Hey, so remember how this story is tagged as a tragedy? šŸ˜¬

pls don't kill me

(Saturday, April 1st, waning moon)

James didn't know what to do. He really didn't.

He hadn't known what to expect when his Head of House came into the common room two weeks ago with Peter trailing behind her, tears streaming down his face. But it hadn't been this.

He was sitting by his parents' bedside, having hardly moved since he arrived. A humming medical ward was erected around the large bed, keeping the disease in but also keeping James out. Keeping him from holding his father's hand, from clutching to it like he was still a little kid.

And he was still a kid - it didn't matter that he was 18, that just two weeks ago he felt like he could conquer anything. Sitting by his parents' deathbed he felt very much like a little kid. Unsure. Lost. Adrift in this world, knowing that his parents - who despite their advanced age always seemed so invincible - were dying.

They were dying.

Dragon Pox was deadly, especially so to elderly patients, and his parents were nearly in their 80s which even by magical standards was old. The Potter family healer, Violet Buckthorn, had told him, gently as she could, that he should prepare himself for their deaths.

How does one do that? How does one prepare for the death of their parents?

They had been there for every moment of his life, every up and down - he couldn't imagine continuing past their deaths, at least not as he was now. He would lose a part of himself forever, never again to be a carefree kid safe with the knowledge that his papa and amma would always be there to catch him if he fell.

Even thinking about the possibility of them not surviving this illness had shattered something in him. Shook him to his core.

The Headmaster had given him leave to stay by their side, for as long as he wished past the end of the Easter Holidays. He had granted the same to Sirius, as he had lived with them since he was 16, and, Merlin bless him, Sirius stayed with him.

He didn't want to be alone. He hated being alone.

He wished the rest of his friends - his family - could have stayed, but the Headmaster couldn't - something to do with the laws and rules of Hogwarts. And they all had been there, Sirius, Remus, Peter, and Lily - the rest of them had to leave earlier in the day for the Hogwarts Express, leaving just him and Sirius.

"Hey mate," Sirius said, entering the room, a couple of trays of food bobbing behind him. He sat in the chair next to James and had the tray gently land on his lap. "You missed breakfast. I promised Lils I'd take care of you."

"Thanks," James croaked. He clutched the tray so it wouldn't fall out of his lap, but didn't touch the food.

He heard Sirius sigh next to him. "Come on Jamie, you have to eat."

"M'not hungry," James said, his eyes still on his parents.

"You know they wouldn't want you to starve yourself," Sirius said. "None of us do."

"I know," James said. "I know."

His parents weren't responding to the treatments Healer Violet had administered, and perhaps that could be due to their age. But the timing was suspicious. Between Peter's letter from his mother and the fact that there were rumors of the bedridden Lord Malfoy contracting Dragon Pox on top of his other illness, it was just too much of a coincidence.

At that moment, a high-pitched whistle pierced the air, startling both James and Sirius. Healer Violet came rushing in, and barked at the two boys, "Out!" as she turned her wand on the Potters, waving it in a complicated pattern.

James's heart hurt.

Sirius was up and trying to wrestle him out of the room, per the healer's orders, but James wouldn't be moved.

"What's happening, what's wrong?" He asked, pushing Sirius's hands away, looking back and forth between Healer Violet and his parents.

" Out, James," Violet said through gritted teeth, entirely focused on his parents.

"Come on Jamie," Sirius said, lifting him under his armpits. At that moment, James hated that Sirius had a Beater's strength. Hated that his best mate was able to lift him and manhandle him out of the room.

"Get off Sirius," he growled. "I need to be in there - I need to be with them-"

"Mate, Jamie, you really don't," Sirius said, holding him tighter.

The shrill whistle ended abruptly, alarming both boys. It gave James enough time to escape Sirius's grasp and barge back into the room.

Violet stood at the foot of their bed, her wand still raised, but no incantation flowed from her lips. She stood still, staring blankly at his parents, lips parted in disbelief. At his reentry, she blinked and slowly, slowly gathered herself together.

"I'm so sorry Jamie," she said faintly.

James's vision blurred with tears. "No," he said. "No, they're - they can't have - no -"

"There wasn't anything I could do." She made no move toward him, but still, her remorse crashed against him, like the ocean against a cliff in a storm.

"N-no," he said, reaching for them. That he was able to touch them, hold their hands now when he had not been able to just moments ago was no longer a comfort. The wards wouldn't have dropped if they were still contagious, still alive.

A heartbroken keen reached James's ears, not even realizing the noise was coming from him.

"Amma! Papa!" he cried, tears falling down his face. He clutched at their hands, willing them to grab his hand back - to give him any sign that they were alive. " Amma! Papa!"

