The Death Eater's left the Riddle Mansion near the end of June when an Auror had been spotted near Little Hangleton. Lord Voldemort had leaded them to Lismore castle in County Waterford, Ireland. The castle was being used as a vocation rental and was owned by a wealthy muggle. Voldemort ordered his Death Eater's to dispose of the muggle as well as all who had worked for them and to destroy the bodies. The castle was made Unplottable and many enchantments were put upon it to prevent intruders who did happen to stumble across it from entering.

Lismore castle stood on a hill over looking the village of Lismore from a distance near the Blackwater River. The castle had a gothic design and most of it was covered by ivy. The rooms were neatly and elaborately furnished. Though the castle had electricity installed, it was mainly lit by candle for Voldemort had ordered all the windows to remain covered with heavy black drapes. The only window that was to remain uncovered was the large stain-glass window in the banquet hall.

The mood of the castle was dark and ominous. When Lord Voldemort was not giving his followers strict instructions, he spent most of his time alone wandering around the castle or in a room in the west wing with Nagini. Occasionally he would appear to play cards with Amycus, Alecto, Fenir, Rabastan, Rodolphus and any other Death Eater that wished to play. It was only natural he won every game. Other times he would allow only Bellatrix to grace his presence and disappear with her in the depths of the castle. No one ever questioned her when she would turn up alone several hours later. Draco would often ask his uncle Rodolphus if it bothered him that his wife went off with the Dark Lord.

"If it is the Dark Lord wish to have Bellatrix by his side, who am I to object Draco?" Rodolphus replied lazily, gazing over his glass of scotch at his hand of cards.

Draco watched his uncle through the spiraling smoke from his cigar for moment. Rodolphus had graceful posture and handsome features. He was slight and aristocratic with long deep red hair, pale skin and clear green eyes. Draco quickly turned his gaze to the cards in his own hand as he felt his cheeks burn.

"Don't lie to the boy, Lestrange!" Fenir laughed raspily, laying a couple of cards face down. "Everyone knows that both of you are unfaithful to each other and don't give a damn if the other knows or not!"

Rodolphus looked up at Fenir and smiled seductively.

"And you would know all about that, wouldn't you Fenir?" he asked silkily.

Fenir laughed licking his teeth obscenely as Rodolphus made a kissy face at him and laid down his royal flush.

"And Bellatrix does know!" Alecto piped in, slamming down her cards.

"But the question is, does she care?" Rabastan asked while retying the ribbon that was holding back his hair.

"Probably not." Rodolphus grunted. "I think she's happy as long as I can get it up and stay hard."

Rabastan rolled his eyes shuffling the cards for a new hand while Fenir howled with laughter. Draco inhaled sharply and choked on the smoke from his Uncle's cigar. He coughed into his arm looking embarrassed as Alecto and Amycus erupted in giggles. Rodolphus smirked looking pleased with himself and handed his nephew is glass of scotch.

"Here, it'll drown the smoke."

Draco nodded and took the glass form his uncle and raised it to his lips. He took a large drink and shivered as he swallowed. He mumbled thanks to his uncle as he leaned back in his chair. Rodolphus watched him for a moment, the smirk lingering on his face. Draco ran a hand back through his sleek white blond hair as he received his cards. He tore his eyes away as a sound from the doorway caught his attention. He smiled warmly as his eyes fell on Narcissa's slight form. She folded her arms across her chest and rested her head on the door frame looking drowsy. She wore a white light weight summer dress.

"Did we wake you, darling?" Rodolphus asked, taking cards from his brother.

Narcissa shook her head and stood a little straighter. She eyed Draco suspiciously as he hiccupped and a tiny ring of smoke emitted form his mouth. He helped himself to Rodolphus's scotch as Amycus swore loudly throwing his cards down.

"Draco!" Narcissa hiss unfolding her arms.

"Oh, come now Narcissa!" Rodolphus laughed, leaning back in his chair and taking a drag off his smoldering cigar. "He's practically an adult now. Besides, Rabastan started drinking when he was much younger than Draco and he turned out fine."

Rabastan grunted and smirked glancing up at his brother. Narcissa pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow as she glared at her brother-in-law. Draco avoided his mother's eye. Rodolphus licked his lips slowly watching Narcissa while butting his cigar.

"Let me guess, you're going to say 'Rodolphus, that's not the point'?" He laughed.

