A/N: OMG! It has been ages since I updated this story and for that I am truly sorry. I have struggled with this chapter for weeks. My plot bunnies wanted to run in one direction and I in another. In the end I listened to them…they knew what they were talking about.
Also, I'm probably going to go back a rework somethings in previous chapters. I've been doing that with some of my other stories (Just a Kiss, Wicked Week, Eye of the Beholder) and tweaking them. No massive plot changes will occur, just fixing things that I wasn't 100% happy with.
Anyway…
A massive mega thank you to everyone who has Alert'd, Fav'd, and reviewed this little diddy. Seriously thank you. Hopefully it won't take me so long to update again. Muse and I owe you all a million cookies.
In this chapter...well...I have the feelings that you all are totally going to hate me. I'm sorry.
Hope you like it!
~Belladonna~
Warnings: As you know this baby is a bit bloody and the like. Well…this chapter is more so. If you are easily squwicked…I'm sorry. You are really going to hate me this chapter.
Into the Darkness I Go
Chapter Five: Love is a Losing Game
The slick sensation of liquid against flesh was the first thing that registered before a wave of cold broke over his abused body. Slowly jogging the fog from his addled mind, the Potions Master tried to catalogue his sensory intake. More than likely, judging by the dampness and chill, he was in a basement or other subterranean structure. The pain, so far, was not anything more than he had experienced under the hands of the Dark Lord. He was just cold, wet, and mildly banged up. If Merlin be merciful, it would not increase beyond this level, but the former Death Eater knew that mercy was not a thing to be found in this place, wherever it was.
Cautiously, Severus opened his eyes. Tourmaline hued irises scanned the room through paper-thin slits.
"Ah…finally decided to join the land of the living Professor. Levicorpus. Mobilicorpus. "
The feeling of weightlessness made his skin tingle with vulnerability. Pain he could take, could process and withstand. Restriction of all movement made him feel helpless, which was not a position a proud man like himself could stomach easily. His captor lazily maneuvered him closer, bringing their faces within half a metre of each other. Once stilled his former pupil contorted his body into a mockery of a bow before depositing Severus onto the chill metallic table upon which he had previously been lounging.
"Catenius."
Heavy iron shackles shot from the underside of the table and restrained his arms and legs.
"I'm so glad you wish to grace me with your presence sir," Ron sneered. " I am ever so grateful."
The waves of malicious intent and blinding hatred oozed like rotten juices from spoiled smashed fruit off the black clad form of Ronald Bilius Weasley. A worm of fear he had kept so carefully contained began to wriggle inside his belly as he beheld the glimmer of insanity in the man's cobalt blue stare. This was not a man who could or would grasp the tender tendrils of reason.
"I suppose you must wonder 'what am I doing here'? Don't you?"
Silence hovered, heavy and thick before an eerily soft 'Crucio' filled the air. A blood-curdling shriek was savagely cleaved from the older man. Severus couldn't have withheld the scream, even if he had wished to. Never in all his life had he felt such pain, not even from The Dark Lord. The depths of Ron's hate seemed limitless. Severus's body twitched, convulsed uncontrollably even after the spell had been terminated.
"When I ask you a question I expect it to be answered. Do we understand one another?" The man asked, mirth dripping from his voice.
"Yes," Severus wheezed.
"Brilliant," Ron said cheerfully before once more casting the Unforgivable.
It was quite possible no human had ever made such horrifyingly tortured sounds. Severus felt as if his heart would explode at any moment, as if his skin was flayed and set aflame with liquid magma, and for one brief moment he longed for death's sweet embrace as the spell went on and on.
Harry…Harry.
He clung to that name, to that thought like a drowning man. He must stay alive for Harry. He couldn't leave him, no matter what pain he suffered. The world's edges softened and crumbled like old paper as the older man slid slowly into unconsciousness.
"Finite Incantatem."
Baby soft fingers dug like claws into the flesh of his face, forcing him to open his eyes.
"Now, now, now Professor…we can't have you passing out, can we?"
"No." The word escaped with a barely audible whisper.
"No. That's quite right. You can't pass out now, not when we have the pretty little muggle device to play with. I want you to be awake when we make this little piece of entertainment for our dear Harry."
For the first time, Severus noticed the tripod and camera neatly assembled next to a table lined with glistening blades. The former third member of the "Golden Trio" calmly removed a remote from his pants pocket and pressed the tiny record button. The camera whirred to life.
"Hello Harry. By now you must know it was me. I hope you don't mind if I borrowed him mate, I just really wanted to have some quality time with your….husband," Ron spat the last word out as if merely speaking it would poison him.
"That being the case, I thought it only fair to figure out what makes him so special, what makes him tick….for a lark. You know the dungeon bat and I have never gotten along…but maybe after you witness our bonding for yourself you'll see how different things are now.
And Oh…I wanted to leave you with a memento of sorts. Think of it as a belated wedding or anniversary gift. I acquired this piece to document the event—for posterity and the like, hence the muggle camera. I know. Didn't think I had words like 'hence' in my vocabulary, but I suppose Hermione's influence finally worked. Do you think she'd be pleased to hear it?"
