Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Warnings are taking place here for this chapter, because notes on chapter one have a habit of showing up on all future chapters, and this content will not be in all of them.

WARNINGS: Knifeplay, kink contract, kink negotiation. The knifeplay is in the first scene, to skip it, you can skip to where Tom says "All right, all done. Turn for me?" and that is where it switches to aftercare. To skip even that, just skip to the first scene break.

On to the chapter!

Tom drew the blade slowly down, scoring a winding path down Harry’s back, a thin line of red trailing behind his blade.

“Still with me?” He asked conversationally, a wide smile on his face at Harry’s relaxed, heavy breathing.

“Mmn.” Was the only response he got.

He lifted the knife. “Harry?”

“Sir.”

Good. That’s a real word. “Do you need to safeword?” He checked. Usually Harry didn’t go that deep that fast.

Harry shook his head and buried his face in the pillow under his head. “S’good.” He slurred. “Green.”

“Alright.” Tom said lightly, then brought down the knife again and continued his artwork.

Harry slipped back fully under, and Tom could tell by how still he was, not even a single muscle twitching, that he wasn’t asleep, just drifting along in sub-space.

Tom allowed his smile to widen, aware that at this point it would probably be called manic, but right now he had no need to censor his words, feelings, or expressions. Not until his Harry was ready, which, after tonight, he would be.

He drew the blade in a neat upside-down arch, connecting it to the rest of the design and stepped back.

It was a perfect replica of his Naga form.

Not that Harry would be keeping it, they’d both agreed to forgo scarification—Harry had dealt with enough of that from his other self—but… He grabbed the camera and used his free hand to lightly smack the skin, causing a bit of red to ooze out and show the design better.

Harry shifted and grumbled about “sadistic arses” as Tom snapped a picture.

“You said you wanted to keep this one on the record. I spent a lot of time on it!” Tom said, grabbing a damp cloth and a small jar of salve. “Let’s fix this up before you turn over. No sense in staining the sheets.”

Harry sighed. “Yes, Sir.” He muttered, going pliant under him again, and Tom gently cleaned him, then spread the salve along the marks, causing them to quickly knit closed again.

“Alright, all done. Turn for me?”

Harry flipped over and smiled dopily up at him, pupils blown wide and running on a completely euphoric high.

Tom chuckled. “Water?” He asked, summoning the bottle with a cooling charm he’d set aside earlier.

Harry shook his head. “Kiss.” He demanded.

Tom leaned down and granted him a single kiss, then helped him to a sitting position. “Now water.” He gently urged, handing over the bottle.

Harry sighed and glared at him.

“Right. Sub-space. Sorry, Love.” He took the bottle back and opened it, then handed it back.

Harry took it back and drank a few sips, still glaring in a way Tom could only describe as adorable.

“Don’t give me that sour look, most of my previous subs were stuck-up, haughty Pureblooded Slytherins. If I opened their bottle for them and implied that they were in any way useless in sub-space, they might just have tried to gut me. You, on the other hand, are a cute, cuddly Gryffindor that demands all the pampering. It’s refreshing, actually.”

Harry rolled his eyes and drank some more. When he finished, he cleared his throat. “So how did I do?” He asked, head clearing a little bit.

Tom began carding a hand through his hair. “Are you ready to have this conversation now?” He asked evenly. “Or do you want to tackle the issue in the morning?”

“Depends on the answer, Sir.” Harry answered, proving he was still not quite out of sub-space yet.

Tom smiled. “You submitted beautifully. The picture will be lovely when we get it developed, too.” He added.

“So, a rainbow snake?” Harry asked cocking his head.

“Mm, yes. I admit to being a little vain, it seemed the most auspicious shape for a full session. You’ll like it, I’m sure.” Tom said lightly. “I do think you’re ready.” He told Harry.

Harry yawned, nearly spilling the water in his lap, and Tom carefully took the bottle and capped it. “Come on, bedtime bathroom trip and then we’ll go to bed. We’ll discuss contacting Neville in the morning.” Tom said, helping Harry up.

“I can piss by myself!” Harry declared, slapping Tom’s solicitous hands away from his waist.

Tom drew them back at the sting. “Ow! And at least you’re not slurring anymore, but if I hear a crash, or a splash, I’m coming in!”

“Fuck off!”

Tom grinned. “Nasty little shit as he starts to come out, but I love him anyway.” He said fondly.

*****

Tom handed over the letter. “I was thinking like this should work.”

“Neville Frank Longbottom,

You are invited to a private audience with Tom and Harry Riddle to discuss a private project we would like your assistance with. Discretion is necessary, and talks are, at this point, merely preliminary. Should you accept, we have plans laid out, all you need do is show up and follow them. Use of our facilities afterward will be provided, as needed.

Tom Marvolo Riddle”

“I don’t think his Gran is going to fall for it.” He said.

“Then isn’t it convenient that I will be keying his Gran into the Wards this one time and then shutting her out again?”

Harry’s jaw dropped. “That’s rude!” He shouted.

“Rude or not, I am Master of this house, and it is my right to have privacy! Besides, in July he’ll be seventeen! Then he can Apparate himself here, I just have to pick him up for one month!”

Harry sighed. “Fine, go ahead, just make sure you explain that our cover story is the gardens while he’s here. Because we’ll need an airtight one, and with the one you got the elves working on, it will be a nice smokescreen.”

“Why do you think I set them to planting an entirely new garden this summer?” Tom asked smugly. “Lend me some credit, Love.”

“Think I used all that up while you were courting. I went far too easy on you.” Harry replied, bringing his cup of tea up to hide his smile.

“You wound me.” Tom said flatly, getting up and heading for the Owlery with the note.

As he left the room, there was a rarely-heard sound of tearing denim, and Harry’s head hit the table as his shoulders shook with laughter as the sound of cursing in three languages faded off into the distance.

*****

Augusta Longbottom nodded. “Well, Neville knows what he is doing with plants, so I will go back home while you three discuss your garden plans.”

“Thank you. I will see him delivered safely home, and will be picking him up personally for the remainder of the time he’ll be working on them until he is able to Apparate himself.” Tom told her.

“You’re a sweet young man. I’ll see you later, Neville.”

“See you, Gran.”

Augusta left, and Tom smiled. “In we go, to discuss your training.” He said, leading Neville and Harry inside.

“Now, I have drawn up a standard contract laying out our arrangement. The terms are simple, really. You will follow my directions as I guide you in proper care of a submissive and you will practice kink activities on Harry when he is willing to let you. This will purely be non-sexual. Both you and he may be aroused by the activities, but there will be no sexual aspect to your training. Furthermore, when and if you pleasure yourself, I request that you try to apply another’s person to the fantasies. If I discover that you’ve been fantasizing about my husband, I will be displeased.”

Neville blanched. “What if—”

“I will not go digging around in your mind, of course. If it happens, just don’t let me find out. It’s simple.” Tom told him. “Now,” He sat down behind the contract, indicating the seat on his left for Neville. Harry rounded the table to sit at his right. “negotiation will be simple. I will list the things Harry and I have explored, and you will indicate whether or not you are interested in trying them. Keep in mind, anything you try on him, I will be wielding on you first.” Tom flashed him a smile. “And I’m a sadist.”

Neville blanched again.

“Tom!” Harry shot him a glare, and Tom chuckled.

“I’ll do you no permanent harm, it will just be a tasting. Just to see what it feels like. Only Harry gets the full force of my sadistic streak, luckily for you.” He amended.

Harry sighed when Neville turned a wide-eyed stare on him. “He doesn’t go looking to cause more pain than I am willing to take. He won’t hurt you. I’d hurt him right back, and he knows it.”

Neville nodded.

Tom sighed. “Since my darling won’t let me have any fun, we’ll move on to the negotiations themselves. I’m going to start alphabetically, if that’s alright with you.”

Neville nodded.

“Good. Age play, that is, pretending one of you—which would likely be Harry—is younger than his age. It can also be used for Daddy/son role play, as Harry and I have done. Once.”

Harry snorted. “If we do that, I’m going to warn you now, I won’t be calling you Daddy, Nev. I did it for Tom the one time to see if I liked it. I don’t really enjoy it.”

Neville’s face flamed. “Oh, no! I’m not interested in that!” He denied.

Tom chuckled. “If you’re going to blush like a virgin through this whole thing, this will be very fun for me. Kink, Neville, is about hedonism and being comfortable with various different types of sex acts and things that tend to go hand-in-hand with sex..”

