The dance ended with a sweet tune and people started to gravitate toward the exit, shaking hands and exchanging good-bye’s with their hosts. Harry noticed that a select group of people were moving extremely slowly and seemed to be just milling. Severus and himself among that group.
"That wasn't so bad." Harry commented in an undertone. But Severus didn't seem at all relieved. In fact he seemed to have gotten extremely tense.
"*That* wasn't so bad. It's what happens next that worries me." Severus told him quietly. Harry's eyebrows drew together as he looked at the groups of people wandering out of the room and presumably toward the front door. Severus sighed heavily and pulled Harry to the door. They paused by the door and Severus smiled warmly at Lucius.
"I'll see you in a little while, Mr. Potter." Lucius told him with a smirk. Severus pulled him insistently toward the front of the mansion. But they never made it to the front door. Still puzzling over Severus' statement, Harry was mechanically moving toward the door but Severus pulled him in another direction and he found himself heading up the stairs Draco had come down earilier that night.
"Uh, Sev? Door is *that* way." Harry said pointedly.
"And *we* are going *this* way." Severus responded, pulling him insistently up the carpeted stairwell.
Severus led Harry into an empty room.
"These are our rooms for the night." He explained retrieving the black bag from the bed. Harry realized he hadn't even notice it leave the other man's hand, but in truth he really didn't care at the moment.
"We're staying the night?" He asked, glaring at the single bed suspiciously. Severus followed his gaze and shook his head quickly.
"Not that kind of staying the night. We'll leave early tomorrow and I promise I won't touch you. Though it does kind of hurt that I need to make that promise..." Harry sighed.
"Sorry, I'm just a little stressed and all. Can you please tell me what's going on?" Severus lowered himself to the bed and opened the bag taking out a set of high shinny black leather boots, he set them on the floor and patted the place beside him.
"Come sit down and I'll tell you."
Draco was waiting in his father's study, his face creased with worry. He was alone for the moment, and he found himself wishing his parents would show up and administer their punishment quickly and hoping they wouldn't all at once. As it went, the first part of his wish came true and his parents stormed in the door only moments after he had arrived. A silencing charm was set on the room.
"What is this I hear? Your mother asks your professor if he's gotten the chance to know you and he says 'no'?! What did we tell you about your relationship with your professors?!" Lucius screamed, backhanding his son across the face and sending him to his knees. Draco didn't even bother to give an answer. He knew they didn't want one. Lucius proceeded to kick Draco in the ribs while Narcissa sat herself on the desk. When his father backed away, Narcissa slid to the floor and took his chin almost delicately in between her elegant fingers.
"Now Draco, you know we only want what's best for you, you really shouldn't disobey us, son." She crooned, cuddling him to her chest. Draco wasn't crying yet, and even though he knew this woman was the source of his current pain, he still buried his face in her shoulder and let her rock him.
"There is also the matter of your unsociability toward Mr. Potter this evening..." Lucius prodded. Narcissa nodded sagely and ran her hands through Draco's hair.
"Draco, you know we love you very much. Now don't you?" She asked her son. Draco nodded. "And you know we only punish you because we love you, you know that too, don't you?" Draco nodded again. "Now, you can't disobey us, Draco. Daddy is going to punish you now, but it's just because he loves you. And mommy loves you too." Draco nodded again, even as the tears started flowing down his face. Narcissa left him and stood out of the way. Draco didn't even hear the Unforgivable curse through the blood pounding in his ears. With a cry of utter pain, he fell to his side and clutched his knees close to his chest. Although it seemed like forever, in reality the curse was lifted in only a few seconds. Draco remained on his side, tears streaming down his unmarked face. Lucius waited until his son's cries calmed and knelt down next to him.
"Daddy loves you very much Draco." He pulled his son into his arms and gently rocked him while he cried.
Harry's gut was still turning as he was led back into the dance hall and then through a small door that was mostly hidden. If the manor, the dining room and the dance hall had been beautiful, so was this room. But in a hundred and eighty degree different way. The room was mostly dark, lit by virtue of the floating candles. The walls were lined with wide padded stairs and in the center of the room was a single platform empty and naked but for the light of a bright spotlight. He cringed when he though of what-- of who-- would dress that platform. Severus led him down a few stairs until they were somewhere in the middle and arranged himself. They were still dressed in their regular robes with the exception of a pair of high leather boots on Severus' part. Harry played with the hem of his robes, trying not to think about what was going to happen. But it didn't work. The room was filling quickly and suddenly Lucius and Narcissa were by their sides.
