The Blood Compact – Chapter 27 – A very Slytherin ploy

Severus had invited Lucius Malfoy to come to Spinner's End. He had found a good motive as to the meeting. The blond Death-Eater had gathered his friend did not wish whatever he had to tell him to be heard by the other occupants of the Manor – especially the Dark Lord. Besides, it provided him with some escape from the place. The atmosphere there had become very tense lately...

Lucius Malfoy was no fool. He too had noticed that his Master had become more and more unstable in his reactions. He had recommended to his wife not to meddle in Death-Eater business as much as possible, keeping to herself and focusing on the day-to-day running of the property. Should any issue arise with Lord Voldemort, she had to leave it to her sister Bellatrix who would be immensely pleased to check the matter with the Dark Lord in person.

The same went for Draco – except that he was already a Death-Eater, contrary to his mother. Yet, surprisingly, despite his failure at the top of the Astronomy Tower the year before, he seemed to enjoy some forbearance from the Dark Lord, as the youngest member of the brotherhood. But Lucius and Narcissa knew the tables could turn very fast – and not in their favour. Lucius had to admit that his son had not had it in him but he had had the proof that the young man was skilled and cunning enough not to engage in treacherous paths.

All the same. In his absence from the manor, Lucius either sent away wife and son, or he enjoined them to stay as far as possible from the Dark Lord. Pretty much like Severus, he had come to the same conclusion : Voldemort was mad.

Only someone as psychotic as he was could stay in the same room as him. In that case, his obnoxious sister-in-law Bellatrix. Better be her than my Narcissa. Or my only son.

There was another reason for Lucius to enjoy spending a few hours in Spinner's End. Not only he had perceived that Severus nurtured the same suspicions as he did regarding the Dark Lord's mental state – without sharing that thought with him though – but also there was the lovely Mudblood that lived there.

Of course, she was Severu's property and her Master was a very possessive wizard. Anyway, he may try his luck. Maybe Severus would be in a good disposition for sharing. Lucius loved his wife but he did not mind sex with a Mudblood every now and then. This was not sex for sake of it but rather a way to assert his superiority over people he considered of a lower status. Sex as a way to humiliate the enemy. Defiling a Mudblood woman meant defiling the whole Mudblood kind.


Severus had not told Amelia which motive he had used to invite Lucius. She did not care actually, as long as the blond Death-Eater would come. He only told her when he was supposed to come. She nodded in silence. He was to come around five o'clock in the afternoon. Earlier that day, Amelia spent a good deal of time in the bathroom, to take care of herself and choose the clothing she would wear. She had to be very attractive for the rest of her plan. She had also carefully chosen her garments. She had to appear both seductive and modest – a difficult combination.

On his side, Severus knew what her plan would be. He did not like it the least bit but she was right. People died every day. People were jailed every day. Slowly but surely, the British wizarding community was destroyed. Voldemort had to be stopped. Once and for all. He was impressed by her sense of priorities and her practical approach to the problem, despite her own issues.

To top it all off, Dumbledore had approved Amelia's idea. Severus had the feeling he was the only one to care for her. Yet, the old man had explained to him that he did care for her too but all the same, she was right. This would not be a big deal and if the blood compact Severus had imposed on her worked, there would be no harm done.

At five, the door bell rang. Severus had finished reviewing the last details with Amelia. She was beautiful. She had put on a long skirt and a loose white shirt.

"I'll be in my lab, Amelia. Be careful."

"I will, Master. Don't worry. I trust you and the enchantment you've placed on me," she said while showing him the scars on her neck, just above the collar she had kept wearing since the moment he had put it on her, before the Dark revel at Malfoy Manor. With a smile she sent him back to the lab. She had not noticed the gleam of white lust dancing in his dark eyes, mixed with envy and anger. The sight of the collar on her neck made him feel very possessive too.

Severus would have to keep a firm grip on his emotions and not kill Lucius for what was to happen next. He may need him later and besides, this was a trap set up by a Ravenclaw that would have deserved to be sorted into Slytherin – despite her blood status. It should and would work.

