Chapter 38: Complication
Dinner was served in the Great Hall of the castle, a sumptuously decorated room with silver-gilded candlesticks and chandeliers, a huge ebony table with matching chairs, ancient tapestries depicting the Seven Great Acts of Merlin, and a lovely forty-foot-long Persian carpet with designs of green, silver, and black. The black marble floor was polished so well it was like a mirror reflecting everything above it. The ceiling was in a dome shape and was painted with a design depicting clusters of black roses with trailing vines that kept growing and blooming as one watched.
The Dark Lord did not join them for the meal. Amarana sat between Snape and Draco, opposite Bellatrix and a tall, handsome, dark-haired man that looked strangely familiar.
"Amarana, this is my brother-in-law, Rabastan Lestrange," Bellatrix told her as soon as the first course appeared. "Rab, this is Miss Amarana Ravinike."
The man's black eyes widened as he scrutinized her closely. His gaze held an odd look that made Amarana cringe.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Lestrange," Amarana said timidly, attempting to remember her manners.
The corner of his mouth curled up into a sneer-like smile. "And I am most pleased to meet you, Miss Ravinike," he answered, his tone strangely beguiling.
Next to her, Snape stiffened. His hand reached for hers under the table, squeezing tightly.
"Amarana is the young witch I told you about, Rab," Bellatrix continued with a small smirk on her face. "The one who helped our Draco with his mission."
"A talented witch, I see," Mr. Lestrange said, still smiling as he took a sip of his oyster soup. "As well as a lovely one. You will make some wizard a very happy man someday. A treasure of a wife is always welcome to a man and his family, as dear Bella has proved herself to be to Rodolphus."
From the corner of her eye, Amarana saw Draco glance suspiciously at the two Death Eaters, his spoon suspended halfway between his bowl and his mouth. Snape's hand clasped hers almost painfully. Amarana bit her lip, very confused, and began to eat her soup.
"Do you think the Dark Lord will be sending you on a mission anytime soon?" Bella asked Snape as soon as the salad course appeared.
"That is for the Dark Lord to decide," Snape snapped at her. "You know that as well as I."
"Touchy, touchy, Severus," Mr. Lestrange said with a hint of malice. "You should know that everything you leave behind will be taken care of." He smiled at Amarana again.
"Yes," Snape answered, just as maliciously. "The Dark Lord will see that everything that is mine will remain so."
The conversation lulled after that. Amarana kept her eyes on her plate as the different courses appeared before her, not wanting to look up. The way Rabastan Lestrange kept staring at her was making her uncomfortable, and she knew something was going on. The moment she finished the last bite of her chocolate lava cake, raspberries, and whipped cream, Snape whisked her up and away without allowing her to say her goodbyes to Bellatrix or Mr. Lestrange. They entered a small summer parlor, where Draco joined them.
Snape began to pace the room while Draco took a seat beside Amarana.
"What's going on?" Amarana asked.
Snape ignored her, looking at Draco instead. "Do you know what they're planning?"
Draco shrugged. "I can guess."
"Well tell me what you think!" Snape snarled. "I want to know if your thoughts match mine!"
"I think . . . Aunt Bella is trying to acquire Rana for Rabastan," Draco answered slowly. He glanced at Amarana, his face turning red.
"Obviously!"
"You asked for my opinion!" Draco said quickly. "Don't get mad at me!"
Snape stared at him exasperatedly. "I'm not mad at you." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm mad at the situation."
"I want to know what's going on!" Amarana insisted, standing with her hands on her hips. "What do you mean, Bella's trying to acquire me for Mr. Lestrange?"
Snape sighed again. "Rana, I knew something of this sort would happen if you became one of us. I didn't expect it to happen so quickly, but there you are."
She stamped her foot. "Something of what sort?"
"Easy, Rana, sit back down," Draco told her quietly. "Listen . . . from the moment we arrived, and my mother and aunt found out who you were, they've been . . . well . . . pretty desperate to get you married."
Amarana stared at him in confusion. "But I am going to get married!" She looked up at Snape. "Severus, you did tell them we were engaged, didn't you?"
He began to pace the room once more. "They know. But we are not formally betrothed, they assume that anything can happen."
Draco bit his lip. "At first, Rana, my mother began to pester me to try for you myself. I . . . I told her . . ." he glanced with a pained look at Snape ". . . I told her my feelings for you, but I also explained to her that you loved . . . loved Severus . . . and weren't about to change your mind." He shook his head. "She wasn't happy with my answer, and told me to try harder, but I refused."
