A/N: This fic was originally written for the Bringing Back the Bastard Fest at the Deeply Horrible community on livejournal. This community's goal is to showcase and preserve the more unsavory sides of Severus Snape. As this fic was written with this goal in mind, please understand that he may behave in a slightly irrational and vindictive manner. Though, I do think I did a rather good job of making him both a bastard and capable of feeling. Plus, I was able to sneak in some fluff and nonsense! Thank you for reading and reviewing!

~Meladara~

Muchas Gracias to Laralee88 and Sixpence Jones for betaing! You two know I think the world of you!

The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling, Scholastic and WB. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.


The Gentleman Bettor

Chapter One - Oh, the Whims of the Malfoys

"A Gentleman is a man who will pay his gambling debts even when he knows he has been cheated." Leo Tolstoy

~oOOOo~

Severus Snape's eyes narrowed, his hands tightening their grip his whiskey glass as he listened to his friend. He could not believe the nerve of the blonde man. Yes, he was one of his oldest and closest friends, but that did not mean he could force him into such debasing activities as blind dates! The gall. Severus continued to rant in his mind as his eyes glazed over, unseeing. His companion elegantly sipped brandy while studying Severus from his chair. Just as Severus had moved on to creating increasingly horrifying ways to get back at the man for this outrage, a voice broke through his thoughts.

"Severus, are you even listening to me?" Lucius asked impatiently.

Black eyes once again focused on grey. The angry glint found in the dark orbs would have been enough to steal breath from a lesser man, but Lucius had been dealing with the many moods of Severus Snape long enough to know how to handle the situation.

"Ah, good. I see I have once again captured your attention," Lucius drawled causally. "Now, you shall meet your date at Epine Noire on Christmas Eve at eight o'clock in the evening." He continued on, ignoring the lack of response and steely gaze of his friend. Lucius knew he was listening and catching every detail; Severus had no choice but to do so. "No need to worry about how to identify her, Gustave will know who she is and will lead you to her table when you arrive. All I ask is that you behave and... Just be yourself, Severus. For too many years we have watched you lurk in the shadows. You deserve happiness. We sincerely believe that your date would be a good match for you."

The only response Lucius received was a further tightening of the glare. It was, if at all possible, even more vicious than it had been only moments before. His friend let out a grunt of acknowledgment before slamming down his glass and storming from the room.

As a wicked smile started to stretch across his face, he wished he could be a fly on the wall when his dear friend met his date this Saturday. Though he did truly believe that she would be a good match for his old friend, he knew that the history between then would make it impossible for his friend to see her as such. It would serve him right for betting against Lucius Malfoy.

~oOOOo~

Hermione Granger struggled through the door of her flat with bag and package laden arms. She had spent the afternoon shopping for last-minute Christmas gifts and was very happy to have made it back into the comfort of her home.

Kicking the door closed behind her, she wearily settled her bundles on the small kitchen table and began to peel off her many layers of damp clothing. When she had removed her thick winter coat and outer jumper, she turned to make herself a much-needed pot of tea. Turning on the kettle, she set out the tea-things and then slumped back into the chair with relief.

It was an unusually cold winter; the streets were thick with snow, and the icy wind that stung against her small amount of exposed flesh had made what had been an unpleasant outing absolutely miserable. In fact, it had been due to the frigid weather that she hadn't finished her shopping earlier. Normally, she completed her shopping weeks in advance, each gift carefully selected for each person, but between working nonstop at the charity and the dreadful weather, she'd had neither had the time nor energy to even think of purchasing Christmas gifts. However, Christmas was now only three days away. No longer able put it off, she was forced to brave both the crowds and the snow to get her last-minute shopping done.

The singing of the kettle startled her from the dazed contemplation of her day of shopping. With what little energy she could muster, Hermione pushed herself up from her chair with a sigh and began to prepare the tea. Just as she settled back into her chair, the small tea-tray sat before her in a hastily cleared spot on the table, a tapping sounded at the window. Seeing an owl fluttering just outside, she flicked her wand and the window flew open. A bluster of snow followed the tawny owl into the flat as it flew toward her. Hermione eyed the snow with irritation as the chill of the winter air rushed into the room. Flicking her wand once again, the window snapped shut, and as the owl landed, it looked from the tired woman to the window and then let out a confused hoot.

