HAH! A mighty feat of fast-typing has brought us the next chapter in all its ranting glory. I must admit that I loved writing this, I loved the complexity and layers of the characters and I hope yon readers enjoy as well. Onward and upward!

Previous chapters:

Prologue / Chapter One / Chapter Two / Chapter Three / Chapter Four / Chapter Five / Chapter Six /




Quick Summary: Harry Potter is the wizarding world's hero. But when Voldemort discovers a dark magic that could turn his greatest threat into a valuable asset, will Harry be able to hold onto who he is, or submit to the shadows within? (Creature feature)

Set in 7th year, but follows canon only till the end of Goblet of Fire.

Title is a song by Ben Harper

Pairings: Harry/Draco, Sirius/Remus, Hermione/Ron. Implied Voldemort/Draco, Voldemort/Death Eaters

Warnings:

-Spoilers for books (and movies, I guess), 1-4 with occasional 5-6 spoilers for largely irrelevant things like character names and monsters and things. Not plot-related stuff. (I think/hope).

-Rated R-18/NC-17

-This story contains - obligatory capitals: SLASH! Also known as YAOI, also known as males having sweaty sex with OTHER MALES. If you don't want to read that kind of stuff, don't read the fic. Don't complain to me if you do and it grosses you out, that's just silly on your part. There are also issues of non-consensual sex. Run while you still can.






Disclaimer - This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. This disclaimer was nicked from the Restricted Section.


--

‘And look how low-
I’ve sunk,
Don’t ask me to rise.
I’ll only lose you when I’m high.’
Rise – Azure Ray

--


Voldemort pointed his wand at Potter, “Ennervate.”

Draco watched dully as Potter shuddered then launched up from where he lay, coming to an abrupt stop as the chains around his wrists snapped taught. Potter let out a wild scream that made all the assembled people flinch, magic crackled visibly over his skin but wasn’t unleashed.

“Potter!” Voldemort snapped, “Those chains prevent your magic from escaping but my patience is limited, be silent now or I will drop your mate where he stands.” The wand shifted direction till it was pointed at Draco.

Potter snapped his head around, seeing Draco for the first time – his irises were solid black shot with gold. The crazed young man let out a low whine, but ceased struggling.

“Good boy,” Voldemort said, “Now Potter, I’m going to ask you to do something for me, and understand that if you do not obey, my anger will be directed at your lover.”

Potter’s gaze slid back to Voldemort, he growled softly but remained very very still, tensed and visibly trembling with coiled-energy.

Draco watched in silence, pale and tight-lipped; he knew better than to try and test the Dark Lord’s mercy.

Voldemort turned to a lackey, “Give Potter the potion.”

The Death Eater shifted, revealing a potion he had clearly been holding the entire time and gingerly edged over to Potter, holding out the potion, “Drink it.” said Voldemort.

Potter snarled and yanked on the chains again but his eyes flickered from Voldemort to Draco and he snatched the potion, gulping it down. There was a pause and then he shuddered violently, coughing and choking.

“What the hell was that?” Draco cried, “What are you doing?”

Voldemort smiled, “Standard sentient-creature binding potion, Draco. Creatures are immune to Imperius, but a potion can be used to apply specific rules to a creature that will control their body, if not their mind.”

Fuck fuck fuck! Stupid Potter! He should have thrown the potion in the Dark Bastard’s face! Now how is he supposed to get out of this!?

Voldemort’s attention swung back to the Gryffindor who was letting out a few last coughs, “Potter! Can you speak?”

The boy’s face twisted into a confused grimace for a moment, but eventually a hoarse, “Yes,” emerged.

Draco started, he’s begun to thing Potter had gone mute.

“Now Potter, I am going to give you several simple choices, and let me make this very clear,” Voldemort leaned forward in his throne, “If you do not answer, ‘I will’ it every one of the questions I pose you, I will not only kill your mate, I will make him suffer, for a very, very long time before I allow him the release of death. Understood?”

Potter shuddered and gave an almost unconscious tug on the chains again, “...Yes,” he replied.

