Enraptured Release

Letters of Enticement

One Week Before Wedding

"Disgraced is my virginity
Death has woven my wedding dress
Oh Great Blue breathe the morning dew
For you are the cradle of the image of god"

Lily had managed to keep a good correspondence with Rodolphus Lestrange. Although she remained at Kilners Grove, it somehow seemed more daring, and she could not help but giggle during a fitting. This was made easier by the simple fact that James and Sirius decided to leave the witch folk up to themselves as they fussed about dresses and other such useless fripperies. James aversion to all things frilly helped Lily keep her secret.

The letters started off innocently enough. Mild flirtations and complimentary. Despite how she felt about Death Eaters in general, she could not help but be intrigued by Rodolphus' affable, pleasant, and flirtatious manner. It also helped he was debonair about it too, not like a slobbering jobbernowl like James was.

He sent her one first, which was short but sweet.

"Dear Lily

Are you still serious about meeting the Dark Lord? He has many demands on his time, so it may be difficult to get you in at a moment's notice, however, as you are quite the topic amongst our gatherings, I am sure that you could be an exception. He has heard of your intelligence, knows you are a Muggleborn but he acts like he almost admires you. He does not wish to meet just any type of Gryffindor, so he must see something within you that is advantageous and right.

How is your pretty little self? Did you manage to accomplish all what you wanted to? I must admit, I cannot stop thinking about you, Lily. Are you at all wondering how I am?

You looked like Autumn's Lady Fair that day, and your eyes are such a delight that I could spend all my days looking in them, drowning in them.

For you only,

Your hard Rod."

That one made her smile. He knew what she was, probably understood she was the enemy, but still he wrote those lovely words. Well, the sentiments were lovely until the sign off.

The next day, she received two letters. One from Rodolphus and one from Severus.

"Dearest Lily

The kiss we shared has helped me sleep more than you can imagine. My dreams consist only of you. I entreat you, yet again, to show my original letter to Dumbledore; do not put yourself at risk. I cannot lose you. Your life is far more important than mine. Your exuberance shines and infects my darkened heart, shining rays upon my soul. You, Lily, chase away the Dementors within.

Are you still getting married? I thought that kiss was something wonderfully special.

Yours forever

Sev!"

Oh Severus, if only I could fight your demons for you. That is all I ever have wanted to do. She allowed a single tear to drop from her eye as she read it over and over again. With a deep sigh, she opened the more expensive looking one from Rodolphus.

"Sweet Lily

I am emboldened by your reply that I can write what is in my heart.

You! Lily, the fairest of the fair you are always in my heart. You have bewitched me more than I care to admit. Do you want to know how I may have been enticed by you?

As I was laying in my bath, my eyes drifted close, and your image shimmered into view. You were wearing a diaphanous emerald green negligee that was low-cut sweetheart neckline, and high-legged - its only purpose to seduce not for warmth. The robe did little to hide what was beneath.

Your breasts were alabaster silken orbs in my hands. Aphrodite herself would not compare. Your legs were such a comforting fit, so much so that the hug around my hips would make Venus envious of how lithe you are. Your red lips pouted, inviting me to kiss you – the lips that Snow White would desire to own.

In my dream I did press my lips against yours, and you pressed your wet, clothed body against mine. Running those sweet little hands of yours over my hairy (do not worry, as I do not have a rug – think of it as a light smattering!) chest – slowly, almost tortuously so, travelling down to my hardening rod.

Your hands shyly wrapped around it, tenderly stroking me as if I was a kitten that needed to be treated gently. I grabbed your wrist and guided you, showing you how hard I like the pressure on me, so you could please me again and again.

Oh Lily, the sultry look in your eyes...

I fear I must stop there, for I do not wish to harm your eyes – you seem innocent enough. Do not be offended by my fantasies, for that is what they are. Just a fantasy from a man stuck in a marriage he does not wish to be in. Do not make my mistake, Lily.

If James Potter really is the right one for you, then I shall not bother you any longer, but I have a feeling he may not be. He could not match your vivacious qualities. He strikes me as the sort that may bore you in years to come.

Lily, send me hope.

Your hard Rod!"

That letter went straight under her pillow – she had to read that again at night.

She sent back two replies. The one to Severus was longer and sweeter in tone and yet firm in her resolve to meet the Dark Lord.

