Story information, warnings and disclaimer can be found in the first chapter.

A/N: I'm so sorry about the long wait on this chapter, I was out of town for a good part of the week. This chapter is a little shorter than the previous chapters have been, but you should expect the chapters from here on out to be a little longer. Also, you can plan to see a new chapter every 5-7 days.

And again, thanks so much for reading! I really appreciate the interest and the wonderful reviews.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4

As he sat in his usual chair at the council headquarters with a firewhiskey and a splitting headache, Snape was beginning to wish that he'd never lost his temper. The anger he'd felt towards Fred was quickly dulling and he desperately wished that after such an exhausting meeting, he could return home to some modicum of normalcy. And yet, after years of living with a young man who rarely gave him a moment of defiance, the combative high-strung attitude Fred had displayed unnerved him. Perhaps a few hours of forced contemplation and separation was good for the both of them. Or, at least that's what he told himself.

"But Severus, we've talked about this and you've agreed that it would be an ideal solution." Avery leaned over the long black table and dug his fingernails into his own glass of firewhiskey.

"I was speaking figuratively. What you suggest would be a suicide mission," Snape said.

"Perhaps not, there could be a way to save most of them."

"I refuse to even consider such an idea. It's barbaric."

The small table groaned and whispered amongst themselves. They had been there for nearly an hour and yet nothing was decided in regards to Harry, or any new plans for that matter.

"I thought you were with us on this?" Avery said.

"I most certainly am. We want the same outcome, make no mistake. But I will not spill blood to see it accomplished."

The table was still talking amongst itself when Avery leaned in closer to Snape and said, "Slave blood, Severus. Think about what we could achieve."

"You say you want change Avery and yet you've fallen all too easily into believing the rubbish they feed us about slavery. I don't know what your relationship is with Ms. Chang, but I am most certainly not under the impression that my slave - my slaves, are inhuman and worthless."

Avery sat back in his chair and sighed. "I am not like them, Severus. You know that."

"I do. But, I think you are too willing to sacrifice ideals and morals for victory," Snape said. "That is not a good start to the kind of change that I am looking for - that I thought we were both looking for."

Avery just nodded once in response as the rest of the table began quieting.

"I think Avery's idea is well founded," said Pembroke, whose age and life experience had transformed him into a pleasantly calm and collected individual. He had once been a passionate follower of Voldemort in his early years, but in the last several decades he had pulled away sharply. As of recently, he was one of Severus's most trusted allies against the new ministry changes. The sharp edge of radicalism was gone from Pembroke's countenance and it made Snape more and more inclined to listen to his opinion.

"But I agree with Severus that it is far too dangerous and would likely end disastrously," Pembroke said. "I for one would not be willing to send my own slave into such a situation. Nor do I think that most of us would." The table murmured in quiet acknowledgment. Most of them still struggled with openly acknowledging any affection for their slaves.

"Even if we were to manage to free every slave simultaneously, we could not be sure that it would have the desired reaction, even with Mr. Potter's assured assistance. As far as I am concerned it is more than likely that it would simply disorient and panic the public. Yes, it might reawaken their anger toward the ministry, but the reaction would be sporadic and unorganized at best. I predict that any uprising of that sort would be easily taken care of by Malfoy. I say that we need to find a way to gather large organized forces."

Snape nodded in agreement and glanced at Avery who was gazing down at his clasped hands in quiet remittance. It did not surprise Severus that the council would propose using Harry to further their agenda, but the suggestion put on the table by Avery was far more dangerous and reckless than he'd anticipated.

Avery had suggested that in addition to Harry, if every possible slave were to be simultaneously released back into the public, it would create a sort of battle cry to a weary population of witches and wizards to stand up in arms against the ministry. However, as Pembroke suggested the outcome would more than likely create mass panic, disoriented violence, and quick danger for every slave involved.

"Besides, no one would ever trust us," said young Wentworth.

This, Snape believed was the most significant point. Even if Avery's hastily concocted plan were to work in some capacity, the outcome would be fatal for everyone at the table, even though they were all equally passionate and superiorly capable of dismantling the ministry because of their inner knowledge and influence. If they were to purposefully rally such passionate reactions from the public, every known ex-death eater and high ministry official would be on the short list for execution.

