Thursday, June 18, 1998 ---- 9:35 a.m.

Strange how . . . normal it all seemed, Harry thought as he hunted through the wardrobe for something to wear. He'd expected things to be a lot more awkward. But they weren't. After their brief conversation earlier, Severus had rolled out of bed and fished something out of a drawer in the night table. It turned out to be a new pair of glasses, resembling the pair Harry had destroyed just before the invocation. Harry slipped them on in time to see Severus summoning a couple of towelling robes. Severus didn't put his on, though. He merely slung it over an arm as he remarked that he needed a shower. He'd see Harry at breakfast, he said.

And that was that. The man had strolled into his bathroom, his bare buttocks rippling as he walked. Harry couldn't help but stare. It was hard for him to imagine being so casually unconcerned about nudity. He was still a little bit embarrassed to have Severus look at him, even if the Dragon's Happy had made him forget about that for a while.

Severus, in contrast, was so far from embarrassed that he hadn't even shut the bathroom door! Well, not all the way.

Harry had stared at that door, not sure what to make of it. Was it an invitation? Or was it just Severus wanting Harry to understand that he could come in if he wished? Or . . . maybe it was just an oversight.

Though Severus really didn't seem the type to make a lot of those.

Well, he hadn't said that Harry had to go shower with him, had he? He'd left it up to Harry to do as he liked, apparently.

So Harry had pulled on the robe Severus had left lying on the bed, and had gone off to his own rooms . . . no, no, the upstairs rooms, he quickly corrected himself, and had his shower alone.

As the warm water sprayed over him, he couldn't help but finger the metal half-disc that now hung beneath his left nipple. A slight tug on it told him that his nipple still had some healing to do. It wasn't precisely painful. The sensation was more like soreness, even when Harry twisted the disc a little bit, this way and that. He wasn't sure why he had a compulsion to touch the thing. Maybe to see that it really wouldn't come off. Or maybe, some part of him knew that it wouldn't. Which made it a part of him, didn't it . . .

That idea was so uncomfortable that Harry tried his best not to touch the ring again, or even look at it as he lathered himself and washed his hair. Really, he tried not to even think about it. He went back to considering the fact that Severus had arranged for him to have plenty of privacy, right down to rooms for his use, even though they did have to live together.

It was actually a pretty good arrangement, Harry thought as he pulled on a pair of dark blue denims and a T-shirt the same colour. He and Severus would sleep in the same bed, of course, but in the mornings Harry could come up here to get dressed and such. They wouldn't be stepping all over each other. So that was good . . .

What wasn't so good was the fact that Severus was going to want them to do a lot more than sleep in that bed downstairs. And Harry was supposed to want that, too. Severus actually had every reason to expect him to welcome it, considering how well they'd been getting on in those last few days before he'd gone to London.

His fingers started trembling so much that he could barely tie the laces on his trainers.

It'll be all right, he told himself. It's Severus, this time. He won't hurt you.

The strange part of that was that while Harry knew it was true, it didn't matter. Not one bit. He felt absolutely sick to his stomach at the thought of sex, even with Severus. He'd managed to put the feeling off--more or less--before the invocation, but that was probably because he'd known that the sex was going to get put off, too. Severus had said they would abstain.

But that phase was over now. They'd invoked, and Harry was officially Severus' slave, and the next important thing they had to do was transfer Vol . . . no, no, the Dark Lord's power from Severus to Harry. And that was going to require not just sex, but actual penetration.

Harry clenched his eyes shut, shaking his head. He couldn't. He knew he couldn't bear it. Not for one second, not after what Bole and Talmadge had done less than a week ago. He needed more time, right? Hell, anybody would. But Harry was out of time!

Or . . . maybe not. When it came to sexual matters, Severus really was pretty considerate. Harry would have to be an idiot not to have realised that much. And Harry had just come four times the night before. He was astonished just thinking about it. Three times in the ritual bath . . . you'd have thought that would be enough, right? But no, Harry had for some reason climaxed wildly just from Severus kissing him, and what was worse, he'd done it with Dumbledore and Mr Weasley both watching.

But anyway, he'd come enough the night before that it would be a bit much to expect him to want sex tonight, right? Right? Actually, Harry wasn't sure if Severus would see things that way, but he did think that he could sell the other man on the idea. So that would take care of tonight, at least. And tomorrow, he could say he felt a bit ill.

An excuse like that wouldn't wash, not one night after another, but it ought to work at least once.

So that would buy him two nights.

After that, he'd have to think of something else. But soon . . . very soon, Harry knew . . . he'd have to find a way to endure it, instead of get out of it. It wasn't like he could put the sex off forever. If he could stop time so he never turned nineteen, maybe. But no, not even then. It wasn't just a case of getting that Sex Magic transferred from Severus to himself so he wouldn't die on his birthday. It was also the matter of crossing their powers.

Yeah, so one way or another, Harry knew he had to get over this reluctance to be touched like that.

But he didn't have to do it right away. Not as long as he could put Severus off with one excuse or another.

