A/N i'll admit, my voldemort is a little strange, that's because i don't really know how to write him and that's why i try to avoid it. i tried to make it clear that everyone else thinks he's acting strange in the story to kind of cover it. also, sorry i missed the update this morning, i was sick.

Chapter Seventeen: The Price You Pay

Snape went his own way and Nevra and Dray were led to their rooms after Nevra had been spoken to privately by her father. Dray had been dressed as finely as Nevra; it wouldn't do to have an unsuitably attired escort. Their rooms were appropriate to their clothing, fine and perfect and expensive, yet simple and elegent, much to Nevra's liking. The entrance led to the sitting area. The carpet was deep crimson and the furniture was black leather and cherry wood. The walls were a pale grey, almost silver color. The fire place had white and grey marble mantle and an obsidian hearth. The curtains on the windows were true crimson, the color ofveinal blood, with beige linings. The room itself was almost rounded. To the left, a door led to the dining hall. The floor was black marble and the table was cherry wood. The chairs were also cherry with crimson velvet pads on the seats and backs. All was ornately carved. There was no kitchen, house elves would prepare all the food, all one had to do was mention what they would like, in any room, and it would be brought to them promptly. Next to the dining room was the office with a door to both dining room and sitting room. The office had a dark creme carpet and mahogany shelves lining every wall from floor to ceiling covered and full of books, except for the picture window on the outside wall that had a nice wide seat with a cushion the color of the carpet. There were also two mahogany desks, one large and square and one smaller and beautifully carved, both had matching chairs. Two over-stuffed forest green leather chairs were the finishing touches on the room. In the sitting room, the wall that curved out from the office was almost completely windows but for a section in the middle where the fireplace was. Situated identically to the office and dining room on the oposite side of the door was the bedroom and bathroom respectfully. The bedroom was deep crimson, black, and cherry wood like the sitting room. The bed was a massive four poster with drapping curtains surrounding it. The closet was full of robes equally as elegant as what they wore. The bathroom was almost completely marble charmed that it would never feel cold to the feet but rather pleasantly cool. The top of the tub was level with the floor and had nerely as many faucets and scents as the prefects bathroom at Hogwarts. There was also a shower that magically dispersed water however you wished it to at a thought. The sinks were ornate and the mirror covered an entire wall.

As soon as the door was closed behind them Nevra spoke. "Look as though you are examinely the room." Draco obeyed, it wasn't that hard. "I had a choice, they could either see everything we do or hear everything we say. I chose to be watched. No, I did not trust him. I tested it as we walked in. These rooms are atuned to my magic. Apparently the only magic that can be worked within their walls now is magic I allow, with the one exception of the visibility charm placed upon in by my father." Draco could tell she was trying to get used to saying it.

He strode into the office and started running his fingers slowly along the spines of the books, looking as though he were examining them. "That means..."

"Yes." She interrupted him as she searched the drawers of her desk. She sounded far away. He could understand why. They made their way to the bedroom and went into the closet to look at their wardrobes. "I'm sorry." His voice was quiet. He knew this was a first for her and he knew this was the worst way it could happen.

"It isn't the worst way." He almost believed she had used legelimancy. "I'm choosing to do this. And you understand." She turned to him with a devilish look on her face and he once again marvelled at her control. "After all, we are married."

He was as gentle as he could be without giving anything away, but she didn't seem to need any help just then. They both released all of the fear, confusion, suprise, pain, and anquish into each other. They needed each other. There was no doubt that she had told the truth.

The next day they ate breakfast at the rather large dining room table, talking casually as they ate and appeared to read.

"So you can summon others with your dark mark as well?"

"Yes. It also seems that I'm not expected to take much interest in tactics, or the war itself, for that matter." He raised an eyebrow, but itcould easily have been at what he was reading. "Of course, I am free to be as involved as I like, but I am also free to do nothing more than make the death eaters lives miserable by requiring them to do menial tasks for my amusement. I suppose randomly killing people or otherwise causing mayhem in the world is expected from time to time. I am the Dark Lady, you know, and I'm supposed to be more demented than my father." Her use of the word was still strained. It appeared her control did have limits after all.

"In other words, when you tire of torturing Rookwood you'll go burn a village to warm your hands." He smirked.

"Exactly." There was silence for a few moments. "There is one thing I'm worried about."

"One thing?"

"Funny. He has given me a month to settle in, but after that time he has asked that I perform a public display of devotion to him as my father." The word was getting easier. "My brothers wedding is in a month."

Draco knew what she was thinking, and knew she was probably right. Again, there were no words to say, so he finished his meal.

The month passed surprisingly quickly. Nevra lived up to her new image and tormented the death eaters appropriately, and not without a little enjoyment. Dray quickly proved himself to be worthy of his position in every way possible. They left no room for doubt that they, at the very least, found each other satisfying. Nevra had Snape over frequently as a dinner guest and he always stayed for drinks. It wasn't long before Dray was making valuable contributions to tactical decisions, more often than not they benefited the Order in some way but gave enough to Voldemort that he quickly grew in esteem. He also earned respect among the death eaters as one capable of controlling and appeasing Nevra, she really did make a very convincing cruel, sadistic, and bored Dark Lady. Not only that, but he had a natural air of authority and regality about him that matched Nevra's, giving those around him the impression that he would have risen quickly without her help, though they never said such things.

In the end, Voldemort was so pleased with Dray that he conveniently forgot the only reason he was alive was Nevra's desire and bestowed upon him the rank of general. His official title was "Lord Draconis, Protector of the Dark Lady, General in the Dark Lord's forces, Prince of Wizards."

Nevra herself had contributed nearly as much to strategy as Dray had. She had a keen mind and was thankful for ways to use itthat did not involve embarassing Bellatrix, although that was entertaining. Her official title was "Dark Lady Nevra, Daughter of the Dark Lord, Warrior Maiden of the Death Eaters, Princess of Witches."

Snape had not been left out, he too received an official title. His was "General Snape, Advisor to the Dark Lord, Servant of the Dark Lady, Master Among Wizards." Voldemort liked titles, at least for his inner circle. Not that he trusted any of them. Although, Snape had mentioned something about the death eaters assigned to watch the Dark Lady and Drayhad beensent off to other duties. Not that that meant they couldn't be replaced at any moment without warning, it just seemed a bit strange.

The month was over and Nevra, with Dray, was called before her father. He adopted an injured tone and made a request of his daughter, as though granting him this, albeit seemingly petty, was the least she could do for him. She responded in kind, behaving as though she was ashamed of herself for not having done so already without prompting. He forgave her and she left, with Dray, to make plans.

They had been correct in their assumption. He had asked precisely what they had been afraid he would. When they got back to their rooms she slammed the door behind her, shoved him up against the wall, literally ripped his shirt off him and kissed him as though her life depended on it, and indeed, at that point, it may have. In just a month this had become how they escaped their surroundings. Had they been in any other circumstances she might have been ashamed of herself, drowning the world in the way Dray made her feel, but not here, here it just made sense. They hadn't fallen in love. They were friends, and friends found comfort in each other. Extreme situations call for extreme methods of comfort. They were married, after all. She coudn't think about tomorrow; she wouldn't think about tomorrow; she wouldn't think. They moved to the bed and for a little while she forgot what she would have to do.

This was the price you paid.