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
- 16
- 17
- 18
Since Potter had been so well behaved, Severus decided to take Albus's advice and skip the calming potions entirely. Of course, after he had forgone them, he received a post from the Dark Lord stating that Lucius would visit his lab in a few hours.

Sever didn’t bother pulling out the portrait as he knew Albus would say, 'Tell him about Lily.' He prepared his lab for Potter's visit and added a few drops of a Calming Draught to Potter's dinner. He'd have to order more mangoes.

Although the cage was the last place he wanted to be whilst Potter was curled in his bed and pouting, he needed to have the boy in the lab before Lucius arrived. Grumbling to himself about the pointlessness of his new duties, he walked into Potter's cage and spelled food on the table. Potter didn’t move, the pout seemingly permanently etched on his face. "Why are you wearing such an expression?" There. He could be nice.

"I feel like Syphilis," said Potter with a straight face.

What in the bloody hell did that mean? Was he trying to say he was sick? He didn't actually have syphilis, did he? Wouldn't the Healers have noticed that? He arched an eyebrow at Potter and asked, "Excuse me?"

Potter gave him a look as if he were daft. "That guy who had to push a stone up a mountain every day only to have it roll back down after it got to the top."

Oh. "Sisyphus." Severus somehow managed to avoid insulting Potter.

"Yeah, him." Potter nodded, his lower lip trembling.

Oh Merlin. Was he going to cry? Maybe Severus should just Obliviate him and pretend he'd never gone in the cage...

"He had to do it and every time he knew it was going to be painful but he had no choice. It feels the same when I have to go get tortured. I know what's coming, but there is nothing I can do to stop it." His head drooped, thankfully concealing his whinging expression from Severus's eyes.

As much as Severus wanted to call him a whinging prat, he'd promised both Albus and the Dark Lord that he'd play nice with the boy. Since he doubted he could say anything without sarcasm or insults, he needed to find another way to communicate. He needed a book. He strode out of the cage and into the library. Didn't someone have another take on Sisyphus? Camus.

He grabbed the book and returned, thrusting it into Potter’s hands.

Sighing, Potter shook his head. "I don't want-"

"There is an essay in here about that myth. Read it." As it would probably take the idiot a few minutes to read the story, Severus returned to the library and glanced over his Muggle titles. What book best said, 'Shut up and take charge of yourself?' He needed something where sacrifice was regarded with derision rather than admiration, where intelligence, cunning, and planning held higher esteem than blind sacrifice.

As he read over his titles, he glanced periodically at the mirror, watching Potter as he read. When Potter slammed the book shut and threw it, he shoved the mirror in his pocket and returned to the room. If Potter threw one book, he could throw another, and if he threw Lily's book, Severus would hurt him.

"I don't get it!" Potter pouted. "He used so many words I didn't understand and said that Sisyphus should be happy. How can he be happy about being tortured? He's crazy. I'm never going to be happy about being hurt!"

Complete dunderhead. Did Severus have to spell everything out for him. He stepped into Potter's cage and picked up the book. "You've misunderstood-"

"Yeah, yeah," Potter interrupted. "I'm stupid. I know. Now you are going to tell me how stupid I am and how my dad was stupid, my mum was stupid, my whole family was stupid. And you hated-"

"Tell him about Lily." He couldn't resist, he had to defend her. Quietly, he said, "Your mother was not stupid."

"What?" The anger disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Potter gazed at him with curiosity.

Severus had told the Dark Lord he wanted Lily for revenge against James, and surely some of the Death Eaters knew that Lily and he had been friends in the past. He lost nothing by revealing his early friendship. If anything, he could tell the Dark Lord he intended to play it up to earn Potter's sympathy. Looking at the book rather than her eyes, he said, "Your mother was a highly intelligent and gifted witch. It was she who nurtured my love of the classics. I was certainly never exposed to them at home or at school."

Potter said nothing.

Finally. Silence and calm. Severus sat down. Maybe he could actually teach the boy something useful? "In fact, I've come to believe that Hogwarts is in desperate need of courses in the classics and logic. Wizards are taught to do, but not to think."

"Most wizards don't have an ounce of logic," said Potter, looking at Severus as though he'd never seen him before.

Potter thought of that himself? Interesting. Who knew the boy could think.

"That's what Hermione said when we got to your logic puzzle with the potions while trying to save the Stone. She said that most wizards would have been unable to get past it because they don't know that kind of stuff."

