† No other Cure †

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They belong to the author.

Pairings: Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy, Some Severus/Lucius in this chapter

Rating: M for sex scenes and language. This is a MM, meaning a man having sex with another man. If you don't like, don't read. Please note, this chapter would actually be considered NC-17 because there is a very large amount of sexual description. Mention of rape, and flogging in this chapter.

Genre: Romance/Angst

Theme: Harry Potter

Chapter VIII: You Found Me Out

Author Note: So because it's been forever since I wrote this I just wanted to address some things. I will be addressing some thing that happened in HP: The Half-Blood Prince, one particular thing comes to mind. This is simply to aid the development of my characters. In this story Draco is very detached from the death eaters and Voldemort, my Draco has not been recruited as the chosen one and therefore there will be no 'spoilers' in this fanfic, so no worries! Please enjoy!

Snape didn't seen Draco until the 30th. It was on the morning of said day that he received an owl that instructed him he was to collect Draco from Lucius in Hogsmeade at the inn later that afternoon. It was needless to say that the mention of the return of Draco made Snape happy inside but he was also concerned for the boy, he wanted to know what Lucius had done to Malfoy, for he knew, Lucius had done SOMETHING.

However, Snape also had other reasons to be stressed, the presence of the dark mark had slowly begun to form over the past few nights on his arm and it had brought a darkness over Snape's mind. The return of the Dark Lord? That was grave news to Snape for he hated that man. His loyalties would forever remain to Dumbledore, but if he had to be a spy in order to feel redemption for his guilty past and the murder of his sweet Lily, then he would do so. But he wondered, what of Malfoy? Lucius was a death eater, everyone who knew the Malfoy's pretty much knew that, Snape would even has guessed that even Potter knew of it. But it was not Lucius he was worried about, it was Malfoy and Snape prayed that somehow, Malfoy would not be enrolled as a Death Eater like his father. The very thought of it… It was just too horrible to imagine.

His mind was so absorbed in itself and he was so agitated that not even Potter bothered to challenge him today, what was the point in getting murdered? Snape's face was cold like usual and he didn't reveal and ounce of the feelings that were warring inside of him. Non of his students, or at least non the students currently in the school, would ever see a flicker of emotion cross his emotionless face and that, was one thing Snape would ensure. With no classes to teach till after the new year Snape was at a sudden loss at what exactly there was to do as he waited for the evening to come so he could collect Draco.

He settled on the necessities. He had a shower, his hair cleaned and his body soothed. Then he dressed in the robes Lucius had given him, so as to show his gratitude and not to enrage the man he feared. Then he made his way to Dumbledore's room. He told him that Draco would be returning to the school and for awhile Snape sat in the room in a state of relaxation. The ticking of the clocks, the rustling of Fox's feathers, even the chatter of the portraits soothed his worried mind. He also showed Dumbledore the dark mark, which was now very prominent on his pale skin. Dumbledore looked it over, then with his classic smile that made Snape feel a sense of bubbling hate, it was dismissed, like it was something the wizard was completely unconcerned about.

By the time 10:30 rolled around Snape made his way from Dumbledore's quarters and out to Hogsmeade, where he bought for Lucius a nice, expensive, bottle of wine in order to thank him for the robes, still feeling guilty for having bought Lucius nothing. And once he had finally purchased the wine he had wasted a couple hours and headed towards the inn. He felt nervous as though the second he entered the room he'd be greeted by a dead Draco.

It took all the strength he could muster to enter that inn and he found them both, nestled by the fireplace. Lucius, looking regal, sitting proper with a straight back and folded legs, gazing with an air of arrogance at the fire. Meanwhile Draco was curled up within the chair, staring with a look of sorrow into the flames. He wore a fur hat and his scarf with Slytherin's colors, bundled and warm.

