Second Place - Action/Adventure

Harry sauntered into the club the following night in his too-low, too-tight black leather trousers and flimsy black shirt that fit like a second skin. His hair was wilder than ever and his kohl-rimmed eyes shone with preternatural brightness. He narrowed his gaze as he scanned the room. Snape was in place on the catwalk impassively watching the crowd. Even though he took no outward notice of Harry's arrival, Harry's stomach lurched as a strong wave of Severus's irritation swept through him. "Bastard," Harry muttered under his breath as he tried to shake it off. A few seconds later, Harry began his scan anew. Harry wasn't the last of their macabre group of players to arrive it seemed. No Beck yet. That was disappointing. Draco and Metts were at the bar. They'd seen him, Harry was sure. Metts threw an odd glance his way and Draco's back stiffened as he purposefully turned his head in the other direction. Harry smirked. After his little melt-down, Harry decided that he wasn't going to let this shit get in the way. He was going to finish this thing tonight; he had a fucking job to do and he was going to do it. That's what he did�no matter the cost, the pain, the . . .whatever, he always finished the job.

And then, he was going to leave this godforsaken shit hole, Apparate directly to his flat, fill out his last field report, attach a huge "Fuck You," to it, and down a tumbler of Dreamless Sleep. He would surface a week or two later, order take-away and sit in his window seat until the end of time. He knew how to cast wards so strong that fucking Merlin himself wouldn't be able to get through. Anything he was desperate for he could get via owl post or the floo. He had plenty of money and socialization was highly overrated. Such a simple dream, really.

With a final glance around, he threaded his body into the sweaty throng and lost himself in the music for what he hoped was the last time. Bodies moved all around him. Touched him everywhere. Normally he had to steel himself for that. But tonight, Harry didn't care. He even touched back when he felt like it.

To everyone else, he was lost to the beat. But, in his mind, there was absolute silence. He looked up at Severus and nodded congenially, but in his mind, all he saw were trees undulating in the wind outside of his flat. As his body moved and writhed on the dance floor, in his mind he was tucked into his window seat lost to the utter stillness of it all.

He looked up again when he felt the weight of someone's stare. It was Beck. He was ashen, his hands were shaking and his appearance generally disheveled. He looked like Jake on the bad days when they were short of cash and didn't have product to tap for a quick ride. Of course, Beck wasn't strung out on heroin, but it was close enough. Harry melted into the body behind him while wickedly smiling at Beck. He nearly laughed with Beck almost launched himself over the catwalk, saved only by Severus. Harry watched as Severus led Beck away. Oh yes, this would be over tonight. Harry sighed blissfully, closed his eyes and started dancing again.

A growl started low in Therac's throat as his prize smiled and blissfully threw his head back. Therac was not pleased. The boy was so close to breaking just the night before. He'd reeked of despair. And now, there was a cloying sense of . . . nothingness surrounding him. This would not do. Not at all. So sure that tonight would the night, Therac had already made all of the preparations for the blood ceremony. He could see he would have to force the issue. His cold eyes darted around the club looking for something to prod things along. His eyes paused on the Muggle from last night. He started to stand when he saw the Muggle walk towards his prize. A cruel smile slowly crept across Therac's face. All was not lost.

Harry was startled when a thick hand pulled him roughly from behind and an alcohol laden voice whispered and spit in his ear.

"Hey, love," the American said in an attempt at British slang, "I think I'd fancy another blow tonight."

Harry jerked his head back to see who had the audacity to interrupt his isolationist fantasy. He growled. It was Thick Neck. "Sod off," he said sharply as he pulled himself from Thick Neck's grip and moved away.

Just as the trees began to rematerialize in his mind's eye, Harry was pulled roughly again. He ripped himself away and whirled around "Goddamn it! I am not a fucking ragdoll! Leave me the fuck alone, you wanker. Last night was last night. I don't give repeat performances." Harry turned to move away again, but Thick Neck stopped him.

Brian Metts watched the encounter between Harry and Thick Neck unfold with rapt fascination. He cast a sly glace at Draco, who was blathering on with questions about Texas and, thus, completely unaware of what was happening. "Hey Draco?" Brian interrupted, "Remember when I told you that kid needed to watch out? Looks like I was right. Take a look."

