Chapter 7:

She was a hit.

Veri didn't think she had stopped dancing from the minute the music had started up. Which was about 3 hours ago. Bloody fucking Merlin, if I can't sit down soon, these people will see a very different side of Veri Lestrange, the side that belongs to the daughter of two slightly unhinged Death Eaters and it ain't gunna be pretty!

Feeling a hand travel extremely close to the edge of her dress in the back, she glanced up at her dance partner, another blank face in a long line of others, and commented nonchalantly, "I do believe your hand has lost its way … it would be a shame for you to lose it in the bargain." With that final statement, she spun away and the music died.

She glanced down at her card and wondered when it would be over. She groaned and looked up to see another pampered dandy striding towards her to claim a foxtrot. Others attempted to gain her attention and join their different groups to chit chat, by waving their fans at her or holding up enticing drinks.

Earlier when she had walked down the stairs with her father, she had worried that the others would merely stare and talk about her behind her back. Boy, had she underestimated the purebloods.

Standing at the base of the staircase with her parents the guests had lined up to meet and greet the hosts. Kind of like the scene in Cinderella …well sans the poofy dresses, sappy story-line and Prince Charming …so not at all, but yea …Merlin Blaise Zabini looks good! She winked at the man in front of her, who in turn kissed the pulse of her wrist intimately. His dark skin gleamed, his facial features similar to a Greek god's. His long dark hair was tied back and his full, pouty lips could probably melt girls' hearts with a mere twitch. He moved on to her mother, but she could tell his obsidian eyes stayed on herself.

She looked at the next in line and jumped at the stark contrast between what she had just seen and what she saw now. Damn it all to Hell, its Parkinson … but she has no clue who I am … oh this could be fun! She simpered at the blonde pureblood and commented on how 'interesting and unique' her dress was for the evening. Pansy had clearly gained weight. She had attempted to pull off an empire waist dress that was rather sheer and not at all flattering with its bold color choices and her clashing jewelry. In fact, it looked as though she had simply taken out the family jewels and worn them all so that she wouldn't need to decide between them. Veri sighed; some people will never change, no matter how much we hope.

She encountered most of the Slytherins from her year along with those that had been above her in school and enjoyed immensely their attempts at pleasing her. Clearly they had all been briefed on the importance of not pissing her, her parents, or the Dark Lord off.

She used every ounce of cunning she had to insult them to their faces and leave them wondering if she had complimented them or insulted them. Her parents beside her had to hold their laughter in check almost constantly, as it would not do for them to be seen as anything other than cold, insane, and terrifying.

As the line narrowed and petered out, Veri was facing the last of the guests, some cousin or other of what she was sure was a grand and glorious House, when she felt a shiver run through the crowd and her own skin prickled. She sensed an aura that was peculiarly dark and sinister, and immediately recognized that Lord Voldemort had joined the party.

He literally glided up to her, the man in front of her scampering away. She contemplated how to address his presence and finally decided upon a half-curtsy. I'm not his slave yet!

As she bowed her head to him and pulled her right leg behind the left, accentuating the slit and causing a fair few wizards in the room to suck in their breaths and adjust their robes, she felt his mind probe at hers. I sense it, but why isn't anything happening … it's like the barriers are already up, without any initiative from me … perhaps this body comes with auto-Occlumens as well as wandless magic … cool! Shite … He won't like this! She sensed his anger pervading his aura along with his eyes burning through the back of her neck. He placed a scaly, cold finger under her chin and brought her up to face Him once more.

She looked directly into his dark red eyes and again felt His attempts at penetrating her mind. She stared unflinchingly back with an attempt at an innocent look as though she knew nothing about what He was doing. He raised what would have been an eyebrow at her, but was really just scrunched up skin, and drawled, "She is powerful, thissss one. My dear Bella and Rodolphussss, how did you keep her hidden sssso well?" He turned his strong glaze on the two next to her and she felt them shiver slightly.

She wondered at the seeming power he held over them, since she hadn't felt it herself.