Neville nodded. “I’ll try not to blush too much.” He said.

“Moving on!” Tom declared. “Bondage? Rope play?” He smirked. “I am particularly skilled and can teach you several harnesses Harry likes. Would you like to show him?” He asked Harry, who flushed and got up.

“I really like being restrained, and Tom likes to tie me up.” He explained, shrugging off his shirt and revealing that he was wearing an elaborate bit of rope-work under his clothes.

“Isn’t that constricting?” Neville asked, wide-eyed.

Harry smiled a bit sheepishly. “I really like it, and this one is perfectly comfortable. Tom made it clear this one was for the whole day.” He explained.

Tom tapped the table, and Neville’s eyes shot to him. At his questioning look, Neville nodded.

“Yes, I definitely want to learn rope work. It looks lovely on Harry.” Neville said.

Tom smiled. “He is a wonderful person to practice on. Even if you pull too tight, all it gets is a surprised squeak, never a complaint.”

“That’s because I like it so much.” Harry muttered, putting his shirt back on.

“Well, as for the next thing, Harry doesn't have breasts, so that cuts out several options for breast torture, but he does have wonderfully sensitive nipples, and has demonstrated a certain liking for clamps, including Muggle clothespins, proving that he has at least a touch of masochism. Don’t you, darling?”

Harry glared at him.

“Come now, let's not be shy.”

“Fine, yes. A little bit.” Harry snapped.

Tom hummed and smiled. “My perfect match.” He met Neville's eyes and cocked a brow.

“Um… I'll try it, but I don’t know if I'll enjoy doing that to anyone.” Neville said. “It's an interesting thought.”

Tom’s lips pressed together. “Breathplay.” He said softly. “Controlling someone’s breathing—there are many ways to go about it, and I am experienced in them all.” He said softly.

Neville’s eyes widened, and he looked at Harry.

“Eyes on me, please!” Tom snapped. “Yes or no? Are you interested?”

Neville swallowed. “Yes,” He admitted in nearly a whisper, “but I’m not sure if I’m comfortable—”

“Anything you try with him, you experience with me first, especially this, as it is a risky practice. I won’t lose him to a mishap.” Tom said firmly.

Neville bit his lip. “I do want to learn.” He said quietly, and Tom nodded.

“You’ll need to trust me, I won’t harm you, I swear it. I know it would upset Harry, but I’m not going to lose him, so you need to be perfectly aware of what you are doing, how far you are pushing him, and how delicate you have to be with certain forms of this kink.” Tom said.

Neville nodded wordlessly.

Harry licked his lips. Tom was willing to trust Neville that much? He certainly took this training agreement seriously.

Chapter Text

Tom Apparated Neville directly into the parlour they’d be using, and Harry perked up, setting his tea down.

“Hey.” Neville said, a little flustered.

“Hi.” Harry replied. “What are we doing today?” He asked.

Tom had been incredibly tight-lipped the night before.

“Just a few sensation-based things, love. Hair pulling, spanking,” Harry’s eyes lit up at that one, “some blinded stuff. Nothing big, yet. Nothing that needs a bed or any of our equipment.”

Tom beckoned Neville closer. “Sit beside me, opposite the side with Harry, as your focus will be on me first.”

Neville nodded and sat beside him, stiff and nervous.

“Now, to ease you into things, I will explain how this goes. For most of these things, I will not be asking you to defer to me verbally; that is, you won’t have to call me Sir like Harry does—and will also be using for you, as I won’t have him calling anyone else anything higher, like Master or the like. You will be Sir to him, and you will make your peace with that.” Tom added sternly.

“Of course! Honestly, we might even have trouble with that much.” Neville admitted.

Tom shot Harry a look. “Oh, you probably will, Harry has a bit of a bratty streak that likes to push the envelope sometimes. If he tries, he will be punished for it.”

Harry’s eyes gleamed.

“You’ll need a safeword.” Tom told him, and Neville nodded.

“I’ve done my research, and I’d like to use aconite for a pause and mandrake for a stop.”

Harry snorted.

“Oh, like Sirius and Snape were so much better.” Tom shot back. “By the way, we’ve switched to yellow being his pause and red being his stop.” Tom’s eyes flashed. “If you ignore them, your life is forfeit. Safewords are to be taken seriously, here and now, and always and everywhere.”

Neville nodded solemnly, secure in the fact that if Tom took them that seriously and he really started having a problem, he had an out.

“First off, I am going to show you what hair-pulling feels like. Harry likes this very much, and I will show you his levels and then you may try them for yourself. Be careful not to pull too hard.” He slid a hand into Neville’s hair and fisted it. “He will enjoy himself, and he’ll hiss in through his teeth.” He pulled tighter and continued, “That is not his safeword, and it is not him being uncomfortable. It is him surrendering to sensation. Keep going.” Tom began tugging hard, now, and Neville’s eyes closed against the sting. “Harry can take quite a bit. I’ll finish this, so focus on how hard I yank this time, because I’m going to push you all the way to Harry’s limit in one brief second. It will hurt, Harry is a bit of a painslut in this.”

Neville nodded, and Tom yanked, then let go abruptly. “Fuck!” Neville yelped, and Harry grinned.

“What, don’t like it?” He teased.

Neville glowered at him, rubbing his scalp and glaring across Tom at Harry. “Oh, you’re in for it now.” He said darkly, and Tom tapped him sharply on the nose.

“No. Personal feelings never enter into a scene. You never do anything out of revenge or ill-will. Or you’ll earn a punishment. From me. You would not like that, I promise you.” He warned.

Neville nodded wordlessly.

“The first rule of being a good dominant is this: you are in control. In control of the situation, in control of the other party’s actions in most cases, but most importantly, you are in control of yourself. You must weigh every word, every action,” Tom reached out to cup his face, “every caress with the utmost care. Your job is to enhance pleasure, for your sub as much as for yourself, and you must ensure that you do nothing to them out of anger. If you get angry, you step away. You should, of course, tell your sub why you are stepping away, and if they are restrained in most cases you will end that—unless they request to be left and you are only taking a breather to Occlude and regain control. Either way, never act out of anger.” His fingers tightened on Neville’s face as his eyes flared red. “Because if you do, it reflects poorly on me, and I won’t stand for it.”

Neville nodded.

“Now, you will go to Harry. You will play with his hair, he likes that as much as the pulling, and you will test how you like tugging on it. You are allowed to pull as much as you want—provided you do not push his limits.”

“Which is hard to do.” Neville muttered.

“Indeed. Pushing his limits is for me to do, and if you go too far, he will safeword. If he does, do not panic. Just stop. I will not punish you for finding his limit, you will only get punished for ignoring his words.” Tom shifted to put some space between himself and Harry. “Go, have fun. This is but the first step in erotic pain.”

Neville got up and moved to sit between him and Harry. “So, this is awkward.” He muttered.

Harry chuckled. “Very.”

Neville slid his fingers into Harry’s hair and his eyes widened. “How do you keep it so soft?!” He asked in awe.

Tom snorted. “It is a very expensive conditioner Black introduced him to.”

Harry grinned widely. “Very pricey. Fifteen galleons a bottle!” He declared.

Neville’s eyes widened. “For a conditioner?!” He tugged a bit.

Harry’s eyes slid closed and he hissed in a breath through his teeth.

“Mm-hm.” He confirmed, then his eyes opened, as Neville tugged still harder.

“You’ll get nothing more out of him of any use. See that dazed look in his eyes?” Tom had leaned in and was speaking into Neville’s ear.

Neville gazed into them. “Yeah.” He said in a voice just as hushed, just as solemn.

“That’s how he looks when starting to slip into sub-space. Most dominants can’t trust another to the extent a sub will let themselves. Sub-space is like being deep in meditation, except instead of ignoring your body, you are hyper-focusing on it and the sensations you are feeling. It’s a place of intense vulnerability and trust.” Tom sighed happily. “And this is why we do what we do for our subs.” He added.

Neville nodded and tugged more.

“Mmm…” Harry gasped as the tension increased and he licked his lips.

Tom could tell he was about to safeword and poised to stop Neville—and Neville relaxed the hand in Harry’s hair at the perfect moment.

“Very good. You’re a natural at reading responses.” Tom said in approval, and Neville smiled happily.

“Now, come back to my other side.” As Neville moved, Tom turned to Harry and spoke softly. “Still with us?”

“Yes, Sir.” Harry said, with perfect diction and just a hint of breathiness.

