The Darker Edge

    The First Seduction

     The next night, Severus Snape was sitting alone in the darkest corner of the Slytherin common room. A single black candle on the desk before him burned a blue flame, providing feeble light, but Severus hardly noticed the low light. He was used to reading in near darkness. His Transfiguration texts were open beside him, and he was trying to memorize the spell for transforming a porcupine into a pincushion. It was bound to be on the Transfiguration O.W.L., which would be taking place in two days. Severus did not eagerly anticipate the look on the Transfiguration teachers face if he earned less then an E on the exam. Professor McGonagall, the new Transfiguration teacher, already had a reputation for being tough. Severus supposed that exceeding her expectations would be very difficult.

    His mind was not as focused on the homework as it usually was. His thoughts kept returning to his last History of Magic class and his conversation with Lucius. Although Severus had claimed to dismiss Lucius’s ideas as hopeless fantasy, the truth was Severus felt a glimmer of hope in Malfoy’s words. He could not erase from his mind the thought of being like royalty, able to coax shrieks of pain from James Potter with a mere flick of his wand. Was it possible that he, Severus Snape, could wield such power?

    Part of what made the conversation so vivid in his mind was the intensity which Lucius had exhibited. Severus despised Lucius, but he had to admit that the pureblood son of a bitch was intelligent. It was unlike Malfoy to jump into something impulsively. Lucius had all the power and wealth a person could wish for. He was not likely to involve himself in hopeless schemes. Whatever this Voldemort character was up to, Lucius Malfoy believed in the cause with all his heart.

    Then there was his brief but enlightening conversation with Professor Binns. Most students considered Binns to be an old prune, living in the past, but Severus was well aware that Binns was very much in the know about current events.

    Binns had not been able to tell Severus much about the plans Voldemort had for the future, but he had passed on a few rumors that he had overheard from travelers in the Hog’s Head. According to rumors, Voldemort was gathering supporters, mostly disenfranchised pureblood wizards, as well as ancient wizarding families who wanted to see the Ministry overthrown. However, no one knew how Voldemort meant to go about such a task, or indeed if that was even his goal.

    Binns had, however, told Severus a good deal about the man who called himself Lord Voldemort. Severus had been stunned and disappointed to learn that he was a half blood, a boy with a Muggle father, who had grown up in a Muggle orphanage. His name had been Tom Riddle, and he had been a Hogwarts student. Severus had not been surprised to hear he had been a Slytherin; nearly every ambitious figure in the wizarding world was. It had come as a shock to learn that Riddle had been a prefect in his day, which was not so many years before Severus had started at school. In Severus’s experience, prefects were mostly inefficient, pompous snobs who lost their popularity and drive immediately after leaving school.

    Tom Riddle had been a brilliant student as well, according to Binns. Severus, who was much more knowledgeable in potions and Dark Arts then the majority of his peers, had never even heard of some of the curses Riddle had successfully demonstrated in his N.E.W.T.’s. He was extremely well read and understood many languages.

    Severus shook his head, clearing his mind. Thoughts of Voldemort made him feel uneasy, though he was not sure why. Surely, if such a man was in power then he, Severus Snape, heir of an ancient pureblood family and a skilled Dark wizard to boot, would face no danger. In fact, he would probably be commended. It would be nice to finally be recognized, Severus mused, by someone other then an aging history Professor.

    Suddenly a figure in long, perfectly kept dark robes brushed by, sending Severus’s parchment scattering. Severus dived for his parchment and set it on the table, prepared to launch into an angry tirade against the offender, but the boy was already hurrying away. Severus noticed the long sheet of silvery blonde hair hanging down the young mans back - it was Lucius Malfoy.

    Quietly Severus closed his potions text. Where was Malfoy going in such a hurry, and so late too? Most of Slytherin house was already asleep, each student tucked in their bunks under warm green wool blankets. Severus found it difficult to sleep, and as a consequence spent most nights awake in the common room, working by the light of a single candle. Many others would have found such conditions unbearably lonesome, but Severus had been alone for so long he barely noticed.

    He slid out of his seat, his legs stiff from many hours unmoving in the wooden chair. Quietly, he crept after Malfoy, who was walking in his usual rapid swagger. What could Malfoy possibly be up to at such late hours?