{Furius Draconis I}

(Saturday, April 1st, waning moon)

When Severus found Narcissa on the train, her indifferent facade melted into a bright, warm smile.

"Severus!" She greeted, standing and reaching for him, beckoning him farther into the compartment she had commandeered. He moved towards her without hesitation, Cassandra trotting in by his side and his trunk floating obediently behind him.

"Narcissa," He breathed, his mouth dry and his heart thundering fiercely in his chest. He took her hand in his, marveling at the softness of her skin. He had only just left Bellatrix at Malfoy Manor, her plan still rattling around in his mind, louder now that he was in Narcissa's presence.

Without his permission, his eyes took in her beauty which he had always glossed over in the past. Her smooth blonde hair which glimmered in the sunlight like spun gold was pulled into an elegant high bun, accentuating her pale neck. Her bright blue eyes like lightning pierced through him, leaving him feeling jittery and electrified. Her smile, sweet like honey, was devastating and he knew he'd do whatever she told him to as long as she smiled at him like that.

Oh.

Oh.

He was in trouble.

She ran her thumb over his knuckles as she said "Hello darling," still smiling at him oh so tenderly, and he didn't care how much trouble he was in. She had fully ensnared him, and he knew he'd rip anyone limb from limb if they so much as laid a finger on her.

"Hello, my dear," he replied softly, unable to help himself from falling into the pattern of greeting she used with him. Now that he had been forced to acknowledge his feelings for her, now that he knewā€¦

He could deny her nothing. She had long since had him wrapped around her finger, but now? Now he would move the heavens if she asked. He was utterly her's.

Her eyes twinkled delightfully. "You must tell me everything, " she said, giving his hand a tug as she sat back down; he followed with very little resistance. Without taking his gaze off her, he gave a negligent flick of his wrist and his trunk floated to the rack above their seat, the door to their compartment closed behind his trunk with a definitive snick.

He had written her a letter, detailing the whole process he went through to claim his family title, but he didn't mind telling her everything again if that was what she wanted. And so he did.

"Oh, Severus," she said once he finished. "I'm so happy for you - will you announce your title to the House? Did you take on the Prince name?"

Severus smiled briefly at her before answering her questions. "I am unsure if I will announce it to the House. I had hoped to speak to you and Regulus first, to see what you thought would be best. And I did - it was one of the previous Lord's stipulations for me to take on the Lordship."

"So you are Severus Prince, now?"

"Lord Severus Tiberius Furius Draconis Verus Prince, at your service," Severus said, his tone grave but his eyes dancing with mischief.

"I'm delighted to make your acquaintance, Lord Prince," Narcissa teased back, her tone equally grave. "Your name change will reflect in the classrooms, will it not?"

"Most likely, yes."

"Then you have no choice but to announce it to the House," she said.

"True," he said with a slow nod. "But I worry what the headmaster might make of the situation. Considering his involvement in this."

Narcissa pursed her lips. "I will speak with Regulus," she said. She stood, dragging him with her.

"Now?" he asked, somewhat bewildered but he followed her willingly.

"Of course," she said, leading them down the train, her arm looped through his. "This is not the sort of thing that you put off, Severus."

"Very well," he said, amused. She shot him a look from the corner of her eye, but she left it alone.

They found her cousin nearly at the other end of the car from their compartment. Severus allowed her to take the lead and knock on the door before opening it, abruptly halting the conversations within. It was the Quidditch team that Regulus sat with; Severus inclined his head at them, which they slowly returned, their eyes darting back and forth between Severus and Narcissa.

"I must speak with my cousin," Narcissa said in a tone that left no room for argument. Severus adored that about her, how easily she could command a room when she wanted to.

Regulus stood and flashed a sharp smile. "Of course. Excuse me, gentlemen."

They murmured their acquiescence, but their eyes were sharp. Undoubtedly wondering what business Severus and Narcissa had with Regulus. They'll find out soon enough, Severus thought, as he slid the compartment door closed with a smile that all but shouted 'I know more than you.' He truly did enjoy toying with them, now that he could.

The trio walked back to Severus and Narcissa's compartment in silence, only speaking once Severus shut the door and layered ward after ward around the compartment.

"I take it we're discussing something sensitive then?" Regulus asked, eyeing Severus and Narcissa both with hungry interest. He took a seat across from Narcissa, lounging with the self-assuredness only a young heir of a Pureblood family could have.

"I am Lord Prince," Severus said, turning to look at Regulus, causing him to choke on air.

"Severus," Narcissa chided as she reached for him and tugged him into the seat next to her. "You cannot always be so blunt."

Severus shrugged unrepentantly. "It works."

"I beg your fucking pardon?!" Regulus asked shrilly, his eyes darting back and forth between Severus and Narcissa. "Lord Prince?!"

"I claimed the title over the break," Severus said.

