FicWad

Another different way of looking at things

Disclaimer:Harry Potter and all related terms and characters are the property of JK Rowling. The use of copyrighted material is for non-profit entertainment purposes only, and in no way constitutes achallenge to the existing copyright.

So, here it goes...

Chapter 19 - Quoth the raven,'Nevermore'

Hermione could not remember ever feeling so content. Harry had left her blindfolded and handcuffed. He was sitting on one of the couches. He had placed her head to lie on his thigh. She could hear him turn the pages of a book that was levitating somewhere above her. His free hand was holding her head in place.

Hermione didn't know how long they had been in the room or how much longer they would stay. She felt so... happy like this. Of course she didn't like to be helpless in general. Only with him. She felt so totally in his control right now, in his care, his protection. Hermione wanted to feel like this forever. She had not to worry about anything. She just laid there and basked in the sensation.

She remembered earlier. How could she not. Her wrists and shoulders still felt sore But not in a bad way. She remembered how Harry had fucked her. And the way Padma had kissed her. It had not been like the fist kiss they shared. Before today everytime Padma had touched her in a... test, Hermione could feel that her actions were deliberately, calculating in a way. The arousal and embarrassment Hermione had felt at those times had been exhilarating, but it had never felt like today. She figured Padma would be doing her test because she was curious about Hermione's way of sexuality and because she knew how much she liked being used. Today it felt like Padma really wanted it for herself. The kiss today was urgent, eager. It was breathtaking, literally.

Hermione wondered what brought on the change while Harry was slowly stroking her scalp. She had enjoyed the kiss, naturally. She would enjoy pretty much anything in the middle of her climax. Hermione was not worried what would happen if or when Padma would kiss her again. That would be Harry's decision. Just because of his control these kisses were ...hot. What concerned her more was the possible change in the Ravenclaws feelings . 'Urgent', 'eager' and 'breathtaking' were not words normally associated with any behaviour Padma exhibited other than study. She would have asked her friend about it. But she was not allowed to talk at the moment. And she didn't want to break the closeness she felt toward her Master. He would take care of it.

Harry didn't know what kind of reaction he should have expected from the Ravenclaw. She had been watching the chained Hermione for the longest time earlier. The look on her face had often been unreadable. Finally she had looked at him with a silent question on her face. He had just nodded. Padma's actions had been cautious at first, but had quickly turned ...enthusiastic, if a bit clumsy. When he had laid Hermione on the bed and returned to the table Padma had turned dead serious. She hadn't said anything, she was still quiet. Something was obviously wrong. He didn't know what. But he wanted her to talk at her own pace.

After two hours Harry doubted she would. Hermione was next to him again and Padma was deep in her research. Even deeper than on the other days. Something was still wrong. Maybe it was best to get straight to the point.

"What's wrong, Padma?" His tone was quiet neutral. It was fitting the direct question.

She didn't react.

"My guess would be that you either regret what you did earlier or you enjoyed it more than you like to admit. But even if it is something entirely different, you should tell us. It's a bad time for misunderstandings... We have a lot of work in the weeks before us."

Her voice sounded neutral, too, but in a strained way. "That's just it... I can't be a part of the ...physical activities if they affect my research on the Arithmancy."

"Affect how?"

She shut her current book forcefully. For a moment Harry thought he would be in for a snappish reply. But it didn't come. She took however her time to form her answer. "You know I was curious about the kind of relationship you have with Hermione. I still am. But it was the main reason I got more ...involved. I wanted to know what was so desirable to be controlled for Hermione. What this control was for itself." She paused again. "On the instances you gave me permission to use, test or whatever you want to call it, Hermione, I exercised this control. It was not my touch that aroused her, it was your control that affected her. It was quiet easy to distance myself. To apply the control and observe her reactions. ...But because there was this distance I did things I never thought doing to another girl."