So, tonight he'd be tired, and tomorrow he'd feel a bit under the weather, and the night after that, maybe he could take some sleeping potion or something.

Harry nodded to himself. As plans went, these ideas weren't so brilliant. He knew that. But they were all he had.

Thursday, June 18, 1998 ---- 9:50 a.m.

Severus was waiting breakfast for him, which really surprised Harry, though he had a feeling it probably shouldn't.

"Anything in particular you fancy this morning?"

Harry shook his head. He was determined not to worry about what the nights ahead might bring, but as much as he tried, he really couldn't help it. And as a result, he wasn't so hungry, though he knew better than to wallow in apathy. He'd eat, all right. He just didn't much care what.

"I think something . . . celebratory is in order," murmured Severus. "So, perhaps . . ."

He began ordering, but Harry paid so little attention that he started a bit when his plate of food arrived. Belgian waffles with three kinds of fruit and mounds of whipped cream. Severus' own portion, Harry noticed, lacked the cream, though it did have what looked like a fine dusting of sugar.

"Looks good," said Harry, tucking in as if he really did have an appetite. He didn't want Severus asking questions. Though if he did, Harry could always just say he was bothered by the fact that he'd killed someone. He was bothered, truth to tell. But it took a real back seat to everything else he had on his mind.

It wasn't until he went to take a drink that he noticed Severus had ordered champagne. That struck Harry as distinctly weird. "Isn't it a little early in the day?" he asked, tapping the tall glass flute with a fingernail.

Severus leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes somehow hooded. For just one second, Harry could have sworn that Severus was nervous and trying not to show it. But that idea was plainly ridiculous, so Harry dismissed it out of hand.

"If you'd prefer something else, I'm certain you remember how to instruct the elves."

"I didn't mean anything bad," said Harry, sensing that he'd offended Severus somehow. Well, the other man had intended to arrange a celebration. And one was probably appropriate. What they'd done the night before was practically a prelude to defeating Vol . . . the Dark Lord. Maybe wine was in order. Harry sipped at his. "Oh. As wines go, this isn't so bad. Is it French?"

Severus drank half his glass before he answered. "Yes, from the Champagne region of the country, hence the name. Properly, a wine like this shouldn't be called champagne unless it's from there."

Two things about that speech struck Harry as odd. It was more information than he'd asked for, and he couldn't hear any derision in Severus' voice. At what had been a bit of a silly question, he now realised. Most of the wines Severus had served him were French, after all.

Oh . . . the ritual bath. The babbling Harry had done. He'd said he'd like to feel like less of an idiot at table. Though most of what he'd said had been about . . . oh, God. Things he liked about Severus, and top of the list had been the man's enormous cock.

Harry gulped the rest of his champagne, but it didn't get rid of the heat in his face.

"Relax, Harry," a dry voice advised. "Everything is all right."

"Yeah . . ." Harry cleared his throat. "I thought it would be a lot different from this, that's all. I hope this doesn't offend the rite or anything, but . . . I don't feel like I'm really your slave. Are you sure it worked?"

"It worked." Severus paused. "What do you feel like, then?"

"Just . . . myself. I expected to . . . I don't know. Sort of lose that, I guess." Harry gave a little shake of his head, trying to sort it all out. He knew he had to submit to Severus in order for them to cross powers. And not just sexual submission, either, though that was supposed to be "far and away" the most significant kind according to the précis. But maybe he could sort of build up to that by starting with something simpler. "Um . . . so what did you want me to do today, anyway?"

Severus put his fork and knife down. "That's generally the sort of question we can do without, Harry."

"I'm just trying to . . . er, get into the spirit of the thing."

"Laudable," drawled Severus. "But I've no intention of assigning you duties, is that clear? If I need you to do something you can be sure I'll mention it, but in general, you're simply to live your life. You've stopped eating; have you had enough breakfast?"

"Yeah," said Harry thickly, pushing back his chair. "I guess I'll take a walk around Hogwarts, then. I mean, if that's all right with you. Do I need permission to leave, something like that?"

"No, certainly not, though it would be polite of you to inform me." As Harry stood up, though, Severus held up a hand. "For the moment, however, you really should stay. There are some matters to attend to."

"Oh." Harry sank back down into his chair. It didn't seem like Severus wanted to boss him around, particularly, but if they were going to cross powers, Harry had to give in to the other man's wishes. Even though he'd much rather get away from it all for a while. That would just be a lie, though. No matter how long his walk, he'd have to return here, sooner or later, and face the fact that he was a slave even if it was just . . . hard to believe it.

"Sure," he said, trying to sound like he was really happy to do whatever Severus wanted. "Um . . . what matters?"

"We need to find out as much as possible about the spell we're living under. I have a few . . . tests, in mind. But first, I've put some things away and I thought you should know where they are."

"Uh . . . all right." Harry stood up when Severus did, and followed him out to the sitting room. "What things?"

