Harry Potter and Co. belong to the great Rowling!

slash-SSLM

An AU-story so there'll probably be things you don't recognize.

A Question of Honor.

Chapter seven. The marriage

After getting rid of the on lookers that had crowded the portraits in Severus' room Lady Gytha sat down to mull over her Great Great Grandson's future and that of their house. An opportunity like this would not come around twice; she had to make sure that Severus, young as he was, understood what being Lord Snape and being bonded to Lucius Malfoy meant. How to make Severus accept the inevitable...?

-----

A tired Severus opened his eyes slowly to see a thin dark haired woman of about thirty five, dressed in period clothing, and surrounded by flowers sitting before him.

"Good morning child. Welcome to Snape Hall I'm your Great Great Grandmother Gytha Snape." The woman introduced herself with a smile that didn't seem to fit her face.

Severus shut his eyes feeling slightly nauseous but opened them again seconds later. Had she said, great-great grandmother?!

"Are you still with us Severus?" Lady Gytha leaned forward and peered at the child.

Grimacing Severus closed his eyes and nodded, "You don't look that old Ma'am." He murmured struggling to sit up.

Gytha frowned, Severus didn't look too well. She'd have to move things along before he became too impaired. "I'm a charmed portrait of said lady." The woman explained waving her hands at the frame that surrounded her.

Severus eyes opened a little wider. A portrait? Leaning on his pillows he noticed the elaborate iron frame.

"You have a beautiful frame." He said admiringly.

"Thank you. You can call me Grand-Mama. Now if your feeling rested, I'd like you to have something to eat and then we can talk."

The simple thought of food made his stomach clench but Severus nodded. If he wanted to get to his squib relatives, he'd need her help.

-----

After getting dressed with the help of two house elves Severus had been led to a large Libray where Lady Gytha's portrait had magically hung itself. Along the way, he was greeted by a myriad of portraits who wished him long life as Lord of Snape. Reassured that maybe he wouldn't have such a bad time getting to his Squib relatives Severus entered a somber looking library where a table had been set for him.

Half an hour later...

"Feeling better?" Lady Gytha noticed the half touched food.

Severus placed the spoon next to the plate and leaned back in the chair. "I'm feeling dizzy Grand Mama." He whispered with closed eyes.

"I suspected as much and I'm sorry, but we need to talk."

Severus nodded, "I just want to get out of here. I want to go back to London."

Go back to London? Well Severus would definitely be getting a surprise. "I'll try to be brief and to the point." The Witch promised folding her arms on her lap.

----

Three quarters of an hour later Severus sat with mouth hanging open.

"I'm afraid you're a bit shocked."

Severus shook his head in disbelief. She had to be joking! There was no way everything she had said was true. "But I can't marry another boy!"

Gytha Snape squared her shoulders, "Actually you can and you have to."

"But I'm just a kid and a boy!"

"You're the heir of your house and have a duty to act honorably."

"What about Lord Prince? Why didn't he?"

"Because he didn't know you could do magic of course!" Lady Gytha responded trying to be patient.

"But I was his Grandson!" Severus argued.

"No Severus. You were never his Grandson. I'm sorry but ..." the Witch murmured sadly.

Ignoring his dizziness, Severus jumped to his feet. "NO YOU'RE NOT!"

"Severus!" Lady Gytha protested sounding hurt.

"You're not! You're happy I'm the way I am. You're happy I can have babies! You're happy I have to marry Lucius Malfoy! You're happy because then my babies will be in charge of the Snapes and the Ministry won't try to take everything! You just said it! You can't take it back! I won't let you!" If he was a Lord then no one could order him around!

"And I'm not going to. Yes, Severus I'm happy that some good will come out of all this!"

"I DON'T SEE THE GOOD THINGS!" Severus shouted.

"Sit down!" Gytha Snape ordered- rising from her own seat.

"I don't have to. You're not my mother! You're not my father!" Severus cried wrapping his arms around his body.

"I'm the closest thing you have. I could've lied to you, but I didn't. I'm telling you what has happened and what will happen."

"I don't want to hear anymore so just leave me alone!" Severus cried looking away from the portrait.

"If I do. You won't survive in this world."

"Please just leave me alone." Severus mumbled wiping his tears away with the back of his hand. He felt so empty and he knew it was the damn bond that was telling him to go back to Lucius Malfoy.

Gytha sighed inwardly...it was a quarter past twelve and this was proving a bit more difficult than she thought. "I will, but first I want you to meet some people."

"Huh?" Severus looked up in confusion.

