Contract Creature

Chapter Four - Ceremonial Darkness Falls

Suddenly the cloak and gloves turned into a thick black-dyed wool, the scenery changed to one in almost direct contrast to the Headmaster's office, a clearing in the middle of thick evergreens devoid of anything living except the rustling movement that alerted the presence of Voldemort and his pet Nagini. The fall of snow had ceased and had left clouds that haloed the no yet full moon. The Elderdragon heir lifted a hand to a stream of green magic meant to kill was calmly deflected to the caster, then joined the hands of the three others to form a three-man circle surrounding, and signalled for quiet with a finger in the general direction of concealed mouth. The finger then faced pitch black where the spell's origins had been before it crooked, a tall rigid figure wrapped in venomous reptile flew towards them, mimicking the backlash of a stretched elastic band. A splayed hand and throaty hiss to the shock of the Boy-who-lived, Nagini swiftly laid on the ground in submission.

Voldemort was unmoving, frozen in a silently cast command, and floated into the circle where the heir stood. His sleeve was brushed upward to reveal the porcelain left inner arm, a thin line was drawn and leaked his toxic blood. The finger crooked again and bright yellow symbols of an obscure language started glowing in the areas of Severus' marks, Harry's scar and Voldemort's cut. The symbols fleshed out into physical handles: Harry and Severus' hands were placed on that of Voldemort's cut, Severus' free hand on that of Harry's scar, Draco's placed on Severus' mark and the other on Harry's scar, and Harry's leftover gripped that on Severus' arm. Using miming motions, the mute Elderdragon told to pull. The handles came undone after much strain, a great circle of white opened under the now kneeling stylized lord bursting into a blinding pillar extending well past a hundred feet, the sudden release threw the three men backwards and the mute heir had stepped away. A crooked finger and hundreds of black shapes came flying across the hazily moonlit sky to suspend in struggling circles surrounding their master, the people seen every raid and meeting by Snape screamed and shrieked outrage, the dark side had been gathered. Fire exploded from the ground under Voldemort, his body into ashes. The screaming became louder.

A twist of the wrist brought them back to Dumbledore's office where a map and globe had been laid out, the heir stabbed the rough location on the globe and drew a rapid circle on the magically adjusted map.

As the three males tried to adjust to what just happened, Potter came to compare what just happened with a roller coaster ride, the mindless and quick succession was almost nauseating. The strange man with Dumbledore spoke,

"Now you can gather your aurors, they won't be able to miss the beacon should they botch the place by a couple miles. It's only visible to magic-users and has the strongest do-not-disturb spell that boundaries the spot and ten mile radius, tell the media about the miraculous spellwork those three did - the deatheaters will testify seeing them, my heir's existence shall not begin till three days after." Albus folded the map and chucked it into the green fire with a note. At this Severus spat out, while Harry noticed Hogwarts staff and Phoenix Order members including Ron and Hermione when engulfed by salty hugs.

"You didn't tell us that I was marrying a mute." Lord Dragonvieux blinked before laughing outright.

"She's just being stubborn from yesterday, the lemmings had a civil war and their neighbours were a pack of grizzlies that had to minimize supplies of honey until the fighting ceased, the little one was very disappointed at her lack of sweet and is only continuing her vow of silence. Come, stop hiding little one, let your husband see his bride's face." The other activity and babbling ceased at this comment, Draco couldn't help letting out an indignant squawk. Albus lifted a hand for silence.

"In exchange for Voldemort's fall, Severus has graciously traded his life over to marry Lord Dragonvieux's daughter. That is why we have been called here, to witness a most joyful event." The girl lifted her hood back and stood with a self-composed air and a small smile that was similar to the vague one Luna Lovegood tended to wear. "You are here under the assumption that their marriage is safe to be kept secret under your witness. The union of Severus Snape and Talm Dragonveille." The shock of the announcement was dispelled with the future Mrs. Snape's more shocking features.

