I Was Younger Then

by TimeforT

Penny Potter may be the twin of Harry Potter but she does not share his proclivity for a hatred of the Potions Master, Severus Snape. Likewise, Snape finds, despite his better efforts that Penny has become dangerously intertwined in his life. Given a second chance, will Snape make the same mistake twice or can things be different this time? A redemption story.

112. FNO: The Orphan and the Tyrant

Hey friends!

I hope you're ready for a very long chapter! This is the longest I've written yet, nearly 15k words! I remember when 5k chapters felt long...lol. Hopefully this makes up for being late on the update. I had a lot of stuff going on for Halloween and getting back into the swing of things took some time. This chapter we explore the end of the holidays, hope you enjoy !

I've been writing and editing for the last 12 hours straight, so I'm sure there are errors and I apologize for them. I'll give this another edit tomorrow with fresh eyes, I just want a nap now

---

The unbreakable vow," Penny said sharply, dropping the peeler from her hand. "Are you sure—"

"Yes!" Harry said, looking exasperated.

"And he was offering to help Malfoy with whatever he has been doing for the Dark Lord?"

"We don't know that it's for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named," Ron pointed out, throwing his own peeler into the sink in annoyance.

"Yes we do," Penny and Harry said in unison.

"There is only one person anyone refers to as master," Penny said with an edge that made the other two peer curiously at her.

Her hand involuntarily reached for the neck of the sweater Mrs. Weasley had given her for Christmas. It was maroon with a big black bearlike dog on the front. Penny still hadn't confided in them about receiving the Dark Mark or told them about all too frequent field trips to the Malfoy Manor now that she was Snape's fiancé.

It seemed Dumbledore was also keeping that information quiet, something Penny appreciated because she did not think she could handle their reactions when they did find out. Being Christmas, Penny was hardly going to make such a horrid confession. But she did not feel overly guilty seeing as she'd caught Ron and Harry having whispered conversations on the stairs, reminding her Harry was also going out of his way to keep something from her.

She wondered vaguely when things had changed between them. There'd been a time they'd shared everything and secrets were unthinkable. These days, it was like the secrets were piling up so high Penny was certain soon she wouldn't be able to see her twin through them. And yet, she felt perhaps it was also just the way life went. They'd grown up and it was no longer just the two of them. There were things Harry was carrying now, that it felt cruel to burden him with Penny's problems. So she straightened her face.

"Even if that is true, everyone will say Snape was just pretending so Draco would tell him what he's up to," Ron said after a moment.

"Of course he's pretending. Whatever Malfoy is up to must be pretty serious if he was the one who gave Katie that necklace," Penny said dismissively.

"You can't really still be defending him, Penny," Harry said with a frown.

"Can't I?" Penny said, turning to her twin with pursed lips.

"Well, you can, but only if you insist on being a bloody idiot," Ron said, reaching for the tray of cookies on the table and stuffing three into his mouth.

"Ah yes, because everyone, including Dumbledore are idiots, except you two," Penny said sardonically. "You, who can't even complete a history of magic exam between the pair of you," Penny said with an eye roll.

"One day you'll realize I'm right about this, just like the prophet. If you continue trusting him it will only be worse for you when he does show his true colors," Harry said, also giving up on the potatoes that needed peeling and taking a seat beside Ron.

"What's his move then? Is Snape just biding his time waiting for Dumbledore to die so he can take over Hogwarts?" said Penny in what she thought was an outlandish suggestion.

To her irritation, both Ron and Harry's eyes lit up, finding the other and nodding in a 'aha' moment.

"I'd figured he was just spying on Dumbledore, but now that you mention it…" Harry muttered.

"Probably waiting for his chance to kill 'em himself," exclaimed Ron through a mouthful of cookies.

"If that were the plan, why would the Dark Lord be sending Malfoy and his ill attempts?" argued Penny.

"Malfoy isn't trying to kill Dumbledore. We don't know what he's up to, that's the point of this entire conversation," said Harry.

"You told me Katie's friend said she was trying to take that necklace back to the headmaster. And if it was Malfoy's doing, then put two-and-two together," Penny said, reaching over and flicking Harry on the forehead. "You can't have it both ways. And my money is going on Snape not being a spy. And I'll be the one to accept your apology, in writing, when it's confirmed," Penny said, getting to her feet.

"Don't listen to her, mate. She tried to get us to believe she saw the gates of hell when she fainted. But Snape can't possibly be a two-faced git-lost her grip on reality," Ron said to Harry, not bothering to keep his voice down while Penny snatched her warm clothing hanging by the door and made her way outside.

Her feet crunched through the snow while small flakes dusted her nose. She paused and let out a large breath and watched the steam drift upward. Being at the Weasley's was a different kind of serene than Hogwarts. It was like a home away from home, the place you went when you needed to recharge. It made Penny feel almost human again. But not quite.

She still remained disquieted about being in a coma for so long. And Snape had not so much as sent her a letter since he stormed off on her. After last year, she rather thought he would show up to wish her a happy Christmas at least. But obsessively glancing out the window toward the gate had left Penny sorely disappointed and attracted the unwanted attention of Lupin, who had taken to observing her.

Snape's absence left Penny feeling wayward, the anxious heart in her chest terrified he was actually leaving this time. Would her life ever stop being so damn complicated? Watching the Weasley's together, the way they knew they could always rely on each other, Penny couldn't help but wonder how such a thing was attained. Was that what love looked like when fear was not involved, or did only the lucky few get a chance at such a life?

If Penny wished for anything this Christmas, it was that she could know what it felt like: being a person someone else needed.

Sighing loudly Penny looked around trying to decide whether she should shovel the path or take a walk when a snowball collided with the side of her face. The cold, wet snow broke apart, some sliding down the back of her neck, making her hop around in an attempt to get it out.

"Sorry mate, you just looked too pathetic standing there moping. I couldn't help myself," said George clapping her on the back.

"Thought we forgot you, didn't you," said Fred, stepping up on Penny's other side.

"More like I was hoping you had," Penny scowled, wiping the last of the melting snow from her face.

"We love you too," said George.

"Seeing as this is a special year."

"Our first as spectacularly successful businessmen."

"We couldn't just get you any normal gift," said Fred, stepping in front of Penny and offering her a small, neatly wrapped box topped with a bow.

"You guys really shouldn't have—"

"Of course we should have. You're our third and we couldn't have done it without you," George said, planting a wet kiss on her cheek that made Penny laugh.

As she tore the paper from the box it began to dissolve, the ash falling to the floor and exploding into a patch of flowers. Penny paused, gaping at the spectacular piece of magic.

"New line, No-mess-Christmas," Fred said when Penny looked back at him.

"Still needs work though," George added, nodding back to the flowers that immediately began to turn brown and emit a horrible stench.

Taking several steps away for her nose's sake, Penny opened the box and found a large silver locket with an intricate design emblazoned on the front. Squinting, she picked it up to get a better look.

"I thought rose gold would have suited you better, but Fred reckons girls don't like mismatching jewelry, so we went white gold to match that ring you always wear,"

"Ring?" Penny said, brows furrowed in confusion until Fred tapped the large signet ring on her left pointer finger. "Ooh!" she said. Snape had given her the piece with the large P detail on the front for Christmas in her third year. The ring had never left Penny's finger since that day, so now it just felt so much a part of her that she forgot it was there.

Turning back the locket, she examined the detail on the locket. Inlaid on the front doors of the locket was a horse, lion and two magpies.

"Our patronuses?"

"Not only that," said Fred, turning the locket over in her hand so she could see the stag, bear-like dog, werewolf and lily emblazoned there.

Penny's mouth hung open, unable to form the words to tell them what it meant to her.

"The best part's inside," George nudged.

Clicking the locket open, Penny found nothing at first inside, but after a second or so, curly writing appeared, etched to the inside of the locket. It read, Some days are just fucked, better to take a nap and try again tomorrow.

Penny burst out laughing, it was exactly the kind of thing Fred and George would do.

"The message changes based on your mood."

Closing the locket, she clutched it in her hand and then threw her hands around both twins' necks.

"It's been a shit year, but you've always got us," Fred whispered.

"Stuck with us, really," added George.

"I don't think I deserve you two," she said, kissing both their cheeks.

"You're right, you don't," the twins smirked. "But we won't hold it against you."

Penny spent the rest of the afternoon with the twins and Ginny after Mrs. Weasley, very reluctantly, allowed them to take a walk down to the village. Harry was a bit sour about it, seeing as he was not to leave the house being the number one target of Voldemort. Being Christmas and not wanting to show up to Christmas dinner completely drunk, they only stayed a couple of hours at the pub.

