No Other Cure

by Silent Cure

A picture ruins Malfoy's life. But what happens when a certain raven begins to develop feelings for him? What if those feelings become action? And what happens when Malfoy becomes deathly ill and Snape finds himself facing charges? DMSS. NC17

8. Suspicion And Christmas

† No other Cure †

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They belong to the author.

Pairings: Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy

Rating: M for sex scenes and language. This is a MM, meaning a man having sex with another man. If you don't like, don't read.

Genre: Romance/Angst

Theme: Harry Potter

Chapter VIII: Suspicion And Christmas

Christmas day was close at hand. The ground was covered in a light blanket of white, making the world a white canvas of mother nature. Three days before Winter break was to start found Malfoy bundled up like a hot-dog in a bun, outside, sitting on a rock in the middle of a fenced in area, Severus leaning against a tree near by, their breath making smoke in the crist cold air. Severus was so bored with watching Malfoy sit and stare at the Dright, so much so that he would have had more fun on a date with Sirius Black... Malfoy was intently watching the equines every move, most of his black side had become shades of grey and white by now, making Malfoy very happy. He was head to toe in clothes. He had on two heavy jackets, ear muffs, mittens, a wool hat, a scarf, fuzzy socks and heavy thick shoes while Snape was in a black long coat, gloves and a black scarf. They stayed out there for alittle while longer, Malfoy had already ridden the equine today and they were just wrapping up.

After a few more minutes Malfoy finally walked back indoors with a frozen Snape as they made their way down to the lower dungeons to Snape's room, walking in happily as Severus made them both red rose tea, removing his jacket and scarf and gloves as Malfoy struggled to remove his clothes untill he was finally in his regular robes once more. He sat down comfortably next to Severus, sipping at his tea. "...Christmas breaks coming up..." said Malfoy quietly, making Severus strain to hear before looking down at him. "Yeah, it'll be nice for me, not to have to worry about teaching for awhile" he said contently, dipping his tea with a pleased look on his face, before looking at the slight sadness on Draco's face. "What's wrong?" he asked, tipping his head. Draco sighed and sank down onto Sev's body more. "Father will probably want me to go home... Hey... you're his friend can you send him a letter saying i'm too sick to go home or something?" he asked with hopeful eyes, making Severus sigh and think. "We'll see..."in truth Sev felt he was anything but friends with Lusious Malfoy... anything but. No, even remembering what Lusious had done to him hurt him so dee[ he looked out of it and finally returned his focus back to the boy. "I'll see what Dumbledore thinks of your proposal." he said with a small smile, kissing the boy's cheek lightly, his eyes dancing. They had had several acts of sexual related activity but had yet to actually have sex, but that was ok with Severus, he wanted to let Malfoy decide when they were to do it, because he was the one that needed to make the choice, though they had taken turns almost every night to play with one another and suck each other but it never went farther then sucking and a few fingures in Draco's ass which he had grown very used too and very happy about. Last night they had skiped it though because Severus had been feeling very tired from having several students do detention.

Severus glanced at his old clock, he only had thirty minutes about till he had to go start his lessons to teach, at which time Draco was to go see Dumbledore anyway for some tutoring since that way if he began to feel ill he could just curl up and sleep if he chose. Fawne let out a squel from his perch on the window sill, cocking his head at them which prompted Sev to yawn and down the rest of his tea. "Well, shall we go to the dinner hall and see what we can eat before we start classes?" he asked with a light smile. Malfoy nodded and finished the brown liquid in his cup as well, standing up and straightening his hair to get ready to go.

The day was dull, boring to be precise, Severus gave lecture after lecture to students and Harry Potter and Ron Weasly were not his cup of tea and he was about to hit them with a book when the bell rang for dismissal, though he did keep them both for detention and made them clean up the cauldrons. This was mostly due to the back talk he got from Potter when he was descriing a potion to the class. The boy didn't seem to learn and soon Weasly had joined in the fun to the point where Snape wanted to cast the third unforgiving curse on them.

