It only took Severus ten minutes to make the antidote for the Amortentia, but it was nearly an hour later before Regulus was ready to take it for safekeeping.
"By Merlin, Regulus, I need to use the bathroom too!" Severus shouted through the door. "You've been in there for over an hour!"
"Sirius was in here for two!" Regulus called back through the door.
"And we all know he's an arse for it!" Severus yelled back, his patience waning fast. "We're going to be leaving in an hour, and you're the one who said we should be ready early!"
With a billow of steam and fragrances that nearly sent a coughing Severus to his knees, Regulus emerged from the bathroom, in a navy-blue robe and clearly irritated that he had been evicted.
"Well?" he asked, holding out his hands, wrinkled from the long exposure to water.
Severus placed four vials in his hands. "I made a few extra, just in case your mother decides to dose the wine, entrée, or dessert. From everything I know of her, she will be thorough in her plan."
Regulus' expression, normally cold, betrayed his gratitude. "You have no idea how much this means for me, Snape."
Severus snorted. "The tricky part will be getting your beloved brother to actually consume anything you give him, so you might have to be circumspect."
"Or keep getting him drinks," Regulus pointed out. "After all, he would trust anything I'd give him, and he might just think they're peace offerings."
"You can't honestly think he'd be that stupid," Severus said with a raised eyebrow.
Regulus shrugged. "Either that or I can get Potter to give it to him. He'll trust anything from that boy."
Severus conceded the point as he slid towards the bathroom. Regulus is right… Black would trust anything from Potter…
"Just before you start, I wanted to ask you something: have any of my other relatives arrived yet?" Regulus asked, his voice growing tense.
Severus nodded. "Your uncle Cygnus and his wife have arrived, although I'd be damned if I know where their daughters are. From what I overheard, though, your Aunt Druella got into one hell of an argument with Bellatrix before they came here this morning. Hopefully that means that Bellatrix won't be coming."
Regulus shook his head gloomily. "Don't count on it – more likely that Bellatrix will be publicly humiliated somehow at the event itself; Aunt Druella wouldn't want the family to come up short. Odds are, they still probably will, considering the Andromeda fiasco that's happening over there right now. I swear, that girl is my brother's twin with her rebelliousness – did you hear she's actively dating Ted Tonks?"
"A Muggle-born Hufflepuff, I know," Severus said with a nod. Andromeda had just graduated from Hogwarts, and her relationship with Ted Tonks had been one of the most scandalous (at least in Slytherin's eyes) affairs in Hogwarts. If only things had worked out with me and Lily, Severus thought with a smirk, then Slytherin would have something to talk about…
"You're smirking," Regulus noted with a grin. "What are you thinking about now, Severus?"
Severus wrenched his thoughts back to the situation at hand. "Oh, just about Bellatrix's punishment," he lied. "I'm trying to think about what would be the cruelest thing that your Aunt could do to Bellatrix without cursing or banishing her."
Regulus shrugged. "Well, we'll see soon enough. Best you hurry in the bathroom – the last thing you need is to be kicked out by my brother when he needs to fix his hair."
"Well, what do you think?" Severus asked, as he eyed his new dress robes. "Good enough for tonight?"
Regulus pursed his lips as he eyed the new robes critically. "Very nice… they suit you. It's an unusual cut, but you really pulled it off. Excellent choice. How much did they cost?"
"I should ask you that," Severus shot back wryly, "considering you paid for them."
Regulus assumed a mockingly pompous air. "Well, I only purchase the best, you know."
"Really?" Severus asked, slowly circling Regulus and eyeing the younger Black's dress robes. "Don't you think the cape is a bit… ostentatious?"
Regulus reddened. "Is it too much? Do you think –"
"I was joking, Regulus," Severus reassured him, a bit alarmed how serious Regulus had taken it.
Regulus scowled. "I'm not used to that from you. I can't tell if you're joking or not. Probably because you weren't smiling."
Severus smirked. "There. I'm smiling. Are you reassured?"
"Not at all," Regulus replied, tossing his cape back over his shoulder. "Come on, let's get downstairs before my mother kills someone – likely my brother."
They reached the kitchen just as Sirius sauntered in, wearing bright red robes with gold piping that made even Severus wince. You think he could be any less supportive of his house…
"Sirius Orion Black, what are you wearing?" Mrs. Black shrieked. She was wearing regal robes of purple satin, and jewelry that Severus suspected was worth more than Spinner's End. How these people can flaunt their wealth like this…
"Robes," Sirius replied promptly, a wide smile on his face.
"I can see that! They are totally repulsive!" Mrs. Black brandished a long finger towards the staircase. "Go upstairs and change right now!"
"He certainly likes to show his house colours," Cygnus Black muttered from the corner, taking a swig from his goblet. Severus had seen the man – even more corpulent than his older brother, but with a thick black mustache – but had never exchanged more than a greeting with him – nor did he have any desire to. Severus got the impression that Regulus' uncle was quite a pompous figure, and bearing the same prejudices as his brother.
Sirius gave a mocking bow to his uncle. "Thank you for your kind support…"
"I didn't say it was a good thing," Cygnus snapped sharply. "Besides, those robes are hideous."
"Go up and change!" Mrs. Black spat furiously.
"Let him humiliate himself, Walpurga," Mr. Black said tiredly as he descended the stairs with his sister-in-law Druella Black, who Severus immediately didn't trust. Despite the woman's youth and relative attractiveness, she had a shrewd feeling that the woman was much smarter and more dangerous than most suspected. Plus, she had originally been a Rosier, and Severus could almost sense the malevolence around her. You can tell where Bellatrix learned to develop her ominous aura…
"I appreciate your support, Father," Sirius said with another sweeping bow.
"We'll talk about this later," Mr. Black growled. "Cygnus, where's your daughters?"
"Already there," Cygnus replied with an exasperated sigh. "Bellatrix is hiding –"
"No surprise," Druella muttered with a smug smile.
"And Andromeda and Narcissa are both there helping Lucius get everything ready." Cygnus rolled his eyes. "With Andromeda, though, that won't last."
"Girl's got her heart in the right place," Sirius muttered. Nearly everyone in the room glared at him.
"So we'll Floo over as soon as soon as we know if they're ready," Mr. Black said, throwing some powder into the fire, which roared bright green. "As soon as… ah…"
A silvery white shape that Severus immediately recognized as a Patronus darted down the stairs, taking the shape of a massive anaconda. Lucius' Patronus, I bet, Severus thought, smirking as he thought about how much the massive snake represented Lucius' personality.
"It is time," the Patronus said in Lucius' voice. "You may proceed through the Floo at will. I look forward to your arrival."
Mr. Black and his brother ducked their heads as they vanished into the flames, closely followed by their wives. Alone now in the kitchen, the three young men exchanged glances.
"This is going to be a living hell," Sirius muttered. "Thank God James is there."
"You're at his table, thankfully," Regulus said, a note of reassurance in his voice that caused Severus to eye him speculatively. Interesting…
Sirius turned to him next, and Severus was astounded to see the eldest Black son's hands shaking. But his tone was as icy as any as he glared at his nemesis. "You should stay out of my way tonight, Snape. This is more of your circle than mine."
Not likely, but I won't give you the satisfaction of a retort. "We'll see," Severus said benignly, gesturing towards the fire. With a single distrustful look, Sirius ducked his head and disappeared into the flames.
Regulus swallowed hard. "Ready for this?"
"As I'll ever be," Severus muttered, and with that, he left Grimmauld Place behind as he followed Regulus into the emerald flames.
Severus normally hated travelling by Floo powder, but he found this trip surprisingly easy. Only a few grates whirled by before he stepped out the fireplace into a small, dusty, soot-filled room lined with thick walls of grey marble, where the Black family waited. He bent his head instinctively to duck out of the fireplace, only to find that the Malfoy fire-grates were easily eight feet high. Really quite sensible, Severus thought as he began brushing the soot from his robes, especially since the Malfoy's do a lot of entertaining – the last thing one wants is for a guest to crack his head on the fireplace as he steps out of it.
"Stand by for cleaning," a toneless voice said from out of nowhere.
What? Severus thought as he glanced around wildly, trying to find the source of the voice. He was about to ask Regulus when a dull brown light suddenly filled the room, causing the flames behind him to hiss and sputter. Then, as Severus watched in fascinated astonishment, a brown bar of light rose up the marble-lined walls, taking the soot and ashes off of their robes with it. I've got to ask Lucius how he found that spell, he thought, eyeing his now spotless robes with admiration.
"You may exit," the same toneless voice said, and Severus followed Regulus, who acted as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened, into the drawing room of what Severus immediately presumed was Malfoy Manor.
A roaring fire was blazing in the grate, casting a cheery illumination over the otherwise candle-lit room. High windows between the mahogany bookshelves let in shafts of sunlight to streak across the thick carpet, all coloured a deep forest green. Several pieces of furniture were strewn throughout the room, carefully placed to appear casual.
Standing next to anornate armoire and smiling widely was none other than Lucius Malfoy, clad in robes of a deep enough green to match the carpet, trimmed with gold. His sleek white-blond hair, much longer than the last time Severus had seen it, seemed almost set in place by spells – almost like the smile across his face.
"Black family, and the sole Snape, I welcome you to my esteemed father's party," Lucius said jovially, opening the door to the rest of the house with a wave of his hand. "Refreshments and cocktails are already waiting in the parlor, and I invite you all to proceed there."
"You're looking well, Lucius," Cygnus said with a harrumph of disapproval. "A bit too well, if you ask me."
"Considering nobody did, it would be most proper if you proceeded to the parlor," Druella snapped sharply, chivying her protesting husband into the parlor, closely followed by Mr. and Mrs. Black. Severus exchanged a smirk with Regulus – it was obvious who the power in that relationship was.
Lucius' smile had taken on a frozen quality, but it never wavered as he turned to Sirius, who was sulking in one of the few shadows of the room. "Mr. Sirius, you should be pleased to know that your close friend Mr. Potter and his parents have already arrived and are in the parlor right now. If you would be so kind…"
"What, don't want me listening to your little plots?" Sirius sneered. "Please allow me to excuse myself – if I'm around Snivellus much longer –"
"Severus, Black," Lucius said dangerously. "Remember whose house you are in."