"Oh, hush, Cira. I'll open it again when you are ready to leave," Hermione chided. Reaching up, she scritched the owl fondly. "It isn't like you honestly want to go back out in this weather. It is positively arctic out there. I can't imagine what Narcissa thought was important enough to send you out in such weather. She could have just flooed me, after all." Again the owl hooted, and then, putting out its leg, it offered up a missive to Hermione.

With a roll of her eyes, she untied the note while clicking her tongue gently at the owl. "Silly girl. I know you can handle the weather and are excellent at doing your job. No need to get stroppy. Now, how about we get you a little treat before you go?"

Again she flicked her wand, this time causing a small jar of owl treats to float across the room to land on the table. Reaching in, she pulled out a small handful and offered them to Cira. As the owl pecked delicately at the treats, Hermione ran her fingers over the owl's soft feathers.

"All right, Cira. You ready to go?" she asked when the owl finished. Hermione knew that Cira, like all Malfoy owls, was serious about her job and would not stick around for further coddling, no matter what the weather. The owl responded with a hoot and turned toward the window through which she had entered.

"Have a safe flight, dear girl," Hermione said as she magicked the window open, and the owl glided back out into the winter weather.

Once the window fully closed behind the owl and the latest bluster of snow had settled upon the sill, Hermione turned back to her tea and missive. Opting to prepare herself a cup first, she set aside the letter. When she had the piping hot tea in hand, Hermione allowed herself to relax further on her chair and slipped off her shoes. It had been a long day and sitting down with a cup of tea was just what she needed. Wrapping her fingers around the cup, the heat seeped through her hands. Slowly, she took soothing sips and allowed the cold chill of the day slip from her. Then, when she finally felt herself fully content and warm, she reached for the missive and settled in to see what Narcissa had to say.

It was an odd friendship, the one existing between Hermione Granger and Narcissa Malfoy. They had first formally met at a post-war charity to benefit war orphans. Hermione was on the board of a newly opened Wizarding orphanage, and Narcissa was one of the primary contributors to the charity. They had worked together planning an outing for the seventeen children receiving benefits through the charity a few months later and had immediately formed a sincere, if cautious, friendship. That had been four years ago. Since that time, they had worked on numerous other charity events, and their friendship had only grown. Then, this past summer, Narcissa invited Hermione to holiday with her at a French chateau while Mr. Malfoy was away on a business trip. Hermione had been hesitant to accept at first, but as it had been clear to her that Narcissa was sincere in her desire for companionship, she had decided to go. The two had spent a lovely week together. Hermione had happily explored hidden bookstores, while Narcissa had revelled in gently introducing the young woman to the world of high fashion. Hermione had never known that shopping could be such fun and the two had parted ways fast friends.

Hermione took a final sip of tea and then sat the cup aside in order to pay full attention to the letter.

December 23, 2003

Hermione,

I know that I may be stepping past the bounds of our friendship; however, it has become apparent that you, my dear companion, have fallen into a disturbingly unhealthy way of life. I do not wish to see you live your life out alone and over-worked. You are young and vibrantly beautiful, and so often you forget that fact. I am very much aware of the hours you are putting in at Nym's House as of late. I have spies everywhere, and working as much as you are is not healthy.

As such, you will report, dressed in your winters finest, to Epine Noire at 7:50 on the evening of Christmas Eve. Your date, I assure you, will be of the highest quality, both in manners, dress, and mind. Do arrive at your appointed time; he will be arriving at eight o'clock. I am sure that you will, if nothing else, have a nice time plotting ways to get back at meddlesome friends.

And please, do not be so daft as to try to wheedle your way out of this. I know you have nothing planned, as you told me yourself that your parents were visiting Switzerland this Christmas and that the Weasley Family Christmas held no appeal as it would include your former beau and his latest tart. I will not hesitate to hunt you down and Apparate you to the restaurant myself if you choose to ignore the invitation.

Until I see you again.

Yours,

Narcissa Malfoy

PS: Please, do not forget that you have promised to attend my Christmas Ball. I will send over Linky, as promised, on Christmas day. ~N.