Draco twisted around abruptly and just in time to see Thick Neck grab Harry and shake him. Draco's eyes went wide. His fists clenched. "Fuck," he muttered under his breath. He surreptitiously glanced up at the catwalk, only to find that Severus wasn't there. "Goddamn double fuck," he swore. "Come on Potter, show me that famous Gryffidor dumb luck," he muttered under his breath, hoping Brian hadn't heard him. Draco turned back to Brian. "Looks like that bloke wasn't too happy about services rendered," he drawled cheekily before nervously taking a long draw of his drink.

Brian looked at him strangely, his eyes flitting back and forth between Harry and Draco. "Yeah, maybe."

When Brian didn't stop watching Draco felt safe enough to turn his attention to what was happening as well.

Therac smiled at the unfolding drama. He glanced around searching for potential impediments to his plans. His eyes cut to the platinum blonde who was staring intently at his prize. Therac growled. If the blonde tried to interfere, he would have to be dealt with.

Unaware of his audience, Harry pushed against Thick Neck with his free hand. "Let me go now, you stupid mother fucker."

"No," Thick Neck said as he started dragging Harry from the floor.

Draco almost stood up, but remembered himself at the last moment.

Therac smiled, wondering what the stupid Muggle was going to do.

Harry hissed low in his throat again as he struggled against Thick Neck. Thick Neck pulled him even closer. Harry started to panic. He struggled harder. Thick Neck laughed. Harry had had enough.

"Get your filthy hands off me," Harry ground out as he unconsciously sent out a pulse of magic that, to Thick Neck, felt like a particularly nasty shock of electricity.

Thick Neck squealed in pain and dropped Harry's arm immediately. He was shaking. He looked at Harry incredulously and backed away.

"I told you to leave me the fuck alone," Harry snarled as he fought to get his emotions under control. When Thick Neck continued to retreat, Harry turned on his heel, returned to the floor and started dancing again.

Therac smiled as his prize fought back against the disgusting Muggle. He was breaking magnificently. He could feel it. He could smell it. Oh, it was going to be such a pleasure to drain him dry.

Draco shakily gulped the rest of his drink as he watched Harry spin on his heels and start dancing again. That was too close. Too fucking close. He looked over at Brian, who was chatting with the waitress and pretending not to notice where Draco's attention was fixed. Draco frowned. This was not good.

Brian turned back to Draco, but Draco noticed that his eyes lingered on Harry for a moment. "Hey listen, Draco, I think I'm going to head out tonight. I've got a big day tomorrow. See you around?"

Draco blinked at him, startled. "Yeah, sure. Umm, I'm not really tired . . ." Draco trailed off.

Brian smiled at him and pulled him in for a quick kiss. "You stay. Let's catch up later, okay?"

Draco looked at him closely. Brian definitely knew more than he was letting on. "Sure, love," Draco said smoothly, flashing him his brightest smile.

Brian nodded and walked towards the exit. Draco watched him until he was out of sight and then returned his attention to Harry. Touching the silver snake pendant he said, "Potter. Potter! Are you okay? What's going on?"

Harry, still feeling shaky, fought hard to recapture the fantasy. It wasn't working. The stupid Muggle had ruined it. The icing on the proverbial cake was the startling insistence of Draco's whiny, wheedling voice. Harry's eyes snapped open. "Jesus fucking Christ," he screamed in his mind, "I'm fine. Leave me the fuck alone," he said before violently pawing at the lightening bolt pendant, thus ending all communication.

Draco snarled something under his breath, ordered another drink, and kept his eyes trained on Harry. "Where the fuck are you Severus," Draco said through the amulet link. He sighed angrily when his question was left unanswered.

Severus was having a shitty night. Not only did he half to deal with Potter and Therac, now he had a half-mad, strung out Muggle to keep in line before he took out the entire block with a flick of his twitchy hands. He was in no shape to take Potter at the moment�he would eviscerate Potter in a power frenzy if he took him now. He couldn't even stand on his own. Severus had half-carried him from the catwalk after Striker nearly leapt from lust after watching Potter's lurid display. Striker needed a power boost, or he wouldn't be worth anything. Severus had hoped it wouldn't come to this. Thank Merlin he'd come prepared. Knowing the level of concentration this was going to take, he shut out Harry and turned off the amulet link.