" How ?" Regulus asked. This was the most stressed Severus had ever seen the teen, and he'd been preparing him for his OWLs this year.

"I went to Gringotts," Severus answered flatly. He might be enjoying teasing Regulus by answering so bluntly. It wasn't often that he was able to catch someone so flatfooted after all. The teen spluttered, his face turning an impressive shade of red.

Narcissa took pity on her cousin. She squeezed Severus's arm, letting him know she would take over explaining the situation. "His mother is Eileen Prince - the Dark Lord spoke with the previous Lord Prince and ensured that Severus would be named heir. The previous Lord Prince stepped down immediately, so Severus has claimed the title."

Regulus calmed down a fraction. "You," he said, pointing at Severus, "are not allowed to explain things, ever. And you," he said, pointing at Narcissa, "are responsible for making sure he doesn't kill someone with how blunt he is. Honestly! How did you end up in Slytherin with how straightforward you are?"

Severus gave an unconcerned shrug. "I'm ambitious."

Regulus rolled his eyes. "Obviously. Now, what did you need to talk to me about?"

"We are unsure how we should handle Severus's new position," Narcissa said. "He is Lord Prince, and has changed his Family name, but it would not do to have the Headmaster looking too closely at how he acquired the title."

Regulus's face took on a calculating shade. "You changed your name?"

"I did," Severus answered. "Severance required it."

Regulus made a choking noise at hearing Severus refer to his grandfather by his first name, but he didn't comment on it. "It would do more harm than good to conceal your new position, both within Slytherin and with the Headmaster. Hiding your new status would likely make one think that you have something more to hide, or that you acquired your title through some nefarious means."

"I see," Severus said. "Very well; how should I announce that I am Lord Prince - you do not like how blunt I am."

Regulus eyed him for a moment. "Call for a House Meeting after dinner and I will introduce you as Lord Prince, following the Old Ways. If you're asked about it - which would be highly inappropriate mind you, but is likely to happen given how long it has been since a Prince has been active - you can first mark who they are, glower at them - your scariest one, the one that would make Jugson wet his trousers - and then explain that your grandfather has recognized you as his heir and has stepped down so you are now Lord Prince. They need not know about the Dark Lord's hand in this - that is not something to spread even within the walls of Slytherin. Perhaps within the Squire's hall, to flaunt the Dark Lord's favor towards you, but not among the general population. Just make sure your lordship ring is on display from now on - it's one thing to claim a title, and another to show you have it."

Severus nodded and stood to reach his trunk. He opened it and rummaged in it for a moment before withdrawing a small black box. He took the ring from within and returned the box to his trunk which he shut before sitting back down.

"Does it matter which finger I wear it on?" He asked, directing his question to Regulus.

The teen gave a firm nod, his eyes latched on the ring. "It does. Lordship rings are worn on the left pinky, with the signet facing away from you so others may recognize the coat of arms if they look at it and so it is easier to seal letters."

"Does it matter if my left hand is my dominant hand?" Severus asked.

"No," Regulus answered. "If the ring is worn on the right pinky, it means you are the Heir." He showed them his right hand, where the Black family signet sat on his pinky.

"I see," Severus said as he slid the ring on his left pinky. It flared purple before resizing to fit his finger.

Regulus stood and then bowed to Severus, causing him to furrow his brows. "Please allow this Heir to be the first to greet you, Lord Prince."

"You may?" Severus said, confused.

"Less confusion, more confidence," Narcissa prompted.

Severus gave her a bewildered look but did as he was told. "You may."

Regulus rose from his bow. "Heir Black has great pleasure in greeting Lord Prince."

"Well met, Heir Black," Severus said, looking between the Black cousins with no small amount of confusion.

Regulus sat back down with a small huff. "I see I have my work cut out for me. I assume gaining this title is why you asked me to tutor you in the Old Ways?"

"It is," Severus confirmed. "It was another of Severance's stipulations for taking the Prince title."

"We will have to dedicate more time to that, I did not realize how important it was," Regulus said.

Severus took a deep breath - he needed to broach the topic of Bellatrix's plan and what better time to do it when he had both Narcissa and Regulus here? "It's more important than you realize even now."

Regulus arched an eyebrow at him and Narcissa asked, "Severus?"

He took in another deep breath, trying to calm his jangling nerves. "I spoke with Bellatrix just this morning, I told her I swore on Protection for you, Narcissa. She asked me what my plan was to uphold my vow and when she learned that I am Lord Prince, she provided a plan of her own."

It took only a moment for Regulus to understand where Severus was going with this. "Oh, that's perfect," he said, his eyes wide and a delighted smile stretching across his face.

"What is?" Narcissa asked, looking between the two teens. "What plan did Bella come up with?"