He couldn't be sure, but he almost thought he saw Severus smile, the expression a bit sly. But fleeting. "This, for example." Severus ran a finger along the top shelf of a bookcase, stopping when he reached the spine of a book Harry particularly remembered. The photo album. He felt a pang just looking at it.

"You're going to keep it? I sort of thought you might want burn all the photos of James, at least. After what he did to you."

"I'm not going to burn something important to you, Harry. Not without much better cause than that."

Harry swallowed the lump in his throat. "But I . . . I know it's yours now," he said, trying to submit to that fact. He wasn't sure of much, but he did know that he couldn't own anything, ever again. "I know you can do what you want with all my . . . um, all that stuff."

"I am doing what I want," said Severus softly.

Harry hadn't noticed him coming closer, but suddenly Severus was right there in front of him, bending his head to kiss him. He almost flinched back, but told himself that kissing was all right. It was, actually. He'd liked it still, even after he'd got back from London.

As long as it didn't become too sexual . . .

But it didn't seem like Severus was trying to get him into bed. Not with a kiss like this, which was soft and gentle. It was more like comfort, and over fairly quickly besides.

"Harry," he said as he stepped back, "I have wanted for a while to explain this to you, but it was best left until after the invocation. It was important that you go into the rite believing that you were giving your things to me."

Harry blinked. "Wasn't I?"

"You were, yes, of course. That's the way it has to be. And it's likely important that you continue holding to that perspective, but . . . well, perhaps you should just let me continue, Harry."

Harry wasn't completely sure what was going on. "Uh . . . all right . . ."

"As I was saying, then, I recently acquired this photo album." Severus plucked it from the shelf and extended it to Harry. "I only have so much shelf space."

"You're a wizard; you can just spell some more--"

"Harry," interrupted Severus, "I'd rather it be kept in my other rooms, if that's all right with you. Along with this mirror." Severus picked it up from where it was lying, flat on the same shelf, and handed it to Harry along with the photo album. "All right?"

"All right," said Harry slowly, smiling a little as he began to understand what Severus was doing. He couldn't give Harry's things back, not properly. Harry wasn't allowed to own anything. But Severus could do the next best thing, which was to make sure Harry had full use of them. Harry hugged the book and mirror to his chest. "Thank you, Severus. Really."

The other man shrugged. "You already know where I keep my brooms. I anticipate, though, that you'd prefer to coach Quidditch using the Firebolt?"

Harry grinned. "Yeah, that works."

"So borrow it as you have need. I certainly can't use two brooms. Come to think of it, I can't imagine needing two owls, either. Why don't you continue to use Hedwig, Harry? That way my other owl will be available whenever I might need her."

Harry hadn't even known that Severus had an owl. "Sure. Sounds great, in fact."

"Was it your practise to have her live in the Owlery, or with you?"

"With me. But I had to destroy her cage, you know. That's all right; she'll come when I call--"

"I doubt that, Harry," said Severus, moving a hand to grasp Harry's forearm. "She's attuned to magic."

"Oh, she'll sense that I gave her away, right." Harry sighed. "Poor Hedwig. She'll probably never talk to me again. Well, not that she talks, but . . . I had her for an awfully long time."

"Owls can be temperamental, but I'll tell her to answer to you. And if you would still like her to live with you, it should be a simple matter to get another cage." Severus nodded, the motion brisk. "A wizard slave without a wand wouldn't be much use at all, so I insist you use this one."

He pulled Harry's wand from his pocket, and slipped it into Harry's instead.

Pulling his arm free, Harry ran his hands up and down the wand. He'd known Severus would let him use it, of course. But still, holding it again . . . Harry had to clear his throat before he could talk. "Thanks," he said again. "Really, you're being just great about everything. I . . . I should have trusted you a lot sooner--"

"You trusted me when it counted, which is all that truly matters," said Severus. "I have more to tell you, Harry."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I find myself in possession of a most remarkable map, along with an invisibility cloak. Items which you have both used and misused in the past, in my view."

That dark gaze was boring into him, as if willing him to understand. Harry looked away. "Yeah. I guess it's a bit much to think you'd . . . uh, want me to keep those upstairs, too. It's all right, Severus."

"It is a bit much," drawled Severus. "However, it's not lost on me that you might actually need those items at some point. You do seem to attract danger."

Harry met the other man's gaze again. "I thought you thought I courted it."

"Fine line," retorted Severus. "I've considered the matter for a good while. Being able to invoke . . . that demonstrated a vast deal of maturity on your part. So I have reached a compromise with myself. The map and cloak are in that trunk." He gestured towards it. "It's locked and warded, but it will open to you. I'd ask that you not fetch out either item unless you have a true need, and that you consult with me beforehand whenever possible."

"And if it's not possible?"

"The trunk's wardings will alert me whenever it is opened. Needless to say, if you use the items in a frivolous manner, I will have to reconsider these arrangements."

