Deepest Bonds

Deepest Bonds

*

Decisions and Reactions

*

Albus Dumbledore glanced up at the sound of his office door being opened, curious to see who was coming to see him on such a late hour. He was delighted to see Severus coming in. However, his smile was soon replaced by a frown as he saw the expression on his favourite professor's face.

"Sit down, my boy," he said, then offered, "Tea?" At Severus's careful nod, he tapped the teapot on his table with his wand, reheating it. Summoning two cups, he then poured them both some tea. Handing one of the cups to Severus, he then asked, "So, what's the matter? You seem distracted."

"I need your advice," the Slytherin said quietly. "In a matter concerning my Master."

Despite Dumbledore's trust for Sirius, suspicion raised its ugly head in his mind. "Sirius hasn't used your bond on his advantage, has he? If that is the case, rest assured that he will get his due punishment."

"Oh, no, he hasn't done anything unacceptable," sighed Severus. "In fact, he's been as generous and concerned about my well being as possible." With another sigh, he added, "However, I can't help thinking that it would be easier if he just ordered me around, uncaring about my opinion on one matter or another."

Now, Dumbledore frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked. "Is it some act of his in particular that is disturbing you at the moment?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so." The Potions Master sighed again. "My Master has expressed... interest in entering a romantic relationship with me, and has given me the choice of either accepting or declining his offer."

Now, that certainly surprised the Headmaster. "Oh!" he exclaimed. "Well, what are you going to do?"

"Frankly, I don't know," Severus said. "I've never been offered a choice in such a personal matter."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "What about your entering a relationship with Remus?" he asked.

Severus shook his head. "That was a different matter altogether, and you know it, Albus," he said. "With Remus, I was the one to take the first step. The circumstances were also very different -- we were in the middle of war for one thing. And besides, if anybody could ever be equal to me, which I doubt, it was Remus with his werewolf status. Sure, he was still far above me even in our heavily prejudiced society but in our relationship we were equals. With my master, that would be impossible. We're as unequal as it goes. How would that affect our possible relationship?"

Dumbledore sighed. "You are right," he said. "Full equality between two people should be the very foundation of any relationship. However, I have to admit that Sirius seems to be determined to make you as equal to any other human being as possible. Surely you agree with me on that?"

Severus snorted. "Albus," he said, "after a lifetime of slavery under two Malfoys, being allowed to sit on a chair in my Master's presence feels like equality." At seeing the old wizard's expression, he smirked dryly. "Yes, it's true. Stephen Malfoy let his dog sit on the couch, but never one of his slaves. It wasn't until I came to Hogwarts that I was to sit on a chair in other people's presence. Until then I'd been always forced to sit on the floor, unless there were only other slaves present."

"Merlin, Severus," Dumbledore breathed, horrified. "I never knew that."

"It doesn't matter," replied the younger man, shrugging. "You couldn't have done anything even if you had known. And besides, Sirius doesn't seem to have anything against me sitting on the furniture." He sighed yet again. "But I still don't know what to decide about his offer."

"Choose whatever feels right to you," the Headmaster advised. "However, let me talk with him first. I want to make sure that his motivations are acceptable." For a moment there was an icy glint in his blue eyes that was nothing like their usual warm twinkle.

So, Severus then left the Headmaster's office, feeling still indecisive, but now secure.

*

Sirius was a bit unsure as he entered the Headmaster's office. The summon sent by owl late at night had been polite but no less stern. He suspected it had something to do with his suggestion to Severus.

True enough, as soon as Sirius had got seated, Dumbledore fixed him a stern glance. "Severus told me about an... offer made by you," the ancient wizard told him.

Sirius just nodded. It didn't surprise him that Severus had gone to seek advice from the Headmaster. He'd already noticed that Dumbledore was the only true father figure his slave had ever had, and that Severus respected him a great deal. Of course the Potions Master would ask for his opinion if he was unsure.

Now, Dumbledore gave him a serious gaze. "Do consider properly what you are doing, Sirius," he said. "If it is just sexual release you're looking for, then forget Severus. Do not make any moves at him, nor respond to any moves he might make at you. Approach Charlie, if you must -- he's never been one for true relationships. But unless you're really in love with him, have nothing of that kind to do with Severus. You know as well as I do that the life has already struck him badly enough. I won't let you hurt him any more by playing with his feelings and offering promises you aren't going to keep."

"I would never do that," Sirius said quietly. "Believe me, Albus, I would never play with his feelings."

"I'm glad to hear that," Dumbledore said. "I will not allow Severus to be hurt again."

And there was a threat in his voice that told very clearly what would happen to Sirius if he did hurt Severus.

*

Sirius did not go to Severus's quarters the next day. He didn't want the slave to feel like he was pressured into a decision. Instead, he just stayed in his own rooms all day, trying to waste some time by reading books. Whenever he heard some sudden sound, he turned his head to look at the door attaching his quarters to Severus's. As Hogwarts with all its magic, ghosts, and human inhabitants was by no means a quiet place, he soon developed a serious kink on his neck. And Severus wasn't even finished with his lessons for the day yet. Merlin, he was truly getting desperate.

However, as the evening went on and Severus remained absent, the Animagus started to get restless. Even if his offer was to be declined, he would like to get to know it as soon as possible. So, he had to struggle with himself so as not to go and simply ask Severus again.

As night started to fall, he finally resigned himself to the fact that he wouldn't hear the Potions Master's decision until the next day, if even then. So, he finally left the sitting room of his quarters and headed to the bedroom. Moments later, he lay in his bed, trying to get some sleep but restless.

