There was a celebratory dinner in progress. The Malfoy table was set forth with a veritable cornucopia of delicious foods: prime rib swimming in au jous, several bright red lobsters, crispy baked pheasant, a golden pineapple ham…
The dinner had been arranged by none other than the Dark Lord himself. It honored Severus Snape – scheduled to leave Malfoy Manor the next day to assume his role as Headmaster of Hogwarts. It also couldn't have been a more awkward affair.
Voldemort had long since acquired Lucius' seat at head of the table. He kept Snape to his right, and a begrudging Bella to his left. Narcissa sat to Severus' right, and Draco to hers. Across from them and beside Bella was a completely defeated and apathetic Lucius who stared at nothing and frequently sniffled loudly.
Upon one particular sniffle, the Dark Lord took issue. "Bellatrix," he said gently. "Please. Prepare our Lucius a plate."
Bella scowled, scandalized – as if she would be caught dead doing a house elf's work. "Yes, master," she bit out. She snatched the empty fine china from under Lucius' runny nose, slapped an entire lobster upon it, and dropped it back before him. The plate reeled before settling, the sound echoing through the silent dining hall.
The Dark Lord looked pleased. "Severus," he continued. "What are your plans for the students of Hogwarts this term?"
Snape appeared casual. "A…stricter regiment, my lord. And hopefully some improvements to their training in the Dark Arts, thanks to your appointments of the Carrows. Bella, would you please pass the salt?"
The dark witch shot him a death glare and flicked her wand. The salt fired toward Severus' head, and nonchalantly, he caught it in a quick hand. "Thank you," he said, quirking an eyebrow at her. She growled.
"I think that sounds perfect," Voldemort continued, unfazed by the antics of the diners. Lucius sniffled. "they are to be our next generation, you know. Your contemporaries, Draco." He leveled a clawed finger at the youngest Malfoy. "Too bad you won't be joining them this term."
Draco held back a grimace. Bella cackled. "He'll be safer here with his mummy, my lord!"
"Shut up, you insane cow!" Draco rose from his seat.
Narcissa pulled him back briskly, ignoring Bella's singsong taunting. "Sit, please."
"But mum, she –"
"Ignore her," Cissa reminded. "And Bella, do behave before our honored lord and master." Her blue eyes cut to Voldemort, who bowed graciously in the Malfoy matron's direction.
"Our lord and master?!" Bella scoffed. "You lying cunt! Your lord and master is the traitorous filthy half-blood school marm who paints your pillows every evening with his greasy hair! How dare you speak of –"
"Enough, Bellatrix," Voldemort interrupted her calmly. "I trust Severus most implicitly. I trust him to mold the minds of our rising number."
"He'll mold, alright," Bella muttered under her breath.
"What was that Bella?" Severus asked.
"Nothing…Snape." She put far too much force behind the 'p' sound in his name.
Lucius sniffled.
"We shall miss your strength here, Severus." The Dark Lord said. Bella, unnoticed by the speaker, made a gagging motion with her index finger in her throat. "But we rest assured you will do right by Hogwarts and its staff and students."
"And my sister will no doubt miss your no doubt giant raging half-blood cock in her far too-good-for-you pureblood cunt." Bella added on a hiss.
"Bella!" Narcissa whispered sharply.
But Severus merely smirked. "No doubt," he said smoothly, slowly. He looked sideways at Narcissa, who stared at her plate.
"Bellatrix, such commentary is unnecessary," Voldemort said. "I'm certain the lady of the manor can find something to occupy her time in Severus' absence." His gaze slanted to Cissa. "Isn't that right, Mistress Malfoy?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Yes, my lord," Bella mocked. Then, she jolted in her chair. "Ow!" Her wand was out in an instant. "You daft bitch!"
Narcissa made to rise.
"SILENCE!" Voldemort's sonorous voice rang out. "Such childish behavior from two such mature and impressive witches from the Noble and Ancient House of Black."
"She hexed me under the table!" Bella stamped her foot.
"I did not!" Narcissa insisted.
"She didn't!" Draco defended his mother. "That was me!"
"You little gobshite!" Bella aimed her wand at the boy.
"Touch him and I will hex you, sister," Narcissa said coldly.
Lucius sniffled.
"Sit. Both of you." The Dark Lord commanded. "Or I shall have Severus here collect the wand of every witch and wizard present save for myself."
Severus raised a challenging brow at Bella. The witches sat, but Bella scowled deeply. "I would slit my own throat before I'd let you near my wand, Snape."
The headmaster gave a hand wave that said 'neither here nor there.' "I hear hope springs eternal," he replied.
"Bellatrix?"
"Yes, master?" She looked fervently to Voldemort.
"Wipe Lucius' nose, please," he instructed. She bristled and the Dark Lord pointed. "And his lobster."
She gave a mini roar, but complied roughly. The table shook with her efforts. Done, she huffed back into her chair.
