Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Invictus	By : starcrossedkayla Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 13268 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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When the Dark Lord swept into the potions lab, Severus thought that something had gone horribly wrong.

His stomach doing jumping jacks, he slowly turned from the boiling potion he was working on and evaluated which of the potions around him could be used as part of an attack.

The Dark Lord glanced at the mirror, his eyes travelling slowly over the image of the door that was floating in the centre of the frame. “Where is Potter?”

“In the cupboard,” said Severus, ignoring his impulse to grab his wand. “He was misbehaving.” Really, when did Potter not misbehave?

The Dark Lord stared at him and, for the first time since he’d seen the redone cupboard, Severus became unsure as to its real purpose. “How will you know if he is about to do something dangerous?”

“As I did not chain him, the only thing he could do to harm himself is bash his head against the wall. As thick as his skull is, it would take some time before he could seriously injure himself, and I trust that your Lordship would alert me to his pain the moment he started.”

The Dark Lord’s eyes took in the nearest cauldron, which was full of Severus’s latest batch of Dreamless Sleep. In a voice that was half command, he said, “You told me you intended to convince the boy that you were his ally.”

Really? The Dark Lord wanted him to do it? “I can’t have a sudden change of heart. The boy’s an idiot, but he’d never believe it if my behaviour were to alter abruptly. I need to punish him severely now, then slowly ease my restrictions. Furthermore, he needs to understand that I am his Master and that he ought to obey me."

“Of course.” The Dark Lord turned to face Severus, his pose stark in the middle of the line of cauldrons as if he were about to command each to attack. Severus forced his hands onto the worktable in front of him to grind the Guasimo fruit with a pestle and mortar. He needed something in his hands if he couldn’t have his wand.

The Dark Lord asked, “What will you need to experiment with modifying Polyjuice to be more permanent?”

Somehow, Severus managed to keep his strokes even. “I will need access to possible transformation subjects, my Lord. Creatures similar to humans, but different enough that the Polyjuice change would remain intact for a longer period of time.”

“House-elves, goblins and centaurs?”

Severus nodded. “Perhaps also modified humans, such as vampires or werewolves. Maybe chimpanzees as well. I’ve collected plenty of samples of the boy’s hair for Polyjuice.” He motioned to the orderly row of vials he’d prepared earlier. “I believe it would be best to first attempt to give the creatures Polyjuice and examine the results, then modify the potion for each species. I may also need to work on it backwards - give bits of hair of these creatures to humans and see how permanent the change is. I suspect it may be easier to tailor Polyjuice to a creature rather than giving the same Polyjuice to a creature, but I cannot be certain until I start to experiment. It is not something I will be able to do entirely on my own. If you could perhaps prepare a lab with at least three competent Potions Masters, I could supervise their work as well as perform adjustments in my own lab.”

He doubted he would be given access to the creatures or a lab big enough to conduct the work himself, but he could always request additional samples from the goblin subject, which should be enough to make a private batch of human-to-goblin Polyjuice himself.

Then again, perhaps he could see if such a thing could be created in the other lab; after all, it should be easier to transport materials out of that lab than out of his own.

The Dark Lord reached into his robes and Severus wished he had thought to move his grinding to the other side of the table, so he could use the table for defence. As it was, only a few jars stood between him and the Dark Lord.

Instead of his wand, the Dark Lord retrieved a wooden box that fit neatly in his palm. “The Oroxylum indicum,” he said. “I collected them myself.”

This time, Severus could not hide his surprise, and he managed to recover himself long enough to take the samples with the reverence they deserved. “Thank you, my Lord. I’m certain I will not need to ask for more.” Although they had only built a few potions together, and all of that work had occurred during the Dark Lord’s first reign, Lord Voldemort had proven himself to be meticulous with details, and each of his potions had been absolutely splendid, with the depth and brewing skill matched by few. His inventiveness and curiosity extended to brewing and, although he did not experiment nearly as much as Severus, nor have an equally wide base of knowledge, he researched what he did not know.

Once, Severus would have been delighted at the attention his brewing was receiving; now he knew his only chance of success resided in distracting the Dark Lord. “Have you heard news of Sethlan’s project in the Americas? My post remains a bit unreliable.”

“I do not trust their post,” said the Dark Lord, gliding uncomfortably close to Severus. “I send someone to meet him at each major city and report directly back to me. I do not have high hopes for his project. No respectable Pureblood families settled in the colonies other than the French ones banned for practising Dark Arts, and most of those fled to Quebec. While I am certain we can rely on their support, I feel the rest of the continent is composed of polluted blood and will be of little use to me initially.”

