Voldemort and the Black Prince entered the glittering ballroom side by side, matching each other's long stride pace for pace.
Silence swept over the finely dressed men and women within as they fell as one to their knees in the presence of their leaders. Voldemort and the Black Prince carried more power than the rest of them could ever dream of, and their very presence was nearly intoxicating as their power roiled around the ballroom.
The two leaders swept to the front of the room and turned as one to face those assembled, matching smirks on their lips.
"Welcome to an evening of celebration and victory, an evening that you have worked toward for many years. Some of you have been working for this day for nearly twenty years, others have only recently found their way into the fold. To all of you, the Prince and I bid you welcome."
"The war, unfought, is nearly won. We have won the sway of St. Mungo's, have almost complete control of the Ministry and are making inroads into Hogwarts. Little will stand in our way. The end of our journey approaches. Celebrate tonight, all of your past work and future victories," Dorian said proudly.
The men and women cheered at the words of hope and faith. They had heard similar words when the Black Prince had joined their side but the union between the Dark Lord and the Black Prince had not been celebrated in such a grand style, and so the cause for celebration had not seemed as real. They had all retained a small sliver of doubt that the war was essentially over.
The lightly pulsing warmth of both Marks though cheered them. The Prince's Mark always sent light pulses of power and strength through them, cheering and revitalizing them. The older Dark Mark was no longer a source of nearly constant pain as it had been before the alliance, and it too gave off a general feeling of vigor and incumbent victory.
The music began once more and couples quickly formed, dancing the old dances of their people.
Dorian and Tom sat down, simply enjoying the spectacle of their overjoyed soldiers. Severus and Lucius stood to each side, watching the dancing as well.
"You are dismissed, Lucius," Voldemort said blandly without even looking at him. "Go take some lovely young lady out for a song or two."
"As you wish, my Lord," Lucius said, clearly pleased to be released from his duties, although reluctant to dance. One of the most important duties of the Elite was to mingle among the common soldiers and both spy on their conversations to determine the level of morale and to encourage the soldiers in their fight.
Lucius and Severus were particularly talented at this—Lucius because he could convince anyone of anything and Severus because he had an ability to fade into the background and escape notice.
Dorian looked at Severus for a moment in silence. "Should you wish it, you may go so as well," he finally said, clearly wanting the man to stay at his side but also knowing full well that Severus should mingle with his fellow soldiers. "Mingle. Dance."
Severus paused for a moment, trying to find a way to refuse the request. Although it had been worded as a suggestion, dark lords make demands not recommendations, and the entire ballroom would have taken that as the order that it was.
He sketched a quick bow. "Thank you, my Prince," he murmured, before pushing his way through the throng of people milling about the throne.
Dorian and Voldemort began their long evening of listening to their supporters, soothing worries, granting praise and discussing strategies with those who wished it. Nearly everyone in the ballroom would seek their attention at some point in the night, even if only for a moment.
Severus sighed as he walked slowly through the room. He hated this kind of event. He knew that these celebrations were not only a relief to most of the soldiers but actually necessary for morale, but he hated them nonetheless.
If he could have escaped in any way without it being blatantly noticeable, he would have done so immediately. His new position as the Black Prince's only lover though had forced him now, more than ever, into the public eye. Is absence would be noted and commented upon for months.
He made his way to the bar and requested a whiskey before turning back and looking over the room.
Given that many of the inhabitants of the ballroom were among Britain's brightest and wealthiest, it was perhaps no surprise that they all cleaned up rather well. The women glittered with diamonds and the men did so as well, only slightly less ostentatiously.
"Enjoying yourself?" an oily voice sounded beside him.
Severus turned slowly, taking in the young man who stood entirely too close to him for comfort. He looked vaguely familiar. Probably a Ravenclaw. A Slytherin would have been recognized immediately, and most Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were beneath his notice and knew it.
He nodded curtly, not favoring him with a response.
"I am as well. I do so enjoy these chances to relax with the other soldiers."
Again, Severus nodded. He loathed small talk.
"I haven't seen you in quite some time, Professor."
Ah. Definitely a former student then.
"You cleaned up rather well," he purred, a rather pathetic imitation of the chocolatey baritone that Snape's sensual purrs came out.
Severus raised an eyebrow and turned back to the bar. "Another," he ordered shortly.
The bartender smirked at the situation and quickly poured him a second drink.
