The Rosier house was hidden away in the Lake District. It was a charming manor house that looked like it had been patched up rather recently by wizard standards, with a Georgian era facelift and bright white stucco, with dark green marble tiles as accents, and a black shingled roof. Their house faced the water, and was protected from the errant tourist or part time poet.
It looked like it was trying to compete with the new money of the Malfoys, and failing.
Evan greeted Vera as she arrived, the house elf taking her trunk.
"We expected you hours ago. Was your floo broken?" Evan asked.
Vera expected he was waiting for her to admit her Muggle house didn't have floo and she took the train to Manchester, then a bus a few kilometers out from the nearest village. She frowned.
"Oh, I'm sure you could keep yourself occupied." Vera replied smoothly.
Evan patted her shoulder, as Vera tried not to flinch from his touch. He laughed. "Come, let's head to the parlor. The others are already settling in. Did you bring any appropriate attire? I forgot to mention that in my house we dress for dinner."
Vera pursed her lips. "Of course."
Ever as fastidious as ever, James had insisted on a last minute shopping spree, ordering a new wardrobe for her in order to make the right impression. He had let her circle what she wanted from a catalog, but knowing him, he probably added a few items that were atrocious as well to bring out her eyes, or some such nonsense.
She walked into the den of vipers, ready to make her mark. Glancing across the room, she saw the guests she had expected. There was Rosier's sister, Aoife, later Aoife Goyle. There was Niobe, of course, and Honoria both sitting on the chaise. As for the boys, Mulciber was sitting on the floor, while Dolohov, and Travers were in the midst of a game of Exploding Snap. Regulus, to her dismay, was sitting away from the others, reading a book. Perhaps he was a lost cause. Vera knew she shouldn't know Dolohov yet, he had graduated a few years before them, but everyone else was fair game.
Aoife stood up. "Severa!" She greeted, playing the proper hostess. "How lovely to see you."
"Aoife, charmed. Thank you so much for the invitation." Vera replied, giving a stiff nod.
"Oh, none of that formality, we're among friends! Sit down!" Aoife replied, grabbing her wrist and shoving her onto the chaise with the other girls.
Niobe clicked her tongue. "Darling, we really need to do something about your hair. I swear, it's getting greasier. Did you use the potion I recommended?"
Of course, she looked over at the boys to see if they would pay attention and snicker, they did not look up from their game.
"Must have slipped my mind." Vera replied casually. "Though I'm delighted it's doing wonders for you."
The group separated shortly afterwards to get dressed for dinner. Since this was to be a fairly long visit, James had insisted she bring four or five dress robes, an utter extravagance. She had made it through her first life with one good pair until she was almost twenty five.
Vera was escorted to her room by the house elf, an older one named Nibsy, up to the top floor, at the farthest end of the hall. At least Vera knew where she stood on the guest list. The elf retreated, allowing her time to dress, after asking if she would need any assistance. A quick refusal, and she popped out of sight.
Vera unlocked her trunk, taking out her wand to open its secret compartment. Inside was her journal, which she could communicate with James how her mission was going. She reached for the journal and a quill, walking over to the small desk in her sparse room.
Made it safely. She wrote. Off to dinner.
Hopefully you aren't on the menu. James wrote back.
Vera closed the book, placing it back in the trunk. She hid all traces, then grabbed the first robe James had packed for her, a deep navy colored velvet robe with a dramatic neckline. She tied her hair up, and while she wasn't the type for vanity, grabbed a well worn lipstick she stole from her mother's room, swiping it over her thin lips and dabbing some on her fingers, then onto her pale sallow cheeks. She would have to look just a little desperate, enough to be believable.
She arrived at dinner to find the others were present and seated. According to the seating chart, she was to be placed next to Mulciber and Dolohov. Vera suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, she knew Aoife probably considered this a privilege, similar to her having her own private room.
"I believe we haven't had a proper introduction." Dolohov said as she sat down. "Tony Dolohov, I'm a friend of the family."