Fred confounded the muggle to not card Penny and Ginny, so they spent their time with Penny explaining to them all the different muggle drinks. Being wizards, they hadn't heard of most, but conceded they weren't that bad even if they preferred firewhisky.

"Could you go out to the shed and get me the large serving platter, Penny dear?' Mrs. Weasley asked when they'd returned.

She was in the middle of the finishing touches of their Christmas meal and everyone else was setting the table, taking drink orders or laughing loudly at the table. Slipping her boots back on, she slipped out the back.

It was dark, but she was familiar enough with the path not to get lost. It only took a quick scan for Penny to locate what she was looking for. Humming jingle bells to herself, Penny shut the shed and turned to find three faces turning in the dark to look at her.

With a startled yelp, Penny dropped the platter, which shattered at her feet. All three of their wands lit up, blinding her with the light.

"It's Potter's sister, minister," came a familiar voice.

"Percy?" Penny questioned, squinting against the light. "M-minister?" she said, trying to make out the faces looking at her.

The one in the middle lowered his wand, and a man Penny knew was Rufus Scrimgeour, Minister of Magic, stepped forward, offered her his hand. "Miss Potter. Sorry for startling you."

The other two lights went out allowing Penny to assess the situation. Blinking several times, she offered her hand.

"Don't worry about it, Minister. I just wasn't expecting anyone else to be out here."

"Shall we go in together? Percy here was hoping to pay his family a visit on Christmas," the minister said.

Penny glanced at Percy who was purposefully looking at the sky. He had still been on the outs with his family even after it came out that Harry was telling the truth and Voldemort was back. It seemed admitting he was a giant git was too much of an ask, which made Penny all too suspicious that was just an excuse. If it was, it was a horrible thing to do to Mrs. Weasley and made Penny instantly annoyed.

"You go ahead, I'll just clear my mess first."

He nodded and he and Percy made for the door, Penny watching as it swung open. It was only when it shut did Penny realize the third person in their group had not accompanied them, but was, instead, watching her.

Finding the grotesque blue eyes, Penny took several steps backwards.

"That was very sweet of you doll, going out of your way to give us some alone time. I miss you too," Yaxley smirked.

"I didn't realize it was you," Penny practically spat.

"Even better."

Straightening her shoulders, Penny made a break for the backdoor but Yaxley stopped her in her tracks by blocking her path.

"Oh come on, love, stay a moment. It's Christmas," he whispered, grabbing her upper arm and tugging her toward him.

"Do you really wanna try that, right under the nose of the minister?" said Penny, jaw stiff. "Just give me the reason to do it. Maybe I can even be there when you face the displeasure of the Dark Lord. I can't say I'd mind getting to watch you beg on your knees."

"And that is why you are my most successful project, Penny," he breathed, free hand running through her hair affectionately. "I remember the pure and innocent creature you were when you came to me. You knew nothing of pain. And look how I've transformed you with it."

"You really love to stroke your own ego, don't you? Does it help you forget how pathetic you are? I was 14, whatever you think you did to change me, I did myself. I made every single choice and none of them ever spared a thought for you. Do you know why?" Penny breathed right back, hand at her side shaking. "Because you're nothing and always will be nothing to me. I don't spare any thoughts for you. And that's what angers you isn't it? Why you keep coming back, hoping, maybe this time."

The hand on the side of her head tightened around her hair, pulling some of it out. The the leathery skin around the edges of his mouth wrinkled in obvious anger. She'd gotten under his skin and he wanted her to pay for it.

"Get your hands off her, Yaxley," the low tones of Lupin commanded as he came into view over Yaxley's shoulder.

When Yaxley did not move, Lupin gave him a sharp poke with his wand prompting Yaxley to release Penny and put both hands up. For a moment, Penny did not move, she looked into the blue eyes while he looked back at her.

"How fortunate for you the mut got off his leash."

His words did not seem to bother Lupin, but Penny had no patience for them. And in response she spat in his face. "You're not even worth the energy for a response," said Penny and then she pushed past him and made her way inside. The door thudded shut behind her, and then pushed open again as she was unraveling her scarf.

She only spared a glance for Lupin, intending to join the others at the table but he wasn't going to let her get away that easily.

"Are you okay, Penny? Did he—"

"No, he didn't. I'm fine," was Penny's brisk reply.

"I can understand after everything that I am probably the last person you want to hear this from, but you're not alone. I'm here for you if you need someone to talk to," he said, grabbing her shoulder gently to try and prevent her from leaving.

"You say that like it's not clearly evident you don't understand. You don't have the tiniest inclination what it feels like," Penny said, whirling around angrily. "Did you honestly think that because you're happy with Tonks now that everything could just go back to the way they were before? I really don't know which is more insulting at this point—"

"I know it must appear that way, but it's not like that at all. Yes, Tonks has been a big part of helping me with my drinking but that's all. I'm not here for your forgiveness or to ask you to appease my guilt. I'm here for you. Because you never should have had to endure any of it; because you don't deserve to struggle alone—"

"And if I want to struggle alone, then what?"

"No one can condemn you for being afraid after all you have lost. Seeking solitude is the easiest way to feel in control, because what can be taken from you if you refuse to hang onto anything?"

"I suppose you know all about that feeling," Penny said coldly. "So much so, I might argue you're projecting."

"If you are asking me if that is what I think I was doing this past summer, I would not argue against you. I have lost my best friend twice now, and I do not think I could describe to you what that is like. But I had hoped to spare you the sad reality of such a choice."

"Choice," Penny repeated, irate now. "What choice did I get in my mum, dad, Cedric and Sirius leaving? What say did I get when you abandoned me this summer? Not even Snape affords me a choice, turning hot and cold whenever he feels like it. Nothing about any of this was of my choosing! It was dictated to me by the rest of you. No one asked me!" she fumed in bitter rage.

The idea that Penny feeling as alone as she did at the moment was because of things she'd done, it was comically absurd, especially coming from the one who had basically forcibly dragged her out of his life and dropped her into the pit of her misery.

"Tell me what you need, what I can do for you. I can never make it right. But I'm here, Penny and I'll do anything—" Lupin said, voice cracking with emotion, brown eyes glistening.

"I'm happy you're doing better, Remus. I really am. But there is nothing you can do for me. So please stop trying," Penny said, shrugging out of his hold.

She couldn't do this with him. Not today, maybe not ever. His features were just too much of a painful reminder of it all—of how disposable she is.

---

It turned out Percy's visit was a farce after all. One concocted by the Minister of Magic to have a conversation with Harry to ask him for his support. Harry, being Harry, gave the man a big fuck you by admitting to being Dumbledore's man through and through, something that made both Ron and Penny laugh. It was the truth, and Harry was honest to a fault. But at the end of the day she could hardly criticize him for standing his ground after the Ministry had spent the entire previous year telling everyone he was insane.

Lupin did not try to speak to Penny again, but she could not help but notice he was never very far from where she was. She got the feeling he was watching her, but whenever she chanced a look at him, he was always preoccupied with something else.

To make matters worse, Dumbledore had sent an owl indicating Snape would be picking Penny up on New Year's Eve so as to check on some conveniently unreferenced things relating to her health and returning her on New years day. Only Harry was dissatisfied with this explanation, but Penny did not offer any insight, her own dread threatening to overwhelm her because she suspected it meant another visit to the Malfoy Manor. Surely the Dark Lord did not celebrate New Years. How terribly ordinary.

The only upside was finally seeing Snape so she could stop wallowing in her misery over their last conversation. Unfortunately, there would be no returning to their previous conversation while the Death Eaters were around, but at least while playing the doting fiancé he could not simply ignore her. Perhaps she would be able to use that to her advantage somehow.

Needless to say, Penny could not allow her mind to ponder these things while Harry was around in case she were to accidentally share them with him. In a blatant attempt to purposefully avoid speaking to anyone, Penny spent an inordinate amount of time in the bath where she attempted to scrub away every lingering regret over Lupin, and any obsessive thoughts about her annoying, rude, stupid, awful Potions Master.

Today, her bath was cut short by a knock at the door.

"Penny, darling, Professor Snape is here for you."

Her insides doing a horrible somersault, Penny called back that she'd be out in a few. Why was her heart racing like this? Was she afraid to see him or was it trepidation because she did not know why exactly it was that he was here for her?

