Fic: Survival In Death
Title: Survival In Death
Authors: unbroken_halo and sevs_lil_secret
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Company belong to JK Rowling. No money was made writing this bit of fiction.
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Harry tries to convince Snape it would be in both of their best interests to bond. Snape isn't ready to be convinced.
Warnings: Violence
AN: Written for thematic_hp's Round One Forced Marriage/Bonding fics: Prompt #76. Harry is a vampire. Snape is forced, against his will, to be his bonded mate. Crossposted to hpvamp, and unbroken_halo.
Survival In Death
Harry opened the letter from the Ministry and scowled. As he read, the scowl deepened and his eyes darkened to crimson. He flung the letter away from him, burning it to cinders with a wandless spell. He had twenty-four hours to complete his bond with a powerful wizard or the Ministry would send the Hit Wizards after him.
He stalked to his hearth and tossed in the floo powder, calling the headmaster. He would try again in hopes the older man would relent and allow him to have his first choice of... bond mates and donors.
Severus Snape was a powerful Wizard and despite the man's nasty temperament, Harry knew that there would be no one better to protect him.
Albus Dumbledore looked up as the flames in his fireplace flared bright green, his eyes twinkling as he saw who it was. "Hello Harry my boy, how are you?" he asked, the affection in his voice coming through for one of his favourite students.
"Professor," Harry smiled tightly and shrugged almost casually. He had no time to dilly dally with the older man; he was living on short borrowed time. Surely, the older man would see this. "I am calling once again to have your assistance in the matter we discussed a few months past."
Dumbledore nodded, he remembered the matter well. "I'm sorry Harry, but that just will not be possible. It is not within my power to give another human being to you," he said gravely, the sparkle fading from his eyes. This was not going to be a pleasant conversation.
Harry frowned. "I understand, Professor. However, we are speaking of my life, such as it is. You should know me well enough to know that I would not make it nessacessarily unpleasant for Snape." He sighed. "I was hoping to draw on the compassion you had for Remus and even Snape himself, in helping out one of your students. One, who through no fault of his own, has become something other than himself."
"What would you suggest I do, Harry? Severus has made it clear that he has no wish for a relationship with anyone," Dumbledore said, steepling his fingers as he spoke. "Although none of this was any fault of yours, I must wonder if your choice does not contain a small amount of revenge from your school days."
Harry sucked in a breath and shook his head. "Have I become that much of a monster that you no longer know me, Headmaster?" He swallowed and continued. "My reasons, which I have already explained to you, are sound and I think quite justified. Revenge has nothing to do with it. The vampiric bond does not allow the dominant member to harm the bonded mate. Other than the usual donation of blood."
Harry looked down at the hearth for a moment before looking back up at the headmaster. "I am told it can be a pleasant and pleasurable thing. Being a vampire's bonded is often seen as a privilege of the bonded."
Dumbledore looked at Harry for a long moment. "And there is no one else that has any appeal to you?" he asked curiously. He wasn't certain what to make of Harry's sudden interest in his Potions master.
"Snape is a powerful wizard, sir and no, no one else has the potential to be strong enough." Harry met the man's eyes. "I have a very limited time, Headmaster. I could force the issue but I am asking this one last time for some cooperation."
Dumbledore considered for a moment and sighed. "I will allow you to visit Hogwarts and ask his permission to court, but you are not to harass him Harry. If I find that you are coercing him into something against his will, I will take action to end it."
Harry considered the man's offer. It was better than being bounced from the grounds when he tried to cross the gates and a clear enough invitation to the castle to get around the need to be invited in. "Thank you, Headmaster, I appreciate it. But I am certain my mere presence would be enough for Snape to begin bellowing about harassment. I need something with a little more leniency as to the terms. Courting would take too long."
He paused and shook his head. "I have to bond sooner than I expected and must do so quickly."
"How much time has the Wizengamot given you?" Dumbledore asked. He was aware that there had been talk of placing this directive on the young man that had saved them all.
"I have had a year but in all that time no one has even been close enough in magical strength to withstand the bond. It is why I chose Snape in the first place."