"Severus will petition Father for your hand in marriage, and duel Malfoy for it!" Regulus said in an excited rush. "I'm right, aren't I? That's what Cousin Bella suggested? That's why it's even more important for you to learn the Old Ways - that is where Malfoy's usefulness to the Dark Lord lies."

"You are correct," Severus said stiffly. He couldn't bring himself to look at Narcissa, worried about what he might see on her face.

"You're joking," she breathed, her hold on his arm going slack before she withdrew it entirely, sending a lancing pain through his chest.

"Narcissa?" Regulus asked.

"We will find another plan if that is what you wish."

"Of course, that is what I wish!" Narcissa practically shouted.

Severus barely managed to suppress a flinch. "Very well," he said, his voice flat. He shouldn't have allowed Bellatrix's words to get his hopes up, shouldn't have allowed himself to hope at all. He knew she wouldn't agree to this plan, he knew it. He ruthlessly shoved everything he felt deep down, drowning his emotions in his Occlumency.

Regulus was looking back and forth between them with great confusion. "It's honestly the best plan we could possibly come up with, Narcissa-"

"It is not," she objected hotly. Severus distantly felt another lance of pain tear through his chest and he tightened his hold on his occlumency.

He felt her turn towards him and he shot to his feet, unable and unwilling to hear anything else she might say. "Excuse me," he said, and he left the compartment without waiting to hear what else either of the Blacks might say.

}~{

Regulus rounded on Narcissa as soon as the door shut behind Severus. "What the bloody hell is wrong with you?"

"What?" she asked, her eyes never leaving the compartment door, looking more lost and confused than Regulus had ever seen her.

"I've never known you to be cruel, Narcissa, so what the fuck was that?"

"What?" she asked again, sharper this time, her eyes meeting his.

Regulus glared at her. "I cannot believe I have to spell everything out for you, but you could have rejected Severus with more kindness." He also couldn't believe he was defending Severus, a half-blood, from his dearest cousin.

"What are you talking about?" Narcissa shot back. "I didn't reject him, I rejected that foolish plan! I don't want Severus to be tied to me in that way just for the sake of my safety! I'm not so selfish that I would steal away his chance at finding love!"

His jaw dropped - he could not believe the absolute rubbish that was coming from her mouth. "You have got to be the blindest person on this planet," he breathed. "Severus worships the ground you walk on! He swore on a Name for you! What part of that tells you he doesn't love you!?"

Like Bellatrix, he had also seen the signs of the two developing feelings for each other - she had owled him about it as well, wanting as much information as she could get. At the time he had been all too happy to spill everything he had witnessed, more concerned about Cissa lowering herself than anything. But he no longer saw it as that - Severus was a good man, a powerful man. He was not filth, Severus would not dirty his dearest cousin. Regulus knew he would protect her where Malfoy would break her.

She blinked in shock as if he had just slapped her. "He doesn't love me," she protested, her voice breaking. "That's just how he is ."

"You're a fool," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "I don't know him as well as you, but even I can see how devoted he is to you, Narcissa."

She shook her head. "You're wrong," she said, her voice shaky. "I will find him and come up with a plan that doesn't involve him sacrificing himself for my sake - any more than he already has."

He grabbed her arm as she stood, holding her in place. "Even I know better than to go after him right now. Give him space."

She shook free of his hold. "I think I know Severus better than you do, Regulus Arcturus. I'll go to him now." And she left before Regulus could protest further.

"Morgana's flaming tits," he swore. He needed to write Bellatrix to see if she could sort this mess out.

}~{

Narcissa was a jumbled mess of emotions, but she needed to set that aside for Severus's sake. She marched in the direction she saw Severus go with such determination that other students in the corridor of the train practically leaped out of her way.

She wasn't sure why Severus had left as abruptly as he had, but she would find him and they would continue their conversation. She had to make him see that he didn't need to sacrifice that much of himself for her sake. She'd never forgive herself if she allowed them to carry out this plan, regardless of how much she might want it. How she wanted it with her entire being - but for the right reasons, not just for her protection.

She could throttle Bella for suggesting this plan to Severus. He'd do anything for her, she knew it, and Bella likely knew it too. He swore on a Name for her after all! And Bella, being the protective older sister, would take full advantage of that, and she had! She got Severus to agree to marriage when she knew he did not return her feelings. She probably knew him better than nearly anyone else alive, aside from his mother; she would know if he had feelings for her.

She would not do this to Severus - could not. He was precious to her, she would not allow him to give up that much of himself. Someone had to look out for his well-being since obviously, he was incapable of doing so on his own.

In her furious search for Severus, she nearly overlooked where he wound up as it was in the compartment of a Gryffindor - Lupin to be specific.