Voldemort sat back, “Alright then. We shall begin.” He smiled maliciously, “On the condition that your mate remains unharmed and unimpeded by me and mine, will you, Harry Potter, obey all direct orders give to you by me, Lord Voldemort?”

Potter sucked in a gulp of air and blinked rapidly, “I- I will,” he said.

Draco stared in horror. Fuck.

Well, we’re screwed now, aren’t we.

“On the condition that your mate remains unharmed and unimpeded by me and mine, will you, Harry Potter, swear to never harm me under any circumstances?”

“I will.”

“And on the condition that your mate remains unharmed and unimpeded by me and mine, will you, Harry Potter, swear to not reveal any information that I choose to remain secret, specifically including your new obedience to me, my location and my plans- to anyone not within my upper circle of followers?”

“I will.”

“Excellent!” Voldemort twitched his wand and said calmly, “Stupefy.”

Potter let out an angry noise but collapsed to the floor.

“Well, Draco? What do you think?”

Draco blinked and looked dazedly at the Dark Lord.

Voldemort’s lips twitched, “Or perhaps you do not find my plan as amusing as I do.” He sighed, “I am sorry it had to be you, Draco, I know you’ve hated the boy for an age- and it is such a waste. But I had no choice. I trust you will take good care of my new weapon.” He waved a vague hand at a few Death Eaters, “Take them back to their room.”


~..*..~


Waking was like having to tear through layers of fabric, each layer revealing a new set of sensations: consciousness, smell, sound, pain. Before Harry could open his eyes a rush of panic overwhelmed him only to be calmed as somehow his senses told him there was no need to fear.

No one in the room. Mate is close.

Harry groaned and furrowed his brow at the strange thoughts, gingerly opening his eyes.

The first thing he saw was Draco Malfoy sitting next to the bed, glaring at him.

“This is all your fault, and, for the record, I hate you.” Malfoy said.

“Huh!?”

“I just wanted that clear from the start.”

“What the hell are you talking about and-” Harry coughed, clearing his throat while staring at the unfamiliar room, “Where the hell am I?”

Malfoy flushed slightly but raised an arrogant chin, “What, were you too distracted... yesterday, or this morning... or whenever that was... to look around you?” He trailed off, looking slightly confused.

“What do you mean? Last thing I can remember I was at Hogwarts having... dinner I think...” Harry paused at the look Malfoy was giving him, “What!?”

“...You don’t remember.”

Harry edged away slightly from the blond - who looked rather like he was considering the mass slaughter of small fuzzy creatures. “Well I-”

“You don’t remember.”

“Malfoy-”

“You... you... selfish, sanctimonious, idiotic, naive, short-sighted, inept fool of a STUPID PRICK!” Malfoy leapt out of his chair, “You- we- I-” he gasped frantically for breath, “And then-” more hyperventilation. Eventually Malfoy turned and stormed across the room, only to spin around and yell, “We are in Voldemort’s lair - YOU let yourself get captured. Voldemort has turned you into an ancient mythical monster and bound you to his service irrevocably. I have somehow got caught up in this mess even though it has nothing to do with me, and now we’re magically bound to each other for life! We’ve already had freaky mind-blowing creature sex which I would like to say a resounding Disturbing, much?! to, and that you can’t even remember, Voldemort and my father are probably never going to trust or respect me again. You’re probably going to be sent off on some suicide mission to kill Dumbledore any minute now that will of course result in your death, followed -by magical association- with my own and it is ALL YOUR FAULT!”

Harry stared with wide eyes, “Are you kidding me?”

Malfoy stood frozen for a moment before letting out a screech, running across the room, ripping a thin bamboo cane from a sculpture near the bed and started to thwack Harry over and over.

“OW! Fucking hell, Malfoy!” Harry tried to roll away but the insane Slytherin clambered up onto the bed to follow him, yelling and hitting with a thoroughly mad glint in his eyes.

Harry’s irritation surged and he grabbed Malfoy’s arms and tossed him off the bed. Malfoy let out a yell as the throw sent him flying across the room to slam against the far wall.

Harry gasped and shot off the bed, “Malfoy, are you okay?!” He rushed across to the Slytherin, his heart in his throat.