Potter bared his teeth, his thin legs flying all over again. "Your Master isn't even a Pureblood, but-"

Severus glanced at the Dark Lord. Is that why you accepted me so eagerly when others would not? In a proud voice, he said, “Their blood may not be pure, my Lord, but they may prove themselves loyal.”

The Dark Lord’s lips twisted in an expression that might have looked like a smile had his face been more human. “You are quite right, Severus. Those who wish to serve me would do well to appreciate the loyalty you’ve displayed despite the pollution of your blood.”

No more polluted than yours, my Lord.He took the compliment and ignored the insult. He knew it was foolish to let their blood purity bullshit impinge on his feelings, but even amongst those who accepted him the most, he still remained on the outside through no fault of his own.

To distract himself, he said, “Thank you, my Lord,” as he opened the box of Oroxylum indicum. “Perfect.” They were. “Wherever did you acquire them?”

The Dark Lord’s eyes turned to the mirror, as though the door might open and Potter emerge at any moment. “The Botanical Gardens in Italy.”

Bullshit. Severus had contacted the collection three days before and found it lacking. Why had the Dark Lord lied? Did the true location give away the coordinates of the prison? Where could Oroxylum indicum clippings be obtained outside of England and Italy? Did the Dark Lord know that Severus had been in communication with the administrator of the Botanical Gardens? If so, what was the purpose of the lie?

Casually, he said, “My compliments to the curator. I should be able to make enough paste for a base sufficient for experimentation on several bodies.” If the Dark Lord wouldn’t leave after small talk, perhaps potion talk would bore him.

The Dark Lord gave a short nod, then swept towards the staircase. “I’ll return tomorrow night.”

“Yes, my Lord,” Severus bowed, not righting himself until after the Dark Lord had Apparated away.

After waiting a few minutes, Severus turned to face the potions cabinet and closed his eyes. Upon opening them, he set straight to work.

Most Potion Masters believed that cauldrons could not be moved once a potion had been started, but Severus had discovered that brewing could continue uninterrupted as long as the heat source was maintained. Earlier, he’d loosened the stones beneath his biggest cauldron and now, with utmost care he lifted the entire floor, fire pit and all, floating it as high as he could. Crouching beneath the lifted stone, he crawled into the dirt, ignoring that internal voice that warned him he would be crushed to death should he lose his concentration.

He turned a chair into a shovel and dug without magic, so as to sustain the floating floor above him. Six foot by two foot by a foot and a half should be enough to contain the body and, other than lose chunks of rock, the soil gave way easily to the tip of his blade. Even though no Death Eaters were scheduled to arrive until later that evening, he knew that each second he worked was a second he could be discovered and so he stopped halfway, scrambling out of the dirt and onto the stone floor of the lab. Ignoring the pounding of his heart, he lowered the cauldron and floor, carefully setting them back in place. He wiped the sweat off his brow and cleaned dirt off his robes before checking the temperature of his Dreamless Sleep. Perfect.

He gathered the dirt in a pouch and stuffed it into a robe pocket to be disposed of later. With the snow blanketing the ground, he couldn’t just toss it outside, but hiding it under the snow should be enough to keep it hidden even after the thaw.

Turning back to his potions cabinet, he closed his eyes and reopened them. He needed to give something up soon. It was only natural that a man such as he would try to hide certain things from his Master, and the longer he went without secrets, the greater the Dark Lord’s suspicions would grow. But what to hide? Maybe something to do with Potter? Perhaps he could ‘secretly’ slip the boy more calming potions? Yes, he might do so in fear that his plan to gain the boy’s trust wouldn’t work on its own. If he showed more desperation for it to work, the Dark Lord would be pleased. The old calming potions didn’t work well enough anyway.

He cleared one of the worktables and prepared a cauldron. His current calming draught worked through muting the emotions, but maybe he could try to stop the emotions from forming in the first place? No need to create a new potion from scratch; he could simply improve an old one. Kappa eyes to enhance absorption. Crane fly legs to slow absorption and allow the potion to act over longer periods of time. Pixie blood to counteract the bitterness of kappa eyes and turn it sweet. Potter always ate dessert.