She stood before the mirror for a long moment, trying her best to calm her breathing before tossing her clothing back on. On her way down, she took her time counting the stairs, pausing just outside the lounge where she knew he'd be waiting.

Stealing herself and doing her best to plaster a good mood to her face so he would not know how miserable he'd made her, Penny pushed through the door and found him standing beside the fireplace.

"Hi Professor," Penny said, unable to hide the relief seeing him gave her.

He merely glanced at her, but said nothing. So Penny pressed on. "Did you have a happy Christmas?" There was only so much ignoring he could do without being blatantly rude.

When he didn't respond for the second time, Penny shifted uncomfortably on the spot, her chest twinging with discomfort. Was he really that determined to ignore her existence?

"Well I had a lovely Christmas, thanks for asking," she said. "Yaxley decided to drop by just to make sure it was unforgettable," she continued unapologetically.

To her immense satisfaction, his composure broke at this bit of information. He turned sharply in her direction, eyes narrowed. Apparently he hadn't heard yet and was loath to admit it bothered him.

"I imagine he hasn't gloated about it yet because he's still disappointed he didn't get to backhand me for spitting on him."

Snape's lips curled at the corners, and a look of distinct displeasure shadowed his face, and yet he still remained firmly silent, a fact that prompted Penny to look past him and realize Lupin was also in the room, sitting on a rocking chair, his brown eyes observing the pair critically.

So that was why he was set on the silent treatment. The embarrassment of Lupin witnessing Snape's cruel tactics made her cheeks burn red. She did not want to be pitied as some silly girl who chased hopelessly after Snape, and certainly not while standing before both of the men who had scorned her..So she clamped her mouth shut and looked decidedly at the floor.

"Here is your cloak, Penny dear, I made sure to wash it," interrupted Mrs. Weasley, waltzing into the room with a handful of things. "You can't go out with wet hair, you'll catch a cold," she said, scrutinizing Penny. And with a wave of her wand, she dried Penny's hair before wrapping her in her traveling cloak and topping her with her Gryffindor hat and scarf.

"Thanks Mrs. Weasley," Penny said, giving the kind woman a kiss.

Not bothering to wait for Snape's lead, Penny took her leave. She was on the path by the time he caught up with her. She glanced sideways at him, but the black eyes remained firmly fixed on the path before them.

"Where are we going?" she asked, finally breaking the silence.

When they passed beyond the gate he turned to her, dark eyes cold and distant. "The Dark Lord likes his celebrations, and you are at the top of the guest list for today's," he said, offering her his hand.

"Well I don't want to go," Penny said, crossing her arms.

"The Dark Lord does not care what you want, Potter," he replied tersely.

"Well maybe he will learn to when I don't show up."

"Seeing as it is I who would bear the brunt of your punishment, I'll be vetoing that proposal," he said, snatching her arm and turning on his heel before she could so much as protest.

A crack later, Penny landed hard on her hands and knees on the all too familiar gravel drive.

"You know this constitutes kidnapping!" Penny fumed, getting to her feet and rubbing her cold, throbbing hands on the front of her robes.

"Only because you insist on being a nuisance" he drawled.

"What kind of gaslighting bullshit is that? Are you suggesting I do not have the right to say no thanks to a night of being tortured?" she said dubiously.

"Potter, this is not the time for this conversation," Snape said through gritted teeth. He was obviously try to control his anger, but that did not stop him from grabbing her wrist with more force than was necessary and dragging her along behind him.

"And when exactly is the right time for it then, hmm?"

"Seeing as you're being juvenile, never."

"I am a juvenile!"

"Clearly, but you will make it less painfully obvious today because I do not have the patience for it."

"How rude of me to inconvenience you with my juvenile objections to being made a plaything for the entertainment of the most vile people on the planet. How could I forget your night will be trying with all the drinking, fucking and tormenting you'll be doing at my expense," she said scathingly, digging her heels into the path to stop his progress.

"Fine, Potter! You want to leave, be my guest," he said, rounding on her, eyes flashing dangerously.

"Are you serious?" Penny said, rubbing the bruised wrist he just released and eyeing him suspiciously.

"If you have such little regard for the precarious position I am in, then go. I'd rather endure the Dark Lord's displeasure than your raving all night long."

Penny eyed him warily and then said, "Alright, happy new year then."

"What," he said so quiety she wasn't sure he'd spoken at first. So she paused mid-turn to peer back at him.

"If I don't have to be here, I'm sure as hell not staying willingly?" Penny said with a shrug.

He stared at her and she him, the only sound to be heard, his teeth grinding back at forth as he considered her response.

"You are infuriatingly self-centered!" he finally snapped. And in his rage he bridged the distance between them and picked Penny up, tossing her over his shoulder before marching toward the Malfoy Manor once again.

"How can you be the mad one when you just blatantly tried to manipulate me!" Penny yelled back, beating her fists against his back. "You've shown your true colors; you care more about looking like you have control of me than my wellbeing, don't you!"

"Incorrect, Potter. I care more about my own neck than your mood of the day."

"I can't believe your audacity. First you blatantly abduct me and now you're accusing me of being the unstable one," Penny said incredulously as she flailed around on him to no avail.

It was a futile battle on Penny's part. Snape did not even seem to break a sweat in his efforts to carry her, against her will, to the Malfoy Manor. Barely five minutes later, they crossed the threshold into the grand entrance hall, Penny still railing against her Potion's Master.

"I wonder what kind of husband you'll make if this is how you treat your fiancé!"

"An exciting one by the looks of it," answered the bored tones of Amycus.

Snape dumped Penny unceremoniously onto the hard marble floor. Glaring up at him, Penny clambered to her feet, annoyed by the much too smug look on his face before turning to look at an even more unwelcome face.

"Carrow," Snape said curtly, his dark eyes trailing with distaste away from Penny and to him. He did not meet Snape's eyes though, his dark brown ones still watching Penny as he stepped into her space and took her scarf in one hand, considering it with a look of amusement.

"I imagine he chose you because those of your house are notorious for requiring a strong hand ," he said, giving it a small yank and choking her momentarily. "But you don't strike me as one who would be averse to such things. You like the struggle; dragging it out, don't you Penny?"

Penny felt intense revulsion in response to the malicious hunger that tinged his voice and glittered in his eyes. Fortunately for her, Snape saved her from her very unadvisable impulse to hit him, and stepped up behind Penny, her back pressed firmly against his chest and took a hold of Penny's scarf and yanked it free of Amycus.

"You'll understand then, why I can't have anyone else tugging on her leash," he said in a velvety voice that made Penny feel suddenly ten degrees hotter.

The mutinous part of Penny that very much wanted Snape to do whatever he wanted to her with a leash warred against the indignation still raging within her at being dragged here against her will. However, the look of gross amusement on Amycus' face at the spectacle before him was the bucket of cold water her hormones needed.

"So selfish, Severus," he said with a click of his tongue. "I guess I'll just have to wait for you to get bored to have my turn."

"The only turn you'll be having is with the end of my first, you disgusting greasy—" Penny fumed, but Snape's hand around her mouth prevented her from telling him the rest of what she thought of him.

"I wouldn't hold your breath, Carrow. The girl, for all her faults, never does cease to find new ways to be interesting," Snape replied, and turning, he dragged a spluttering and stumbling Penny along with him.

When a hallway separated them from Amycus, he let her go, Penny stomping on his foot to ensure he knew exactly how unhappy she was with him.

"Tell me, how's it feel to be the kind of guy who jokes about fucking 16 year olds, non-consensually."

"The accusation loses some of its sting coming from the girl who can't even keep her degenerate thoughts to herself," Snape drawled, making Penny flush. Those were the last thoughts she wanted him to be privy to.

"That's not the same at all. But nice try attempting to convince me that you encroaching on my thoughts is something I should feel bad about."

"I encroached on nothing, you thrust them upon me!"

"Said every guilty man ever," Penny said with an eye roll.

"I grow tired of your antics today, Potter. If you do not feel like behaving, then you will be spending the evening with your dear friend, Amycus," Snape said, the threat evident in his voice.

"That's low," Penny said, glowering at him. "Even for you."

He arched his brow as though daring her to test him, but Penny had zero interest in being thrown to the sharks, though she was hardly going to admit that to Snape, so she opted for crossing her arms and looking decidedly away from him.

"A wise choice. Now come, you are to change first."

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing!" Penny argued, reluctantly following after the man.

"You are not to be seen next to me wearing those colors."

"Imagine being as insecure as a Slytherin," Penny muttered under her breath, earning her a sharp look from Snape.