"That's right!" Narcissa nodded folding her arms again.

She turned her head quickly as she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Her heart fluttered and she stood straight, dropping her arms. Snape froze on the landing meeting her gaze. Her lips parted slightly as she looked upon him.

"Narcissa?" Rodolphus said carefully.

"Just make sure he doesn't drink too much…" She mumbled and walked out of view.

Fenir cackled raspily and laid down his cards. He shook his head raising a glass of bourbon to his lips. Rodolphus eyed him quizzically as he poured Draco a glass of scotch. Looking wide awake, Narcissa advanced Snape. He took her hand wordlessly and lead her down a dark hall way.

Since their arrival at Lismore castle, Snape and Narcissa would often disappear together in some secluded part of the castle for hours. It was not suspicious however because many of the Death Eaters were scattered all over the castle and were hardly all together unless ordered to. When they were not able to be alone together during the day, Narcissa would leave her sleeping chamber in the silent hours of the night and crawl into Snape's bed. She would sometimes lay with him, running her finger tips delicately over his flesh, listening to his breathing and closing her eyes as she felt his lips on her forehead and his arms around her. Sometimes through out the day, the urgency for them to become one was so strong the couple would simply find a secluded hall way and indulge themselves physically against a wall.

This time Snape lead Narcissa to his chamber, where he locked the door and took her to the bedside. There were no need for words as they undressed each other; fingers fumbling over buttons and clasps. Their kisses were dark and sweet as they knelt on the bed. Narcissa allowed awareness of nothing but his touch, his hands moving gently over her body, his tongue against hers. Snape blindly moved his mouth from hers to her neck. He held her to him and traced his fingers down between her thighs. She gasped pressing her fingers into his back. Her heart raced as he teased her, nearly bringing her to the brink of fulfillment. She convulsed and pushed him away slightly.

"Severus." She whispered, smiling as he moved his mouth to hers.

He smiled against her mouth and opened his eyes to look into her deep blue pools. Pulling his hand away from between her thighs, he raised a moist finger to her lips. She took his finger into her mouth and closed her eyes as she began to suck on it. Snape exhaled slowly, his lips parting. A flame rose in his chest as he attempted to hold himself still against the exquisite torture of her tongue rasping against his finger tip. She smirked, meeting his gaze and pushed him back into the pillows. Hands at her waist, Snape guided Narcissa astride him. Closing her eyes she bit her lip and eased herself down, taking him deep, her finger tips biting into his chest.

From that moment neither knew how many hours went by or how many times each other came. Narcissa ran her fingers back through her hair that was damp with sweat. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, feeling Snape leave her side. She turned her head to gaze upon him. His flesh glistened with perspiration in the dim light of the room as he dressed. She smiled rolling on to her side and supported her head with her arm.

"The Azkaban mission is in a month." Snape said softly.

"Why do you have to talk about that?" Narcissa said while sighing, her smile falling from her face.

"Because the time will go by fast and your husband will be by your side once more." Snape replied quickly, not meeting her gaze.

Narcissa slid off the bed and scowled at him. She gathered her clothes from the floor and started to dress as well.

"You never change, do you?" she asked fiercely. "Ever since we went to school together, you all ways worried about things before the appropriate time to worry about them!"

"And you still lack the ability to see the seriousness in pressing matters." Snape sighed, turning to face her.

Narcissa gapped at him, lowering her hands from her hair. She closed her mouth and looked at the ring on her finger. Everything he said was true. Like a school girl, she had pushed all seriousness aside and only took time to worry about the smallest things such as when she and Snape would be along again. She knew her affair would have to end before her husband came to this place. She was pulled form her reveries as Snape curled a finger under her chin and lifted her face to look at him.

"These are dangerous times, Narcissa." He whispered. "All of us have to be careful. Even something as small as our affair can cause a ripple effect of ill events for us and those we hold dear. You understand?"

Narcissa nodded. Snape smiled reassuringly and kissed her softly. She kissed him back, touching his face.

"Well still have a month." She whispered against his mouth.

She turned from him and swept out of the room. Snape stared after her in silence. He wasn't sure whether or not she had heard a single word he had said. She did not understand. Perhaps what he wanted to say wasn't clear enough. He cared deeply for Narcissa, but others were starting to suspect and they both smelled heavily of sin.