Chapter 6

Alex and Severus hadn't spoken more than two words together to each other in three days, since they had kissed.

Both boys had talked to Lily separately about their problem.

"Oh Merlin, help me! I've fallen in love with him, Lily." Severus groaned, hitting his head against the table as Lily giggled at his dramatics. "I've fallen in love with him and I kissed him! I don't know which is worse! He hasn't spoken to me since. Oh Merlin! What have I done? He doesn't even like me that way."

"How do you know that? Have you tried speaking to him? Well?" She questioned, already knowing the answer.

Severus didn't answer. He just glared at the girl. Lily glared back at him, unimpressed.

"Oh Lily, I think I've blown it. He kissed me and I kissed him back. He's been avoiding me ever since. What have I done? He doesn't even like me that way." Alex confessed to his future-mother.

Lily struggled not to laugh. 'Honestly!' They were so similar. Both so smart and powerful yet terrified of rejection.

"Have you tried talking to him instead?" She asked and received a shake of the head in response.

"I have an idea. Meet me at the Room in an hour and I'll tell you. I just need to get something first. Ok?"

"Ok. Thanks, Lily."

An hour later Alex was waiting in the Room of Requirement when the door opened and Severus Snape walked in. He took one look at Alex and spun around for the exit. The door was locked. Lily was forcing them to confront each other.

"Meddling Gryffindors." Severus grumbled.

He sat down in the other chair the Room had provided and the two boys proceeded to ignore each other by examining the now quite small room. It was decorated comfortably with the large chairs both boys favoured. A fire blazed on one wall close to where they were sitting.

After half and hour Alex couldn't stand the silence anymore. "Why?" He asked softly.

"Why what?" Severus replied innocently. He had an idea of what Alex was asking but he wanted to see if Alex would actually say it.

"Why did you kiss me? Alex elaborated.

He stared at Alex. The other boy didn't seem angry just curious. Maybe there was a chance for him. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath Severus decided to put his heart on the line and tell the truth. "Because I love you." He whispered.

Alex heard and his breath caught in his chest. 'He loves me?' He sat in silence for a second trying to digest the information that his love was requited.

Severus took his silence as rejection and began to get up. Before he was on his feet he found his arms full of Alex who kissed him passionately. Severus kissed him back quickly. They duelled for dominance for a while before Harry led Severus lead, content to follow.

The need for oxygen forced them to part minutes later. They rested their foreheads together as they caught their breath.

'That was the best kiss of my life.' Severus thought happily.

"Same here, although it was really only my second. My first was the other night." Alex replied out loud.

"Alex, I didn't say that. I thought it." Severus said shocked.

'He thought it? Oh Merlin, this is weird even by my standards.' Alex thought frantically.

"What are your standards?" Severus asked curiously. He didn't really know anything about Alex's past. Just that his parents had died when he was very young and he had been raised by relatives that didn't really like him. Something about how wary and cautious he was caused him to think that there might be a war going on, probably caused by Voldemort, but he didn't dare to ask. Alex just shook his head dismissively. Severus suddenly remembered something, "You know I think I've heard of something like this but I've always thought it was a myth."

"What?"

"Well, there is a myth that when soulmates fall in love and kiss it creates a bond between them. Now this bond might develop over time slowly or quickly depending on how close and powerful they pair was. There are three parts to this supposed bond. A mental connection, they were rumoured to be able to communicate telepathically, which we seem to be experiencing. A physical connection, they can always tell where the other person is, feel any extreme emotions the other is feeling and if the pair are very strong it is said that they could actually feel what the other feels. The last part is a magical connection; their magic combines resulting in a great power increase. There are also tales about a longer lifespan and advanced healing." Severus recited.

"Is it possible that the myth is true after all many myths do have a basis in truth? Could we be soulmates?" Alex asked gently.

"It's been so long since there was a soulmate couple it is only a legend now. I don't know. Imagine if we are. We'll test out the other parts later and if we develop them then we will know won't we." He said as he bent his head slightly to recapture Alex's lips with his own.

Somehow Severus ended sat back down on the chair with Alex on his lap. Their kisses grew more passionate and as their tongues duelled Alex undid his lover's robes and began to push them down. As he moved them down his arms Severus broke out of his passion-riddled stupor and broke away, clutching his left sleeve tightly to his arm.

"What's wrong, Severus?" Alex asked, worried that he'd hurt his love. He looked at in concern and saw that he was holding his sleeve over his left forearm. Suddenly he understood.

"Already? When? Why?" He asked sadly as he pulled the robe out of his grasp and down to reveal the Dark Mark branded into his love's smooth, pale skin.

"You already know?" Severus gasped. He had tried to hide his arm every time they had changed in the same room to prevent Alex from seeing the horrible cursed mark. He knew Alex's views on Voldemort and knew that he would hate him if he knew that he was a Death Eater.

"I told you I know you in the future. When and why?" His love explained.

"Last summer, Potter and Black had humiliated me in front of the entire school. I was so depressed I'd have done anything if it would give me a place to fit in. I went home a week later and my father told he that he had mentioned my Potions skills to a very powerful wizard and that he wanted to meet me. I thought it would make my father proud so I got the Dark Mark. I thought I'd finally found somewhere I fit in but I hadn't. The Death Eater's kill, rape and torture innocent people. Voldemort is a monster but I am bound to him and there is no escape other than death. Do you hate me now? I know what you think of Voldemort and I'm one of his servants." Severus told him with tears in his eyes. He could not bear to loose his love, not just after he had found him and if it was true. That they were soulmates then the parting might be enough to kill them.