Amelia went to the door and greeted the visitor. Lucius' cold grey eyes rested on her, assessing her and her clothing. His experience of women told him at once what had escaped Severus' attention. The young witch wore no underwear, at least no bra.

"Where's your Master ?"

"In his potions lab, Mr Malfoy. He'll be a bit late, an experiment has taken more time than he had previously expected. But please, come in and make yourself comfortable." She guided him inside the sitting-room. "Give me your cloak, sir. Do you want something to drink ? My Master will be here shortly, I can assure you he has not forgotten your visit."

"How long will he stay in his lab ?"

He had a husky tone that told Amelia she could set her plan into motion. "He told me about a quarter of an hour, sir."

Fifteen minutes ? That's enough for me to taste and bite into that fruit, Lucius thought. "I think I know a way to spend that time... in a quite enjoyable fashion," he said softly. "Come here !"

Amelia knew he had taken the bait. She looked as if she had not understood him. Lucius came closer to her, his gaze both threatening and lustful. "I said – come here !"

Amelia knew that gaze. Wormtail had had the same. She had to muster all her energy to resist her fear. The fear of going down an avenue she knew all too well. She managed to get a grip on her strong emotions and just stepped back. Lucius got closer and closer to her. When she had her back against the library shelves, she could not move. He grabbed her by the waist and began to lean towards her, to catch her lips. She turned her face away and felt his kissing her on the neck.

"I want more," he whispered. "A quick fuck with a lovely Mudblood like you. You deserve it !"

"No ! My Master... he won't be happy to know..."

"To know what ? That you tried to seduce me ?" he snorted. "Either you let me do and it'll remain a secret between you and me. Severus will know nothing about it and you won't be punished for this. Either you scream and I'll tell him you begged for sex with me." He grabbed her shirt collar and tore it apart, to uncover her upper body. He smiled lustfully. She had no bra indeed. "No bra ? Looks like you're begging for sex indeed. Isn't Severus enough for you ? Maybe he's not so good a lover. I'll show you then !"

Amelia did not scream. She just pleaded. "Sir... please... don't... I don't want... please !"

"You say no but you mean yes, you wanton little minx !" Saying so, Lucius slid a hand under her skirt, up to her hip. "And no knickers either. You want me to fuck you definitely !"

"No, that's not true ! I have to remain... available... for my Master's desire !"

Lucius burst into a sinister laugh. He tried to imagine the austere and prude Potions Master having a quick fuck on the kitchen table or in the stairwell with the young witch. Or in his lab. Though he had heard Wormtail back at the Manor telling stories that Severus had an habit of having sex with her in the morning, just before setting himself to work...

"You're a Mudblood. You have to be ready for your betters' desire ! That includes me !" He pushed her harder against the wall. "Can you feel it, how much I'm in need of you ?" She could indeed. He was hard in his trousers. "Let me relieve myself in you..."

"No ! Let me go ! Let me go !" she protested. Panic began to mount in her and threatened to overwhelm her. She regained control of her fear by remembering why all this was happening. That this was her plan. Before Lucius could go any further, she grabbed a handful of his hair she pulled with all her force. Lucius shrieked. His reply was not long to come : he slapped her in the face.

"Wormtail told me he had had you in the past. And with Severus... you must be used to that, men relieving themselves in you... even without your consent !" His words, the mention of the man that had raped her, just sent her in a panic, a panic she would not be able to control any longer. She closed her eyes not to see that face any more but another face coming from the past, sprung in front of her mind's eye.

Lucius slapped her another time, hoping she would give in to him eventually. "People like you are just good to serve us... any way... any time... like this !"

Amelia felt he was unfastening his trouser belt. She screamed but he put a brutal fist over her mouth to keep her silent. She closed her eyes and braced herself, hoping that Severus would come soon. Very soon. She refused to think that the blood compact enchantment was not working. It had to. Her plan rested on it.