Voldemort cracked a lobster tail.
Narcissa rubbed a nervous hand over her neck.
Severus grinned a small victorious grin.
Draco gazed shamefully on his father.
Lucius sniffled.
There had been no activity between most of the household since Voldemort declared dinner over – and that had only been after every last lobster was disposed of. For the last three hours the man and the new headmaster had been in the study discussing different rules and procedures that would be put into effect for the upcoming term. Voldemort was assured that he had placed the education of the next generations in fine hands, but even so, he couldn't be too careful.
And so, by the time he was free again, Severus wanted a snack. He padded to the kitchen, opened a couple cabinets and stared at their contents with eyes that were less than enthusiastic. Nothing sounded appetizing. He sighed, reaching up to close the doors, and stiffened when arms locked about his waist. Long, pale, feminine arms whose hands were dipping dangerously low. The woman herself pressed into his back, her warmth seeping against him.
"Looking for something to eat?" Her voice sounded softer than normal, like she was worried about being overheard.
He looked over his shoulder as much as he could. Even so, he could only see her from the corner of his eye and that was hardly enough for him to be satisfied. "That's what one usually does in the kitchen, when they can find something that they so desire to eat. And you?"
She smirked. "I believe I've found my snack." Her hands had stopped but now continued downward, nimble fingers having no trouble with the button on his trousers. She stroked him, rubbed gently, and felt him grow stiff at her touch. Satisfied with herself, she pressed against him more and took care of the rest of his clothing. "Still don't know what you want?"
He shook his head. "No, I quite know now." At the words she loosened her hold enough to allow him to turn around, and he immediately pulled her against him tightly. He grasped her just beneath her bum, lifted her up so that she had to wrap her legs around his waist. The little squeak of surprise she gave made him smile quickly and then they were kissing like mad.
Severus walked toward the counter slowly, set her down on it, and only then realized she had changed into a nightgown before coming in search of him. His eyes lit up as he grabbed the bottom of the garment and pulled it up and over her head. Gone were the days that she felt embarrassed before him; she sat with anticipation, gave a little moan of pleasure after he began kissing a trail from her jaw down to her folds.
She squirmed as his tongue dipped here and there, as he swirled and sucked. Her nails pricked his shoulders as he brought her almost to the edge and then pulled back and she gave a moan of frustration. "Severus." Her voice was almost raspy with desire. "I swear if you don't take me now, you'll be waking up missing a few parts."
He pulled her from the counter, lowered her directly onto him, and from there lost all control. They were relentless as they settled into a rhythm. The witch dug her nails into his shoulders hard enough to draw blood and worked hard to choke back the sound of her pleasure. Not all the house was soundproof, after all. In the end she bit down on Severus' neck and shuddered as he himself went over the edge.
They gave themselves a couple minutes to recover their breath, and then: "I lo…" And she cut herself off.
But he was not about to let it go, tilted her chin up to look at him. "You what?"
She licked her lips. "I…love…how you make me feel."
He hid his disappointment at the words, stroked her hair. Gave her a gentle kiss. "And I admire you and your talents." With guarded eyes he broke their union, grabbed a couple napkins and gently wiped her inner thighs. When he was finished, he began redressing, albeit not completely. He only buttoned his shirt halfway, threw his cravat over his arm.
Narcissa looked a little hurt herself, and confused. "You aren't coming to bed?"
"There is one more thing I need to see to before my departure, and I would rather take care of it tonight than in the morning." He gave her another light kiss. "I will join you shortly."
He watched her as she set off toward their chambers, and then he walked down the hall in the other direction. Draco had taken to sitting in front of one of the windows on the side of the house, close to his own chambers; Severus figured he would find the boy there, and he wasn't disappointed. He approached quietly, taking care his steps were loud enough that he would be noticed but not loud as to disturb the house. "Draco."
The young man looked up at his former teacher, took in the rumpled and half removed clothing, and then looked away again at whatever he was trying to watch in the night. His jaw was clenched as he struggled to keep words in.
He relented to the temptation, though. "Surprised you aren't with your master…or my mother. What can I possibly offer you?"
The young Malfoy had gotten to his feet now, and turned to look at him. Those grey eyes were steel and storm clouds at once, fighting for dominance in a battle that would be hard won. Severus could understand that, had experienced it. He knew how much it hurt to go through a major change and not be able to do anything about it, and he knew what it was to want someone to be happy. It was everything that the boy was experiencing, and even more, for some.
"I want nothing from you, Draco. I have no demands to make."
"Then I have one," the boy said. "I want to know something."
Severus nodded, indicating his attention.
"That night…" Draco cleared his throat. "When you took Mother before us all, was it as tough on you as it was on her? Or are you the bastard we all saw?"
Severus was almost taken aback by the question, but he was able to keep his expression schooled relatively well. "It was one of the hardest things that I've ever done." His face might give nothing away, but his voice certainly did.