"You must be relieved to be away from the school, away from all of those kids. No one worth…entertaining yourself with there."
Severus nearly snorted. He had been fucking a 15 year old not too long ago. Still was, although the brat was now 18 making it slightly more respectable. As a rule, he felt no attraction for the children at Hogwarts but even he could not resist the charms of an Incubus when said Incubus had set his sights on him.
"What a relief these summers must be for you. And what a treat that our leaders have provided you with such an opportunity to get out and mingle with some fresh blood."
Severus didn't even bother looking at the man, he simply pushed away from the bar, his drink in hand, and moved to the other side of the ballroom.
He could feel Dorian's eyes on him as he moved. The boy's gaze felt heated and weighty, something that he rarely experienced with his lover. Dorian seemed angry with him, and he had no idea why. While he himself was quite possessive, it was not something that had ever plagued Dorian before.
Perhaps the boy was simply irritated by the crush of soldiers surrounding the throne, vying for his attention.
He was stopped by Rodolphus and Bella.
Bella gave him a bright smile. "I haven't seen you much recently. All goes well with our Prince's work, does it not?"
"Very well. He intends to move out to his location within the month. He and his sister are evidently the gossip of the shopping districts, as planned."
"I am certain our Prince is pleased," Rodolphus said, looking toward the raised dais. "And I am sure you are reaping the benefits," he said slyly, smirking.
Severus merely smirked back and took another sip of his drink in silent agreement. "Ginevra has sought you out again, since your first meeting, has she not?" he asked Bella.
She smiled happily. "Yes, twice more. I believe she gets a bit lonely, surrounded by all these men. There aren't many women who are here on a regular basis. Ava and Cassandra are too busy and most of the other women are here even less, or are not appropriate companions for her."
"I am sure it is more than simple loneliness," Severus said. "She seems to enjoy her time with you. She has mentioned you to me a number of times. Perhaps you can see to a bit of her training this summer and next year. As much as our Prince wishes to oversee her education, I am certain that all involved would agree that perhaps someone less…volatile should be assisting the girl."
"The Prince would never harm her, would he?" Bella asked anxiously.
"I cannot say. He has never done so up until now, and she is one of the only people who can calm him nearly instantly. Would he hold back a deserved punishment? Your guess is as good as mine," Severus said.
"The girl will miss her final year of Hogwarts, won't she?" Rodolphus asked, seemingly just now realizing that she was younger than the other initiates.
Severus nodded. "There was no other way. The Prince would not brook her returning to Dumbledore's sway nor would he allow her to leave the country to seek her education elsewhere. This seemed the best solution."
"I cannot imagine that Ginevra would have tolerated being shipped off to Durmstrang too well either," Bella said, laughing. "She will be much happier this way. I assume that you will find a way for her to take the appropriate exams some way?"
Severus inclined his head. "Of course. At the end of the year she will be completing the American Qualifying Examinations. They will be administered in private, and the examiners will be obliviated afterward so they cannot reveal the truth of her age when she took them or of her identity. Either way, she will have her official scores, should she ever wish for them to pursue a higher education or need them for a job."
"As sister to the Prince that girl will never need to prove anything to get a job or into college, once the war is over," Rodolphus pointed out.
"The Prince feels very strongly about limiting such privileges. He does not wish to overthrow one corrupt regime merely to enforce a second. If certain people are given everything without being required to prove themselves worthy, the masses will revolt eventually."
"That is why he has not demanded protection for his godfather?" Bella asked knowingly.
"Just so." He looked up and saw a relieved Lucius bidding his dance partner farewell and moving quickly over to his son's side. "Excuse me. I believe that I should join Lucius. We have much to discuss."
"Of course, Severus. Enjoy your evening," Bella said, squeezing his hand quickly before stepping away for another dance with her husband.
Severus worked his way over to Lucius who stood by Draco against a pillar. "Finished dancing already?" Severus said, looking over the prospective dance partners as he sipped his drink.
"I took Bella out for one song and Cassandra for two. I believe I have discharged my duties quite well."
Severus snorted. "Draco?"
"I danced with Auntie Bella as well, Ginevra and Pansy. Done."
Severus laughed quietly. "Merlin, you two are almost as bad as me. Everyone always expects the two of you to love this type of event."
"More fools, they," Lucius said, sipping his own drink. "Who is that tiresome little boy who keeps eyeing you? It was indecent, the way he was looking at you while you were talking with Bella and Rodolphus."