"Beck," he said as he shook Striker roughly, "Beck? You have to listen to me."

Beck turned his glazed, dilated eyes towards Severus. "Need . . . need Angel," he mumbled.

"Not yet. You need something else first," he said as he quickly cut his palm and let the trickle of blood mingle with a diluted magic transfer potion he'd brewed a week before. It would be enough to calm Beck long enough that he had a measure of control. He would be easier to handle that way. When he was satisfied with the mix, Severus quickly healed the shallow cut, poured the mixture in a whiskey double and forced the tumbler into Beck's hands. "Drink," Severus said.

Beck nodded dumbly before knocking back the drink in one go.

Severus waited. It could take as long as half an hour for this to start working and appeasing that goddamned ring. Severus hoped to fucking Merlin that neither Potter nor Draco were getting themselves into any trouble. They were on their own if they were, and that was a frightening proposition.

Therac kept his eyes trained on the Muggle who was obsessively staring at his dark-haired prize but was avoiding him at the same time. It was as if he was afraid to touch him. Therac sighed. It appeared he was going to have to prod this along after all. At least he'd get to make use of the pointy faced blonde.

Keeping to the shadows, he made his way down to the first floor. "He's quite beautiful," Therac whispered in the Muggle's ear as he pushed a suggestion to the Muggle's mind that Therac could be trusted and that he should obey him.

Thick Neck whirled around and looked in the direction that the blonde man's chin pointed. It was pointed at his little English lover, the one he'd heard referred to as Angel. "Yes, he is, and Angel's mine!" Thick Neck said as his muscles tensed.

Therac chuckled. "Don't worry, friend. I know how important a staked claim can be. Though, I'd worry about that blonde at the bar, if I were you. He's been staring at your boy for days now." Therac paused and smiled with delight as Thick Neck stared hard at the platinum blonde chit who threatened to take his dark-haired prize. "Sometimes," Therac whispered when Thick Neck returned his attention to Angel, "you have to let your boy know who's really in control. Remind him of his place. He's been fucking around on you, you know. Maybe you need to show him who's in charge of your relationship. Next time he takes a break, go after him. Tell him, no, show him what it means to belong to you."

Thick Neck nodded, his glassy eyes never leaving Harry.

Therac chuckled again and quietly made his way back to the second floor. He knew perfectly well what the stupid Muggle would attempt and he was fairly certain that his prize would come out the victor. But, he would break in the process. And then, he'd be exactly where Therac wanted him.

Harry's energy was flagging. He'd been dancing for what felt like hours. Where the hell was Beck? He looked around quickly and saw that Draco was now alone at the bar, his narrowed, silver eyes fixed on Harry. Harry shook his head in warning. He almost smiled when Draco huffed. Harry was going to miss Draco. While there was nothing but friendship between them, there would always be something between them. They took care of each other. They gave each other what neither had ever had�a loving touch, no strings attached; true friendship, in every sense of the word, but without all the sentimental shite that seemed to go with it. Harry sighed. A break was in order. He stumbled towards the lav, still thinking about how his life would change in less than twenty-four hours.

So caught up in his thoughts and still feeling a bit shaky and off-balance from everything that had happened in the last few days, it was little wonder that he didn't hear anyone else come in. It was little wonder that, as he zipped up and started to turn from the wall, he didn't feel the presence of a body behind him. Until it was too late. Not a quarter of the way into his turn, Harry found himself grabbed roughly from behind and slammed mercilessly into the corner. The black, hazy tile was cold and unyielding against his body. His breath was squeezed from him as the body behind him pushed against him hard. Harry fought back as hard as he could, but it was of little use.

"Miss me, love?" the American voice said mockingly.

Thick Neck. Harry rolled his eyes. "Goddamn it," he rasped, "Let me go you bloody tosser!" Harry pushed back with all the strength he had and rammed his head into Thick Neck's Adam's Apple.