It was more than Harry had ever expected. A lot more. "Thanks," he said again, beginning to feel a bit like a parrot. He couldn't help it, though.The hurt of giving his father's things away was much, much less, now. "I appreciate that, Severus . . . you treating me like an adult, even if I am your slave. I know you said you were going to, and I thought I believed it, but I didn't know you meant . . ."

"I couldn't explain any earlier," Severus said quietly. "And you must remain clear that these things, all of them, are in fact mine. But there's nothing about Podentes that keeps me from being . . . generous, with my slave."

"I understand. It's like the rooms upstairs. Yours as well, I'm clear on it. But for me to use."

"Exactly." Severus opened his mouth slightly, as if to speak, but he didn't say anything for a moment. Again, Harry had the strange impression that the other man was nervous.

"Severus?"

"There is something more." The man cleared his throat, speaking in a way that sounded rehearsed. "You are my slave, yes, and as such I'm responsible for your maintenance and support. Nothing can change that. However, there is ample historical precedent for slaves being trusted with a portion of their master's money, for any number of reasons. In our case, I've decided that it will soon grow tedious having you apply to me for funds every time you have some small need or other. Purchasing a new cage for Hedwig, for example. In that spirit, therefore . . ."

Severus reached into his pocket again and pulled out something hard and small to place in Harry's hand.

It was obviously a key, which made good sense considering what Severus had just said, but what stunned Harry was the fact that he recognised it.

"This is . . . my key," he breathed.

"No, no, technically it's mine."

"Oh yeah, of course." Harry smiled. "But it's . . . um, familiar."

"Yes, well, I decided that a separate vault would be the simplest way to allot some funds for your use." Severus' eyes began glinting with humour. "Imagine my surprise when a vault became available, just when I needed one."

"Yeah, imagine that," said Harry dryly. "I . . . I hardly know what to say."

"Perhaps you should inquire as to the contents."

Harry felt like that would be kind of rude. Kind of like how Dudley was always so greedy over gifts. But Severus wanted him to, so that probably made it all right. "What's in the vault, then?"

"Just this." Severus summoned a piece of parchment. When Harry pressed his key into it, he saw that the full contents of his vault had been restored. Everything, right down to the Pursel rod. And every last Galleon.

"Now I really don't know what to say," croaked Harry. "Um . . . I can just spend this, as I like?"

"As long as you behave like a young man of nearly nineteen, yes," said Severus, looking pleased. "It's my vault now, you realise. It's in my name and I will be receiving quarterly accountings, just as I do for my other vault. But you've had access to large amounts before without losing all judgment, so I don't anticipate there should be any need to change these arrangements."

The date at the top of the Gringott's statement said that the arrangements had been in place for weeks.

"I wish you could have told me--" Shaking his head, Harry started over. "I know you couldn't tell me. You're right; the spell might have read me wrong at the invocation. I mean . . . all this. It's hard, even now, not to think of it as mine--"

"I can always merge my two vaults," said Severus dryly.

Harry could tell he was joking. Well, not quite joking. There were some teeth to the comment. But neither was Severus intending to do that . . . unless he had to.

"That's all right. I can manage," said Harry, almost laughing, he was so happy. "I'll remember it's yours. Honest, I will."

"I'm sure you will."

Harry still didn't know what to say, but he suddenly knew what to do. Other than say thanks another hundred times. "Wait a second," he said, then dashed back to the reading room where Severus kept his dining table. Damn. The elves had already cleared everything away. Well, that didn't matter so much. Harry tapped it and demanded two glasses of the same champagne as before. When they appeared, he snatched them up and went back out to the front room, where he gave one to Severus.

He felt like giving the other man a quick kiss, too. Just a peck, really, to show him how much he appreciated all this. Severus didn't have to do it, after all. Not any of it. Well, except the wand and broom, Harry supposed. But the rest was pure consideration, something Harry really hadn't been expecting. Well, except in bed.

Bed, though, reminded Harry that a kiss might not be such a great idea. What if Severus took it wrong and started thinking it was sort of a promise for later on, for that night? What if . . . but no, Severus would understand when Harry said he was still worn out from the invocation. He wouldn't expect Harry to want to be sexual with him, not right away, not if Harry said he needed a little while to recover . . .

So Harry went ahead and kissed Severus lightly, then stepped back. "I didn't much feel like celebrating, earlier, but now . . . I think a toast is in order," he said, raising his flute as he looked up into Severus' dark eyes. "Um . . . to the future?"

"To the future," echoed Severus, looking pleased as he clinked their glasses together. His hair swayed as he tilted the glass and drank. "Quite a nice choice of wine."

"Oh . . . it's just what you chose," said Harry, a little embarrassed. "I liked it too. So . . . what now? Can I go into Hogsmeade to get a cage?"

"Perhaps later. First I'd like to find out as much as we can about the enchantment you're under. The mind bond, my level of control over your magic--"

"Compulsio," added Harry, making a face. "But you know, I can throw off Imperius, so . . ."

"If you can throw off Compulsio that would be very bad news, indeed."

"I know . . . I just . . . I don't like it."