"I've heard of you, Mr. Dolohov." Vera murmured as the elves apparated in their starter course, octopus carpaccio with some sort of green sauce.
"Oh, how so?" Dolohov asked in amusement as he cut into the octopus, still wriggling as he placed it in his mouth. "Was it my exploits as a Beater for the Slytherin team, or my career in the Ministry?"
"Your other activities." Vera replied quietly. Mulciber kicked her under the table. Dolohov gave a maniacal grin.
He leaned over to Mulciber. "I like this one Cassius, she's a firecracker."
"I don't think anyone has ever used that word to describe Severa, ever." Mulciber replied. "Severa, mind your manners."
"Not too long until you get your own taste, my dear." Dolohov chuckled. "I think we could use new blood like you in our ranks. Hardly any witches out in the front, besides Bellatrix."
"Severa practically worships her, you know." Mulciber confessed. Now it was her turn to kick him under the table. "What! It's true. She's talks of nothing but her."
Dolohov looked amused, "Perhaps we can get a special meeting? Dolph owled me the other day saying he's utterly bored, I can't see why they wouldn't pop in for a visit."
"That'd be lovely." Mulciber nodded.
After dinner, the group went back to the parlor for after dinner drinks. Mulciber handed Vera a glass of sherry, which she politely declined. He took it from her, downing it. "Suit yourself."
"Severa, you can play the piano, can't you?" Aoife asked, as she sat next to Dolohov. "I'm sure Tony would love to hear something, and we're awfully bored."
"I'm not a trained monkey." Vera grumbled.
"No, but you are our entertainment." Rosier replied casually, with a bit of malice lacing his voice. "Go on, one little trifle."
Vera sighed, making her way to the piano. It had been years since she had played anything. Deciding not to be too difficult, she settled on Nocturne no. 9 by Chopin, fully aware no one else would know what it was.
The group chatted amongst themselves, as Vera was merely background music in their lives. She used the opportunity to listen. Sadly, there was nothing of note. The boys discussed Quidditch, while the girls were theorizing on a popular drama series on the Wireless.
"I didn't know you were a fan of Chopin."
Vera turned to see Regulus sitting next to her on the piano bench.
"I didn't know you were either." Vera replied. She glanced around the room, it seems no one was noticing them as she continued playing.
"Shame he was a Muggle, you'd think he was a wizard with his talent, like Mozart." Regulus replied.
"Ah, yes, what a pity. Though considering Mozart's fate for breaking the Statute of Secrecy, perhaps it's for the best." Vera said. "Did your brother introduce you to his music?"
Regulus scoffed. "Hardly. He's more into Alice Cooper."
"I don't know who she is." Vera confessed, only for Regulus to laugh, catching a reproachful glare from Mulciber.
After she finished her piece, Vera opted for something more contemporary, an instrumental of the jazz standard "I've Got You Under My Skin."
As the clock struck midnight, it was time to retire.
Severa made her way to her room, bolting the door shut. She undressed, then ran to her trunk to grab her journal, ready to report her evening.
The next day, the group planned on spending the day outside. Aoife and Niobe had changed into light colored linen robes, similar to dresses, and insisted Vera join them and the boys outside for Wizard croquet. Much to her chagrin, Wizard croquet had similar rules to the version in the Alice books.
Vera felt herself melting in the hot June sun, and retired early, ready to collapse. As she made her way into the dark sitting room, she fell onto the chaise, trying to catch her breath.
"I didn't think that croquet was your scene, Severa." Regulus declared. He was sitting in the corner, next to the bookshelf.
"I didn't think you knew how to read, Black." Vera spat. She felt lightheaded from the heat, so her insults weren't up to par.
"You wound me, Vera." Regulus tutted. "Also, you have me confused for my dear brother."
"Oh, no one would ever do that." Vera replied. "And that's much too informal, Black."
"Hardly, we are friends, aren't we?" Regulus replied mischievously. He gave her a wink, which Bera felt was in poor taste.
Vera almost wanted to ask if he was her friend, but knew better. She would miss that version of him she left behind, one who had earned her trust.