Thick Neck staggered back, clutching at his throat as he tried to get a breath. Harry made to dart around him, but Thick Neck reached out with his other, meaty hand and grabbed Harry by the hair. As Harry yowled, Thick Neck spun him around and used his far superior size to throw them both against the wall. The resulting stars swirling around when Harry's head hit the tiled wall soundly gave Thick Neck the advantage he needed.

"I don't think so, love," Thick Neck rasped out bitterly as his hands dug painfully into Harry's sides. "Now. I don't appreciate the way you've been treating me." Thick Neck caught Harry's hands, which were reaching blindly behind him in search of his knife and his wand, and held them in a vice-like grip above his head with one of his hands.

"Let me go!" Harry barked, as Thick Neck used his other hand to unbutton Harry's trousers. Harry struggled. He tried to pull up a knee, but Thick Neck stopped him.

In close quarters like this, Thick Neck's superior size worked to his advantage. Harry cursed the fact that he'd let himself get stuck in this situation. He had no physical advantage, couldn't reach his wand or his knives. He couldn't activate his amulet to let Draco know what was happening and Snape seemed to be ignoring him. All he had left was logic and reason. It had served him well the last time he'd found himself in a similar situation. Maybe it would work again. "You better let me go, you sick fuck, my date knows I'm in here. He'll come looking for me in a minute."

Thick Neck chuckled darkly as he roughly tore Harry's shirt from him. Harry screamed when part of it caught on one of his piercings. Thick Neck continued on as if he didn't notice. "What? That poncey little Blonde at the bar?"

Harry's eyebrows shot to his hairline. How the fuck did Thick Neck know about Draco? No matter. "Yeah. And, he's not so poncey, love," Harry said mockingly, "he'll kick your arse if he comes in here and sees what you're doing."

"Good thing I locked the door then. Can't have anything disturbing us, now can I?"

Before Harry could say anything, Thick Neck quickly turned Harry and slammed him against the wall face forward. His hands were still drawn painfully above his head. He tried to kick back, but Thick Neck kicked his feet apart as far as they would go and kept them that way. Then, Harry heard it. The sound of a zipper. Everything seemed to catch up with him in that moment. In that moment he understood what Thick Neck meant to do. He understood why his trousers were unbuttoned and slung low. He understood exactly what Thick Neck would do if Harry didn't stop him. Flashes of memory assaulted him. From---oh God, Harry thought he was going to vomit,--no. No. He couldn't go through this again. He wouldn't go through this again. When he felt a cold hand dip behind his waistband, Harry screamed "No!" and let loose a torrent of magic that ripped through him, Thick Neck, and anything else in its path.

Draco was getting antsy. Potter had wandered towards the lav almost ten minutes ago. He had a bad feeling. He stood and started casually walking in the direction of the lav intent on checking things out. However, when he was nearly bowled over by a powerful stream of magic backwash, he broke into a dead run. He crashed against the door, only to find it locked. He growled, withdrew his wand with little care about who saw him and bellowed "Alohomora!" The door flew from its hinges. Draco ran in and skidded to a halt. His eyes went wide at what he saw.

Therac watched as the Muggle stalked after his dark haired prize. He sipped his wine coolly. Waiting. Wondering what was happening. Wondering whether the Muggle would get very far. He suspected not. But, it would be enough to finally undo his prize. He watched the throng of sweaty bodies undulating wildly with ill-disguised distaste. He was about to stroll down for a light snack when he saw the blonde walking purposefully towards the bathroom. Towards his prize. Therac's eyes narrowed. Then, he felt a powerful wash of magic backwash. Ah. His prize was . . . upset, it seemed. Therac watched as the blonde halted, nearly doubled over, and then ran for the bathroom, finally using magic to get beyond the locked door. Therac stood abruptly intending to claim his prize now, but something told him to wait. His instincts told him to sit patiently. His instincts had served him well over the centuries. He returned to his seat. He'd waited this long, after all.

Draco couldn't believe what he was seeing. Harry stood in the corner, trembling slightly, blood trickling from his nose, and along his torso. His face was pale and clammy. He'd been crying. Or, was crying. The kohl had slipped from his eyes and now carved paths of black down his cheeks. Draco noticed that his shirt had been ripped. There were bruises on his chest and hips. His trousers were unbuttoned and pushed down on one side. His wand was extended and trained on the Muggle who was unconscious, or dead, against the opposite wall, a knife solidly imbedded in his hand and the wall. There was a trail of blood seeping from where the Muggle's head had hit. Draco noticed that Harry's wand was dead calm and his eyes were fierce and unwavering. "Harry?" Draco said tentatively.