Severus banished their glasses and took Harry by the forearms, his manner so serious that it seemed he was making a vow. Just as he'd done when he'd knelt before Harry and promised to bind himself as well. "I will not misuse it, Harry. I will not misuse you."

"I believe you," said Harry, just as sincerely. "I do, really. I don't think I could have invoked this, otherwise." That was definitely the case, especially considering . . . Harry hurriedly brought his thoughts back to the present. "Um, don't you think we should see what the binding contract actually says? I'd hate to break it without knowing."

"I'd like to see what it says, as well," murmured Severus.

"You don't remember what you were thinking?"

"Oh, I remember," drawled Severus, his voice deep with meaning. "What would I be thinking, when you'd just climaxed from my kiss alone?"

Harry went hot all over. This was all he needed, for Severus to think Harry was so . . . hot and bothered by him that he couldn't withstand so much as a kiss without . . . "That was just the potion," he said, anxious to make Severus believe it. "I . . . I like kissing you but it's not usually as . . . intense as that. I just hope you didn't put that in the contract, that I have to come like that all the time--"

"I doubt my most fervent subconscious desire was for you to develop a problem with premature ejaculation."

Harry thought he sounded . . . well, not snide. But not too happy with the suggestion, either. "Well, how should I know what your most fervent subconscious desires would be? If you want the truth, I'm not so sure I even want to know what they are."

"I'm reluctant to find out, myself," said Severus, sounding like he was holding in a sigh.

"You're afraid of what you might have wished," Harry realised. Was that why Severus had seemed a little bit nervous all morning?

"Afraid overstates the case, but I suppose you're essentially correct."

"How bad could it be?" asked Harry, though he thought it was a bit odd that he should have to be the one to do the consoling, here. He wasn't even sure, really, what Severus had to worry about. What did he stand to lose? Harry was the one who was going to have to comply with the terms, no matter what they were.

"I suggest we find out," said Severus. "Shall we?"

Thursday, June 18, 1998 ---- 10:26 a.m.

Severus had fetched the contract while he was waiting for Harry to come back for breakfast, but he hadn't looked at it. Rather astute of the young man to realise that Severus was reluctant. It wasn't because of what Harry thought, of course. The terms weren't likely to be onerous, since that wasn't the kind of life he wanted for Harry.But what if they said something that hinted at his feelings for the young man?

Or worse, stated them outright?

Severus drew in a breath. He wasn't ready for Harry to know. Actually, he wasn't sure he'd ever be ready.Certainly, not before he could be sure that Harry cared for him, as well. Things were too one-sided, at the moment, but possibly after Harry developed some feelings of affection, Severus could mention that he, too . . .

Of course, if the contract made his feelings plain for Harry to see, there'd be no need of any such mentions. Severus scowled, wishing he could keep the contract locked away from Harry's eyes. Not much point in wishing that, though. There was no possible way he could refuse to let Harry see the contract he'd signed. Harry had to know the terms of their binding if he was to comply with them.

Severus sighed. If it came to a choice between protecting his secrets and protecting Harry from the wrath of a broken contract, there was no question which he would choose. Harry.

Putting someone else's needs before his own . . . Severus wasn't used to that. He had a feeling, though, that it would become all too familiar.

For now, though, it was simply uncomfortable.

Harry followed him into his office and sat down in the chair he'd used the last time he was in here. Severus didn't want the desk between them, so he seated himself in the chair next to Harry, moving it so that he was somewhat facing the young man.

The contract was on his desk, tightly scrolled. "Do you want me to read it first, or give it to you?"

Harry glanced at it, his gaze troubled. Fear mixed with resignation. "Um . . . together, I think. Yeah, that'd be best."

Nodding, Severus took up the contract and began to unroll it.

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Looks awfully long. And legalistic, I guess is the word. You must have a pretty strange subconscious."

"This first part reads like a standard preface to me," Severus murmured, scanning it. "The contract is re-iterating the conditions that in ancient cultures formed an inherent part of a Podentes enslavement. Although it's expressed in the more modern language of contract that I'm familiar with."

"You read it," said Harry, sighing and leaning back. "I'm getting a headache from the mice type."

"Pardon?"

Eyes closed, Harry waved a hand. "Fine print, I meant. Go on, then."

Severus took a deep breath. "The willing supplicant whose name appears below agrees to henceforth live within the constraints of the Cambiare Podentes enchantment, binding himself to its every requirement. Specifically, these are: To abide within the domicile or domiciles of the master wizard. To depend on the master wizard for all material needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. To yield himself to a compulsion charm whenever the master wizard so desires. To yield his magic when and as the master wizard sees fit to control it. To own nothing in his own right. To surrender himself to the master wizard's justice whenever so ordered. To forfeit all claims to any rights save those the master wizard chooses to grant him. To bond his mind to the master wizard's whenever circumstances warrant. To maintain absolute sexual fidelity with the master wizard. To be not just slave but body-slave, subject to the master wizard's every desire."

