Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Freedom In Chains	By : TaintedSensibly Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Slash - Male/Male Views: 29615 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 7
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. All original characters and plots are mine. No money was made with this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Captured

May 19^th, 1995

Los Angeles, California

Laine watched contentedly from the couch as Hale did the dishes not ten feet away from the area they’d made the living room. There wasn’t really a lot of space to play with in a one bedroom apartment, but Hale always did his best to make the places they stayed more comfortable.

They’d been running for almost four years now, and the younger boy was still on the smaller side. Hale was fourteen, soon to be fifteen, and was still petite and skinny. He stood at an unimpressive 4’9” with messy dark hair and bright green eyes behind his prescription glasses. The boy was hopelessly nearsighted. Laine, on the other hand, had grown and was quite proud of that fact. He was 5’11” and his lean muscles were well defined from manual labor, street fighting, and running through the obstacle course the streets could become.

His relaxed thoughts were broken as Hale gasped and dropped the plate he was washing. The sound had Laine on his feet with two wickedly sharp knives in his hands. Running to the door, he flung it open. Muffled explosions and destructive energy hummed in the air. He put his back to the wall and carefully peeked his head around to look down the stairs.

A man cloaked in black was fighting it out with another wearing blue jeans and a long-sleeved black T-shirt. The two had sticks out and were firing power bolts at each other without pause, all the while dodging and spinning like drunken dancers. Laine was about to creep backward when he felt small hands grab at his shirt. Hale.

The younger teen’s emotions trickled through Laine’s consciousness through their psychic bond, and the – fear desperation – had Laine reaching for his power. The blue-tinted fog that always carried them away began to rise around their feet just as the man in jeans shouted something angrily. The cloaked man fell, convulsing silently. The black-haired man slipped his stick into the sheath strapped to his thigh before turning toward the stairs, whole body tensed to run upward. His eyes locked on Laine’s.

The blue fog was halfway up their legs, not enough to carry them to safety. Laine felt his brain freeze up with shock, the fog dissipating slightly as he lost his grip. The man looked like the one from his dreams! The same pale white skin, the same thin, straight hair, the same sharp jaw and high cheekbones. He even had the hook in his nose! Rage tightened Laine’s stomach. This was going to be bad. Because in his dream… In his dream, this man claimed to be his father.

The man’s eyes shone with emotion as he took the stairs by three. His quickly approaching presence snapped Laine back into action. He shoved Hale backward as he fell into a fighting stance, both knives crossed in front of him. The blades shimmered with blue power. He couldn’t help it. It was impossible to keep it inside him when the air was thick with threat. It gratified Laine immensely when the man jerked to a stop, eyes wide.

“Laine,” Hale voiced timidly – confusion fear curiosity.

“Stay back,” he snapped. Hale flinched and quickly backed away, putting the opposite wall at his back.

“Laine,” Severus repeated, frozen halfway up the stairs. He was in complete shock. Frantically, he searched the boy’s face, drinking in the angular features, the hooked nose (thankfully smaller than his), the vivid blue eyes of Severus’ own mother, the straight black hair; there was no doubt. This was his son.

The sound of glass shattering and a high-pitch scream tore through his shock. There wasn’t time for this! Severus ran up the rest of the stairs, stopping just shy of the next landing. “We have to go. They’re gathering outside as we speak. We must hurry.”

“We’ll go nowhere with you,” Laine growled.

“How long do you think you can run?” Severus demanded, staring hard into his son’s eyes, begging him to see the seriousness of the situation. He wasn’t going to lose them. Not this time. “They will catch you eventually. You have no idea what they are capable of. They will never stop coming for you. You need a fortress. You need a refuge. I can take you to such a place.”

“If you want to help us, you’ll back away and let us go,” Laine countered warily.

Severus thought quickly, desperate to keep both boys with him. “That still doesn’t answer my question. How long are you going to keep running? Until the day you’re too slow? Until the day the enemy pulls you under? You’ve done wonderfully so far, but this time it was a very close call. The next could be your last. I’ve been fighting them almost all my life. I know how to protect you if you would just let me!”

surprise confusion anxiety – Green eyes peered around his protector’s form to catch ebony in its magnetic gaze.

Laine sneered. If the man thought he could be swayed with such obvious lies, he was mistaken. The fighting was getting closer. “Move away,” he ordered sharply, fierce.

Severus heart pounded. Another scream echoed up the stairwell. It sounded closer. He reached out, frantic. “I will to take you both somewhere protected by powerful wards. I swear on my life, I would not do anything to harm you. You will be safe!”

“Yeah right,” Laine sneered. “Move, you bastard!”