That irritated her more than it should - she'd unpack that later. For now, she needed to speak with Severus. She opened the compartment door, cutting off whatever Lupin had been saying. Her heart clenched when she saw Severus's previously relaxed posture stiffen.

"Severus," she said. "I need to speak with you."

Lupin glared at her around Severus who was staring straight ahead, not looking at either of them. "I think you need to respect that he left whatever you were talking about earlier and that he'll come to you when he's ready."

She fixed a ferocious glare on Lupin, and to his credit, he didn't flinch. She appreciated that Severus had found another loyal friend who was willing to defend him, but he didn't need protection from her. And they needed to speak about this now, it was not something she could allow him to sit with and grow stubborn over.

"I'll thank you to not interfere with my business with Severus."

"And I'll thank you -"

"Remus," Severus said, cutting the Gryffindor off. "I'll speak with you later."

Narcissa watched how the Gryffindor eyed her friend with a startled seriousness. "Are you sure, Russ?"

Narcissa bristled at that, both at the shortening of Severus's name and at the implication that he wouldn't be safe in her presence - who did Lupin think he was?!

"Yes," Severus answered.

Lupin eyed him for a moment longer before he gave a nod and stood. Narcissa was forced to move out of the way so he could leave the compartment. He paused at the door giving Narcissa a dirty look before looking back at Severus to say: "I'll be two compartments down if you need me, Russ."

Oh, how she longed to scratch his eyes out! She was not in the mood for overprotective Gryffindors with their sights set on the wrong target!

He left without another word and Narcissa struggled to get her temper in check before she spoke with Severus. With a deep breath that was more like a growl, she entered the compartment and carefully sat across from Severus, taking in how his face was utterly devoid of any emotion.

Was the idea of being married to her so displeasing that he needed to occlude? That hurt more than she thought it would, but it didn't matter. She could only hope that their friendship was not ruined due to Bella's careless plan - she'd be having words with her sister.

"Severus," she said. "I won't let you sacrifice so much of yourself for me."

His eyes flicked towards her and then back to the wall. "It is not a sacrifice."

She gave a frustrated sigh. "Do you really think so little of yourself, Severus? I do not wish for you to be tied to me just for the sake of my safety - you don't deserve that."

His brow twitching was the only reaction she gave, and she had no idea how to interpret it with how blank the rest of his face was. "You don't need to make excuses, Narcissa."

"I am not!" She said, affronted. "I'm trying to look out for your well-being, you fool! What if you find someone - else and fall in love, but you're stuck in a marriage with me? I'll not be an obstacle between you and happiness, Severus."

His brow furrowed and he looked at her briefly before looking away again (and Merlin that hurt ). "That won't be an issue."

She was going to tear her hair out, she really was. How could he be so stubborn? "Severus," she said, exasperated.

"Narcissa," he returned. His flat, toneless voice cut deeper and deeper than any amount of anger would have.

"Please stop occluding so we can actually talk about this," she pleaded. She was not above begging to get him to see why this was a bad idea, and she knew it would be easier to do that if he let himself feel his emotions.

He inhaled sharply, but she could see that he was slowly, ever so slowly, coming back to himself.

"Thank you, darling," she said softly and was distraught to see him flinch at the term of endearment. "I won't call you that if it bothers you."

He shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose but did not answer. "I will owl Bellatrix to inform her we need to devise a different plan. What more do you wish to speak of?"

She could feel him drifting away from her, and it broke her heart - she didn't know what to do to bridge the growing gap between them. "I do not want to lose you, Severus."

He gave her a look she couldn't discern. "I'm not going anywhere."

"But our relationship is no longer the same," she said. "You cannot deny it. I do not want to lose our closeness - you are, precious, to me," she said haltingly. "And perhaps that is selfish of me to want to hold you close still despite what we have talked about today."

"I'm not going anywhere," he repeated. His voice was tight with emotion, and Narcissa knew she was asking too much of him, and that hurt. How could their friendship have fallen apart so quickly?

"Severus," she sighed. "You really must put your own needs ahead of mine - you're already burdened by your vow to protect me, I do not want to take more of you. I am not so selfish to lay claim to every part of you. If you cannot stand to maintain such closeness with me, please let me know."

He gave a jerky shake of his head. "I also do not want to lose our closeness."

Narcissa didn't know what else to say - how could their words be in agreement but their emotions very obviously not? "I am glad to hear that," she said softly. She wished to reach out and touch him but did not dare to breach that boundary now.

{Furius Draconis I}

Regulus eyed Severus with some concern. His face was devoid of emotion, his shoulders tense and his back ramrod straight. He looked like he was about to walk to his death, not an introduction to the House as Lord Prince.

He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Are, are you alright, Severus?"

"Yes," came the dull response. Regulus nearly flinched at how lifeless he sounded.

