Fic: Sigillum Secreti, NC-17, Draco/Harry/Snape (revised version), Part 2 of 2 Title: Sigillum Secreti Author:klynie1 (writing under the pseudonym of Flavius Belby) Threesome: Draco Malfoy/Severus Snape/Harry Potter Kink/Prompt: Double Penetration/Midnight in the Owlery of Good and Evil (Written for the 2007 pimp_my_3some fest) Rating: NC-17 Warnings: Sexual coercion, violence, major character death (though none of the threesome). A somewhat hopeful ending. Word Count: About 17,000 Summary: In a desperate attempt to defeat Voldemort, Draco Malfoy's life becomes a bond between two enemies: Severus Snape and Harry Potter. Author's Notes and Disclaimer: Deepest thanks to Sansa and Empathic Siren for creating the Pimp My Threesome fest and making it so much fun. Hugs and many thanks to Synn and Loupgarou1750 for being such wonderful betas for me. They're perfect, which means that any remaining mistakes are my own. Harry Potter, Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy and all associated characters from the Harry Potter universe are the property of J.K. Rowling and those to whom she has licensed her creations, including without limitation Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books, Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No copyright infringement is intended. The author is making no profit from this story.
During the next few weeks, he avoided the other three as much as possible, listening at his door until the house was quiet before setting out to find food and use the lavatory. Relieved to find a functioning bath on his floor, he fell into the habit of soaking in a warm tub of water late at night, ducking his head under and holding his breath to drown out all of the groans and murmurs haunting the old house.
Potter brought him a pile of oversized Muggle garments; with judicious spell work, Draco managed to shrink them to a wearable size. They smelled of broom polish and chocolate frogs. Potter's own, he surmised.
He avoided the front hall as much as possible.
But even though he didn't see much of Potter and his sycophants, their tension and grim determination pervaded the house.
The atmosphere echoed what he felt inside. He hadn't seen Severus since he'd been abandoned here. Draco would have wondered if he were even still alive, but he could still feel the warmth of Severus' presence in his soul, so he clung to the assumption that meant something.
Late one night he heard whooping from downstairs. Putting aside the book he'd taken from the library the previous night, he decided to investigate. He put on his shoes and robe and slipped out of his bedroom.
He winced as he recognized Great-Aunt Walburga's voice shrieking above the rest, but the noise drew him down the stairs and towards the library. He peered around the corner of the door.
Weasley was whooping and pounding Potter on the back. Potter had a daft grin on his face and Granger looked both relieved and elated.
All three of them were staring at a small wooden box lying on the table in front of them.
Weasley must have heard his derisive snort, because he whirled. His glee disappeared in a second, replaced by an ugly frown. "Malfoy! What are you doing here?"
"Finally lost it, have you, Weasley?" Draco drawled, determined not to back down now that he had been discovered. "I understand that worship of common household objects is an indication of mental instability."
Potter stood, shielding the table from view. "Just get out of here, Malfoy. It's none of your business."
A wooden box. Could it be…? "I think it's my business when it's my life on the line that got you Ravenclaw's reliquary," he said. Potter's flush confirmed it – the box on the table was one of the missing Horcruxes. He stepped forward. "Can I see it?"
Potter hesitated and then stepped aside. "Don't touch it," he said. "We haven't neutralised the curses on it yet."
Draco nodded, familiar with how to handle cursed objects from a lifetime of living amongst them. He looked closely at the box. "Have you tried the Desarmez class of curse breakers? The French have a real flare for it."
Granger frowned. "I'm not familiar with those."
"I'm not surprised. They're a pretty jealously guarded class of spells," he said. "They're also tricky to cast. Father always had a house-elf nearby just in case."
"Why would he do that?" Granger asked. "House-elves can't neutralise curses."
Draco snorted. "Of course they can't. But a curse can't tell them apart from a human."
"You mean that you let the house-elf be cursed if the neutralising spell didn't work?" Granger looked like she was going to be sick.
"Of course," he said. "You wouldn't expect that Father would take a curse himself, would you?"
"That's barbaric."
"Who are you calling barbaric?" Draco straightened to his full height. "You didn't even know house-elves existed until you came to Hogwarts, I bet. Stupid, ignorant, Mud–"
"Shut it, Malfoy." Potter glared, his hands curled into fists. "You've seen it, now get out of here."
"Fine." Malfoy shrugged. "Don't blame me when it blows up in your face, though." He left.
He'd reached the first floor landing when an explosion rocked the house. He dropped into a crouch, wand drawn, frantically looking for the Death Eaters that he was sure had found them.
Silence, smoke and the smell of burnt hair and flesh met him.
Shaking, he crept down the stairs, following the smoke to the library. There was no sound from inside.
Draco closed his eyes. He could feel Potter inside him, so he was pretty sure that Potter, at least, was still alive. He opened his eyes and walked into the room.
Weasley was obviously dead. Very little of his face and upper body appeared to be intact; he must have taken the full force of what must have been a wicked Blasting Curse. Draco swallowed back bile and walked further into the room.
First priority, his father's voice whispered in his mind. Make sure the artefact is secured.
He approached the splintered library table cautiously. As he got closer he could see the intact reliquary lying amongst the wreckage.
"Contenez. Indiquez." The box glowed red and he bit his lip. The Blasting Curse was still active, as was a writhing black…something.
It must be the piece of the Dark Lord's soul contained inside the Horcrux. Hoping he remembered the correct motions, he waved his wand, said "Emprisonnez" and cringed.
Nothing exploded. The glow faded. The box looked normal.
