I own nothing but the plot!
The Binding
Chapter 1 - Minerva's Fate
It had been three weeks since she had been captured by Voldemort's goons, three long weeks of taunts, beatings and whippings from Voldemort's inner circle. Three weeks of being locked away in a dingy dungeon with nothing to cover her naked body but a tattered blanket filled with holes. It had been three weeks of torturous hell for Minerva McGonagall and it was steadily becoming worse by the day.
Earlier that day, she had seen her older brother, Thor, for the first time in nearly twenty years. He had join Voldemort's cause and had revealed he was the one that had devised the plan to capture her. Thor also informed her that she was to marry one of the Death Eaters at the stroke of midnight. She knew Thor had the ability to arrange a marriage for her and that she could not challenge his authority in the matter. As a McGonagall woman, she was forced to obey arranged marriages no matter how much she disliked it.
The heavy dungeon door creaking open alerted her of the presence of another. She turned her head slowly to see who had come to torture her but was dumbfounded to see Narcissa Malfoy enter the depressing cell. The petite woman made her way over to Minerva and helped her to stand. She took off her own cloak and draped it around the older woman, providing her with a bit of dignity in the process. "I have been commanded to help you prepare for tonight," she said elegantly before leading the way out of the dungeon.
Narcissa ushered Minerva into a lavish set of rooms decorated in black and silver. She settled Minerva down on the couch by the fire while she went in the next room. She returned a few moments later carrying a bag of medical supplies. She eased down next to Minerva, removed the cloak and gently began to treat her numerous injuries. Minerva, who had lacked the energy to speak, finally broke her silence. "Why are you helping me? Most people would give me a simple pain draught and leave me be."
Narcissa sighed softly before answering, "I know what it's like to suffer like you have these past weeks and I do not want you to lose that fiery temper of yours."
"Why do you care if I do?"
"I care because you cared for me at Hogwarts," she said simply then reached a potion to the older woman. "This is an all-healing potion that should take care of the problems beyond my skills."
Minerva, glad to lessen her suffering, obediently drank the deep blue potion before handing the flask back to Narcissa. "Thank you," Minerva said politely.
Narcissa stood up gracefully then asked, "How about a nice relaxing bath?"
Minerva just nodded in response before following Narcissa into the bathroom.
Minerva stood in front of a full length mirror inspecting her appearance. She was wearing a fitted black satin dress that showed quite a bit of cleavage. Her raven hair was in a French twist making her look less stern than her usual severe bun. Black onyx earrings dangled from her ears and a black onyx teardrop necklace drew attention to her bosom. From the reflection in the mirror now, no one would know she had been beaten just that morning.
A polite cough from behind her signaled it was time. She turned to face Narcissa who wore an expression of sympathy. "I'm sorry Minerva," the pale skinned beauty said lowly before leading the way to the location of the ceremony.
As they approached the door of the room that held her future husband, Minerva slowed her steps considerably. During the course of the day she had been trying to imagine who her betrothed was but now she wasn't so sure she wanted to know. She wanted nothing more than to escape from this despicable place and run straight to Hogwarts but she knew it would not be possible. Once a McGonagall woman was betrothed, it was unbreakable and her brother had sealed her fate. She sighed in frustration before entering the ceremony room Narcissa had abandoned her at.
The room she entered was dimly lit by a dozen or so candles floating about the room. Voldemort was standing in the middle of the room at what she assumed was a makeshift altar with an ancient book and a McGonagall dagger. Thor was to the left of the Dark Lord with a huge smirk on his face. Another man was standing next to Voldemort but his back was to her so she couldn't identify him but she guessed he was her betrothed. "Minerva, come meet your future husband," Thor smirked evilly.
She disliked that smirk of his immensely. Every time he displayed it, something unimaginable always seemed to occur. Not one to back down, Minerva strode in confidently and immediately wished she hadn't. As soon as she had made it to the altar, the mystery man turned around. "You," she hissed angrily at her future husband.
Severus Snape, accused murderer of Albus Dumbledore, stood there with his trademark smirk on his face. His chocolate eyes bore into hers causing her to shudder, from fear or anticipation she didn't know. Either way, she couldn't believe how cruel fate could be. She was destined to marry the man that had destroyed her best friend!
"What a pleasure to see you again Minerva," he greeted with false cheerfulness as he bowed to her.
Her posture tensed and her teeth clenched shut as she glared at him. Her nostrils flared as her cheeks colored, a sure sign of her anger. The three men in the room were smirking at her response. She momentarily forgot her anger at having to marry the traitorous Snape and shivered at what could possibly cause their evil smirks.
Thor raised his wand and before Minerva knew what was happening she was flying through the air towards the altar. Severus caught her with ease then forced her to turn to face him. She glared at him defiantly which only caused him more mirth. "Now Minerva that's no way to treat your intended," her brother teased.
She realized it was useless to respond to his teasing so she clamped her mouth shut and remained silent. She may have had backbone but she knew when to be silent as well. Satisfied with the diminishing smile on Thor's face, she turned back to glare at Severus. Her intention of diminishing his grin failed miserably prompting her to sigh in defeat.
Voldemort, who was growing tired of his company, started the ancient ceremony. Minerva listened intently to her enemy's words with the hope she would recognize which marriage ritual was being performed. Within moments she did pinpoint the marriage ritual and it terrified her. It was an ancient ritual that bonded the couple to each other permanently. The bond demanded the couple have sexual relations nightly until they produced an heir. There would be no way of dissolving the marriage she realized.
Minerva was painfully brought out of her musings when intense pain ripped through her left hand. Voldemort had dragged the McGonagall dagger across her palm cutting her porcelain skin. Severus brought his left hand up to meet hers in a firm grasp. His hand too had been cut like hers. A thick gold cord shot out of Voldemort's wand and wrapped around their joined hands. The cord knotted as a white light enveloped the couple. That was it, the marriage was unbreakable now.