Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his world belong to J. K. Rowling. In this story, Harry Potter is very old, and is known as 'The Great Wizard.' His name is Bellamy.

Chapter 36:

Word came when Clarence died. 'It was a potion at the end, Bernice wrote. He was too weak, and it was enough. So he took the potion that the healer left for him, and he died in my arms. Peacefully, painlessly. John was here, and he helped me prepare the body for burial. He said he'd done it a few times, for women he'd loved. Kaede said some words, and he was buried where he wanted to be buried. One day, I'll lie beside him.'

There was more from Emma. 'John made more flowers come. There were no guests allowed, not even Gary or John, just as many of us as could be there. Bernice said that he died free. That he should have had a lot more years, but it wasn't so bad. He died free, and they'd long since given up hope of ever being free. It was sunny, though autumn now, and the trees are laden with apples. It was a good season for them.'

Clarence was gone, and would not come back. Tasha was also gone, and the death of Clarence somehow made Valencio believe that it, too, was forever. He didn't hope. It was his own fault, for being too weak.

Neil's report to Narzu-Han. 'His wife has left him, and he seems tired and sad. Yet his acting remains brilliant. He hasn't missed any days, and he doesn't forget lines. There has been no talk of any other women. Most days, straight after work, he swims for a while, and does a bit in the gymnasium, as he gets so little physical activity during the day, he says, and needs it. As far as I know, he just gets escorted home, and picked up in the morning. Peter Vojkovik is around, but doesn't go near him.'

Betty's report. 'One called Clarence Williamson died. There was a funeral, and there must have been over seventy 'club members' appear. They asked that guests stay away from the chapel area for that time, and Gary, who's married to Mary, acted as host, though he never does normally. John Bellamy was here, though I only caught a glimpse a couple of times. Waldo, who's a temporary employee, ran a tennis tournament, keeping guests amused. They say probably at least another six weeks before Vince finishes the film.'

A fortnight later, mid-October, Schuster asked Valencio abruptly how much weight he'd lost. Valencio replied that he didn't know. Schuster told him to take off his shirt, and studied him. He grunted in the end, apparently displeased, and said that he was to weigh himself, and from then on, keep a check. There were scales in the gymnasium, he thought.

Valencio nodded. He knew he was getting too thin, but didn't think it mattered very much. His face might look a little thinner, but his body was not on display.

That day, the cardinal fought off an attempt to murder him, and afterwards spoke to his God, in the Chapel set. He was losing the battle.

Schuster gave his thin smile, and said all the actors were finished for the day. "That was good," he added to Valencio, as an afterthought.

Valencio was wrung out, feeling emotionally raw, bruised. He nodded slightly, wearily, still sitting with his head down.

Lorae, who looked after costumes, said sympathetically, "Come on, Vince. We have to look after the silks."

Ronny said, "Swim, once you're changed?"

Dave said, "I'll join you."

Romano looked up, and said, "I will, as well."

Valencio smiled at his friends. He was poor company these days, and appreciated having friends stay close anyway.

For almost an hour, he swam methodically, just up and down the pool. Dave swam for a while, as well, but Ronny and Romano only provided themselves with drinks from the nearby bar, and talked. At last, Valencio pulled himself from the pool, and went to change, not wanting any comments on the way that ribs showed.

There was a drink waiting for him on his return, but of course, he was with friends. This drink would be just beer.

Romano remarked, "The priests have to kiss my feet tomorrow."

Valencio laughed, and said, "Dave and Kerry and the rest are going to love that!"

He was still acting a little. He didn't feel like laughing, but didn't want his friends to leave him alone. He was so alone.

Poor Vince seemed happy to be just where he was, and the other three indulged him, talking about the movies in progress, that subject of never-ending interest to all of them.

"Nick's signed up for a Western," commented Romano.

Valencio said, "A Western would be fun!"

"Ever practised gun-slinging?"

"I've never handled a gun." But he grinned ruefully, "They'd never cast me as a cowboy. The best I could hope for is either a role as an extra, or maybe a masked gunslinger." He added, "That could be interesting. Jean-Pierre told me that every actor should play the baddie now and then."

Dave said, "I've played the baddie in three films, now. But in the first two, I got killed early in the film. Just five minutes into the movie, the first time."

Romano asked Valencio, "How's Inge going?"

"Just a few weeks to go. She's planning on talking to Schuster, as he suggested a while back. But he's probably forgotten, and probably didn't mean anything anyway."

Romano said, "He might have done. He acts as mentor now and then. Ashley's not the first."

"Does he demand sex in return?"

"Not Schuster," Romano said. "Not everyone does."

"That's good. Inge's not really a respecter of persons. Anyone demanding sex from Inge will be sorry."