Reluctant to push his luck, he left the Horcrux in the wreckage and made his way across the floor to Granger, who was face down just beyond the table. He reached down, pushing her bushy hair back so he could press his fingers against her throat. A feeble pulse greeted him. He murmured a general healing spell, hoped it helped and then looked around to find Potter.
It took a moment for him to realise that Potter was lying underneath Weasley's body. Fighting nausea, he rolled Weasley off Potter and bent over him.
Potter's glasses were shattered and he was soaked in blood, but he was breathing. How much of the blood was his and how much of it was Weasley's, Draco couldn't tell. He tried to examine Potter for wounds but didn't see anything obvious. After quickly casting a few general healing spells on Potter, he sat on the floor and tried to figure out what to do next.
Only Severus and McGonagall knew about Sigillum Secreti and of the two of them, he thought Severus would be less likely to assume that he had anything to do with Potter's injuries. McGonagall would likely bring Pomfrey or some Ministry Healer with her, while Severus would know more about treating Dark curse injuries than any idiot at St Mungo's or Hogwarts.
On the other hand, contacting Severus might be tantamount to signing his own death warrant if another Death Eater was nearby.
He chewed on the side of his thumb and stared at Potter's still face.
Finally he stood and walked over to the fireplace. Taking a handful of Floo Powder, he started a fire and threw the powder into the flames.
"Spinner's End."
The fire flared green. Draco took a deep breath and plunged his head into it. He closed his eyes to avoid the sickening sight of watching hearth after hearth hurtle past him until the sensation of rapid movement disappeared.
He opened his eyes to find himself face to face with a furious Snape. "Are you alone?"
Snape knelt and snapped, "Yes, though it doesn't matter. I don't care how annoying Potter is, you can't return –"
Draco blurted, "There's been an accident – a Horcrux had a Blasting Curse protecting it. Weasley's dead and Granger and Potter are hurt pretty badly. I need help."
Severus looked around furtively and cursed. "Stand back," he said.
Draco scrambled out of the fire as Severus stepped through.
"The fools," he muttered as he surveyed the damage. "They should have known better than to try to disarm a Horcrux in a house so steeped in Dark magic." He looked down at Weasley's body with distaste before kneeling next to Potter.
Draco crouched next to him. "I tried to warn them."
Severus shot a glance at him. "And just where were you when this happened?" He cast a spell that made Potter's body glow pink.
"They'd just kicked me out of the library. I was halfway to my room when I heard the explosion."
Severus nodded and sat back. "Potter may have internal injuries, but he looks all right otherwise. I imagine Weasley took the brunt of the explosion."
"His body was on top of Potter's," Draco said. Now that Severus was here to take care of things, he felt sick again. Saliva flooded his mouth and he gagged.
In a flash, Severus pushed him onto his arse and shoved his head down. "I'm not dealing with you vomiting or fainting on top of everything else. Keep your head between your knees and take deep breaths."
Draco obeyed, though the smell of blood and burnt flesh didn't help. Beyond him, he heard the flare of the Floo and Severus issuing instructions.
"Minerva. Bring Poppy through immediately. Potter and Granger need medical attention."
"And Ron?" Draco heard McGonagall ask.
"Just get Poppy here now if you want your precious Gryffindors to live," Severus replied.
Within moments, McGonagall and Pomfrey were in the library. Draco cautiously lifted his head to watch them frantically working over first Potter, then Granger. They managed to rouse Potter, who was trying to sit up while McGonagall held him down and blocked his view of Weasley's body.
He looked up as Severus knelt beside him. "Is any of that blood yours?" Snape asked.
He looked down at his hands and clothes. He was covered in blood and other disgusting things; it had begun to dry and was flaking off his hands, leaving behind ugly brown stains on his skin. He shook his head.
Severus cast a Cleansing Charm on him. It helped, but Draco suspected that he'd need quite a few baths before he truly felt clean again. He'd simply burn the robes.
Pomfrey stood, levitating Granger's still form and guiding it to the fireplace. "Minerva, I need to take Miss Granger to St Mungo's immediately. They may be able to save her eyes if they act quickly. Could you take Potter to the infirmary? I'll be there shortly." She threw in a handful of Floo Powder and vanished, taking Granger with her.
"Where's Ron?" Draco heard Potter ask.
Draco watched as both Severus and McGonagall eventually had to stun Potter in order to restrain him in his rage and grief.
oxxxo
A week later and Potter was back.
The atmosphere in the house fairly crackled with tension. Draco had helped Severus destroy the Ravenclaw Horcrux, but there was still Hufflepuff's cup and Nagini left to dispose of before Potter could face the Dark Lord.
When Draco met Potter in the halls or the kitchen, Potter radiated hatred. Inside him, Draco could feel Potter's flame burning like a wildfire, no longer the clear blaze he'd come to know. It felt like Potter could explode at any moment.
Awkward and inexperienced at apologies, one day Draco tried to offer Potter mumbled condolences.
"Shut it, Malfoy. You're pathetic. Your father was an evil git and so are you. No one would miss either of you if you were gone."
Draco winced, waiting for the spell to kill him.
It didn't. Obviously, Potter spoke the truth as he saw it.
Draco tried to sneer, but the spell wouldn't let him.
He left the room instead.
oxxxo
Potter's flame turned from inferno to ice over the following three weeks. He seemed to look straight through either Draco or Severus each time he met them.
With the last Horcrux but one in front of him, Potter looked cold and competent.
He'd just brought Hufflepuff's cup to the mansion, even though Severus had ranted at him about his stupidity in doing so with Ravenclaw's reliquary. Exhausted and frightened, Draco watched Severus and Potter work.