"I could never hate you. I love you, Severus." Alex confessed and kissed him softly.

"Do you enjoy it?" He asked the other boy.

"No, of course not." He replied instantly.

"Do you act as though you do during the meetings?"

"Yes, if Voldemort found out how I really felt I would be killed. But I have only been to a couple of meetings and I mainly brew potions for him."

"Would you consider spying for the Light?" Alex asked seriously.

Severus looked at him; if he were caught he would be killed. But he loved Alex too much to force him into the life of the Death Eaters. Voldemort had demanded one of his follower's wives for feudal rights last month. Severus had been sickened. He could not simply stand by and watch innocent people be raped and murdered. "Yes." He said simply. "But there is something I must tell you. Voldemort is aware of your presence here. He questioned us about you and Malfoy told him that you and I were close. I have been ordered to find out where your loyalties lie and bring you to him but I refuse to do that." He stated.

"Severus you can't do that. He'll only torture you if you don't bring me. I won't let that happen if I can stop it." Alex protested.

Severus pleaded with Alex but the other boy refused to listen. He was determined, "I will not take the Mark, Severus. Be sure of that there is no way I will allow that bastard to mark me but if we tell him that we are involved then he might allow me to attend the meetings with you. That way I will be able to help you as much as possible. I'll start teaching you Occlumency."

The next time Severus was called by Voldemort he took Alex with him despite his misgivings. Alex kept close to Severus as the Death Eaters formed a circle around them and Voldemort. Reptilian eyes assessed the green-eyed teenager in front of him. Alex met the dark wizard's gaze unflinchingly. Voldemort was inwardly impressed; not many could look him in the eye and even less without fear.

"When are you from?" He questioned.

"The past." Alex lied using Occlumency to shield his thoughts.

"Who are your parents?" Voldemort demanded to know.

"I don't know." He lied again.

Severus, who had resumed his position among the Death Eaters, was amazed at Alex's answers. Not only did he not appear to be afraid of the man but was lying to him and being vague while he did it. It was unheard of. 'Who in Merlin's name is he?' He wondered.

"What is your opinion on muggles and muggleborns?" Voldemort finished.

Alex simply answered, "I am of the same opinion as Salazar Slytherin." Alex had found a portrait of the Founder in the dungeons and had spoken to him. Salazar had been shocked to find that the world thought that he wanted to kill all muggleborns and muggles. He only wanted muggleborns to have their own school so that they could be taught all the wizarding traditions that the pure bloods already knew.

Voldemort was delighted. The teenager had spirit and was intelligent. He also seemed to be very powerful. Although he would need to be taught the proper way to address his Lord. 'Quite beautiful too. This one I will not mark. He will be my consort once he leaves Hogwarts. He will have no need to return to his own time. I see that Snape is attached to the boy. Oh well he can have his fun while they are at school, he can learn how to please me but then Snape will turn him over to me.' Voldemort decided.

Alex had been using Legitimacy on the dark lord and was hard pressed not t throw up at what he read in the wizard's mind. He fought to keep his expression neutral and not reveal his revulsion. How he wanted to kill the monster then and there. But no. It would change everything.

Voldemort revealed nothing of his plans for Alex and allowed the teen to join the circle next to Severus. Only Severus could see the way his friend was shaking uncontrollably although he mistook it for fear rather than anger. 'How dare he presume that I would agree to be his consort? Egotistical megalomaniac!' Alex had carefully kept his magic dampened so that Voldemort did not perceive him as a threat but now he could feel it pulsing around him, aching to attack the monster in front of him.

Just before they were dismissed Lucius Malfoy implied that he would like Alex as a reward for all the new recruits he had brought that year and Voldemort's possessive nature took hold. The impertinent blond found himself on the receiving end of Cruciatus. When it was removed Voldemort reminded his follower, "You will be rewarded Malfoy but it is not up to you to choose your prize. I have plans for Frost already."

Malfoy nodded in acknowledgement and apologised profusely.

Once Alex and Severus were back in their dorm Alex finally lost control of his magic and blew up his bed.

Severus stared at the irate wizard in shock, "Alex are you alright?"

"Being in his presence sickens me. I can't believe him! Consort indeed!" Alex raged, mostly to himself.

"Consort?" Was Severus's confused reply.

"I am able Legilimens. I heard him planning to make me his consort once I leave Hogwarts. I would rather die than let that murderer touch me." Alex spat angrily. "He knows that we are more than friends and has magnanimously decided that you can have me until the school year ends, so that you can teach me how to pleasure a man, before he will claim!"

Severus's mouth gaped open. Voldemort wanted Alex as his consort? Once he composed himself he reassured Alex, "We still have the rest of the year to come up with something. I won't give you up don't worry Alex. Besides who knows how long you'll be here for. You might be gone by then. We will work something out." He walked over to the shorter boy and wrapped his arms around him. Alex leant back into the embrace and wandlessly repaired his smoking bed. He turned around and kissed his boyfriend desperately.

They slept in the same bed that night as Alex refused to let go of Severus even in sleep. Severus gazed at the sleeping boy in his arms, 'No, I'll never let you go. You're mine he can't have you.'