Again the HP universe and characters belong to JKR. I own none of it and make no profit from these efforts.

Well, this story seems to have generated very little interest. There is a great deal of fluff, so I can understand why. However, if there is something that bothers you about it, I hope you'll share your point of view. Thank you to those who are reading. I look forward to your reviews. Thanks for following along! Never fear - I'll finish it whether I have one reader or one hundred! Take care!

Dark Soul Flies

Chapter 3

It was rather awkward sitting near Emma with her father and brother staring at them. The elder Rookwood seemed rather pleased with himself, and the younger looked ready to leap out of his skin. Severus felt rather like a prize turkey on display.

Emma seemed oblivious to their attention as she smiled shyly up at him. It was difficult to really care about their motives with her so near, and this might have continued for most of the night had Lucius not appeared.

The man looked a little worse for the wear. Though their takeover at the ministry had been successful, Lucius was still on the Dark Lord's list. It was a very short, very unpleasant list to be sure. Whatever his position, it was uncommon to see the self possessed wizard associating with the Rookwoods, who, though social equals, were hardly beneficial allies in the Death Eater circuit. It begged the question, why was his friend here?

"Mr. Malfoy," Webby announced. Rookwood senior stood and welcomed the man and seated him in Severus' vacant chair.

"Well, you do work quickly," Lucius said to the older wizard.

Rookwood smiled slyly, a fraction of a movement that had he not been looking Severus might have missed; the dark haired wizard arched an imperious brow.

"Lucius," He narrowed his eyes at his blond friend. "To what do we owe your presence?" He asked.

The aristocratic man leaned back in his chair comfortably, crossed his legs, and made a show of examining his pristine nails, "As the previous proprietor of Emma's contract, it is my duty to oversee any new bonds that are drawn up and approve of the match." Lucius gave Severus a grand smile, "I must say. You couldn't have chosen better, Rookwood. Severus is in a unique position to protect her."

Rookwood nodded, "I thought as much. I had not desired to rush her so, but Dolohov made it clear to my son that he would have her one way or another. I received a rather strongly worded bid for her hand. The wretched man assured me that he was willing to go through extreme measures to have her." Rookwood senior seemed quite agitated after this delivery.

Severus glared at them, "What is it you are proposing?" He said dryly. While his ire had been raised by their offensive posturing, he was more perturbed by the thought of Dolohov's threats. The man was a blaggard of the lowest denomination. Oh, he came from a good family, but he had been captured after the first wizarding war and had spent many years in Azkaban. The man was unstable. He was also fond of hitting women. Just the thought of Emma falling into that animal's clutches set his blood on fire.

Emma looked around the room and seemed quite confused at the way the conversation was proceeding,

"I've had my solicitor draw up the contract," Rookwood drew his wand and summoned a thick scroll.

"Well, Severus, are you game old man? She seems to have taken a liking to you, interestingly enough." Lucius chuckled.

Emma blushed and focused her gaze on her lap.

"Come, Snape," The younger Rookwood stood as the other gentlemen headed towards the ornate card table at the back of the room.

Severus stood abruptly and looked to Emma, who peeked up at him shyly. If he were being honest with himself, this situation was far more tantalizing than it was distasteful. He could see that, while she was anxious, Emma was excited about this turn of events as well. She had been raised to accept that her marriage would be arranged for her. It was about alliances, and love was something that was hoped for but not expected. She would be taken care of and protected, and this was foremost in the minds of her father and brother.

Severus approached the table apprehensively. These matters were typically settled over years of niggeling. Contracts were rarely ever signed on such short notice and without a solicitor from both parties present.

Rookwood handed him a quill and looked at him expectantly. Severus scowled at the man and grabbed the scroll off of the table swiftly. The older man drew back, and Lucius laughed, "You didn't think he would give in that easily did you?" The blonde chuckled.

Severus returned to his seat by Emma and perused the contract thoroughly. It took an hour for him to read and amend it to his liking.

"Very well," He conceded, "I will agree to a child, but you do realize that I may not make it through this war?" He taunted his soon to be father-in-law.