The blond straightened up against the wall, shock cutting through the fury on his face, “Huh, I guess being a creature’s mate comes with perks after all - increased durability when encountering walls with force.” He glared at Harry again, “You could have killed me just then, Potter, a normal human would be all broken bones and carnations after a toss like that. Let’s add recklessness to our ever-growing list of reasons why Harry Potter is a danger to humanity - and more importantly, a danger to me.”

Harry could barely speak through the relief that Malfoy was alright, “I’m so sorry! I don’t know how I did that-”

“Weren’t you listening, Potter!?” Malfoy shoved him away, “I just told you that Voldemort turned you into a creature, most normal people would make the connection that this would come with some changes and be careful until they knew what they were! Are you just a total freak or what?”

“I- I thought you were lying,” Harry whispered, turning away.

Malfoy seemed to pause at some note in Harry’s voice, the hard line of furious lips softening slightly, “Do you seriously not remember anything?”

“No,” Harry closed his eyes, “I’m sorry.”

Sighing irritably Malfoy pointed back at the bed, “Well, stop standing there like a kicked puppy and sit down. I’ll explain properly.”

Harry heaved a sigh of relief, slightly bemused by his reaction to Malfoy’s distain; it had never really bothered him before, but he scuttled over to the bed and sat down while Malfoy came over and sat in his own chair.

“So what’s the last thing you remember?” Malfoy asked.

“Um, I was at dinner, I was sitting with Hermione and Ron and we were talking about...” Harry frowned, trying to turn the foggy memories into something more solid, “Sirius. Yeah, I had had a fight with Sirius and I needed to apologise.”

Malfoy raised a scornful eyebrow, “Heaven forbid that perfect Potter has a disagreement with his loving Godfather.”

“Shut it, Malfoy!” Harry glared, “I’m not perfect, I make mistakes just like everybody else, okay!”

Malfoy sniffed but subsided, “So what happened next?”

“Um, Hermione said something about not feeling sorry for myself and- umm, detentions and then-” Harry broke off as the memory came back sharply, And then I was distracted by images of Malfoy as a unforgiving taskmaster, telling me off for being a bad, bad boy.

Malfoy’s eyes narrowed, “And then you blushed just like you are now.”

“Well I um- was thinking about- about some stuff and-”

Rolling his eyes, Malfoy tipped his head back and glared at the ceiling, “What did I do to deserve this? Seriously now, it cannot have been this bad.”

Harry stopped stuttering as he was distracted by the sight of a lock of the Slytherin’s hair brushing along the length of his jaw as it fell away from his face.

//Malfoy tipping his head back in pleasure as Harry’s fingers wrapped around his cock-//

Harry gasped and sat back, blinking at the image that had slammed into his mind.

“Potter?” Malfoy looked concerned, “You alright?”

Harry stared dazedly.

//Malfoy’s mouth opening in a startled, ‘Oh’ as Harry breached him-//

Harry reached out and grabbed the bedpost to steady himself, Malfoy was standing now, hovering near him worriedly.

//Pain ... Voldemort’s eyes filled with malice ... “You, Harry... You I can afford to lose.” ... Fear ... “Bind him! And move away, fools!” ... Ron’s eyes pleading voicelessly ... Draco Malfoy screaming his name, kissing him madly as their orgasms tore at them simultaneously.//

Harry gasped as the memories exploded into his mind, leaving him dazed and confused. He looked up at Malfoy who was standing with his hand hovering near Harry’s shoulder, uncertainty written over his body.

“You-” Harry tried to breathe long enough to form a sentence, “You and me, we, we really had sex!”

Malfoy gave him an exasperated look, “Is that all you can think about, Potter!”

Harry blinked for a few moments, “Well, you must admit that it’s sort of... historic.”

Malfoy’s lips twitched but he quickly returned to a frown, “It’s only historic because you’re an idiot. It only happened because you’re an idiot! What kind of fool lets the Dark Lord kidnap them, just to save their friends, anyway!? Hasn’t Dumbledore been training you better than that? Shouldn’t you have like, done some weird advanced magic that turned Voldemort into a ballerina or something?”