Severus threw up a containment shield around Potter and the Horcrux, chanting a very Dark spell Draco had heard his father use once when he was opening the vault in the deepest part of Malfoy Manor, the one that only people with Malfoy blood could open.
Giving all his attention to Potter's actions, Draco watched as he began a complex incantation. Soon a wisp of smoky substance rose out of the cup. Potter cast a spell that destroyed the cup, but the wisp of smoke seemed to solidify a bit when he did.
Fuck. Potter was going to screw this up. Draco froze.
Suddenly, Potter drew his wand and pointed it at the wisp.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Severus' containment field exploded with green light. Draco caught a glimpse of the smoke crackling with green flame and ash falling to the floor before he shut his eyes to block out the glare of the spell.
When he opened them a few moments later, Potter was staring at the floor in disgust. He turned and walked past Severus, who had been knocked off his feet by the blast.
"It's your turn, Snape. Kill the snake so we can get this bloody war finished." He didn't look at Draco as he stalked out of the room.
oxxxo
Something felt wrong.
Severus and Potter were in the midst of yet another argument about Severus' lack of progress in killing Nagini.
Draco sneered at Potter automatically, but his mind was more occupied with watching their argument. He could swear that Potter was the source of the danger, though he didn't understand why or how. Potter was trapped in the house with him all the time these days.
"You're working for Him, aren't you?"
"Potter, how many times do I have to tell you? No! I'm doing my best to make sure that you succeed so I can get out of this country and leave all this behind."
"How do I know you're not lying?"
Severus rolled his eyes. "Because Draco would be dead if I were. You seem to keep forgetting about the spell."
"How do I even know the spell works? I don't feel any different, and neither of you are acting any different."
"Not acting different!" Draco was shocked. "Potter, I haven't been able to lie to you in months."
"So you say. But you're still the same stuck-up little coward you've always been, so why should I believe you?"
"Because," Draco sputtered, trying to come up with a reason that wouldn't betray him completely, "– ask McGonagall!" he ended triumphantly, and glared. "She knows the spell works."
"Snape's fooled her like you've tried to fool me. Well, it's not going to work. Because of your stupid tricks, Ron's dead and Hermione's in a coma."
Draco's mouth fell open. Potter's ravings made no sense whatsoever. "What stupid tricks?"
"Stop it, both of you," Severus said. He turned to Potter. "This arguing is pointless. The spell is working, whether you acknowledge it or not."
"Fine," Potter said, his face mottled red. "I'll play along for now. But if you haven't killed that damned snake in a week's time, all bets are off. I'm turning you both in to the Aurors."
"I can't kill Nagini until the time is right, you idiot. If I had killed her earlier, the Dark Lord would still have been able to survive to kill you. He's surrounded by Death Eaters – Bellatrix rarely leaves his side except to carry out his orders. Macnair has spies everywhere."
"I heard you," Potter said. "I still don't believe you." He paused. "I've talked to McGonagall about it. She wants to talk to you."
Draco coughed. His throat seemed to close; he swallowed to clear it.
"Where?" Severus asked.
"At the Shrieking Shack," Potter said sullenly. "Tonight."
Draco coughed again as his throat seemed to constrict even more.
Potter glared at him. "What's the matter with you?"
Draco shook his head. "Water?"
Severus conjured a glass of water and handed it to Draco. He frowned.
Draco nodded his thanks. He sipped, but had trouble swallowing.
"What did McGonagall want to see me about?" demanded Severus.
"I have no idea."
Draco froze. The glass of water slipped from his fingers and fell to the floor. Glass and water was everywhere. He grabbed the back of a chair to steady himself and put a hand to his throat.
"You –" He choked as his airway closed completely. He struck out when Potter came near, panicking, trying to breath, then felt Severus' arms around him, lowering him to the floor and cradling him in his lap.
"What's going on?" Potter looked annoyed.
"Draco, relax! Stop struggling." Draco could feel Severus trying to hold him still; he struggled harder. "Potter! Tell me what you're lying about."
"What are you talking about?"
"The spell! It knows you're lying about something."
"I'm not!'
"He's dying! Tell me, now!"
Potter eyes were wide behind his stupid glasses. "You mean the spell really works?"
"Answer me, damn you!"
"Scrimgeour will be there. He's got a squad of Aurors. Oh, God, I didn't know the spell was real – I thought you'd faked it!"
"You fool!" Draco heard, but his head swam. It was getting hard to move; his limbs felt like lead.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Potter said. "Why isn't he getting better?"
"You betrayed me, Potter."
"But I told you the truth. I told you everything! He should be getting better now."
Severus muttered healing spells. Draco felt the constriction in his throat and chest lift a bit, and he gulped in air. Severus leaned forward and brushed the hair from his forehead.
"Draco," he whispered. He cradled Draco's cheek with his hand.
Potter's anxious face swam into view. "Come on, Malfoy. You're too stubborn to die."
Draco closed his eyes and managed to choke out a word. "Why?"
Severus' voice was quiet. "I need you."
"F'r stupid spell."
"No. For you." Draco opened his eyes. Severus brushed the hair from Draco's forehead. "I need you."
A trickle of warmth ran through his body. He began to shiver.
"That's right, Malfoy." Potter sounded eager. "You can do it."
"Sev'rus?"
"Idiot boy," he said softly.
"I don't want to die."
"You're not. Potter told us the truth. You're going to be fine."
"No." Draco hurt so badly, so deep inside. It felt like something had been snuffed out, extinguished and it hurt so very, very much. He turned away, apathetic and disbelieving.