A small girl of five feet and five inches was presented in a cloak of changed back black and blood red dragonskin, she had a delicately proportioned classic facial structure of ranger elves and veela with a marked mischievousness of imps and fairies, clear fair skin marred only by a glimmer of silver at her temples that looked like some tattoo of unfamiliar symbols and rosy blush on each high cheekbone, long raven hair was pulled back halfway streaked with three thick braids of white on each side, intense feline-like eyes dispelled any mistake of categorizing the subject as whimsical, her eyes were the one item that overshadowed the rest of her angelic face. Taking after her father, the heir's pupils were of an upright slender almond, surrounded by navy that spiralled into blue quicksilver lined with a circle of amber, cushioned in subtle blue tinted whites. One side of her lips twitched into a smirk as the captivating sea of blue blurred into a human green hazel.

Albus Dumbledore had already had a glimpse of the phenomenon so was less effected, this didn't extend to the witnesses or the groom who had to be nudged to say his two syllables. The amusement of both Elderdragons heightened when both the husband and surrounding crowd excluding the headmaster didn't catch the female's name. Addressing the crowd,

"My name is Talm." Then softly to only her husband. "The only pronounceable syllables for humans make up Talm Eralis, so it is now Talm Eralis Dragonveille Snape. I am pleased to be your wife, Severus." She pulled him to bend and rose on tiptoes to give him a light chaste kiss. A tidal wave seemed to crash against the barriers of his mind and his nerve endings exploded, all stopped abruptly and he found myriads of compartments of new and alien knowledge. 'Do not worry, Sev, it is part of our bonding. You must know about me for I already know of you.' Severus found himself speechless and tried to croak out an answer but was halted by a pleasantly cool small hand cupped against his cheek. 'You must slowly adjust, all answers are there.'

The hand slid away and Professor Snape was returned to reality where the witnesses were watching the newly weds curiously, while listening to the Headmasters instructions punctuated by comments from his new father-in-law. A warmth and pleasant feeling of being close to his spouse enveloped him. And with a startled shock realized that Voldemort was no more, he was free and married to a beautiful woman, able to start and family in security. He replaced the look of delighted awe on his visage with a patented frown and glare to warn off incredulous stares, rummaging through his mind at the new pieces of facts given to him by his little bride, and was dismayed at one of the first to come to mind. Speaking softly to the Talm who was still holding his hand,

"Why must you go?" Talm, looked up with green hazel that flickered to their original form for a moment before fading again, answered softly.

"It would be hard to explain to the media of my involvement without more trouble for us, you have need for peace and quiet, you wouldn't find it if your wife was the catalyst to a war breaking. Just for three days, no more, the excitement will die down by then just a little and I'll have the rest of my affairs taken care of." There was a commotion as Phoenix members were transported to the site of Voldemort and the deatheaters by Talm's father, it was white noise to Severus as he pulled the dragonhide off his wife's tiny slender fingers to reveal soft pale skin adorned with black vines imprinted into the flesh of her wrists, she smiled at the question on his face. "They're birthmarks, when I start school I will move them to a less noticeable area."

"Move them?" To answer his question, a vine flicked across Talm's knuckles in a serpentine manner before returning to its original arrangement.

"Magical but you can't move yours."

"What?" Talm smiled even wider and pushed Severus' sleeve up to show the arm where once the dark mark burned, two lines of five runes each a fingertip wide flashed on the otherwise healed skin. "What does it say?" She grinned,

Elderdragon, Consort of Heir, High lord, Warrior. Illumined Dark, Protector, Redeemed, Free. A hushed hiss of appreciation fled through his teeth. He kissed his wife gently on the lips, not caring that he was shattering all normal conceptions about him held by the others still in the room. He whispered to her,

"Thank you." She nodded before pushing him gently to the direction of Albus and her father.