“I’m your father!” Severus yelled. It was the last thing he had to convince them. “You must trust me!”

“That crap’s not going to work on me!” Laine slashed out with his knife at the pale outstretched hand.

“You are my son. I want to tell you more, but we only have seconds before we are forced to fight for our lives. Come with me! You can always escape again later. What do you have to lose?”

Laine’s thoughts spun around. They were wasting time. The masked ones were getting closer. Was this really his father? Rage burned in his stomach. This was the man who had abandoned him? He remembered the years of torture, darkness, and despair he’d been made to suffer. Remembered what Hale had suffered. Hate burned his veins.

curiosity need hesitation – “Laine?”

Laine felt kicked in the gut. Of course Hale wouldn’t feel the same. Laine bit his lip. If they ran away now, they might never find this man again. And as much as Laine hated it, he was right. How long could they keep this up? It’d been four years and he was getting tired. This was no way for Hale to live. But this could be another trap… He felt torn asunder with indecision.

The stairs caught fire with a violent whoosh. The man dove forward toward the next landing. Laine jumped backward, out of reach. Hale latched onto the back of his shirt, and he felt the smaller boy’s trembling as his fear amped up to terror. There was smoke everywhere. They were already coughing.

“We’ll go with you,” Laine bit out, seething.

Severus immediately moved toward them. “I’ll have to touch you.”

Laine narrowed his eyes. He wrapped an arm around his back to hold Hale against him and stood rigid, waiting.

Severus reached out and put his hand on Laine’s tight shoulder. He Apparated them, carefully lacing the spell with a sleeping charm. It would be easier to get his sons to safety if they were unconscious and couldn’t fight him. It would take several hours to arrange transport back to the UK, and he didn’t want Laine to have a chance to change his mind.

xXx

Severus couldn’t stop his eyes from returning to the two thin teenagers lying unconscious on one of the motel beds. His team stood around the room, also gazing at their long sought after prize. Remus knelt by the bed, his hands wrapped gently around one of Harry’s. Tears glimmered in his eyes. Tonks stood behind him, a hand stoking through the werewolf’s graying hair. Linc stood against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, a look of deep contemplation on his face.

“What news, Severus?” Armand asked softly, standing close to Severus’ side.

Severus traced Laine’s features with his eyes. Four years devoted to finding Harry Potter. Not only had he finally, finally, gotten hold of the boy, but Severus had been reunited with his lost son. He should be filled with joy. Instead he only felt numb, lost.

“Severus?”

Remus, Tonks, and Linc were watching him now. They were braced. After four years working side-by-side on this mad mission, they had all come to trust and know each other intimately. They could read the horror echoing through his eyes.

“The Ministry has fallen,” he whispered into the heavy silence. “The Dark Lord reigns over the Wizarding world. It happened two months ago.”

They routinely checked in with the Minister and Dumbledore every few months, afraid if they made contact more often their communiqués would be intercepted and their position made known to the enemy. The latest reports they had gotten back were bleak. All out war had finally broken out across the Wizarding world last year, but that had not prepared them for hearing of the Dark Lord’s absolute victory.

“My floo call to the Ministry did not go through, so I called Hogwarts and was rewarded with a letter keyed to me. Dumbledore, in a last desperate move, sealed the school away from the outside world. It trapped the teachers and children within the walls, but also keeps them safe from the Dark Lord. Many families tried to evacuate, however the Dark Lord erected an impenetrable barrier around the UK. No one magical can go in or out without his express permission. The Death Eaters have absolute power, and the Muggleborns have been spelled sterile and made into slaves.”

“The Muggles don’t know? We would have heard otherwise…” Linc questioned, voice faint. His ashy completion revealed how disturbed he was at the news. Tonks was openly crying, and Remus held her tightly in his arms, golden eyes glowing with grief and fury.

Severus ran a hand over his face, utterly exhausted. “I don’t know for how long the Dark Lord will manage to keep the Muggle populace ignorant. Certainly he and the Death Eaters will prey on them for sport and torture. Perhaps organizing society to his liking has taken up his time.”

“Are we too late?” Tonks demanded, tears streaking her face. “Is this our fault? Because we didn’t bring Harry back in time?”

“He is a child!” Severus snapped, voice black with fury.

A hand at the small of his back made him close his eyes and take a deep breath. It would gain him nothing to take out his frustration and anger on the witch. Opening his eyes, Severus forced himself to think logically.

“There was nothing we could have done to prevent this. Harry’s not ready to face the Dark Lord. It is his destiny to destroy the Dark Lord, but we do not know how exactly Harry will manage this. All we can do now is prepare ourselves and him. Destiny will unfold at its own pace.”

