Chapter 8: Where the grass is greener
By: AlexaV
"Here's we are's, masters' Snape and Alarie." Dobby said, approaching tall arched wooden doors. "Beyond big doors lies the ballroom. I will informs the herald of your names, and once door opens walks in and wait until names are finished." Dobby informs them. They both nod at Dobby, who then disappears in a snap of his fingers. Leaving the two alone in the hall.
Iris spoke to Severus in a hushed tone, she noticed he started shifting from feet to feet.
"Are you planning on telling Lucius that you want to quit?" Iris asks curiously at Severus. He nods at her.
"I will after the party. As much as I hate his blonde cowardly bottom. I can't deny that had it not been for him I would not have made it so far in my future and this life. I owe a lot to him. Even when he only did it so that he can reap the benefits of offering me to the dark lord's side. I don't want to upset him at his own party." Severus says.
Just then the doors before them slowly open towards the ballroom. Severus shields his mind from the nerves, making sure that no one could read him through Occulumency. The Herald then announces over the entire ballroom. "Presenting, Severus Snape and Iris Alarie!"
Walking towards the balcony for everyone to see. Severus could see all eyes were on the two of them.
Judging from the decor of the ballroom alone, he was sure Narcissa was incharge of putting everything in place. He saw green curtains that decorated the tall windows, large sparkling chandeliers line the ceiling of the ballroom, and floating candles that huddled either in pairs or groups of three on the tables. A live orchestra of enchanted instruments played on the stage to the far front. A second floor that overlooked the dance floor, where more guest stayed.
But most of all, Severus saw people whom he couldn't save, people who'd never live beyond five years from today, and people who would live the rest of their lives in Azkaban, all in one room. Severus gave out a shaky breath and tries to compose himself. He glances at Iris, he could see the aura of superiority she held. It was practically emanating off of her. Severus didn't want to be outdone by her and put on the poker face he used whenever he was in front of students.
Turning right to walk down the stairs, many continued to stare at them. Men ogled at Iris, while women curiously looked over their hand held fans at him. As they walked down, he found Regulus and his Pureblood classmates gathered at the buffet table. Who also closely watched them as they walked down the stairs.
At the bottom of the stairs, were Lucius and Narcissa, awaiting their arrival.
"My good boy." Lucius says, giving a brief hug to Severus.
"Severus, it's good to see you again." Narcissa said, also reaching over to Severus, giving him a hug.
"It is wonderful to see you both as well, I haven't seen the two of you since the day you both graduated from Hogwarts." Severus greeted back, his words were genuine. "How is married life?" He added.
"Blissful." Lucius answered, glancing at Iris. At this notion Severus took this as the moment to introduce her to them.
"Lucius, Narcissa, this is my friend and long time pen pal, Iris Alarie." Severus said, guiding Iris closer to them. The couple lightly curtsied at Iris.
"Welcome to our humble home. Miss Alarie." Narcissa welcomed Iris with a warm smile. Iris returned the expression with the same genuine smile.
"Good evening, Mrs. Malfoy. You have done a tremendous work at decorating this ballroom. It feels exactly like home in Paris." Iris said, greeting Narcissa. Who felt flattered by Iris' comment.
"Oh, please, do call me Narcissa. Mrs. Malfoy is too formal." Narcissa said, waving her hand in a gesture to the word 'formal'.
"Then you may also call me, Iris." Iris said, returning the favor. Turning to Lucius, she thanks him with a slight nod of her head.
"Mr. Malfoy, thank you for allowing Severus to bring me as his plus one." Iris said.
"Oh please, like my wife, you may simply call me Lucius, we are not too far apart in age. Additionally had I known how to contact you, I'd have sent you a formal invitation by owl myself." Lucius said, all four lightly chuckled.
Lucius then guided them towards the buffet table. As they ate, Severus had to nudge Iris from time to time whenever she started filling her plate more than what was expected of an heiress to consume at a party. After having their fill, Lucius encouraged them to leave the table to introduce them to other guests. Lucius accompanied Severus while Narcissa with Iris. Before the two completely separated, Iris glances at Severus, who nods at her as if to tell her he'll be alright. The two then parted ways, accompanied by their hosts.
Severus had been introduced to so many famed wizards and witches he had lost count. By the time they had been conversing with a famous potioneer, Severus feet had already began to ache.
