*I will do no such thing! How dare you utter such a filthy spell! Stop this at once! You are out of control.*>/i>

Harry growled. He refused to deal with this right now. It took quite a lot of energy, but Harry was able to tune out Snape's mad ramblings. He couldn't stop Severus from listening in, but he could damn well keep him out of his head for the few minutes he needed. He'd only been able to do that once before. Like then, this was out of necessity. When his mind was finally enveloped in blissful quiet, he returned his focus to the guy standing against the wall.

"I am about to give you the singularly greatest blowjob of your life and you'd do anything for that, wouldn't you?"

Thick Neck nodded as a creepy smile spread across his face.

"Open your trousers and let them fall," Harry snapped as he sank to his knees, giving anyone who cared to look quite a sight. Harry picked this particular alcove for that reason. From where he knelt, he was visible to Beck and anyone else on the catwalk or second floor. He would be able to give a particularly good, albeit fake performance. Harry watched as Thick Neck's unfettered prick sprung out and bobbed slightly. He was already incredibly hard.

"Put your hands on my head," Harry commanded.

Thick Neck was happy to comply.

Harry began rocking on his knees as he leaned in a bit, giving the illusion that he'd just gone down on the guy.

"My tongue. You feel it licking you all over, don't you?"

"Yes," Thick Neck said as he arched his back and tried to shove Harry's head closer to him. He was making little whimpering sounds as his hips jutted and jerked forward incrementally.

Harry grimaced and sighed. Jesus, this was too fucking easy. "I just took you whole. Isn't that the most amazing thing you've ever felt?"

"Oh, God. Oh, Jesus," Thick Neck moaned as he writhed against the wall and gripped Harry's head harder.

"Yeah, that's it you sick fuck, I'm deep throating you like there's no tomorrow. You want to come so bad but you want this to last forever, too. You like this. You want it." Harry hoped to Merlin this looked remotely believable. Apparently, it did.

"Whoa! Someone is out to have a wild time tonight."

Draco twisted around to see what Brian was talking about. As he saw Harry on his knees looking as though he was sucking off the thick-necked jerk braced against the wall, some indefinable emotion rolled through him. Was it fear? Surprise? Anger? Concern? He wasn't sure. "What the fuck does he think he's doing?" Draco growled under his breath as he searched the club for Severus. Surely Severus would put a stop to this.

"Out to have a good time, I imagine," Brian said, thinking Draco was talking to him. "Though, I bet Beck won't like it. Just leaves more for us. Maybe he'd be in to a threesome?"

Draco reluctantly turned back. "What?" he asked distractedly.

Brian stared at him with an odd expression for a long moment before his eyes drifted to Harry and back to Draco. He smiled genially and looked down, playing with the glass in front of him. "Nothing Draco. Just saying that that kid had better watch out. The guy he's blowing is bad news. Seriously bad news."

Draco stiffened. Why would Brian tell him that? Had Draco given something away? Outwardly, he glanced at Harry quickly and turned back to Brian. "He made his bed. Why should we care if he's in over his head?"

Brian stared again and smiled. "Just making conversation." Gesturing to his and Draco's empty glasses, he stood. "I think some refills are in order," he said as he made his way back to the bar.

Draco waited until Brian was out of view before he let his bored expression slip. He yanked at the coiled snake charm around his neck before hissing, "What the fuck does he think he's doing?" Draco saw Severus turn slightly in his direction.

"Ending the assignment," Severus sent back cryptically.

"What the hell does that mean?" Draco growled as the guy Harry was blowing yanked his hair violently. Draco sucked in a breath, trying his best to keep himself from leaping off the stool, marching over, and pulling Harry away like a naughty child. Draco winced as the guy pawed at Harry roughly. "I can't believe he's doing that."

"Vera Votum. He cast an illegal mind-controlling sex spell," Severus said tersely.

Draco felt like he'd woken up on the wrong side of the world. Harry Potter casting illegal sex spells? In a mixed club? With a freaking maniac desperate to choke him to death looking on in rapt fascination? Even Draco didn't think he'd be that brazen. Or foolish. And, another thing, where the fuck did Harry learn such a foul spell? "I hope he cast it wandless," Draco said, wanting this whole thing to stop.

