Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

The Cost of Living	By : LadyHemlock27 Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Snape/Draco Views: 19810 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and I make no money from this fic

Chapter List
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- 2
      A/n: So I know that the one review I have on this favors the length of the first posting of this chapter, but I got to thinking that maybe that unwieldy size might be why more people aren't reading this unusual pairing. So I'm splitting it up, but never fear all the same content is still here- just reorganized. I also wanted to tell folks that I have a page in the forum up to discuss this fiction and reviews of it. Here's the kink- ah I mean link http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/topic/52086-review-replies-and-comments-for-cost-of-living/
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Severus Snape sighed internally. Nothing of his irritation and disgust showed of course. Damn Riddle’s evil sense of humor, he thought, but he pushed aside his true emotions to smirk. “You give me such lovely gifts my Lord; I am unworthy, but grateful. When do you want me to take him?”
            The Dark Lord shrugged. “Whenever you wish, this would not be so much of a reward if I placed restrictions upon it. The only thing I will ask is that you not ruin Draco’s ability to carry on his bloodline. Use him as you will, but keep him alive and fertile.” His pale, scaly fingers grabbed the youth’s chin and jerked his head up to meet red eyes. “You have failed me severely young Malfoy. This is your chance to still be of use to me. Serve your new master well or I will not be so lenient with your family again.”
            Draco’s panicked, wide gray eyes flicked over to his formerly loving father in utter disbelief, getting only a cold smirk and icy glare. Why wasn’t his father stopping this, at least asking their Dark Lord to take him for himself, rather than to the filthy half-blood bootlicker Snape? The ugly thoughts swirled around like mad, and even Draco knew they were only smokescreen for his real terror and despair. Would he have to show the Dark Lord his obedience?
            “Don’t look at me Draco,” Lucius Malfoy answered his son’s desperate, silent plea. “You’re the one who failed a simple assassination, and it is only fair that the one who succeeded in it be given a reward for doing so. You’re a man now, I am no longer inclined to indulge and protect you from the results of your idiocy.”
            Severus hid a wince. He knew of course, how much this cool façade was costing Malfoy Sr. How the fuck could Draco not know his own father well enough to spot it? He smirked, grabbing a pale bare shoulder, his fingers digging in cruelly. “My Lord is generous to me. If you have no further directions for me, I will take him back to my home now. Perhaps he will be able to show you his…” Snape pause, with a practiced smirk, before continuing “…progress at the next meeting.”
            With a heated glance to Lucius, Lord Voldemort dismissed the half blood and his new toy, “Do as you will now; I have better things to occupy my time tonight. Come Lucius, and properly thank me for sparing your son’s worthless life.”
            Before either of the Malfoy males could crack and destroy the small mercy they had managed to eke out, Snape drawled, “Then I take my leave my Lord,” he bowed, and then turned to his old friend with a smirk “Feel free to visit any time Lucius. I’m sure my new servant will make you welcome.” He grabbed Draco’s other arm and disappeared.
            As soon as his feet touched the floor in his worn out home, he let go on Draco’s shoulder. “Draco,” Severus murmured, “Are you still with me?”
            The young man, boy really, nodded his eyes glassy and tear-filled now that his mask was no longer in place. “Ye-yes sir. Thank you for saving me.” He bit his lip, swaying from shock and the effects of his earlier time under the Cruciatus. It had only been two minutes, but still more than his young frame could easily handle.
            Snape sighed, gesturing to a sofa “Sit down. I’m going to get you something light to eat, and then we’ll talk about this… development.” He walked off, leaving the heartbroken and dazed boy standing in the middle of the floor. He’d wanted to explain their plan so badly, but even Lucius had believed that Draco’s reactions would not ring true if he did not really feel the hurt and betrayal, and shame from his father’s anger. He made up a tray with sandwiches and some cold muggle soda. Maybe that little treat would cheer the boy up, just a bit.
            When he returned he stood silently watching. Draco was actually sobbing into a throw pillow, mumbling over and over, “Why Father, why didn’t you s-save me?”