Severus seemed to come to some conclusion, because he lowered Draco back down to the floor and began to take off his clothing. "Potter, help me here."
"What? What can I do?"
"This spell is based on trust. That trust has been broken. We need to do something to try to rebuild it."
"And taking off your clothes will help?"
"Strip and get down here!"
Amazingly, Potter did. Severus transformed his robe into a soft mattress and lifted Draco onto it before he started taking Draco's clothing off, too.
By the time Potter joined them, Severus had stretched out next to Draco. Draco tried to ignore him, but found it difficult to do when he craved the warmth radiating from Severus' body. He closed his eyes.
"Pleasure him."
"What?"
"Touch him. Make him feel good. Feel safe. Like he can trust you." Severus captured Draco's chin. Soft kisses brushed his eyes, his cheeks, his lips.
When Severus licked his lips, Draco hesitantly opened his mouth. Severus' kisses were sweet, warm without burning.
Clumsy hands ghosted over his flanks. A butterfly touch of lips pressed at the point of his hipbone, soft enough that it tickled. He squirmed in protest and the caresses became more confident and soothing. He relaxed.
"I'm sorry," he heard, a quiet whisper that warmed the crease between his thigh and groin. "I didn't know." Something wet and smooth probed there; Draco opened his legs hoping for more of the lovely feeling.
Severus stopped kissing him. He opened his eyes.
Severus was watching Potter nuzzle around Draco's groin. Potter's mouth opened and he breathed against Draco's half-hard cock. He gripped the base to steady it and began to use gentle flicks of tongue to probe delicately under Draco's foreskin. Draco caught his breath as Potter cupped his arse and pulled him closer, taking him into his mouth.
Severus grabbed Potter by the hair and began to direct his head, urging him to start a gentle bobbing rhythm that felt like nothing Draco had ever experienced. He whimpered in pleasure.
Severus released Potter's head and turned back to Draco. "We'll take care of you." He stroked Draco's body, as gentle and warm as Potter's mouth. He kissed down Draco's neck and suckled his nipples until Draco arched with pleasure and need.
"Please," he begged, but he wasn't sure what for.
Severus rolled him toward Potter and spooned his body behind Draco's. Draco could feel Severus' cock, hot and hard in the small of his back. Severus began to thrust smoothly against him, taking his earlobe into his mouth and sucking at the same time.
Between the warm, wet tongue in his ear, the hard length rubbing firm and smooth against his back and the warm wet mouth surrounding his prick, Draco began to moan, desperate for release. Severus' balls slapped against his arse, right between Potter's clutching hands.
"You're safe now," Severus whispered into his ear and Draco arched, coming deep into Potter's mouth.
Dizzy, his eyes closed and he fell into darkness.
oxxxo
He woke later, wrapped in two warm bodies.
"Don't leave me," he whispered. "Never leave me."
Neither Potter nor Severus replied. They may have been asleep, but he didn't think so.
Draco finally fell asleep again. His dreams were full of Weasley's mutilated corpse and his father's cold silence.
oxxxo
Things seemed to have changed drastically since Draco had nearly died.
For one thing, Potter seemed to have turned into a sex fiend, particularly as far as sucking Draco's cock was concerned.
Not that he was complaining.
He'd wake up to silky warmth encircling his cock in the morning and spend down Potter's throat before he'd even woken up properly. He'd be reading in the sitting room – they all avoided the library these days, summoning books instead – when Potter would enter, walk over to him, drop to his knees, push Draco's clothes out of the way and dive down to take him in his mouth.
Once, he was making tea in the kitchen when Potter spun him around, slid under his robe and swallowed down his flaccid cock, which hardened quickly under Potter's increasingly talented ministration.
Draco found fucking Potter's mouth to be very pleasing.
He never accepted Draco's mute offer to return the favour, seeming to prefer to wank himself while devouring Draco's eager cock. And every time, after cleaning himself and Draco, Potter would stand, wipe a hand across his mouth and stare for a moment before bolting out of the room.
Severus tried to spend more time with Draco as well, stopping by for an hour or two and taking Draco to bed properly, complete with foreplay, fucks that ranged from brutal to exquisitely teasing and quiet time to bask before Severus went back to the Dark Lord.
Draco didn't allow himself to think of the danger that Severus courted with his actions; he accepted them as his due and demanded more. And Severus gave and gave, each time his hips snapping in an endless rhythm that made Draco fly and sob and wish that it would never end.
oxxxo
One day Potter had him sprawled over the sofa, naked and panting while Potter sucked furiously and ground against Draco's leg. He heard a noise and looked up.
Severus stood in the doorway of the sitting room, staring at them with angry, hungry eyes.
Draco gasped. Inside, he felt Severus' spark flame as high as Potter's.
Helplessly, Draco pumped into Potter's mouth, caught between the man watching him from the doorway and the man pressing him into the sofa.
"Potter. Stop."
Draco groaned as Potter slowly released his cock and sat up, blushing furiously and glaring at Severus. "What? Jealous?"
"Hardly." Severus stalked over to the couch and knelt by Draco's side. "Just taking what's mine."
Without warning, Draco found himself suffocated, his mouth covered and bruised by sharp bites and teeth grinding against his. He could feel a rash bloom on his face where Severus' coarse bristles rubbed.
"I don't belong to you," Draco said, wrenching his mouth away and gasping.
"Wrong," Severus said. "You belong to us. To Potter and me."
"He doesn't," Potter started to say, but Snape interrupted him.
"Look at him, Potter. Look at generations of breeding, of beauty and privilege. Lying there, debauched and demanding. Don't tell me that you don't want that."
