A/N: This story contains a romantic pairing with an age gap (all adults) and the OC being held captive. You don't like, don't read. You've been given plenty of notice, so please don't leave a nasty review because you didn't like it...

Prologue

As was his duty, Severus was gathered with the Death Eaters at the latest planning meeting at the Malfoy Manor, fulfilling his role as the dedicated Death Eater. Though precious little had been required of him lately, aside from hiding his utter hatred for the Dark Lord. Admittedly, part of him was restless for action, that part of him that was still drawn to the Dark Arts, despite all the pain they had brought into his life. And more than that, he longed to prove his loyalty to Voldemort, restore his place as one of Voldemort's most trusted advisors and followers.

"My dear Severus, come to me," Voldemort ordered in his raspy voice.

Always the obedient servant, Severus rose from his place at the table, showing not a single trace of his distaste for being ordered around.

"How can I be of service, my lord?" He kept his eyes slightly downcast, his shoulders bowed in a deferential posture.

The other Death Eaters were beginning to filter out of the gathering hall in Malfoy manner, their business for the evening concluded. Snape always felt a jolt of unease being singled out to linger, but rationally, he knew that Voldemort doled out his worst punishments publicly.

"You know that I have kept you from the innerworkings of our plan at the Ministry for your own protection to avoid the wrath of Dumbledore."

Snape nods once, stiffly. Will the Dark Lord finally let him into the inner ring of secrets? Can he finally report to the Order of the Phoenix how to foil the plot?

"But you must know," Voldemort continues, "that is not because I don't trust you. I trust you, very much. And I have a task for you that is very important to me. Can I count on you deliver?"

"Of course. You know I'll always offer my services to the cause."

"I do...though I expect you may not like this one too much," he smiled a slimy grin. "I need you to hold a prisoner for me. A muggle woman, actually."

"My lord?" He stammered slightly, despite his usually practiced calm. Torture, murder, blackmail – all tasks he was accustomed to. But this was unexpected.

"No need to look so alarmed. You're more than up to the task."

"Exactly, my Lord. Couldn't I be of more use on the front lines? What need do you have for me to play warden for some Muggle? Plenty of your newer, less experienced recruits can handle keeping a muggle in line."

"Indeed they could. But this requires a certain amount of...restraint."

This grabbed Snape's attention, and his curiosity to know how this Muggle factored into the Dark Lord's plans. "You want to a capture a muggle and keep her alive? Am I to at least know for what purpose?"

"Not just alive," he said quickly. "I need her unharmed, in any regard. Do you accept?"

"Of course, my lord. Though I'm sure I don't need to tell you that once the summer is over, I will be back at Hogwarts... I think even the old coot Dumbledore would notice if I had someone imprisoned in my quarters."

The Dark Lord waved one pale, spidery hand. "That is no concern. By then her purpose will have been fulfilled, one way or another."

"And when am I to received my charge?" Snape asked. He allowed a hint of bitterness to slip into his voice. Asking him to imprison someone in his own home for the whole summer, his one place and time of solace, was an irritating request, and the Dark Lord knew it.

"Now." With another wave of his hand, Voldemort removed the charms that concealed the cage where the woman laid, unconscious, in the room.

Snape cocked an eyebrow in surprise. The woman was young, no more than twenty, but clearly mature. Though her brow was furrowed in her sleep, as if part of her knew she was in danger, her features were beautiful, with high cheek bones, a gently sloped nose, and ruby lips. There was a shallow wound, now crusted with dried blood, at her hairline – sustained during her capture, most likely.

And her form...sinful was the best descriptor. Since Voldemort wanted her unharmed, now it made sense that he didn't trust her to be kept by any of the other Death Eaters, who were known to give into baser urges and would probably force themselves on a woman this beautiful within minutes of being alone with her.

He dragged his eyes from the woman, knowing he would have too much time to admire her in private very soon. "And what am I to do with her?"

"Just keep her alive, don't let her leave your home, and do not physically harm her. Other than that, it is up to you. Use her as a servant, lock her in your bathroom for a month at a time... I do not care. I will require her presence at some point before the summer is concluded, and I will let you know when that time draws near. She is enchanted so that she will not awake until you remove the spell. You may leave now."

"As you wish, my Lord." Gathering his wand to turn the cage invisible once more and then float along side him, Snape stalked out of the manor and beyond the wards that prevented apparation. Though, he realized with annoyance, he wouldn't be able to apparate with the muggle caged. Conjuring a broom, he began the long flight home, keeping the woman in her cage suspended beside him, and cursing his ill luck the whole way home.