            Severus set the tray on the table and petted the distraught boy’s back. “He did dragon, he did. He made sure I was the one who got you.” He sat next to the golden and cream ball of crying boy. “He’ll be here in a few hours probably, when the Dark Lord is finished with him. You need to eat and calm yourself so that you’ll be ready to greet him.”
            “You were so awful Sev, why?” Draco’s heartbroken whisper twisted a knife through Snape’s heart.
            “Because dragon, I had to make it believable as a punishment.” He pulled the youth into his lap and soothed him, with a gentle rocking motion. “Just think of it as the cost of living.” He waited for the youth to cry himself out and then slid him gently onto the sofa next to him. “Now eat this, and try the drink. I think you’ll really like it. I’m giving you the rest of the night in grace, dragon. Tomorrow is soon enough.”
            “Why did you have to go and promise the Dark Lord a show?” Draco grumbled, eating somewhat listlessly, but steadily. The food had no flavor or texture in his mind; he couldn’t even tell what it was.
            “Because if he has that to look forward to, then he might leave us to our own devices most of the time, do you really want him here monitoring your ‘punishment’ himself? I guarantee you that would make it a thousand times worse.” Snape rolled his eyes. “Enough of this, you can’t possibly tell me this is anything new for the Sex God of Slytherin?”
            “That was my father, not me,” came the dry response. He was slowly regaining his composure. This really was the most fortunate turn of events possible. If his punishment lessened the Dark Lord’s retaliation against his parents, then it would be worth giving Severus his virginity.
            “Oh Merlin, you mean to tell me you’re the one fucking Slytherin teenager who hasn’t shagged?” Severus slammed his hand over his face. “You do realize that even

I had several lovers by your age, as ugly, snarly and badly bred as I was?” He snickered, “Hell your father was one of them.”
            Draco paled. “Sev you implied I’d have to- that I’d fuck my father?” he almost started crying again. “Why would you even give him that horrible idea?”
            “Because it would get that old pervert thinking about satisfying the lust such an image caused in his diseased brain,” Severus replied, not acknowledging the slight thrill he, himself, felt at the thought, “And therefore off punishing your father and mother with Unforgivables. I don’t think they can take another round of Cruciatus so soon without permanent nerve damage. As disgusting as it is to think of Riddle and sex in the same sentence, it is at least survivable and recovery is possible. Just like sex with your greasy old bat of a potions master is more survivable than too much torture and ending up like the Longbottoms.” He sighed and changed the subject, casting a worried glance at the clock on the mantle. “So how was the soda? It’s a muggle drink.”
            Draco stared in awe at the Death Eater who dared to have muggle items in his possession. Sev really was untouchable. “It was...good actually. B-better than butterbeer.”
            Noting the change in his young charge, Severus petted his hair gently. It was good if the boy could find things to admire about him, for there was no question of not consummating Draco’s servitude. If Nagini didn’t tip the Dark Lord off, then that bastard Greyback would, he would be tortured, possibly to death and Draco would be given to someone more ruthless to punish. “Go take a bath Draco and I’ll see if I can find out anything about your father.”
            “Yes, sir,” he mumbled and stood, stumbling into the table with a soft curse. “What do I put on afterwards?” his velvet leggings were filthy and full of holes. They’d probably have to be burned.
            Severus had to take a moment to beat down the demon of temptation, in spite of the grim nature of the arrangement. Yes Draco was lovely, but he wasn’t going to keep the boy naked all night, particularly since poor Lucius would be arriving as soon as he possibly could. Eyes casting about the room for suitable material, Snape’s gaze finally lit upon an old cloak. He transfigured it into a soft, satin green robe, though very short. There were limits to how much material had been there, so the garment was only half as long as the cloak had been, but it should give his dragon a sense of security. “This should do for now, you can have one of the house elves bring you some of your things tomorrow.”
