The Blood Compact – Chapter 13 – Torture and trust

"Well, well, well, what do we have here ?... Snape and his Mudblood whore..." said the tall witch Amelia had previously seen conversing with the Dark Lord.

Bellatrix Lestrange. Things could not get worse – in Severus' opinion. They had already gone worse in Amelia's opinion. That torturer... That murderer...

Thing was, Severus could not back off now, unless he let Amelia be raped by the three men that had escorted them to the pain chamber. He felt caught between a rock and a very hard place.

Severus decided to ignore Bellatrix. But she was insisting. "You wish to have a bit of fun, Snape ?"

"Mind your own business, Bella, will you ?"

She laughed hysterically, with that mad cackling of hers. Severus could not help thinking that one day, someone would have to torture Bella just to make her shut the whole hell up. Being now in a foul mood, he would happily oblige.

Avery took Bellatrix by her arm. "He made a deal with us, Bella. Either we rape his Mudblood slave, either he tortures her. He decided he would torture her."

Bellatrix watched Severus. "I'm not surprised. Always so possessive." Then she turned her attention to the young Muggle-born witch. "So you're the Mudblood he's so keen on keeping for himself."

Amelia decided not to look at her, keeping in mind that the female Death-Eater witch was a Legilimens. She did not want her to learn a few things of her own past either. She kept her eyes cast down in a modest attitude. Bellatrix smirked. Her heavy-lidded eyes followed down, towards the young witch's pregnant belly. "Oh, and you're so much pregnant. You won't have it here, will you ?" she asked with a falsely compassionate tone. "We don't need to have this kind of... filthy blood polluting our house !" She began to caress her face. Amelia felt utterly disgusted at her touch. Yet, she remained motionless. She was sure of one thing : the female Death-Eater had not recognized her. So far.

The other men laughed – except Severus of course. "Leave her alone, Bella. We mustn't touch what isn't ours." His deep, velvety voice had growled the order, yet his words had been said in such a detached, compelling manner that Bellatrix backed off.

"What will you do to her, Snape ?" she asked instead. "To show us she's really yours ?" She cackled. "We have enough here to brand her like cattle. Or you may tie her on these mattresses and take her in any dirty fashion that may cross your sick mind !" She cackled again.

Severus did not reply. He just took Amelia by her arm and dragged her to a wall where some chains hanged down from the ceiling. She watched the chains, gathering what he had in mind. She looked terrified but hid her fear as best as she could.

Severus pushed her gently against the wall, so that her belly was against it, her back towards the others. Then, with a sharp movement on her gown, he tore it open, uncovering her back. She shrieked out of surprise.

"Amelia... Don't move. Stay like this, your belly shall be protected. You may scream but don't move at all," he whispered into her ear, for her only to hear. From a distance, he looked like as if he was kissing her on the neck.

His voice was so much soothing, almost tender, surely caring, that Amelia turned her face towards him. Their gazes met. Then she felt something passing onto her : his penetrating gaze was telling something to her, something she could not – and he could not – translate into words, yet it was powerful enough for her to feel quieter now.

"I trust you, Master."

Severus felt moved by her words. He was about to torture her yet she trusted him !

He did not have the time to analyse this. With a flick of his wand, he made the chains clasping themselves around her wrists. The chains lifted her arms up. Then she felt his body leaving her person, the warmth radiating from his strong presence disappearing.

"Oh, Snape's going to torture his Mudblood !" Bellatrix cackled in a sing-song fashion amid the three other men's peals of laughter. "Snape's going to torture his Mudblood !"

Severus glared at her and the three other men that had compelled him to such a horrible deed. Aware this may spare the young witch an even more horrible deed to be committed against her person, Severus knew this was not enough to exonerate him from what he was about to do to her. He went to the table and chose a whip. Not too heavy, not too thick, so that he may not hurt her too much. He made it crack and launched the first blow.

Amelia heard the sound of the cracking whip before her skin felt the burning thereof. She yelped out of surprise. After a few blows, she tried to contain her pain but she let it go. She let tears roll down her cheeks, and moans of pain escape her lips. She focused on her child to protect. That was the most important thing to do in these circumstances. It was painful yet, she knew the blows were given by a hand that did not wish to harm her in the first place. By a man that had preferred to harm her himself rather than let others do so. By a man that would do everything in his power to avoid her to be inflicted more pain than necessary. By a man she trusted.

Amelia had never been whipped. Except for the usual slaps and harsh treatment – part of a whole act – Severus gave her at Spinner's End, when in front of Wormtail, except for the manhandling she had suffered at the hand of the Death-Eaters when she had been captured after the raid on the Ravenhearts' property, she had never been tortured or even mistreated.