Master... Master... she began to call in her mind. Severus ! Severus !


In his lab, down in the cellar, Severus was pacing. He was attentive to any sign the blood compact enchantment would send him. In fact, he had already had a more or less precise idea of how he would be warned. At Malfoy Manor, he had felt warmth in his body. He wanted to interfere now but at the same time, reason told him he had to leave Amelia enough time to get a hair from Lucius.

Then he perceived it. It was like a call but no sound could be heard. It was in his mind. Master... Master... Severus ! Severus ! He was surprised by the use of his first name. The following moment, he felt it in his body. Like a rush. Like a tidal wave that overwhelmed his soul. An intense heat boiled his blood. A fire ran across his veins.

So this is how it feels when in real danger. It was much stronger than when he had harmed her at Malfoy Manor. Maybe because he had been the one to harm her, and back then, she had not been in real danger, while now, things were different.

Severus ran upstairs at once, wand at the ready. He expected the worst. He was not entirely disappointed. He found Lucius squeezing Amelia against the shelves in the sitting-room, her upper body naked, his fellow Death-Eater's hand under her skirt, his other hand on her mouth. Lucius had also imprisoned her wrists in magical ties, above her head.

There was something terribly appealing in that scene, that made Severus hard in his trousers too. He wanted to be in Lucius' shoes, at this very second. He got a grip on his own emotions. "So, Lucius, enjoying yourself ?" he asked with a cold sneer.

Lucius was surprised. He released Amelia at once and fumbled with his trousers and robes. Yet, his face had regained his usual cold composure. No blushing. No shame. "Severus, I'm sorry, but she flung herself at me !"

Amelia's mouth opened but no sound made it out – she was too shocked by the blunt lie.

"She told me she was in need of a good fuck. So I thought..."

"... you could oblige ?" Severus ended coldly. He knew this was a sheer lie. Yet, it provided him with the solution to put an end to that delicate situation. "Of course." Then he went to Amelia and grabbed her arm. "You cheap slut ! You don't have enough with me, do you ? You need to almost assault my best friend in order to get what you want and satisfy your lust ?" His tone was both soft and sarcastic, yet it remained dangerous.

"But Master... that's not true !"

"I don't care ! Go to my bedroom ! Now ! I have an important matter to discuss with Mr Malfoy here and after..." His soft voice had moved to a more threatening stance. "After, I'll decide what punishment you shall be given for that offence to me and to him." A sneer. "Since this is what you want... I'll finish what Mr Malfoy had started," he said in a low, growling tone that announced nothing good.

Now Amelia was really afraid. She did not know if he was bluffing or not. He looked awfully sincere in his words and genuinely angry in his attitude. With a movement of his head, he gestured her to leave the sitting-room at once. Amelia sniffled and gathering her shirt around her to hide her chest. She left the place in a hurry, her head lowered to hide her tears and her distress, her fists clenched in anger in front of such unfairness. Both men heard her sobbing noisily as she went upstairs.

In the mean time, Lucius had straightened his garments and was back to his usual self. He was glad to see that the brunt of Severus' wrath would fall on her – not on him, while he was entirely responsible for the whole situation. But he did not care. She was just a Mudblood slave after all.

"I'm sorry, Severus. I didn't want to... use her. Really. But you should be careful. She's got temper. I suppose she's a real volcano in bed ?"

Severus wondered to what lengths Amelia had gone to elicit such a comment and if she had been able to get a hair from Lucius. "She is. But you know me. There's nothing a Dominant cannot handle."

Lucius shrugged. "Indeed. Maybe she wanted a bit of change. A blond man instead of a dark-haired one. Who knows with witches ?"

Severus nodded. "Yes, who knows. Don't worry, she shall be punished accordingly. Not that I question the legendary Malfoy charm. But she has to learn who her Master is and how to behave. I hope this won't happen again in the future. She's mine and mine only." He invited his fellow Death-Eater to sit down. If there was any double-entendre in his words, it was totally lost on Lucius.