Giving a large door on their right a light tap, Snape entered and bowed.

"Narcissa."

"Oh, Severus, I wasn't expecting you," the pretty woman said, turning from the mirror that she had been using to dress herself.

"My apologies for the intrusion. The Dark Lord is expecting me but I was hoping you could save the girl from her poor taste this evening," Snape said, the corners of his lips curling slightly as he glanced at Penny's scarf.

"Poor taste! So sorry I came dressed for the weather and not half-naked so the perverted old men could ogle me all night!" Penny finally snapped. Let Snape try and find a way to defend that one.

The vein along Snape's neck throbbed dangerously, but Narcissa let out a soft laugh.

"If you would endure her insistence on being a pest and make her presentable, I would be in your debt," he went on, blatantly ignoring Penny.

"Certainly, Severus," Narcissa said, getting to her feet. "If you would do something for me," she paused, her fingers running the length of a pear necklace.

Severus waited, dark eyes watching the tall, elegant woman.

"Speak to Draco. He's been avoiding me, and—I'm worried," she said, giving him a look that suggested Snape knew why that was.

He gave a curt nod. "I must not keep the Dark Lord waiting," he said, and turned again headed for the door but he paused beside Penny, extending his hand expectantly. "Wand," he said, dark eyes watching her from the corner of his eye.

"First you drag me here against my will, berate me, leave me here to get dressed up like some doll to spend, what should have been a good night, with your awful friends, and now you expect me to just hand over my only protection when you all inevitably partake in too much firewhisky? Absolutely not—"

But before Penny even made it to the end of her speech, his hand had slipped into her pocket and snatched the wand from her so seamlessly that at first she did not realize it was gone. But he was leaving, and she knew better than to think he'd give up that easily, and sure enough, her eyes trailed to his right hand and found her wand hanging in it.

"Are you kidding me!" she yelled, Snape snapping the door shut in her face.

Furious for more reasons than she could count, Penny gaped at the door. This was going to be the worst New Years Eve ever, of that she was sure.

"Don't hold it against him. He does it because he cares for you."

"How do you figure that?" Penny said, realizing too late her tone was a little too rude.

"In all the years I have known Severus, I've never seen him look at anything the way he looks at you," Narcissa said, smiling when Penny looked at her as though she made about as much sense as a blast ended skrewt.

"Murder, that's all I see when I look at him," Penny said, following Narcissa as she led Penny into an enormous closet.

"Passion does share many of the same attributes, so I can understand why you'd think that," Narcissa mused as she circled Penny, her eyes scrutinizing her figure. "But I daresay there will come a day when you learn to discern the difference."

Penny's cheeks grew very hot. Was this woman referring to the wedding day? Not that the idea of putting all that pent up energy Snape wasted yelling at her to work sounded like a bad idea at all to Penny. It was just indicative of the backwards world Death Eaters lived in that she would condone, let alone not find it strange that Snape would actually want to wed Penny. Seeing as the woman was not only helping her, she was Draco's mom, Penny decided to keep this thought to herself.

"While I do not wish to make you a target this evening, I'm sure the Dark Lord will wish to show you off," she tutted.

Penny grimaced, she did not like the sound of being toted around all night. Already being in a foul mood thanks to Snape, it was almost assured her mouth would get her into trouble.

Ruffling through her absurd collection of dresses, Narcissa settled on one, pulling out a long, emerald green number.

"This might do it," she said, hanging it just beside her before beginning to unravel Penny's scarf, plucking the hat from her head and pulling the cloak from her shoulders. "Undress quickly now, we don't have much time."

Penny pulled the sweater awkwardly over her head. She did not often get undressed in front of people, much less her friend's parents. But Narcissa was a woman, so it felt a little less weird knowing she'd seen boobs a million times.

"Will I get these back?" Penny asked tentatively, handing over her sweater and locket she'd just received for Christmas.

"I can't imagine there is anyone here who would want them," Narcissa said, that Malfoy snobbery her son was so prone to coming out strongly.

"Right," Penny said, standing awkwardly in her underwear.

Turning back to Penny Narcissa frowned, her pretty blue eyes taking in the girl before her.

"I'll do my best, but there really isn't any hiding a figure like yours. But you'll want to remove the bra for this one."

Feeling distinctly positive she did not want to remove her bra to wear the dress and allow her nipples to give everyone a free show all night, Penny reluctantly removed her bra, uncertain if she should bother covering herself or not.

Thankfully, as soon as Penny's heavy breasts bounced free of their confinement, Narcissa pulled the dress over her head. Due to the fact Penny most assuredly was not anywhere near the same size as Narcissa, the dress got stuck on her breasts and Narcissa spent several minutes adjusting the seams with her her wand before she was able to force it over Penny's boobs, only to get stuck again at her hips and butt.

If the entire process had not been humiliating enough, when she'd finished, Narcissa walked around Penny admiring her handiwork.

"As I suspected, even this neckline is distracting on you. But you are stunning nonetheless," she frowned.

Turning to the mirror Penny found herself at least happier with this neckline than the last she'd been forced into. At least with this, she did not feel in danger of exposing herself with every move. However, what it lacked in sluttiness in the front, it made it up for in the back. The satin material clung snugly to her waist before ruching at her hip and dipping low at the back.

She felt a little uncomfortable with her entire back exposed, but thought, like Narcissa, it would likely draw less attention than the black dress she'd been forced to wear the last time.

"We have time for a little eyeliner," Narcissa said, leading Penny back to a chair sitting before a mirror.

It only took her a couple of minutes to pat some blush onto her cheeks, gloss her lips and smudge some eyeliner along the top and bottom of Penny's lids, but the effect was dramatic.

Her green eyes were startling against the black, and paired with the dress, came across as undeniably sultry. It was bizarre looking at a reflection Penny did not recognize. If she were lucky, perhaps no one else would recognize her either. Though, she felt that would not be enough to deter them from bothering her.

"Thanks," Penny muttered, not sure whether Narcissa had done a nice thing or damned her to a night of unwanted attention. Either way, the outcome was probably better than being pulled around by her Gryffindor scarf all night.

Every step Penny took toward the noise of the party sent her a little closer to being sick all over herself. This was not an intimate affair like the last event. It was along the scale of the Midsommer festival Penny had gatecrashed. Except this time, she was entirely herself and not the least bit enthused by the idea of being shown off as the Potter that was owned by the Dark Lord. What if word got back to Harry and the others? How would she even begin to explain any of it at this point? Surely Harry would resurrect Sirius and procure his help to kill Snape and then she'd really be screwed.

Narcissa stopped Penny from entering the lion's den, pointing to a room just a little further down the hall.

"You must first present yourself to the Dark Lord," she said, giving her a gentle push.

"Oh," Penny nodded, her legs traversing the path stiffly as the woman gave her shoulder a small squeeze before walking off like the supermodel she was, to join the festivities. Watching her made Penny think she would never look so natural in this place. It was much too obvious she did not belong.

Not sure how one was to present themselves to the Dark Lord, Penny opted for knocking, the door opening before her. The occupants inside did not seem to notice her and continued their discussion.

"We know the ministry has them secured on the east side. It's their most highly guarded facility, but were we to move, I think we would find success with little effort."

Penny took a couple of steps forward out of the threshold as she glanced around uncomfortably. Would she be punished for overhearing this conversation?

The man speaking was standing beside Voldemort at the opposite end of the table, pointing at something laying upon it.

"I do not disagree, Flint. But I find myself not yet inclined to extend my mercy to those who have failed the Dark Lord so greatly."

The door behind Penny snapped shut, making her jump. Arms wrapped around herself nervously, she glanced back to the table where she found the red eyes now observing her. Following the interest of their master, all the other heads turned in Penny's direction as well, making her cheeks burn with anxiety as silence fell over the room.

"It's rude to keep your master waiting, Penelope," Voldemort said, snapping Penny from the stupor her fear of him caused.

Eyes immediately glued to the ground, Penny did as she was told, trying to do her best to ignore how all their gazes were picking her apart. They parted as she passed, giving her a clear path to Voldemort. She stopped a couple of feet before him and fidgeted with her wrist because she did not know what else to do and the attention made her overly self-conscious.

And then a long, white hand appeared in her periphery. Stomach dropping out beneath her, Penny took the hand and winced at the instantaneous shock of pain the touch evoked.

"No need to be shy," he said softly, tilting her chin so her green eyes looked up into the scarlet. "It pleases your master to watch you shake before me."

