WARNING: If you thought the first chapter was bad – don't even begin to read this one. I've upped the rating to M.
"How could you let it happen!" Ron yelled at his parents, "How COULD you!"
Molly Weasley looked a bit embarrassed. "Well – Harry is a dear, but he is only one person. You heard the Sorting Hat – we must be united or we'll all fall. I'm sure Harry will come to terms…"
"MUM! For Merlin's sake, you're channelling Dumbledore! There are other ways of attaining unity without either having Harry raised by people who tortured him or marry him off to one."
"Don't worry, Ronnie – Dolores wouldn't…I'm sure Harry will be fine."
sssssssssss
Harry wasn't even remotely fine.
It took three days for him to become aware of his surroundings again. Another two before he regained full control of his body. Then the harsh reality set in.
"Ah. You're awake," his new wife smiled sickly from the other pillow of the bed, "I've been very patient with you these past days, but it is about time you start to fulfil the role you've been cast in."
"I'll not let Dumbledore get away with this," Harry hissed, "I will not stay married to YOU!"
"But you have no choice, my dear," Dolores smirked, "I am your guardian now. You'll do as I say. Right now, however, because we missed our wedding night…"
She ran her hands over his chest, and he pulled away. Her hand with sharp nails landed on his cheek.
"You are MINE now, to do with as I please," she hissed, sweet girly façade abandoned, "You will obey me, or the bloodquill will seem like a minor inconvenience."
"I – I was enslaved to you for the relations between the Ministry and Hogwarts, and to train," Harry protested, wiping a trickle of blood from his face, "I do not have to consent to…to this."
"But you do," her hand travelled down his body and took his manhood in her hand, "I want some pleasure out of this arrangement as well. Cornelius…Cornelius wants me, but he is married. A Minister must not give even the impression of impropriety."
Harry closed his eyes in horror. "This is not happening, this is not happening…Sirius, where are you? You would have protected me from this," he silently pleaded.
"You are not very cooperative," Dolores said in a disapproving voice when she was unable to arouse Harry in any way.
"Hmm…perhaps it is that potion. I must Floo Snape."
She left, and Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He quietly started to dress while Dolores discussed his 'problem' extensively over the Floo with the Potions Master.
"Ah, yes," Snape nodded, "that is a most unfortunate side effect of this kind of potion. Rest assured, in most cases the deficiency is not permanent."
"MOST CASES," Umbridge screeched, "are you sure you have no potion to counteract…"
"Alas, the standard potions would only make the condition worse. It will need time. The best remedy is not to attempt any…activity until Mr Potter starts to have wet dreams again. If you really wish, I could attempt a variety of treatments to see if Mr Potter reacts to them, but it is very unlikely…"
"Yes!" Dolores didn't even let Snape finish his sentence, "two afternoons a week, is that enough?"
Harry never thought he'd want to hug and kiss the greasy git, but now he felt elated. Snape would not make him ready for Umbridge – he would help him fail to perform. While this prospect would have freaked out any other teen, in this case Harry thought that overall, it was worth the sacrifice.
ssssssssssss
If he thought being married to Umbridge was bad, having her for his guardian was even worse. The Aurors she had selected to train him were not only harsh, which he could have understood, but also cruel and eager to curse him for every little mistake.
At the end of his first day, he was brought back to his prison with bruises and cuts all over him. His broken arm had been crudely set and healed.
"Don't forget," Dolores hissed, "You Floo straight to Snape's office, and you do not leave. He swore he would not let you leave his sight."
Harry shrugged, his eyes cast down, but inwardly he smirked. Sometimes having Slytherin allies was dead useful.
He stumbled into the Potions Masters office and was immediately hauled up. Under the close scrutiny of those black eyes he squirmed a bit before sighing and sitting down on the couch.
"You look worse than I expected," Snape shook his head, "I can't believe Albus. I am sorry I could not dissuade him, but he never pays much attention to my arguments."
"Yeah well, as long as you keep me from being raped by that toad, I'll consider myself in your debt for the rest of my life. Which probably isn't that long at the rate they're going."
He bowed his head, fighting tears. Snape had experienced worse than he had, he would not break down and cry in front of him. Suddenly, a handkerchief was pressed in his hand.