Lucius nodded and sat down on the sofa. "So, Severus, what can I do for you ?"

Severus took out a piece of parchment out of his frock coat pocket, which he handed out to Lucius. "Headmaster, I want to go back to Hogwarts again next year. Here's my application."

Lucius took it but his grey eyes rested on Severus. "And pray tell, Severus, why do you want to go back to Hogwarts ?"

"I think that the Dark Lord's position will be definitively secure before Summer. So I suppose he'll have less use of my services as a Potions Master – though if he still needs potions, I'll be honoured to brew them for him, of course. I want to apply for the position of the DADA teacher."

Lucius smiled. "You're still after that position, aren't you ?"

"I think I perfectly qualify for it."

"But others do as well."

"Are you talking about Amycus Carrow ? I've heard that past the Cruciatus Curse, he doesn't know much. I could bring so much more to Hogwarts in terms of the Dark Arts teaching. Do I need to remind you I already held that position for one year, last year ?"

Lucius laughed. "No, you needn't. You're right, Amycus is very good as far as discipline is concerned. But he's not as experienced as you in teaching."

"You may still keep him for discipline. If he's that good in that field, well, he's a true asset to your school, Lucius."

Lucius felt proud to hear the reference to Hogwarts as his school. "Oh, yes, undeniably. Have you already talked to the Dark Lord about this ?"

This was the issue. Severus had used his well known desire to get the DADA post he had coveted for years to invite Lucius. If he was given it, so far so good. However, he did not believe a single word of what he was saying. He hoped ardently that the Dark Lord would be brought down before Summer. He had to be careful in his wording.

"I thought I would go through the usual process, rather than pulling up strings because of my position within the Inner Circle. I want to get the post because of my own merits and skills, Lucius. Besides... I think the Dark Lord should be made the next Chairman of the Board of Governors of Hogwarts. That would be the most logical thing to do."

"I had this in mind too. I wanted to suggest him the position as well as his lifting the curse he had put on the DADA post. Won't do no good to have such a turnover in a teaching position so important as this one. Of course, once he's firmly established in power." A pause. "Because you're aware that if you're the next DADA teacher, you'll last only one year, unless the curse is lifted."

"I am. But I rely on you to talk to the Dark Lord about this situation."

Lucius' face paled. He did not wish to talk to the Dark Lord any more. He kept his contact with Voldemort to a minimum – his living in his manor and Hogwarts business, if needed. The Potions Master knew it and had used it to his own advantage. "Listen, Severus, this is what I suggest. I keep your application in my office at Hogwarts. But I think our Master has other things to do at the present time. Once we have won the war against Potter and his clique, once the Ministry of Magic is ours..."

"The Ministry is already ours, Lucius."

"I know, I know ! But once this is all officially invested in the Dark Lord's person, then I think it'll be time to move on to this sort of organisational questions." Lucius hoped Voldemort would be in far better dispositions by then, once the pressure of the battle would be over. "Rest assured that I'll lobby in favour of your application. You're indeed a very good candidate for that position, a true Dark Arts expert and a seasoned teacher. Last but not least, you're one of us. I'd be delighted to have you in my team."

That was all Severus wanted. "Thank you so much, Lucius. You're a true friend. We do like this, no problem. And if you wish, I'll go with you to present these... organisational questions... to our Master." I owe you and you owe me. The usual game.

Severus shared a drink with his guest before accompanying him back to the door. They parted amicably, promising to each other they would keep silent about their plans for Severus' application for the post of DADA teacher. Their meeting had not lasted more than about twenty minutes.

Once the blond Death-Eater out, Severus closed the door and turned his dark gaze towards the stairwell. Now, he had to check on Amelia.


Now that was a real Slytherin ploy indeed ! I hope I have kept everyone in character, Lucius and Severus in particular.

And yes, I do love an evil cliffhanger every now and then. I've got to keep you all on your toes. So stay tuned, more to come !