    As Severus walked slowly behind him, Lucius made his way down the stairs, glancing furtively around every few steps as he descended. It was after hours, long after curfew for students. However, Malfoy had never been one to obey the rules. He was never overt about his rebellion and his charm usually covered for him, but he refused to be told what to do. Severus, on the other hand, was open about his disgust and disenchantment with authority, but had never really acted on it. He enjoyed the rare attention from the teachers, especially Binns, who was quick to compliment Severus.

    Lucius headed out the front door, moving silently in the inky blackness outside. Severus paused on the staircase and ducked as Lucius spun around, checking to see if anyone was watching him. Severus held his breath for a moment, certain that Lucius would come stomping over and demand to know why Severus was tailing him. However, Malfoy seemed to believe that he was alone. He stepped out, pulling the door closed behind him.

    Severus let his breath out slowly. He stood up, shaking, and tip-toed over to the door. It was not completely closed; he could see the silhouette of Lucius Malfoy against the moonlit yard. Malfoy was hurrying along the edge of the lake, looking for all the world like he was not just taking a casual midnight stroll. Severus reached for the door, intending to follow, and felt a hand on his shoulder.

    “Severus Snape, out of bed at two in the morning!” exclaimed Professor Binns, who was dressed in a pair of grey pajamas and a long nightcap. “Some pressing engagement keeping you awake tonight, Mr. Snape?”

    Severus opened his mouth to explain, but closed it just as quickly. If he told on Malfoy, Lucius could make his life Hell. The pompous prefect could be absolutely intolerable if he was upset.

    “Master Snape, I suppose you have a good excuse for being out of the dorm at this hour?” Binns inquired again, his eyebrow raised.

    “I,” Snape started, but shook his head, not meeting the Professors eyes. What was he supposed to say? If he lied, Binns would see right through him.

    “You know, being out of bed at this hour is a serious infraction. We are responsible for your safety while you’re in school, and it’s a difficult task when you try to sneak out on the grounds.”

    “Yes, I understand,” Severus said miserably. He hated himself for being so passive and obedient when inside he felt like screaming.

    Binns adjusted his night cap. “Normally the punishment for this type of infraction is a meeting with the headmaster and a note home.”

    “Great, another Howler,” Severus sighed.

    Professor Binns seemed to understand Severus as no other teacher had. He clapped Severus on the back. “I see no reason to trouble the Headmaster or your parents over a single infraction. Why don’t you head up to your dormitory, Master Snape, and we can overlook this incident. Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

    “It won’t, I promise,” Severus replied, his face burning in shame. He turned and hurried up the staircase, thinking dark thoughts about Lucius. It was all Malfoy’s fault that he had left Slytherin den anyway, yet he, Severus, was in trouble while Lucius was off to Merlin knows where.

    Severus sighed. The jealousy he felt for Malfoy was overwhelming. It had been that way for as long as he could recall.

    As children, he and Lucius had been introduced by their parents, who had wanted them to be best friends. However, dark, gloomy Severus had immediately taken a back seat to golden haired, perfect Malfoy. His own parents had become ashamed of him, doting instead on Malfoy. It would not have been so bad, Severus concluded, if they would have let him stop seeing Lucius, but Malfoy was a constant presence. His parents constantly criticized him, asking why he could not be more like Malfoy. They neglected Severus or teased him, but they had practically worshiped Malfoy.

    When Severus had grown a bit older he had been able to understand, mentally at least, that his mistreatment was not his fault. He knew in his mind that his father was solely responsible for his uncontrolled rage, his abuse and his drinking. He knew his mother was weak and powerless, and that their flaws were not his fault. However, he had always felt as though he deserved their neglect and abuse. He had never felt good enough. He had always felt as though he had to mask his feelings and excel academically to please his parents, who of course where never satisfied. If his grades were poor they accused him of stupidity, if he excelled, they complained that he was unpopular and obsessive.

    Severus stomped into the Slytherin dormitory and flung himself face down on his bed after jerking the curtains closed around him. He wished that he could escape out of Hogwarts school and be somewhere completely alone, with no one to make fun of him or look down at him. More then that he dreamed of popularity, of being accepted by his peers and made to feel welcome. How wonderful it would be to become Lucius Malfoy, admired by both boys and girls. Lucius was always being asked out, everyone respected his opinions. Even the Gryffindor brats, Sirius Black and James Potter, never picked on Lucius. They tolerated him while striking out at Severus.    