Harry looked away, “I don’t know. I didn’t know what to do.”

Malfoy seemed to be getting his fire up again, “And then you go and let Voldemort con you into swearing him eternal loyalty. I mean, it’s like open season on Harry Potter, Saviour of Crap All Because Now He’s a Bad-Guy.”

“What-?” Harry began but flinched as the next set of returning memories cut him off.

//“Will you – swear – obey all direct orders – never harm – keep secret...”//

“Oh.”

Harry felt panic rise up in him, “I can’t believe I did that!”

Malfoy gave him an odd look, “Well, you did.”

“But, but now everything’s ruined! How am I going to- There’s no way I can- And everyone will-” Harry gasped and looked around wildly.

“Oh give it a rest, Potter, you’re not the only one fighting this war.”

Harry snapped his mouth shut and stared at Malfoy, shocked by the blunt statement.

It suddenly occurred to Harry that a few things weren’t adding up, What is Malfoy doing here, anyway? He started to ask the question, but thought it might be a little tactless, in the light of well, everything.

Back up, start at the beginning. “So, this thing that Voldemort did to me- the creature he made me...”

“The Formosus Letum.”

Harry nodded at the blond, “Yeah. What- I mean, do you know what it is?”

Malfoy sneered, “Paying attention in class has really been a foreign concept to you, hasn’t it.”

“You say that as though you’ve forgotten who beat you in the last Potions practical.” Harry shot back.

Malfoy glared but flopped back into his chair, Harry tried not to be annoyed that the Slytherin could even make a slouch look graceful. “Formosus Letum; covered in sixth year by the way, Potter, is Latin for Beautiful Death. A creature found exclusively in South America, it has been thought to be extinct since shortly after the Spaniards arrived. Classified as a ‘Dark’ creature, it survives in a similar way to vampires through draining the life-force from other living entities.”

Harry started at this, clutching the bed-spread nervously. Malfoy continued impassively, “Unlike vampires, which can infect Muggles or Wizards, the Formosus Letum can only infect magical beings- because of its innate magical strength, the magic required to shift from the host original form into the creature form, and because of the magical way it consumes life-force: drained from the victim through physical contact. Although officially classified as a creature, it has often been compared to a magical virus or disease due to its ‘infection’ type of breeding, and the fact that the creature can infect both humans and animals. Records exist of wizards, unicorns, dragons, banshee, sphinx, and goblins being infected.”

Harry was beginning to feel rather pale, “So why isn’t it classed as a disease or whatever then?”

Sighing, Malfoy replied, “Because of two things. One, once infected, the entire physiology of the host form is altered. Although the original form is kept to a certain degree, it’s thought this is only used to help the creature hunt effectively and find a mate. Below the surface, there are few similarities with the original form. The second thing is behaviour and mating. There aren’t many records of the creature that show the changes from the original form to the creature form, but those that exist show a marked change in behavioural patterns; especially in the mating response. Formosus Letum mate for life; in fact, in many ways they live off their mate. Once a mate has been chosen, a bond is formed between the two. The bond alters the chosen mate, but not as significantly as the creature itself. The mate seems to be used by the creature to be the sole provider of the physical contact the creature can no longer have with other beings, and also as a stabiliser, both for stabilising the volatile moods of the creature, and for providing magical support when the creature cannot find a food source. The mate and creature are mutually protective and dependant, and are believed to share empathic awareness of each other through the bond.” Malfoy finished, watching Harry coolly.

“And... And you’re my Mate, right?” Harry fiddled with the edge of the bed-spread, looking up at Malfoy nervously, feeling sure of the answer despite the bizarreness of the situation.

Malfoy looked furious for a moment, but nodded, “Yes. It would seem so,” He looked away and muttered softly, “Even if it is utterly ridiculous!”

“But I don’t get it!” Harry straightened up, starting to get back to his earlier thought, “I mean, creatures are usually really picky about their chosen life-mate, right? You and I hate each other, why would I pick you? Why would Voldemort even bring you here?”

Malfoy was beginning to look rather uncomfortable.

“Why would Voldemort even think of you?” Harry said.