Go, I will see you soon. You are protected by all the power of the Elderdragons as my consort, be safe. The just married Severus Snape disappeared with the touch of Lord Dragonvieux's hand. Then Harry left with a respectful nod and hesitant grin to her that was returned with a smirk and a little two-finger salute. Draco lingered to say his piece to the girl that made him and his godfather so happy,

"I'm anxious in getting to know you better... Auntie Talm." She laughed and pulled him into a hug after his rough buss on the cheek. Grinning impishly she replied with a hint of bubbling hilarity,

"I'm younger than you and going to need help in homework next year, you'll get to know me quite well when I do your taxes, nephew. Try to keep your uncle in good spirits for the next few days or the reporters will most likely drive him mad, I won't be around for a while tying up loose ends, but I'll be sure to bring back some sweets if you've behaved. Deal?" Grinning at the promise of his new favourite relation, he answered dutifully,

"Yes, Aunt Talm." Before he was popped to appear at his uncle's side mobbed by screeching reporters and photographers.

Chapter Five - Aftermath

He was a hero, he was famous, he had girls thrown at his feet, a Merlin first class on the way, his father staying in Azkaban and his mother was still striving to be an elegant hermit. Draco heaved out a sigh of relief when they had finally ripped away from the hordes of annoying classmates, paparazzi and people that just plain got in his way. The dark room was glowing warmly from the fire of Uncle Severus' hearth and sitting room, it was a blessing to his eyeballs that had suffered continuous bright flashing the past approximate forty hours, sipping hot relaxing tea on a comfy couch. Would've been perfect if Potter wasn't on the opposite couch to the right of Uncle Severus' armchair, in all Gryffindor scar-less glory, opening his stupid mouth to release some brainless comment.

"Not that I'm complaining, Malfoy, but why aren't you acting the usual git?" The blond smirked at his rival then looked slyly over to his godfather.

"Mostly 'cause of my new Auntie Talm." Draco watched his head of house choke and sputter into his cup with unveiled glee. "She promised me sweets if I behaved." Severus had stopped in his coughing fit to start up at Draco's second comment. Harry cocked an eyebrow,

"Didn't think you'd take so quickly." Draco slowly set his mug down, in haled several calming breaths then exploded.

"Oh come on Potter, the little bit can take down Voldemort by lifting one finger and you're asking me how I can take to her so quickly? She got rid of you're horrible scar, his and my father's dark marks, rid us of the evil menace of all the wizarding world, and you ask how I can bloody take so quickly?" Uncle Severus cleared his throat and gave a meaningful glare to tell the truth. Draco sighed and realized he'd been doing that a lot lately, as fellow fame sufferers they had to be civil to each other in common wretchedness. "She offered to do my taxes and bribed me with candy, satisfied? I couldn't say no to classic manipulation techniques." By now, the Boy-who-just-wouldn't-die was gasping for breath between teary guffaws. "She's younger than us, y'know." Pausing thoughtfully to sift through the reams of knowledge transferred by his wife, Severus nodded.

"Yes, she is. Just turned sixteen several weeks ago." 'But it doesn't matter since I'll age ten years backwards before forwards again because of our marriage.' Severus thought to himself in idleness, observing the blanched look on Harry's face, Draco hardly took notice since there were many pureblood marriages with larger age gaps than twenty years.

"And she's going to school with us."

"Next year. No one else will know she's married, she'll be a new student so distantly related to Draco that even he isn't completely sure. You've seen the amount of power Talm has, it'd be a good idea to make sure she doesn't have to even consider using it, one of you could take her under your wing." Draco sneered.

"She'll be fine in Slytherin, no one'll touch my favourite cousin." Harry sneered back.

"Bet you ten galleons she'll be in another house." The pale-faced boy shrugged decisively.

"No skin off my nose. Ten galleons it is." Severus winced and rubbed his temples to stave off an oncoming headache, wishing for the peace he had felt beside his beautiful wife, taking comfort in the signs on his inner left arm. There was period of silence broken by Harry again.

"How many deatheaters will escape by saying they were under Imperius?"

"All of them will try somehow, some might even be convincing. Has there been any trouble between you and their children?" Snape knew the answer already and waited for the affirmative.

"Enough to take refuge here." Instead of being offended, the Potions professor accio'd blankets.