"Come sit with us." Narcissa pleaded, pulling Harry up and leading him away, leaving Lucius and Severus trailing behind them. Harry found himself seated front center, Narcissa babbling about the night's show. She didn't once mention who would be in the show. He looked up at her in disbelief; he didn't like the woman, he had already decided that. But he never thought even *she* would do something of this caliber. Severus and Lucius joined them a moment latter, talking about some news that had recently appeared in some wizarding newspaper or other.
"Ever been to a show like this before, Mr. Potter?" Harry shook his head and hoped they were misinterpreting his silence for anticipation rather than horror. Apparently his reaction was acceptable, as they moved on not really noticing Harry's lack of comments on the various subjects.
Some minutes later when the room had filled and quieted, Lucius stood and stepped on to the platform, calling for silence.
"As is the Malfoy Christmas tridition, I have a special interactive show for you tonight. Please, sit back and enjoy." He smiled at his guests and took his set. Music started up from no where; not the soft sweet music they had danced to, but rather a very erotic heavy tune. A trapdoor opened on the platform and a pole began to rise slowly. Harry wanted badly to turn his face away but the first glimpse of pale fingertips caught his eye and he couldn't turn away.
"Don't turn away, Harry. They'll eat you alive if you do." Severus whispered, lips intimately close to his ear. Harry nodded and choked down the tears he felt testing his eyes as his lover was revealed bit by bit, twirled around the silver pole, head thrown back, body barely covered in silky silver veils. Had it not been for the audience, Harry would admit that he was aroused as hell; but as it was the knowledge of what was going to happen turned him off immediately. He watched in horror as the little trapdoor closed around the base of the poll and Draco slid down it's smooth surface, pooling himself on the ground and performing and extremely erotic floor dance; elegant limbs twirled smoothly as he began to remove the shimmering veils and discard them on the floor. Finally he stood naked, legs wrapped around the poll and upper body completely suspended, arms bent at an elegant angle. The platform began to rotate and Harry realized just how strong Draco's legs must be to keep himself three feet off the ground in such a manner. The current song faded and the candle light increased as doors were opened and carts were pushed in. Curious, Harry peered up to the very top stair where the carts had been left before the doors were suddenly shut again. The room gradually sprang to life, Draco continued his dance, and the room's various occupants were getting up and socializing around the carts. Harry shifted uncomfortably in his seat; he was glad he had escaped notice for the most part up to this point. Unfortunately, his luck ran short.
"Come with me, Mr. Potter. I want to show you the more pleasurable side of a Malfoy." He said with grin. Harry could have feinted, but at Severus' prodding managed to get to his feet and followed Lucius down to the platform.
Seeing them coming, Draco unwrapped himself from the poll and stood, exposing himself completely.
"Let's get Mr. Potter more comfortable." Lucius suggested to his son, pushing Harry onto the platform. Harry looked around nervously, and though he did seem to have drawn an audience, they seemed to be watching casually with a relaxed sort of air as if they were surveying a high-class opera.
Draco was making every attempt to look relaxed, but Harry's trained eye could see his slight tremor as he raised his hands and set them on Harry's shoulder.
"Relax..." He whispered, his voice strained. Harry's breath hitched but he did his best to relax his tensed muscles. Draco flashed a tentative smile at him, then his demeanor changed entirely from apologetic to sensual. He slid his hands up the body he knew so well, pulling at clasps and fabric until Harry's outer robe fell from his body. Harry kept his eyes closed.
/It's just Draco and I. No one else. Just Draco and I.../ he kept telling himself over and over, mechanically moving his body to assist Draco. He felt cool air touching his mostly revealed skin and was aware that he had been completely stripped of his more public appropriate robes and was standing in only the thing Severus had leant him, but still he kept his eyes closed.
"Open your eyes, Harry." Draco whispered.