Severus looked around for a moment before seeing the possible-past-Ravenclaw still looking at him lasciviously. He bit back a shudder. What a revolting creature. "I have no idea. The boy practically glued himself to me at the bar."
"Poor you," Draco said, laughing. "Guess that'll have to be your last drink tonight, unless you want to brave him again."
Severus drained his glass and thrust it into Draco's hands. "Whiskey."
"Are you serious?" Draco sighed when he saw his godfather's unwavering face and made his way over to the bar to refill the drink.
"Loathe though I am to admit it, tonight was needed. The soldiers needed to celebrate something," Severus said.
"It has been a long time since we had something to celebrate. Many of the younger recruits have never experienced one of our parties before," Lucius agreed.
"You left Narcissa at the manor?"
"Yes. The woman is a menace. Luckily, our Lord cannot abide the woman, so I have his excuse to leave her behind. Truth to tell, I think she prefers to remain behind. Leaves her more time with her lovers."
"Does it bother Draco?"
"My son knows well enough what his mother is like. He is undoubtedly just as pleased as I am to escape her presence."
Severus hummed his agreement.
"Don't look now, but I believe that your admirer is making his way over here."
"Bloody leech."
"Shall I head him off?"
"Surely the boy won't approach me while we are talking. No one could possibly be that stupid."
Everyone knew better than to disturb the two men while they were together. It was well known that they were second to the two leaders and it could never be told whether they were simply chatting or when they were discussing war strategy. Attempts at eavesdropping had proved to be surprisingly dangerous, so the soldiers simply left the two men alone.
Except for this one.
"Who the hell is he?" Severus asked, exasperated at the disturbance that he could now tell was inevitable.
"I believe that is Barton's son. Pity the boy isn't as intelligent as his mother."
Severus snorted. "Bloody waste of flesh if you ask me."
"Professor," the young man purred, sidling up close to Severus. "Will you not dance with me?"
"No."
"Come now, Severus, our Prince ordered you to dance," he said, holding out his hand in invitation.
Severus bit back a growl. Dorian had requested that he dance, and unfortunately in the presence of other soldiers. He couldn't refuse gracefully. Fuck.
Lucius caught sight of Draco returning with a full drink and he nodded discretely toward his son.
Saved.
"Unfortunately, I have already promised this dance to young Malfoy," Severus said smoothly. "I would hate to disappoint."
Draco looked up to refuse—he hated dancing with anyone, much less his godfather who insisted on leading—but he caught sight of his Father's face and instead replaced his irritation with a dazzling smile. "I thought you would forget," he said, passing the drink over to his father.
"Of course not." Severus grabbed his godson's arm and quickly pulled him out to the floor.
"What the hell is going on?" Draco said in a low tone as soon as they were far enough away from the man to talk.
"That man keeps following me around."
"So tell him to fuck off. Or just bloody dance with him if you don't want to make a scene. What's one dance?"
Severus sighed and concentrated on the steps for a moment. "Can you feel that?" he said, so softly Draco had to strain to hear him.
"What?"
"That. The Prince. Something is upsetting him, and I can't help but feel it is somehow connected to me."
"And dancing with that man will make it worse?"
"I don't know. I don't want to find out." He felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up and hastily pushed Draco further away from him. "For the love of Merlin boy, don't get too close!"
"The Prince knows I am straight, not to mention that you are my godfather. This is practically like dancing with my father," Draco said with a light laugh.
"Don't question me on this Draco," Severus hissed. "Trust me."
Draco sobered immediately. The two men continued dancing as far apart as possible and still maintain the necessary amount of touch to properly dance.
The weight of the Prince's stare dropped some, and both men breathed a quick sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry," Draco said quietly. "I wonder what has him in a twist right now?"
Severus did not get a chance to respond. Someone had tapped Draco's shoulder.
Fuck.
The ignorant Ravenclaw stood there expectantly. "May I cut in?"
Draco looked nervously up at his godfather. There was no way to refuse this without breaking damn near every rule of decorum. He finally bowed nervously and stepped aside.
The two men stepped into each other's arms awkwardly, Severus because he was seething, Barton because he was so excited to finally have an excuse to touch the professor that he had lusted after for years.
He had barely put his arms around the tall professor when the music stopped abruptly and silence swept the room. The temperature dropped rapidly and the soldiers as one held their breath.