Of course. If Granger hadn't been hand-holding Potter through most of his classes, he'd never have gotten through them. Never mind that Granger herself needed to learn how to think instead of regurgitating the words of others. Perhaps Potter would finally pay him the same attention. "Miss Granger was correct. Rhetoric and action have always held far more sway in the wizarding world than reason. Compared to Muggles, there is frighteningly little interest in critical thinking and scientific exploration in our world. What is magic? How does it work? What causes people to be born with the ability to use it? It is obviously tied to genetics but other than that, no one knows. The reason there are no wizarding universities is because very few wizards care to think about these issues much less try to solve them. Creating potions and spells is rather easy - I made several of both during my years at Hogwarts through a simple knowledge of the fundamentals of magic and application of logic. Yet very few wizards ever use anything beyond what they are taught in school, which isn't much and has not changed for hundreds of years.

"I am told that Muggles update their science books every five years to keep up with discoveries and that some books are out of date the minute they go to press. The Muggle world is full of creativity and a desire to push the current bounds of knowledge beyond their limits, yet our world clings to tradition. The potions book you used last year was fifty years old, yet still current because no real advancements have been made in potions for the last hundred years or so."

Potter hadn't interrupted so far, his quiet attention far more than Severus had received from him at any point in the past. Time to push Potter’s beliefs a little. "I think that the student populace is purposefully kept in the dark on these issues so that they may be controlled. Knowledge is power, after all, and an undereducated population is much easier to manipulate. The Ministry and those in charge fear educating students on logic and independent thought because Muggle-raised wizards who do not lose this thirst for knowledge can become the most powerful of our kind."

Potter asked, "Is that why Voldemort was able to take over?"

Do not say his name. He had to bite his cheek to stop the rebuke. Earlier he'd decided to let it go to test whether the Dark Lord would react to Potter's use of his name.

"Yes," Severus answered, "and why he will never be destroyed using conventional methods." A seed planted. That should be enough for now. Too much and Potter would question. He stood. "Now, we have work to do."

Without any sort of fuss, Potter followed Severus to the Potions lab and set on the busywork Severus gave him.

Watching Potter in the mirror and out of the corner of his eye, Severus worked on his potions until the wards rippled, indicating someone had Apparated to the landing at the entrance to the Potions Lab. Lucius. Severus pretended he remained unaware of his visitor, although he shifted slightly, moving enough that he had a good range of attack and was protected by the worktables.

Lucius strode down the steps, into the room and dropped the box of potion supplies on one of the worktables. "What is he doing here? And you've given him clothes?"

The colour fled from Potter's face and he hunched over his work as though his chores made him invisible to Lucius.

Refusing to rise to the bait, Severus said, "I decided to put him to work. I observe him the entire time he is here and he is never allowed to touch anything of importance."

Lucius smiled like a fox who'd caught scent of a hare. "The Dark Lord will hear of this, Severus."

In an amused tone, Severus asked, "Are you threatening me, Lucius?" He continued his work, as though Lucius's interruption wasn't worthy of any of his attention.

"No, merely informing. However," Lucius took a few steps closer to Potter, who remained frozen in place. "I would not be surprised if he deigns to give the boy to a more worthy master." His gloved hand stroked down Potter's back, making the boy jump and shy away from him. Quickly, Lucius grabbed Potter's neck, freezing him again. With a twisted smile, he said, "I look forward to seeing you again, boy."

Severus ignored him.

Ever one to push his limits, Lucius stroked Potter's left cheek with one gloved finger. "I have something special planned for you."

With Potter's breath increasing at a rapid pace, hyperventilation could strike at any moment. The last thing Severus wanted was to waste his time calming and healing the boy, so he firmly said, "If you are finished, Lucius, I'll have to ask you to leave."

To Severus's surprise, Lucius simply turned and left, as if he had gotten bored of Potter already.

Once Lucius's steps vanished with his Apparition, Potter's shoulders hunched forward and he sucked in a huge breath. What was it like to fear something without understanding why? Did his mind make excuses? Did it play up all the past interactions and pretend they were something more?

Since Potter looked exhausted by the ordeal, Severus didn't keep him in the lab as long as he had originally intended. He returned Potter to his cage and treated him kindly when it was time to give him dinner.

When the Dark Lord Apparated into the kitchen, Severus calmly closed the book he had been reading and headed upstairs to meet his Master.

The Dark Lord, flanked by Avery and Lucius, met him in the throne room. His pale face clouded over, he harshly ordered, "Bring Potter up to me, now."