There was dead silence in the room when Severus stopped reading.

Harry, he noticed, seemed to be having a hard time finding words. Or at least he was opening his mouth and closing it without speaking. More than once.

"Harry?"

"I . . . oh my God, that sounds pretty damned hard to live under."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "There's very little in there that wasn't covered in the précis."

"Yeah, the précis that you said was just you being angry? That précis?"

"Harry . . . what is bothering you? What specifically?"

The young man looked away, his voice low and reluctant as he answered. "Subject to the master wizard's every desire, that's what."

Severus felt a sense of déjà vu pass over him, but it seemed misplaced, to say the least. Weren't they past all that?

"I mean . . ." He could actually see Harry's throat convulse as the young man swallowed. "Subject sounds . . . well, look. What if I just don't feel like it one night? I mean, no offence, but I can't be . . . uh, hot and bothered all the time. Like today, for instance. After last night, I'm wrung pretty dry . . ."

Severus leaned forward. "I think subject means I can do as I like with you. But that's true in every realm, not just the sexual. It comes back to trust." Harry still looked uncertain--if not scared--which struck Severus as odd as he continued, "Harry, I have every intention of meeting your needs. I do know there will be times when you aren't particularly inclined."

"But won't the contract punish me for saying no?"

"I think not, as long as while you're saying it you're in fact aware that the decision isn't really yours."

"Ugh," said Harry. "Trust, though. Yeah. I get it." He cleared his throat, his features still unnaturally pale. "Enough about that. There's something else that bothers me. I don't think the précis ever mentioned that bit about justice."

Severus frowned slightly. "In an offhand way, it did. I'm entitled to discipline you. I believe I was quite clear on that. The provision here . . . I suppose that's the contract's way of forcing a slave to accept punishment. If you should attempt to defy one I set down, the contract itself will punish you. In a much worse manner, no doubt."

Harry visibly swallowed, but gave a jerky nod as though determined to see it through. "Yeah, no doubt. But the contract won't ever punish me then, as long as I do these things? Live in your . . . domiciles and all the rest?"

"Essentially, but you haven't heard the rest."

"Oh. Your desires . . ." Harry paused, but not for long. Sitting up straighter, he stared expectantly at Severus. "Let's see them, then."

Severus unrolled the parchment to reveal more writing, moving it to where Harry could easily read it.

By inscribing his name below, the supplicant furthermore agrees to devote himself to the following specific conditions of enslavement:

Harry James Potter will henceforth, whenever practicable, sleep in Severus Snape's bed.

Alarmed, Severus shot a glance at Harry. The other man didn't seem to find the first condition revealing in any way, though. Harry was just quietly reading, his brow tensed in concentration. Nodding to himself, Severus looked back down at the contract.

Harry James Potter will refrain from discussing the intimate sexual details of his relationship with Severus Snape with outside parties, except in general terms to friends as needed to assure them that all is well, or in situations where dire need necessitates such confidences.

Harry James Potter will do his best to remember that though he is a slave and therefore property, he is nonetheless still a person, and that Severus Snape wishes him to continue to be himself.

Harry James Potter will battle no more dragons unless strictly necessary.

Harry James Potter will consult with Severus Snape whenever possible before making any decisions of a profound, life-altering nature.

This concludes this binding magical contract, entered into upon this day the seventeenth of June in the common calendar year of one thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight.

Below the text was Harry's signature scrawled across the parchment.

Severus read the whole thing again while he waited for Harry to give some reaction. All in all, he supposed the terms didn't give away too much about his feelings, though the one about dragons could be read a number of ways. If Harry remarked on it, Severus would say that of course he wouldn't want Harry to die before he'd defeated the Dark Lord . . .

"Well," said Harry after a moment more. "I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't really . . . this."

Perhaps the terms were more revealing than Severus had realised. He braced himself for the worst. "What do you mean?"

Harry smiled, just a little. "Well, the preface there is a bit harsh about things, but your part, Severus . . . for every rule I have to follow there's some sort of an escape clause. I have to sleep in your bed whenever practicable, and not talk to Hermione about our um . . . sex life unless there's some dire need, and on and on. You even gave me an out on the dragons!"

"Well, one never knows when it will in fact be necessary to battle a dragon . . ."

"Yeah . . . but what I meant was . . . if this is all subconscious--"

Severus felt himself tensing yet again.

"--then you must really want to be sure the contract never punishes me, right? Because not a single one of these is an absolute requirement. You allowed for circumstances."

Severus let out a breath. Harry was observant. Analytical, even, but he didn't seem to have read anything much into the contract. Which was all to the good. "Are there any terms you wish to discuss, or are they all clear to you?"

"Perfectly clear," said Harry, running a finger down the parchment as he read them over again. "Your own potion must have done its job. You know, sorting out what you wanted so there'd be no confusion."