“Good. I’m going to focus on Neville again for a bit.” He told him.

“Alright.” Harry said.

“Our next lesson will be in sensation play.” He told Neville and stood up, kneeling on the floor. “You’ll need to lie down here, and trust me for this one, as you will be blinded. Also, please remove your shirt, so that I have access to more skin.”

Neville nodded nervously, taking his shirt off and setting it aside.

Tom tapped his temple with his wand, and Harry frowned in consternation.

He hadn’t noticed, but Tom was apparently so skilled in that charm he could cast it non-verbally, and that was why he’d never caught the incantation.

That was hardly fair!

Tom smirked at Harry after catching his scowl out the corner of his eye, and Harry’s glare darkened further at his satisfied smirk. Harry crossed his arms over his chest and stuck his tongue out at Tom, and Tom laughed. “Oh, this is wonderful, Neville. Harry has just realized I am adept at a non-verbal blindness charm, and he is pouting and generally being a brat.”

Neville snorted at the mental image.

Tom waved his wand and summoned a feather. He used the top end to tickle at Neville, running it over nipples, down his stomach, and around his belly button.

Then, he turned it over. “Feathers are a good choice because they offer two contrasting sensations: a soft touch, more of a tickle, and a scraping feeling, not quite pain, but more than an itch.” He told Neville, dragging the nub up his body and making him squirm.

Then, because he was a sadist, he brought it up and poked Neville right below his nipple, chuckling as he drew it back. “And of course, you can cause a bit of pain with them, if you are so inclined, without too much risk of serious damage. Sorry about that, but you’ll be doing something similar to Harry during your turn. Don’t worry, it will be nothing Harry hasn’t already experienced.” He assured Neville, who was rubbing at the spot he’d jabbed.

“Got it.”

“I think that’s enough for you to get the point.” Tom said lightly. “It’s all about sensations and different feelings.” He tapped Neville’s temple again, and Neville caught sight of Harry’s angry pout.

He laughed.

“Fuck you, too!” Harry snapped.

“Harry, come here.” Tom said in amusement, laughing a bit.

“No!” Harry snapped, and all humour evaporated from Tom.

“What was that, love?” His tone had gone quiet and firm.

“You heard me!”

“Ten swats with the hairbrush when Neville leaves, love.”

“Ten?!” Harry yelped.

“I warned you before he came to be good this time. We don’t have time for this today. And here you are, causing trouble.” Tom said evenly.

“Sorry, Sir.” Harry said softly.

“Not yet you aren’t.” Tom said. “But you will be. After he leaves. Soon enough, you’ll be feeling your punishments from him if you test me, and trust me, as bad as mine are, you know what to expect. An unknown is worse, by far.” Tom raised his hand and beckoned him forward. “Come.”

Harry sighed and walked over to them, lying down on the opposite side of Tom after stripping off his shirt.

“Since you are familiar with everything I will be explaining to Neville today, you, my love, will be deafened, as well.”

“Yes, Sir.” Harry muttered.

“Use your words if you need them. You need not shout, we will be discussing things quietly.” Tom said, then cast a spell, and everything went black. Another spell, and Harry was plunged into a sensory void.

Gentle but firm hands guided him to lie on the floor. Tom, Harry could tell from the shape of his hands.

“Now,” Tom said, conjuring a small device that looked frankly terrifying to Neville. It was a small metal rod with a wheel on the end that was spiked, and the whole thing was made of metal.

“That looks scary.” Neville said nervously.

Tom grinned widely. “Oh, Harry loves it. Its main use is to enhance the nerve endings, it makes whatever follows it feel more intense. We use it frequently as a warm-up, and if this is not used first, he will wonder what he did wrong. This is not part of his punishment, he gets what he likes this time.” Tom told him. “It is called a Wartenburg pinwheel, and you roll it along the skin, like so.” He drew it over Neville’s arm and Neville hummed at the sensation. It, like the feather nib, was more than an itch. It was a sharp sting, but aside from making his skin tingle, it didn’t really hurt.

He handed the tool to Neville and leaned over Harry, pointing as he spoke, “You’re going to focus here, around his nipples, and around his belly button. Those are the major erogenous zones. You do, of course, want to try and sensitize everywhere you will be applying sensation, but mostly his nipples and navel will be the focus today.”

Neville placed the wheel on Harry’s areola and Harry drew in a sharp breath, then his head fell back as Neville slowly moved it. Neville carefully circled the nipple with the wheel, then drew it across the chest to repeat the process on the other one. He could see that Harry actually did like it, as his cock was starting to swell in his trousers and he squirmed a bit.

Tom placed a hand on his shoulder and Harry stilled again, and Tom smiled. “Keep going. He’s just feeling it, that’s all. He squirms in the beginning, but when I want him to still and put a hand on him to remind him, he relaxes again. Keep in mind that if he gets overexcited and starts to squirm either into or away from the touch, a calm hand placed somewhere for a moment will calm him.”

Neville nodded and ran the wheel over his entire stomach, tracing a zig-zagging pattern back and forth before circling his navel—twice, because the way the muscles jumped under the wheel was gratifying.

Tom nodded as the wheel was passed back and held up a hand. “When your sub has been silent for a long while—although in this case it can be excused, since he is deafened and not one to shout in cases like that—you should remember to check that they are still responsive and aware. His ‘go’ word is ‘green,’ so that is the response we are looking for.” He quickly cancelled the deafness charm and asked, “Harry?”

“Mm, are we done?” He asked, sounding put-out.

“Not yet, just checking in. How are you doing?”

“Green, Sirs.” Harry told them.

“Very good.” Tom said. “I’m going to put the charm back on you.”

Harry nodded, and Tom recast the charm. “it’s simple to ask, and will reassure you that everything is going well when the scene can be high-stress, or high-intensity.”

Neville nodded.

“Next,” Tom conjured a long, thin ice cube. “we are going to play with alternating hot and cold.” He shot a look to Neville. “This is one of few times I will let you put your mouth on Harry, do not abuse the privilege.”

“My mouth?” Neville asked.

Tom handed over the ice cube. “Use this first, he will startle and may even try to sit up, because he will know what is coming and may assume I will kill you over this. I will not, but he knows me well, and this will irritate me. I am letting it go because the experience will be important for you to understand how hot and cold should be used to do it properly.”

Neville’s eyes were wide. “So…?”

“Use the ice on his nipple, to draw it into a hard little peak. Then the other. Once they have been chilled and are hard, you apply your mouth—which is the hottest part of your body aside from the intimate areas—to the area and warm it again. I’d suggest not using your teeth on his nipple—while he likes it, it will severely upset me—and just use your tongue to soothe it and heat it back up.” He levelled a stern glare as Neville began to run the ice around Harry’s nipple. “We will be doing this once and only once!”

Harry sucked in a sharp breath and shifted, and Tom laid a soothing hand over his abdomen. Harry stilled, breathing growing heavier in anticipation.

Neville swallowed as he cooled the next nipple, then handed over the ice.

Tom banished it as Neville lowered his mouth to Harry’s nipple and closed his mouth over it.

Harry tensed and actually squeaked, and Neville noticed Tom grabbing his hand and holding it.

Neville quickly warmed one nipple, then the next, and Harry said, loudly since he was deafened, “I can’t believe you actually let Neville do that!”

Tom chuckled and simply squeezed Harry’s hand before releasing it.

“One more implement, and then we will take a break for Harry to calm himself.” Tom said. He conjured a feather duster. “He will recognize this as the cool-down, so you will be using it after you get a feel for how sensitive his nipples are right now. He is not anticipating nipple play, and we will not be using any clamps or the like today, but I want you to try touching them and squeezing them to see how he reacts. You will get a feel, that way, for the types of people who will be most receptive to nipple clamps and items like them. Harry’s reactions are a good level to look for.”

Neville nodded.

“Go ahead, touch him.”

Neville reached out and ran his fingers over them, and Harry jerked and gasped. In the quiet of the room the sound was almost over-loud.

Neville pinched one, and Harry moaned, offering his chest up for more. Neville quickly repeated the process with the other one and rolled it between his finger.

“See how he arches into it? I did tell you he was sensitive there.” Tom said. “Now, take this and run in up and down his chest. That is the signal his body will recognize as an end for this session. We will take a quick break, and then you will get to try your hand with spanking.” Tom smirked. “After a quick demonstration, of course.”

Neville nodded and took the duster, running it over Harry slowly, and Harry relaxed and the tent in his trousers noticeably decreased, albeit not completely.