"So what if she can't get a start?"

"I've got lots of money now. Maybe I could give her enough to make her own movies. She could start that way."

The others talked on, but Valencio became silent again, morose. Inge would be better going home to Paul. He hadn't heard that Paul was now married, a local lass already pregnant. He sighed heavily, and looked into his almost untouched beer. He'd almost forgotten that he was not alone.

He felt his presence first, and felt his overwhelming desire for him, even before he looked up and saw him standing there. Peter Vojkovic wanted him, and Valencio reacted to that desire he could feel. He wanted too, urgently, overwhelmingly.

The others looked around, not understanding what was happening. Not everyone could feel thoughts. Valencio couldn't normally feel thoughts, but this...

The Cossack didn't even glance at the others. He merely said, "Valencio, come with me now."

Valencio put down his beer, and started walking to him.

Ronny called urgently, "Vince! Think what you're doing!"

Valencio hesitated, but his eyes were still held by those of the Cossack. Vojkovik said again, "Valencio, come with me now."

Valencio walked to him, and Vojkovic put an arm around his shoulders, and they walked away together.

Ronny said uncertainly, "Should I try and stop him?"

Dave said, just as uncertainly, "He's a free man."

"It was like he was hypnotized."

Romano observed, "Well, one way or another, I'd say that Vince's acting tomorrow's going to be wrecked."

"I hope he doesn't murder him when he wakes up to himself."

"Did you notice? He called him Valencio."

Vojkovik continued to call him Valencio. Whether it was because of the name he associated with slavery, or because of the acute desire between them, Valencio was stupidly passive.

Vojkovic's chauffeur drove them to his home, Vojkovic took Valencio straight to his upstairs bedroom, and then embraced, feeling him as hard as he was himself. Vojkovic started undressing him. Valencio made not the slightest move to either assist, or resist. He was obedient when he was told to get into bed, and just waited, lying on his back as Vojkovic quickly stripped, and joined him. Vojkovic was speaking to him lovingly, brokenly. He'd wanted it so long. He caressed, and admired, and stroked the erect penis.

Valencio stared at him, only moaning once, slightly, as Peter ran a tongue along the length of his penis.

"Turn onto your side, Valencio," instructed the Cossack. Valencio turned onto his side.

Vojkovic caressed again, scarcely believing that he was here. He turned away for a moment, looking for lubricant. He had a small dildo as well. He must not physically hurt. He was too big for carelessness.

Valencio just waited, as Peter carefully, gently prepared his body for penetration, where it was not meant to be penetrated. Another gentle kiss. Peter knew he was ready.

"Turn onto your front, now, Valencio."

Valencio was still obedient. When in bed, and unrestrained, Arikiyo had always taken him prone. Narzu-Han too, mostly.

Valencio Durano turned himself prone, and the Cossack covered him, legs to the outside of Valencio's legs, his arms to the outside of Valencio's arms. He kissed his neck, and said, "I want you now. Let me..."

Valencio suddenly tried to fight off the Cossack, fight off his own stupid weakness.

Peter loved it. He'd wanted it, the struggle, and then the submission to a stronger man. He'd felt it a few times now. A good thing he hadn't tried to take him while merely lying on his side.

The submission came, and still Peter didn't hurry, just gently pressing his penis against the man beneath him, giving him time to relax muscles, giving him time to be ready. When he finally, gently, pushed in, there was little physical resistance.

Valencio moaned as he started to thrust, gently. Peter Vojkovik was a gentle lover, who knew that what he was doing, could damage. He always took great care not to damage.

The Cossack took his time, only pausing when he felt Valencio shudder beneath him in his climax, and then continuing. Valencio's desire mounted again, and he cried, "Please...!"

Vojkovic climaxed, and Valencio a second time.

Valencio lay still, relaxed in body, but that terrible, old shame rose within him. Peter withdrew, and pulled Valencio to him, cradling head on his chest. Would the man maybe kill him now? Instead, Valencio cried, great, shuddering sobs, as Peter held him, firmly, lovingly. The sobs finally died down, and after a while, Peter realized that he was asleep. He smiled, possessively. Valencio was his now, he knew.

He stared at the ceiling, suddenly remembering another young man who'd cried that way after the first time. He'd thought Raymond was his, too. And he had been - for three weeks. But then the boy had shot himself.

Tenderly, he caressed the wet face that lay on his shoulder. Poor Valencio, who'd been taken away as a child. Returned, but how stable was he? The overwhelming rage that other time, and now the prolonged, distressed crying. He'd have to keep him close, keep him comforted. The Cossack was feeling an unfamiliar sense of responsibility.

Valencio slept on, and after a while, Peter gently disengaged himself. He hadn't had dinner yet, and he was hungry. Falling in love had not affected his appetite.

