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Severus entered the Dark Lords manor for the first time in over a month. He was surprised at how quiet and empty it seemed, his footsteps were echoing softly around him. He made his way to the Dark Lord's rooms, surprised when he saw the two snakes curved around the door handle in their ceremonial way. They were the protection on these rooms. If the snakes didn't have permission to let someone in, they wouldn't. When the Dark Lord was in the room, the snakes were in there with him, and then no one could get in unless they were let in from the inside. It was a clever piece of Slytherin magic, as the family had been secretive and private for most of their history.
There was the sound of hissing, both snakes were staring up suspiciously at him, before one of the gazes lessoned, and the door opened. Severus took it as an invite, and walked in, shutting the door behind him. Awkwardly, he sat down on the sofa. This room was creepy at the best of times, but with no Dark Lord in there it was even weirder. Severus sat back and waited. It wouldn't be long before his Master noticed a presence in his private rooms and came to investigate.
A few moment later, the door burst open, followed by the Dark Lord, with his wand drawn out in front of him. "Oh, it's you," he snapped, lowering his wand as soon as he noticed Severus. "How the hell did you get in here?"
"The snakes…" Severus started, noticing the two small creatures slithering into the room, behind the Dark Lord. Voldemort looked down at them, eyes narrowed, and there was suddenly a lot of Parseltongue being spoken in the room. Severus swallowed, and then watched as the snakes removed themselves into the bedroom. "Why did they let me in?" Severus asked softly, as the Dark Lord came and sat next to him.
"They insist you should be allowed in whenever you want as you will be living here in the future."
"How did they know that?" Severus asked, perplexed.
"I have no idea. Those two little buggers know more then they let on." Voldemort narrowed his eyes in the direction they had gone, and then turned back to Severus. There was a small smile on his lips, as he bent closer to Severus, kissing him lightly on the lips. "It has been strange not having you around," he murmured.
"It has been awful not to be here," Severus responded. "I have something funny that will cheer you up though."
Voldemort raised an eyebrow. "Funny?" he asked. "What do you mean?"
Severus smirked. "Potter was not in the Great Hall for the start of term feast. They had members of the Order at the station, so Nymphadora Tonks searched the train for him just before it left." Severus laughed softly to himself, before continuing. "I went down to the gates to let him in, and his face was covered in blood. Naturally, I removed points from Gryffindor-" Severus noticed the Dark Lord's smile at that. He never liked it when Slytherin house lost, it was his family after all. –"And sent him into the feast in full muggle attire."
Voldemort nodded. "And? How did his face get covered in blood?"
Severus grinned. "This is the best part. Malfoy was miming nose breaking all through the feast in the direction of Potter and his friends, so of course, I asked him about it. He said that Potter had managed to get into his compartment on the train, covered in his invisibility cloak to eavesdrop, but Draco had noticed, stunned him, and then stamped on his nose."
The Dark Lord laughed, coldly, but Severus could tell he found that funny. "I hope Draco was not stupid enough to talk about anything of importance on the train, of all places."
"I doubt it. He is a Malfoy, we must remember."
Voldemort made a slight noise of contempt in the back of his throat. "That is what worries me, Severus. The whole family has an air of arrogance about them, you cannot possibly have missed it."
Severus smiled. "Voldemort, he will not ruin it for himself. His whole family's reputation lies on this. Besides, he knows he has my assistance if needed. I am sure the boy will use whatever opportunities are open to him if it comes to that."
Voldemort didn't reply, only leant forwards and kissed Severus on the forehead. "My faithful Severus," he murmured, pulling the Defence Teacher closer against his body. "I have been very lonely at night without you by my side. Before, at least, I had people such as Malfoy to keep me entertained, now there is only Bellatrix and she does not debate, she agrees."
Severus laughed softly. "And of course, you prefer intelligent conversation, something you could never hope to achieve with her."
The Dark Lord smirked. "You have no reason to be jealous of Bellatrix Lestrange."
"Oh, but I do, she could spend every night in your company if she so wished, and I cannot," Severus replied, with the air of a Shakespearian poet.
"Ah, Severus," the Dark Lord said after a moment, a candied smile on his face. A moment later it had been replaced with a thoughtful expression. "Now I remember. I had need to speak with you about our bond."
Severus inclined his head slightly. "Yes?" he asked, a shadow of doubt crossing his face.
"Nothing to worry about, my dear," Voldemort added hastily. "It appears we have only a few options, each with their considerable downsides."
"Please, explain," Severus responded after a pause.
"The rings we both wear mean only that we are promised to each other, only for as long as we both wear them, there is no magical tie between us quite yet. Our first option is that we take the Par Binding vows, meaning we will both be equal to each other in everyway." Severus was already starting to see the fault of this one. "Of course, this was my first consideration, naturally, but then, after researching further, I realised that it means neither can order the other what to do. By the nature of our… Professional relationship, that could never work."
Severus smiled at the Dark Lord's wording of the other part of their relationship. Professional indeed. "I agree. Our other objectives in the world are just as important as our relationship." He tilted his head to one side slightly. "The others?"
"Two more, my dear. The Propinquus-Pridum Binding vows, a long life close together, which has major disadvantages such as if we were parted from each other for longer then twelve hours, there would be sickness, and for any longer then a week, either person could die, therefore taking the other with him, as the lives of the two people are tied so tightly, if one dies, the other follows."
"Who would take such a vow?" Severus asked softly.
"Two people who never want to be parted, even in death." Voldemort's gaze was deep into Severus's eyes. "Again, not suitable because of our other objectives. Anything could happen for us to be parted for a few days at a time. The final one is the Iniquus Vow, and I suspect this will be the one we choose."