The other to Rodolphus chided the man for sharing so much of his daydream to her, explaining that there would never be a chance for him to be with her. She was sorry he was stuck married to a bitch. She also replied that she was more convinced than ever that she wanted to meet the Dark Lord. She mentioned that she was flattered by the attention and that she would be letting too many people down if she called a halt to the proceedings now.

The next day, she received two letters again from Severus and Rodolphus.

"Sweetheart Lily

If you are set on meeting the Dark Lord, then please do not be overtly Gryffindorian about this. You and I were friends for a long time. I am hoping to Merlin that you have learned a few Slytherin tricks from me. I adore you, my dearest, my heart, my reason for living.

Your best chances of survival are for you to keep your head down as he is a champion Legilimens, to keep quiet until he speaks, and for goodness sake: Do Everything He Tells You To Do.

If you are prepared to use your body to gain our freedom, I dread to think what he could do to you when you are vulnerable. Please, just be extremely careful. I do wish you would think of a failsafe, arrange backup in case but... I know that would get you in even more trouble.

Reggie says hi – he and Rosmerta seems to have hit it off quite well.

May your happiness live on, Lily.

Severus."

She hugged the letter to her heart and felt as light as a feather from his words. She was pleased to get that Sev back, the Sev she loved. Tears escaped her eyes, and she looked once more at her engagement ring before opening Rodolphus' missive.

"Autumn's Lady

Of course, it is not my place to say about your choice of partner. I am just bitter that you had a choice. I was betrothed to Bellatrix when she was a baby. I cannot stand the witch, but I do hope you marry the wizard who is your equal in mind and heart. One who completely understands you, and one who thinks you are the most important thing on this EARTH.

I am delighted you were flattered by the idea of me being aroused so strongly by the thought of you. I was frightened I had scared you away completely.

It is fortuitous that you decide that this is the moment you express your wishes to meet our Lord, for he has decided to stop by at my family seat in Châteaux Lestrange – Over snifters in the study, I brought up that I met you and that you desire to make his acquaintance.

His eyes darkened and lips curved in a smirk. I then said I have been writing to you, and you, since the initial meeting, have not changed your mind.

He wishes to meet you a week hence.

I know this is cutting it close to your wedding, but please, Lily, you cannot bargain an earlier date. So, write to me, and we can arrange the particulars. Suffice it to say, it may be best you arrive the day before, so you can accustom yourself to your rooms and soak in our atmosphere. Bellatrix has been informed, and she is grudgingly accepting of the idea of you in our home – do not provoke her – believe me she is worse than

The Dark Lord. I swear some of his more maniacal moments are inspired by my dear wife.

The Malfoys will be here, too. Narcissa will help you with etiquette – though I do not think you need much help.

Your hard Rod!"

Lily wished he would not sign off with those words as they did nothing but fluster her. She wished she had the savoir faire to accept the flirtatious tone. Once her face had cooled down from Rodolphus' letter, she set it under her pillow and walked to her writing desk, picked up her favourite quill, and began writing replies to both.

The next day, she received their replies.

"Sweetheart Lily

I should have known I could not convince you otherwise. I wish I could, but as this is the course you are set on, I can only wish you luck.

Yes, I will be where you want me to be, when you want me to be there, as will Regulus.

Thank you again for all your efforts in freeing me.

I wish I knew where in your heart I stood.

Severus."

She did not wish to give him hope, but if she succeeded, she resolved completely to be with Severus wherever he was. Of course, he was her world. They grew in the same streets. Went to the same shops. Into the same bands, magical and muggle. Sirius liked Led Zeppelin, Queen, and Mudd. She took James to a Sweet concert once, but James did not understand what was so great about it. Same went for bands like Pink Floyd, Genesis, Kate Bush, and Peter Gabriel. The somewhat homophobic comments he made about David Bowie left Lily cold. How narrow minded he was that he could not seem to accept beauty in men – she thought other women were beautiful, and it meant nothing.

Severus loved how David Bowie reinvented himself, declaring the man would have been a Slytherin. However, Lily thought his courage to be different and endeared him more to Gryffindor. It was a heated but friendly argument that ended up in a battle of tongues in each other's mouths.

The reply from Rodolphus was next. With a steady breath but quivering fingers, she released the seal and unrolled the parchment.

"Autumn's Lady

Our Lord is pleased that you request a secret meeting with him. He desires to speak with you at length.

