AN: Onward!

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They landed outside a rusty gate that was listing dangerously on its hinges. The road was overgrown and the hedges looked like they hadn't been trimmed in decades. Beyond the gate was a large Manor house with an enormous stone portico. The columns looked like they were about to collapse under the weight of all the cracked stone above it.

Hermione pushed back the hood of her cloak and lifted her booted foot out of the slushy puddle they'd landed in. Looking around to ensure they were alone, she leaned closer to Severus and murmured. "Impressive charms. The place looks like a dump."

"That's not charms. It is a dump." He gestured to the two wrought iron snakes on the gates. They exuded a quiet menace and closer inspection showed their fangs were wet and dripping. She looked down and saw a patch of barren ground under each head. "There's your charms. They don't bother trying to hide their house. Murdering broken-down motorists is a sport."

"Happy Christmas," she said with a sigh.

Severus pulled her closer. "I'm sorry."

They'd exchanged presents earlier, when he'd arrived to pick her up. She'd gifted him with a set of stirring rods that she'd bought with her employee discount, and he'd given her a book on Quantum Arithmancy. The dread and anxiety had hung like a pall over the moment, and they'd just kissed and set the presents aside. Hopefully there would be better Christmases in their future. The present needed to be dealt with first.

"Now would be the time to show you're a Gryffindor," he said, squeezing her hand. "I know you're frightened, but you cannot show it to anyone but the Dark Lord. They can smell weakness."

"I know. I think I'm more upset that you had to do things like this alone." She turned to him. "At least we have each other."

She lifted her chin and gave him a sharp nod, determined to do her best for him. "Did I ever tell you that I once passed myself off as Bellatrix to sneak into Gringotts? If I can do that, I can do this."

He smirked at her, but his eyes were full of pride. She lifted her chin a little higher and smiled back.

Lifting his wand, he lashed it at the two metal snakes with a jet of green fire. They hissed and the metal shrieked as both snakes coiled back and the gates swung open. Hermione gathered her cloak close as she darted past them.

"Don't get ahead of me," he warned. "There could be other security measures. Bella's not had a weekend party since her wedding. She might not have thought to tone things down for guests."

It took them ten minutes to reach the door, but they made it without mishap. Severus spotted and disarmed three more traps along the way.

"Poppet!" Bellatrix cried as she came hurrying into the foyer. Rodolphus followed at a more dignified pace. "Oh, just drop your bags, Snape. The elf will get them to your room." She threw her arms around Hermione and kissed the air by her ear. "So glad you could make it. You're the first ones here! Did you have any trouble finding the place?"

Hermione smiled and said, "Not I. I just let Severus do all the work."

"You might want to neutralize your walk," Severus intoned, letting his displeasure slip into his voice. "Unless you were planning on culling the herd?"

Bellatrix looked past them and out the door. "No. I don't think I will. Most of the others knows what their dealing with, and those that don't should learn. Besides, I do so love to hear Alecto squeal." She wrinkled her nose. "We had to invite them to fill out the numbers."

The door closed behind them and Hermione felt the wards reset. Severus and Rodolphus made their greetings and then the other man took Hermione's hand and kissed the air above the backs of her fingers. "Welcome," he said. Severus scowled and Hermione took her hand back and slipped it around his arm.

"What a wonderful home you have," she said brightly.

"You think so?" Bellatrix said, peering at her with an intent look.

"I do. It's very atmospheric. I noticed some of the earliest architecture must date back to the eleventh century, if I'm not mistaken."

Bellatrix blinked. "Must it?" she asked.

Her husband sighed. "Yes, it must. Unlike some people, Miss Granger obviously has a discerning eye." He turned to Hermione. "If you would like, I could take you on a tour once you're refreshed from your travels. You too, Snape, if you're interested. I don't believe you've yet had the privilege."

"I'd be very interested," Severus replied.

"Oh, what fun," Hermione said, seizing the opportunity. "You simply must show us everything." She turned and gave Severus a dazzling smile.

"Will there be a guest of honor?" he asked.

Bella's face fell, and she seemed truly regretful as she replied, "No. I tried, but, as you know, he has great responsibilities and is not always free to indulge us with his presence."

"A terrible shame," Severus replied smoothly.