Draco watched his pale hands slide down Harry's body, removing each article of clothing carefully and disposing it on the floor. Harry's eyes were closed under his glasses and Draco found that he really did wish Harry would open his eyes; he did want to see those beautiful green eyes watching him. He patted Harry's leg and the boy lifted it obligingly so Draco could slide his boots off. Then he pulled at Harry's silver belt and pressed his hip forward into Harry's while he slipped Harry's fine black pants down around his ankles. He was shocked to see the leather underneath. Swallowing hard, Draco ran his hands around the tight leather, dipping his hands into the conveniently placed holes and feeling Harry shiver. Draco didn't even realize that he was unconsciously making a show of divesting his lover of his formal wear, nor that the music had struck up again. Finished, Draco stepped back and just admired him for a moment. Harry was dressed entirely in tight black leather, chest completely opened with the exception of the many straps that covered his chest and attached to a choker resting low on his collar, strategically placed openings revealing his tight abdomen, nipples, and currently flaccid sex. He stepped back up to Harry and leaned into his chest.
"Open your eyes, Harry." He whispered running his tongue over Harry's ear.
Harry shivered and very carefully pulled his eyes apart. All eyes were glued on him including Draco's. He could tell his lover very much wanted to make a comment on his appearance-- which he himself didn't exactly approve of-- but he seemed conscious of speaking. Harry took a deep breath and shifted his weight nervously when the platform suddenly began to revolve.
"How about we start with something simple?" Lucius asked suddenly, reminding Harry that the older Malfoy was still there. Draco flashed a very sexy grin and sank to his knees. Harry was on autopilot and so made no protest when Lucius pushed him to his knees. The spotlight was hot against his tight leather ensemble and he found that he was sweating profusely. "Relax, Mr. Potter. We'll make you feel so good..." Lucius whispered to him, then there was a gloved hand around his limp member and all he could think of was that there must be a social taboo on giving someone a hand job with gloves on. His treacherous body slowly began to react to Lucius ministrations and he closed his eyes and let it happen, feeling tears spring into his closed eyelids and he fought desperately to keep them there.
A single hand ran up his side, coaxing his arm up and around the other man's neck while Harry unconsciously thrust into the warm be-gloved hand around his growing erection.
"Do you like that?" Harry fought to stifle a moan, but he found it was useless. Lucius chuckled. "I think you'll like this better." Lucius moved Harry's hand away from his neck and moved it forward until it came into contact with a head of soft hair that he immediately recognized as Draco's. "Shhh..." Lucius whispered when Harry tried to pull back. He didn't want this to happen. Not this way. But Lucius' hands were on top of his and were gently pressing his son closer to Harry's groin. Draco opened his mouth and easily swallowed Harry's erection, deep-throating him with ease that said much as to how much practice he got. Harry closed his eyes and ignored their spectators. He ignored Lucius hands holding his hips and messaging his chest, whispering hot things in his ear. It was just him and his Draco. Keeping his eyes closed and concentrating on the warm mouth around his swelling erection was not difficult and he came hard into Draco's throat. Draco contracted his throat around Harry's convulsing member and gently drew out every drop of the salty fluid. Harry felt his muscles relaxing and his breathing was slowing, bringing him back to the realm of the living making him aware of the applause scattered around the room. Lucius urged him to his feet and assisted him in making a sloppy bow before leading him off the platform and back to their seats.
"Good show, Mr. Potter! Good show!" Someone called. Mind still a little fuzzy and thoughts coming slowly, Harry waved in the general direction of the praise and sank gratefully into the cushion he was lead to. After a few minutes of staring uselessly at nothing and trying to get his thoughts clear he slowly drifted back into a more thought-conscious world, and looked around. Everyone had either stripped completely and were wandering around naked or-- in the case of those that had a body to show off-- had changed into various outfits of leather, leopard spots, lace, and beads. He shook his head and turned his attention to Severus, even though he had a feeling he wasn't going to like what he saw. Severus was dressed similarly to himself, in black leather with green and red flames. He was currently reclined against a large cushion with Narcissa sitting on his lap. Harry turned away; this was not something he wanted to see.
Throughout the several hours Harry was stuck there, he'd been engaged in some sort of sexual act, getting the occasional reprise only to see that there was a particularly 'interesting' show go on in the center of the room on the platform. It made him sick. Draco couldn't or wouldn't meet his eyes at any time, and took the beatings and rapes he received without protest; he seemed to know each of these people individually and knew when to cry out and when to bite his tongue, when to respond to their painful caresses and when to remain stock still.
Harry's eyes were drooping. He had come so many times-- and against his will, to boot-- that he was beginning to think he might not be able to have children by the time the night was over. Not that he was actually planning on it.