A small malevolent smile grew at a painfully slow rate as he lovingly fingered the row of silver blades. The young wizard casually gestured to the table filled with archaic torture equipment while continuing to levitate the camera, causing it to follow him like a ghostly film crew.
"It seems my panache for muggle devices and toys must be inherited. Like father like son I suppose. "
The pale, freckled hand danced and flitted from blade to blade until settling on a Kartika. "Yes, I believe that will do nicely," he muttered to himself before gliding back to Severus's side.
"Harry…Harry," he began once again directing his words to the camera.
Methodically, Ron slid the knife's sharp edge under the buttons on Severus's frock coast, popping them off. An unwelcome image of decapitated heads came to mind as Severus watched the shining metal roll down his frame and land on the cold stone floor.
"I thought about doing this with magic, but the idea of getting my hands dirty had a greater appeal. I learned that from you."
He peeled back the layers of clothing on Severus's torso exposing his pale torso as he continued to speak. "I had never known violence till I met you. Before we met, I lived a good and happy life. Yes, there was always the threat of You-Know-Who, but still, I was happy. I had my family, my brothers and sister. I had love and comfort. Things were simple and I liked that. "
With almost loving care, the youngest Weasley boy carved into the skin around one pale nipple, down the left side of his chest, ending just above his navel. "Hmm…I do rather enjoy watching you bleed Professor," he said calmly before creating a mirrored wound on his right side.
"Do you know what type of blade this is sir?"
"No."
"How astounding. I know something that you do not. Since you do not know, I must inform you. Hermione was always better at giving informational lectures, but I shall do my best."
Ron held the bloodied blade up to his face. " This is a Kartika. It was used in Tibetan rituals. It's quite handy since it's construction combines the cutting and scraping aspects of a flaying knife with the ability to pierce flesh like a dagger or pulling hook would. It's truly one of my favorite pieces."
Demonstrating his considerable skill, Ron nimbly cut the flesh from Sev's left side. The pain was immense and a low grunt escaped his lips. Blood soaked fingers held the sliver that had once been connected to his body.
Ron turned back to the camera, absently playing with his trophy of skin.
"My dear Harry, I didn't know the metallic taste of blood or how fast a man could die when you plunged a knife into his chest. I wasn't intimately familiar with the stench of burnt hair and flesh was like, but you taught me. You showed me. You made me, just as much as Dumbledore made you."
A manic laugh filled the air and Ron plopped ungracefully down on the edge of the long steel table. "Oh yes Harry, you made me. I never would have found my calling in life had I never met you, loved you. I'm oh so good at torturing. Thank you for teaching me."
Ron skimmed the knife down Severus's inner thigh before sinking the metal tip into his pant-covered skin. It shouldn't have been able to do so. His pants were dragonhide. "Ah yes…did I fail to mention that I spelled the blade to cut through anything? I should have done so. My apologizes," he said before removing the blade and slowly cutting the fabric away from his long legs.
"I loved you Harry. I know you knew. I think you knew even before I realized it myself. Always had loved you and I hadn't figured it out yet. But you chose him. HIM." Ron emphasized the word with another stab to his thigh.
"The man who made you life miserable for years, years. I had always been there for you, cared for you, brought you into my family. But him…he was just the snarky son of a bitch who hated you and your family, got them killed if my information is correct. Is it correct Professor?"
Severus didn't want to answer. He had never told Harry his roll in the death of his parents. He had always suspected that his husband knew, he was too powerful and their bond too great for him not too. But…on the chance that he hadn't known, this wasn't the way he wanted to reveal it.
"Snape, I asked you a question. Did you cause the deaths of James and Lily Potter?"
Ron waited a few more seconds then wordlessly cast Cruicatus to loosen his tongue. "What did we discuss earlier sir? When I ask you a question, you answer it. I thought a man as intelligent as you would have realized I meant what I said. We have so much to do tonight and I'd really rather your heart not explode as I cast this," the red-head steadily spoke over Severus's wounded cries.
Suddenly the spell ended.
"Oh...I'm sorry I also forgot to mention I can do wordless and wandless magic. Not as weak as everyone thought I was, am I? I know it's a shock. I am actually good at something other than chess, strategy, and losing my temper. Now," Ron brought his lips within kissing distance to his mouth," answer my question."
"Yes," Severus answered quietly.
"And this is what you chose to marry. Pathetic. So he saved you, but got rid of your parents. He is the man who is responsible for all of your misery and you just give it up to him? One good shag and you were all over him like a puppy, a bitch in heat. Disgusting. I was always there. I was your friend from the first. It should have been me by your side—not him."
"When I found out what you're family had done to you, I wanted to hunt them down and make them suffer unspeakably. I joined you, followed you. I wanted to be near you, to help your cause, to help you, but that didn't matter to obviously. I didn't matter. The only thing that matters to you now is him. Fucking him, marrying him! Look at this face!"
