harry smiled. "I don’t know. It just sort of came out. Why, does it annoy you?"

The blonde shook his head, closed his eyes once more. "Love you too." He snuggled closer into Harry’s chest.

"My Harry. My Harry Potter."

Harry closed his eyes, continuing to stroke his lover’s hair. "Everything will be different in the morning, beautiful. We’re at the beginning of a great life together."

He fell asleep with a content smile on his face.

Marauder's Map.

Sirius' eyes snapped open. He sensed he was missing something.

Marauder's Map.

He glanced across to Remus, sleeping soundly beside him, arm flung across his waist. Yes, Remus had given Harry the map. So why was he concerned by it, now? He thought through the events of the evening. One particular detail stood out. Wormtail had not been among the dead, when Dumbledore and the others apparated to the site of dead Death Eaters. It made sense. Snape had explained that he wanted no part in what they had planned for the boys. Sirius could not, however, understand why this particular detail bore looking into.

His mind flashed to Remus' explanation of Crispen's rape of him. The only time he spoke of it, twenty years before. Sirius had tried to bring it up on several occasions only to elucidate a frown and shake of head. Though Sirius had not voted for death for Marcus, he could not feel a guilty joy and pride at Severus for killing the violator of his beloved.

"Why didn't you look at the Marauder's Map?"

The one question that would haunt him for years to come, excising great chunks out of his heart. In Azkaban, it had been one of the few things that the Dementors could use against him, to suck the strength and determination out of him.

Wormtail. Hadn't that been how Remus had been able to tell that Ron's rat was actually Wormtail, by looking at the map? Sirius shuddered at the thought of how easy a rat could get into the school unabated. Dumbledore had undoubtedly put up protection around the Infirmary, but he felt it good to check up on Harry, never the less. He gave his sleeping lover a brief hug and kiss on his cheek before slipping out of the bed.

Draco awoke to a strong pressure in his bladder. He could not hold his drinks, a fact he could not understand, for he continually needed to urinate while drunk. Harry had his arms around him so tight he could barely move.

Daddy is dead.

No. He didn't want to go there. Best not to think of that, to ignore the gnawing sensation in the pit of his stomach. He looked to the Gryffindor holding him in a concrete grip, even while asleep. Marcus' taunts came back to him, unbidden.

"He can never love you. Not like I do. He just pities you."

He suddenly longed for one day when he wasn't haunted by Marcus' evil. Harry had told him it would happen, eventually. He couldn't see it, however. But Harry, Harry, Harry Harry. He was amused at how tightly the raven-haired boy held him, both arms around his back in a vice, legs entangled to effectively pin his to the bed. It felt to Draco as though he was frightened he would disappear. He chuckled a little, kissing Harry on the forehead, before forcibly removing himself from his body with some effort. The Gryffindor moaned and reached out for the space he had just occupied.

Cute. So darned cute, Potter. Pretty little Harry Potter.

Searching about the room, he spied a vase on the dressing table and placed the flowers in Harry's hand. It amused him to think of the boy's reaction when he woke up clutching petunias. Tiptoeing over to kiss him on the cheek once more, he silently walked out of the room to the toilets, not before kissing his mother on the cheek as he passed her cot.

He finished his business as quickly as possible, longing to be back in the warm bed with Harry. He smiled as he stepped across to wash his hands. Perhaps he could wake Harry up for a second round of love making. He didn't hear the door open. His awareness of the boy came when his head was inexplicably grabbed from behind and driven forward hard into the mirror. He cried out in shock and pain, turning to a fist exploding across his cheek.

Oh, what now?

The attacker grabbed his arm, forcing it painfully behind his back, as long legs entangled in his own, forcing him to the floor, head cracking painfully on the harsh tiles. He looked up to Janus' enraged eyes.

"Think you're special, huh, Malfoy?" Janus' spittle was landing on his face. "Killed all of the Death Eaters, including my father! The great hero of the day. What Marcus did with you is nothing compared with what I'm gonna do."

Draco allowed his rage to overtake him. He was no longer terrified, no longer shamed, humiliated or even numbed. He was furious, a volcanic chasm of increasingly building pressure that had finally exploded. Janus' anger was nothing compared to his own. He had been raped, beaten, endlessly humiliated and shamed in the past months, had just endured another attempted gang rape, had suffered his own father dieing to protect him. And now had to endure this pathetic man. His head ached from where it had hit the mirror, blood streamed down his face from the altercation and his cheek flamed.

Janus had no clue what he was about to unleash, he realized. He was about to take the brunt for months and months of abuse.

The attacker's resolve turned to molten fear when he read the look of absolute sociopathy in his victim's eyes.

Harry was instantly aware of one important fact.

Draco was missing. Heart attempting to tear out of his ribcage like a caged animal, he shot straight up in the bed, to Dumbledore staring down at him.

"Where's Draco?"

"I don't know, Harry."

The raven-haired boy stilled to absolute confusion and shock as the old wizard took out his wand, pointing it at him.

"Avada Kev-"

tbc…

Author’s Notes:

Don't worry- I couldn't. Draco's been through too much as it is!

Next Chapter: Final Chapter!!!! (I’m gonna miss this! * sob*) Sorry-haven’t had chance to do Author’s Thanks- will put them up in a couple of days, at the end of this Chapter. Ok? J