Lucius took a deep breath. He knew that he was risking life and limb. He had ever been welcome here before. There had been a feud with the Weasley family for generations. Neither he nor Arthur and Molly knew how it started. His own issue with them had just been when he was a spy. But he had no idea if they knew about Harry yet. And if they did he could be hexed before he got to the door. And he was sure he would before he left. But he had been telling the truth when he told Severus he was not trying to kill his new husband. Harry had asked for one person and as unexplained as the person was he would get him.
Before he got to the door though it opened. And from the look on the faces of Molly and Arthur who were in the door, they knew. He reminded himself he had faced Voldemort and true Death Eaters for years. He could face Weasleys. And he needed to do this for the sick husband he had left behind.
Arthur looked at him. "I don't know what you think you are doing here but the only Malfoy welcome on our land is your new husband."
Lucius stopped. "I have come on behalf of my soon to be husband. I need to find George."
He saw the look of confusion pass between the adults and some of their kids came piling out behind them. He searched among them and spotted one of the twins, Charlie the other missing. He was not sure which twin it was. But when he stepped forward he realized that he was lucky.
George looked at him. "What do you want with me? I am right now ready to hex you for buying my brother in return for helping us win the war."
Lucius cut him off. "Your brother has been having issues with our marriage and he is asking for you. He could really use his big brother right now."
Though George did not look convicted he turned and spoke to his parents. He was not sure if he should trust Lucius but George seemed not surprised to be called. Lucius wondered what he was missing here. From what he had been told Harry had never had a relationship. He had kissed one girl before he realized he was gay. But had he been involved with George? If Harry had been less delirious he would say Harry would not risk it but Harry was raging with fever right now.
George followed but refused to apparate. "What have you done to my brother?"
Lucius sighed. "How much about the marriage arrangements were you told?"
George smirked. "I was told about the ancient contract and about the magic dampener. Everything including he does not even have to be there for your wedding."
Quickly as he could he explained what had been happening. He was prepared to be hexed or something else. He definitely could see that Harry's brother and friend was seething with rage when he listened. The facts about the marriage had been bad enough. To hear that Lucius had locked his brother up was worse. George was not sure he should go but he knew his little brother needed him.
He looked at Lucius. "I will help you get through to him but you will allow him his things when he is better including what you left behind with his dads."
Lucius did not think that this was a time to be negotiating but he agreed. "Fine. I let his dads send a little gift to him. I assume he can have the rest of his things."
Finally George agreed to come. As they apparated to the manor and headed through the grounds Lucius reminded himself he had never given his husband the package. He told himself Harry could have it when he same to his foolish little senses and agreed to the wedding. Harry had not even known the package existed so it was not like he was keeping anything from Harry at all. He would have told his little husband it arrived just in time for the wedding. Harry had told his dads he never wanted to speak to them again. He would not learn any time soon when the gift had been sent for him.
He saw George's shock when he saw all the locks on the door though they were open. "Don't look so shocked. I told you. I thought he would run."
George shook his head. "You know his relatives did that, the locks and bars on his windows. Kept him prisoner except for chores."
As he followed the young man into the room he was hit with the memories of the scars down Harry' back. The same relatives who had given them to Harry had locked him up in a bedroom like a prison cell? Lucius was hit again with the realization that he had been treating his husband. Severus had accused him of it as well. He had said he was being a fool and coward to use magic dampeners on a child of fifteen, well nearly sixteen.
Severus looked up from where he was reading ext to Harry. "Good you brought him. Send for me if Harry gets worse. I need to go and check on your son."
Lucius clapped him on the back and thanked him for coming but George turned to him. "Thank you Professor Snape for helping Harry. I would like to be alone."
The last comment had been directed at Lucius. While he definitely did not take well to being ordered out of a room in his own manor, he went. He decided to accompany Severus out of the manor to where he could apparate. He told himself he had been foolish to believe that George and Harry had been involved. They could not have hid that. And even if they could have Harry was far too ill for George to even consider doing anything when he was alone with Harry
Severus watched him for a moment and as always knew his thoughts. "They are brothers. Harry likely needed someone to tell about the abuse. Like I had you."
Lucius knew it made sense. "I am just confused at why it was George and not one of his other friends. Just one more thing I don't know about my husband."
Severus sent him a look that clearly told him he had no one to blame but himself. He had been the one who had set up this marriage. He had not taken a chance to even get to know the boy. And the only way for him to get to know his husband was when Harry was better, to actually try the novel idea of talking to his husband.