"My dear cousin and her husband are joining us tonight for the Midsummer ritual, though I'm sure you were aware." Regulus said casually, turning the page.
Vera lifted herself up. "I was not."
"It is quite surprising, all very last minute. The family was supposed to meet at the Malfoy's this year, but change of plans, I suppose. Rumor has it the Dark Lord might show even." Regulus added.
Now that was a surprise. What had Lucius done to displease him? What had the Rosiers done to gain prominence?
"Why are you telling me this?" Vera asked.
"Tit for tat, you will in turn, tell me when you have something useful. Now you can be prepared and make a good impression." Regulus said smugly. "You're welcome."
Vera stood up, ready to sprint out of the room to tell James. Instead, she almost ran into Rosier.
"Severa!" Rosier exclaimed. "There you are, I was hoping you could help me set up the altar for tonight. We are having it over by our reflecting pool, and I need someone to help me administer the sedation to our 'guest'.
Vera nodded, knowing she was invited in the first place to do their dirty work.
The ritual took place at dusk, with over fifty people in attendance.
After it was over, Vera felt drained. She felt that buzzing feeling in her head as her magic peaked with the solstice, and she could tell the others felt it too. The Dark Lord was in good spirits. Vera could see him in the distance chatting with Lucius and the Rosiers' parents. From the distinctive dark curls, Vera noticed Bella and her husband were present too. Vera had to stop herself from feeling too overwhelmed as she remembered the times Bella personally tortured her during the war for her betrayal once her status as a spy was no longer useful. Her hands shook, not from the nerve damage of the Cruciatus, but from fear.
"Severa!" Mulciber declared, grabbing her by the arm. Vera glared at him sharply.
"What?" She snapped.
"Would you like me to make some introductions, or would you like to keep staring? Tony said he could introduce you to the Lestranges."
Vera paused. This would be a good way to get to the cup. "By all means, lead the way."
Mulciber leaned over. "And what do I get in return?"
"Why don't you tell me your terms afterwards? I'm very generous." Vera murmured as she wrapped her arm around his. He smirked. Bastard.
She tried not to let the bile rise to her throat as she knew what he meant. Her body was no longer her own. It was merely a weapon. And if it meant doing favors for her former rapist, so be it.
Mulciber led her to Dolohov and the Lestranges, who had remained on the lawn after the Dark Lord moved around, greeting other guests with the Rosiers.
"Ah, there you are!" Dolohov exclaimed. "Dolly, Bella, you remember Cassius Mulciber?"
"Ah, yes." Rodolphus replied in mild disinterest. "I think we are cousins. How's your father, boy?"
"As well as he ever was." Mulciber shrugged. "Seems to spend most of his time in Egypt."
"Ah, yes. He's one of the cursebreakers at Gringotts, isn't he? Good." Rodolphus nodded. "And, who is this?"
"Ah, yes!" Dolohov replied, sniggering. "This is that little girl I was telling you about, Bella. The one who apparently worships you."
Bellatrix preened. "Is that so?" She asked, her voice still high pitched, but saner than Vera remembered it. "What, pray tell, is it that you worship about me?"
"Your ruthlessness." Vera replied. "Your brilliance. Your magic. You have more power than any of the men here, and yet you aren't taken as seriously as you deserve. You are the backbone of this movement, and should be treated as such."
Bellatrix laughed, but it wasn't as mean spirited as Vera usually heard it. It almost sounded amused. "My my, I have never seen such an unimpressive attempt at flattery, or such naked ambition in a girl. What is your name, child?"
"Severa Snape, my lady." Vera said with a bow.
"Are you a Mudblood?" Bellatrix asked sharply, looking to see if Vera would react. She did not.
"Half, I'm afraid. My mother was a Prince." Vera replied, trying to hide the shame she still felt. James could spend years trying to make her feel better, but what did he really know of the humiliation? What was sympathy anyway?
Bellatrix relaxed, noticing Vera's discomfort. Bella did love feeling superior. "Ah, that is a pity. But, I'm sure the Dark Lord could still find use for you in some way. Do you have any worthwhile skills? Or are you merely here for decoration?"