Harry cleared his throat. "I have twenty-four hours before the initial order to vanquish appears at the Auror's office." He smiled tightly again and laughed caustically. "It would be a most difficult matter to try and court Snape with a HitWizard on my trail."
"Twenty-four hours? You expect to bond with Severus in twenty-four hours?" Dumbledore asked incredulously.
"I have no other choice, Headmaster. All it takes is one bite. I would prefer it to be willing but I can work with reluctant."
"I will not allow Severus to be harmed Harry. I will protect him if need be," Dumbledore said solemnly, hoping it would not come down to that. He would look after his Potions master's safety whether Harry liked it or not. "Have you even spoken to him?"
"I have no intentions of harming him. I have tried to explain to everyone involved that there is no real harm in the bond. Snape will be getting much more from this than I." Harry nearly shouted in his frustration and slammed his fist into the hearthstones. He took a deep breath. "I apologize, Professor. I have tried to explain this to Snape however, I can only do so much within the bounds of the limitations placed on me as a vampire."
And that was truth. Harry had a wide arsenal of vampiric powers to use. All the old myths and legends were true. He could not enter hallowed grounds although he could enchant someone out of them, make slaves of humans to see to his every whim. He could mist to change forms and call on certain creatures of the night to do his bidding.
He was, in turn, gifted with many more negative traits, the allergy to sunlight being the most difficult to overcome. He had lost Remus to this curse when he discovered that werewolves were the natural enemy of the vampire. They had agreed to only keep in touch through correspondence and Harry missed the genial older man something fierce.
Snape had used every one of the protections know to Wizard and Muggle against him to keep him from trying to reason with the older man, even going so far as to owl Harry phials of sun block, holy water and braided strands of garlic.
Harry was at the end of his time, patience and powers. He would do whatever it took to continue this immortal life that he had become accustomed. "Snape has tried everything not to have this conversation with me, Professor and I understand it completely but there is no one else that can help me."
Dumbledore sighed heavily; he well knew just how obstinate and childish his Potions master could be when he didn't want to do something. "Very well Harry. Meet me here in my office in a few moments, I'll have Severus here so you may speak with him," he said with a shake of his head.
Harry sighed and nodded. "Thank you, professor. I know it is late and I shall do my best to make haste."
@@@@@@
In his quarters, Severus Snape scowled as he stomped back and forth, pacing after being summoned by the Headmaster to meet with that bloody Potter. He'd thought he'd made it perfectly clear that he had zero interest in bonding with anyone, let alone the bane of his very existence.
Looking around his sitting room one last time, an evil smirk settled on his cruel mouth. Oh yes, that would do nicely, he thought as he drew his wand and conjured a Muggle spray bottle, then filled it with Holy Water. The smirk still on his face, he stepped out of his door to go meet with the man that was intent on making his life Hell.
Appearing at the edge of the grounds, Harry looked up at the large winged boars. He cautiously approached the gates, waiting to be flung away from the place he had thought of as home.
He reached up and touched the gates, sighing as they swung open for him. He stepped across the wards, once again relaxing as he strode towards the castle. He knew Snape wouldn't be as accommodating and was prepared for the worst.
Pushing opened the great wooden doors; Harry stepped inside the castle and sighed again. He was home, for a little while at least. No one had revoked his invitation and Professor Dumbledore was going to help him like he had Remus. Gratitude filled him but he knew it was short lived as he spotted Snape's tall form coming up the staircase.
"Professor," Harry greeted him softly and waited on Snape.
Snape stopped, sneering up at Potter. "Potter, you've returned I suppose to beg on bended knee for my hand?" he drawled contemptuously as he peered up at the boy. "Go on, get out of my way." He started back up the staircase, his robes billowing around him, one hand clutching the spray bottle as it was hidden within the folds of black cloth.
Harry followed Snape, rolling his eyes at the man. "I don't beg, I am merely asking for a helping hand."
"If a helping hand is what you require Potter, then surely one of your adoring public would be thrilled to give you a one off," Snape sneered as he stopped in front of the gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office.
"Bottlecaps," the Potions master snapped and then strode forward impatiently as the statue allowed entry.