Harry didn't acknowledge him. Hadn't acknowledged him.

Draco took a few steps. Harry's gaze never left the Muggle. Harry was panting, Draco realized. "Harry," Draco called out more insistently.

Still Harry didn't respond.

Draco was worried. He looked back at the open door. The last thing they needed was company. He quickly cast a few distraction charms, as well as a silencing one. He turned back to Harry. His heart nearly burst. He quickly closed the distance between them. With great care, he tentatively touched Harry's shoulder while at the same time softly whispering his name.

Harry jerked back in surprise and stared at Draco, as if seeing him for the first time. "Draco," he muttered before turning back to the Muggle.

Draco carefully pulled Harry to him, lowering his arm and plucking Harry's wand away as he did so. He bit back an expletive when he felt just how violently Harry trembled. "What happened," he asked softly.

Harry, now divested of his wand, curled his arms around himself protectively, his eyes still not leaving the Muggle. "He . . . I said no . . . He wouldn't let go . . . I said no . . . But, but . . . I said no," Harry was becoming more and more agitated. He whipped his head to Draco and grabbed him by the shoulders, "I said no. I said no," he cried, as if trying to make Draco believe him.

It didn't take a genius to figure out what had happened. And, Draco had always suspected that something like this had happened before�something far worse than this, actually. "Shh, Harry, it's okay. I know you said no. Believe, me, I know you said no," he said softly as he fished for a napkin to wipe away the blood and kohl from Harry's face.

Harry stood there like small child as Draco cleaned him up. "You do get yourself in the worst messes," Draco gently chastised as he checked for any other injuries. He cast a few general healing charms and pulled up Harry's trousers. After tucking him in and repairing his shirt, he said, "There. All done. Let's get you home, okay?"

Harry looked up at him with bewilderment in his eyes. He suddenly launched himself at Draco and started violently kissing him.

After getting over the initial shock, Draco gently pushed him away. "You don't need to do that Harry. It's okay. It's going to be okay."

Harry's face crumpled and he leaned heavily against Draco. "No, it's not. It's not okay. Why does everyone want to hurt me? He'll never love me. This is all I'm good for. He'll never love me." He grabbed Draco by the shoulders again and stared at him. "I love him, Draco. And, he'll never love me. Not after . . . this . . not after . . . before."

Draco thought his heart might break. When would Harry ever get a break? When? And what the fuck was wrong with Severus? For that matter, where the fuck was Severus?? Draco growled lightly, and pulled Harry to him and gave him a rough hug. "He's a tosser, Harry. Doesn't deserve you. You are too good for him, do you hear me? Do you?"

Harry nodded numbly.

"Right, then. Let's get you home," Draco said as he started pulling Harry towards the door.

Harry resisted. "Can't," he said, "Beck. I've got to finish Beck tonight."

Draco looked at him incredulously. "What? Have you lost your bloody mind? You were nearly raped by that sick fuck and now you want to toss yourself in with some insane, power-hungry squib who's going to want to both strangle and fuck you? You have completely lost your mind. I'm certain of it now."

Harry shook his head. "No," he said. "I have to, Draco. I have to finish this tonight. You . . . you don't understand. I�I have to finish. Tonight. Please."

Draco looked at Harry critically. He knew he wouldn't dissuade him from this. He shook his head in resignation. "You are so fucked up, Potter," he said under his breath.

"Yeah, I know," Harry muttered.

Draco sighed. "Fine. You're going to drink this first, though," he said as he fished a potion out of his pocket.

"What is it?"

"Calming and focusing potion. Never leave home without it. If you're going to do this, you're at least going to have a clear head. It won't take any of . . ." Draco trailed off as he gestured around the room helplessly. "It won't make this go away, but you'll feel a bit sharper. More in control."

Harry nodded solemnly and drank the potion down in one go. He looked at Draco carefully. He reached his hand out and softly caressed his cheek.