Harry let her talk. She looked down at the table in thought. "I did it because I knew Hermione would enjoy feeling your control through me. Because of the distance I didn't take pleasure from it..." She didn't notice that she was speaking about her friend as if Hermione was not in the room. "When I first kissed her, it was ...nice. In hindsight. Then today, after hearing her moan for so long... I think it got to me. I wanted to feel that niceness of such a kiss again and... when I did, there was no distance, no test, no observation. ...I knew Hermione would like to be kissed.. but I did it because I wanted to feel it for myself..."

"And you are worried that you might like kissing girls too much?"

She looked up and sighed frustrated. "No." Padma added after a deep breath. "You have to understand, Harry, I learn from books. You are more the type who learns from experience. That was my second kiss today. Just because I have never kissed a boy like that doesn't mean I wouldn't like it. After what you did last week I could have done it to you as well."

"You mean the insane overdose of Arithmancy?"

She nodded. "Yes, demonstrating such determination to gain knowledge... I find that quite alluring."

"I see." Harry wondered for a moment. "But if you liked it so much... and don't have a concern with the gender, what is the big problem?"

"The big problem, Harry, is that if I continue with this selfexploration of my own desires I am going to lose my focus on the rather more important research and calculations for the iron. Ask Hermione if she remembers the name 'Sarah Brooklehurst'. I won't let the same happen to me. The consequences would be much more dire in the current case."

Harry could feel that his slave was wide awake and listening. "Well, slut, who was she?" His voice was more curious than demanding.

Hermione didn't mind to be talked about like they did before. "Sarah Brooklehurst... she graduated two years ago, Master. I think what Padma means is about her OWLs. She had been distracted by rather bad boyfriend trouble when she took it, Master. She failed to get into the NEWT level for ... I think it was Ancient Runes. In consequence she couldn't get the apprenticeship to become an enchantress like she always hoped to be, Master..."

"Yes, and now she is working two jobs to earn the money for a private tutor to get a second chance at taking her runes NEWT to maybe have achance to be an enchantress some day. I knew her quiet well and I have seen what consequences there can be if you get too involved. Should I lose focus on my work and make a mistake in the calculation, there will be no second chance. There is the oath of course, but Iwill not risk it either way... I don't want to think I should even take the chance to use Hermione, even with your control and permission."

Harry had become serious. "I understand your reasons, Padma. If you think it is necessary to ensure your ...focus, it is yours to decide."

"Thank you."

"But you are still curious about what you like for yourself..."

"...Yes."

"Would you like our help finding out? ...after the third step?"

"I think I will decide that when the time comes." Padma was much more relaxed when she opened the book again.

-------- ---- ----

As far as their project was concerned things were progressing pretty much as scheduled. Harry decided to 'learn' Ancient Runes the following week. I was far easier than doing the same thing with Arithmancy. Probably because the subject resembled far more a language than a chaotic mixture of random logic. Single runes could be seen as a letters or even a words and build up to a complete runeset resembling a sentence. The high art of runes seemed to be building sentence upon sentence. A paragraph of runes. Harry was not as confused while using the spell&potion method. He noticed Padma looking at him oddly whenever he was sitting for himself quietly mumbling and drawing runes with his finger into thin air. Even Hermione was not as worried about him as the last time. She found Padma's looks rather amusing however.

Meanwhile the two girl were deciphering the base structure of a magical branding iron. Apparently there were three different runesets needed. The easiest one was storing the magical energy and signature of the person who was charging the iron. 'Easy' was a matter of perspective however since it would be rather complicated to store a magical signature and the amount of stored energy would have to be precisely calculated. Too little would let the enchantment fail. Too much could be lethal. The hardest runeset was the enchantment of the mark itself and the contained 'functions'. The mark itself was known and had just to be adjusted to the form of the iron. Combining it with the 'functions' however would be a challenge. The third runeset defined a channel between the other two. One of the task the third runeset would have to accomplish was of course to feed the stored energy to the enchantment. Furthermore this runeset linked passive 'functions' back to the stored magical signature. Active ones had to be linked both ways. Over all it was complicated as hell.

While Harry was drugged they had just study session. In their next physical one Padma was shielded from view and sound. But all three had no problem with that.