Save on one occasion. When she had been raped. The pain and the suffering had been far worse. Because the man that had done this to her, wanted to harm her, to humiliate her, to take advantage of her selfishly, to get his pleasure in a cruel fashion.

Now, things were different. Of course, the whipping was painful. She felt her back burning like hell as the wounds inflicted by the whip added to each other, lacerating her flesh deeper and deeper. Yet, she knew that her Master drew no pleasure out of this. He had consented to torture her so that she may not be raped. He derived no satisfaction from her humiliation. He just did his best to protect her. She could feel it in his blows. So she endured with fortitude, trusting him he would stop before the pain may exceed her endurance.

After about twenty blows, Severus felt a sudden heat in his body. Not that all this had aroused him. It was different. His blood was burning like it had never before. He stopped, as if his blood had ordered him to do so. Besides, her back was covered with blood, sufficient proof he had tortured her enough. Yet, he had to be careful – his fellow Death-Eaters may wish to have more. As if nothing else mattered, he went to her and began to magically remove the chains from her wrists.

"Eh, Severus, that's all you're going to do to her ?" Avery said, a bit disappointed.

Slowly, Severus turned himself towards the man. "I need her services in my home, so that I can work efficiently for the Dark Lord. If she cannot perform her duties to me there, I shall be less available for our Master. He would not be pleased either that I damaged the gift he gave me, don't you think ? And you, Avery, you wouldn't like our service to our Master be less efficient, would you ?"

Avery was taken aback by the argument. Mentioning the Dark Lord had always been a convenient tool to further a point. At least in Severus' opinion. And above all in presence of Bellatrix. Severus was aware of all these parameters and he knew how to play with them. He had been playing that game for so long already ! Avery nodded and let it go. "That's okay, I have enough. Time for me to go back to the pleasure room and get some fun there."

Yes, you do that – and fast, Severus thought. He glared at the two others, Mulciber and McNair. The former followed Avery while the latter chose to stay. He had spotted a Muggle-born witch huddled in a corner of the pain chamber and had decided that a Mudblood was like any other – worthy of his attentions as a Death-Eater, that is, getting some fun from her even non-consensually.

Only Bellatrix remained. She peered at the tall, black-clad man, a mad, evil look in her eyes. "I think I can have some fun with the Mudblood and... you, Snape !" She drew her wand in a quick movement. "CRUCIO !" she yelled towards Amelia.

Severus saw it at once. Out of sheer reflex, he threw himself between the young witch and the Cruciatus Curse. Which caught him neatly. Despite his resilience to the curse, he screamed briefly. He clung to her, still shielding her with his body to spare her the pain.

Amelia let out a shout of horror. She had never seen someone being Cruciated before. Severus had asked her not to react to any mistreatment that may befall on him but she could not remain indifferent. She just could not. She tried to hold him but he was too much heavy for her little frame. He slowly let himself fall on his knees, dragging her with him in a desperate attempt to shield her with his own body.

Bellatrix stopped her curse. She was first surprised to see a young Muggle-born, property of a Dark wizard, who had been given to him as his slave, who must have endured mistreatment and other horrors inside his house, at his hands, being so thoughtful of that same Dark wizard. Maybe there was something else between the pair ? Now was the time to see. A nasty grin curled up her mouth.

Amelia raised her eyes towards the older witch. She knew she took a great risk doing so, Bellatrix being a Legilimens. Yet, she had Occluded her mind tight. She sent her back an empty gaze, even if inside, she was full of sheer loathing for what the Dark witch had just done. As well as for other things she had already done in the past and that still crowded her memory.

The young Muggle-born was down on her knees, her hands on her Master's shoulders, a determined look in her eyes. She glared at Bellatrix with a certain dose of courage and dare.

Bellatrix smirked evilly. "You're a fool, Mudblood."

A silence during which she raised her wand. Amelia closed her eyes and braced herself for the pain to come next. I'm not going to die. Just suffer a bit.

"CRUCIO !" Bellatrix hissed.

The Cruciatus Curse hit Amelia square. She fell on Severus' body, screaming all she had. She thought that the whip had been burning her skin like hell. Now she was in hell. Her whole body was on fire while thousands of glass shards pierced her skin like as many needles. She clung to Severus' body in a desperate grip on reality. The only thought was for her child – focusing hard to protect it.