    Twirling his wand as he lay in bed, Severus could not help but think about what had happened to him just a few days before. He face bloomed pink with shame as he recalled the horrible feeling of being suspended upside down in air, his robes hanging down by his hips, his underclothes exposed. He remembered the jeering laugh on Sirius Black’s face, the rude catcalls and the taunts. The humiliation had been complete, but it was made even worse by the fact that Severus had long had a secret crush on Sirius.

    Sirius Black was the most gorgeous boy in school, even better looking then golden boy Lucius Malfoy, who had is own fan club of admiring boys and girls. Sirius had a dark, daring streak that attracted glances from both males and females. His charming grin and mischievous personality made him hugely popular. Even James Potter, Quidditch star and teenage heartthrob, admired and practically worshiped Sirius Black. To nearly everyone in school Sirius was a loyal friend, and he always attracted admiration with his endless pranks and love of jokes. Even the teachers found it difficult to be stern with him, no matter what his behavior.

    Severus had adored him since the first train ride to school. He had taken a seat in a compartment alone and was paging through some books when a boy with a casual grin and confident air had opened the door and looked inside. Sirius had flashed a gleaming grin at Severus and apologized for disturbing him. He had gone off and sat elsewhere, no doubt forgetting the encounter, which Severus had never forgotten.

    He had never expected Sirius Black to feel anything for him. It would have been shocking even to have Sirius treat him with respect, which Severus had never felt he deserved. Severus had never wanted anything but to be able to admire Black from afar and to engage in occasional fantasies about him in the privacy of his own curtained bed. He had never hoped for anything except to catch a glance of Black here and there. The mere sight of Sirius and his casual, rumpled hair made his heart pound and his skin break out in goose bumps.

    He had followed Sirius, James and Remus out to the lake after the O.W.L. for no reason other then to admire Sirius while he studied. He was feeling more confident then usual, as he knew he had done fairly well on his O.W.L., and he had even allowed himself to indulge in a daydream about Sirius. It had been pleasant, until James Potter, that asshole, had spotted him.

    Severus burned with rage and curled his hands into fists. How he hated James Potter. Severus envied James even more then he did Lucius, because Potter was with Sirius constantly. The two were like twins, always together. How Severus longed to be the one Sirius plotted his pranks with, how he wished he could sit beside the lake with Sirius, instead of always watching from the sidelines.

    He sighed and pushed the thoughts from his head. There was no point in hoping, in wishing any more. Sirius hated him, maybe even more then James did. There was no reason to hope.    Severus sighed again and forced himself to close his eyes. Comforting fantasies about Sirius tried to intrude, but Severus made himself think about something else. He gritted his teeth, bitter, and tried to sleep. Finally, blissful, mindless blackness overtook him.

    When he next opened his eyes, it was morning. He was still wearing the robes from the previous evening. They were tangled and wrinkled, and he had somehow managed to get himself twisted around in them. He heaved a heavy sigh and struggled to disentangle himself. He had been awake a mere minute and already wished he had never woken up.

    When he was finally free of the robes he pulled back the hangings that surrounded the bed. He was surprised at the brightness of the room. The sun was shining brightly, visible even through the darkened windows. It looked much later then seven, the time he normally awoke to dress for breakfast.

    Severus yawned and stretched. As much as he wanted to spend the day hiding in the dark, warm comfort of his bed, he knew he had to go to class. Merlin knew what he had already missed, and there were more O.W.L.s scheduled for the next day that he needed to review for.

    He swung his feet over the edge of the bed and his foot collided with something warm and hard. Immediately, Severus leapt back onto the bed. He peered over the edge of the mattress. Lucius Malfoy was sprawled on his back on the floor, sleeping soundly. His left arm was thrown over his head, his right resting on his stomach.

    He looked exhausted. There were blue crescents under his eyes, and his normally alabaster skin was so pale that Severus could see the blue veins running through his neck and jaw. His fair hair was tangled and fell partially over his face. His lips were smeared with something red, either blood or lipstick. He was still wearing his black school robes, but they were horribly wrinkled and pulled up nearly to his neck, exposing his chest. His black pants were rumpled. It looked for all the world as if he had passed out beside Severus’s bed.