"He did," was the similarly terse reply.

"What's going on Severus? Harry has been acting strangely all week. He's been fucking almost anything that moves, but he practically ran from me the other day."

Severus didn't respond.

Draco sighed and clutched his head. He was getting a migraine. "What have you done now?"

Severus didn't respond again, but Draco could see, even from this distance, that his jaw was clenched and his knuckles white as the guy continued to manhandle Harry.

"Great," Draco muttered under his breath, "Just fucking great�If I'm the only mature one around here, we're fucking screwed."

Thick Neck was breathing raggedly as he moaned and violently tried to thrust forward. He pulled at Harry's hair, forcing Harry to stifle a cry of pain. Harry stilled Thick Neck's movements by pressing his hips into the wall.

"That's right, you sick fuck, you're going to come in just a minute. But, you don't want to come in my mouth do you?"

"No," Thick Neck moaned as he shook his head violently.

"That's right. You want to come all over your hands, which at the moment you want to wind around my neck. You want to press and squeeze and in about twenty seconds you are going to pull out and come all over yourself. That's what you want, isn't it?"

"Yes," Thick Neck growled as his hands abruptly left Harry's head and wound around Harry's neck.

To anyone watching the sordid display taking place in the little alcove, like Draco, Brian, Severus, Therac and Beck, it looked as though Harry was giving an incredible blowjob and that the guy was trying to strangle him. Beck's eyes, in particular, bulged. He dropped his glass when saw hands twine around Angel's delicate, little neck. He watched with fascinated fury as the man squeezed and Angel struggled. Beck nearly exploded when the man seemed to pull out of his Angel's throat and came all over himself. "Holy fuck," he muttered, while he unconsciously grabbed at his own hard prick.

Harry felt like he was going to pass out. Okay, not one of his brighter ideas. "You're going to let go now," he croaked out in between wheezes." Harry prayed to all that was holy that he'd gotten Beck's attention. He wasn't getting on his knees for anyone else for a good long while.

Harry's eyes were rolling back. The dumbass wasn't letting go. "Let go now!" Harry barked. Thick Neck finally complied. "Now," Harry said as he coughed and panted, trying to get air into his lungs, "You're going to lick your hands clean because you're just that sick of a fuck, and then you're going to pull me up and snog me senseless. Understand?"

Thick Neck nodded and immediately began sucking his fingers, clearly displaying his come-covered hands to everyone.

Harry's nose wrinkled in disgust. He couldn't believe he was about to kiss that disgusting mouth. It was necessary, though. No charm could truly replicate the bee stung look of a thoroughly fucked mouth, but a bit of enthusiastic snogging could.

Thick Neck pulled Harry roughly to him and Harry rolled his eyes and sighed. Why did these fuckers always think that just because he was a bit on the small side, he somehow enjoyed being tossed around? The kiss was exactly as Harry pictured it�awful. But, it probably looked hot from a distance.

After the kiss, Harry waved his hand again, muttered a quick Finite Incantatum and leered at his accomplice as he came back to his senses. It felt good to be in control�even it was only an illusion. "Like that did you, love," Harry said. These Americans loved a bit of British slang, Harry had discovered.

Thick Neck licked his lips. "That was the best blowjob I've ever had."

Harry chuckled. "What can I say? It's part of my charm," he said as he turned to walk back towards the dance floor. He slipped from the alcove, but turned back after a few steps. "You might want to pull your pants up, love. Wouldn't want to share all of that with just anyone, now would you?" Harry snickered as Thick Neck hastily pulled up his pants and made to follow Harry out onto the floor.

Harry walked to the very center and looked up at Beck. He started dancing, his eyes never leaving Beck's. He slightly inclined his head, touched his throat with two fingers, before winking and turning to dance-fuck someone new. When Thick Neck came up to him expecting a dance, Harry looked up at Beck, cocked his head, smiled and dismissed his unwitting accomplice with a sneer. Harry figured Snape was probably livid. He wouldn't be able to keep him out for much longer, but right now he could give two fucks what Severus thought about anything.