After a moment that seemed like an eternity to her – but in fact only a few seconds – she felt two hands grabbing her and pushing aside. "Stop this, Bella !" she heard a man bellow. Once again, Severus had interfered. "No, she belongs to ME !" she heard him scream. Then the curse stopped. There was some kind of a fight or an argument, two people shouting at each other, a man and a woman. The woman had a high-pitched, unpleasant voice. The man, on the contrary, had a very deep, rich voice, that sounded so soothing that Amelia wished this was the last sensation she could feel before dying. Because she was sure, she was going to die this time.

The argument stopped after she heard the man – Severus – tell the woman – Bellatrix – that the girl belonged to him, that he was the only one to be able to punish her. "What did I tell you before ? We mustn't touch what isn't OURS !"

After that, she felt two hands grabbing her arms again and dragging her out of the pain chamber. Amelia felt so weak, so painful, that she could not remember if she had exited the room on her two feet. Her only thought was for her baby. Then everything went black.

Severus noticed that the young witch had fainted. He cast her a Levitating Charm so that he could carry her effortlessly. He went to meet the Dark Lord who was still sitting on his throne, petting Nagini, at the other end of the reception room. The man was alone. Severus construed this as his chance to get away from here without provoking a riot from the others. Voldemort was feared by his followers but Severus knew that sometimes, he could be far more open to reason than one would ever think he ever was. Provided the right arguments be put forward in a convincing fashion.

Severus approached the dais cautiously. He knelt down before the throne. "My Lord..." he said respectfully.

"Yes, Severus ?" Voldemort asked nonchalantly, while still petting his familiar.

"My Lord... I need to go back home now."

"Why is that, Severus ? Don't you like the little party I have thrown ?"

"I do enjoy it, My Lord. But my slave... she's in a bad shape and I need her in order to serve you better than ever. I seek permission from you, my Lord, to leave the party in order to tend to her wounds. Besides I have work for you requiring my attention in my lab at home. My Lord."

Voldemort peered at Severus. "Look at me."

The Potions Master knew he was in for a Legilimency ride. He met his Master's gaze confidently as he did usually. After a few seconds, Voldemort spoke up softly. "Wounds you had given her yourself, Severus. Why did you... damage the gift I had given you ?"

At this point, Severus knew he had to make a bit of fast-talking. "My fellow Death-Eaters thought I had gone soft for a Mudblood, my Lord. I had to prove them wrong. I'm not going soft for her. Or for any other Mudblood either. I had to show them that I know how to handle Mudbloods for what they really are : useful servants and appropriate toys."

Voldemort turned his gaze away towards the Levitated body of the young witch. Severus let out an imperceptible breath. He knew that somehow, he had managed to convince his Master. "Looks like you played a bit hard with her this time, Severus. Be careful. You may leave. Besides... I don't think our hosts here would be happy to have their home sullied by her filthy blood and that of her spawn."

Severus nodded. He knew he had won the match. "No, my Lord. Thank you, my Lord."

Voldemort dismissed him with an annoyed flick of his wrist. Severus bowed another time, to kiss the hem of the Dark wizard's robe in a gesture full of devotion. Then he left the room with the body of his young slave still Levitating by his side. Downstairs, he asked a house elf to have his travel cloak back. He put it on and rearranged the shawl on Amelia's body. They both left the manor quickly. Once out of the gates, Severus cancelled the Levitation Charm and took her in his arms in a cradle carry before Apparating back home.

They both Apparated back in his backyard shed, his private Apparition point. It was raining hard outside over Spinner's End. Severus sighed. At least, they were both out of harm's way – for the time being. He let out a few tremors, further to the Cruciatus Curse he had received from Bellatrix. From a distance, Severus lifted the wards placed on his house and opened the door so that they could both stay the minimum time outside.

He took Amelia in his arms, rearranging her shawl to protect her from the rain. She came back to her senses, her eyes still unfocused. "Master..."

"Shhh... Amelia... We're home. Don't be afraid. We're home."

"Home ?" she croaked. She closed her eyes in an obvious expression of relief. "Home..."

He took her arm and put it on his shoulder. "Hang on to me."

Walking the distance between the shed and the house had been enough to soak them, so much it was pouring. At one moment, Amelia began to writhe, as if taken by a seizure. But Severus was strong. He managed to carry her despite her nervous, almost jerky movements. She was in pain. Once inside, he led her to the sitting-room and laid her on the sofa. He cast a Drying Charm on her clothes, then on his own, before starting a fire. Then he brought her upstairs, in their bedroom. She moaned : consciousness had brought back pain.