    “Lucius?” Severus whispered, rubbing his eyes to make sure he was hallucinating. He prodded Lucius lightly with his bare foot, surprised at the coolness of his skin. “Lucius, are you alive?”

    “Hmph?” Lucius snorted, and rolled over on his side. He shut his eyes tighter against the bright sunlight and curled himself into a fetal position.

    Severus sighed. He was too tired to deal with Lucius so early in the morning. He was tempted to let the bastard sleep the day away on the floor, but he was also quite curious as to why Lucius was laying there.

    “Come on, Lucius,” Severus persisted. “I think you’ve missed your morning N.E.W.T., Mr. Perfect Prefect. Hadn’t you better get up now?”

    Lucius rolled onto his back, frowning. He opened one bloodshot eye. “Erm...ugh...what time is it? Why is it so fucking bright?” He covered his eyes with his arm, sighing.

    Severus consulted the clock. “Nearly lunch time,” he remarked with surprise. No wonder it was so bright out. “Get up.”

    “Don’t wanna,” Lucius moaned. He coughed and groaned. “Just let me lay here and die.”

    Severus shook his head, amused in spite of himself. “Lucius Malfoy, are you drunk?”

    Lucius opened his eyes again and yawned hugely. “I feel like I’ve been hit in the head with a hammer, now that you mention it.” He closed his eyes, but managed a feeble grin. “Do ‘Avada Kedavra’ for me, Severus, and put me out of my misery. C’mon, be a pal.”

    “Pal?” Severus cocked an eyebrow. “You are messed up, Malfoy. It’s rather disgusting to hear you talk like a Mudblood Hufflepuff.”

    “I’m not disgusting,” Lucius singsonged. “I’m gorgeous, and you know it. I know you want me, Severus.”

    “I want you, all right, I want you out of my way. Merlin, Lucius, you are a sickening sight in the morning.”

    Malfoy managed a feeble grin. “What a flirt you are, Severus. I love it when you talk dirty to me. That’s how I know you want me.”

    Severus raised an eyebrow. “Me? Want you? I seem to remember a young blond who couldn’t keep his hands off me when we were kids.”

    “I admit it,” Lucius said, his eyes still closed. “You were a damn sexy sight when we were first years. You never wanted anything to do with me though.”

    “I still don’t,” declared Severus haughtily.

    “Liar,” chided Malfoy. “I see you when we’re in the shower at the same time. Can’t keep your eyes off me.”

    “You’re drunk, Malfoy,” Severus remarked coldly. “If I stare, it’s only because I’m fascinated with the morbid.”

    Lucius grinned. “Keep telling yourself that, big boy.”

    Severus shook his head, bored with the banter. “Get off the floor, Malfoy. I have to go to class. I can’t spend the whole afternoon here with you.”

    “Why not?” Lucius asked, opening both eyes again. “I’m serious. I’m a prefect, I can write you an excuse.”

    “You have enough to worry about writing yourself an excuse. At least all I missed was review classes. You missed an N.E.W.T.! You should have known better then to get drunk during exams.”

    “Don’t preach, Severus, it’s unbecoming,” Lucius said.

    “Where were you, anyway?” Severus asked. His curiosity from the previous night had returned.

    Lucius waved a hand. “Don’t talk about it right now, Severus. I feel like I’m going to be sick. Let me sleep.”

    “At least lie in a bed, then,” Severus insisted. He rolled his eyes in exasperation as Malfoy gave a little snore. He kicked Malfoy in the ribs, hard. “Get off the floor, Malfoy. This is not behavior befitting a star prefect.”

    “Right,” Lucius agreed. He closed his eyes. “I better lie down.”

    “In bed, remember, Lucius?” Severus sighed, wishing he had not bothered to wake Lucius at all. It was nearly the end of lunch; soon he would be late for afternoon review.

    Lucius struggled to sit up, but held a hand to his head. “Oh, everything keeps moving!” He fell back on the floor, groaning.

    Severus climbed off of his mattress. He bent down and grasped Malfoy’s forearms and pulled him up roughly. “Let’s get you in your bed. You can sleep off the hangover in comfort.”

    Lucius took a step, then groaned. “Oh, my head! I can’t go all that way, Severus. Let me lie here.” He broke out of Severus’s grip and flopped down onto Severus’s mattress.