Draco sat up, intrigued, although determined not to show it. "Of course you want it. You just can't have it. Not unless I decide you should."
Potter looked back and forth between them. "Look, I—"
"You don't see him running away, do you?" Severus shed his robe and unbuttoned the placket of his trousers.
Potter shook his head. "It's one thing when it's a spell, or when we needed to save his life. It's entirely different now."
"How so?" Severus took out his cock. The head was already purple and emerging from the foreskin. Draco watched as he slowly began to stroke it. A drop of moisture formed, to be wiped away by a lazy swipe of Severus' thumb.
"Er," Potter said. Draco glanced over at him and saw that he was staring at Severus' cock, too.
"There is none, is there?" Severus stopped stroking his cock. "Stretch him."
Potter looked panicked. "What?"
"Stretch him. Stick your fingers in his arsehole and move them around." Severus stood and slid his trousers and pants off, staring at Potter, his cock poking out stiffly from under his white shirt. "Use a lubricating charm."
Potter looked over at Draco. Smirking, Draco lifted a leg and rested his ankle on Potter's shoulder. "You heard him."
After a moment, Potter cast a charm. Draco moaned as a slick finger entered his arsehole. Then his view of Potter was blocked by a cock and heavy balls descending towards his mouth. Severus' knees pressed against either side of his head as he carefully lowered himself over Draco.
"Pull him closer to you."
Potter's hands gripped Draco's hips. He felt the rough nap of the sofa's cloth burn his back and bum as Potter dragged him closer.
"Open."
Draco obediently opened his mouth and promptly gagged as Severus' big cock pushed in. He pushed Severus away, but suddenly his hands were caught and pinned to the sofa on either side with a softly spoken binding charm.
Completely vulnerable, Potter's fingers stretching and stroking his arsehole while Severus settled over him, Draco felt a rush of lust and power flood through him. He groaned around Severus' cock and heard a harsh gasp sound above him. The cock in his mouth throbbed.
"Fuck him."
Draco's legs were pulled up and over Potter's shoulders. He grunted as Potter entered him. A moment later, he cried out as a mouth engulfed his cock.
He heard Potter's voice – so hot – felt the burn in his arse and back as Potter's thrusts gain strength and rhythm, felt Severus' wicked tongue probe under his foreskin and across his slit, felt the damp fabric of the sofa stick to his skin, breathed the musk of Severus' balls, felt their weight slap against his nose and oh god, how could one person feel so much and never never stop he screamed in his head even as he choked on Severus' fat cock…
With a rush, he cried out and came, spurting down Severus' throat.
He closed his eyes, mouth slack as Severus fucked it, internal muscles still throbbing uncontrollably around Potter's pistoning cock. "Suck me," he heard and obediently closed his lips around Severus, flicked his tongue against the head of his cock, took deep breaths through his nose until he had enough air in his lungs, then sucked hard, rewarded by a deep groan and Severus burying himself root deep in his throat, balls pressed tight to Draco's eyes, coming so hard that Draco had difficulty swallowing it all down. He could feel semen oozing out of his mouth and dripping down his chin and cheek, into his hair.
Severus collapsed, rolling to the side, his softening cock slipping from Draco's lips.
Potter leaned forward and braced himself above Draco, pounding into him. Then Potter reached out to Severus, grabbed his hair and pulled him close until he could attack him with his mouth. Draco watched in fascination as the two men kissed until Potter froze, his hips moving in a series of short, hard thrusts as he came deep inside Draco. Severus continued to suck on Potter's lips until Potter's arm gave out and he collapsed on top of Draco.
Draco closed his eyes again, listening to their heavy breaths and savouring the power he held over them.
When he opened them again, Severus was gone and Potter was on his feet, wiping his mouth and staring down at him.
"I don't want this," he whispered. "I don't want to want you like this."
Potter whirled and disappeared out the door.
Draco remained on the sofa, feeling debauched and empty and needing so much more.
That night, he prayed that the Dark Lord would be destroyed quickly, so McGonagall could lift this damned curse. A moment later, he prayed even harder that it was never lifted and that he'd have Severus and Potter as his, forever caught in their flames.
He tried to ignore the voice in his head that sounded like his father and used words like whore and traitor.
oxxxo
Severus walked in while they were having tea.
"It's time."
Potter's eyes widened. Draco could see him shiver.
"Right," Potter said. "I'm ready."
The meal cooled, ignored as they all leaned forward to make their final plans.
"Potter, tell Minerva to gather together the rest of the Order and as many Aurors as can be trusted. They'll need to go to Azkaban."
"But Azkaban's a fortress," Draco said. "You'll need armies of witches and wizards to take it."
Severus shook his head. "That's the other detail that I've been working on these past few weeks. I've identified the prison's weakest points and made arrangements that should allow them to be breached. Minerva needs to come up from the sea on the west side at half eight tonight. There's a set of double doors there, a service area for shipments of Muggle goods into the prison. They're warded; the password is 'immortality'. Their only backup is a pair of Death Eaters who patrol the area. I'll make sure that they're occupied elsewhere. Give her this," he pushed a map across the table to Potter. "It will guide them to the main hall, where the Dark Lord has set up His Court."
"Right. How am I supposed to get in?" Potter asked.
"Through this window." Severus pointed to a window overlooking the sheer drop to the sea. "Bring your broom and your invisibility cloak. I have a map for you, too, but for all our sakes, Potter, don't do anything until Minerva has the hall secured. I'll meet you and take you to His Lordship when He's at His most vulnerable."
Potter's face was white, but he nodded firmly. "Right. What will you be doing?"