'Had I been my old self I would have reveled in all this to the point I'd wish the night would never end. Now it all just looks very foolish. I never realized how watchful Lucius was, no matter what I do there's not an opening for me to slip away and talk to Regulus, and the others keep crowding him.' Severus thought to himself. Glancing at his classmates who still followed Regulus around like imprinted baby ducklings.
As Lucius continued to have a conversation with the famous potioneer, someone had called out to Lucius.
"Lucius." A man who wore a black and silver dress robe approached them. Lucius turned to find Crouch approaching them.
"Ah, Crouch. Pleasantries, glad you could make it." Lucius said, greeting the older Ministry official.
"Wouldn't miss it, my wife was so eager to meet Narcissa again she ordered new robes for the occasion." Crouch Sr. said, as the two chuckled with the topic of conversation about their wives. Severus tried to subtly leave the two to approach Regulus. But as he turned to walk away, Crouch Sr. noticed the pale young boy. "Now who might this young man be?" Asked Crouch Sr.
'I swear if I was in my full height as an adult I'd have shaved your moustache right off old man.' Severus thought to himself, grumbling.
He turns back to the two men, while Severus felt like throwing himself out of the window in boredom, Lucius was very eager to talk about Severus.
"This is Severus Snape, my junior from Hogwarts, and my soon to be protege. He is an exceptionally talented student-" Lucius continued, boasting about Severus and all his achievements with his nose high up in the air.
At the mention of Severus' name, Crouch Sr.'s eyes lit up, recognizing him.
"I see, you're the boy my son has told me about." Crouch Sr. said, offering his hand for Severus to shake.
"Is that so? I hope Barty didn't describe me in a bad light." Severus said, reaching for Crouch Sr.'s hand, giving it a firm shake.
"On the contrary young man. With every information my son tells me about you, I become more and more impressed of you by the minute. There is truth to Lucius' words, you bring promise. Have you ever thought of joining the Ministry of magic?" Crouch Sr. asks, Severus shakes his head side to side.
"No, I haven't. I have little to no interests in partaking in politics or laws." Severus replies, Crouch Sr. tutted in disappointment.
"Well that's a shame. We are always on the lookout for talented wizards and witches. Although-" Crouch Sr. reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a card. Handing it to Severus. "-if you ever change your mind, do owl me. I will be more than happy to assist you in joining whatever branch you wish to be in the Ministry of magic."
Taking the card, Severus briefly reads it, it contained the location of Crouch Sr.'s office within the Ministry as well as his office number.
'I'll go throw this out later after the ball.' Severus thought to himself, observing the calling card as he pockets it.
"Thank you, sir. I will keep that in mind." Severus says, thanking Crouch Sr. who looked delighted at Severus' reply.
"Alright then, I'm off to look for the missis, can't keep her waiting alone. Gentlemen." Crouch Sr. finished, who then walked away leaving the two.
"You don't have to call him though, you have me to help you with that." Lucius muttered, wrapping an arm around Severus, leading him to a crowd that had gathered around Iris and Narcissa. "Ah, there they are." Lucius whispered, the two joined the crowd.
Severus stood next to Iris who glanced at him, and went back to conversing to an older wizard whom Severus could not recall his name. In Severus' eyes, Iris looked like she had just about enough of this party as did he.
An enchanted tray of drinks approached them, when Severus reached for the goblet of wine, its contents magically turned into sparkling cider. At first he was perplexed as to why that had happened only to realize that in this life he was still underage. He tsked, even a bit of alcohol would have been great help for him to survive the rest of the night. Sighing in disappointment he takes small sips of the sweetened cider, cringing at the taste. He could hear a chuckle right next to him. Glancing at Iris who immediately acted as if nothing happened.
As Lucius continued to brag about his upcoming projects and donation drives at the ministry of magic, Iris protruded Severus' thoughts.
'Viper, you look like you're about to pass out.' Iris said, through telepathy, taking a sip from her glass of cider.
'Can you blame me? They don't serve us any alcohol here. You look like you're just about ready to disappear yourself.' Severus said, nodding at an enchanted bottle that wanted to offer more sparkling cider to him.
'How long is he going to keep bragging? You need to get to Regulus.' Iris said, chuckling along with the people after Lucius made a joke.
