Lucius walked slowly beside Severus, keeping a wary eye on his exhausted and stumbling friend.
"There has been no change?" he asked anxiously.
"None," Severus muttered.
"How long can this last?"
"Evidently until he is with child. I've stopped even letting myself think about it."
"The research team has found nothing? There is no way to prevent this?"
"None."
"You cannot brew a potion to trick his body into thinking it is pregnant and ending this mating cycle?"
"With what time, Lucius? With what bloody time am I supposed to research, design and experiment with a completely new fucking potion?" Severus swayed dangerously as his anger spent itself.
Lucius grabbed his friend's elbow as he started to lose his balance. "Calm down, Severus. You know I meant no harm by my suggestion. I've never been able to understand potions. I know that your work is difficult, but I have no idea what goes into creating potions. I meant no offense. What will you do?"
Severus sighed and leaned heavily against the wall. He scrubbed his face roughly with his hands. "They have started focusing on countering the charm that I placed on myself to prevent this very situation from happening."
"When did you cast it?"
"Wednesday last."
"Merlin," Lucius whispered. "Eight more days?"
"Yes. Hence their work to reverse it."
"How far have they gotten?"
"Close. They asked me to return this evening."
"Is it safe to leave him like that?"
"No. I have been using the time-turner our Lord provided me."
"I fear that you have already overused it. You are falling apart, Severus."
"What else can I do? I am barely keeping him under control. The brief respite I had during that first meeting was the last time I have been apart from him without a doppelganger present. He becomes uncontrollably violent when I am out of sight for more than a brief moment."
Lucius and Severus started making their way toward the Prince's private rooms once more. The halls were strangely empty. Dorian had started reacting violently to the mere hint of the presence of anyone of breeding age and ability. Unfortunately, this was the vast majority of the Death Eaters, as few were so old as to be incapable of sexual intercourse, and none were too young for it either.
The research team was sequestered in the far reaches of the manor, and no one was allowed within the walls of the manor who did not have a specific need to be present. Voldemort had sent the majority of the Death Eaters on long term missions after they realized what was happening. The first of the reports on these missions was due back in another week though, and time was running out until the soldiers realize how completely incapacitated their Prince was right now.
The chosen few who were fully aware of the situation were all Elite, and they were all working furiously to prevent the truth of the situation from emerging. Right now, the common soldiers were aware that their leader was in a mating season of sorts. Other than that, they had no idea what this was doing to him.
"I shall take our report to our Lord," Lucius said quietly as they approached the next turn. He didn't dare enter the next hall. It would put him entirely too close to the isolated rooms that the Prince was locked into.
"Thank you, Lucius. Perhaps they will have the countercharm complete by this evening."
"Even after they perform it though, your work will not be complete," Lucius said gently.
"Yes, but the end will be near. With any luck, the brat will get pregnant on the first try. We believe that simply having the charm countered should calm him greatly. He hasn't yet figured out why he's not getting pregnant yet, but he might do soon, and we can't risk his fury."
"You think that his current rage is due to a subconscious realization that you have done something that is preventing him from becoming pregnant?"
"Perhaps. We are all blind in this, Lucius. I honestly have no idea. The only time that he is calm though is when we are fucking."
Lucius nodded, deep in thought. "I will forward this information to our Lord as well. This is where I leave you," he said, gesturing to the turn in front of them.
Severus nodded his understanding and walked slowly down the hall. What he needed more than anything was to sleep uninterrupted for as long as humanly possible. He was able to take naps by using the time turner, but it really just made it worse. By using the time turner he was doubling the wear on his body and still only gaining a few hours of rest.
Unfortunately, there was no other option. The research team needed him, both to assist in thinking of solutions as well as to give testimony as to what exactly was happening behind the closed and warded doors. The last time anyone had seen the Prince aside from him had been the ill-advised meeting when Lord Voldemort, Remus and Lucius had entered the rooms in search of an answer for what exactly had happened at the party.
Since that day, no one had been able to get that close to the Prince without him flying into a rage.
It was a nightmare.
Severus stopped in the outer chamber and stripped out of his robe. He banished it to the house elves' cleaning chambers. Shivering in the chill, he began an intense round of cleaning and purifying charms, seeking to rid himself of any trace of scent from another human being that he could possibly be carrying.
If he managed to rid himself of it all, Dorian would still scent him carefully, and then rub himself all over his Master, seeking to cover him in his scent.
If he did not manage to rid himself of the scents, as he had not done the first time, then Dorian would go on a rampage, ultimately only calming down when Severus managed to get his attention via a very heavy handed paddling.
The door to the outer chamber opened slowly, and Severus looked up, surprised as always to see his doppleganger. He nodded to himself, and then stepped through the door that his other self held open for him.
Dorian lay on his stomach on the bed, purring contentedly. "Thank you Master," he said, stretching luxuriously.
Severus nodded. He had no idea what his future self had done to please Dorian so much, but whatever it was he was thrilled. Hopefully it would keep Dorian content for a few hours.
He settled down in one of the armchairs in front of the fire and reached for a book. He hadn't managed to focus on anything aside from this breeding mess for entirely too long.
Severus nearly jumped when he felt Dorian kneel down next to him, but calmed when he simply felt Dorian's curls brush against his outer thigh as he rested his head. Severus pet him gently. "You have been a good pet today," he said quietly.
Dorian wriggled for a moment, pleased with the compliment. The hand stilled, and he immediately sat still again. Severus resumed his petting.