He brought the concoction to a low boil and stirred it thrice every half-hour. That evening, his potion turned clear and, when he tasted it, the few drops were enough to ease some of his stress and leave him feeling quite calm. Just what Potter needed. However, the syrupy sweet taste of the potion could not be hidden in ordinary food. He filled a small jar and headed to the kitchen. Pumpkin juice wouldn’t hide this, nor would strawberries. No, it would have to be hidden in some other fruit that Potter had never tasted before. He glanced at the basket of ridiculous food items he’d ordered two days before just to annoy Avery Senior.

Potter had never had fresh mangoes, had he? Probably not. Severus cut up the flesh and added a few drops of his new brew. He’d have to wait until the next day to test the potion, but that would be the perfect time to do it, as Potter would undoubtedly be stressed by the arrival of the Dark Lord for torture.

Not wanting to arouse Potter’s suspicions, he poured the usual glass of pumpkin juice and set it with the other dishes. As soon as he finished his household chores, he headed straight to his room to talk to Albus.

Albus didn’t show up for several minutes and, while he waited, Severus busied himself compacting the earth in his bag.

“I have good news,” said Severus once Albus had appeared, returning the bag to his robes. “I’ve been given permission to work on the non-human Polyjuice.”

Albus’s eyebrows shot up to the brim of his hat. “Wonderful! What did you do to change the Dark Lord’s mind?”

“Nothing,” said Severus and his stomach curled. Albus’s eyebrows drew in together.

“What do you think happened?” Albus quietly asked.

Severus shut his eyes, buried his face in his hand and thought. He thought back to every interaction he’d had with the Dark Lord since that moment when the Dark Lord first told him not to pursue that path. He thought of all his exchanges of information with other Death Eaters, the notes he’d sent, the notes he’d received, everything he’d shown and not shown the Dark Lord. He thought and thought and, at the end, he still had to say, “I don’t know.”

Albus took his chair. “Perhaps he simply changed his mind.”

The Dark Lord did not simply change his mind. Why had he decided otherwise? What did it mean? “Perhaps I’m being tested.”

“What sort of test do you think this is?”

He could not think of a satisfying answer. “Perhaps he’s about to take something away from me?”

“Harry?” Albus sharply asked.

I’ve given you more than he has. Severus shook his head. He had no time to focus on such useless, stupid thoughts now. “I doubt it. He needs me yet.” Did he? “He cannot trust any other Death Eater with the boy.” Could he? No. He had to focus on what he knew to be true and not let unfounded doubts cloud his head. “Either way, I need to give him something soon. An Order member perhaps?”

“No,” Albus refused, as Severus had known he would. “I don’t believe the situation is that dire.”

Or that my life is that important.

“Besides,” said Albus, his fingers trailing through the end of his beard, “you could use your lack of communication with the Order as a reason for why you should be allowed more contact with the outside world. You are still extremely limited, are you not?”

“My owl is unreliable, but in addition to her, I receive regular visitors to my potions lab in the morning and evening. I’m also allowed, in the event of an emergency, to Summon the Dark Lord or one of his followers through the use of my Mark. He has failed to respond directly to a Summoning, which suggests to me that he spends most of his time far outside the range for easy Apparition.”

“And you are certain that he has no way of monitoring the events in this house or your lab, outside of viewing your memory?”

One could never be certain. He himself had done things most others considered impossible and the Dark Lord knew magic like few other wizards in history. Still, magic left traces and, if the Dark Lord had found a way to monitor Potter, it would need to be a powerful spell, strong enough to interfere with the wards. Severus had tested them multiple times, but he’d found no fracture or weakened point. “It is highly unlikely. He prides himself on his Legilimency, and since Potter has healed, no one other than myself has been allowed access. Perhaps he might give him to Lucius, but I doubt it.”

Albus nodded, but from the way his fingers twisted the hairs of his beard, Severus knew the answer hadn’t entirely satisfied him. “He trusts Lucius?”

“For now.” He hadn’t been intending to tell Albus of his inner conflict but with Hogwarts under attack, he needed help. “I’ve considered sabotaging Lucius; however, I may need him to remain in the Dark Lord’s trust. Narcissa is determined to earn my support, and she’ll be more valuable to me if her husband retains the Dark Lord’s confidence.”

Albus smoothed down his beard. “Be careful with her, Severus. She’s a clever witch.”

Had he underestimated her? He’d be cautious about trusting her with information. “Is there possibly a spell-“

“Severus.” Albus’s eyes tightened and his mouth thinned. “Please don’t ask me for what I cannot give.”

Will not. Not cannot. If Albus feared for Potter’s life…. “Very well,” he sighed, pretending to forget the issue. “I shall just have to prove that my brewing is not a waste of his time.”