Emma gasped. Regardless of the tender feelings that he had developed quickly for her, he was not about to sugarcoat this. She did not live in a vacuum. Her father may have kept much from her, but she knew the sort of men with whom her brother had allied himself and thus the family. If she did not know that he had killed Dumbledore, and he suspected that she was blissfully unaware, she would learn of it soon enough. He would be ready for the wary looks and distrust from her quarter when they came he supposed.

Rookwood senior frowned thoughtfully, "It will legitimize her inheritance. Upon her marriage, she will receive the dower house, which is secret kept. You two will be the only to know of its location, and should she be in danger, you must send her there. As a part of this contract, you will agree to keep the location of the house secret." He said harshly.

Severus nodded, "But why the child?" He persisted.

The other wizard sighed, "If you should die, she would need to bear your child in order to keep the house, in order to keep her safe. If something should happen, I want her well away from all of this." He implored.

Severus nodded again. The settlement was very generous. His wife would be a rich woman, regardless of whether or not he survived, and what would he have? Well, in the end he would have her for comfort. He looked to the young woman beside him curiously, "What do you want, Emma?" He asked as he turned to her.

Lucius scoffed, but the elder Rookwood seemed to relax minutely.

Emma tilted her head artlessly and Severus was reminded of her youth, "Only to be happy, to have a family, and perhaps to work some?" She asked hesitantly.

Her father scoffed, "That's the last thing you should be doing. Girl, don't you appreciate your situation? We have gone over this repeatedly."

Ema furrowed her smooth brow, "But, Father, why do you think I spent six years studying?" She sulked.

"Emma, I indulged your whim because your contract had been terminated. I thought it would be good to get you out of the country until . . . well, and keep you occupied. Had another valid offer been placed, you would have been withdrawn from your classes." Her father replied testily.

The girl blushed shamefully; that her contract had been dissolved was no small slight. Given their position, there was no recourse for the Malfoy's withdrawal. So, she had borne the brunt of the minor offense. There were few enough pure blooded wizards and none with the status of the Malfoy; such contracts were typically orchestrated when the children were quite young. Rookwood's own social prominence and wealth at the time of Draco's birth had inspired Lucius to strike up a contract with for his then 7 year old daughter. For wizards, who bred even as centenarians, 7 years was quite a negligible.

"Her professors told me that she was a talented student and would make a wonderful healer, but it is hardly appropriate for a young woman of her standing to work in a public hospital." He scoffed.

Lucius nodded, and Severus wisely kept quiet as did Emma. He had no reservations about her working should she choose. The last thing he wanted was a bored housewife on his hands. Merlin knew that Narcissa had often been a pain in both Lucius and his sides. He knew just the woman to help; though, it might take an order rather than a request at this point.

"When will the ceremony take place?" Lucius asked as Severus signed the contract and handed it to him. The blond wizard signed quickly and turned the scroll over to the elder Rookwood.

The man signed the scroll and placed his seal upon it. The scroll duplicated and then the original vanished with a flash.

"I should like to give them time to court and to plan a ceremony as befits her station." The white haired wizard said thoughtfully. "Would your wife consent to help?" He asked Lucius.

"She would be delighted. After all, Severus is a close family friend." Lucius smiled at Severus, who sat uncomfortably next to Emma. He felt a little at a loss. It was one thing to rush through the matter, but to be confronted with the idea of courting a young woman when he had so much on his plate as it was, well, it seemed ludicrous. He was a murderer, and the only reason that he was walking free was due to the fact that the Dark Lord pulled the strings at the Ministry.

"Things are changing, Rookwood," Lucius warned, "Your position could be in jeopardy despite Severus' clout. Might I suggest being flexible to the changes at work? As an Unspeakable, you could offer us a great deal of insight." He said amiably.

It was clearly a veiled threat, and both senior and junior were put on guard. They knew what was at stake. They walked a very fine line, and if the war were to turn against the Dark Lord, they could very well face stringent penalties. It was quite possible that the elder Rookwood would lose his other son. The weight of the war was taking its toll, and the man at once reflected every one of his 75 years.

