Pretty Boy

Chapter 32

Contracts and Torture

Sirius, Remus, Severus and 'Hadrian' all left Hogwarts, Apparating directly to Sirius and Remus' flat. The three clueless wizards followed an extremely pleased Sirius Black. As soon as they landed in the flat, Harry removed the potion from his system, gratefully returning to normal. He still wasn't used to walking around in his older body. Wrinkles! Who willingly got wrinkles at nineteen years old? It was madness. He wasn't vain, he just didn't like wrinkles, nobody did.

"Why didn't you sign the contract?" asked Remus curiously, he was sure it had whatever it was, had more to do than just looking it over. He'd seen the look on Dumbledore's face when Harry had put it in his cloak pocket. He didn't think anyone had walked out with a copy unsigned; Dumbledore normally just took it back and put it away somewhere. Probably had a drawer filled with them at Hogwarts.

"I won't be signing it," said Harry, "My magic spiked just being near it, there's something wrong with it. I can't tell what, but it's not just the oath either, which wouldn't take affect until its signed right?"

"Yes, nothing should happen until its signed." said Remus looking confused.

"May I see it?" asked Severus, wrapping his arms around Harry's midsection. He still felt incredibly guilty about his earlier actions. Harry had been hurt by his words; he'd actually backed away from him. Thankfully he hadn't done that again, he was leaning into him, and all was forgiven. He knew Harry wouldn't forget, and he would have to make sure Harry didn't doubt him for a second. He did love him, hopefully Harry would realize this one day.

Harry fished the contract out of his cloak pocket, or rather Severus' cloak, he was only borrowing it. He'd still to order any clothes from the catalogues Severus had lying around. He passed it over, his magic once again reacting violently. His magic hadn't done that before, it was a warning, but a warning against what? If anyone could find out though it would be Severus.

"You are right," said Severus, "Finite Incantatem!" and the words disappeared, a whole new set reappearing as if the other had never existed. That is why you should always check all magical documents, not just to make sure there wasn't magic on it, but to make sure you were signing what you thought you were. The fury exploded across Severus' face was more telling than if they were reading it themselves.

"What it is?" asked Remus, dread written across his face, as he shuffled forward, not sure if he wanted to see. He had signed one of those when he was what? Eighteen years old after Hogwarts. If there was something on that one, there might have been something on his. Closing his eyes, he walked further over, opening one eye and looking down. His face went pasty white, gaping at the parchment as if the devil himself was about to leap out. "That bastard." croaked Remus in incomprehensible disbelief. The faces of each Order member flashing though his minds eye, had they to fallen victim to Dumbledore? All this time…what if Harry hadn't been the only one Dumbledore had magically blocked?

"What's going on?" asked Sirius coming back up from the basement hearing the end of Remus' statement. Staring at the three of them, he'd gone away and they'd been curious, come back and they were horrified? Well needless to say he was confused.

"He's…he's…been leeching our magic," said Remus still staring at the contract, but his eyes was glazed over. He was looking passed the paper, deeply betrayed and horrified. He shouldn't feel that way, but he did, and he hated himself for feeling it.

"WHAT?" yelled Sirius, his eyes boggling as he joined them, taking the contract from Snape and reading it himself. He followed Remus' reaction and became paler than a Snape on a good day. "Has that bastard been taking my magic?"

"Hold still," said Severus, removing his wand he chanted he words to see someone's magical core.

"Could it just be Harry's he wanted?" asked Remus.

"I doubt it," said Sirius as Severus chanted the words, causing his magic to take on a distinctive colour and come alive. It was a spell known mostly only to healers or Medi-witches. "Ostendo veneficus aura."

"Can you get rid of it?" asked Remus horrified to see the yellow leech at the centre of his lover's magical core. Sirius stared down just as revolted and aghast as him, if not more so - it was his magic being tampered with.