"Contrary to what you probably think, Potter, I did and do cry in private. If you ever pass that bit of information along, however, you shall regret it. Since there is no 'private' place for you to flee to, feel free to release your frustration here."
A few hours later, plied with potions that had to protect him from the unwelcome advances of the cruel witch, and feeling a bit more relieved, Harry Floo'ed back. Ron had even stopped by to say hello and let him know not everyone had let him down. That he and Neville and Luna were still fighting, though Luna had been given three months of detention with Snape for her article on the wedding.
Needless to say Luna's potion and scheming skills were bound to improve greatly over the course of these three months.
Harry, meanwhile, was getting more and more miserable. His training was going well – he knew he was getting better. His 'trainers' thought to break him down, but what did they know of the Dursleys, and Harry's struggle to grow up in that household?
It was two weeks into his new life that he was first deliberately beaten.
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Bruises and cuts he had gotten so far had always been given under the guise of training. Feeling that Harry was beginning to rebel a little too much, Umbridge watched in glee as two Aurors beat down on the boy.
"Mind you do not hit him in a spot I might need later," she cautioned with a sickly grin.
When Harry next showed up for his session with Snape, he was angrier than ever before. The plan that had been in the making was set in motion.
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"Severusssss? What news?"
"My Lord," Severus bowed before the Dark Lord, "I have news of Potter."
"Ah yessss," the snakelike wizard seemed thoughtful, "you brought us news on this marriage they forced. Unwise, I thought."
"You were very correct, Master. The boy has been locked up in the Ministry with people who delight in torturing him. I have seen him. He will not last until Christmas if this keeps up."
Wormtail began to laugh. "Fulfilling their own prophesy, are they? They are doing you a favour by killing the brat, my Lord."
"Crucio!"
Wormtail went to the ground, screaming.
"The marriage alone was a cruelty, added to that this abuse – even I wouldn't stoop that low. No doubt the boy is ready to join me by now."
"Will you let him, Master?" Severus asked, because it was expected of him to ask such things.
"I am undecided," the Wizard Who Just Wouldn't Die answered, "my reputation demands I kill him. Having him join me would have a good effect on my reputation as well, though not nearly as much. I would love to see Dumbledore's face when the Boy Who Lived joins me, but to have such a strong personality in my folds, with such power? How long would he truly be mine? What do you think, Severus?"
Snape sneered. "I have little hope his arrogance will be quenched by his current…predicament, Master. However, I have also found evidence to suggest his Muggle relatives didn't treat him any different. He may be persuaded."
Voldemort smiled, a truly terrifying sight. He leaned forward and stroked a finger down Snape's cheek.
"You would not like it, would you, Severus? You have trouble enough accepting Wormtail, here."
"Master…" Snape lowered his eyes as if ashamed.
"Oh, I understand perfectly, Severus," Voldemort grabbed Snapes wrist and pulled him closer to run long, thin fingers through his hair, "you try very hard to cooperate, but the pain, the pain never goes away, does it? Don't be afraid, my snake. I will not punish you for your feelings. I am pleased that you obey me regardless of them. Yes," he released an immensely relieved Snape, "yes, Lord Voldemort is pleased with you."
Snape shuddered. Those were the words he had once longed for to hear from Dumbledore's lips, but they never came. Power, riches, even endless supplies of rare Potion ingredient could not tempt him like those five simple words did. He never came so close to giving in.
Then he remembered Potter, and the cold look in Dumbledore's eyes as he threatened Snape with Azkaban for speaking his mind. Potter, who demanded no such atrocities as these two men in exchange for practically nothing, Potter who would not demand slavery but who would set him free.
Potter, who needed to be set free.
A hand rested against his cheek. "What are you thinking, little snake?"
Snape closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. "It could be done," he breathed, "It is possible – to free Potter from his prison and bring him before you, Master. How could he refuse you?"
Voldemort chuckled, convinced he had Snape eating out of his hand. "I agree with freeing the boy. But I want him to turn in full sight of Dumbledore and the rest. I want them to see the one they have forsaken. I want them to see the consequences of their sins. Yes – go get Potter."