'I can't think of an excuse, we'll have to wait for an opening.' Severus said, sipping his drink.
Before Iris could reply, Lucius turns to her.
"Tell me, Iris, how did your line survive the condemning of witches and wizards in France and the French revolution?" Lucius asks. "You're the only living heir to one of the most prominent wizarding families at that time and era. So many fortunes and potential uncovered royalties. You're practically a walking myth." Lucius continued, trying to prod her for information of her background. Narcissa had given Lucius the stink eye, but he ignored her.
At his question many who had crowded them and those within earshot where curious to know her answer as well. Eyes hungry for power and influence stared at her, waiting for her to answer. Severus tensed, he felt furious for her.
'Malfoy needs to learn when to mind his own business.' Severus thought, as he was about to speak in defense of Iris, he flinched. Looking down, he realized she had grabbed his hand in a subtle way. He glanced at Iris, who did not look at him but at Lucius, smirking devilishly at the blond man. Taking a sip of her drink she replies.
"Now that's a trade secret, Lucius. Why should I tell you that?" Iris says, speaking in a low voice, tilting her head and lifting a brow at Lucius. Her eyes shimmered as she spoke. Her look alone, ran chills on the spines of many.
"Ah yes, yes, you're right. Do forgive my impertinence, I was just merely curious. Your secrets are yours to keep." Lucius said, trying to expel the cold aura that surrounded them. "Especially if it has kept you alive for so long." He continued, a glint in his eyes as he said the last remaining phrases.
Narcissa was right about to pinch Lucius' arm for the way he spoke, when her sister, Bellatrix, had suddenly opened up a different topic.
"Enough about her, we know she won't let a thing slip. Rather, I want to know about him." Bellatrix said, leaning forward with a slight deranged tone in the way she spoke. Eyeing Severus like a lioness about to pounce on prey.
At the mention of Severus, Lucius was more than happy to broach the subject, clearly for more bragging rights.
"My protege. He is the creme of the crop in his school. Recently I had given him mermaid scales as a gift and my word, when I found out how he used it, I was once again reminded of his intelligence-" Lucius continued on. Severus gave out a small sigh of relief.
'For once Bellatrix was actually convenient to have around. Despite looking at me the same way when she started suspecting me for a traitor.' Severus thought, with a sigh of relief.
Suddenly the enchanted instruments had stopped playing, Narcissa perked up. "It's time for the dance!" She says in a delighted tone.
Severus was so fed up conversing with so many strangers, dancing felt like the perfect breather for him. Iris must have thought the same, for she whispered to Severus' ear.
"I hope you know how to dance or should I let you stand on my feet like a child?" Iris says, teasing Severus.
"Don't mock me, I was taught by Narcissa herself." Severus replied, turning to her, he takes a step back and gracefully bows to her. "May I have this dance?" He asks her, in his low baritone voice.
Offering his hand to Iris, who smirks at him. Taking her cloak off, Dobby suddenly appears next to her, taking the cloak and handheld satchel, disappearing again. Her lace back exposed to the crowd, they walk hand in hand to the dance floor, many watched the two closely. Taking in their position, Iris slowly places a hand on Severus' shoulder, while Severus holds her waist.
"I'll forgive you if you step on me." Iris whispers to Severus. Severus chuckles at Iris' cheekiness.
"And I won't if you do to me." Severus whispers back.
The orchestra plays a slow waltz, and the two begin to dance. Slowly after awhile, many others began to join them at the dance floor.
"I must say, I had expected you to step on me once we entered the chorus." Iris mutters to Severus.
"Don't get your hopes up. Embarrassing you is the least of my concerns right now." Severus mutters to Iris as he twirls her. "Despite the urge and entertainment it would bring me if I were to do so, I could care less what these fools think of me." He continuous, whispering his words as they swayed side to side, their arms over their heads. "But I'm surprised a deity like you would know how to dance the waltz." Severus mentioned, Iris chuckled at his curiosity.
"When you exist to only sit in front of a globe that shows the lives of humanity, even you would pick up a few things about them." Iris says.
The pair went silent as they continued to dance, after awhile Iris spoke.
"Have you had the chance to talk to him?" Iris asks, as Severus gently dips her. Her gaze at Regulus who stood in the middle of Barty Crouch Jr. and Avery.