    “Can’t you close those damn hangings! All that damn light is getting in...hurts my eyes,” Lucius moaned.    

    “This is my bed, Lucius,” Severus reminded him, exasperated.

    Lucius yawned. He opened his eyes again, wincing at the brightness and quickly shading his face with a hand. “There is room for two.”

    Severus sighed. “Never mind, just be out by the time I get back, and magic the sheets clean. I have to get to class.”

    “No, no,” Lucius exclaimed, struggling to sit up. He patted the empty space beside him. “Stay with me.”

    Severus smirked in spite of himself. It was very unlike perfect, poised Malfoy to be so informal. Severus had never seen him act so casual. “Lucius, I think you would feel better in your own bed. Besides, I need to be off to class.”

    “No, no, just skip it. I’ll write you a note. Lay down here with me, I’d like the company,” Lucius insisted. He patted the mattress wearily, his eyes closed. “Come now, I’m the prefect, do as I say.”

    “You’re drunk,” Severus accused, but he climbed back into bed anyway, careful not to touch Malfoy. Truth be told, he much preferred to sleep away the day then bother with review classes anyway. He already knew enough to pass his O.W.L.s.

    “Shut the damn curtains,” Lucius insisted. “That sunlight, it burns!”

    Severus pulled the curtains closed, wincing at the awful metallic shriek. He and Lucius were instantly enclosed in shadows.

    He lay on his back, his arms crossed over his head, careful not to let his arm brush against Lucius. Severus had only shared a bed a few times and was not sure how comfortable he was with it.

    Lucius’s breathing had gone soft and steady, the kind of rhythm that usually indicated that one was sleeping. Severus turned to glance at Malfoy, and was surprised to see Lucius’s bright green eyes wide open and watching him.

    “So, what happened last night?” Severus asked, partly to cover his shyness. He could fully feel the weight of Lucius’s gaze.

    “I went to a party,” Lucius told him. “At Hogsmeade, in one of the bars. I had the best time. I matched Narcissa Black shot for shot. That girl can drink! She drank me under the table. I could hardly walk and she was still icy as ever. Damn, that girl is sexy.”

    “Narcissa...isn’t she Sirius Black’s cousin? I thought she was a third year,” Severus said, mostly just to make conversation.

    “She is,” Lucius said. “That’s what I love about her. Barely thirteen and already she’s got a higher tolerance then me. I got so drunk that I blacked out. The last thing I remember was dancing on top of the bar with Lily Evans. You should have seen the look on Potter’s face.”

    Severus went cold at the name. “Who else was there?”

    “Everyone.” Lucius said. “You should have been there, Severus, you could have gotten drunk and relaxed for a change.”

    “I wasn’t invited,” Severus reminded him, his voice steely. “Besides,” he added defensively, “I would have been bored out of my mind.”

    “Probably. It was mostly Gryffindor Mudbloods anyway,” Lucius said. “Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, Lily Evans, those types. No Lupin though. They said he’s sick.”

    “He’s always sick,” Severus said, frowning.

    “Oh, I forgot to tell you,” Lucius said, sitting up with sudden excitement. “Sirius asked about you.”

    “He did?” Severus said, disbelieving. His heart pounded loudly in his chest. “What did he want? To torture me some more?”

    Lucius shook his head, and then clasped his hands to it and laid back, wincing. “No, he just asked where you were. He was quite drunk. I told him you were home, tucked into bed like a good boy. He said something about wanting to talk to you, but then I started dancing with Lily to spite Potter, and Black left.”

    Severus said nothing. He forced his mind not to interpret the situation as anything positive. He was sick of having his hopes smashed to bits.

    “In any case, I’m sure you don’t care,” Lucius remarked.

    “Not at all,” Severus lied.

    Lucius rolled over on his side, staring Severus is the eyes. Severus blinked and looked away, too aware that Lucius was continuing to watch him.

    “What?” he asked finally, to break the tension.

    “Just having a look,” Lucius replied. He licked his lips and grinned at Severus, his emerald eyes sparkling mischievously.

    “You are still drunk,” Severus said, nodding in confirmation. “I thought you were the one who could get any man or any woman. Don’t waste your time gawking at me.”

    “Feisty,” Lucius said, grinning. “I like you this way, Severus, when you have some confidence.”

    “I’m not confident. You’re obviously still wasted,” Severus insisted.