"Playing dead." Draco's eyebrows shot up. "No, not for real. But tonight I'll poison the evening meal. The only people who usually forego eating in the hall are the patrols and Bellatrix. The poison is quick-acting, but timing is crucial."
"What about me?" Draco really didn't want to be involved, but he preferred that his non-participation was official. If it wasn't, he needed time to argue for a change in plans.
"You stay here."
Perfect. He relaxed.
"What time should I be there?" Potter looked grim but determined.
"Meet me here," Severus pointed to a spot on the map. "Be in place by quarter of nine."
"Anything else?"
Severus shook his head. They all stared at one another.
"I'd say this calls for a drink," Draco said.
Potter fetched a bottle and poured.
They didn't raise a toast, but instead sat sipping quietly. After Severus and Potter left, Draco looked at their nearly-full glasses and wondered if he'd survive their deaths.
Suddenly, his heart ran cold. Deaths. McGonagall. She was going to be at the prison, too. If anything happened to her….
Maybe he could catch her before she left Hogwarts.
He raced to his room to find a heavy dark cloak and then Disapparated.
oxxxo
He'd missed McGonagall at Hogwarts. He only had one more chance.
Crouched behind a misshapen bush, he watched as McGonagall's group silently filed through the double doors of Azkaban. He recognised some of them – the insane Weasley twins, Professor Lupin, Professor Moody – as well as some Gryffindors and a Ravenclaw or two who had been in his year at Hogwarts.
Too late. He wasn't fool enough to think he could make a difference inside the prison. All he could do was to wait. He cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself and then settled in, huddled in his cloak.
Nothing would happen to McGonagall. Severus' plan would work. Potter would kill the Dark Lord. He'd be free of this damned curse tonight.
Draco closed his eyes, but all he could see was his father's sneering face, mocking him.
He cried out as a heavy hand suddenly landed on his shoulder and pulled him around. Sprawled on the ground, he felt the prick of a knife at his throat. He looked up at his captor and froze, his blood running cold.
"Well, well, well," Fenrir Greyback said. "The Malfoy brat. I wonder what brings you to His Lordship. He's put a price on your head, you know. I suspect He'd like a plaything for His afters."
"How did you—?" Draco gasped.
"Find you? You smell, boy. Like money. Like your sweet mum and dad did," Greyback jeered. He dragged Draco to his feet and marched him towards the prison.
When they reached the door, Draco stopped, panicking. Pushed from behind, he stumbled through the doorway and froze. Blood seemed to coat the walls, the floor, the ceiling. His eyes darted from one horrific sight to another. A redheaded man cut in two. One of the Weasley twins, eyes wide and fixed and a smoking hole in his chest. Professor Moody, though the only reason Draco could tell his identity was because his false leg hadn't burned with the rest of his body.
Greyback pushed him again and he skidded, falling to one knee. His hand slipped in gore as he tried to push himself to his feet. Laughing, Greyback kicked him.
Pain exploding through his ribs, Draco sprawled to the floor and came face to face with Professor McGonagall.
"Professor," he whispered.
She continued to sleep, her eyes closed, her expression strangely peaceful amidst the carnage. Except, she must be holding her breath.
"Professor, please," he breathed. "Please wake up."
Raucous laughter boomed through the entry hall. "She's not waking up, you fool. She's dead. Provided a bit of sport, though not as much as your parents did. I can't wait to see what the Dark Lord has in store for you." Rough hands once again pulled him to his feet and pushed him forward, deeper into Azkaban.
By the time they reached the main hall, Draco was shaking uncontrollably. Greyback snorted and flung him at the Dark Lord's feet. "Look what I found just outside the gates, My Lord."
Draco ducked his head.
"Young Malfoy?" The Dark Lord sounded amused.
Greyback grabbed a handful of Draco's hair and yanked his head back. Draco shut his eyes tightly.
"My Lord," he moaned. "Please –"
"What? Spare you? I didn't spare either of your parents and they were of a great deal more value to me. You failed, Draco. It's time to pay the price for that failure."
"I tried," he sobbed.
The hall erupted in laughter.
"Look at me, boy, or I'll have Greyback slice your eyelids off!"
Terrified, he shook his head. "Please, My Lord."
"Pathetic. Your knife, Grey–" A commotion behind Draco interrupted the Dark Lord. Draco sobbed once in relief as Greyback pushed him to the floor.
Someone else landed on the floor next to him.
"Harry." The Dark Lord's voice sounded like a welcoming caress.
No. It couldn't be Potter. Even Potter wasn't stupid enough to get caught that quickly. He ignored the memory of his own swift capture, of the bloodbath he'd witnessed at the entrance.
Draco opened his eyes and looked.
Macnair held Potter down, a hand on his neck. Potter glanced over at Draco. "Are you okay?"
Draco dropped his eyes again. Potter was captured. He was captured. McGonagall's party had been slaughtered. Nothing was going right. Though he knew it was selfish, he was glad Potter was there with him, at least. But where was Severus?
He shuddered. Severus couldn't be dead, he couldn't.
"I wonder how you managed to get through my wards," the Dark Lord said. "It seems we might have a traitor in our midst, my friends." He seemed to be enjoying himself, like the situation was a play in which they all performed for his benefit.
Draco froze as a familiar voice said, "I let them in, My Lord."
Severus. Oh dear Merlin, the Dark Lord had captured Severus, too.
"So you did. It appears that my conclusion about a possible traitor was – incorrect." The Dark Lord sounded almost gleeful. "You did well, my friend. Thank you, Severus. You followed my plan exactly."
Draco looked up, startled, and saw Potter do the same.