Although Severus's purchase of Harry was in no way motivated by his fame or usability in their rebellion, Snape was not blind to the fact that he may be needed and that there was very little he could do to stop it without raising unwanted suspicions about his own loyalty. Snape was nearly obsessed in his urgency to find quick change for the Wizarding world, but he was unwilling to sacrifice his influence on the council. And he was also unwilling to threaten the life and safety of himself or his slaves.

Therefore, he would have to allow himself to lay his affection for his slaves on his sleeve and use it as a tool for safekeeping both Fred and Harry to the best of his ability. Although it was considered a taboo by some, Severus was willing to be open about his deep affection for Fred, and in turn Harry, if it would help protect them in the end. He wanted nothing more than to see a successful end to this long and tiresome battle without losing any more young innocent lives to the slaughter.

A shadow in the back moved forward and Snape looked up at the tall thin figure. He'd seen Draco Malfoy as soon as he'd arrived, but thought it best to ignore him until he chose to contribute. Draco's presence in these meetings was few and far between, but never poorly chosen. Draco was far more likely to be found out by Lucius - who Snape suspected had his son watched, often.

Severus had been suspicious of Draco's wavering loyalty for his father and the new slave laws, especially after he'd witnessed a private moment of tenderness between him and his slave one evening at a rare dinner party in his apartment – which was most likely organized by Lucius to try and involve his son in his own ministry politics. After that Snape had not been surprised when Draco had approached him with an emotional plea of help.

"I have an idea, sort of," Draco said. He looked around at the other council members cautiously before saying. "Actually it was Hermione's idea but I didn't want to chance bringing her here to tell you herself."

"Your slave thinks she can solve this?" Avery said with a snort. "You must be so proud."

Several of the committee members chuckled softly. Some looked between Snape and Draco questionably.

"Don't say a fucking thing about –"Draco looked about ready to leap over the table when Severus interrupted. "I suggest you shut up and listen to him, Avery. I assure you that Miss Granger's intelligence surpasses nearly everyone at this table. And it most certainly surpasses yours."

Draco smirked at him before taking a seat near the end of the table, and beginning.

When Severus finally returned home, it was much later than he'd anticipated - nearly midnight. One of the house elves scurried out from underfoot nervously as he stormed through the entryway with his robes billowing behind him. He'd left Fred alone and shackled for over three hours.

He waved his wand over the door, releasing all of the enchantments before opening the double doors and entering. Fred was sitting on one of the couches under the window. He looked exhausted. His arms were still pulled behind his back, but on second glance Severus could see that the bonds weren't too terribly tight -just uncomfortable.

Fred was slumped over with his head bowed. When he heard Snape enter he looked up - his face was red and wet from tears, and his nose was puffy and swollen.

Severus took a deep breath before approaching him slowly, as if his slave might snap at him. In all their time together Snape had never punished Fred so severely, or treated him quite so much like a slave.

Snape pulled out a handkerchief from inside his robe and then sat down next to him. He showed Fred the cloth and then began wiping his face when he received a nod of approval.

"This is the second time I've done this today," Snape said as he wiped Fred's eyes and stuffed up nose. Fred looked him in the eyes intensely. "It's been a long time since I've caused quite so many tears," he said. "I can't say that I miss it."

Fred just continued to stare at him, unblinking.

"Speaking of Harry, it might be a good idea if we both went up to him later. He's worried about you and angry at me. He thinks I punished you."

"Is he right?" Fred whispered, his voice deeper and raspier than Snape had expected. "Was this a punishment or are you just angry at me?"

Severus examined Fred's worried expression, and then dropped the handkerchief into their laps so that he could use his fingers to stroke at Fred's cheeks and tuck his tear soaked red hair behind his ears.

"I guess it was a little of both. But I regret it now. I should have spoken to you about this before I did anything - hasty."

Fred shook his head slowly. "No. I deserved it."

"Maybe, but I didn't handle you correctly, you deserve better."