Hermione tried to look disappointed that Voldemort wasn't going to make an appearance, but wasn't sure how successful she'd been until Bella clicked her tongue with sympathy.

"Don't worry," she said, patting Hermione on the shoulder. "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. The very near future, I should think."

"I can't express how reassuring that is to know," Hermione answered with a genuine smile. The very near future wasn't today, and they'd hardly stepped foot in the house before they'd been offered a tour. It seemed that luck was on their side for once.

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"And here is where you can see the some of the improvements implemented by my predecessor, Oswalt Lestrange, back in 1452. Notice the joinery here on the ceiling. Remarkable work, don't you think?"

"Absolutely," Hermione replied. "And I do like the way he blended the two styles. Truly excellent work. I'd have thought it would've required refortifying the foundations."

"But it did. Would you like to see? It's not really part of the usual 'ladies' tour.'"

"Oh, you must show me!" she answered with an eager smile.

Rodolphus' stony face actually cracked into a smile at that, and he said, "Snape, where did you find her?"

Severus turned from where he'd been scowling at the ceiling and drawled, "She fell at my feet."

The older man narrowed his eyes. "My, aren't we droll…" He turned to Hermione with an apologetic air and said, "Come. I'll take you down there. Mind your robes. I'm not sure the house elves really bother much with this part of the manse." Rodolphus yanked open a thick oak door and lit his wand before hurrying down the stone staircase beyond. Hermione shook her head and looked over her shoulder at Severus, who rolled his eyes before lighting his own and gesturing her on ahead.

They'd been at it for an hour, walking from room to room and floor to floor, listening to Lestrange recite the history of the house in minute detail. He even managed to lull her out of her anxiety by making Professor Binns seem like a compelling speaker.

Hermione had toured enough old abbeys and castles with her parents to be able to sound genuinely knowledgeable. Not that it mattered, all she had to do was toss out a leading statement, and Lestrange took the ball and ran. He didn't seem to notice that he was doing most of the talking. Severus was clearly bored out of his skull, but Hermione found herself unreasonably fascinated.

Unfortunately, the serendipity involved in an impromptu house tour as soon as they'd arrived, was offset by the fact that they were running out of rooms, and she hadn't detected any trace of a Horcrux. She wondered if her senses were failing her, or if she just wasn't close enough. Perhaps her awareness of them had faded. It had taken a long time for her to be able to feel the effect the necklace had had on her, but her reaction to the cup after that had been instantaneous and tangible from several feet away.

She swore under her breath as they entered a large, stone-walled wine cellar. If it wasn't down here, then the only place left to look was the attics, and she really didn't think she could figure out how make a request to see them seem anything other than bizarre.

It just had to be here. Her stomach knotted up at the idea of Severus skulking about the Dark Lord's lair alone. There was no way she would be able to join him on that hunt, she would have to become one of them and then earn the right before she would be allowed to go to his home uninvited. As Severus said, they didn't have enough time for that.

When they came to the last room in the cellar, Hermione sent Severus a disappointed look and a small shake of her head. His expression didn't change, but he did stroke the small of her back soothingly.

"Thank you, very much," Hermione said when Rodolphus' lecture finally ground to a halt. "This was so very exciting. I do love an ancient house."

"It was my pleasure, Miss Granger. Few families are as ancient as ours, and I rarely get to indulge in a bit of architectural braggadocio."

"I've enjoyed it, and it was you who indulged me. I fear I have odd passions."

Rodolphus looked over her shoulder at Snape and said, "So it seems. You must to come again sometime. I could show you the thestral stables out the back. They're not nearly so ancient, but I renovated them myself as a sort of sanctum sanctorum, and I shall admit to a small pride in my charm work. Unfortunately, we've run out of time for such indulgences, and I must call a halt to the tour. I fear I might have become carried away. In fact, I know I have. Bella will be quite cross that I've monopolized your time, since I'm sure the others have arrived by now. It's almost time for cocktails, and I've left you little time to change. I do apologize."

"Not at all. You've been most gracious."

He smiled at her. "It has been my sincere pleasure," he said with a little too much warmth in his eyes. They started off back the way they'd come, Hermione trailing the older man with Severus fuming behind her.

"I hate the way he looks at you," he hissed in her ear.