"No, apart from the fact that Lucius kept parading me like a prized bird. Crouch and the rest of those buffoons keep crowding him." Severus whispers to Iris' ear as he slowly brings her back up.
"Leave that to me, sway me close to them once the music comes to an end." Iris whispers to Severus.
Severus nods at her, they continue to dance along side many others, till the music had begin to slowly fade. Severus sways Iris close to the group of boys like how she had instructed him. As soon as they pass them, Mulciber's hand seemed to have suddenly moved and his drink had spilled into Avery's dress coat. At the shock of the accident, Avery steps back abruptly, bumping hard into Rosier behind him, who was having a flirty conversation with a Pureblood girl from across the buffet table. Rosier trips into the bowl of punch, splashing it unto himself and to the girl he was flirting with. Trying to save his fall, he immediately puts his hand on the table but ends up smacking a serving spoon full of jam upwards, flinging a handful of jam unto Crouch and Mulciber. The girl screamed, her dress was ruined, surprisingly Regulus was unharmed from all of that.
"You bloody idiot!" Yelled Avery at Mulciber.
"Avery you swine!" Yelled Rosier at Avery.
"Rosier my cloak/face!" Yelled both Mulciber and Crouch simultaneously.
The girl scowled at Rosier and walked away in a huff. While Avery, Mulciber, Rosier, and Crouch were arguing with each other, their parents approached them either to clean them off at the lounge room or to scold them for causing a scene and embarrassing themselves in front of everyone. While Regulus escaped to a more quiet area, much closer to the dance floor.
Severus who had just witnessed the whole thing tried so hard not to burst out laughing, he thought he must have split his spleen from holding in his laughter.
"You should do that more often." Severus whispers to Iris, pulling her close, her back against him.
"If I were to recall you said and I quote, 'to never use my powers unless needed.' However, if you'd like me to, I would. Do you prefer a more red and gold group?" Iris says, with a perk of her eyebrow, both teens chuckling.
The music finally comes to an end and dancers bow at their partners. Immediately a man with a thick Norwegian accent approaches Iris, offering his hand to her.
"May I have this next dance?" He asks, in a thick accent.
"Here's your chance." Iris whispers to Severus, who nods at her. Iris turns back to the man, accepting his offer. Severus steps out of the dance floor and the music starts again.
Severus walks towards Regulus, an enchanted tray of drinks passes Severus. Taking a glass of sparkling cider, he continues on his way.
Standing next to Regulus, he leans on to a pillar. Regulus briefly glances at Severus and turns his attention back to the dancers.
"You look like you're having fun." Regulus said.
"Hardly." Severus replies, taking a small sip of his drink. "I'd rather be back at the dorms."
"Then why come?" Regulus asks.
"I had matters to take care of. I see your brother had not arrived with you." Severus said.
"He refused to, said that he didn't want to be in a room full of stuck up blood supremacists. Well, mother was more than happy to hear him refuse anyway." Regulus replied.
"I see, I never imagined that I would for once agree with the older Black." Severus said.
The two fell into a silence as they continued to watch the dancers. After a while Regulus spoke.
"Have you agreed to join them?" Regulus asked.
Severus didn't take long to answer the boy's question. "No, I don't."
"Why? You wouldn't stop talking about it a few months ago, what changed, Snape?" Regulus asked, side-eyeing Severus.
Severus brings his glass of sparkling cider up at eye level. Looking through his glass he could see Iris dancing, and for a brief moment he thought she had glanced at him.
"You could say, I had an epiphany." Severus answered, taking a sip of his sparkling cider. "How about you Black? Do you wish to join them?" Severus asks, throwing the question back at Regulus.
"Well of course, my family-" Regulus began to say, but Severus cut him off.
"I didn't ask about your family, I asked you." Severus said, interrupting Regulus. "Do you wish to join their cause? Knowing what they do and why they do it?" Severus asked again, but this time more emotion could be felt in his question.
Regulus paused, he didn't say anything for a long while. But just kept taking sips from his drink. The music had entered into its third chorus, when Regulus finally spoke.
"I don't want to disappoint them. My brother has already shamed our family more than enough, and I am heir to the name, Black."
"So in other words you're afraid?" Severus asks.