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It was a day after his arrival when Harry started coming around. George could see the confusion and shock in Harry as he realized he was there. Harry attempted to struggle and get up but he realized he was stuck to the bed, nearly immobile, his arm with the IV completely. George could see the fear in Harry's eyes as his eyes went to the needle in his arm. George knew it was not only medicine but liquids and nutrients for Harry was so sick from not eating or drinking.
He squeezed Harry's hand. "You are still sick Harry. The needle is just giving you food and water. Please little brother calm down. Just calm down."
Harry was confused. "What are you doing here George? I don't get this."
Still holding Harry' hand George explained that he had been found delirious the day before by Lucius and Severus. They had found the scars on his back and had been scared about what they did not know about his past. They had asked him if he trusted someone and he had said George. He admitted Lucius had braved the Burrow to come and get him. He could see the shock in Harry's eyes when he heard that.
Harry wished he could return the squeeze or something. "I thought it was over George. I thought I was away from this. Now I am back in locks and....."
George cut him off. "Harry this is different then your Uncle. He is trying to feed you and if you calmed a bit he would likely let you out of here."
Harry smirked. "He won't let me out until I agree to marry him. He wants a little prisoner. That is why he had shackled me. He is like my Uncle."
Sorrow ran through George. Harry had never had a chance to confront the monster who had abused him his entire life. George had finally convinced Harry to tell someone. He had known Harry had been physically abused since the summer before Harry's third year. He had only learned of the sexual when Harry had admitted he was gay and freaked when his friends tried to set him up. He was attracted to men but he was petrified of being touched. Harry had been scared that before the war ended he would still have to go back. George convinced that summer when he was with his dads, to confront them. He had begged George to give him till he came back from travelling. He was so scared of the trial and testifying. His Aunt and Uncle had been killed in a car accident two weeks later. Dudley lived with his Aunt. It was cruel fate that after yeas of hiding his pain because of the war, he had a chance to try and confront them and it was stolen from him.
George stopped him. "He is not your Uncle. He will never whip you. He will never starve you. No one will let you go through that again."
Harry was crying. "I can't marry him George. He told me when we have the ceremony I will have to share his bed. I can't let that man touch me George. I can't."
George felt such sorrow for his little brother. "I wish I could save you from this. I can't stop it. But Harry you're stronger then this. You can do this. You can."
Harry looked at the bracelets for his head was all he could move."I keep having nightmares. My hands feel like when my Uncle, when he......"
Quieting Harry George did not need to be told. He had been duck taped to head boards so he could not fight back. It was why Harry had reacted so badly when they had used the bed sticking spell on him. And why the dampeners made him react like this. It was not their magic. It was the memories they brought back.
George hugged him as best as he could. "I am here Harry. And I know this scares you to death. But no matter how you fight this, you will be his husband."
Harry was trying to fight the tears. "I know. I know every time those locks open I fear he has lost his patience and he will take me."
He wished there was a way to convince Harry. He wished there was a way to save Harry from this. He knew it would be easier for Harry to submit. He knew Lucius would marry him either way and would take him soon to bed. As much as it killed him to say it, if Harry agreed to the wedding he would have the freedom of the manor, and perhaps Lucius would remove the dampeners. For better or wore this was unfortunately his new life. They both desperately wished that there was a way out. And George shared his anger with his dads over the contract and not telling him. But George knew the best he could do for his brother was help him to accept this. He didn't think Harry had much chance at love but perhaps in a career and other parts of his life he could still find fulfillment. George refused to mention kids. Harry had always wanted to be a dad and he had no doubt Lucius would want them. But he knew Harry would completely shut down with talk of kids.
He did not even notice Lucius until some time later when Harry drifted off. "How long have you been standing there?"
Lucius came in. "I needed to know what was going on between the two of you. Thank you for what you said about accepting our marriage."
George smirked. "I said it for him and him alone. Harry deserves happiness even if forced to be wed to you. Happiness where ever he can find it."
Lucius stopped him and looked at his husband. "I do not want to cause him pain if I can help it. Tell me what my husband has been through."
Though Gorge was reluctant he knew Lucius had heard some of it. And perhaps if Lucius knew a bit of where his husband was coming from, he might come to what ever senses the man had and perhaps rat Harry with some respect. He prayed the bands would be removed at the very least.