A/N: Sorry for the delay. This chapter was hard to write, and it switches view points way too many times U.U oh well, hope you enjoy!
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Warning: Important, this depicts rape, torture, minors, dark themes and malexmale situations.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Dark Lord's Mind Speech
::Severus's Mind Speech::
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Chapter 20
SS
Severus swallowed painfully, unable to take his eyes off the younger version of himself. The innocence still in the depths of those eyes. What was the Dark Lord trying to do?
"You're… you're scary." The small voice hitched and Severus blinked. He'd forgotten he no longer looked like Potter, nor himself, that he looked like the snake like creature, that set fear in even the hearts of worn Aurorers.
"I might look scary, but a part of me is very nice."
Amusing Harry. A dry chuckle. But time is slowly running out, I don't wish to waste too much of my time on this game.
Severus felt panic slice through him. He couldn't seduce this child, but it was obvious he could in no way rescue him. He was in the Dark Lord's body! He had control over it only because the Dark Lord allowed him too, he couldn't try and push him out, couldn't try and sieze the control from him with his mind, not only would his identity be revealed, placing Potter in jeopardy, but he knew he wasn't strong enough.
"Forgive me."
He would end this quickly and painlessly.
He grit his teeth pulling his wand out, before an iron grip caught his jaw, latched onto his body and pushed him into submission, into the back of the mad man's mind, before he could utter a single word.
Don't try anything rash Potter, you may not like the consequences. A growl. I'm not pleased with the way your playing, maybe we should have a re-run of the rules.
Severus frowned.
They don't die until I say they do. If you don't play fair, your little charge as well as yourself get to experience just how much fun it can be to want to crawl out of your own skin. And we've felt that before haven't we love.
A soft brush against his mind.
It wasn't much fun was it?
A chuckle and Severus felt his insides twist at the words. If this had happened before, why hadn't Harry said anything? Told anyone? His heart clenched painfully in his chest and he wondered just what Harry had suffered at the Dark Lord's hands, just how much he, Severus Snape, hadn't been able or willing to see in the haunted emerald eyes.
HP
Harry stood impatiently waiting for something… anything. The stone walls giving nothing away.
He had started pacing not long before, after his legs had almost gone numb from sitting on them. How long had he been waiting? What was he waiting for? The longer he was stuck here the longer Severus would suffer at the mad man's hands.
"Disrobe." A voice called suddenly and Harry felt himself panic. Oh god, if the Dark Lord had somehow let it slip what Harry had done that other night…
"Disrobe." The voice almost hissed and Harry jumped at the command. Mask falling to nothing as he took it off.
What would he do? Would he go in there and beg the potion's master for forgiveness or… The robe slipped from his shoulders, the fabric falling to form dark shadows that rippled away from him. He still wore the plain white shirt and pants he had under the robe.
"Disrobe." Harry grit his teeth, fingers skilfully undoing the top button, before his mind jumped.
What if Severus wanted revenge?
His fingers faltered.
SS
Severus shook his head and tried not to let his mind wonder over the subject of one Harry Potter.
Why don't you say something? You're starting to scare the boy, and really even with your inexperience I would say you know that isn't the best tactic in trying to seduce someone.
Severus looked down at the small boy, wand still pointed at the frightened eyes. Why had the Dark Lord chosen a child that looked so much like himself?
"Forgive me…" He repeated, without the desperation he had tried to keep hidden before. "I didn't introduce myself properly." He tried a weak smile, flicking his wrist to produce a small teddy bear, from the bloody gag, offering it to the child. "My name is Tom."
I'm not amused Potter.
"I was wondering, if you liked magic?" Severus ignored the man in his mind as he tried not to let the hiss into his voice.
The boy shook his head, clutching the teddy, as if it provided safety.
"It's evil."
Those two words said it all.
HP
He'd managed to kick off everything except his pants, he realised the fingers at the ties were shaking and he had to stop to take in a breath.
He had to just remain calm, if Severus wanted his revenge, then he would allow it.
Hadn't he betrayed the man enough?
Severus deserved to claim what was rightfully his.
So why was he still afraid?
His pants fell to the ground and as soon as all clothing was gone, magic swept over him.
Before a simple grey robe appeared before him.
Looking a little confused, he quickly slipt it on.
"Precautions complete. Severus Snape, unarmed, free to enter."