"No, there's no confusion," said Severus dryly. He did know what he wanted, and it wasn't merely for Harry to avoid dragons. Not much point in dwelling on it. Harry already did respect him; that much was clear from his comments during the ritual bath. If that respect could grow into something more like regard, or even affection . . . well, only time would tell. "If you're ready, then, we should learn what we can about the spell."

"Yeah, of course." Harry leaned back in his chair, though he didn't seem relaxed at all. "Compulsio, then? How does that work?"

"Like most spells, with an incantation." Severus drew out his wand and considered what he should demand of Harry. Any test of the spell wouldn't mean much unless he asked for something Harry would normally be reluctant to do. The difficult part of that was that Severus had no desire to humiliate or anger Harry. He didn't actually want to make him do anything. But they needed to know if Compulsio would work. So perhaps . . .

"Compulsio," incanted Severus, moving his wand through the air in a Z shape. Harry didn't appear to change much, though his eyes did glaze over just a little bit. "Harry . . . list Draco Malfoy's good points."

Harry hesitated a moment, as if trying to resist. Using the same technique, perhaps, that worked with Imperio. But this enchantment, bound as it was to the slavery spell, gave him no chance to throw it off. After just a few seconds, he opened his mouth.

"He does know how to dress well, I suppose," Harry said, the sound of his voice harsh and grating, like the words were being dragged from him. "And he has a nice accent. And . . . well, that's it, actually. There's nothing else."

Severus nodded. "Fine, then. Harry . . . try to cancel the spell yourself."

Harry drew his wand and cast a Finite, but then shook his head. "I can still feel it."

"Finite Incantatem," said Severus. "And now?""

""It's gone." Harry blew out a breath, scowling. "List Draco Malfoy's good points? That's low. That's below low."

"It had to be something you truly didn't wish to do, for it to be a valid test. Can you describe the spell to me?"

The young man's scowl faded a little. "You were right. It's not like Imperio at all. That one sort of . . . clouds your mind so you want to do what you're told. You can't think about anything else . . . this one, I don't know. My own thoughts didn't seem affected. I knew I didn't want to go on about Malfoy. But . . . I knew I had to do what you wanted. It was more like I was making myself obey than I was being controlled. If that makes sense."

"It does." It wasn't lost on Severus that he no longer needed Veritaserum to force the truth out of Harry. Much as in the ritual bath . . . but that had been happenstance. He hadn't even realised in advance that Harry would babble out all his secrets like that. Using Compulsio, though . . . no. Severus told himself he wouldn't do it. He couldn't imagine that repeatedly forcing confidences would accomplish anything except to alienate Harry.

But as with the contract, he found himself providing himself a way out. He wouldn't use Compulsio to question Harry unless it should prove absolutely necessary . . .

"The next thing we should test is magical limitations," said Severus, forcing himself to move past the disturbing spectre of Harry furious over misuse of the obedience spell. "I should now possess inherent control of your magic."

Severus hardly expected the reminder to cheer Harry, and indeed it didn't. The young man scowled again. "Yeah . . . I can't do spells you disapprove of."

"I can also close off access to your magic entirely." No point in flinching from that, thought Severus; it was simply the truth. "My research would indicate that it's merely a matter of my will. So . . . attempt a spell now, Harry. Something simple."

Harry pointed his wand at the small fireplace in the office. "Incendio!"

Nothing happened.

"Well, that's pretty damned frightening," said Harry in a voice that sounded like it was level only with great effort. "Um, can I have it back, now?"

"Yes." Severus concentrated for a moment. "Try again."

That time, Harry's spell, delivered with far more force than normal, caused considerably more than a spark in the grate.

"No need to over-react," murmured Severus.

"Ha. You try having somebody else in charge of your spell-casting, and we'll see how well you handle it!"

Severus crossed one leg over the other. "I see your point, but--"

"Yeah, yeah, I know," interrupted Harry. "What is, is. Don't mind me, Severus. It's a shock, but I'll get used to it. Anyway, what about that deal about how I can't do magic you wouldn't want done? How does that work? Do you have to follow me around willing me to cut this or that out?"

"I doubt I should need to supervise you in that manner. I suspect it's more a matter of your conscience intervening. For example . . ." Pausing, Severus summoned a heavy volume from the shelves behind his desk. The leather binding was worn, and the letters on the spine were faint. It looked old and well-thumbed.

"This was handed down to me from my great-great-great-great-great grandmother," said Severus, running a finger along the spine. "It's comprised of her research journals. Her expertise, like mine, was in potions. In fact, she developed entire classes of potion still in use today."

"Must be nice to have things handed down like that," said Harry slowly.

"Yes." Severus laid the book on the desk beside him. "Cast Incendio on it."

Harry glanced up, clearly startled. "Why would you want me to-- oh, I get it. You don't want me to."

"I'll make no effort to stop you as I did before, though. We'll see if your own conscience will intervene. It may not. It's not lost on me that you are not in fact the weak wizard Podentes was designed to help."

"Weak wizard," muttered Harry, the sound of the words bitter, somehow.