He nodded, and his white beard bobbed, "Will you be joining us for dinner?" He asked, aware that his daughter had been made privy to a great deal of information that he had previously hid from her. She was a clever girl, and there would be questions.

Dinner was a quiet affair, and though he engaged in heated conversation with Lucius and both Rookwoods, Severus was not oblivious to Emma's presence. Seated across from him, he felt her eyes on him throughout the meal. Yet, each time he turned his gaze toward her, she was poised, looking demurely elsewhere.

He had been anticipating bidding her good night, and when the moment came, they were left conspicuously alone. There was something thrilling about knowing that she was his, and he might do as he wished without anyone to gainsay him. Unlike Lucius, he could not pull out of this contract. He was as good as married, but that meant that she was as good as his bedmate. No man, even one as strong an occlumens as Severus, could resist such a thought, such a sweet temptation.

Though he fought his baser nature, he was, after all, only a man. He had been alone for a very long time, and unlike other men, he had not indulged at the Revels since he had been ordered to do so as a very young man. He was a Professor and well known. He would not jeopardize his position by frequenting brothels, nor would he stoop so low as to hire a woman of the evening. Short of taking matters into his own hands, which he avoided in an effort to maintain his shields and prove his strength of will, he had been alone and without the comfort of a woman's touch all of his life, save for a few brief, encounters in which there had been very little contact and no intimacy involved.

In short, they were dangling a tidbit in front of a starved man. He had as good as paid for it, and it was his. In the back of his mind, he chided himself for viewing her as a thing, but there was more to this than ownership. She was his, his to protect, and he had rarely been entrusted with anything so precious. Yet, here was a father, who clearly doted on this lovely girl, placing her life and wellbeing into his hands.

And she, she looked at him with such wonder, such wide-eyed faith. It was more than anyone had ever given, more conviction than even Dumbledore had placed in him. For, here, there were no conditions, no reservations. Her little hand fitted neatly into his larger one, and this golden little angle awaited his attention patiently.

She was a bold little thing, too, and he sat stunned momentarily as she leaned forward, pressing her small hand on his chest. Her inexperienced lips grazed his clumsily, and his senses came alive. His hands slipped around her shoulder, fingers caressing the warm, bare skin of her neck. He approached her with the calculated, calm of an older man.

His lips teased hers softly, and he was elated by her gentle sighs. Her right hand slid up to his shoulder, and he nearly groaned as she unwittingly placed her left hand on the upper part of his thigh for balance. He fought the urge to grab her hand move it over where it was truly desired.

His tongue slipped out to tease her lips open, and when her lips parted he entered tentatively. He was gratified when she mimicked his movements, darting her little tongue into his mouth. He captured it swiftly and sucked on the small pink muscle. He pulled away slightly and looked down into her heavy lidded eyes.

He felt a heady power knowing that he had brought this lovely woman to this state. He, who had been unwanted, unloved, abandoned, scorned, and all but forgotten, but she wanted him. She desired him, with her adoring gaze and grasping little hands. His lips crushed hers passionately, and she did not pull away from his eagerness. His hand settled on the curve of her hip and slid up the bodice of her silken gown. She glowed ethereally, a little seraph, as his mouth possessed hers. He wanted to touch her, but he would not do so here, in her father's drawing room.

He pulled away again and met those wanton blue eyes. He smirked, and his fingers reached up to thread through the curls that had escaped their pins.

Suddenly, he felt it, the stinging pain on his forearm. He was being called. Quickly, he extricated himself from her carefully, and pulled her hand to his lips for a quick kiss. He stood looking down at the disheveled young woman, who seemed a little hurt by his hasty departure.

"Emma," He said with a patience that was swiftly being staunched by pain, "I am being called." He gripped his arm tightly, "By the Dark Lord."

Her eyes grew round with fear and understanding. She nodded and rose quickly. This time he did bend to accept her kiss on his cheek. He turned quickly in a flurry of robes and left her there, worrying his handkerchief.