"Not of my choice, Malfoy," Sirius shot back. Then, with a scathing glare at Severus, he swept out of the room.
Lucius finally dropped the false smile as soon as Sirius was out of the room, replaced with his customary cold scowl. "By Merlin, that blood traitor repulses me. I feel sorry for you, Regulus."
"It's not an ideal arrangement," Regulus replied distractedly, his eyes scanning the room quickly. "Lucius, are the Black house elves here?"
"They came to help cook," Lucius replied, frowning slightly.
"Mind if I use one of the side rooms?"
Lucius shrugged, and Regulus quickly yanked open one of the many paneled doors on the wall, pulling it shut with a snap, leaving Severus and Lucius alone in the room.
"Snape," Lucius said, his appraising glare sweeping Severus, who drew himself up as proudly as he could.
"Malfoy."
"I'm pleased that you were able to attend, although I was surprised that you were coming with the Blacks."
Severus snorted. "Regulus offered; else I was going to come on my own. Frankly, I was surprised that I received an invitation at all, given my, ah, status."
"Blood does not entirely dim talent," Lucius replied briskly, pulling a bottle of wine out of a silver rack against the wall. "And you are certainly talented. I must say, you cleaned up very well tonight."
Severus grinned. "Better than some, I should say."
"I agree. What on earth was Regulus' brother wearing? More suitable for a carnival than for my father's birthday. Wine?"
Severus rolled his eyes. "Not before dinner, Malfoy. You taught me that."
Lucius smirked as he replaced the bottle on the rack. "So you did learn something from me. I'm impressed."
If I have impressed you, I have indeed learned, Severus thought darkly, his mind creating a rather stark image of accusing green eyes. More than you know.
Regulus knew he only had a few seconds when he let himself into the tiny room filled with scrolls and ledgers. Snapping his fingers, he whispered into the darkness, "Kreacher?"
There was a loud crack, and a second later, the house elf appeared in front of him, his bloodshot eyes wide with surprise as he sank into a deep bow.
"Master Regulus! What is you –"
"No time for that, Kreacher, I need your help," Regulus said in a low voice, withdrawing two bottles of Severus' antidote from his robe pockets. "I need you to make sure that every article of food and drink that my brother samples tonight is touched by this potion. If he consumes any food not touched by it, make sure that he consumes a piece touched by it immediately. Also make sure that this is magically put inside the wine bottles going to his table tonight. You know the spell?"
Kreacher nodded somewhat imperiously. "Of course Kreacher knows the spell – after all, elves make good wines for their masters."
Regulus smiled. That was true – elf wine was some of the best in the wizarding world, and was indeed one of the benefits of having a loyal house-elf – and the Blacks had many.
"Master?" Kreacher asked hesitantly. "Might Kreacher ask why you is trying to poison Master Sirius?"
Regulus laughed aloud. "Poison? I'm saving him, Kreacher, and this is the only way I can do it." He placed the two vials in Kreacher's large hands. "Don't let me down."
Kreacher bowed deeply, and with another crack, he disappeared.
Regulus let out a deep breath. So much for the easy part.
"So where are the Black sisters?" Severus asked Lucius conversationally as they entered the parlor and walked along the heavily-laden buffet. "I'm assuming they're why Cygnus looked so disapproving of you."
Lucius rolled his eyes and gave Severus a long-suffering look. "Nobody will be good enough for Cygnus Black's daughters, except –"
"Another Black," Severus finished with a grimace. "That's disgusting."
"I never was fond of the scallops."
"Not the scallops – although I will agree with you, they are disgusting," Severus finished, sliding away from the half-empty dish. "I can't understand how people can stomach those. But I meant the whole… well…"
"It's inbreeding," Lucius said curtly, rubbing his chin as he surveyed a dish of hors d'oerves. "It might be a blunt term, but it's entirely apt to this case, and all too common among pureblood families."
"So Cygnus is worse than Mr. Black?"
"You're referring to Orion? Absolutely, he's worse, but it's not like he's going to change. In any case, as for where the sisters are… well, I don't care where Andromeda is, but last time I saw them, Narcissa was in the ballroom speaking with Professor Slughorn –"
"Probably trying to boost her Potions mark," Severus said with a sigh. "The old bastard is suspect to flattery and bribery."
Lucius nodded with agreement. "And Bellatrix is likely hiding until she can find a solution to her little, ah, problem." He smirked in amusement. "Care to hear?"
"Oh, do tell," Severus said with interest. Like Lucius, he greatly enjoyed hearing about the haughty eldest Black sister get in trouble and humiliated. "What did dear Bella do now?"
"Got into an argument with Druella. From what Narcissa told me, it was nasty. Had something to do with appropriate wardrobe choices, if you know what I mean."
Severus rolled his eyes. Even at school, Bellatrix had always tried to get away with robes or outfits that were more… risqué than was approved by wizarding society. "So what did Druella do?"
Lucius smiled smugly. "Magically trapped Bellatrix in an outfit she wouldn't be caught dead in. Her punishment was to attend the entire party in the outfit, no matter the humiliation. So I expect that dear Bella is hiding and trying to revoke the magic – which won't be easy at all, considering that Druella took Bellatrix's wand away.
Severus winced. "That's nasty. Even for Bellatrix, that's a low blow. Do you know where she is?"
"What are you thinking, Snape?" Lucius asked with a raised eyebrow.
Severus shrugged. "Just thinking about how much I'd enjoy having Bellatrix Black in my debt."
"Oh, Mr. Snape, that's nasty. That's cruel," Lucius said sardonically, taking a crumpet from a tray held by a tiny house-elf. "I love it. Let's pay our respects to my father, get Narcissa, and then find Bellatrix. Do you think you could reverse the spell?"
Severus shrugged. "Maybe. Can't hurt to try." In reality, he was quite curious about the spell that Druella had used. Might be useful against Potter, depending on what it is…
The two slowly wended through the growing crowd, Lucius introducing several of the men to Severus. Most of their names slipped through his mind like water – he was more curious about the spell. I can't imagine what the incantation would be… I wonder if Lucius has a good Latin dictionary and magical theory book in his library…
"Ah, Snape, there's my father. And he's with… oh, damn –"
Severus looked up and his eyes widened. Speaking to the man Severus assumed was Abraxus Malfoy – he looked like a wiry, older version of his son – was a man that looked much like an older version of James Potter.
And right behind him was Sirius, chatting to James Potter himself.
Severus tensed, and his hand flew to his wand, but at that second Abraxus Malfoy noticed his son, and beckoned them closer.
"Lucius! By Merlin, I was wondering where you got off to!" Abraxus had a cold voice that twanged in the air. The older man – he looked younger than his age – rose to his feet and gestured to the man standing next to him. "This is an old comrade of mine, I don't believe I've introduced you. Charlus, this is my son Lucius and his friend… what's your friend's name?"
"Severus Snape," Lucius replied stiffly, having just spotted James and Sirius, who were eyeing both of them with absolute loathing. He turned to the man next to his father and extended his hand. "You must be Charlus Potter, sir. My father has spoken much about you."
"A pleasure to meet you," Charlus Potter said with a wide smile, ignoring Lucius and Severus' obvious discomfort. He was a thin man, his hair already significantly grey at his temples, but Severus detected strength in his grip when he shook his hand. There's more to him than what meets the eye. Pity the same is not true for his son…
"Severus Snape, sir," he said, meeting the man's hazel eyes with some trepidation. He didn't know what James had told his father about him, and didn't wish for a confrontation, particularly one that could embarrass Lucius. He – or more likely, his father – would kill me…
Charlus Potter frowned slightly. "Funny that my sons haven't mentioned you – you look about their year. Are you in Gryffindor?"
"Slytherin, sir."
"Ah, that would explain it," Charlus nodded with understanding, and he smoothly stepped aside to let James and Sirius approach. "James, Sirius, this is Severus Snape. Surely you've seen him around."
Severus worked to keep every ounce of recognition off his face, especially as Lucius and Abraxus were watching the exchange intently. The other two boys, unfortunately, were a bit less successful.
"We've seen him around, Dad," James said stiffly.
"Don't really move in the same circles," Sirius added through gritted teeth.
Severus gave both of them a cursory nod, even though his hand was cramping to draw his wand and hex both of them into oblivion. I could embarrass them by mentioning how they torment me to Mr. Potter, but at what gain? They'd likely get off, and Mr. Potter would be embarrassed, and that might make Lucius' father angry…
"Father, I'd ask that you'd excuse the two of us for a while," Lucius said smoothly, cutting off the awkward moment. "Severus and I have some matters to handle."
"Make sure you are back in time for dinner – it's in the ballroom," Abraxus replied sharply. "And the important delegates will be coming soon, too, especially…"
"Not necessary to mention," Lucius cut his father off. Too smooth, Severus thought, his mind blazing. This encounter was planned. "We'll be on time."
When the two had reached the side of the room, Lucius finally released a chuckle.
Severus threw him an irritated look. "It wasn't that funny."
"I wasn't laughing at you, Snape – Elladora Black just spilled punch all over her dress," Lucius replied. "Although watching you interact with the Potters was entertaining."
"You staged that," Severus hissed, an accusatory note in his voice.
Lucius shrugged. "Of course I did. I wanted to see how you would react. Suffice to say, it was quite entertaining. You continue to exceed my expectations, Snape."
"Of course he does," a new voice said, and out of the crowd came Narcissa Black, tossing her thick blonde hair out of her face. She looks stunning, Severus thought, awed despite himself, even as he appraised Narcissa's attire: a royal blue gown with a sweeping neckline and short train. A diamond necklace completed the outfit, fastened behind her hair, which had been left loose in waves down her back.
"My darling, you look gorgeous," Lucius said smoothly, kissing her hand with one fluid motion.
"And you sound more pompous than you should," Narcissa countered lightly. "Planning on engineering your father's early death?"
Lucius scoffed. "I have no desire to assume control of the estate - yet. So have you talked to Slughorn?"
Narcissa smiled. "Of course I did."
"And?"