“Where shall we go? We can’t stay here,” Linc pointed out. He tugged at his white hair fretfully. “The Death Eaters are still after Harry and us. My wards will only protect us from so much.”

“We need somewhere fortified,” Remus agreed. “I don’t know of anywhere outside the UK, though.”

“Me, either,” Tonks concurred. She wiped at her face and straightened her shoulders. She wasn’t about to fall apart now. Not when they were still very much in danger.

“My family owns a manor in Italy,” Armand spoke up. Every eye turned to him. “My family would likely have gone there, if they managed to escape before the barriers went up.”

Severus felt his guts clench in abject fear at the thought of Armand’s beautiful and fierce family. He prayed to Merlin they had escaped in time. It was even possible that Armand’s youngest sibling, fifteen-year-old Blaise, was locked safely away in Hogwarts. Severus could only hope so, and he turned to grip the man’s forearm tightly, offering support.

“Thank you for offering your home,” he murmured softly, pulling him toward the door. “Come. We’ll contact the Italian Ministry and secure a portkey. The sooner we arrive, the sooner we will know what we’re dealing with.”

Armand followed his lead without saying anything further and Severus’ hand tightened. If they discovered upon their return that vengeance was needed for the Zabini’s, Severus would gladly offer Armand his wand and magic to assist. He had no doubt the rest of the team would as well. The years had forged them into a unit, and they would stand as one.

xXx

One day later

Zabini Manor, Italy

Hale woke and sleepily blinked open his eyes. Warm sunlight flooded gently into the room. He sat up and stared with his mouth hanging open. A huge glass door opened onto a stone balcony. Gauzy curtains hung in front of it, softening the view of green rolling hills covered in clover and wild flowers. An elegantly carved redwood dresser sat across from the canopy bed he sat in. The feather comforter and silk sheets caressed his clean skin. Laine lay sprawled next to him, sound asleep.

A wind-up clock sat on the bedside table and the hands pointed to 10 a.m. A candle, half burnt down, stood next to it. Now that he was looking for them, he saw candles hanging from the walls and placed on the dresser. All of them were cream-colored like the curtains and bedding. He slipped from the bed and his feet sank half an inch into luxurious dark blue carpet. The room was huge! He spun, laughing quietly, and ran for the balcony.

He opened the curtains wide and stepped outside. The cool air teased at his naked chest. He went to the rail and looked over. He was on the second floor and the house seemed to go on forever to either side. Hills spread out before him, woods were to the right, and a lake was to the left. It was like paradise!

He ran back into the room and over to the nearest of the three other doors. He found a large walk-in closet. It was empty and he did a cartwheel across it and back before shutting it and racing for the next door. He gaped at what he found. He had to blink several times to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. With a squeal, he ran forward.

Laine jerked up at the sound and looked frantically for Hale. When he was greeted by a room he had never seen and no Hale, he opened his mind and called anxiously. Hale? Where their connection allowed Laine to sense Hale’s emotions, it allowed Hale to hear Laine’s projected thoughts.

“I’m in here!”

Laine jumped from the bed and ran for the door. He slid across marble and found himself in a bathroom. Hale was standing in the middle of the huge room with eyes wide behind his glasses – joy amazement uncertainty. Laine couldn’t help laughing. Hale was in white socks and white pajama bottoms. His skinny chest was bare and prickled with goosebumps. As Hale explored the many cupboards filled with exotic bathing supplies, Laine leaned against the long counter, arms folded.

Severus stopped just shy of the doorway, not wanting to interrupt. He thrilled at the chance to observe them.

“You could swim in this tub,” Hale whispered. He was beginning to feel like this was wrong. He would dirty this beautiful place.

“Oh no you don’t.” Laine marched forward and grabbed a handful of the messy dark hair. He pulled sharply, making Hale gasp and tilt his head back, exposing his throat. You belong wherever I am. You are not dirty. You’re mine.

Hale relaxed – trust love – and smiled up at him.

Not hearing the inner dialogue, Severus frowned at this violent and seemingly unprovoked action. He cleared his throat.

Laine tensed, earning another gasp of pain from Hale. He quickly released the younger boy and turned to see the man from before standing in the doorway. Was this really his father? The thought made him feel cold and hot at the same time. It was an uncomfortable feeling and he crossed his arms defensively against it.

“Do you like it?” Severus asked, trying to keep things light.

trepidation curiosity

You may speak to him. But do not talk about us. I will answer those questions.

acceptance love – “Yes, it’s very beautiful,” Hale answered shyly, smiling tentatively up at the tall man.