            Draco stared at the satiny scrap and swallowed hard. Clearly Severus was already planning to dress him like a bloody concubine. He grabbed it and nearly ran for the bathroom, blushing. When the door clicked shut behind him, he stood there shaking, debating on whether or not to attempt to lock it. The older man had said he would be given a night of grace, but…What fool believed a Slytherin about such things? He wouldn’t feel bound to keep such a promise to a slave himself. And even if they’d arranged it to keep him alive, it was still very much for real.
            In the end he simply turned from the door and started the water running. Severus was the head of the house, no lock in a wizarding home would keep the head of house out anyway. Draco shed the disgusting leggings gratefully and sank into the magical tub with a soft groan. Everything hurt. He’d not been handled gently before being handed over to his new master. The bruises and bumps were almost as bad as a light flogging, and the residue of his first time being crucioed was making itself known. He huddled in the tub, chin on his knees, for he wasn’t quite sure how long, until he heard a knock.
            “Draco your father’s here. You’d better come out soon. Its…not good.” Severus’ voice was unusually gentle and that scared Draco more than the words themselves.
            He scrubbed himself and used a spell on his hair, stepping out and putting the robe on still wet, he flung the door open, leaving the water in the tub. “Where is he, what’s happened?”
            Severus allowed his black eyes to wander over his promised lover. “Very nice. I should be a good follower more often, if this is what I get,” He took Draco’s limp hand and rubbed the back of it gently. “He’s alive and will recover. Remember that.” He led the silent youth to the parlor where a pale and tense Narcissa sat, a bloodied and unconscious Lucius at her feet, a golden chain clenched in her bloodless hands.
            Draco stared at his parents, blushing that his mother should see him dressed like a whore. He finally tore his eyes away. “What happened?”
            Narcissa’s blue eyes crackled with witch fire. “Greyback happened. The filthy beast attacked your father at that insane snake man’s command. He- he raped him and then bit him all over. He’s certain to be a werewolf now. He sold my son into slavery, he’s doomed my husband to a life worse than death, and it has got to stop.” She smiled faintly as her son’s appearance sank in, “Very pretty Dray,” she commented, with a wicked little chuckle. “I’ll bet it’s driving you to distraction Sev, trying to be honorable.”
            Snape closed his eyes, defeated, “Cissy you know what I’ll have to do. I can’t stop spying, especially not now that you two have to go into hiding with the meddling old coot and his band of merry idiots. That means…well it’s a good thing I’m his godfather, I can do his coming of age and it won’t ruin his future in pureblood circles- if there are any left when this madness is done.”
            Narcissa nodded gravely, “That is a good thing. And yes, I know what you must do. But hurt him one ounce more than necessary, and when the baby is born, I will hunt you down, tie you up with your guts and feast on your testicles.” She beckoned to her silent and pale son with one hand. “Come here my love.”
            Draco, ever the obedient son, did. He stood next to his mother, trying to fight the urge to fling himself into her lap sobbing. He contented himself with perching uncertainly next to her on the sofa. “Is he really going to be okay?” He stared at his father, avoiding the previous conversation about his upcoming rape altogether, as well as the notion that it might not be rape, exactly.
            “Yes, he’s already healing, see? That’s how we knew he’d contracted the lycanthropy.” Narcissa pulled her son to her. “Let me hold you love. You’re not quite a man yet, it’s acceptable, even in front of another Slytherin.” She glanced over to Severus. “Sev take Lucius to your lab please and feed him whatever potions you think will help. I have to give my son the talk about how to serve as a proper pureblood submissive. This course of action means there are a lot of things we’ll have to do to ensure his future after the war.”
            Snape grinned, levitating his friend, “Well someone should. I don’t think he understands the full ramifications yet. And you might as well tell him about the spying. He deserves to know why you’re leaving him at his darkest hour.” He floated Lucius out of the room and to his basement laboratory.
            Draco sat stiffly next to his very pregnant mother. “What did you feel I needed to be told Mother?” he asked a touch more formally than necessary.
