Harry watched as his master paced back and forth in the sitting room since they came back. There was something in his Lucius' eyes that scared him. When his master poured a tumbler and downed it and a second in the same fashion, Harry was reminded of his Uncle.

Lucius rounded on him. "That man believes I have hurt you and will hurt you. Have I ever laid a hand on you or a belt? Have I ever beaten you Harry?"

Harry shook his head. "No sir."

"Maybe I should. Maybe if everyone thinks the worst of me, I should just do it. They think me a monster already." Lucius smirked.

Harry backed up as far as he could till his back was against the wall. "Please don't. I promise to do better. Please."

Lucius pulled him close. "He wants to see bruises on you so bad, to prove he is right about me. You think me a monster already; it wouldn't be a change for you."

Harry whimpered against his touch. Too many memories of his childhood flashed through his mind. "Please don't. I don't think you a monster. Please stop please."

Lucius pulled back and he looked at Harry. He saw the fear in his partner's eyes. He had forgotten in his anger that Harry was sixteen, a month younger then his own son and very much a scared teen. He hadn't meant to scare the boy as deeply as he had.

He released Harry. "Oh Merlin Harry, what have I done?"

Harry was shaking and sobbing uncontrollably. "I'm sorry sir. I'm so sorry."

Lucius knew he had almost stepped way over the line with Harry. He had almost allowed his anger over Dumbledore's insinuations cause him to do just that. He had nearly done something that he knew he could never take back. Not only would Harry have never forgiven him but he'd never be able to forgive himself either.

He directed Harry into a chair and made him sit. "Harry, I'm sorry. I swear I'd never do that."

Harry didn't look up from his hands and his sobbing wasn't stopping. "Sir." Was all he muttered.

Lucius sighed. "I need to get some fresh air. I'm sorry Harry. Go to your own bed tonight Harry. Go sleep. I swear I never meant to hurt you. I swear."

Harry didn't answer until he pulled his legs up under him in the chair and Lucius knew he needed to get out of here and clear his head. He was still angry. He was still feeling like tearing something apart but it wasn't Harry. Harry had done nothing wrong and he needed to get out of there before he did something he'd regret later on.

Lucius slipped from the room and he headed down the corridor not knowing where he was going until he ended up at Dumbledore' gargoyle and he used the password to head up to the office.

When Albus let him enter he turned on the man. "You will keep your nose out of our business Albus. You may be my boss but you know you have no rights here."

Albus motioned him to sit. "I know you're angry about what I said about London but Harry is still my student and I have the right to be concerned about him."

"Concerned yes, but to insinuate I'd ever lay a hand on that boy, no." Lucius threw back at him.

"You're the one who made it quite clear that you had the right to do with Harry as you saw fit. I'm just trying to remind you of your own son. A son Harry's age."

"If you really thought me capable of such violence towards one of your students, why did you hire me to teach?" Lucius pointed out.

"I hired you before you were in this contract Lucius and I just want to make sure you keep your calm and don't harm that boy."

Lucius stood up. "I have no intention of hurting Harry. But you will back off. I will not have you looking over our shoulder at every turn Albus."

Albus sighed. "As long as he is a student at this school and you one of my teachers, I have the right Lucius. You know his father's wouldn't have it any other way."

"If you continue to interfere where it isn't your place, Harry will no longer be a student. I'll take my apprentice out of this school and finish his education myself."

Albus paled. "That is your right I know so I will back off from this Lucius but what ever I do, there will be people who will always keep an eye on him."

Lucius knew it wasn't much more then he could hope for and he stormed out of the office hoping he'd calm before he got back. He had and when he entered his rooms he walked to the door of Harry's bedroom and noticed his bed empty. He was shocked until he walked into the master suite and noticed Harry curled up in bed asleep. He had expected Harry to take his offer to sleep in his own bed and even try to ward his room, something. He never expected Harry asleep in their bed.

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Harry had been scared and upset when Lucius had taken off and had no idea what to do. He was exhausted and for a moment he went towards his official bedroom but he stopped and went to the master suite. He knew Lucius had said he could go to his one bed for the night but he found himself in their room stripping down to his boxers and crawling into bed. He had to admit he wasn't sure why.

When Harry woke up in the morning he felt the familiar warmth of a body pressed against him and the scare of the night before made him only slightly anxious to move from the comfort of the arms.

He wasn't the first to wake this time though as he felt a warm set of lips against his neck. "I'm sorry about last night Harry."

Harry tried to allow himself to relax in the man's arms. "It's okay sir. It was my fault."

Lucius gently shifted Harry just a bit to see his face. "No it wasn't. Now how about you take a bath and when you finish I want to talk to you about it Harry."