Suddenly, he heard the door to his bedroom being opened. A dark form showed up in the dim square of light that marked the doorway, until it disappeared again, melting into the shadows of the room. He held his breath as he listened closely to the almost soundless footsteps on the floor. Then, the mattress shifted slightly, and he managed to make out the dark form of a man sitting on the edge of his bed.

After a moment of absolute silence, Sirius's ears caught the sound of ruffling cloth. In the dim light of the bedroom he saw as the dark form of Severus's robes was replaced by the paleness of his bare body.

"I've made my decision," the Slytherin said quietly. Then he lay down onto the bed and slid under the covers, his bare body brushing against Sirius's equally naked form.

The breath caught in Sirius's chest. Even this light touch on his side was enough to make him half-hard. Then light fingers brushed his chest underneath the covers, and he forgot about the half. Greedy for more, he turned to his side and gathered the other man's pale, lean body into his embrace. The explorations his hands made on the other wizard's form were returned, although hesitantly, by the soft hands wandering up and down his sides and back. As he then leant in for a kiss, being careful to keep it soft and gentle, the pressure he got in response was very hesitant but still existent. Encouraged by this, he continued his doings.

At last, he drew back. "I want to see you," he whispered hoarsely. "May I?" As he got the quiet agreement, Sirius reached for his wand and murmured a quick charm to light up the candles in the room. Then he pulled back the covers, surveying the pale form in front of him.

Severus tried to turn his face away, seemingly ashamed. Sirius, however, turned his head gently back to facing himself and leant again forward to place a warm kiss on the thin lips. "You are gorgeous," he praised. "Simply gorgeous." Then, he went on showing what exactly he thought about the Slytherin's body.

Soon neither of the men was aware of the time, and definitely not overly concerned about it. So, neither of them could tell exactly how much time had passed by the time Sirius lay on top of Severus, grinding their hips together. "Do you like this, Severus?" the Animagus murmured. "Tell me. Do you like this?"

The other man gasped, incoherent at the moment. At last, he forced himself to say, "Yes... Master..."

*

"Master..." Severus's own voice echoed in his ears. He gazed up and saw grey eyes that shone with a silver glow in the flickering candlelight. Another body was pressing him against the mattress, its weight and warmth oddly familiar against his skin. Familiar, and... terrifying.

A hand was raised to touch his cheek, a pale, slender hand, and he panicked, pure and simple. A hoarse cry of uncontrolled fear escaped his lips as he began to struggle against the muscular body on top of him, trying to get away from it. He knew he was sobbing but didn't care, his only thought being that he had to free himself from the other man, even if fighting meant being punished even more badly. He just couldn't give up so easily, couldn't let this man use himself without a fight. Couldn't, and wouldn't.

The other body rolled away from him, and he quickly crawled to the other side of the bed. Once he reached the edge of the bed, he curled up on a ball, shivering in fear. Trying to stop the sobs that were still coming out of his mouth in desperate bursts, he bit his lip, wondering what would come upon him now. Would it be the whip now, or a simple beating? Or just another rape, only rougher than usually this time? He'd rebelled against his Master, refusing to give what his Master wanted. Surely he'd be punished.

To his great surprise, no violence was landed upon him, not even a single curse or hex. Instead, a gentle hand was placed onto his shoulder, and a quiet voice asked, "Did I frighten you, Severus?"

That was it. His Master never called him Severus, never when there were just the two of them. Maybe he wouldn't be punished this time after all. Encouraged by this thought, Severus slowly turned around. To his great relief he didn't see cold silver eyes or a mane of blond hair. Instead, warm stormy grey eyes were watching him from a face surrounded by midnight-black hair.

"Look, I'm really sorry, Severus," sighed this man -- 'Sirius,' supplied his mind. 'Your new Master. A good one!' --, "I really didn't mean to scare you, I just didn't think. I should have been more careful, it's obvious you've had bad experiences about it. I'm sorry I didn't remember that."

"There's nothing you have to be sorry for," whispered the slave, then choked out, "M-Master." Then, with an even quieter voice, he continued, "I'm stupid and disobeying. You really should punish me."

A smile touched Sirius's lips. "Don't you dare tell me what I should or should not do, Severus Snape," he said, teasing but nevertheless gentle. "Look, let's do it this way. You have my permission, no, my command to do whatever you wish with me. Whatever you tell me to do, I will. Let this night be yours."

The skinny Potions Master glanced up at him, the expression in the deep onyx eyes unreadable. Then, however, he crawled up to him and, hesitantly at first but slowly getting bolder, started to do exactly as instructed. Needless to say, both of them enjoyed themselves very much.

In the end, they both fell into exhausted sleep, their limbs intertwined. Severus's head was resting on Sirius's chest, rising and falling by the Animagus's breath. The arms around him were warm and comforting.

And, for the first time in a very long time, Severus Snape slept peacefully through the night.

*

Sirius awoke to see Severus just finishing buttoning his robes. At his questioning gaze, the Slytherin replied, "I need to get to my own quarters and properly dressed. I have classes to teach, you see."

The Animagus pouted. "Can't you just tell the little buggers that there are no classes today?" he whined.

Severus smirked. "Even though I would certainly greatly enjoy seeing Albus's expression as I presented post-coital exhaustion as an excuse for missing a class, I'm afraid I couldn't keep a straight face through it," he said. "So, I think it'd be better if I just simply went to teach the brats."

"Very well," Sirius said. "I'll see you after the classes, then?"

"Most certainly, Master." At first, Severus hesitated a bit. Then, however, he leant forward to place a gentle kiss on the other man's lips before leaving the room.

Sirius lay on the bed for a long time, a broad grin on his face.

*