"That's why she was so interested in my relationship with Severus when I first woke up," Amarana said thoughtfully.
"The fact that you are a pureblood, one of the most elite, I might add, as well as young, beautiful, and an heiress to millions of Galleons are only part of the reasons why they want you," Snape added bitterly. "The thought of you 'wasting' yourself on a half-blood like me drives them insane."
"So why are they trying to get me to marry Mr. Lestrange?" Amarana asked.
Draco turned bright red. "Well . . . I assume it's . . ." He broke off in embarrassment.
"Because they believe that, since you aren't attracted to Draco, you will be attracted to Lestrange," Snape finished, his face a mask of hatred. "They believe that you are simply infatuated with me, and the promise of a relationship with another older man . . . one more handsome, rich, and pureblooded, will sway you."
Amarana looked appalled. "But I love you. This isn't an infatuation!"
"Aunt Bella and my mother don't believe that. They want you in our family, no matter how they have to do it. They aren't bad people, Rana, just . . . mercenary."
Amarana sighed. "I understand. They're acting in the best interests of their family, just as every other pureblood woman has been trained to act. I just wish I wasn't in the middle of this particular . . . interest." She looked at Draco. "I like your mother and aunt, Draco. What can I do to stop this, without offending them?"
He shrugged.
"This is a very delicate situation, Rana," Snape cut in. "Most of the other Death Eaters will agree with Bella and Narcissa that you should marry to benefit our cause, not for love."
"I'd still be marrying a Death Eater!" Amarana protested. "This is ridiculous! Are my wishes of no account? I'm not even part of their family, how can they assume they can control me this way?" She tossed her hair. "Anyway, you have the Dark Lord's favor, which most of them don't. That counts for something, doesn't it?" She smiled suddenly and stood up.
"Where are you going?" Snape asked.
"To the one person whose opinion actually matters here," Amarana replied calmly. "I'm going to speak to the Dark Lord myself."
Draco and Snape exchanged horrified glances.
"You can't!" Draco cried.
"And why shouldn't the child come to me?" came a voice from the doorway.
All three of them dropped to their knees.
"M . . . My Lord," Draco stammered.
Voldemort strode in, his robes billowing behind him. He stood silently regarding the three for several long moments before allowing them to get up. His red gaze turned slowly onto Amarana.
"What is it you wish to discuss with me, my child?"
She took a deep breath. "My Lord, I can see that my presence here has already caused dissention in your ranks. I need your advice on how to handle this issue."
"I am aware of the problem," Voldemort answered. "And I have come up with a very simple solution."
"My Lord?"
He ignored Snape's question and began to pace the room. "Leave us," Voldemort almost whispered, waving a white hand at Draco and Snape. "I wish to speak to the girl alone."
The two men gave apprehensive glances to Amarana before respectfully stepping out. As soon as they were gone, Voldemort took a seat in a green-velvet upholstered chair and motioned for Amarana to do the same. He waved his wand and a house-elf appeared, bowing so low its snout touched the floor.
"Bring us some wine, Dinky."
The house-elf disappeared and reappeared in a flash, carrying a bottle of elf-made wine and two glasses. After offering one first to the Dark Lord, then Amarana, the elf disappeared.
Amarana waited respectfully until Voldemort had taken a sip before tasting her own wine.
"Delicious, My Lord, I thank you," she said quietly.
He looked at her appraisingly. "Amarana, are you quite sure you wish to marry Severus Snape?"
The question took her by surprise. "Why . . . yes, I do, My Lord," she answered after a few moments. "Very much."
"You are aware that, according to the old pureblood laws, your marriage would be arranged by your family, most likely by your father. In your case, of course, being estranged from your family as you are at present, I would take on the role of guardian, or appoint a guardian of my own choosing, to take on the task of finding you a husband."
Amarana stared, taken completely aback. She swallowed hard, knowing there was only one answer she could give. "I am aware of that, My Lord . . . and if it is your choice to mate me to another man . . ." She closed her eyes, her heart breaking. "If it is your choice . . . if you wish me to marry another pureblood . . . I will do so without argument."
He considered her for a moment. "Why would you do this, if you love Severus so?"
She looked him full in the face. "My Lord, my heart belongs to Severus. He is all I have ever wanted in a husband . . . even though he is only a half-blood. I always thought I would marry a pureblood, but . . . to be perfectly honest, My Lord . . . many purebloods are so . . . arrogant and uninteresting." She hung her head, waiting for a rebuke. To her surprise Voldemort began to laugh.