Severus smiled back, feeling a pang that Harry looked so much like Potter. He focused on the green eyes. “Breakfast is ready if you want to get dressed and come down.”

“Where are our clothes?” Laine demanded coldly. He didn’t like being half-dressed in front of this man, but he absolutely hated that Hale was half-naked as well.

“They should be in the dresser,” Severus answered neutrally. He knew it would take time to gain Laine’s trust and he was prepared to work for it. “New clothes should be there as well. They should fit. If they do not, please let me know. I will be waiting outside your door to guide you to the informal dining room.” He bowed at the waist and left them to their privacy.

Laine waited until he heard the door close before returning to the bedroom. Hale shot him a questioning glance, and he nodded. The teen smiled and began looking through the dresser drawers. He pulled out their jeans and dove back in. Next he found a few new long-sleeved shirts. He chose a blue one, matching Laine’s eyes, and picked a black one for Laine, knowing he’d like it best.

“Where are we do you think?” Hale asked, but Laine only shrugged in answer.

They quickly got dressed. Laine tucked his chin length bangs behind his ears. Hale’s hair was a mess, but it always was. Laine did make sure he covered his forehead. It had become their ritual every morning to make sure the scar couldn’t be seen. Laine saw no reason to stop being careful.

“Are you okay?” Hale asked softly with concern love.

“I’m fine,” he lied. He consciously relaxed his stance and offered Hale a smile. Luckily Hale had no way of knowing it for a sham, and the younger boy smiled back. Laine didn’t want Hale to worry. Nothing had changed. He would still protect them. Even here.

Laine offered his hand and Hale took it happily. Together they stepped out into the hall beyond. The man was waiting there just as he had promised. Fascination curiosity came from Hale as he studied this man who looked so similar to Laine.

Careful, Laine warned. Don’t trust him yet.

Hale nodded and moved closer to Laine’s side.

“I’m sure you must be hungry. Follow me.”

The man turned and led the way down the gently curving hallway.

From what Laine could tell, they passed two guest rooms before going down a wide staircase. Downstairs was much more open and just as opulent and elegant as upstairs. Laine remained silent and blank-faced as they walked, but Hale asked about the house. The man explained that on the first floor there was a sitting room, a parlor, a private study, a kitchen, and two dining rooms – formal and informal, and the kitchen. The second floor mainly consisted of bedchambers and a library. Breakfast was being served in the informal dining room.

Laine could hardly comprehend why anyone would need so many rooms in their house. He and Hale were lucky to have a one room studio to crash in, but he had to admit, although disgustingly extravagant, it was actually exciting to have this much space.

The informal dining room had three entrances, which reassured Laine greatly that he wasn’t trapped. Even more reassuring was the large floor-to-ceiling window that flooded the room with morning sunlight. A view of a well-kept rose garden could be seen through the glass. Laine had no doubt that he could be out that window with Hale before anyone could blink.

Feeling more confident, he turned his attention to the rest of the room. The center piece was a large oval table. Seven dishes and groups of utensils had been set out while several covered dishes covered the rest of the surface. Everyone sat in one of the spindly looking chairs that Laine was half-certain he’d break as soon as he sat on it. The furniture looked antique, which blended well with the cream wallpaper that had a golden pattern repeating throughout. A freaking chandelier hung above the table!

It was like stepping into an old painting. The effect was further enhanced by the silence and how all of the people sat so still, staring back at him. Uneasy, Laine hesitated, but Hale’s concern had him moving toward the two chairs furthest from anyone else in the room. He appreciated when their guide took a seat with the group at the end, giving Laine and Hale some space.

“Your house is really big,” Hale murmured shyly. “It’s really beautiful.”

“That is very kind of you to say,” the dark-skinned man answered. “I am very pleased to have you here.”

“Are you hungry?” the man who had brought them here asked.

“Yes.” Hale blushed, ashamed. “Thank you.”

“Who are they?” Laine demanded impatiently. He may have been raised on the streets, but even he knew introduction should have been made by now.

“I’m sorry.” Their guide gave a slight bow of his head. “How rude of me. The lady with pink hair is Nymphadora Tonks.”

“Tonks, please. I hate the other name,” the girl said with good cheer. She was the youngest of the group, only a handful of years older than Laine and seemed hyper. Laine regarded her suspiciously.

“Next to her is Remus Lupin.”

The man was in his late thirties or early forties, around the same age as the dark-eyed man who had brought them here. To be honest, Remus looked exhausted and weak. That was until Laine realized how intensely he stared at Hale. Laine’s metaphysical hackles rose. He’d have to keep an extra careful eye on this one.