Severus left Rookwood manor abruptly and nearly ran into Lucius on his way down the dark drive. The man was waiting for him and gripped his shoulders, preventing them both from tumbling to the rocky walkway.

"Enjoy the sample, lover boy? I had about given up on you." Lucius taunted and then grimaced as another wave of pain shot through his arm.

They quickly passed the wards and apparated to their master, transfiguring masks and robes from items they carried on their persons.

"So glad you could join us, Severus, Lucius," The Dark Lord hissed. He directed his attention to the now assembled Death Eaters as the two men took their places, "We hold the Ministry within our grip, and the Prophet as well." The distracted man walked through their ranks as he spoke, "However, I. Want. Potter. He was spotted in London. Severus," The creature turned his eerie eyes toward his servant, "You will gain entrance to Grimmauld Place. Go!" He hissed at them and returned to his throne. The room seemed to vibrate with potential energy in the absence of their masters words, and then they burst into action.

Severus wilted visibly. This would not go well. He was a traitor, and his access to Black's ancestral home had undoubtedly been rescinded. Those foolish children were likely holed up there like sitting ducks. He sighed and turned quickly. He heard the flurry of robes behind him as various members followed him. "Meet me in the alleyway outside of the Leaky Cauldron." He ordered.

He worked for hours. They tried everything save for burning the building down. He had been able to render the building visible, which had shocked even him, but, to his relief, he was not able to enter. Lucius had attempted every spell he had in his own arsenal, but they had been unable to break through the wards and protective spells that were constructed by Albus Dumbledore.

"I am sorry to have failed you, my Lord," Severus offered later as he knelt at his master's feet.

"Severus,' The snake-faced man hissed. "Such a faithful servant, and yet, you defy me in this?"

He shook his head, sending his dark, lank hair flailing about his face, "No, my master. It was beyond my abilities. Dumbledore . . "

"Silence!" The Dark Lord screeched, "You will NOT speak his name!" The crazed man yelled. "CRUCIO!" The force of his wand was leveled on Severus, who fell to the ground and seized with a grunt. His eyes stared sightlessly above him as every neuron in his brain fired. His pain receptors were overloaded. The punishment continued for hours, and it was only the steely hold he kept on his mind, his impenetrable occlumency shields, that saved him from madness.

The Dark Lord was losing his grip, and they would all bear the brunt of his madness.

"I'm sorry, Severus, my faithful servant." The man hissed almost lovingly as he knelt to stroke Severus' face. "Lucius, take him away."

He had been beaten with in an inch of his life before, and Lucius had helped him to stumble bloodied and senseless to an apparation point. Sometimes, the man even apparated him to the gates of Hogwarts. However, now he had nowhere to go. Hogwarts was yet closed to him; all of the Order believed him a traitor. There was no one, save Lucius, to turn to.

He had a broken arm and he suspected a fractured jaw. There was nothing to do but return home and attempt to treat himself. He would not be a burden on Lucius. "Spinner's End," He muttered, spitting blood from his mouth.

Lucius sniffed and wiped his old friend's face with his handkerchief, as Severus had done for him many, many times. The dark haired wizard had sat by his bedside feeding him potions until he could breathe without pain and sleep restfully. They had relied on each other for so long, that Lucius was both offended and understanding at Severus' reply.

"Fool," The blond wizard hissed, "You wound me. Yet, do you realize the connection you have made this evening. I will take you to your soon to be father-in-law's home. Why not let your little wife-in-training nurse you back to health?" Lucius smirked and apparated them to Rookwood manor.

"No!" Severus hissed in pain as he spoke and stumbled as the landed awkwardly. His ribs were clearly cracked as well. He gripped his chest and spoke in a whisper, "I'll not let her see me like this." His dark eyes pled.