They both bowed deeply to him, "Our Lord, it was a glamour charm placed on her at birth. We gave her away in order to devote our time to finding our master, our top priority." They fudged the truth a little and prayed that their altered memories satisfied him. He stared at them for a moment longer and nodded, pleased.

"Yessss, you two were and are my most faithful." He sneered at the others in the room, and passed to go sit at a semi-throne on the edge of the ballroom. As he passed her parents, she heard him hiss, "Bring her to me for the firssst dance."

She heard intakes of breath from everyone in the vicinity and glanced at her parents' shocked faces. Either that's bad, He really can't dance, or I'm going to be tested. None of those sound like fabulous options …just dandy. All I need is the Snakey Git feeling me up.

She sighed and wished dearly for some liquid to pour down her parched throat. Those bloody introductions took an hour! Almost as she thought it, Zabini was there with a glass of punch and a dance card, upon which he had so kindly filled a waltz with his own name. She smirked up at him and grinned as the other single men, and some taken, of the party began to flock towards her.

She looked and noticed her parents had moved to speak to the Malfoys. Lucius had given her an once-over when she had been introduced and she had felt shocked and fully examined. He would never be her favorite person, no matter the state of her blood.

There had been about a half hour of everyone standing and talking, catching up on old news and starting new gossip. Pansy had made a spectacle of herself in trying to claim Veri as her new best chum, consistently pushing others away from Veri's side and asking her all sorts of personal questions as though they had known each other for years. Well we have … but honestly! Veri was grateful when the head House Elf called everyone in for dinner.

Dinner had been long. That truly was the only way to term it. She had been placed next to her Uncle Rabastan and Theodore Nott. She was convinced that neither was right in the head; no matter that one was family and the other was one of the most eligible bachelors there. Literally gnawing on their food, they talked of nothing but blood and gore, putting her completely off her food and to top it all off they had both leered at her throughout the meal. Apparently Rabastan has a new meaning for keeping it in the family …Ew!!!!!!

She had practically run from the table, itching to get out of the arms of her escort, Dolohov. Her father had apparently enjoyed that little trick on his old friend. She bared her teeth at Rodolphus when he looked over at her after the meal and he had almost broken his set facade by laughing.

She wasn't going to be allowed a moment of peace it seemed though; immediately after dinner came dancing. Apparently they're impervious to cramps. Her mother had wrapped her arm around her waist and walked her over to the Dark Lord, once again sitting on the throne. "Daughter, you are privileged. The Dark Lord rarely dances with anyone, so do not make us ashamed." In a whisper, "Be careful, He will attempt to throw you off balance and trap you into a commitment."

Veri squeezed her mother's hand lightly and curtsied in front of the throne. "My Lord, I believe that the dancing is to begin soon …"

He stood and whisked His robes in a way that would have been debonair on almost anyone but Him. She grinned and made no attempt to stifle it as He seemed to think it was in pleasure of being able to dance with His splendid self.

He waltzed her through the room, conversing the entire time.

"Ssssso missss Lessstrange, you are quite the sssssecret. Your mind is the only that I've ever encountered to be ssssso sssstrong."

"Milord I do apologize, I have no idea how to take them down." She let a few tears into her eyes and ducked her head as though ashamed.

"Do not be assshamed dear girl. I sssshall enjoy you being a puzzle." Voldemort apparently had taken a heavy interest in her.

"I do wonder, however, where your loyaltiesssss lie. Sssssurely you do not go againsssst the wisssshessss of your parentsssss." He spun her out with a flourish and pulled her back tight against his flabby chest.

She sighed, not in desire as He thought, but in appreciation for the out He had unknowingly given her.

"I find that I agree completely with my parents' demands Milord. However, I had hoped you would permit me a small favor." She ran her hand lightly over his shoulder and inwardly grimaced at the game she was playing. I can't believe this, I can't believe this, eurgh!