Severus – Snape, Draco corrected himself, furious – knelt in front of the Dark Lord and bowed his head. He saw blood on the hem of Snape's robes and wondered whose it was.
Traitor's blood, his father whispered. Like yours.
The Dark Lord smiled and laid a hand on Snape's head. "Yes, very well done indeed. Would you like to claim a reward for bringing me the great Harry Potter and all of his little friends?"
"My Lord, your pleasure is my greatest reward."
"Well spoken, Severus. You may stand."
Snape stood, his face respectful, his eyes lowered.
The Dark Lord glanced at Draco. A smile crossed his face. "Perhaps you'd like young Malfoy for your own."
A flicker of lust lit Snape's eyes. He remained silent, however.
"Yes, I can see you'd like that. Very well. You may have him."
"My Lord." Snape fell to his kneels again and leaned forward to kiss the Dark Lord's boot. "Thank you." He crawled backwards and stood, bowing once more before turning to look at Draco. "Get up."
He waved his wand and Draco's clothing disappeared, to be replaced by a collar and shackles.
Blushing furiously, Draco slowly stood. He glanced at Potter and their eyes locked. He wondered if his face was as white as Potter's was.
Then Snape gave him a vicious shove. He stumbled forward, directed by Snape to a dark corner where he pushed Draco down into a chair and stood beside him.
From here, Draco could see the entire hall. Everyone ignored him now, their focus on Potter and the Dark Lord.
"A toast!" Bellatrix raised a glass filled with wine high above her head. "To Our Lordship. May He triumph over all of His enemies as easily as He has triumphed over these!"
"His Lordship!" echoed through the hall. Snape raised a glass of wine with the rest.
But when the others drank, he dropped his to the floor. Glass shattered and wine splattered across Draco's bare feet.
He pulled away from the mess just in time to avoid being crushed by the man next to him as he toppled to the floor.
All around the hall, Death Eaters dropped.
"The wine," Draco whispered. "Severus."
"Potter!"
Potter turned. Severus threw something at him.
Potter snatched it out of the air as if it were a snitch. He raised it, and Draco realised that Severus had thrown Potter a wand.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Green light flared, burning Draco's eyes. Dimly, he saw the Dark Lord fall. Around the hall, torches wavered, and then flared.
"Never again," Severus muttered. He pointed his wand at the Dark Lord's corpse. "Incendio!
The corpse burst into flames and turned to ash in an instant. Draco watched as Potter stared at the small pile of dust marking the former Dark Lord's presence.
"I thought you'd betrayed us," Draco said.
Snape glanced at him. "It was necessary to deceive you long enough to destroy the Dark Lord." He waved his wand and Draco's clothing was restored. "I should think that would be obvious." Slipping his hand under Draco's elbow, he guided him to Potter's side.
"But you can't lie to us."
"Omitting to say something isn't the same as lying. You should know," Severus said, looking at him sharply. "You've been doing it all along, too."
Draco ignored his accusation and reached out to touch Harry's arm. "Potter? Did you know about this?"
Potter shook his head. He looked as dazed as Draco felt. "I don't understand. Is that it?"
"Yes, Potter, that's it."
Potter turned to look at Severus and Draco. "It's done?"
Severus gestured impatiently. "Get it through your thick head. It's finished. You're through."
Potter stared at him. "Good," he said, and crumpled. Snape leapt forward and caught him, falling awkwardly to the floor with Potter cradled in his arms. Draco knelt beside them.
"Is he—?"
"He'll be fine," Snape said, even as Potter frowned and said, "I'm okay."
"You're not okay," Draco retorted. "You just fainted." Feeling suddenly faint himself, he sat and leaned into Severus' side. "There's blood on your robe, you know," he added conversationally. Severus' body was solid and warm, and Draco dropped his head against Severus' shoulder. "Whose is it?"
"The snake's. I killed her earlier this evening." Severus' eyes narrowed. "I thought you were going to stay at the house."
"I – had a change of mind." The spell allowed the partial truth and he breathed a sigh of relief.
Severus frowned, but seemed to accept the answer. He waved his wand and a map of the prison formed in the air. "They put the Order survivors in the cells on this level," he pointed. "The spell to open the cell doors is 'Patefaci'. Go, now. I'll contact St Mungo's and warn them they have casualties coming in."
Draco, who had no intention to wander around Azkaban in search of Potter's friends, stayed still.
Potter didn't move, either. "Casualties? You mean the Death Eaters knew? The Order walked into an ambush?"
"Yes. They did." Severus looked grim, but wouldn't meet Potter's eyes. "Occlumency only works so far. The Dark Lord knew that I still had access to you. The only way I could deceive him was to carry out his plan and sabotage it at the last possible moment. I had no choice if you were to get the opportunity to destroy him."
"Anyone I know?"
Severus nodded and pinched the bridge of his nose. "More than I hoped. The fools chose to fight, some of them to the death. I tried to warn Minerva, but either she didn't heed the warning or the others wouldn't listen to her when she told them to surrender."
They fell silent, none of them moving to act on Severus' instructions. With a sigh, Potter finally pushed himself out of Snape's arms and stood. Draco and Severus followed him.
"Let's go," Potter said. He and Severus started walking.
Draco trailed behind them, miserable.
oxxxo
Draco couldn't believe it. McGonagall was dead.
He'd never be free.
He held his head in his hands as he sat in the kitchen in the Black mansion, his tea cooling, ignored. Severus sat next to him, watching Potter pace, his face blank but his eyes sharp and calculating.