“I have no doubt that you will find a way to convince him of your worth on your own.”

Not bloody likely.

Albus stood. “I have an appointment with Hadrian.”

Severus nodded his farewell. “I must attend to my potions.” He shrank the portrait, tucked it away, and glanced around his bedroom. He’d been in the potions lab far too often of late, had already prepared all the meals for the next day, and finished his latest batch of correspondence. Lifting up one of the potions books he’d brought to the bedroom, he thumbed through it, but he hadn’t the patience or the concentration to properly peruse the pages.

Perhaps he should sleep? His alertness potions wouldn’t wear off for another three hours. He’d pretend to go to bed, of course, for the Dark Lord’s sake, but he had no halls to roam for errant students, nor grounds to patrol. He had only the house, his lab, his potions, his books, and Potter.

Should he pull the boy out of the cupboard? He glanced at the mirror. The Dark Lord did want him to work on his plan to earn Potter’s trust. He couldn’t very well do that by keeping him locked up. Still, he wouldn’t have respect if Severus appeared weak, and if he let Potter out after only one day, he’d never earn compliance.

No, better to leave Potter alone for now, and devise a way to gain the Dark Lord’s appreciation through potion brewing or spell craft. Speaking of which, he hadn’t had time to work on a particular spell recently….

Blinking away the time with Albus, he undressed, showered, and completed his nightly routine. After settling under the covers, he waited a short amount of time before rising again and casting, “Lumos!” He relit his lamps and re-erected his wards, even tighter than before.

He only ever entirely undressed in the shower, but now he stripped down to his pants, laying out his clothes neatly, so that his potions and weapons would be in easy reach in the event of an attack.

He sat with his back straight, his knees crossed, and concentrated.

”Do you swear to serve me, faithfully and without compromise, for the rest of your life?”

“I do, my Lord,” said Severus to the cobblestone floor beneath him, feeling the weight of every eye in the room on his head.

“Do you swear to give your life to me? To the protection and defence of your brothers and sisters in Blood?” asked the Dark Lord, his voice echoing around the wide walls of Mulciber’s meeting hall.

He would defend his brothers and sisters to his dying breath. “I will, my Lord.”

“Rise.”

His head still bowed, Severus straightened up.

“Your arm.”

Without hesitation, he pulled back his sleeve, exposing his pale forearm.

The Dark Lord pressed the tip of his wand to Severus’s skin, and magic seared through him, hot and sharp, so fierce he thought he might cry out from the pain of it. He pressed his lips tightly together, refusing to disgrace himself in front of his new family.

Light burst from his skin as dark tendrils crept out from the wand tip, a fast growing vine of black that slowly twisted into the shape he’d wanted for nearly a year now.

Applause burst out, drowning out the steady beat of his heart. He turned slowly, so as to capture the moment, to see every face that smiled its admiration and acceptance at him. Avery Junior winked at him, his father clapping with equal vigour. Mulciber, standing beside him, nodded his approval.

“You will be great,” whispered the Dark Lord, his eyes proud, and Severus’s heart hurt so much he thought he might cry.

How he worshipped him. Reverently, he whispered back, “Thank you, my Lord.”

No book explained the Dark Mark; the Dark Lord had created it. Another spell had probably been selected and tweaked to make its development possible, but, although Severus had searched for over twenty years, he’d never been able to find anything that came close.

He skirted around the Mark, never daring to try to test it, lest it have a way of alerting the Dark Lord to any such attempts. Should he ever need to break its hold, he’d have to be quick. Attacking the Mark itself would never do. He had to go deeper, cut it off at the source.

There. That faint bit of magic deep in his chest that just didn’t seem to fit in with the others. He’d been bound by many spells over the years – including two Unbreakable Vows – and he knew that the successful creation of the Dark Mark, like that of an Unbreakable Vow, required the absolute, uncoerced consent of both parties. To rebel directly against an Unbreakable Vow resulted in death and, undoubtedly, the Dark Lord had put a similar failsafe into his own twisted version of the Unbreakable Vow. Severus couldn’t actively attack or destroy it, but he could possibly cage it; restrict it as it was still restricting him.

He danced around the edges, exploring without touching. The only way to test a caging spell would be to make an Unbreakable Vow, cage it, then break the vow. Nothing at all difficult in that.

I am so jealous of all of you that have the opportunity to see it already. Who else is going (or has gone) to the midnight release? I'm going with my siblings and dressing up.
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Invictus