He leered at her, "and why would I do you a favor Misssss Lesssstrange? What inducementsssss could you offer me? Perhapsssss I ssssshall determine the price after you tell me, no? Assssk your little favor little one."

Hermione looked up at him through her hooded eyes, attempting to disguise her horror at his clear intentions, "Milord, I had hoped to travel and train myself in the different styles of combat. To make myself a better asset to Your already established army and perhaps even a special weapon to the Dark Lord."

"Ssssspecial indeed. I like this plan." He stated. "But you sssshall not get it for free. I want a kissss in return my dear, a kissss from the powerful little one." He leered down at her as the dance ended.

She let out a sigh of relief at His acceptance of her plan and the out that He once again provided. He hadn't specified where to kiss Him. She smirked, "As you ask Milord," and leaning up, kissed him on the cheek, just next to his mouth, but far enough away not to cause her to throw up.

She backed away and prayed that she wouldn't be killed on the spot for her daring. What she heard next, however, had been the farthest thing from what she'd expected that she had almost fallen over.

The Dark Lord flung His scaly head back and laughed. No, guffawed was really the correct word. He stood in the middle of the ballroom with every influential Pureblood in attendance and watching and guffawed. He glided back to his throne and said to the gathering at large, "The Lady has spunk! Let that be a warning to all you pups." With that he sat and watched the rest of the ball spur into action.

Veri was accosted on all sides for the next dance, as well as those wanting a conversation with the one who made the Dark Lord laugh.

And so three long hours had passed with her dancing. She had enjoyed her waltz with Blaise and had also found a few others as slightly above the mediocrity, but on the whole she had been rather bored. If only…She shook her head and pulled herself out of her reverie.

As the foxtrot ended, and she returned to the side of the ballroom, she placed her hand on the arm of the one due for her next dance and asked if he would get her a glass of punch instead. He scurried off in some other direction.

She quietly cast a Disillusionment Spell and hurried away to the outside balcony before anyone could notice her disappearance.

She leaned against the wall of the house in a darkened corner, behind a statue of her great-great-great Grandfather. She closed her eyes and soothed her shoulders against the cold stones. She cast a cushioning and soothing spell at her feet and immediately moaned in relief.

"A lady shouldn't be moaning by herself, you know." A voice came out of the darkness.

She opened one eye, sensing who it was, and assured of her safety with him. "And how would you remedy the situation dear sir?"

"I would first assist her in her endeavor, and then perhaps be lucky enough to learn her name." He said in a velvety tone, coming up to her side and stroking a hand down her back.

She smirked up at the dark figure and commented, "Surely a name isn't needed?" She felt slightly drunk with the night air swirling around her previously clogged mind. The scents of the nearby garden pervaded the air and coaxed her body.

"Indeed, perhaps not."

He stood in front of her now, pinning her into place with a leg between her own, arms pressed against the wall on either side of her head. She looked up at him with darkened eyes, the color of a stormy ocean.

"I didn't think you would appear tonight."

"Neither did I. But I found I couldn't stay away."

"I'm glad you didn't."

"As am I – you're free now?"

"As free as I can be."

"Good. Then you won't mind if I do this."

With that the mysterious figure bent down and took her lips in a passionate kiss. His hips ground into hers and she arched against his leg. His tongue was slowly caressing hers in a sinuous dance that ignited their need for something more. She became wary of how quickly the kiss was progressing and broke away. Breathing heavily she stepped under his arm and turned to face him.

"What are we doing?" She murmured quietly, desperation clinging to her voice.

He shook his own in reply, "I don't know." He ran a hand through his hair, "All I know is that I feel … you make me feel so damned different. I actually care when I'm near you."

She turned her head away from his raised palm, as though afraid.

"Why do you fight this?" He asked quietly. "I know I'm not the only one that feels the magic bonding and the connection. Why do you run?"

"Because I … I don't know." She whispered brokenly. She looked up at him with shining eyes, heart-wrenching in the pain that they showed.

