(Disclaimer)
"Red-head, Selwyn needs his pants washed now! He said that if he doesn't have them folded in his drawer by dinner, he'll break your neck." A wicker basket landed next to Lily. It was the servant with the black eye. Lily eventually learned her name was Jenny. Her eye wasn't as discolored anymore, but still swollen and shiny. The two did not get along. Jenny didn't leave. Instead, she looked Lily over with envious eyes. "So what did you do? Bite his cock?"
Lily stirred the dirty clothes in the enormous cauldron with a wooden paddle. The water was clear and boiling hot just moments ago. After adding all the Death Eater's garments, the water quickly turned a foggy-rust color from the dirt and blood. She gripped the paddle and willed herself not to lose her temper and beat Jenny senseless with it. A few days have passed since Lily left the bathroom alone. She regretted threatening Severus that she would leave; but it was too late at this point. It would be foolish to go running back; she would have to follow through. She only blurted out in desperation to get a response from him, but she didn't get one. "Do as you will."
"I bet you bit his cock." Jenny sneered.
Lily went back to being a regular servant. More or less, a week has already passed since she returned. She did the laundry. It was better than working in the kitchens or in the main parts of the castle. There was always a pile of filthy clothes from the Death Eaters, or expensive garments from their wives that required specific care. Her work was almost never done, as there was always something to be worked on. It was the perfect chore to avoid the Death Eaters and other servants. As long as she did her job correctly, she was completely invisible. Lily considered herself lucky the position just opened. The previous laundry maid was found floating in the washing cauldron face-down. It wasn't clear if she was killed by a Death Eater or if it was a suicide. "Do as you will." "I didn't bite his cock." Lily answered flatly as she dumped Selwyn's dirty pants in the cauldron.
"So what did you do?"
"He said he didn't want me anymore." She repeated. She had given this answer to the other servants countless times before, it became automatic.
"No no. They don't just send us away when they're done with us. If Snape was done with you, he would have just killed you." Her empty eyes glittered. "You must have really fucked up if he left you alive. What happened? What did you do?"
"I didn't … clean right. I didn't clean the way he wanted to." Lily came up with a lie. "So he threw me down here to learn how to do it right."
Jenny snorted in disbelief. "You bit his fucking cock, red-head." On her way back up to the kitchens, she purposefully kicked over an opened sack of beans resting on the rickety stairs into the cauldron. "Sorry."
"You cunt!" Lily shouted at her. Quickly, she grabbed a net she fashioned from a broom handle and cheesecloth and fished out as many beans as could. She could already picture some angry Death Eater finding mashed, half-cooked beans smeared on his robes. Her net was falling apart from the weight of the beans. "Dammit!" Lily grumbled. She did not want to end up like the previous laundry maid; her only option was to drain the cauldron and start over. She pulled the rope connected to the drain plug and with the wooden paddle, she scooped out the sopping-wet clothes and hung them to dry in front of the furnace.
While working, Lily bitterly pondered her next step. She already had a general idea for an escape plan. The draining pipe connected to the washing cauldron was wide enough for a small child to crawl through. Lily wondered that if she ever had a moment of down time, if she could drain the cauldron completely and see where the pipes ended up. Perhaps the pipe was only narrow at the drain, and maybe it got wider further down.
Once the cauldron was finally empty. Lily peered over the top and saw the bottom was littered with beans. She groaned and took off her shoes. She would have to climb into the cauldron and pluck all the beans out by hand. Suddenly, she paused. "What if I shove them all down the drain? They'll turn into a bloody clumpy mess and clog the pipes. But that won't be until hours later!" Quickly, and eagerly, Lily grabbed the empty burlap sack and dumped out whatever beans were left into the cauldron. With a mop and running water, she was able to scrape the beans from the bottom of the cauldron and into the drain.