Potter looked as if he'd aged fifty years in the past few hours, deep lines etched in his face and fatigue weighing his movements. He rubbed his face. He didn't meet their eyes. "I've got to get to St Mungo's," he said. "Thanks for your help. If you go now, you'll get a head start on the Aurors. I'll do what I can to help you from this end, but honestly, I hope I never see either of you again."
Draco's heart plunged. What the fuck – did Potter just think that everything was going to be fine now that the Dark Lord was dead? Anger flared. "We can't leave, not unless you come with us," he said.
Both Severus and Potter looked at him. Potter frowned. "What do you mean? Look, thanks for the help, but it's done. Voldemort's dead. We aren't forced to work together anymore."
"You're presuming that you and I are leaving together?" Severus asked.
"Of course!" Draco looked from one to the other, his anger quickly turning to fear when he saw the frowns on their faces. "McGonagall's dead. The spell can't be lifted. We're all still bound together."
"But I don't see that means we have to stay together," Potter said. "After all, wizards are bound by life debts fairly often. I don't see them trailing around after each other just because of that."
"That's entirely different!" Belatedly, Draco realised that he really didn't want to tell them how different, so he added, "Those aren't deliberate bondings, they're accidental. There's nothing accidental about us."
Potter shook his head. "I don't see why that makes a difference."
Severus crossed his arms. "It seems you're hiding something from us. I suggest you explain yourself."
Draco exploded. All of his pent-up fear poured out of him.
"Just think about it! Can you imagine living my life? Waiting for one of you to slip up, meet each other on the street and tell one of those little polite 'yeah-I'm-fine-just-made-millions-investing-in-gold-futures' lies, just one time when I'm not around and you can't see me so that you feel guilty and take it back? I'm going to die, choking and writhing in pain – I might be in the loo, walking down the street, writing a letter to – I don't know, someone! – and I'll just fall down and die and it'll take forever and it hurts and neither of you bastards can ever leave my sight again, do you hear me?" He knew tears were streaming down his face and that Lucius would be furious with him, but he didn't care because Lucius was dead and he didn't want to be dead, too.
"I can't live like that, Malfoy," Potter said desperately. "I want a life, too, and I don't want it hanging around you and Snape just so that I can make sure that I don't tell a lie."
Severus watched them both. "You can't ask us to do that, Draco," he said.
"I don't want to die." Draco fought to control his voice and dashed the tears from his face.
Potter dropped into a chair and buried his face in his hands. "What you're asking is impossible. I can't be trapped like that."
"But it's okay for me to be trapped?" Draco said. "We all went into this together. I owed Severus, so I paid up when he asked me to. Since then, I can't get away from you, from either of you," he said, glancing at Snape.
"What do you mean?" Potter asked, looking up.
Draco watched Snape. "Since the spell it's like – it's like both of you are inside me." Snape paled and Draco's heart dropped. He'd hoped – but it didn't matter, did it. He sank into a chair and looked at the floor. No more secrets. If they were going to leave him, they'd leave him knowing exactly what they were doing.
"I feel both of you in me, all the time. Sometimes, when you're angry or – or when we're having, you know," he felt himself go red, "it's like I'm being pushed down, like you're so much bigger than I am you take up all the room in me."
"Why didn't you tell us that before?"
Draco looked at Potter incredulously.
Snape snorted. "What difference would it have made, Potter? He couldn't change anything by that point, and you knowing would only give you one more hold over him. No, Draco did the right thing by not telling us." He turned to Draco. "Though don't think I don't know how you're trying to manipulate us now, you little fool."
Potter looked confused – not that he often looked anything else, Draco thought. "What do you mean?"
"Didn't you pay attention in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potter?" Snape glared. "Don't you remember about the transfer of power between wizards? Sigillum Secreti is an adaptation – it binds power with intent inside another person. Once the situation has passed, however, the intent can be changed and the power returned."
"If the Binder reverses it," Draco snapped. "But you sent our Binder off to get killed."
"You're saying he's like a Horcrux? Part of each of us is in him?"
"Yes. A piece of our power," Snape said.
"It's more, you know." Now that McGonagall wasn't around to reverse it, when Draco died, so would a part of both Snape and Potter. He took vindictive pleasure in the thought. He didn't feel quite so hopeless now – he had a bargaining tool and Snape was right, he was going to use it. "It's not just a piece of your power. If I die, you don't just get weaker. It's your magic itself. You lose some of it."
"How much?"
"Lie to either of us and find out, Potter," Draco said.
"Fine." Potter stood up and walked to the fireplace. He leaned his forehead against the mantel. "Look, I'm willing to compromise. I'll stay with you until we can figure out how to reverse this. But that's all the longer," he warned, turning to glare at them.
"That'll be long enough," Draco said. He looked at Severus, who wouldn't meet his eyes.
He wasn't surprised. While Potter was stupid enough to think they'd find a way to reverse the spell, Severus knew better.
Finally, Snape looked up. He met Draco's eyes. "I'll stay with you."
Draco closed his eyes. His gamble had paid off – he'd hoped he'd read Severus right, and it appeared that he had. Severus cared more than he'd admit. Draco heard him cross the room. He opened his eyes.
Severus crouched beside him. An outstretched hand stroked his hair as Severus' eyes softened. The touch released something inside him. He slumped in his chair and turned his head into the soft petting.
Beyond, Draco could see Potter watching them, a strange mixture of resignation and arousal crossing his face.
Relief swept over him; Draco's limbs shook so badly he couldn't stand if he tried. It had worked – at least, it had worked for now, but that was long enough. He'd have time to work on them. He'd make them see his way.
He was a Malfoy, after all. That's what Malfoys did. They changed the world to suit their needs.