Late Arrivals And Lifetime Rivals: Snape's Worst Halloween

Chapter 24: Cocktails And Wormtail

Professors Vector and Snape entered the Riddle House where they were ushered in by Amycus, who apparently was working the door and checking to make sure only invited guests were allowed in.

Yet again, Wormtail could not see rushing crowds stampeding to get in. He, of course, did not tell the Dark Lord this. He wanted to hold on to his other hand; the silver one constantly itched at the wrist and Voldemort told him repeatedly what an "ungrateful piece of vermin he was." Eventually, when he killed him in his sleep, when he was no longer useful, Voldmort vowed to take the silver hand back. Someone else with more sense would surely appreciate his magical wandwork.

Amycus was costumed and tipping his hat to the ghost of his former House, Slytherin. He made a very unconvincing Bloody Baron. When asked what the silver dribble was down his waistcoat, he proudly said it was actual unicorn blood. Snape knew he was daft but not this daft.

Alecto, his sister, also stood near the door to get a glimpse of her love, Snape. Her love, but unfortunately, Snape did not feel the same and had made that very clear to her in the past. She was very disappointed when he merely nodded at her upon entering. She had heard rumors that he was in love with someone, but her contact, who feared Snape, would never even divulge possible women it could be.

Alecto was dressed as a veela, surely wishful thinking on her part, even though her brother had told her that even veelas had no effect on Snape's self-control.

"She wishes," muttered Snape.

"What was that, Severus?" asked Septima quietly.

"Nothing," Snape said softly. He was a bit fatigued. Cursing out Sirius Black the whole journey over had drained him of his energy. Also, attempting to wrangle the mirror from Vector's hag claws had also made him quite put out.

Snape and his hag were soon greeted by several other Death Eaters. Thankfully, hags always looked like they were not smiling because Vector knew these evil people and was completely disgusted to be among their ranks this evening.

Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were dressed as Phineaus Nigellus and Araminta Black respectively, in honor of their deceased relations. Snape had enough of Nigellus in his visits to Dumbledore's office and wished not to be reminded of the blasted portrait. Snape would never let Nigellus know that his relatives had honored him, he would be puffed up for days more than he usually was. However, Snape would inform him that if his heir, Sirius Black, did not refrain from insulting his basilisk costume, the House of Black would soon be heirless and only a memory.

So far everyone had ignored Snape's horrific-looking date. Lucius had pulled Narcissa aside and said she would have to make eye contact with her sometime this evening. The Dark Lord wished to ally with hags in the upcoming war.

Others were shocked and said nothing. They knew the Dark Lord highly respected Severus Snape. He had told them in a fury once that he would take ten of Snape over them. He never said it again after Bellatrix raised her hand and offered to kill her husband, marry the Dark Lord, and give him as many sons and loyal followers as he wished. Lord Voldemort said that it would not be necessary, but her loyalty would be remembered in future.

So most of the guests tried not to stare at Snape and the hag, which was difficult due to his laughable costume and ugly date. Some pitied him, however, and some were glad that he finally went on a date for the first time in his life at least.

Who would have known Severus preferred hags? they thought, as they all turned to look with pity at Alecto.

Alecto, who in the past and present had had her advances spurned countless times by Snape, was fuming and a little depressed. She guessed most recently going to Spinner's End at 1:00 in the morning in a lacy green negligee did nothing to awaken feelings of love and passion in Snape. If anything he had answered the door and dropped the textbook he had been reading, slamming the door in her face after mumbling some words of apology.

Oh, the days when arranged marriages by purebloods were more prevalent, mused Alecto, teary-eyed.

Wormtail, was not surprisingly dressed as a rat and served drinks and cocktail snacks. He had a lot of practice from living at Spinner's End, and when Snape recommended to Voldemort that Wormtail serving refreshments at the party would be highly suitable, the Dark Lord agreed with Snape much to Wormtail's displeasure. Snape also insisted that in noble houses such as the Riddles, servants usually wore lace aprons. Lord Voldemort, not realizing that aprons were for maids, had forced Wormtail to wear one as he hurried around the salon with his tray.

When Wormtail walked past Snape, Snape gave him a wicked smile and the sardonic eyebrow that was infamous, and that only Wormtail could understand. Snape utterly despised him and it dared Wormtail to put one toe out of line or utter one complaint to Dark Lord…and he would deal with him.

Septima looked at Snape and couldn't recall ever having seen him smile that widely. She didn't think it was possible for his ever tight-lipped countenance to be able to open up that much.

He looks, er, nice when he smiles…Vector immediately downed her elf-made wine. I couldn't have possibly just had that thought run through my mind. She panicked.

Snape was in renewed spirits and glanced over at Vector. He did not feel so badly about his own basilisk costume this year after spotting Pettigrew. Wormtail looked abhorable. He always was a nasty little rat, thought Snape.

No move was made into the dining room. The guests were still waiting for others to arrive as well as the grand entrance of the Dark Lord.