            “You are a pureblood love, first and foremost. That means that you would have someone bring you into manhood on your twenty-first birthday anyway. We don’t like to leave such things to chance. That you now must submit to Severus is incidental, because he would have likely been our choice in the first place. Each pureblooded child is brought into sexual adulthood according to their preferences by a godparent usually. That’s the purpose behind the restrictions on who is chosen to be a godparent. It’s a symbolic beginning of learning one’s duties from them. And there is usually a temporary bond for a year or two between the young pureblood and their… teacher. That’s why we didn’t try to avoid the Dark Lord’s creative punishment for you. It’s not so different from what we planned anyway. And we know you’re attracted to males as well as females love. You could do much worse than Sev for a first partner.”
            “Dear Merlin not you too Mother! Has Severus fucked everyone in our family?” Draco blurted out, appalled. He refused to admit that part of his reaction may have been jealousy.
            Narcissa laughed, “Not the way you think. He’s never been my lover directly, but I have seen his skill. He used his considerable talents on your father many times, when we were young. Now about your duties; you’re fortunate that he has agreed that you can take a couple of the Malfoy house elves here to serve you both. Otherwise it would be your duty to keep his home clean and his clothing repaired, to prepare meals if he wished, all of which you are disastrous at my love, as well sate his carnal desires. As it is, most of your duties will lie there since you will have elves.” She rubbed her son’s tense back. “We chose him for a reason love; remember that tomorrow when you’re scared. Your father and I, not the Dark Lord, picked him to be your first lover, because we knew he’d take care of and with you. Normally, you would have been told this at a much earlier age, and would have had more opportunity to prepare yourself. But your father and I- we didn’t tell you so that if things took a turn for the worse, we would have a way to get you out of the war and keep your reactions realistic.”
Draco swallowed hard. The idea of trading his body for protection and education from Severus wasn’t actually that dreadful to him. It was only the suddenness that frightened him, the abrupt change and the lack of knowledge. Still he could see that the Dark Lord would not have given him to Severus, if Draco had displayed no terror and shame at the thought.
            Narcissa raised teary blue eyes up to meet his. “Be brave, I know that’s not a usual Slytherin trait, but in this case, it’s necessary, be obedient and practical. The Potter boy might actually win this war, especially since we’ve done all we can to help, and positioned close to Sev, you’ll be set no matter which side wins.” She kissed his pale cheek.
“Yes love; we were the Dark Lord’s supporters in the first war. But after you were born, suddenly everything changed. We didn’t want a world of darkness and hate for you. So when he came back, we went straight to Dumbledore. Your father has been feeding him information for years.” She pulled him even closer to her breast and tightened her hold, the tremors wracking her son’s body shivering through her small frame as well.
“Yes we’re spies and have been all of your life. But you could never know because you were always subject to a mind probe from the Dark Lord and he was always at the manor. Now you’re actually much closer to freedom than you think, the Dark Lord is never here, because of Sev’s enchantment with all things muggle and since he still trusts Sev, he won’t interfere much with Severus’ training of you. He will probably even allow the bond and the coming of age because he wants you to be eligible in all the right circles to wed and bring him more followers through your children.”
            “Isn’t there anything more specific you can tell me about what- what I’m supposed to do for him?” Draco whispered, hiding his scarlet face in his hands.
            “Ask him what he wants, not me. I’m a woman, love; we have completely different desires than men, even the rare dominant ones such as me.” She giggled, “Oh you never noticed that, did you? Your father is such a peacock, so vain and prideful; I had to let him be head of house just to keep him sane. But love the true mistress of the manor was always me. And if you’re clever and sweet, you can be the one in ultimate control, even though you obey Sev’s orders.” She winked. “That’s the secret of submissives Dray. Your father has me wrapped around his finger, and he’s wrapped around mine. In our case he is head of household but I am the dominant one in intimacy. I believe in your case you’re going to be totally submissive, but that does not mean powerless.” Narcissa spent the next few minutes explaining her statement.
            “You’re saying that eventually he’ll care enough about me to give me whatever I want, thereby handing me the true power? And I will be s-stuck with him for at least two years, even if Potter wins the fucking war?” Draco flinched, feeling a little sick with nerves.