Beck was entranced. He couldn't comprehend the sheer audacity of Angel to do that with that other man knowing, knowing, that he was watching. The little whore had practically demanded that he watch. "He's taunting me," he murmured, as a sly smile spread across his face. "Looks like Angel isn't quite as untarnished as I thought, Severus."

"Indeed," Severus ground out.

Some primal need rose in Beck and demanded satisfaction as he watched Harry dance. Soon. Menhop's ring glowed a garish red as Beck's hand fisted jerkily. How he wanted Angel tonight. But, Therac was still there. His malevolence cast a pallor over the room. Beck knew that Therac had been paid in full as of tonight's take. With Therac gone, nothing would get in the way of Beck's enjoyment. Images danced in his head of what he would do to Angel as Angel danced below with wild abandon.

"Severus, make sure Angel's here tomorrow night. Tell him," Beck hesitated. His hand was still making jerky fisting motions. He swiveled his head in Therac's general direction, his shoulders shuddering lightly when he spied him. "Tell him I want to dance. Maybe more."

Severus nodded. Beck left, shooting a nervous glance towards Therac as he made his way down the stairs.

While Beck talked with Severus, Therac watched Harry dance. Therac was rarely surprised by anything, and tonight his dark-haired prize managed to surprise him twice. First, by prostrating himself so shamelessly in front of that disgusting Muggle. And, second by the duplicity of the act. A smile played at Therac's lips when he realized his prize was taunting Striker tonight. He wanted something from him, and the boy, his prize, was willing to go to great lengths to get it. Oh, how Therac craved the flawed, spoiled ones as they tried desperately to maintain an air of impenetrability. He could smell the bitter desperation wafting from his prize with its unique sweetness. Soon, it would be soon. Finally, what Therac had been waiting for was beginning to unfold. It was time to make his preparations.

Therac rose from his table and glided elegantly to Severus's side. "I still don't understand how you could find this place remotely interesting," said Therac as he watched Severus staring at the crowd below. He noticed that Severus's eyes followed his prize as he left the dance floor and walked to the bar. Therac's eyes flashed with jealously as he saw the platinum blond give his prize an assessing stare. He put that aside, amused that Severus also found his prize intoxicating. "Though, there are some rather amusing creatures here," Therac said as he nodded towards the bar. Therac laughed genially as he felt Severus stiffen beside him.

Severus looked down and saw Draco standing at the bar with some young pretty boy. Harry was a few feet away, ordering a drink. Severus, of course, didn't realize that Therac was talking about Harry instead of Draco.

Therac watched Severus carefully. It was good to know that his brother, his equal in the clan, valued his prize as well. "I think it's been too long since we performed a blood ceremony. I'm planning to have one in the next few days, I think. You must come. In fact, I insist that you come. I would like you to sample my intended beforehand. Tell me if you think he's worthy of such a sacred act."

Severus watched as Draco chatted up the young man next to him while Harry downed shots of Muggle whiskey. Fuck! Therac meant to take Draco soon and Harry was an emotional wreck.

"Still after the wizard?" Severus asked cautiously.

Therac laughed. " Oh yes," he said as he jutted his chin in the general direction of the bar, "Look at him standing there as if everything were right with the world."

Severus's gaze swung to where Therac was pointing. Harry had his back to them, signaling for another shot while Draco and his friend shared an intimate conversation. The young man sitting next to Draco leered at him suggestively. Draco smiled politely, but his gaze kept drifting to Harry.

Therac growled low in his throat. "We'll have to do something about that chit and his lingering eyes." Severus's gaze returned to Draco. He assumed Therac was referring to the young man seated next to him.

"He's a very pretty boy," Severus murmured as the light caught on Draco's hair, making him seem even more ethereal than usual. Severus sighed. He could smell Therac's arousal. This was getting serious.

Therac interrupted Severus's thoughts. "He is that, old friend, and so much more. Soon. Very soon. And tell Striker that we're even."

Severus nodded. Therac turned to leave, but paused. "Severus, come with me tonight. I insist we hunt. The other night was certainly fulfilling, but not nearly as exciting as a good hunt. It's been too long, old friend."