A problem however was becoming clear the next week. It was not so much in the calculation or construction of the test iron. Considering everything it was relatively easy. Problematic was that it could only be a very basic model. If they constructed anything more complicate than a simple 'alive or dead' passive sensory a 'consenting' magical core of the person to be marked was needed. Which meant that since they knew of no expendable witches or wizards who were alright with the idea of playing test subject, they'd have to be content with such a basic model. I would have to be enough to test a least the validity of their concept.

The subject's name was Betty. She was a pig. And she was meant to be slaughtered. They intended to give her to the Hogwart's kitchen after that. But even considering why they did it or that Betty was not dying unnecessary, it was not a happy event. The test however was successful. Harry could feel that the pig was alive. And he felt the exact moment it died. He was not in a happy mood. The scream of pigs sounded like the ones of babies. Thanks to his scar Harry knew that first hand. And because of the other 'problem' his mood was not much more than foul to start with.

The 'other' one was that they, or rather he, had to decide on the form and 'functions' of the branding iron as soon as the testrun was over so they could start calculation. So he had to start getting Hermione used to pain at the beginning of week two. The pain was not mixed with pleasure. He hated himself. He hoped it would be the hardest thing he ever had to do. He tried not to let it show. He rather tried to express his pride at Hermione's motivation and how she handled it. It was a blessing that she would only have to endure it through the ceremony. Only a relatively short time. So as soon as a pain session was finished Harry drowned her in pain relievers. He hated hurting her in that way none the less. He used pain curses because thesensations could be easily dispelled while their effects caused no further physical damage. Padma had asked him how he knew about such curses. He showed her the book from the Black library. It was practical a manual on how to torture people indefinitely. She didn't read it. He could emphasise with that. And he couldn't believe how much pain Hermione was willing to take. He was proud of her. He just didn't know if she should be happy or sad about it. He decided however that she more than earned the right to choose the 'functions'of she mark for herself. He would decide on the form. Funny enough the placement was determined by the functions. He had to admit what she chose was rather naughty. And naturally one of the hardest and most complicated types a magical mark could be. If Hermione wanted something she wanted it all. Nothing done half. They were quiet similar. Only the best for her. Of course. He would give it to her. Even if the pain would be unbelievable. Padma took the complexity of the mark as a challenge. He did too.

Harry was glad to be up to speed on Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. It was far easier to have three minds on the task than one and a half. He savoured the free time they had to do things far more pleasurable. But they were in the room almost every hour they could. And in the next weeks it would not lessen. They had thirty-three days of calculating, recalculating, checking and pain before them. But Harry was hopeful they would make it by Christmas.

-------- ----

Two things happened concerning their schoolmates in those two weeks. On was funny. The other was not.

The funny one, at least it was in Harry's eyes, was about Ron. I seemed that he was similar in his role as a lover as he was a Quidditch keeper. Once the insecurities were gone his natural talent started to shine through. It helped that there was not audience when he was alone with Lavender. She seemed to be quiet proud of how much she taught him. Combined with the fact that Miss Brown was the keeper of the school grapevine, there seemed to have been ...inquiries about her willingness to share. Since their relationship was all about getting experiences, Ron was more than happy when Lavender presented him a schedule. Ron was ok with most of them. He did the others anyway. He told Harry that every girl should have the pleasure to meet him. Ron only refused when the girls were too young. That seemed to be a problem since he had a secret technique for 'gentle deflowering', as he told Harry in confidence. Who would have thought?





The not so funny thing was a conversation with Malfoy. Harry and Hermione were cleaning up after a prefect meeting when the Slytherin stayed behind. Harry just wanted to get out of there all evening. He could still hear the pig screaming. He had not the patience for the ferret... afterwards he guessed it had shown. But he had said nothing he didn't mean...

Harry had to admit he was distracted. He noticed Malfoy only when the blond spoke. The three were alone in the room.

His voice was overly friendly. "Hello Potter." He turned to Hermione. "And hello to you too, slave."

Hermione froze, Harry just narrowed his eyes. His mood dropped from foul to rotten.