Harry snorted and followed Snape up the stairs, stepping closer to the other man in the close confines of the stairwell. "I don't need an adoring fan; I need a..." he stopped and backed away from Snape. "Merlin, what have you been brewing? You smell like warmed over death."
Not bothering to respond, Snape barged into the Headmaster's office and promptly threw himself into a comfortable old armchair that he thought of as his own. "Albus, I do hope you realize I was in the middle of brewing," he grumbled as he kept the spray bottle carefully concealed.
Harry cleared his throat and edged into the office, moving to stand closer to Professor Dumbledore. "Professor," Harry held a hand out to him and gently clasped the older man's hand.
Albus Dumbledore returned the greeting and looked at his Potions master through his half-moon glasses. "I apologized once Severus for disturbing you. Surely you can take time for tea with a colleague and a former student."
Snape pointedly looked at the small clock on the Headmaster's desk. "Tea is not for several hours Albus," he smirked. "Let's all be honest shall we? I'm here because Potter needs lunch and someone to warm his bed. No thank you."
Harry snarled then closed his mouth and eyes. He wouldn't give into the murderous rage he felt to bodily thrown the other man against the wall and force the bond... yet. "Being a bondmate is not all about sex and feeding," he growled through his teeth as he answered Snape's snide remark. "It is considered to be a position of trust and honor among the vampires. I can make the imposition on your time worth your wile."
Severus looked at Potter coolly for a moment. "Why in Merlin's name do you think I would consent to bonding with you? If you recall, I refused to bond with Malfoy Senior as well, and I do not loathe the man," he retorted, his impatience with being bothered by this insane plot of Potter's showing.
"Never was much on blonds, myself so I understand the reluctance. I, at least, won't kill you in your sleep." Harry opened his eyes and glared at the man for a moment. Sighing he turned to Professor Dumbledore. "Please, Sir, if you don't mind. I'll not be able to get a word in edgewise."
Snape snorted in derision at Potter's begging. "Come now Potter, be a man and learn that no means no, I want no part of you," he snapped as he made to get to his feet. "Headmaster, I am returning to my brewing."
Albus eyed the two men and shook his head, opening his mouth to say something, when Harry snarled and interrupted.
"Sit down, more than your arse is on the line here." Harry stepped forward. "You will listen to what I have to say before the Ministry decides that you also are no longer worth the effort to leave alone."
Snape turned his gaze onto the impertinent brat, seething inwardly. "Mind your tongue, you insufferable little cretin. I am not the one the Ministry intends to hunt down like a dangerous beast," he snarled softly, his voice pitched low and dangerous.
Harry narrowed his eyes at Snape. "No but you are the one who not only turned tail to betray Voldemort but also went back to him, if only as a spy but somehow I don't think that matters. Regardless of the facts, Snape, you are considered a dangerous human, just as much as I am."
"How long before the Aurors arrive for you, Potter?" Snape sneered, made uncomfortable by the truths the boy pointed out. Potter was right; he was not particularly welcome in Wizarding society.
Harry glared at Snape and took another step forward. "I thought you wanted no part of this Snape so why should it matter to you? Or are you now regretting that hasty refusal without looking into the Slytherin benefits of the offering?" he returned softly. "I've such a short time anyway before the dangerous beast does something irrevocable. So does it really matter to you?"
A look of hatred twisted Snape's cruel face as he stood up from the chair. "Will it be Azkaban or exile for something like you, Potter?" he sneered, his fingers tightening their grip on the spray bottle.
"Neither but I can't say the same for a former Deatheater, now can I? Although you might want to inquire about what happened to Crabbe and Goyle juniors. The Professor here can only do so much before you are a prisoner in these stone walls." Harry took another step forward. His life, his entire existence, was fast running out and he did not intend to give up so easily. He would not end up just a foot note for this man's arrogance. He stepped even closer to the tall man.
Snape quickly pulled the spray bottle out of the folds of his robe and gave the trigger several sharp pulls, dispersing a fine mist of Holy Water between Potter and himself. "Don't come any closer Potter," he warned.
"You are going to regret that Snape." Harry hissed and his eyes bled to crimson as the Holy Water cloud hovered between them. His form wavered and he changed, the dark mist filling the small office as Harry tried to escape the acidic liquid.