Strong fingers held Severus' face in a vice grip. "He's fucking hideous. Why you can even stand to let his mangy potions stained fingers touch you is beyond me, but you do let him and you beg him to do it. Merlin only knows where those fingers have been. Let me guess…in your mouth? Stroking your cock? Stretching your ass? Mapping the exquisite plans of your body. Fouling the perfection that is you. You've only ever wanted him. Only him, never me." On the last word Ron gave a swift and powerful slice to Severus' already aching torso. A large section of his chest was gaping open like a hideous parody of a mouth.
"I realize now that to get what I want, I would just have to get rid of him. If he wasn't there….well you may never love me, but at least you won't have him. Lose-Lose for all."
Severus had been a follower of the Dark Lord, nothing much scared him any longer, but the light in Ronald Weasley's eyes did so. He was going to die here. He longer doubted that fact. If Harry hadn't found him by now, he wasn't going to.
I love you, Harry. I never said it enough.
"I don't really know if I'll play with him a bit, mangle him up, or kill him out right. Hmmm…maybe I should just kill you. What do you think Snape?"
"You'll do whatever you want, regardless of what I say Weasley," Severus coldly retorted, valiantly maintaining his dignity in the face of certain death.
A broad smile stretched his freckled face. " Yes, that's too true, too true. You'd like it to be over, quick and painless, but no. No, no, no. You have already had just a small taste of the fun we are going to have. Death? That would just be too easy. No, I have planned something special."
Ron turned back to the camera. "No, he won't die...possibly. It really depends on you Harry, if you find him in time. But even if he lives, my present will be a reminder of me. Even if you manage to kill me, you'll always remember me as you should. I know you used my love against me. I'm only returning the favor."
The jovial boy from years ago was gone for all time and in his place stood a madman.
With a push of a button he turned off the camera.
Harry finally found the location. It had taken him longer to track Sev's magical signature than he had thought it would. Someone powerful must have put up a dampening spell around the small house. Someone who knew of their connection, knew of his ability to track Sev through his magic.
'Ron' the Darkness whispered.
Barely controlled rage churned within him as he stormed the house. He ripped the door off the frame and flung it away as if it were a scrap of paper. The absence of light that filled the house intensified the ominous atmosphere of the place, deepening the pit in his gut. Turning to his right, Harry spotted a sliver or white shining from behind a door. He cautiously approached the door and turned the knob. The source of the light was coming from the telly, which had been left on, frame frozen on Ron's face. Harry walked over and pushed the button on the player.
Hello Harry.. I just wanted to make sure that you got my little presents first before you set off to 'save' the dungeon bat. The first gift is this tape. I recorded everything Snape and I got into mate.
I thought you could play it for your wedding anniversary each year. It's packed with hours of fun-filled action. I worked ever so hard on it, so I do hope you watch it. The second gift…Well, I don't want to spoil the surprise.
Present is on the nightstand.
Ta.
The screen went blank.
Harry looked over at the nightstand and spotted the 'present' quietly sitting there. The black cube was tied with a blood red ribbon with a crisp white note attached it.
He growled at the taunting message.
I hope you like my little presents. If you're looking for the Professor, he's in the basement.
Love, Ron
He lifted the lid.
For a moment the sight meant nothing, didn't register. It was just a jumble of blood and flesh, nothing discernable, but slowly the pieces began to form a picture, a horrific picture.
Harry's hands began to tremor. It was too unbelievable.
"No."
The longer he stared, the clearer the picture became. The Bits and pieces and blood connected like a puzzle and he knew what it was.
"No. Oh…oh no," Harry whimpered.
He hadn't felt this helpless since that horrific night at Dudley's hands. The frantic beating of his heart was the only sound he heard. Bile, bitter and burning, crawled up his throat.
Ron had castrated his husband.
Harry had thought he had understood hate. He felt it towards Dumbledore for betraying him, for using him. He had hated Voldemort for killing his parents. He had hated Petunia, Vernon, and Dudley for the horrors of his childhood and adolescence, but none of that compared to what he felt now for his former best friend. There were no words to describe it.
With wild eyes Harry abruptly stood. He had to find his husband.
"SEV," The-Boy-Who-Lived screamed.
This night must be a horrific dream, a nightmare of the first order. It couldn't happen to his Sev. They were owed some happiness. It couldn't be real, not after everything they had gone through, not after they had ruthlessly carved and reshaped the world to accommodate their happiness.
Maybe the world didn't liked being carved and molded and has finally retaliated for your crimes against it, whispered a voice.
"Sev! Sev, I'm coming. Sev, I'm coming," Harry whispered frantically as he stumbled down the stairs. The room's mausoleum-like atmosphere sent a pulse of foreboding down his spine. Clearing the steps, Harry spotted Severus lying deathly pale, drenched head to foot in blood, on the cold-metallic table.
"Sev I'm here. I'm here," Harry brokenly cried as he ran towards his husbands still form. The battered, bloody chest barely rose with breath. He knew that if he did not act quickly, Severus would die here on this table, in this house of horrors, and he would not have that. Swiftly cradling the limp body into his arms, Harry Apperated them to safety, praying all the while that his love would make it through the night.
If not…..
To Be Continued…