A/N: SPOV

Severus found himself at Malfoy Manor, staring into Lucius' full-length wardrobe mirror. It was odd, considering that The Dark Lord had taken up residence here until his recent holiday across Europe.

"I have no idea why you are putting in such effort to this, Narcissa. It is a silly function surrounded by people who do not matter." He said resignedly, as she employed switching spells upon him to find which of Lucius' best robes would suit the raven-haired man.

"Lucius is my husband still and he bade me to do this for you. We understand how difficult it is for one such as you to escalate socially, as well as find a wife. Nor am I losing anything by doing this."

She fidgeted, and was calculating. She decided to press on.

"Besides, if The Dark Lord fails again, my family will require as many people to vouch for us as possible. Lucius' money has only gotten him out of so much trouble." Severus realized that any Slytherin worth their salt would have fallback plan.

"You plan to use me to get your husband out of Azkaban, no matter which way the war concludes." He said, frowning at the gold cravat that was snugly tightenging around his neck.

"He is my husband and I am bound to him." She replied stoically. Severus knew what she meant, considering that he was the bridesman alongside Andromeda Black as the bridesmaid. Their wands and their magic were used to bind the two together in the Old Tradition.

"Understandable sentiments, Narcissa. Yet I fail to see how dressing me like Lockhart will do anything for my standing." He sneered, glaring at the periwinkle set of robes that had been switched onto him.

Narcissa chuckled, switching his robes back to his standard black robes. "Perhaps we can lengthen your hair and tie it back with a silver ribbon?"

"Why do you persist in this as if I were some sort of suitor?" He asked, turning his head as she gathered his hair and pulled it back unsuccessfully. Frowning, she charmed it longer and affixed the silver ribbon to affect the same regal look that Lucius had. She frowned, realizing that such a look wasn't for him.

"Severus, you deserve happiness with a witch. Even if she's a Mud... muggle-born." She returned his hair to its normal length, letting the silver ribbon fall to the floor. "Whom are you taking?" She asked, affecting a disinterested tone.

Severus knew it was going to be brought up. "Seeing as there are no single Purebloods that I could take that are near enough my own age, and my duties leave me little time to fraternize with the opposite sex, I have asked Nymphadora to be my companion."

"Oh." Narcissa exclaimed in soft shock. "My niece is suitably half-blooded, but thirteen years your junior."

"Should I attempt to get Alecto past the defensive perimeter of Hogwarts? Her current status of being a fugitive from the Ministry may be in bad taste around Slughorn and his ilk." Severus replied, dryly.

"I... have always thought of you as family, Severus. But she's an Auror, and if I'm not mistaken, you were her Professor." She switched Severus into a set of sapphire robes that brought out the rich color of his dark eyes. "Does she know about your... proclivities?"

Severus recalled the wager he had with Lucius; Lily had lost to Narcissa in 1978 at the private Dungeon Party held in this very home. Lucius had gone on to claim Narcissa as his very own submissive a few years later while Severus had abstained from seeking a new play partner after Lily's death.

Severus raised his wand and returned himself to his teaching robes again.

"I believe I shall be in attendance of Slughorn's party without any such delusions of charming your niece, Narcissa. As for what to wear, I am comfortable with my usual monochromatic robes."

He kissed her cheek in parting, seeing the level of sorrow she had that her husband and Dominant was wasting away in Azkaban. He knew that his role as a double agent meant that he could not expose his true feelings without making her a target for either side.