"You are correct, Amarana. I have noticed it myself." His eyes glinted scarlet. "It is an irritating fact, but a fact nonetheless." He chuckled again before growing serious. "But that doesn't change what I know to be true . . . we must return our wizards to the pureblood state."
She nodded. "I agree, My Lord. That . . . that is why I give myself to you to do your will. You are my Lord, and I will do your bidding . . . whatever you ask of me."
"I am pleased to hear that, Amarana," Voldemort said, drinking more of his wine. He smiled at her. "You will be pleased to hear that I will have no regrets in giving you to Severus as a wife. Once you are married, your blood and his will become one . . . and as I believe you've told him before, your blood will cancel his half-Muggle blood out. Severus' qualities and powers are that which I don't want to lose. He will not live forever, but his descendants will, and they will all carry that power, power I will use to my benefit."
"I . . . I do not know what to say, My Lord." Her eyes glistened with tears. "I don't know how to thank you."
"Being here is enough thanks, Amarana Ravinike. I admit to some pride in having you as one of my Death Eaters. Your blood is powerful, as is your magic. You will be very useful to me, once you have been trained properly."
"I am honored to be here, My Lord."
He nodded. "You and Severus will be formally betrothed as soon as possible, before any others can get any ideas towards you. I will deal with Bella and Rabastan personally."
Amarana's eyes widened. "I . . . I don't want harm . . ."
Voldemort waved his hand, cutting her off. "I will not harm them. I will simply tell them my wishes and they will abide by them. Now as I have said, you and Severus will be formally betrothed and that will put an end to all this. Dinky!"
The house-elf appeared, her face to the floor. "My Lord?"
"Bring me Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy, and Bella Lestrange immediately."
Dinky bowed and disappeared. Voldemort stood up.
"Come here, Amarana." Waving his hand, he Transfigured her robes into a gown of serpent-green velvet. Her hair coiled up into an elegant updo of its own accord. "You cannot dress in everyday attire at your betrothal ceremony," he explained.
Amarana turned to see Snape, Draco, and Bella walk into the room and kneel.
"You sent for us, My Lord?" Bella asked.
"Yes. You and Draco will witness the betrothal of Severus Snape and Amarana Ravinike," Voldemort ordered. "Come forward, all of you. Severus, take Amarana's hand."
Bella and Draco approached apprehensively, both pale and shocked. Draco looked as if he were about to burst into tears. Voldemort ignored them, placing his wand on Amarana and Snape's hands.
"Severus Snape," Voldemort began, "do you wish to take this woman, Amarana Ravinike, as your affianced bride at some time in the future? Do you agree to give her your family name, an honorable place in your home, your protection from those who would harm her, and the title of 'Mother' to your children?"
"I do, My Lord," Snape answered. A thin gold line wrapped itself around their hands.
"And do you, Amarana Ravinike, accept this man's proposal of marriage? Do you accept the responsibilities of becoming mistress of Severus Snape's household and children? Will you allow yourself to submit to his right of authority as head of the household?"
"I do, My Lord," said Amarana, as a thin silver line intertwined with the gold.
Voldemort glanced at Draco and Bella. "Do you, Draconius Malfoy and Bellatrix Black Lestrange, acknowledge that you are witnesses to this couple's betrothal, and if anyone asks, you will tell them they are indeed formally betrothed and set to wed?"
Draco swallowed hard. "I do, My Lord."
"As do I," Bella whispered.
Snape and Amarana's hands glowed as Voldemort lifted them up. "Then I pronounce you formally betrothed, Severus Snape and Amarana Ravinike. Your lives are now intertwined for good or bad. If you do not carry out your promise to wed within seven years, you both will be cursed with death. If you agree to this, you will seal the spell with a kiss."
Snape took Amarana's face gently into his free hand and leaned down to kiss her. Their entire bodies glowed for several seconds before the light faded.
"Good," Voldemort announced. "It's done, and can't be broken." He drew his robes around him and strode out the door without another word.
Paying no attention to Bella or Draco, Snape led Amarana upstairs and showed her into a small room which was to be hers for the night. Her trunk had already been placed at the foot of the bed.
"We have to be up early tomorrow, darling," Snape said, holding her close. "My lovely fiancée."
"I'm so glad to be here with you, Severus," Amarana said, burying her face into his chest. "And to be betrothed." She smiled broadly. "Everything's happening so fast!"
"I am glad you are here with me too, Rana," he said softly before kissing her deeply. With some reluctance, he pulled away. "I'll see you tomorrow," Snape whispered. "There are things I must do to prepare for our departure tomorrow. Please, get some sleep, my love."
She smiled and nodded. "I'll dream of you, Severus."