"Nobody can, it's permanent until Dumbledore dies and the contract is nullified." said Severus sympathetically. Which was a first, he was grateful he'd never signed one. He couldn't sign the contract, because every time he went to the Dark Lord, he had to tell him something. The oath, if he'd signed it, would have seen that as a betrayal and he would have lost his magic. He certainly wouldn't have been useful to anyone without magic.

Sirius swallowed thickly; nodding in agreement he knew that, he'd just clung to some hope. Hope that maybe Snape would have been able to help. He was finally beginning to understand Harry's words from dinner that night. He truly hadn't understood, how could he have? It wasn't him who's magic had been bound. Now though, he was finally beginning to realize what he'd lost, how Harry truly felt. The blood thirsty need for revenge. Oh he was furious, and he couldn't wait, there would be no pranks, he'd wait, bid his time and then when he could he would relish in his death.

"Finite Incantatem," said Harry, touching the spot where Dumbledore's magical leech was. It should have been impossible to do, but Dumbledore's magic quickly faded like a star in the night sky. The contract was now broken, and without anyone even truly trying. Sirius' magic went from burnt orange to deep blood red. He had been taking twenty percent of Sirius' magic; Sirius became dizzy at the influx of magic. Remus quickly grabbed him, stopping him from falling as he recovered.

"Weird isn't it?" said Harry, "Feeling it like that?"

"Yeah," agreed Sirius, if that's how he'd felt how had Harry felt receiving nearly all his magic back again? He must have been in agony, that had hurt him and it was only a little bit.

"But that was impossible! It shouldn't be possible." said Remus gaping in shock, almost expecting the leech to return. It didn't, it remained gone and Sirius' magic stayed the same. "The contract was unbreakable, that shouldn't have happened."

"Harry is very powerful, more so than even Dumbledore." explained Severus, "He somehow destroyed the leech, nullified the contract. What I do not know, is if Dumbledore has found out. If he's doing it to more than one person, there's a good chance he won't notice it."

"Check me," said Remus, his amber eyes flashing, his werewolf close to the surface.

"Ostendo veneficus aura," repeated Severus once again. He wasn't surprised to see the leech on Lupin's magical core. His magical core was blue, but Harry wandlessly removed the leech from Remus, as he had done for Sirius. With a simple 'Finite Incantatem' and his magic flared, turning a deep purple. Indicating he'd been taking the same amount from Remus as he Sirius.

It was Sirius' turn to help Remus as he temporary suffered from vertigo. Once he'd righted him, Sirius ripped the contract into a million pieces before burning it. There was no way in this world his Godson was signing that thing. "You just tell the old fool you've lost it."

"And if he wants me to sign another?" asked Harry wryly.

"He won't, he can't risk you going to Gringotts with one, if anything he will be relived this one is 'lost'." said Severus darkly.

"Ready to see your present?" asked Sirius changing the subject.

"I suppose so," said Harry, wondering once again what on earth the man was up to.

"Follow me." said Sirius grinning that sadistic way once more.

"Oh man," said Harry a vindictive grin spreading across his face, there sat Lucius Malfoy bound to a chair in Sirius' basement. He was snarling like a rabid dog; spit flying from his mouth at his current situation. "This might be the best present I've ever gotten. You are brilliant!"

Sirius beamed at the compliment, wondering if he'd ever hear anything like that from Harry again. He was like Snape in a way, never saying much of anything positive.

"You!" hissed Lucius, "You are a traitor, and the Dark Lord will kill you! Filthy little coward!"

"Quite finished?" asked Severus dryly.

"You filthy little half blood, he should never have trusted you!" shrieked Lucius, still trying to get out of the magical bonds futilely. Nothing could get out of them, unless someone else removed the bonds.

"None of that now, its not very becoming of a man of your stature to say such words in someone else's home, as a guest." said Harry his green eyes glinting maliciously.

"Now your godson might be saved," said Sirius quietly, speaking to Severus, "He has a choice at least."

Severus nodded, his black eyes filled with gratitude.