"Oh, I think our favorite hero is getting tired. You should take him to bed, Severus." Lucius suggested, momentarily breaking the kiss they'd been locked in for several minutes.
"Yes-I... Get off for a minute, Lucius!" Lucius laughed and pulled away from him to let him speak. "Thank you... I better get him to bed I suppose. It's already... four in the morning and people are expecting him back in three hours." He sighed melodramatically. Lucius pouted. "Do you forgive me, my friend?" He purred, running a finger up Lucius' chest. Lucius looked at him innocently for a minute before sighing and finally nodding. "Thanks. I'll make it up to you, I promise." He whispered, pulling Lucius into a long kiss. Harry couldn't even manage a glare this time, he was so tired.
"Can we go?!" He snapped. Severus chuckled watching Harry blunder around for his clothing.
"They've been taken up to our room, love." Harry tried to glare at him, but it turned into a yawn so he just struggled to his feet and stretched, leather and buckles creaking.
"I can't wait to get out of this..." He moaned, tugging at a nipple clip disdainfully. Lucius laughed.
"He's got quite the sex drive, that one! How do you keep up?" Harry chose to ignore this statement and stomped over to where Severus was still reclining.
"Get up!" He hissed. Severus chuckled.
"Yes, dear." He muttered, bestowing a few good-bye kisses to the various people surrounding him before struggling to his feet and sweeping Harry up in his arms. Harry made a protesting sound and batted him across the head. He wanted very badly to look at Draco, to tell him with his eyes how much he loved him. /I'm going to get you out of this, my love./ He thought to Draco but didn't dare look at his lover. Didn't want to see the state of the body he loved so much. Didn't want to start crying, or worse yet, throw up.
Severus rushed them through the halls and into their rooms. He threw Harry on the bed immediately and ran to his little black bag, extracted a vial and rushed into the bathroom. Harry lay on the bed and cried, listening to Severus throwing up in the bathroom. It went on forever and Harry finally got out of bed and inched into the bathroom. Severus was naked, bent over the toilet and throwing up wildly.
"I'll run you a bath..." Harry suggested miserably. Severus barely got a nod out before he threw up again. "What was that all about?" Harry asked, feeling the water as it pooled in the gigantic tub. Severus had finally stopped vomiting and was leaning back, trying to catch his breath.
"Side effect of a cleansing potion. I suggest you take it to. Not all the people in that room are... clean." Harry's eyes grew wide, and though the prospect of throwing up for half and hour wasn't pleasant, neither was coming down with AIDS. "You should take that off first." Harry glared at him. "Not because I want to see you naked, you git. I've already seen plenty enough of you to last me several lifetimes, but throwing up naked is hard enough without all those buckles, bells, and clips to get in the way." Harry supposed that was logical, so he helped Severus into the bath and went through the long process of undoing all the buckles and clips, zippers and buttons.
"Exactly what does this stuff do?" He asked, sighing as the nipple clips popped off.
"Completely empties your stomach, takes care of bacteria and viruses in the blood, all around useful." Severus whispered, barely awake.
"So it's like an anti-toxin potion...except the stomach thing."
"Something like that." Severus confirmed. Harry tossed a single glance over at the man to see if he was actually watching, but Severus' eyes were closed and looked mostly asleep.
"Bottoms up..." Harry muttered, tipping the vile of clear green liquid into his mouth and swallowing its contents. If the taste wasn't enough to make him throw up, the feeling was. He managed to place the vial on the counter before doubling over the toilet and promptly throwing up. The potion burned a track through his organs and set his stomach on fire before tracing through his blood stream and getting around his lungs.
/Jesus, I'm suffocating!/ He couldn't get any air in between great painful streams of vomit. Suddenly there was a strong wet hand on his back and another on his stomach supporting him. The convulsions came at greater intervals, allowing him to breathe in between. Tears ran down his face and Severus whispered to him comfortingly while gently rubbing his back. Finally it subsided and Harry was left weeping and trembling in Severus' arms.
"You could die using that stuff..." Harry muttered. His mouth tasted sour, and his throat was horribly scratchy and dry.
"I'm sorry, I'd forgotten how hard it is to breathe if you're not in the right position." Severus apologized, easing Harry into a fresh bath. "Take this." He handed him a clear potion. Harry glared at it as best as he could manage.
"What does it do?"