Now as grumpy as he was he made himself go upstairs to the eagle statue where he muttered the password (which he was always told when it was changed) and walked up the steps, finding Malfoy trying very hard to change Fox, from what Sev could gather, blue. Albus sat by willing him on untill finally he managed to make Fox's tail go a shade of navy and then returned it to normal. He smiled at Dumbledore, happy with his success and then noticed Snape but he forced himself not to hug the man, not infront of the Headmaster so he stayed where he was, smiling at Severus who gave his just one of his slight smiles back to keep his old disposition in-tact so Dumbledore wouldn't suscpect soemthing. "Ah Severus! Draco here doing marvelous, i have no doubts he'll be caught up by the time he's back from his fathers!" he said happily, eating a lemon drop. That reminded Severus, he had to ask Albus to give a note or soemthing to Lusious so the boy could stay here, he didn't know why he wanted to stay but it seemed very important to him. "Now Malfoy, can you wait outside? I need to talk to Severus for a moment." Malfoy nodded and brushed past Severus, trailing his hand, by accident of course, over Snape's. The man shivered but hid it as he stepped forward. "What is it Albus?" Severus stayed quiet and refused to take a lemondrop when offered one, he was tired and just wanted to go back to his room and curl up... with Malfoy and sleep... or not depending on the teen moods. Ablus sat in his chair and folded his hands on his lap, but one hand was playing with the bells in his beard. "Severus, ive had... suspisions, I wish only to remind you that a teacher-student relationship is prohibited and if discovered by the Minister would earn a one way ticket to Azkaban. That's all. I just felt like reminding you of that fact." Severus' heartbeat got faster with fear but he didn't show it. He closed his eyes and found words. "I assure you i have no idea how you would get the idea i might be involved with a student Albus but i can assure you, I am doing nothing against the rules of the Ministry." he stayed quiet after that, fearing if he spoke Albus would see through his lies. It hurt to lie to a man that trusted him so much but it needed to be done, to protect himself and Malfoy. Albus looked him over and seemed satisfied with his responce. "Alright Severus, you may go." Snape gave a bow and turned to leave the hesitated and turned back. "Albus... Draco has asked me to request that you might write him a note to excuse him from leaving the school for christmas break..." he paused to make a good reason. "He feels he might become ill while away and then he will be without his medicine, what if something was to happen?" Albus seemed to consider him. "I will speak to Lusious later on about this matter, he is the boy's father, it will be his choice not ours Severus." he ate another lemondrop and Snape tried not to seem worried about having Lusious in the building. "Yes sir." He turned and left. Malfoy gave him a hug when the door had closed but Snape tried to make him not hug, not till they were in the safty of Severus' dorm.

They traveled through the dungeons at a quick pace and the second they were inside Severus kissed Draco, he'd been wanting to do that all day. He savored the taste of Draco before breaking off and going over to his desk, sitting down like he had done nothing but Draco just smirked at him. "What did that loon want?" asked Draco, flopping down with a potions book on the couch. Sev jerked his head up when Draco called Albus a loon. "He has suspicions that you and i are in a relationship, he just warned me is all." he said with a edge of irritation to his voice, more about being told twice the same thing by the man. Draco looked blank at him. "Oh... Did you ask him about me staying here over Christmas?" he asked, looking back at his book then at the black haired Professor. "I did.. But he said he'd ask your father." he said that with a snarl hidden in his voice that Draco caught and flinched at. "Father's coming here...? Did he say when?" he asked, getting a little panicky. Severus shook his head in a no and Draco knew they would be introuble if he suddenly out of no where decided to pop into their lives. Severus sighed and rubbed his forehead as he graded assignments and scribled notes to the students on them. Draco stayed worried all night and through dinner always looking out for his father and that night they actually got some sleep since Severus didn't think the worried boy wanted to play.

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Snape's POV

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It wasn't until the day before winter break that I saw Lusious. He walked past me as I was on my way to potions. He grabbed my arm when i walked by but the illusion that it was a gentle grab was very off, it was such a tight grip i thought my arm would break. I looked at my assaulter as he smiled in the coy way that he did. "Well Snape, it's been awhile." that was all he said before he let me go but that was enough to trigger memory from my years as a student at Hogwarts. When he was gone I craddled my hurt arm and forced myself to enter the room with the ussual swing open of the door strong enough to silence every student. My robes billowed after me as a went to the front of the room and opened the book infront of me, staring at it before ignoring what was in it and telling them to work on the latest potion, all the time i was worrying about having Draco in Albus' room, the exact place Lusious was probabl heading.

I was obviously not paying attention in class because i let Harry back talk me without punishment, i was worried, worried about what that sick man might do to Draco... Malfoy might be his son but i trust dragons more that the sick little creature. When clases ended i left before anyone else i think, washing past them as i headed straight for Dumbledore's room and said the password then knocked on the door and was welcomed in.