Penny was trembling from head to toe, not just from the effort to try and pretend the pain surging from him did not make her want to scream, but from the cold terror that filled her everytime she looked into those red eyes.

They were different every time, Penny never able to discern whether they would bring pain or not. She was a toy before him, to be molded by his every whim; any courage she might have had, flickering away without a fight. He controlled her every thought without even trying. His presence was simply enough to induce the kind of fear that rendered Penny uncertain of who she was.

"Penelope here almost didn't make it to tonight," he said to the larger room before turning back to her. "It seems misfortune is magnetized to you, and I can't have that," Voldemort said, tapping her bottom lip disapprovingly.

Penny closed her eyes in an effort to steady herself when the hand holding hers, began to twirl her like a ballerina so he could survey the rest of her.

"I would have thought after wasting his entire life on that school, Dumbledore would be capable of keeping my pet safe from the clutches of radicals. Alas, as is always the case, he remains woefully disappointing. If I was not working on new management, my pet, I would see to your education myself, But Severus didn't like the option much," he said, chuckling softly from behind her as he dragged his nails slowly across the small of her back.

The others snickered in response, Penny's breath now coming in shallow rasps. She opened her eyes now. She did not like him being where she couldn't see him and not knowing what to expect. It made her feel unnaturally vulnerable, as though watching him strike her down somehow gave her some control.

"I suppose we cannot hold it against him for having an aversion to sharing you," he went on, now dragging his fingers back along the trail he'd just scratched into her, as though to ensure the mark stuck.

"But tonight I think I might insist," he paused before laying a kiss on the back of Penny's neck.

Her revulsion so palpable she nearly choked on it, Penny's entire body shuddered as a horrible chill spread across her skin, and then she doubled over in pain, Voldemort's hand looping round her waist to keep her from hitting the floor. Not able to contain it a moment longer, Penny let out a small yell, her hands reaching for her head that felt like it was splitting from the inside out.

"Perhaps Severus wasn't exaggerating when he told me your constitution remains delicate," Voldemort mused before releasing her.

Penny let out a small gasp of relief. Her legs were shaking from the effort to remain upright. Something the rest of the room seemed to find extremely amusing. Of course it was easy for them to laugh, she was lower than them. And while they were all subject to the Dark Lord's whims, it was Penny who he humiliated this way, demonstrating how he owned her; how nothing could keep her safe, not even Snape.

Reaching for the table, Penny stumbled and grabbed the nearest goblet and took a large gulp, expecting water. She coughed, unprepared for the firewhisky that burned her throat. Not caring whether they were watching her or not, Penny took several deep breaths in an attempt to return her sense of self. The world was dangerously spotty and her chest tight, but she could not allow herself to faint, not now.

Then, deciding firewhisky wasn't the worst way to get through the night, she drained the rest of the goblet slowly.

When she finished she noticed the others were trailing toward the door, the last one glancing momentarily back at Penny. She didn't want them to leave, not without her.

To her horror, she found Voldemort watching her when she cranes her neck, resigned to her fate. His head was cocked slightly, and his tongue slid the length of his non-existant bottom lip.

"Severus tells me you have garnered the attention of the Martikov family. I confess, I have never been a believer in their self-professed abilities. In my experience, there is nothing a seer could accomplish that legilimency could not do for me, and I have found many of their predictions rather. . .disappointing."

"Possibilities," Penny corrected impulsively.

"Hmm?"

"They're possibilities not predictions. We see possibilities," Penny repeated, kicking herself for opening her mouth.

"Only the inept argue those kinds of technicalities, Penelope. What they are really saying is they conveniently do not guarantee results. Something you would do well to remember I despise."

"Except seers aren't made, they're born. And it's others who seek them out, so I don't really see what they'd get out of lying."

Again, she did not know what possessed her, but Voldemort did not appear to dislike her sudden veraciousness but rather, looked pleased.

"Special without effort, it is a tantalizing thing, is it not?" he said, now pacing back and forth before her. "And they, the only ones who understand you; that have the answers to your problems. That makes you in need of them, does it not?" He glanced at her waiting for her response.

"Adrian came to help at great cost to himself—"

"And maintains a great power over this supposed ability of yours, so much so, you feel indebted to him."

"I don't see what's wrong with needing his help," Penny said, wiping the cold sweat from her face as she turned to perch herself against the edge of the table to better see him.

"No, you wouldn't, having been taught by that fool all these years. But the answer is the same as the one to the first question you asked. Control. The Martikov's have worked so hard to keep the charade up because it gives them unfettered control."

"Over what?" Penny said, brows furrowed. "They live confined in that village, it's not like they're trying to take over the ministry."

"People's fears, my pet. They remain the only thing between people and what they fear most and have remained woefully unbeholden to explaining how they received such knowledge. It is nothing more than using peoples' natural superstitions to power grab," said Voldemort, considering Penny as though she were something to be pitied, like he spoke truths she could not possibly understand.

"You're wrong. It is real," she said through gritted teeth.

"You are not the first orphan who wished to be special," he said, advancing on her slowly. "They have used that to beguile you, but you do not need them. I can show you what real power is," he whispered, hand returning to her face. Nerves already on fire, she pulled away, sliding further onto the table.

"I've seen it!" Penny said. It was pointless to argue it with him, she did not need him to believe her, and yet she could not help the stubborn defensiveness that sprang to life in her chest at his provocation. He wanted something from her and she would not give it to him without a fight.

"And what is it you think you've seen?" Voldemort said, obviously humoring her.

He pressed in closer, forcing her legs apart so he could look down on her, his mouth twisting into a horrible smile as he waited for her to respond.

"H-hell," Penny said, cheeks flushing because saying the words out loud made her feel absurd. "T-the gates of hell."

He leaned forward, Penny holding her ground this time for her dignity's sale. He leaned so far down Penny thought he might kiss her, but he stopped just shy, his red gaze holding her green one.

"But you're already in hell, Penelope, and I assure you, we have no need of a gate because all my servants come freely and stay because they choose to ."

The heart in Penny's chest froze mid-beat, his words jarring it out of rhythm. Looking back at him, she questioned everything she thought she knew about life, about herself. Was he the monster who was chasing her? Had she let herself believe he was trying to pull her into the depths in an attempt to convince her mind that she had not walked in willingly. But the truth was, at every point, she hadn't resisted. Even now, she stayed not because he was exerting any physical force against her. He had not produced his wand a single time in the entirety of his conversation, because he did not need to. And here she remained, hanging on every word that left his mouth.

"That's why I chose you—" he said, sharing in all of her thoughts. "—why you need me. I too was once an orphan with disappointing relations, and look how I have risen. All others look on you with doubt, Penelope, but I alone can see your greatness."

"I am not like you, I am not a tyrant," Penny said, shaking her head violently, as though she could shake his hold of her.

"In due time," he promised.

When she looked back at him, she saw the truth of it reflected back at her. How malleable she'd been, how easy to manipulate and in such a small amount of time. She saw the confidence that assured him, with enough time she would be wholly his, and she was terrified of it, of what he would make her.

"Calm yourself, my pet," said Voldemort, a hand on her chest pushing Penny backwards until she was laying flat on the table and he towering over her, keeping her still with the fear of what he might do next. "The Martikov's slight will not go unpunished by me. In due course they will reap the consequences of trying to pilfer what already belongs to the Dark Lord. Until that time, however, you will make yourself useful to your master and be studious in all that they would teach you, but not as a fool, taken in by their superstitions, but as one reading between the lines so as to steal their secrets. You will earn the boy's trust in whatever manner you deem necessary, even if the method brings into question your chastity. Severus need not know, but should he learn of it, he can answer to me," he said, Penny only realizing when he'd finished that he'd said it in parseltongue and not english. "Do this," he said, Penny now acutely aware of both his words and the sound of his strange hissing. "Do this," he repeated, the finger circling the head of the serpent on her mark. "And your master will reward you with what it is you seek," he continued, his finger trailing downward now. His red eyes observing her response as he did so.

"You want that, don't you, Penelope?" Voldemort said, pausing just above her belly button..

It was not a question, not when any answer except the one he wanted would result in his retribution.

"Y-yes," she stammered.

"Try again," he hissed, red eyes flashing.

Penny had never tried to speak parseltongue on command before, so she was not entirely sure how to do it. But eyes locked on his she said, "Yes master,"

The horrible smile that rippled across his face told her she'd been successful, making the entire thing feel even more vile

"My Lord Travers and Gibbons have just returned, the bridge has been destroyed—" came the sharp tones of Bellatrix Lestrange as the door clattered open without so much as a knock.