Hermione was stunned. Not about the ball, of course, she had argued long and hard with Narcissa about attending but as usual had lost. That Narcissa would force her into a date was what had her reeling. As the letter fell from her fingers, she let out a deep sigh of dread. It wasn't like she didn't enjoy the occasional date, but a blind date set up by a meddling socialite was not very appealing. Ronald Weasley and her had ended their relationship the year before and she had been fodder for the tabloids ever since. Yes, she hadn't gone out much of late, and the hours she was putting in at Nym's House were long, but there was nothing wrong with devoting one's time to making the lives of the children living there better. And really, who could blame her? Every time she had gone out with anyone of the opposite sex, the Daily Prophet had them married with three kids and a country cottage by morning. It was for that reason alone that she had avoided being seen in public with anyone other than Ginny, Harry or Narcissa for the last three months.

Still, at least Narcissa had enough foresight to arrange for the date to occur at Epine Noire. The restaurant was famous for its discretion and exclusivity. If she went, then the date would, at the very least, manage to stay out of the headlines.

Hermione quickly stood from the table and walked over to the window. Watching the snow bluster and swirl outside, she felt the familiar weight of anxiety settle on her. She hated this. Hermione was very aware that Narcissa was right about her isolating herself; she had hidden herself away. But it hurt to continually have the paper speculating about her life, building castles in the clouds for her each week, only to mock and tear them down the next. The week this past summer in France had been a welcome respite from the stress of her public life. It had been a long time since she had felt so happy. She knew that Narcissa really was simply looking out for her well-being and wanted to give her a chance to unwind in a place that she could be assured of her privacy.

It was then that Hermione knew she would go. Why not? she asked herself and she walked purposefully back to the table and began gathering up the packages from the table.

Narcissa was an excellent judge of character, and if she had chosen someone for her to spend the evening with, then Hermione knew she could be assured he wouldn't be a bumbling idiot. With her decision made, Hermione walked down the hall to her bedroom with arms full. If she was going on a date at Epine Noire the following evening, she needed to start getting things ready now.

~oOOOo~

Severus looked down at the letter in his hand and read it again.

December 23, 2003

Severus,

I understand that you have been forced into this; Lucius made clear to me the terms of your forfeit. However, it concerns me that you, in your typical irritating manner, will take out your frustration on your date. So, I have taken it upon myself to make a couple of things clear.

First, your date is a kind young woman, who is intelligent and holds you in the highest regard. And though she does not know your identity, I do know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she will treat you with the utmost respect. Please return the favour.

Second, your date knows nothing of your silly bet and it should stay that way. She does not need to know that you were idiotic enough to get yourself involved in a vow-bound bet and lost! Lucius refuses to disclose to me the nature of the bet and, given that fact, I have not pressed the issue further. But let me just say, you asked for it and thus must pay the price. The price at this time is to behave. Please do so.

Third, if I find out that you were so uncouth as to upset your date or behave in a manner that is anything but gentlemanly, I will personally see to it that your life is made into your own personal hell. I hear that due to your upcoming negotiations with her father, Prudence Parkinson has once again been asking after you, and I have no qualms about encouraging her to seek you out at the Christmas Ball if you step out of line. Do not tempt me.

Best wishes for a lovely Yuletide, Severus.

Your sincere friend,

Narcissa Malfoy

"Damn it," he spat as he crumpled the letter and threw it into the fire. He couldn't believe the pair of them, meddling in his life and then forcing him into civility with the ninny they had set him up with. There was no doubt in his mind that she would be a ninny. They always were.

This was not the first time that Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy had steamrolled him. In fact, it was becoming a time-honoured tradition for them to force him into humiliating engagements, the Christmas Ball being a very good example. Worst of all, Severus knew that this time Lucius had cheated. He'd hoped that, just this once, he would be able to get one over on the slippery man, but no, once again he had come out the loser. The binding magic of the bet allowed no room for challenging the validity of the win in the face of Slytherin tactics, though he was sure Lucius had used as many questionable tactics as he could to achieve this victory.

No matter, he had played nice for Narcissa plenty of times before, and there was no way he was going to risk Narcissa setting her dogs after him. There was a very good reason Prudence Parkinson was still single, she was a trollish woman with poor hygiene and little brains. He wasn't interested in touching that woman with a ten-foot pole. If all it took to fulfil the forfeit and get Narcissa off his back was one evening of dinner, then he would grit his teeth and bear it. Though, to be sure, he would find a way to pay them back as soon as possible.

~oOOOo~