AN: This chapter is about how the Infinity Bond was formed between Harry and Severus all those many centuries before.

Ian is Severus and Dylan is Harry in a previous lifetime. This is before the Founders' time period.

Scrap 1: The Birth of a Bond

Ian stirred the cauldron as he contemplated what he was going to do for the rest of the day. His thoughts were scattered when his front door was flung open. Light brown eyes searched the yard outside the door before looking at the younger man. A quick once over showed that Dylan was fine, but was very agitated. Meeting the pale green eyes, Ian raised an eyebrow. "Dylan, what is the matter?"

"Mom and Dad refuse to believe that I like you." Dylan crossed the cottage's front room and threw a letter onto the table. "They think that I am just infatuated with you."

'They could be right. I am old enough to be his father. I don't know how he really feels about me, and I shouldn't even be thinking about how I feel about him.' Ian shot a curious look at the letter before focusing on the auburn haired man. "And are you?"

Dylan leaned over the table, bringing his face close to the thin one, both of them now wreathed by the steam rising out of the cauldron. "Yes, I am." He watched the shock and disappointment race across Ian's face before continuing. "So infatuated that I want to spend all eternity with you. That I want to be with you, to see you, to talk to you, to hold you until my soul is no more."

Ian felt his face show his surprise as he swallowed heavily. Could he return that sentiment? He could tell that Dylan wasn't waiting on him to say anything; that the younger man was content with just saying what he felt. Drawing in a potions ladened breath, he prepared to expose more of himself than he had every done. "I also wish to spend all eternity with you. Every moment until my soul fades away into nothingness."

Both looked at the other, letting that wish sink in. It was the first time that either had talked about the attraction between them.

Moving back out of the potions fumes, Ian waved Dylan back before he added the next ingredient. "What is the letter about?"

Dylan dropped to the bench that ran the length of the long trestle table and fiddled with the rolled parchment. "Mum and Dad have invited Peony Paulison to the house for an extended visit. You have to know what they mean to do."

Ian pushed the sudden spurt of jealousy into the back of his mind. He knew that he would never have a chance with Dylan. He was just a private tutor, hired to teach Dylan the newest innovations in potions. He was known to be one of the foremost masters in the field. "You know that it is for the best."

He gave the cauldron one last stir before crossing over to where Dylan was seated. Dropping a scroll onto the table top, he leaned as close as he dared. "Your parents would never accept me for their son. We both know this. I am surprised that they let you return if they suspected that you are infatuated with me."

"I am, too. Maybe they think that the amount of information that I am learning is worth it. Or that seeing you more would end the infatuation." Dylan glanced at the scroll before gathering up his courage. This might be the last time he saw Ian. Standing up quickly, he had his fingers laced through the shoulder length brown hair before Ian could move away. Resting his weight against the table, Dylan kissed him.

Ian tightened his fingers, trying not to let them thread through tempting hair or caress the neck that was stretched towards him. Excitement was worming its way through him, curling its way around his bones and his heart. Pressing further into the kiss, he leaned against the table separating them. He lost his battle with his fingers when he felt Dylan's fingers caressing the back of his neck.

Both were panting when the kiss ended.

"Dylan... this isn't a good idea. You are here to learn, not this." Ian shifted slightly, trying to find a comfortable way to stand while hiding the beginnings of an erection that had formed from such a simple kiss. He then forced his fingers to let go of the soft hair, but he couldn't control the way they trailed down Dylan's throat before they dropped to the table top.

Dylan rested his hand next to Ian's. "I know, but... I had to. Before I have to see her. I had to kiss you, just in case..." He let the words fall off, not wanting to voice his fears.

Ian nodded and nudged the scroll. "We need to go over this."

Dylan nodded as they both settled at the table. It was time to learn and teach, something they both enjoyed.

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Ian was surprised when Dylan came through his door less than a week later. The green eyes were wide and searching as they looked over his tall form. Before he had a chance to ask what was going on, he had an armful and the scent that he associated with Dylan filled him. He savored the feeling while attempting not to let his enjoyment become too noticeable.