Draco's eyes fluttered closed as he inhaled sharply.

"I'm leaving after this, Draco. I'm leaving all of this. Everything. We can't�I can't do this anymore." Harry said softly.

Draco, his eyes still closed, nodded. "Somehow I knew that," he whispered.

"Would you . . . " Harry started.

"Will I what?" Draco said as his eyes snapped open.

"Will you go out there with me for a bit before Beck comes round? I. . . after . . . I just think I would feel better, I mean, I think I could get back into the assignment if someone I knew was touching me before I have to pretend to get excited about fucking the squib."

Draco started to tell Harry that he didn't think continuing with the assignment tonight was wise if it was going to take that, but Harry interrupted him.

"Please, Draco. Besides, I probably won't see you after this," Harry whispered.

Draco looked at him mournfully and nodded, taking Harry's hand in his as they quickly left and made their way to the dance floor, leaving the dead Muggle on the floor.

The music was louder than before, it seemed. Or, maybe Harry was just hearing it for the first time that night. Draco and Harry gravitated towards each other, eyes locked, bodies beginning to synchronize. It was far too easy for Harry to get lost in Draco. But, he wanted it. He wanted to be lost in something, in someone so desperately. Lost in the heat of desperate need for something familiar and comforting and protective.

Soon they were moving in tandem as they so often did. Draco was behind Harry and bent slightly at the knee as he rolled his hips and ground them into Harry's backside. Harry closed his eyes and reveled in the feeling of security. He knew this body. He knew this body. This body was safe. Draco pulled him closer and trailed small sizzling kisses down his neck. Harry arched his neck in response. Draco pulled Harry to him closer still, his arm curling possessively over his chest for the last time while his fingers brushed teasingly against his nipples. For the first time, Harry's resultant moan didn't sound restrained or artificial. Encouraged, Draco nudged Harry's head to the side, exposing a long, slender column of creamy flesh�exposing the very cradle of life. He knew what Harry wanted. It was the only thing he ever asked for from Draco and Draco was happy to do it. He licked his long pink tongue across Harry's neck over, and over, and over, and over again in time to the driving, thumping primal beat, causing every person within a square mile to shiver from the electricity of it

"Draco," Harry moaned, as he completely relaxed in Draco's embrace.

Draco sunk his teeth to bite �hard. He felt Harry moan, arch his back and fall into him. Draco relished the moment. Draco didn't care that Harry loved Severus or that he was developing feelings for Brian. Not in that moment. In that moment, however fleeting, he and Harry belonged to each other.

And in that same moment, for a brief shining moment, Harry was something else. Someone else. They were something else. They were beautiful people attracted to each other's beauty. They were strangers without baggage. They were gods�gods of light and dark, twisting, turning, transforming into one blinding amalgamation of desire. They were perfect. Everyone knew it. Everyone saw it. Everyone wanted it. Wanted them.

Therac watched them, waiting for the desperation that he craved so very much. The blonde mocked him with that ridiculously showy bite. But, as his dark-haired prize opened his eyes, Therac's cock twitched violently. There! The desperation was there. Finally. His prize had given in. The blonde had been the one to finally break him.

Therac smiled a cruel smile. They were all so fucking predictable. Every single one of them. Not an original one in the lot. Wiggling their asses and arching in pleasure while surrendering control to some pathetic loser who could give them nothing more than the illusion of fulfillment. Therac's hand traveled to his cock, reassuring it that soon they would have their prize. Therac would give his prize so much more than the blonde could even dream of. He would plunder, spoil and lay to waste his dark-haired prize and the boy would beg him to. The blonde had seen to that. Therac stood. It was time. Time to claim his prize.

Nearly an hour had passed and Severus breathed a sigh of relief as a bit more of the "old" Beck surfaced. Gone was the ashen complexion and dilated eyes. Beck's breathing was nearly normal and he was almost coherent. He would simply bring Harry to him and they would get this done.

"Beck. I'm going to get Angel for you, okay?"

Beck looked up when he heard Angel's name. "Angel," he murmured helpfully.

Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes. Angel. I'm just--" Severus couldn't finish the statement as he was hit with an incredible wave of lust. Fuck! Therac was about to make his move. "Ten fucking minutes. I just needed ten fucking minutes!" Severus swore. Without a second thought, he quickly unsheathed his wand and Stupified Beck. He needed to keep him contained while he dealt with the newest problem.

As Severus was making his way from the back, Harry doubled over from the residual wave of Therac's arousal. *Is that?* Harry called out to Severus in his mind.

*Yes. Get Draco out of there!* Severus barked.

The animosity, the hurt, the anger, all of it was forgotten in the face of the crisis. Harry quickly turned in Draco's arms and faced him. "Draco! You've got to go now! Therac is coming for you."

Draco was reluctant to leave. There was no way Harry could handle himself after what had just happened. He hesitated.

Harry growled and pulled Draco from the floor. "Go you stupid prat! Get the fuck out of here. I can take care of myself. Trust me."

Draco hesitated. "Only if you come with me, Harry. Fuck this assignment. Fuck it all. It won't matter if you go all potty because of it. Let's save each other for once."

Draco tugged on Harry's arm, but he managed to pull away and shook his head "no." "I have to finish this," he said with determination.

Draco scowled. He looked towards the back of the club and let go a long sigh. He marched up to Harry and took him in a hard, possessive kiss. With his hands on either side of Harry's head he gave Harry one last, gentle kiss. "You are a sick fuck, I hope you know that. Just take care of yourself," he said before letting go and finally turning and swiftly making his way to the back.

Harry saw Severus's unmistakable shadow. A few seconds later, he felt relief flood through him. Draco was safe. Now, if Beck would just come out here, he could get this over with.

Harry raked his hands through his hair and slipped back into the crowd of bodies. Without Draco, he felt exposed, vulnerable. He tried to slip back into the music, but the bodies�all of the bodies touching him�it was too much. He needed to slip back into his trance. He focused on the trees as he finally found the beat.

Therac watched the blonde scuttle away after he and his prize had what appeared to be a little lover's spat. Therac didn't care. Just as long as he had his prize to himself. He made his way through the sweaty bodies and slipped in behind his prize, grasping his hips possessively. His arousal increased tenfold at his prize's gasp of surprise followed by his shudder. Therac leaned in close, a wicked smile curling on his lips.

Severus was pulling Draco behind him at a fair clip, desperate to get away from the club and to the closest Apparition point. Why there were goddamned fucking anti-Apparition wards around that shit hole, Severus would never know. "What were you doing to cause Therac to react so violently," Severus growled.

"I was helping a friend," Draco said flatly as he tried to twist out of Severus's grip.

"Oh really? Since when is seducing Harry helping him? Don't look so surprised�I felt what the two of you were doing. How could you, Draco? You knew, you knew Therac was still there�waiting for something like that. But, you just couldn't keep it in your pants, could you?"

Draco shook himself free. "Sod off, you incredibly dense wanker! Where the fuck have you been tonight? Huh? Where were you when Harry was accosted by that Muggle? Where were you when he tried to rape Harry in the fucking lav? Who do you think cleaned away the blood and the tears? Who do you think put him back together for the night so that he could finish this fucked-up assignment? Until you can answer all of that, don't you dare try and accuse me of doing anything wrong."

Severus stood frozen. "Rape? What, what are you talking about?"

Draco sighed. "That stupid Muggle, the one from last night, tried to take advantage of Potter in the bathroom. I got there in time to see the Muggle smashed against the wall, dead, unconscious, whatever, a knife imbedded in both his hand and the wall, thank you very much, and Boy Wonder standing there, his wand outstretched, shaking like a goddamned leaf, all bloody and dishealved."

Severus was numb. How had he let this get so far out of control? How had this whole assignment gone absolutely pear-shaped? He swallowed thickly. He was about to say something when another powerful wave of arousal swept through him. His breath caught in his throat.

"Sev? Sev? What's wrong?"

"Therac. He's . . . he's aroused again. I expected to feel anger, annoyance." Severus looked around wildly to make sure Therac wasn't there. He saw nothing. He felt nothing.

Draco snorted. "Maybe he's already moved on."

"It doesn't work that way Draco," Severus muttered in annoyance. "This doesn't make any sense!" He should be furious, not . . . aroused.