"I'd hardly say anyone would think of me as such." Vera scoffed. "I'm adept at Potions, and have sharpened my dueling skills prodigiously."
"Severa is one of the best duelists in our year." Mulciber boasted. He really was wanting something from her tonight, wasn't he?
Bellatrix looked over at Mulciber, then her. "Would you like to test that? Right now?"
"I'm always up for a friendly game." Vera said ominously.
"Bella," Rodolphus chided. "Must you do this now?"
"Let's go to the ballroom, I'm sure the Rosiers will not mind." Bellatrix replied excitedly.
Vera braced herself as they walked back into the house. What was she thinking? She watched as Mulciber left her side to tell Evan what happened, and knew she was never going to be invited again, if she lived. Bellatrix was laughing. In the distance, she could see the Dark Lord look up from a conversation with the elder Nott.
Luckily, it seemed only the younger guests were interested in following them inside, ready to see Bellatrix eat her alive. They reached the ballroom, as Bella undid her cloak, handing it to Rodolphus. "There are no need for seconds." Bellatrix declared, "This is all in good fun."
Vera nodded. "Of course."
It seems Evan, Aoife, Niobe, Travers, Dolohov and Regulus had decided to watch. Rodolphus joined them, along with his brother, Rabastan, Vera tried not to roll her eyes. It would certainly be fun to see their disappointment.
"Wand at ready, my dear." Bellatrix declared. "There is no shame in changing your mind." She said, as she lifted her wand to her face.
Vera lifted her wand. "Standard rules, five paces. Rosier, it's your house, tell us when to begin."
Evan looked at both of them, then coughed, clearing his throat. "Yes? I'll be the officiant. Wands at ready!"
Vera turned around, counting her paces. Bella had sparred with her many times on and off during the war. She would start with Impedimenta, then a curse. She loved watching her opponent writhe helplessly. Or she might go for Brachiabindo. She loved the constricting spells on the first go.
As Vera made her final pace, she turned, and cast Flippendo.
The duel went on as the spells became more offensive. Vera noticed Bella was holding back. Avifors, Flagrante…
Vera sent the countercurses, then went with Obscuro and the Vaulting Charm, which Bella dodged.
It wasn't until the fifth spell that Bella opted for Dark magic. Now the fun could begin. Vera knew Bella's go to chain of spells. The woman was predictable in her own way. Vera then sent a few of her personal spells, Levicorpus barely missing. Though that would have been a sight. Bella sent a few Entrail Exploding Curses, a few Blood Ejecting Hexes. While Vera decided to change her pace, and tactics.
She dodged as the curses hit a tapestry on the wall, causing it to create a horrible burning smell. Vera lunged forwards as Bellatrix was distracted by the flames. "Expelliarmus!" Vera shouted as the wand leapt out of Bella's hand. Harry would never let her live it down if he ever knew she used his signature spell.
Vera caught the wand in a solid motion. Then walked over, handing it back to Bellatrix, ready for the scorned witch to curse her.
Bellatrix looked at her irritably, grabbing her wand. "Lucky, lucky, aren't we?" She sneered, her voice getting higher. "I won't be so easy on you next time, little one."
"I'm looking forward to it." Vera replied.
Bellatrix looked at her appraisingly. "I hope so. We will cross paths again sooner than I'd like."
As Bellatrix left the room in a huff, while her husband followed behind. She certainly did not envy whatever he would have to do tonight to placate her.
"Severa, that was brilliant!" Mulciber declared. "I knew you were wonderful, but you beat Bellatrix Lestrange in a duel?"
"She's right, it was luck." Vera replied, trying to downplay her skill.
"Fortuna est quae fit cum praeparatio in occasionem incidit." Mulciber replied. "Luck had nothing to do with it."
The others didn't say anything, but Vera noticed Regulus lingering as they left the ballroom to go to dinner, as if he wanted to say something.