“See how he is calming? He has been trained exceptionally well to pull himself mostly out of the lesser types of sub-space, and this allows his head to clear and he will be fine, although rather cuddly, in just a minute or two. After the spanking, I will teach you some of my methods for aftercare, although they are usually a very personal choice for each dominant to choose for themselves.”

Neville nodded and Harry’s breathing had gone back to normal, rather than the calm, heavy breathing he had been doing. He handed back the duster.

Tom removed the charms and Harry sat up, blinking blearily.

“All good?” Tom asked.

“Yeah. What’s next?” He asked, leaning toward Tom, who granted the requested kiss.

“Now, we’re going to break for tea. Then, we will be doing spanking and after that, I will be showing Neville what we do after the lighter scenes to ease you back into normality.” He told his mate.

“Mm, alright. Can I sit on your lap?”

Tom smiled. “Of course you may, love.” He said.

Chapter Text

Harry wriggled a bit on Tom’s lap, and the man responded by wrapping an arm tightly around his waist. “Don’t tempt me, or we’ll have to send Neville away early. And then the only spanking you’ll be getting will be your punishment.” He warned.

Harry stilled, and calmly drank his tea.

“As far as spanking is concerned, there is no way to avoid this being somewhat sexual—not if you want to get the full experience, and training properly is always important.” Tom told Neville.

Neville nodded and took a sip of his tea.

“To that effect, both you and Harry are going to strip off your clothes at the same time, so you are on an even footing while I show you what to do. Harry is prepared to be seen, he knows what this will entail, and you’re going to have to get over your shyness around him, since he’s going to be the one you will undoubtedly bungle things up with at least once. You both need to be comfortable enough with each other that you can get over any slip-ups.” Tom said firmly.

Neville blanched. “Yes, but... you’re going to spank me bare?” He squeaked.

“You were entertaining the notion that seeing what my ministrations were doing to you was not of import?” Tom replied in the same questioning tone, taking a sip of tea.

“I... I assumed... I thought you’d just know if you were leaving marks.” Neville mumbled, staring down into his cup.

Tom set his down. “No.” He answered flatly. “I will not know unless I can see your skin, and it is important that I see what I am doing to your skin for two reasons. One: I need to know that you are not going to be walking funny once you go home. No bruising can be left behind that will leave you wincing or otherwise in pain during normal, everyday things. Two: my implements have been known to break the skin. On occasion.” He added, and Neville blanched. “Due to the nature of bodily fluids such as blood being such a biohazard, Harry and I have a rule. My implements will only be used to draw blood on him. No one else’s blood may contact our canes, whips, floggers, any implement we choose to use. They will never be wielded against anyone else hard enough to draw blood. If I can’t see the marks, I may draw blood without knowing I am doing so. We will avoid that.”

Neville licked his lips as he considered that. “Well, I suppose that’s okay, then. I’m not really into pain.”

Tom smirked. “Ah, but Harry is, and remember I will be showing you what he likes before you touch him.”

Neville nodded. “How much will it hurt?”

“That depends on what you want to spank him with. Definitely hands, that is always the best place to start. But after that, are you interested in trying out any tools?” Tom asked. “I have been working him up to a proper caning, though he is not quite ready for a complete session in that, he has some trauma we are currently working him past. You’d have to be gentle with that. He does like the paddle I got him a few months ago, and it will not draw blood at all.” Tom smirked. “What are you willing to feel for the chance to use them yourself?” He challenged.

Neville let out a breath and set down his cup. “Hands.” He said calmly, then proved he was a Gryffindor by adding, “And the paddle.”

Tom smirked. “Remember that my Harry is a painslut.” He gently reminded Neville, carding a hand fondly through Harry’s hair as he spoke.

Neville nodded once, jerkily. “I can take it.” He said firmly.

“I don’t doubt you can, but you most likely will not like it half as much as he does.” Tom patted Harry’s cheek. “Up, love, and clothes off.”

Harry got up and quickly stripped, and Neville couldn’t help but stare at him, completely nude and unashamed, as Tom cleared his throat.

“You, too, Neville. I won’t spank you through clothes.”

Neville stripped, flushing and slowly undressing.

“Come now, we’re all men here.” Tom stood and went to open the bedroom door. He stuck out his hand and there was the sound of something flying through the air before Harry heard something solid connect with his palm, and his cock gave an eager twitch.

Neville snorted, and Harry shot him a grin. “What? I’m going to enjoy this.” He said with relish.

Neville turned and the smile dropped off his face as he caught sight of what Tom held in his hand.

The paddle was large enough to completely cover an entire buttock, and was thick, too.

It looked like it was going to hurt.

And Harry was grinning manically, eyes lit in anticipation, he noted as he glanced behind himself to check.

Merlin, what have I gotten myself into?! He thought frantically.

“Your words?” Tom prompted him, and Neville remembered with relief that he had an out if he needed it.

“Aconite and mandrake.” Neville reminded both Tom and himself.

“Perfect. Use them if you must. But do try not to, this is important.”

Neville nodded, nervously eyeing the paddle.

Tom smirked. “You’ll be getting one swat with this, and Harry has a maximum of five. He may beg for more, you will not give in. I push his limits, not you.”

Neville nodded, and Tom sat down, laying the paddle aside and motioning for Neville to lie across his lap.

Neville went over and cautiously arranged himself facedown over Tom’s knees.

“Now,” Tom ran a hand over his arse soothingly. “This will be your first foray into impact play. As such, you are given a maximum of twenty swats with hands, and five with the paddle, and Harry will safeword if you are too... enthusiastic for him. You are free to safeword, but you will take at least five swats, even if you safeword before that, so I can show you where Harry’s limit is before you go over and start walloping him. You will also get a required swat with the paddle before you may use it on him. It hurts, it is perfectly acceptable to shed some manly tears of pain; we will never discuss it.”

Neville took a deep breath and nodded.

“Should he count, love?” Tom asked.

Harry cocked his head. “No. He’s probably going to have a hard enough time as it is.” He said.

“I agree, your usual won’t be to his liking at all.” Tom laid a firm swat on Neville’s arse and he twitched.

“That’s not so bad.” He said in surprise.

Tom chuckled. “No, because that was a test. Now, we begin.” He laid a hard swat on Neville’s left cheek, and Neville yelped.

“Fuck!”

Tom chuckled. “That’s what Harry likes. He can go much further than that, though. That is his warm-up standard. This is what he really enjoys.” He said, then laid three punishing swats on Neville’s arse, alternating sides, watching at the skin quickly pinked under his hands.

Neville was breathing raggedly.

“Two more, I think, as hard as you should go with him. Brace yourself, this will hurt.” Tom warned.

Neville took a deep breath and Tom moved to his sit-spots, slapping them hard and drawing shouts from Neville’s mouth.

Harry was smiling eagerly.

Tom gently rubbed the globes and soothed them, then picked up the paddle. “If that was that intense for you, I’m only going to give you one swat with this, and you will be thankful for that once you feel it.” He told Neville.

Neville was grimacing and honestly, might have decided to rethink most of his life choices up to that point. He wasn’t going to back out, though.

Tom brought the paddle down, the wood connecting with a loud crack, and Neville arched back and screamed. “Fuck! Oh, fuck, ow!”

Tom snorted. “Definitely not a painslut.” He muttered. “You did well.”

“Fuck!” Neville responded.

“Indeed.” Tom agreed. “I’ve used spells on those to test them on myself, and the spells I made sure were not forgiving, because I have a heavy hand by nature, and I wanted the proper experience.”

Neville hissed in a breath as Tom leaned over his back and drew something out of the end table’s drawer.

“Don’t move, I’m going to use a healing balm on you.” Tom warned him before smoothing a cool cream over Neville’s red arse.

Neville sighed in relief.

Harry was watching suspiciously. “You’re not going to heal me, are you?” He asked.

“Not even a bit. You’ll keep your marks and be thankful for them.” Tom told him firmly, and Harry brightened.

Tom let Neville up and smiled. “Some redness in the face, but no tears. You did very well.” He commended him.

Neville grinned back. “You’re a sadist, indeed.”

Tom shrugged. “Harry likes it.” He said. “Sit down.” He patted the spot beside him. “Harry, come over here, across his lap, head in between us.”

Harry took the requested position and wriggled. “Spank me, please, Sir!” He said.

Neville chuckled. “This is strange.” He muttered, then raised his hand.