"Right, and the sky is green and the grass is blue," he said. "Look, I think Bella's plan is a sound one and likely the only one."

"I will not force Narcissa into something she does not want," came the waspish response.

Regulus sighed. For as smart as these two were, they were awfully stupid. "She wants it," he said.

Severus shot him a scathing look. "Were your ears filled with cotton? She made it quite clear what she thought of that plan. Now, could you bloody well introduce me so I can go to fucking sleep?"

Regulus blinked. Stupid didn't even begin to cover what these two were. He was sending an owl to Bella immediately after he introduced Severus. "Very well. Follow me, and remember - you're a Lord now, you are quite literally peerless in the House and the rest of the school."

Severus gave a negligent wave of his hand which Regulus took to mean he bloody well remembered. An irritated Snape was not something Regulus was used to dealing with.

They left the dorm corridors and Regulus put on his best Heir Black mask before the gathered House. He led Severus over towards the Viper Pit, where House announcements were customarily given.

"What's this about, Black?" Jugson shouted. "It's late, I want to go to bed."

What a little snot. Regulus shot him a glare. "Mind your tone, Heir Jugson, and mind the Old Ways - I am to introduce a new Lord."

Jugson wilted a little, which Regulus took no small amount of satisfaction in. But he did not bask in it, aware that Severus's temper was currently on a short fuse.

"Lord Prince, may I introduce you to the ladies and gentlemen of Slytherin House?"

"You may," Severus said, his voice rumbling through the room like rolling thunder.

"Heirs of Slytherin House, ladies, and gentlemen, I have the great pleasure of presenting Lord Severus Tiberius Furius Draconis Verus Prince to you now."

The Slytherins who weren't in an absolute bloody stupor were quick to sketch a bow towards Severus, jostling the rest to do the same.

Severus cast a scathing look at them all. "A rather poor greeting for a Lord, don't you think, Heir Black?"

"Quite," Regulus agreed.

Severus hummed and said, "I will remember this." The Slytherins who knew of his identity as the Dragon paled just as the others scrambled to bow appropriately. A din of greetings surged forth from the crowd, causing Severus to roll his eyes.

"Enough," he barked, cutting through the noise with ease. "I am not so ungracious as to act against you or your Families for this slight - it is late after all. However, do it againā€¦ you likely won't enjoy what transpires then. Off to bed, I'm tired of looking at your shocked faces, it's borderline insulting."

The House scrambled to get out of his line of sight, dashing towards their dorm rooms. Soon, just Regulus and Severus stood in the common room.

Regulus could tell Narcissa's absence hurt Severus. His empty eyes swept over the common room, clenching and unclenching his fist. Regulus chewed on his lip before speaking. "Well," he said. "That went well."

Severus rolled his eyes. "Good night, Regulus," he said, stalking away. "Thank you for your aid," he added over his shoulder before he also disappeared down the dorm corridors.

Merlin, he needed to owl Bella. She needed to sort out the mess she made - he wasn't equipped to handle this. At least not alone.

{Furius Draconis I}

(Monday, April 3rd, waning moon)

Bellatrix was not often summoned before her father. At least, not since she came of age and was named one of the Dark Lord's Chosen - his Right Hand.

As they were the secondary branch of the Black Family, her father was moreā€¦ lenient than her uncle, so she often had nothing to fear of a summons from her father. But his note had been terse, and she had little doubt in her mind that this summons had something to do with the Malfoy Heir.

She had put off the meeting, claiming to be busy with assignments from the Dark Lord (which she had been, but not so busy to postpone a meeting), wanting to speak first with Narcissa. She never got the chance, however.

She didn't like going into situations with little to no information, but she had no choice as she couldn't put the meeting off any longer.

Bellatrix took even, measured steps towards her father's study, ensuring her face was blank and her chin held high. The portraits of her ancestors lined this hall, and she knew they were scrutinizing her for any sign of weakness. She could show none - a lesson learned from a young age. Reaching his door, she knocked precisely three times before taking a half step back.

It was only a moment before she heard a sharp "Enter!" from within and she walked in without hesitation.

"Father," she greeted, once she stood in front of his desk, dipping into a curtsy.

"Eldest," he acknowledged. "Can I assume you know why I have summoned you?"

"You cannot," she replied as she folded her hands in front of her. Her left held over her right, careful to keep the grip light.

He arched an eyebrow at her, the only sign of his surprise. "Heir Malfoy came to me over a week ago and claimed that Narcissa was not as committed to their union as he was. I confronted Narcissa and she claimed that she is committed, and knows how important it is that she marries him. She also claimed that you hadā€¦ expressed your displeasure with him with your wand, which could possibly explain Heir Malfoy's claims.