You are still a daydream. When your image comes to the forefront of my mind I forget all else, am deaf to anything but the thought of your voice shouting my name in deep ecstasies, am blind to anything but your Sylphic form wrapped around me as your fingers entwine themselves in my hair – your deep Slytherin eyes gazing longingly into mine.

I am aware this desire may never be fulfilled, but a wizard can dream or hallucinate, can he not?

Please Lily, if you come two nights before your intended meeting with our Lord – will you allow me the honour of being your bed partner for the night? I must share your pleasure. I absolutely must!

I need to suckle at your teat like a babe. I need to lick and taste your sweet centre. It is necessary that I somehow mark you as mine – even if it is only temporary. Please, Lily, allow me to be your lover for the night. I will crawl on my hands and knees for the privilege!

I do so love the thought that I can make you blush, Autumn Fair. I do so lust after you. Just one night, Lily. Allow me your love for that one night, show me what Potter has managed to gain – what I might have lost out on by believing my father's words and Riddle's rhetoric. I give you that night to change my mind. Please...

Your hard Rod!"

Her throat seemed to lose the ability to swallow, her mouth uncomfortably dry, her cheeks unbearably hot. What could she do? What would she say to Euphemia? Her parents? James probably would just shrug his shoulders if she said she was going to a muggle friend's wed... that's it! That would be the perfect lie.

A little bit of herself felt flattered by Rodolphus' attention. Although the end goal was freeing Severus, to do that she was spending in indeterminate amount of time with The Dark Lord and his Death Eaters. She decided that she would do anything to keep her Sev from being marked, if that meant having to sleep with every Tom, Dick or Harry she would. After all, if she was prepared to give her body to the Dark Lord if that was what it took, then Rodolphus would hardly be a chore. Yes, she sighed, she had made her mind up to fulfil one of her Host's fantasies for just one night. It was when this had been determined that Euphemia walked in holding parchments with a disapproving line smeared on her lips.

"Eileen's son I can understand after having an Elf snap some pictures of him. He has that quiet intelligence that also seems protective. However, what are you doing writing to Rodolphus Lestrange? His father was a thug."

"He is giving me an in to save Severus, Euphemia. I am going to Riddle and let him use me for his carnal desires to free not only Severus but Sirius' younger brother. Neither trusts Dumbledore, so I am bearing the burden. If I fail, then..."

"Sweet little Reggie who always shyly hid behind my robes?" Euphemia gasped as she sank on the seat, clutching hold on her chest as she let this sink in. She was fonder of Regulus than Sirius. In her day, Sirius would have been the one mothers warned one against. Her motherly instincts concerning Regulus took over. "What do you need me to do?"

Lily smirked. Euphemia was wonderful, beautiful, stoic, and brave. All things Lily wished she was.

"I have promised Rodolphus I would spend three days in his Châteaux – I know this is cutting it..."

"Do you want to get married, Lily?" Euphemia interrupted. She watched as Lily elegantly sunk down on the stool by the dressing table, still holding the letters. "It is a simple question, dear."

"Of course, I want to marry!" Lily exclaimed. A sick feeling corrupted her stomach as her face paled. "I..."

"That was not my query -" Euphemia sighed, passing a hand over her brow, brushing some stray hair out of her face. "Do you wish to marry James?"

Lily sighed, her shoulders sagging as she looked at the elegant woman before her. "I am no longer sure, madam," she said quietly. "I wish I was. Before Severus got in touch I was, but now he is back in my life, and I am somewhat conflicted..."

Euphemia's mouth quirked in a little smile: "That is all I wanted to hear." She looked directly into Lily's sad eyes. "Listen to me child. I am not the monster mother-in-law witch who will hex you ugly just because you no longer love their child. I am perfectly aware of my son's deficiencies as I am also aware of your talent. Whilst you two may look the part, you are not a true fit."

"What shall I do?"

"You shall talk to James – explain to him that you are going through a difficult time – you shall tell him that you need your own space for a while."

"So, you think I should tell James a half-truth?"

"Precisely. Tell him the wedding is delayed whilst you are searching for your true self."

Lily nodded, already rehearsing speeches in her mind. Though James' personality did not make it easy to predict what he was going to say or his reactions to various scenarios, Lily did her best with what she knew.

The next day, she stood, observing a gold fountain with a charmed unicorn family. The foal galloped around, diving into the bowl then emerging from the deep, spitting water out of his mouth. James smiled at the sight of his lovely fiancée. He ran his hands through his hair, straightened his shirt, and ran his hand through his hair again just to make sure.