She stopped midway through the room, evidently realizing what it was she was looking at.

"What is she doing here," she hissed.

Voldemort took a step away from Penny and moved to meet his servant, leaving her both relieved and petrified.

"She is here because I have a task for her, Bellatrix."

"You would choose her over me!" Bellatrix spat out, her tone making it entirely plain that she was not referring to the task.

"I would choose no one over you, Bellatrix. You are, after all my most faithful," Voldemort said in a quiet voice.

By this point, Penny sat up, refusing to lay there like some meal waiting for Voldemort to return to. She chanced a glance at the pair, Bellatrix now standing in his bubble, chest heaving and eyes wild.

She wore a long black dress, her cleavage pushed up almost to her chin and the fabric clinging impossibly close to her figure. Were she not the vile retch Penny knew her to be, she might be pretty. Something she clearly went strategically for tonight because a look of triumph crossed her sullen features when the red eyes inevitably trailed down over her form.

"Then why do you insult me this way? She, a dirty half-blood! What can she offer you that I cannot." Bellatrix continued to fume in a tone Penny was sure no one but her ever used with the Dark Lord.

"If you require a task to keep you occupied, Bella, you need only ask."

The same vile hand that caused Penny so much pain touched Bellatrix's cheek, making her shudder in pleasure, a sight that revolted Penny.

"You may go, Penelope. Better not to provoke Severus's jealousy on the eve of the new year," Voldemort said, relieving Penny of the task of fleeing from the room before things got even more weird.

Giving the pair a wide berth as she passed, more than happy to shut the door behind her where she paused a moment. However much she hated Bellatrix, Penny was certain the vile woman had just rescued her from a much more unpleasant night. Looking down to straighten her dress, Penny scurried away when the lock clicked. Listening to that pair shag was the last way Penny wanted to ring in the new year.

Keeping her head down she tried searching the crowded room for Snape to no avail. She was about to make a second round when an arm looped itself around her upper arm.

"I wouldn't advise going anywhere near the marquis," those familiar monotones said, Amycus steering Penny toward the dance floor.

In one fluid motion, Amycus' hand slipped around to the small of her back where he applied just enough pressure to push her into his chest before leading her in a waltz.

"Funny, seeing it was you I was trying to avoid," she said derisively, turning her head away from him in an attempt to put some distance between them.

"Since I am feeling unusually high of spirits due to the fact you decided to wake up in time to make tonight interesting, I'll let the rudeness slide, just once. "

"Hate to disappoint but it'll be a quiet night for me," Penny said, trying to worm her way free of his grasp.

"I don't like it when you lie to me, Penny," Amycus said, the malice so evident in his voice that Penny snapped her head back to find those cold, brown eyes watching her with that vacant expression of his. It was a warning, and Penny knew she would only get one.

When she furrowed her brow in confusion he offered, "A little bird tells me the Dark Lord requested a private audience with you," when he was satisfied he'd gotten his point across.

"He did," was Penny's short reply. Wherever Amycus wanted to go with this bit of information, it was sure to be unpleasant and manipulative, not to mention she wasn't exactly in the mood to talk about nearly being violated by that mutant of a man with anyone, much less the psycho who'd stabbed her the first time they'd met.

"I suppose congratulations are in order for throwing Bellatrix off her pedestal with that young cunt of yours."

"I didn't fuck him," Penny said angrily, trying for the second time to free herself from his grasp.

"Maybe not yet, but the temptation was enough to secure you as the only rival to that throne. That makes you quite special does it not," he said, dropping her elegantly into a dip where his eyes slowly trailed the length of her frame before snapping her back into place like she was some kind of barbie.

"If I were a demented psychopath, I suppose I might see it that way. But seeing as I'm not, I'll be sure to clear my name. So Bellatrix can rest assured her disgusting throne remains very much hers."

"I can't let you do that. Not when your popularity makes you so useful to me."

"I told you last time, I'm not interested in your insignificant gripes, they're not my problem."

"You mistake me, Penny, I'm not asking."

The hand on her back slipped sideways to allow him to grab her hip and squeeze it painfully, making Penny bite her lip in an effort not to give him the satisfaction of seeing her wince.

"And why should your threat be any more convincing than every other idiot that's come before you? It seems my newfound position enables me now more than ever not to give a fuck about what you want."

"Careful, Penny," Amycus breathed, dull eyes flashing dangerously as he leaned into her ear to whisper "I wouldn't want you to jeopardize the bodily health of that fiancé of yours by angering me into spilling your secret."

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Penny said, trying and failing to keep the fear from her voice. She'd suspected he might have recognized her, but still some stupid part of her had hoped it'd all just been in her head.

"I told you, no lying," Amycus said, finally losing his composure and reaching violently for her neck. His fingers dug their way in expertly, immediately closing off her airway.

Penny choked, both hands reaching for his in an attempt to pry them free.

"Did you honestly think me so calloused that I would not recognize you, after all the effort of selecting you; deeming you worthy to receive that wound?" he said in a sickly affectionate sort of way. "I knew from the moment you showed up on that drive with that slimy bastard next to you, you were no ordinary girl. That's why I prepared that little spectacle for you upstairs, so you'd know how different you were." Amycus words fell almost melodically from his mouth, as though he were reciting a sonnet and not the deranged ideations of a murderer. He looked at her with all the tenderness in the world, as though there were only she and he standing on this dance floor, and he were not trying to choke the life out of her.

The look of horror on Penny's face was all the response Amycus needed. "Oh," he clicked. "You think I didn't know you were listening? There wasn't anything you did that night that I wasn't aware of. Though, I admit, I hadn't worked out exactly who you were until Snape asked for your hand, and then all the pieces fell into place."

He readjusted her so he could look down and watch his left hand find her belly and trace the length of that cursed scar of hers with eerie accuracy. "You thought you'd escaped, hadn't you?" he continued. "I have so much more planned for us and I would be quite cross to cut those plans short because you provoke me into doing something rash."

He let her splutter a moment longer, his loathsome eyes soaking in every detail as though afraid to miss a moment. And then he shoved her from him.

Taking in several gulps of air, Penny could only stare at the man, her body frozen in place from both shock and fear.

This was the worst possible situation to be in, but there were no good options, only the one where they didn't die, which required her to now do this monster's bidding.

Taking a glass of champagne from one of the trays that were floating around the room, Amycus held the glass up toward her, "Cheers to a new year and a splendid new partnership." Downing the drink in a single gulp, he left her standing there, hands still holding her neck, staring at him.

The world was compressing around her as a large black box started to take shape at the edges of her vision. She needed air, but it was too stuffy in here, and her lungs, the harder they tried, the dizzier she got. Knowing it would not take long for her to pass out, Penny moved. One foot tripping over the next, she stumbled her way toward the balcony, threw open the door and ran to the railing, looking over it and gasping for air as she did so.

Penny was literally and figuratively cursed. Her life was a continuous cycle of worse and worse situations she did not know how she got dragged into. But now her miserable life now encroached on Snape, and put him in danger because she'd been an idiot that day and stupidly grabbed onto him while he'd been apparating.

"I'm guessing those slobs haven't wasted any time trying to put their hands on you in that dress."

Penny turned, "Draco?" she said weakly.

"Glad to see you walking with the living, but you have truly terrible timing," he said with that air of being greatly inconvenienced by this fact.

"Do you think I want to be here!" Penny hissed as she marched her way across the balcony and threw her arms around his neck. "No offense but your parties suck."

He laughed quietly, though he did not hug her back. He held onto his goblet and let her linger for a minute before pulling away to give her a damning arch of his brow.

"At this point I'm convinced you get off on putting Snape in impossible positions."

"I do not!" Penny said, hating the fact that the boy always knew so much even though she hadn't even spilled her guts yet.

"Bad luck then, because you're really dicked this time."

"Do I even want to know what you're referring to."

"You'll know soon enough either way," Draco shrugged.

His words carried that annoying truth with them, so Penny snatched the goblet from him, took a long swig and then gave him the 'do your worst' look.

Sighing and glancing to his left at the fountain, he said, "They're saying the Dark Lord requested a private audience with you."

"He did."

"Did what exactly," Draco demanded, his voice suddenly tense, but eyes creasing in worry.

"Nothing like that! Bellatrix showed up and they. . ."

"For the love of Merlin thats the worst possible outcome," he said.

Upon the look of indignant incredulity Penny gave him, he offered her the goblet again. "How exactly do you come to that conclusion?" Penny said angrily.

