What Rough Beast (Part IV of V) for The Community
Title: What Rough Beast
Author: rivertempest
Recipient: The Community
Pairing(s): Severus/Remus, dash of Harry and Kingsley
Word Count: 8,996
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Rape, non-con, drug use, forced bonding, forced haircut, slash, death (not the main pairing), a bit of blood
Summary: Severus Snape witnessed something he wasn't supposed to see. Minister Shacklebolt will do everything he can to keep his secrets... including murder.
Author's Notes:My biggest thanks to my betas: M, R, R, and S. You kept me from making serious plot blunders with this, ladies. Thank you! I hope you like this - I think I adhered to the request for at least a 'hopeful' ending. Also, there's a smidge of porn to go with the overabundance of plot. J.K. Rowling owns all recognizable characters, places, etc. I make no money from putting her characters through this. ;)
Remus traced the raised flesh of the brand on his palm. It was quite beautiful, notwithstanding the pain he'd had to endure when it was singed into his skin. At least now he could close his fist and tolerate holding things for longer than a few minutes.
The bonding ceremony, however, had been anything but beautiful.
Severus had awoken for just long enough to snarl and hiss at the Ministry official, lunging at Kingsley with a feral gleam in his eye, and then passing out immediately after being branded with the letter R in the flesh of his left palm. Remus’ hand was graced with an S, the letter making him think of marriage and how he'd always planned on remaining a bachelor. Grim reality had set in shortly after the ceremony was over.
What unnerved him more was Kingsley’s demeanour throughout the process. Remus knew Kingsley had once been an Auror, and a damn fine one at that, but his paranoid actions made even Mad-Eye Moody look sluggish. He had watched Snape like a hawk, like he was waiting for him to do who knows what. According to Harry, Kingsley wanted to get rid of Snape for some reason that he couldn’t figure out, and Shacklebolt assumed bonding the incapacitated wizard to a werewolf would get rid of the problem Severus posed in the easiest possible manner without it reflecting badly on the Minister.
It was rather cunning, Remus thought.
Ceremony complete, Snape and Lupin had been set up by the Ministry in a cottage bordered by forests on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. They were also provided with constant care and weekly check-ups with a Ministry authorized Mediwizard. Everything-from the food Remus bought to the Galleons in his pocket-were Ministry approved, funded, or otherwise equipped. And he hated it.
Harry had visited three times over the past week and a half and his contact, Alex, always seemed to be in the vicinity. There were no other visitors, at least none that the Ministry had approved. They were completely isolated and at Shacklebolt’s mercy. Remus didn’t dare speak out against the accommodations or treatment for fear of relapse on Snape’s part. It was enough that the poor man felt everything Remus did (and then some). It would have been easier if the connection ran both ways, but he'd yet to feel anything emanating from his companion.
Upon finding that he’d lacked hair on his face and head, Snape whimpered mournfully-often and loudly. He had also licked his injured hand in an incessant manner, growling each time Remus tried to stop the compulsive display. Progress had been slow but rewarding, including a few words sprinkled in with Snape's vocalizations. It was fortunate that the bonding ritual hadn't needed to be consummated to be finalized. Remus highly doubted he would’ve retained his bits if he’d tried to mate with Severus during that time.
Wondering if Snape’s feelings would be present when he transformed, Remus' thoughts were now consumed with the full moon. Feeling Remus’ agitation, Severus had thankfully remained quiet all day, as if he sensed that his mate needed calm. Remus was grateful that Snape had sensed this and relaxed his usual overcautious behaviour around him, needing just to breathe for a moment or two.
Sat in the lounge, bouncing his left leg on the ball of his foot, Remus looked out the bay window and into the forest beyond the back garden. He was so focused, he didn’t notice Severus approach until the other man took his hand.
“Merlin!” Remus gasped. It was still a shock to look upon his companion with little to no hair, even more so when the man crept silently around as if afraid to attract unwanted attention.
Snape didn’t react to Lupin’s jump and that in and of itself was progress. Instead, he knelt between Remus’ legs, took his scarred hand, laid it atop his head, and rubbed it back and forth along the fuzz that had begun to grow. Snape growled contentedly when the werewolf continued stroking without urging.
“Like that, do you?” Remus asked with a chuckle.
Severus moved closer until he buried his hooked nose in Remus’ chest.