"It's going to soothe your throat, clear the taste of vomit out of your mouth, clean your teeth and replace your stomach acids." Harry glared at it a moment longer then held his breath and knocked it back. He kept his eyes closed tightly, waiting for the unpleasant sensations, but they didn't come. Whereas the cleaning potion had been hot, this was cool. Where the other had burned, this one healed, and where the other had set his stomach into an uproar, this one calmed it. He sighed thankfully, and began scrubbing weakly at his body. He might be clean on the inside, but he still felt horribly filthy.
"I'm never going to feel clean..." Harry muttered darkly, taking a rough scrubber and scratching at his skin until it bled. Severus came back into the bathroom to suggest that Harry get a little bit of sleep, and seeing the red water and Harry bleeding from his own efforts to clean himself, he hauled to boy out of the tub, prying the scrubber out of his hands and tossing it in the rubbish bin. Harry was crying again, reaching for the scrubber. Severus set him floating in the air and quickly healed all the self inflicted wounds with an amazing amount of sympathy. Still crying, but fully healed and dressed in a lose tee shirt, Harry was lowered to the bed.
"Harry... I don't mean to sound callous and cold when I say this but.… you *did* ask for this... I warned you not to come, I tried to scare you off with the clothing and the make-up, I even took you up here, explained what was going to happen and gave you a way out. You would not have been the first lover of a guest at one of these parties to stay in their rooms... I'm sorry you had to see all that, I tried to protect you..." Severus started, voice soft and mournful, but Harry cut him off.
"Stop. It's okay, I understand. And as much as I hate myself and those people, part of me is glad I came." The professor’s eyebrows shot up. "Not because I enjoyed it, but because I now see what I must save my Draco from. I see the monsters that haunt him in his sleep. I see why he is so insecure and why he cries when I hold him... it seems I must be the damnable savior again... Lucius can't hear us or anything... can he?" Harry asked suddenly, eyes wide.
"No. I've put so many personal silencing and anti-spy charms on this room that the Dark Lord himself couldn't spy on us if he wanted to." Harry didn't seem convinced, but he was really too tired to argue so he simply nodded, and fell back against the pillows. Severus pulled a blanket up.
"You have about an hour and half to sleep. I'll keep watch." Harry nodded and was asleep instantly. Severus fell into a chair in front of the fireplace too broad.
"What have I done?" He whispered to the leaping flames. Severus didn't know how long he was seated there, staring into the fireplace when there was a sudden knock on his door. All guards up, he found his wand and carefully opened the door.
"Getting jumpy, Severus?" Lucius asked, smiling at the wand pointed in his face. Severus sighed heavily and opened the door wider. "Do you not trust my defenses anymore, Severus? Or has your young lover made you cautious?" Lucius stepped into the door and admired Harry's sleeping form for a moment. "Potpan! Get in here!" He snapped. Severus winced and looked over at Harry's sleeping form. "Don't worry, after all he's done tonight, I don't know how you'll get him up in the morning. You really should notify whoever it is that expects him back by seven that you won't be back till later this evening and let the boy sleep. He's exhausted." Severus shut the door behind the house elf that came in, tottering with packages.
"They're already suspicious enough that I took him to Malfoy Manor in the first place. They'll probably run a whole string of tests and counter curses on him as soon as we get back as it is. I really wouldn't want to provoke them further." Severus told him, inflecting a touch of sadness in his voice. Lucius ordered Potpan to set the gifts down carefully and get out before he seated himself in one of the chairs by the fireplace.
"It was good to see you, my friend. I've missed you over all these months." Lucius said quietly and Severus saw a glimpse of the kind loving young boy that Lucius was once upon a time. "Did you enjoy the show?" He asked louder, more cheerfully, all evidence of Severus' beloved childhood friend gone.
"Yes. It was quite good this year. Too bad the Master wasn't here to see it; he would have liked it, I believe. Draco's really grown into a beautiful young man. Just like his father." Lucius smiled a fake smile and the fake complement and they went on talking.
"Yes, he has. He has a good bloodline; handsome parents." Lucius smiled another fake smile and got up. "Well, I'm absolutely exhausted. I'll have breakfast sent up for you in about twenty minutes. Enjoy your presents, but do please open them in private. Oh, and would you mind bringing Draco home with you?" He winked and leaned down to kiss his friend goodnight after Severus nodded. "I suppose I won't see you before you leave…. So, later, I guess." With that he sauntered elegantly out of the room, tossing one more glance at a sleeping Harry Potter.