He returned to his bedroom after a while, and just looked at the sleeping man in the dimmed light. He was in his mid thirties, when Peter usually liked eighteen-year-olds. He might have liked them even younger, but that wasn't legal. Valencio had been just twelve when he'd been taken. Presumably twelve when he'd had it for the first time. They must have taken care with him, or he would not have learned to like it. Yet there had been that whipping scene, when he'd gone to pieces. He'd been punished, obviously, at some stage. There were no physical scars. Maybe the punishment had not been severe.

Peter slipped into bed beside Valencio and started caressing again. Valencio was deep in sleep. He'd been sleeping badly ever since Tasha left. When the Cossack pushed him gently onto his front, he was still nearly asleep. He didn't resist, but didn't become excited, either. He was still tired, but thought he'd best go home now. Jorg would be coming to collect him in the morning for work.

The following morning, Valencio ignored the penetrating look that Schuster gave him, and only went to be robed and made up. Schuster had changed the order of takes a little, and there were easy ones to begin with, ones that could almost have been done with a stand-in. Valencio just did as he was told, exactly as normal.

Schuster shrugged, and asked, "Are you ready for the big scene, you and the pope?"

Valencio said, "I'm ready."

He knew how it needed to be played, though he listened closely to Schuster's instructions. He then forgot them, and produced a scene of such impact that Schuster assured himself that his next Best Director Award was on its way. Pity it wouldn't be in time for this year's nominations.

Mardi was watching with her half dozen trainees, including Inge. Mardi assured them that they would rarely see acting of such quality, and between takes, would try and explain some of the technical aspects.

Inge said once, "I don't think Vince even knows we're watching."

There was a short break for a scene change. Kerry Vane made a very quiet phone call. One more short scene, undemanding, and then Schuster said, "Done for the day."

Valencio rose from his chair, pushing aside the cumbersome silks of a cardinal's robes, and glanced around. He smiled at Inge, and crossed to the group. "You were watching?"

Mardi answered, "We were watching. I told them it would be one of the big movies of the decade."

Valencio said, "Just a few weeks to go, Schuster says."

Schuster joined the group, and said, "You're keeping Lorae waiting, Vince."

Valencio nodded, and went to change. Lorae took his robes, held them carefully over her arm, and went off with them.

Inge grabbed Valencio's arm as he emerged from his dressing room, and said, "The traineeship finishes in a week, and then Schuster says I can be unpaid assistant for the rest of the filming, and then for the editing."

Valencio smiled at her pleasure. Inge was strong. Inge would not be brought down by her past. Slowly, he turned to the right. Vojkovic waited for him. Ronny stood slightly in front of him, as if to shield Valencio from his influence. Ronny tried to speak compellingly. "We should have a swim for a while, Vince, and then I'll take you home."

Valencio looked past him at the Cossack, and then returned his gaze to Ronny, nodding. "Thank you, Ronny. A swim for a while."

The Cossack still waited, sitting at a separate table, as Valencio changed and swam.

Dave joined him in the pool again, but Ronny, shortly afterward, joined by Jorg, sat and waited.

Jorg said, "What do you think?"

"Whatever happened, he didn't seem too upset."

They were regarding Vojkovik with discernible hostility. Valencio was wondering what on earth to do. He'd given in. The Cossack had him now. He wasn't even going to try and resist. He finally pulled himself from the water, without a glance at Vojkovik, went and changed, and then joined Ronny, Jorg and Dave.

Without preliminaries, he said, "You tried to protect me, and did a very good job. I'm grateful. But it's no use any more. I'm going home with Peter."

Ronny asked, "Why, Vince?"

Valencio stared at the table, and finally, said, "Because I might be free now, but they left damage, and now I can't help myself."

He rose from the table, not looking at his friends, and went to the Cossack. The Cossack stood, put an arm around his shoulders, and they left together.

Valencio didn't resist that time. Vojkovik was as urgent as he'd been the previous evening, taking him prone again, waiting almost hopefully for the resistance that didn't come.

Afterwards, Valencio lay on his back, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. He'd enjoyed it, but somehow, with his capitulation, the overwhelming excitement was gone. He laughed suddenly, and when Peter looked at him, questioningly, shook his head. Humans were so ridiculous, and sex was the most ridiculous of all.

Vojkovik said tenderly, "Will you have dinner with me?"

Valencio answered casually, "I've nothing better to do."

Kerry was gone, moved out the previous day. Peter found it hard to believe that Valencio was actually there, and was trying very hard to please. Working hard at amusing him, entertaining him, trying to overcome Valencio's distance. He still spoke to him, caressingly, as Valencio, ignoring Valencio's request to call him Vince.