"She kissed me."

Dylan's voice was only slightly muffled by Ian's chest. Tightening his arm, Ian held the shaking form as close to his own as he could. Plans for the girl's painful humiliation filled his mind. How dare she kiss Dylan? Especially as it was obvious that he had not been willing.

"I am so-o-o glad that I kissed you earlier. Her kiss was horrible. Nothing like the one we had." Dylan lifted his face and peered into the one that was above his. "She is trying to learn everything there is to know about me. Asking the servants, pestering the townsfolk, and cornering me. She keeps trying to tell me what I need to change. I don't want her to know everything about me and I certainly don't want to know everything about her."

Ian searched Dylan's face, lingering on his lips. He wanted to kiss away the knowledge that someone had touched them. He wanted to erase the memory of what it had to feel like. Threading his fingers through the mop of hair, he forced himself to focus on what Dylan had said. "I would love to know everything about you. I would accept it as it is, you do not need to change."

Dylan let his gaze sink into the warm brown. "I don't want to know about Peony, but you... I want to know everything there is to know. Good... bad... all of it. I might not like it, but it is what makes you... you. So, I would accept it as I accept you."

As the last word fell from Dylan's mouth, it was covered by thin lips. The kiss started off as chaste as the last one, but that didn't last very long. Ian's tongue swiped over his mouth, as if trying to erase Peony's kiss. Dylan tentatively brushed that tongue with his and fought a gasp at the feelings that flowed through him. He felt the arm around him tighten and the hand in his hair clutch at his scalp.

The gentle kiss changed to into a passionate plundering. Ian finally, reluctantly, lifted his head. The lust filled green eyes were almost his downfall, as was the evidence of both of their excitement that was pressed between them. Letting his eyes close, he forced himself to step back, releasing Dylan. "So, your parents are letting you still come here?"

Dylan felt a frisson of excitement at the husky sound of Ian's voice. "They think this is a one sided infatuation." He watched as the brown eyes darked at the sound of his own husky voice.

Ian nodded. "Then you should learn something while you are here."

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"A bond. That is what we need. If we were bonded, then Mum and Dad couldn't force me to wed Peony." Dylan leaned forward, his forearms resting on the table.

"That requires a priest or a priestess - and neither of those would agree to bond us. Not with your parents against this." Ian leaned forward, his fingers almost brushing Dylan's. "We have to accept that we can never be together. Not in this lifetime."

Dylan looked at the tiny space between their hands, letting his gaze burn into the wood as if tracing the line that was between them. "How about our next lifetime?"

Ian felt his breath catch and then swallowed hard. "I know that I would recognize you if our paths ever crossed. Your heart, your soul... no matter how you looked. Even if you were female."

Dylan's eyes shot up, catching and holding Ian's. "I would recognize you as well. So, we have to wait and just make it through this. Will you be there at the wedding? Will you let me visit you?"

Ian searched the pale green eyes before dropping to the tightly clasped fingers. Reaching out, he worked his fingers between Dylan's. This would be the last time he would ever let himself touch his love again in this lifetime. "I will. But..." He watched the happiness that had blossomed in Dylan's face start to fade at that word. "... we can never touch again. Never kiss... never be..." he took a breath to try and loosen the tightness banding his chest "...together like this. I refuse to get between you and her."

Dylan tightened his fingers around Ian's. Swallowing harshly, he forced his tears back. He would cry later. "Okay. But I want to see you. To know that you are okay. Even if you are just a face in the crowd to everyone else, it will mean everything to me that you are there."

Dylan searched the face of his beloved, taking in the glisten of unshed tears in the light brown eyes. He wanted to kiss Ian, to feel the passion race through him one last time, but he knew that neither of them would be able to walk away if he did. "I can't come for lessons anymore."