"He can't change the grade, but he can put in a good word for me with the examiners." Narcissa shrugged as she turned towards Severus. "It was the best I could have hoped for. Ah, Severus, you look… well, I must say, you cleaned up rather well for this event. I'm impressed."
"You're not the only one," Severus replied irritably. Why is it so hard to believe that I can actually look decent for once? "As I was saying to Lucius, we were thinking of looking for Bellatrix."
Narcissa rolled her eyes. "Why would you waste your time?"
"We heard about the argument, and we have a plan that might put dear Bella in our debt," Lucius said softly, his eyes glinting. "Would you happen to know where she is hiding?"
Narcissa huffed. "Of course I know. I was hiding with her for a while – Evan Rosier was coming after me again."
Lucius' eyes narrowed. "What did Rosier do?"
"It's not important, I got away," Narcissa replied easily, but Severus could tell that something about her encounter had disturbed her, and that she didn't want Lucius to interfere. Judging how murderous Lucius looks, Rosier would likely be sliced into little pieces and served with the scallops.
"If that fool dares –" Lucius growled.
"He knows better than to try anything here, Malfoy," Severus interjected smoothly, sending a warning glare to Narcissa. "So where is Bellatrix?"
"Third guest-room on the second floor in the West Wing," Narcissa answered promptly, catching Severus' glare and interpreting it correctly – it would not be wise for Lucius to play the jealous lover against Rosier, whose family was nearly as strong as his own. "Have any ideas on how to break the spell?"
"A few," Severus admitted, a sly smile growing on his face. "But we won't know for sure until we try."
The West Wing of Malfoy Manor was typically reserved for guests, and to Severus' surprise, seemed even more ornate than the rooms he guessed were in normal use. Gold leaf delicately surrounded the polished wooden doors, and ornaments and beautiful painting lined the narrow hallways.
Lucius paused in front of a particularly striking image, a remarkable landscape with an enormous turreted castle. "Beautiful, isn't it? I should ask Father to let me move this painting to my room."
"You know that he'll never allow it," Narcissa replied sardonically. "It was a gift to him, not to you."
"It was a gift to the family, and that means I have as much ownership of it as anyone," Lucius snapped. "And besides, it was my friend who painted it."
"I didn't know Antonin Dolohov was a painter," Severus said quietly, examining the gold plaque set beneath the beautiful canvas.
"One of the best," Lucius replied with a scowl. "The man's too damned talented for his own good, if you ask me. He'll be a valuable asset to our cause when he finally joins."
Severus tensed. He didn't know that Antonin Dolohov wasn't a Death Eater – many former Slytherins were - but from what Lucius was saying, he was certainly a target for recruitment. As am I, he reminded himself. I need to keep my guard up around Lucius if I want to avoid the Mark.
They soon reached a door that, unlike all of the rest, was locked shut. Narcissa nodded with certainty.
Lucius rapped on the door. "Bellatrix! Are you in there?"
"I have no desire to see you now, Malfoy, so go away if you know what's best for you!" Bellatrix shrieked back through the door, but Severus noticed a catch in Bellatrix's voice. She's vulnerable, and she doesn't like it.
"Oh, let us in, Bella," Narcissa called, an exasperated edge in her voice. "We aren't going to let anyone else in."
"Who's with you?"
Narcissa rolled her eyes. "Does it matter?"
"Yes, it does! I don't want Rodolphus to see me like this!"
"It can't be that bad," Lucius said with irritation. "Besides, it's only me, Narcissa, and Severus Snape here."
There was a pause, and then, "Snape?"
"Yes, Bellatrix, I'm here," Severus said coolly. "We're here to help reverse the spell."
Contempt filled Bellatrix's tone. "Why did you bring him, Lucius?"
"Because he's one of the smartest wizards I know, and you're currently incapacitated," Lucius replied evenly. "Look, we all have wands. We might be able to help, and I'm sure you have an outfit that you'd rather wear."
"Of course I do. I smuggled it in this morning in case something went wrong with the one I was planning on –"
"I get the point," Lucius said tiredly. Drawing his wand, he pointed it at the door and with a muttered "Alohomora," the lock clicked. "We're coming in. Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be," Bellatrix said venomously. "And it's your house."
Lucius shoved the door open and strode into the guest room, Narcissa and Severus right behind him.
Severus heard Lucius swear with surprise, and he moved more into the room to see better –
"Dear Merlin, Bellatrix Black, what did you do to make your mother do this?"
Bellatrix could only glare furiously at Severus and Lucius, the latter who was trying to restrain his laughter at her outfit. Severus didn't even make an effort – his own well-developed sense of self-preservation had prevented him from even starting to laugh. Bellatrix is very dangerous, he reminded himself. Although she doesn't look it now…
Severus had been used to seeing Bellatrix wearing robes of dark shades that always seemed tighter than was appropriate. But now she was nearly unrecognizable in what Severus guessed was a gown that was nearly a century old. High-collared, frilly and with extremely puffy sleeves, it had an inordinately tight bodice that tapered to an unnaturally narrow waist before ballooning into a skirt that Severus guessed was far from regular in dresses. I'm no expert, but even I would recognize that a skirt with that many petticoats and extending with a radius of almost a meter with a full train are hardly normal – or comfortable!
But that was not the worst. The entire dress was coloured a brilliantly lurid baby pink, and covered with thick white lace stitching. Severus doubted that Bellatrix even had a single pink garment in her entire massive closet – she loathed the colour almost as much as she loathed Gryffindors.
Yet even the colour didn't compare to Bellatrix's face. Flushed scarlet beneath a thick layer of pink-tinged makeup, Bellatrix looked ready to kill anybody who got in her way. To Severus' astonishment (and smug pleasure at her extreme discomfort), somebody had even taken the liberty of turning Bellatrix's hair a brilliant blonde and curling it into tight ringlets, and judging by the expression on her face, the caster of those spells wouldn't have much longer to live if Bellatrix got her hands back on her wand.
"Is that you, Bellatrix?" Lucius asked, choking back laughter. "I can't be sure, given your outfit…"
"Not funny at all, Lucius," Bellatrix hissed. "If I wasn't trapped in this damned dress, I would strangle you with my bare hands."
"I don't know, Bella. I find it quite becoming, if you ask me," Narcissa remarked sardonically, casually leaning against the wall and toying with a stray lock of her own blonde hair. "You should really wear this outfit more often. You look like the perfect little innocent princess."
Bellatrix's face contorted in fury. "I don't care if you're my sister, you're still a bitch."
"Naughty little princess," Lucius remarked indulgently, a wide smirk still on his face. "You should really come down with us…"
"I can barely move in this dress, Malfoy!" Bellatrix screamed – or at least tried to before she had to gasp for air. She clutched at her chest, and Severus guessed that her dress looked to be just a tad too tight.
"Oh, what's the matter, Bella?" Narcissa said as her own smile widened. "Corset too tight for you?"
"I… hate you…" Bellatrix gasped.
Severus rolled his eyes. "Honestly, I enjoy pointless banter as much as anyone, but we really must do something… if indeed we're doing anything," he added, directing a pointed glance at Lucius and Narcissa. He stepped closer, eyeing Bellatrix in full light. "Do you know how your beloved mother put you in this monstrosity?"
"I only –" Bellatrix's mouth suddenly snapped shut, and Severus could only watch with astonishment as she struggled to wrench it open again. That's very strange… it seems as if her lips sealed shut the second she could have told us how to free her! Was that a separate jinx or was that incorporated into the same spell? If it was, that would certainly be a curse to learn!
"You know, I think we should really take Bellatrix down with us," Lucius said with a malicious smile. "Don't you think so, Bella? No response? Excellent." He turned to Severus, completely ignoring Bellatrix wildly shaking her head. "As a matter of fact, given how observant Rodolphus is, he might not even recognize her! Want a date, Snape?"
Severus shook his head, placing a wistful look on his face. "I'd love to, Lucius," he deadpanned, the sarcasm thick in his voice, "but I fear that Bellatrix might murder me if she ever does get her gloved hands on her wand again."
"That's the thing, Severus," Narcissa said with a smirk. "She can't even touch a wand while she wears those cute little gloves – they're jinxed to repel them. Mother said it's tied to the spell that put Bellatrix in this beautiful gown. If you look carefully, you'd also notice that the gloves are pulled under the sleeve of the dress and buttoned down so Bellatrix couldn't get them off. And given my dear mother's temper and sadistic tendencies, one could technically keep Bella like this forever, and she couldn't do a damned thing to stop it. Still tempted?"
Severus turned back to Bellatrix, who was now looking utterly horrified at the possibilities that her younger sister had suggested. He dispassionately raked Bellatrix with his eyes, noticing everything from the emphasized curve of her heaving breasts to her narrow waist to her striking face, covering with thick makeup. It was a tempting offer, and he knew that a young man like Rosier would have killed for such an opportunity.
His eyes finally settled on a brooch locked around Bellatrix's high collar, holding a massive white diamond. Even without raising his wand, he could sense the powerful magic in the brooch. It's probably what's keeping the jinx active… such a complex spell would likely require a focus, and that brooch might be the thing keeping the spell from failing…
Severus extended his hand. "Come, Bellatrix. You can either come with me of your own free will, or I will force you, and trust me, that will be worse than anything your mother has done to you."
Bellatrix glared with absolute hatred, but Severus could see the moisture brimming in her eyes. Slowly gathering her skirts, Bellatrix approached, taking tiny steps towards Severus. Narcissa and Lucius exchanged smiles, but Narcissa's vanished the second Lucius looked away. She doesn't know my plan, Severus thought smugly. She thinks I've become as callous as Rosier…
"Take my hand, Bella."
Bellatrix hesitated, her eyes betraying her fear in the twisted grin on Severus' face. Ever so slowly, she raised her gloved hand to Severus', shaking in the candlelight…
Severus didn't even take her hand. Moving with the speed of hours of practice, he drew his wand, sidestepped around Bellatrix (difficult, given the sheer enormity of her skirts and train), and pointed his wand at the tiny locked clasp of the diamond brooch.
"Reducto!"
With a crack that sounded as if a thunderbolt had burst in the room, the lock of the brooch broke open. With a hiss, it tumbled into Severus' waiting hand. Bellatrix could only watch with astonishment as the horrible dress evaporated into pink mist, which flowed into the diamond of the brooch. Her hair turned black and wavy again, and the makeup faded away.