Inside i found Lusious standing infront of Dumbledore and Draco sitting near Fox, listening but not looking at them. Dumbledore stopped talking to Lusious when i walked in an the faded blond gave me a not so welcoming smile. "Ah Severus, we were just discussing if Draco should be sent home." Lusious eyed me all of a sudden, seeing me as his enemy then turned back to Dumbledore. "My son is to come home over the holiday, how else can we celebrate the new year?" he asked with a growl in his voice. Dumbledore was thinking now but I intrupted them. "If he falls ill sir he'll be without his medication and theres a chance he might die!" I couldn't hold back my angry tone, I just wished Lusious would say ok. Even Malfoy looked shaken by my tone towards his father. Just when I though i had him convinced Albus broke everything. "We could send Lusious home with some medication, just incase right?" He asked more to himself than us. I knew i had lost because Lusious looked very pleased. I sighed and gave a meek nod and Malfoy looked at me with big eyes, not beleiving i had given up. "Then it's settled, send my Malfoy home with the medicine and he'll be fine to stay for the holiday." Dumbledore nodded, they said farewell and Lusious was gone, brushing past me again but not before whispering, 'I win again.' in my ear. I felt deflated and defeated... And i knew Draco was dissapointed in me.

Soon after the fair haired man had left Dumbledore allowed us both to leave. I waited quietly as the boy gathered his notes and wand and quills and then lead him outside, stepping hesitantly onto the steps as the eagle creaked and we descended. I bit my lip as I looked at Draco. "I'm sorry..." I apologized. I felt like I had betrayed him completely. He looked up at me, such sweet pretty eyes he has... He gave me a small smile. "it's alright... you tried and I'm thankful for that." he said so quietly i strained to hear, I wrapped an arm around him but quickly removed it as a few students walked down the hall past us. "Let's retire for the night." i said quietly and he nodded following me as i lead him down to the dungeons and too my room.

The next morning Christmas was in the air, there was singing from the choir in the dinning hall at lunch, many wonderful things to eat and the smell of fire places and candy canes made even myself feel a little lighter. But it was also sad. Malfoy was packing a bag to take, he was going to leave Fawne with me until he got back, not trusting his father not to swat him.

He promised to send me a letter each week and i smiled at that cause i knew he'd do so. I helped him pack everything, studies for a few tests he'd be having when he got back, inks and quills, parchment, wax for the letters, warm clothes, mittens to sweaters and then the most important, a small safe holding the medication. This way it was safe and out of harms way. We locked it all up and gave it to a moody Filch who took the bag with grumbles about ungrateful students. Then we had tea as a official farewell. I had a present for him i was planning to purchase, i would send it by owl later on, i could only smile lightly at him though, he seemed so sad about leaving and when i asked him why he never answered me properly, he stammered about his father and changed the subject with a story.

That night we had gentle kisses and touched but no further did we go and we fell asleep in the comforts of the bed and a lit fireplace. In the morning there was light snow all around outside the window, meadows of ice flower's on the glass. He was sluggish to move, he didn't wish to leave and i knew it. I had him bathe and change out of his robes into something warmer. I told him i'd take and see him off at the train but he was wary, he didn't want to leave and it was painfully obvious, but why? I understood he might not want to be away from me but this was drastic wasn't it? I'd be here when he got back. I even told him that to see if it would calm him, no luck. I sighed and saw him onto the train,but not before he snuck me a kiss. "I guess... i'll see you in two weeks." he said with little confidence in his voice before he gave me a painfully weak smile and climbed onto the train, I smiled and nodded at him, and waved farewell as the train pulled away. And when i could no longer see it i retired to my room. I got smiles from few of my students through the days. A present had come from Lusious i dare not touch it more-so than needed to put it by the fire, then i got a small well wrapped present from Albus and several rectangle shaped boxes from other teachers. I got two smaller presents from random students. but besides being grateful for the tokens i was waiting to see the greatest present of all, a letter from Draco. I waited that week, check constantly. But nothing came for me. Not an owl came with a letter and i felt myself becoming more and more sad. I thought maybe he had forgotten or gotten busy but still nothing three days into the second week. So i retired to the Christmas dinner quit and stern. I ate little and twice Albus asked me if something was wrong quietly, each time I shook my head and finally excused myself.

