Chapter 6
“Albus those are meant for Mx. Wayne’s protection. The fact that Gildroy not only set up those wards to trap the pour thing but used sedatives to knock them out. I don’t particularly care that nothing ‘actually happened’. The pour enby is terrified that something could have. That it just wasn’t penetrate, or that he had just used hands.” Minerva glared coldly at the headmaster. “It would be reckless to think that he wasn’t capable of such a thing, after all one look at his treatment of Mr. Lupin-“
“Minerva. I am well aware that Remus was unfortunately taken advantage of during their time at school together, but I’m afraid that you are worrying yourself over nothing. Mx. Wayne may indeed be gender fluid, but that dose not change the fact that they are not, in fact, possessed of a penis.” Albus’s voice was level and Snape felt his blood run cold. “Further he has been through his mandatory therapy, he’s not a threat to any of the students or faculty.”
“Not a threat?” Snape shook his head. “He knocked a student out because they had grown uncomfortable with the situation that they found themselves in. Further it wasn’t only the male students that filed complaints if I remember correctly. A number of my female classmates, and students much younger complained about Lockheart’s illegal behavior, but it was only ever the big names that had anything done about it.”
“Severus, I’m sure if there was any proof-“
“Proof? There were dozens of complaints, or accusations.” Minerva hissed. “There was more than enough testimony and yet you did nothing about it.”
“I mandated he got therapy before he could ever return.”
“And you trust that he did?”
“Yes, I find that I quite do.” Albus nodded. “Forgive me for saying this but are you certain he’s not telling the truth?”
“Are you insinuating that Mx. Wayne; the vigilant enby they are, is lying?”
“No, I’m simply saying that they have quite the personality, don’t you think. I believe it is entirely possible that they heard what happened to Mr. Lupin years ago, and are projecting their own past trauma onto the situation.”
“That’s not the type of a disorder they have.”
“Your not implying what I think you are.” Snape glared as he realized what the man was saying.
“Mean it or not they are capable of not seeing things for how they truly are. Combined with the need to keep people safe, I wouldn’t doubt they spun things further than how they truly are thinking that they were doing a good thing.”
“Ritch coming from you.” Snape drawled. “But I can tell this is going nowhere. However, Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout have all been informed, and we agree that Alyssa should not serve any more detention with him. Exaggerated or not they fear that Lockheart is capable of assaulting them, and he had shown a comfort in touching parts of their body he was explicitly asked not to. It would be downright negligent to ignore their wishes.”
“Very will, Mx. Wayne may be excused from the remainder of their detention.” Albus gave a nod and Snape pivoted quickly. “And Severus, it would do you good not to go spreading rumors based on the word of a mentally ill child.”
“I trusted you Albus. But they really were right about you. You don’t care about what happens so long as you can reach that greater good of yours.” Despite everything Snape felt his heart break slightly. “If you’re not going to protect them, then I will.”
“Severus.”
“Use me.” he said, locking the man’s door behind him, taking a few calming breaths. “If your so down on your luck that you think that you can try to gaslight Alyssa into compliance, I’ll have you know they would much sooner kill you than ever risk letting that happen. I would sooner kill you myself if I ever thought that you would hurt that child.”
“Ah Severus. We’ve finally found someone that we both have eyes for I see.”
“Far from it you sick bastard. Alyssa is a prized student of mine, and I consider them my extended family due to Lupin accepting me into his pack. I suppose I can say I understand the bond of family that comes with that welcome.” Snape shook his head, a chill running down his spine at the moan Lockheart let out at Remus’s name. The pour man had a silver burn collared around his neck from the violent abuse the now Professor in front of him had put him through. “You mist know that I can not let you hurt any of my students, physically, emotionally-“ A second chill ran down his spine. “Sexually.”
“I would ever dream of it.”
“However, if you promise not to lay a single hand on any of them; on anyone that cannot legally consent. Then you can use my body, once a week.” Snape was speaking through clenched teeth, mind going to the trembling form of Alyssa the tears that streaked their face.
“let me get this right. In order to protect one kid, you’re willing to let me do whatever I want to your body instead?”
“Yes.”
“Only once a week? My dear Severus, you’re an attractive man but you’re not my darling Remus. Once a week is just not going to cut it.” Lockheart purred. “Once a week I can promise you I won’t touch one of yours. But that’s about it. And it’s not like Albus is going to take the students words for it. We both know that he doesn’t care as long as it doesn’t affect his plans.”
“Twice.”
“Humph. Very well. We’ll see how long that stands true.” Lockheart’s voice was smooth, chains rattling from the shadow. “Now, let’s see if you know how to behave.”