The first thing Severus's brain registered was the meaning of Iniquus. The Latin word meant unequal.
"I suspect from your expression you understand the meaning of the vow?" Voldemort asked tenuously. Severus numbly nodded. "From my research, I have concluded that one must be the Dominant, one the submissive, as specified in the vow, and the submissive must concede the Dominants's absolute desire. It would be the Dominant's duty to look after the submissive, and vice versa, though in different ways. Severus, you understand that this is perfect for us, as in public we have to act in the way the Dark Lord and his follower do act. In private, we look after each other in the ways we both need. There would be hardly any changes in our relationship, except for things like seating arrangements, and such. There are a lot of rules for you, and a lot for me, too."
Severus understood exactly what the Dark Lord meant, and after a long moment of private thoughts, Severus slid off his seat, and knelt at the bottom of the Dark Lord's long robes. "I will always concede to your absolute desires, you know I will, my love," Severus murmured, and hugging the Dark Lord's knees, he kissed the robe just in front of his face. "I wanted this more then anything, a bond, and it's what I am getting. I swear, I could not be happier."
Voldemort pulled Severus up to standing, and rose up himself. "Nor I," he whispered into his lovers ear, lacing kisses down his neck. "Now come to our chamber, and let me make love to you, my sweet submissive."
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Severus had very little time in which he could read the pages of notes on the vow Voldemort had written out for him to read, so that he knew exactly what he had to do. The first chance that he got was during his first lesson with the sixth year NEWT students, his least favourite group thanks to Potter and his friends. He had already given the boy a detention and had left the class to write some notes so he might finally get a chance to read.
He had disguised the paper as a Potions article, only he could read what it truly said. He soon realised that the amount of control the Dark Lord had over him was purely through his Master's choice, and that their life would not change at all, in fact, being in the service of Lord Voldemort would be easier. Though he didn't need it, he would have his Master's protection, no matter what, and he would instantly be the highest Death Eater, second to the Dark Lord, able to order and command every member except for his Master. He would always be on his Master's left hand, at meetings kneeling in great comfort next to his Master's throne. The Dark Lord would not be able to send Severus out on life-threatening missions and tasks unless Severus agreed to it.
The part that surprised him most was that he would be able to live his own life along side the Dark Lord, if his Master chose. Severus knew that Voldemort would do everything within his power to make his lover happy. Severus knew he would do the same in return. For the first time ever in Hogwarts, Severus smiled a genuine smile. He was truly looking forward to the end of the year where he could finally be freed from the school and his duties, and take an early retirement. From teaching, at least.
When Severus remembered where he was, he quickly switched his smile for a scowl, and stood up to check that they were all working, hoping no one had seen his expression of happiness.
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A couple of days later, Severus was back at the Dark Lord's manor, entering a meeting he didn't think he could make. He had some news which Voldemort wasn't going to like.
He entered the room without knocking, he was far too important to bother with such niceties, and noticed Voldemort was at the opposite end of the table, facing him. Severus noticed how the dark look in his eyes vanished upon seeing him, and how quickly he stood up.
"Severus!" he called, obviously shocked to see his lover there. "What are you doing here?" he then added on, trying to cover for his loss of self control.
"My Lord," Severus responded lightly, inclining his head slightly. He wasn't in the mood to be bowing to the Dark Lord, and he knew his Master wasn't going to care. "I have news of Dumbledore, we need to speak in private."
The Dark Lord raised an eyebrow at Severus. "I think I will be making the orders," he snapped, standing up. "Outside." He pointed towards the door Severus had just come through, and Severus quickly followed him.
"Forgive me," he started, as they were outside the meeting room. "I have not got much time."
"Then speak," Voldemort said, nodding.
"I gave Potter a detention," Severus said quickly.
Voldemort frowned slightly. "And?"
"And I received this, from Dumbledore." The Hogwarts Teacher removed a folded piece of parchment from his robes pocket, and handed it to his Master to read.
"Dear Severus," the Dark Lord read aloud. "Harry Potter will not be having his detention with you this weekend as I have scheduled a lesson with him, which is urgent and important. Please arrange a more suitable time with him. Sincerely, Albus." Voldemort handed the letter back, silently, and Severus suddenly got the feeling his Master was furious. "Find out what is being taught."
Severus nodded. "I will. I will do my best. How are you?"
"Missing you. Fine apart from that. And you, my dear?"
"Missing you too, Voldemort," Severus replied, smiling slightly. "Just being in your presence makes my world feel slightly less empty." The Dark Lord took a step closer, and kissed Severus hard on the lips.
"Have patience," Voldemort responded. "It is hard when we must be parted, when everything is so uncertain. We have less then a year to wait, remember that."
Severus nodded. "I read the notes you gave me. Everything is perfect, I look forward to the day that you will own me truly, and completely, the day that I am solely yours."
Voldemort placed his hand on Severus's hip, drawing him closer again. "My dear, dear Severus," he murmured, before diving in for another plunging kiss. Behind him, Severus heard the door of the meeting room open, and Voldemort pulled away, looking over his shoulder. "What is it, Bellatrix?" Severus heard him snap.
"We… We were wondering if you wanted to call it a night…" Severus heard her reply, and it sounded as if she was about to cry.
"Do not question me again, Bellatrix," Voldemort responded in a hiss. "There will be consequences." There was a slight pause, and then Severus heard the door shut once more. Voldemort turned back to him. "I trust you need to return now."
"Yes, I need sleep before my lesson tomorrow. I shall be back next time I have news of importance for you." He kissed Voldemort once more on the lips, before turning, and striding back down the corridor so he could disapparate, doing his best not to look back over his shoulder for a final glance of his lover.
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