Ian felt as if he was punched in the chest. It didn't matter that he understood the reason for it. This room had been the place were they had slowly fallen for each other, where they had kissed, where they had pledged themselves to the other. Drawing in a settling breath, he nodded. He could not make himself voice his agreement.

"I won't expect an invitation to the wedding, but I will attend." Ian searched the green eyes one last time. "I will be there to take care of you whenever you need me. Just send a message."

Letting go of the shaking hands, Ian left the table and picked up a stirring rod. Looking at one of his potions, he added the next ingredient. "You should go."

Dylan stood for a moment, taking in the darkly dressed man as he stirred a cauldron. When Ian looked over at him, he let all that he could not say shine in his eyes. He clutched the edge of the table when the light brown eyes returned his silent message in full. Nodding once, he swept out the door without a word. He would never say goodbye.

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Ian barely stopped the flow of beetle eyes when his door was pounded on. Snarling, he crossed the room and flung the door opened. His anger flashed into worry the moment he saw the servant who waited for him. 'What happened? Is Dylan okay?'

"Master Slorach, Master Edevane wishes you to come with us." Edevane's servant waited for an answer with obvious impatiences.

"One moment." Grabbing his potions bag, Ian closed the door behind him before clambering up into the waiting wagon. He used the ride to lock every emotion away, even his concern over Dylan's health. It would do neither of them any good if Dylan's parents knew of their mutual affection.

At the manor, he was escorted into a small parlour and left to wait. Refusing to pace, he contented himself with staring out the window. He let his mind analyze how the plants in the garden would react with his current experiment.

Eventually the door opened. Turning around, Ian couldn't help but look at Dylan before Albert and Amber Edevane. He wondered about the warning he saw in Dylan's eyes. "Master Edevane. Mistress Edevane. What can I help you with?"

Albert Edevane searched the thin face of the Potions Master, trying to determine how to ask what he needed to know. "Master Slorach. Did my son ever see a priest or a priestess while near your house? Did he ever leave early? Was there anyone in particular that he tried to be around?"

Ian thought of the implications of the questions and knew that his curiosity and surprise was evident. "No, to all of them. If he did see a priest or priestess, then it was not during our lesson times, and I never heard of him wandering about after them."

Amber Edevane sighed. "Then our worst fear seems to be true. I'm sorry to be the bearer of this news, Master Slorach. It seems as though Dylan is infatuated with you and we need to see if he has succeeded in starting a bond between the two of you."

Ian forced his eyes not to widen. "There is no way to bond without a member of the holy order present. Not even to start one."

Edevane nodded. "But somehow, my son is now showing up as bonded in the tests. He has been tested for bonds since he was born, and not one has ever shown up until two weeks ago. The previous test was only two months ago, and it was negative for all levels of bonds. Have you been tested?"

Ian nodded. "I was tested the day I received my Mastery to be sure that there would be no conflict with my accepting it. It was the most in depth test that can be done." He watched as both of the elder Edevane's nodded. They had been through them before.

"That is the same level that was preformed two months ago on Dylan. May we inquire your results?" Amber waited for his answer, her expression showing that she knew just how personal this question was.

Ian narrowed his eyes for a moment, but could see no reason not to tell them. "There were no bonds connecting me to anyone else."

"Would you mind allowing High Priest Gastrell see if there is a connection between you and my son?" Both of the elder Edevane waited for his answer.

Ian forced himself not to stare at Dylan when he glanced over at him. His gaze came to rest on Edevane. "Of course not. Where and when shall this test happen?"

"High Priest Gastrell is already here. I am sorry for the hurriedness of this, but we are in the middle of negotiation for a wedding contract. This can end those negotiations." Edevane gestured towards the door. "This way if you would, please."

Ian nodded and followed the family out the door and to another room in the back of the manor. His eyes were drawn to the runes drawn on the floor. The runes made two circles that were connected by a single line of runes. There was another small circle of runes that were etched around the connecting line.