    “What’s wrong?” Lucius asked, suddenly more awake. “Why are you always so sad, Severus? Just once, I would love to make you smile.”

    “Nothing is wrong,” Severus snapped, still irritable about missing the previous nights party. He wished he could have confidence, perhaps not so much as Malfoy had, but some, so he could actually enjoy himself. Any time anyone was kind to him, he felt foolish. He never knew how to react. That was why he could never go to those social gatherings, the parties Lucius loved to attend. He always felt out of place and unwanted.

    Lucius rolled over and stared Severus in the face. “Come now, you’re upset. What’s wrong? You can tell me.”

    Severus nearly burst out laughing at the demonstration of compassion from Lucius. “Everything is marvelous, Lucius, trust me.”

    “No, it’s not,” Lucius declared. He winked. “I, however, know how to fix the situation.” He sat up and begin to unfasten the hooks that held his robe closed.

    “What are you doing, Lucius?” Severus demanded. “Put that back on!”

    “Relax,” insisted Malfoy as he tossed the robe aside. Severus could not help but glance at Lucius. Lucius’s shoulders were broad and more muscular then they appeared under his robe. His stomach was well defined, and his chest nearly hairless.

    “Lucius, you’re drunk. I don’t think you want to do this,” Severus said. “I know I don’t want to do this.”

    “Of course you do, Severus, stop being ridiculous,” Lucius chided. “You’re so uptight, that’s the problem. If you just gave in to desire, you would be much happier.”

    Severus opened his mouth to protest, but Lucius took that opportunity to lean over and kiss him. Lucius’s lips were warm, moist and soft, but his kisses were incredibly deep. Severus had no time to react before Lucius’s tongue was tracing his own. Severus felt himself melt as Lucius’s kisses became more intense.

    When they finally broke apart Severus was out of breath. He regarded Lucius with wide, surprised eyes.

    “You see, you are starting to feel more relaxed by the minute,” Lucius said with a smile. “You need to let go, Severus. Nothing bad will happen.”

         “It’s not that,” Severus persisted, but his protests were drowned out by another kiss from Lucius. Slowly he sank down to the bed as Lucius embraced him. He had never felt so warm in his entire life. Lucius’s embrace seemed to melt away the chill that always surrounded him. It was indescribably wonderful, being kissed roughly by Lucius Malfoy, who seemed quite skilled, in Severus’s naive opinion.

    “You’re new to all this. I can tell,” Lucius whispered when they broke apart. He saw the hurt look on Severus’s face and shook his head. “I did not mean you were bad at it. Just that you’re so inhibited.”

    “I’m sorry,” Severus replied, wiping his mouth shyly with the back of his hand. He could still taste Lucius’s mouth.

    “Don’t be sorry, Severus,” Lucius said, exasperated. “I just want you to enjoy yourself. If there was some way to make you less inhibited, it would be perfect.”

    “Get me drunk,” Severus joked.

    Light came into Lucius’s eyes. “You’re right, that’s a perfect idea. Wait right here, I have just the thing too.”

    Severus frowned. He had not meant to actually get drunk, in the middle of the day, when he still had afternoon classes to worry about. “Lucius, don’t bother. It’s fine.”

    “It’s no bother,” Lucius assured him. “Trust me, I have very selfish motivations for getting you drunk.” He reached under his pillow and pulled out a tall, slim bottle that was wrapped all in black. “Perfect!”

    “Lucius...” Severus said, but trailed off as Lucius held a finger to his lips.

    “It’s no trouble, and don’t worry, I will write you a note. You can’t tell me you would rather be practicing Herbology then spending an afternoon with me,” Lucius said.

    Lucius opened the bottle with a tap from his wand, and began to pour the shimmering red contents into a long fluted glass. He grabbed another glass for himself and set the glasses and bottle on a silver tray, which he magicked across the room. The tray hovered several inches above the mattress.

    Lucius sat back down on the bed. He handed Severus one of the flutes. “This is wine I got from Voldemort. You’ll love it. It tastes marvelous but it really fucks you up.”

    Severus raised the glass to his lips. The wine was warm in his mouth and tasted like strawberries and champagne. It was slightly syrupy and warmed him instantly.