“Twenty, then five with the paddle. Harry, you will count for him, so he doesn’t get carried away and give you too many.” Tom instructed.

“Yes, Sir.”

“I usually have him kiss my palm before I spank him with my hand; if that interests you, I will let you do the same. Just give him your palm in front of his face and he’ll kiss it before you use it on him.”

Neville flushed a bit, but brought his hand back down and held it in front of Harry’s face.

Harry stretched forward and kissed the palm with warm and soft lips, eyes closing and a look of eager anticipation on his face.

“Ready? What is your colour, love?”

“Green, Sir. Please.” Harry responded.

Tom nodded to Neville, and the first strike was laid on Harry’s arse, and he gasped.

“One, Sir! Thank you, Sir!”

Neville gasped at the ‘thank you’ and closed his eyes. “Merlin, that’s hot.” He muttered to himself.

Tom smirked and leaned back, crossing his legs at the ankles. “Isn’t it? He’ll show proper gratitude even if you turn him black and blue, because truly, that’s what he wants. Hit him harder.” He invited.

Neville laid three more swats on Harry, each one harder than the last, and Tom carded a hand through Harry’s hair as he told Neville, “Keep up with that strength if you intend to give him the full twenty. That last swat was his personal sweet spot. Aim for the bottom of his buttocks, that’ll get you the best results. Much more of a tender spot there.”

Neville nodded, and the next three swats landed on Harry’s sit-spots and he shifted and mewled a bit.

“Ask him his colour.” Tom whispered to Neville.

Neville cleared his throat. “Colour?” He asked, the same way Tom had.

“Green, Sir! Please Sir, green!”

Tom smiled and nodded to Neville. “Keep going. His voice sounds lovely when he slips under, doesn’t it? He gets so needy.”

Neville swallowed and nodded, cock swelling to quite a painful state, and he was glad Harry was laid over it, but he fully expected to die once Harry got to his feet again, and was trying to stifle his arousal to no effect.

He finished laying his allowed twenty swats, then Tom nodded and passed over the paddle. “Harry. Open.”

Harry opened glazed eyes and saw that the paddle was being held in front of his face. He let out a long breath, and Neville wasn’t sure if it was a sigh of relief that he was not done yet, or a sigh of, ‘I’m going to die.’ He supposed it was probably the former, because if he was hard, Harry was about to explode. Harry leaned forward and kissed the paddle.

“Five swats.” Tom said. “Colour for that?”

Harry wriggled, rutting against Neville’s cock, and Neville felt his face flush. “Green, Sir, please!” Harry moaned, pressing his arse upwards for Neville to hit him.

Neville cleared his throat. “What if I hit him too hard?” He asked in worry.

“Then he will use his colours, and you will stop. But I don’t think you will, he can take fifteen swats with that from me, and you are being much more gentle with him than I am.” Tom told him.

Neville nodded and brought down the paddle with a loud crack and Harry arched back and gasped, then shouted, “One , Sir! Thank you, Sir!”

Tom smiled widely. “Oh, you’ve a good swing with that. Keep going, you may get tears, but those are also not his words, and it doesn’t mean stop. It’s a cathartic release only, and he’ll let you know if it’s too much with his colours. He’s a good boy.”

Neville nodded and laid four more loud swats on Harry’s arse, Harry profusely thanking him for each one, and a few tears had appeared, clinging to his lashes, and Tom nodded. “That was very well done.” He told Neville.

“Next, I will show you what to do to draw your submissive gently out of sub-space, and you have to do it every time, to avoid sub-drop. It is very real, and can be quite distressing. A good Dom will be careful about taking care of their submissive properly.”

Tom gently urged Harry out of Neville’s lap and noticed how hard they both were.

“Well, I suppose you’d have to be made of stone for that not to have affected you. Take care of that once you’re home, and try not to think of Harry.” Tom requested, and Neville nodded.

Tom called an elf. “Get me one of the bottles of water from the cold cupboard.” He ordered.

The elf popped away at once.

Chapter Text

Tom took the cool bottle of water from the elf when it popped back in.

“All subs are different.” He said, taking off the cap and handing it over to Harry. “Some want to do what they can for themselves, and will get offended by you doing things like opening a water bottle for them, or helping them walk. Harry gets irritable frequently as he comes out, but he allows pampering to some extent, as he is quite useless right after a scene.”

Harry glared at him with the water bottle still at his lips, and kicked him with a bare foot in retaliation.

“See?” Tom said happily to Neville, who laughed.

“The only way to know what your sub will expect and like is to try them out with several different things.” Tom pulled Harry into his lap and cuddled him close. “Harry is very much a cuddler, and that is one of the things we do.” He leaned in and murmured, “You did very well, I am very proud of you.” Harry hummed and smiled. “He also very much likes praise, and in my opinion, with his past, can definitely stand to hear more of it.”

Neville nodded in agreement.

Tom ran a hand through Harry’s hair. “Water or juice is a good way to ease them gently out, some need reassurance or cuddles, and some just want to be drawn a warm bubble bath and washed like their dominant cares about them—which you do, never take a sub you don’t intend to feel for. They deserve better than callousness.”

Neville’s eyes widened. “I don’t ever plan to!” He said.

“Even if it is a one-time arrangement, if you cannot care for the submissive’s comfort, call it off before you touch them.” Tom repeated.

Neville nodded. “Yes, Sir.” He said obediently.

“Now, aside from being the best way to avoid sub-drop, and the other side, Top-drop, aftercare is also a good bonding experience for a dominant and submissive. Usually right after a scene, the body will be releasing a ridiculous amount of endorphins, and during the scene, the submissive, if properly in sub-space, will be releasing many chemicals, including oxytocin, which is the same thing released by animals when you pet them and babies when being held by a parent. It is known by Muggles as the ‘bonding chemical,’ and before you ask, yes, wixen produce it too, every animal and human being, as well as most creatures, release the same chemicals. The submissive will experience an adrenaline rush, a dopamine rush—that’s the chemical that causes euphoria and that gratification you get from a particularly satisfying scene—and also the rush of oxytocin. If you spend time in bodily contact with them while their body is still riding that rush of chemicals, you will deepen the emotional connection between you two. This is why I will be handling his aftercare, and am merely explaining it to you.” His eyes hardened. “I’m not letting you cuddle Harry while he is so chemically open, all of the clinginess he feels is for me, and I am possessive.”

Neville nodded with a grin. “Yes, and dangerous when you think your position is threatened.” He snorted. “Harry didn’t have nearly as many suitors pining after him before you had him claimed properly.”

Tom’s eyes narrowed, and he used a finger to turn Harry’s head to face him. “Did you have lovesick suitors following you around last year, love?”

Harry snorted and leaned in to place a quick kiss on his lips. “They weren’t man enough for me.” He grinned. //I demand two cocks, and none of them had that.// He replied in parseltongue.

Tom smirked in satisfaction. “Oh, very good answer.” He praised. “I’m sure had you not been firmly married, I would have noticed better. I stopped looking once we were sharing my rooms.”

Harry buried his face in the crook of Tom’s neck and laid an open-mouthed kiss on the skin there.

“I need to take Neville home, my little limpet.”

“He should shower first.” Harry muttered, tightening his limbs around Tom.

Tom sighed heavily. “Neville, Harry will not let you leave in that state. Go shower, take care of your problem, and then I will take you home.”

Neville nodded.

“The shower is through that door.” Tom pointed behind Neville, and Neville grabbed his clothing and darted into the room.

“You’re a menace.” Tom muttered.

“Yes, well, I wanted to talk to you. When did the paddle end up in here? It’s usually in our room.”

Tom smirked. “You’re going to get yourself into trouble asking that.”

“But you’ll answer.” Harry said, nipping his shoulder with sharp teeth.

“I moved it, and the cane, and the salve here in preparation for today. And no, this room will not be allowing you in again now that you know that, lest you spoil the surprise. I’m afraid I will be warding it specifically against you in the future. And don’t go looking for what is missing from the playroom or the bedroom either. I will be cross.”

Harry hummed and licked over the spot he’d bit. “Alright.” He said evenly. He shifted. “My bum stings.”

Tom snorted. “Would you like me to heal it?”

“No, I like it.” Harry told him.

“I thought you would.” Tom said, nuzzling him with a smile.

They cuddled until Neville came out, dry and dressed. “I’m ready to head home.”

Harry got up and stretched. “I’m going to go get a shower in our bathroom while you’re taking him home, Tom. Feel free to join me when you get home.”