"I see you tried to keep your little secret... But it is so interesting. Don't you think?" His tone of sweet innocence.

Harry was absolutely not in the mood to play his game. "What do you want, Malfoy?"

"So unfriendly, Potter... I was just thinking. What do you think everyone in the school would say if they knew? Their famous head boy enslaving his friend... What an outrage. Do you think you will be still Head Boy... or your little slave Head Girl?"

Harry didn't like to be blackmailed.

"...Or what would the public say... Harry Potter... the Golden Boy, making a mudblood into a slave." Malfoy was grinning. "Do you think they let you stay at school? Can you imagine what the Prophet would print?" He shuddered theatrically.

Harry didn't like to be blackmailed at all. He remembered all to well the snivelling man who got them the table in that italian restaurant. His voice was getting even more... unfriendly. "What. Do. You. Want. Malfoy?"

The Grin was getting wider. "Oh... nothing much. I just thought how nice it would be if your little mudblood slave came to visit our dungeons from time to time. You know... to learn all the pureblood traditions. She has to know them if she is to be your slave. I just try to help out." Hermione gasped quietly.

Harry was seriously getting pissed off. He tried hard not to just hiss."You like pureblood traditions?"

Malfoy kept up his friendly act. "Of course. They are our heritage."

"You are right, Malfoy. If this came out... Hermione and I would probably lose our badges... maybe even get expelled. I would have so much time for family traditions then... You know I am the Head of the Black family, don't you? You know what our family tradition is?"

The blond boy hesitated.

"You should ask your mother. She was a Black. Ask her to tell you the story about the Cravenburgs. I am sure good old Cygnus liked this story and told it often." Harry slowly began to grin on his own. His was neither false nor friendly.

Maybe dropped his act. "What do you mean, Potter. I want to hear your decision. Not your nonsense."

"I am talking about blood feuds, Malfoy. The Black were rather famous for them. The feud with the Cravenburgs is rather well documented."

Malfoy didn't like his grin either.

"Corvus Black didn't like the Cravenburgs. After they insulted him he took it rather seriously." Harry grinned fiercely. "First he razed their manor to the ground. He build a graveyard in it's place... And then he started filling it. With all the family members... their associate... and friends and servants ...and pets. From what I read he had to step down as Head of the family because it was so bloody. But it is said he never regretted it. ...Family traditions are so important, don't you think?"

The Slytherin didn't know if she should get angry or afraid. "You don't have the guts to kill me, Potter."

"But I don't have to. If Hermione's status gets out... and since I trust the others who know which means you and Snape leaked it... If this comes out, I simply declare a blood feud and put a price on your and your father's head. Let's say fifty thousand. How fast do you think a dementor slips accidently in his cell? How fast do you think you will die because some of your fellow Slytherins decides the money and your position in their house is worth it. A little poison or a dagger in your sleep..."

Malfoy was getting paler.

"And when all the male Molfoys are dead your mother would inherit everything. I could force her to become a Black again. That's when the fun is really starting for her. So, tell me Draco, why should I not do it. Financially it would be very wise... morally it would be even more so. Why should I not, regardless of your indiscretion?" His tone was totally serious at the end.

Malfoy was backing into a wall. The fear seemed to have won.

"This isn't a game, Malfoy.... But I tell you what. If this doesn't get into the open until I decide to do so, I will forget this conversation ever happened. S, what is your decision?"

The Slytherin was about to leave when Harry pushed him back into wall. "Say it."

He sounded resentful. "Fine. I won't forget about this, Potter."

"You better hope I do."

...

Snape made no sign to if he knew about any of this. This must be one of those time when he really missed Dumbledore's backing.

-------- ---- ---- ----

A/N: Ok, so this chapter is not hot or funny. My fingers didn't want it. Ihave high hopes for next time. But at least the title fits the mood and the plot gets driven forward. I want this branding be done in the next three or so chapters or so. Depending on how much smut gets in between maybe more. If you want towrite more than a review, please do it here: http://www.ficwad.com/forum/topic/1465