a binding contract by verity
"She calls out for him in her sleep," Molly Weasley tells Hogwarts' Headmaster as she sighs, twisting her hands in the sturdy cotton print of her skirt. "I don't know what to do with her, truly, I don't, sir. It's just gotten worse since she left school. Wandering outside at all hours of the night, talking about someone named Selene - she doesn't even recognize Harry. And at night - oh, Professor, it's more than I can bear! Hasn't she any sense of decency?"
"The insane rarely do," Albus comments, a touch of humor in his voice. "A lemon drop, Molly?"
"Thank you, Professor, no." His former pupil looks rather relieved now that she's put voice to her worries. "It's just all a little much at the moment. I wouldn't dream of putting her in St. Mungo's - she's not like that at all - oh, what should I do?"
"Well, perhaps you should ask Professor Snape that."
"What?" Molly looks up, startled.
"Certainly... he would not be adverse to caring for a young woman who adores him so. It would be a burden off your back, would it not?"
"Why I..." she says, but he can tell that she's already started to consider his words, take in the situation, and rationalize to herself the utter relief she feels at the idea of no longer being responsible for the young woman who is not -really- her daughter any longer...
"I'm not suggesting anything improper. Arranged marriages are still common in Severus's part of the wizarding world. Shall I call him up then?"
She nods, and Albus Dumbledore feels the satisfaction of a job well done...
- - - - -
"Do you understand what I'm asking you?" Severus says to the young woman that he kissed once, six months before... the Weasley's parlor chair is equal parts ugly and comfortable, he notes.
She half-nods, her orange-red hair sliding over her eyes. "Yes. Of course." He notes how still she is, very still...
"You'll only have to sign the contract - then you'll be wed, it's all legally binding, thanks to your old Headmaster," Molly Weasley chatters amicably, nervously. He notes that neither she nor Arthur are quite sure what to think of the wealthy, but undeniably older and eccentric Potions master - but of course they're grateful. Very. "Would you like another cup of tea, Professor?"
"Severus," he corrects her. "Yes, please. Black." He takes the cup Ginny Weasley's mother holds out to him and sips gingerly of the tepid Earl Grey within.
The girl he is to marry suddenly reaches out and grabs the quill off the table, signing the familiar, jaggedly swirled signature that always headed her school papers. When she has finished, she tilts back her head and laughs, clasping her hands together with delight. Her eyes sparkle wickedly between half-closed lids.
Her parents look nervous.
- - - - -
He takes her home to the Snape estate - he hasn't been there in over a year, but the House-elves have kept everything in order - and they eat dinner together. It is like a dream to him; he can't really believe that he is married to this beautiful, feral creature who gives him delightfully depraved smiles all throughout the meal, the edge of her mouth quirking up just the tiniest, most delicious bit.
Afterwards, he shows her to the bedroom, with its walk-in closet - she doesn't look at it, just shoves him back on the bed, suffocating him with her kisses. Her lips taste of the flowery wine that they drank together. Half of his robes are off before he knows what he's doing. But he doesn't stop her.
Isn't Delirium beautiful, my precious? he thinks after she can only lie panting against him, her lovely pale freckled skin glistening with sweat. I'm sure Selene would agree.