Tom grinned. “Oh, I intend to.” He said, then stood as well. “Come on, Neville, I’ll bring you home.”

Neville waved to Harry and Harry waved back, and then with a crack, they were gone.

Harry headed up to their rooms. He got into the shower and started it, and as he washed his hair, there was another crack, and Tom was in the bathroom.

“That was fast.”

“I sung his praises a little bit, and Augusta lapped it up. She’s very proud of what he can do.” He noticed the sound of scratching coming from the door and opened it, and Salazar came in, mewing at Harry.

Harry laughed and stuck his hand out of the water-repelling charm, flicking water droplets at the cat, who gave him a look of absolute betrayal and darted over to the door to hide behind it.

Tom snorted. “That was rude.” He chided, undressing and getting in.

Harry laughed again. “You let him in, I wanted him to stay in the bedroom.”

“But he loves you!” Tom protested.

“He’s your familiar!” Harry shot back.

“Only because you already have two, which is quite the limit.” Tom shot back, then added, “And how many times are we going to have this discussion, anyway?”

“As many times as it takes for you to admit that you love that cat!”

Tom smiled. “I do, he’s a sweetheart.” He kissed Harry then added, “Just like you.”

They quickly washed and Tom stopped Harry from dressing, leading him out into the bedroom naked instead, and Harry’s heart sank as he remembered his earlier brattiness.

“Now,” Tom began, guiding him to bend over the foot of the bed. “I believe we had an agreement.”

Harry sighed. “Yeah.”

“About you being a brat today?”

“Yes, Sir.” Harry answered glumly as Tom walked away from him and came back, and there was the sound of a very familiar implement striking his palm in a steady cadence.

“What was the exact agreement, can you remind me?”

“I’d be good. The whole time Neville was here. And not mouth off or get bratty in front of him.” Harry repeated in dread.

“Or...?”

Harry relaxed his upper half into the bed in resignation. “Or I’d get the hairbrush.”

“Indeed.” Tom said. “And guess what I hold in my hand?” He asked, and Harry knew the question was rhetorical, but he answered anyway, as he always did.

“An Order of Merlin, First-Class?” He quipped this time, cheerfully, then yelped as the brush caught him on his already-tender sit-spot.

“Not quite. Are we going to add on a few more, or do you want to move on without smart remarks?” Tom asked sharply.

“I’ll be good.”

Another swat hit him, and he hissed in a breath, and added, “Sir.”

“Good. What are your punishment rules?”

Harry, familiar with them by now, rattled them off, “Count them, I get ten for brattiness, is that all, Sir?”

“Yes, unless, your mouth keeps running. The previous two do not count.” Tom answered shortly.

Harry nodded, then continued, “I can’t safeword unless it is red and I truly can’t take it, punishments are meant to be unpleasant. I will not enjoy this. After this, the infraction will be forgiven and will become water under the bridge.”

Tom nodded. “Indeed.” He agreed. “Ready?”

Harry pressed himself more fully into the bed. “Yes, Sir.”

Tom brought the brush down.

“Ah! One, Sir! Thank you, Sir!” Harry hissed in a breath at the end, but it was cut off by a yelp as the second blow hit his other side, and he kept counting, Tom making sure he was kept busy keeping up as they both wanted to be done with the unpleasant part and move onto the post-scene sex Tom knew Harry wanted from him.

Tom had never left him high and dry after a spanking, after all.

Tom finished up the punishment and walked over to lay the brush on the desk where it usually sat.

“Are you alright?” He asked, running a hand over Harry’s reddened and slowly purpling bum.

“If you’re asking if I’m up for being soundly fucked, your answer is yes, Sir.” Harry replied cheekily.

Tom laughed. “On the bed, or over the end of the bed?”

“Can I be on top?” Harry asked.

“In which way?” Tom asked, taking the hint and getting on the bed.

“Oh, I’m not looking to fuck you, though thank you for letting me do that for Easter, that was nice.” Harry said lightly. “No, I want to ride you.”

Tom grinned and reclined against the pillows as Harry crawled toward him. “Oh, I’m always up for that.” He purred.

Harry climbed into his lap and grabbed his wand from the bedside table where he’d left it, and cast a quick lubrication and stretching charm on himself, then grabbed Tom’s cock and positioned him.

“No fingers?” Tom asked, fingers tightening on his hips.

“I really want to feel it.” Harry told him, and Tom let his eyes close as his head fell back with a whispered, “Go ahead, then.”

Harry lowered himself and they both moaned lowly, Tom’s fingers clenching on Harry’s hips and Harry feeling the burn of Tom’s girth stretching him wide.

Salazar jumped onto the bed with a mew, and Harry laughed. “Your cat is a voyeur.” He said.

“Like that’s anything new.” Tom replied, then swatted Harry’s arse, earning a yelp. “Keep moving.”

“Don’t spank me, I’m going to be black and blue tomorrow!” Harry admonished him.

Tom snorted. “You’ll like it.” He muttered.

“Are you forgetting that Minerva and Sirius are coming tomorrow?”

“Oh, fuck, yeah, that was tomorrow. To plan your birthday!”

“And I have to sit for that.” Harry spat, then bowed back as his prostate was hit.

Tom nodded. “I can heal it.”

Harry scowled. “I don’t want you to!”

Tom gasped and thrust up. “They’ll think I’m beating you!”

Harry moaned loudly, then shivered and replied, “Well, you are!” Then added, “Pretty routinely, too!”

“You beg me to!” Tom shouted, eyes closed tightly and face reddening as he neared his peak.

Harry, too, was drawing close, and as he felt his release bearing down on him he asked, “Should we tell them?”

Tom came with a shout at the thought, and grabbed Harry’s cock, bringing him off quickly, then muttered with a weak laugh, “As amusing as Sirius’ face would be, Minerva would be outraged. We’d best not.”

Harry snorted. “You’re no fun.” He muttered.

Chapter Text

Harry was blindfolded—and fairly disgruntled about it, clearly—when Tom brought Neville into the house, appearing in the hallway a few feet away from a scowling and sightless Harry.

“I hate this thing.” Was the first thing he said once he heard them arrive, and Neville laughed.

Tom smiled. “Well, you were good while I got everything checked over, and Neville is here now, you can take it off.”

Harry slipped the black cloth off his eyes, blinking as his eyes adjusted.

Tom smiled and opened a door, waving them in.

There was a big, wooden X in the centre of the room, big enough for a person to be strapped to, and indeed, there were spots to attach cuffs at each of the end points, so Neville was quite sure that’s exactly what it was for.

Harry’s eyes lit up and he took a few steps toward it, breathing a happy, “Oooh!”

Tom chuckled. “Yes, love, today we will be teaching Neville about flogging. I trust you will enjoy this lesson very much.” He turned to Neville. “Harry is quite fond of this activity, so...” His eye twitched as he heard rustling behind him. “Harry, you’d better not be getting ahead of us here.”

Harry hurriedly began putting his shirt back on. “No, I’m waiting!” He denied.

Tom sighed. “I don’t believe that at all. Anyway,” He shook his head. “You will be given a brief introduction, but the flogger you will be using is one with wide straps, you will not be able to break the skin unless you swing very hard, and while Harry would no doubt enjoy even that, I would not, and you are to bear in mind that if you displease me, you will be getting punished, and you can ask Harry if that is something you want to risk.”

“You don’t.” Harry told him without being asked.

“Thank you, love.” Tom replied dryly. “Any questions before we begin?”

Neville cleared his throat. “Can I keep my pants on for this?”

Tom shook his head. “Nope, everything off, just like last time.”

Neville sighed in resignation.

“Come, now, Harry was starting to strip before I even explained today’s plan, it can’t be that bad if he’s so eager, right?” Tom asked lightly.

“Oh, no, it must be great and wonderful if the painslut likes it.” Neville shot back.

Tom coughed. “I get your meaning.” He said. “This is not as intense as the paddle, I will promise you that.”

Neville nodded and began undressing.

Tom smiled and, without turning, said, “Yes, love, you may get undressed too now.”

Harry’s shirt and trousers quickly flew past his head and Neville get smacked in the face with flying wool.

Tom laughed and then asked, “Could you avoid hitting our guest with flying clothing? I don’t think he appreciates your enthusiasm as much as I do.”

Neville shot a glare at Harry, who grinned back over Tom’s shoulder. “Sorry!” He said happily, sounding anything but.