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

Bellatrix blinked placidly at him, her mind whirling, piecing together a plan to protect her baby sister. She knew her treatment of Malfoy was not the root cause of his grievances, she knew Malfoy was right to say that Narcissa was not as committed as he was - the question was how did he know that? He must have found another to spy on her baby sister for him. The ferocious protectiveness she harbored for her baby sister rushed upwards, enhanced by the Black Madness, until her very soul howled with the need to kill the Malfoy Heir and any who aided him.

She pushed it all down ruthlessly - there would be time later to deal with this development. She couldn't let her father see her reaction, nor could she let him know that Malfoy spoke the truth. "This is why you've summoned me away from my duties?" she asked, her tone frigid. "Over some pup's wounded pride?"

Her father stood abruptly, slamming his fist on his desk. "You know that Narcissa must marry him! You cannot antagonize him as you please!"

Bellatrix snorted. "You cannot tell me to disobey an order from the Dark Lord," she countered. "I raised my wand against him on my Lord's behalf as he acted against another of my Lord's Chosen." It was not a lie, but it was also not the truth.

Her father sagged, sinking down into his chair and Bellatrix saw an opening, an opportunity to alter her father's perception of Malfoy. To pave the way for Severus to take his place as Narcissa's betrothed. "He disgraced himself," she added, her tone just scathing enough, "acting against the Dragon the way he did."

His head whipped up, "He acted against the Dragon?" he asked, aghast. She knew he had been present at the Malfoy Yule Ball and had witnessed firsthand the power and fury the Dragon wielded with ease.

She inclined her head. "Yes. He has tried, unsuccessfully, to undermine the Dragon, and he was caught immediately and repeatedly. He has suffered for it in the Dark Lord's ranks. He maintains what status he has by clinging to his Name and his family's deep coffers."

Her father looked like he had swallowed a lemon. "I had higher hopes for the Heir Malfoy. It does not speak well of him to be caught so easily or to have picked a target he could not topple."

"No," she agreed calmly. "It does not."

He turned a piercing gaze on her, apparently catching on to what she was doing. "I know you do not like the Heir Malfoy, but your sister has made her choice. They must marry regardless of these developments, it would be disgraceful to back out of the betrothal contract."

She kept her face carefully blank. "And if I've found someone who would be more advantageous for our Family?"

He was now outright glaring at her. "Who?" he demanded through gritted teeth. Better than him throwing her out of his office. It was likely a near thing, and only because she had laid out Malfoy's disgrace.

"The new Lord Prince," Bellatrix said easily.

She delighted in the way her father's eyes bugged out of his head. " What ?" he asked, his voice strangled.

"The new Lord Prince," she repeated. "I had the opportunity to speak with him and work alongside him this past week."

"He is siding with the Dark Lord?" her father asked carefully.

"He is the Dragon, father," she said, unable to suppress a smirk.

That sent her father into a coughing fit. "I beg your pardon?"

"The Lord Prince is the Dragon," she repeated. "One of the Dark Lord's Chosen, just as I am."

"Where did he come from?" her father asked, hand on his chest. "There has been no sign of Eileen Prince for decades ."

"I don't know," she said, smudging the truth - she had no idea where Severus had been born so it wasn't necessarily a lie. She knew better than to tell her father that he was a Mudblood, not now at least. She had to build a case for him, make him so utterly desirable that his blood status would not matter in the face of everything else about him.

Her father fell silent, rubbing his chest. She let him think. It allowed her to turn her own mind back to fucking Malfoy and his obsession with her sister. When she found out who went running to Malfoy with their speculationsā€¦ she would ensure no one ever heard of them again. She needed to write to Cissa, and let her know that others had noticed what she herself had. Let her know she had to discipline herself better, at least until they could put their plan into action.

She would need to write to Reggie too, and ask him to keep an eye out for who might be scheming with Malfoy. And she would need to write to Severus as well, to keep him informed -

"I must speak with this new Lord Prince," her father said, interrupting her thoughts. "And then I must speak with my brother."

Bellatrix gave a nod. "I can pass a letter along to him the next time I see him - he keeps himself behind impressive wards," she said. It wouldn't do to have an official letter from the Black Family arrive for Severus at breakfast in Hogwarts - it would raise too many questions and it was too soon for such questions. They could be raised after he graduated and was far from the watchful eye of the Headmaster.

Her father eyed her for a moment, suspicious, but her impassive face gave nothing away. "Very well," he relented. "I will send my letter to you to forward to him."

"As you say, Father."

{Furius Draconis}

(Saturday, April 15th, waxing moon)

"Severus, where are we going?" his mother asked, her voice wispy.

"To your new home, mum," he answered for the third time that day. He was walking her down a dirt path to a cottage he had found among the variety of properties of the Prince Family once he claimed the Lordship title. It had taken him longer than he thought it would to sort through everything Radroff had given him.