"But you aren't," repeated Severus firmly. He could understand why Harry might feel dispirited, certainly. Waking up with the knowledge that you had overnight become a slave couldn't be pleasant. "Harry? Try your very best to destroy this book. We must understand how this spell will affect your magic."

"Yeah, all right." He pointed his wand. "Don't blame me if this actually works. Incendio!"

But it didn't work. Harry's wand didn't even spark and fizzle. It was as though he were holding an ordinary stick and pretending to be a wizard.

"Ah. Well, that part of the spell seems to be well in place, then." Severus wasn't sure what to think. He was certainly relieved that the book hadn't been damaged, but some part of him would rather Harry's enslavement be something less restrictive. Then again, if he was only restrained from doing magic Severus would disapprove of, that wasn't such a terrible imposition, was it? Severus wouldn't have to worry as much about Harry getting into ridiculous mischief . . .

"What would happen if you cast Compulsio over me to make me do it, but you didn't want me to do it?"

"I have no idea. Didn't I tell you it was not sound practice to swim against a magical tide? That sort of experiment might be dangerous. And I can't see what useful information we would glean."

"All right. Just wondering, you know." Harry glared slightly. "You're not the one with your magic all messed up."

"Yours is not messed up," Severus retorted, though he could see why Harry might feel that way. Maudlin thoughts though, wouldn't help them through this. "I think we should now attempt to locate any mind bond that may have formed. Think about something unusual, Harry."

Severus wasn't sure what the look on Harry's face might mean, but trying to find out by reading the young man's mind was of no use at all. He couldn't sense a thing.

"Maybe Legilimens?" said Harry.

"I shouldn't need that with you, not now." Though it did bring up a salient point. "Are you Occluding, Harry?"

"Yeah. Not to block you, so much. I just do that now. All the time, pretty much. I don't even think about it anymore."

"Ah. Well that shouldn't be a factor either, but as I'm having no success sensing this bond, why don't you stop Occluding for a moment and we'll see what difference that might make?"

"All right."

Severus probed again, reaching out with his thoughts, trying to sense Harry's. If only the ancient literature had been more clear about what the mind bond was, or how to utilise it . . . again, he found absolutely no trace of any connection between their minds. Odd, really. Well, perhaps Harry's inherent magical strength was obstructing it.

Severus was about to say as much when all such thoughts were stolen away by the brief flare of pain in his left forearm. Startled, he jerked back in his chair.

"Does the bond hurt?" asked Harry, who clearly had no idea what was wrong.

"The Dark Lord is calling me," explained Severus as he stood up to go.

"Oh, God," said Harry, his voice sounding thick. Jumping to his feet, Harry grabbed at Severus' sleeve, twisting his fingers tightly around the fabric. "Don't go. What do you want me to do, beg?"

Severus took Harry's wrist and pulled the young man's hand away from his sleeve. "I have to go, Harry."

"You're mad! You're mental!" insisted Harry, raising his voice. "It's just the day after, Severus! Why would he call you now except because he's found out somehow, about us?"

"Harry, I must go now!" said Severus. "If I arrive too late he's apt to curse first and ask questions afterwards. You're to stay here at Hogwarts, is that clear? Don't come after me, don't set one foot outside the castle! You may go and tell Albus I've been summoned, but other than that, do nothing about the matter."

Harry just glared at him, fists clenched.

Severus gnashed his teeth. "Do I have to cast Compulsio to make you obey me in this?"

"You're really a bastard sometimes--"

"Do I?"

"No, damn it!" Harry looked like he might hit somebody. "If you're so determined to throw yourself off a cliff, then who am I to stop you? Nobody! Just some slave you can order around and threaten! Well? Go then. If you're going at all, you'd better not be late, like you said!"

"Harry, it's for your safety I said that--"

"Yeah, it's for my own good. Just like when I got shoved headfirst under the stairs, it was for my own fucking good--"

Being compared to the Dursleys did nothing positive for Severus' temper. He had a sudden wild, violent urge to lash out at Harry. That was startling in of itself, and unwelcome. What was much worse was that the impulse toward dominance was accompanied by the sensation of his cock stirring. For a moment, Severus told himself it wasn't true. He didn't want to think of sex at a time like this.

But then he understood . . . the dark elements in Podentes were doing this.

Severus shuddered slightly, even as his cock hardened further, as against his will he imagined throwing Harry to the floor and making him take back those ugly words . . .

Perhaps it was just as well he'd been called away.

"When I go spy on the Dark Lord, it is for your own good," Severus said coldly as he drew his wand. "We'll talk about it after I return. Accio robe and mask."

Death Eater regalia flew through the open door and into his hands. Rushing out to his parlour, Severus grabbed a nondescript robe off a hook and donned it, wrapping it around the Death Eater clothes. He'd put them on when he reached the Disapparation boundary.

At the door of his quarters, he turned back, wanting to say one more thing to Harry. He wasn't sure what, though.

Harry made a sarcastic gesture as though telling him to go on and get lost.

Irritated, Severus pulled open the door, stepped through, and slammed it.