"I can't say for sure, but I have not heard of the Dark Lord actually —" he left the sentence hanging awkwardly. "With anyone but Bellatrix. From what I gather, he gets off on her jealousy. But if she thinks you're the exception. . .You're as good as dead."

"Surely she can't just blatantly kill me?" Penny said in disbelief.

"If she can't, she sure as hell will make you wish you were dead," Draco frowned as the music from the inside quieted.

"Why me," Penny moaned, letting her head flop onto his shoulder.

"Because you're a nuisance," pressing his cheek ever-so-slightly against the side of her head in a sign of covert affection.

"Because you're not," Penny retorted.

"You've been in a coma for months, you don't get to complain."

Lifting her head, green eyes forced the cool grey ones to look back at her. That normal glimmer of mischief was gone from them, leaving a boy who looked much too worried for one of such few years. He should be worrying about trivial things like dating and exams, but instead, he guarded a horrible secret he did not seem to want.

"I meant it when I said I wanted to be there for you."

"I've no doubt you did," he said, not sounding the least bit convinced

"So let me then."

"Take a good look around, Penny. To you this is a nightmare, but for me, it's my reality," Draco said, his lip curling into a bitter sneer.

"It doesn't have to be. Dumbledore can help you get out—"

"No he can't!" Draco said, and he was finally angry now. His mouth a thin line, he took several steps away from her. "That useless old man doesn't care about me. I'm not his little saint like your brother. There is nothing redeemable to be found in someone like me."

"Redeemable? You're the son of a death eater, not a death eater yourself! You've done nothing wrong, nothing worse than me! Don't let them convince you they're all you have—"

"Aren't I?" Draco breathed, unbuttoning his sleeve and ripping it out of the way to reveal the mark on his forearm, grey eyes defiant. "What now?"

Grabbing his arm, Penny stepped into his bubble, also feeling furious. "Did you really think I wouldn't understand? I've been hiding mine for longer than you have, or did you imagine I went home and showed the family and they all batted their eyelashes like it was nothing?"

Draco's face softened slightly as he glanced down at her chest, a look of disgust mingled with pity flitting across it.

"Surely you told that prat brother of yours—"

"Why? So he could have one more reason to feel sorry for me? To question my sanity for trusting the very man who carved it onto my chest? Maybe Harry's right, maybe I am insane. But if Snape and I are still redeemable after all of it, you sure as hell are too."

He surveyed her through heavy lids for a long moment and then said, "Maybe," before taking her wrist. "C'mon, I'm supposed to take you to him."

"Draco, talk to me—"

"I've said more to you tonight than to anyone in four months, don't ruin it by being incessant, Potter. Just shut up and finish the wine, merlin knows you'll need it for the mood Snape's in."

Penny wanted to argue, but Draco was right, he had shared his feelings with her and Penny wanted him to know there was no expectation in doing so, that he could feel comfortable and want to do so again. So she kept her mouth shut and downed the wine, already uneasy about what she was going to walk into. Surely, things could not possibly get worse after the night she'd already had.

Draco led her through the mass of bodies drinking, laughing and dancing, stopping at a door on the opposite side where he rapped several times.

"Good luck,"he said, nodding towards Penny when the butler opened the door. And without another word he left her to be ushered into the dim room, at the center of which was that familiar card table at which sat Travers, Gibson, Rowle, Alecto and Snape. And perched on Snape's lap, a very skinny, very pretty and very scantily clad woman with long dark hair.

She had one arm around his neck, the other admiring the detail on his shirt, while her lips skimmed the side of his neck. Snape seemed neither pleased nor displeased with this little display and was instead focused on the game before him.

Every vein in her body turning to ice, Penny made her way to the table, her irritation pulsing from her like a raging fire.

"Watch out, Severus, your Missus has arrived," cackled Rowle.

"Don't think she's too pleased about your new toy either," smirked Travers.

"If you need me to keep her occupied for you, I'll be glad to oblige, dressed like that," Gibson said, not bothering to hide the way he looked her up and down.

Knowing full well what she was about to do was completely petty and having zero remorse for it, Penny ignored the others and marched around the side of the table, Snape still not even bothering to look at her. However, his hooker tilted her head back to peer up at her. "This spot's taken, find another," she said with a smug smile as she reached for Snape's belt and began undoing it.

"Is it?" said Penny in a dangerous voice, her question directed at the man who's side of the head her eyes were boring into.

"It is," he said icily, making Alecto laugh softly.

"The young ones are nice to look at, but they never know how to keep us satisfied. How about you have a seat and learn a thing or two, little bird," he said maliciously.

Unbridled anger was coursing through every cell in Penny's body. She wanted to yell, to scream, to hit the man for being the cherry on top of a truly horrible night, but she knew such an action would only serve to reinforce her perceived investment and his indifference.

And yet, Penny could not just stand there and watch the smug bitch before her reach into Snape's pants right in front of her, as he blatantly ignored her in an effort to punish her for some unknown thing he was upset about because he refused to have a simple conversation with her.

"Get up," Penny said in a low voice.

"He gave you his answer, doll. He doesn't want you, he likes what he already has."

"I won't ask again."

"If you hadn't noticed, Potter, we are in the middle of a game. As I am sure you are more well equipped than most to find someone to give you the attention you so desperately seek, why don't you go and put that to use and cease this embarrassing fit of yours," Snape sneered, laying his cards down in a draw.

"The only embarrassing thing here is you and the lengths you'd stoop to in order to avoid being fucking honest for the first time in your life. You think getting a hand job right now by the woman paid to be here will somehow put you above the rest of us? Because I hate to break it to you, you'll not only be pathetic come tomorrow morning, you'll be alone and have only yourself to blame."

"Need help putting your bitch in line, Snape?" interjected Yaxley. "I'd be more than happy to remind her of her place," he went on, making his way toward the table having just entered the room, that horrible collar dangling from his hand.

"Not before we see which of us he actually prefers" Penny said , and she acted before anyone else could respond.

Her hands found the woman's long hair and yanked with all her might and weight. The woman screamed as Penny dragged her to the floor, before summoning her magic and sending her sliding across the floor, Yaxley stepping out of the way and watching Penny with the utmost interest.

Rowle yelled "Cat fight!" and the others whistled and laughed loudly. Snape, however, was not the least bit amused, and turned on Penny with the full ferocity of his anger, but before he could get out of his seat, Penny's magic forced him back into his chair.

His lap now free, Penny moved forward, and straddling him, occupied the space, a defiant smile playing along her lips as she leaned in close to him, her hand picking up where the hooker left off and undoing the button to his pants.

He could no longer feign indifference, not when Penny's green eyes had trapped the black. They were wide, pupils dilated. She'd taken him by surprise, not many people were capable of that. Seizing the opportunity while she had it, Penny leaned forward and bit his ear, sending his hand to her back and fingernails digging into the exposed skin, but whether in warning or ecstasy, Penny didn't think either of them knew..

"See how good this can be when you behave?," she breathed into his ear, forcing him to shut his eyes in an effort to shut her out and get a handle of the situation before him. But Penny had no intention of letting him off that easily.

Blowing warm air across his ear, she moved to his neck, and knowing he would strangle her later, she pressed her lips against the tender skin. She skimmed her tongue at first but wasted no time in sucking deeply.

He tried to say something in a strangled voice, his other hand grabbing a hold of her hip, but Penny could not make out the words, whether because she didn't want to listen or they were inaudible, she did not care. All she knew was that his flesh between her lips made her hips roll, grinding against his lap and her hand finally succeed in unzipping his pants.

And that's when he'd had enough. Getting to his feet and taking her with him, he slammed her back flat down onto the table.

The image of him standing over her, the hickey she'd given him red on his pale skin, and his face flushed, reminded her of Ed, and for a single glorious moment, Penny remembered how good it felt when Ed pushed her underwear aside and slid inside her.

Against any sense or reason and despite their audience, for a fraction of a second they stood there staring at each other, an incomprehensible need for Snape to do the exact same thing took over all her senses.

But then she came crashing down into reality when Snape's arm reached to his right and accepted the collar Yaxley was offering him.

"Oh, come on, daddy, you're no fun. That's what you wanted wasn't it?" Penny said in a vindictively sultry voice as she struggled against him now.

Angry or not, there was no way in hell she was going to just lay there and let him put that thing on her.

"Hold still, Potter!" he commanded through gritted teeth as he fought to contain her hands and open the collar at the same time.