“I’m happy to meet you both,” Remus said in a friendly tone. He didn’t once glance in Laine’s direction. “I hope we can become friends.”

“Hello.” Hale flashed a smile, still very curious.

“To his left is Linc.”

The silver-haired man said nothing. His blue eyes were much like Laine’s, sharp and hard. Laine sensed he was very powerful and he unconsciously fingered the hilt of the knife strapped to his waist, hidden under his clothes.

“Next is Armand Zabini,” the man continued the introductions.

Laine narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. The way Armand’s name had been said so casually had revealed a closer relationship to the black-haired man than to the others. Armand seemed to be in his late twenties, about ten years or so older than Laine, with long dark brown hair that hung loose around his shoulders. His skin was a dark caramel color and his eyes were hazel. He projected a calm that was both relaxing and dangerous.

“It is good to meet you at last. We’ve been looking for you for many years,” Armand spoke with easy serenity.

“And why is that?” Laine drawled, staring Armand down. Armand didn’t seem intimidated, however. He bore Laine’s hard look almost acceptingly. It made Laine’s skin tingle, and he looked away with a shadow of a frown. He’d have to think more carefully about his reaction later.

“We’ll get into that after we eat,” the black-haired man promised. “This house belongs to Armand’s family. We hope to get into contact with Lady Zabini soon. And I am Severus Snape.” Severus gave them another half-bow. “Pleased to meet you.”

“What are we having?” Tonks spoke up, trying to ease the tension.

Armand gave her a small smile. “I had a little of everything prepared. This is a day for celebration.” He waved her hand over the table and the lids on the many serving platters lifted and flew gracefully through the air to land in neat stacks on a side table.

Laine tensed, flooded with adrenaline and Hale’s shock. They knew these people were likely the same as them, able to use the supernatural force that had made them hunted all these years, but seeing it felt like water had been thrown in his face. Laine grabbed Hale’s hand tightly, ready to flee if he had to. But nothing threatening happened. Quiet conversations struck up between Armand and Severus, Tonks and Remus, and Laine was able to turn his attention to the food.

Dishes of eggs, sausages, bacon, grits, pancakes, waffles, fruit, toast, syrup, and jams of all different flavors were spread out before the six adults and two teenagers. They had gone hungry many times during the last four years. To see all this food on display was a little overwhelming, but Laine’s duty kicked in and he began serving the quiet teen at his side. Hale’s first bite was taken with a slightly shaking hand, and Laine felt bitter shame sear his insides. Clearly he wasn’t taking good enough care of Hale.

happiness content – Hale looked up at him with sparkling eyes. “It’s great!”

Laine felt the darkness in his heart loosen. He brushed his fingers down Hale’s cheek. “I’m glad.” The teen obeyed, and Laine cast a careful look toward Severus. The man was eating quietly. Sighing, Laine took food for himself. His eyes widened on his first bite. Hale wasn’t joking. It was delicious!

As they ate, conversation remained casual. Laine asked where they were and was surprised to learn they were in Italy. Remus talked about the weather a bit, so they would know what to expect in the next few weeks, and Linc entertained them with stories about the Wizarding world and magic. Laine almost choked when Armand informed them he had six sisters and three brothers to look for, as well as his mother. Laine couldn’t even imagine it! Even Hale became more confident and comfortable as time passed. Soon he was talking and laughing, and Laine slipped witty remarks into the conversation that made Armand and Severus smirk.

The relaxed atmosphere instantly disappeared when the meal was finished.

“Don’t worry about the dishes. I’m sure Severus would like a word with you,” Armand offered, looking toward Severus expectantly.

Severus nodded and rose gracefully to his feet. “Yes, thank you. We will use the sitting room, if you don’t mind?”

“Go ahead.” His dark brown eyes looked down at the two teenagers with something like sympathy.

Laine stood, his shoulders tight with tension. Hale fidgeted next to him, nervous. Laine felt protectiveness rise in him. He gripped Hale’s shoulder firmly, pulling him in front of him so that he could keep Hale in sight at all times.

Severus mentally sighed when he saw this defensive behavior, but he knew it was to be expected. The sitting room wasn’t far. It was more intimate and less cluttered than the parlor, although Severus didn’t particularly favor the red paisley wallpaper. He sat on the black couch positioned across from a matching love seat. A low coffee table separated them.

Laine settled warily while Hale curled up against his side. They made a strangely attractive picture together with the white china vase holding dark roses on one side and a small bookcase filled with Severus’ favorite fiction stories on the other. Laine’s unblinking blue eyes watched Severus while Hale looked around with obvious interest. Severus hoped this conversation went well, although he feared his sons would react poorly to what he had to tell them.

