A/N: Well, here I go again! Please take the time to read and review, let me know if there is anything you like, don't like, etc. And yeah, I know, canonically, the DE's didn't escape until halfway through year 5. I'm going to pretend it was summer, oops. Hopefully, everything else is correct! Let me know if you spot something.

And always, thanks for reading.

-Kore-Proserpina

Chapter 1

Several weeks of summer had past, and Severus Snape found himself once more a guest of Malfoy manor. Rather than the richly appointed trappings of the upper halls, he found himself in the bowels of the ancient home, surrounded by decay and despair. Voldemort had gathered his followers to celebrate not only the eve of his return, but the return of their long lost brothers from exile.

"Severus…" Lord Voldemort hissed from his throne. "I have just been given a most interesting proposal; care to guess the subject matter?"

"Proposal!" He heard a guffaw from somewhere to his left. "Tha's a funny one." He turned his head and discovered that it was Crabbe having a laugh at his expense. Giving a sneer, he turned his attention back to his lord. He drew forward from the replenished circle of Death Eaters around him and came to kneel at the feet of the wizard he had to once more call master. "No, my Lord, but if it pleases you to tell me?" Severus uttered with all obeisance.

He could only wonder what this news could be about. The escape of his 'fellows' had only occurred a few days prior and there had hardly been any time to plan any attack. In fact, he was sure that the only thing on their minds was the news that he was now considered one of the Dark Lord's most faithful (and it was a hard fight to regain the Dark Lord's confidence). When the Lestranges and the others had been imprisoned, raving their loyalty, he had been exonerated by none other than Albus Dumbledore. He was sure it would be a point of contention, if not outright hexing.

Severus was drawn from his thoughts by the feel of Nagini slithering past his side and up to Voldemort's lap.

"Yes, it does please me." Voldemort beckoned Lucius forward to the foot of his throne. "It has been brought to my attention that we have been less than…just in our dealings with you. You have been our most faithful and loyal servant, but for what reward?"

"A faithful servant needs no reward!" cried Bellatrix Lestrange, rushing forward to throw herself at Voldemort's feet. Severus yanked the hem of his robes from underneath her prone body. He had barely escaped being bowled over by the insane witch.

"One would think you were jealous," he drawled.

"Jealous?" Bellatrix's head snapped up. "Of you, you greasy-haired nit?"

He supposed that she considered her insane coiffure to be Azkaban chic. With a disdainful sniff in Bellatrix's direction, he smoothly replied. "As dear Bella has affirmed, my Lord, your pleasure is indeed enough reward for your loyal servant. Why should I seek favour for merely performing my duty?"

"Duty? What duty?" Bellatrix interrupted yet again. "Is being kept like a pet in a cozy castle too much work for you, Snape? Hiding safe for years while the rest of us suffered through Azkaban to further our Lord's glory?"

Severus smirked behind his mask; he suddenly noticed her unmasked visage had an uncanny resemblance to a yappy Yorkshire terrier. "Pity. I'm sure you achieved so much in your stone cubicle. Rather like an office, wasn't it?"

She bristled. "Why, you—"

"Ah," Voldemort said with a chuckle, pausing to pet the head of Nagini and scratch under her scaly chin. "Like children, you squabble at the feet of your father, begging for a scrap of my affection.

"Unfortunately, today's gift is not for you, Bella." Voldemort stated. Bellatrix stood with a huff. "Now back to your place!" He sent a hex in her direction that had her scrambling to obey. Severus was glad his mask hid his grin of satisfaction, or he might have been next to be hexed.

Voldemort returned his attention to the Death Eater at his feet. "No, Severus held his place at Hogwarts as I had asked, even when many of you had thought my demise to be a fact, rather than the fairy tale spun by those muggle lovers. It must be dreadful slaving under that mudblood lover and his ilk, when he would rather be here with us."

"I serve where I am useful, my Lord." Severus could feel Bellatrix's snarling gaze on his back and it brought him no end of pleasure.

"Severus, rise. Lucius, go retrieve our reward." Bellatrix gave a sneer in Severus' direction, but changed to a crooked smile when she felt the heat of Voldemort's gaze upon her.

Malfoy returned after a few minutes, escorting a young woman into the hall. Severus turned his head to look at her. She was a petite thing, he noticed, barely reaching to his chin in height. She was wearing a rather plain, dark blue dress with mutton-sleeves and a full skirt. Her black hair was loose as if it had been wrenched from a tight chignon, and her gaze was fixed on the floor. He couldn't see her face, but he could tell that she was trembling.

Severus returned his attention to the Dark Lord.

"I have granted you a wife," Voldemort said with a gesture towards the young woman. "Lucius has found you a witch from finest pureblood stock and she will do well to elevate your less than illustrious muggle name, Severus. We cannot blame you for an accident of birth."

Bellatrix cackled.

Lucius Bloody Malfoy... How could he have forgotten his friends promise to get him the last thing he desired on earth? Severus bowed his head as Voldemort continued. The tables were turned, and it was everything he could do to not hex Bellatrix for enjoying his misery. "And perhaps her pleasures will ah—brighten your demeanour."

Voldemort smiled darkly and the other Death Eaters laughed around them. With an abrupt wave, Voldemort silenced their laughter.

Severus bristled under his mask and tried to object. "My Lord, you are too generous," he said bowing lower, "Serving you is reward enough."

"Nonsense!" Voldemort replied with obvious glee. He turned his attention upon the frightened witch. "Step forward, girl! Let your husband see your face!"

With a nudge from a gloating Malfoy, she moved forward with hesitant steps until she stood just in front of Severus. Taking a deep breath, she raised her chin with barely a quiver, though her eyes did not meet his. He could see her small, pointed chin, her full lips, and cheeks that looked like they were bruised or had rouge hastily applied. He stared until her blue eyes met his.

"What are you waiting for?" Voldemort hissed. "Take off your mask so she may look at you!"

Severus quickly reached up and removed his mask, holding it between his hands. As his pallid features, beak of a nose, and stringy black hair came into view he swore he saw his bride-to-be shudder. He sneered in response. He didn't care if she was happy about the situation; it was just another complication that he could thank Lucius for.

"Wormtail! Bring me the contract!"

Pettigrew quickly shuffled forward with the parchment in question. With a wave of Voldemort's wand, a wooden table appeared before the unhappy couple, complete with a quill bearing a blood red plume. Pettigrew laid out the parchment and quickly skittered out of the way before being hit with a stinging curse.

"She brings you a healthy dowry," Voldemort said. "Lucius knows the particulars. Now, sign!"

With only a minor tremble, Severus stepped forward first and signed his name with the quill. He gave a hiss as he felt a slice go across the back of his hand. Bound by blood…he noted. It seemed that Lord Voldemort was going to be traditional about one thing (and by traditional, he meant medieval). His bride stepped forward and repeated the motion, letting out a gasp at the pain. With a snap, the scrolls rolled themselves up and disappeared with a pop.

Voldemort stood from his throne. "What are you all waiting for?" he addressed the Circle. "Congratulate the happy couple!"

He looked down to the couple before him. "Severus, because of the occasion, you may leave our gathering early." He gave a pointy smile.

"Enjoy your wedded bliss."

With a low, stiff bow, Snape Disapparated, new wife in tow.