Lady Gytha smiled. "They've come to see you. They want to pay their respects."

"Who are they?" Severus sniffed looking at his new Grand-Mama curiously.

Lady Gyatha didn't answer but signaled to the house elf and the creature snapped his fingers. The large doors to the Library creaked open; outside a crowd of people turned and waited in silence. Severus looked at them; the great majority had dark hair and eyes, and was tall and thin. Severus looked at each one knowing they must all be related to him. After a few seconds the men and women walked inside and after bowing to him stood aside quietly. Severus looked back to Lady Gytha's portrait.

"They're your relatives as you have probably deduced. All of them are squibs and every single male is a carrier."

"Why are they here? I mean, I don't understand." Severus asked turning to Lady Gytha's portrait. Had they come for him? But he couldn't go, could he?

"Unlike the Princes, the Snapes take care of their own especially if they aren't magical. They may be squibs, but they're still your blood. They all decided to leave the Wizarding World when they discovered their condition."

"So they wouldn't have to marry like me."

"Squib carriers don't have any rights except the ones their new families chose to give them. They preferred exile to the obvious, and the previous Lords allowed them to and in some cases helped them relocate."

"Why didn't the other Snape Lords protect them, stand up for them so they could stay? Isn't that what a Lord is supposed to do?" Severus asked solemly.

"They were just above squibs themselves Severus. Even your Grand Father and Father decided to leave the Wizarding World behind. When your Great Uncle died and your father refused to take his place, and then died, leaving you at the mercy of the Princes we thought the Snape family would be lost. The Ministry has been trying to confiscate what remains of the family's fortune for centuries. You're a Wizard Severus...once you come of age you'll have the magic and a title to protect yourself and your family."

"But I don't want to be Lord Snape. I don't want to be married or bonded!" Severus argued shaking his head while his relatives looked on sympathetically.

"Ultimately it's your decision Severus. If you want nothing to do with the Wizarding World...then we will try to protect you when the Malfoys and the Ministry come for you?"

"You can protect me?" Severus asked hopefully.

"The wards around the Hall are over five hundred years old. You will be safe here, but you can't eave." Lady Gytha warned.

"Why not?" Severus demanded.

One of the Snapes closest to Severus stepped forward. "If I could say something Lord Snape, my name is Tiberius Snape Nelson I'm a muggle doctor."

Severus nodded hoping against everything that the squib would say something that might help him. "We are not magical my Lord." The older gentleman began, "If you left the safety of the Hall, they would search for you, and the first place they would start with would be our homes."

"Your homes?" the Snapes in the room nodded. The meaning of what that would mean to the defenseless squibs was obvious.

"There would be very little we could do but try to shield you with our bodies." A second Snape added.

"It's so wrong." Severus murmured feeling his head spin. "Aren't the Malfoys afraid their children will be squibs too?"

"When two equally-powerful beings are involved precautions can be taken to prevent it."

"But why didn't someone do something before?" Severus demanded shaking his head stubbornly.

"Those before you weren't strong enough to do anything. When five squibs are born in the same generation, your allies desert you faster than you can imagine. Wizards and Witches would rather marry a dementor than a Snape nowadays."

"Our family in the Wizarding World is slowly dying My Lord." A tall young woman added sadly.

Severus looked around the crowded room. The guilt he was feeling at still wanting to run was overwhelming. But if he left they would have to help him? What if they got hurt? "What do I do now?" he asked hugging himself to keep from shivering.

"You go back child." Lady Gytha's words were like nails on a coffin.

"It's not fair..." Severus groaned; his head was pounding, and he was feeling worse all of a sudden.

"You're young, but you'll understand more as you get older. The Malfoys are a powerful family and they are honorable for the most part." Tiberius Snape explained stepping closer to Severus.

Severus looked up not really hearing the older man's words, "I don't feel very well." He murmured before losing his lunch over his older cousin's shoes.

----

a quarter of an hour later at Malfoy Manor…

Lucius was dressed in elaborate black and silver robes. His platinum blonde, shoulder-length hair was tied back from his pale face. He stood waiting for his father and mother. Five more minutes and he'd be close to Severus again. He had taken several potions to calm the withdrawal symptoms but all they were doing was take the worst of the pain away. Lucius looked at the clock move one more minute and he closed his silvery eyes in effort not to disgrace himself before those that stood next to him. The situation was unreal to say the least. To think that two days ago he had been dreaming of his future with Narcissa. To think that just yesterday he still held hopes of choosing his own spouse. To think that today he couldn't wait to hold his husband in his arms. What in the world had happened? How had the control of his life been taken away? If his father thought that by making him accept the brat he would be under his control he was wrong. This marriage would be nothing more than a means to an end.