Snape approached them and when Lucius took note of his presence, he rose and dared to embrace Severus for a moment, as though they were good friends. Snape remained still as stone as those arms came around him, those teeth so dangerously near his neck, those clawed hands on his back and shoulder. The whole situation frightened Snape, for all that could fill his mind were the memories of the damage those hands and teeth could inflict. So he stood stock still, looking straight ahead, while Draco gazed up at them then looked away with a hint of disgust on his face.

When he was released Lucius touched his robes. "A perfect fit! They look wonderful on you." his voice was chilling, it could freeze air if only air had less defiance to not be frozen.

"Yes, thank you. I wished to send you this as well but there were no owls available to carry such a heavy package." he murmured, his voice dreary, he hated this talk with Lucius, it drained him. He handed Lucius the wine and received a thank you and some kind words, but they fell to deaf ears because the only thing Snape was even thinking about at this point was Draco, and how he wanted to get him home.

"Well I must be leaving now. Take care Draco." and Lucius was leaving, he walked past Snape, who was forced to take a step back to avoid colliding with Lucius' shoulder. Once the regal Malfoy was gone Snape looked down at Draco. He knew the inn was pretty empty right now, and so dared to place a hand on Malfoy's shoulder. Something about him didn't seem right, and that was confirmed when sad, broken down eyes looked up at Snape, a fake smile on his lips before he stood up, holding his bag of things and they left for Hogwart's.

Once back, Snape brought Draco to his room, but Draco was more than happy about this. It meant he was being allowed to remain with Snape if only for a bit longer. He unpacked his things and placed them where they belonged while Snape stood silently at his bar, pouring himself a glass of whiskey to rid himself of his rising fear of Lucius.

Draco, finally unpacked, found the silence irritating and walked up behind the professor, wrapping his arms delicately around Snape, his hands gently touching his chest and he buried his face against his shoulder. "I missed you…" he said quietly. Snape smiled a bit before turning to face Malfoy.

"And I, you." he said calmly before Malfoy smiled and leaned up, giving him a soft, kiss. Snape's hand trailed gently through Draco's near white hair as he returned the kiss, trying to be just as gentle and keep his desires from becoming obvious. They broke apart and Snape wondered how he could ever feel this way for a Malfoy. To be this close to someone who so closely resembled his abusive father.

"I'm going to go shower." Said Draco, a happiness returned to his voice and he grabbed his towel, still on the shelf where he'd always folded it, and went to the bathroom. Snape sat down on his couch and remained quiet as he thought about his affection and feelings towards the boy. He sat in his thoughts for longer than he had first imagined because he was still focused on them when Draco gingerly came out of the bathroom. Draco might have hoped Severus wouldn't notice the way Draco was holding his clothes and towel, as though hiding something, and Severus wanted to know what that something was. But he bid his time, letting Malfoy pass him and place his clothes in the wardrobe. That was when Snape came up behind Malfoy. It wasn't right for Malfoy to ever hang his towel around his shoulder's like that. he'd never done it before, and Snape's mind was settled that he was hiding something

"Draco..." Malfoy spun when Snape said his name. He has not realized how near Snape had gotten, this movement caused the towel to fall from Draco, who now stood completely naked in front of his love, the bed only a foot behind him. But Snape wasn't focused on that, his face deceived him when he saw what he'd been fearing. The boy was littered in cuts and bruises and other marks. His face reflected his feeling of helplessness. He reached to touch, and inspect a welt running across Draco's white chest. He knew the cut, he knew a whip had inflicted it. But what he hadn't expected was the way Draco flinched from his hand, how he backed up and ended up sitting upon the bed, his eyes afraid, defensive.

"Don't!!" he had yelled as he'd moved away. Now he pulled a blanket, that always sat at the end of the bed around himself, trying to hide his humiliation from those dark eyes, that currently reflected hurt, the hurt only a Malfoy could inflict. Snape was put off by being refused. He'd never been yelled at by Draco not to touch him. Draco had always given to his touch like a kitten being pet…

"Draco, allow me to see your wounds.." he growled, deciding to take a forceful approach. He needed to see the wounds that had been inflicted. He needed to know and be able to comfort the boy. He moved towards him again and the trapped Malfoy tried to inch away as Severus' hands slowly pushed the blanket down over his shoulders, carefully inspecting his back, littered with burns and whip lashes. When he began to utter a healing spell Draco lurched away from him with such violence and fear that Snape was put off once again.