Part Two
Authors: unbroken_halo and sevs_lil_secret
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Company belong to JK Rowling. No money was made writing this bit of fiction.
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Harry tries to convince Snape it would be in both of their best interests to bond. Snape isn't ready to be convinced.
Warnings: Violence
AN: Written for thematic_hp's Round One Forced Marriage/Bonding fics: Prompt #76. Harry is a vampire. Snape is forced, against his will, to be his bonded mate. Crossposted to hpvamp, and unbroken_halo.
Survival In Death
Harry opened the letter from the Ministry and scowled. As he read, the scowl deepened and his eyes darkened to crimson. He flung the letter away from him, burning it to cinders with a wandless spell. He had twenty-four hours to complete his bond with a powerful wizard or the Ministry would send the Hit Wizards after him.
He stalked to his hearth and tossed in the floo powder, calling the headmaster. He would try again in hopes the older man would relent and allow him to have his first choice of... bond mates and donors.
Severus Snape was a powerful Wizard and despite the man's nasty temperament, Harry knew that there would be no one better to protect him.
Albus Dumbledore looked up as the flames in his fireplace flared bright green, his eyes twinkling as he saw who it was. "Hello Harry my boy, how are you?" he asked, the affection in his voice coming through for one of his favourite students.
"Professor," Harry smiled tightly and shrugged almost casually. He had no time to dilly dally with the older man; he was living on short borrowed time. Surely, the older man would see this. "I am calling once again to have your assistance in the matter we discussed a few months past."
Dumbledore nodded, he remembered the matter well. "I'm sorry Harry, but that just will not be possible. It is not within my power to give another human being to you," he said gravely, the sparkle fading from his eyes. This was not going to be a pleasant conversation.
Harry frowned. "I understand, Professor. However, we are speaking of my life, such as it is. You should know me well enough to know that I would not make it nessacessarily unpleasant for Snape." He sighed. "I was hoping to draw on the compassion you had for Remus and even Snape himself, in helping out one of your students. One, who through no fault of his own, has become something other than himself."
"What would you suggest I do, Harry? Severus has made it clear that he has no wish for a relationship with anyone," Dumbledore said, steepling his fingers as he spoke. "Although none of this was any fault of yours, I must wonder if your choice does not contain a small amount of revenge from your school days."
Harry sucked in a breath and shook his head. "Have I become that much of a monster that you no longer know me, Headmaster?" He swallowed and continued. "My reasons, which I have already explained to you, are sound and I think quite justified. Revenge has nothing to do with it. The vampiric bond does not allow the dominant member to harm the bonded mate. Other than the usual donation of blood."
Harry looked down at the hearth for a moment before looking back up at the headmaster. "I am told it can be a pleasant and pleasurable thing. Being a vampire's bonded is often seen as a privilege of the bonded."
Dumbledore looked at Harry for a long moment. "And there is no one else that has any appeal to you?" he asked curiously. He wasn't certain what to make of Harry's sudden interest in his Potions master.
"Snape is a powerful wizard, sir and no, no one else has the potential to be strong enough." Harry met the man's eyes. "I have a very limited time, Headmaster. I could force the issue but I am asking this one last time for some cooperation."
Dumbledore considered for a moment and sighed. "I will allow you to visit Hogwarts and ask his permission to court, but you are not to harass him Harry. If I find that you are coercing him into something against his will, I will take action to end it."
Harry considered the man's offer. It was better than being bounced from the grounds when he tried to cross the gates and a clear enough invitation to the castle to get around the need to be invited in. "Thank you, Headmaster, I appreciate it. But I am certain my mere presence would be enough for Snape to begin bellowing about harassment. I need something with a little more leniency as to the terms. Courting would take too long."
He paused and shook his head. "I have to bond sooner than I expected and must do so quickly."
"How much time has the Wizengamot given you?" Dumbledore asked. He was aware that there had been talk of placing this directive on the young man that had saved them all.
"I have had a year but in all that time no one has even been close enough in magical strength to withstand the bond. It is why I chose Snape in the first place."