Malfoy got out of the chair and walked a few steps away, Harry frowned as an unfamiliar turbulence of emotion pushed at him, it occurred to him suddenly that the emotions were coming from Malfoy. This must be that empathic bond thingy. Weird.

“My Father got a star-reading done a while ago,” Malfoy said, “It showed that you and I were always likely to feel very deeply about each other - that our emotions could either be that of hate or... desire. He mentioned it to the Dark Lord, who thought he could use it to get to you.” Malfoy’s voice was cold and hard, “Looks like he was right.”

Harry bit his lip as he watched the rigid figure, “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For getting you involved in this.”

There was a pause, then Malfoy turned around, furious again, “Involved? Involved? You’re sorry!? Damn it, Potter! I am so fucking sick of your ego! It’s too late to apologise and it’s not your responsibility anyway! Voldemort was around long before you were born and this war has never been solely about you! My father is the Dark Lord’s right-hand man and you think it’s because of you that I got involved? What the hell do you think I’ve been doing the last two years, sitting in the kitchen preparing hors d’oeuvres while the Death Eaters have revels in the drawing room? I’ve been involved for a hell of a lot longer than this!”

Harry caught his breath, seized by sudden fear and denial, “That- ...So, you’re a Death Eater then?”

Malfoy took a step back, his face becoming shuttered, “What would it matter if I was? You’re stuck with me now, Potter.”

Anger surged, overwhelming any vague feeling of hurt, betrayal or confusion. The idea that someone had sought to lay a claim on his Mate, sought to mark him and steal him away made Harry’s eyes narrow, his vision go flat, colours dimmed and objects suddenly stood out in stark relief. “Are you, or aren’t you?”

“I don’t have to answer you, you know. Just because you can make your eyes change colour doesn’t mean you scare me.”

Harry stood up from the bed, moving closer to his Mate, “Oh no? Then why are you moving away from me, Malfoy?”

Malfoy continued stepping away slowly, “Well you did throw me into a wall earlier. Excuse me if I’m a little hesitant to play cat and mouse.”

“Don’t be evasive. Answer the question, Malfoy!”

“No!” Malfoy gasped as he backed up against the wall. “I’m out of here!” he yelled and ran towards the door.

Harry was across the room before he was aware of moving, his arm slamming across the doorway, “You aren’t going anywhere.” He growled.

Malfoy looked startled and took a step back before scowling, “Get out of my way, Potter.”

“No.”

“Get. Out. Of. My. Way, Potter.” Malfoy hissed.

Again Harry’s body moved before his mind had processed thought or action, he blinked and found he had pressed Malfoy up against the wall, his sleeve pushed back as Harry pinned each wrist at head-hight.

Harry tuned out the flow of insults and language coming from Malfoy and he sighed at the sight of unblemished skin. He dipped his head to rest on Malfoy’s shoulder as waves of relief washed over him.

“What would you have done if it was there then, Potter? Ripped it off my skin with your teeth? Gone down and kicked the Dark Lord you’ve sworn to obey in the shins? Merlin! You are such a child!”

Pressed close to Malfoy’s skin, Harry became suddenly distracted by the most amazing smell. He turned his head and pressed his nose against the Slytherin’s neck, inhaling deeply. The smell sent shivers throughout Harry’s whole body. Reaching out with a delicate tongue, Harry tasted the spot just below the ear under the end of Malfoy’s jaw.

Malfoy squawked “Wh- what the hell are you doing!”

“Mmmn, you smell nice.” Harry licked the flesh again, “You taste nice.”

“Cut it out, Potter!”

“Mmmmn, no.” This time Harry set gentle teeth against the spot, groaning softly as Malfoy melted against the door.

“Fuck, Potter. You really are the world’s biggest arse.” Malfoy moaned.

“I know.” Harry said, and moved up to meet Malfoy’s lips in a leisurely but thorough kiss. “I really am sorry about this whole Mate thing, Malfoy,” Harry said softly, breaking away to look the Slytherin in the eyes, still pressing light kisses against red lips.

Malfoy sighed and wrapped his arms around Harry’s neck, “I know.” He replied.


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( Next Chapter )


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