Bellatrix stood outside Spinner's End on the cold stone pathway. The building hovered over her like a dark, cloaked figure. She had only been here once before, but thought it had probably looked much better back then. Now, the outside was covered in dead vines and brown moss. Cracks ran up and down its stony exterior and the door was rotting.

Slowly, she started up the path, her hand on her wand. She knocked loudly on the old door, and it opened almost immediately, the pale face of Severus Snape on the other side. Bella lowered her hood and offered a slight smile. Severus did not return the smile.

"Bellatrix," He said, almost with disappointment in his voice.

"Severus," Bella nodded to him, brushing past him as she let herself in. Snape closed the door behind them, turning solemnly towards her.

Bella made her way into the library, her fingers running over the spines of books as she walked.

"Yes?" Snape said coldly, standing in the doorway stiffly.

"How've you been, Severus?" Bella turned to him, asking a question that was definitely out of character for her. Snape noticed, and raised a dark eyebrow.

"Fine," he said. "And yourself?"

"Oh, well…" Bella feigned distress and sat on the sofa. "I've been rather troubled."

Snape watched her, aware that she wanted him to ask her to continue. After several moments of uncomfortable silence, he did so.

"And…" he said.

"It's my sister," Bella sighed. "She's not like herself. She only cries these days, with Lucius in Azkaban and her son in danger of being killed." Bella shot Snape a look to see if her words elicited a reaction.

Snape remained quiet, but he walked further into the room to stand next to the couch. "I wasn't aware Draco was to be killed…" Snape said, a touch of sarcasm in his deep voice.

"Well of course he will be!" Bella said fearfully. "If he does not do the Dark Lord's bidding, I'm sure he will be killed."

"Ah," Snape said in understanding. "Yes, I quite agree."

Bella pouted, but seductively. "I want to help, but there is nothing I can do."

Snape shuffled uneasily where he stood, knowing suddenly why Bella was here. He slowly walked across the room and poured himself a goblet of mead, raising it to Bella in offering. She shook her head and laid back against the couch as Snape sat across from her on a large black chair.

"Severus," she said coyly. "I was hoping maybe you could help."

"What is it you would have me do?" Snape asked incredulously. "I think Draco's task is quite simple, and the Dark Lord made it very clear it is to be done by him. Therefore, I find it unnecessary for me to intervene."

Bella kept pouting, but sat up a little straighter, her dark eyes growing wide and bearing into Snape's. "Severus," her voice was low and seductive, begging almost. "I would never ask you for anything, but my nephew is in danger."

"I never knew you to particularly care fpr your family," Snape said coldly. "And if that is the case, why not help him yourself?"

Bella raised her eyebrows like a helpless child, forcing tears to the corners of her eyes. "Because my sister won't let me! She thinks I'll be killed too. She doesn't trust me… She thinks I am too close to the Dark Lord, and that I will expose Draco. That's why I was hoping you would help… secretly."

"Secretly?" Snape repeated.

"Yes," Bella whispered, getting on her knees and crawling towards Snape's chair, noticing his knees sway as she approached. "You could kill Dumbledore for Draco, but Draco would take the credit. Then the Dark Lord will be appeased, and my sister will be relieved."

Snape looked down at her, his black hair shadowing his face. "That's too simple," he said slowly. "It won't work."

Bella had expected this refusal, and raised herself slowly until she was kneeling before him. "It could work," she whispered. "If you will just help…"

"Draco is a stubborn boy," Snape said. "But I don't think he is too weak to kill Dumbledore."

"Then you must motivate him!" Bella said excitedly. "He trusts you, he listens to you! With his father in Azkaban, he has no guidance."

"So you want me to become Draco's…guardian," Snape said.

Bella let her gaze drop and her hand moved to Snape's knee. He flinched under her touch, the mead in his glass sloshing as he sat up. But Bella did not pull her hand away.

"Guardian, yes," Bella whispered, her hand gently stroking Snape's leg. "If it isn't too much trouble…"

Snape's face momentarily changed from rigid to helpless, his eyebrows slacking and his mouth opening slightly. "Well…" he started, shrugging.

Bella leaned in close to him, her face against his chest. Her dark lips pouted up at him."It would mean so much to me and my sister…" She whispered, rubbing her chin along his chest as she looked up at his face. "We could call things even."

Snape twitched, looking down at Bella, "I don't think so."

Irritation flashed across Bella's face, but quickly left as she stood. "Well there must be something I can give you in return…" She said innocently, her fingers moving towards her bodice, unbuttoning her cloak and letting it slip to the floor. Snape's face was impassive. "Some way I can… repay the favour."

If Snape understood what she was implying, he didn't let it show. His eyes moved to his glass, which he had begun swirling in his hand. Bella stepped closer to him, her hand moving to his chin and guiding his head up to look at her. Her long nails dug into his neck, and he felt a bead of perspiration begin to form on his temple. Bella lowered herself gently, her eyes constantly on Snape. Her hands ran down his chest, stopping just above his lap.

Snape hesitated, knowing in this awkwardness he might acquiesce to Bella, and he didn't want to bend so easily. He stood quickly, almost knocking Bella over as he traipsed across the room to top off his wine. He took his time putting the stopper back in the bottle, but Bella had followed him, and was standing behind him. Her body was much smaller than his, but seemed to cover his back.

"Please, Severus," she whispered delicately, her chin on his shoulder. "For Narcissa."

Her breath tickled his ear, and he involuntarily shuddered. He feared Bella. He feared what she would do to get what she wanted. He hated to admit, but this fear was causing him arousal. He wanted to pull away from her, but his body did not. He could hear her breathing lightly behind him, and he felt a familiar tightening in his pants he had not felt in a long time. Bella seemed to know, and her hand slowly slid around his waist and to his trousers. He stiffened as her fingers worked the button lose. He almost gasped aloud when her hand slid in, grasping his hardness.

"I can make it worth your while," Bella cooed, her nails teasing his tender skin. Snape didn't dare move. Her lips gently trailed his neck, and he tingled as her warm tongue lightly tickled his ear. She had him completely. He could no longer move or think; he was under her spell.