"Not as much as I do," she replied softly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that," Rodolphus said as they reached the stairs.

"I was saying there is no way he loves architecture as much as I do," she answered.

The other man nodded. "Few understand our interests, I'm afraid." He turned to Severus and gave him a look full of meaning. "It's always a pleasure to share."

"Interests are the only thing I enjoy sharing," Severus snapped back.

Rodolphus' brows rose as Severus placed a possessive hand on the small of her back and ushered her passed him and up the stairs.

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The evening got off to a tense start. Severus spoke little to her as they changed for dinner, a fact that Hermione had at first contributed to his concerns about Listening Charms. But as they changed quickly, she couldn't help feeling a little miffed that he hardly glanced at her as she slipped into her dusty-rose June Duprez dress. He helped her with the buttons in a perfunctory manner that was hard not to take badly.

"Is something the matter?" she asked quietly as she reached out to straighten the lapel of his embroidered robes.

He frowned at her and fixed it himself. Glancing about the room with his brow raised, he grumbled, "No."

He waved a hand at the door, and she bit her lip as she left the room. They headed downstairs to the drawing room in silence, and he seemed content to lurk just over her shoulder, radiating a menacing displeasure as she was introduced to the new faces. That surprised her. He was supposed to be ingratiating himself with his peers, but it was as if he'd completely given up on pretending to even like them.

Although he was right behind her, she felt abandoned as she smiled and shook hands with Alecto and Amycus Carrow, Frieda Rowle—cousin to Thorfin—and Boyd Gibbon. All of them seemed impressed that Severus had been invited, obviously a shift in his status, and none of them seemed to take offense at his demeanor. Thankfully, none of them seem particularly interested in his date, either.

Narcissa had shown a genuine pleasure in seeing her again and had gushed over her gown. Lucius' greeting had sounded sincere, but the expression in his eyes contained little to no warmth at all. When Rabastan Lestrange lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles, lingering too long for decorum, Severus took her by the elbow and pulled her away before she had a chance to greet Perrine Parkinson. Rodolphus' effusive compliments on her eveningwear produced a similar act of possessiveness. Severus walked her over to the sofa and nearly shoved her down onto it before stalking off to get her a drink.

She watched him pour her cordial, confused and more than a little hurt. Was he jealous? But he had to know she wasn't enjoying the attentions of the Lestrange brothers. This flirtatious manner of theirs had been a known factor from the start, one he'd warned her of. Why would he be angry at her? Was it an act on his part? She couldn't tell, and was at a loss for how to seek reassurance in the midst of this crowd.

When he returned with her glass, she shifted over to make room for him, but Gibbon and Frieda Rowle chose that moment to walk up and start chatting with him. Narcissa sat down instead.

"Have you given any more thought to opening your own shop?" she asked. "You really do have some wonderful designs."

"I haven't, really," she replied, distracted by the way Frieda put her hand on Severus' arm and drew him away. "I don't actually know enough about sewing, or business, for that matter. I just like to play with charms."

Frieda gave a throaty laugh at something Gibbon said and turned to give Severus a toothy smile full of promise. Severus had his back to the sofa, and so Hermione couldn't see his reaction. She frowned.

"Ignore it," Narcissa said in a quiet voice.

Hermione bit her lip. "Is she really going to be that obvious?"

Narcissa turned and assessed Frieda with a cold eye. "Yes. She always has been." Turning back to Hermione, she said, "I'm afraid it's something you will just have to get used to. Severus is moving up in the world, and that will always attract people interested in being associated with power. You must pretend not to notice, and if that's impossible, then you must not be seen to care."

Hermione flattened her lips together. "I don't care. I trust Severus."

Narcissa's eyes took on a fleeting look of pity before hardening again. "Severus has explained to you what sort of organization he belongs to, hasn't he?"

Hermione felt the little hairs on her arms lift up at this direct question. "He has," she said. "I support his position completely."

Narcissa gave her an approving nod before shifting closer and lowering her voice. "Then if I may be so bold as to offer some advice, don't trust him in this one matter. Prepare yourself to be let down. That way, you won't be caught unprepared. All power corrupts, Miss Granger, and our men are on their way towards absolute power. It's inevitable, and we only lose face when we let others see how much this hurts us. Severus has chosen you, and you should take pride in that. However, he is still a man. Instead of worrying about his meaningless dalliances, look to what status he bestows on you to see if it enhances your own."