Lucius scoffed, "She trained as a healer. She has practiced already. Her father is a fool to think that she did not have clinical and practical trials. It is far better that she accepts what she is getting into now and prepare for the role she will fill. She may be naive, but the girl is clearly not an idiot. Let her care for you. It will endear you further to her, and it will show them your strength. I know of no other man, save myself, who could endure over an hour of the cruciatus at the hands of the Dark Lord." His friend rebutted and helped him to the manor gate, where they were met by Webby. The elf responded to Severus' need. Though he was not yet a member of the family, they were bonded through the contract, and the elf recognized him as one under its protection.

He was taken to a spare room, and within moments Alexander joined him. Lucius divulged what he could, and Emma barged in and listened intently. When she realized the extent of his injuries, she knelt beside his bed.

"I'll call for a healer," Alexander Rookwood turned to leave the room.

'No!" Both Emma and Severus replied.

"I think it best if you let the girl tend him," Lucius urged.

"That would be most inappropriate," Alexander glared at him sternly.

"How so? She is to be his wife, better she learn now what is expected of her. Who did you think he was? Severus is a member of the Dark Lord's inner circle. If you want him to continue protecting your family, your daughter, you had better take care of him. This is what it will require; would you willingly sacrifice yourself thusly? Could you?" He accused. "Let the girl tend him." The irate blond wizard drew close, nose to nose with the elderly man, who stepped back quickly and bowed his head. "Of course, Lord Malfoy." He acquiesced.

Malfoy nodded. "I'll return with his potions momentarily." The blond exited abruptly, leaving Alexander to stare at his daughter hopefully.

"Severus," She whispered as she sat gingerly beside him. She had never addressed him so informally, and his name tasted foreign on her lips. She had relieved his kiss endlessly from the moment he left, and she had hoped he would return soon. But, this was not what she had wanted. Tears spilled unbidden from her eyes as she looked down at her fiancé's pale, stricken face.

Through sheer force of will he opened his eyes to look up at her.

"May I use your wand?" She queried. Her own had been found broken in the entryway, and her father, in a fit of pique, had refused to replace it.

Severus grunted his ascent and hissed when she moved his arm to draw the long, slender wand from his sleeve.

Emma looked at her father beseechingly. He left reluctantly but bid Webby to watch over her and attend her every need.

Severus' wand warmed readily in her hand and responded to her willingly. She deftly held what she could, using a wand, but there were deep tissue injuries that would require potions to repair. She tried to make him more comfortable while he waited. He steadfastly refused to allow her to undress him. So she gently pulled the sheet and heavy duvet over him before removing his clothes magically. She sent Webby to launder them while she transfigured a vase into a basin, filled it with warm water, and gently wiped the blood from his face.

He felt the gentle pressure of her fingers as she slid the warm, wet cloth over his bruised face. Each time he winced, she apologized and punctuated the sentiment with a kiss to the tender area.

She knew from training that touch was required to still the muscle tremors, which were a resulting after effect of the cruciatus. She turned down the covers and began washing his chest gently. It was on the tip of his tongue to reprimand her for her bold behavior, but he snapped his mouth shut as she drug the warm cloth over his pale chest. The rag was soon set aside, and Severus watched in fascination as her little hand explored his bare flesh. He remained silent, so as to not frighten her.

Emma, despite her training, had never seen a man's bare flesh. Oh, she had seen pictures in books, but she had never seen a naked man. And she certainly had never touched one so intimately. She was fascinated with the play of muscle under his skin as they flexed uncontrollably due to the recent curse he had endured. Her fingers brushed curiously over the dark hair on his chest. She was so absorbed in her own exploration, that she nearly forgot that the man in question was observing her. Her cheeks warmed, but she did not stop her as she pulled the covers lower and ran her hands gently down the ropy muscles of his biceps and forearms. Her curious fingers explored the tender flesh of his ribs and followed the curious, dark trail of hair down his belly button. His skin was pale with an olive cast and bore many scars across its surface. The hair was silky and curled slightly.