Even though Severus had suggested this course of action, seeing that darkness on the Dark Lord's face shot a spike of ice deep into his gut, and with weights on his shoulders, he turned and headed down to the cellar to fetch the boy. He's doing exactly what you requested. He's not actually angry at you.

"Potter!" he yelled as soon as he saw the boy. "Strip now!"

To his relief, Potter didn't argue or fight, but did as he commanded, confusion rather than insolence guiding his movements.

Once they had reached the throne room , the Dark Lord coolly said, "Severus, Lucius tells me that you treat the slave as a pet and allow him in your lab."

Severus dropped to his knees, bowing low. "I allowed him in my lab, my Lord. I decided to work the slave rather than let him sleep all day."

"Without asking me? Crucio!"

Oh fuck, he didn't need to actually cast it! He ground his teeth together rather than cry out in front of Lucius. He could endure this, the Dark Lord wouldn't keep it up for long. Would he?

"Please!" cried Potter. "I didn't want to, but he made me!"

The Cruciatus lifted, and silence fell over the room, all attention now on Potter. What the hell?

"Please, don't hurt me," Potter begged, his young voice small. "He forced me to go there and help him make poisons to kill my friends!"

"Crucio!" Potter's scream pierced the room. Severus slowly pulled himself to his feet, ignoring the ache of his body. Since when did Potter lie and take pain to protect him? He had hoped to be there eventually, but so soon? Did the boy try to sacrifice himself for anyone who showed him the slightest degree of kindness?

The Dark Lord cast Legilimens, and Potter's fingers whitened as he clung to the marble. Did he really think he could keep the Dark Lord from seeing everything?

"You have nothing to fear, Lucius," said the Dark Lord with a straight face. "Today was the first time the slave visited the lab and he certainly did not enjoy the visit."

Potter, his face turned to the floor, his messy hair shielding his expression from the Dark Lord, gave a fleeting smile. Idiot. Thoughtless, reckless, child.

"Still..." The Dark Lord turned to Severus, amusement in his eyes. "You should have known better than to make such a change without informing me first."

"Yes, my Lord." Severus bowed low. "I'm sorry, my Lord."

"Avery, take the slave away. Crucio!"

Fuck!

The Dark Lord lifted the spell and Severus could only lie on the floor, panting and trying not to scream, while the Dark Lord swept away, Lucius grinning smugly as he followed him from the room.

Once they had left the house, Severus rolled over onto his back and closed his eyes. The Cruciatus could only be cast if the person intended it. Why did the Dark Lord hate him? Was the reality of the curse meant to be a sign that the Dark Lord knew some of what he plotted? The Dark Lord couldn't know the whole of it, could he? Severus doubted he'd be alive if that was the case, although really, he shouldn’t be alive.

Once he no longer felt on fire, he pulled himself to his feet.

The door opened and Avery stepped into the room. "Really, Severus. I'm surprised you made a mistake like that."

It wasn't a mistake. Severus straightened his back. "The Dark Lord had commanded that I keep Potter in my view and finish my brewing. I'll need to write him to see what he prefers."

Shaking his head, Avery gave a grimace of pity. "You work yourself too hard. Talk to the Dark Lord. I'll watch the boy for a few days. It'll be fun."

"He's not allowed to be hurt outside of the Dark Lord's presence," Severus said as he wiggled his fingers, glad to have the feeling restored to normal.

"Pity, that." Avery adjusted his travelling cloak. "Still, I'm sure it would be more entertaining than some of the rubbish my father asks me to do. I'll never get a chance in the throne room at this rate."

"Send me a list of your tasks," Severus offered. None of them could be that difficult and if he could somehow set it up so that Avery was granted the Dark Lord's favour, who knew what Avery would do to repay him? Maybe Narcissa could help? She'd proven herself quite the ally with the extent of her networking skills. If he could have Albus plant vague information for her to find on a possible Order hideout, then have Avery head there to discover plans supposedly left behind in a hasty departure, that should be enough to earn the Dark Lord's favour.

A genuine smile spread across Avery's face. "If you did that, I would go to the New World myself to collect your ingredients."

He wouldn't. He was far too lazy. Still, he'd do something.

"I need to meet my father now," Avery said, reluctantly.

"Bring me everything you can tomorrow evening," Severus told him.

He nodded and left.

Severus headed to the bedroom to prepare himself a bath to counteract any lingering effects of the Cruciatus. He needed his hands to be steady to brew properly. If he could give Avery an evening with Potter and Avery behaved himself, then perhaps the Dark Lord would allow him to have temporary control of Potter whilst Severus did more work with the other lab. Avery was an absolute sadist, but he wasn't clever at all, and he wouldn't scare Potter like Lucius had.