Wearing only a white shift that Severus guessed was only suitable for nightwear, Bellatrix turned to Severus in utter shock as he pocketed the brooch, the diamond adorning it now a bright pink. He rolled his eyes at her astounded expression.
"Honestly, Bellatrix, did you think I was going to force you to attend in that atrocious outfit?" Severus said with a smirk of his own.
"I thought you were," Lucius admitted.
"Guess I'm convincing, then," Severus said scathingly. "Bellatrix, please put some clothes on, and act as though nothing had happened tonight. The last thing I need is a reputation for chivalry I don't deserve."
He turned away as Bellatrix scrabbled in the closet for some clothes, and before Narcissa and Lucius could even respond, Severus had left the room.
"What was that all about?" Narcissa asked Severus when she finally found him, standing on a balcony in a room just a few corridors away from Bellatrix's. "You practically fled the scene after you broke the spell – congratulations on that, by the way."
"It was a Reductor Curse," Severus replied moodily. "Nothing special."
"Then why are you sulking?" Narcissa persisted. "I could understand Lucius' disappointment, but not yours. I mean, Bellatrix is in your debt now. Isn't that what you wanted?"
Severus did not reply for a few seconds, his posture slumped and weary. Finally he spoke, his voice soft and listless. "I don't know what came over me. I just felt… I think I enjoyed tormenting Bellatrix too much."
Narcissa's eyes narrowed. "And? I'd enjoy it too, if I had the opportunity."
"That's not the point, Narcissa!"
"Then what is?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest defiantly. "What's the big problem? What you did there was noble –"
Severus snorted. "I used an unfortunate circumstance for my own personal gain. How is that noble, Narcissa?"
"You could have taken advantage of her," Narcissa said quietly. "Most boys in your year would have. By Merlin, for a while there I thought you were going to. You are deceptive when you want to be."
"I would never have done that!" Severus snarled, his cheeks colouring. "I am not Evan Rosier."
"Clearly," Narcissa said, a note of relief in her voice that disturbed Severus somewhat. "Just the same, I think Miss Evans would have been proud of what you did back there."
Severus didn't respond to that, and an oddly tortured look crossed his face. His hands shook, and he grabbed the marble rail of the balcony for support.
Finally, after nearly thirty seconds of silence, Narcissa huffed. "Look, I'm all for self-examination, but we really do have to get back downstairs for the banquet. Lucius will be looking for us, and he did promise his father that we'd all be back on time."
"Can't disappoint dear Lucius now, can we?" Severus replied with a twisted grin, turning back towards the manor.
"Oh, be quiet. And speaking of disappointment, I think you might have disappointed him the most with your behavior towards Bellatrix."
"I didn't think their antagonism ran that deep."
"It's not that at all – Lucius was actually hoping you'd take Bellatrix down with you."
Severus snorted again. "And why did he think I would have any motivation to do that?"
Narcissa rolled her eyes. "She wasn't questioning your motivation, Severus. He's just concerned about his bet."
Severus sighed deeply. "He was involved in the pool too?"
"Absolutely," Narcissa replied, a wide smile growing across her face as they left the West Wing. "And he bet it all that you'd end up with dear Bella in the end. You should have seen the odds they gave him."
Severus put his hand to his forehead. "Spurious betting and contests of honor. How much worse can this evening get?"
"Plenty worse," a voice emerged from a side corridor. Severus turned to see Regulus, his hair in moderate disarray and his eyes wide with panic, approaching.
"I was wondering where you got off to," Narcissa said accusingly. "Where were you?"
"Trying to avoid Rosier," Regulus replied. "He's in a foul mood after you rejected him – and when he found out that he's sitting at Potter and Black's table tonight."
Severus' mouth fell open with shock. "Please tell me you're kidding."
Regulus shook his head. "I told you it would be bad."
But a grin was spreading across Narcissa's face.
"And what do you think is so good about this?" Regulus snapped.
"Well, simply that there's such a concentration of raw ego and sexual tension at that table, it might just neutralize or implode nicely, leaving us minus three arrogant toerags." Narcissa raised a hand speculatively. "Care to bet on how long it will take before the three of them kill each other?"
"No money to spare, sorry," Severus replied tiredly, as they moved into the parlor. Only a few people were left in the room, most having already moved to the ballroom. Lucius, surprisingly, was waiting for them.
"It's about time you three got down here, Mother's nearly going into conniptions about how this meal is going to proceed without becoming the expected fiasco," Lucius said tersely, chivying them into the sumptuously appointed ballroom, which was filled with people and idle chatter. Severus immediately spotted Abraxus Malfoy at the head table, with his wife on his right and Charlus Potter on the left.
"Where are we sitting, Lucius?"
The young man pointed at a small table just a few meters away from the head table, where five of the seats were already occupied, leaving only four left. "I did promise I'd get good seats, Narcissa, and a Malfoy never reneges on his promises."
"How did Bellatrix manage to get down so fast?" Severus murmured, watching as Bellatrix gave him an appraising glare before returning to avid conversation with her fiancée.
"Clearly, she had other things on her mind besides idling," Lucius snapped. "Now come on, I want you to meet Antonin and Augustus before dinner."
Despite himself, a thrill leaped through Severus' body. From a distance, he had always admired Antonin Dolohov, the famous English Quidditch player who was as reserved as he was talented. He didn't just devise brilliant tactics in Quidditch either – his mastery of Magical Theory was extremely impressive for his young age – he had been in the same year as Lucius, six years ahead of Severus.
He didn't know so much about Augustus Rookwood, but Severus recognized the former Ravenclaw's impressive career advancement along with the rest of the wizarding world. Gaining a position in the Department of Mysteries right out of Hogwarts, the shrewd young man was known to have a single-mindedness that many considered terribly unfair. Lucius has certainly made some powerful friends, Severus thought with a smirk. Almost like me… and if I can forge contacts with Dolohov and Rookwood, things could only look up…
Bellatrix was the first to rise as Lucius' group approached the table, her typical expression of haughty disdain crossing her face.
"Well, it's about time you showed up, beloved sister. What took you?"
"Intuitive self-discovery and analysis of our own faults and failings," Severus answered smoothly for Narcissa. "You should really try it sometime, Miss Black."
Lucius and Regulus chuckled openly, along with the two men that Severus immediately guessed were Dolohov and Rookwood. Both rose to their feet to warmly shake hands with Lucius.
"I was wondering when you were going to show up, Malfoy! We've been looking for a beacon of reason amidst the sea of politics!" the first man said with a smirk.
"You actually think Lucius is a 'beacon of reason'?" Severus muttered under his breath to Regulus, but the man somehow heard the comment and openly guffawed.
"I like this one, Lucius! Who is he?"
"Antonin, this is Severus Snape, one of my protégés out of Hogwarts. Snape, this is Antonin Dolohov…" Lucius gave Dolohov a tired glare. "Do you want to give your list of accomplishments, or should I?"
"A list would really not be necessary," the second man growled, who Severus guessed was Augustus Rookwood. "We've heard enough about Antonin's achievements from the Prophet without allowing him to expound on it."
"You're just jealous, Augustus, that your job is all 'top-secret' and that it has no glory whatsoever," Dolohov replied with an unerring smirk. Leaning close to Severus, he gave a big smile and said in a stage whisper, "I think it's his lack of a social life that gets to him. That and the smell…"
Rookwood purpled, but the rest of the table was already laughing. Severus even gave a brief chuckle as he took his seat between Narcissa and Regulus.
"So, to continue Lucius' woefully inadequate introductions," Dolohov continued, "I am Antonin Dolohov. Now, I won't boast – why should I, when the papers do it for me –"
Rookwood, Lucius, and Bellatrix all snorted with disdain.
"But I will boast of my lovely wife Regina Dolohov!" Dolohov finished with a wide grin and flamboyant gesture towards the beautiful woman sitting next to him. Severus immediately felt uneasy looking at the woman; with hair the colour of an open candle-flame, eyes that were a liquid brown, and hardness to her classic features that only belied her ominous aura, he knew that she was definitely not one to cross. She's probably more intimidating than Bellatrix, but it's a different kind of intimidation. Regina Dolohov doesn't have the same… darkness that dear Bella has, but far more fire. A very dangerous witch indeed.
"To continue around the table, on my beautiful wife's immediate left are the wondrously opaque Rodolphus Lestrange and his lovely fiancée Bellatrix..."
Rodolphus gave a mute nod, his attention more focused on the table where Abraxus was sitting, where several seats had been left empty. Probably for high ranking dignitaries, but why is Rodolphus so interested? Severus wondered.
"After him is a person of no real repute…"
Rookwood glared furiously at Dolohov. No love lost there, Severus thought wryly.
"And I think that's everyone that you don't know!" Dolohov finished with a wide smile. "And it's just in time for the parade of dignitaries! Pomp and ceremony await – all the stuffed shirts sauntering in…"
Lucius nearly put his head in his hands. "Antonin, if you can't maintain proper respect, I will throw you out."
"And where will you get prime Quidditch tickets from then?"
"Ludo Bagman!"
"The man's an idiot! Why would you even bother?"
"That's my point."
"He's been hit by Bludgers so much, he'd probably mix up next day's game for next year's," Dolohov said snidely.
"I'll take the risk," Lucius muttered, watching intently as his father rose to shake hands with the Minister of Magic, a balding, heavy-set mustachioed man known as Athanasius Acontine.
"Career politician," Regulus whispered to Severus. "We've had him over for dinner a few times, and he's quite susceptible to bribery. Many think he's on Abraxus' payroll."
"Along with half the Ministry," Severus muttered. He knew as well as anyone that the Malfoys had always enjoyed meddling at the Ministry of Magic. He noticed though, that Barty Crouch Senior seemed extremely tense and wary when he shook Abraxus Malfoy's hand. There's definitely antagonism there, Severus thought curiously. I know that Crouch is the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement…
The answer to his thoughts became apparent seconds later when the tall oaken doors of the ballroom boomed open, revealing a single shadowy figure.
The entire room went silent, and many people blanched with horror. They knew that he had been invited, but they hadn't realized how open he would be in his arrival.