Not really shocked at Snape’s demeanour-the former Potion’s master had often sought such comfort in the past two weeks-Remus tentatively caressed his ears and neck, waiting for a rebuff. When none came and Severus nestled even closer, he wrapped his arms around the kneeling man’s shoulder, hugging him tight and pressing a soft kiss to the prickle of tiny hairs atop his head.
“Re...”
A smile broke out on Remus’ face. “That’s right, Severus... ‘Re’.” He thought it endearing that Snape couldn’t get the ‘mus’ part past his lips.
Rising, Severus studied Remus’ face.
“What?” Remus cocked his head and stared back at the dour wizard.
Lupin was surprised and disconcerted when Snape began nuzzling his groin. If felt wrong, but... Oh, gods, he used his teeth to bite down on my thigh muscle! Should he stop him? Harry would be there shortly to secure Remus as previously discussed, while Alexander watched over Snape, and he didn’t want either man getting an eyeful of...
A powerful, low rumble from Severus set his blood to boiling. He hadn't taken into account his moon madness (not to mention not having had a decent fuck in years), or the fact that since he was part of mated pair, this sort of thing came naturally. Whatever it was, Remus had to have Severus now, regardless if the man was aware of the circumstances or not. Although, Remus reckoned Snape was conscious enough when he began clawing at the trousers surrounding his prize.
Trying to unbutton his slacks, Remus’ hands were shoved away by a snarling Severus. Assured that his mate would not move again, Snape tugged on the offending material until it wrapped around Remus’ knees.
Remus had to bite his lip against the pain Snape’s nails dragging across his skin produced, but when Severus began licking his scrotum, everything but pleasure fell to the wayside. It was a bit masochistic of him to remain so still while the man below nipped, suckled, and tongued his way up and down his hard shaft, but Remus refused to move and spoil the moment should Severus be startled.
“God, that feels wonderful!” He couldn’t help the thrust of his hips.
Severus growled before engulfing Remus’ thick rod in his mouth. It wasn’t talented or the stuff of poetry-it was too rough for that. But it was all-consuming in its passion as Snape drew the mushroom cap past his lips and swallowed repeatedly around his girth.
Unable to stop the force of his orgasm, Remus closed his eyes and shouted to the rafters as he spilled down Severus’ throat, panting and clenching his fists on the coverlet draping the sofa. Prying one eyelid open, he glanced down at the man between his legs and gave him a soft smile.
“Thank you.” He knew Snape didn’t understand, at least not completely, but he hoped that his facial cues and tones were enough.
Looking very satisfied with himself, Severus gave him one last lick and stood. It appeared like he was about to hint at something more, but he stilled and stared at the door.
“Is it Harry?” Remus asked casually as he rose and re-buttoned his trousers. When Severus didn’t respond in any way, he became nervous. “What’s wrong?” He knew it was futile to ask such complex questions, doing it more for his own benefit than to hold an actual conversation.
When the knock sounded and Snape still hadn’t moved, Remus went to the door, inhaled deeply to determine the scent of the visitors, and checked the peek-hole, observing Harry and Alexander standing on the doorstep. Opening the door, he ushered in the two Aurors, confusion etched on his face at Severus’ rigid stance. Normally, he was tolerable of the pair, so his actions were perplexing.
“Lupin,” Harry acknowledged with a nod. He then turned his gaze to a wary Snape. “Severus.”
Was that a purr Remus had just heard from Potter’s mouth? Mentally shaking his head, he put it down to auditory hallucinations so close to transformation. Glancing at the mantle clock, he estimated he had about twenty minutes before moonrise, so it would account for more wonky behaviour.
“Alexander will secure you beyond the perimeter of the house and set up wards to prevent access to humans.”
Now Remus was on guard. Full moon or not, Harry had never spoken like that, even if he was trying to. And he never stood as if he were the ruler of all he beheld, either. Something was horribly wrong.
Severus sensed it at the same time Remus did. His vicious snarls filled the room as he advanced on Harry, looking for all intents and purposes as if he were about to maul the boy he’d protected for so long.
Just as Remus was about to restrain Severus, Harry nodded to Alexander. A searing pain skittered up Lupin’s spine and overwhelmed his senses, causing him to black out. His last thought before his eyes closed was of Severus’ safety... and why Harry suddenly looked so much taller.