    “Wow,” Severus said, as he felt the sudden warmth spread throughout his entire body. He closed his eyes for a moment, relishing the sensation, and when he opened them the room appeared to be swaying.

    “Works quite quickly,” Lucius said, pointlessly, as Severus was already feeling the effects. Severus looked up at the shirtless Lucius, and it struck him how much Malfoy resembled the Greek god Adonis.

    “Drink up, Severus. I have plenty. I want you to be happy,” Lucius declared, knocking back a large gulp of his own wine. Severus goggled at him. He had never seen Malfoy act so uncultured, but, somehow, it was quite sexy.

    Severus drank a bit more, enjoying the heat in his body. He emptied the glass and lay back on the mattress, feeling like he was aboard a boat. The bed seemed to rock gently.

    “Good wine, Lucius,” Severus remarked. He was keenly aware that he was slurring, despite the fact that he had only drank a small glass of the wine. He decided that he didn’t care, however. The wine seemed to have numbed him from his usual worries and insecurities. In fact, he felt like he could do anything.

    He reached forward and cupped Lucius’s chin in his hands. Drawing Lucius closer, Severus licked Lucius’s lips, tasting the wine on Lucius’s mouth. Then he kissed Malfoy, forcefully, a rough, list filled kiss. Lucius gasped, and Severus smiled to himself. He broke apart from Lucius and felt back on the mattress, dimly aware that he was happy.

    Lucius refilled Severus’s empty glass, and his own as well. Severus started to sit up, in order to drink more, but Lucius pushed him back down on the bed. He started to fumble with the clasps on Severus’s robe. When Severus’s chest was exposed, Lucius poured a trickle of the warm wine across his body.

    Severus moaned with pleasure as Lucius licked the wine off of him slowly. He ran his hands absently through Lucius’s hair. A pleasant fire seemed to be burning within him, making him tingle all over.

    Severus closed his eyes. “I like this.”

    “Yes,” Lucius said, pulling Severus towards him. “Severus, I want you.”

    “You always have,” Severus remarked, but the words sent a thrill up his spine unlike anything he had ever felt. He smiled. It was so unlike him to reply with such self assuredness.

    “Not as much as I do now,” Lucius declared.

    Severus smiled. “Prove it.” He said, his voice strong and confident.

    Lucius leaned forward. “I love a challenge. I’ll have you screaming out my name before I’m finished with you.”

    Severus leaned back, allowing Lucius to undress him. He felt warm all over, even the cool air on his bare skin could not chill him. When Lucius leaned in to kiss him, Severus felt himself transported. Lucius’s skin was hot and smooth against his own.

    Lucius begin to kiss Severus’ neck, making Severus tremble with desire. His kisses traveled southward, and Severus felt a huge rush of desire for Lucius. He reached out and caressed Lucius’s hair, which slipped like silk through his fingers.

    “I want you,” Severus moaned into Malfoy’s ear, pulling Lucius closer to him.

    Lucius winked and opened his mouth to speak, but his voice was suddenly drowned out by a howling wind. Severus felt Lucius’s hot, moist mouth on his body and moaned in ecstasy. He closed his eyes, not caring what was happening as long as the wonderful feelings wouldn’t stop. He felt light as a feather, as if he was floating. The only world was the small space occupied by his own body and the warmth of Lucius Malfoy. Severus heard himself calling Lucius’s name in a silky but desperate voice as Lucius’s mouth closed in around his target, and he didn’t even care if anyone heard him.

    Severus arched his back, trembling, his nails dug deeply into the flesh of Lucius’s back. Pleasure went through him in crashing waves, obscuring everything. His whole world consisted of the sex, and for once he was not bound by his usual feelings on inferiority and humiliation. He had reached new heights, and was not scared to both praise and instruct Lucius.

    After a long while engulfed in bliss, Severus felt himself overcome. He cried out as he experienced orgasm, and he clung to Malfoy with all of his strength. Lucius was panting, grinning blearily, his mouth red.

    Finally Severus was able to breath regularly again. He gasped, pulling Malfoy towards him and kissing him gently.

    Lucius kissed him back and grinned. “That was a lot better then going to class, wouldn’t you say?”

    Severus nodded, not trusting himself to speak normally. He wiped at his brow, which was sweaty. Normally he was always too cold. Then he sat up and ran a hand through his messy hair, his eyes still on Lucius.