"You're always overthinking this," Fred said gently. "It's like before, when you wanted to pretend like you weren't my master and I wasn't your slave. We made an agreement, and I've been so much happier since. We both have."

Severus's brow furrowed as he looked Fred over, he'd always assumed that Fred was comfortable with the way things were but he'd never before said that he was happier. It made him wonder if there really was something that he was missing when it came to Fred's needs - especially after he'd confessed to wanting to be hit on occasion.

Fred and his relationship had always been unconventional. Severus had willfully resisted the reality of his ownership of Fred, but Fred had never been anything but accepting and submissive, even from the very beginning. Over time the two had fallen into their roles of slave and master without much being said on the matter. However, after Snape had decided to become intimate with Fred, he'd decided that they couldn't continue on without some kind of agreement, and some kind of rule system. It had been negotiated so long ago that Snape rarely thought about it. The rules were so ingrained in him now that it felt strange to imagine Fred as anything but his slave who was free-spirited but always obedient, and never broke any of the simple rules they'd set out. And yet, Snape had never once considered that Fred might be doing it all because it made him happier. Snape knew what a pleasure it was to have Fred as his slave, but he had assumed that it was simply comfortable for Fred, at best.

"You're happier as a slave?" He asked.

"Sort of. I would be even happier with my brother, and my family and everything back to normal again," Fred said simply. "But I wouldn't want to stop being with you, just like we are."

"You know you always have a home here, Fred. We've spoken about that. But I never thought that you'd want to still be a slave."

Fred shrugged. "I would like to have my freedom back, legally. And I want everyone else to have that too. But -" he looked at his Master for a long time while trying to rally the nerve to confess the long suppressed emotions that his first ever real punishment had helped surface - "But, I like the way we are. I like submitting to you."

Severus's hands stilled in their soothing path back and forth over Fred's shoulders. Sometimes he wondered… but he'd never thought he'd hear Fred say it. He gripped Fred's shoulders tight in an overwhelming desire to crush Fred into him.

His wand was sitting next to them and he fumbled for it in a hasty urgency to get the manacles off. He wanted to get his slave naked and writhing beneath him as soon as possible.

"Wait!" Fred shouted when he saw Snape point the wand behind his back. "Wait, wait. Leave them on."

"Whatever for," Snape said. "I want to fuck you."

Fred whimpered. "Fuck me while they're still on. Please? Please do it while I'm still tied up."

Severus hesitated, his breathing hard. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, please master. I want you to."

Without bothering to think too much about it Snape cast a quick spell to dispel both of their robes and then tossed his wand onto the rug. He dove in for a kiss which was hard and urgent and made Fred moan more desperately than he'd ever heard before, so he reach up and pulled his slaves head back by the hair. Fred shouted in pleasurable surprise.

When he finally had his slave laid out below him, writhing and completely at his mercy with his hands clasped behind his back, Snape was dizzy with the power of his ownership, and he didn't even try to convince himself that he didn't love it.

"I love you," Fred said as they lay languidly on the couch some time later. Severus had dissolved the bonds as soon as they had come out of their post-orgasmic haze. "Are you still mad at me?"

"No. Now stop worrying."

Fred snuggled further into his master's embrace and sighed. "You know, it's a really terrible thing – crying while tied up."

"I bet Harry could have told you that."

"I know. Poor Harry."

"Speaking of Harry," Snape said, suddenly remembering something that had been bothering him. "When did he hit you?"

"What?"

"When he apologized, he said he was sorry for hitting you."

Fred laughed. "Oh yeah. He started to panic so I tried to hold his arms down. Then he punched me in the stomach to get away. It was a weak effort."

"Do I need to speak to him about it?"

"No, of course not. I shouldn't have interfered. I probably just made the situation a lot worse. It's hard for me to understand what he's been through, I should have known better than to try and confine him. Maybe he would have stayed and talked to me if I'd handled it differently."

"I doubt it. And never mind anyway Fred, it was better for him to speak to me." Fred just nodded and laid his head down against Snape's chest.