Severus folded his hands in his lap and began. “I’m sure you have questions. I’ll answer you what I am able, and I hope you will do the same.”

“I would prefer answers from you first,” Laine countered harshly. Hale now had his gaze firmly fixed on Severus.

With both teens staring so intently, Severus felt a little hot under the collar. “Understandable.” He leaned back, making his body language less threatening. “I think I will begin with magic… You see, there are two realities, so to speak. One reality is based in magic; the other is mundane. Those with magic can live in the mundane society like you have been, but magical people normally live in little pockets that make up the magical community. It is people from the magical world who hunt you.”

Laine frowned and reached for Hale’s wrist, holding it protectively. He could see people have one or two supernatural talents, but magic? It was a little hard to believe, actually. He’d pictured something more along the lines of the X-men!

“When you say ‘pockets’ do you mean an alternate world?” Hale asked, eyes bright and interested.

Severus quirked an eyebrow in amusement. “No. We share the same world, but the mundane humans, or Muggles as they are called by magical people, have the urge to move away if they get too close. These towns and cities are simply a blind spot to the mundane society, but we take up surface area on the same Earth.”

Laine narrowed his eyes skeptically. “Go on.”

“There are two types of beliefs in the magical community. And the tension between the two has always run high. There are some villages and towns where people follow one belief or another. However, in larger magical areas, the two people mix.”

“Like a magic city,” Hale said with a grim. He leaned forward, eyes still wide and his cheeks flushed with excitement.

“Yes, but it is nothing like a city you would imagine. There are no tall buildings or vehicles. Both types of people from the magical community reject technology and use magic instead. For example: we fly on brooms and travel through fires instead of cars. We do not have electricity. Think of the 19^th century from mundane history, but anticipate the luxury from the modern day world you know.”

“Go on,” Laine repeated impatiently. Hale pouted. He wanted to know more about flying that didn’t involve an airplane! Laine gave him a warning glance and he subsided.

“As I was saying,” Severus continued when he had the teens’ attention. “There has always been tension between the two beliefs, and this affects the magical laws and the way things are run. Every couple hundred years, give or take, a war will breakout, but nothing really changes. The believers of the Light side have always come out slightly stronger. But that has changed.”

“Wait.” Laine held up his hand with a sneer. “Light side? Let me guess, the other side is the Dark side.” He shook his head at the cliché. “What exactly does each side believe?”

“The Light side believes we should live in the shadows and watch over the mundane reality. Make sure they don’t destroy themselves with the knowledge they are gaining. They believe mundane people are equals in soul. They accept Muggles born with magic into the magical community and teach them. The Dark side hates this. They hate Muggles and find them disgusting. They want the magical community cut off from the mundane one. It is their belief that Muggles are only good for servants, slaves, and toys.”

Hale’s hands spasmed around Laine’s arm, his nails digging into his skin. Laine flinched, his face losing all color, but he kept his expression impassive through a sheer force of will.

Severus noticed the extreme reactions and definitely didn’t like what it implied. Still, he had a lot more to say and wanted the teens calm. He made his voice low and soothing as he continued. “Not many people are faithful to the Dark because of its excessive methods.”

Laine could hardly speak, but he needed to know this. He needed to know what to protect Hale from. “And now there’s a Dark Lord?”

“Yes. Sixty-eight years ago a witch died giving birth to a boy whose Muggle father left her during pregnancy. The baby grew up in an orphanage. He was then accepted at eleven years of age by a prestigious school called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was there he began his study into Dark magic.”

“Dark magic?” Hale whispered, frightened. Laine carefully freed his arm from the teen’s grip and wrapped it around Hale’s shoulders.

“Yes. Magic is classified into Dark and Light magic, and this boy was uncommonly good at Dark magic,” Severus said as matter-of-factly as he could. “Before his seventh year at Hogwarts, he killed his father and grandparents. After he graduated, he traveled the world, finding and consorting with the stronger believers of the Dark doctrine. It was in the year 1970 that he came back into public view and took up the title Lord Voldemort.”

Laine frowned, his hair falling from behind his ear and shadowing half his face. “He was a half-blood himself. Why would anyone follow him?”

“Because he was bringing victory to the Dark side for the first time in almost a century,” Severus answered sadly. He closed his eyes briefly in pain. “I came from a bad family. I was susceptible to the Dark lure and had a great magical skill with potions. The Dark Lord recruited me, thinking me the perfect servant. But I met a Muggleborn witch and fell in love with her. Lily Evans, your mother. Albus Dumbledore convinced me to become a spy, for her and the Light. I agreed.”