Harry nodded and was relieved to see Lucius didn't pull him down into a kiss like he had the day before when he woke, and that Lucius didn't join him in the bathroom either. He found him over seeing the arrival of breakfast when he finally came out.

Lucius came over to him and gently ran a hand down his arm. "Harry, I didn't leave a bruise last night when I grabbed your arm, did I?"

Harry shook his head. "No sir."

"You're being honest as I have a bruise cream." Lucius asked and when Harry nodded. "Harry I'm so sorry. I was angry and I should never have scared you."

Harry looked down at the plate. "It's okay sir. You're my master. You have the right to do as you wish."

Lucius lifted his head. "No. No I don't Harry. Don't believe in those old laws. I am not your master but your lover. I'm supposed to protect and care for you."

Harry bit his lip and Lucius knew he was battling so hard with a mix of fear and emotions. Harry's mind was racing with the images of last night which were being intermingled with memories of what his Uncle had done to him for years. The smell of the booze had not helped.

Lucius took his hand. "Harry, I know I broke what ever trust I managed to build with you last night. But I will prove I mean this. I won't ever hurt you."

Harry didn't pull his hand back. "I believe you sir."

Lucius decided to ask. "Harry, why were you in the master suite when I came home last night?"

Harry looked up with surprise. "I thought it was our bed. Did I anger you by being in there last night?"

Lucius shook his head. "No. I was just surprised. I thought when I gave you permission to sleep in the other bedroom, you'd have jumped at it."

Harry's eyes returned to his plate. "I guess I was a bit worried it would make you angry if I wasn't in our bed. I mean you said I was to be in our bed every night."

Lucius noticed that for the first time Harry had actually used the term our. He had referred to the bedroom as their bedroom. He wondered if perhaps it was a sign that Harry's sleeping in their bed the night before had not been totally out of fear.

He gently reached across and kissed Harry warmly. "I wouldn't have been angry, I'd have understood after what I did. But I'm glad you consider it our bed."

Harry looked a bit uncomfortable with the conversation's direction. He shifted it. "Are we still going to London today?"

Lucius let the change go. "Yes Harry, we're going to London. I have some business so you'll have most of the day to yourself. I'm sure your brothers will be happy."

Harry bit his lip a bit. "I swear sir that I won't say anything that will worry them. You don't have to worry about me seeing my brothers, I promise."

Lucius stopped him. "I have no worries Harry. You have done amazing here. Albus is a meddling old coot all the time. Just enjoy your day with the twins."

Harry looked down at a muffin he took from the basket and didn't respond right away. "Thank you." Harry finally answered after a few moments.

Lucius sighed and hoped maybe this trip to London might help Harry a bit. He didn't think Harry would ever tell his brothers about his contract with Lucius but he thought having a familiar face around other then a teacher might put Harry some what back at more ease.

He turned to Harry as the food was disappearing. "Go pack a bag for the night and when you come back we'll take off."

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When they walked into Malfoy townhouse later that morning Lucius couldn't help but notice Harry's unease. It was while they were staying here that Lucius had threatened to teach Harry a lesson after his lover had slipped away to London without a word. It was also hear in the city that Lucius had branded him.

He took Harry up to the master suite and saw Harry pale at the sight of the bed. "Why don't you let the elves unpack? I'm sure your brothers will be happy to see you."

Harry shot him what he realized was a grateful smile. "Thank you Lucius."

Lucius hid a small smile at hearing Harry call him by his name for once. "I have a meeting for dinner so if you're brothers want to keep you, you're welcome to stay for dinner tonight. I recall you stayed last time we were here."

Harry picked up his wallet and grabbed his school supply list as well. "I think they'll be busy with the shop but I'll go by later and I assume they'll ask me up."

Lucius leaned in to kiss him. "Any supplies on your list for your apprenticeship and classes will go on my tab Harry. You have no worries about the rest though."

Harry remembered the reasoning behind his birthday gift. "Thank you. You know what that means to me."

Lucius led Harry towards the front door. "I promise we'll have some time here in London tomorrow together before we return. Enjoy your free day though."

Harry tried to hide from him his relief to get away from Lucius for a few hours. "See you tonight then."

Lucius watched as Harry headed up for the main street of the town. He did have business to over see but he'd be home in time for dinner. He wanted Harry though not to feel panicked about staying with his brothers for dinner. He wanted Harry to be happy, especially after what he put him through the night before. A day with his big brothers might just be what he needed right now. Lucius would have him in bed and the next day in London.

He went back up at the bedroom and he smiled down at the bed. "We'll put you to a better and more pleasurable use this time around. For both me and Harry."