TITLE: In The Silence

NAME: Jack Quaker

SUMMARY: When Snape goes to what he believes to be a typical death eater meeting he is surprised to find himself caretaker of Voldemort's newest "toy"; a silent young man with the most beautiful turquoise eyes. What secrets does this man hold? Can Snape save him from the Dark Lord?

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter or anything pertaining to the world of Harry Potter.

WARNING: Slash (Snape/OMC and Harry/Draco), mentions of torture and rape.

A/N: Hey ya'all! It's my birthday so in celebration I'm posting up an extra chapter! Enjoy!

As Severus had predicted the tortures did become worse. And yet, somehow, Terren managed to always greet him with a smile and converse with him in his strange, silent fashion. If nothing else could be said for the Potter, his fortitude was amazing. It was nearly a month and a half after Severus had first started caring for the young man when he arrived to find Terren in his worst state yet. The man was lying naked, curled into a ball on his cot. He would always be sitting to greet Severus. There was blood everywhere soaking into the pathetic bedding but what troubled Severus the most was the blood that seemed to be flowing from between his legs. Severus rushed to the younger man's side but as soon as he touched one naked shoulder Terren's whole body flinched away and he curled tighter into himself. The potions master was worried, though loath to admit it. Had Terren finally been broken? Again he reached out to touch the shoulder and again the man flinched but this time Severus did not draw back. Instead he pulled the younger man onto his lap and held him close. When Terren began to cry Severus rubbed his back whispering soothing nothings in his ear. Severus knew this was out of character for him but didn't bother to stop and analyze his actions. When he'd eventually calmed down enough Terren pulled back slightly and looked into Severus's eyes. Slowly he leaned forward, never breaking eye contact. One arm reached up to pull the older man closer. They're lips touched and it was like fire and ice. Severus couldn't hold back a moan at the sensation. He could feel Terren smile against his lips. Suddenly a tongue was thrust into his mouth. It was warm and soft and tasted faintly of blood. Hands were fumbling with his robe buttons and Severus quickly pulled away as he realized what was happening.

"We can't do this." He rasped, still trying to get his breath back. Terren drew back further, looking hurt. "Oh don't look at me like that. It's not that I don't want you because I do; but you've just been raped and will still be in pain even after I heal you. I refuse to do something that will hurt you even more." Severus was rewarded with a breathtaking smile and another kiss. "Yes, yes, you're welcome and all that. Now get out of my lap so I can heal you." Terren smiled and crawled off.

With great care Severus washed away the blood and healed what he could. His every touch was gentle and could almost be called loving, if this had been any other man. When he finished he laid Terren on the bed with the greatest of care and was turning to leave when a hand grabbed his sleeve. He turned back to find large, pleading eyes looking up at him. Severus sighed.

"Move over." He ordered and with a grin Terren obeyed. Severus laid himself down on the small cot and wrapped his arms around the smaller man, drawing him close. Terren snuggled into his side. "Sentimental brat." He murmured affectionately. Within minutes Terren was asleep. Severus transfigured his cloak into a warm blanket, which he covered the younger man with and then left to go explain to Voldemort how the constant exposure to cold inhibited his potions from working properly on his patient.

Nearly a month later Severus was returning from another nightly visit with Terren when he heard noises coming from an abandoned classroom. Being in a good mood after his "conversations" with the mysterious Potter, Severus considered ignoring the noises but eventually decided to investigate in fear of becoming soft. It wasn't long before he found himself regretting this decision. With a bang he flung open the classroom door, he always was one for dramatics, only to find a very startled looking Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter. From their rumpled appearance and swollen lips it wasn't hard to guess what they had been doing.

"I'm getting too old for this." Severus announced before turning and stalking out of the room.

The next morning Severus left his room at five before seven to find Draco waiting for him. He considered shutting the door and simply eating alone in his room but Severus was a man of ritual and ritual dictated that he go to the Great Hall. So he began his morning decent, Draco falling into step beside.

"Is there something I can do for you Mr. Malfoy?"

"I just wanted to thank you for last night."

"I don't remember doing anything last night."