This was one of those moments Lily was proud to be part muggle. Thanks to her muggle upbringing and a creative streak, she was able to do the laundry somewhat easier. Before, the plug at the bottom of the cauldron would have to be pulled out by hand. A servant would have to wade in the scalding hot water and quickly fumble around for the ring. Lily simply tied a rope to the plug and wrapped it around a rafter above until the other end was in her reach. No more having to climb inside the cauldron. The net was also of her invention. Cheesecloth, a wire hanger, and a broken broom handle were converted into a nifty tool to scoop out anything that didn't belong in the wash. Through this, Lily managed to achieve a coffee tin full of money due to the amount of coins left in Death Eater's pockets. She was careful to hide the tin until she made her escape.
Faintly above, Lily could hear raised voices and smashing glass. It was dinner and most likely a few Death Eaters got too drunk and started a fight. Nothing unusual. Just as she expected, a house elf came hobbling down the stairs. "You!" It barked in a raspy, high voice. "Go fetch the tablecloth at once before it stains!"
"Yes, sir." Lily automatically put her shoes back on.
"Hurry it up!" The house elf continued to shriek at her. "Go!"
"Yes, sir. Coming." She grabbed a wicker basket and jogged up the rickety stairs. Through the maze of pots and pans, smoke and steam, and bustling servants, Lily went through the kitchens and made her way to the dining room.
She had only been in the dining room once or twice before. Smooth, stone floors covered by a single, long carpet. A long, overly polished wooden table down the center. Candelabras and flowery centerpieces. There were still some plates of half eaten food on the table. Much to her displeasure, some Death Eaters were still lingering in the dining room. Lily could see a fresh, burgundy stain on the white tablecloth. She busied herself removing the centerpieces and dirty dishes so she could take the tablecloth. While she worked, she eavesdropped on the Death Eaters.
"- give it a rest already! You'll earn your place back in due time, Rabastan. Whinging about it like a child will get you nowhere! Mother always said you were fussy as a little shit."
"I have every right to speak my mind, Rhodolphus! I've been an outstanding member just as long as you have! You only have favor because of Bella!"
The two men were dressed very sharply. Both were rather handsome, but sinister. Lily knew they were the Lestrange brothers. One proudly adjusted his cufflinks and haughtily raised his head. "Of course it's because of my Bella. She has never failed the Dark Lord. She earned his favor, whilst I tirelessly support her efforts."
The other snorted. "She does triple the work of any man here. You should be sitting with Cissy and the rest of the women; talking about jewelry and children."
"Shut it!"
The brothers stopped bickering. They looked at Lily as she passed through narrowed eyes. She tried her best to ignore them. Rhodolphus was married to Bellatrix. She learned the marriage was strictly arranged between the families for monetary gain. The couple acted more like business partners than an actual married couple in love. Nonetheless, Lily shuddered at what Bellatrix would do if her husband went chasing after a servant girl. Rabastan was supposedly betrothed or engaged to some young pureblood girl who didn't live in the castle. Lily didn't want to be caught alone with either of them. She moved along the table, clearing off plates and blowing out candles. She was careful of where she stepped; some broken glass speckled the carpet below.
Her stomach dropped as she got through half of the table. Lucius, Wilkes, Nott, and Severus were in the middle of a heated argument. Severus was holding a handkerchief to a bloody hand looking livid.
"I don't give a damn who started this bloody feud!" Lucius said like an angry father to disobedient children. "Severus, I'm surprised at you! That glass was part of a set. An irreplaceable wedding gift!"
"She 'as you by the balls, mate." Wilkes muttered. Nott nodded furiously, clutching a napkin to his cheek. Lily felt a small pang of pride when she saw Wilkes' swollen face and crooked nose. Hopefully a broken nose was enough to keep him away from her.
"Enough of this!" Lucius spat. "Narcissa and I have graciously opened our holiday home to you! This estate is a temporary headquarters! Not your old dormitory! What are you; schoolchildren? From this point forward, you shall treat this place with respect. Severus, control your bloody temper!" Lucius coldly dismissed them.
For a brief moment, she made eye contact with Severus. He bitterly shoved past her without saying a word. Lily wasn't expecting him to; not in front of other Death Eaters. Initially, she felt concerned over his hand. Why the blood? Lily flushed the notion out of her thoughts. Besides, she just found out a major clue. This castle was the Malfoy's holiday home. Of course. Leave it to an extremely wealthy pureblood family to decide on a large castle for a holiday home. If this was only a holiday place, she couldn't help but imagine how large and elegant their actual home was.