Three of his cousins, two Aunts, and three uncles looked at him with blank faces, no doubt confused by his Father's actions. To bond the Malfoy heir to a Snape, even if he was the Lord of Snape and a Wizard, was perplexing to say the least. No doubt, the pureblood had his reasons and no doubt, they were powerful.

Abraxas and Eugenia Malfoy stepped into the room at one minute before one. Greeting their relatives with a brief nod Abraxas walked to his son. Lucius was breathing hard and seemed weak but all of that would change in a few minutes. Their eyes met and Lucius mentally questioned his father's motives but Abraxas eyes were cool and unresponsive. Lucius would be saved from the Blacks and from those who would use their name and power if it killed him.

When the clock struck one Abraxas and his wife moved to the fireplace, after the green flames engulfed his parents Lucius and his cousin Crowley followed close behind. Their solicitor and the rest of the Malfoys came last.

----

A dazed and pale-looking Severus stood next to his second cousin, Tiberius Snape. The squib and two others had been asked to remain behind to help him with the wedding. Wedding! He was ten and a half and he was getting married! Severus shifted and looked at the fireplace nervously and even a little hopefully. His cousin had given him some medicine to help him with the dizziness but he still couldn't control the slight trembling that coursed through his body. Cousin Tiberius had explained that the dizziness and trembling were withdrawal symptoms brought about by the bond with Lucius Malfoy and that his soon-to-be husband was probably feeling just as bad. Oddly enough, the idea that Lucius was also suffering made him feel a little better.

"What's going to happen to all of you once I get married?" Severus asked worrying about his cousins.

"We'll go back to the Muggle world and wait until you come of age and then come back if you wish it."

"I'd like you to come back but only if you want to. Why can't you stay here though?" Severus pulled on his robes impatiently. They had made him dress up in a high collar shirt, long vest, over coat and robes all of them with the Snape family crest, a Snake battling an Dragon of all things. When he had seen himself in the mirror Severus had had to admit that he certainly did look like a Wizard, even if he didn't feel like one.

"It might be a little difficult for us to remain here My Lord." Rupert Snape a forty-seven year old Professor of Literature answered cautiously.

"Can't you call me Severus?" Severus asked, feeling strange that a man who was old enough to be his father had to be subservient to him.

Before anyone could say anything Lady Gytha did, "It would be disrespectful for them to Severus. You must remember who you are at all times."

"But they're older than I am." His father had instilled in him a strong sense of respect for his elders and Severus was having trouble with all the bowing and Lord Snape bit.

"Lord Snape...it wouldn't be appropriate...if your own kin doesn't treat you with the respect you deserve, no one will. It's not a hardship for us so you shouldn't feel bad."

Severus nodded reluctantly. "Why did you say it would be a bad idea for you to remain here?"

"Until you come of age the Snape clan will become a protectorate of the Malfoys which means Lord Malfoy may make decisions concerning our well-being."

"So they can decide things for you."

"Exactly," Tuberius answered, "but only if they find us, the ones that left are already married...but we're not."

"Can they hurt you?" Severus genuinely worried.

"The Malfoys are honor bound not to harm us...so they would never cause us any physical injury."

"But?" Severus queried.

"But they can order us to marry ...they can barter our carrier gift for-"

"For money." Severus completed.

"or power," Cousin Tiberius added.

"But if you don't want to."

"Just as they would be honor-bound not to harm us...we would be honor-bound to do as they ask if such unions benefited the Snape-Malfoys."

Severus shook his head earnestly. "You have to go back then. I don't want you to have to do things you don't want to."

"They will as soon as you leave. In fact I'm already making arrangements for them to be relocated to their new homes." Lady Gytha assured.

"Will I be able to see you Grand Mama?" The idea of not seeing his family even if it was in portrait form frightened him.

"You will come to Snape Hall once a month for two days in the company of your husband."

"Does he have to come?" Severus shoved his hands in his pockets to keep them from shaking.

"It's essential that he comes," Cousin Tiberius explained looking at Severus in the eye.

"I guess it'd look good that he comes here, huh?" Lady Gytha smiled at Severus keenness. "I bet he'll probably hate it." The small boy added with a weak smile. He was starting to feel nauseous again.

With a pop Tanis, Lady Gytha's personal elf, appeared, "the solicitor is here."