"Get some sleep, I wouldn't put it past the paparazzi to hire a curse breaker to tear down my wards by morning. It's Sunday tomorrow so it'll take a while and a lot of money to bribe one."

It wasn't a few hours later that Draco knocked quietly on the door of his godfather's bedchamber.

"You'll be tired."

"I'm always tired, couldn't sleep."

"So I'm forced into your misery as well?"

"You're not sleeping either." His uncle swung the door wider and checked Potter, before closing the door and flopping down on a chair at his desk, waving at the only other.

"Sleeps like the dead and isn't yet, a pity." Draco chuckled and Snape looked sharply at his nephew. "The rest of the school year's going to be hell, and the year after."

"Not if she's there." Summoning two glasses and a decanter of Firewhiskey, Severus pushed one towards Draco.

"That's what you want to talk about." Sipping the burning liquid. "What do you wan to know? There's danger in knowing too much." Draco drummed fingers into his chair rephrasing to get the most detailed answer, then recklessly threw it out.

"She's pureblood and rich, with her father as a lord?" Severus mulled it over.

"Yes, her father is a lord and she's wealthy. No, she isn't pureblood but she has no muggle ancestry at all."

"She's not human." A statement, not a question.

"Partly, looks and acts like one."

"'Cept for her eyes."

"Looked like they were human at some point. You led Potter, not me. What's your real reason in liking Talm?" Draco grimaced and ran a hand through gel-less hair.

"Caught that, huh? She's family, who's actually cute and sweet, got rid of a year of worry and lifetime of hell for me. And... she hugged me as in actually hugged me, not in the pretentious etiquette hugs of holding forearms, even you've never done that before. It was like we were just family, not a generation of socialites or anything. That, and I know you really like her."

"I've barely met her and am hugely indebted to her." Draco snorted at the evasive reply, taking a sip.

"But you still like her, me too, pretty isn't she?"

"I hope you won't be chatting up your aunt who just so happens to be my wife." Draco just stopped himself from spraying a large gulp, his uncle eyed him shrewdly. "Then I might not be your favourite relation anymore." Swallowing quickly.

"No, then she would be my favourite." Draco couldn't help laughing at the strained expression pinching his godfather's face. "I'm not going to chat up Auntie Talm, I'd rather you did so I can have cousins to distract Pansy while I sneak out the back."

"Trouble in paradise?"

"Wasn't paradise to begin with, now the publicity and her father in Azkaban, I don't think she knows whether to fawn over me or curse me. Tried to do both this afternoon, though."

"Dump her and get one of those screaming fans that keep following us around." Draco shrugged.

"A few are yours too." Severus smiled holding up his left hand and wigging the fingers.

"Ah, but I'm mysteriously taken, to their disappointment." Draco sniggered remembering when his uncle's platinum band was noticed, the reporter's face turned an interesting grey.

"The look on everyone's faces when that Skeeter broad snatched your hand, priceless. How're you going to explain your wife though? And Talm's relationship with you? The answers: 'No comment' and 'None of your business' will get old and make them more determined."

"It's all been arranged. Talm will get a separate room since the seventh year dorms were planned out from year one, and she need to concentrate on catching up on her studies not socializing. Her room will actually be a spelled tapestry to mine, her wedding ring will be invisible. I think I can be a bastard enough to throw everyone else off my case, you can pump them with false information on how my mystery spouse is bundled up off the coastline of Antarctica, once school's finished we'll consider letting out the truth." Draco began thinking of places for his aunt to be vacationing.

"She'll be in sixth year or first?" Severus thought carefully.

"After testing we'll know for sure but seventh, easily, in all the advanced classes too. She might actually just take the final exams of some subjects and be left with a few classes a day."

"You're joking! She could be smarter than Granger!" The junior Malfoy crowed at the idea of his aunt beating the academic stuffing out of the brains of the golden trio, and maliciously rubbed his hands together at his uncle's answer after emptying his glass of alcohol.

"She is. Though she'll be regarded very strangely."

"Why's that?" His nephew watched Severus drink the rest of his Firewhiskey.

"They'll probably think her insane rather than brilliant, first."