"For not getting us in trouble. You should have seen Harry's face after you left. It was priceless." Despite himself Severus felt his lips twitch, wanting to smile. The thought of Potter staring after him dumbstruck was a most amusing thought.

"Well, I did promise to be nicer and I am a man of my word."

"You know, I was thinking, we should all have dinner together some day." Severus froze mid-step.

"You were thinking what? Have you gone mad?" Draco looked affronted.

"No I'm not mad. I love him Sev."

"You are mad." The blond was about to retort but Severus cut him off. "However, if he were to show up at dinner on Sunday I would not throw him out." I must be going crazy. Draco's grin was huge. Before Severus knew what was happening he had arms around his waist holding him in a tight hug. By this time they had almost reached the entrance to the Great Hall and Severus was well aware of their small audience which not only included the headmaster but the golden trio as well. I may have to kill someone after this, if only to save my reputation.

Sunday came much to soon for Severus's liking. In all truthfulness he was not looking forward to dinner with his godson and godson's boyfriend though he'd never go so far as to say he was nervous. How did I manage to get the role of 'daddy'? Shouldn't Lucius be here doing this? As if that would ever happen. Despite public appearances Lucius was far from being the perfect father he wanted everyone to see. All Draco was to him was someone to carry on the family name. The less he saw of Draco the better, or so he thought. Narcissa wasn't much better. She couldn't be bothered with such trivial things as raising her son, or even acknowledging his presence most of the time. And so it had fallen to Severus's shoulders to play the parent. Not that it had been hard. He had loved Draco like a son ever since he first laid eyes on the boy just minutes after his birth.

On nights that he wasn't eating in the Great Hall Severus always had dinner at exactly seven thirty. When he had guest he expected them to arrive no later than seven fifteen. Draco knew this and Severus knew that he knew. For this reason he was feeling slightly put off when seven twenty-five arrived without word. He was debating whether to celebrate that they had chosen not to come or be angry that he had been stood up when there came a timid knock on his door. Opening it he found a sheepish looking Draco while Potter seemed to be trying to hide behind him which was amusing in and of itself as he was at least three inches taller and had broader shoulders.

"Sorry we're late Sev, we ran into some problems on the way down."

"I can only imagine." Severus drawled, moving to the side so they could enter. Draco winced, knowing the older man was unhappy.

"Pansy was on the stairs so we had to take the back way and then Peeves was there so we had to hide in an empty classroom until he left." Severus studied the two boys closely. He saw the honesty there, Draco knew better than to try and lie to the potion master. He also saw the small bruises forming on both boys' necks, letting him know exactly how they had spent their time waiting for Peeves.

"I see. Well fortunately for you dinner has yet to be served. Please come sit down." Severus moved aside to allow the students through. Draco walked confidently over two the couch in front of the large fireplace. Potter probably wouldn't have even stepped inside if it hadn't been for the fact that Draco had a firm grip on his hand and was pulling him along. Severus allowed himself a small smile at the expense of the Savior of the Wizarding World as he took a seat in his favorite chair. Draco and Severus easily fell into a friendly conversation while Potter sat silently. Soon the meal arrived via house elves and the Griffendor began to relax over the delicious food. By the time desert rolled around Severus felt ready to attempt drawing Potter into conversation.

"I must admit Mr. Potter I was rather surprised to see you made it into my NEWT potions class. May I ask how it happened that you managed to receive the proper OWL?" The bite of pudding that had been working it's way towards Potter's mouth halted midway. He looked a bit startled, seeing as this was the first time Severus had directly spoken to him.

"Um… well… truthfully I was a bit surprised at my OWL grade as well. I guess I'm not so bad at potions when I don't have someone breathing down my neck ready to point out my every little mistake." The boy's smile was almost apologetic and yet defiant at the same time. How does that work?

"That's the problem with Griffendors, they're so emotional. It takes nothing to upset them and once upset they lose the ability to think properly." To the potion master's surprise, Potter didn't rise to the bait. Instead he merely smiled.

"As much as it pains me to admit it you're right. We tend to think with our hearts instead of our minds and that has a tendency of getting us in trouble." Severus was shocked though he refused to let it show, especially not in front of his smug looking godson. Obsidian eyes narrowed.