Ian felt his eyes widen as he took in the severing runes. If there was a bond, they intended to break it. Glancing up at the High Priest, he made sure to hold the soft gray eyes before looking at the severing ring and back again.

Gastrell blinked slightly. Not many people knew their runes well enough to identify them in a string, but it was obvious that this man did. He shifted his eyes to the elder Edevanes and then back to questioning gaze. He watched as understanding flooded through the brown eyes.

"High Priest Gastrell." Edevane gestured towards Ian. "This is Master Ian Slorach. He is the man we think might have been accidentally bonded to Dylan."

Gastrell nodded and smiled slightly. "Master Slorach if you would step into the far circle, and young Master Edevane, if you would please take the closer one."

Ian stepped carefully into the center of the rune circle and almost smirked when Dylan did the same. It had only taken one long scathing scold for Dylan to learn not to smudge runes.

Gastrell nodded slightly to himself before raising his wand and starting the incantation needed to activate the rune circles. His eyes widened as a slivery light swirled about both occupants and then flowed down the connecting runes. He could feel the Edevanes waiting for him to tell them what was going on.

Taking a moment, he studied the glowing rope. It appeared to be thousands of threads bundled into smaller ropes and then woven together into an even thicker one. Bonds were made of chains, solid forged links, not soft threads. Reaching out carefully he brushed over them with a tendril of magic feeling each rope. Words flowed through them, fragments of promise made between the two echoed through his mind.

'They want to be together, but I don't think that they intended this bond. The words show that they knew that it was hopeless.' Soft gray eyes hardened minutely, there was no way he was going to betray them to the couple behind him.

Pulling a dagger from his belt he walked over to Master Slorach, and held it out to him, hilt first. "One drop on the first rune of the circle." He then handed another one to young Master Edevane with the same directions. The care they had taken when entering the circle assured him that no further directions would be needed.

Ian took the dagger and caught Dylan's gaze. He looked at the severing ring and back at Dylan. He spotted the understanding in the pale green orbs. Using the dagger, he nicked his ring finger and let a single drop fall onto the first rune that comprised the beginning of both his circle and the connection. He watched as Dylan did the same thing.

Gastrell watched as the silver circles flashed red before all the red light swirled as far away from the connecting line as it could. On Slorach's side the red was concentrated in a small spot, hovering over a single rune, and looked the color of freshly split blood. Edevane's side was more spread out, the center a rich red and the edges were faded to the palest pink. 'The passion is there, but the bond was not consummated. Edevane is having a harder time with containing his wish to do so given the spread of the red on his side, but it is still well under control. That means this is not a priest blessed bond. Once a couple is bonded, they have to consummate it right then and there. Nothing else is as important. That's why we have special rooms in the temple just for that. But, somehow it is a completed bond.'

Retrieving his daggers, the High Priest turned about to face the Edevane couple. He dreaded telling them his findings. "They are bonded. How? I do not know. This is not a priest blessed bond."

Edevane's eyes narrowed as he focused on Ian. "We trusted our son to you and you took advantage of that trust?"

Gastrell stepped into the path of the glare, his own coming to rest on the man. "This is not a consummated bond. Nothing indicates that either of them suspected its formation."

Edevane's eyes widened in disbelief before nodding in acceptance. You did not doubt the High Priest. "Since it is a strange bond and not consummated, it should be easy."

"I'm not sure..." Gastrell almost growled when he was cut off.

"Do it. We have important negotiations that need to continue." Amber folded her arms and waited for the High Priest to start.

Gastrell looked at the two involved and saw the same acceptance in their eyes as he heard in the bond. In a voice lightly colored with regret and compassion, he started the process. "Turn so that your backs are to each other, please."

Ian turned about, refusing to meet Dylan's nervous eyes. The breaking of bonds was always painful. That they were going to break it told him how much the Edevanes wanted the deal with the Paulisons. Closing his eyes he focused inside, blocking out the rest of the world except for Gastrell. He didn't want to see or hear Dylan hurting, he wasn't sure how he would react if he did. Steeling himself, he waited to hear the words that would activate the severing ring.