"Who the hell are you?" sneered Lucius, sitting up straight, his mercury eyes boring into Harry's, trying to intimidate him.

"I go by a few names, Hadrian Williams is one of them, but you might know me better as Harry Potter." smirked Harry.

Lucius gaped, the apprentice…was Potter? Snape had betrayed them more than even he realized. The boy looked nothing like James Potter, maybe a superfluous resemblance, but that was it. Then he remembered, the eyes, Evan's eyes, the boy had them.

"You will pay for killing my grandparents," growled Harry.

Lucius gulped nervously, if he didn't know any better he'd say the boy was channelling Snape. He had that look on his face, if Potter had anything to say about it, he would die this night.

"How did you catch him?" asked Remus surprised and slightly awed, even the Auror's couldn't get him.

"Black blood, Narcissa and no doubt Bellatrix get entrance to Malfoy Manor, I took a chance and it paid off. It was ridiculously easy to overpower him, smug bastard." said Sirius.

"I'll kill you Black, slowly." snarled Lucius.

"Reducto!" said Harry, not using his wand, aiming it at Lucius Malfoy's pinkie. It blasted right through it, and Lucius screamed bloody murder. His body shuddering at the agony lancing through him, blood continued to ooze copious amounts of blood.

"You call yourself the light side?" croaked Lucius his long blonde hair matted with bone, blood and skin. His body continued to shake in pain; he stared away from the mess, not daring to look at his hand. He'd never have imagined they had the guts to do this, not them, never in a million years.

"Who said anything about my being light?" sneered Harry, "Reducto!" and the next finger was blasted off, causing Lucius to scream bloody murder again.

"Looks like he cannot take his own medicine," said Severus his black eyes glinting with mirth. Seeing Harry like this, was actually turning him on, it shouldn't but it was and there was nothing to be done about it.

"Oh I think his victims are cheering somewhere," Harry said vindictively. "Reducto!"

Lucius wailed in agony as his middle finger was severed, panting in anguish "Damn you Potter."

"No Malfoy, damn you." said Harry. "Sectumsempra!"

Lucius flinched as that spell came at him, he'd seen the affects and he knew he wouldn't survive it. He was going to die here in some awful basement. For something he'd done when he was twenty two years old. He'd never thought it would come back and bite him in the arse; he probably wouldn't be the only one either. Parkinson was probably next on Potter's list, then his Lord. Struggling once more, trying to Apparate finding it useless. He was going to die; his breathing became erratic as the reality of the situation began to sink in.

"This is for my grandparents." said Harry, "Crucio."

It was a testament to the hate Harry held within, the spell worked its first time, with such force the chair was knocked flat on its back. The magical bonds tightening as Lucius writhed within them screaming as blood continued to ooze out of him.

"Harry," said Severus, using his hand to lower his Harry's, he didn't want Harry using those spells. He knew the darkness they caused, how addictive they were. Revenge was one thing, but not the Unforgivables. The hatred Harry must feel to use to so…casually, so powerfully and so Wandless left him with the chills. "Do not taint your soul for him."

"Our Lord will kill you," whispered Lucius looking at Severus fear in his eyes, he knew what Severus was capable of; he was going to died in pain. He had been shown what Severus had done to Potter's family. Nott had come to the Manor afterwards, making them all realize why they didn't screw with Snape.

"Not before I kill you," said Severus impassively, "Plus I had nothing to do with his." he added wryly.

"He killed your family, the Dursley's, he killed them." said Lucius loudly, gasping in pain he was finding it difficult to remain awake and aware.

"I know," said Harry grinning in supreme satisfaction, "Too bad I wasn't there, otherwise they would have suffered much greater."