            “Yes, because you must be trained anyway, it’s only the beginning of this new adventure that didn’t turn out as planned. Do try not to be childish about this, love; I know you can see the advantages of such a turn. What’s more I have watched your father and Severus- believe me this will be pleasurable, if you let it. We’re going to have to go into hiding, Dray, so we probably won’t see you again until long after your coming of age. Use the vaults my dear to give yourself a splendid party and to serve your needs and wants, you will have to take over as head of the household, because tonight your father and I became ineligible to remain so. Your father had the papers drawn up because a dark creature is not legally allowed to own property.” She kissed his cheek again, finally letting her tears slide down her face. “If there was anything we could do, love, that wouldn’t leave us all worse than dead we would try it, to give you a bit longer to get used to the idea. But there isn’t, so I expect you to bear up to this with dignity.”
            She left Draco on the sofa, pale and trying very hard not to cry anymore. In a few minutes Severus came back into the room. “They’ve gone to the Headquarters of The Order to hide, Draco. Remus Lupin is going to help your father transition into one of the law-abiding, saner werewolves.” He sat next to Draco, not reacting when the boy visibly flinched. “They’ll be safe dragon.” He patted his chest, “Come here, let me hold you since there is no one else. My promise to wait for true sex until tomorrow holds.”
            Draco remembered his mother’s admonishment to be obedient. It held more sway than the Dark Lord’s ‘punishment’ did. Reminding himself with every breath that his parents, not only the Dark Lord, had chosen Severus, he forced himself to comply, leaning his head against the strong, lean chest he’d slept on as a child so many times. “Th-thank you, Severus.”
            “Hmph. You know you aren’t feeling the least bit thankful right now, dragon. In fact you want to kill me so badly that I’d better watch myself if you take over the cooking.” Snape petted the soft, fine white-blond hair. He bit back a groan as his cock hardened unbearably with a surprisingly fragile and sweet smelling, lovely boy in his lap. “Draco, you’re eighteen, plenty old enough for this to be damned good. You aren’t a tiny child who will be torn to pieces, and I’m not Greyback, to leave you in the state you just saw your father in.”
            Draco could feel Severus’ hard length under him. The barely there robe pooled around him, but his ass was bare against the stiff black robes his new master wore. He met Severus’ eyes with a wide, terrified gaze. “Please don’t. Don’t m-make me do this,” he finally broke down and let the desperate plea escape.
            “Not tonight, I told you.” Snape felt almost like crying himself, even though he wanted nothing more than to pin the squirming youth down and fuck him all night. “But you serve me, dragon.” He reached up under the short, thin robe, grasping Draco’s cock in his hand. He was relieved to feel it respond a little. “So we’re going to play a little, though I’m not taking you fully until after we both get some sleep and a little more to eat.” He stroked the cock firmly, a silent spell adding a bit of lubricant to ease the way. “You’re not much smaller than I am, Draco, did you know that? Just relax, it feels good, doesn’t it?” he varied the speed and harshness of the strokes, pleased to see a flush spreading over his young lover’s pale cheeks, his gray eyes glittering softly with more passion than tears now.
            Draco’s breath came in quick, soft pants. Oh Merlin this was the amazing. Sev had put something wet and warm on his hand, it made things much nicer. He reached down to find the spelled opening in Severus’ robe. But a larger hand caught both of his. He looked up, trying to think around pleasure. It was so intense it nearly hurt. He squirmed trying to get closer and away at the same time. So close, he was so close. Oh Merlin this was better than anything he’d ever had. Even better than the time Pansy had done this, and much, much better than his own efforts.
            “Not right now, dragon,” Severus murmured. “Let me give you this.” With a suddenly dark grin, Severus tightened his grip on the delicate wrists in his hand, and then slid his fingers over the sensitive ridge on the bottom of Draco’s cock, and then slowly up to the tip, pressing into the little hole there, forcing it to stretch, just a bit.