Nott and Wilkes lingered a bit longer to look at Lily. She looked back at them, unafraid. When none of the other Death Eaters or servants were watching, Lily snatched a dirty plate and pretended to hurl it at them. Nott only flinched, but Wilkes ducked and let out an odd yelp.
"What are you doing?" Rhodolphus sneered. The remaining Death Eaters looked at him and snickered at Wilkes. Wilkes gaped and soundlessly pointed at Lily, who was innocently clearing off the table. "Bloody fool …" Rhodolphus returned to his conversation with his brother. Wilkes stood up immediately and adjusted himself before storming out of the dining room, closely behind a furious Nott. They both glared at her as they left. Lily felt a victorious smile creep onto her face.
The smile faded when she saw another Death Eater staring at her from the end of the table. She believed this one was Evan Rosier. A rugged, but still tidy appearance. Chiseled features and brown-auburn hair. She didn't care at all for the way he looked at her. His arms were folded on top of the last of the tablecloth. "So you're the fiery minx everyone's … excited about." Rosier said playfully. He cocked his head. "You cause a lot of trouble; you know?"
Lily only briskly nodded. "Mhm." Severus warned her that Rosier was after her, just like Nott.
"Yeah. You would make a stunning pureblood." He was eyeing her intently. "Suitors would be lined up past the gates just to hear you speak their name. Imagine being showered with gifts and tokens and trinkets; suitors pleading for your hand. You wouldn't ever have to work a day in your life if you pick the right suitor."
"Pity, isn't it?" She remarked.
"And a snarky personality. I think your line of suitors may have gotten smaller." Rosier played with a strand of her hair. Lily could do nothing but stand and listen to him. "But yes; indeed, it is a pity. I have an inkling about who would be first in line."
"Is that so?" Lily did her best to remain neutral. If she appeared too polite; that would put her at risk for being taken upstairs. If she was too rude or cold; that would earn her punishment.
"Someone who has a seat at this table. But I have a proposition to make first." He twisted her curls between his fingers. "Do you know what it means to be a breeder?"
Lily froze. She curtly nodded. Marlene told her all about breeders when she was still alive, as she was one. Breeders were purebloods, but strongly disliked blood-traitors that were still enslaved with the muggleborns. When the Death Eaters saw it fit, the blood-traitor would be assigned to a pureblood Death Eater and she would be forced to carry his children. The Death Eaters would determine how many children the breeder would produce. Usually, the more children the better. More children meant restoring the pureblood status. If the breeder had enough children and conformed to the Death Eater lifestyle, she would be treated as an equal. The sin of being a blood-traitor would be washed away and forgiven. There was a rumor circulating in the kitchens that Rosaline, Mulciber's wife, was a breeder, but no one knew for certain. Lily didn't know of any other breeders.
"Smart girl." Rosier lowered his voice. "This is where things get intricate, and many of my colleagues would disagree …" His hand traveled to her face. "You've got magic, don't you?" Lily nodded once more. He continued. "Compared to the rest of the mudbloods, you know you stand out quite a bit. You're better than them." There was something deeply sexual about the way Rosier stroked her face. "How would you like to become a breeder?"
Lily jerked away from him. The idea of being forced to copulate and birth children to some foul Death Eater revolted her. "Absolutely not!" She hissed; neutrality forgotten.
Rosier maintained his lazy demeanor. "Now, I know what you're thinking. You're still a mudblood, but imagine the beautiful children you could have." He reached out to her again. "We could have …"
Lily yanked the last of the tablecloth off the table and scurried as fast as she could back to the wash cellar. She had forgotten her basket in the dining room, but she didn't care. The further away she was from that creep, the better. It was too disgusting to wrap her head around; pumping out children like some sort of livestock animal, pretending to be a Death Eater's sweetheart. That would be a further betrayal to the other muggleborns. Something inside Lily twisted uncomfortably in her stomach. This situation was all too familiar.