She was startled when his hand shot out to grab her wrist firmly as her fingers stroked his abdomen and their tips slid briefly under the covers. She squeaked with surprise and her startled gaze was drawn to Severus' heated stare. "I believe such an expedition would be better left for much, much later, my dear. I am in no state to gratify your current curiosity; though, I can assure you that I am most definitely interested in doing so. Only, you will need to give me some time to recuperate so that I am in . . . top condition to perform." He said teasingly in his deep baritone.

Emma's face grew red with embarrassment and her fingers trembled, and Severus drew her arm up above his head, causing her to lean forward and drape lightly over him. She rested her weight on the hand she had placed beside his other shoulder.

His arousal inflamed, he sought some consolation for his frustrated situation. So he enjoyed the teasing weight of her breast through the thin fabric of her gown and robe. He longed to rip the demure pieces from her and take her right here, but he would wait to have her, when she was well and truly his. Instead, he admired her unruly tresses as they fell like a wild curtain about his face, and he teased her lips gently, biding her open to him again. She complied willingly and with more skill this time. She was bolder as she met his advances and their tongues danced together. Severus felt the stiff points of her nipples rub against his chest, and he could not resist the urge to slide his free hand up to cup the full globe. The woman above him gasped. If one must be in pain, he reflected, this was a definite consolation. The light pressure of her body and the heat of her seemed to ease some of the spasms in his muscles, but her wanton moan did little to quench his rising ardor.

His thumb teased the stiff nub, and he groaned as she shifted her balance to the hand he held and allowed her left hand to begin exploring him. Her warm little fingers ghosted over his shoulder, teasing his skin. She arched her back, thrusting her breast more firmly against his palm. Her lips pulled from his and trailed sweet kisses across his cheek and down his neck. He turned his head to kiss her jaw and then capture her delicate earlobe in his teeth.

It was this moment that startled him, awakened him to what was possible as she came alive in his arms mewling and rubbing against him. There were many who received their just desserts, and there were those who swam upstream their entire lives. He had fought the current, and until recently he had decided that perhaps, after all of the wrong he had done, he disserved to die. He would never be forgiven his sins; he had seemed to be born lacking. His decisions had been wrong, his judgment in error, and he had been filled with bitterness, covetousness, and anger. It all seemed to slip away, the emptiness replaced with fulfillment, the longing replaced with desire, and the anger with tenderness. He would live for her. He would find a way, and even if the world never forgave him, he would find a place to live quietly with her and to be worthy of her. If there was one thing he was sure of, he knew that he was cleverer than other men. He would survive, but in order to do so, in order to see the world set to right, things must change. He needed to take a more active role in helping Potter in aiding the Order. Dumbledore and his madness be damned. The fool would have him sacrifice himself for this greater good. Rather, he would fight for it and live for it. If he were conquered in the end, it would not be because he had resigned himself to this fate, given up without a fight. No, his life would be a living testament to humanity, failure, disgrace, and redemption.

Emma gasped with the pleasure of his ministrations. She felt a want she had never experienced before well up inside of her. At Beauxbatons, they had been watched strictly. Fraternization was forbidden, and though they had classes together, the interaction between male and female students was monitored heavily. Her father had only allowed her to attend University because it was a private, all female school. The professors had been women as well. So, she had no other experience with which to relate their current activities.

She was inundated by sensory information, and she shook with a want that seemed both foreign and heady. Severus' fingers plucked and strummed her, and she started nervously when his hand trailed away from her breast and slid down her hip and over her bottom, where he squeezed and kneaded her plump flesh. It felt deliciously wicked, and she could not help her reaction as he put pressure on her bottom, her hips thrust forward and she pressed against his hip wantonly.

Severus hissed in pain, and Emma drew her lips away, startled, from his neck. The man in question opened his eyes and noticed a shadow standing at the door.

"I'm sorry," She said breathily.

Lucius stepped into the dimly lit room and his lips drew up in a knowing smile, "This was exactly what I had in mind." He said knowingly.

Emma drew away from Severus with a gasp, crossing her arms over her breasts and turning her red face away from the intruding wizard.

It was impossible to miss her embarrassment, but what gave Lucius pause was the light in his friend's eyes. It was something he had not seen in a very long time.