Snape supposed that they couldn't expect too much out of the boy so far as rational thinking was concerned, at least for a while. He had been like a tamed animal for all those years, and now, all of a sudden someone had unlocked the cage. He would just have to treat him with gloved hands and not be surprised if he got bitten.

"Master?"

"Yes."

"This doesn't… change anything, does it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Tonight, what I said and what happened. Does it doesn't change anything between us?"

"No, Fred, it doesn't."

"Good."

"Although," Snape said with a low drawl. "I might have to make use of that hand cuffing spell once in a while."

Fred grinned. "Excellent."

"You should wake Harry up and let him know that you're alright," Snape said as they stood close together at the top of the stairs. The master bedroom was to the left, and the slave room to the right.

"He must have been terrified, all alone."

"Yes," Snape said with a sigh. Even though Harry had only been with him for a few days he wasn't sure if it was such a good idea to keep him isolated. At first he'd thought that Harry would adjust better if he had his space. But earlier in the evening as he watched Harry sleep so peacefully against his leg, with one hand unconsciously clenched into his robe fabric, he realized that Harry might be seeking a strong protective presence more than anything else.

"Fred, go get Harry and come to my room with him." Fred looked at him questionably. "Not for that. I just think he needs to learn to be close to me without expecting to get hurt. I made progress with him this afternoon. Do you mind?"

Fred smiled sweetly and shook his head. "No, not at all." He started to walk away and then turned around with a grin. "Master, have you noticed what a great ass he has?"

Severus smirked. "How could I not? He keeps taking his clothes off whenever he's in my presence." Fred chuckled and then hurried down the hall.

Severus had decided it was best to not tell Fred that he'd also been thinking about Harry all day, wishing that he could have him in his bed, even platonically.

But then again, it was quite obvious that Fred had been thinking about the same things.

Fred leaned over Harry's bed and brushed his curls away from his forehead. "Harry, wake up."

Harry stirred and opened his eyes drowsily. "Fred? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Harry nodded and rubbed his eyes.

"I know it's late, but the master wants to know if you'll come sleep in the big bed with us."

Harry's eyes shot open and he sat up. Fred smiled and stroked his trembling shoulders. "It's not for sex Harry, I promise. Just sleeping. We just want you to be with us while we sleep. Will you come?"

Harry nodded.

"Good."

Harry crawled out from under the covers and stood. He reached for the hem of his sleeping shirt and began pulling it off. "No, Harry. You can leave it on it you want," Fred said.

"But you said that you sleep naked. Won't the master want me undressed too?"

Fred smirked. He was quite sure that his master would love to have them both naked in his bed, but that was probably a step too far for their first night. "Maybe another night. Here, I'll put my shirt on too." He hurried over to the wardrobe and changed quickly before throwing his dirty robe in the laundry basket in the corner.

He took Harry's hand and pulled, but Harry hesitated, resisting his grip fearfully. "Harry, don't overthink it. You seemed fine after you'd spoken with the master earlier, he didn't do anything so bad to you then, did he?"

Harry shook his head again. Fred was right, Harry thought. He hadn't been hurt yet, so he might as well stop thinking that something terrible was around every corner – at least until something bad finally happened. He closed his eyes and steadied his nerves, and when he opened them again he was calm and confident enough to follow Fred without another word.

Severus was already in bed and half asleep when Fred and Harry slipped in. He was exhausted and just wanted to sleep through the night with both of his slaves next to him so he wouldn't have to miss Fred or worry about Harry. He opened his eyes wearily to see Fred smiling at him as he slipped in next to him. Harry was standing still and in good form at the side of the bed – probably resisting the urge to fall to his knees.

"How do you feel, Harry?"

"Fine, master. Thank you."

He reached out a hand and Harry came forward automatically. "Lay down next to Fred and sleep. You're safe here."

Harry nodded once and then laid down on the edge of bed. Snape clicked off the lamp and then reached over to run his fingers through Harry's messy hair soothingly, before flopping back down to sleep. He would have plenty of time in the morning to enjoy the sight of his two beautiful young slaves asleep in his bed.

Thanks! And as always, reviews are highly appreciated.

-poppypickford