"NO!" yelled the boy and Snape realized Draco had begun to cry a bit, tears gently rolling down his face. "You can't! He put a curse on them… if you try to heal them they will get worse. He said if you healed them the wounds would get worse and kill me." Draco sobbed softly. He hated crying in front of Snape like this, but the memories of the fear he'd felt as his father whipped him, burned him and touched him left a rift in his heart and his words, of how if anyone found out, if anyone tried to heal those wounds he had inflicted, it would cost Draco his life. Of course, it was unlikely Lucius would actually kill his son, but the fear of more pain, enough to have to be returned to his father, that hurt far more than the whip lashes. But he would beg Severus if he had to, not to let that happen. Not to send him back to his father because he tried to show Draco kindness.

Snape stared at him for awhile, processing what he'd been told. He knew the boy was more than likely telling the truth, Lucius was cruel, leave it to him to place such a curse upon his own son. He put away his wand, and made sure Draco saw him do it before he got up and hugged the boy. He hated the look of fear in Draco's eyes. He hated it so very much.

That evening, Draco didn't attend dinner, much to Severus' disappointment. He however assured Dumbledore of Draco's return before leaving to his room. Draco slept pressed against Snape's chest and for probably the first time, Draco slept in full night ware, clothes in green silky top and bottoms in order to help his wounds heal on their own. Snape didn't sleep, but he didn't do much other than lay there, watching Draco sleep restlessly. He tossed a bit, he made hurt faces and he even cried in his sleep. It hurt Severus, he needed to know exactly what had happened.

He ignored this desire till morning, till after they'd both awoken and Severus was sitting at his desk, reading through the book of Defense Against The Dark Arts, this act, causing Malfoy to beam and smile happily at Severus, glad his love was enjoying his present. When Draco had changed and done up the bed, as was his habit he walked over to Snape and stood by for a moment before his teacher spoke to him.

"Draco, go sit on the couch." he commanded quietly, not looking from his book. Malfoy gave a puzzled look, but did as was asked of him.

"I want to know what happened Draco.." Severus put down his book and stood, walking towards Draco in a way that could have been perceived as slow or frightening. Draco sat frozen to his spot, fear in his eyes.

"I have nothing to tell you…" he said quietly, looking away, trying to ignore the fact that Severus was advancing on him, getting closer and closer till Severus stood in front of him, only a foot away, looking down at him in the predatory way that put fear into Draco's heart. Severus knew this was the effect he was having on Draco. he knew, but he also knew he had to know what had happened and before the boy even had a chance to react, Snape had drawn his wand and dove into Malfoy's memories.

Untrained for something like this, Draco's defenses were not even a match for Snape's offense and soon he found the memories he wanted. He watched as the flickers of memories flashed around him. Lucius standing there, talking to Draco with a smile that reflected everything evil. it was odd seeing how Draco saw his father. in fear, much like how Severus saw him. Then the darker images. words like "Useless" and "Disgrace" were most prominent as he was met with the painful memories of the whippings, the humiliation Draco had felt, weak, sprawled on the floor as he bleed from the lashings. His cries would forever haunt Severus' mind, those cries of pure helplessness as his father called him a series of things, whipping his flesh till it was broken and bruised.

The memories changed to a quick one, greeting some of the Malfoy's friends, the way Lucius said how 'proud' he was of Malfoy, the sickening feeling that Draco had felt.