"Snape… it's…"
"I know, Regulus," Severus whispered, as he stared at the disturbing pallor and livid red eyes of the Dark Lord, Lord Voldemort.
The Dark Lord surveyed the room casually, locking his eyes on any who dared look at him. Out of the corner of his eye, Severus could see Lucius flinch and clutch his left forearm.
Some people met the Dark Lord's gaze, though. Dolohov eyed him with a mingled expression of curiosity and pride. Rosier, who Severus could see across the room, was eagerly staring at the Dark Lord with unchecked greed.
And James Potter, Sirius Black, and Barty Crouch Sr. were all glaring at the Dark Lord with undisguised hatred.
The Dark Lord took a few steps forward into the hall – not seeming to notice the chairs scuffling in the silence as people shied away from him – and extended his hand towards Abraxus. Severus inhaled sharply. By taking the handshake, he's as much as throwing his allegiance behind the Dark Lord… and that could potentially jeopardize his Ministry contacts, especially those opposed to the Dark Lord's precepts. Even though the Dark Lord hasn't done anything openly illegal, it might be risky to initiate ties explicitly, especially in front of nearly all the richest wizarding family in Britain…
Abraxus stared at the imposing figure for a few short seconds, and then, with a curt motion that got a gasp from nearly half of the crowd, he shook the Dark Lord's hand.
Well, that was surprising, Severus thought, noticing the look of smug pleasure on Lucius' face.
Abraxus gestured towards an unoccupied seat at the head table, and the Dark Lord slowly sat down. Turning back to the astounded crowd, the older man cleared his throat.
"The Dark Lord, known as Lord Voldemort, is a guest of honour at this gathering," Abraxus said clearly, his tone emotionless, "as much as any of my other guests tonight. Like all else here, he will be treated with the courtesy and respect accorded to a wizard of pure-blood and power."
Several of the Ministry officials exchanged skeptical looks at this, and Barty Crouch looked simply murderous at the pronouncement.
"Now, let the feast begin!" Abraxus clapped his hands, and like the tables of Hogwarts, the empty silver dishes on the tables magically filled with appetizers – some of which, Severus noted, were of much higher quality than what he had typically seen at Hogwarts.
The arrival of food had stymied some of the conversation, but Severus still heard scared and angry whispers passing through the crowd. Leaning towards Lucius, he whispered, "Isn't your father taking an enormous risk here by letting him in?"
Lucius shrugged. "If anything, it only aids the Dark Lord's cause – it gives him an element of legitimacy that he has found very difficult to attain. And it also throws a political wrench into the plans of such elements," (he glared pointedly at Crouch, who was whispering frantically to the people at his table), "that would see the Dark Lord removed from power."
"Crouch is in quite a fix now, then?" Dolohov said between bites. "What are you planning then, Lucius?"
"I know where my loyalties lie," Lucius replied evenly. "With my Lord and with my family. There are no laws prohibiting either."
"Yet," Rookwood muttered. "I've heard things…"
Lucius threw him a sharp look. "Later, Rookwood. We'll talk about it later."
"I'd prefer to ask," Rodolphus said unexpectedly, "for more details regarding that little incident in the Ludicrous Patents Office that your family got involved in, Lucius. It was in the papers."
Lucius flushed. "A trifling matter, nothing more…"
Dolohov rolled his eyes. "Sure, sure. Last time I heard that phrase was when we were playing East Germany in the semi-finals of the Quidditch World Cup and my Beater got into this brawl with the Muggle Soviet police…"
Severus rolled his eyes, knowing enough of Professor Slughorn's tendencies to notice a long-winded reminiscence coming. Instead, he turned to Regulus, who was eyeing Sirius' table carefully.
"No brawls yet, but my mother was clever choosing that table," Regulus murmured, more to himself than to Severus. "Notice that besides Sirius, Potter, Rosier, and Damian Mulciber, there are five other girls from rich pureblood families – including Andromeda."
Severus cocked an eyebrow. "She'd probably be the best match for Black personality-wise, but isn't incest a little much?"
"It'd please Uncle Cygnus."
"Well, thank God then for the antidote," Severus muttered, prompting a chuckle from Narcissa and Regulus.
"I must admit, Aunt Walpurga is going farther this time than I'd expect," Narcissa said quietly, ignoring the laughter from Lucius and Dolohov as they began another tale. "She must really want Sirius under her thumb."
"He is the eldest son," Severus pointed out. "And the more spirited the fight, the harder the tyrant holds."
"Are you calling my mother a tyrant?" Regulus asked sharply.
Severus rolled his eyes. "Wouldn't you call her a tyrant?"
Regulus stabbed moodily at his salad. "Probably," he muttered after a few seconds, and Severus laughed.
"So, as I was saying earlier," Narcissa said as their salads and appetizers vanished, to only be replaced by their first entrée (Severus knew there would be five courses that evening), "you certainly cleaned up well, Severus. What's the next step?"
Severus unconsciously rubbed a lank strand of hair that was falling in his face. "I'm not sure…"
Narcissa leaned close, her eyes glittering. "You know, I was looking in the manor library the other day and I found an interesting little volume called Do-It-Yourself Hair-Care Potions. It's a little book – I think my mother got it from her second cousin a few years ago as a Yule gift – but I could send it to you. It might be just what you need, and it would certainly save you money if you could do it yourself."
"I don't want to try anything too fancy, though," Severus said cautiously, but not before checking to see that nobody besides Regulus was listening in. "I just want to… well, make it work. And ingredients for potions are seldom cheap."
"Cheaper than designer hair-care potions themselves," Narcissa shot back. "I know, believe me – you think this all comes natural?"
"Could have had me fooled," Severus muttered to himself, but Narcissa only laughed.
The rest of the first entrée went without incident or without note, but by the second (salmon), Severus noted that a few people had begun to consume a tad too much wine. Prompted by the appearance of the Dark Lord (who seemed to be savouring his salmon and making polite conversation to those brave enough to talk to him), several people began to bolster their courage with alcohol. Subsequently, the conversation grew louder and a bit more raucous. Severus could hear Slughorn's booming voice from across the hall.
"So, Mr. Snape… do you mind if I call you Severus?' Dolohov asked, setting down his fork.
"It's, ah, not an issue," Severus replied, growing a bit pale. Why on earth does Dolohov want to talk to me? Surely there are more interesting people!
"Good. Anyway, Lucius tells me that you've made a quite a reputation for yourself at Hogwarts."
Severus turned to face Lucius. "What have you told him?" he asked dangerously.
"Nothing bad, Snape, or out of the ordinary," Lucius replied airily. "Merely that you've made a habit of inventing spells to suit the situation."
Severus reddened slightly. "Well, we all know it's not that easy," he said, already cursing his weak attempt at humor.
But Dolohov chuckled and nodded in agreement. "True enough, Severus. Spoken like a true spell-maker, if I do say so myself. Tell me, do you start with the words and move into the incantation, with cadence and wand-motions next, or do you idly flick until you produce inspiration?"
Severus shrugged. "I read a lot, so I, uh, just tend to find concepts and, well, adapt them," he finished rather lamely.
Dolohov cocked an eyebrow. "But how do you come up with the words? You don't start with the verbal trigger and move onwards? Are you saying your spell creation is concept-based?"
Severus swallowed hard. "I g-guess you could call it that. A good Latin dictionary helps, and sometimes combining concepts and produce some interesting results…"
Dolohov stared at Severus for a long few seconds before letting out a loud burst of laughter. "Dear Merlin, Lucius, you've got a prodigy on your hands here!"
Severus went red at being called 'a prodigy', but Lucius only smirked. "Surely, Antonin, his methods don't compare to your talents –"
"Don't dismiss Severus so quickly," Dolohov warned, "or else you'll be on the nastier end of an invented spell. So what have you created, young man?"
It rankled a bit to be called 'young man' by a man only six years his senior, but Severus began to speak about the few spells he invented: the Langlock jinx, the toenail hex (he really hadn't been able to come up with a better name for that one), the Muffliato charm, and his most infamous so far, Levicorpus.
"So it was designed as non-verbal?" Dolohov pursued, shoving away his third entrée as he listened intently to Severus. A Quick-Quotes Quill was skidding across the parchment, scribbling notes as both had talked - nothing that substantial, as Severus had been explicitly careful not to give anything away too valuable.
"Initially, yes," Severus replied, taking a sip of his wine (one of the better bottles – Lucius only allowed the best at his table), "but by the time the spell got circulated throughout Hogwarts, the verbal version gained preeminence."
"That makes sense, considering how non-verbal spells are sixth-year. And you said you made that spell when?"
"Beginning of fifth year," Severus replied curtly, a bit disgruntled and embarrassed – he never was comfortable discussing where he was in his own stage of magical learning, as it always tended to move to the fact that he was far more advanced in the Dark Arts than most students leaving Hogwarts.
Dolohov whistled. "Well, Severus, I'm surprised that you don't have the entire school in your pocket by now. With a brain like that –"
"Unfortunately, Mr. Dolohov, intellect is not the factor that most people utilize when judging others in Hogwarts," Severus interrupted, his voice icy. "I am tolerated, but little more. It is not my aim to be popular." He spat the word and threw a disgusted glare at James and Sirius, who were laughing at some joke Andromeda had made at their table. He also noticed that Rosier looked more mutinous that usual, with an air of… jealousy?
Dolohov shrugged. "I know what that's like, believe me. No matter how smart and inventive I was, Lucius here always got the credit. Sly little bastard."
"Now see here –" Lucius began, but Dolohov, Severus, Regulus, and Narcissa were already laughing. Regina threw her husband an exasperated glare, but she didn't make to stop him. She probably gets a lot of it at home too, Severus thought.
"You never should have invited him," Rookwood muttered.
To Severus' surprise, dessert passed without incident – he had expected a food fight or a drunken brawl to have broken out by now. But in what seemed like no time at all, the tables were soon spotless and were magically sliding to the sides of the rooms, creating a large space for…
"Well, dear Regina, would you care to dance?" Dolohov asked in a dramatic voice that nearly caused Regulus to sputter in his glass.