"Very good have him come in. Severus, Tiberius, Rupert stand over there. Joannas stand by the door. It's two minutes before one the Malfoys shouldn't be long." Lady Gytha ordered.

one o'clock Snape Hall...

Abraxas and Eugenia Malfoy were the first ones to step through the green flames of the fireplace. If they were surprised by what they saw, they did not show it. Severus Snape although paler than before stood flanked by whom Abraxas knew were the child's squib relatives. A solicitor in dark robes stood next to Lady Gytha's portrait with several scrolls in his hands.

Severus looked at the tall pureblood and the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. These people would soon be part of his family. Because that's how he saw it. To him the Malfoys would be part of his family not him part of theirs.

The pureblood pair nodded to Severus and then to the portrait and lastly to the squibs that surrounded the small Lord. After receiving acknowledging nods, the pair stepped aside and the fireplace shone with green flames for a second time. This time it was Lucius and his cousin who stepped through.

The moment Lucius grey eyes met Severus onyx ones the magic in the room became palpable. Lucius felt his bonded's magic touching, caressing his, and fisted his hands to keep himself from reaching out. If it had been Narcissa standing there, he would've been the happiest person in the world.

Severus felt weak and dizzy at the same time. Cousin Tiberius had explained that when he saw Lucius again he would feel the need to go to him, to touch him, and that if he didn't he would feel the withdrawal symptoms again, the man hadn't been exaggerating. Severus could only hope that his Grand Mama and the solicitor would not drag out the ceremony. Crap he couldn't believe it! He actually wanted to be married.

After the last of the Malfoys and their solicitor stepped through, Abraxas stepped forward and began the formalities. Phinheas sat in an empty protrait and watched in silence.

Lucius like Severus' mind was caught in a whirlwind. He tried to focus but like his bonded all he could hear was murmurs. Their bodies like their minds only had one true concern and it was one another.

The pair was led to a dining room which had been set out with its finest china and silverware. Laden with enough food to feed a small army the couple was led and sat next to each other. Conversation was kept to a minimal, but the pair didn't notice too intent were they on each other's presence. After what seemed like an eternity everyone rose and walked to the library. After escorting Lady Gytha to her portrait Phinheas sat again. Gytha was fianlly getting what she wanted, Malfoy blood in her family. He had to hand it to the witch; he really did.

Once inside, the attorney's began bartering shrewdly. Half an hour later, when Lucius and Severus were at their breaking point the pair was led to a table where the magical contract was placed. Abraxas handed his son the quill, "sign." Lucius didn't really hear his father's order but when the quill was thrust in his hand he quickly scrawled his name. Seconds later a very weak-kneed Severus did the same. Tiberius and Rubert Snape signed as witnesses and Lady Eugenia and Cousin Crowley did the same for the Malfoys. When all was said and done Tiberius Snape led Severus to Lucius. The blonde took Severus hand relishing his bonded's touch and magic. Taking the ring from his father Lucius placed it on Severus' wedding finger. An almost incoherent Severus then took the second wedding ring offered by Abraxas and placed it on Lucius wedding finger. A second later the contract disappeared and Severus' world went completely dark.

Catching Severus against him Lucius easily lifted the boy in his arms and without so much as a good bye entered the fireplace and disappeared.

Lord Abraxas smiled inwardly. After bowing to Lady Gytha, he took his wife's hand and entered the fireplace. When everyone was gone Lady Gytha sat back with a satisfied smile. Phineas who still hadn't left watched her like he had when they had both been alive. " I should've definately married you."

Lady Gytha only smiled.

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AN:

AN: Narcissa Gringotts here! Just letting you know that I will be changing my name to 'Ode to Snape,' you can call me Ode. I have strong reasons for doing it but I won't bore you with the details.

Thank you for your never-ending patience. I debated on whether to write an AN to let everyone know what was going on but I hate to receive alerts with ANs instead of chapters so I stuck it out until I could actually post a chapter to explain the delay. What happened was that I enrolled in summer mini-courses and one of my teachers put Snape to shame. I had a lot of difficulty with said teacher, but I still managed to pass the class. The course ended on Thursday, so I'm free to do as I wish until fall courses start up. Anyway, here's a chapter. I haven't written in a while so please don't be too hard on me if you find typos and such.

I want to mention one thing that I feel is very important. Although the pair is married, Lucius and Severus are fourteen and ten and half respectively so there will be no messing around until Snape's at least fifteen or sixteen.

Last thing. The site seems to be acting up so I hope you guys get an ALERT! For anyone who's reading Till Debt Do Us Part or Hell Hath No Fury, I've posted new chapters for those stories too.