Regulus turned to Severus, his demeanor had darkened.
"Black's don't fear anyone or anything." Regulus replied, his voice low and threatening.
But Severus was unfazed by Regulus' attempt of scaring him off. If there was one thing Severus was forever better at, it was retaining a poker face. Taking a sip of his drink, he replies back.
"Oh I won't deny that, seeing the reputation of your brother. But if so, then why do you hesitate to deny something that you don't even want?"
Severus could see it in Regulus' eyes that he caught him off guard. Regulus, instead of replying, opted to ignore Severus until the music ended. Regulus was approached by his mother.
"Regulus, would you be a dear and dance with your mother?" Walburga asked, Regulus nodded at her, giving Severus one last glance.
Walburga, who finally noticed Severus next to Regulus, tensed. Severus remembered that Walburga despised anything or anyone who wasn't of Pureblood decent, he recalled that she continued to ignore him throughout his life until she knew that he joined the death eaters. But those were only in the form of nods or silence rather than muttering the word 'half-breed' at him. But not long after realizing the vile world that Voldemort wanted to create, she and her husband got cold feet and left the country.
But to Severus' surprise in this lifetime, Walburga nodded at him. "Severus." She greeted in an approving tone.
"Mrs. Black." Severus said, nodding back at her.
Stretching her hand out to Regulus, who placed his glass on an enchanted tray that happened to pass by, took his mother's hand. Walking to the dance floor for the next music. Iris, after excusing herself from the many men who wanted to ask her for the next dance, arrived next to Severus, she now wore her coat and had her satchel back. Opening the satchel she pulls out a black hand held fan.
"Did you hear the conversation?" Severus asks her.
She nods at him, lightly fanning her face with the black fan. Using the fan to cover her face just below her eyes. "You're very close, I can feel it." Iris says.
"How are you so sure? He completely ignored me after I pushed his buttons." Severus says.
"Don't fret, Viper. One more push, one more seed of doubt in his mind and he'll bend. I'm sure of it." Iris says.
"But what if he doesn't bend?" Severus asks, glancing at Iris with the corner of his eye. Iris did not answer immediately, turning her head slightly to look at Severus and back to look straight ahead at the dance floor. She replies in a somber tone. "Then he'll break."
Glancing to her right, she brushes Severus' side with a push of her elbow. "Hush, Lucius is coming."
Severus looks to find Lucius approaching them, a broad and excited smile on his face.
"Ah, Severus, here you are. I looked all over the ball for you and luckily Iris is already with you, saves me the trouble of looking for her as well." Lucius says.
"Well you've found us. Is there anything that you need?" Severus politely asks.
"Yes, I have an important visitor that had just arrived and I have been aching to introduce you and Iris to him." Lucius says, a glint in his eye as he spoke.
Both Severus and Iris tensed. Through telepathy they conversed.
'Could it be?' Severus asks.
'It has to be him.' Iris says.
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Severus says to Lucius, a smile on his face.
Lucius nods approvingly, turning around he walks ahead of them. Severus offers his arm to Iris, as they follow Lucius across the ballroom and climbing a spiraling staircase that leads to the second floor of the ballroom where other guests were conversing. The dance floor could be seen from over the marble railings. Continuing to follow Lucius who finally led them to a private box at the far end of the second floor.
As soon as Lucius opened the thick curtain for them, Severus could already recognize him from his back alone. Looking over the balcony, watching the many dancers on the dance floor. Although he wore a cloak to avoid being seen by anyone, no one could deny the heavy atmosphere he always carried around him wherever he went.
"My lord." Lucius called out softly.
Turning to face them, Tom Riddle's face was horridly distorted like melted wax, his skin was pale and chalky. While his hair had slowly thinned, portions of his head balding. His eyes however, weren't that of slits, but they had began to take a shade of red. But for Severus he looked far better now than in a few years time.
"Ah, Lucius, is this the boy you had been proudly speaking of?" Voldemort said, slowly approaching them, as if he was floating on air.
Lucius looked proud of himself as he introduced Severus to Voldemort.
"My lord, this is Severus Tobias Snape, my protege. He is exceptionally talented in the art of potion making and his intelligence far outweighs his peers-" Lucius says, his chest pumped and standing tall.