“Dumbledore?” Laine wrinkled his nose at the funny name.

“Yes. He is very powerful and old. The Light side cherishes him as their leader.”

“What happened?” Hale asked softly. He felt horrible for Severus. Being a spy must have been an awful burden.

“Lily was taking potions to make her temporarily infertile. Magical potions are one hundred percent accurate, and I brewed them myself. They shouldn’t have failed.” Severus shook his head. He still had no idea how it was possible that she had become pregnant, not once but twice! “We were still in school. The Dark Lord was slowly building his power base. I had just agreed to be a spy, and we were only teenagers. We couldn’t have a child in all that, so she sent the baby across the sea to an orphanage where it would be safe from the war and hopefully adopted.”

Laine pinched the bridge of his nose. “And that’s how I ended up at Wright Orphanage in New York City.”

Severus’ hands clenched in his lap. “Lily and I both wished it could have been different.”

“I’m sure,” Laine sneered hatefully. “Go on. What happened next?”

Severus knew he deserved Laine’s hatred right now, he’d done nothing yet to make it up to him, but it didn’t make telling this story any easier. “A little less than a year later, Lily became pregnant again. She couldn’t handle losing another child. She left me and seduced a fellow classmate by the name of James Potter. They were married in a month. I assume she was able to extend her pregnancy by two months through some magic and made Potter believe the child she bore was his. Thus my son, Harry Potter, was born at the end of July instead of the end of May. The magic she preformed must have made him take on Potter’s appearance as well. That’s why he doesn’t look like us.”

The way Severus gazed intently at Hale made it clear he was talking about the younger teen. They both stiffened, eyes going wide. Laine didn’t know what to think. If this was the truth… Hale was his brother! What were the odds of his little brother being sent from England to the same Hold as Laine? It was impossible! Wasn’t it?

Laine wasn’t the only one floundering. It was too much for Hale to take in. He had a father? Laine was his brother? His name was Harry? For some reason that was what stood out the most. “My name… My name’s really Harry? My f-family only called me Freak.” – self-hatred –

Laine pulled him into his lap and wrapped his arms tightly around the skinny body. I told you. There’s nothing wrong with you. You were never Freak. And you’re Hale. Now and forever.

- relief gratitude - Hale hid his face against his chest, huge tears soaking into Laine’s shirt.

The tension from waking up in a strange house, in a different fucking country, and then confronted with the impossible and told he really did have a father, and – as a cherry on top – Laine’s charge was really his brother by blood… It was all too much. Hale was upset, and Laine wasn’t just going to sit there uselessly. He was going to make damn sure that this man wasn’t a liar. With desperate force, Laine’s magic built to a crescendo. He looked into Severus’ dark, inky eyes and crashed through to the mind burning behind them.

…

Severus walked softly across his bedroom, hoping not to disturb the girl asleep in the bed. The night had been particularly hellish. He’d had to commit gruesome acts to please the Dark Lord and maintain his position. The hot bath he’d taken immediately upon stumbling through his floo had done very little to make him feel clean. Only one thing would. Lily. She saved him every day. She’d seen the cracks in his hatful mask. Even more amazing, she actually loved what she saw underneath. Exhausted in both mind and body, he crawled under the covers and felt her warmth seep into him.

Merlin! He wasn’t even touching her yet and already he felt like he was basking under a gentle summer sun.

When her soft, silky arms wrapped around his naked torso he was engulfed by heaven. The smell of this girl, her smile and laugh, the softness of her body, enticing red luscious hair, and brilliant green eyes; she drove him mad with want and need. Her intelligence only fueled that lust and her compassion tempered it with love. She was his everything. She got him through his days filled with the petty academic concerns of a seventh year student and through his nights as a Death Eater. Lily was the air he breathed.

“Sev.”

Her sleepy voice came from the darkness and caressed his ear. He couldn’t stop a grin from forming as he snaked an arm around her to pull her close. She came willingly, wrapping a bare leg around him, wearing a T-shirt and nothing else. Despite his exhaustion, Severus felt his heart quicken.

His growing lust disappeared as quickly as it caught fire as a chilled tear hit his shoulder. “Lil? What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Sev. Please. Let's runaway. We can go and leave all this behind; live together in peace.”

He sighed. He thought she was past this already. “We can’t let him take over, Lily. You know that. Dumbledore needs help. And I’m the only spy he has that has an ear in the Dark Lord’s inner circle. It’s a miracle that I’m accepted as much as I am, and it’s only because he needs potions no one else can brew.”

“I know,” Lily whispered, still distressed. “And I’m so proud of you. You’ve helped so many. I would do the same if I could. I just wish things could be different. I wish there had never been a Dark Lord.”