"You've changed Mr. Potter. Pray tell, where did all this new found maturity come from?" The boy just shrugged.

"I've always been mature for my age, comes from growing up with the life I live, it just never showed when you're around. But well, I suppose after Sirius… after his death… I did a lot of thinking. I was forced to face reality and grow up even more." Severus stared into Potter's eyes. They were not the eyes of a 16 year-old boy but of a man who had lived through too much in too short a time. It startled the older man. He let out a sigh; something that had become a habit for Severus. It must be a Potter thing.

"I see. Well, the best advice I can give you is to never forget how to be young." Potter looked up with wide eyes, obviously not expecting that. Severus smirked. "Why so surprised?"

"Well…it… it's just that… I never thought I'd hear those words out of your mouth. That sounds more like advice Dumbledore would give."

"Please, don't insult me." Severus answered with a grimace. Draco snickered.

"Sorry… you just don't seem like the type so say such a thing." The older man rolled his eyes.

"Really Potter, even snarky potion masters know how to have fun." Severus gave a small chuckle at Potter's startled look, which grew as the boy realized that his most feared professor was laughing.

"You should hear some of the pranks he pulled in school. They were brilliant, put those Weasley twins to shame." Draco joined into the conversation. "There was this one time he managed to put a hair-growth potion in Dumbledore's drink and the old coot was tripping over his beard for the next three days!" Potter's expression of shock was overcome with mirth as he was soon reduced to giggles while Draco went on to tell more and more stories of Severus's school days. The afore mentioned potion master just watched, hiding his small smile behind his teacup.

The two boys finally left ten minutes before curfew with a warning to go straight to their dorms. Severus gave a tired sigh as he began to get ready for his nightly trip to Malfoy Manor. Though he'd never admit it he had had a good evening. Potter had turned out to be better company than he'd ever expected. Perhaps I was right about Draco's taste all along.

Not long after, Severus entered the cold, dark cell beneath the Malfoy estate. Terren was laying on his cot, not able to sit due to the day's tortures. But he was conscious and smiling in welcome. Terren's face was bruised, bloodied and swollen but Severus still thought it was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. It pained the potion master beyond words to see the strong, beautiful young man in such a state.

As he healed, Severus babbled. Normally the dark man was not much for talking but with Terren it was different. Terren was safe. And a good listener. Both men enjoyed their conversations together, even if Terren wasn't technically speaking.

"Today was definitely interesting. I got to play daddy as my godson brought his boyfriend over for dinner."

Terren raised an eyebrow. Severus shrugged.

"I may not be the most fatherly person but I beat his real one by a long shot. And though I may not show it I love Draco greatly and would do anything for him. Even force myself to sit through dinner with Potter." He finished with a grimace.

Both of Terren's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"I know. A Malfoy and a Potter, who would've guessed?"

Terren shook his head.

"Me neither. I can still hardly believe it, though… they do look good together. And it's definitely an advantageous match." Severus conceded.

Terren smirked.

"Well, I am a Slytherin. It's in our nature to look at things in such a way."

The younger man chuckled silently before turning back to Severus with a look of curiosity. It took the potion master a moment to interpret the question.

"The evening went well enough I suppose. Much better than I could have guessed or hoped. The boy's not so bad… for a Potter." Severus smirked. Terren grinned back.

The rest of the healing happened in silence. The men let small touches and looks speak for them. Soon Terren was healed and tucked into his small cot. As he'd done every night since the first time Terren was raped, Severus climbed onto the cot and gathered the smaller man into his arms. Terren smiled up at the older man, placing small kisses across his face before claiming the pale, thin lips. Severus kissed back, loving the taste and warm heat of the other's mouth. Eventually the two had to come up for air. As their breathing slowed they settled back down, content just to hold each other. Eventually Terren's breathing evened out. When he was sure the younger man was asleep Severus untangled himself from the limbs and blankets and slipped silently from the cell.

A/N: And that's a wrap. Hope you all enjoyed this! Please, leave me reviews! Constructive criticism is welcome, flamers will be used to burn Fritos… try it sometime… those things can burn like crazy… great for bonfires.