A Road Less Traveled

"Now I see you come down on the scene, oh Foxy. You make me wanna get up and-a scream. Foxy, oh baby, listen now: I've made up my mind. I'm tired of wasting all my precious time. You've got to be all mine, all mine. Foxy lady, here I come."--Jimi Hendrix "Foxy Lady"

***

Rare was the moment where Severus Snape was completely caught without words. As his mouth gaped open at Lucius Malfoy's suggestion, his mind reeled. Not only for the audacity of the request but he thought of his own appearance and of why Malfoy would possibly suggest this. Tall in stature, with dark hair and eyes, and lean from many hikes through the nearby woods and countryside to find new plants for potion mixtures (Herbology and Potions being close cousins indeed), he looked little like platinum blonde Lucius Malfoy, who was muscular though more average in height. Malfoy clearly must be off his nut to think any offspring I sired could possibly look like him, thought Snape.

"As I am sure you are thinking, why would I ask this when you and I look almost nothing alike?" said Malfoy without missing a beat. "Plain and simple, Severus, you have shown the utmost in discretion in dispensing these fertility draughts to me for nearly a year. Do you realize how much of a laughing stock I would be if it was known I cannot father a child? The years are passing quickly and confidentiality in these matters is vital. Should a child of dark hair and eyes come from this arrangement, it will go without saying that this is a child true to the Black line like her sister Bellatrix. No one will dare presume to ask whether the child came from a...mixed union. Oh yes, Severus, I do know about your mother's bit of indiscretion in choosing a husband. Wedding announcements from The Daily Prophet are not hard to find."

Snape bristled at the barely concealed disdainful barb at his half-blood heritage but said nothing as Malfoy paused at this point to look at him. Snape glanced around distractedly and sat in an old armchair. After likewise sinking into the sofa opposite Snape, Malfoy took that as his signal to continue as he locked eyes with Snape.

"Now, the stipulations, if you decide to help us, are thus: you will hold absolutely no right to this child should one be born of this arrangement. None. In addition, if you keep silent about this, not only will I keep your half-blood parentage a secret, but I will put in a good word for you with my...supervisor. Consider it a chance to network and work your way up in this world," said Malfoy with a smirk as he gazed around at the shabby house. "Furthermore, Narcissa is my crown jewel and my everything. She always has been and she always will be. There will be no intimacy between the two of you beyond what is absolutely required. You will have no unnecessary contact with her after this. Follow these requirements to the letter and all will go well for you. Do we have an accord?"

Gazing at the other man and staring down at the floor, Snape then blinked a few times and looked back up and nodded. Malfoy continued to smirk though he rearranged it into something more pleasant as he stood up to shake hands with Snape. Malfoy swiftly gathered his cloak and cane and left directions so Snape could Apparate to his mansion that weekend.

After his departure, Snape sunk back into his beloved chair. Dammit, Severus, how do you get yourself into these spots? How are you going to pull this off without embarrassing yourself in front of her? You haven't even ever more than kissed a woman, let alone anything else...

The next few days before the week's end seemed to snowball into an odd mixture of anticipation and dread. Even the Healers and Apothecaries at St. Mungo's were surprised at Snape's subpar healing potions as he grew more and more distracted. As 8 PM Saturday night finally came, the butterflies in his stomach were more like Chinese Fireballs. Having bathed and even fussing a bit over his hair (a most uncharacteristic moment for Snape, if there ever was one), he selected to wear a plain but stately set of black robes he had interviewed for his apothecary position in. He didn't tend to put forth this much effort into the very sparse dates he had with other witches--not that they ever lasted more than one date, he thought cynically--and he wasn't exactly sure why he was now. This was a business arrangement, not a date, he continually tried to tell himself. In truth, he wasn't sure who he was dressing up for more, Narcissa or Lucius. After mopping a bit of perspiration off his forehead with the back of his sleeve, he concentrated on the coordinates and Disapparated with a small pop.

Malfoy Manor loomed in front of him as Snape strode past the gate. An unseasonably warm wind whipped his cloak and hair about as he approached the house by the light of the full moon. The deep chime sounded as he stepped on the porch. The door cracked open slightly and Snape looked down to see a short creature with a long nose, enormous eyes, and bat-like ears gaping at him.

"Master Snape! Master Malfoy is expecting you. Dobby will show you in, sir!" the house elf squeaked.

Snape nodded at and strode into the foyer after the house elf. His eyes took in the sights of the opulent Victorian house with lavish tapestries and expensive furniture from exotic locales. The clean smell of vanilla and sandalwood mingled with freshly cut roses. Snape was only made to wait a moment as Lucius Malfoy descended the marble staircase with Narcissa and perfunctory wineglass in hand. Despite maintaining a look of calm, Snape's stomach gave an involuntary lurch at the sight of young Mistress Malfoy. Her form-fitting ice blue robes and assorted fineries paired with her expression of passive resignation served to make her look even more haughty and ethereal than in the days of Hogwarts. Neither looked the other in the eyes.

"Why, Severus! How nice of you to join us!" entreated Lucius jovially after clapping him on the back. Severus grimaced but managed to smile awkwardly. "Dobby! A bottle best of your elf-made wine for our guest and then be gone. See to it that we are not to be disturbed. For any reason."

Dobby scuttled away to the wine cellar and returned promptly with a freshly opened bottle and a wine glass. He delicately poured a glass for Snape, refreshed his masters' glasses, and bowed low as he left. Try as Snape might, his hand shook just slightly as he brought the glass up to his lips to drink.

"Now, Severus, to business, so to speak," said Lucius, coolly sipping his wine as he led the way back up the stairs and down the hall before pausing at an elaborately carved door. Narcissa had yet to say a word. "Now, don't be nervous! We are counting on you, remember? The Head of Midwife Healers assured us that tonight would be the best night to ensure a fruitful venture. The basic instructions are as follows: we go to our bedchambers and we will all disrobe. My wife and I will make love first. You may watch...if you are so inclined. Then it will be your turn. Do what you must and quickly, then disengage immediately. Then you will leave. Understood?"

Snape murmured in affirmation and followed them into the bedroom.