Then more memories of pain. A mishap, something had been said at some point, that much seemed certain to Severus as he watched Draco suddenly go from quietly refusing Lucius' words to suddenly yelling at him. The words were hard to understand, Severus assumed Draco's mind was muddy out of fear, out of the fact that he had only been reacting at this point. Suddenly Lucius had struck Draco with one of the fireplace pokers, still hot from the flames. The strike shattering his ribs. Lucius left, at least that's what Severus assumed as Lucius was no longer present to the memory. Awhile later Dobby had appeared, and Draco's ribs had been mended by that stupid house elf.

Another change in memory revealed the most sickening images to Severus, the poor boy, the boy Snape loved so much, bound and gagged underneath his father as he was raped. Severus painfully sat through the memory, watching as Lucius took the gag and forced Draco to scream and beg. As Lucius set upon Draco the ultimate humiliations, as Lucius raped him till he bled on the sheets and the memory faded as Draco feel unconscious as his father forced Draco into release.

Severus only got one more quick image, of the death threat that Lucius had given Malfoy, and he got to see Lucius cast the curse, so he knew it was true. He couldn't heal the wounds Malfoy had been inflicted with… He couldn't do anything.

He came out of the memories abruptly and took a step back. Malfoy stared at him like he's seen death. Snape caught his breath, still shaken from what he'd seen and he slowly reached out to try and touch the boy's hair, to try and offer his some sign of his affections, to show him that Snape did care about him still. But Malfoy flinched again, he sped from the couch and began running from the room. Snape yelled after him, but in the end, did nothing to stop him from leaving. The boy had gone and Snape felt something fragile slipping out of his grasp.

The next day, Malfoy didn't return to Snape. He ate at the great hall, but with his friends in Slytherin. They hadn't seen him in forever and they all laughed and spoke harshly and laughed some more.

"How was staying with Snape?" pushed Blaise, smirking at Malfoy who bit into a peach, irritatedly. He glanced up at the teacher's table, making eye contact with Snape. Draco knew Snape was listening to their conversation, and the hate he felt about his privacy being taken away by Snape rose swiftly.

"Horrible." he growled out. "Stupid git was always on my back about everything. I got no privacy or respect." he hissed the last sentence and looked directly at Snape. Though his teacher didn't show it, Malfoy knew he'd just inflicted a very painful blow to Snape. But he didn't care. He hated that man right now.

Snape knew Malfoy was angry with him. He had known the second he'd taken away the privacy of Malfoy's memories that the boy would be mad with him. But he'd never expected this level of anger. Severus knew he deserved every second of it. He'd specifically taken what Malfoy had not wanted to share with him. He'd taken all his privacy and probably re-opened the mental wounds those memories had inflicted. It hurt hearing Malfoy tell his friends that living with him was horrible. He'd thought they'd gotten along rather great, given Malfoy had loved Snape whom had felt similarly about the young boy. It was angering! but Snape had no one to blame but himself. And left the table, walking down to the dungeons through the door behind the teacher's table.

Malfoy watched him go with hot anger. Before returning to his friends.

Malfoy found himself out in the woods with his Dright on New Years. He found the presence of more dark fur than white fur extremely bothersome. His anger towards Severus had died a little bit. He knew the man had only taken his memories in order to try and help him. But still, they were HIS memories, his privacy had been stripped away by the very man he had loved and trusted… He felt anger rise in him again, but he knew what he really wanted right now, was to be with Snape…

Severus didn't go out with the other teacher's that night for a celebration of the new year. He had ignored Dumbledore's prompts togo have fun and had retired to room, sitting upon his couch, where Draco had sat when his memories had been revealed, sipping at a bottle of whiskey. He hated himself for what he'd done…. He wished Malfoy would speak with him, would come to see him… but he knew, the chances of that ever happening again were very slim.

However, by the time he was a bit tipsy, he'd given up hope that Draco would even return to him. But instead he was met by another. His door slide open quietly, and then the figure in the room came up behind Severus, who'd begun to slowly get undressed for bed. Severus froze under the contact and glanced over his shoulder, receiving a very awkward kiss from his enemy. Lucius silenced his protest with the force and depth of his kiss, biting hard at Severus' lower lip till it bled then hungrily shoving his tongue down Severus' throat.