Draco stopped walked and turned around. "How sure of you that it was me? Maybe it was never me at all," Draco said offhandedly, still sulking and still perturbed with Severus.

Severus's earlier fears and doubts came back full flush. He grabbed Draco by the shoulders, catching the blonde off guard. "What did you say?"

Not just a little frightened, Draco said, "I just said maybe it wasn't me he was after. Maybe it was someone else. Maybe someone I was dancing with or standing next to."

Severus let go and turned around and began pacing back and forth. "No. Impossible. He told me it was a wizard. Went on and on about creamy flesh, wounded souls, and all of that ridiculous nonsense. I saw him point you out on the dance floor the night he told he was going after you and later again at the bar last night."

"Wait, what did you say? You saw him point me out that night on the dance floor?"

"Yes."

"When? Two weeks ago? That night when you first told us about Therac?"

"Yes, Draco. Yes. We've been over this."

Draco ignored Severus and his eyes went wide. "And you're sure it's a wizard he's after?"

"Yes. Draco what's gotten into you?" Severus said sharply.

"Harry. Harry was behind me that night. Getting his shirt. You, oh sweet fucking Merlin, you couldn't see him. He turned behind the pillar. Oh fuck, Severus, I don't think Therac has been after me at all!"

"No," Severus said in disbelief even has he thought about everything Therac had said. How could he have missed it? It had been Harry the entire time. The entire fucking time. Severus turned and started back towards the club. "No," he said again as he broke into a run. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no," he roared as he realized just how wrong he'd been.

Harry shivered when he felt the body behind him grab him possessively. He still felt so off-balance. He assumed it was Beck, the way the man handled him with such familiarity. He let himself fall backward into the body, not paying attention to how it felt against him as he continued to focus on the trees. He felt a thumb drag across his lower lip. Instinctively he licked his lip. There was an odd tang in his mouth. He licked again and swallowed. The tang was stronger. Before he could question it, though, he started to feel dizzy. His limbs felt heavy. "What the," he started to say, only to feel the thumb again, accompanied by a finger pushing its way through his parted lips. "Suck," the sibilant voice said from behind. Harry, feeling hazy and out of sorts, followed the order. Everything seemed so far away, he was floating. The tang was back. Stronger now. His eyes were drooping. Fuck. This was bad. And, this wasn't Beck. Harry panicked. No matter what had happened in the last two weeks, he needed Severus. He needed him right now.

*Sev'rus?* he called out in his mind. He struggled weakly in an attempt to get away. Harry heard the man behind him chuckle. It sounded familiar.

"I must say, you clean up nicely. It's hard to reconcile the drug addict with the whore, but I suppose it's all the same in a way. Isn't it?"

It took a moment for Harry to register what he'd just heard. The voice, the words . . . it was all so familiar.

"Who," Harry mumbled, unable to form the sentence.

The man holding him chuckled again. "Perhaps I gave you a bit too much, if you don't know who I am. I guess I shall have to help you remember then, hmm?"

Harry tried frantically to call for Severus, but it was like his brain was full of static. There was so much noise on the periphery�all he could here clearly was this man. This man who claimed to know him.

"Maybe this will help you remember," Therac murmured as he leant down and nipped Harry's shoulder. "Hello. Jade."

Harry's eyes flew open. Holy Fuck! It was the fucking vampire from the alley. It was Ice! He struggled harder now, but whatever Ice had drugged him with was preventing him from any serious protest. *Sev'rus!* Harry called out again in a blind panic.

*Harry,* Severus called, his anxiety rising steadily. He could feel Harry's confusion, the sluggishness, the drugged panic. He bolted into the club and pushed people out of the way. He had to get to Harry.

Therac chuckled as he started dragging Harry from the floor, sending out a powerful suggestion that no one pay attention to him or the struggling boy he was taking with him. And, he was struggling so prettily. "Shh, my prize, there's nothing you can do. I've waited so very long for this."

"No," Harry mumbled as he blindly tried to push away. *Sev,* he mumbled through his mind once more, unable to finish the word. He heard Ice's sadistic chuckle as his eyes closed and blackness overtook him.



Artificial Life - Chapter 10

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