I went back to my room an sat down, finding a small box to send my present off to Draco. I sent him a long necklace on a gold chain and the pendant was that of a snake, a real emerald in it's open jaws and a ruby on it's eye. It had cost much but it was my present to a boy i had fallen for. Then i slipped something else into the box, it was a picture from my 7th year at Hogwarts, i had thought it over and over, wondering if he would enjoy a picture of me for the remaining week, it was one of the only pictures i had ever smiled in, mostly because it was the last year and i was almost free from torment. I sighed once it was inside and put the lid over, wrapping in in green paper and tying a red bow on it, writing a card, i dared to put 'XOX' at the bottom, Lusious wouldn't think about it, Draco would show it to know one, it was fine. i taped it to the box and cast a little charm to make sure it wouldn't come off till it arrived and sent it off with an owl. I kept waiting on a letter and it was on Christmas eve i got it and something else... The box was big but well wrapped and i could tell it was Draco's handy work, not that of a wand and that meant much to me. I smiled and put it and the envelope under the fire mantle. I smiled and pat Fawne happily then i drank fire whiskey, ate a cookie and curled into bed.

The next morning i poured some egg-nog and went to the dinning hall early, folding a cinnamon bun into a napkin and taking it back to my room and i ate it while i opened presents. The one from Dumbledore had non other than gummy slugs in the little silk pouch but he seemed unable to help himself because he had put lemon-drops in with them. I smiled at the bag and put it on the coffee table, taking one of the box shaped presents, saving Draco's for last because it meant so much to me. I got several potions books, all advanced that i appreciated. From other teachers i got some rare plants for potions from Professor Sprout, vials and other ingredients for potions, Hagrid had given me animal related ingredients that could be hard to come by. I carefully opened Lusious' present as though it were a bomb waiting to go off in my hands. I read the letter, feeling ill.

Dear Severus,

I am doing well, thank-you for wondering. Draco's alive and well and i hope you enjoy this present. I plan to drop Draco off after the end of the holiday, i'll see you then luv!

Lusious

XoXo

I sighed at it, feeling ill and put it aside, finding inside the box he'd sent a nice robe made of light fabric, it was wonderful and i was a bit nervous i hadn't given Lusious anything in return, making a note to pick him up something so he wouldn't be angry. I folded the robes back up and then took a breath as i looked at Draco's present under the tree. Slowly i got up and went to it, picking up the card and box, bringing them to my lap as i finished my cinnamon bun and egg nog and opened the letter reading it.

For Severus,

I'm sorry i didn't write sooner, father watched me so much, the only way i got this too you was by pretending it was a Merry Christmas card... Again I'm sorry. I got your present, and i can't wait to open it!

I hope to see you in the new year, happy New Year by the way. I don't trust an owl enough to tell you of my holiday, so i will explain later on, that is if we are still in the same room? I'd like that... Please enjoy my present, I love you.

Love Draco M,

Hugs and Kisses.

That was the kind of card I was happy to see, but i wondered about why he wasn't speaking of his holiday, was something wrong? I hoped to Merlin not. I looked at the present and opened it slowly. Inside i found a book, but this book was special, it was about Defense Against the Dark Arts. I smiled at it, it was old, the words were hand written and I wondered where Draco could have found this. I smiled at it and put it next to me, finding another little something inside. I opened it. it was wrapped up tight to stay safe. I smiled at it, it was a glass case, beautiful designs on the glass and gold and inside was a butterfly charm. The little thing glittered when it moved and sparkled as it flew around. I smiled and put it safely on my working desk along with the book. The other presents were put away where they belonged, the candies in my bar, the books on the shelves, the robes in my wardrobe and so on. Yes it was a good Christmas after all.

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That's chapter 8! It's finally up and thank-you for your reviews! I have just started on my new computer and hats why this took so long to finally post (also because it had been two months since i'd wrote this and it was hard t get back into character). I felt this chapter made things move closer to the climax of the story a lot more than others. I just saw the new Harry Potter movie two hours ago, damn that was awesome, i loved seeing the part when Harry sees Snape's past, i also loved when Dolores Umbridge says to Snape, "So you tried for the Defense Against the Dark Art's position before Potions teacher?" "Yes..." "And you were denied?" "Obviously." I love how he says it though it's awesome. So you can send me your opinions on the movie and your favorite parts cause i'd love to hear about it!

Anyway yesterday i had a garage door land on my arm so it will take me a little longer to type there cause my arm gets really sore after an hour of typing, sorry about this. Anyway Don't forget to R and R!

Severus: Such nice presents ;

Lusious: Mines the best !

Draco: Nu uh!!!!

Lusious: Um.. yes it was!

Draco: Nu uh!!!!

Lusious: Um YEAH!

Severus: I will kill you both...

Author: Oh be nice Sev!

Next chapter, (Author gets a better typing system so he stories are easier to write!) Coal in My Stockings, Malfoy's back from his father's, but what is this?! Severus finds Draco in worse shape than when he left and then, they are discovered... What will happen when someone finds them... together? You'll have to stay tuned!