While Snape's mind was clouded from the alcohol, so was his judgement. He was sexually frustrated, as one becomes when they aren't allowed even a bit of release while waiting for their loved one to return, only to then be denied even getting to see said loved one. Not to mention the blond white hair was so familiar to Draco's, that porcelain skin was also the same. Everything was similar, and Snape, intoxicated by need, his mind clouding out his fears and the fact that he was about to cheat on Draco. He didn't seemed to remember these important things and he returned the aggressive kiss as best him could, and the feeling of Lucius suddenly raking his nails down Snape's back set off a low groan from the professor as he pressed himself into Lucius' body. He was then forced to his knees by strong hands and with Snape's judgement clouded he began to needily open up Lucius' robes and trousers till he was swirling his tongue around the head of Lucius' cock, slowly sucking and lapping at the pre-cum that was already crying from Lucius' slit. Then the man became aggressive, as was common for the Malfoy. He grabbed Severus' hair , twisting it in his fist till Snape let out a pained breath and then, holding him painfully still, Lucius took advantage of Snape's open mouth and began to thrust into it, ignoring the hands that tightly gripped his hips, trying to slow him. He ignored Snape's suddenly cry of pain as he shoved himself in as far as he could. He didn't care, he loved the cries of pain that rose from Snape.

And when Lucius came he thrust even more violently and erratically into Snape's mouth before thrusting in deep and forcing Snape to remain there till he had completely released down Severus' throat and pulled him off in his aggressive manner.

Unfortunately, Draco had decided by now that he would go to Severus. The night was still young, they might still be able to get along, and sort things out. So he made his way back to the castle and into the chilly dungeons, he spoke the password, but the portrait seemed almost hesitant before opening and Draco stepped inside Snape's room.

What he saw shattered him. Snape was sprawled on the bed, the bed Draco had once slept in with Severus tightly and protectively embracing him. But not now, now Snape lay there, his hands bound by the belt Lucius had been wearing, deep groans leaving his throat every now and then as Draco's own father, thrust into him, one hand gripping Severus' obviously hard cock. Draco was even more horrified as his timing seemed even more impeccable as Severus suddenly yelled, arching his back as his legs, which had been wrapped tightly around Lucius' waist this entire time, pulled Lucius in, forcing his father to thrust deeply into the man Draco had.. still, loved. As Severus yelled and arched and Lucius thrust, Severus came, painting his waist and Lucius' hand in cum and his father soon followed Snape, thrusting shallowly before arching over Snape, kissing him hard as his body stilled and then shook gently as he too finished.

This all happened very fast, but to the horrified Draco, it lasted far to long before Snape suddenly noticed Draco, and tried to quickly get away from Lucius, whom ignored his movements and set his eyes on his son. "Why hello Draco. Do away now, Severus is far too preoccupied right now to tend to you." he said, there was no edge and to Draco, it didn't seem like his father knew anything about the relationship he'd had with the very man his father had just cum with, and that, in itself was a VERY good thing. But Draco stood for a moment longer, absorbing what he'd just seen. Snape, the man whom he still loved very much had just had sex with his father.. the man Snape knew had hurt him so very much. It was horrifying! And then when Draco caught and held Snape's eye he suddenly turned and ran off down the hall. Snape watched, horrified at what he'd done as he watched a broken Draco flee from this sad sight.

Draco tried to correct himself as he walked into the Dinner Hall, hoping to maybe eat something. Then he spotted the girl, he'd forgot her name, but he knew she'd been the one who had been cursed over the holiday's. He himself had been gone, but as he watched Potter talk to her, then turn and look at him, he knew Potter had assumed Malfoy had done something. Potter was always assuming stupid things like that. Malfoy spun on his heels and left the Dinner Hall in a hurry, he couldn't mentally argue with Potter right now. His head was full of the images of Snape and his father…

He made his way towards one of the bathrooms sure to be abandoned at this hour, not bothering to check behind himself to see if Potter was fallowing. He didn't care right now.