Regina, for the first time the entire evening, gave a warm smile. "I'd love to, Antonin." And with that, the two got up and moved onto the dance floor, with Bellatrix and Rodolphus right behind them.
"Forgive me, Narcissa, for not giving you this first dance, but I really must speak with the Dark Lord," Lucius apologized, and before Narcissa could comment, the blond man was gone with Rookwood, leaving an exasperated and impatient Narcissa behind with Severus.
"Where did Regulus go?" she asked suddenly.
Severus frowned as he peered around the room. "It looks like he's giving something to Potter over by that window… oh damn it…"
For he had just seen Regulus press a vial of the antidote into James' hands. You idiot, how could you trust Potter with something that important! Severus thought furiously. Thankfully, it's your problem, not mine.
He turned to Narcissa. "So what now?"
Narcissa shrugged with frustration. "Well, I just have to wait for Lucius to come back… unless…"
"No."
"You don't even know what I was going to say!"
"I can guess. The answer is no."
Narcissa huffed disdainfully. "So I guess if I actually asked if you wanted to dance then –"
"That was it? Well, in that case…. no."
Narcissa leaned close. "You know, such skills would come in handy if you ever were to get with Lily."
Severus clenched his fist. "The answer is no."
"Coward."
Severus' eyes flashed. "What did you call me?"
"A coward."
He abruptly stood, and grabbed Narcissa's hand, yanking her close. "You want this so bad, Narcissa Black? Fine, I will dance with you – just to prove that I'm no coward."
Narcissa only gave a sweet smile and pointed at the floor. "You haven't convinced me yet, Severus."
Severus gritted his teeth, and led Narcissa out onto the dance floor, taking her hand and her waist. A second later, the musicians along the far wall began to play a fast-paced waltz, and they began to dance.
He closed his eyes, and let the classical music flow over him as he carefully timed every motion. He knew that dancing, like potion-making and spell-casting, was an art requiring careful timing and even more careful judgments. Grace under pressure… keep it smooth, but rhythmic…
"You dance well," Narcissa said, her own voice betraying her surprise as they spun on the floor into the next steps. "Where did you learn?"
"Lucius gave some of his housemates lessons one winter," Severus replied curtly. "He figured we might need to learn someday."
Narcissa smirked. "You still seem… guarded. Why won't you… let go a bit? Is this dance too formal for you, or are you afraid to bare something we haven't seen before, or do you just not know how?"
Severus nearly froze and lost his count, Narcissa's barbed words sinking deep into his pride. Is that what she thinks? That I do not know how? She should learn the truth…
The waltz picked up a faster beat, and Severus made his decision. With a sound escaping his lips like a feral growl, he pulled her close and grimly stared at her.
"Let's see if you can handle me with my guard down," he whispered fiercely, enjoying the look of confusion that passed across Narcissa's features.
Then, his precise count drifting to the center of his psyche, he began to dance with Narcissa like he never had before. There was formality still, but Severus' motions were different. Sinuous, like the snakes of his house… with a feral power that he knew he had rarely shown…
Almost even sensual…
Narcissa gasped in surprise when Severus pulled her tight against him, but he knew that she was too well-trained to give more of a response. Indeed, when he looked back into her eyes, he could see a challenging light there, and her every motion matched his in sensuality, in passion…
They spun, they twisted, they whirled, her blonde hair whipping against his black. They kept eye contact through all their motions, the light of feral challenge gleaming there as they both pushed each other's limits… and began to surpass them.
All too soon, as the music reached its final crescendo, it stopped, and Severus and Narcissa froze, suddenly realizing that they were in the center of the dance floor, and breathing very hard. Astonished murmurs passed through the hall, and Severus could distinctly hear Slughorn clapping enthusiastically.
James Potter hadn't danced first, but he had watched with dawning incomprehension and anxiety. What he had just seen didn't fit with what he knew about the two – it contradicted the entire logic that he had created for himself for five solid years.
He turned to Sirius, who looked even more shocked than he did. "Since when did Snivellus learn how to dance like that? He's better than me!"
"Well, that was… entertaining," Narcissa said, pulling a lock of blonde hair out of her face, a look of pleased satisfaction crossing her face. "I certainly didn't expect that out of you."
Severus smirked. "I'm not surprised."
"You dance extremely well," she added as they approached the side tables. "I'm sure Lucius didn't teach you those moves. Who did, Bellatrix?"
The eldest Black sister stepped out of the crowd, her own hair slightly tousled as she gave Severus another appraising look. "I never taught Snape anything – he seems full of surprises tonight."
"Why are you off the dance floor?" Severus asked curiously, picking up his water. "Where's Rodolphus?"
Bellatrix jerked her head towards the Head Table, where her fiancé was speaking with several other men who Severus immediately guessed served the Dark Lord.
"Forgive me, Severus, but I need to use a bathroom," Narcissa said, grabbing a hold of Bellatrix's black gown. "Bellatrix does too – just to freshen up. If you'd excuse us…"
"Of course," Severus replied dully, setting his glass of water on the table with a dull thunk. I need something to drink, he thought, his mind still mired in the hot flames of his passionate dance with Narcissa.
It had been something he hadn't expected of her – hell, it hadn't been something he would have expected from himself – but he did it anyways. He didn't dare tell Narcissa who had taught him – that was a secret that he did not wish anyone to learn. It's between me and her, he privately swore, and no one else…
"You were really quite… impressive, out there, you know," a voice said from his side as he approached the bar.
"Really, Regulus, you could have been dancing too," Severus replied morosely, accepting the glass of water from the waiter.
"And frankly, I'm surprised Narcissa rose to the occasion," Regulus finished, getting to his feet. "People are already talking, you know – how you, of all people, ended up with her. No insult to you," he quickly added, "but it's just… unexpected."
"It's more than unexpected," a cold voice said from directly behind Severus. He froze – he knew that voice very well.
"One could say," Lucius Malfoy continued dangerously, "that it was almost scandalous. Leave, Black, I have dealings with this one."
Severus met Lucius' cold stare with his own as Regulus left reluctantly. "She provoked it, not me, Malfoy."
"I know what I saw," Lucius replied with steel in his voice. "It was quite convincing."
"There's nothing between us besides friendship, Malfoy, and you know it. She feels nothing for me." At least I bloody hope not, he thought, knowing the fury that Lucius would have if Narcissa really did feel something…
But Lucius, as soon as Regulus was out of ear shot, smirked and gave a brief chuckle. "Believe me, Severus, I know that."
Severus frowned, his fear draining into confusion. "Then why the furious spectacle?"
"Personal entertainment value, mostly. And," he added in a low voice, "to make things explicit between us. You did something very dangerous there, Snape, and if I was a lesser man, you'd be cursed into tiny pieces on the floor for dancing with my future wife in that manner."
"She initiated it, not me," Severus repeated, ice filling his gut.
"I know, Snape," Lucius replied unexpectedly. "You played your part in the plan well, I must say."
"What plan?"
Lucius did not answer, only turning back to the dance floor, where he watched as Bellatrix danced with Dolohov. "You dance very well, Severus. I did not teach you those moves."
"And I won't reveal who did," Severus replied evenly.
"Others have noticed."
"I don't really care what they think."
"The Dark Lord noticed – and sends his compliments."
Severus set his glass up against the bar – if he had held it much longer, it would have shattered when it dropped from his shaking hands. I'm not taking the Mark tonight, if that's what you're implying, Malfoy! It's too early…
"I hadn't noticed his attention," he said aloud, his voice stiff.
"Well, he has noticed you, and he is willing to offer you… let's call it, a fast track," Lucius gave Severus a smugly triumphant smile. "Tonight, if you want."
Severus caught the innuendos easily – he was being offered the Dark Mark, tonight, if he wanted it. And he knew that those who refused tended to vanish without a trace.
"It's too soon, Malfoy," he replied coolly. "Who else has this opportunity been offered to?"
"That's not the point of this conversation, Snape. We're talking about you here."
"And it would be a risk that I don't believe that the Dark Lord should take. It's not prudent."
Lucius' eyes were icy with suspicion. "Care to explain that sentiment?"
"Would you care to explain to Professor Dumbledore how the Dark Mark ended up on the forearm of one of the most notorious students in the school?" Severus shot back, rapidly inventing a cover story. I need to phrase it so that it would be detrimental to the Dark Lord to Mark me early… that bluff might work. "I have quite a reputation for the Dark Arts at Hogwarts already, Malfoy. Dumbledore and McGonagall would not hesitate to throw me out. And you know how both of them feel about Slytherins. And Slughorn's protection doesn't extend to me – he barely notices that I exist." His voice was bitter as his dark eyes met Lucius' grey stare. "It would not be wise to link me to the Dark Lord while I remain at Hogwarts. It would be… dangerous… to the Dark Lord's cause."
"You could conceal it."
Severus snorted. "And how long would that last, Malfoy? Besides, the other boys would soon discover it, and I don't trust their reliability. Hell, Rosier would probably kill me as soon as he found out, simply because I got the Mark before he did."
"Rosier's desires don't factor into this issue," Lucius growled. "Are you refusing the Mark?"
Severus fought to restrain a smirk. He had Lucius on the defensive – right where he wanted him. "Not exactly, no. Just… delaying the process, if you will. If the Dark Lord wants my services – in which I will only give once I have the Mark – he must be content to rely on other sources or wait until I leave school."
"And then?" Lucius pursued. "Will you take the Mark then?"
"Much can happen in two years," Severus replied ambiguously. "But that is the most you will get out of me, so let's move onto a topic of substance."
"You consider this offer an idle request?" Lucius snarled.
"Not at all, just an offer that is misguided, especially if you wish to attain a valued supporter once I have left the school," Severus replied evenly. "I'm sure you can use Rosier well enough right now."
"I won't have dealings with that imbecile!"
"Good, because he is an imbecile," Severus spat.
"But he's a dangerous one, and his father is no one to scoff at," Lucius added in a low voice. "If anything, now that I think of it, having someone loyal to me at Hogwarts – especially in your position – can only be beneficial."
Severus raised an eyebrow. This is interesting. "What are you implying, Lucius?"
"I stated that Rosier's desires didn't factor into your offer, but they do factor into other dealings, some a bit closer to home, especially for you and I."