The cottage was remote, so she wouldn't disturb others, and he would be able to place wards to keep her in and everything else out.

"Will Tobias be there?" she asked. "He hasn't been home in so long; I worry about himā€¦"

"I," Severus faltered. "I don't think so, mum."

"Oh," she said. "Okay."

With a wave of his hand, he opened the door and walked them inside. It was a comfortable little cottage, done in light colors and with plenty of windows that allowed the sun to bathe the interior in golden light throughout the day. It was the exact opposite of their house on Spinner's End.

He got her settled in the sitting room before going to the kitchen and brewing a pot of tea. Waiting for the kettle to boil, Severus leaned against the counter and cradled his head in his hands. She had deteriorated rapidly since he last saw her, since the letter she had written to the Dark Lord.

The kettle whistled and he wiped a hand down his face before turning to make a pot of tea. His movements were methodical, mechanical. He stared unseeing as his hands worked on muscle memory alone.

Reentering the lounge where he left his mother he saw that she had not moved. She was staring out the window at what Severus could only guess. With a light tap, he set the tea tray floating. "Mother?" He said. "Tea."

"What - oh Severus! Where are we?"

"Your new home, mum," he said, sitting heavily in the chair next to hers and guiding the tea tray to hover between them with a thought.

"Where's Tobias? You shouldn't do magic, Severus, you know how he hates it."

He didn't know how to handle this. Telling her he was dead would likely cause her emotional distress, which he wanted to avoid at all costs. She likely wouldn't remember anyway and would ask again.

"He's at work," he said at last. "So it's okay to do magic, mum."

"Oh," she said. "You've gotten so tall, Severus. When'd you get so tall?"

Severus blinked. His last growth spurt had been over the summer before his Sixth Year - he knew bits and pieces of her memory had been going, but that much of it?

"I don't know mum," he said. "You know I don't keep track of that."

"My little Prince," she sighed. "Growing up when I'm not looking."

He gave her a tight smile and sipped his tea. "I will visit when I can," he said. "I'm nearly done with this school year."

"You can't miss school on my account, Severus," his mother fretted. "You have important tests this year. Your OWLs can shape your future, you know this."

His heart gave a painful squeeze. "Don't worry mother," he said, his voice tight with emotion. "I won't fall behind in my classes."

She blinked at him, her brows furrowed in confusion. "Where are we, Severus?"

"Your new home, mum," he said around the lump in his throat. She was so much worse than he had thought - he didn't think he could leave her alone. He would have to hire a live-in healer or get her a house-elf.

{Furius Draconis I}

Lucius crumbled the letter in his hands and hurled it into the fireplace with an inarticulate snarl. How the fuck did Snivellus become the Lord Prince?

And why was he just now hearing about it?

"What use is a spy that tells you information weeks after the event happened?" he seethed as he pulled quill and parchment to him.

"Avery," he dictated to the quill. "You need to discover how your prey came by its fortune, and soon. If you do not, a certain party might just get informed of your actions and plans against your prey. Reply by the full moon."

He harshly rolled the parchment, barely giving the ink time to dry, and barked for an elf to deliver it to the witless idiot.

Fucking Snivellus.

What was originally hardly anything more than an irritant was quickly becoming an obstacle, an issue. Lucius did not like issues, not any more than he liked obstacles. And the fact that Snivellus fucking Snape was becoming one made his blood boil.

He needed to be taken out of the picture. Lucius felt that with utmost certainty.

But the problem was, Lucius didn't know if he was capable of doing that, not by himself (and didn't that fly in the face of everything that was natural - a half-blood, a mudblood giving a Pureblood issues). After the duel at Yule, he had been wary of doing anything that might provoke Snape. He didn't think he had the power to match Snape in a duel if it came down to that.

Malfoy drummed his fingers on his desk, his mind turning towards the Slytherin he just sent a letter to. Perhapsā€¦ perhaps he could stoke the fire of Jugson's thirst for revenge. Provide Avery with everything he needed to put the mudblood down. Push them from wanting to humiliate the mudblood and into murder.

He could do it. Manipulation came to him as easy as breathing. He would just have to make sure to cover his tracks - it wouldn't do for any of this to be traced back to him. The Dark Lord would likely kill him.

This would need to be approached with all of the cunning he had - more than he used when he infected his father with the incurable Dragon Pox Snape had come up with at the request of the Dark Lord. It would be a shame to lose Snape's potion skills, Lucius was forced to admit, but he had suffered too much shame because of Snape to care any longer.

Surely there were other potioneers in the world the Dark Lord could employ.

pretty please don't kill me - it's a slow burn, there has to be angst ! I cried writing the part with James and his parents ! and before you ask, no I'm not okay !