The boy looked at him closely, the gesture saying that he would accept nothing but the truth. "So you really aren't just using her to get a good fuck or to warm your bed, then? You do care for her?"
"At first it was…a fuck…to both of us." Severus looked out the window for a moment, struggling to rid himself of the lump that had risen in his throat. He hated that his face was no longer the mask he wanted it to be before all but Narcissa, hated that his voice was riddled with even more emotion. "But somehow, that's changed." He turned to look at Draco again, so that in the silver moonlight, the boy could see that he wasn't lying. "I more than care for her." Another swallow. "I love her."
Draco looked strangely relieved. He chuckled ruefully. "Of course you do. Couldn't pick someone easy, could you?" He stared back out the window. "She's married to my father."
"She doesn't love him." There was more Severus wanted to say, but refrained.
"He's cruel to her. I know."
"You know?" A sudden pang winced in his chest. "Draco…is your father cruel to you?"
The young man backed away. In the shadows, his curled lip was nearly hidden. "Not anymore." He turned away from Severus, made to head for his chambers. "Just…take care of her. If you can."
Snape watched Draco depart. Damned Malfoys, he thought. They've more layers than leeks do. And speaking of layers… He remembered there was a warm witch between cool sheets, and she was waiting for him.
But in their chambers, Narcissa was not in their bed. He found her in the adjoining lavatory, neck deep in thick, sumptuous bubbles. His nostrils flared at the alluring fragrance of dragon's blood. He quirked a brow at her. She quirked one in return. Wordlessly and without invitation, he disrobed and settled in the hot water behind her.
"Did you take care of your business?"
He kissed her temple. "Yes."
She sighed. "I don't want you to leave tomorrow."
He didn't point out that it was already after midnight, meaning he would technically leave today. "I must."
"I know." There was a waver in her voice. "I'll be lost without you, I think."
"Nonsense." His hands caressed her shoulders. "You are the strongest witch I've ever known. You will be the backbone of this house. You will be strong for your son."
"I have a horrible feeling," she whispered.
"What feeling?"
"A feeling that you'll die – that I'll never see you again." Her voice broke and she leaned forward, away from his touch.
His hands chased her. "I will only be at Hogwarts. You've visited before. What should stop you from visiting again? Especially if I am in control there." He pulled her reluctant back to his chest again. "As for dying…" He closed his eyes. "There will be a war soon, Cissa. Many may die. I cannot promise you I will live."
She turned in his arms, held his wet soapy body and kissed him. "Have I made you happy?"
Her tears were breaking him. "Happy? So much more, Narcissa." He stroked the tears from her cheeks. "Come. Let me have this night with you. I don't know when I will see you again."
She cried a little harder, but let him help her from the bath. They kissed as they dried each other, kissed as they crossed the floor, kissed as they slipped into bed. They touched and explored as if they had already been separated and had just reunited. If there had been a magic to turn minutes to hours, they would have used it ten times over.
When finally Severus slid inside her welcoming heat, they cradled each other's faces, swallowed sighs and gasps of pleasure. He moved slowly, watching her eyes, wanting to prolong this pleasure, wanting to remember this moment like a pensieve memory; every texture, sound and sensation; her nails in his shoulders, her cunt clutching him tightly, her abdomen clenching through her orgasm and the motion of her throat as she cried out.
He spilled inside her wishing he could simply take her with him – keep her as a mistress should be kept, tied to his cold bed in the cold castle. He kissed her now moist cheeks. "You unman me, you know."
She smiled against his lips. "I…I will visit you. When I can sneak away."
He nodded. "Good." Her eyes swam with something unspoken. The temptation to enter her mind for a peek was nearly overwhelming, but he resisted. Instead he kissed her eyelids closed, rolled away and pulled her to him. "Sleep," he murmured. "I must be up early." She couldn't have resisted his command if she'd wanted to. When he was certain she was fast asleep, he kissed her forehead. "I wish I could tell you," he whispered. "I wish it was simple…"
Truthfully, he didn't sleep. He stared awake at the bed's canopy or his lover's rising and falling chest. He touched her soft and tousled hair. At 5:19, before dawn even considered breaking, he quietly disengaged from her and dressed. He looked back at her only once.
His feet fell briskly and silently upon the many marble steps. The manor doors swung open at a wave of his wand. Another wave and the elaborate gate at the end of the walk misted. He passed through like a raven through a fog.
Only then, when he knew he was safely from her sight, did he stop and turn in earnest. The looming spires were dim and foreboding. Malfoy Manor slept like the dead. He closed his eyes, saw Narcissa's pale and peaceful face.
His eyes opened. His own pale face hardened. His deep brown eyes blackened. Façade in place, he allowed himself to dissolve. His cloak licked about him like dark devils' tongues as he spiraled into the grey sky, taking flight to Hogwarts – taking flight to hell.