Part V
Author: rivertempest
Recipient: The Community
Pairing(s): Severus/Remus, dash of Harry and Kingsley
Word Count: 8,996
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Rape, non-con, drug use, forced bonding, forced haircut, slash, death (not the main pairing), a bit of blood
Summary: Severus Snape witnessed something he wasn't supposed to see. Minister Shacklebolt will do everything he can to keep his secrets... including murder.
Author's Notes:My biggest thanks to my betas: M, R, R, and S. You kept me from making serious plot blunders with this, ladies. Thank you! I hope you like this - I think I adhered to the request for at least a 'hopeful' ending. Also, there's a smidge of porn to go with the overabundance of plot. J.K. Rowling owns all recognizable characters, places, etc. I make no money from putting her characters through this. ;)
Remus traced the raised flesh of the brand on his palm. It was quite beautiful, notwithstanding the pain he'd had to endure when it was singed into his skin. At least now he could close his fist and tolerate holding things for longer than a few minutes.
The bonding ceremony, however, had been anything but beautiful.
Severus had awoken for just long enough to snarl and hiss at the Ministry official, lunging at Kingsley with a feral gleam in his eye, and then passing out immediately after being branded with the letter R in the flesh of his left palm. Remus’ hand was graced with an S, the letter making him think of marriage and how he'd always planned on remaining a bachelor. Grim reality had set in shortly after the ceremony was over.
What unnerved him more was Kingsley’s demeanour throughout the process. Remus knew Kingsley had once been an Auror, and a damn fine one at that, but his paranoid actions made even Mad-Eye Moody look sluggish. He had watched Snape like a hawk, like he was waiting for him to do who knows what. According to Harry, Kingsley wanted to get rid of Snape for some reason that he couldn’t figure out, and Shacklebolt assumed bonding the incapacitated wizard to a werewolf would get rid of the problem Severus posed in the easiest possible manner without it reflecting badly on the Minister.
It was rather cunning, Remus thought.
Ceremony complete, Snape and Lupin had been set up by the Ministry in a cottage bordered by forests on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. They were also provided with constant care and weekly check-ups with a Ministry authorized Mediwizard. Everything-from the food Remus bought to the Galleons in his pocket-were Ministry approved, funded, or otherwise equipped. And he hated it.
Harry had visited three times over the past week and a half and his contact, Alex, always seemed to be in the vicinity. There were no other visitors, at least none that the Ministry had approved. They were completely isolated and at Shacklebolt’s mercy. Remus didn’t dare speak out against the accommodations or treatment for fear of relapse on Snape’s part. It was enough that the poor man felt everything Remus did (and then some). It would have been easier if the connection ran both ways, but he'd yet to feel anything emanating from his companion.
Upon finding that he’d lacked hair on his face and head, Snape whimpered mournfully-often and loudly. He had also licked his injured hand in an incessant manner, growling each time Remus tried to stop the compulsive display. Progress had been slow but rewarding, including a few words sprinkled in with Snape's vocalizations. It was fortunate that the bonding ritual hadn't needed to be consummated to be finalized. Remus highly doubted he would’ve retained his bits if he’d tried to mate with Severus during that time.
Wondering if Snape’s feelings would be present when he transformed, Remus' thoughts were now consumed with the full moon. Feeling Remus’ agitation, Severus had thankfully remained quiet all day, as if he sensed that his mate needed calm. Remus was grateful that Snape had sensed this and relaxed his usual overcautious behaviour around him, needing just to breathe for a moment or two.
Sat in the lounge, bouncing his left leg on the ball of his foot, Remus looked out the bay window and into the forest beyond the back garden. He was so focused, he didn’t notice Severus approach until the other man took his hand.
“Merlin!” Remus gasped. It was still a shock to look upon his companion with little to no hair, even more so when the man crept silently around as if afraid to attract unwanted attention.
Snape didn’t react to Lupin’s jump and that in and of itself was progress. Instead, he knelt between Remus’ legs, took his scarred hand, laid it atop his head, and rubbed it back and forth along the fuzz that had begun to grow. Snape growled contentedly when the werewolf continued stroking without urging.
“Like that, do you?” Remus asked with a chuckle.
Severus moved closer until he buried his hooked nose in Remus’ chest.