Harry cleared his throat. "I have twenty-four hours before the initial order to vanquish appears at the Auror's office." He smiled tightly again and laughed caustically. "It would be a most difficult matter to try and court Snape with a HitWizard on my trail."
"Twenty-four hours? You expect to bond with Severus in twenty-four hours?" Dumbledore asked incredulously.
"I have no other choice, Headmaster. All it takes is one bite. I would prefer it to be willing but I can work with reluctant."
"I will not allow Severus to be harmed Harry. I will protect him if need be," Dumbledore said solemnly, hoping it would not come down to that. He would look after his Potions master's safety whether Harry liked it or not. "Have you even spoken to him?"
"I have no intentions of harming him. I have tried to explain to everyone involved that there is no real harm in the bond. Snape will be getting much more from this than I." Harry nearly shouted in his frustration and slammed his fist into the hearthstones. He took a deep breath. "I apologize, Professor. I have tried to explain this to Snape however, I can only do so much within the bounds of the limitations placed on me as a vampire."
And that was truth. Harry had a wide arsenal of vampiric powers to use. All the old myths and legends were true. He could not enter hallowed grounds although he could enchant someone out of them, make slaves of humans to see to his every whim. He could mist to change forms and call on certain creatures of the night to do his bidding.
He was, in turn, gifted with many more negative traits, the allergy to sunlight being the most difficult to overcome. He had lost Remus to this curse when he discovered that werewolves were the natural enemy of the vampire. They had agreed to only keep in touch through correspondence and Harry missed the genial older man something fierce.
Snape had used every one of the protections know to Wizard and Muggle against him to keep him from trying to reason with the older man, even going so far as to owl Harry phials of sun block, holy water and braided strands of garlic.
Harry was at the end of his time, patience and powers. He would do whatever it took to continue this immortal life that he had become accustomed. "Snape has tried everything not to have this conversation with me, Professor and I understand it completely but there is no one else that can help me."
Dumbledore sighed heavily; he well knew just how obstinate and childish his Potions master could be when he didn't want to do something. "Very well Harry. Meet me here in my office in a few moments, I'll have Severus here so you may speak with him," he said with a shake of his head.
Harry sighed and nodded. "Thank you, professor. I know it is late and I shall do my best to make haste."
@@@@@@
In his quarters, Severus Snape scowled as he stomped back and forth, pacing after being summoned by the Headmaster to meet with that bloody Potter. He'd thought he'd made it perfectly clear that he had zero interest in bonding with anyone, let alone the bane of his very existence.
Looking around his sitting room one last time, an evil smirk settled on his cruel mouth. Oh yes, that would do nicely, he thought as he drew his wand and conjured a Muggle spray bottle, then filled it with Holy Water. The smirk still on his face, he stepped out of his door to go meet with the man that was intent on making his life Hell.
Appearing at the edge of the grounds, Harry looked up at the large winged boars. He cautiously approached the gates, waiting to be flung away from the place he had thought of as home.
He reached up and touched the gates, sighing as they swung open for him. He stepped across the wards, once again relaxing as he strode towards the castle. He knew Snape wouldn't be as accommodating and was prepared for the worst.
Pushing opened the great wooden doors; Harry stepped inside the castle and sighed again. He was home, for a little while at least. No one had revoked his invitation and Professor Dumbledore was going to help him like he had Remus. Gratitude filled him but he knew it was short lived as he spotted Snape's tall form coming up the staircase.
"Professor," Harry greeted him softly and waited on Snape.
Snape stopped, sneering up at Potter. "Potter, you've returned I suppose to beg on bended knee for my hand?" he drawled contemptuously as he peered up at the boy. "Go on, get out of my way." He started back up the staircase, his robes billowing around him, one hand clutching the spray bottle as it was hidden within the folds of black cloth.
Harry followed Snape, rolling his eyes at the man. "I don't beg, I am merely asking for a helping hand."
"If a helping hand is what you require Potter, then surely one of your adoring public would be thrilled to give you a one off," Snape sneered as he stopped in front of the gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office.
"Bottlecaps," the Potions master snapped and then strode forward impatiently as the statue allowed entry.