            The blond youth thrashed against his human restraints and bit back a scream. He wouldn’t give anyone the satisfaction of making him loose control again. He’d been weak enough with all this stupid crying. Then the other man’s finger pushing against the slit on the tip of his cock hurt and felt amazing at the same time. Oh Merlin those fingers! He’d always loved watching those long, dexterous digits working, and now he began to get inklings of why.
            “Give it to me, dragon, give me every response. That’s the first rule I’m making for you. Never hide yourself from me.” Severus crooned, leaning down to kiss a patch of perfect white flesh on Draco’s chest, where the robe had slid open a bit. He kissed over and pushed the fabric back with his tongue to lick and bite one pale nipple ever so gently.
            That was enough to send the boy screaming over the edge, his balls tightening and his whole body shaking as he came all over Sev’s hand. He slumped forward, his wrists pushed against his stomach; he could feel the wetness spreading. That was the best orgasm he’d ever had, so why was he crying again?
            Severus smiled and pressed a light kiss to the tear stained cheeks. “Come on, up you get, its time for bed. You’re crying because it’s been an awful night and sexual release is a catharsis.” He stood, adjusting his own aching cock. Perhaps…Perhaps he could let Draco take care of it once they were in bed. He always slept nude, and saw no reason to change that now. He took in the image of come-splattered innocence, and it made his balls ache. But he saw the exhaustion and emotional strain as well, which made him curiously gentle. He did a quick cleaning spell that was both silent and wandless. “Here let me carry you.” He hadn’t been tortured at all tonight, so his reserves of energy were a little fuller than his young lover’s. Strange really, now that he thought of it, that he hadn’t been punished all night. It made him wonder if the Dark Lord had actually wanted him to be able to take care of his new charge.
            Draco nodded slowly, his face red as he stared at the prominent erection tenting Severus’ robe. Its going to kill me, he thought hysterically, I have seen smaller daggers. He flinched slightly when the man picked him up almost effortlessly. Draco wasn’t an exceptionally small young man either, only a few inches shorter than Snape, though he didn’t have the muscle tone from years of combat and strenuous activities yet.
            Snape could feel the boy’s heartbeat and tortured breath; they amused him. He rubbed the tense back through the thin satin robe gently. “It won’t kill you, and you don’t have to worry about that tonight anyway.” He carried the boy to the bedroom, opening the door with just a flick of magic. He laid Draco on the bed and then walked over to shut and lock the door.
He never slept with a door open and unlocked, but the sharp gasp behind him told him that his young lover took it differently. Oh the poor boy was going to have kittens when he started undressing. “That isn’t in your honor dragon,” he murmured. “It is simply part of my routine. There is no reason to leave it unlocked and us more vulnerable. The house elves will magic themselves in and there’s a full bath just through there. You are also not a three year old. You can unlock the door if you need to.” Severus rolled his eyes. The drama of youth was awe inspiring really.
Draco couldn’t tear his eyes away from his new master, even as part of him rebelled against the mere thought. When the older man started undressing, he exclaimed bitterly “I knew you wouldn’t keep that ridiculous promise.” He tried hard not to sound hurt and afraid.
“I always sleep nude, Draco.” Severus explained patiently, he wouldn’t point out that he essentially owned the boy for the next two years anyway, so there was no need to rush. Some foreign trace of pity induced him to turn the lights out with a muttered ‘nox’. “I am not changing that habit for nervous boys who had best get used to the idea anyway.”
Draco strained in the sudden dark to know what was happening. He heard a soft swishing thud and knew that Severus had removed the last of his clothes. He felt the bed dip and shrank back as far from the other man as possible. “Please Sev,” he whispered, “Please don’t…hurt me much, okay?”
The whispered plea broke Snape’s heart. He pulled Draco close. “Have I ever hurt you, dragon?” he replied, “I am a creature of habit, as bats usually are, and will not likely start now, excepting whatever the Dark Lord insists on.” He smirked, wrapping his arms around the shivering boy.
“But you’re still hard,” Draco mumbled, now unable to ignore the warm hardness of the other man’s body against his, the poker-stiff erection digging into his stomach, slightly damp. “And I know I should do something about it.”