Severus scanned the large chamber slowly, trying to determine what exactly his other self had done during the last three hours that had calmed Dorian down so much. He caught sight of a multitude of toys, but most of those had been out since day one.
He ran his fingers absently through his pet's messy curls as he contemplated the matter. He nearly jumped when it hit him.
Paddling.
When Dorian needed help reigning in his allure, the easiest way to do that was to push him to the breaking point without allowing him to achieve orgasm. Clearly his other self had remembered this as well, and they had just finished an intense three-hour long session.
He had never managed to push Dorian for more than two hours. Evidently that additional time had done some good though. This was the most human that his pet had managed to act since Saturday.
Severus glanced over at the toys once more, and noticed that the heaviest paddle was prominently displayed on top of the sheets, as well as some other of his favorite toys. He shook his head. Appalling that it had taken this long to think of it, really. His mind must be truly damaged from the stress of using the time turner.
"Would you like to visit with your sister or your godfather?" Severus asked quietly.
Dorian thought about the offer for a moment. "Where is Ginevra?"
"She has been removed to separate rooms a few halls away."
"Why?"
"We thought it safer, for the moment. She will return to her connecting rooms soon. Shall I have her fetched?"
Dorian started to nod and then paused. "If you wish it," he said cautiously.
"I believe that a visit with your sister is just the thing," Severus replied. He set his still-unread book back down on the table and stood to summon a house elf. A whispered conversation later and he returned to the fire where Dorian had remained kneeling. "Perhaps you should put on some trousers," he said, the order evident in his voice.
Dorian shifted irritably, but he nodded and walked over to the open wardrobe. He pulled down a pair of gray trousers and slid them on, zipping them over his hips but not buttoning them. He turned to his Master for approval.
Severus nodded, internally thrilled. This was certainly an advancement. Not only did Dorian want to see someone aside from his mate, but he had also been willing to put on clothes. He had no idea how long this mood would last for, but he was grateful for the reprieve however long it lasted. If his luck held out, perhaps it would last long enough for him to slip away and have the countercharm cast on him, to undo the contraceptive charms he always cast on himself.
He scribbled a barely legible note to Ginevra and gave it to a house elf before setting into his chair again. He smiled softly when he felt Dorian lean comfortably against his thigh again. If he closed his eyes, he could almost imagine that this whole mess was over, and that his pet was still his finely trained sub that he had always been.
A soft tap on the door presaged Ginevra's arrival.
Dorian's tossled head shot up at the noise, but no sign of aggression was present.
"Enter," Severus called out.
Ginevra entered slowly, clearly wary of moving too quickly. She, of all people, knew how lethal her brother could be when threatened. "Good evening, brother," she said quietly.
"Evening," he said back, smiling at her lazily. "When are you going to move back over here?"
Ginevra looked at Severus, the question clear in her eyes. He shook his head. "Your Master will know when it is safe for me to move back," she said gently.
Dorian scowled.
"You know he knows best, Ian," she reminded him.
He nodded slowly.
"Have you been good for Master Severus?" she asked.
"Very good," he purred back, before blinking twice. "I think. I don't really remember much before this last time. It was glorious though. I was a very good pet," he said happily.
"I've missed you," Ginevra said reaching for him before quickly aborting her attempt to hug him. She couldn't stand this distance that had come between them of necessity since her brother had entered into a mating season.
Dorian reached out a hand and grabbed her slim hand, holding it tightly. "I've missed you too. Have you heard any news from the blood traitors?"
"Some. Bella seems to think that Bill and Charlie might come to our side. When she pointed it out to me, it made sense. Both of them moved so far away so quickly after graduating. Clearly they wanted to separate themselves from the other traitors and from Dumbledore."
Dorian nodded. "I hadn't thought of that. You may be right. What are we going to do to determine their true allegiance?"
"Nothing, for now. We have too many other concerns to focus on."
"Ah yes…our shop," Dorian said with a sigh. "Seems like a wretched idea. So far away…"
"You're just saying that because it will keep you from me," Severus said gently. "You'll feel better about the idea once I am away at Hogwarts. It is the closest you can safely get to me during the school year."
Dorian muttered something incoherent and burrowed more deeply into Severus' side.
A house elf appeared in front of the group, holding out a wrinkled note. "For master Severus," the elf squeeked, before disappearing.
Severus unfolded the note carefully, his eyes scanning the note too quickly to comprehend. He took a deep breath and reread it a second time, a weak smile appearing on his face.
"Good news, Master?" Dorian asked.
"You could say that."
"It is finished?" Ginevra asked eagerly.
"Yes. Evidently there was a major breakthrough just after I left."
"I should leave," Ginevra said, standing to go. "You'll be coming as well for a moment, won't you Severus."
Dorian growled softly.
"Just for a moment, pet," Severus assured him, kissing the top of his head. "I will be back before you know it. Remain where you are."
Dorian continued to growl but remained on his knees beside his Master's empty chair, as ordered.
"Quickly now," Severus whispered to Ginevra as the two hurried from the room. "We need to get to the Elite, perform the charm and get back to him."
"He seemed much improved this afternoon," Ginevra said as they nearly ran through the halls.
"I know. I used…will use the time turned immediately after we perform the charm to go back four hours."
"Go back…" she drifted off. "He's already pregnant?" she asked, a grin breaking out on her tired face.
"I am nearly certain of it," Severus said with grim certainty.