Ah, I get it. "So this is about Narcissa, then?"
"Rosier is already taking action to take her," Lucius spat, "and nothing I can say will dissuade him from his course. He does not fear me – indeed, he laughed in my face when I spoke to him a few minutes ago."
Severus understood. "You weren't talking to the Dark Lord – you were speaking to Rosier."
"Interrogating him, more like, about his intentions for Narcissa," Lucius finished with a burning look in his eyes that Severus found disconcerting. Why do I get the feeling that I am going to be dragged into this?
"Which are?"
Lucius set down his drink on a side table and motioned for Severus to sit down. Once Severus had settled himself, Lucius leaned in close. "Rosier's father is a highly placed criminal lawyer in the Wizengamot, with extensive investments in Gringotts and the International Confederation of Wizards. He's also a Death Eater of good standing. Now, Rosier has made it explicitly clear to his father that he wants Narcissa for his bride, and unfortunately, Cygnus seems open to the offer."
"But aren't Rosier and Narcissa related?" Severus asked, perplexed and more than a little disgusted. "I mean, her mother was a Rosier."
"Distaff cousins, nothing more. It's not quite as incestuous as it could be, but Narcissa is utterly repulsed by Rosier – and more than a little afraid of him and his reputation among the Slytherin girls he's been with. Apparently," Lucius lowered his voice even further, "it hasn't been pretty."
Severus felt the bile rise in his throat, and he glanced over to where Rosier was laughing with Damian Mulciber. "Are you going to neutralize him?"
"I can't take actions against him, at least not explicitly. I need Cygnus' consent to wed his daughter, and the more he favors Rosier and the rich business connections Rosier's father could give him, the worse my standing is."
"Surely you can match anything that Rosier can put up," Severus said incredulously. "I mean, your father –"
"May be powerful, but he's made it explicitly clear that he will only provide a standard dowry, and that any other action must come from me. Thankfully, Narcissa is in love with me, and given a choice between Rosier and I –"
"She'd choose you, in a heartbeat," Severus finished automatically. "So why don't you just expose Evan Rosier's exploits at school to Cygnus? Surely that would be enough to discredit him?"
"I'm not convinced that would work, and it would also gain the Malfoy family powerful enemies, which is the last thing we need in this unstable time," Lucius whispered. "But that is not my concern. What I am distressed about are Rosier's plans regarding Narcissa. He's going to try and slip her a love potion, and failing that, the Imperius Curse."
"Surely he didn't tell you that!"
"I'm a good enough Legilimens when I want to be – nothing to beat your Occlumency skills, Severus, which I congratulate you on, by the way – and I saw his plans. I can protect Narcissa over the summer, but not at Hogwarts."
Severus leaned back in his chair and fixed Lucius with a skeptical stare. "Are you saying that you want me to protect her at Hogwarts from the likes of Rosier?"
"You catch on quickly, but that is not the entire story. Rosier fears you nearly as much as he fears the Dark Lord, but his fear is like that of a scavenger – while the predators are there, he will not act, but as soon as they depart, he pounces."
"Are you expecting me to be Narcissa's bodyguard?"
"No. I'm expecting you to be her… companion, to use an apt word," Lucius replied, his face reddening. "And I'm not expecting anything – I'm asking politely."
"What would go into this 'companionship'?" Severus asked cautiously.
Lucius looked extremely uncomfortable, and if it wasn't for the edgy feeling in Severus' stomach, he would have greatly enjoyed the expression. "Narcissa has… ah, already expressed her complaints to me that there are no suitable… ah, boys in her year that she would… well, date. Now, given what has already taken place tonight with that dance, one could, if the angle is right, say that a foundation has been laid…"
Severus' eyebrows nearly shot into his hair. "Are you implying that I be Narcissa's boyfriend?"
"It would protect her from Rosier while I make my case to Cygnus and I can wrangle a betrothal out of him," Lucius replied quickly, his embarrassment very visible. "And besides, it would be a case where everyone wins – Rosier can't rape Narcissa, she has a companion that she can trust, and you get to have a 'girlfriend' that is one of the most popular, rich, and attractive girls at Hogwarts."
"Nobody will buy that Narcissa is dating me," Severus replied scornfully. "I mean, why would she? She's popular, attractive, and rich, while I'm… well, should I use one of Potter's typical euphemisms for me?"
"It seems, though, that you are cleaning up nicely, and if you continue on that path, with the groundwork laid tonight, it stands to be a possibility. Unlikely, but possible." Lucius shrugged. "Believe me, Severus, I am as uncomfortable with this as you are, but how else can I make this work?"
"And what about your little bet that I would hook up with Bellatrix?" Severus snapped. "I saw how disappointed you were when that didn't work."
"Idle fancy, nothing more," Lucius replied through gritted teeth. "I'd be willing to pay you, Severus, if that's what you want."
Severus' eyes widened. "You are willing to pay me to be Narcissa's boyfriend? Lucius, are you out of your mind?"
"I want her safe, Severus, and I will pay any price for that to happen," Lucius replied, steel in his voice. "Rosier is dangerous, and I will not have my future wife taken advantage of. Narcissa trusts you – which is more than she could say of the other boys in your year – and she also knows that you would not take advantage of her. And with what I saw tonight, you could even play the part."
"I have no desire to become enemies with Evan Rosier," Severus said coolly.
"And would you prefer to be my enemy, Severus?" Lucius growled. "I will not let that insolent bastard rape Narcissa, which is what he plans to do. If you respect her – which I know you do – you will help me in this. I am willing to pay you fifty Galleons a week if you do this – more than fair."
Severus silently considered the offer. The offer was tempting – Lucius was offering serious money, and he had no desire to see Narcissa get hurt by Rosier. And Narcissa was attractive and popular, and it could only mean good things if he was her boyfriend, even if the entire relationship was an elaborate sham.
But what about Lily, Severus? a voice in his mind said. Wasn't the point of changing to win her, not to get embroiled in pureblood politics with the Malfoys and Blacks? If your relationship becomes public, Lily wouldn't even come close to you… and why would she? To her, you would have moved on…
But Severus knew his chances of winning Lily back were slim to none as it was. Plus, if she somehow did find out that I was only doing this to help Narcissa, she might consider it a good thing… and given where Narcissa cast her bet, she could only be supportive! If anything, this little sham could make things better between us!
"So, Severus?"
He made up his mind in a split second. "I'll do it."
Lucius let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Snape. You have no idea how much this means to me."
"I just have one question, though," Severus said sharply. "Some people – Rosier most likely – might require visual proof of my 'relationship' to Narcissa. Are you all right with that?"
"Don't take her purity, Severus," Lucius growled.
"Wasn't even thinking of that," Severus replied smoothly. "So when does this whole charade start?"
"You laid a good foundation tonight, but we might be able to build on it a little more," Lucius said thoughtfully, completely oblivious to the fact that Severus found the conversation incredibly awkward. "Dance with her once more tonight, and make it good, Severus."
"And what about you?"
Lucius scowled. "I'll be with the Dark Lord – if we want this charade to work, I need to keep my distance from her, or else there will be suspicions. Have a nice night, Severus, and… good luck." With that, the young man got up and vanished into the milling crowd, leaving Severus alone at the table.
Slowly getting up, Severus began walking around the edge of the ballroom, his eyes focusing on Narcissa. She really is quite pretty… nothing on Lily, but…
A rough hand grabbed his shoulder, and Severus spun around, inches away from James Potter's livid face.
"What now, Potter? I've had quite enough stress for this evening," Severus spat, exasperation in his voice.
"I'll get straight to the point then," James growled, pulling a vial from his pocket. "What's this?"
Severus shrugged, trying to ignore the hammering of his heart as he recognized the Amortentia antidote. "Why ask me?"
"Because your initials are engraved on the glass," James snarled, his fingernails digging into Severus' shoulder. "You made this, and told Regulus to give it to me so I could give it to Sirius. So as a friend, I feel quite obliged to ask what the hell this is!"
"If you must know, it's an antidote!" Severus spat back.
"For what?"
"Amortentia." There, I said it. Now Sirius will know. It was going to come out eventually – I just didn't expect that I'd be the one to leak the detail.
James looked blank. "What the hell is that?"
"Strongest love potion in the world," Severus replied curtly. "Black's beloved parents have plans for him, and Regulus needed my help to make sure your friend Sirius' life wasn't ruined. I did it as a favour for Regulus, nothing more."
James still looked suspicious. "Why would Sirius' parents do –"
Severus tossed up his hands. "Why would they do anything, Potter? It's blood politics, and Sirius, as the eldest son, is neck-deep in this! And as blood purists, Orion and Walpurga Black are willing to do anything to see that their rebellious blood traitor son is safely married off…"
James' face went white. "I've got to tell him. They'll do something illegal if this doesn't work."
"Probably, Potter, but that's not my business. I did this as a favour to Regulus and the poor girl that Black would probably be married off to," Severus replied icily. "Now, if you'd excuse me…"
He shouldered his way past James Potter and began making his way across the hall, to where Bellatrix was speaking anxiously to Dolohov. That looks interesting…
"I already told you, if she dares to try this again… Snape!" Bellatrix said suddenly, looking up and giving a falsely sweet smile to Severus. "I was just talking about you."
"I can only imagine," Severus replied caustically.
Dolohov winked at him. "Appears you're quite the man of the night, Severus. Nice moves on the dance floor, by the way."
"I was meaning to ask you about that, Snape," Bellatrix said with the same fake smile. "Care to… discuss the matter a bit?"
Severus sighed. "I guess I don't have any choice now, do I?"
"Not really, no," Bellatrix replied shortly, pulling Severus behind one of the massive ornamental trees near the edge of the ballroom, leaving Dolohov behind.
"What is this about, Bellatrix? I'm really not in the mood for any funny business…"
"I heard from Lucius what you agreed to," Bellatrix cut him off sharply.
"And do you approve?"
Bellatrix snorted. "I don't trust you, Snape, but you are certainly clever enough to fool Rosier. Hell, for a while there you fooled me with your little act earlier in the West Wing."
"That was a farce and you know it – much to Lucius' disappointment."