“You will,” Snape took one of Draco’s cool, slightly trembling hands and guided it down to his aching need, adding lubricant with the same wordless spell as before. “The same way I did you. And then we’re going to sleep.”
“Really? That’s it?” Draco curled his hand tentatively around Sev’s cock, a little shocked by the sudden warm wetness on his hand and feeling a brief moment of despair when his fingers only barely touched around it. He didn’t care what the older man said; it was going to make him wish he were dead. The feeling of surrealism mounted as moved his hand almost sluggishly over the hard flesh, he tried to think of anything else but what he was doing.
“That’s it,” Snape inhaled sharply. It had been a very long time since anyone had touched him with such gentle innocence. “Pay attention to me. Draco, do exactly what I did to you.” Then he lost the ability to speak as his obedient boy did.
Draco varied his strokes and speed just as Snape had. He remembered the shockingly pleasurable feel of Sev’s finger pushing against his slit and mimicked that as well. It helped that the room was dark and silent except for the soft noises of pleasure. He felt Sev’s cock twitch and jerk in his hand. It was the only warning he got before hot seed spilled out over his hand. He jerked back so suddenly he almost fell out of even the large bed.
Bringing his come-coated hand up to his face, he tried to stare, but couldn’t see much. He had the strangest urge to lick his fingers. He flinched at the light touch of Sev’s fingers on his hip.
“Are you alright, dragon?” Severus asked gently. “That was very good, thank you.” He watched the boy stare at his own hand. “Does it really look and feel that different than yours?” He allowed his amusement to come out in the comment.
Draco glared at him, or at least about where it sounded like the decadently rich voice had come from. “I’m f-fine and no, I guess it doesn’t.” He prayed the older man wouldn’t hear the catch in his voice.
“Dragon, you’re trying to lie to me. Something startled you, what?” Snape kept his tone level and calm. He did the wordless cleaning spell again; somewhat puzzled and amused by the way Draco slumped against him in relief.
“I- had the strangest thought a moment ago. Of licking your-your, you know, off my hand.” He shivered. “It was unnerving.”
Severus laughed, “Oh I imagine it was. But it’s a good sign that you want me, at least in a physical sense, dragon. You thought maybe I’d planted the idea didn’t you, and actually expected you to do it?” he embraced the boy, sharing warmth and comfort hopefully. “I didn’t though, that was just a normal reaction, part desire, part submission and part simple curiosity.”
“Sev… can you just imperius me tomorrow? Please?” Draco mumbled, his mind whirring in circles of fear and desire, confusion and bitterness, even as his body slowly relaxed and he got sleepier.
“You think I need an unforgivable to make you desire me?” The dark wizard chuckled, “Oh no dragon, you’re going to come apart for me and love every second. I’ve seen you watching me, your eyes full of curiosity and at least a little interest. But sleep now, there is nothing I can say or do tonight to make tomorrow easier.” He hummed a little tune like he sometimes did for the terrified and homesick first years in his house.
Hearing his former head of house comforting him like he was a frightened eleven year old was both soothing and mortifying. Draco had seen his kindness to the little snakes, and his odd compassion for muggleborns, secretly expressed of course. He felt himself relax a little. This was the same man he used to call Uncle Sev, the one who had loved and protected him all his life. Why should he be afraid of him now? But the answer to his musing was lost in the mist of sleep.
Severus knew why, of course. Up until the last week or so, they’d all managed to keep Draco out of the worst of the Death Eater business. But after the boy’s birthday, there had been no way to keep him from witnessing his father and beloved Sev in their harshest aspects. And now, knowing he was disgraced, Draco was afraid that Severus would treat the boy with the same coldness and cruelty he’d witnessed the men use on their victims. Worse the boy still didn’t know Dumbledore was really alive in hiding, or that Sev was more of a spy than a real Death Eater. Cissy had hinted at it, but he didn’t really think the boy had been capable of understanding yet.
The older man watched the young blond sleep for a long while before he finally drifted off himself.
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The Cost of Living