Severus said nothing. What was there to say? Of course he felt the same. Everyone did, except maybe the Death Eaters.

“Sev… I can’t do this.” She was crying hard now and the broken sound tore at his heart. “I love you so much, Sev. With all my heart and soul. I wanted to be here for you, to support you and give you strength.”

Something had happened and she was leaving. Tears burned the back of his eyes, but they didn’t fall. Tears hadn’t stained his cheeks since he was a child. He had vowed to never cry again, and he wouldn’t. Not even for Lily. He didn’t understand! He thought they had gone through the worst already, and she had stuck it out with him. For this to be happening now was like a Dementor’s Kiss.

“I can’t, I just can’t do it. I can’t give up another child for you,” she wailed.

“What!” Severus jumped from the bed and quickly spelled the lights on. “What do you mean?”

“I’m pregnant. Again.”

Lily sat in the middle of his bed. Dark circles lay under her eyes, her lips raw from her worrying at them. It made him feel awful knowing he was the cause of such wretchedness. It was this sight of her that gave him the will to let her go. She deserved better than the life he was giving her. All the heartache and sacrifices, she didn’t deserve them.

Neither did any child.

When Lily had gotten pregnant and given birth to their first child last November, almost a year ago, they had agreed to give it up. Lily had only been sixteen when she gave birth. Even had they been free from the complications of the impending war, they might not have kept the child. They were too young. It just wasn’t fair to the baby, especially when Severus was in such a dangerous position. He hadn’t been a Death Eater then, but it was certain that he would become one.

The Dark Lord had courted him since he was fourteen, and Dumbledore had been suggesting he become a spy for almost as long. It was because of this that they had kept their relationship a secret from the very beginning. Lily was a Muggleborn, after all. The Dark Lord would suspect him if he had a serious relationship with her. Amazingly, Lily had accepted it. But she had almost broken it off with him when she had gotten pregnant. Despite her young age and the reality of war, she’d a hard time letting go of the child. For her to get pregnant again, it was beyond cruel!

“I made you conception potions,” he accused.

“You know I took them! I did nothing wrong either time,” she yelled back, her sorrow flashing into fury.

“How is it possible?” Severus desperately needed to understand. After the first accident, they’d done everything needed to prevent it from happening again. Why did fate keep taunting him with the family he’d never be able to have?

“I don’t know! I just know that I won’t give this one up, too. I can’t do this. Keeping our love a secret at school is one thing, but we graduate next May. What about then? Will I be locked away in a warded room so no one knows of your perversion? I just can’t do this anymore. I’m so sorry, Sev. I love you, but I can’t do this anymore.”

He sat tiredly, head in his hands. He’d thought just moments ago that he had to let her go, that he was killing her, but thinking it and doing it were totally different things. He needed her. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to bed James Potter and marry him after we graduate.”

Severus’ head snapped up, black eyes burning. “I forbid it, Lily. You will do no such thing. That bastard is the most pompous, arrogant arse in the world!”

“And he’s madly in love with me! He’s the only one who will believe the whirlwind romance I’m going to stage. I have to make him believe this child is his.”

“Lily, you can’t,” he implored her. “Don’t let the man who hates me with a passion raise my child.”

“I’ll be raising it, too,” she rasped, obviously tormented. “There’s no other way, Sev. None. I’m sorry, but I must do this.”

He looked at her sitting on his bed, their bed, legs pale against the dark satin sheets. Her gorgeous body on display in the thin T-shirt. He wanted to beg her to stay, to change her mind. He knew he could. Her wet green eyes stared at him hungrily, desperate and afraid. If he opened his mouth and said the right words, she’d never leave him. She loved him…

He said nothing.

Nothing as she climbed from the bed and pulled on pajama bottoms.

Nothing as she flung her school robes over her night attire.

Nothing as she walked out of the room sobbing.

Nothing.

In the morning, she’d try to bed another man. It was over between them. Forever. His throat closed up with misery. How would he endure this? How?

“Lily,” he whispered. “Lily…”

…

The scene from Severus’ memory had bloomed in Laine’s mind easily, taking less than a minute to comprehend. But before he could see more an equal force swelled against Laine’s intrusion and shoved him out from the man’s dark eyes.

Laine clutched Hale to him with one arm protectively; the other was up with the knife bared in warning. Dizzy, panic stuttered along his nerves as he struggled to see if Severus was going to attack them. But when his watering eyes cleared enough to see, the man sat passively, staring at them in shock.

Chapter end.

Please review!
- 1
- 2
- 3
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

Freedom In Chains