"Hardly, because the situation played into his hands," Bellatrix growled. "Listen to me, Snape, and listen well – I know my younger sister, and we get along quite well. If you ever behave in a manner that could potentially jeopardize her and everything she's gained, I will know, and you don't want me as your enemy, Snape."
That's certainly true, he thought, looking into Bellatrix's smoldering eyes. "So… what then? Do I have your approval to proceed?" His words were as biting as the disdainful expression on his face.
Bellatrix smiled. "Of course you do, Snape. Be careful, though – Rosier has a long reach."
Severus nodded curtly and turned away, wondering in the back of his mind how many more awkward conversations he would have to go through before the evening was over.
He moved towards the bar again, his eyes sweeping the crowd for Narcissa. It's starting to get late, and I should be planning to go home with Regulus…
Almost as if his thoughts conjured up the young man, Regulus came into view, frantically motioning Severus over.
"I can't find Sirius!" he said, panic in his voice. "He's gone!"
"Don't worry, I can see him," Severus reassured him, noticing Sirius talking in the shadows to James. This could get bad, but Sirius knows better than to do anything here… "Your little gambit with Potter seems to have worked – Sirius won't take any love potion tonight."
"And he knows," Regulus whispered. "This won't be good."
"You chose to tell Potter about it."
"I had no choice!" Regulus said furiously. "I can't monitor Sirius every second, and he trusts me less than ever! It would be better if Potter did something, you know that!"
"We'll talk more about this later," Severus snapped, his eyes finally fixing on Narcissa – and on the swaggering young man approaching her. Rosier. Damn it.
Picking up his pace, he weaved around a drunken gentleman and came up close, where Rosier was already talking to Narcissa, his voice slurred and wavering.
"Come on, Cissy, dance wit' me! It's… it's the last dance of night," Rosier said, the heated look in his eyes betraying his attempt to behave with class. "You know you wanna…"
"Not in the slightest," Narcissa spat with disgust. "You're drunk."
"No, I'm not! Only… only a few Firewhiskies… oh, why won' you dance wit' me?"
Narcissa looked around frantically as Rosier moved closer, a predatory look in his eyes. "Because… because…"
"Because she's going to dance with me," Severus stepped in smoothly, placing his hand lightly on Narcissa's arm. "Would you let me have this dance, Miss Black?"
"Of course," she replied gratefully, and, taking Severus' arm, she let him lead her onto the dance floor, leaving a confused and frustrated Rosier and a smugly smiling Regulus behind.
"Tonight, for our last song, we're going to play a Muggle tune, suggested by Charlus Potter, for a bit of flavor," the main musician said, his voice amplified by a Sonorus Charm. "We won't sing the Muggle words, but we can still appreciate the wonderful music of 'Moondance', by Van Morrison! Gentlemen, bring your ladies onto the floor for this encore!"
Playing a Muggle song at a solidly pureblood party? Severus thought wryly, as he moved into position. It's an oddity all right… and I doubt that the Dark Lord will be too happy that it's being played.
But to Severus' surprise, the Dark Lord – indeed, several prominent people from the crowd, including the Malfoys – had vanished without a trace. But Severus could see Sirius leading Andromeda out onto the floor, and James with a blonde girl he didn't recognize. Even Dolohov was pulling a protesting Regina onto the floor – although, from Severus' point of view, the protests looked half-hearted.
The first notes of the piano started, and Severus looked into Narcissa's big blue eyes. "Are you ready for this?" he whispered. "This has to be convincing."
"Lucius told me," she replied back, a grin crossing her face. "With you, though, it shouldn't be difficult." She took his hand in hers, and with a simple spin, they began the dance.
It seemed a blur to Severus. The song was slower, but Severus still felt like he was spinning out of control. He let Narcissa's passion flow into him, and only matched it. His heart pounded as she smiled at him, which he only returned with a smirk.
I'm enjoying this, he thought suddenly, the images of accusing green eyes dropping away as he pulled Narcissa close. This is actually… entertaining…
As the final notes of the song finished, Severus let Narcissa lean back in his arms, sparking an impressed murmur from the watchers along the sides of the room. Her blond hair flipped forward as she came up, and he realized that they were only a few inches apart.
"I enjoyed that," she whispered, giving him a private little smile. "And I think you did too."
"We were convincing," he whispered back, his eyes on the crowd and on an applauding Regulus, who was smugly flashing a smile at the fuming Rosier, who was stalking out of the room.
As the two approached Regulus, they exchanged glances. "Should we tell him?" Narcissa asked.
"He has a right to know," Severus replied curtly. "I'll tell him personally. You'll have a harder racket to run, though – your father looks murderous."
Narcissa lightly laughed. "I'll deal with him. Good night, Severus." And with a single flutter of her blue gown, she vanished into the milling crowd by her parents, where Bellatrix was already waiting.
"I must say, Severus, that was impressive!" Regulus exclaimed as soon as Severus approached. "Excellent job! Two dances with Narcissa – who the hell taught you to dance like that?"
"It's not important, now listen…" Severus muttered, pulling Regulus into the shadows. Then, noting as Regulus' expression went from surprise to confusion, he explained the deal he had made with Lucius.
"Well, it makes sense," he finally admitted.
Severus snorted. "It's convoluted and dangerous, and it puts me as a rival to Rosier."
"You already are."
"Not officially, but after tonight…" Severus raked a hand through his long hair. "I'm caught in the middle here, and I don't think I like it."
"Now you know what it feels like for me," Regulus muttered as they entered into the Floo room and got in line behind several portly men who Severus guessed were extremely drunk. "Although, I would say the look on Potter and Rosier's faces was well worth all of it! So where did you learn to dance?"
"It's not important," Severus brushed aside the comment, unwilling to give up the truth. Not yet… doing this with Narcissa is enough of a betrayal as it is…
"I'd like to learn some of your moves," Regulus said openly, envy in his eyes. "Why didn't you ever tell us? I bet you would have never danced with Narcissa if she hadn't asked you."
"Probably not."
"Hell, I would have danced with her, and I'm her cousin!"
"Regulus…"
"I'm just saying…" Regulus' voice trailed off as he stepped into the fireplace, Severus right behind.
The green flames whirled and twisted, and Severus could feel his gut roiling with the fine food he had eaten at dinner. Just a few more seconds…
The fireplace came into view, and Severus stepped out of it, ducking his head…
Into a blazing row.
Sirius Black was standing alone, his wand drawn, an expression of utter rage and fury on his face as he screamed at this parents and his uncle. Regulus only stood in front of the fire, stricken by the terrible scene in front of him.
"HOW DARE YOU TRY THIS? RUIN SOME OTHER GIRL'S LIFE AND MINE?" Sirius roared. "HOW LOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY SINK?"
"WE'RE DOING THIS FOR THE FAMILY!" Mrs. Black screamed, her eyes livid and her wand in her hand. "YOU INSOLENT DOG, HOW DARE YOU TRY AND GO AGAINST THIS! YOU ARE GOING TO MARRY, OR I SWEAR I'LL –"
"DO WHAT?" Sirius yelled, his face red and deranged. "YOU ARE NOTHING TO ME, MOTHER, AND I SWEAR THAT AS LONG AS THIS FAMILY HOLDS THESE VALUES, I WON'T BE A PART OF IT!"
"Then GO!" Mr. Black roared, slamming his meaty fist on the table. "BLOOD TRAITOR FILTH DOES NOT BELONG IN MY HOUSE! BUT NOT BEFORE YOU MARRY THE GIRL CHOSEN SO THE BLOOD STAYS PURE!"
Sirius' face went white. "So be it, then," he said in a quiet voice, and turning on his heel, he ran upstairs, Regulus right behind him. Severus hesitantly followed, but by the time he reached Sirius' room, he could already hear the argument.
"Sirius, you can't just leave –"
"Regulus, I have no choice," Sirius replied coldly. As Severus shoved open the door, he could see Sirius piling clothes and old books into his trunk. "It's over – I'm done. I can't, I can't do this anymore."
Regulus was beyond panic now – his eyes were wide and fearful. "Sirius, maybe it'll get better –"
Sirius snarled with disgust. "You don't get it, do you, Reg? It'll never change – they'll never change, and I won't back down. Not now, not ever." He slammed his trunk shut and looked around his Gryffindor-coloured room. "And frankly, I can't say I'll miss much here anyways."
"Sirius, please," Regulus begged, tears running openly down his face. "Don't do this! I… I can't –"
"Be the son I can't be, Regulus," Sirius said simply, shrinking his trunk with a wave of his wand and shoving it in his robe pockets. He pulled out the figurine of the motorcycle, and flipped in around in his hands. "When you finally do come around, I'll be waiting for you. I'm sorry that you have to face this…"
"Sirius…"
But the young man did not respond as he pulled his biker jacket over his red robes, streaked with ash from his trip through the Floo. He finally looked up and saw Severus standing mutely in the shadows.
"Snape. I guess I should thank you for the antidote. You saved my life." Sirius said, his eyes hollow as he passed Severus in the hall.
"I wasn't doing it for you, Black. I was doing it for Regulus," Severus replied coldly. "Would it hurt you so much to change?"
"I can't live a lie anymore, Snape. I don't expect you to understand… make sure he doesn't fall, Snape. Make sure he doesn't become one of them."
Severus only mutely shook his head with resignation and watched as Sirius descended the stairs.
His parents were waiting, their wands openly drawn. "Where are you –"
Sirius didn't respond, only tossing the figurine on the floor and muttering a command word. With a flash and a rising stench of exhaust, the enormous motorbike erupted outwards, filling the entire narrow hallway and angled towards the door.
Sirius ignored the screams coming from his parents as he turned towards Severus and Regulus, standing on the steps of the stairwell, watching as the young man flipped his leg over the bike and revved the engine.
"Goodbye, Regulus," he said simply. "I'm sorry."
With that, he pointed his wand at the bolted door and yelled, "Confringo!"
There was a loud crack and the sound of splintering wood – Mr. Black had not enchanted the door to withstand internal attack. Then, with a blast of his engine, Sirius hammered on the gas, driving the motorcycle through the shattered doorway and up into the sky.
Severus went to the shattered doorway with Regulus, ignoring Mr. and Mrs. Black bellow with fury, watching as Sirius Black vanished into the moonlight.