"Why? Because you don't like it that I'm better than you at your own game? If you don't like the results maybe you shouldn't have provoked me."

"You seem to forget, Potter, I'm the one who gets to make the rules," Snape said, nodding to his right.

A moment later, Yaxley's ugly face came into view, his hand snatching her right arm and pinning it to the table. To her left, Alecto appeared, doing the same. Before her, Snape straightened up, his face flush and his gaze filled with murder or passion, Penny could not tell which. But there was no denying Snape wanted something from her even if he would not admit it.

"How's it feel knowing you can't even subdue me without the help of your friends. Why not just admit you liked it and quit with the charades," Penny taunted, writhing against her new captors as Snape sneered down at her, evidently annoyed enough to punish her in such a public way.

"Did you think I wouldn't want my turn?" he cooed, snapping the collar open and leaning down to place it about her neck.

But with a great scream a gust of magic burst from Penny, sending everyone but Snape tumbling backwards. The cards scattered everywhere and a thunderous sound filled the room, making it impossible for Penny to tell what Snape was yelling.

He was still on his feet, but he had both hands protecting his face, evidently not yet certain he would remain standing if he moved. But Penny was no longer focused on him. The energy was pulsing out of her with such force it felt like every bone in her body was snapping under the pressure. She screamed now not from anger but sheer agony, the familiar throbbing pain in her head now accompanying every other feeling.

She was lost in it, no longer aware of where she was, what she'd been doing or even what her name was. But before she lost herself in it, let the agony take exactly what it wanted, something clicked into place around her neck and the pain ceased immediately, only to be replaced with that horrible shock the collar gave her that sent her convulsing.

The pain was awful, but nowhere near the scale of what she'd just been delivered from. She could see and think again, and with some whimpers, retching and effort she was able to get control of her magic, bury it and free herself from the pain.

Covered in a cold sweat, Penny rolled over onto her side in an attempt to spew, but ended up half choking as she sucked in air at the same time. Her entire body screamed in pain, her head throbbed and her lungs gasped for breath.

"I've never been so bloody hard in my life," Gibson said, breaking the room's stunned silence.

"Now I know why you're so dead set on the little wench," said Rowle.

"Maybe you aren't a total bore after all, mused Alecto.

"Just fuck her already, Severus. Surely even a frigid bastard like you can appreciate her little display merits a reward," Yaxley said, wiping the hair from her face and appraising her hungrily.

"Get up," Snape said, his voice a deadly calm, his current thoughts indiscernible from the tone of his voice.

"Oh come on, Severus, even you can't be that much of a prude, we earned a show!" Traverse complained.

Pushing Yaxley's hand from her face, Penny stumbled to her feet. She was unsteady, her vision still blurring slightly, but she managed to retain some of her dignity and walk in the general direction of the door while forcing herself not to throw up. The others, too, made their complaints as Penny made her exit, all of which Snape ignored.

When they were free of the room, Snape took a hold of Penny's shoulder to keep her upright and avoid any unwanted attention. Making their way out of the room, Snape led Penny outside to the pool, where he scared away a few couples trying to shag after setting Penny down beside the pool.

It was large, with a geiser at its center where the pearly water flowed from, the steam from it shimmering pink, gold and maroon. Pulling her shoes off her feet, Penny tested the water. It was freezing outside, being December and the heat emanating from it was a welcome relief.

It was absolutely blissful, so much so that despite her fear of water, Penny jumped in before Snape could return and scream at her for her actions.

Her toes touched the bottom, the water filling her ears and heat engulfing her. She was afraid, but the relief the warm water offered her aching body made her forget she could not swim.

Part of her thought drowning might not actually be as horrible of a fate as she always let herself believe. Especially with the way living was currently going for her. She wanted to stay here, hidden from the world and safe from whatever the consequences would be. She didn't know what had possessed her to do it, she'd just felt so angry at the way the woman gloated and Snape ignored her.

After everything that had transpired, she'd finally just snapped, but oddly she didn't regret it, or feel bad. Everyone was always telling her how to behave or what to feel and forcing her into this or that. Was it not a perfectly natural response to respond abnormally to abnormal situations? Snape just happened to be that last straw that sent all her dominos tumbling.

But it was not like he was innocent, he'd been blatantly cruel with the woman. Whether or not he wanted to sleep with her was beside the point, it was the fact that whatever he was doing made Penny feel small in the process—a joke with nothing more to offer than what men wanted to take from her. Her brain, her thoughts, her feelings, they were meaningless; so then why did he have the audacity to get angry when she gave him exactly that?

The breath dissipating from her lungs, Penny wondered how long it normally took someone to drown, but she would not get the chance to find out because the water around her vibrated and two arms wrapped their way around Penny's waist, dragging her to the surface.

When she burst through it, she found the frigid air blissful, stinging her face and lungs and making her want to cower beneath the water like it was a blanket.

Her fear of the water returning as she looked down at the depths below them, she turned and took hold of his shoulders.

They were bare, unlike her he'd take the time to remove his clothing before getting in. Well some of it, he seemed to still be wearing his pants. His left arm held her as he moved toward the wall of the pool where he stopped.

He held onto the pool, Penny still hanging onto him because she did not want to let go, afraid the tranquility of the moment would be ruined if she did.

"Are you angry?" Penny asked, finally finding the courage to look at him.

"Yes," he replied, wiping the wet hair from his face, distracting Penny with the sight of his perfect bicep.

"With me?"

"No," he said, the black eyes finding the green. "With myself," he clarified when she looked confused.

"Why?" she dared ask, hoping he had not yet decided he'd said too much.

"Because if I'd let you leave when you'd asked—none of it—"

"Matters now," she offered but he did not look the least bit persuaded. "I know I was angry earlier, but you can't really think I would have left you and made you pay the price for my bad mood," Penny said, a tinge of indignation in her voice.

"No—" he started but an explosion of color and noise startled them both from their conversation.

Red and gold fireworks lit up the sky in a vast array of wonder, the sound of cheering accompanying it.

"I guess it's 1997," Penny said, turning back to find the man leaning in, his lips finding her cheek and pressing gently against it. "Happy New Year," he said quietly before pulling away and leaving her pink-cheeked.

"Happy New Year," she said weakly, head spinning slightly.

They watched the fireworks for several minutes in silence, Snape refraining from averting to his normal behavior of forcing distance between them and letting Penny rest her head on his shoulder, arms strewn around his neck, and Penny trying to act like his kiss hadn't had the effect it did on her.

"I think you need a new year's resolution," she said.

"You think a lot of things of no consequence."

"If you want to make up for tonight, then you'll make one," Penny said, ignoring his response and watching him closely from the side of her eyes.

"And I suppose it's you who gets to choose it," he drawled.

"Naturally," she grinned.

"I told you, Potter I do not see the merit of such foolish traditions."

"Because your mom, what's her name?" Penny said, suddenly realizing she'd never asked.

He glanced sideways at her before answering, "Eileen." Penny thoroughly impressed he actually obliged her.

"Well it was because of Eileen. But you're not her, are you?"

"Astute."

"Whatever her faults, you have always been a man of your word, so why should there be any doubt you would keep this."

"And if I don't want to?"

"Then you're awful."

"And how do you figure that?"

"Because your new year's resolution should be to stop lying to me."

She was ready when he turned to her, searching for the jest in her eyes, but he found none.

"I am positive, Potter, you will not like the actuality of this resolution when it results in me ceasing to inflate your grades."

"If I am sure of anything, it's that the Slytherin in you would never allow you to help a Gryffindor come out ahead."

"Your time is better well spent on your own resolutions."

"Like what? I'm perfect already."

"Like learning how to swim," he said, lip curling in irritation as he pushed off the wall to drag her into the middle of the pool.

"Am I take this as a bargain?"

The infuriating man did not answer, instead he spent the next several hours until dawn tormenting her in the pool to no avail because she gained no new skills and nearly drowned several times due to his belief she needed the proper motivation to learn.

It was not until he stood at the bottom of the stairs of the Weasley's house, Penny looking back at him that she noticed something had changed in him, and she thought, maybe just maybe he'd decided in that moment, when they stood there in the serenity of the early morning, that he would try—if not for him, then her.

The door opening, people shuffling noisily and pulling Penny over the threshold; green held black, neither looking away until the door separated them once more, leaving both alone in the solitude of their thoughts and wishing 1996 had lasted just a little bit longer.

---

Here's my 2 cents on Voldemort, he's a complete narcissist and attracted the the piece of himself inside of Penny. But of course, he doesn't know that and neither does she.