Upon reaching the bathroom he ran the water in one of the sinks, and sobbed quietly, it hurt, he felt like he couldn't breathe, like his world, his sanity, was crashing down around him. His sorrow was abruptly disturbed when Potter entered the bathroom. Malfoy spun and listened to Potter accuse him of having cursed the girl. He didn't want to argue, he was filled with so much rage he'd cast a spell without even having spoken. His mind was racing in anger, in frustration as they cast and bantered spells back and forth, destroying the bathroom. He was no good for fighting right now, he wasn't paying enough attention and when he'd somehow turned his back on Potter, that's when he got struck by something.

"Sectumsempra!" yelled Potter and Draco collapsed upon the water that had begun to flood the bathroom. He whimpered, he cried and he bled upon the tile, trying to clutch at his bleeding chest. When Potter inspected him, Draco didn't notice, he didn't care. He was too far hurt, to far mentally gone. Why had Snape done that? Why had he hurt Draco like that? It made no sense…. and now here he was, he was gonna bleed to death on the floor and Potter wasn't gonna do a damn thing about it.

Then Snape was there, he swept beside Malfoy and glared upon Potter who left. But Draco didn't care. He didn't want Snape there.

Severus had no idea what to do. He could not reverse the affects of the curse, not with the curse already placed upon Draco by his father.. He just couldn't risk killing him. But he knew the affects of the curse Potter had cast upon Draco, the curse Severus himself had created would kill Draco if he did nothing. Then Lucius was with them. Lucius didn't know Severus knew of the curse he'd put on his son, and had he not known he wouldn't have noticed how Lucius uttered something under his breath and he wouldn't have noticed how the subtle presence of the curse broke and faded.

Severus then wasted no time and he began to slowly chant in repetition the counter curse three times. "Vulnera Sanentur…" The flow of blood stopped running from Draco's destroyed body. "Vulnera Sanentur…" Severus felt the wounds, closing and again "Vulnera Sanentur." he felt most of the ill-effects of the curse he himself had made, fade. Lucius left, leaving Draco to Severus' care and Snape took the boy to Dumbledore, for he didn't want anyone else to see the other wounds Draco bore, when the boy was treated with Dittany. Dumbledore was shocked, in his own quiet way and asked what had happened as Snape found Dumbledore's stores and got the Dittany, removing Draco's white shirt, tie and pants till he was left in nothing but his boxers, applying the medicine.

"That brat Potter cast Sectumsempra on him." he growled out in frustration. Dumbledore stayed quiet, taking in this information before nodding. Severus stood watching Draco until the boy finally came back to consciousness.

Severus didn't know why he'd been hopeful of forgiveness, having saved Draco's life, but when Draco woke he glared at Severus then screamed at him to get out, to leave him alone. He was so fierce as he yelled at Severus that the man almost took a step back. Dumbledore watched, waiting till Draco stopped yelling, his sides heaving in pain from his wounds and from his anger at Snape, then Dumbledore spoke softly to his friend. "Maybe it would be best, if you let me watch Draco tonight." he spoke soft, gentle. And Severus nodded, caught the glare, the death threat in Draco's eyes and then turned and left.

Severus knew as he walked down the turning stair case, that Draco would never forgive him. How could he? Severus didn't deserve to be forgiven. He'd taken Draco's privacy and then he'd torn up his love and trust. Severus deserved this feeling of anguish. He deserved the pain of being screamed at by Draco and he deserved the threat in those eyes. He deserved it all, and then some.

And with these guilty thoughts, Severus left the castle. He couldn't go back to his room right now, the place where he'd hurt Draco so much. No he needed to go away. So he left the castle grounds and Draco's heart sunk even more as sadness and anger food over him, when he felt he could no longer sense Severus' presence.