Severus hesitated. Keeping an eye on Therac had suddenly taken a much higher priority than dealing with either Striker or Potter. "Yes, of course," he said as he followed Therac out of the club.

Harry didn't know how many shots he'd had so far, but not enough. He could still feel Thick Neck's hands in his hair and around his neck.

As he signaled for another drink, he heard someone say, "You've had enough."

Harry turned around and found Draco standing next to him, his lips pursed in irritation. Harry glared. "No I haven't," he said as he turned back to the bar and took another drink.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, Potter? You've acted like a right sod all week and then tonight you go about casting illegal sex spells? Is there nothing inside that thing you call a brain?"

"Sod off," Harry growled.

"No," Draco challenged.

Harry's gaze narrowed. "Where's your little tag-along? Tired of Mr. Metts already, are you?"

Draco huffed. "I slipped him a befuddlement draught and sent him home after that ridiculously garish display you put on. You obviously weren't going to take care of yourself, and I didn't want there to be complications."

"Oh, and what? You volunteered for the job?" Harry taunted. "Tell me Draco, is it my name or my ass you like more?"

"What's gotten in to you? I'm worried about you, you stupid piece of shit!"

"Yeah right," Harry muttered as he reached for another shot.

Draco knocked it from his hand and grabbed Harry's arm, pulling him behind him.

Harry was tired of getting dragged around tonight. "Let me go, you fucking prick!"

"No. Something is clearly making you act more stupid than normal and I refuse to let you jeopardize this assignment because Snape doesn't want to fuck you!"

The next thing Draco knew, he'd been slammed against a wall and there was a knife at his throat. Harry was breathing hard and his eyes were wild and dilated. The hand holding the knife, however, was dead steady.

"Okay, so perhaps I struck a nerve," Draco muttered as he swallowed thickly.

"You don't know what you're talking about," Harry hissed, "This assignment will be over by tomorrow if I have anything to say about it. So, be a good boy, go fuck your Texan toy and stay the fuck out of my way."

Before Draco could respond, Harry growled and leapt away from him, "Stay the fuck out of my head you goddamned fucker!" Harry screamed as he slumped against the wall with his hands pulling at his hair.

Draco approached him cautiously. "All right, wonder boy, party's over. Come on, let me take you home."

Harry looked up and laughed mirthlessly. "What? So you can fuck me? Haven't you fucked the Boy-Who-Lived enough? I'm quite sure my cache value isn't worth nearly so much after all this time," Harry spat bitterly.

"Is that . . . you think . . ." Draco sighed. What in the name of Merlin had Snape done now? Harry was both drunk and distressed, a terrible combination, given his rather nasty temper. Draco was tired Fuck it. Let the two of them work it out. He was sick of it. He crouched down and jerked Harry's face up by the chin. "You listen to me, Potter, if you think that I would deign to fuck someone just because of their name, then you don't know me at all. I fuck what I want when I want and for some reason only known to Merlin, I seem to like fucking you. But, I'm tired of this. Get your shit together and stop playing the fucking pity card. You want Snape? He doesn't want you? Too fucking bad. Get over it and start living in the real world with the rest of us." Without bothering to give Harry a chance to respond, Draco stood and left the club.

Harry sat against the wall for a long while. The beat of the music thumped against him as he tried to sort out what the hell was wrong. He was losing it. And, it wasn't just because of Severus. Though, Severus was an awfully big part of it. He'd just pushed away the only safe person in his life and had scared the shit out of the one he hoped to have a relationship with. Draco said he was tired. Well, Harry was tired too. Dreamless Sleep and a silent, empty apartment beckoned him. He had to get this done. With great effort, he hoisted himself from the cold, hard floor and staggered through the shadows as he slipped through the door.

As he was making his way out of the club, a hand reached out from behind a dumpster and pulled him flat against the wall. In an instant, he had his wand out.

"Put that away Potter, before you hurt yourself," Severus growled.

Harry shook himself from Severus's loose grip. "I thought I told you to leave me alone?" he slurred as he batted away Severus's hand curling around his bicep in an effort to keep him steady.