Tom went over to the door leading to the guest bedroom and opened it, then stuck his hand in and wordlessly summoned the flogger. He drew it out and Neville paled.

“It’s not that bad.” Harry assured him earnestly. “It’s less painful then the spanking, honest. It just looks intimidating.”

Tom held out his other hand and a set of cuffs—leather and lined on the insides with fur—flew into his hand.

Neville took a deep breath.

Tom turned back and saw his fear. “Your words?” He checked again.

“Aconite and mandrake, and honestly, I may need them tonight.” Neville said in a tight voice.

Tom smiled. “You won’t. This is much milder than a whip, trust me. I’m not out to hurt you, either. I am a sadist, yes, but in this, I am not looking to indulge that side of me. If I wanted to cause pain, I’d be using this on Harry, who likes that. Not you.”

Neville nodded and took a deep breath. “Alright.”

Tom came up to him and ran the flogger over his arm. “It’s soft leather, no need to worry.”

“Yeah, well, I’m more worried about Harry’s limit with that thing.”

Tom smiled. “Ah. Well, yes, he likes it hard, but you will be fine. If you get any marks, I will heal them before you go home. Pain is only temporary here.” He led Neville over to the wooden X. “This is called a St. Andrew’s Cross, and we will most likely use it more than once.” He explained. “I’m going to cuff you to it, so your hands and feet don’t move, because Harry will also be cuffed.”

Neville grimaced as his hands and feet were spread and cuffed to the corners, leaving him unable to get away from the flogger. “I hate this already.” He decided, flushing.

Harry shrugged. “I like it.”

“Yes, well, you’re a bit of a—” He cut himself off, remembering Harry’s reaction from first year when Ron had jokingly called him a freak and Harry had shut down for the whole day, and changed his words to, “Painslut.”

Tom leaned against him, outwardly checking his cuffs, and whispered, “Good save. Don’t let it happen again.”

Neville nodded vigorously.

“Don’t bind too tightly, the sub needs to have proper circulation, at all times.” Tom continued at a normal volume. “These cuffs are perfect for Harry, but a bit tight for you. I’ll buy a size up and the one after, one of them will fit perfect.”

Neville nodded as Tom knelt and began cuffing his feet.

“Now, I am going to warm you up, and then we’ll do a few different strengths, and I’ll show you what Harry likes best. Remember to pay attention.”

Neville nodded, and the first strike fell over his back. “Oh!” He said in surprise.

“Yes, it’s not bad.” Tom agreed, speeding up to his usual pace and letting the strikes fall gently, but with a little bit of a slap as they hit Neville’s skin. “This is a good warm-up for Harry, so this is where you will start.” He said, the strikes falling harder and Neville tugging at the cuffs.

“This is very nerve-wracking.”

Tom let the next strike fall harder, and Neville yelped.

“Pay attention, I’m not doing this for my health!” Tom snapped, and added, “This is what Harry likes best, so this is the strength you’ll go for, and I will call it off when it looks like you’re tiring, so just keep going and let Harry enjoy himself today. We have a full three hours, we don’t need to use all of it, but if we do, it’s not the end of the world.”

Harry grinned widely and Neville hissed in through his teeth.

“This last one is where Harry’s limit lies.” Tom brought down the flogger hard, and Neville jumped as much as he could in the restraints and shouted. “You shouldn’t hit him that hard,” Tom added, “but you can get up to it. He can take a lot, so don’t stop unless you hear yellow or red. You probably won’t find a limit today, but just in case, remember them.”

Neville nodded, wincing as Tom uncuffed him and rubbed his wrists a bit.

“Get your blood going properly while I get Harry settled, and then you’ll get the nice flogger and get to wield it.” He instructed.

Neville rubbed his wrists while Tom got Harry situated and then was handed the flogger.

“Warm him up first, but then you can go to town. Harry will definitely slip under from this, and you’ll get to read his responses while under the thrall of sub-space. Don’t worry if he seems a little out-of-it, he’s supposed to if you do this right.”

Neville nodded and went up to Harry. He glanced at Tom and mimed kissing the flogger, and Tom nodded with a smile.

Neville walked over to stand beside Harry’s head and raised the handle of the flogger up.

Harry smiled widely and kissed it, eyes holding Neville’s in silent challenge.

Neville grinned back; it was a challenge he was going to eagerly accept.

He went back behind Harry and raised the flogger. “Colour to start?” He checked.

“Mm, green, Sir.” Harry’s voice was eager, but the tone was a clear warning that he wasn’t going to make this easy.

Tom smiled. If Harry was planning on fighting sub-space, it would at least give Neville a good crash course in dealing with a headstrong sub, and he’d need that experience, too. Tom hadn’t planned on that lesson coming this early, but since it was here, he supposed now was as good a time as any.

Neville raised the flogger and brought it down, and Harry let out a sharp breath, then moaned under his breath.

Neville set a steady pace, letting the flogger fall against Harry’s back in a soothing cadence. He gradually built up his swing to where Tom had told him Harry liked it best and got into a good rhythm.

Harry was breathing heavily, but his eyes were still open, even if they were a little dazed.

“Colour?” He checked, not pausing.

“Mmh, green, green, if you stop now I’ll kill you!” Harry shouted.

Neville snorted. “Aren’t we confident? I’m barely getting started.” He said conversationally.

“Talk is cheap. Put your money where your mouth is.” Harry managed, but his words were just starting to slur together.

Neville turned to Tom with a question in his eyes and Tom smirked, then gave him one, slow nod of permission.

Neville’s eyes lit up and he started bringing the flogger down just a little harder.

Harry cried out and his hands curled into fists, scrabbling at the cross.

Tom held back his laugh. Harry never could resist that tempo and force after a good warm-up, and Neville was really finding his sweet spot, as well. He wasn’t tiring yet, and seemed to be having just as much fun as Harry was.

Harry groaned, Tom recognizing the sound as his admission of defeat and his eyes fluttered closed as his head fell forward, hitting the cross with a soft ‘thunk.’

Tom walked up and whispered to Neville, “Colours.”

Neville smiled. “Colour now?” He teased.

“Green.” Harry slurred, voice gone breathy and distant, and Neville’s eyebrows rose.

Tom smiled and said softly, “Sub-space,” in explanation. He stepped back and let Neville resume.

Neville seemed to falter a bit, and Harry made an aggravated little half-growl until Neville rallied and continued at the speed and strength he’d just been using, and Harry let out a little contented sigh and relaxed into his bonds, letting the cross take most of his weight.

Tom watched them, Neville really getting into it and Harry going absolutely boneless under his effort and smiled. This was a good thing. If nothing else, he was doing a good deed for a Gryffindor, and one of his mate’s good friends, besides.

“Colour for harder?” Neville asked.

“Mm?” Harry shifted a bit, and Tom raised his hand, but Neville had already stopped at the non-answer.

“Harry?” Neville checked again. “Colour for harder?”

Harry nodded, slowly as though he was dizzy, and slurred, “G’een, Sir.”

Tom came over to whisper, “A few more. Count out twenty, then start a cool-down to bring him out slowly.”

Neville nodded. “But harder is okay?”

Tom smirked viciously. “Was he lucid enough to call you Sir?” He shot back in answer, and Neville shrugged, and turned back, hitting him harder, counting them out to himself, and then easing off.

Harry slowly came back to himself and opened his eyes to find Neville slowly running the flogger over his back, and scowled. “That w’s not fair.” He muttered, shifting in his bonds.

Neville shrugged and set the flogger aside. “It was your Sir’s suggestion. Well, most of it, at least.”

Harry turned his glare on Tom as Tom motioned for Neville to uncuff him.

“You liked it.” Tom said lightly.

“Rude.” Harry muttered.

Neville got Harry uncuffed and led him over to Tom.

Tom sat and called an elf for some water, then told Neville, “Shower, we’ll take care of any marks before I take you home. First I have to make sure Harry comes out completely.”

Neville nodded and went into the bathroom.

Tom sat on the couch with Harry in his lap. He chuckled softly. “That was something to see.” He said.

Harry rested his cheek on Tom’s collarbone. “Was me being so bratty okay?”

“That was not you being bratty, that was a challenge, plain and simple, and I loved it. Feel free to push Neville into showing what he’s really capable of as often as you want, it drew him out really well.”

“Oh, good.” Harry yawned.

Tom snorted. “Let’s pop upstairs and get you into bed, I’ll get Neville home as soon as he gets out and join you in bed for a nap, then we can get up and have dinner.”

