Rated R

Pairings: HP/DM HP/TR

Severus Snape helped Harry out of the deep sunken bathtub and handed him a towel to dry off. He shook his head as he looked at him with confusion and sadness. "Listen, I know what you're thinking, but you must never speak of it here. Now, lay down on the rug and stay quiet." Harry nodded and walked slowly over to the rug. As he laid down, he winced and yelped in pain. "Your ribs, do they hurt?" Asked Severus. Harry nodded again.

Severus looked over Harry carefully, noting all his injuries. He poured various potions down the boy's throat, and rubbed salve over his back and hips. "Did the muggle ever play with you, Harry?" Severus asked without emotion.

Harry cringed. "Define play, please," He replied.

"Did he rape you?" he asked with a slight cringe.

Harry felt his eyes begin to water and his breath catching. He shook his head, but continued. "He tried, sir, but he couldn't. He was very drunk and he couldn't make it work."

Severus frowned. "Have you ever had sex before?" Green eyes squeezed shut with a sharp cringe, but he shook his head again.

He leaned over the boy and rolled him onto his back gently. Harry adjusted his towel quickly, avoiding Snape's eyes. "That mark on your cheek looks new." he commented.

Harry touched his cheek, running his fingers over the swelling. "Wormtail hit me. He hit me so hard I fell in the bath, hence the large bump on my head."

Severus ran his long, potion stained fingers along Harry's ribs. "Do you want me to tell Dumbledore, Harry?" He whispered.

Harry shook his head. "Snape, don't ever tell anyone, ever. I don't want anyone else to get hurt or killed over me, not even you. I don't care about anyone anymore, except Ron, Hermione and Sirius, and they'll be the only ones who would attempt to save me anyways. Dumbledore doesn't, he made that crystal clear the day he sent me back to uncle Vernon after I begged him not to."

Snape sneered. "He knew what your uncle was doing to you?" he asked.

Harry shrugged. "I didn't tell him, but I think he knew. I hinted a lot. The Weasley's said they would take me in, but he refused, said Voldemort would look there."

Severus tipped his head to the side, feeling a pang of guilt. He honestly thought of Harry as a tool himself, not as a fragile young man. "Ok, Harry. I won't tell anyone about you. If I can help it, I'll make this as painless as I possibly can when he decides to kill you."

Harry smiled softly and reached up and touched Severus' cheek. "Thank you, Professor." He replied softly.

Severus closed his eyes and pushed the guilt away quickly. "Ok then," he said as he pulled the boy to his feet, "examination over, you may get dressed now."

Harry walked over to the neatly folded pile of clothing on the sink. He found a dressing gown and a pair of boxers and slid them on, carefully, over the salves. His head swam with dizziness as he pulled the nightshirt over his head and he stumbled, grasping the sink. Severus walked over and finished dressing the boy and picked him up into his arms. Harry curled up in Severus' grasp, smelling the spilled potions covering his cloak. He thought quickly about his friends and felt his eyes well up again.

Severus walked out into the bedroom and laid Harry into the bed, pulling the sheets up to his chest. "These potions will make you very sleepy, Harry. Rest now." Harry nodded and closed his eyes. He heard Severus speak to Voldemort one last time as he drifted off into darkness.

"We should talk in your chambers, my Lord." Severus said. Voldemort nodded and they both walked quietly out of the room. They walked silently back to Voldemort's chambers.

When they entered, Severus sat down in the chair opposite of Voldemort's chair. "He has a concussion, it's slight, nothing to worry about really. The wounds on his back will be healed within a day or so. He doesn't have much scarring underneath. I'd of thought with all the back injuries he had that he'd been raped, but he says his uncle only tried once, and couldn't achieve an erection because he was too drunk. Disgusting muggles, honestly."

Voldemort's red eyes narrowed into slits. "Anything else, Severus?" Severus nodded. "A few bruised ribs... they'll heal fast. He's a strong boy, a bit underweight, but healthy. I believe that is all, my Lord."

Voldemort sighed. "I'm going to keep him, Severus. I know, I know... he's a weakness. I've told myself that over and over. I just want to keep him. I want him healthy and strong, soon. No one must ever find out his location, do you understand me?" Severus nodded. "I know that fool Dumbledore has you spy on me, Severus, but I know you are still one of my best death eaters."

Severus opened his mouth to speak but Voldemort held his hand up to silence him. "Do you really think I'm that thick? It matters not. Do not tell the old fool the boy is with me. He gave himself to me, and I just choose not to kill him. Do you understand?"

Severus swallowed hard and nodded quickly.

Voldemort stood up and paced the room, as Severus watched him closely. "Now, what to do about Wormtail." He said as he thought deeply. "Maybe I will turn him in to be kissed, for Harry.."

Severus frowned. "With all due respect, my Lord, but wouldn't that allow Sirius Black to be free?"

Voldemort laughed. "You really hate that man, don't you?"

Severus furrowed his brow. "Yes, I'm afraid I do."