He offered his own swimming pool, his own spa, his own theatre. Vojkovic lived as a wealthy man. With a sudden idea, he said that they would watch Son of Satan, the uncut version.

"The uncut version?"

"The one for public consumption was watered down. This one has not been watered down."

"I suspected there might be something like that," and added, "I'll be interested to see it."

Peter fussed, bringing a couch into a good position for viewing, and then putting on the film, sitting next to Valencio, and inviting, "Put your head on my shoulder, if you like."

Valencio put aside his detachment, and put his head on the shoulder of the big man, and then nestled in a little. He felt warm, and loved. Looked after.

Peter had his arm around his shoulders, and squeezed slightly. This was not just another young man. Peter Vojkovic thought this might be the love of his life. Valencio didn't understand his own feelings. He didn't try to. He'd given in, and was doing just what he felt like doing.

He became totally caught up in the movie as he watched. He'd only watched it once before, at that special screening in the Edinburgh studio. Peter had seen it many times, and watched his companion as much as he did the film. There were not a great many differences to the standard version, just that the nudity was more blatant in several scenes, there had been no editing out of his excitement as he did that scene with Nikole, and he saw for the first time the scene where Jean-Pierre allowed his desire to show as he regarded the perfect body, and then, so gently, touched.

"Erotic," remarked Peter, wanting him again.

Valencio said, "I wonder what would have happened to a man, if he'd had sex with Pandragon."

Peter touched his own semi-erect penis, and said, "Ouch?" But then he murmured, "Come to bed now?"

"After it finishes." Peter squeezed his shoulders again, and waited.

Valencio's eyes were wet, forgetting that it was only acting. Forgetting even that it was only himself, acting. Pandragon faced the fact that he could not live, and lay down to die. Peter left it on as the credits rolled.

He finally said, gently, "Your first movie as an adult. It was a great movie."

"Papacy Scandal is going to be as good. Come and watch, if you like."

"How much longer will you be involved?"

"Probably less than three weeks, Schuster estimates. And the last couple of days are just still pictures for publicity."

"Are you doing any public appearances this time?"

"No public appearances. I don't know what I'll do. I can't go home now. Can't face the women, after throwing it all away."

Peter spoke gently, "Throwing what away, Vince?"

But Valencio was silent.

Peter said, "I start one early next year. I'm a beatup has-been boxer. I have you to thank for looking the part."

Valencio said coolly, "Don't expect me to apologize. Using drugs is a very low act."

"Jean-Pierre made that very clear to me. I was deceiving myself, because it was only a low dose, I thought it didn't count. He hasn't spoken to me since, and I lost a good friend." He kissed Valencio, who still snuggled next to him, contentedly, in spite of the words about a past rape and subsequent assault. "Ready for bed?"

Valencio spoke indifferently, enjoying the effect, "We can have sex again if you want. But I'll sleep at home."

But Peter only pulled him closer, and wasn't surprised when, afterwards, Valencio snuggled into his side, and slept deeply.

For the next several days, Peter stayed as close as possible to Valencio. He had a feeling that Valencio, even while he accepted his lovemaking and allowed himself to be shown off at parties, did not return his love. More and more, he wanted him to return his love.

Tasha sent a letter home to Valencio, just an impersonal note, saying where she was. Stuart was begging her to get a divorce, but Tasha made no moves to do so. It hadn't taken her long to understand that to Stuart, she'd just been a conquest. But it was different now. Stuart was the one anxiously trying to please her. Stuart Dorner was in love.

Tasha accepted his lovemaking, accepted the gifts lavished on her, and didn't know what to do. She had disgraced herself, hurt the man she loved. She could not go home, could not face those who knew her. Could not face those who knew she'd grievously hurt her husband, so much so that he was now openly the companion of the Cossack.

The wrap party, after which the actors would begin to disperse. Valencio told the Cossack he was not allowed to come.

"They don't like you much, especially Ronny and Jorg. They say you've destroyed me."

Peter spoke softly, "Have I destroyed you?"

"I don't know. Maybe."

Cautiously, Valencio didn't drink anything at that party, except some water from a tap, once. There was no opportunity for Kerry Vane to deliver him up for rape by Phil Henderson, two friends, and, of course, himself.

Valencio was escorted home by Ronny and Jorg, who pointed out that the Cossack was not the only predator in the jungle, and besides, they were paid for the rest of the week. Peter waited patiently outside his door, ignored the hostility of Jorg and Ronny, and suggested that he could spend the night at his place for a change.

Valencio shook his head, and said, "You're not even allowed in. This was Tasha's place."

Peter accepted the rebuff, and suggested, "My place then?"

Valencio agreed, only collecting a few items of clothing.

xchapter endsx