Dylan closed his eyes and turned his back to Ian. This had to be, he knew that, but he wished that he could spare Ian the pain. Ever since the bond test showed positive, he had wondered if by some chance it was his desire for a bond that caused this one to forge. If that was true, then he was truly the reason for all the pain that his love was about to experience. Straightening his back, he prepared himself to listen to every sound that Ian uttered. It was to be his punishment for causing it.

Gastrell let his face harden in distaste as he spoke the words to activate the severing ring. "Perdo Constringo Constrixi Constrictum."

He watched as the Promise Destroyer sliced the thick silvery rope in two. The loose threads flayed about, unraveling first the thick rope and eventually the smaller ones making it appear as if they were trying to find the other side. Edevane was the first to scream, but it was followed quickly by Slorach's. Both of them hit their knees at the same time, tears streaming down their faces. He waited for the threads to fade away as the chains always did. That would be when the painful cries would finally end. He refused to look at the parents that demanded that he do this.

Ian felt in more pain than he had ever suffered. He hurt right to his core and the walls he had built to block everything out were stripped away. Dylan's pain radiated through him, blending with his own. Trying to push his pain away, he tried to think of how to end Dylan's suffering. He was sure he had a potion that might help in his bag. Barring that, he wanted just to wrap his love in his arms until the hurting and the screaming stopped.

Dylan curled into as small a ball as he could make. Pain radiated everywhere. He wasn't sure where it started or where it ended. The worst was that he knew that Ian was hurting this bad as well. Jamming his pain aside the best he could, he tried to figure out how he could help Ian. He knew that he couldn't move out of the circle, but he wished with all his might to hold onto the man in the other circle, just long enough to soothe the pain.

Gastrell blinked slowly, sure that his eyes were deceiving him. The threads weren't fading. Instead they were finding each other, reweaving the bond outside the constraints of the runes. Wherever the threads touched each other, they melded together. Soon all he could see was a mesh of connecting threads woven together again and again. The bond, now appearing to be a loose weave, filled the entire space between the two men except where the runic chain was. Studying it for a moment, he was glad to see that there were so many paths that he doubted that any breaking charm could end the bond. He had already used the most powerful one known, and the bond had reformed.

Glancing at the two men in the rune circles, he noticed that neither had moved from their position on the floor, but the tears and screams had stopped. Gastrell made sure his face gave away nothing of his pleasure in this outcome as he turned to face the elder Edevanes. "I fear that trying to severe the bond has made it even stronger. I was unable to study it before attempting to end it, so I did not anticipate this occurrence. I fear that your son is irrevocable tied to Master Slorach."

He watched with pleasure as their faces took on a horrified expression, before falling into wrathful acceptance. Gastrell promised himself that he would watch over these two just to be sure that they made it out of the house. Then he would ask for permission to study their bond, he wanted to learn how to cast a similar one intentionally.

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Dylan sat at the trestle table cutting the roots that Ian was going to use next. "Mum and Dad were able to have Gregory named heir, so they decided not to complete the disownment papers."

Ian brushed a kiss across Dylan's forehead as he accepted the roots. "So, we are going to have to buy them presents and show up on holidays?"

Dylan shook his head. "I doubt that we will be welcomed. They made that pretty clear at Celia's birthday party."

Ian searched Dylan's eyes for the regret he knew had to be there. It lurked in the back, but it was tempered by the knowledge that they tried to do the right thing. He could withstand the embarrassment of being rejected if that was what it took to make his partner happy. "What do you think your brother would like as a gift to celebrate his becoming heir?"

Dylan smiled as he felt a bit of tension escape his shoulders. Ian wasn't going to let the rejection keep him from doing the right thing. "A potion that would make Mum and Dad accept his choice of bride."

Ian smirked. "I think we can do that."