SS
"Magic isn't all bad." The bed beside him turned into a soft large elephant which blew feathers from it's trunk, and the young boy stared in wonder. Severus thanked Minerva for being the determined woman she was, he would have dropped transfiguration as soon as he would have been able to if it hadn't been for the animagus's insistence.
The elephant turned back into the double bed, earning a disappointed look from the boy.
Severus attempted to smile.
"Why don't you get sit on the bed Sam, and I'll perform a few more magic tricks."
I'm not finding this very amusing at all. Wizards don't perform 'tricks' for muggle children.
::I have to make him feel comfortable after what you've done to him::
Severus let the hiss cut through his mind.
Hmph.
His only answer and Severus ignored the man, flicking his wrist in a multiple of small tricks changing bedspreads to plants and leaves to bubbles, pillows to soft creatures, feathers to flowers, until the whole room was charged with magic and spells. Before everything disappeared before the awed look of the boy.
"It isn't so scary is it?" Severus smiled weakly. He'd seen too much death, pain and destruction come from magic, to ever believe those words.
Well done Potter, you've made yourself look quite the fool, pandering to muggle stereotypes. Now get on with it.
Severus sighed, building himself up for what he was about to do. Courage. Gods forgive him.
"Why don't you lie down Sam?" The boy crawled up a little further in bed.
"Will you show me more magic?" The dark eyes seemed to have lost their pained and haunted look for the moment.
"Of course." Severus let his mind close off as he took a step towards the bed, forced himself to look the child in the eyes. The boy was only a year or two younger than Harry.
"This is the best magic trick of all." He whispered and let himself down on the bed, leaning a little over the boy, who now looked slightly worried.
"The best magic of all." Severus whispered, eyes sliding shut, his lips pressing on the boys forehead.
He felt the clothes, the weave of fabric, resist for a moment.
HP
Harry let himself silently into the room. It was small with only a double bed.
But what made his heart jump in his throat was the whisper in his mind.
Severus, it seems you've joined us almost a little too late. Harry Potter almost started without you.
The humourless laugh shifted in his mind and Harry stared in horror as he watched the young boy, raven haired and dark eyed, disappear under the form of the larger man.
It took me a while to find a child that resembled you. You are so unique my pet.
Severus had been forced to play the games Harry had on more than one occasion. The thought flashed through his mind, twisting his insides with guilt.
What had he done?
I'm sure Potter appreciates my effort.
He watched in despair as the larger body shuddered, above the smaller one.
He'd failed them both.
SS
"Peace."
He whispered.
The fabric tore.
And the boys heart gave way.
His eyes opened slowly, to the warmth of blood on his hands.
"Merlin…" Severus heard the sob behind him, and he turned over his shoulder, shielding the still warm body from view, surprised to see onyx eyes staring at him in pain.
What have you done? The voice hissed angrily, suddenly aware of the blood, now that eyes were open.
Severus pulled the dagger out of the boys heart, watched the blood well up and flow from the wound, staining red the already soiled shirt.
In all the magic he had performed for the boy, he had let a small feather slip into the simple shape of dagger. There had been too many minute, insignificant spells for the Dark Lord to notice the slight change. He had managed to save the young boy.
From himself.
HP
Harry felt himself choke at the sight suddenly revealed before him, blood. The young boy had been saved from the Dark Lord's games, Severus hadn't played the part he had been forced to so often. Relief washed over him, sliced with despair, horror, guilt.
He couldn't help noticing the cheek bones, the raven locks, blood against pale skin.
Looking closer he realised the Dark Lord was right, the child had looked like Severus. Shuddering, he felt sick to his stomach, what little he had eaten at the Leaving Feast tryignt o force itself out of his throat.
This had been set up so perfectly, he could see how the Dark Lord's mind had played the game. Had he not been part of the nightly games? Part of the man's mind?
Severus Snape was to have walked in on Harry Potter defiling this young boy that looked so much like the potion's professor, his innocence. And Harry knew that this would've been the night he would have finally broken under the Dark Lord's hands.
He would have broken under the shocked and disgusted gaze of the man who would have walked in, he would have submitted to the silent accusations in those onyx eyes, and he would have known he deserved it.
Harry Potter the boy who lived, defeated by a look. And Severus Snape, spy and potion's master, finding the truth about the wizarding world's saviour…
The Dark Lord had set it up perfectly, yet the game had escaped from him.
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--- to be con't