Chapter 8

The Iago Complex

Chapter 8 of 13

Proulxes

Insufficient Balls from Another Perspective....

Humor Mystery/Suspense Potions Under Duress 24,201 Words 13 Chapters Complete

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Chapter 8: Insufficient Balls from Another Perspective....

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What the fuck is happening?

I can't move. Wait. Blink. I can blink. I'm breathing. A selective paralysis, then.

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

"You're reactions have slowed, Severus. Too many distractions, perhaps?"

Focus. Find the danger. Use your head.

I'm lying down. I'm on the ground and someone is looking down.... Damned eyes won't focus! Blond. Male.

Is that... Draco? I thought he was...?

"Stand up, Severus."

Skin crawling. He's touching me.

Imperious?

No. What, then? He's speaking... pulling me to my feet.

"Listen to me, old man," he whispers. I can feel Draco's power sliding through me, under my skin... and a metallic taste at the back of my throat. Is it poison? My heart begins to thunder; from fear or whatever it is that he has done to me, I am not sure.

"Don't even think you can fight this," he continues. "I've had years to perfect it. The foolproof compulsion drug – foolproof because it is nothing the wizarding world has ever seen before. You can't brew a cure because nothing in nature will allow you to. You can't speak or move unless I allow it. I can let you come to your senses and pull you back under – do you understand? You are mine now, just as you should have been years ago.

"And the best thing is..." He slides his fingers up my forearm, running the tips over the sensitive skin there. Even so many years later, I cannot bear to touch the Mark without pain. I cannot move of course, but I recoil involuntarily, my insides churning, trying to move... trying to think.

He leans forward, his lips brushing past my cheek in a parody of a kiss. "You won't know it is there because I can turn my controls on and off, without you even realising, just by touching you and willing it to be so."

He pulls away from me, and I can see faux concern etched into his features. I want to snarl and snap at him, but my body is not mine to command. Instead, I simply stare forwards, taking in the blurred features of the smaller man in my peripheral vision and wondering what his next move will be.

Then he laughs, a high and unsettling noise, and I feel a wonderful sense of giddy lassitude flow through my body as he strokes my arm once more.

***

"Sir? Are you alright?"

Severus blinked slowly, and his eyes came into focus on the concerned features of Draco Malfoy. Once the surprise of seeing the presumed long-gone son of his oldest... associate had dissipated, he realised that he was swaying slightly in the grip of the younger man, whose hands were grasping his wrists firmly.

Draco's features were sharp with concern, his pale eyes wide and searching. "I ran right into you around this corner," he explained. "Almost knocked you flying, I'm afraid."

Snape fought to regain his dignity, firmly telling himself to focus. His heart was pounding for some reason, and his mouth tasted as if he had bitten his tongue.

"It's so good to see you again, Professor!" Draco said breathlessly, still holding the taller man in a tight, convulsive grip. Severus could feel Draco's fingertips rubbing small circles on the underside of his wrists. He pulled his hands up slightly and saw Draco's face flush as he stepped back, releasing his hold.

Severus cleared his throat. "It is... good to see you again, Draco," he said, his voice rougher than normal. He coughed again. Had he been knocked out? His heart was slowing its frantic pace, and his head throbbed painfully.

Draco was standing very still in front of him, as if he was waiting for Severus to say something more.

Severus blinked. Hermione. He was looking for Hermione. He remembered that that bastard Nott had somehow ended up accompanying her to Lucius' party, and he was unaccountably late, and—

"Shall we go and find Father?" Draco asked suddenly, smiling a little and gesturing with his hands that Severus should accompany him.

Severus frowned, mentally shaking himself. "Yes. Yes, of course, Draco," he replied, taking a stumbling step forwards. Draco caught his arm, and Severus steadied, berating his foolishness. Fancy being knocked sideways by someone he had once taught!

Draco seemed to find the situation rather amusing, but said nothing, merely pausing to sweep Severus' coat up from the grass before tugging Severus towards the Members Enclosure of the All England Tennis Club.

***

She was there of course, but before Severus could say anything much to her, Draco placed his hand gently on the Professor's arm and watched with a giddy sense of triumph as Snape immediately came under his control and quieted.

To think that he could be with that ugly witch, he crowed to himself, thrilling to the sense of power that flowed through the connection between them. He flexed his fingers carefully, feeling the psycho-narcotic in his system prickle his senses. It wasn't long before he'd have to take the booster dose.

He watched, amused, as Granger's emotions splayed obviously across her face. Surprise and hurt. He fought the desire to snort. Her frown only enhanced the coarseness of her features, and Draco forced himself to be polite as he watched his father lead her away on a tide of eagerly chattering people.

After one last evaluative look at Draco and Snape, Nott followed.

"There she goes... What a poppet, your girl." Draco's voice had an eerie, sing-song quality to it. He spun around to face his old Head of House, rising slightly on the balls of his feet as he did so and bringing his hands together in front of him.

"So, Severus," he said. "Before we go up to watch the match, shall we have something to eat?"

The taller man made no answer, but that did not surprise or bother Draco particularly.

He reached over to the picnic table beside them and, with one hand, captured a tub of rich, ripe strawberries in his dextrous fingers. The other hand plunged inside his jacket and withdrew a small, thin tube containing tiny white crystals. His eyes dancing, Draco sprinkled some of the grains over the fruit.

He leaned forwards conspiratorially. "I don't know about you," he whispered. "But I cannot abide strawberries without sugar."

Again, Snape did not reply. Draco giggled. "I'm so pleased that we ran into each other, Severus," he said. "You have no idea how long I have waited to thank you for your support during those darker days."

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A/N: All praise to JKR, and to Clairvoyant for the collaborative beta job!

Getting darker....

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Latest 25 Reviews for The Iago Complex

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Helena Rickman

"Drink Me, Professor" - I'm loving this! And I loved that little reflection to AiW. It was the perfect way to hint these two are abound to go down the rabbit hole!