Harry nodded. “Nap.” He agreed.

Tom took the half-empty water bottle and capped it. “Up we get.” He Apparated to the bedroom to put his mate to bed. “I’ll be right back, I promise.”

Chapter Text

Tom led Neville and Harry into the room by the hands, both of them blinded by his spell. 

"I'm going to let Harry see first, so his reaction can set the tone." Tom said smugly. 

Neville swallowed and nodded, and after a moment's pause, he heard a delighted gasp. 

"Really?!" Harry asked eagerly. 

Tom chuckled. "Yes, love, I think he's ready."

Neville was only left wondering for a moment before the charm was removed, and he was looking at a familiar-looking cross–and the two threatening-looking whips hanging from either corner. 

His mouth dropped open and he began shaking his head. 

"I won't damage you. This is the one thing I will make sure you do not feel Harry's limits, as he likes you to draw blood." Tom leaned in and purred the last two words into Harry's ear, eliciting a full-body shiver and a dramatic dilation of his pupils. 

Neville went white as a sheet at that. 

"What I will do to you will merely be a tasting." Tom told him. "I will demonstrate what it feels like so you know what you are doing to your sub. Harry likes it hard, and what he wants would be too much for me, even, so certainly too much for you." 

Harry frowned. "He's going to hit me hard, though, right?" He asked hopefully. 

Tom glanced at Neville's face. "Well, that depends on your Sir for the night, doesn't it?" 

Harry eyed Neville hopefully. 

"I-I-I–" 

"Hit. Me. Hard. Sir." Harry pleaded. 

Tom took down one of the whips, bringing it over to Neville. He held it out. "Feel it. Assess it. It's going to be painful, yes, but remember the rule: these tools are never to contact your blood; we would have to throw them out." He trailed the whip through his opposite hand. "This one is peruvian vipertooth hide. Class A non-tradeable, and definitely obtained by poaching. I got it through the black market. It was 50 galleons." He glared defiantly at Neville and told him firmly, "We are not throwing this one away!" 

Neville relaxed a bit at that. 

"That being said, I want Harry to enjoy this. You'll have to at least give him one good wound, or he'll drop hard. His body has certain expectations by now." Tom said. 

Neville swallowed. 

“If you can't, I can help him through it, but you will try this again and again with flesh golems until you are up to par.” Tom told him. “Every Dom needs this skill.” 

Neville drew in a deep breath and nodded. “I'll do my best.” He swore. 

Tom nodded. “Alright, both of you, strip down!” 

Harry was naked in seconds, while Neville took a fair bit longer, casting suspicious glances at the whip as he carefully undressed. 

Tom led him over to the cross and as he carefully cuffed him to the corners, he reminded him, “Aconite,” and Neville nodded, murmuring, “Mandrake. Thanks. I'll try not to need them.” 

Tom nodded solemnly and stepped back several paces. There was a long, ominous silence that stretched on–until the whistle of the whip was heard. The whip landed but once, and Neville gritted his teeth, prepared for the second blow–and relaxed as a soothing healing balm was rubbed over his welt. He was uncuffed gently. 

“You did well.” Tom told him, handing over the whip to Neville. “You know what it feels like now. But Harry is a painslut. You will indulge him tonight. Your show, Sir.” 

Neville took it with a smile.

Harry was eyeing it in hunger. “I want marks.” He said flatly. 

Tom’s eyes flared red and he grinned sadistically at Neville. “You heard my little love. Bloody him.” 

Neville took the whip and guided Harry to the cross, cuffing him easily with the familiarity of use, the whip brushing against Harry's skin from time to time, making him moan and shiver. 

“You’re really worked up!” Neville said in surprise.

“Green, green, green, Sir!” Harry responded desperately. 

Neville stepped back and glanced at Tom, who inclined his head once. Neville raised the whip, and Tom came up behind him. 

“Take a step back, and I'll show you how to swing.” He said. He grasped Neville's wrist and guided his arm, showing him how to swing, how to get the whip to crack, which Neville liked, and then, once satisfied, he stepped back again. “Your show now, let's see how you fare.” He said. 

Neville came forward and raised the whip again, and brought it down on Harry's back, earning a loud moan. 

Neville stared at the welt as it raised, seeming transfixed by the sight. Then, a slow smile spread across his face. 

Tom's mouth slowly curved as he watched Neville's inner Dom finally coming to life within him. He raised the whip again, bringing it down hard, and Harry cried out as the mark crossed over the one already on him, the weals red and angry. 

Harry felt the whip come down a third time, and let himself lean against the cross, giving himself fully over to sensation. 

Neville noticed his relaxation and, without pausing or missing a beat, called out, “Colour?” 

“Green!” Harry quickly responded, eager to keep the blows coming. 

Neville did not disappoint, speeding up and raining down blows hard and fast, and Tom’s eyebrows winged up as he saw Neville putting Harry through his paces with a skill he'd never have suspected of the meek and mild Gryffindor alumnus. 

Harry's cries were reaching a pitch Tom knew as his sweet spot, and he saw a few marks split as a new welt crossed over four others. Neville somehow was reading Harry like a pro, and Tom assumed that their long association was lending them an understanding of each other's tells and mannerisms that was making things go very smoothly, indeed. 

Tom saw Neville lower the whip and step forward, and waited to see what he was doing. 

Neville buried his hand in Harry's hair and then yanked his head back–not far, but enough to be noticed–and leaned in. “How much more can you take?” He asked. 

Harry's pupils were blown and he looked like he was running purely on sensation at this point. “Green!” He gasped out. 

Neville huffed. “That wasn't the question.” He muttered, letting Harry go gently and stepping back in agitation, then running his free hand through his hair. 

Tom stepped forward from the corner of the room where he'd been observing, and told Neville, “You've run into the problem of every good Dom: it's your job to tell your sub how much they can take. I think you'll do well. But I won't tell you when or how to stop. Consider it a test.” 

Neville huffed as Tom chuckled and stepped back again. 

Neville growled, and Tom saw him take a deep breath, then felt his Occlumency kick in as he collected himself. 

He laid another five marks, hearing Harry's screams reach a new level as each new blow opened his back further. 

He lowered the whip finally, then asked Harry once more, “Colour?” 

Harry's breathed was ragged and he was crying, but he simply drew in a deep breath and said hoarsely, “Yellow.” 

Tom clapped slowly, coming forward and watching Neville uncuff Harry, then drawing the raven-haired young man into his arms. “Good job, both of you, but you especially, Neville, that was beautifully done.” He praised, and Neville beamed. 

Tom scooped Harry up bridal-style and carried him over to the chaise against the wall. He sat and leaned in for a kiss. It was wet and Harry barely responded, but this was how Tom liked him best: open and buzzing on endorphins. 

He felt along the bond and hummed happily as he felt Harry's happiness and satisfaction. Harry was sleepy, and Tom called an elf, who got him a bottle of water. He uncapped it and held it for his mate, smiling indulgently as Harry drained half of it in one go. 

Neville snorted. 

“Oh, you'll find even this endearing to no end when it's your sub.” Tom informed him. He gazed down at Harry, and Neville couldn't hold back a small smile at the utter adoration on his face for his little mate. 

“Go on and shower before dressing again, if you want. Apparate home whenever you're ready.” Tom told Neville, standing with Harry in his arms. “We're going to lie abed for a while.” He said, mostly to Harry, then left the room. 

Neville smiled and went to get dressed again. He felt more ready than ever to approach… Them. 

Chapter Text

I've been watching JK (Lady Voldemort) the past few months, and I've decided I no longer feel safe, welcomed, or even clean playing in her now-tainted sandbox, so I'm stepping away from the pit of poison and making my own box. There will be queer representation around every corner, of all kinds, there will be social commentary done the fun way as you’ve come to expect from me, there will be humor and profanity and, of course, hot and steamy (and usually kinky) sex!

So if you want to keep reading, just pop over to my new original and get a look at what I'm doing now! Once I have enough people on board, I aim to make giving you quality queer writing my day job! And for those of you who have been with me in the distant past, you already know that when I have nothing but enthusiasm and free time, I can churn out up to 4 chapters a day on my best ones!

Join me and we'll form an army of our own to fill the world with gay (both happy and homo) times and great sex, and as always, I will take suggestions and requests on board with great enthusiasm as well!

It's really a win-win-win for everyone! (Except the bigots!)

My alter, Apollo (Silver_Menace), will be continuing this work, so I won't be orphaning it, I'm just personally stepping away.