"Cease this foolishness! You may have gotten your wish. After your disgusting display and complete disregard for law, decorum, and good sense, Striker asked me to make sure that you would be here tomorrow night. He wants to dance with you. Maybe more. He will come to you on the dance floor." Severus sneered as Harry wavered on his feet. "Can I trust you to pull this off? I need to know that I can count on you. I've got bigger problems to worry about than whether your feelings are hurt."

Harry's gaze narrowed. He nodded his head and pointedly stared at Severus's hand, still curled around his bicep. When Severus let go, Harry pushed past, intent on leaving.

"Potter," Severus called out just as Harry rounded the corner. Harry stopped. He didn't turn. He could feel Severus walk closer. He heard Severus take a breath, as if about to speak. Harry didn't give him the chance. "I'm leaving after this," Harry said, his voice breaking slightly.

Severus sighed. "Potter, Harry. I. I know we need to talk, If you would just listen--"

Harry shook his head "no." "I can't do this anymore," he whispered before turning the corner and leaving Severus standing in the shadows.

Severus was crankier than normal as he stomped around his flat, Draco thought to himself. Draco had meant to leave it. He really had. But, the more he thought about what Harry had implied, the angrier he got. Draco remained impassive and undetected as Severus muttered under his breath about Harry, stomped, and knocked things about. He stopped short when Draco turned on the light and said, "I think it's time we had a little chat."

Severus resisted the urge to tell Malfoy to go fuck himself. Knowing Malfoy, he'd take it as a challenge. "What do you want," Severus spat instead.

"To talk. Just like I said. I want to know what you said to Potter about me. Right now."

"That's not important at the moment," Severus said dismissively, "Therac is planning to take you soon. He intends a blood ceremony. We need to make preparations to get you out of here."

"Don't change the subject. What did you say to Harry?"

Severus stiffened and stared at Draco with an unreadable expression. "Harry, is it?" he began silkily as he stalked towards Draco. "I knew you two were on somewhat congenial terms, but I had no idea you'd progressed to such intimacy."

Draco laughed mirthlessly. "What? Staking your claim, are you? How many times do I have to say it? We fuck, Severus. That's all. No need to get your knickers in a twist," Draco said flatly.

Severus was unrelenting. "I thought you called him Potter, or perhaps the Boy-Who-Lived, though not to his face I imagine. Tell me Draco, do you ask him to be your savior when he goes down on you? Do you tell him he's your golden boy as you fuck him?"

Draco sent a nasty stinging hex at Severus, who ducked just in time. "You son-of-a-bitch! It was you! It was you who told him that I only wanted him because of his name. What kind of sick fuck are you? Doesn't he have enough issues as it is? And, how could you do that to me? You know it's not true."

Severus glared at Draco before spinning on his heels. "Get out," he said.

Draco didn't move. "Tell me, Severus, how many fantasies have you had where Harry goes down on you and you call him your savior? Huh? You want him. I know you do. And, I know he wants you. Something happened last week and I'd wager Harry finally had the balls to step up to the proverbial plate. But you just can't have that, can you? Can't bear to let him make the first move. Even though you want him, you won't take him. Even though you won't take him, you won't let anyone else have him, will you?"

Draco stood abruptly, his voice climbing in volume. "Even though the two of you fuck each other through that weird little mind meld thing you have every fucking time I fuck him! Don't even bother denying it. I'm not so stupid that I can't realize when the person I'm fucking isn't even in the same goddamned room with me!" Draco roared.

"Jealous, are we?" Severus said waspishly.

"Fuck you, you sodding prick. I've never had any illusions about Harry and the reasons why we do what we do. But, you. You are a completely different, completely fucked up story. You better watch yourself. Harry is dangerously close to losing it. Completely. If he does, are you going to be around to pick up the pieces? The ones you caused to break apart in the first place? No, I don't think you will. I think you'll leave it to Harry or me. What will it fucking take for you to get off your goddamned high horse and go to him? What will it take?" Draco screamed.

Severus said nothing.

Draco growled, leapt from the couch and strode towards the hallway. "You don't deserve him," he whispered.

"Oh, and you think you do?"

Draco laughed mirthlessly. "No. I don't. I'm not sure anyone does," he said before Apparating away with a loud crack.



Artificial Life - Chapter 9

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