"Don't … don't do this. Its all right, we'll take it slow." He turned at the start of a tango inside. "Dance with me. It's the last of the night. All balls end in a tango. Dance with me and make me the luckiest man at the ball." He held out his hand.

"But you'll be recognized!"

"Only you can see me for who I truly am. Otherwise I have a glamour on." He smirked.

She grinned and placed her hand in his and let him lead her into the ballroom once more. He gasped as he led her into the light. She let a smile ghost her lips. He noticed the changes.

They commenced dancing at the very edge of the room and slowly made their way around, their feet flying in complicated steps, each challenging the other to new heights. The crowd soon turned to look at the guest of honor and the mystery man dancing. The dance was one of passion and romance, and it was executed perfectly.

"So, I'm not the only one with a glamour on."

"No glamour. This is me, the true Veri Lestrange."

His hand traveled to her lower back as he arched her against his hip. She gasped slightly as his hand went below the dress for just a moment and quickly resurfaced.

"I take it the true Veri doesn't feel the need for undergarments either?"

His movements took on those of a predator, anger radiating in his eyes at the number of men who had danced with her and realized the same thing.

"Only when she hopes that someone will take advantage of the fact during a tango."

She responded back with the indignant movements of a lover scorned. Many men watching were readjusting themselves as they watched what was practically vertical, moving sex.

As the dance ended, Veri was dipped back, her leg wrapped around his hip, the entirety of her leg shown due to the slit of her dress. His mouth hovered over the other slit at the top of her dress and he slowly licked the skin shown as he brought her back up. She was panting due to both the strenuous dance and the arousal he had inspired in her.

As she was hemmed in by the admiring crowd, she watched him slip away. She flashed her eyes at him and he merely smirked, mouthing "Happy Birthday!"

Soon everyone was singing the song and a cake in the form of the Dark Mark was rolled out. Veri snorted at the cake, but played along amused. After acting the responsible host, eating cake and conversing with the last dregs of the party, she said her goodnights to her parents and curtsied to Lord Voldemort. She could feel His eyes burning into her back as she made her way up the stairs.

Opening the door to her room, she sensed him once more. She stepped in and quietly shut the door.

"You stayed." A statement of the obvious, yes, but something of a question.

"You haven't run." A figure emerged out of the dark shadows.

"I don't plan to. You can't light a fire and expect to not pay your dues." She moved towards him in the dark, a sliver of moonlight illuminating the room.

"I always finish what I start." With that he was right in front of her, undressed except for his black trousers.

"Then kiss me." She ran her arms up his chest, tracing the firm flesh and rippled muscles.

"That and more, my Lady." He lifted her dress up off her body and flung it aside. He gazed hungrily at her nude body. He picked her up and brought her to the bed. He laid her down softly and stood to take off the last of his own clothing.

Proud in his nudity, he climbed onto the bed with her and rose above her between her legs. Kissing his way up her body, starting with her foot, making his way up her ankle, calf, thigh, hip, belly button, nipple, throat, and chin, he whispered the same thing over and over again.

"Mine," was all he growled as he took her lips in a heated kiss.

She dragged her nails down his back in arousal and a need for him. He slipped one, then two, and then three fingers into her hot, wet passage and thrust them lightly. Using his thumb to stimulate the bundle of small nerves, he increased the pace of his fingers lightly until she was writhing beneath him.

Taking his hand away, he positioned himself at her entrance and thrust, just as he took her nipple into his mouth and she threw her head back.

"Yours," she whimpered back.

She came as he filled her completely, an orgasm that wracked her body and left her moaning as he continued to thrust and arouse her clit with his thumb. She dug her hands into his hair and spurred him on by arching up in rhythm.

They both began to move more and more erratically and soon he could feel the tremors start once again in her body, alerting him that she was close. He thrust twice more deep and hard, climaxing just as her body clenched down upon him, both biting the others shoulders at the exact same time in their passion.

He slipped out of her and slowly fell to her side, pulling her body to his, as they both fell into a deep sleep of sated exhaustion.