Narcissa's well-intentioned advice played on Hermione's nerves, leaving her feeling slightly nauseated. Forgetting that Severus no longer identified himself as a Death Eater, she reacted badly. "And how am I to judge that? I don't know if I like the idea of being unequal in this."

Narcissa murmured sympathetic noises. "First off, his behavior has as much as shouted his belief that you are worthy of him. That can only be taken as a sign of serious intent. It's usually the precursor to a more permanent understanding. However, until his intent is declared, it raises the stakes for the others. They will want to steal you away from him while it's still possible."

"What do you mean, still possible?"

Narcissa gave her an apologetic sigh. "I'm afraid, until you are properly affianced, you're a pawn in a petty game of theirs. They will try to get you into their bed in order to lower Severus' status among them. It's a sport. Once he makes a formal declaration, you will no longer have to put up with anyone's crude advances or power games. However, if you feel you can improve your status by trading up, by all means, do so."

"No, thank you," Hermione said snippily. "I'm quite happy with the status I already have."

Narcissa smirked. "If it's any consolation, I've never seen Severus indulge in such things. I've also never seen him smile so much as he did dancing with you the other night. I suspect he is quite serious. I congratulate you on that. The benefits of being a wife are many, protection being paramount. Baubles when they stray are another."

Hermione grew flustered. Her relationship with Severus was actually only a few days old, and yet now it was assumed she was his future wife? That was a bit of a leap forward.

Narcissa didn't seem to notice her reaction. She just blithely went on with her advice. "You should know that there are certain drawbacks to being a wife as well. Paramours and fleeting associations being one of them. Not for you, mind. You just have to put up with them. Any inclination toward your own peccadillo could be fatal for you as a spouse. Status is everything, and if you cost Severus status, you might find your value to him evaporate in an instant. If you do want to have your cake and eat it too, you might want to think about joining them. The rules are different if you're a full member. However, that's not the most intelligent motivation for joining."

"Are you a full member?" Hermione asked.

"No. Bella is, but I'm not interested in such things. There's more involved in the organization at that level and most of it bores me. I'm content with how things are. I support their efforts, but I leave the quest for glory to others with more enthusiasm. I have a son to raise. Besides, I have a status in my own right, and if you're careful with your oversight, you can parley what you have already gained into something that will be above and beyond what the poor little Carrows or Rowles can ever hope for."

"How do I do that?"

Narcissa laughed. "I suspect your best way is to just be yourself. You have Bella's favor already, and you caught Rodolphus' eye as well, something I don't recall anyone else doing in ages. Just watch Alecto and take care to not behave as she does. She's too stupid to realize she was invited as the entertainment. Her brother cost them status ages ago, and she's so desperate to regain some small bit that she acts the fool. No one likes a bootlicker. Keep your head up and your dignity at all times, and your status will be head and shoulders above many of those who believe they are more deserving. Severus will protect you should any of them try to take you down."

"I shall do my best," she said.

Narcissa patted her hand. "I have high hopes for you, dear. It's been a long time since I sensed I had an equal, and I do enjoy your company. Great things are coming for us, and soon we will take our rightful place in the world. The first to go will be the Mudbloods, after that, the Alectos and Friedas."

Hermione smiled, wondering if it was possible for her brain to actually explode from all the conflicting impulses. Why did she feel honored by the flattering attitudes of a woman that hated her kind? Why was she seriously ingesting advice on how to become a successful Death Eater's wife? Why was she even trying to wrap her brain around accepting the fact that Severus would cheat on her eventually? She would kill him if he ever did.

As the others in the room started to line up for dinner, Hermione wanted nothing more than to run home and take a bath. She felt as if she'd been fouled by having their good opinion.

Lucius appeared before them and offered his wife his arm. Severus was there a heartbeat later, and Hermione was caught between the contradictory desires to either throw herself at him or preemptively slap him. He didn't seem to notice, since he wasn't really looking at her. As she took his arm, she followed his calculating gaze to the sway of Frieda Rowle's hips.

Hermione's eyes narrowed down to slits.

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*smirks*