Vera drank three glasses of wine in preparation for the night's activities. Mulciber sat next to her, his hand rubbing across her thigh as it moved upwards, then back down. Vera wished she could grab her fork and stab his hand, but she endured.
As the guests departed, she noticed a few glances her way. Rabastan probably spread the news on the duel to embarrass Bella. She looked over to see Lucius and Rabastan smirking, but they made sure to look away as she noticed them. Vera noticed Narcissa couldn't be bothered to show up tonight. Perhaps she had better things to do.
After the last guest left, the teenagers went back outside as the house elves built a bonfire. They drank in their dress robes while the boys loosened their cravats and shouted, jumping on each other and acting like fools. Mulciber grabbed onto Evan and roughly pulled him close, shouting. Evan beamed. Poor fool thought that was enough. It reminded Vera of her crush on Lily.
The girls lost their decorum, as Niobe grabbed a bottle, drinking straight from it as she sat on Dolohov's lap. Aoife was kissing Travers, her hair undone from its intricate updo as her golden red curls cascaded down her shoulders.
"Are you just going to sit there by yourself?" Regulus asked.
Vera was away from the others, sitting on a log. "I'm not sitting, I'm observing."
"Yes, of course you are." Regulus said drolly, " Always observing."
He sat down next to her, barely keeping his composure as he wobbled onto the log, crashing into her as she almost felt over. Regulus grabbed her shoulder for balance, keeping his hand there, and patting it, as if she was a dog. He smelled of alcohol.
"Regulus, are you drunk?" Vera asked.
"There are those keen observational skills." Regulus laughed. Vera cringed at how much it sounded like his brother's.
He handed her the almost empty bottle of wine. "Will you join me?"
"And how do I know it's not poisoned?" Vera asked, trying to remain impassive. He really was just a boy.
"Severa, your insults never cease do they? My dearest friend, would I ever do that to you?" Regulus asked, sounding mock offended.
"Are we friends, then?" Vera asked, unable to hide her amusement.
"Yes. And as a friendly gesture, I've given a sedative to your brute." Regulus murmured.
Mulciber let out a drunken yell, only to fall to his knees and collapse by the side of the lake, fast asleep. Evan joined him, resting by his side.
"He really has it bad, doesn't he?" Regulus murmured.
"You have no idea."
Regulus turned to her. He leaned over. "That leaves us free. Join me tonight."
"Where?" Vera asked.
Regulus placed his hand in hers, his fingers lacing with hers as he grasped it. "My room. Why give yourself to a beast like Mulciber? If you are using him to advance, I can give you all that and more."
Vera froze. She didn't know how to process this information. In her last life, Regulus had been a friend, a close friend, but nothing more. She had thought of him more like a brother. She had seen him build a life with his wife that he loved, and his children. She looked around the bonfire.
"Where is Honoria?" Vera asked.
"She decided to go home." Regulus slurred. "Her father wanted her to celebrate the Solstice at home, though I think he's a bit jittery knowing the Dark Lord would be present. Coward." He laughed.
"Do you think she's a coward? I thought you fancied Honoria?" Vera asked.
"Honoria?" Regulus asked, his nose crinkling in disgust. "Merlin, no! You really think that? I do care for her as a friend. And maybe if she weren't so insipid…well, she's barmy for Mulciber, isn't she? But you couldn't care less for that brute. I know it. So? Why not go for me?"
"You're too young for me." Vera said evenly.
Regulus leaned over and gently kissed her on the lips. She could tell from his hesitation in must be his first.
"Regulus, I can't." Vera murmured. "It isn't right, with our stations…"
"I'm not asking you to marry me, obviously. I'm asking if you want to get ahead. With me, you could join the Inner Circle. I'm destined for it, you should be there too. You deserve it." Regulus said, his voice sounding heavier in his drunken state.
Vera stood up. "I'm going to bed. You should too, you need to clear your head."
Regulus fell over. "You're unbelievable. Do you just get off on leading me on? Fine, see if I ever help you again!" Regulus complained. He groaned in pain as he tried to get up from the rock.
"Goodnight, Black." Vera sighed, heading to her room.