Harry snorted and followed Snape up the stairs, stepping closer to the other man in the close confines of the stairwell. "I don't need an adoring fan; I need a..." he stopped and backed away from Snape. "Merlin, what have you been brewing? You smell like warmed over death."
Not bothering to respond, Snape barged into the Headmaster's office and promptly threw himself into a comfortable old armchair that he thought of as his own. "Albus, I do hope you realize I was in the middle of brewing," he grumbled as he kept the spray bottle carefully concealed.
Harry cleared his throat and edged into the office, moving to stand closer to Professor Dumbledore. "Professor," Harry held a hand out to him and gently clasped the older man's hand.
Albus Dumbledore returned the greeting and looked at his Potions master through his half-moon glasses. "I apologized once Severus for disturbing you. Surely you can take time for tea with a colleague and a former student."
Snape pointedly looked at the small clock on the Headmaster's desk. "Tea is not for several hours Albus," he smirked. "Let's all be honest shall we? I'm here because Potter needs lunch and someone to warm his bed. No thank you."
Harry snarled then closed his mouth and eyes. He wouldn't give into the murderous rage he felt to bodily thrown the other man against the wall and force the bond... yet. "Being a bondmate is not all about sex and feeding," he growled through his teeth as he answered Snape's snide remark. "It is considered to be a position of trust and honor among the vampires. I can make the imposition on your time worth your wile."
Severus looked at Potter coolly for a moment. "Why in Merlin's name do you think I would consent to bonding with you? If you recall, I refused to bond with Malfoy Senior as well, and I do not loathe the man," he retorted, his impatience with being bothered by this insane plot of Potter's showing.
"Never was much on blonds, myself so I understand the reluctance. I, at least, won't kill you in your sleep." Harry opened his eyes and glared at the man for a moment. Sighing he turned to Professor Dumbledore. "Please, Sir, if you don't mind. I'll not be able to get a word in edgewise."
Snape snorted in derision at Potter's begging. "Come now Potter, be a man and learn that no means no, I want no part of you," he snapped as he made to get to his feet. "Headmaster, I am returning to my brewing."
Albus eyed the two men and shook his head, opening his mouth to say something, when Harry snarled and interrupted.
"Sit down, more than your arse is on the line here." Harry stepped forward. "You will listen to what I have to say before the Ministry decides that you also are no longer worth the effort to leave alone."
Snape turned his gaze onto the impertinent brat, seething inwardly. "Mind your tongue, you insufferable little cretin. I am not the one the Ministry intends to hunt down like a dangerous beast," he snarled softly, his voice pitched low and dangerous.
Harry narrowed his eyes at Snape. "No but you are the one who not only turned tail to betray Voldemort but also went back to him, if only as a spy but somehow I don't think that matters. Regardless of the facts, Snape, you are considered a dangerous human, just as much as I am."
"How long before the Aurors arrive for you, Potter?" Snape sneered, made uncomfortable by the truths the boy pointed out. Potter was right; he was not particularly welcome in Wizarding society.
Harry glared at Snape and took another step forward. "I thought you wanted no part of this Snape so why should it matter to you? Or are you now regretting that hasty refusal without looking into the Slytherin benefits of the offering?" he returned softly. "I've such a short time anyway before the dangerous beast does something irrevocable. So does it really matter to you?"
A look of hatred twisted Snape's cruel face as he stood up from the chair. "Will it be Azkaban or exile for something like you, Potter?" he sneered, his fingers tightening their grip on the spray bottle.
"Neither but I can't say the same for a former Deatheater, now can I? Although you might want to inquire about what happened to Crabbe and Goyle juniors. The Professor here can only do so much before you are a prisoner in these stone walls." Harry took another step forward. His life, his entire existence, was fast running out and he did not intend to give up so easily. He would not end up just a foot note for this man's arrogance. He stepped even closer to the tall man.
Snape quickly pulled the spray bottle out of the folds of his robe and gave the trigger several sharp pulls, dispersing a fine mist of Holy Water between Potter and himself. "Don't come any closer Potter," he warned.
"You are going to regret that Snape." Harry hissed and his eyes bled to crimson as the Holy Water cloud hovered between them. His form wavered and he changed, the dark mist filling the small office as Harry tried to escape the acidic liquid.
Part Two