Voldemort laughed again, loudly. "Well, maybe it will be a fair punishment to you and Wormtail if I allowed the man to be free again. Yes, I think it would." Voldemort walked over to his mirror. "Go home now, Severus. I need time alone."

Severus bowed and walked to the fireplace. Voldemort heard Severus floo away and quickly began to pull his robes off.

Voldemort ran his fingers up and down his chest, feeling for any imperfections. He turned to see his back in the mirror, marveling at the tight muscles that formed as he craned his neck. He ran his hands over his backside and smiled brightly. He turned back around and down at himself. He grinned back at himself,

recapturing the feelings he had long ago stored away. He could be kind, sort-of. He could be gentle, and he could be sexy. 'I could still be.. me, and have a life, as well. He could have a life. Who's to say we can't when I rule half the bloody wizarding world!?' he thought, his eyelids fluttering over his gaze, blurring the lovely image in front of him.

Voldemort fell back onto his bed and relaxed. He'd have to get word to Lucius, about keeping the boy. No one must ever know he was here. He reached over and pulled on his robe as he walked to his fireplace. He threw some floo-powder into the fire pit and yelled "Lucius Malfoy!."

Almost instantly, Lucius' silver locked face appeared in front of him. "My Lord, what can I do for you?" he asked.

Voldemort smiled. "Ah, Lucius, I needed to tell you about Harry."

Lucius' eyebrows raised a bit. "Did you kill him, my Lord?"

Voldemort shook his head. "No, no, I've decided I'm keeping him. I know, he's a weakness.. but I want him, and he's given himself to me." Lucius allowed a small smile to escape his lips. Voldemort snorted. "What's so funny?"

Lucius laughed openly and said "I sort of figured you would, my Lord... he's a beautiful boy. You deserve only the best, and what could be better than Harry Potter?"

Voldemort grinned. "I agree, he is perfect for my tastes, Lucius. I have a few small problems though that I want to get out of the way. I need you to tell Draco never to mention to anyone, that Harry is here. That includes Crabbe and Goyle."

Lucius nodded. "Consider it done, my Lord. What else?"

Voldemort scowled. "That muggle family Harry lived with... they hurt him, played with him. I want them dead. I took care of the backstabber Snape, he won't talk. Oh! And Wormtail.. tried to have his way with Harry when he was bathing. I had asked him not to go near the boy, and he did anyways. How foolish of him. He's got a special surprise waiting for him. I'll tell you about that later." Lucius' eyes lit up. He hated Wormtail more than Snape. "I would like it very much if you could deal with the muggles for me. Perhaps have Draco help. It would be excellent training, without the risk of retaliation."

Lucius nodded again. "Yes, my Lord, that is an excellent idea."

Voldemort yawned and stretched. "That is all for now, Lucius. Just tell Draco to keep his trap shut and kill the muggles, I'll deal with the rest."

Lucius bowed and flashed out of the green fire.

************************************

Lucius walked casually up the steps to Draco's room. As he knocked on his door, he heard a high-pitched yelp! Along with ruffling of sheets. "Draco? Are you alright?" He shouted to the door.

"Umm yeah. Come in, father." Draco shouted back.

Lucius walked in and stared at his son laying on his bed. His hair was disheveled and his sheets twisted around his lean form. "You have a moment, or would you like to keep masturbating, son?"

Draco flushed bright crimson and pulled the sheet over his head. "No,... I have a minute." He said from under the sheet.

Lucius chuckled and sat on the edge of Draco's bed. "Voldemort has told me he is keeping Potter, for himself."

Draco sprang up, staring back at his father, his heart pounding in his chest. "Forever?" he asked.

"Yes, forever, son. He also asked me if you would kindly not share his whereabouts to anyone, including Crabbe and Goyle."

Draco tutted at his father. "Like I'd ever tell either of them about this, honestly father."

Lucius smiled. "I know, I know, I just had to say it though. There is one other thing Voldemort asked me to ask you, and it's your decision, Draco. He asked me to kill Harry's muggle family. They hurt the boy badly, or something. Voldemort’s gotten all sappy over it ."

Draco scowled. "Muggles? They did what to him? Oh Merlin... my Harry??"

Lucius put his hand up. "Yes, you‘re... what?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.

Draco shrugged. “Nothing. Continue, please.”

Lucius shook it off. “My Lord asked me if you would like to help snuff them out. It would be great training for you and since they are muggles, they can't fight back."

Draco sat back against his headboard and thought quietly. Harry's muggle family hurt him. How could he allow this? How could anyone allow him to live there with that happening? Was this why he surrendered himself to the Dark Lord? 'Probably, yes.' he thought. It made sense now. Harry at school worried about Voldemort and Harry at home worried about his family attacking him. The hate for the muggles grew steadily stronger and his wishing to watch them die felt like a pretty good idea now.

Lucius gently shook his son's shoulder. "Well, Draco? It's completely up to you, you know."

Draco faced his father again. "I'd love to, father."

Lucius smiled. 'Voldemort was right... it is a good day.' he said to himself, before kissing his son's forehead goodnight.