After he'd had his bath, he headed down to visit Potter. He couldn't let the boy believe that he had fooled the Dark Lord with Occlumency. It was too dangerous for both of them. Not to mention, even if Potter had somehow managed to keep the Dark Lord out of his head, he would have given himself away with his little smirk.

Since Potter had proven that he regarded Severus as an ally in the throne room, Severus didn't bother hiding any of his annoyance. He needed Potter to understand just how idiotic he had been.

"Good morning." Potter smiled, the cat that got the cream.

"You little fool." Severus pulled Potter out of bed toward him and shook him. "Do you have a brain in that thick skull of yours, worthless child? Of all the wizards who act without thinking you have to be the worst!"

"What the hell?" Potter pushed away from Severus, the smugness gone. "He would've tortured you even more if I hadn't intervened!"

"You are a terrible Occlumens!"

"I wasn't last night!"

Severus grabbed him again. "Only because you got lucky, you stupid boy! If he had cast while torturing you he would've known in an instant!"

"I kept him from knowing the truth!"

"Try to stop me from viewing last night!" Severus pushed in and saw the night before swimming around in Potter's memories. He released his grip on Potter's arms and the boy crumbled to the ground, gasping for breath.

"That's what I thought. You imbecilic-"

"Then train me!" Potter pleaded. "I can learn!"

You impossible child. You should have learned when you had the chance. Do you think I enjoyed wasting my time on your Occlumency lessons? He had pushed the limits of what he could do before Potter's anger would return in full force, so he kept his thoughts to himself and summoned food. "I doubt it, Potter," he said once he felt he could speak without insulting Potter every other word. "Even if you trained to shield your mind every single time you felt pain or were in an emotionally charged situation, you still wouldn't learn." He left, hoping Potter had heard his message and taken it to heart.

Upstairs, he headed to his bedroom for a much-needed chat with Albus.

"I'd like you to help me grant Avery the privilege of torturing Potter when the Dark Lord next visits me."

"That will be in...." Albus counted on his fingers.

Portraits had trouble keeping track of time and most of them simply didn't bother. "Two days at the earliest. I'd like to find another individual to guard Potter, allowing me-"

Albus stared at him, his eyes wide behind his glasses. "Surely not Avery?"

"I know he has . . . issues, but the Dark Lord has forbidden him from harming Potter whilst guarding him, and I can always insist that the boy is to be kept asleep most of the time. Avery might be a little over enthusiastic about torture, but he won't disobey the Dark Lord's expressed orders."

Darkly, Albus said, "If you must find a replacement from one of your old school chums, then Mulciber is a much better choice."

Did he really think that this was about that? "I did not choose him because he was one of the few people who treated me kindly at Hogwarts, but because he's one of my few allies at the moment. Do you think it easy for me to do all my duties whilst confined here? Besides, if we can remove two Horcruxes at the same time, we will be much better prepared. If I am away, there is a chance that I can find Nagini."

"You are under constant supervision every time you leave. How could you possibly find Nagini?"

"By using Legilimency on Death Eaters who are not given access here. There are many who are high enough to provide clues, but not high enough to be allowed in the prison. There are also many high-ranking individuals I have never seen here. I suspect that one of them holds the answer."

Sighing, Albus adjusted his glasses. "I don't like the risk to Harry. Besides, how can you work on forming a relationship with him if you leave him?"

Oh yes, Albus hadn't heard what had happened earlier. "The boy lied to the Dark Lord to protect me."

Albus's smile was triumphant. "I told you he has a big heart."

"You've made a martyr of him."

"I did nothing to change his nature."

Severus didn't believe that for a second. "Avery may be sadistic, but he's also rather thick, and he won't hurt Potter nearly as much as Lucius, or someone clever. Besides, I need powerful allies with the loss of Lucius. Help me give him this favour."

Albus shook his head. "He's dangerous."

For all that Albus expected Severus to do, he certainly didn't give him many options. "I need powerful allies. I'll give him a list of allowed tortures and never let him near the boy if he strays from it. If he behaves himself in the throne room, I'm sure he'll behave himself for a day, especially if I keep Potter unconscious the entire time I'm gone."

"Very well," sighed Albus. "But you mustn't leave Avery alone with Harry without my consultation."

It was such an easy compromise to make, Severus did it without hesitation. He could always arrange it later without Albus ever knowing the better.
- 16
- 17
- 18
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Invictus