The light in Lucius' eyes faded, nothing would get him out of this, and his last attempt had failed. He was so tired, in so much pain, he felt as if he had a crushing weight on his chest. Each breath he took was torture, coughing weakly, blood dribbling out his mouth. Blinking, he could see the four of them just standing there watching him. This isn't how he envisioned his death, his son and wife…he loved them so much…he had so much he wanted to do still. He saw Severus hug Harry close, he would have grimaced in disgust if he had the energy. The last thing the evil wizard saw was the green light of a very familiar curse.

"Avada Kedavra," said Severus, giving the man something Lucius hadn't given his victims. Mercy.

"Make sure his left arm is visible, when he is found, no cover ups, he will be known as a Death Eater." said Harry, there was no way in this world he wanted Malfoy getting a sob story in the papers.

"It will have to remain there for the night, the magic will be gone by tomorrow, with the cold it will be quicker." said Severus. He'd used his proper wand, so he had no choice but to wait. He wasn't about to let himself be found out this close to success and vengeance.

"You can stay for the night if you like," said Remus quietly. As he headed up the stairs, the stench was unbearable. His werewolf nose could smell the decay a lot quicker than normal wizards.

"Yeah," said Sirius in agreement following Remus up the steps.

"Are you okay?" asked Severus once they were alone.

"I'm fine," said Harry.

"Not what you were expecting was it?" said Severus a knowing look in his eyes.

"Not really," admitted Harry.

"That's because he wasn't directly the cause of your problems," said Severus.

"Good practise though," said Harry wryly, "No need to ask if you enjoyed yourself."

Severus smirked wryly, gasping when Harry rubbed his backside into him, teasing him.

A shudder ran though Harry's body when Severus kissed his neck; it took all his will power not to moan. He was very sensitive to Severus; it was as if he knew all his sweet spots that drove him wild. Needless to say they bolted to the spare room Remus had offered them. Silencing spells were thankfully remembered and Sirius and Remus didn't hear anything. Good job really since Severus seemed determined to see Harry shouting and moaning louder than he had ever done before. The pace was fact and furious, leaving them sated within twenty minutes.

"Love you Sev," whispered Harry breathlessly, his arms wrapped around Severus. His head on his lover's chest, just enjoying the feel of Severus' heartbeat. It anchored him, made him realize this was real he was finally home. Someone to love him despite all that he had done in the past. Harry still found it hard to believe he had more money than he could spend in two life times, still found it hard to believe Severus really loved him. He hoped he could defeat Voldemort and Dumbledore and live his life, but life hadn't been kind to him until now. He was afraid that something bad would happen, it usually did. It was the story of his life. Finding out about Hogwarts, then finding out about Dumbledore…his life then finding Severus…it was time for the tide to turn. He hoped he could be happy for just a while longer…he hoped fate would be kind to him for just this once. He would never ask for anything again, just a life with Severus.

"I love you too." whispered Severus softly. There he'd finally said it, and if truth be told, it hadn't been as difficult as he thought.

Harry felt his heart clench tightly as unknown emotions swamped him. A sweet smile broke onto his face, as he looked up at the onyx eyes love clear as day written in his own emerald eyes.

Severus had been unsure about saying it, but he thought it was worth it to see such a carefree sweet smile on Harry's face. Harry never let his masks down for long, only a small period of time. He wore his masks a lot more than he wore his and that was saying something. A very tender kiss was pressed on his lips, as he lay back down. Severus carded his fingers though Harry's silky fine hair. It had been worth saying it, just to see the look on Harry's face.

Severus liked watching Harry sleep, his beautiful face peaceful in slumber. He wondered silently if all his masks and defences would ever come down. He hoped so, because Severus didn't think he could live with it if Harry didn't show the world who he really was. It was as if he was afraid of the world around him, as if he had a low opinion of people. Perhaps Harry did, having done what he did since he was twelve it wouldn't surprise him. As he carded his hand thought Harry's long silky hair he mused to himself that he didn't care. He, Black and Lupin knew the real Harry and perhaps that was enough for the nineteen year old.

It was certainly enough for him.

Now Sirius and Remus know just a little of what Harry had felt :P R&R