"So, had enough of dresses, then?"

"James..." She turned around on her heel. His confident smile faltered at her downcast countenance. Something was wrong, and he felt a sinking stone of doubt drop in his gut. "Perhaps you ought to sit down." Without asking why, he did with his arms folded, legs crossed, a lopsided grin plastered on his face, belying the nerves insidiously broiling within. He certainly would not lose Witches Weekly Most Charming Smile contest. "Oh James, I do not know where to start."

"This sounds ominous," James sighed. The smile left his face, and his eyes dulled. Just as he thought; this strangely felt like goodbye. "Best to tell me what is going on, Lily!"

"I cannot marry you at this time, James. Something has happened, and it has rather discombobulated me."

"Whatever it is, we can deal with it together." He jumped up and placed his hands on her arms, bending low at the waist so he could gaze deeply into her eyes. "Please, Lily. We are a team, so let us work on this."

"We cannot sort this out together, James." He would likely have a fit if she told him that an old friend got in touch with her – that would not take James long to figure out. "The thing is, Regulus is in trouble and I know you do not like him, but he was always sweet to me."

"What kind of trouble?" James was all business.

"Please James, I have a plan - it is not dangerous," she lied. "But he specified that only I can help him. Please, James, I cannot marry you at this time. I may never be able to marry you." James pulled her towards him and rested his hands on her shoulders, gently massaging them. "Don't make this diffi..." She was interrupted by the most heart-breaking kiss she had ever had – she squeezed him tightly to her body, refusing to cry. "You know if I never return, Mary likes you..."

James sighed as he wiped some hair from her face and tilted her chin up with his calloused fingers, making sure to gaze into her eyes. "I will be waiting for you, Lily. Only you are good enough for me."

"No, James," Lily sighed. "If you say things like that, it just reminds me of Snape. It is not healthy you know – that attitude."

"Probably not," he sighed, ignoring the comparison between his love rival. James and Sirius did everything they could, and now she was slipping through his fingers for yet another Slytherin. "I just think you are the loveliest thing I have ever seen."

Lily sighed. "Do what I am going to do, James," she said. "Explore your options before we really settle down. You never know. Besides, Mary is a Quidditch player – I still do not understand what is so great about it."

"Fine," he said a little harshly, refusing to hide his broken heart. "Work out whatever it is you need to, Lily, but you promised me – and remember," he whispered coldly, "if you do not marry me, I could sue you for breach of promise."

She breathed heavily for a moment. Pathos overtook her heart as she smiled apologetically. With a light step, she tiptoed to kiss him on the cheek. He touched the spot where her lips lingered as she pulled back.

"You could, James," she agreed as she walked past him to go back in the house to tell her family the wedding of the decade was off. "But you won't."

James refused to watch her leave him and kept his back turned to her departure. It was moments later that he heard the crunch of gravel behind him and turned to look into his best friend's sorrowful gaze.

"So, it's over?" Sirius whispered. "That's the end of Evatter!"

"For now," James replied, circling the tip of his toes in the gravel, the sound of the fountain tinkling behind him. "I don't know what's gotten into her, but she feels that now is not the time to be committed."

"Harsh, mate," Sirius said. "Still, that means you can come with me to Ibiza – hot sun, hot witches..."

"No one is hotter than Lily Evans, Sirius Orion Black!" James snarled.

"Maybe it is time that you did see that there are other options. You've been obsessed with her forever, mate," Sirius shoulders slumped. "Come on, at least consider Ibiza. Where there's Veela's, Succubae, Vampiresses in tight corset dresses."

James shook his head and smirked along with Sirius. Laughter to hide the pain. That was how he dealt with life. He could not stay miserable with Sirius as his brother-in-arms.

If he had known that Lily was off to Jersey to stay with some of the most notoriously evil Death Eaters known to magic kind, he would not have allowed his friend to convince him to leave Kilners Grove, let alone England, for some fun in the sun.

He would have locked Lily in her room until she saw sense.

However, that is not what happened.

What happened next was a series of seedy seductions, of lurid lusts, of adumbral adoration, of perilous passions and of insidious intrigues that would shock.

All mermaids beware – for when the Dark Lord desired your mellifluous beauty, it was met with sinister scorn when your heart he torn.