    “I need a shower,” Lucius decided, casting a look at himself in the nearby mirror and frowning. “Care to join me?”

    Severus nodded and climbed from the bed. He reached into his trunk and found a clean robe and some underclothes. Then he padded barefoot to the showers, following Lucius, who held his head high like a proud lion.

    The water was cold, but it felt hot to Severus, whose skin retained the warmth of the recent encounter. He washed his hair, avoiding Lucius’s eyes, although he could feel Lucius’s gaze on his body. The lather felt refreshing and clean, and as the water washed away the sweat, Severus started to feel more sober. He still felt light and even fairly happy, but he was no longer drifting in a dream world. He blushed at the thought of what he had just done.

    Lucius on the other hand seemed revived from the encounter. His eyes were no longer red, and the shadows beneath them had faded. His skin took on a rosy glow from the chilly shower water. He scrubbed himself with soap and tried to catch Severus’s eye, but Severus was too shy to glance over. Lucius licked his lips. Severus’s shyness and innocence was one of the things that drove Lucius wild about him.

    Lucius smiled to himself as he watched Severus. He had lusted after Severus since they were third years, but even then Severus had been so shy that he could not even tolerate showering in front of other boys. Not that Lucius hadn’t tried, of course, to get somewhere with him. Severus had always refused. For a while Lucius had wondered if Severus, unlike almost every other Slytherin male, truly was not interested in taking a male lover. Not that Severus had ever asked out a girl, either. However, Lucius thought, smiling, he had certainly dis-proven that theory. Severus hadn’t required any force, just some wine for relaxation.

    Lucius made a mental note to ask Voldemort for some more of the wine. The effect it had on Severus was amazing. Besides, summer break was just around the corner. Severus hated his family, not that Lucius blamed him in the least; his parents were abusive psychotics. Lucius wondered if Severus would be willing to spend the summer with him. Certainly, Malfoy Manor would be empty except for house elves. His parents were always off on trips, or in Saint Mungo’s for rest and relaxation. Just the thought of having Severus to himself all summer was enough to make Lucius grin. Besides, if he had the whole summer, Lucius was sure he could convince Severus to become a Death Eater. Voldemort so wanted Severus as part of his loyal support.

    Lucius glanced up at the nude form. Severus was very attractive, Lucius realized. He had believed that his attraction to Severus was just an old crush, but Severus was quite good looking. His wide obsidian eyes, so innocent and full of expression, had been a huge turn on. Even his naivety was attractive. The blush of shame across the pale skin had driven Lucius wild. His dark hair had felt like silk when Lucius had run his fingers through it. Lucius smiled. He had slept with countless men and women, but there was something undeniably attractive about silent, studious Severus. He was glad that Voldemort had set his sights on Severus. Not only would Severus make a valuable asset to The Dark Lords arsenal of powerful wizard supporters, he would also provide Lucius with an ideal partner.

    Severus reached forward and turned off the water. He quickly took a towel and wrapped it around his lower body, a picture of modesty. Avoiding Lucius’s eyes, he dressed quickly in fresh robes and rubbed the towel through he wet tangles.

    Lucius stepped forward, water droplets clinging to his body and hair, and caressed Severus on the side of the face. “Did I make you happy, at least for a few moments?”

    “Of course,” Severus answered smoothly.

    “I wanted you to enjoy it.”

    “I did,” Severus replied, and the hot blush betrayed his embarrassment. He dropped his gaze and stared at the floor.

    “Oh Severus, you’re charming when you’re insecure,” Lucius teased. He turned off the shower and made his way across the dormitory nude and dripping. Severus watched him go, the combined emotions of desire and dislike burning within him.

    “I had better go, I need to speak with Professor Binns. I owe him an explanation for skipping,” Severus mumbled. He rubbed his hair a final time and jerked a comb through it before deciding not to bother.

    “Here,”Lucius called as Severus turned to go. He held up his wand. “I promised you a note. I can say you were helping to care for me while I was ill.” He flicked the wand and the note appeared in angular Malfoy handwriting.

    “Thank you,” Severus replied. He stared for a second into Lucius’s eyes, but turned without saying a word.

    Lucius stood along in the dormitory, fresh pants on but his chest bare. He watched Severus go, licked his lips and turned back to the task of dressing. He would have a good report for the Dark Lord that evening.