Severus made her sit on the armchair in their bedroom. He instructed her to sit upright so that her back be not in contact with anything that may aggravate her wounds. He removed her shawl and got her rid of her gown. "Stay here like this. I'm going to fetch some dittany for your wounds."

Amelia nodded and did her best to remain upright. But the Cruciatus Curse had taken her toll on her. She began to shake uncontrollably. She had never been exposed to the Curse before and she could not know its side-effects. She let out a sob, a hand on her belly, the other on her face.

Severus had been quick. He came back a few minutes later, to find her crying. His heart tightened in his chest. He had done this to her ! He dragged a chair to sit close to her. He put a hand on her shoulder. She turned her face towards him. "I'm sorry, Master !"

"No, don't be so. You behaved beautifully. Now, let me do. I'll apply dittany first so that your wounds won't leave too many scars on your skin." He wetted a clean cloth with the potion and began to apply it gently onto her back. She let out a moan of relief.

A few minutes later, her body shook again. Severus explained to her that this was only a consequence of her exposition to the Cruciatus. He was aware she had never been subjected to it. She had not acquired his resilience to the Curse.

"Will it have... some effects... on my baby ?" she managed to ask.

"No idea," Severus replied honestly. "I don't know, to tell you the truth. Never heard of a pregnant woman who would have been Cruciated." Or rather, there had been some, but they had been killed shortly afterwards. Yet, Severus deemed wise not to speak about it. He went on with his care. He spread an ointment of his composition on her skin to speed up the healing process.

"This is an ointment I made, based on Essence of Murtlap. It should help the wounds close, and work like a bandage." He also checked her other minor injuries : some whiplashes had touched her arms and shoulders. He treated them with a few healing charms he knew. Then he brought her to bed. "Now, you'll be a good girl and you'll have a good night sleep, right ?"

"Yes, Master..." Amelia obeyed and let him put her to bed and tuck her in. She was really touched by his caring manners. That was something always surprising to see in him.

"I'll check on you from time to time. Now Wormtail is no longer here, we can let the door open, so that I can hear you if you need anything else."

"Master !" She grabbed his arm. "Master... And you ? You must be tired..."

"Don't worry about me. Besides, I'll come back quickly. Just a few loose ends to tie up here first. I want you to sleep." Saying so, he drew his wand and cast her a sleeping charm. Amelia closed her eyes and let go of his arm. Severus stayed a few seconds more, brushing aside a lock of her hair.

"Will you forgive me one day, for what I did to you tonight ?" he murmured.

Severus rose from bed and left the room. He would come back in a few minutes, after making sure he had put back all the wards into place around his house. He wanted to be alone too to think about everything that had happened tonight. Especially the connection he and Amelia had had when they were alone in the pleasure room, just before being interrupted by the unpleasant intrusion from his fellow Death-Eaters. That was something he needed to think about.

After all, he was not supposed to feel as such towards his young slave.

Severus came back to his bedroom a few minutes later. He had secured his home. He felt tired too. Drained by the events of the night. He got rid of his garments and put on his nightshirt. Amelia was deeply asleep, thanks to his sleeping charm. Then he slid himself between the sheets.

She was asleep yet her body was still shaken by tremors. The Cruciatus Curse side-effects that Severus knew so well. Even if he had ridden those side-effects on his own, he could not let her suffer like this. He did the only thing that he knew would soothe her. Physical contact with another body. He dragged her against him, sliding one arm under her neck, so that her head may rest on his shoulder comfortably. His other hand found a natural place to rest – on her belly. He could feel the tremors there and for a few seconds, he wondered if the foetus would be affected or not.

Severus held her like this for long minutes. Enjoyable minutes. He had been sharing his bed with her for weeks, yet it was the very first time he held her so close to him. From a distance, they looked like two lovers asleep in each other's arms. He spent the next minutes thinking about her reaction in the pleasure room, before their being interrupted by Avery and McNair. How she had caressed his cheek in a gentle fashion – like no other woman had ever done to him before. How she had said these few words that no other woman had ever told him before : I trust you... He had been both touched and puzzled. There was no denying she had been sincere then.

Severus fell asleep a few minutes later, when he felt her tremors had subsided. She may have others later on but for now, she needed her sleep. He did too and just let it go, holding her possessively in his arms, like a real lover would.

Now that was a dark moment ! Hope you enjoyed it anyway. I also do my best to keep everyone in character - Severus, Voldemort, Bellatrix, in particular.

Looks like things are picking up between Severus and Amelia. What do you think, dear readers ?

Please leave as many reviews as possible - the muses do enjoy them !