"Yes, yes, you've already told me. But I want to see him for myself." Voldemort says, waving his hand to silence Lucius, lifting a hand towards Severus' face. Clasping Severus' chin with his cold fingers, his long nails scraping the skin of Severus' chin. He observes the pale boy, moving his face from left to right.
"Such promise…" Voldemort mutters. As he continues to stare into Severus' eyes, Severus suddenly felt a tinge at the back of his head. Voldemort was trying to prod his thoughts, immediately his mental shields were up. Only revealing his memories of being bullied by the Gryffindors, his hatred for the school, his abusive father, and the murder of his Pureblood mother right before his eyes, when Tobias hit Eileen on the head a little too hard one summer. Voldemort was delighted by what he saw.
"You and I… are much more alike than I thought, Severus." Voldemort whispers in an excited tone. Severus swallowed a lump in his throat at the notion of what Voldemort said.
"I hope I will be seeing you within our ranks soon." Voldemort said, releasing Severus from his grasp, a smirk playing on his lips as he continued to eye the young boy who began to lightly shiver.
Lucius, who didn't realize the change in atmosphere, was more delighted with the words Voldemort said in regards to his junior.
"And next to him is-" Lucius began to introduce Iris, but Voldemort did not let him finish.
"Mademoiselle Alarie." Voldemort breathe out, approaching Iris closer. Slightly bowing in a curtsy to greet her. "Forgive my… frightening appearance. But one does not gain power without sacrifice. In my case, it's my face."
"Believe me, I know exactly what you mean." Iris responds with a small smile, but her tone was grave. Her heiress facade showing up again.
"Indulge me young heiress, do you believe in a world where only the strong should remain atop?" Voldemort asks, eyeing Iris for whatever reaction he could possibly get from her. But Iris only smirks at him.
"Isn't the world we live in already moving as such? What could you possibly mean?" Iris replies.
"Then what are your views towards muggles and wizards? If the world was in ruins, whose side would you stand with?" Voldemort asks even further.
"That remains to be seen considering how annoying both sides can be." Iris responds, in an apathetic tone. Her response brings out a laughter from Voldemort's mouth. His laugh had irked both Lucius and Severus. It was the kind of laugh that sounded like a fork scrapping a chalk board. After regaining his composure from his fit of laughter, he continues.
"I think I like you miss Alarie. If you are interested, I can introduce you to a cause that will highly benefit you and it is currently in great need of funding." Voldemort appealed, tilting his head to the side as he spoke to Iris.
"No thank you, I have no intention of holding the full extent of my money until I have graduated. I also don't plan on sticking around after school, I plan to travel." Iris said with conviction.
"Ah, I see, I do agree that opening one's mind to the many wonders of the world through travelling is a great way of growth. I respect your wishes, but if you do change your mind." Voldemort gestures a hand towards Lucius. "Then you may approach Lucius to ask for me, you are always welcome to disturb me any time of the day." Voldemort finishes, he eyes the grandfather clock behind Lucius. "I should be going soon. It was lovely to meet the both of you, especially you miss Alarie." Voldemort says, outstretching his hand towards Iris.
Iris eyed his hand at first, reluctantly taking his hand to shake it, but as soon as she came in contact with him, her eyes bulge wide. Unlike the two adults in the room, Severus had immediately noticed her reaction, despite it lasting only for mere seconds. Voldemort walked passed them, heading towards the door that sat opposite to the curtains that led to the party. Possibly a secret passageway.
"Goodbye, young ones. May we meet very soon." Voldemort finally says, before the door closes shut and the only thing that could be heard was the final beat of the music and the applause from the crowd that followed. Signaling the end of the dance.
Severus continued to stare perplexed at Iris, who stayed completely silent and her body rigid.
'Are you okay? What's wrong?' He asked her, telepathically.
But Iris didn't even spare him a glance. Looking straight ahead as Lucius guided them out of the private box, all the way back to the ground floor.
Author's Note: AAAAAAAAAAA-... Hi readers! I am so terribly sorry I took so long. I had some of the worst groupmates to work on a project, I mostly carried that shi- like a boss and that's why I took longer than expected. Anyway, I am now a free woman! To be able to enjoy my summer as I see fit! So enjoy this chapter, and I'll be seeing you all next week! Stay safe!