Not really shocked at Snape’s demeanour-the former Potion’s master had often sought such comfort in the past two weeks-Remus tentatively caressed his ears and neck, waiting for a rebuff. When none came and Severus nestled even closer, he wrapped his arms around the kneeling man’s shoulder, hugging him tight and pressing a soft kiss to the prickle of tiny hairs atop his head.
“Re...”
A smile broke out on Remus’ face. “That’s right, Severus... ‘Re’.” He thought it endearing that Snape couldn’t get the ‘mus’ part past his lips.
Rising, Severus studied Remus’ face.
“What?” Remus cocked his head and stared back at the dour wizard.
Lupin was surprised and disconcerted when Snape began nuzzling his groin. If felt wrong, but... Oh, gods, he used his teeth to bite down on my thigh muscle! Should he stop him? Harry would be there shortly to secure Remus as previously discussed, while Alexander watched over Snape, and he didn’t want either man getting an eyeful of...
A powerful, low rumble from Severus set his blood to boiling. He hadn't taken into account his moon madness (not to mention not having had a decent fuck in years), or the fact that since he was part of mated pair, this sort of thing came naturally. Whatever it was, Remus had to have Severus now, regardless if the man was aware of the circumstances or not. Although, Remus reckoned Snape was conscious enough when he began clawing at the trousers surrounding his prize.
Trying to unbutton his slacks, Remus’ hands were shoved away by a snarling Severus. Assured that his mate would not move again, Snape tugged on the offending material until it wrapped around Remus’ knees.
Remus had to bite his lip against the pain Snape’s nails dragging across his skin produced, but when Severus began licking his scrotum, everything but pleasure fell to the wayside. It was a bit masochistic of him to remain so still while the man below nipped, suckled, and tongued his way up and down his hard shaft, but Remus refused to move and spoil the moment should Severus be startled.
“God, that feels wonderful!” He couldn’t help the thrust of his hips.
Severus growled before engulfing Remus’ thick rod in his mouth. It wasn’t talented or the stuff of poetry-it was too rough for that. But it was all-consuming in its passion as Snape drew the mushroom cap past his lips and swallowed repeatedly around his girth.
Unable to stop the force of his orgasm, Remus closed his eyes and shouted to the rafters as he spilled down Severus’ throat, panting and clenching his fists on the coverlet draping the sofa. Prying one eyelid open, he glanced down at the man between his legs and gave him a soft smile.
“Thank you.” He knew Snape didn’t understand, at least not completely, but he hoped that his facial cues and tones were enough.
Looking very satisfied with himself, Severus gave him one last lick and stood. It appeared like he was about to hint at something more, but he stilled and stared at the door.
“Is it Harry?” Remus asked casually as he rose and re-buttoned his trousers. When Severus didn’t respond in any way, he became nervous. “What’s wrong?” He knew it was futile to ask such complex questions, doing it more for his own benefit than to hold an actual conversation.
When the knock sounded and Snape still hadn’t moved, Remus went to the door, inhaled deeply to determine the scent of the visitors, and checked the peek-hole, observing Harry and Alexander standing on the doorstep. Opening the door, he ushered in the two Aurors, confusion etched on his face at Severus’ rigid stance. Normally, he was tolerable of the pair, so his actions were perplexing.
“Lupin,” Harry acknowledged with a nod. He then turned his gaze to a wary Snape. “Severus.”
Was that a purr Remus had just heard from Potter’s mouth? Mentally shaking his head, he put it down to auditory hallucinations so close to transformation. Glancing at the mantle clock, he estimated he had about twenty minutes before moonrise, so it would account for more wonky behaviour.
“Alexander will secure you beyond the perimeter of the house and set up wards to prevent access to humans.”
Now Remus was on guard. Full moon or not, Harry had never spoken like that, even if he was trying to. And he never stood as if he were the ruler of all he beheld, either. Something was horribly wrong.
Severus sensed it at the same time Remus did. His vicious snarls filled the room as he advanced on Harry, looking for all intents and purposes as if he were about to maul the boy he’d protected for so long.
Just as Remus was about to restrain Severus, Harry nodded to Alexander. A searing pain skittered up Lupin’s spine and overwhelmed his senses, causing him to black out. His last thought before his eyes closed was of Severus’ safety... and why Harry suddenly looked so much taller.
Part V